With Fire and Sword · Chapter
Chapter XXVII explained
Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski and his officers debate whether to negotiate with Hmelnitski or continue war, ultimately choosing war.
What happens
Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski and his officers debate whether to negotiate with Hmelnitski or continue war, ultimately choosing war. After a battle, the prince clashes with the voevoda of Kiev over pursuing fleeing Cossacks. News arrives that the elder Krívonos is besieging Polónnoe, and the prince prepares to aid the town. In a subsequent battle, the hussars under Skshetuski break the Cossack lines, leading to a brutal melee.
Themes in this chapter
War and Rebellion
The chapter centers on the decision to continue war against the Cossack rebellion, with battles and debates over strategy.
Honor and Betrayal
Accusations of treason against Kisel and the defense of honor drive the council's conflict.
Leadership and Power
Prince Yeremi asserts his authority in council and battle, clashing with the voevoda of Kiev over command and tactics.
Violence and Cruelty
The battle scene describes brutal hand-to-hand combat, with graphic depictions of killing and suffering.
Characters to notice
- Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski
Leads the council and battle, decides for war, clashes with the voevoda of Kiev, and commands the hussars against Krívonos.
- Pan Skshetuski
Calls for war, leads the hussar charge against Krívonos's forces.
- Pan Zatsvilikhovski
Speaks for war despite being an orthodox Russian and former Cossack commissioner.
- Pan Stakhovich
Envoy from the voevoda of Bratslav, defends Pan Kisel against accusations of treason.
- Pan Baranovski
Accuses Kisel of treason, fights in the battle, seizes forty wagons and two cannon.
- Pan Kisel
Voevoda of Bratslav, accused of being a traitor, advocates for negotiations, clashes with the prince over pursuit.
- Krivonos
Young Krívonos leads the Cossacks in battle, is wounded by Pan Kushel, and flees to the town.
- Pan Kushel
Fights at the flank, wounds young Krívonos with a sabre-stroke.
Key passages
“But when we are giving the last breath in our bodies, what do they tell us? Well, that the gentlemen in Warsaw, and Pan Kisel in Gushchi are thinking of satisfaction for our enemy. Infamy, infamy!”
While we sacrifice our lives for the country, the authorities in Warsaw and Kisel are considering appeasing our enemy—this is disgraceful.
Expresses the soldiers' frustration with perceived betrayal by the political leadership.
“If we destroy these people, the elder Krívonos will come, burn, destroy, kill, as his son has in Strijavka, and innocent people will suffer for our rage.”
If we annihilate these Cossacks, the older Krívonos will retaliate by ravaging the land and killing innocents, just as his son did.
The voevoda of Kiev argues against excessive violence to avoid escalating the conflict.
“The terrible name contracted the hearts of the Zaporojians with a shudder of fear.”
The mere mention of Prince Yeremi's name struck terror into the Cossack fighters.
Highlights the prince's fearsome reputation on the battlefield.
