CHAPTER IV.
It was in the afternoon that the princess left hospitable Tyniec and wenttoward Krakow. Often the knights of those times, coming into largercities or castles to visit some eminent person, used to put on theirentire battle armor. It is true it was customary to take it offimmediately after they arrived at the gates; in fact it was the customfor the host himself to invite them to remove it in these words: "Takeoff your armor, noble lord; you have come to friends!" This entrance wasconsidered to be more dignified and to increase the importance of theknight. To conform with this ostentatious custom Macko and Zbyszko tookwith them those excellent suits of armor and shoulder-bands--won from theconquered Fryzjan knights,--bright, shining and ornamented on the edgeswith a gold band. Mikolaj of Dlugolas, who had seen the world and manyknights, and was very expert in judging war things, immediatelyrecognized that the suits of armor had been made by a most famous armorerof Milan; armor which only the richest knights could afford; each of thembeing worth quite a fortune. He concluded that those Fryzes were mightylords among their own people, and he looked with more respect on Mackoand Zbyszko. Their helmets, although not common ones, were not so rich;but their gigantic stallions, beautifully caparisoned, excited envy andadmiration among the courtiers. Macko and Zbyszko, sitting on very highsaddles, could look down proudly at the whole court. Each held in hishand a long spear; each had a sword at at his side and an axe at thesaddlebow. For the sake of comfort they had left their shields in thewagons, but even without them, both men looked as though they were goingto battle and not to the city.
Both were riding near the carriage, in which was seated the princess,accompanied by Danusia, and in front of them a dignified court lady,Ofka, the widow of Krystyn of Jarzombkow and the old Mikolaj of Dlugolas.Danusia looked with great interest at the two iron knights, and theprincess, pulling from time to time the box with the relics of SaintPtolomeus from her bosom, raised it to her lips.
"I am very anxious to see what bones are inside," said she, "but I willnot open it myself, for I do not want to offend the saint; the bishop inKrakow will open it."
To this the cautious Mikolaj of Dlugolas answered:
"Ej, it will be better not to let this go out of your hands; it is tooprecious a thing."
"May be you are right," said the princess, after a moment of reflection;then she added:
"For a long time nobody has given me such pleasure, as this worthy abbothas by this present; and he also calmed my fears about the relics of theKnights of the Cross."
"He spoke wisely and well," said Macko of Bogdaniec. "At Wilno they alsohad different relics, and they wanted to persuade the guests that theywere at war with the heathen. And what? Our knights noticed that if theycould only make a blow with an axe, immediately the helmet gave way andthe head fell down. The saints help--it would be a sin to saydifferently--but they only help the righteous, who go to war justly inGod's name. Therefore, gracious lady, I think that if there be anotherwar, even if all Germans help the Knights of the Cross, we will overcomethem, because our nation is greater and the Lord Jesus will give us morestrength in our bones. As for the relics,--have we not a true particle ofthe holy cross in the monastery of Holy Cross?"
"It is true, as God is dear to me," said the princess. "But ours willremain in the monastery, while if necessary they carry theirs."
"No matter! There is no limit to God's power."
"Is that true? Tell me; how is it?" asked the princess, turning to thewise Mikolaj of Dlugolas; and he said:
"Every bishop will affirm it. Rome is distant too, and yet the pope rulesover the whole world; cannot God do more!"
These words soothed the princess so completely that she began to converseabout Tyniec and its magnificence. The Mazurs were astonished not only atthe riches of the abbey, but also at the wealth and beauty of the wholecountry through which they were now riding. All around were manyflourishing villages; near them were orchards full of trees, lindengroves, storks' nests on the linden trees, and beneath the trees werebeehives with straw roofs. Along the highway on both sides, there werefields of all kinds of grain. From time to time, the wind bent the stillgreenish sea of grain, amidst which shone like the stars in the sky, theblue heads of the flowers of the bachelor button, and the light red wildpoppies. Far beyond the fields appeared the woods, black in the distancebut bathed in sunlight; here and there appeared moist meadows, full ofgrass and birds flying round the bushes; then appeared hills with houses;again fields; and as far as one could see, the country appeared to flownot only with milk and honey but also with quiet and happiness.
"That is King Kazimierz' rural economy," said the princess; "it must be apleasure to live here."
"Lord Jesus rejoices to see such a country," answered Mikolaj ofDlugolas; "and God's blessing is over it; but how can it be different;when they ring the bells here, there is no corner where they cannot beheard! And it is known that no evil spirit can endure the ringing of thebells, and they are obliged to escape to the forests on the Hungarianfrontier."
"I wonder," said Pani Ofka, the widow of Krystyn of Jarzombkow, "howWalgierz Wdaly, about whom the monk was talking, can appear in Tyniec,where they ring the bells seven times a day."
This remark embarrassed Mikolaj for a moment, who after thinking, quietlysaid:
"In the first place, God's decrees are not well known; and then you mustremember that every time he appears he has had special permission."
"At any rate, I am glad that we shall not pass the night in themonastery. I would die from fear if I saw such an infernal giant."
"Hej! I doubt it, because they say, he is very handsome."
"If he were very beautiful, I would not want a kiss from such a man, fromwhose mouth one could smell sulphur."
"I see that when the conversation is even about devils, you are stillthinking about kisses."
At these words the princess, Pan Mikolaj and both _wlodykas_ of Bogdaniecbegan to laugh. Danusia laughed also, following the example of theothers. But Ofka of Jarzombkow turned her angry face toward Mikolaj ofDlugolas, and said:
"I should prefer him to you."
"Ej! Don't call the wolf out of the forest;" answered the merry Mazur;"the ghost often wanders on the high road, between Krakow and Tyniec,especially toward night; suppose he should hear you and appear to you inthe form of a giant!"
"Let the enchantment go on the dog!" answered Ofka.
But at that moment Macko of Bogdaniec, who being seated on a highstallion, could see further than those who were in the carriage, reinedin his horse, and said:
"O, as God is dear to me, what is it?"
"What?"
"Some giant of the forest is coming!"
"And the word became flesh!" exclaimed the princess. "Don't say that!"
But Zbyszko arose in his stirrups and said:
"It is true; the giant Walgierz; nobody else!"
At this the coachman reined in the horses, but not dropping the reins,began to make the sign of the cross, because he also perceived on anopposite hill the gigantic figure of a horsemen.
