Ivan Vazov Epic of the Forgotten

Levski "The monastery curbs my restless spirit. A person seeking repentance in it ust banish from memory the !orl" of sin# $purn every temptation# fin" peace !ithin. y conscience a "ifferent mission "ictates me. This long black cassock that piously "rapes me %oes not reconcile me to heavenly &oys An" !henever in chapel I raise my voice To praise the Lor" so I enter 'eaven# I think it(s to others 'e pays attention# To those in the valley of tears ) pour folk# An" my prayer "isappears in the air like smoke# An" in anger *o" shuts his ears# refuses To hear our hymns an" lou" hallelu&ahs. I think# too# about those 'eavenly *ates That nobo"y kno!s !hich !ay they face# The approach is not from monastic +uarters# The roa" from the busy !orl" is shorter, I think the pure tears that !i"o!s she"# The laboring ploughman(s honest s!eat# A comforting !or"# a righteous en"eavor# A truth averre" an" uphel" forever# A brotherly han" that !ithout any fuss -e offer a man !ho has nee" of us ) All these are "earer to *o" Almighty Than the i"le anthems that !e are reciting. I think every human being can fin" 'is kin an" brothers among mankin" -hom the monk on taking the vo! renounces# I think *o" a higher aim has foun" us# An" !ithout this cassock or bear" I might $pare suffering folk some fearful plight. I think that canonical "ispensation -ill not soon abolish their lamentation# An" my fello!)man nee"s no! not prayer .ut help an" counsel in his "espair# I think that the truly goo" shepher" is he -ho stays !ith his flock in the rain an" heat# y brothers a terrible yoke are bearing# I sin because none of their !oes I(m sharing. It(s high time alrea"y for me to "epart# To leave this retreat from the !orl" apart# To speak ne! !or"s# bear a secret message To those !ho are "ragging their grievous fetters#" Thus spake he# an" vanishe". For nine years he roame" -ithout sleep or rest# !ithout hearth or home# /hanging his name# un"er many "isguises# $tout)hearte"# rea"y for sacrifices# An" brought un"erstan"ing support an" light To slaves in a slave !ere the !or"s he uttere"# Full of s!eet hope that soare" an" fluttere".

0ften he spoke of the struggle# revolt As imminent of !hich !as as yet unsettle". 'e teste" the brave to fin" men of mettle To carry the glorious enterprise through, For him every hearer !as brother# too. 'e turne" a clear gaze to the sha"o!y future. 'e love" his "ear country an" &oye" in its beauty. A rover he !as# an" simple as a chil"# Frugal as a hermit fasting in the !il". 1o stranger to hill)top# forest or valley# There !as not a path his feet ha" not travele"# The !il"erness# too# kne! the soun" of his voice# The cottages kne! it# the poor folk re&oice" An" opene" their "oors to him# left them unbolte". 1othing he feare"# he !oul" sleep in the open, Alone# "eep in thought# he !oul" take to the roa". A young man at "aybreak# at nightfall 2 an ol". 3ester"ay(s merchant !oul" no! be a pauper# .lin" man or cripple 2 !hichever !as calle" for. To"ay in the mountain# tomorro! in to!n# The !or" of rebellion he sprea" all roun" An" spoke behin" close" "oors of free"om an" "ying# $ai" no! !as he !ho !oul" raise in the floo" The first people(s banner an" she" his o!n bloo". 1ee"e" !ere courage# grit# firm resolution# Fear !as sheet villainy# pri"e 2 "issolution# -e are all e+ual# he sai"# in that hour ) 4eople he brace" !ith fresh vigor an" po!er. Every age# class an" se5# tra"e an" vocation 6oine" !ith a !ill in the great un"ertaking7 The rich man a !ith money# the poor man !ith strength# The mai" !ith her nee"le# the sage !ith his pen# -hilst he 2 nake"# barefoot# !ith no lan" or chattels 2 -as rea"y to lay "o!n his life in that battle8 9tterly fearless# his courage suffice" To "ie a hun"re" times on the cross like /hrist# To burn at stake like 'uss# or to perish $a!n# like $imon# for the truth he cherishe". For him %eath !as brother as !ell as frien". In his sleeve he se!e" poison of terrible strength. At his !aist !as a trusty !eapon he !iel"e" To terrify enemies !henever nee"e". A stranger to sleep# rela5ation an" rest 'e !as spirit an" ma"e manifest. 'is thoughts he e5poun"e" concisely an" clearly# 'is forehea" at times !oul" fro!n severely# -ith !rath an" reproach his gaze !oul" fill# :evealing a staunch heart an" iron !ill. 'e travele" unseen# like a phantom fleeting# 'e(" turn up in church# at a neighbors( meeting# Appear !ithout sign# "isappear !ithout clue# Every!here !elcome"# every!here pursue"# 0nce at a numerous public assembly 'e su""enly entere"# greeting presente" An" giving a scoun"rel a slap in the face ;uit the to!n secretly# leaving to trace.

