The Pobratim: A Slav Novel by P. Jones
CHAPTER XVIII
THE CONVENT OF ST. GEORGE
When Mara reached the convent, it was with the greatest difficulty,and only through the persuasive influence of her uncle, DankoKvekvic, that she was allowed to see her son. Uros, moreover, had tobe transported from the cell into which he had been carried, into aroom near the church--a sort of border-land between the sanctuary andthe convent. Even there she was only allowed to remain tillnightfall.
"Tell me," said Mara, to the ministering monk (a man more than sixfeet in height, and who, in his black robes, seemed a real giant),"tell me, do you think he might pass away during the night while I amnot with him?"
"No, I don't think so. He is young and strong; he is one of oursturdy race--a Iugo Slav, not a Greek, or an effete Turk eaten awayby vice and debauchery. He'll linger on."
"Still, there is no hope?"
"Who can tell? I never said there was none. For me, as long as thereis a faint spark of life, there is always hope."
"Still, you have administered the sacrament to him?"
"You wouldn't have him die like a dog, would you?" answered thepriest, combing out his long white beard with his fingers.
"No, certainly not."
"Besides, we all take the sacrament when we are in bodily health.Your son came to himself for a few moments, and we seized theopportunity to administer to him the Holy Communion and pray withhim; it does no harm to the body, whilst it sets the troubled mind atease."
Danko Kvekvic, Mara and Milenko crossed themselves devoutly.
"It cannot be denied," continued the monk, "that our patient liesthere with both his feet in the grave. Still, God is omnipotent. Ihave seen many a brave man fall on the battlefield----"
"You have been in war?" asked Milenko, astonished.
"Bearing the Cross and tending the wounded."
"Still, it is said that at times you wielded the gun with remarkabledexterity," interrupted Danko Kvekvic, with a keen smile.
"Do people say so? Well, what if they do? I am sure no harm is meantby it; for, if my memory does not deceive me, the very same thing wassaid about a priest who is no monk of our order, Danko Kvekvic, andwho, for all that, is said to be a holy man."
"Well, well, we all try to serve our God and our country as well aswe can; and no doubt we have done our best to save our flag frombeing trampled in the dust, or a fellow-countryman's life when indanger. But I interrupted you; tell me what you have seen on thebattlefield."
"Nothing, except blood spilt; but I was going to say that I've seenmany a man linger within the jaws of death for days together, andthen be snatched from danger when his state became desperate."
"By your skill, father," said Mara, "for we are all aware that youknow the secrets of plants, and that you have effected wonderfulcures by means of simples."
"Aye, aye! perhaps I have been more successful than the learneddoctors of Dunaj" (Vienna) "or Benetke" (Venice); "still, shall Itell you the secret of my cures?"
Mara opened her eyes in wonder. "I thought it was only a death-bedsecret transmitted from one dying monk to his successor," said she.
"We are not wizards," said the old man, with a pleasant smile; "wemake no mystery of the herbs we seek on the mountains, and even theyoungest lay-brother is taught to concoct an elixir or make a salvefor wounds."
"But the secret you spoke of?" said Mara.
"It is the pure life-giving air of our mountains, the sobriety of ourlife, our healthy work in the open fields or on the wide sea. Oursons have in their veins their mothers' blood, for every Serb orMontenegrin woman is a heroine, a brave _juna-kinja_, who has oftensuckled her babe with blood instead of milk. These are the secretswith which we heal dying men."
Then, turning to Milenko, he added:
"You, too, must be a brave young man, and wise even beyond youryears. You have the courage of reason, for you do not lose your headin moments of great danger. We have already heard how you savedseveral precious lives from the waves, and now, if your friend doesrecover--and, with God's help, let us hope he will--it is to you, farmore than to anyone else, that he will owe his life. A practisedsurgeon could surely not have bandaged the wound and stopped thehemorrhage better than you did. Your father should have sent you tostudy medicine in one of the great towns."
Mara stretched forth her hand and clasped Milenko.
"You never told me what you had done, my boy," said she, while thetears trickled down her cheeks.
"What I did was little enough; besides, did Uros ever tell you how hesaved my life and dragged me out of prison at Ragusa?" and Milenkothereupon proceeded to tell them all how he had been accused ofmanslaughter, and in what a wonderful way he had been saved by hisfriend.