The princess had risen; but now she sat down, her face changed with fear.Danusia hid her face in the folds of the princess' dress. The courtiers,ladies and _rybalts_, who were on horseback behind the carriage, havingheard the ill-omened name, began to surround the carriage. The men triedto laugh, but there was fear in their eyes; the young girls were pale;only Mikolaj of Dlugolas maintained his composure and wishing totranquilize the princess, said:
"Don't be frightened, gracious lady. The sun has not yet set; and even ifit were night, Saint Ptolomeus will manage Walgierz."
In the meanwhile, the unknown horseman, having mounted the top of thehill, stopped his horse and stood motionless. In the rays of the settingsun, one could see him very distinctly; his stature seemed greater thanordinary human dimensions. The space separating him from the princess'retinue was not more than three hundred steps.
"Why is he stopping?" asked one of the _rybalts_.
"Because
we stopped," answered Macko.
"He is looking toward us as if he would like to choose somebody," saidanother _rybalt_; "if I were sure he was a man and not an evil spirit, Iwould go and give him a blow on the head with the lute."
The women began to pray aloud, but Zbyszko wishing to show his courage tothe princess and Danusia, said:
"I will go just the same. I am not afraid of Walgierz!"
Danusia began to scream: "Zbyszko! Zbyszko!" But he went forward and rodeswiftly, confident that even if he did meet the true Walgierz, he couldpierce him through and through with his spear.
Macko who had sharp sight, said:
"He appears like a giant because he is on the hill. It is some big man,but an ordinary one, nothing else! Owa! I am going also, to see that hedoes not quarrel with Zbyszko."
Zbyszko, while riding was debating whether he should immediately attackwith the spear, or whether first take a close view of the man standing onthe hill. He decided to view him first, and immediately persuaded himselfthat it was the better thought, because as he approached, the strangerbegan to lose his extraordinary size. He was a large man and was mountedon a large horse, which was bigger than Zbyszko's stallion; yet he didnot exceed human size. Besides that he was without armor, with a velvetcap shaped like a bell on his head; he wore a white linen dust cloak,from beneath which a green dress could be seen. While standing on thehill he was praying. Evidently he had stopped his horse to finish hisevening devotions.
"It is not Walgierz," thought the boy.
He had approached so close that he could touch the unknown man with hisspear. The man who evidently was a knight, smiled at him benevolently,and said:
"May Jesus Christ be praised!"
"For ages and ages."
"Is that the court of the Princess of Mazowsze below?"
"Yes, it is!"
"Then you come from Tyniec?"
But he did not receive any answer, because Zbyszko was so much surprisedthat he did not even hear the question. For a moment he stood like astatue, scarcely believing his own eyes, for, behold! about half afurlong behind the unknown man, he perceived several soldiers onhorseback, at the head of whom was riding a knight clad in full armor,with a white cloth mantle with a red cross on it, and with a steel helmethaving a magnificent peacock tuft in the crest.
"A Knight of the Cross!" whispered Zbyszko. Now he thought that God hadheard his prayers; that he had sent him the German knight for whom he hadasked in Tyniec. Surely he must take advantage of God's kindness;therefore without any hesitation,--before all these thoughts had hardlypassed through his head, before his astonishment had diminished,--he bentlow on the saddle, let down his spear and having uttered his familyshout: "Grady! Grady!" he rushed with the whole speed of his horseagainst the Knight of the Cross.
That knight was astonished also; he stopped his horse, and withoutlowering his spear, looked in front of him, uncertain whether the attackwas against him or not.
"Lower your spear!" shouted Zbyszko, pricking his horse with the ironpoints of the stirrups.
"Grady! Grady!"
The distance separating them began to diminish. The Knight of the Crossseeing that the attack was really against him, reined in his horse andpoised his spear. At the moment that Zbyszko's lance was nearly touchinghis chest, a powerful hand broke it like a reed; then the same handreined in Zbyszko's horse with such force, that the charger stopped asthough rooted to the ground.
"You crazy man, what are you doing?" said a deep, threatening voice; "youare attacking an envoy, you are insulting the king!"
Zbyszko glanced around and recognized the same gigantic man, whom he hadtaken for Walgierz, and who had frightened the princess and her court.
"Let me go against the German! Who are you?" he cried, seizing his axe.
"Away with the axe! for God's sake! Away with the axe, I say! I willthrow you from your horse!" shouted the stranger more threateningly. "Youhave offended the majesty of the king and you will be punished."
Then he turned toward the soldiers who were riding behind the Knight ofthe Cross.
"Come here!"
"At this time Macko appeared and his face looked threatening. Heunderstood that Zbyszko had acted like a madman and that the consequencesof this affair might be very serious; but he was ready to defend him justthe same. The whole retinue of the stranger and of the Knight of theCross contained only fifteen men, armed with spears and crossbows;therefore two knights in full armors could fight them with some hope ofbeing victorious. Macko also thought that as they were threatened withpunishment, it would be better perhaps to avoid it, by overcoming thesemen, and then hiding somewhere until the storm had passed over. Thereforehis face immediately contracted, like the jaws of a wolf ready to bite,and having pushed his horse between Zbyszko and the stranger's horse, hebegan to ask, meanwhile handling his sword:
"Who are you? What right have you to interfere?"
"My right is this," said the stranger, "that the king has intrusted to methe safety of the environs of Krakow, and they call me Powala of Taczew."
At these words, Macko and Zbyszko glanced at the knight, then returned totheir scabbards the half drawn swords and dropped their heads, notbecause they were frightened but in respect for this famous and verywell-known name. Powala of Taczew, a nobleman of a powerful family and amighty lord, possessor of large estates round Radom, was at the same timeone of the most famous knights in the kingdom. _Rybalts_ sang about himin their songs, citing him as an example of honor and gallantry, praisinghis name as much as the names of Zawisza of Garbow and Farurej, Skarbekof Gora, Dobek of Olesnica, Janko Nanszan, Mikolaj of Moskorzowo, andZandram of Maszkowic. At this moment he was the representative of theking, therefore to attack him was to put one's head under theexecutioner's axe.
Macko becoming cooler, said with deep respect:
"Honor and respect to you, sir, to your fame and to your gallantry."
"Honor to you also, sir," answered Powala; "but I would prefer to makeyour acquaintance under less serious circumstances."
