The Canadian-American Review of Hungarian Studies - Vol. 4 ... - EPA

"Who should be squire of this whole estate?Perhaps my brother George, that fox unstable,Busy to change the plates at Louis' table?""A peasant, am 1?" And his rising gorgeWas full of horrid curses against George.Then whirling his vast pole, without a strain,By one huge end he seized it, like a cane,And held it horizontal with one handTo point them Buda-ward across the land.Bands of wrought steel his arm's stout thews resemble,The out-stretch'd tree-trunk does not even tremble.The Palatine and all his army bentTheir gaze on him in sheer astonishment.Says Laczfi: "That's a man, whoe'er he be!Come, lads, who'll wrestle now with such as he?Or who among you all can hold straight outThat shabby sign-pole of the lusty lout?"They murmur, discontented: 'twould annoyA knight to wrestle with a peasant boy.But who would fight a duel with the thunderWhen wind and sultry murk are rent asunder?Who'd dream of fighting with God's anger warmAnd His long, hissing arrow of the storm?For only such a one such odds would give.If he loves God's fair world and wants to live.For woe to him, in Nicholas' hands bestead!He'd cry out for his mother, were she dead.The troops, in thronging pageant, pass him by,And all pay tribute to his potency;All speak frank words of kindliness and grace;All beam upon him with a friendly face.And one says: "Comrade, won't you come to war?That's what a lad like you is valued for!"Another says: "My good lad, what a shame.Sired by a peasant, you will be the same!"