rical, for the characters of the actors,
and all the more important circumstances mentioned therein, are sketched
according to history. The contemporary chronicles, in fragmentary and
broken portions, must be filled out sometimes only by guesses and
conjectures, in order to create some historic entirety from them. Although
I have permitted myself conjectures in the history of Wallenrod, I hope to
justify them by their likeness to truth. According to the chronicle,
Konrad Wallenrod was not descended from the family of Wallenrod renowned
in Germany, though he gave himself out as a member of it. He was said to
have been born of some illicit connection. The royal chronicle says, 'Er
war ein Pfaffenkind.' Concerning the character of this singular man, we
read many and contradictory traditions. The greater number of the
chroniclers reproach him with pride, cruelty, drunkenness, severity
towards his subordinates, little zeal for religion, and even with hatred
for ecclesiastics. 'Er war ein rechter Leuteschinder (library of
Wallenrod). Nach Krieg, Zank, und Hader hat sein Herz immer gestanden; und
ob er gleich ein Gott ergebener Mensch von wegen seines Ordens sein
wollte, doch ist er allen frommen geistlichen Menschen Graueel gewesen.
(David Lucas). Er regierte nicht lange, denn Gott plagte ihn inwendig mit
dem laufenden Feuer.' On the other hand, contemporary writers ascribe to
him greatness of intellect, courage, nobility, and force of character;
since without rare qualities he could not have maintained his empire amid
universal hatred and the disasters which he brought upon the Order. Let us
now consider the proceedings of Wallenrod. When he assumed the rule of the
Order, the season appeared favourable for war with Lithuania, for Witold
had promised himself to lead the Germans to Wilna, and liberally repay
them for their assistance. Wallenrod, however, delayed to go to war; and,
what was worse, offended Witold, and reposed such careless confidence in
him, that this prince, having secretly become reconciled to Jagellon, not
only departed from Prussia, but on the road, entering the German castles,
burnt them as an enemy, and slaughtered the garrisons. In such an
unimagined change of circumstances, it was needful to neglect the war, or
undertake it with great prudence. The Grand-Master proclaimed a crusade,
wasted the treasures of the Order in preparation--5,000,000 marks--a sum at
that time immeasurable, and marched towards Lithu