'is name in itself !as a signal for panic# The authorities houn"e" him every!here# plante" /or"ons roun" t!enty)o"" to!ns at a go To trap their ubi+uitous spirit)like foe. In a!e !oul" all gaze at his earnest e5pression# The title of saint he !as gives by peasants -ho# hu""le" together a!ay from spies# -oul" listen agape an" !ith rapturous eyes Ti the s!eet !or"s of "anger he spoke# all hearers Foun" mush that ha" trouble" their souls gro! clearer. The !on"erful see" fell in people(s hearts an" *re! s!iftly to yiel" an abun"ant harvest. .ut he !as betraye"# an" betraye" by a priest8 This groveling !orm# this "espicable beast# This outrage to *o"# on the /hurch this foul blemish# Through !hose vicious treason the "eacon "i" perish8 Through infamous rogue !ho no shame ever sa!# -ho appeare" here on earth 'eaven kno!s !hat for# This sneaking betrayer# this priest in *o"(s service# $uch title !ithout shame or conscience usurping# -hose lips# from !hich venom an" bitterness ran# /rie" basely7 "Take hol" of him8 That is your man8" -ho raise" his right han" not in blessing# but pointing In treason 2 no thun"erbolt struck ti "estroy it8 ) -hom I no! "eliberately "o not name For fear such a mention my poem profane# -hose mother bereft !as of reason an" ruthless# This priest !ith one e+ual in 'ell 2 an" that 6u"as# Thus plunge" a !hole nation in mourning an" tears8 An" still the man lives# in our mi"st he appears8 Thro!n into &ail all in bloo" an" in fetters Levski to terrible pain !as sub&ecte". $hame on his torturers 2 po!erless to break A heart so resistant8 1o moan "i" he make# 1o curse or appeal for mercy he uttere"# .ut there in the "arkness he prou"ly suffere"8 %eath !as approaching# fear fara!ay. 1othing "i" he in a !hisper betray. 'e met every +uery 2 a bitter or"eal ) -ith only one ans!er# a silence severe# An" sai"7 "I am Levski8 0ne an" the same8" An" never once mentione" another(s name. .ut keen to rob Levski of living breath The tyrant one morning "ecree" his "eath. The Tsars# the rabble an" o"ious tyrants In or"er to crush man(s prou" aspiring An" cries of protest# an" heartening thoughts# An" eternal truth ) that life)giving source# 'ave ever invente" punishment# trying To annihilate those !hose fame is un"ying7 They "evise" for 4rometheus rock an" abyss# For $ocrates poison an" pre&u"ice#

The The An" -in

stake for 6ohn 'uss# ball an" chain /olumbus# *olgotha crucifi5 for 6esus the humble ) thus "o such en"ing !hose cruelty appalls aureoles later# far brighter than all.

