CHAPTER VIII.
Pan Andrei fretted in his lodgings like a wounded wildcat. The hellishrevenge of Boguslav Radzivill brought him almost to madness. Not enoughthat that prince had sprung out of his hands, killed his men, almostdeprived him of life; he had put upon him besides shame such as no one,not merely of his name, but no Pole from the beginning of the world,had ever groaned under.
There were moments when Kmita wished to leave everything--the glorywhich was opening before him, the service of the king--and fly away toavenge himself on that magnate whom he wanted to eat up alive.
But on the other hand, in spite of all his rage and the whirlwind inhis head, he remembered that while the prince lived revenge would notvanish; and the best means, the only way to hurl back his calumny andlay bare all the infamy of his accusation, was precisely the service ofthe king; for in it he could show the world that not only had he notthought of raising his hand against the sacred person of Yan Kazimir,but that among all the nobles of Lithuania and Poland no person moreloyal than Kmita could be found.
But he gnashed his teeth and was boiling like a stew; he tore hisclothing, and long, long was it before he could calm himself. Hegloated over the thought of revenge. He saw this Radzivill again in hishands; he swore by the memory of his father, that he must reachBoguslav even if death and torments were awaiting him therefor. Andthough the prince was a mighty lord whom not only the revenge of acommon noble, but even the revenge of a king, could not easily touch;still, whoso knew that unrestrained soul better, would not have sleptcalmly, and more than once would have trembled before his vows.
And still Pan Andrei did not know yet that the prince had not merelycovered him with shame and robbed him of repute.
Meanwhile the king, who from the first had conceived a great love forthe young hero, sent Pan Lugovski to him that same day, and on themorrow commanded Kmita to accompany his majesty to Opol, where at ageneral assembly of the senators it was intended to deliberate on thereturn of the king to the country. Indeed there was something overwhich to deliberate. Lyubomirski, the marshal of the kingdom, had senta new letter, announcing that everything in the country was ready for ageneral war, and urging earnestly the return. Besides this, news wasspread of a certain league of nobles and soldiers formed for thedefence of the king and the country, concerning which men had reallybeen thinking for some time, but which, as appeared afterward, wasconcluded a little later, under the name of the Confederation ofTishovtsi.
All minds were greatly occupied by the news, and immediately after athanksgiving Mass they assembled in a secret council, to which, at theinstance of the king, Kmita too was admitted, since he had brought newsfrom Chenstohova.
They began then to discuss whether the return was to take place atonce, or whether it were better to defer it till the army, not only bywish, but by deed, should abandon the Swedes.
Yan Kazimir put an end to these discussions by saying: "Do not discuss,your worthinesses, the return, or whether it is better to defer itawhile, for I have taken counsel already concerning that with God andthe Most Holy Lady. Therefore I communicate to you that whatever mayhappen we shall move in person these days. Express your ideastherefore, your worthinesses, and be not sparing of counsel as to howour return may be best and most safely accomplished."
Opinions were various. Some advised not to trust too greatly to themarshal of the kingdom, who had once shown hesitation and disobedience,when, instead of giving the crown to the emperor for safe keeping,according to the order of the king, he had carried it to Lyubovlya."Great," said they, "is the pride and ambition of that lord, and if heshould have the person of the king in his castle, who knows what hemight do, or what he would ask for his services; who knows that hewould not try, or wish to seize the whole government in his own hands,and become the protector, not only of the entire country, but of theking?"
These advised the king therefore to wait for the retreat of the Swedesand repair to Chenstohova, as to the place from which grace and rebirthhad spread over the Commonwealth. But others gave different opinions,--
"The Swedes are yet at Chenstohova, and though by the grace of God theywill not capture the place, still there are no unoccupied roads. Allthe districts about there are in Swedish hands. The enemy are atKjepitsi, Vyelunie, Cracow; along the boundary also considerable forcesare disposed. In the mountains near the Hungarian border, whereLyubovlya is situated, there are no troops save those of the marshal;the Swedes have never gone to that distance, not having men enough nordaring sufficient. From Lyubovlya it is nearer to Russia, which is freeof hostile occupation, and to Lvoff, which has not ceased to be loyal,and to the Tartars, who, according to information, are coming withsuccor; all these are waiting specially for the decision of the king."
