Chapter 85 Chapter 51

Father Bardosi of Kropko had just finished one mass, and Father Jarosi of Calisco was about to say a second.The king went out and stretched his kneeling limbs in front of the tent, while a nobleman named Hanko Ostoshik, riding a sweating horse, galloped like a whirlwind. He came and shouted before dismounting: "Most merciful prince! The Germans are coming." Hearing this, the knights were astonished, and the king's countenance changed.He was silent for a while, then said aloud: "Praise Jesus Christ. Where did you see them and how many banners (legions) are there?"

"I saw a legion near Grunwald," Hanko replied breathlessly. "But the dust is flying behind the highlands, there must be more people coming!" "Praise Jesus Christ," the king repeated. As soon as Witout heard Hanko's words, the blood rushed to his face, his eyes glowed like red-hot coals, and he turned to the court attendants and shouted: "Cancel the second mass and bring me a horse." But the king put his hand on Witout's shoulder, and said: "Brother, you go, I want to watch the second mass here." But just as Duke Witout and Sentram mounted their horses and turned towards the camp, another nobleman hurried up Piotr (Peter) Oksha of Frostoval, who was just a long way off. shouting.

"Germans! Germans! I see two legions." "Horse!" cried some of the courtiers and knights. Before Piotr finished speaking, he heard the sound of horseshoes, and then came the third urgent messenger, followed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth.They all saw the Germanic banners coming this way, increasing in number.There was no doubt that the army of the Crusader Knights was holding back the king's army. The knights dispersed and went to their respective banners.Only a few courtiers, priests, and pagemen remained in the tented chapel to attend to the king.At this moment a little bell rang; it indicated that the Priest of Calisco was beginning the Second Mass.So Agail raised his arms, then folded his hands in the sign of the cross, and walked slowly into the tent with his eyes on the sky.

When the king finished mass and came out again to stand in front of the tent, he saw with his own eyes that the report of the dispatch was true. On the high ground far away from the edge of the plain, there was a dark thing, as if suddenly on the desolate field. A forest emerged, and colorful banners fluttered like rainbows in the sunlight above the forest.Looking farther, behind Grunwald and Tannenberg, the dust covers the sky.The king took in all this menacing spectacle, and turning to the archdeacon, the Abbe Mikolaj, asked: "Who is today's patron saint?" "Today is the day Jesus sent out the saints," replied the archdeacon.

The king sighed. "Then the day of the saints will be the end of thousands of Catholics who are killing each other in this field." So he pointed to the vast and desolate plain. In the middle of the plain, only halfway from Tannenberg, stood an ancient oak forest. Then they led the horse for him, and in the distance came sixty Uhlans at gallop, the king's guard sent by Sentram of Mahikovic. The guard was commanded by Aleksandr, the youngest son of Prince Plotsk and brother of Tziemowit, who was particularly good at conducting wars and was now a member of the council of war.

The second-in-command of the guard was the Lithuanian Siegment Koribut, a nephew of the king, a promising young man, but impetuous by nature.Among the most famous knights are: Jasco Menzik of Dombrova, a real giant, almost equal in stature to Bashiko of Skupitri, and almost the same size as Tsavesha Czerny Zolaval, a Czech baron, short and thin, but very skilled in martial arts, became famous in the Hungarian and Czech courts by knocking down a dozen Austrian nobles in a single duel; Sokol, also a Czech knight, the best archer; Pinesz Vilus of Greater Poland; At the head of a Smolensk regiment; Duke Fidushko, a relative of the king and Duke Jamont.Finally, some Polish knights "chosen from among the thousands" who swore to defend the king with the last drop of their blood, that nothing should happen to him in battle; The archdeacon, Father Mykolaj, and the king's clerk, Zbyszko of Olesniza, a learned young man who could read and write well, and at the same time had the strength of a wild boar.

The king's arms were kept by three attendants--they were: Choir of Novi de Var, Mykolaj of Moraviza, and Danielko Luxun (who was in charge of the king's bow and quiver) .There are also a dozen or so court attendants in the entourage. They all ride on horses and are responsible for galloping the troops and conveying orders. The three attendants put the king in resplendent armor and brought him a sorrel steed also "chosen from thousands of horses".The horse snorted from the steel bridle; it was said to be a good omen, and the air was filled with his neighing; he stood half crouched like a bird about to take off.

① Note to the English translation: In Poland, especially in the countryside, when people hear a horse snorting, they usually say "Zstrov" quickly, which means health. The king sat down on his horse, took a spear in his hand, and suddenly became a different person.The sad look disappeared.The small dark eyes began to sparkle.There was a blush in his cheeks, and the blush faded again, for now the vicar came and crossed him, and he became serious again, and bowed his silver-helmed head humbly. At this time the German army was slowly driving down from the heights.The army passed through Grunwald, Tannenberg, and stopped in the fields in full battle formation.The Polish army stationed below clearly saw this large dense mass of horses and riders in iron battle coats.Those with a keen eye can even see the various emblems embroidered on the flying banners, such as crosses, eagles, griffins, swords, helmets, sheep, bison's heads and bear's heads.

Old Matsko and Zbyszko, who had once fought against the Crusader knights, knew the banner and coat of arms of their army.They pointed out to their Shiraz subordinates the two regiments of the Grand Master's elite knights, and also pointed out the main banner of the entire order, which was made by Frederick Feng. · Warren Rhodes is holding it.The great banner of St. Jesse was pointed out, with a red cross embroidered on a white ground, and various other ensigns belonging to the Knights of the Crusader Order.But Macko and Zbyszko did not recognize the various signs of foreign guests.These thousands of foreign guests come from all over the world.Lagoz (Austria), Bavaria, Swapia, Switzerland, famous Burgundy, rich Flanders, sunny France, people come from everywhere.Of the knights of France, Matsko once said, who, even when they are on the ground, speak contemptuously; and of the knights from England across the sea, the cradle of dreadful archers, Even the knights from as far away as Spain, whose valor and honor are beyond the reach of all other nations because of their constant battles with the Saracens.

The blood of the nobles of Silaz, Konniecpol, Bogdaniec, Rogova, and Borzodzhoval, and elsewhere in Poland, was thrilled at the thought of the ensuing battle with the Germans and their illustrious knights. up.The faces of the older knights were serious and grim, because they knew how heavy and terrible the task before them was.But the young man's heart beats like a leash dog seeing a wild beast from a distance.They gripped their spears tighter, gripped their sword and ax handles tighter, and they reined their mounts as if ready to charge at once.The rest of the men were breathing heavily, as if their chain mail had suddenly become too tight.But the experienced fighters among them begged them to be quiet, saying, "You will have to fight this battle; everyone has his chance to kill. May God not allow too many kills."

