Sielanka: An Idyll. Генрик Сенкевич

love to thee I shall not render,

      Nor my sweet will to thee surrender.”

      But the undaunted youth answers:

      “Then shall I pray to the saint’s grace

      That the star may fall from its heavenly place.

      Thy love to me thou then wilt render,

      And thy sweet will to me surrender.”

      The maiden, seeing there is no refuge either in heaven or on earth for her, accepts the view of Providence and sings:

      “I see, I see, fate’s decree doth bind me;

      Where’er I hide, thou sure wilt find me.

      My love to thee I must now render,

      And my sweet will to thee surrender.”

      John, turning to Kasya, said:

      “Do you understand?”

      “What, John?”

      He began to sing:

      “Thy love to me thou must now render,

      And thy sweet will to me surrender.”

      Kasya was troubled, and laughed loudly to cover her confusion; and wishing to speak, she said:

      “I have gathered a large lot of plants; it would be well to dip them in water, for in this heat they will wither.”

      Verily the heat was great; the wind had entirely ceased. In the woods, though in the shade, the air vibrated with moist heat, the pines exuding a strong, resinous odor. The delicate, golden-tinted face of Kasya was touched with perspiration, and her blue eyes showed traces of weariness. She removed the kerchief from her head, and began to fan herself. John, taking the basket from her, said: