Summary

"The Song of Igor's Campaign" begins with an introduction, calling to the audience to come, sit and listen to the tale of the latest Russian feud. This won't be a contrived story from someone of the noble class ("Boyan" or "boyer"), but a true story or how the brave and regal Igor led his troops against the Kumans for the sake of the Russian people.

The storyteller then addresses the boyer. The boyer enjoys exaggerating the ancient stories so that they praise the troops and princes more highly than anyone else does. The storyteller attempts to phrase the events as the boyer would: "Our princes didn't lose the battle and flee" or "The cities trumpet the victory of our sovereigns and raise banners in their honor."

The story finally begins. Igor is waiting for his brother Vsievolod. Vsievolod, who has a...