Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/15

Rh into the drawing-rooms love for the national language and literature, or, finally, writing for the theatre plays specially destined to inspire virtues, which alone could dispel the dangers to which Poland was exposed. His play, The Return of the Nuncio Home, a work of truly patriotic design, had great literary success. On the anniversary of the establishment of the constitution of the 3d May 1791, the drama of Casimir the Great, which was also from the pen of our poet, was performed at the national theatre. But, alas! that was the last day of happiness that dawned upon the independence of Poland.

The confederation of Targowica, supported by the Russian armies, and favoured by the infamous pusillanimity of the King, Stanislaus-Augustus, shortly after succeeded in overthrowing the work of the grand Diet, and in causing the ruin of Poland. Niemcewicz was obliged at that time to leave the country, and this was his first political exile. But Poland was not to be yet lost,