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
The pagan Pólovtses, having conquered Ígor and his brothers, were
filled with great conceit, and they gathered all their tribes against
the Russian land. And there was a strife among them, for Konchák said:
“Let us march against Kíev, where our brothers and our Grand Prince
Bonyák were cut down!” But Kza said: “Let us go against the Sem, where
their wives and children are left, an easy booty for us; we shall sack
their cities without danger!” And thus they divided into two parts.
Konchák went against Pereyáslavl. He besieged the city, and they fought
the whole day. At that time Vladímir Glyébovich was the Prince of
Pereyáslavl. He being bold and a mighty warrior, rode out of the city
and rushed against the enemy, and then a few men of his druzhína were
emboldened, and they fought valiantly. Many Pólovtses surrounded them.
Then the others, seeing their Prince hard pressed, rushed out of the
city, and saved their Prince, who was wounded with three spear thrusts.
This good Vladímir rode back into the city heavily wounded, and he
wiped the sweat from his brave face, having fought doughtily for his
country.
Vladímir sent word to Svyatosláv, and to Rúrik, and to David: “The
Pólovtses are at my gates, help me!” Svyatosláv sent word to David,
who stood at Trepól with his Smolénsk troop. The men of Smolénsk held
a council, and said: “We have marched to Kíev to fight in case there
is a war there; but we cannot look for another war, for we are worn
out.” Svyatosláv hurried to the Dnieper with Rúrik and other troops,
against the Pólovtses, and David went away with his Smolénsk men.
When the Pólovtses heard this, they went away from Pereyáslavl, but
on their way they attacked Rímov. The Rímovans shut themselves up in
the city; having climbed the rampart, two wicker structures gave way
with all their men, God having so willed, and broke in the direction
of the enemy. Terror fell upon the city people. Some of them sallied
from the city and kept up a running fight into the Rímov swamps, and
thus escaped capture; but those who remained in the city were all taken
prisoners. Vladímir sent again to Svyatosláv Vsévolodich and Rúrik
Rostislávich, imploring them to come to his aid. But they were tardy
in coming, having waited for David with his Smolénsk troop, and thus
they did not get there in time to meet the Pólovtses. Having taken the
city of Rímov, the Pólovtses returned to their homes, loaded down with
booty. The princes went back to their homes, and they were very sad,
and they were sorry for Vladímir Glyébovich, for he was struck down
with mortal wounds, and they were sorry for the Christians that had
been taken prisoners by the pagans....
The other Pólovtses were going by another road to Putívl. Kza had a
large host with him; they laid waste the country, burnt the villages,
and also burnt the castle near Putívl, and returned home again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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