Part II · I. Proem

Now already, brothers a weary time arose, now it covered the army in the wilderness. Contumely arose in the hosts of the scion of Dazbog, stepped like a Maiden on the land of Troyan, splashed with her swan-wings in the blue sea; splashing them in the Don, she awakened the heavy times. j The discord of the princes ruined them against the Pagans. For, brother spake to brother;

"This is mine, and that is also mine." And the princes began to pronounce of a paltry thing, 'this is great'; and themselves amongst them to forge feuds; and the heathens from all sides advanced with victories against the Russian land. Oh, far has the hawk followed, smiting the birds into the sea! and Igor's brave host will rise no more!