Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/178

 But Marko thrust out his mace And brake off the blade at the hilt. Then they seized their ribbed maces, And therewith began to smite each the other, That the ribbed maces brake, And they cast them from them on the green grass. They lighted down from their good horses, They seized each other body to body, And wrestled this way and that on the green grass. For hero met hero in very sooth, When Deli Musa met Kraljević Marko! Nor might Musa overthrow Marko, Nor by Marko might he be overthrown. So they wrestled till noon of a summer's day; White foam fell from Musa, From Marko foam white and bloody. And Musa the Outlaw spake and said: "Overthrow me, Marko, or thee shall I overthrow." Kraljević Marko put forth his strength, But in no wise might he prevail. Then Musa put forth his strength, He overthrew Marko on the green grass, And knelt upon the hero's breast. Then Marko made grievous moan: "Where art thou this day, sworn sister Vila? Where art thou this day? Foul fall thee! Falsely didst thou swear Thou wouldst be with me to aid me, If haply I should come into evil straits!" From the clouds the Vila made known her presence: "How now, brother Kraljević Marko! Did I not lay charge upon thee, To do no battle on the holy Sabbath? It were shame also that two should prevail against one. Bethink thee! Where are thy hidden fangs ?" Musa looked up to the hills and to the clouds,