Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/191

 His steed and his weapons likewise, And suffer him then to enter into my tent. I seek not his gold but I will have his head That I may possess a horse that is worthy of me." Then the Moor's henchmen went out For to take Marko's trusty steed; But when they saw Marko near at hand, They durst not go to him. So they fled into the Moor's tent And hid them behind the Moor their master. They covered their swords with their mantles, Lest Marko might be ware of their weapons. Alone entered Marko into the courtyard, Before the tent he lighted down from Sharatz, And to his trusty Sharatz thus he spake: "Go thou, Sharo, to and fro within this courtyard, For I will into the tent of the Moor, But be thou ever by the door of the tent, Lest I be put in jeopardy." Therewithal Marko went into the tent, And the Moor sat there drinking cool wine, And a young bride and a maiden served him. And Marko gave him fair greeting: "God aid thee, noble lord!" The Moor returned him yet fairer salutation: "Long life to thee, fair stranger, and worshipful knight! Come, Sir Knight, let us drink wine together, Then shalt thou tell me wherefore thou art come." But Kraljević Marko said: "I have not time to drink with thee, But I am come to thee of good intent, Of better intent might no man be; I have wooed a fair damsel, The wedding-guests are on the road here beside, And I am come bearing the tax-money, That I may pay the money and lead home the damsel, No man daring to stand in the way.