Byliny Book: Hero Tales of Russia

by Marion Chilton Harrison

And Ilyá spoke to them and said:

“Now, what will ye do with me?”

And the heroes said:

“There is no sun in the heavens. Not one hero in Holy Russia. Old Cossack, Ilyá of Múrom! O that we might take thee out of this bitter captivity! Fair Sun, Prince Vladímir, makes us turn pale.”

Then Ilyá mounted his good horse and rode to [[54]]Kiev town. He rode not into Kiev town, but he rode to the deep dungeon.

He got down from his good horse, took off the Circassian saddle, took off the braided bridle and let his brown horse go where God willed.

Then Ilyá was let down into the deep dungeon, and they put a grating over; they put it above him and placed oak logs all over it, and buried him with yellow sand.

Now the glorious Prince Vladímir had an only daughter, and she saw that this was no small matter that Prince Vladímir of royal Kiev town had put the old Cossack, Ilyá of Múrom, into that cold dungeon. For it might be that he alone would be able to defend the Faith and Country; that he alone might defend Kiev town; that he alone might defend the Minster Church, might protect Vladímir the Prince and the Princess Apráxia.

So the Princess caused a deep trench to be dug to reach the dungeon of the old Cossack, Ilyá of Múrom. And she commanded that false keys should be made; and she sent people secretly to take to the cold dungeon pillows of down and feather beds, and ordered them to take warm coverlets too, and changes of clothing, and to provide delicate food for the old Cossack, Ilyá of Múrom. But of this had Vladímir the Prince no knowledge.

Now that dog, the Tartar King Kálin, burned to [[55]]be at Kiev town. Even royal Kiev town would he destroy, and all the peasants he would cut to pieces, and would burn down the churches of God, and also cut off the heads of Vladímir the Prince and the Princess Apráxia.