The Knights of the Cross, or, Krzyzacy: Historical Romance

  CHAPTER III.

  There was anxiety about Zbyszko in the whole court, among the knights aswell as among the ladies, because he was universally liked; but,according to Jurand's letter, nobody doubted that the right was on theside of the Teuton. On the other hand it was known that Rotgier was oneof the more famous brethren of the Order. The squire van Krist narratedamong the Mazovian nobility, perhaps on purpose, that his lord beforebecoming an armed monk, once sat at the Honor-Table of the Teutons, towhich table only world-famous knights were admitted, those who hadaccomplished an expedition to the Holy Land, or fought victoriouslyagainst giants, dragons, or mighty magicians. Hearing van Krist tell suchtales, and, at the same time, boast that his lord had repeatedly met fiveopponents single-handed with his "dagger of mercy" in one hand and an axeor sword in the other, the Mazurs were disquieted, and some said: "Oh, ifonly Jurand were here, he could give an account of himself with even two;no German ever escaped him yet, but the youth--bah!--for the otherexceeds him in strength, years and experience."

  Therefore others regretted that they had not accepted the challenge,asserting that they would undoubtedly have done so, if it had not beenfor the news from Jurand. "But fear of the judgment of God...." On thisoccasion, and for mutual entertainment, they recalled the names ofMazovian and more often of Polish knights, who, either in courtly joustsor hunting, had gained numerous victories over the western knights; aboveall they mentioned Zawisza of Garbow, with whom no knight of theChristian kingdom could cope. But there were also those who cherishedgreat hopes of Zbyszko: "He is not to be despised!" they said "andaccording to common report he once admirably broke the heads of Germansin fair field." But their hearts were particularly strengthened by theaction of Zbyszko's follower, the Bohemian Hlawa, who, on the eve of thecombat, hearing how van Krist was talking about Rotgier's unheard-ofvictories, and being a hasty youth, caught van Krist by the beard, pulledhis head up, and said:

  "If it is no shame to lie before men, then look up, so that God also mayhear you!"

  And he kept him long enough to say a "Pater"; while the other, when atlength liberated, began to ask him about his lineage, and, having heardthat he sprang from the _wlodykas_, challenged him also to fight withaxes.

  The Mazovians were delighted at such conduct, and again several said:

  "Indeed these fellows will not hobble on the barn-floor; even if truthand God be on their side these Teutonic women will not carry away soundbones with them!"

  But Rotgier succeeded in throwing dust in the eyes of all, so that manywere disquieted as to which had the truth on his side, and the princehimself partook of that fear.

  Therefore, on the evening before the combat, he summoned Zbyszko to aconsultation at which was present the princess only, and asked:

  "Are you positive that God will be with you? How do you know that theycaptured Danusia? Did Jurand perchance tell you any thing? Because, yousee, here is Jurand's letter, by the hand of the priest Kaleb, and hisseal, and in this letter Jurand says that he knows that it was not theTeutons. What did he tell you?"

  "He said that it was not the Teutons."

  "How then can you risk your life and appeal to the judgment of God?"

  Then Zbyszko was silent, and only his jaws worked for some time and tearsgathered in his eyes.

  "I know nothing, gracious lord," he said. "We left here together withJurand, and on the way I admitted our marriage. He then began to lamentthat this might be a sin against God, but when I told him it was God'swill, he quieted down and forgave me. Along the whole way he said thatnobody captured Danusia but the Teutons, and what happened afterward I donot know myself! That woman who brought certain medicines for me to theForest Court, came to Spychow, accompanied by another messenger. Theyshut themselves up with Jurand and deliberated. Neither do I know whatthey said, only after the interview his own servants could not recognizeJurand, because he looked as if he had risen from the grave. He told us:'Not the Teutons,' but he released von Bergow and all the prisoners hehad underground, God knows why! he himself again rode away without anywarrior or servant.... He said that he was riding after robbers to ransomDanusia, and ordered me to wait. And I waited until the news fromSzczytno arrived, that Jurand had slain Germans and fallen himself. Oh!gracious lord! The soil in Spychow almost scorched me and I nearly ranmad. I made people mount horses in order to revenge Jurand's death, andthen the priest Kaleb said: 'You will not be able to take the castle, anddo not commence war. Go to the prince, perhaps they know something aboutDanusia there.' Hlawa and I arrived, and just heard how that dog wasbarking about Teutonic grievances and Jurand's frenzy.... My lord, Iaccepted his challenge, because I had challenged him before, and althoughI know nothing, this much I know, that they are hellish liars--withoutshame, without honor and without belief! Look, gracious lord, theystabbed de Fourcy to death and tried to cast the guilt upon my follower!By God! they stabbed him like an ox, and then they came to you, lord, forvengeance and retribution! Who will swear then, that they did not lie toJurand before, and now do the same to you, lord?... I know not, I knownot where Danusia is but I challenged him, because, even if I were tolose my life, I prefer death to life without my love, without the one whois clearest to me in the whole world."

  Saying this in rapture, he tore off a band from his head, so that hishair fell about his shoulders, and clutching it, he began to weepbitterly, until the princess Anna Danuta was moved to the bottom of hersoul for the loss of Danusia, and, pitying him for his sufferings, laidher hands upon his head, and said:

  "May God help you, console and bless you!"