Page:Bohemian poems, ancient and modern (Lyra czecho-slovanska).djvu/45

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JAROSLAW.
9

When came the news to Kublay Khan
About his daughter dear,
He gather’d hosts in ev’ry land,
And westward march’d with war.

The western kings the tidings heard,
That Kublay doth invade
Their thickly-peopled countries, and
Confed’racies they made.

A mighty host they gather, take
The field right speedily,
On a wide plain encamp’d await
The Khan of Tatary.

Then Kublay his astrologers,
Magicians, wizards, all,
Into the future bids enquire,
What issue shall befall.

Th’ astrologers assembled quick,
Magicians, wizards tried,
A circle in two companies
They tread on either side;
And in it a black bar they place,
And do in twain divide.

The one half they have Kublay nam’d,
The other half the kings,