John Sobieski, ill from 1691, often seriously so, has had to face quarrels with the nobles and within his own family.

All of Sobieski's sons are interested in succeeding to the throne and try to obtain help, either from the emperor or from France.

His eldest son, James, is bitterly opposed to the queen and the younger princes.

The marriage, in 1694, of Sobieski's daughter Kunegunda to the elector of Bavaria has been the only bright spot in these rather gloomy years.

Although the second half of the reign has been much less brilliant than the first, the personal wealth of the royal couple has continued to grow because they know how to obtain money in exchange for offices and favor.

Sobieski has also spent large sums on his residences in Zólkiew and Jaworów and especially on the palace of Wilanów near Warsaw, a fine example of Baroque architecture.

He is also a patron of poets and painters.

Of all the Polish rulers of the seventeenth century, Sobieski is the best educated and takes the greatest interest in literature and cultural life.

Wespazjan Kochowski, who had fought against the Cossacks and the Swedes, later became court historian for Sobieski and had been present at his victory over the Turks at Vienna in 1683.

Kochowski has developed a deep sense of patriotism, which he best expresses in his epic Psalmodia polska (1695; “Polish Psalmody”), written in celebration of Sobieski's victory.

The major theme of the thirty-six psalms of the Psalmodia is Poland's messianic role in the salvation of the world.

Although of minor artistic merit, the psalms will inspire the Romantic nationalism dominant in nineteenth-century Polish literature.