The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

All the grandees came beneath Koprijan, demanding (that the city surrender). Those who were in it said: "Whoever is ruler after the battle, the city is his." There on the Dobrič (field)¹²² came also Evrenos, fleeing from Musa. There came Bogdan too, as well as a few of Musa's foot soldiers. Thence they set out toward Ovče Polje to avoid (Musa) until still more (troops) should come. Having crossed the (Skopska) Crna Gora, the Despot turned back, and to him /the sultan/ he sent all his army, which he entrusted to his nephew Đurađ. When they had come, they found Sultan Musa, who had recently (before that) withdrawn into the mountains; for, (he) said, when the Serbian army enters with the sultan to cut off the roads - which it did - no one may escape if Musa wins. When (they) had halted beneath Mount Vitoša on the river Iskar with all the army, and Musa (was) at Stipone, and when he saw that the vanguards were fighting, he could not endure it but in fury flew at them. Crossing the mountain that divided them, he hurled himself upon the Serbian army. (At first he) drove back (the Serbian army), and Đurađ, seeing this, said: "We have betrayed our own," and struck from the flank, from the other side, and (routed) the Turks. The Despot's army grew strong and prevailed. The sultan (Musa), seeing that he was defeated on both sides, took to flight. They caught him on the river Iskar, beat (him) and strangled him. And there the Despot's army slew a great multitude (of the enemy). The Despot's army was commanded by the čelnik Radič,¹²³ an exceedingly brave and intelligent man, who with few words accomplished many (things). With him were also the two commanders Šain and Mihailo. When all this had come to pass thus, the eastern (sultan Mehmed)¹²⁴ became lord and autocrat of the eastern and western regions, sitting upon the throne of his fathers. And he was gentle and in all things very wise and meek, truly like that Artaxerxes who appeared in great power.

76. When Musa had been slain, lord Đurađ came with all the Despot's army on the very day when the news (also) arrived of the truly great victory. (Both he and his) nobility were showered with many honors; (the sultan) sent great gifts to the glorious Despot (Stefan) and envoys who handed over to him the city of Koprijan;¹²⁵ he gave him also the region (named) Znepolje¹²⁶ and gave him other provinces. From that time both the people and all round about gained tranquility, so that, according to the prophet, it could be said, with reference to Jerusalem: "O Judah, keep thy feasts in thy joy";¹²⁷ for "the Lord hath taken away thy iniquities, he hath delivered thee out of the hands of thine enemies. The Lord hath reigned in the midst of thee, and thou shalt see evil no more."¹²⁸ And the autocrat (Stefan) made ready day by day for ever greater (feats), thanking God for all that he had attained in his whole life. His work was ceaselessly