Let each swear to keep the awful secret;
Leave to chance whose fate ’twill be to-morrow
First to wend her way to Skadar’s river.”
And each brother swore, in God’s high presence.
From his wife to keep the awful secret.
When the night had on the earth descended,
Each one hastened to his own white dwelling;
Each one shared the sweet repast of evening;
Each one sought his bed of quiet slumber.
Lo! there happen’d then a wond’rous marvel!