Page:Poetry of the Magyars.djvu/118

The Emperor's daughter, standing near the window,
Heard him—look'd in—and soon was moved to pity;
Besides, Szilagyi's form had pleased the maiden.

And suddenly she sought the prison's portal,
And pour'd sweet comfort on Szilagyi's bosom,
And gently, sweetly, held this flattering language:

"Young hero! if upon thy knightly honor
Thou swear to bring me to the Magyar country,
And swear too (should I prosper) to espouse me—

"I shall be satisfied—and I will free thee;
Yes! I will free thee from thy prison's darkness:
So swear me by thy faith and by thine honor!"

And soon Szilagyi answered—"Free me, maiden!
And I will wed thee—by my faith and honor
I swear to wed thee, thou imperial daughter!"

And so the maiden won the prison keeper;—
Aroused at midnight both the sleeping heroes,
And led them forth to the imperial stables:

Gave each a sharpen'd sword in golden scabbard;
They kill'd the stable-keepers and attendants,
And the three fleetest horses swiftly saddled.

The morning brought the tidings to the Emperor—
The prisoners were out-broken from the prison—
The boys, the keepers of the stables, murder'd.