Pagina 623 de 788

"Brothers, the priest has proclaimed to you from the pulpit the

liberty that the Emperor-King has already restored to the

Kingdom, and is now restoring to the Duchy of Lithuania, to all

Poland; you have heard the official decrees and the letters

convening a General Diet. I have only a few words to say to the

company on a matter that pertains to the Soplica family, the

lords of this district.

"All the neighbourhood remembers the crime committed here by the

deceased Pan Jacek Soplica; but, since you all know of his sins,

it is time to proclaim his merits, also, before the world. Here

are present the generals of our armies, from whom I have heard

all that I tell you. This Jacek did not die at Rome, as was

reported, but only changed his former way of life, his calling,

and his name; and all his offences against God and his country he

has blotted out by his holy life and by great deeds.