Asim Bajramović
When once Sarajevo’s City Hall was raised,
the imperial rulers chose the destined place;
two old inns vanished from the square,
but one lone house stood proudly in defiance.
Old Benderiya calmly spoke to them:
“My peace and comfort shall not lightly be sold!
Let the Emperor wield all the power he may—
without my consent, he shall not pass this way!”
O House of Spite, beside the Milyatska you stand,
afraid of neither time, nor emperors, nor any command!
Across from City Hall, more precious than gold,
you stand as a witness to Bosnian defiance bold.
Sarayevo remembers—it must not be concealed:
the pride of Bosnia can never be made to yield!
A purse filled with ducats Benderiya demanded;
they said: “Come now, show us where you wish it planted.”
“Carry it across to the river’s other side,
preserving every contour, every line;
let the Milyatska flow once more,
once more beside this home of mine.”
Upon the Šeher-Ćhehaya Bridge he sat,
smoking his long chibouk, watching the master builders,
as they carried the beams, the stones and the doors—
they bowed before the might of Bosnian defiance.
O House of Spite, beside the Milyatska you stand,
afraid of neither time, nor emperors, nor any command!
Across from City Hall, more precious than gold,
you stand as a witness to Bosnian defiance bold.
Sarayevo remembers—it must not be concealed:
the pride of Bosnia can never be made to yield!
Empires swept away, as though within a tale,
yet Bosnia takes pride in the House that would not fail.
It gazes at City Hall, while the Milyatska declares:
Bosnia can never be conquered by force!
Today, when through Baščaršyja a sevdalinka is heard,
while the Milyatska journeys beneath the ancient bridge,
the House of Spite stands there, as though bestowed by God:
“My Bosnia, more precious than gold!”
O House of Spite, beside the Milyatska you stand,
afraid of neither time, nor emperors, nor any command!
Across from City Hall, more precious than gold,
you stand as a witness to Bosnian defiance bold.
Sarayevo remembers—it must not be concealed:
the pride of Bosnia can never be made to yield!
When once Sarajevo’s City Hall was raised, the imperial rulers chose the destined place; two old inns vanished from the square, but one lone house stood proudly in defiance. Old Benderiya calmly spoke to them: “My peace and comfort shall not lightly be sold! Let the Emperor wield all the power he may— without my consent, he shall not pass this way!” O House of Spite, beside the Milyatska you stand, afraid of neither time, nor emperors, nor any command! Across from City Hall, more precious than gold, you stand as a witness to Bosnian defiance bold. Sarayevo remembers—it must not be concealed: the pride of Bosnia can never be made to yield! A purse filled with ducats Benderiya demanded; they said: “Come now, show us where you wish it planted.” “Carry it across to the river’s other side, preserving every contour, every line; let the Milyatska flow once more, once more beside this home of mine.” Upon the Šeher-Ćhehaya Bridge he sat, smoking his long chibouk, watching the master builders, as they carried the beams, the stones and the doors— they bowed before the might of Bosnian defiance. O House of Spite, beside the Milyatska you stand, afraid of neither time, nor emperors, nor any command! Across from City Hall, more precious than gold, you stand as a witness to Bosnian defiance bold. Sarayevo remembers—it must not be concealed: the pride of Bosnia can never be made to yield! Empires swept away, as though within a tale, yet Bosnia takes pride in the House that would not fail. It gazes at City Hall, while the Milyatska declares: Bosnia can never be conquered by force! Today, when through Baščaršyja a sevdalinka is heard, while the Milyatska journeys beneath the ancient bridge, the House of Spite stands there, as though bestowed by God: “My Bosnia, more precious than gold!” O House of Spite, beside the Milyatska you stand, afraid of neither time, nor emperors, nor any command! Across from City Hall, more precious than gold, you stand as a witness to Bosnian defiance bold. Sarayevo remembers—it must not be concealed: the pride of Bosnia can never be made to yield!