by Mór Jókai
COMORN.
Monument of war! unhappy and deserted town! where are thy churches andthy towers--thy hospitable mansions and thy lively inhabitants? Whereare the cheerful bells, calling the people to prayer, and the sound ofmusic to mirth?
Alas! what a contrast from the proud fortress of former times, whenthe pinnacles of many a tower or steeple were seen glistening fromafar, with their single and double crosses, their eagles and goldenballs!
There were churches in Comorn unrivalled in Hungary for theirbeautiful frescoes. There was the great Universal Academy, oppositethe Reformed Church; the old County-house, crowning three streets; thegigantic Town-hall; the great Military Hospital; the fine row ofbuildings on the Danube, which gave the town the air of a great city;the High Street, with its quaint edifices; the Calvary,[39] and theromantic promenade in the centre of the town.
[Footnote 39: In most Roman Catholic towns abroad, there is what iscalled a Calvary hill, with its fourteen "_stations of our Lord_," andthe crucifixion and chapel crowning the hill, whither the devout makelittle pilgrimages, and where they perform their devotions.]
In the midst of the Danube there is a little island--whoever has seenit in former days, may have an idea of paradise! On crossing thebridge which united it to the town, an alley of gigantic palm-pinesextended from one end of the island to the other, through which therays of the sun gleamed like a golden network. The island wasbeautifully laid out in gardens, which furnished the town with fruit.In summer, the gay population held many a _fete_ here.
Then in winter, when the cold confined the inhabitants to the town,what merriment and cheerfulness were to be seen everywhere! The youngmen of the district assembled for the Christmas tree and the Carnivalfestivities. Every mansion was open, and its hospitable landlord readyto receive alike rich and poor.
On Sundays and holidays, as soon as the early bells began to toll, aserious and well-conditioned population were seen crowding to thechurches--the women in silken dresses, the men in rich pelissesfastened with heavy golden clasps; and when an offering was wanting,none were found remiss. At one oration by a popular preacher, themagnates deposited their jewelled clasps, buttons, and gold chains, inheaps at the threshold of the church; and with this gift the vastschool was built which stood opposite the Reformed Church.
All this _was_--and is no more! Two-thirds of the edifices have beenreduced to ashes; three churches--among them the double-towered onewith the fine frescoes, the Town-hall, the County-house, the Hospital,the High Street, the Danube row, and the entire square, with more thana thousand houses, have been burnt to the ground! What remained wasbattered to pieces by the balls, and destroyed by the inundation andthe ice in the following spring.
The beautiful island was laid waste, the trees cut down, and thebridge destroyed! Where are the joyous scenes of the past, thepleasant intercourse, and the gay society? The carnival music and theholiday bells are mute; the streets are empty, the houses roofless,and the people wretched!
* * * * *
It was a fearful night--raining, freezing, and blowing hard, whilethe shells were bursting over the town, and whistling like winglessdemons through the midnight air. The congreve rocket ascended in itsserpentine flight, shaking its fiery tail; while the heavy bomb rosehigher and higher, trembling with the fire within, till, suddenlyturning, it fell to the earth with a fearful crash, or, bursting inthe air, scattered its various fragments far and wide upon the roofsbelow.
The szurok koszorus[40] descended like falling meteors, while here andthere a fiery red ball darted up between them, like a star ofdestruction rising from hell. It seemed indeed as if the infernalregions had risen against heaven, and were venting their fury againstthe angels,--bringing down hosts of stars with the voice of thunder.
[Footnote 40: Globes covered with tar, and filled with combustiblematter.]
Several houses on which the bombs descended had taken fire, and thewind carrying the sparks from roof to roof, a church, which hadhitherto escaped destruction, was soon enveloped in flames. It was theReformed Church. Some zealous partisans of this faith endeavoured torescue their church; but they were few, and, after great exertions,amidst showers of balls, which whistled incessantly around, theysucceeded at last in preventing the fire extending further, but therewere not enough of hands to save the church--the flames had alreadyreached the tower.
* * * * *
The light of the burning church gleamed far through the darkness on atroop of horsemen, who were hastening towards the fortress. They werehussars; their leader was a short, strong-built man, with light-brownhair and a ruddy complexion, which was heightened by the glare of thefire. His lips were compressed, and his eye flashed as he pointedtowards the burning tower, and redoubled his speed. On reaching theDanube they were promptly challenged by the sentinel; and the leader,snatching a paper from his bosom, presented it to the officer onguard, who, after a hasty glance, saluted the stranger respectfully,and suffered the troop to pass across into the town.
