Page:The Queens Court Manuscript with Other Ancient Bohemian Poems, 1852, Cambridge edition.djvu/119



It is remarkable, that in the Russian poëm, Igor’s Campaign, we find Boïan, the Orpheus of the Russians, mentioned much as Lumir is here. The beginning of Igor’s campaign runs as follows.

“Would it not be better, brethren, to begin in ancient style the woeful recital of the expedition of Igor, son of Sviatoslaw. Let the poem begin after the history of that time, and not after the manner of Boïan. Did Boïan the bard intend to frame a song of any one, his thoughts strayed in the wood, a grizzled wolf on the plain, a grey eagle beneath the firmament. Did he think upon a battle of ancient times, he sent forth ten falcons against a troop of swans, and the first, who made a capture, entoned also the first song, whether of the ancient Jaroslaw, the brave Mistislaw, who hewed down Rededia before the Kasosk bands, or the beautiful Roman, descendant of Sviatoslaw. Though Boïan, brethren, loosed not ten falcons against a flock of swans; his prophetic fingers touched the living strings, which of themselves celebrated the glory of the princes.”