Canto XIII

John Kukoricza and the royal maid
Came to the battlefield in the evening shade.
The last rays of the setting sun — aghast —
With bloodshot eyes looked on what here had

passed:

Saw nothing else but one great field of death
And flocks of ravens it encountereth.
What it beheld gave not much of delight,
It dropped into the sea to shun the sight

Nigh to that field there was a good sized lake
With water christal pure. The Hussars take
Themselves to it to lave therein and red

The water 's from the blood the Turks have shed.

The Hussars, when all spick and span each man,
To his palace escort the French King then.
The royal home was not too far away
With ease they reach it ere the close of day.

Just as the army reached the royal fort,
John Kukoricza too arrived at court.
The beauteous princess who walked at his right
Looked like nigh to a cloud a rainbow bright.

When the old King saw her he loved best,
With joy a-trembling fell upon her breast,
He showered kisses on her rosy face
And said, — still holding, her in his embrace:

"My happiness is now complete, and now
Let some one call my good old cook, I vow
You all must hungry be; now let us dine,
You, heroes of the day, are guests of mine."'

"My King!"a voice is heard — "here is the cook!
You need not wait; I the precaution took,
All's ready and in the adjoining hall.

A truly royal feast awaits you all!"

The voice of the cook was pleasant to hear:
Like music to the Magyar Hussar's ear.
They did not wait to be pressed very long,
And soon around the laden tables throng.

As merciless as with the Turks they were
They with the dishes dealt which they found there,
No wonder, they had grown hungry indeed:
All day at work on their heroic deed.

Around and 'round had gone the well filled bowl
The King arose and from his lips then roll
These words: "Ye heroes brave, draw near I pray
Because of great import is what I say."

The Magyar Hussars with attention list.
None would a word of the King's speech have

missed.
Who first pours down a drink, his throat then clears,
T-his is the speech which then the company hears:

"First tell me what's thy name, young heroe brave.
Who my beloved daughter's life didst save?"
"John Kukoricza is my honest name,
'Tis rustic, true, I bear it with no shame!"

This was John Kukoricza's prompt reply.
Still prompter these words from the King's lips fly:
"I now rechristen thee! Henceforth thy name
As Childe John shall be known, I now acclaim!"

"Childe John, thou saved my daughter's life to day
Thy bravery deserves the richest pay.
Make her thy wife, when as my son art known:
I in thy favor shall resign my throne.

"Since I am King, many a year has flown
And as you all can see, I've hoary grown.
The royal cares weigh heavy on my head,
He shall be King who doth my daughter wed."

"I place upon thy brow my royal crown,
I only ask that thou, when I step down
Assign to me right here a room where I
Might live in peace near thee, until I die."

This was the speech the Magyar Hussars heard,
The heart of all was with amazement stirred.

The words our John most forcibly impress,
Fie tries his heartfelt thanks thus to express:

"I thank you, Sir! I do not merit though
The kindliness which on me you bestow.
Though to your goodness I'm most sensitive,
I must refuse the rich reward you give."

"In a long story I would have to tell
The reasons which my 'T can not" compel.
The telling of the story would intrude
On your patience and I hate to be rude."

"Speak up! tell us thy reasons, one by one,
We'll gladly listen to thy speech, my son."
The King to John encouragingly said.
Who then before them his life's story spread.