Tales of Long Ago: Ribar Palunko i njegova žena

Ribar Palunko i njegova žena

Fisherman Palunko and His Wife

Dozlogrdio ribaru Palunku njegov bijedni život.

Fisherman Palunko grew sick and tired of his wretched life.

Živio je on sam na pustome morskome kraju i hvatao po vas dan ribe na koštanu udicu, jer se za mreže u onome kraju još nije znalo.

He lived alone on a desolate seashore and caught fish all day long with a bone hook, for nets were not yet known in those parts.

A što možeš da uhvatiš na udicu!

And what can one possibly catch on a hook!

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"Kakav li je ovo bijedni život?"

"What kind of wretched life is this?"

- govorio Palunko sam sebi, -

- Palunko would say to himself, -

"što danas uhvatiš, to večeras pojedeš - i nikakove radosti nema za mene na ovome svijetu."

"what you catch today, you eat tonight—and there is no joy for me in this world."

Bijaše pak dočuo Palunko, da imade po svijetu bogatih župana i gavana silnika, što žive u slasti i lasti, u zlatu i raskoši.

Now Palunko had heard tell that out in the world there were wealthy counts and mighty magnates who lived in clover and ease, surrounded by gold and luxury.

Uvrtio si dakle Palunko u glavu, kako bi i on jednom takvo bogatstvo vidio i u njem proživio.

So Palunko got it into his head that he, too, ought to behold such riches one day and live among them.

Zato se zarekne, da će tri dana sjediti u svom čunu na morskoj pučini, a riba hvatati neće, ne bi li mu ovaj zavjet pomogao.

Therefore, he vowed to sit for three days in his boat upon the open sea and catch no fish, if perchance this vow might aid him.

Tako Palunko sjedi tri dana i tri noći u svom čunu na morskoj pučini - tri dana sjedi, tri dana posti, tri dana ribe ne hvata.

So Palunko sat for three days and three nights in his boat upon the open sea—three days he sat, three days he fasted, three days he caught no fish.

Kad treći dan istom počelo svitati, al se iz mora izdigne srebrn čun, na njemu zlatna vesla, a u čunu, kao kraljevna jasna, stoji blijeda Zora-djevojka.

Just as dawn was beginning to break on the third day, lo, a silver boat arose from the sea with golden oars, and in the boat, fair as a radiant princess, stood the pale Dawn-maiden.

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"Tri dana čuvao si život mojim ribicama, a sad reci, što želiš da ti dobro učinim?"

"For three days you spared the lives of my little fish; now tell me, what boon would you have me grant you?"

- progovori Zora-djevojka.

- spoke the Dawn-maiden.

"Pomozi mi iz ove bijede i pustoga života. Evo po vas dan se probijam uz ovaj pusti kraj. Što danas nahvatam, to večeras pojedem, te za mene nikakove radosti nema na ovome svijetu", - reče Palunko.

"Deliver me from this misery and desolate life. Day in and day out I toil along this barren shore. What I catch today, I eat tonight, and there is no joy for me in this world," said Palunko.

- "Idi kući, naći ćeš, što ti treba", - reče njemu Zora-djevojka.

"Go home, and you shall find what you need," the Dawn-maiden said to him.

Kako rekla, tako propala sa srebrnim čunom u more.

No sooner had she spoken than she sank with her silver boat into the sea.

Požurio Palunko na obalu pak do svoje kuće.

Palunko hurried ashore and made his way to his house.

Kad on do kuće, ali pred njega izađe sirota djevojka, sva umorna od daleka hoda onamo iz zagorja.

When he reached the house, lo, a poor maiden came out to meet him, utterly weary from a long journey from beyond the hills.

Reče djevojka:

Said the maiden:

"Eno mi mati umrla, nikoga na svijetu nemam, uzmi me za ženu, Palunko."

"My mother has died, I have no one in the world; take me for your wife, Palunko."

Ne zna sada Palunko, što da uradi.

Now Palunko did not know what to do.

"Je li ovo, bolan, sreća, što mi je šalje Zora-djevica?"

"Can this truly be the good fortune the Dawn-maiden has sent me?"

Vidi Palunko, da je ono bijedna sirotinja kao i on, al opet se boji, da ne bi krivo učinio i svoju sreću proigrao.

Palunko saw that she was a poor wretch just like himself, but still he feared he might do the wrong thing and forfeit his fortune.

Zato pristane i uze ovu sirotu za ženu.

So he consented, and took this poor maiden as his wife.

A ona, kako bila umorna, leže i spavaše do drugoga dana.

And as she was so weary, she lay down and slept until the next day.

Jedva Palunko dočekao drugoga dana, da vidi, kakova će ono sreća da nastane.

Palunko could hardly wait for the morrow to see what kind of good fortune would unfold.

Al drugoga dana nije ništa bilo, nego kad Palunko uze udice, da ide u ribu, žena ode u planinu, da bere lobodu.

Yet the next day brought nothing at all; instead, when Palunko took up his fishhooks to go fishing, the woman went into the hills to gather orache.

Vratio se uvečer Palunko, vratila se žena, te uz ribu i nešto lobode večerali.

In the evening Palunko returned, and his wife returned, and they supped on fish and a little orache.

"E, ako li je ovo sva sreća, onda sam i bez toga mogao biti", pomisli Palunko.

"Well, if this is all the good fortune there is, I could just as well have done without it," thought Palunko.

Kad prošla večera, sjela žena uz Palunka, da mu krati vrijeme, da mu priča priče.

When supper was over, the woman sat beside Palunko to while away the time and tell him stories.

Priča ona o gavanima i carskim dvorima, o zmajevima što blaga čuvaju i o kraljevni što u vrtu biser sije a alem žanje.

She told of wealthy magnates and imperial courts, of dragons guarding treasure, and of a princess who sowed pearls and reaped diamonds in her garden.

Sluša Palunko, sve mu srce od radosti poigrava.

Palunko listened, his heart fairly leaping with joy.

Zaboravio Palunko bijedu svoju - tri bi godine ovako slušao gdje mu priča.

