On the Field of Glory An Historical Novel of the Time of King John Sobieski   By: Henryk Sienkiewicz (1846-1916)

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ON THE FIELD OF GLORY

THE WORKS OF HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ

TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL POLISH BY JEREMIAH CURTIN.

The Zagloba Romances

With Fire and Sword. 1 vol. The Deluge. 2 vols. Pan Michael. 1 vol.

Quo Vadis. 1 vol. The Knights of the Cross. 2 vols. Children of the Soil. 1 vol. Hania, and Other Stories. 1 vol. Sielanka, and Other Stories. 1 vol. In Vain. 1 vol. Life and Death and Other Legends and Stories. 1 vol. On The Field Of Glory. 1 vol.

Without Dogma. (Translated by Isa Young.) 1 vol.

ON THE FIELD OF GLORY

AN HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE TIME OF KING JOHN SOBIESKI

BY HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ Author of "Quo Vadis," "With Fire and Sword," "The Deluge," "Knights of the Cross" etc .

TRANSLATED FROM THE POLISH ORIGINAL BY JEREMIAH CURTIN

BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1906

Copyright, 1906 , By Jeremiah Curtin All rights reserved

Published January, 1906

THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.

TO SIR THOMAS G. SHAUGHNESSY, PRESIDENT OF THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILROAD.

My Dear Sir Thomas:

Railroads are to nations what arteries and veins are to each individual. Every part of a nation enjoys common life with every other through railroads. Books bring remote ages to the present, and assemble the thoughts of mankind and of God in one divine company. I find great pleasure on railroads in the day and the night, at all seasons. You enjoy books with a keen and true judgment. Let me inscribe to you, therefore, this volume.

Jeremiah Curtin.

INTRODUCTORY

The book before us gives pictures of Polish character and life on the eve of the second great siege of Vienna.

Twice was that city beleaguered by Turkey. The first siege was commanded by Solyman, that Sultan who was surnamed Magnificent by western nations; to Turks he was known as the Lord of his Age and the Lawgiver.

The first siege was repelled by the bravery of the garrison, by the heroism of Count Salm its commander, by the terrible weather of 1529, and also through turbulence of the Janissary forces. The second siege was crushed in 1683 by Sobieski's wise strategy, the splendid impetus of the Poles, and the firmness of the allies.

Had the Polish king not appeared the Sultan would have triumphed, hence Sobieski and his men are hailed ever since as the saviours of Vienna.

The enthusiasm of the time for Sobieski and his force was tremendous.

"There was a man sent from God whose name was John," this was the Gospel read at the Thanksgiving Mass in Saint Stephen's, the cathedral, the noble old church of that rescued and jubilant city. Some Poles went to Rome after that to get relics; the Pope gave this answer: "Take earth steeped in blood from the field where your countrymen fell at Vienna."