Igor’s return

Igor’s return

835

840

845

850

Said Boyan, song-maker
of the times of old,
[of the campaigns] of the kogans –
Svyatoslav, Yaroslav, Oleg:
"Hard as it is for the head
to be without shoulders
bad it is for the body
to be without head," –
for the Russian land
to be without Igor.

The sun shines in the sky:
Prince Igor is on Russian soil.
Maidens sing on the Danube;
[their?] voices weave
across the sea
to Kiev.
Igor rides up the Borichev [slope]
to the Blessed Virgin of the Tower;
countries rejoice,
cities are merry.

The Song of Igor's Campaign, Igor son of Svyatoslav and grandson of Oleg.

The Song of Igor's Campaign,
Igor son of Svyatoslav and grandson of Oleg.