[ 48 ]
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[1]!
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![2]"
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ The wedding-wreath.
