WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
Hero Tales and Legends of the Serbians cover

Hero Tales and Legends of the Serbians

Chapter 72: The Bully fears to meet Marko
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

About This Book

This collection presents English renderings of traditional Serbian epic songs and legends, accompanied by an introductory essay that traces their oral origins, social role, and poetic form. The selections recount heroic exploits, communal resistance, and sacred traditions preserved through rhythmic ten‑syllable verse and the practice of public recitation by elder singers. Explanatory notes discuss historical memory, regional variations, and the instruments and performers associated with performance. The volume also includes color illustrations and contextual commentary to guide readers through the episodes, motifs, and cultural functions of the transmitted material.

The Bully fears to meet Marko

When the Bully saw the terrific fury and determination in Marko’s eyes his legs shook beneath him, and he turned his mare away, not daring to meet Marko face to face. He could not, however, hope to escape the vengeance of the Prince, and so after a short silence he called out: “Come, O Marko, let us be reconciled. Wilt thou release my twelve attendants? If thou art willing to do that I shall in turn set free thy brothers-in-God.”

Marko agreed to this, and alighting from Sharatz, he unhooked from his saddle a skin of wine, and they all sat down to refresh themselves with the cool wine and to partake of freshly gathered grapes. When they had rested, the three friends mounted their horses and prepared to depart. As they were about to ride off Marko thus addressed Bogdan: “Mayest thou prosper with God’s help, O Bogdan! And may we meet again some day in good health and once more drink together!”

To this Bogdan replied: “Farewell! and may God ever help thee, O thou Royal Prince Marko! But may my eyes never again behold thee! Seeing how thou hast terrified me this day, I do not think that I shall wish ever to meet thee again!”