Humbly salutes the crowd around;

"Farewell world, and thou people of God;

Pray for my sins that burden me sore!"

Scarce had the people ventured then

On him to look, when his traitor head

Off was hewn from his shoulders strong.

[[351]]

P.

We add another more modern heroic ballad, composed, perhaps, by one of the soldiers, who was present at the exploit. The first siege of Azof took place in 1695. The fortress was, however, not taken by storm, although repeated assaults were made; but the garrison capitulated in the following year. The great white Tzar is of course Peter I.[[352]][pg.353]