A Survey of Russian Literature, with SelectionsHapgood, Isabel Florence
History
A Survey of Russian Literature, with Selections
Hapgood, Isabel Florence
Russian literature -- History and criticism
The narrative goes on to state that Olga sent word to the Drevlyans,
that if they were in earnest, their distinguished men must be sent to
woo her for their prince; otherwise, the Kievlyans would not let her go.
Accordingly, they assembled their best men, the rulers, and sent them
for her. Olga had the bath heated and ordered them to bathe before
presenting themselves to her, and when they began to wash, Olga had the
bath-house set on fire, and burned them up. Then Olga sent again to the
Drevlyans, demanding that they collect a vast amount of hydromel in the
town where her husband had been slain, that she might celebrate the
ancient funeral feast, and weep over his grave. So they got the honey
together, and brewed the hydromel (or mead), and Olga, taking with her a
small body-guard, in light marching order, set out on the road and came
to her husband's grave and wept over it; and commanded her people to
erect a high mound over it; and when that was done, she ordered the
funeral feast to be celebrated on its summit. Then the Drevlyans sat
down to drink, and Olga ordered her serving-boys to wait on them. And
the Drevlyans asked Olga where was the guard of honor which they had
sent for her? And she told them that it was following with her husband's
body-guard. But when the Drevlyans were completely intoxicated, she
ordered her serving-lads to drink in their honor, went aside, and
commanded her men to slay the Drevlyans, which was done, five hundred
dying thus. Then Olga returned to Kieff, and made ready an army against
the remaining Drevlyans. Such is one of the vivid pictures of ancient
manners and customs which the chronicle of Nestor furnishes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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