Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/120

 Wherefore hast thou slain my pobratim? For what hast thou done this evil? For a rich-wrought sabre? God grant it may cut off thine own head!" Thus she said and fled into the manor. Thereafter, but a short time had sped When a firman came from the Turkish Sultan, Laying charge on Mustapha that he should join the host, So Mustapha joined him to the Sultan's host He had girded on the rich-wrought sabre And when he came to the Sultan's host, Great and small examined the sabre, But none might draw it from its scabbard. The sabre went from hand to hand, It came into the hands of Marko Kraljević, And for him the sabre left the scabbard of its own accord. When Marko examined the sabre, Lo, thereon were three Christian words! The first was the name of Novak, the smith. The second was the name of Vukašin the King, The third was the name of Kraljević Marko! Marko asked the Turk, Mustapha-Aga: "Body of me, thou youthful Turk! Whence hast thou this sharp sabre? Hast thou bought it for gold? Or hast thou won it in battle? Was it bequeathed thee by thy father? Or did thy wife bring it thee? Did thy wife bring it as dowry?" Mustapha-Aga, the Turk, answered him: "Body of me, Giaour Marko! Since thou askest, I will tell thee truly." And he told him all even as it had come to pass. To him spake Kraljević Marko: "God do so unto thee, Turk, and more also! Wherefore didst thou not heal his wounds? I should have caused thee to receive favour