The Building of Skadra

About the text

The Building of Skadra is an old Serbian epic ballad. “Old” here means it comes form the pre-Kosovo cycle. This “cycle,” or period in the Serbian poetic canon, is the oldest, describing events before the Battle of Kosovo in 1389.

Like many Serbian folk songs, the earliest written version of The Bulding of Skadra was recorded by Vuk Karadžić. It is said that he heard this song from Old Raško, an elder who Vuk frequently listened to and used as a source for songs. Skadra was published in Narodne srpske pjesme in 1815.

Available at poezija.info/zidanje-skadra/

About the translations

Vuk shared his Narodne Pesme with Jakob Grimm in 1824, which resulted in the collection’s translation into German. Grimm’s collection was read by such influential people as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The English text presented here was written by John Bowring and published in 1827.

Available at Project Gutenberg: gutenberg.org/cache/epub/39028/pg39028-images.html

Body Text

Grad gradila tri brata rođena,
Do tri brata, tri Mrnjavčevića:
Jedno bješe Vukašine kralje,
Drugo bješe Uglješa vojvoda,
Treće bješe Mrnjavčević Gojko;
Grad gradili Skadar na Bojani,
Grad gradili tri godine dana,
Tri godine sa trista majstora;
Ne mogaše temelj podignuti,
A kamoli sagraditi grada:
Što majstori za dan ga sagrade,
To sve vila za noć obaljuje.
Kad nastala godina četvrta,
Tada viče sa planine vila:
„Ne muči se, Vukašine kralje,
Ne muči se i ne harči blaga!
Ne mož, kralje, temelj podignuti,
A kamoli sagraditi grada,
Dok ne nađeš dva slična imena,
Dok ne nađeš Stoju i Stojana,
A oboje brata i sestricu,
Da zaziđeš kuli u temelja:
Tako će se temelj obdržati,
I tako ćeš sagraditi grada.“
Kad to začu Vukašine kralje,
On doziva slugu Desimira:
„Desimire, moje čedo drago,
Dosad si mi bio vjerna sluga,
A odsade moje čedo drago!
Hvataj, sine, konje u hintove,
I ponesi šest tovara blaga;
Idi, sine, preko b’jela sv’jeta,
Te ti traži, sine, Stoju i Stojana,
A oboje brata i sestricu;
Ja li otmi, ja l’ za blago kupi,
Dovedi ih Skadru na Bojanu,
Da ziđemo kuli u temelja,
Ne bi l’ nam se temelj obdržao,
I ne bi li sagradili grada.“
Kad to začu sluga Desimire,
On uhvati konje u hintove,
I ponese šest tovara blaga;
Ode sluga preko b’jela sv’jeta,
Ode tražit’ dva slična imena:
Traži slugu Stoju i Stojana,
Traži sluga tri godine dana,
Al’ ne nađe dva slična imena,
Al’ ne nađe Stoje i Stojana,
Pa se vrnu Skadru na Bojanu,
Dade kralju konje i hintove,
I dade mu šest tovara blaga:
Ja ne nađoh dva slična imena,
Ja ne nađoh Stoje i Stojana.“
Kad to začu Vukašine kralju,
On podviknu Rada neimara,
Rade viknu tri stotin’ majstora:
Gradi kralje Skadar na Bojani,
Kralje gradi, vila obaljuje,
– Ne da vila temelj podignuti,
A kamoli sagraditi grada!
Pa dozivlje iz planine vila:
„More, ču li, Vukašine kralju,
Ne muči se i ne harči blaga!
No eto ste tri brata rođena,
U svakoga ima vjerna ljuba;
Čija sjutra na Bojanu dođe
I donese majstorima ručak,
Ziđite je kuli u temelja:
Tako će se temelj obdržati,
Tako ćete sagraditi grada.“
Kad to začu Vukašine kralju,
On doziva dva brata rođena:
„Čujete li, moja braćo draga,
Eto vila sa planine viče,
Nije vajde što harčimo blago,
Ne da vila temelj podignuti,
A kamoli sagraditi grada!
Još govori sa planine vila:
Ev’ mi jesmo tri brata rođena,
U svakoga ima vjerna ljuba;
Čija sjutra na Bojanu dođe
I donese majstorima ručak,
Da j’ u temelj kuli uzidamo:
Tako će se temelj obdržati,
Tako ćemo sagraditi grada.
No je l’, braćo, Božja vjera tvrda
Da nijedan ljubi ne dokaže,
Već na sreću da im ostavimo,
Koja sjutra na Bojanu dođe?“
I tu Božju vjeru zadadoše
Da nijedan ljubi ne dokaže.
U tom ih je noćca zastanula,
Otidoše u bijele dvore,
Večeraše gospodsku večeru.
Al’ da vidiš čuda velikoga!
Kralj Vukašin vjeru pogazio,
Te on prvi svojoj ljubi kaza:
„Da se čuvaš, moja vjerna ljubo!