"Why?" asked Macko.
Powala turned toward Zbyszko.
"What have you done, you youngster? You attacked an envoy on the publichighway in the king's presence! Do you know the consequences of such anact?"
"He attacked the envoy because he was young and stupid; therefore actionwas easier for him than reflection," said Macko. "But you will not judgehim so severely, after I tell you the whole story."
"It is not I who will judge him. My business is only to put him infetters."
"How is that?" said Macko, looking gloomy again.
"According to the king's command."
Silence followed these words.
"He is a nobleman," said Macko finally.
"Let him swear then upon his knightly honor, that he will appear at thecourt."
"I swear!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
"Very well. What do they call you?"
Macko mentioned the name and the coat of arms of his nephew.
"If you belong to Princess Janusz' court, beg her to intercede for youwith the king."
"We are not with her court. We are returning from Litwa, from PrinceWitold. Better for us if we had never met any court! This misfortune hascome from that."
Here Macko began to tell about what had happened in the inn; he spokeabout the meeting with the princess and about Zbyszko's vow. Thensuddenly he was filled with anger against Zbyszko, whose imprudence hadcaused their present dreadful plight; therefore, turning toward him, heexclaimed:
"I would have preferred to see you dead at Wilno! What have you done, youyoung of a wild boar!"
"Well," said Zbyszko, "after the vow, I prayed to the Lord Jesus to giveme some Germans; I promised him a present; therefore when I perceived thepeacock feathers, and also a mantle embroidered with a cross, immediatelysome voice cried within me: 'Strike the German! It is a miracle!' Well Irushed forward then; who would not have done it?"
"Listen," interrupted Powala, "I do not wish you any ev
il. I see clearlythat this youngster sinned rather from youthful giddiness than frommalice. I will be only too glad to ignore his deed and go forward as ifnothing had happened. But I cannot do this unless that _comthur_ willpromise that he will not complain to the king. Beseech him; perhaps healso will pity the lad."
"I prefer to go before the courts, than to bow to a _Krzyzak_!"[30]exclaimed Zbyszko. "It would not be befitting my dignity as a _wlodyka_."
Powala of Taczew looked at him severely and said:
"You do not act wisely. Old people know better than you, what is rightand what is befitting a knight's dignity. People have heard about me; butI tell you, that if I had acted as you have, I would not be ashamed toask forgiveness for such an offence."
Zbyszko felt ashamed; but having glanced around, answered:
"The ground is level here. Instead of asking him for forgiveness, I wouldprefer to fight him on horseback or on foot, till death or slavery."
"You are stupid!" interrupted Macko. "You wish then to fight the envoy?"
Here he turned to Powala:
"You must excuse him, noble lord. He became wild during the war. It willbe better if he does not speak to the German, because he may insult him.I will do it. I will entreat him to forgive. If this _comthur_ be willingto settle it by combat, after his mission is over, I will meet him."
"He is a knight of a great family; he will not encounter everybody,"answered Powala.
"What? Do I not wear a girdle and spurs? Even a prince may meet me."
"That is true; but do not tell him that, unless he mentions it himself; Iam afraid he will become angry if you do. Well, may God help you!"
"I am going to humiliate myself for your sake," said Macko to Zbyszko;"wait awhile!"
He approached the Knight of the Cross who had remained motionless on hisenormous stallion, looking like an iron statue, and had listened with thegreatest indifference to the preceding conversation. Macko having learnedGerman during the long wars, began to explain to the _comthur_ in his ownlanguage what had happened; he excused the boy on account of his youthand violent temper, and said that it had seemed to the boy as though Godhimself had sent the knight wearing a peacock tuft, and finally he beggedforgiveness for the offence.
The _comthur's_ face did not move. Calm and haughty he looked at Mackowith his steely eyes with great indifference, but also with greatcontempt. The _wlodyka_ of Bogdaniec noticed this. His words continued tobe courteous but his soul began to rebel. He talked with increasingconstraint and his swarthy face flushed. It was evident that in thepresence of this haughty pride, Macko was endeavoring to restrain hisanger.
Powala having noticed this, and having a kind heart, determined to helpMacko. He had learned to speak German while seeking knightly adventuresat the Hungarian, Burgundian and Bohemian courts, when he was young.Therefore he now said in that language in a conciliatory but jestingtone:
"You see, sir, the noble _comthur_ thinks that the whole affair isunimportant. Not only in our kingdom but in every country the youths areslightly crazy; but such a noble knight does not fight children, neitherby sword nor by law."
Lichtenstein touched his yellow moustache and moved on without a word,passing Macko and Zbyszko.
A dreadful wrath began to raise the hair under their helmets, and theirhands grasped their swords.
"Wait, you scoundrel!" said the elder _wlodyka_ through his set teeth;"now I will make a vow to you. I will seek you as soon as you havefinished your mission."
But Powala, whose heart began to bleed also, said:
"Wait! Now the princess must speak in favor of the boy; otherwise, woe tohim!"
Having said this, he followed the Knight of the Cross, stopped him andfor a while they talked with great animation. Macko and Zbyszko noticedthat the German knight did not look at Powala so proudly as he had atthem; this made them still more angry. After a while, Powala returned andsaid to them:
"I tried to intercede for you, but he is a hard man. He said that hewould not complain to the king if you would do what he requires."
"What?"
"He said thus: 'I will stop to greet the Princess of Mazowsze; let themcome, dismount, take off their helmets, and standing on the ground withuncovered heads, ask my forgiveness.'"
Here Powala looked sharply at Zbyszko, and added:
"I know it will be hard for people of noble birth to do this; but I mustwarn you, that if you refuse no one knows what you may expect,--perhapsthe executioner's sword."
The faces of Macko and Zbyszko became like stone. There was silence.
"What then?" asked Powala.
Zbyszko answered quietly and with great dignity as though during thisconversation he had grown twenty years older:
"Well, God's might is over all!"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that even if I had two heads and the executioner was going tocut off both, still I have only one honor which I will not stain."
Powala became grave and turning toward Macko, asked:
"And what do you say?"
"I say," answered Macko gloomily, "that I reared this youth fromchildhood. On him depends our family, because I am old; but he cannot dowhat the German asks, even if he must perish."
