Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/644

 206 thou think what I discovered? An immense bag of straw on wooden wheels, and it had a tail all stuffed with straw! I won people's laughter instead of glory, and then I had to challenge two Mazovian knights; from both I suffered sad defeat inside barriers. Thus was I treated by the woman whom I had exalted beyond all others, and whom alone I wished to love."

The Pomorian, while interpreting these words, thrust his tongue into his cheek and bit it at moments, so as not to burst into laughter, and Zbyshko at another time would have laughed surely, but pain and unhappiness had destroyed gladness in him utterly, so he answered with a serious face,—

"She may have done this only through frivolity, and not in malice."

"I have forgiven her, and thou hast the best proof of that in this, that I wished to fight with the knight Povala in defence of her beauty and her virtue."

"Do not fight with him," said Zbyshko, more seriously.

"I know that it would be death, but I would rather fall than live in endless suffering and sadness."

"Povala has no such things in his head. Better go to him with me to-morrow, and conclude a league of friendship."

"I will do so, for he has pressed me to his heart; but to-morrow he is going with the king to hunt."

"Then we will go early. The king loves to hunt, but does not despise rest, and he has conversed long to-night."

And they did thus, but in vain; for Hlava, who had gone still earlier to the castle to see Yagenka, announced that Povala had slept, not in his own lodgings, but in the king's chambers. Their disappointment, however, was recompensed, for Prince Yanush met them, and commanded both men to join his escort. Thus they were able to be present at the hunt. While going to the forest Zbyshko found the chance of speaking to Prince Yamont, who gave him pleasant tidings.

"While undressing the king for sleep," said he, "I reminded him of thee, and of thy Cracow adventure. And the knight Povala, who was present, added immediately that thy uncle had been seized by the Knights of the Cross, and he begged the king to claim him. The king, who is dreadfully incensed at the knights for stealing little Yasko, and for other attacks, grew still more raging. 'Not with a pleasant word,' said he, 'should one meet them, but with a lance!