Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/157

 Let bind him with fetters of iron, And he will send a letter To his mother in Prilep castle, And she will bring thee gold to his ransom." When the King of Azak heard it, He spake harsh words to the damsel: "A bitch thou art and not my daughter! Thou art become his leman bitch! By the Almighty God, I will not let Marko forth of the dungeon, But will hold him nine years, Till the snakes have sucked his eyes, And the scorpions have marred his visage: Until his legs fall from the knees, And his arms from his shoulders. When Marko has suffered these torments, I shall let forth the captive, without ransom, I shall turn him a cripple into the street. Let him beg for bread to nourish him!" When the damsel understood these words, She went to Marko's dungeon And told him all that the King had said. When Kraljević Marko heard it, He made such dole that even God was ware of it, And to the damsel he said: "Sister-in-God, king's daughter, Bring me inkhorn and paper, That I may prepare a letter, And send it to my mother at Prilep, That she may sell lands and cities. Let her sell them, and give money for my soul, And nourish her, and protect her from evil. As for my faithful wife, let her wed with another. Dear Sister, let them no longer swear by me! For here my bones do rot In the accursed dungeon of Azak." She brought him inkhorn and paper,