"Mr. Kossuth!"
Petofi rushed forward and embraced his idol.
"You're incredible! You actually convinced them!"
Kossuth was delighted too. He patted Petofi on the shoulder.
"You're the incredible one, my friend. Look! This is what we Hungarians are like! Our passion and vitality are enough to make Heaven itself jealous. No one can oppress us!
"We were born free!"
Petofi cried, "Long live freedom!"
The crowd cried out too, "Long live freedom!"
"Long live Hungary!"
"Long live Hungary!"
Night fell.
After a few rounds of drinks, Petofi said,
"Mr. Kossuth, I don't think going to war is a wise choice. We should give the Austrians a chance to make peace."
Kossuth looked somewhat surprised.
"My friend, why would you say that? This isn't like you! You're the pride of our nation—the great Petofi, son of the people."
"Mr. Kossuth, believe me, I hate Austria more than anyone. But you've never been to Vienna.
"Vienna's walls are taller than the spires of our churches. Just one of its districts is as large as the city of Pest, and Vienna has more than twenty districts."
Kossuth remained unmoved.
"My friend, what does that prove, except that the Austrians are extravagant?
"If city walls were truly useful, then Constantinople and Rome would never have fallen."
"Mr. Kossuth, do you know how much it costs to maintain a city that huge?
"Austria's national strength far surpasses ours, and its army is five times the size of ours. Besides, I don't want to be the Scourge of God. I don't want to destroy a city like that."
Hearing Petofi say this, Kossuth finally let out a long breath.
"Don't worry, my friend. If the Austrians are willing to accept our terms, I don't want to cross swords with them either, much less destroy those historic