Russianliterature，sofullofenigmas，containsnogreatercreativemysterythanNikolaiVasil”evichGogol(1809-1852)，whohasdonefortheRussiannovelandRussianprosewhatPushkinhasdoneforRussianpoetry。BeforethesetwomencameRussianliteraturecanhardlyhavebeensaidtoexist。Itwaspompousandeffetewithpseudo-classicism；
foreigninfluenceswerestrong；inthespeechoftheuppercirclestherewasanover-fondnessforGerman，French，andEnglishwords。
Betweenthemthetwofriends，byforceoftheirgreatgenius，clearedawaythedebriswhichmadeforsterilityanderectedintheirsteadanewstructureoutoflivingRussianwords。Thespokenword，bornofthepeople，gavesoulandwingtoliterature；onlybycomingtoearth，thenativeearth，wasitenabledtosoar。ComingupfromLittleRussia，theUkraine，withCossackbloodinhisveins，Gogolinjectedhisownhealthyvirusintoaneffetebody，blewhisownvirilespirit，thespiritofhisrace，intoitsnostrils，andgavetheRussiannovelitsdirectiontothisveryday。
Morethanthat。Thenomadandromanticinhim，troubledandrestlesswithUkrainianmyth，legend，andsong，impresseduponRussianliterature，facedwiththerealitiesofmodernlife，aspirittitanicandinclashwithitsmaterial，andproducedinthemasteryofthisevery-daymaterial，commonlycalledsordid，aphantasmagoriaintensewithbeauty。AcluetoallRussianrealismmaybefoundinaRussiancritic”sobservationaboutGogol：“Seldomhasnaturecreatedamansoromanticinbent，yetsomasterlyinportrayingallthatisunromanticinlife。”Butthisstatementdoesnotcoverthewholeground，foritiseasytoseeinalmostallofGogol”sworkhis“freeCossacksoul“
tryingtobreakthroughtheshellofsordidto-daylikesomeancientdemon，essentiallyDionysian。Sothathisworks，truethoughtheyaretoourlife，areatonceareproach，aprotest，andachallenge，evercallingforjoy，ancientjoy，thatisnomorewithus。AndtheyhaveallthejoyandsadnessoftheUkrainiansongshelovedsomuch。
UkrainianwastoGogol“thelanguageofthesoul，“anditwasinUkrainiansongsratherthaninoldchronicles，ofwhichhewasnotalittlecontemptuous，thathereadthehistoryofhispeople。Timeandagain，inhisessaysandinhisletterstofriends，heexpresseshisboundlessjoyinthesesongs：“Osongs，youaremyjoyandmylife！
HowIloveyou。WhatarethebloodlesschroniclesIporeoverbesidethoseclear，livechronicles！Icannotlivewithoutsongs；they……
revealeverythingmoreandmoreclearly，oh，howclearly，gone-bylifeandgone-bymen……ThesongsofLittleRussiaarehereverything，herpoetry，herhistory，andherancestralgrave。HewhohasnotpenetratedthemdeeplyknowsnothingofthepastofthisbloomingregionofRussia。”
Indeed，sogreatwashisenthusiasmforhisownlandthataftercollectingmaterialformanyyears，theyear1833findshimatworkonahistoryof“poorUkraine，“aworkplannedtotakeupsixvolumes；
andwritingtoafriendatthistimehepromisestosaymuchinitthathasnotbeensaidbeforehim。Furthermore，heintendedtofollowthisworkwithauniversalhistoryineightvolumeswithaviewtoestablishing，asfarasmaybegathered，LittleRussiaandtheworldinproperrelation，connectingthetwo；aquixotictask，surely。A
poet，passionate，religious，lovingtheheroic，wefindhimconstantlyimpatientandfumingatthelifelesschronicles，whichleavehimcoldasheseeksinvainforwhathecannotfind。“Nowhere，“hewritesin1834，“canIfindanythingofthetimewhichoughttobericherthananyotherinevents。Herewasapeoplewhosewholeexistencewaspassedinactivity，andwhich，evenifnaturehadmadeitinactive，wascompelledtogoforwardtogreataffairsanddeedsbecauseofitsneighbours，itsgeographicsituation，theconstantdangertoitsexistence……IftheCrimeansandtheTurkshadhadaliteratureI
amconvincedthatnohistoryofanindependentnationinEuropewouldprovesointerestingasthatoftheCossacks。”Againhecomplainsofthe“witheredchronicles“；itisonlythewealthofhiscountry”ssongthatencourageshimtogoonwithitshistory。
Toomuchavisionaryandapoettobeanimpartialhistorian，itishardlyastonishingtonotethejudgmenthepassesonhisownwork，duringthatsameyear，1834：“MyhistoryofLittleRussia”spastisanextraordinarilymadething，anditcouldnotbeotherwise。”ThedeeperhegoesintoLittleRussia”spastthemorefanaticallyhedreamsofLittleRussia”sfuture。St。Petersburgwearieshim，Moscowawakensnoemotioninhim，heyearnsforKieff，themotherofRussiancities，whichinhisvisionheseesbecoming“theRussianAthens。”Russianhistorygiveshimnopleasure，andheseparatesitdefinitelyfromUkrainianhistory。Heis“readytocasteverythingasideratherthanreadRussianhistory，“hewritestoPushkin。Duringhisseven-yearstayinSt。Petersburg(1829-36)Gogolzealouslygatheredhistoricalmaterialand，inthewordsofProfessorKotlyarevsky，“livedinthedreamofbecomingtheThucydidesofLittleRussia。”HowcompletelyhedisassociatedUkrainiafromNorthernRussiamaybejudgedbytheconspectusofhislectureswrittenin1832。Hesaysinit，speakingoftheconquestofSouthernRussiainthefourteenthcenturybyPrinceGuediminattheheadofhisLithuanianhost，stilldressedintheskinsofwildbeasts，stillworshippingtheancientfireandpractisingpaganrites：“ThenSouthernRussia，underthemightyprotectionofLithuanianprinces，completelyseparateditselffromtheNorth。Everybondbetweenthemwasbroken；twokingdomswereestablishedunderasinglename——Russia——oneundertheTataryoke，theotherunderthesamerulewithLithuanians。Butactuallytheyhadnorelationwithoneanother；differentlaws，differentcustoms，differentaims，differentbonds，anddifferentactivitiesgavethemwhollydifferentcharacters。”
ThissamePrinceGuediminfreedKiefffromtheTataryoke。ThiscityhadbeenlaidwastebythegoldenhordesofGhengisKhanandhiddenforaverylongtimefromtheSlavonicchroniclerasbehindanimpenetrablecurtain。Ashrewdman，GuediminappointedaSlavonicprincetoruleoverthecityandpermittedtheinhabitantstopractisetheirownfaith，GreekChristianity。PriortotheMongolinvasion，whichbroughtconflagrationandruin，andsubjectedRussiatoatwo-centurybondage，cuttingherofffromEurope，astateofchaosexistedandtheseparatetribesfoughtwithoneanotherconstantlyandforthemostpettyreasons。Mutualdepredationswerepossibleowingtotheabsenceofmountainranges；therewerenonaturalbarriersagainstsuddenattack。Theopennessofthesteppemadethepeoplewar-like。
ButthisveryopennessmadeitpossiblelaterforGuedimin”spaganhosts，freshfromthefirforestsofwhatisnowWhiteRussia，tomakeacleansweepofthewholecountrybetweenLithuaniaandPoland，andthusgivethescatteredprincedomsamuch-neededcohesion。InthiswayUkrainiawasformed。Exceptforsomeforests，infestedwithbears，thecountrywasonevastplain，markedbyanoccasionalhillock。Wholeherdsofwildhorsesanddeerstampededthecountry，overgrownwithtallgrass，whileflocksofwildgoatswanderedamongtherocksoftheDnieper。ApartfromtheDnieper，andinsomemeasuretheDesna，emptyingintoit，therewerenonavigableriversandsotherewaslittleopportunityforacommercialpeople。Severaltributariescutacross，butmadenorealboundaryline。WhetheryoulookedtothenorthtowardsRussia，totheeasttowardstheTatars，tothesouthtowardstheCrimeanTatars，tothewesttowardsPoland，everywherethecountryborderedonafield，everywhereonaplain，whichleftitopentotheinvaderfromeveryside。Hadtherebeenhere，suggestsGogolinhisintroductiontohisnever-writtenhistoryofLittleRussia，ifupononesideonly，arealfrontierofmountainorsea，thepeoplewhosettledheremighthaveformedadefinitepoliticalbody。Withoutthisnaturalprotectionitbecamealandsubjecttoconstantattackanddespoliation。“Therewherethreehostilenationscameincontactitwasmanuredwithbones，wettedwithblood。AsingleTatarinvasiondestroyedthewholelabourofthesoil-tiller；themeadowsandthecornfieldsweretroddendownbyhorsesordestroyedbyflame，thelightly-builthabitationsreducedtotheground，theinhabitantsscatteredordrivenoffintocaptivitytogetherwithcattle。Itwasalandofterror，andforthisreasontherecoulddevelopinitonlyawarlikepeople，stronginitsunityanddesperate，apeoplewhosewholeexistencewasboundtobetrainedandconfinedtowar。”
Thisconstantmenace，thisperpetualpressureoffoesonallsides，actedatlastlikeafiercehammershapingandhardeningresistanceagainstitself。ThefugitivefromPoland，thefugitivefromtheTatarandtheTurk，homeless，withnothingtolose，theirliveseverexposedtodanger，forsooktheirpeacefuloccupationsandbecametransformedintoawarlikepeople，knownastheCossacks，whoseappearancetowardstheendofthethirteenthcenturyoratthebeginningofthefourteenthwasaremarkableeventwhichpossiblyalone(suggestsGogol)preventedanyfurtherinroadsbythetwoMohammedannationsintoEurope。TheappearanceoftheCossackswascoincidentwiththeappearanceinEuropeofbrotherhoodsandknighthood-orders，andthisnewrace，inspiteofitslivingthelifeofmarauders，inspiteofturningsitsfoes”tacticsuponitsfoes，wasnotfreeofthereligiousspiritofitstime；ifitwarredforitsexistenceitwarrednotlessforitsfaith，whichwasGreek。Indeed，asthenationgrewstrongerandbecameconsciousofitsstrength，thestrugglebegantopartakesomethingofthenatureofareligiouswar，notalonedefensivebutaggressivealso，againsttheunbeliever。WhileanymanwasfreetojointhebrotherhooditwasobligatorytobelieveintheGreekfaith。Itwasthisreligiousunity，blazedintoactivitybythepresenceacrossthebordersofunbelievingnations，thataloneindicatedthegermofapoliticalbodyinthisgatheringofmen，whootherwiselivedtheaudaciouslivesofabandofhighwayrobbers。
