THE LEGEND OF ST. SOPHIA OF KIOFF. AN EPIC POEM, IN TWENTY BOOKS. The Poet describes the city and spelling of Kiow, Kioff, or Kiova. I. A THOUSAND years ago, or more, The sentries they paced to and fro. II. Kiova or Kiow. Its buildings, public works, and ordinances, religious and civil. Thus guarded without by wall and redoubt, With more advantages than in those dark ages Were commonly known to belong to a town. And streets, and alleys, and a bishop's palace; And a church with clocks for the orthodox- In service-time, when they didn't make a noise; Poles, Russians and Germans, To hear the sermons The poet shows how a certain priest dwelt at Which HYACINTH preached to those Germans and Kioff, a godly Poles, For the safety of their souls. clergyman, and one that preached rare good sermons. III. A worthy priest he was and a stout- How this priest was short and at of body; IV. A worthy priest for fasting and prayer Or the Reverend Edward Irving. And like unto the author of "Plymley's Letters." Of what convent he was prior, and when the convent was built. V. He was the prior of Saint Sophia (A Cockney rhyme, but no better I know)- Built by missionaries I can't tell when ; VI. Of Saint Sophia Sainted Sophia (so the legend vows) of Kioff; and how her statue miraculously travelled thither. And to uphold her converts' new devotion In this the best of churches, Whither all Kiovites come and pay it grateful worship. And how Kioff should have been a happy city; but that VII. Thus with her patron-saints and pious preachers A goodly city, worthy magistrates, You would have thought in all the Russian states VIII. Certain wicked Cossacks did besiege it, No, alas! this well-built city Did remorselessly besiege it. Tartars fierce, with sword and sabres, Huns and Turks, and such as these, Envied much their peaceful neighbours By the blue Borysthenes. Down they came, these ruthless Russians, For to levy contributions On the peaceful citizens. Winter, Summer, Spring, and Autumn, Till the city, quite confounded Which (because their courage lax was) Till it grew intolerable, And the Calmuc envoy sent, As before to take their dues all, Got, to his astonishment, A unanimous refusal ! "Men of Kioff!" thus courageous Did the stout lord-mayor harangue them, "Wherefore pay these sneaking wages To the hectoring Russians? hang them! Murdering the citizens, Until they agreed to pay a tribute yearly. How they paid the tribute, and then suddenly refused it, To the wonder of the Cossack envoy. Of a mighty gallant speech |