Yagenka

“ Then, bending down to Yagenka's ear, he said,—
"Moderate thyself, girl, though he should marry thee, it will happen him to fight more than once; a noble is for that work." Here he bent still lower, and added,—
"But he will marry thee, and that before long, as God is in heaven!"
"Well, we shall see!" answered Yagenka.
And at the same time she began to laugh through her tears, and look at the abbot as if wishing to ask how he knew that.
Meanwhile Zbyshko returned to Kresnia, and went straight to the priest, for he wished a mass said for his uncle's recovery ”

“ Strength and vigor were boiling in him, as liquid in a caldron; invigorated by continence and long rest, life was coursing through his bones like blazing fire. He, not knowing what this meant, thought himself sick yet, and continued to lie in bed, glad that Matsko and Yagenka nursed him, cared for him, and divined his wishes. At moments it seemed to Zbyshko that he was as happy as if in heaven; at moments, especially when Yagenka was not there, existence appeared wretched, sad, unendurable ”

“ Zbyshko and Matsko permitted Yagenka with the children to accompany them as far as Sieradz. One hour later all set out with men and a whole train of wagons. The day was clear and still. The forests were in a motionless quiet. The herds on the fields and fallow lands enjoyed the midday rest, chewing their cuds slowly, as if in thought. ”

“ But be sure of one thing, the king will not fail to press the Master about thy uncle Matsko."
Thus Prince Yamont delighted Zbyshko's heart, and still more did Yagenka delight it; for, accompanying Princess Alexandra to the forest, she strove to ride back side by side with Zbyshko. During hunts there was always great freedom; people returned usually in couples. And since it was not important for one couple to be too near another, they could speak without restriction. Yagenka had heard earlier of Matsko's captivity from Hlava, and had lost no time in helping. ”

“ Princess Anna Danuta approached Zbyshko again, and said,—
"This will be a sad feast for us both, but serve me as before."
So the young man had to leave Yagenka; and when the guests were seated he stood behind the princess to change dishes and to pour out water and wine for her. While serving he looked involuntarily from time to time at Yagenka, who, being a damsel of the Princess of Plotsk, sat at her side, and he could not but admire her beauty. Yagenka, since he had seen her at home, had grown considerably ”

“ He had added no little to Yurand's wealth, but it was by war and plunder, not by land-tilling.
So Yagenka, who during this conversation had been thinking what to say, spoke again,—
"A young man is needed here, a man who fears no one, for the boundary of the Order is close by; a man who not only would not hide from the Germans, but would hunt them; so, without hesitation, I think that Hlava is the man for this place." ”

“ Wrapping himself closely in the mantle he soon felt warmth passing over his whole body; especially convenient was the hood, which sheltered his eyes and a considerable part of his face, so that the storm almost ceased to annoy him. Then he thought, in spite of himself, that Yagenka was an honest maiden to the bones, and he reined in his horse somewhat, for the desire seized him to ask Hlava about her, and everything that had happened at Zyh's house. ”

“ Matsko, on hearing that one might reconcile Boruta by drink, meditated all day over this: would it be sinful to show friendly feeling to an evil spirit?—and he consulted with Yagenka.
"I might hang an ox-bladder of wine or mead on the fence at night," said he; "if it is drunk in the night, we shall know that he is about here."
"If the heavenly powers are not offended," replied Yagenka; "we must not offend, for we need a blessing to rescue Zbyshko."
"I am afraid of that too, but I think this way: mead is not the soul. I will not give my soul ”

“ Yagenka uncovered her face suddenly, and, turning to Matsko, inquired with vivacity,—
"He told me that, but is it true?"
"True, as God is in heaven."
"But why?"
"Who knows. Some vow, and for a vow there is no remedy! Zbyshko pleased him in so far as he promised to aid him in seeking revenge, but even that did not help. The intercession of Princess Anna was useless. Yurand would not listen to prayer, persuasion, or command. He said that he could not. Well, it is clear that the cause is such that he cannot; and he is a firm man, who does not change what he says. ”

