Chapter 65 Chapter Thirty-One

Zbyszko greeted the princess of Plotsk and offered to serve her faithfully; but the princess did not recognize the young knight at first, for she had not seen him for a long time.It was not until Zbyszko gave her name that she said to him: "Oh, I thought you were the king's squire. You are Zbyszko of Bogdaniec! No! Your uncle, the old knight from Bogdaniec, was once our guest , I remember that when he told us your sad story, we all burst into tears. "Have you found your lady? Where is she now?" "She is dead, most merciful lady..." "Oh, Jesus! Don't tell me such news, I am so sad that I am ready to cry. The only consolation is that she must be in heaven, and you are young. Great God! Poor little man is dead— — Every woman's life is so fragile. But there is compensation for everything in Paradise; you will find her there! Has the old knight from Bogdaniec come with you?"

"No, he is now a captive in the hands of the Crusader knights, and I am going to redeem him." "Oh, he's out of luck, too. I think he's a very clever man, a man of ingenuity. How are you going to redeem him? Will you come to us someday? I'm glad you're my guest. I tell you frankly, he is very clever, just as you are very generous." "Good lady, I have come here to beg you to intercede for my uncle." "Well, then come tomorrow morning before we go hunting. I'll be free then..." Then the sound of horns and drums announcing the arrival of Princess Janusz of Masovia interrupted her.The Duchess of Plotsk and Zbyszko were standing very close to the door, so Grand Duchess Anna Danu immediately caught sight of the young knight and went up to him, not paying attention to her master— Archon's bow.

Zbyszko's heart broke again at the sight of Anna Danuda.He knelt down in front of her and hugged her knees silently.She bent over him, rubbing his temples tenderly with her hands, and tears fell on his fair hair, like a mother weeping for the misfortune of her own son.To the amazement of the court and the guests, she wept for a long time, cried out "O Jesus, merciful Jesus!" and lifted Zbyszko up, saying: "I wept for her, for my own dear Danuska; and for you. But God dooms your labors to be in vain, as our tears are now in vain. Thou hast her and Tell me about the circumstances of her death. I'd like to hear it, and even if it comes to midnight, I don't think it's too long."

So she pulled him aside like Chavisha did just now.Those who did not know Zbyszko and what had happened to him asked one another about his misfortune.So for a while there was talk of Zbyszko, Danusia, and Jurand.The envoys of the Knights of the Crusaders - Friedrich von Winton (this "Comto" of Trogne was sent to see the king) and Johann von Schonfeld, Osterot "Liamto"—also inquired about Zbyszko. Johann von Schonfeld was born in Silesia, though he was a German. He spoke Polish very well, and he recognized He knew what they were talking about. He had heard the whole story from Jasco of Chapilza, court valet to Duke Janusi.

It is said that the Grand Master himself suspected Dunwiert and de Lauf of this dastardly deed. But Schonfeld immediately thought that this kind of talk would seriously damage the reputation of the Knights, and would cast a shadow on them, just like the shadow that fell on the Knights Templar in the past, so he hastened to declare that this was just gossip, and said: There is no factual basis, there is no such person in the Knights of the Crusaders. ①——The Knights Templar organized in Jerusalem in 1919.King Philip IV of France fought against the Knights Templar for a long time, and the Knights Templar was eliminated in the early fourteenth century.

But Lord Tachev, standing beside him, retorted: "Those who prevent Lithuania from being baptized will also hate the cross." "We all have crosses on our cloaks," replied Schonfeld haughtily. "But there must also be a cross in the heart," Povara replied. Then the trumpets sounded louder, and the King entered, followed by the Catholic of Gniezno, the Bishop of Cracow, the Bishop of Plotsk, the Governor of Cracow, and many other ministers and court attendants. .Among the court were Sentram of Mahikovich, with the sun on his shield, and the young Duke Jamont, the king's bodyguard.The king hasn't changed much since Zbyszko saw him in Krakow.His cheeks were still bright and red, his long hair was still brushing behind his ears, and his eyes were still shining.Zbyszko felt that the only difference was that the king was more dignified and behaved more solemnly, because he felt that his throne was more secure than when Queen Jadwija ​​died (he was about to abdicate and did not know whether he would re-enthronement), and as if aware of his own great strength and power.At his side were the two Dukes and Duchesses of Masovia.Kneeling in front were the invited German envoys, surrounded by ministers and court nobles.The courtyard walls vibrated with the incessant shouts, horns, and drums.