Palunko forgot his misery—for three whole years he could have listened to her telling such tales.

Al se još više obradovao Palunko, kad se domislio:

Yet Palunko rejoiced even more when it dawned upon him:

"Ovo je žena vilinska, pokazat će mi put do blaga zmajeva ili do vrta kraljevne. Treba samo da se strpim, da je ne ojadim."

"This woman must be of fairy kind; she will show me the way to the dragons' hoard or the princess's garden. I need only be patient, so as not to grieve her."

Čeka Palunko - dan za danom prolazio, prošla godina, prošle dvije.

Palunko waited—day after day went by, a year passed, two years passed.

Već im se i sinak rodio - nazvali ga Vlatkom malim.

A little son was even born to them—they named him little Vlatko.

Al ono u stvari jednako ostalo: Palunko ribu hvata, a žena obdan po planini za lobodom prebija, uvečer večeru vari, a za večerom dijete nuna i Palunku priče priča.

Yet matters remained just as before: Palunko caught fish, while by day his wife toiled in the hills gathering orache, in the evening cooked supper, and at suppertime rocked the child and told Palunko stories.

Sve ljepše ona priča, a sve teže čeka Palunko, dok mu jedne večeri ne dogrdjelo, te kad se žena raspripovijedala o golemom bogatstvu i raskoši Kralja Morskoga, skoči gnjevan Palunko, ščepa ženu za ruku i reče:

Ever finer grew her tales, and ever harder it became for Palunko to wait, until one evening he could endure it no longer; and when the woman was deep in telling of the vast wealth and splendor of the Sea King, Palunko leapt up in fury, seized her by the hand, and cried:

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"Sada više oklijevanja nema, nego ti mene sutra na uranku vodi do dvorova Morskoga Kralja."

"There will be no more tarrying! Tomorrow at break of day you shall lead me to the palace of the Sea King."

Uplašila se žena, gdje je Palunko onako skočio.

The woman took fright at how Palunko had jumped up.

Reče ona njemu, da ne zna, gdje su dvorovi Morskoga Kralja, ali Palunko jarostan izbije ženu i zaprijeti joj, da će je ubiti, ne oda li mu tajnu vilinsku.

She told him she did not know where the Sea King's halls lay, but Palunko, beside himself with rage, beat her and threatened to kill her if she did not disclose her fairy secret.

Sad spozna sirota žena, da ju je Palunko držao za vilu te se rasplače i reče:

Now the poor woman realized that Palunko had taken her for a fairy, and she wept, saying:

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"Nisam ja, bolan, vila, nego sam sirota žena, koja čarolija ne znam. A što tebi pričam, to mi srce kazuje, da te razonodim."

"Alas, I am no fairy, but a poor woman who knows no magic. And what I tell you comes only from my heart, to bring you comfort."

Još se više na ovo razjario Palunko, gdje se tako varao za dvije duge godine, te gnjevan zapovjedi ženi, da sutra prije zore pođe sa djetetom morskim žalom na desnu stranu, a Palunko će poći na lijevu - i da se ne vraćaju, dok ne nađu puta do Morskoga Kralja.

At this Palunko flew into an even greater rage at having deceived himself for two whole years, and furiously commanded his wife that on the morrow, before dawn, she should set out with the child along the seashore to the right, while he would go to the left—and neither should return until they found the path to the Sea King.

Kad u zoru, al plače žena i moli se Palunku, da se ne rastaju. - "Tko zna, gdje će koje od nas nastradati na ovom kamenitom žalu", - govorila ona.

When dawn came, the woman wept and implored Palunko that they should not part. "Who knows which of us will come to grief upon this stony shore?" she pleaded.

Al Palunko opet nasrnuo na nju, te ona onda uze dijete i ode plačući, kuda joj muž zapovjedio.

Yet Palunko fell upon her once more, so she took up the child and departed weeping, whither her husband had commanded.

Palunko pak ode na drugu stranu.

And Palunko departed in the opposite direction.

Išla tako žena sa djetetom, malim Vlatkom, išla za sedmicu, išla za dvije.

So the woman walked on with her child, little Vlatko, walking for a week, and walking for two.

Nigdje ne nalazila puta do Morskoga Kralja.

Nowhere could she find the way to the Sea King.

Umorila se već jadnica kruto te jednoga dana zaspala na kamenu uz more.

The poor soul had grown grievously weary, and one day she fell asleep upon a rock by the sea.

Kad se probudi, ali nestalo čeda, nejakoga Vlatka.

When she awoke, lo, the child, frail little Vlatko, was gone.

Koliko se uprepastila, ukočile joj se suze na srcu, a od velike joj se žalosti prekinula riječ, te ona onijemjela.

So terrified was she that the tears froze in her heart, and from great sorrow speech failed her, so that she was struck dumb.

Vratila se sirota njemica uz obalu morsku i stigla kući.

The poor mute woman made her way back along the seashore and reached home.

Sutradan došao i Palunko.

On the morrow Palunko arrived as well.

Ne našao puta do Morskoga Kralja, vratio se jarostan i bijesan.

Having found no path to the Sea King, he returned furious and enraged.

Kad on u kuću, al nema čeda Vlatka, a žena nijema.

When he entered the house, lo, the child Vlatko was gone, and his wife was mute.

Ne može da mu kaže, što se slučilo, nego sva propada od tuge.

She could not tell him what had happened, but was utterly wasting away with grief.

Tako od onog dana u njih bilo.

And so it remained in their home from that day forward.

Žena niti plače, niti kuka, nego nijema po kući radi i Palunka dvori, a kuća tiha i pusta kao grob.

The woman neither wept nor wailed, but silently tended the house and waited on Palunko, while the home was quiet and desolate as a grave.

Za neko vrijeme podnosi Palunko ovu žalost, al onda mu sasvim dojadilo: gdje se bijaše najbolje ponadao raskoši Kralja Morskoga, tu mu došla ova bijeda i nevolja.

