[49] Olég is the grandfather of Ígor. The poet here recalls former encounters with the Pólovtses. Not having been able to agree with his uncles, Izyasláv who had occupied the throne in Kíev, and Vsévolod who had his appanage of Chernígov, Olég escaped to Román the Fair of Tmútorokan, and decided to get his rights by means of arms. He led three times the Pólovtses into Russia (in 1078, 1079 and 1094). [50] That is, in the other world. [51] Vladímir Monomákh hastened to his father’s aid. See his _Instruction_, p. 55. [52] Olég and his cousin, Borís, were at that time absent from Chernígov. When they arrived and opposed themselves to the superior force of Izyasláv, Olég advised Borís to surrender; but he would not listen and made an attack upon his uncle’s army and was killed. [53] Olég is called the son of “Góre,” _i. e._, woe. [54] The Russians are sons of Dazhbóg, the god of the sun, while the enemy are the “devil’s children.” [55] The first day the Russians defeated the Pólovtses; the next, the Pólovtses defeated the Russians; on the third day, which was a Sunday, the Kovúans ran away, and at noon Ígor was made prisoner. See the Chronicle, p. 74. [56] Nature sympathises with the Russians. [57] That is, far away; see note 5, p. 82. [58] The Sea of Ázov. [59] That is, Ígor; the Pólovtses are the birds. [60] The Chronicle says the Pólovtses hurled the Greek fire. [61] A silver coin. [62] This Svyatosláv, the son of Vsévolod Ólgovich, had been the Prince of Chernígov. He was Grand Prince of Kíev from 1174-1194. He had to give up his throne twice, but in 1181 ascended it for the third time. He is called Ígor’s and Vsévolod’s father by seniority, though he was only their uncle by relationship. [63] The Russians obtained a famous victory over the Pólovtses, of whom 7000 were taken prisoners, in 1184. [64] A series of evil omens. [65] Ígor and Vsévolod. [66] Probably the son of Ígor; but he was only eleven years old during the expedition. [67] Descendants of the Goths who had settled along the Black Sea had been found and described as late as the sixteenth and even seventeenth centuries in the Crimea and in the Tamán peninsula. [68] These Gothic girls evidently sang the exploits of Pólovts princes. Sharokán had made an incursion into Russia in 1107, but he was defeated and had to flee. In 1111 Sharokán returned with an immense army to avenge his defeat. [69] Now Rómen, in the Government of Poltáva. [70] Vladímir of Pereyáslavl. See the Chronicle, p. 78. [71] Vsévolod Yúrevich, Prince of Súzdal, whose father, Yúri Dolgorúki, had been Grand Prince at Kíev. [72] In 1183 Vsévolod made an expedition against the Bulgarians of the Vólga; he went down the Vólga as far as Kazán, and then proceeded on foot. [73] That is, if Vsévolod were there, he would be so victorious against the Pólovtses as to lower the price of Pólovts slaves. [74] The sons of Rostisláv Mstislávich, and great-grandchildren of Vladímir Monomákh.