Part I · XII. The Feats of Oleg Svyatoslavic

There have been the ages of Troyan; the years of Yaroslav have declined. There have been the armies of Oleg, Oleg Svyatoslavic. That Oleg with his sword forged rebellion, and sowed arrows over the earth.

He steps into his golden stirrup in the city of Tmutarakan. Yaroslav the Great, long since departed, heard the peal [of bells], but Vladimir the son of Vsevolod, for all of his days closed his ears at Cernigov.

[Lust for] glory brought Boris Vyaceslavic to the Judgment-seat, and on the Kanina [banks] bedded him with a garment of green, on account of the wrong [done] to Oleg, that valiant and young prince.

From this river Kayala Svyatopolk bade his father-in-law be carried amid Hungarian amblers [to Saint Sophia at Kiev].

Then, in the time of Oleg, Boris wrought for evil: feuds were sown and grew apace, the life of [Russia] the scion of Dazbog [the Sun-god] was wasted in the factions of the princes and the generations of mankind were shortened.

Then on the Russian land seldom did the villeins shout gee-up, but often did the ravens croak, as they divided the corpses [amongst themselves]; the crows spake in their own tongue, 'they wish to fly to the banquet.'

Thus 'it was in those battles and those expeditions; but, such as this battle, none has been heard of.