Zbyhon

The iniquitous Zbyhon kidnapped the girl and the dove. The pigeon had not any chance to liberate the dove. But on the other hand the strong youth - the lover of the girl - could help to the girl and the dove. He broke into the Zbyhon's castle by make-believing to be a benighted hunter. The youth destroyed Zbyhon and his company. The love of the young girl is his award.

From tree to tree a pigeon flew,
And his woeful grief to the wood did coo,
»Thou forest wide, I roam'd in thee
»With the dove that dearest was to me;
»But cruel Zbyhon doth seize and keep
»My dove in the castle strong and steep.«
A youth round the castle steep doth go,
And sighs for his own true-love in woe;
Thence on to the rock, and sitting there
With the dumb wood mourns in mute despair.
Sad coos the pigeon as up he flies,
The youth to him lifts his head and cries:
»Thou woeful pigeon, that lone dost mourn,
»A hawk perchance thy mate hath torn.
»Thou, Zbyhon, in yon castle steep
»My dear, my darling love dost keep,
»In yon castle strong, yon castle steep.
»Thou, pigeon, with the hawk had'st striven;
»Had a valiant heart to thee been given
»Thou had'st reft from the hawk thy mate with might.
»Had'st thou had talons sharp to fight;
»Thou had'st slain the cruel hawk, I ween,
»Had thine a beak flesh-rending been.
»Up, woeful youth! 'gainst Zbyhon go!
»Thine a brave heart against the foe!
»Thine weapons keen and strong for fight,
»An iron mace his head to smite!«
Down speeds the youth through the darksome wood,
Shoulders his mace, dons his armour good,
Through the dark wood hastes to the castle steep,
Arrives at night; all, all's asleep.
With strong fist knocks - »Who's there?« they cried;
»A hunter benighted.« - The gate spreads wide.
Knocks again; - the next door is undone at his call;
»Where? where is lord Zbyhon?« - »Beyond the great hall« -
Lustful Zbyhon is there, there the maid makes her moan.
»Ope, ope to the hunter!« the door's not undone.
With his mace the strong youth breaks open the door,
'Neath his mace lord Zbyhon lies low on the floor,
He storms through the castle and all doth slay,
With his lovely maid till morn doth stay.
Through the treetops cometh the morning sun,
New joy's in the heart of the youth begun,
That his own sweet maid in all her charms
He cradleth fond in his mighty arms.
»Whose dove?« - »Her Zbyhon did seize and keep,
»When he brought me here to the castIe steep.«
»Away to the woods!« To the wood she flew,
And flutter'd here and there anew
From tree to tree with her mate did fleet,
And on one branch they slumber'd sweet.
Glad smiles the maid at her lover's side
Together at will they wander wide,
One couch for bridegroom and for bride.