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diff --git a/37930.txt b/37930.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a54280a --- /dev/null +++ b/37930.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12007 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John +Roby, by John Roby + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John Roby + author of 'Traditions of Lancashire', with a sketch of his + literary life and character + +Author: John Roby + +Other: 'his widow' + +Release Date: November 5, 2011 [EBook #37930] + +Language: NU + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LEGENDARY AND POETICAL *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Judith Wirawan, Linda Cantoni +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + +[Illustration: JOHN ROBY. + +_From a Daguerreotype by Beard._] + + + + +THE + +LEGENDARY AND POETICAL REMAINS + +OF + +JOHN ROBY, + +AUTHOR OF "TRADITIONS OF LANCASHIRE." + + +WITH + +A SKETCH OF HIS LITERARY LIFE AND CHARACTER. + +BY HIS WIDOW. + + +LONDON: + +LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS. + +1854. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The poetry and tales constituting the main part of the present volume, +need no apology or introduction. Most of them were finished for +publication by the author.[A] + +But in reference to the biographical sketch which precedes them, a few +words will not be out of place. + +A life so private afforded but few materials. Incidents of early days, +tending to illustrate the bent and development of his powers, are +derived from memoranda in Mr. Roby's own handwriting, or from +well-remembered conversations. The absence of that unconscious +self-portraiture, which a man's own letters present, will be found +supplied, to some extent, by short reminiscences, kindly furnished by +friends. The memoir is not offered as a complete biography. It is simply +an outline of a literary life, and of a character; the one as varied in +its aspect, as the other was uniform in its tenor. That part of the life +which fell under the writer's own observation, has of necessity been +dwelt on most at length, and she fears lest too much prominence may at +times have been given to what is personal to herself, and the double +life be thus too strongly shown. Yet the shadow that brings out the +principal object will scarcely be censured. No one can feel so deeply as +herself the inadequacy of her talents to the subject. To one +qualification alone she may lay claim, without fear of the charge of +presumption, "that of the seeing heart," without which it has been truly +said, "no _true_ seeing for the head is so much as possible." + +The writer will esteem herself happy if, with all the imperfections of +detail, she shall, in a measure, have succeeded in her aim. That aim has +been to gather up, with a loving reverence, the scattered products of +her husband's pen, by which the reader may estimate his powers, and to +present a faithful mental portrait of one, with whom the pursuit of +literature was no bar to the discharge of ordinary duties, and whose +gifts were the Lares and Penates of his own fireside,--one who, as time +advanced, learned the secret of self-renunciation and spiritual +obedience, and having "left this life for a better," still, lives "in +memory here," as a man of genius and a Christian. + + December, 1853. E. R. R. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + Page + BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN ROBY 1 + + MUSIC. + AIR FROM A MODERN CONCERTO 121 + SHEW PITY, LORD 122 + + LYRICS. + LINES WRITTEN ON THE DEPARTURE OF FRIENDS FROM ENGLAND 127 + PREFACE TO A LADY'S ALBUM 129 + TO ---- 132 + STANZAS 133 + STANZAS FOR MUSIC 134 + THE FAIRIES' SONG 136 + STANZAS FOR MUSIC 137 + STANZAS FOR MUSIC 138 + STANZAS FOR MUSIC 139 + STANZAS 140 + SONG 141 + THE FRIEND 143 + LINES TO A LADY WHOM THE AUTHOR HAD NEVER SEEN 145 + THE BIRCH 147 + ASTROLOGY 148 + THE FIRST REVELATION 149 + AN EVENING HYMN 151 + + THE DUKE OF MANTUA: A Tragedy 153 + + LEGENDS. + MOTHER RED CAP; OR, THE ROSICRUCIANS 247 + THE DEATH PAINTER; OR, SKELETON'S BRIDE 305 + THE CRYSTAL GOBLET, a Tale of the Emperor Severus 339 + + APPENDIX 375 + + + + + WEEP NO MORE, WOFUL SHEPHERDS, WEEP NO MORE, + FOR LYCIDAS YOUR SORROW IS NOT DEAD, + SUNK THOUGH HE BE BENEATH THE WATERY FLOOR; + SO SINKS THE DAY-STAR IN THE OCEAN BED, + AND YET ANON REPAIRS HIS DROOPING HEAD, + AND TRICKS HIS BEAMS, AND WITH NEW-SPANGLED ORE + FLAMES IN THE FOREHEAD OF THE MORNING SKY; + SO LYCIDAS SUNK LOW, BUT MOUNTED HIGH, + THROUGH THE DEAR MIGHT OF HIM THAT WALK'D THE WAVES, + WHERE OTHER GROVES, AND OTHER STREAMS ALONG, + WITH NECTAR PURE HIS OOZY LOCKS HE LAVES, + AND HEARS THE UNEXPRESSIVE NUPTIAL SONG, + IN THE BLEST KINGDOMS MEEK OF JOY AND LOVE. + THERE ENTERTAIN HIM ALL THE SAINTS ABOVE, + IN SOLEMN TROOPS AND SWEET SOCIETIES, + THAT SING, AND SINGING IN THEIR GLORY MOVE, + AND WIPE THE TEARS FOR EVER FROM HIS EYES. + + MILTON. + + + + +SKETCH + +OF + +THE LITERARY LIFE AND CHARACTER + +OF + +JOHN ROBY. + + +When an author's name is chiefly known by a work connected with any +particular locality, our natural expectations are gratified in finding +that personal or family associations drew his attention to the subject. +This was the case with the author of "The Traditions of Lancashire." +Born in a neighbourhood where the faint legends of the olden time were +yet floating, he himself belonged to the district whose memorials he +perpetuated. He was attached to his native county, proud of her wild +scenery, of her old historic associations, and of the energetic, +well-defined character of her sons. His family name was not unknown in +her annals. One of his ancestors, Captain Roby, who was born in an old +mansion, long since pulled down, in the township of Roby, near +Liverpool, was distinguished by his courage and gallant conduct during +the civil wars of the seventeenth century, at the time when the north +was the scene of operations. + +JOHN ROBY was born at Wigan, the 5th of January 1793. From his father, +NEHEMIAH ROBY, who was for many years master of the grammar-school at +Haigh, he inherited a fine constitution and unbending principles of +honour and integrity. From the family of his mother, MARY ASPULL, he +derived the quick impressible temperament of genius and that love of +humour which so conspicuously marks the Lancashire character. + +Destitute of home companions of his own age, being by many years the +youngest of the family, he often suffered from an oppressive sense of +loneliness. One of his strongest characteristics was an intense yearning +for sympathy, however concealed in after-life, from the general eye, by +the exuberance of his natural spirits. This led him to seek +companionship with inanimate things, which he invested with a +sympathetic existence. A reflected light proceeding from the surface of +water in a butt at the back of the house, which frequently played on the +upper wall of the staircase, was one of these friendly objects. Ignorant +of the cause, he would watch for its coming, and sit for hours in +communion with the strange and beautiful appearance. It was to him a +fair and mysterious visitant, who came in pure benevolence to cheer his +solitude. Indicative of the dramatic bent of his mind was another of his +resources. He was accustomed to cut out little paper figures of men and +women, which he would carry to bed and place under his pillow. As soon +as the light was withdrawn he delighted himself in conversations with +his paper friends, losing his sense of loneliness in their ideal +companionship. + +Another thing contributed to deepen his unsatisfied longing for +sympathy. His father revered the sterner virtues, and sacrificed to them +whatever he apprehended might tend to enervate his son's character. In +conformity with this theory of training, even the maternal kiss was +forbidden. Only once did he remember feeling the soft pressure of his +mother's lips on his cheek, though frequently and fervently did he long +to feel it again. In after-life, even down to its close, when rejoicing +in the sunshine of confiding and playful affection, he would refer with +tears in his eyes to the lonely and unfondled years of childhood. For +the sake of both, deeply was it to be regretted, that a mother's love of +her latest born, one of the strongest of human affections, should be +denied its natural expression, repressed as a duty, till it was subdued +and its very existence scarcely suspected. + +His thirst for knowledge was early and strongly manifested. If his +inquiries were neglected or evaded, he would insist on an intelligible +reply. Having been once told, not to be so inquisitive, "'Inquisitive' +wants to know" was ever after his form of urgent appeal. Characteristic +of this disposition was an incident which occurred when he was a child +in petticoats. One fine afternoon 'Inquisitive' was seated in a low +chair by his mother's side, conning his lesson. He loved not a task from +which he gained no idea; the spelling of _t-h-e_, _the_, _f-o-r_, +_for_, was wearisome, and, as an expedient to rid himself of it, he +feigned sleep: his father entering the room remarked, "John is asleep: +this warm afternoon has made him drowsy." The mother knew the pranks of +childhood, and quietly replied, "He is only sleeping dog's sleep." There +was a new idea: up started the little head in a moment with the inquiry, +"What is dog's sleep, mother?" Even at that early age, when a question +suggested itself, he could not rest till he had arrived at a +satisfactory answer; often and long would he ponder over some little +thing that puzzled him, and on which he could gain no information from +others beyond the unsatisfactory reply "Why, _so it is_." + +As he grew up into boyhood surrounded by objects to which tradition had +assigned her marvellous stories, they sank silently into his +companionless and sensitive spirit. In his immediate vicinity were Haigh +Hall, and Mab's Cross, the scenes of Lady Mabel's sufferings and +penance--the subject of one of his earliest tales. Almost within sight +of the windows through which, with the dreamy gaze of childhood, he +first looked on earth and sky, lay the fine range of hills of which +Rivington Pike is a spur. Never will be forgotten the pleasure with +which, fifty years afterwards, during the last summer of his life, when +travelling past that neighbourhood, he pointed out the roof and chimneys +of his birthplace, the well-remembered hills as they lay with the +beautiful light of the afternoon sun upon them, Hoghton Tower crowning +its woody steep, and other spots at once the haunts of early days and +the scenes of the legends he afterwards so beautifully re-imbodied. + +His various talents were very early called forth. While yet a child he +was accustomed, at first occasionally, and then regularly, to take the +organ at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, Wigan, during the Sunday +service. His ear was exquisitely true, and his voice also excellent; +but, used too freely at the period of its change, it never afterwards +fully regained its tone. + +His first attempt at drawing was made when he was a very little fellow. +A lady with whom he was a special favourite--Miss Leigh, sister of the +late Sir Robert Holt Leigh--had one day, to his great delight, been +showing him some sketches, when, after he had looked at them, she placed +the drawing of a cow before him, saying, + +"Now cannot you draw that cow?" + +"Oh, no! I never did such a thing," was his reply; + +"Try," her wise rejoinder. + +With some persuasion the volatile child was induced to attempt the task. +The pencil was poised--his attention concentrated on the subject--his +hand began to follow the eye, and with oft-repeated delight he beheld +the form grow rapidly under his touch; so that whether his teacher or +himself was the more pleased, it would be difficult to say. This was a +precious lesson to him, which he did not forget. It was so firmly +rooted, that, in after-life, he never doubted success in anything he +thought proper to attempt. Years after, in 1849, when writing to a +friend whom he wished to encourage to mental effort, he referred to this +time, when the little word "Try" was the "Open Sesame" of the "Arabian +Nights" to him. + +He cared little for ordinary companions, never so happy as when he could +steal away from them, into the company of such of the other sex as were +much older than himself, and listen for hours to song and music. He +always considered he was more indebted for the formation of his habits +and the development of his character and talents, as in the instance +above, to woman's discriminating encouragement, than to anything else; +and, for weal or for woe, hers was an influence to which he was ever +peculiarly sensitive. + +The education he received appears to have been rather desultory. The dry +and spiritless mode of conveying instruction in those days had neither +attractions for his taste, nor power over his mind. As he advanced into +youth, and "macadamised his own road," various branches of the natural +sciences, history, antiquities, and the fine arts, nearly absorbed his +attention. A course of mathematical study would probably have been the +best discipline for him at this time, as a balance to the spontaneous +development of his imagination. He afterwards pursued it with great +enjoyment, though to no considerable extent; and, late in life, he +proposed a resumption of the study to the companion of his +pursuits--one of the many plans so suddenly and so mournfully cut short. + +When he entered on life, and the duties of his profession, that of a +banker, early left him master of many leisure hours, the use of the +pencil was a favourite recreation. His artistic perceptions must have +been very early developed. He was acquainted with a gentleman a +professed virtuoso, and a collector of those fine old drawings and +sketches which are the first rough thoughts of the painter, or the +playful offspring of his lighter moments. In an unpublished MS. he thus +describes in the third person his own first introduction to the beauties +of the old masters:-- + +"A new faculty seemed dawning upon him. He felt their glorious power +exalting, refining, the sense by the wondrous potency of art; rendering +the forms and hues seen by the imagination visible to the bodily as to +the mental eye; and expressing in a tangible shape what had before +existed only in the hidden recesses of the soul. He saw for the first +time a few of the random sketches, the first bright thoughts of these +great men, struck out like sparks from the glowing embers of fancy. The +fire and freedom of such rude scratches were pointed out; and he could +see with a painter's eye the beauty of a line, the combination and the +arrangement, the first shadowy thoughts of the artist emerging from +chaos into form." That he possessed even then, to a considerable extent, +the artist's power as well as his perception, may be inferred from an +anecdote of those days which forms the conclusion of the passage:-- + +"The professor of _vertu_ was expatiating one day, to a group of +bystanders, on the merits of some little gem of a drawing he had just +purchased. He pointed out the beauties with great gusto, fully +impressing his auditory with a sense of the profound knowledge and +superiority of his own discrimination. The novice leaned over, and, +young as he was, enjoyed the dissertation vastly. In a while he ventured +to make a remark: the man of art turned round, and with a look of +contempt, intended to extinguish the youthful aspirant, said, 'We don't +allow you to be a judge, sir.' Abashed, he shrank back; but the wound +rankled, and he determined to have lusty revenge. He sketched on paper, +with great freedom and carelessness, the subject of an old etching, +imitating as nearly as possible the style he had previously seen. By the +judicious application of tobacco-juice, soot, bistre, ochre, and a +little grease, so as to make the picture a perfect pattern of dirt,--a +rent, a puncture, a piecing here and there, to show the care with which +it had been preserved,--he succeeded in making, as he thought, a +tolerable imitation, and with great glee gallanted off the prize to his +preceptor. The connoisseur at once pronounced the few bold strokes, +every one of which 'told,' to be those of a master; and his pupil had +much difficulty in evading his inquiries, as to where he had met with +it, and whether there were any more to be had." His success was +complete; but neither love of triumph, nor gratified vanity, tempted +him to divulge the secret, and thereby mortify his acquaintance: he was +satisfied with the result of the experiment, nor did he ever after +repeat it. + +His first attempt at composition was called forth by a friend, who put +into his hand a copy of a periodical which, at that time, offered prizes +for the best essays on prescribed subjects, to be sent in by young +persons under a specified age. It was suggested to him, that he should +take one of the subjects, and see what he could make of it. He at first +hesitated; but, recalling the magic power of the little word "TRY," he +sat down to the task, and composed an essay:--"To show what obligations +parents and children are under to tutors and governesses, and how far it +is their duty, from gratitude and interest, to behave towards them with +friendship and respect." It was considered worthy of the prize, as +appears from a copy of Blair's Class-book,--in the fly-leaves of which +the essay is preserved,--bearing in the customary gilt letters the +inscription, + + "PRESENTED TO MASTER JOHN ROBY, AGED FIFTEEN. + A REWARD OF MERIT." + +Now fairly aware of his powers, to the pleasures of the pencil were +added those of the pen. As might be expected, Poetry, Essay, Tale, were +all tried, read at first to juvenile companions, as extracts he had met +with. Why should early authorship, like early love, be a thing we shrink +from avowing, even to the nearest of our friends? It is because, when +we write truthfully and earnestly, we lay bare our very soul; and the +avowal in this, as in the other case, becomes an exposure of one's inner +self. + +Debating and Philosophical societies ere long attracted him, and he +evidently exerted a leading influence on his companions. He took a +prominent part in their projects and reunions. "Sucking in knowledge +like a sponge," as he afterwards said, he was as ready to impart it. A +silver snuff-box,--still prized as a relic of his eighteenth or +nineteenth year,--bearing the following inscription, + + "THE GIFT OF THE PHILOSOPHIC SOCIETY, WIGAN, + TO THEIR + ESTEEMED LECTURER AND WORTHY MEMBER, + MR. J. ROBY," + +attests the nature of his early pursuits, and the estimation in which he +was then held by his associates. + +The local press was another channel for the exercise of his talents; and +it appears by a letter from the editor of the "Chester Courant," +preserved with other relics of early days, that some of his +contributions to the paper, during a short residence in that city, +attracted the notice of the London papers, and were copied into their +columns,--a fact on which the worthy editor rather prided himself, while +he congratulated his unknown correspondent. From a memorandum book in +handwriting of an early date, containing "Subjects for Consideration," +we transcribe one page to indicate favourite directions of thought:-- + +"The oxydation of metals, by passing the electric spark through them. + +"The faculty which the eye possesses of accommodating its focal distance +to objects placed at different distances. + +"The sound which proceeds from the shock of the particles of the air, +against those of water in motion. Vide Thomson's Ann. Phil. p. 187. + +"Fresh-discovered property of the syphon." + +He had now found, in part at least, that companionship and sympathy for +which he had so earnestly longed, and his spirit gave itself up to +delighted converse with its fellows, and to the pursuits of literature +and art: + + "All the glowing future, one + Wide atmosphere of light." + +His preference even from childhood of cultivated female society, while +his reverence for woman and his standard of her excellence were equally +high, also contributed to keep the tone of his mind pure and his life +stainless. The dawn of existence thus brightened into the full morning +of youth: and if those who now fondly look back upon him with affection +and pride, may bless GOD for such a youth, it is owing, under His +blessing, to the love of art, knowledge, and woman's intelligent +society. + +Yet his own estimate of his character at that period should not be lost +sight of. When referring to this time, in terms of thankfulness for +having been kept from outward evil, he ever owned that as yet he was +without the guidance of the true Christian principle--love to GOD; "that +'the light of the glorious Gospel,' which alone is the true 'lamp unto +our path,' had not yet shone into his spirit. _He lived only to +himself_; and though, soaring through natural bias to loftier pursuits, +thus kept from the grovelling propensities of youth, yet, in a religious +point of view, _his heart_ was, equally with that of others, the barren +wilderness, _destitute of fruit to the glory of Him who created it_, and +who demands our 'heart, and soul, and strength,' in His service." So +judged a mature self-knowledge, on looking back to the first years of +manhood. Were introspection always as faithful, might not the same +conclusion be oftener reached? + +Hitherto the little bark had sped with no cross wind, no disturbing +current, no shadow on her sail. Love came: still life's glad waters were +unruffled--all sunshine and repose. But the storm soon gathered, and +life's first romance was destined to close in gloom. It will be readily +supposed, that, with the impassioned temperament of genius, he gave +himself up without reserve to the power of a _first-love_; and, with the +adhesiveness which Phrenology so largely assigned to him, the permanence +of his attachment promised to equal its intensity. For a time, "the +course of true love," _did_ "run smooth;" but at length a coldness he +could not account for, but which had for some time pained him, led on +his part to remonstrance. It was resented, and the interview ended in +mutual displeasure. Riding home,--not in the happiest mood,--his horse +stumbled and threw him. For a few days he lay, unable to travel, in a +house near the spot where he had been thrown. Humbler and wiser thoughts +prevailed; and the first use he made of his recovered power of moving, +was to return and seek another interview. Reconciliation followed, and +he left happy and reassured. But, the evening after his arrival at home, +a short, cold, and haughty epistle, brought him by private hand, forbade +his future visits. Stung to the quick by what appeared heartlessness, if +not duplicity, he resolved to forget his idol for ever; and looked +around for a worthier object in whose affection he might lose his sense +of injury and regret. It was not till his faith was plighted to another +that he discovered the _undated_ note was written previously to his last +visit, shortly after their angry parting, but owing to his absence from +home not sooner delivered. Honour forbade any allusion to this +circumstance to the object of the second attachment, to whom he +considered himself sacredly engaged, but the blow struck home. A severe +illness, during which his life was despaired of, supervened; and, though +an elastic nature recovered, it still retained traces of this "maddening +misery." More than thirty years afterwards he could not refer to these +passages of his history without a shudder, and intense, though +controlled, feeling. Some peculiarities referable to this source +remained through life. Henceforth a discord ran through all the melodies +of existence, and ever and anon reproduced itself in the creations of +imagination. + +Mr. Roby first appeared before the world as a poet. In 1815 he published +"Sir Bertram, a poem in six cantos." Elegant and melodious +versification, exquisite word-painting, and a marked tendency to the use +of the supernatural, are its chief characteristics. Though not published +before, there is every reason to believe it was composed some time +previously, during the happy season of hopeful, if not formally +requited, love. Here are no traces to be found of that one sorrow. It +was the pouring forth of song from a poetic spirit, that as yet knew not +the power of the minor key. Another poem quickly followed, entitled +"Lorenzo, a tale of Redemption." It met with a limited sale: the +versification was heavy, unlike anything else he ever wrote, and the +subject was unsuited to his powers. The now venerable poet Montgomery, +who had just published his own "Greenland," gave the young author the +benefit of his judicious criticism, a kindness difficult to perform; +but, judging by a letter from him of the date of July, 1817, he knew +well how to combine candour and courtesy. The subsequent productions of +his disciple proved that his valuable suggestions were not thrown away. + +In 1816 Mr. Roby married Ann, the youngest daughter of James and Dorothy +Bealey, of Derrikens near Blackburn. Of her many excellencies he ever +spoke in the highest terms, and she must have been, from the testimony +of all who had the pleasure of knowing her, as well as from that of her +husband, one of the best and gentlest of women, the most affectionate +and anxious of mothers. They had nine children, three of whom died in +their infancy. + +"The Duke of Mantua," a tragedy, which appeared in 1823, was Mr. Roby's +next publication. It went through three or four editions in a short +time, and was pronounced by the critics, "worthy of a place among our +best closet plays." It has been long out of print, and is included in +the present volume. + +In the course of the summer, he made an excursion in Scotland. He +visited "the bonnie braes of Yarrow," in company with Hogg, the Ettrick +Shepherd. His account of the day so pleasantly spent, is a good specimen +of his early prose style:-- + + "I went with Hogg the other morning on a '_Voyage pittoresque_' up + the Yarrow. It was a delicious Claude-looking day--the sky filled + with a warm hazy brightness. Every cloud stole as softly up the + firmament, as if some creature 'of the immaterial air' melting + into the blue ether. None of those sudden lights--those breaks + through a hard and almost impenetrable pile of clouds--an + Apennine or Andes poised in the middle air, dividing the + landscape into vast enclosures--masses of shadow, deep, awful, + and abrupt--or moving patches, of a wild and unnatural + brightness. + + "We set out from Selkirk pretty early, intending to reach St. + Mary's before noon. We loitered lazily up the stream, imbibing + the keen freshness of the morning. The mists were just rolling + from the green hills, when, on passing the bridge, we turned to + our left, entering upon the beautiful road, leading through the + Duke of Buccleugh's grounds, to Altrieve and St. Mary's Loch. The + Yarrow and the Ettrick unite about two miles above Selkirk. + Following the course of the former, we soon spied the ruins of + Newark Castle, the scene of Sir Walter's 'Lay of the Last + Minstrel.' It is a massive square tower, now unroofed, surrounded + by an outward wall, and defended by round flanking turrets. + During the minority of the present Duke, the castle was + dilapidated; the wooden beams, and such stones as could be + removed, were employed in building a miserable farm-house in its + vicinity. + + "I felt wishful to obtain a closer inspection of this fine old + specimen of border antiquity; more especially on learning that + Mungo Park--born at Foulshiels, a small farm within a stone's + throw of the castle--had left his autograph somewhere within its + walls. We soon procured admittance, and on climbing the ruined + staircase, entered a large roofless apartment on the second + story, where, sure enough, we found, without much trouble, the + name of our enterprising, but unfortunate, countryman, written, + two or three times, in a large clerk-like hand with _red chalk_. + Hogg seemed as well pleased as if he had found a 'poss,' and + rummaged his galligaskins for a hideous bit of scrawl, that he + had several times brought forth from its dark den, during our + journey, when any thing particularly inspiring had urged its + momentary liberation. A poem perhaps, another exquisite 'Kilmeny' + or 'Mary Lee' in embryo, undergoing its appointed period of + incubation. I made no inquiries, but continued undisturbed in the + great business of exploration. In a short time I heard him + bundling down the steps, to take a morning's gossip with the + keeper. It was not long ere I found myself amply repaid for any + sense of deprivation I might have endured, by discovering + another flourish with the identical red chalk, and evidently by + the same hand. It was a stanza--four lines of poetry by Mungo + Park!--If thou hast any touch of feeling--any mark of + kindred--any spark of rarer sympathy--imagine, if thou canst, my + delight,--the fervour, the intensity of my rapture. They fixed + indelibly, and almost involuntarily on my memory;--there they now + exist, and probably will continue until every faculty, every + function, be obliterated. + + "The following is a true copy, spelling and all. The orthography + of poor Park was not of the purest kind:-- + + 'Within these walls where obscene birds of night + Whistle and shriek alternate round, + Soft music _floted_ once, whilst with delight + The distant shepherd caught the dying sound.' + + "I do not think they show marks of quotation. I hope and believe + they are original; at least, I am pretty certain they have not + before been noticed. + + "I soon roused the skulkers: a vigorous hurrah was the first + intimation they had of the enemy being so near their camp. Bang + went the first door I came to, and there I found my friend and + his, cantie over a cup of the best mountain, and deep in the + heart of a thrifty controversy about sheep, their ailments and + cures. It was 'an awfu downcome; they stared at each other + without perfectly understanding the nature of my announcement. On + a repetition, 'Eh, Mr. Bogle, but ye're gone clean blate,' was + the rejoinder, 'Ha' ye seen a ghaist!' With some difficulty I + made them reluctantly comprehend two very important matters, to + wit, my meaning, and a request that they would give me their + sweet company awhile. But how they did shout, and rub their + sleeves at the discovery; we looked as funny at one another as + three ambassadors at a congress. It was as good as the + development of a state secret. The best of it is, that it will be + a little fortune to the keeper, and a dowry to his weans. + Henceforth pilgrimages will be made to the shrine, vieing with + Loch Katrine and the pass of Aberfoil in the number of its + votaries and the ardour of its worshippers. + + "We bade good bye to Newark, and awa' up the braes o' Yarrow, + shouting and laughing with the wild echoes of the flood, to the + great dismay of sundry bare-legged Naiads and goddesses, peeping + ever and anon through 'covert green and woodland dell.' + + "My companion had to make a call at his tailor's, who inhabits + the low house nigh to the Ford.--A very strange personage this, + but of an infinite humour, and pomposity of demeanor. + + "It was the very man whom Blackwood accused in one of his 'magi,' + of regularly buying two copies of that work, and reading both, + from beginning to end, imagining them to be diverse and distinct + from each other. He was mightily affronted at this insinuation, + and duly wrote, and concocted a letter;--such a curiosity as was + never before seen, since the world whistled. I recollect being + indulged with a sight of it in the 'back-shop.' He utterly + disclaimed taking two copies of the magazine, under any such + erroneous impression. The true reason was, that wife and bairns + had such an 'ettling for the beuk' that he had no comfort on the + occasion, and was often obliged to run for it--to creep behind a + stone dike or into a hedge bottom, in the hope of getting free + from their importunities, and even then he was in no wise safe + from interruption,--some kind neighbour or another would scent + him out, and be 'aye licken his fingers frae the dish.' Taking + two copies set all to rights, and each party enjoyed their meal + in peace. He was dreadfully puzzled about the different 'Horae' + scattered through the numbers, and consulted the minister about + their reference to certain matters then abroad, but to which he + thought no decent respectable publication, like Blackwood, should + have alluded. + + "We journeyed on to Altrieve, where Hogg has a quiet domicile + within sight of St. Mary's banks, and Dryhope tower, where 'the + flower of Yarrow lived and died.' It was high dinner hour when we + arrived. A hearty welcome--a dish of boiled trout fresh from the + Lake, and et ceteras _ad lib._, gave a _gout_ and a relish to the + succeeding conceptions and concoctions, over which Mrs. Hogg + presided,--while the exhilarating influence of high animal + spirits, and a 'wee drappie' of the elixir of the mountain, threw + a vivid hue and a glowing atmosphere around every theme on which + we dilated. + + "Hogg is a kind-hearted creature, a man of the rarest genius, + compounded out of the most heterogeneous elements, as if nature + in one of her freaks had determined to evince the omnipotence of + her power, over the most untractable, and unpromising + materials,--to mould even the stubborn, and unyielding forms over + which she broods, into combinations of the most exquisite + symmetry, and delicacy of texture. + + "I reckon Hogg's achievements on a par with the most wonderful + records of human capability extant. A shepherd's boy, as uncouth + and ungifted as any of his tribe--apparently without a glimmer, + or an idea of the beautiful or sublime, any further than as it + might have relation to a dry bed and a comfortable meal--scarcely + able to write his name at a very advanced period of growth. Now + he blazes forth, a bright intelligence amongst the lights of the + age. Really his works deserve to form part and parcel of our + national literature, at once a monument to his glory and an + inextinguishable record of the operations of that genius, who + setteth no bounds to her habitation, nor suffereth control." + +The literary leisure of the next six years was occupied in collecting +materials for the Traditions of Lancashire, and by the creative power of +imagination, weaving them into tales of romantic interest. Mr. Roby +received the most courteous assistance from several of the +representatives of the noble houses, whose early history he elucidated; +particularly from the Earl and late Countess of Crawford and Balcarres, +and also from the late Earl of Derby (1853). + +The commencement of the year 1827 was marked by one of those home +events, which, though nothing to the world, make sad change in the +fire-side circle. Mr. Roby's second boy, named after his brother, the +late Rev. William Roby, of Manchester, was at this time about three +years of age. Possessed of unusual loveliness and remarkable sensibility +for so young a child, he had won upon his parents' hearts, and on that +of his father to a remarkable degree. The moment he entered the house, +he would call for his darling boy, and place him on his knee at the +piano, while the little listener, if not interrupted, would remain for +hours rapt in delight. He could not be happy while the child was out of +his sight. After a very brief illness, this beautiful boy was called +away from the world. His father's heart was wrung, long did he mourn +him; and he never dared again to love a child with such idolatry. An +infant, a few months' old, had before been laid in the family grave, and +on the stone covering their remains, Mr. Roby had the following lines +engraven:-- + + "Farewell sweet babes! Upon a mother's breast + Ye pass'd life's hour of fretfulness and pain: + Death bids you on his colder bosom rest, + Herald of bliss;--unutterable gain! + His touch was life!--in robes of triumph drest, + Sinless and spotless now--a Saviour's death + The fountain opened--washed from every stain + Each spirit, ere its last faint quivering breath-- + As o'er its eyeballs burst eternal day, + Left its first cherub smile to linger on its clay." + +A third infant was laid beside them in 1832, and there now repose _his +own_ loved and most precious remains, and to these last, as to those for +whom they were originally intended, may the closing lines be applied. +The smile last seen on that beloved face is one with which it may well +awake on the morning of the resurrection. + +Mr. Roby visited the English Lakes that year. A manuscript book of notes +and sketches remains, and both pen and pencil attest the quickness and +correctness of the observer. On ordinary objects he looked with an eye +practised in gaining general information, and on Nature with that of the +artist. In looking over the sketches one cannot but remark how very +little change years have made in that district. Not only the majestic +objects of Nature, the accessories of man's placing also, stood then +precisely as they do now. The Druid's Circle near Keswick seems the only +exception; the fir trees which then waved their dark branches above the +grey stones are gone. Grange, reposing at the foot of Borrowdale, with +its beautiful bridge, dark clear stream, and everlasting mountains a +close back-ground. The Bowder stone[B], its ladder and cottage, and the +sharply-defined perpendicular strata rising above all, are unchanged. +The sketches of a quarter of a century ago might be those of last year. +The very buildings seem identically the same in every part. Nature +stamped them picturesque as they were set down in her sacred recesses, +and they have not dared to throw off the spell. A few extracts from the +note-book will exemplify the style of observation. The aspect of the +district; the manners of its inhabitants; individual peculiarities +whatever of men or things; natural productions, and above all, the +ever-varying forms of beauty, with which nature in such a region clothes +herself,--none of these escaped his observant and admiring eye. + + "Kendal, Aug. 21. 1827. + + "Dialect. Kendal mode of calling a person up, '_Shoot on him_ + there.' First view of Windermere. Writing on Inn Windows--This + perishable and frail tablet more durable than man's existence. + Mountains--The same outline, the same aspect has met the eye of + man for thousands of years.... On the Lake--View from the north + side of Curwen's Island, light and shadow disposed as if + according to art--broad lights upon the rich colours. Corn-fields + &c. near--summits of hills dark blue, cutting against the sky, + angular and sharp. Island follows the universal law--north by + west, rugged and mountainous; south, undulating and flat." + + Grasmere was at that time the abode of the gifted and excentric + Hartley Coleridge. He was standing at Jonathan's door when the + tourists drove up. They soon made acquaintance with him, and it + was not long ere they were deep in discussion on the subject of + Kant's Philosophy, the Rosicrucian System, &c. &c. + + "The repose of Grasmere; pleasures of retirement. No pleasure but + to those who possess an innate repose and a mind full of + susceptibilities for these beautiful impressions. The bold + dragoon and his wife, who took a house here about three months + since, for seven years,--are now heartily tired of it. + Confounding of phrases--to say a man _is_ a genius, great + mistake--rather say a man _has_ genius, or rather genius has + _him_. Often disappointed in our approach to 'reputed geniuses.' + A clever man not always a man of genius. Idiom and dialect + diffused over a man's very form and face, habits, and character. + Tone of voice acquired by contact. Strong voices of the females + generally in the north. Quite a literary air about Grasmere. + Proof sheets lying about the public-house. Hartley Coleridge + engaged in writing the article 'Poetry' in the 'Encyclopedia + Metropolitana.'" The notice of Grasmere concludes with a then + unpublished song by H. Coleridge--"'I have lived, and I have + loved,'" with the autograph of the Poet. + + "Keswick Lake. Sun-set. Colour of the mountains blue, a band + between the fiery sky, and the fiery reflection in the lake. + Cloudy morning. Skiddaw still has his night-cap on. Clearing + towards seven, determine to mount. Pass Skiddaw's cub, Latrigg. + Hills tumbled about in great disorder, compared to a large + painted sheet of canvass thrown down horizontally and propped up + in different places underneath with pointed sticks of various + lengths. Eye soon accustoming itself to the size of objects + thereby diminishing their bulk to its own previous conceptions. + Every now and then obliged to find an object, of a known size, in + order to feel the vast dimensions of these objects of unknown + magnitude.... Gaining the summit, an envious cloud sweeping round + the hill. Double echoes apparently from grouse shooters. Cloud + rapidly approaches, falls between us and the distant prospect + like a curtain. Completely enveloped. Sit down wrapped in my + cloak under the lee-side of a huge heap of stones, and wait in + expectation of the cloud clearing off for nearly an hour. Quietly + read 'Otley's Guide,' Geology of the Mountains. Symptoms of a + break in the cloud, mist still continues. Guide relates the + dangers and perils of ascents and descents in a mist, even to + those well acquainted with the path.... During these amusing and + exhilarating narratives the mist breaks in partial + openings--Wonderful bursts of prospect through the clouds. Solway + Frith--the Sea--Wigton, Cockermouth, Bassenthwaite Lake. A vessel + on the Solway, by telescope, a brig. + + "Hermitage near Derwentwater Lake. Major Pocklington built and + endowed it for any person who would live there in entire + seclusion, locked up for seven years; after this apprenticeship + he might, if he thought proper, have his liberty, and an annuity + of 100_l._ a year. No one has yet been found to fulfil this + engagement, and the place built twenty or thirty years ago. + + "Borrowdale. Lead mine on very steep hill. Gryphite lies in + sops. Old levels worked out. At fault; cannot yet find any; + trying near the summit of the hill. Immense productiveness at + times. Supposed to have been once in a state of fusion. Evident + marks of this. No date of its discovery. Tradition tells us, that + a tree being blown down bared the first vein. Used for marking + sheep only in all probability at the first. Maps of the county + might be printed on pocket-handkerchiefs. Dine at Rossthwaite: + another party arrive, folly of not being content with what the + house affords.... + + "Patterdale. Met a young sheep dog.--One leg tied up to prevent + his scampering after the sheep too far--dog education; not beat + young dogs, it breaks their spirits and spoils them. May this + hint apply to the education of two-legged cubs? Beautiful and + fertile valleys running up into so many gorges of the + mountains.... Musty egg at breakfast. Irishman swearing not a hen + in all England that laid fresh eggs.... Kirkstone pass. Savage + sublimity of the road. Kirkstone like the gable end of a house + peeping above. Saxifraga Nivalis.... High moor between the lakes + and Kendal. Grand view of Langdale Pikes twenty miles off, like + immense buttresses or towers, supporting a long line of rocks." + Of all the beautiful objects in that district none excited Mr. + Roby's admiration as those two magnificent rocks. His enthusiasm + for them was unbounded. + +The first series of the Traditions of Lancashire appeared in 1829, in +two volumes, illustrated by plates engraved by Finden, from drawings by +Pickering; and wood-cuts by Williams, after designs by Frank Howard. The +matter, the embellishments, and the spirited publishers, Messrs Longman +and Co., were alike worthy of each other. The reception of the work +equalled Mr. Roby's most sanguine expectations; for though the price, +demy 8vo., 2_l._ 2_s._, royal 8vo., with proofs and etchings, 4_l._ +4_s._, made it rather a book for a gentleman's library than for general +circulation, a second edition was called for within twelve months. The +following note from Sir Francis Palgrave, no incompetent judge, was a +gratifying estimate of the work as forming part of our national +literature:-- + + "26, Duke-street, Westminster, + 26th October, 1829. + "Sir, + + "I am greatly obliged to you for the very interesting volumes + which you have had the kindness to send me. + + "As compositions, the extreme beauty of your style, and the skill + which you have shown in working up the rude materials, must + entitle them to the highest rank in the class of works to which + they belong. + + "Are there any peculiar traditions in or about Cartmel, where, as + you probably know, the Britons continued till a comparatively + late period? You have made such a valuable addition, not only to + English literature, but to English topography by your + collection--for these popular traditions form, or ought to form, + an important feature in topographical history--that it is to be + hoped you will not stop with the present volumes. + + "I have the honor to remain, + Sir, + With great respect, + Your obedient and faithful servant, + "FRANCIS PALGRAVE." + +The second series, consisting also of two volumes, uniform with the +first, was published in 1831, and met with similar success. Both series +were reviewed in the most cordial manner by the leading periodicals of +the day; more than once quoted, and characterized by Sir Walter Scott, +himself a host, as an elegant work. (_See Introduction to the +Betrothed._) + +When composing, Mr. Roby usually wrote with his family around him; the +only restraint he laid upon them, was the prohibition of whispering; +from conversation carried on in the ordinary tone he could wholly +abstract himself. Seated in a favourite rocking-chair, that common +northern luxury, wrapped in a loose study-gown, he wrote for hours with +rapidity and pleasure. When invention flagged, and he had to seek an +idea, he would fold his arms, and gently rock for a few minutes, then +with the air of a person who had found what he sought, return to the +page with renewed spirit. Though undisturbed by familiar sounds, which, +indeed, he appeared not to perceive, so completely was he absorbed in +his ideal world, he yet required all things in order around him before +he commenced; objects indiscriminately scattered conveying disturbance +through the eye, or even an open door, would so effectually dissipate +his thoughts, as to prevent him from writing. His practice was to make +himself master of the historical ground-work of the tale, and as far as +possible of the manners and customs of the period, and then to commence +composition, with Fosbroke's "Encyclopedia of Antiquities" at hand, for +accuracy of costume, &c. He always gave the credit of his style, which +the Westminster Review termed "a very model of good Saxon," to his +native country, the force and energy of whose dialect arises mainly from +the prevalence of the Teutonic element. "The thought digs out the word," +was a favourite saying, when the exact expression he wanted did not at +once occur. To his fine ear for musical sound he was much indebted for +the flowing ease of his diction. + +Though constituting what is denominated light literature, much careful +research was required in the composition of the tales. The aspect of the +country in those distant times, the costume and customs of the day, were +particulars in which he was scrupulously exact. To secure this +truthfulness of detail, long investigations were often needed, even +where perhaps they would be little suspected: but always confident that +he should succeed at last, he spared no pains in ascertaining the most +minute particular, and this very persuasion of success contributed to +secure it. By some means or other he invariably commanded the +information in due time. Amusing instances of this sometimes occurred. +Once, when out of the reach of any work of reference, he was completely +at fault for the blazonry of a particular banner, used five hundred +years ago. He did not despair, but left the matter in blank, +expecting--though he would have been puzzled to tell whence--the +wished-for information would be forthcoming. And so it was: casually +looking at a review, it so happened that the very thing he wanted was +described with more than ordinary minuteness. + +His inexhaustible creative power is conspicuous; about two hundred +different characters are introduced, no one of whom reminds the reader +of another, nor is invention wanting for abundant diversity of incident +and adventure, heroic and comic. A gentleman who had been reading the +Traditions for the first time, recently remarked, that for invention he +scarcely knew any writer Mr. Roby's equal. It is perhaps worthy of +notice, that all the characters are creations, not one an idealized +portrait. + +Another charm is the fine mould in which his heroines are cast. There is +a delicacy, a nobility, or high-minded spirit of self-sacrifice about +the more prominent, which, while leaving the characters perfectly +distinct, sustains throughout a high ideal of woman. Not one bad +character figures as a woman; the only approach to such is in tales of +witchcraft, where, indeed, the Arch Evil One, rather than his poor +victim, is the criminal, as though he would not even bring the idea of +evil athwart the favourite vision of his imagination. It may be deemed +not adhering to nature, thus to omit an object she, alas! too often +presents; but who would blame the artist for the faultless beauty of his +creations? The sculptor may display his skill, by representing the +contortions of deformity, but not his highest ideal; may show how clever +a copyist with the chisel he can be, but not how deeply he has drunk of +the inspiration common to all art, how near he has approached to the +Fountain of all Beauty. The clearness of his conceptions, and the way in +which he threw himself into his characters, are evinced by the dramatic +action of even the shortest story. While writing he appeared actually to +feel as he would have done, had he been in the situations he described; +he felt the perplexity, the sense of danger, and the exultation of +escape; for the time he seemed to have a double life, at once sharing +the existence of his hero, and sympathizing as a spectator. It was in a +tone that he would have used, had she been a living being, that he said +of one of his heroines, under very peculiar circumstances of danger[C], +"_I could not_ let her perish." His plan was to commence his tale, bring +his characters into strange or perilous situations, realize their danger +in its full extent, without the slightest idea of how he should +extricate them; and then, when the means of escape presented themselves +to his imagination, he would work on, delighted with the suggestion, +till to his great regret the tale was finished. He knew when to leave +off, but it cost him something to do so; it was like parting company +with friends. + +The short vivid descriptions of scenery scattered throughout, are not +often equalled. By a few strokes of the pen, not only a perfect picture +of the permanent objects of a locality is placed before the reader's +eye, but also the temporary lights and shadows which are thrown on the +landscape by the ever-shifting skies; the very feeling of the air does +not escape him. Each tale is in fact a cabinet picture, combining +history and landscape. In the foreground the traditionary group appears +in vivid action; beyond, a far-receding distance, faint in the noon-tide +haze, or perchance a wood, with its broad shadows, and burst of sunlight +across the next glade. An artist might paint from his descriptions. In +the case of one of the most effective engravings, that of Rivington +Pike, the drawing was made after the artist had read the tale; the +accessories of light and shade, and in the original, of colour also, +doubtless owe something of their character to this circumstance. + +In his power of depicting the supernatural, Mr. Roby stands pre-eminent; +and this not only in little weird touches, that come upon the reader he +knows not how, waking a chord within which makes him feel that he has +kindred with mysteries more than the eye sees, or the ear hears--but in +long-sustained intercourse with beings who people the unseen world, and +who seem at certain times, and in certain places, to press upon mortal +spirits even to recognition, more, even to hallowed or unhallowed +communion. As if there were, time and space concurring, points of +juncture for the two worlds. The ease with which he carries his reader +along with him, even in spite of the anti-spiritual prejudices of the +present age, cannot be better exemplified than in the tale to which +reference has just been made, Rivington Pike, which has been said by a +German reviewer to be, "the only authentic tale of demoniacal possession +the English have." The composition of the story had a powerful effect on +the writer himself. He sat up writing longer than usual after the rest +of the family had retired. It was midnight when he had finished; and so +completely had the scenes he had been describing, taken possession of +his own mind, that he dared not stir from his seat, nor did he, till +Mrs. Roby, surprised at his remaining down stairs so long after his +accustomed time, entered the room; the sight of a familiar face broke +the spell, and dissipated the visionary alarm. + +The purity of the morality is such as befits a Christian writer, and +there is throughout the work a spirit of reverence for things sacred, +and of deference to the supreme source of illumination, which is not +always to be found in our lighter literature. The reader, charmed and +delighted, is carried away from ordinary scenes into a world of romance. +Nevertheless in that ideal land he finds the same laws of morality which +govern his daily life--the same God looked up to, as the disposer of all +things, the Father at once to be loved and obeyed; and he may go back to +his duties in common life, without one moral idea having been deranged, +or one principle disturbed. + +It was at one time Mr. Roby's intention to follow up the "Traditions of +Lancashire" with similar illustrations of the early history of the +county of York. Subjects were chosen, and a few tales written, which +appeared in Blackwood's and Frazer's magazines. One, though not of this +series, which was published in Frazer, February 1837, under the title of +"The Smuggler's Daughter," was proposed to be dramatised. The parts were +cast, Mrs. Yates or Mrs. Keeley was to have taken that of the heroine, +and Mr. Buckstone and Mr. O. Smith were to have engaged in others. From +the correspondence on the subject, it appears that Mr. Buckstone's +attention being demanded by other and rather perplexing affairs, the +representation of the "Smuggler's Daughter" was delayed till after the +appearance of the story in the Magazine, and at last suffered to fall to +the ground. + +A book containing sketches of the different localities he intended to +illustrate, and memoranda of the traditions attached to them, made +during excursions into Yorkshire for this purpose, show the spirit with +which he entered on his task, and it is much to be regretted that +anything should have been allowed to set it aside. About this time he +commenced the study of botany in good earnest. In the same book are +notes of a first botanical tour, a few extracts from which may not be +uninteresting: they are certainly characteristic. While pursuing the +details of science, he was in no danger of falling under the poet's +malediction on him, + + "Whose mind is but the mind of his own eyes." + +They appear to have been written on the spot, whenever any fresh object +presented itself. + + "Off to Wetherby.--Resolve to dissipate the mind. Round Hey. + Trees, &c., all green, yet how beautifully diversified--cool, + warm, half tints--Dr. Johnson, chaise traveller. What is that + purple tuft?--Elegant! _Vicia cracca_.... What is that like a + diminutive fir tree? _Equisetum_, quite a puzzle for a beginner; + never mind, learn soon. Clover, I know; but where can it be + classed? Honeysuckle too--rushes and all, I suppose, though they + would puzzle to find a flower. Clouds, the soul of landscape. + What sky most beautiful? Never see a dandelion, but thoughts the + most intense that never die.--Where slumbering--where the great + reservoir?" No flower had the power to revive early associations + like this. His first recollections of it, were as growing in a + field near his father's house where he played in infancy. "Yellow + flowers among the green wheat: Cherlock. Limestone district.--How + delightful any occupation that keeps the mind from preying on + itself. Want of employment similar to hunger.--Gastric juice eats + the stomach if no food.... What a delicious smell! Butterfly + orchis.... Foxglove unknown in some of the southern counties, + here how luxuriant! Localities of plants, soil, &c., wants + explanation. Poppy, sand, coltsfoot, clay. Furze, Linnaeus. + Flowers, all made after one model, never change the generic + characters in whatever part of the world; proof, where there no + other, of an all-wise designer.... Briony, spiral spring. _Orchis + morio_. Something about this tribe mysterious. Children in a + field playing, _enjoyment_. With what different eyes do I now + look on nature. What should possess me to learn botany, all my + life laughing at it. Arrangement, bump of order I suppose. + Distant view of the wolds. York Minster--what a host of + recollections!... _Iris pseudacorus_. Inoculated even the + post-boy. The operation, the power of mind over mind, what is it? + Country churches. People would write much better books if they + would take individualities, instead of generalities, to + sermons.... The numbers three and five, how predominant in + botany. _Geum urbanum_.--Lutford. Jackasses on a common--patience + personified. Why should _Jack_ be a diminutive, a lowering of any + thing. Jack snipe, _Osmunda regalis_.