The crusader knights looked down on the forest area below from the high ground, and saw only about twenty Polish banners on the edge of the forest, and they couldn't tell whether they were the entire Polish army.Yes, along the lake on the left, groups of warriors in gray can be seen, and Lithuanian gun heads are shining among the bushes.But that was probably just a large group of Polish scouts.After bringing the dozen or so refugees who escaped from Jergenburg in the occupied area to the Grand Commander for questioning, they confirmed that the entire Polish and Lithuanian army had come to deal with the Crusader Knights. But when the refugees talked about the strength of the Poles, they didn't want to listen.Grandmaster Ulrich did not believe in the strength of the Poles at all. He only believed in his own strength from the beginning of the war, and he was confident that he would win.He sent neither scouts nor spies; he thought there was going to be a big battle anyway, and that the enemy would have to be shattered anyway.He believed that no regiment commander had assembled such a powerful force on the battlefield before. In short, he was overconfident and underestimated the enemy.Later, after Gniev's "Commut" investigated the truth in private, he told the Grand Commander that Achaean's troops far exceeded theirs. The Grand Commander replied: "You call these people soldiers! Oh! We have only to use a little effort against the Poles; as for the others, though they are more numerous than we are, they are inferior people; they are better off with spoons." Make your weapons better." Then the Grand Master pushed his army forward, full of joy and triumph; and now, when he found that the enemy had come before him, and saw the bright colors of the whole kingdom against the dark forest, he believed without doubt. The opponent's main force has indeed been stationed in front of his eyes. But the Germans could not attack the Poles, who were now in the forest; for the crusader knights could only fight in open fields, and they were neither willing nor able to fight in dense forests.Therefore the Grand Master summoned the military chiefs and held a brief meeting to discuss how to lure the enemy out of the forest. "By St. Jesse's name," cried the Grand Master. "We've marched non-stop for ten miles, it's hot as hell, we're wearing chain mail, and we're sweating profusely. We can't sit here and watch the enemy decide to go into battle." Count Winder, an elderly and rather wise man, said: "It is true that my words have been mocked here, and those who mock me, God knows, will inevitably run away, while I am ready to die in the field (Here, he glanced at Werner von Dedingen). But , I will at least speak from conscience and love of the Order. No, the Poles are by no means cowards; but, as far as I know, that king was expecting peacemakers to the end." Werner von Deddingen made no answer, but sneered contemptuously—but the Grand Master did not like to listen to Count von Winda, and said: "Do we have time to think about peace now? We have to discuss other things." "There is always time to discuss the things of God," Von Winda replied. That ferocious Kumto, Henrik of Shilukhov, turned his fat sweaty face (for he had sworn to place before him two drawn swords, so that soaked in Polish blood), shouted angrily at the Grand Master: "I'd rather die than be humiliated. Even single-handedly, I'll use these two swords to attack the entire Polish army!" Ulrich frowned slightly. "It is inappropriate for you to say that," he said. Then he said to the rest of the comtos: "Let's discuss what is the best way to lure the enemy out of the forest." So many "Commuters" offered their proposals; at last Jesdorf's proposal satisfied both the "Commuters" and the first-rate foreign knights.The proposal was to send two messengers to the king, claiming that the grand master had given him two swords, and challenge the Poles to a fight to the death; if the field was too small for them to fight, his grand master would Push the troops back a bit and meet their needs. The king had just left the lake, and was going to the left flank of the Polish legion, where he was about to give the belt to a group of knights, when he heard that two messengers had come from the Knights of the Crusaders.He couldn't help being hopeful, his heart pounding. "Perhaps they have finally come to propose a just peace!" "God bless!" said the priest. The king sent for Witout, while two messengers approached the camp slowly. In the bright sunlight, the two men could be seen clearly: they both rode tall horses in horse coats.One of them had a gold background with a black eagle of the emperor painted on it; the other was originally Duke Shu Jinjing's herald, and his shield