Ilyá bowed to the ground before the pilgrims and answered:
“I feel great strength within me.”
“Bring another drink, Ilyá,” said the pilgrims.
And Ilyá brought another cupful, and offered it to the pilgrims. They offered it to Ilyá, and Ilyá emptied the cup without drawing breath.
“How dost thou feel now, Ilyá?” asked the pilgrims.
“I feel great strength, but only half as much as before,” answered he.
Then the wandering pilgrims said:
ИЛЬѦ МУРОМЄЦЪ КРЄСТЬѦНCКІИ CЫНЪ.
“O Ilyá, thou wilt be a great hero, and it is not written that thou shouldst die in battle. Fight thou with all the heroes and the bold warrior women of the plain, and defend thyself against them; only go not out to fight with the hero Svyatogór, for with his [[21]]strength he could carry the earth; and fight not with the hero Samson, for he has upon his head seven hairs of angels; also fight not with the race of Mikúla, for damp Mother Earth loves him. Neither go after Volgá, son of Svyátoslav; he will overcome thee, not by force, but by craft and wisdom. Now rise up, O Ilyá, mount thy horse, and ride out into the free and open plain. Buy the first foal thou seest with its dam, and in three months’ time thou mayst put on the saddle. Feed him on millet and maize; walk him about for three months, then keep him for three nights in the garden, and roll the foal three mornings in the dew. Lead him to a high fence, and when he will readily leap the fence both from this side and the other, then ride him where thou wilt, he will carry thee.”