"In my grief I have always one consolation," said Mara; "should theworst happen, one son is left me, for they are _pobratim_," said she,turning to the monk.
"What has become of the murderer? Has he been arrested?" askedKvekvic of Milenko.
"He took to the rocks and disappeared like a horned adder. At thatmoment I only thought of Uros, who would have bled to death had hebeen left alone."
"Oh, those Vranics are a cursed race! The Almighty God has not put asign on them for nothing. This one has a cast in his eye, so that menshould keep aloof from him. They are all a peevish, fretful,malicious race," said Kvekvic.
"Their blood turns to gall," added the monk.
"Oh, but I'll find him out, even if he hide himself in the mostsecret recess!" quoth Milenko, turning towards Mara. "I'll not resttill my brother's blood is avenged."
"'Tooth for tooth, eye for eye,' say our Holy Scriptures," and DankoKvekvic crossed himself.
"Amen!" added the monk, following his example.
Just then Uros opened his eyes. He came to his senses for a fewseconds, and, seeing his mother, his pupils seemed to dilate with ayearning look of love. She pressed his hand, and he slightly--almostimperceptibly--returned the pressure. His lips quivered; he was aboutto speak, when he again closed his eyes and his senses began oncemore to wander. The monk bathed his lips with the cordial he wasadministering him. The patient, apparently, had again fallen off tosleep.
Just then the sound of the convent bell was heard.
"I am sorry," said the old caloyer, turning towards his guests, "butI have to dismiss you now; the bell you have just heard summons us to_vecernjca_. When our prayers are over, the doors of our house areclosed for the night--no one comes in or goes out after evensong."
"But we two can surely remain with you to-night," said Kvekvic,pointing to Milenko.
"Surely Father Vjekoslav will readily give you permission to be ourhonoured guests as long as you like, if he has not already grantedit; but----" (here the old man hesitated).
"But what?" asked Kvekvic.
"The _gospa_," said the monk, turning towards Mara, "must returnhome."
"Yes, I know," added Mara, sighing as she got up.
"Still," quoth the good caloyer, "we shall take great care of him,and to-morrow morning you can come as early as you like."
The poor mother thanked the good old man; she slightly brushed offthe curls from her boy's forehead, kissed him with a deep-drawn sigh,and with tearful eyes rose to go.
"Thank you for all the care you have taken of my child; thank you,uncle Danko, for all your kindness," and she kissed the priest's andthe monk's hands, according to the custom of the Slavs.
Just then, a young lay-monk came to inform Mara that someone wasasking for her. It was Milenko's mother, who had come up to theconvent door to ask how Uros was getting on, and to see if she couldbe of any use, for Milenko, with his usual thoughtfulness, had beggedhis mother to come in the evening and accompany her friend back home.
"Go, Milos, and join the brethren in their prayers," said DankoKvekvic. "I shall recite my orisons here, beside my nephew's bed."
The monk and Milenko accompanied the forlorn mother to the conventdoor, and bade her be of good cheer; then they went to church to takepart in the evening service.
Milenko, notwithstanding the grief he felt, made a hearty meal, for,except a bit of bread, broken off as he walked along from hisfather's loaf, and a draught of wine, he had scarcely tasted food thewhole of that day; therefore, he was more than hungry. Supper beingover, and a short thanksgiving prayer having been offered, Milenkofound himself all at once surrounded by the monks, who pressed himwith questions, for childish curiosity was their prevailing weakness.
They were especially interested in the theatrical performances theyoung man had witnessed at the Fenice of Venice, for they were amazedto hear that the grand ladies of the town, all glittering with costlygems, sat in boxes, where they exhibited to all eyes their naked armsand breasts, whilst they looked at young girls in transparent skirtshardly reaching their knees, who kept dancing on the tips of theirtoes, or twirled their legs over their partners' heads. Hearing suchlewdness the saintly men were so greatly shocked that they crossedthemselves demurely, and the eldest shook their heads, and said,reproachfully, that such dens of infamous resort were not places formodest young men to go to.
After that, Milenko told them of the last great invention, the boatsthat went without sails, but which had two huge wheels moved by fire;at which the monks again crossed themselves, and said that those werethe devil's inventions, and that if things continued at such a rate,God would have to send another flood and destroy the world once more.