“Therewas，however，“saysGogol，“noneoftheausterityoftheCatholicknightinthem；theyboundthemselvestonovowsorfasts；
theyputnoself-restraintuponthemselvesormortifiedtheirflesh，butwereindomitableliketherocksoftheDnieperamongwhichtheylived，andintheirfuriousfeastsandrevelstheyforgotthewholeworld。Thatsameintimatebrotherhood，maintainedinrobbercommunities，boundthemtogether。Theyhadeverythingincommon——wine，food，dwelling。Aperpetualfear，aperpetualdanger，inspiredthemwithacontempttowardslife。TheCossackworriedmoreaboutagoodmeasureofwinethanabouthisfate。Onehastoseethisdenizenofthefrontierinhishalf-Tatar，half-Polishcostume——whichsosharplyoutlinedthespiritoftheborderland——gallopinginAsiaticfashiononhishorse，nowlostinthickgrass，nowleapingwiththespeedofatigerfromambush，oremergingsuddenlyfromtheriverorswamp，allclingingwithmud，andappearinganimageofterrortotheTatar……”
Littlebylittlethecommunitygrewandwithitsgrowingitbegantoassumeageneralcharacter。Thebeginningofthesixteenthcenturyfoundwholevillagessettledwithfamilies，enjoyingtheprotectionoftheCossacks，whoexactedcertainobligations，chieflymilitary，sothatthesesettlementsboreamilitarycharacter。Theswordandtheploughwerefriendswhichfraternisedateverysettler”s。Ontheotherhand，Gogoltellsus，thegaybachelorsbegantomakedepredationsacrossthebordertosweepdownonTatars”wivesandtheirdaughtersandtomarrythem。“Owingtothisco-mingling，theirfacialfeatures，sodifferentfromoneanother”s，receivedacommonimpress，tendingtowardstheAsiatic。AndsotherecameintobeinganationinfaithandplacebelongingtoEurope；ontheotherhand，inwaysoflife，customs，anddressquiteAsiatic。Itwasanationinwhichtheworld”stwoextremescameincontact；EuropeancautionandAsiaticindifference，niaveteandcunning，anintenseactivityandthegreatestlazinessandindulgence，anaspirationtodevelopmentandperfection，andagainadesiretoappearindifferenttoperfection。”
AllofUkrainetookonitscolourfromtheCossack，andifIhavedrawnlargelyonGogol”sownaccountoftheoriginsofthisrace，itwasbecauseitseemedtomethatGogol”semphasisontheheroicratherthanonthehistorical——Gogolisgenerallydiscountedasanhistorian——wouldgivethereaderaproperapproachtothemoodinwhichhecreated“TarasBulba，“thefinestepicinRussianliterature。
GogolneverwroteeitherhishistoryofLittleRussiaorhisuniversalhistory。Apartfromseveralbriefstudies，notalwaysreliable，thenetresultofhismanyyears”applicationtohisscholarlyprojectswasthisbriefepicinprose，Homericinmood。Thesenseofintenseliving，“livingdangerously“——touseaphraseofNietzsche”s，therecognitionofcourageasthegreatestofallvirtues——theGodinman，inspiredGogol，livinginanagewhichtendedtowardgreytedium，withadmirationforhismorefortunateforefathers，wholivedin“apoetictime，wheneverythingwaswonwiththesword，wheneveryoneinhisturnstrovetobeanactivebeingandnotaspectator。”Intothisshortworkhepouredallhisloveoftheheroic，allhisromanticism，allhispoetry，allhisjoy。Itsabundanceoflifebearsonealonglikeafast-flowingriver。Anditisnotwithouthumour，acalm，detachedhumour，which，asthecriticBolinskyputsit，isnottheremerely“becauseGogolhasatendencytoseethecomicineverything，butbecauseitistruetolife。”
Yet“TarasBulba“wasinasenseanaccident，justasmanyotherworksofgreatmenareaccidents。Itoftenrequiresahappycombinationofcircumstancestoproduceamasterpiece。Ihavealreadytoldinmyintroductionto“DeadSouls“[1]howGogolcreatedhisgreatrealisticmasterpiece，whichwastoinfluenceRussianliteratureforgenerationstocome，undertheinfluenceofmodelssoremoteintimeorplaceas“DonQuixote“or“PickwickPapers“；andhowthiscombinationofinfluencesjoinedtohisowngeniusproducedaworkquitenewandoriginalineffectandonlyremotelyreminiscentofthemodelswhichhaveinspiredit。Andjustas“DeadSouls“mightneverhavebeenwrittenif“DonQuixote“hadnotexisted，sothereiseveryreasontobelievethat“TarasBulba“couldnothavebeenwrittenwithoutthe“Odyssey。”Oncemoreancientfiregavelifetonewbeauty。AndyetatthetimeGogolcouldnothavehadmorethanasmatteringofthe“Odyssey。”ThemagnificenttranslationmadebyhisfriendZhukovskyhadnotyetappearedandGogol，inspiteofhisambitiontobecomeahistorian，wasnotequippedasascholar。ButitisevidentfromhisdithyrambicletterontheappearanceofZhukovsky”sversion，formingoneofthefamousseriesoflettersknownas“CorrespondencewithFriends，“thathewasbetteracquaintedwiththespiritofHomerthananymerescholarcouldbe。Thatletter，unfortunatelyunknowntotheEnglishreader，wouldmakeeveryloveroftheclassicsinthisdayoftheirdisparagementdancewithjoy。Hedescribesthe“Odyssey“astheforgottensourceofallthatisbeautifulandharmoniousinlife，andhegreetsitsappearanceinRussiandressatatimewhenlifeissordidanddiscordantasathinginevitable，“cooling“ineffectuponatoohecticworld。Heseesinitsperfectgrace，itscalmandalmostchildlikesimplicity，apowerforindividualandgeneralgood。“Itcombinesallthefascinationofafairytaleandallthesimpletruthofhumanadventure，holdingoutthesameallurementtoeverybeing，whetherheisanoble，acommoner，amerchant，aliterateorilliterateperson，aprivatesoldier，alackey，childrenofbothsexes，beginningatanagewhenachildbeginstoloveafairytale——allmightreaditorlistentoit，withouttedium。”Everyonewilldrawfromitwhathemostneeds。Notlessthanupontheseheseesitswholesomeeffectonthecreativewriter，itsrefreshinginfluenceonthecritic。Butmostofallhedwellsonitsheroicqualities，inseparabletohimfromwhatisreligiousinthe“Odyssey“；and，saysGogol，thisbookcontainstheideathatahumanbeing，“whereverhemightbe，whateverpursuithemightfollow，isthreatenedbymanywoes，thathemustneedwrestlewiththem——forthatverypurposewaslifegiventohim——thatneverforasingleinstantmusthedespair，justasOdysseusdidnotdespair，whoineveryhardandoppressivemomentturnedtohisownheart，unawarethatwiththisinnerscrutinyofhimselfhehadalreadysaidthathiddenprayerutteredinamomentofdistressbyeverymanhavingnounderstandingwhateverofGod。”
Thenhegoesontocomparetheancientharmony，perfectdowntoeverydetailofdress，totheslightestaction，withourslovenlinessandconfusionandpettiness，asadresult——consideringourknowledgeofpastexperience，ourpossessionofsuperiorweapons，ourreligiongiventomakeusholyandsuperiorbeings。Andinconclusionheasks：
Isnotthe“Odyssey“ineverysenseadeepreproachtoournineteenthcentury？
[1]Everyman”sLibrary，No。726。
AnunderstandingofGogol”spointofviewgivesthekeyto“TarasBulba。”ForinthispanoramiccanvasoftheSetch，themilitarybrotherhoodoftheCossacks，livingunderopenskies，picturesquelyandheroically，hehasdrawnapictureofhisromanticideal，whichiffarfromperfectatanyrateseemedtohimpreferabletothegreytediumofacitypeopledwithgovernmentofficials。Gogolhaswrittenin“TarasBulba“hisownreproachtothenineteenthcentury。ItissadandjoyouslikeoneofthoseUkrainiansongswhichhavehelpedtoinspirehimtowriteit。Andthen，ashecuthimselfoffmoreandmorefromtheworldofthepast，lifebecameasadderandstillsadderthingtohim；modernlife，withallitsgiganticpettiness，closedinaroundhim，hebegantowriteofpettyofficialsandofpettyscoundrels，“commonplaceheroes“hecalledthem。Butnothingiseverlostinthisworld。Gogol”sromanticism，shutinwithinhimself，findingnooutlet，becameaflame。Itwasaflameofpity。Hewaslikeamanwalkinginhell，pitying。Andthatwasthemiracle，thetransfiguration。OutofthatflameofpitytheRussiannovelwasborn。
JOHNCOURNOS
TARASBULBA
CHAPTERI
“Turnround，myboy！Howridiculousyoulook！Whatsortofapriest”scassockhaveyougoton？Doeseverybodyattheacademydresslikethat？“
WithsuchwordsdidoldBulbagreethistwosons，whohadbeenabsentfortheireducationattheRoyalSeminaryofKief，andhadnowreturnedhometotheirfather。
Hissonshadbutjustdismountedfromtheirhorses。Theywereacoupleofstoutladswhostilllookedbashful，asbecameyouthsrecentlyreleasedfromtheseminary。Theirfirmhealthyfaceswerecoveredwiththefirstdownofmanhood，downwhichhad，asyet，neverknownarazor。Theyweregreatlydiscomfitedbysuchareceptionfromtheirfather，andstoodmotionlesswitheyesfixedupontheground。
“Standstill，standstill！letmehaveagoodlookatyou，“hecontinued，turningthemaround。“Howlongyourgaberdinesare！Whatgaberdines！Thereneverweresuchgaberdinesintheworldbefore。Justrun，oneofyou！Iwanttoseewhetheryouwillnotgetentangledintheskirts，andfalldown。”
“Don”tlaugh，don”tlaugh，father！“saidtheeldestladatlength。
“Howtouchyweare！Whyshouldn”tIlaugh？“
