Anthology of Russian literature from the earliest period to the present time, volume 1 (of 2) : $b From the tenth century to the close of the eighteenth centuryWiener, Leo
General
Anthology of Russian literature from the earliest period to the present time, volume 1 (of 2) : $b From the tenth century to the close of the eighteenth century
Wiener, Leo
Russia -- Literary collections; Russian literature -- Translations into English
We of the Russian nation, Karly, Inegeld, Farlof, Veremud, Rulav, Gudy,
Ruald, Karn, Frelav, Ryuar, Aktevu, Truan, Lidulfost, Stemid, who were
sent by Olég, the Russian Grand Prince, and the illustrious boyárs who
are under his rule, to you, Leo and Alexander and Constantine, the
Greek Emperors and great autocrats by the grace of God, to confirm
and proclaim the amity which has existed for many years between the
Christians and Russians, by the will of our princes and by the order
of all those in Russia who are under his rule. Our illustrious Prince
has often thought, more persistently than the others who have desired
to maintain and proclaim the amity in God which has been between
Christians and Russia, that not only with mere words, but also in
writing and with a solemn oath made over our armour, ought such amity
be proclaimed and confirmed, according to our faith and law. The
following are the articles that we wish to establish in the faith of
God and in love:
In the first place, we will make an agreement with you Greeks to love
each other with our souls and as much as is in our power, and we will
not permit, as far as is in our power, that harm or damage be done to
any of you by those who are under the rule of our illustrious princes,
but we will try, according to our ability, to preserve for ever and
ever, unbroken and undisturbed, the amity which we profess both in
words and in writing under oath. Likewise you Greeks shall preserve the
same love to our illustrious Russian princes and to all who are under
the rule of our illustrious Prince unpolluted and unchanged for ever
and all time.
Under the head which is called damages we will agree as follows:
Whatever may be made manifest in regard to a grievance, let the
information of such grievance be accurate, and let not him be believed
who begins the action; and let not that party take an oath if he
deserve no belief; but if one swear according to his religion, let
there be a punishment if perjury be found.
If a Russian kill a Christian, or a Christian a Russian, let him die
where the murder has been committed. If he who has committed murder run
away, then if he be possessed of property, let the nearest in kin to
the murdered person receive that part which is his by law, and let the
wife of the murderer have as much as belongs to her by law. If he who
has committed the murder be destitute and have run away, let the case
stand against him until he be found, and then he shall die.
If anyone strike another with a sword or beat him with a drinking
vessel, let him for such striking or beating pay five litras of silver
according to the Russian law. If the offender be destitute, let him
pay as much as he can, and let him take off his upper garment which
he wears, and besides let him swear according to his religion that
there is no one to help him, and let the case against him forthwith be
dropped.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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