Not grey wolves but the pagan Tatars: the 'Khinova' comes to Rus
Editorial contextThe poet builds the Horde's approach from omens: creaking carts between the Don and the Dnieper, the 'Khinova' marching on the Russian land, grey wolves howling by the river Mecha. Then he turns the image: those were not grey wolves but the pagan Tatars, come to take the whole Russian land. Sreznevsky's commentary suggests 'Khinova', an old poetic name for steppe enemies also used in the Lay of Igor, may hide the name of the Huns.
The Khinova is marching on the Russian land. Grey wolves are howling; by the river Mecha they mean to cross into the Russian land. Those were not grey wolves: the pagan Tatars have come, they mean to pass through making war and take the whole Russian land.
Working translation
Original wording
Идетъ Хинова на Рускую землю. Сѣріе волци воютъ, на рѣкѣ хотятъ на Мечи поступити въ Рускую землю. То ти были не сѣріе волци, придоша поганые Татарове, хотятъ проити воюючи, взяти всю землю Рускую.
About Golden Horde army of Mamai (Tatars)
Keep in mind
Poetic imagery. The manuscript reads 'хинела'; 'Хинова' is Sreznevsky's correction (footnote on the same page), and the Huns etymology is his guess (commentary, n54 p.49).
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