At the extremity of the street which leads to the Vag,[41] and wherethere was least danger to be apprehended from the enemy's battery,their progress was arrested by a crowd of men, principally officers ofthe national guard, who were standing gazing on the fire.
[Footnote 41: Comorn is built at the junction of the Danube and theVag.]
The leader of the troop rode up to them, and inquired, in a voice ofstern command, what their business was in that quarter.
"Who are you, sir?" replied a stout gentleman, with a large beard anda gold-braided pelisse, in a tone of offended dignity.
It was easy to judge by his appearance that he was one of thoserepresentative dignitaries, ever jealous of their authority before themilitary.
"My name is Richard Guyon!" replied the stranger; "henceforwardcommander of this fort. I ask again, gentlemen, what do you wanthere?"
At the mention of this name, some voices among the crowd cried,"Eljen!" (vivat!)
"I don't want Eljens," cried Guyon, "but deeds! Why are none of youassisting to extinguish the fire?"
"I beg your pardon, General," replied the municipal major sheepishly,assuming a parliamentary attitude before the commander, "but reallythe balls are flying so thickly in that direction, it would be onlytempting Providence and throwing away lives in vain."
"The soldier's place is where the balls are flying--move on,gentlemen!"
"Excuse me, General, probably you have not witnessed it; but reallythe enemy are firing in such an unloyal manner, not only bombs of ahundred and sixty pounds' weight, and shells which burst in everydirection, but also grenades, and fiery balls of every description,which are all directed against those burning houses." The worthy majorendeavoured to introduce as much rhetoric as possible into hisexcuses.
"Will you go, sir, or will you not?" cried the General, cutting shorthis oration, and drawing a pistol from his saddle bow, he deliberatelypointed it at the forehead of the argumentative major, indicating thathis present position was as dangerous as the one he dreaded in themidst of bombs and fiery balls.
"Mercy!" he stammered; "I only wished to express my humble opinion."
"I am not used to many words. In the hour of danger, I command my mento _follow_, not to _precede_ me; whoever has any feeling of honourhas heard my words;" and, dashing his spurs into his horse, hegalloped forward.
In a few seconds the place was empty--not a man remained behind. Anhour afterwards, thousands were eagerly working to extinguish thefire. The commander himself, foremost in the danger, seemed to beeverywhere at once; wherever the balls flew thickest and the fireraged most furiously, his voice was heard exciting and encouraging hismen. "Never mind the balls, my lads, they never strike those who donot fear them."
At that instant the aide-de-camp at his side was struck down by atwenty-four pounder. The General, without being discouraged by this_mal-a-propos_ sequel to his words, only added--"Or when they do, itis a glorious death!"
A universal "Eljen!" rose above the thunder of the cannon and thehowling of the elements.
"On, lads! save the spire!" continued the General.
The bells of the tower had already fallen, one by one, into thechurch, but the fire was visibly decreasing, and the people redoubledtheir exertions, working hard until the morning. Their efforts werecrowned with success; and the tower, with its great metal spire,stands to this day; thanks to the energy and courage of the hero ofBranyisko.[42]
[Footnote 42: In Upper Hungary, where Guyon obtained a victory.]
* * * * *
The day following, the principal officers of the fort hastened topresent themselves to their commander. He reproached them for theirnegligence in allowing the fortress to be bombarded by troops whichwere scarcely more than the garrison of the place, and quietlysuffering them to place their batteries on the hill opposite, fromwhence they fired incessantly into the town. The officers retired ingreat confusion, promising their commander that the evil should soonbe repaired.
The town dignitaries next made their appearance, to pay their respectsto the new governor--a most honourable set of periwigged worthiesdating from 1790. The General received them graciously, and invitedall those who had called on him to dinner, assuring them, in brokenHungarian, that they should have capital entertainment.
Everybody was charmed with the condescension and affability of thefuture commander; although, "It must be allowed," they added, "hetreats the Magyar language with as little mercy as he does ourenemies."
"If our _vis-a-vis_ would only give us peace for a time," remarked theabove-mentioned municipal major, who, in consideration of his officialdignity, was desirous of keeping on good terms with the commander. Therest of the worthy gentlemen present signified, by their gestures,that they considered the remark not altogether unreasonable.
The major, judging by Guyon's thoughtful expression that he was dulyconsidering the matter, ventured to add his humble opinion, that itmight be advisable to propose a cessation of hostilities on the day ofthe entertainment, in order to celebrate in peace, and with all duehonours, the arrival of their most excellent commander.