When the uproar had subsided, the envoy of the Knights of the Crusaders, Von Winton, spoke of the Order; but as soon as the King heard what he meant, he waved it impatiently, and uttered his usual stern voice. said: "Don't talk about it! We are here to eat, drink and have fun, not to see your parchment documents and listen to your claims of your rights." But in order not to make the crusader knights think that he was angry with him, he smiled gently again, and added: "When we arrive at Rajunza, there will be enough time to talk to the grand master about the knight order."

Then he said to Prince Ziemowit: "Shall we go hunting in the forest tomorrow?" That question was an announcement that there was nothing else to be said that night but the hunting tomorrow; he loved hunting very much, and that was the only reason he went to Masovia, because there are very few forests in Lesser Poland and Greater Poland , and in some places the forests have been almost cleared for cultivation. The countenances of all present were radiant, and it was known that the king was cheerful and kind when talking of the hunt.Prince Ziemowit told him where they were going hunting and what kind of game they would hunt.Duke Janusi sent a courtier to the city to fetch his two experienced hunters, who would drive the bison out of the paddock with horns and break the bear's bones, and the duke wanted them to be in the King's Show your skills in front of you.

Zbyszko would have liked to go closer and pay homage to the king, but the crowd was too great to pass.Prince Jamont, who had apparently forgotten the blunt answer the young knight had given him in Krakow so long ago, nodded cheerfully at Zbyszko and winked, letting him know how to approach him.But at that moment a hand touched Zbyszko's arm, and a melancholy and soft voice called out from beside him: "Zbyszko!" The young knight turned his head and saw Jagienka already in front of him.As he had been busy greeting Prince and Duchess Ziemowit and Prince and Duchess Janussi, he had not been able to approach her.So Jagienka took advantage of the commotion of the king's arrival and went up to him herself.

"Zbyszko," she cried again, "may God and our Most Holy Mother comfort you!" "May God reward your kindness!" answered the young knight, looking gratefully into her tear-filled blue eyes.Then both were silent--though to him Jagienka was like an amiable, sad-faced sister before him, yet, seeing her queenly posture, he dared not speak to her for a moment. Besides, she was dressed in such a splendid palace dress that she was completely different from the Jagienka whom he had known in Zgotsyriti and Bogdaniets; Apart from this answer, there is nothing to talk to her about.

