%Menota_entities;] > The Captivity of Peter Perény, István Majlád and Bálint Török Sebastian Tinódi Text based on Tinódi Sebestyén összes költeménye in the Hungarian Electronic Library Translation by Maria Dobozy Encoded in TEI P5 XML by Danny Smith The Global Medieval Sourcebook

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This song, composed on April 24, 1542, was included in Cronica, Sebastian Tinódi’s printed song collection of 1554. The songs in Cronica were accompanied by melodies and intended for performance before varied audiences as well as for private reading. The general topic of the collection is the defensive struggle of Hungarians against the Ottoman armies, and its songs can be described as event poetry (a genre which typically combines a narrative account of contemporary, momentous events with implicit or explicit political-cultural commentary). Tinódi significantly advanced the genre of event poetry in Hungarian literature and became a model for those who followed

In contrast to “The Loss of Buda and Captivity of Bálint Török” (also presented in the Global Medieval Sourcebook), this song exhibits fewer oral compositional elements and illustrates how Tinódi eventually developed a more definitive literate style with fewer formulae and repetitions. Nevertheless, for greater effect in performance, he deftly employs direct speech to admonish his audience and also to console his captive lord, Bálint Török.

In this song, Tinódi laments the entrapment of three Hungarian magnates by the Sublime Porte (the Ottoman government). Each magnate’s arrest is described along with the resulting personal misfortune for the family, even though details are sparingly given. The fate of these nobles then forms the basis for a comparison of Ottoman and Hungarian beliefs and actions. Primary themes are the guile of the Ottomans on the one hand, and on the other, the factiousness, gullibility, imprudence and lack of Christian morality of the Hungarians. The opening lament (stanzas 1-2) contrasts the dire situation for the Hungarians with Ottoman glee. As the Sublime Porte gains from Hungarian foolhardiness, several stanzas admonish Hungarian lords severely in a direct address (stanzas 3-7, 32-34). The implication is that the Ottomans are united under one sovereign and one belief system, whereas the Hungarians are constantly divided. Thus the song blames the Hungarians themselves for their country’s calamities.

Cronica, Sebastian Tinódi’s songbook of 1544, contains this song and twenty-one others together with his own musical compositions. It was printed in Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca, Romania). A few original copies are extant as facsimile editions. The source for this translation is the standardized transcription accessible on the Hungarian Electronic Library website, Tinódi Sebestyén összes költeménye: http://mek.oszk.hu/01100/01100/index.phtml.

Czigány, Lóránt. Oxford History of Hungarian Literature from the Earliest Times to the Mid-1970s. Oxford, Clarendon, 1984, pp. 40–43. http://mek.niif.hu/02000/02042/html/index.html

Short, reliable introduction to Tinódi. Available electronically.

Dobozy, Maria. “Two Cultural Perspectives on the Battle of Lippa, Transylvania, 1551.” Fifteenth Century Studies, vol. 38, 2013, pp. 21–39.

Discusses the influence of German event poetry on Tinódi and the historical accuracy of the two poems.

Dobozy, Maria. “Sebestyén Tinódi Lantos.” Christian-Muslim Relations 1500 - 1900, edited by David Thomas. Brill, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1163/2451-9537_cmrii_COM_26618

Seláf, Levente. “Between Lyric and Epic: The Great Turkish War in German, Italian and Hungarian Ereignisliedern.” Controversial Poetry, 1400–1635, edited by Judith Keßler, Ursula Kundert, and Johan Oosterman. Brill, 2020, pp. 61–86.

Analyses genre and function of Italian, German, and Hungarian poetry that deals with religious, political and military conflicts.

Tinódi Sebestyén összes költeménye, Hungarian Electronic Library

Príni Péternek, Majlát Istvánnak és Terek Bálintnak fogságokról The Captivity of Peter Perény, István Majlád and Bálint Török

"The Captivity of Peter Perény, István Majlád and Bálint Török" is published by The Global Medieval Sourcebook (GMS), a free, open access, and open source compendium of medieval texts in their original languages and in English translation. GMS comprises computer-readable transcriptions or editions alongside new translations of texts dating from the ninth to the sixteenth century and originating in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The GMS platform includes critical introductions as well as sources for further reading.

Transcriptions and translations are encoded in XML conforming to TEI (P5) guidelines. The original-language text is contained within <lem> tags and translations within <rdg> tags.

The goal has been to render the Hungarian in clear and smooth English prose. The original is composed of 50 mono-rhyming quatrains of morphemic rhymes using the popular 12 syllable line. This translation conforms to the quatrain structure while avoiding rhyme and meter. Each stanza expresses a complete thought or idea. This parallel stanza format facilitates comparison of translation to original. Punctuation follows the needs of modern English. Sometimes sentences have been split to accommodate English syntax and others have been connected. Names of well known, high-ranking persons have been anglicized; others have been modernized. All Hungarian names are given surname second. Places and persons named are capitalized and identified in the notes. Specific historical details mentioned are also explained in footnotes. Sections containing direct address are marked by syntax as the singer’s voice, and seldom lend themselves to setting off with quotation marks. Quotation marks are used only to indicate the speech of a character within the text.