"It would be useless," replied the General, calmly, "for they wouldnot give it."
"In that case," replied the major, "there is a spacious hall in thesubterranean apartments of the bastions, where two hundred might dinecommodiously."
"Indeed!" replied the General.
"Certainly; and plenty of room for a band of music besides."
"And cannot the bombs get in there?"
"O dear! no--not even the hundred and sixty pounders; the vaulted roofis strong an a rock, besides twelve feet of rock above. We can eat,drink, and give toasts," continued the major, "to our heart's content;the band may play, and the young folk dance, without endangering ahair of our heads!"
"Ah! a capital idea, truly! Perhaps you have already given _fetes_there?"
"Oh, almost every day in winter; while the enemy were raisingentrenchments over our heads, and trying their best to throw shellsinto the town, we were dancing quite snugly under the ramparts, andonly laughing at them through the loopholes--ha, ha, ha!"
The major seemed to consider this an excellent joke, while the otherdignitaries were cutting wry faces, recollecting that on suchoccasions but few, and those not the _elite_, remained without toprotect the fort.
The General neither laughed nor looked displeased; he appearedsatisfied with the major's plan, and dismissed the deputation,promising them that the next day's entertainment should be the mostagreeable they had ever yet partaken of.
* * * * *
At the hour appointed, a large party, in gala costumes and withholiday demeanour, assembled in the pavilion of the fort.
The General received his guests with his usual cordiality, and, assoon as the attendants announced that the banquet was prepared, heinvited them to accompany him thither.
It was a glorious spring evening. The soldiers greeted the brilliant_cortege_ with loud "Eljens!" as they passed the gates of the castle.
Among the guests was our bearded major, who took the utmost pains toinsinuate himself into the good graces of the General, constantlyaddressing him in the most facetious manner, so that those who heardthe conversation might have supposed they were on the most intimatefooting possible.
"Your excellency is pleased to survey the ramparts?" he remarked inthe softest tone imaginable, which he had learnt as a lord-lieutenant.
"I surveyed them all early this morning," replied the General; "theyare in good condition."
"Especially that one which your excellency was pleased to hear memention yesterday."
"And where we are going to dine to-day," pursued the General.
"He, he! indeed!" The major was ready to burst with pride. "I am trulyflattered, rejoiced, that my humble opinion has met with yourexcellency's approbation."
They had now entered the court of the old fortress. The bastion inquestion, with its gigantic, massive walls, is built over the Danube.Its roof is protected by the high walls of the fortress, which,covered with beautiful green turf, formed the most agreeablepromenade possible. To the east of the bastion there was a smallrondella, where the former governor, Bakonyi, was in the habit ofspending his leisure hours with his friends in those good old timeswhen people lived on more friendly terms than they do now.
There were placed before this rondella about half a dozen tables,sumptuously covered with superb confections and flowers, relieved bybottles of every description.[43]
[Footnote 43: In Hungary, as on the Continent in general, the dessertis put down at first, to decorate the table.]
The rondella itself was tastefully decorated with evergreens andbanners of the national colours.
The approaching guests perceived these tables laid out on the top ofthe bastion, with a curious sensation, unlike that which we are wontto experience at the sight of a dinner-table under ordinarycircumstances. The major alone did not seem to take the matter intoconsideration, and, turning to the entrance of the bastion tunnel, heofficiously offered his services to lead the way to the subterraneanhall.
"Not there!" cried the General, "but upon the top of the bastion! Doyou not perceive, gentlemen, our tables are prepared there?"
The major attempted to smile, but his teeth chattered.
"Your excellency is pleased to jest, he! he!--surely the hall is farpleasanter, and more convenient."
"Are you dreaming, major? lock one's-self up this beautiful evening ina dank hole, where scarce a ray of light enters two spans of loophole!It would be sinning against nature; here in the open air we shallenjoy ourselves famously!"
The major would willingly have been excused such enjoyment.
"And are we all to dine up there?" he asked, while his chin trembledvisibly.
"Certainly, of course," replied the General; and perceiving it was oneof those occasions in which the word _follow_ must be substituted for_on_, he deliberately ascended the steps to the bastion, his guestsreluctantly following, more like a troop of victims brought tounwilling martyrdom, than a festal procession approaching a banquet.
The municipal major not only relinquished his position close to theGeneral's ear, but actually managed to fall behind--evidently evincingan inclination to make himself scarce when the opportunity shouldoffer. The General's condescension, however, was so great as to seekhim out, take his arm, and lead on to the ramparts, where he engagedhim in close conversation.
