| BURSKI GOLC Z TEGO SERBSKEG LANDU |
THE PEASANT LAD FROM THE SORBIAN COUNTRYSIDE |
| Anon. (T.K.) | trans. Robert Elsie (from Sorbian) |
|
Jak ja we brožnje źinsa ležach slyšach te gercy a tam bĕžach, jak rowno burske worali, a tež tu rolu wobsali. Och źiwy, źiwy, co ja wiźim! Ta nowe śule, ta za tyźeń juž swĕśone we Frankfort ma, co wosebnjc mĕ spodoba. Laj, chytra jes ta sama weža tam tegodla tež kuždy bĕžy a woglĕda se. Ja cu hyś tež tam a fromny śulańć byś. Lĕc njemam nana, pana, mutra; ni chlĕba, twaroźka a butra; mam gnadneg knĕza, ten co daš, co jemu buźe spodobaś. Hyś za tu śulu ja mĕ bojim, a nabok teke, jak k tym swojim te gniłe cynje: wosebnje cu wuknuś, co jes potrjebne. Wuknujśe ze mnu tež, wy chłopy, až wordowali wakre popy: Ja wĕm, až burski, což njespał, jeden redlich kjarl jes wordował. |
As I lay in the barn today I was awakened by the chiming of bells, The peasants were already out ploughing And sowing the seed in the fields. Oh, wonder of wonders, what do I see? A new school in Frankfurt Already opened a week ago, Which greatly pleases me. Look, everyone knows about it And is rushing off to have a look. I am also making my way, I'll become a pious student, too. Although I have no father, master or mother, Nor bread, nor cheese nor butter, I have a merciful lord who gives me Whatever he deems fit. I am afraid to go to school, But far more afraid simply to stand around With the others outside. I myself Will learn what everyone needs to know. Learn with me too, lads, We will make stout-hearted ministers. I know that a peasant who does not drowse Can make a sound man. |
Trans. Copyright © Robert Elsie 1990 - publ. Forest Books