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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44247 ***
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+  Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Inconsistent
+  spelling, hyphenation, and capitalization (e.g. his grace/Grace) in
+  the original document have been preserved.
+
+  Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal
+  signs=.
+
+
+
+
+     WAVERLEY NOVELS
+
+     FORTY-EIGHT VOLUMES
+     VOLUME XLIV.
+
+
+
+
+     BORDER EDITION
+
+     The Introductory Essays and Notes by ANDREW LANG to this
+     Edition of the Waverley Novels are Copyright
+
+     [Illustration: KING RENÉ.
+      Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.]
+
+
+
+
+     ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN
+
+     BY
+
+     SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART.
+
+     WITH INTRODUCTORY ESSAY AND NOTES
+     BY ANDREW LANG
+
+     TEN ETCHINGS
+
+     VOLUME II.
+
+     LONDON
+
+     JOHN C. NIMMO
+
+     14, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND
+
+     MDCCCXCIV
+
+
+
+
+     PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
+     At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ETCHINGS.
+
+PRINTED BY F. GOULDING, LONDON.
+
+
+VOLUME THE SECOND.
+
+     KING RENÉ. Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios
+     (p. 213)                                         Frontispiece
+
+     THE SECRET TRIBUNAL. Drawn and Etched by R. de
+     Los Rios                                      To face page 32
+
+     ARTHUR BEFORE THE QUEEN. Drawn and Etched by
+     R. de Los Rios                                            112
+
+     THE DEFIANCE. Drawn and Etched by R. de Los
+     Rios                                                      182
+
+     THE FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN. Drawn and Etched by
+     R. de Los Rios                                            288
+
+
+
+
+     ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN;
+     OR,
+     THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST.
+
+
+     What! will the aspiring blood of Lancaster
+     Sink in the ground?
+
+     SHAKSPEARE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+     _1st Carrier._ What, ostler!--a plague on thee, hast never
+     an eye in thy head? Canst thou not hear? An 'twere not as
+     good a deed as drink to break the pate of thee, I am a
+     very villain--Come, and be hanged--Hast thou no faith in
+     thee?
+
+     _Gadshill._ I pray thee, lend me thy lantern, to see my
+     gelding in the stable.
+
+     _2d Carrier._ Nay, soft, I pray you--I know a trick worth
+     two of that.
+
+     _Gadshill._ I prithee lend me thine.
+
+     _3d Carrier._ Ay, when? Canst tell?--Lend thee my lantern,
+     quotha? Marry, I'll see thee hanged first.
+                                                   _Henry IV._
+
+
+The social spirit peculiar to the French nation had already introduced
+into the inns of that country the gay and cheerful character of
+welcome upon which Erasmus, at a later period, dwells with strong
+emphasis, as a contrast to the saturnine and sullen reception which
+strangers were apt to meet with at a German caravansera. Philipson
+was, therefore, in expectation of being received by the busy, civil,
+and talkative host--by the hostess and her daughter, all softness,
+coquetry, and glee--the smiling and supple waiter--the officious and
+dimpled chambermaid. The better inns in France boast also separate
+rooms, where strangers could change or put in order their dress, where
+they might sleep without company in their bedroom, and where they
+could deposit their baggage in privacy and safety. But all these
+luxuries were as yet unknown in Germany; and in Alsace, where the
+scene now lies, as well as in the other dependencies of the Empire,
+they regarded as effeminacy everything beyond such provisions as were
+absolutely necessary for the supply of the wants of travellers; and
+even these were coarse and indifferent, and, excepting in the article
+of wine, sparingly ministered.
+
+The Englishman, finding that no one appeared at the gate, began to
+make his presence known by calling aloud, and finally by alighting,
+and smiting with all his might on the doors of the hostelry for a long
+time, without attracting the least attention. At length the head of a
+grizzled servitor was thrust out at a small window, who, in a voice
+which sounded like that of one displeased at the interruption, rather
+than hopeful of advantage from the arrival of a guest, demanded what
+he wanted.
+
+"Is this an inn?" replied Philipson.
+
+"Yes," bluntly replied the domestic, and was about to withdraw from
+the window, when the traveller added,--
+
+"And if it be, can I have lodgings?"
+
+"You may come in," was the short and dry answer.
+
+"Send some one to take the horses," replied Philipson.
+
+"No one is at leisure," replied this most repulsive of waiters; "you
+must litter down your horses yourself, in the way that likes you
+best."
+
+"Where is the stable?" said the merchant, whose prudence and temper
+were scarce proof against this Dutch phlegm.
+
+The fellow, who seemed as sparing of his words as if, like the
+Princess in the fairy tale, he had dropped ducats with each of them,
+only pointed to a door in an outer building, more resembling that of a
+cellar than of a stable, and, as if weary of the conference, drew in
+his head, and shut the window sharply against the guest, as he would
+against an importunate beggar.
+
+Cursing the spirit of independence which left a traveller to his own
+resources and exertions, Philipson, making a virtue of necessity, led
+the two nags towards the door pointed out as that of the stable, and
+was rejoiced at heart to see light glimmering through its chinks. He
+entered with his charge into a place very like the dungeon vault of an
+ancient castle, rudely fitted up with some racks and mangers. It was
+of considerable extent in point of length, and at the lower end two or
+three persons were engaged in tying up their horses, dressing them,
+and dispensing them their provender.
+
+This last article was delivered by the ostler, a very old lame man,
+who neither put his hand to wisp or curry-comb, but sat weighing forth
+hay by the pound, and counting out corn, as it seemed, by the grain,
+so anxiously did he bend over his task, by the aid of a blinking light
+enclosed within a horn lantern. He did not even turn his head at the
+noise which the Englishman made on entering the place with two
+additional horses, far less did he seem disposed to give himself the
+least trouble, or the stranger the smallest assistance.
+
+In respect of cleanliness, the stable of Augeas bore no small
+resemblance to that of this Alsatian _dorf_, and it would have been an
+exploit worthy of Hercules to have restored it to such a state of
+cleanliness as would have made it barely decent in the eyes, and
+tolerable to the nostrils, of the punctilious Englishman. But this was
+a matter which disgusted Philipson himself much more than those of his
+party which were principally concerned. They, _videlicet_ the two
+horses, seeming perfectly to understand that the rule of the place was
+"first come first served," hastened to occupy the empty stalls which
+happened to be nearest to them. In this one of them at least was
+disappointed, being received by a groom with a blow across the face
+with a switch.
+
+"Take that," said the fellow, "for forcing thyself into the place
+taken up for the horses of the Baron of Randelsheim."
+
+Never in the course of his life had the English merchant more pain to
+retain possession of his temper than at that moment. Reflecting,
+however, on the discredit of quarrelling with such a man in such a
+cause, he contented himself with placing the animal, thus repulsed
+from the stall he had chosen, into one next to that of his companion,
+to which no one seemed to lay claim.
+
+The merchant then proceeded, notwithstanding the fatigue of the day,
+to pay all that attention to the mute companions of his journey which
+they deserve from every traveller who has any share of prudence, to
+say nothing of humanity. The unusual degree of trouble which Philipson
+took to arrange his horses, although his dress, and much more his
+demeanour, seemed to place him above this species of servile labour,
+appeared to make an impression even upon the iron insensibility of the
+old ostler himself. He showed some alacrity in furnishing the
+traveller, who knew the business of a groom so well, with corn, straw,
+and hay, though in small quantity, and at exorbitant rates, which were
+instantly to be paid; nay, he even went as far as the door of the
+stable, that he might point across the court to the well, from which
+Philipson was obliged to fetch water with his own hands. The duties of
+the stable being finished, the merchant concluded that he had gained
+such an interest with the grim master of the horse, as to learn of him
+whether he might leave his bales safely in the stable.
+
+"You may leave them if you will," said the ostler; "but touching their
+safety, you will do much more wisely if you take them with you, and
+give no temptation to any one by suffering them to pass from under
+your own eyes."
+
+So saying, the man of oats closed his oracular jaws, nor could he be
+prevailed upon to unlock them again by any inquiry which his customer
+could devise.
+
+In the course of this cold and comfortless reception, Philipson
+recollected the necessity of supporting the character of a prudent and
+wary trader, which he had forgotten once before in the course of the
+day; and, imitating what he saw the others do, who had been, like
+himself, engaged in taking charge of their horses, he took up his
+baggage, and removed himself and his property to the inn. Here he was
+suffered to enter, rather than admitted, into the general or public
+_stube_, or room of entertainment, which, like the ark of the
+patriarch, received all ranks without distinction, whether clean or
+unclean.
+
+The _stube_, or stove, of a German inn, derived its name from the
+great hypocaust, which is always strongly heated to secure the warmth
+of the apartment in which it is placed. There travellers of every age
+and description assembled--there their upper garments were
+indiscriminately hung up around the stove to dry or to air--and the
+guests themselves were seen employed in various acts of ablution or
+personal arrangement, which are generally, in modern times, referred
+to the privacy of the dressing-room.
+
+The more refined feelings of the Englishman were disgusted with this
+scene, and he was reluctant to mingle in it. For this reason he
+inquired for the private retreat of the landlord himself, trusting
+that, by some of the arguments powerful among his tribe, he might
+obtain separate quarters from the crowd, and a morsel of food, to be
+eaten in private. A grey-haired Ganymede, to whom he put the question
+where the landlord was, indicated a recess behind the huge stove,
+where, veiling his glory in a very dark and extremely hot corner, it
+pleased the great man to obscure himself from vulgar gaze. There was
+something remarkable about this person. Short, stout, bandylegged, and
+consequential, he was in these respects like many brethren of the
+profession in all countries. But the countenance of the man, and still
+more his manners, differed more from the merry host of France or
+England than even the experienced Philipson was prepared to expect. He
+knew German customs too well to expect the suppliant and serviceable
+qualities of the master of a French inn, or even the more blunt and
+frank manners of an English landlord. But such German innkeepers as he
+had yet seen, though indeed arbitrary and peremptory in their country
+fashions, yet, being humoured in these, they, like tyrants in their
+hours of relaxation, dealt kindly with the guests over whom their sway
+extended, and mitigated, by jest and jollity, the harshness of their
+absolute power. But this man's brow was like a tragic volume, in which
+you were as unlikely to find anything of jest or amusement, as in a
+hermit's breviary. His answers were short, sudden, and repulsive, and
+the air and manner with which they were delivered was as surly as
+their tenor; which will appear from the following dialogue betwixt him
+and his guest:--
+
+"Good host," said Philipson, in the mildest tone he could assume, "I
+am fatigued, and far from well--May I request to have a separate
+apartment, a cup of wine, and a morsel of food, in my private
+chamber?"
+
+"You may," answered the landlord; but with a look strangely at
+variance with the apparent acquiescence which his words naturally
+implied.
+
+"Let me have such accommodation, then, with your earliest
+convenience."
+
+"Soft!" replied the innkeeper. "I have said that you may request these
+things, but not that I would grant them. If you would insist on being
+served differently from others, it must be at another inn than mine."
+
+"Well, then," said the traveller, "I will shift without supper for a
+night--nay, more, I will be content to pay for a supper which I do
+not eat, if you will cause me to be accommodated with a private
+apartment."
+
+"Seignor traveller," said the innkeeper, "every one here must be
+accommodated as well as you, since all pay alike. Whoso comes to this
+house of entertainment must eat as others eat, drink as others drink,
+sit at table with the rest of my guests, and go to bed when the
+company have done drinking."
+
+"All this," said Philipson, humbling himself where anger would have
+been ridiculous, "is highly reasonable; and I do not oppose myself to
+your laws or customs. But," added he, taking his purse from his
+girdle, "sickness craves some privilege; and when the patient is
+willing to pay for it, methinks the rigour of your laws may admit of
+some mitigation?"
+
+"I keep an inn, Seignor, and not a hospital. If you remain here, you
+shall be served with the same attention as others,--if you are not
+willing to do as others do, leave my house and seek another inn."
+
+On receiving this decisive rebuff, Philipson gave up the contest, and
+retired from the _sanctum sanctorum_ of his ungracious host, to await
+the arrival of supper, penned up like a bullock in a pound, amongst
+the crowded inhabitants of the _stube_. Some of these, exhausted by
+fatigue, snored away the interval between their own arrival and that
+of the expected repast; others conversed together on the news of the
+country, and others again played at dice, or such games as might serve
+to consume the time. The company were of various ranks, from those who
+were apparently wealthy and well appointed, to some whose garments
+and manners indicated that they were but just beyond the grasp of
+poverty.
+
+A begging friar, a man apparently of a gay and pleasant temper,
+approached Philipson, and engaged him in conversation. The Englishman
+was well enough acquainted with the world to be aware, that whatever
+of his character and purpose it was desirable to conceal would be best
+hidden under a sociable and open demeanour. He, therefore, received
+the friar's approaches graciously, and conversed with him upon the
+state of Lorraine, and the interest which the Duke of Burgundy's
+attempt to seize that fief into his own hands was likely to create
+both in France and Germany. On these subjects, satisfied with hearing
+his fellow-traveller's sentiments, Philipson expressed no opinion of
+his own, but, after receiving such intelligence as the friar chose to
+communicate, preferred rather to talk upon the geography of the
+country, the facilities afforded to commerce, and the rules which
+obstructed or favoured trade.
+
+While he was thus engaged in the conversation which seemed most to
+belong to his profession, the landlord suddenly entered the room, and,
+mounting on the head of an old barrel, glanced his eye slowly and
+steadily round the crowded apartment, and when he had completed his
+survey, pronounced, in a decisive tone, the double command,--"Shut the
+gates! Spread the table!"
+
+"The Baron St. Antonio be praised!" said the friar. "Our landlord has
+given up hope of any more guests to-night, until which blessed time we
+might have starved for want of food before he had relieved us. Ay,
+here comes the cloth. The old gates of the courtyard are now bolted
+fast enough; and when Johann Mengs has once said, 'Shut the gates,'
+the stranger may knock on the outside as he will, but we may rest
+assured that it shall not be opened to him."
+
+"Meinherr Mengs maintains strict discipline in his house," said the
+Englishman.
+
+"As absolute as the Duke of Burgundy," answered the friar. "After ten
+o'clock, no admittance--the 'seek another inn,' which is before that a
+conditional hint, becomes, after the clock has struck, and the
+watchmen have begun their rounds, an absolute order of exclusion. He
+that is without remains without, and he that is within must, in like
+manner, continue there until the gates open at break of day. Till then
+the house is almost like a beleaguered citadel, John Mengs its
+seneschal"--
+
+"And we its captives, good father," said Philipson. "Well, content am
+I. A wise traveller must submit to the control of the leaders of the
+people when he travels; and I hope a goodly fat potentate, like John
+Mengs, will be as clement as his station and dignity admit of."
+
+While they were talking in this manner, the aged waiter, with many a
+weary sigh and many a groan, had drawn out certain boards, by which a
+table that stood in the midst of the _stube_ had the capacity of being
+extended, so as to contain the company present, and covered it with a
+cloth, which was neither distinguished by extreme cleanliness nor
+fineness of texture. On this table, when it had been accommodated to
+receive the necessary number of guests, a wooden trencher and spoon,
+together with a glass drinking-cup, were placed before each, he being
+expected to serve himself with his own knife for the other purposes
+of the table. As for forks, they were unknown until a much later
+period, all the Europeans of that day making the same use of the
+fingers to select their morsels and transport them to the mouth which
+the Asiatics now practise.
+
+The board was no sooner arranged than the hungry guests hastened to
+occupy their seats around it; for which purpose the sleepers were
+awakened, the dicers resigned their game, and the idlers and
+politicians broke off their sage debates, in order to secure their
+station at the supper-table, and be ready to perform their part in the
+interesting solemnity which seemed about to take place. But there is
+much between the cup and the lip, and not less sometimes between the
+covering of a table and the placing food upon it. The guests sat in
+order, each with his knife drawn, already menacing the victuals which
+were still subject to the operations of the cook. They had waited,
+with various degrees of patience, for full half an hour, when at
+length the old attendant before mentioned entered with a pitcher of
+thin Moselle wine, so light and so sharp-tasted that Philipson put
+down his cup with every tooth in his head set on edge by the slender
+portion which he had swallowed. The landlord, John Mengs, who had
+assumed a seat somewhat elevated at the head of the table, did not
+omit to observe this mark of insubordination, and to animadvert upon
+it.
+
+"The wine likes you not, I think, my master?" said he to the English
+merchant.
+
+"For wine, no," answered Philipson; "but could I see anything
+requiring such sauce, I have seldom seen better vinegar."
+
+This jest, though uttered in the most calm and composed manner, seemed
+to drive the innkeeper to fury.
+
+"Who are you," he exclaimed, "for a foreign pedlar, that ventures to
+quarrel with my wine, which has been approved of by so many princes,
+dukes, reigning dukes, graves, rhinegraves, counts, barons, and
+knights of the Empire, whose shoes you are altogether unworthy even to
+clean? Was it not of this wine that the Count Palatine of Nimmersatt
+drank six quarts before he ever rose from the blessed chair in which I
+now sit?"
+
+"I doubt it not, mine host," said Philipson; "nor should I think of
+scandalising the sobriety of your honourable guest, even if he had
+drunken twice the quantity."
+
+"Silence, thou malicious railer!" said the host; "and let instant
+apology be made to me, and the wine which you have calumniated, or I
+will instantly command the supper to be postponed till midnight."
+
+Here there was a general alarm among the guests, all abjuring any part
+in the censures of Philipson, and most of them proposing that John
+Mengs should avenge himself on the actual culprit by turning him
+instantly out of doors, rather than involve so many innocent and
+famished persons in the consequences of his guilt. The wine they
+pronounced excellent; some two or three even drank their glass out, to
+make their words good; and they all offered, if not with lives and
+fortunes, at least with hands and feet, to support the ban of the
+house against the contumacious Englishman. While petition and
+remonstrance were assailing John Mengs on every side, the friar, like
+a wise counsellor and a trusty friend, endeavoured to end the feud by
+advising Philipson to submit to the host's sovereignty.
+
+"Humble thyself, my son," he said; "bend the stubbornness of thy heart
+before the great lord of the spigot and butt. I speak for the sake of
+others as well as my own; for Heaven alone knows how much longer they
+or I can endure this extenuating fast!"
+
+"Worthy guests," said Philipson, "I am grieved to have offended our
+respected host, and am so far from objecting to the wine that I will
+pay for a double flagon of it, to be served all round to this
+honourable company--so, only, they do not ask me to share of it."
+
+These last words were spoken aside; but the Englishman could not fail
+to perceive, from the wry mouths of some of the party who were
+possessed of a nicer palate, that they were as much afraid as himself
+of a repetition of the acid potation.
+
+The friar next addressed the company with a proposal that the foreign
+merchant, instead of being amerced in a measure of the liquor which he
+had scandalised, should be mulcted in an equal quantity of the more
+generous wines which were usually produced after the repast had been
+concluded. In this mine host, as well as the guests, found their
+advantage; and, as Philipson made no objection, the proposal was
+unanimously adopted, and John Mengs gave, from his seat of dignity,
+the signal for supper to be served.
+
+The long-expected meal appeared, and there was twice as much time
+employed in consuming as there had been in expecting it. The articles
+of which the supper consisted, as well as the mode of serving them
+up, were as much calculated to try the patience of the company as the
+delay which had preceded its appearance. Messes of broth and
+vegetables followed in succession, with platters of meat sodden and
+roasted, of which each in its turn took a formal course around the
+ample table, and was specially subjected to every one in rotation.
+Black-puddings, hung beef, dried fish, also made the circuit, with
+various condiments, called botargo, caviare, and similar names,
+composed of the roes of fish mixed with spices, and the like
+preparations, calculated to awaken thirst and encourage deep drinking.
+Flagons of wine accompanied these stimulating dainties. The liquor was
+so superior in flavour and strength to the ordinary wine which had
+awakened so much controversy, that it might be objected to on the
+opposite account, being so heady, fiery, and strong, that, in spite of
+the rebuffs which his criticism had already procured, Philipson
+ventured to ask for some cold water to allay it.
+
+"You are too difficult to please, sir guest," replied the landlord,
+again bending upon the Englishman a stern and offended brow; "if you
+find the wine too strong in my house, the secret to allay its strength
+is to drink the less. It is indifferent to us whether you drink or
+not, so you pay the reckoning of those good fellows who do." And he
+laughed a gruff laugh.
+
+Philipson was about to reply, but the friar, retaining his character
+of mediator, plucked him by the cloak, and entreated him to forbear.
+"You do not understand the ways of the place," said he; "it is not
+here as in the hostelries of England and France, where each guest
+calls for what he desires for his own use, and where he pays for what
+he has required, and for no more. Here we proceed on a broad principle
+of equality and fraternity. No one asks for anything in particular;
+but such provisions as the host thinks sufficient are set down before
+all indiscriminately; and as with the feast, so is it with the
+reckoning. All pay their proportions alike, without reference to the
+quantity of wine which one may have swallowed more than another; and
+thus the sick and infirm, nay, the female and the child, pay the same
+as the hungry peasant and strolling _lanzknecht_."
+
+"It seems an unequal custom," said Philipson; "but travellers are not
+to judge. So that when a reckoning is called, every one, I am to
+understand, pays alike?"
+
+"Such is the rule," said the friar,--"excepting, perhaps, some poor
+brother of our own order, whom Our Lady and St. Francis send into such
+a scene as this, that good Christians may bestow their alms upon him,
+and so make a step on their road to Heaven."
+
+The first words of this speech were spoken in the open and independent
+tone in which the friar had begun the conversation; the last sentence
+died away into the professional whine of mendicity proper to the
+convent, and at once apprised Philipson at what price he was to pay
+for the friar's counsel and mediation. Having thus explained the
+custom of the country, good Father Gratian turned to illustrate it by
+his example, and, having no objection to the new service of wine on
+account of its strength, he seemed well disposed to signalise himself
+amongst some stout topers, who, by drinking deeply, appeared
+determined to have full pennyworths for their share of the reckoning.
+The good wine gradually did its office, and even the host relaxed his
+sullen and grim features, and smiled to see the kindling flame of
+hilarity catch from one to another, and at length embrace almost all
+the numerous guests at the table d'hôte, except a few who were too
+temperate to partake deeply of the wine, or too fastidious to enter
+into the discussions to which it gave rise. On these the host cast,
+from time to time, a sullen and displeased eye.
+
+Philipson, who was reserved and silent, both in consequence of his
+abstinence from the wine-pot and his unwillingness to mix in
+conversation with strangers, was looked upon by the landlord as a
+defaulter in both particulars; and as he aroused his own sluggish
+nature with the fiery wine, Mengs began to throw out obscure hints
+about kill-joy, mar-company, spoil-sport, and such like epithets,
+which were plainly directed against the Englishman. Philipson replied,
+with the utmost equanimity, that he was perfectly sensible that his
+spirits did not at this moment render him an agreeable member of a
+merry company, and that with the leave of those present he would
+withdraw to his sleeping-apartment, and wish them all a good evening,
+and continuance to their mirth.
+
+But this very reasonable proposal, as it might have elsewhere seemed,
+contained in it treason against the laws of German compotation.
+
+"Who are you," said John Mengs, "who presume to leave the table before
+the reckoning is called and settled? Sapperment der teufel! we are
+not men upon whom such an offence is to be put with impunity! You may
+exhibit your polite pranks in Rams-Alley if you will, or in Eastcheap,
+or in Smithfield; but it shall not be in John Mengs's Golden Fleece,
+nor will I suffer one guest to go to bed to blink out of the
+reckoning, and so cheat me and all the rest of my company."
+
+Philipson looked round, to gather the sentiments of the company, but
+saw no encouragement to appeal to their judgment. Indeed, many of them
+had little judgment left to appeal to, and those who paid any
+attention to the matter at all were some quiet old soakers, who were
+already beginning to think of the reckoning, and were disposed to
+agree with the host in considering the English merchant as a flincher,
+who was determined to evade payment of what might be drunk after he
+left the room; so that John Mengs received the applause of the whole
+company, when he concluded his triumphant denunciation against
+Philipson.
+
+"Yes, sir, you may withdraw if you please; but, poz element! it shall
+not be for this time to seek for another inn, but to the courtyard
+shall you go, and no farther, there to make your bed upon the stable
+litter; and good enough for the man that will needs be the first to
+break up good company."
+
+"It is well said, my jovial host," said a rich trader from Ratisbon;
+"and here are some six of us--more or less--who will stand by you to
+maintain the good old customs of Germany; and the--umph--laudable
+and--and praiseworthy rules of the Golden Fleece."
+
+"Nay, be not angry, sir," said Philipson; "yourself and your three
+companions, whom the good wine has multiplied into six, shall have
+your own way of ordering the matter; and since you will not permit me
+to go to bed, I trust that you will take no offence if I fall asleep
+in my chair."
+
+"How say you? what think you, mine host?" said the citizen from
+Ratisbon; "may the gentleman, being drunk, as you see he is, since he
+cannot tell that three and one make six--I say, may he, being drunk,
+sleep in the elbow-chair?"
+
+This question introduced a contradiction on the part of the host, who
+contended that three and one made four, not six; and this again
+produced a retort from the Ratisbon trader. Other clamours rose at the
+same time, and were at length with difficulty silenced by the stanzas
+of a chorus song of mirth and good fellowship, which the friar, now
+become somewhat oblivious of the rule of St. Francis, thundered forth
+with better good-will than he ever sang a canticle of King David.
+Under cover of this tumult, Philipson drew himself a little aside, and
+though he felt it impossible to sleep, as he had proposed, was yet
+enabled to escape the reproachful glances with which John Mengs
+distinguished all those who did not call for wine loudly, and drink it
+lustily. His thoughts roamed far from the _stube_ of the Golden
+Fleece, and upon matter very different from that which was discussed
+around him, when his attention was suddenly recalled by a loud and
+continued knocking on the door of the hostelry.
+
+"What have we here?" said John Mengs, his nose reddening with very
+indignation; "who the foul fiend presses on the Golden Fleece at such
+an hour, as if he thundered at the door of a bordel? To the turret
+window some one--Geoffrey, knave ostler, or thou, old Timothy, tell
+the rash man there is no admittance into the Golden Fleece save at
+timeous hours."
+
+The men went as they were directed, and might be heard in the _stube_
+vying with each other in the positive denial which they gave to the
+ill-fated guest who was pressing for admission. They returned,
+however, to inform their master, that they were unable to overcome the
+obstinacy of the stranger, who refused positively to depart until he
+had an interview with Mengs himself.
+
+Wroth was the master of the Golden Fleece at this ill-omened
+pertinacity, and his indignation extended, like a fiery exhalation,
+from his nose, all over the adjacent regions of his cheeks and brow.
+He started from his chair, grasped in his hand a stout stick, which
+seemed his ordinary sceptre or leading staff of command, and muttering
+something concerning cudgels for the shoulders of fools, and pitchers
+of fair or foul water for the drenching of their ears, he marched off
+to the window which looked into the court, and left his guests
+nodding, winking, and whispering to each other, in full expectation of
+hearing the active demonstrations of his wrath. It happened otherwise,
+however; for, after the exchange of a few indistinct words, they were
+astonished when they heard the noise of the unbolting and unbarring of
+the gates of the inn, and presently after the footsteps of men upon
+the stairs; and the landlord entering, with an appearance of clumsy
+courtesy, prayed those assembled to make room for an honoured guest,
+who came, though late, to add to their numbers. A tall dark form
+followed, muffled in a travelling-cloak; on laying aside which,
+Philipson at once recognised his late fellow-traveller, the Black
+Priest of St. Paul's.
+
+There was in the circumstance itself nothing at all surprising, since
+it was natural that a landlord, however coarse and insolent to
+ordinary guests, might yet show deference to an ecclesiastic, whether
+from his rank in the Church or from his reputation for sanctity. But
+what did appear surprising to Philipson was the effect produced by the
+entrance of this unexpected guest. He seated himself, without
+hesitation, at the highest place of the board, from which John Mengs
+had dethroned the aforesaid trader from Ratisbon, notwithstanding his
+zeal for ancient German customs, his steady adherence and loyalty to
+the Golden Fleece, and his propensity to brimming goblets. The priest
+took instant and unscrupulous possession of his seat of honour, after
+some negligent reply to the host's unwonted courtesy; when it seemed
+that the effect of his long black vestments, in place of the slashed
+and flounced coat of his predecessor, as well as of the cold grey eye
+with which he slowly reviewed the company, in some degree resembled
+that of the fabulous Gorgon, and if it did not literally convert those
+who looked upon it into stone, there was yet something petrifying in
+the steady unmoved glance with which he seemed to survey them, looking
+as if desirous of reading their very inmost souls, and passing from
+one to another, as if each upon whom he looked in succession was
+unworthy of longer consideration.
+
+Philipson felt, in his turn, that momentary examination, in which,
+however, there mingled nothing that seemed to convey recognition. All
+the courage and composure of the Englishman could not prevent an
+unpleasant feeling while under this mysterious man's eye, so that he
+felt a relief when it passed from him and rested upon another of the
+company, who seemed in turn to acknowledge the chilling effects of
+that freezing glance. The noise of intoxicated mirth and drunken
+disputation, the clamorous argument, and the still more boisterous
+laugh, which had been suspended on the priest's entering the
+eating-apartment, now, after one or two vain attempts to resume them,
+died away, as if the feast had been changed to a funeral, and the
+jovial guests had been at once converted into the lugubrious mutes who
+attend on such solemnities. One little rosy-faced man, who afterwards
+proved to be a tailor from Augsburg, ambitious, perhaps, of showing a
+degree of courage not usually supposed consistent with his effeminate
+trade, made a bold effort; and yet it was with a timid and restrained
+voice that he called on the jovial friar to renew his song. But
+whether it was that he did not dare to venture on an uncanonical
+pastime in presence of a brother in orders, or whether he had some
+other reason for declining the invitation, the merry churchman hung
+his head, and shook it with such an expressive air of melancholy, that
+the tailor drew back as if he had been detected in cabbaging from a
+cardinal's robes, or cribbing the lace of some cope or altar gown. In
+short, the revel was hushed into deep silence, and so attentive were
+the company to what should arrive next, that the bells of the village
+church, striking the first hour after midnight, made the guests start
+as if they heard them rung backwards, to announce an assault or
+conflagration. The Black Priest, who had taken some slight and hasty
+repast, which the host had made no kind of objection to supplying him
+with, seemed to think the bells, which announced the service of lauds,
+being the first after midnight, a proper signal for breaking up the
+party.
+
+"We have eaten," he said, "that we may support life, let us pray that
+we may be fit to meet death; which waits upon life as surely as night
+upon day, or the shadow upon the sunbeam, though we know not when or
+from whence it is to come upon us."
+
+The company, as if mechanically, bent their uncovered heads, while the
+priest said, with his deep and solemn voice, a Latin prayer,
+expressing thanks to God for protection throughout the day, and
+entreating for its continuance during the witching hours which were to
+pass ere the day again commenced. The hearers bowed their heads in
+token of acquiescence in the holy petition; and, when they raised
+them, the Black Priest of St. Paul's had followed the host out of the
+apartment, probably to that which was destined for his repose. His
+absence was no sooner perceived than signs, and nods, and even
+whispers were exchanged between the guests; but no one spoke above his
+breath, or in such connected manner, as that Philipson could
+understand anything distinctly from them. He himself ventured to ask
+the friar, who sat near him, observing at the same time the under-tone
+which seemed to be fashionable for the moment, whether the worthy
+ecclesiastic who had left them was not the Priest of St. Paul's, on
+the frontier town of La Ferette.
+
+"And if you know it is he," said the friar, with a countenance and a
+tone from which all signs of intoxication were suddenly banished,
+"why do you ask of me?"
+
+"Because," said the merchant, "I would willingly learn the spell which
+so suddenly converted so many merry tipplers into men of sober
+manners, and a jovial company into a convent of Carthusian friars?"
+
+"Friend," said the friar, "thy discourse savoureth mightily of asking
+after what thou knowest right well. But I am no such silly duck as to
+be taken by a decoy. If thou knowest the Black Priest, thou canst not
+be ignorant of the terrors which attend his presence, and that it were
+safer to pass a broad jest in the holy House of Loretto than where he
+shows himself."
+
+So saying, and as if desirous of avoiding further discourse, he
+withdrew to a distance from Philipson.
+
+At the same moment the landlord again appeared, and, with more of the
+usual manners of a publican than he had hitherto exhibited, commanded
+his waiter, Geoffrey, to hand round to the company a sleeping-drink,
+or pillow-cup of distilled water, mingled with spices, which was
+indeed as good as Philipson himself had ever tasted. John Mengs, in
+the meanwhile, with somewhat of more deference, expressed to his
+guests a hope that his entertainment had given satisfaction; but this
+was in so careless a manner, and he seemed so conscious of deserving
+the affirmative which was expressed on all hands, that it became
+obvious there was very little humility in proposing the question. The
+old man, Timothy, was in the meantime mustering the guests, and
+marking with chalk on the bottom of a trencher the reckoning, the
+particulars of which were indicated by certain conventional
+hieroglyphics, while he showed on another the division of the sum
+total among the company, and proceeded to collect an equal share of it
+from each. When the fatal trencher, in which each man paid down his
+money, approached the jolly friar, his countenance seemed to be
+somewhat changed. He cast a piteous look towards Philipson, as the
+person from whom he had the most hope of relief; and our merchant,
+though displeased with the manner in which he had held back from his
+confidence, yet not unwilling in a strange country to incur a little
+expense, in the hope of making a useful acquaintance, discharged the
+mendicant's score as well as his own. The poor friar paid his thanks
+in many a blessing in good German and bad Latin, but the host cut them
+short; for, approaching Philipson with a candle in his hand, he
+offered his own services to show him where he might sleep, and even
+had the condescension to carry his mail, or portmanteau, with his own
+landlordly hands.
+
+"You take too much trouble, mine host," said the merchant, somewhat
+surprised at the change in the manner of John Mengs, who had hitherto
+contradicted him at every word.
+
+"I cannot take too much pains for a guest," was the reply, "whom my
+venerable friend, the Priest of St. Paul's, hath especially
+recommended to my charge."
+
+He then opened the door of a small bedroom, prepared for the
+occupation of a guest, and said to Philipson,--"Here you may rest till
+to-morrow at what hour you will, and for as many days more as you
+incline. The key will secure your wares against theft or pillage of
+any kind. I do not this for every one; for, if my guests were every
+one to have a bed to himself, the next thing they would demand might
+be a separate table; and then there would be an end of the good old
+German customs, and we should be as foppish and frivolous as our
+neighbours."
+
+He placed the portmanteau on the floor, and seemed about to leave the
+apartment, when, turning about, he began a sort of apology for the
+rudeness of his former behaviour.
+
+"I trust there is no misunderstanding between us, my worthy guest. You
+might as well expect to see one of our bears come aloft and do tricks
+like a jackanapes, as one of us stubborn old Germans play the feats of
+a French or an Italian host. Yet I pray you to note, that if our
+behaviour is rude our charges are honest, and our articles what they
+profess to be. We do not expect to make Moselle pass for Rhenish, by
+dint of a bow and a grin, nor will we sauce your mess with poison,
+like the wily Italian, and call you all the time Illustrissimo and
+Magnifico."
+
+He seemed in these words to have exhausted his rhetoric, for, when
+they were spoken, he turned abruptly and left the apartment.
+
+Philipson was thus deprived of another opportunity to inquire who or
+what this ecclesiastic could be, that had exercised such influence on
+all who approached him. He felt, indeed, no desire to prolong a
+conference with John Mengs, though he had laid aside in such a
+considerable degree his rude and repulsive manners; yet he longed to
+know who this man could be, who had power with a word to turn aside
+the daggers of Alsatian banditti, habituated as they were, like most
+borderers, to robbery and pillage, and to change into civility the
+proverbial rudeness of a German innkeeper. Such were the reflections
+of Philipson, as he doffed his clothes to take his much-needed repose,
+after a day of fatigue, danger, and difficulty, on the pallet afforded
+by the hospitality of the Golden Fleece, in the Rhein-Thal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+     _Macbeth._ How now, ye secret, black, and midnight hags,
+     What is't ye do?
+
+     _Witches._ A deed without a name.
+                                                   _Macbeth._
+
+
+We have said in the conclusion of the last chapter, that, after a day
+of unwonted fatigue and extraordinary excitation, the merchant,
+Philipson, naturally expected to forget so many agitating passages in
+that deep and profound repose which is at once the consequence and the
+cure of extreme exhaustion. But he was no sooner laid on his lowly
+pallet than he felt that the bodily machine, over-laboured by so much
+exercise, was little disposed to the charms of sleep. The mind had
+been too much excited, the body was far too feverish, to suffer him to
+partake of needful rest. His anxiety about the safety of his son, his
+conjectures concerning the issue of his mission to the Duke of
+Burgundy, and a thousand other thoughts which recalled past events, or
+speculated on those which were to come, rushed upon his mind like the
+waves of a perturbed sea, and prevented all tendency to repose. He had
+been in bed about an hour, and sleep had not yet approached his couch,
+when he felt that the pallet on which he lay was sinking below him,
+and that he was in the act of descending along with it he knew not
+whither. The sound of ropes and pulleys was also indistinctly heard,
+though every caution had been taken to make them run smooth; and the
+traveller, by feeling around him, became sensible that he and the bed
+on which he lay had been spread upon a large trap-door, which was
+capable of being let down into the vaults, or apartments beneath.
+
+Philipson felt fear in circumstances so well qualified to produce it;
+for how could he hope a safe termination to an adventure which had
+begun so strangely? But his apprehensions were those of a brave,
+ready-witted man, who, even in the extremity of danger, which appeared
+to surround him, preserved his presence of mind. His descent seemed to
+be cautiously managed, and he held himself in readiness to start to
+his feet and defend himself, as soon as he should be once more upon
+firm ground. Although somewhat advanced in years, he was a man of
+great personal vigour and activity, and unless taken at advantage,
+which no doubt was at present much to be apprehended, he was likely to
+make a formidable defence. His plan of resistance, however, had been
+anticipated. He no sooner reached the bottom of the vault, down to
+which he was lowered, than two men, who had been waiting there till
+the operation was completed, laid hands on him from either side, and
+forcibly preventing him from starting up as he intended, cast a rope
+over his arms, and made him a prisoner as effectually as when he was
+in the dungeons of La Ferette. He was obliged, therefore, to remain
+passive and unresisting, and await the termination of this formidable
+adventure. Secured as he was, he could only turn his head from one
+side to the other; and it was with joy that he at length saw lights
+twinkle, but they appeared at a great distance from him.
+
+From the irregular manner in which these scattered lights advanced,
+sometimes keeping a straight line, sometimes mixing and crossing each
+other, it might be inferred that the subterranean vault in which they
+appeared was of very considerable extent. Their number also increased;
+and as they collected more together, Philipson could perceive that the
+lights proceeded from many torches, borne by men muffled in black
+cloaks, like mourners at a funeral, or the Black Friars of St.
+Francis's Order, wearing their cowls drawn over their heads, so as to
+conceal their features. They appeared anxiously engaged in measuring
+off a portion of the apartment; and, while occupied in that
+employment, they sang, in the ancient German language, rhymes more
+rude than Philipson could well understand, but which may be imitated
+thus:--
+
+     Measurers of good and evil,
+     Bring the square, the line, the level,--
+     Rear the altar, dig the trench,
+     Blood both stone and ditch shall drench.
+     Cubits six, from end to end,
+     Must the fatal bench extend,--
+     Cubits six, from side to side,
+     Judge and culprit must divide.
+     On the east the Court assembles,
+     On the west the Accused trembles--
+     Answer, brethren, all and one,
+     Is the ritual rightly done?
+
+A deep chorus seemed to reply to the question. Many voices joined in
+it, as well of persons already in the subterranean vault as of others
+who as yet remained without in various galleries and passages which
+communicated with it, and whom Philipson now presumed to be very
+numerous. The answer chanted ran as follows:--
+
+     On life and soul, on blood and bone,
+     One for all, and all for one,
+     We warrant this is rightly done.
+
+The original strain was then renewed in the same manner as before--
+
+     How wears the night?--Doth morning shine
+     In early radiance on the Rhine?
+     What music floats upon his tide?
+     Do birds the tardy morning chide?
+     Brethren, look out from hill and height,
+     And answer true, how wears the night?
+
+The answer was returned, though less loud than at first, and it seemed
+that those by whom the reply was given were at a much greater distance
+than before; yet the words were distinctly heard.
+
+     The night is old; on Rhine's broad breast
+     Glance drowsy stars which long to rest.
+         No beams are twinkling in the east.
+     There is a voice upon the flood,
+     The stern still call of blood for blood;
+         'Tis time we listen the behest.
+
+The chorus replied, with many additional voices--
+
+     Up, then, up! When day's at rest,
+     'Tis time that such as we are watchers;
+     Rise to judgment, brethren, rise!
+     Vengeance knows not sleepy eyes,
+     He and night are matchers.
+
+The nature of the verses soon led Philipson to comprehend that he was
+in presence of the Initiated, or the Wise Men; names which were
+applied to the celebrated Judges of the Secret Tribunal, which
+continued at that period to subsist in Suabia, Franconia, and other
+districts of the east of Germany, which was called, perhaps from the
+frightful and frequent occurrence of executions by command of those
+invisible judges, the Red Land. Philipson had often heard that the
+seat of a Free Count, or chief of the Secret Tribunal, was secretly
+instituted even on the left bank of the Rhine, and that it maintained
+itself in Alsace, with the usual tenacity of those secret societies,
+though Duke Charles of Burgundy had expressed a desire to discover and
+discourage its influence so far as was possible, without exposing
+himself to danger from the thousands of poniards which that mysterious
+tribunal could put in activity against his own life;--an awful means
+of defence, which for a long time rendered it extremely hazardous for
+the sovereigns of Germany, and even the Emperors themselves, to put
+down by authority those singular associations.
+
+So soon as this explanation flashed on the mind of Philipson, it gave
+some clue to the character and condition of the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's. Supposing him to be a president, or chief official of the
+secret association, there was little wonder that he should confide so
+much in the inviolability of his terrible office as to propose
+vindicating the execution of De Hagenbach; that his presence should
+surprise Bartholomew, whom he had power to have judged and executed
+upon the spot; and that his mere appearance at supper on the preceding
+evening should have appalled the guests; for though everything about
+the institution, its proceedings and its officers, was preserved in as
+much obscurity as is now practised in free-masonry, yet the secret was
+not so absolutely well kept as to prevent certain individuals from
+being guessed or hinted at as men initiated and intrusted with high
+authority by the Vehme-gericht, or tribunal of the bounds. When such
+suspicion attached to an individual, his secret power, and supposed
+acquaintance with all guilt, however secret, which was committed
+within the society in which he was conversant, made him at once the
+dread and hatred of every one who looked on him; and he enjoyed a high
+degree of personal respect, on the same terms on which it would have
+been yielded to a powerful enchanter, or a dreaded genie. In
+conversing with such a person, it was especially necessary to abstain
+from all questions alluding, however remotely, to the office which he
+bore in the Secret Tribunal; and, indeed, to testify the least
+curiosity upon a subject so solemn and mysterious was sure to occasion
+some misfortune to the inquisitive person.
+
+All these things rushed at once upon the mind of the Englishman, who
+felt that he had fallen into the hands of an unsparing tribunal, whose
+proceedings were so much dreaded by those who resided within the
+circle of their power, that the friendless stranger must stand a poor
+chance of receiving justice at their hands, whatever might be his
+consciousness of innocence. While Philipson made this melancholy
+reflection, he resolved, at the same time, not to forsake his own
+cause, but defend himself as he best might; conscious as he was that
+these terrible and irresponsible judges were nevertheless governed by
+certain rules of right and wrong, which formed a check on the rigours
+of their extraordinary code.
+
+  [Illustration: THE SECRET TRIBUNAL.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+He lay, therefore, devising the best means of obviating the present
+danger, while the persons whom he beheld glimmered before him, less
+like distinct and individual forms than like the phantoms
+of a fever, or the phantasmagoria with which a disease of the optic
+nerves has been known to people a sick man's chamber. At length they
+assembled in the centre of the apartment where they had first
+appeared, and seemed to arrange themselves into form and order. A
+great number of black torches were successively lighted, and the scene
+became distinctly visible. In the centre of the hall, Philipson could
+now perceive one of the altars which are sometimes to be found in
+ancient subterranean chapels. But we must pause, in order briefly to
+describe, not the appearance only, but the nature and constitution, of
+this terrible court.
+
+Behind the altar, which seemed to be the central point, on which all
+eyes were bent, there were placed in parallel lines two benches
+covered with black cloth. Each was occupied by a number of persons,
+who seemed assembled as judges; but those who held the foremost bench
+were fewer, and appeared of a rank superior to those who crowded the
+seat most remote from the altar. The first seemed to be all men of
+some consequence, priests high in their order, knights, or noblemen;
+and notwithstanding an appearance of equality which seemed to pervade
+this singular institution, much more weight was laid upon their
+opinion, or testimonies. They were called Free Knights, Counts, or
+whatever title they might bear, while the inferior class of the judges
+were only termed Free and worthy Burghers. For it must be observed,
+that the Vehmique Institution,[1] which was the name that it commonly
+bore, although its power consisted in a wide system of espionage, and
+the tyrannical application of force which acted upon it, was yet (so
+rude were the ideas of enforcing public law) accounted to confer a
+privilege on the country in which it was received, and only freemen
+were allowed to experience its influence. Serfs and peasants could not
+have a place among the Free Judges, their assessors, or assistants;
+for there was in this assembly even some idea of trying the culprit by
+his peers.
+
+Besides the dignitaries who occupied the benches, there were others
+who stood around, and seemed to guard the various entrances to the
+hall of judgment, or, standing behind the seats on which their
+superiors were ranged, looked prepared to execute their commands.
+These were members of the order, though not of the highest ranks.
+Schöppen is the name generally assigned to them, signifying officials,
+or sergeants of the Vehmique court, whose doom they stood sworn to
+enforce, through good report and bad report, against their own nearest
+and most beloved, as well as in cases of ordinary malefactors.
+
+The Schöppen, or Scabini, as they were termed in Latin, had another
+horrible duty to perform--that, namely, of denouncing to the tribunal
+whatever came under their observation, that might be construed as an
+offence falling under its cognisance; or, in their language, a crime
+against the Vehme. This duty extended to the judges as well as to the
+assistants, and was to be discharged without respect of persons; so
+that, to know, and wilfully conceal, the guilt of a mother or brother,
+inferred, on the part of the unfaithful official, the same penalty as
+if he himself had committed the crime which his silence screened from
+punishment. Such an institution could only prevail at a time when
+ordinary means of justice were excluded by the hand of power, and
+when, in order to bring the guilty to punishment, it required all the
+influence and authority of such a confederacy. In no other country
+than one exposed to every species of feudal tyranny, and deprived of
+every ordinary mode of obtaining justice or redress, could such a
+system have taken root and flourished.
+
+We must now return to the brave Englishman, who, though feeling all
+the danger he encountered from so tremendous a tribunal, maintained
+nevertheless a dignified and unaltered composure.
+
+The meeting being assembled, a coil of ropes, and a naked sword, the
+well-known signals and emblems of Vehmique authority, were deposited
+on the altar; where the sword, from its being usually straight, with a
+cross handle, was considered as representing the blessed emblem of
+Christian Redemption, and the cord as indicating the right of criminal
+jurisdiction, and capital punishment. Then the President of the
+meeting, who occupied the centre seat on the foremost bench, arose,
+and laying his hand on the symbols, pronounced aloud the formula
+expressive of the duty of the tribunal, which all the inferior judges
+and assistants repeated after him, in deep and hollow murmurs.
+
+"I swear by the Holy Trinity, to aid and co-operate, without
+relaxation, in the things belonging to the Holy Vehme, to defend its
+doctrines and institutions against father and mother, brother and
+sister, wife and children; against fire, water, earth, and air;
+against all that the sun enlightens; against all that the dew
+moistens; against all created things of heaven and earth, or the
+waters under the earth; and I swear to give information to this holy
+judicature, of all that I know to be true, or hear repeated by
+credible testimony, which, by the rules of the Holy Vehme, is
+deserving of animadversion or punishment; and that I will not cloak,
+cover, or conceal, such my knowledge, neither for love, friendship, or
+family affection, nor for gold, silver, or precious stones; neither
+will I associate with such as are under the sentence of this Sacred
+Tribunal, by hinting to a culprit his danger, or advising him to
+escape, or aiding and supplying him with counsel, or means to that
+effect; neither will I relieve such culprit with fire, clothes, food,
+or shelter, though my father should require from me a cup of water in
+the heat of summer noon, or my brother should request to sit by my
+fire in the bitterest cold night of winter: And further, I vow and
+promise to honour this holy association, and do its behests speedily,
+faithfully, and firmly, in preference to those of any other tribunal
+whatsoever--so help me God, and His holy Evangelists."
+
+When this oath of office had been taken, the President addressing the
+assembly, as men who judge in secret and punish in secret, like the
+Deity, desired them to say, why this "child of the cord"[2] lay before
+them, bound and helpless. An individual rose from the more remote
+bench, and in a voice which, though altered and agitated, Philipson
+conceived that he recognised, declared himself the accuser, as bound
+by his oath, of the child of the cord, or prisoner, who lay before
+them.
+
+"Bring forward the prisoner," said the President, "duly secured, as is
+the order of our secret law; but not with such severity as may
+interrupt his attention to the proceedings of the tribunal, or limit
+his power of hearing and replying."
+
+Six of the assistants immediately dragged forward the pallet and
+platform of boards on which Philipson lay, and advanced it towards the
+foot of the altar. This done, each unsheathed his dagger, while two of
+them unloosed the cords by which the merchant's hands were secured,
+and admonished him in a whisper, that the slightest attempt to resist
+or escape would be the signal to stab him dead.
+
+"Arise!" said the President; "listen to the charge to be preferred
+against you, and believe you shall in us find judges equally just and
+inflexible."
+
+Philipson, carefully avoiding any gesture which might indicate a
+desire to escape, raised his body on the lower part of the couch, and
+remained seated, clothed as he was in his under-vest and _caleçons_,
+or drawers, so as exactly to face the muffled President of the
+terrible court. Even in these agitating circumstances, the mind of the
+undaunted Englishman remained unshaken, and his eyelid did not quiver,
+nor his heart beat quicker, though he seemed, according to the
+expression of Scripture, to be a pilgrim in the Valley of the Shadow
+of Death, beset by numerous snares, and encompassed by total
+darkness, where light was most necessary for safety.
+
+The President demanded his name, country, and occupation.
+
+"John Philipson," was the reply; "by birth an Englishman, by
+profession a merchant."
+
+"Have you ever borne any other name and profession?" demanded the
+Judge.
+
+"I have been a soldier, and, like most others, had then a name by
+which I was known in war."
+
+"What was that name?"
+
+"I laid it aside when I resigned my sword, and I do not desire again
+to be known by it. Moreover, I never bore it where your institutions
+have weight and authority," answered the Englishman.
+
+"Know you before whom you stand?" continued the Judge.
+
+"I may at least guess," replied the merchant.
+
+"Tell your guess, then," continued the interrogator. "Say who we are,
+and wherefore are you before us?"
+
+"I believe that I am before the Unknown, or Secret Tribunal, which is
+called Vehme-gericht."
+
+"Then are you aware," answered the Judge, "that you would be safer if
+you were suspended by the hair over the Abyss of Schaffhausen, or if
+you lay below an axe, which a thread of silk alone kept back from the
+fall. What have you done to deserve such a fate?"
+
+"Let those reply by whom I am subjected to it," answered Philipson,
+with the same composure as before.
+
+"Speak, accuser!" said the President, "to the four quarters of
+heaven!--To the ears of the free judges of this tribunal, and the
+faithful executors of their doom!--And to the face of the child of
+the cord, who denies or conceals his guilt, make good the substance of
+thine accusation!"
+
+"Most dreaded," answered the accuser, addressing the President, "this
+man hath entered the Sacred Territory, which is called the Red
+Land,--a stranger under a disguised name and profession. When he was
+yet on the eastern side of the Alps, at Turin, in Lombardy, and
+elsewhere, he at various times spoke of the Holy Tribunal in terms of
+hatred and contempt, and declared that were he Duke of Burgundy he
+would not permit it to extend itself from Westphalia, or Suabia, into
+his dominions. Also I charge him, that, nourishing this malevolent
+intention against the Holy Tribunal, he who now appears before the
+bench as child of the cord has intimated his intention to wait upon
+the court of the Duke of Burgundy, and use his influence with him,
+which he boasts will prove effectual to stir him up to prohibit the
+meetings of the Holy Vehme in his dominions, and to inflict on their
+officers, and the executors of their mandates, the punishment due to
+robbers and assassins."
+
+"This is a heavy charge, brother!" said the President of the assembly,
+when the accuser ceased speaking. "How do you purpose to make it
+good?"
+
+"According to the tenor of those secret statutes the perusal of which
+is prohibited to all but the initiated," answered the accuser.
+
+"It is well," said the President; "but I ask thee once more, What are
+those means of proof? You speak to holy and to initiated ears."
+
+"I will prove my charge," said the accuser, "by the confession of the
+party himself, and by my own oath upon the holy emblems of the Secret
+Judgment--that is, the steel and the cord."
+
+"It is a legitimate offer of proof," said a member of the aristocratic
+bench of the assembly; "and it much concerns the safety of the system
+to which we are bound by such deep oaths--a system handed down to us
+from the most Christian and holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, for the
+conversion of the heathen Saracens, and punishing such of them as
+revolted again to their Pagan practices, that such criminals should be
+looked to. This Duke Charles of Burgundy hath already crowded his army
+with foreigners, whom he can easily employ against this Sacred Court,
+more especially with English, a fierce, insular people, wedded to
+their own usages, and hating those of every other nation. It is not
+unknown to us, that the Duke hath already encouraged opposition to the
+officials of the Tribunal in more than one part of his German
+dominions; and that in consequence, instead of submitting to their
+doom with reverent resignation, children of the cord have been found
+bold enough to resist the executioners of the Vehme, striking,
+wounding, and even slaying those who have received commission to put
+them to death. This contumacy must be put an end to; and if the
+accused shall be proved to be one of those by whom such doctrines are
+harboured and inculcated, I say let the steel and cord do their work
+on him."
+
+A general murmur seemed to approve what the speaker had said; for all
+were conscious that the power of the Tribunal depended much more on
+the opinion of its being deeply and firmly rooted in the general
+system, than upon any regard or esteem for an institution of which
+all felt the severity. It followed, that those of the members who
+enjoyed consequence by means of their station in the ranks of the
+Vehme saw the necessity of supporting its terrors by occasional
+examples of severe punishment; and none could be more readily
+sacrificed than an unknown and wandering foreigner. All this rushed
+upon Philipson's mind, but did not prevent his making a steady reply
+to the accusation.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, "good citizens, burgesses, or by whatever other
+name you please to be addressed, know, that in my former days I have
+stood in as great peril as now, and have never turned my heel to save
+my life. Cords and daggers are not calculated to strike terror into
+those who have seen swords and lances. My answer to the accusation is,
+that I am an Englishman, one of a nation accustomed to yield and to
+receive open-handed and equal justice dealt forth in the broad light
+of day. I am, however, a traveller, who knows that he has no right to
+oppose the rules and laws of other nations because they do not
+resemble those of his own. But this caution can only be called for in
+lands where the system about which we converse is in full force and
+operation. If we speak of the institutions of Germany, being at the
+time in France or Spain, we may, without offence to the country in
+which they are current, dispute concerning them, as students debate
+upon a logical thesis in a university. The accuser objects to me, that
+at Turin, or elsewhere in the north of Italy, I spoke with censure of
+the institution under which I am now judged. I will not deny that I
+remember something of the kind; but it was in consequence of the
+question being in a manner forced upon me by two guests with whom I
+chanced to find myself at table. I was much and earnestly solicited
+for an opinion ere I gave one."
+
+"And was that opinion," said the presiding Judge, "favourable or
+otherwise to the Holy and Secret Vehme-gericht? Let truth rule your
+tongue--remember, life is short, judgment is eternal!"
+
+"I would not save my life at the expense of a falsehood. My opinion
+was unfavourable; and I expressed myself thus:--No laws or judicial
+proceedings can be just or commendable which exist and operate by
+means of a secret combination. I said, that justice could only live
+and exist in the open air, and that when she ceased to be public she
+degenerated into revenge and hatred. I said, that a system of which
+your own jurists have said, _non frater a fratre, non hospes a
+hospite, tutus_, was too much adverse to the laws of nature to be
+connected with or regulated by those of religion."
+
+These words were scarcely uttered, when there burst a murmur from the
+Judges highly unfavourable to the prisoner,--"He blasphemes the Holy
+Vehme--Let his mouth be closed for ever!"
+
+"Hear me," said the Englishman, "as you will one day wish to be
+yourselves heard! I say such were my sentiments, and so I expressed
+them--I say also, I had a right to express these opinions, whether
+sound or erroneous, in a neutral country, where this Tribunal neither
+did, nor could, claim any jurisdiction. My sentiments are still the
+same. I would avow them if that sword were at my bosom, or that cord
+around my throat. But I deny that I have ever spoken against the
+institutions of your Vehme, in a country where it had its course as a
+national mode of justice. Far more strongly, if possible, do I
+denounce the absurdity of the falsehood, which represents me, a
+wandering foreigner, as commissioned to traffic with the Duke of
+Burgundy about such high matters, or to form a conspiracy for the
+destruction of a system to which so many seem warmly attached. I never
+said such a thing, and I never thought it."
+
+"Accuser," said the presiding Judge, "thou hast heard the
+accused--What is thy reply?"
+
+"The first part of the charge," said the accuser, "he hath confessed
+in this high presence--namely, that his foul tongue hath basely
+slandered our holy mysteries; for which he deserves that it should be
+torn out of his throat. I myself, on my oath of office, will aver, as
+use and law is, that the rest of the accusation--namely, that which
+taxes him as having entered into machinations for the destruction of
+the Vehmique institutions--is as true as those which he has found
+himself unable to deny."
+
+"In justice," said the Englishman, "the accusation, if not made good
+by satisfactory proof, ought to be left to the oath of the party
+accused, instead of permitting the accuser to establish by his own
+deposition the defects in his own charge."
+
+"Stranger," replied the presiding Judge, "we permit to thy ignorance a
+longer and more full defence than consists with our usual forms. Know,
+that the right of sitting among these venerable judges confers on the
+person of him who enjoys it a sacredness of character which ordinary
+men cannot attain to. The oath of one of the initiated must
+counterbalance the most solemn asseveration of every one that is not
+acquainted with our holy secrets. In the Vehmique court all must be
+Vehmique. The averment of the Emperor, he being uninitiated, would not
+have so much weight in our counsels as that of one of the meanest of
+these officials. The affirmation of the accuser can only be rebutted
+by the oath of a member of the same Tribunal, being of superior rank."
+
+"Then, God be gracious to me, for I have no trust save in Heaven!"
+said the Englishman, in solemn accents. "Yet I will not fall without
+an effort. I call upon thee thyself, dark spirit, who presidest in
+this most deadly assembly--I call upon thyself, to declare on thy
+faith and honour, whether thou holdest me guilty of what is thus
+boldly averred by this false calumniator--I call upon thee by thy
+sacred character--by the name of"----
+
+"Hold!" replied the presiding Judge. "The name by which we are known
+in open air must not be pronounced in this subterranean
+judgment-seat."
+
+He then proceeded to address the prisoner and the assembly.--"I, being
+called on in evidence, declare that the charge against thee is so far
+true as it is acknowledged by thyself--namely, that thou hast in other
+lands than the Red Soil[3] spoken lightly of this holy institution of
+justice. But I believe in my soul, and will bear witness on my honour,
+that the rest of the accusation is incredible and false. And this I
+swear, holding my hand on the dagger and the cord.--What is your
+judgment, my brethren, upon the case which you have investigated?"
+
+A member of the first-seated and highest class amongst the judges,
+muffled like the rest, but the tone of whose voice and the stoop of
+whose person announced him to be more advanced in years than the other
+two who had before spoken, arose with difficulty, and said with a
+trembling voice,--
+
+"The child of the cord who is before us has been convicted of folly
+and rashness in slandering our holy institution. But he spoke his
+folly to ears which had never heard our sacred laws--He has,
+therefore, been acquitted, by irrefragable testimony, of combining for
+the impotent purpose of undermining our power, or stirring up princes
+against our holy association, for which death were too light a
+punishment--He hath been foolish, then, but not criminal; and as the
+holy laws of the Vehme bear no penalty save that of death, I propose
+for judgment that the child of the cord be restored without injury to
+society, and to the upper world, having been first duly admonished of
+his errors."
+
+"Child of the cord," said the presiding Judge, "thou hast heard thy
+sentence of acquittal. But, as thou desirest to sleep in an unbloody
+grave, let me warn thee, that the secrets of this night shall remain
+with thee, as a secret not to be communicated to father nor mother, to
+spouse, son, or daughter; neither to be spoken aloud nor whispered; to
+be told in words or written in characters; to be carved or to be
+painted, or to be otherwise communicated, either directly or by
+parable and emblem. Obey this behest, and thy life is in surety. Let
+thy heart then rejoice within thee, but let it rejoice with trembling.
+Never more let thy vanity persuade thee that thou art secure from the
+servants and Judges of the Holy Vehme. Though a thousand leagues lie
+between thee and the Red Land, and thou speakest in that where our
+power is not known; though thou shouldst be sheltered by thy native
+island, and defended by thy kindred ocean, yet, even there, I warn
+thee to cross thyself when thou dost so much as think of the Holy and
+Invisible Tribunal, and to retain thy thoughts within thine own bosom;
+for the Avenger may be beside thee, and thou mayst die in thy folly.
+Go hence, be wise, and let the fear of the Holy Vehme never pass from
+before thine eyes."
