Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/166

 What is it that urgeth thee into the lake? Wherefore wilt thou wed thee with the lake? Into what sore straits art thou come?" The Turkish maiden made answer: "Let me pass, foul churl! Wherefore dost thou ask since thou canst not help me?" But she told him all from beginning to end, How it was she sought refuge in the lake. "And at the last," quoth she, "they spake to me of Marko, That dwelleth in the castle of Prilep, They said that Marko was a worthy knight, That could slay the Arab an he would; Therefore did I call him my brother-in-God, I called him my kum-in-Saint-John, And promised him many gifts of price. In vain! Marko will not come, He will not come, may his mother lose him!" But Kraljević Marko spake and said: "Curse me not, sister-in-God, For thou seest Marko Kraljević in his proper person." When the fair damsel heard it, She threw her arms about Marko's neck. "Brother-in-God, Kraljević Marko, Give me not, I pray thee, to the black Arab!" Answered her again Kraljević Marko: "Sister-in-God, thou Turkish maiden, Whilst my head is mine own, I will not give thee to the black Arab. Speak no word to any concerning me, Save only to the Sultan and Sultana. Let somewhat be prepared for my supper, See that there be no stint of wine, And let it be sent to me to the new inn. And when the Moor cometh with his guests, Let him receive fair welcome, And let them give thee to the Moor,