“O haste thee, Slavoi! brother, haste
“This way with foxen pace!
“And I will charge him in the front,
“And meet him face to face.”
And forth rush’d Zaboi with his men,
Like a hailstorm on their van,
And Slavoi on their flank with his,
Like a hailstorm, charging, ran.
“These, brother, these our trees did fell,
“These, these our Gods did rive,
“These from the forests chas’d the hawks!
“The Gods will victory give!”
Ha! rage ’gainst Zaboi Ludiek hurls,
From the midst of the countless foe;
And Zaboi with his eyes on flame
’Gainst Ludiek swift doth go.
As oak ’gainst oak contending fierce,
That all the wood may see,
So Zaboi did on Ludiek rush,
Before both armies free.
High Ludiek whirl’d his mighty sword,
And pierc’d his shield’s third hide;
With war-axe[1] Zaboi struck a stroke,
But Ludiek sprang aside.
- ↑ As to this weapon see Note B.
