Khustina–The Kerchief
(From the Ukrainian of Pedkovich)
It is the custom among Ukrainian maidens to embroider such a kerchief for the betrothal, and then it is bound upon the arm or worn in some noticeable way on the man’s person.
THE sun was drowning in the ocean’s brim
Red, red as blood;
And in the crimson flood
A young girl sewed a handkerchief with gold.
Embroidering in gold with stitches fine–
Like lilies white
Her cheeks will look to-night,
Like pure-white lilies washed with tears.
And as she sewed she pressed it to her heart;
Then, weeping sore,
She opened wide the door:
‘Strong wind, my Eagle, take this on your wings!’
‘Strong as the Dunai swiftly onward flows,
O Wind so free
Deliver this for me
Where now he serves, yea, where the heart well knows!
’He in the Uhlans’ ranks is fighting now–
Go, Golden One,
From sun to sun
Float on the wind until that place you find!
‘And, Golden One, when you shall hear one call
Even as a dove,
Rest, for my love,
My loved one will be waiting there below!
’He has a bay horse, and his weapons are
Shining as gold.
Wind, free and bold,
Fall to his heart as the rose petals fall!
‘If sleeping, wake him not; and if–O God!–
If slain he lie,
For your good-bye
O Golden One, cover his sweet dead face!’
