The sky is cover'd with stars again: The plains are cover'd with flocks of sheep: But where is the shepherd? On the plain The shepherd is lost in careless sleep: The youthful Radoje sleeps:—Arise! Awake! his sister Jania cries.
"Jania! sister nay! depart! My body to witches is plighted: My mother has torn away my heart, And my aunt my mother lighted." S. J. B.
LX
PLEDGES
The wind was with the roses playing: To Ranko's tent it blew their leaves: Milica, Ranko, there were staying, And Ranko writes—Milica weaves. His letter done, he drops his pen: Her finish'd web she throws aside: And lo! I heard the lover then Low whisper to his promised bride: "Milica! tell me truly now And dost thou love me—love me best? Or heavy is thy nuptial vow?"— And thus the maid the youth address'd: "O trust me—thou my heart—my soul— That thou art dearer far to me— Far dearer, Ranko! than the whole Of brothers—many though they be: And that the vows we pledged together Are lighter than the lightest feather." S. J. B.
LXI
COMPLAINT
O flower! so lovely in thy bloom, Be evil fate thy mother's doom! Thy mother, who so kindly nurst, And sent thee to our village first. Where heroes o'er their cups romancing, And our young striplings stones are flinging, And our delighted brides are dancing, And our gay maidens songs are singing— 'Twas then I saw thee, lovely flower! And lost my quiet from that hour. S. J. B.