The fields were abandoned to weeds, and ferocious beasts ranged the places but recently occupied by Christians." The whole reign of Sviatopolk, which continued until the year 1113, was one continued storm of war.

It would only weary the reader to endeavor to disentangle the labyrinth of confusion, and to describe the ebbings and floodings of battle.

Every man's hand was against his neighbor; and friends to-day were foes to-morrow.

Sviatopolk himself was one of the most imperfect of men.

He was perfidious, ungrateful and suspicious; haughty in prosperity, mean and cringing in adversity.
His religion was the inspiration of superstition and cowardice, not of intelligence and love.