12. Conversation and Music

“I am afraid,” he said, “that the one I thought of would not please you, it is grave and sorrowful.”

“Sing it all the same,” said a tall, thin officer with a stern face. “Our calling dries our eyes enough, don’t be afraid of moistening them. It is well to change our thoughts, and you have come at the right time.”

“God grant it?” said the old man. “Very well, listen.”

“A long time ago, long, long ago, a brave people had a country. Ah! a small country indeed, but for them it was the whole world. They cherished it. Their fathers had cultivated it, their mothers had adored it, their sisters had made a balmy paradise of it. They lived quietly without troubling themselves about their powerful neighbors. One day these neighbors said to themselves: This country is happy, it is rich, it is charming, it will make a beautiful ring on our finger. And the prosperous little country was suddenly invaded. The strong nation’s cavalry trampled underfoot the sons of the small country. The sabers of beardless young officers struck down the heads whitened by age, and only women were left to guard their homes. The brave, strong young men, overpowered by numbers, perished in battle. The loving, courageous young girls must wait in vain for their brothers and lovers. Houses, villages, whole cities were destroyed.

“For what crime was this small country punished? For none! They took it because they coveted it. Who knows, however, if some day, this strong nation attacked by another more strong, will not be forced to suffer retaliation. And if it happens, in the name of what justice will the conquerors of today, become the conquered of tomorrow, raise their complaints to the Most High.”

While listening to this simple record of facts, some did not apply it to themselves, but others did. To these last it was very clear. Animated conversation began.

“Ha! Ha!” said the officer, who had just been complaining of having his eyes dry too long at a time. “This song of the past is meant for us. Did the old singer suspect it? It seems that the world has changed little, in the hundreds of years in which this song has been sung.”

“Take that to yourself,” said the small young man. “This singer is not wrong, but of what use are his lessons? Orders are given, we must obey.”

“Of what do they complain?” cried another. “Ukraine for the Ukrainians! What does this cry mean? We don’t want to eat their Ukraine! These actions are foolish! Is it such a distressing thing, when they were nothing but an ant-hill, to become at last a part of a great empire?”

“Nevertheless,” said the fair young officer, “let us put ourselves in their place. Would not we do the same as they? It is always disagreeable to be taken by force. Zounds! You say that they will think no more of it in a hundred years; you speak the truth as to those who may be living in a hundred years, but as to those whose homes are on fire because they tried to defend them, the question is hardly the same thing.”