Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/72

 Else dost thou lose thy head!" The Vila began to call him brother-in-God: "Brother-in-God, Kraljević Marko! Brother-in-God-the-Highest, and in Saint John! Let me go forth alive into the mountain, That I may pluck herbs on Miroč, Wherewith to heal the hero's wounds." And Marko was merciful for God's sake, His heroic heart was compassionate, He suffered the Vila to go forth alive into the mountain, And the Vila gathered simples for Miloš; The Vila gathered them, and ever and oft she called: "I am coming, brother-in-God!" The Vila gathered simples on Miroč And healed the wounds of the hero. More beautiful was now the voice of Miloš, More beautiful than it had ever been. And the heart of the knight Was sounder than ever tofore. The Vila hied her to the Miroč mountain, Marko and his pobratim gat them on their way. They journeyed even unto Porec. They forded Timok river, They came to Bregovo—the great village, And fared onwards to Widdin. And thus the Vila spake to her sister Vilas: "Hearken unto me, ye Vilas, Loose not your arrows against knights in the mountain. If ye hear aught of Marko Kraljević, Or of his magic horse, Sharatz, Or of his golden mace. What did not I suffer at his hands! And hardly might I save myself alive!"