The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

world! From now on we are poor men and strangers!" (And those who) were monks rent (their habits) and tore their beards. And the most honored and illustrious grandees, whom he had until then exceedingly helped and loved, each in like manner expressed his grief. And all were in despair when a priest or deacon intoned: "Again we pray for the blessed memory of the ever-remembered lord Despot Stefan." Some of the noble (grandees), tearing their beards, cried out: "No, monk, that thou must by no means say!" All roared like lions from the depth of their hearts, and truly the new Israelites made great lamentation for the new Israel¹³⁸. Because of the shortness of time they quickly prepared (him) and laid (him) in the church (of Resava - Manasija), on the right side of the entrance to the church. To the city of Belgrade they came (all) together and entered (it); since what had happened had been announced on all sides, all were taking refuge in the cities and on the islands.

89. In those who were in the city a strange change was to be seen. All had exchanged their bright garments (for mourning black); women and children came in groups before the splendid palace of the most pious (Despot). Some waited in the city, and some before the city (gates); there came also the companions of the much-desired (Stefan), as they had (formerly) done; the household (stood) according to rank, as when they (were) with their lord: in front (were) the chosen horses, (then) the doorkeepers, and after them all according to seniority. Who shall describe the moving voices when some group met them, or when they entered the city and came into the inner city to those who were bringing the sad tidings to the most pious lady and ever-beloved sister /Olivera/, who had traveled toilsome roads in order to save the fatherland and to intercede before God, like that Esther of old. Many of the chosen (nobles) sat here, distraught, with mouths open, utterly exhausted, and those around them poured water upon them. And without and within the seven-peaked city /Belgrade/ the funeral songs (sung) by those coming and going filled the air; so it was likewise in all the cities and regions. And with what lamentation from the ancient past shall we compare this?! "And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation..."¹³⁹ - says the prophet Hosea. "I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself... turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God."¹⁴⁰ If we cite (as an example) the weeping for Moses - when all the people returned lamenting aloud - (and) the elders too returned from Mount Nebo with great weeping, and Eleazar¹⁴¹ with groaning; "And