“ After a while she added,—
"Say not that I was here, so that they may not wonder at me."
"But I will conduct thee home, for the wolves might attack thee, and thou hast no fork."
"Well, do so!"
And they conversed thus for some time by the cheerful light of the fire, near the body of the bear, both like some young creatures of the forest.
Zbyshko looked at Yagenka's charming face, lighted by the gleam of the flame, and said in involuntary astonishment:
"Another girl like thee there is not in the whole world, I think. Thou shouldst go to the war!" ”

“ Yagenka took an earthen plate full of paste with cheese and put it on the threshold.
"The priests blame and punish!" said Zyh. "But the glory of the Lord Jesus will not be decreased by some paste; and when satisfied and well-wishing, the imps will guard a man from fire, and from evil-doers."
"Thou mightst ungirdle and sing something," said he, turning to Zbyshko.
"Sing you, for I see that you have the wish this long time; but perhaps Panna Yagenka would sing?"
"We will sing in turn," cried Zyh, rejoiced. "There is a lad in the house too who plays on a wooden flute and accompanies us. ”

“ This advice struck Matsko, and convinced him; hence he commanded to call Zbyshko, and said,—
"Array thyself nicely, and go to embrace the feet of the abbot, show him honor, so that he also may be gracious to thee."
Then he turned to Yagenka: "Even wert thou simple, I should not wonder, for thou art a woman, but because thou hast wit I admire thee. Tell me how to entertain the abbot best, and how to please him when he comes hither."
"As to eating, he will tell himself what he relishes. He likes to eat well, but if there is plenty of saffron it will not hurt!" ”

“ Have you not heard me promise already?"
"Your head is equal to anything," answered Zyh.
The abbot was pleased with the praise; he pushed up to Yagenka, and inquired,—
"Why art thou so serious?"
She bent in the saddle, and, seizing the abbot's hand, raised it to her lips. "Godfather, but maybe you would send a couple of 'playmen' to Kresnia?" ”

“ Zbyshko climbed higher in a twinkle of an eye, and looked through the branches at the water. The beaver was diving, and coming to the surface, plunging, and showing at moments his belly more than his back.
"He has got it well! He will be quiet soon!" said Yagenka.
She had told the truth, for the movements of the animal grew fainter and fainter, and at the end of one Hail Mary he came to the surface belly upward,
"I will go to bring him," said Zbyshko.
"Go not. Here at this shore is an ooze as deep as the height of many men. Whoever does not know how to manage will be drowned surely." ”

“ Meanwhile Zyh seated Matsko on the bench, and commanded to bring wine, for which Yagenka hurried. The abbot turned his eyes to Zbyshko. "Enough of joking! " said he, "I compared thee to a girl, not to blame thee, but from pleasure at thy good looks, which more than one maiden might envy. I know that thou art a splendid fellow! ”

“ Yasko and Yagenka had always resembled each other as much as two drops of water, but he had outgrown her. He was a splendid young fellow, daring, joyous, like his father, from whom he had inherited a love for singing, and he was as lively as a fire spark. He thought himself a person of years and strength; he considered that he was a mature man, for he managed his attendants as a genuine chief, and they carried out every command of his in a flash, fearing evidently his power and importance.
Matsko and Yagenka wondered at this ”

“ At Plotsk, Zbyshko and Matsko found no one at the court, for the prince and princess, with their eight children, had gone to Chersk, at the invitation of Princess Anna Danuta. From the bishop they learned that Yagenka was to remain in Spyhov with Yurand till he died. This news was agreeable, for they themselves were on the way to Spyhov. Meanwhile Matsko praised greatly Yagenka's kindness, since she had remained with a dying man, who was not even kin to her, instead of going to Chersk, where dances and pleasures of every sort would surely not be lacking. ”

