.

Then the horse spoke with a man's voice the following words: "O
Prince, thou my noble rider, it is now three-and-thirty years since I
served the dead Yaroslav Yaroslavovich--that stout and powerful
knight--and I have borne him in many a single combat and battle; yet
never have I been so worn out as to-day; now I am ready to serve you
faithfully till death." Then Prince Astrach returned into the
courtyard, put his brave steed into the stable, and gave him white
corn and spring water; after which he went into the marble palace, ate
and drank his fill, and then laid him down to sleep.

The following morning he rose early, saddled his good horse, and rode
forth towards Egypt, to Tsar Afor, to sue for the hand of his
daughter, the beautiful Tsarevna Osida. When he arrived at the court
he announced himself as the son of King Filon, whereupon Tsar Afor
received him with all honour, and enquired what purpose had brought
him thither, to which Prince Astrach replied: "Great Tsar of all the
lands of Egypt, I am not come to your Court to feast and banquet, but
to ask for your lovely daughter to wife."

"Brave Knight, Prince Astrach," answered the Tsar, "I will gladly
bestow my daughter on you; but one service you must render me. The
unbelieving Tartar Tsar is drawing near, and threatens to lay waste my
kingdom, to carry off my daughter, and slay me and my wife." Prince
Astrach replied: "My gracious lord, Tsar Afor, readily will I go forth
to battle for the Faith with this unbelieving Tsar; and to protect
your city from untimely destruction." Whereat Tsar Afor was glad at
heart, and ordered a great banquet to be prepared for the bold and
fair Prince Astrach; so there was great feasting, and the betrothal
took place with all solemnity.

The next day the Busurman army of three hundred thousand men arrived
before the city, whereat Tsar Afor was greatly alarmed, and took
counsel with Astrach. Then the Prince saddled his steed, went into the
royal palace, and offered up his prayers, bowing himself to all four
quarters of the globe. After this he took leave of Tsar Afor and his
wife, and his betrothed Tsarevna, the beautiful Osida, and rode
straight to the enemy's camp; and when he spurred his charger, the
steed bounded from the earth higher than the waving forests, and lower
than the drifting clouds; mountains and valleys he left beneath his
feet, small streams he covered with his tail, wide rivers he sprang
across, and at length