Page:Bohemian poems, ancient and modern (Lyra czecho-slovanska).djvu/45

 When came the news to Kublay Khan
 * About his daughter dear,

He gather’d hosts in ev’ry land,
 * And westward march’d with war.

The western kings the tidings heard,
 * That Kublay doth invade

Their thickly-peopled countries, and
 * Confed’racies they made.

A mighty host they gather, take
 * The field right speedily,

On a wide plain encamp’d await
 * The Khan of Tatary.

Then Kublay his astrologers,
 * Magicians, wizards, all,

Into the future bids enquire,
 * What issue shall befall.

Th’ astrologers assembled quick,
 * Magicians, wizards tried,

A circle in two companies
 * They tread on either side;

And in it a black bar they place,
 * And do in twain divide.

The one half they have Kublay nam’d,
 * The other half the kings,