In splen"or an" shame# like the crucifi5# hallo!e"8 The sight of your victims hes ma"e our hearts ache# -e(re seen from your bar bo"ies s!ing an" shake An" southerly !in"s !ith the "ea" limbs playing# An" &ubilant tyrants their venom "isplaying. 0 glorious scaffol"8 3ou shine !ith the light 0f heroes !ho "ie" here8 ust holy sight8 A terrible token# a sign of that free"om For !hich in your sha"o! folk "ie an" lie blee"ing# The lion# the hero7 all honor is "ue To those !ho to this "ay still "ie upon you. For in that "ark age !e refer to as "bon"age" The rogue an" the spy an" the man !ith no honor -oul" peacefully "ie in their forehea"# their conscience 2 sol"# .ut "eath on your bar# holy scaffol"# !as al!ays 1o mark of "isgrace 2 but on earth fresh glory# A summit from !hich a brave heart coul" survey To!ar" immortality the straightest !ay8

<ocho =The %efence of 4erushtitsa> 0 stirring of glory# 0 sombre sa" stirring# %ays of prou" struggle# 0 "ays of a"versity8 Epic obscure an" by us unacclaime"# Epic aboun"ing in heroism an" shame8 The church !as tight)packe" !ith young !omen an" chil"ren# Insurgents ecstatic ha" fathers !ithin the gray !alls# They no! kne! !hat fate lay in store for them all# For three "ays the foe ha" been firing in fury Aroun" the small church. .ut no scaring# no luring# 1o skirmish# no menace ha" any success. The rebels hel" firm an" !ith lips tightly presse" 1ever uttere" a !or"# not a man there inten"e" To sully his lips !ith the shame of surren"er. As hot as an oven an" thick !ith a pall 0f gunsmoke the air by the outer church !alls -as choking their breath. The familiar cry 0f feverish hunger rose shrilly nearby. 4ale chil"ren lay screaming !ith faces contorte" .esi"e their "ea" mothers# near stiffening corpses# The battle !as raging !ithin an" !ithout An" all eyes !ere blazing !ith fire "evout. The sick an" the healthy# the poor an" the !ealthy# 3oung fello!s !ith fair hair an" grey)hea"e" el"ers -ere all taking part in the last fight of all. ".e brave an" fear nothing8" a mother !oul" call To her son as she passe" him the rifle she loa"e"# -hile gran"mother# haggar" an" staggering# fol"e" 'er apron to bring up more bullets to fire, The husban" stoo" !atching# amaze" an" inspire"7 The !ife he love" "early stoo" by her belove"

To see that his flashpan !ith po!"er !as covere". Their chil"ren crie" out as they hear" the first thu" 0f bullets an" sa! the first spouting of bloo". The struggle !as seething !ithin an" !ithout. any men in in eternal chill sleep !ere lai" out An" thick !as the smoke# even "eath coul" no longer Instill any terror. 1ot milk spurte" strongly .ut bloo" from the bosoms of mothers there slain. All eyes !ere ablaze# as if craze" an" insane. In a frenzy ol" men hither# thither !oul" run -ith han"s all atremble to fare any gun... The !il" foes outsi"e in their fury unboun"e" ) The church ha" by bashibazouks been surroun"e" ) -ere fuming an" shouting an" firing hot lea" An"# reeling in impotent !rath# "rooping "ea". Their chieftain# !ith boo" from his !oun"s freely running# 0bserve" the grim harvest aroun" him# sai" nothing# A panicky fear left him gasping for breath At the sight of these lo!ly folk so!ing grim "eath# 1ot begging for mercy but bullet)lea" scattering. Far off "o!n the high roa" came su""enly clattering :egular troops# moving s!iftly along... The sight in them heartene" the foe# but among The folk in the church it arouse" consternation# They sense" a no! imminent castigation. The battle abate"... The gunsmoke cleare"# A voice calling out in the chaos !as hear"7 "0 brothers# the bashibazouks !e resiste" .ecause they are cruel an" "esperate brigan"s... .ut here are the $ultan(s men. Let us give in8" "1o# better "ie fighting through thick an" thin8" "'an" over your !eapons8" "1o8" "-hat shall !e "o then?" "3iel" to them? 1o# !e shall fight an" sub"ue them8" "-ho is the traitor?" they crie" in "isgust. "There(ll never be parley bet!een them an" us8" "For shame8" crie" a !oman an" taking a rifle# $he fire" at the sol"ier then# reeling# fell lifeless An" all there !ere stunne" by the "eafening roar8 Their souls blazing prou"ly !ith courage unben"ing7 "To these Turkish hor"es !e shall never surren"er8" $o shooting began an" the battle again :esume" its funereal fearsome refrain. .ut no! more funereal fearsome then ever. %eath s!ept through the church !here all lives !ere in peril. All faces bore traces of gloomy "espair# 'er chil"ren no mother coul" recognice there. 1o! guns face" the church !ith enormous &a!s gaping. Flames billo!e"# bombs burst# a hot !hirl!in" !as raging8 The church !all !as s!aying an" making a soun" As !hen a great storm him a beech on high groun" 0r earth tremors !aken a "eep)seate" rumble. They su""enly sa! the ol" church !all crumble. 4ale 4erushtitsa# the birthplace of heroes# *lory to you an" your progeny fearless8 *lory eternal to your ashes# the grave

