O, Vrba, Happy Village, My Old Hme

O, Vrba, happy village, my old home -

My father's cottage stands there to this day.

The lure of learning beckoned me away.

Its serpent wiles enticing me to roam,

Else had I never known that heart's joy,

Sweet promise, could become a poisoned draught,

Not known myself of self-belief bereft,

Tossed in internal tempests like a toy.

A dowry riches never could surpass,

A faithful heart, a hand that's made for work,

Would have come with a chosen country lass

Serenely onward would have sailed my bark,

My house from fire, my corn from hailstorm loss

Safeguarded by my neighbour near, Sain Mark.