"What a glorious view! See how the Danube washes the walls of thebastion! Mark the enemy's ramparts, where the great guns are pointedtowards us--why, we can actually see into them! There stand thehowitzers, and a bomb-mortar--remarkably clear atmosphere, major! Seenow, an artilleryman has just come out on the ramparts; one candistinguish his facings perfectly, even at that distance! Superbweather, major, is it not?"
It is quite certain that if the General had not forcibly retained hisman, keeping him in conversation until the
y sat down to dinner, theworthy major would have slipped through his fingers like an eel; as itwas, there was no other course for him but to resign himself to hisfate, while he heartily wished that this transparent atmosphere wouldgive place to so dense a fog, that they should not be able todistinguish each other across the table.
The guests had taken their places with no small uneasiness, eacheyeing his neighbour's countenance, in the vain hope of discoveringsome degree of that confidence which he lacked himself--butresignation was the utmost that could be traced in any expression.
The General placed the major on his right hand: he was desirous ofdistinguishing him in his military dress.
Meanwhile, as the dishes were served and the wine circled, the spiritsof the guests began to rise, and the clouds of uneasiness which haddarkened each brow dissipated by degrees before the inward light whichthe good wine diffused. The conversation flowed more freely; some evenventured to jest, afterwards to laugh heartily.
The unhappy major alone did not seem to partake of the universaldissipation. He elbowed his loquacious neighbour with tears in hiseyes, trod on the feet of his _vis-a-vis_ under the table,accompanying these actions with an imploring gesture that they shouldspeak and laugh less loudly; while he himself used his knife and forkwith the utmost caution, looking every now and then over his shoulderat the cannon, howitzers, and artillerymen opposite--now spilling thesoup down his neck, and now conveying to his ear the morsel intendedfor his mouth, or biting the empty fork from which the meat hadfallen, while he sprinkled large quantities of cayenne and salt overthe confections, and finally drank the vinegar intended for the salad,to the infinite amusement of the spectators. Even the General regardedhis victim with inward satisfaction, though it was not his custom toexpress any visible emotion. He frequently recommended him one orother excellent wine; but the major would not be persuaded to drinkanything but water, which he swallowed in large quantities, declaringthat he was exceedingly warm--which was not improbable.
At the height of the entertainment, when the roses of good humourbloomed on every countenance, the major summoned all his resolution,and sidling close up to the commander, whispered in his ear: "It isvery well that the besiegers are dining also at present, and thereforehave not observed us, otherwise it might be no joke if they caught aglimpse of us."
"True; the poor devils would then have to leave their dinners, andamuse themselves firing at us."
The major would gladly have been excused such amusement.
"Meanwhile," pursued the commander, "we shall give them a toast;" andpouring out a glass of genuine tokay, he rose from his seat.
There was a universal silence.
"Gentlemen!" cried the governor, in a loud clear voice, "let us drinkto the land of the Magyar!"
A tremendous cheer burst from every mouth, and the guests rising,struck their glasses together. Every idea of fear seemed banished atthe word. Three times three the cheer was repeated, with suchthundering applause that the very bastion trembled.
The poor major extended his arms in utter despair: he looked like aman vainly endeavouring to stifle the explosion of a revolution; andto add to his distress, scarcely had the third cheer died away, thanthe military music which was concealed in the rondella struck up theRakoczy March.
"We are betrayed! we are undone!" he exclaimed, throwing himselfviolently back in his chair. "Sir Governor, Sir Commander, now is themoment for us to leave the place! The enemy's guns are directedtowards us--we shall have the bombs pouring upon us!"
"That would be only giving ourselves trouble," replied the Generalcoolly; "and besides, I should like to see how they aim."
"But _I_ don't want to see; my life is not my own, it belongs to mycountry. It is not permitted to risk it thus; the Diet would not allowit."
"Set your mind at ease, my dear major; I will take the wholeresponsibility of your precious life before the Diet. Meanwhile,orders have been given that none shall quit the bastion until I gomyself."
The major's anguish was not altogether without foundation; for themusic having attracted the attention of the besiegers, their cannonbegan firing one by one, and several balls whistled past therevellers.
"Aha! in this case we must protect ourselves," cried the General; andwithout moving from his seat, he desired his attendants to prepare thebattery.
This battery consisted of champagne bottles well preserved in ice, thepopping of which most ludicrously parodied the cannons of the enemy,while the generous wine increased the good humour of the recklesscompany.