"As to Pan Lyubomirski," said the Bishop of Cracow, "his ambition willbe satisfied with this, that he will receive the king first in hisstarostaship of Spij, and will surround him with protection. Thegovernment will remain with the king, but the hope itself of greatservices will satisfy the marshal. If he wishes to tower above allothers through his loyalty, then, whether his loyalty flows fromambition or from love to the king and the country, his majesty willalways receive notable profit."
This opinion of a worthy and experienced bishop seemed the most proper;therefore it was decided that the king should go through the mountainsto Lyubovlya, and thence to Lvoff, or whithersoever circumstances mightindicate.
They discussed also the day of returning; but the voevoda of Lenchytsk,who had just come from his mission to the emperor for aid, said that itwas better not to fix the date, but to leave the decision to the king,so that the news might not be spread and the enemy forewarned. Theydecided only this, that the king would move on with three hundreddragoons, under command of Tyzenhauz, who, though young, enjoyedalready the reputation of a great soldier.
But still more important was the second part of the deliberations, inwhich it was voted unanimously that on his arrival in the country,government and the direction of the war should pass into the hands ofthe king, whom nobles, troops, and hetmans were to obey in all things.They spoke besides of the future, and touched upon the causes of thosesudden misfortunes which, as a deluge, had covered the whole land insuch a brief period. And the primate himself gave no other cause forthis than the disorder, want of obedience, and excessive contempt forthe office and majesty of the king.
He was heard in silence, for each man understood that it was a questionhere of the fate of the Commonwealth, and of great, hitherto unexampledchanges in it, which might bring back the ancient power of the State,and which was long desired by the wise queen who loved her adoptedcountry.
From the mouth of the worthy prince of the church there came words likethunderbolts, and the souls of the hearers opened to the truth, almostas flowers open to the sun.
"Not against ancient liberties do I rise," said the primate, "butagainst that license which with its own hands is murdering the country.In very truth men have forgotten in this Commonwealth the distinctionbetween freedom and license; and as excessive pleasure ends in pain, sofreedom unchecked has ended in slavery. You have descended to sucherror, citizens of this illustrious Commonwealth, that only he amongyou passes for a defender of liberty who raises an uproar, who breaksdiets and opposes the king, not when it is needful, but when for theking it is a question of saving the country. In our treasury the bottomof the chest can be seen; the soldier unpaid seeks pay of the enemy;the diets, the only foundation of this Commonwealth, are dissolvedafter having done nothing, for one disorderly man, one evil citizen,for his own private purpose may prevent deliberation. What manner ofliberty is that which permits one man to stand against all? If that isfreedom for one man, then it is bondage for all others. And where havewe gone with the use of this freedom which seemed such sweet fruit?Behold one weak enemy, against whom our ancestors gained so manysplendid victories, now _sicut fulgur exit ab occidente et poret usquead orientem_ (flashes like lightning from the west, and goes as f
ar asthe east). No one opposes him, traitorous heretics aided him, and heseized possession of all things; he persecutes the faith, he desecrateschurches, and when you speak of your liberties he shows you the sword.Behold what your provincial diets have come to, what your veto has cometo, what your license has come to, your degradation of the king atevery step. Your king, the natural defender of the country, you haverendered, first of all, powerless, and then you complain that he doesnot defend you. You did not want your own government, and now the enemyis governing. And who, I ask, can save us in this fall, who can bringback ancient glory to this Commonwealth, if not he who has spent somuch of his life and time for it; when the unhappy domestic war withthe Cossacks tore it, who exposed his consecrated person to dangerssuch as no monarch in our time has passed through; who at Zborovo, atBerestechko, and at Jvanyets fought like a common soldier, bearingtoils and hardships beyond his station of king? To him now we willconfide ourselves; to him, with the example of the ancient Romans, wewill give the dictatorship, and take counsel ourselves how to save intime coming this fatherland from domestic enemies, from vice, license,disorder, disobedience, and restore due dignity to the government andthe king."