“Because，althoughyouaremyfather，ifyoulaugh，byheavens，Iwillstrikeyou！“
“Whatkindofsonareyou？what，strikeyourfather！“exclaimedTarasBulba，retreatingseveralpacesinamazement。
“Yes，evenmyfather。Idon”tstoptoconsiderpersonswhenaninsultisinquestion。”
“Soyouwanttofightme？withyourfist，eh？“
“Anyway。”
“Well，letitbefisticuffs，“saidTarasBulba，turninguphissleeves。“I”llseewhatsortofamanyouarewithyourfists。”
Andfatherandson，inlieuofapleasantgreetingafterlongseparation，begantodealeachotherheavyblowsonribs，back，andchest，nowretreatingandlookingateachother，nowattackingafresh。
“Look，goodpeople！theoldmanhasgoneman！hehaslosthissensescompletely！“screamedtheirpale，ugly，kindlymother，whowasstandingonthethreshold，andhadnotyetsucceededinembracingherdarlingchildren。“Thechildrenhavecomehome，wehavenotseenthemforoverayear；andnowhehastakensomestrangefreak——he”spommellingthem。”
“Yes，hefightswell，“saidBulba，pausing；“well，byheavens！“hecontinued，ratherasifexcusinghimself，“althoughhehasnevertriedhishandatitbefore，hewillmakeagoodCossack！Now，welcome，son！
embraceme，“andfatherandsonbegantokisseachother。“Goodlad！
seethatyouhiteveryoneasyoupommelledme；don”tletanyoneescape。Neverthelessyourclothesareridiculousallthesame。Whatropeisthishangingthere？——Andyou，youlout，whyareyoustandingtherewithyourhandshangingbesideyou？“headded，turningtotheyoungest。“Whydon”tyoufightme？yousonofadog！“
“Whatanidea！“saidthemother，whohadmanagedinthemeantimetoembraceheryoungest。“Whoeverheardofchildrenfightingtheirownfather？That”senoughforthepresent；thechildisyoung，hehashadalongjourney，heistired。”Thechildwasovertwenty，andaboutsixfeethigh。“Heoughttorest，andeatsomething；andyousethimtofighting！“
“Youareagabbler！“saidBulba。“Don”tlistentoyourmother，mylad；
sheisawoman，andknowsnothing。Whatsortofpettingdoyouneed？A
clearfieldandagoodhorse，that”sthekindofpettingforyou！Anddoyouseethissword？that”syourmother！Alltherestpeoplestuffyourheadswithisrubbish；theacademy，books，primers，philosophy，andallthat，Ispituponitall！“HereBulbaaddedawordwhichisnotusedinprint。“ButI”lltellyouwhatisbest：I”lltakeyoutoZaporozhe[1]thisveryweek。That”swherethere”sscienceforyou！
There”syourschool；therealonewillyougainsense。”
[1]TheCossackcountrybeyond(za)thefalls(porozhe)oftheDnieper。
“Andaretheyonlytoremainhomeaweek？“saidthewornoldmothersadlyandwithtearsinhereyes。“Thepoorboyswillhavenochanceoflookingaround，nochanceofgettingacquaintedwiththehomewheretheywereborn；therewillbenochanceformetogetalookatthem。”
“Enough，you”vehowledquiteenough，oldwoman！ACossackisnotborntorunaroundafterwomen。Youwouldliketohidethembothunderyourpetticoat，andsituponthemasahensitsoneggs。Go，go，andletushaveeverythingthereisonthetableinatrice。Wedon”twantanydumplings，honey-cakes，poppy-cakes，oranyothersuchmesses：giveusawholesheep，agoat，meadfortyyearsold，andasmuchcorn-brandyaspossible，notwithraisinsandallsortsofstuff，butplainscorchingcorn-brandy，whichfoamsandhisseslikemad。”
Bulbaledhissonsintotheprincipalroomofthehut；andtwoprettyservantgirlswearingcoinnecklaces，whowerearrangingtheapartment，ranoutquickly。Theywereeitherfrightenedatthearrivaloftheyoungmen，whodidnotcaretobefamiliarwithanyone；orelsetheymerelywantedtokeepuptheirfemininecustomofscreamingandrushingawayheadlongatthesightofaman，andthenscreeningtheirblushesforsometimewiththeirsleeves。Thehutwasfurnishedaccordingtothefashionofthatperiod——afashionconcerningwhichhintslingeronlyinthesongsandlyrics，nolongersung，alas！intheUkraineasofyorebyblindoldmen，tothesofttinklingofthenativeguitar，tothepeoplethrongingroundthem——accordingtothetasteofthatwarlikeandtroubloustime，ofleaguesandbattlesprevailingintheUkraineaftertheunion。Everythingwascleanlysmearedwithcolouredclay。Onthewallshungsabres，hunting-whips，netsforbirds，fishing-nets，guns，elaboratelycarvedpowder-horns，gildedbitsforhorses，andtether-ropeswithsilverplates。Thesmallwindowhadrounddullpanes，throughwhichitwasimpossibletoseeexceptbyopeningtheonemoveableone。Aroundthewindowsanddoorsredbandswerepainted。Onshelvesinonecornerstoodjugs，bottles，andflasksofgreenandblueglass，carvedsilvercups，andgildeddrinkingvesselsofvariousmakes——Venetian，Turkish，Tscherkessian，whichhadreachedBulba”scabinbyvariousroads，atthirdandfourthhand，athingcommonenoughinthosebolddays。Therewerebirch-woodbenchesallaroundtheroom，ahugetableundertheholypicturesinonecorner，andahugestovecoveredwithparticolouredpatternsinrelief，withspacesbetweenitandthewall。Allthiswasquitefamiliartothetwoyoungmen，whowerewonttocomehomeeveryyearduringthedog-days，sincetheyhadnohorses，anditwasnotcustomarytoallowstudentstorideafieldonhorseback。Theonlydistinctivethingspermittedthemwerelonglocksofhaironthetemples，whicheveryCossackwhoboreweaponswasentitledtopull。ItwasonlyattheendoftheircourseofstudythatBulbahadsentthemacoupleofyoungstallionsfromhisstud。
Bulba，ontheoccasionofhissons”arrival，orderedallthesotniksorcaptainsofhundreds，andalltheofficersofthebandwhowereofanyconsequence，tobesummoned；andwhentwoofthemarrivedwithhisoldcomrade，theOsaulorsub-chief，DmitroTovkatch，heimmediatelypresentedthelads，saying，“Seewhatfineyoungfellowstheyare！I
shallsendthemtotheSetch[2]shortly。”TheguestscongratulatedBulbaandtheyoungmen，tellingthemtheywoulddowellandthattherewasnobetterknowledgeforayoungmanthanaknowledgeofthatsameZaporozhianSetch。
[2]Thevillageor，rather，permanentcampoftheZaporozhianCossacks。
“Come，brothers，seatyourselves，eachwherehelikesbest，atthetable；come，mysons。Firstofall，let”stakesomecorn-brandy，“saidBulba。“Godblessyou！Welcome，lads；you，Ostap，andyou，Andrii。Godgrantthatyoumayalwaysbesuccessfulinwar，thatyoumaybeattheMusselmansandtheTurksandtheTatars；andthatwhenthePolesundertakeanyexpeditionagainstourfaith，youmaybeatthePoles。
Come，clinkyourglasses。Hownow？Isthebrandygood？What”scorn-brandyinLatin？TheLatinswerestupid：theydidnotknowtherewassuchathingintheworldascorn-brandy。WhatwasthenameofthemanwhowroteLatinverses？Idon”tknowmuchaboutreadingandwriting，soIdon”tquiteknow。Wasn”titHorace？“
“Whatadad！“thoughttheeldersonOstap。“Theolddogknowseverything，buthealwayspretendsthecontrary。”
“Idon”tbelievethearchimandriteallowedyousomuchasasmellofcorn-brandy，“continuedTaras。“Confess，myboys，theythrashedyouwellwithfreshbirch-twigsonyourbacksandalloveryourCossackbodies；andperhaps，whenyougrewtoosharp，theybeatyouwithwhips。AndnotonSaturdayonly，Ifancy，butonWednesdayandThursday。”
“Whatispast，father，neednotberecalled；itisdonewith。”
“Letthemtryitknow，“saidAndrii。“Letanybodyjusttouchme，letanyTatarriskitnow，andhe”llsoonlearnwhataCossack”sswordislike！“
“Good，myson，byheavens，good！Andwhenitcomestothat，I”llgowithyou；byheavens，I”llgotoo！WhatshouldIwaitherefor？Tobecomeabuckwheat-reaperandhousekeeper，tolookafterthesheepandswine，andloafaroundwithmywife？Awaywithsuchnonsense！IamaCossack；I”llhavenoneofit！What”sleftbutwar？I”llgowithyoutoZaporozhetocarouse；I”llgo，byheavens！“AndoldBulba，growingwarmbydegreesandfinallyquiteangry，rosefromthetable，and，assumingadignifiedattitude，stampedhisfoot。“Wewillgoto-morrow！Whereforedelay？Whatenemycanwebesiegehere？Whatisthishuttous？Whatdowewantwithallthesethings？Whatarepotsandpanstous？“Sosaying，hebegantoknockoverthepotsandflasks，andtothrowthemabout。
Thepooroldwoman，wellusedtosuchfreaksonthepartofherhusband，lookedsadlyonfromherseatonthewall-bench。Shedidnotdaresayaword；butwhensheheardthedecisionwhichwassoterribleforher，shecouldnotrefrainfromtears。Asshelookedatherchildren，fromwhomsospeedyaseparationwasthreatened，itisimpossibletodescribethefullforceofherspeechlessgrief，whichseemedtoquiverinhereyesandonherlipsconvulsivelypressedtogether。
Bulbawasterriblyheadstrong。Hewasoneofthosecharacterswhichcouldonlyexistinthatfiercefifteenthcentury，andinthathalf-nomadiccornerofEurope，whenthewholeofSouthernRussia，desertedbyitsprinces，waslaidwasteandburnedtothequickbypitilesstroopsofMongolianrobbers；whenmendeprivedofhouseandhomegrewbravethere；when，amidconflagrations，threateningneighbours，andeternalterrors，theysettleddown，andgrowingaccustomedtolookingthesethingsstraightintheface，trainedthemselvesnottoknowthattherewassuchathingasfearintheworld；whentheold，peacableSlavspiritwasfiredwithwarlikeflame，andtheCossackstatewasinstituted——afree，wildoutbreakofRussiannature——andwhenalltheriver-banks，fords，andlikesuitableplaceswerepeopledbyCossacks，whosenumbernomanknew。TheirboldcomradeshadarighttoreplytotheSultanwhenheaskedhowmanytheywere，“Whoknows？Wearescatteredalloverthesteppes；whereverthereisahillock，thereisaCossack。”
