Page:Conversion of St Vladimir.pdf/52

 The clerical machine, though,

Came to a sudden stop,

Since its collection pouches

Were strangled at the top.

Donations at the Masses,

And Prayers, they forebore—

Why should they give their kopecks,

Since Perun was no more?

Miracles appeared—some people

Saw Saints’ pictures blood exude,

And a virgin village maiden

Gave birth to a dragon brood.

Women, scared of premonitions,

Seemed to hear the water roar

Of another flood arushing

Through each crevice, crack and door.