So spoke the primate; and misfortune with the experience of recenttimes had changed his hearers in such a degree that no man protested,for all saw clearly that either the power of the king must bestrengthened, or the Commonwealth must perish without fail. They begantherefore to consider in various ways how to bring the counsels of theprimate into practice. The king and queen listened to them eagerly andwith joy, especially the queen, who had labored long and earnestly atthe introduction of order into the Commonwealth.
The king returned then to Glogov glad and satisfied, and summoning anumber of confidential officers, among whom was Kmita, he said,--
"I am impatient, my stay in this country is burning me, I could wish tostart even to-morrow; therefore I have called you, as men of arms andexperience, to provide ready methods. It is a pity that we should losetime, when our presence may hasten considerably a general war."
"In truth," said Lugovski, "if such is the will of your Royal Grace,why delay? The sooner the better."
"While the affair is not noised about and the enemy do not double theirwatchfulness," added Colonel Wolf.
"The enemy are already on their guard, and have taken possession of theroads so far as they are able," said Kmita.
"How is that?" asked the king.
"Gracious Lord, your intended return is no news for the Swedes. Almostevery day a report travels over the whole Commonwealth, that your RoyalGrace is already on the road, or even now in your realms, _interregna_. Therefore it is necessary to observe the greatest care, and tohurry by through narrow places stealthily, for Douglas's scouts arewaiting on the roads."
"The best carefulness," said Tyzenhauz, looking at Kmita, "is threehundred faithful sabres; and if my gracious lord gives me command overthem, I will conduct him in safety, even over the breasts of Douglas'sscouts."
"You will conduct if there are just three hundred, but suppose that youmeet six hundred or a thousand, or come upon a superior force waitingin ambush, what then?"
"I said three hundred," answered Tyzenhauz, "for three hundred werementioned. If however that is too small a party, we can provide fivehundred and even more."
"God save us from that. The larger the party, the more noise will itmake," said Kmita.
"I think that the marshal of the kingdom will come out to meet us withhis squadrons," put in the king.
"The marshal will not come out," answered Kmita, "for he will not knowthe day and the hour, and even if he did know some delay might happenon the road, as is usual; it is difficult to foresee everything."
"A soldier says that, a genuine soldier!" said the king. "It is clearthat you are not a stranger to war."
Kmita laughed, for he remembered his attacks on Hovanski. Who was moreskilled than he in such actions? To whom could the escort of the kingbe entrusted with more judgment?
But Tyzenhauz was evidently of a different opinion from the king, forhe frowned and said with sarcasm against Kmita, "We wait then for yourenlightened counsel."
Kmita felt ill will in the words; therefore he fixed his glance onTyzenhauz and answered,--
"My opinion is that the smaller the party the easier it will pass."
"How is that?"
"The will of your Royal Grace is unfettered," said Kmita, "and can dowhat it likes, but my reason teaches me this: Let Pan Tyzenhauz goahead with the dragoons, giving out purposely that he is conducting theking; this he will do to attract the enemy to himself. His affair is towind out, to escape from the trap safely. And we with a small band in aday or two will move after him with your Royal Grace; and when theenemy's attention is turned in another direction it will be easy for usto reach Lyubovlya."
The king clapped his hands with delight. "God sent us this soldier!"cried he. "Solomon could not judge better. I give my vote for thisplan, and there must not be another. They will hunt for the king amongthe dragoons, and the king will pass by under their noses. It could notbe better!"
"Gracious King," cried Tyzenhauz, "that is pastime."
"Soldier's pastime!" said the king. "But no matter, I will not recedefrom that plan."
Kmita's eyes shone from delight because his opinion had prevailed, butTyzenhauz sprang from his seat.
"Gracious Lord!" said he, "I resign my command from the dragoons. Letsome one else lead them."