Here his grim face began to quiver and finally his love for his nephewburst forth with such strength, that he seized the boy in his arms, andbegan to shout:
"Zbyszku! Zbyszku!"[31]
The young knight was surprised and having returned his uncle's embrace,said:
"Aj! I did not know that you loved me so much."
"I see that you are both true knights," said Powala; "and as the youngman has promised me upon his knightly honor, that he will appear at thecourt, I will not imprison him; one can trust such people as you. No moregloomy thoughts! The German intends to stay in Tyniec a day or two;therefore I will have an opportunity to see the king first, and I willtry to tell him about this affair in such a way that his anger will notbe aroused. I am glad I succeeded in breaking the spear in time,--greatluck, I tell you!"
But Zbyszko said:
"Even if I had to lay down my life, I would like at least to have thesatisfaction of breaking his bones."
"It surprises me that you who know how to defend your own honor, do notunderstand that you would thus disgrace our whole nation!" impatientlyanswered Powala.
"I understand it very well," said Zbyszko; "but I regret my disabilityjust the same."
Powala turned toward Macko:
"Do you know, sir, that if this lad succeeds in escaping the penalty forhis offence, then you ought to put a cowl like a hawk's on his head!Otherwise he will not die a natural death."
"He will escape if you, sir, will not say anything to the king about theoccurrence."
"And what shall we do with the German? We cannot tie his tongue."
"That is true! That is true!"
Talking thus, they went back toward the princess' retinue. Powala'sservants followed them. From afar one could see amidst the Mazovian caps,the quivering peacock feathers of the Knight of the Cross and his brighthelmet shining in the sun.
"Strange is the nature of a _Krzyzak_," said the knight of Taczew. "Whena _Krzyzak_ is in a tight place, he will be as forbearing as a Franciscanmonk, as humble as a lamb and as sweet as honey; in fact, it would bedifficult to find a better man. But let him feel power behind him; thennobody will be more arrogant and merciless. It is evident that God gavethem stones for hearts. I have seen many different nations and I haveoften witnessed a true knight spare another who was weaker, saying tohimself; 'My fame will not increase if I trample this fallen foe.' But atsuch a time a _Krzyzak_ is implacable. Hold him by the throat, otherwisewoe to you! Such a man is that envoy! He wanted not only an apology, butalso your humiliation. But I am glad he failed."
"He can wait!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
"Be careful not to show him that you are troubled, because then he wouldrejoice."
After these words they approached the retinue and joined the princess'court. The
envoy of the _Krzyzaks_, having noticed them, immediatelyassumed an expression of pride and disdain; but they ignored him. Zbyszkostood at Danusia's side and began to tell her that from the hill onecould see Krakow; at the same time Macko was telling one of the _rybalts_about the extraordinary strength of the Pan of Taczew, who had broken thespear in Zbyszko's hand, as though it were a dry stem.
"And why did he break it?" asked the _rybalt_.
"Because the boy in fun attacked the German."
The _rybalt_, being a nobleman, did not consider such an attack a joke;but seeing that Macko spoke about it lightly, did not take it seriouslyeither. The German was annoyed by such conduct. He glanced at Macko andZbyszko. Finally be realized that they did not intend to dismount andthat they did not propose to pay any attention to him. Then somethinglike steel shone in his eyes, and he immediately began to bid theprincess adieu.
The Lord of Taczew could not abstain from deriding him and at the momentof departure he said to him:
"Go without fear, brave knight. The country is quiet and nobody willattack you, except some careless child."
"Although the customs of this country are strange, I was seeking yourcompany and not your protection," answered Lichtenstein; "I expect tomeet you again at the court and elsewhere."
In the last words a hidden menace rang; therefore Powala answeredgravely:
"If God will permit."
Having said this, he saluted and turned away; then he shrugged hisshoulders and said in an undertone, but loud enough to be heard by thosewho were near:
"Gaunt! I could lift you from the saddle with the point of my spear, andhold you in the air during three _pater-nosters_."[32]
Then he began to talk with the princess with whom he was very wellacquainted. Anna Danuta asked him what he was doing on the highway. Hetold her that the king had commanded him to keep order in the environswhile there were so many wealthy guests going to Krakow. Then he told herabout Zbyszko's foolish conduct. But having concluded that there would beplenty of time to ask the princess to protect Zbyszko, he did not put anystress on the incident, not wishing to spoil the gaiety. The princesslaughed at the boy, because he was so anxious to obtain the peacock tuft;the others, having learned about the breaking of the spear, admired theLord of Taczew very much, especially as he did it with one hand only.
And he, being a little vain, was pleased because they praised him.Finally he began to tell about some of the exploits which made his namefamous; especially those he performed in Burgundia, at the court ofPhilip the Courageous. There one time, during a tournament, he seized anArdenian knight, pulled him out of the saddle and threw him in the air,notwithstanding that the knight was in full armor. For that exploit,Philip the Courageous presented him with a gold chain and the queen gavehim a velvet slipper, which he wore on his helmet.
Upon hearing this, all were very much amazed, except Mikolaj of Dlugolas,who said:
"In these effeminate times, there are not such strong men as there werewhen I was young. If a nobleman now happens to shatter a cuirass, to benda crossbow without the aid of the crank, or to bend a cutlass between hisfingers, he immediately considers himself a very strong man. But in timesof yore, girls could do such deeds."
"I don't deny that formerly there were stronger people," answered Powala;"but even now there are some strong men. God did not stint me instrength, but I do not consider myself the strongest in this kingdom.Have you ever seen Zawisza of Garbow? He can surpass me."
"I have seen him. He has shoulders broad like a rampart."
"And Dobko of Olesnica? Once at the tournament given in Torun by theKnights of the Cross, he defeated twelve knights for his own and ournation's glory."
"But our Mazur, Staszko Ciolek, was stronger, sir, than you or yourZawisza and Dobko. They say that he took a peg made from green wood inhis hand and pressed the sap out of it."[33]
"I can press the sap out myself," said Zbyszko. And before anyone couldask him to prove it, he broke a branch which he pressed so strongly, thatreally the sap began to ooze from it.
"Aj, Jesus!" exclaimed Ofka of Jarzombkow; "don't go to the war; it wouldbe a pity if such an one should perish before his marriage."
"It would indeed be a pity!" replied Macko, suddenly becoming sorrowful.