Milenko would have willingly escaped from his persecutors, but hestill had to answer many questions about his life on board, thehardships he had had to undergo, the storms his ship had met with.
The medical monk had gone to take his place at Uros' bedside, andDanko Kvekvic, after having had some supper, had come out to breathethe fresh air on the convent's terrace, where all the caloyers hadassembled before retiring to rest.
The scene was a most lovely one. Behind the terrace the highmountains rose dark against the sky; nearer, the black rocks hadfurry, velvety, and satin tints, for, under the dark and dusky lightof the disappearing twilight, the stones seemed to have grown soft;whilst, on the other side, the broad expanse of the sea looked like amass of some hard burnished metal.
The utter quietness, the perfect peace and rest which pervaded thewhole scene, rendered the sense of life a pleasurable feeling; still,it is doubtful whether most of those holy men--who had never knownthe real wear and tear of life--felt all the bliss of that beatificrest.
"Now," said Kvekvic to Milenko, "you can come and see your friend,who, I am sorry to say, seems to be sinking; then you must retire torest; you'll soon have to start with your ship, and you should notunfit yourself for your task."
"No," pleaded Milenko; "it is, perhaps, the last watch we shall keeptogether; therefore, let me stay by his bedside. But, tell me, is hereally getting worse?"
"The fever is increasing fast, notwithstanding the father'smedicines."
"Had we not better have a doctor from Budua or Cattaro?"
"I don't think their skill could be of much use, for I really thinkhis hours are numbered here below--although he is young, and mightstruggle back to life; darkness, albeit, is gathering fast aroundhim."
Milenko, with a heavy heart, went back to the sufferer's cell, wheresome other monks, also versed in the art of healing, had gatheredaround him in a grave consultation. They all said to Milenko thatthere was still hope; but, one by one, they all left the room, makingthe sign of the Cross, and recommending him to God, as if human aidcould do nothing more for him.
Poor Milenko felt as if all the nerves of his chest had contractedpainfully; life did not seem possible without the friend, theconstant companion of his infancy.
As it was agreed that Danko Kvekvic should stay up with the old monk,all the other caloyers went off to sleep; but presently one of theyounger brothers came in, bearing a tray of fragrant coffee, cookedin the Turkish fashion.
"Oh, thank you!" said Kvekvic, rubbing his hands, "I think you musthave guessed my wishes, for, to tell you the truth, I was actuallypining for a draught of that exhilarating beverage, one of the fewgood things we owe to the enemies of our creed, for, in fact, I knowof few beverages that can be compared to a cup of fragrant coffee."
"As far as luxuries go, the Turks are certainly our masters; not onlyin confectionery, in sweet-scented sherbet, but even in cooking weare rude barbarians compared to them."
"They certainly are hedonists, who know how to render lifepleasurable."
"Aye," said the monk, sternly, "theirs is the broad path leading toperdition." Then, after a slight pause, he added: "What is that bookthou hast brought with thee, Blagoslav?"
"I thought," replied the young man, somewhat bashfully, "I might helpyou to pass your long vigil by reading to you; that is, of course, ifit be agreeable to you."
The poor fellow stammered, and stopped, seeing the little success hisproposal seemed to elicit.
"Blagoslav," retorted the old man, gravely, "vanity caused thearchangel's downfall, and vanity is thy besetting sin. Blagoslav,thou knowest that thou readest well, for thou hast too often beenpraised for it, and now thou seizest every opportunity to hear thesound of thine own voice, which, I freely grant, is a pleasant one."
"Let us hear it, then," said Danko Kvekvic, kindly; "besides, Ifirmly believe that brother Blagoslav's intentions were good and----"
"Danko Kvekvic," said the old man, gruffly, "you are not a generalfavourite and an important man in Budua for nothing; you have theevil knack of flattering people's foibles."
"Come, come!" said the priest, good-humouredly, "should we pat a caton the right side or on the wrong side?" Then, turning to Blagoslav,he added: "I, for myself, shall be thankful to you for beguiling awaythe long hours by reading something to us."
The young man, who had stood with his eyes cast down, and as still asa statue, sat down on a stool by the table and opened his book.
"What volume of ancient lore have you there?" asked the priest,pleasantly.
"'The Lives of the Saints,' written by a holy monk of our order."Then, looking up at the old monk, "Which Life shall I read?" heasked.
