Story #4 (Part 2)
Will Premysl arrive to meet Libuse? Will they wed and rule together? How will Libuse receive the new prince? Continue reading part 2 about Libuse and Premysl.
…”Go on, Prices! Tell us where we can find him!”
The crowd called out, and the impatiently pushed closer to the royal table.
At that time, Princess Libuse, wearing a white ribbon and a crown on her head, stood up and stretched her hands toward the waiting assembly. Everyone became silent and waited for what Libuse would say. She raised her finger, pointed it toward the mountains to the west, and said:
” In the Lemuze region, the Bilina River flows behind the mountains. You will find a village belonging to the Stadice family. Near the village is a large field. In this field, your new prince is plowing with two oxen. Send messengers with the princely garment and tell the man that the nation has chosen him as a prince and my husband. Your prince is called Premysl, and his family will reign across the country.”
The princes added:
“Your journey will be easy; my horse will lead you safely to Premysl. Your journey will end when my horse stops and neighs in front of a plowman who eats at an iron table by his field. That man will be our new Prince.”
Libuse instructed them to bring her horse out. Sturdy white stallion with a thick neck and long, heavy mane. They saddle it up with a decorative saddle and royal apparel. Libuses’s messengers followed the white stallion. The horse walked confidently and quickly, not letting anything stop him. They passed a herd of horses on a pasture, and they wanted to join them, neighing loudly. The white stallion continued without being distracted and still guiding the way – none of the men led him by the reins.
The horse’s self-assurance took the messengers by surprise. They felt that the horse had been on this journey before. Did the Princess secretly go out during the twilight and return home at dawn? The messengers pondered these questions, but they did not receive any answers. The group, led by the white horse, wandered tirelessly, going past mountains and plains, crossing streams and rivers, and working through dense forests. On the third day, at dawn, they approached the village. A boy ran out into their path, and they asked him:
“Boy, is this village Stadice? And does a man named Premysl live here?”
“Yes, this is Stadice,”
said the boy.
“Premysl is plowing with his oxen out there in the field.”
The messengers looked in the direction the boy had indicated, and they saw a tall, slender man in tufted boots, holding a plow and driving a pair of oxen. The messengers headed toward the plowman. As they approached him, Libuses’s horse stopped, suddenly rearing up and neighing. Then, stood down again on all fours and bowed its head humbly in front of Premysl. Premysl pulled the yoke to a halt and lay aside the plow.
The messengers took the white robe off the horse, approached Premysl, and, with these words, bowed respectfully:
“Greetings, Premysl. You are our new prince chosen by the gods. Princes Libuse and the whole Czech nation have sent a message to come with us and become our prince, judge, protector, and good husband to Princess Libuse.”
Premysl didn’t seem overly surprised at the arrival of the messengers. He did not ask about anything or wondered what was going on. He stuck his iron bar (Otka) into the ground, put down the plow, unharnessed the oxen, patting them with his palm in a friendly manner, and said:
“Go back to where you came from.”
After those words, the two oxen walked towards the great rock, which opened up before them and immediately closed behind them – and not a trace of the oxen remained.
Then Premysl turned to the messengers:
“It’s a pity you’ve come so early in the morning. If I could finish plowing the field, everyone would have an abundance of bread forever. Because you hurried and interrupted my work, our country will often have hunger.”
Meanwhile, sap began to flow out of the wooden handle of the iron bar (Otka). The rod turned green, and out of it came three branches. One branch sprouted leaves, and nuts started to grow. Premysl pulled out a loaf of bread and some cheese from his haversack, overturned the plow, and put the food onto the blade. He invited the astonished messengers to have breakfast.
“That’s the iron table Libuse was talking about!”
All the messengers realized. During breakfast, two branches dried up, and the leaves dropped down. The third branch became stronger and grew in height and width. The messengers could not believe their own eyes, and with confused feelings, they got the courage to ask Premysl what was happening—why two hazelnut branches had dried up so quickly while the third one was so healthy.