But Mikolaj of Dlugolas laughed as did also the princess. The others,however, praised Zbyszko's strength, and as in those times might wasappreciated more than any other quality, the young girls cried toDanusia: "Be glad!" She was glad although she could not then understandwhat benefit she would receive from that piece of compressed wood.Zbyszko having forgotten all about the _Krzyzak_ now looked so proud,that Mikolaj of Dlugolas wishing to curb his pride, said:
"There are better men than you; therefore do not be so proud of yourstrength. I did not see it, but my father was a witness of something moredifficult which happened at the court of Charles, the Roman emperor. KingKazimierz went to pay him a visit and with him went many courtiers. Amongthese courtiers was Staszko Ciolek, son of _Wojewoda_[34] Andrzej, whowas noted for his strength. The emperor began to boast that he had aCzech who could strangle a bear. They had an exhibition and the Czechstrangled two bears in succession. Our king not wishing to be outdone,said: 'But he cannot overcome my Ciolek.' They agreed that they shouldfight in three days' time. Many ladies and famous knights came, and theCzech and Ciolek grappled in the yard of the castle; but the contest didnot last long; hardly had they come together before Ciolek broke thebackbone of the Czech, crushed all his ribs, and left him dead to thegreat glory of the king.[35] They have called him since thenLomignat.[36] Once he placed without help, a bell which twelve men couldnot move from its place."[37]
"How old was he?" asked Zbyszko.
"He was young!"
In the meantime, Powala of Taczew, while riding at the princess' righthand, bent toward her and told her the truth about the importance ofZbyszko's adventure, and asked her to speak to the king in Zbyszko'sbehalf. The princess being fond of Zbyszko, received this news withsadness and became very uneasy.
"The Bishop of Krakow is a friend of mine," said Powala; "I will ask himand also the queen to intercede; but the more protectors he has, thebetter it will be for the lad."
"If the queen will promise to say one word in his favor, not a hair willfall from his head," said Anna Danuta; "the king worships her for herpiety and for her dowry, and especially now, when the shame of sterilityhas been taken from her. But the king's beloved sister, Princess Ziemowitlives in Krakow; you must go to her. For my part I will do anything Ican; but the princess is his own sister, and I am only his first cousin."
"The king loves you also, gracious lady."
"Ej, but not as much," she answered with a certain sadness; "for me alink, for her a whole chain; for me a fox skin, for her a sable. He lovesnone of his relations as dearly as he loves Alexandra."
Thus talking, they approached Krakow. The highway which was crowded onthe road from Tyniec, was still more crowded here. They met countrymengoing with their servants to the city, sometimes armed and sometimes insummer clothing and straw hats. Some of them were on horseback; sometraveled in carriages, with their wives and daughters, who wished to seethe long looked for tournaments. In some places the whole road wascrowded with merchants' wagons which could not pass Krakow until the tollwas paid. They carried in these wagons wax, grain, salt, fish, skins,hemp and wood. Others came from the city loaded with cloth, barrels ofbeer and different merchandise. One could now see Krakow very well; theking's gardens, lords' and burghers' houses surrounded the city; beyondthem were the walls and the towers of the churches. The nearer they cameto the city the greater was the traffic and at the gates it was almostimpossible to pass.
"What a city! There is no other like it in the world," said Macko.
"It is always like a fair," answered one of the _rybalts_; "how longsince you were here, sir?"
"A very long time ago. I wonder at it just as much as if I saw it now forthe first time, because we are returning from a wild co
untry."
"They say that Krakow has grown very much since the time of KingJagiello."
This was true; after the grand duke of Litwa ascended the throne,enormous Lithuanian and Russian countries were opened for commerce;because of this the city had increased in population, richness andbuildings, and had become one of the most important cities in the world.
"The cities of the Knights of the Cross are very beautiful also," saidthe larger _rybalt_.
"If only we could capture one of them," said Macko. "Worthy booty wecould get!"
But Powala of Taczew was thinking about something else; namely, ofZbyszko, who was in peril because of his stupid blind fury. The Pan ofTaczew, fierce and implacable in the time of war, had in his powerfulbreast, however, the heart of a dove; he realized better than the otherswhat punishment awaited the offender; therefore he pitied him.
"I ponder and ponder," said he again to the princess, "whether to tellthe king of the incident or not. If the _Krzyzak_ does not complain,there will be no case; but if he should complain, perhaps it would bebetter to tell the king everything beforehand, so that he will not becomeangry."
"If the _Krzyzak_ has an opportunity to ruin somebody, he will do it,"answered the princess; "but I will tell that young man to join our court.Perhaps the king will be more lenient to one of our courtiers."
She called Zbyszko, who having had his position explained to him, jumpedfrom his horse, kissed her hands and became with the greatest pleasureone of her courtiers, not so much for greater safety, as because he couldnow remain nearer Danusia.
Powala asked Macko:
"Where will you stay?"
"In an inn."
"There is no room in any inn now."
"Then we will go to merchant Amylej, he is an acquaintance of mine,perhaps he will let us pass the night in his house."
"Accept hospitality in my house. Your nephew can stay with the princess'courtiers in the castle; but it will be better for him not to be near theking. What one does in the first paroxysm of anger, one would not doafterward. You will be more comfortable and safe with me."
Macko had become uneasy because Powala thought so much about theirsafety; he thanked Powala with gratitude and they entered the city. Buthere they both as well as Zbyszko forgot for a while about danger in thepresence of the wonders they saw before them. In Lithuania and on thefrontier, they had only seen single castles, and the only city of anyimportance which they knew was Wilno, a badly built and ruined town; buthere many of the merchants' houses were more magnificent than the grandduke's palace in Lithuania. It is true that there were many woodenhouses; but even these astonished them by the loftiness of their wallsand roofs; also by the windows, made of glass balls, set in lead which soreflected the rays of the setting sun, that one would imagine that therewas fire in the houses. In the streets near the market place, there weremany highly ornamented houses of red brick, or of stone. They stood sideby side like soldiers; some of them, broad; others, narrow; but all loftywith vaulted halls, very often having the sign of the Passion of our LordJesus Christ or an image of the Most Holy Virgin over the door. Therewere some streets, on which one could see two rows of houses, over them astripe of blue sky, between them, a road paved with stones; and on bothsides as far as one could see stores and stores. These were full of thebest foreign goods, at which being accustomed to war and the capture ofbooty, Macko looked with a longing eye. But both were still moreastonished at the sight of the public buildings; the church of PannaMaryia on the square; the _sukiennice_;[38] the city hall with itsgigantic cellar, in which they were selling beer from Swidnica; otherchurches, depots of broadcloth, the enormous "_mercatorium_," devoted tothe use of foreign merchants; then a building in which were the publicscales, bath houses, cooper works, wax works, silver works, gold works,breweries, the mountains of barrels round the so-called Schrotamto,--in aword, riches which a man not familiar with the city, even though awell-to-do possessor of a _grodek_, could not even imagine.
