254 SLAV TALES

The sword clinked, leapt into the air, and fell to the
ground divided into a thousand other swords, which ranged
themselves in battle array and began to attack Niezguinek.
But in vain; they were powerless to touch him; for on
reaching the chalk-traced circle they broke like wisps of
straw. Then the sword-in-chief, seeing how useless it was
to go on trying to wound him, submitted itself to Niezguinek
and promised him obedience. Taking the magic weapon in
his hand, he mounted his horse and said:

“ Marvel of strength and of beauty so white,
Horse of my heart, while I sing,
Rise in the air, like a bird take thy flight,
Back to the court of my king.”

The horse started with renewed courage, and by noon
was eating his hay in the royal stables. Niezguinek went in
to the king and presented him with the sword. While
he was rejoicing over it one of his servants rushed in quite
out of breath and said, “Sire, your enemies who attacked
us last year, and whose king is your prisoner, surround our
town. Being unable to redeem their sovereign, they have
come with an immense army, and threaten to destroy us if
their king is not released without ransom.”

The king armed himself with the magic sword, and going
outside the city walls, said to it, as he pointed to the enemy's
camp, “ Magic Sword, smite the foe.”

Immediately the sword clinked, leapt flashing in the air,
and fell in a thousand blades that threw themselves on the
camp. One regiment was destroyed during the first attack,
another was defeated in the same way, while the rest of the