One only needs to look at their faces to know that both sides are a little embarrassed.Fortunately there was a sudden commotion in the courtyard at this time, and the king sat down and feasted.Princess Anna went up to Zbyszko again and asked him to serve her as before in Cracow. The young knight was therefore obliged to leave Jagienka, and when the guests were seated, he stood behind the princess's chair, serving dishes, serving water and wine.While he was busy waiting, he could not help but glance at Jagienka from time to time.Jagienka, as lady-in-waiting to the princess of Plotsk, sat next to her, and he could not help admiring the girl's beauty.Jagienka had grown considerably in recent years.But her change was not chiefly in the increase in stature, but in her dignified manner.She had never had such a demeanor in the past.She used to wear a fur coat, ride a horse, and gallop through the woods; her hair was tangled and full of leaves, and people would mistake her for a country girl; but now, at a glance, she looks like A lady from a noble family.Her appearance was composed and unblemished.Zbyszko, too, noticed that her old briskness had disappeared, but he was not surprised, and attributed it to her father's death.What surprised him most was her dignified manner.At first glance it seemed to him that her appearance was due to the richness of her dress.So I couldn't stop looking, now at the headband that bounded her snow-white forehead and her jet-black braids, and the two braids hanging down her back; She saw her graceful figure and virginal breast; "What a princess," he said to himself, and decided that the transformation could not be attributed to fine dress alone.Even if she was wearing an ordinary fur coat now, he would not dare to be familiar with her as he had done in Zgotrilici. He also saw many young and old knights glance greedily at Jagienka.Once, when he was changing a dish for the Duchess, he suddenly saw de Rausch looking at her with ecstasy, almost like a saint.Seeing this, Zbyszko became angry.The deeds of the knight Gertly could not escape the eyes of the Duchess Janusi; she saw this, and said: "Look at De Lauche! I believe he's in love with someone again, because he's completely dazzled." She bent slightly over the table, glanced at Jagienka, and said: "Really! All the little candles pale before such a torch!" But Zbyszko was attracted to Jagienka because she was like a kinsman to him, like a beloved sister; he felt that he could not find a better companion to share his sorrow, no To a heart full of sympathy like hers; but that night he could not speak to her, while he was serving the Duchess, and at the banquet, now the singer sang, now the trumpeter blew loudly tone, making it impossible to talk.The two duchesses and the ladies-in-waiting left the king's banquet very early.Only the two dukes and the knights always drank until late into the night and refused to leave the table.Jagienka hesitated for a moment, took the cushion on which the princess was sitting, and went away, but when she reached the door she smiled again and nodded to Zbyszko. It was not until dawn that the two young knights, Zbyszko and De Lausch, each returned to the inn with their attendants. After walking in silence for a while, de Lausch said a few words to his Pomacha squire, who spoke Polish very well, and immediately approached the door of the inn. said: ① Pomacha refers to the Slavic peoples on the coast of the Baltic Sea in the far west. "My lord would like to ask your lordship something." "Speak!" replied Zbyszko. Then the Pomacha servant turned his head and talked to his master for a while, smiled secretly, and said: "My lordship would like to ask you, is the lady whom you spoke to just before the banquet a mortal, or an angel, or some kind of saint?" "Tell your master," replied Zbyszko impatiently. "Tell your master, he asked me that already, and it sounded a little strange to me. What's the matter? He told me in Spiehof that he preferred pretty Lithuanian girls, so He was planning to go to the court of Prince Witout; then for the same reason he wished to come to Plotsk; Tachev's knight challenged, but now he has another person in his sights. Where is his loyalty and the knight's credit?" De Rausch heard Zbyszko's answer through the Pomacha, sighed deeply, glanced at the pale night sky, and answered Zbyszko's reproach with the following words: "You are right. There is neither fidelity nor knightly credit in that. I am a guilty man, unworthy of a knight's spurs. As for Miss Agniska of Drugolas, I do offer to her I swore it, and may God allow me to keep it. But beware, you will be outraged when I tell you how cruelly she treated me at Trersk Castle." He sighed again, looking at the sky once more, as the east was beginning to turn pale, and he waited until the Pomacha finished translating his words, and then went on: "She told me that she had a magician enemy who lived in a tower deep in the forest and sent a dragon to kill her every year, and that dragon came every spring outside the walls of Trersk to take her away. .As soon as I heard this, I decided to fight the dragon. Ah! Please listen to me. I arrived at the appointed place, and saw a terrible, motionless monster waiting for me. I was full of joy , for I thought, This duel either kills me, or saves the lady from the monster's filthy mouth, and thus makes me immortal. But when I come near, and stab the monster with my spear, What do you think I saw? It turned out to be a big straw bag, supported by several wooden wheels, and fitted with a grass tail. Instead of gaining fame, I became a laughing stock of people. As a result, I told two Ma The knights of Zovsjo challenged them to a tournament, and they beat me up in a duel. I suffered this only because I adored my one and only, and above all, sweetheart. And that's how she treated me." When the Pomachas were translating the knight's story, in order not to laugh, they pressed their tongues to their cheeks and even bit the tip of their tongues.At any other time Zbyszko would have laughed, but pain and sorrow had taken away his cheerfulness, and he answered gravely: "Maybe it was a joke, but not out of malice!" "That's why I forgave her," replied de Lauches. "I have spared her the best proof, in order to proclaim her beauty and chastity, and want to challenge the knights of Tachev." "He shouldn't be challenged," said Zbyszko gravely. "I know that a challenge is tantamount to death, but I would rather die than live in pain and sorrow all the time." "But Monsieur Povara has forgotten all about it. So you'd better go to him with me tomorrow morning and make peace with