Hmelnitski emptied another glass of vudka. “When we, with Barabash, were with his Majesty the King, and when we wept over the oppression and injustice practised on us, he said, ‘But have you not muskets, and have you not sabres at your side?’”
“If you were standing before the King of kings, he would say, ‘Forgive your enemies, as I forgive mine.’”
“I do not wish to war with the Commonwealth.”
“But you put your sword to its throat.”
“I go to free the Cossacks from your fetters.”
“To tie them in Tartar bonds!”
“I wish to defend the faith.”
“In company with the Pagan.”
“Stop! You are not the voice of my conscience. Stop, I tell you!”
“Blood will weigh you down, the tears of men will accuse you, death awaits you, judgment awaits you!”
“Screech-owl!” shouted Hmelnitski in rage, and fl