Texts are translated into modern American English with maximum fidelity to the original text, except where it would impair comprehension or good style. Archaisms are preserved where they do not conflict with the aesthetic of the original text. Scribal errors and creative translation choices are marked and discussed in the critical notes.

 <app> <lem wit="#Transcription"><!--Title as should be displayed above text. Put nothing here if the title in the text matches the title used elsewhwere--></lem> <rdg wit="#Translation"><!--Title as should be displayed above text. Put nothing here if the title in the text matches the title used elsewhwere--></rdg> </app> <app> <lem wit="#Transcription"><!--Subtitle in original language--></lem> <rdg wit="#Translation"><!--Subtitle in English--></rdg> </app> Sírva veszíköl mast szegín Magyarország, Poor Hungary now sounds the hue and cry Mert tőle távozék hangosság, vigaság, because its merriment is silenced, Belőle kikele sok fénös gazdagság, much splendid wealth departs, És fogságban esék egynéhány uraság. and many a lord falls into captivity. Ezön örvend, vigad az terek császárság, The Turkish Sultan is gleeful and cheered about this. Hogy magyar urakban vagyon oly bolondság, The Hungarian lords are deluded enough Hiszik, hogy őbenne vagyon oly jámborság, to believe that he is so humble Hogy fogadásában nem volna ravasság. that his oaths are without cunning. Bolondság tőletök fejenként magyarok, Hungarians, this is foolish of every one of you. Terek álnok hitit meg nem gondoljátok, You don’t even reflect on the perfidious beliefs of the Turks, Maga csak tőlem es sokszor hallottátok, although you have heard it often from me as well. Sok fejedelmeket mind csaltak, tudgyátok. They have duped many a lord; mark my word. Az tereknek hiti erőssen aszt tartja, The faith of the Turks strongly asserts that if, Ha hittel, szép szóval kavort megcsalhattya, with promises, sweet words, they deceive a non-believer Ajándokkal, vagy lopva elragadhattya, and attract him with gifts or capture him, Isten azért néki mennyországot adgya. God will give them heaven in return. Sőt ugyan nagy parancsolat ez űkösztök, Indeed, it is quite an important commandment to them, Miként az szeretet parancsolat néktök, whereas to you, the commandment is love. Ha az szeretetöt ti jól tisztölnétök, If you truly honored love, Az terek hitinek bizon nem hinnétök. then surely you would not believe the Porte’s promises. Tuggyátok, magyarok, hírösök valátok, Hungarians, know that you were famous Míg nagy szeretettel egymást hallgatátok, as long as you listened to each other with great love. De mihelt kösztetök ti meghasonlátok, Yet soon your divisiveness split you into factions. Ottan országtokban, ím, mint pusztulátok. So there you see how in your own country you perished. Ím az terek császár mindezön öröle, The Turkish Sultan is glad for this habit Álnok hálója ottan elteröle, when he casts his deceiving net. Jelös főhalakat véle megkeröle, He scoops up the high-ranking fish Kikkel gazdagságot, sok szépségöt lele. from whom he collects great, resplendent wealth. Álnok hálójában egyször el-béejté At one point he captures in his treacherous net Az jó Príni Pétört mikort elviteté, the stalwart Peter Perényi, whom he has taken away.

Called Príni in the songs, Peter Perényi (1502-1548) was the wealthy landowner and voivoda (ruler) of Transylvania and also the Guardian of the Hungarian Crown. He assisted at the coronation of King John I Szapolya in 1526, and the coronation of the competing Archduke Ferdinand of Austria in 1527. Perényi primarily supported Ferdinand.

 Hitit, fogadását császár elfelejté, The sultan’s promises and oaths are now forgotten Az nemes úrfiat nagy fogságban veté. and the noble lord is thrown into prison.

Perényi was imprisoned twice by the Porte, in 1529, and 1532. The first time he was ransomed. Tinódi refers here to the second when the Porte required that he send his son to Constantinople in exchange. See Ferenc Szakály. Tinódi Sebesytén Kronika. Budapest: Europa Kiado, 1984, p. 571.