Powala conducted Macko and Zbyszko to his house situated on Saint AnnaStreet, assigned a large room to them, recommended them to hisshield-bearers, and then went to the castle, from which he returned forsupper quite late at night.
A few friends accompanied him, and they enjoyed the plentiful repast ofwine and meat. The host alone was sorrowful. When finally the guestsdeparted, he said to Macko:
"I spoke to a canon, able in writing and in the law, who says, that aninsult to an envoy is a capital offence. Therefore pray God, that the_Krzyzak_ may not complain."
Hearing this, both knights, who, during the feast had exceeded the otherguests in mirth, retired with sorrowful hearts. Macko could not evensleep and after a while when they were in bed, he said to his nephew:
"Zbyszku?"
"What?"
"I have considered everything and I do not think they will execute you."
"You do not think so?" asked Zbyszko, in a sleepy voice.
Having turned toward the wall, he fell sound asleep, because he was veryweary.
The next day, both _wlodykas_ of Bogdaniec, went with Powala to morningmass in the cathedral, for devotion and also to see the court and theguests who had arrived at the castle. In fact, on the way Powala met manyacquaintances, and among them several knights famous at home and abroad.At these Zbyszko looked with admiration, promising himself that if heescaped death for the insult to Lichtenstein, he would try to rival themin gallantry and in all knightly virtues. One of these knights,Toporczyk, a relative of the castellan of Krakow, told them that WojciechJastrzembiec had returned from Rome, where he had been sent to PopeBonifacius IX. with the king's invitation to the christening at Krakow.Bonifacius accepted the invitation; and although it was doubtful whetherhe would be able to come personally, he authorized the envoy to standgodfather for the coming child in his name; and he asked that the nameBonifacius or Bonifacia be given to the child as a proof of hisparticular love for the king and the queen.
They also spoke of the arrival of the Hungarian king, Sigismundus; theyexpected him positively, because he always came, invited or not, wheneverthere was an opportunity for feasts and tournaments. Of these he was veryfond, because he desired to be famous the world over as a ruler, a singerand the first among knights. Powala, Zawisza of Garbow, Dobko ofOlesnica, Naszan and others of the same rank, recollected with a smilethat during Sigismundus' first visit, King Wladyslaw requested themprivately not to attack him very fiercely, but to spare "the Hungarianguest," whose vanity, known throughout the world, used to make him cry incase of defeat. But the most interest was excited among the knights byWitold's affairs. They told marvelous tales about the magnificence ofthat cradle, made of sterling silver, which the Lithuanian princes and_bojars_[39] had brought as a present from Witold and his wife, Anna.Macko told about the proposed enormous expedition against the Tartars.The expedition was almost ready, and a great army had already goneeastward toward Rus'. If it were successful, it would extend the king'ssupremacy over almost half the world, to the unknown Asiatic countries,to the frontier of Persia and to the shores of the Aral. Macko, whoformerly served under Witold and knew his plans, could tell about them soaccurately and even so eloquently, that before the bells were rung formass, a large circle of curious people had formed around him. He saidthat the question was simply about a crusade. "Witold himself," he said,"although they call him a grand duke, rules over Litwa by Jagiello'sauthority; he is only viceroy, therefore the renown will be the king's.What fame it will be for the newly baptized Lithuanians and for the mightof Poland, when the united armies carry the cross to those countrieswhere, if they mention the Saviour's name at all, it is only toblaspheme! When the Polish and Lithuanian armies restore Tochtamysh tothe throne of Kapchak, he will acknowledge himself "the son" of KingWladyslaw, and he has promised to bow to the cross with the whole ZlotaOrda."
The people listened to Macko with great attention; but many did notthoroughly understand what people Witold intended to help nor againstwhom he intended to fight; therefore some one ask
ed:
"Tell exactly with whom is the war to be?"
"With whom? With Tymur the Lame!" replied Macko.
There was a moment of silence. It is true the eastern knights often heardthe names of Golden, of Blue, of Azovian and of other Ords; but they werenot familiar with the civil wars of the Tartars. Nevertheless there wasnot one man in Europe, who had not heard about the terrible Tymur theLame, or Tamerlan. This name was heard with no less fear than of old wasthe name of Attila. He was "lord of the world" and "lord of ages;" theruler over twenty-seven conquered states: the ruler of MoskiewskoyRussia; ruler of Siberia and of China as far as the Indies; of Bagdad, ofIspahan, of Alep, of Damascus--whose shadow was falling over the sands ofArabia, on Egypt, and on Bosphorus in the Greek empire; he was theexterminator of mankind; the terrible builder of pyramids composed ofhuman skulls; he was the conqueror in all battles, never conquered inany, "lord of souls and of bodies."
Tochtamysh had been placed by him on the throne of the Golden and theBlue Ords,[40] and acknowledged as "the son." But when his sovereignauthority extended from Aral to Crimea, over more lands than were in therest of Europe, "the son" wanted to be an independent ruler. For this hewas deposed from his throne with "one finger" of the terrible father; heescaped to the Lithuanian governor and asked him for help. Witold decidedto restore him to his throne; but to do this it was necessary to vie withthe world-ruling Tymur the Lame.
For these reasons his name made a great impression on the audience, andafter a short silence, one of the oldest knights, Kazko of Jaglow, said:
"A difficult business!"
"And for a trifle," said the prudent Mikolaj of Dlugolas. "Whatdifference will it make to us, whether Tochtamysh or some Kutluk rulesover the sons of Belial who dwell beyond the tenth-land?"
"Tochtamysh will turn to the Christian faith," answered Macko.
"He will or he will not! Can you trust dog-brothers, who do not confessChrist?"
"But we are ready to lay down our lives for Christ's name," answeredPowala.
