a remarkable fact that over the most profound humiliations of the
Russian nationality the contemporary history always throws a ray of
glory.

At the moment that Alexander went to prostrate himself at Sarai, the
Suzdalian army, united to that of Novgorod, and commanded by his son
Dmitri, defeated the Livonian knights and took Dorpat by assault. The
khan Berkai gave Alexander a kind greeting, accepted his explanations,
dispensed with the promised contingent, but kept him for a year near
his court. The health of Alexander broke down; he died on his return
before reaching Vladimir. When the news arrived at his capital, the
metropolitan Cyril, who was finishing the liturgy, turned toward the
faithful and said, "Learn, my dear children, that the Sun of Russia is
set, is dead."

"We are lost," cried the people, breaking forth into sobs. Alexander,
by this policy of resignation, which his chivalrous heroism does not
permit us to despise, had secured some repose for exhausted Russia. By
his victories over his enemies of the West he had given her some
glory, and hindered her from despairing under the most crushing
tyranny, material and moral, which a European people had ever
suffered.




THE SIXTH CRUSADE

TREATY OF FREDERICK II WITH THE SARACENS