Overcome by the exertion the monarch sank into a state of lethargy, and to all seemed to be dying.  But being young, temperate and vigorous, it proved but the crisis of the disease.  He awoke from his sleep calm and decidedly convalescent.  Deeply wounded by the unexpected opposition which he had encountered, he yet manifested no spirit of revenge, though Anastasia, with woman’s more sensitive nature, could never forget the opposition which had been manifested towards herself and her child.

Ivan during his sickness had made a vow that, in case of recovery, he would visit, in homage, the monastery of St. Cyrille, some thousand miles distant beyond the waves of the Volga.  It is pleasant to record the remonstrance which Maxime, one of the clergy, made against the fulfillment of his wishes.

“You are about,” said he, “to undertake a dangerous journey with your spouse and your infant child.  Can the fulfillment of a vow which reason disapproves, be agreeable to God?  It is useless to seek in deserts that heavenly Father who fills the universe with his presence.  If you desire to testify to Heaven the gratitude you feel, do good upon the throne.  The conquest of Kezan, an event so propitious for Russia, has nevertheless caused the death of many Christians.  The widows, the mothers, the orphans of warriors who fell upon the field of honor, are overwhelmed with affliction.  Endeavor to comfort them and to dry their tears by your beneficence.  These are the deeds pleasing to God and worthy of a tzar.”

Nevertheless the monarch persisted in his plan, and entered upon the long journey.  He buried his child by the way, and returned overwhelmed with grief.  But he encountered a greater calamity than the death of the young prince, in bad advice which he received from Vassian, the aged and venerable prince of Kolumna.

“Sire,” said this unwise ecclesiastic, “if you wish to become a monarch truly absolute, ask advice of no one, and deem no one wiser than yourself.  Establish it as an irrevocable principle never to receive the counsels of others, but, on the contrary, give counsel to them.  Command, but never obey.  Then you will be a true sovereign, terrible to the lords.  Remember that the counselors of the wisest princes always in the end dominate over them.”

The subtle poison which this discourse distilled, penetrated the soul of Ivan.  He seized the hand of Vassian, pressed it to his lips, and said,

“My father himself could not have given me advice more salutary.”

Bitterly was the prince deceived.  Experience has proved that, in the counsel of the wise and virtuous, there is safety.  There was no sudden change in the character of Ivan.  He still continued for some years to manifest the most sincere esteem for the opinions of Sylvestre and Adachef.  But the poison of bad principles was gradually diffusing itself through his heart.  A year had not passed away, ere Ivan was consoled by the birth of another son.