--Windmills always associate + with country quiet; the monotonous turn of the sails. Retreat. + Lunatics: mankind all so in one respect or another, but a great + difference. Lunatics lose their reasoning powers, and jumble + ideas,--take those for real which are only reflection and memory, + while those counted sane, with correct ideas, act diametrically + opposite to their knowledge.... Gravel-field, famous place for + plants. Set out. Roman antiquities--a Roman burying place + evidently,--continually digging out broken urns of baked clay, + very fragile.... Cats without tails, a breed of them here; + supposed originally from the Isle of Man. Style of face in + different parts. Query, Is it caught? Lower part of the mouth + formed by its owner." The notes continue, but are almost + exclusively botanical. + +In the spring of 1837, Mr. Roby made a rapid tour on the Continent, the +notes and illustrative sketches of which were published in two volumes +by Messrs. Longman and Co., under the title of "Seven Weeks in Belgium, +Switzerland, Lombardy, Piedmont, Savoy, &c." His quickness, and +clearness of observation, and power of placing before the reader's eye, +in a few words, the objects which met his own, render the book +delightful and refreshing to those whom duty detains at home. Notes were +taken on the spot, and but slightly amplified, so that the narrative has +all the freshness of a youthful description of a day's pleasure. If the +road branches off in two directions, and the driver hardly knows which +to take, the reader himself feels puzzled, and thinks with apprehension +of the nearness of the sun to the horizon, and the miles yet to be +traversed; if the traveller is sailing down the lake listlessly drinking +in the beauty around him, the reader, too, feels the calm repose of the +still expanse of waters, and the softened grandeur of the panorama of +mountains. Even "the dry hard names" of rare plants--music to the +botanist--followed as they are here by their more familiar synonyms, +enhance the charm of the book: we look up from the sunny surface of the +glacier to the crimson flowers of the _Azalea procumbens_ (trailing +Azalea) starring the barren rock. Graphic description alternates with +personal adventure and amusing anecdote, marked alike by vivacity of +style, and the buoyant spirit of the author. Charming as a narrative of +continental travel, it at the same time has been said, "as a guide book +to the continent," to be "the best that was ever written,"--the +sight-seer, the lover of scenery, and the botanist may use it to equal +advantage. It shows how much may be secured by a really active and +inquisitive mind, in a few weeks, while the full particulars respecting +passports, routes, distances, moneys, exchanges, &c., puts the reader in +the way of enjoying as much himself, when it falls to his lot to take +the same route. The pictures of nature are in Mr. Roby's own effective +style. The start from the Custom-house, termed by the "Literary Gazette" +"a Calcott picture in a few lines," is an instance. "It was a calm grey +morning, the population were hardly astir, the river with its +wilderness of masts seemed hardly awake; and the very water having been +suffered to rest untroubled for a space, looked dull and drowsy." The +impressions made by the first sight of Alpine scenery on a mind like +his, are, as it may be expected, vividly told. It was of this part of +the work, that a lady, who had been familiar with good English scenery +all her life, and did justice to it both by pen and pencil, remarked, +"That book taught me to look at mountains." + +In 1840 Mr. Roby again visited the Continent by a different route, +adhering to his custom of making notes and sketches of what he saw. At +the close of the same year his attention was engaged by the preparation +of a new edition of the "Traditions of Lancashire," in a less expensive +form, so as to bring it within the reach of general readers. It was +published in three volumes by Colburn, as the first of a series of +Popular Traditions of England. + +Mr. Roby's delight was as great in imparting as in imbibing knowledge, +and he took a warm interest in all institutions for its diffusion. The +principal literary occupation of the next four years appears to have +been the preparation and delivery of lectures in connexion with +societies of this kind, in which his native county so eminently abounds. +His early efforts, while yet residing at Wigan, and the welcome +reception they met with, have been before noticed; quite as acceptable +were the matured results of reading and research now offered to larger +and more mixed audiences. In the early autumn of 1838 he gave a course +of ten lectures in the theatre, Rochdale, in aid of the Philosophic and +Literary Society of that town, on botany; comprising both classification +and physiology, illustrated by large diagrams painted in distemper. They +were afterwards delivered at Manchester, accompanied by some beautiful +experiments, made with the aid of Dr. Warwick's oxy-hydrogen microscope, +kindly superintended by that gentleman, and subsequently at the +Collegiate Institution, Liverpool. + +The subjects of other lectures were various. A course of four, on +Tradition, as connected with, and illustrating history, antiquities, and +Romance, were delivered at Rochdale. Drawings executed in a bold style +in black and red chalks, many of them thrown off at the time, +illustrated either the localities where the various legends had birth, +or the costumes, style of building, &c. of the period. One set of +lectures which the writer has been so happy as to find fully written +out, manifests not only his taste for art, but his knowledge of its +principles. They are on painting, embracing light and shade, +composition, colour, and perspective; and when delivered, were copiously +illustrated, occasionally by pictures of the old masters in his +possession. He was never more at home, than when ministering to the +instruction or gratification of others. His talents, information, +acquisitions of various kinds, whatever he might happen to possess, that +could at all contribute to the purpose, were put in requisition; and +when the idea he wished to convey, or illustrate, was caught by his +audience, or in private by his listening friends, his countenance became +radiant with pleasure; the belief that he had been of use in any way to +others, was one of his highest gratifications. + +Among his MSS. are some lectures on architecture, commencing with the +rude huts of barbarous tribes, and then proceeding to the structures, as +far as they are known, of the ancient nations. Gothic architecture finds +its place in the fifth lecture; but from the abruptness with which it +breaks off in the middle of a sentence, it appears that the lectures +were not completed. There are also, memoranda and rough diagrams for +distinct lectures on baronial architecture. + +A friend of Mr. Roby's, who was also for many years a neighbour, has +kindly favoured the writer with the following recollections of some of +his lectures. + + "The cheerful alacrity with which on several occasions Mr. Roby + yielded to the solicitations of his fellow-townsmen, by giving + gratuitous lectures to assist their Institution, was evidence of + his often-expressed wish to raise his less fortunate countrymen + in the scale of intellectual and social life. I often came in + contact with him in connexion with the Rochdale Literary and + Philosophic Society, for which he gave several lectures on + Tradition, Botany, and some other subjects. His lectures on the + Linnaean system of Botany, and another series on the Physiology of + Plants, given before our society, were of the very first + character; displaying an amount of research, and a power of + analysis, combined with most felicitous modes of illustration, + rarely meeting in the same individual. The colored drawings used + on these occasions, executed by himself and his son, would have + done honour to any artist. Such was the popularity of the two + botanical courses, that, by request, they were repeated in + Manchester, and some other neighbouring towns. In illustrating + the lectures on Tradition, the rapidity with which he could throw + off the gable or window of an old manor-house or any object of a + similar character, was, to me, perfectly marvellous--a few + touches, and the effect was produced." + +The most popular of the lectures were those on the peculiarities of the +Lancashire dialect. They were delivered to crowded audiences at several +literary institutions, connected with different large towns in the +county. In a tolerably full abstract, given by the "Preston Pilot," and +in the original notes, there is ample proof of the highly interesting +character of these lectures. Ethnological inquiries, full of attraction +to the lovers of that science, formed the introduction, while, to a +Lancashire audience, the charm of the whole must have been irresistible, +and have furnished an entertainment second only to "Mathews at Home." +The fund of anecdote, the rich racy humour which sparkled through the +lecture, the inimitable wit of "Tummus and Meary," and the equally +inimitable tones of the voice which then gave it utterance, are still +fresh in the recollection of many. Had the lectures been fully written +out, they would have made a charming little Christmas book, fascinating +alike from the information contained, and the mirth it would provoke. +The anecdotes are all indicated in the notes by the principal word or +sentence, and go far to prove what the lecturer asserted, that a +Lancashire man would at any time equal an Irishman in wit. + +These lectures were last delivered at Preston, in March, 1844. Having +commenced the series, Mr. Roby, with characteristic determination, +persisted in carrying it through, though suffering from a severe attack +of influenza, which he kept at bay by force of will. Immediately on his +return home his health gave way. Mischief had been going on for years, +but the activity of his mind, and that indomitable spirit, which would +bear extreme suffering before it complained, even to itself, had +prevented his heeding any indications of disease, till it had pervaded +the whole system. The disorder baffled medical skill; change of scene +was tried in vain: as months rolled on his sufferings increased; and, +though still striving to attend to professional duties, he was utterly +unfit to cope with care and anxiety of any kind. Physical pain rendered +him incapable of deriving pleasure from any of those sources which had +heretofore afforded such rich enjoyment. Society, art, intellectual +pursuits, became not only insipid but distasteful, and with this +suffering a new element mingled, deep mental distress. Holy Writ speaks +of such a thing as the heart not being "right in the sight of God," and +a fearful consciousness that such was his own case, now became as "the +arrow of the Almighty, the poison whereof drinketh up the spirit." An +increasingly vivid apprehension of the just claims of the Being who +demands of His creatures, the love of "heart and mind, and soul, and +strength," a deepening insight into his own nature, augmented the +torturing sense of his own deficiency. In a life without reproach, spent +in the discharge of duty, and in refined and ennobling pursuits, there +was nothing on which self-observation, while it looked at the outward, +could detect a stain. Life had hitherto been too busy, time too fully +and pleasantly occupied, to afford leisure for self-inspection; but now +the ordinary routine of pursuit had been broken, and involuntary +retirement induced; the eye was turned within, and the result was a +conviction that GOD had not thus been loved with heart, and soul, and +strength; and the spirit which had so long been partially under the +power of great principles, now awoke to feel that it must incorporate +them with its very life--or die. Little wonder that, on a spirit whose +sensibilities were at once quick and strong, and on whom impressions +once made were singularly permanent, such discoveries should work agony +so intense, or that those who understood not the cause of the distress, +should think that reason herself was giving way. Such has often been +said of others, who were passing through the same crisis of their mental +history, not inaptly termed "the everlasting No!" His mind had too much +play to lose its balance. A more stolid mind, or a brain like "the +gentle" Cowper's, predisposed to malady, would in all probability have +given way, as month after month, year after year, rolled away and +brought no relief. It was a suffering no friends could soothe; his +mental conformation peculiar,--none seemed to meet its emergencies. +Bodily disease no doubt aggravated mental agony, but as + + "No wounds like those a wounded spirit feels" + + So + + "No cure for such, till GOD who makes them heals." + +For a long time the only relief of which his mind was susceptible, arose +from his acquaintance with one in some respects similar to his own, one +which understood his sufferings perfectly, for it had known the same +both in kind and in degree. The moral element in each, which recoiled +from the divine requirements, must have taken precisely the same form of +action. Beautiful, even from the very contrasts it presented, was the +true and faithful friendship that ensued, between minds sympathising in +one point of overpowering interest, though in training and pursuits +widely dissimilar; and warm was the gratitude with which he ever held in +remembrance those unwearied efforts to pour consolation into his +tortured spirit. + +To trace the mental history for three or four years, from the +commencement of the illness, would be too painful, even were the subject +not too sacred. Increasing physical disease, wearing trial of other +kinds, asked for a spirit vigorous and happy in the Christian's +strength, to bear up against them; but instead of that the mind had at +the same time woes of its own to sustain. Left to feel as it had never +before felt, its own inwrought sinfulness and utter helplessness, it was +borne down, crushed, only rising again to suffer anew, and again to +sink. If the promises of GOD shone out as the stars in a cloudy night, +it was only a momentary gleam, and dense darkness covered the face of +heaven as before. Most touching are some private papers and letters, +written during this period. In the former, particularly, intense +yearning for the consciousness of a personal share in the Saviour's +love, earnest longings to be able with appropriating faith to say "_My_ +Father," are expressed with an emphasis, that renders them an embodiment +of mental suffering in all its reality and severity. Afterwards, when +the time of trial was past, and he could look back on it and trace its +effects, he frequently remarked, that he believed no other than the +severe discipline he then underwent, could have brought a spirit like +his to entire self-renunciation. Cant or religious pretence was alike +repugnant to his nature, and to his cultivated taste; but in those days +of suffering he gained such insight into himself, as led him, pure as +his outward life had been, fully to appropriate the strongest +expressions, by which the scriptures indicate the sinfulness of human +nature. He then recognised in this period of mental conflict and +distress, the direct acting of the Spirit of GOD, revealing those things +which "the natural man knoweth not." What were dimly apprehended +before, as little more than objects of intellectual belief--the extent +of the moral derangement of his own nature, the mystery of personal +connexion with the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ--had now become +matters of cordial faith. Thus, raised by His power into a full +participation of those things, only to be understood by such +participation, his became a new existence. The secret spring of daily +actions was changed. Never living entirely without the _fear_ of GOD as +a _controlling_ principle, he now became sensible of _love_ to Him as an +_impelling_ principle, causing him to seek to serve Him to whom he owed +so much, and to follow His will in all the pursuits of life. + +Having so long tried in vain the various measures prescribed by the best +medical advice, both at home, and in different places he visited, Mr. +Roby turned as a last resource to the Water Cure. He went to Malvern in +the spring of 1847; looking up, as he afterwards said, to those +beautiful hills, as he approached them, with the thought "I shall never +walk there--I am only coming to die." Encouragement being given him, to +expect ultimate recovery, and finding the process of cure would be very +slow, he at once broke up his establishment at Rochdale, and fixed his +residence for the time at Malvern. His own medical attendant considered +him past hope when he left the north; nor was it in the power of +medicine to effect a cure. When he commenced the trial of Hydropathy, +Dr. Gully pronounced the sheath of every nerve to be in a state of +active inflammation. Almost every aliment he took increased the +irritation; medicine only added fuel to the flame. He pursued the water +treatment vigorously for some months, before he perceived any benefit, +and to his own indomitable perseverance in following the prescribed +directions he owed, under the blessing of GOD, his surprising +restoration. A remarkably good constitution, unimpaired by excesses of +any kind, gave every advantage to remedial measures in combating +disease, and in the end his case proved an instance of the perfect +success of those measures. + +Distinct as was his mental suffering in its true cause from the physical +malady, they aggravated each other, and in recovery their mutual action +was observable. Faith and Hope by slow degrees gained strength; the +spirit insensibly grew calmer, the SON of GOD was seen walking on the +waves, and the tempest was hushed. The burning anxiety within now +quenched in the sense of reconciliation with GOD, "My Father" being at +last the delighted cry of the spirit; there was no longer a latent +impediment to the complete restoration of health. + +The first palpable symptom of general improvement, was the gradual +return of his love for botany, and pleasure in the pursuit. This was +nurtured by his excellent wife, who, with a delight which can only be +imagined by those who have watched the returning health of some beloved +one, induced him to make a botanical object for their daily drives. The +Flora of the neighbourhood contained many rare plants only known to +him, through Sowerby's figures or dried specimens. By degrees, amendment +became more decidedly marked, his native flow of spirits began to +return, though at first feebly: and she who through those years of +suffering--a period almost as painful to the patient's friends as to +himself--had nursed him with the tenderest care, and unwearied +affection, now realized the sentiment of the poet, + + "Sweet when the winter of disease is past, + And the glad spring of health returns at last, + On a loved cheek long bloomless, to behold + Its first faint leaf the trembling rose unfold. + * * * * * + * * * * * + "Oh, doubly blest, who then can trusting view + The buoyant step, the vigour-beaming hue; + And love's fond cares recall'd, with joy divine + Can whisper to his heart,--That work is mine! + + "_Lines addressed to Mr. Wedgewood by Dr. Thomas Brown, Late + Prof. Mor. Phil. in the Univers. of Edinb._" + +She had her reward--she lived long enough to see the object of her +affectionate solicitude restored to health, the powers of mind and body +returning in full force, and was then herself prostrated by an illness +before which her constitution gave way. She died peacefully and happily, +in the faith and hope of the Gospel, just as a new year was opening with +all its promise on others. A blow so sudden and unexpected, was +bewildering; the companion of years was gone, the bereaved one was +alone, and in new scenes. His efforts at cheerfulness in the society of +casual acquaintance, compared with the mastery feeling would gain over +him, when he entered into the home society of nearer friends, attested +the severity of this new trial. But happily for the mourner, he could +recur to the calm and peace of those last moments, they seemed to be to +him, the most precious of earthly recollections. + +He once more turned to his pen, and sought a healthy solace for his +lonely hours in mental occupation, first obtaining leave of his +physician, who assured him that the wish to write, intimated he might do +so with safety. During the ensuing summer and autumn he gave what +leisure the imperative claims of "the cure," permitted, to literary +occupation of various kinds. But still _home_ was not the same, there +was a kind of dislocation in the social life (if the expression may be +allowed) he could not write as he was wont to do. He persevered, and as +months rolled on regained his usual facility of composition. A tale of +considerable length, founded on the characteristics of modern life, +occupied him during the winter. Though lacking the romance of the olden +time, it was not deficient in stirring incident and spirited dialogue. +It appeared in "Hogg's Weekly Instructor," from May to August 1850. + +The following lines, composed after he had recommenced writing, are +among the few which, bearing a date, allow of insertion in the right +place. They are now garnered among life's precious things, having been +addressed to a family group of whom the writer of this sketch was one: + + "Ye came across my path + In life's dark lonely way, + A gleam upon its dreary track, + A bright but transient ray; + Or like some vivid meteor-light, + Which dazzling, leaves a deeper night! + + "Or like an evening gleam + Athwart some stormy sky, + On rocks, woods, waves the radiance breaks + In glory and in joy. + Ere all is wrapt in doubt and gloom, + And darkness falls o'er daylight's tomb. + + "Like memories of the past, + When life's young morn was bright; + And all the glowing future, one + Wide atmosphere of light. + Ere gathering clouds the skies o'erspread + And early hope's brief sunshine fled. + + "'Twere better ne'er to taste + Of pleasure's thrilling draught, + Than the parch'd, fever'd, thirsty lip + To leave ere it be quaff'd! + 'Twere better launch on Lethe's stream, + Than bliss to feel a bygone dream. + + "To meet,--and meet no more! + One look and then to sever; + To feel 'tis but a parting glance + And then 'Farewell' for ever! + As from bright tints deep shades we borrow, + Joys past but deepen present sorrow. + + "All earthly joy must fade, + All earthly bliss decay, + Life but the sunshine and the shower + Of some brief "April day:" + Till death like night's grim shadow steals, + And all the unknown at once reveals! + + "And earthly idols, all + Must perish if too dear; + We ne'er should seek enduring bliss + Could we but find it here. + Our dearest, tenderest ties must break, + Hopes wither oft, and friends forsake. + + "And though your presence now + A vision of the past; + And those bright laughing sunny hours + Too joyous were to last; + Yet like the perfume of the flower + More fragrant in the twilight hour, + + "So though unseen,--beheld + In memory's milder light, + More tender and more hallow'd seem + Forms too remote for sight. + In memory's softer hues enshrin'd + What cherish'd hopes are left behind! + + "And though we meet no more, + Though destined far apart, + The fond remembrance lingers long + That lingers in the heart; + A breath, a touch, the chord may thrill, + And all the past our bosom fill. + + "Adieu! whate'er betide + On life's unstable sea, + In darkness or in light the Power + Unseen your solace be. + In joy or woe, whate'er His will, + His hand your guide, your safety still! + + "Great Malvern, May 1848." + +To test Mr. Roby's power of language in a sportive mood, the first +letter and last word in each line of the following acrostic were given +him one evening. The order of the rhymes as well as of the initial +letters was to remain unchanged. On the following morning he produced +the lines completed. The Ivy Rock was a favourite haunt in a ravine on +the hills. + + "Malvern the birth-place of English Poetry. + The vision of Pierce Plowman from THE IVY ROCK."[D] + + "The minstrel seer look'd out _afar_, + His eye was keen, his glance was _long_; + Eve deck'd her brow with one fair _star_ + In glory oft to hear his _song_. + Visions of after-years bursting to _life_, + Yon wide plain swept in shadows huge and _dim_ + Records of woe, and dread, and coming _strife_! + On that lone rock, while mute his evening _hymn_ + Calm silence sate;--and through the live-long _night_ + Kindled his rapt eye in prophetic _light_. + + "Malvern, March 21, 1849." + +In the summer of 1849, Mr. Roby again married. The loved, and almost +idolized head of a happy home, he appeared, as he had never before to +those who only knew him in his bereaved life, breathing an atmosphere of +happiness, and diffusing it around him, till even the sorrowful grew +bright with smiles, and + + "Souls by nature pitch'd too high, + By suffering plunged too low," + +were lifted up again into the untroubled joy of childhood. It was +impossible the traveller should retain his mantle of grief with such +fervid sunshine around him. The enthusiasm of his nature gathered new +force from the buoyancy of recovered health, and found its own element +in the exquisite woodland scenery lying among the recesses of the +Cotswold hills. To those who know these woods, or have once seen them in +the tender luxuriance of very early summer, this term is not too strong. +The rich botanical treasures they presented, were many of them new to +him. The writer cannot forget the intense pleasure with which he +discovered among the last year's beech leaves, and held up to view, the +beautiful _Epipactis grandiflora_ (white helleborine), which he had only +once before seen, his companion, never. Nor the delight with which on +another occasion he hailed the long-sought _Listera nidus avis_ +(birds-nest ophrys), now found for the first time in its native habitat. +Nor did he lose the general impression of nature in scientific details. +The beautiful effects of light and shadow, the peculiar blue air tint of +the beech woods, every thing that went to form the perfect whole, seemed +individually to fill his spirit with exquisite pleasure. And as, in that +evening's wandering through the Cranham woods, with friends whose +spirits were kindred--looking down the hanging wood, through a +lengthening vista, the evening mist was seen creeping on, its hues +changing gradually from soft rose-colour to deep purple, the novel and +almost unearthly beauty of the scene was such, that all caught his +rapture, and felt that never before had any thing so vividly imaged the +paradise of the spirit-world. It might have been the painter's +conception of Bunyan's land of Beulah. + +The early autumn of the year was spent among the Cumberland mountains. +Furnished with a botanical tin, pressing-book, and sketch-book--the +provision for the day slung at the saddle-bow, some delightful +excursions of about five-and-twenty miles a day were made. Nothing could +be more congenial with his buoyant, independent spirit, than the freedom +of these mountain rambles--professional guides dispensed with, he always +squire of dames, and horses too. Starting early in the morning, dining +one day on the mountain's brow, the next in the recesses of Borrowdale, +amid the haunts of the rarer ferns, or under the shadow of Honister +Crag, in the silence of the mountain solitudes; and then with the +declining sun, treasure-laden, wending our homeward way as the evening +shadows crept on, until, + + "Every leaf was lost + In the dark hedges," + +and the road lengthened itself out as if interminably, till at last the +lights twinkled cheeringly as Keswick came in sight. + +While thus with youth renewed--for certainly Hydropathy in Mr. Roby's +case seemed to effect more than the mere removal of disease--life became +one long holiday of enjoyment, it was also a period of earnest work. + + "Like as a star, + That maketh not haste + And taketh not rest," + +he + + "Was ever fulfilling + His GOD-given hest." + +With no claims of a secular profession upon him, and with a spirit +chastened and hallowed by suffering, he devoted his energies to +literature principally, but at the same time he was prompt to use his +powers in any way for the good of his fellow-men. Impressed more deeply +than ever with the conviction that in the faith, and practice of +Christianity alone, lie the true happiness and virtue of our race; and +that in the exercise of his talents, man's only adequate aim is to be +found in the service of GOD, he sought by a more constant infusion of +Christian principles, in the productions of his pen, to give a +corresponding tone to the minds of his readers; thus working + + "As ever in his great Task-master's eye." + +Bearing in mind a truth burnt in by affliction, how entirely he owed +life and immortality to a Saviour's love, he "loved much" in return, and +found in that love, a motive for unsparing labour. During his stay at +Keswick, he was placed in circumstances which called upon him to +conduct the worship of a few poor people from Sabbath to Sabbath. That +self-distrust which so eminently characterised him before GOD, was +immediately roused. The pleasure he had known in swaying large +audiences, in striking out from listening countenances the sympathetic +flash, recurred to his mind, and he feared, lest in holy things +self-seeking should intrude; "I am so afraid of running before I am +sent," was the remark made in confidence, where each feeling of the soul +was uttered as it rose. But the call was clear and distinct, the voice +of "the Master" was heard and obeyed. Sad and strange would it have been +if the tongue so eloquent for the gratification of his fellow-men, had +been silent when their highest welfare was to be promoted--if that voice +raised at man's request for his passing pleasure, had been dumb for God. +And doubtless the light of the spirit-world, which even when we only +catch it dimly reflected from the mantles of the ascending ones, +resolves into + + "The baseless fabric of a vision," + +the objects of earthly ambition, has now confirmed the judgment passed +by the faithful spirit, whose simple aim while here, was to "_do the +will_" of his Father in heaven. + +The Religious Tract Society's Monthly Messenger, for September of that +year, No 63, was from his pen. It had an extensive circulation, and a +slight fact relative to it, that has recently come to light, is doubly +interesting when it is borne in mind, how intensely the writer of the +Tract had suffered, and how deep in consequence was his sympathy with +all mental distress. A poor woman in the south of England was so weighed +down with family troubles, that she came one day to the resolution of +ending them that night, by throwing herself into a river which ran hard +by her dwelling. Before evening, a gentleman who was not aware of the +state of her affairs, put into her hands a copy of the tract referred +to. The inquiry with which it was headed, "Are you fit to die?" arrested +her attention. She felt she was not fit to die, and her resolution was +shaken--she deferred, at least for that night, fulfilling her intention. +The conviction of her unfitness for another world deepened; she was led +to seek forgiveness and renewal of spirit--she found the way of peace, +and the last thing heard of her, was that her worldly circumstances also +were prospering. It may be worth observing, that probably the tract had +the more point, entered more into the heart of the reader, from the fact +of its having been written with an individual strongly before the +author's mind. A young woman, whose life was rapidly going in confirmed +consumption, while she was utterly unaware of her danger, had excited +his deepest interest. Merry, buoyant, well disposed towards every one +and every thing, except the subject of religion; her dislike or fixed +aversion to which went beyond all bounds. The tract was written, but +before it was published he had lost all traces of her. + +Most conspicuous during this journey was his untiring industry combined +with the variety of his pursuits, no one of which seemed to interfere +with another. The industrious botanist, and equally industrious artist, +yet found leisure for careful reading, and the use of the pen. Every +moment had its occupation; the rainy days were devoted to literary work +or the finishing of sketches, broken by a quiet game of chess. While at +Bowness Mr. Roby enjoyed one high gratification, a few details of which, +though given in a private letter, may be inserted without apology, as +the subject is of general interest. + + "Saturday, Sept. 30th. + + "We have seen Wordsworth to-day. As we accompanied friends of my + husband's (the Rev. J. H. and Mrs. Addison, of Birthwaite Abbey) + who happened to owe Mr. and Mrs. Wordsworth a morning visit, we + did not feel intruders. As usual the day was brilliant, we had a + delightful row up the lake, the trees on the islands had the rich + scarlet and russet tints of autumn, while those on the shore + still retained their soft green, making the edges of the lake + perfectly verdant. A flight of snow that fell yesterday covered + the tops of the mountains which came out in the full sunshine, + pure white against the brightest of blue skies. Past the lake, we + rowed up the Rotha as far as it is practicable, and there leaving + the boats,--cloaks as well--moored to the margin of the stream, + we took a beautiful path, through private grounds, on the left of + the river, passing Fox How, from whence I bring you an ivy relic, + to Rydal Mount. _Mr._ Wordsworth, (as of course he is here,) was + just sitting down to dinner; he came out and begged us to stay in + the drawing-room, or in the grounds if we preferred it, till + dinner was over. We chose to stroll about, which gave time for a + sketch. After a short time, Mr. Wordsworth came and took us into + the drawing-room to see Mrs. W. He was not so tall as I had + expected, probably the effect of years; his voice somewhat + indistinct, gave indications of old age, not so his ideas or + expressions. The lower part of his face is deeply furrowed; but + when sitting with his back to the light, animated in + conversation, every thing is lost in its glowing expression, + except his noble expanse of forehead. He chatted away on literary + matters with my husband, evidently with hearty pleasure. They + talked of a distinguished living writer; of his style, Mr. + Wordsworth remarked, that every sentence seemed finished by + itself, which was never the case with our best writers--that + reviewing had an injurious effect on the style of a literary man, + the reviewer has ever to be saying something that will tell, + every sentence must be striking. + + "Allusion was made to a new neighbour; Wordsworth observed that + she was clever, but apt to be imposed on; he confessed that on + the whole, he was sorry she had come there, on account of her + habit of not going to a place of worship: the example might do no + harm in London, Manchester, and those large places, where people + did not know their next-door neighbour, but here it was + different, and no good she could do would be equal to the harm of + her example; 'but,' he added, 'I like her benevolence, and + forgive many things for that.' One other remark he made must not + be forgotten; speaking of a writer whom he considered not a safe + guide on account of his prejudices, he said, 'He is so prejudiced + he does not know when he lies.' + + "Altogether the visit was one of high delight. There was so much + more enthusiasm about him, than from the philosophic cast of his + poems I had expected. The genial glow of his manner, the warmth + of his shake of hands at parting, and especially the quick + pleasure with which he turned round to his wife whenever she made + a remark, and the affectionate tone in which, when he did not + catch it, he would inquire, 'What did you say, Mary'? quite won + my heart. He impressed us, too, as a Christian living in + obedience to, and communion with Heaven. His personal character + seemed to come out with a completeness one would hardly have + believed possible in our interview. I shall understand and love + all he has written, the better for this visit." + +Returning homewards, Mr. Roby made several visits among his family and +friends. Little was it thought when one gratification and another were +deferred owing to the lateness of the season till the _next_ visit, that +this was the _last_. The cordiality and pleasure with which he was +welcomed, left a delightful recollection of Lancashire and Yorkshire +hospitality. The country had not yet lost all its beauty, the rich +Autumn tints of October were still lingering on the Bolton Woods: the +Wharfe gave forth his peculiar music as he rushed along his rocky bed in +the open meadow, or dashed madly over the fearful Strid, till even those +accustomed to gaze drew back from the fascination. One day was devoted +to York, the metropolis of his native North. His familiarity with the +remains of antiquity so pre-eminently abounding in that city, and his +enthusiasm equal to his knowledge, rendered him one of the best of +Ciceroni. Ever vivid will be the impressions of that day; the grandeur +of the Minster, as the South Front, with its beautiful marygold window +comes suddenly into view at the end of the old narrow street; the +solemnity which seemed to pervade the very atmosphere within; the seven +sisters memorialized in those unique chaste lights which bear their +name--and never was the light of Heaven intercepted by aught so soft, so +subdued, so meet for a Temple of the Most High, with no distraction from +higher thought in its beauty--and the incomparable west windows, where +the tracery is so light, and the colouring so gorgeous, that it seems as +if the stone work were melting into gems. And how was all that glory +heightened as it was reflected back from his spirit, the true home of +the beauty which the material can only symbolize. + +The Red Tower, the scene of one of his published tales; the site of the +Roman Praetorium, the scene of another; the unrivalled Museum gardens, +with their Roman and Gothic remains, the Multangular Tower and St. +Mary's Abbey, the city walls, &c., &c., all that could be seen in one +day, by the help of good walking, and unflagging spirits, contributed to +our enjoyment. What could not be brought in, was left for future years, +so fondly reckoned on, when a stay of weeks or months in the city was to +allow all its recesses to be explored, and the spirit of the place to be +thoroughly imbibed. Yet beyond all comparison with the other pleasures +of the day, great as they were, was the enjoyment in a manner created by +his intense delight in the present, and in the plans for the +future;--yet of that future "if the Master will," was ever on his lips. +The hour that came "as a thief in the night," found him watching. + +By Christmas, Mr. Roby had settled down at Malvern, and commenced his +winter's work. His habit was to devote the first hour or half hour after +breakfast, to religious reading, selecting such works as bore on +personal or devotional, rather than on theoretic or polemical subjects. +Among the last he read, were some new favorites:--Hodge's "Way of Life," +and his "Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans;" Alleine's "Heaven +Opened," and Sheppard's "Devotional Thoughts." "Milner's Sermons," which +had long held the highest place in his estimation, were frequently in +hand. The rest of the forenoon was given to literary occupation, as were +the evenings when not spent in society. The only interruption to this +quiet course of life, was the delivery of his Lectures on Botany; (which +had been given two months previously at Northampton,) before the +Worcestershire Natural History Society, in January, 1850. This would +scarcely be worthy of mention, were it not for a circumstance which +arose out of the engagement. While arranging the diagrams preparatory to +the delivery of the last lecture, Mr. Roby incautiously stepped too near +the back of the platform, which was protected only by a curtain, his +left foot slipped, and the right leg was bent back from the knee on +which the whole weight of the body was consequently thrown. He had, +however, the self-command to go through the lecture without in the least +betraying what he suffered, except by the lameness involuntarily shown +when he had occasion to move in order to point out the different +illustrations; but the agony he endured was intense, and he reached home +sick and faint from its long continuance. His power of bearing pain +often excited surprise and admiration in those who witnessed it, so +complete in his case was the "power of the soul over the body." It was +mental, not bodily, anguish that he dreaded. Mr. Roby never quite +recovered from the effects of this accident, though, contrary to the +expectation of those who were acquainted with the extent of the injury, +by the time he left Malvern in June, they were not perceptible in his +walk. The muscles, however, had not fully regained their play, the act +of kneeling was difficult and painful; mounting gaps and fences in his +botanical rambles still more so; he was ever fearful of a stray stone, +feeling that a trifle might occasion a fall: and this, it is +apprehended, must have increased his peril on the awful morning of the +18th of June. + +In spite of pain, he worked hard during the winter and spring. He +finished a series of papers, containing a popular introduction to +Botany; wrote two reviews, one for the Literary Gazette on Dr. Addison's +recent work on Consumption; the other, for Hogg's Weekly Instructor, on +a work which had just appeared by the author of "Dr. Hookwell," entitled +"Dr. Johnson, his Religious Life and Death." But his principal +occupation was the composition of a series of tales, intended to +illustrate the influence of Christianity in successive periods. At this +he laboured incessantly. The consecration of his talents in any way +their nature admitted to the service of HIM whom with George Herbert he +delighted to call "My Master," was the mainspring of his untiring +energy. And when only once the voice of affection suggested that he was +working too hard, he replied, as though with a presentiment of the +sudden coming on of night to him, to the effect that he had not long to +work, adding, "I must not sit still and see the stream run by." He +prepared six of the tales (deferring one for the fourth century till he +had received a copy of a work which a friend had promised on the +Druidical Worship), thus bringing the series down to the close of the +seventh century, when superstitious rites and observances began to +overspread Christendom. At the end of the closing tale he glances at the +gathering darkness, and thus concludes with the last words he ever wrote +for the press:--"In our next we shall trace some of those mysterious +dispensations,--inscrutable to us, but doubtless among the 'all things' +which work together for good, and 'for the furtherance of his gospel.'" +It is not surprising that these words, little noticed when first +listened to, on the completion of the story, should, when seen again a +few weeks after the sad catastrophe, seem like words of comfort which +affection had unconsciously traced against the day of need. Little more +was accomplished besides sketching out future occupation for the pen in +old and new directions. An instance of the latter now vividly recurs to +mind: seeing Tieck's Phantasien one morning on a friend's table, he +borrowed it, to ascertain if a translation of the tales would suit a +purpose he had in view, and to try how two minds could work together. +The experiment was perfectly successful. Very slightly acquainted with +the language himself, the tale was read off to him in what English, or +sometimes half Germanized English, was at command: the rough-hewn +thought was instantly apprehended in all its beauty and meaning by the +listener, and given back, in his own polished style, rather "a +transfusion than translation." The pleasure was unexpectedly cut short +in the midst of a tale, after the second or third evening, and it was +with a feeling, even then recognised as akin to foreboding, that the +unfinished volume was returned to the friend whose sudden departure from +Malvern thus put an end to the delightful occupation. + +As the spring advanced, and the effects of the accident were so much +diminished as to allow of the free exercise of walking, Mr. Roby renewed +his botanical rambles, generally in the society of friends; and very +pleasant were these little parties that wound over the hill-top or +through the woody lanes and green meadows of Herefordshire, in search of +plants to supply his own and his friends' desiderata, or those of the +London Botanical Society, of which he was a member. And, quick as was +his eye for rare plants, it caught even more quickly those beautiful +effects on the landscape which the changeful skies of spring so often +produce, making a perfect picture of an old farm-stead a broken +foreground, contrasting with the soft retiring distance or the gently +swelling slopes, where beneath the trees scarcely yet in leaf the wind +flowers bowed as the breeze passed over them. + +Perhaps the crowning botanical pleasure of the season was his lighting +upon the beautiful _Pinguicula vulgaris_ (common Butterwort) in a spongy +place on the hill. He seemed the very personification of happiness, as +he hastened home, with buoyant step and sparkling eye, to one whose +desire to see, equalled his own to show, this pride of our bogs. Often +in the preceding autumn at the Lakes had the pale green star-like tuft +of leaves called forth eloquent praises of its beauty, and corresponding +regrets that the time of its flowering was over for the season. The +Lancashire Asphodel was the one other flower which he most regretted not +being able to show, as its withered spikes indicated again and again +where it had bloomed. + +Spring was deepening into summer, when Mr. Roby made arrangements for a +journey into Scotland. Furnished, through the kindness of a friend, with +introductions to the best society in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, +with the prospect of the meeting of the British Association, and the +anticipation of renewing mountain rambles, he looked forward to the +summer with raised expectations. + +In approaching the last few hours the writer feels the alternative lies +between making the slightest possible reference to them, or casting +herself on the reader's sympathy and indulgence, and using details which +were written three years since, with near friends, rather than the +public, before her mind. Thrown suddenly into circumstances where the +sway of grief was broken by constantly recurring necessity for thought +and action, the mind was excited and over-strained to incessant exertion +rather than stunned, and under the prolonged excitement, it could go +again over scenes which it is now too much a coward to encounter. She, +therefore, hopes there is no error in adopting the course now pursued, +and embodying the private MS. in the general narrative. + +We left Malvern for Egremont June 7th. The ten days passed there were +occupied with the interests of the two boys whom their father was +anxious to see set out in life. When he came in tired with a long +morning spent in Liverpool, after a few moments' rest, he would turn to +a sketch that had been in progress during his absence, and, fatigue all +vanishing, would call for pencil and colours, take his seat at the +window, and go on with the drawing. It was a great favourite of his. Of +all the pleasures with which life was replete, none delighted him more +than this, both working on the same picture, without betraying by any +want of unity in the design or harmony in the colouring, that two minds +had been engaged. _That drawing_ alas! which he fondly called "the best +yet," lies in the ill-fated wreck. + +Pleasant, and yet painful, are the memoirs of evening rambles along the +beach watching the vessels as they came and went. One elegant yacht, +which his artist eye detected among the numerous craft, is well +remembered: he fixed her form in his mind, and destined her for "the +drawing"--one of the many unfulfilled purposes. + +The last sabbath came, and it was a day of peace. We worshipped GOD +together; that hymn of Dr. Watts', so great a favourite of his from its +touching contrasts,-- + + "Give me the wings of Faith to rise," &c. + +opened the last service. As we walked home in the evening we felt +mentally invigorated: he seemed more than ever penetrated with a sense +of consecration to the service of GOD, and we communed of how, in our +coming sojourn amid new scenes, He might best be served. "He will make +it plain, He will point out our work for us," was my beloved husband's +closing remark. + +At three o'clock p.m. on Monday 17th June we embarked on board the +steamer Orion for Scotland, hoping to reach Glasgow by ten, and +Edinburgh by one o'clock the next day. Nothing could be calmer than the +sea, and we walked for hours on the deck, watching any vessel that came +in sight, and catching at intervals distant glimpses of the coast. Our +favourite spot was a narrow ledge at the stern immediately behind the +wheel. It just gave us footing, and enabled us to look over and watch +the track left by the vessel as she cut rapidly through the waves. The +white foam, the various shades of pale green, darkening as we seemed to +look down into the depths of the ocean, recalled descriptions of the +glaciers, and the correctness of the supposed resemblance my husband +confirmed from his own recollections. + +Evening wore on--we took our last meal together on deck. The Isle of Man +came in sight; a sketch was taken for his approbation; and the bright +smile that rewarded it is sunshine even now. All recollections of him +are happy: the animation and hope with which he repeatedly expressed his +belief that his daughter's health, which was not firm, would be +completely established by the voyage; the quiet satisfaction of his +manner as we sat enjoying the present, sometimes glancing forward to the +morrow, all bespoke happiness. Indeed, all the characteristics of a +happy life seemed to meet in those few hours. There was the earnestness +and the tenderness of affection: there was, too, its playfulness. There +was the thought of still holier things: strong was the wish he expressed +that we could have been at the lowly meeting for prayer, which was +announced the night before for that evening. There was the love and +admiration of nature, as the glories of sunset deepened behind the Manx +mountains, and from his post of observation he again and again, in his +own earnest and animated manner, called me to his side. + +Chess--that recreation which seemed ever to have the effect on his mind +which exercise out of doors has on the jaded frame--was then resorted +to; and having found an antagonist, he went down into the saloon for a +game. As we were passing the light-house at the northern extremity of +the Isle of Man, which he had expressed a great wish to see, I called +him up. After watching it for a minute he went down again, remarking the +game would soon be finished. + +In order that neither lady should be left alone, particularly as one was +in delicate health, it was arranged that he should take a berth in the +gentlemen's cabin, and his daughter and I have a small cabin to +ourselves, our cabin and his being as near as possible. + +The last lady who remained above besides myself was the niece of Dr. +Burns. We had very agreeable conversation. She had taken the trip many +times, and I anticipated the pleasure my husband would have, when we met +at the breakfast-table in the morning, in making so pleasant and +intelligent an acquaintance. + +When we parted for the night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, I went +down into the saloon to make a few arrangements for the morning, and, +half afraid lest a sudden diversion of his ideas should lose my husband +the honour of victory, was just beginning some little apology for the +interruption, when he looked up with a smile, that said, "you are no +interruption," and replied "I am coming directly." I returned on deck +only for a short time, when, thinking it better to retire, and finding +beds were making up in the saloon for the night, I called the steward +and committed his dressing case to his keeping. Oh, that I had waited! +but had I, I should have lost that blessed promise of speedy re-union as +the last words I ever heard from him. + +My husband had more than once said to me, "Do not undress," and to that, +under the providence of God, I believe Lilla and I owed our safety. I +fell asleep about twelve o'clock. When the shock came, and the working +of the engines, which even in one's sleep was heard, suddenly ceased, we +were instantly aroused; and, looking at my watch to see the hour, in +order to have some known fact by which to collect oneself, I found it +was a quarter past one a.m. I jumped down from the berth, and, after +hastily swallowing a little brandy and water that happened to be in the +cabin, to check the sudden sick feeling of fright, put on bonnet and +cloak, and went on deck to learn what was the matter, first calling at +my husband's cabin door to see if he were there. The gentlemen assured +me he was up and gone, and knowing, as I did, his intention of not +undressing, and his quick habit of movement, I was satisfied that I +should find him on deck. He was not there, at least not on the +after-deck, where we had been together. All hands had evidently rushed +to the fore-part of the vessel, whence the alarm came, and doubtless he +had gone there at once, to ascertain what was the matter before he +alarmed us. Persons on deck said we were too near land, had run +a-ground, but should be off presently. The light at the harbour was +distinctly seen rather behind us, to our right; as was the high ground +above Port Patrick, apparently a very little distance off; while the fog +concealed the promontory right a-head of us, against which we must have +dashed in a few moments, had we not struck at the time we did. I went +down again to tell Lilla that they said there was no danger, but at the +same time assisted her to throw a few things hastily on, and then went +on deck. In the meantime my husband had not come to us. I went to his +cabin door again, to ask if he were there; but the inmates were in such +confusion they could give me no answer. Returning up the gang-way again, +I met the steward, and stood some minutes under the lamp, while he +looked down his way-bill, to ascertain that I was right in my husband's +number. He assured me that we should get off. On deck once again, I +perceived that the vessel inclined much more, that the fore-part had +sunk considerably: the noise and confusion were all there. The +after-deck was comparatively free from persons; a few, indeed, were +trying to lower one of the boats. We walked about, looking for my +husband, who was, I have now no doubt, entangled among the crowd of +persons in the fore-part, where most of the two hundred on board had +run. He must have been almost the first on deck; others rushed after him +in that direction: a rope--the slightest thing catching the weak +leg--would throw him down, and, with the noise and confusion, which at +any time would have been bewildering, it must have been impossible for +him to disentangle himself. What hindered me from running down into the +crowd to look for him, I know not, unless it were the persuasion that +he would instinctively come to the spot where we had been together, as I +had done; the expectation each moment that he would come seemed to fill +my mind: it never once occurred to me that he might be in greater danger +than ourselves. Only the conviction that the will of God was done can +prevent the mind from agonizing longings for that night to come over +again, were it a thousand times, for the merest chance of trying to save +him. + +The vessel was perceptibly going down in the fore-part, when the captain +jumped on the skylight, and assured the passengers that if they could +remain in the vessel they would be saved. This seemed probable, as the +shore boats were seen in the twilight putting towards us; but, alas! we +were now too rapidly sinking to allow of their near approach. The vessel +lurched gradually towards the shore. We had placed ourselves on the part +which, from the position of the ship, would be longest above water, with +the foot resting on the ledge, where we had so happily stood in the +afternoon. It enabled us to grasp a rope which came down from the +mizen-mast to the edge of the vessel, and there awaited her going down, +which I now saw was inevitable. We felt the power of God could save us, +if such were His will, or His mercy receive us to Himself: it was not a +new thing to approach Him, or to resign ourselves into His hands; it was +no strange God, but our long-loved Father in Heaven, before whom we +were about to appear. So we rested with calm confidence on that most +blessed assurance, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out," +and committed ourselves to our Saviour's hands. + +In a few minutes, a sudden hissing excited fears of an explosion, and we +sank immediately, the hot water rushing up to us as we went down. Rising +again, before my head was above water, I felt something at the back of +my hand: I instinctively grasped it--it was a rope. A moment after I was +on the surface. I exchanged the rope for a spar, and turning round my +head to ask for Lilla, found, to my inexpressible joy, she was close +behind me, just as we had sunk. This cheered us both with hope of +eventual safety. But where was one far dearer? I grasped with my left +hand one of those fenders made of netted cords, which are used to +prevent ships coming into too close contact with each other, or with the +harbour; but it was hard work to keep up. We encouraged each other, and, +recollecting that the human body is lighter than the same bulk of water, +we tried to float; but this was no easy matter. The number of persons +struggling in the water agitated it, and in the endeavour to keep it out +of the ears by raising the head, the equilibrium was disturbed, and the +feet sank, and with that the dread of going down again came. By the +stopping of my watch at half-past one, it afterwards appeared that a +quarter of an hour elapsed between the striking of the vessel and her +going down, and probably nearly as long passed between our rising and +our being picked up by the shore boats. It was a work of some difficulty +and time, when they came up, to extricate us from the ropes: our +benumbed limbs and weakened frames rendered us incapable of making any +effort ourselves. "Never mind, you are come among Christian people," was +the boatman's exclamation, when he had taken me into the boat, and never +was truer word spoken. The heart-felt sympathy and substantial kindness +we received from all classes could not have been exceeded, and can +hardly be imagined. It is impossible to speak too strongly of the +goodness and care of kind Mrs. Hannay, who first received us, and whose +husband formed and superintended the admirable arrangements by which so +many were saved. Placed in bed, and hot cordials being administered, the +warmth gradually returned to our benumbed limbs, and we felt _we_ were +restored to life. Dear Lilla began to indulge hope that her papa was +saved too; but I felt he was with GOD, he was so spiritually near; and +when the ring he usually wore was brought me, the agony of that moment +only confirmed what I knew too well before. Even the catastrophe, +fearful as it was, could scarcely be called unexpected; I felt that what +I had been looking for had come, for we had both felt we were too happy +for this world. He had himself often exclaimed "how will all this end? +it cannot last." It was a mournful but a blessed thing to gaze again on +that beloved face, with all the glow of health upon it, and more than a +placid, a bright smile--but to part from it thus! Even yet I cannot +associate death in the ordinary sense with it. + +The first words of comfort, when we knew the extent of our loss, were +from the Rev. A. Urquhart and his sister; and precious were their +sympathy and manifold kindness. The most deeply grateful feelings will +ever be associated with the thought of the Rev. S. Balmer, in whose +hospitable manse we remained for many days, while Mrs. Balmer nursed us +as a sister. There was another bond between us, besides that of our +common humanity,--that of Christianity. We felt that we were not with +strangers, but with friends who shared every feeling, that we were all +looking from the same point of view, and recognising the same hand. +There were personal links too--fellow-sufferers came in to whom my +beloved husband's works were known. On the shelves of the manse library +were those of my own venerable relative, the late Dr. Ryland, of +Bristol; and Lilla found that her mamma's brother-in-law, the late Rev. +J. Ely, of Leeds, had been known to our host. Trifling as such things +were, they brought a feeling akin to comfort. There is a gratification +in mentioning the names of friends to whom so much is owing, and it +would be ungrateful not to add that of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Blair of +Dunskaie, whose proffered kindnesses were more than the desirableness of +remaining near the shore would allow us to accept.[E] Truly were we +"_an hungered, and ye gave us meat_; we were _thirsty, and ye gave us +drink_, we were _strangers, and ye took us in; naked, and ye clothed +us_; we were _sick, and ye visited us_." Be the blessing of "those that +were ready to perish" upon them. + +For no kindness is gratitude so deeply felt as for that which aided the +heart's cherished wish to have those remains, so loved and so precious, +removed from beside that ever moaning sea, where they could never have +been thought of, without all the horrors of that scene recurring too. To +his own family grave, in the burial-ground of the Independent Chapel, +Rochdale, they were borne on Saturday the 22d; followed by members of +his family, and about forty gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, who +thus spontaneously expressed their sense of his loss. _There_ now rests +"all that could die" of the man of high intellect, of the loved and +honoured, the loving and confiding husband. + +Farewell! a brief farewell! nay, no farewell to _thee_--_thou_ art not +severed from us. Spirit as thou art, thou still comest to live and blend +with ours in the dim twilight, and when the hum of the world is busy +around us. And when we bow in prayer to the Father of Spirits, we feel +that we are come not only to "Jesus the Mediator," but to "the spirits +of just men made perfect," and we worship together in company. Farewell, +then, only thou beloved form, whose radiant smile seemed to tell there +had been no gathering of the darkness of death, only a stepping from +mortal into immortal LIFE; and farewell, even to thee, only for a +season, for we know that "them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with +him." We shall yet see thee again, and dwell with thee in eternal +re-union, in a world where the very memory of thy loss shall have +vanished, for "there shall be no more sea." + + * * * * * + +The foregoing brief sketch, little more than the enumeration of ordinary +events and literary pursuits, would alone convey a very inadequate idea +of one whose character was peculiarly his own. One of the many +definitions by which it has been attempted to analyse the subtle nature +of genius is "the power of interpreting nature." In the case of Mr. +Roby, it took the form of art, and he laboured in her train, whether +with pen or pencil, rather than in the service of science. Looking over +the face of nature, he would catch her slightest hints, and transfer to +his paper--not just what met the ordinary gaze, but--a picture. As if +nature by her scattered rocks and wandering clouds, gave him in rude +symbolic language, her thought of beauty, and as he with initiated eye, +read the meaning, there presently grew under his pencil the full +interpretation, a silent poem, which every passer by might more or less +comprehend, and enjoy. + +And were it the _voice_ of nature that met his ear, that voice whose +floating music so few perceive, it had as ready an interpreter. When in +the social circle, or in the busy street, the inner sense caught the +inarticulate sounds, he would note them down, and present to others the +melody which had charmed himself. + +And eloquently would nature speak to him of truths pertaining to +humanity; felicitously were they apprehended and expressed, he lingering +meanwhile till she had taught all her meaning. + + "How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!" + +said Shakespeare. The conception of a similar scene, and, no doubt, the +unrecognised remembrance of this line, suggested, + + "How calm on yonder stream the moonlight sleeps." + +There a copyist would have stopped, but _he_ was in close communion with +nature, listened himself to her teachings, and learned more. + + "How calm on yonder stream the moonlight sleeps, + Fair image woman of thy maiden breast + Unmoved by love. Anon some vagrant breath + Ruffles its surface, and its pure still light + In tremulous pulses heaves;--brighter, perchance, + The feverish glitter, but its rest is o'er!" + _Duke of Mantua._ + +The descriptions of nature in his writings are part of this ministry of +interpretation. All see, but who, beside the gifted, can either by pen +or pencil + + "stay + Yon cloud, and fix it in that glorious shape," + +permitting not + + "the thin smoke to escape, + Nor those bright sunbeams to forsake the day." + WORDSWORTH'S _Sonnets_. + +Our great Maker gives to some men general excellence of parts, so as to +secure success in whatever pursuit they follow; others are more +exquisitely moulded, and receive from His hand that peculiar and +indestructible form of genius, which no external circumstances can +affect. It was that general superiority of abilities, which would alone +have secured Mr. Roby eminence in any walk of life he had chosen; but +the mechanical routine of monetary transactions could not prevent the +artist's eye from guiding his pencil, render the ear deaf to the latent +melody, or hinder for a moment the genius stamped as creative by its +Maker from peopling the old ruins of the Past with living forms of +beauty or of terror. Education could no more train mere excellence of +parts to this, than any process of progressive development raise the +lower orders of creation into the higher. + +Combined with the poetic fancy was a character of high moral tone, a +disposition, generous, open-hearted, and impetuous, sensitive, and +confiding; irresistibly drawn towards the supernatural, yet as prone to +humour. That fine purity of feeling which marked his writings, was +equally a personal quality. His sense of honour was quick, as his +standard was high. Naturally he would have preferred death itself to the +slightest shade of dishonour on his name. Faithful to the command +implied in the inspired delineation of the upright man, it might be +taken for the description of his own course,--"he that sweareth to his +own hurt and changeth not." Incapable himself of mean or sordid action, +he never anticipated it in others; unselfish to a degree, he perhaps +calculated too much on the same generosity of feeling in the world. The +editor of the Gentleman's Magazine, in a notice, which appeared in +October 1850, alludes to "his well-known liberality to literary men," a +reference amply confirmed by other incidental testimony; but though +literary acquaintances were often the topic of home conversation, he +never spoke of any kindness it had been in his power to show them. It +was the highest luxury he knew, thus to mitigate the perplexities or +wants of others, but it was only by accident that his family would +discover it. Even when he dropped money into a poor man's hand, he +would hurry away as if he had done something wrong, and wanted to forget +it. + +Another phase of the same disposition, was the generous pleasure with +which he regarded the gifts or acquirements of others. Most cordially +did he recognise talent of any kind, no matter in whom, or under what +form it appeared. He was as free from envious or jealous feeling as from +common selfishness. This arose from a fine nature,--which embraced as +kindred spirits those from whom morbid self-love might have shrunk as +rivals--not from an overweening or even just sense of his own +superiority: in that he was unusually deficient. + +In truth his want of self-valuation, almost of appreciation of his own +powers, was very noticeable. He would exercise his talents, as a bird +does its power of song, for very pleasure, but without any thought of +display. "I know," he would say, "that many others cannot do the things +I do, but I do not feel as if I had done anything worth thinking of, it +falls so far below the point I wish to reach." His delight in giving +pleasure supplied this want of the Phrenologist's _Self-esteem_, as +regarded others, but to himself, the lack of it, joined to his extremely +sensitive disposition, was in fact a destitution of defensive armour; +hence it was in the power of minds far inferior to his own to torture +him. A similar deficiency was the absence of that worldly wisdom, which +in combination with a fine and generous disposition, is so valuable to +its possessors. The deprivation of it occasioned a transparent +simplicity of character, which again left him too often at the mercy of +coarse ungenerous natures. + +That intense yearning for sympathy, which was noticed as a +characteristic of his childhood, followed him through life, and seemed +to increase with his years. His many resources, though capable of +yielding the purest pleasure, could not fill the void. They concealed +the longing from observers, but left the heart often aching. Frank and +confiding himself, he looked for the same frankness in others. The +slightest reserve chilled and wounded him, and threw him back on +himself. "An unkind word or look," he would frequently say, "nay a +chilling one, from those I respect and esteem, is misery to me." His +happiness was indeed a delicate thing, for though the writer can say she +never knew any one made happy with so little effort--the very _wish_ to +make him so, evinced, was enough--yet she often felt, and trembled to +feel, how intensely miserable it was in the power of any one he loved, +to make him. + +His natural vivacity concealed another feature of his character from the +general eye, which was yet discernible by those who studied him. "Spare +me," said he one day to a lady, half jocosely, "I am so shy." "You shy!" +she exclaimed, protesting against the possibility of such a thing. He +quietly acquiesced, and let it pass. "You would not think that I was +naturally shy," said he a few days after to a friend who had been +present, with whom he was now engaged in a pleasant little disquisition +on psychology, and who, he afterwards allowed, knew more of his real +character from a few months' acquaintance than any one had done before. +"Yes I should," was her unhesitating reply. "Why, how should you think +so!" he exclaimed in astonishment. "Your attitudes and movements betray +it. I do not say as Robert Hall did of an acquaintance, that you seem +begging pardon of all men for being in existence, but you do often seem +begging pardon of your company for being in their presence, when they +are only too happy to have your society. You would creep into a +nutshell, rather than be where you thought you were not wanted." + +Not an uncommon, but a pleasing trait, was that humanity to the animal +creation which marked him from boyhood. Not only did he never +"heedlessly" set "foot upon a worm," but he would carefully remove it +from the path, lest some other foot should crush it. Cruelty of any kind +called forth his strongest reprehension. + +One great charm of his character, was its perfect retention of the +freshness of youth. The most juvenile in the company could not but feel +that he was as young in spirit as themselves. His regular and temperate +habits of life no doubt contributed to this, as did his love of simple +pleasures. He never sought the false excitement of artificial +stimulants. His own buoyancy of spirits, and ever-varied pursuits, most +of all perhaps the exhilaration of botanical "field sports," were the +true stimulants which fed the flame of life, while they made it burn +more brightly. Even in those years when the smile or quick repartee +often only concealed, but could not remove, the secret care or the +unsatisfied craving for some undefined blessing, that preyed within, the +change to a new pursuit, or a fresh path for thought and energy, were +the only means to which he had recourse "to keep the mind from preying +on itself." + +To those who knew him best it is easy to trace much of his personal +character in his writings. His social disposition, and particularly this +freshness of spirit, gave a tone to all he wrote. The high ideal of +woman maintained in the "Traditions," has been already noticed: he was +quick to perceive fragmentary indications of that ideal, in real life. +True to Haydon's motto which he so often quoted, "Ex pede Hercules," one +trait of disinterestedness, of self-sacrifice, of intuitive perception +of the good, was sufficient, and his