very long ago ☼☀☼

Digenes Akritas, 11th century Akritic song They hissed like serpents, they roared like lions, [34] καὶ ὡς ἀετοί ἐπέτουντα, καὶ ἐσμίξασιν οἱ δύο· they soared like eagles, and the two clashed. [35] καὶ τότε νὰ ἰδῆς πόλεμον καλῶν παλληκαρίων. And then you could see a fight between the brave. [36] Καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς μάχης τῆς πολλῆς κροῦσιν δι|ασυντόμως· In the heat of the battle they struck continuously, [37] καὶ απὸ τὸν κτύπον τὸν πολὺν καὶ ἀπὸ τὸ δὸς καὶ λάβε and from the great clashing and the cut and thrust [38] οἱ κάμποι φόβον εἴχασιν καὶ τὰ βουνιὰ ἀηδονοῦσαν, the plains grew fearful and the mountains re-echoed, [39] τὰ δένδρη ἐξεριζὠνουντα καὶ ὁ ἥλιος ἐσκοτίσθη. trees were uprooted and the sun was darkened. [40] Tὸ αἷμαν ἐκατέρεεν εἰς τὰ σκαλόλουρά των Blood flowed down over their horse-trappings [41] καὶ ὁ ἵδρος τους ἐξέβαινεν ἀπάνω απ' τὰ λουρίκια. and their sweat ran out over their breastplates.