 Nagy somma kincsével magát ő megváltá, Perényi would ransom himself with his great fortune De semmi lőn néki kincse oda-volta, but this wealth now avails him little. Csak fiátúl ne lészön vala megválta, He regains freedom only by giving his son in exchange. Kit, nem lőn mit tenni, császárnak hozata. There was no choice but to have him sent to the Porte. Vala nagy bánatja szép asszon társának, His wife is overcome with deep sorrow. Fiát, hogy megérté, vinnék az császárnak, When she hears her son is to be taken to the sultan, Erő szakaszkodék kezének, lábának, her arms and legs go numb Földhöz öté magát, ott sokan sírának. as she collapses on the ground. Many a lamentation begins. Sokat szép fiának ő nem szólhat vala, She can barely speak to her dear son Mert nagy keserőség szívét folta vala, because bitter grief makes her heart race. Ölelgeti, sírva apolgatja vala, Sobbing, she hugs and caresses him Egy hintószekérben úgy öltette vala. and places him in a carriage. Lőn Príni Pétörnek így szabadulása, With this arrangement Peter Perényi is released És az ő fiának odamaradása, while his son is made captive. Az magyar uraknak lőn példaadása, May this be an example to Hungarians, Néki mind éltiglen nagy fohászkodása. and for him [Perényi] a lifelong prayer. Ím minap Erdélyben császár béereszté Then one day, the Sultan sent into Transylania Kucsig Bali béköt, kinek aszt jelönté, Kucsuk Bali Beg, whom he informed

Kucsuk is probably Malkoçoğlu Bali Bey (1495–1555) who became the governor of Buda eyalet Feb 1542 - May 1543.

 Hogy az Majlát Istvánt ő el-kihitetné, that he should lay a trap for István Majlád

István Majlád (1502-1550) voivode (ruler) of Transylvania, supporter of the Habsburgs was taken prisoner in 1541 during the Turkish campaign in Transylvania and later died in captivity.

 Fogaras várából néki fogva vinné. and take him captive at his castle at Fogaras. Tőn égetést, rablást Bali bék Erdélyben, Bali Beg raids and burns in Transylvania, Majlátnak izene házában helyében, sends to Majlád at his residence, Hitöt, fogadást tőn az császár képében, gives his oath and promise in the Sultan’s name Hogy királlyá tészi Erdélynek földében. that he will make Majlád king in Transylvania. Édös beszédökkel őt hívattya vala, With sweet words Bali Beg requests that he come talk De az Majlát néki ott nem hihet vala. but Majlád does not trust him. Az moldvai vajda: Pétör vajda vala, Peter, the voivode of Moldova

Peter Rareş, voivode campaigned with Kucsuk Bali Beg at that time, Szakaly, pp.571-2.

 Ki az Bali békkel akkoron ott vala. is together with Bali Beg at the time. Rejá gondolának, nem sokat szólának, They think about Majlád, but say little. Három szegín bojért előhozatának, They engage three poor boyars,

Romanian privileged landed gentry.

 Aranyas ruhákat reájok adának, dress them in gold-trimmed clothing Szép patyolatokat fejökben rakának. set rich-looking turbans on their heads. Az Majlátnak hamar ők ím eszt izenék: To Majlád they soon send the message, Hogyha ő nem hiszön az császár hitinek, if he does not believe in the Sultan’s promise, Ím, három fővajdát küldünk kegyelmének, then three ranking voivodes will be sent to his lordship,

The term for a Transylvanian ruler.

 Csak adgya ő magát egynéhán beszédnek. if he would simply consent to a meeting. Termetök jó vala, ruhájok szép, fénös, The three are well built, their clothes are sumptuous. Ebből Majlát nem lőn hozzájok kétségös, For this reason Majlád is not suspicious. Ottan el-kiméne, hogy légyön beszédös, He then goes out to speak with them and Kinek odamente lőn nagy kellemetös. once he is outside, he encounters a cruel surprise.

Taken prisoner in July, 1541.

 Vivék fogva őtet az terek császárnak, They take him captive to the Turkish Sultan. Három szegín bojért hagyák Majlátnénak, His wife is left with the three unfortunate boyars. Örök siralom lőn az tisztös asszonnak, Endless wailing is the fate of this honorable woman, És nagy emléközet egynéhán országnak. and a serious warning for many a country. Sőt mégis hallyátok császár hamis voltát, Now hear even more about the Sultan’s duplicitous moves Hogy jobban tudgyátok ónni magatokat, so that you can better protect yourselves. Hogy hálóját veté császár Buda alatt, Hear how the sultan cast his net over Buda, Ott benne fogata jó jelös halakat. with which he caught superior fish. Drága halat egyet közzülük választa, From among them he selected the choicest one Kinek serínsége többit feljülmúlta, whose diligence stands above the others. Aszt császár magának bárkájában tartá, The Sultan kept him for himself in his boat and Az alábbvalókat ő mind elszalasztá. the lesser ones he tossed back. Ez lőn Terek Bálint, ki jó vitéz vala, This catch is Bálint Török, the excellent warrior

Török (1502–1550) is the protagonist of “The Loss of Buda” song, that tells of his fighting against the Habsburg army and his imprisonment. At the writing of this poem, he was thought to be held in Belgrade.

 Kinek terek császár sok hitöt ád vala, to whom the Turkish Sultan made many promises; Az basák, szancsákok hitöt adtak vala, and pashas, sanjaks gave vows, then Szép ajándékokval őt elcsalták vala. together with precious gifts they lured him away. Terek Bálint, kiknek oly igen hitt vala, Bálint Török who has such true devotion Hívségét hercegnek úgy mutattya vala, and demonstrated his loyalty to the Crown Prince

This is the rex electus John II Sigismund, the infant son and heir of John I.

 Mindeneknél feljebb némöttel vív vala, above all, as he battled against the Germans Teste szakadását ő nem szánja vala. paying no heed to his own life.

This stanza and the next refer to events in “The Loss of Buda and Captivity of Bálint Török.”

 Intése nem teccék az Príni Pétörnek, With his commitment Perényi disagreed, Ki megmondta vala ez nemes vitéznek since he already told this worthy soldier Minden csalárdságát az császár hitinek, about all the guile behind the sultan’s vows. De ő bátorsággal álla vitésségnek. But Török upholds his valiant stance undaunted. Nagy sokan terekek azon csudálának, A great many Turks are in awe because Hogy bátrobb vitézt ők soha nem láttanak, they have never seen a more courageous fighter. De aszt őfelőle mondák bolondságnak, And yet they call it folly that he Hogy il igön elhitt török szép szavának. really believed the sweet words of the Turks. Óh, ez nemes vitéz mely igen csalaték, Oh, this noble warrior was painfully deceived. Hiti az császárnak mind elfeletteték, The sultan’s promises were all forgotten, every one, Mert ő megfogaték és aláviteték, when he was arrested and taken away. Minden szép javitúl ő megfosztattaték. They stripped him of all his privileges and possessions. Duna mellett mongyák Nándorfejérvárba By the Danube in Belgrade they claim Csak harmadmagával tartják nagy fogságba, he is kept in captivity with two others. Mast es mondgyák, vagyon nagy bátorságába, They also say he is very brave. Mit tőle kívánnak, aszt nem fogattába. Whatever they want from him, he refuses. Hallottam példába régen, hogy mondották, A long time ago I heard a saying that Az jó acélt soha úgy nem paskolhattyák, good steel cannot be transformed Tiszta vassá őtet hogy ellágyíthassák, into pliable metal by hammering. Hogy soha acélnak őtet ne mondhassák. So they can never say he isn’t made of steel. Fohászkodik mostan sok gyakor sírásval Your wife with your two noble sons Asszony-feleségöd az két szép fiadval, is praying now amidst much weeping Mert ők élnek mostan az nagy árvaságval, because they are currently living in dire orphan status, Nagy sok bosszúságval, gyámoltalanságval. in vexation, in helplessness. Örömök soholt nincs te jó szolgáidnak, No joy do your good servants find anywhere, Kik szível szeretnek, gyakran fohászkodnak, those who love you are in frequent prayer. Egynéhán közzülök tétova búdosnak, A few are tentatively hiding away, Ha megszabadulnál mégis sokan várnak. yet should you be freed, many still await you. Csuda mint ohítnak az te jó barátid, Marvel at what your excellent friends desire, Még azok is, hogy kik voltak ellenségid, even those who were your enemies. Lennének nagy somma kinccsel segétségid, They would aid you with their great wealth Csak kiválthatnának az te szeretőid. if only your loved ones could ransom you. Jól értitök immár hitit az tereknek, You now understand well the faith of the Turks. Urak úgy higgyetök hitetlenségöknek, My Lords, knowing this, believe their faithlessness and Egymást szeressétök, jobb ti fejetöknek, love each other, the better to save your own heads, Úgy lészen romlása gonosz terök népnek. and the better to ruin the wicked Turks. Tanácsot sokáig, kérlek, ne tarcsatok, Don’t hold lengthy councils, I beseech you, Ha ez két víz között ti lakni akartok, if you want to live between these two rivers.

The reference here is to the region between the Danube and Tisza rivers.

 Mert ha csak hallgattok, szömben ti nem vívtok, For if you merely keep quiet and do not attack directly, Félök, hogy sokáig itt nem uralkottok. I fear you won’t be in control here for long. Ezörötszáznegyven és két esztendőben In the year one thousand, five hundred and forty-two, Baronyában ki szörzé Szent György innepébe, this song was composed on St. George’s Day in Baranya.

Baranya county, southwestern Hungary.

 Nevét jelöntötte versnek kezdésében, His name is stated in the acrostics,

The date of the song is April 24, 1542. Tinódi refers here to the acrostic in this poem: Sebastianus Literatus de Tinodh föcit(E) (Scholar Sebastian Tinódi made it).

 Ez urakról való megemlékösztében. in remembrance of these magnates.