+
+At the concluding words, all the lights were at once extinguished with
+a hissing noise. Philipson felt once more the grasp of the hands of
+the officials, to which he resigned himself as the safest course. He
+was gently prostrated on his pallet-bed, and transported back to the
+place from which he had been advanced to the foot of the altar. The
+cordage was again applied to the platform, and Philipson was sensible
+that his couch rose with him for a few moments, until a slight shock
+apprised him that he was again brought to a level with the floor of
+the chamber in which he had been lodged on the preceding night, or
+rather morning. He pondered over the events that had passed, in which
+he was sensible that he owed Heaven thanks for a great deliverance.
+Fatigue at length prevailed over anxiety, and he fell into a deep and
+profound sleep, from which he was only awakened by returning light.
+He resolved on an instant departure from so dangerous a spot, and,
+without seeing any one of the household but the old ostler, pursued
+his journey to Strasburg, and reached that city without further
+accident.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] The word Wehme, pronounced Vehme, is of uncertain derivation, but
+was always used to intimate this inquisitorial and secret Court. The
+members were termed Wissenden, or Initiated, answering to the modern
+phrase of Illuminati. Mr. Palgrave seems inclined to derive the word
+_Vehme_ from _Ehme_, _i.e._ _Law_, and he is probably right.
+
+[2] The term _Strick-kind_, or child of the cord, was applied to the
+person accused before these awful assemblies.
+
+[3] The parts of Germany subjected to the operation of the Secret
+Tribunal were called, from the blood which it spilt, or from some
+other reason (Mr. Palgrave suggests the ground tincture of the ancient
+banner of the district), the Red Soil. Westphalia, as the limits of
+that country were understood in the Middle Ages, which are
+considerably different from the present boundaries, was the principal
+theatre of the Vehme.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+     Away with these!--True Wisdom's world will be
+     Within its own creation, or in thine,
+     Maternal Nature! for who teems like thee
+     Thus on the banks of thy majestic Rhine?
+     There Harold gazes on a work divine,
+     A blending of all beauties, streams, and dells--
+     Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, cornfield, mountain, vine,
+     And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells,
+     From grey but leafy walls, where ruin greenly dwells.
+                   _Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Canto III._
+
+
+When Arthur Philipson left his father, to go on board the bark which
+was to waft him across the Rhine, he took but few precautions for his
+own subsistence, during a separation of which he calculated the
+duration to be very brief. Some necessary change of raiment, and a
+very few pieces of gold, were all which he thought it needful to
+withdraw from the general stock; the rest of the baggage and money he
+left with the sumpter-horse, which he concluded his father might need,
+in order to sustain his character as an English trader. Having
+embarked with his horse and his slender appointments on board a
+fishing-skiff, she instantly raised her temporary mast, spread a sail
+across the yard, and, supported by the force of the wind against the
+downward power of the current, moved across the river obliquely in the
+direction of Kirch-hoff, which, as we have said, lies somewhat lower
+on the river than Hans-Kapelle. Their passage was so favourable that
+they reached the opposite side in a few minutes, but not until Arthur,
+whose eye and thoughts were on the left bank, had seen his father
+depart from the Chapel of the Ferry, accompanied by two horsemen, whom
+he readily concluded to be the guide Bartholomew, and some chance
+traveller who had joined him; but the second of whom was in truth the
+Black Priest of St. Paul's, as has been already mentioned.
+
+This augmentation of his father's company was, he could not but think,
+likely to be attended with an increase of his safety, since it was not
+probable he would suffer a companion to be forced upon him, and one of
+his own choosing might be a protection, in case his guide should prove
+treacherous. At any rate, he had to rejoice that he had seen his
+father depart in safety from the spot where they had reason to
+apprehend some danger awaited him. He resolved, therefore, to make no
+stay at Kirch-hoff, but to pursue his way, as fast as possible,
+towards Strasburg, and rest, when darkness compelled him to stop, in
+one of the _dorfs_, or villages, which were situated on the German
+side of the Rhine. At Strasburg, he trusted, with the sanguine spirit
+of youth, he might again be able to rejoin his father; and if he could
+not altogether subdue his anxiety on their separation, he fondly
+nourished the hope that he might meet him in safety. After some short
+refreshment and repose afforded to his horse, he lost no time in
+proceeding on his journey down the eastern bank of the broad river.
+
+He was now upon the most interesting side of the Rhine, walled in and
+repelled as the river is on that shore by the most romantic cliffs,
+now mantled with vegetation of the richest hue, tinged with all the
+variegated colours of autumn; now surmounted by fortresses, over whose
+gates were displayed the pennons of their proud owners; or studded
+with hamlets, where the richness of the soil supplied to the poor
+labourer the food of which the oppressive hand of his superior
+threatened altogether to deprive him. Every stream which here
+contributes its waters to the Rhine winds through its own tributary
+dell, and each valley possesses a varying and separate character, some
+rich with pastures, cornfields, and vineyards, some frowning with
+crags and precipices, and other romantic beauties.
+
+The principles of taste were not then explained or analysed as they
+have been since, in countries where leisure has been found for this
+investigation. But the feelings arising from so rich a landscape as is
+displayed by the valley of the Rhine must have been the same in every
+bosom, from the period when our Englishman took his solitary journey
+through it, in doubt and danger, till that in which it heard the
+indignant Childe Harold bid a proud farewell to his native country, in
+the vain search of a land in which his heart might throb less
+fiercely.
+
+Arthur enjoyed this scene, although the fading daylight began to
+remind him that, alone as he was, and travelling with a very valuable
+charge, it would be matter of prudence to look out for some place of
+rest during the night. Just as he had formed the resolution of
+inquiring at the next habitation he should pass, which way he should
+follow for this purpose, the road he pursued descended into a
+beautiful amphitheatre filled with large trees, which protected from
+the heats of summer the delicate and tender herbage of the pasture. A
+large brook flowed through it, and joined the Rhine. At a short mile
+up the brook its waters made a crescent round a steep craggy eminence,
+crowned with flanking walls, and Gothic towers and turrets, enclosing
+a feudal castle of the first order. A part of the savannah that has
+been mentioned had been irregularly cultivated for wheat, which had
+grown a plentiful crop. It was gathered in, but the patches of deep
+yellow stubble contrasted with the green of the undisturbed pasture
+land, and with the seared and dark-red foliage of the broad oaks which
+stretched their arms athwart the level space. There a lad, in a rustic
+dress, was employed in the task of netting a brood of partridges with
+the assistance of a trained spaniel; while a young woman, who had the
+air rather of a domestic in some family of rank than that of an
+ordinary villager, sat on the stump of a decayed tree, to watch the
+progress of the amusement. The spaniel, whose duty it was to drive the
+partridges under the net, was perceptibly disturbed at the approach of
+the traveller; his attention was divided, and he was obviously in
+danger of marring the sport, by barking and putting up the covey, when
+the maiden quitted her seat, and, advancing towards Philipson,
+requested him, for courtesy, to pass at a greater distance, and not
+interfere with their amusement.
+
+The traveller willingly complied with her request.
+
+"I will ride, fair damsel," he said, "at whatever distance you please.
+And allow me, in guerdon, to ask, whether there is convent, castle, or
+good man's house, where a stranger, who is belated and weary, might
+receive a night's hospitality?"
+
+The girl, whose face he had not yet distinctly seen, seemed to
+suppress some desire to laugh, as she replied, "Hath not yon castle,
+think you," pointing to the distant towers, "some corner which might
+accommodate a stranger in such extremity?"
+
+"Space enough, certainly," said Arthur; "but perhaps little
+inclination to grant it."
+
+"I myself," said the girl, "being one, and a formidable part of the
+garrison, will be answerable for your reception. But as you parley
+with me in such hostile fashion, it is according to martial order that
+I should put down my visor."
+
+So saying, she concealed her face under one of those riding-masks
+which at that period women often wore when they went abroad, whether
+for protecting their complexion or screening themselves from intrusive
+observation. But ere she could accomplish this operation Arthur had
+detected the merry countenance of Annette Veilchen, a girl who, though
+her attendance on Anne of Geierstein was in a menial capacity, was
+held in high estimation at Geierstein. She was a bold wench,
+unaccustomed to the distinctions of rank, which were little regarded
+in the simplicity of the Helvetian hills, and she was ready to laugh,
+jest, and flirt with the young men of the Landamman's family. This
+attracted no attention, the mountain manners making little distinction
+between the degrees of attendant and mistress, further than that the
+mistress was a young woman who required help, and the maiden one who
+was in a situation to offer and afford it. This kind of familiarity
+would perhaps have been dangerous in other lands, but the simplicity
+of Swiss manners, and the turn of Annette's disposition, which was
+resolute and sensible, though rather bold and free, when compared to
+the manners of more civilised countries, kept all intercourse betwixt
+her and the young men of the family in the strict path of honour and
+innocence.
+
+Arthur himself had paid considerable attention to Annette, being
+naturally, from his feelings towards Anne of Geierstein, heartily
+desirous to possess the good graces of her attendant; a point which
+was easily gained by the attentions of a handsome young man, and the
+generosity with which he heaped upon her small presents of articles of
+dress or ornament, which the damsel, however faithful, could find no
+heart to refuse.
+
+The assurance that he was in Anne's neighbourhood, and that he was
+likely to pass the night under the same roof, both of which
+circumstances were intimated by the girl's presence and language, sent
+the blood in a hastier current through Arthur's veins; for though,
+since he had crossed the river, he had sometimes nourished hopes of
+again seeing her who had made so strong an impression on his
+imagination, yet his understanding had as often told him how slight
+was the chance of their meeting, and it was even now chilled by the
+reflection that it could be followed only by the pain of a sudden and
+final separation. He yielded himself, however, to the prospect of
+promised pleasure, without attempting to ascertain what was to be its
+duration or its consequence. Desirous, in the meantime, to hear as
+much of Anne's circumstances as Annette chose to tell, he resolved not
+to let that merry maiden perceive that she was known by him, until
+she chose of her own accord to lay aside her mystery.
+
+While these thoughts passed rapidly through his imagination, Annette
+bade the lad drop his nets, and directed him that, having taken two of
+the best-fed partridges from the covey, and carried them into the
+kitchen, he was to set the rest at liberty.
+
+"I must provide supper," said she to the traveller, "since I am
+bringing home unexpected company."
+
+Arthur earnestly expressed his hope that his experiencing the
+hospitality of the castle would occasion no trouble to the inmates,
+and received satisfactory assurances upon the subject of his scruples.
+
+"I would not willingly be the cause of inconvenience to your
+mistress," pursued the traveller.
+
+"Look you there," said Annette Veilchen, "I have said nothing of
+master or mistress, and this poor forlorn traveller has already
+concluded in his own mind that he is to be harboured in a lady's
+bower!"
+
+"Why, did you not tell me," said Arthur, somewhat confused at his
+blunder, "that you were the person of second importance in the place?
+A damsel, I judged, could only be an officer under a female governor."
+
+"I do not see the justice of the conclusion," replied the maiden. "I
+have known ladies bear offices of trust in lords' families; nay, and
+over the lords themselves."
+
+"Am I to understand, fair damsel, that you hold so predominant a
+situation in the castle which we are now approaching, and of which I
+pray you to tell me the name?"
+
+"The name of the castle is Arnheim," said Annette.
+
+"Your garrison must be a large one," said Arthur, looking at the
+extensive building, "if you are able to man such a labyrinth of walls
+and towers."
+
+"In that point," said Annette, "I must needs own we are very
+deficient. At present, we rather hide in the castle than inhabit it;
+and yet it is well enough defended by the reports which frighten every
+other person who might disturb its seclusion."
+
+"And yet you yourselves dare to reside in it?" said the Englishman,
+recollecting the tale which had been told by Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+concerning the character of the Barons of Arnheim, and the final
+catastrophe of the family.
+
+"Perhaps," replied his guide, "we are too intimate with the cause of
+such fears to feel ourselves strongly oppressed with them--perhaps we
+have means of encountering the supposed terrors proper to
+ourselves--perhaps, and it is not the least likely conjecture, we have
+no choice of a better place of refuge. Such seems to be your own fate
+at present, sir, for the tops of the distant hills are gradually
+losing the lights of the evening; and if you rest not in Arnheim, well
+contented or not, you are likely to find no safe lodging for many a
+mile."
+
+As she thus spoke she separated from Arthur, taking, with the fowler
+who attended her, a very steep but short footpath, which ascended
+straight up to the site of the castle; at the same time motioning to
+the young Englishman to follow a horse-track, which, more circuitous,
+led to the same point, and, though less direct, was considerably more
+easy.
+
+He soon stood before the south front of Arnheim Castle, which was a
+much larger building than he had conceived, either from Rudolph's
+description or from the distant view. It had been erected at many
+different periods, and a considerable part of the edifice was less in
+the strict Gothic than in what has been termed the Saracenic style, in
+which the imagination of the architect is more florid than that which
+is usually indulged in the North--rich in minarets, cupolas, and
+similar approximations to Oriental structures. This singular building
+bore a general appearance of desolation and desertion, but Rudolph had
+been misinformed when he declared that it had become ruinous. On the
+contrary, it had been maintained with considerable care; and when it
+fell into the hands of the Emperor, although no garrison was
+maintained within its precincts, care was taken to keep the building
+in repair; and though the prejudices of the country people prevented
+any one from passing the night within the fearful walls, yet it was
+regularly visited from time to time by a person having commission from
+the Imperial Chancery to that effect. The occupation of the domain
+around the castle was a valuable compensation for this official
+person's labour, and he took care not to endanger the loss of it by
+neglecting his duty. Of late this officer had been withdrawn, and now
+it appeared that the young Baroness of Arnheim had found refuge in the
+deserted towers of her ancestors.
+
+The Swiss damsel did not leave the youthful traveller time to study
+particularly the exterior of the castle, or to construe the meaning
+of emblems and mottoes, seemingly of an Oriental character, with which
+the outside was inscribed, and which expressed in various modes, more
+or less directly, the attachment of the builders of this extensive
+pile to the learning of the Eastern sages. Ere he had time to take
+more than a general survey of the place, the voice of the Swiss maiden
+called him to an angle of the wall in which there was a projection,
+whence a long plank extended over a dry moat, and was connected with a
+window in which Annette was standing.
+
+"You have forgotten your Swiss lessons already," said she, observing
+that Arthur went rather timidly about crossing the temporary and
+precarious drawbridge.
+
+The reflection that Anne, her mistress, might make the same
+observation, recalled the young traveller to the necessary degree of
+composure. He passed over the plank with the same _sang froid_ with
+which he had learned to brave the far more terrific bridge beneath the
+ruinous castle of Geierstein. He had no sooner entered the window than
+Annette, taking off her mask, bade him welcome to Germany, and to old
+friends with new names.
+
+"Anne of Geierstein," she said, "is no more; but you will presently
+see the Lady Baroness of Arnheim, who is extremely like her; and I,
+who was Annette Veilchen in Switzerland, the servant to a damsel who
+was not esteemed much greater than myself, am now the young Baroness's
+waiting-woman, and make everybody of less quality stand back."
+
+"If, in such circumstances," said young Philipson, "you have the
+influence due to your consequence, let me beseech of you to tell the
+Baroness, since we must now call her so, that my present intrusion on
+her is occasioned by my ignorance."
+
+"Away, away!" said the girl, laughing. "I know better what to say in
+your behalf. You are not the first poor man and pedlar that has got
+the graces of a great lady; but I warrant you it was not by making
+humble apologies, and talking of unintentional intrusion. I will tell
+her of love, which all the Rhine cannot quench, and which has driven
+you hither, leaving you no other choice than to come or to perish!"
+
+"Nay, but Annette, Annette"----
+
+"Fie on you for a fool,--make a shorter name of it,--cry Anne, Anne!
+and there will be more prospect of your being answered."
+
+So saying, the wild girl ran out of the room, delighted, as a
+mountaineer of her description was likely to be, with the thought of
+having done as she would desire to be done by, in her benevolent
+exertions to bring two lovers together, when on the eve of inevitable
+separation.
+
+In this self-approving disposition, Annette sped up a narrow turnpike
+stair to a closet, or dressing-room, where her young mistress was
+seated, and exclaimed, with open mouth,--"Anne of Gei----, I mean my
+Lady Baroness, they are come--they are come!"
+
+"The Philipsons?" said Anne, almost breathless as she asked the
+question.
+
+"Yes--no--" answered the girl; "that is, yes,--for the best of them is
+come, and that is Arthur."
+
+"What meanest thou, girl? Is not Seignor Philipson, the father, along
+with his son?"
+
+"Not he, indeed," answered Veilchen, "nor did I ever think of asking
+about him. He was no friend of mine, nor of any one else, save the old
+Landamman; and well met they were for a couple of wiseacres, with
+eternal proverbs in their mouths, and care upon their brows."
+
+"Unkind, inconsiderate girl, what hast thou done?" said Anne of
+Geierstein. "Did I not warn and charge thee to bring them both hither?
+and you have brought the young man alone to a place where we are
+nearly in solitude! What will he--what can he think of me?"
+
+"Why, what should I have done?" said Annette, remaining firm in her
+argument. "He was alone, and should I have sent him down to the _dorf_
+to be murdered by the Rhinegrave's Lanzknechts? All is fish, I trow,
+that comes to their net; and how is he to get through this country, so
+beset with wandering soldiers, robber barons (I beg your ladyship's
+pardon), and roguish Italians, flocking to the Duke of Burgundy's
+standard?--Not to mention the greatest terror of all, that is never in
+one shape or other absent from one's eye or thought."
+
+"Hush, hush, girl! add not utter madness to the excess of folly; but
+let us think what is to be done. For our sake, for his own, this
+unfortunate young man must leave this castle instantly."
+
+"You must take the message yourself, then, Anne--I beg pardon, most
+noble Baroness;--it may be very fit for a lady of high birth to send
+such a message, which, indeed, I have heard the Minne-singers tell in
+their romances; but I am sure it is not a meet one for me, or any
+frank-hearted Swiss girl, to carry. No more foolery; but remember, if
+you were born Baroness of Arnheim, you have been bred and brought up
+in the bosom of the Swiss hills, and should conduct yourself like an
+honest and well-meaning damsel."
+
+"And in what does your wisdom reprehend my folly, good Mademoiselle
+Annette?" replied the Baroness.
+
+"Ay, marry! now our noble blood stirs in our veins. But remember,
+gentle my lady, that it was a bargain between us, when I left yonder
+noble mountains, and the free air that blows over them, to coop myself
+up in this land of prisons and slaves, that I should speak my mind to
+you as freely as I did when our heads lay on the same pillow."
+
+"Speak, then," said Anne, studiously averting her face as she prepared
+to listen; "but beware that you say nothing which it is unfit for me
+to hear."
+
+"I will speak nature and common-sense; and if your noble ears are not
+made fit to hear and understand these, the fault lies in them, and not
+in my tongue. Look you, you have saved this youth from two great
+dangers--one at the earth-shoot at Geierstein, the other this very
+day, when his life was beset. A handsome young man he is, well spoken,
+and well qualified to gain deservedly a lady's favour. Before you saw
+him, the Swiss youth were at least not odious to you. You danced with
+them,--you jested with them,--you were the general object of their
+admiration,--and, as you well know, you might have had your choice
+through the Canton--Why, I think it possible a little urgency might
+have brought you to think of Rudolph Donnerhugel as your mate."
+
+"Never, wench, never!" exclaimed Anne.
+
+"Be not so very positive, my lady. Had he recommended himself to the
+uncle in the first place, I think, in my poor sentiment, he might at
+some lucky moment have carried the niece. But since we have known this
+young Englishman, it has been little less than contemning, despising,
+and something like hating, all the men whom you could endure well
+enough before."
+
+"Well, well," said Anne, "I will detest and hate thee more than any of
+them, unless you bring your matters to an end."
+
+"Softly, noble lady, fair and easy go far. All this argues you love
+the young man, and let those say that you are wrong who think there is
+anything wonderful in the matter. There is much to justify you, and
+nothing that I know against it."
+
+"What, foolish girl! Remember my birth forbids me to love a mean
+man--my condition to love a poor man--my father's commands to love one
+whose addresses are without his consent--above all, my maidenly pride
+forbids me fixing my affections on one who cares not for me--nay,
+perhaps, is prejudiced against me by appearances."
+
+"Here is a fine homily!" said Annette; "but I can clear every point of
+it as easily as Father Francis does his text in a holiday sermon. Your
+birth is a silly dream, which you have only learned to value within
+these two or three days, when, having come to German soil, some of the
+old German weed, usually called family pride, has begun to germinate
+in your heart. Think of such folly as you thought when you lived at
+Geierstein--that is, during all the rational part of your life, and
+this great terrible prejudice will sink into nothing. By condition, I
+conceive you mean estate. But Philipson's father, who is the most
+free-hearted of men, will surely give his son as many zechins as will
+stock a mountain farm. You have firewood for the cutting, and land for
+the occupying, since you are surely entitled to part of Geierstein,
+and gladly will your uncle put you in possession of it. You can manage
+the dairy, Arthur can shoot, hunt, fish, plough, harrow, and reap."
+
+Anne of Geierstein shook her head, as if she greatly doubted her
+lover's skill in the last of the accomplishments enumerated.
+
+"Well, well, he can learn, then," said Annette Veilchen; "and you will
+only live the harder the first year or so. Besides, Sigismund
+Biederman will aid him willingly, and he is a very horse at labour;
+and I know another besides, who is a friend"----
+
+"Of thine own, I warrant," quoth the young Baroness.
+
+"Marry, it is my poor friend Louis Sprenger; and I'll never be so
+false-hearted as to deny my bachelor."
+
+"Well, well, but what is to be the end of all this?" said the
+Baroness, impatiently.
+
+"The end of it, in my opinion," said Annette, "is very simple. Here
+are priests and prayer-books within a mile--go down to the parlour,
+speak your mind to your lover, or hear him speak his mind to you; join
+hands, go quietly back to Geierstein in the character of man and wife,
+and get everything ready to receive your uncle on his return. This is
+the way that a plain Swiss wench would cut off the romance of a
+German Baroness"----
+
+"And break the heart of her father," said the young lady, with a sigh.
+
+"It is more tough than you are aware of," replied Annette. "He hath
+not lived without you so long but that he will be able to spare you
+for the rest of his life, a great deal more easily than you, with all
+your new-fangled ideas of quality, will be able to endure his schemes
+of wealth and ambition, which will aim at making you the wife of some
+illustrious Count, like De Hagenbach, whom we saw not long since make
+such an edifying end, to the great example of all Robber-Chivalry upon
+the Rhine."
+
+"Thy plan is naught, wench; a childish vision of a girl who never knew
+more of life than she has heard told over her milking-pail. Remember
+that my uncle entertains the highest ideas of family discipline, and
+that to act contrary to my father's will would destroy us in his good
+opinion. Why else am I here? Wherefore has he resigned his
+guardianship? And why am I obliged to change the habits that are dear
+to me, and assume the manners of a people that are strange, and
+therefore unpleasing to me?"
+
+"Your uncle," said Annette firmly, "is Landamman of the Canton of
+Unterwalden; respects its freedom, and is the sworn protector of its
+laws, of which, when you, a denizen of the Confederacy, claim the
+protection, he cannot refuse it to you."
+
+"Even then," said the young Baroness, "I should forfeit his good
+opinion, his more than paternal affection; but it is needless to dwell
+upon this. Know, that although I could have loved the young man, whom
+I will not deny to be as amiable as your partiality paints
+him--know,"--she hesitated for a moment,--"that he has never spoken a
+word to me on such a subject as you, without knowing either his
+sentiments or mine, would intrude on my consideration."
+
+"Is it possible?" answered Annette. "I thought--I believed, though I
+have never pressed on your confidence--that you must--attached as you
+were to each other--have spoken together, like true maid and true
+bachelor, before now. I have done wrong, when I thought to do for the
+best.--Is it possible!--such things have been heard of even in our
+canton--is it possible he can have harboured so unutterably base
+purposes, as that Martin of Brisach, who made love to Adela of the
+Sundgau, enticed her to folly--the thing, though almost incredible, is
+true--fled--fled from the country and boasted of his villany, till her
+cousin Raymund silenced for ever his infamous triumph, by beating his
+brains out with his club, even in the very street of the villain's
+native town? By the Holy Mother of Einsiedlen! could I suspect this
+Englishman of meditating such treason, I would saw the plank across
+the moat till a fly's weight would break it, and it should be at six
+fathom deep that he should abye the perfidy which dared to meditate
+dishonour against an adopted daughter of Switzerland!"
+
+As Annette Veilchen spoke, all the fire of her mountain courage
+flashed from her eyes, and she listened reluctantly while Anne of
+Geierstein endeavoured to obliterate the dangerous impression which
+her former words had impressed on her simple but faithful attendant.
+
+"On my word"--she said,--"on my soul--you do Arthur Philipson
+injustice--foul injustice, in intimating such a suspicion;--his
+conduct towards me has ever been upright and honourable--a friend to a
+friend--a brother to a sister--could not, in all he has done and said,
+have been more respectful, more anxiously affectionate, more
+undeviatingly candid. In our frequent interviews and intercourse he
+has indeed seemed very kind--very attached. But had I been
+disposed--at times I may have been too much so--to listen to him with
+endurance,"--the young lady here put her hand on her forehead, but the
+tears streamed through her slender fingers,--"he has never spoken of
+any love--any preference;--if he indeed entertains any, some obstacle,
+insurmountable on his part, has interfered to prevent him."
+
+"Obstacle?" replied the Swiss damsel. "Ay, doubtless--some childish
+bashfulness--some foolish idea about your birth being so high above
+his own--some dream of modesty pushed to extremity, which considers as
+impenetrable the ice of a spring frost. This delusion may be broken by
+a moment's encouragement, and I will take the task on myself, to spare
+your blushes, my dearest Anne."
+
+"No, no; for Heaven's sake, no, Veilchen!" answered the Baroness, to
+whom Annette had so long been a companion and confidant, rather than a
+domestic. "You cannot anticipate the nature of the obstacles which may
+prevent his thinking on what you are so desirous to promote. Hear
+me--My early education, and the instructions of my kind uncle, have
+taught me to know something more of foreigners and their fashions than
+I ever could have learned in our happy retirement of Geierstein; I am
+well-nigh convinced that these Philipsons are of rank, as they are of
+manners and bearing, far superior to the occupation which they appear
+to hold. The father is a man of deep observation, of high thought and
+pretension, and lavish of gifts, far beyond what consists with the
+utmost liberality of a trader."
+
+"That is true," said Annette. "I will say for myself, that the silver
+chain he gave me weighs against ten silver crowns, and the cross which
+Arthur added to it, the day after the long ride we had together up
+towards Mount Pilatus, is worth, they tell me, as much more. There is
+not the like of it in the Cantons. Well, what then? They are rich, so
+are you. So much the better."
+
+"Alas! Annette, they are not only rich, but noble. I am persuaded of
+this; for I have observed often, that even the father retreated, with
+an air of quiet and dignified contempt, from discussions with
+Donnerhugel and others, who, in our plain way, wished to fasten a
+dispute upon him. And when a rude observation or blunt pleasantry was
+pointed at the son, his eye flashed, his cheek coloured, and it was
+only a glance from his father which induced him to repress the retort
+of no friendly character which rose to his lips."
+
+"You have been a close observer," said Annette. "All this may be true,
+but I noted it not. But what then, I say once more? If Arthur has some
+fine noble name in his own country, are not you yourself Baroness of
+Arnheim? And I will frankly allow it as something of worth, if it
+smooths the way to a match, where I think you must look for
+happiness--I hope so, else I am sure it should have no encouragement
+from me."
+
+"I do believe so, my faithful Veilchen; but, alas! how can you, in the
+state of natural freedom in which you have been bred, know, or even
+dream, of the various restraints which this gilded or golden chain of
+rank and nobility hangs upon those whom it fetters and encumbers, I
+fear, as much as it decorates? In every country, the distinction of
+rank binds men to certain duties. It may carry with it restrictions,
+which may prevent alliances in foreign countries--it often may prevent
+them from consulting their inclinations, when they wed in their own.
+It leads to alliances in which the heart is never consulted, to
+treaties of marriage, which are often formed when the parties are in
+the cradle, or in leading strings, but which are not the less binding
+on them in honour and faith. Such may exist in the present case. These
+alliances are often blended and mixed up with state policy; and if the
+interest of England, or what he deems such, should have occasioned the
+elder Philipson to form such an engagement, Arthur would break his own
+heart--the heart of any one else--rather than make false his father's
+word."
+
+"The more shame to them that formed such an engagement!" said Annette.
+"Well, they talk of England being a free country; but if they can bar
+young men and women of the natural privilege to call their hands and
+hearts their own, I would as soon be a German serf.--Well, lady, you
+are wise, and I am ignorant. But what is to be done? I have brought
+this young man here, expecting, God knows, a happier issue to your
+meeting. But it is clear you cannot marry him without his asking you.
+Now, although I confess that, if I could think him willing to forfeit
+the hand of the fairest maid of the Cantons, either from want of manly
+courage to ask it, or from regard to some ridiculous engagement,
+formed betwixt his father and some other nobleman of their island of
+noblemen, I would not in either case grudge him a ducking in the moat;
+yet it is another question, whether we should send him down to be
+murdered among those cut-throats of the Rhinegrave; and unless we do
+so, I know not how to get rid of him."
+
+"Then let the boy William give attendance on him here, and do you see
+to his accommodation. It is best we do not meet."
+
+"I will," said Annette; "yet what am I to say for you? Unhappily, I
+let him know that you were here."
+
+"Alas, imprudent girl! Yet why should I blame thee," said Anne of
+Geierstein, "when the imprudence has been so great on my own side? It
+is myself, who, suffering my imagination to rest too long upon this
+young man and his merits, have led me into this entanglement. But I
+will show thee that I can overcome this folly, and I will not seek in
+my own error a cause for evading the duties of hospitality. Go,
+Veilchen, get some refreshment ready. Thou shalt sup with us, and thou
+must not leave us. Thou shalt see me behave as becomes both a German
+lady and a Swiss maiden. Get me first a candle, however, my girl, for
+I must wash these tell-tales, my eyes, and arrange my dress."
+
+To Annette this whole explanation had been one scene of astonishment,
+for, in the simple ideas of love and courtship in which she had been
+brought up amid the Swiss mountains, she had expected that the two
+lovers would have taken the first opportunity of the absence of their
+natural guardians, and have united themselves for ever; and she had
+even arranged a little secondary plot, in which she herself and Martin
+Sprenger, her faithful bachelor, were to reside with the young couple
+as friends and dependants. Silenced, therefore, but not satisfied, by
+the objections of her young mistress, the zealous Annette retreated
+murmuring to herself,--"That little hint about her dress is the only
+natural and sensible word she has said in my hearing. Please God, I
+will return and help her in the twinkling of an eye. That dressing my
+mistress is the only part of a waiting-lady's life that I have the
+least fancy for--it seems so natural for one pretty maiden to set off
+another--in faith we are but learning to dress ourselves at another
+time."
+
+And with this sage remark Annette Veilchen tripped down stairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+     Tell me not of it--I could ne'er abide
+     The mummery of all that forced civility.
+     "Pray, seat yourself, my lord." With cringing hams
+     The speech is spoken, and, with bended knee,
+     Heard by the smiling courtier.--"Before you, sir?
+     It must be on the earth then." Hang it all!
+     The pride which cloaks itself in such poor fashion
+     Is scarcely fit to swell a beggar's bosom.
+                                            _Old Play._
+
+
+Up stairs and down stairs tripped Annette Veilchen, the soul of all
+that was going on in the only habitable corner of the huge castle of
+Arnheim. She was equal to every kind of service, and therefore popped
+her head into the stable to be sure that William attended properly to
+Arthur's horse, looked into the kitchen to see that the old cook,
+Marthon, roasted the partridges in due time (an interference for which
+she received little thanks), rummaged out a flask or two of Rhine wine
+from the huge Dom Daniel of a cellar, and, finally, just peeped into
+the parlour to see how Arthur was looking; when, having the
+satisfaction to see he had in the best manner he could sedulously
+arranged his person, she assured him that he should shortly see her
+mistress, who was rather indisposed, yet could not refrain from coming
+down to see so valued an acquaintance.
+
+Arthur blushed when she spoke thus, and seemed so handsome in the
+waiting-maid's eye, that she could not help saying to herself, as she
+went to her young lady's room,--"Well, if true love cannot manage to
+bring that couple together, in spite of all the obstacles that they
+stand boggling at, I will never believe that there is such a thing as
+true love in the world, let Martin Sprenger say what he will, and
+swear to it on the Gospels."
+
+When she reached the young Baroness's apartment, she found, to her
+surprise, that, instead of having put on what finery she possessed,
+that young lady's choice had preferred the same simple kirtle which
+she had worn during the first day that Arthur had dined at Geierstein.
+Annette looked at first puzzled and doubtful, then suddenly recognised
+the good taste which had dictated the attire, and exclaimed,--"You are
+right--you are right--it is best to meet him as a free-hearted Swiss
+maiden."
+
+Anne also smiled as she replied,--"But, at the same time, in the walls
+of Arnheim, I must appear in some respect as the daughter of my
+father.--Here, girl, aid me to put this gem upon the riband which
+binds my hair."
+
+It was an aigrette, or plume, composed of two feathers of a vulture,
+fastened together by an opal, which changed to the changing light with
+a variability which enchanted the Swiss damsel, who had never seen
+anything resembling it in her life.
+
+"Now, Baroness Anne," said she, "if that pretty thing be really worn
+as a sign of your rank, it is the only thing belonging to your dignity
+that I should ever think of coveting; for it doth shimmer and change
+colour after a most wonderful fashion, even something like one's own
+cheek when one is fluttered."
+
+"Alas, Annette!" said the Baroness, passing her hand across her eyes,
+"of all the gauds which the females of my house have owned, this
+perhaps hath been the most fatal to its possessors."
+
+"And why then wear it?" said Annette. "Why wear it now, of all days in
+the year?"
+
+"Because it best reminds me of my duty to my father and family. And
+now, girl, look thou sit with us at table, and leave not the
+apartment; and see thou fly not to and fro to help thyself or others
+with anything on the board, but remain quiet and seated till William
+helps you to what you have occasion for."
+
+"Well, that is a gentle fashion, which I like well enough," said
+Annette, "and William serves us so debonairly, that it is a joy to see
+him; yet, ever and anon, I feel as I were not Annette Veilchen
+herself, but only Annette Veilchen's picture, since I can neither
+rise, sit down, run about, nor stand still, without breaking some rule
+of courtly breeding. It is not so, I dare say, with you, who are
+always mannerly."
+
+"Less courtly than thou seemest to think," said the high-born maiden;
+"but I feel the restraint more on the greensward, and under heaven's
+free air, than when I undergo it closed within the walls of an
+apartment."
+
+"Ah, true--the dancing," said Annette; "that was something to be sorry
+for indeed."
+
+"But most am I sorry, Annette, that I cannot tell whether I act
+precisely right or wrong in seeing this young man, though it must be
+for the last time. Were my father to arrive?--Were Ital Schreckenwald
+to return"--
+
+"Your father is too deeply engaged on some of his dark and mystic
+errands," said the flippant Swiss; "sailed to the mountains of the
+Brockenberg, where witches hold their sabbath, or gone on a
+hunting-party with the Wild Huntsman."
+
+"Fie, Annette, how dare you talk thus of my father?"
+
+"Why, I know little of him personally," said the damsel, "and you
+yourself do not know much more. And how should that be false which all
+men say is true?"
+
+"Why, fool, what do they say?"
+
+"Why, that the Count is a wizard,--that your grandmother was a
+will-of-wisp, and old Ital Schreckenwald a born devil incarnate; and
+there is some truth in that, whatever comes of the rest."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"Gone down to spend the night in the village, to see the Rhinegrave's
+men quartered, and keep them in some order, if possible; for the
+soldiers are disappointed of pay which they had been promised; and
+when this happens, nothing resembles a lanzknecht except a chafed
+bear."
+
+"Go we down then, girl; it is perhaps the last night which we may
+spend, for years, with a certain degree of freedom."
+
+I will not pretend to describe the marked embarrassment with which
+Arthur Philipson and Anne of Geierstein met; neither lifted their
+eyes, neither spoke intelligibly, as they greeted each other, and the
+maiden herself did not blush more deeply than her modest visitor;
+while the good-humoured Swiss girl, whose ideas of love partook of the
+freedom of a more Arcadian country and its customs, looked on with
+eyebrows a little arched, much in wonder, and a little in contempt,
+at a couple who, as she might think, acted with such unnatural and
+constrained reserve. Deep was the reverence and the blush with which
+Arthur offered his hand to the young lady, and her acceptance of the
+courtesy had the same character of extreme bashfulness, agitation, and
+embarrassment. In short, though little or nothing intelligible passed
+between this very handsome and interesting couple, the interview
+itself did not on that account lose any interest. Arthur handed the
+maiden, as was the duty of a gallant of the day, into the next room,
+where their repast was prepared; and Annette, who watched with
+singular attention everything which occurred, felt with astonishment
+that the forms and ceremonies of the higher orders of society had such
+an influence, even over her free-born mind, as the rites of the Druids
+over that of the Roman general, when he said,
+
+     I scorn them, yet they awe me.
+
+"What can have changed them?" said Annette. "When at Geierstein they
+looked but like another girl and bachelor, only that Anne is so very
+handsome; but now they move in time and manner as if they were leading
+a stately pavin, and behave to each other with as much formal respect
+as if he were Landamman of the Unterwalden, and she the first lady of
+Berne. 'Tis all very fine, doubtless, but it is not the way that
+Martin Sprenger makes love."
+
+Apparently, the circumstances in which each of the young people was
+placed recalled to them the habits of lofty and somewhat formal
+courtesy to which they might have been accustomed in former days; and
+while the Baroness felt it necessary to observe the strictest
+decorum, in order to qualify the reception of Arthur into the interior
+of her retreat, he, on the other hand, endeavoured to show, by the
+profoundness of his respect, that he was incapable of misusing the
+kindness with which he had been treated. They placed themselves at
+table, scrupulously observing the distance which might become a
+"virtuous gentleman and maid." The youth William did the service of
+the entertainment with deftness and courtesy, as one well accustomed
+to such duty; and Annette, placing herself between them, and
+endeavouring, as closely as she could, to adhere to the ceremonies
+which she saw them observe, made practice of the civilities which were
+expected from the attendant of a baroness. Various, however, were the
+errors which she committed. Her demeanour in general was that of a
+greyhound in the slips, ready to start up every moment; and she was
+only withheld by the recollection that she was to ask for that which
+she had far more mind to help herself to.
+
+Other points of etiquette were transgressed in their turn, after the
+repast was over, and the attendant had retired. The waiting damsel
+often mingled too unceremoniously in the conversation, and could not
+help calling her mistress by her Christian name of Anne, and, in
+defiance of all decorum, addressed her, as well as Philipson, with the
+pronoun _thou_, which then, as well as now, was a dreadful solecism in
+German politeness. Her blunders were so far fortunate that, by
+furnishing the young lady and Arthur with a topic foreign to the
+peculiarities of their own situation, they enabled them to withdraw
+their attentions from its embarrassments, and to exchange smiles at
+poor Annette's expense. She was not long of perceiving this, and half
+nettled, half availing herself of the apology to speak her mind, said,
+with considerable spirit, "You have both been very merry, forsooth, at
+my expense, and all because I wished rather to rise and seek what I
+wanted, than wait till the poor fellow, who was kept trotting between
+the board and beauffet, found leisure to bring it to me. You laugh at
+me now, because I call you by your names, as they were given to you in
+the blessed church at your christening; and because I say to you
+_thee_ and _thou_, addressing my Juncker and my Yungfrau as I would do
+if I were on my knees praying to Heaven. But for all your new-world
+fancies, I can tell you, you are but a couple of children, who do not
+know your own minds, and are jesting away the only leisure given you
+to provide for your own happiness. Nay, frown not, my sweet Mistress
+Baroness; I have looked at Mount Pilatus too often, to fear a gloomy
+brow."
+
+"Peace, Annette," said her mistress, "or quit the room."
+
+"Were I not more your friend than I am my own," said the headstrong
+and undaunted Annette, "I would quit the room, and the castle to boot,
+and leave you to hold your house here, with your amiable seneschal,
+Ital Schreckenwald."
+
+"If not for love, yet for shame, for charity, be silent, or leave the
+room."
+
+"Nay," said Annette, "my bolt is shot, and I have but hinted at what
+all upon Geierstein Green said, the night when the bow of Buttisholz
+was bended. You know what the old saw says"----
+
+"Peace! peace, for Heaven's sake, or I must needs fly!" said the young
+Baroness.
+
+"Nay, then," said Annette, considerably changing her tone, as if
+afraid that her mistress should actually retire, "if you must fly,
+necessity must have its course. I know no one who can follow. This
+mistress of mine, Seignor Arthur, would require for her attendant, not
+a homely girl of flesh and blood like myself, but a waiting-woman with
+substance composed of gossamer, and breath supplied by the spirit of
+ether. Would you believe it--It is seriously held by many, that she
+partakes of the race of spirits of the elements, which makes her so
+much more bashful than maidens of this every-day world."
+
+Anne of Geierstein seemed rather glad to lead away the conversation
+from the turn which her wayward maiden had given to it, and to turn it
+on more indifferent subjects, though these were still personal to
+herself.
+
+"Seignor Arthur," she said, "thinks, perhaps, he has some room to
+nourish some such strange suspicion as your heedless folly expresses,
+and some fools believe, both in Germany and Switzerland. Confess,
+Seignor Arthur, you thought strangely of me when I passed your guard
+upon the bridge of Graffs-lust, on the night last past."
+
+The recollection of the circumstances which had so greatly surprised
+him at the time so startled Arthur that it was with some difficulty he
+commanded himself, so as to attempt an answer at all; and what he did
+say on the occasion was broken and unconnected.
+
+"I did hear, I own--that is, Rudolph Donnerhugel reported--But that I
+believed that you, gentle lady, were other than a Christian
+maiden"----
+
+"Nay, if Rudolph were the reporter," said Annette, "you would hear
+the worst of my lady and her lineage, that is certain. He is one of
+those prudent personages who depreciate and find fault with the goods
+he has thoughts of purchasing, in order to deter other offerers. Yes,
+he told you a fine goblin story, I warrant you, of my lady's
+grandmother; and truly, it so happened, that the circumstances of the
+case gave, I dare say, some colour in your eyes to"----
+
+"Not so, Annette," answered Arthur; "whatever might be said of your
+lady that sounded uncouth and strange, fell to the ground as
+incredible."
+
+"Not quite so much so, I fancy," interrupted Annette, without heeding
+sign or frown. "I strongly suspect I should have had much more trouble
+in dragging you hither to this castle, had you known you were
+approaching the haunt of the Nymph of the Fire, the Salamander, as
+they call her, not to mention the shock of again seeing the descendant
+of that Maiden of the Fiery Mantle."
+
+"Peace, once more, Annette," said her mistress; "since Fate has
+occasioned this meeting, let us not neglect the opportunity to
+disabuse our English friend of the absurd report he has listened to,
+with doubt and wonder perhaps, but not with absolute incredulity.
+
+"Seignor Arthur Philipson," she proceeded, "it is true my grandfather,
+by the mother's side, Baron Herman of Arnheim, was a man of great
+knowledge in abstruse sciences. He was also a presiding judge of a
+tribunal of which you must have heard, called the Holy Vehme. One
+night a stranger, closely pursued by the agents of that body, which"
+(crossing herself) "it is not safe even to name, arrived at the castle
+and craved his protection, and the rights of hospitality. My
+grandfather, finding the advance which the stranger had made to the
+rank of Adept, gave him his protection, and became bail to deliver him
+to answer the charge against him, for a year and a day, which delay he
+was, it seems, entitled to require on his behalf. They studied
+together during that term, and pushed their researches into the
+mysteries of nature, as far, in all probability, as men have the power
+of urging them. When the fatal day drew nigh on which the guest must
+part from his host, he asked permission to bring his daughter to the
+castle, that they might exchange a last farewell. She was introduced
+with much secrecy, and after some days, finding that her father's fate
+was so uncertain, the Baron, with the sage's consent, agreed to give
+the forlorn maiden refuge in his castle, hoping to obtain from her
+some additional information concerning the languages and the wisdom of
+the East. Dannischemend, her father, left this castle, to go to render
+himself up to the Vehme-gericht at Fulda. The result is unknown;
+perhaps he was saved by Baron Arnheim's testimony, perhaps he was
+given up to the steel and the cord. On such matters, who dare speak?
+
+"The fair Persian became the wife of her guardian and protector. Amid
+many excellences, she had one peculiarity allied to imprudence. She
+availed herself of her foreign dress and manners, as well as of a
+beauty which was said to have been marvellous, and an agility seldom
+equalled, to impose upon and terrify the ignorant German ladies, who,
+hearing her speak Persian and Arabic, were already disposed to
+consider her as over closely connected with unlawful arts. She was of
+a fanciful and imaginative disposition, and delighted to place herself
+in such colours and circumstances as might confirm their most
+ridiculous suspicions, which she considered only as matter of sport.
+There was no end to the stories to which she gave rise. Her first
+appearance in the castle was said to be highly picturesque, and to
+have inferred something of the marvellous. With the levity of a child,
+she had some childish passions, and while she encouraged the growth
+and circulation of the most extraordinary legends amongst some of the
+neighbourhood, she entered into disputes with persons of her own
+quality concerning rank and precedence, on which the ladies of
+Westphalia have at all times set great store. This cost her her life;
+for, on the morning of the christening of my poor mother, the Baroness
+of Arnheim died suddenly, even while a splendid company was assembled
+in the castle chapel to witness the ceremony. It was believed that she
+died of poison, administered by the Baroness Steinfeldt, with whom she
+was engaged in a bitter quarrel, entered into chiefly on behalf of her
+friend and companion, the Countess Waldstetten."
+
+"And the opal gem?--and the sprinkling with water?" said Arthur
+Philipson.
+
+"Ah!" replied the young Baroness, "I see you desire to hear the real
+truth of my family history, of which you have yet learned only the
+romantic legend.--The sprinkling of water was necessarily had recourse
+to, on my ancestress's first swoon. As for the opal, I have heard that
+it did indeed grow pale, but only because it is said to be the nature
+of that noble gem, on the approach of poison. Some part of the quarrel
+with the Baroness Steinfeldt was about the right of the Persian
+maiden to wear this stone, which an ancestor of my family won in
+battle from the Soldan of Trebizond. All these things were confused in
+popular tradition, and the real facts turned into a fairy tale."
+
+"But you have said nothing," suggested Arthur Philipson, "on--on"----
+
+"On what?" said his hostess.
+
+"On your appearance last night."
+
+"Is it possible," said she, "that a man of sense, and an Englishman,
+cannot guess at the explanation which I have to give, though not,
+perhaps, very distinctly? My father, you are aware, has been a busy
+man in a disturbed country, and has incurred the hatred of many
+powerful persons. He is, therefore, obliged to move in secret, and
+avoid unnecessary observation. He was, besides, averse to meet his
+brother, the Landamman. I was therefore told, on our entering Germany,
+that I was to expect a signal where and when to join him,--the token
+was to be a small crucifix of bronze, which had belonged to my poor
+mother. In my apartment at Graffs-lust I found the token, with a note
+from my father, making me acquainted with a secret passage proper to
+such places, which, though it had the appearance of being blocked up,
+was in fact very slightly barricaded. By this I was instructed to pass
+to the gate, make my escape into the woods, and meet my father at a
+place appointed there."
+
+"A wild and perilous adventure," said Arthur.
+
+"I have never been so much shocked," continued the maiden, "as at
+receiving this summons, compelling me to steal away from my kind and
+affectionate uncle, and go I knew not whither. Yet compliance was
+absolutely necessary. The place of meeting was plainly pointed out. A
+midnight walk, in the neighbourhood of protection, was to me a trifle;
+but the precaution of posting sentinels at the gate might have
+interfered with my purpose, had I not mentioned it to some of my elder
+cousins, the Biedermans, who readily agreed to let me pass and repass
+unquestioned. But you know my cousins; honest and kind-hearted, they
+are of a rude way of thinking, and as incapable of feeling a generous
+delicacy as--some other persons."--(Here there was a glance towards
+Annette Veilchen.)--"They exacted from me, that I should conceal
+myself and my purpose from Sigismund; and as they are always making
+sport with the simple youth, they insisted that I should pass him in
+such a manner as might induce him to believe that I was a spiritual
+apparition, and out of his terrors for supernatural beings they
+expected to have much amusement. I was obliged to secure their
+connivance at my escape on their own terms; and, indeed, I was too
+much grieved at the prospect of quitting my kind uncle to think much
+of anything else. Yet my surprise was considerable, when, contrary to
+expectation, I found you on the bridge as sentinel, instead of my
+cousin Sigismund. Your own ideas I ask not for."
+
+"They were those of a fool," said Arthur, "of a thrice-sodden fool.
+Had I been aught else, I would have offered my escort. My sword"----
+
+"I could not have accepted your protection," said Anne, calmly. "My
+mission was in every respect a secret one. I met my father--some
+intercourse had taken place betwixt him and Rudolph Donnerhugel, which
+induced him to alter his purpose of carrying me away with him last
+night. I joined him, however, early this morning, while Annette acted
+for a time my part amongst the Swiss pilgrims. My father desired that
+it should not be known when or with whom I left my uncle and his
+escort. I need scarce remind you, that I saw you in the dungeon."
+
+"You were the preserver of my life," said the youth,--"the restorer of
+my liberty."
+
+"Ask me not the reason of my silence. I was then acting under the
+agency of others, not under mine own. Your escape was effected, in
+order to establish a communication betwixt the Swiss without the
+fortress and the soldiers within. After the alarm at La Ferette, I
+learned from Sigismund Biederman that a party of banditti were
+pursuing your father and you, with a view to pillage and robbery. My
+father had furnished me with the means of changing Anne of Geierstein
+into a German maiden of quality. I set out instantly, and glad I am to
+have given you a hint which might free you from danger."
+
+"But my father?" said Arthur.
+
+"I have every reason to hope he is well and safe," answered the young
+lady. "More than I were eager to protect both you and him--poor
+Sigismund amongst the first.--And now, my friend, these mysteries
+explained, it is time we part, and for ever."
+
+"Part!--and for ever!" repeated the youth, in a voice like a dying
+echo.
+
+"It is our fate," said the maiden. "I appeal to you if it is not your
+duty--I tell you it is mine. You will depart with early dawn to
+Strasburg--and--and--we never meet again."
+
+With an ardour of passion which he could not repress, Arthur Philipson
+threw himself at the feet of the maiden, whose faltering tone had
+clearly expressed that she felt deeply in uttering the words. She
+looked round for Annette, but Annette had disappeared at this most
+critical moment; and her mistress for a second or two was not perhaps
+sorry for her absence.
+
+"Rise," she said, "Arthur--rise. You must not give way to feelings
+that might be fatal to yourself and me."
+
+"Hear me, lady, before I bid you adieu, and for ever--the word of a
+criminal is heard, though he plead the worst cause--I am a belted
+knight, and the son and heir of an Earl, whose name has been spread
+throughout England and France, and wherever valour has had fame."
+
+"Alas!" said she, faintly, "I have but too long suspected what you now
+tell me--Rise, I pray you, rise."
+
+"Never till you hear me," said the youth, seizing one of her hands,
+which trembled, but hardly could be said to struggle in his
+grasp.--"Hear me," he said, with the enthusiasm of first love, when
+the obstacles of bashfulness and diffidence are surmounted,--"My
+father and I are--I acknowledge it--bound on a most hazardous and
+doubtful expedition. You will very soon learn its issue for good or
+bad. If it succeed, you shall hear of me in my own character--If I
+fall, I must--I will--I do claim a tear from Anne of Geierstein. If I
+escape, I have yet a horse, a lance, and a sword; and you shall hear
+nobly of him whom you have thrice protected from imminent danger."
+
+"Arise--arise," repeated the maiden, whose tears began to flow fast,
+as, struggling to raise her lover, they fell thick upon his head and
+face. "I have heard enough--to listen to more were indeed madness,
+both for you and myself."
+
+"Yet one single word," added the youth; "while Arthur has a heart, it
+beats for you--while Arthur can wield an arm, it strikes for you, and
+in your cause."
+
+Annette now rushed into the room.
+
+"Away, away!" she cried--"Schreckenwald has returned from the village
+with some horrible tidings, and I fear me he comes this way."
+
+Arthur had started to his feet at the first signal of alarm.
+
+"If there is danger near your lady, Annette, there is at least one
+faithful friend by her side."
+
+Annette looked anxiously at her mistress.
+
+"But Schreckenwald," she said--"Schreckenwald, your father's
+steward--his confidant.--Oh, think better of it--I can hide Arthur
+somewhere."
+
+The noble-minded girl had already resumed her composure, and replied
+with dignity,--"I have done nothing," she said, "to offend my father.
+If Schreckenwald be my father's steward, he is my vassal. I hide no
+guest to conciliate him. Sit down" (addressing Arthur), "and let us
+receive this man.--Introduce him instantly, Annette, and let us hear
+his tidings--and bid him remember, that when he speaks to me he
+addresses his mistress."
+
+Arthur resumed his seat, still more proud of his choice from the noble
+and fearless spirit displayed by one who had so lately shown herself
+sensible to the gentlest feelings of the female sex.
+
+Annette, assuming courage from her mistress's dauntless demeanour,
+clapped her hands together as she left the room, saying, but in a low
+voice, "I see that after all it is something to be a Baroness, if one
+can assert her dignity conformingly. How could I be so much frightened
+for this rude man!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+                   Affairs that walk
+     (As they say spirits do) at midnight, have
+     In them a wilder nature than the business
+     That seeks dispatch by day.
+                           _Henry VIII. Act V._
+
+
+The approach of the steward was now boldly expected by the little
+party. Arthur, flattered at once and elevated by the firmness which
+Anne had shown when this person's arrival was announced, hastily
+considered the part which he was to act in the approaching scene, and
+prudently determined to avoid all active and personal interference,
+till he should observe from the demeanour of Anne that such was likely
+to be useful or agreeable to her. He resumed his place, therefore, at
+a distant part of the board, on which their meal had been lately
+spread, and remained there, determined to act in the manner Anne's
+behaviour should suggest as most prudent and fitting,--veiling, at the
+same time, the most acute internal anxiety, by an appearance of that
+deferential composure, which one of inferior rank adopts when admitted
+to the presence of a superior. Anne, on her part, seemed to prepare
+herself for an interview of interest. An air of conscious dignity
+succeeded the extreme agitation which she had so lately displayed,
+and, busying herself with some articles of female work, she also
+seemed to expect with tranquillity the visit to which her attendant
+was disposed to attach so much alarm.
+
+A step was heard upon the stair, hurried and unequal, as that of some
+one in confusion as well as haste; the door flew open, and Ital
+Schreckenwald entered.
+
+This person, with whom the details given to the elder Philipson by the
+Landamman Biederman have made the reader in some degree acquainted,
+was a tall, well-made, soldierly looking man. His dress, like that of
+persons of rank at the period in Germany, was more varied in colour,
+more cut and ornamented, slashed and jagged, than the habit worn in
+France and England. The never-failing hawk's feather decked his cap,
+secured with a medal of gold, which served as a clasp. His doublet was
+of buff, for defence, but _laid down_, as it was called in the
+tailor's craft, with rich lace on each seam, and displaying on the
+breast a golden chain, the emblem of his rank in the Baron's
+household. He entered with rather a hasty step, and busy and offended
+look, and said, somewhat rudely, "Why, how now, young lady--wherefore
+this? Strangers in the castle at this period of night!"
+
+Anne of Geierstein, though she had been long absent from her native
+country, was not ignorant of its habits and customs, and knew the
+haughty manner in which all who were noble exerted their authority
+over their dependants.
+
+"Are you a vassal of Arnheim, Ital Schreckenwald, and do you speak to
+the Lady of Arnheim in her own castle with an elevated voice, a saucy
+look, and bonneted withal? Know your place; and, when you have
+demanded pardon for your insolence, and told your errand in such
+terms as befit your condition and mine, I may listen to what you have
+to say."
+
+Schreckenwald's hand, in spite of him, stole to his bonnet, and
+uncovered his haughty brow.
+
+"Noble lady," he said, in a somewhat milder tone, "excuse me if my
+haste be unmannerly, but the alarm is instant. The soldiery of the
+Rhinegrave have mutinied, plucked down the banners of their master,
+and set up an independent ensign, which they call the pennon of St.
+Nicholas, under which they declare that they will maintain peace with
+God, and war with all the world. This castle cannot escape them, when
+they consider that the first course to maintain themselves must be to
+take possession of some place of strength. You must up then, and ride
+with the very peep of dawn. For the present, they are busy with the
+wine-skins of the peasants, but when they wake in the morning they
+will unquestionably march hither; and you may chance to fall into the
+hands of those who will think of the terrors of the castle of Arnheim
+as the figments of a fairy tale, and laugh at its mistress's
+pretensions to honour and respect."
+
+"Is it impossible to make resistance? The castle is strong," said the
+young lady, "and I am unwilling to leave the house of my fathers
+without attempting somewhat in our defence."
+
+"Five hundred men," said Schreckenwald, "might garrison Arnheim,
+battlement and tower. With a less number it were madness to attempt to
+keep such an extent of walls; and how to get twenty soldiers together,
+I am sure I know not.--So, having now the truth of the story, let me
+beseech you to dismiss this guest,--too young, I think, to be the
+inmate of a lady's bower,--and I will point to him the nighest way out
+of the castle; for this is a strait in which we must all be contented
+with looking to our own safety."
+
+"And whither is it that you propose to go?" said the Baroness,
+continuing to maintain, in respect to Ital Schreckenwald, the complete
+and calm assertion of absolute superiority, to which the seneschal
+gave way with such marks of impatience as a fiery steed exhibits under
+the management of a complete cavalier.
+
+"To Strasburg, I propose to go,--that is, if it so please you,--with
+such slight escort as I can get hastily together by daybreak. I trust
+we may escape being observed by the mutineers; or, if we fall in with
+a party of stragglers, I apprehend but little difficulty in forcing my
+way."
+
+"And wherefore do you prefer Strasburg as a place of asylum?"
+
+"Because I trust we shall there meet your excellency's father, the
+noble Count Albert of Geierstein."
+
+"It is well," said the young lady.--"You also, I think, Seignor
+Philipson, spoke of directing your course to Strasburg. If it consist
+with your convenience, you may avail yourself of the protection of my
+escort as far as that city, where you expect to meet your father."
+
+It will readily be believed that Arthur cheerfully bowed assent to a
+proposal which was to prolong their remaining in society together, and
+might possibly, as his romantic imagination suggested, afford him an
+opportunity, on a road beset with dangers, to render some service of
+importance.
+
+Ital Schreckenwald attempted to remonstrate.
+
+"Lady!--lady!"--he said, with some marks of impatience.
+
+"Take breath and leisure, Schreckenwald," said Anne, "and you will be
+more able to express yourself with distinctness, and with respectful
+propriety."
+
+The impatient vassal muttered an oath betwixt his teeth, and answered
+with forced civility,--"Permit me to state, that our case requires we
+should charge ourselves with the care of no one but you. We shall be
+few enough for your defence, and I cannot permit any stranger to
+travel with us."
+
+"If," said Arthur, "I conceived that I was to be a useless incumbrance
+on the retreat of this noble young lady, worlds, Sir Squire, would not
+induce me to accept her offer. But I am neither child nor woman--I am
+a full-grown man, and ready to show such good service as manhood may
+in defence of your lady."
+
+"If we must not challenge your valour and ability, young sir," said
+Schreckenwald, "who shall answer for your fidelity?"
+
+"To question that elsewhere," said Arthur, "might be dangerous."
+
+But Anne interfered between them. "We must straight to rest, and
+remain prompt for alarm, perhaps even before the hour of dawn.
+Schreckenwald, I trust to your care for due watch and ward.--You have
+men enough at least for that purpose.--And hear and mark--It is my
+desire and command, that this gentleman be accommodated with lodgings
+here for this night, and that he travel with us to-morrow. For this I
+will be responsible to my father, and your part is only to obey my
+commands. I have long had occasion to know both the young man's father
+and himself, who were ancient guests of my uncle, the Landamman. On
+the journey you will keep the youth beside you, and use such courtesy
+to him as your rugged temper will permit."
+
+Ital Schreckenwald intimated his acquiescence with a look of
+bitterness, which it were vain to attempt to describe. It expressed
+spite, mortification, humbled pride, and reluctant submission. He did
+submit, however, and ushered young Philipson into a decent apartment
+with a bed, which the fatigue and agitation of the preceding day
+rendered very acceptable.
+
+Notwithstanding the ardour with which Arthur expected the rise of the
+next dawn, his deep repose, the fruit of fatigue, held him until the
+reddening of the east, when the voice of Schreckenwald exclaimed, "Up,
+Sir Englishman, if you mean to accomplish your boast of loyal service.
+It is time we were in the saddle, and we shall tarry for no
+sluggards."
+
+Arthur was on the floor of the apartment, and dressed, in almost an
+instant, not forgetting to put on his shirt of mail, and assume
+whatever weapons seemed most fit to render him an efficient part of
+the convoy. He next hastened to seek out the stable, to have his horse
+in readiness; and descending for that purpose into the under story of
+the lower mass of buildings, he was wandering in search of the way
+which led to the offices, when the voice of Annette Veilchen softly
+whispered, "This way, Seignor Philipson; I would speak with you."
+
+The Swiss maiden, at the same time, beckoned him into a small room,
+where he found her alone.
+
+"Were you not surprised," she said, "to see my lady queen it so over
+Ital Schreckenwald, who keeps every other person in awe with his stern
+looks and cross words? But the air of command seems so natural to her,
+that, instead of being a baroness, she might have been an empress. It
+must come of birth, I think, after all, for I tried last night to take
+state upon me, after the fashion of my mistress, and, would you think
+it, the brute Schreckenwald threatened to throw me out of the window?
