King Jan Kazimierz, Mazepa, a young Cossack from the king's entourage, and Zbigniew, the voivode's son from his first marriage, are all in love with Amelia, the voivode's wife. Dramatic coincidences and misunderstandings lead to a tragic ending. Zbigniew commits suicide, Amelia dies, the voivode orders Mazepa to be captured, stripped naked, and tied to a horse, after which he releases him, while he himself kills himself with a dagger in front of the king.