English for Everybody - Elementary reading comprehension

Dracula

Page 49

 

Of wars and blood

It was truly sad that this man died in battle. And then his brother (who does not deserve to be called the brother of such a great man) sold his people to the Turks and made them slaves! It was the memory of that Dracula, indeed, which inspired another member of his family. Many years later, he and his soldiers crossed the great river into Turkey. And, when he was beaten back, he returned again, and again. He went back even though he had to come alone from the bloody battlefield where his troops were killed like animals. But since he knew that he would triumph! in the end.

They said that he thought only of himself. Bah! What good are simple people without a leader? Where does a war end without a brain and heart to fight it? Again, we of the Dracula family were amongst the leaders at the battle of Mohacs, when we defeated the Hungarians who tried to rule us. The proud spirit of the Draculas always has to be free.

Ah, young sir, the Szekelys, and the Dracula as the bestof the Szekelys, their brains, and their swords, have a history that later kings like the Hapsburgs and the Romanoffs can never equal. The days of war are over. Blood is too precious in these days of dishonourable peace, and the glories of the great families are a story that is over."

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