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The legend of evocation of Barbora Radvilaite’s spirit

Legendary, Vilnius

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After the funeral of his beloved wife Sigismund II Augustus couldn’t recover, he was not able to imagine that he would never see Barbora in his life. However, like all people of that time, he believed in magic and of possibility of evocation. The king desperately wanted to see at least the shadow of his beloved wife. The great master of magic, Tvardauskas came to the King and after listening to his wish came into deep thought for an hour and proclaimed that King Augustus would have to fulfil all the conditions he introduced. The magician ordered him to remain indifferent and cold, to sit still and not to move at all, otherwise he was not responsible for the life and soul of the King. The King accepted everything. On the agreed day and hour, Sigismund II Augustus came to Tvardauskas alone. The latter led him into the room where the king's wish was to be fulfilled.

In the middle of the room, there was a table covered with a black tablecloth, and a parchment book with leather covers, on it. The book contained various spells and formulas for summoning devils and spirits of the dead.  After opening the book, Tvardauskas began reciting the incantation, calling upon the spirit of the deceased Barbora. Sigismund II Augustus was looking at the balls of smoke and forgot the whole living world. And behold, the ghost of a woman appeared in the clouds of smoke, the king thought he saw his beloved Barbora. White, almost transparent, she stood with her hands down. She looked at her beloved husband with a face marked by gentle sadness. The king had forgotten his promise and stretched out his arms and rushed to his beloved wife, but Tvardauskas quickly stopped him, and the whole vision disappeared like smoke. Sigismund II Augustus fell back into the chair, covered his face with his hands and wept bitterly.

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