Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/35

Bring forth the quarterings, painted fine,
The emblems of my noble race,
And throw them on that burning pile;
There let them burn before my face.”

Silent he stood, with sad, stern face,
And watched the flames that rose on high.
“Here I lay low all worldly pride,
I longing but for my land to die.
Is any here that I have wronged,
Or burdened in my lordly right,
I beg him to forgive me now—
Let me go blameless in the fight.”

The multitude in silence stood;
They watched the mighty flames rise high.
Then all at once their lord’s voice said:
“Oh, brothers mine, now let us die;
Come, let us die for this our land,
Down-trodden ’neath the German yoke;
Come, let us die for this our faith.”
Shouts drown his voice as thus he spoke.

“No earthly flag, but this the Chalice,
Shall lead us on, in battle’s roar;
I am no noble, but a friend
Whose right it is to go before.
Take horses, weapons, to your fill—
Come, let us march against the foe.
Long live Bohemia, our dear land,
God’s praise we’ll sing as forth we go.”

At these brave words a deaf’ning shout
Came from that multitude of men:
“Long live our brother Dalibor,
The leader of Bohemian men.”
And soon they were upon the plain,
And fearless met the angry foe.
God gave the victory to their hands;
Their enemies were stricken low.

The banner with the Chalice cup
Was crowned with many a laurel bough,
And day by day their numbers grew.
The Lord of battles, He knows how