But the denunciation did not carry the conviction that Boris
expected. It was reported that the Tsarevitch was a courtly,
accomplished man, speaking Polish and Latin, as well as Russian,
skilled in horsemanship and in the use of arms, and it was asked
how an unfrocked monk had come by these accomplishments.
Moreover, although Boris, fore-warned, had prevented the Tsarina
Maria from supporting the pretender out of motives of revenge, he
had forgotten her two brothers; he had not foreseen that,
actuated by the same motives, they might do that which he had
prevented her from doing. This was what occurred. The brothers
Nagoy repaired to Cracow publicly to acknowledge Demetrius their
nephew, and to enrol themselves under his banner.
Against this Boris realized that mere words were useless. The
sword of Nemesis was drawn indeed. His sins had found him out.
Nothing remained him but to arm and go forth to meet the
impostor, who was advancing upon Moscow with a great host of
Poles and Cossacks.
He appraised the support of the Nagoys at its right value. They,
too, had been at Uglich, and had seen the dead boy, almost seen
him slain. Vengeance upon himself was their sole motive. But was
it possible that Sigismund of Poland was really deceived, as well
as the Palatine of Sandomir, whose daughter was betrothed to the
adventurer, Prince Adam Wisniowiecki, in whose house the false
Demetrius had first made his appearance, and all those Polish
nobles who flocked to his banner? Or were they, too, moved by
some ulterior motive which he could not fathom?
That was the riddle that plagued Boris Godunov what time--in the
winter of 1604--he sent his armies to meet the invader.
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