By Caitlyn McHale

After the Mongols defeated

The Cumans in 1223

In battle at Kalka River,

The Cumans fled to Hungary.

King Bela IV of Hungary

Granted the Cumans protection,

Provided they accept baptism,

Which they did out of desp’ration.

But the Cumans were Khan’s subjects.

To get them back, he was prepared.

“Return the Cumans to me now,

Or face my wrath!” Batu declared.

Three columns the Mongols came in:

The north defeated Duke Henry

In Poland, while one took the south,

and straight through came Batu’s army.

In vain Bela blocked the mountains,

But the soldiers were overrun.

Three days to where Bela was trapped

To the Mongols it seemed like fun.

In midst of enemy attack,

Hungarians prepared to fight,

But the Cumans rebelled against,

Wanting instead escape by flight.

The Mongols sacked the land of Pest,

Duke Frederick moving to respond.

Once Bela was prepared to fight,

By then the Mongols had withdrawn.

On each sides of the River Sajo,

The two armies did meet one night.

Somehow the Mongols were beat back,

Hungarians celebrated their might.

Adjusting plans Batu returned,

While Subutai’s forces gathered

To attack from the other side.

This time Bela’s forces scattered.

Hungarians fled back to camp

And raced to prepare for battle,

Giving Khan time to cross the river.

There then ensued a fierce battle.

At first pressed back against the river,

Batu’s forces could not maneuver,

But Subutai came to the rescue:

Bela and the Duke were the losers.

The Hungarian cost was high;

Most of the army had been lost,

Leaving Hungary to Mongols

To conquer and ravage the land.