t has the sound _f_. _Ch_ is pronounced as in German, but
before vowels it need not be distinguished from the English _h_. The
Polish _l_ has two values, one of which resembles the English _l_, while
the other (the crossed _l_) approximates to the English _w_. _S_ is
ordinarily pronounced as in English, but before _i_ it has a sound
somewhat like _sh_; _si_ before a vowel (as in _Zosia_) has the same
sound, the _i_ not being pronounced, but serving as an indication of the
"soft" pronunciation of the preceding sibilant. In the same circumstances
_z_ (and _zi_) are pronounced somewhat like _zh_. The Polish alphabet also
contains a dotted _z_ (here represented by plain _z_) which is pronounced
like _zh_. _Dz_ before _i_ (and _dzi_ before a vowel) are pronounced
somewhat like English _j_ in _jet_. _C_ is ordinarily pronounced like
_ts_, but _c_ before _i_ (and _ci_ before a vowel) are sounded somewhat
like _ch_.

The vowels may be given the familiar "Italian" values; _y_ need not be
distinguished from _i_. (But on _i_ as a diacritical sign, modifying a
preceding sibilant, see the preceding paragraph.) Furthermore, _i_
following a consonant (not a sibilant) and preceding a vowel, is
pronounced like _y_, as in _Jankiel_ (Yaen'kyel).

These rules, it must be said, are incomplete and inexact to a degree that
will shock any person with a scientific knowledge of Polish pronunciation.
In the present instance brevity seemed of more importance than strict
accuracy.

PAN TADEUSZ

OR

THE LAST FORAY IN LITHUANIA1

BOOK I.--THE FARM

ARGUMENT

Return of the young master--A first meeting in the chamber, a
second at table--The Judge's weighty lecture on courtesy--The
Chamberlain's political remarks on fashions--Beginning of the
quarrel over Bobtail and Falcon--Lamentations of the Seneschal--The
last Apparitor--Glance at the political conditions of Lithuania and
Europe at this period.

LITHUANIA, my country, thou art like health; how much thou shouldst be
prized only he can learn who has lost thee. To-day thy beauty in all its
splendour I see and describe, for I yearn for thee.

Holy Virgin, who protectest bright Czenstochowa and shinest above the
Ostra Gate in Wilno!2 Thou who dost shelter the castle of Nowogrodek with
its faithful