And the Princes ordered, "Give us your numbers for tribute."…the common people would not give their numbers for tribute but said, "Let us die honorably for St. Sophia [the church in Novgorod that represents the symbol of freedom, prosperity and power]"… [but most of] the people were divided… And it was on the morrow, the Prince rode down…and the accursed ones [Mongols] began to ride through the streets writing down the [number of ] Christian house[s]; because for our sins God has brought wild beasts out of the desert …..And having numbered them for tribute and taken it, the accursed ones went away…