Page:Bohemian poems, ancient and modern (Lyra czecho-slovanska).djvu/46

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,
The crash of spears like thunder roll’d,
The swords like lightning gleam’d,
And either host in youthful might
To urge the other seem’d.

The num’rous Christians press’d the foe,
And ended were the war,
Had not th’ enchanters come anew,
Bearing the cloven bar.