+But if ever I see Martin Sprenger again, I'll know if there is
+strength in a Swiss arm, and virtue in a Swiss quarter-staff.--But
+here I stand prating, and my lady wishes to see you for a minute ere
+we take to horse."
+
+"Your lady?" said Arthur, starting. "Why did you lose an instant? why
+not tell me before?"
+
+"Because I was only to keep you here till she came, and--here she is."
+
+Anne of Geierstein entered, fully attired for her journey. Annette,
+always willing to do as she would wish to be done by, was about to
+leave the apartment, when her mistress, who had apparently made up her
+mind concerning what she had to do or say, commanded her positively to
+remain.
+
+"I am sure," she said, "Seignor Philipson will rightly understand the
+feelings of hospitality--I will say of friendship--which prevented my
+suffering him to be expelled from my castle last night, and which have
+determined me this morning to admit of his company on the somewhat
+dangerous road to Strasburg. At the gate of that town we part, I to
+join my father, you to place yourself under the direction of yours.
+From that moment intercourse between us ends, and our remembrance of
+each other must be as the thoughts which we pay to friends deceased."
+
+"Tender recollections," said Arthur, passionately, "more dear to our
+bosoms than all we have surviving upon earth."
+
+"Not a word in that tone," answered the maiden. "With night delusion
+should end, and reason awaken with dawning. One word more--Do not
+address me on the road; you may, by doing so, expose me to vexatious
+and insulting suspicion, and yourself to quarrels and peril.--Farewell,
+our party is ready to take horse."
+
+She left the apartment, where Arthur remained for a moment deeply
+bewildered in grief and disappointment. The patience, nay, even
+favour, with which Anne of Geierstein had, on the previous night,
+listened to his passion, had not prepared him for the terms of reserve
+and distance which she now adopted towards him. He was ignorant that
+noble maids, if feeling or passion has for a moment swayed them from
+the strict path of principle and duty, endeavour to atone for it by
+instantly returning, and severely adhering, to the line from which
+they have made a momentary departure. He looked mournfully on Annette,
+who, as she had been in the room before Anne's arrival, took the
+privilege of remaining a minute after her departure; but he read no
+comfort in the glances of the confidant, who seemed as much
+disconcerted as himself.
+
+"I cannot imagine what hath happened to her," said Annette; "to me she
+is kind as ever, but to every other person about her she plays
+countess and baroness with a witness; and now she is begun to
+tyrannise over her own natural feelings--and--if this be greatness,
+Annette Veilchen trusts always to remain the penniless Swiss girl; she
+is mistress of her own freedom, and at liberty to speak with her
+bachelor when she pleases, so as religion and maiden modesty suffer
+nothing in the conversation. Oh, a single daisy twisted with content
+into one's hair, is worth all the opals in India, if they bind us to
+torment ourselves and other people, or hinder us from speaking our
+mind, when our heart is upon our tongue. But never fear, Arthur; for
+if she has the cruelty to think of forgetting you, you may rely on one
+friend who, while she has a tongue, and Anne has ears, will make it
+impossible for her to do so."
+
+So saying, away tripped Annette, having first indicated to Philipson
+the passage by which he would find the lower court of the castle.
+There his steed stood ready, among about twenty others. Twelve of
+these were accoutred with war saddles, and frontlets of proof, being
+intended for the use of as many cavaliers, or troopers, retainers of
+the family of Arnheim, whom the seneschal's exertions had been able to
+collect on the spur of the occasion. Two palfreys, somewhat
+distinguished by their trappings, were designed for Anne of Geierstein
+and her favourite female attendant. The other menials, chiefly boys
+and women servants, had inferior horses. At a signal made, the
+troopers took their lances and stood by their steeds, till the females
+and menials were mounted and in order; they then sprang into their
+saddles and began to move forward, slowly and with great precaution.
+Schreckenwald led the van, and kept Arthur Philipson close beside
+him. Anne and her attendant were in the centre of the little body,
+followed by the unwarlike train of servants, while two or three
+experienced cavaliers brought up the rear, with strict orders to guard
+against surprise.
+
+On their being put into motion, the first thing which surprised Arthur
+was, that the horses' hoofs no longer sent forth the sharp and ringing
+sound arising from the collision of iron and flint, and as the morning
+light increased he could perceive that the fetlock and hoof of every
+steed, his own included, had been carefully wrapped around with a
+sufficient quantity of wool, to prevent the usual noise which
+accompanied their motions. It was a singular thing to behold the
+passage of the little body of cavalry down the rocky road which led
+from the castle, unattended with the noise which we are disposed to
+consider as inseparable from the motions of horse, the absence of
+which seemed to give a peculiar and almost an unearthly appearance to
+the cavalcade.
+
+They passed in this manner the winding path which led from the castle
+of Arnheim to the adjacent village, which, as was the ancient feudal
+custom, lay so near the fortress that its inhabitants, when summoned
+by their lord, could instantly repair for its defence. But it was at
+present occupied by very different inhabitants, the mutinous soldiers
+of the Rhinegrave. When the party from Arnheim approached the entrance
+of the village, Schreckenwald made a signal to halt, which was
+instantly obeyed by his followers. He then rode forward in person to
+reconnoitre, accompanied by Arthur Philipson, both moving with the
+utmost steadiness and precaution. The deepest silence prevailed in
+the deserted streets. Here and there a soldier was seen, seemingly
+designed for a sentinel, but uniformly fast asleep.
+
+"The swinish mutineers!" said Schreckenwald; "a fair night-watch they
+keep, and a beautiful morning's rouse would I treat them with, were
+not the point to protect yonder peevish wench.--Halt thou here,
+stranger, while I ride back and bring them on--there is no danger."
+
+Schreckenwald left Arthur as he spoke, who, alone in the street of a
+village filled with banditti, though they were lulled into temporary
+insensibility, had no reason to consider his case as very comfortable.
+The chorus of a wassel song, which some reveller was trolling over in
+his sleep; or, in its turn, the growling of some village cur, seemed
+the signal for an hundred ruffians to start up around him. But in the
+space of two or three minutes, the noiseless cavalcade, headed by Ital
+Schreckenwald, again joined him, and followed their leader, observing
+the utmost precaution not to give an alarm. All went well till they
+reached the farther end of the village, where, although the
+Baaren-hauter[4] who kept guard was as drunk as his companions on
+duty, a large shaggy dog which lay beside him was more vigilant. As
+the little troop approached, the animal sent forth a ferocious yell,
+loud enough to have broken the rest of the Seven Sleepers, and which
+effectually dispelled the slumbers of its master. The soldier snatched
+up his carabine and fired, he knew not well at what, or for what
+reason. The ball, however, struck Arthur's horse under him, and, as
+the animal fell, the sentinel rushed forward to kill or make prisoner
+the rider.
+
+"Haste on, haste on, men of Arnheim! care for nothing but the young
+lady's safety," exclaimed the leader of the band.
+
+"Stay, I command you;--aid the stranger, on your lives!"--said Anne,
+in a voice which, usually gentle and meek, she now made heard by those
+around her, like the note of a silver clarion. "I will not stir till
+he is rescued."
+
+Schreckenwald had already spurred his horse for flight; but,
+perceiving Anne's reluctance to follow him, he dashed back, and
+seizing a horse which, bridled and saddled, stood picketed near him,
+he threw the reins to Arthur Philipson; and pushing his own horse, at
+the same time, betwixt the Englishman and the soldier, he forced the
+latter to quit the hold he had on his person. In an instant Philipson
+was again mounted, when, seizing a battle-axe which hung at the
+saddle-bow of his new steed, he struck down the staggering sentinel,
+who was endeavouring again to seize upon him. The whole troop then
+rode off at a gallop, for the alarm began to grow general in the
+village; some soldiers were seen coming out of their quarters, and
+others were beginning to get upon horseback. Before Schreckenwald and
+his party had ridden a mile, they heard more than once the sound of
+bugles; and when they arrived upon the summit of an eminence
+commanding a view of the village, their leader, who, during the
+retreat, had placed himself in the rear of his company, now halted to
+reconnoitre the enemy they had left behind them. There was bustle and
+confusion in the street, but there did not appear to be any pursuit;
+so that Schreckenwald followed his route down the river, with speed
+and activity indeed, but with so much steadiness, at the same time, as
+not to distress the slowest horse of his party.
+
+When they had ridden two hours and more, the confidence of their
+leader was so much augmented, that he ventured to command a halt at
+the edge of a pleasant grove, which served to conceal their number,
+whilst both riders and horses took some refreshment, for which purpose
+forage and provisions had been borne along with them. Ital
+Schreckenwald, having held some communication with the Baroness,
+continued to offer their travelling companion a sort of surly
+civility. He invited him to partake of his own mess, which was indeed
+little different from that which was served out to the other troopers,
+but was seasoned with a glass of wine from a more choice flask.
+
+"To your health, brother," he said; "if you tell this day's story
+truly, you will allow that I was a true comrade to you two hours
+since, in riding through the village of Arnheim."
+
+"I will never deny it, fair sir," said Philipson, "and I return you
+thanks for your timely assistance; alike, whether it sprang from your
+mistress's order, or your own good-will."
+
+"Ho! ho! my friend," said Schreckenwald, laughing, "you are a
+philosopher, and can try conclusions while your horse lies rolling
+above you, and a Baaren-hauter aims his sword at your throat?--Well,
+since your wit hath discovered so much, I care not if you know, that I
+should not have had much scruple to sacrifice twenty such smooth-faced
+gentlemen as yourself, rather than the young Baroness of Arnheim had
+incurred the slightest danger."
+
+"The propriety of the sentiment," said Philipson, "is so undoubtedly
+correct, that I subscribe to it, even though it is something
+discourteously expressed towards myself."
+
+In making this reply, the young man, provoked at the insolence of
+Schreckenwald's manner, raised his voice a little. The circumstance
+did not escape observation, for, on the instant, Annette Veilchen
+stood before them, with her mistress's commands on them both to speak
+in whispers, or rather to be altogether silent.
+
+"Say to your mistress that I am mute," said Philipson.
+
+"Our mistress, the Baroness, says," continued Annette, with an
+emphasis on the title, to which she began to ascribe some talismanic
+influence,--"the Baroness, I tell you, says, that silence much
+concerns our safety, for it were most hazardous to draw upon this
+little fugitive party the notice of any passengers who may pass along
+the road during the necessary halt; and so, sirs, it is the Baroness's
+request that you will continue the exercise of your teeth as fast as
+you can, and forbear that of your tongues till you are in a safer
+condition."
+
+"My lady is wise," answered Ital Schreckenwald, "and her maiden is
+witty. I drink, Mrs. Annette, in a cup of Rudersheimer, to the
+continuance of her sagacity, and of your amiable liveliness of
+disposition. Will it please you, fair mistress, to pledge me in this
+generous liquor?"
+
+"Out, thou German wine-flask!--Out, thou eternal swill-flagon!--Heard
+you ever of a modest maiden who drank wine before she had dined?"
+
+"Remain without the generous inspiration then," said the German, "and
+nourish thy satirical vein on sour cider or acid whey."
+
+A short space having been allowed to refresh themselves, the little
+party again mounted their horses, and travelled with such speed, that
+long before noon they arrived at the strongly fortified town of Kehl,
+opposite to Strasburg, on the eastern bank of the Rhine.
+
+It is for local antiquaries to discover whether the travellers crossed
+from Kehl to Strasburg by the celebrated bridge of boats which at
+present maintains the communication across the river, or whether they
+were wafted over by some other mode of transportation. It is enough
+that they passed in safety, and had landed on the other side,
+where--whether she dreaded that he might forget the charge she had
+given him, that here they were to separate, or whether she thought
+that something more might be said in the moment of parting--the young
+Baroness, before remounting her horse, once more approached Arthur
+Philipson, who too truly guessed the tenor of what she had to say.
+
+"Gentle stranger," she said, "I must now bid you farewell. But first
+let me ask if you know whereabouts you are to seek your father?"
+
+"In an inn called the Flying Stag," said Arthur, dejectedly; "but
+where that is situated in this large town, I know not."
+
+"Do you know the place, Ital Schreckenwald?"
+
+"I, young lady?--Not I--I know nothing of Strasburg and its inns. I
+believe most of our party are as ignorant as I am."
+
+"You and they speak German, I suppose," said the Baroness, drily, "and
+can make inquiry more easily than a foreigner? Go, sir, and forget
+not that humanity to the stranger is a religious duty."
+
+With that shrug of the shoulders which testifies a displeased messenger,
+Ital went to make some inquiry, and, in his absence, brief as it was,
+Anne took an opportunity to say apart,--"Farewell!--Farewell! Accept
+this token of friendship, and wear it for my sake. May you be happy!"
+
+Her slender fingers dropped into his hand a very small parcel. He
+turned to thank her, but she was already at some distance; and
+Schreckenwald, who had taken his place by his side, said in his harsh
+voice, "Come, Sir Squire, I have found out your place of rendezvous,
+and I have but little time to play the gentleman-usher."
+
+He then rode on; and Philipson, mounted on his military charger,
+followed him in silence to the point where a large street joined, or
+rather crossed, that which led from the quay on which they had landed.
+
+"Yonder swings the Flying Stag," said Ital, pointing to an immense
+sign, which, mounted on a huge wooden frame, crossed almost the whole
+breadth of the street. "Your intelligence can, I think, hardly abandon
+you, with such a guide-post in your eye."
+
+So saying, he turned his horse without further farewell, and rode back
+to join his mistress and her attendants.
+
+Philipson's eyes rested on the same group for a moment, when he was
+recalled to a sense of his situation by the thoughts of his father;
+and, spurring his jaded horse down the cross street, he reached the
+hostelry of the Flying Stag.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] _Baaren-hauter_,--he of the Bear's hide,--a nickname for a German
+private soldier.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+                       I was, I must confess,
+     Great Albion's queen in former golden days;
+     But now mischance hath trod my title down,
+     And with dishonour laid me on the ground;
+     Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,
+     And to my humble seat conform myself.
+                            _Henry VI. Part III._
+
+
+The hostelry of the Flying Stag, in Strasburg, was, like every inn in
+the empire at the period, conducted much with the same discourteous
+inattention to the wants and accommodation of the guests as that of
+John Mengs. But the youth and good looks of Arthur Philipson,
+circumstances which seldom or never fail to produce some effect where
+the fair are concerned, prevailed upon a short, plump, dimpled,
+blue-eyed, fair-skinned yungfrau, the daughter of the landlord of the
+Flying Stag (himself a fat old man, pinned to the oaken chair in the
+_stube_), to carry herself to the young Englishman with a degree of
+condescension which, in the privileged race to which she belonged, was
+little short of degradation. She not only put her light buskins and
+her pretty ankles in danger of being soiled by tripping across the
+yard to point out an unoccupied stable, but, on Arthur's inquiry after
+his father, condescended to recollect that such a guest as he
+described had lodged in the house last night, and had said he expected
+to meet there a young person, his fellow-traveller.
+
+"I will send him out to you, fair sir," said the little yungfrau with
+a smile, which, if things of the kind are to be valued by their rare
+occurrence, must have been reckoned inestimable.
+
+She was as good as her word. In a few instants the elder Philipson
+entered the stable, and folded his son in his arms.
+
+"My son--my dear son!" said the Englishman, his usual stoicism broken
+down and melted by natural feeling and parental tenderness,--"Welcome
+to me at all times--welcome, in a period of doubt and danger--and most
+welcome of all, in a moment which forms the very crisis of our fate.
+In a few hours I shall know what we may expect from the Duke of
+Burgundy.--Hast thou the token?"
+
+Arthur's hand first sought that which was nearest to his heart, both
+in the literal and allegorical sense--the small parcel, namely, which
+Anne had given him at parting. But he recollected himself in the
+instant, and presented to his father the packet which had been so
+strangely lost and recovered at La Ferette.
+
+"It hath run its own risk since you saw it," he observed to his
+father, "and so have I mine. I received hospitality at a castle last
+night, and behold a body of lanzknechts in the neighbourhood began in
+the morning to mutiny for their pay. The inhabitants fled from the
+castle to escape their violence, and, as we passed their leaguer in
+the grey of the morning, a drunken Baaren-hauter shot my poor horse,
+and I was forced, in the way of exchange, to take up with his heavy
+Flemish animal, with its steel saddle, and its clumsy chaffron."
+
+"Our road is beset with perils," said his father. "I too have had my
+share, having been in great danger [he told not its precise nature] at
+an inn where I rested last night. But I left it in the morning, and
+proceeded hither in safety. I have at length, however, obtained a safe
+escort to conduct me to the Duke's camp near Dijon; and I trust to
+have an audience of him this evening. Then, if our last hope should
+fail, we will seek the seaport of Marseilles, hoist sail for Candia or
+for Rhodes, and spend our lives in defence of Christendom, since we
+may no longer fight for England."
+
+Arthur heard these ominous words without reply; but they did not the
+less sink upon his heart, deadly as the doom of the judge which
+secludes the criminal from society and all its joys, and condemns him
+to an eternal prison-house. The bells from the cathedral began to toll
+at this instant, and reminded the elder Philipson of the duty of
+hearing mass, which was said at all hours in some one or other of the
+separate chapels which are contained in that magnificent pile. His son
+followed, on an intimation of his pleasure.
+
+In approaching the access to this superb cathedral, the travellers
+found it obstructed, as is usual in Catholic countries, by the number
+of mendicants of both sexes, who crowded round the entrance to give
+the worshippers an opportunity of discharging the duty of alms-giving,
+so positively enjoined as a chief observance of their Church. The
+Englishmen extricated themselves from their importunity by bestowing,
+as is usual on such occasions, a donative of small coin upon those who
+appeared most needy, or most deserving of their charity. One tall
+woman stood on the steps close to the door, and extended her hand to
+the elder Philipson, who, struck with her appearance, exchanged for a
+piece of silver the copper coins which he had been distributing
+amongst others.
+
+"A marvel!" she said, in the English language, but in a tone
+calculated only to be heard by him alone, although his son also caught
+the sound and sense of what she said,--"Ay, a miracle!--An Englishman
+still possesses a silver piece, and can afford to bestow it on the
+poor!"
+
+Arthur was sensible that his father started somewhat at the voice or
+words, which bore, even in his ear, something of deeper import than
+the observation of an ordinary mendicant. But after a glance at the
+female who thus addressed him, his father passed onwards into the body
+of the church, and was soon engaged in attending to the solemn
+ceremony of the mass, as it was performed by a priest at the altar of
+a chapel divided from the main body of the splendid edifice, and
+dedicated, as it appeared from the image over the altar, to St.
+George; that military saint, whose real history is so obscure, though
+his popular legend rendered him an object of peculiar veneration
+during the feudal ages. The ceremony was begun and finished with all
+customary forms. The officiating priest, with his attendants,
+withdrew, and though some of the few worshippers who had assisted at
+the solemnity remained telling their beads, and occupied with the
+performance of their private devotions, far the greater part left the
+chapel, to visit other shrines, or to return to the prosecution of
+their secular affairs.
+
+But Arthur Philipson remarked that, whilst they dropped off one after
+another, the tall woman who had received his father's alms continued
+to kneel near the altar; and he was yet more surprised to see that his
+father himself, who, he had many reasons to know, was desirous to
+spend in the church no more time than the duties of devotion
+absolutely claimed, remained also on his knees, with his eyes resting
+on the form of the veiled devotee (such she seemed from her dress), as
+if his own motions were to be guided by hers. By no idea which
+occurred to him was Arthur able to form the least conjecture as to his
+father's motives--he only knew that he was engaged in a critical and
+dangerous negotiation, liable to influence or interruption from
+various quarters; and that political suspicion was so generally awake,
+both in France, Italy, and Flanders, that the most important agents
+were often obliged to assume the most impenetrable disguises, in order
+to insinuate themselves without suspicion into the countries where
+their services were required. Louis XI., in particular, whose singular
+policy seemed in some degree to give a character to the age in which
+he lived, was well known to have disguised his principal emissaries
+and envoys in the fictitious garbs of mendicant monks, minstrels,
+gypsies, and other privileged wanderers of the meanest description.
+
+Arthur concluded, therefore, that it was not improbable that this
+female might, like themselves, be something more than her dress
+imported; and he resolved to observe his father's deportment towards
+her, and regulate his own actions accordingly. A bell at last
+announced that mass, upon a more splendid scale, was about to be
+celebrated before the high altar of the cathedral itself, and its
+sound withdrew from the sequestered chapel of St. George the few who
+had remained at the shrine of the military saint, excepting the father
+and son, and the female penitent who kneeled opposite to them. When
+the last of the worshippers had retired, the female arose and advanced
+towards the elder Philipson, who, folding his arms on his bosom, and
+stooping his head, in an attitude of obeisance which his son had never
+before seen him assume, appeared rather to wait what she had to say,
+than to propose addressing her.
+
+There was a pause. Four lamps, lighted before the shrine of the saint,
+cast a dim radiance on his armour and steed, represented as he was in
+the act of transfixing with his lance the prostrate dragon, whose
+outstretched wings and writhing neck were in part touched by their
+beams. The rest of the chapel was dimly illuminated by the autumnal
+sun, which could scarce find its way through the stained panes of the
+small lanceolated window, which was its only aperture to the open air.
+The light fell doubtful and gloomy, tinged with the various hues
+through which it passed, upon the stately yet somewhat broken and
+dejected form of the female, and on those of the melancholy and
+anxious father, and his son, who, with all the eager interest of
+youth, suspected and anticipated extraordinary consequences from so
+singular an interview.
+
+At length the female approached to the same side of the shrine with
+Arthur and his father, as if to be more distinctly heard, without
+being obliged to raise the slow solemn voice in which she had spoken.
+
+"Do you here worship," she said, "the St. George of Burgundy, or the
+St. George of merry England, the flower of chivalry?"
+
+"I serve," said Philipson, folding his hands humbly on his bosom, "the
+saint to whom this chapel is dedicated, and the Deity with whom I hope
+for his holy intercession, whether here or in my native country."
+
+"Ay--you," said the female, "even you can forget--you, even you, who
+have been numbered among the mirror of knighthood--can forget that you
+have worshipped in the royal fane of Windsor--that you have there bent
+a _gartered_ knee, where kings and princes kneeled around you--you can
+forget this, and make your orisons at a foreign shrine, with a heart
+undisturbed with the thoughts of what you have been,--praying, like
+some poor peasant, for bread and life during the day that passes over
+you."
+
+"Lady," replied Philipson, "in my proudest hours, I was, before the
+Being to whom I preferred my prayers, but as a worm in the dust--In
+His eyes I am now neither less nor more, degraded as I may be in the
+opinion of my fellow-reptiles."
+
+"How canst thou think thus?" said the devotee; "and yet it is well
+with thee that thou canst. But what have thy losses been, compared to
+mine!"
+
+She put her hand to her brow, and seemed for a moment overpowered by
+agonising recollections.
+
+Arthur pressed to his father's side, and inquired, in a tone of
+interest which could not be repressed, "Father, who is this lady?--Is
+it my mother?"
+
+"No, my son," answered Philipson;--"peace, for the sake of all you
+hold dear or holy!"
+
+The singular female, however, heard both the question and answer,
+though expressed in a whisper.
+
+"Yes," she said, "young man--I am--I should say I was--your mother;
+the mother, the protectress, of all that was noble in England--I am
+Margaret of Anjou."
+
+Arthur sank on his knees before the dauntless widow of Henry the
+Sixth, who so long, and in such desperate circumstances, upheld, by
+unyielding courage and deep policy, the sinking cause of her feeble
+husband; and who, if she occasionally abused victory by cruelty and
+revenge, had made some atonement by the indomitable resolution with
+which she had supported the fiercest storms of adversity. Arthur had
+been bred in devoted adherence to the now dethroned line of Lancaster,
+of which his father was one of the most distinguished supporters; and
+his earliest deeds of arms, which, though unfortunate, were neither
+obscure nor ignoble, had been done in their cause. With an enthusiasm
+belonging to his age and education, he in the same instant flung his
+bonnet on the pavement, and knelt at the feet of his ill-fated
+sovereign.
+
+Margaret threw back the veil which concealed those noble and majestic
+features, which even yet,--though rivers of tears had furrowed her
+cheek,--though care, disappointment, domestic grief, and humbled pride
+had quenched the fire of her eye, and wasted the smooth dignity of her
+forehead,--even yet showed the remains of that beauty which once was
+held unequalled in Europe. The apathy with which a succession of
+misfortunes and disappointed hopes had chilled the feelings of the
+unfortunate Princess was for a moment melted by the sight of the fair
+youth's enthusiasm. She abandoned one hand to him, which he covered
+with tears and kisses, and with the other stroked with maternal
+tenderness his curled locks, as she endeavoured to raise him from the
+posture he had assumed. His father, in the meanwhile, shut the door of
+the chapel, and placed his back against it, withdrawing himself thus
+from the group, as if for the purpose of preventing any stranger from
+entering, during a scene so extraordinary.
+
+"And thou, then," said Margaret, in a voice where female tenderness
+combated strangely with her natural pride of rank, and with the calm,
+stoical indifference induced by the intensity of her personal
+misfortunes; "thou, fair youth, art the last scion of the noble stem,
+so many fair boughs of which have fallen in our hapless cause. Alas,
+alas! what can I do for thee? Margaret has not even a blessing to
+bestow. So wayward is her fate, that her benedictions are curses, and
+she has but to look on you and wish you well, to insure your speedy
+and utter ruin. I--I have been the fatal poison-tree, whose influence
+has blighted and destroyed all the fair plants that arose beside and
+around me, and brought death upon every one, yet am myself unable to
+find it!"
+
+"Noble and royal mistress," said the elder Englishman, "let not your
+princely courage, which has borne such extremities, be dismayed, now
+that they are passed over, and that a chance at least of happier times
+is approaching to you and to England."
+
+"To England, to _me_, noble Oxford!" said the forlorn and widowed
+Queen.--"If to-morrow's sun could place me once more on the throne of
+England, could it give back to me what I have lost? I speak not of
+wealth or power--they are as nothing in the balance--I speak not of
+the hosts of noble friends who have fallen in defence of me and
+mine--Somersets, Percys, Staffords, Cliffords--they have found their
+place in fame, in the annals of their country--I speak not of my
+husband, he has exchanged the state of a suffering saint upon earth
+for that of a glorified saint in heaven--But oh, Oxford! my son--my
+Edward!--Is it possible for me to look on this youth, and not remember
+that thy countess and I on the same night gave birth to two fair boys?
+How oft we endeavoured to prophesy their future fortunes, and to
+persuade ourselves that the same constellation which shone on their
+birth would influence their succeeding life, and hold a friendly and
+equal bias till they reached some destined goal of happiness and
+honour! Thy Arthur lives; but, alas! my Edward, born under the same
+auspices, fills a bloody grave!"
+
+She wrapped her head in her mantle, as if to stifle the complaints and
+groans which maternal affection poured forth at these cruel
+recollections. Philipson, or the exiled Earl of Oxford as we may now
+term him, distinguished in those changeful times by the steadiness
+with which he had always maintained his loyalty to the line of
+Lancaster, saw the imprudence of indulging his sovereign in her
+weakness.
+
+  [Illustration: ARTHUR BEFORE THE QUEEN.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+"Royal mistress," he said, "life's journey is that of a brief winter's
+day, and its course will run on, whether we avail ourselves of its
+progress or no. My sovereign is, I trust, too much mistress
+of herself to suffer lamentation for what is passed to deprive
+her of the power of using the present time. I am here in obedience to
+your command; I am to see Burgundy forthwith, and if I find him pliant
+to the purpose to which we would turn him, events may follow which
+will change into gladness our present mourning. But we must use our
+opportunity with speed as well as zeal. Let me know then, madam, for
+what reason your Majesty hath come hither, disguised and in danger?
+Surely it was not merely to weep over this young man that the
+high-minded Queen Margaret left her father's court, disguised herself
+in mean attire, and came from a place of safety to one of doubt at
+least, if not of danger?"
+
+"You mock me, Oxford," said the unfortunate Queen, "or you deceive
+yourself, if you think you still serve that Margaret whose word was
+never spoken without a reason, and whose slightest action was
+influenced by a motive. Alas! I am no longer the same firm and
+rational being. The feverish character of grief, while it makes one
+place hateful to me, drives me to another in very impotence and
+impatience of spirit. My father's residence, thou say'st, is safe; but
+is it tolerable for such a soul as mine? Can one who has been deprived
+of the noblest and richest kingdom of Europe--one who has lost hosts
+of noble friends--one who is a widowed consort, a childless
+mother--one upon whose head Heaven hath poured forth its last vial of
+unmitigated wrath,--can she stoop to be the companion of a weak old
+man, who, in sonnets and in music, in mummery and folly, in harping
+and rhyming, finds a comfort for all that poverty has that is
+distressing; and, what is still worse, even a solace in all that is
+ridiculous and contemptible?"
+
+"Nay, with your leave, madam," said her counsellor, "blame not the
+good King René (_a_),[5] because, persecuted by fortune, he has been
+able to find out for himself humbler sources of solace, which your
+prouder spirit is disposed to disdain. A contention among his
+minstrels has for him the animation of a knightly combat; and a crown
+of flowers, twined by his troubadours and graced by their sonnets, he
+accounts a valuable compensation for the diadems of Jerusalem, of
+Naples, and of both Sicilies, of which he only possesses the empty
+titles."
+
+"Speak not to me of the pitiable old man," said Margaret; "sunk below
+even the hatred of his worst enemies, and never thought worthy of
+anything more than contempt. I tell thee, noble Oxford, I have been
+driven nearly mad with my forced residence at Aix, in the paltry
+circle which he calls his court. My ears, tuned as they now are only
+to sounds of affliction, are not so weary of the eternal tinkling of
+harps, and squeaking of rebecks, and snapping of castanets;--my eyes
+are not so tired of the beggarly affectation of court ceremonial,
+which is only respectable when it implies wealth and expresses
+power,--as my very soul is sick of the paltry ambition which can find
+pleasure in spangles, tassels, and trumpery, when the reality of all
+that is great and noble hath passed away. No, Oxford. If I am doomed
+to lose the last cast which fickle fortune seems to offer me, I will
+retreat into the meanest convent in the Pyrenean hills, and at least
+escape the insult of the idiot gaiety of my father.--Let him pass from
+our memory as from the page of history, in which his name will never
+be recorded. I have much of more importance both to hear and to
+tell.--And now, my Oxford, what news from Italy? Will the Duke of
+Milan afford us assistance with his counsels, or with his treasures?"
+
+"With his counsels willingly, madam; but how you will relish them I
+know not, since he recommends to us submission to our hapless fate,
+and resignation to the will of Providence."
+
+"The wily Italian! Will not, then, Galeasso advance any part of his
+hoards, or assist a friend, to whom he hath in his time full often
+sworn faith?"
+
+"Not even the diamonds which I offered to deposit in his hands,"
+answered the Earl, "could make him unlock his treasury to supply us
+with ducats for our enterprise. Yet he said, if Charles of Burgundy
+should think seriously of an exertion in our favour, such was his
+regard for that great prince, and his deep sense of your Majesty's
+misfortunes, that he would consider what the state of his exchequer,
+though much exhausted, and the condition of his subjects, though
+impoverished by taxes and talliages, would permit him to advance in
+your behalf."
+
+"The double-faced hypocrite!" said Margaret. "If the assistance of the
+princely Burgundy lends us a chance of regaining what is our own, then
+he will give us some paltry parcel of crowns, that our restored
+prosperity may forget his indifference to our adversity!--But what of
+Burgundy? I have ventured hither to tell you what I have learned, and
+to hear report of your proceedings--a trusty watch provides for the
+secrecy of our interview. My impatience to see you brought me hither
+in this mean disguise. I have a small retinue at a convent a mile
+beyond the town--I have had your arrival watched by the faithful
+Lambert--and now I come to know your hopes or your fears, and to tell
+you my own."
+
+"Royal lady," said the Earl, "I have not seen the Duke. You know his
+temper to be wilful, sudden, haughty, and unpersuadable. If he can
+adopt the calm and sustained policy which the times require, I little
+doubt his obtaining full amends of Louis, his sworn enemy, and even of
+Edward, his ambitious brother-in-law. But if he continues to yield to
+extravagant fits of passion, with or without provocation, he may hurry
+into a quarrel with the poor but hardy Helvetians, and is likely to
+engage in a perilous contest, in which he cannot be expected to gain
+anything, while he undergoes a chance of the most serious losses."
+
+"Surely," replied the Queen, "he will not trust the usurper Edward,
+even in the very moment when he is giving the greatest proof of
+treachery to his alliance?"
+
+"In what respect, madam?" replied Oxford. "The news you allude to has
+not reached me."
+
+"How, my lord? Am I then the first to tell you that Edward of York has
+crossed the sea (_b_) with such an army as scarce even the renowned
+Henry V., my father-in-law, ever transported from France to Italy?"
+
+"So much I have indeed heard was expected," said Oxford; "and I
+anticipated the effect as fatal to our cause."
+
+"Edward is arrived," said Margaret, "and the traitor and usurper hath
+sent defiance to Louis of France, and demanded of him the crown of
+that kingdom as his own right--that crown which was placed on the head
+of my unhappy husband, when he was yet a child in the cradle."
+
+"It is then decided--the English are in France!" answered Oxford, in a
+tone expressive of the deepest anxiety.--"And whom brings Edward with
+him on this expedition?"
+
+"All--all the bitterest enemies of our house and cause--The false, the
+traitorous, the dishonoured George, whom he calls Duke of Clarence--the
+blood-drinker, Richard--the licentious Hastings--Howard--Stanley--in a
+word, the leaders of all those traitors whom I would not name, unless
+by doing so my curses could sweep them from the face of the earth."
+
+"And--I tremble to ask," said the Earl--"Does Burgundy prepare to join
+them as a brother of the war, and make common cause with this Yorkish
+host against King Louis of France?"
+
+"By my advices," replied the Queen, "and they are both private and
+sure, besides that they are confirmed by the bruit of common fame--No,
+my good Oxford, no!"
+
+"For that may the Saints be praised!" answered Oxford. "Edward of
+York--I will not malign even an enemy--is a bold and fearless
+leader--But he is neither Edward the Third, nor the heroic Black
+Prince--nor is he that fifth Henry of Lancaster, under whom I won my
+spurs, and to whose lineage the thoughts of his glorious memory would
+have made me faithful, had my plighted vows of allegiance ever
+permitted me to entertain a thought of varying, or of defection. Let
+Edward engage in war with Louis without the aid of Burgundy, on which
+he has reckoned. Louis is indeed no hero, but he is a cautious and
+skilful general, more to be dreaded, perhaps, in these politic days,
+than if Charlemagne could again raise the Oriflamme, surrounded by
+Roland and all his paladins. Louis will not hazard such fields as
+those of Cressy, of Poictiers, or of Agincourt. With a thousand lances
+from Hainault, and twenty thousand crowns from Burgundy, Edward shall
+risk the loss of England, while he is engaged in a protracted struggle
+for the recovery of Normandy and Guienne. But what are the movements
+of Burgundy?"
+
+"He has menaced Germany," said Margaret, "and his troops are now
+employed in overrunning Lorraine, of which he has seized the principal
+towns and castles."
+
+"Where is Ferrand de Vaudemont--a youth, it is said, of courage and
+enterprise, and claiming Lorraine in right of his mother, Yolande of
+Anjou, the sister of your Grace?"
+
+"Fled," replied the Queen, "into Germany or Helvetia."
+
+"Let Burgundy beware of him," said the experienced Earl; "for should
+the disinherited youth obtain confederates in Germany, and allies
+among the hardy Swiss, Charles of Burgundy may find him a far more
+formidable enemy than he expects. We are strong for the present, only
+in the Duke's strength, and if it is wasted in idle and desultory
+efforts, our hopes, alas! vanish with his power, even if he should be
+found to have the decided will to assist us. My friends in England
+are resolute not to stir without men and money from Burgundy."
+
+"It is a fear," said Margaret, "but not our worst fear. I dread more
+the policy of Louis, who, unless my espials have grossly deceived me,
+has even already proposed a secret peace to Edward, offering with
+large sums of money to purchase England to the Yorkists, and a truce
+of seven years."
+
+"It cannot be," said Oxford. "No Englishman, commanding such an army
+as Edward must now lead, dares for very shame to retire from France
+without a manly attempt to recover his lost provinces."
+
+"Such would have been the thoughts of a rightful prince," said
+Margaret, "who left behind him an obedient and faithful kingdom. Such
+may not be the thoughts of this Edward, misnamed Plantagenet, base
+perhaps in mind as in blood, since they say his real father was one
+Blackburn, an archer of Middleham--usurper, at least, if not
+bastard--such will not be his thoughts.[6] Every breeze that blows
+from England will bring with it apprehensions of defection amongst
+those over whom he has usurped authority. He will not sleep in peace
+till he returns to England with those cut-throats, whom he relies upon
+for the defence of his stolen crown. He will engage in no war with
+Louis, for Louis will not hesitate to soothe his pride by
+humiliation--to gorge his avarice and pamper his voluptuous
+prodigality by sums of gold--and I fear much we shall soon hear of
+the English army retiring from France with the idle boast, that they
+have displayed their banners once more, for a week or two, in the
+provinces which were formerly their own."
+
+"It the more becomes us to be speedy in moving Burgundy to decision,"
+replied Oxford; "and for that purpose I post to Dijon. Such an army as
+Edward's cannot be transported over the narrow seas in several weeks.
+The probability is, that they must winter in France, even if they
+should have truce with King Louis. With a thousand Hainault lances
+from the eastern part of Flanders, I can be soon in the North, where
+we have many friends, besides the assurance of help from Scotland. The
+faithful West will rise at a signal--a Clifford can be found, though
+the mountain mists have hid him from Richard's researches--the Welsh
+will assemble at the rallying word of Tudor--the Red Rose raises its
+head once more--and so, God save King Henry!"
+
+"Alas!" said the Queen--"But no husband--no friend of mine--the son
+but of my mother-in-law by a Welsh chieftain--cold, they say, and
+crafty--But be it so--let me only see Lancaster triumph, and obtain
+revenge upon York, and I will die contented!"
+
+"It is then your pleasure that I should make the proffers expressed by
+your Grace's former mandates, to induce Burgundy to stir himself in
+our cause? If he learns the proposal of a truce betwixt France and
+England, it will sting sharper than aught I can say."
+
+"Promise all, however," said the Queen. "I know his inmost soul--it is
+set upon extending the dominions of his House in every direction. For
+this he has seized Gueldres--for this he now overruns and occupies
+Lorraine--for this he covets such poor remnants of Provence as my
+father still calls his own. With such augmented territories, he
+proposes to exchange his ducal diadem for an arched crown of
+independent sovereignty. Tell the Duke, Margaret can assist his
+views--tell him, that my father René shall disown the opposition made
+to the Duke's seizure of Lorraine--He shall do more--he shall declare
+Charles his heir in Provence, with my ample consent--tell him, the old
+man shall cede his dominions to him upon the instant that his
+Hainaulters embark for England, some small pension deducted to
+maintain a concert of fiddlers, and a troop of morrice-dancers. These
+are René's only earthly wants. Mine are still fewer--Revenge upon
+York, and a speedy grave!--For the paltry gold which we may need, thou
+hast jewels to pledge--For the other conditions, security if
+required."
+
+"For these, madam, I can pledge my knightly word, in addition to your
+royal faith; and if more is required, my son shall be a hostage with
+Burgundy."
+
+"Oh, no--no!" exclaimed the dethroned Queen, touched by perhaps the
+only tender feeling, which repeated and extraordinary misfortunes had
+not chilled into insensibility,--"Hazard not the life of the noble
+youth--he that is the last of the loyal and faithful House of Vere--he
+that should have been the brother in arms of my beloved Edward--he
+that had so nearly been his companion in a bloody and untimely grave!
+Do not involve this poor child in these fatal intrigues, which have
+been so baneful to his family. Let him go with me. Him at least I
+will shelter from danger whilst I live, and provide for when I am no
+more."
+
+"Forgive me, madam," said Oxford, with the firmness which
+distinguished him. "My son, as you deign to recollect, is a De Vere,
+destined, perhaps, to be the last of his name. Fall, he may, but it
+must not be without honour. To whatever dangers his duty and
+allegiance call him, be it from sword or lance, axe or gibbet, to
+these he must expose himself frankly, when his doing so can mark his
+allegiance. His ancestors have shown him how to brave them all."
+
+"True, true," exclaimed the unfortunate Queen, raising her arms
+wildly,--"All must perish--all that have honoured Lancaster--all that
+have loved Margaret, or whom she has loved! The destruction must be
+universal--the young must fall with the old--not a lamb of the
+scattered flock shall escape!"
+
+"For God's sake, gracious madam," said Oxford, "compose yourself!--I
+hear them knock on the chapel door."
+
+"It is the signal of parting," said the exiled Queen, collecting
+herself. "Do not fear, noble Oxford, I am not often thus; but how
+seldom do I see those friends, whose faces and voices can disturb the
+composure of my despair! Let me tie this relic about thy neck, good
+youth, and fear not its evil influence, though you receive it from an
+ill-omened hand. It was my husband's, blessed by many a prayer, and
+sanctified by many a holy tear; even my unhappy hands cannot pollute
+it. I should have bound it on my Edward's bosom on the dreadful
+morning of Tewkesbury fight; but he armed early--went to the field
+without seeing me, and all my purpose was vain."
+
+She passed a golden chain round Arthur's neck as she spoke, which
+contained a small gold crucifix of rich but barbarous manufacture. It
+had belonged, said tradition, to Edward the Confessor. The knock at
+the door of the chapel was repeated.
+
+"We must not tarry," said Margaret; "let us part here--you for Dijon,
+I to Aix, my abode of unrest in Provence. Farewell--we may meet in a
+better hour--yet how can I hope it? Thus I said on the morning before
+the fight of St. Albans--thus on the dark dawning of Towton--thus on
+the yet more bloody field of Tewkesbury--and what was the event? Yet
+hope is a plant which cannot be rooted out of a noble breast, till the
+last heart-string crack as it is pulled away."
+
+So saying, she passed through the chapel door, and mingled in the
+miscellaneous assemblage of personages who worshipped or indulged
+their curiosity, or consumed their idle hours amongst the aisles of
+the cathedral.
+
+Philipson and his son, both deeply impressed with the singular
+interview which had just taken place, returned to their inn, where
+they found a pursuivant, with the Duke of Burgundy's badge and livery,
+who informed them, that if they were the English merchants who were
+carrying wares of value to the court of the Duke, he had orders to
+afford them the countenance of his escort and inviolable character.
+Under his protection they set out from Strasburg; but such was the
+uncertainty of the Duke of Burgundy's motions, and such the numerous
+obstacles which occurred to interrupt their journey, in a country
+disturbed by the constant passage of troops and preparation for war,
+that it was evening on the second day ere they reached the plain near
+Dijon, on which the whole, or great part of his power, lay encamped.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[5] See Editor's Notes at the end of the Volume. Wherever a similar
+reference occurs, the reader will understand that the same direction
+applies.
+
+[6] The Lancastrian party threw the imputation of bastardy (which was
+totally unfounded) upon Edward IV.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+     Thus said the Duke--thus did the Duke infer.
+                                   _Richard III._
+
+
+The eyes of the elder traveller were well accustomed to sights of
+martial splendour, yet even he was dazzled with the rich and glorious
+display of the Burgundian camp, in which, near the walls of Dijon,
+Charles, the wealthiest prince in Europe, had displayed his own
+extravagance, and encouraged his followers to similar profusion. The
+pavilions of the meanest officers were of silk and samite, while those
+of the nobility and great leaders glittered with cloth of silver,
+cloth of gold, variegated tapestry, and other precious materials,
+which in no other situation would have been employed as a cover from
+the weather, but would themselves have been thought worthy of the most
+careful protection. The horsemen and infantry who mounted guard were
+arrayed in the richest and most gorgeous armour. A beautiful and very
+numerous train of artillery was drawn up near the entrance of the
+camp, and in its commander Philipson (to give the Earl the travelling
+name to which our readers are accustomed) recognised Henry
+Colvin(_c_), an Englishman of inferior birth, but distinguished for
+his skill in conducting these terrible engines, which had of late come
+into general use in war. The banners and pennons which were displayed
+by every knight, baron, and man of rank floated before their tents,
+and the owners of these transitory dwellings sat at the door
+half-armed, and enjoyed the military contests of the soldiers, in
+wrestling, pitching the bar, and other athletic exercises.
+
+Long rows of the noblest horses were seen at picket, prancing and
+tossing their heads, as impatient of the inactivity to which they were
+confined, or were heard neighing over the provender which was spread
+plentifully before them. The soldiers formed joyous groups around the
+minstrels and strolling jugglers, or were engaged in drinking-parties
+at the sutlers' tents; others strolled about with folded arms, casting
+their eyes now and then to the sinking sun, as if desirous that the
+hour should arrive which should put an end to a day unoccupied, and
+therefore tedious.
+
+At length the travellers reached, amidst the dazzling varieties of
+this military display, the pavilion of the Duke himself, before which
+floated heavily in the evening breeze the broad and rich banner, in
+which glowed the armorial bearings and quarterings of a prince, Duke
+of six provinces, and Count of fifteen counties, who was, from his
+power, his disposition, and the success which seemed to attend his
+enterprises, the general dread of Europe. The pursuivant made himself
+known to some of the household, and the Englishmen were immediately
+received with courtesy, though not such as to draw attention upon
+them, and conveyed to a neighbouring tent, the residence of a general
+officer, which they were given to understand was destined for their
+accommodation, and where their packages accordingly were deposited,
+and refreshments offered them.
+
+"As the camp is filled," said the domestic who waited upon them, "with
+soldiers of different nations and uncertain dispositions, the Duke of
+Burgundy, for the safety of your merchandise, has ordered you the
+protection of a regular sentinel. In the meantime, be in readiness to
+wait on his Highness, seeing you may look to be presently sent for."
+
+Accordingly, the elder Philipson was shortly after summoned to the
+Duke's presence, introduced by a back entrance into the ducal
+pavilion, and into that part of it which, screened by close curtains
+and wooden barricades, formed Charles's own separate apartment. The
+plainness of the furniture, and the coarse apparatus of the Duke's
+toilette, formed a strong contrast to the appearance of the exterior
+of the pavilion; for Charles, whose character was, in that as in other
+things, far from consistent, exhibited in his own person during war an
+austerity, or rather coarseness of dress, and sometimes of manners
+also, which was more like the rudeness of a German lanzknecht, than
+the bearing of a prince of exalted rank; while, at the same time, he
+encouraged and enjoined a great splendour of expense and display
+amongst his vassals and courtiers, as if to be rudely attired, and to
+despise every restraint, even of ordinary ceremony, were a privilege
+of the sovereign alone. Yet when it pleased him to assume state in
+person and manners, none knew better than Charles of Burgundy how he
+ought to adorn and demean himself.
+
+Upon his toilette appeared brushes and combs, which might have claimed
+dismissal as past the term of service, over-worn hats and doublets,
+dog-leashes, leather-belts, and other such paltry articles; amongst
+which lay at random, as it seemed, the great diamond called
+Sanci,--the three rubies termed the Three Brothers of Antwerp,--another
+great diamond called the Lamp of Flanders, and other precious stones
+of scarcely inferior value and rarity. This extraordinary display
+somewhat resembled the character of the Duke himself, who mixed
+cruelty with justice, magnanimity with meanness of spirit, economy
+with extravagance, and liberality with avarice; being, in fact,
+consistent in nothing excepting in his obstinate determination to
+follow the opinion he had once formed, in every situation of things,
+and through all variety of risks.
+
+In the midst of the valueless and inestimable articles of his wardrobe
+and toilette, the Duke of Burgundy called out to the English
+traveller, "Welcome, Herr Philipson--welcome, you of a nation whose
+traders are princes, and their merchants the mighty ones of the earth.
+What new commodities have you brought to gull us with? You merchants,
+by St. George, are a wily generation."
+
+"Faith, no new merchandise I, my lord," answered the elder Englishman;
+"I bring but the commodities which I showed your Highness the last
+time I communicated with you, in the hope of a poor trader, that your
+Grace may find them more acceptable upon a review, than when you first
+saw them."
+
+"It is well, Sir--Philipville, I think they call you?--you are a
+simple trader, or you take me for a silly purchaser, that you think to
+gull me with the same wares which I fancied not formerly. Change of
+fashion, man--novelty--is the motto of commerce; your Lancaster wares
+have had their day, and I have bought of them like others, and was
+like enough to have paid dear for them too. York is all the vogue
+now."
+
+"It may be so among the vulgar," said the Earl of Oxford; "but for
+souls like your Highness, faith, honour, and loyalty are jewels which
+change of fancy, or mutability of taste, cannot put out of fashion."
+
+"Why, it may be, noble Oxford," said the Duke, "that I preserve in my
+secret mind some veneration for these old-fashioned qualities, else
+why should I have such regard for your person, in which they have ever
+been distinguished? But my situation is painfully urgent, and should I
+make a false step at this crisis, I might break the purposes of my
+whole life. Observe me, Sir Merchant. Here has come over your old
+competitor, Blackburn, whom some call Edward of York and of London,
+with a commodity of bows and bills such as never entered France since
+King Arthur's time; and he offers to enter into joint adventure with
+me, or, in plain speech, to make common cause with Burgundy, till we
+smoke out of his earths the old fox Louis, and nail his hide to the
+stable-door. In a word, England invites me to take part with him
+against my most wily and inveterate enemy, the King of France; to rid
+myself of the chain of vassalage, and to ascend into the rank of
+independent princes;--how think you, noble Earl, can I forego this
+seducing temptation?"
+
+"You must ask this of some of your counsellors of Burgundy," said
+Oxford; "it is a question fraught too deeply with ruin to my cause,
+for me to give a fair opinion on it."
+
+"Nevertheless," said Charles, "I ask thee, as an honourable man, what
+objections you see to the course proposed to me? Speak your mind, and
+speak it freely."
+
+"My lord, I know it is in your Highness's nature to entertain no
+doubts of the facility of executing anything which you have once
+determined shall be done. Yet, though this prince-like disposition may
+in some cases prepare for its own success, and has often done so,
+there are others, in which, persisting in our purpose, merely because
+we have once willed it, leads not to success, but to ruin. Look,
+therefore, at this English army;--winter is approaching, where are
+they to be lodged? how are they to be victualled? by whom are they to
+be paid? Is your Highness to take all the expense and labour of
+fitting them for the summer campaign? for, rely on it, an English army
+never was, nor will be, fit for service, till they have been out of
+their own island long enough to accustom them to military duty. They
+are men, I grant, the fittest for soldiers in the world; but they are
+not soldiers as yet, and must be trained to become such at your
+Highness's expense."
+
+"Be it so," said Charles; "I think the Low Countries can find food for
+the beef-consuming knaves for a few weeks, and villages for them to
+lie in, and officers to train their sturdy limbs to war, and
+provost-marshals enough to reduce their refractory spirit to
+discipline."
+
+"What happens next?" said Oxford. "You march to Paris, add to Edward's
+usurped power another kingdom; restore to him all the possessions
+which England ever had in France, Normandy, Maine, Anjou, Gascony, and
+all besides--Can you trust this Edward when you shall have thus
+fostered his strength, and made him far stronger than this Louis whom
+you have united to pull down?"
+
+"By St. George, I will not dissemble with you! It is in that very
+point that my doubts trouble me. Edward is indeed my brother-in-law,
+but I am a man little inclined to put my head under my wife's girdle."
+
+"And the times," said Philipson, "have too often shown the
+inefficiency of family alliances, to prevent the most gross breaches
+of faith."
+
+"You say well, Earl. Clarence betrayed his father-in-law; Louis
+poisoned his brother--Domestic affections, pshaw! they sit warm enough
+by a private man's fireside, but they cannot come into fields of
+battle, or princes' halls, where the wind blows cold. No, my alliance
+with Edward by marriage were little succour to me in time of need. I
+would as soon ride an unbroken horse, with no better bridle than a
+lady's garter. But what then is the result? He wars on Louis;
+whichever gains the better, I, who must be strengthened in their
+mutual weakness, receive the advantage--The Englishmen slay the French
+with their cloth-yard shafts, and the Frenchmen, by skirmishes, waste,
+weaken, and destroy the English. With spring I take the field with an
+army superior to both, and then, St. George for Burgundy!"
+
+"And if, in the meanwhile, your Highness will deign to assist, even in
+the most trifling degree, a cause the most honourable that ever knight
+laid lance in rest for,--a moderate sum of money, and a small body of
+Hainault lances, who may gain both fame and fortune by the service,
+may replace the injured heir of Lancaster in the possession of his
+native and rightful dominion."
+
+"Ay, marry, Sir Earl," said the Duke, "you come roundly to the point;
+but we have seen, and indeed partly assisted, at so many turns betwixt
+York and Lancaster, that we have some doubt which is the side to which
+Heaven has given the right, and the inclinations of the people the
+effectual power; we are surprised into absolute giddiness by so many
+extraordinary revolutions of fortune as England has exhibited."
+
+"A proof, my lord, that these mutations are not yet ended, and that
+your generous aid may give to the better side an effectual turn of
+advantage."
+
+"And lend my cousin, Margaret of Anjou, my arm to dethrone my wife's
+brother? Perhaps he deserves small good-will at my hands, since he and
+his insolent nobles have been urging me with remonstrances, and even
+threats, to lay aside all my own important affairs, and join Edward,
+forsooth, in his knight-errant expedition against Louis. I will march
+against Louis at my own time, and not sooner; and, by St. George!
+neither island king, nor island noble, shall dictate to Charles of
+Burgundy. You are fine conceited companions, you English of both
+sides, that think the matters of your own bedlam island are as
+interesting to all the world as to yourselves. But neither York nor
+Lancaster, neither brother Blackburn nor cousin Margaret of Anjou, not
+with John de Vere to back her, shall gull me. Men lure no hawks with
+empty hands."
+
+Oxford, familiar with the Duke's disposition, suffered him to exhaust
+himself in chafing, that any one should pretend to dictate his course
+of conduct, and, when he was at length silent, replied with
+calmness--"Do I live to hear the noble Duke of Burgundy, the mirror of
+European chivalry, say, that no reason has been shown to him for an
+adventure where a helpless queen is to be redressed--a royal house
+raised from the dust? Is there not immortal _los_ and honour--the
+trumpet of fame to proclaim the sovereign, who, alone in a degenerate
+age, has united the duties of a generous knight with those of a
+princely sovereign"----
+
+The Duke interrupted him, striking him at the same time on the
+shoulder--"And King René's five hundred fiddlers to tune their cracked
+violins in my praise? and King René himself to listen to them, and
+say, 'Well fought, Duke--well played, fiddler!' I tell thee, John of
+Oxford, when thou and I wore maiden armour, such words as fame,
+honour, _los_, knightly glory, lady's love, and so forth, were good
+mottoes for our snow-white shields, and a fair enough argument for
+splintering lances--Ay, and in tilt-yard, though somewhat old for
+these fierce follies, I would jeopard my person in such a quarrel yet,
+as becomes a knight of the order. But when we come to paying down of
+crowns, and embarking of large squadrons, we must have to propose to
+our subjects some substantial excuse for plunging them in war; some
+proposal for the public good--or, by St. George! for our own private
+advantage, which is the same thing. This is the course the world runs,
+and, Oxford, to tell the plain truth, I mean to hold the same bias."
+
+"Heaven forbid that I should expect your Highness to act otherwise
+than with a view to your subjects' welfare--the increase, that is, as
+your Grace happily expresses it, of your own power and dominion. The
+money we require is not in benevolence, but in loan; and Margaret is
+willing to deposit these jewels, of which I think your Grace knows the
+value, till she shall repay the sum which your friendship may advance
+in her necessity."
+
+"Ha, ha!" said the Duke, "would our cousin make a pawnbroker of us,
+and have us deal with her like a Jewish usurer with his debtor?--Yet,
+in faith, Oxford, we may need the diamonds, for if this business were
+otherwise feasible, it is possible that I myself must become a
+borrower to aid my cousin's necessities. I have applied to the States
+of the Duchy, who are now sitting, and expect, as is reasonable, a
+large supply. But there are restless heads and close hands among them,
+and they may be niggardly--So place the jewels on the table in the
+meanwhile.--Well, say I am to be no sufferer in purse by this feat of
+knight-errantry which you propose to me, still princes enter not into
+war without some view of advantage?"
+
+"Listen to me, noble sovereign. You are naturally bent to unite the
+great estates of your father, and those you have acquired by your own
+arms, into a compact and firm dukedom"----
+
+"Call it kingdom," said Charles; "it is the worthier word."
+
+"Into a kingdom, of which the crown shall sit as fair and even on your
+Grace's brow as that of France on your present suzerain, Louis."
+
+"It need not such shrewdness as yours to descry that such is my
+purpose," said the Duke; "else, wherefore am I here with helm on my
+head, and sword by my side? And wherefore are my troops seizing on the
+strong places in Lorraine, and chasing before them the beggarly De
+Vaudemont, who has the insolence to claim it as his inheritance? Yes,
+my friend, the aggrandisement of Burgundy is a theme for which the
+duke of that fair province is bound to fight, while he can put foot in
+stirrup."
+
+"But think you not," said the English Earl, "since you allow me to
+speak freely with your Grace, on the footing of old acquaintanceship,
+think you not that in this chart of your dominions, otherwise so
+fairly bounded, there is something on the southern frontier which
+might be arranged more advantageously for a King of Burgundy?"
+
+"I cannot guess whither you would lead me," said the Duke, looking at
+a map of the Duchy and his other possessions, to which the Englishman
+had pointed his attention, and then turning his broad keen eye upon
+the face of the banished Earl.
+
+"I would say," replied the latter, "that, to so powerful a prince as
+your Grace, there is no safe neighbour but the sea. Here is Provence,
+which interferes betwixt you and the Mediterranean; Provence, with its
+princely harbours, and fertile cornfields and vineyards. Were it not
+well to include it in your map of sovereignty, and thus touch the
+middle sea with one hand, while the other rested on the sea-coast of
+Flanders?"
+
+"Provence, said you?" replied the Duke, eagerly. "Why, man, my very
+dreams are of Provence. I cannot smell an orange but it reminds me of
+its perfumed woods and bowers, its olives, citrons, and pomegranates.
+But how to frame pretensions to it? Shame it were to disturb René, the
+harmless old man, nor would it become a near relation. Then he is the
+uncle of Louis; and most probably, failing his daughter Margaret, or
+perhaps in preference to her, he hath named the French King his heir."
+
+"A better claim might be raised up in your Grace's own person," said
+the Earl of Oxford, "if you will afford Margaret of Anjou the succour
+she requires by me."
+
+"Take the aid thou requirest," replied the Duke; "take double the
+amount of it in men and money! Let me but have a claim upon Provence,
+though thin as a single thread of thy Queen Margaret's hair, and let
+me alone for twisting it into the tough texture of a quadruple
+cable.--But I am a fool to listen to the dreams of one who, ruined
+himself, can lose little by holding forth to others the most
+extravagant hopes."
+
+Charles breathed high, and changed complexion as he spoke.
+
+"I am not such a person, my Lord Duke," said the Earl. "Listen to
+me--René is broken with years, fond of repose, and too poor to
+maintain his rank with the necessary dignity; too good-natured, or too
+feeble-minded, to lay further imposts on his subjects; weary of
+contending with bad fortune, and desirous to resign his
+territories"----
+
+"His territories!" said Charles.
+
+"Yes, all he actually possesses; and the much more extensive dominions
+which he has claim to, but which have passed from his sway."
+
+"You take away my breath!" said the Duke. "René resign Provence! and
+what says Margaret--the proud, the high-minded Margaret--will she
+subscribe to so humiliating a proceeding?"
+
+"For the chance of seeing Lancaster triumph in England, she would
+resign, not only dominion, but life itself. And, in truth, the
+sacrifice is less than it may seem to be. It is certain that, when
+René dies, the King of France will claim the old man's county of
+Provence as a male fief, and there is no one strong enough to back
+Margaret's claim of inheritance, however just it may be."
+
+"It is just," said Charles; "it is undeniable! I will not hear of its
+being denied or challenged--that is, when once it is established in
+our own person. It is the true principle of the war for the public
+good, that none of the great fiefs be suffered to revert again to the
+crown of France, least of all while it stands on a brow so astucious
+and unprincipled as that of Louis. Burgundy joined to Provence--a
+dominion from the German Ocean to the Mediterranean! Oxford--thou art
+my better angel!"
+
+"Your Grace must, however, reflect," said Oxford, "that honourable
+provision must be made for King René."
+
+"Certainly, man, certainly; he shall have a score of fiddlers and
+jugglers to play, roar, and recite to him from morning till night. He
+shall have a court of troubadours, who shall do nothing but drink,
+flute, and fiddle to him, and pronounce _arrests_ of _love_, to be
+confirmed or reversed by an appeal to himself, the supreme _Roi
+d'Amour_. And Margaret shall also be honourably sustained, in the
+manner you may point out."
+
+"That will be easily settled," answered the English Earl. "If our
+attempts on England succeed, she will need no aid from Burgundy. If
+she fails, she retires into a cloister, and it will not be long that
+she will need the honourable maintenance which, I am sure, your
+Grace's generosity will willingly assign her."
+
+"Unquestionably," answered Charles; "and on a scale which will become
+us both;--but, by my halidome, John of Vere, the abbess into whose
+cloister Margaret of Anjou shall retire will have an ungovernable
+penitent under her charge. Well do I know her; and, Sir Earl, I will
+not clog our discourse by expressing any doubts, that, if she pleases,
+she can compel her father to resign his estates to whomsoever she
+will. She is like my brache, Gorgon, who compels whatsoever hound is
+coupled with her to go the way she chooses, or she strangles him if he
+resists. So has Margaret acted with her simple-minded husband, and I
+am aware that her father, a fool of a different cast, must of
+necessity be equally tractable. I think _I_ could have matched
+her,--though my very neck aches at the thought of the struggles we
+should have had for mastery.--But you look grave, because I jest with
+the pertinacious temper of my unhappy cousin."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "whatever are or have been the defects of my
+mistress, she is in distress, and almost in desolation. She is my
+sovereign, and your Highness's cousin not the less."
