Thus the honourable judge decided: "We present bosiljak for its odour: As a pledge of love we give an apple: But to give a ring is a betrothing;— He who gave the ring must have the maiden." S. J. B.
XLVIII
THE SULTANESS
Listen! I hear a cry, a cry! The bells are ringing lustily; And the hens are cackling all in riot. No! no! no! the bells are quiet; The hens at rest with one another: 'Tis the sister calls the brother: "Brother! I am a Moslem slave! Tear me from my Turkish grave. Small the price which sets me free: Of pearls two measures—of gold but three."
In vain she calls her brother.—'O no! My treasures to my apparel go: The gold my horse's bridle must deck: My pearls must grace my maiden's neck; Must buy a kiss—must buy a kiss.' The maid her brother answer'd with this: "I am no slave! I am no less Than the sultan's chosen sultaness." S. J. B.
XLIX
BETROTHING
Here there is a maiden, Young, and yet a virgin: Give her then a husband, Or give us the maiden, And we will betroth her To Ivan the student. He's our parson's nephew— He has art to write[[22]] on Pinions of the eagle. What shall be his subject? What—but bright-eyed maidens And the brows of heroes? S. J. B.