imagination therefrom created, + + "A perfect woman, nobly plann'd." + +A nice observer of the indications of character, he detected, with a +quickness approaching to intuition, those little peculiarities of manner +and expression which intimate the disposition and habit of thought, and +often after a very brief acquaintance, he would by a few touches draw a +mental portrait to the life, yet without the slightest approach to +caricature, which he would have abhorred as deformity. This habit of +close observation and quick perception contributed to the variety and +individuality of his delineations. He was remarkably susceptible of +impressions, hence he was open to influences which others escape. A very +unpleasing expression of countenance would act upon him so strongly, +that he would go far out of his way to avoid it. In a similar manner, +certain appearances of the clouds in an electrical state of the +atmosphere would from childhood impress him painfully, even at times +with a sentiment almost akin to horror; and this in spite of a +constitution, over which the state of the weather ordinarily had no +power; the spirit seemed directly operated on through the eye. + +One of his strongest natural tendencies, which had considerable +influence in the creations of his fancy, was a love of the supernatural. +Nothing contented him till he had traced it up to that subtle point +where spiritual relations begin. "Why should such a thing affect us +thus?" was the question which he delighted to ask himself. To his mind, +as indeed to all thoughtful ones, the mysterious was the element into +which all the phenomena of life resolved themselves. And there he took +his stand, watching before the veil, if perchance some hand from within +would lift its folds. The mutual relations of mind and matter, the +secret sympathies of spirit, and the extent of its independence of +sense, were chosen topics of thought. The enlarged views of these +subjects which modern science is opening before us, at once indicating +the direction of future inquiry, and retrospectively interpreting the +wildest records of the past, thus resolving romance into reality, had +especial charm for him. The reverse of credulous, he would subject a +fact to close investigation, before he gave it credence, but at the same +time a latent affinity with the supernatural, if the expression be +allowed, drew him to it: hence astrology attracted him, but after close +study, he gave it up for various reasons, principally that a kind of +Christian instinct, which will often advance when the understanding +stops short, warned him off, by a sentiment, of approaching forbidden +ground. + +Mr. Roby was a striking instance of how far literary pursuits may be +followed without neglect of the duties of life. "Literature to a man who +must have a profession" observes Sir Walter Scott, "should be the +recreation not the serious business of life." Mr. Roby's success in his +profession was such as to lead another banker of eminence--not +prejudiced by the tie of private friendship--to term him the first +accountant in Europe. Bearing in mind the pursuits of him of whom the +remark was made, it proves that a successful career as an author, is not +incompatible with eminence in the ordinary business of life. A strength +of moral purpose, which would not allow pleasant occupation to infringe +on the prior claims of duty, and which led him inflexibly to follow the +course he had laid down as right, gave force to a character that else +might have been deemed too brilliant for every-day wear. + +One remarkable endowment that must have contributed to his success in +his own walk in life, was a power he possessed of determining the amount +of any sum of figures that might be laid before him. The friend an +extract from whose letter was given on p. 41, thus alludes to this +faculty. "If a double column, twenty figures in each row, or a cube of +six, arranged as below, were placed before him, he would tell the sum as +soon as his eye could read the figures. + + 1 2 5 4 9 1 + 5 3 9 8 1 9 + 6 9 1 2 2 9 + 7 8 2 7 9 2 + 3 7 4 7 8 4 + 4 6 3 6 1 3 + ----------- + +He arrived at the result without going through the ordinary process; he +saw it at a glance. If, as was rarely the case, owing to a passing fit +of dulness, or a momentary distraction of thought, he failed to see the +sum at once, he was rather slow than otherwise in doing it by the +ordinary mode. Mr. Roby himself told me, that Bidder, perhaps the most +wonderful calculator this country ever produced, though his superior in +some points, could not approach him here." + +Their respective powers must have been the result of two different +faculties. In "the calculating boy," it was extraordinary rapidity of +_calculation_. In Mr. Roby it was not calculation at all, but +_combination_. He read and combined the figures into a whole, as we +should read the word COMPARISON, for instance, without spelling it; the +power of the figures in the one case, being equivalent to that of the +letters in the other. Perhaps the extraordinary strength and activity of +his perceptive faculties, combined with considerable talent for the +science of number, may account for it: the rapidity of his perceptions +was at all times marvellous. He had not trained himself to this +exercise, nor was it a faculty at all improved by use. He found out +accidentally one day that he possessed it, and it never varied +afterwards. The writer is not aware that he practised to any extent what +is termed mental arithmetic. Yet some extraordinary calculations he made +with a pack of cards, by a process carried on in his mind, which, if put +on paper would have covered many sheets, appears to have been of that +nature. In all such matters which depended on numerical arrangement, he +was quite _au fait_. On one occasion he saw a lady perform a trick +called Sir Isaac Newton's. She declined showing how it was done, and +avowed herself unacquainted with the principle on which the arrangement +was founded. He went home, lay for hours awake during the night, worked +all the cards in the pack over and over again mentally; before morning +he had not only discovered the arrangement, but extended the principle +so as to be applicable, not to twenty-seven cards only, but to any +number within the fifty-two. + +Punctuality was another marked feature of Mr. Roby's character. He was, +to use his own phrase, "a timist." An amusing instance of this occurs in +his tour. "Whilst resting and enjoying our cheer (at the Hospice Tete +Noir) I surprised Urlaub the courier, by telling him I had fixed three +or four months previously to cross the Tete Noir on this very day, and +on this very hour, showing him a sketch of my tour as given in the +introductory chapter. He said it would serve him to tell and boast about +all his life, he could not have thought it possible; 'but,' continued he +with great simplicity, 'I am sure they cannot believe me!'" Other +instances equally diverting he would tell, till even punctuality itself +lost its sober character, and became tinged with mirth, if not romance. + +His love of order and arrangement was very great: it almost amounted to +a passion. As soon as a botanical or conchological work came into his +hands, he made himself master of its contents, and drew out a tabular +view of the information it afforded, a mode of arranging knowledge of +which he was particularly fond, enriching the book with what might be +wanting, and with references to other standard works. To those who are +commencing such pursuits, a little more detail may perhaps afford some +useful hints. In Lee's botany of the Malvern Hills, are added, in a +beautifully distinct small hand, to each plant named, a reference to the +page of Hooker's British Flora, on which it is described, and the month +of flowering; while on blank leaves inserted at the end for the +purpose, a list is given of all the plants according to the time at +which they flower, thus forming a flora for each month in that district, +to guide his search in each day's ramble. In his copies of Sowerby's +English Botany and Hooker's Flora, respectively, to each plant the page +on which it is to be found in the other work, its number in the London +Catalogue, and synonymes from either of these or from any other high +authority are added, with a mark against each successive specimen added +to his own herbarium. His mode of laying down and preserving specimens +for a progressive collection of British plants, often excited the +admiration of other collectors. His cabinet of shells, too, was arranged +in his own perfect manner. Yet with all this order there was nothing +merely mechanical in his character, nothing that hindered the free play +of his imagination. + +The medical profession had at one period been contemplated for him, and +his studies for a short time lay in that direction. For physiological +investigations he always entertained a decided partiality. Hence no +doubt his ready appreciation of the general principles of hydropathy; he +saw and approved the rationale of the system, before he so successfully +tested its practice. He had cultivated that general knowledge of the +physical sciences which enabled him to trace their mutual relations. He +dwelt with peculiar delight on their points of intersection, where the +mysterious connection which is ever running underground, as it were, +throughout nature, rises to the surface. His industry and perseverance +equalled the activity of his mind, and the versatility of his talents. +Concentrating his attention on one subject for the time, when he left it +he would turn with the same fixed concentration to another; and the ease +with which he resumed any design or train of thought, however long it +had been laid aside, prevented his losing ground that had once been +gained. The quickness with which he acquired knowledge was remarkable; +while the use he would make of a new discovery or of fresh light cast on +an old subject, by way of illustration, by elucidating kindred truths in +other sciences, or by indicating discoveries yet to be made, was most +happy. Nothing seemed lost upon him: a fact became to him something more +than a bare fact, an index of the ideal, or of the hidden paths to those +mysterious relations of nature, which it has been observed were such +favourite objects of contemplation. By no means what is termed a great +reader, he usually preferred scientific works to those of general +literature. He seemed not to care to follow the imaginations of others; +he rather required facts as material for his own to revel in, and create +from. Genius must touch the earth to gather strength for her flights. + +His love of the fine arts partook of the enthusiasm of his nature. His +taste was highly cultivated, and his own proficiency in several branches +of art, of no mean order. He loved to dwell on the subtle and mysterious +meanings of music, on its wondrous suggestive power, and its burden of +associations. A few specimens of his own power of creating "concord of +sweet sounds," have been preserved. He was particularly happy in +adapting the music to the words or _vice versa_. Sometimes he would +compose an air to one of his own songs. Very few of these compositions +have had the care bestowed on them necessary to prepare them for +publication. One which was harmonised by Mr. Novello, and published in +the Congregational and Chorister's Psalm and Hymn Book, will appear in +the present volume. It is a fair specimen of the composer's power of +expressing the higher feelings. + +His facility of versification one may almost be tempted to regret. He +would have written better, and perhaps oftener, had he gone to it as a +more severe task--yet there are some lines of such exquisite music and +sentiment, the inspiration of the moment, in his occasional pieces, +which no gathering up of his powers could have enabled him to reach. The +ballads in the traditions afford illustrations of this remark. + +Mr. Roby's skill as a draughtsman was often the admiration of his +friends. His landscape drawings from nature even when they are faithful +as portraits are always _pictures_. His fondness for investigation, the +"Inquisitive wants to know" of childhood aided him here. He was never +satisfied until he had found out the reason why an object takes a known +appearance under given circumstances, or why certain processes or +touches, transfer certain effects. The writer recollects his mentioning +a conversation with the late B. R. Haydon in which the point under +discussion was, why when an object is presented against the sky, for +example the belly of a horse standing on an eminence, the sky where it +approaches the object, though in point of fact as blue there as in any +other part, should not be so represented, but in a dim grey, almost +neutral tint. (The reader will at once perceive, that the blue sky and +black horse would be a tea-tray painting.) The discussion terminated +without any satisfactory result, but Mr. Roby could not rest till he had +found the true reason in the simple fact, that the eye suiting its focus +to the distance of the object to which it is directed, _can not +distinctly see, at the same time, objects at different distances_. When +the focus was right for the horse, it would only perceive the sky +indistinctly, or directed to the sky, the retina would not receive so +distinct an image of the horse. Hence if both were represented exactly +as they are in themselves, instead of as they are seen in combination, a +harsh, unnatural, and therefore false picture would be the result. + +His conversation on art was rich in such remarks. A lady who drew in +water colours from nature in a superior style observed to the writer, +that she had gained more valuable information from Mr. Roby than from +any of the best masters of whom she had been in the habit of taking +lessons: he had put her into possession of _principles_. Another +friend, who was in raptures with Ruskin's "Modern Painters," described +it as "like hearing Mr. Roby talk." And here again, in art as in +science, he delighted to seek out those general principles, which, +common to all, constitute the oneness of Art, and to trace their +relation to the human mind. + +To his ardent admiration of nature reference has already been made. That +term but partially conveys an idea of his quick and vivid perception of +beauty under whatever form it appeared, and of the intense pleasure, one +might almost say happiness, of which he was susceptible from it. His +spirit seemed to feed upon it as Schiller's Pegasus on the breath of +flowers. He would stand entranced before a beautiful object or hang over +it as if by some spell he could draw its beauty into his own soul. It +seemed as though for pleasure or suffering his mind was in close contact +with the _spirit_ of outward things. Nor was this high gratification, a +thing of rare occurrence. One of Hogarth's lines of Beauty, so +abundantly scattered through his world who has eyes to see them, +sufficed. He possessed too in a high degree the power of imparting to +others the pleasure he thus enjoyed. His enthusiasm caught by sympathy +communicated in part to his companions the vividness of his own +impressions. A friend, herself most highly gifted, in writing of him +says, "What true pleasure I feel in recalling the beauties and +excellencies of his character, in tracing through all his gifts, the +upward tendency of his mind which ever looked + + 'From Nature up to Nature's GOD,' + +which sought His glory in all the pursuits of science--not _earthly_ but +_heavenly_ pursuits to him--a mind to which was not denied the power to +gaze along any one of those shining paths, which unite our mortal with +our immortal nature, to which music, and poetry, and art and science +opened their divinest treasures, fitting his nature for the immortal +joys they whisper of here!" + +It has been occasionally regretted that his powers were directed to so +many objects instead of being concentrated, so as to secure higher +excellence in one department. And truly were this short life all man's +existence, the end of his progress, and "earthly immortality" the only +"life beyond this," then it might be to be deplored, if aught would be +worth deploring. But regret vanishes when we consider that in this case +there were only so many more starting points, for the soul in her higher +state of existence, already made out in this life. + +Talents so versatile, it may be believed rendered their possessor the +ornament of general society. They were at the same time combined with +exterior advantages, graceful movement resulting from a +well-proportioned and finely-moulded form, elegant manner, so much +vivacity, and withal so much gentleness--the graceful courtesies of +life well became him. His conversational powers were seldom equalled. He +had always the right word at command whatever might be the topic, while +the ever-varying tones of his musical voice lent additional force to +every sentiment whether mirthful or pathetic. Information, anecdote, +humour were by turns elicited. It was easy, as it was pleasant, to +converse with him; he never misapprehended; he seemed to know what +others were going to say, their ideas were his, and the prompt rejoinder +made, by a kind of social electricity. Conversation never flagged when +he was present; a sullen silence was his abhorrence; equally so, a +monotonous abuse of the weather, roads, &c. His never-failing humour, +and love of pleasantry or kind-hearted banter, supplied the place of +Rousseau's expedient of weaving lace-strings, when in company where it +was difficult, if not impossible to maintain conversation that would +interest the whole party. If occasionally his repartees gave offence, no +one was more ready to apologise or to atone to any feeling that had been +wounded. In truth, nothing was farther from his intention than giving +pain, but his love of humour once excited, he did not pause to look from +another's point of view. It was as impossible for him to refrain from +enjoying a joke if it told against himself, as if it bore on another--in +fact, if it were really a good one, the being pointed against himself +seemed rather to enhance the piquancy. So conscious was he of the +absence of any ill-natured feeling, that it was difficult for him to +realize how any one could be hurt by those sallies which, coming from +another, he would perfectly understand. A lady who was often the subject +of his sportive railleries, observed, that no one who saw the kind +expression of his eye could feel wounded. It was after a time of close +mental application that his sportive qualities came out the most +strongly; it seemed to be a necessary relief, and the rebound involved +mirthfulness in many of its innocent forms. Practical jokes he never +allowed either in himself or others; nor did his humour ever degenerate +into mimicry, or amusement at the expense of the absent; delicacy of +feeling forbad that. A sharp contest of wits such as he designated "cut +and come again" was his great delight. D'Israeli the elder remarks, "One +peculiar trait in the conversation of men of genius which has often +injured them, when the listeners were not intimately acquainted with the +man, are certain sports of a vacant mind, a sudden impulse to throw out +opinions and take views of things in some humour of the moment." +Something akin to this Mr. Roby occasionally indulged in, if he +perceived that any one had formed a false idea of his character, which +was not unfrequently the case, he would find a passing diversion in +helping on the mistake. How this comported with that yearning for +sympathy, which was one of the master passions of his nature, it is not +difficult to explain. Finding out by intuition where he was not +understood, he sought in the amusement of watching the effect of the +character thus thrust upon him, on those who had given it, a refuge from +the pain which the discovery of the utter absence of sympathy could not +but inflict. Afford him but a ray of this coveted sympathy, and you made +his happiness, and your own by reflection. Intercourse with the world +had taught him how rarely the finer feelings or higher sentiments are +responded to, and a shrinking from their exposure in his own case led +him to conceal them under the light robe of pleasantry. Hence he was +sometimes suspected of want of earnestness by those who, as D'Israeli +remarks, "were not intimately acquainted with the man." + +His fund of general information contributed to the charm of his +conversational powers, for with him knowledge was as ready to hand as it +was various. It seemed to spring spontaneously at the sight of any thing +with which it could be associated. Memory while she held her treasures +with a firm hand, generously shared them with the companion of the walk +or the acquaintance of the social hour. At the same time there was no +assumption, no affectation of superiority in his manner: it was +perfectly natural and simple. + +Possessing great musical talent, a fine ear, and the power of modulating +his voice so as to blend with others, and the still rarer gift of +composing a part extempore to any melody, his assistance was sought as +a valuable acquisition in social music. Before his illness his whistle +was singularly rich, and he frequently used it as an accompaniment. The +writer never heard it; but a gentleman referring to an evening spent in +his society many years since, thus describes it, "I never heard human +whistle so clear, so distinct, and brilliant: it was like a flute."[F] + +Perhaps what he was in general society may be best shown by the +impression he made on acquaintances of various tastes and habits whom +from time to time he casually met. Among the many tributes of respect to +his memory and to "his sterling qualities both of heart and mind," which +the writer has received, one or two may be selected bearing on the +salient points of his character. A recent friend, who with his lady were +the last guests who were staying with him before he left Malvern for +Scotland, writes, "I cannot let this opportunity pass without offering +my humble tribute of respect to your late husband's memory. My +acquaintance with Mr. Roby was, as you are aware, of brief duration, but +I can most unaffectedly, and with sincere gratitude say, that during +that period, I learned much of him--more than I ever learned in my life +from any single person. It was impossible to be with him without +catching something of his earnestness and enthusiasm. Would he had been +spared! His death was a severe loss to me. I had hoped to enjoy his +society during the coming summer, to mature in his company those tastes +which, if he did not infuse into me, he certainly roused from their +dormancy. But this was not to be! Like all who ever came into contact +with him, I was struck, on my introduction to Mr. Roby, by the variety +of his acquirements, then by their elegant intellectual character. His +energy in the acquisition of knowledge had amassed a great store of +material for intellectual enjoyment--his wonderful "_order_" had +arranged it in the happiest and most available manner. I think I never +in my life saw a man of greater mental activity. _He had no lounging +moments._ And yet I saw but the _relaxation_ of his mind." + +One who knew him intimately the last two years of his life remarks, "Few +persons I should imagine could have been in Mr. Roby's society without +feeling a peculiar charm, a gladdening influence, which made life appear +bright and genial. Intercourse with him, invariably gave me a sense of +power: this made me from the first recognise him as a man of genius. A +magician in the regions of the ideal himself, he seemed to inspire his +listener with the same mastery over its elements. Whatever might be the +topic under notice, it stood out with new beauty as he handled it. His +conversation, enriched from a thousand sources, sparkled like the many +facets of the well-cut diamond." + +A very old friend who ranks among the first dramatists of the day in +speaking of intercourse in years long since departed, characterised him +as "a man of rich imagination, and the warmest and soundest heart." +Adding in confirmation of the latter trait, "I was a perfect stranger +when he received me as a brother, and took on himself the entire +management of a course of lectures which I delivered in Rochdale several +years ago, and which proved to be very remunerative chiefly through his +cordially-exerted influence." + +Another in writing of him, after dwelling with affectionate admiration +on other traits of character, notices "his great good nature and +kindness of heart, particularly the good-humoured manner in which he +bore the expression of opinions different from his own, which by many +would not have been taken so patiently. The extreme versatility of his +talents placed at his command, acquirements the most varied, such as few +persons attain to, and his kind and agreeable manner of imparting the +knowledge he possessed was equally remarkable. His talent and exquisite +humour in relating one of his stories or an old tradition, I can +scarcely imagined to have been equalled." + +Several friends have remarked that during their last interview with him, +the conversation turned to the highest subjects, in some cases +terminating by a short striking remark on his part, too valuable to be +forgotten. A slight instance of this occurred in his last conversation +with the friend just quoted. It happened to be on a subject often +discussed before,--art in connection with religion as exemplified in the +fine old ecclesiastical structures of our country. No one possessed a +deeper sense of their beauty than himself, but his mind at the same time +comprehended the possibility of losing sight of the spiritual in +admiration of the material, and at the close of the conversation, his +last words were, "Well good bye, remember _we must not worship wood and +stone_." The aptness of the remark, the tone in which it was uttered, +fixed it in the memory of the listener, and it is now treasured as a +parting warning. There is a sacred pleasure in dwelling on conversations +like these, involving high moral truths, elements of the intercourse yet +to be renewed. + +It was always in a circle narrower than that of general society, that he +was seen to most advantage. When he felt he was surrounded only by those +of congenial tastes he came out truly himself. His conversation then +flowed without any restraint, he blended the ideal with the real in a +way that showed a spirit gifted + + "To pierce the mist o'er life's deep meanings spread." + +A distinguished essayist of the present century compares himself to +those toys which we sometimes see formed of box within box. His outer +character he tells us was visible to all; to friends in proportion to +their intimacy he threw off case after case; the sight of the innermost +was reserved for himself, or for only one other. So here too was a +narrower circle within that of closest friendship, where one more +covering cast aside, his character displayed itself without any reserve. +What he might have been to the _valet_ "who looked at him with valet +eyes," the writer knows not, but by one to whom that character was bared +as to none besides, so far from seeming any less from the intimate +acquaintance of daily life, its true nobleness was only then fully +recognised. It is not every character that bears the near scrutiny +afforded by insight through the little things of life. Fewer still grow +"right worshipful" under such inspection. _He_ did both. His feelings +repressed, as we have seen in childhood, he had not been in the habit of +expressing them freely to the objects of his affection. The writer +learned far more of the strength of his love for his children, from +remarks he made when alone with her, and from the regard he paid to the +effect which any step he took might have on their welfare, than from any +ordinary demonstrations to them. The anxiety he evinced during the first +holidays his boys spent with her, that she should understand them, and +the pains he took to draw out the most interesting points of their +characters, told more forcibly than words, his concern for their +happiness. Though he rarely joined in their amusements himself, yet the +quiet delight with which he would stand and watch when she happened to +do anything of the kind showed how dear even their pleasures were to +him. + +It has been a common reproach against literary men, that they are +undesirable companions in private life, prone to betray unworthy +jealousy of the talents of those around them; though brilliant in +society, fretful or unsocial at home. Here was one more added to the +many examples of the contrary. Neither mirth nor talents, courtesy nor +generous feeling, nor any thing that adorns or makes life happy, was +reserved like holiday attire for going abroad. One who though admitting +he could not brook defeat at his favourite chess, from any other lady, +would yet say he should have lost the game to his wife with pleasure, +because he should feel her triumph his own, could not have been an +undesirable home companion. + +It is by trifles such as these, that what the gifted are in private life +is seen. That it may not invariably be thus is admitted, but the +solution is easy. Fireside happiness depends not on the presence or +absence of talent, but on the harmony of natural disposition, character, +and taste. Genius neither commands this, nor can supply its deficiency. +It only renders its possessor more keenly alive to the want of +congeniality, and those around perchance more wretched from the +conscious lack of power to make its happiness. The man of genius may not +only make home the most blessed spot on earth, but with the blessing of +GOD give a brilliancy and an intensity to domestic happiness, which none +besides can; peopling the wastes of every day life, with bright thoughts +that never die, till little is left of mortal existence, that is not to +be continued in the higher life to come. + +But there were yet higher endowments--talents are but as the beautiful +lamp, spiritual life the light they enshrine; and when that light +glows with an intensity, that throws out the fair form, and +exquisitely-moulded figures, till the very lamp becomes brilliant, a +light-giving thing, then indeed is it a vessel "fit for the Master's +use," to the glory of His name whose _workmanship_ the lamp is, but +whose _breath_ the light within. And that to all the rich gifts already +described, was added that which is pre-eminently THE GIFT OF GOD, even +"Eternal Life through Christ Jesus our Lord," is the point of deepest +interest. Taught as we have seen by the discipline of suffering, his +were the convictions of experience, not those of the understanding +merely; he felt throughout his whole nature, his utter powerlessness to +erect himself into a consciously virtuous being, and he felt as strongly +that in the salvation of Christ alone was that which at once bringing +pardon and imparting holiness, meets all the deep-seated wants of our +nature, and raises us to the dignity of "sons and daughters of the Lord +Almighty." With a heart thrilling to its very centre with a sense of +unutterable need, he clung to the promises of the Gospel. And as time +advanced and the hidden life grew stronger, and daily intercourse united +the spirit more closely to GOD as its Father, through faith in Christ +Jesus, his character assumed more and more of the likeness of that +blessed state which it has now entered. Deep humility and self-distrust +habitually marked his religion. In a letter dated April 1849, after +detailing a circumstance which occurred during a short stay at Clifton, +very gratifying to him as an author, he adds "I may say all this to +_you_ because you understand me.... But I feel it is not safe to +_indulge_ in it. A momentary glance at one's position--and then back +again into the only safe place,--low at the Master's feet in love and +humiliation, 'What hast thou, that thou hast not received?'" "I am so +afraid of _myself_" was an expression he often used in the most intimate +conversation. He felt it was only by the daily impartation of a strength +greater than his own, that spiritual life was sustained. All those +sentiments in the inspired writings, which ordinarily to the men of the +world, are either mysteries or meaningless phrases, now comprehended in +the fulness of their truth, had become the utterances of his own soul. +"The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the SON of GOD, +who loved me and gave Himself for me." He went to the scriptures for his +code of morality, as well as for the promise of the life to come. Never +under any circumstances did he shrink from performing what he considered +to be Christian duty, or from avowing what he believed to be religious +truth. The tone of Cowper's hymns harmonised more with the prevailing +cast of his mind than that of any other sacred lyrics. Those of them +which are to be found in Lady Huntingdon's collection, were associated +with his earliest recollections, and when his spirit was all +unconsciously preparing itself for a speedy and unlooked-for summons +into the immediate presence of GOD, the strains of the poet, who so +emphatically learned "in suffering" what he taught "in song," cheered +and animated one kindred in spirit, as in faith. There is something +pleasant in the thought that the strains which his mother might have +sung by his cradle, were the latest given forth by his own rich voice. + +While lowliness of mind before God, and a constant desire to serve his +fellow-men, were perhaps the most conspicuous features of his religious +character, the over-flowings of a grateful spirit must not be +overlooked. Thanksgiving formed an essential part of his religion; +neither the simple pleasures nor the richer blessings of life were lost +upon him. Day by day he seemed as though he would never be thankful +enough. His recognition of the hand of GOD in all he enjoyed was very +vivid. + +How far back the religious element of his character may be traced, it is +impossible to say. The human mind is susceptible of the fear of GOD, and +doubtless the actions may be modified thereby, long before any distinct +consecration to his service, or, which must ordinarily precede it, that +true self-knowledge which makes the need of a Saviour felt. That best of +blessings the example of a Christian life in his parents, was around his +earliest days, so that his first ideas of right and wrong must have +taken a Christian tone. And that as he rose into life, the claims of a +Creator and Saviour on his love and service occupied his attention, the +writer is aware. Never indeed will be forgotten the intensity of feeling +with which, within the last twelvemonths of his life he would sometimes +refer to one among his youthful associates, who at that early period +encouraged him in the practice of spiritual duties. He knew what a life +passed amid the stir of the world was, how the hot noon dries up the +current of early feeling, and the thorns of care choke the hidden life; +and vivid anxiety for his friend's spiritual state, mingled with the +grateful remembrance of forty years ago. A sentiment which now burst +forth fresher than ever, because he knew as he had never done before, +from what the salvation of GOD is a deliverance. + +His sympathy for others in a religious point of view was very strong; +the deep pity, amounting to personal grief, which he has expressed in +intimate conversation, when speaking of any whose life or avowed +principles, testified they were "without hope, and without GOD in the +world," showed that his religion drew him the nearer to all his race. +Strongly as principle and feeling alike led him to seek to promote in +any way in his power the highest good of his fellow-creatures, the +remembrance of his deep spiritual suffering caused him to take a deeper +interest in those whose minds were in any degree agonised and bewildered +as his had been. He would have considered no amount of mental effort or +physical fatigue too great to encounter, could he thereby have +"ministered to a mind diseased." In 1848 when visiting friends in the +south of England, he was told of a poor old woman whose distress of mind +had baffled every attempt to relieve it. He went to her cottage, sat +down and listened to her complaints, anticipating them in great measure +from his own vividly-remembered distress. She was cheered by finding +another, who could tell beforehand what she was going to say; and when +he reached down the Bible, and began reading his own favourite passages, +"When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue +faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the GOD of Israel will +not forsake them, I will open rivers in high places and fountains in the +midst of the valleys" &c., and entering into her feelings, showed her +that the glorious promises of God were made to the wretched and +self-condemning, light seemed to burst upon her mind, and her +thankfulness and delight knew no bounds; and second only to hers, were +his own.--The most brilliant success in society had never afforded a +pleasure like this. He seldom referred to his own past suffering, when +he did so it was in a brief but touching manner: thus in a letter dated +March 1849 he writes, "Pray give my very best remembrance to Mrs. ---- +and tell her that when I come to ---- I _intend_ sitting once more in +her arm chair, now with what different feelings. I had not then found 'a +hiding place from the storm, and a covert from the tempest.' Now however +I hope I have found Christ as 'the shadow of a great rock in a weary +land.'" + +The true lowliness of spirit and willingness to be set aside, with which +he commenced any undertaking, evinced a chastened spirit, which showed +that he had not suffered in vain. "How thankful," wrote he to a friend, +"we ought to be that we are permitted even to attempt any thing for Him +_who has given us all_, and though apparently we fail, yet, as you say, +we are secure from disappointment; and, depend on it, some good will +arise probably to ourselves, if not to others, from our least efforts; +at any rate, if they lead us to more humility and dependence on Him, one +great end will have been answered." And two months later, writing to the +same friend, he observed:--"It does seem part of the discipline of life +that we should aim at duty--just embark in what seems the very path we +ought to pursue for our own and other's good, and then plainly be sent +back to learn one very important lesson we are too apt to forget,--viz. +that the great Master can do his work without us."[G] + +In a letter dated February 22nd, 1850, after speaking of the happiness +he had enjoyed of late in communion with GOD, and expressing his desire +to serve Him, especially by comforting "the weary," he adds, "but they +'do His will who only stand and wait;' I am watching the course of +events, and when HE has work for me to do, I shall be appointed to it. +In the meantime I am working with my pen what may be useful at one time +or another." + +The repose which belongs to maturity of character, indicated by the last +extract, was not unnoticed at the time. It was one of those traits then +marked, but now fully understood. Many things which the writer took for +philosophic superiority to trifles, and admired as such at the time, she +now recognises as Christian elevation of character. There was about him +an air--not exactly of indifference to the world or of separation from +it, for he entered with zest into the social pleasures and all the +higher pursuits of life--but of something like a consciousness of still +nobler relations than any which connected his spirit with earth, an +abiding recognition of a world to which he more properly belonged and +still better than this which he so much enjoyed; and he seemed to stand +with one foot uplifted ready to enter on that not distant world. It was +a fulfilling of the divine precept, "Let your loins be girded about, and +your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men waiting for their +Lord." + +An intimate friend when referring to daily intercourse with him, enjoyed +for some time during the last autumn of his life, writes: "The advance +in all things connected with the spiritual good of himself, or of +others, was very striking--there was a dignity of deportment, a +seriousness when treating of divine things, and an anxious desire for +the religious improvement of all whom he could influence, that, +superadded to his natural cheerfulness and lively wit, made him a most +delightful companion. Still this increase of grace was chiefly preparing +him for the approaching removal: he was taken because he was _ready_. +Never did a bed of languishing sickness more evidently fit the sufferer +for 'going home' than did his beautiful frame of mind during the happy +months that preceded his sudden removal." Not better chosen could one +expression of the above have been, had the writer of the note +recollected Mr. Roby's crest--a sheaf of corn (_garb_), and motto "I AM +READY." Rapid had the ripening been--those years of suffering had done +their work and the brief, but bright, sunshine that followed, made the +sheaf ready for the garner.[H] + +The mind lingers on this aspect of his character. Most precious to dwell +upon now is--not the memory of his rich talents--not the recollection of +his warm and generous affection, which, like the sunset glow, invests +all connected with him, with a brightness that seems as if it would +never grow dim, but--the thought that he was, in the true, not merely in +the conventional, sense of the word, a CHRISTIAN. This alone can connect +the beloved ones who are "gone home" with all that is real in +comfort.--The workings of the sorrowful heart are no longer vague +guesses and fruitless longings, but sure and living hopes founded on +"the true sayings of GOD." And when the voice whose music stirred the +very depths of the soul, as none other had power to do, can be no longer +heard, the ear of the spirit is quickened for voiceless intercourse. And +since those sayings assure us that those whom we call the dead still +live, in all the integrity of their spiritual being, we feel that they +can scarcely be said to be gone--that the one in spirit are one for +eternity--that their love for, and interest in us are not shaken--and if +neither ear nor eye can catch sound or glimpse of what was dearer than +life, still we are not without tokens of their presence. The intercourse +of spirit with spirit is not destroyed because one veil of flesh is +dropped; rather it is so much the nearer. The flow of reciprocated +affection, the joy as truly shared, and sorrow as tenderly lightened +with whispered assurances of sympathy, all tell of an union over which +death hath no power. Henceforward no abiding sense of loneliness, can +weigh down the heart made strong in an affection which, + + "Doth draw the very soul into itself," + +and brings it into companionship with "the spirits of just men made +perfect" in the presence of their Father and our Father. All that +remains for earth is "the Patience of Hope." Death to the survivor as +well as to his victim has "lost his sting." Thanks be unto GOD, who +giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.[I] + +Thus faintly and inadequately have been pourtrayed the life and +character of one whom his Maker had endowed with genius, and sent forth +for life's brief day. His appointed task was to go to his fellow men, +when the fever of earth's turmoil is on them, and, by transporting them +into other scenes, to charm away their cares and weariness for a while; +bringing one character after another, and adventures in quick +succession, before the reader, till he rises refreshed, and with new +spirit goes forth again to the conflict of life; having found too, +during his brief sojourn in that ideal region, many a hint of valuable +information, many a true moral principle. + +And if increasing light from that world towards which he was so rapidly +advancing showed him how more distinctly to place before his fellow men +the characteristic truths of Christianity as the foundation of all that +is good and enduring, and to consecrate his talents to the highest +interests of mankind, and then, with all his plans and purposes +ripening, GOD called him away, it was only to enter on worthier labours +in that world, where "His servants serve Him day and night." Strange as +such a cutting short of a life so lately renewed in physical vigour, +and devoted to the high service of GOD appears, the very suddenness was +in keeping with the whole tenor of an existence which knew no idle +moments--as if not an hour of such a spirit was to be wasted--to-day +working here in the full vigour of his mortal life, to-morrow on the +other side of death, an immortal spirit serving in its appointed rank +before the throne of GOD. + +Sense would fain follow, and, amid the shadowy forms of that world, +catch a sight of one so dear: but the eye is strained in vain. Yet Faith +can hear her Father's voice: "BLESSED are the dead that die in the +Lord," and she is content: for "THEY SHALL HUNGER NO MORE, NEITHER +THIRST ANY MORE; NEITHER SHALL THE SUN LIGHT ON THEM, NOR ANY HEAT. FOR +THE LAMB WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE THRONE SHALL FEED THEM, AND SHALL +LEAD THEM UNTO LIVING FOUNTAINS OF WATERS, AND GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL +TEARS FROM THEIR EYES." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] The recovery of Mr. Roby's papers from the wreck of the Orion, June, +1850, when GOD, in His inscrutable providence, cut short a life so +incomparably precious, was even then matter of thankfulness. Many +portions of the MS., from which the legends in this volume were printed, +bear traces of the sad catastrophe. + +[B] The notion of this huge stone being a boulder stone--perhaps from +Norway, which was long believed, is now exploded. A friend at Keswick +(Sept. 1853) writes me word that the Porphyritic greenstone of which it +is composed, runs through many parts of the Lake district, in the +immediate neighbourhood, and that this stone must have fallen from the +cliff just above. My informant adds, that Mr. Wright, the well known +guide, in company with a gentleman, measured the stone and the cavity +whence it fell, and found them to correspond; though the cavity is now +somewhat overgrown by grass, it is not difficult to perceive. + +[C] Esther, in the Jew of York. See Frazer's Mag. for Sept. 1836. + +[D] Robert Langland's Visions of Pierce Plowman, were written about the +year 1362. He represents himself as falling asleep on the Malvern Hills, +and there beholding a series of visions, in describing which, he takes +occasion to satirise the vices prevailing in the different classes of +society, particularly the corruptions of the clergy. His prediction of +the Reformation in England is most remarkable. As the date of these +visions preceded Chaucer twenty years, the author must be considered the +first English poet. He was a native of Shropshire, and fellow of Oriel +College. Whitaker, who styles him the father of English Poetry, does not +confirm the supposition that he was a monk of Worcester or Malvern. He +thus paraphrases the opening lines. + +"In early summer while sunshine was mild, I withdrew myself into a +solitary place, surrounded with shrubs, in habit not like an Anchorite +who keeps his cell, but like one of those unholy hermits who wander +about the world to see and hear wonders; and on a May morning, reclining +in a glade among the Malvern Hills, I slept from fatigue, and dreaming, +beheld all the wealth and woe of the world."--_Whitaker's (of Whalley) +Ed. of Pierce Plowman:_ 1813. + +[E] To strangers as well as residents we were much indebted. We received +both the warmest sympathy and personal kindness from the Rev. J. Clarke, +Incumbent of Stretford near Manchester, whose interesting narrative, +published under the title of "_The Wreck of the Orion_," contains a full +account of the mournful catastrophe. And never can be erased from memory +the debt of kindness due to an English clergyman of the Episcopal Church +in Scotland--the Rev. ---- Pugh--who had come to seek his lovely little +girl who had just perished in the wreck. The sympathy and encouragement +he afforded touching that one supreme desire, and his offer, beyond all +price, to take charge of the remains so unutterably dear, with those of +his own beloved child, fill the heart with a weight of thankfulness that +cannot be expressed. I can only look forward to that world where all the +lovely will be gathered together, and the tears wiped from the mourner's +eyes, as they already have been from those of the beloved ones we weep +over. + +[F] He would sometimes ventriloquise for the amusement of his friends. +The incessant invention required to sustain the wit of three, and +sometimes four, interlocutors, combined with the physical effort, kept +the powers of both mind and body on the stretch to a degree that +exhausted him more than anything else in which he engaged. See +_Stewart's Phil. Hum. Mind_. III. 229--224. + +[G] Foster represents as "the _last_ attainment of a zealously good man, +the resignation to be as diminutive an agent as GOD pleases and as +unsuccessful an one."--_Essay on the Application of the Epithet +Romantic._ Letter V. + +[H] It is not perhaps always borne in mind, that corn, when cut, is not +immediately ready to be carried home. It requires to stand some little +time in shock--that the process of ripening may be completed. + +[I] Since the above was prepared for the press, the writer has met with +an interesting illustration of the power of the consolation there +indicated, in that _unique_ biography, the Life of Mrs. Fletcher of +Madeley. Conder's exquisite poem "the Reverie" treats of the same +thought. It is the poet's subject, in the poet's hands. + + + + +MUSIC. + + + + +AIR FROM A MODERN CONCERTO + + +[Music: + +WORDS BY J. ROBY. AIR FROM A MODERN CONCERTO. + + _Slow._ + + Father, hear a suppliant's cry; + Hear, oh hear, for Thou art nigh. + Though the clouds of sorrow rise + Darkly o'er these troubled skies; + Speak the word, "Let there be light!" + Bid the morning chase the night. + Father, hear a suppliant's prayer; + Darkness flies when Thou art there!] + + + + +SHEW PITY, LORD + + +[Music: + +THE MELODY BY J. ROBY; THE HARMONIES VARIED BY V. NOVELLO. + +[_Extracted, by permission, from the Congregational and Chorister's +Psalm and Hymn-Book. Dufour, Piccadilly._] + + _Slow._ + + TREBLE Shew pity, Lord! O Lord, forgive; + ALTO. Shew pity, Lord! O Lord, forgive; + TENOR. Shew pity, Lord! O Lord, forgive; + See _lower_. + BASS. Shew pity, Lord! O Lord, forgive; + + _Slow._ + + Let a repenting rebel live. + Let a repenting rebel live. + Let a repenting rebel live. + Let a repenting rebel live. + + Are not thy mercies large and free? + Are not thy mercies large and free? + Are not thy mercies large and free? + Are not thy mercies large and free? + + May not a sinner trust in Thee? + May not a sinner trust in Thee? + May not a sinner trust in Thee? + May not a sinner trust in Thee? + + My lips with shame my sins confess. + Against thy law, against thy grace; + Lord, should thy judgment grow severe, + I am condemned, but Thou art clear. + + Yet save a humbling sinner, Lord, + Whose hope, still hovering round thy word, + Would light on some sweet promise there, + Some sure support against despair.] + + + + +LYRICS. + + +Some of the following short poems were composed early in life, while two +or three of those last in order are of a very recent date. Those to +which dates are appended are from another pen. It was intended by Mr. +Roby that they should appear with his own productions. The survivor will +be forgiven the mournful pleasure of thus partially fulfilling one of +those purposes whose "inward light," was wont to + + "Keep the path before him always bright." + + + + +LINES + +WRITTEN ON THE DEPARTURE OF FRIENDS FROM ENGLAND. + + + Swiftly go, thou bounding bark, + As with an arrow's flight; + The untamed winds thy coursers wild, + The waves thy chariot bright.-- + But there are hearts within that shrine + Where wilder billows swell, + Where the last pang is quivering now + The last fond word--"Farewell." + + Blow, ye breezes! Gently roll, + Thou vast and troubled deep! + On thy still waters let the sigh + Of dim-eyed sorrow sleep. + Bright hearts, bright hearths, and merry homes + Their voice is on the wind.-- + Be hush'd, ye blasts; too loud ye bring + Their echoes on the mind. + + Soon these hallow'd shores shall fade, + Fast as the summer cloud, + And stranger climes and stranger forms + Pass, like a pageant proud. + But blessings still your path pursue, + Where'er that path may lie; + Since every devious maze ye trace + Beneath a guiding eye. + + Yon evening star that trembling dips + Beneath the western sea, + Awhile, like him, your lonesome flight, + Like his, your destiny.-- + Though setting now in clouds and gloom, + The day-spring shall arise, + And yon pale star, like you, appear + In pomp from eastern skies! + + May HE whose word the billows calm'd, + And sooth'd those seas to rest, + Yet whisper in the gentlest winds, + That breathe on ocean's breast. + But there are waves of mightier power + His voice alone can still, + The soul's keen throb,--its louder surge + Grows peaceful at his will! + + Swiftly go, thou bounding bark, + As with an arrow's flight, + The untamed winds thy coursers wild, + The waves thy chariot bright! + But there are hearts within that shrine + Where wilder billows swell, + Where the last pang is quivering now + The last fond word--"Farewell!" + + + + +PREFACE TO A LADY'S ALBUM. + + + An Album?--'Tis a pretty book I wis, + Bound up in cow-skin--or sometimes in calf, + All tool'd and gilt--where every pert-eyed miss, + Her pretty pouting lips (too ripe by half), + Hangs o'er the snow-white page--then steals a laugh, + Something between a simper and a smile;-- + "Law, I can't write!--Ridiculous, to spoil + I have no notion----Will an extract do + From Moore or Byron?" "No, write something new." + + An Album?--'Tis a wide waste blank--a page + All bright and glorious, like the morn of life, + Not darken'd with rude blots;--no dim presage + Scrawl'd o'er the bliss-like future,--where no knife, + Like eating care, obliterates.--The strife, + The agony, those hours shall know, nor trace, + Nor track, steals o'er their smooth, unruffled face. + If joy or woe those opening leaves shall bring, + Who shall unfold their dim foretokening? + + And would'st thou have me in that mirror look, + Shadowing the first page in thy destiny, + Or weave a frontlet to Fate's Album-book? + It should be joyous were mine Fate's decree. + Like opera-overtures, the melody + I know the story should foretoken, telling + Of love, hope, joy, and all that sort of thing; + Or, like the pictures on a raree-show, + Blazon the matchless wonders hid below. + + But I'm no prophet!--what these pages may + Or may not gather, hard to say methinks. + 'Tis somewhat strange, e'en for this marvellous day, + Writing a preface to blank leaves,--a sphynx + 'Twould puzzle to undo, like Hymen's links! + The paper's pretty, and a pretty book: + So far seems certain. What may next be shook + From Fate's grim bag, _n'importe_--umquhile, I trow, + Time flits, hopes bud, and wither ere they blow. + + When closed the last page of this history, + If joy or sorrow on that morn shall rise, + What I may then, or thou shalt surely be + I dare not mutter with articulate voice! + And yet I'll try a word or so (no lies, + I hate them); 'tis irrevocable fate + I now unfold. Listen, as though there sate + The wizard seer thy destiny revealing; + Bright hopes, grim horror, o'er thy vision stealing! + + * * * * * + + "Oft shall wearied hope expire, + Bliss none other bosom knows, + Love shall scorch thee with its fire, + Maiden, ere these pages close. + + "Oft shall visions warm and bright, + Glimmer on thine aching brain, + Swifter fading from thy sight, + Ne'er shall dawn those dreams again. + + "Oft shall throb that wearied breast, + Pulse on pulse in anguish beating, + Oft shall sink that storm to rest, + Hope and love those wild waves meeting. + + "Love and hate, and joy and fear, + Shall thy bosom oft o'erflow, + All that woman's heart may bear, + All that woman's breast may know. + + "Oft shall friends thy bosom cherish'd, + Change to deeper, deadlier foes. + Love shall die and hope have perish'd, + Maiden, ere these pages close!" + + + + +TO ---- + + + We have met and we have parted, + Meet it were that love should die; + Teach the winds, thou fond false-hearted, + Teach the light wave constancy! + We have loved as we shall never + Dare on earth to love again! + Hearts thus twined, when they shall sever, + Wear no more love's bootless chain. + + Tell the waves to calm their motion, + Tell the wind thy power to flee, + Bid the chafed and restless ocean + Sleep, aye, sleep unchangeably. + Will the lash'd wave cease its wailing? + Will the moaning billow rest? + Then may Hope with joys unfailing, + Fled like mine, appease thy breast. + + + + +STANZAS. + + + "Lightly o'er the moon-lit sea + Bounds my lover's bark to me; + The breeze hath woo'd the fluttering sail, + Fast flies the prow from the wanton gale." + The lady sung.--'Twas the lone sea-mew + O'er the waters wail'd, as he wistfully flew. + + "Swiftly through the curling foam, + Waft, ye winds, my true love home: + I hear not yet the dripping oar, + The surge uncleft yet greets the shore." + The lady gazed.--'Twas the rushing blast, + Like some spirit of might, on the waters pass'd! + + Darkly o'er the troubled deep, + Ruder winds the billows sweep; + The lady hath left her lattice bower,-- + "Why tarries my love till the midnight hour?" + Swift answer came.--'Twas a shuddering moan, + As her lover's cold corse at her feet was thrown! + + + + +STANZAS FOR MUSIC.[J] + + + Forgotten so soon + Are thy vows when we parted, + Have other links bound thee, + Thou fickle false-hearted? + Go fling to the winds thy last tenderest vow, + They are not so changing, so reckless as thou. + + Can the tear on thy cheek, + The warm gush from thy heart, + So soon dry their torrent? + So quickly depart? + Like dew on the flower, like the web when 'tis broken,-- + Oh frailer than these, woman's vows when they're spoken. + + And was it for this, + In my heart's holiest shrine, + No memory was hidden, + No image but thine? + And I deem'd thee some hallow'd, some heaven-given thing, + Entwined round my bosom for ever to cling. + + I had perill'd my all + On that treacherous bark, + A woman's fond love;-- + When the billows grew dark, + The bright sea was ruffled, the loud storm rush'd on, + My hopes are all wreck'd, and that light bark is gone. + + Go, faithless, and weep! + For I scorn thy words now; + Yet no tears thou wilt shed + Can heal one broken vow; + No weeping can cleanse that one foul perjured stain, + Or quench the keen fire that now scorches my brain. + + Yet stay, false one, stay; + There's a worm in thy breast, + A gloom on thy soul + Where no sunshine shall rest; + To which e'en the agony thou hast made mine + Is blessing and bliss when compared but with thine. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[J] This song, and one from the "Traditions of Lancashire," "They bade +me sing, they bade me smile," were set to music by Mr. Charles Smith, +author of "Hohenlinden" and other popular songs. The stanzas immediately +following were also set by him as a glee. Cramer, Addison, & Co. 201 +Regent Street. + + + + +THE FAIRIES' SONG. + + + Merry, merry elves we be, + O'er the bright and bounding sea, + Dancing merrily. + We glide to the shore in our fairy bark, + When the moon looks out on high, + And the waves twinkle round us in many a spark, + Like radiant melody. + We dance to the sound of the calm cold billow, + Ere it sleeps on the sand, ere it dies on its pillow. + + Merry, merry elves we be, + Under the greenwood tree, + Dancing merrily. + And the moon through yon white and fleecy cloud, + Pale, silent, and softly creeps, + Like a spectre clad in a silvery shroud, + While nature quietly sleeps. + We merrily trip it with twinkling feet, + As the leaves rustle o'er us in melody sweet. + Away, away, + At break of day, + For night is the fairies' holiday. + + + + +STANZAS FOR MUSIC.[K] + + + Fare thee well! the dream is o'er; + Loved one fare thee well! + Tears and vows deceive no more, + When broken every spell. + + Stars that fade in morning light, + Suns that set shall rise; + But no dawn illumes the night, + When Hope's last glimmer dies! + + Oh! lay me where the willows weep, + On some dreary shore; + Calm shall be that colder sleep, + Life's dark vision o'er. + + Though earthly joys for ever fled, + Yet mercy whispers nigh, + Immortal life beyond the dead, + And bliss beyond the sky. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[K] These stanzas have been set to a Spanish air by T. Ashworth. +D'Almaine & Co., Soho Square. + + + + +STANZAS FOR MUSIC. + + + On yon dark bosom'd mountain + The sunbeams are glancing, + On lake and on fountain, + The light ray is dancing. + But yon mountain is dark, though the sunbeams are bright, + And yon fountain is cold, though 'tis quivering with light. + + So one bosom with sadness + Feels dark and opprest, + While around, mirth and gladness + Illumine each breast. + And the smiles that to others with rapture may glow, + Leave that bosom alone to its darkness and woe. + + + + +STANZAS FOR MUSIC. + + + I've seen the smile on woman's cheek, + The tear in woman's eye; + But as I gazed, that smile grew dim, + That liquid fount was dry. + + Oh, I have heard her say she loved, + And kiss'd the plighted token:-- + But I have lived to feel how false + What woman's lip hath spoken! + + Yes, lighter than the lightest breath + That skims the morning air + Is woman's vow, that binds the heart + In witchery or despair! + + How she hath wrung this bleeding breast, + I may not, dare not tell! + I only know that I have loved + Too fondly, and too well. + + + + +STANZAS. + + + Say, what is Love?--a bubble + On life's dull current fleeting, + A thousand hues and visions bright + On its frail surface meeting; + It breaks, and where that vision fair? + Ocean's dark depth may answer, Where? + + Say what is Love?--'tis light + On life's dark billows thrown; + Oh, glorious the first glance + That on those waters shone! + 'Tis gone,--those waves, illum'd no more, + Roll darkly on life's desert shore. + + Say what is Love?--a glimpse, + Life's stormy clouds between, + Of that bright heaven, where all + Is cloudless and serene; + A look, ere night and darkness come, + Beyond the terrors of the tomb! + + Come all whose blighted bosom, + Love's cruel pangs deceive, + Say what shall be the garland + For lovers' brows to weave? + A lone leaf on a blasted tree, + This, this Love's coronal shall be! + + + + +SONG. + + +The following lines were written to the air No. 4, in the 5th book of +Mendelsohn's "Lieder ohne Woerte." + + Oh, say not, lady, + That ought could ever + This fond heart sever + From love and thee + Go, bid the billow + Now calm its motion, + The restless ocean + Rest endlessly! + + Should'st thou deceive me,-- + All earthly blessing, + Not worth possessing,-- + Away I'd flee. + And far from home, love-- + My lost hopes mourning-- + Nor thence returning,-- + I'd pray for thee! + + And though a stranger + To earthly gladness, + There is a sadness + More glad than mirth,-- + + The joy of sorrow; + The sweetest pleasure, + A tear-bought treasure + Of heavenly birth! + + Though all around me + Were darkness veiling, + Yet light unfailing + In death shall rise! + Though day departeth, + Nor cloud nor sorrow + Shall dim that morrow + In yonder skies! + + + + +THE FRIEND. + + + There is a friend, whose love + Is closer than a brother's,-- + Tender, endearing,--'tis above + E'en fondness like a mother's:-- + She may forget her suckling's cry, + His ear attends the feeblest sigh. + + On Him thy panting breast, + By care and anguish riven, + Bleeding and torn, hath found its rest, + From other refuge driven:-- + And earth, with all its joys and fears, + Hath ceased to bring or smiles or tears. + + Morn's dew-enamell'd flowers, + The cloud through azure sweeping, + Their brightness owe to sadder hours, + Their calm, to storms and weeping.-- + That Friend shall thus each tear illume, + To forms of glory shape that gloom. + + Eve's sapphire cloud hath been + Dark as the brow of sorrow; + Those dew pearls wreath'd in emerald green, + Once wept a coming morrow:-- + But glory sprang o'er earth and sky, + And all was light and ecstacy. + + Yon star upon the brow + Of night's grey coronet, + Morn's radiant blush, eve's ruddy glow, + Had yon bright sun ne'er set, + Were hidden still from mortal sight, + Lost in impenetrable light. + + Then should afflictions come, + Dark as the shroud of even, + A thousand glories glitter from + The burning arch of heaven! + Though earth be wrapt in doubt and gloom, + New splendours dawn o'er daylight's tomb. + + And who that azure hung + With lamps of living fire? + Who, when the hosts of morning sung, + First listen'd to their quire? + The Man of Sorrows mercy sent,-- + In heav'n the GOD!--the Omnipotent! + + HE is that friend, whose love + Nor life nor death shall sever! + Eternal as yon throne above, + Unchanged, endures for ever. + What would'st thou more, frail fabric of the dust; + OMNIPOTENCE thy Shield!--thy Refuge!