As sinking without echo in the mist.
The sickles in the corn clashed, and the mead
Resounded; in a row the mowers cut
The after-grass, and whistled loud their song;
With ending of each stanza they stand still,
Sharpen the steel, and beat upon the hones
In time. The folk unseen in mist, alone
The sickles, scythes, and songs resounded, as
Music from voices of the invisible.
In midmost on a sheaf of corn, the bailiff,
Sitting, grew weary, turned around his head,
Regarding not the labours; on the road
He looked, upon the cross-ways, where there passed
Some unaccustomed things. Upon the paths
And highways, from the morning had there reigned
Unusual movement. There was creaking loud
The peasant’s cart, that like a post did fly;
And here a noble’s carriage rattling flew.
It meets another, and a third. From left
There rode an envoy like a courier;
And many horses from the right-hand way
Flew, as though racing. All seemed hastening
To various quarters. What may all this mean?
The bailiff rose up from the sheaf, he wished
To look around him, and inquire. Long time
He stood upon the road, but called in vain,
He could not stay the course of any one,
Nor in the mist could recognise a soul.
And horsemen flitted fast like spirits, only
Time after time the hollow fall of hoofs,
Was heard, and stranger yet, the clash of sabres.
This much rejoices, but yet terrifies
The bailiff’s heart; for though in Litva then
Was peace, long time low murmurs went around
Of war, the French, Dombrowski, of Napoleon.
Should then these horsemen war portend? these arms?
The bailiff ran to tell it to the Judge,
Trusting himself to learn of something news.
In Soplicowo guests and household both,
After the quarrellings of yesterday,
Rose sad and discontented on this morn.
In vain the Wojski’s daughter would invite
The ladies unto fortune-telling. Vainly
Were given playing-cards unto the men.
They will not seek amusement, neither play.
Silent they sat in corners, and the men
Smoked pipes, the women knitted; even the flies
Appeared asleep. The Wojski, throwing down
His fly-scare, wearied by the silence, went
Among the servants. He was glad to hear
Within the kitchen the housekeeper’s cries,
And the cook’s threats and blows, and scullions’ noise,
Until the sound monotonous of spits,
Turning with various roasts, did gradually
In sweet and pleasant dreaming steep his sense.
Since morning shut up in his room the Judge
Was writing, and the Wozny since the morn
Beneath the window in the ante-room
Was waiting. Having finished now his summons,
The Judge called in Protasy, read aloud
An accusation couched against the Count,
For outrage to his honour, and reviling;
Against Gervasy for assault and battery;
Against them both for insolence and costs,
He enters in the criminal register!164
This must that very day by word of mouth
Delivered be, and openly, ere sunset.
The Wozny, with a solemn mien, outstretched
Both hands and hearing when he saw the summons.
He stood right gravely, but had fain jumped high
For very joy, for thinking of a lawsuit
He felt him growing young again, remembering
When he went out with summons, to earn blows,
But likewise liberal pay. The soldier thus,
Whose life was spent in war, but old and broken
Now rests in hospital, soon as he hears
The trump and drum far off, from off his couch
Springeth, and in his sleep cries out, “Upon
The Muscovites!” and on his wooden leg
So fast he rushes from the hospital,
That young men scarcely may him overtake.
Protasy hastes to don forensic dress;
Yet wears he nor the zupan nor kontusz.
They serve alone the law-court’s grand parade.
For journeying he has a different dress:
Wide riding hose, and jacket, whose long skirts
With buttons may be shortened, or let down
Below the knee; a cap with ears, and band
That fastens round the crown, in sunshine raised,
Let down in rain. Accoutred thus he took
A cudgel, and on foot set forward, since
The Wozny, like a spy before the war,
Must hide himself before the suit begin,
Beneath another form, another name.
Well did Protasy, that such haste he made
Upon the road, else had he not for long
Enjoyed his summons. For in Soplicowo
The plan of the campaign had all been changed.
On sudden to the Judge came Robak, breathless,
Thus saying: “Judge, the aunt will work us woe,
This lady Telimena’s a coquette
And flirt. When as a helpless child Sophia
Was left, to Telimena’s care did Jacek
Confide her, since he heard that she was good,
And had great knowledge of the world. But I
Perceive that she is carrying on intrigues,
And possibly enticing Thaddeus.
I have watched her—or perhaps it is the Count,
Perhaps the two at once. Let’s think of means
To rid ourselves of her, else may result
Some complications hence, an ill example,
Quarrels between the young men, which may mar
Thy legal compromise!”—“My compromise!”
The Judge exclaimed, with unaccustomed heat;
“I’m quit of compromises! I have ended,
I’ve broken ’em all off!”—“But how is this?”
Broke Robak in; “what reason’s in’t or sense?”
“No fault of mine,” the Judge said; “and the lawsuit
Will make all clear. The Count, that proud young fool,
Was cause of all the quarrel, and that rascal
Gervasy. But all this is for the courts.
Pity thou wert not in the castle, priest,
At supper, for thou couldst have then been witness
How grievously the Count offended me.”
“Why did you creep again into those ruins?”
Said Robak; “for you know I cannot bear
That castle. Henceforth never shall my foot
Enter within it. What! another quarrel!
Chastisement of the Lord! How was it? tell me.
All this must be forgotten; I am weary
Of all these fooleries! I’ve weightier business
Than to conciliate brawlers, but I fain
Would bring ye to agree!”—“Thou! make agree!
What means this? Get ye gone with make agree
Unto the devil!” stamping with his foot
The Judge exclaimed. Because “Just see this monk! Because
I have received him here with courtesy,
He wants to lead me by the nose. Learn thou
That the Soplicas are not used to agree;
When once they send a summons they must win.
Not one time only in their name a suit
Has lasted full six generations long,
Until they gained it. I have done enough
Of fooleries by your counsel, calling in
Three times the judgment of the Chamberlain.
Henceforth there is no peace, no, none! none! none!”
And thus exclaiming he rose up, and stamped
With both his
