Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/33

Rh bountifully knights returning from the Lithuanian war. Say ye who come from the capital if that be true?" "True as God lives!" said one of the nobles. "The bountifulness of the king is known throughout the world, but now it will not be easy to squeeze up to him, for in Cracow it is just swarming with guests who are assembling to be there during the delivery of the queen and the christening, wishing thus to show honor and fealty to our king. The King of Hungary is to be there, and they say the Roman Emperor too, and various princes, counts, and knights as numerous as poppy seed, because each man hopes that he will not go away empty-handed. They have said, even, that Pope Boniface himself will come; he also needs the aid and favor of our lord against his enemy in Avignon. In such a throng it will not be easy to gain audience, but if it be gained, and our lord's feet embraced, he will care for a man of merit bountifully, be assured."

"Then I will embrace his feet, for I have rendered service, and if there be war I will go again. I have gained booty, and received something from Prince Vitold as reward. I feel no need, but my evening years are coming, and in old age, when strength leaves his bones, a man is glad to have a quiet corner."

"The king was rejoiced to see those who returned from Lithuania under Yasko of Olesnitsa, and they are all eating fatly at present."

"Well! I did not return at that time, I warred on; for ye should know that that peace between the king and Prince Vitold was ground out upon the Germans. The prince recovered his hostages cunningly, and then attacked the Order. He stormed and burnt castles, slew knights, cut down a multitude of people. The Germans wished to take revenge in company with, who fled to them. There was a great expedition again. himself, the Grand Master, went with it, leading immense forces. They besieged Vilno, strove to storm castles from great towers, tried to take them by treason, but had no success in anything! And in their retreat so many fell that not one half escaped. We took the field once more against the brother of the Grand Master, , burgomaster of Sambia. But Ulrich was afraid of the prince and fled with weeping. Since that flight there is peace, and they are building up Vilno anew. A certain holy monk, who could walk on red-hot iron barefoot, prophesied that thenceforth while the world was