Swiftly rode Jovan to greet his sister. Long before he had approach’d her dwelling, Far, far off his sister saw and hail’d him; Hastened to him—threw her on his bosom, Loosed his vest, and stamp’d his cheeks with kisses. Then she sobb’d with bitterness and anguish, Then she wept, and thus address’d her brother: “O! Jovan! to me—to me, a maiden, Thou, and all my brothers, all, ye promised Oft and oft to seek your distant sister: Every month in every year to seek her,— Every week in every month to seek her. Three long years have sped away unheeded, And ye have not sought me.”—For a moment She was silent; and then said, “My brother! Thou art deadly pale! why look so deadly Pale, as if in death thou hadst been sleeping?” But Jovan thus check’d his sister: “Silence, Silence, sister! as in God thou trustest; For a heavy sorrow has o’erta’en me. When eight brothers had prepared their nuptials, Eight stepsisters ready to espouse them, Hardly was the marriage service ended Ere we built us eight white dwellings, sister! Therefore do I look so dark, Jelitza.” Three white days had pass’d away unheeded, And the maid equipped her for a journey. Many a costly present she provided For her brothers and her bridal sisters: For her brothers, fairest silken vestments; For her bridal-sisters, rings and jewels. But Jovan would fain detain her—“Go not, Go not now, I pray thee—my Jelitza! Wait until thy brothers come and greet thee.” But she would not listen to her brother: She prepared the costliest, fairest presents. So the young Jovan began his journey, And his sister travell’d patient by him. So as they approach’d their mother’s dwelling, Near the house a tall white church was standing, Young Jovan he whisper’d to his sister— “Stop, I pray thee, my beloved sister! Let me enter the white church an instant. When my middle brother here was married, Lo! I lost a golden ring, my sister! Let me go an instant—I shall find it.” Jovan went—into his grave he glided— And Jelitza stood—she stood impatient— Wondering—wondering—but in vain she waited. Then she left the spot to seek her brother. Many and many a grave was in the church-yard Newly made—Jovan was nowhere—Sighing, On she hasten’d—hastened to the city, Saw her mother’s dwelling, and press’d forward Eager to that old white dwelling.