+
+"Enough said, Sir Earl," answered the Duke. "Let us speak seriously.
+Whatever we may think of the abdication of King René, I fear we shall
+find it difficult to make Louis XI. see the matter as favourably as we
+do. He will hold that the county of Provence is a male fief, and that
+neither the resignation of René nor the consent of his daughter can
+prevent its reverting to the crown of France, as the King of Sicily,
+as they call him, hath no male issue."
+
+"That, may it please your Grace, is a question for battle to decide;
+and your Highness has successfully braved Louis for a less important
+stake. All I can say is, that, if your Grace's active assistance
+enables the young Earl of Richmond to succeed in his enterprise, you
+shall have the aid of three thousand English archers, if old John of
+Oxford, for want of a better leader, were to bring them over himself."
+
+"A noble aid," said the Duke; "graced still more by him who promises
+to lead them. Thy succour, noble Oxford, were precious to me, did you
+but come with your sword by your side, and a single page at your back.
+I know you well, both heart and head. But let us to this gear; exiles,
+even the wisest, are privileged in promises, and sometimes--excuse me,
+noble Oxford--impose on themselves as well as on their friends. What
+are the hopes on which you desire me again to embark on so troubled
+and uncertain an ocean as these civil contests of yours?"
+
+The Earl of Oxford produced a schedule, and explained to the Duke the
+plan of his expedition, to be backed by an insurrection of the friends
+of Lancaster, of which it is enough to say, that it was bold to the
+verge of temerity; but yet so well compacted and put together, as to
+bear, in those times of rapid revolution, and under a leader of
+Oxford's approved military skill and political sagacity, a strong
+appearance of probable success.
+
+While Duke Charles mused over the particulars of an enterprise
+attractive and congenial to his own disposition,--while he counted
+over the affronts which he had received from his brother-in-law,
+Edward IV., the present opportunity for taking a signal revenge, and
+the rich acquisition which he hoped to make in Provence by the cession
+in his favour of René of Anjou and his daughter, the Englishman failed
+not to press on his consideration the urgent necessity of suffering no
+time to escape.
+
+"The accomplishment of this scheme," he said, "demands the utmost
+promptitude. To have a chance of success, I must be in England, with
+your Grace's auxiliary forces, before Edward of York can return from
+France with his army."
+
+"And having come hither," said the Duke, "our worthy brother will be
+in no hurry to return again. He will meet with black-eyed French women
+and ruby-coloured French wine, and brother Blackburn is no man to
+leave such commodities in a hurry."
+
+"My Lord Duke, I will speak truth of my enemy. Edward is indolent and
+luxurious when things are easy around him, but let him feel the spur
+of necessity, and he becomes as eager as a pampered steed. Louis, too,
+who seldom fails in finding means to accomplish his ends, is bent upon
+determining the English King to recross the sea--therefore, speed,
+noble Prince--speed is the soul of your enterprise."
+
+"Speed!" said the Duke of Burgundy,--"Why, I will go with you, and see
+the embarkation myself; and tried, approved soldiers you shall have,
+such as are nowhere to be found save in Artois and Hainault."
+
+"But pardon yet, noble Duke, the impatience of a drowning wretch
+urgently pressing for assistance.--When shall we to the coast of
+Flanders, to order this important measure?"
+
+"Why, in a fortnight, or perchance a week, or, in a word, so soon as I
+shall have chastised to purpose a certain gang of thieves and robbers,
+who, as the scum of the caldron will always be uppermost, have got up
+into the fastnesses of the Alps, and from thence annoy our frontiers
+by contraband traffic, pillage, and robbery."
+
+"Your Highness means the Swiss confederates?"
+
+"Ay, the peasant churls give themselves such a name. They are a sort
+of manumitted slaves of Austria, and, like a ban-dog, whose chain is
+broken, they avail themselves of their liberty to annoy and rend
+whatever comes in their way."
+
+"I travelled through their country from Italy," said the exiled Earl,
+"and I heard it was the purpose of the Cantons to send envoys to
+solicit peace of your Highness."
+
+"Peace!" exclaimed Charles.--"A proper sort of peaceful proceedings
+those of their embassy have been! Availing themselves of a mutiny of
+the burghers of La Ferette, the first garrison town which they
+entered, they stormed the walls, seized on Archibald de Hagenbach, who
+commanded the place on my part, and put him to death in the
+market-place. Such an insult must be punished, Sir John de Vere; and
+if you do not see me in the storm of passion which it well deserves,
+it is because I have already given orders to hang up the base
+runagates who call themselves ambassadors."
+
+"For God's sake, noble Duke," said the Englishman, throwing himself at
+Charles's feet--"for your own character, for the sake of the peace of
+Christendom, revoke such an order if it is really given!"
+
+"What means this passion?" said Duke Charles.--"What are these men's
+lives to thee, excepting that the consequences of a war may delay your
+expedition for a few days?"
+
+"May render it altogether abortive," said the Earl; "nay, _must_ needs
+do so.--Hear me, Lord Duke. I was with these men on a part of their
+journey."
+
+"You!" said the Duke--"you a companion of the paltry Swiss peasants?
+Misfortune has sunk the pride of English nobility to a low ebb, when
+you selected such associates."
+
+"I was thrown amongst them by accident," said the Earl. "Some of them
+are of noble blood, and are, besides, men for whose peaceable
+intentions I ventured to constitute myself their warrant."
+
+"On my honour, my Lord of Oxford, you graced them highly, and me no
+less, in interfering between the Swiss and myself! Allow me to say
+that I condescend, when, in deference to past friendship, I permit you
+to speak to me of your own English affairs. Methinks you might well
+spare me your opinion upon topics with which you have no natural
+concern."
+
+"My Lord of Burgundy," replied Oxford, "I followed your banner to
+Paris, and had the good luck to rescue you in the fight at Mont
+L'Hery, when you were beset by the French men-at-arms"----
+
+"We have not forgot it," said Duke Charles; "and it is a sign that we
+keep the action in remembrance, that you have been suffered to stand
+before us so long, pleading the cause of a set of rascals, whom we are
+required to spare from the gallows that groans for them, because
+forsooth they have been the fellow-travellers of the Earl of Oxford!"
+
+"Not so, my lord. I ask their lives, only because they are upon a
+peaceful errand, and the leaders amongst them, at least, have no
+accession to the crime of which you complain."
+
+The Duke traversed the apartment with unequal steps in much agitation,
+his large eyebrows drawn down over his eyes, his hands clenched, and
+his teeth set, until at length he seemed to take a resolution. He rung
+a handbell of silver, which stood upon his table.
+
+"Here, Contay," he said to the gentleman of his chamber who entered,
+"are these mountain fellows yet executed?"
+
+"No, may it please your Highness; but the executioner waits them so
+soon as the priest hath confessed them."
+
+"Let them live," said the Duke. "We will hear to-morrow in what manner
+they propose to justify their proceedings towards us."
+
+Contay bowed and left the apartment; then turning to the Englishman,
+the Duke said, with an indescribable mixture of haughtiness with
+familiarity and even kindness, but having his brows cleared, and his
+looks composed,--"We are now clear of obligation, my Lord of
+Oxford--you have obtained life for life--nay, to make up some
+inequality which there may be betwixt the value of the commodities
+bestowed, you have obtained six lives for one. I will, therefore, pay
+no more attention to you, should you again upbraid me with the
+stumbling horse at Mont L'Hery, or your own achievements on that
+occasion. Most princes are contented with privately hating such men as
+have rendered them extraordinary services--I feel no such
+disposition--I only detest being reminded of having had occasion for
+them.--Pshaw! I am half choked with the effort of foregoing my own
+fixed resolution.--So ho! who waits there? Bring me to drink."
+
+An usher entered, bearing a large silver flagon, which, instead of
+wine, was filled with ptisan slightly flavoured by aromatic herbs.
+
+"I am so hot and choleric by nature," said the Duke, "that our leeches
+prohibit me from drinking wine. But you, Oxford, are bound by no such
+regimen. Get thee to thy countryman, Colvin, the general of our
+artillery. We commend thee to his custody and hospitality till
+to-morrow, which must be a busy day, since I expect to receive the
+answer of these wiseacres of the Dijon assembly of estates; and have
+also to hear (thanks to your lordship's interference) these miserable
+Swiss envoys, as they call themselves. Well, no more on't.--Good-night.
+You may communicate freely with Colvin, who is, like yourself, an old
+Lancastrian.--But hark ye, not a word respecting Provence--not even in
+your sleep.--Contay, conduct this English gentleman to Colvin's tent.
+He knows my pleasure respecting him."
+
+"So please your Grace," answered Contay, "I left the English
+gentleman's son with Monsieur de Colvin."
+
+"What! thine own son, Oxford? And with thee here? Why did you not tell
+me of him? Is he a true scion of the ancient tree?"
+
+"It is my pride to believe so, my lord. He has been the faithful
+companion of all my dangers and wanderings."
+
+"Happy man!" said the Duke, with a sigh. "You, Oxford, have a son to
+share your poverty and distress--I have none to be partner and
+successor to my greatness."
+
+"You have a daughter, my lord," said the noble De Vere, "and it is to
+be hoped she will one day wed some powerful prince, who may be the
+stay of your Highness's house."
+
+"Never! By St. George, never!" answered the Duke, sharply and shortly.
+"I will have no son-in-law, who may make the daughter's bed a
+stepping-stone to reach the father's crown. Oxford, I have spoken more
+freely than I am wont, perhaps more freely than I ought--but I hold
+some men trustworthy, and believe you, Sir John de Vere, to be one of
+them."
+
+The English nobleman bowed, and was about to leave his presence, but
+the Duke presently recalled him.
+
+"There is one thing more, Oxford.--The cession of Provence is not
+quite enough. René and Margaret must disavow this hot-brained Ferrand
+de Vaudemont, who is making some foolish stir in Lorraine, in right of
+his mother Yolande."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "Ferrand is the grandson of King René, the
+nephew of Queen Margaret; but yet"----
+
+"But yet, by St. George, his rights, as he calls them, on Lorraine
+must positively be disowned. You talk of their family feelings, while
+you are urging me to make war on my own brother-in-law!"
+
+"René's best apology for deserting his grandson," answered Oxford,
+"will be his total inability to support and assist him. I will
+communicate your Grace's condition, though it is a hard one."
+
+So saying, he left the pavilion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+              I humbly thank your Highness,
+     And am right glad to catch this good occasion
+     Most thoroughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff
+     And corn shall fly asunder.
+                                 _King Henry VIII._
+
+
+Colvin, the English officer, to whom the Duke of Burgundy, with
+splendid pay and appointments, committed the charge of his artillery,
+was owner of the tent assigned for the Englishman's lodging, and
+received the Earl of Oxford with the respect due to his rank, and to
+the Duke's especial orders upon that subject. He had been himself a
+follower of the Lancaster faction, and of course was well disposed
+towards one of the very few men of distinction whom he had known
+personally, and who had constantly adhered to that family through the
+train of misfortunes by which they seemed to be totally overwhelmed. A
+repast, of which his son had already partaken, was offered to the Earl
+by Colvin, who omitted not to recommend, by precept and example, the
+good wine of Burgundy, from which the sovereign of the province was
+himself obliged to refrain.
+
+"His Grace shows command of passion in that," said Colvin. "For, sooth
+to speak, and only conversing betwixt friends, his temper grows too
+headlong to bear the spur which a cup of cordial beverage gives to the
+blood, and he, therefore, wisely restricts himself to such liquid as
+may cool rather than inflame his natural fire of disposition."
+
+"I can perceive as much," said the Lancastrian noble. "When I first
+knew the noble Duke, who was then Earl of Charolois, his temper,
+though always sufficiently fiery, was calmness to the impetuosity
+which he now displays on the smallest contradiction. Such is the
+course of an uninterrupted flow of prosperity. He has ascended, by his
+own courage and the advantage of circumstances, from the doubtful
+place of a feudatory and tributary prince, to rank with the most
+powerful sovereigns in Europe, and to assume independent majesty. But
+I trust the noble starts of generosity which atoned for his wilful and
+wayward temper are not more few than formerly?"
+
+"I have good right to say that they are not," replied the soldier of
+fortune, who understood generosity in the restricted sense of
+liberality. "The Duke is a noble and open-handed master."
+
+"I trust his bounty is conferred on men who are as faithful and steady
+in their service as you, Colvin, have ever been. But I see a change in
+your army. I know the banners of most of the old houses in
+Burgundy--How is it that I observe so few of them in the Duke's camp?
+I see flags, and pennons, and pennoncelles; but even to me, who have
+been so many years acquainted with the nobility both of France and
+Flanders, their bearings are unknown."
+
+"My noble Lord of Oxford," answered the officer, "it ill becomes a man
+who lives on the Duke's pay to censure his conduct; but his Highness
+hath of late trusted too much, as it seems to me, to the hired arms of
+foreign levies, and too little to his own native subjects and
+retainers. He holds it better to take into his pay large bands of
+German and Italian mercenary soldiers, than to repose confidence in
+the knights and squires who are bound to him by allegiance and feudal
+faith. He uses the aid of his own subjects but as the means of
+producing him sums of money, which he bestows on his hired troops. The
+Germans are honest knaves enough while regularly paid; but Heaven
+preserve me from the Duke's Italian bands, and that Campo-basso their
+leader, who waits but the highest price to sell his Highness like a
+sheep for the shambles!"
+
+"Think you so ill of him?" demanded the Earl.
+
+"So very ill indeed, that I believe," replied Colvin, "there is no
+sort of treachery which the heart can devise, or the arm perpetrate,
+that hath not ready reception in his breast, and prompt execution at
+his hand. It is painful, my lord, for an honest Englishman like me to
+serve in an army where such traitors have command. But what can I do,
+unless I could once more find me a soldier's occupation in my native
+country? I often hope it will please merciful Heaven again to awaken
+those brave civil wars in my own dear England, where all was fair
+fighting, and treason was unheard of."
+
+Lord Oxford gave his host to understand, that there was a possibility
+that his pious wish of living and dying in his own country, and in the
+practice of his profession, was not to be despaired of. Meantime he
+requested of him, that early on the next morning he would procure him
+a pass and an escort for his son, whom he was compelled to despatch
+forthwith to Nancy, the residence of King René.
+
+"What!" said Colvin, "is my young Lord of Oxford to take a degree in
+the Court of Love? for no other business is listened to at King René's
+capital, save love and poetry."
+
+"I am not ambitious of such distinction for him, my good host,"
+answered Oxford; "but Queen Margaret is with her father, and it is but
+fitting that the youth should kiss her hand."
+
+"Enough spoken," said the veteran Lancastrian. "I trust, though winter
+is fast approaching, the Red Rose may bloom in spring."
+
+He then ushered the Earl of Oxford to the partition of the tent which
+he was to occupy, in which there was a couch for Arthur also--their
+host, as Colvin might be termed, assuring them that, with peep of day,
+horses and faithful attendants should be ready to speed the youth on
+his journey to Nancy.
+
+"And now, Arthur," said his father, "we must part once more. I dare
+give thee, in this land of danger, no written communication to my
+mistress, Queen Margaret; but say to her, that I have found the Duke
+of Burgundy wedded to his own views of interest, but not averse to
+combine them with hers. Say, that I have little doubt that he will
+grant us the required aid, but not without the expected resignation in
+his favour by herself and King René. Say, I would never have
+recommended such a sacrifice for the precarious chance of overthrowing
+the House of York, but that I am satisfied that France and Burgundy
+are hanging like vultures over Provence, and that the one or other, or
+both princes, are ready, on her father's demise, to pounce on such
+possessions as they have reluctantly spared to him during his life.
+An accommodation with Burgundy may therefore, on the one hand, insure
+his active co-operation in the attempt on England; and, on the other,
+if our high-spirited princess complies not with the Duke's request,
+the justice of her cause will give no additional security to her
+hereditary claims on her father's dominions. Bid Queen Margaret,
+therefore, unless she should have changed her views, obtain King
+René's formal deed of cession, conveying his estates to the Duke of
+Burgundy, with her Majesty's consent. The necessary provisions to the
+King and to herself may be filled up at her Grace's pleasure, or they
+may be left blank. I can trust to the Duke's generosity to their being
+suitably arranged. All that I fear is, that Charles may embroil
+himself"----
+
+"In some silly exploit, necessary for his own honour and the safety of
+his dominions," answered a voice behind the lining of the tent; "and,
+by doing so, attend to his own affairs more than to ours? Ha, Sir
+Earl?"
+
+At the same time the curtain was drawn aside, and a person entered, in
+whom, though clothed with the jerkin and bonnet of a private soldier
+of the Walloon guard, Oxford instantly recognised the Duke of
+Burgundy's harsh features and fierce eyes, as they sparkled from under
+the fur and feather with which the cap was ornamented.
+
+Arthur, who knew not the Prince's person, started at the intrusion,
+and laid his hand on his dagger; but his father made a signal which
+stayed his hand, and he gazed with wonder on the solemn respect with
+which the Earl received the intrusive soldier. The first word informed
+him of the cause.
+
+"If this masking be done in proof of my faith, noble Duke, permit me
+to say it is superfluous."
+
+"Nay, Oxford," answered the Duke, "I was a courteous spy; for I ceased
+to play the eavesdropper, at the very moment when I had reason to
+expect you were about to say something to anger me."
+
+"As I am a true Knight, my Lord Duke, if you had remained behind the
+arras, you would only have heard the same truths which I am ready to
+tell in your Grace's presence, though it may have chanced they might
+have been more bluntly expressed."
+
+"Well, speak them then, in whatever phrase thou wilt--they lie in
+their throats that say Charles of Burgundy was ever offended by advice
+from a well-meaning friend."
+
+"I would then have said," replied the English Earl, "that all which
+Margaret of Anjou had to apprehend, was that the Duke of Burgundy,
+when buckling on his armour to win Provence for himself, and to afford
+to her his powerful assistance to assert her rights in England, was
+likely to be withdrawn from such high objects by an imprudently eager
+desire to avenge himself of imaginary affronts, offered to him, as he
+supposed, by certain confederacies of Alpine mountaineers, over whom
+it is impossible to gain any important advantage, or acquire
+reputation, while, on the contrary, there is a risk of losing both.
+These men dwell amongst rocks and deserts which are almost
+inaccessible, and subsist in a manner so rude, that the poorest of
+your subjects would starve if subjected to such diet. They are formed
+by nature to be the garrison of the mountain-fortresses in which she
+has placed them;--for Heaven's sake meddle not with them, but follow
+forth your own nobler and more important objects, without stirring a
+nest of hornets, which, once in motion, may sting you into madness."
+
+The Duke had promised patience, and endeavoured to keep his word; but
+the swoln muscles of his face, and his flashing eyes, showed how
+painful to him it was to suppress his resentment.
+
+"You are misinformed, my lord," he said; "these men are not the
+inoffensive herdsmen and peasants you are pleased to suppose them. If
+they were, I might afford to despise them. But, flushed with some
+victories over the sluggish Austrians, they have shaken off all
+reverence for authority, assume airs of independence, form leagues,
+make inroads, storm towns, doom and execute men of noble birth at
+their pleasure.--Thou art dull, and look'st as if thou dost not
+apprehend me. To rouse thy English blood, and make thee sympathise
+with my feelings to these mountaineers, know that these Swiss are very
+Scots to my dominions in their neighbourhood; poor, proud, ferocious;
+easily offended, because they gain by war; ill to be appeased, because
+they nourish deep revenge; ever ready to seize the moment of
+advantage, and attack a neighbour when he is engaged in other affairs.
+The same unquiet, perfidious, and inveterate enemies that the Scots
+are to England, are the Swiss to Burgundy and to my allies. What say
+you? Can I undertake anything of consequence till I have crushed the
+pride of such a people? It will be but a few days' work. I will grasp
+the mountain-hedgehog, prickles and all, with my steel-gauntlet."
+
+"Your Grace will then have shorter work with them," replied the
+disguised nobleman, "than our English Kings have had with Scotland.
+The wars there have lasted so long, and proved so bloody, that wise
+men regret we ever began them."
+
+"Nay," said the Duke, "I will not dishonour the Scots by comparing
+them in all respects to these mountain-churls of the Cantons. The
+Scots have blood and gentry among them, and we have seen many examples
+of both; these Swiss are a mere brood of peasants, and the few
+gentlemen of birth they can boast must hide their distinction in the
+dress and manners of clowns. They will, I think, scarce stand against
+a charge of Hainaulters."
+
+"Not if the Hainaulters find ground to ride upon. But"----
+
+"Nay, to silence your scruples," said the Duke, interrupting him,
+"know, that these people encourage, by their countenance and aid, the
+formation of the most dangerous conspiracies in my dominions. Look
+here--I told you that my officer, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach, was
+murdered when the town of Brisach was treacherously taken by these
+harmless Switzers of yours. And here is a scroll of parchment, which
+announces that my servant was murdered by doom of the Vehme-gericht, a
+band of secret assassins, whom I will not permit to meet in any part
+of my dominions. Oh, could I but catch them above ground as they are
+found lurking below, they should know what the life of a nobleman is
+worth! Then, look at the insolence of their attestation."
+
+The scroll bore, with the day and date adjected, that judgment had
+been done on Archibald de Hagenbach, for tyranny, violence, and
+oppression, by order of the Holy Vehme, and that it was executed by
+their officials, who were responsible for the same to their tribunal
+alone. It was countersigned in red ink, with the badges of the Secret
+Society, a coil of ropes and a drawn dagger.
+
+"This document I found stuck to my toilette with a knife," said the
+Duke; "another trick by which they give mystery to their murderous
+jugglery."
+
+The thought of what he had undergone in John Mengs's house, and
+reflections upon the extent and omnipresence of these Secret
+Associations, struck even the brave Englishman with an involuntary
+shudder.
+
+"For the sake of every saint in heaven," he said, "forbear, my lord,
+to speak of these tremendous societies, whose creatures are above,
+beneath, and around us. No man is secure of his life, however guarded,
+if it be sought by a man who is careless of his own. You are
+surrounded by Germans, Italians, and other strangers--How many amongst
+these may be bound by the secret ties which withdraw men from every
+other social bond, to unite them together in one inextricable though
+secret compact? Beware, noble Prince, of the situation on which your
+throne is placed, though it still exhibits all the splendour of power,
+and all the solidity of foundation that belongs to so august a
+structure. I--the friend of thy house--were it with my dying
+breath--must needs tell thee, that the Swiss hang like an avalanche
+over thy head; and the Secret Associations work beneath thee like the
+first throes of the coming earthquake. Provoke not the contest, and
+the snow will rest undisturbed on the mountain-side--the agitation of
+the subterranean vapours will be hushed to rest; but a single word of
+defiance, or one flash of indignant scorn, may call their terrors into
+instant action."
+
+"You speak," said the Duke, "with more awe of a pack of naked churls,
+and a band of midnight assassins, than I have seen you show for real
+danger. Yet I will not scorn your counsel--I will hear the Swiss
+envoys patiently, and I will not, if I can help it, show the contempt
+with which I cannot but regard their pretensions to treat as
+independent states. On the Secret Associations I will be silent, till
+time gives me the means of acting in combination with the Emperor, the
+Diet, and the Princes of the Empire, that they may be driven from all
+their burrows at once.--Ha, Sir Earl, said I well?"
+
+"It is well thought, my lord, but it may be unhappily spoken. You are
+in a position where one word overheard by a traitor might produce
+death and ruin."
+
+"I keep no traitors about me," said Charles. "If I thought there were
+such in my camp, I would rather die by them at once, than live in
+perpetual terror and suspicion."
+
+"Your Highness's ancient followers and servants," said the Earl,
+"speak unfavourably of the Count of Campo-basso, who holds so high a
+rank in your confidence."
+
+"Ay," replied the Duke, with composure, "it is easy to decry the most
+faithful servant in a court by the unanimous hatred of all the others.
+I warrant me your bull-headed countryman, Colvin, has been railing
+against the Count like the rest of them, for Campo-basso sees nothing
+amiss in any department but he reports it to me without fear or
+favour. And then his opinions are cast so much in the same mould with
+my own, that I can hardly get him to enlarge upon what he best
+understands, if it seems in any respect different from my sentiments.
+Add to this, a noble person, grace, gaiety, skill in the exercises of
+war, and in the courtly arts of peace--such is Campo-basso; and, being
+such, is he not a gem for a prince's cabinet?"
+
+"The very materials out of which a favourite is formed," answered the
+Earl of Oxford, "but something less adapted for making a faithful
+counsellor."
+
+"Why, thou mistrustful fool," said the Duke, "must I tell thee the
+very inmost secret respecting this man, Campo-basso, and will nothing
+short of it stay these imaginary suspicions which thy new trade of an
+itinerant merchant hath led thee to entertain so rashly?"
+
+"If your Highness honours me with your confidence," said the Earl of
+Oxford, "I can only say that my fidelity shall deserve it."
+
+"Know, then, thou misbelieving mortal, that my good friend and
+brother, Louis of France, sent me private information through no less
+a person than his famous barber, Oliver le Diable, that Campo-basso
+had for a certain sum offered to put my person into his hands, alive
+or dead.--You start?"
+
+"I do indeed--recollecting your Highness's practice of riding out
+lightly armed, and with a very small attendance, to reconnoitre the
+ground and visit the outposts, and therefore how easily such a
+treacherous device might be carried into execution."
+
+"Pshaw!" answered the Duke.--"Thou seest the danger as if it were
+real, whereas nothing can be more certain than that, if my cousin of
+France had ever received such an offer, he would have been the last
+person to have put me on my guard against the attempt. No--he knows
+the value I set on Campo-basso's services, and forged the accusation
+to deprive me of them."
+
+"And yet, my lord," replied the English Earl, "your Highness, by my
+counsel, will not unnecessarily or impatiently fling aside your armour
+of proof, or ride without the escort of some score of your trusty
+Walloons."
+
+"Tush, man, thou wouldst make a carbonado of a fever-stirred wretch
+like myself, betwixt the bright iron and the burning sun. But I will
+be cautious though I jest thus--and you, young man, may assure my
+cousin, Margaret of Anjou, that I will consider her affairs as my own.
+And remember, youth, that the secrets of princes are fatal gifts, if
+he to whom they are imparted blaze them abroad; but if duly treasured
+up, they enrich the bearer. And thou shalt have cause to say so, if
+thou canst bring back with thee from Aix the deed of resignation of
+which thy father hath spoken.--Good-night--good-night!"
+
+He left the apartment.
+
+"You have just seen," said the Earl of Oxford to his son, "a sketch of
+this extraordinary prince, by his own pencil. It is easy to excite his
+ambition or thirst of power, but well-nigh impossible to limit him to
+the just measures by which it is most likely to be gratified. He is
+ever like the young archer, startled from his mark by some swallow
+crossing his eye, even careless as he draws the string. Now
+irregularly and offensively suspicious--now unreservedly lavish of his
+confidence--not long since the enemy of the line of Lancaster, and the
+ally of her deadly foe--now its last and only stay and hope. God mend
+all!--It is a weary thing to look on the game and see how it might be
+won, while we are debarred by the caprice of others from the power of
+playing it according to our own skill. How much must depend on the
+decision of Duke Charles upon the morrow, and how little do I possess
+the power of influencing him, either for his own safety or our
+advantage! Good-night, my son, and let us trust events to Him who
+alone can control them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+     My blood hath been too cold and temperate,
+     Unapt to stir at these indignities,
+     And you have found me; for, accordingly,
+     You tread upon my patience.
+                                  _Henry IV._
+
+
+The dawn of morning roused the banished Earl of Oxford and his son,
+and its lights were scarce abroad on the eastern heaven, ere their
+host, Colvin, entered with an attendant, bearing some bundles, which
+he placed on the floor of the tent, and instantly retired. The officer
+of the Duke's ordnance then announced that he came with a message from
+the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+"His Highness," he said, "has sent four stout yeomen, with a
+commission of credence to my young master of Oxford, and an ample
+purse of gold, to furnish his expenses to Aix, and while his affairs
+may detain him there. Also a letter of credence to King René, to
+insure his reception, and two suits of honour for his use, as for an
+English gentleman, desirous to witness the festive solemnities of
+Provence, and in whose safety the Duke deigns to take deep interest.
+His further affairs there, if he hath any, his Highness recommends to
+him to manage with prudence and secrecy. His Highness hath also sent a
+couple of horses for his use,--one an ambling jennet for the road, and
+another a strong barbed horse of Flanders, in case he hath aught to
+do. It will be fitting that my young master change his dress, and
+assume attire more near his proper rank. His attendants know the road,
+and have power, in case of need, to summon, in the Duke's name,
+assistance from all faithful Burgundians. I have but to add, the
+sooner the young gentleman sets forward, it will be the better sign of
+a successful journey."
+
+"I am ready to mount, the instant that I have changed my dress," said
+Arthur.
+
+"And I," said his father, "have no wish to detain him on the service
+in which he is now employed. Neither he nor I will say more than God
+be with you. How and where we are to meet again, who can tell?"
+
+"I believe," said Colvin, "that must rest on the motions of the Duke,
+which, perchance, are not yet determined upon; but his Highness
+depends upon your remaining with him, my noble lord, till the affairs
+of which you come to treat may be more fully decided. Something I have
+for your lordship's private ear, when your son hath parted on his
+journey."
+
+While Colvin was thus talking with his father, Arthur, who was not
+above half-dressed when he entered the tent, had availed himself of an
+obscure corner, in which he exchanged the plain garb belonging to his
+supposed condition as a merchant, for such a riding-suit as became a
+young man of some quality attached to the Court of Burgundy. It was
+not without a natural sensation of pleasure that the youth resumed an
+apparel suitable to his birth, and which no one was personally more
+fitted to become; but it was with much deeper feeling that he hastily,
+and as secretly as possible, flung round his neck, and concealed
+under the collar and folds of his ornamented doublet, a small thin
+chain of gold, curiously linked in what was called Morisco work. This
+was the contents of the parcel which Anne of Geierstein had indulged
+his feelings, and perhaps her own, by putting into his hands as they
+parted. The chain was secured by a slight plate of gold, on which a
+bodkin, or a point of a knife, had traced on the one side, in distinct
+though light characters, ADIEU FOR EVER! while, on the reverse, there
+was much more obscurely traced, the word REMEMBER!--A. VON G.
+
+All who may read this are, have been, or will be, lovers; and there is
+none, therefore, who may not be able to comprehend why this token was
+carefully suspended around Arthur's neck, so that the inscription
+might rest on the region of his heart, without the interruption of any
+substance which could prevent the pledge from being agitated by every
+throb of that busy organ.
+
+This being hastily insured, a few minutes completed the rest of his
+toilette; and he kneeled before his father to ask his blessing, and
+his further commands for Aix.
+
+His father blessed him almost inarticulately, and then said, with
+recovered firmness, that he was already possessed of all the knowledge
+necessary for success on his mission.
+
+"When you can bring me the deeds wanted," he whispered with more
+firmness, "you will find me near the person of the Duke of Burgundy."
+
+They went forth of the tent in silence, and found before it the four
+Burgundian yeomen, tall and active-looking men, ready mounted
+themselves, and holding two saddled horses--the one accoutred for
+war, the other a spirited jennet, for the purposes of the journey. One
+of them led a sumpter-horse, on which Colvin informed Arthur he would
+find the change of habit necessary when he should arrive at Aix; and
+at the same time delivered to him a heavy purse of gold.
+
+"Thiebault," he continued, pointing out the eldest of the attendant
+troopers, "may be trusted--I will be warrant for his sagacity and
+fidelity. The other three are picked men, who will not fear their
+skin-cutting."
+
+Arthur vaulted into the saddle with a sensation of pleasure, which was
+natural to a young cavalier who had not for many months felt a
+spirited horse beneath him. The lively jennet reared with impatience.
+Arthur, sitting firm on his seat, as if he had been a part of the
+animal, only said, "Ere we are long acquainted, thy spirit, my fair
+roan, will be something more tamed."
+
+"One word more, my son," said his father, and whispered in Arthur's
+ear, as he stooped from the saddle; "if you receive a letter from me,
+do not think yourself fully acquainted with the contents till the
+paper has been held opposite to a hot fire."
+
+Arthur bowed, and motioned to the elder trooper to lead the way, when
+all, giving rein to their horses, rode off through the encampment at a
+round pace, the young leader signing an adieu to his father and
+Colvin.
+
+The Earl stood like a man in a dream, following his son with his eyes,
+in a kind of reverie, which was only broken when Colvin said, "I
+marvel not, my lord, that you are anxious about my young master; he is
+a gallant youth, well worth a father's caring for, and the times we
+live in are both false and bloody."
+
+"God and St. Mary be my witness," said the Earl, "that if I grieve, it
+is not for my own house only;--if I am anxious, it is not for the sake
+of my own son alone;--but it is hard to risk a last stake in a cause
+so perilous.--What commands brought you from the Duke?"
+
+"His Grace," said Colvin, "will get on horseback after he has
+breakfasted. He sends you some garments, which, if not fitting your
+quality, are yet nearer to suitable apparel than those you now wear,
+and he desires that, observing your incognito as an English merchant
+of eminence, you will join him in his cavalcade to Dijon, where he is
+to receive the answer of the Estates of Burgundy concerning matters
+submitted to their consideration, and thereafter give public audience
+to the Deputies from Switzerland. His Highness has charged me with the
+care of finding you suitable accommodation during the ceremonies of
+the day, which, he thinks, you will, as a stranger, be pleased to look
+upon. But he probably told you all this himself, for I think you saw
+him last night in disguise--Nay, look as strange as you will--the Duke
+plays that trick too often to be able to do it with secrecy; the very
+horse-boys know him while he traverses the tents of the common
+soldiery, and sutler women give him the name of the spied spy. If it
+were only honest Harry Colvin who knew this, it should not cross his
+lips. But it is practised too openly, and too widely known. Come,
+noble lord, though I must teach my tongue to forego that courtesy,
+will you along to breakfast?"
+
+The meal, according to the practice of the time, was a solemn and
+solid one; and a favoured officer of the Great Duke of Burgundy lacked
+no means, it may be believed, of rendering due hospitality to a guest
+having claims of such high respect. But ere the breakfast was over a
+clamorous flourish of trumpets announced that the Duke, with his
+attendants and retinue, were sounding to horse. Philipson, as he was
+still called, was, in the name of the Duke, presented with a stately
+charger, and with his host mingled in the splendid assembly which
+began to gather in front of the Duke's pavilion. In a few minutes the
+Prince himself issued forth, in the superb dress of the Order of the
+Golden Fleece, of which his father Philip had been the founder, and
+Charles was himself the patron and sovereign. Several of his courtiers
+were dressed in the same magnificent robes, and, with their followers
+and attendants, displayed so much wealth and splendour of appearance
+as to warrant the common saying that the Duke of Burgundy maintained
+the most magnificent court in Christendom. The officers of his
+household attended in their order, together with heralds and
+pursuivants, the grotesque richness of whose habits had a singular
+effect among those of the high clergy in their albes and dalmatiques,
+and of the knights and crown vassals who were arrayed in armour. Among
+these last, who were variously equipped, according to the different
+character of their service, rode Oxford, but in a peaceful habit,
+neither so plain as to be out of place amongst such splendour, nor so
+rich as to draw on him a special or particular degree of attention. He
+rode by the side of Colvin, his tall muscular figure and deep-marked
+features forming a strong contrast to the rough, almost ignoble, cast
+of countenance, and stout thick-set form, of the less distinguished
+soldier of fortune.
+
+Ranged into a solemn procession, the rear of which was closed by a
+guard of two hundred picked arquebusiers, a description of soldiers
+who were just then coming into notice, and as many mounted
+men-at-arms, the Duke and his retinue, leaving the barriers of the
+camp, directed their march to the town, or rather city, of Dijon, in
+those days the capital of all Burgundy.
+
+It was a town well secured with walls and ditches, which last were
+filled by means of a small river, named the Ousche, which combines its
+waters for that purpose with a torrent called Suzon. Four gates, with
+appropriate barbicans, outworks, and drawbridges, corresponded nearly
+to the cardinal points of the compass, and gave admission to the city.
+The number of towers, which stood high above its walls, and defended
+them at different angles, was thirty-three; and the walls themselves,
+which exceeded in most places the height of thirty feet, were built of
+stones hewn and squared, and were of great thickness. This stately
+city was surrounded on the outside with hills covered with vineyards,
+while from within its walls rose the towers of many noble buildings,
+both public and private, as well as the steeples of magnificent
+churches, and of well-endowed convents, attesting the wealth and
+devotion of the House of Burgundy.
+
+When the trumpets of the Duke's procession had summoned the burgher
+guard at the gate of St. Nicholas, the drawbridge fell, the portcullis
+rose, the people shouted joyously, the windows were hung with
+tapestry, and as, in the midst of his retinue, Charles himself came
+riding on a milk-white steed, attended only by six pages under
+fourteen years old, with each a gilded partisan in his hand, the
+acclamations with which he was received on all sides showed that, if
+some instances of misrule had diminished his popularity, enough of it
+remained to render his reception into his capital decorous at least,
+if not enthusiastic. It is probable that the veneration attached to
+his father's memory counteracted for a long time the unfavourable
+effect which some of his own actions were calculated to produce on the
+public mind.
+
+The procession halted before a large Gothic building in the centre of
+Dijon. This was then called Maison du Duc, as, after the union of
+Burgundy with France, it was termed Maison du Roy. The Maire of Dijon
+attended on the steps before this palace, accompanied by his official
+brethren, and escorted by a hundred able-bodied citizens, in black
+velvet cloaks, bearing half-pikes in their hands. The Maire kneeled to
+kiss the stirrup of the Duke, and at the moment when Charles descended
+from his horse every bell in the city commenced so thundering a peal,
+that they might almost have awakened the dead who slept in the
+vicinity of the steeples, which rocked with their clangour. Under the
+influence of this stunning peal of welcome, the Duke entered the great
+hall of the building, at the upper end of which were erected a throne
+for the sovereign, seats for his more distinguished officers of state
+and higher vassals, with benches behind for persons of less note. On
+one of these, but in a spot from which he might possess a commanding
+view of the whole assembly, as well as of the Duke himself, Colvin
+placed the noble Englishman; and Charles, whose quick stern eye
+glanced rapidly over the party when they were seated, seemed, by a nod
+so slight as to be almost imperceptible to those around him, to give
+his approbation of the arrangement adopted.
+
+When the Duke and his assistants were seated and in order, the Maire,
+again approaching, in the most humble manner, and kneeling on the
+lowest step of the ducal throne, requested to know if his Highness's
+leisure permitted him to hear the inhabitants of his capital express
+their devoted zeal to his person, and to accept the benevolence which,
+in the shape of a silver cup filled with gold pieces, he had the
+distinguished honour to place before his feet, in name of the citizens
+and community of Dijon.
+
+Charles, who at no time affected much courtesy, answered briefly and
+bluntly, with a voice which was naturally harsh and dissonant, "All
+things in their order, good Master Maire. Let us first hear what the
+Estates of Burgundy have to say to us. We will then listen to the
+burghers of Dijon."
+
+The Maire rose and retired, bearing in his hand the silver cup, and
+experiencing probably some vexation, as well as surprise, that its
+contents had not secured an instant and gracious acceptance.
+
+"I expected," said Duke Charles, "to have met at this hour and place
+our Estates of the duchy of Burgundy, or a deputation of them, with an
+answer to our message conveyed to them three days since by our
+chancellor. Is there no one here on their part?"
+
+The Maire, as none else made any attempt to answer, said that the
+members of the Estates had been in close deliberation the whole of
+that morning, and doubtless would instantly wait upon his Highness
+when they heard that he had honoured the town with his presence.
+
+"Go, Toison d'Or," said the Duke to the herald of the Order of the
+Golden Fleece,[7] "bear to these gentlemen the tidings that we desire
+to know the end of their deliberations; and that neither in courtesy
+nor in loyalty can they expect us to wait long. Be round with them,
+Sir Herald, or we shall be as round with you."
+
+While the herald was absent on his mission, we may remind our readers
+that in all feudalised countries (that is to say, in almost all Europe
+during the Middle Ages) an ardent spirit of liberty pervaded the
+constitution; and the only fault that could be found was, that the
+privileges and freedom for which the great vassals contended did not
+sufficiently descend to the lower orders of society, or extend
+protection to those who were most likely to need it. The two first
+ranks in the estate, the nobles and clergy, enjoyed high and important
+privileges, and even the third estate, or citizens, had this immunity
+in peculiar, that no new duties, customs, or taxes of any kind could
+be exacted from them save by their own consent.
+
+The memory of Duke Philip, the father of Charles, was dear to the
+Burgundians; for during twenty years that sage prince had maintained
+his rank amongst the sovereigns of Europe with much dignity, and had
+accumulated treasure without exacting or receiving any great increase
+of supplies from the rich countries which he governed. But the
+extravagant schemes and immoderate expense of Duke Charles had
+already excited the suspicion of his Estates; and the mutual good-will
+betwixt the prince and people began to be exchanged for suspicion and
+distrust on the one side, and defiance on the other. The refractory
+disposition of the Estates had of late increased; for they had
+disapproved of various wars in which their Duke had needlessly
+embarked, and from his levying such large bodies of mercenary troops,
+they came to suspect he might finally employ the wealth voted to him
+by his subjects for the undue extension of his royal prerogative, and
+the destruction of the liberties of the people.
+
+At the same time, the Duke's uniform success in enterprises which
+appeared desperate as well as difficult, esteem for the frankness and
+openness of his character, and dread of the obstinacy and headstrong
+tendency of a temper which could seldom bear persuasion, and never
+endured opposition, still threw awe and terror around the throne,
+which was materially aided by the attachment of the common people to
+the person of the present Duke and to the memory of his father. It had
+been understood that upon the present occasion there was strong
+opposition amongst the Estates to the system of taxation proposed on
+the part of the Duke, and the issue was expected with considerable
+anxiety by the Duke's counsellors, and with fretful impatience by the
+sovereign himself.
+
+After a space of about ten minutes had elapsed, the Chancellor of
+Burgundy, who was Archbishop of Vienne, and a prelate of high rank,
+entered the hall with his train; and passing behind the ducal throne
+to occupy one of the most distinguished places in the assembly, he
+stopped for a moment to urge his master to receive the answer of his
+Estates in a private manner, giving him at the same time to understand
+that the result of the deliberations had been by no means
+satisfactory.
+
+"By St. George of Burgundy, my Lord Archbishop," answered the Duke,
+sternly and aloud, "we are not a prince of a mind so paltry that we
+need to shun the moody looks of a discontented and insolent faction.
+If the Estates of Burgundy send a disobedient and disloyal answer to
+our paternal message, let them deliver it in open court, that the
+assembled people may learn how to decide between their Duke and those
+petty yet intriguing spirits, who would interfere with our authority."
+
+The chancellor bowed gravely, and took his seat; while the English
+Earl observed, that most of the members of the assembly, excepting
+such as in doing so could not escape the Duke's notice, passed some
+observations to their neighbours, which were received with a
+half-expressed nod, shrug, or shake of the head, as men treat a
+proposal upon which it is dangerous to decide. At the same time,
+Toison d'Or, who acted as master of the ceremonies, introduced into
+the hall a committee of the Estates, consisting of twelve members,
+four from each branch of the Estates, announced as empowered to
+deliver the answer of that assembly to the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+When the deputation entered the hall, Charles arose from his throne,
+according to ancient custom, and taking from his head his bonnet,
+charged with a huge plume of feathers, "Health and welcome," he said,
+"to my good subjects of the Estates of Burgundy!" All the numerous
+train of courtiers rose and uncovered their heads with the same
+ceremony. The members of the States then dropped on one knee, the four
+ecclesiastics, among whom Oxford recognised the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's, approaching nearest to the Duke's person, the nobles kneeling
+behind them, and the burgesses in the rear of the whole.
+
+"Noble Duke," said the Priest of St. Paul's, "will it best please you
+to hear the answer of your good and loyal Estates of Burgundy by the
+voice of one member speaking for the whole, or by three persons, each
+delivering the sense of the body to which he belongs?"
+
+"As you will," said the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+"A priest, a noble, and a free burgher," said the Churchman, still on
+one knee, "will address your Highness in succession. For though,
+blessed be the God who leads brethren to dwell together in unity! we
+are agreed in the general answer, yet each body of the Estates may
+have special and separate reasons to allege for the common opinion."
+
+"We will hear you separately," said Duke Charles, casting his hat upon
+his head, and throwing himself carelessly back into his seat. At the
+same time, all who were of noble blood, whether in the committee or
+amongst the spectators, vouched their right to be peers of their
+sovereign by assuming their bonnets; and a cloud of waving plumes at
+once added grace and dignity to the assembly.
+
+When the Duke resumed his seat, the deputation arose from their knees,
+and the Black Priest of St. Paul's, again stepping forth, addressed
+him in these words:--
+
+"My Lord Duke, your loyal and faithful clergy have considered your
+Highness's proposal to lay a talliage on your people, in order to
+make war on the confederate Cantons in the country of the Alps. The
+quarrel, my liege lord, seems to your clergy an unjust and oppressive
+one on your Highness's part; nor can they hope that God will bless
+those who arm in it. They are therefore compelled to reject your
+Highness's proposal."
+
+The Duke's eye lowered gloomily on the deliverer of this unpalatable
+message. He shook his head with one of those stern and menacing looks
+which the harsh composition of his features rendered them peculiarly
+qualified to express. "You have spoken, Sir Priest," was the only
+reply which he deigned to make.
+
+One of the four nobles, the Sire de Myrebeau, then expressed himself
+thus:--
+
+"Your Highness has asked of your faithful nobles to consent to new
+imposts and exactions, to be levied through Burgundy, for the raising
+of additional bands of hired soldiers for the maintenance of the
+quarrels of the State. My lord, the swords of the Burgundian nobles,
+knights, and gentlemen have been ever at your Highness's command, as
+those of our ancestors have been readily wielded for your
+predecessors. In your Highness's just quarrel we will go farther, and
+fight firmer, than any hired fellows who can be procured, whether from
+France, or Germany, or Italy. We will not give our consent that the
+people should be taxed for paying mercenaries to discharge that
+military duty which it is alike our pride and our exclusive privilege
+to render."
+
+"You have spoken, Sire de Myrebeau," were again the only words of the
+Duke's reply. He uttered them slowly and with deliberation, as if
+afraid lest some phrase of imprudent violence should escape along with
+what he purposed to say. Oxford thought he cast a glance towards him
+before he spoke, as if the consciousness of his presence was some
+additional restraint on his passion. "Now, Heaven grant," he said to
+himself, "that this opposition may work its proper effect, and induce
+the Duke to renounce an imprudent attempt, so hazardous and so
+unnecessary!"
+
+While he muttered these thoughts, the Duke made a sign to one of the
+_tiers état_, or commons, to speak in his turn. The person who obeyed
+the signal was Martin Block, a wealthy butcher and grazier of Dijon.
+His words were these: "Noble Prince, our fathers were the dutiful
+subjects of your predecessors; we are the same to you; our children
+will be alike the liegemen of your successors. But, touching the
+request your chancellor has made to us, it is such as our ancestors
+never complied with; such as we are determined to refuse, and such as
+will never be conceded by the Estates of Burgundy, to any prince
+whatsoever, even to the end of time."
+
+Charles had borne with impatient silence the speeches of the two
+former orators, but this blunt and hardy reply of the third Estate
+excited him beyond what his nature could endure. He gave way to the
+impetuosity of his disposition, stamped on the floor till the throne
+shook, and the high vault rung over their heads, and overwhelmed the
+bold burgher with reproaches. "Beast of burden," he said, "am I to be
+stunned with thy braying too? The nobles may claim leave to speak, for
+they can fight; the clergy may use their tongues, for it is their
+trade; but thou, that hast never shed blood, save that of bullocks,
+more stupid than thou art thyself--must thou and thy herd come hither,
+privileged, forsooth, to bellow at a prince's footstool? Know, brute
+as thou art, that steers are never introduced into temples but to be
+sacrificed, or butchers and mechanics brought before their sovereign,
+save that they may have the honour to supply the public wants from
+their own swelling hoards!"
+
+A murmur of displeasure, which even the terror of the Duke's wrath
+could not repress, ran through the audience at these words; and the
+burgher of Dijon, a sturdy plebeian, replied, with little reverence:
+"Our purses, my Lord Duke, are our own--we will not put the strings of
+them into your Highness's hands, unless we are satisfied with the
+purposes to which the money is to be applied; and we know well how to
+protect our persons and our goods against foreign ruffians and
+plunderers."
+
+Charles was on the point of ordering the deputy to be arrested, when,
+having cast his eye towards the Earl of Oxford, whose presence, in
+despite of himself, imposed a certain degree of restraint upon him, he
+exchanged that piece of imprudence for another.
+
+"I see," he said, addressing the committee of Estates, "that you are
+all leagued to disappoint my purposes, and doubtless to deprive me of
+all the power of a sovereign, save that of wearing a coronet, and
+being served on the knee like a second Charles the Simple, while the
+Estates of my kingdom divide the power among them. But you shall know
+that you have to do with Charles of Burgundy, a prince who, though he
+has deigned to consult you, is fully able to fight battles without
+the aid of his nobles, since they refuse him the assistance of their
+swords--to defray the expense without the help of his sordid
+burghers--and, it may be, to find out a path to heaven without the
+assistance of an ungrateful priesthood. I will show all that are here
+present how little my mind is affected, or my purpose changed, by your
+seditious reply to the message with which I honoured you.--Here,
+Toison d'Or, admit into our presence these men from the confederated
+towns and cantons, as they call themselves, of Switzerland."
+
+Oxford, and all who really interested themselves in the Duke's
+welfare, heard, with the utmost apprehension, his resolution to give
+an audience to the Swiss Envoys, prepossessed as he was against them,
+and in the moment when his mood was chafed to the uttermost by the
+refusal of the Estates to grant him supplies. They were aware that
+obstacles opposed to the current of his passion were like rocks in the
+bed of a river, whose course they cannot interrupt, while they provoke
+it to rage and foam. All were sensible that the die was cast, but none
+who were not endowed with more than mortal prescience could have
+imagined how deep was the pledge which depended upon it. Oxford, in
+particular, conceived that the execution of his plan of a descent upon
+England was the principal point compromised by the Duke in his rash
+obstinacy; but he suspected not--he dreamed not of supposing--that the
+life of Charles himself, and the independence of Burgundy as a
+separate kingdom, hung quivering in the same scales.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[7] The chief order of knighthood in the state of Burgundy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+     Why, 'tis a boisterous and cruel style,
+     A style for challengers. Why, she defies us,
+     Like Turk to Christian.
+                                _As You Like It._
+
+
+The doors of the hall were now opened to the Swiss deputies, who for
+the preceding hour had been kept in attendance on the outside of the
+building, without receiving the slightest of those attentions which
+among civilised nations are universally paid to the representatives of
+a foreign State. Indeed, their very appearance, dressed in coarse grey
+frocks, like mountain hunters or shepherds, in the midst of an
+assembly blazing with divers-coloured garments, gold and silver lace,
+embroidery, and precious stones, served to confirm the idea that they
+could only have come hither in the capacity of the most humble
+petitioners.
+
+Oxford, however, who watched closely the deportment of his late
+fellow-travellers, failed not to observe that they retained each in
+his own person the character of firmness and indifference which
+formerly distinguished them. Rudolph Donnerhugel preserved his bold
+and haughty look; the Banneret, the military indifference which made
+him look with apparent apathy on all around him; the burgher of
+Soleure was as formal and important as ever; nor did any of the three
+show themselves affected in the slightest degree by the splendour of
+the scene around them, or embarrassed by the consideration of their
+own comparative inferiority of appointments. But the noble Landamman,
+on whom Oxford chiefly bent his attention, seemed overwhelmed with a
+sense of the precarious state in which his country was placed;
+fearing, from the rude and unhonoured manner in which they were
+received, that war was unavoidable, while, at the same time, like a
+good patriot, he mourned over the consequences of ruin to the freedom
+of his country by defeat, or injury to her simplicity and virtuous
+indifference of wealth, by the introduction of foreign luxuries and
+the evils attending on conquest.
+
+Well acquainted with the opinions of Arnold Biederman, Oxford could
+easily explain his sadness, while his comrade Bonstetten, less capable
+of comprehending his friend's feelings, looked at him with the
+expression which may be seen in the countenance of a faithful dog,
+when the creature indicates sympathy with his master's melancholy,
+though unable to ascertain or appreciate its cause. A look of wonder
+now and then glided around the splendid assembly on the part of all
+the forlorn group, excepting Donnerhugel and the Landamman; for the
+indomitable pride of the one, and the steady patriotism of the other,
+could not for even an instant be diverted by external objects from
+their own deep and stern reflections.
+
+After a silence of nearly five minutes, the Duke spoke, with the
+haughty and harsh manner which he might imagine belonged to his place,
+and which certainly expressed his character.
+
+"Men of Berne, of Schwitz, or of whatever hamlet and wilderness you
+may represent, know that we had not honoured you, rebels as you are
+to the dominion of your lawful superiors, with an audience in our own
+presence, but for the intercession of a well-esteemed friend, who has
+sojourned among your mountains, and whom you may know by the name of
+Philipson, an Englishman, following the trade of a merchant, and
+charged with certain valuable matters of traffic to our court. To his
+intercession we have so far given way, that instead of commanding you,
+according to your demerits, to the gibbet and the wheel in the Place
+de Morimont, we have condescended to receive you into our own
+presence, sitting in our _cour plénière_, to hear from you such
+submission as you can offer for your outrageous storm of our town of
+La Ferette, the slaughter of many of our liegemen, and the deliberate
+murder of the noble knight, Archibald of Hagenbach, executed in your
+presence, and by your countenance and device. Speak--if you can say
+aught in defence of your felony and treason, either to deprecate just
+punishment, or crave undeserved mercy."
+
+The Landamman seemed about to answer; but Rudolph Donnerhugel, with
+his characteristic boldness and hardihood, took the task of reply on
+himself. He confronted the proud Duke with an eye unappalled, and a
+countenance as stern as his own.
+
+"We came not here," he said, "to compromise our own honour, or the
+dignity of the free people whom we represent, by pleading guilty in
+their name, or our own, to crimes of which we are innocent. And when
+you term us rebels, you must remember, that a long train of victories,
+whose history is written in the noblest blood of Austria, has
+restored to the confederacy of our communities the freedom of which an
+unjust tyranny in vain attempted to deprive us. While Austria was a
+just and beneficent mistress, we served her with our lives;--when she
+became oppressive and tyrannical, we assumed independence. If she has
+aught yet to claim from us, the descendants of Tell, Faust, and
+Stauffacher will be as ready to assert their liberties as their
+fathers were to gain them. Your Grace--if such be your title--has no
+concern with any dispute betwixt us and Austria. For your threats of
+gibbet and wheel, we are here defenceless men, on whom you may work
+your pleasure; but we know how to die, and our countrymen know how to
+avenge us."
+
+The fiery Duke would have replied by commanding the instant arrest,
+and probably the immediate execution, of the whole deputation. But his
+chancellor, availing himself of the privilege of his office, rose,
+and, doffing his cap with a deep reverence to the Duke, requested
+leave to reply to the misproud young man, who had, he said, so greatly
+mistaken the purpose of his Highness's speech.
+
+Charles, feeling perhaps at the moment too much irritated to form a
+calm decision, threw himself back in his chair of state, and with an
+impatient and angry nod gave his chancellor permission to speak.
+
+"Young man," said that high officer, "you have mistaken the meaning of
+the high and mighty sovereign in whose presence you stand. Whatever be
+the lawful rights of Austria over the revolted villages which have
+flung off their allegiance to their native superior, we have no call
+to enter on that argument. But that for which Burgundy demands your
+answer is, wherefore, coming here in the guise, and with the
+character, of peaceful envoys, on affairs touching your own
+communities and the rights of the Duke's subjects, you have raised war
+in our peaceful dominions, stormed a fortress, massacred its garrison,
+and put to death a noble knight, its commander?--all of them actions
+contrary to the law of nations, and highly deserving of the punishment
+with which you have been justly threatened, but with which I hope our
+gracious sovereign will dispense, if you express some sufficient
+reason for such outrageous insolence, with an offer of due submission
+to his Highness's pleasure, and satisfactory reparation for such a
+high injury."
+
+"You are a priest, grave sir?" answered Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+addressing the Chancellor of Burgundy. "If there be a soldier in this
+assembly who will avouch your charge, I challenge him to the combat,
+man to man. We did not storm the garrison of La Ferette--we were
+admitted into the gates in a peaceful manner, and were there instantly
+surrounded by the soldiers of the late Archibald de Hagenbach, with
+the obvious purpose of assaulting and murdering us on our peaceful
+mission. I promise you there had been news of more men dying than us.
+But an uproar broke out among the inhabitants of the town, assisted, I
+believe, by many neighbours, to whom the insolence and oppression of
+Archibald de Hagenbach had become odious, as to all who were within
+his reach. We rendered them no assistance; and, I trust, it was not
+expected that we should interfere in the favour of men who had stood
+prepared to do the worst against us. But not a pike or sword
+belonging to us or our attendants was dipped in Burgundian blood.
+Archibald de Hagenbach perished, it is true, on a scaffold, and I saw
+him die with pleasure, under a sentence pronounced by a competent
+court, such as is recognised in Westphalia, and its dependencies on
+this side of the Rhine. I am not obliged to vindicate their
+proceedings; but I aver, that the Duke has received full proof of his
+regular sentence; and, in fine, that it was amply deserved by
+oppression, tyranny, and foul abuse of his authority, I will uphold
+against all gainsayers, with the body of a man. There lies my glove."
+
+And, with an action suited to the language he used, the stern Swiss
+flung his right-hand glove on the floor of the hall. In the spirit of
+the age, with the love of distinction in arms which it nourished, and
+perhaps with the desire of gaining the Duke's favour, there was a
+general motion among the young Burgundians to accept the challenge,
+and more than six or eight gloves were hastily doffed by the young
+knights present, those who were more remote flinging them over the
+heads of the nearest, and each proclaiming his name and title as he
+proffered the gage of combat.
+
+"I set at all," said the daring young Swiss, gathering the gauntlets
+as they fell clashing around him. "More, gentlemen, more! a glove for
+every finger! come on, one at once--fair lists, equal judges of the
+field, the combat on foot, and the weapons two-handed swords, and I
+will not budge for a score of you."
+
+  [Illustration: THE DEFIANCE.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+"Hold, gentlemen! on your allegiance, hold!" said the Duke, gratified
+at the same time, and somewhat appeased, by the zeal which was
+displayed in his cause--moved by the strain of reckless
+bravery evinced by the challenger, with a hardihood akin to his
+own--perhaps also not unwilling to display, in the view of his _cour
+plénière_, more temperance than he had been at first capable of.
+"Hold, I command you all.--Toison d'Or, gather up these gauntlets, and
+return them each to his owner. God and St. George forbid that we
+should hazard the life of even the least of our noble Burgundian
+gentry against such a churl as this Swiss peasant, who never so much
+as mounted a horse, and knows not a jot of knightly courtesy, or the
+grace of chivalry.--Carry your vulgar brawls elsewhere, young man, and
+know that, on the present occasion, the Place Morimont were your only
+fitting lists, and the hangman your meet antagonist. And you, sirs,
+his companions--whose behaviour in suffering this swaggerer to take
+the lead amongst you seems to show that the laws of nature, as well as
+of society, are inverted, and that youth is preferred to age, as
+gentry to peasants--you white-bearded men, I say, is there none of you
+who can speak your errand in such language as it becomes a sovereign
+prince to listen to?"
+
+"God forbid else," said the Landamman, stepping forward and silencing
+Rudolph Donnerhugel, who was commencing an answer of defiance--"God
+forbid," he said, "noble Duke, that we should not be able to speak so
+as to be understood before your Highness, since, I trust, we shall
+speak the language of truth, peace, and justice. Nay, should it
+incline your Highness to listen to us the more favourably for our
+humility, I am willing to humble myself rather than you should shun
+to hear us. For my own part, I can truly say that, though I have
+lived, and by free choice have resolved to die, a husbandman and a
+hunter on the Alps of the Unterwald, I may claim by birth the
+hereditary right to speak before Dukes and Kings, and the Emperor
+himself. There is no one, my Lord Duke, in this proud assembly, who
+derives his descent from a nobler source than Geierstein."
+
+"We have heard of you," said the Duke. "Men call you the
+peasant-count. Your birth is your shame; or perhaps your mother's, if
+your father had happened to have a handsome ploughman, the fitting
+father of one who has become a willing serf."
+
+"No serf, my lord," answered the Landamman, "but a freeman, who will
+neither oppress others nor be himself tyrannised over. My father was a
+noble lord, my mother a most virtuous lady. But I will not be
+provoked, by taunt or scornful jest, to refrain from stating with
+calmness what my country has given me in charge to say. The
+inhabitants of the bleak and inhospitable regions of the Alps desire,
+mighty sir, to remain at peace with all their neighbours, and to enjoy
+the government they have chosen, as best fitted to their condition and
+habits, leaving all other states and countries to their free-will in
+the same respects. Especially, they desire to remain at peace and in
+unity with the princely House of Burgundy, whose dominions approach
+their possessions on so many points. My lord, they desire it, they
+entreat it, they even consent to pray for it. We have been termed
+stubborn, intractable, and insolent contemners of authority, and
+headers of sedition and rebellion. In evidence of the contrary, my
+Lord Duke, I, who never bent a knee but to Heaven, feel no dishonour
+in kneeling before your Highness, as before a sovereign prince in the
+_cour plénière_ of his dominions, where he has a right to exact homage
+from his subjects out of duty, and from strangers out of courtesy. No
+vain pride of mine," said the noble old man, his eyes swelling with
+tears, as he knelt on one knee, "shall prevent me from personal
+humiliation, when peace--that blessed peace, so dear to God, so
+inappreciably valuable to man--is in danger of being broken off."