"And why is that?"
"For if your Royal Grace will go without defence, exposed to the playof fortune, to every destructive chance which may happen, I wish to benear your person to expose my breast for you and to die should the needbe."
"I thank you for your sincere intention," answered Yan Kazimir; "butcalm yourself, for in just such a way as Babinich advises shall I beleast exposed."
"Let Pan Babinich, or whatever his name may be, take what he advises onhis own responsibility! It may concern him that your Royal Grace belost in the mountains. I take as witness God and my companions herepresent that I advised against it from my soul."
Scarcely had he finished speaking when Kmita sprang up, and standingface to face with Tyzenhauz asked, "What do you mean by these words?"
Tyzenhauz measured him haughtily with his eyes from head to foot, andsaid, "Do not strain your head, little man, toward mine, the place istoo high for you."
To which Kmita with lightning in his eyes replied, "It is not known forwhom it would be too high if--"
"If what?" asked Tyzenhauz, looking at him quickly.
"If I should reach higher people, than you."
Tyzenhauz laughed. "But where would you seek them?"
"Silence!" said the king suddenly, with a frown. "Do not begin aquarrel in my presence."
Yan Kazimir made an impression of such dignity on all surrounding him,that both young men were silent and confused, remembering that in thepresence of the king unseemly words had escaped them. But the kingadded,--
"No one has the right to exalt himself above that cavalier who burstthe siege gun and escaped from Swedish hands, even though his fatherlived in a village, which, as I see, was not the case, for a bird fromhis feathers, and blood from deeds are easily known. Drop youroffences." Here the king turned to Tyzenhauz. "You wish it; then remainwith our person. We may not refuse that. Wolf or Denhoff will lead thedragoons. But Babinich too will remain, and we will go according to hiscounsel, for he has pleased our heart."
"I wash my hands!" said Tyzenhauz.
"Only preserve the secret, gentlemen. Let the dragoons go to Ratiborto-day, and spread as widely as possible the report that I am withthem. And then be on the watch, for you know not the day nor thehour--Go, Tyzenhauz, give the order to the captain of the dragoons."
Tyzenhauz went out wringing his hands from anger and sorrow; after himwent other officers.
That same day the news thundered through all Glogov that the king hadalready gone to the boundaries of the Commonwealth. Even manydis
tinguished senators thought that the departure had really takenplace. Couriers, sent purposely, took the report to Opol and to theroads on the boundary.
Tyzenhauz, though he had declared that he washed his hands, did notgive up the affair as lost; as attendant of the king, he had access tothe person of the monarch every moment made easy. That very daytherefore, after the dragoons had gone, he stood before the face of YanKazimir, or rather before both royal persons, for Marya Ludvika waspresent.
"I have come for the order," said he; "when do we start?"
"The day after to-morrow, before dawn."
"Are many people to go?"
"You will go; Lugovski with the soldiers. The castellan of Sandomirgoes also with me. I begged him to take as few men as possible; but wecannot dispense with a few trusty and tried sabres. Besides, hisholiness the nuncio wishes to accompany me; his presence will addimportance, and will touch all who are faithful to the true church. Hedoes not hesitate therefore to expose his sacred person to hazard. Doyou have a care that there are not more than forty horses, for that isBabinich's counsel."
"Gracious Lord!" said Tyzenhauz.
"And what do you wish yet?"
"On my knees I implore one favor. The question is settled, the dragoonshave gone,--we shall travel without defence, and the first scoutingparty of a few tens of horses may capture us. Listen, your Royal Grace,to the prayer of your servant, on whose faithfulness God is looking,and do not trust in everything to that noble. He is an adroit man,since he has been able in so short a time to steal into your heart andfavor; but--"
"Do you envy him?" interrupted the king.
"I do not envy him, Gracious Lord; I do not wish even to suspect him oftreason positively; but I would swear that his name is not Babinich.Why does he hide his real name? Why is it somehow inconvenient to tellwhat he did before the siege of Chenstohova? Why specially has heinsisted upon dragoons going out first, and that your Royal Graceshould go without an escort?"