"Begin with that of our patron saint, Prince George of Cappadocia. Itis a holy legend, which we, of course, all know, for the peasantoften sings it at his plough, the shepherds say it to one anotherwhilst tending their sheep, and"--turning to Milenko--"I suppose you,too, have often recited it at the helm when keeping your watch on thestormy sea."
"Yes, and invoked his holy name in the hour of danger." ThereuponMilenko crossed himself, and the others followed suit.
"It is one of our oldest legends; still, always a very pleasant oneto hear, especially if it is well read. But, before you begin,Blagoslav, let me first set the sufferer's pillow straight andadminister to his wants; then we shall listen to your reading withoutdisturbing you."
The old man suited his actions to his words--felt Uros' pulse, gavehim with a spoon some drops of cordial, and afterwards sat down.
"Now we are ready," said he to the young monk.
Blagoslav thereupon began as follows:--
&
THE SONG OF ST. GEORGE
All hail, O Bosnia! fairest of all lands, Renowned throughout the world since many an age; The springtide of the year renews thy bloom, And with the spring St. George's Day is nigh. He was the greatest glory of the Cross, Who taught our fathers Christ's most holy creed. Now God again has granted us His gifts-- The life-awakening dews, the greenwood shade, The sun's bright rays which warm the fruitful meads, And melt the snow that lingers still a while Upon the high and hoary mountain-tops; The flowers fair that grow amongst the grass, The blood-red rose that sheds its fragrance far, The tawny swallows, from the sunny South, That twitter sweetly 'neath the thatched eaves, Are all the gifts that God sends every year To Bosnia. Still He grants a greater boon; This is the gladsome day of great St. George. For though our land can boast of valiant knights, Of warlike princes, eke of holy men, Still greater far than all was _voyvod_ George Who whilom was of Cappadocia Duke. He killed the grisly dragon that of yore Laid waste the land around Syrene's white walls, And freed the country from a fearful scourge. Far down a lake full many fathoms deep, There dwelt this dragon dreadful to behold; For from his round red eyes he shot forth flames, And spouted from his snout a sooty smoke That burnt and blasted all around the mere. This dragon daily slew those daring knights, Who, mounted all on prancing, warlike steeds Had gone to try their strength against the beast; For on his ghastly green and scaly skin They bent and broke, or blunted, their best blades, As striking on the dragon's horrid hide Was worse than hitting at a coat of mail, Or cleaving some hard, flinty rock in twain; So, therefore, like an Eastern potentate, He reigned and ruled the region round Syrene. It was a terror-striking sight to see The horrid beast rise out in snaky coils, And rear his head with widely-gaping mouth, As towards the town he hissed with such a din That shook the strong and battlemented walls; Thereon to satisfy his hungry maw. The craven townsfolk, all appalled with fear, Would--as a dainty morsel--send the beast Some lovely maiden in the prime of youth. If naught was offered to the famished beast, He lifted up his huge and bat-like wings, And flapping, leapt upon the town's white walls; There, gripping 'twixt his sharp and cruel claws, Whoever stood thereby within his reach, He mauled and maimed, and gulped down men by scores, Until the ground seemed all around to be A marsh of mangled flesh and muddy gore, With skulls half split and jagged, splintered bones. When each and every man within the town Had offered up his child unto the fiend, And every mother wept from early morn, And saw at night her child in dreadful dreams, They told the King his turn had come at last To offer up his daughter to the beast-- His cherished child, the apple of his eye, The only heir of all his wide domains. Oh! brother mine, hadst thou but seen just then The hot and blinding tears rush from his eyes, Whilst cruel grief convulsed his manly frame; At such a woful sight you would have thought It was some abject woman, not a King, Who, crouching low, was sobbing on the ground. He kissed his child and said: "My daughter dear, Woe worth the day that thou art reft from me! For now, alas! who is to wear my crown, Who is to grace my throne when thou art gone?" When last he ceased to weep, he bade the maids To deck his daughter out in richest dress, With costly Orient pearls and priceless gems, E'en as she were to wed the mighty Czar; And then he said: "My daughter, as thy suite, Take thou with thee my dukes, my noblest peers, And likewise all the ladies of the land, In sable garments clad to grace thy steps. Still, let us hope some help may come at last, And, meanwhile, pray the great god Alkoron. In dire distress all earthly help is vain; Alone, thy