+
+The whole assembly, even the Duke himself, were affected by the noble
+and stately manner in which the brave old man made a genuflection,
+which was obviously dictated by neither meanness nor timidity. "Arise,
+sir," said Charles; "if we have said aught which can wound your
+private feelings, we retract it as publicly as the reproach was
+spoken, and sit prepared to hear you, as a fair-meaning envoy."
+
+"For that, my noble lord, thanks; and I shall hold it a blessed day,
+if I can find words worthy of the cause I have to plead. My lord, a
+schedule in your Highness's hands has stated the sense of many
+injuries received at the hand of your Highness's officers, and those
+of Romont, Count of Savoy, your strict ally and adviser, we have a
+right to suppose, under your Highness's countenance. For Count
+Romont--he has already felt with whom he has to contend; but we have
+as yet taken no measures to avenge injuries, affronts, interruptions
+to our commerce, from those who have availed themselves of your
+Highness's authority to intercept our countrymen, spoil our goods,
+impress their persons, and even, in some instances, take their lives.
+The affray at La Ferette--I can vouch for what I saw--had no origin or
+abettance from us; nevertheless, it is impossible an independent
+nation can suffer the repetition of such injuries, and free and
+independent we are determined to remain, or to die in defence of our
+rights. What then must follow, unless your Highness listens to the
+terms which I am commissioned to offer? War, a war to extermination;
+for so long as one of our Confederacy can wield a halberd, so long, if
+this fatal strife once commences, there will be war betwixt your
+powerful realms and our poor and barren States. And what can the noble
+Duke of Burgundy gain by such a strife? Is it wealth and plunder?
+Alas, my lord, there is more gold and silver on the very bridle-bits
+of your Highness's household troops than can be found in the public
+treasures or private hoards of our whole Confederacy. Is it fame and
+glory you aspire to? There is little honour to be won by a numerous
+army over a few scattered bands, by men clad in mail over half-armed
+husbandmen and shepherds--of such conquest small were the glory. But
+if, as all Christian men believe, and as it is the constant trust of
+my countrymen, from memory of the times of our fathers,--if the Lord
+of Hosts should cast the balance in behalf of the fewer numbers and
+worse-armed party, I leave it with your Highness to judge what would,
+in that event, be the diminution of worship and fame. Is it extent of
+vassalage and dominion your Highness desires, by warring with your
+mountain neighbours? Know that you may, if it be God's will, gain our
+barren and rugged mountains; but, like our ancestors of old, we will
+seek refuge in wilder and more distant solitudes, and, when we have
+resisted to the last, we will starve in the icy wastes of the
+glaciers. Ay, men, women, and children, we will be frozen into
+annihilation together, ere one free Switzer will acknowledge a foreign
+master."
+
+The speech of the Landamman made an obvious impression on the
+assembly. The Duke observed it, and his hereditary obstinacy was
+irritated by the general disposition which he saw entertained in
+favour of the ambassador. This evil principle overcame some impression
+which the address of the noble Biederman had not failed to make upon
+him. He answered with a lowering brow, interrupting the old man as he
+was about to continue his speech,--"You argue falsely, Sir Count, or
+Sir Landamman, or by whatever name you call yourself, if you think we
+war on you from any hope of spoil, or any desire of glory. We know as
+well as you can tell us that there is neither profit nor fame to be
+achieved by conquering you. But sovereigns, to whom Heaven has given
+the power, must root out a band of robbers, though there is dishonour
+in measuring swords with them; and we hunt to death a herd of wolves,
+though their flesh is carrion, and their skins are naught."
+
+The Landamman shook his grey head, and replied, without testifying
+emotion, and even with something approaching to a smile,--"I am an
+older woodsman than you, my Lord Duke--and, it may be, a more
+experienced one. The boldest, the hardiest hunter, will not safely
+drive the wolf to his den. I have shown your Highness the poor chance
+of gain, and the great risk of loss, which even you, powerful as you
+are, must incur by risking a war with determined and desperate men.
+Let me now tell what we are willing to do to secure a sincere and
+lasting peace with our powerful neighbour of Burgundy. Your Grace is
+in the act of engrossing Lorraine, and it seems probable, under so
+vigorous and enterprising a Prince, your authority may be extended to
+the shores of the Mediterranean--be our noble friend and sincere ally,
+and our mountains, defended by warriors familiar with victory, will be
+your barriers against Germany and Italy. For your sake we will admit
+the Count of Savoy to terms, and restore to him our conquests, on such
+conditions as your Highness shall yourself judge reasonable. Of past
+subjects of offence on the part of your lieutenants and governors upon
+the frontier we will be silent, so we have assurance of no such
+aggressions in future. Nay, more, and it is my last and proudest
+offer, we will send three thousand of our youth to assist your
+Highness in any war which you may engage in, whether against Louis of
+France or the Emperor of Germany. They are a different set of
+men--proudly and truly may I state it--from the scum of Germany and
+Italy, who form themselves into mercenary bands of soldiers. And, if
+Heaven should decide your Highness to accept our offer, there will be
+one corps in your army which will leave their carcasses on the field
+ere a man of them break their plighted troth."
+
+A swarthy but tall and handsome man, wearing a corselet richly
+engraved with arabesque work, started from his seat with the air of
+one provoked beyond the bounds of restraint. This was the Count de
+Campo-basso, commander of Charles's Italian mercenaries, who
+possessed, as has been alluded to, much influence over the Duke's
+mind, chiefly obtained by accommodating himself to his master's
+opinions and prejudices, and placing before the Duke specious
+arguments to justify him for following his own way.
+
+"This lofty presence must excuse me," he said, "if I speak in defence
+of my honour, and those of my bold lances, who have followed my
+fortunes from Italy to serve the bravest Prince in Christendom. I
+might, indeed, pass over without resentment the outrageous language of
+this grey-haired churl, whose words cannot affect a knight and a
+nobleman more than the yelling of a peasant's mastiff. But when I hear
+him propose to associate his bands of mutinous misgoverned ruffians
+with your Highness's troops, I must let him know that there is not a
+horse-boy in my ranks who would fight in such fellowship. No, even I
+myself, bound by a thousand ties of gratitude, could not submit to
+strive abreast with such comrades. I would fold up my banners, and
+lead five thousand men to seek,--not a nobler master, for the world
+has none such,--but wars in which we might not be obliged to blush for
+our assistants."
+
+"Silence, Campo-basso!" said the Duke, "and be assured you serve a
+prince who knows your worth too well to exchange it for the untried
+and untrustful services of those whom we have only known as vexatious
+and malignant neighbours."
+
+Then, addressing himself to Arnold Biederman, he said coldly and
+sternly, "Sir Landamman, we have heard you fairly. We have heard you,
+although you come before us with hands dyed deep in the blood of our
+servant, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach; for, supposing he was murdered by
+a villanous association,--which, by St. George! shall never, while we
+live and reign, raise its pestilential head on this side of the
+Rhine,--yet it is not the less undeniable and undenied, that you stood
+by in arms, and encouraged the deed the assassins performed under your
+countenance. Return to your mountains, and be thankful that you return
+in life. Tell those who sent you that I will be presently on their
+frontiers. A deputation of your most notable persons, who meet me with
+halters round their necks, torches in their left hands, in their right
+their swords held by the point, may learn on what conditions we will
+grant you peace."
+
+"Then farewell peace, and welcome war," said the Landamman; "and be
+its plagues and curses on the heads of those who choose blood and
+strife rather than peace and union. We will meet you on our frontiers
+with our naked swords, but the hilts, not their points, shall be in
+our grasp. Charles of Burgundy, Flanders, and Lorraine, Duke of seven
+dukedoms, Count of seventeen earldoms, I bid you defiance; and declare
+war against you in the name of the confederated Cantons, and such
+others as shall adhere to them. There," he said, "are my letters of
+defiance."
+
+The herald took from Arnold Biederman the fatal denunciation.
+
+"Read it not, Toison d'Or!" said the haughty Duke. "Let the
+executioner drag it through the streets at his horse's tail, and nail
+it to the gibbet, to show in what account we hold the paltry scroll,
+and those who sent it.--Away, sirs!" speaking to the Swiss. "Trudge
+back to your wildernesses with such haste as your feet can use. When
+we next meet, you shall better know whom you have offended.--Get our
+horse ready--the council is broken up."
+
+The Maire of Dijon, when all were in motion to leave the hall, again
+approached the Duke, and timidly expressed some hopes that his
+Highness would deign to partake of a banquet which the magistracy had
+prepared, in expectation he might do them such an honour.
+
+"No, by St. George of Burgundy, Sir Maire," said Charles, with one of
+the withering glances by which he was wont to express indignation
+mixed with contempt,--"you have not pleased us so well with our
+breakfast as to induce us to trust our dinner to the loyalty of our
+good town of Dijon."
+
+So saying, he rudely turned off from the mortified chief magistrate,
+and, mounting his horse, rode back to his camp, conversing earnestly
+on the way with the Count of Campo-basso.
+
+"I would offer you dinner, my Lord of Oxford," said Colvin to that
+nobleman, when he alighted at his tent, "but I foresee, ere you could
+swallow a mouthful, you will be summoned to the Duke's presence; for
+it is our Charles's way, when he has fixed on a wrong course, to
+wrangle with his friends and counsellors, in order to prove it is a
+right one. Marry, he always makes a convert of yon supple Italian."
+
+Colvin's augury was speedily realised; for a page almost immediately
+summoned the English merchant, Philipson, to attend the Duke. Without
+waiting an instant, Charles poured forth an incoherent tide of
+reproaches against the Estates of his dukedom, for refusing him their
+countenance in so slight a matter, and launched out in explanations of
+the necessity which he alleged there was for punishing the audacity of
+the Swiss. "And thou too, Oxford," he concluded, "art such an
+impatient fool as to wish me to engage in a distant war with England,
+and transport forces over the sea, when I have such insolent mutineers
+to chastise on my own frontiers?"
+
+When he was at length silent, the English Earl laid before him, with
+respectful earnestness, the danger that appeared to be involved in
+engaging with a people, poor indeed, but universally dreaded, from
+their discipline and courage, and that under the eye of so dangerous a
+rival as Louis of France, who was sure to support the Duke's enemies
+underhand, if he did not join them openly. On this point the Duke's
+resolution was immovable. "It shall never," he said, "be told of me,
+that I uttered threats which I dared not execute. These boors have
+declared war against me, and they shall learn whose wrath it is that
+they have wantonly provoked; but I do not, therefore, renounce thy
+scheme, my good Oxford. If thou canst procure me this same cession of
+Provence, and induce old René to give up the cause of his grandson,
+Ferrand of Vaudemont, in Lorraine, thou wilt make it well worth my
+while to send thee brave aid against my brother Blackburn, who, while
+he is drinking healths pottle-deep in France, may well come to lose
+his lands in England. And be not impatient because I cannot at this
+very instant send men across the seas. The march which I am making
+towards Neufchatel, which is, I think, the nearest point where I shall
+find these churls, will be but like a morning's excursion. I trust you
+will go with us, old companion. I should like to see if you have
+forgotten, among yonder mountains, how to back a horse and lay a lance
+in rest."
+
+"I will wait on your Highness," said the Earl, "as is my duty, for my
+motions must depend on your pleasure. But I will not carry arms,
+especially against those people of Helvetia, from whom I have
+experienced hospitality, unless it be for my own personal defence."
+
+"Well," replied the Duke, "e'en be it so; we shall have in you an
+excellent judge, to tell us who best discharges his devoir against the
+mountain clowns."
+
+At this point in the conversation there was a knocking at the entrance
+of the pavilion, and the Chancellor of Burgundy presently entered, in
+great haste and anxiety. "News, my lord--news of France and England,"
+said the prelate, and then, observing the presence of a stranger, he
+looked at the Duke, and was silent.
+
+"It is a faithful friend, my Lord Bishop," said the Duke; "you may
+tell your news before him."
+
+"It will soon be generally known," said the chancellor. "Louis and
+Edward are fully accorded." Both the Duke and the English Earl
+started.
+
+"I expected this," said the Duke, "but not so soon."
+
+"The Kings have met," answered his minister.
+
+"How--in battle?" said Oxford, forgetting himself in his extreme
+eagerness.
+
+The chancellor was somewhat surprised, but as the Duke seemed to
+expect him to give an answer, he replied, "No, Sir Stranger--not in
+battle, but upon appointment, and in peace and amity."
+
+"The sight must have been worth seeing," said the Duke; "when the old
+fox Louis, and my brother Black--I mean my brother Edward--met. Where
+held they their rendezvous?"
+
+"On a bridge over the Seine, at Picquigny."
+
+"I would thou hadst been there," said the Duke, looking to Oxford,
+"with a good axe in thy hand, to strike one fair blow for England, and
+another for Burgundy. My grandfather was treacherously slain at just
+such a meeting, at the Bridge of Montereau, upon the Yonne."
+
+"To prevent a similar chance," said the chancellor, "a strong
+barricade, such as closes the cages in which men keep wild beasts, was
+raised in the midst of the bridge, and prevented the possibility of
+their even touching each other's hands."
+
+"Ha, ha! By St. George, that smells of Louis's craft and caution; for
+the Englishman, to give him his due, is as little acquainted with fear
+as with policy. But what terms have they made? Where do the English
+army winter? What towns, fortresses, and castles are surrendered to
+them, in pledge, or in perpetuity?"
+
+"None, my liege," said the chancellor. "The English army returns into
+England, as fast as shipping can be procured to transport them; and
+Louis will accommodate them with every sail and oar in his dominions,
+rather than they should not instantly evacuate France."
+
+"And by what concessions has Louis bought a peace so necessary to his
+affairs?"
+
+"By fair words," said the chancellor, "by liberal presents, and by
+some five hundred tuns of wine."
+
+"Wine!" exclaimed the Duke. "Heardst thou ever the like, Seignor
+Philipson? Why, your countrymen are little better than Esau, who sold
+his birthright for a mess of pottage. Marry, I must confess I never
+saw an Englishman who loved a dry-lipped bargain."
+
+"I can scarce believe this news," said the Earl of Oxford. "If this
+Edward were content to cross the sea with fifty thousand Englishmen
+merely to return again, there are in his camp both proud nobles and
+haughty commons enough to resist his disgraceful purpose."
+
+"The money of Louis," said the statesman, "has found noble hands
+willing to clutch it. The wine of France has flooded every throat in
+the English army--the riot and uproar was unbounded--and at one time
+the town of Amiens, where Louis himself resided, was full of so many
+English archers, all of them intoxicated, that the person of the King
+of France was almost in their hands. Their sense of national honour
+has been lost in the universal revel, and those amongst them who would
+be more dignified and play the wise politicians say, that having come
+to France by connivance of the Duke of Burgundy, and that prince
+having failed to join them with his forces, they have done well,
+wisely, and gallantly, considering the season of the year, and the
+impossibility of obtaining quarters, to take tribute of France, and
+return home in triumph."
+
+"And leave Louis," said Oxford, "at undisturbed freedom to attack
+Burgundy with all his forces?"
+
+"Not so, friend Philipson," said Duke Charles; "know, that there is a
+truce betwixt Burgundy and France for the space of seven years, and
+had not this been granted and signed, it is probable that we might
+have found some means of marring the treaty betwixt Edward and Louis,
+even at the expense of affording those voracious islanders beef and
+beer during the winter months.--Sir Chancellor, you may leave us, but
+be within reach of a hasty summons."
+
+When his minister left the pavilion, the Duke, who with his rude and
+imperious character united much kindness, if it could not be termed
+generosity of disposition, came up to the Lancastrian lord, who stood
+like one at whose feet a thunderbolt has just broken, and who is still
+appalled by the terrors of the shock.
+
+"My poor Oxford," he said, "thou art stupefied by this news, which
+thou canst not doubt must have a fatal effect on the plan which thy
+brave bosom cherishes with such devoted fidelity. I would for thy sake
+I could have detained the English a little longer in France; but had I
+attempted to do so, there were an end of my truce with Louis, and of
+course to my power to chastise these paltry Cantons, or send forth an
+expedition to England. As matters stand, give me but a week to punish
+these mountaineers, and you shall have a larger force than your
+modesty has requested of me for your enterprise; and, in the
+meanwhile, I will take care that Blackburn and his cousin-archers have
+no assistance of shipping from Flanders. Tush, man, never fear
+it--thou wilt be in England long ere they; and, once more, rely on my
+assistance--always, thou knowest, the cession of Provence being
+executed, as in reason. Our cousin Margaret's diamonds we must keep
+for a time; and perhaps they may pass as a pledge, with some of our
+own, for the godly purpose of setting at freedom the imprisoned angels
+of our Flemish usurers, who will not lend even to their sovereign,
+unless on good current security. To such straits has the disobedient
+avarice of our Estates for the moment reduced us."
+
+"Alas! my lord," said the dejected nobleman, "I were ungrateful to
+doubt the sincerity of your good intentions. But who can presume on
+the events of war, especially when time presses for instant decision?
+You are pleased to trust me. Let your Highness extend your confidence
+thus far: I will take my horse, and ride after the Landamman, if he
+hath already set forth. I have little doubt to make such an
+accommodation with him that you may be secure on all your
+south-eastern frontiers. You may then with security work your will in
+Lorraine and Provence."
+
+"Do not speak of it," said the Duke, sharply; "thou forget'st thyself
+and me, when thou supposest that a prince, who has pledged his word to
+his people, can recall it like a merchant chaffering for his paltry
+wares. Go to--we will assist you, but we will be ourselves judge of
+the time and manner. Yet, having both kind will to our distressed
+cousin of Anjou, and being your good friend, we will not linger in the
+matter. Our host have orders to break up this evening and direct their
+march against Neufchatel, where these proud Swiss shall have a taste
+of the fire and sword which they have provoked."
+
+Oxford sighed deeply, but made no further remonstrance; in which he
+acted wisely, since it was likely to have exasperated the fiery temper
+of the sovereign to whom it was addressed, while it was certain that
+it would not in the slightest degree alter his resolution.
+
+He took farewell of the Duke, and returned to Colvin, whom he found
+immersed in the business of his department, and preparing for the
+removal of the artillery--an operation which the clumsiness of the
+ordnance, and the execrable state of the roads, rendered at that time
+a much more troublesome operation than at present, though it is even
+still one of the most laborious movements attending the march of an
+army. The Master of the Ordnance welcomed Oxford with much glee, and
+congratulated himself on the distinguished honour of enjoying his
+company during the campaign, and acquainted him that, by the especial
+command of the Duke, he had made fitting preparations for his
+accommodation, suitable to the disguised character which he meant to
+maintain, but in every other respect as convenient as a camp could
+admit of.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+     A mirthful man he was--the snows of age
+     Fell, but they did not chill him. Gaiety,
+     Even in life's closing, touch'd his teeming brain
+     With such wild visions as the setting sun
+     Raises in front of some hoar glacier,
+     Painting the bleak ice with a thousand hues.
+                                           _Old Play._
+
+
+Leaving the Earl of Oxford in attendance on the stubborn Duke of
+Burgundy during an expedition which the one represented as a brief
+excursion, more resembling a hunting-party than a campaign, and which
+the other considered in a much graver and more perilous light, we
+return to Arthur de Vere, or the younger Philipson, as he continued to
+be called, who was conducted by his guide with fidelity and success,
+but certainly very slowly, upon his journey into Provence.
+
+The state of Lorraine, overrun by the Duke of Burgundy's army, and
+infested at the same time by different scattered bands, who took the
+field, or held out the castles, as they alleged, for the interest of
+Count Ferrand de Vaudemont, rendered journeying so dangerous, that it
+was often necessary to leave the main road, and to take circuitous
+tracks, in order to avoid such unfriendly encounters as travellers
+might otherwise have met with.
+
+Arthur, taught by sad experience to distrust strange guides, found
+himself, nevertheless, in this eventful and perilous journey, disposed
+to rest considerable confidence in his present conductor, Thiebault,
+a Provençal by birth, intimately acquainted with the roads which they
+took, and, as far as he could judge, disposed to discharge his office
+with fidelity. Prudence alike, and the habits which he had acquired in
+travelling, as well as the character of a merchant which he still
+sustained, induced him to wave the _morgue_, or haughty superiority of
+a knight and noble towards an inferior personage, especially as he
+rightly conjectured that free intercourse with this man, whose
+acquirements seemed of a superior cast, was likely to render him a
+judge of his opinions and disposition towards him. In return for his
+condescension, he obtained a good deal of information concerning the
+province which he was approaching.
+
+As they drew near the boundaries of Provence, the communications of
+Thiebault became more fluent and interesting. He could not only tell
+the name and history of each romantic castle which they passed, in
+their devious and doubtful route, but had at his command the
+chivalrous history of the noble knights and barons to whom they now
+pertained, or had belonged in earlier days, and could recount their
+exploits against the Saracens, by repelling their attacks upon
+Christendom, or their efforts to recover the Holy Sepulchre from Pagan
+hands. In the course of such narrations, Thiebault was led to speak of
+the Troubadours, a race of native poets of Provençal origin, differing
+widely from the minstrels of Normandy, and the adjacent provinces of
+France, with whose tales of chivalry, as well as the numerous
+translations of their works into Norman-French and English, Arthur,
+like most of the noble youth of his country, was intimately acquainted
+and deeply imbued. Thiebault boasted that his grandsire, of humble
+birth indeed, but of distinguished talent, was one of this gifted
+race, whose compositions produced so great an effect on the temper and
+manners of their age and country. It was, however, to be regretted
+that, inculcating as the prime duty of life a fantastic spirit of
+gallantry, which sometimes crossed the Platonic bound prescribed to
+it, the poetry of the Troubadours was too frequently used to soften
+and seduce the heart, and corrupt the principles.[8]
+
+Arthur's attention was called to this peculiarity by Thiebault
+singing, which he could do with good skill, the history of a
+Troubadour, named William Cabestainy, who loved, _par amours_, a noble
+and beautiful lady, Margaret, the wife of a baron called Raymond de
+Roussillon. The jealous husband obtained proof of his dishonour, and,
+having put Cabestainy to death by assassination, he took his heart
+from his bosom, and causing it to be dressed like that of an animal,
+ordered it to be served up to his lady; and when she had eaten of the
+horrible mess, told her of what her banquet was composed. The lady
+replied, that since she had been made to partake of food so precious,
+no coarser morsel should ever after cross her lips. She persisted in
+her resolution, and thus starved herself to death. The Troubadour who
+celebrated this tragic history had displayed in his composition a good
+deal of poetic art. Glossing over the error of the lovers as the fault
+of their destiny, dwelling on their tragical fate with considerable
+pathos, and, finally, execrating the blind fury of the husband, with
+the full fervour of poetical indignation, he recorded, with vindictive
+pleasure, how every bold knight and true lover in the south of France
+assembled to besiege the baron's castle, stormed it by main force,
+left not one stone upon another, and put the tyrant himself to an
+ignominious death. Arthur was interested in the melancholy tale, which
+even beguiled him of a few tears; but as he thought further on its
+purport, he dried his eyes, and said, with some sternness,--"Thiebault,
+sing me no more such lays. I have heard my father say that the
+readiest mode to corrupt a Christian man is to bestow upon vice the
+pity and the praise which are due only to virtue. Your Baron of
+Roussillon is a monster of cruelty; but your unfortunate lovers were
+not the less guilty. It is by giving fair names to foul actions that
+those who would start at real vice are led to practise its lessons,
+under the disguise of virtue."
+
+"I would you knew, Seignor," answered Thiebault, "that this Lay of
+Cabestainy and the Lady Margaret of Roussillon is reckoned a
+masterpiece of the joyous science. Fie, sir, you are too young to be
+so strict a censor of morals. What will you do when your head is grey,
+if you are thus severe when it is scarcely brown?"
+
+"A head which listens to folly in youth will hardly be honourable in
+old age," answered Arthur.
+
+Thiebault had no mind to carry the dispute further.
+
+"It is not for me to contend with your worship. I only think, with
+every true son of chivalry and song, that a knight without a mistress
+is like a sky without a star."
+
+"Do I not know that?" answered Arthur; "but yet better remain in
+darkness than be guided by such false lights as shower down vice and
+pestilence."
+
+"Nay, it may be your seignorie is right," answered the guide. "It is
+certain that even in Provence here we have lost much of our keen
+judgment on matters of love--its difficulties, its intricacies, and
+its errors, since the Troubadours are no longer regarded as usual, and
+since the High and Noble Parliament of Love[9] has ceased to hold its
+sittings.
+
+"But in these latter days," continued the Provençal, "kings, dukes,
+and sovereigns, instead of being the foremost and most faithful
+vassals of the Court of Cupid, are themselves the slaves of
+selfishness and love of gain. Instead of winning hearts by breaking
+lances in the lists, they are breaking the hearts of their
+impoverished vassals by the most cruel exactions--instead of
+attempting to deserve the smile and favours of their lady-loves, they
+are meditating how to steal castles, towns, and provinces from their
+neighbours. But long life to the good and venerable King René! While
+he has an acre of land left, his residence will be the resort of
+valiant knights, whose only aim is praise in arms, of true lovers, who
+are persecuted by fortune, and of high-toned harpers, who know how to
+celebrate faith and valour."
+
+Arthur, interested in learning something more precise than common
+fame had taught him on the subject of this prince, easily induced the
+talkative Provençal to enlarge upon the virtues of his old sovereign's
+character, as just, joyous, and debonair, a friend to the most noble
+exercises of the chase and the tilt-yard, and still more so to the
+joyous science of Poetry and Music; who gave away more revenue than he
+received, in largesses to knights-errant and itinerant musicians, with
+whom his petty court was crowded, as one of the very few in which the
+ancient hospitality was still maintained.
+
+Such was the picture which Thiebault drew of the last minstrel
+monarch; and though the eulogium was exaggerated, perhaps the facts
+were not overcharged.
+
+Born of royal parentage, and with high pretensions, René had at no
+period of his life been able to match his fortunes to his claims. Of
+the kingdoms to which he asserted right, nothing remained in his
+possession but the county of Provence itself, a fair and friendly
+principality, but diminished by the many claims which France had
+acquired upon portions of it by advances of money to supply the
+personal expenses of its master, and by other portions, which
+Burgundy, to whom René had been a prisoner, held in pledge for his
+ransom. In his youth he engaged in more than one military enterprise,
+in the hope of attaining some part of the territory of which he was
+styled sovereign. His courage is not impeached, but fortune did not
+smile on his military adventures; and he seems at last to have become
+sensible that the power of admiring and celebrating warlike merit is
+very different from possessing that quality. In fact, René was a
+prince of very moderate parts, endowed with a love of the fine arts,
+which he carried to extremity, and a degree of good-humour, which
+never permitted him to repine at fortune, but rendered its possessor
+happy, when a prince of keener feelings would have died of despair.
+This insouciant, light-tempered, gay, and thoughtless disposition
+conducted René, free from all the passions which embitter life, and
+often shorten it, to a hale and mirthful old age. Even domestic
+losses, which often affect those who are proof against mere reverses
+of fortune, made no deep impression on the feelings of this cheerful
+old monarch. Most of his children had died young; René took it not to
+heart. His daughter Margaret's marriage with the powerful Henry of
+England was considered a connection much above the fortunes of the
+King of the Troubadours. But in the issue, instead of René deriving
+any splendour from the match, he was involved in the misfortunes of
+his daughter, and repeatedly obliged to impoverish himself to supply
+her ransom. Perhaps in his private soul the old king did not think
+these losses so mortifying as the necessity of receiving Margaret into
+his court and family. On fire when reflecting on the losses she had
+sustained, mourning over friends slain and kingdoms lost, the proudest
+and most passionate of princesses was ill suited to dwell with the
+gayest and best-humoured of sovereigns, whose pursuits she contemned,
+and whose lightness of temper, for finding comfort in such trifles,
+she could not forgive. The discomfort attached to her presence and
+vindictive recollections embarrassed the good-humoured old monarch,
+though it was unable to drive him beyond his equanimity.
+
+Another distress pressed him more sorely.--Yolande, a daughter of his
+first wife, Isabella, had succeeded to his claims upon the Duchy of
+Lorraine, and transmitted them to her son, Ferrand, Count of
+Vaudemont, a young man of courage and spirit, engaged at this time in
+the apparently desperate undertaking of making his title good against
+the Duke of Burgundy, who, with little right but great power, was
+seizing upon and overrunning this rich Duchy, which he laid claim to
+as a male fief. And to conclude, while the aged king on one side
+beheld his dethroned daughter in hopeless despair, and on the other
+his disinherited grandson in vain attempting to recover part of their
+rights, he had the additional misfortune to know that his nephew,
+Louis of France, and his cousin, the Duke of Burgundy, were secretly
+contending which should succeed him in that portion of Provence which
+he still continued to possess, and that it was only jealousy of each
+other which prevented his being despoiled of this last remnant of his
+territory. Yet amid all this distress René feasted and received
+guests, danced, sang, composed poetry, used the pencil or brush with
+no small skill, devised and conducted festivals and processions, and,
+studying to promote as far as possible the immediate mirth and
+good-humour of his subjects, if he could not materially enlarge their
+more permanent prosperity, was never mentioned by them, excepting as
+_Le bon Roi René_, a distinction conferred on him down to the present
+day, and due to him certainly by the qualities of his heart, if not by
+those of his head.
+
+Whilst Arthur was receiving from his guide a full account of the
+peculiarities of King René, they entered the territories of that
+merry monarch. It was late in the autumn, and about the period when
+the south-eastern counties of France rather show to least advantage.
+The foliage of the olive-tree is then decayed and withered, and as it
+predominates in the landscape, and resembles the scorched complexion
+of the soil itself, an ashen and arid hue is given to the whole.
+Still, however, there were scenes in the hilly and pastoral parts of
+the country where the quantity of evergreens relieved the eye even in
+this dead season.
+
+The appearance of the country, in general, had much in it that was
+peculiar.
+
+The travellers perceived at every turn some marks of the King's
+singular character. Provence, as the part of Gaul which first received
+Roman civilisation, and as having been still longer the residence of
+the Grecian colony who founded Marseilles, is more full of the
+splendid relics of ancient architecture than any other country in
+Europe, Italy and Greece excepted. The good taste of the King René had
+dictated some attempts to clear out and to restore these memorials of
+antiquity. Was there a triumphal arch or an ancient temple--huts and
+hovels were cleared away from its vicinity, and means were used at
+least to retard the approach of ruin. Was there a marble fountain,
+which superstition had dedicated to some sequestered naiad--it was
+surrounded by olives, almond and orange trees--its cistern was
+repaired, and taught once more to retain its crystal treasures. The
+huge amphitheatres and gigantic colonnades experienced the same
+anxious care, attesting that the noblest specimens of the fine arts
+found one admirer and preserver in King René, even during the course
+of those which are termed the dark and barbarous ages.
+
+A change of manners could also be observed in passing from Burgundy
+and Lorraine, where society relished of German bluntness, into the
+pastoral country of Provence, where the influence of a fine climate
+and melodious language, joined to the pursuits of the romantic old
+monarch, with the universal taste for music and poetry, had introduced
+a civilisation of manners which approached to affectation. The
+shepherd literally marched abroad in the morning, piping his flocks
+forth to the pasture with some love-sonnet, the composition of an
+amorous Troubadour; and his "fleecy care" seemed actually to be under
+the influence of his music, instead of being ungraciously insensible
+to its melody, as is the case in colder climates. Arthur observed,
+too, that the Provençal sheep, instead of being driven before the
+shepherd, regularly followed him, and did not disperse to feed until
+the swain, by turning his face round to them, remaining stationary,
+and, executing variations on the air which he was playing, seemed to
+remind them that it was proper to do so. While in motion, his huge
+dog, of a species which is trained to face the wolf, and who is
+respected by the sheep as their guardian, and not feared as their
+tyrant, followed his master with his ears pricked, like the chief
+critic and prime judge of the performance, at some tones of which he
+seldom failed to intimate disapprobation; while the flock, like the
+generality of an audience, followed in unanimous though silent
+applause. At the hour of noon, the shepherd had sometimes acquired an
+augmentation to his audience, in some comely matron or blooming
+maiden, with whom he had rendezvoused by such a fountain as we have
+described, and who listened to the husband's or lover's chalumeau, or
+mingled her voice with his in the duets, of which the songs of the
+Troubadours have left so many examples. In the cool of the evening,
+the dance on the village green, or the concert before the hamlet door;
+the little repast of fruits, cheese, and bread, which the traveller
+was readily invited to share, gave new charms to the illusion, and
+seemed in earnest to point out Provence as the Arcadia of France.
+
+But the greatest singularity was, in the eyes of Arthur, the total
+absence of armed men and soldiers in this peaceful country. In
+England, no man stirred without his long-bow, sword, and buckler. In
+France, the hind wore armour even when he was betwixt the stilts of
+his plough. In Germany, you could not look along a mile of highway but
+the eye was encountered by clouds of dust, out of which were seen, by
+fits, waving feathers and flashing armour. Even in Switzerland, the
+peasant, if he had a journey to make, though but of a mile or two,
+cared not to travel without his halberd and two-handed sword. But in
+Provence all seemed quiet and peaceful, as if the music of the land
+had lulled to sleep all its wrathful passions. Now and then a mounted
+cavalier might pass them, the harp at whose saddle-bow, or carried by
+one of his attendants, attested the character of a Troubadour, which
+was affected by men of all ranks; and then only a short sword on his
+left thigh, borne for show rather than use, was a necessary and
+appropriate part of his equipment.
+
+"Peace," said Arthur, as he looked around him, "is an inestimable
+jewel; but it will be soon snatched from those who are not prepared
+with heart and hand to defend it."
+
+The sight of the ancient and interesting town of Aix, where King René
+held his court, dispelled reflections of a general character, and
+recalled to the young Englishman the peculiar mission on which he was
+engaged.
+
+He then required to know from the Provençal Thiebault whether his
+instructions were to leave him, now that he had successfully attained
+the end of his journey.
+
+"My instructions," answered Thiebault, "are to remain in Aix while
+there is any chance of your seignorie's continuing there, to be of
+such use to you as you may require, either as a guide or an attendant,
+and to keep these men in readiness to wait upon you when you have
+occasion for messengers or guards. With your approbation, I will see
+them disposed of in fitting quarters, and receive my further
+instructions from your seignorie wherever you please to appoint me. I
+propose this separation, because I understand it is your present
+pleasure to be private."
+
+"I must go to court," answered Arthur, "without any delay. Wait for me
+in half an hour by that fountain in the street, which projects into
+the air such a magnificent pillar of water, surrounded, I would almost
+swear, by a vapour like steam, serving as a shroud to the jet which it
+envelopes."
+
+"The jet is so surrounded," answered the Provençal, "because it is
+supplied by a hot spring rising from the bowels of the earth, and the
+touch of frost on this autumn morning makes the vapour more
+distinguishable than usual.--But if it is good King René whom you
+seek, you will find him at this time walking in his chimney. Do not be
+afraid of approaching him, for there never was a monarch so easy of
+access, especially to good-looking strangers like you, seignorie."
+
+"But his ushers," said Arthur, "will not admit me into his hall."
+
+"His hall!" repeated Thiebault. "Whose hall?"
+
+"Why, King René's, I apprehend. If he is walking in a chimney, it can
+only be in that of his hall, and a stately one it must be to give him
+room for such exercise."
+
+"You mistake my meaning," said the guide, laughing. "What we call King
+René's chimney is the narrow parapet yonder; it extends between these
+two towers, has an exposure to the south, and is sheltered in every
+other direction. Yonder it is his pleasure to walk and enjoy the beams
+of the sun, on such cool mornings as the present. It nurses, he says,
+his poetical vein. If you approach his promenade he will readily speak
+to you, unless, indeed, he is in the very act of a poetical
+composition."
+
+Arthur could not forbear smiling at the thoughts of a king, eighty
+years of age, broken down with misfortunes and beset with dangers, who
+yet amused himself with walking in an open parapet, and composing
+poetry in presence of all such of his loving subjects as chose to look
+on.
+
+"If you will walk a few steps this way," said Thiebault, "you may see
+the good King, and judge whether or not you will accost him at
+present. I will dispose of the people, and await your orders at the
+fountain in the Corso."
+
+Arthur saw no objection to the proposal of his guide, and was not
+unwilling to have an opportunity of seeing something of the good King
+René, before he was introduced to his presence.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[8] Note I.--The Troubadours.
+
+[9] Note II.--Parliament of Love.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+     Ay, this is he who wears the wreath of bays
+     Wove by Apollo and the Sisters Nine,
+     Which Jove's dread lightning scathes not. He hath doft
+     The cumbrous helm of steel, and flung aside
+     The yet more galling diadem of gold;
+     While, with a leafy circlet round his brows,
+     He reigns the King of Lovers and of Poets.
+
+
+A cautious approach to the chimney--that is, the favourite walk of the
+King, who is described by Shakspeare as bearing
+
+           the style of King of Naples,
+     Of both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem,
+     Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman,
+
+gave Arthur the perfect survey of his Majesty in person. He saw an old
+man, with locks and beard, which, in amplitude and whiteness, nearly
+rivalled those of the envoy from Schwitz, but with a fresh and ruddy
+colour in his cheek, and an eye of great vivacity. His dress was showy
+to a degree almost inconsistent with his years; and his step, not only
+firm but full of alertness and vivacity, while occupied in traversing
+the short and sheltered walk, which he had chosen rather for comfort
+than for privacy, showed juvenile vigour still animating an aged
+frame. The old King carried his tablets and a pencil in his hand,
+seeming totally abstracted in his own thoughts, and indifferent to
+being observed by several persons from the public street beneath his
+elevated promenade.
+
+Of these, some, from their dress and manner, seemed themselves
+Troubadours; for they held in their hands rebecks, rotes, small
+portable harps, and other indications of their profession. Such
+appeared to be stationary, as if engaged in observing and recording
+their remarks on the meditations of their Prince. Other passengers,
+bent on their own more serious affairs, looked up to the King as to
+some one whom they were accustomed to see daily, but never passed
+without doffing their bonnets, and expressing, by a suitable
+obeisance, a respect and affection towards his person, which appeared
+to make up in cordiality of feeling what it wanted in deep and solemn
+deference.
+
+René, in the meanwhile, was apparently unconscious both of the gaze of
+such as stood still, or the greeting of those who passed on, his mind
+seeming altogether engrossed with the apparent labour of some arduous
+task in poetry or music. He walked fast or slow as best suited the
+progress of composition. At times he stopped to mark hastily down on
+his tablets something which seemed to occur to him as deserving of
+preservation; at other times he dashed out what he had written, and
+flung down the pencil as if in a sort of despair. On these occasions,
+the Sibylline leaf was carefully picked up by a beautiful page, his
+only attendant, who reverently observed the first suitable opportunity
+of restoring it again to his royal hand. The same youth bore a viol,
+on which, at a signal from his master, he occasionally struck a few
+musical notes, to which the old King listened, now with a soothed and
+satisfied air, now with a discontented and anxious brow. At times his
+enthusiasm rose so high that he even hopped and skipped, with an
+activity which his years did not promise; at other times his motions
+were extremely slow, and occasionally he stood still, like one wrapped
+in the deepest and most anxious meditation. When he chanced to look on
+the group which seemed to watch his motions, and who ventured even to
+salute him with a murmur of applause, it was only to distinguish them
+with a friendly and good-humoured nod; a salutation with which,
+likewise, he failed not to reply to the greeting of the occasional
+passengers, when his earnest attention to his task, whatever it might
+be, permitted him to observe them.
+
+At length the royal eye lighted upon Arthur, whose attitude of silent
+observation and the distinction of his figure pointed him out as a
+stranger. René beckoned to his page, who, receiving his master's
+commands in a whisper, descended from the royal chimney to the broader
+platform beneath, which was open to general resort. The youth,
+addressing Arthur with much courtesy, informed him the King desired to
+speak with him. The young Englishman had no alternative but that of
+approaching, though pondering much in his own mind how he ought to
+comport himself towards such a singular specimen of royalty.
+
+When he drew near, King René addressed him in a tone of courtesy not
+unmingled with dignity, and Arthur's awe in his immediate presence was
+greater than he himself could have anticipated from his previous
+conception of the royal character.
+
+"You are, from your appearance, fair sir," said King René, "a stranger
+in this country. By what name must we call you, and to what business
+are we to ascribe the happiness of seeing you at our court?"
+
+Arthur remained a moment silent, and the good old man, imputing it to
+awe and timidity, proceeded in an encouraging tone.
+
+"Modesty in youth is ever commendable; you are doubtless an acolyte in
+the noble and joyous science of Minstrelsy and Music, drawn hither by
+the willing welcome which we afford to the professors of those arts,
+in which--praise be to Our Lady and the saints!--we have ourself been
+deemed a proficient."
+
+"I do not aspire to the honours of a Troubadour," answered Arthur.
+
+"I believe you," answered the King, "for your speech smacks of the
+northern, or Norman-French, such as is spoken in England and other
+unrefined nations. But you are a minstrel, perhaps, from these
+ultramontane parts. Be assured we despise not their efforts; for we
+have listened, not without pleasure and instruction, to many of their
+bold and wild romaunts, which, though rude in device and language, and
+therefore far inferior to the regulated poetry of our Troubadours,
+have yet something in their powerful and rough measure which
+occasionally rouses the heart like the sound of a trumpet."
+
+"I have felt the truth of your Grace's observation, when I have heard
+the songs of my country," said Arthur; "but I have neither skill nor
+audacity to imitate what I admire--My latest residence has been in
+Italy."
+
+"You are perhaps, then, a proficient in painting," said René; "an art
+which applies itself to the eye as poetry and music do to the ear,
+and is scarce less in esteem with us. If you are skilful in the art,
+you have come to a monarch who loves it, and the fair country in which
+it is practised."
+
+"In simple truth, Sire, I am an Englishman, and my hand has been too
+much welk'd and hardened by practice of the bow, the lance, and the
+sword, to touch the harp, or even the pencil."
+
+"An Englishman!" said René, obviously relaxing in the warmth of his
+welcome. "And what brings you here? England and I have long had little
+friendship together."
+
+"It is even on that account that I am here," said Arthur. "I come to
+pay my homage to your Grace's daughter, the Princess Margaret of
+Anjou, whom I and many true Englishmen regard still as our Queen,
+though traitors have usurped her title."
+
+"Alas, good youth," said René, "I must grieve for you, while I respect
+your loyalty and faith. Had my daughter Margaret been of my mind, she
+had long since abandoned pretensions which have drowned in seas of
+blood the noblest and bravest of her adherents."
+
+The King seemed about to say more, but checked himself.
+
+"Go to my palace," he said; "inquire for the Seneschal Hugh de Saint
+Cyr, he will give thee the means of seeing Margaret--that is, if it be
+her will to see thee. If not, good English youth, return to my palace,
+and thou shalt have hospitable entertainment; for a King who loves
+minstrelsy, music, and painting is ever most sensible to the claims of
+honour, virtue, and loyalty; and I read in thy looks thou art
+possessed of these qualities, and willingly believe thou mayst, in
+more quiet times, aspire to share the honours of the joyous science.
+But if thou hast a heart to be touched by the sense of beauty and fair
+proportion, it will leap within thee at the first sight of my palace,
+the stately grace of which may be compared to the faultless form of
+some high-bred dame, or the artful yet seemingly simple modulations of
+such a tune as we have been now composing."
+
+The King seemed disposed to take his instrument, and indulge the youth
+with a rehearsal of the strain he had just arranged; but Arthur at
+that moment experienced the painful internal feeling of that peculiar
+species of shame which well-constructed minds feel when they see
+others express a great assumption of importance, with a confidence
+that they are exciting admiration, when in fact they are only exposing
+themselves to ridicule. Arthur, in short, took leave, "in very shame,"
+of the King of Naples, both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem, in a manner
+somewhat more abrupt than ceremony demanded. The King looked after
+him, with some wonder at this want of breeding, which, however, he
+imputed to his visitor's insular education, and then again began to
+twangle his viol.
+
+"The old fool!" said Arthur. "His daughter is dethroned, his dominions
+crumbling to pieces, his family on the eve of becoming extinct, his
+grandson driven from one lurking-place to another, and expelled from
+his mother's inheritance,--and he can find amusement in these
+fopperies! I thought him, with his long white beard, like Nicholas
+Bonstetten; but the old Swiss is a Solomon compared with him."
+
+As these and other reflections, highly disparaging to King René,
+passed through Arthur's mind, he reached the place of rendezvous, and
+found Thiebault beneath the steaming fountain, forced from one of
+those hot springs which had been the delight of the Romans from an
+early period. Thiebault, having assured his master that his retinue,
+horse and man, were so disposed as to be ready on an instant's call,
+readily undertook to guide him to King René's palace, which, from its
+singularity, and indeed its beauty of architecture, deserved the
+eulogium which the old monarch had bestowed upon it. The front
+consisted of three towers of Roman architecture, two of them being
+placed on the angles of the palace, and the third, which served the
+purpose of a mausoleum, forming a part of the group, though somewhat
+detached from the other buildings. This last was a structure of
+beautiful proportions. The lower part of the edifice was square,
+serving as a sort of pedestal to the upper part, which was circular,
+and surrounded by columns of massive granite. The other two towers at
+the angles of the palace were round, and also ornamented with pillars,
+and with a double row of windows. In front of, and connected with,
+these Roman remains, to which a date has been assigned as early as the
+fifth or sixth century, arose the ancient palace of the Counts of
+Provence, built a century or two later, but where a rich Gothic or
+Moorish front contrasted, and yet harmonised, with the more regular
+and massive architecture of the lords of the world. It is not more
+than thirty or forty years since this very curious remnant of antique
+art was destroyed, to make room for new public buildings, which have
+never yet been erected.
+
+Arthur really experienced some sensation of the kind which the old
+King had prophesied, and stood looking with wonder at the ever-open
+gate of the palace, into which men of all kinds seemed to enter
+freely. After looking around for a few minutes, the young Englishman
+ascended the steps of a noble portico, and asked of a porter, as old
+and as lazy as a great man's domestic ought to be, for the seneschal
+named to him by the King. The corpulent janitor, with great
+politeness, put the stranger under the charge of a page, who ushered
+him to a chamber, in which he found another aged functionary of higher
+rank, with a comely face, a clear composed eye, and a brow which,
+having never been knit into gravity, intimated that the seneschal of
+Aix was a proficient in the philosophy of his royal master. He
+recognised Arthur the moment he addressed him.
+
+"You speak northern French, fair sir; you have lighter hair and a
+fairer complexion than the natives of this country--You ask after
+Queen Margaret--By all these marks I read you English--Her Grace of
+England is at this moment paying a vow at the monastery of Mont St.
+Victoire, and if your name be Arthur Philipson, I have commission to
+forward you to her presence immediately--that is, as soon as you have
+tasted of the royal provision."
+
+The young man would have remonstrated, but the seneschal left him no
+leisure.
+
+"Meat and mass," he said, "never hindered work--it is perilous to
+youth to journey too far on an empty stomach--he himself would take a
+mouthful with the Queen's guest, and pledge him to boot in a flask of
+old Hermitage."
+
+The board was covered with an alacrity which showed that hospitality
+was familiarly exercised in King René's dominions. Pasties, dishes of
+game, the gallant boar's head, and other delicacies were placed on the
+table, and the seneschal played the merry host, frequently apologising
+(unnecessarily) for showing an indifferent example, as it was his duty
+to carve before King René, and the good King was never pleased unless
+he saw him feed lustily as well as carve featly.
+
+"But for you, Sir Guest, eat freely, since you may not see food again
+till sunset; for the good Queen takes her misfortunes so to heart that
+sighs are her food, and her tears a bottle of drink, as the Psalmist
+hath it. But I bethink me you will need steeds for yourself and your
+equipage to reach Mont St. Victoire, which is seven miles from Aix."
+
+Arthur intimated that he had a guide and horses in attendance, and
+begged permission to take his adieu. The worthy seneschal, his fair
+round belly graced with a gold chain, accompanied him to the gate with
+a step which a gentle fit of the gout had rendered uncertain, but
+which, he assured Arthur, would vanish before three days' use of the
+hot springs. Thiebault appeared before the gate, not with the tired
+steeds from which they had dismounted an hour since, but with fresh
+palfreys from the stable of the King.
+
+"They are yours from the moment you have put foot in stirrup," said
+the seneschal; "the good King René never received back as his property
+a horse which he had lent to a guest; and that is perhaps one reason
+why his Highness and we of his household must walk often a-foot."
+
+Here the seneschal exchanged greetings with his young visitor, who
+rode forth to seek Queen Margaret's place of temporary retirement at
+the celebrated monastery of St. Victoire. He demanded of his guide in
+which direction it lay, who pointed, with an air of triumph, to a
+mountain three thousand feet and upwards in height, which arose at
+five or six miles' distance from the town, and which its bold and
+rocky summit rendered the most distinguished object of the landscape.
+Thiebault spoke of it with unusual glee and energy, so much so as to
+lead Arthur to conceive that his trusty squire had not neglected to
+avail himself of the lavish hospitality of _Le bon Roy René_.
+Thiebault, however, continued to expatiate on the fame of the mountain
+and monastery. They derived their name, he said, from a great victory
+which was gained by a Roman general, named Caio Mario, against two
+large armies of Saracens with ultramontane names (the Teutones
+probably and Cimbri), in gratitude to Heaven for which victory Caio
+Mario vowed to build a monastery on the mountain, for the service of
+the Virgin Mary, in honour of whom he had been baptised. With all the
+importance of a local connoisseur, Thiebault proceeded to prove his
+general assertion by specific facts.
+
+"Yonder," he said, "was the camp of the Saracens, from which, when the
+battle was apparently decided, their wives and women rushed, with
+horrible screams, dishevelled hair, and the gestures of furies, and
+for a time prevailed in stopping the flight of the men." He pointed
+out, too, the river, for access to which, cut off by the superior
+generalship of the Romans, the barbarians, whom he called Saracens,
+hazarded the action, and whose streams they empurpled with their
+blood. In short, he mentioned many circumstances which showed how
+accurately tradition will preserve the particulars of ancient events,
+even whilst forgetting, misstating, and confounding dates and persons.
+
+Perceiving that Arthur lent him a not unwilling ear,--for it may be
+supposed that the education of a youth bred up in the heat of civil
+wars was not well qualified to criticise his account of the wars of a
+distant period,--the Provençal, when he had exhausted this topic, drew
+up close to his master's side, and asked, in a suppressed tone,
+whether he knew, or was desirous of being made acquainted with, the
+cause of Margaret's having left Aix, to establish herself in the
+monastery of St. Victoire?
+
+"For the accomplishment of a vow," answered Arthur; "all the world
+knows it."
+
+"All Aix knows the contrary," said Thiebault; "and I can tell you the
+truth, so I were sure it would not offend your seignorie."
+
+"The truth can offend no reasonable man, so it be expressed in the
+terms of which Queen Margaret must be spoken in the presence of an
+Englishman."
+
+Thus replied Arthur, willing to receive what information he could
+gather, and desirous, at the same time, to check the petulance of his
+attendant.
+
+"I have nothing," replied his follower, "to state in disparagement of
+the gracious Queen, whose only misfortune is that, like her royal
+father, she has more titles than towns. Besides, I know well that you
+Englishmen, though you speak wildly of your sovereigns yourselves,
+will not permit others to fail in respect to them."
+
+"Say on, then," answered Arthur.
+
+"Your seignorie must know, then," said Thiebault, "that the good King
+René has been much disturbed by the deep melancholy which afflicted
+Queen Margaret, and has bent himself with all his power to change it
+into a gayer humour. He made entertainments in public and in private;
+he assembled minstrels and Troubadours, whose music and poetry might
+have drawn smiles from one on his deathbed. The whole country
+resounded with mirth and glee, and the gracious Queen could not stir
+abroad in the most private manner, but, before she had gone a hundred
+paces, she lighted on an ambush, consisting of some pretty pageant, or
+festivous mummery, composed often by the good King himself, which
+interrupted her solitude, in purpose of relieving her heavy thoughts
+with some pleasant pastime. But the Queen's deep melancholy rejected
+all these modes of dispelling it, and at length she confined herself
+to her own apartments, and absolutely refused to see even her royal
+father, because he generally brought into her presence those whose
+productions he thought likely to soothe her sorrow. Indeed she seemed
+to hear the harpers with loathing, and, excepting one wandering
+Englishman, who sung a rude and melancholy ballad, which threw her
+into a flood of tears, and to whom she gave a chain of price, she
+never seemed to look at, or be conscious of the presence of any one.
+And at length, as I have had the honour to tell your seignorie, she
+refused to see even her royal father unless he came alone; and that he
+found no heart to do."
+
+"I wonder not at it," said the young man. "By the White Swan, I am
+rather surprised his mummery drove her not to frenzy."
+
+"Something like it indeed took place," said Thiebault; "and I will
+tell your seignorie how it chanced. You must know that good King René,
+unwilling to abandon his daughter to the foul fiend of melancholy,
+bethought him of making a grand effort. You must know, further, that
+the King, powerful in all the craft of Troubadours and Jongleurs, is
+held in peculiar esteem for conducting mysteries, and other of those
+gamesome and delightful sports and processions, with which our Holy
+Church permits her graver ceremonies to be relieved and diversified,
+to the cheering of the hearts of all true children of religion. It is
+admitted that no one has ever been able to approach his excellence in
+the arrangement of the Fête-Dieu; and the tune to which the devils
+cudgel King Herod, to the great edification of all Christian
+spectators, is of our good King's royal composition. He hath danced at
+Tarasconne in the ballet of St. Martha and the Dragon, and was
+accounted in his own person the only actor competent to present the
+Tarrasque. His Highness introduced also a new ritual into the
+consecration of the Boy Bishop, and composed an entire set of
+grotesque music for the Festival of Asses. In short, his Grace's
+strength lies in those pleasing and becoming festivities which strew
+the path of edification with flowers, and send men dancing and singing
+on their way to heaven.
+
+"Now the good King René, feeling his own genius for such recreative
+compositions, resolved to exert it to the utmost, in the hope that he
+might thereby relieve the melancholy in which his daughter was
+plunged, and which infected all that approached her. It chanced, some
+short time since, that the Queen was absent for certain days, I know
+not where or on what business, but it gave the good King time to make
+his preparations. So, when his daughter returned, he with much
+importunity prevailed on her to make part of a religious procession to
+St. Sauveur, the principal church in Aix. The Queen, innocent of what
+was intended, decked herself with solemnity, to witness and partake of
+what she expected would prove a work of grave piety. But no sooner had
+she appeared on the esplanade in front of the palace, than more than a
+hundred masks, dressed up like Turks, Jews, Saracens, Moors, and I
+know not whom besides, crowded around, to offer her their homage, in
+the character of the Queen of Sheba; and a grotesque piece of music
+called them to arrange themselves for a ludicrous ballet, in which
+they addressed the Queen in the most entertaining manner, and with the
+most extravagant gestures. The Queen, stunned with the noise, and
+affronted with the petulance of this unexpected onset, would have gone
+back into the palace; but the doors had been shut by the King's order
+so soon as she set forth, and her retreat in that direction was cut
+off. Finding herself excluded from the palace, the Queen advanced to
+the front of the façade, and endeavoured by signs and words to appease
+the hubbub, but the maskers, who had their instructions, only answered
+with songs, music, and shouts."
+
+"I would," said Arthur, "there had been a score of English yeomen in
+presence, with their quarterstaves, to teach the bawling villains
+respect for one that has worn the crown of England!"
+
+"All the noise that was made before was silence and soft music,"
+continued Thiebault, "till that when the good King himself appeared,
+grotesquely dressed in the character of King Solomon"----
+
+"To whom, of all princes, he has the least resemblance," said
+Arthur----
+
+"With such capers and gesticulations of welcome to the Queen of Sheba
+as, I am assured by those who saw it, would have brought a dead man
+alive again, or killed a living man with laughing. Among other
+properties, he had in his hand a truncheon, somewhat formed like a
+fool's bauble"----
+
+"A most fit sceptre for such a sovereign," said Arthur----
+
+"Which was headed," continued Thiebault, "by a model of the Jewish
+Temple, finely gilded and curiously cut in pasteboard. He managed this
+with the utmost grace, and delighted every spectator by his gaiety and
+activity, excepting the Queen, who, the more he skipped and capered,
+seemed to be the more incensed, until, on his approaching her to
+conduct her to the procession, she seemed roused to a sort of frenzy,
+struck the truncheon out of his hand, and breaking through the crowd,
+who felt as if a tigress had leapt amongst them from a showman's cart,
+rushed into the royal courtyard. Ere the order of the scenic
+representation, which her violence had interrupted, could be restored,
+the Queen again issued forth, mounted and attended by two or three
+English cavaliers of her Majesty's suite. She forced her way through
+the crowd, without regarding either their safety or her own, flew like
+a hail-storm along the streets, and never drew bridle till she was as
+far up this same Mont St. Victoire as the road would permit. She was
+then received into the convent, and has since remained there; and a
+vow of penance is the pretext to cover over the quarrel betwixt her
+and her father."
+
+"How long may it be," said Arthur, "since these things chanced?"
+
+"It is but three days since Queen Margaret left Aix in the manner I
+have told you.--But we are come as far up the mountain as men usually
+ride. See, yonder is the monastery rising betwixt two huge rocks,
+which form the very top of Mont St. Victoire. There is no more open
+ground than is afforded by the cleft, into which the convent of St.
+Mary of Victory is, as it were, niched; and the access is guarded by
+the most dangerous precipices. To ascend the mountain, you must keep
+that narrow path, which, winding and turning among the cliffs, leads
+at length to the summit of the hill, and the gate of the monastery."
+
+"And what becomes of you and the horses?" said Arthur.
+
+"We will rest," said Thiebault, "in the hospital maintained by the
+good fathers at the bottom of the mountain, for the accommodation of
+those who attend on pilgrims;--for I promise you the shrine is visited
+by many who come from afar, and are attended both by man and
+horse.--Care not for me,--I shall be first under cover; but there
+muster yonder in the west some threatening clouds, from which your
+seignorie may suffer inconvenience, unless you reach the convent in
+time. I will give you an hour to do the feat, and will say you are as
+active as a chamois-hunter if you reach it within the time."
+
+Arthur looked around him, and did indeed remark a mustering of clouds
+in the distant west, which threatened soon to change the character of
+the day, which had hitherto been brilliantly clear, and so serene that
+the falling of a leaf might have been heard. He therefore turned him
+to the steep and rocky path which ascended the mountain, sometimes by
+scaling almost precipitous rocks, and sometimes by reaching their tops
+by a more circuitous process. It winded through thickets of wild
+boxwood and other low aromatic shrubs, which afforded some pasture for
+the mountain goats, but were a bitter annoyance to the traveller who
+had to press through them. Such obstacles were so frequent, that the
+full hour allowed by Thiebault had elapsed before he stood on the
+summit of Mont St. Victoire, and in front of the singular convent of
+the same name.
+
+We have already said that the crest of the mountain, consisting
+entirely of one bare and solid rock, was divided by a cleft or opening
+into two heads or peaks, between which the convent was built,
+occupying all the space between them. The front of the building was of
+the most ancient and sombre cast of the old Gothic, or rather, as it
+has been termed, the Saxon; and in that respect corresponded with the
+savage exterior of the naked cliffs, of which the structure seemed to
+make a part, and by which it was entirely surrounded, excepting a
+small open space of more level ground, where, at the expense of much
+toil, and by carrying earth up the hill, from different spots where
+they could collect it in small quantities, the good fathers had been
+able to arrange the accommodations of a garden.
+
+A bell summoned a lay brother, the porter of this singularly situated
+monastery, to whom Arthur announced himself as an English merchant,
+Philipson by name, who came to pay his duty to Queen Margaret. The
+porter, with much respect, showed the stranger into the convent, and
+ushered him into a parlour, which, looking towards Aix, commanded an
+extensive and splendid prospect over the southern and western parts of
+Provence. This was the direction in which Arthur had approached the
+mountain from Aix; but the circuitous path by which he had ascended
+had completely carried him round the hill. The western side of the
+monastery, to which the parlour looked, commanded the noble view we
+have mentioned; and a species of balcony, which, connecting the two
+twin crags, at this place not above four or five yards asunder, ran
+along the front of the building, and appeared to be constructed for
+the purpose of enjoying it. But on stepping from one of the windows of
+the parlour upon this battlemented bartizan, Arthur became aware that
+the wall on which the parapet rested stretched along the edge of a
+precipice, which sank sheer down five hundred feet at least from the
+foundations of the convent. Surprised and startled at finding himself
+on so giddy a verge, Arthur turned his eyes from the gulf beneath him
+to admire the distant landscape, partly illumined, with ominous
+lustre, by the now westerly sun. The setting beams showed in dark red
+splendour a vast variety of hill and dale, champaign and cultivated
+ground, with towns, churches, and castles, some of which rose from
+among trees, while others seemed founded on rocky eminences; others
+again lurked by the side of streams or lakes, to which the heat and
+drought of the climate naturally attracted them.
+
+The rest of the landscape presented similar objects when the weather
+was serene, but they were now rendered indistinct, or altogether
+obliterated, by the sullen shade of the approaching clouds, which
+gradually spread over great part of the horizon, and threatened
+altogether to eclipse the sun, though the lord of the horizon still
+struggled to maintain his influence, and, like a dying hero, seemed
+most glorious even in the moment of defeat. Wild sounds, like groans
+and howls, formed by the wind in the numerous caverns of the rocky
+mountain, added to the terrors of the scene, and seemed to foretell
+the fury of some distant storm, though the air in general was even
+unnaturally calm and breathless. In gazing on this extraordinary
+scene, Arthur did justice to the monks who had chosen this wild and
+grotesque situation, from which they could witness Nature in her
+wildest and grandest demonstrations, and compare the nothingness of
+humanity with her awful convulsions.