Nemoj sjutra na Bojanu doći,
Ni donijet’ ručak majstorima,
Jer ćeš svoju izgubiti glavu,
Zidaće te kuli u temelja!“
I Uglješa vjeru pogazio,
I on kaza svojoj vjernoj ljubi:
„Ne prevar’ se vjerna moja ljubo!
Nemoj sjutra na Bojanu doći,
Ni donijet’ majstorima ručak,
Jera hoćeš mlada poginuti,
Zidaće te kuli u temelja!“
Mladi Gojko vjeru ne pogazi,
I on svojoj ljubi ne dokaza.
Kad ujutru jutro osvanulo,
Poraniše tri Mrnjavčevića,
Otidoše na grad na Bojanu.
Zeman dođe da se nosi ručak,
A redak je gospođi kraljici.
Ona ode svojoj jetrvici,
Jetrvici, ljubi Uglješinoj:
„Ču li mene, moja jetrvice!
Nešto me je zaboljela glava,
Tebe zdravlje, preboljet’ ne mogu;
No ponesi majstorima ručak.“
Govorila ljuba Uglješina:
„O, jetrvo, gospođo kraljice!
Nešto mene zaboljela ruka,
Tebe zdravlje, preboljet’ ne mogu;
Već ti zbori mlađoj jetrvici.“
Ona ode mlađoj jetrvici:
„Jetrvice, mlada Gojkovice!
Nešto me je zaboljela glava,
Tebe zdravlje, preboljet’ ne mogu;
No ponesi majstorima ručak.“
Al’ govori Gojkovica mlada:
„Ču li, nano, gospođo kraljice!
Ja sam rada tebe poslušati,
No mi ludo čedo nekupato,
A bijelo platno neisprato.“
Veli njojzi gospođa kraljica:
„Idi“, kaže, „moja jetrvice,
Te odnesi majstorima ručak,
Ja ću tvoje izaprati platno,
A jetrva čedo okupati.“
Nema šta će Gojkovica mlada,
Već ponese majstorima ručak.
Kad je bila na vodu Bojanu,
Ugleda je Mrnjavčević Gojko;
Junaku se srce ražalilo,
Žao mu je ljube vijernice,
Žao mu je čeda u kolijevci,
Đe ostade od mjeseca dana;
Pa od lica suze prosipaše.
Ugleda ga tanana nevjesta,
Krotko hodi, dok do njega priđe:
„Što je tebe, dobri gospodaru,
Te ti roniš suze od obraza?“
Al’ govori Mrnjavčević Gojko:
„Zlo je moja vijernice ljubo!
Imao sam od zlata jabuku,
Pa mi danas pade u Bojanu,
Te je žalim, pregoret’ ne mogu!“
Ne sjeća se tanana nevjesta,
No besjedi svome gospodaru:
„Moli Boga ti za tvoje zdravlje,
A salićeš i bolju jabuku!“
Tad junaku grđe žao bilo,
Pa na stranu odvratio glavu,
Ne šće više ni gledati ljubu;
A dođoše dva Mrnjavčevića,
Dva đevera Gojkovice mlade,
Uzeše je za bijele ruke,
Povedoše u grad da ugrade,
Podviknuše Rada neimara,
Rade viknu do trista majstora;
Al’ se smije tanana nevjesta,
Ona misli da je šale radi.
Turiše je u grad ugrađivat’;
Oboriše do trista majstora,
Oboriše drvlje i kamenje,
Uzidaše dori do koljena:
Još se smije tanana nevjesta,
Još se nada da je šale radi;
Oboriše do trista majstora,
Oboriše drvlje i kamenje,
Uzidaše dori do pojasa:
Tad oteža drvlje i kamenje;
Onda viđe šta je jadnu nađe,
Ljuto pisnu kako ljuta guja,
Pa zamoli dva mila đevera:
„Ne dajte me mladu i zelenu!“
To se moli, al’ joj ne pomaže,
Jer đeveri u nju i ne glede.
Tad se prođe srama i zazora,
Pake moli svoga gospodara:
„Ne daj mene, dobri gospodaru,
Da me mladu u grad uzidaju!
No ti prati mojoj staroj majci:
Moja majka ima dosta blaga,
Nek ti kupi roba il’ robinju.
Te zidajte kuli u temelja.“
To se moli, no joj ne pomaže.
A kad viđe tanana nevjesta
Da joj više molba ne pomaže,
Tad se moli Radu neimaru:
„Bogom brate, Rade neimare,
Ostavi mi prozor na dojkama,
Isturi mi moje b’jele dojke,
Kada dođe, moj nejaki Jovo,
Kada dođe, da podoji dojke!“
To je Rade za bratstvo primio,
Ostavi joj prozor na dojkama,
Pa joj dojke upolje isturi,
Kada dođe nejaki Jovane,
Kada dođe, da podoji dojke.
Opet tužna, Rada dozivala:
„Bogom brate, Rade neimare,
Ostavi mi prozor na očima,
Da ja gledam ka bijelu dvoru
Kad će mene Jova donositi
I ka dvory opet odnositi.“
I to Rade za bratstvo primio,
Ostavi joj prozor na očima,
Te da gleda ka bijelu dvoru
Kade će joj Jova donositi
I ka dvoru opet odnositi.
I tako je u grad ugradiše,
Pa donose čedo u kol’jevci,
Te ga doji za neđelju dana,
Po neđelji izgubila glasa;
Al’ đetetu onđe ide hrana:
Dojiše ga za godinu dana,
Kako tade, tako i ostade,
Da i danas onđe ide hrana:
Zarad’ čuda i zarad’ lijeka,
Koja žena ne ima mlijeka.