--Trust! + + + + +LINES TO A LADY + +WHOM THE AUTHOR HAD NEVER SEEN. + + + What though thy form I ne'er beheld, + Yet fancy oft would trace + Expression, features, look, with all + Their witchery or grace. + + What though thy voice were never heard, + I felt its melting tone, + That came like some mysterious spell, + Unbidden and alone! + + I saw thee in the winged beam, + First-born of morning light; + In darkness oft I saw thee still, + A vision of the night. + + And though unheard, unseen,--thy name + The same sweet image brings, + And fancy o'er the mimic scene, + Her own bright halo flings. + + Oh who shall tell the wondrous glimpse + Imagination threw, + As though past, present, and to come + Were open to her view! + + As though the hidden sense had now, + From earthly dross refin'd, + Pierc'd this material and left + Mortality behind! + + And is not this a ray that breaks, + With unquench'd potency, + Forth from the Omnipotent,--a light + From his omniscient eye? + + A spark from that eternal mind, + First breath'd into our breast; + An image of the Infinite, + On finite pow'rs impress'd. + + And though debas'd, degraded, dim, + From heav'n's own light they shine, + Imagination, fancy, thought, + Their origin divine! + + + + +THE BIRCH + +ON THE WORCESTERSHIRE BEACON, GREAT MALVERN. + + + It stood alone on the green hill side, + That fairy birchen tree, + Its yellow leaves in the autumn breeze + Were flutt'ring heavily. + + The early frosts brought those pale leaves down, + Ere the storms of winter came; + And stripp'd and bare stood my birchen tree, + But a wreck to tell its name. + + I pass'd the place when the streams were still, + When the earth was chang'd to stone, + On the leafless boughs a hoary show'r, + As a spell of heav'n was thrown. + + The glistening sprays by the wind were stirr'd, + Like a banner gently furl'd; + It seem'd, in its pure and peerless grace, + A gift from another world. + + And even thus in our inner life, + When the early frosts are come, + When the greenness has pass'd from life away, + And the music of earth is dumb; + + 'Tis then that the light and hope of heav'n, + O'er the lonely heart are flung, + And our spirit knows a holier joy + Than that to which erst it clung. + + And year by year is the type renew'd, + That our wayward hearts may learn, + There is peace for the stripp'd and wearied ones, + Who in faith to their Father turn. + + 1841. + + + + +ASTROLOGY. + + + 'Tis said that in the burning stars + The fate of man is writ: + Yet quail not, Christian, at the sign; + By LOVE those lamps are lit. + + 1848. + + + + +THE FIRST REVELATION. + + +Suggested by the story of a child, whose father, an educated man, but an +infidel, if not an atheist, had not allowed him to receive any religious +culture. Being one day reproved by a friend for using profane language, +on the ground that it was displeasing to GOD, he enquired who was meant. +He instantly apprehended with delight all that was told him of the +nature and attributes of the Supreme Being, as if the idea had been +latent in his mind, until thus called forth into recognised existence. + + Shadows o'er the infant mind, + Floating dimly undefin'd + Like a picture scarce design'd. + + Melody but half express'd, + Inarticulate at best, + Haunting ever that young breast. + + But the magic word is spoken, + And the shades of night are broken, + And by that same lustrous token. + + "GOD THE MIGHTY ONE," now near, + Memnon music on the ear + Falls articulate and clear. + + And the day of life begun + By the newly risen sun, + In that light its paths are run. + + Even so, when GOD reveal'd + To the eye by Death unseal'd, + Shall completed being yield, + + Will the shadows which now lie, + As dim portents to the eye, + From the spirit's vision fly. + + And the mystic sounds and sweet, + Which the untaught ear oft greet, + Shall a lucid tale repeat. + + And mysterious spirit-life-- + Past its agony and strife-- + Be with seven-fold Glory rife. + + 1848. + + + + +AN EVENING HYMN. + + + Faint falls the twilight dim, + Woods, waves, their ev'ning hymn + Murmur to Thee. + One pale star ocean seeks, + One waveless glimmer breaks + O'er that lone sea. + + Softly the passing gale, + Sighs like love's parting tale, + Whispers not words. + Clouds come not o'er that night, + Stars burn with purer light + Than earth affords. + + Come, Night, around this breast, + Thy soothing dreamy rest + Waft o'er my soul; + While thoughts of heav'nly birth, + Untouch'd by aught of earth, + Undimm'd may roll.-- + + Then like yon star may we + Meet death's calm silent sea, + Setting to rise. + Bright'ning still while we sink, + On that dread ocean brink, + To other skies! + + + + +THE DUKE OF MANTUA. + +A Tragedy. + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE. + + MEN + + ANDREA, _Duke of Mantua_. + + RIDOLFI, _the Duke's Foster-brother_. + + CARLOS, _in love with Hermione_. + + BERTRAND, _Friend to Carlos_. + + FABIAN, } _Pages attending on the Duke_. + SYLVIO, } + + GIULIO, _a Minstrel attending on Carlos_. + + STEPHANO, } _Servants to Ridolfi_. + ROLAND, } + + _Priest_. + + _Grave-Digger_. + + _Citizens of Mantua_. + + + WOMEN + + BEATRICE, _Duchess of Mantua_. + + HERMIONE, _Cousin to Ridolfi_. + + LAURA, _Sister to Ridolfi_. + + ZORAYDA, _a Gipsy_. + + BLANCH, _Servant to Hermione_. + + + _Guards, Soldiers, &c_. + + + _Scene--Mantua._ + + + + +THE DUKE OF MANTUA. + + +ACT I.--SCENE I. + + _A Room in the Duke's Palace at Mantua._ + + _Enter the DUKE and RIDOLFI._ + + RIDOLFI. +Hermione again visits my house.-- +Your presence, good my lord, with your fair dame, +I would solicit. + + DUKE. + Well, Ridolfi, be it so:--to-day, +If nought forbid the time:--Hermione, +Thou say'st?--I do remember, yet so slight, 'tis scarce +The shadow of her form. But once, my brother, +'Twas one fair summer's eve, awhile I saw +Thy sprightly coz: a laughter-loving spirit, +She threw quick mirth as the unbidden shafts +Of innocent love, scattering with hand profuse +Her joyous pranks. I was but newly wedded, +Scarce past the honey-moon; Beatrice hung +Fondly upon mine arm, and we too laugh'd, +On that still night, until the whisp'ring woods +Grew loud, and thousand voices started forth +From bough and hoary stem, bursting as if +To riotous life; and yet her giddy face, +Playful and changing as the restless wave, +I cannot fashion now from memory's storehouse-- +How fares thy cousin? + + RIDOLFI. + Still by love, my lord, +She comes untamed; but time, one delicate shade +Hath slightly pass'd upon her wanton mirth, +Softening the ruder bursts of her high spirit, +Tinged ofttime now with gentler thought. + + DUKE. + 'Tis well +When ripening years mellow the gaudy hue +Of youth's rich fancies, sparkling else too bright +For its repose.----We visit thee to-day.-- +This tribute say we give Hermione. + + RIDOLFI. +Much honour hold we from your presence: +Our poorer hospitality excuse, +As you are wont. Adieu! No costly feast +We give, but our glad welcome. [_Exit._ + + DUKE. + A brother still,--a friend +To cheer my way through life's dark wilderness. +Thou art a feeble light, and yet I love +To watch thy tremulous blaze, blessing the gloom, +And shedding round my path its thousand gems, +Sprinkling perchance some loathed and hideous form +With thy pale gleam. How tender hast thou been +To my worst weaknesses, my foibles, all +Heart-withering cares! Though born to humbler honours, +I call thee friend. Well hast thou earn'd from me +That sacred name! One bosom nourish'd us: +One hand our childhood rear'd; twining we grew +Unto one stem, till riches and high birth +Bore me brief space from that beloved soil,-- +That home, to which our very nature yet +Seems most akin.---- +Of proud descent, unsullied as mine own, +Thou yet canst boast: if not of titled wealth, +Of outward garb, thy suit becomes thee well; +And I do love thee more than if array'd +In ducal coronet. Beatrice too +Hath prized him for my sake, and her esteem +I do repay with tenfold love.---- +Fierce, feverish love!--thine idle dreams,--fleeting +As cloud-fed vapour, yon o'erarching bow +Bestrides,--fade as the sunbeam on the sky +Dispels the glowing mist. 'Tis well, if then +The welkin clear'd, each circumstance and form,-- +Fashion'd realities by truth impress'd +Upon the craving eye-balls,--O 'tis well +If on these fix'd and palpable images +Of roused and wakening sense, the eye may rest +With unappeased delight! But if the while +Love's light-wing'd visions fade, nought fills the void +Save chilling wastes, trackless, unlimited, +That echo back their own grim desolation +To the appalled spirit. What escape +The shrinking soul is left, save one dark path +To unappointed death? I thank thee, Heaven, +Thou sparest me this trial! Love hath still +With proud esteem held equal sway: in peace, +Untroubled they divide their several empire.---- +But I must hence; Beatrice I would greet +First with these tidings of Hermione. [_Exit._ + + +SCENE II. + + _A Hall in the House of Ridolfi._ + + _Enter Servants, preparing for an Entertainment._ + + ROLAND. +Help me with this wine, Stephano. + + STEPHANO. +Help thee? yea, my wishes be thy help. I hope thou wilt have unhelped +speed. + + ROLAND. +Truce to thy wit, comrade, for it helpeth me not, save an' my fingers to +this cudgel, and thine hide to a basting. + + STEPHANO. +Nay, spare thy wit, and thy cudgel to boot: mine hide endureth it not +tenderly. If I should wince, thou mightest come to harm. A dainty flagon +this: would that thy mouth were as dry as my lips, and our bellies had +changed occupants! Thy lazy body would be lighter, methinks, and I +better able to carry thee.---- + + ROLAND. +The Lady Hermione! Oh, how I do love her sweet face, Stephano! She +smiles an' it were so temptingly when she speaks! "Good Roland," says +she, "give me of that wine."--"Kind Roland, do go to the bath, and carry +my little spaniel:"--or thus, "Honest master Roland, pray take my +basket, and bring me thy master's garden mittens." This house, I trow, +Stephano, she makes like to some gay palace, when she visits it; as +pleasant and full of goodness as the Duke's pantry, who comes to the +feast to-day. She was here some two years agone, and I thought I should +have pined away at heart when she left. + + STEPHANO. +Tush! thou star-stricken marmoset! Is she not a woman? Are not all women +as full of deceit as their grandmothers? Is not Eve's flesh upon the +bones of the very best jade in Christendom? and this blowzy-bell of +thine, beshrew me, has no better a covering than the rest of 'em. This +dainty hoyden thou delightest to worship, man, can be as chary of her +winning looks as any of her sisterhood; and if I have not seen a storm +brewing in her face, I have seen a water-spout in her eye, marry, which +is almost fathomless. Mark me, Roland; if any good comes of her mummery, +I am no true prophet, that's all. + + ROLAND. +Envious in this, I do guess, Stephano. Why does she not smile on +thee--eh? Thy stupid face, seamed like a beggar's coat; thy marvellous +bright eyes and small nostrils; or, mayhap, I might the rather mean, thy +marvellous bright nostrils and small eyes, make tears come into her +delicate organs by sympathy, like the stroke of a dull razor. I tell +thee, man, she cannot smile fronting thy mis-shapened countenance. I +know many gentlewomen that bear not an ugly serving-man about them; and +the delicate Hermione, I should bethink me, hath aversion to such.--I +like her the better, Stephano, for thine ugliness. + + STEPHANO. +Thou mis-shapen cur, time serves not to correct thee. What! dost brag if +thy grinning leer provoke her mirth? "Sweet Roland," ah, "good Roland," +put thy nose to the curling irons, and twist thy mouth with thy garters. +I can tell thee, "Master Roland," this favourite hath her privy +counsellors, and she not a wit loth to trust 'em. Ah, ah! "honest +Roland," perhaps thou didst help her to the terrace key o' yesternight; +and it was "kind Roland, fetch me"--oh, her pretty spaniel was it, +"Master Roland?" + + ROLAND. +Nay, thou art in jest. Sawest thou the Lady Hermione with the key last +night? + + STEPHANO. +I heard a noise in the gallery, and I jumped hastily from my mattress, +and who should I see but Hermione, with her chamber-lamp, opening the +door which leads to the garden terrace. What sayest thou, Roland? + + ROLAND. +The key I fetched not. + + STEPHANO. +Then, it seems, she lacks not other "honest" friends for matters of more +need, and they in nothing loth to serve her. + + ROLAND. +Didst thou watch her further? + + STEPHANO. +Ay, good Roland, or I do not deserve to know the worth of a pretty +secret. + + ROLAND. +Well?-- + + STEPHANO. +Thou art curious, i' faith. What makes thee look so wistful? + + ROLAND. +Come, thou lucky knave, I want the burden of thy song. How sped she? + + STEPHANO. +I hied me to the topmost lattice, overlooking-- + + ROLAND. +Who was the gallant? + + STEPHANO. +Why truly he had a brighter face than thine own, but shorn off somewhat +from the left cheek. + + ROLAND. +Thou speakest parables, Stephano. Out with it, friend: a secret cometh +to no good if kept in thy stomach. + + STEPHANO. +A fair face; eyes, mouth, and nose, though none of the best;--I think +not half so well made as mine own. + + ROLAND. +In troth, a dainty lover. What more? + + STEPHANO. +But then she gave him such a look of devotion, it would have done thine +heart good to have watched the turn of her face, and to have looked at +the glistening of her eye,--and yet this platter-faced gallant seemed +all unmoved. + + ROLAND. +His name knowest thou? + + STEPHANO. +Verily, he hath many titles, and I should be puzzled to suit my respect +with his proper quality, should we meet. + + ROLAND. +I'll watch to-night;--but pr'ythee whisper me his name gently; I am not +quick at solving a riddle. + + STEPHANO. +Nay, nay; watch and satisfy thine own prying fancy, as I have mine. If +she walks to-night I'll call thee. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE III. + + _A Chamber in Ridolfi's House._ + + _HERMIONE, sitting at a Table._ + + HERMIONE. +Two years agone--this self-same chamber-- +Just as 'twas wont;--that ebony casket--still +Yon little crucifix hung o'er the mirror,-- +That plaited riband, on its flower-carved pillars, +I wore in sport for love's fair guerdon; +Its chequer'd noose I vow'd to cast on him +Who caught me first in some wild reckless game +Of wanton mirth; but none, as I remember, +The adventure gain'd,--it hangs unclaimed still. +But why this heaviness?--as if some secret, +Some long-forgotten grief, waked from its slumber, +Roused at the voice of these loud recollections. +Ah! dread dissembler! once I thought thee dead, +And thou but slept! Away! haunt not my spirit! +Is it thy form, fell demon? Hence!--thy strength +Is nurtured but with present loneliness, +And on the wings of some reviving thought +Admittance hast thou gain'd to mock me. + [_Knocking without._ +Who knocks?-- + + BLANCH. +'Tis time, lady, you adorn for the guests. The Duke sends word he will +attend, and with it his gracious love to Hermione. This billet greets +you with his welcome. + + HERMIONE. +A billet!--Welcome!--Stay. +Thou shalt attire me in some simple garb, +Some unassuming robe; its modest hue +Unnoticed, I can there observe +The humours of this feast. + + BLANCH. +Your crimson bodice, lady, becomes you best, and your lilac kerchief +with the blue purfle----or do you choose your orange tiffany dress, and +your coif and farthingale? + + HERMIONE. +Neither, good Blanch. Where is mine old spotted robe, with the silk +sleeves and violet-flowered stomacher? + + BLANCH. +Lady, what unlucky accident should bethink you of the garment? I fear +your memory is but indifferently served. Once, my kind mistress, you +gave it to me: and I remember well I said the dress was too gay, when +straight you replied, with a sigh (and I do always grieve to hear you +sigh, lady), "Take it, good Blanch; I wear it not again:" which I the +more marvelled at, being, as you remember, made up for your last visit +to Mantua, nor did you inquire for it, after you left this gay city; but +methinks none other serves you so well for this same soft-air'd clime. I +will away for it speedily, right glad, I trow, the roguish pedler hath +not fetched it, who gathers the cast-off dresses from your house. I have +not worn the apparel, lady. + + HERMIONE. +Thou art a kind-hearted gossip. Choose thee the best suit from my +clothes-press, and take it for the exchange.--Nay, good Blanch, I allow +not thy gainsay:--it will, peradventure, help thee to a husband. + + BLANCH. +I will but keep it then, my sweet mistress, to answer at your bidding; +mayhap, you will fancy it on your wedding-day. + + HERMIONE. +I shall need no garment then, but the one thy grandmother wore when she +scared thy father in the forest. + + BLANCH. +Save you, my lady! mean you her winding-sheet? + + HERMIONE. +I mean mine own, Blanch; hers being worn out, belike, ere now, with much +travel. + + BLANCH. +Oh, mercy!--but you are ever at a jest. + + HERMIONE. +Nay, girl, my spirits are too heavy. + + BLANCH. +What mean you, fair mistress? I do fear me a few hours of this Mantuan +air have wrought untowardly with you. Are you ill, lady? + + HERMIONE. +No, girl. + + BLANCH. +It is a secret that disturbs you? + + HERMIONE. +Thou canst sing, Blanch?-- + + BLANCH. +Ay, sweet lady, that can I,--and your favourite carol too. List. + [_Sings._ + "The miller was blithe in the red, red morn. + And he sung ere the lark left her nest; + His heart was bright as the gold, gold light + That comes o'er the dappled east." + + HERMIONE. +Nay, that sorts not with my humour, Blanch. + + BLANCH. +Shall I try the merry troll you were always right glad to hear, which +the old steward taught us? + + "Roundabout, roundabout, laugh and glee + So merry, so merry--" + + HERMIONE. +Stay:--not now:--some other song, and we'll in to the toilet: let it be +brief--I know not why,--save that I think thy singing hath not now such +a jocund and mirthful spirit in it. + + BLANCH. +Ah, lady!--but strange purposes are i' the wind when the mirth-giving +Hermione becometh a lover of lamentable ditties!--Stay, shall it be of +love?--a sleepy tale of love, as you were wont to call it?--I know a +ballad of this hue. + + HERMIONE. +I care not: another, it may be, would have chimed better. Yet, I'll hear +thee as a babbler of strange stories. + + BLANCH (_sings_). + "Up with the light, + My maiden bright, + The thrush twitters on the tree; +Each merry, merry bird to his mate doth call, + And the bridal waits for thee! + +"The sunbeams pass On the dew-spread grass, And gold gleams are in the +sky; The morn's balmy breeze to thy casement hies, And thy bridegoom is +waiting for thee." + +The lover spake, "Fair maid, awake," Yet the maiden still she slept! +"Why tarries she from me?--thy bonny face I'll see," And lightly to her +window he leapt. + +One cry he gave, Then still as the grave In dim horror he fix'd his dark +eye; For there his lady bright slept her long, long changeless night, +And a blood-sprinkled corpse welter'd nigh! + + BLANCH. +How like you the song? + + HERMIONE. +Indifferent well;--methinks it were too sad. But sadness and I must have +closer fellowship ere long, or I mistake the note of her approach. Away, +Blanch; we must not delay the honours of the feast. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE IV. + + _An Inn at Mantua._ + + _Enter BERTRAND and CARLOS, fatigued with travel._ + + BERTRAND. +'Tis well, good Carlos, in this noble city, +Thanks to all proper instruments, we now +Enter safe housed. Nay, nay, dole-stricken friend, +Put off these looks, drench'd still in woe. Why, man, +Love ne'er was waked with weeping; woman's eye +E'er kept her heart, and thou must henceforth bribe +With gayer looks that restless twinkling organ, +Ere thou may'st gain admittance to her breast. +Rouse thee!--Accost her thus, with careless look +And laughing eye;--bid her "good day;"-- +Wring her fair hand; and if withdrawn, +Why seize her by the waist: her sullen looks +Heed not; an' if she chide, toss back her words;-- +Let her not learn from thy woe-tinctured face, +Ere yet the tremulous voice its utterance shape, +Thou pinest a love-sick fool!-- + + CARLOS. + Bertrand, forbear. +Thou speakest like to one whose lofty spirit +Love hath not quell'd. I cannot now th' oppressor +Lift from my soul; I am bow'd down,--subdued,-- +Crush'd even to earth,--yet crawling heavily, +A cumbrous burden, wearied, useless here, +And without purport to my fellow-men!-- +I seem aloof from all connexion, tie, +Or kindred with mankind. The very earth, +My parent dust, claims not its fellowship +With mine! Would that yon chill and rayless dwelling +Had shut me out, and all mine hated sorrow, +Far from the gaze, the cold, unpitying gaze, +Alike of stranger and of friend! +Soon shall the darkness cover me,--the tomb +Close mine account for ever. Then shall I rest;-- +No glance of cool-eyed scorn shall meet me there, +Nor woman's charm'd and traitorous tongue shall mock me. +They seek not victims i' the grave!--My grief +Shall there be spent; the heart's last ebbing throe +To earth in quiet nothingness shall leave me, +Loosed from my dungeon and my chain!-- + + BERTRAND. + Carlos, +Thy troubled spirit hath no appetite +For aught but evil. Fancy, diseased, +Shapeth its wrongs from what itself doth breed,-- +E'en as the timid and belated hind +From out his spectre-haunted brain brings forth +The shadow most he fears.--I do not mock thee; +Cold scorn lurks not i' the same laughing orbit +Of an unfraudulent eye. Thou know'st it well, +Thy peace alone I've sought; and this coy dame, +Woo'd as mine hopes commend, would free my bosom +From half its load. For these remediless griefs +With equal weight oppress mine anguish'd spirit, +As the united woe this breast e'er smote, +The sum untold of this world's misery. + + CARLOS. +Forgive a wayward tongue, fretful--unkind: +My breaking heart still holds thee dear. + + BERTRAND. + Forgive!-- +Nay, ask not this;--man asks but favours. +What waits our bolder claim we crave not. Hold!-- +'Tis needful we devise, touching our errand, +Some scheme for its adventure. Shrewd my guess, +Thou would'st e'en now return, unwoo'd, unsought +This dainty maiden, and to others leave +The fond pursuit, then lay thee down and weep! +I've led thee hither, Carlos;--here I vow, +Ere this same gallant city hath disgorged +Such useless habitants, to her dull ear +Thou shalt commend thy love. + + CARLOS. +I've penn'd a fragrant billet---- + + BERTRAND. + Or a sonnet, +Mayhap, unto her eyne. Nay, 'tis not thus +Her fickle love is caught:--canst find no speech? +'Tis said love's eloquent, and pleadeth nobly, +Using such vehement passion as doth rouse +The listening heart. Pour thy whole soul to hers: +Give her no space for thought--'twill bring resistance. +Reflection's chill and polish'd surface soon +Would glance off thine artillery, rolling back +The warm flood to thine heart. But I forbear:-- +My wish is ever foremost on my tongue, +And still outstrips thy power! Well, thou canst sing, +Play on the cittern, trill the soft-voiced lute +Beneath a lady's chamber; thou canst fill +A delicate ear with ditties framed so deftly, +And with such wondrous skill, another's woe +Shall seem thine own, 'Tis said, in that soft hour +The maiden's heart is tender, and well nurtured +To cherish love's impressions. Then, I tell thee, +Unask'd attend, and with some vagrant band +Of hired melodists, at once discourse, +To thine heart's easing, of pale woe, sighs, groans, +And love forsaken. Thus prepared, her thought +Will wondering turn to her moon-driven warbler. +Thou knowest well in woman's restless soul +A lurking fondness lies for mystery. +If thou but win her thought to some connexion, +Some yet scarce-felt recurrence with thine own, +And pleasure once associate with the thought-- +These outworks gain'd, cheer thee, thou gloomy knight; +The lady shall be won. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE V. + + _The Terrace. Moonlight._ + + _Enter HERMIONE._ + + HERMIONE. +Calm orb, how tranquil is thy path!-- +Amid the stars thou walkest, clad in light +As with a garment. Still thy borrow'd robe +The darkness compasseth, and sullen night +His cloud-spread visage cleareth at thy beam.-- +How calm on yonder stream the moonlight sleeps! +Fair image, woman, of thy maiden breast, +Unmoved by love. Anon, some vagrant breath +Ruffles its surface, and its pure still light +In tremulous pulses heaves:--brighter, perchance, +That feverish glitter, but its rest is o'er!-- +How fresh the dewy air falls on my cheek, +As if some spirit, clothed in its influence, came +Upon my soul, with one heaven-given drop, +To cool its torment! Would that I could bind +Thine incorporeal essence! I would chain thee +Here!--on my heart! Benevolent visitor, +Whether from yon bright sphere to mortals sent, +On moonbeams gliding,--fairy gnome or sylph, +Whate'er thy name;--or from earth's glistening caves, +Or from the forest-corall'd deep thou comest, +In these chill drops that stud my dew-deck'd hair, +Its every braid impearling:--fly me not, +I charge thee, gentle spirit!--Hark! he comes! + [_Music at a distance._ +I thank thee---- + [_The sound gradually approaches, until heard + apparently from beneath the Terrace._ +A voice!--I'll hear thy words. Breathe not too loud, +Ye winds.-- + + SONG. + Lady, list to me! + Thy gentle spirit I'll be; +The fire is my garment, the flood is my bed, +And I paint the first cloud with the sunbeam red + That rolls o'er the broad blue sea. + +Lady, list to me! To the mountain-top I flee: There I watch the first +wave that comes laden with light, And its soft hue I spread o'er each +billow so bright, With its beam I enkindle each heaven-peering height, +And the morn's radiant canopy.-- + [_The voice ceases, and the music slowly retires._ + + HERMIONE. +Oh fly not!--bear me on thy wing!--from earth-- +From----Why this shudder?--Save me, spirit of air, +Or earth, or sea! Tear me but hence; and yet +I cannot part. Oh! why in mercy once +Was I conceived, and not to nothing crush'd +Ere the first feeble pulse, unconscious life, +Crept through this viewless form?--Why was I kept +Unharm'd through infinite perils?--spared, yet doom'd +To writhe unpitied--succourless--alone, +Beneath one cruel, one remorseless woe,-- +From hope shut out--from common sympathy, +And all communion of sorrow,--e'en +To the veriest wretch upon thy bosom earth +Ne'er yet denied?--This boon I dare not ask: +Wither'd, consumed, companionless, unwept, +I meet mine hastening doom. Yet, clad in smiles, +A flower-wreathed sacrifice, I gaily bound, +With gambols playful as the innocent lamb, +To the devouring altar. The knife is bared!-- +Uplifted,--glittering! Yet I woo thee, tyrant, +And madly kiss my chain. This night the feast +I left;--arm'd, I had proudly thought--vain hope! +With such resolve as, on this moonlit terrace, +Where, freed awhile from earth's disquietude, +My thralled heart might here unchain for ever!-- + [_Takes a billet from her bosom._ +I vow'd to snatch thee from my breast! +To tear thee hence! and to the winds, unseen, +Commit thy perishing fragments, e'en as now +This unoffending page I rend, far scattering +Its frail memorial to the air.-- + [_Makes an effort to tear the paper._ +Some power withholds me. What! for this thou yearnest? +Weak, foolish heart, some other hour, thou say'st, +Better thou canst resign this fluttering relic +Of thy----hope, whisperest thou? +Nay, folly--madness,--call it but aright, +Thou throbbing fool, and I will give thee back +Thy doted bauble. [_Returns it into her bosom._ + There--there!--watch over it! +Brood on thy minion!--cherish and pamper it +Until it mock thee!--prey on thy young blood,-- +Poison each spring of natural affection, +And all the sympathies that flesh inherits,-- +Then wilt thou curse thine idol!--Impotent rage,-- +It will deride thee, and will fiercely cling +To thine undoing for ever. Fare thee well, +Thou star-hung canopy!--far-smiling orb. +Farewell! No more sweet influences ye fling, +As ye were wont, around my desolate heart; +I cannot bear your stillness:--Earthquake--storm-- +The mighty war of the vex'd elements, +Would best comport with my disquiet:--now, +On thy calm face I dare not look again! [_Exit._ + + _Enter ROLAND and STEPHANO._ + + STEPHANO. +So, so, my moon-eyed maiden. Ah, "Good Roland," gallants breed not i' +the sun; they thrive best belike i' the moonbeams. + + ROLAND. +I saw no gallant. + + STEPHANO. +Why, poor wretch, I pity thee. Perhaps she hath fallen sick for the +moon; thou seest his cheek is somewhat shorn off, and I verily think he +favours the lover that I told thee of. + + ROLAND. +Thou art an old and a wicked rogue. But what waked such pleasant music? +Came that from the moon too? + + STEPHANO. +Ah, ah, honest friend, dost thou breed suspicions?--Ask the gardener who +brought the music-men so late under the garden terrace. + + _Enter LAURA cautiously, carrying a light._ + + LAURA. +How now, masters, wot ye,--a pretty time o' night for secret +whisperings! What brings you to the terrace, worthy sirs, so nigh upon +midnight? Pleasant discourse truly, you unseasonable villains! Can't you +stay a-bed? + + ROLAND. +Sweet mistress, we came to hear the music. + + LAURA. +And what should lug your dainty ears to the serenade?--I' faith, 'tis +high time for your betters to stop their ears, when asses jog to the +pipe. So, you guessed the music came to benefit your private discourse. +An excellent jest this!--a serenade to a couple of owls.--Get in, you +lazy dolts, and thank your stars, and not your ears, that you have +'scaped a beating.----[_Exeunt ROLAND and STEPHANO._]----I wonder these +idiots guessed not who drew the serenade to this long-deserted house. +True it may be some dozen years or more since this same salute awoke me; +nevertheless, I was not past hope of its return. That gallant stranger +whom I saw at vespers yesterday eyed me not, nor did he watch the corner +of the street, for nought.--Well, it is a noble-looking cavalier, and a +steady, well-ordered person, I warrant, from his noticing me so +properly, and not that giddy coz of mine, the love-unheeding +Hermione.--I hope he will return. Virgin decorum permitteth not my +regard to his first appearance.--Hark!----[_Music._]----Oh! how my heart +flutters! Sweet harbinger of love! I must show myself, or he will die of +despair, or, perchance, he will not come again, which will suit me still +worse. Though, certes, it would be mightily amusing to feel oneself the +cause of a gay cavalier hanging himself in his garters! What a precious +revenge for the many slights we maidens are subject to! And then, to +have it said, "there goes the signora for whom signor so and so hanged +himself." Oh, how charming is this moonlight! Really, I am younger +to-night than when I was but one year past thirty. Hush!--ay, I warrant +thou art in love;--I can tell by the turn of thy voice. Senor Antonio +quavered just as thou dost;--but--he was fickle, and quavered so far he +could not get back again. I never saw him again after his second sky +alto!--Hark! + + SONG. + Fair as the moonbeam, + Bright as the running stream, + Sparkling, yet cold. + In Love's tiny fingers + A shaft yet there lingers, +And he creeps near thy bosom and smiles, lady. + Soon his soft wings will cherish + A flame round thine heart, + And, ere it may perish, + Thy peace shall depart. + O listen, listen, lady gay, + Love doth not always sue; + The brightest flame will oft decay, + The fondest lover rue, lady! + + LAURA. +I cannot resist. + [_She waves her hand over the Terrace. A letter is + thrown--she takes it to the lamp, and reads--_ + +"Say, fairest, canst thou love? or doth cold scorn compose the sum of +thy affections? Can thine eyes enkindle so suddenly another's heart, and +yet shed no warmth on thine own? Give me but one smile, and thou shalt +frown upon me for ever: so shall that cheering beam outlive a thousand +dark winters. I am grown bold, for I have but a simple tale, and if thou +wilt lend an ear to my suit, on the Terrace, to-morrow night at this +hour, my presence will not offend thee again unless thou judgest in my +favour. + "CARLOS." + +So, so,--rather a bold gallant I trow, seeing it is the first he hath +asked of my company; but I guess it is the fashion of these perilous +days. Peradventure, if I had not been beforetime so careful of my +favours, I had been woo'd and wedded with the best of 'em. After all, I +see no great harm in the company of a handsome young spark, save that +the uncourted dames are envious withal! but verily they would change +their minds mayhap as I do, though every one doth not judge so +charitably as the person who hath chanced to ride on the other side of +his opinion. I scolded the maids though but yesterday for a night frolic +with their sweethearts, and bravely will Hermione laugh at my sermon, +with the practice thereto appended. Well, I care not--"let those laugh +that get the magpie's nest."--When I am married, grin who dare;--Carlos, +I meet thee! [_Exit._ + + +ACT II.--SCENE I. + + _The Duke's Chamber._ + + _Enter DUKE._ + + DUKE. +A strange conceit:--where dwellest thou, +And on what nurtured?--Love on air-fed dreams +Yet lives not: if in the heart nor hope there be, +Nor thought, nor token'd glimpse on which to cling +For daily sustenance, the recreant dies.-- +Repliest thou?--What, nought my monitor?-- +Nay, thou didst rise unbidden on my path, +With threatening front, and sternly stalked thee forth +From out thy covert, sent, forsooth, as though +To warn of menaced danger. Back to thy den! +Dream there of mischief and invent new terrors; +I yet can jest, laugh with the laughing dames, +Sport in their transient blaze, unharm'd, uncensured, +And ever to thy fond embrace return, +Beatrice, thence more wedded to thine heart! +In quiet cease thine oft foreboding ill, +Nor with unreal fears haunt my repose, +Lest when thou shouldst arouse, erewhile to rush +Betwixt me and my purpose, thine alarms +I heed not, if so oft thy drivelling fancies +Arise to fool me!---- + + _Enter an ATTENDANT._ + + ATTENDANT. +My Lord, the Lady Hermione visits you to-day. + + DUKE. +My pages--are they summoned? + + ATTENDANT. +Fabian waits below, in the great hall, just equipped for the chase. + + DUKE. +Let him attend. [_Exit ATTENDANT._ +The tongue of that gay damsel in mine ear +Yet rings. I like her wit well, she doth sport +These humours nobly. Words from her charmed lips +Do gather sweetness, and the sharpest taunt +Falls from her harmless, veil'd in the soft tones +Of her most delicate voice. And yet her presence +I would not seek; a lurking mystery +Hangs, or my thought deceives me, fathomless, +Inscrutable, and dazzling as the veil +That quells th' intruder's gaze. I watch'd her eye +In secret yesternight, amid the feast; +The soul that sate there laugh'd not, but her face +With radiant smiles was sprinkled, dimpling o'er +Like the soft waves on summer seas, with such +Smooth, gentle undulation. Yet her eye +Ne'er rose nor fell, but fix'd as some stern rock +Amid that smiling wave. I like not this-- +There's witchery in that glance. + + _Enter FABIAN._ + +Bring here my tablets, boy:--how goes the news? + + FABIAN. +Your grace, perchance, hath heard two gentle strangers +The abode inquiring of Hermione. +Beneath Ridolfi's terrace, yesternight, +Unto her ear they gave, with pipe and lute, +Sweet signal of their presence. + + DUKE. + Where?--the terrace!-- +I'll have them seiz'd. Ho!--guards! + + _Enter Guard._ + + FABIAN. + Oh, stay!--why thus, my lord!-- +The men purpose no mischief, hither bent +On some love errand; they in this can plot +None other hurt. + + DUKE. +Love! sayest thou?--Whom seek they?-- + + FABIAN. + Hermione, my lord, and she---- + + DUKE. +Admits their coming?--Seize them, guards!-- +Why this delay? + + GUARD. + My lord, we know not where +Your message hath its reference. + + DUKE. +Where lurk the caitiffs, boy? + + FABIAN. +Alas! alas! some frenzy masters you: +One moment wait, one precious moment, ere +Upon the spotless robe of your fair justice +Fall this abhorred stain. Pause, I beseech you, + [_The DUKE motions the Guards to withdraw._ +'Tis for yourself I plead! [_Kneels._ + + DUKE. +Up, boy!--what ails thee? Knowest thou, Fabian, +Of these intruders?--Speak! + + FABIAN. + I know them not. + + DUKE. +Then why such ready zeal in their good service? + + FABIAN. +My lord, the zeal I now profess +Seeks but your own. To strangers, courtesy,-- +And faith reciprocal, demands protection. +This need I tell to Andrea! +Whose name with purest honour coupled, grew +Into its likeness, till the very words +Had but one sense. Need I to Andrea +Interpret honour's laws? its high-born chivalry, +In whose once noble breast her temple rose +Unsullied, unapproach'd by aught of earth, +To which defilement clung. Think but on this-- +One moment on the past now gaze--'tis bright! +Oh let not one dark cloud, gathering but yet +Upon the whirlwind of this turbulent passion, +Obscure yon sunny glade, where stilly winds +'Mid verdant hills, calm waters, glittering plains, +The beamy path of an unclouded life,-- +At one fell sweep, let not this merciless blast +O'erwhelm its wonted pride! + + _Enter DUCHESS._ + + BEATRICE. + Your presence, Andrea, I crave +To greet our visitors. + + DUKE. + Not now, Beatrice,-- +I cannot come. Where sayest thou?-- + + BEATRICE. + My lord! you are disturb'd! +What!--Fabian, and in tears!--Why this reproof? +The boy is gentle, and ill brooks harsh words; +You were not wont to chide him thus! + + DUKE. +'Tis Fabian, I ween, his master chiding. +'Twas thus:--Two prying and suspicious elves +I mark'd, to punish. Issuing forth command +For their arrest, this silly, wayward boy, +With words and tears, hath temper'd mine intent +To his entreaty. True, I might but gain +Small honour by their seizure, hence I've given +The stripling his desire; yet mark me, Fabian,-- +I watch them closely.---- + + _Enter HERMIONE and LAURA._ + +My soul seems pain'd at her approach. [_Aside._ +My gentle cousins, hail! None other name +Wherewith I greet you sounds so consonant, +So kin to mine affection. How hath fared +Each friend in Mantua? Laura, yet as fresh +As when my childhood knew thee, and thine hand +Supplied a mother's fondness. Look not grave, +Thou art not half so old as thou art aged +In mine esteem.--Hermione, to you +I publish greeting. + + HERMIONE. + Our beloved cousin,-- +The form I trow your greeting takes. + + DUKE. + Sweet coz! +No form I use, I greet thee well, and crave +Thy long abode in Mantua. Ladies' eyes +Have most miraculous virtue; they can draw +The moon from his orbit, and the little stars +To watch their tender sighs at the soft wail +Breath'd from a timorous lute. You love the moonlight? +Why do ye start?--'tis not the first fair dame +That in our city listen'd i' the cool +And passionless night, to piped sighs, and vows +Enamour'd, breathed from reed and flageolet! + + HERMIONE. +Mean you the serenade? 'Twas meant, my lord, +For other ears than mine. + + DUKE. +How? For the maid's, belike! Sweet, innocent fool, +Love e'er was held a story-telling urchin; +Pr'ythee forswear such idle company. +But whence upon that cheek such tell-tale hues, +Wrought suddenly in their bright texture?--whence +That strange confusion? Love's unquenched flame +Defies control. + + HERMIONE. + I do confess,--one night, +To while a feverish hour,--I had walk'd forth,-- +I sought the garden-terrace. True, surprise +A moment cross'd me, when your ear I found +Such marvellous tidings heard! + + DUKE. + Well, to the maids +'Tis like we are beholden for this minstrelsy. +Nought living now in that good house would tempt +Our gallants from their beds. + + LAURA. + And why, your grace? +If older ears enjoy such ravishment, +I'm not so old, beshrew me, potent Duke, +But I can wake at true-love's bidding! + + DUKE. + Well said, +My maiden-queen! The fire of Zampria's house +Yet quenches not, nor through thy cooler veins +Flags in its current. + + HERMIONE. + Yesternight +She sought my chamber. I had left the terrace +Ere the unyielding maid answer'd her call; +She came all radiant with love's virgin fire, +She trod on air, and her quick-throbbing bosom +All o'er the god confess'd. What says our cousin? + + LAURA. +No need that maiden's blush reveal her secret, +If such rude, giddy, and discretionless tongues +Are left abroad. + + HERMIONE. + Nay, Laura, thou hast lived +But in that snowy page, so prettily crimp'd, +O'er which, thou sayest, love whilom hath brush'd +His tiny wings, and deftly to thine heart +From thence hath sprung. Ah! gentle maid! in mercy +Vouchsafe to me one touch,--one thrilling touch +Of that same love-wrought billet,--haply, thence +The god may come: I'll make the urchin room; +Or some stray rubbish, hoarded, yet to me +As worthless, I'll remove. + + LAURA. + So fair a jewel, +To thy rude hand I yield not. + + DUKE. + Excellent maid! +Thy jewel I had thought would hence have pass'd, +A legacy to earth. I'd give my cap +To view this comely gallant.--So, to thee, +Hermione, hath love ne'er yet approach'd,-- +Or, if perchance he came, 'twas clad in guise +Of other import. If on thy chill bosom, +Smiling, he yet should nestle, archly pouting +His pretty lip for entrance, wouldst thou grant +The wanderer room? + + HERMIONE. + I know not:--now, mayhap, +'Tis not much worth his lodging. + + DUKE. + Then its chambers +Are still defil'd with many visitors. +Or, it may chance, some envious power usurps +His lawful birthright. Bid thee of such guest,-- +To thy liege lord submit, and pardon crave +For past offences. + + HERMIONE. + Where shall I begin +My maiden suit? + + DUKE. + Lay but that garb aside, +That glittering panoply, its surface, bright, +Yet harder than the thrice-quench'd steel, +No bolt can pierce; and I do promise thee +A hundred shafts from some well-furnish'd quiver. + + HERMIONE. +But if those shafts are pointless and unfledg'd, +A hundred more would boot not! +Of what avail, though twice ten thousand fell +Unspeeding at my feet! + + DUKE. + Thy fickle fancy, +Yet unfetter'd, will not always thus, +Gay as the light breeze, rove where'er she list, +Nor heeding ought she passes. She will droop, +And, sighing, linger o'er some cherish'd form, +Enamour'd while she worships. + + HERMIONE. + Mine roves not! +One form I cherish! None I wot beside +Comes forth at fancy's call. 'Tis not mine own! + + DUKE. +Thou speakest riddles. + + HERMIONE. + And must ever thus. +Whate'er on this dark theme I could reveal +Were mystery still, trackless, inscrutable. +The subtle web in which my fate is bound +Time serves not to unravel: all beside +Basks in the broad moonlight. All hopes, desires, +Each changing hue, as cloud or sunshine sweeps +Their varied surface, pass without concealment +Before the eye of watchful day.-- + + BEATRICE. +And every maid hath some fond secret, +Some stored love, that she unwilling keeps +Until claim'd thence for its blest owner. Why +That face of solemn mystery brought forth, +As if thine own were some peculiar fate +None ever knew? + + HERMIONE. + Our light burden galls +More than the heaviest load our neighbours bear. +But we return. The day unwitting slides +Adown the cope of yon bright heaven. Few hours +Yet come till eve, and Laura looks impatient. +And wherefore thus, bright cousin?--no sly meeting, +No time-drawn assignation? Well I know +The disrespect thou bearest them, or now +My thoughts would judge thee! + + DUKE. + Guard well your giddy charge, +Most vigilant dame, most excellent duenna, +Lest some gay treacherous gallant should beguile +Her tender years. Farewell. + + LAURA. +I thank your duteous care. Farewell. + [_Exeunt HERMIONE and LAURA, followed by the DUCHESS._ + + DUKE. +A strange wrought mixture thou +Of our mortality; mingled, perchance, +By nature in some freakish mood, when tired +Of that same endless reproduction, man,-- +Still to his fellow mortal answering, +As, in a mirror, face to face. + + FABIAN. +Go you, my lord, to-day, upon the Prado? + + DUKE. +To-day?--yes, boy. But I would change this habit, +And mix unknown with that gay crowd. 'Tis well-- +Hermione, or strange my thoughts misgive me, +Now seeks the walk. I'll watch; this paramour +Or hers or Laura's I may chance discover. + [_Exeunt separately._ + + +SCENE II. + + _A Street._ + + _Enter CARLOS and BERTRAND._ + + BERTRAND. +Thou speedest well, thanks to my shrewd invention. +Yon babbling rogue, Stephano, gave me note +Of her night walk upon the terrace, where +I bribed the keeper to admit ye. + + CARLOS. + Thanks, +Thrice worthy friend. But I do fear mine errand; +Some secret terror burdens mine intent, +And heavily droops the wing of my firm purpose. +Dull hope's uncertain beam, foreboding, quivers, +While the rude blast, low howling in mine ear +The roar of muttering tempests, sweeps it by, +And, in that flickering glare, pale spectres glide, +A mournful train,--sullen despair, pale woe, +And grisly terror, dwell in their pale looks. +Would this dread night were o'er! + + BERTRAND. + Some rancorous fiend +Possesses thee. Some stroke of sudden madness +To thy weak brain hath sped, reversed thy thoughts, +Turn'd each unto its contrary,--what once +Waked smiling hope, now brings despair,--love, hate!-- +Joy, measureless sorrow!--Rouse thee! Once thou wert +Of different mood, and, ere thy clouded sun +Sinks to his gloomy bed, again his glance +Shall be unveil'd. I'll be thy prophet! Haste +From this inglorious sleep! As he of old, +Thy fetters from thee shake, in terrible might +Uprising, when awaked from the soft lap +Of indolent love. Thou lovest but too well, +Nor mayest thou speed, until she find thee oft, +With careless port, braving her frown. Wayward, +The maiden scorns true lover's tenderest sigh, +And inward pines for some ungracious churl, +Who slights such light-won favours. 'Tis the good +We might possess we loath and sicken at, +For that beyond our reach, we moan and fret, +As if our very soul were thither urged, +And life itself but hung on its frail tenure. +We'll seek the public walk: (woman e'er follows +The giddy crowd, as doth your swift-winged hornet +Hunt forth its prey): it will beguile the hours, +Till night, with drowsy tongue, calls thee to love +And to Hermione! [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE III. + + _A Chamber._ + + _Enter LAURA._ + + LAURA. +How this little tyrant rules it over me! Again--[_Takes a letter from +her bosom_]--I can repeat the words backwards, tell every turn of a +letter, count the dots, blurs, and crossings; but--[_In attempting to +replace the billet, it drops on the floor unperceived_]--I think the sun +creeps backward, and then returns, out of sheer spite and maliciousness. +I must not be on the terrace too soon: I'll have him wait now; it looks +more an it were as if I had other business by the nose than dancing to +the pipe of a gay gallant. Three full hours yet. Alack, alack! I can +neither scold the maids, darn the Venice lace, sort my brother's hose, +nor even turn up the plaitings of my own hair. I'll bethink me of the +gown I must wear that shall best please my cavalier, and lay it down, to +smooth out the folds. Oh, sweet heart! how tender he looked on me at the +Prado to-day. Yes,--the same,--I gave him an encouraging glance betimes, +lest the youth should wax timorous and melancholy. I hope we may have a +quiet night: the sky looks somewhat wild and turbid. [_Exit._ + + _Enter HERMIONE._ + + HERMIONE. +How fierce the sun gazes from below that bank of clouds he has just +quitted, as if he threatened us at his going with some terrible +disaster. His beam wraps the city, as with a mantle of fire bespangled +with stars,--here and there a glittering cross studding its purple +vestment: one by one they are quenched, and the glowing mantle itself +fades. A dark dun haze rests upon the city, and in the west a fiery +streak alone tells of the past. I fear me the night forebodes a +storm.----Carlos, I find, follows me to Mantua. How the moody wretch and +his companion dogged us at the Prado to-day: I doubled more than a hare +at its lasts shifts, to keep out of their ken. I had hoped he would have +forgotten me ere this; but you may not cram wisdom even down a mallard's +throat.-- + + _Enter SYLVIO._ + +Whose message bring you here? + + SYLVIO. +My Lord Duke sends greeting. + + HERMIONE. +Thanks, boy, for his intent. I lack not pleasant compliments. + + SYLVIO. +He hopes, lady, the air of our public walk suits well your delicate +health, and that your spirits droop not in this gay city. + + HERMIONE. +Tell my Lord Duke, when he next goes with the crowd, to veil the dark +fringe of his eye, and to fashion the bend of his nose afresh; or the +fire of his eye, and his lordly beak, will betray to every idle +flutterer the presence of the proud Duke of Mantua. Good b'ye, Sylvio. + [_Exit._ + + SYLVIO. +I cannot read this haughty damsel. Ah! what have we here?--[_Picks up +the paper Laura has just dropped._]--Something, I trow, more legible +than maiden's breast. + [_Reads._ +"_Say, fairest, canst thou love_,"--I warrant thee--"_or does cold scorn +compose the sum of thine affections_"--"_Grown bold_"--"_If thou wilt +lend thine ear to my suit on the terrace to-morrow night at this +hour_"--A bold suitor, truly--"_I will not offend thee again unless thou +judgest in my favour._" "CARLOS." +Good b'ye, lady.--[_Mimicks her._]--The Duke shall enjoy this tender +morsel. Tell my Lady Hermione, when she next gives a private meeting to +her gallant, to keep her billet safe, to veil the fringe of her bodice, +and raise the beak of her stomacher, else their shallow covering will +betray to every idle flutterer the secrets of the haughtiest beauty in +Christendom. [_Exit._ + + +SCENE IV. + + _The Terrace. The night dark and tempestuous, with distant + thunder._ + + _Enter CARLOS._ + + CARLOS. +The night broods heavily, as though +Gaunt mischief were abroad, and its dun cloak +Would hide some horror, the yet timid eye +Shrinks to behold. An hour--a minuted age, +Ere the appointed moment can break in +Upon its tedious march. Hark! footsteps. +I must conceal----this friendly----Ah, Hermione! +Thus anxious for the meeting? + [_Steps behind a pillar._ + + _Enter HERMIONE, with a light; she sets it down at the entrance, + and walks across the Terrace._ + + HERMIONE. +Roll on, thou terrible storm,-- +On thy dark brow, the lightnings, as they play, +Reveal thy rapid march!-- +Spirit of air, that on the untamed winds +Dost walk, or, on the rushing elements +Upborne, thy chariot cleaves the groaning sky,-- +Whether to me thou speakest with rude voice +Of unstill'd tempest, or in whispering breath +From morn's flower-fragrant breeze,--I hail thy presence. +Bear in thine hand hot thunder-bolts, +The whirlwind on thy wing, the cloud-swoln cataract +Burst on the reeking earth,--dauntless I'll make +Terror my pastime, sport in their turmoil, +And with the storm-careering demon's shriek +My bitter laugh shall mingle. These are but +The harmless play of innocent childhood,-- +So fierce the storm that desolates my soul! + [_CARLOS comes from behind the pillar, and hesitatingly + approaches._ +Soft--Who approaches?--How!--Don Carlos! +Whence this intrusion?--Speak not, but begone! +I hear thee not. Touch but my garment, +Shuddering, I'll shake thee off, as some vile reptile +My senses loathe. Hence, ere I spurn thee! + + _Enter the DUKE hastily, his sword drawn._ + + DUKE. +Draw, villain!--guard thine hated carcass! +Unsheath, bewildered fool, lest I should spike thee +On this good weapon! [_They engage._ + + HERMIONE. +Help!--How fierce they fight!--Lights! +Ho!--within!-- [_CARLOS falls._ + + CARLOS. + Oh, I'm wounded!-- +There, may thy paramour complete thy work, +Unblushing traitress!--Home to my heart-- +Strike deep! thou canst not give so keen a thrust +As her rude tongue!--Haste, ere thy weapon cool;-- +Yet, ere I die, Hermione--I loved thee once, +Now--from my heart I proudly tear thine image, +Blotting it out for ever, as the memory +Of some loathed wanton!--Hence!--haunt not my sight, +Fell murderess!--Now unbar my prison, death!-- + + DUKE. +Nay,--I'll not haste thee to thy last acquittance, +Ill-fated wretch!--I do repent mine haste. + + _Enter BERTRAND._ + + BERTRAND. +Foul deeds betray ye, sirs!--Carlos! +Wounded!--Unhand him, villain!--'tis to thee +He owes this bitter thrust. If thou art aught +But what I deem thee, by the earliest dawn +Again we meet. The outskirts of yon wood, +Nigh to the city, with thy weapon, there +Uphold thee for this most unjust assault. +An innocent man, if yet protection be +Upon the stranger in proud Mantua, +I bear to his abode; but on thy head +His blood doth rest, a dastard's recreant crow +Down drawing Heaven's hot vengeance! + + _Enter RIDOLFI, LAURA, and Attendants, with lights._ + + LAURA. +Oh! they have slain him! Help! Who dealt this blow? +Sweetheart, for love thou diest, and for love, +Malicious fate! thy maiden too must die. + [_BERTRAND bears off CARLOS._ +Yet stay, Carlos! I follow thee. + + RIDOLFI. +Nay, maid, content thee; +Thou followest not this stranger. + + LAURA. + Oh, he was mine! +But they have ta'en him. + + RIDOLFI. + Thine! Some demon sure +Makes ye his sport. My Lord--the Duke--I dream-- +This night, methinks, the storm doth send confusion +To men's calm thoughts, o'ermaster'd with its frenzy. +On they would rush, malign, to the fulfilment +Of some sure, unscaped doom. + + HERMIONE. + I know not whence +These changes come,--inexplicable, dark +As lies my fate,--the abyss to which I hasten! +My lord, can you unriddle these events? +Your presence would denote, at least to me, +Some knowledge of their bearing. + + DUKE. +A pleasant jest, from me to ask the key! +It hangs in thy bosom, lady. Friends, farewell! +I hasten hence ere this unpitying tempest +Its fiercest burst, its gathering deluge pour; +Cataracts of forked fire, commingled torrents, +From the wide womb of the vexed elements. + + HERMIONE. +Farewell, my lord! some other time we meet. + + DUKE. +Farewell, my friends! another hour must tell +My purpose here this night. [_Exeunt._ + + +ACT III.--SCENE I. + + _A Chamber in the Palace._ + + _The DUKE at a table, surveying his sword._ + + DUKE. + Mischievous weapon! +I would forswear thy company: but now +We cannot part. Blameless,--inanimate,-- +The heart alone makes thee its passive tool +To work the several ills its thought conceives! +What art thou, senseless steel? cold, motionless, +Incapable of ought, or fraud or injury,-- +No dire intent there broods, no passionate flame +Mix'd with thy temper, flashes o'er the obscure, +The restless gulf within, troubling the spirit; +A fitful gleam, on the dark surges wreathing +Forms of unutterable horror,--wide +Disclosing from the womb--the fathomless womb +Of that abyss!--Would the events, +The brief record of time, the narrow space +By yesternight enclosed, were blotted out, +Effaced for ever. I must meet thee, stranger,-- +Thou may'st avenge thy friend.--Hermione!-- +Why should I start?--a sound--a bursting bubble +Moves me. Hermione!--Again!--This heart +Not so hath leapt in the loud roar of battle! +'Tis folly--madness,--yet she marks me out-- +Gazes so strangely,--'twere an idle thought, +But from her soul, methinks, such pulses come +Of wild, unworded passion, as they'd mingle, +Perforce, with every faculty, desire, +And through each avenue rush, thralling the will +Unto its influence. Those basilisk eyes +Are on me ever! Asleep, awake, they change not. +'Tis fascination! If such spell there be, +Hermione doth use it! Yet enchains she not +Others unto the like. I've watch'd her thus, +How angrily,--as the quick lightning sped, +The night uncovering from her form,--I saw +Her eagle-glance the timorous love-sick wretch +Strike helpless at her feet. It is not love,-- +A spell earth owns not hangs upon my heart!-- +I love Beatrice; yet more tenderly +Unto her bosom mine affections cling, +The more this parasite, this foul excrescence +Preys on my vitals, wastes mine healthful spirit, +Poisoning life's current even at its source. +I'll shake me from these toils: I knew not when +The cunning net was thrown, so light the texture; +And warily I wot the snare was laid, +Or I had 'scaped it. + This unwelcome dawn +Comes dimly on the casement;--heavily +The day's dull beam seems labouring up the sky,-- +Low hang the clouds, huge relics of the storm, +Like dark reflections brooding o'er the mind +When passion's rudest burst hath pass'd, and reason, +As yon pale gleam, thus struggling forth its way +Through adverse clouds, visits again the soul-- +'Tis then the mind, shuddering, at once recoils +From the dire consequence, and conjures up +A thousand possibilities to scare +The resolute purpose. I linger at the threshold +Of this proceeding. I will not fight thee, stranger; +I've wrong'd thy friend. His death, yet unappeased, +Clings to my burden'd spirit: I'll atone +If yet there be of reparation aught +This hand can give. Sylvio! + + _Enter SYLVIO._ + +Attend me with the weapons. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE II. + + _An unfrequented Place, on the Outskirts of a Wood, without the + Walls._ + + _Enter BERTRAND and two Attendants._ + + BERTRAND. +How goes the morn? + + FIRST ATTENDANT. + When past the rock, +Methought the convent bell chimed there for matins. +Heard you it, signor? + + BERTRAND. +I know not. Is the hour yet gone? + + FIRST ATTENDANT. + What hour? + + BERTRAND. +Does the day dawn? + + SECOND ATTENDANT. + Ay; but night-lurking clouds +Shut out the approaching light. One short, wan streak, +As if in the branches of yon distant oak, +Alone brings niggard tidings. + + BERTRAND. + Hark!--footsteps. + + FIRST ATTENDANT. + It is the tread +Of some roused deer: upon the rustling leaves +Man's bolder foot falls not so lightly. + + BERTRAND. +The day its custom'd hour forgets, +And lingers in its chamber, loth to rise, +With unveil'd face, on the wide ruin +Of this hush'd tempest. + + FIRST ATTENDANT. + Look towards the east! +The light breaks rapidly athwart its face. +You look not, signor. Hear you the---- + + _Enter DUKE, disguised._ + + BERTRAND. +Welcome, if thou art he--the foe I meet. + + DUKE. +The same; but not thy foe. + + BERTRAND. + That hated voice! +Revenge it cries. Prepare! no more delay! +Draw, dastard! or thy recreant blood I'll pour +Unfought for to this earth. + [_BERTRAND makes the attack, the DUKE keeping + on the defensive._ + + BERTRAND. +Thou wardest but my blows; fight, villain! + [_The DUKE makes a parry, and immediately + disarms BERTRAND._ +I seek not mercy. None would I have given +If I had seen thee thus. + + DUKE. +Take back thy sword. How fares thy friend? + + BERTRAND. +If he recover, hate to thee, unceasing, +And to Hermione, he vows for ever! + + DUKE. +Does he recover? + + BERTRAND. + Wherefore askest thou? + + DUKE. +Nay, chafe me not:--passion but slowly sinks +If still the wind buffet the boiling wave! + + BERTRAND. +Thou threatenest well. I can defy thy wrath. +Another stroke might change the haughty hue +Of thy proud boast. + + FIRST ATTENDANT. + Nay, be at peace--again +Ye may not quarrel. Soft, good signor, sheath +Your perilous weapon. 'Tis not just we wait +Another issue with decided strife. + + DUKE. + Farewell! +I would depart while better reason yet +Keeps stedfast watch. [_Exit._ + + BERTRAND. + Cool-hearted wretch! +Thy passion kept not pace with thine occasion, +Else had it minister'd to other issues. +Anger disarm'd me--not thine arm, assassin. + + FIRST ATTENDANT. +Yet hath he braved it nobly, and, methinks, +A better name hath earn'd in thy report. + + SECOND ATTENDANT. +Knowest thou thy foe? + + BERTRAND. + What need? His name I wot not. + + SECOND ATTENDANT. +The Duke! + + BERTRAND. + The Duke?--of Mantua! + + SECOND ATTENDANT. + 'Tis he! +A nobler heart beneath a truer breast +Ne'er beat. I watch'd his bearing as he gave +The weapon back to thy reluctant grasp: +'Twas just the air, the lofty temper'd port, +I've seen him use, when, with proud condescension, +Gracious--yet bating nought his dignity,-- +He deals such pardon to the trembling culprit +As makes the offence yet doubly heinous. + + BERTRAND. +I ask'd of him no favour--where the crime? +'Twas unprovoked; he rush'd upon my friend,-- +They fought,--he fell,--and I had hoped to avenge +The sufferer's wrong. But whence?--'tis wondrous strange. +Hermione!--the Duke!--the proud Hermione +A prince's paramour! It cannot be. +So fair, so noble, yet----There's mystery here; +I must unravel this perplexed web, +Or perish in its toils! [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE III. + + _A Balcony, overlooking the Garden._ + + _HERMIONE and BLANCH._ + + HERMIONE. +I am sad, Blanch. + + BLANCH. +I would, lady, you were in your little toilet-chamber at Venice. You +were not sad there once. Why stay you in this unlucky house? I do +conceive, that I shall have no more heart soon than hath your +goose-quill, nor life within me than a dried puff-ball. When go you to +Venice, lady? + + HERMIONE. +Never! + + BLANCH. +Oh, sweet mistress; and must we die in this dismal city? My very +countenance hath changed its fashion, forsooth; being smoke-dried and +tarnished, like your two years' hung stock-fish. I do fear me that I +shall pine with home-longings; and the sight of yon garlick-faced knave, +Stephano, for ever at my heels, turns me sick when he gets within stride +of me. But you jest, lady. + + HERMIONE. +Blanch, thou hast been kinder to me than my fate hath answered for; and +I give thee good counsel when I tell thee to return to Venice. Stay not +with me; for soon the high, the proud-spirited Hermione will----I shall +soon lay me in the quiet grave--and thou wilt grieve to see me sink--so +young--so _early_ to my doom. I look fresh, mayhap, and blooming, and +they call me happy; but I am withered--here! + + BLANCH. +Oh, lady, you will break my heart! (_Weeps._) I will not go! If they +bear you to the grave, I will follow you there to weep, and to quiet +myself beside you. + + HERMIONE. +Thou art kind, Blanch. I would thou hadst a happier mistress, thou +wouldest, peradventure, be happy too. + + BLANCH. +What frets you so keenly? I would compass sea and land to fetch you a +morsel of comfort. Do tell me, lady. They say sorrow hath companionship, +and loves its like. + + HERMIONE. +Ask it not, girl: I would not tell it to the winds, lest they should +babble it again; I would not whisper it to mine own heart, lest each +pulse should echo it back to mine ear; I dare not think on 't, lest my +very thoughts should create a corporeal voice to utter it withal. Other +sorrows have companionship, but mine hath none! + + _Enter Servant._ + + SERVANT. +The strange gipsy woman your ladyship gave an alms to yesterday waits +without, asking to see you. I would have put her away, but she looked on +me, and I shuddered as I approached her. + + HERMIONE. +Bid her come in. + + BLANCH. +How it would delight me to have my fortune cast; but--my fate answers to +your own! + + _Enter ZORAYDA._ + + HERMIONE. +Why this silence?--Thy message. + + ZORAYDA. +Askest thou?--Thanks!--What marvel? they speak not +With unembodied tongue! + + HERMIONE. + Thou comest, then, +But on a thankless errand; I dispense +With empty words. + + ZORAYDA. + Why then I go unaudienced. +I would not vex thee, lady;--thou art strung +By unseen anguish, e'en to the topmost pitch +Thy nature bears. One other strain, it breaks! + + HERMIONE. +What knowest thou? + + ZORAYDA. + That other comes! + + HERMIONE. + Too soon, +I wot, these heart-strings break not. How, beldame? +Thy prying eyes gather some secret. Hence +With the silly maids thou tamperest, and anon +The mistress' ear greets her own confidence; +But not on me impose thy mummeries: +None other breast than mine yet holds its trust. + + ZORAYDA. +What proof requirest thou, ere faith admit +My proffer'd testimony? + + HERMIONE. + Proof! +What thou, weak fool--the crazed and worn-out plaything +Of thy too credulous fancies--cannot give. +Reveal my thoughts! + + ZORAYDA. + But if disclosed, there now +Be other ears to listen, lady. + + HERMIONE. + Blanch, +Awhile thou may'st withdraw. + + BLANCH. +How fierce her eye scowls! I marvel that her brows should escape a +singeing.--I would not leave you, gentle mistress, until---- + + ZORAYDA. +Begone!---- [_HERMIONE smiles, and motions BLANCH to + depart. Exit BLANCH._ + + HERMIONE. + Now to thy task. + + ZORAYDA. +What bearest thou, with such o'er-vigilant watch, +In that fair bosom? + + HERMIONE. + Marry, my heart; what more? + + ZORAYDA. +'Tis then but late return'd: the truant once +Had left its home--what served thee in its place, +Knowest thou yet, gentle dame? + + HERMIONE. + I note thy craft: +Thou busiest me with questions, hoping thus +To catch unheeded words for thine advantage-- +I answer nothing. + + ZORAYDA. + None I crave, fair maiden. +An empty billet is but poor exchange +For the heart's losing! + + HERMIONE. + How--a billet! Where? + + ZORAYDA. +In that bright bosom, lady. Search it well-- +And yet a thing of nought: 'tis but a form, +An every-day express of custom'd greeting, +But as a precious relic thou dost wear it; +And 'tis to thee a coveted possession +Of more esteem than the sun-ripen'd gems +Golconda bears! + + HERMIONE. + Is this my unveil'd thought? +Not thus I'm fool'd. Perchance thy cunning eye, +For ever on the watch, hath spied this billet. +'Tis here. What more knowest thou? + + ZORAYDA. + Reserve thy scorn, +'Twill soon give place----Hark! [_Distant music._ +Ah! start not thus.--Why that frail shudder? +Yon guest within the chamber of thine ear +Ere this hath had sweet audience. But come, +My pretty spirit, hither speed, and frame +Thine uncorporeal organ to the sound +Of bodily voice.--[_Music approaches._]--Hark, lady!--ever knew +Your ear aforetime yon wild melody? + + SONG. + Lady, list to me, + Thy gentle spirit I'll be; +The fire is my garment, the flood is my bed, +And I paint the first cloud with the sunbeam red + That rolls o'er the broad blue sea. + + Lady, list to me; + To the mountain top I flee, +There I watch the first wave that comes laden with light, +And its soft hue I spread o'er each billow so bright; +With its beam I enkindle each heaven-peering height, + And the morn's radiant canopy. + + HERMIONE. +Mysterious being, say from whence that voice! +But once--and on such feverish perception, +The sound did strike, I thought some air-form'd vision, +Some fantasy, hot from the teeming brain, +Imposed unreal conceptions on mine ear, +To which sense held no cognizance. Say where, +Thou awful visitor! + + ZORAYDA. +'Twas on the terrace, when the charmed moon +Hung o'er the trembling stream. And thinkest thou +Spirits have not such utterance?