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
"Woe to us! He is a guest and we cannot challenge him!"
Zawisza Czarny, Sulimczyk, the most famous among the famous, "the model
of knighthood," turned to Lichtenstein with a frown on his forehead and
said:
"I do not recognize you, Kuno. How can you, a knight, insult a mighty
nation, when you know that, being an envoy, you cannot be punished for
it."
But Kuno quietly sustained the threatening look, and answered slowly and
precisely:
"Our Order, before it came to Prussia, fought in Palestine; even there
the Saracens respected the envoys. But you do not respect them; that is
the reason I called your customs pagan."
At these words the uproar increased. Round the table again were heard
shouts: "Woe! Woe!"
But they subsided when the king, who was furious, clasped his hands in
the Lithuanian fashion. Then the old Jasko Topor of Tenczyn, castellan of
Krakow, venerable, grave and dreaded on account of the importance of his
office, arose and said:
"Noble Knight of Lichtenstein, if you, an envoy, have been insulted,
speak, and severe punishment will be given quickly."
"It would not have happened to me in any other Christian country,"
answered Kuno. "Yesterday on the road to Tyniec I was attacked by one of
your knights, and although he could very easily recognize by the cross on
my mantle who I was, he attempted my life."
Zbyszko, having heard these words, became very pale and involuntarily
glanced at the king, whose anger was terrible. Jasko of Tenczyn was
surprised, and said:
"Can it be possible?"
"Ask the Pan of Taczew, who was a witness of the incident."
"All eyes turned toward Powala, who stood for a while gloomy, and with
lowered eyelids; then he said:
"Yes, it is so!"
Hearing this the knights began to shout: "Shame! Shame! The earth will
devour such a man!" Because of this disgrace some of them began to strike
their chests with their hands, and others to rap the silver dishes, not
knowing what to do.
"Why did you not kill him?" shouted the king.
"Because his head belongs to the court," answered Powala.
"Have you put him in prison?" asked the castellan, Topor of Tenczyn.
"No. He is a _wlodyka_, who swore on his knightly honor, that he would
appear."
"But he will not appear!" ironically exclaimed Kuno, raising his head.
At that moment a young voice resounded behind the Krzyzak:
"I did it; I, Zbyszko of Bogdaniec!"
After these words the knights rushed toward the unhappy Zbyszko; but they
were stopped by a threatening nod from the king who began to shout in an
angry voice, similar to the rattling of a carriage rolling over the
stones:
"Cut his head off! Cut his head off! Let the Krzyzak send it to Malborg
to the grand master!"
Then he cried to the young Lithuanian prince standing near.
"Hold him, Jamont!"
The frightened Jamont put his trembling hands on Zbyszko's shoulders.
But the white-bearded castellan of Krakow, Topor of Tenczyn, raised his
hand as a sign that he wished to speak; when everybody was quiet, he
said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account