-here the rebels perishe" to surren"er# -ho fought on in "arkness but "ie" in splen"our. In struggle confronting the Turkish !rath 3ou rose like a lion barring its path# 3our hea" never bo!ing# your s!or" never yiel"ing# 3our holiest shrine never shamefully ce"ing# 0ur free"om !ith sanctity you en"o!e" An" took for our suffering vengeance prou". To you !e bo! "o!n# to!n to ashes burnt# 0f valiants battle a testimony stern8 3our chil"ren !ere staunch in these perilous hours An" ma"e your "estruction a triumph of ours# .ecause your great "o!nfall !as of a ne! or"er# In history a splen"i" ne! page it recor"e". .ecause ami" baseness an" general "isgrace 3ou shone in blue heaven !ith ra"iant grace8 .ecause you fell into your grave so appalling# Like 4rague# $aragossa# !ith honour an" glory# All s!imming in bloo" an" envelope" in smoke, An"# finally# you !ere the first to!n to sho! 'o! people shoul" perish 2 not uttering prayers 1ot crying out7 " ercy8" !hen many !ere scare", A small to!n# obscure# !ithout fortress or might# .arehan"e" an" lea"erless in your fight# -ith no famous past# no reno!n in anti+uity That gives great an" small to!ns a sense of e+uality# In your frightful "eath an" your heroines( fame 3ou rivale" great /arthage# put $parta to shame. .ut soon came the sol"iers# the church encircling# For every si"e horror an" "eath converging# The rabble inflame" by their gluttonous rage An" thirsting for butchery# bloo"she" an" rape -ere grin"ing their teeth# bombs !ere bursting an" falling# The young girls !ere shrieking an" babies !ere ba!ling. %emente" young mothers !ith eyes full of tears :an smashing their skulls on the church !alls in fear An" fell to the groun"# !hile yet others# grief)stricken An" terrifie"# smothere" their very o!n chil"ren. An" then it !as <ocho# a maker of boots# An ol" rebel# !oun"e" but resolute# /alle" out to his young !ife# a goo" looking !oman# 'ol"ing their gol"en)haire" chil" to her bosom7 "3oung !ife8 1o! the carnage !ill start as foreseen. An" that(s not the !orst thing... you kno! !hat I mean. Is "eath !hat you !ish?" An" the poor !retche" mother# %istracte" an" pale# a "eep cry seeme" to smother. 'er infant !ith +uivering han"s she set "o!n An"# ten"erly kisse" its milky !hite bro!# $he stoo" up an" sai"7 "Let my chil" then "ie secon"8 $trike me first8" ...-hen <ocho !ith"re! the sharp !eapon That pierce" her !hile bosom# a fountain of re" *ushe" forth from gash. <ocho bo!ing his hea" Looke" "o!n at the chil". The poor infant !as !eeping8 "3our mother shall still have you in her safe)keeping8" 'e vo!e" an" again struck as if in a "ream# 'is scarlet face turning a!ay from the scene. The little hea" slumpe" an" the tiny limbs +uivere"# The infant(s young bloo" !ith its mother(s bloo" mingle".

