John the Valiant

After a reluctant goodbye to the beautiful Nelly, Johnny embarks on a series of incredible adventures that take him through forests, lands and seas, and in the company of bandits, giants and wicked witches. This is an English translation of the most popular poem in the Hungarian language.

Arguably the greatest and most popular poem in the Hungarian language, Petofi's spirited folk epic, recounting the adventures of Johnny Grain-o'-corn, a young and 'valiant' shepherd boy, is an engaging and highly readable story with all the charm and romance of an immortal fairy tale. After a reluctant goodbye to the beautiful Nelly, Johnny embarks on a series of incredible adventures that take him through forests, lands and seas, and in the company of bandits, giants and wicked witches. As he reunites a French princess with her father, he must choose whether to accept the king's gracious offer to ascend to the throne of France, or to return to his beloved Nelly...

Foreword by George Szirtes
Introduction
John the Valiant
Notes
Biographical Note