Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/110

 He poured wine into a wine-skin, He hanged it on the saddle of Sharatz, And on the other side his heavy mace. Then he mounted his fiery steed, And went straightway to the Bulgarian land, To the white palace of King Šišman. From afar the King espied him, And came out for to meet him. They opened their arms and kissed each other on the face. Each asked how it did with other. The faithful servants took the horses, And led them away to the stables below. The King took Marko to the white tower, They sate them down at the well-spread table, And began to drink dark wine. And when they had well drunken, Marko sprang to his light feet, He doffed his cap, he bowed him to the ground, And asked the King to give him the maid in marriage. The King gave her without a word, And when Marko had gotten ring and apple , And rich garments for the bride, And had given gifts to mother-in-law and sister-in-law, Marko had spended three tovars of gold. He required him respite for a month of days, That he might fare to white Prilep And gather the well-beseen wedding-guests. The maid's mother said to him: "O son-in-law, Marko of Prilep, Bring not a dever that is a stranger, But either a brother or else a cousin, For the damsel is peerless of beauty, And we fear some deed of shame."