$ai" <ocho7 "0f all of my strength I(m bereft# 3et still there(s enough for one final blo! left8" -ith both han"s he "rove the hot "agger in "eeply There !here his o!n heart !as tumultuously beating# Then fell in the pool of re" bloo" he ha" spille"# -i"e)eye"# !ith the bla"e "riven in to the hilt. An" the church lou"ly echoe" as mai"s an" young !omen -ere rape" or struck "o!n an" in bloo" there left s!imming8 -hile *o" up above# gazing "o!n through the smoke# -atche" all this unruffle" an" never once spoke8...

4aissy "0 reckless an" foolish one8 -herefore art thou ashame" to call thyself .ulgarian?... 0r "i" not the .ulgars possess a king"om an" state? .e thou not "elu"e"# .ulgarian# but kno! thine o!n origin an" tongue..." 4aisy =@ABC> A hun"re" an" t!enty years@ back... %eep sha"o!8 There# !here the ount of Athos narro!s# A refuge hi""en from !orl"ly "eceit# For prayer an" rest a placi" retreat# -here only is hear" the Aegean roaring# The !hispering gorse an" the seabir" soaring# 0r the solemn tolling of a vesper bell# In a humbly furnishe"# slumbering sell That a spluttering lamp !as "imly lighting# An obscure# pale)face" monk !as !riting. -hat !as he penning there# pensive# alone? The Life of a saint# or a sacre" tome /ommence" long ago# then long forsaken# Again at this mi"night hour un"ertaken? -as he recor"ing there tokens "ivine# 0r composing a eulogy# fair an" fine# To a miracle)!orker in !on"ers aboun"ing 0f Egypt# *reece# or the 'oly ountain? -hy !as he ta5ing bo"y an" brain? -as he a philosopher? -as he insane? -as this the imbecile imposition 0f an abbot of rigorous "isposition? At last he rela5e" an" sai"7 "That is the en"7 A ne! life chronicle I have penne"." -ith glances of ten"erest rapture he greete" 'is labour of many long years# no! complete"# The fruit of his vigil# his !ill)po!er(s chil"# -hich half of his span upon earth ha" beguile" ) A glorious Life8 -hile it !as begotten# All else# even 'eaven# he ha" forgotten8 1ever "i" mother so ten"erly gaze 0n her first)born son# nor hero raise Fon" eyes to the prize of his "esiring8 Like a .ible prophet in ancient style#

