Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/35

 Bring forth the quarterings, painted fine,
 * The emblems of my noble race,

And throw them on that burning pile;
 * There let them burn before my face.”

Silent he stood, with sad, stern face,
 * And watched the flames that rose on high.

Here I lay low all worldly pride,
 * I longing but for my land to die.

Is any here that I have wronged,
 * Or burdened in my lordly right,

I beg him to forgive me now—
 * Let me go blameless in the fight.”

The multitude in silence stood;
 * They watched the mighty flames rise high.

Then all at once their lord’s voice said:
 * Oh, brothers mine, now let us die;

Come, let us die for this our land,
 * Down-trodden ’neath the German yoke;

Come, let us die for this our faith.”
 * Shouts drown his voice as thus he spoke.

No earthly flag, but this the Chalice,
 * Shall lead us on, in battle’s roar;

I am no noble, but a friend
 * Whose right it is to go before.

Take horses, weapons, to your fill—
 * Come, let us march against the foe.

Long live Bohemia, our dear land,
 * God’s praise we’ll sing as forth we go.”

At these brave words a deaf’ning shout
 * Came from that multitude of men:

Long live our brother Dalibor,
 * The leader of Bohemian men.”

And soon they were upon the plain,
 * And fearless met the angry foe.

God gave the victory to their hands;
 * Their enemies were stricken low.

The banner with the Chalice cup
 * Was crowned with many a laurel bough,

And day by day their numbers grew.
 * The Lord of battles, He knows how