Are the Russians good soldiers?
_Hungarian_.

They are stubborn and unflinching to an astonishing degree, and their fidelity to their Tsar is quite admirable.

See how the Russians behaved at Plescova, in Livonia, in the old time, against our great Batory Stephen; they defended the place till it was a heap of rubbish; and mark how they behaved after they had been made prisoners.
Stephen offered them two alternatives:--to enter into his service, in which they would have good pay, clothing, and fair treatment; or to be allowed to return to Russia.

Without the slightest hesitation they, to a man, chose the latter, though well aware that their beloved Tsar, the cruel Ivan Basilowits, would put them all to death, amidst tortures the most horrible, for not doing what was impossible--preserving the town.
_Myself_.

You speak Russian?
_Hungarian_.