So long they had not heard
A single Christian word.
Night herself was frightened.
No flames her darkness lightened.
The old mother could not see
How the Cossacks pay their fee.
"Fear not! Look ahead,
To the Cossack banquet spread.
Dark over all, like a common day,
And this no little holiday."
"No sneak thieves with Hamaleia,
To eat their bacon silently
Without a frying pan."
"Let's have a light,"
Now burning bright
To heaven flames Skutari,
With all its ruined navy.
Byzantium awakes, its eyes it opens wide
With grinding teeth hastes to its
comrade's side,
Byzantium roars and rages,
With hands to the shore it reaches,
From waters gasping strives to rise,
And then with sword in heart it dies.
With fires of hell Skutari's burning,
Bazaars with streams of blood are churning
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26
THE KOBZAR OF THE UKRAINE