“Let me explain,”
Said Premysl.
“My family will resemble this shrub. Many men will start to reign, but ultimately, only one ruler will remain.”
The messengers also wondered why Premysl did not eat at the edge of the field but instead placed his food on the iron table. Premysl explained:
“I eat on the iron table so everyone knows my family will rule with an iron hand. I say this to you: do not take iron for granted! In peaceful times, you can plow your fields, and during wars, it will help you fight off the enemy. If the Czechs have a table like this, they will overpower their enemies. When foreigners take the iron table away from them, then the Czechs will lose their freedom.”
Then Premysl said farewell to his loved ones, dressed in princely robes, and swung up onto Libuse’s white stallion, who neighed happily again. Premysl’s messengers were faced with another surprise. All of them were wondering why he had packed his haversack with his old shoes – surely he would not need them as a prince. Premysl explained again:
” I want to keep my haversack and shoes for my decedents. I want them forever to remember their origins, never forget their circumstances, and not to look down on anyone because we are all equal.”
Meanwhile, all the people at Vysehrad were waiting impatiently. When they arrived, Libuse and her entourage came out to meet the new prince. The beautiful princess walked proudly at the front of the procession. The people were filled with joy when they saw the proud, robust man sitting on the saddle of the white station. The young princess was the happiest of all. Libuse and Premysl held hands and walked together into the castle. A big celebratory feast was prepared to greet the Prince.
Soon, they had a wedding. The wedding was celebrated in the castle and the foothills. All people, rich or poor, old or young. Their stomachs full with amazing food, and their throats moistened with fragrant mead, they sang and listed to old songs about heroes and successful battles and fights. They celebrate all night around the firelight.
As the wedding festivities came to an end, they waved goodbye to the last guests. Libuse took Premysl to the underground hall, which was dug out of the rock, creating a hidden cave.
In the underground hall, the walls and tables shined with the different colors of precious metals. There were swords, belts, helmets, armor, beautifully forged shields, magnificent bracelets, precious clips, rings, silver tiaras, long strings full of pearls, jewels of precious stones-clips, exquisite glass goblets, various dishes of pure silver, and platters overflowing with gold nuggets. Libuse showed Premysl all the treasures, as this fine collection would now be his.
She also took him to the secret corners of Vysehard gardens, spending the most time with him at her favorite place near Perun’s statue. Often, in this sacred place, they would discuss the state of their country for many hours, consulting on whether and how to change the rule of law of the Principality. At that time, Premysl drew up laws to ensure discipline in the country, which were followed by the Czech nation for many years. And Libuse devoted more and more of their time to divination.
Foto credit: Prague Minos Guide
read more at Wikipedia
More Czech History Tales
Easy day trips in the Czech Republic & Prague
Are you planning a trip to the Czech Republic? Are you a bit overwhelmed about what place to visit and see? I know there is so much to see, and not just in Prague! The whole country is full of beautiful Gems. Here are some of my blog posts to help you plan some day trips.
- Romantic day trip to Prague – On this Day Trip, I follow the previous post but move to the Old Town Square and areas around.
- The perfect day trip – Prague – A step-by-step plan, where you can see as much as possible on the side of the river where Prague Castle is. It was a beautiful day full of nice walks and views.
- Lovely day trip – Kutna Hora – Kutna Hora is a favorite place for tourists to visit. It would be best if you put it on your bucket list.
- The Petrin Lookout Tower – Prague – Have you been to Paris? Can you believe Prague has a little sister of Eifel’s Tower?
- Celiac? Traveling to the Czech Republic? Here are helpful tips on letting people know you are Gluten-Free and where to eat and shop.
- Dancing house – Ginger & Fred – If you like unusual places or not boring square or rectangular buildings, you should carve a time to see them while visiting Prague.
and there you have it…. Enjoy the city and the whole country!!!!
Until next time…!
DOBROU CHUT!
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