"And for knightly honor," added Toporczyk, the relative of the castellan;"there are some among us however who will not go. The Lord _Wojewoda,Spytko of Melsztyn_ has a young and beloved wife, but he has alreadyjoined _Kniaz_ Witold."
"No wonder," added Jasko Naszan; "no matter how hideous a sin you have onyour soul, pardon and salvation are sure for those who fight in such awar."
"And fame for ages and ages," said Powala of Taczew. "Let us then have awar, and it will be better if it be a great war. Tymur has conquered theworld and has twenty-seven states under him. It will be an honor for ournation if we defeat him."
"Why not?" answered Toporczyk, "even if he possesses a hundred kingdoms,let others be afraid of him--not us! You speak wisely! Let us gathertogether ten thousand good spearmen, and we will pass round the world."
"And what nation should conquer The Lame, if not ours?"
Thus the knights conversed. Zbyszko was sorry now because he did not gowith Witold to the wild steppes. But when he was in Wilno, he wanted tosee Krakow and its court and take part in the tournaments; but now hefears that he will find disgrace here at the court, while there on thesteppes even at the worst, he would have found a glorious death.
But the aged Kazko of Jaglow, who was a hundred years old, and whosecommon sense corresponded to his age, discouraged the zealous knights.
"You are stupid!" said he. "Is it possible that none of you have beardthat Christ's image spoke to the queen? If the Saviour himself condescendto such familiarity, then why will the Holy Ghost, who is the thirdperson of the Trinity, be less kind to her. Therefore she sees futureevents, as if they were passing before her, and she has thus spoken:"
Here he stopped for a while, shook his head, and then said:
"I have forgotten what she prophesied, but I will soon recollect."
He began to think, and they waited silently, because the popular beliefwas that the queen could see the future.
"Aha!" said he, finally, "I remember now! The queen said, that if everyknight went with Witold against The Lame-Man, then heathenish power wouldbe destroyed. But all cannot go because of the dishonesty of Christianlords. We are obliged to guard the boundaries from the attacks of theCzechs and the Hungarians and also from the attacks of the Order, becausewe cannot trust any of them. Therefore if Witold go with only a handfulof Polish warriors, then Tymur the Lame, or his _wojewodas_, coming withinnumerable hosts, will defeat him."
"But we are at peace now," said Toporczyk, "and the Order will give someassistance to Witold. The Knights of the Cross cannot act otherwise, ifonly for the sake of appearances, and to show to the holy father thatthey are ready to fight the pagans. The courtiers say that Kuno vonLichtenstein came not entirely for the christening, but also to consultwith the king."
"Here he is!" exclaimed the astonished Macko.
"True!" said Powala, turning his head. "So help me God, it is he! He didnot stay long with the abbot."
"He is in a hurry," answered Macko, gloomily.
Kuno von Lichtenstein passed them. Macko and Zbyszko recognized him bythe cross embroidered on his mantle; but he did not recognize either ofthem because he had seen them before with their helmets on. Passing by,he nodded to Powala of Taczew, and to Toporczyk; then with hisshield-bearers, he ascended the stairs of the cathedral, in a majesticand stately manner.
At that moment the bells resounded, frightening flocks of doves andjackdaws, and announcing that mass would soon begin. Macko and Zbyszkoentered the church with the others, feeling troubled about Lichtenstein'squick return. The older _wlodyka_ was very uneasy, but the young one'sattention was attracted by the king's court. He was surrounded by notedmen, famous in war and in counsel. Many of those by whose wisdom themarriage of the grand duke of Lithuania with the young and beautifulqueen of Poland, had been planned and accomplished, were now dead; but afew of them were still living, and at these, all looked with the greatestrespect. The young knight could not admire enough the magnificent figureof Jasko of Tenczyn, castellan of Krakow, in which sternness was unitedwith dignity and honesty; he admired the wise countenances of thecounsellors and the powerful faces of the knights whose hair was cutevenly on their foreheads, and fell in long curls on their sides andbacks. Some of them wore nets, others wore bands to keep the hair inorder. The foreign guests, Hungarian and Austrian, and their attendants,were amazed at the great elegance of the costumes; the Lithuanian princesand _bojars_, notwithstanding the summer heat, were dressed for the sakeof pompous display in costly furs; the Russian princes wore large stiffdresses, and in the background they looked like Byzantine pictures. Withthe greatest curiosity Zbyszko awaited the appearance of the king and thequeen. He advanced toward the stalls behind which he could see the redvelvet cushions near the altar, on which the king and the queen kneeledduring mass.
He did not wait long; the king entered first, through the vestry door,and before he reached the altar one could have a good look at him. He hadlong, dark, disheveled hair; his face was thin and clean shaven; he had alarge pointed nose and some wrinkles around his mouth. His eyes weresmall, dark, and shining. His face had a kind but cautious look, likethat of a man who having risen by good luck to a position far beyond hisexpectations, is obliged to think continually whether his actionscorrespond to his dignity and who is afraid of malicious criticism. Thisalso was the reason why in his face and in his movements there was acertain impatience. It was very easy to understand that his anger wouldbe sudden and dreadful. He was that prince, who being angered at thefrauds of the Knights of the Cross, shouted after their envoy: "Thoucomest to me with a parchment, but I will come to thee with a spear!"
But now this natural vehemence was restrained by great and sincere piety.He set a good example, not only to the recently converted Lithuanianprinces, but even to the Polish lords, pious for generations. Often theking kneeled, for the greater mortification of the flesh, on bare stones;often having raised his hands, he held them uplifted until they droppedwith fatigue. He attend
ed at least three masses every day. After mass heleft the church as if just awakened from slumber, soothed and gentle. Thecourtiers knew that it was the best time to ask him either for pardon, orfor a gift.