had a white background with a "Griffin" painted on it.The soldiers made way for them.The two envoys got off their horses, stood in front of the great king for a while, bowed slightly to show respect, and immediately stated the mission of their visit. The first emissary said: "My lord, Ulrich the Grand Master, challenges your Majesty, and Duke Wittout; in order to stimulate the manliness you lack, he sends you these two drawn swords .” When he had finished speaking, he laid the two swords at the king's feet.Jasco Menzik of Dombrova translated his words to the king.As soon as he finished speaking, the messenger with "Griffin" on the shield came forward again and said: "My lord! Grandmaster Ulrich ordered me to inform you that if you think the battlefield is too small for fighting, he and his soldiers can retreat so that you and your soldiers won't wander in the jungle." Jasco Menzik again translated the words of the second messenger.Then there was silence.But seeing the king's retinue, the knights silently gritted their teeth after hearing such arrogant and insulting words. Achaean's last hope vanished.He had been expecting an envoy of peace and goodwill, but now came an envoy of arrogance and war.So he raised his wet eyes and replied: "We have plenty of swords, but I also accept these two as a sign of victory, which God himself handed over to me through your hands. As for the place of battle, God will also appoint. I appeal to God for justice and complain to him of my injury, of your injustice and your arrogance. Amen!" Two large teardrops rolled down his tanned face. At this time, the knights in the retinue shouted: "The Germans retreated. They got out of the field!" The two messengers left. After a while, they were seen riding tall army horses at the foot of the mountain. The silk they wore outside the armor was shining brightly in the sun. Polish troops advanced from forests and groves in solid battle ranks.The "Zerny" (vanguard) walking in the front is mostly composed of the most husky knights; behind is the main force, followed by infantry and mercenaries.The army marched in two ranks, and between them rode up and down Sentram of Mahikovic and Duke Witout; Duke Witout in splendid armor and without a helmet on his head.He is like a broom star, and also like a flame that is swept forward by the storm. The knights took a deep breath and sat firmly in the saddle. The war is about to begin. Meanwhile the Grand Master was watching the King's army emerging from the forest. He looked at the endless procession; at the left and right wings like the outstretched wings of a giant bird; at the rainbow-colored banners fluttering in the wind; The premonition was overwhelming.Perhaps his soul's eyes saw mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.He is not afraid of mortals, but he may be afraid of God, who is already in the nine heavens ready to decide whose victory will be. For the first time he thought what a dreadful day was coming; and for the first time he felt what a heavy responsibility lay on his shoulders. His face was pale, his lips were trembling, and tears were streaming down his face.Those "Komto" looked at the leader in surprise. "What's the matter with you, sir?" asked Count Von Winda. "That's right, it's time for tears," said Komto, the ferocious Shirukhov. Then Kunno von Lichtenstein the Great "Commuter" pouted and said: "Grand Commander, I publicly reproach you for this; now is the time to boost morale, not to sap it. Honestly, we have never seen you so agitated." In spite of all the Grand Master's efforts to suppress his emotions, tears could not stop streaming from his black beard, as if it was not he who was crying, but someone else was crying in his heart. At last he restrained himself, turned his stern eyes on the Comtos, and shouted: "To the regiments!" With this majestic order, everyone rushed to their own troops.Then he stretched out his hand and said to the attendants: "Bring me the helmet!" In both armies the heart of every soldier had long ago been beating like a hammer.But the trumpet has never sounded the battle horn.This moment of silent anticipation was perhaps more painful than the arrival of the war itself. On the battlefield between the German and Polish armies beyond Tannenberg, there is a very old oak forest.Local farmers climbed into the trees to watch the battle of two armies unprecedented in the world.But with the exception of this wood, the whole field was empty and dreary, like a lifeless prairie.Only the wind moves in the field, and above the field is death.The eyes of the knights could not help looking at the ominous silent plain.Clouds flew in the air, covering the sun from time to time, so that the plain seemed to be covered with the black cloak