--Oft unseen, +Upon the viewless air, strange visions float, +And voices people the unfetter'd blast, +Vouchsafed not save to those who reverence +And bow to their high bidding. Now--they speak! + + HERMIONE. +And to what import? + + ZORAYDA. + Thus the mystic chant. + + When the proud eagle + Sighs to the dove, + And his dark wing spreads o'er her + While fluttering with love: + + That eagle's bright crest, + And that dove's timid eye, + Are quench'd in the storm + That rolls recklessly by! + + That storm the proud eagle + Hath swept from his nest: + But where is the dove + Shelter'd once in his breast? + + She clings to his plume, + But in death they shall sever; + The eagle and dove + They have perish'd for ever! + + HERMIONE. +The eagle?--Mantua's crest!--But who the dove? + + ZORAYDA. +Tempt not yet further to thine harm: we rue +If thou break silence! +The spirit sings, but mine imperfect hearing +Shapes not its voice to aught articulate +That human utterance owns. Again--speak not-- +'Twas thus he sang: + + A sprite in the moon-beam, + A mote in the sun, + I dive in the smooth stream, + Through the curl'd flame I run. + + I see o'er proud Mantua + The beacon's red light; + As the taper 'tis quench'd + In the chill blast of night! + + I see from the turret + A maiden's dim form, + And her white robe waves high + On the wing of the storm! + + I hear a loud shriek, + With the wail of the dead; + And that spirit from thence + To its Giver hath fled! + +Some dire event breaks from the womb of time: +To thee the spirit speaks. Hermione, +If yet three days on this forbidden air +Thou breathest, Mantua and her lord +May dearly rue thy longer stay. 'Tis past. +I heed not further question. Well I know +The winds I counsel, and the turbulent flood +To soothe its rage. On, if some power prevent not, +Madly ye rush to your undoing; then, +Fair city, thy glad voice to woe shall turn; +The loud lament, the chill and desolate wail +Of thy bereavement shall ascend, piercing, +Unpitied, the dun pall of heaven! +Follow me not---- +Once more I meet thee:--if too soon, beware! +Thine hours are number'd. [_Exit._ + + HERMIONE. +Three days!--Where shall I fly?--To what lone spot +Can I escape? Has this wide earth no room?-- +Measureless woe!--too vast for mortal limit!-- +Yon wild enthusiast, her impostor's craft +Hath here some secret consequence to which +These bodings tend--cheat! Nay, thou didst affix +Fearful credentials to thy testimony; +They wore the impress of truth. None but that gaze +Which scans the soul, may the unvisited depths +Of mind reveal, its untold subtilties +Unto the eye disclosing. But three days! +Yet once--one sad farewell! [_Exit._ + + +SCENE IV. + + _A Chamber in the Inn._ + + _CARLOS on a couch, attended by GIULIO._ + + CARLOS. +I thank thee, Giulio. +The couch feels easier from thine hand. 'Tis now +But as a troublesome scratch, scarce worth the pains +To work its cure. Another strain--thy lute +Strange chords doth waken, long untuned, forgot, +Slumbering untouch'd within my breast, the sound +Breathes on them sweetly; at its marvellous bidding, +Startled they wake, quivering once more to life. +I love these ancient ballads, they do savour +O' the olden time. + + GIULIO. + Good signor, my poor music +Suits not this garnish'd age:--a simple air +That lives in the heart, and floats o'er the still depths +Of long-lapsed recollections, freshening +Their stagnant surface with soft impulse--this, +Brief skill!--'tis all I claim. + [_Touches the chords to a slight prelude._ +They are but snatches of old songs, signor; +Broken as fragments of the imperishing columns +Whitening some arid desert; but they are hallow'd +By the same hand that spoil'd them! + + CARLOS. + They are bonds +That with the past yet link our purer thoughts, +Our most unsullied affections. Still +The voice of other years breathes through them, +As the low breeze, while creeping timorously +Around some ancient ruin, wailing there +Sad echoes of departed greatness. + + _GIULIO sings._ + There is a wood, there is a cot, + There is a gentle river; + There is a home where I am not, + But where I would be ever. +And adown the green valley the meadows were fair, +And the breeze came to woo the young daffodils there. + + There is a lip I have not press'd, + A heart yet coldly beating; + But true love's throb within that breast + Will wake at others' greeting. +And adown through the valley the morn shone so fair, +When the breeze gently kiss'd the young bud blushing there. + + And thou wilt light thy taper cold + At some gay treacherous eye; + Its flame shall still thy soul enfold + When lovers' glance shall die! +And adown the green valley, while morn shone so fair, +The breeze sigh'd, and left the young bud weeping there! + + CARLOS. +Woman loves not her true lover, +A treacherous lewdster best o'ersteps her grace!-- +Another, Giulio: I could live in them-- +They feed the soul, as doth ambrosia +The mighty gods. + + _GIULIO sings._ +Let me rest mine head, lady, + On thy bended knee: +Every pulse to thine beats true; + I would 'twere so with thee. + Sing heigho! + Under the willow tree. + +My cheek will not harm thee, Start not from thy rest---- + + CARLOS. +Cease!--I do remember me the ballad +Thou gavest yesterday. Upon my brain +So loud the music rings, this chaunt I hear not.-- +Prithee again thy strings touch to the carol. + + GIULIO. +Yet by your preference I know it not. +How name you the ballad? + + CARLOS. +'Twas of the pilgrim, and his goodly benison. + + GIULIO. +Thus? (_Plays._) + + CARLOS. + The same. + + _GIULIO sings._ +The chase was done, the feast was begun, + When the monarch sate proudly high; +And the revelry rode on the wind afar, + As it swept from the darkening sky. + +No lordly guest---- + + _Enter BERTRAND._ + + CARLOS. +Welcome. I grew oppress'd from thy long absence-- +But why that heavy, that disquieted brow? +Some choler, scarce dismiss'd, hath moved thee! + + BERTRAND. +The Duke-- + + CARLOS. + Didst thou complain to him +Touching my wrong? + + BERTRAND. + I did. + + CARLOS. + Yet I have heard +This prince o'er all his peers hereto extoll'd, +The mirror of true courtesy; embodying +The proud and chivalrous spirit of his time.-- +How spake he? + + BERTRAND. + Few his words;--but this good sword-- +Bitter degradement!----Yon proud Duke, he gave-- +When from this recreant hand the traitor fell! +He had disarm'd me, Carlos! + + CARLOS. + He!--You fought? + + BERTRAND. +Ay, with the Duke--thy mistress' paramour! + + CARLOS. +The Duke!--_Her_ paramour!-- +'Tis fuel to my hate. + + BERTRAND. + How fares thy wound? + + CARLOS. +This?--where?--'tis well.--These garments I shake off, +And put on my revenge--its panoply +Shall case my bosom.--Henceforth unto all +Compunction dead, and steel'd to every touch +Of natural sympathy, mine o'ercharged hate, +As the veil'd fire, pent in yon gathering cloud, +Deep-brooding waits, in fearful silence crouching, +Or ere it strike----'Twas for this minion +She spurn'd me! + + BERTRAND. + Such my hate to Andrea. +Together and in secret we devise-- +Yet not with such precipitate haste, our counsel, +As shall defeat its own resolve--some plan +To furnish our revenge. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE V. + + _A Chamber in the Palace._ + + _Enter the DUKE._ + + DUKE. +Arouse thee!--fly. +Ere yet the fetters closer to thine heart +Are riveted--immoved for ever! +Thou counsellest well--these are ignoble trammels. +And I do rid me of them. Once--'tis fix'd-- +A short, sad hour we meet, and then farewell! +Duty, remorseless, bids me.--There I'll pour +Into her wondering ear a hapless tale +Of thwarted love--hearts broken, severed +By obdurate fate--and in that feign'd lament, +Bewail mine own.--I must my story tell; +None other cause could I with honour urge +Why thus we part--for ever! + + _Enter FABIAN._ + + FABIAN. +My lord, a woman of strange aspect, +And habited in Eastern garb, sits now +Within the western porch, waiting your presence. +She would not tell to me her errand. + + DUKE. + How-- +A stranger, and from whence?--Knowest thou her name? + + FABIAN. +She holds most resolute silence--I forebore +To question her. + + DUKE. + Describe this sullen guest. + + FABIAN. +A turban girds her brow, white as the sea-foam, +Whence, all untrammelled, her dark thin hair +Streams fitfully upon her storm-beat front; +Her eye at rest, pale fire in its black orb +Innocuous sleeps--but roused, Jove's thunder-cloud +Enkindles not so fiercely! Once it shot +Full on mine eye:--in dazzling terror yet +It haunts my brain! + + DUKE. + How eloquent the tongue +When the soul stirs it!--I would see, unharm'd, +This quickened volcano! [_Exit FABIAN._ + Some moon-struck wanderer +Craving redress for her wrong'd fancies. + + _Enter FABIAN followed by ZORAYDA; she stands in silence gazing + at the DUKE._ + +Woman, what seekest thou?--Doth silence best +Declare thine errand? + + ZORAYDA. + Silence best, my lord, +Should tell thy destiny--Heaven hath commanded +To speak no evil. + + DUKE. +A rare conceit.--What more?--Is this thy message? +Haste,--we command not back the passing time:-- +To thy request. + + ZORAYDA. + Much need hast thou to note +These priceless minutes;--let no fragment slip +Ungathered.--Yet my boon thou wilt not grant! +Seest thou yon shadow?-- + [_She beckons him to the window._ + + DUKE. +Nought this ungifted eye beholds +But the dark battlement upon the stream, +Spread by the tranquil moon. + + ZORAYDA. + Seest thou yon pennon +Furl'd from the turret, floating on the verge +Of that still, sedgy shore?-- + + DUKE. + Its shadow falls +Where thou dost point;--but how may this befit +With thy request? + + ZORAYDA. + At thy far-echoing birth, +When hoarse artillery told to Mantua, +Thy wailing entrance to a troublous life, +Yon trembling shadow fell, as now it meets, +Just on the rippled bank,--uniting each-- +The calm wave and the shore.-- + + DUKE. + Thy meaning, stranger. + + ZORAYDA. +Ere yet the bubbling life crept through thy veins, +'Twas thus decreed: thine hour of danger comes, +And sudden death, when that dim shadow passes +Where at thy birth it brooded.-- + + DUKE. + (_Aside to FABIAN._) Watch this woman; +Suspicion wakes at her discourse.--(_To ZORAYDA._)-- + That shadow +Hath oft-time pass'd, no danger thence betiding. + + ZORAYDA. +Thy death can happen not, save when, as now, +The pale moon flings yon omen from her beam; +But ever it bodes danger. + + DUKE. + For this purpose +Enterest thou my chamber? + + ZORAYDA. + I have sought thee +To give rejected counsel.--What! some treachery +From me thou fearest!--Bind me--gird my chains +To the unhewn rock beneath the unvisited depths +Of these abhorr'd foundations--I would wear them +Without a murmur could'st thou listen!--Hark! +Thus runs the record of thy house: + + "_When the proud eagle + From his cloud-wreath'd nest + Enamour'd meets the dove, + And sighs on her soft bosom, + One shaft shall pierce them._" + +Duke, beware----that shaft shall come! +Let it not find thee in that perilous hour, +Prescience forebodes thee, at some lady's ear +Sighing unhallowed love.--Its malice then +Harms not thy breast, another bears the stroke! +Remember--once again I meet thee. + [_Exit ZORAYDA._ + + FABIAN. +My lord, the guard shall rid you of the witch. + + DUKE. +Let her depart, she harms me not. + + FABIAN. + You seem +O'erspent with watching, and forget your couch.-- +Betake you now to your accustom'd rest? + + DUKE. +My _rest_?--'Tis well;--but will the couch give rest? +Ay, to the wearied limb--but not the weary breast! +Follow me, boy, unto my chamber. [_Exeunt._ + + +ACT IV.--SCENE I. + + _A Church._ + + _Enter two CITIZENS._ + + FIRST CITIZEN. +Strange omens these! + + SECOND CITIZEN. + They bode disaster, else +Hath Nature changed, and her accustom'd course +No longer holds.--See, from the ducal vault +The stone--o'er which its mailed warrior rests +In such grim pomp--is roll'd, as if that mouth +Expectant yawn'd for prey.--How comes it thus? + + THIRD CITIZEN. +Some swarth attendant, late within the tomb, +Hath left unclosed its yet insatiate gulf; +And he returns ere long.--His task complete, +This stone, oft visited, regains its place;-- +Would it were closed for ever! + + SECOND CITIZEN. +Ne'er to his country's weal a truer prince +Shall rise in Mantua--all proper tongues +To his just praise are eloquent;--no voice +But gathers blessing, when it speaks of Andrea. +I'll peep o'er the dark wall of this huge grave. +Fresh wonders still!--Here lie funeral trappings +Covering the entrance;--an inscription too +Upon the pall--[_Reads_]--"_Andrea, the fifth Duke +Of Mantua_"--a goodly list of honours, +Names and illustrious acts, now follow--"_Died_"-- +I cannot tell those mystic characters-- +Canst thou assign their import? + + FIRST CITIZEN. + I am not skill'd +To interpret mysteries; but they are form'd +By cabalistic art. Elsewhere I've seen +The conjuror, Aldenbert, those uncouth shapes +Upon his tablets tracing. 'Tis not language +Akin to mortal tongue. + + SECOND CITIZEN. +Treason, I wot, with bold and impious front, +Stalks forth uncheck'd:--it skulks not now abroad, +But in the open day roams unabash'd, +Nor shuns the sunbeam. Some unform'd event +Is yet in ripening--it bursts ere long +The shell of this dread mystery. + + _Enter GRAVE-DIGGER and PRIEST._ + + GRAVE-DIGGER. +None, father, save the Egyptian woman, who so troubles the church. She +slept in the porch yesternight, and I sent her away this morning +betimes. + + PRIEST. +Thou hast sent a message to the Duke? + + GRAVE-DIGGER. +Some half-hour agone.--I expect his highness in person will take special +note of this matter. + + PRIEST. +I fear me they be foes, enemies to the Duke, who have done +this.--Treachery puts on bold aspects, when such foretokenings as these +go before her, with loud admonishing of her approach. Here comes the +Duke. + + _Enter DUKE with ATTENDANTS._ + + DUKE. +Good morrow, friends. I am something curious to behold this +device.--Some trick of intimidation, your petty wonder-monger breeds to +set our citizens agape.--You have not disturbed this masked frolic? + + GRAVE-DIGGER. +My lord, it rests in such shape as when it scared me dismally ere the +light was well out, about cock-crowing. + + DUKE. +Knowest thou any skulking vagrant of late loitering near the church? + + GRAVE-DIGGER. +None, your grace, save the tall gipsy--she slept in the porch +yesternight. + + DUKE. +The gipsy woman? + + GRAVE-DIGGER. +She, with the linen turban, that walks the city with her arms +folded--thus. + + DUKE. +She was in the porch? + + GRAVE-DIGGER. +I waked her there, but roughly, an hour agone. + + DUKE. +Here hangs some clue to guide us.--I'll have the beldame seized.--Raise +that unseemly pall from the tomb, and close its mouth.--This inscription +I'll keep as a brief chronicle of the event.--[_Takes off the +inscription: a billet falls from beneath it._]--What counsels us here? +One wonder treads fast upon another's heels, and o'ertops its +neighbour.--[_Reads._]--"_I have garnished thy tomb, and it waiteth not +for its prey. Depart!--When thou goest forth, but once shalt thou return +hither!_"--Guard, search the city--every chink and avenue.--To your +utmost speed.--This hag shall not escape.--Hence!--[_Exit Guard._]--My +friends, let not this matter trouble you; some mischievous spirit hath +malice at our peace, and hopes to work confusion within the city.--Soon +we unravel the flimsy web of this strange craft. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE II. + + _Enter DUCHESS and HERMIONE._ + + HERMIONE. +Laura hath not yet +Put off her sorrow.--Still doth fancy cherish +The darling form of yon misguided youth +Your lord encounter'd on the terrace.-- +With long entreaty I have learnt his name; +And, as my yet unquestion'd word befits, +'Tis but a cast-off suitor of mine own! + + DUCHESS. +I fear me this adventure still broods mischief. +The Duke somehow had strange intelligence +Of danger threatened to Hermione.-- +On that same night he watch'd, and foil'd the ruffian, +But he forebore to afflict him farther. + + HERMIONE. + Strange-- +This brief-told tale-- + + _Enter DUKE._ + + Welcome--thrice welcome now. +By what good chance, my lord, sought you the terrace +Few nights agone?--Some stray intelligence, +The Duchess tells, crept to your ear of danger +To me denounced! + + DUKE. +Some secret whisper met me of the matter. +Know you this billet? + + HERMIONE. + Forsooth its fair outside +Small import gives of such unworthy deed.-- +I know not, save at once you dare commit +Its contents to my ken. + + DUKE. + Well spoken, lady.-- +What read you? + + HERMIONE. + Carlos!--(_Reads._) +Some strange mistake rests here. As my good word +Earns your belief--till now, I ne'er beheld +This love-lorn billet. + + DUKE. + Ah, woman, pleasant still, +But full of subtlety;--perverse, untoward-- +Thy ways mark'd deep by unabash'd deceit: +Well thou mayst laugh at thine imposture. + + HERMIONE. +The riddle solves:--this billet by mistake +Hath found its way to yon same helpless virgin. +Laura hath dropp'd it--some officious friend +Unto your eye the unoffending page +Hath straight convey'd. + + DUKE. + Thou answerest plausibly;-- +I would believe thy honied tongue. + + HERMIONE. +I did repulse him, sore amazed +At his approach.--He threaten'd with his hate, +Which I do love more than his unprized favour! + + DUKE. +I well remember thy reproof. + + DUCHESS. +Our rebel cousin hither comes with word +Of her departure from our city.--Hence, +To-morrow, by the saffron-breaking dawn, +To Venice she returns. I urge in vain +Some further hindrance.--Wilt thou again make suit +To lady's ear, and win her stay? + + DUKE. + To-morrow! +"Let then to-morrow come if e'er it may; +But when to-morrow comes, 'tis still to-day-- +To-morrow go, and thou art never gone, +Till yon to-morrow and to-day are one!" + + HERMIONE. + I must hence: +Urge me not further. + + DUKE. + Nay, I urge thee not. +My will in Mantua e'er was held injunction. +I'll be thy tyrant, lady--thy stern keeper. +This day, within our palace, thou shalt be, +If willing and obedient, our guest: +If stubborn and self-will'd, our prisoner! +I'll compass thee with such delicious chains, +Thou shalt not wish e'en thine own thought were free! + + HERMIONE. +Your guest this day, the last I spend in Mantua. +The night I give to Laura. + + DUCHESS. + This proud night +Shall so out-mimic day, thou shalt not guess +When night hath drawn the twilight to his bosom. + + _Enter SYLVIO._ + + SYLVIO (_aside to the DUKE_). +The guard hath yet no tidings; +The woman hides her warily. + + DUKE. + Not yet! +I would, ere night, this mumming witch were found. +Without the walls perchance she lurks. Command +Their search unto the outskirts: large reward +Will follow their success. [_Exit SYLVIO._ + + DUCHESS. + At this inviting hour, we taste +The fragrance from our incense-breathing flowers: +My lord, attend you us? +The roses are fresh sprinkled,--the soft breeze +Comes heavily from their odour-blushing heads, +Faint and oppress'd with its delicious burden. + + DUKE. +My spouse hath set her love on some tall poppy, +Some velvet-cheek'd, young tulip; drinking nectar +From his soft, balmy lip. I must be jealous +Of these same gentle favours. + + DUCHESS. + You shall attend +Our fragrant courtship--the unwitting pander +To my stolen pleasures. Ah, my lord! what mean you? +Comes that dark frown to me, or to my lovers? + + DUKE. +Nothing, Beatrice,--a passing jest,--'tis gone,-- +I needs must frown when I am jealous. Now, +Fair dames, I would attend you. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE III. + + _A Wood._ + + _ZORAYDA, sitting at the foot of an oak._ + + ZORAYDA. +An outcast from an outcast race,--spurn'd, chid, +From the churl's threshold. Shunn'd, unbless'd by all: +Nor home nor heritance--I live, alone, +Without associate, tie, or fellowship +E'en to my kin. I might from these consist +Of other nature; other substance might +Enfold my spirit,--other shape +Envelope me, than wraps the affrighted herd +Who stand aloof and gaze! Th' inanimate forms, +Nature's unchisel'd workmanship--unsullied +By man's rude contact--'tis with these I hold +Converse and high communion; +And from the spirit that lives in them, free +And uncommunicable intercourse +My soul receives. In all things there exists +Distinct peculiar essence, like the soul +Our being animates; at seasons oft, +In presence, though unseen, yet to the mind +Internal, manifest, imparting there +Miraculous influence. In secret, too-- +The bodily eye, from grosser matter freed,-- +In shape as palpable they come, as doth +Each outward image rise to corporeal sense. +I am not mad. The heated brain creates not +These uncall'd phantoms: yet men say I'm crazed. +They know not, dream not, of the mighty world +That lives around them. Other orbs might hold us! +--By mine art, with potent spell, +And wily stratagem, the Duke I've warn'd. +Hermione--proud victim! Love unhallow'd +Yet lingers in their breasts, and they must sever, +Though one heart break in that most cruel parting! +There's a foul taint of murder in the wind-- +I do suspect her lover--yon Venetian, +Her suitor once--rejected. Such revenge +Will ofttimes rouse the spirit up to mischief, +Loathing, it would abhor e'en if beheld +But as a guilty dream. If this fond Duke +Seek not again her presence I have hope. +To-morrow she departs from Mantua-- +No power can harm thee, save in that brief space +Appointed with thy birth. Here comes my spy: +The urchin loves me for the good he owes. + + _Enter GIULIO._ + + Welcome, boy! +Thine errand? + + GIULIO. + Some whisperings I've caught, +Yet know not to what purpose they should tend. +I heard "to-night," twice to each listener told, +And oft a cautious glance where I but stood, +Tuning my simple lute. As thou hast bid me, +With careful eye, note well their secret converse, +I hasten'd with the news: and now, good mother, +Say me farewell. + + ZORAYDA. + A toward child; +Great largess thou mayest earn for thy discourse: +Hence! lest this absence tell what thine excuse +May not conceal. [_Exit GIULIO._ +To-night!--I'll watch. This hour of danger past, +I'll pledge me to thy safety. Noble Mantua, +In that dread day, my parent's forfeit life +When thou didst spare, I vow'd to seek thy welfare; +And my good power, for thee and for thine house, +Hath not its use in vain. Yet, I do fear +The issue of this night: the vision told +Mortal conclusion nigh--"_They will not hear_ +"_Warning oft utter'd, but impetuous rush,_ +"_Unheeding, to their doom._" +Perchance some hidden meaning lurks beneath +This fearful message; an ambiguous sense, +Its proper import framing, when the event +From which it springs, like day-betokening morn, +Is past. His death it may not show. I'll save thee, +Or my destruction----soft!--the tramp of men: +Scouts, peradventure, on my track. Go, follow +The wild bee to its nest!--or to yon cliff +Climb with the eagle!--then ye mark my course! [_Exit._ + + _Enter CARLOS and BERTRAND, meeting._ + + BERTRAND. +My messenger brings welcome news: to-day +Hermione again visits the palace. +Till this dim light shall fade, her promised stay-- +But the first watch of night, perchance, may find +This cuckoo harbour'd yet in others' nest! + + CARLOS. +'Tis well:--our friends with the opportunity +Alone are arm'd; and as the time may note +Their several parts. From the west turret +The accomplice issue signal, if to-night +The Duke refreshes in the mountain-breeze, +As 'tis his wont, around the platform. When +Upon its staff the turret pennon sinks +(The moon to this good signal will suffice), +We climb the unguarded stair, and it conducts +To our dark enterprise. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE IV. + + _Part of the Platform, sloping to the Palace Walls._ + + _Enter DUKE, DUCHESS, HERMIONE, RIDOLFI._ + + DUKE. +We love these moon-lit walks, Hermione, +Whilst in her wane: you like her visage best, +Perchance, increasing. More I love to mark +Her gradual decay--retreating coy, +And half aside, as if ashamed to meet +The full gaze of the sun. + + HERMIONE. + I love the waxing +Yet rather than the wane of yon pale light: +Like timid maid, when first her opening charms +Meet love's warm beam. Scarce on the wanton boy +She dares to gaze, till, bolder grown, her eye +Averted still, or half withdrawn, drinks in, +With silent ecstacy, love's treacherous glance. +Now his fond smile, full orb'd, the embolden'd sight +Enamour'd meets: her very being, essence, +And every faculty absorb--each thought +Rising impregn'd with love's fierce fire; anon +There comes a change--shy gleams succeed, her brow +Hath one slight shade, scarce seen, but on its light +The darkness grows--love's brightest dream is o'er, +And his pale taper quench'd in utter gloom! + + RIDOLFI. +Ay, till another change. Yon fickle goddess +Her fond, fool'd swain entices, till enamour'd +E'en to his heart's last core; she then averts +Her love-impassion'd glance, and, scorning, shuns him! + + DUCHESS. +If from deserted maid, Hermione, +Whose charms were withering in the fallow wane +Of an unprofited life, this speech forlorn +Had seem'd to ring the knell of her young hopes. +But when from rosy lips, and ardent youth, +It comes unlook'd for as a wintry chill +Beneath a summer sun.--This air blows keenly, +My locks fall with the dew--I think the night +Hath not its wonted soothness: thrice I shudder'd +As the cold breeze methought sigh'd on my bosom. +I must begone--Hermione, you go not. +'Tis the last moonlight you behold, mayhap, +In this brief stay; take a long parting, ere +Ye bid adieu--the Duke himself attends you; +With me, our brother his good presence grants, +Till your return. + + RIDOLFI. + With such proud gallantry +I bow to your decree. + [_Exeunt DUCHESS and RIDOLFI._ + + DUKE. + Beneath the western turret +I love to walk--to watch the huge dim battlements +On the smooth river sleeping, when the moon, +Low in the brightening east, their shadow throws +Upon its calm, cold bosom. + + HERMIONE. +Awhile I loiter with you there, my lord. [_Exeunt._ + + +SCENE V. + + _The Battlements._ + + _Enter DUKE and HERMIONE._ + + HERMIONE. +A pleasant tale, you say? + + DUKE. + A story +At which the sad might laugh, the merry weep! + + HERMIONE. +Strange modes of pleasantry--the sad might laugh? + + DUKE. +That his own woes were lighter. + + HERMIONE. + And yet, withal, +The merry weep? + + DUKE. + So sad the tale-- + + HERMIONE. + In troth, +Most dolorously pleasant! + + DUKE. + I've been in love. + + HERMIONE. +A strange propensity--a punishment +Man suffers for his sins. You've been in love? +Most melancholy! How! I wot the Duchess +Believed you not? + + DUKE. + Beatrice yet--mark me-- +Most tenderly I love. Her long affection +Won my regard: but--late, another power-- +It is not love, 'tis witchery, false glamour +Chaining the sense, unwilling to be held +In such deep thrall--I've seen a basilisk, +And it hath holden me within the circuit +Of its charmed eye. How counsel you? how break +From its bright glance? + + HERMIONE. + I know not where, my lord, +You're held, or how enchain'd. Knows she your love? + + DUKE. +I sought her, and the truth unto her ear +I utter'd. Was it well? + + HERMIONE. + 'Twere answer'd best +In the concealed purpose unto which +Truth's outward semblance serv'd. What meaning else +Behind it crouch'd? + + DUKE. + That we might part for ever. + + HERMIONE. +For ever!--Yes--'twas well! +What answer gave she? + + DUKE. + Answer?--Oh--'twas well! +Then we must part, Hermione? + + HERMIONE. + _We_ part! +Wherefore for ever? + + DUKE. + I would not again +Cringe in thy burning glance,--and yet--I might-- +This foolish heart its vanish'd dream forgot-- +Unmoved endure thy presence! Bitter the pang! +I could not say for ever! I should cling +As the doom'd wretch to life, loosing his hold +But with the heart's last throb! + + HERMIONE. + I cannot counsel thus! +Alas! more need some power above our own +To tear us hence--to sever. You will forget +This idle thought--'tis but a vagrant breath, +Stirring your past affections--they respond +Untouch'd, when memory wakes the soft still voice +Of other years. Their echoes o'er, again +Peace, haply frighted thence, your bosom visits. +I would not now for ever part! + + DUKE. +Then for a time--when absence +The torn heart heals, we meet again. Hermione, +For thee, in this night's converse, have I risk'd +My happiness, my hope, and every comfort +Which most I prize--my peace, my honour--all +Committed to thy trust--true confidence +If not in mutual charge--nor interchange +Of strict communion held. If one alone +The precious load entrusts, it is o'erbalanced +Without due counterpoise, reciprocal faith, +And it endures not. Tell me--nay, but listen-- +This heart unfetter'd, offer'd thee, unplighted, +Would'st thou have ta'en? + + HERMIONE. + Indeed, I cannot now +Such wild words answer. Spare me but this trial-- + + DUKE. +Nay, answer me--what--silent?--why 'tis well. +And so we part--but I repent me now +Thou hast my trust. No answer?--then 'tis well! +We part for ever! On that treacherous face +I would not gaze again. + + HERMIONE. + My lord, you must-- +If this suffice--I answer--_Yes!_ + + DUKE. + Angel +Of soul visiting light! the storm hath still'd +At thy omnipotent word! I would not---- + + _Enter ZORAYDA hastily, before the DUKE; she points to the + stream._ + +What notest thou, dun sorceress?--speak! + + ZORAYDA. + Yon shadow! + + DUKE. +Yet two full hours unspent, ere on the stream +Yon pennon flits: and now we part. But who +Sent thee with such authority--with power +To question, and to watch, with daring eye, +Mine every movement? I have sought thee, fiend! +If thine hell-vomited sire protect thee not, +Again thou shalt not 'scape. I charge thee, witch! +Confederate with foul treachery. + + ZORAYDA. + There's treason in the air! +Meet not the wind, it blows incontinently-- +The maid hath other lovers. + + HERMIONE. + Hag! thy meaning? +We study not ambiguous phrase. + + DUKE. +I'll crush thy treason, +Ere it be ripe for hatching. + [_As the DUKE raises the silver call to his lips, + ZORAYDA seizes his arm._ + + ZORAYDA. +'Tis for thy rescue--stay! one moment stay +Thy rash resolve. If I depart, undone, +Destroy'd this night! + [_The DUKE makes the signal._ +Rash prince! it shriek'd thy doom! + + _Enter Guard._ + + DUKE. +Seize that bold traitress!--stop her hated croak! +Lest each ensnared accomplice, if such be +Within her call, gain tidings of her seizure. +To-morrow, and in private, mark me, Hugo, +We hear her further. + + ZORAYDA. +To-morrow!--nay, to-night, proud Duke. +To-morrow is not thine. Beware! + [_They lead her away._ + + DUKE. + Of thee! +Thou fearful wonder. 'Tis not idle terror +O'ermasters me, but yon foul-plotting witch +Quails me unwarily. Our country's welfare, +Perchance, brings o'erused caution; yet the wise +No proffer'd warning slights. Within the palace +We may defy an ambush'd foe. + + HERMIONE. + To this, +Ere mischief burst abroad, I would entreat. +Yon being hath intelligence not breathed +From mortal lips! + + DUKE. + I dare not say +The last farewell: the coming word, when summon'd, +So galls my tongue, it hath no utterance +When it might pass. The breath that from it issues +Parches my palate; like the hot simoom, +It scorches, though it sweep as stilly o'er +Some blasted, bladeless desert!-- +I dream!--or I am fool'd!--unbind me, daemon! +Unseal mine eyeballs!--they are possess'd--again! +Glazed with thy mockeries! I see not: hark! +'Tis but the mental image to the brain +Recoiling: yet as palpable it comes! +What seest thou?--yon shadow?--where? + + HERMIONE. + Yon shadow? + + DUKE. +It cannot be: a brief told moment past, +I marked beyond the brink, on the dim wood, +The shadow waving. Now 'tis strange. There!--there! +How keen this air creeps curdling to my vitals!-- +The shadow yet hangs dark and motionless +On shore and wave! + + HERMIONE. + Whence comes this wondering terror? +The flag hath on its staff but newly dropp'd-- +Look to the turret, why that spell-bound gaze +So wildly on the stream! + + DUKE. +Fell hag! thy boding screech +Too surely sped. They come! Protect me, Heaven! + + _Enter four Assassins, masked. Three of them attack the DUKE, ere + he can make signals for the Guard; whilst their leader seizes on + HERMIONE._ + + HERMIONE. +Help!--murderers! Unhand me, wretch. + [_He stops her mouth._ + + CARLOS. +Wretch! 'tis thy Carlos come to woo--not now +To kiss thy very footprints, and the earth +Whereon they fell! I'll bear thee hence, my mistress; +And thou shalt live my menial slave. Rage not-- +I'll tame thy spirit, lady. Thou shalt crouch, +My gentle captive, as thy Carlos once, +To lick the dust, and I will spurn thee. Nay, +Content thee, dame, our friends will do thee service. + [_The DUKE defends himself against his assailants. + One of the Assassins falls._ + + DUKE. +There, villain! my good brand hath served thee. + [_HERMIONE, whilst struggling with CARLOS, frees + herself by a sudden effort, and seizes the sword + of the dying ruffian._ + + HERMIONE. +I'll bury this, deep, to thy heart, monster, +If thou approach. Help, guards! + + CARLOS. + Thy tongue I fear +More than thy weapon. [_Attempts to cover her mouth._ + + HERMIONE. +Then to thy doom, hell-destined spirit! [_Stabs him._ + + CARLOS. +Oh--fly!--save ye, my friends--escape whilst yet-- +The guards--this fiend hath summon'd---- [_Falls._ + + HERMIONE (_rushes towards the DUKE_). +Cowards! ye cannot escape. They come! + + BERTRAND (_tearing off his mask_). + Then swifter come +Insatiate vengeance. To thy place, proud Mantua! + [_Makes a desperate lunge at the DUKE, who falls._ + + DUKE. +A mortal thrust! Hermione, now--now-- +Farewell--'tis past! + + BERTRAND. + Thou leavest not thy paramour. + [_Stabs HERMIONE._ +Hence! to the pale ghosts howl in company. + + HERMIONE. +I'd bless thee----for this---- [_Dies._ + + _Enter Guard, Soldiers; they seize the Conspirators._ + + DUKE. + Too late ye come-- +Life ebbs fast from my veins--mine eyes are dim; +But there's a voice--or death unreins my fancy-- +Comes o'er mine ear, I do remember, mingling +Ere now 'mid mortal strife. + + BERTRAND. +'Tis I: mine hate is quench'd but with the blood +That nourish'd thee! Now to your dungeons lead me: +Your rarest tortures--haste. This blest revenge +Will slake your hottest fires, heal the hurt flesh, +Make the unpitying rack a gentle pillow. +Softer than cygnet down, or thy death-couch, +Unsceptred Duke. Guards, do your office. + + DUKE. +Unhappy man! thy fierce, untamed spirit, +In its own fiery nature, hath to endure +What bodily tortures reach not. I forgive thee. +But this good city, thy most unjust hate +This night bereaves of her protector, seeks +Her just atonement! Bear me hence--Beatrice, +To thy loved arms. Would that I ne'er had left thee-- +A fearful meeting now--Hermione! +What--dead! My cup is drain'd e'en to the dregs, +The vessel shiver'd, dash'd erewhile to earth!-- + Just Heaven! +I bow to thee! Thou hast not sent my spirit +Unshriven to thy bar--brief space on earth +My span of time, but unto thee I turn, +Abused mercy; grant with my last last hour +Repentance, and thy promised pardon! + [_Exeunt Attendants with the DUKE._ + + + + +LEGENDS. + + +One of the following Legends, The Crystal Goblet, was written for the +Traditions of the County of York. It appeared by permission in an Annual +entitled, "The White Rose of York;" but having only had a local +circulation at the time, and having been carefully revised by the Author +during the last winter of his life, it finds a place in the present +volume. + + + + +MOTHER RED CAP; + +OR, + +THE ROSICRUCIANS. + +A LEGEND OF THE NORTH. + + +PART THE FIRST. + +In the wild and mountainous region of East Lancashire, at the foot of +the long line of hills called Blackstonedge, and not far from the town +of Rochdale, stood one of those old grim-looking mansions, the abode of +our Saxon ancestors; a quiet sheltered nest, where ages and generations +had alike passed by. The wave of time had produced no change; the name +and the inheritance were the same, and seemingly destined to continue +unaltered by the mutations, the common lot of all that man labours to +perpetuate. This state of things existed at the date of our story; now, +alas! the race of its former possessors is extinct, their name only +remains a relic of things that were,--their former mansion standing[L], +as if in mockery, amidst the hum of wheels, and in melancholy contrast +with the toil and animation of this manufacturing, money-getting +district. + +Buckley Hall, to which we allude, is still an object of interest to the +antiquary and the lover of romance, telling of days that are for ever +departed, when the lords of these paternal acres were the occupants, +not impoverishers, of the soil from unrecorded ages,--constituting a +tribe, a race of sturdy yeomanry attached to their country and to the +lands on which they dwelt. But they are nigh extinct,--other habits and +other pursuits have prevailed. Profuse hospitality and rude benevolence +have given place to habits of business as they are called, and to a more +calculating and enterprising disposition. The most ancient families have +become absorbed or overwhelmed by the mighty progress of this new +element, this outpouring of wealth as from some unseen source; and in +many instances their names only are recognised in these old and rickety +mansions, now the habitation of the mechanic and the plebeian. + +Many of these dwellings remain,--a melancholy contrast to the trim +erections, the symbols of a new race, along with new habits and forms of +existence, sufficiently testifying to the folly and the vain +expectations of those who toil and labour hard for a long lease with +posterity. + +This mansion, like the rest of our ancestral dwellings of the better +sort, was built of wood, on a stone basement. The outside structure +curiously vandyked in a zig-zag fashion with wooden partitions, the +interstices were filled with wicker-work, plastered with well-tempered +clay, to which chopped straw imparted additional tenacity. When newly +embellished, looking like the pattern, black and white, of some discreet +magpie perched on the wooden pinnacles terminating each gable, or +hopping saucily about the porch,--that never-failing adjunct to these +homely dwellings. Here, on a well-scoured bench, the master of the house +would sit in converse with his family or his guests, enjoying the fresh +and cheering breeze, without being fully exposed to its effects. The +porch was universally adopted as a protection to the large flagged hall +called the "house-part," which otherwise might have been seriously +incommoded by the inclement atmosphere of these bleak districts. On one +side of the hall, containing the great fire-place, was the "guest +parlour." Here the best bed was usually fixed; and here, too, all great +"occasions" took place. Births, christenings, burials, all emanated +from, or were accomplished in, this family chamber. Every member was +there transmitted from the cradle to the grave. The low wide oaken +stairs, to the first bending of which an active individual might have +leaped without any such superfluous media. The naked gallery, with its +little quaint doors on each side, hatched in the usual fashion, this +opening into the store-room, that into the servants' lodging, another +into the closet where the choicest confections were kept. Opposite were +the bedchambers, and at the extremity of the gallery a ladder generally +pointed the way to a loft, where, amongst heaps of winter stores, dried +roots, and other vegetables, probably reposed one or two of the male +servants on a straw mattrass, well fortified from cold by an enormous +quilt. + +Our description will apply with little variation to all.--We love these +deserted mansion-houses, that speak of the olden time, its good cheer +and its rude but pleasant intercourse; times and seasons that are for +ever gone,--though we crave pardon for indulging in what may perhaps +find little favour in the eyes of this generation, whose hopes and +desires are to the future, who say the past is but the childhood of our +existence,--it is gone, and shall not return. But there are yet some who +love to linger on the remnants, the ruins of a former state, who look at +these time-honoured relics but as links that bring them into closer +communion with bygone ages, and would fain live in the twilight of other +years rather than the meridian splendour of the present. But we must not +be seduced any further by these reflections; our present business +concerns the legend whose strange title stands at the head of this +article. + +In one of the upper chambers at Buckley Hall before named, and not long +ago, was an iron ring fixed to a strong staple in the wall; and to this +ring a fearful story is still attached. The legend, as it is often told, +is one of those wild improbable fictions based on facts, distorted and +embellished to suit the taste of the listener or the fancy of the +narrator. It will be our task to make out from these imaginative +materials a narrative divested, as much as possible, of the marvellous, +but, at the same time, retaining so much as will interest and excite the +reader and lover of legendary lore. + +It was in one of those genial, mellow, autumnal evenings,--so dear to +all who can feel their influence, and so rare a luxury to the +inhabitants of this weeping climate,--when all living things wear the +hue and warmth of the glowing atmosphere in which they are enveloped, +that two lovers were sauntering by the rivulet, a "wimpling burn" that, +rising among the bare and barren moorlands of this uncultivated region, +runs past Buckley Hall into the valley of the Roch. + +It was near the close of the sixteenth century, in the days of good +Queen Bess, yet their apparel was somewhat homely even for this era of +stuffed doublets and trunk-hose. Such unseemly fashions had hardly +travelled into these secluded districts; and the plain, stout, woollen +jacket of their forefathers, and the ruffs, tippets, stays, and +stomachers of their grandmothers, formed the ordinary wear of the belles +and beaux of the province. Fardingales, or hooped petticoats, we are +happy to say, for the sake of our heroine, were unknown. + +"Be of good cheer," said the lover; "there be troubles enow, believe me, +without building them up out of our own silly fears--like boys with +their snow hobgoblins, terrible enough in the twilight of fancy, but a +gleam of sunshine will melt and dissipate them. Thou art sad to-night +without reason. Imaginary fears are the worst to cope withal; having +nor shape nor substance, we cannot combat with them. 'Tis hard, indeed, +fighting with shadows." + +"I cannot smile to-night, Gervase; there's a mountain here--a foreboding +of some deadly sort. I might as soon lift 'Robin Hood's Bed,' yonder, as +remove it." + +"No more of this, my dearest Grace; at least, not now. Let us enjoy this +bright and sunny landscape. How sharply cut are those crags, yonder, on +the sky. Blackstonedge looks almost within a stride, or at least a good +stone's throw. Thou knowest the old legend of Robin Hood; how that he +made yonder rocks his dormitory, and by way of amusement pitched or +coited huge stones at a mark on the hill just above us, being some four +or five miles from his station. It is still visible along with several +stones lying near, and which are evidently from the same rock as that on +which it is said he slept." + +"I've heard such silly tales often. Nurse had many of these old stories +wherewith to beguile us o' winter nights. She used to tell, too, about +Eleanor Byron, who loved a fay or elf, and went to meet him at the +fairies' chapel away yonder where the Spodden gushes through its rocky +cleft,--'tis a fearful story--and how she was delivered from the spell. +I sometimes think on't till my very flesh creeps, and I could almost +fancy that such an invisible thing is about me." + +With such converse did they beguile their evening walk, ever and anon +making the subject bend to the burden of their own sweet ditty of mutual +_unchanging_ love! + +Grace Ashton was the only daughter of a wealthy yeoman, one of the +gentry of that district, residing at Clegg Hall, a mile or two distant. +Its dark, low gables and quiet smoke might easily be distinguished from +where they stood. It was said that the Cleggs, its original owners, had +been beggared and dispossessed by vexatious and fraudulent lawsuits; and +the Ashtons had achieved their purpose by dishonesty and chicane. +However this might be, busy rumour gave currency and credit to the tale, +though, probably, it had none other foundation than the idle and +malevolent gossip of the envious and the unthinking. + +They had toiled up a narrow pathway on the right of a woody ravine, +where the stream had evidently formed itself a passage through the loose +strata in its course. The brook was heard, though hidden by the tangled +underwood, and they stopped to listen. Soothing but melancholy was the +sound. Even the birds seemed to chirp there in a sad and pensive +twitter, not unnoticed by the lovers, though each kept the gloomy and +fanciful apprehensions untold. + +Soon they gained the summit of a round heathery knoll, whence an +extensive prospect rewarded their ascent. The squat, square tower of +Rochdale Church might be seen above the dark trees nestling under its +grey walls. The town was almost hidden by a glowing canopy of smoke +gleaming in the bright sunset,--towards the north the bare bleak hills, +undulating in sterile loneliness, and associating only with images of +barrenness and desolation. Easterly, a long, level burst of light swept +across meadow, wood, and pasture; green slopes dotted with bright +homesteads, to the very base apparently of, though at some distance +from, Blackstonedge, now of the deepest, the most intense blue. Such a +daring contrast of colour gave a force and depth to the landscape, +which, had it been portrayed, would to critical eyes, perhaps, have +outraged the modesty of Nature. + +The sky was already growing cold and grey above the ridge opposed to the +burning brightness of the western horizon, and Grace Ashton pointed out +the beautiful but fleeting hues of the landscape around them. Her +companion, however, was engrossed by another object. Before them was an +eminence marking the horizon to the north-west, though not more than a +good bow-shot from where they stood. Between this and their present +standing was a little grassy hollow, through which the brook we have +described trickled rather than ran, amidst moss and rushes, rendering +the ground swampy and unsafe. On this hill stood "Robin Hood's +coit-stones;" and on the largest, called the "marking-stone," a +wild-looking and haggard figure was couched. Her garments, worn and +tattered, were of a dingy red; and her cap, or _coiffure_ as it was then +called, was of the same colour. Her head was bent forward beyond the +knee, as though she were listening towards the ground, or was expecting +the approach of the individuals who now came suddenly, and to themselves +unexpectedly, in view. Her figure, in the glow of that rich autumnal +sky, looked of the deepest crimson, and of a bloody and portentous +aspect. + +"What strange apparition is yonder," said Gervase Buckley, "on the hill +top there before us? Beshrew me, Grace, but it hath an evil and a +rancorous look." + +But Grace, along with a short scream of surprise, betrayed, too, her +recognition of the object, and clung with such evident terror to her +companion that he turned from the object of his inquiries to gaze on his +mistress. + +"What!" said he, "hath yonder unknown such power? Methinks it hath moved +thee strangely. Speak, Grace; can that hideous appearance in any way be +linked with our destiny?" + +"I am ignorant as thou. But its coming, as I have heard, always forbodes +disaster to our house. Hast not heard of a Red Woman that sometimes +haunts this neighbourhood? I never saw her until now, but I've heard +strange and fearful stories of her appearing some years ago, and +blighting the corn, poisoning the cattle, with many other diabolical +witcheries. She is best known by the name of 'Mother Red Cap.'" + +"I've heard of this same witch in my boyhood. But what should we fear? +She is flesh and blood like ourselves; and, in spite of the prevailing +belief, I could never suppose power would be granted to some, generally +the most wicked and the most worthless, which from the rest of mankind +is capriciously withholden." + +"Hush, Gervase; thou knowest not how far the arch-enemy of mankind may +be permitted to afflict bodily our guilty race. I could tell thee such +tales of yonder creature as would stagger even the most stubborn of +unbelievers." + +"I will speak to her, nevertheless. Tarry here, I prithee, Grace. It +were best I should go alone." + +"Oh, do not--do not! None have sight of her, as I've heard, but mischief +follows. What disaster then may we not expect from her evil tongue. I +shudder at the anticipation. Stay here. I will not be left; and I cannot +cross this dangerous swamp." + +Buckley was, however, bent on the adventure. His natural curiosity, +inflamed by forbidden longing after the occult and the mysterious to +which he was too prone, even though sceptical as to their existence, +rendered him proof against his mistress' entreaties. + +Probably from situation, or rather, it might be, the distance was judged +greater than in reality it proved, but the form before them looked +preternaturally enlarged, and, as she raised her head, her arms were +flung out high above it like withered and wasted branches on each side. +Trembling in every limb, Grace clung to her lover, and it was after long +persuasion that she suffered him to lift her over the morass, and was +dragged unwillingly up the hill. As though she were the victim of some +terrible fascination, her eyes were constantly riveted on the object. A +raven wheeled round them, every moment narrowing the circle of its +flight, and the malicious bird looked eager for mischief. + +As they approached nearer to the summit this ill-omened thing, after +having brushed so close that they felt the very breath from its wings, +alighted beside the Red Woman, who hardly seemed to notice, though well +aware of their proximity. + +They paused when several paces distant, and she rose up suddenly, +extending both arms, apparently to warn them from a nearer approach. Her +skinny lips rapidly moving to and fro, and her dark, withered, bony, and +cadaverous features, gave her more the appearance of a living mummy, or +a resurrection from the charnel-house, than aught instinct with the +common attributes of humanity. + +Buckley was for a moment daunted. The form was so unlike anything he had +ever seen. He was almost persuaded of the possibility that it might be +some animated corpse doomed to wander forth either for punishment or +expiation. Her lips still moved. A wild glassy eye was fixed upon them, +and as she yet stood with extended arms, Gervase, almost wrought to +desperation, cried out, + +"Who art thou? Thy business here?" + +A hollow sound, hardly like the tones of a human voice, answered in a +slow and solemn adjuration: + +"Beware, rash fools! None approach the Red Woman but to their undoing." + +"I know no hindrance to my free course in this domain. By whose +authority am I forbidden?" said he, taking courage. + +"Away--mine errand is not to thee unless provoked." + +"Unto whom is thy message?" + +"To thy leman--thy ladye-love, whom thou wilt cherish to thine hurt. +Leave her, ay, though both hearts break in the separation." + +"I will not." + +"Then be partaker of the wrath that is just ready to burst upon her +doomed house." + +"I told thee," said Grace, "she is the herald of misfortune! What woe +does she denounce? What cruel judgment hast thou invoked upon our +race?" cried she to this grim messenger of evil. + +"Evil will--Evil must! I will cling to ye till your last sustenance be +dried up, and your inheritance be taken from ye." + +"Her fate be mine," said Buckley, indignantly. "Her good or evil fortune +I will share." + +"Be it so. Thou hast made thy choice, and henceforth thou canst not +complain." + +She stretched out her two hands, one towards Clegg Hall, the abode of +the maiden, and the other towards Buckley, her lover's paternal roof, +from which a blue curl of smoke was just visible over the rising grounds +beneath them. + +"A doom and a curse to each," she muttered. "Your names shall depart, +and your lands to the alien and the stranger. Your honours shall be +trodden in the dust, and your hearths laid waste, and your habitations +forsaken." + +In this fearful strain she continued until Buckley cried out-- + +"Cease thy mumbling, witch. I'll have thee dealt with in such wise thy +tongue shall find another use." + +Turning upon him a look of scorn, she seemed to grow fiercer in her +maledictions. + +"Proud minion," she cried, "thou shalt die childless and a beggar!" + +The cunning raven flapped his great heavy wings and seemed to croak an +assent. He then hopped on his mistress' shoulder, and apparently +whispered in her ear. + +"Sayest thou so?" said the witch. "Then give it to me, Ralph." + +The bird held out his beak, and out popped a plain gold ring. + +"Give this to thy mother, Dame Buckley. Say 'tis long since they parted +company; and ask if she knows or remembers aught of the Red Woman. +Away!" + +She threw the ring towards them. Both stooped to pick it up. They +examined it curiously for a short space. + +"'Tis a wedding-ring," said Buckley, "but not to wed bride of mine. +Where was this----" + +He stopped short in his inquiry, for lifting up his eyes he found the +donor was gone! + +Neither of them saw the least trace of her departure. The stone whereon +she sat was again vacant. All was silent, undisturbed, save the night +breeze that came sighing over the hill, moaning and whistling through +the withered bent and rushes at their feet. + +The shadows of evening were now creeping softly around them, and the +valley below was already wrapped in mist. The air felt very chill. They +shuddered, but it was in silence. This fearful vision, for such it now +appeared to have been, filled them with unspeakable dread. + +Gervase yet held the ring in his hand. He would have thrown it from him, +but Grace Ashton forbade. + +"Do her bidding in this matter," said she. "Give it thy mother, and ask +counsel of the sage and the discreet. There is some fearful +mystery,--some evil impending, or my apprehensions are strangely +misled." + +They returned, but he was more disturbed than he cared to acknowledge. +He felt as though some spell had been cast upon him, and cowed his +hitherto undaunted spirit. + +They again wound down beside the rivulet into the meadows below, where +the mist alone pointed out the course of the stream. The bat and the +beetle crossed their path. Evil things only were abroad. All they saw +and felt seemed to be ominous of the future. As they passed through a +little wicket to the hall-porch, Nicholas Buckley the father met them. + +"Why how now, loiterers? The cushat and the curlew have left the hill, +and yet ye are abroad. 'Tis time the maiden were at home, and looking +after the household." + +"We've been hindered, good Sir. We will just get speech of our dame, and +then away home with the gentle Grace. Half an hour's good speeding will +see her safe." + +"Ay--belike," said the old man. "Lovers and loiterers make mickle haste +to part. Our dame is with the maids and the milk-pans i' the dairy." + +The elder Buckley was a hale hearty yeoman, of a ruddy and cheerful +countenance. A few wrinkles were puckered below the eyes; the rest of +his face was sleek and comfortably disposed. A beard, once thick and +glossy, was grown grey and thin, curling up, short and stunted, round +his portly chin. Two bright twinkling eyes gave note of a stirring and +restless temper--too sanguine, may be, for success in the great and busy +world, and not fitted either by education or disposition for its +suspicions or its frauds. Yet he had the reputation of a clever +merchant. Rochdale, even at that early period, was a well-known mart for +the buyers and sellers of woollen stuffs and friezes. Many of the most +wealthy merchants, too, indulged in foreign speculations and adventures, +and amongst these the name of Nicholas Buckley was not the least +conspicuous. + +They passed on to the dairy, where Dame Eleanor scolded the maids and +skimmed the cream at the same moment, by way of economy in time. + +"What look ye for here?" was her first inquiry, for truly her temper was +of a hasty and searching nature; somewhat prone, as well, to cavilling +and dispute; requiring much of her husband's placidity to furnish oil +for the turbulent waters of her disposition. + +"Thou wert better at thy father's desk, than idling after thine +unthrifty pleasures: to-morrow, may be, sauntering among the hills with +hound and horn, beating up with all the rabble in the parish." + +"Nay, mother, chide not: I was never made for merchandize and +barter--the price of fleeces in Tod-lane, and the broad ells at +Manchester market." + +"And why not?" said the dame, sharply. "Haven't I been the prop and stay +of the house? Haven't I made bargains and ventures when thou hast been +idling in hall and bower with love-ditties and ladies' purfles?" + +She was now moved to sudden choler, and Gervase did not dare to thwart +her further,--letting the passion spend itself by its own efforts, as he +knew it were vain to check its torrent. + +Now Dame Eleanor Buckley was of a sharp and florid +countenance,--short-necked and broad-shouldered, her nose and chin +almost hiding a pair of thin severe lips, the two prominences being +close neighbours, especially in anger. In truth she guided, or rather +managed, the whole circle of affairs; aiding and counselling the +speculations of her husband, who had happily been content with the +produce and profit of his paternal acres, had not his help-mate, who +inherited this mercantile spirit from her family, urged her partner to +such unwonted lust and craving for gain. + +A huge bundle of keys hung at her girdle, which, when more than usually +excited, did make a most discordant jingle to the tune that was a-going. +Indeed, the height and violence of her passion might be pretty well +guessed at by this index to its strength. + +When the storm had in some degree subsided, Gervase held up the ring. + +"What's that, silly one? A wedding-ring!" + +She grew almost pale with wrath. "How darest thou?--thee!--a ring!--to +wed ere thou hast a home for thy pretty one. Ye may go beg, for here ye +shall not tarry. Go to the next buckle-beggar! A pretty wedding truly! +When thou hast learned how to keep her honestly, 'twill be time enough +to wed. But thou hast not earned a doit to put beside her dower, and all +our ready monies, and more, be in trade; though, for the matter o'that, +the pulling would be no great business either. But I tell thee again, +thy father shall not portion an idler like thyself and pinch his trade. +Marry, 'tis enough to do, what with grievous sums lost in shipwrecks, +and the time we have now to wait our returns from o'er sea." + +She went on at this rate for a considerable space, pausing at last, more +for lack of breath than subject-matter of discourse. + +"Mother," said he, when fairly run down; "'tis not a purchase, 'tis a +gift." + +"By some one sillier than thyself, I warrant." + +"I know not for that--I had it from a stranger." + +"Stranger still," she replied sharply, chuckling at her own conceit. + +"Look at it, mother,--Know you such an one?" + +The dame eyed it with no favour, but she turned it over with a curious +look, at the same time lifting her eyes now and then towards the +ceiling, as though some train of recollection was awakening in her mind. + +"Where gat ye this?" said Dame Eleanor, in a subdued but still querulous +tone. + +"On the hill-top yonder." + +"Treasure-trove belongs to Sir John Byron.[M] The Lord of the Manor +claims all from the finders." + +"It was a gift." + +"Humph. Hast met gold-finders on the hills, or demons or genii, that +guard hidden treasure?" + +"We've seen the Red Woman!" + +Had a sudden thunder-clap burst over them, she could not have been more +startled. She stood speechless, and seemingly incapable of reply. +Holding the ring in one hand, her eyes were intently fixed upon it. + +"What is it that troubles you?" said Gervase. "Yon strange woman bade me +give you the ring, and ask if so be that you remembered her." + +The dame looked up, her quick and saucy petulance exchanged for a +subdued and melancholy air. + +"Remember thee! thou foul witch,--ay, long, long years have passed: I +thought thy persecutions at an end; thy prediction was nigh forgotten. +It was my wedding-ring, Gervase!" + +"More marvellous still." + +"Peace, and I'll tell thee. Grace Ashton, come forward. I know thine +ears are itching for the news. Well, well, it was when thou wast but a +boy, Gervase, and I remember an evening just like this. I was standing +by the draw-well yonder, looking, I now bethink me, at the dove-cote +where I suspected thieves; and in a humour somewhat of the sharpest, I +trow. By-and-bye comes what I thought an impudent beggar-woman for an +alms. Her dress was red and tattered, with a high red cap to match. I +chided her, it might be somewhat harshly, and I shall not soon forget +the malicious look she put on. 'I ask not, I need not thy benison,' she +said; 'I would have befriended thee, but I now curse thee altogether:' +and stretching out her shrivelled arm, dry and bare, she shook it, +threatening me with vengeance. Suddenly, or ere I was aware, she seized +my left hand, drew off my wedding-ring; breathing upon it and mumbling a +spell, she held it as though for me to take back, but with such a +fiendish look of delight that I hesitated. All on the sudden I +remembered to have heard my grandmother say, that should a witch or +warlock get your wedding-ring, and have time to mutter over it a certain +charm, _so long as that ring is above ground_, so long misery and +misfortune do afflict the owner. Lucky it was I knew of this, for +instead of replacing it I threw it into the well, being the nearest +hiding-place. And happy for me and thee it was so near; for, would you +believe, though hardly a minute's space in my hand, the black heifer +died, the red cow cast her calf, and a large venture of merchandize was +wrecked in a fearful gale off the gulph. I had no sooner thrown it into +the well than the witch looked more diabolical than ever. 