Itwas，infact，amostremarkableexhibitionofRussianstrength，forcedbydirenecessityfromthebosomofthepeople。Inplaceoftheoriginalprovinceswiththeirpettytowns，inplaceofthewarringandbarteringpettyprincesrulingintheircities，therearosegreatcolonies，kurens[3]，anddistricts，boundtogetherbyonecommondangerandhatredagainsttheheathenrobbers。ThestoryiswellknownhowtheirincessantwarfareandrestlessexistencesavedEuropefromthemercilesshordeswhichthreatenedtooverwhelmher。ThePolishkings，whonowfoundthemselvessovereigns，inplaceoftheprovincialprinces，overtheseextensivetractsofterritory，fullyunderstood，despitetheweaknessandremotenessoftheirownrule，thevalueoftheCossacks，andtheadvantagesofthewarlike，untrammelledlifeledbythem。Theyencouragedthemandflatteredthisdispositionofmind。
Undertheirdistantrule，thehetmansorchiefs，chosenfromamongtheCossacksthemselves，redistributedtheterritoryintomilitarydistricts。Itwasnotastandingarmy，noonesawit；butincaseofwarandgeneraluprising，itrequiredaweek，andnomore，foreverymantoappearonhorseback，fullyarmed，receivingonlyoneducatfromtheking；andintwoweekssuchaforcehadassembledasnorecruitingofficerswouldeverhavebeenabletocollect。Whentheexpeditionwasended，thearmydispersedamongthefieldsandmeadowsandthefordsoftheDnieper；eachmanfished，wroughtathistrade，brewedhisbeer，andwasoncemoreafreeCossack。Theirforeigncontemporariesrightlymarvelledattheirwonderfulqualities。TherewasnohandicraftwhichtheCossackwasnotexpertat：hecoulddistilbrandy，buildawaggon，makepowder，anddoblacksmith”sandgunsmith”swork，inadditiontocommittingwildexcesses，drinkingandcarousingasonlyaRussiancan——allthishewasequalto。BesidestheregisteredCossacks，whoconsideredthemselvesboundtoappearinarmsintimeofwar，itwaspossibletocollectatanytime，incaseofdireneed，awholearmyofvolunteers。AllthatwasrequiredwasfortheOsaulorsub-chieftotraversethemarket-placesandsquaresofthevillagesandhamlets，andshoutatthetopofhisvoice，ashestoodinhiswaggon，“Hey，youdistillersandbeer-brewers！youhavebrewedenoughbeer，andlolledonyourstoves，andstuffedyourfatcarcasseswithflour，longenough！Rise，wingloryandwarlikehonours！Youploughmen，youreapersofbuckwheat，youtendersofsheep，youdanglersafterwomen，enoughoffollowingtheplough，andsoilingyouryellowshoesintheearth，andcourtingwomen，andwastingyourwarlikestrength！ThehourhascometowingloryfortheCossacks！“Thesewordswerelikesparksfallingondrywood。Thehusbandmanbrokehisplough；thebrewersanddistillersthrewawaytheircasksanddestroyedtheirbarrels；themechanicsandmerchantssenttheirtradeandtheirshoptothedevil，brokepotsandeverythingelseintheirhomes，andmountedtheirhorses。Inshort，theRussiancharacterherereceivedaprofounddevelopment，andmanifestedapowerfuloutwardsexpression。
[3]Cossackvillages。IntheSetch，alargewoodenbarrack。
Taraswasoneofthebandofold-fashionedleaders；hewasbornforwarlikeemotions，andwasdistinguishedforhisuprightnessofcharacter。AtthatepochtheinfluenceofPolandhadalreadybeguntomakeitselffeltupontheRussiannobility。ManyhadadoptedPolishcustoms，andbegantodisplayluxuryinsplendidstaffsofservants，hawks，huntsmen，dinners，andpalaces。ThiswasnottoTaras”staste。
HelikedthesimplelifeoftheCossacks，andquarrelledwiththoseofhiscomradeswhowereinclinedtotheWarsawparty，callingthemserfsofthePolishnobles。Everonthealert，heregardedhimselfasthelegalprotectoroftheorthodoxfaith。Heentereddespoticallyintoanyvillagewheretherewasageneralcomplaintofoppressionbytherevenuefarmersandoftheadditionoffreshtaxesonnecessaries。HeandhisCossacksexecutedjustice，andmadeitarulethatinthreecasesitwasabsolutelynecessarytoresorttothesword。Namely，whenthecommissionersdidnotrespectthesuperiorofficersandstoodbeforethemcovered；whenanyonemadelightofthefaithanddidnotobservethecustomsofhisancestors；and，finally，whentheenemywereMussulmansorTurks，againstwhomheconsidereditpermissible，ineverycase，todrawtheswordforthegloryofChristianity。
NowherejoicedbeforehandatthethoughtofhowhewouldpresenthimselfwithhistwosonsattheSetch，andsay，“SeewhatfineyoungfellowsIhavebroughtyou！“howhewouldintroducethemtoallhisoldcomrades，steeledinwarfare；howhewouldobservetheirfirstexploitsinthesciencesofwarandofdrinking，whichwasalsoregardedasoneoftheprincipalwarlikequalities。Atfirsthehadintendedtosendthemforthalone；butatthesightoftheirfreshness，stature，andmanlypersonalbeautyhismartialspiritflamedupandheresolvedtogowiththemhimselftheverynextday，althoughtherewasnonecessityforthisexcepthisobstinateself-will。Hebeganatoncetohurryaboutandgiveorders；selectedhorsesandtrappingsforhissons，lookedthroughthestablesandstorehouses，andchoseservantstoaccompanythemonthemorrow。HedelegatedhispowertoOsaulTovkatch，andgavewithitastrictcommandtoappearwithhiswholeforceattheSetchtheveryinstantheshouldreceiveamessagefromhim。Althoughhewasjolly，andtheeffectsofhisdrinkingboutstilllingeredinhisbrain，heforgotnothing。Heevengaveordersthatthehorsesshouldbewatered，theircribsfilled，andthattheyshouldbefedwiththefinestcorn；andthenheretired，fatiguedwithallhislabours。
“Now，children，wemustsleep，butto-morrowweshalldowhatGodwills。Don”tprepareusabed：weneednobed；wewillsleepinthecourtyard。”
Nighthadbutjuststoleovertheheavens，butBulbaalwayswenttobedearly。Helaydownonarugandcoveredhimselfwithasheepskinpelisse，forthenightairwasquitesharpandhelikedtoliewarmwhenhewasathome。Hewassoonsnoring，andthewholehouseholdspeedilyfollowedhisexample。Allsnoredandgroanedastheylayindifferentcorners。Thewatchmanwenttosleepthefirstofall，hehaddrunksomuchinhonouroftheyoungmasters”home-coming。
Themotheralonedidnotsleep。Shebentoverthepillowofherbelovedsons，astheylaysidebyside；shesmoothedwithacombtheircarelesslytangledlocks，andmoistenedthemwithhertears。Shegazedatthemwithherwholesoul，witheverysense；shewaswhollymergedinthegaze，andyetshecouldnotgazeenough。Shehadfedthematherownbreast，shehadtendedthemandbroughtthemup；andnowtoseethemonlyforaninstant！“Mysons，mydarlingsons！whatwillbecomeofyou！whatfateawaitsyou？“shesaid，andtearsstoodinthewrinkleswhichdisfiguredheroncebeautifulface。Intruth，shewastobepitied，aswaseverywomanofthatperiod。Shehadlivedonlyforamomentoflove，onlyduringthefirstardourofpassion，onlyduringthefirstflushofyouth；andthenhergrimbetrayerhaddesertedherforthesword，forhiscomradesandhiscarouses。Shesawherhusbandtwoorthreedaysinayear，andthen，forseveralyears，heardnothingofhim。Andwhenshedidseehim，whentheydidlivetogether，whatalifewashers！Sheenduredinsult，evenblows；shefeltcaressesbestowedonlyinpity；shewasamisplacedobjectinthatcommunityofunmarriedwarriors，uponwhichwanderingZaporozhecastacolouringofitsown。Herpleasurelessyouthflittedby；herripecheeksandbosomwitheredawayunkissedandbecamecoveredwithprematurewrinkles。Love，feeling，everythingthatistenderandpassionateinawoman，wasconvertedinherintomaternallove。Shehoveredaroundherchildrenwithanxiety，passion，tears，likethegullofthesteppes。Theyweretakinghersons，herdarlingsons，fromher——takingthemfromher，sothatsheshouldneverseethemagain！
Whoknew？PerhapsaTatarwouldcutofftheirheadsintheveryfirstskirmish，andshewouldneverknowwheretheirdesertedbodiesmightlie，tornbybirdsofprey；andyetforeachsingledropoftheirbloodshewouldhavegivenallhers。Sobbing，shegazedintotheireyes，andthought，“PerhapsBulba，whenhewakes，willputofftheirdepartureforadayortwo；perhapsitoccurredtohimtogososoonbecausehehadbeendrinking。”
Themoonfromthesummitoftheheavenshadlongsincelitupthewholecourtyardfilledwithsleepers，thethickclumpofwillows，andthetallsteppe-grass，whichhidthepalisadesurroundingthecourt。
Shestillsatathersons”pillow，neverremovinghereyesfromthemforamoment，northinkingofsleep。Alreadythehorses，diviningtheapproachofdawn，hadceasedeatingandlaindownuponthegrass；thetopmostleavesofthewillowsbegantorustlesoftly，andlittlebylittletheripplingrustledescendedtotheirbases。Shesatthereuntildaylight，unwearied，andwishinginherheartthatthenightmightprolongitselfindefinitely。Fromthesteppescametheringingneighofthehorses，andredstreaksshonebrightlyinthesky。Bulbasuddenlyawoke，andsprangtohisfeet。Herememberedquitewellwhathehadorderedthenightbefore。“Now，mymen，you”vesleptenough！”tistime，”tistime！Waterthehorses！Andwhereistheoldwoman？“
Hegenerallycalledhiswifeso。“Bequick，oldwoman，getussomethingtoeat；thewayislong。”
Thepooroldwoman，deprivedofherlasthope，slippedsadlyintothehut。
Whilstshe，withtears，preparedwhatwasneededforbreakfast，Bulbagavehisorders，wenttothestable，andselectedhisbesttrappingsforhischildrenwithhisownhand。