of death. There was a whirlwind, the forest roared, and the fallen leaves flew;Just then the sound of horns, horns, and whistles echoed piercingly through the air.The entire Lithuanian flank appeared like a flock of birds preparing to take off.As is customary, the Lithuanian immediately galloped up.The horse stretched its neck, lowered its ears, and galloped at full speed.The rider waved his sword and spear, and with a cry, he flew towards the left flank of the crusader knight. The grand master happened to be there at this time.His excitement was gone.Instead of tears, his eyes now glowed with fire, so as soon as he saw the Lithuanian army covered in black clouds, he turned to Frederick of Valenrod, the leader of the left wing army, and said: "Witout attacked first. Then you too, in the name of God!" As he spoke, he waved his right hand and ordered the fourteen armored regiments of the Knights to go into battle. "God be with us!" Warren Rod shouted.The legions lowered their spears and began to march, but just as a rock rolled down a hill, gathering strength every moment, so did they, changing from trot to canter, to gallop, and then Onward at terrifying speed, unstoppable like an avalanche, sure to destroy everything in its path. The earth groaned and trembled under their trample. As the great war would be in full swing at any moment, the Polish Legion began to sing the old battle song of St. Vuitrech.Thousands of heads in iron helmets looked up to the sky; thousands of eyes gazed upward, and from a thousand breasts a great voice sounded like thunder in the sky: Virgin Mary, Virgin Mary, Thank God, thank Mary, Adoration of the Virgin, only you can make your Son, Get forgiveness for us! ... Lord, have mercy on us! Immediately power flowed upon them, and their hearts accepted death as home.There was such a great, invincible power in these voices and in this battle song, that it seemed as if the thunder of heaven had begun to roar on earth.The spears trembled in the hands of the Polish knights, the banners and banners shook, the air shook, the branches of the forest swayed, and the echoes aroused from the depths of the forest seemed to cry out to the lakes and valleys, and in all directions: Get forgiveness for us! ... Lord, have mercy on us! The Poles went on singing: Your Son, crucified, this is the divine hour. Please listen to people's voices and enrich people's thoughts; We beg you to hear our prayers; Let us make the earth a godly dwelling, After death, enter the kingdom of heaven. Lord, have mercy on us! The echo reciprocated: Lord, have mercy on us! At this time, a fierce battle was going on on the right wing, and the battle was getting closer and closer to the center. The hooves of the horses, neighing of the horses, and the terrible shouts of the soldiers were mixed with the battle songs.But there are often moments of silence, as if the people over there are suffocating.At such moments, the thunderous war song will be heard again: Adam, the farmer of God, You live with God forever; Please send us, your children and grandchildren Placed under the dominion of holy angels; there is joy, There is mercy, There the angelic Creator can be seen forever. Lord, have mercy on us! And the echo echoes in the woods again: Lord, have mercy on us! The cries from the right wing grew louder.But no one can observe and distinguish what is going on there.Because the Grand Commander Ulrich, who was watching the battle on the mountain, hastily mobilized another twenty legions at this time to attack the Poles under the command of Lichtenstein. Like a thunderbolt, Sentram flew towards the "vanguard regiment", which were all the first-class Polish knights; there, he pointed his sword at the German knights coming like a cloud, shouting loudly, the voice It was so big that the horses in the front line all raised their front hooves in shock. "Go forward! Kill the enemy!" The knights leaned over their horses' necks, stretched their spears in front of them, and charged forward. But the Lithuanians were overwhelmed by the terrible onslaught of the Germans.Those well-armed vanguard troops composed of the most powerful nobles fell down one after another.Those behind them all fell violently on the Crusader Knights.But no amount of courage, stamina, or manpower could save them from annihilation and death.What else?Because the two sides in the battle are knights in steel armor, and the horses are also protected by copper horse coats. On the other side are Lithuanians. Although they are tall and strong, the horses are thin and only have a layer of animal skin for protection.Therefore, despite the exhaustion of the tenacious Lithuanians, they could not hurt the skin of the Germans.Spears, swords, spears, and sticks filled