The music continued to play one national air after another; as soon asthe first band ceased another struck up, the company joining theirvoices in full chorus to the most familiar airs.
Meanwhile the bombs were falling right and left: some, splashing intothe Danube, burst at the bottom, or without extinguishing, struck thewater again and again. Others whistled past the pavilion, and burstabove it; but none as yet came near the tables.
The merry party made light of it all, crying "good speed" to thosewhich flew over their heads, offering a glass to renew their strength,promising to let down ropes to such as fell into the moat. In short,what they had looked upon with awe from a distance, they nowconsidered capital diversion.
The poor major suffered the most exquisite pangs of terror: bobbinghis head each time a shell flew over the ramparts at the distance of ahundred fathoms, or starting aside from the passing balls; and asoften as a bomb burst, he almost fell on his back in the most violentcontortions.
Meanwhile, as the day closed, the sounds of music, as well as thebeauty of the evening, had attracted various groups of well-dressedpeople to the ramparts; and notwithstanding the thundering of thecannon, the fair sex formed no small portion of the curious, whosedesire of amusement overcame their timidity.
The moon rose brilliantly upon the landscape; and by its bewitchinglight the youth abandoned themselves to the dance, with as littlethought as if the thundering around were a salute in honour of abridal festival.
The national dance seemed especially to please the General; and once,when he expressed his admiration by a hearty 'bravo' at some dexterousturn, a merry little dark-eyed sylph tripped up to him, and succeededin leading him forth to the "Wedding of Tolna"--a favourite dance,where he allowed himself to be wheeled about through all the mazes,performing each manoeuvre required of him with that almost Englishcoolness which characterized him.
A little episode now occurred, which caused a short interruption. Agrenade fell burning, almost at the feet of the General. Several ofthe dancers fled, while the boldest of the party wished to pour waterover it, and others in jest proposed to cover it with a hat.
"Let all remain in their places!" cried the General.
At this command everybody remained stationary. Even the womenendeavoured to conceal their fear, and one or two of the girls peepedinquisitively forward, scarcely comprehending the danger with whichthey were threatened.
The bearded major, however, seemed fully alive to all the horror ofhis situation; for no sooner did the grenade fall hissing among them,than he broke at once through all constraint, and with a roar like abull, as if in compensation for all he had hitherto endured insilence, rushed from the spot as if he were possessed by legion, andwithout looking right or left, precipitated himself into the moat,regardless of its height. Providentially he reached the bottom, at adepth of four-and-twenty feet, with bones unbroken, and there lay uponhis stomach, with closed eyes, awaiting the issue of the hideouscatastrophe.
The grenade meanwhile turned quickly round like a spinning-top on thespot where it had fallen, the rocket flame from within describing abright circle round it. The bystanders breathlessly awaited the momentof its explosion.
Suddenly it ceased turning, and the fiery circle disappeared. Whoeveris acquainted with the nature of these balls, will know, that betweenthe spinning round of the grenade-rocket in its flame and that instantin which--the spark having reached the powder--it explodes, there isan interval of a few seconds, in w
hich the grenade stands still.
In this interval it was that the commander suddenly rose, andapproaching the grenade, lifted it in his hands and dashed it into themoat.
The sudden explosion which instantly followed proved that the ball hadjust been thrown in time, while the yell which immediately succeededseemed to indicate that the direction had not been equally wellchosen; and in truth the grenade had burst scarcely two spans from theunlucky major, although, strange to say, with no more seriousconsequence than that from that day forward he has heard withdifficulty with the right ear.
After this little bravado--whose authenticity more than oneeye-witness can guarantee--the General allowed the company todisperse; and from that day fear seemed banished from all hearts; andgrenades, and other fiery implements, were looked upon with evengreater coolness than before.
On taking leave of his guests, the General promised them a tranquilnight, to compensate for the agitation of the day; and he was as goodas his word, for that very night he made a sally with some troopsabove the Nadorvonal,[44] and compelled the enemy to withdraw theirbattery.
[Footnote 44: Palatine's line.]
* * * * *
Time flies; the past is gradually forgotten, and with it the pastglory. Where are the glorious hopes--the bright dreams? All are gone.Comorn! monument of war! deserted and unhappy town! what remains ofall thy power and glory? The blackened ruins, and the Comorn Honvedofficers![45]
[Footnote 45: When the fortress capitulated, the officers of thenational guard were suffered to quit the country free--one of theconditions for which they had stipulated.]