The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

otherwise) "but as I have done, so do thou also. Many have served me, and I have not rewarded them all." And many (other) instructions he gave him concerning piety and (the fulfillment of) the commandments. Therefore from that time (the nobility) was much more faithful to the young lord than before. And the most pious (Despot) recovered from that illness (and continued) to do good (works).

83. (Sultan) Murad was making ready to go to the west, and seeing that the most pious Despot went every year to the Hungarian king, he listened to certain men who slandered (him on that account); (and) when the Despot was there, (the sultan) sent one of his faithful (servants) to learn the truth. (This) emissary was compelled to wait a long time. The Despot, having come, learned what the matter was, sent gifts (to the emissary), but did not deign to receive him. This (emissary), coming to the sultan (Murad), greatly blackened (the Despot) and said: "If thou dost not go against them, they will go against thee." And the sultan set out for Sofia, where, according to custom, the Despot's soldiers came. The emissary came too. The sultan detained the soldiers a little and said to them: "Go to your lord and inform him of my coming." With them he sent his own soldiers as well to escort them to the border, that no harm might befall them, for they had come on good faith. (The sultan) set out and came to Kruševac, plundered a part (and) at once turned back, since the most pious (Despot) had sent a messenger (to mediate). The Despot, having prepared an army against these, set out against Bosnia, because the Bosnians, seizing the moment, had moved toward the city called Srebrnica. The Despot suddenly came to the river called the Drina, which the Bosnians thought could not be crossed. The Despot, having come, soon crossed the river; when the Bosnians saw this, they left all their equipment and fled together with their king. Their cannon called "the Mound" also remained behind, with two other (cannons). The Despot commanded that the great (cannon) be carried to Belgrade, and the other (two) to Srebrnica; (the Despot) himself came into the Bosnian regions, pursuing the king and ravaging (the land). And the (Bosnian) king, who was in one of the fortified cities, sent an emissary begging (for leave) to come out. (The Despot) returned to his own land, going about (it) and doing good (works). It was on Great Thursday, when (the part of the prayer before Communion) is sung: "Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Savior, receive me today as a communicant." (The Despot), unable to restrain himself, began to weep bitterly. Going out, he wept much from the depth of his soul. Having washed his face, he went (into the church) again. And he began to weep still more. For beneath the aforementioned city of Srebrnica there was a place in which (there were) many craftsmen - silversmiths who had a young man as their overseer. Certain unruly spirits started a quarrel, killed the young man and threw him from the house. Learning of this, (the Despot) set out himself - and many fled from that place - and, because of the young man's murder, he seized some innocent men as well, cutting off their hands and feet. Remembering this, he could not refrain from weeping over what had happened.

84. From that time he opened his right hand more widely toward the beggars. Theodosius¹³⁵ was rebuked by (St. Ambrose of Milan),¹³⁶ (who) was indignant over the multitude (of those slain)