On the Field of Glory: An Historical Novel of the Time of King John Sobieski

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Little, Brown,, 1906 - Poland - 334 pages
A historical novel by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in 1906. The novel tells a story of a fictional young impoverished Polish nobleman and his love for a young aristocratic woman. The story is set during the reign of King John III Sobieski up to the eve of the Battle of Vienna.
 

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Page 280 - put the Polish people on horseback, and turned their breasts eastward ; by that same act He showed them His will and their calling. He knew why He chose us for that position, and put others behind our shoulders ; hence, if we wish to fulfil His command and our mission with worthiness, we must face that vile sea, and break its waves with our bosoms.
Page 43 - now I know why this Polish people was created! ... It is only when the pagan sea swells, when that vile dragon opens its jaws to devour Christianity and mankind, when the Roman Caesar and all German lands are shivering in front of this avalanche, that I learn why God created us and imposed on us this duty. The Turks themselves know this. Other men may tremble, but we will not, as we have not trembled thus far; so let our blood flow to the very last drop, and let mine be mixed with the rest of it....
Page 280 - Polish people on horseback and turned their breasts eastward," says the old warrior-chaplain, Father Voynovski, in Sienkiewicz's novel The Field of Glory. " By that same act He showed them His will and their calling. If we wish to fulfil His command and our mission with worthiness, we must face that vile sea and break its waves with our bosoms.
Page 43 - Vienna ; when it does we will go there and before the whole world show that we are purely Christ's warriors, created in defence of the cross, and the faith of the Saviour. Other nations, who till now have lived without care behind our shoulders, will see in the clear day of heaven how our task is accomplished, and with God's will, while the earth stands, our service and our glory will not leave us.

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