For a time Palunko endured this sorrow, but then it grew utterly unbearable to him: just when he had harbored the brightest hopes for the splendors of the Sea King, this misery and misfortune had befallen him.

Riješi se, ele, Palunko, te se jednog jutra opet poveze na more.

So Palunko made up his mind, and one morning rowed out to sea once more.

Na moru tri dana sjedi, tri dana posti, tri dana ribe ne hvata.

Upon the sea he sat for three days, for three days he fasted, and for three days he caught no fish.

Kad treći dan, pred njega iziđe Zora-djevojka.

When the third day arrived, the Dawn-maiden appeared before him.

Priča njoj Palunko, što se slučilo i potuži se:

Palunko told her what had happened and lamented:

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"Gori je ovo jad negoli prije bijaše. Nestalo djeteta, žena nijema, kuća pusta. Da svisnem od jada!"

"This grief is worse than it was before. The child is gone, my wife is mute, the house is desolate. I could die of sorrow!"

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"Što si zaželio? Još ću ti jednom pomoći."

"What is your wish? I will help you once more."

Al u Palunka samo jedna luda pamet, te kako sebi bijaše upiljio u glavu, da se nagleda i naužije bogatstva Kralja Morskoga, tako i ne zatraži, da mu se čedo vrati, niti da mu žena progovori, nego se moli Zori-djevojci:

Yet Palunko had only his single foolish obsession, and having set his mind on gazing upon and reveling in the riches of the Sea King, he asked neither for his child to be returned nor for his wife to speak again, but pleaded with the Dawn-maiden:

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"Hajde mi, svijetla Zoro-djevice, pokaži put do Morskoga Kralja."

"Come, radiant Dawn-maiden, show me the way to the Sea King."

I opet ništa ne reče Zora-djevojka, nego lijepo uputi Palunka:

And again the Dawn-maiden said nothing, but graciously instructed Palunko:

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"Kad o mladom mjesecu stane dan svitati, ti sjedni u čun, čekaj vjetra i otiđi vjetrom prema istoku. Odnijet će te vjetar do ostrva do Bujana, do kamena do Alatira. Tamo ću te dočekati i put ću ti do Morskoga Kralja pokazati."

"When day begins to dawn at the new moon, sit in your boat, wait for the wind, and go with the wind toward the east. The wind will carry you to the island of Buyan, to the stone of Alatir. There I shall meet you and show you the way to the Sea King."

Ode Palunko radostan kući.

Palunko returned home full of joy.

Kad bilo o mladome mjesecu, al on ništa ženi ne govori nego rano zorom u čun sjeda, vjetra čeka i ode vjetrom prema istoku.

When the new moon arrived, he spoke no word to his wife, but in the early dawn took his seat in the boat, waited for the wind, and sailed with the wind toward the east.

Nosi vjetar čun i nanese ga do mora neznanoga, do ostrva do Bujana.

The wind bore the boat along and cast it upon an unknown sea, to the island of Buyan.

Pliva bujno ostrvo kao zelen vrt.

The luxuriant island floated like a green garden.

U njemu bujna trava i tratina, u njemu loza vinova, u njemu mandula rascvjetana.

Upon it grew lush grass and greensward, upon it grapevines, upon it almond trees in blossom.

Nasred ostrva dragi kamen, bijel gorući kamen Alatir.

In the middle of the island stood a precious stone, the white burning stone of Alatir.

Pol kamena ostrvom žari, pola pod ostrvom u more svijetli. - Tuj na ostrvu na Bujanu, na kamenu na Alatiru, sjedi Zora-djevojka.

Half the stone glowed across the island, and half shone beneath the island into the sea. There on the island of Buyan, upon the stone of Alatir, sat the Dawn-maiden.

Lijepo Zora-djevojka Palunka dočekala, lijepo ga uputila.

Graciously the Dawn-maiden welcomed Palunko, and graciously she directed him.

Pokazala mu, gdje do ostrva na moru pliva kolo mlinsko, a oko kola Morske Djevice igre igraju.

She showed him where, near the island upon the sea, a mill wheel was floating, and around the wheel Sea Maidens were playing games.

Još ga lijepo naučila, kako će se kolu namoliti, da ga spusti do Kralja Morskoga, a da ga ne progutaju jazi morski.

Furthermore, she kindly taught him how to beseech the wheel so that it would lower him to the Sea King without the deep sea chasms swallowing him up.

Još mu reče Zora-djevojka:

The Dawn-maiden said to him further:

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"Velikoga ćeš se dobra i raskoši nauživati u Kralja Morskoga, al znaj: na zemlju ne možeš da se vratiš, jer su ti strahovite straže postavljene. Jedna valove diže, druga vjetar vije, a treća munje križa."

"Great riches and luxury shall you enjoy in the realm of the Sea King, but know this: you cannot return to earth, for fearful guards are set against you. One raises the waves, the second blows the wind, and the third crosses the lightning."

A Palunko radostan u čun sjeda i poveze se do kola mlinskoga, misleći u sebi:

And Palunko, full of joy, took his seat in the boat and rowed toward the mill wheel, thinking to himself:

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"Ne znaš, Zoro-djevice, što je bijeda na ovome svijetu. Neću se lje zemlje zaželjeti, gdje ostavljam pustu nevolju!"

"You know not, Dawn-maiden, what misery is like in this world. Surely I shall never yearn for the land where I leave only barren grief behind!"

On do kola mlinskoga, a oko kola Morske Djevice pustopašne igre igraju.

He came to the mill wheel, and around the wheel the Sea Maidens were playing wild, merry games.

U val rone, po moru se gone, kose im se po valu rasteple, srebrne im peraje trepere, a rumena im se usta smiju.

They dived into the billows, chased one another across the sea, their hair trailing loose upon the waves, their silver fins shimmering, and laughter on their rosy lips.

I po kolu sjedaju i oko kola more zapjenjuju.

They perched upon the wheel and churned the sea to froth all around it.