'It will come +again, dame,' said she, 'and then look to it;' and with this threat she +departed. But what am I doing? If it be the ring, which I doubt not, +I've had it o'er long in my keeping. Even now disaster may be a-brewing; +and is there not a richly freighted ship on its passage with silks and +spices? I'll put it out of her reach this time anyhow. No! I'll hide it +where never a witch in Christendom shall poke it out." + +Dame Eleanor went to the little burn below. Stooping, she scooped a hole +in the gravel under water; there she laid the ring, and covered it over +with stones. + +"Thou'rt always after some of thy megrims, dame," said the elder +Buckley, who had been watching her from the porch. "Some spell or +counter-charm, I'se warrant." + +With a look of great contempt for the incredulity of her spouse, she +replied, + +"Ay, goodman, sit there and scoff your fill. If't hadn't been for my +care and endeavours you had been penniless ere now. But so it is, I may +slave night and day, I reckon. The whole roof-tree, as a body may say, +is on my shoulders, and what thanks? More hisses than thanks, more +knocks than fair words." + +Never so well pleased as when opportunity was afforded for grumbling, +the dame addressed herself again to her evening avocations. + +Pondering deeply what should be the issue of these things, Gervase set +out with Grace Ashton to her house at Clegg Hall, a good mile distant. +Evening had closed in--a chill wind blew from the hills. The west had +lost its splendour, but a pure transparent brightness filled its place, +across which the dark wavy outline of the high moorlands rested in deep +unvarying shadow. In these bright depths a still brighter star hung, +pure and of a diamond-like lustre, the precursor, the herald of a +blazing host just rising into view. + +As they walked on, it may well be supposed that the strange occurrences +of the last few hours were the engrossing theme of their discourse. + +"My mother is a little too superstitious, I am aware," said Gervase. +"But what I have witnessed to-night has rendered me something more +credulous on this head than aforetime." + +"I don't half like this neighbourhood," said his companion, looking +round. "It hath an ill name, and I could almost fancy the Red Woman +again, just yonder in our path." + +She looked wistfully; it was only the mist creeping lazily on with the +stream. + +They were now ascending the hill towards Beil or Belfield, where the +Knights Templars had formerly an establishment. Not a vestige now +remains, though at that period a ruinous tower covered with ivy, a +gateway, and an arch, existed as relics of their former grandeur. + +"Here lived the Lady Eleanor Byron," said Grace, pointing to the old +hall close by, and as though an unpleasant recollection had crossed her. +She shuddered as they passed by the grim archway beneath the tower. +Whether it was fancy or reality, she knew not, but as she looked +curiously through its ivied tracery, she thought the Red Woman was +peering out maliciously upon them. She shrank aside, and pointed to the +spot; but there was nothing visible save the dark and crumbling ruins, +from which their steps were echoed with a dull and sullen sound. + +The night wind sighed round the grey battlements, and from its hidden +recesses came moans and whispers, at least so it seemed to their heated +imaginations. + +"Let us hasten hence," said Grace; "I like not this lonely spot. There +was always a fear and a mystery about it. The tale of the invisible +sylphid and Eleanor Byron's elfish lover, haunts me whenever I pass by, +and I feel as though something was near, observing and influencing every +movement and every thought." + +"Come, come, adone I pray. Let not fear o'ermaster reason, else we shall +see bogles in every bush." + +Above the gateway, in the little square tower now pulled down, was a +loop-hole, nearly concealed by climbing shrubs, which rendered it easy +for a person within to look out without being observed. As they passed, +a low humming din was heard. Then a rude ditty trolled from some not +unskilful performer. The lovers stayed to listen, when a dark figure +issued out of the gateway singing:-- + + "The bat haunts the tower, + And the red-breast the bower, + And the merry little sparrow by the chimney hops, + Good e'en, hoots master owl, + To-whoo, to-whoo, his troll, + Sing heigho, swing the can with----" + +"What, thee, Tim! is that thy stupid face?" said Gervase, breaking in +upon his ditty, and right glad to be delivered from supernatural fears, +though the object of them proved only this strolling minstrel. "Thou +might as well kill us outright as frighten us to death." + +He that stood before them was one of those wandering musicians that +haunt fairs and merry-makings, wakes, and such like pastimes; playing +the fiddle and jewtrump too at weddings and alehouses; in short, any +sort of idleness never came amiss to these representatives of the old +Troubadours. A tight oval cap covered his shaggy poll; he was clad in a +coarse doublet or jerkin slashed in the fashion of the time, while his +nether integuments were fastened in the primitive mode by a wooden +skewer. He could conjure too, and play antics to set the folks agape; +but as to his honesty, it was of that dubious sort that few cared to +have it in trust. He was apt at these alehouse ditties,--many of them +his own invention. He knew all the choicest ballads too, so that his +vocation was much akin to the _jogleurs_ or _jongleurs_ of more ancient +times, when Richard of the Lion's Heart and other renowned monarchs +disdained not "_the gentle craft of poesie_." + +Wherever was a feast, let it be a wedding or a funeral, Tim, like the +harpies of old, scented the meat, and some of his many vocations were +generally in request. + +This important functionary now stood whistling and singing by turns with +the most admired unconcern. + +"What's thy business here?" cried Gervase, approaching him. + + "The maid was fair and the maid was coy, + But the lover left, and the maid said 'Why?' + Sing Oh, the green willow!" + +"Answerest thou me with thy trumpery ditties? I'll have thee put i' the +stocks, sirrah." + +"Oh ha' mercy, master! there's naught amiss 'at I know. I'm but takin' +roost here wi' the owls an' jackdaws a bit, may be for want o' better +lyin'." + +"It were hard to have a better knack at lying, than thou hast already. +Hast gotten the weather into thy lodgings? When didst flit to thy new +quarters?" + +"Th' hay-mow at Clegg is ower savoured wi' the new crop, an' I want +fresh air for my studies." + +"Now art thou lying----" + +"Like a lover to his sweetheart," said Tim, interrupting him, and +finishing the sentence. + +"Peace, knave! There's some mischief i' the wind. Thou'rt after no good, +I trow." + +"What te dickons do I ail here? Is't aught 'at a man can lift off but +stone wa's an' ivy-boughs? Marry, my little poke maun ha' summut else to +thrive on nor these." + +"There's been great outcry about poultry an' other farmyard appendances +amissing of late, besides eggs and such like dainties enow to furnish +pancakes and fritters for the whole parish. Hast gotten company in thy +den above there?" + +"Jacks an' ouzles if ye like, Master Gervase. Clim' up, clim' up, lad, +an' there'll be a prial on us. Ha, ha! What! our little sweetheart there +would liefer t' be gangin'. Weel, weel, 'tis natural, as a body may say: + + "One is good, and two is good, + But three's no company." + +"Answer me quick, thou rogue. Is there any other but thyself yonder +above?" + +"When I'm there I'm not here, an' when I'm here----" + +"Sirrah, I'll flog the wind out o' thy worthless carcase. Hast +any pilfering companions about thee? I do smell a savoury +refection,--victuals are cooking, or my nose belies its office." + +"Fair speech, friend, wins a quiet answer; a soft word and a smooth +tongue all the world over. What for mayn't I sup as well as my betters?" + +"As well? better belike. There's no such savour in our hall at eventide, +nor in the best kitchen in the parish." + +"It's not my fau't, is't?" + +"By'r lady, there's somebody in the chamber there. I saw the leaves +fluttering from the loophole. Villain, who bears thee company?" + +"Daft, daft. What fool would turn in to roost wi' me? Clean gone crazy, +sure as I'm livin'." + +"Nay, nay, there's some plot here,--some mischief hatching. I'll see, +or----" + +He was just going to make the attempt; but Tim withstood him, and in a +peremptory manner barred the way. + +"How! am I barred by thee, and to my face?" + +"It's no business o' thine, Master Gervase. What's hatching there, +concerns not thee. Keep back, I say, or----" + +"Ha! Thou jingle-pated rascal, stand off, or I'll wring thy neck round +as I would a jackdaw." + +"Do not, do not, Gervase!" said Grace Ashton, fearful of some unlucky +strife. "Let us begone. We are too late already, and 'tis no business of +ours." + +"What! and be o'erfoughten by this scurvy lack-wit. Once more, who is +there above?" + +"An' what if I shouldn't tell thee?" + +"I'll baste thy carcase to a mummy; I'll make thee tender for the +hounds." + +"Another word to that, master, an' it's a bargain." + +"Let me pass." + +"Not without my company." + +"He whistled, and in a moment Gervase felt himself pinioned from behind. +Looking round, he saw two stout fellows with their faces covered; and +any other possibility of recognition was impracticable in the heavy +twilight. + +"Who's i' t' stocks now?" cried the malicious rogue, laughing. + +"Unhand me, or ye'll rue that ever ye wrought this outrage." + +"Nay, nay, that were a pretty stave, when we've gotten the bird, to open +the trap," said Tim. + +Gervase immediately saw that another party had seized Grace Ashton. He +raved and stamped until his maledictions were put an end to by an +effectual gag, and he did not doubt but she had suffered the same +treatment, for a short sharp scream only was heard. Being immediately +blindfolded, he could only surmise that her usage was of a similar +nature. + +He was so stupified with surprise, that for a short period he was hardly +sensible to their further proceedings. When able to reflect, he found +himself pinioned, and in a sitting posture. A damp chill was on his +forehead. He had been dragged downwards, and, from the motion, steps +were the medium of descent. A door or two had been raised or opened, a +narrow passage previously traversed, and a short time only elapsed from +the cool freshness of the evening air to the damp and stifling +atmosphere that he now breathed. What could be cause of his seizure, he +was quite incompetent to guess. He could not recollect that he had +either pique or grudge on his hands; and what should be the result, he +only bewildered and wearied himself by striving to anticipate. + +It was surely a dream. He heard a voice of ravishing sweetness; such +pure and silvery tones, that aught earthly could have produced it was +out of the question; it was like the swell of some Eolian lyre,--words +too, modifying and enhancing that liquid harmony. It was a hymn, but in +a foreign tongue. He soon recognised the evening hymn to the Virgin: + + "Mater amata, intemerata, + Ora, ora, pro nobis." + +So sweetly did the music melt into his soul, that he quite forgot his +thrall, and every sense was attuned to the melody. When the sound +ceased, he made an effort to get free. He loosened his hands, and +immediately tore off the bandage from his eyes. A few seconds elapsed, +when he saw a light streaming through a crevice. Looking through, he saw +a taper burning before a little shrine, where two females in white +raiment, closely veiled, were kneeling. + +The celebration of such rites, at that time strictly prohibited, +sufficiently accounted for their concealment, and plainly intimated that +the parties were not of the Reformed faith. + +By the light which penetrated his cell from this source, he saw it was +furnished with a stone bench, and a narrow flight of steps in one corner +communicated with a trap-door above. + +The old mansion at Belfield, contiguous to these ruins, once belonging +to the Knights of St. John, had been for some years untenanted, and, as +often happens to the lot of deserted houses, strange noises, sights, and +other manifestations of ghostly occupants were heard and seen by +passers-by, rendering it a neighbourhood not overliked by those who had +business that way after nightfall. + +Gervase Buckley was pretty well assured that he had been conveyed into +some concealed subterranean chamber, but for what purpose he could not +comprehend. He was not easily intimidated; and, though in a somewhat +sorry plight, he now felt little apprehension on the score of +supernatural visitations: but his seizure did not hold out an immunity +as regards corporeal disturbers. He had not long to indulge these +premonitory reflections ere a door was opened. A figure, completely +enveloped in a black cloak, on which a red cross was conspicuously +emblazoned, stood before him. He carried a torch, and Gervase saw a +short naked sword glittering in his belt. + +"Follow me," said the intruder; and, without further parley, pointed to +where another door was concealed in the pavement. This being opened, +Gervase beheld, not without serious apprehension, a flight of steps +evidently communicating with a lower dungeon. His conductor pointed to +the descent, and it would have been useless folly to disobey. A damp and +almost suffocating odour prevailed, as though from some long pent up +atmosphere, which did not give the prisoner any increasing relish or +affection for the enterprise. He looked at his conductor, whose face and +person were yet covered. Had he been a familiar of the Holy Inquisition, +he could not have been more careful of concealment. Gervase looked now +and then with a wistful glance towards his companion's weapon. Being +himself unarmed, it would have been madness to attempt escape. He merely +inquired in his descent, + +"Whence this outrage? I am unarmed, defenceless." But there was no +reply. The guide, with an inclination of the head, pointed with his +torch to the gulph his victim was about to enter. There was little use +in disputation where the opposite party had so decided an advantage, and +he thought it best to abide the issue without further impediment. He +accordingly descended a few steps. His conductor fastened the door +overhead, and they soon arrived at the bottom, at a low arched passage, +where his guide dashed his flambeau against the wall, and it was +immediately extinguished. + +Gervase was left once more in doubt and darkness. There was little space +for explanation. He felt himself seized by an invisible hand, hurried +unresistingly on, till, without any preparation, a blaze of light burst +upon him. + +It was for a moment too overpowering to enable him to distinguish +objects with any certainty. Soon, however, he saw a tolerably spacious +vault, or crypt, supported by massy pillars. He had often heard there +existed many unexplored subterranean passages reaching to an incredible +distance, made originally by the Knights Templars for their private use. +One of these, it was said, extended even to the chantry just then +dissolved at Milnrow, more than a mile distant. Many strange stories he +had been told of these warrior monks. But centuries had elapsed since +their suppression. For a moment, he almost believed they were permitted +to re-appear, doomed at stated periods to re-enact their unhallowed +orgies, their cruelties and their crimes. The chamber was lighted by +three or four torches, their lurid unsteady light giving an ever-varying +character to the surrounding objects. + +Opposite the entrance was a stone bench, occupied by several figures +attired in a similar manner to his conductor. An individual in the +centre wore in addition a belt, covered by some cabalistic devices. The +scene was sufficiently inexplicable, and not at all elucidated by the +following interrogation: + +"Thou hast been cited to our tribunal," said the chief inquisitor. + +"I know ye not," said Gervase with great firmness, though hardly aware +of the position he occupied. + +"Why hast thou not obeyed our summons?" + +"I have not heard of any such; nor in good sooth should I have been +careful to obey had your mandate been delivered." + +"Croix Rouge," said the interrogator; "has this delinquent been cited?" + +The person he addressed arose, bowed, and presented a written answer. + +"I have here," continued the chief, "sufficient proof that our summons +hath been conveyed to thee, and that hitherto thine answer hath been +contumaciously withheld. What sayest thou?" + +"I have yet to learn, firstly," said Gervase, with more indignation than +prudence, "by what authority ye would compel me to appear; and, +secondly, how and in what form such mandate hath been sent?" + +"Bethink thee, is our answer to the last,--the first will be manifested +in due time. We might indeed leave thee ignorant as to what we require, +but pity for thy youth and inexperience forbids. Clegg Hall is, thou +knowest, along with the estate, now unlawfully holden by the Ashtons." + +"I know that sundry Popish recusants plotting the overthrow of our most +gracious Queen, do say that other and more legitimate rights are in +abeyance only; but the present owners are too well fortified to be +dispossessed by hearsay." + +"In the porch at Clegg thou wast accosted not long ago by a mendicant +who solicited an alms." + +"Probably so." + +"Did he not hold out to thee the sign of the Rosy Cross, the token of +our all-powerful fraternity of Rosicrucians?" + +"I do remember such a signal; and furthermore, I drove him forth as an +impostor and a pretender to forbidden arts." + +"He showed thee the sign, and bade thee follow." + +"He did." + +"And why was our summons disobeyed?" + +"Because I have yet to learn what authority you possess either for my +summons or detention." + +"The brotherhood of the Red Cross are not disobeyed with impunity." + +"I have heard of such a fraternity,--as well too that they be idle +cheats and lying impostors." + +"We challenge not belief without sufficient testimony to the truth of +our mission. In pity to man's infirmity this indulgence is permitted. We +unfold the hidden operations, the very arcana of Nature, whom we +unclothe as it were to her very nakedness. Our doctrines thereby carry +credence even to the most impious and unbelieving. Ere we command thy +submission, it is permitted to behold some manifestation of our power. +By means derived from the hidden essences of Nature, the first +principles which renovate and govern all things, the very elements of +which they consist, we arrive at the incorporeal essence called spirit, +holding converse with it undebased, uninfluenced by the intervention of +matter. Thus we converse in spirit with those that be absent, even +though they were a thousand leagues apart." + +"And what has this jargon to do with my being dispatched hither?" + +"Listen, and reply not; the purport will be vouchsafed to thee anon. We +can compel the spirits even of the absent to come at our bidding by +subtle spells that none have power to disobey. We too can renew and +invigorate life, and by the universal solvent bring about the renovation +of all things,--renovation and decay being the two antagonist +principles, as light and darkness. As we can make darkness light, and +light darkness at our pleasure, so can we from decay bring forth life, +and the contrary. Seest thou this dead body?" + +A black curtain he had not hitherto observed, was thrown aside, and he +beheld the features of Grace Ashton, or he was strangely deceived. She +was lying on a little couch, death visibly imprinted on her collapsed +and sunken features. + +"Murderers! I will have ye dealt with for this outrage." Maddened almost +to frenzy he would have rushed towards her, but he was firmly holden by +a power superior to his own. + +"She is now in the first region of departed spirits," said the chief. +"We have power to compel answer to our interrogatories. Listen, perverse +mortal. We are well assured that a vast treasure is concealed +hereabouts, hidden by the Knights of St. John. 'Tis beyond our +unassisted power to discover. We have asked counsel of one whom we dare +not disobey, and she it is hath commanded that we cite thee and Grace +Ashton to the tribunal of the Rosy Cross. This corporeal substance now +before us, by reason of its intimate union with the spirit, purged from +the dross of mortality, will answer any question that may be propounded, +and will utter many strange and infallible prophecies. It will solve +doubtful questions, and discourse of things past, present, and to come, +seeing that she is now in spirit where all knowledge is perfect, and +hath her eyes and understanding cleared from the gross film of our +corruption. But as spirit only hath power over those of its own nature, +by the law of universal sympathy, so she answers but to those by whom +she is bidden, that are of the same temperament and affinity, which is +shown by your affiance and love toward each other." + +The prisoner heard this mystic harangue with a vacant and fixed +expression, as though his mind were wandering, and he hardly understood +the profundity of the discourse. Every feeling was absorbed in the +conviction that some horrid incantation had for ever deprived him of his +beloved. Then he fancied some imposition had been practised upon him. +Being prevented from a closer examination, at length he felt some relief +in the idea that the form he beheld might possibly be a counterfeit. He +knew not what to say, and the speaker apparently waited his reply. +Finding he was still silent, the former continued after a brief space: + +"Our questions to this purport must necessarily be propounded by thee. +Art thou prepared?" + +"Say on," said Gervase, determined to try the issue, however repugnant +to his thoughts. + +Two of them now arose and stood at each end of the couch. The superior +first made the sign of the Cross. He then drew a book from his girdle, +and read therein a Latin exorcism against the intrusion of evil spirits +into the body, commanding those only of a heavenly and benign influence +to attend. He lighted a taper compounded of many strange ingredients +emitting a fragrant odour, and, as the smoke curled heavily about him, +flickering and indistinct, he looked like some necromancer about to +perform his diabolical rites. + +The occupant of that miserable couch lay still as death. + +"The first question," cried out the chief; and he looked towards the +prisoner, who was now suffered to approach within a few paces of the +bed. + +"Is there treasure in this place?" + +Gervase tried to repeat the question, but his tongue clave to his mouth. +For the first time probably in his life he felt the sensation of +horrible, undefined, uncontrollable fear,--that fear of the unknown and +supernatural, that shrinking from spiritual intercourse even with those +we have loved best. It seemed as though he were in communion with the +invisible world,--that awful, incomprehensible state of existence; and +with beings whose power and essence are yet unknown, armed, in +imagination, with attributes of terror and of vengeance. + +With a desperate effort, however, he repeated the question. Breathless, +and with intense agony, he awaited the response. It came! A voice, not +from the lips of the recumbent victim, but as though it were some inward +afflatus, hollow and sepulchral. The lips did not move, but the +following reply was given. + +"There is!" + +Even the guilty confederates started back in alarm at the success of +their own experiment. All was, however, still,--silent as before. + +Taking courage, the next question was put in like manner. + +"In what direction?" + +"Under the main pillar at the south-eastern corner of the vault." + +After another pause, the following questions were asked: + +"How may we obtain the treasure sought?" + +"By diligence and perseverance." + +"At what time?" + +"When the moon hath trine to Mercury in the house of Saturn." + +"Is it guarded?" + +"It is." + +"By whom?" + +"By a power that shall crush you unless propitiated." + +"Show us in what manner." + +"I may not; my lips are sealed. That power is superior to mine; the rest +is hidden from me." + +The treasure-seekers were silent, as though disappointed at this +unexpected reply. Another attempt was, however, made. + +"Shall we prosper in our undertaking?" + +"My time is nigh spent. I beseech you that I may depart, for I am in +great torment." + +"Thou shalt not, until thou answer." + +"Beware!" + +But this admonition was from another source, and in a different +direction. The obscurity and smoke from the torches made it impossible +to judge with any certainty whence the interruption proceeded. + +Gervase started and turned round. It might be fancy, but he was +confident the features of the Red Woman were present to his +apprehension. Horrors were accumulating. Even the united brotherhood +seemed to tremble as though in the presence of some being of whom they +stood in awe. They awaited her approach in silence. + +"Fool! did I not warn thee to do _my_ bidding only? And thou art +hankering again, pampering thy cruel lust for gold. How darest thou +question the maiden for this intent? Hence, and thank thy stars thou art +not even now sent howling to thy doom!" + +This terrible and mysterious woman came forward in great anger, and the +Rosicrucian brotherhood were thereby in great alarm. "The maid is +mine--begone!" said she, pointing the way. + +Like slaves under their master's frown, they crouched before this +fearful personification of their unhallowed and forbidden practices, and +departed. + +"Gervase Buckley," she cried, "thou art betrothed to the heiress of yon +wide possessions." + +"I am," said he, roused either to courage or desperation, even in the +presence of a being whose power he felt conscious was not derived from +one common source with his own. + +"Dost thou confirm thy troth?" + +"I do; in life and in death she is mine." + +"Pledge thyself, body and soul, to her." + +"I am hers whilst I live, body and soul. Nothing but death shall part +us." + +"On thy soul's hope thou wilt fulfil this pledge!" + +"I will." Gervase looked wistfully towards his beloved. The inanimate +form was yet pale and still; but a vague hope possessed him that the +witch would again quicken her. + +"'Tis enough. But it must be sealed with blood!" + +He felt her clammy hand on his arm, and a sharp pain as though from a +puncture. He quickly withdrew it, and a blood-drop fell on the floor. + +"Thou art mine--for ever!" + +A loud yell rang through the vaults, and Gervase felt as though the doom +of the lost spirits were his,--that a whole troop of fiery demons had +assailed him, and that he was borne away to the pit of torment. Happily +his recollection forsook him, and he became unconscious of future +suffering. + + +PART THE SECOND. + +Morning rose bright and ruddy above the hills. The elder Buckley was up +and stirring betimes. Agreeably to his usual practice, he had retired +early to bed, leaving the household cares and duties to his helpmate. He +was sitting in the porch, when his dame, with a disturbed and portentous +aspect, accosted him:-- + +"I know not what hath come to the lad." + +"Gervase--what of him?" said Nicholas, carelessly. + +"He came home very late yesternight. But he did not speak, and he looked +so wan and woe-begone, that I verily thought he had seen a ghost or some +uncanny thing yonder on his road home. I've just now been to rouse him, +but he will not answer. Prithee go and get speech of him, good or bad. I +think i' my heart the lad's bewitched." + +Nicholas Buckley was a man of few words, especially in the presence of +his helpmate, so he merely groaned out an incredulous wonder, and went +off as he was bidden. He saw Gervase evidently under the influence of +some stupifying spell. His eyes were open, but he noticed neither the +question nor the person who accosted him. There was something so +horrible and mysterious in his whole appearance, that the good man felt +alarmed, and went back to his dame with all possible expedition. What +_could_ have happened? They guessed, and made a thousand odd surmises, +improbable enough the greater part, but all merging in the prevailing +bugbear of the day--witchcraft, which was resorted to as a satisfactory +explanation under every possible difficulty. Had his malady any +connection with the unexpected appearance of the Red Woman and the ring? +It was safe buried, however, and that was a comfort. But after all, her +thoughts always involuntarily recurred to this unpleasant subject. She +could not shake off her suspicions, and there was little use in +attempting further measures unless she could fight the Evil One with his +own weapons. To this end, she began to cast about for some cunning +wizard, who might countervail the plots of this malicious witch. + +Now at this period, Dr. Dee, celebrated for his extraordinary +revelations respecting the world of spirits, had been promoted by Queen +Elizabeth (a firm believer in astrology and other recondite pursuits) to +the wardenship of the Collegiate Church at Manchester. His fame had +spread far and wide. He had not long been returned from his mission to +the Emperor Rodolph at Prague, and his intercourse with invisible things +was as firmly believed as the common occurrences of the day, and as well +authenticated. + +The character of Dee has both been underrated and misunderstood. By +most, if not all, he has been looked upon merely as a visionary and an +enthusiast,--credulous and ambitious, without the power, though he had +sufficient will, to compass the most mischievous designs. But under +these outward weaknesses and superstitions, tinctured and modified by +the prevailing belief in supernatural interferences, there was a bold +and vigorous mind, frustrated, it is true, by circumstances which he +could not control. Dee aimed at the entire change and subjugation of +affairs, ecclesiastical and political, to the dominion of an unseen +power,--a theocracy or millenium,--himself the sole medium of +communication, the high priest and lawgiver. To this end he sought the +alliance and support of foreign potentates; and his diary published by +Casaubon, the original of which is in the British Museum, is a +remarkable and curious detail of the intrigues resorted to for this +purpose. His mission to the Emperor Rodolph, offering him the sceptre of +universal dominion, is told with great minuteness; and there is little +doubt that Elizabeth herself did not disdain to converse and consult +with him on this extraordinary project. Her visits to his house at +Mortlake are well known. He had been consulted as to a favourable day +for her coronation, and received many splendid promises of preferment, +that were never realised. At length, disappointed and hopeless as to the +success of his once daring expectations, he settled down to the only +piece of preferment within his reach, to wit, the wardenship of the +Collegiate Church at Manchester, where he arrived with his family in the +beginning of February, 1596. His advice and assistance were much +resorted to, and particularly in cases of supposed witchcraft and +demoniacal possession,--articles of unshaken belief at that period with +all but speculatists and optimists, the Sadducees of their day and +generation. His chief colleague throughout his former revelations had +been one Edward Kelly, born at Worcester, where he practised as an +apothecary. In his diary, Dee says, they were brought together by the +ministration of the angel Uriel. He was called Kelly the Seer. This +faculty of "_seeing_" by means of a magic crystal not being possessed by +the Doctor, he was obliged to have recourse to Kelly, who had or +pretended to have this rare faculty. Afterwards, however, he found out +that Kelly had deceived him; those spirits which ministered at his +bidding not being messengers from the Deity as he once supposed, but +lying spirits sent to deceive and to betray. + +Kelly was an undoubted impostor, though evidently himself a believer in +magic and the black art. Addicted to diabolical and mischievous +practices, he was a fearful ensample of those deluders given up to their +own inventions to believe the very lies wherewith they attempted to +deceive. + +He was a great treasure-hunter and invoker of demons, and, it is said, +would not scruple to have recourse to the most disgusting brutalities +for the gratification of his avarice and debauchery. In Weaver's +Funereal Monuments, it is recorded that Kelly, in company with one Paul +Waring, went to the churchyard of Walton-le-Dale, near Preston, where a +person was interred at that time supposed to have hidden a large sum of +money, and who had died without disclosing the secret. They entered +precisely at midnight, the grave having been pointed out to them the +preceding day. They dug down to the coffin, opened it, and exorcised the +spirit of the deceased, until the body rose from the grave and stood +upright before them. Having satisfied their inquiries, it is said that +many strange predictions were uttered concerning divers persons in the +neighbourhood, which were literally and remarkably fulfilled. + +At the date of our legend, Kelly had been parted from the Doctor for a +considerable time. The Doctor having found out his proneness to these +evil courses, Kelly bore no good will to his former patron and +associate. + +We have not space, or it would be an interesting inquiry, as connected +with the superstitions of our ancestors, to trace the character and +career of these individuals--men once famous amongst their +cotemporaries, forming part of the history of those times, and exerting +a permanent influence, immediately on the national character, and +remotely on that of a future and indefinite period. + +Dame Eleanor Buckley was morally certain, firstly, that her son was +witched; and, secondly, that no time should be lost in procuring relief. +Nicholas therefore took horse for Manchester that very forenoon, with +the intention of consulting the learned Doctor above named, on his son's +malady. Ere he left, however, there came tidings that Grace Ashton had +not returned home, and was supposed to have tarried at Buckley for the +night. + +Trembling at this unexpected news, the dame once more applied to her +son. He was still wide awake on the couch, in the same position, and +apparently unconscious of her presence. In great anxiety she conjured +him to say if he knew what had befallen Grace Ashton. + +"She is dead!" was his reply, in a voice strangely altered from his +usual careless and happy tone. Nothing further, however, could be drawn +from him, but shortly after there came one with additional tidings. + +"Inquiry has been set on foot," said the messenger, "and Tim, well known +at wakes and merry-makings, doth come forward with evidence which +justifies a suspicion that is abroad, to wit, that she has met death by +some unfair dealing; and, further, he scruples not to throw out dark and +mysterious hints that implicate your son as being privy to her +disappearance." + +At this unlooked for intelligence, the mother's fortitude gave way. +Tribulation and anguish had indeed set in upon them like a flood. The +ring, so unaccountably brought back by the Red Woman, was beyond doubt +the cause of all their misfortunes--its reappearance, as she +anticipated, being the harbinger of misery. What should be the next +arrow from her quiver she trembled to forebode. But, in the midst of +this fever of doubt and apprehension, one hope sustained her, and that +was, the result of her husband's mission to Doctor Dee, who would +doubtless find out the nature of the spell, and relieve them from its +curse. + +Let us follow the traveller to Dee's lodgings in the deanery, where at +that time this renowned astrologer was located. Nicholas Buckley found +him sitting in a small dismal looking study, where he was introduced +with little show either of formality or hesitation. The Doctor was now +old, and his sharp, keen, grey eyes had suffered greatly by reason of +rheum and much study. Pale, but of a pleasant countenance, his manner, +if not so grave and sedate as became one of his deep and learned +research, yet displaying a vigour and vivacity, the sure intimation of +that quenchless ardour, the usual concomitant of all who are destined to +eminence, or to any conspicuous part in the age on which they are +thrown,--not idle worthless weeds on the strand of time, but landmarks +or beacons in the ocean of life, to warn or to direct. + +He was short in stature, and somewhat thin. A rusty black velvet cap, +without ornament, surmounted his forehead, from which a few straggling +grey hairs crept forth, rivalling his pale, thoughtful brow in +whiteness. + +He sat in a curiously embossed chair, with a brown-black leathern +cushion, beside an oaken table or tressel, groaning under the weight of +many ponderous volumes of all hues and subjects. Divers and occult were +the tractates there displayed, and unintelligible save to the initiated. +Alchemy was just then his favourite research, and he was vainly +endeavouring to master the jargon under which its worthlessness and +folly were concealed. + +Nicholas Buckley related his mishap, and, as far as he was able, the +circumstances connected with it. The Doctor then erected a horoscope for +the hour. After consulting this he said: + +"I will undertake for thee, if so be that my poor abilities, hitherto +sorely neglected, and I may say despised, can bring thee any succour. +Indeed the land groans by reason of the sin of witchcraft,--a noisome +plague now infesting this afflicted realm, and a grievous scandal to the +members and ministers of our Reformed Church. The ring is of a surety +bewitched, and by one more powerful and wicked than thou canst possibly +imagine. I tell thee plainly, that unless the charm be broken, the +recovery of the young man were vain,--nay, in all likelihood, thine own +ruin will be the result." + +The merchant groaned audibly at this doleful news. He thought upon his +merchandise and his adventures o'er sea--his treasures and his argosies, +committed to the tender mercies of the deep; and he recounted them in +brief. + +"Cannot these be rescued from such disaster?" inquired he, dolefully. + +"I know not yet," was the reply. "Saturn, that hath his location here, +governing these expected treasures, now beholds the seventh house of +the figure I have just erected, with a quartile aspect. They be evil +tokens, but as regards this same Mother Red Cap or the Red Woman, who +hath doubtless brought you into grievous trouble, I know her. Nay, look +not incredulous. How, it is not needful to inquire. Suffice it that she +hath great power, though from a different source from mine. She is of +the Rosicrucian order, one of the sisters, of which there are five +throughout Europe and Asia. They have intercourse with spirits, +communicating too with each other, though at never so great a distance, +by means of this mystical agency. She hath been here, aye, even in the +very place where thou sittest." + +The visitor started from his chair. + +"And I am not ignorant of her devices. She is of a Papistical breed; and +the recusant priests, if I mistake not, are at the working of some +diabolical plot; it may be against the life and government of our +gracious Queen! They would employ the devil himself, if need were, to +compass their intent. She hath travelled much, and doubtless hath +learned marvellous secrets from the Moors and Arabian doctors. It is +however little to the purpose at present, that we continue this +discourse. What more properly concerns thee is how to get rid of this +grievous visitation; which, unless removed, will of a surety fall out to +thine undoing. By prayer and fasting much may be accomplished, together +with the use of all lawful means for thy release." + +"Alas!" said Buckley, "I fear me there is little hope of a favourable +issue, and I may not be delivered from this wicked one!" + +"Be of good heart--we will set to work presently, and, if it be +possible, counterplot this cunning witch. But to this end it is needful +that I visit the young man, peradventure we may gather tidings of her. I +know not any impediment to my journey this very day. Aye! even so," said +he, poring over some unimaginable diagrams. "Good! there is a +marvellous proper aspect for our enterprise thirty minutes after +midnight. Thou hast doubtless taken horse with thy servant hither. I +will take his place and bear thee company." + +The Doctor was soon equipped for travel, much to the comfort of the +afflicted applicant, who was like to have taken his departure with a +sorry heart, and in great disquietude. On their arrival at Buckley, Dee +would needs see the patient instantly. No change had taken place since +morning, and he still refused any sustenance that might be offered. The +Doctor examined him narrowly, but refrained from pronouncing on his +case. + +It was now evening. The sun shot a languid and fitful ray athwart the +vapours gathering to receive him, and its light shone full on the couch +of the invalid. The astrologer was sitting apart, in profound +meditation. Dame Eleanor suddenly roused him. + +"He has just asked for the Red Woman," said she, "and I heard him +bemoaning himself, saying that he is betrothed to her, and that she will +come ere long to claim his pledge. Hark, he mutters again!" + +Dee immediately went to the bedside. + +"I did not kill her," said the victim, shuddering. He dashed the cold +sweat from his forehead with some violence. He then started up. "Is she +come?" said he in a low, hollow voice, and he sat up in the attitude of +intense expectation. "Not yet, not yet," he uttered with great rapidity, +and sank down again as though exhausted. + +A stormy and lowering sky now gathered above the sun's track, and the +chamber suddenly grew dark. The inmates looked as though expecting some +terrific, some visible manifestation of their tormentor. Dee looked out +through the window. There was nothing worthy of remark, save an angry +heap of clouds, rolling and twisting together, the sure forerunner of a +tempest. + +"The whole country is astir," said Dame Eleanor. "They are seeking for +the body of Grace Ashton in pits and secret places. Woe is me that I +should live to see the day;--the poor lad there is loaden with curses, +and fearful threatenings are uttered against us. We are verily in +jeopardy of our lives." + +Hereat she fell a weeping, and truly it was piteous to behold. + +"We must first get an answer from him," said the Doctor, "ere measures +can be devised for his recovery." + +"'Tis said there will be a warrant for his apprehension on the morrow," +said the elder Buckley. + +"There is some terrible perplexing mystery, if not knavery in this +matter," said Dee; "and I have been thinking, nay I more than suspect, +that rascal Kelly hath a hand in it. He is ever hankering after +forbidden arts, and many have fallen the innocent victims to his +diabolical intrigues. He hath become a great adept of late, too, as I am +told, in this Rosicrucian philosophy; and, if we have here a clue to our +labyrinth, depend on it we'll get to the end speedily. To spite and +frustrate that juggling cheat, I will spare neither pains nor study; +though, of a surety, we only use lawful and appointed means. Prayers and +exorcisms must be resorted to, and help craved from a higher source than +theirs." + +At length the forms and usages generally resorted to on such occasions +were entered upon. Loud and fervent were the responses, continuing even +to a late hour, but without producing any change. + +The wind, hitherto rushing only in short fierce gusts through the +valley, now gathered in loud heavy lunges against the corner of the +house, almost extinguishing the solitary light on the table near to +which Dee sat; the casements rattled, and the whole fabric shook as they +passed by. At length there came a lull, fearful in its very silence, as +though the elements were gathering strength for one mighty onslaught. On +it came like an overwhelming surge, and for a moment threatened them +with immediate destruction. Dust, pebbles, and dead branches were flung +on the window as though bursting through, to the great terror of the +inmates. Again it drew back, and there was stillness so immediate, it +was even more appalling than the loudest assaults of the tempest. The +household, too, were silent. Even Dee was evidently disturbed, and as +though in expectation of some extraordinary occurrence. + +A sharp quick tapping was heard at the casement. + +"What is that?" was the general inquiry. Gervase evidently heard it too, +and was, apparently, listening. + +Dee arose. He went slowly towards the window, as if carefully +scrutinising what might present itself. He put his face nearly close to +the glass, and manifestly beheld some object which caused him to draw +back. His forehead became puckered by intense emotion, either from +surprise or alarm. He put one finger on his brow, as though taking +counsel from his own thoughts, deliberating for a moment what course to +pursue. At length, much to the astonishment of his companions, he opened +the latch of the casement, when, with a dismal croak, a raven came +hopping in. With outstretched wings he jumped down on the floor, and +would have gone direct to the bed, but the Doctor caught him, and by +main force held him back. + +Fluttering and screaming, the bird made every effort to escape, but not +before Dee was aware of a label tied round his neck. This he quickly +detached; after which the winged messenger flew back through the open +window, either having finished his errand, or not liking his +entertainment. Dee opened the billet--a bit of parchment--and out +dropped the ring! In the envelope was a mystical scroll, encompassed +with magic emblems, wherein was written the following doggrel, either +in blood or coloured so as to represent it:-- + + "By this ring a charm is wound, + Rolling darkly round and round, + Ne'er beginning--ending never, + Woe betide this house for ever! + Thou art mine through life--in death + I'll receive thy latest breath. + Plighted is thy vow to me, + Mine thy doom, thy destiny, + Sealed with blood; this endless token, + Like the spell, shall ne'er be broken." + +Alarm was but too legible on the Doctor's brow. He was evidently taken +by surprise. He read it aloud, while fearful groans responded from the +victim. + +"'Tis a case of grievous perplexity," said he, "and I am sore +distraught. If he have sworn his very soul to her, as this rhyme doth +seem to intimate, I am miserably afflicted for his case. Doubtless 'tis +some snare which hath unwillingly been thrown about him. Nevertheless, I +will diligently and warily address myself to the task, and Heaven grant +us a safe deliverance. Yet I freely own there is both danger and +extremity in the attempt. She will doubtless appear and claim the +fulfilment of his pledge. But I must cope with her alone; none else may +witness the conflict. It is not the first time that I have battled with +the powers of darkness." + +"But what motive hath she for this persecution? it is not surely out of +sheer malice," said the dame, weeping. + +"Belike not," replied Dee, thoughtfully. "It doth savour of those +incantations whereof I oft read in divers tractates, whereby she expects +to gain advantage or deliverance if she sacrifice another victim to the +demon whereunto she hath sold herself. Indeed, we hear of some whose +tenure of life can only be renewed by the yearly substitution of +another; and it is to this possible danger that our feeble efforts must +be directed. But I trust in aid stronger than the united hosts of the +Prince of Darkness. This very night, I doubt not, will come the final +struggle." + +The wind was now still, but ever and anon bursts of hail hurtled on the +window. Thunder growled in the distance, waxing louder and louder, until +its roar might have appalled the stoutest heart. + +With many anxious wishes and admonitions the distressed parents left the +Doctor to himself. + +He took from his pocket an hour-glass, a bible, and a Latin translation +from the Arabic, being a treatise on witches, genii, demons, and the +like, together with their symbols, method of invocation, and many other +subjects equally useful. Intent on his studies, he hardly looked aside +save for the purpose of turning the glass, when he immediately became +absorbed as before. + +Now and then he cast a glance towards the bed. His patient lay perfectly +quiet, but the Doctor fancied he was listening. + +About midnight he heard a groan; he shut his book, and, looking aside, +beheld the terrible eye and aspect of the Red Woman glaring fiercely +upon him. She had, in all likelihood, been concealed somewhere within +hearing; for a closet door, on one side of the chamber, stood open as +though she had just issued from it. + +With great presence of mind he adjured her that she should declare her +errand. + +"I am here on my master's business; mine errand concerns not thee," was +the reply. Her terrible eyes glanced, as she spoke, towards the bed +where the unfortunate Gervase Buckley lay writhing as though in torment. + +"By what compact or agreement is he thine, foul sorceress? Knowest thou +not that there are bounds beyond which ye cannot prevail?" + +"He hath sworn--the compact is sealed with blood, and must be fulfilled. +I am here to claim mine own; and it is at thy peril thou prevent me." + +"I fear thee not, but am prepared to withstand _thee_ and all thy +works." + +"Beware! There's a black drop in thine own cup," said she. "Thou thyself +hast sought counsel by forbidden arts, and I can crush thee in a +moment." + +Dee looked as though vanquished on the sudden. He was not altogether +clear from this charge, having, though at Kelly's instigation, been led +somewhat further than was advisable into practices which in his heart he +condemned. He, however, now felt convinced that Kelly had some hand in +the business, knowing too that he would associate with the most wicked +and abandoned, if so be that he might compass his greedy and unhallowed +desire. + +"Depart whilst thou may," she continued. "I warn thee. Yonder +inheritance is mine, though the silly damsel they have lost be the +reputed heir. Aforetime I have told thee. Wronged of our rights, I have +sold myself, aye body and soul, for revenge! By unjust persecutions we +have been proscribed, those of the true faith have been forced to fly, +and even our lands and our patrimony given to yon graceless heretics." + +"But why persecute this unoffending house?--they have not done _thee_ +wrong." + +"It is commanded--the doom must be fulfilled. One condition only was +appointed. A hard task, to wit--but what cannot power and ingenuity +compass?--'When one shall pledge himself thine and for ever, then the +inheritance thou seekest is thine also, which none shall take from thee. +But he too must be rendered up to me.' This was the doom! 'Tis +fulfilled. He hath pledged himself body and soul, and that ring, if need +be, is witness to his troth." + +"Is Grace Ashton living or dead?" inquired Dee, with a firm and +penetrating glance. + +"When he hath surrendered to his pledge it shall be told thee." + +"Wicked sorceress," said the Doctor, rising in great anger, "he shall +not be thy victim; thine arts shall be countervailed. The powers of +darkness are not, in the end, permitted to prevail, though for a time +their devices seem to prosper. Listen, and answer me truly, or I will +compel thee in such wise that thou darest not disobey. Was there none +other condition to thy bond?" + +The weird woman here broke forth into a laugh so wild and scornful, that +the arch-fiend himself could hardly have surpassed it in malice. + +"Fret not thyself," she said, "and I will tell thee. Know then I am +scathless from all harm until that feeble ring shall be able to bind me; +none other bonds may prevail." + +"This ring bind thee?" + +"Even so--and as a blade of grass I could rend it! Judge then of my +safety. Fire, air, and water--all the elements--cannot have the power to +hurt me; I hold a charmed life. The price is paid!" + +Dee looked curiously round the little thin ring which he held, and +indeed it were hopeless to suppose so frail a fetter could restrain her. + +"Thou hast told me the truth?" + +"I have--on my hope of prospering in this pursuit of our patrimony." + +"And what is thy purpose with the lad?" + +"I have need of him. He is my hostage to him whom I serve." + +"Thou wilt not take him by force?" + +"I will not. He will follow whithersoever I lead. He has neither will +nor power to disobey." + +"Grant a little space I prithee. 'Tis a doleful doom for one so young." + +"To-morrow my time hath expired. Either he or I must be surrendered +to----" Here she pointed downwards. + +"Agreed. To-morrow, at this hour. We will be prepared." + +The witch unwillingly departed as she came. The closet door was shut as +with a violent gust of wind, after which Dee sat pondering deeply on the +matter, but unable to come to any satisfactory conclusion. He never +suspected for one moment, what in this evil and matter-of-fact +generation would have occurred even to the most credulous, to wit, that +either insanity or fanaticism, aided by fortuitous events, if we may so +speak, was the cause of this delusion, at least to the unhappy woman now +the object of Dee's most abstruse speculations. His thoughts, however, +would often recur to his quondam associate Kelly, and, if in the +neighbourhood, which he suspected, an interview with him might possibly +be of use, and afford some clue to guide their proceedings. + +Committing himself to a short repose, he determined to make diligent +search for this mischievous individual,--having comforted in some +measure the unhappy couple below stairs, who were in a state of great +apprehension lest their son had already fallen a victim, and were ready +to give up all for lost. + +Early on the ensuing day, the Doctor bent his steps towards Clegg Hall, +whence the old family of that name had been dispossessed, and from whom +that mysterious individual, the Red Woman, claimed descent. + +The air was fresh and bracing after the night's tempest. Traces of its +fury, however, were plainly visible. Huge trees had been swept down, as +though some giant hand had crushed them. Rising the hill towards +Belfield, he stayed a moment to look round him. There was something in +the loneliness and desertion of the spot that was congenial to his +thoughts. The rooks cawed round their ancient inheritance, but all was +ruin and disorder. His curiosity was excited; he had sufficient local +knowledge to remember it was once an establishment of the Knights of St. +John some centuries before, and he remembered too, that, according to +vulgar tradition, great riches were buried somewhere in the vaults. A +thought struck him that it was not an unlikely spot for the operations +of Master Kelly. Impressed with this idea, a notion was soon engendered +that his errand need not carry him further. He drew near to the ivied +archway beneath the tower. The mavis whistled for its mate, and the +sparrow chirped amongst the foliage. All else was silent and apparently +deserted. He entered the gateway. Inside, on the right hand, was a +narrow flight of steps, and, impelled by curiosity, he clambered, though +with some difficulty, into a dilapidated chamber above. Here the +loopholes were covered with ivy, but it was unroofed, and the floor was +strewn with rubbish, the accumulation of ages. Through a narrow breach +at one corner he saw what had once been a concealed passage, evidently +piercing the immense thickness of the walls, and leading probably to +some secret chambers not ordinarily in use. He now heard voices below, +and taking advantage thereby, crept into the passage, probably expecting +to gather some news by listening to the visitors if they approached. Two +of these ascended the broken steps, and every word was audible from his +place of concealment. He instantly recognised the voice of Kelly. The +other was a stranger. + +"Ah, ah! old Mother Red Cap, I tell thee, says we can never get the +treasure. By this good spade, and a willing arm to wit, the gold is +mine, ere two hours older," said Kelly. + +"I am terribly afeard o' these same bogarts," replied his companion. +"T'owd an--'ll come sure enough among us, sure as my name's Tim, some +time or another." + +"Never fear, nunkey; thee knows what a lump I've promised thee; an' as +for the old one, trust me for that, I can lay him in the Red Sea at any +time. Haven't I and that old silly Doctor, who pretends forsooth to have +conscience qualms when there's aught to be gotten, though as fond o' the +stuff as any of us,--haven't we, I say, by conjurations and fumigations, +raised and laid a whole legion o' them? Why, man, I'm as well acquainted +with the kingdom of Beelzebub, and his ministers to boot, as I am with +my own." + +"Don't make sich an ugly talk about 'em, prithee, good sir. I thought I +heard some'at there i' the passage, an' I think i' my heart I dar na +face 'em again for a' th' gowd i' th' monks' cellar." + +"Tush, fool! If we get hold on't now, it shall be ours, and none o' the +rest of our brethren o' the Red Cross need share, thee knows. But thou +be'st but newly dubbed, an' hardly initiated yet in our sublime +mysteries. Nevertheless, I will be indifferent honest too, and for thy +great services to us and to our cause, I do promise thee a largess, when +it comes to our fingers,--that is to say, one-fifth to thee, and +one-fifth to me; the other three shares do go to the general +treasure-house of the community, of which I take half." + +"A goodly portion, marry--but I'd liefer t' not gang ony further." + +"Villain! thou art bent on treachery; if thou draw back, I'll ha' thee +hanged, or otherwise punished for what thou hast done. Remember, knave, +thou art in my power." + +The guilty victim groaned piteously, but he was irretrievably entangled. +The toils had been spread by a master hand. He saw the gulf to which he +was hurried, but could not extricate himself. + +"Yonder women, plague take 'em," said Tim; "what's up now? I know this +owd witch who's sold hersel' to--to--black face I'm afeard, is th' owner +o' many a good rood o' land hereabout, an' t'owd Ha' too, wi' its +'purtenances. But she's brought fro' Spain or Italy, as I be tou'd, a +main lot o' these same priest gear; an' they're lurkin' hereabout like, +loike rabbits in a warren, till she can get rid o' these Ashtons. Mony a +year long past I've seen her prowling about, but she never could get her +ends greadly till now." + +"By my help, she shall," said Kelly; "it's a bargain between us. She's +brought her grandchildren too, who left England in their youth, being +educated in a convent o'er seas. They're just ready to drop into +possession." + +"But poor Grace Ashton, she's gi'en me mony a dish of hot porritch an' +bannocks. She shauna be hurt, if I can help it." + +"Fool!--the wench must be provided for. Look thee,--if she get away, +she'll spoil all. When dead, young Buckley must be charged with the +murder." + +"Weel, weel; but I'll ha' nought more to do wi't. E'en tak' your own +fling,--I'll wash my hands on't a'together, an' so----" + +"I want help, thou chicken-faced varlet,--come, budge,--to thy work; we +may have helpers to the booty, if time be lost." + +"Mercy on us!" said Tim, in great dolour, "I wish I had ne'er had aught +to do wi' treasure-hunting an' sich like occupation. If ever I get rid +of this job, if I don't stick to my old trade hang me up to dry." + +"Hold thy peace, carrion! and remember, should a whisper even escape +thee, I will have thee hanged in good earnest." + +"Aye, aye; just like Satan 'ticing to iniquity, an' then, biggest rogue +al'ays turns retriever." + +"None o' thy pretences; thou hast as liquorish a longing after the gold +as any miser in the parish, and when the broad pieces and the silver +nobles jingle in thy fob, thoul't forget thy qualms, and thank me into +the bargain. Now to work. Let me see, what did the sleeping beauty say? +Humph,--'Under the main pillar at the south-east corner.' Good. Nay, +man, don't light up yet. Let us get fairly under ground first, for fear +of accidents." + +To the great alarm of Dr. Dee, who heard every word, these two worthies +came straight towards the opening. He drew on one side at a venture. +Luckily, it proved the right one; they proceeded up the passage in the +opposite direction. He heard them groping at the further end. A +trap-door was evidently raised, and he was pretty well convinced they +had found the way to the vaults; probably it had been blocked up for +ages until recently, and, in all likelihood, Tim had pointed it out, as +well as the notion that treasure was concealed somewhere in these +labyrinths. + +How to make this discovery in some way subservient to his mission was +the next consideration; and with a firm conviction, generally the +forerunner of success, he determined to employ some bold stratagem for +their detection. They were now fairly in the trap, and he hoped to make +sure of the vermin. For this end he cautiously felt his way to the +opposite extremity of the passage, where he found the floor emitted a +hollow sound. This was assuredly the entrance; but he tried in vain,--it +resisted every effort. Here, however, he determined to keep watch and +seize them if possible on their egress, trusting to his good fortune or +his courage for help in any emergency that might ensue. At times he laid +his ear to the ground, but nothing was audible as to their operations +below. This convinced him they were at a considerable distance from the +entry, but he felt assured that ere long they must emerge from their +den, when, taken by surprise, he should have little difficulty in +securing the first that came forth, keeping fast the door until he had +made sure of his captive. + +He watched patiently for some time, when all on a sudden he heard a +rumbling subterraneous noise, and he plainly felt the ground tremble +under his feet. A loud shriek was heard below, and presently footsteps +approaching the entrance. He had scarcely time to draw aside ere the +door was burst open, and some one rushed forth. The Doctor seized him by +the throat, and, ere he had recovered from his consternation, dragged +him out of the passage. + +"Villain! what is it ye are plotting hereabout? Confess, or I'll have +thee dealt with after thy deserts." + +"Oh!--I'll--tell--all--I will--" sobbed out the delinquent, gasping with +terror. Tim, for it was none other, fell on his knees, crying for mercy. +"Whoever thou art," continued he, "come and help--help for one that's +fa'n under a heavy calamity. Bad though he be, we maunna let him perish +for lack o' lookin' after." + +"Has't got a light, knave?" + +"I'll run an' fetch one." + +"Nay, nay; we part not company until better acquainted. Is there not a +candle below?" + +"Alas! 'tis put out--and--oh! I'd forgotten; here's t' match box i' my +pocket." + +He drew forth the requisite materials, and they were soon equipped, +exploring the concealed chambers we have before described. With +difficulty they now found their way, by reason of the dust arising from +the recent catastrophe. Dee followed cautiously on, keeping a wary eye +on his leader lest some deceit or stratagem should be intended. + +They now approached a heap of ruins almost choking the entrance to the +larger vault. He thought groans issued from beneath. + +"He's not dead yet," said Tim. "Here, here, good sir; help me to shift +this stone first." + +They set to work in good earnest, and, with no little difficulty and +delay, at length succeeded in releasing the unfortunate treasure-hunter. +Eager to possess the supposed riches, they had incautiously undermined +one of the main supports of the roof, and Kelly was buried under the +ruins. Fortunately he lay in the hollow he had made, otherwise nothing +but a miracle could have saved him from immediate death. He was terribly +bruised, nevertheless, and presented a pitiable spectacle. Bleeding and +sore wounded, he was hardly sensible as they bore him out into the fresh +air. Apparently unable to move, they laid him on the ground until help +could be obtained. In a while he recovered. + +"Thou art verily incorrigible," said the Doctor to his former associate. +"Where is the maiden ye have so cruelly conveyed away?" + +But Kelly was dogged, and would not answer. + +"I have heard and know all," continued Dee; "so that, unless thou wilt +confess, assuredly I will have thee lodged in the next jail on +accusation of the murder. Thy diabolical practices will, sooner or +later, bring thee to punishment." + +"Promise not to molest me," said Kelly, who feared nothing but the +strong arm of the law, so utterly was he given over to a reprobate mind, +even to commit iniquity with greediness. + +"What! and let thee forth to compass other, and may be more heinous, +mischief? I promise nothing, save that thou be prevented from such +pursuits. Thou hast entered into covenant with the woman whom it is our +purpose, in due time, to deliver up to the secular arm. Ye think to +compass your mutual ends by this compact; but be assured your schemes +shall be frustrated, and that speedily." + +At this Kelly again fell into a sulky mood, maimed and helpless though +he was; and revenge, dark and deadly, distorted his visage. + +Tim here stepped forward. + +"I do repent me of this iniquity, an' if ever I'm catched meddlin' wi' +sich tickle gear again, I'll gie ye leave to hang me up without judge or +jury." + +"The best proof of repentance is restitution," said the Doctor. "Knowest +thou aught of the maiden?" + +"I'll find her, if ye can keep that noisome wizard frae hurting me. He +swears that if I tell, e'en by nods, winks, or otherwise, he'll send me +to ---- in a whirlwind." + +"I will give thee my pledge, not a hair of thy head shall be damaged." + +"He has the key in his pocket." + +"What of that?" + +"It's the key to the old house door yonder, an' she's either there, or +but lately fetched away." + +The Doctor proceeded, though not without opposition, to the search. The +key was soon produced, and, accompanied by the repentant ballad-monger, +he approached the mansion, which, as we have before noticed, was near at +hand, apparently untenanted. + +"Yonder knave, I think, cannot escape," said Dee. + +"No, no," said his conductor, "unless some'at fetches him; he's too well +hampered for that. His legs are aw smashed wi' that downfa'." + +They entered a little court almost choked up with leaves and long grass. +The door was unlocked, and a desolate scene presented itself. The hall +was covered with damp and mildew, all was rotting in ruin and decay. Tim +led the way up stairs. The same appearances were still manifest. The +dark shadow of death seemed to brood there,--an interminable silence. +They entered a small closet, nearly dark; and here, on a miserable +pallet, lay the form of Grace Ashton! now, alas! pale and haggard. She +seemed altogether unconscious of their presence. The horrid events of +the preceding night had brought on mental as well as bodily disease. It +was the practice of these treasure-seekers, either to raise up a dead +body for the desired information, or to throw the living into such a +state of mental hallucination that they should answer dark and difficult +questions whilst in that condition. It not unfrequently happened, +however, that the unfortunate victims to these horrid rites either lost +their lives or their reason during the experiment. + +We will not pursue the recital in the present case: suffice it to say +that Grace Ashton was immediately removed and placed under the care of +her friends; the Doctor went back to Kelly for further disclosures, but +what was his surprise to find that, by some means or another, he had +escaped. He now lost no time in returning to Buckley, communicating the +painful, though in some degree welcome, intelligence that Grace Ashton +had been rescued from her persecutors. + +It was now time to adopt measures for their reception of the witch, who +would, doubtless, not fail in her appointment. + +Dee was yet in doubt as to the issue, and he thought it needful to +acquaint them with the only method by which the spell could be broken. +How it were possible that the ring should ever bind her was a mystery +that at present he could not solve. Dame Eleanor listened very +attentively, then sharply replied,-- + +"I have heard o' this charm aforetime, or----By'r Lady, but I have it!" + +She almost capered for joy. + +We will not, however, anticipate the result, but intreat our readers to +suspend their guesses, and again accompany us to the chamber where lay +the heir of Buckley, still grievously tormented. + +Midnight again approached. Dee was sitting at the table, apparently in +deep study. He had examined the closet, and found it communicated by +another passage to an outer door; and it was through this that the Red +Woman had contrived to enter without being observed. The learned Doctor +was evidently awaiting her approach with no little anxiety. Once or +twice he fancied some one tapped at the casement,--but it was only the +wind rushing by in stormy gusts, increasing in strength and frequency as +the time drew nigh. + +Hark! was not that a distant shriek? It might be the creaking of the +boughs and the old yew-tree by the door, thought Dee; and again, in a +while, he relapsed into a profound reverie. Another! He heard the +jarring of rusty hinges; a heavy step; and--the Red Woman stood beside +him!--but with such a malevolent aspect that he was somewhat startled +and uneasy at her presence. + +"I am beguiled of my prey!