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And they soon had won a glorious triumph—
But the heathen sorcerers hurried forward,
Bearing in their hands the bar of
Re-awaken'd valor fill'd the tatars,
And they rush'd infuriate on the christians,
And the christians fled; anon, the heathen
Sprung like raging beasts among the flying—
Shields lay here—here decorated helmets—
Here a horse dragg'd down his knightly rider—
There 'neath tatar hoofs, a knight was lying—
Not to conquer—no!—to perish only—
There another cried on God's good mercy.
So the tatars triumph'd and-grew mighty,
Levies laid, and tribute on the people;
And possess'd them of two christian kingdoms,
Ancient Kiēv and the white Novgórod.
O'er the land the mournful story widen'd,
And the people gather'd troops to battle;
Four strong armies speedily assembled
To revive the death-fight with the tatars.
Then the tatars round their right-flank crowded,
Like the black'ning thunder-clouds when gath'ring,