Jadwiga entered through the vestry door also. Seeing her enter, theknights standing near the stalls, immediately kneeled, although mass hadnot begun, voluntarily paying her homage as to a saint. Zbyszko did thesame; nobody in this assembly doubted that he really saw a saint, whoseimage would some time adorn the church altars. Besides the respect due toa queen, they almost worshipped her on account of her religious and holylife. It was reported that the queen could perform miracles. They saidthat she could cure the sick by touching them with her hand; that peoplewho could not move their legs nor their arms, were able to do it, afterthey put on a dress which the queen had worn. Trustworthy witnessesaffirmed that they had heard with their own ears, Christ speak to herfrom the altar. Foreign monarchs worshipped her on their knees and eventhe Order of the Knights of the Cross respected her and feared to offendher. Pope Bonifacius IX. called her the pious and chosen daughter of thechurch. The world looked at her deeds and remembered that this child ofthe Andegavian[41] house and Polish Piasts[42], this daughter of thepowerful Louis, a pupil of the most fastidious of courts, and also one ofthe most beautiful women on earth, renounced happiness, renounced herfirst love and being a queen married a "wild" prince of Lithuania, inorder to bring to the cross, by his help, the last pagan nation inEurope. That which could not be accomplished by the forces of all theGermans, by a sea of poured out blood, was done with one word from her.Never did the glory of an apostle shine over a younger and more charmingforehead; never was the apostleship united with equal self-denial; neverwas the beauty of a woman lighted with such angelic kindness and suchquiet sadness.
Therefore minstrels sang about her in all the European courts; knightsfrom the remotest countries came to Krakow to see this "Queen of Poland;"her own people loved her, as the pupil of the eye and their power andglory had increased by her marriage with Jagiello. Only one great sorrowhung over her and the nation; for long years this child of God had had noissue.
But now this sorrow had passed away and the joyful news of God's blessingon the queen sped like lightning from the Baltic to the Black Sea, alsoto Karpaty[43] and filled with joy all peoples of this powerful kingdom.In all foreign courts, except in the capital of the Knights of the Cross,the news was received with pleasure. In Rome "Te Deum" was sung. In theprovinces of Poland the belief was firmly established, that anything the"Saint lady" asked of God, would be granted.
Therefore there came to her people to beseech her, that she ask healthfor them; there came envoys from the provinces and from other countries,to ask that she pray according to their need, either for rain, or forfair weather for harvesting; for lucky moving time; for abundant fishingin the lakes or for game in the forests.
Those knights, living in castles and _grodeks_ on the frontier, whoaccording to the custom learned from the Germans, had become robbers orwaged war among themselves, at the command of the queen, put their swordsin their scabbards, released their prisoners without ransom, restoredstolen herds and clasped hands in friendship. All kinds of misery, allkinds of poverty crowded the gates of her castle in Krakow. Her purespirit penetrated human hearts, softened the hard lot of the serfs, thegreat pride of the lords, the unjust severity of the judges, and hoveredlike a dove of happiness, like an angel of justice and peace, over thewhole country.
No wonder then that all were awaiting with anxious hearts for the day ofblessing.
The knights looked closely at the figure of the queen, to see if theycould ascertain how long they would be obliged to wait for the futureheir to the throne. The _ksiondz_[44] bishop of Krakow, Wysz, who wasalso the ablest physician in the country, and famous even abroad, had notannounced when the delivery would occur. They were making somepreparation; but it was the custom at that time to begin all festivals asearly as possible, and to prolong them for weeks. In fact the figure ofthe lady, although a little rounded, had retained until now its formergrandeur. She was dressed with excessive simplicity. Formerly, havingbeen brought up at a brilliant court, and being more beautiful than anyof the contemporary princesses, she was fond of costly fabrics, ofchains, pearls, gold bracelets and rings; but now and even for severalyears past, she not only wore the dress of a nun, but she even coveredher face, fearing that the thoughts of her beauty might arouse in herworldly vanity. In vain Jagiello, having learned of her condition, in arapture of joy ordered her sleeping apartment to be decorated withbrocade and jewels. Having renounced all luxury, and remembering that thetime of confinement is often the time of death, she decided that notamong jewels, but in quiet humility she ought to receive the blessingwhich God had promised to send her.
Meanwhile the gold and jewels went to establish a college and to send thenewly converted Lithuanian youths to foreign universities.
The queen agreed only to change her monastical dress, and from the timethat the hope of maternity was changed to positive certainty, she did notveil her face, thinking that the dress of a penitent was no longerproper.
Consequently everybody was now looking with love at that beautiful face,to which neither gold, nor precious stones could add any charm. The queenwalked slowly from the vestry door toward the altar, with uplifted eyes,holding in one hand a book, in the other a rosary. Zbyszko saw thelily-like face, the blue eyes, and the angelic features full of peace,kindness and mercy, and his heart began to throb with emotion. He knewthat according to God's command he ought to love the king and the queen,and he did in his way; but now his heart overflowed with a great love,which did not come by command, but burst forth like a flame; his heartwas also filled with the greatest worship, humility and desire forsacrifice. The young _wlodyka_ Zbyszko was impetuous; therefore a desireimmediately seized him, to show in some way that love and thefaithfulness of a knight; to accomplish some deed for her; to rushsomewhere, to conquer some one and to risk his own life for it all. "Ihad better go with _Kniaz_ Witold," he said to himself, "because how canI serve the holy lady, if there is no war here." He did not stop to thinkthat one can serve in other ways as well as with sword or spear or axe;he was ready to attack alone the whole power of Tymur the Lame. He wantedto jump on his charger immediately after mass and begin something. What?He did not know himself. He only knew, that he could not hold anything,that his hands were burning and his whole soul was on fire.
He forgot all about the danger which threatened him. He even forgot aboutDanusia, and when he remembered her, having heard the children singing inthe church, he felt that this love was something different. He hadpromised Danusia fidelity; he had promised her three Germans and he wouldkeep his promise. But the queen is above all women. While he was thinkinghow many people he would like to kill for the queen, he perceivedregiments of armors, helmets, ostrich feathers, peacocks' crests, and hefelt that even that would be small in proportion to his desire.
He looked at her constantly, pondering with overflowing heart, how hecould honor her by prayer, because he thought that one could not make anordinary prayer for a queen. He could say: _Pater noster, qui es incoelis, sanctificetur nomen Tuum_, because a certain Franciscan monktaught him this in Wilno; but it may be that the Franciscan himself didnot know more; it may be that Zbyszko had forgotten; but it is certainthat he could not recite the whole "Our Father." But now he began torepeat these few words which in his soul had the following meaning: "Giveour beloved lady good health, long life and great happiness; care for hermore than for anyone else."
As this was repeated by a man over whose head punishment was suspended,therefore there was no more sincere prayer in the whole church.
The Knights of the Cross, or, Krzyzacy: Historical Romance Page 5