Page:Cheskian Anthology.pdf/34



And they soon had won a glorious triumph—

But the heathen sorcerers hurried forward,

Bearing in their hands the bar of

Re-awaken'd valor fill'd the tatars,

And they rush'd infuriate on the christians,

And the christians fled; anon, the heathen

Sprung like raging beasts among the flying—

Shields lay here—here decorated helmets—

Here a horse dragg'd down his knightly rider—

There 'neath tatar hoofs, a knight was lying—

Not to conquer—no!—to perish only—

There another cried on God's good mercy.

So the tatars triumph'd and-grew mighty,

Levies laid, and tribute on the people;

And possess'd them of two christian kingdoms,

Ancient Kiēv and the white Novgórod.

O'er the land the mournful story widen'd,

And the people gather'd troops to battle;

Four strong armies speedily assembled

To revive the death-fight with the tatars.

Then the tatars round their right-flank crowded,

Like the black'ning thunder-clouds when gath'ring,