with stones or nails bounced off the iron armor as if magnetized against rocks or walls.The pressure of the Germanic horses did much to dampen Wittout's ill-fated army.They were minced by the Germans with axes and swords.Their bones were chopped, pierced, and trampled under the hooves of the horses.Although the Duke of Witout tried his best to continuously add new legions, it was in vain to break through this ghost gate.His persistent efforts were in vain, his anger was useless; it was useless to fight to the death, the blood flowed into rivers in vain!The Tatars fled first, followed by the Bessarabians and the Wallachians, and the Lithuanian line was immediately opened, and all the soldiers were panic-stricken. Most of the warriors, pursued by the main German army, fled towards Lake Lupin, where they were horribly ravaged, and piled with corpses by the lakeside. Witout's other smaller force (consisting of three Smolensk regiments), was retreating to the flank of the Polish army, and they were attacked by six German regiments, and were also attacked by the returning Lithuanians. attack by the army.But these three Smolensk armies, because they were better armed, put up a more effective resistance.The battle turned into a massacre; every footstep, every inch of ground was paid for in blood.One of the Smolensk regiments was almost wiped out.The other two legions resisted fanatically and desperately.But now there is no strength against the victorious Germans.Some legions among the Crusader knights seemed to have gone on a war frenzy.The single-handed knights kicked the horse's belly with their spurs, and as soon as they pulled the reins, they held up their axes or swords and rushed towards the densely packed enemy army regardless of life or death.Their swords and tomahawks are simply unmatched by ordinary people.The onslaught smashed the horses and knights of the Smolensk corps into pieces and routed them as far as the Polish forward corps.The Polish Legion has also been fighting the Germans led by Kunno Lichtenstein for more than an hour. But it was not so easy for Lichtenstein to deal with the Poles, because although the horses and weapons of the Poles were inferior, the knight training received by the Poles was the same as that received by the Knights.The Polish heavy spears blocked the Germans and even forced the Germans to retreat.The three elite legions were the first to pounce on the Crusader Knights.These three legions were: the Krakow Legion, the Hussar Legion under Rendelek of Brohovc, and the Guards Corps under Povara of Tachew.But the bloodiest battles were those in hand-to-hand combat with swords and axes after the spears had snapped from the hands of the knights. ①So shields beat shields, men hugged men, horses fell, banners fell, helmets were split by swords and axes.Shoulders and chain mail were stained with blood.Knights fell from their saddles like split pine trees.Those crusading knights who had fought the Poles near Wilno knew how "ruthless" and "impatient" they were, but the novices and foreign guests were immediately astonished almost to the point of fear.Many people reined in their horses unconsciously and looked forward hesitantly for a while, but before they could figure out what to do, they couldn't withstand the wave of the Pole's right hand and died.That dreadful chop was like hailstones relentlessly hitting the rye field from the bronze-colored clouds.Sword chops, axes chops, scythes chops, chopping without mercy, without stopping.It sounded like a blacksmith striking iron.Death blows away life like a gust of wind; groans burst from the breast; the brilliance of the eyes is extinguished, and the fair-faced youth is thrown into the eternal night. ①The description of the war between the two sides in this paragraph, up to here, are all from the Russian translation. The iron tool struck sparks and flew upwards.Fragments of wooden handles, broken flagpoles, ostrich feathers, peacock feathers, horseshoes and bloodstained coat of arms, and the carcasses of horses, were all jumbled together.Anyone who was injured and fell from the horse was trampled to death by the iron-covered horseshoe.But not a single Polish knight of the first rank had ever fallen, and they marched in close formation, calling their patron saint's name, or their family's battle-cry.They swept across the prairie scorched by the sun like a raging fire, sweeping away not a single blade of grass.Rhys of Tegovisco was the first to do it.He grabbed Osterot's "comto" Gemarat, who had lost his shield, and folded his white cloak and wrapped it around his arm to withstand the blow.But Rhys's sword cut through the cloak and the shoulder pads, and snapped his arm out of the armpit; he struck again, and split his chest