With Fire and Sword · Chapter
Chapter XXII explained
Prince Yeremi receives Hmelnitski's letter of submission and false humility, sees through the deception, and orders the execution of the envoys.
What happens
Prince Yeremi receives Hmelnitski's letter of submission and false humility, sees through the deception, and orders the execution of the envoys. He learns of the defeat at Korsún and the widespread rebellion, decides to march to Lubni and then cross the Dnieper at Bragin, and upon hearing that Bogun burned Rozlogi and likely carried off Helena, sends Volodyovski and Bykhovets in pursuit.
Themes in this chapter
Leadership and Power
Prince Yeremi demonstrates decisive leadership by seeing through Hmelnitski's deception and ordering harsh punishment for the envoys.
Honor and Betrayal
Hmelnitski's letter feigns submission while the rebellion spreads, highlighting betrayal and the struggle for honor.
War and Rebellion
The chapter details the aftermath of the Korsún defeat and the prince's preparations for war against the Cossack uprising.
Characters to notice
- Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski
Receives Hmelnitski's letter, sees through the deception, orders execution of envoys, and plans military response to the rebellion.
- Bogdan Hmelnitski
Sends a letter of submission to Prince Yeremi, but his cunning and insincerity are recognized.
- Pan Volodyovski
Guards the envoys, later sent with 500 horse to Cherkasi to rescue Helena.
- Pan Zatsvilikhovski
Advises the prince to cross the Dnieper and begin war before Hmelnitski settles conditions.
- Pan Vurtsel
Comments on Hmelnitski's cunning and praises Skshetuski's refusal to carry letters.
- Pan Skshetuski
Mentioned as having been released by Hmelnitski and praised for refusing to carry letters to the prince.
- Bogun
Reported to have burned Rozlogi and likely carried off Helena.
- Princess Helena
Mentioned as the likely victim of Bogun's attack on Rozlogi.
Key passages
“Great is the cunning of this enemy, for he wishes to lull me with that letter so as to attack me asleep; or he will move into the heart of the Commonwealth, conclude terms, and receive immunity from the yielding estates and the king, and then he will feel himself safe—for if I wanted to war with him after that, not he, but I should act against the will of the Commonwealth, and be held as a rebel.”
The prince sees Hmelnitski's letter as a trick to make him drop his guard or to negotiate a peace that would leave Hmelnitski secure and make any later war look like rebellion.
Prince Yeremi analyzes Hmelnitski's strategy.
“It must be shown convincingly that there is someone yet who is not afraid of that outcast, and treats him as a bandit—who, though he writes with submission, acts with insolence, and conducts himself in the Ukraine as if he were an independent prince, and has brought such a paroxysm on the Commonwealth as it has not gone through for many a day.”
The prince insists on executing the envoys to demonstrate that Hmelnitski is still seen as a bandit, not a legitimate leader, despite his pretensions.
Prince Yeremi justifies his harsh punishment.