0r the hermit severe of 4atmos isle# -ho bol"ly unfol"e" the secret of "arkness An" *o"(s o!n !ill on the roll of parchment# 4ale an" elate"# a glance he hurle" To "arkest chaos# to the starry !orl"# To the gleaming Aegean that softly slumbere"# An"# raising the pages aloft# he thun"ere"7 "'enceforth .ulgarians near an" far A history possess an" a nation are8" Let them "iscover from these my !ritings That once they !ere great an" again shall be mighty# From glorious .u"in to Athos ount 0ur la! !as esteeme" of great account. ay all our brothers rea" here an" remember That *reeks are perfi"ious people an" clever# That !e have repulse" them 2 an" more than once ) That(s !hy they can(s stomach the likes of us, That !e# too# ha" king"oms an" capital cities# An" native)born patriarchs# saintly figures, -e# too# in this !orl" have performe" a goo" "ee"# *iven all $lav peoples the books they rea", -hen other folk shout7 "3ou .ulgarian8" !il"ly# Let brothers kno! this is a name to take pri"e in. An" kno! that great *o"# to !hom praises are sing# 'e# too# un"erstan"s our .ulgarian tongue, An" shameful it is !hen a person goes running To &oin !ith the 'ellenes# his kith an" kin shunning# $purning his *o")given native speech An" his very o!n name# like a senseless beast. -oe to you# fools# !ho like sheep are erring# The poisonous potion of *reeks preferring# -ho fell of your very o!n brothers ashame" An" 'ellene corruption gree"ily acclaim# -ho sinfully scoff at the bones of your fathers An" mock all our !ays# as too simple an" artless7 It(s not your o!n kin# though# !ho sully your name# 3ou fools# it is you are the cause of their shame8 :ea" an" "iscover upon these pages The "ee"s of your forebears in long)gone ages7 'o! bravely !ith many a king"om they fought# An" po!erful kings to them tribute brought# An" the .ulgar state le" a great e5istence, 'o! .oris the saint in 4reslav !as christene"# 'o! churches there sprang up at Assen(s !ill# 'o! the Tsar sent gifts, about $amuil# -ho lost his o!n soul in the "epths of 'a"es# /on+uere" %urazzo an" *reece inva"e", :ea" here an" kno! of Tsar $hishman as !ell An" ho! into bon"age our king"om fell, An" of Ivan :ilski# !hose sacre" relics $ho! still their miracle)!orking merits, :ea" ho! great <roum beat 1icephorus# line" 'is skull !ith silver an" "rank from in !ine# 'o! $imeon "rove out the agyar rai"ers An" ha" from .yzantium humble obeisance. A scholar !as he# a philosopher !ise# 'is o!n native language he "i" not "espise

An" !hen there !as no one for sub&ugation 'e sat an" !rote books as his rela5ation. 'ere rea" an" no! stu"y !hat I have set "o!n# In many a legen" an" chronicle foun"# :ea"# brothers# so men "o not mock an" ignore you# 1or foreigners give themselves airs before you... This book no! receive8 It is my be+uest# $o may it be copie"# ma"e manifest# An" scattere" through lo!lan" an" valley# go spee"ing -herever .ulgarians are "ying# blee"ing. Fin" here revelation# the grace of *o"(s truth# To young 2 gift of !is"om# to ol" 2 gift of youth8 -hoever shall rea" it# shall never repent it# -ho masters it# he shall have kno!le"ge in plenty." Thus spake the man in the anchorite cell# -ho gaze" at the past an" the future as !ell# -ho# many a service an" sacrament skipping# 'a" never relin+uishe" the pen he !as gripping An" many a canon an" fast ha" not kept# .ut toile" !ithout cease an" at rest never slept. Thus spake# a hun"re" This hermit of Athos# -ho secretly kin"le"# In people(s a!areness 4lov"iv# @DDC an" t!enty years before us# in *o"(s vie! not fla!less# !hen all !ays lay "ark# the very first spark.

The volunteers at $hipka =August @@# @DAA> -hat if !e still carry shame on our forehea"# arks of the !hip# signs of bon"age abhorrent, -hat if remembrance of infamous "ays 'angs like a clou" over all !e survey, -hat if in history no place !e(re allotte"# -hat if our name be a tragic one# !hat if 0l" .elasitsa an" recent .atak 0ver our past thro! their "eep sha"o!s black, -hat if men mockingly laugh in our faces# 4ointing to ne!ly lost fetters# to traces $till on our necks of the ages)long yoke, -hat if this free"om !as gives our folk? -hat of it? -e kno! a recent true story# A shining ne! symbol# a symbol of glory# That prou"ly !ithin every bosom pulsates An" noble strong feeling !ithin us a!akes, There on a mounting that glo!s in the "istance# 'eaven(s blue vault on its broa" shoul"er lifting# :ises a famous !il" peak !ith bloo" on its moss# A monument huge to a "ee" that(s immortal# .ecause a "eep memory lives in the .alkans# .ecause there(s a name that shall live for all time# As bright as a legen" in history it shines# A ne! name# its roots to anti+uity tracing#

