Bem had been an eminent Polish general, who had distinguished himself in the revolt of the Poles against Russia in 1830. And therefore Louis Kossuth offered him the command of the army in Transylvania, where he would be opposed to the Russians.
Petőfi was Bem's aide-de-camp and favourite officer. Tbree times Petőfi left Transylvania, but each time he went back, as though drawn by an irresistible force to Bem, who understood him better than any other of his superiors ever did , and consequently was more ready to overlook the faults due to his impetuosity. When Petőfi returned for the third time, and met Bem, four days before the poet's death, the general embraced bim with tears in his eyes, and exclaimed "My son l My son!"
Petőfi had already given his nation the treasures of poetry, which will be cherished so long as the Hungarian language endures. Now there was but one supreme gift which he could bestow on it-his life. Petőfi has described in prophetic language the death he fondly hoped to die. It was to die young, on the battlefield, fighting for Freedom, and when death carne, to be buried in one common grave with those who had given their heart's blood for the same s acred cause . Fate granted his wish. On the 31st of July he fell by the hand of a Russian Cossack, at the battle of Segesvar. The bard who had sung of the common feelings of his countrymen was buried in a common grave.
The two main themes of his poetry, to which he was faithful to the end, are indicated in the motto of one of
his volumes of poems.
sword." "I shall not be satistied with that," replied the great general, " I want your heart as weil."