Doplovi čun do kola mlinskoga, a Palunko, kako ga Zora-djevica učila, tako učinio: dignuo veslo nad more, kako ga ne bi morski jazi progutali, te ovako mlinskom kolu progovorio:

The boat reached the mill wheel, and Palunko did just as the Dawn-maiden had taught him: he raised his oar above the sea so that the marine abysses would not swallow him, and spoke thus to the mill wheel:

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"Kolovrta navrta, ili do jaza mrtvoga, ili do Kralja Morskoga."

"Whirl, wheel, turn around, either to the dead deep down, or to the Sea King to be bound."

Kad Palunko ovo izrekao, šiknuše Morske Djevice kao srebrne ribice, okupiše se oko kola, uhvatiše se bijelim rukama za žbice te zavrtješe kolo - zavrtješe ga hitro, vrtoglavo.

When Palunko had uttered these words, the Sea Maidens darted like silver fish, gathered around the wheel, seized the spokes with their white hands, and set the wheel spinning—spinning it swiftly, dizzily.

Učini se vir u moru, učini se vir strahovit, vir dubok, utegnu vir Palunka, zakruži Palunkom kao tananom šibicom i spušta ga do silnih dvorova Kralja Morskoga.

A whirlpool formed in the sea, a fearsome whirlpool, a deep whirlpool; the vortex pulled Palunko down, whirled him about like a slender twig, and bore him down to the mighty palace of the Sea King.

Još Palunku u ušima šum morski i pustopašni smijeh Morskih Djevica, ali već se on našao na krasnome pijesku, na sitnome pijesku od suhog zlata.

The roar of the sea and the wanton laughter of the Sea Maidens still rang in Palunko's ears, yet already he found himself upon beautiful sand, fine sand of pure gold.

Oglednu se Palunko i kliknu:

Palunko looked all about him and cried:

"E, čuda mi divnoga, čitava poljana od zlatnog pijeska!"

"Oh, what wondrous marvel, a whole plain of golden sand!"

Ono samo misli Palunko, da je poljana, kolika je, ali ono bila velika dvorana Kralja Morskoga.

Palunko only fancied it to be an open plain, so vast was it, but in truth it was the great hall of the Sea King.

Oko dvorane stoji more kao mermerni zidovi, nad dvoranom stoji more kao svod stakleni.

Around the hall the sea stood like marble walls; above the hall the sea stood like a vault of glass.

Od kamena od Alatira plavi svjetlo kao plava mjesečina.

From the stone of Alatir a light shone blue, like blue moonlight.

Ovjesile se nad dvoranom grane od bisera, uzdigli se po dvorani stolovi od koralja.

Boughs of pearls hung suspended above the hall, and tables of coral rose throughout it.

A na kraju, na drugom kraju, svirale gdje svire i sitni praporci gdje biju, onamo u zlatnome pijesku uživa i počiva Kralj Morski.

And at the far end, at the other end, where pipes were piping and tiny bells were chiming, there in the golden sand the Sea King took his ease and rested.

Pružio se u zlaćani pijesak, samo volujsku glavu podigao - ukraj njega ploča od koralja, iza njega živica od zlata.

He lay stretched out in the golden sand, lifting only his bull's head—beside him a slab of coral, behind him a hedge of gold.

Što ono tanke sviralice brzo i tanano svire, a sitni praporci strelovito biju, što se ono sja i raskoši blista - ovoliko sreće i blaženstva ne bijaše Palunko mislio, da gdjegod ima u svijetu!

How swiftly and delicately the slender pipes played, how keenly the little bells chimed, how everything shone and glittered with splendor—such fortune and bliss Palunko had never imagined could exist anywhere in the world!

Pomahnitao Palunko od puste radosti, učini mu se kao da se vinca nakitio, zaigralo mu srce, pljesnuo u dlanove, potrkao po zlatnom pijesku ko hitronogo dijete, prebacio se po dva, po tri puta, kao ludi derančić.

Beside himself with sheer joy, feeling as though he were flushed with fine wine, Palunko's heart leaped; he clapped his hands, ran across the golden sand like a fleet-footed child, and turned somersaults two, three times over like an unruly rascal.

Vrlo se ovo svidje Morskom Kralju.

This pleased the Sea King greatly.

U Morskoga Kralja teške noge preteške, a još teža glava volujska.

Heavy, exceedingly heavy were the Sea King's legs, and heavier still was his bull's head.

Nasmija se grohotom Morski Kralj, te kako u zlatnome pijesku počiva, tako oko njega pijesak prši od smijeha.

The Sea King burst into a roar of laughter, and as he lay in the golden sand, the sand scattered all about him from his mirth.

- "Baš si momče lakonogo", - reče Morski Kralj i skine vrhu sebe granu bisera te Palunka dariva.

"You are a light-footed fellow indeed," said the Sea King, and taking down a branch of pearls from above him, he presented it to Palunko.

Zapovjedi zatim Morski Kralj, te iznijele vile pomorkinje na zlatnim pladnjima jela biranoga i pića medenoga.

Then the Sea King gave command, and the sea maidens brought forth on golden platters choice viands and honeyed mead.

Blaguje Palunko uz Morskoga Kralja na ploči od koralja, ele, u časti najvećoj.

So Palunko feasted beside the Sea King upon the coral slab, in the highest honor of all.

Kad Palunko odručao, pita njega Kralj Morski:

When Palunko had finished eating, the Sea King asked him:

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"Jesi li još čega zaželio, momče?"

"Is there aught else you desire, my lad?"

A što znade da zaželi bijedna sirotinja, koja još nikada dobru nije privirila?

Yet what could a poor wretch know to wish for, who had never in his life had a glimpse of good fortune?

Nego kako Palunko bio gladan od daleka puta, to se on slabo najeo jela biranijeh i pića medenoga, pa zato reče Morskome Kralju:

Rather, as Palunko was famished from his long journey, he had found little satisfaction in the dainty morsels and honeyed drinks, and so he said to the Sea King:

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"Baš kad me pitaš, Kralju Morski, zaželio sam, da mi je dobar pladanj varene lobode."

"Since you ask me, Sea King, what I truly long for is a good dish of boiled orache."