Translation

Brothers three combined to build a fortress,
Brothers three, the brothers Mrljavchēvich,
Kral Vukāshin was the eldest brother;
And the second was Uglēsha-Voivode;
And the third, the youngest brother, Goiko.
Pull three years they labour’d at the fortress,
Skadra’s fortress on Bojana’s river;
Full three years three hundred workmen labour’d.
Vain th’ attempt to fix the wall’s foundation.
Vainer still to elevate the fortress:
Whatsoe’er at eve had raised the workmen
Did the Vila raze ere dawn of morning.

When the fourth year had begun its labours,
Lo! the Vila from the forest-mountain
Call’d—“Thou King Vukashin! vain thine efforts!—
Vain thine efforts—all thy treasures wasting!
Never, never wilt thou build the fortress,
If thou find not two same-titled beings,
If thou find not Stojan and Stojana:
And these two—these two young twins so loving,
They must be immured in the foundation.
Thus alone will the foundations serve thee:
Thus alone can ye erect your fortress.”

When Vukashin heard the Vila’s language,
Soon he call’d to Dēssimir, his servant:
“Listen, Dessimir, my trusty servant!
Thou hast been my trusty servant ever;
Thou shalt be my son from this day onward.
Fasten thou my coursers to my chariot:
Load it with six lasts of golden treasures:
Travel through the whole wide world, and bring me,
Bring me back those two same-titled beings:
Bring me back that pair of twins so loving:
Bring me hither Stojan and Stojana:
Steal them, if with gold thou canst not buy them.
Bring them here to Scadra or Bojana:
We’ll inter them in the wall’s foundation:
So the wall’s foundations will be strengthened:
So we shall build up our Scadra’s fortress.”