The king thought awhile, and began, according to his custom, to pouthis lips repeatedly.
"If it were a question of collusion with the Swedes," said he at last,"what could three hundred dragoons do? What power would they be, andwhat protection? Babinich would need merely to notify the Swedes todispose a few hundred infantry along the roads, and they could take usas in a net. But only think if there can be a question of treason here.He would have had to know beforehand the date of our journey, and toinform the Swedes in Cracow; and how could he do so, since we move theday after to-morrow? He could not even guess that we would choose hisplan; we might have gone according to your suggestion or that ofothers. It was at first decided to go with the dragoons; then if hewished to talk with the Swedes this special party would have confusedhis arrangements, for he would have to send out new messengers and givefresh notice. All these are irrefragable reasons. And besides he didnot insist at all on his opinion, as you say; he only offered, as didothers, what seemed to him best. No, no! Sincerity is looking forthfrom the eyes of that noble, and his burned side bears witness that heis ready to disregard even torture."
"His Royal Grace is right," said the queen, on a sudden; "these pointsare irrefragable, and the advice was and is good."
Tyzenhauz knew from experience that when the queen gave her opinion itwould be vain for him to appeal to the king, Yan Kazimir had suchconfidence in her wit and penetration. And it was a question now withthe young man only that the king should observe needful caution.
"It is not my duty," answered he, "to oppose my king and queen. But ifwe are to go the day after to-morrow, let this Babinich not know of ittill the hour of departure."
"That may be," said the king.
"And on the road I will have an eye on him, and should anything happenhe will not go alive from my hands."
"You will not have to act," said the queen. "Listen; not you willpreserve the king from evil happenings on the road, from treason, andsnares of the enemy; not you, not Babinich, not the dragoons, not thepowers of earth, but the Providence of God, whose eye is turnedcontinually on the shepherds of nations and the anointed of the Lord.It will guard him. It will protect him and bring him safely; and incase of need, send him assistance, of which you do not even think, youwho believe in earthly power only."
"Most Serene Lady!" answered Tyzenhauz, "I believe, too, that withoutthe will of God not a hair will fall from the head of any man; but toguard the king's person through fear of traitors is no sin for me."
Marya Ludvika smiled graciously. "But you suspect too hastily, and thuscast shame on a whole nation, in which, as this same Babinich has said,there has not yet been found one to raise his hand against his ownking. Let it not astonish you that after such desertion, after such abreaking of oaths and faith as the king and I have experienced, I saystill that no one has dared such a terrible crime, not even those whoto-day serve the Swedes."
"Prince Boguslav's letter, Gracious Lady?"
"That letter utters untruth," said the queen, with decision. "If thereis a man in the Commonwealth ready to betray even the king, that man isPrince Boguslav, for he in name only belongs to this people."
"Speaking briefly, do not put suspicion on Babinich," said the king."As to his name, it must be doubled in your head. Besides, we may askhim; but how can we say to him here, how inquire, 'If you are notBabinich, then what is your name?' Such a question might pain an honestman terribly, and I'll risk my head that he is an honest man."
"At such a price, Gracious Lord, I would not convince myself of hishonesty."
"Well, well, we are thankful for your care. To-morrow for prayer andpenance, and the day after to the road, to the road!"
Tyzenhauz withdrew with a sigh, and in the greatest secrecy beganpreparations that very day for the journey. Even dignitaries who wereto accompany the king were not all informed of the time. But theservants were ordered to have horses in readiness, for they might startany day for Ratibor.
The king did not show himself the entire following day, even in thechurch; but he lay in the form of a cross in his own room till night,fasting and imploring the King of kings for aid, not for himself, butfor the Commonwealth.
Marya Ludvika, together with her ladies-in-waiting, was also in prayer.
Then the following night freshened the strength of the wearied ones;and when in darkness the Glogov church-bell sounded to matins, the hourhad struck for the journey.