Začudio se ovome Kralj Morski, al se onda dosjetio te se nasmijao i Palunku govorio:

The Sea King marveled at this, but then he understood, and laughing, spoke to Palunko:

-

"E, brate moj, draga je u nas loboda, draža nego biser i bisernjak, jer je od nas daleko do nje. Al kad si baš zaželio, poslat ću vilu prekomorku, donijet će ti iz kraja lobode. Al ti se meni još tri puta prebaci."

"Ah, brother mine, orache is precious among us, dearer than pearls and pearlbeds, for it is far from here to where it grows. But since you so desire it, I will send an overseas maiden to fetch you some orache from the coast. Yet first, turn three more somersaults for me."

Kako je Palunko radostan, ništa ovo nije njemu teško.

As Palunko was full of joy, this was no hardship to him.

Skače on na noge lagane, a ono se brzo prikupiše i pomorkinje i sitna čeljad u dvoranu, da ovo čudo vide.

He sprang to his nimble feet, and swiftly the sea nymphs and little folk gathered in the hall to see this wonder.

Zaleti se Palunko po zlatnome pijesku, prebaci se vješto jedan, pa dva, pa tri puta kao vjeverica, a Morski Kralj i sva čeljad grohotom se nasmijali toj vještini.

Palunko dashed across the golden sand and nimbly somersaulted once, then twice, then three times like a squirrel, and the Sea King and all the company roared with laughter at his deftness.

Al se najslađe nasmijalo neko dijete nejačko, a bio to kralj mali, što ga od igre i obijesti sebi pomorkinje zakraljile.

Yet sweetest of all was the laughter of a frail little child, who was the little king whom the sea nymphs, out of sport and whim, had crowned as their own.

Sjedi mladi kralj u zlatnoj kolijevci, u svilenoj košuljici.

The young king sat in a golden cradle, clad in a little silken shirt.

Po kolijevci biserni praporci, a djetetu u ruci zlatna jabuka.

Upon the cradle hung pearl bells, and in the child's hand was a golden apple.

Kad se Palunko prebacio, a mali se kralj onako slatko nasmijao, oglednu se Palunko na njega.

When Palunko had turned his tumble and the little king laughed so sweetly, Palunko looked over toward him.

Poglednu maloga kralja - prenerazi se Palunko: ono je sinak njegov nejaki, Vlatko mali.

He looked upon the little king—and Palunko stood petrified: it was his own frail little son, little Vlatko.

Ele, prisjelo ovo Palunku odmah.

Well, this turned bitter to Palunko at once.

Ne bi ni sam mogao pomisliti, da bi mu ovako brzo prisjelo.

He could not have imagined himself that it would turn sour for him so quickly.

Smrknu se Palunko onim časom - razjadio se, te kad se malo razabrao, pomisli:

Palunko's countenance darkened that very instant; he grew incensed, and when he collected himself a little, he thought:

-

"Gle ga, derančića, kuda se djenuo, da kraljuje u igri i obijesti, a mati mu kod kuće od tuge onijemjela."

"Look at him, the little scamp, where he has wound up—reigning in sport and wantonness, while his mother at home has been struck dumb with grief!"

Kivan je Palunko, ne može da gleda ni sebe ni sina u ovim dvorima; al ne smjede ništa da reče, kako ga ne bi od djeteta rastavili.

Palunko was bitter and could bear neither the sight of himself nor of his son in these halls; yet he dared say nothing, lest they part him from the child.

Zato se on učini slugom svoga sina, Vlatka maloga, misleći:

Therefore he made himself a servant to his son, little Vlatko, thinking:

"Ostat ću kadgod na samu s djetetom, spomenut ću dijete na oca i majku, uteći ću s njime, odnijet ću prkonjicu sina, vratiti se s njime k materi."

"Sometime I shall be left alone with the child; I will remind him of his father and mother, I will flee with him, carry off my saucy little lad, and return with him to his mother."

Tako mislio Palunko te jednog dana dočekao, ostao nasamu s djetetom te malome kralju prišapnuo:

So Palunko thought, and one day his chance came; he was left alone with the child, and whispered to the little king:

"Hajde, sinko, sa ocem da uteknemo."

"Come, my son, let us flee together with your father."

Al Vlatko bijaše čedo sasvim nejačko, te kako je dugo pod morem boravio, tako oca već i zaboravio.

Yet Vlatko was quite a tender babe, and having dwelled under the sea for so long, he had already forgotten his father.

Nasmija se on, nasmija se mali kralj, misli on: šali se Palunko - te Palunka nožicom gurnuo:

He laughed, the little king laughed, thinking Palunko was jesting, and kicked Palunko with his little foot:

-

"Nisi ti otac moj, ti si luda, što se pred Morskim Kraljem prebacuje."

"You are not my father; you are the fool who turns somersaults before the Sea King."

Ujede ovo za srce Palunka, od srdžbe bi svisnuo.

This stung Palunko to the quick; he could have burst with rage.

Ode on tako i rasplače se od gorkoga jeda.

He walked away and wept from bitter grief.

Okupila se oko njega čeljad Kralja Morskoga, te ovako jedan drugomu govorio:

The Sea King's retainers gathered round him, and spoke thus to one another:

-

"E, ovo mora da je veliki velmoža na zemlji bio kad u ovolikoj raskoši plače."

"Well, he must have been a great lord on earth, to weep in the midst of such luxury."

-

"Duše mi, bio sam isti kao i Kralj Morski. Imao sam dijete, što mi se u bradu penjalo, ženu, što mi čuda kazivala - a lobode, brate, koliko hoćeš, ne trebaš se ni pred kim prebacivati!"

"By my soul, I was equal to the Sea King himself! I had a child who climbed into my beard, a wife who told me wonders—and orache, brother, as much as heart could wish, without having to tumble before anyone!"

- govori ojađen Palunko.

- spoke the aggrieved Palunko.

Čudi se čeljad ovolikomu gospodstvu te puštaju Palunka, da tuguje za svojom srećom.

