Historical Songs
Pan Kanovsky — Song of Feudalism15
Bohuslav was Pan Kanovsky’s—Dancing there,
Bonderivna—as the Pava16 she was fair.
Then he saw her, the wild pigeon, full of grace—
And she felt upon her cheek his embrace.
“Pan Kanovsky! You may take e’en my shoes
Off my feet.... But I kiss whom I choose!”
Then the good folk of the town whispered low:
“If thou dost not haste away cometh woe!”
Bonderivna’s o’er the bridge like the wind:
She has left the village houses far behind.
With drawn sabres two grim soldiers follow fast
Through the market-place... poor pigeon! caught at last.
Pan Kanovsky’s silver musket pointed straight
At her heart.... And she chose then her fate.
“Bonderivna, tall and lovely, live with me,
Or as dung upon the earth you shall be!”
“Rather would I, Pan Kanovsky, fall and die,
Than in arms I loathe, like yours, ever lie!”
As she answered, so he fired—so she fell.
And her father, watching, moaned: “It is well,
“I die with thee, fairest maid of them all!”
And he dashed his white head ’gainst the wall.
Tolled the bells—wailing music cried aloud:
“Bonderivna, earth for aye is thy shroud!”