come of a war directed by others or for humiliating negotia-
tions. He, predestined for great things, conscious of ability
to direct them, had to confess that he was without power.

This suffering, together with his labors, was marked on his
figure. He had become greatly emaciated; his eyes had
sunk; his hair, black as the wing of a raven, had begun to
grow gray. But a certain grand tragic calm was spread over
his countenance, for pride guarded him from betraying his
suffering.

"Well, let it be so," said he; "we will show this unthank-
ful country that we are able not only to fight, but to die for
it. Indeed I should prefer a more glorious death, -- to fall in
some other war than in a domestic squabble with serfs --"

"Do not speak of death," interrupted the voevoda of
Kieff; "for though it is unknown what God has predestined
to any man, still death may be far away. I do homage to
your military genius and your knightly spirit; but I cannot
take it ill, either of the viceroy, the chancellor, or the com-
manders, if they try to stem civil war by negotiations, for in
it the blood of brothers is flowing, and who, unless a foreign
enemy, can reap advantage from the stubbornness of both
sides?"

The prince looked long into the eyes of the voevoda, and
said emphatically,--

"Show favor to the conquered, and they will accept it
with thanks and will remember it, but you will be only
despised by conquerors. Would that no one had ever done
injustice to these people! But when once insurrection has
flamed up, we must quench it with blood, not negotiations;
if we do not, disgrace and destruction to us!",

"Speedy ruin will come if we wage war each on his
own account," answered the voevoda.

"Does that mean that you will not go on with me?"

"I call God to witness that this is out of no ill-will to
you; but my conscience tells me not to expose my men
to evident destruction, for their blood is precious, and will
be of value to the Commonwealth yet."

The prince was silent awhile; then turning to his colo-
nels, he said,--

"You, my old comrades, will not leave me now!"
At these words the colonels, as if impelled by one power
and one will, rushed to the prince. Some kissed his gar-
ments; some embraced his knees; others, raising their hands
to heaven, cried,--