This campaign cost Yuri’s country seven thousand men led away captives,
besides all the property burned and ruined. Upon Izyaslav’s return to
Kief, he learned from his boyars that Yuri’s son, Rostislav, had worked
against him in his absence, and had said to the people: “If God helps
my father, he will visit Kief and take Izyaslav’s house from him, and
also his family.” “Send this traitor back to his father; thou art
keeping him here to thy ruin,” said the boyars. The prince summoned
Rostislav, and, without receiving him, gave this message: “Thou didst
come to me and say that thy father was unjust and would give thee no
land. I took thee in as a brother, I gave thee lands, and now thou
wouldst seize Kief from me.” Yuri’s son sent back this answer: “Neither
in my heart nor my mind was the thought which thou hast mentioned. If
he who has lied is a prince I am ready to meet him, if of lower degree,
either Christian or pagan, judge thou between us.” “Ask no judgment of
me,” replied Izyaslav. “I know what thou wishest. Go back to thy
father.”
The boyars put Rostislav in a boat with three men and sent him up the
river. His warriors were retained, and his property taken.
Rostislav bowed down to his father in Suzdal, and said: “The whole
Russian land desires thee. Men say in Kief that their prince has
dishonored them. March thou against Izyaslav.” These words imply
clearly that Yuri’s son had worked with zeal against Izyaslav, and that
the complaint of the boyars was well founded.
Such an “insult” to Rostislav greatly offended Yuri, who demanded
angrily, “Is there then no place for me or my sons in Russia?” He
assembled his forces quickly, hired Polovtsi, and was soon ready for
action.
It was not anger alone which roused Yuri; he believed that his day had
come, the long deferred day of triumph. His son’s report that he would
find in the south serious allies, decided his movements, and he marched
forward with all speed. He had reached the land of the Vyatichi, when
Vladimir, son of David, warned Izyaslav, saying: “Be ready for action;
thy uncle is marching.” Izyaslav prepared, and with the sons of David
sent envoys to Sviatoslav, brother of the late Igor, reminding him of
their treaties.
Sviatoslav gave no answer at first, but guarded the envoys to keep men
away from them. Meanwhile he consulted with Yuri. “Art thou going
against Izyaslav? Tell me truly lest I ruin my lands without reason.”
“I go, of course,” replied Yuri. “My nephew made war in my lands and
set fire to them. He drove out my son, and insulted me. I will avenge
the wrong done, or I will lay down my life.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account