+
+So much was Arthur awed by the scene before him, that he had almost
+forgotten, while gazing from the bartizan, the important business
+which had brought him to this place, when it was suddenly recalled by
+finding himself in the presence of Margaret of Anjou, who, not seeing
+him in the parlour of reception, had stept upon the balcony, that she
+might meet with him the sooner.
+
+The Queen's dress was black, without any ornament except a gold
+coronal of an inch in breadth, restraining her long black tresses, of
+which advancing years and misfortunes had partly altered the hue.
+There was placed within the circlet a black plume with a red rose, the
+last of the season, which the good father who kept the garden had
+presented to her that morning, as the badge of her husband's house.
+Care, fatigue, and sorrow seemed to dwell on her brow and her
+features. To another messenger she would in all probability have
+administered a sharp rebuke, for not being alert in his duty to
+receive her as she entered; but Arthur's age and appearance
+corresponded with that of her loved and lost son. He was the son of a
+lady whom Margaret had loved with almost sisterly affection, and the
+presence of Arthur continued to excite in the dethroned Queen the same
+feelings of maternal tenderness which had been awakened on their first
+meeting in the Cathedral of Strasburg. She raised him as he kneeled at
+her feet, spoke to him with much kindness, and encouraged him to
+detail at full length his father's message, and such other news as his
+brief residence at Dijon had made him acquainted with.
+
+She demanded which way Duke Charles had moved with his army.
+
+"As I was given to understand by the master of his artillery," said
+Arthur, "towards the Lake of Neufchatel, on which side he proposes his
+first attack on the Swiss."
+
+"The headstrong fool!" said Queen Margaret. "He resembles the poor
+lunatic, who went to the summit of the mountain that he might meet the
+rain halfway.--Does thy father, then," continued Margaret, "advise me
+to give up the last remains of the extensive territories once the
+dominions of our royal house, and for some thousand crowns, and the
+paltry aid of a few hundred lances, to relinquish what is left of our
+patrimony to our proud and selfish kinsman of Burgundy, who extends
+his claim to our all, and affords so little help, or even promise of
+help, in return?"
+
+"I should have ill discharged my father's commission," said Arthur,
+"if I had left your Highness to think that he recommends so great a
+sacrifice. He feels most deeply the Duke of Burgundy's grasping desire
+of dominion. Nevertheless, he thinks that Provence must, on King
+René's death, or sooner, fall either to the share of Duke Charles, or
+to Louis of France, whatever opposition your Highness may make to such
+a destination; and it may be that my father, as a knight and a
+soldier, hopes much from obtaining the means to make another attempt
+on Britain. But the decision must rest with your Highness."
+
+"Young man," said the Queen, "the contemplation of a question so
+doubtful almost deprives me of reason!"
+
+As she spoke, she sank down, as one who needs rest, on a stone seat
+placed on the very verge of the balcony, regardless of the storm,
+which now began to rise with dreadful gusts of wind, the course of
+which being intermitted and altered by the crags round which they
+howled, it seemed as if in very deed Boreas, and Eurus, and Caurus,
+unchaining the winds from every quarter of heaven, were contending for
+mastery around the convent of Our Lady of Victory. Amid this tumult,
+and amid billows of mist which concealed the bottom of the precipice,
+and masses of clouds which racked fearfully over their heads, the roar
+of the descending waters rather resembled the fall of cataracts than
+the rushing of torrents of rain. The seat on which Margaret had placed
+herself was in a considerable degree sheltered from the storm, but
+its eddies, varying in every direction, often tossed aloft her
+dishevelled hair; and we cannot describe the appearance of her noble
+and beautiful, yet ghastly and wasted features, agitated strongly by
+anxious hesitation and conflicting thoughts, unless to those of our
+readers who have had the advantage of having seen our inimitable
+Siddons in such a character as this. Arthur, confounded by anxiety and
+terror, could only beseech her Majesty to retire before the fury of
+the approaching storm into the interior of the convent.
+
+"No," she replied with firmness; "roofs and walls have ears, and
+monks, though they have forsworn the world, are not the less curious
+to know what passes beyond their cells. It is in this place you must
+hear what I have to say; as a soldier you should scorn a blast of wind
+or a shower of rain; and to me, who have often held counsel amidst the
+sound of trumpets and clash of arms, prompt for instant fight, the war
+of elements is an unnoticed trifle. I tell thee, young Arthur Vere, as
+I would to your father--as I would to my son--if indeed Heaven had
+left such a blessing to a wretch forlorn"----
+
+She paused, and then proceeded.
+
+"I tell thee, as I would have told my beloved Edward, that Margaret,
+whose resolutions were once firm and immovable as these rocks among
+which we are placed, is now doubtful and variable as the clouds which
+are drifting around us. I told your father, in the joy of meeting once
+more a subject of such inappreciable loyalty, of the sacrifices I
+would make to assure the assistance of Charles of Burgundy, to so
+gallant an undertaking as that proposed to him by the faithful
+Oxford. But since I saw him I have had cause of deep reflection. I
+met my aged father only to offend and, I say it with shame, to insult
+the old man in presence of his people. Our tempers are as opposed as
+the sunshine, which a short space since gilded a serene and beautiful
+landscape, differs from the tempests which are now wasting it. I
+spurned with open scorn and contempt what he, in his mistaken
+affection, had devised for means of consolation, and, disgusted with
+the idle follies which he had devised for curing the melancholy of a
+dethroned Queen, a widowed spouse--and, alas! a childless mother,--I
+retired hither from the noisy and idle mirth, which was the bitterest
+aggravation of my sorrows. Such and so gentle is René's temper, that
+even my unfilial conduct will not diminish my influence over him; and
+if your father had announced that the Duke of Burgundy, like a knight
+and a sovereign, had cordially and nobly entered into the plan of the
+faithful Oxford, I could have found it in my heart to obtain the
+cession of territory his cold and ambitious policy requires, in order
+to insure the assistance which he now postpones to afford till he has
+gratified his own haughty humour by settling needless quarrels with
+his unoffending neighbours. Since I have been here, and calmness and
+solitude have given me time to reflect, I have thought on the offences
+I have given the old man, and on the wrongs I was about to do him. My
+father, let me do him justice, is also the father of his people. They
+have dwelt under their vines and fig-trees, in ignoble ease, perhaps,
+but free from oppression and exaction, and their happiness has been
+that of their good King. Must I change all this?--Must I aid in
+turning over these contented people to a fierce, headlong, arbitrary
+prince?--May I not break even the easy and thoughtless heart of my
+poor old father, should I succeed in urging him to do so?--These are
+questions which I shudder even to ask myself. On the other hand, to
+disappoint the toils, the venturous hopes of your father, to forego
+the only opportunity which may ever again offer itself, of revenge on
+the bloody traitors of York, and restoration of the House of
+Lancaster!--Arthur, the scene around us is not so convulsed by the
+fearful tempest and the driving clouds, as my mind is by doubt and
+uncertainty."
+
+"Alas," replied Arthur, "I am too young and inexperienced to be your
+Majesty's adviser in a case so arduous. I would my father had been in
+presence himself."
+
+"I know what he would have said," replied the Queen; "but, knowing
+all, I despair of aid from human counsellors--I have sought others,
+but they also are deaf to my entreaties. Yes, Arthur, Margaret's
+misfortunes have rendered her superstitious. Know, that beneath these
+rocks, and under the foundation of this convent, there runs a cavern,
+entering by a secret and defended passage a little to the westward of
+the summit, and running through the mountain, having an opening to the
+south, from which, as from this bartizan, you can view the landscape
+so lately seen from this balcony, or the strife of winds and confusion
+of clouds which we now behold. In the middle of this cavernous
+thoroughfare is a natural pit, or perforation, of great but unknown
+depth. A stone dropped into it is heard to dash from side to side,
+until the noise of its descent, thundering from cliff to cliff, dies
+away in distant and faint tinkling, less loud than that of a sheep's
+bell at a mile's distance. The common people, in their jargon, call
+this fearful gulf Lou Garagoule; and the traditions of the monastery
+annex wild and fearful recollections to a place in itself sufficiently
+terrible. Oracles, it is said, spoke from thence in pagan days, by
+subterranean voices, arising from the abyss; and from these the Roman
+general is said to have heard, in strange and uncouth rhymes, promises
+of the victory which gives name to this mountain. These oracles, it is
+averred, may be yet consulted after performance of strange rites, in
+which heathen ceremonies are mixed with Christian acts of devotion.
+The abbots of Mont St. Victoire have denounced the consultation of Lou
+Garagoule, and the spirits who reside there, to be criminal. But as
+the sin may be expiated by presents to the Church, by masses, and
+penances, the door is sometimes opened by the complaisant fathers to
+those whose daring curiosity leads them, at all risks, and by whatever
+means, to search into futurity. Arthur, I have made the experiment,
+and am even now returned from the gloomy cavern, in which, according
+to the traditional ritual, I have spent six hours by the margin of the
+gulf, a place so dismal, that after its horrors even this tempestuous
+scene is refreshing."
+
+The Queen stopped, and Arthur, the more struck with the wild tale that
+it reminded him of his place of imprisonment at La Ferette, asked
+anxiously if her inquiries had obtained any answer.
+
+"None whatever," replied the unhappy Princess. "The demons of
+Garagoule, if there be such, are deaf to the suit of an unfortunate
+wretch like me, to whom neither friends nor fiends will afford counsel
+or assistance. It is my father's circumstances which prevent my
+instant and strong resolution. Were my own claims on this piping and
+paltry nation of Troubadours alone interested, I could, for the chance
+of once more setting my foot in merry England, as easily and willingly
+resign them, and their paltry coronet, as I commit to the storm this
+idle emblem of the royal rank which I have lost."
+
+As Margaret spoke, she tore from her hair the sable feather and rose
+which the tempest had detached from the circlet in which they were
+placed, and tossed them from the battlement with a gesture of wild
+energy. They were instantly whirled off in a bickering eddy of the
+agitated clouds, which swept the feather far distant into empty space,
+through which the eye could not pursue it. But while that of Arthur
+involuntarily strove to follow its course, a contrary gust of wind
+caught the red rose, and drove it back against his breast, so that it
+was easy for him to catch hold of and retain it.
+
+"Joy, joy, and good fortune, royal mistress!" he said, returning to
+her the emblematic flower; "the tempest brings back the badge of
+Lancaster to its proper owner."
+
+"I accept the omen," said Margaret; "but it concerns yourself, noble
+youth, and not me. The feather, which is borne away to waste and
+desolation, is Margaret's emblem. My eyes will never see the
+restoration of the line of Lancaster. But you will live to behold it,
+and to aid to achieve it, and to dye our red rose deeper yet in the
+blood of tyrants and traitors. My thoughts are so strangely poised,
+that a feather or a flower may turn the scale. But my head is still
+giddy, and my heart sick.--To-morrow you shall see another Margaret,
+and till then adieu."
+
+It was time to retire, for the tempest began to be mingled with
+fiercer showers of rain. When they re-entered the parlour, the Queen
+clapped her hands, and two female attendants entered.
+
+"Let the Father Abbot know," she said, "that it is our desire that
+this young gentleman receive for this night such hospitality as befits
+an esteemed friend of ours.--Till to-morrow, young sir, farewell."
+
+With a countenance which betrayed not the late emotion of her mind,
+and with a stately courtesy that would have become her when she graced
+the halls of Windsor, she extended her hand, which the youth saluted
+respectfully. After her leaving the parlour, the Abbot entered, and,
+in his attention to Arthur's entertainment and accommodation for the
+evening, showed his anxiety to meet and obey Queen Margaret's wishes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+                         Want you a man
+     Experienced in the world and its affairs?
+     Here he is for your purpose.--He's a monk.
+     He hath forsworn the world and all its work--
+     The rather that he knows it passing well,
+     Special the worst of it, for he's a monk.
+                                       _Old Play._
+
+
+While the dawn of the morning was yet grey, Arthur was awakened by a
+loud ringing at the gate of the monastery, and presently afterwards
+the porter entered the cell which had been allotted to him for his
+lodgings, to tell him that, if his name was Arthur Philipson, a
+brother of their order had brought him despatches from his father. The
+youth started up, hastily attired himself, and was introduced, in the
+parlour, to a Carmelite monk, being of the same order with the
+community of St. Victoire.
+
+"I have ridden many a mile, young man, to present you with this
+letter," said the monk, "having undertaken to your father that it
+should be delivered without delay. I came to Aix last night during the
+storm, and, learning at the palace that you had ridden hither, I
+mounted as soon as the tempest abated, and here I am."
+
+"I am beholden to you, father," said the youth, "and if I could repay
+your pains with a small donative to your convent"----
+
+"By no means," answered the good father; "I took my personal trouble
+out of friendship to your father, and mine own errand led me this way.
+The expenses of my long journey have been amply provided for. But open
+your packet, I can answer your questions at leisure."
+
+The young man accordingly stepped into an embrasure of the window, and
+read as follows:--
+
+     "SON ARTHUR,--Touching the state of the country, in so far
+     as concerns the safety of travelling, know that the same
+     is precarious. The Duke hath taken the towns of Brie and
+     Granson, and put to death five hundred men, whom he made
+     prisoners in garrison there. But the Confederates are
+     approaching with a large force, and God will judge for the
+     right. Howsoever the game may go, these are sharp wars, in
+     which little quarter is spoken of on either side, and
+     therefore there is no safety for men of our profession,
+     till something decisive shall happen. In the meantime, you
+     may assure the widowed lady, that our correspondent
+     continues well disposed to purchase the property which she
+     has in hand; but will scarce be able to pay the price till
+     his present pressing affairs shall be settled, which I
+     hope will be in time to permit us to embark the funds in
+     the profitable adventure I told our friend of. I have
+     employed a friar, travelling to Provence, to carry this
+     letter, which I trust will come safe. The bearer may be
+     trusted.
+
+          "Your affectionate father,
+               "JOHN PHILIPSON."
+
+Arthur easily comprehended the latter part of the epistle, and
+rejoiced he had received it at so critical a moment. He questioned the
+Carmelite on the amount of the Duke's army, which the monk stated to
+amount to sixty thousand men, while he said the Confederates, though
+making every exertion, had not yet been able to assemble the third
+part of that number. The young Ferrand de Vaudemont was with their
+army, and had received, it was thought, some secret assistance from
+France; but as he was little known in arms, and had few followers, the
+empty title of General which he bore added little to the strength of
+the Confederates. Upon the whole, he reported that every chance
+appeared to be in favour of Charles, and Arthur, who looked upon his
+success as presenting the only chance in favour of his father's
+enterprise, was not a little pleased to find it insured, as far as
+depended on a great superiority of force. He had no leisure to make
+further inquiries, for the Queen at that moment entered the apartment,
+and the Carmelite, learning her quality, withdrew from her presence in
+deep reverence.
+
+The paleness of her complexion still bespoke the fatigues of the day
+preceding; but, as she graciously bestowed on Arthur the greetings of
+the morning, her voice was firm, her eye clear, and her countenance
+steady. "I meet you," she said, "not as I left you, but determined in
+my purpose. I am satisfied that if René does not voluntarily yield up
+his throne of Provence by some step like that which we propose, he
+will be hurled from it by violence, in which, it may be, his life will
+not be spared. We will, therefore, to work with all speed--the worst
+is, that I cannot leave this convent till I have made the necessary
+penances for having visited the Garagoule, without performing which I
+were no Christian woman. When you return to Aix, inquire at the palace
+for my secretary, with whom this line will give you credence. I have,
+even before this door of hope opened to me, endeavoured to form an
+estimate of King René's situation, and collected the documents for
+that purpose. Tell him to send me, duly sealed, and under fitting
+charge, the small cabinet hooped with silver. Hours of penance for
+past errors may be employed to prevent others; and from the contents
+of that cabinet I shall learn whether I am, in this weighty matter,
+sacrificing my father's interests to my own half-desperate hopes. But
+of this I have little or no doubt. I can cause the deeds of
+resignation and transference to be drawn up here under my own
+direction, and arrange the execution of them when I return to Aix,
+which shall be the first moment after my penance is concluded."
+
+"And this letter, gracious madam," said Arthur, "will inform you what
+events are approaching, and of what importance it may be to take time
+by the forelock. Place me but in possession of these momentous deeds,
+and I will travel night and day till I reach the Duke's camp. I shall
+find him most likely in the moment of victory, and with his heart too
+much open to refuse a boon to the royal kinswoman who is surrendering
+to him all. We will--we must--in such an hour, obtain princely
+succours; and we shall soon see if the licentious Edward of York, the
+savage Richard, the treacherous and perjured Clarence, are hereafter
+to be lords of merry England, or whether they must give place to a
+more rightful sovereign and better man. But oh! royal madam, all
+depends on haste."
+
+"True--yet a few days may--nay, must--cast the die between Charles and
+his opponents; and, ere making so great a surrender, it were as well
+to be assured that he whom we would propitiate is in capacity to
+assist us. All the events of a tragic and varied life have led me to
+see there is no such thing as an inconsiderable enemy. I will make
+haste, however, trusting in the interim we may have good news from the
+banks of the lake at Neufchatel."
+
+"But who shall be employed to draw these most important deeds?" said
+the young man.
+
+Margaret mused ere she replied,--"The Father Guardian is complaisant,
+and I think faithful; but I would not willingly repose confidence in
+one of the Provençal monks. Stay, let me think--your father says the
+Carmelite who brought the letter may be trusted--he shall do the turn.
+He is a stranger, and will be silent for a piece of money. Farewell,
+Arthur de Vere.--You will be treated with all hospitality by my
+father. If thou dost receive further tidings, thou wilt let me know
+them; or, should I have instructions to send, thou wilt hear from
+me.--So, benedicite."
+
+Arthur proceeded to wind down the mountain at a much quicker pace than
+he had ascended on the day before. The weather was now gloriously
+serene, and the beauties of vegetation, in a country where it never
+totally slumbers, were at once delicious and refreshing. His thoughts
+wandered from the crags of Mont St. Victoire to the cliff of the
+canton of Unterwalden, and fancy recalled the moments when his walks
+through such scenery were not solitary, but when there was a form by
+his side whose simple beauty was engraved on his memory. Such thoughts
+were of a preoccupying nature; and I grieve to say that they entirely
+drowned the recollection of the mysterious caution given him by his
+father, intimating that Arthur might not be able to comprehend such
+letters as he should receive from him, till they were warmed before a
+fire.
+
+The first thing which reminded him of this singular caution was the
+seeing a chafing-dish of charcoal in the kitchen of the hostelry at
+the bottom of the mountain, where he found Thiebault and his horses.
+This was the first fire which he had seen since receiving his father's
+letter, and it reminded him not unnaturally of what the Earl had
+recommended. Great was his surprise to see that, after exposing the
+paper to the fire as if to dry it, a word emerged in an important
+passage of the letter, and the concluding words now read,--"The bearer
+may _not_ be trusted." Well-nigh choked with shame and vexation,
+Arthur could think of no other remedy than instantly to return to the
+convent, and acquaint the Queen with this discovery, which he hoped
+still to convey to her in time to prevent any risk being incurred by
+the Carmelite's treachery.
+
+Incensed at himself, and eager to redeem his fault, he bent his manly
+breast against the steep hill, which was probably never scaled in so
+short time as by the young heir of De Vere; for, within forty minutes
+from his commencing the ascent, he stood breathless and panting in the
+presence of Queen Margaret, who was alike surprised at his appearance
+and his exhausted condition.
+
+"Trust not the Carmelite!" he exclaimed--"You are betrayed, noble
+Queen, and it is by my negligence. Here is my dagger--bid me strike it
+into my heart!"
+
+Margaret demanded and obtained a more special explanation, and when it
+was given she said, "It is an unhappy chance; but your father's
+instructions ought to have been more distinct. I have told yonder
+Carmelite the purpose of the contracts, and engaged with him to draw
+them. He has but now left me to serve at the choir. There is no
+withdrawing the confidence I have unhappily placed; but I can easily
+prevail with the Father Guardian to prevent the monk from leaving the
+convent till we are indifferent to his secrecy. It is our best chance
+to secure it, and we will take care that what inconvenience he
+sustains by his detention shall be well recompensed. Meanwhile, rest
+thou, good Arthur, and undo the throat of thy mantle. Poor youth, thou
+art well-nigh exhausted with thy haste."
+
+Arthur obeyed, and sat down on a seat in the parlour; for the speed
+which he had exerted rendered him almost incapable of standing.
+
+"If I could but see," he said, "the false monk, I would find a way to
+charm him to secrecy!"
+
+"Better leave him to me," said the Queen; "and, in a word, I forbid
+you to meddle with him. The coif can treat better with the cowl than
+the casque can do. Say no more of him. I joy to see you wear around
+your neck the holy relic I bestowed on you;--but what Moorish charmlet
+is that you wear beside it? Alas! I need not ask. Your heightened
+colour, almost as deep as when you entered a quarter of an hour hence,
+confesses a true-love token. Alas! poor boy, hast thou not only such a
+share of thy country's woes to bear, but also thine own load of
+affliction, not the less poignant now that future time will show thee
+how fantastic it is! Margaret of Anjou could once have aided wherever
+thy affections were placed; but now she can only contribute to the
+misery of her friends, not to their happiness. But this lady of the
+charm, Arthur, is she fair--is she wise and virtuous--is she of noble
+birth--and does she love?"--She perused his countenance with the
+glance of an eagle, and continued, "To all, thou wouldst answer Yes,
+if shamefacedness permitted thee. Love her then in turn, my gallant
+boy, for love is the parent of brave actions. Go, my noble
+youth--high-born and loyal, valorous and virtuous, enamoured and
+youthful, to what mayst thou not rise? The chivalry of ancient Europe
+only lives in a bosom like thine. Go, and let the praises of a Queen
+fire thy bosom with the love of honour and achievement. In three days
+we meet at Aix."
+
+Arthur, highly gratified with the Queen's condescension, once more
+left her presence.
+
+Returning down the mountain with a speed very different from that
+which he had used in the ascent, he again found his Provençal squire,
+who had remained in much surprise at witnessing the confusion in which
+his master had left the inn, almost immediately after he had entered
+it without any apparent haste or agitation. Arthur explained his hasty
+return by alleging he had forgot his purse at the convent. "Nay, in
+that case," said Thiebault, "considering what you left and where you
+left it, I do not wonder at your speed, though, Our Lady save me, as I
+never saw living creature, save a goat with a wolf at his heels, make
+his way over crag and briers with half such rapidity as you did."
+
+They reached Aix after about an hour's riding, and Arthur lost no time
+in waiting upon the good King René, who gave him a kind reception,
+both in respect of the letter from the Duke of Burgundy, and in
+consideration of his being an Englishman, the avowed subject of the
+unfortunate Margaret. The placable monarch soon forgave his young
+guest the want of complaisance with which he had eschewed to listen to
+his compositions; and Arthur speedily found that to apologise for his
+want of breeding in that particular was likely to lead to a great deal
+more rehearsing than he could find patience to tolerate. He could only
+avoid the old King's extreme desire to recite his own poems, and
+perform his own music, by engaging him in speaking of his daughter
+Margaret. Arthur had been sometimes induced to doubt the influence
+which the Queen boasted herself to possess over her aged father; but,
+on being acquainted with him personally, he became convinced that her
+powerful understanding and violent passions inspired the feeble-minded
+and passive King with a mixture of pride, affection, and fear, which
+united to give her the most ample authority over him.
+
+Although she had parted with him but a day or two since, and in a
+manner so ungracious on her side, René was as much overjoyed at
+hearing of the probability of her speedy return, as the fondest father
+could have been at the prospect of being reunited to the most dutiful
+child, whom he had not seen for years. The old King was impatient as a
+boy for the day of her arrival, and, still strangely unenlightened on
+the difference of her taste from his own, he was with difficulty
+induced to lay aside a project of meeting her in the character of old
+Palemon,--
+
+     The prince of shepherds, and their pride,
+
+at the head of an Arcadian procession of nymphs and swains, to inspire
+whose choral dances and songs every pipe and tambourine in the country
+was to be placed in requisition. Even the old seneschal, however,
+intimated his disapprobation of this species of _joyeuse entrée_; so
+that René suffered himself at length to be persuaded that the Queen
+was too much occupied by the religious impressions to which she had
+been of late exposed, to receive any agreeable sensation from sights
+or sounds of levity. The King gave way to reasons which he could not
+sympathise with; and thus Margaret escaped the shock of welcome, which
+would perhaps have driven her in her impatience back to the mountain
+of St. Victoire, and the sable cavern of Lou Garagoule.
+
+During the time of her absence, the days of the court of Provence were
+employed in sports and rejoicings of every description; tilting at the
+barrier with blunted spears, riding at the ring, parties for
+hare-hunting and falconry, frequented by the youth of both sexes, in
+the company of whom the King delighted, while the evenings were
+consumed in dancing and music.
+
+Arthur could not but be sensible that not long since all this would
+have made him perfectly happy; but the last months of his existence
+had developed his understanding and passions. He was now initiated in
+the actual business of human life, and looked on its amusements with
+an air of something like contempt; so that among the young and gay
+noblesse who composed this merry court he acquired the title of the
+youthful philosopher, which was not bestowed upon him, it may be
+supposed, as inferring anything of peculiar compliment.
+
+On the fourth day news was received, by an express messenger, that
+Queen Margaret would enter Aix before the hour of noon, to resume her
+residence in her father's palace. The good King René seemed, as it
+drew nigh, to fear the interview with his daughter as much as he had
+previously desired it, and contrived to make all around him partake of
+his fidgety anxiety. He tormented his steward and cooks to recollect
+what dishes they had ever observed her to taste of with
+approbation--he pressed the musicians to remember the tunes which she
+approved; and when one of them boldly replied he had never known her
+Majesty endure any strain with patience, the old monarch threatened to
+turn him out of his service for slandering the taste of his daughter.
+The banquet was ordered to be served at half past eleven, as if
+accelerating it would have had the least effect upon hurrying the
+arrival of the expected guests; and the old King, with his napkin over
+his arm, traversed the hall from window to window, wearying every one
+with questions, whether they saw anything of the Queen of England.
+Exactly as the bells tolled noon, the Queen, with a very small
+retinue, chiefly English, and in mourning habits like herself, rode
+into the town of Aix. King René, at the head of his court, failed not
+to descend from the front of his stately palace, and move along the
+street to meet his daughter. Lofty, proud, and jealous of incurring
+ridicule, Margaret was not pleased with this public greeting in the
+market-place. But she was desirous at present to make amends for her
+late petulance, and therefore she descended from her palfrey; and,
+although something shocked at seeing René equipped with a napkin, she
+humbled herself to bend the knee to him, asking at once his blessing
+and forgiveness.
+
+"Thou hast--thou hast my blessing, my suffering dove," said the simple
+King to the proudest and most impatient princess that ever wept for a
+lost crown.--"And for thy pardon, how canst thou ask it, who never
+didst me an offence since God made me father to so gracious a
+child?--Rise, I say rise--nay, it is for me to ask thy pardon--True, I
+said in my ignorance, and thought within myself, that my heart had
+indited a goodly thing--but it vexed thee. It is therefore for me to
+crave pardon."--And down sank good King René upon both knees; and the
+people, who are usually captivated with anything resembling the trick
+of the scene, applauded with much noise, and some smothered laughter,
+a situation in which the royal daughter and her parent seemed about to
+rehearse the scene of the Roman Charity.
+
+Margaret, sensitively alive to shame, and fully aware that her present
+position was sufficiently ludicrous in its publicity at least, signed
+sharply to Arthur, whom she saw in the King's suite, to come to her;
+and, using his arm to rise, she muttered to him aside, and in
+English,--"To what saint shall I vow myself, that I may preserve
+patience when I so much need it!"
+
+"For pity's sake, royal madam, recall your firmness of mind and
+composure," whispered her esquire, who felt at the moment more
+embarrassed than honoured by his distinguished office, for he could
+feel that the Queen actually trembled with vexation and impatience.
+
+They at length resumed their route to the palace, the father and
+daughter arm in arm--a posture most agreeable to Margaret, who could
+bring herself to endure her father's effusions of tenderness, and the
+general tone of his conversation, so that he was not overheard by
+others. In the same manner, she bore with laudable patience the
+teasing attentions which he addressed to her at table, noticed some of
+his particular courtiers, inquired after others, led the way to his
+favourite subjects of conversation on poetry, painting, and music,
+till the good King was as much delighted with the unwonted civilities
+of his daughter as ever was lover with the favourable confessions of
+his mistress, when, after years of warm courtship, the ice of her
+bosom is at length thawed. It cost the haughty Margaret an effort to
+bend herself to play this part--her pride rebuked her for stooping to
+flatter her father's foibles, in order to bring him over to the
+resignation of his dominions--yet having undertaken to do so, and so
+much having been already hazarded upon this sole remaining chance of
+success in an attack upon England, she saw, or was willing to see, no
+alternative.
+
+Betwixt the banquet and the ball by which it was to be followed, the
+Queen sought an opportunity of speaking to Arthur.
+
+"Bad news, my sage counsellor," she said. "The Carmelite never
+returned to the convent after the service was over. Having learned
+that you had come back in great haste, he had, I suppose, concluded he
+might stand in suspicion, so he left the convent of Mont St.
+Victoire."
+
+"We must hasten the measures which your Majesty has resolved to
+adopt," answered Arthur.
+
+"I will speak with my father to-morrow. Meanwhile, you must enjoy the
+pleasures of the evening, for to you they may be pleasures.--Young
+lady of Boisgelin, I give you this cavalier to be your partner for the
+evening."
+
+The black-eyed and pretty Provençale curtseyed with due decorum, and
+glanced at the handsome young Englishman with an eye of approbation;
+but whether afraid of his character as a philosopher, or his doubtful
+rank, added the saving clause,--"If my mother approves."
+
+"Your mother, damsel, will scarce, I think, disapprove of any partner
+whom you receive from the hands of Margaret of Anjou. Happy privilege
+of youth," she added with a sigh, as the youthful couple went off to
+take their place in the _bransle_,[10] "which can snatch a flower even
+on the roughest road!"
+
+Arthur acquitted himself so well during the evening, that perhaps the
+young Countess was only sorry that so gay and handsome a gallant
+limited his compliments and attentions within the cold bounds of that
+courtesy enjoined by the rules of ceremony.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[10] Bransle, in English, brawl--a species of dance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+     For I have given here my full consent
+     To undeck the pompous body of a king,
+     Make glory base, and sovereignty a slave,
+     Proud majesty a subject, state a peasant.
+                                 _Richard II._
+
+
+The next day opened a grave scene. King René had not forgotten to
+arrange the pleasures of the day, when, to his horror and
+discomfiture, Margaret demanded an interview upon serious business. If
+there was a proposition in the world which René from his soul
+detested, it was any that related to the very name of business.
+
+"What was it that his child wanted?" he said. "Was it money? He would
+give her whatever ready sums he had, though he owned his exchequer was
+somewhat bare; yet he had received his income for the season. It was
+ten thousand crowns. How much should he desire to be paid to her?--the
+half--three parts--or the whole? All was at her command."
+
+"Alas, my dear father," said Margaret, "it is not my affairs, but your
+own, on which I desire to speak with you."
+
+"If the affairs are mine," said René, "I am surely master to put them
+off to another day--to some rainy dull day, fit for no better purpose.
+See, my love, the hawking-party are all on their steeds and ready--the
+horses are neighing and pawing--the gallants and maidens mounted, and
+ready with hawk on fist--the spaniels struggling in the leash. It were
+a sin, with wind and weather to friend, to lose so lovely a morning."
+
+"Let them ride their way," said Queen Margaret, "and find their sport;
+for the matter I have to speak concerning involves honour and rank,
+life and means of living."
+
+"Nay, but I have to hear and judge between Calezon and John of Acqua
+Mortis, the two most celebrated Troubadours."
+
+"Postpone their cause till to-morrow," said Margaret, "and dedicate an
+hour or two to more important affairs."
+
+"If you are peremptory," replied King René, "you are aware, my child,
+I cannot say you nay."
+
+And with reluctance he gave orders for the hawkers to go on and follow
+their sport, as he could not attend them that day.
+
+The old King then suffered himself, like an unwilling greyhound
+withheld from the chase, to be led into a separate apartment. To
+insure privacy, Margaret stationed her secretary Mordaunt, with
+Arthur, in an antechamber, giving them orders to prevent all
+intrusion.
+
+"Nay, for myself, Margaret," said the good-natured old man, "since it
+must be, I consent to be put _au secret_; but why keep old Mordaunt
+from taking a walk in this beautiful morning; and why prevent young
+Arthur from going forth with the rest? I promise you, though they term
+him a philosopher, yet he showed as light a pair of heels last night,
+with the young Countess de Boisgelin, as any gallant in Provence."
+
+"They are come from a country," said Margaret, "in which men are
+trained from infancy to prefer their duty to their pleasure."
+
+The poor King, led into the council-closet, saw with internal
+shuddering the fatal cabinet of ebony, bound with silver, which had
+never been opened but to overwhelm him with weariness, and dolefully
+calculated how many yawns he must strangle ere he sustained the
+consideration of its contents. They proved, however, when laid before
+him, of a kind that excited even his interest, though painfully.
+
+His daughter presented him with a short and clear view of the debts
+which were secured on his dominions, and for which they were mortgaged
+in various pieces and parcels. She then showed him, by another
+schedule, the large claims of which payment was instantly demanded, to
+discharge which no funds could be found or assigned. The King defended
+himself like others in his forlorn situation. To every claim of six,
+seven, or eight thousand ducats, he replied by the assertion that he
+had ten thousand crowns in his chancery, and showed some reluctance to
+be convinced, till repeatedly urged upon him, that the same sum could
+not be adequate to the discharge of thirty times the amount.
+
+"Then," said the King, somewhat impatiently, "why not pay off those
+who are most pressing, and let the others wait till receipts come
+round?"
+
+"It is a practice which has been too often resorted to," replied the
+Queen, "and it is but a part of honesty to pay creditors who have
+advanced their all in your Grace's service."
+
+"But are we not," said René, "King of both the Sicilies, Naples,
+Arragon, and Jerusalem? And why is the monarch of such fair kingdoms
+to be pushed to the wall, like a bankrupt yeoman, for a few bags of
+paltry crowns?"
+
+"You are indeed monarch of these kingdoms," said Margaret; "but is it
+necessary to remind your Majesty that it is but as I am Queen of
+England, in which I have not an acre of land, and cannot command a
+penny of revenue? You have no dominions which are a source of revenue,
+save those which you see in this scroll, with an exact list of the
+income they afford. It is totally inadequate, you see, to maintain
+your state, and to pay the large engagements incurred to former
+creditors."
+
+"It is cruel to press me to the wall thus," said the poor King. "What
+can I do? If I am poor, I cannot help it. I am sure I would pay the
+debts you talk of, if I knew the way."
+
+"Royal father, I will show it you.--Resign your useless and unavailing
+dignity, which, with the pretensions attending it, serves but to make
+your miseries ridiculous. Resign your rights as a sovereign, and the
+income which cannot be stretched out to the empty excesses of a
+beggarly court will enable you to enjoy, in ease and opulence, all the
+pleasures you most delight in, as a private baron."
+
+"Margaret, you speak folly," answered René, somewhat sternly. "A king
+and his people are bound by ties which neither can sever without
+guilt. My subjects are my flock, I am their shepherd. They are
+assigned to my governance by Heaven, and I dare not renounce the
+charge of protecting them."
+
+"Were you in condition to do so," answered the Queen, "Margaret would
+bid you fight to the death. But don your harness, long disused--mount
+your war-steed--cry, René for Provence! and see if a hundred men will
+gather round your standard. Your fortresses are in the hands of
+strangers; army you have none; your vassals may have good-will, but
+they lack all military skill and soldierlike discipline. You stand but
+the mere skeleton of monarchy, which France or Burgundy may prostrate
+on the earth, whichever first puts forth his arm to throw it down."
+
+The tears trickled fast down the old King's cheeks, when this
+unflattering prospect was set before him, and he could not forbear
+owning his total want of power to defend himself and his dominions,
+and admitting that he had often thought of the necessity of
+compounding for his resignation with one of his powerful neighbours.
+
+"It was thy interest, Margaret, harsh and severe as you are, which
+prevented my entering, before now, into measures most painful to my
+feelings, but perhaps best calculated for my advantage. But I had
+hoped it would hold on for my day; and thou, my child, with the
+talents Heaven has given thee, wouldst, I thought, have found remedy
+for distresses which I cannot escape, otherwise than by shunning the
+thoughts of them."
+
+"If it is in earnest you speak of my interest," said Margaret, "know,
+that your resigning Provence will satisfy the nearest, and almost the
+only wish that my bosom can form; but, so judge me Heaven, as it is on
+your account, gracious sire, as well as mine, that I advise your
+compliance."
+
+"Say no more on't, child; give me the parchment of resignation, and I
+will sign it: I see thou hast it ready drawn; let us sign it, and then
+we will overtake the hawkers. We must suffer woe, but there is little
+need to sit down and weep for it."
+
+"Do you not ask," said Margaret, surprised at his apathy, "to whom you
+cede your dominions?"
+
+"What boots it," answered the King, "since they must be no more my
+own? It must be either to Charles of Burgundy, or my nephew
+Louis--both powerful and politic princes. God send my poor people may
+have no cause to wish their old man back again, whose only pleasure
+was to see them happy and mirthful."
+
+"It is to Burgundy you resign Provence," said Margaret.
+
+"I would have preferred him," answered René; "he is fierce, but not
+malignant. One word more. Are my subjects' privileges and immunities
+fully secured?"
+
+"Amply," replied the Queen; "and your own wants of all kinds
+honourably provided for. I would not leave the stipulations in your
+favour in blank, though I might perhaps have trusted Charles of
+Burgundy, where money alone is concerned."
+
+"I ask not for myself--with my viol and my pencil, René the Troubadour
+will be as happy as ever was René the King."
+
+So saying, with practical philosophy he whistled the burden of his
+last composed ariette, and signed away the rest of his royal
+possessions without pulling off his glove, or even reading the
+instrument.
+
+"What is this?" he said, looking at another and separate parchment of
+much briefer contents. "Must my kinsman Charles have both the
+Sicilies, Catalonia, Naples, and Jerusalem, as well as the poor
+remainder of Provence? Methinks, in decency, some greater extent of
+parchment should have been allowed to so ample a cession."
+
+"That deed," said Margaret, "only disowns and relinquishes all
+countenance of Ferrand de Vaudemont's rash attempt on Lorraine, and
+renounces all quarrel on that account against Charles of Burgundy."
+
+For once Margaret miscalculated the tractability of her father's
+temper. René positively started, coloured, and stammered with passion,
+as he interrupted her--"_Only_ disown--_only_ relinquish--_only_
+renounce the cause of my grandchild, the son of my dear Yolande--his
+rightful claims on his mother's inheritance!--Margaret, I am ashamed
+for thee. Thy pride is an excuse for thy evil temper but what is pride
+worth which can stoop to commit an act of dishonourable meanness? To
+desert, nay, disown, my own flesh and blood, because the youth is a
+bold knight under shield, and disposed to battle for his right--I were
+worthy that harp and horn rung out shame on me, should I listen to
+thee."
+
+Margaret was overcome in some measure by the old man's unexpected
+opposition. She endeavoured, however, to show that there was no
+occasion, in point of honour, why René should engage in the cause of a
+wild adventurer, whose right, be it good be it bad, was only upheld by
+some petty and underhand supplies of money from France, and the
+countenance of a few of the restless banditti who inhabit the borders
+of all nations. But ere René could answer, voices, raised to an
+unusual pitch, were heard in the antechamber, the door of which was
+flung open by an armed knight, covered with dust, who exhibited all
+the marks of a long journey.
+
+"Here I am," he said, "father of my mother--behold your
+grandson--Ferrand de Vaudemont; the son of your lost Yolande kneels at
+your feet, and implores a blessing on him and his enterprise."
+
+"Thou hast it," replied René, "and may it prosper with thee, gallant
+youth, image of thy sainted mother--my blessings, my prayers, my
+hopes, go with you!"
+
+"And you, fair aunt of England," said the young knight, addressing
+Margaret, "you who are yourself dispossessed by traitors, will you not
+own the cause of a kinsman who is struggling for his inheritance?"
+
+"I wish all good to your person, fair nephew," answered the Queen of
+England, "although your features are strange to me. But to advise this
+old man to adopt your cause, when it is desperate in the eyes of all
+wise men, were impious madness."
+
+"Is my cause then so desperate?" said Ferrand. "Forgive me if I was
+not aware of it. And does my aunt Margaret say this, whose strength of
+mind supported Lancaster so long, after the spirits of her warriors
+had been quelled by defeat? What--forgive me, for my cause must be
+pleaded--what would you have said had my mother Yolande been capable
+to advise her father to disown your own Edward, had God permitted him
+to reach Provence in safety?"
+
+"Edward," said Margaret, weeping as she spoke, "was incapable of
+desiring his friends to espouse a quarrel that was irremediable. His,
+too, was a cause for which mighty princes and peers laid lance in
+rest."
+
+"Yet Heaven blessed it not--" said Vaudemont.
+
+"Thine," continued Margaret, "is but embraced by the robber nobles of
+Germany, the upstart burghers of the Rhine cities, the paltry and
+clownish Confederates of the Cantons."
+
+"But Heaven _has blessed it_," replied Vaudemont. "Know, proud woman,
+that I come to interrupt your treacherous intrigues; no petty
+adventurer, subsisting and maintaining warfare by sleight rather than
+force, but a conqueror from a bloody field of battle, in which Heaven
+has tamed the pride of the tyrant of Burgundy."
+
+"It is false!" said the Queen, starting. "I believe it not."
+
+"It is true," said De Vaudemont, "as true as heaven is above us.--It
+is four days since I left the field of Granson (_d_), heaped with
+Burgundy's mercenaries--his wealth, his jewels, his plate, his
+magnificent decorations, the prize of the poor Swiss, who scarce can
+tell their value. Know you this, Queen Margaret?" continued the young
+soldier, showing the well-known jewel which decorated the Duke's Order
+of the Golden Fleece; "think you not the lion was closely hunted when
+he left such trophies as these behind him?"
+
+Margaret looked, with dazzled eyes and bewildered thoughts, upon a
+token which confirmed the Duke's defeat, and the extinction of her
+last hopes. Her father, on the contrary, was struck with the heroism
+of the young warrior, a quality which, except as it existed in his
+daughter Margaret, had, he feared, taken leave of his family. Admiring
+in his heart the youth who exposed himself to danger for the meed of
+praise, almost as much as he did the poets by whom the warrior's fame
+is rendered immortal, he hugged his grandson to his bosom, bidding him
+"gird on his sword in strength," and assuring him, if money could
+advance his affairs, he, King René, could command ten thousand crowns,
+any part, or the whole of which, was at Ferrand's command; thus giving
+proof of what had been said of him, that his head was incapable of
+containing two ideas at the same time.
+
+We return to Arthur, who, with the Queen of England's secretary,
+Mordaunt, had been not a little surprised by the entrance of the Count
+de Vaudemont, calling himself Duke of Lorraine, into the anteroom, in
+which they kept a kind of guard, followed by a tall strong Swiss, with
+a huge halberd over his shoulder. The prince naming himself, Arthur
+did not think it becoming to oppose his entrance to the presence of
+his grandfather and aunt, especially as it was obvious that his
+opposition must have created an affray. In the huge staring
+halberdier, who had sense enough to remain in the anteroom, Arthur was
+not a little surprised to recognise Sigismund Biederman, who, after
+staring wildly at him for a moment, like a dog which suddenly
+recognises a favourite, rushed up to the young Englishman with a wild
+cry of gladness, and in hurried accents told him how happy he was to
+meet with him, and that he had matters of importance to tell him. It
+was at no time easy for Sigismund to arrange his ideas, and now they
+were altogether confused, by the triumphant joy which he expressed for
+the recent victory of his countrymen over the Duke of Burgundy; and
+it was with wonder that Arthur heard his confused and rude but
+faithful tale.
+
+"Look you, King Arthur, the Duke had come up with his huge army as far
+as Granson, which is near the outlet of the great lake of Neufchatel.
+There were five or six hundred Confederates in the place, and they
+held it till provisions failed, and then you know they were forced to
+give it over. But though hunger is hard to bear, they had better have
+borne it a day or two longer, for the butcher Charles hung them all up
+by the neck, upon trees round the place,--and there was no swallowing
+for them, you know, after such usage as that. Meanwhile all was busy
+on our hills, and every man that had a sword or lance accoutred
+himself with it. We met at Neufchatel, and some Germans joined us with
+the noble Duke of Lorraine. Ah, King Arthur, there is a leader!--we
+all think him second but to Rudolph of Donnerhugel--you saw him even
+now--it was he that went into that room--and you saw him before,--it
+is he that was the Blue Knight of Bâle; but we called him Laurenz
+then, for Rudolph said his presence among us must not be known to our
+father, and I did not know myself at that time who he really was.
+Well, when we came to Neufchatel we were a goodly company; we were
+fifteen thousand stout Confederates, and of others, Germans and
+Lorraine men, I will warrant you five thousand more. We heard that the
+Burgundian was sixty thousand in the field; but we heard, at the same
+time, that Charles had hung up our brethren like dogs, and the man was
+not among us--among the Confederates, I mean--who would stay to count
+heads, when the question was to avenge them. I would you could have
+heard the roar of fifteen thousand Swiss demanding to be led against
+the butcher of their brethren! My father himself, who, you know, is
+usually so eager for peace, now gave the first voice for battle; so,
+in the grey of the morning, we descended the lake towards Granson,
+with tears in our eyes and weapons in our hands, determined to have
+death or vengeance. We came to a sort of strait, between Vauxmoreux
+and the lake; there were horse on the level ground between the
+mountain and the lake, and a large body of infantry on the side of the
+hill. The Duke of Lorraine and his followers engaged the horse, while
+we climbed the hill to dispossess the infantry. It was with us the
+affair of a moment. Every man of us was at home among the crags, and
+Charles's men were stuck among them as thou wert, Arthur, when thou
+didst first come to Geierstein. But there were no kind maidens to lend
+them their hands to help them down. No, no--There were pikes, clubs,
+and halberds, many a one, to dash and thrust them from places where
+they could hardly keep their feet had there been no one to disturb
+them. So the horsemen, pushed by the Lorrainers, and seeing us upon
+their flanks, fled as fast as their horses could carry them. Then we
+drew together again on a fair field, which is _buon campagna_, as the
+Italian says, where the hills retire from the lake. But lo you, we had
+scarce arrayed our ranks, when we heard such a din and clash of
+instruments, such a trample of their great horses, such a shouting and
+crying of men, as if all the soldiers, and all the minstrels in France
+and Germany, were striving which should make the loudest noise. Then
+there was a huge cloud of dust approaching us, and we began to see we
+must do or die, for this was Charles and his whole army come to
+support his vanguard. A blast from the mountain dispersed the dust,
+for they had halted to prepare for battle. Oh, good Arthur! you would
+have given ten years of life but to have seen the sight. There were
+thousands of horse all in complete array, glancing against the sun,
+and hundreds of knights with crowns of gold and silver on their
+helmets, and thick masses of spears on foot, and cannon, as they call
+them. I did not know what things they were, which they drew on heavily
+with bullocks and placed before their army, but I knew more of them
+before the morning was over. Well, we were ordered to draw up in a
+hollow square, as we are taught at exercise, and before we pushed
+forwards we were commanded, as is the godly rule and guise of our
+warfare, to kneel down and pray to God, Our Lady, and the blessed
+saints; and we afterwards learned that Charles, in his arrogance,
+thought we asked for mercy--Ha! ha! ha! a proper jest. If my father
+once knelt to him, it was for the sake of Christian blood and godly
+peace; but on the field of battle Arnold Biederman would not have
+knelt to him and his whole chivalry, though he had stood alone with
+his sons on that field. Well, but Charles, supposing we asked grace,
+was determined to show us that we had asked it at a graceless face,
+for he cried, 'Fire my cannon on the coward slaves; it is all the
+mercy they have to expect from me!'--Bang--bang--bang--off went the
+things I told you of, like thunder and lightning, and some mischief
+they did, but the less that we were kneeling; and the saints
+doubtless gave the huge balls a hoist over the heads of those who were
+asking grace from them, but from no mortal creatures. So we had the
+signal to rise and rush on, and I promise you there were no sluggards.
+Every man felt ten men's strength. My halberd is no child's toy--if
+you have forgotten it, there it is--and yet it trembled in my grasp as
+if it had been a willow wand to drive cows with. On we went, when
+suddenly the cannon were silent, and the earth shook with another and
+continued growl and battering, like thunder under ground. It was the
+men-at-arms rushing to charge us. But our leaders knew their trade,
+and had seen such a sight before--it was, Halt, halt--kneel down in
+the front--stoop in the second rank--close shoulder to shoulder like
+brethren, lean all spears forward and receive them like an iron wall!
+On they rushed, and there was a rending of lances that would have
+served the Unterwalden old women with splinters of firewood for a
+twelvemonth. Down went armed horse--down went accoutred knight--down
+went banner and bannerman--down went peaked boot and crowned helmet,
+and of those who fell not a man escaped with life. So they drew off in
+confusion, and were getting in order to charge again, when the noble
+Duke Ferrand and his horsemen dashed at them in their own way, and we
+moved onward to support him. Thus on we pressed, and the foot hardly
+waited for us, seeing their cavalry so handled. Then if you had seen
+the dust and heard the blows! the noise of a hundred thousand
+thrashers, the flight of the chaff which they drive about, would be
+but a type of it. On my word, I almost thought it shame to dash about
+my halberd, the rout was so helplessly piteous. Hundreds were slain
+unresisting, and the whole army was in complete flight."
+
+"My father--my father!" exclaimed Arthur. "In such a rout, what can
+have become of him?"
+
+"He escaped safely," said the Swiss; "fled with Charles."
+
+"It must have been a bloody field ere he fled," replied the
+Englishman.
+
+"Nay," answered Sigismund, "he took no part in the fight, but merely
+remained by Charles; and prisoners said it was well for us, for that
+he is a man of great counsel and action in the wars. And as to flying,
+a man in such a matter must go back if he cannot press forward, and
+there is no shame in it, especially if you be not engaged in your own
+person."
+
+As he spoke thus, their conversation was interrupted by Mordaunt, with
+"Hush, hush--the King and Queen come forth."
+
+"What am I to do?" said Sigismund, in some alarm. "I care not for the
+Duke of Lorraine; but what am I to do when kings and queens enter?"
+
+"Do nothing but rise, unbonnet yourself, and be silent."
+
+Sigismund did as he was directed.
+
+King René came forth arm in arm with his grandson; and Margaret
+followed, with deep disappointment and vexation on her brow. She
+signed to Arthur as she passed, and said to him--"Make thyself master
+of the truth of this most unexpected news, and bring the particulars
+to me. Mordaunt will introduce thee."
+
+She then cast a look on the young Swiss, and replied courteously to
+his awkward salutation. The royal party then left the room, René bent
+on carrying his grandson to the sporting-party, which had been
+interrupted, and Margaret to seek the solitude of her private
+apartment, and await the confirmation of what she regarded as evil
+tidings.
+
+They were no sooner passed than Sigismund observed,--"And so that is a
+King and Queen!--Peste! the King looks somewhat like old Jacomo, the
+violer, that used to scrape on the fiddle to us when he came to
+Geierstein in his rounds. But the Queen is a stately creature. The
+chief cow of the herd, who carries the bouquets and garlands, and
+leads the rest to the chalet, has not a statelier pace. And how deftly
+you approached her and spoke to her! I could not have done it with so
+much grace--But it is like that you have served apprentice to the
+court trade?"
+
+"Leave that for the present, good Sigismund," answered Arthur, "and
+tell me more of this battle."
+
+"By St. Mary, but I must have some victuals and drink first," said
+Sigismund, "if your credit in this fine place reaches so far."
+
+"Doubt it not, Sigismund," said Arthur; and, by the intervention of
+Mordaunt, he easily procured, in a more retired apartment, a collation
+and wine, to which the young Biederman did great honour, smacking his
+lips with much gusto after the delicious wines, to which, in spite of
+his father's ascetic precepts, his palate was beginning to be
+considerably formed and habituated. When he found himself alone with a
+flask of _côté roti_ and a biscuit, and his friend Arthur, he was
+easily led to continue his tale of conquest.
+
+"Well--where was I?--Oh, where we broke their infantry--well--they
+never rallied, and fell into greater confusion at every step--and we
+might have slaughtered one half of them, had we not stopped to examine
+Charles's camp. Mercy on us, Arthur, what a sight was there! Every
+pavilion was full of rich clothes, splendid armour, and great dishes
+and flagons, which some men said were of silver; but I knew there was
+not so much silver in the world, and was sure they must be of pewter,
+rarely burnished. Here there were hosts of laced lackeys, and grooms,
+and pages, and as many attendants as there were soldiers in the army;
+and thousands, for what I knew, of pretty maidens. By the same token,
+both menials and maidens placed themselves at the disposal of the
+victors; but I promise you that my father was right severe on any who
+would abuse the rights of war. But some of our young men did not mind
+him, till he taught them obedience with the staff of his halberd.
+Well, Arthur, there was fine plundering, for the Germans and French
+that were with us rifled everything, and some of our men followed the
+example--it is very catching--So I got into Charles's own pavilion,
+where Rudolph and some of his people were trying to keep out every
+one, that he might have the spoiling of it himself, I think; but
+neither he, nor any Bernese of them all, dared lay truncheon over my
+pate; so I entered, and saw them putting piles of pewter-trenchers, so
+clean as to look like silver, into chests and trunks. I pressed
+through them into the inner place, and there was Charles's
+pallet-bed--I will do him justice, it was the only hard one in his
+camp--and there were fine sparkling stones and pebbles lying about
+among gauntlets, boots, vambraces, and suchlike gear--So I thought of
+your father and you, and looked for something, when what should I see
+but my old friend here" (here he drew Queen Margaret's necklace from
+his bosom), "which I knew, because you remember I recovered it from
+the Scharfgerichter at Brisach.--'Oho! you pretty sparklers,' said I,
+'you shall be Burgundian no longer, but go back to my honest English
+friends,' and therefore"----
+
+"It is of immense value," said Arthur, "and belongs not to my father
+or to me, but to the Queen you saw but now."
+
+"And she will become it rarely," answered Sigismund. "Were she but a
+score, or a score and a half years younger, she were a gallant wife
+for a Swiss landholder. I would warrant her to keep his household in
+high order."
+
+"She will reward thee liberally for recovering her property," said
+Arthur, scarce suppressing a smile at the idea of the proud Margaret
+becoming the housewife of a Swiss shepherd.
+
+"How--reward!" said the Swiss. "Bethink thee I am Sigismund Biederman,
+the son of the Landamman of Unterwalden--I am not a base lanzknecht,
+to be paid for courtesy with piastres. Let her grant me a kind word of
+thanks, or the matter of a kiss, and I am well contented."
+
+"A kiss of her hand, perhaps," said Arthur, again smiling at his
+friend's simplicity.
+
+"Umph, the hand! Well, it may do for a queen of some fifty years and
+odd, but would be poor homage to a Queen of May."
+
+Arthur here brought back the youth to the subject of his battle, and
+learned that the slaughter of the Duke's forces in the flight had
+been in no degree equal to the importance of the action.
+
+"Many rode off on horseback," said Sigismund; "and our German
+_reiters_ flew on the spoil, when they should have followed the chase.
+And besides, to speak truth, Charles's camp delayed our very selves in
+the pursuit; but had we gone half a mile farther, and seen our friends
+hanging on trees, not a Confederate would have stopped from the chase
+while he had limbs to carry him in pursuit."
+
+"And what has become of the Duke?"
+
+"Charles has retreated into Burgundy, like a boar who has felt the
+touch of the spear, and is more enraged than hurt; but is, they say,
+sad and sulky. Others report that he has collected all his scattered
+army, and immense forces besides, and has screwed his subjects to give
+him money, so that we may expect another brush. But all Switzerland
+will join us after such a victory."
+
+"And my father is with him?" said Arthur.
+
+"Truly he is, and has in a right godly manner tried to set afoot a
+treaty of peace with my own father. But it will scarce succeed.
+Charles is as mad as ever; and our people are right proud of our
+victory, and so they well may. Nevertheless, my father forever
+preaches that such victories, and such heaps of wealth, will change
+our ancient manners, and that the ploughman will leave his labour to
+turn soldier. He says much about it; but why money, choice meat and
+wine, and fine clothing should do so much harm, I cannot bring my poor
+brains to see--And many better heads than mine are as much
+puzzled.--Here's to you, friend Arthur!--This is choice liquor!"
+
+"And what brings you and your general, Prince Ferrand, post to
+Nancy?" said the young Englishman.
+
+"Faith, you are yourself the cause of our journey."
+
+"I the cause?" said Arthur.--"Why, how could that be?"
+
+"Why, it is said you and Queen Margaret are urging this old fiddling
+King René to yield up his territories to Charles, and to disown
+Ferrand in his claim upon Lorraine. And the Duke of Lorraine sent a
+man that you know well--that is, you do not know _him_, but you know
+some of his family, and he knows more of you than you wot--to put a
+spoke in your wheel, and prevent your getting for Charles the county
+of Provence, or preventing Ferrand being troubled or traversed in his
+natural rights over Lorraine."
+
+"On my word, Sigismund, I cannot comprehend you," said Arthur.
+
+"Well," replied the Swiss, "my lot is a hard one. All our house say
+that I can comprehend nothing, and I shall be next told that nobody
+can comprehend me.--Well, in plain language, I mean my uncle, Count
+Albert, as he calls himself, of Geierstein--my father's brother."
+
+"Anne of Geierstein's father!" echoed Arthur.
+
+"Ay, truly; I thought we should find some mark to make you know him
+by."
+
+"But I never saw him."
+
+"Ay, but you have, though--An able man he is, and knows more of every
+man's business than the man does himself. Oh! it was not for nothing
+that he married the daughter of a Salamander!"
+
+"Pshaw, Sigismund, how can you believe that nonsense?" answered
+Arthur.
+
+"Rudolph told me you were as much bewildered as I was that night at
+Graffs-lust," answered the Swiss.
+
+"If I were so, I was the greater ass for my pains," answered Arthur.
+
+"Well, but this uncle of mine has got some of the old conjuring books
+from the library at Arnheim, and they say he can pass from place to
+place with more than mortal speed; and that he is helped in his
+designs by mightier counsellors than mere men. Always, however, though
+so able and highly endowed, his gifts, whether coming from a lawful or
+unlawful quarter, bring him no abiding advantage. He is eternally
+plunged into strife and danger."
+
+"I know few particulars of his life," said Arthur, disguising as much
+as he could his anxiety to hear more of him; "but I have heard that he
+left Switzerland to join the Emperor."
+
+"True," answered the young Swiss, "and married the young Baroness of
+Arnheim,--but afterwards he incurred my namesake's imperial
+displeasure, and not less that of the Duke of Austria. They say you
+cannot live in Rome and strive with the Pope; so my uncle thought it
+best to cross the Rhine, and betake himself to Charles's court, who
+willingly received noblemen from all countries, so that they had good
+sounding names, with the title of Count, Marquis, Baron, or suchlike,
+to march in front of them. So my uncle was most kindly received; but
+within this year or two all this friendship has been broken up. Uncle
+Albert obtained a great lead in some mysterious societies, of which
+Charles disapproved, and set so hard at my poor uncle, that he was
+fain to take orders and shave his hair, rather than lose his head.
+But though he cut off his hair, his brain remains as busy as ever; and
+although the Duke suffered him to be at large, yet he found him so
+often in his way, that all men believed he waited but an excuse for
+seizing upon him and putting him to death. But my uncle persists that
+he fears not Charles; and that, Duke as he is, Charles has more
+occasion to be afraid of him.--And so you saw how boldly he played his
+part at La Ferette."
+
+"By St. George of Windsor!" exclaimed Arthur, "the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's?"
+
+"Oho! you understand me now. Well, he took it upon him that Charles
+would not dare to punish him for his share in De Hagenbach's death;
+and no more did he, although uncle Albert sat and voted in the Estates
+of Burgundy, and stirred them up all he could to refuse giving Charles
+the money he asked of them. But when the Swiss war broke out, uncle
+Albert became assured his being a clergyman would be no longer his
+protection, and that the Duke intended to have him accused of
+corresponding with his brother and countrymen; and so he appeared
+suddenly in Ferrand's camp at Neufchatel, and sent a message to
+Charles that he renounced his allegiance, and bid him defiance."
+
+"A singular story of an active and versatile man," said the young
+Englishman.
+
+"Oh, you may seek the world for a man like uncle Albert. Then he knows
+everything; and he told Duke Ferrand what you were about here, and
+offered to go and bring more certain information--ay, though he left
+the Swiss camp but five or six days before the battle, and the
+distance between Arles and Neufchatel be four hundred miles complete,
+yet he met him on his return, when Duke Ferrand, with me to show him
+the way, was hastening hitherward, having set off from the very field
+of battle."
+
+"Met him!" said Arthur--"Met whom?--Met the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's?"
+
+"Ay, I mean so," replied Sigismund; "but he was habited as a Carmelite
+monk."
+
+"A Carmelite!" said Arthur, a sudden light flashing on him; "and I was
+so blind as to recommend his services to the Queen! I remember well
+that he kept his face much concealed in his cowl--and I, foolish
+beast, to fall so grossly into the snare!--And yet perhaps it is as
+well the transaction was interrupted, since I fear, if carried
+successfully through, all must have been disconcerted by this
+astounding defeat."
+
+Their conversation had thus far proceeded, when Mordaunt appearing,
+summoned Arthur to his royal mistress's apartment. In that gay palace,
+a gloomy room, whose windows looked upon some part of the ruins of the
+Roman edifice, but excluded every other object, save broken walls and
+tottering columns, was the retreat which Margaret had chosen for her
+own. She received Albert with a kindness more touching that it was the
+inmate of so proud and fiery a disposition,--of a heart assailed with
+many woes, and feeling them severely.