Thescholarsweresuddenlytransformed。Redmoroccobootswithsilverheelstooktheplaceoftheirdirtyoldones；trouserswideastheBlackSea，withcountlessfoldsandplaits，werekeptupbygoldengirdlesfromwhichhunglongslenderthongs，withtasslesandothertinklingthings，forpipes。TheirjacketsofscarletclothweregirtbyfloweredsashesintowhichwerethrustengravedTurkishpistols；
theirswordsclankedattheirheels。Theirfaces，alreadyalittlesunburnt，seemedtohavegrownhandsomerandwhiter；theirslightblackmoustachesnowcastamoredistinctshadowonthispallorandsetofftheirhealthyyouthfulcomplexions。Theylookedveryhandsomeintheirblacksheepskincaps，withcloth-of-goldcrowns。
Whentheirpoormothersawthem，shecouldnotutteraword，andtearsstoodinhereyes。
“Now，mylads，allisready；nodelay！“saidBulbaatlast。“Butwemustfirstallsitdowntogether，inaccordancewithChristiancustombeforeajourney。”
Allsatdown，notexceptingtheservants，whohadbeenstandingrespectfullyatthedoor。
“Now，mother，blessyourchildren，“saidBulba。“PrayGodthattheymayfightbravely，alwaysdefendtheirwarlikehonour，alwaysdefendthefaithofChrist；and，ifnot，thattheymaydie，sothattheirbreathmaynotbelongerintheworld。”
“Cometoyourmother，children；amother”sprayerprotectsonlandandsea。”
Themother，weakasmothersare，embracedthem，drewouttwosmallholypictures，andhungthem，sobbing，aroundtheirnecks。“MayGod”smother——keepyou！Children，donotforgetyourmother——sendsomelittlewordofyourselves”Shecouldsaynomore。
“Now，children，letusgo，“saidBulba。
Atthedoorstoodthehorses，readysaddled。Bulbaspranguponhis“Devil，“whichboundedwildly，onfeelingonhisbackaloadofoverthirtystone，forTaraswasextremelystoutandheavy。
Whenthemothersawthathersonswerealsomounted，sherushedtowardstheyounger，whosefeaturesexpressedsomewhatmoregentlenessthanthoseofhisbrother。Shegraspedhisstirrup，clungtohissaddle，andwithdespairinhereyes，refusedtolooseherhold。TwostoutCossacksseizedhercarefully，andboreherbackintothehut。
Butbeforethecavalcadehadpassedoutofthecourtyard，sherushedwiththespeedofawildgoat，disproportionatetoheryears，tothegate，stoppedahorsewithirresistiblestrength，andembracedoneofhersonswithmad，unconsciousviolence。Thentheyledherawayagain。
TheyoungCossacksrodeonsadly，repressingtheirtearsoutoffearoftheirfather，who，onhisside，wassomewhatmoved，althoughhestrovenottoshowit。Themorningwasgrey，thegreenswardbright，thebirdstwitteredratherdiscordantly。Theyglancedbackastheyrode。Theirpaternalfarmseemedtohavesunkintotheearth。Allthatwasvisibleabovethesurfacewerethetwochimneysoftheirmodesthutandthetopsofthetreesupwhosetrunkstheyhadbeenusedtoclimblikesquirrels。Beforethemstillstretchedthefieldbywhichtheycouldrecallthewholestoryoftheirlives，fromtheyearswhentheyrolledinitsdewygrassdowntotheyearswhentheyawaitedinitthedark-browedCossackmaiden，runningtimidlyacrossitonquickyoungfeet。Thereisthepoleabovethewell，withthewaggonwheelfastenedtoitstop，risingsolitaryagainstthesky；alreadythelevelwhichtheyhavetraversedappearsahillinthedistance，andnowallhasdisappeared。Farewell，childhood，games，all，all，farewell！
CHAPTERII
Allthreehorsemenrodeinsilence。OldTaras”sthoughtswerefaraway：beforehimpassedhisyouth，hisyears——theswift-flyingyears，overwhichtheCossackalwaysweeps，wishingthathislifemightbeallyouth。HewonderedwhomofhisformercomradesheshouldmeetattheSetch。Hereckoneduphowmanyhadalreadydied，howmanywerestillalive。Tearsformedslowlyinhiseyes，andhisgreyheadbentsadly。
Hissonswereoccupiedwithotherthoughts。Butwemustspeakfurtherofhissons。Theyhadbeensent，whentwelveyearsold，totheacademyatKief，becauseallleadersofthatdayconsidereditindispensabletogivetheirchildrenaneducation，althoughitwasafterwardsutterlyforgotten。Likeallwhoenteredtheacademy，theywerewild，havingbeenbroughtupinunrestrainedfreedom；andwhilsttheretheyhadacquiredsomepolish，andpursuedsomecommonbranchesofknowledgewhichgavethemacertainresemblancetoeachother。
Theelder，Ostap，beganhisscholasticcareerbyrunningawayinthecourseofthefirstyear。Theybroughthimback，whippedhimwell，andsethimdowntohisbooks。Fourtimesdidheburyhisprimerintheearth；andfourtimes，aftergivinghimasoundthrashing，didtheybuyhimanewone。Buthewouldnodoubthaverepeatedthisfeatforthefifthtime，hadnothisfathergivenhimasolemnassurancethathewouldkeephimatmonasticworkfortwentyyears，andsworninadvancethatheshouldneverbeholdZaporozheallhislifelong，unlesshelearnedallthesciencestaughtintheacademy。ItwasoddthatthemanwhosaidthiswasthatveryTarasBulbawhocondemnedalllearning，andcounselledhischildren，aswehaveseen，nottotroublethemselvesatallaboutit。Fromthatmoment，Ostapbegantoporeoverhistiresomebookswithexemplarydiligence，andquicklystoodonalevelwiththebest。Thestyleofeducationinthatagedifferedwidelyfromthemanneroflife。Thescholastic，grammatical，rhetorical，andlogicalsubtletiesinvogueweredecidedlyoutofconsonancewiththetimes，neverhavinganyconnectionwith，andneverbeingencounteredin，actuallife。Thosewhostudiedthem，eventheleastscholastic，couldnotapplytheirknowledgetoanythingwhatever。Thelearnedmenofthosedayswereevenmoreincapablethantherest，becausefartherremovedfromallexperience。Moreover，therepublicanconstitutionoftheacademy，thefearfulmultitudeofyoung，healthy，strongfellows，inspiredthestudentswithanactivityquiteoutsidethelimitsoftheirlearning。Poorfare，orfrequentpunishmentsoffasting，withthenumerousrequirementsarisinginfresh，strong，healthyyouth，combinedtoarouseinthemthatspiritofenterprisewhichwasafterwardsfurtherdevelopedamongtheZaporozhians。ThehungrystudentrunningaboutthestreetsofKiefforcedeveryonetobeonhisguard。Dealerssittinginthebazaarcoveredtheirpies，theircakes，andtheirpumpkin-rollswiththeirhands，likeeaglesprotectingtheiryoung，iftheybutcaughtsightofapassingstudent。Theconsulormonitor，whowasboundbyhisdutytolookafterthecomradesentrustedtohiscare，hadsuchfrightfullywidepocketstohistrousersthathecouldstowawaythewholecontentsofthegapingdealer”sstallinthem。Thesestudentsconstitutedanentirelyseparateworld，fortheywerenotadmittedtothehighercircles，composedofPolishandRussiannobles。EventheWaiwode，AdamKisel，inspiteofthepatronagehebestowedupontheacademy，didnotseektointroducethemintosociety，andorderedthemtobekeptmorestrictlyinsupervision。Thiscommandwasquitesuperfluous，forneithertherectornorthemonkishprofessorssparedrodorwhip；andthelictorssometimes，bytheirorders，lashedtheirconsulssoseverelythatthelatterrubbedtheirtrousersforweeksafterwards。Thiswastomanyofthematrifle，onlyalittlemorestingingthangoodvodkawithpepper：othersatlengthgrewtiredofsuchconstantblisters，andranawaytoZaporozheiftheycouldfindtheroadandwerenotcaughtontheway。OstapBulba，althoughhebegantostudylogic，andeventheology，withmuchzeal，didnotescapethemercilessrod。Naturally，allthistendedtohardenhischaracter，andgivehimthatfirmnesswhichdistinguishestheCossacks。Healwaysheldhimselfalooffromhiscomrades。
Herarelyledothersintosuchhazardousenterprisesasrobbingastrangegardenororchard；but，ontheotherhand，hewasalwaysamongthefirsttojointhestandardofanadventurousstudent。Andnever，underanycircumstances，didhebetrayhiscomrades；neitherimprisonmentnorbeatingscouldmakehimdoso。Hewasunassailablebyanytemptationssavethoseofwarandrevelry；atleast，hescarcelyeverdreamtofothers。Hewasuprightwithhisequals。Hewaskind-hearted，aftertheonlyfashionthatkind-heartednesscouldexistinsuchacharacterandatsuchatime。Hewastouchedtohisveryheartbyhispoormother”stears；butthisonlyvexedhim，andcausedhimtohanghisheadinthought。
Hisyoungerbrother，Andrii，hadlivelierandmorefullydevelopedfeelings。Helearnedmorewillinglyandwithouttheeffortwithwhichstrongandweightycharactersgenerallyhavetomakeinordertoapplythemselvestostudy。Hewasmoreinventive-mindedthanhisbrother，andfrequentlyappearedastheleaderofdangerousexpeditions；