him..." "I am very willing to do it, because I like him; he makes a great impression on me, except that he is going hunting with the king to-morrow." "Then we'll go early. The king likes to hunt, but he's not against rest, and besides, he's got a late party tonight." They went early the next morning, but came up short.The Czechs told them that Povara had spent the night in the palace.But the disappointment of Zbyszko and de Rausch was compensated, for Prince Janusi met them on the road and bade them join his retinue and go hunting together.On the way into the forest Zbyszko found another opportunity to talk to Prince Jamont, who gave him some good news. "I told the King about you and what happened to you at Cracow, just as he was going to bed," said he. The Knight of Povara was there, and he told the story of your uncle's capture by the knights of the crusaders. I begged the king to intervene in the matter of your uncle. The king was very angry at the robbery of Kretkova and other atrocities, but when he heard this, he became even more furious, and said bluntly: "With They have run out of good things to say, but to use force! Use force!' Povara deliberately added fuel to the fire. This morning, when the emissaries of the Knights were waiting at the door, the king did not even look at them when they knelt down. Ah! Now the king will not promise them not to help Duke Witout, which will put them at a loss. Be assured that the king will not relax the pressure on the Grand Master himself about your uncle." Zbyszko was delighted at this news; Jagienka, who was accompanying Princess Ziemowit into the forest, was equally delighted.When she came back from hunting she tried to keep up with Zbyszko all the way.Taking advantage of the convenience of hunting, everyone came back in pairs, and the pairs did not want to get too close to each other in order to chat freely.Jagienka had already learned about Macko's capture from the Czechs.She begged the Duchess impatiently, and obtained from her a letter addressed to the Grand Master; moreover, the Duchess demanded that Von Winton "Comto" of Torrenier, when he reported to the Grand Master, This was stated in the letter about the talks in Plotsk. " said the Duchess of Comto'ring with relish, and he had already written in his letter: "If we are to appease the King, it would be unwise to linger on that matter. "Besides, this is the most important moment when the Grand Master should try his best to please the king, so that he can surely concentrate all his strength on Witout, the man whom the Order has hitherto been unable to deal with. "In order not to waste time, I have done everything I can," said Jagienka at last. "Since the king does not refuse his sister in great matters, he will satisfy her in such a small matter. I am therefore sure." "If you're not dealing with such perfidious people," Zbyszko replied, "I'll just go and redeem him. But with them, things like Tolima's might happen. Take your money, but also arrest your person; there must be some kind of power to protect him." "I understand," answered Jagienka. "You understand everything now," said Zbyszko. "As long as I live, I will be grateful to you all my life." Jagienka looked at him with her sad, beautiful eyes, and asked: "Why don't you treat me as a friend you grew up with and call me 'you'?" "I don't know," he answered frankly. "I can't say this kind of title now. You are not the little girl you used to be, and... it seems... a little completely..." He could not find a suitable analogy, but Jagienka intervened to help him: "Because I am a few years older—and the Germans killed my father in Silesia." "No!" replied Zbyszko. "May God grant him the glory of the kingdom of heaven." They rode together for a while, in silence, as if listening to the pines at dusk; then she asked: "After you ransom Macko, are you still planning to stay here?" Zbyszko looked at her with obvious surprise, for up to now he had not thought of the future, out of depression and sorrow.He raised his eyes and thought for a moment, then replied: "Merciful Jesus, I don't know! How should I know? I only know one thing: Wherever I go, sorrow follows me. My God! I am wretched! . . . I go to redeem my uncle In the future, I will probably go to Witout to fight the crusader knights, to fulfill my promise; maybe I will die here!" The young lady's eyes were full of tears; then, turning slightly, she begged Zbyszko in a low voice: "Don't die; no, don't die!" They stopped talking again, and when they came up to the wall, Zbyszko woke up from his disturbed thoughts and said: "But you...but you—will you stay in the court here?" "No," she answered, "I am lonely without my brother and Zgotrilitri. Chedang and Wilk must be married; and even if they were not, I am not afraid of them." "May God grant that Uncle Macko will send you to Zgoszlitri. He is your true friend, you can trust him for everything. Don't forget him..." "I swear to God, I will definitely treat him like his own children." As he spoke, he couldn't help crying, feeling very sad. Povara of Tachev came to Zbyszko at the inn the next day and told him: "The King is going to Razonza after Corpus Christi to meet with the Grand Master of the Knights, and you have included The King's Cavaliers set off with us." Zbyszko was overjoyed when he heard the good news, not only because he joined the king's knights and was safe from the machinations of the knights of the crusaders; He had now joined the ranks of such illustrious and formidable knights as Zavisha Charni, his brother Farulei, Krusik, Povara himself, and Kerr Cong of Kosiglovic, Stieh of Chapimovitri, Bashko Zirokiai of Biskupitri, Rees of Tegovesco, and so on.The old Achaean king did not take all these knights with him, but he kept some at home, and others ventured abroad to distant countries; but he knew that with these knights present together, he Even if he went to Marburg, he would not be afraid of being framed by the Knights of the Crusader Order. If necessary, they could use their strong arms to smash the city wall and fight a bloody path for him from the siege of the Germans.Zbyszko was filled with pride at the thought of being with such a companion.So for a while Zbyszko even forgot his sorrow, and clasping the hands of Povara of Tachev, he exclaimed joyfully: "I owe everything to you, Monsieur Povara, thank you! Yes, thank you!" "Partly to me," replied Povara, "partly to the Duchess here, but mainly to our most merciful sovereign, you must go to him at once, and fall at his feet, so that he will not I thought you didn't know good from bad." "I would do anything for him, I swear to God!" cried Zbyszko.