CHAPTER LXXI.
But the war about Jmud between the Knights of the Cross and Vitold had occupied people in the kingdom so greatly that they could not avoid inquiring as to its progress. Some felt sure that Yagello would give aid to his cousin, and that all would soon see a general expedition against the Order. The knighthood were impatient for action; and in all settlements of nobles, men said to one another that a considerable number of the lords of Cracow, who were in the king's council, had inclined to war, considering that it was necessary to finish once for all that enemy who would never be satisfied with his own, and whose mind was intent on seizing what belonged to another even when fear before the power of his neighbor had seized him. But the prudent Matsko, who as a person of experience had seen and learned much, did not believe that war was impending, and he spoke of this matter often to Yasko and other neighbors whom he met at Kresnia.
"While the Grand Master Konrad lives, nothing will come of this, for he is wiser than others, and he knows that it would be no common war, but a slaughter: 'Thy death, or mine.' And he, knowing the power of the king, will not let matters go that far."
"Yes; but if the king should declare war first?" inquired the neighbors.
Matsko shook his head.
"You see, I have examined everything closely, and I have noted some points. If the king were of our ancient stock, if he were of kings Christian for generations, he might perhaps strike first on the Germans. But our Vladislav Yagello (I have no wish to diminish his fame, for he is an honorable lord, may God preserve him in health) was Grand Prince of Lithuania and a pagan before we chose him king; Christianity he received only some time ago, while the Germans calumniate his Majesty throughout the world and say that the soul in him is pagan. For this reason it would seem terribly unbecoming in him to declare war first, and spill the blood of Christians. For this cause he