The retainers marveled at such lordship, and let Palunko mourn for his lost happiness.

A Palunko osta slugom u maloga kralja.

And Palunko remained a servant to the little king.

Ugađa sinku svakojako, misli: pregovorit ću ga kakogod, da sa mnom utekne.

He humored his son in every way, thinking: somehow I shall persuade him to flee with me.

A mali kralj svakim danom objesniji i pustopašniji, te što više dani protječu, to dijete za veću ludu Palunka držaše.

Yet the little king grew more wanton and willful by the day, and the more days went by, the greater a fool the child took Palunko to be.

Dok ovo tako bijaše, dotle žena Palunkova u kući samovala i tugovala.

While matters stood thus, Palunko's wife lived solitary and sorrowful in the house.

Prve večeri na ognjištu oganj podržavala i večeru varila, a kad Palunka nije dočekala, onda oganj zapustila i više ga nije palila.

On the first evening she kept the fire burning on the hearth and cooked supper, but when Palunko did not return, she let the fire go out and kindled it no more.

Sjedi sirota njemica na pragu, niti radi, niti sprema, niti plače, niti kuka, nego se ubija jadom i čemerom.

The poor mute woman sat upon the threshold, neither working nor tidying, neither weeping nor wailing, but wasting away with misery and gall.

Niti može da u koga upita savjeta, kad je nijema, niti može morem poći za Palunkom, kad je od tuge preklonula.

Neither could she ask counsel of anyone, being dumb, nor could she follow Palunko across the sea, bowed down as she was with grief.

Kud će, dakle, jadna, nego jednog dana ode u daleko zagorje, gdje joj je majka ležala sahranjena.

Where else then could the poor soul go, but one day departed into the distant uplands, where her mother lay buried.

Tako ona nad grobom materinim stala, a pred nju iziđe lijepa košuta.

Thus she stood over her mother's grave, and before her stepped a beautiful hind.

Progovori košuta nijemim jezikom:

The hind spoke in the mute tongue:

- Nemoj da sjediš i da se ubijaš, kćeri moja, jer bi ti srce puklo, a kuća bi ti se raspala.

"- Do not sit and pine away, my daughter, for your heart would break and your home would fall to ruin.

Nego ti svake večeri Palunku večeru spremaj, a iza večere tanku kudjelju razrešuj.

Rather, prepare supper for Palunko every evening, and after supper comb out the fine flax.

Ne dođe li Palunko, a ti u zoru uzmi njegovu večeru i mekanu kudjelju i još ponesi tanke dvojnice, pa dođi u krš.

If Palunko does not come, then at dawn take his supper and the soft flax, and take also the slender reed-pipes, and come out into the karst.

Tamo u dvojnice sviraj, zmije i zmijići će večeru izjesti, a galebovi kudjeljom gnijezda oblagati.

Play the reed-pipes there; the serpents and little snakes will eat the supper, and the seagulls will line their nests with the flax.

"

Dobro kćerka sve razumjela, što joj mati govorila, i tako učinila.

The daughter understood well all that her mother told her, and did so.

Svake večeri večeru sprema, iza večere kudjelju razrešuje.

Every evening she prepared supper, and after supper combed the flax.

Ne vraća se Palunko, uzima žena u ranu zoru dvojnice, iznosi u krš večeru i kudjelju.

Palunko did not return; at early dawn the woman took the reed-pipes and carried the supper and flax out into the karst.

Kako ona u dvojnice svira, tanano u desnu sviralu svira, tako izlaze iz krša zmije i zmijići.

As she played upon the reed-pipes, piping delicately on the right pipe, out of the karst came serpents and little snakes.

Večeru blaguju, ženi nijemim jezikom zahvaljuju.

They feasted on the supper, thanking the woman in the mute tongue.

A kad u lijevu sviralu prebira, dolijeću galebovi i galebići, kudjelju u gnijezda raznose, a ženi zahvaljuju.

And when her fingers played upon the left pipe, seagulls and little gulls flew down, carrying the flax off to their nests and thanking the woman.

Ovako žena radila svakim danom - i već se mjesec tri puta povratio, a Palunka svejednako nema.

Thus the woman did each day—and already the moon had waxed and waned three times, yet still Palunko had not returned.

Opet teška tuga obrva jadnu njemicu, te ona ode opet na grob materin.

Heavy grief overcame the poor mute woman once more, and she went again to her mother's grave.

Išeće pred nju košuta, a žena joj nijemim jezikom govorila:

The hind stepped out before her, and the woman spoke to her in the mute tongue:

-

"Evo, majko, sve sam tako uradila, al Palunka nikada! Meni dojadilo čekanje. Il da skočim u more, il da se razbijem o stijenu?"

"Behold, mother, I have done everything just so, but Palunko comes not! I am weary of waiting. Shall I leap into the sea, or dash myself against the rocks?"

- "Kćeri moja", - reče košuta, -

- "My daughter," said the hind, -

"nemoj da budeš nevjera. Ljutu muku muči tvoj Palunko. A ti slušaj, kako ćeš mu pomoći. U neznanome moru ima lubin veliki, na lubinu zlatna peraja, na peraji zlatna jabuka. Uhvatiš li na mjesečini lubina, olakšat ćeš jade tvom Palunku. Al do mora neznanoga treba proći tri pećine od oblaka: u jednoj je zmija orijaška, majka sviju zmija, more diže i valove pravi; u drugoj ptica orijaška, majka sviju ptica, buru razmahuje; u trećoj zlatna pčela, majka sviju pčela, munje križa i izvodi. Pođi, kćerko, do mora neznanoga, ništa ne ponesi doli udice i tamnih dvojnica, a nađeš li se u teškoj nevolji, ti otpori svoj desni rukav, bijeli nerubljeni."