As great a" Thermopylae# all fame embracing# A same to !ipe shame a!ay# !ith its plain truth $mashing to smithereens calumny(s tooth. 0 $hipka8 For three "ays out youthful battalions The pass have "efen"e". The high mountain valleys :e)echo the battle(s tumultuous roar. The onslaught(s ferocious8 Again the "ense hor"es Along the ravine for the t!elfth time are cra!ling -here !arm bloo" is flo!ing an" bo"ies are spra!ling. Assault on assault8 $!arm on s!arm they a"vance8 0nce more at the to!ering peak $uleiman is pointing7 ":ush for!ar"8 9p there are the rayahs8" A!ay race the hor"es in a rage !il" an" "ire# A thun"erous "Allah" re)echoes afar. The summit replies !ith a rousing "'urrah8"# A hail of fresh bullets an" tree trunks an" boul"ers, $pattere" !ith bloo"# our battalions bol"ly :etaliate# every man in his o!n !ay $triving to be in the front of the fray# Each# like a hero# "eath bravely "efying# %etermine" to leave one more enemy "ying. /annon are poun"ing. The Turks !ith a cry :ush up the slope !here they tumble an" "ie, /oming like tigers# like sheep they go flying# Then come once again7 the .ulgarians fighting Like lions are running along the re"oubt# 1either heat# thirst nor toil are they !orrie" about. The onslaught is fierce# the rebuff no less stout. For three "ays they fight but no help is arriving# An" no hope is visible on the horizon# An" no brother eagles come s!iftly !ith ai". 1o matter. They(ll "ie# but "ie true# unafrai" ) As "ie" the brave $partans !ho stoo" against Eer5es. Fresh !aves are no! rolling up, all are alerte"8 A last effort(s nee"e"7 the moment is grave. An" then "oes $toletov# our general brave# :oar !or"s of great courage7 "3oung volunteer fighters# 1o! cro!n .ulgaria !ith laurels of triumph8 The Tsar has entruste" the pass# the !hole !ar# 'imself even# unto these muscles# of yours8" Thus heartene"# our prou" an" heroic battalions /ourageously meet the ne5t thrust of the rallying Enemy hor"es8 0 heroic time8 Fresh !aves of assailants the cliffs no! climb. 0ur men have no bullets# !ith bravery gir"e"# Their bayonets broken# their breasts ever stur"y# They(re all to a man rea"y gla"ly to "ie 0n the ri"ge !hich the !hole of the !orl" can "escry# To "ie here like heroes triumphant# victorious . "The !hole of .ulgaria !atches# supports us# The peak is a high one7 if !e run a!ay# $he(ll see us 2 so better to "ie here to"ay8" 1o !eapons are left8 -hat remains is the slaughter8 Each stone is a bomb an" each tree)trunk a s!or" is. Each ob&ect 2 a blo!# an" each soul 2 flame that sears. From the peak every tree# every stone "isappears. "*rab hol" of the bo"ies8" they hear a voice crying#

At once through the air lifeless corpses are flying# An" over the hor"es like black "evils they "ive An" tumble an" roll as if they !ere alive8 The Turks +uake an" tremble# not having seen ever The living an" "eath fight a battle together# An" raise a shrill cry of "emoniac rage. In life an" "eath combat the armies engage. 0ur heroes# there stan"ing as stea"y as boul"ers# eet bayonet steel !ith steel breasts no less bol"ly# An" sing as they cast themselves into the fray -hen they realize %eath shall no! snatch them a!ay. .ut still our young heroes rebuff# sink an" s!allo! The hor"es that is !ave upon !ave s!iftly follo!. The peak any minute shall ours be no more. Then su""enly :a"etzky arrives !ith a roar. An" to"ay# every time there(s a storm in the mountain# The summit recall this grim "ay an"# recounting The story# its echoing glory relays From valley ti valley# from age unto age8 4lov"iv#1ovember B#@DD