Then Lasar, the noble lord of Servia, Seeks Kossova with his mighty army; Seven and seventy thousand Servian warriors. How the infidels retire before him, Dare not look upon his awful visage! Now indeed begins the glorious battle. He had triumph'd then, had triumph'd proudly, But that Vuk--the curse of God be on him! He betrays his father at Kossova.
So the Turks the Servian monarch vanquish'd, So Lasar fell--the Tzar of Servia-- With Lasar fell all the Servian army. But they have been honor'd, and are holy, In the keeping of the God of heaven.
All that the Nemanyas, all that the Serbian people had done toward national unity was destroyed at Kossovo. Throughout Serb lands, the anniversary of Kossovo is still kept as a memorial day for all Serbian heroes, both for those who fell then and those who have since fallen in defense of their country.
For seventy years after Kossovo, Serbia, though nominally ruled by despots, was really subsidiary to the Sultan. George Brankovitch, one of the despots, worked for an alliance between Serbia and Hungary to overthrow the Turks. The Turks were defeated at Kunovista, and lands previously taken were restored to him. This brave man died at the age of ninety of wounds received in a duel with a Hungarian nobleman. But in spite of the efforts of Brankovitch, the days of Serbia were numbered. In 1459 she became a Pashilik under the direct government of the Porte--and this was her condition for nearly three hundred and fifty years.
If in her darkest hour some strong nation had sympathized with Serbia, her future might have been different. The nations of Europe were now having a revival of life--a renaissance--but they had no thought of Serbia, their young sister. She was hidden among her mountains and she made no outcry. She had tried to do what she could for herself. She had had her moments of power and happiness. Now came a long, long night.
[Illustration: CHURCH AT RAVINITZA--WHERE LAZAR WAS BURIED]
In the darker days many Serbs fled to the mountains, sometimes to carry on their occupation of farmer so far as they could, unmolested by the Turk; sometimes to become Haiduks--the Robin Hoods of the mountains and forests--to steal from the Moslem when it was possible, to give to the poor Serb; always to keep up an unceasing guerrilla warfare.