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"The Pantler's daughter and her husband the Wojewoda had been

transported to some place in Siberia; there she died young,

leaving here behind her a daughter, little Zosia. I had her

brought up.

* * * * * * * *

"Perchance I slew him more through stupid arrogance than through

disappointed love; so I humbly became a monk. I, once proud of my

birth, I who was once a warlike hero, I bowed my head, I became a

gatherer of alms, and took the name of Robak, the Worm, since

like a worm in the dust--

"The evil example that I had set my countrymen, that invitation

to treason, I must redeem by setting a good example, by blood and

by self-sacrifice.

"I have fought for my country: where? how? I shall never tell;

not for earthly glory have I run so often upon shot and steel. I

like better to remember, instead of my famous, warlike exploits,

my quiet, useful acts, and my sufferings, which no one--