Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/724

 286 they looked so dignified and lordly. Zbyshko had become more manful in appearance; he had grown, and though with his powerful and tall figure his face seemed always too young, still when he fastened his abundant hair with a purple band, arrayed himself in splendid garments embroidered with silver and gold threads, not only Matsko, but many a noble said to himself in soul: "God be merciful! He is really a prince sitting in his own castle." But often knights who knew western customs knelt before Yagenka, and begged her to be the lady of their thoughts. She was radiant with such splendor of health, strength, and beauty. The old master of Konietspole, who had been voevoda of Sieradz, was astonished at sight of her, and compared her to the morning dawn, and also to the "dear sun," which gives brightness to the world, and puts enlivening heat even into old bones.