+
+"Alas, poor Arthur!" she said, "thy life begins where thy father's
+threatens to end, in useless labour to save a sinking vessel. The
+rushing leak pours in its waters faster than human force can lighten
+or discharge. All--all goes wrong, when our unhappy cause becomes
+connected with it--Strength becomes weakness, wisdom folly, and
+valour cowardice. The Duke of Burgundy, hitherto victorious in all his
+bold undertakings, has but to entertain the momentary thought of
+yielding succour to Lancaster, and behold his sword is broken by a
+peasant's flail; and his disciplined army, held to be the finest in
+the world, flies like chaff before the wind; while their spoils are
+divided by renegade German hirelings, and barbarous Alpine
+shepherds!--What more hast thou learned of this strange tale?"
+
+"Little, madam, but what you have heard. The worst additions are, that
+the battle was shamefully cowardlike, and completely lost, with every
+advantage to have won it--the best, that the Burgundian army has been
+rather dispersed than destroyed, and that the Duke himself has
+escaped, and is rallying his forces in Upper Burgundy."
+
+"To sustain a new defeat, or engage in a protracted and doubtful
+contest, fatal to his reputation as defeat itself. Where is thy
+father?"
+
+"With the Duke, madam, as I have been informed," replied Arthur.
+
+"Hie to him, and say I charge him to look after his own safety, and
+care no further for my interests. This last blow has sunk me--I am
+without an ally, without a friend, without treasure"----
+
+"Not so, madam," replied Arthur. "One piece of good fortune has
+brought back to your Grace this inestimable relic of your
+fortunes."--And, producing the precious necklace, he gave the history
+of its recovery.
+
+"I rejoice at the chance which has restored these diamonds," said the
+Queen, "that in point of gratitude, at least, I may not be utterly
+bankrupt. Carry them to your father--tell him my schemes are
+over--and my heart, which so long clung to hope, is broken at
+last.--Tell him the trinkets are his own, and to his own use let him
+apply them. They will but poorly repay the noble earldom of Oxford,
+lost in the cause of her who sends them."
+
+"Royal madam," said the youth, "be assured my father would sooner live
+by service as a _schwarzreiter_, than become a burden on your
+misfortunes."
+
+"He never yet disobeyed command of mine," said Margaret; "and this is
+the last I will lay upon him. If he is too rich or too proud to
+benefit by his Queen's behest, he will find enough of poor
+Lancastrians who have fewer means or fewer scruples."
+
+"There is yet a circumstance I have to communicate," said Arthur, and
+recounted the history of Albert of Geierstein, and the disguise of a
+Carmelite monk.
+
+"Are you such a fool," answered the Queen, "as to suppose this man has
+any supernatural powers to aid him in his ambitious projects and his
+hasty journeys?"
+
+"No, madam--but it is whispered that the Count Albert of Geierstein,
+or this Black Priest of St. Paul's, is a chief amongst the Secret
+Societies of Germany, which even princes dread whilst they hate them;
+for the man that can command a hundred daggers must be feared even by
+those who rule thousands of swords."
+
+"Can this person," said the Queen, "being now a Churchman, retain
+authority amongst those who deal in life and death? It is contrary to
+the canons."
+
+"It would seem so, royal madam; but everything in these dark
+institutions differs from what is practised in the light of day.
+Prelates are often heads of a Vehmique bench, and the Archbishop of
+Cologne exercises the dreadful office of their chief as Duke of
+Westphalia, the principal region in which these societies
+flourish.[11] Such privileges attach to the secret influence of the
+chiefs of this dark association, as may well seem supernatural to
+those who are unapprised of circumstances of which men shun to speak
+in plain terms."
+
+"Let him be wizard or assassin," said the Queen, "I thank him for
+having contributed to interrupt my plan of the old man's cession of
+Provence, which, as events stand, would have stripped René of his
+dominions, without furthering our plan of invading England.--Once
+more, be stirring with the dawn, and bend thy way back to thy father,
+and charge him to care for himself and think no more of me. Bretagne,
+where the heir of Lancaster resides, will be the safest place of
+refuge for its bravest followers. Along the Rhine, the Invisible
+Tribunal, it would seem, haunts both shores, and to be innocent of ill
+is no security; even here the proposed treaty with Burgundy may take
+air, and the Provençaux carry daggers as well as crooks and pipes. But
+I hear the horses fast returning from the hawking-party, and the silly
+old man, forgetting all the eventful proceedings of the day,
+whistling as he ascends the steps. Well, we will soon part, and my
+removal will be, I think, a relief to him. Prepare for banquet and
+ball, for noise and nonsense--above all, to bid adieu to Aix with
+morning dawn."
+
+Thus dismissed from the Queen's presence, Arthur's first care was to
+summon Thiebault to have all things in readiness for his departure;
+his next, to prepare himself for the pleasures of the evening, not
+perhaps so heavily affected by the failure of his negotiation as to be
+incapable of consolation in such a scene; for the truth was, that his
+mind secretly revolted at the thoughts of the simple old King being
+despoiled of his dominions to further an invasion of England, in
+which, whatever interest he might have in his daughter's rights, there
+was little chance of success.
+
+If such feelings were censurable, they had their punishment. Although
+few knew how completely the arrival of the Duke of Lorraine, and the
+intelligence he brought with him, had disconcerted the plans of Queen
+Margaret, it was well known there had been little love betwixt the
+Queen and his mother Yolande; and the young Prince found himself at
+the head of a numerous party in the court of his grandfather, who
+disliked his aunt's haughty manners, and were wearied by the unceasing
+melancholy of her looks and conversation, and her undisguised contempt
+of the frivolities which passed around her. Ferrand, besides, was
+young, handsome, a victor just arrived from a field of battle, fought
+gloriously, and gained against all chances to the contrary. That he
+was a general favourite, and excluded Arthur Philipson, as an
+adherent of the unpopular Queen, from the notice her influence had on
+a former evening procured him, was only a natural consequence of their
+relative condition. But what somewhat hurt Arthur's feelings was to
+see his friend Sigismund the Simple, as his brethren called him,
+shining with the reflected glory of the Duke Ferrand of Lorraine, who
+introduced to all the ladies present the gallant young Swiss as Count
+Sigismund of Geierstein. His care had procured for his follower a
+dress rather more suitable for such a scene than the country attire of
+the count, otherwise Sigismund Biederman.
+
+For a certain time, whatever of novelty is introduced into society is
+pleasing, though it has nothing else to recommend it. The Swiss were
+little known personally out of their own country, but they were much
+talked of; it was a recommendation to be of that country. Sigismund's
+manners were blunt--a mixture of awkwardness and rudeness, which was
+termed frankness during the moment of his favour. He spoke bad French
+and worse Italian--it gave naïveté to all he said. His limbs were too
+bulky to be elegant; his dancing, for Count Sigismund failed not to
+dance, was the bounding and gambolling of a young elephant; yet they
+were preferred to the handsome proportions and courtly movements of
+the youthful Englishman, even by the black-eyed countess in whose good
+graces Arthur had made some progress on the preceding evening. Arthur,
+thus thrown into the shade, felt as Mr. Pepys afterwards did when he
+tore his camlet cloak--the damage was not great, but it troubled him.
+
+Nevertheless, the passing evening brought him some revenge. There are
+some works of art the defects of which are not seen till they are
+injudiciously placed in too strong a light, and such was the case with
+Sigismund the Simple. The quick-witted though fantastic Provençaux
+soon found out the heaviness of his intellect, and the extent of his
+good-nature, and amused themselves at his expense, by ironical
+compliments and well-veiled raillery. It is probable they would have
+been less delicate on the subject, had not the Swiss brought into the
+dancing-room along with him his eternal halberd, the size and weight
+and thickness of which boded little good to any one whom the owner
+might detect in the act of making merry at his expense. But Sigismund
+did no further mischief that night, except that, in achieving a superb
+_entrechat_, he alighted with his whole weight on the miniature foot
+of his pretty partner, which he well-nigh crushed to pieces.
+
+Arthur had hitherto avoided looking towards Queen Margaret during the
+course of the evening, lest he should disturb her thoughts from the
+channel in which they were rolling, by seeming to lay a claim on her
+protection. But there was something so whimsical in the awkward
+physiognomy of the maladroit Swiss, that he could not help glancing an
+eye to the alcove where the Queen's chair of state was placed, to see
+if she observed him. The very first view was such as to rivet his
+attention. Margaret's head was reclined on the chair, her eyes
+scarcely open, her features drawn up and pinched, her hands closed
+with effort. The English lady of honour who stood behind her--old,
+deaf, and dim-sighted--had not discovered anything in her mistress's
+position more than the abstracted and indifferent attitude with which
+the Queen was wont to be present in body and absent in mind during the
+festivities of the Provençal court. But when Arthur, greatly alarmed,
+came behind the seat to press her attention to her mistress, she
+exclaimed, after a minute's investigation, "Mother of Heaven, the
+Queen is dead!" And it was so. It seemed that the last fibre of life,
+in that fiery and ambitious mind, had, as she herself prophesied,
+given way at the same time with the last thread of political hope.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[11] The Archbishop of Cologne was recognised as head of all the Free
+Tribunals (_i.e._ the Vehmique benches) in Westphalia, by a writ of
+privilege granted in 1335 by the Emperor Charles IV. Winceslaus
+confirmed this act by a privilege dated 1382, in which the Archbishop
+is termed Grand Master of the Vehme, or Grand Inquisitor. And this
+prelate and other priests were encouraged to exercise such office by
+Pope Boniface III., whose ecclesiastical discipline permitted them in
+such cases to assume the right of judging in matters of life and
+death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+       Toll, toll the bell!
+       Greatness is o'er,
+       The heart has broke,
+       To ache no more;
+     An unsubstantial pageant all--
+     Drop o'er the scene the funeral pall.
+                               _Old Poem._
+
+
+The commotion and shrieks of fear and amazement which were excited
+among the ladies of the court by an event so singular and shocking,
+had begun to abate, and the sighs, more serious though less intrusive,
+of the few English attendants of the deceased Queen began to be heard,
+together with the groans of old King René, whose emotions were as
+acute as they were shortlived. The leeches had held a busy but
+unavailing consultation, and the body that was once a queen's was
+delivered to the Priest of St. Sauveur, that beautiful church in which
+the spoils of Pagan temples have contributed to fill up the
+magnificence of the Christian edifice. The stately pile was duly
+lighted up, and the funeral provided with such splendour as Aix could
+supply. The Queen's papers being examined, it was found that Margaret,
+by disposing of jewels and living at small expense, had realised the
+means of making a decent provision for life for her very few English
+attendants. Her diamond necklace, described in her last will as in
+the hands of an English merchant named John Philipson, or his son, or
+the price thereof, if by them sold or pledged, she left to the said
+John Philipson and his son Arthur Philipson, with a view to the
+prosecution of the design which they had been destined to advance, or,
+if that should prove impossible, to their own use and profit. The
+charge of her funeral rites was wholly intrusted to Arthur, called
+Philipson, with a request that they should be conducted entirely after
+the forms observed in England. This trust was expressed in an addition
+to her will, signed the very day on which she died.
+
+Arthur lost no time in despatching Thiebault express to his father,
+with a letter explaining, in such terms as he knew would be
+understood, the tenor of all that had happened since he came to Aix,
+and, above all, the death of Queen Margaret.
+
+Finally, he requested directions for his motions, since the necessary
+delay occupied by the obsequies of a person of such eminent rank must
+detain him at Aix till he should receive them.
+
+The old King sustained the shock of his daughter's death so easily,
+that on the second day after the event he was engaged in arranging a
+pompous procession for the funeral, and composing an elegy, to be sung
+to a tune also of his own composing, in honour of the deceased Queen,
+who was likened to the goddesses of heathen mythology, and to Judith,
+Deborah, and all the other holy women, not to mention the saints of
+the Christian dispensation. It cannot be concealed that, when the
+first burst of grief was over, King René could not help feeling that
+Margaret's death cut a political knot which he might have otherwise
+found it difficult to untie, and permitted him to take open part with
+his grandson, so far indeed as to afford him a considerable share of
+the contents of the Provençal treasury, which amounted to no larger
+sum than ten thousand crowns. Ferrand having received the blessing of
+his grandfather, in a form which his affairs rendered most important
+to him, returned to the resolutes whom he commanded; and with him,
+after a most loving farewell to Arthur, went the stout but
+simple-minded young Swiss, Sigismund Biederman.
+
+The little court of Aix were left to their mourning. King René, for
+whom ceremonial and show, whether of a joyful or melancholy character,
+was always matter of importance, would willingly have bestowed on
+solemnising the obsequies of his daughter Margaret what remained of
+his revenue, but was prevented from doing so, partly by remonstrances
+from his ministers, partly by the obstacles opposed by the young
+Englishman, who, acting upon the presumed will of the dead, interfered
+to prevent any such fantastic exhibitions being produced at the
+obsequies of the Queen as had disgusted her during her life.
+
+The funeral, therefore, after many days had been spent in public
+prayers and acts of devotion, was solemnised with the mournful
+magnificence due to the birth of the deceased, and with which the
+Church of Rome so well knows how to affect at once the eye, ear, and
+feelings.
+
+Amid the various nobles who assisted on the solemn occasion, there was
+one who arrived just as the tolling of the great bells of St. Sauveur
+had announced that the procession was already on its way to the
+cathedral. The stranger hastily exchanged his travelling-dress for a
+suit of deep mourning, which was made after the fashion proper to
+England. So attired, he repaired to the cathedral, where the noble
+mien of the cavalier imposed such respect on the attendants that he
+was permitted to approach close to the side of the bier; and it was
+across the coffin of the Queen for whom he had acted and suffered so
+much that the gallant Earl of Oxford exchanged a melancholy glance
+with his son. The assistants, especially the English servants of
+Margaret, gazed on them both with respect and wonder, and the elder
+cavalier, in particular, seemed to them no unapt representative of the
+faithful subjects of England, paying their last duty at the tomb of
+her who had so long swayed the sceptre, if not faultlessly, yet always
+with a bold and resolved hand.
+
+The last sound of the solemn dirge had died away, and almost all the
+funeral attendants had retired, when the father and son still lingered
+in mournful silence beside the remains of their sovereign. The clergy
+at length approached, and intimated they were about to conclude the
+last duties, by removing the body, which had been lately occupied and
+animated by so haughty and restless a spirit, to the dust, darkness,
+and silence of the vault where the long-descended Counts of Provence
+awaited dissolution. Six priests raised the bier on their shoulders,
+others bore huge waxen torches before and behind the body, as they
+carried it down a private staircase which yawned in the floor to admit
+their descent. The last notes of the requiem, in which the churchmen
+joined, had died away along the high and fretted arches of the
+cathedral, the last flash of light which arose from the mouth of the
+vault had glimmered and disappeared, when the Earl of Oxford, taking
+his son by the arm, led him in silence forth into a small cloistered
+court behind the building, where they found themselves alone. They
+were silent for a few minutes, for both, and particularly the father,
+were deeply affected. At length the Earl spoke.
+
+"And this, then, is her end," said he. "Here, royal lady, all that we
+have planned and pledged life upon falls to pieces with thy
+dissolution! The heart of resolution, the head of policy is gone; and
+what avails it that the limbs of the enterprise still have motion and
+life? Alas, Margaret of Anjou! may Heaven reward thy virtues, and
+absolve thee from the consequence of thine errors! Both belonged to
+thy station, and, if thou didst hoist too high a sail in prosperity,
+never lived there princess who defied more proudly the storms of
+adversity, or bore up against them with such dauntless nobility of
+determination. With this event the drama has closed, and our parts, my
+son, are ended."
+
+"We bear arms, then, against the infidels, my lord?" said Arthur, with
+a sigh that was, however, hardly audible.
+
+"Not," answered the Earl, "until I learn that Henry of Richmond, the
+undoubted heir of the House of Lancaster, has no occasion for my
+services. In these jewels, of which you wrote me, so strangely lost
+and recovered, I may be able to supply him with resources more needful
+than either your services or mine. But I return no more to the camp of
+the Duke of Burgundy; for in him there is no help."
+
+"Can it be possible that the power of so great a
+sovereign has been overthrown in one fatal battle?" said Arthur.
+
+  [Illustration: THE FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.]
+
+"By no means," replied his father. "The loss at Granson was very
+great; but to the strength of Burgundy it is but a scratch on the
+shoulders of a giant. It is the spirit of Charles himself, his wisdom
+at least, and his foresight, which have given way under the
+mortification of a defeat by such as he accounted inconsiderable
+enemies, and expected to have trampled down with a few squadrons of
+his men-at-arms. Then his temper is become froward, peevish, and
+arbitrary, devoted to those who flatter and, as there is too much
+reason to believe, betray him, and suspicious of those counsellors who
+give him wholesome advice. Even I have had my share of distrust. Thou
+knowest I refused to bear arms against our late hosts the Swiss; and
+he saw in that no reason for rejecting my attendance on his march. But
+since the defeat of Granson, I have observed a strong and sudden
+change, owing, perhaps, in some degree to the insinuations of
+Campo-basso, and not a little to the injured pride of the Duke, who
+was unwilling that an indifferent person in my situation, and thinking
+as I do, should witness the disgrace of his arms. He spoke in my
+hearing of lukewarm friends, cold-blooded neutrals,--of those who, not
+being with him, must be against him. I tell thee, Arthur de Vere, the
+Duke has said that which touched my honour so nearly, that nothing but
+the commands of Queen Margaret, and the interests of the House of
+Lancaster, could have made me remain in his camp. That is over--My
+royal mistress has no more occasion for my poor services--the Duke can
+spare no aid to our cause--and if he could, we can no longer dispose
+of the only bribe which might have induced him to afford us succours.
+The power of seconding his views on Provence is buried with Margaret
+of Anjou."
+
+"What, then, is your purpose?" demanded his son.
+
+"I propose," said Oxford, "to wait at the court of King René until I
+can hear from the Earl of Richmond, as we must still call him. I am
+aware that banished men are rarely welcome at the court of a foreign
+prince; but I have been the faithful follower of his daughter
+Margaret. I only propose to reside in disguise, and desire neither
+notice nor maintenance; so methinks King René will not refuse to
+permit me to breathe the air of his dominions, until I learn in what
+direction fortune or duty shall call me."
+
+"Be assured he will not," answered Arthur. "René is incapable of a
+base or ignoble thought; and if he could despise trifles as he detests
+dishonour, he might be ranked high in the list of monarchs."
+
+This resolution being adopted, the son presented his father at King
+René's court, whom he privately made acquainted that he was a man of
+quality, and a distinguished Lancastrian. The good King would in his
+heart have preferred a guest of lighter accomplishments and gayer
+temper to Oxford, a statesman and a soldier of melancholy and grave
+habits. The Earl was conscious of this, and seldom troubled his
+benevolent and light-hearted host with his presence. He had, however,
+an opportunity of rendering the old King a favour of peculiar value.
+This was in conducting an important treaty betwixt René and Louis XI.
+of France, his nephew. Upon that crafty monarch René finally settled
+his principality; for the necessity of extricating his affairs by such
+a measure was now apparent even to himself, every thought of favouring
+Charles of Burgundy in the arrangement having died with Queen
+Margaret. The policy and wisdom of the English Earl, who was intrusted
+with almost the sole charge of this secret and delicate measure, were
+of the utmost advantage to good King René, who was freed from personal
+and pecuniary vexations, and enabled to go piping and tabouring to his
+grave. Louis did not fail to propitiate the plenipotentiary, by
+throwing out distant hopes of aid to the efforts of the Lancastrian
+party in England. A faint and insecure negotiation was entered into
+upon the subject; and these affairs, which rendered two journeys to
+Paris necessary on the part of Oxford and his son, in the spring and
+summer of the year 1476, occupied them until that year was half spent.
+
+In the meanwhile, the wars of the Duke of Burgundy with the Swiss
+Cantons and Count Ferrand of Lorraine continued to rage. Before
+midsummer 1476, Charles had assembled a new army of at least sixty
+thousand men, supported by one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, for
+the purpose of invading Switzerland, where the warlike mountaineers
+easily levied a host of thirty thousand Switzers, now accounted almost
+invincible, and called upon their confederates, the Free Cities on the
+Rhine, to support them with a powerful body of cavalry. The first
+efforts of Charles were successful. He overran the Pays de Vaud, and
+recovered most of the places which he had lost after the defeat at
+Granson. But instead of attempting to secure a well-defended frontier,
+or, what would have been still more politic, to achieve a peace upon
+equitable terms with his redoubtable neighbours, this most obstinate
+of princes resumed the purpose of penetrating into the recesses of the
+Alpine mountains, and chastising the mountaineers even within their
+own strongholds, though experience might have taught him the danger,
+nay desperation, of the attempt. Thus the news received by Oxford and
+his son, when they returned to Aix in midsummer, was, that Duke
+Charles had advanced to Morat (or Murten), situated upon a lake of the
+same name, at the very entrance of Switzerland. Here report said that
+Adrian de Bubenburg, a veteran knight of Berne, commanded, and
+maintained the most obstinate defence, in expectation of the relief
+which his countrymen were hastily assembling.
+
+"Alas, my old brother-in-arms!" said the Earl to his son, on hearing
+these tidings, "this town besieged, these assaults repelled, this
+vicinity of an enemy's country, this profound lake, these inaccessible
+cliffs, threaten a second part of the tragedy of Granson, more
+calamitous perhaps than even the former!"
+
+On the last week of June, the capital of Provence was agitated by one
+of those unauthorised yet generally received rumours which transmit
+great events with incredible swiftness, as an apple flung from hand to
+hand by a number of people will pass a given space infinitely faster
+than if borne by the most rapid series of expresses. The report
+announced a second defeat of the Burgundians, in terms so exaggerated
+as induced the Earl of Oxford to consider the greater part, if not the
+whole, as a fabrication.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+     And is the hostile troop arrived,
+       And have they won the day?
+     It must have been a bloody field
+       Ere Darwent fled away!
+              _The Ettrick Shepherd._
+
+
+Sleep did not close the eyes of the Earl of Oxford or his son; for
+although the success or defeat of the Duke of Burgundy could not now
+be of importance to their own private or political affairs, yet the
+father did not cease to interest himself in the fate of his former
+companion-in-arms; and the son, with the fire of youth, always eager
+after novelty,[12] expected to find something to advance or thwart his
+own progress in every remarkable event which agitated the world.
+
+Arthur had risen from his bed, and was in the act of attiring himself,
+when the tread of a horse arrested his attention. He had no sooner
+looked out of the window, than, exclaiming, "News, my father, news
+from the army!" he rushed into the street, where a cavalier, who
+appeared to have ridden very hard, was inquiring for the two
+Philipsons, father and son. He had no difficulty in recognising
+Colvin, the master of the Burgundian ordnance. His ghastly look
+bespoke distress of mind; his disordered array and broken armour,
+which seemed rusted with rain or stained with blood, gave the
+intelligence of some affray in which he had probably been worsted; and
+so exhausted was his gallant steed, that it was with difficulty the
+animal could stand upright. The condition of the rider was not much
+better. When he alighted from his horse to greet Arthur, he reeled so
+much that he would have fallen without instant support. His horny eye
+had lost the power of speculation; his limbs possessed imperfectly
+that of motion, and it was with a half-suffocated voice that he
+muttered, "Only fatigue--want of rest and of food."
+
+Arthur assisted him into the house, and refreshments were procured;
+but he refused all except a bowl of wine, after tasting which he set
+it down, and, looking at the Earl of Oxford with an eye of the deepest
+affliction, he ejaculated, "The Duke of Burgundy!"
+
+"Slain?" replied the Earl. "I trust not!"
+
+"It might have been better if he were," said the Englishman; "but
+dishonour has come before death."
+
+"Defeated, then?" said Oxford.
+
+"So completely and fearfully defeated," answered the soldier, "that
+all that I have seen of loss before was slight in comparison."
+
+"But how, or where?" said the Earl of Oxford. "You were superior in
+numbers, as we were informed."
+
+"Two to one at least," answered Colvin; "and when I speak of our
+encounter at this moment, I could rend my flesh with my teeth for
+being here to tell such a tale of shame. We had sat down for about a
+week before that paltry town of Murten, or Morat, or whatever it is
+called. The governor, one of those stubborn mountain bears of Berne,
+bade us defiance. He would not even condescend to shut his gates, but,
+when we summoned the town, returned for answer, we might enter if we
+pleased,--we should be suitably received. I would have tried to bring
+him to reason by a salvo or two of artillery, but the Duke was too
+much irritated to listen to good counsel. Stimulated by that black
+traitor, Campo-basso, he deemed it better to run forward with his
+whole force upon a place which, though I could soon have battered it
+about their German ears, was yet too strong to be carried by swords,
+lances, and hagbuts. We were beaten off with great loss, and much
+discouragement to the soldiers. We then commenced more regularly, and
+my batteries would have brought these mad Switzers to their senses.
+Walls and ramparts went down before the lusty cannoneers of Burgundy;
+we were well secured also by intrenchments against those whom we heard
+of as approaching to raise the siege. But, on the evening of the
+twentieth of this month, we learned that they were close at hand, and
+Charles, consulting only his own bold spirit, advanced to meet them,
+relinquishing the advantage of our batteries and strong position. By
+his orders, though against my own judgment, I accompanied him with
+twenty good pieces, and the flower of my people. We broke up on the
+next morning, and had not advanced far before we saw the lances and
+thick array of halberds and two-handed swords which crested the
+mountain. Heaven, too, added its terrors--a thunderstorm, with all the
+fury of those tempestuous climates, descended on both armies, but did
+most annoyance to ours, as our troops, especially the Italians, were
+more sensible to the torrents of rain which poured down, and the
+rivulets which, swelled into torrents, inundated and disordered our
+position. The Duke for once saw it necessary to alter his purpose of
+instant battle. He rode up to me, and directed me to defend with the
+cannon the retreat which he was about to commence, adding that he
+himself would in person sustain me with the men-at-arms. The order was
+given to retreat. But the movement gave new spirit to an enemy already
+sufficiently audacious. The ranks of the Swiss instantly prostrated
+themselves in prayer--a practice on the field of battle which I have
+ridiculed--but I will do so no more. When, after five minutes, they
+sprang again on their feet, and began to advance rapidly, sounding
+their horns and crying their war-cries with all their usual
+ferocity--behold, my lord, the clouds of heaven opened, shedding on
+the Confederates the blessed light of the returning sun, while our
+ranks were still in the gloom of the tempest. My men were discouraged.
+The host behind them was retreating; the sudden light thrown on the
+advancing Switzers showed along the mountains a profusion of banners,
+a glancing of arms, giving to the enemy the appearance of double the
+numbers that had hitherto been visible to us. I exhorted my followers
+to stand fast, but in doing so I thought a thought, and spoke a word,
+which was a grievous sin. 'Stand fast, my brave cannoneers!' I said.
+'We will presently let them hear louder thunders, and show them more
+fatal lightnings, than their prayers have put down!' My men shouted.
+But it was an impious thought, a blasphemous speech, and evil came
+after it. We levelled our guns on the advancing masses as fairly as
+cannon were ever pointed--I can vouch it, for I laid the Grand Duchess
+of Burgundy myself--Ah, poor Duchess! what rude hands manage thee
+now!--The volley was fired, and, ere the smoke spread from the
+muzzles, I could see many a man and many a banner go down. It was
+natural to think such a discharge should have checked the attack, and
+whilst the smoke hid the enemy from us I made every effort again to
+load our cannon, and anxiously endeavoured to look through the mist to
+discover the state of our opponents. But ere our smoke was cleared
+away, or the cannon again loaded, they came headlong down on us, horse
+and foot, old men and boys, men-at-arms and varlets, charging up to
+the muzzle of the guns, and over them, with total disregard to their
+lives. My brave fellows were cut down, pierced through, and overrun,
+while they were again loading their pieces, nor do I believe that a
+single cannon was fired a second time."
+
+"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford. "Did he not support you?"
+
+"Most loyally and bravely," answered Colvin, "with his own bodyguard
+of Walloons and Burgundians. But a thousand Italian mercenaries went
+off, and never showed face again. The pass, too, was cumbered with the
+artillery, and in itself narrow, bordering on mountains and cliffs, a
+deep lake close beside. In short, it was a place totally unfit for
+horsemen to act in. In spite of the Duke's utmost exertions, and those
+of the gallant Flemings who fought around him, all were borne back in
+complete disorder. I was on foot, fighting as I could, without hopes
+of my life, or indeed thoughts of saving it, when I saw the guns taken
+and my faithful cannoneers slain. But I saw Duke Charles hard pressed,
+and took my horse from my page that held him--Thou, too, art lost, my
+poor orphan boy!--I could only aid Monseigneur de la Croye and others
+to extricate the Duke. Our retreat became a total rout, and when we
+reached our rearguard, which we had left strongly encamped, the
+banners of the Switzers were waving on our batteries, for a large
+division had made a circuit through mountain passes known only to
+themselves, and attacked our camp, vigorously seconded by that
+accursed Adrian de Bubenburg, who sallied from the beleaguered town,
+so that our intrenchments were stormed on both sides at once.--I have
+more to say, but having ridden day and night to bring you these evil
+tidings, my tongue clings to the roof of my mouth, and I feel that I
+can speak no more. The rest is all flight and massacre, disgraceful to
+every soldier that shared in it. For my part, I confess my
+contumelious self-confidence and insolence to man, as well as
+blasphemy to Heaven. If I live, it is but to hide my disgraced head in
+a cowl, and expiate the numerous sins of a licentious life."
+
+With difficulty the broken-minded soldier was prevailed upon to take
+some nourishment and repose, together with an opiate, which was
+prescribed by the physician of King René, who recommended it as
+necessary to preserve even the reason of his patient, exhausted by the
+events of the battle, and subsequent fatigue.
+
+The Earl of Oxford, dismissing other assistance, watched alternately
+with his son at Colvin's bedside. Notwithstanding the draught that
+had been administered, his repose was far from sound. Sudden starts,
+the perspiration which started from his brow, the distortions of his
+countenance, and the manner in which he clenched his fists and flung
+about his limbs, showed that in his dreams he was again encountering
+the terrors of a desperate and forlorn combat. This lasted for several
+hours; but about noon fatigue and medicine prevailed over nervous
+excitation, and the defeated commander fell into a deep and untroubled
+repose till evening. About sunset he awakened, and, after learning
+with whom and where he was, he partook of refreshments, and, without
+any apparent consciousness of having told them before, detailed once
+more all the particulars of the battle of Murten.
+
+"It were little wide of truth," he said, "to calculate that one half
+of the Duke's army fell by the sword, or were driven into the lake.
+Those who escaped are great part of them scattered, never again to
+unite. Such a desperate and irretrievable rout was never witnessed. We
+fled like deer, sheep, or any other timid animals, which only remain
+in company because they are afraid to separate, but never think of
+order or of defence."
+
+"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford.
+
+"We hurried him with us," said the soldier, "rather from instinct than
+loyalty, as men flying from a conflagration snatch up what they have
+of value, without knowing what they are doing. Knight and knave,
+officer and soldier, fled in the same panic, and each blast of the
+horn of Uri in our rear added new wings to our flight."
+
+"And the Duke?" repeated Oxford.
+
+"At first he resisted our efforts, and strove to turn back on the foe;
+but when the flight became general he galloped along with us, without
+a word spoken or a command issued. At first we thought his silence and
+passiveness, so unusual in a temper so fiery, were fortunate for
+securing his personal safety. But when we rode the whole day, without
+being able to obtain a word of reply to all our questions,--when he
+sternly refused refreshments of every kind, though he had tasted no
+food all that disastrous day,--when every variation of his moody and
+uncertain temper was sunk into silent and sullen despair, we took
+counsel what was to be done, and it was by the general voice that I
+was despatched to entreat that you, for whose counsels alone Charles
+has been known to have had some occasional deference, would come
+instantly to his place of retreat, and exert all your influence to
+awaken him from this lethargy, which may otherwise terminate his
+existence."
+
+"And what remedy can I interpose?" said Oxford. "You know how he
+neglected my advice, when following it might have served my interest
+as well as his own. You are aware that my life was not safe among the
+miscreants that surrounded the Duke, and exercised influence over
+him."
+
+"Most true," answered Colvin; "but I also know he is your ancient
+companion-in-arms, and it would ill become me to teach the noble Earl
+of Oxford what the laws of chivalry require. For your lordship's
+safety, every honest man in the army will give willing security."
+
+"It is for that I care least," said Oxford, indifferently; "and if
+indeed my presence can be of service to the Duke,--if I could believe
+that he desired it"----
+
+"He does--he does, my lord!" said the faithful soldier, with tears in
+his eyes. "We heard him name your name, as if the words escaped him in
+a painful dream."
+
+"I will go to him, such being the case," said Oxford.--"I will go
+instantly. Where did he purpose to establish his headquarters?"
+
+"He had fixed nothing for himself on that or other matters; but
+Monsieur de Contay named La Rivière, near Salins, in Upper Burgundy,
+as the place of his retreat."
+
+"Thither, then, will we, my son, with all haste of preparation. Thou,
+Colvin, hadst better remain here, and see some holy man, to be
+assoilzied for thy hasty speech on the battle-field of Morat. There
+was offence in it without doubt, but it will be ill atoned for by
+quitting a generous master when he hath most need of your good
+service; and it is but an act of cowardice to retreat into the
+cloister, till we have no longer active duties to perform in this
+world."
+
+"It is true," said Colvin, "that should I leave the Duke now, perhaps
+not a man would stay behind that could stell a cannon properly. The
+sight of your lordship cannot but operate favourably on my noble
+master, since it has waked the old soldier in myself. If your lordship
+can delay your journey till to-morrow, I will have my spiritual
+affairs settled, and my bodily health sufficiently restored, to be
+your guide to La Rivière; and, for the cloister, I will think of it
+when I have regained the good name which I have lost at Murten. But I
+will have masses said, and these right powerful, for the souls of my
+poor cannoneers."
+
+The proposal of Colvin was adopted, and Oxford, with his son, attended
+by Thiebault, spent the day in preparation, excepting the time
+necessary to take formal leave of King René, who seemed to part with
+them with regret. In company with the ordnance officer of the
+discomfited Duke, they traversed those parts of Provence, Dauphiné,
+and Franche Compté which lie between Aix and the place to which the
+Duke of Burgundy had retreated; but the distance and inconvenience of
+so long a route consumed more than a fortnight on the road, and the
+month of July 1476 was commenced when the travellers arrived in Upper
+Burgundy, and at the Castle of La Rivière, about twenty miles to the
+south of the town of Salins. The castle, which was but of small size,
+was surrounded by very many tents, which were pitched in a crowded,
+disordered, and unsoldierlike manner, very unlike the discipline
+usually observed in the camp of Charles the Bold. That the Duke was
+present there, however, was attested by his broad banner, which, rich
+with all its quarterings, streamed from the battlements of the castle.
+The guard turned out to receive the strangers, but in a manner so
+disorderly that the Earl looked to Colvin for explanation. The master
+of the ordnance shrugged up his shoulders, and was silent.
+
+Colvin having sent in notice of his arrival, and that of the English
+Earl, Monsieur de Contay caused them presently to be admitted, and
+expressed much joy at their arrival.
+
+"A few of us," he said, "true servants of the Duke, are holding
+council here, at which your assistance, my noble Lord of Oxford, will
+be of the utmost importance. Messieurs De la Croye, De Craon,
+Rubempré, and others, nobles of Burgundy, are now assembled to
+superintend the defence of the country at this exigence."
+
+They all expressed delight to see the Earl of Oxford, and had only
+abstained from thrusting their attentions on him the last time he was
+in the Duke's camp, as they understood it was his wish to observe
+incognito.
+
+"His Grace," said De Craon, "has asked after you twice, and on both
+times by your assumed name of Philipson."
+
+"I wonder not at that, my Lord of Craon," replied the English
+nobleman. "The origin of the name took its rise in former days, when I
+was here during my first exile. It was then said that we poor
+Lancastrian nobles must assume other names than our own, and the good
+Duke Philip said, as I was brother-in-arms to his son Charles, I must
+be called after himself, by the name of Philipson. In memory of the
+good sovereign, I took that name when the day of need actually
+arrived, and I see that the Duke thinks of our early intimacy by his
+distinguishing me so.--How fares his Grace?"
+
+The Burgundians looked at each other, and there was a pause.
+
+"Even like a man stunned, brave Oxford," at length De Contay replied.
+"Sieur d'Argentin, you can best inform the noble Earl of the condition
+of our sovereign."
+
+"He is like a man distracted," said the future historian of that busy
+period. "After the battle of Granson, he was never, to my thinking, of
+the same sound judgment as before. But then, he was capricious,
+unreasonable, peremptory, and inconsistent, and resented every counsel
+that was offered, as if it had been meant in insult; was jealous of
+the least trespass in point of ceremonial, as if his subjects were
+holding him in contempt. Now there is a total change, as if this
+second blow had stunned him, and suppressed the violent passions which
+the first called into action. He is silent as a Carthusian, solitary
+as a hermit, expresses interest in nothing, least of all in the
+guidance of his army. He was, you know, anxious about his dress, so
+much so that there was some affectation even in the rudenesses which
+he practised in that matter. But, woe's me, you will see a change now;
+he will not suffer his hair or nails to be trimmed or arranged. He is
+totally heedless of respect or disrespect towards him, takes little or
+no nourishment, uses strong wines, which, however, do not seem to
+affect his understanding; he will hear nothing of war or state
+affairs, as little of hunting or of sport. Suppose an anchorite
+brought from a cell to govern a kingdom, you see in him, except in
+point of devotion, a picture of the fiery, active Charles of
+Burgundy."
+
+"You speak of a mind deeply wounded, Sieur d'Argentin," replied the
+Englishman. "Think you it fit I should present myself before the
+Duke?"
+
+"I will inquire," said Contay; and, leaving the apartment, returned
+presently, and made a sign to the Earl to follow him.
+
+In a cabinet, or closet, the unfortunate Charles reclined in a large
+arm-chair, his legs carelessly stretched on a footstool, but so
+changed that the Earl of Oxford could have believed what he saw to be
+the ghost of the once fiery Duke. Indeed, the shaggy length of hair
+which, streaming from his head, mingled with his beard; the hollowness
+of the caverns, at the bottom of which rolled his wild eyes; the
+falling in of the breast, and the advance of the shoulders, gave the
+ghastly appearance of one who has suffered the final agony which takes
+from mortality the signs of life and energy. His very costume (a cloak
+flung loosely over him) increased his resemblance to a shrouded
+phantom. De Contay named the Earl of Oxford; but the Duke gazed on him
+with a lustreless eye, and gave him no answer.
+
+"Speak to him, brave Oxford," said the Burgundian in a whisper; "he is
+even worse than usual, but perhaps he may know your voice."
+
+Never, when the Duke of Burgundy was in the most palmy state of his
+fortunes, did the noble Englishman kneel to kiss his hand with such
+sincere reverence. He respected in him, not only the afflicted friend,
+but the humbled sovereign, upon whose tower of trust the lightning had
+so recently broken. It was probably the falling of a tear upon his
+hand which seemed to awake the Duke's attention, for he looked towards
+the Earl, and said, "Oxford--Philipson--my old--my only friend, hast
+thou found me out in this retreat of shame and misery?"
+
+"I am not your only friend, my lord," said Oxford. "Heaven has given
+you many affectionate friends among your natural and loyal subjects.
+But though a stranger, and saving the allegiance I owe to my lawful
+sovereign, I will yield to none of them in the respect and deference
+which I have paid to your Grace in prosperity, and now come to render
+to you in adversity."
+
+"Adversity indeed!" said the Duke; "irremediable, intolerable
+adversity! I was lately Charles of Burgundy, called the Bold--now am I
+twice beaten by a scum of German peasants; my standard taken, my
+men-at-arms put to flight, my camp twice plundered, and each time of
+value more than equal to the price of all Switzerland fairly lost;
+myself hunted like a caitiff goat or chamois--The utmost spite of hell
+could never accumulate more shame on the head of a sovereign!"
+
+"On the contrary, my lord," said Oxford, "it is a trial of Heaven,
+which calls for patience and strength of mind. The bravest and best
+knight may lose the saddle; he is but a laggard who lies rolling on
+the sand of the lists after the accident has chanced."
+
+"Ha, laggard, say'st thou?" said the Duke, some part of his ancient
+spirit awakened by the broad taunt. "Leave my presence, sir, and
+return to it no more, till you are summoned thither"----
+
+"Which I trust will be no later than your Grace quits your dishabille,
+and disposes yourself to see your vassals and friends with such
+ceremony as befits you and them," said the Earl composedly.
+
+"How mean you by that, Sir Earl? You are unmannerly."
+
+"If I be, my lord, I am taught my ill-breeding by circumstances. I can
+mourn over fallen dignity; but I cannot honour him who dishonours
+himself, by bending, like a regardless boy, beneath the scourge of
+evil fortune."
+
+"And who am I that you should term me such?" said Charles, starting up
+in all his natural pride and ferocity; "or who are you but a
+miserable exile, that you should break in upon my privacy with such
+disrespectful upbraiding?"
+
+"For me," replied Oxford, "I am, as you say, an unrespected exile; nor
+am I ashamed of my condition, since unshaken loyalty to my King and
+his successors has brought me to it. But in you, can I recognise the
+Duke of Burgundy in a sullen hermit, whose guards are a disorderly
+soldiery, dreadful only to their friends; whose councils are in
+confusion for want of their sovereign, and who himself lurks like a
+lamed wolf in its den, in an obscure castle, waiting but a blast of
+the Switzer's horn to fling open its gates, which there are none to
+defend; who wears not a knightly sword to protect his person, and
+cannot even die like a stag at bay, but must be worried like a hunted
+fox?"
+
+"Death and hell, slanderous traitor!" thundered the Duke, glancing a
+look at his side, and perceiving himself without a weapon.--"It is
+well for thee I have no sword, or thou shouldst never boast of thine
+insolence going unpunished.--Contay, step forth like a good knight,
+and confute the calumniator. Say, are not my soldiers arrayed,
+disciplined, and in order?"
+
+"My lord," said Contay, trembling (brave as he was in battle) at the
+frantic rage which Charles exhibited, "there are a numerous soldiery
+yet under your command, but they are in evil order, and in worse
+discipline, I think, than they were wont."
+
+"I see it--I see it," said the Duke; "idle and evil counsellors are ye
+all.--Hearken, Sir of Contay, what have you and the rest of you been
+doing, holding as you do large lands and high fiefs of us, that I
+cannot stretch my limbs on a sick-bed, when my heart is half broken,
+but my troops must fall into such scandalous disorder as exposes me to
+the scorn and reproach of each beggarly foreigner?"
+
+"My lord," replied Contay, more firmly, "we have done what we could.
+But your Grace has accustomed your mercenary generals, and leaders of
+Free Companies, to take their orders only from your own mouth, or
+hand. They clamour also for pay, and the treasurer refuses to issue it
+without your Grace's order, as he alleges it might cost him his head;
+and they will not be guided and restrained, either by us or those who
+compose your council."
+
+The Duke laughed sternly, but was evidently somewhat pleased with the
+reply.
+
+"Ha, ha!" he said, "it is only Burgundy who can ride his own wild
+horses, and rule his own wild soldiery. Hark thee, Contay--To-morrow I
+ride forth to review the troops--for what disorder has passed,
+allowance shall be made. Pay also shall be issued--but woe to those
+who shall have offended too deeply! Let my grooms of the chamber know
+to provide me fitting dress and arms. I have got a lesson" (glancing a
+dark look at Oxford), "and I will not again be insulted without the
+means of wreaking my vengeance. Begone, both of you! And, Contay, send
+the treasurer hither with his accounts, and woe to his soul if I find
+aught to complain of! Begone, I say, and send him hither."
+
+They left the apartment with suitable obeisance. As they retired, the
+Duke said abruptly, "Lord of Oxford, a word with you. Where did you
+study medicine? In your own famed university, I suppose. Thy physic
+hath wrought a wonder. Yet, Doctor Philipson, it might have cost thee
+thy life."
+
+"I have ever thought my life cheap," said Oxford, "when the object was
+to help my friend."
+
+"Thou art indeed a friend," said Charles, "and a fearless one. But
+go--I have been sore troubled, and thou hast tasked my temper closely.
+To-morrow we will speak further; meantime, I forgive thee, and I
+honour thee."
+
+The Earl of Oxford retired to the council-hall, where the Burgundian
+nobility, aware of what had passed, crowded around him with thanks,
+compliments, and congratulations. A general bustle now ensued; orders
+were hurried off in every direction. Those officers who had duties to
+perform which had been neglected, hastened to conceal or to atone for
+their negligence. There was a general tumult in the camp, but it was a
+tumult of joy; for soldiers are always most pleased when they are best
+in order for performing their military service; and licence or
+inactivity, however acceptable at times, are not, when continued, so
+agreeable to their nature, as strict discipline and a prospect of
+employment.
+
+The treasurer, who was, luckily for him, a man of sense and method,
+having been two hours in private with the Duke, returned with looks of
+wonder, and professed that never, in Charles's most prosperous days,
+had he showed himself more acute in the department of finance, of
+which he had but that morning seemed totally incapable; and the merit
+was universally attributed to the visit of Lord Oxford, whose timely
+reprimand had, like the shot of a cannon dispersing foul mists,
+awakened the Duke from his black and bilious melancholy.
+
+On the following day Charles reviewed his troops with his usual
+attention, directed new levies, made various dispositions of his
+forces, and corrected the faults of their discipline by severe orders,
+which were enforced by some deserved punishments (of which the Italian
+mercenaries of Campo-basso had a large share), and rendered palatable
+by the payment of arrears, which was calculated to attach them to the
+standard under which they served.
+
+The Duke also, after consulting with his council, agreed to convoke
+meetings of the States in his different territories, redress certain
+popular grievances, and grant some boons which he had hitherto denied;
+and thus began to open a new account of popularity with his subjects,
+in place of that which his rashness had exhausted.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[12] Cupidus novarum rerum.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+                       Here's a weapon now,
+     Shall shake a conquering general in his tent,
+     A monarch on his throne, or reach a prelate,
+           However holy be his offices,
+           E'en while he serves the altar.
+                                       _Old Play._
+
+
+From this time all was activity in the Duke of Burgundy's court and
+army. Money was collected, soldiers were levied, and certain news of
+the Confederates' motions only were wanting to bring on the campaign.
+But although Charles was, to all outward appearance, as active as
+ever, yet those who were more immediately about his person were of
+opinion that he did not display the soundness of mind or the energy of
+judgment which had been admired in him before these calamities. He was
+still liable to fits of moody melancholy, similar to those which
+descended upon Saul, and was vehemently furious when aroused out of
+them. Indeed, the Earl of Oxford himself seemed to have lost the power
+which he had exercised over him at first. Nay, though in general
+Charles was both grateful and affectionate towards him, he evidently
+felt humbled by the recollection of his having witnessed his impotent
+and disastrous condition, and was so much afraid of Lord Oxford being
+supposed to lead his counsels, that he often repelled his advice,
+merely, as it seemed, to show his own independence of mind.
+
+In these froward humours the Duke was much encouraged by Campo-basso.
+That wily traitor now saw his master's affairs tottering to their
+fall, and he resolved to lend his lever to the work, so as to entitle
+him to a share of the spoil. He regarded Oxford as one of the most
+able friends and counsellors who adhered to the Duke; he thought he
+saw in his looks that he fathomed his own treacherous purpose, and
+therefore he hated and feared him. Besides, in order perhaps to colour
+over, even to his own eyes, the abominable perfidy he meditated, he
+affected to be exceedingly enraged against the Duke for the late
+punishment of marauders belonging to his Italian bands. He believed
+that chastisement to have been inflicted by the advice of Oxford; and
+he suspected that the measure was pressed with the hope of discovering
+that the Italians had not pillaged for their own emolument only, but
+for that of their commander. Believing that Oxford was thus hostile to
+him, Campo-basso would have speedily found means to take him out of
+his path, had not the Earl himself found it prudent to observe some
+precautions; and the lords of Flanders and Burgundy, who loved him for
+the very reasons for which the Italian abhorred him, watched over his
+safety with a vigilance of which he himself was ignorant, but which
+certainly was the means of preserving his life.
+
+It was not to be supposed that Ferrand of Lorraine should have left
+his victory so long unimproved; but the Swiss Confederates, who were
+the strength of his forces, insisted that the first operations should
+take place in Savoy and the Pays de Vaud, where the Burgundians had
+many garrisons, which, though they received no relief, yet were not
+easily or speedily reduced. Besides, the Switzers being, like most of
+the national soldiers of the time, a kind of militia, most of them
+returned home, to get in their harvest, and to deposit their spoil in
+safety. Ferrand, therefore, though bent on pursuing his success with
+all the ardour of youthful chivalry, was prevented from making any
+movement in advance until the month of December 1476. In the meantime,
+the Duke of Burgundy's forces, to be least burdensome to the country,
+were cantoned in distant places of his dominions, where every exertion
+was made to perfect the discipline of the new levies. The Duke, if
+left to himself, would have precipitated the struggle by again
+assembling his forces, and pushing forward into the Helvetian
+territories; but, though he inwardly foamed at the recollection of
+Granson and Murten, the memory of these disasters was too recent to
+permit such a plan of the campaign. Meantime, weeks glided past, and
+the month of December was far advanced, when one morning, as the Duke
+was sitting in council, Campo-basso suddenly entered, with a degree of
+extravagant rapture in his countenance, singularly different from the
+cold, regulated, and subtle smile which was usually his utmost advance
+towards laughter. "_Guantes_,"[13] he said, "_Guantes_, for luck's
+sake, if it please your Grace."
+
+"And what of good fortune comes nigh us?" said the Duke. "Methought
+she had forgot the way to our gates."
+
+"She has returned to them, please your Highness, with her cornucopia
+full of choicest gifts, ready to pour her fruit, her flowers, her
+treasures, on the head of the sovereign of Europe most worthy to
+receive them."
+
+"The meaning of all this?" said Duke Charles. "Riddles are for
+children."
+
+"The harebrained young madman Ferrand, who calls himself of Lorraine,
+has broken down from the mountains, at the head of a desultory army of
+scapegraces like himself; and what think you--ha! ha! ha!--they are
+overrunning Lorraine, and have taken Nancy--ha! ha! ha!"
+
+"By my good faith, Sir Count," said Contay, astonished at the gay
+humour with which the Italian treated a matter so serious, "I have
+seldom heard a fool laugh more gaily at a more scurvy jest, than you,
+a wise man, laugh at the loss of the principal town of the province we
+are fighting for."
+
+"I laugh," said Campo-basso, "among the spears, as my war-horse
+does--ha! ha!--among the trumpets. I laugh also over the destruction
+of the enemy, and the dividing of the spoil, as eagles scream their
+joy over the division of their prey; I laugh"----
+
+"You laugh," said the Lord of Contay, waxing impatient, "when you have
+all the mirth to yourself, as you laughed after our losses at Granson
+and Murten."
+
+"Peace, sir!" said the Duke. "The Count of Campo-basso has viewed the
+case as I do. This young knight-errant ventures from the protection
+of his mountains; and Heaven deal with me as I keep my oath, when I
+swear that the next fair field on which we meet shall see one of us
+dead! It is now the last week of the old year, and before Twelfth-Day
+we will see whether he or I shall find the bean in the cake.--To arms,
+my lords! Let our camp instantly break up, and our troops move forward
+towards Lorraine. Send off the Italian and Albanian light cavalry and
+the Stradiots to scour the country in the van--Oxford, thou wilt bear
+arms in this journey, wilt thou not?"
+
+"Surely," said the Earl. "I am eating your Highness's bread; and when
+enemies invade, it stands with my honour to fight for your Grace as if
+I was your born subject. With your Grace's permission, I will despatch
+a pursuivant, who shall carry letters to my late kind host, the
+Landamman of Unterwalden, acquainting him with my purpose."
+
+The Duke having given a ready assent, the pursuivant was dismissed
+accordingly, and returned in a few hours, so near had the armies
+approached to each other. He bore a letter from the Landamman, in a
+tone of courtesy and even kindness, regretting that any cause should
+have occurred for bearing arms against his late guest, for whom he
+expressed high personal regard. The same pursuivant also brought
+greetings from the family of the Biedermans to their friend Arthur,
+and a separate letter, addressed to the same person, of which the
+contents ran thus:--
+
+     "Rudolph Donnerhugel is desirous to give the young
+     merchant, Arthur Philipson, the opportunity of finishing
+     the bargain which remained unsettled between them in the
+     castle-court of Geierstein. He is the more desirous of
+     this, as he is aware that the said Arthur has done him
+     wrong, in seducing the affections of a certain maiden of
+     rank, to whom he, Philipson, is not, and cannot be,
+     anything beyond an ordinary acquaintance. Rudolph
+     Donnerhugel will send Arthur Philipson word when a fair
+     and equal meeting can take place on neutral ground. In the
+     meantime, he will be as often as possible in the first
+     rank of the skirmishers."
+
+Young Arthur's heart leapt high as he read the defiance, the piqued
+tone of which showed the state of the writer's feelings, and argued
+sufficiently Rudolph's disappointment on the subject of Anne of
+Geierstein, and his suspicion that she had bestowed her affections on
+the youthful stranger. Arthur found means of despatching a reply to
+the challenge of the Swiss, assuring him of the pleasure with which he
+would attend his commands, either in front of the line or elsewhere,
+as Rudolph might desire.
+
+Meantime the armies were closely approaching to each other, and the
+light troops sometimes met. The Stradiots from the Venetian territory,
+a sort of cavalry resembling that of the Turks, performed much of that
+service on the part of the Burgundian army, for which, indeed, if
+their fidelity could have been relied on, they were admirably well
+qualified. The Earl of Oxford observed that these men, who were under
+the command of Campo-basso, always brought in intelligence that the
+enemy were in indifferent order, and in full retreat. Besides,
+information was communicated through their means that sundry
+individuals, against whom the Duke of Burgundy entertained peculiar
+personal dislike, and whom he specially desired to get into his
+hands, had taken refuge in Nancy. This greatly increased the Duke's
+ardour for retaking that place, which became perfectly ungovernable
+when he learned that Ferrand and his Swiss allies had drawn off to a
+neighbouring position called St. Nicholas, on the news of his arrival.
+The greater part of the Burgundian counsellors, together with the Earl
+of Oxford, protested against his besieging a place of some strength,
+while an active enemy lay in the neighbourhood to relieve it. They
+remonstrated on the smallness of his army, on the severity of the
+weather, on the difficulty of obtaining provisions, and exhorted the
+Duke that, having made such a movement as had forced the enemy to
+retreat, he ought to suspend decisive operations till spring. Charles
+at first tried to dispute and repel these arguments; but when his
+counsellors reminded him that he was placing himself and his army in
+the same situation as at Granson and Murten, he became furious at the
+recollection, foamed at the mouth, and only answered by oaths and
+imprecations, that he would be master of Nancy before Twelfth Day.
+
+Accordingly, the army of Burgundy sat down before Nancy, in a strong
+position, protected by the hollow of a watercourse, and covered with
+thirty pieces of cannon, which Colvin had under his charge.
+
+Having indulged his obstinate temper in thus arranging the campaign,
+the Duke seemed to give a little more heed to the advice of his
+counsellors touching the safety of his person, and permitted the Earl
+of Oxford, with his son, and two or three officers of his household,
+men of approved trust, to sleep within his pavilion, in addition to
+the usual guard.
+
+It wanted three days of Christmas when the Duke sat down before Nancy,
+and on that very evening a tumult happened which seemed to justify the
+alarm for his personal safety. It was midnight, and all in the ducal
+pavilion were at rest, when a cry of treason arose. The Earl of
+Oxford, drawing his sword, and snatching up a light which burned
+beside him, rushed into the Duke's apartment, and found him standing
+on the floor totally undressed, but with his sword in his hand, and
+striking around him so furiously, that the Earl himself had difficulty
+in avoiding his blows. The rest of his officers rushed in, their
+weapons drawn, and their cloaks wrapped around their left arms. When
+the Duke was somewhat composed, and found himself surrounded by his
+friends, he informed them, with rage and agitation, that the officers
+of the Secret Tribunal had, in spite of the vigilant precautions
+taken, found means to gain entrance into his chamber, and charged him,
+under the highest penalty, to appear before the Holy Vehme upon
+Christmas night.
+
+The bystanders heard this story with astonishment, and some of them
+were uncertain whether they ought to consider it as a reality, or a
+dream of the Duke's irritable fancy. But the citation was found on the
+Duke's toilette, written, as was the form, upon parchment, signeted
+with three crosses, and stuck to the table with a knife. A slip of
+wood had been also cut from the table. Oxford read the summons with
+attention. It named, as usual, a place where the Duke was cited to
+come unarmed and unattended, and from which it was said he would be
+guided to the seat of judgment.
+
+Charles, after looking at the scroll for some time, gave vent to his
+thoughts.
+
+"I know from what quiver this arrow comes," he said. "It is shot by
+that degenerate noble, apostate priest, and accomplice of sorcerers,
+Albert of Geierstein. We have heard that he is among the motley group
+of murderers and outlaws whom the old fiddler of Provence's grandson
+has raked together. But, by St. George of Burgundy! neither monk's
+cowl, soldier's casque, nor conjurer's cap shall save him after such
+an insult as this. I will degrade him from knighthood, hang him from
+the highest steeple in Nancy, and his daughter shall choose between
+the meanest herd-boy in my army and the convent of _filles
+repentées_!"
+
+"Whatever are your purposes, my lord," said Contay, "it were surely
+best be silent, when, from this late apparition, we may conjecture
+that more than we wot of may be within hearing."
+
+The Duke seemed struck with this hint, and was silent, or at least
+only muttered oaths and threats betwixt his teeth, while the strictest
+search was made for the intruder on his repose. But it was in vain.
+
+Charles continued his researches, incensed at a flight of audacity
+higher than ever had been ventured upon by these secret societies,
+who, whatever might be the dread inspired by them, had not as yet
+attempted to cope with sovereigns. A trusty party of Burgundians were
+sent on Christmas night to watch the spot (a meeting of four cross
+roads) named in the summons, and make prisoners of any whom they could
+lay hands upon; but no suspicious persons appeared at or near the
+place. The Duke not the less continued to impute the affront he had
+received to Albert of Geierstein. There was a price set upon his head;
+and Campo-basso, always willing to please his master's mood, undertook
+that some of his Italians, sufficiently experienced in such feats,
+should bring the obnoxious baron before him, alive or dead. Colvin,
+Contay, and others laughed in secret at the Italian's promises.
+
+"Subtle as he is," said Colvin, "he will lure the wild vulture from
+the heavens before he gets Albert of Geierstein into his power."
+
+Arthur, to whom the words of the Duke had given subject for no small
+anxiety, on account of Anne of Geierstein, and of her father for her
+sake, breathed more lightly on hearing his menaces held so cheaply.
+
+It was the second day after this alarm that Oxford felt a desire to
+reconnoitre the camp of Ferrand of Lorraine, having some doubts
+whether the strength and position of it were accurately reported. He
+obtained the Duke's consent for this purpose, who at the same time
+made him and his son a present of two noble steeds of great power and
+speed, which he himself highly valued.
+
+So soon as the Duke's pleasure was communicated to the Italian count,
+he expressed the utmost joy that he was to have the assistance of
+Oxford's age and experience upon an exploratory party, and selected a
+chosen band of an hundred Stradiots, whom he said he had sent
+sometimes to skirmish up to the very beards of the Switzers. The Earl
+showed himself much satisfied with the active and intelligent manner
+in which these men performed their duty, and drove before them and
+dispersed some parties of Ferrand's cavalry. At the entrance of a
+little ascending valley, Campo-basso communicated to the English
+noblemen that if they could advance to the farther extremity they
+would have a full view of the enemy's position. Two or three Stradiots
+then spurred on to examine this defile, and, returning back,
+communicated with their leader in their own language, who, pronouncing
+the passage safe, invited the Earl of Oxford to accompany him. They
+proceeded through the valley without seeing an enemy, but on issuing
+upon a plain at the point intimated by Campo-basso, Arthur, who was in
+the van of the Stradiots, and separated from his father, did indeed
+see the camp of Duke Ferrand within half a mile's distance; but a body
+of cavalry had that instant issued from it, and were riding hastily
+towards the gorge of the valley from which he had just emerged. He was
+about to wheel his horse and ride off, but, conscious of the great
+speed of the animal, he thought he might venture to stay for a
+moment's more accurate survey of the camp. The Stradiots who attended
+him did not wait his orders to retire, but went off, as was indeed
+their duty, when attacked by a superior force.
+
+Meantime, Arthur observed that the knight who seemed leader of the
+advancing squadron, mounted on a powerful horse that shook the earth
+beneath him, bore on his shield the Bear of Berne, and had otherwise
+the appearance of the massive frame of Rudolph Donnerhugel. He was
+satisfied of this when he beheld the cavalier halt his party and
+advance towards him alone, putting his lance in rest, and moving
+slowly, as if to give him time for preparation. To accept such a
+challenge, in such a moment, was dangerous, but to refuse it was
+disgraceful; and while Arthur's blood boiled at the idea of chastising
+an insolent rival, he was not a little pleased at heart that their
+meeting on horseback gave him an advantage over the Swiss, through his
+perfect acquaintance with the practice of the tourney, in which
+Rudolph might be supposed more ignorant.
+
+They met, as was the phrase of the time, "manful under shield." The
+lance of the Swiss glanced from the helmet of the Englishman, against
+which it was addressed, while the spear of Arthur, directed right
+against the centre of his adversary's body, was so justly aimed, and
+so truly seconded by the full fury of the career, as to pierce, not
+only the shield which hung round the ill-fated warrior's neck, but a
+breast-plate and a shirt of mail which he wore beneath it. Passing
+clear through the body, the steel point of the weapon was only stopped
+by the back-piece of the unfortunate cavalier, who fell headlong from
+his horse, as if struck by lightning, rolled twice or thrice over on
+the ground, tore the earth with his hands, and then lay prostrate a
+dead corpse.
