Is 't the Vila? is 't the hateful serpent?
Were 't the Vila, she were on the summit;
Were 't the serpent, it were 'neath the mountain;
Not the Vila is it, nor a serpent;
Shrieked in anguish thus Perovitch Balritch
In the hands of Osman, son of Tchorov.
Ravens are the messengers of unhappy news. The battle of Mishar begins with the following verses: