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"My daughter honor'd with the princely ring!
The princely token to my daughter sent!
Nay! they are for a princess—do not bring
Your sad jests here—for her it is not meant—
Nay! Can it be? the noble prince could never
Trifle with poverty—knights! I'll endeavour
To credit ye—but no! a simple child—
What should she do with courts?"—serenely mild.
The Družba answered:—"The prince's choice,
The prince must speak to: wandering in the wood
He saw thy daughter's beauty—heard her voice,
And tangled in love's ravishments he stood.
'God is my witness—in this mountain lonely,
My bride shall be that angel maiden only:'
Not once—not once alone, he said, and swore:
See here his written words, and doubt no more."
"O help me—help me, gentle mother mine—
Speak!" and she sank upon her mother's breast.
"O blessings—blessings on that head of thine;
So soon—so much—so marvellously blest.
N 2
