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But he rode forward before his wedding-guests. 30
And when they were come near to the house,
The maid's mother had seen them afar off,
And came forth joyfully to meet them.
Then she conducted the lordly throng,
And led them three by three into her dwelling.
The Kums[1] she set each by other,
The Stari Svats[2] each by other,
The suitors each by other.
After that she turned to the wedding-guests:
"Ye well-beseen guests," quoth she, 40
"Enter, good friends, an it please you!"
When the guests had rested them a little,
Marko Kraljević arose
And pulled out his damascened sabre,
And laid it across his knees.
Then he turned him to Janko,
And spake (softly) to him, saying:
"Hearken to me, Vojvoda Janko,
And thou likewise. Pa vie Ustupčić!
We shall set out three golden apples[3], 50
And three golden rings;
Let them bring forth the fair damsel,
And let her choose whose apple she will,
Or apple or golden ring.
And he whose ring or apple she taketh,
Shall himself take the fair damsel."
Forth withal they obeyed Marko,
They set out three golden apples,
And three golden rings;
Then the fair damsel was brought, 60
And Marko Kraljević spake, saying:
"Hear me, fair damsel,