sometimes，thankstothequicknessofhismind，contrivingtoescapepunishmentwhenhisbrotherOstap，abandoningallefforts，strippedoffhisgaberdineandlaydownuponthefloorwithoutathoughtofbeggingformercy。Hetoothirstedforaction；but，atthesametime，hissoulwasaccessibletoothersentiments。Theneedofloveburnedardentlywithinhim。Whenhehadpassedhiseighteenthyear，womanbegantopresentherselfmorefrequentlyinhisdreams；listeningtophilosophicaldiscussions，hestillbeheldher，fresh，black-eyed，tender；beforehimconstantlyflittedherelasticbosom，hersoft，barearms；theverygownwhichclungaboutheryouthfulyetwell-roundedlimbsbreathedintohisvisionsacertaininexpressiblesensuousness。Hecarefullyconcealedthisimpulseofhispassionateyoungsoulfromhiscomrades，becauseinthatageitwasheldshamefulanddishonourableforaCossacktothinkofloveandawifebeforehehadtastedbattle。Onthewhole，duringthelastyear，hehadactedmorerarelyasleadertothebandsofstudents，buthadroamedmorefrequentlyalone，inremotecornersofKief，amonglow-roofedhouses，buriedincherryorchards，peepingalluringlyatthestreet。Sometimeshebetookhimselftothemorearistocraticstreets，intheoldKiefofto-day，wheredweltLittleRussianandPolishnobles，andwherehouseswerebuiltinmorefancifulstyle。Once，ashewasgapingalong，anold-fashionedcarriagebelongingtosomePolishnoblealmostdroveoverhim；andtheheavilymoustachedcoachman，whosatonthebox，gavehimasmartcutwithhiswhip。Theyoungstudentfiredup；withthoughtlessdaringheseizedthehind-wheelwithhispowerfulhandsandstoppedthecarriage。Butthecoachman，fearingadrubbing，lashedhishorses；theysprangforward，andAndrii，succeedinghappilyinfreeinghishands，wasflungfulllengthonthegroundwithhisfaceflatinthemud。Themostringingandharmoniousoflaughsresoundedabovehim。Heraisedhiseyesandsaw，standingatawindow，abeautysuchashehadneverbeheldinallhislife，black-eyed，andwithskinwhiteassnowilluminedbythedawningflushofthesun。Shewaslaughingheartily，andherlaughenhancedherdazzlingloveliness。
Takenabackhegazedatherinconfusion，abstractedlywipingthemudfromhisface，bywhichmeansitbecamestillfurthersmeared。Whocouldthisbeautybe？Hesoughttofindoutfromtheservants，who，inrichliveries，stoodatthegateinacrowdsurroundingayoungguitar-player；buttheyonlylaughedwhentheysawhisbesmearedfaceanddeignedhimnoreply。AtlengthhelearnedthatshewasthedaughteroftheWaiwodeofKoven，whohadcomethitherforatime。Thefollowingnight，withthedaringcharacteristicofthestudent，hecreptthroughthepalingsintothegardenandclimbedatreewhichspreaditsbranchesupontheveryroofofthehouse。Fromthetreehegainedtheroof，andmadehiswaydownthechimneystraightintothebedroomofthebeauty，whoatthatmomentwasseatedbeforealamp，engagedinremovingthecostlyearringsfromherears。ThebeautifulPolewassoalarmedonsuddenlybeholdinganunknownmanthatshecouldnotutterasingleword；butwhensheperceivedthatthestudentstoodbeforeherwithdowncasteyes，notdaringtomoveahandthroughtimidity，whensherecognisedinhimtheonewhohadfalleninthestreet，laughteragainoverpoweredher。
Moreover，therewasnothingterribleaboutAndrii”sfeatures；hewasveryhandsome。Shelaughedheartily，andamusedherselfoverhimforalongtime。Theladywasgiddy，likeallPoles；buthereyes——herwondrousclear，piercingeyes——shotoneglance，alongglance。Thestudentcouldnotmovehandorfoot，butstoodboundasinasack，whentheWaiwode”sdaughterapproachedhimboldly，placeduponhisheadherglitteringdiadem，hungherearringsonhislips，andflungoverhimatransparentmuslinchemisettewithgold-embroideredgarlands。Sheadornedhim，andplayedathousandfoolishpranks，withthechildishcarelessnesswhichdistinguishesthegiddyPoles，andwhichthrewthepoorstudentintostillgreaterconfusion。
Hecutaridiculousfeature，gazingimmovably，andwithopenmouth，intoherdazzlingeyes。Aknockatthedoorstartledher。Sheorderedhimtohidehimselfunderthebed，and，assoonasthedisturberwasgone，calledhermaid，aTatarprisoner，andgaveherorderstoconducthimtothegardenwithcaution，andthenceshowhimthroughthefence。Butourstudentthistimedidnotpassthefencesosuccessfully。Thewatchmanawoke，andcaughthimfirmlybythefoot；
andtheservants，assembling，beathiminthestreet，untilhisswiftlegsrescuedhim。Afterthatitbecameverydangeroustopassthehouse，fortheWaiwode”sdomesticswerenumerous。Hemetheronceagainatchurch。Shesawhim，andsmiledpleasantly，asatanoldacquaintance。Hesawheroncemore，bychance；butshortlyafterwardstheWaiwodedeparted，and，insteadofthebeautifulblack-eyedPole，somefatfaceorothergazedfromthewindow。ThiswaswhatAndriiwasthinkingabout，ashehunghisheadandkepthiseyesonhishorse”smane。
Inthemeantimethesteppehadlongsincereceivedthemallintoitsgreenembrace；andthehighgrass，closinground，concealedthem，tillonlytheirblackCossackcapsappearedaboveit。
“Eh，eh，whyareyousoquiet，lads？“saidBulbaatlength，wakingfromhisownreverie。“You”relikemonks。Now，allthinkingtotheEvilOne，onceforall！Takeyourpipesinyourteeth，andletussmoke，andspuronourhorsessoswiftlythatnobirdcanovertakeus。”
AndtheCossacks，bendinglowontheirhorses”necks，disappearedinthegrass。Theirblackcapswerenolongertobeseen；astreakoftroddengrassaloneshowedthetraceoftheirswiftflight。
Thesunhadlongsincelookedforthfromtheclearheavensandinundatedthesteppewithhisquickening，warminglight。AllthatwasdimanddrowsyintheCossacks”mindsflewawayinatwinkling：theirheartsflutteredlikebirds。
Thefarthertheypenetratedthesteppe，themorebeautifulitbecame。
ThenalltheSouth，allthatregionwhichnowconstitutesNewRussia，evenasfarastheBlackSea，wasagreen，virginwilderness。Noploughhadeverpassedovertheimmeasurablewavesofwildgrowth；
horsesalone，hiddeninitasinaforest，troditdown。Nothinginnaturecouldbefiner。Thewholesurfaceresembledagolden-greenocean，uponwhichweresprinkledmillionsofdifferentflowers。
Throughthetall，slenderstemsofthegrasspeepedlight-blue，dark-blue，andlilacstar-thistles；theyellowbroomthrustupitspyramidalhead；theparasol-shapedwhiteflowerofthefalseflaxshimmeredonhigh。Awheat-ear，broughtGodknowswhence，wasfillingouttoripening。Amongsttherootsofthisluxuriantvegetationranpartridgeswithoutstretchednecks。Theairwasfilledwiththenotesofathousanddifferentbirds。Onhighhoveredthehawks，theirwingsoutspread，andtheireyesfixedintentlyonthegrass。Thecriesofaflockofwildducks，ascendingfromoneside，wereechoedfromGodknowswhatdistantlake。Fromthegrassarose，withmeasuredsweep，agull，andskimmedwantonlythroughbluewavesofair。Andnowshehasvanishedonhigh，andappearsonlyasablackdot：nowshehasturnedherwings，andshinesinthesunlight。Oh，steppes，howbeautifulyouare！
Ourtravellershaltedonlyafewminutesfordinner。TheirescortoftenCossackssprangfromtheirhorsesandundidthewoodencasksofbrandy，andthegourdswhichwereusedinsteadofdrinkingvessels。
Theyateonlycakesofbreadanddripping；theydrankbutonecupapiecetostrengthenthem，forTarasBulbaneverpermittedintoxicationupontheroad，andthencontinuedtheirjourneyuntilevening。
Intheeveningthewholesteppechangeditsaspect。Allitsvariedexpansewasbathedinthelastbrightglowofthesun；andasitgrewdarkgradually，itcouldbeseenhowtheshadowflittedacrossitanditbecamedarkgreen。Themistrosemoredensely；eachflower，eachbladeofgrass，emittedafragranceasofambergris，andthewholesteppedistilledperfume。Broadbandsofrosygoldwerestreakedacrossthedarkblueheaven，aswithagiganticbrush；hereandtheregleamed，inwhitetufts，lightandtransparentclouds：andthefreshest，mostenchantingofgentlebreezesbarelystirredthetopsofthegrass-blades，likesea-waves，andcaressedthecheek。Themusicwhichhadresoundedthroughthedayhaddiedaway，andgivenplacetoanother。Thestripedmarmotscreptoutoftheirholes，stooderectontheirhindlegs，andfilledthesteppewiththeirwhistle。Thewhirrofthegrasshoppershadbecomemoredistinctlyaudible。Sometimesthecryoftheswanwasheardfromsomedistantlake，ringingthroughtheairlikeasilvertrumpet。Thetravellers，haltinginthemidstoftheplain，selectedaspotfortheirnightencampment，madeafire，andhungoveritthekettleinwhichtheycookedtheiroatmeal；thesteamrisingandfloatingaslantintheair。Havingsupped，theCossackslaydowntosleep，afterhobblingtheirhorsesandturningthemouttograze。Theylaydownintheirgaberdines。Thestarsofnightgazeddirectlydownuponthem。Theycouldhearthecountlessmyriadsofinsectswhichfilledthegrass；theirrasping，whistling，andchirping，softenedbythefreshair，resoundedclearlythroughthenight，andlulledthedrowsyear。Ifoneofthemroseandstoodforatime，thesteppepresenteditselftohimstrewnwiththesparksofglow-worms。Attimesthenightskywasilluminedinspotsbytheglareofburningreedsalongpoolsorriver-bank；anddarkflightsofswansflyingtothenorthweresuddenlylitupbythesilvery，rose-colouredgleam，tillitseemedasthoughredkerchiefswerefloatinginthedarkheavens。
Thetravellersproceededonwardwithoutanyadventure。Theycameacrossnovillages。Itwaseverthesameboundless，waving，beautifulsteppe。Onlyatintervalsthesummitsofdistantforestsshoneblue，ononehand，stretchingalongthebanksoftheDnieper。OnceonlydidTaraspointouttohissonsasmallblackspeckfarawayamongstthegrass，saying，“Look，children！yondergallopsaTatar。”Thelittleheadwithitslongmoustachesfixeditsnarroweyesuponthemfromafar，itsnostrilssnuffingtheairlikeagreyhound”s，andthendisappearedlikeanantelopeonitsownerperceivingthattheCossackswerethirteenstrong。“Andnow，children，don”ttrytoovertaketheTatar！Youwouldnevercatchhimtoalleternity；hehasahorseswifterthanmyDevil。”ButBulbatookprecautions，fearinghiddenambushes。Theygallopedalongthecourseofasmallstream，calledtheTatarka，whichfallsintotheDnieper；rodeintothewaterandswamwiththeirhorsessomedistanceinordertoconcealtheirtrail。Then，scramblingoutonthebank，theycontinuedtheirroad。
