Page:Bohemian poems, ancient and modern (Lyra czecho-slovanska).djvu/47

Inflam’d, the Tatars rushing charge
The Christians savagely,
So savagely, that panic-struck,
Like deer, they turn and fly.

There lies a shield upon the ground,
A costly helm struck down;
Here by the stirrups trailing drags
A horse his rider thrown.

Here one doth bravely all in vain
The Tatars strive to meet,
Another there for heaven’s sake
For mercy doth intreat.

The Tatars tax the Christians sore,
And spread on ev’ry side,
Subdue two kingdoms, Kiew old,
And Novgorod the wide.

Soon came the woeful news abroad,
To arms all nations flew,
Four mighty armies did they raise,
The death-fight to renew.

On their right wing the Tatars rush’d,
And hurld themselves with might,
As a black cloud, that threats with hail
The fruitful fields to smite,