Page:The Kobzar of the Ukraine.pdf/61

But see,—Who comes?
'Tis their Anna at the door!
Run old and young! Who'll come before?
Anna waits not their welcome wordy.

"Is Mark at home, or still on journey?"

"He's off on journey long enough,"
Says the old man in accents gruff.

With pain the Servant sadly saith,
"Home have I come with failing breath;
Nor 'mid strangers would I wait for death.
May I but live my Mark to see,
For something grievously weighs on me."

From little bag the children's gifts
She takes. There's crosses and amulets.
For Irene is of beads a string,
And pictures too, and for Karpon
A nightingale to sweetly sing,
Toy horses and a wagon.
A fourth time she brings a ring
From St. Barbara to Katherine.
Next the old man's gift she handles,
It's just three holy waxen candles.

For Mark and herself
she nothing brought;
For want of money
she nothing bought.