The Ballads of Marko Kraljević/A Damsel Outwits Marko

by Unknown

A DAMSEL OUTWITS MARKO

There was a poor maid that was an orphan,
When she dined then she supped not,
If she dined and supped
Then she had no clothing.
Yet for all that good fortune came to her^[1],
Kraljević Marko sought her in marriage,
Vojvoda Janko urged a rival suit,
Pavle Ustupčić gave her a ring.
And the three suitors arose,
Each with a thousand wedding-guests with him,10
And came right so to the damsel's dwelling.
Marko came first, and behind Marko, Janko,
And behind Janko, Pavle Ustupčić.
Kraljević Marko looked behind him,
And spake to the Vojvoda Janko:
"Whither goest thou, Janko?
Wherefore hast thou troubled so many guests,
And wearied so many horses,
Since that the maid is not for thee,
But for me, Kraljević Marko?" 20
Janko held his peace and said nothing.
But he turned him to Pavle Ustupčić
And spake to him (softly)^[2], saying:
"Whither goest thou, Pavle?
Wherefore hast thou troubled so many guests,
And wearied so many horses?
Not for me the maiden, nor yet for thee,
But for the falcon, Marko Kraljević."
Pavle held his peace, he said nothing,

But he rode forward before his wedding-guests. 30
And when they were come near to the house,
The maid's mother had seen them afar off,
And came forth joyfully to meet them.
Then she conducted the lordly throng,
And led them three by three into her dwelling.
The Kums^[3] she set each by other,
The Stari Svats^[4] each by other,
The suitors each by other.
After that she turned to the wedding-guests:
"Ye well-beseen guests," quoth she, 40
"Enter, good friends, an it please you!"
When the guests had rested them a little,
Marko Kraljević arose
And pulled out his damascened sabre,
And laid it across his knees.
Then he turned him to Janko,
And spake (softly) to him, saying:
"Hearken to me, Vojvoda Janko,
And thou likewise. Pa vie Ustupčić!
We shall set out three golden apples^[5], 50
And three golden rings;
Let them bring forth the fair damsel,
And let her choose whose apple she will,
Or apple or golden ring.
And he whose ring or apple she taketh,
Shall himself take the fair damsel."
Forth withal they obeyed Marko,
They set out three golden apples,
And three golden rings;
Then the fair damsel was brought, 60
And Marko Kraljević spake, saying:
"Hear me, fair damsel,

Choose now whose apple thou wilt have,
Or apple or golden ring."
When the damsel understood these words
(Though poor she was also prudent),
She answered him again, and said:
"Kum-in-God, Kraljević Marko^[6]!
Stari Svat, Vojvoda Janko!
And all ye gay wedding-guests, 70
Brothers-in-God, good friends!
An apple is a toy for children,
But a ring is a knightly pledge.
I will wed with Pavle Ustupčić."
Marko roared like a beast of the forest,
He smote his knee with his hand,
And said to the poor maiden:
"Bitch that thou art!
Someone hath taught thee this,
But say now who hath taught thee!" 80
The damsel made answer:
"Dear Kum, Kraljević Marko,
Thy sword instructed me."
Then Marko laughed loudly upon her,
And spake to her, saying:
"Well for thee, fair damsel,
That thou tookest no apple,
Nor apple nor golden ring!
By the faith of my body,
I should have cut off thy two hands, 90
Nor wouldst thou have saved thy head,
Nor ever on thy head have worn the green garland!^[7]"

1. The phrase "good fortune" when used with reference to a girl commonly signifies an offer of marriage.
2. тихо or, as here, тијо = lit. "softly." In the epic ballads, however, the word connotes no idea of a lowering of the voice, but indicates an ordinary speaking tone as distinguished from shouting. It should be omitted in translating.
3. Kum = godfather, sponsor, principal witness.
4. Stari Svat: lit. "the senior guest"; the meaning approximates to "second witness."
5. Ring and apple form part of the offering of a suitor. If the girl takes the apple it is a sign that the suitor is accepted.
6. When Marko laid his drawn sword across his knees the girl understood the hint perfectly. She was in love with Pavle, but she dared not choose his gift for, if she did, she knew that Marko would kill her. But her nimble wit enables her to evade the danger and at the same time to gain her heart's desire. She ignores the gifts and before the assembled wedding-guests hails Marko as her Kum and Janko as Stari Svat. By all the rules Marko is bound to accept office and ex officio it is his duty to further the marriage which he had been so eager to prevent.
7. The wedding-wreath.