Page:Bohemian poems, ancient and modern (Lyra czecho-slovanska).djvu/69

But a load the other beareth;
’tis an all unwonted load;
He a tiny coffin beareth
o’er his long and weary road.
‘See! my wife; behold! my father;
both thy sons return again;
‘As a poor man home returning,
as a sinful man comes Jan;
‘Wratislaw comes like an angel,
slumb’ring free from cares and tears
‘In the little, narrow dwelling,
that the noble courser bears.’
Silent terror questions mutely;
wonderment and deep surprize
At events so strange and fearful
look from each mute hearer’s eyes.
And while servants true the coffin
quick within the hall convey,
Tells Sir Jan the wondrous story
to his wife and father grey.
‘By the wild foe taken captive,
to his wild home journied I,
‘Dragging cruel, cruel fetters;
fetters of my slavery.
‘To the Khan of Kasan fell I.
Earthly man can never know
‘Greater happiness than freedom,
or than slav’ry greater woe.
‘Let me silent pass the sorrow,
and the pain and bitter grief,

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