“ Hlava was confused greatly, and stammered as he said,—
"It is this, when the young lady goes away all will go with her; to make war is well, and to manage land is well also, but to do it here all alone—without assistance. It will be awfully dreary without the young lady—and without this—just as I wanted to say—and as the young lady is going away not without attendants—then as no one would help here—I do not know—"
"What is the man talking about?" inquired Matsko.
"You have a quick mind, but have not noticed anything," answered Yagenka. ”

“ Though in truth Zbyshko, even in Cracow, was at the king's castle—why! they came near cutting his head off there!—and in Mazovia, and at Malborg, and with Prince Yanush. Yagenka was reared also in wealth, but they had not their own castle. Now, however, it is as if they had never lived in another way. They walk, I tell you, they walk in the chambers, walk,—and give commands to the servants, and when they are tired they sit down. ”

“ In the fifth year, however, when uncommon order had been introduced into all the villages, when above the watchtower a banner with "The Dull Horseshoe" had been waving for some months, and Yagenka had given birth to a fourth son, whom they called Yurand, old Matsko said one day to Zbyshko,—
"Everything succeeds, and if the Lord Jesus would give one more thing I could die in peace." ”

“ Thou hast spoken wisely," said Matsko. "She must stand high in God's counsels, and it is certain that no common person will contradict her. So, to gain health, I will do as thou sayest."
This advice pleased also Yagenka, who could not refrain from admiring Zbyshko's good sense; and Matsko made a solemn vow that same evening, and thenceforth drank bear's fat with still greater confidence, waiting from day to day for unfailing recovery. ”

“ The rosy color had not left the eastern side of the sky yet, though the sun was shining well, changing to opals the drops of dew on the grass and the trees.
"Art thou not afraid to go to Schytno?" asked Matsko.
"I am not," answered Yagenka. "The Lord God is above me, for I am an orphan."
"Thou hast cause to fear, for they keep no faith in that place. Indeed Danveld was the worst of dogs; Yurand rubbed out him and Gottfried—so Hlava says. The second after Danveld was Rotgier, who fell under Zbyshko's axe, but the old man too is unpitying, sold to the devil. ”

“ At last, especially since Matsko had begun to drink bear's fat, they saw each other almost daily, and after the arrow splinter came out they went together for a beaver to get fresh fat, greatly needed to heal the wound.
They took crossbows, mounted their horses, and rode on, first to Mochydoly, which was to be Yagenka's dower, then toward the forest, where they left the horses with a servant, and went farther on foot, since it was difficult to ride through swamps and thickets. On the road Yagenka pointed out broad meadows covered with weeds, as well as a blue line of forests. ”

“ Then old Matsko rejoiced his eyes and delighted his heart in gazing at Zbyshko and Yagenka, 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." ”

“ It is not our custom to strike a benefactor."
"But it is a pity to lose the beautiful goblet," answered Hlava a little rebelliously.
"I do nothing without calculation, have no fear. If the merciful Lord Jesus permits me to bring down that German I shall win back the goblet, and capture a multitude of other costly things with it."
Then the two men, and with them Yagenka, began to counsel as to what they should do. It came to Matsko's mind to leave Yagenka and Anulka in Plotsk with Princess Alexandra, and to do so because of the abbot's will, which was deposited with the bishop ”

“ For thee there is sadness; but for me also. I will only tell thee that neither the abbot nor thy own father loves thee more than I. Better I had died from this wound of which thou hast cured me, if he had only taken thee, and not another."
Hereupon came to Yagenka one of those moments of grief and sorrow in which one can make no concealment.
"I shall never see him again, or if I see him it will be with Yurand's daughter, and I would rather cry my eyes out than see them," said she, raising a corner of her apron, and covering her tearful eyes with it.
"Be quiet!" said Matsko. "He has gone ”

“ Matsko went out with the women, as if to see that there was no delay in serving, and after a moment he had warm water brought in, and when it had been placed in the room the young people were left with each other. Yagenka having wet a towel moistened Zbyshko's hair well with it; when the hair had stopped flying up and had lain down with the weight of dampness, she took a comb and sat on the bench at the side of the young man to proceed with the work. ”