Page:The Queens Court Manuscript with Other Ancient Bohemian Poems, 1852, Cambridge edition.djvu/43

 Th’ astrologers assembled quick,
 * Magicians, wizards tried,

A circle in two companies
 * They tread on either side;

And in it a black bar they place,
 * And do in twain divide.

The one half they have Kublay nam’d,
 * The other half the kings,

And o’er them the whole magic band
 * Ancient enchantments sings.

And soon the bars begin to move
 * In combat mightily,

And that, which they had Kublay nam’d,
 * Hath won the victory.

The multitudes thereat rejoice,
 * Each springs with speed to horse,

And quickly all array themselves
 * Amongst the army’s force.

The Christians they no council hold,
 * And without foresight throng,

And rush upon the heathen ranks
 * As arrogant as strong.

Then first in battle did they meet,
 * Like hail the arrows stream’d,