--mocked--thwarted. But beware, old man; thy +meddling may prove dangerous. I will possess the inheritance, though +every earthly power withstood me! That boy is mine. He hath sworn +it--sealed it with his heart's blood--and I demand the pledge." The +victim groaned. "Hearest thou that response?--'Tis an assent. He is mine +in spite of your stratagems." + +This was, probably, but the raving of a disordered intellect, but Dee +was too deeply imbued with the superstitions of the age to suppose for a +moment that it was not a case of undisguised witchcraft, or that this +wicked hag was not invested with sufficient power to execute whatever +either anger or caprice might suggest. + +"What is thy will with the wretched victim thou hast ensnared?" he +inquired. + +"I have told thee." + +"Thou wilt not convey him away bodily to his tormentors?" + +"Unless they have a victim the inheritance may not be mine." She said +this with such a fiendish malice that made even the exorcist tremble. +His presence of mind, however, did not forsake him. + +"The ring--I remember--there was a condition in the bond. In all such +compacts there is ever a loophole for escape." + +"None that thou canst creep through," she said, with a look of scorn. + +"It is not permitted that the children of men be tempted above measure." + +"When that ring shall have strength to bind me, and not till then. All +other bonds I rend asunder. Even adamant were as flaming tow." + +"Here is a ring of stout iron," said Dee, pointing to an iron ring fixed +by a stout staple in the wall. "I think it would try thy boasted +strength." + +"I could break it as the feeble reed." + +The Doctor shook his head incredulously. + +"Try me. Thou shalt find it no empty boast." + +She seemed proud that her words should be put to the test; and even +proposed that her arms should be pinioned, and her body fastened with +stout cords to the iron ring which had been prepared for this purpose. + +"Thou shalt soon find which is the strongest," said she, exultingly. "I +have broken bonds ere now to which these are but as a thread." + +She looked confident of success, and surveyed the whole proceeding with +a look of unutterable scorn. + +"Now do thy worst, thou wicked one," said Dee, when he had finished. + +But lo! a shriek that might have wakened the dead. She was unable to +extricate herself, being held in spite of the most desperate efforts to +escape. With a loud yell she cried out,-- + +"Thou hast played me false, demon!" + +"'Tis not thy demon," said Dee; "it is I that have circumvented thee. In +that iron ring is concealed the charmed one, wrought out by a cunning +smith to this intent,--to wit, the deliverance of a persecuted house." + +The Red Woman now appeared shorn of her strength. Her charms and her +delusions were dispelled. She sank into the condition of a hopeless, +wretched maniac, and was for some time closely confined to this chamber. + +Buckley, recovering soon after, was united to Grace Ashton, who it is +confidently asserted, and perhaps believed, was restored to immediate +health when the charm was broken. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[L] Within the last few years, since this story was written, the old +house itself has been levelled with the ground. + +[M] In the 39th of Eliz., Sir John Biron held the manor of Rochdale, +subsequently held by the Ramsays; but in the 13th of Charles I. it was +reconveyed. The Biron family is more ancient than the Conquest. +Gospatrick held lands of Ernais de Buron in the county of York, as +appears by Domesday Book. Sir Nicholas Byron distinguished himself in +the civil wars of Charles I.; and, in consequence of his zeal in the +royal cause, the manor of Rochdale was sequestered. After the +Restoration, it reverted to the Byrons. Sir John, during these troubles, +was made a peer, by the title of Baron Byron of Rochdale. In 1823, the +late Lord Byron sold the manor, after having been in possession of the +family for nearly three centuries. + + + + +THE DEATH-PAINTER; + +OR, + +THE SKELETON'S BRIDE. + + +"This will hardly keep body and soul together," said Conrad Bergmann, as +he eyed with a dissatisfied countenance some score of dingy kreutzers +thrust into his palm by a "patron of early genius,"--one of those +individuals who take great merit to themselves by just keeping their +victims in that enviable position between life and death;--between +absolute starvation and hopeless, abject poverty, which effectually +represses all efforts to excel, controls and quenches all, but longings +after immortality,--who just fan the flame, to let it smoke and quiver +in the socket, but sedulously prevent it rising to any degree of +steadiness and brilliance. + +Conrad that morning had taken home a picture, his sole occupation for +two months, and this patron, a dealer in the "fine arts," dwelling in +the good, quiet city of Mannheim, had given him a sum equivalent to +thirty-six shillings sterling for his labour. Peradventure, it was not +in the highest style of art; but what Schwartzen Baeren or Weisse +Roesse--Black Bears, White Horses, Spread Eagles, and the like, the +meanest, worst painted signs in the city, would not have commanded a +higher price? + +In fact, Conrad had just genius enough to make himself miserable; to +wit, by aspiring after those honours it was impossible to attain, +keeping him thereby in a constant fret and disappointment, instead of +being content with his station, or striving for objects within his +reach. Could he have drudged on as some dauber of sign-posts, or taken +to useful employment, he might, doubtless, have earned a comfortable +sustenance. He had, however, like many another child of genius, a soul +above such vulgarities; yearning after the ideal and the vain; having +too much genius for himself and too little for the world: suspended in a +sort of Mahomet's coffin, between earth and heaven, contemned, rejected, +by "gods, men, and columns." + +Conrad Bergmann was about two and twenty, of good figure and +well-proportioned features. Complexion fair, bright bluish-grey eyes, +whiskers well matched with a pale, poetical, it might be sickly, hue of +countenance, and an expression more inclining to melancholy than persons +of such mean condition have a right to assume. His father had brought +him up to a trade, an honest, thriving business, to wit, that of +_Knopfmacher_ (button-maker). But Conrad, the youngest, and his mother's +favourite, happened to be indulged with more idle time than the rest, +which, for the most part, was laudably expended in scrawling sundry +hideous representations--all manner of things, on walls and wainscoats. +Persevering in this occupation, he was forthwith pronounced a genius. +About the age of fifteen, Conrad saw a huge "St. Christopher," by a +native artist, and straightway his destiny was fixed. He struggled on +for some years with little success, save being pronounced by the gossips +"marvellously clever." His performances wanted that careful and +elaborate course of study indispensable even to the most exalted genius. +They were not only glaring, tawdry, and ill-drawn, but worse conceived; +flashy, crude accumulations of colour, only rendering their defects more +apparent. He was, in a great measure, self-taught. His impetuous, ardent +imagination could not endure the labour requisite to form an artist. He +would fain have read ere he had learned to spell; and the result might +easily have been foretold. + +His father died; and the family were but scantily provided for. Conrad +was now forced to make out a livelihood by what was previously an +amusement, not having "a trade in his fingers;" and he toiled on, +selling his productions for the veriest trifle. He had now no leisure +for improvement in the first elements of his art. + +"Better starve or beg, better be errand-boy or lackey, than +waste my talents on such an ungrateful world. I'll turn +conjurer--fire-eater--mountebank;--set the fools agape at fairs and +pastimes. Anything rather than killing--starving by inches. Why, the +criminals at hard labour in the fortress have less work and better fare. +I wish!--I wish----" + +"What dost wish, honest youth?" said a tall, heavy-eyed, beetle-browed, +swarthy personage, who poked his face round from behind, close to that +of the unfortunate artist, with great freedom and familiarity. + +"I wish thou hadst better manners, or wast i' the stocks, where every +prying, impertinent should be," replied Conrad, being in no very +placable humour with his morning's work. The stranger laughed, not at +all abashed by this ill-mannered, testy rebuke, replying +good-humouredly, + +"Ah, ah! master canvass-spoiler. Wherefore so hasty this morning? My +legs befit not the gyves any more than thine own. But many a man thrusts +his favours where they be more rare than welcome. I would do thee a +service." + +"'Tis the hangman's, then; for that seems the only favour that befits my +condition." + +"Thou art cynical, bitter at thy disappointment. Let us discourse +together hard by. A flask of good Rhenish will soften and assuage thy +humours. A drop of _Kirchenwasser_, too, might not be taken amiss this +chill morning." + +Nothing loth, Conrad followed the stranger, and they were soon imbibing +some excellent _vin du pays_ in a neighbouring tavern. + +"Conrad Bergmann," began the stranger. "Ay, thou art surprised; but I +know more than thy name. Wilt that I do thee a good office?" + +"Not the least objection, friend, if the price be within reach. Nothing +pay, nothing have, I reckon." + +"The price? Nothing! At least nothing thou need care for. Thou art +thirsting for fame, riches, for the honours of this world, for--for--the +hand--the heart of thy beloved." + +Amongst the rest of Conrad's calamities, he had the misfortune to be in +love. + +"Thou art mighty fluent with thy guesses," replied he, not at all +relishing these unpleasant truths; "and what if I am doomed to pine +after the good I can never attain? I will bear my miseries, if not +without repining, at least without thy pity:" and he arose to depart. + +"All that thou pinest after is thine. All!" said the stranger. + +"Mine! by what process?--whose the gift?--Ha, ha!" and he drained the +brimming glass, waiting a solution of his interrogatory. + +"I will be thy instructor. Behold the renowned Doctor Gabriel Ras Mousa, +who hath studied all arts and sciences in the world, who hath unveiled +Nature in her most secret operations, and can make her submissive as a +menial to his will. In a period incredibly short, I engage to make thee +the most renowned painter in Christendom." + +"And the time requisite to perform this?" + +"One month! Ay, by the wand of Hermes, in one month, under my teaching, +shalt thou have thy desire. I watched thy bargain with the dealer +yonder, and have had pity on thy youth and misfortunes." + +"Humph--compassion! And the price?" again inquired Conrad, with an +anxious yet somewhat dubious expression of tone. + +"The price? Once every month shalt thou paint me a picture." + +"Is that all?" + +"All." + +Now Conrad began to indulge some pleasant fancies. Dreams of hope and +ambition hovered about him; but he soon grew gloomy and desponding as +heretofore. He waxed incredulous. + +"One month? Nothing less, than a miracle! The time is too short. +Impossible!" + +"That is my business. I have both the will and the power. Is it a +bargain?" + +Conrad again drained the cup, and things looked brighter. He felt +invigorated. His courage came afresh, and he answered firmly, + +"A bargain." + +"Give me thy hand." + +"Oh, mein Herr--not so hard. Thy gripe is like a smithy vice." + +"Beg pardon of thy tender extremities. To-morrow then, at this hour, we +begin." Immediately after which intimation the stranger departed. + +Conrad returned to his own dwelling. He felt restless, uneasy. +Apprehensions of coming evil haunted him. Night was tenfold more +appalling. Horrid visions kept him in continual alarm. + +He arose feverish and unrefreshed. Yesterday's bargain did not appear so +pleasant in his eyes; but fear gave way apace, and ere the appointed +hour he was in his little work-room, where the mysterious instructor +found him in anxious expectation. He drew the requisite materials from +under his cloak, a well-primed canvass already prepared. The pallet was +covered, and Conrad sat down to obey his master's directions. + +"What shall be our subject?" inquired the pupil. + +"A head. Proceed." + +"A female?" + +"Yes. But follow my instructions implicitly." + +Conrad chalked out the outline. It was feebly, incorrectly drawn; but +the stranger took his crayon, and by a few spirited touches gave life, +vigour, and expression to the whole. Conrad was in despair. + +"O that it were in my power to have done this!" he cried, putting one +hand on his brow, and looking at the picture as though he would have +devoured it. + +"Now for colour," said the stranger; and he carefully directed his pupil +how to lay in the ground, to mingle and contrast the different tints, in +a manner so far superior to his former process, that Conrad soon began +to feel a glow of enthusiasm. His fervour increased, the latent spark of +genius was kindled. In short, the unknown seemed to have imbued him with +some hitherto unfelt attributes,--invested him either with new powers, +or awakened his hitherto dormant faculties. As before, by a few touches, +the crude, spiritless mass became living and breathing under the +master's hand. Not many hours elapsed ere a pretty head, respectably +executed, appeared on the canvass. Conrad was in high spirits. + +He felt a new sense, a new faculty, as it were, created within him. He +worked industriously. Every hour seemed to condense the labour and +experience of years. He made prodigious advances. His master came daily +at the same time, and at length his term of instruction drew to a close. +The last morning of the month arrived; and Conrad, unknown to his +neighbours, had attained to the highest rank in his profession. His +paintings, all executed under the immediate superintendence of the +stranger, were splendid specimens of art. + + * * * * * + +In the year----, all Paris was moved with the extraordinary performances +of a young artist, whose portraits were the most wonderful, and his +miniatures the most exquisite, that eyes ever beheld. They looked +absolutely as though endowed with life, real flesh and blood to all +appearance; and happy were those who could get a painting from his hand. +The price was enormous, and the marvellous facility with which they were +dispatched was not the least extraordinary part of the business. There +was a mystery too, about him, provokingly delightful, especially to the +female portion of the community. In place of living in a gay and +fashionable part of the city, his lodging was in a miserable garret, +overlooking one of the gloomiest streets of the metropolis. His manners, +too, were forbidding and reserved. Instead of exhibiting the natural +buoyancy of his years, he looked care-worn and dejected; nor was he ever +known to smile. + +After a period, whispers got abroad that several of his female subjects +came to strange and untimely deaths. They were seized with some +dangerous malady, accompanied by frightful delusions. In general, they +fancied themselves possessed. Wailings, shrieks, and horrible +blasphemies proceeded from the lips of the sufferers. These reports were +doubtless exaggerated, the marvellous being a prodigiously accumulative +and inventive faculty; yet enough remained, apparently authentic, to +justify the most unfavourable suspicions. + +About this time a young Italian lady, of a noble house, arrived on a +visit to her brother in the suite of the Florentine embassy. This +princely dame, possessed of great wealth and beauty, was not long +unprovided with lovers; one especially, a handsome official in the royal +household, De Vessey by name, and as gallant a cavalier as ever lady +looked upon. But her term of absence being nigh expired, the lovers were +in great perplexity; and nothing seemed so likely to contribute to their +comfort, during such unavoidable separation, as a miniature portrait of +each from the hands of this inimitable painter. Leonora sat first, and +the lover was in raptures. Hour by hour he watched the progress of his +work, in a little gloomy chamber, where the artist, like some automaton +fixture, was always found in the same place, occupied too, as it might +seem, without intermission. + +"The gaze of that strange painter distresses me inexpressibly," said +Leonora to her companion, as they went for the last time to his +apartment. "I have borne it hitherto without a murmur, but words cannot +describe the reluctance with which I endure his glance; yet while I feel +as though my very soul abhorred it, it penetrates, nay, drinks up and +withers my spirit. Though I shrink from it, some influence or +fascination, call it as thou wilt, prevents escape; I cannot turn away +my eyes from his terrible gaze." + +"Thou art fanciful, my love," said De Vessey; "the near prospect of our +parting makes thee apt to indulge these gloomy impressions. Be of good +cheer; nothing shall harm thee in my presence. 'Tis the last sitting; +put on a well-favoured aspect, I beseech thee. Remember, this +portraiture will be my only solace during the long, long hours of thine +absence." + +As they entered the artist's chamber, the picture lay before him, which +he seemed to contemplate with such absorbing intensity, that he was +hardly aware of their entrance. He did not weep, but grief and pity were +strangely mingled in his glance. It was but for a moment; he quickly +resumed his usual attitude and expression. Whether the previous +conversation had made her lover liable to take the tone and character of +her own thoughts, we know not; but, for the first time, he fancied +Leonora's apprehensions were not entirely without excuse. He looked on +the artist, and it excited almost a thrill of apprehension. But speedily +chiding himself for these untoward fancies, he felt that little was +apparent, either in look or manner, but what the painter's peculiar and +unexampled genius might sufficiently explain. + +Suddenly his attention was riveted on the lady. He saw her lips quiver +and turn pale, as though she would have swooned. In a moment he was at +her side. The support seemed to reanimate the fainting maiden, her head +drooping on his shoulder. Almost gasping for utterance, she whispered, +"Take me hence, I want breath,--air, air!" De Vessey lifted her in his +arms, and bore her forth into the open door-way. Trembling, shuddering, +and looking round, the first words she uttered were,-- + +"We are watched,--by some unseen being in yonder chamber, I am +persuaded. Didst not mark an antique, dismal-looking ebony cabinet, +immediately behind the painter?" + +"I did, and admired its exquisite workmanship, as though wrought by some +cunning hand." + +"As I fixed my eyes on those little traceries, it might be fancy, but +methought I saw the bright flash of a human eye gazing on me." + +"Oh, my Leonora, indulge not these gloomy impressions. Throw off thy +wayward fancies. 'Tis but the reflex image the mind mistakes for outward +realities. When disordered, she discerns not the substance from the +shadow. Thou art well-nigh recovered. Come, come, let us in. To-day is +the last of our task; prithee take courage and return." + +"On one condition only; if thou take the chair first, and note well an +open scroll to the right, where those fawns and satyrs are carved." + +"Agreed. And now shake off thy fears, my love." + +De Vessey led her again to the apartment, and, as though without +consideration, sat down, his face directly towards the cabinet. He fixed +his eyes thereon a few seconds only, when Leonora saw him start up +suddenly with a troubled aspect, and grasp the hilt of his sword. Then +turning to the painter, he said sternly,-- + +"So!--We have intruders here, I trow." + +"Intruders? None!" was the artist's reply, without betraying either +surprise or alarm. + +"That we'll see presently," said the cavalier, hastening to the cabinet; +which, with hearty good will, he essayed to open. + +"Why this outrage?" inquired the painter, colouring with a hectic flush. + +"Because 'tis my good pleasure," was the haughty reply. The door +resisted his utmost efforts. "Doubtless held by some one within. Open, +or by this good sword I'll make a passage through both door and +carcase." + +The hinges slowly gave way, the folding doors swung open, and displayed +a grinning skeleton! + +"Ah! what lodger is this?" + +"Mine art requires it," said the painter with a ghastly smile; but in +that smile was an expression so fearful, yet mysterious, that even De +Vessey quailed before it. Another miniature portrait, a precise copy of +the one in hand, hung from the neck of the skeleton. + +Leonora, with a loud shriek, covered her face; but the lover, though far +from satisfied himself, strove to assure his mistress, and besought her +not to indulge any apprehension. + +"You are disturbed, lady," said the artist. "'Tis but a harmless piece +of earth, a mouldering fabric of dust, a thing, a form we must all one +day assume. But to-morrow, to-morrow, if you will, we resume our work." + +Leonora, relieved by the intimation, gladly consented, fain, for a +while, to escape from this terrible chamber. + +"Nought living was there, of a truth," said the cavalier, in evident +perplexity, as they regained their coach. "But I saw plain enough, or +imagination played me the prank, a semblance of a bright and flashing +eye on the spot pointed out. Something incomprehensible hangs about the +whole!" + +Leonora agreed in this conclusion, expressing a fear lest harm should +happen to themselves thereby. They were not ignorant of the whispers +afloat, but hitherto treated them either with ridicule or indifference. +Suspicion, however, once awake, mystery once apprehended, every +circumstance, even the most trivial, is seized upon, the mind bending +all to one grand object which haunts and excites the imagination. + +Having left his companion at her brother's dwelling, De Vessey came to +his own, moody and dispirited. A vague sense of some grievous but +impending misfortune hung heavily upon him. Night brought no mitigation +of his fears. Spectres, skeletons, and demon-painters haunted his +slumbers. He awoke in greater torment than ever. The duplicate portrait +was brought to his remembrance with a vividness, an intensity so +appalling, that he almost expected to behold the skeleton wearer at his +bedside. + +Involved in a labyrinth of inextricable surmises, and not knowing what +course to pursue, he arose early, and walked forth without aim or design +towards the church of Notre Dame. + +The red sun was just bursting through a thick atmosphere of mist, +illuminating its two dark western towers, which looked even more gloomy +under a bright and glowing sky, like melancholy in immediate contrast +with hilarity and joy. + +He passed the Morgue, or dead-house, where bodies found in the Seine are +exposed, in order that they may be owned or recognised. Impelled by +curiosity, he entered. One space alone was occupied. He could not surely +be deceived when he saw the body of the unfortunate painter! Those +features were too well remembered to be mistaken. Here was new ground +for conjecture, fresh wonder and perplexity. He left this melancholy +exhibition and entered the cathedral. Mass was celebrating at one of the +altars. De Vessey joined in adoration, strolling away afterwards towards +the vaults: one of them was open. From some vague, unaccountable +impulse, he thus accosted the sexton: + +"Whose grave is this, friend?" + +"A maid's--mayhap." + +"Her name?" + +"The only remaining descendant of the Barons Montargis." + +"I have some knowledge of that noble gentlewoman; she was just about to +be married. What might be the nature of her malady?" + +"Why, verily there be as many guesses as opinions. The doctors were all +at fault, and, 'tis said, even now in great dispute. The king's +physician tried hard to save her. Old Frere Jeronymo, the confessor, +will have it she was possessed; but all his fumigations, exorcisms, +paters, and holy water could not cast out the foul fiend. She died +raving mad!" + +"A miserable portion for one so young and high-born. Was there no +visible cause?" + +"Cause!--Ay, marry; if common gossip be not an arrant jade. Her portrait +had been taken by that same limner who, they say, has been taught in the +devil's school, and can dispatch a likeness with the twirl of his +brush." + +"And what of that?" cried De Vessey, in an agony of impatience. + +"Why, the same fate has happened to several of our city dames. That is +all." + +"What has happened?" + +"They have gone mad, and either felt, or fancied, some demon had gotten +them in keeping. For my part, I pretend not to a knowledge of the +matter. But you seem strangely moved, methinks." + +The cavalier was nigh choking with emotion. Sick at heart, and with a +fearful presentiment of impending evil, he turned suddenly away. + +His next visit, as may be supposed, was to his mistress. He found her in +great agitation. The portrait had been sent home the preceding night, +and, completely finished, lay before her,--an exquisite, nay marvellous, +specimen of art. She was gazing on her own radiant counterpart as he +entered. They both agreed that something more than ordinary ran through +the whole proceedings, though unable to comprehend their meaning. De +Vessey related his discovery in the Morgue, but not his subsequent +interview with the sexton. + +Ere night, Leonora was seized with a strange and frightful disease. +Symptoms of insanity were soon developed. She uttered fearful cries; +calling on the painter in language wild and incoherent, but of terrific +import. + +The lover was at his wits' end. He vowed to spare no efforts to save +her, though scarcely knowing what course to pursue, or in what quarter +to apply for help. + +His first care was to seek the dwelling of a certain renowned doctor, a +German, whose extraordinary cures and mode of treatment had won for him +great wealth and reputation. Though by some accounted a quack and +impostor, nevertheless De Vessey hoped, as a last resource, so cunning a +physician might be able to point at once the source and cure of this +occult malady. + +Doctor Hermann Sichel lived in one of those high, antique, dreary +looking habitations, now pulled down, situate in the Rue d'Enfer. A +common staircase conducted to several suites of apartments, tenanted by +various occupants, and at the very summit dwelt this exalted personage. + +A pull at the ponderous bell-handle gave notice of De Vessey's +approach, when, after due deliberation, it might seem, and a long trial +to the impatient querent, a little wicket was cautiously slid back, +behind a grating in the door. A face, partially exhibited, demanded his +errand. + +"Thy master, knave!" + +"He is in the very entrails of a sublime study. Not for my beard, grey +though it be, dare I break in upon him." + +"Mine errand is urgent," said De Vessey; "and, look thee, say a noble +cavalier hath great need of succour at his hands." + +"Grammercy, sir cavalier, and hath not everybody an errand of like +moment?--thy business, peradventure, less urgent than fifty others whose +suit I have denied this blessed day. I tell thee, my master may not be +disturbed!" + +De Vessey held up a coin, temptingly, before the grating. It would not +go through, and the crusty Cerberus gently undid a marvellous array of +chains, bars, and other ingenious devices, opening a slit wide enough +for its insertion. + +"Wider! thou trusty keeper," said the artful suitor outside. "I cannot +fly though a key-hole!" + +A hand was carefully protruded. The cavalier, espying his opportunity, +thrust first his sword, afterwards himself, through the aperture, in +spite of curses and entreaties from the greedy porter. He was +immediately within a dark entrance or vestibule; the astonished and +angry menial venting his wrath, in no measured phrases, on the intruder. +De Vessey, in a peremptory tone, demanded to be led forthwith into the +doctor's presence. The old man delayed for awhile, almost speechless +from several causes. His breath was nigh spent. Wrath on the one hand, +fear of his master's displeasure on the other, kept him, like antagonist +forces, perpetually midway between both. + +"Lead the way, knave, or, by the beard of St. Louis, I'll seek him +through the house! Quick! thou hast legs; if not, speak! mine errand is +urgent, and will not wait." + +A stout and determined cavalier, with a strong gripe, and a sword none +of the shortest, was not to be trifled with; and, after many +expostulations, warnings, threats, had failed of their effect, he at +length doggedly consented. + +"Thou wilt give me the coin, then, sir cavalier?" + +"Ay, when thou hast earned it. Away!" + +Passing through a narrow passage, lighted from above, his conductor +paused before a curiously carved oaken door, at which three taps +announced a message. + +"Now enter, and pray for us both a safe deliverance. But, prithee, tell +him it was not my fault thou hast gotten admission." + +The door slowly opened, as though without an effort, and De Vessey was +immediately in the presence of the physician, evidently to the surprise +of the learned doctor himself, who angrily demanded his business and the +ground of his intrusion. + +"Mine hour is not yet come, young man. Wherefore shouldest thou, either +by stratagem or force, thrust thyself, unbidden, into our presence?" + +"To buy or beg thine aid, if it be possible. The case admits not of +delay. I crave thy pardon, most reverend doctor, if that content thee; +and, rest assured, no largess, no reward shall be too great, if thou +restore one, I fear me, beyond earthly aid." + +"Thus am I ever solicited," replied the sage, with a portentous scowl. +He was clad in a gown of dark stuff, with slippers to match; his poll +surmounted by a small black velvet skull-cap, from which his white, +intensely white, hair escaped in great profusion. His visage was not +swarthy, but of a leaden, pale complexion, where little could be +discerned of the wondrous microcosm within. Books, and manuscripts of +ancient form and character, emblazoned in quaint and mystic devices, lay +open on a long oak table, on which rested one elbow of the wise man; +the other was thrown over an arm of the high-backed chair whereon he +sat. The room contained plenty of litter in the shape of phials, boxes, +and other strange furniture. A cupola furnace was just heated, the +doctor, apparently, concocting some subtle compound. + +"I am expected to wrest these helpless mortals even from the ravening +jaws of the grave! My skill never tried until beyond other aid!" + +"But this disorder is of a sudden emergency. A lady of high birth and +lineage, a few hours since, was seized with a raging frenzy." + +"A female, then!" + +"Ay, and of such sweet temper and excellent parts, there be none to +match with her, body or mind, in Christendom." + +"When did this malady attack her?" + +"Almost immediately after a portrait, made by the celebrated painter, +was finished. Of him thou hast, doubtless, heard." + +"The painter!--Ay!--There be more than thou have rued his skill. Young +man, thy pretty one is lost." + +"Lost! Oh, say not so! I will give thee thine utmost +desire--riches--wealth thou hast never possessed, if thou restore her!" + +"She is beyond my skill. Hast visited him since?" + +"I have seen him. She is the last victim, if such be her fate. This very +morning, betimes, I saw his body in the Morgue." + +"They have found him, then!" said the doctor, sharply. "Yet our bodies +are but exuviae. When cast off, this thinking, sentient principle within +has another tabernacle assigned to it, until the great consummation of +all things. But these are fables, idle tales, to the unlearned. +Nevertheless, I pity thy cruel fate, and, if aid can be afforded, will +call another to thine help. Hence! Thou shalt hear from me anon." + +"And without loss of time; for every moment, methinks, our succour may +come too late." + +"I will forthwith seek out one whom I have heretofore taken knowledge +of. Every science has its votaries,--its adepts; and this evil case hath +its remedy only by those skilled in arts called, however falsely, +supernatural. Even now, there be intelligences around us, which the +corporeal eye seeth not, nor can see, unless purged from the dross, the +fumes of mortality. Some, peradventure, by long and patient study, have +arrived on the very borders, the confines that separate visible from +invisible things; and become, as it were, the medium of intercourse for +mortals, who are, by this means, mightily aided in matters beyond +ordinary research. Put thine ear to this shell. Mark its voice, like the +sound of many waters. Are not these the invisible source, the essence of +its being? Has not every thing in like manner, even the most inanimate, +a tongue, a language, peculiar to itself--a soul, a spirit, pervading +its form, which moulds and fashions every substance according to its own +nature? Now, this voice thou canst not interpret, being unskilled; +knowing not the languages peculiar to every form and modification of +matter. Else would this beautiful type of the ever-rolling sea discourse +marvellously to thine ear. But thou hast not the key to unclose its +mystic tongue; hence, like any other unknown speech, 'tis but a confused +jumble of unmeaning sound. I have little more knowledge than thyself, +but there be those who can interpret. Vain man--presumptuous, +ignorant--scoffs at knowledge beyond his reach, and thinks his own dim, +nay darkened reason, glimmering as in a dungeon, the narrow horizon that +circumscribes his vision, the utmost boundary of all knowledge and +existence, while, beyond, lies the infinite and unknown, utterly +transcending his capacity and comprehension." + +De Vessey drank up every word of this harangue; and something akin to +hope rose in his bosom, as he withdrew. + +"Thou wilt have a message ere nightfall. An awful trial awaits thee ere +the spell can be countervailed." + +The cavalier withdrew, suffering many wistful remarks from the old +door-keeper, who marvelled greatly at the interview so graciously +conceded by his master; while at the same time holding out his palm for +the promised largess. + +De Vessey waited impatiently at his own dwelling for the expected +message. Evening drew on, dark and stormy. The wind roared along the +narrow streets in sharp and irregular gusts; while, pacing his chamber +in an agony of suspense, he fancied every sound betokened the +approaching communication. At length, when expectation was almost weary, +a louder rumbling was heard; a coach drew up at the door; a hasty knock, +and a heavy tramp; then footsteps ascending the staircase. The door +opened, and two _gens-d'armes_ entered. + +"We have authority and instructions for the arrest of one Sigismund de +Vessey, on a charge of murder, made this day by deposition before the +Mayor and Prefecture of the Ville de Paris. The individual so named, we +apprehend, is before us." + +"The same; though assuredly there is some mistake. Of whose death am I +accused?" + +"Of one Conrad Bergmann, a painter, whose body, last night thrown into +the Seine, was to-day exposed in the Morgue. The rest will be explained +anon." + +"But an engagement, one too of a most important nature, demands my +presence." + +"No discretion is allowed us in this matter. The carriage waits." + +However reluctant, De Vessey was forced to obey. Though confident of a +speedy release, this arrest at so important a juncture was provoking +enough. Leonora's recovery might probably depend on his exertions for +the next few hours, which were now suddenly wrested from him. + +Leaving word that he would shortly return, the cavalier stept into the +vehicle, which immediately drove off. + +In a little space the coach stopped, and De Vessey was invited to +alight. He was led up a narrow staircase; a door flew open. He entered. +Could it be; surely imagination betrayed his senses! He could scarcely +believe himself once more in the apartment of the painter! Yet there was +no mistaking what he saw. The ebony cabinet, the easel, table, chair, +all left as he saw them yesterday. But the living occupants were +strangely diverse. Two or three functionaries of the civil power, and, +in one corner, a black cloth, spread on the floor, concealed some +unknown object. The whole was lighted by a feeble lamp from the ceiling. +A dusky haze from the damp foggy atmosphere rendered objects +ill-defined, indistinct, almost terrific to an excited imagination. In +addition to the usual articles of furniture, was a desk, with writing +materials, at which one of the officers of justice appeared dictating +something to his secretary. + +On De Vessey's entrance, the scribe made some minute preparatory to his +examination, which commenced as follows: + +"Sigismund de Vessey?" + +"The same." + +"Being accused upon oath before us of murder, thou art brought hither to +confront thine accusers, and to answer this heinous charge. First, let +the body be produced." + +The cloth was removed, and De Vessey beheld the corpse lying on a +mattress. + +"Knowest thou this body?" + +"I do," said the cavalier firmly. + +"When was he seen by thee alive, the last time?" + +"Yesterday, about noon." + +"Where?" + +"In this chamber." + +"Not since?" + +"Yes, but not living." + +"Dead, sayest thou?" + +"This morning in the Morgue." + +"Not previously?" + +"I have not. But pray to what purport this examination?" + +"This will appear presently. When taken out of the river, marks were +found upon the throat, as though from strangulation. Knowest thou aught +of these?" + +"I do not," said the accused indignantly. + +This answer being written down, the examination was resumed. + +"We have testimony that the unfortunate victim and thyself were seen +together about midnight; and, further, a short but violent struggle was +heard, and a heavy plunge; afterwards an individual, with whom thou art +identified, was seen departing in great haste, and entering the house +well known as thy residence in the Rue de----" + +"A most foul and wicked fabrication, for purposes of which as yet I am +ignorant. Of such charges I hardly need affirm that I am innocent." + +"Let the accuser stand forth." + +To the surprise and horror of De Vessey, there appeared from a recess +the German doctor, Hermann Sichel, who, without flinching, recapitulated +the foregoing accusation. Moreover, he swore in the most positive terms +to his identity, and that not a doubt rested on his mind but De Vessey +was the murderer. + +"In this very apartment," said the witness, "he, De Vessey, drew his +sword upon the painter yesterday, doubtless either from grudge or +jealousy; being enamoured of a fair Italian dame, Leonora da Rimini." + +"Most abominable of liars!" said the accused, eyeing him with a furious +look. "How darest thou, to my face, bring this foul accusation. Thou +shalt answer for it with thy blood!" + +"Hear him! What need of further testimony? His own betrayed him," said +the doctor, with unblushing effrontery. + +"We have other witness thou wilt not dare to gainsay," said the +presiding officer. "This learned person is amply corroborated by +evidence that must effectually silence all denial. He hath referred us +to her who was present, Leonora da Rimini." + +"Leonora! what, my own--my betrothed? She my accuser?" + +"Spare thy speech and listen. We could not bring the maiden hither, +insomuch the nature of her malady admits not of removal: but her +evidence and accusation are duly attested, taken at her own request, not +many hours ago. The substance of her deposition is as follows: a +confession to her of thine intention to murder Conrad Bergmann, the +artist aforesaid, being jealous of his attentions; and furthermore, in +the agony of guilt, thou didst confess in her presence, having first +strangled, and afterwards thrown him into the river, hoping thereby to +conceal thy crime; then forcing her to swear she would keep the matter +secret, and threatening her life in case it were divulged. This outrage, +and this alone, hath nigh driven her frantic; her life being in jeopardy +from thy violence. What sayest thou, Sigismund de Vessey?" + +"A lie, most foul and audacious! trumped up by that impostor! Leonora? +Impossible. I would not believe though it were from her own lips. Some +demon hath possessed her. This disorder is more than common madness." + +He looked around. The whole was like the phantasma of some terrible +dream. Bewildered, and hardly knowing what course to pursue, in vain he +attempted to shake the testimony of the hoary villain before him; and +having at present none other means of rebutting the accusation, he was +ordered into close custody until the morrow. + +Utterly unprepared with evidence, he knew not where to apply. That he +was the victim of some foul plot, so far appeared certain; but for what +purpose, and at whose instigation, was inexplicable. + +Ere an hour had elapsed, De Vessey found himself in one of the cells of +a public dungeon, with ample leisure to form plans for proving his +innocence. He determined early on the morrow to acquaint his friends, +and employ a celebrated advocate to expose this villanous doctor, who no +doubt had designs either on his purse or person. + +In a while, the prisoner fell asleep from fatigue and exhaustion. He was +awakened by a sudden glare across his eyelids. At first, imagining he +was under the influence of some extravagant dream, he made little effort +to arouse himself. A figure stood beside the couch; a lamp lifted above +his head. A friar's cowl concealed his features; his person too was +enveloped in a coarse garment, with a huge rosary at his girdle. + +"Mortal, awake and listen," said the unknown visitor, "Art weary of +life, or does this present world content thee?" + +"Who art thou?" said De Vessey, scarcely raising himself from the +pallet. + +"I am thy friend, thy deliverer an' thou wilt." + +"Thanks!" said the knight, springing from his recumbent posture. + +"Stay!" replied the intruder, "there be conditions ere thou pass hence. +Miserable offspring of Adam, ye still cling to your prison and your +clay. Wherefore shrink from the separation, afraid to shake off your +bonds, your loathsome carcase, and spring forth at once to life? Art +thou prepared to fulfil one--but one condition for thy release?" + +"Name it! Manifest my innocence; and if it be gold, thou shalt have thy +desire. No hired advocate ere yet held such a fee!" + +"Keep thy gold for baser uses; it buyeth not my benefits. But remember, +thy life is not worth a week's purchase, neither is thy mistress' +forsooth, shouldest thou be witless enough to refuse. An ignominious +death, a base exit for thyself,--for her, madness and a speedy grave. +One fate awaits ye both. Life and health, if thou consent are yours." + +"Thou speakest riddles. It were vain trying to comprehend their import. +Name thy conditions. Aught, that honour may purchase, will I give." + +The stranger threw back his cowl, displaying the features of the +renowned Doctor Hermann Sichel: a gleam of lurid intelligence lighted +his grim grey eyes, that might betoken either insanity or excitement. + +Without reflecting for one moment on the hazard and imprudence of his +conduct, De Vessey immediately rushed forward, grappled with his +adversary, and threw him. + +"Now will I have deadly vengeance, fiend! Take that!" said he, drawing +forth a concealed poignard, and thrusting with all his might. Scorn +puckered the features of the pretended monk. The weapon's point was +driven back, refusing to enter, as though his enemy held a charmed +existence. + +"Put back thy weapon; thou wilt have need of it elsewhere, silly one." + +De Vessey was confounded at this unlooked-for result. His foe seemed +invulnerable, and he slunk back. + +"I forgive thee, poor fool! Put it back, I say. There--there--now to +work--time hastens, and there is little space for parley." + +"What is thy will?" + +"Thy welfare, thy life; listen. Yonder unhappy wretch I have loaden with +benefits, rescued from poverty, disgrace, lifted him to the pinnacle of +his ambition, the highest rank in art. Base ingrate, he threatened to +betray, to denounce, and I crushed the reptile. He is now what thou +shalt be shortly, unless my power be put forth for thy rescue. Not all +the united efforts of man can deliver thee. Beyond earthly aid, thou +diest the death of a dog!" + +"Why dost thou accuse me of a crime, knowing that I am innocent?" + +"To drive thee, helpless, into my power. Think not to escape save on one +condition." + +"Name it," said De Vessey. + +"Self-preservation is the great, the paramount law of our nature; the +most powerful impulse implanted in our being. All, all obey this +impulse; and who can control or forbid its operation? Will not the most +timid, the most scrupulous, if no alternative be afforded, slay the +adversary who seeks his life; and does not the law both of earth and +heaven hold him guiltless? Thou art now denounced. Innocent, thy life +must be sacrificed. Thou diest, or another; there is no choice." + +"But shall _I_ murder the innocent." + +"And suppose it be. What thinkest thou? Two persons, equally guiltless, +one of them must die. Self-preservation will prompt instinctively to +action. Does not the drowning man cling to his companion; nay, rescue +himself at the expense of another's life?" + +De Vessey felt bewildered, if not convinced. Need we wonder if he +yielded. Life or death. Honour, disgrace. His mistress restored; his +innocence proved. Life, with him, had scarcely been tasted. A glorious +career awaited him; his lady-love smiling through the bright vista of +the future; and----the tempter prevailed! + +But who must be the victim? The appalling truth was not then disclosed. +De Vessey promised to obey. + +"But remember, no power, not even flight, can screen thee from my +vengeance shouldst break thy vow. Take warning by the painter; the poor +fool but hesitated, and his doom was swift as it was sure. Take this +cowl and friar's garment; I was admitted by the jailor for thy shrift. +The lamp will guide thee. Be bold, and fear not. I will remain; +to-morrow they will find out their mistake, but I have other means of +escape." + +"And Leonora. How shall she be recovered?" + +"That is a work of peril, and will need thine utmost vigilance. +Rememberest thou the skeleton?" + +"In the ebony cabinet?" inquired the cavalier, with a cold shudder. + +"He hath her portrait, and will not lightly be persuaded to give his +prey. _Every month I am bound to furnish him a bride!_ My own life pays +the forfeit of omission. Leonora is the next victim, unless thou +prevail, betrothed to that grisly type of death!" + +"Oh, horrible! Mine the bride of a loathsome skeleton! Of an atomy! A +fiend! Monster, I will denounce thee. I care not for my own life. Of +what worth if torn from hers. Wretch, give back my bride or----" + +"Spare these transports. I am now thine only friend. Thou art now cut +off from thy kin, shunned by mankind. To whom then wilt thou turn for +help? Mine thou art, for ever!" + +De Vessey gasped for utterance. + +"Nevertheless," continued his tormentor, "I will direct and help thee in +this matter also. But 'tis a fearful venture. Hast thou courage?" + +"If to rescue her, aught that human arm can achieve shall be done." + +"He holds the portrait, I tell thee, with a steady gripe. Those skeleton +fingers will be hard to unloose." + +"I will break them, or perish. This good----" + +"Touch them not for thy life. Death, sure but lingering, awaits +whomsoever they fasten upon. Take this key. It will admit thee to the +apartment. To-night the deed must be accomplished, or to-morrow the +maiden is beyond succour." + +"And how is this charmed picture to be wrested from him?" + +"An ebony wand lies at his feet; he will obey its touch. But whatsoever +thou seest, be nothing daunted, nor let any silly terror scare thee from +thy purpose. Now to thy task. But keep these marvels to thyself. If thou +whisper, ay to the winds, our compact, thou art not safe." + +Soon De Vessey, enveloped in his disguise, found egress without +difficulty. Once outside the prison, he hurried on scarcely giving +himself time for reflection. + +The night was dark and stormy. Torches, distributed about the streets, +rocked and swung to and fro in their sockets, the flames, with a strange +and flickering glare, giving an unnatural distorted appearance to +objects within reach; and, to some solitary individual, at this late +hour hurrying alone, the grim aspect of a demon or a spectre to the +disturbed imagination of the lover. His courage, at times on the point +of deserting him, revived, when he remembered that another's life, +dearer than his own, depended on his exertions. The streets, almost +deserted, swam with continually accumulating torrents: but he felt not +that terrible tempest; the turmoil, the conflict within, was louder than +the roar and tumult of outward elements. + +Almost ere he was aware, he found himself opposite the entrance of the +painter's habitation; a shudder, like a death-chill, shot through his +frame. He applied his key. A distant gleam, a dim lurid light, seemed to +quiver before him. He heard the quick jar, the withdrawing bolt, that +gave him admittance, as though it were a spectral voice warning him to +desist. + +The unknown dangers he anticipated, rendered more terrific by their +vague indefinite character, were enough to appal a stouter bosom. De +Vessey would have faced and defied earthly perils, but these were almost +beyond his fortitude to endure. Love, however, gave excitement, if not +courage, and he resolved either to succeed or perish in the attempt. The +stairs were partially illumined by an uncertain glimmer from a narrow +window into the street. He felt his way, and every step sent the +life-blood curdling to his heart. He reached the topmost stair; laid one +hand on the latch. He listened; all was still, save the hollow gusts +that rumbled round the dwelling. + +With a feeling somewhat akin to desperation, he entered. A lamp yet +burning emitted a feeble glare, but was well-nigh spent, giving a more +dismal aspect to this lonely chamber. It was apparently unoccupied. The +chair, the black funeral pall left by the officers of justice over the +pallet, the mysterious cabinet, the desk where the painter usually sat, +all remained undisturbed. De Vessey's attention was more particularly +directed towards the cabinet; there alone, according to his +instructions, were the means of deliverance. A cold, clammy +perspiration, a freezing shiver, came upon him as he approached. He laid +one hand on the latch; it resisted as before. He tried force, a loud +groan was heard in the chamber. Every fibre of his frame seemed to grow +rigid; every limb stiffened with horror, and he drew back. + +This was a sorry beginning to the adventure, and he inwardly repented of +his rashness. Looking round in extreme agony, his eyes rested on the +black pall. Could it be! or was it from the expiring glimmer of the +lamp? The drapery appeared to move. Another, and a deeper groan! De +Vessey for a space was unable to move; but his courage came apace, +inasmuch as it was some relief, and a diversion from the awful mysteries +of that grim cabinet. He approached the pallet hastily, throwing off the +heavy coverlet. The recumbent body was yet beneath, but convulsed, as +though struggling to free itself from an oppressive burden. De Vessey +watched, while his blood froze with terror. Gradually these convulsive +movements extended to the features. The lips quivered, as though +essaying to speak; the eye-balls rolling rapidly under their lids. A +slight flush dawned upon the cheek; the hands were tightly closed, and +another groan preceded one desperate attempt to throw off the load which +prevented returning animation. At length the eyes opened with a ghastly +stare; but evidently conveying no outward impression to the inward +sense. With a loud shriek the body started up: then, uttering a wild and +piercing cry, rolled on the floor, foaming, and struggling for life as +though with some powerful adversary. + +"Save me! Save me!" was uttered in a tone so harrowing and dreadful, +more than mortal agony, that De Vessey would have fled, but his limbs +refused their office. + +"He strangles me! Fiend--have--have mercy! Wilt thou not? Oh mercy, +mercy Heaven!" His senses, though evidently bewildered, resumed their +functions. With a glare of intense anguish he appeared as though +supplicating help and deliverance. + +"Who art thou?" was the first inquiry and symptom of returning reason. +"I know thee, De Vessey. But why art thou here? Another victim. Yes, to +torture me. Where am I? In my own chamber! Oh--that horrid cabinet! +Yet--yet these cruel torments. Will they never end?" + +De Vessey immediately perceived there was no delusion; the mortal form +of the artist was really before him. Terrible though it were, yet it was +a relief to have companionship with his kind, a being of flesh and blood +beside him. He might now, peradventure, accomplish his task. Providence, +may be, had opened a way for his deliverance, and hope once more dawned +on his spirit. He helped the miserable artist to regain his couch, and +sought to soothe him, beseeching the helpless victim not to give way to +frenzy, doubtless resulting from his strange and emaciated condition. A +miracle or a spell had been wrought for his resuscitation; but the +events of the last few hours were alike enigmas, beyond the common +operations of nature to explain. + +"Yesterday I attempted suicide," said the artist, "taking poison to +escape a life insupportable to me. Fain would I have broken the chain +which binds me to this miserable existence. But yon tyrant hath given me +a charmed life. I cannot even die!" + +"Thy body was dragged from the Seine." + +"How?" inquired the artist with an incredulous look. + +"And exposed this morning in the Morgue," continued De Vessey. + +"When will my sufferings cease? How have I prayed for deliverance from +this infernal thraldom." + +"Yon deceiver hath doubtless thrown thee into the river, and supposing +thou wert dead, he designs me to supply thy place; to carry on the dark +mystery of iniquity, a glimpse of which hath already been revealed." + +"Would that I had been left to perish,--that my doom were ended. +Avarice, ambition! how enslaved are your victims. How have I longed for +my miserable cottage, my poverty, my obscurity,--cold and pinching want, +but a quiet conscience to season my scanty meal. I bartered all for +gold, for fame and--misery! A cruel bondage! compared to which I could +envy the meanest thing that crawls on this abject earth. In my trance, I +dreamed of green fields and babbling streams; of my brethren, my +play-mates, my days of innocence and sport, when all was freshness and +anticipation,--life one bright vista beyond, opening to sunny regions of +rapture and delight. And now, what am I?--a wretch, degraded, +undone,--a spectacle of misery, beyond what human thought can conceive. +Doomed to years, ages it may be, of woe,--to scenes of horror such as +tongue ne'er told, and even imagination might scarce endure, and my +miseries but a foretaste of that hereafter!" + +Here the guilty victim writhed in a paroxysm of agony; his veins swollen +almost to bursting. Whether real or imaginary, whether a victim to +insanity, or of some supernatural agent, its influence was not the less +terrible in its effects. Starting suddenly from his grovelling posture, +he cried, fixing his eyes on De Vessey with a searching glance,-- + +"What brings thee hither?" + +"Leonora is in jeopardy by your spells. I seek her deliverance." + +"She is beyond rescue. Leonora da Rimini is THE SKELETON'S BRIDE!" + +Here the painter threw such a repulsive glance towards the cabinet, that +the cavalier shrank back as though expecting some grisly spectre from +its portals; yet, himself the subject of an extraordinary fascination, +he could not withdraw his gaze. + +"Fly, fly, or thou art lost! My tormentor will be here anon,--I would +have saved her, and he fixed his burning gripe here, I feel it still; +not a night passes that he comes not hither. Away! shouldest thou meet +him, thy doom is fixed, and for ever. I would not that another fell into +his toils. Couldest thou know, ay, but as a whisper, the secrets of this +prison-house, thy spirit would melt, thy flesh would shrink as though +the hot wind of the desert had passed over. What I have endured, and +what I must endure, are alike unutterable." + +"Thy keeper comes not to-night. He hath sent me to this chamber of death +instead. He knows not thou art alive." + +"Thee!--To--But I must not reveal; my tongue cleaves to my mouth. Nay, +nay, it cannot be; none but a fiend could do his behest. Away! for thy +life, away!" + +De Vessey related the events of the last few hours. The artist ruminated +awhile; then abruptly exclaimed-- + +"He hath some diabolical design thereupon which I am not yet able to +fathom. That it is for thine undoing Sir Knight, for thy misery here and +hereafter, doubt not. Thou hast promised, but not yet offered him a +victim. Thus far thou art safe; but he will pursue thee, and think not +to escape his vengeance. How to proceed is beyond my counsel. Should +midnight come, thou wouldest see horrors in this chamber that might +quail the stoutest heart. Thou art bereft of life or reason if thou +tarry." + +"I leave not without an attempt, even should I fail, to wrench her, who +is dearer to me than either, from that demon's grasp. I will not hence +alone." + +"Alas! I fear there is little hope; yet shall he not escape yonder +prison before to-morrow. Even his arts cannot convey him through its +walls; the magician's body, if such he be, is subject to like +impediments with our own. This night, for good or ill, is thine." + +"To work, then, to work," said De Vessey, as though inspired with new +energy, "to the rescue, and by this good cross," kissing the handle of +his sword, "I defy ye!" + +By main force he attempted, and, in the end, tore open the door of the +cabinet. The grinning skeleton was before him, the miniature in its +grasp. A moment's pause. The cavalier carefully surveyed his prize. +Suspended by an iron chain, the links entwined round its bony arm, +rendered the picture difficult, if not impossible, to detach without +touching the limbs. Gathering fresh courage from the countenance and +smile of his beloved, he snatched the portrait, but the wearer was too +tenacious of the charmed treasure, and resisted his utmost efforts. He +thought a savage, a malicious grin crept upon his features. A smile +more than usually hideous mocked him. From those hollow sockets, too, or +his imagination played strange antics, a faint glare shot forth. A dizzy +terror crept over him. His brain reeled. His energies were becoming +prostrate; and unless one desperate attempt could be made, all hope of +rescue were past. He sought the ebony wand, but, forgetful or +incautious, laid hold of the chain which encircled the skeleton's wrist. +A bell answered to the pressure,--a deep hollow reverberation, like a +death-knell in his ear. + +"Hark! that iron tongue,--lost--lost! Oh! mercy, mercy!" shrieked the +death-painter, covering his eyes. + +At this moment, De Vessey heard a noise like the jarring of bolts and +hinges. Ere he was aware, the skeleton's arms were fastened round him; +the doors closed, the floor gave way under his feet. He felt the +pressure relaxing; he fell, the hissing wind rushed in his ears. Stunned +with his fall, he lay for a while in the dark, scarcely able to move. It +was not long ere he was able to grope about. Rotting carcases and bones +met his touch--a noisome charnel-house gorged with human bodies in all +the various stages of decay. His heart sickened with a fearful +apprehension that he was left to perish by a lingering death, like those +around him. Despair for the first time benumbed his faculties. His +courage gave way at the dreadful anticipation, and he grasped the very +carcase on which he trod for succour. + +Suddenly, a loud yell burst above him. A blaze of burning timbers +flashed forth,--crackling, they hissed, and fell into the vault. Through +an opening overhead, he saw the skeleton seized by devouring flames. +They twined, they clung round it. Their forky tongues licked the bones +that appeared to writhe and crawl in living agony. + +Soon the chain, which held the portrait, gave way, and it dropped at his +feet unhurt. A shriek issued from the flaming cabinet, and he saw the +painter with a burning torch above. A maniac joy lighted up his +features: he shouted to De Vessey, and with frantic gestures beckoned +that he should escape. + +"If thou canst climb yonder stair," he cried, "before the flames cut off +thy retreat, thou art safe. See, Leonora is already free. Haste--this +way--there,--there, now leap--mind thy footing, 'tis too frail, creep +round, those rafters are unbroken; another spring, and thou mayest reach +them in safety." + +The flames were close upon him. He was nigh suffocated. A perilous +attempt,--but, at length, he gained the upper floor, and his deliverer +exclaimed,-- + +"Thanks, thanks, he is safe! by this good hand, too, that wrought your +misery. Oh! that a life of penitence and prayer might atone for my +guilt. It was a thought inspired by Heaven, prompted me to set on fire +that insatiate demon, to whom my task-master offered those wretched +victims, and every month a bride, on pain of his own destruction. What +might be the nature of that skeleton form, or their compact, thou canst +neither know nor understand. Even I, though nightly witnessing horrors +which have given to youth the aspect and decrepitude of age, cannot +explain. A connexion, if not inseparable, yet intimate as body and soul, +existed between those demon-haunted bones, and yon monster who sought, +and accomplished my ruin. What I have seen must not, cannot be told. My +lips are for ever sealed. But the flames are fast gaining on us. Let us +hasten, ere they prevent our retreat. The whole fabric will shortly be +enveloped, and every record of this diabolical confederacy consumed. Go +to thy lady-love. She is recovered, and, as one newly awakened from some +terrific dream. With the earliest dawn hie thee to the prison lest _he_ +escape. Let him be instantly secured. When summoned I will not fail, to +confront, to denounce the wretch. He cannot penetrate yonder walls, save +by fraud or strategem. How I have escaped death is one of the mysteries +which time perchance may never develope. One might fancy the cunning +leech who supplied the drug did play me false. Instead of poison mayhap, +one of those potions of which we have heard, that so benumb and stupify +the faculties, that for a space they mimic death--nor can any thing +rouse or recover from its influence until the appointed time be past." + +They hurried away as he spoke. De Vessey could scarcely wait until +daylight. His first care was to secure the old sorcerer. He sought aid +from the police, and, as far as might be, revealed the dreadful secret. + +An immediate visit was made to the cell. On entering, its inmate was in +bed,--a scorched, a blackened corpse! + +It may be supposed, the lover was not long in attending on his mistress. +She was free from disorder, and happily unconscious of what had passed +during the interval, save that an ugly dream had troubled her. Nor was +she aware that more than one night had elapsed. In a few days +afterwards, De Vessey led her to the altar. + +The mystery was never fully penetrated. That imposture, and partial +insanity, might be involved, and have the greatest share in its +development, is beyond doubt; but they cannot explain the whole of these +diabolical proceedings. That the powers of darkness may have power over +the bodies of wicked and abandoned men, cannot be denied. + +Whether this narration discloses another instance of such mysterious +agency, our readers must determine. + +What the painter knew, was buried in eternal silence. The monks of La +Trappe received a brother whose vows were never broken! + + + + +THE CRYSTAL GOBLET: + +A TALE OF THE EMPEROR SEVERUS. + + +It was midnight,--yet a light was burning in a small chamber situated in +one of the narrowest and least frequented streets of Eboracum,--then the +metropolis of the world. York at that period being the residence of the +Emperor Severus, his court and family were conveyed hither; and the +government of the world transferred to an obscure island in the west: +once the _ultima Thule_ of civilization, its native inhabitants hardly +yet emerged from a state of barbarism, and addicted to the most gross +and revolting superstitions. + +A lamp of coarse earthenware was fastened on a bronze stand, having +several beaks, and of a boat-like shape. Near it stood the oil-vase for +replenishing, almost empty,--while the wicks, charred and heavy with +exuviae, looked as though for sometime untrimmed. On the same table was a +Greek and a Coptick manuscript, an inkhorn, and the half of a silver +penny, the Roman _symbolum_. Breaking a piece of money as a keepsake, +between two friends, was, even at that period, a very ancient custom. A +brass rhombus, used by magicians, lay on a _cathedra_, or easy chair, +which stood as though suddenly pushed aside by its occupier in rising +hastily from his studies. An iron chest was near, partly open, wherein +papers and parchments lay tumbled about in apparent disorder. Vellum, so +white and firm, as to curl even with the warmth of the hand; purple +skins emblazoned in gold and silver, and many others, of rare +workmanship, were scattered about with unsparing profusion. It was +evidently the study, the _librarium_ of some distinguished person, and +consisted of an inner chamber beyond the court, having one window near +the roof, and another opening into a small garden behind. From the +ceiling there hung a dried ape, a lizard, and several uncouth, +unintelligible reptiles, put together in shapes that nature's most +fantastic forms never displayed. Vases of ointments, and unguents of +strange odours, stood in rows, upon a marble slab on one side of the +apartment. _Scrinia_, or caskets for the admission of rolls, and writing +materials were deposited on shelves, forming a library of reference to +the individual whose _sanctum_ we are now describing: It was, +apparently, undisturbed by any living occupant, save a huge raven, now +roosting on a wooden perch, his head buried under a glossy tissue of +feathers, and, to all appearance, immovable as the grinning and hideous +things that surrounded him. A magpie, confined in a cage above the door, +was taught to salute those who entered, with the word "[Greek: chaire]," +a Grecian custom, greatly in vogue amongst the most opulent of the +Romans. + +Ere long, there came a footstep,--and a gentle summons at the door. The +bird gave the usual response; and straightway entered a stout muscular +figure, wrapped in a _chlamys_, fastened on the shoulder with a +richly-embossed _fibula_. Beneath, was the usual light leathern cuirass, +covered with scales of shining metal; the centre, over the abdomen, +ornamented with a gorgon's head, and other warlike devices; a short +sword, being stuck in his girdle. From the lowest part hung leathern +straps, or _lambrequins_ highly wrought and embellished. He wore +breeches or drawers, reaching to the knees, and his feet and the lower +part of the leg were covered with the _cothurnus_, a sort of traveller's +half-boot. A sumptuous mantle, made of leopard skin, was thrown +carelessly about his head, hardly concealing his features; for the folds +relaxing in some measure as he entered, showed a youthful countenance; +yet dark and ferocious, indicating a character of daring and vindictive +energy; and a disposition where forgiveness or remorse rarely tempered +the fiercer passions. As he looked round, the raven raised his head on a +sudden, and peering at him with that curious and familiar eye, so +characteristic of the tribe, gave a loud and hollow croak, which again +arrested the notice of the intruder. + +"Most auspicious welcome truly, ill omened bird. Is thy master visible?" + +There was no reply; and the inquirer, after a cautious glance round the +chamber, sat down, evidently disconcerted by this unexpected reception. +Scarcely seated, he felt the clasp on his shoulder suddenly risen, as +though by an intruder from behind. Looking round, he saw the raven with +the bauble in his beak, hopping off with great alacrity to his perch. +The magpie set up a loud scream as though vexed he was not a +participator in the spoil. The owner, angry at his loss, pursued the +thief, who defied every attempt to regain it; getting far above his +reach; ever and anon the same ominous croak sounding dismally through +the gloom by which he was concealed. Finding it fruitless, the stranger +gave up the pursuit, and again sat down, examining carelessly the papers +which lay open for perusal. But it might seem these feathered guardians +were entrusted with the care of their master's chamber during his +absence. + +"Beware!" said the same querulous voice, that before accosted him. +Looking up, he saw the magpie, his neck stretched to the utmost through +the bars of his cage, and in the act of repeating the injunction. + +"'Tis an ill augur to my suit," he muttered hastily. "Destiny!" Starting +up at the word, which he spake aloud, he clenched his hand. + +"The inexorable gods may decree, but would it not be worthy of my +purpose to brave them; to render even fate itself subservient to me!" + +He hurried to and fro across the chamber with an agitated step. Suddenly +he stood still, in the attitude of listening. He drew the folds of his +mantle closer about his head, when by another entrance, there approached +a tall majestic figure, clad in dark vestments, who without speaking, +came near and stood before him. A veil of rich net-work fell gracefully +below his mantle, being in that era, the distinctive garb of soothsayers +and diviners. His hair, for he was an Asiatic, was twisted in the shape +of a mitre, investing his form with every advantage from outward +appearances. + +"I would know," said he, "by what right thou art at this untimely hour, +an intruder on my privacy?" + +"By a will, which even thou darest not disobey," was the answer. + +"It is past midnight. Knowest thou of my long watching, and the dark +portents of the stars?" + +"Nay! But passing, I saw the door of the vestibule partly open. The +fates were propitious. I crossed the court, intending to consult the +most famous soothsayer in the emperor's dominions." + +"Peradventure 'tis no accidental meeting. To-night I have read the +stars, the book of heaven. Comest thou not, blind mortal at their +bidding?" + +"I have neither skill nor knowledge in the art----," + +The stranger hesitated, as though he had as lief the conversation was +resumed by the diviner himself. + +"Thy father. What of him?" said the Chaldean, with a look, as though he +had penetrated his inmost thoughts. + +"True, 'tis mine errand," said the intruder. "But the event?" + +"The augury is not complete!" + +"Thine auguries are like my good fortune,--long in compassing. The best +augur I trow, is this good steel. I would sooner trust it than the best +thou canst bestow." + +"Rash mortal. Impatience will be thy destruction.