Page:Cheskian Anthology.pdf/42



Darkness—darkness all the sky is mantling;

Lightning flashes fiercely 'midst the tatars,

And a copious rain fills every fountain.

the storm pass'd over—and the warriors

Once again assembled—every district

Sent its levies—and beneath their banners

All the gathering tribes advanc'd on Olmütz;

By their sides three mighty swords were hanging;

Quivers full of arrows rustl'd loudly;

On their heads they bore their polish'd helmets,

And beneath them leap'd their proud war-horses.

There were the awakening sounds of trumpets,

Noise of kettle drums and martial music.

So one army rush'd upon the other.—

Then like clouds the moving ascended,

And the fight was fiercer than the former.

Noise—confusion—swords together clashing—

Striking in the air of poison'd arrows,

Crash of spears, and whiz of many missiles—

Then was hewing down, and then was stabbing,

Mournful wailings then, and loud rejoicings—