Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/99

Rh thou wouldst beg, not Liechtenstein, but an envoy. Art thou willing?"

"Since such a knight as your Grace says that it is proper, I will do so, but if he wishes me to beg him as he wanted on the road to Tynets, then let them cut my head off. My uncle will remain, and my uncle will pay him when his mission is ended."

"We shall see what he will answer to Matsko," replied Povala.

Matsko had really visited the German, but went from his presence as gloomy as night, and betook himself directly to the king, to whom the castellan himself conducted him. The king, who had become perfectly calm, received him kindly. When Matsko knelt, Yagello commanded him at once to rise, and inquired what he wanted.

"Gracious lord," said Matsko, "there has been offence, there must be punishment; otherwise law would cease in the world; but the offence is mine, for not only did I not restrain the natural passionateness of this stripling, but I praised it. I reared him in that way, and from childhood war reared him. It is my offence, gracious king, for more than once did I say to him: 'Strike first, and see afterward whom thou hast struck.' That was well in war, but ill at court. Still, the lad is like pure gold; he is the last of our race, and I grieve for him dreadfully."

"He has disgraced me, he has disgraced the kingdom," said the king. "Am I to rub honey on him for such deeds?"

Matsko was silent, for at remembrance of Zbyshko sorrow pressed his throat suddenly, and only after a long time did he speak again, with a moved voice,—

"I knew not that I loved him so much, and only now is it shown, after misfortune has come. I am old, and he is the last of our family. When he is gone—we shall be gone. Gracious king and lord, take pity on us!"

Here Matsko knelt again, and stretching forth hands that were wearied from war, he said, with tears,—

"We defended Vilno. God gave booty; to whom shall I leave it? The German wants punishment; let there be punishment, but let me yield my head. What is life to me without Zbyshko? He is young; let him free his land and beget posterity as God commands men to do. The Knight of the Cross will not even inquire whose head has fallen, if only one falls. Neither will any disgrace come on the