--Listen!" + +The raven hopped down upon his shoulder. A low guttural sound appeared +to come from this ill-omened bird. The augur bent his ear. Sounds shaped +themselves into something like articulation, and the following couplet +was distinctly heard:-- + + "While the eagle is in his nest, the eaglet shall not prevail, + Nor shall the eagle be smitten in his eyrie." + +"Azor," said the warrior, clenching his sword, "these three times hast +thou mocked me, and by the immortal gods thou diest!" + +"Impious one! I could strike thee powerless as the dust thou treadest +on. Give me the bauble," said he, addressing the raven. The bird +immediately gave the clasp he had purloined into his master's hand. + +"This shall witness between us," continued he. "Dare to lift thy hand, +the very palace shall bear testimony to thy treason--that thou hast +sought me for purposes too horrible even for thy tongue to utter. Hence. +When least expected I may meet thee. If it had not been for thy mother's +sake, and for my vow, the emperor ere this had been privy to it." + +Stung with rage and disappointment, he put back his weapon, and with +threats and imprecations departed. + +On a couch inlaid with ivory and pearl, within a vaulted chamber in the +Praetorian Palace of the royal city, lay the emperor, in a coverlid of +rich stuff. Disease had crushed his body, but the indomitable spirit was +unquenched. Tossing and disturbed, at length he started from his bed. +Calling to his chamberlain, he demanded if there had not been footsteps +in the apartment. The ruler of the world, whose nod could shake the +nations, and whose word was the arbiter of life or death to millions of +his fellow-men, lay here--startled at the passing of a sound, the +falling of a shadow! His face, whose chief characteristic was +power,--that strength and determination of spirit which all +acknowledge, and but few comprehend--was furrowed with deeper marks than +care had wrought. Sixty years had moulded the steady and inflexible +purpose of his soul in lines too palpable to be misunderstood. His beard +was short and grizzled; and a swarthy hue, betraying his African birth, +was now become sallow, and even sickly in the extreme; but an eagle eye +still beamed in all its fierceness and rapacity from under his scanty +brows. His nose was not of the Roman sort, like the beak of that royal +bird, but thick and even clumsy, lacking that sharp and predacious +intellect generally associated with forms of this description. + +Such was Septimus Severus, then styled on a coin just struck, +"BRITANNICVS MAXIMVS," in commemoration of a great victory gained over +the Caledonians, whom he had driven beyond Adrian's wall. Though +suffering from severe illness, he was carried in a horse-litter; and, +marching from York at the head of his troops, penetrated almost to the +extremity of the island, where he subdued that fierce and intractable +nation the Scots. Returning, he left his son Caracalla to superintend +the building of a stone wall across the island, in place of the earthen +ramparts called Adrian's;--a structure, when completed, that effectually +resisted the inroads of those barbarians for a considerable period. + +He called a third time to Virius Lupus, one, the most confidential of +his attendants, to whom many of the most important secrets of the state +were entrusted. + +"Thrice have I heard it Virius. Again, and again, it seems to mock and +elude my grasp." He paused: the officer yet listening with becoming +reverence. The Emperor continued, more like one whose thoughts had taken +utterance, than as if he were addressing the individual before him. + +"When I led the Pannonian legions to victory; when Rome opened her +gates at my command; when I fought my way through blood to the +throne,--I quailed not then! Now,--satiated with power, careless of +fame, the prospects of life closed, and for ever,--when all that is left +for me to do is to die,--behold, I tremble at the shaking of a leaf! I +start, even at the footstep that awakes me!" + +"Long live the Emperor!" said the cringing secretary. Interrupting him, +as he would have proceeded with the customary adulations, the emperor +again continued as though hardly noticing his presence. + +"Caracalla yet remains with the army. Once I censured the misguided +clemency of Marcus, who, by an act of justice might have prevented the +miseries that his son Caligula brought upon the empire; and yet I, even +I," said the haughty monarch, bitterly, "nourish the very weakness that +in others I despise!" + +He dashed away the sweat from his brow, ashamed of the weakness he could +not quell. + +"He hath sought your life," said the wily sycophant. + +"He hath!--Traitor! parricide! the distinctions he would have earned. +But my better genius triumphed, and history hath been spared this +infamy. It may be, this temporary exile from our court, with the +northern army, shall tame his spirit to submission. My life or his, once +the bitter alternative, may yet be avoided." + +"But may not his presence with the army be impolitic, should he turn the +weapon wherewith you have girded him to your own hurt?" + +"'Tis an evil choice; whichever way I turn, mischief is before me." + +"Were it not best that he be recalled?" + +"What! to plot and practise against my life? To mount upon my reeking +body to the throne! He will not reign with Geta. The proud boy disdains +a divided empire.--And was not mine own soul fashioned in the same +mould? When Niger would have ruled in Syria, and Albinus in Britain, I +scattered their legions to the winds, and levelled their hopes with +their pride. 'Tis nature: and shall I, the author of his being, punish +him for mine own gift?" + +He raised himself on his couch. The fierce blaze of ambition broke the +dark cloud of bodily infirmities, and the monarch and the tyrant again +dilated his almost savage features. + +The secretary, used to these fiery moods, stood awaiting his commands. +The emperor, as though exhausted, sunk down on his pillow, exclaiming,-- + +"I have governed the world, but I cannot govern a wayward heart!" + +Thus did he often lament, and provoke himself the more with these vain +regrets; forgetting that, if he had exercised the same firmness in his +private as public capacity, the government of his own house would have +been easy as the government of the world. + +"Virius Lupus there is danger,--and to-night. As I have told thee, the +stars do betoken mischief. But the peril is at my threshold. Let +Caracalla remain; so shall we avert his weapon. Should the assassin +come, it will not be with the blow of a parricide. Thou mayst retire to +thy couch, but, first, let the guards be doubled, the watchword and +countersign changed. And, hark thee, tell the tribune that he look well +to the _tessera_, and have the right count from the inspectors. Should +despatches come from Rome, let the messenger have immediate audience." + +Again the emperor stretched himself on the couch, and again his slumbers +were interrupted. A murmur was heard along the halls and passages where +the guards were stationed. The noise grew louder, approaching the very +door of the royal chamber. The monarch started, as from a dream, and the +door at that moment opened. The Chaldaean soothsayer stood before him. + +"Azor!" said the Emperor, "at this hour? What betides such unseemly +greeting?" + +"Caesar trembles on his throne; but the world quakes not! The angel of +death is at thy door. Caracalla hath returned." + +"Returned? Surely thy wits are disturbed. Caracalla! Aye, even +yesterday, we had despatches from the camp." + +"Howbeit, he is at thy threshold. The sound of his feet is behind me." + +"Impossible! the mischief is not from him." + +"Even now I looked in the crystal, and behold----" The soothsayer +paused. Horror was gathering on his features. The light suspended above +him began to quiver; and, as it waved to and fro, his countenance +assumed a tremulous and distorted expression. + +Severus watched the result with no little anxiety. The magician drew a +crystal cup from his girdle. Looking in, apparently with great alarm, he +presented it at arm's length to the emperor, who beheld a milky cloud +slowly undulating within the vessel. + +"Take this," said the soothsayer, "and tell me what thou seest." + +The monarch took it at his bidding. The cloud seemed to be clearing +away, as the morning mist before the sun. + +"I see nothing," said the emperor, "but a silver clasp at the bottom." + +"And the owner?" + +"As I live," said the astonished parent, drawing forth a curiously +embossed clasp from the goblet, and holding it out to the light, "this +token of rare workmanship did the Empress present to Caracalla, ere he +departed. Whence came it? and wherefore hast thou brought it hither?" + +"A silent witness to my word. Within the hour thy son returns; and----" +The seer's voice grew more ominous whilst he spake. "Beware! there's +mischief in the wind. The raven scents his prey afar off!" + +"If in this thou art a true prophet, I will give thee largess; but if a +lying spirit of divination possess thee, my power is swift to punish as +to reward." + +"I heed not either. Do I serve thee for lucre? Look thee, in less time +than I would occupy in telling thee on't I could fill thy palace with +gold and silver! and do I covet thy paltry treasures? The kingdoms of +this world are his whom I serve, and shall I seek thy perishing honours? +Behold, I leave this precious goblet as my pledge. I must away. Thou +shall render it back on my return. I would not part with that treasure +for the dominion of the Caesars. Beware thou let it not forth from thy +sight, for there be genii who are bound to serve its possessor, and, +peradventure it shall give thee warning when evil approaches." + +The soothsayer departed, and the emperor laid the crystal goblet on a +table opposite his couch. He clapped his hands, and the chief secretary +approached. + +"What said our messenger from the north? Read again the despatch they +brought yesterday." + +The secretary drew forth a roll from his cabinet, and read as follows:-- + +"Again the supreme gods have granted victory to our legions. Favoured by +the darkness and their boats, the barbarians attacked us from three +separate points. Led on by Fingal and his warriors, whom beforetime we +erroneously reported to be slain, they crossed over to the station where +we had pitched our tents. But the Roman eagle was yet watchful. Though +retreating behind our last defences, we left not the field until a +thousand, the choicest of our foes, bit the dust. Morning showed us the +red-haired chief and his bards, but they were departing, and their +spears were glittering on the mountains." + +"Enough!" said the emperor. "Caracalla tarries yet with the camp. Our +person is not menaced by his hand. Prithee send a brasier hither. The +night is far spent, and slumber will not again visit these eyelids." + +A bronze tripod was brought, supported by sphinxes, the worship of Isis +being a fashionable idolatry at that period. Charred wood was then +placed in a round dish, pierced with holes, and perfumes thrown in to +correct the smell. The emperor commanded that he should be left alone. +Covering his shoulders with a richly-embroidered mantle, he took from +behind his pillow a Greek treatise on the occult sciences, to the study +of which he was passionately addicted. + +It is said of him, by historians, that he was guided by his skill in +judicial astrology to the choice of the reigning empress, having lost +his first wife when governor of the Lyonnese Gaul. Finding that a lady +of Emesa, in Syria, one Julia Domna, had what was termed "a royal +nativity," he solicited and obtained her hand, thus making the prophecy +the means of its accomplishment. + +A woman of great beauty, and strong natural acquirements, she was, at +the same time, the patron of all that was noble and distinguished in the +philosophy and literature of the age. It was even said that, secretly, +she was a favourer of the Christians. Be this as it may, we do not find +she ever became a professor of the faith. + +Sleep, that capricious guest, which comes unbidden, but not invited, was +just stealing over the monarch's eyelids, when the roll fell from his +grasp. The unexpected movement startled him. His eye fell on the bright +crystal opposite. He thought a glimmer was moving in the glass. He +remembered the words of the sage, and his eye was riveted on the mystic +goblet. A sudden flash was reflected from it. He started forward, when a +naked sword fell on the couch! the stroke he only escaped by having so +accidentally changed his place. The glass had revealed the glitter of +the blade behind him, and he was indebted to a few inches of space for +his life! + +Looking round, he beheld a masked figure preparing to repeat the stroke. +Severus, with his usual courage and presence of mind, threw his mantle +across the assassin's sword. He cried out, and the chamber was +immediately filled with guards; but, whether from treachery or +inadvertence, the traitor was no where to be found. He had escaped, +leaving his weapon entangled in the folds of the mantle. On examination, +the emperor's surprise was visibly increased, when he recognised the +sword as one belonging to Caracalla! The soothsayer's prediction was +apparently fulfilled. To the emperor's superstitious apprehensions the +crystal goblet was charged with his safety. But, lo! on being sought +for, the charmed cup was gone! + + * * * * * + +The next morning, as the sun was just rising over the green wolds, and +the fresh air came brisk and sharply on the traveller's cheek, a +stranger was noticed loitering through the narrow streets of the +imperial city. He had passed the great Calcarian or western gate, from +which the statue of the reigning emperor, on that memorable morning, was +found razed from its pedestal. The outer and inner faces of the gate +were whitened for the writing of edicts and proclamations by the +government scribes, and likewise for the public notices of minor import, +these being daubed on the walls with various degrees of skill, in red or +black pigments, according to the nature of the decrees that were issued +by the Praetor and the caprice of the artist. + +On that morning a number of idlers had assembled about the gate. The +statue of the emperor, fallen prostrate, had been removed, and an edict +promptly supplied, to the purport that an impious hand, having attempted +the life of the monarch, a reward of one hundred thousand _sestertia_ +would be the price of his apprehension. Another reward of the like sum +was offered for the discovery of a crystal goblet, stolen from the +emperor's chamber. + +The individual we have just noticed wore the common sleeved tunic of +coarse wool; over it was a cloak buckled on the right shoulder, the yarn +being died in such wise that, when woven, it might resemble the skin of +a brindled ox--such was the dress of the ancient Britons. His head was +covered with a close cap, but his feet were naked; and the only weapon +he bore was a two-handed sword, stuck in his girdle. + +Ere he passed the gate, it might be supposed that his business and +credentials would have been rigidly scrutinised by the guards; but he +merely showed a large signet ring to the superior officer, and was +immediately allowed to pass. He soon came to the wooden bridge over the +river, now kept by a body of the Praetorian guards. Here, on attempting +to pass, he was immediately seized. With an air of stupid or affected +concern, the prisoner drew the same signet from his hand, the sight of +which again procured him immediate access. The bridge was crossed, and, +after passing along the narrow, winding streets, he came to a small +triumphal arch leading into the Forum. This was an area of but mean +extent, surrounded by a colonnade, serving as a market for all sorts of +wares, and the trades carried on under its several porticoes. The outer +walls, behind the columns, were painted in compartments, black and red, +and here a number of citizens were assembled. There was hurrying to and +fro. Soldiers and messengers, even so early, were bustling about with +ominous activity. The stranger looked on for awhile, with a vacant sort +of curiosity, then, turning to the left hand, went forward towards the +gate of the palace. On a corner of the building he saw another edict to +the same purport as before. Near it was the announcement of a spectacle +at the theatre: the gift of a wealthy patrician for the amusement and +gratification of the people. Still the stranger passed on, apparently +uninterested by all, until he came to the outer gate, where he merely +paused a few moments, as though to observe the movements of the soldiers +and the changing of the guard. The sound of the trumpet seemed to +attract especial notice from this barbarian, whose uncouth air and rude +manners drew upon him the gaze of many as they passed by. He now turned +into a narrower street behind the palace, and here he sought out a +common tavern, where the chequers, newly painted on the door posts, +betokened good entertainment for travellers. Having entered, the +hostess, whose tucked-up dress and general appearance, Martial, in his +epigrams, so cunningly describes, brought him a vase or flagon of wine. +It was not of the true Falernian flavour, as may be readily surmised, +but a mixture of stuff, which can hardly be described, of nauseous +taste, smelling abominably of resin or pitch, and flavoured with myrrh +and other bitters. Both hot and cold refections solicited the taste, and +regaled the sight of the visitor. Flitches of bacon were suspended from +above, and fire-wood stuffed between the rafters, black and smoky with +the reeking atmosphere below. At his own request, the stranger was +installed in a small chamber behind the public room, where stood a +couch, a three-footed table, and a lavatory. Here he was served with +radishes, cheese, and roasted eggs, in earthen vessels, with a relish of +cornels in pickle. Ere this refection was brought in, the table was +rubbed over with a sprig of mint, and the coarse pottery betrayed an +exquisite odour of thyme and garlic. + +After the needful refreshments and ablutions, he sallied forth, first +inquiring for the residence of the Chaldean soothsayer, before whose +door, in due time, he arrived. The gate leading to the vestibule was +open, and he entered by a narrow passage terminated by a small inner +court. He paused, and looked round. No fountain played in the centre; a +clump of rank, unwholesome grass was the only decoration, but the object +of his search was a crooked, wooden staircase, which led to a sort of +gallery above. After a little hesitation, he ascended; his country +manners showing a determination to persevere until fairly delivered of +his errand. A door at the extremity of the gallery stood ajar, and +through this he made bold to enter. A Numidian slave, dwarfish and +deformed, was sweeping his master's chamber. He stopped short as the +barbarian, with a stupid and wondering look, entered the apartment. +After surveying the new comer with an air of deliberate scrutiny, the +dwarf burst forth into a violent fit of laughter. + +"Mercury hath sent us precious handsel this morning, truly," said he, +when his diversion was concluded. "A pretty hound to scent out master's +lost goods. The gods do verily mock us in thy most gracious person." + +The visitor looked on with dismay during this ungracious and taunting +speech. At length he stammered forth, + +"Thy master, is he not the Chaldean to whom my mistress, knowing I was +bound for the city, hath sent me privily with a message?" + +The Briton spoke this in a sort of guttural and broken Latin, which the +apish dwarf mimicked in the most mischievous and provoking way +imaginable. The messenger, irritated beyond endurance, placed both hands +on his weapon, but his antagonist, with little ado, tripped up his +heels, and the poor aborigine was completely at the mercy of this +grotesque specimen of humanity. + +Grinning over him with spite and mischief in his looks, the dwarf +stamped on the floor; presently there came two slaves, who, without +further notice than a blow now and then when resistance was offered, +bound him with stout cords, and bade him lie there until he should be +further disposed of. Inquiry was vain as to the cause of this treatment. +Bound hand and foot, he was then tossed with little ceremony, and less +compunction, into a corner of the room; and there left to bemoan his +hard fate. Perched just above his head, sat the cunning raven, who eyed +him as though with serious intentions of pecking at him in his present +defenceless condition. He was soon aware of this additional source of +alarm, and as the bird's eye brightened and twinkled with greedy +anticipation, he rubbed his rapacious beak on the perch, apparently +whetting it for the feast. He then jumped down on the floor, and hopping +close to his victim, gave a hoarse and dismal croak, a death warning, it +might be, to the unfortunate captive. He tried to burst his bonds, and +shrieked out in the extremity of his alarm. His struggles kept the bird +at a distance, but it continued to survey him with such a longing, +liquorish eye, that the poor culprit felt himself already writhing, like +another Prometheus, under the beak of his destroyer. His terror +increased. It might be some demon sent to torment him; and this +conviction strengthened when he saw the dismal and hideous things that +surrounded him. Just as his agony was wrought to the highest pitch, he +heard footsteps. Even the sound was some relief. He knew not what +further indignities--not to say violence--he might expect; but at all +events, there would be a change, and it was hailed as an alleviation to +his misery. + +The soothsayer presented himself, attended by the ugly dwarf. + +"A stupid barbarian thou sayest the Fates have sent us?" said the +Chaldean, as he entered. "Bridle thine impious tongue, Merodac; what the +dweller in immortal fire hath decreed, will be accomplished, though by +weak and worthless creatures such as these. What ho! stranger, whence +art thou? and why art thou moved so early across our threshold?" + +"My lord," said the prisoner, in a tone of entreaty, "these bonds are +unlawful--I am a freed man. Though a Briton, I am no slave, and I +beseech you to visit this indignity on that rogue, who hath so scurvily +entreated me." + +"I was privy to it, else would he not have dared this." + +"And to what end, good master?" + +"That we may have an answer propitious to our suit." + +"What! are ye about to sacrifice me to your infernal deities!" cried the +captive, almost frantic with the anticipation. + +"My friend, thou art bound for another purpose; to wit that, through thy +instrumentality, we may discover the divining cup the emperor hath lost. +Knowest thou aught of this precious crystal?" inquired the Chaldean, +with a searching look. + +But it were vain to describe the astonishment of the victim. He looked +almost in doubt of his own identity, or as if he were trying to shake +off the impression of some hideous dream. At length he replied, + +"'Tis some device surely, that ye may slay me!" + +He wept; and the tears trickling down his cheek, were indeed piteous to +behold, "I know not," said he, "your meaning. Let me depart." + +"Nay," said the soothsayer, "thou mayest content thyself as thou list, +but the cup shall be found, and that by thy ministry. The emperor hath +offered rewards, nigh to the value of three silver talents, for the +recovery, and assuredly thou shalt be held in durance until it be +regained." + +"And by whose authority?" inquired the Briton. + +"Why, truly, it becometh thee to ask, seeing thou art a party interested +in the matter. The emperor, in whose care the jewel was left, hath sworn +by the River Styx, that unless the cup be brought back to the palace ere +to-morrow's dawn, he will punish the innocent with the guilty; and that +with no sparing hand. He hath already laid hands on some of the more +wealthy citizens, and amerced them in divers sums; others are detained +as hostages for suspected persons who are absent from the city. The loss +of this cup being connected with a daring attempt on the emperor's life +by some unknown hand, he doth suspect that the very palace wants purging +from treason; yet where to begin, or on whom to fasten suspicion, he +knoweth not. Mine art has hitherto failed me in the matter. The tools +they work with baffle my skill, save that the oracle I consult commanded +that I should lay hold on the first male person that came hither to-day, +and by his ministry the lost treasure should be restored. Shouldest thou +refuse, thou art lost; for assuredly the emperor will not be slow to +punish thy contumacy." + +The miserable captive fell into great perplexity at this discourse. He +vowed he knew no more of the lost cup than the very stones he trod on; +that he had come since nightfall from his master, Lucius Claudius, +lieutenant and standard-bearer of the sixth legion, then at Isurium,[N] +on a mere casual errand to the city; and that his mistress, who was a +British lady of noble birth, had instructed him, at the same time, to +consult the soothsayer on some matters relative to her nativity, which +the sage had calculated some years back. Almost a stranger in these +parts, how could he pretend to begin the search? He begged piteously for +his release; promising, and with great sincerity, that he would never +set foot in this inhospitable region again. The magician inquired his +name. + +"Cedric with the ready foot," was the reply. Unmoved by his entreaties, +the soothsayer said he had the emperor's command for the use of every +method he could devise for the recovery of this precious and priceless +jewel; and that, furthermore, the safety, and even lives of many +innocent persons depended on the stranger's exertions, and the speedy +execution of his mission. But how to begin, or in what quarter to +commence the search, was a riddle worthy of the Sphinx. A most +unexpected and novel situation for this rude dweller in woods and +morasses, to be suddenly thrust forth into a mighty city, without guide +or direction, more ignorant of his errand than any of its inhabitants. +Besides, he was not without a sort of incipient and instinctive dread, +that the catastrophe might procure him an interview with the emperor; +and he was filled with apprehension lest his own carcase might afford a +special treat, a sacrifice to the brutal appetite of the spectators in +the amphitheatre, after the manner of the _bestiarii_, or gladiators, of +whom he had often heard. Even could he have gotten word of this mishap +to his master, he was by no means certain it would be attended with any +beneficial result. The time was too short, and the will and mandate of +the emperor would render futile any attempt to obtain deliverance from +this quarter. + +A few moments sufficed for these considerations. The glance of the mind, +when on the rack for expedients, is peculiarly keen, and hath an +eagle-like perception that appears as though it could pierce to the dim +and distant horizon of its hopes and apprehensions. + +"Unbind these withes," said the captive, "I cannot begin the search in +this extremity." + +"Merodac, undo these bonds; and see thou guard thy prisoner +strictly:--thy life answers for his safe keeping." + +The dwarf, who seemed never so well pleased as when tormenting the more +fortunate and better shapen of his species, unloosed the cords with +something of the like feeling and intention as a cat when liberating +some unfortunate mouse from her talons. + +"There's a chance of rare sport i' the shows to-morrow," said the ugly +jailor. "We are sure of _thee_, anyhow.--Didst ever see the criminals +fight with wolves, Hyrcanian bears, and such like? I would not miss the +sight for the best feather in my cap." + +The cruel slave here rubbed his hands, and his yellow eyes glistened +with the horrible anticipation. His victim groaned aloud. + +"I'll tell thee a rare device," continued he, "whereby thou mayest +escape being eaten, at least a full hour; and we shall have the longer +sport. Mind thee, the beasts do not always get the carcases for dinner. +If they be cowardly, and show little fight, we give the dead bestiarii +to the dogs. I remember me well the last we threw into the emperor's +kennel, the dogs made such a fighting for the carrion, that he ordered +each of us a flagellation for the disturbance. Let me see, there +was--ay--" here the knave began to count the number of shows and human +sacrifices he had seen, recounting every particular with the most +horrible minuteness. Cedric felt himself already in the gripe of the +savages, and his flesh verily quivered on his bones. + +Brutal and demoralising were those horrid spectacles. The people of +Rome, it has been well observed by a modern writer, were generally more +corrupt by many degrees than has been usually supposed possible. Many +were the causes which had been gradually operating towards this result, +and amongst the rest, the continual exhibition of scenes where human +blood was poured forth like water. The continual excitement of the +populace demanded fresh sacrifices, until even these palled upon the +cruel appetites of the multitude. Even the more innocent exhibitions, +where brutes were the sufferers, could not but tend to destroy all the +finer sensibilities of the nature. "Five thousand wild animals, torn +from their native abodes in the wilderness and the forest," have been +turned out for mutual slaughter in one single exhibition at the +amphitheatre. Sometimes the _lanista_ or person who exhibited the shows, +and provided the necessary supplies, by way of administering specially +to the gratification of the populace, made it known, as a particular +favour, that the whole of these should be slaughtered. These, however, +soon ceased to stimulate the appetite for blood. From such combats, +"the transition was inevitable to those of men, whose nobler and more +varied passions spoke directly, and by the intelligible language of the +eye, to human spectators; and from the frequent contemplation of these +authorised murders, in which a whole people--women as much as men, and +children intermingled with both, looked on with leisurely indifference, +with anxious expectation, or with rapturous delight, whilst below them +were passing the direct sufferings of humanity, and not seldom its dying +pangs, it was impossible to expect a result different from that which +did, in fact, take place--universal hardness of heart, obdurate +depravity, and a twofold degradation of human nature, the natural +sensibility and the conscientious principle." "Here was a constant +irritation, a system of provocation to the appetite for blood, such as +in other nations are connected with the rudest stages of society, and +with the most barbarous modes of warfare." + +"Whither wilt thou that we direct our steps?" inquired Merodac, with +mock submission, when the cords were unloosed. + +"Lead the way--I care not," said his moody victim, "'tis as well that I +follow." + +A bitter and scornful laugh accompanied the reply of the dwarf. + +"That were a pretty device truly,--to let thee lag behind, and without +thy tether. Ah, ah," chuckled the squire as they left the chamber; +"Diogenes and his lantern was a wise man's search compared with ours." + +How the slave came to be so learned in Grecian lore, we know not. His +further displays of erudition were cut short by the soothsayer, who +cried out to him as they departed, + +"Remember, thy carcase for his, if he return not." + +Now, in York, at this day, may be observed, where an angle of the walls +abuts on the "Mint Yard," a building named "the Multangular Tower," and +supposed to have been one of the principal fortifications of the city. +However this might be, its structure has puzzled not a little, even +those most conversant with antiquities. The area was not built up all +round, but open towards the city. The foundations of a wall have +latterly been discovered, dividing it lengthwise through the centre, and +continued, for some distance, into the town; so that the whole may not +inaptly be represented by a Jew-trump--the tongue being the division, +the circular end the present Multangular Tower, continued by walls on +each side. This building, we have every reason to conjecture, was the +Greek _stadium_ or Roman circus, which authors tell us was a narrow +piece of ground shaped like a staple; the round end called the barrier. +The wall dividing it lengthwise is the _spina_, or flat ridge, running +through the middle, which was generally a low wall, and sometimes merely +a mound of earth. This was usually decorated with statues of gods, +columns, votive altars, and the like. As a corroboration of this +opinion, there have been found here several small statues, altars, and +other figures, betokening a place of public resort or amusement. + +The circus was not used merely for horse and chariot-races, but likewise +for wrestling--the _caestus_, and other athletic games. It was noted as +the haunt of fortune-tellers, and thither the poorer people used to +resort, and hear their fortunes told.[O] + +Near this place stood the barracks, or _castra_. Long ranges of rooms, +divided into several stories, the doors of each chamber opening into one +common gallery, ascended by a wooden staircase. + +Hither we must conduct our readers, at the close of the day on whose +inauspicious morning "Cedric with the ready foot," was placed in such +jeopardy. + +The whole city meanwhile had been astir. The emperor's wrath and desire +of revenge were excited to the utmost pitch. He suspected treachery even +amongst the Praetorian guards,--his favourite and best-disciplined +troops; and there was an apprehension of some terrible disgrace +attaching even to them. Still, nothing further transpired implicating +the soldiery, save that the assassin had escaped, and, apparently, +through the very midst of the guard; yet no one chose to accuse his +fellow, or say by whose means this mysterious outlet was contrived. Not +even to his most confidential minister did the emperor reveal the +discovery of his son's weapon. Neither that son, nor his guilty +accomplices, if any, could be found; and the day was fast closing upon +the monarch's threat, that on the morrow his vengeance should have its +full work, unless the crystal goblet was restored. + +There had been a public spectacle at the theatre, but the emperor was +not present; and such was the consternation of the whole city, that the +performance was but scantily attended. The city was apparently on the +eve of some sad catastrophe, and the whole population foreboding some +fearful event. + +In the circus were yet some stray groups, who, having little employment +of their own, were listening for news, and loitering about, either for +mischief or amusement. + +In one part was exhibited a narrow wooden box, not unlike to our +puppet-show, wherein a person was concealed, having figures made of wood +and earthenware, that seemed to act and speak, to the great wonder and +diversion of the audience. + +As the rays of the declining sun smote upon the city walls and the white +sails of the barks below, there came into the circus the dwarf, who had +charge of Cedric. The captive now looked like a sort of appendage to +his person--being strapped to his arm by a stout thong of bull's hide, +such as was used for correcting refractory slaves. The hours allotted +for search were nearly gone. Day was drawing to a close, and Cedric had +done little else than bemoan his hard fate. The whole day had been spent +in wandering from place to place, urged on by the scoffs and jeers of +his companion. Some furtive attempts to escape had been the cause of his +present bondage. Hither, at length, they arrived. Tired and distressed, +he sat down on one of the vacant benches, and gave vent to his sorrows +in no very careful or measured language. + +"What can I do?" said he, "a stranger in this great city--to set me +a-finding what I never knew? A grain of wheat in a barn full of chaff, +mayhap--a needle in a truss of hay--anything I might find, but what was +sheer impossible. And now am I like to be thrown to the dogs, like a +heap of carrion!" + +"But the oracle, friend." + +"Plague on the oracle, for----" Here his speech was interrupted; for +happening to look up, he saw, as he fancied, the eyes of one of the +little figures in the show-box ogling him, and making mouths in such +wise as to draw upon him the attention of the spectators, now roaring +with laughter at his expense. Reckless of consequences, and almost +furious from sufferings, he suddenly jumped up, and dragging the dwarf +along with him, made a desperate blow at the mimic, which, in a moment, +laid sprawling a whole company of little actors, together with the prime +mover himself, and the showman outside to boot. The fray, as may readily +be conceived, waxed loud and furious. The owners and bystanders not +discriminating as to the main cause of the attack, would have handled +both the keeper and the captive very roughly, had not the noise awakened +the attention of the soldiers in the neighbouring barracks. Hearing the +affray, a party ran to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, and +seeing two men whom a whole crowd had combined to attack, concluded they +were culprits, and forthwith hailed them before the captain of the +guard, a centurion, Diogenes Verecundus by name. + +Cedric and the dwarf, being rescued from a sound beating, began to abuse +one another, as the cause of the disturbance; but the officer, by dint +of threats and inquiries, soon learned the truth of the matter. + +"Thank the stars, I shall be rid of this pestilence to-morrow," said +Merodac; "my master could not have found me such another; and how the +Fates could pitch upon such a sorry cur for the business, seems passing +strange. If he find the cup, I'll be beaten to a jelly in it. Thy +carcase will be meat for the emperor's hounds to morrow." + +"If, as thou sayest," said the centurion, "thou art so mightily weary of +thy charge, leave him to my care; I would fain have some discourse with +him privily, touching what thou hast spoken." + +The slave hesitated. + +"On the word of a Roman soldier he shall be forthcoming. Tell thy master +that Verecundus the centurion, hath taken thy prisoner captive. Here is +money for thee." + +The Ethiop showed his teeth, like ivory studs on a coral band, while the +rings shook in his wrinkled ears, as he took the largess. Yet his brow +contracted, and he hung his head. He hesitated to unloose the bonds. + +"By what token?" he at length inquired. + +"By this!" said the centurion, taking up a thong for his correction. +"Stay," continued he, laying it down, "I will not punish thee +undeservedly. Take these, they will bear thee harmless with thy master." + +The dwarf took the writing thankfully, and made the best of his way to +the dwelling of the soothsayer. + +The officer now beckoned Cedric that he should follow. In a low room by +the guard-chamber at the gate, the following conversation took place. + +"There is evil denounced us of a truth," said Verecundus; "but it may be +the gods have sent thee hither for our rescue, as the oracle hath said." + +The Briton fixed his wondering eyes on the soldier, whilst he continued. + +"I have pondered the words well, and if thou prove trusty, ere this +night pass, the plot shall be discovered, and the ringleaders secured. +We have need of such an one as thou--a stranger, whom they will not +suspect, and will use the intelligence he obtains with a vigilant and +cunning eye. There is work for thee, which, if well done, may bring thee +to great wealth and honour. If thou fail, we fall together in the same +ruin. There is a plot against the emperor; and one which hath its being, +ay, in the very secrets of the palace. Those nearest him, I am well +assured, are the chief movers in the conspiracy. 'Tis this makes it so +perilous to discover, and without a fitting agent the mischief will not +be overcome. I have thought to throw myself at the emperor's feet, but +having no proof withal to support my suspicions, I should, in all +likelihood, fall a sacrifice to my own fidelity." + +"But how," asked the bewildered Cedric, "shall I discover them? Verily, +it doth seem that to-day I am destined to work out impossibilities. How +it comes to pass that a poor ignorant wretch like myself, should compass +these things, it faileth my weak fancy to discover!" + +"The soothsayer's speech is not lightly to be regarded. Hark thee, +knave! Is life precious unto thee?" + +"Yea, truly is it. I have a wife and children, besides a few herds and +other live stock, likewise sundry beeves i' the forest. But, unless I +can find favour in your eyes, my goods, alas! I am not like to see +again." + +"Nor wilt thou, peradventure, again behold the light of yon blessed sun +which hath just gone down. The shades of evening are upon us, and the +shadows of death are upon thine eyelids; for, hark thee, I do suspect +some treasonable message in thine errand to the city." + +Cedric, with a look of terror and incredulity, stammered out, + +"As I live, I know not thy meaning!" + +"Thou art in my power; and, unless thou servest me faithfully, thou +diest a cruel and fearful death. What was the exact message wherewith +thou wast entrusted?" + +The Briton's countenance brightened as he replied, + +"I give it thee, with right good will. No treason lurks there, I trow. +'Take this,' said my master, yesternight, giving me a signet ring; 'take +it to York by day-break. At the gate show it to the guard. If they let +thee pass, well. If not, return, for there is mischief in the city. At +the bridge, shouldest thou get so far, again show it, where, I doubt +not, thou shalt find thereby a ready passage. Seek thee out some +by-tavern, where thou mayest refresh; then, about mid-day go into the +street called the goldsmiths', and there inquire for one Caius Lupus, +the empress's jeweller. Show him the signet, and mark what he shall tell +thee.'" + +"Thou hast given him the signet then?" said the centurion, sharply. + +"Nay. For my mistress, as ill luck would have it, hearing of my journey, +and she having had some knowledge of the soothsayer's art aforetime, +bade me consult him ere my errand was ready with the goldsmith, and +deliver a pressing request for the horoscope which had been long +promised. What passed then, as thou knowest, is the cause of my +calamity." + +"But didst thou not search out the dwelling of this same Caius, and do +thine errand?" + +"I did. But in the straits which I endured, I was not careful to note +the time. An hour past mid-day, I sought out his dwelling; but he was +gone to the palace on urgent business with the empress, nor was it known +when he might return." + +"Sayest thou so, friend? I would like to look at this same potent +talisman." + +Cedric drew forth the ring. It was a beautiful onyx, on which, engraven +with exquisite workmanship, was a head of the youthful Caracalla, +encircled by a laurel wreath, showing marks of the most consummate +skill. + +"Was thine errand told to the soothsayer?" was the next inquiry. + +"Verily nay," said the messenger; "there was little space for parley ere +I was thrust forth." + +"He saw not the signet, then?" + +"Of a truth it has not been shown, save to the guards for my passport." + +"Now, knave, thy life hangs on a thread so brittle that a breath shall +break it. This same goldsmith I do suspect; but thou shalt see him, and +whatsoever he showeth, I will be at hand that thou mayest tell me +privily. I will then instruct thee what thou shalt do. If thou fail not +in thy mission, truly thou shalt have great rewards from the emperor. +But if thou whisper--ay to the walls--of our meeting, thou diest! +Remember thou art watched. Think not to escape!" + +The poor wretch caught hold on this last hope of deliverance, and +promised to obey. + +There was a narrow vault beneath the women's apartments in the palace, +communicating by many intricate passages, with an outlet into the Forum. +Here, on this eventful night, was an unusual assemblage. The vault was +deep, even below the common foundations of the city, and where the light +of day never came. An iron lamp hung from one of the massy arches of the +roof; the damp and stagnant vapours lending an awful indistinctness to +the objects they surrounded. Chill drops lay on the walls and on the +slippery floor. The stone benches were green with mildew; and it seemed +as though the foot of man had rarely passed its threshold. + +In this chamber, several individuals were now assembled in earnest +discourse, their conversation whispered rather than spoken; yet their +intrepid and severe looks, and animated gestures, ever and anon betrayed +some deep and resolute purpose more than usually portentous. + +"An untoward event truly," said one of the speakers, Virius Lupus +himself, the emperor's private secretary. "If the old magician could +have been won, it had been well." + +"He might have saved the encounter and hazard we must now undergo. But +let him hold his fealty. We have stout hearts and resolute hands enow to +bring the matter to a successful issue." Thus spoke Caracalla, the +unnatural eldest born of his father. + +"And yet," replied the secretary, "he hath a ready admittance to his +person, and a great sway over thy father's councils." + +"I heed him not, now that brave men work. It were time that our trusty +servant, the commander at Isurium, had sent the message, with the token +I left him on my departure. Ere this, we ought to have known the hour we +may expect his troops to move on the capital. I had thought to have made +all safe; to have put it beyond the power of fate to frustrate our +purpose; but I was foiled like a beardless boy at his weapons." He +gnashed his teeth as he spoke; and this monster of cruelty breathed a +horrible threat against the life even of a parent and a king. + +"Here is the roll," said one, who from his inkhorn and reed-pen seemed +to be the scribe; and whose ambition had been lured by a promise that he +should have the office of sextumvir in the imperial city. + +"Here be the names and disposition of the troops; the avenues and gates +to which they are appointed." + +"We but wait a messenger from Isurium to make our plans complete," said +Caracalla. "By the same courier I send back this cypher. Examine it, +Fabricius. The troops of Lucius Claudius are to march directly on the +Forum, and slay all who attempt resistance. Thou, Virius Lupus, wilt +guide them through the secret passage into the palace." + +The secretary bowed assent. + +"Though the empress knows not our high purpose, it is by her connivance +we are here, safe from the emperor's spies. Under her mantle we are +hidden. Suspicion hath crossed her that I am about to head the troops; +that my father, oppressed with age and infirmities, will retire to Rome; +and that I, Caracalla, rule in Britain." + +"Then she knows not the mishap of yesternight?" + +"She knows of the attempt, but not the agent. I would the messenger were +come. 'Tis an unforeseen delay. I pray the gods there be not treachery +somewhere. The officers and guard at the Calcarian gate and the bridge +are ours; they were instructed to obey the signet." + +"We will vouch for their fidelity," said two or three of the +conspirators. + +"Should he not arrive before midnight, we must strike," said Fabricius. + +"Ay, as before," said the more cautious secretary. "But we may now get a +broken head for our pains." + +"The time brooks not delay," said Caracalla. "Every moment now is big +with danger to our enterprise." + +"Be not again too hasty," replied the secretary, "there be none that +will divulge our plans. Let every part be complete before we act. We +cannot succeed, should there be a disjointed purpose." + +Caracalla vehement, and unused to the curb, was about to reply, when +the door opened and a dumb slave slowly entered. He crossed his hands, +and pointed to the door. + +"A messenger," said they all. + +"The gods are at last propitious," said Caracalla. "Let him approach." + +Soon one was led in by the sentinel, blindfolded, and the latter +immediately withdrew. + +"The sign," cried the secretary. + +The stranger, without hesitation, presented a ring. + +"'Tis the same," said Caracalla. He touched a concealed spring in the +signet, and from underneath the gem drew forth a little paper with a +scrap of writing in cypher. It was held before the lamp, and the +intelligence it contained rendered their plot complete. Ere break of day +the deed would be accomplished. The morning would see Caracalla +proclaimed, and Severus deposed. + +"Have ye any token to my master?" inquired the messenger. + +"Take back this writing," said Virius Lupus. "Thou wilt find him not far +from the city. We wait his coming." + +"This leaden-heeled Mercury should have a largess," said the chief, "but +in this den we have not wherewithal to give him. Hold! here is a good +recompence, methinks," continued he, taking the crystal goblet from a +recess. "Take this to thy mistress, and tell her to buy it from thee. We +will see her anon. That charmed cup hath foiled me once, but I will foil +thee now, and the powers thou servest. Thou shall not again cross my +path!" + +Cedric took the gift, wrapping it beneath his cloak. + +"Thou mayest depart." + +The dumb sentinel again took charge of him, and led him away by many +intricate passages towards the entrance, where it seems the goldsmith +had directed him on presenting the signet of Caracalla. The person who +took charge of him was a dumb eunuch, a slave in the service of the +empress. + +But the terrors of death were upon the wretched victim. He knew the +centurion would assuredly be at hand to receive his report, and he could +not escape. He had not brought back one word of intelligence; and, being +blindfolded, he knew not whither he had been taken. The writing he +carried would assuredly be unintelligible, save to those for whom it was +intended. His mission, he could perceive, had utterly failed. The +centurion would not be able to profit by any thing he had brought back, +and must, inevitably, according to his pledge, at once render him up to +the soothsayer. Whilst ruminating on his hard fate, a sudden thought +crossed him. There was little probability of success; but, at all +events, it might operate as a diversion in his favour, and the design +was immediately executed. Skulking for a moment behind the slave, he +tore off the bandage, and tripped up the heels of his conductor. Before +the latter could recover himself, the Briton's gripe was on his throat. + +"Now, slave, thou art my prisoner! Lead on, or, by this good sword, thou +diest!" + +The torch he carried was, luckily, not extinguished in the fall. The +eunuch, almost choaking, made a sign that he would obey. With the drawn +blade at his throat, the slave went on; but Cedric, ever wary, and with +that almost instinctive sagacity peculiar to man in his half-civilised +state, kept a tiger-like watch on every movement of his prisoner, which +enabled him to detect the fingers of the slave suddenly raised to his +lips, and a shrill whistle would have consigned him over to certain and +immediate destruction; but he struck down the uplifted hand with a blow +which made his treacherous conductor crouch and cringe almost to the +ground. + +"Another attempt," said Cedric, "and we perish together!" + +The wily slave looked all penitence and submission. Silently proceeding, +apparently through the underground avenues of the palace, Cedric was +momentarily expecting his arrival at the place where the centurion kept +watch. A flight of steps now brought them to a spacious landing-place. +Suddenly a lamp was visible, and beneath it sat a number of soldiers, +the emperor's body-guard. They gave way as the eunuch passed by, +followed by Cedric, his sword still drawn. Several of these groups were +successively cleared: the guide, by a countersign, was enabled to thread +his way through every obstacle that presented itself. The Briton's heart +misgave him as they approached a vestibule, before which a phalanx of +the guards kept watch. Here he thought it prudent to sheath his weapon, +though he still followed the eunuch, as his only remaining chance of +escape. Even here they were instantly admitted, and without any apparent +hesitation. The door turned slowly on its pivot, and Cedric found +himself in a richly decorated chamber, where, by the light of a single +lamp, and with the smell of perfumed vapour in his nostrils, he saw a +figure in costly vestments reclining on a couch. The slave prostrated +himself. + +"What brings thee from thy mistress at this untimely hour? A message +from the empress?" + +Here the speaker raised himself from the couch, and the slave, with +great vehemence, made certain signs, which the wondering Briton +understood not. + +"Ah!" said the emperor, his eyes directly levelled at the supposed +culprit; "thou hast found the thief who, in the confusion of +yesternight, bore away the magic cup. Bring him hither, that I may +question him ere his carcase be sent to the beasts." + +The doomed wretch was now fairly in the paws of the very tyrant he had +so long dreaded. The death, which by every stratagem he had striven to +avoid, was now inevitable. He was betrayed by means of the very device +he had, as he thought, so craftily adopted; but still his natural +sagacity did not forsake him, even in this unexpected emergency. As he +prostrated himself, presenting the cup he had stowed away safely in his +cloak, he still kept a wary eye on the slave who had betrayed him. He +saw him preparing to depart; and, knowing that his only hope of +deliverance lay in preventing his guide from giving warning to the +conspirators they had just left, Cedric, with a sudden spring, leaped +upon him like a tiger, even in presence of the monarch. + +The latter, astounded at this unexpected act of temerity, was for a few +moments inactive. This pause was too precious to be lost. Desperation +gave him courage, and Cedric addressed the dread ruler of the world even +whilst he clutched the gasping traitor. + +"Here, great monarch, here is the traitor; and if I prove him not false, +on my head be the recompense!" + +He said this in a tone of such earnestness and anxiety that the emperor +was suddenly diverted from his purpose of summoning his attendants. He +saw the favourite slave of the empress writhing in the gripe of the +barbarian; but the events of the last few hours had awakened suspicions +which the lightest accusations might confirm. He remembered his son's +guilt, the facility of his escape; and it might be that treason stood on +the very threshold, ready to strike. He determined to sift the matter; +and, the guard now summoned, the parties were separated,--each awaiting +the fiat of the monarch. + +"Where is Virius Lupus?" was the emperor's first inquiry. + +"He hath not returned from the apartments of the empress." + +"Let this slave be bound," cried Cedric. "Force him to conduct you even +to the place whence, blindfold, he hath just led me; and if you find +not a nest of traitors, my own head shall be the forfeit." + +Dark and fearful was the flash that shot from the emperor's eye on the +devoted eunuch. Pale and trembling he fell on his knees, supplicating, +with uplifted hands, for mercy. He knew it was vain to dissemble. + +"And what wert thou doing in such perilous company?" inquired the +emperor, turning to Cedric, and in a voice which made him shrink. + +"Let the centurion, Diogenes Verecundus, be sought out. He waits my +return by the Forum Gate. To him the city owes a discovery of this plot, +and Rome her monarch!" + +The faithful centurion was soon found. The eunuch conducted them +secretly to the vault. The conspirators were seized in the very height +of their anticipated success. The roll containing the names of the +leaders, the plan of attack, and the disposition of the rebellious +troops, was discovered; and the morning sun darted a fearful ray on the +ghastly and bleeding heads uplifted on the walls and battlements of the +imperial palace. + +But with misplaced clemency the monster Caracalla was again pardoned. +The centurion Diogenes Verecundus was raised to the dignity of Sexumvir. +The only reward claimed by the generous and sturdy Briton was an act of +immunity for his master, who was merely dismissed from his post and +banished the kingdom. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[N] Aldborough. + +[O] Lubinus in Juven. p. 294. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +One morning, during Mr. Roby's stay at Keswick, in September 1849, it +was reported that the floating island in the lake was making its +appearance. He immediately took a boat, and we hastened with a friend to +the spot. The island was plainly to be seen at a short distance below +the surface of the water, nearly approaching it in some parts, in others +gradually retreating beyond our sight. It was easily touched with a +stick, and appeared covered with vegetation. We grappled up with the +boat-hook, and brought away, as a memento of our visit, a specimen of +the _Isoetes Lacustris_ (European quill-wort), a plant which grows +abundantly at the bottom of the lakes in this district. The boatmen +rowed carefully about, afraid of passing over the island, lest the boat +should run aground. It gave a strange feeling thus to find land coming +up where, a few days before, we had floated in deep water. It did not +rise any higher, but, after continuing for a day or two in the state +just described, sank gradually to its old position at the bottom of the +lake. The last time it was visible, some years since, it rose above the +surface. + +It lies at some distance from the shore on the Barrow side of the lake, +between the Barrow landing and Lodore. It was near the former spot that +we gathered the _Circaea Alpina_ (Alpine Enchanter's Nightshade) in +fruit, growing side by side with the _Silene Maritima_ (Sea Campion). +The botanical reader will, perhaps, feel an interest in the notice of +two or three other localities of the rarer plants. In the same +direction, high up among the rocks, near Ashness Gill, Mr. Roby found +the _Oxyria reniformis_ (Kidney-shaped Mountain-sorrel.) The _Salix +Herbacaea_ (Least Willow), the smallest of British trees, and _Lycopodium +Alpinum_ (Savin-leaved Club-moss), on Skiddaw, their well known +habitat; the latter plant also, with the _Alchemilla Alpina_ (Alpine +Lady's-mantle), its silvery leaves glistening in the sun, on the +mountain-side opposite Honister Crag. In the wild and shady nooks of +Borrowdale, the _Polypodium Phegopteris_ (Pale Mountain-polypody) and +the _P. Dryopteris_ (Tender Three-branched Polypody), growing in +charming profusion. And on Dunmail Raise, and on the precipitous descent +of the Stake between Langdale Pikes and Bowfell, the golden stars of the +_Saxifriga Azoides_ (Yellow Mountain-saxifrage) were still sparkling, +where a little moisture allowed them to flourish. + + +THE END. + + +LONDON: + +SPOTTISWOODES and SHAW, + +New-street-Square. + + + +------------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Notes: | + | | + | Words surrounded by _ are italicized. | + | | + | Obvious punctuation errors have been corrected, other | + | punctuations have been left as printed in the paper book. | + | | + | Titles have been added to the music pages (page 121-122) based | + | on Table of Contents. | + | | + | Obvious printer's errors have been corrected, including: | + | - Page 162-207, incorrect spellings of character names repaired, | + | ("RONALD" corrected to be "ROLAND," "HERMOINE" corrected to be | + | "HERMIONE") | + | - Page 317, "Herman" corrected to be "Hermann" (Doctor Hermann | + | Sichel) | + | - Page 360, "c[oe]stus" correced to be "caestus" (the _caestus_) | + | | + | Other variable spellings retained, including variable usage of | + | accent (e.g. "winged" and "winged"), ligature ("daemon" and | + | "demon"), hyphen (e.g. "a-ground" and "aground"), archaic form | + | (e.g. "can" and "canst"), any other inconsistent spellings (e.g. | + | "synonyms" and "synonymes") | + | | + +------------------------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Legendary and Poetical Remains of +John Roby, by John Roby + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LEGENDARY AND POETICAL *** + +***** This file should be named 37930.txt or 37930.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/3/37930/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Judith Wirawan, Linda Cantoni +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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