Part I · VII. The Advance of the Enemy

But the Polovtsy on trackless roads ran to the mighty Don. The carts creak at midnight, like swans released. Igor leads his hosts towards the Don. Already [Div] the Bird is fending off disaster from him at this season; the wolves raise up their [cries] threat in the crevasses; the eagles with their clatter summon the brute-beasts [to feed on] the bones; the foxes yelp at the crimson shields.

Oh land of Russia, already art thou beyond the frontier-hill! Long is the night dark; the dawn has begun to give forth light; mist has rolled over the fields; the twitter of the nightingales is hushed; the speech of the crows has been awakened.

The sons of Russia have barred the broad fields with their crimson shields, seeking for themselves honour, for their prince renown.