much so, that the Austrian imperial satraps took him into custody and secretly, at midnight (December 16, 1851) tore him mercilessly from his family, and, without trial, sent him to the military prison at Brixen, in southern Austria, where these verses were written. There he languished for more than three years and contracted a serious illness. On that account he was liberated in April, 1855, on condition he refrain from writing about, or participating in, political activities.
Only after his arrival at home was he informed of the death of his beloved wife who, during their separation, lived with her daughter, depending upon the bounty of their loyal friends for four years. This tragedy, added to the suffering and privations of prison life, played havoc with his health and his state of mind to such an extent that he survived her a little more than a year, leaving an orphaned daughter and a sad, mourning nation.
In his youth and before he launched upon his journalistic career Havlicek was tutor to the children of a Russian prince. There he familiarized himself with the material for this poem which is based on the history of the foundation of Christianity in Russia as depicted in the “Chronicles” of Nestor, a Russian monk and historian (1056–1114). It is to be regretted that his grief over the loss of his mate in addition to his serious condition, prevented him from finishing this scathing epic masterpiece, since it seems that it has not been completed, as the actual conversion according to the title of this satire, had not as yet taken place at the end of the poem.
Havlicek, before his incarceration, was promised political favor if he would desist from his “insiduous propaganda.” He was commanded and threatened, but he adopted as his political creed the following motto:
“You may promise me—
You may command me—
You may threaten me—
Yet I shall not a traitor be!”
[11]
