Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/171

 Right with that he returned back through Stamboul market-place, But of the wedding-guests there was none nowhere, Alone remained the Sultan's fair daughter, And round about her the twelve pack-loads, That held fair garments of the damsel. So Marko returned to the damsel, And took her to the Sultan's palace, And spake to the illustrious Sultan: "Behold, Sultan, thy fair daughter! And behold the head of the Arab! Behold also the twelve pack-loads, Wherein are the fair garments of the damsel." Therewith he turned about his Sharatz, And right so departed unto white Prilep. When day dawned on the morrow, The Sultan made ready seven charges of gold, And the damsel prepared a sevenfold present, Not of things woven or spun, Nor of such as passeth through the weaver's loom, But her gifts were wrought of fine gold. She sent him a golden salver, Whereon a twisted snake Lift up his head on high, And held in his teeth a precious stone, That shone so as ye might sup by night As it had been the light of day. She sent him also a rich-wrought sabre, That had a threefold hilt of gold, Wherein were three precious stones. Therewith, also, was the Sultan's seal, That not the Grand Vizier durst do scathe to Marko, Without the consentment of the illustrious Sultan. All these she sent to Marko with the message: "Behold, Marko, a little gold for thee, And if ever thou shouldst lack for money, Come again to the Sultan thy father."