Page:Poetry of the Magyars.djvu/113

Rh "Remember, Herczeg! what thou dost—

To leave the land prepare;

Which thou hast sold to Magyars bold—

The Magyars hasten here."

The heralds sought the Polish Count,

And bent them low and meek;

Yet free from fright, they spoke outright,

As Arpād bade them speak.

"For snow-white steed thou gav'st the land;

For golden bit, the grass;

For the rich saddle, Duna's stream—

Now bring the deed to pass."

The Herczeg laugh'd at first, nor cared

For what the heralds brought;

But soon his rage o'ercame his mirth,

And thus he spoke his thought:

"'Twere better to have slain the steed,

Than sport such dangerous wit;

The saddle hide 'neath Duna's stream—

Beneath the grass, the bit."

The heralds to the Herczeg said,

"Your Highness need not storm;

The bargain made with Magyar men,

Your Highness must perform.