Threedayslatertheywerenotfarfromthegoaloftheirjourney。Theairsuddenlygrewcolder：theycouldfeelthevicinityoftheDnieper。
Andthereitgleamedafar，distinguishableonthehorizonasadarkband。Itsentforthcoldwaves，spreadingnearer，nearer，andfinallyseemingtoembracehalftheentiresurfaceoftheearth。Thiswasthatsectionofitscoursewheretheriver，hithertoconfinedbytherapids，finallymakesitsownawayand，roaringlikethesea，rushesonatwill；wheretheislands，flungintoitsmidst，havepresseditfartherfromtheirshores，anditswaveshavespreadwidelyovertheearth，encounteringneithercliffsnorhills。TheCossacks，alightingfromtheirhorses，enteredtheferry-boat，andafterathreehours”
sailreachedtheshoresoftheislandofKhortitz，whereatthattimestoodtheSetch，whichsooftenchangeditssituation。
Athrongofpeoplehastenedtotheshorewithboats。TheCossacksarrangedthehorses”trappings。Tarasassumedastatelyair，pulledhisbelttighter，andproudlystrokedhismoustache。Hissonsalsoinspectedthemselvesfromheadtofoot，withsomeapprehensionandanundefinedfeelingofsatisfaction；andallsetouttogetherforthesuburb，whichwashalfaverstfromtheSetch。Ontheirarrival，theyweredeafenedbytheclangoffiftyblacksmiths”hammersbeatingupontwenty-fiveanvilssunkintheearth。Stouttannersseatedbeneathawningswerescrapingox-hideswiththeirstronghands；shop-keeperssatintheirbooths，withpilesofflints，steels，andpowderbeforethem；Armeniansspreadouttheirrichhandkerchiefs；Tatarsturnedtheirkabobsuponspits；aJew，withhisheadthrustforward，wasfilteringsomecorn-brandyfromacask。ButthefirstmantheyencounteredwasaZaporozhetz[1]whowassleepingintheverymiddleoftheroadwithlegsandarmsoutstretched。TarasBulbacouldnotrefrainfromhaltingtoadmirehim。“Howsplendidlydevelopedheis；
phew，whatamagnificentfigure！“hesaid，stoppinghishorse。Itwas，infact，astrikingpicture。ThisZaporozhetzhadstretchedhimselfoutintheroadlikealion；hisscalp-lock，thrownproudlybehindhim，extendedoverupwardsofafootofground；histrousersofrichredclothwerespottedwithtar，toshowhisutterdisdainforthem。
Havingadmiredtohisheart”scontent，Bulbapassedonthroughthenarrowstreet，crowdedwithmechanicsexercisingtheirtrades，andwithpeopleofallnationalitieswhothrongedthissuburboftheSetch，resemblingafair，andfedandclothedtheSetchitself，whichknewonlyhowtorevelandburnpowder。
[1]SometimeswrittenZaporovian。
Atlengththeyleftthesuburbbehindthem，andperceivedsomescatteredkurens[2]，coveredwithturf，orinTatarfashionwithfelt。
Somewerefurnishedwithcannon。Nowherewereanyfencesvisible，oranyofthoselow-roofedhouseswithverandahssupporteduponlowwoodenpillars，suchaswereseeninthesuburb。Alowwallandaditch，totallyunguarded，betokenedaterribledegreeofrecklessness。
SomesturdyZaporozhtzilying，pipeinmouth，intheveryroad，glancedindifferentlyatthem，butnevermovedfromtheirplaces。
Tarasthreadedhiswaycarefullyamongthem，withhissons，saying，“Good-day，gentles。””Good-daytoyou，“answeredtheZaporozhtzi。
Scatteredovertheplainwerepicturesquegroups。Fromtheirweatherbeatenfaces，itwasplainthatallweresteeledinbattle，andhadfacedeverysortofbadweather。Andthereitwas，theSetch！
Therewasthelairfromwhenceallthosemen，proudandstrongaslions，issuedforth！TherewasthespotwhencepouredforthlibertyandCossacksallovertheUkraine。
[2]Enormouswoodensheds，eachinhabitedbyatrooporkuren。
Thetravellersenteredthegreatsquarewherethecouncilgenerallymet。OnahugeoverturnedcasksataZaporozhetzwithouthisshirt；hewasholdingitinhishands，andslowlysewinguptheholesinit。
Againtheirwaywasstoppedbyawholecrowdofmusicians，inthemidstofwhomayoungZaporozhetzwasdancing，withheadthrownbackandarmsoutstretched。Hekeptshouting，“Playfaster，musicians！
Begrudgenot，Thoma，brandytotheseorthodoxChristians！“AndThoma，withhisblackenedeye，wentonmeasuringoutwithoutstint，toeveryonewhopresentedhimself，ahugejugful。
AbouttheyouthfulZaporozhetzfouroldmen，movingtheirfeetquitebriskly，leapedlikeawhirlwindtooneside，almostuponthemusicians”heads，and，suddenly，retreating，squatteddownanddrummedthehardearthvigorouslywiththeirsilverheels。Theearthhummeddullyallabout，andafartheairresoundedwithnationaldancetunesbeatenbytheclangingheelsoftheirboots。
Butoneshoutedmoreloudlythanalltherest，andflewaftertheothersinthedance。Hisscalp-lockstreamedinthewind，hismuscularchestwasbare，hiswarm，winterfurjacketwashangingbythesleeves，andtheperspirationpouredfromhimasfromapig。“Takeoffyourjacket！“saidTarasatlength：“seehowhesteams！“”Ican”t，“
shoutedtheCossack。“Why？“”Ican”t：IhavesuchadispositionthatwhateverItakeoff，Idrinkup。”Andindeed，theyoungfellowhadnothadacapforalongtime，norabelttohiscaftan，noranembroideredneckerchief：allhadgonetheproperroad。Thethrongincreased；morefolkjoinedthedancer：anditwasimpossibletoobservewithoutemotionhowallyieldedtotheimpulseofthedance，thefreest，thewildest，theworldhaseverseen，stillcalledfromitsmightyoriginators，theKosachka。
“Oh，ifIhadnohorsetohold，“exclaimedTaras，“Iwouldjointhedancemyself。”
MeanwhiletherebegantoappearamongthethrongmenwhowererespectedfortheirprowessthroughoutalltheSetch——oldgreyheadswhohadbeenleadersmorethanonce。Tarassoonfoundanumberoffamiliarfaces。OstapandAndriiheardnothingbutgreetings。“Ah，itisyou，Petcheritza！Goodday，Kozolup！“”WhencehasGodbroughtyou，Taras？“”Howdidyoucomehere，Doloto？Healthtoyou，Kirdyaga！Hailtoyou，Gustui！DidIeverthinkofseeingyou，Remen？“Andtheseheroes，gatheredfromalltherovingpopulationofEasternRussia，kissedeachotherandbegantoaskquestions。“ButwhathasbecomeofKasyan？WhereisBorodavka？andKoloper？andPidsuitok？“Andinreply，TarasBulbalearnedthatBorodavkahadbeenhungatTolopan，thatKoloperhadbeenflayedaliveatKizikirmen，thatPidsuitok”sheadhadbeensaltedandsentinacasktoConstantinople。OldBulbahunghisheadandsaidthoughtfully，“TheyweregoodCossacks。”
CHAPTERIII
TarasBulbaandhissonshadbeenintheSetchaboutaweek。OstapandAndriioccupiedthemselvesbutlittlewiththescienceofwar。TheSetchwasnotfondofwastingtimeinwarlikeexercises。Theyounggenerationlearnedthesebyexperiencealone，intheveryheatofbattles，whichwerethereforeincessant。TheCossacksthoughtitanuisancetofilluptheintervalsofthisinstructionwithanykindofdrill，exceptperhapsshootingatamark，andonrareoccasionswithhorse-racingandwild-beasthuntsonthesteppesandintheforests。
Alltherestofthetimewasdevotedtorevelry——asignofthewidediffusionofmoralliberty。ThewholeoftheSetchpresentedanunusualscene：itwasoneunbrokenrevel；aballnoisilybegun，whichhadnoend。Somebusiedthemselveswithhandicrafts；otherskeptlittleshopsandtraded；butthemajoritycarousedfrommorningtillnight，ifthewherewithaljingledintheirpockets，andifthebootytheyhadcapturedhadnotalreadypassedintothehandsoftheshopkeepersandspirit-sellers。Thisuniversalrevelryhadsomethingfascinatingaboutit。Itwasnotanassemblageoftopers，whodranktodrownsorrow，butsimplyawildrevelryofjoy。Everyonewhocamethitherforgoteverything，abandonedeverythingwhichhadhithertointerestedhim。He，sotospeak，spatuponhispastandgavehimselfrecklesslyuptofreedomandthegood-fellowshipofmenofthesamestampashimself——idlershavingneitherrelativesnorhomenorfamily，nothing，inshort，savethefreeskyandtheeternalreveloftheirsouls。Thisgaverisetothatwildgaietywhichcouldnothavesprungfromanyothersource。Thetalesandtalkcurrentamongtheassembledcrowd，reposinglazilyontheground，wereoftensodroll，andbreathedsuchpowerofvividnarration，thatitrequiredallthenonchalanceofaZaporozhetztoretainhisimmovableexpression，withoutevenatwitchofthemoustache——afeaturewhichtothisdaydistinguishestheSouthernRussianfromhisnorthernbrethren。Itwasdrunken，noisymirth；buttherewasnodarkale-housewhereamandrownsthoughtinstupefyingintoxication：itwasadensethrongofschoolboys。
Theonlydifferenceasregardedthestudentswasthat，insteadofsittingunderthepointerandlisteningtotheworn-outdoctrinesofateacher，theypractisedracingwithfivethousandhorses；insteadofthefieldwheretheyhadplayedball，theyhadtheboundlessborderlands，whereatthesightofthemtheTatarshowedhiskeenfaceandtheTurkfrownedgrimlyfromunderhisgreenturban。Thedifferencewasthat，insteadofbeingforcedtothecompanionshipofschool，theythemselveshaddesertedtheirfathersandmothersandfledfromtheirhomes；thatherewerethoseaboutwhoseneckaropehadalreadybeenwound，andwho，insteadofpaledeath，hadseenlife，andlifeinallitsintensity；thosewho，fromgeneroushabits，couldneverkeepacoinintheirpockets；thosewhohadthithertoregardedaducataswealth，andwhosepockets，thankstotheJewrevenue-farmers，couldhavebeenturnedwrongsideoutwithoutanydangerofanythingfallingfromthem。Herewerestudentswhocouldnotenduretheacademicrod，andhadnotcarriedawayasingleletterfromtheschools；butwiththemwerealsosomewhoknewaboutHorace，Cicero，andtheRomanRepublic。Thereweremanyleaderswhoafterwardsdistinguishedthemselvesintheking”sarmies；andtherewerenumerouscleverpartisanswhocherishedamagnanimousconvictionthatitwasofnoconsequencewheretheyfought，solongastheydidfight，sinceitwasadisgracetoanhonourablemantolivewithoutfighting。ThereweremanywhohadcometotheSetchforthesakeofbeingabletosayafterwardsthattheyhadbeenthereandwerethereforehardenedwarriors。Butwhowasnotthere？Thisstrangerepublicwasanecessaryoutgrowthoftheepoch。Loversofawarlikelife，ofgoldenbeakersandrichbrocades，ofducatsandgoldpieces，couldalwaysfindemploymentthere。Theloversofwomenalonecouldfindnaught，fornowomandaredshowherselfeveninthesuburbsoftheSetch。
