Hungarian Heritage Review, 1988 (17. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1988-05-01 / 5. szám
pHilcBtones ,31« Hungarian JHistorg- by-ROGER B. GOODMAN Part Twenty-Six: MIKLÓS SZRYNI - THE POET PATRIOT Miklós Szryni, born in 1620, was the eldest son of George Szryni, Ban of Croatia. With his own father a renowned fighter against the Turks, and bearing the mantle of glory of his greatgrandfather, Hero of Szigetvar, it seemed likely that this boy was destined for greatness. In his youth, already known for his poetry, he wrote: ‘ ‘Not with the quill ’s black tintured scroll I seek to earn a name. With good sword-blows and blood of foes, / ’ll write in red my fame. And, indeed, his career became that of strategist, politician, warrior, poet and leader of his people. Under the tutorship of Archbishop Peter Pázmány of Esztergom, Miklós and his brother Peter lived and learned. They were taught by Jesuits, and they received a thorough grounding in the classics and languages. Miklós became something of a scholar, capable of reading seven languages. This was most unusual for a nobleman of his time. In addition, a trip he made through Italy made him familiar with the splendors of the Renaissance. The Epic of Szigetvar After his father’s death, Miklós’ fame as a warrior and leader resulted in his being appointed Ban of Croatia. It was in this capacity that he won a great victory over the Turks in 1647. In the restful time between campaigns he wrote his greatest epic poem — Obsidio Szigetiana — a long work depicting the travails and triumphs of his great-grandfather in terms of a warrior of Christ and an almost mystical “ideal knight’’ of Christendom itself. Szryni’s poetic works were widely known, but some critics felt they were not truly great poetry. As one wrote: .his chief work. . .is characterized by a rugged style, unmusical verse, and a subject of local interest. But Szrinyi was the first poet to see all the problems connected with Hungary ’s position between East and West, though Hungary’s problems could not be solved by writing poems. ” This, of course, was Szrinyi’s own position. The Uneasy Empire As might have been expected, the Austrians became uneasy with Szryni’s constant triumphs both military and diplomatic. Despite his unquestioned loyalty to the Emperor-King, Szryni became suspect simply because of his successes. To thwart him the Austrians prevented his appointment as Palatine of Hungary. It was clear, of course, that the Empire was more afraid of the concept of a truly independent Hungary than even the triumph over the Turks. Szryni —continued next page 14 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW MAY 1988