"do not be unfaithful. Bitter torment does your Palunko suffer. Now listen to how you may aid him. In the unknown sea there is a great sea bass; upon the sea bass is a golden fin, and upon the fin a golden apple. If you catch the sea bass in the moonlight, you will ease the sorrows of your Palunko. But to reach the unknown sea you must pass through three caverns of cloud: in one is a giant serpent, mother of all serpents, that stirs the sea and makes the waves; in the second is a giant bird, mother of all birds, that whips up the storm; in the third is a golden bee, mother of all bees, that crosses and conjures the lightning. Go, daughter, to the unknown sea, take nothing save a fishhook and dark reed-pipes, and if you find yourself in dire distress, rip open your right sleeve, white and unhemmed."

Upamtila kćerka, drugog dana čun uzela, otisnula se na more debelo, a ništa ne ponijela doli udice i tankih dvojnica. - Luta i tumara morem, dok je more ne nanese do jednog mjesta, a tamo na moru tri strahotne pećine od teškog oblaka.

The daughter remembered well; on the next day she took a boat and launched out onto the deep sea, bearing nothing save a fishhook and slender reed-pipes. She wandered and roamed the sea, until the waters bore her to a place where, upon the sea, stood three dreadful caverns of heavy cloud.

Na ulazu prve pećine glavu digla zmija grozovita, majka sviju zmija.

At the entrance of the first cavern a hideous serpent, mother of all serpents, had raised its head.

Strašna glava sav ulaz zatvorila, a tijelom se u pećini ispružila te tamo orijaškim repom omahuje, more muti i valove diže.

Its terrible head blocked the whole entrance, while its body stretched out within the cavern, thrashing its giant tail, churning the sea and raising waves.

Ne smije žena ni blizu čudovištu, nego se sjetila svojih dvojnica te u desnu sviralu stala prebirati.

The woman dared not go near the monster, but remembered her reed-pipes and began to play upon the right pipe.

Kako svira, tako sa kraja daleka, krševita, hite, plivaju zmije i zmijići.

As she plays, from the distant, rocky shore, snakes and little snakes hurry swimming toward her.

Doplivaše, dohitaše zmije šarolike i sitni zmijići, te se molili zmiji strahovitoj: -

The colorful snakes and tiny little snakes swam up and hurried over, and they pleaded with the fearsome serpent:

"Puštaj, majko naša, ženu, da prođe čunom kroz pećinu. Ona je nama veliko dobro učinila, gdje nas je svake zore nahranila."

"Let the woman pass through the cave in her little boat, our mother. She has done us a great kindness by feeding us at every dawn."

- "Kroz pećinu je puštati ne mogu, jer mi danas valja velo more dići", - odvrati strašna zmija.

"I cannot let her pass through the cave, for today I must raise a mighty sea," replied the terrible serpent.

"Ali ako vam je dobro učinila, dobro ću joj i vratiti: il joj volja težak grumen zlata, il joj volja šest nizova bisera?"

"But if she has done you a kindness, I shall repay her in kind: would she prefer a heavy lump of gold, or six strings of pearls?"

Ne prevari se vjerna žena na biser i zlato, nego ovako zmiji nijemim jezikom govorila:

The faithful woman was not tempted by pearls and gold, but spoke to the serpent in this way, with her silent tongue:

-

"Ja sam došla radi malene stvari, radi lubina iz mora neznanoga. Ako sam ti dobro učinila, ti me puštaj kroz pećinu, zmijo strahovita."

"I have come for a little thing, for a sea bass from the unknown sea. If I have done you a kindness, then let me pass through the cave, O fearsome serpent."

- "Puštaj, majko naša", - prihvatile zmije i zmijići, -

"Let her pass, our mother," the snakes and little snakes chimed in,

"eto kolike nas je hranila, kolike othranila. A ti lezi, majko naša, pa prospavaj malko, a mi ćemo za tebe more dizati."

"See how many of us she has fed, how many she has raised. Now lie down, our mother, and sleep a little, while we raise the sea for you."

Ne mogaše zmija odoljeti onolikoj svojti, a bila ona željna sna od tisuću godina.

The serpent could not resist such a great brood, and she longed for a thousand years of sleep.

Pusti dakle ženu kroz pećinu, pa se onda po pećini pruži te strašna zaspi.

So she let the woman pass through the cave, then stretched herself out inside it and fell into a deep, fearsome sleep.

Prije negoli zaspi, zmijama i zmijićima naloži:

Before falling asleep, she commanded the snakes and little snakes:

-

"Dobro mi more podignite, djeco moja, dok ja malo počinem."

"Raise a mighty sea for me, my children, while I rest a little."

Prošla nijema žena kroz pećinu, ostale zmije i zmijići u pećini.

The mute woman passed through the cave, while the snakes and little snakes remained inside.

Umjesto da more burkaju, a oni more taže i smiruju.

Instead of churning up the sea, they calmed it and made its waters still.

Isplovila žena, stigla do druge pećine, a u drugoj pećini ptica orijaška, majka sviju ptica.

The woman sailed onward and reached a second cave, where a gigantic bird lived, the mother of all birds.

Na ulazu strahovitu glavu ispružila i gvozdeni kljun razvalila, a golema krila po pećini raskrilila i krilima maše, vihor razmahuje.

At the entrance, she thrust out her fearsome head and opened her iron beak wide. She spread her enormous wings across the cave and beat them, whipping up a whirlwind.

Latila se žena dvojnica te u lijevu sviralu prebira.

The woman took up her double flute and played upon its left pipe.

Doletješe sa kraja sivi galebovi i sitni galebići, te se strašnoj ptici molili, da pusti ženu sa čunom kroz pećinu, jer je njima veliko dobro učinila, gdje im je svakim danom kudjelju sterala.

From the shore came flying gray seagulls and tiny gulls, and they pleaded with the fearsome bird to let the woman pass through the cave in her little boat, for she had done them a great kindness by spreading hemp fibers out for them every day.

-

"Ne mogu da je puštam kroz pećinu, jer danas mi valja silan vihor podignuti. Nego ako vam je dobro učinila, veće ću joj dobro vratiti. Dat ću joj žive vode iz kljuna gvozdenoga, da joj se živa riječ povrati."

