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The text from your post on Thread XI.
Thank you so much for posting this History from Poland.
Posted by Matthew Paul to bentfeather;
snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; All On General Interest (Chat) 05/20/2004 5:17:28 PM EDT #1,031 of 1,032
Oh Matthew, I would love to have your work here or any artist from Poland or anywhere.

You're welcome!

I decided to present here the most important, significant pieces of Polish literature. Briefly, the best of Polish literature. From lots of significant Polish poets and writers, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Nobel Prize winner for Quo Vadis, seems to be one of the greatest. His Quo Vadis as well as Trilogy are the world famous works. The Trilogy consists of three episodes talking about 16th century wars that Poland wages on her own territory. The first episode called With Fire and Sword refers to Polish - Ukrainian wars, the second one, Deluge depicts Polish-Swedish wars and the Defense of Czenstochowa, the Spiritual Center of the Polish people. Finally the last one Sir Wolodyjowski (in USA known as Colonel Wolodyjowski) tells the story of the efforts of Jan Sobieski's army to stop the Islamic Invasion in the years 1673-1683.

However, the III Episode tells the story of life and death of the First Saber of the Commonwealth, the best and the most faithful Sobieski's soldier, colonel Wolodyjowski.

The joint Islamic Army of Turks, Tartars, Lipkis and Cheremises onslaught on the Polish Republic in 1672 surprised the country which was completely unprepared to defend itself. Poland was ruled by weak and fearful King Michal Korybut. The army of the commonwealth was practically insignificant. To stop this seemingly unstoppable march of destruction, the Polish king signed a peace agreement with the invaders. The condition of the treaty were more than humiliating for Poland. A great deal of the Polish territory together with the Kamieniec stronghold become Turkish property, and more, the Poles had to pay an enormous tribute. This was outraging enough for the Polish people. The nation got united as never before. The Parliament introduced special taxation which let the Polish commander-in-chief, the Marshall of the Commonwealth, Jan Sobieski, organize an army. Aware of tragic situation, Sobieski began to create his future invincible army immediately. One year turned out to be enough for that talented commander to achieve the goal. He breached the peace conditions and attacked the Turks. His first victory took place on the fields of Chocim in 1673. This victory preceded Michal Korybut's death, which proved to be a gift of Providence for the nation.

For that unprecedented glorious victory at Chocim, Jan Sobieski was elected by the Polish nation the next King of Poland and was further known as Jan III Sobieski. Within ten-year period of time, Jan III Sobieski managed to create an invinsible army which finally defeated Ottoman Empire at Vienna in 1683.

From the whole Trilogy the most significant excerpt, commonly taught in Polish schools by heart, is The Funeral Speech over the body of colonel Wolodyjowski, who lost his life defending Kamieniec stronghold against joined Islamic Army (Turks, Tartars, Lipkis, Cheremises,etc). Since that time, colonel Wolodyjowski has become one of the greatest national heroes. Songs and poems are written to pay him a tribute.

The Funeral Speech

Meanwhile, the priest continued his speech:

“For God’s sake! Sir Wolodyjovski!

War! The mortal enemy crossed the border!

Why don’t you get up?!
Why don’t you seize your saber?!

Why don’t you get on the horse?!

What happened to you, soldier?!

Have you really forgotten your ancient valor?!

You’ve forsaken and left us in grief and fear!

Hearing these words, the flower of the Polish Knighthood that had gathered in the church would begin to weep.

The priest continued his prayer. Wiping the tears from his eyes he was crying over the fallen knight, the ruined stronghold of Kamieniec and the dying Fatherland. Suddenly he raised his head up toward the sky and began to shout like a spirited ancient prophet:

Oh, Lord! They will turn our churches into mosques!

Oh, Lord! They will sing Koran where we have praised Christ so far!

Oh, Lord! Why have you forsaken us?!

Oh, Lord! Why did you turn your Countenance away from us,

And have us fallen into the hands of bedeviled Turkish heathens?!
Thy will be done! But who will put up resistance against them, now?

What armies will fight and stop them on our far endless frontiers?

Oh, Lord! You annihilate the defenders the whole Christianity is proud of,

And thanks to whom nations glorify Your Name!

Oh, good Heavenly Father! Do not forsake us!

Show us Your mercy! Send us a defender! Send us a conqueror of bedeviled Muhammad!
Let Him come here!

Let Him stand amongst us!

Let Him raise our fallen hearts!

Send Him, our Lord!!!”

That moment the door of the church opened wide and the Marshall Sobieski entered the sanctuary while the eyes of the mourners were watching every step he was taking. A strange thrill pierced the gathered ones as Marshall Sobieski continued to march toward the altar. He was great with the face of the Roman emperor, enormous, and the legions of knighthood dressed in steel were following Him.

“Salvator!!!”, shouted the priest with a strong prophetic tone. "Vivat Salvator! Vivat Joannes Sobieski!

Yet He said nothing. Kneeled and started to pray for Sir Wolodyjowski's soul....

A year later, on the fields of Chocim, the Army of the Republic commanded by Jan III Sobieski crushed the power of the Islamic Army. Ten years after the Chocim victory Jan III Sobieski, then a king. finally defeated the whole Ottoman Empire Army at Vienna, saving Europe from the mortal threat of Islam.

(my special thanks to Snippy for her assistance)