again, and with such force the point of the sword sank straight into the man's chest. spine.The warriors of Osterot screamed in terror at the death of their leader, and Lys, taking advantage of the victory, rushed into the crowd like an eagle among cranes; Staciko of the Coppilone and Tomarat of the Coppilone rushed to his aid, and the three of them were still more invincible, and felled the crusaders row by row, like a herd of bears entering a field of peas and tearing them from the ground. It was as if the pods were crackling and popping out. Bashko Zirochiai of Biskupitri also murdered a famous mage Kunz Aldelsbach there.When Kunz saw the giant in front of him holding a bloody ax in his hand, with blood-stained hair wrapped around it, he could not help but panic and decided to surrender as a prisoner.However, due to the noisy voice, Bashko couldn't hear the other person's words clearly, so he stood up on the stirrups, and with an axe, he chopped off his helmet and head, as easily as if he split an apple in two.Then Loch of Mecklenburg and Klingenstein and Helmsdorf of Swapia (son of a wealthy nobleman), Lembach of Magenza (Mestri) and Hed of Magenza Wiz was dead, and finally the terrified Germans began to retreat to the left and right.But he went on cutting at them like a crumbling wall, and as soon as he got up in the saddle to chop, a Germanic helmet fell among the horses where the light of the ax flashed. Rendrek of the Broughtspiants, who was mighty and mighty, broke his sword when he went to the head of a knight whose shield had the head of an owl, and whose faceplate was like an owl's. same head.Rendelek took him alive, threw him to the ground, and finished him in the blink of an eye by drawing his sword from him.Rendelek also captured the young knight Dunham, but seeing that the knight didn't even wear a helmet and looked so childish, he spared his life.This man was indeed a boy, and looking straight at Rendelek with childish eyes, the Polish knight threw him to his squire, and the young Germanic knight became his son-in-law, and lived in Poland all his life; This is something later, he never thought of it at the beginning. The Germans were furious, and sprang upon Rendelek to save young Dunham, who was descended from a wealthy earl's family near the Rhine; Knights: Sumik of Nadbroza, the two brothers Promykov, Dubko Okwea and Zich Pikna, these knights drove them back like a lion with a buffalo, and forced them to retreat to the St. Jesse's banner, and the crusader knights panicked and trampled each other. The King's Guards were also fighting the foreign knights.They were led by Zarek of Trikhov.Povara of Tachev, who possessed superhuman strength, was there too, slaying his enemies and smashing many iron helmets like eggshells.He single-handedly killed a whole crowd; beside him were Leshko from Goraya, Povara from Vihush, Mschislav from Skrzynev, and two Czechs: the colonel. Cole and Zpislawek.The battle lasted a long time here, for the Polish legion held itself against the three German legions, and thanks to Jasco of Ternova bringing the 27th Legion to the aid of the Poles in time, the two sides were evenly matched.The Germans were driven back from the place of the first engagement, as far as half an arrow's pace. Later they were pushed back even further by the Krakow Grand Army.The Krakow regiment was led by Sentram himself, and before the banner was the most powerful warrior in Poland: Tsavesia Czerny (the coat of arms was "Surima"), fighting on his right Among them are his brother Farullei, with Florin Yeritshik of Koritnica, Skabek of Gora, Rees of the famous Tegovisco, Bashiko Zirochi Ey, Jen Nerensi, and Stieh from Chapimovie.How many heroes have lost their lives at the hands of the terrible Chavisha.It was as if the God of Death himself was wearing a black armor to kill them.When fighting, he frowned and squeezed his nostrils tightly, very calm and concentrated, as if he was working normally.He always swung his shield to fend off the enemy's slash, but he never failed to swing his sword. Every time the sword flashed, he always heard a terrible cry from the defeated man, but he saw Don't look at it, just keep moving forward to kill the enemy, just like a black cloud that continuously sends out lightning. The Poznań regiment, with its crownless eagle as its banner, was also fighting desperately.The archbishop's legion and the three Masovian legions were fighting it.All other Legions also seek to outdo each other in resolve, valor, and onslaught.In Shiraz's regiment, Zbyszko of Bogdaniec rushed into the enemy lines like a wild boar, and beside him was the terrible old Matsko, who was fighting calmly, almost like a pounce. wolf. Macko looked everywhere for Lichtenstein, but he was nowhere to be seen.We had to temporarily select some gorgeously dressed knights as targets.Woe to all the knights who fought against him.