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"The late queen prophesied it would be so," said the Pan of Taczew. "Ha! Then perhaps we will be obliged to go against Tymur." Here the conversation was tunned to the Lithuanian expedition against the Tartars.
"The Knights of the Cross have no fear of God, and they seek only their own advantage; but they will not help the pagans against Christian people. And then Tymur is at war somewhere in Asia, and the commander of the Tartars, Edyga, lost so heavily in the battle, that he is afraid even of victory.
To this Zyndram of Maszkow said: "This peace will not last long. There cannot be a good understanding with the wolf, because he must live on the goods of others." "In the meantime, perhaps we will be obliged to fight with Tymur the Lame," said Powala. "Prince Witold was defeated by Edyga; that is certain." "Certain. Wojewoda Spytko will not return," said Paszko Zlodziej of Biskupice.
He did not stop to think that one can serve in other ways as well as with sword or spear or axe; he was ready to attack alone the whole power of Tymur the Lame. He wanted to jump on his charger immediately after mass and begin something. What? He did not know himself. He only knew, that he could not hold anything, that his hands were burning and his whole soul was on fire.
For this he was deposed from his throne with "one finger" of the terrible father; he escaped to the Lithuanian governor and asked him for help. Witold decided to restore him to his throne; but to do this it was necessary to vie with the world-ruling Tymur the Lame.
It is true the eastern knights often heard the names of Golden, of Blue, of Azovian and of other Ords; but they were not familiar with the civil wars of the Tartars. Nevertheless there was not one man in Europe, who had not heard about the terrible Tymur the Lame, or Tamerlan. This name was heard with no less fear than of old was the name of Attila.
The people listened to Macko with great attention; but many did not thoroughly understand what people Witold intended to help nor against whom he intended to fight; therefore some one asked: "Tell exactly with whom is the war to be?" "With whom? With Tymur the Lame!" replied Macko. There was a moment of silence.
Tymur has conquered the world and has twenty-seven states under him. It will be an honor for our nation if we defeat him." "Why not?" answered Toporczyk, "even if he possesses a hundred kingdoms, let others be afraid of him not us! You speak wisely! Let us gather together ten thousand good spearmen, and we will pass round the world." "And what nation should conquer The Lame, if not ours?"
Therefore if Witold go with only a handful of Polish warriors, then Tymur the Lame, or his wojewodas, coming with innumerable hosts, will defeat him." "But we are at peace now," said Toporczyk, "and the Order will give some assistance to Witold.
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