Dessimir obey’d his master’s mandate;
Fasten’d, straight, the horses to the chariot;
Fill’d it with six lasts of golden treasures;
Through the whole wide world the trusty servant
Wander’d—asking for these same-named beings—
For the twins—for Stojan and Stojana:
Full three years he sought them,—sought them vainly:
Nowhere could he find these same-named beings:
Nowhere found he Stojan and Stojana.
Then he hasten’d homewards to his master;
Gave the king his horses and his chariot;
Gave him his six lasts of golden treasures:
“Here, my sov’reign, are thy steeds and chariot:
Here thou hast thy lasts of golden treasures:
Nowhere could I find those same-named beings:
Nowhere found I Stojan and Stojana.”

When Vukashin had dismiss’d his servant,
Straight he call’d his builder, master Rado.
Rado call’d on his three hundred workmen;
And they built up Scadra on Bojana;
But, at even did the Vila raze it:
Vainly did they raise the wall’s foundation;
Vainly seek to build up Scadra’s fortress.
And the Vila, from the mountain-forest,
Cried, “Vukashin, listen! listen to me!
Thou dost spill thy wealth, and waste thy labour:
Vainly seek’st to fix the wall’s foundations;
Vainly seek’st to elevate the fortress.
Listen now to me!  Ye are three brothers:
p. 68Each a faithful wife at home possesses:—
Her who comes to-morrow to Bojana,
Her who brings the rations to the workmen—
Her immure within the wall’s foundations:—
So shall the foundations fix them firmly:
So shalt thou erect Bojana’s fortress.”

When the king Vukashin heard the Vila,
Both his brothers speedily he summon’d:
“Hear my words, now hear my words, my brothers!
From the forest-hill the Vila told me,
That we should no longer waste our treasures
In the vain attempt to raise the fortress
On a shifting, insecure foundation.
Said the Vila of the forest-mountain,
‘Each of you a faithful wife possesses;
Each a faithful bride that keeps your dwellings:
Her who to the fortress comes to-morrow,
Her who brings their rations to the workmen—
Her immure within the wall’s foundations;
So will the foundations bear the fortress:
So Bojana’s fortress be erected.’
p. 69Now then, brothers! in God’s holy presence
Let each swear to keep the awful secret;
Leave to chance whose fate ’twill be to-morrow
First to wend her way to Skadra’s river.”
And each brother swore, in God’s high presence,
From his wife to keep the awful secret.

When the night had on the earth descended,
Each one hasten’d to his own white dwelling;
Each one shared the sweet repast of evening;
Each one sought his bed of quiet slumber.

Lo! there happen’d then a wond’rous marvel!
First, Vukashin on his oath he trampled,
Whisp’ring to his wife the awful secret:
“Shelter thee! my faithful wife! be shelter’d!
Go not thou to-morrow to Bojana!
Bring not to the workmen food to-morrow!
Else, my fair! thy early life ’twill cost thee:
And beneath the walls they will immure thee!”

On his oath, too, did Uglesha trample!
And he gave his wife this early warning:
“Be not thou betray’d, sweet love! to danger!
Go not thou to-morrow to Bojana!
Carry not their rations to the workmen!
Else in earliest youth thy friend might lose thee:
Thou might’st be immured in the foundation!”

Faithful to his oath, young Goiko whisper’d
Not a breath to warn his lovely consort.

When the morning dawn’d upon the morrow,
All the brothers roused them at the day-break,
And each sped, as wont, to the Bojana.