god may come to thy behest And free thee from the dreadful dragon's claws." The mother hugged her daughter to her heart, The forlorn father blessed his weeping child, Who then departed to her dismal doom; And as she crossed the squares, the crowded streets, The flutes and timbrels played a wailing dirge, That might have melted e'en a heart of stone. Behind her walked the lords of high degree, Then all the noble ladies of the land, All clad in widow's weeds and trailing veils. It was, indeed, a grand and glorious sight To witness all this pageantry of woe, The stately show of grief, the pomp of tears. The sun that shone upon the Princess's robes, Now glittered brightly on the gold brocade; Her eight rings sparkled all with costly gems, For each alone was worth at least eight towns; Her shining girdle, wrought of purest gold, Was studded o'er with coral and turquoise; Around her throat she wore a row of pearls, Iridescent, all brought from far-off seas. Upon her brow she bore the regal gem, Which glittered in the sun with such a sheen That every eye was dazzled by its light. The maid, moreover, was of beauty rare, Of tall and slender form, yet stately mien, And graceful as the topmost bough that bends, Or branchlet bowing 'neath the summer breeze; Within her hand she held some lilies white, The symbols of a young and modest maid. She crossed with tearful eyes the crowded streets; With grace she greeted every child she met, And all--whose hearts were not as cold as clay-- Shed bitter tears at such a sight of woe, And sighing, said: "Alas, her mother dear!" At last when she had almost reached the lake, The mighty dukes, her father's noble peers, As well as every lady of her suite, Appalled with fear, now bade her all farewell, And hastened back to town before the beast Arose from out the mere to seize his prey. Now, God Almighty chose to show His love Not only to the crowd that stood aghast, But unto all the region round Syrene. He, therefore, sent His servant, saintly George, To turn them from their evil ways to Christ. The Knight came to the mere just when the maid Remained alone to weep upon her fate, Forsaken as she seemed by God and man. The Knight, who saw her from afar, sped on With all due haste; then leaping from his steed, He strode up by her side and asked her why She stood there by the lake appalled, aghast. For all reply the Princess only sobbed, And with her hand she bade him quickly go. "Can I afford no help?" then asked the Knight. "Flee fast away, spur on your sprightly steed; With all due haste, take shelter in the town; Uprising from the waters of the lake, The hungry dragon now doth take his meal; So hie thee hence. Just see, the waters move; Thou hast no time to tarry here to speak." But George, undaunted by her words, replied: "Fair maiden, dry your eyes and trust in me. Or rather trust in God, who sent me here." "What shall I do, fair Knight?" the maid replied. "Forswear," he answered, "all thy gods of clay, And bow with meekness to the name of Christ, Whose Cross we bear to reach a better life; For, with His mighty help, I hope to slay The hellish beast that haunts this lonely land; So, therefore, stand aside and let me fight." Now, when the girl had heard these words of hope, She hastened to reply unto the saint, "If God doth grant thee superhuman might, That wonders as the like thou canst achieve; If thou hast strength enough to slay the fiend And free me from this awful fate of mine, I shall forsake my god, false Alkoron, And bow with thee unto thine own true God, Extolling Him as mightier of the two. If thou wilt also show me how the sign Of that most mystic Cross is made, Sir Knight, I shall then cross myself both morn and eve. Moreover, thou shalt have most costly gifts, As well as all the gems I bear on me." She had but hardly uttered these few words When, lo! the waters blue began to heave, And bubble up with foam, and then the beast Upreared on high his dark and scaly head, That looked just like some sharp and jagged cliff, 'Gainst which small shipwrecked smacks are dashed at night. Then, rising from the lake, the horrid beast Began to spout the water like a whale, And bellow with a loud, appalling noise, Just like the crocodiles that lurk unseen Amongst the sedges growing by the Nile; The roaring ended in a hollow moan, As when the hot simoon begins to blow In fitful blasts across the Libyan plain. The Princess stood thereby and shook with fear; She almost fainted at that dreadful sight. St. George's warlike steed began to rear, And prance and tremble; then it tried to flee; But curbing it with might, and wheeling round, The Knight with clashing strokes attacked the beast. His sabre, striking on that scaly skin, Struck forth a shower of sparks that glittered bright Like ocean spray tossed by the wind at night, Or glowing iron '