The Knights of the Cross, or, Krzyzacy: Historical RomanceSienkiewicz, Henryk
History
The Knights of the Cross, or, Krzyzacy: Historical Romance
Sienkiewicz, Henryk
Poland -- History -- Jagellons, 1386-1572 -- Fiction; Teutonic Knights -- History -- Fiction
"Since the Lord Jesus has given you to me, nobody can take you from me;
but I am sorry that you must leave me, my sweetest berry."
"We will come with _tatulo_ to Ciechanow," answered Danusia.
"If only you do not become sick--or--God may preserve you from some bad
accident.--You must go to Spychow--I know! Hej! I must be thankful to God
and to our gracious lady, that you are already mine--because we are
married and no human force can break our marriage."
But as this marriage was performed secretly during the night and
separation was necessary immediately afterward, therefore from time to
time, not only Zbyszko, but everybody was filled with sadness. The
conversation was broken. From time to time, also the fire was quenched
and plunged all heads in obscurity. Then the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek threw
fresh logs on the charcoal and when something whined in the wood, as
happens very often when the wood is fresh, he said:
"Penitent soul, what do you wish?"
The crickets answered him and the increasing flames which brought out
from the shadow the sleepless faces, were reflected in Sir de Lorche's
armor, lighting in the meanwhile Danusia's white dress and the
immortelles on her head.
The dogs outside again began to howl in the direction of the forest, as
they usually do, when they scent wolves.
As the hours of the night flew on, oftener there was silence; finally the
princess said:
"Sweet Jesus! We had better go to bed if we are going to sit like this
after a wedding, but as it was determined to watch until morning, then
play for us, my little flower, for the last time before your departure,
on the little lute--for me and for Zbyszko."
"What shall I play?" asked she.
"What?" said the princess. "What else if not the same song which you sang
in Tyniec, when Zbyszko saw you for the first time."
"Hej! I remember--and shall never forget it," said Zbyszko. "When I heard
that song somewhere else--I cried."
"Then I will sing it!" said Danusia.
And immediately she began to thrum on the lute; then, having raised her
little head, she sang:
"If I only could get
The wings like a birdie,
I would fly quickly
To my dearest Jasiek!
I would then be seated
On the high enclosure;
Look, my dear Jasiulku,
Look on me, poor orphan."
But at once her voice broke, her mouth began to tremble and from beneath
the closed eyelids the tears began to flow down her cheeks. For a moment
she tried not to let them pass the eyelashes, but she could not keep them
back and finally she began to cry, exactly as she did the last time she
sang that song to Zbyszko in the prison in Krakow.
"Danuska! what is the matter, Danuska?" asked Zbyszko.
"Why are you crying? Such a wedding!" exclaimed the princess. "Why?"
"I do not know," answered Danusia, sobbing. "I am so sad! I regret
Zbyszko and you so much."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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