Now, behold! two young and noble women;
They—half-sisters—they, the eldest sisters—
One is bringing up her snow-bleach’d linen,
Yet once more in summer sun to bleach it.
See! she comes on to the bleaching meadows;
There she stops—she comes not one step farther.
Lo! the second, with a red-clay pitcher;
Lo! she comes—she fills it at the streamlet;
p. 71There she talks with other women—lingers—
Yes! she lingers—comes not one step farther.

Goiko’s youthful wife at home is tarrying,
For she has an infant in the cradle
Not a full moon old, the little nursling:
But the moment of repast approaches;
And her aged mother then bestirs her;
Fain would call the serving maid, and bid her
Take the noon-tide meal to the Bojana.
“Nay, not so!” said the young wife of Goiko;
“Stay, sit down in peace, I pray thee, mother!
Rock the little infant in his cradle:
I myself will bear the food to Scadra.
In the sight of God it were a scandal,
An affront and shame among all people,
If, of three, no one were found to bear it.”

So she staid at home, the aged mother,
And she rock’d the nursling in the cradle.
Then arose the youthful wife of Goiko;
Gave them the repast, and bade them forward.
Call’d around her all the serving maidens;
When they reach’d Bojana’s flowing river,
They were seen by Mrljavchevich Goiko,
On his youthful wife, heart-rent, he threw him;
Flung his strong right arm around her body;
Kiss’d a thousand times her snowy forehead:
Burning tears stream’d swiftly from his eyelids,
As he spoke, in melancholy language:

“O my wife, my own! my full heart’s-sorrow!
Didst thou never dream that thou must perish?
Why hast thou our little one abandoned?
Who will bathe our little one, thou absent?
Who will bare the breast to feed the nursling?”
More, and more, and more, he fain would utter;
But the king allow’d it not.  Vukashin,
By her white hand seizes her, and summons,
Master Rado,—he the master-builder;
And he summons his three hundred workmen.

But the young-espoused one smiles, and deems it
All a laughing jest,—no fear o’ercame her.
Gathering round her, the three hundred workmen
Pile the stones and pile the beams about her.
They have now immured her to the girdle.

Higher rose the walls and beams, and higher;
Then the wretch first saw the fate prepared her,
And she shriek’d aloud in her despairing;
In her woe implored her husband’s brothers:

“Can ye think of God?—have ye no pity?
Can ye thus immure me, young and healthful?”
But in vain, in vain were her entreaties;
And her brothers left her thus imploring.

Shame and fear succeeded then to censure,
And she piteously invoked her husband:
“Can it, can it be, my lord and husband,
That so young, thou, reckless, would’st immure me?
Let us go and seek my aged mother:
Let us go—my mother she is wealthy:
She will buy a slave,—a man or woman,
To be buried in the walls’ foundations.”

When the mother-wife—the wife and mother,
Found her earnest plaints and prayers neglected,
She address’d herself to Neimar Rado:
“In God’s name, my brother, Neimar Rado,
Leave a window for this snowy bosom,
Let this snowy bosom heave it freely;
When my voiceless Jovo shall come near me,
When he comes, O let him drain my bosom!”
Rado bade the workmen all obey her,
Leave a window for that snowy bosom,
Let that snowy bosom heave it freely
When her voiceless Jovo shall come near her,
When he comes, he’ll drink from out her bosom.

Once again she cried to Neimar Rado,
“Neimar Rado! in God’s name, my brother!
Leave for these mine eyes a little window,
That these eyes may see our own white dwelling,
When my Jovo shall be brought towards me,
When my Jovo shall be carried homeward.”
Rado bade the workmen all obey her,
Leave for those bright eyes a little window,
That her eyes may see her own white dwelling,
When they bring her infant Jovo to her,
When they take the infant Jovo homeward.

So they built the heavy wall about her,
And then brought the infant in his cradle,
Which a long, long while his mother suckled.
Then her voice grew feeble—then was silent:
Still the stream flow’d forth and nursed the infant:
Full a year he hung upon her bosom;
Still the stream flow’d forth—and still it floweth.
Women, when the life-stream dries within them,
Thither come—the place retains its virtue—
Thither come, to still their crying infants.