离波格丹涅茨的两个骑士不远的地方，恶煞似的罗戈夫的契当正在向前突进。他的头盔在攻击一开始时就被打落了，因此光着头战斗，他那毛茸茸的、血迹斑斑的脸把日耳曼人都吓坏了。他们觉得他不是一个人，而是森林里的什么怪物。可是不一会工夫，双方战死的骑士从几百个一直增加到几千个，到处都是尸体；最后在一些怒不可遏的波兰人的攻打下，日耳曼人那边开始动摇了，接着便发生了一件似乎立即可使整个战局改观的事件。 追赶立陶宛人的日耳曼军团赶回来以后，得意扬扬，陶醉在胜利的欢乐中，又去攻击波兰军的侧翼了。 他们鉴于已经击败了国王的所有部队，便认为战斗已经肯定是自己占了上风，因此一边叫喊，一边唱歌，像乌合之众那样一批批回来了，哪知突然前面又在展开一场鏖战，波兰人节节胜利，把日耳曼军队包围起来了。 十字军骑士只得低着头，透过头盔上的格子洞吃惊地望着，看看究竟是怎么回事，接着便踢着马腹，就地投入战斗的漩涡。 就这样一批一批冲过来，转眼之间便有好几千人扑向已经打得精疲力竭的波兰军团。日耳曼人一看来了援兵，高兴得大叫大喊，士气大振，又猛攻起波兰人来。于是全线展开了一场恶战。田野上血流成河。乌云遮蔽了天空，但闻雷声隆隆，仿佛天主想要亲自来干涉这两支交战的大军似的。 胜利开始逐渐操在日耳曼人手里了……波兰军正处在混乱关头，激动得发狂似的日耳曼军队便齐声唱起凯旋赞美歌来： 基督复活了！谁料就在这时，发生了一桩更可怕的事。 一个倒在地上的十字军骑士用刀剖开了弗罗契莫维崔的玛尔青战马的马腹，原来玛尔青正举着克拉科夫的大军旗，军旗上有一只戴着王冠的鹰，这面克拉科夫军旗是全军认为神圣不可侵犯的。马匹和骑者突然倒了下来，于是军旗也摇摇晃晃倒下来了…… 一刹那间，几百只钢铁般强壮的手臂伸过来抢军旗了，所有的日耳曼人顿时欢乐得迸发出一阵嚎叫。他们认为那就是结局了，认为波兰人一定会惊惶失措，认为敌人的败北、屠杀和受歼的时刻就在眼前，只消对这些逃跑的波兰人穷追猛斫一阵便万事大吉了。 谁料等着他们的却是无比的失望。 波兰军一看见军旗倒下来了，便拼命同声呼喊起来。那喊声中表现出来的不是畏惧，而是愤怒。仿佛是一阵烈火扑上了他们的锁子甲。两支大军中那些最叫人害怕的骑士都像疯狮一样向那个地方猛扑过去，波兰军旗周围仿佛突然起了一阵势不可当的大风暴。人和马都像个大漩涡似地搅在一起，漩涡中心的那些人都在飕飕地挥动臂膀，丁零当嘟地舞着剑，斧头在呻吟，钢铁在相撞，随之而来的是一阵卡啦卡啦的斫击声、呻吟声，被斫倒的人发出的毛骨悚然的尖叫声，交织成一片最可怕的轰响，仿佛地狱里所有的冤鬼突然都叫嚷了起来。空中扬起了一阵尘雾，尘雾中奔出了许多没有骑者的马匹，它们给吓得横冲直闯，跟睛充血，鬃毛凌乱。 这场搏斗只持续了片刻工夫。在这阵旋风也似的战斗中，生还的日耳曼人一个也没有；一眨眼工夫，夺回来的军旗又飘展在波兰军队的上空。风把它吹得舒展开来，像一朵庞大的花朵似的辉煌地飘扬着；这是希望的象征，是天主对十字军骑士发怒和赐予波兰人以胜利的象征。 整个大军都向这面军旗发出一阵胜利的呼喊，疯了似地向日耳曼人扑过去，仿佛每个军团的力量和士兵的数目都增加了一倍。 日耳曼人连续不断地遭到无情的打击，连必要的喘息时间都没有。他们受到四面八方的夹击，剑呀，手斧呀，战斧呀，钉头锤呀，斫得他们粉身碎骨。十字军骑士又开始摇摇晃晃，向后撤退了。到处都是一片告饶乞命的喊声，到处都看到脸色吓得发白的外国骑士从混战中窜出来，六神无主地听任他那同样受吓的军马驮到哪里就是哪里。骑士团披在锁子甲外面的白色斗篷，大都狼藉满地。 十字军骑士团的首领们心里非常恐慌，只有把得救的唯一希望寄托在大团长乌尔里西身上了，因为到这时为止，大团长还率领着十六个后备军团准备随时出动。 大团长站在山风上观察战斗，心里也知道生死存亡的时刻已经到来，于是他就像龙卷风席卷着一阵播送灾难与死亡的冰雹一般，指挥他的铁甲军团投入战斗。 但是盛特拉姆已经骑着一匹烈马，早一步出现在迄今尚未参加过战斗的波兰后备队前面了。他仔细观察了一切情况，密切注意了战斗的过程。同波兰步兵一起的还有几个重型武装配备的捷克雇佣兵连队。其中一个连队在交战以前曾经动摇过，但是已经及时悔悟过来，仍然坚守在阵地上，只是它的首领被撤换了。现在这个连队迫不及待地巴望着战斗，以便以他们的大丈夫英雄气概去弥补一时的弱点。但是主力是波兰军团，是由一些不穿铠甲的穷地主的骑兵队，镇市来的步兵队和极大部分的农民组成的，他们的武器就是矛、连枷和倒缚在杆柄上的大镰刀。 “作好准备！准备！”盛特拉姆像闪电似地从队伍面前飞驰而过，一面以洪钟似的声音叫喊着。 “准备！”小首领们都照喊了一遍。 农民们知道是轮到他们的时候了，都把矛、连枷和大镰刀的柄搁在地上，画了一个圣十字，在又大又粗的掌心里吐了一口口水。整个后备队里都听得见这一声声不祥的吐口水。接着各人又抓起自己的武器，深深地吁了一口气。就在这时，国王派来使者，传达命令给盛特拉姆，凑着他耳旁低声说了些话。于是盛特拉姆转身向着步兵队挥了一下剑，喊道： “前进！” “前进！看齐！靠拢！”首领们都发令了。 “快！杀那些狗东西！杀他们！” 大军开动了。为了保持步伐均匀，队形整齐，一再齐声喊着： “万岁——马利亚——普施——恩惠——天主——与你——同在！” 他们像洪水似地向前奔流。其中有大小波兰的农民们，也有在战前开始逃亡到波兰来的西利西亚人，从十字军骑士团逃出来、留在爱尔克的玛朱尔人。整个田野上都闪烁着枪矛、连枷和大镰刀的光芒。他们终于冲到敌人跟前了。 “杀啊！”首领们喊道。 “嘿！” 每个人一抡起斧头斫出去，都像一个强壮的伐木者那样哼一声。他们使出全身气力，尽着胸口所能发出的气力，大斫特斫了。他们叫呀、嚷呀，杀声直冲云霄。 国王在山风上观看整个战斗，不断地派遣急使到各处去；他由于一再亲自发号施令，连嗓子都喊哑了；他终于看到全军都投入战斗，真巴不得自己也冲过去参加。 宫廷侍从们都不让他去；他们小心翼翼地保护着国王的圣躬。左拉伐甚至拉住了国王的马笼头，尽管国王用矛打他的手，他还是不肯放。其余的人也拦着路，求呀、劝呀、谏呀，说什么即使他去了，也不能使战局改观呀。 这时候最大的危险突然悬在国王和他整个扈从队的头上了。 事情是这样的：当时大团长受到那些击败了立陶宛而胜利归来的骑士的鼓舞，也决定去攻打波兰人的侧翼，因此不得不迂回进军，十六个精锐军团不得不通过弗拉迪斯拉夫·亚该老所在的高地附近。国王的扈从队马上觉察到这个危险，可是已经来不及后退。只得卷起王旗，并由国王的书记奥列斯尼扎的兹别格涅夫快马加鞭，飞驰到最近的军团去求救，那个军团是米柯拉伊·盖尔巴沙骑士率领的，正准备去迎击敌人。 “国王被围了！快来援救！”兹别格涅夫喊道。 但是盖尔巴沙连头盔都失落了，便脱下头上那顶浸透了血汗的便帽让书记看，一面非常气愤地嚷道： “瞧，你这疯子，我们在这里闲着么！你不看见那片乌云正向我们压过来么？如果我们听了你的话，那就正好把敌人引到国王那里去。我劝你快走，要不然，我的剑可不饶你了！” 他忘了是在同谁说话，气喘咐咐，气得简直要发狂，当真拿剑对准这个急使，这个急使看清了自己是在同谁打交道，何况这个老战士说得很对，就回头赶到国王那里，把这番话复述了一遍。 国王的卫队挺身而出，密密地排成一堵墙来保卫君主。可是这回宫廷侍从们阻止不住国王了，国王坚持要骑着马站在第一线。他们刚刚摆好阵势，日耳曼军团已经迫近，连盾牌上的纹章都可以看得一清二楚。最有胆量的人见了这些十字军骑士，也免不了发抖，因为他们都是骑士界的精华；个个穿着辉煌的甲胄，骑在像野牛一般壮大的马上，毫无倦容，因为他们还没有参加过战斗。他们像飓风似地前进，马蹄得得，军旗飘飘，一片喧哗。大团长本人穿着一件宽大的白斗篷，被风吹得像老鹰的两只大翅膀，飞驰在他们前头。 大团长已经驰过了国王的扈从队，正向战斗最激烈的战场奔去，完全没有把路旁这一小股骑士放在眼里，想都没有想到国王就在这批人里头，他根本没有发现亚该老。但是有一个军团里突然奔出一个魁梧的日耳曼人来。究竟他是认识亚该老呢，还是被国王那身银甲胄吸引住了，还是只想显示显示他的骑士胆量。这倒很难说了；只见他低着头，伸出矛，直向国王这边冲过来。 国王把坐骑一踢，随从们还来不及阻止他，他已经向着这个骑士冲了过去。要不是亏了国王的那个年轻书记奥列斯尼扎的兹别格涅夫（这个人非但精通拉丁文，还精通骑士武艺），他们两人一定会彼此猛战起来。那个年轻人手里握着一支断矛，急驰到日耳曼人身旁，在他头上狠狠一击，打碎了他的头盔，把他打在地上。这时，国王趁势把剑刺进这个日耳曼人的无遮无掩的脑门，亲手杀了他。 这个著名的日耳曼骑士底波尔特·基定里兹·封·第培尔就这样完了蛋。他的战马被雅蒙脱公爵夺去，他自己则奄奄一息躺在地上，锁子甲外面披着一件白斗篷，还有镀金的腰带。他两目无光，双足还在地上乱踢，一任人类最伟大的调解者——死神，把夜幕盖在他的头上，让他永远安息。 克尔姆军团的骑士们都想向波兰人冲过来，为他们的战友报仇；但是大团长本人挡住了他们的路，不停地喊着：“这里来！这里来！”他把他们推向那个就要决定这一血腥日子的命运的地方，也就是推向战斗最激烈的地方。 现在又发生了一件奇事。盖尔巴沙的米柯拉伊站在战场的最前线，清清楚楚地看见敌人，本可立即迎击，但是别的波兰骑士由于漫天灰尘辨别不出敌人，误把敌人看做了赶回来作战的立陶宛人，却没有赶紧迎击。 奥列斯尼查的杜伯科第一个向跑在军团最前面的大团长冲过去。他是从大团长的斗篷、盾和戴在胸口的那个大圣物匣认出来的。但这个波兰骑士尽管力气大大超过大团长，却不敢用矛去刺金约柜。因此他（乌尔里西）把剑向上一挥，挡开了杜伯科的矛尖，马匹虽略受伤，他自己却和杜伯科擦身而过，绕了一个圈子，回到自己阵地去了。 “这就是大团长本人，日耳曼人来了！”杜伯科喊道。 波兰军团一听到这声叫喊，都从原来的地方急驰而出，迎击敌人。第一个攻打他们的就是米柯拉伊·盖尔巴沙和他的军团，于是战斗又猛烈地展开。 但是究竟是这些从克尔姆地区来的十字军骑士（他们中间有许多人是波兰血统）打得不起劲呢，还是因为波兰人凶不可当，总之，这一次攻击并没有带来预期的效果。大团长原以为这一击可以把国王的部队一举击溃，然而他马上看出，倒是那些波兰人在节节迫近，在推进，在攻打，在斫杀，仿佛挥着铁拳在外人。日耳曼军团与其说是在攻，不如说是在守。 他徒劳地大声鼓舞十字军骑士，徒劳地用剑催迫他们战斗。不错，他们在防守方面确也十分英勇，可惜没有具备胜利的军队所具备的冲劲和热忱，而波兰人现在却充分具有这两点。波兰骑士们给打坏甲胄，满身是血，受了伤，拿着七凹八凸的武器，咬紧牙关，如疯似狂地向着密集的日耳曼人丛冲过去，弄得日耳曼人一会儿勒住马匹，一会儿望望四周，仿佛要弄明白，包围着他们的这道铁箍是否愈来愈紧了，接着才缓缓地不断后退，想要神不知鬼不觉地逃脱这置人于死地的绝境。 这时候从森林那边又传来一阵阵叫喊。这是盛特拉姆让他自己所率领的农民来战斗了。马上听见了大镰刀和连枷析在铁甲胄上所发出的卡啦卡啦声；尸体愈积愈高。鲜血在被践踏的土地上汇成河流，开始了浴血的搏斗，因为日耳曼人知道只有剑才救得了自己，便不顾死活地顽抗着。 双方就这样相持不下，不知胜利属于何方，后来一片漫天的尘埃意外地出现在战斗的右方。 “立陶宛人回来了！”波兰人欢天喜地地吼叫起来。 They guessed right.很容易被击渍、却不容易被征服的立陶宛人现在回来了，他们骑着快马，像大风暴似地大叫大嚷，奔驰而前，投入战斗。 再说敌军那边，以威纳·封·戴丁根为首的几个“康姆透”赶到大团长跟前去。 “救您自己吧，阁下，”尼尔布隆的“康姆透”喊道，嘴唇都发青了。“趁我们还没有被包围，先救您自己和骑士团吧。” 骑士气概的乌尔里西却阴沉地望着他，把手举向天空，嚷道： “我决不能离开这块已经倒下了这么多勇士的战场！决不能！” 于是他一面高声叫十字军骑士跟着他走，一面冲进战斗的漩涡。这时候立陶宛人都跑了上来，接着是一片混乱，一片沸腾，天族地转，使人什么也看不清楚。 大团长被立陶宛人一支短枪击中了嘴巴，脸上又受了两处伤。他用麻痹了的右手抵挡了一阵斫击，最后被一支镖枪击中了脖子，像一段木头似的倒了下去。一大群穿着兽皮的战士向他猛扑过去，像蚂蚁似的把他完全遮没了。 威纳·封·戴丁根带着几个军团从战场上逃走了。其余的军团都被波兰军队的铁圈箍住了。战争变为对十字军骑士的屠杀，把他们打得溃不成军，简直是一场前所未闻的灾难，人类历史上简直没有先例。在天主教的历史上，从罗马战争中，从哥特人同阿提拉的战争中，从查尔斯·马忒尔同阿拉伯人的战争中，双方军队都从没有打得这么猛烈过。现在交战的一方，绝大多数人都直僵僵地躺在地上，像一捆捆的稻草。那些最后由大团长率领去作战的军团都投降了。克尔姆的士兵们把旗帜插在地上。有些日耳曼骑士都跳下马来，表示愿意做俘虏，并且跪在浸透了血的地上。外国客人在其中服务的整个圣杰西军团和他们的首领，也这样投降了。 但是战斗还在继续下去，因为十字军骑士团有许多军团宁愿死而不愿求生和被俘。现在日耳曼人都按照他们自己的军事习惯在作战，他们排成一个大圆圈，就像一群野猪被一群狼包围时那样自卫。波兰人和立陶宛人构成的包围圈却把他们那个圈不住地压紧，有如一条毒蛇缠住一头野牛的躯体那样。于是武器又斫击起来，连枷轰轰地响，大镰刀轧轧叫，剑在斫着，枪在刺着，斧头和钩刀劈个不停。日耳曼人像一片森林似的纷纷给斫倒。他们都默默地、阴郁地、庄严而勇猛地死了。 他们有些人揭去面甲，互相告别，在死前作了临终的吻别。有些人发疯一般胡乱冲进战斗的热潮。还有一些人做梦似地在战斗。最后，另外一些人用“米萃里考地阿”戳进咽喉自刎了。再有一些人扔掉了项圈，转身对着他们的战友恳求道：“刺吧！” 不久，愤怒的波兰人把日耳曼人围成的那个大圈圈击碎成十几个小圈；于是个别的骑士要逃命倒是不困难了。但是一般说来，十字军骑士的这些小圈圈都不顾死活地顽抗着。 他们很少有人跪下来求饶，等到最后波兰人那种可怕而猛烈的攻击又把这些小圈圈打散的时候，即使单身匹马的骑士也不愿向战胜者投降。对骑士团和西方骑士界来说，这是遭到大难的一天，但同时也是最光荣的一天。 那个了不起的巨人，被农民步兵包围住了的安诺德·封·培顿，他砍死的波兰人的尸体可以堆成一座小山；他站在尸体堆上，好像插在一座小山上的界石柱标，谁要是走近他，只要剑够得到，就会像遭到雷击似地丧了命。 最后，查维夏·却尔尼·苏里姆契克走过来了。但一看却是个没有坐骑的骑士，他不愿意违反骑士惯例从后面攻击他，便也跳下了军马，老远对这十字军骑士喊道： “回过头来，日耳曼人，投降吧，否则，就来同我决斗。” 安诺德回转身来，一看那黑色甲胄和盾牌上的“苏里马”，认出了是查维夏，他心里想： “我的死神来到了，我的时辰到了。因为谁都不能从他手里生还，不过如果我战胜了他，我就可以得到不朽的光荣，说不定也会救得了我的命。” 于是他向他冲了过去，他们就在尸体遍布的地上攻来击去，像是两股大风暴。查维夏的巨大气力一向是无敌的，在战争中，谁要是同他交战，谁的父母就成为不幸的人了。因此安诺德那只在玛尔堡锻造的盾牌，经不起查维夏的剑一击，就粉碎了，钢头盔也像瓷壶似的给击碎了，那个了不起的安诺德，头也被劈成两半，倒下去了。 希鲁霍夫的“康姆透”亨利克是波兰人不共戴天的仇敌，他发过誓，要拿两把出鞘的剑放在面前，要把这两把剑浸透了波兰人的血方才罢休，可现在却偷偷地从战场上逃跑，像一只狐狸受到了猎人包围。然而波格丹涅茨的兹皮希科突然拦住了他的路，这个“康姆透”看见剑临头上，就喊道： “饶了我吧！”说着，吓得叉着双手。这年轻的骑士听了这话，已经来不及抽回手来停止斫击，只是把剑一转，用剑背朝“康姆透”的汗涔涔的肥嘴打了一下，把他交给侍从，侍从用一根绳子系在这日耳曼人的脖子上，像牵牛似的把他牵去和所有的十字军骑士俘虏看守在一起。 老玛茨科不停地在血腥的战场上找寻昆诺·里赫顿斯坦。那一天对于波兰人真是万事顺遂，因为命运之神终于把这个人交到了玛茨科手里。玛茨科是在一小撮十字军骑士中间找到这个人的，原来这批十字军骑士逃出那场可怕的灾祸以后，都藏身在丛林中。那是他们武器上反射出来的阳光把他们暴露在追捕者的眼前的。他们全都立刻跪下投降。但是玛茨科得知囚犯中间有骑士团的大“康姆透”，就命令把昆诺带到他跟前来。于是玛茨科除下了头盔，问道： “你认识我么，昆诺·里赫顿斯坦？” 昆诺蹙紧眉尖，直瞪着玛茨科的脸，过了一会儿，说道： “我在普洛茨克的朝廷上见过你。” “不，”玛茨科口答，“你在那以前就见过我了！你在克拉科夫就见过我，那时候我侄子由于一时轻率，攻击了你，被判处了死刑，我求你留他一命。我曾向天主许过愿，并且凭我骑士的荣誉起誓说，如果我找到了你，我一定要同你决一死战。” “我知道，”里赫顿斯坦回答，一面傲慢地吁着气，不过他的脸色立即变白了。“但是现在我是你的俘虏，如果你对我举起了你的剑，那就会侮辱你自己。” 玛茨科把嘴一扭，露出一种不祥的、完全像狼一样的容貌。 “昆诺·里赫顿斯坦，”玛茨科说，“我不会举起剑来斫杀一个解除了武装的人，但是我要告诉你，如果你拒绝同我决斗，那末我就叫他们拿根绳子把你像条狗似的吊死。” “我没有别的办法。站起来的大'慷姆透”喊道。 “宁可战死，不作俘虏，”玛茨科又肯定地说。 “宁可战死。” 一会儿他们就在波兰和日耳曼骑士的面前交起手来了。昆诺年纪较轻，比玛茨科灵活，但是玛茨科的手力和脚力都远远超过他的敌手，所以一眨眼工夫，他就把他摔倒在地上，膝盖压在昆诺的胸口上。 这个“康姆透”的眼睛恐怖地向上望着。 “饶了我吧！”他哼着说，口中吐出口水和白沫来。 “不！”毫不容情的玛茨科回答。 他把“米萃里考地阿'在对手的喉咙里连戳两次。昆诺喉咙头咯咯地响了一阵，可怕地咳嗽着。血从他嘴里涌了出来。死亡的痉挛使他全身发抖，接着他的身体就挺直了，那个骑士们的伟大的抚慰者①使他永远安息了。 ①指死神。 战斗结束了，追剿和屠杀开始了。拒绝投降的十字军骑士都完了蛋。过去发生过的交战和搏斗多得不可胜数，但是据人们记忆所及，从来没有哪一次有过这样可怕的伤亡。不仅是十字军骑士团，连整个日耳曼都扑倒在大国王的足下，因为整个日耳曼的著名骑士都组成了条顿“先锋队”，帮助十字军骑士团不断深入侵略斯拉夫人的土地。 在率领这次日耳曼骑士入侵的七百个“白斗篷”之中，留得一命的只有十五个。四万多人都倒在那个血淋淋的战场上长眠了。 中午还在条顿大军头上飘扬着的无数旗子，全都落到了波兰人的血迹斑斑的、胜利的手里。没有一面旗子被抢救出去过。波兰和立陶宛骑士把它们扔在亚该老的足下，他朝天抬起一双虔诚的眼睛，激动地一再说道： “这是天主的意旨！” 俘虏中的一些重要人物都给带到国王跟前来：戈拉的阿勃丹克·斯卡贝克带来了舒舍静的卡齐米埃尔兹公爵；特洛茨诺夫的一个捷克骑士带来了奥列斯尼查的公爵康拉德；科比特罗夫的普尔席特比尔科（有“德里亚”纹章的）则带着杰西·杰司道夫前来，这个人在战斗中受了伤，如今还不省人事，他率领过组成圣杰西军团的所有的外国骑士。 二十二个国家参加了骑士团对波兰人的这场战争，如今国王的书记们正在登录俘虏的名字，这些俘虏都跪在亚该老面前，恳求怜悯和赎身回家。 十字军骑士团的整个大军已经不存在了。波兰人追击的结果，把十字军骑士的庞大辎重队抢过来了，那里面除了幸免死亡的十字军骑士之外，还有无数的马车，马车上装载着打算用来铐波兰人的链条，和准备在胜利后举行庆祝宴会用的葡萄酒。 太阳正在逐渐坠入西面的地平线。一场大雨压住了满天的尘埃。国王、威托特公爵和玛希科维支的盛特拉姆正要去巡视战场，人们却把战死的十字军骑士首领的尸体搬到他们面前来了。立陶宛人搬来了大团长的尸体，身上被矛戳穿了好几处，遍身都是灰尘和血块，他们把这具尸体放在国王跟前。国王惋惜地叹息了一下，望着这仰天躺在地上的巨大尸体，说道： “这个人呀，今天早晨还以为他是世界各国之王呢。……” 于是泪水像珍珠似地从他脸上滴下来，静默了一会，他继续说： “不过，他死得英勇。因此我们要表彰他的英勇，为他举行一次隆重的天主教葬仪。” 于是国王立即命令把这具尸体拿到湖里仔细洗干净，给它穿上漂亮衣服，在棺材没有做好之前，给它盖上骑士团的白斗篷。 这时候仆从们陆续搬来更多的尸体，俘虏们都把它们一一辨认出来。他们搬来了大“康姆透”昆诺·封·里赫顿斯坦的尸体，他的喉咙被“米萃里考地阿”可怕地割断了。然后是骑士团的元帅弗里德列克·华仑罗德的尸体；法衣圣器室执事长阿尔培特·斯赫华茨贝伯爵的尸体；大司库托麦斯·茂赫姆的尸体；和被塔契夫的波瓦拉斫死的温达伯爵的尸体，以及六百多具著名的“康姆透”和法师的尸体。仆从们把尸体一个挨着一个地放在一起，它们都像木头似地躺在那里，脸孔像他们的斗篷一样白，朝天躺着，圆睁着无光的眼睛，眼睛里的骄傲。愤怒、狂暴和恐怖都熄灭了。 所有俘获来的旗子，统统都插在它们的头旁！黄昏的微风把这些彩旗卷拢又吹开，在这些好像是睡着了似的尸体上面哗啦啦飘动着。远处的地平线上，迎着晚霞，可以看到立陶宛的士兵们在拖着俘获的大炮，这是十字军骑士第一次在战争中使用的武器，但是它对胜利的波兰人却没有造成什么损害。 最杰出的骑士们都在山同上聚集在国王的四周；他们由于疲劳，都沉重地喘着气，一面望着那些旗子，望着躺在他们足下的那些尸体，正如疲累的刈稻人望着他自己刈下来的成捆成捆的稻束一样。这是一次付出了巨大劳力的收割，获得了了不起的收获。现在伟大的、天堂似的、欢乐的黄昏到来了，无限的幸福照耀在胜利者的脸上，因为大家都知道，随着这个黄昏的到来，所有的苦难和忧患都结束了，不是结束了这一大的苦难和忧患，而是结束了整整一百年来的苦难和忧患。 国王虽然完全了解日耳曼人这次的失败惨重，还是惊奇地望着他面前这番景象，最后他高声说道： “莫非整个骑士团都躺在这里了么？” 副主教米柯拉伊因为懂得圣勃里杰特的神圣的预言，所以这样回答道： “现在，他们给敲掉牙齿、给斫掉右手的时间已经到来了！！！……” 亚该老举起手来，画了个十字，开始为那些躺在他身旁的人以及格隆瓦尔德和坦能堡之间的整个战场祝祷。 在雨后纯净的空气中，在晚霞的鲜艳光亮中，他们可以清清楚楚看见这片广漠的、冒着水气的血腥战场上撒满了折断的枪、矛和大镰刀；人尸和马尸堆积如山，尸山上还戳起了一只只手、脚和马蹄。在这块悲伤的战场上，积尸望不到边。 在那片一望无际的墓地上，可以看见仆从们在走来走去，收集武器，从死者身上剥下甲胄。在玫瑰色的上空，一群乌鸦、渡乌和老鹰已经在活动着、盘旋着，因为看见了食物而高兴得哇哇叫。 不但是那个背信弃义的十字军骑士团现在躺在国王的足下，而且那些迄今为止在不幸的斯拉夫人土地上，像洪水似地泛滥成灾的整个日耳曼威力，也在这个赎罪的日子里，被波兰人打得土崩瓦解。 赞美和荣耀属于这一个过去了的伟大的圣日，属于这一次血的献祭！