The Deluge · Chapter
LXIII explained
Kmita arrives at Sapyeha's camp in Byala, bearing letters from the king and a hetman's baton.
What happens
Kmita arrives at Sapyeha's camp in Byala, bearing letters from the king and a hetman's baton. He is disguised and unrecognized due to his changed appearance. Sapyeha receives him warmly and defends his past actions against Boguslav's calumny, preparing the army to accept him. The chapter also covers the general uprising in Poland, the organization of forces, and the departure of Anusia to Grodno.
Themes in this chapter
- National Identity and Resistance
The chapter describes the widespread Polish uprising against Swedish occupation, with peasants and nobles alike taking arms to defend the Commonwealth.
- Redemption and Transformation
Kmita's changed appearance and Sapyeha's defense of his past actions highlight his journey from outlawry to a trusted servant of the king.
- Political Intrigue
Boguslav Radzivill's calumny against Kmita and the maneuvering within Sapyeha's camp to rehabilitate Kmita's reputation reflect the complex political landscape.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Arrives at Sapyeha's camp disguised as Babinich, bearing letters and the hetman's baton. He is changed in appearance and feared recognition by former acquaintances.
- Yan Sapyeha
The hetman quartered at Byala, receives Kmita graciously, defends him against past calumnies, and prepares the army to accept him.
- Prince Boguslav Radzivill
Mentioned as the traitor who calumniated Kmita; Sapyeha and Kmita plan to attack him.
- Anusia Borzobogati
Sent to Grodno by Sapyeha; takes a tender farewell of Kmita (as Babinich), who admits he would have fallen in love with her if not for another.
- Yan Kazimir
The king who sent Kmita to Sapyeha with letters and the baton, and is organizing the national uprising.
- Zagloba
Mentioned as the only one who dared murmur against Sapyeha's authority.
- Yanush Radzivill
Mentioned as the deceased cousin of Boguslav, with whom Kmita formerly served.
Key passages
“A country over whose weakness all Europe had recently wondered, gave now an example of power unsuspected, not only by its enemies, but by its own king, and even by those whose faithful hearts, a few months before, had been rent by pain and despair.”
Poland, recently seen as weak by Europe, now showed unexpected strength that surprised even its own king and those who had been in despair.
Highlights the theme of national resurgence.
“His name was detested in Sapyeha’s camp and in all Lithuania; for men still preserved in vivid remembrance the fact that while serving Prince Yanush, he had cut down those squadrons which, opposing the hetman, had declared for the country.”
Kmita was hated in Sapyeha's camp because people remembered he had attacked Polish squadrons while serving Prince Yanush Radzivill.
Explains Kmita's fear of recognition.
“I have heard this: Kmita, seeing that nothing remained for him to do in this region, hurried off to Chenstohova, rendered there famous services, and then defended the king with his own breast.”
Sapyeha recounts that Kmita went to Chenstohova, performed notable deeds, and later protected the king personally.
Sapyeha's defense of Kmita's reputation.
