YESTERDAY was married Duka Leka:
Comes to-day a mandate from the emperor:
“Duka! on—on, Leka! to the army.”
Duka’s steed caparisons he quickly;—
His love holds him by the bridle, weeping:—
“Woe is me!—woe’s me! thou voivode {25} Leka!
Goest thou with thy noble steed to battle,
Leav’st alone thy young bride inexperienced?”
‘With thy mother, and with mine I leave thee.’
“Woe is me! woe’s me! thou voivode Leka!—
Thee away—and what avail two mothers?”
Duka Leka arms him for the battle:
His young bride stands by his courser, weeping:—
“Woe is me! woe’s me! thou voivode Leka!
Goest thou with thy noble steed to battle?
And with whom dost leave thy bride untutor’d?”
‘With thy father, and with mine I leave thee.’
“Woe, my Duka! woe! thou voivode Leka!—
Thee away—and what avail two fathers?”
Duka Leka girds him for the battle;
Weeping holds his wife his horse’s bridle:—
“Woe is me! woe, Duka!—voivode Leka!
Dost equip thy good steed for the battle?
Who shall care about the unpractised loved one?”
‘To thy brother, and to mine, I leave thee.’
“Woe! O Duka, woe! thou voivode Leka!
Thee away—and what avail two brothers?”