ItseemedexceedinglystrangetoOstapandAndriithat，althoughacrowdofpeoplehadcometotheSetchwiththem，notasoulinquired，“Whencecomethesemen？whoarethey？andwhataretheirnames？“Theyhadcomethitherasthoughreturningtoahomewhencetheyhaddepartedonlyanhourbefore。Thenew-comermerelypresentedhimselftotheKoschevoi，orheadchiefoftheSetch，whogenerallysaid，“Welcome！DoyoubelieveinChrist？“”Ido，“repliedthenew-comer。
“AnddoyoubelieveintheHolyTrinity？“”Ido。””Anddoyougotochurch？“”Ido。”“Nowcrossyourself。”Thenew-comercrossedhimself。
“Verygood，“repliedtheKoschevoi；“enterthekurenwhereyouhavemostacquaintances。”Thisconcludedtheceremony。AndalltheSetchprayedinonechurch，andwerewillingtodefendittotheirlastdropofblood，althoughtheywouldnothearkentoaughtaboutfastingorabstinence。Jews，Armenians，andTatars，inspiredbystrongavarice，tookthelibertyoflivingandtradinginthesuburbs；fortheZaporozhtzinevercaredforbargaining，andpaidwhatevermoneytheirhandchancedtograspintheirpocket。Moreover，thelotofthesegain-lovingtraderswaspitiableintheextreme。TheyresembledpeoplesettledatthefootofVesuvius；forwhentheZaporozhtzilackedmoney，theseboldadventurersbrokedowntheirboothsandtookeverythinggratis。TheSetchconsistedofoversixtykurens，eachofwhichgreatlyresembledaseparateindependentrepublic，butstillmoreaschoolorseminaryofchildren，alwaysreadyforanything。Noonehadanyoccupation；nooneretainedanythingforhimself；
everythingwasinthehandsofthehetmanofthekuren，who，onthataccount，generallyborethetitleof“father。”Inhishandsweredepositedthemoney，clothes，alltheprovisions，oatmeal，grain，eventhefirewood。Theygavehimmoneytotakecareof。Quarrelsamongsttheinhabitantsofthekurenwerenotunfrequent；andinsuchcasestheyproceededatoncetoblows。Theinhabitantsofthekurenswarmedintothesquare，andsmoteeachotherwiththeirfists，untilonesidehadfinallygainedtheupperhand，whentherevelrybegan。SuchwastheSetch，whichhadsuchanattractionforyoungmen。
OstapandAndriiflungthemselvesintothisseaofdissipationwithalltheardourofyouth，forgotinatricetheirfather”shouse，theseminary，andallwhichhadhithertoexercisedtheirminds，andgavethemselveswhollyuptotheirnewlife。Everythinginterestedthem——thejovialhabitsoftheSetch，anditschaoticmoralsandlaws，whichevenseemedtothemtoostrictforsuchafreerepublic。IfaCossackstolethesmallesttrifle，itwasconsideredadisgracetothewholeCossackcommunity。Hewasboundtothepillarofshame，andaclubwaslaidbesidehim，withwhicheachpasser-bywasboundtodealhimablowuntilinthismannerhewasbeatentodeath。Hewhodidnotpayhisdebtswaschainedtoacannon，untilsomeoneofhiscomradesshoulddecidetoransomhimbypayinghisdebtsforhim。ButwhatmadethedeepestimpressiononAndriiwastheterriblepunishmentdecreedformurder。Aholewasduginhispresence，themurdererwasloweredaliveintoit，andoverhimwasplacedacoffincontainingthebodyofthemanhehadkilled，afterwhichtheearthwasthrownuponboth。
Longafterwardsthefearfulceremonyofthishorribleexecutionhauntedhismind，andthemanwhohadbeenburiedaliveappearedtohimwithhisterriblecoffin。
BoththeyoungCossackssoontookagoodstandingamongtheirfellows。
Theyoftensalliedoutuponthesteppewithcomradesfromtheirkuren，andsometimestoowiththewholekurenorwithneighbouringkurens，toshoottheinnumerablesteppe-birdsofeverysort，deer，andgoats。Ortheywentoutuponthelakes，theriver，anditstributariesallottedtoeachkuren，tothrowtheirnetsanddrawoutrichpreyfortheenjoymentofthewholekuren。AlthoughunversedinanytradeexercisedbyaCossack，theyweresoonremarkedamongtheotheryouthsfortheirobstinatebraveryanddaringineverything。Skilfullyandaccuratelytheyfiredatthemark，andswamtheDnieperagainstthecurrent——adeedforwhichthenovicewastriumphantlyreceivedintothecircleofCossacks。
ButoldTaraswasplanningadifferentsphereofactivityforthem。
Suchanidlelifewasnottohismind；hewantedactiveemployment。HereflectedincessantlyhowtostiruptheSetchtosomeboldenterprise，whereinamancouldrevelasbecameawarrior。AtlengthhewentonedaytotheKoschevoi，andsaidplainly：——
“Well，Koschevoi，itistimefortheZaporozhtzitosetout。”
“Thereisnowhereforthemtogo，“repliedtheKoschevoi，removinghisshortpipefromhismouthandspittingtooneside。
“Whatdoyoumeanbynowhere？WecangotoTurkeyorTatary。”
“ImpossibletogoeithertoTurkeyorTatary，“repliedtheKoschevoi，puttinghispipecoollyintohismouthagain。
“Whyimpossible？“
“Itisso；wehavepromisedtheSultanpeace。”
“ButheisaMussulman；andGodandtheHolyScripturescommandustoslayMussulmans。”
“Wehavenoright。Ifwehadnotswornbyourfaith，itmightbedone；
butnowitisimpossible。”
“Howisitimpossible？Howcanyousaythatwehavenoright？Herearemytwosons，bothyoungmen。Neitherhasbeentowar；andyousaythatwehavenoright，andthatthereisnoneedfortheZaporozhtzitosetoutonanexpedition。”
“Well，itisnotfitting。”
“ThenitmustbefittingthatCossackstrengthshouldbewastedinvain，thatamanshoulddisappearlikeadogwithouthavingdoneasinglegooddeed，thatheshouldbeofnousetohiscountryortoChristianity！Why，then，dowelive？Whatthedeucedowelivefor？
justtellmethat。Youareasensibleman，youwerenotchosenasKoschevoiwithoutreason：sojusttellmewhatwelivefor？“
TheKoschevoimadenoreplytothisquestion。HewasanobstinateCossack。Hewassilentforawhile，andthensaid，“Anyway，therewillnotbewar。”
“Therewillnotbewar？“Tarasaskedagain。
“No。”
“Thenitisnousethinkingaboutit？“
“Itisnottobethoughtof。”
“Wait，youdevil”slimb！“saidTarastohimself；“youshalllearntoknowme！“andheatonceresolvedtohavehisrevengeontheKoschevoi。
Havingmadeanagreementwithseveralothers，hegavethemliquor；andthedrunkenCossacksstaggeredintothesquare，whereonaposthungthekettledrumswhichweregenerallybeatentoassemblethepeople。
Notfindingthesticks，whichwerekeptbythedrummer，theyseizedapieceofwoodandbegantobeat。Thefirsttorespondtothedrum-beatwasthedrummer，atallmanwithbutoneeye，butafrightfullysleepyoneforallthat。
“Whodarestobeatthedrum？“heshouted。
“Holdyourtongue！takeyoursticks，andbeatwhenyouareordered！“
repliedthedrunkenmen。
Thedrummeratoncetookfromhispocketthestickswhichhehadbroughtwithhim，wellknowingtheresultofsuchproceedings。Thedrumrattled，andsoonblackswarmsofCossacksbegantocollectlikebeesinthesquare。Allformedinaring；andatlength，afterthethirdsummons，thechiefsbegantoarrive——theKoschevoiwithstaffinhand，thesymbolofhisoffice；thejudgewiththearmy-seal；thesecretarywithhisink-bottle；andtheosaulwithhisstaff。TheKoschevoiandthechiefstookofftheircapsandbowedonallsidestotheCossacks，whostoodproudlywiththeirarmsakimbo。
“Whatmeansthisassemblage？whatdoyouwish，gentles？“saidtheKoschevoi。Shoutsandexclamationsinterruptedhisspeech。
“Resignyourstaff！resignyourstaffthismoment，yousonofSatan！
wewillhaveyounolonger！“shoutedsomeoftheCossacksinthecrowd。Someofthesoberonesappearedtowishtoopposethis，butbothsoberanddrunkenfelltoblows。Theshoutinganduproarbecameuniversal。
TheKoschevoiattemptedtospeak；butknowingthattheself-willedmultitude，ifenraged，mightbeathimtodeath，asalmostalwayshappenedinsuchcases，hebowedverylow，laiddownhisstaff，andhidhimselfinthecrowd。
“Doyoucommandus，gentles，toresignourinsigniaofoffice？“saidthejudge，thesecretary，andtheosaul，astheypreparedtogiveuptheink-horn，army-seal，andstaff，uponthespot。
“No，youaretoremain！“wasshoutedfromthecrowd。“WeonlywantedtodriveouttheKoschevoibecauseheisawoman，andwewantamanforKoschevoi。”
“WhomdoyounowelectasKoschevoi？“askedthechiefs。
“WechooseKukubenko，“shoutedsome。
“Wewon”thaveKukubenko！“screamedanotherparty：“heistooyoung；
themilkhasnotdriedoffhislipsyet。”
“LetSchilobehetman！“shoutedsome：“makeSchiloourKoschevoi！“
“AwaywithyourSchilo！“yelledthecrowd；“whatkindofaCossackishewhoisasthievishasaTatar？TothedevilinasackwithyourdrunkenSchilo！“
“Borodaty！letusmakeBorodatyourKoschevoi！“
“Wewon”thaveBorodaty！Totheevilone”smotherwithBorodaty！“
“ShoutKirdyanga！“whisperedTarasBulbatoseveral。
“Kirdyanga，Kirdyanga！“shoutedthecrowd。“Borodaty，Borodaty！
Kirdyanga，Kirdyanga！Schilo！AwaywithSchilo！Kirdyanga！“
