So with an oath they promised the Emir
To be their sister’s husband in Romania,
Sounded the trumpets and returned at once
And still astonished, saying to each other,
‘O wonder that we see, and passion’s power,
They free the captive, they destroy armies,
Make man deny his faith and not fear death.’
And it was noised about the entire world
How that noble girl with her sweet beauties
Had broken up the famed armies of Syria.

Digenes Akritas, anonymous Byzantine epic