Page:The Ballads of Marko Kraljević.djvu/98

 Miloš sate him down and wrote a letter, To Prilep the white castle, To Marko Kraljević, his pobratim: "Brother-in-God, Kraljević Marko, Hast thou not heard—or carest thou naught for me? Into sore straits am I come, In the hands of the Magyars. General Vuča hath taken me, And with me my two pobratims. He hath cast us into the depths of a dungeon, Where the water cometh to our knees, And the bones of dead heroes are shoulder-high. Three white days have I lain here, brother, And, brother, if I remain yet three days, Nevermore shalt thou see me! Deliver me, pobratim Marko, Be it with gold or by deed of prowess." Then he struck the pen into his face, And caused the blood to pour from his cheek, With blood he sealed his letter. He gave it to the post, And gave him twelve ducats, And to the post Miloš saith: "Bear this letter to white Prilep, To the knees of Kraljević Marko." The post departed for white Prilep, And reached it on the holy Sabbath, What time the Serbs were at church. The post stood before the white church, Until Marko should come forth of the church; And anon when Marko came forth, The post set his cap under his arm, And bowed to the ground before Marko, And gave him the letter. When Marko received the letter, Standing, Marko oversaw the letter, And when he perceived what it told him,