Friar Robak, that he spread too busily
The news abroad, the Klucznik and the nobles
That they misunderstood it. War with Russia
Cannot so quickly be begun. Meanwhile
Who in the battle took most active part,
Cannot with safety tarry here in Litva,
So must ye quickly to the Duchy fly.
Matthew especially, the Baptist called,
Thaddeus and Razor, and the Bucket, bear
Their heads beyond the Niemen, where await them
Our national hosts. We on you absent ones
Will lay the blame entirely, so shall we
Preserve the rest of all the family.
I bid ye farewell not for long. There are
Most certain hopes that on us with the spring
Shall brighten Freedom’s dawn, and Litva, who
Now bids farewell to you as exiles, soon
Shall view you her triumphant rescuers.
All necessaries for the road the Judge
Will furnish, and myself I will assist you
With money, as I can.” The nobles felt
The Chamberlain had wisely counselled them;
For well ’tis known that he who once has had
A difference with the Russian Czar, can ne’er
Be truly reconciled to him on earth;
And either he must fight, or perish in
Siberia. Therefore without speaking they
Gazed sadly on each other, sighed, but as
A signing of consent they bowed their heads.
The Pole, although among the nations famed
For love of native land exceeding life,
Is ready aye to leave it, and depart
Into the world’s wide country, and to live
Long years in poverty and in contempt,
Battling with men and destiny, while still
This hope before him glimmers through the storm,
That yet he serves his Fatherland. They all
Declared that they were ready to set out
At once; alone this pleased not Master Buchman.
Buchman, a prudent man, had mixed not in
The battle, but on hearing that they took
Counsel together, he made haste to give
His own opinion. He approved the project,
But wished it were completely otherwise.
He would develop it more fully, would
Have it explained more clearly; first appoint
Commission legally, that should consider
The emigration’s aims, and means, and action;
And many other things consider too.
Unhappily the shortness of the time
Prevented justice being done to Buchman’s
Advice. The nobles hastily took leave,
And were already starting. But the Judge
Stayed Thaddeus in the room, and to the priest
Said, “Now ’tis time that I should tell to thee,
That which since yesterday I learned for certain,
Our Thaddeus loves Sophia truly. Let him,
Before departing, for her hand entreat her.
I spoke to Telimena, she will not
Be hindrance to us; likewise is Sophia
Conformable unto her guardians’ will.
If we may not in wreath of marriage join
To-day the couple, they at least to-day,
Brother, may be affianced, ere he part;
Since for young hearts and travellers, thou well knowest
What various temptations rise. But when
The youth shall cast his eyes upon the ring,
Remembering he already is a husband,
At once the fever of temptations strange
Is cool within him; the betrothal ring,
Believe me, has great power. “Myself, I had,
Some thirty years ago, a great affection
For the fair Martha, and her heart I won.
We were betrothed, but Heaven did not bless
Our union, and soon left me desolate,
Taking the lovely Wojszczanka to
His glory, daughter of my friend Hreczecha.
As memory of her virtues, of her charms,
This gold betrothal ring alone remained
To me. As often as I looked thereon,
My dead love stood before my eyes, and thus
By Heaven’s grace I hitherto have kept
My faith to my betrothed one, and though ne’er
A husband, I am an old widower.
Although the Wojski has another daughter,
Pretty enough, and like enough unto
My well-loved Martha.” Saying this he looked
Upon the ring with tenderness, and brushed
A tear off with his hand; then ended: “Brother,
What thinkest thou, shall we betroth the two?
He loves, and I have the aunt’s word and the girl’s.”
But up rushed Thaddeus, and earnestly
Spoke thus: “How can I show my gratitude
To my dear uncle, who so constantly
Thinks of my happiness! Ah! dearest uncle,
I were the happiest of men, if now
Sophia were betrothed to me, if I
Could know she was my future wife; and yet—
I’ll say it openly-to-day these spousals
May not be done, for this are many reasons.
Ask me no more. If Sophia deigns to wait,
She maybe will behold me better, worthier.
Maybe by steadfastness I shall deserve
Her love; maybe a little glory may
Adorn my name. Maybe we shall return
Soon to our native region. Then, my uncle,
I shall recall your promise to you, then
Upon my knees salute my dear Sophia,
And if she still be free, entreat her hand.
Now must I part from Litva, it may be
For long, perhaps another may meanwhile
Commend him to Sophia. I will not
Constrain her will, to beg return of love
Which I have not deserved, were mean and base.”
And as the young lad spoke thus feelingly,
Like two great pearl-drops glittered two bright tears
Within his large blue eyes, and ran together
Swift down his blushing countenance. But curious,
Sophia from the depths of the alcove
Had heard this secret discourse, and she heard
While Thaddeus simply thus and boldly spake
His love; the heart within her trembled; she
Saw only those two large tears in his eyes;
Although she might not track his secret’s thread,
Wherefore he loved her, why abandoned her,
Or whither he departed, yet this parting
Much saddened her. The first time in her life
She from a young man’s lips had heard the great
And wondrous tidings that she was beloved.
So ran she to a little household shrine,
Therefrom an image and a reliquary
She took; the picture was St. Genevieve,
And in the reliquary was a shred
Of holy Joseph’s coat, the lover, patron
Of youth betrothed; and with these holy things
She entered the apartment. “Are you going
So quickly? I will give you for the journey
A little present, and a warning too.
Carry this relic with you always, and
This picture, and remember still Sophia.
May the Lord God in health and weal conduct you,
And quickly bring you back to us in joy!”
Silent she stood, and drooped her head, while half
Closed her blue eyes, and liberal tears ran forth
From underneath the lashes; and Sophia,
Standing with eyelids closed, kept silence still,
Pouring down tears like diamonds. Thaddeus, taking
The gifts, and on her hand a kiss imprinting,
Said, “Lady, I must bid farewell to you.
Farewell, remember me, and deign at times
To say a prayer for me, Sophia!” More
He could not say. But unexpectedly
The Count
