Page:Zakhar Berkut(1944).djvu/222

 Maxim turned his face away. “Try not to remind yourself of him, dearest! He who weighs Truth and Falsehood, is now weighing his evil and his good deeds. Let us pray that the good will overbalance the bad.”

Peace-Renown wiped away the tears and glanced up lovingly at Maxim.

“But come, Peace-Renown,” said Maxim. “There’s our father and he is leaving us.”

Zakhar looked at the young pair, joy filling his eyes.

“Kneel down here beside me, children!” he said softly. “Daughter, Peace-Renown, your father died. Let us not judge whether he was guilty or innocent, for he died like thousands of others, but do not grieve, daughter! In place of a father, fate is giving you a brother. ”

“And a husband!” added Maxim, pressing her hand in his.

“Let the Gods of our forefathers bestow their blessings upon you, children!” said Zakhar. “In crucial times fate has brought you together and united your hearts. You have shown yourselves capable of withstanding the worst storms. May your union on this day of victory portend that our nation will also withstand corrupt and pernicious influences without the disruption of its fundamental unity and the loss of its integrity and humanitarianism.”

And with already cool lips he kissed Peace-Renown and Maxim on their foreheads.

“Now children, get up and lead me just a little ways! Before I go I would like to say a few words to the townspeople whom I have tried so earnestly to serve all my life.”

“Fathers and brothers! Today’s victory is a great accomplishment for us. How did we win? Was it by our weapons alone? No. Was it by our adroitness and strategy? No. We are victorious because of our sincere cooperation with each other and the efficiency of our united effort. Remember this well! As long as you continue to live in harmony and work