"I cannot let her pass through the cave, for today I must raise a mighty whirlwind. But if she has done you a kindness, I shall repay her with an even greater one. I shall give her living water from my iron beak, so that her living voice may return to her."

Ele, ovo teško bilo jadnoj ženi njemici, gdje bijaše toliko poželjela, da joj se živa riječ vrati!

Alas, this was a hard trial for the poor mute woman, who had so dearly wished for her living voice to return!

Al ona vjerna ostade te ptici ovako govorila:

But she remained steadfast and spoke to the bird in this way:

-

"Nisam došla radi svojega dobra, već radi male stvari: radi lubina iz mora neznanoga. Ako sam ti dobro učinila, a ti mene kroz pećinu puštaj."

"I have not come for my own benefit, but for a little thing: for a sea bass from the unknown sea. If I have done you a kindness, then let me pass through the cave."

Namolili galebovi majku-pticu i još je uputili, da malo na sanak legne, a oni će za nju vihor razmahati.

The seagulls pleaded with their mother, the bird, and persuaded her to lie down for a little sleep, promising to whip up the whirlwind in her place.

Poslušala majka-ptica svojtu svoju, ovjesila se gvozdenim čaporcima o pećinu te zaspala.

The mother bird listened to her brood, hung herself from the cave with her iron talons, and fell asleep.

A galebovi i galebići, mjesto da vihor dižu, a oni vihor taže i smiruju.

But the seagulls and little gulls, instead of raising a whirlwind, quieted it and calmed it down.

Tako nijema žena drugu pećinu preplovila i do treće dolazila.

Thus the mute woman sailed through the second cave and came to the third.

U trećoj pećini zlatna pčela.

In the third cave was a golden bee.

Na ulazu se zlatna pčela uzlijetala: križa ognjene munje i gromke gromove.

At the entrance, the golden bee soared aloft, crossing fiery lightning bolts and mighty thunderclaps.

Tutnji more i pećina, zveče munje po oblaku.

The sea and the cave thundered, and lightning crackled across the clouds.

Strava uhvati ženu, gdje se našla sama u ovoj grozoti.

Terror seized the woman as she found herself alone amid this dreadful spectacle.

Ali se ona svog desnog rukava dosjetila, bijeli rukav nerubljeni isporila, na zlatnu pčelu njime omahnula te pčelu u rukav uhvatila.

But she remembered her right sleeve, tore off the unhemmed white sleeve, swept it at the golden bee, and caught the bee in the sleeve.

Utihnule namah munje i gromovi, a zlatna se pčela stala ženi moliti:

At once, the lightning and thunder fell silent, and the golden bee began pleading with the woman:

-

"Puštaj mene, ženo, na slobodu. Nešto ću te, ženo, naučiti. Gledi tamo na more široko: veliku ćeš radost ugledati."

"Set me free, woman. I shall teach you something. Look out there over the wide sea: you will behold a great joy."

Pogledala žena na more široko: upravo bilo sunce na uranku, zarumenjele se nebeske visine, zarumenjelo se more od istoči, a iz mora taman se izdigao čun srebrni.

The woman looked out over the wide sea. The sun was just rising; the heights of heaven had flushed red, the sea had blushed in the east, and a silver boat had just emerged from the water.

U čunu kao kraljevna bijela i jasna Zora-djevojka, a uz nju dijete nejako u svilenoj košulji, sa zlatnom jabukom.

In the boat sat the maiden Dawn, fair and radiant as a princess, and beside her was a tiny child in a silk shirt, holding a golden apple.

Ono Zora-djevojka malog kralja jutrom po moru šetala.

The maiden Dawn was taking the little king for a morning ride upon the sea.

Prepoznala žena sinka izgubljenoga.

The woman recognized her lost son.

E, čuda prečudnoga, što je more široko, da ga nije mati svega obuhvatila, što je sunce visoko, da ga nije mati rukom dohvatila.

Oh, what a wondrous wonder! The sea was so wide that his mother could not embrace it all; the sun was so high that his mother could not reach it with her hand.

Zastrepila ona od prevelike radosti, dršće ona kao tanana jasika.

She trembled with overwhelming joy, shaking like a slender aspen.

Il bi ruke za djetetom pružila?

Should she stretch out her arms toward the child?

Il bi za njim milo uskliknula?

Should she call out to him with a tender cry?

Il bi najbolje za njim dovijeka gledala!

Or would it be best to gaze after him forever!

Plovi srebrn čun po moru rumenomu, u daljini se čunak izgubio, u more čunak uronio, a jedva se majka prenula.

The silver boat sailed across the rosy sea; far away, it vanished from sight and sank into the sea, while the mother had barely come to her senses.

- "Ja ću tebe puta naučiti", - progovori zlatna pčela. -

"I shall teach you the way," said the golden bee.

"Doći ćeš do malog kralja, do sinka tvoga, s njim ćeš u sreći boraviti. Al me prije puštaj na slobodu, da ja križam po pećini munje, i nemoj mi pećinom prolaziti."

"You will reach the little king, your own son, and live happily with him. But first set me free, so that I may flash lightning through the cave, and do not pass through the cave again."

Pčela gorka jadnu majku obrvala, obrvala i uzdrmala.

The bitter bee overwhelmed the poor mother, overwhelming and shaking her to the core.

Čedo svoje bijaše ugledala, želju svoju željkovanu uočila - uočila, ugledala, a ne ogrlila, ne izljubila!

She had seen her own child, the fulfillment of her long-cherished desire—seen him, beheld him, but neither embraced him nor covered him with kisses!

Uzdrmala pčela ženu: il će biti Palunku vjera il nevjera?

The bee shook the woman to her very soul: would Palunko remain faithful, or would he prove unfaithful?

Il će pčelu pustiti i sinku svome doći, il će pećinom prolaziti do mora neznanoga, po lubina velikoga?

Would she set the bee free and go to her son, or would she pass through the cave to the unknown sea in search of the great sea bass?

Kako ju je pčela uzdrmala, tako joj se suze od srca otkinule, tako joj se živa riječ povratila, te ona živom riječi pčeli govorila: -