Page:Adama Mickiewicza Konrad Wallenrod i Grazyna.djvu/72

34 That smile, and that menacing look of the Master filled every heart with cheerfulness and hope,—they anticipated battles and plunder, and already, in their thoughts, streams of Pagan blood were flowing. Who could equal such a chief? Who would dare to brave his sword and piercing eye? Tremble, Lithuanians! The moment is hastening on, when from Wilno's ramparts shall glitter the sign of the Cross.

Vain hopes! Days and weeks flowed on; a whole long year had passed in peace, Lithuania became more and more menacing, and Wallenrod neither sought the battle himself, nor sent others to light; and when, awakened from his unbecoming slumber, he began to act, it was but to overturn the accustomed state of things. He reproached the order with licentiousness, and violation of vows;—"Let us pray," he repeated, "let us renounce worldly treasures, and seek glory in virtue and peace." He imposed days of fasting and penitence, forbade innocent joys, and punished the least offence with dungeon, exile, and death.

Meanwhile, the Lithuanian who in former times cautiously avoided approaching the gates of the capital of the