Russia, still living in tents, still raising and herding their flocks,
little changed in dress, habits, and character since the days of
Genghis Khan. While this is written a famine is said to be raging
among them. This is the last remnant of the great Mongol invasion.

In 1487 Ivan marched upon Kazan. The city was taken after a siege of
seven weeks. The Tsar of Kazan was a prisoner in Moscow and "Prince of
Bulgaria" was added to the titles of Ivan III.


[1] From the word knot.




CHAPTER X

GRAND PRINCE BECOMES TSAR

Vasili, who succeeded Ivan III. in 1505, continued his work on the same
lines of absorption and consolidation by unmerciful means. Pskof,--the
sister republic to Novgorod the Great,--which had guarded its liberties
with the same passionate devotion, was obliged to submit. The bell
which had always summoned their _Vetché_, and which symbolized their
liberty, was carried away. Their lament is as famous as that for the
Moorish city of Alhama, when taken by Ferdinand of Aragon. The poetic
annalist says: "Alas! glorious city of Pskof--why this weeping and
lamentation?" Pskof replies: "How can I but weep and lament? An eagle
with claws like a lion has swooped down upon me. He has captured my
beauty, my riches, my children. Our land is a desert! our city ruined.