+
+There was a cry of rage and grief among those men-at-arms whose ranks
+Rudolph had that instant left, and many couched their lances to avenge
+him; but Ferrand of Lorraine, who was present in person, ordered them
+to make prisoner, but not to harm, the successful champion. This was
+accomplished, for Arthur had not time to turn his bridle for flight,
+and resistance would have been madness.
+
+When brought before Ferrand, he raised his visor, and said, "Is it
+well, my lord, to make captive an adventurous knight, for doing his
+devoir against a personal challenger?"
+
+"Do not complain, Sir Arthur of Oxford," said Ferrand, "before you
+experience injury. You are free, Sir Knight. Your father and you were
+faithful to my royal aunt Margaret, and, although she was my enemy, I
+do justice to your fidelity in her behalf; and from respect to her
+memory, disinherited as she was like myself, and to please my
+grandfather, who I think had some regard for you, I give you your
+freedom. But I must also care for your safety during your return to
+the camp of Burgundy. On this side of the hill we are loyal and
+true-hearted men, on the other they are traitors and murderers. You,
+Sir Count, will, I think, gladly see our captive placed in safety."
+
+The knight to whom Ferrand addressed himself, a tall, stately man, put
+himself in motion to attend on Arthur, while the former was expressing
+to the young Duke of Lorraine the sense he entertained of his
+chivalrous conduct. "Farewell, Sir Arthur de Vere," said Ferrand. "You
+have slain a noble champion, and to me a most useful and faithful
+friend. But it was done nobly and openly, with equal arms, and in the
+front of the line; and evil befall him who entertains feud first!"
+Arthur bowed to his saddle-bow. Ferrand returned the salutation, and
+they parted.
+
+Arthur and his new companion had ridden but a little way up the
+ascent, when the stranger spoke thus:--
+
+"We have been fellow-travellers before, young man, yet you remember me
+not."
+
+Arthur turned his eyes on the cavalier, and, observing that the crest
+which adorned his helmet was fashioned like a vulture, strange
+suspicions began to cross his mind, which were confirmed when the
+knight, opening his helmet, showed him the dark and severe features of
+the Priest of St. Paul's.
+
+"Count Albert of Geierstein!" said Arthur.
+
+"The same," replied the count, "though thou hast seen him in other
+garb and headgear. But tyranny drives all men to arms, and I have
+resumed, by the licence and command of my superiors, those which I had
+laid aside. A war against cruelty and oppression is holy as that waged
+in Palestine, in which priests bear armour."
+
+"My Lord Count," said Arthur, eagerly, "I cannot too soon entreat you
+to withdraw to Sir Ferrand of Lorraine's squadron. Here you are in
+peril, where no strength or courage can avail you. The Duke has placed
+a price on your head; and the country betwixt this and Nancy swarms
+with Stradiots and Italian light horsemen."
+
+"I laugh at them," answered the count. "I have not lived so long in a
+stormy world, amid intrigues of war and policy, to fall by the mean
+hand of such as they--besides, thou art with me, and I have seen but
+now that thou canst bear thee nobly."
+
+"In your defence, my lord," said Arthur, who thought of his companion
+as the father of Anne of Geierstein, "I should try to do my best."
+
+"What, youth!" replied Count Albert with a stern sneer, that was
+peculiar to his countenance; "wouldst thou aid the enemy of the lord
+under whose banner thou servest against his waged soldiers?"
+
+Arthur was somewhat abashed at the turn given to his ready offer of
+assistance, for which he had expected at least thanks; but he
+instantly collected himself, and replied, "My Lord Count Albert, you
+have been pleased to put yourself in peril to protect me from
+partisans of your party--I am equally bound to defend you from those
+of our side."
+
+"It is happily answered," said the count; "yet I think there is a
+little blind partisan, of whom troubadours and minstrels talk, to
+whose instigation I might, in case of need, owe the great zeal of my
+protector."
+
+He did not allow Arthur, who was a good deal embarrassed, time to
+reply, but proceeded: "Hear me, young man--Thy lance has this day done
+an evil deed to Switzerland, to Berne, and Duke Ferrand, in slaying
+their bravest champion. But to me the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel is
+a welcome event. Know that he was, as his services grew more
+indispensable, become importunate in requiring Duke Ferrand's interest
+with me for my daughter's hand. And the Duke himself, the son of a
+princess, blushed not to ask me to bestow the last of my house--for my
+brother's family are degenerate mongrels--upon a presumptuous young
+man, whose uncle was a domestic in the house of my wife's father,
+though they boasted some relationship, I believe, through an
+illegitimate channel, which yonder Rudolph was wont to make the most
+of, as it favoured his suit."
+
+"Surely," said Arthur, "a match with one so unequal in birth, and far
+more in every other respect, was too monstrous to be mentioned?"
+
+"While I lived," replied Count Albert, "never should such union have
+been formed, if the death both of bride and bridegroom by my dagger
+could have saved the honour of my house from violation. But when I--I
+whose days, whose very hours are numbered--shall be no more, what
+could prevent an undaunted suitor, fortified by Duke Ferrand's favour,
+by the general applause of his country, and perhaps by the unfortunate
+prepossession of my brother Arnold, from carrying his point against
+the resistance and scruples of a solitary maiden?"
+
+"Rudolph is dead," replied Arthur, "and may Heaven assoilzie him from
+guilt! But were he alive, and urging his suit on Anne of Geierstein,
+he would find there was a combat to be fought"----
+
+"Which has been already decided," answered Count Albert. "Now, mark
+me, Arthur de Vere! My daughter has told me of the passages betwixt
+you and her. Your sentiments and conduct are worthy of the noble house
+you descend from, which I well know ranks with the most illustrious in
+Europe. You are indeed disinherited, but so is Anne of Geierstein,
+save such pittance as her uncle may impart to her of her paternal
+inheritance. If you share it together till better days (always
+supposing your noble father gives his consent, for my child shall
+enter no house against the will of its head), my daughter knows that
+she has my willing consent, and my blessing. My brother shall also
+know my pleasure. He will approve my purpose; for, though dead to
+thoughts of honour and chivalry, he is alive to social feelings, loves
+his niece, and has friendship for thee and for thy father. What say'st
+thou, young man, to taking a beggarly countess to aid thee in the
+journey of life? I believe--nay, I prophesy (for I stand so much on
+the edge of the grave, that methinks I command a view beyond it), that
+a lustre will one day, after I have long ended my doubtful and stormy
+life, beam on the coronets of De Vere and Geierstein."
+
+De Vere threw himself from his horse, clasped the hand of Count
+Albert, and was about to exhaust himself in thanks; but the count
+insisted on his silence.
+
+"We are about to part," he said. "The time is short--the place is
+dangerous. You are to me, personally speaking, less than nothing. Had
+any one of the many schemes of ambition which I have pursued led me to
+success, the son of a banished earl had not been the son-in-law I had
+chosen. Rise and remount your horse--thanks are unpleasing when they
+are not merited."
+
+Arthur arose, and, mounting his horse, threw his raptures into a more
+acceptable form, endeavouring to describe how his love for Anne, and
+efforts for her happiness, should express his gratitude to her father;
+and, observing that the count listened with some pleasure to the
+picture he drew of their future life, he could not help
+exclaiming,--"And you, my lord--you who have been the author of all
+this happiness, will you not be the witness and partaker of it?
+Believe me, we will strive to soften the effect of the hard blows
+which fortune has dealt to you, and, should a ray of better luck shine
+upon us, it will be the more welcome that you can share it."
+
+"Forbear such folly," said the Count Albert of Geierstein. "I know my
+last scene is approaching. Hear and tremble. The Duke of Burgundy is
+sentenced to die, and the Secret and Invisible Judges, who doom in
+secret and avenge in secret, like the Deity, have given the cord and
+the dagger to my hand."
+
+"Oh, cast from you these vile symbols!" exclaimed Arthur, with
+enthusiasm; "let them find butchers and common stabbers to do such an
+office, and not dishonour the noble Lord of Geierstein!"
+
+"Peace, foolish boy!" answered the count. "The oath by which I am
+sworn is higher than that clouded sky, more deeply fixed than those
+distant mountains. Nor think my act is that of an assassin, though for
+such I might plead the Duke's own example. I send not hirelings, like
+these base Stradiots, to hunt his life, without imperilling mine own.
+I give not his daughter--innocent of his offences--the choice betwixt
+a disgraceful marriage and a discreditable retreat from the world. No,
+Arthur de Vere, I seek Charles with the resolved mind of one who, to
+take the life of an adversary, exposes himself to certain death."
+
+"I pray you speak no further of it," said Arthur, very anxiously.
+"Consider I serve for the present the prince whom you threaten"----
+
+"And art bound," interrupted the count, "to unfold to him what I tell
+you. I desire you should do so; and though he hath already neglected a
+summons of the Tribunal, I am glad to have this opportunity of sending
+him personal defiance. Say to Charles of Burgundy that he has wronged
+Albert of Geierstein. He who is injured in his honour loses all value
+for his life, and whoever does so has full command over that of
+another man. Bid him keep himself well from me, since, if he see a
+second sun of the approaching year rise over the distant Alps, Albert
+of Geierstein is forsworn.--And now begone, for I see a party
+approach under a Burgundian banner. They will insure your safety, but,
+should I remain longer, would endanger mine."
+
+So saying, the Count of Geierstein turned his horse and rode off.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[13] _Guantes_, used by the Spanish as the French say étrennes, or the
+English handsell or luckpenny--phrases used by inferiors to their
+patrons as the bringers of good news.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+     Faint the din of battle bray'd
+       Distant down the heavy wind;
+     War and terror fled before,
+       Wounds and death were left behind.
+                                  MICKLE.
+
+
+Arthur, left alone, and desirous perhaps to cover the retreat of Count
+Albert, rode towards the approaching body of Burgundian cavalry, who
+were arrayed under the Lord Contay's banner.
+
+"Welcome, welcome," said that nobleman, advancing hastily to the young
+knight. "The Duke of Burgundy is a mile hence, with a body of horse to
+support the reconnoitring party. It is not half an hour since your
+father galloped up, and stated that you had been led into an ambuscade
+by the treachery of the Stradiots, and made prisoner. He has impeached
+Campo-basso of treason, and challenged him to the combat. They have
+both been sent to the camp, under charge of the Grand Marshal, to
+prevent their fighting on the spot, though I think our Italian showed
+little desire to come to blows. The Duke holds their gages, and they
+are to fight upon Twelfth Day."
+
+"I doubt that day will never dawn for some who look for it," said
+Arthur; "but if it do, I will myself claim the combat, by my father's
+permission."
+
+He then turned with Contay, and met a still larger body of cavalry
+under the Duke's broad banner. He was instantly brought before
+Charles. The Duke heard, with some apparent anxiety, Arthur's support
+of his father's accusations against the Italian, in whose favour he
+was so deeply prejudiced. When assured that the Stradiots had been
+across the hill, and communicated with their leader just before he
+encouraged Arthur to advance, as it proved, into the midst of an
+ambush, the Duke shook his head, lowered his shaggy brows, and
+muttered to himself,--"Ill will to Oxford, perhaps--these Italians are
+vindictive."--Then raising his head, he commanded Arthur to proceed.
+
+He heard with a species of ecstasy the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+and, taking a ponderous gold chain from his own neck, flung it over
+Arthur's.
+
+"Why, thou hast forestalled all our honours, young Arthur--this was
+the biggest bear of them all--the rest are but suckling whelps to him!
+I think I have found a youthful David to match their huge thick-headed
+Goliath. But the idiot, to think his peasant hand could manage a
+lance! Well, my brave boy--what more? How camest thou off? By some
+wily device or agile stratagem, I warrant."
+
+"Pardon me, my lord," answered Arthur. "I was protected by their
+chief, Ferrand, who considered my encounter with Rudolph Donnerhugel
+as a personal duel; and desirous to use fair war, as he said,
+dismissed me honourably, with my horse and arms."
+
+"Umph!" said Charles, his bad humour returning; "your Prince
+Adventurer must play the generous--Umph--well, it belongs to his
+part, but shall not be a line for me to square my conduct by. Proceed
+with your story, Sir Arthur de Vere."
+
+As Arthur proceeded to tell how and under what circumstances Count
+Albert of Geierstein named himself to him, the Duke fixed on him an
+eager look, and trembled with impatience as he fiercely interrupted
+him with the question--"And you--you struck him with your poniard
+under the fifth rib, did you not?"
+
+"I did not, my Lord Duke--we were pledged in mutual assurance to each
+other."
+
+"Yet you knew him to be my mortal enemy?" said the Duke. "Go, young
+man, thy lukewarm indifference has cancelled thy merit. The escape of
+Albert of Geierstein hath counterbalanced the death of Rudolph
+Donnerhugel."
+
+"Be it so, my lord," said Arthur, boldly. "I neither claim your
+praises, nor deprecate your censure. I had to move me in either case
+motives personal to myself--Donnerhugel was my enemy, and to Count
+Albert I owe some kindness."
+
+The Burgundian nobles who stood around were terrified for the effect
+of this bold speech. But it was never possible to guess with accuracy
+how such things would affect Charles. He looked around him with a
+laugh--"Hear you this English cockerel, my lords--what a note will he
+one day sound, that already crows so bravely in a prince's presence?"
+
+A few horsemen now came in from different quarters, recounting that
+the Duke Ferrand and his company had retired into their encampment,
+and the country was clear of the enemy.
+
+"Let us then draw back also," said Charles, "since there is no chance
+of breaking spears to-day. And thou, Arthur de Vere, attend me
+closely."
+
+Arrived in the Duke's pavilion, Arthur underwent an examination, in
+which he said nothing of Anne of Geierstein, or her father's designs
+concerning him, with which he considered Charles as having nothing to
+do; but he frankly conveyed to him the personal threats which the
+count had openly used. The Duke listened with more temper, and when he
+heard the expression, "That a man who is desperate of his own life
+might command that of any other person," he said, "But there is a life
+beyond this, in which he who is treacherously murdered, and his base
+and desperate assassin, shall each meet their deserts." He then took
+from his bosom a gold cross, and kissed it, with much appearance of
+devotion. "In this," said he, "I will place my trust. If I fail in
+this world, may I find grace in the next.--Ho, Sir Marshal!" he
+exclaimed. "Let your prisoners attend us."
+
+The Marshal of Burgundy entered with the Earl of Oxford, and stated
+that his other prisoner, Campo-basso, had desired so earnestly that he
+might be suffered to go and post his sentinels on that part of the
+camp intrusted to the protection of his troops, that he, the Marshal,
+had thought fit to comply with his request.
+
+"It is well," said Burgundy, without further remark. "Then to you, my
+Lord Oxford, I would present your son, had you not already locked him
+in your arms. He has won great los and honour, and done me brave
+service. This is a period of the year when good men forgive their
+enemies;--I know not why,--my mind was little apt to be charged with
+such matters,--but I feel an unconquerable desire to stop the
+approaching combat betwixt you and Campo-basso. For my sake, consent
+to be friends, and to receive back your gage of battle, and let me
+conclude this year--perhaps the last I may see--with a deed of peace."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "it is a small thing you ask of me, since your
+request only enforces a Christian duty. I was enraged at the loss of
+my son. I am grateful to Heaven and your Grace for restoring him. To
+be friends with Campo-basso is to me impossible. Faith and treason,
+truth and falsehood, might as soon shake hands and embrace. But the
+Italian shall be to me no more than he has been before this rupture;
+and that is literally nothing. I put my honour in your Grace's
+hands;--if he receives back his gage, I am willing to receive mine.
+John de Vere needs not be apprehensive that the world will suppose
+that he fears Campo-basso."
+
+The Duke returned sincere thanks, and detained the officers to spend
+the evening in his tent. His manners seemed to Arthur to be more
+placid than he had ever seen them before, while to the Earl of Oxford
+they recalled the earlier days in which their intimacy commenced, ere
+absolute power and unbounded success had spoiled Charles's rough but
+not ungenerous disposition. The Duke ordered a distribution of
+provisions and wine to the soldiers, and expressed an anxiety about
+their lodgings, the cure of the wounded, and the health of the army,
+to which he received only unpleasing answers. To some of his
+counsellors, apart, he said, "Were it not for our vow, we would
+relinquish this purpose till spring, when our poor soldiers might
+take the field with less of suffering."
+
+Nothing else remarkable appeared in the Duke's manner, save that he
+inquired repeatedly after Campo-basso, and at length received accounts
+that he was indisposed, and that his physician had recommended rest;
+he had therefore retired to repose himself, in order that he might be
+stirring on his duty at peep of day, the safety of the camp depending
+much on his vigilance.
+
+The Duke made no observation on the apology, which he considered as
+indicating some lurking disinclination, on the Italian's part, to meet
+Oxford. The guests at the ducal pavilion were dismissed an hour before
+midnight.
+
+When Oxford and his son were in their own tent, the Earl fell into a
+deep reverie, which lasted nearly ten minutes. At length, starting
+suddenly up, he said, "My son, give orders to Thiebault and thy yeomen
+to have our horses before the tent by break of day, or rather before
+it; and it would not be amiss if you ask our neighbour Colvin to ride
+along with us. I will visit the outposts by daybreak."
+
+"It is a sudden resolution, my lord," said Arthur.
+
+"And yet it may be taken too late," said his father. "Had it been
+moonlight, I would have made the rounds to-night."
+
+"It is dark as a wolf's throat," said Arthur. "But wherefore, my lord,
+can this night in particular excite your apprehensions?"
+
+"Son Arthur, perhaps you will hold your father credulous. But my
+nurse, Martha Nixon, was a northern woman, and full of superstitions.
+In particular, she was wont to say, that any sudden and causeless
+change of a man's nature, as from licence to sobriety, from temperance
+to indulgence, from avarice to extravagance, from prodigality to love
+of money, or the like, indicates an immediate change of his
+fortunes--that some great alteration of circumstances, either for good
+or evil (and for evil most likely, since we live in an evil world), is
+impending over him whose disposition is so much altered. This old
+woman's fancy has recurred so strongly to my mind, that I am
+determined to see with mine own eyes, ere to-morrow's dawn, that all
+our guards and patrols around the camp are on the alert."
+
+Arthur made the necessary communications to Colvin and to Thiebault,
+and then retired to rest.
+
+It was ere daybreak of the first of January 1477, a period long
+memorable for the events which marked it, that the Earl of Oxford,
+Colvin, and the young Englishman, followed only by Thiebault and two
+other servants, commenced their rounds of the Duke of Burgundy's
+encampment. For the greater part of their progress they found
+sentinels and guards all on the alert and at their posts. It was a
+bitter morning. The ground was partly covered with snow,--that snow
+had been partly melted by a thaw, which had prevailed for two days,
+and partly congealed into ice by a bitter frost, which had commenced
+the preceding evening, and still continued. A more dreary scene could
+scarcely be witnessed.
+
+But what were the surprise and alarm of the Earl of Oxford and his
+companions, when they came to that part of the camp which had been
+occupied the day before by Campo-basso and his Italians, who,
+reckoning men-at-arms and Stradiots, amounted to nigh two thousand
+men--not a challenge was given--not a horse neighed--no steeds were
+seen at picket--no guard on the camp. They examined several of the
+tents and huts--they were empty.
+
+"Let us back to alarm the camp," said the Earl of Oxford; "here is
+treachery."
+
+"Nay, my lord," said Colvin, "let us not carry back imperfect tidings.
+I have a battery an hundred yards in advance, covering the access to
+this hollow way; let us see if my German cannoneers are at their post,
+and I think I can swear that we shall find them so. The battery
+commands a narrow pass, by which alone the camp can be approached, and
+if my men are at their duty, I will pawn my life that we make the pass
+good till you bring up succours from the main body."
+
+"Forward, then, in God's name!" said the Earl of Oxford.
+
+They galloped, at every risk, over broken ground, slippery with ice in
+some places, incumbered with snow in others. They came to the cannon,
+judiciously placed to sweep the pass, which rose towards the artillery
+on the outward side, and then descended gently from the battery into
+the lower ground. The waning winter moon, mingling with the dawning
+light, showed them that the guns were in their places, but no sentinel
+was visible.
+
+"The villains cannot have deserted!" said the astonished Colvin. "But
+see, there is light in their cantonment. Oh, that unhallowed
+distribution of wine! Their usual sin of drunkenness has beset them. I
+will soon drive them from their revelry."
+
+He sprang from his horse, and rushed into the tent whence the light
+issued. The cannoneers, or most of them, were still there, but
+stretched on the ground, their cups and flagons scattered around them;
+and so drenched were they in wassail, that Colvin could only, by
+commands and threats, awaken two or three, who, staggering, and
+obeying him rather from instinct than sense, reeled forward to man the
+battery. A heavy rushing sound, like that of men marching fast, was
+now heard coming up the pass.
+
+"It is the roar of a distant avalanche," said Arthur.
+
+"It is an avalanche of Switzers, not of snow," said Colvin. "Oh, these
+drunken slaves! The cannon are deeply loaded and well pointed--this
+volley must check them if they were fiends, and the report will alarm
+the camp sooner than we can do. But, oh, these drunken villains!"
+
+"Care not for their aid," said the Earl; "my son and I will each take
+a linstock, and be gunners for once."
+
+They dismounted, and bade Thiebault and the grooms look to the horses,
+while the Earl of Oxford and his son took each a linstock from one of
+the helpless gunners, three of whom were just sober enough to stand by
+their guns.
+
+"Bravo!" cried the bold master of ordnance, "never was a battery so
+noble. Now, my mates--your pardon, my lords, for there is no time for
+ceremony,--and you, ye drunken knaves, take heed not to fire till I
+give the word, and, were the ribs of these tramplers as flinty as
+their Alps, they shall know how old Colvin loads his guns."
+
+They stood breathless, each by his cannon. The dreaded sound
+approached nearer and more near, till the imperfect light showed a
+dark and shadowy but dense column of men, armed with long spears,
+pole-axes, and other weapons, amidst which banners dimly floated.
+Colvin suffered them to approach to the distance of about forty yards,
+and then gave the word, Fire! But his own piece alone exploded; a
+slight flame flashed from the touch-hole of the others, which had been
+spiked by the Italian deserters, and left in reality disabled, though
+apparently fit for service. Had they been all in the same condition
+with that fired by Colvin, they would probably have verified his
+prophecy; for even that single discharge produced an awful effect, and
+made a long lane of dead and wounded through the Swiss column, in
+which the first and leading banner was struck down.
+
+"Stand to it yet," said Colvin, "and aid me if possible to reload the
+piece."
+
+For this, however, no time was allowed. A stately form, conspicuous in
+the front of the staggered column, raised up the fallen banner, and a
+voice as of a giant exclaimed, "What, countrymen! have you seen Murten
+and Granson, and are you daunted by a single gun?--Berne--Uri--Schwitz
+--banners forward! Unterwalden, here is your standard!--Cry your
+war-cries, wind your horns; Unterwalden, follow your Landamman!"
+
+They rushed on like a raging ocean, with a roar as deafening, and a
+course as impetuous. Colvin, still labouring to reload his gun, was
+struck down in the act. Oxford and his son were overthrown by the
+multitude, the closeness of which prevented any blows being aimed at
+them. Arthur partly saved himself by getting under the gun he was
+posted at; his father, less fortunate, was much trampled upon, and
+must have been crushed to death but for his armour of proof. The human
+inundation, consisting of at least four thousand men, rushed down into
+the camp, continuing their dreadful shouts, soon mingled with shrill
+shrieks, groans, and cries of alarm.
+
+A broad red glare rising behind the assailants, and putting to shame
+the pallid lights of the winter morning, first recalled Arthur to a
+sense of his condition. The camp was on fire in his rear, and
+resounded with all the various shouts of conquest and terror that are
+heard in a town which is stormed. Starting to his feet, he looked
+around him for his father. He lay near him senseless, as were the
+gunners, whose condition prevented their attempting an escape. Having
+opened his father's casque, he was rejoiced to see him give symptoms
+of reanimation.
+
+"The horses, the horses!" said Arthur. "Thiebault, where art thou?"
+
+"At hand, my lord," said that trusty attendant, who had saved himself
+and his charge by a prudent retreat into a small thicket, which the
+assailants had avoided that they might not disorder their ranks.
+
+"Where is the gallant Colvin?" said the Earl. "Get him a horse, I will
+not leave him in jeopardy."
+
+"His wars are ended, my lord," said Thiebault; "he will never mount
+steed more."
+
+A look and a sigh as he saw Colvin, with the ramrod in his hand,
+before the muzzle of the piece, his head cleft by a Swiss battle-axe,
+was all the moment permitted.
+
+"Whither must we take our course?" said Arthur to his father.
+
+"To join the Duke," said the Earl of Oxford. "It is not on a day like
+this that I will leave him."
+
+"So please you," said Thiebault, "I saw the Duke, followed by some
+half-score of his guards, riding at full speed across this hollow
+watercourse, and making for the open country to the northward. I think
+I can guide you on the track."
+
+"If that be so," replied Oxford, "we will mount and follow him. The
+camp has been assailed on several places at once, and all must be over
+since he has fled."
+
+With difficulty they assisted the Earl of Oxford to his horse, and
+rode, as fast as his returning strength permitted, in the direction
+which the Provençal pointed out. Their other attendants were dispersed
+or slain.
+
+They looked back more than once on the camp, now one great scene of
+conflagration, by whose red and glaring light they could discover on
+the ground the traces of Charles's retreat. About three miles from the
+scene of their defeat, the sound of which they still heard, mingled
+with the bells of Nancy, which were ringing in triumph, they reached a
+half-frozen swamp, round which lay several dead bodies. The most
+conspicuous was that of Charles of Burgundy, once the possessor of
+such unlimited power--such unbounded wealth. He was partly stripped
+and plundered, as were those who lay round him. His body was pierced
+with several wounds, inflicted by various weapons. His sword was still
+in his hand, and the singular ferocity which was wont to animate his
+features in battle still dwelt on his stiffened countenance. Close
+behind him, as if they had fallen in the act of mutual fight, lay the
+corpse of Count Albert of Geierstein; and that of Ital Schreckenwald,
+the faithful though unscrupulous follower of the latter, lay not far
+distant. Both were in the dress of the men-at-arms composing the
+Duke's guard, a disguise probably assumed to execute the fatal
+commission of the Secret Tribunal. It is supposed that a party of the
+traitor Campo-basso's men had been engaged in the skirmish in which
+the Duke fell, for six or seven of them, and about the same number of
+the Duke's guards, were found near the spot.
+
+The Earl of Oxford threw himself from his horse, and examined the body
+of his deceased brother-in-arms, with all the sorrow inspired by early
+remembrance of his kindness. But as he gave way to the feelings
+inspired by so melancholy an example of the fall of human greatness,
+Thiebault, who was looking out on the path they had just pursued,
+exclaimed, "To horse, my lord! here is no time to mourn the dead, and
+little to save the living--the Swiss are upon us."
+
+"Fly thyself, good fellow," said the Earl; "and do thou, Arthur, fly
+also, and save thy youth for happier days. I cannot and will not fly
+farther. I will render me to the pursuers; if they take me to grace,
+it is well; if not, there is one above that will receive me to His."
+
+"I will not fly," said Arthur, "and leave you defenceless; I will stay
+and share your fate."
+
+"And I will remain also," said Thiebault; "the Switzers make fair war
+when their blood has not been heated by much opposition, and they have
+had little enough to-day."
+
+The party of Swiss which came up proved to be Sigismund, with his
+brother Ernest, and some of the youths of Unterwalden. Sigismund
+kindly and joyfully received them to mercy; and thus, for the third
+time, rendered Arthur an important service, in return for the kindness
+he had expressed towards him.
+
+"I will take you to my father," said Sigismund, "who will be right
+glad to see you; only that he is ill at ease just now for the death of
+brother Rudiger, who fell with the banner in his hand, by the only
+cannon that was fired this morning. The rest could not bark:
+Campo-basso had muzzled Colvin's mastiffs, or we should many more of
+us have been served like poor Rudiger. But Colvin himself is killed."
+
+"Campo-basso, then, was in your correspondence?" said Arthur.
+
+"Not in ours--we scorn such companions--but some dealing there was
+between the Italian and Duke Ferrand; and having disabled the cannon,
+and filled the German gunners soundly drunk, he came off to our camp
+with fifteen hundred horse, and offered to act with us. 'But no, no!'
+said my father,--'traitors come not into our Swiss host;' and so,
+though we walked in at the door which he left open, we would not have
+his company. So he marched with Duke Ferrand to attack the other
+extremity of the camp, where he found them entrance by announcing them
+as the return of a reconnoitring party."
+
+"Nay, then," said Arthur, "a more accomplished traitor never drew
+breath, nor one who drew his net with such success."
+
+"You say well," answered the young Swiss.
+
+"The Duke will never, they say, be able to collect another army?"
+
+"Never, young man," said the Earl of Oxford, "for he lies dead before
+you."[14]
+
+Sigismund started; for he had an inherent respect, and somewhat of
+fear, for the lofty name of Charles the Bold, and could hardly believe
+that the mangled corpse which now lay before him was once the
+personage he had been taught to dread. But his surprise was mingled
+with sorrow when he saw the body of his uncle, Count Albert of
+Geierstein.
+
+"Oh, my uncle!" he said--"my dear uncle Albert! has all your greatness
+and your wisdom brought you to a death, at the side of a ditch, like
+any crazed beggar?--Come, this sad news must be presently told to my
+father, who will be concerned to hear of his brother's death, which
+will add gall to bitterness, coming on the back of poor Rudiger's. It
+is some comfort, however, that father and uncle never could abide each
+other."
+
+With some difficulty they once more assisted the Earl of Oxford to
+horseback, and were proceeding to set forward, when the English lord
+said,--"You will place a guard here, to save these bodies from further
+dishonour, that they may be interred with due solemnity."
+
+"By Our Lady of Einsiedlen! I thank you for the hint," said Sigismund.
+"Yes, we should do all that the Church can for uncle Albert. It is to
+be hoped he has not gambled away his soul beforehand, playing with
+Satan at odds and evens. I would we had a priest to stay by his poor
+body; but it matters not, since no one ever heard of a demon appearing
+just before breakfast."
+
+They proceeded to the Landamman's quarters, through sights and scenes
+which Arthur, and even his father, so well accustomed to war in all
+its shapes, could not look upon without shuddering. But the simple
+Sigismund, as he walked by Arthur's side, contrived to hit upon a
+theme so interesting as to divert his sense of the horrors around
+them.
+
+"Have you further business in Burgundy, now this Duke of yours is at
+an end?"
+
+"My father knows best," said Arthur; "but I apprehend we have none.
+The Duchess of Burgundy, who must now succeed to some sort of
+authority in her late husband's dominion, is sister to this Edward of
+York, and a mortal enemy to the House of Lancaster, and to those who
+have stood by it faithfully. It were neither prudent nor safe to tarry
+where she has influence."
+
+"In that case," said Sigismund, "my plan will fadge bravely. You shall
+go back to Geierstein, and take up your dwelling with us. Your father
+will be a brother to mine, and a better one than uncle Albert, whom he
+seldom saw or spoke with; while with your father he will converse from
+morning till night, and leave us all the work of the farm. And you,
+Arthur, you shall go with us, and be a brother to us all, in place of
+poor Rudiger, who was, to be sure, my real brother, which you cannot
+be: nevertheless, I did not like him so well, in respect he was not so
+good-natured. And then Anne--cousin Anne--is left all to my father's
+charge, and is now at Geierstein--and you know, King Arthur, we used
+to call her Queen Guenover."
+
+"You spoke great folly then," said Arthur.
+
+"But it is great truth--For, look you, I loved to tell Anne tales of
+our hunting, and so forth, but she would not listen a word till I
+threw in something of King Arthur, and then I warrant she would sit
+still as a heath-hen when the hawk is in the heavens. And now
+Donnerhugel is slain, you know you may marry my cousin when you and
+she will, for nobody hath interest to prevent it."
+
+Arthur blushed with pleasure under his helmet, and almost forgave that
+new-year's morning all its complicated distresses.
+
+"You forget," he replied to Sigismund, with as much indifference as he
+could assume, "that I may be viewed in your country with prejudice on
+account of Rudolph's death."
+
+"Not a whit, not a whit; we bear no malice for what is done in fair
+fight under shield. It is no more than if you had beat him in
+wrestling or at quoits--only it is a game cannot be played over
+again."
+
+They now entered the town of Nancy. The windows were hung with
+tapestry, and the streets crowded with tumultuous and rejoicing
+multitudes, whom the success of the battle had relieved from great
+alarm for the formidable vengeance of Charles of Burgundy.
+
+The prisoners were received with the utmost kindness by the Landamman,
+who assured them of his protection and friendship. He appeared to
+support the death of his son Rudiger with stern resignation.
+
+"He had rather," he said, "his son fell in battle, than that he should
+live to despise the old simplicity of his country, and think the
+object of combat was the gaining of spoil. The gold of the dead
+Burgundy," he added, "would injure the morals of Switzerland more
+irretrievably than ever his sword did their bodies."
+
+He heard of his brother's death without surprise, but apparently with
+emotion.
+
+"It was the conclusion," he said, "of a long tissue of ambitious
+enterprises, which often offered fair prospects, but uniformly ended
+in disappointment."
+
+The Landamman further intimated that his brother had apprised him that
+he was engaged in an affair of so much danger that he was almost
+certain to perish in it, and had bequeathed his daughter to her
+uncle's care, with instructions respecting her.
+
+Here they parted for the present, but shortly after, the Landamman
+inquired earnestly of the Earl of Oxford what his motions were like to
+be, and whether he could assist them.
+
+"I think of choosing Bretagne for my place of refuge," answered the
+Earl, "where my wife has dwelt since the battle of Tewkesbury expelled
+us from England."
+
+"Do not so," said the kind Landamman, "but come to Geierstein with the
+countess, where, if she can, like you, endure our mountain manners and
+mountain fare, you are welcome as to the house of a brother, to a soil
+where neither conspiracy nor treason ever flourished. Bethink you, the
+Duke of Bretagne is a weak prince, entirely governed by a wicked
+favourite, Peter Landais. He is as capable--I mean the minister--of
+selling brave men's blood, as a butcher of selling bullock's flesh;
+and you know, there are those, both in France and Burgundy, that
+thirst after yours."
+
+The Earl of Oxford expressed his thanks for the proposal, and his
+determination to profit by it, if approved of by Henry of Lancaster,
+Earl of Richmond, whom he now regarded as his sovereign.
+
+To close the tale, about three months after the battle of Nancy, the
+banished Earl of Oxford resumed his name of Philipson, bringing with
+his lady some remnants of their former wealth, which enabled them to
+procure a commodious residence near to Geierstein; and the Landamman's
+interest in the state procured for them the right of denizenship. The
+high blood and the moderate fortunes of Anne of Geierstein and Arthur
+de Vere, joined to their mutual inclination, made their marriage in
+every respect rational; and Annette with her bachelor took up their
+residence with the young people, not as servants, but mechanical aids
+in the duties of the farm; for Arthur continued to prefer the chase to
+the labours of husbandry, which was of little consequence, as his
+separate income amounted, in that poor country, to opulence. Time
+glided on, till it amounted to five years since the exiled family had
+been inhabitants of Switzerland. In the year 1482, the Landamman
+Biederman died the death of the righteous, lamented universally, as a
+model of the true and valiant, simple-minded and sagacious chiefs who
+ruled the ancient Switzers in peace, and headed them in battle. In the
+same year, the Earl of Oxford lost his noble countess.
+
+But the star of Lancaster, at that period, began again to culminate,
+and called the banished lord and his son from their retirement, to mix
+once more in politics. The treasured necklace of Margaret was then put
+to its destined use, and the produce applied to levy those bands which
+shortly after fought the celebrated battle of Bosworth, in which the
+arms of Oxford and his son contributed so much to the success of Henry
+VII. This changed the destinies of De Vere and his lady. Their Swiss
+farm was conferred on Annette and her husband; and the manners and
+beauty of Anne of Geierstein attracted as much admiration at the
+English court as formerly in the Swiss chalet.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[14] Note III.
+
+
+
+
+AUTHOR'S NOTES.
+
+
+Note I. p. 201.--THE TROUBADOURS.
+
+The smoothness of the Provençal dialect, partaking strongly of the
+Latin, which had been spoken for so many ages in what was called for
+distinction's sake the Roman Province of Gaul, and the richness and
+fertility of a country abounding in all that could delight the senses
+and soothe the imagination, naturally disposed the inhabitants to
+cultivate the art of poetry, and to value and foster the genius of
+those who distinguished themselves by attaining excellence in it.
+Troubadours, that is, _finders_ or _inventors_, equivalent to the
+northern term of _makers_, arose in every class, from the lowest to
+the highest, and success in their art dignified men of the meanest
+rank, and added fresh honours to those who were born in the patrician
+file of society. War and love, more especially the latter, were
+dictated to them by the chivalry of the times as the especial subjects
+of their verse. Such, too, were the themes of our northern minstrels.
+But whilst the latter confined themselves in general to those
+well-known metrical histories in which scenes of strife and combat
+mingled with adventures of enchantment, and fables of giants and
+monsters subdued by valiant champions, such as best attracted the ears
+of the somewhat duller and more barbarous warriors of northern France,
+of Britain, and of Germany--the more lively Troubadours produced poems
+which turned on human passion, and on love, affection, and dutiful
+observance, with which the faithful knight was bound to regard the
+object of his choice, and the honour and respect with which she was
+bound to recompense his faithful services.
+
+Thus far it cannot be disputed that the themes selected by the
+Troubadours were those on which poetry is most naturally exerted, and
+with the best chance of rising to excellence. But it usually happens,
+that when any one of the fine arts is cultivated exclusively, the
+taste of those who practise and admire its productions loses sight of
+nature, simplicity, and true taste, and the artist endeavours to
+discover, while the public learn to admire, some more complicated
+system, in which pedantry supersedes the dictates of natural feeling,
+and metaphysical ingenuity is used instead of the more obvious
+qualifications of simplicity and good sense. Thus, with the unanimous
+approbation of their hearers, the Troubadours framed for themselves a
+species of poetry describing and inculcating a system of metaphysical
+affection as inconsistent with nature as the minstrel's tales of
+magicians and monsters; with this evil to society, that it was
+calculated deeply to injure its manners and its morals. Every
+Troubadour, or good Knight, who took the maxims of their poetical
+school for his rule, was bound to choose a lady love, the fairest and
+noblest to whom he had access, to whom he dedicated at once his lyre
+and his sword, and who, married or single, was to be the object to
+whom his life, words, and actions were to be devoted. On the other
+hand, a lady thus honoured and distinguished was bound, by accepting
+the services of such a gallant, to consider him as her lover, and on
+all due occasions to grace him as such with distinguished marks of
+personal favour. It is true that, according to the best authorities,
+the intercourse betwixt her lover and herself was to be entirely of a
+Platonic character, and the loyal swain was not to require, or the
+chosen lady to grant, anything beyond the favour she might in strict
+modesty bestow. Even under this restriction, the system was like to
+make wild work with the domestic peace of families, since it
+permitted, or rather enjoined, such familiarity betwixt the fair dame
+and her poetical admirer; and very frequently human passions, placed
+in such a dangerous situation, proved too strong to be confined within
+the metaphysical bounds prescribed to them by so fantastic and
+perilous a system. The injured husbands on many occasions avenged
+themselves with severity, and even with dreadful cruelty, on the
+unfaithful ladies, and the musical skill and chivalrous character of
+the lover proved no protection to his person. But the real spirit of
+the system was seen in this, that in the poems of the other
+Troubadours, by whom such events are recorded, their pity is all
+bestowed on the hapless lovers, while, without the least allowance for
+just provocation, the injured husband is held up to execration.
+
+
+Note II. p. 203.--HIGH AND NOBLE PARLIAMENT OF LOVE.
+
+In Provence, during the flourishing time of the Troubadours, Love was
+esteemed so grave and formal a part of the business of life, that a
+Parliament or High Court of Love was appointed for deciding such
+questions. This singular tribunal was, it may be supposed, conversant
+with more of imaginary than of real suits; but it is astonishing with
+what cold and pedantic ingenuity the Troubadours of whom it consisted
+set themselves to plead and to decide, upon reasoning which was not
+less singular and able than out of place, the absurd questions which
+their own fantastic imaginations had previously devised. There, for
+example, is a reported case of much celebrity, where a lady sitting in
+company with three persons, who were her admirers, listened to one
+with the most favourable smiles, while she pressed the hand of the
+second, and touched with her own the foot of the third. It was a case
+much agitated and keenly contested in the Parliament of Love, which of
+these rivals had received the distinguishing mark of the lady's
+favour. Much ingenuity was wasted on this and similar cases, of which
+there is a collection, in all judicial form of legal proceedings,
+under the title of _Arrêts d'Amour_ (Adjudged Cases of the Court of
+Love).
+
+
+Note III. p. 344.
+
+The following very striking passage is that in which Philip de
+Commines sums up the last scene of Charles the Bold, whose various
+fortunes he had long watched with a dark anticipation that a character
+so reckless, and capable of such excess, must sooner or later lead to
+a tragical result:--
+
+     "As soon as the Count de Campo-basso arrived in the Duke
+     of Lorrain's army, word was sent him to leave the camp
+     immediately, for they would not entertain, nor have any
+     communication with, such traytors. Upon which message he
+     retir'd with his party to a Castle and Pass not far off,
+     where he fortified himself with carts and other things as
+     well as he could, in hopes, that if the Duke of Burgundy
+     was routed, he might have an opportunity of coming in for
+     a share of the plunder, as he did afterwards. Nor was this
+     practice with the Duke of Lorrain the most execrable
+     action that Campo-basso was guilty of; but before he left
+     the army he conspir'd with several other officers (finding
+     it was impracticable to attempt anything against the Duke
+     of Burgundy's person) to leave him just as they came to
+     charge, for at that time he suppos'd it would put the Duke
+     into the greatest terror and consternation, and if he
+     fled, he was sure he could not escape alive, for he had
+     order'd thirteen or fourteen sure men, some to run as soon
+     as the Germans came up to charge 'em, and others to watch
+     the Duke of Burgundy, and kill him in the rout, which was
+     well enough contrived; I myself have seen two or three of
+     those who were employed to kill the Duke. Having thus
+     settled his conspiracy at home, he went over to the Duke
+     of Lorrain upon the approach of the German army; but
+     finding they would not entertain him, he retired to Condé.
+
+     "The German army marched forward, and with 'em a
+     considerable body of French horse, whom the King had given
+     leave to be present at that action. Several parties lay in
+     ambush not far off, that if the Duke of Burgundy was
+     routed, they might surprise some person of quality, or
+     take some considerable booty. By this every one may see
+     into what a deplorable condition this poor Duke had
+     brought himself, by his contempt of good counsel. Both
+     armies being joyn'd, the Duke of Burgundy's forces having
+     been twice beaten before, and by consequence weak and
+     dispirited, and ill provided besides, were quickly broken
+     and entirely defeated: Many sav'd themselves and got off;
+     the rest were either taken or kill'd; and among 'em the
+     Duke of Burgundy himself was killed on the spot. One
+     Monsieur Claude of Bausmont, Captain of the Castle of Dier
+     in Lorrain, kill'd the Duke of Burgundy. Finding his army
+     routed, he mounted a swift horse, and endeavouring to swim
+     a little river in order to make his escape, his horse fell
+     with him, and overset him: The Duke cry'd out for quarter
+     to this gentleman, who was pursuing him, but he being
+     deaf, and not hearing him, immediately kill'd and stripp'd
+     him, not knowing who he was, and left him naked in the
+     ditch, where his body was found the next day after the
+     battle; which the Duke of Lorrain (to his eternal honour)
+     buried with great pomp and magnificence in St. George's
+     Church, in the old town of Nancy, himself and all his
+     nobility, in deep mourning, attending the corpse to the
+     grave. The following epitaph was sometime afterwards
+     ingrav'd on his tomb:--
+
+     '_Carolus hoc busto Burgundæ gloria gentis
+     Conditur, Europæ qui fuit ante timor._'
+
+     I saw a seal ring of his, since his death, at Milan, with
+     his arms cut curiously upon a sardonix that I have seen
+     him often wear in a ribbon at his breast, which was sold
+     at Milan for two ducats, and had been stolen from him by a
+     rascal that waited on him in his chamber. I have often
+     seen the Duke dress'd and undress'd in great state and
+     formality, and attended by very great persons; but at his
+     death all this pomp and magnificence ceas'd, and his
+     family was involv'd in the same ruin with himself, and
+     very likely as a punishment for his having deliver'd up
+     the Constable not long before, out of a base and
+     avaricious principle; but God forgive him. I have known
+     him a powerful and honourable Prince, in as great esteem,
+     and as much courted by his neighbours (when his affairs
+     were in a prosperous condition), as any Prince in Europe,
+     and perhaps more; and I cannot conceive what should
+     provoke God Almighty's displeasure so highly against him,
+     unless it was his self-love and arrogance, in
+     appropriating all the success of his enterprises, and all
+     the renown he ever acquir'd, to his own wisdom and
+     conduct, without attributing anything to God. Yet to speak
+     truth, he was master of several good qualities: No Prince
+     ever had a greater ambition to entertain young noblemen
+     than he, nor was more careful of their education: His
+     presents and bounty were never profuse and extravagant,
+     because he gave to many, and had a mind everybody should
+     taste of it. No Prince was ever more easie of access to
+     his servants and subjects. Whilst I was in his service he
+     was never cruel, but a little before his death he took up
+     that humour, which was an infallible sign of the shortness
+     of his life. He was very splendid and curious in his
+     dress, and in everything else, and indeed a little too
+     much. He paid great honours to all ambassadors and
+     foreigners, and entertain'd them nobly: His ambitious
+     desire of fame was insatiable, and it was that which
+     induced him to be eternally in wars, more than any other
+     motive. He ambitiously desir'd to imitate the old Kings
+     and Heroes of antiquity, whose actions still shine in
+     History, and are so much talked of in the world, and his
+     courage was equal to any Prince's of his time.
+
+     "But all his designs and imaginations were vain and
+     extravagant, and turn'd afterwards to his own dishonour
+     and confusion, for 'tis the conquerors and not the
+     conquer'd that purchase to themselves renown. I cannot
+     easily determine towards whom God Almighty shew'd his
+     anger most, whether towards him who died suddenly without
+     pain or sickness in the field of battle, or towards his
+     subjects who never enjoy'd peace after his death, but were
+     continually involv'd in wars, against which they were not
+     able to maintain themselves, upon account of the civil
+     dissentions and cruel animosities that arose among 'em;
+     and that which was the most insupportable, was, that the
+     very people, to whom they were now oblig'd for their
+     defence and preservation, were the Germans, who were
+     strangers, and not long since their profess'd enemies. In
+     short, after the Duke's death, there was not a
+     neighbouring state that wished them to prosper, nor even
+     Germany that defended 'em. And by the management of their
+     affairs, their understanding seem'd to be as much
+     infatuated as their master's, for they rejected all good
+     counsel, and pursued such methods as directly tended to
+     their destruction; and they are still in such a condition,
+     that though they have at present some little ease and
+     relaxation from their sorrows, yet 'tis with great danger
+     of a relapse, and 'tis well if it turns not in the end to
+     their utter ruin.
+
+     "I am partly of their opinion who maintain, that God gives
+     Princes, as he in his wisdom thinks fit, to punish or
+     chastise the subjects; and he disposes the affection of
+     subjects to their Princes, as he has determin'd to raise
+     or depress 'em. Just so it has pleas'd him to deal with
+     the House of Burgundy; for, after a long series of riches
+     and prosperity, and six-and-twenty years' peace under
+     three Illustrious Princes, predecessors to this Charles
+     (all of 'em excellent persons, and of great prudence and
+     discretion), it pleas'd God to send this Duke Charles, who
+     involv'd them in bloody wars, as well winter as summer, to
+     their great affliction and expense, in which most of their
+     richest and stoutest men were either kill'd, or utterly
+     undone. Their misfortunes continu'd successively to the
+     very hour of his death; and after such a manner, that at
+     the last, the whole strength of their country was
+     destroy'd, and all kill'd or taken prisoners who had any
+     zeal or affection for the House of Burgundy, and had power
+     to defend the state and dignity of that family; so that in
+     a manner their losses were equal to, if not over balanc'd
+     their former prosperity; for as I have seen those Princes
+     heretofore puissant, rich, and honourable, so it fared the
+     same with their subjects; for I think, I have seen and
+     known the greatest part of Europe; yet I never knew any
+     province, or country, tho' perhaps of a larger extent, so
+     abounding in money, so extravagantly fine in furniture for
+     their horses, so sumptuous in their buildings, so profuse
+     in their expenses, so luxurious in their feasts and
+     entertainments, and so prodigal in all respects, as the
+     subjects of these Princes, in my time: but it has pleased
+     God at one blow to subvert and ruin this illustrious
+     family. Such changes and revolutions in states and
+     kingdoms God in his providence has wrought before we were
+     born, and will do again when we are in our graves; for
+     this is a certain maxim, that the prosperity or adversity
+     of Princes are wholly at his disposal."
+
+                                    COMMINES, Book V. Chap. 9.
+
+
+
+
+Editor's Notes.
+
+
+(_a_) p. 114. "The good King René." There is a biography of this
+prince, by the Comte de Villeneuve Bargemont. René of Anjou, descended
+from the second son of John of Valois, King of France, inherited the
+duchy of Lorraine in right of his wife, daughter of Charles II., Duke
+of Lorraine. His claim was contested by Antoine, Comte de Vaudémont,
+representing a collateral male branch of the earlier line. This
+claimant was backed by Philip the Good, of Burgundy. René was
+defeated, in 1431, at Bulgueville, and passed some years as a captive
+in Dijon. Here, like Charles d'Orleans in England, and James I. in the
+same country, he amused himself with poetry and art. He succeeded to
+the crown of Provence, a remnant of the Neapolitan domains of Anjou,
+and his daughter, Yolande, married the son of his rival of Vaudémont.
+Lorraine was entailed on them and their issue, failing male issue of
+René. After an expedition to Naples he ceded Lorraine to his son, and
+passed his time in a pleasing pastoral manner, in Provence. In his old
+age Lorraine fell to his grandson René, and the unlucky region was
+drawn into disputes of France and Burgundy, between which it lay.
+Burgundy conquered Lorraine. Old René negotiated for Burgundian
+protection, and for Charles's succession to Provence, which on René's
+death would make Burgundy "a Middle Kingdom conterminous with Germany
+and France." But the conquest of Lorraine was the last of Charles's
+successes: the end of the novel before us tells the story of his fall.
+
+(_b_) p. 116. "Edward of York has crossed the Sea." The date is 1475.
+Louis and Edward met on the bridge over the Somme, at Pequigny, and
+made terms. The scheme of Oxford, in the novel, for an invasion of
+England during Edward's absence, was thus rendered impossible.
+
+(_c_) p. 125. "Henry Colvin." Comines calls this soldier "Cohin," in
+the oldest texts "Colpin." He commanded three hundred English, and
+was killed by a cannon shot: "great loss to the Duke, for a single man
+may save his master, though he be of no great lineage, so he have but
+sense and virtue."
+
+(_d_) p. 262. "Granson." The Burgundian defeat is described in
+Comines, book v. ch. i. Of Charles, Comines says, "il perdit honneur
+et chevance ce jour." Morat he describes in book v. ch. iii. The
+narrative of Charles's despair, and the detail of his drinking
+_tisane_ in place of wine, is borrowed from Comines, book v. ch. v.,
+in the sixteenth chapter of the novel. The treachery of Campobasso is
+recorded in Comines's sixth-ninth chapter. Mr. Kirk's version of
+Charles's last fight is written with much spirit.
+
+          ANDREW LANG.
+
+     May 1894.
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY.
+
+
+     =Abettance=, support, encouragement.
+
+     =Abye=, to pay the penalty of, to atone for.
+
+     =Adjected=, appended, added.
+
+     =Albe=, a long white linen robe worn by priests.
+
+     =Ariette=, a little song.
+
+     =Arquebusier=, a soldier armed with an arquebuse, an early
+     form of musket.
+
+     =Assoilzied=, pardoned.
+
+     =Astucious=, astute, shrewd, cunning.
+
+
+     =Baaren-hauter=, a nickname for a German private soldier.
+
+     =Ban=, an imperial edict; the laws of the Empire.
+
+     =Ban-dog=, a large fierce dog.
+
+     =Barbed=, clad in armour.
+
+     =Beauffet=, a sideboard.
+
+     "=Blink out of=," to evade, to escape.
+
+     =Bordel=, a brothel.
+
+     =Botargo=, the roe of the mullet or tunny, salted and dried.
+
+     =Brache=, a kind of sporting dog.
+
+     =Bretagne=, Brittany.
+
+     =Broad-piece=, an old English gold coin.
+
+     =Bruit=, rumour.
+
+     "=Buon campagna=," open country.
+
+
+     =Caravansera=, an inn.
+
+     =Carbonado=, a piece of meat or game, seasoned and broiled.
+
+     =Caviare=, the roe of the sturgeon pickled in salt.
+
+     =Chaffron=, =chamfron=, the armoured frontlet of a horse.
+
+     =Chalumeau=, a reed or pipe made into an instrument of
+     music.
+
+     =Coif=, a woman's headdress.
+
+     =Corso=, the chief street or square in an Italian town.
+
+     "=Côte roti=," wine grown on a sunny slope.
+
+
+     =Dalmatic=, =dalmatique=, a long ecclesiastical robe.
+
+     =Debonair=, affable, courteous.
+
+     =Dishabille=, undress, negligent dress.
+
+     =Dorf=, a village.
+
+     =Ducat=, an old gold coin, worth about 9_s._ 4_d._
+
+
+     =Entrechat=, a caper.
+
+
+     =Fadge=, to succeed, to turn out well.
+
+
+     =Galilee=, a porch or chapel beside a monastery or church,
+     in which the monks received visitors, where processions
+     were formed, penitents stationed, and so forth.
+
+     =Gear=, business, affair; property.
+
+     =Geierstein=, vulture-stone.
+
+     =Grave=, a count.
+
+     =Gutter-blooded=, of the meanest birth.
+
+
+     =Hagbut=, a musket.
+
+     =Halidome=, on my word of honour.
+
+     =Hypocaust=, a stove, heating apparatus.
+
+
+     =Jongleur=, a minstrel-poet of Northern France.
+
+
+     =Lauds=, a daily service of the Roman Catholic Church.
+
+     =Los=, praise.
+
+
+     =Morgue=, the proud, disdainful look of a superior to an
+     inferior.
+
+     =Morisco=, a Moor of Spain.
+
+
+     =Pardoner=, a licensed seller of papal indulgences.
+
+     =Pavin=, a stately Spanish dance.
+
+     =Pennoncelle=, a little flag fixed to a lance.
+
+     =Peste!= plague on't!
+
+     =Piastre=, a silver coin, worth 4_s._
+
+     =Plump=, a clump, collection.
+
+     "=Poz element=," a German oath.
+
+
+     =Questionary=, a pedlar of relics or indulgences.
+
+
+     =Rebeck=, an instrument resembling the violin.
+
+     =Reiter=, a horse-soldier.
+
+     =Rhein-Thal=, the valley of the Rhine.
+
+     =Ritter=, a knight.
+
+     =Rote=, a kind of harp, played by turning a wheel.
+
+
+     =Samite=, a textile made of gold cloth or satin.
+
+     "=Sapperment der Teufel!="--a German oath.
+
+     =Schwarz-reiter=, a German mercenary horse-soldier.
+
+     "=Sibylline leaf=," the oracular or precious saying.
+
+     =Stadtholder=, the emperor's deputy in ancient Westphalia.
+
+     =Stell=, to mount or plant (a cannon).
+
+     =Strick-kind=, the child of the cord--the prisoner on trial
+     before the Vehmic Tribunal.
+
+     =Stube=, a sitting-room, a public room.
+
+
+     =Talliage=, a subsidy, a tax.
+
+     "=Tiers état=," the third estate, or representatives of the
+     people.
+
+     =Turnpike-stair=, a spiral or winding staircase.
+
+
+     =Vambrace=, the piece of armour that covered the forearm.
+
+     =Violer=, a player on a viol, a kind of violin.
+
+     =Visard=, a mask to cover the face.
+
+
+     =Wass-ail=, ale or wine sweetened and flavoured with spices.
+
+     =Wassel-song=, a drinking or carousing song.
+
+     =Welked=, marked with protuberances or ridges.
+
+
+     =Yungfrau=, =Jungfrau=, a young girl.
+
+     =Yung-herren=, =Jung-herren=, =Junker=, the sons of a German
+     minor noble.
+
+
+     =Zechin=, a Venetian gold coin, worth from 9_s._ to 10_s._
+
+
+END OF VOL. II.
+
+Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
+
+Edinburgh and London
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anne of Geierstein, by Walter Scott
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44247 ***
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+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44247 ***</div>
+
+<div class="tnbox">
+<p class="center"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></p>
+<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
+Inconsistent spelling, hyphenation, and capitalization (e.g. his grace/Grace) in
+the original document have been preserved.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="center p6 b20">
+WAVERLEY NOVELS</p>
+<hr class="l15" />
+<p class="center b13"><i>FORTY-EIGHT VOLUMES</i>
+<br />
+VOLUME XLIV.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i-002.jpg" width="308" height="260" alt="" />
+
+<p class="caption"><span class="b12"><i>BORDER EDITION</i></span><br />
+
+<i>The Introductory Essays and Notes by</i> <span class="smcap">Andrew Lang</span> <i>to this Edition
+of the Waverley Novels are Copyright</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter p6"><a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a>
+<img src="images/i-004.jpg" width="368" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">KING RENÉ.<br />
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.</span></p></div>
+
+<h1>
+<span class="smcap">Anne of Geierstein</span></h1>
+
+<p class="center p2">BY</p>
+
+<p class="center p2"><span class="smcap">Sir WALTER SCOTT, Bart.</span></p>
+
+<p class="center p2 b13"><i>WITH INTRODUCTORY ESSAY AND NOTES</i><br />
+<span class="smcap">By</span> ANDREW LANG</p>
+
+<p class="center p2 b13">TEN ETCHINGS</p>
+
+<p class="center p2 b13">VOLUME II.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter p4">
+<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="151" height="142" alt="Printer's Logo" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center p4 b13">LONDON<br />
+JOHN C. NIMMO<br />
+14, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND<br />
+
+<span class="s08">MDCCCXCIV</span></p>
+
+<p class="center p6"><span class="smcap">Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson &amp; Co.</span><br />
+
+<i>At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh</i></p>
+
+<h2>LIST OF ETCHINGS.</h2>
+
+<p class="center p2"><i>PRINTED BY F. GOULDING, LONDON.</i></p>
+
+<p class="center p2">VOLUME THE SECOND.</p>
+
+<table summary="List of Illustrations">
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">King René.</span> Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios
+(<a href="#Page_213">p. 213</a>)</td>
+<td class="tdr"><i><a href="#frontis">Frontispiece</a></i></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Secret Tribunal.</span> Drawn and Etched by R. de
+Los Rios</td>
+<td class="tdr"><i>To face page</i> <a href="#i047">32</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">Arthur before the Queen.</span> Drawn and Etched by
+R. de Los Rios</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#i131">112</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Defiance.</span> Drawn and Etched by R. de Los
+Rios</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#i205">182</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Funeral of the Queen.</span> Drawn and Etched by
+R. de Los Rios</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#i315">288</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p class="center p6"><span class="b20">ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN;</span><br />
+<br />
+OR,<br />
+<br />
+<span class="b15">THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST.</span></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container p2">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>What! will the aspiring blood of Lancaster</p>
+<p>Sink in the ground?</p>
+<p class="i12"><span class="smcap">Shakspeare.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">1</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="center p6"><span class="b15">ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN;</span><br />
+<br />
+OR,<br />
+<br />
+<span class="b12">THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST.</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="chap1">CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>
+<i>1st Carrier.</i> What, ostler!&mdash;a plague on thee, hast never an
+eye in thy head? Canst thou not hear? An 'twere not as good
+a deed as drink to break the pate of thee, I am a very villain&mdash;Come,
+and be hanged&mdash;Hast thou no faith in thee?</p>
+
+<p><i>Gadshill.</i> I pray thee, lend me thy lantern, to see my gelding
+in the stable.</p>
+
+<p><i>2d Carrier.</i> Nay, soft, I pray you&mdash;I know a trick worth two
+of that.</p>
+
+<p><i>Gadshill.</i> I prithee lend me thine.</p>
+
+<p><i>3d Carrier.</i> Ay, when? Canst tell?&mdash;Lend thee my lantern,
+quotha? Marry, I'll see thee hanged first.</p>
+
+<p class="i20"><i>Henry IV.</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>The social spirit peculiar to the French nation
+had already introduced into the inns of that country
+the gay and cheerful character of welcome
+upon which Erasmus, at a later period, dwells
+with strong emphasis, as a contrast to the saturnine
+and sullen reception which strangers were apt
+to meet with at a German caravansera. Philipson
+was, therefore, in expectation of being received by
+the busy, civil, and talkative host&mdash;by the hostess
+and her daughter, all softness, coquetry, and glee&mdash;the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span>
+smiling and supple waiter&mdash;the officious
+and dimpled chambermaid. The better inns in
+France boast also separate rooms, where strangers
+could change or put in order their dress, where
+they might sleep without company in their bedroom,
+and where they could deposit their baggage
+in privacy and safety. But all these luxuries
+were as yet unknown in Germany; and in Alsace,
+where the scene now lies, as well as in the other
+dependencies of the Empire, they regarded as
+effeminacy everything beyond such provisions as
+were absolutely necessary for the supply of the
+wants of travellers; and even these were coarse
+and indifferent, and, excepting in the article of
+wine, sparingly ministered.</p>
+
+<p>The Englishman, finding that no one appeared
+at the gate, began to make his presence known by
+calling aloud, and finally by alighting, and smiting
+with all his might on the doors of the hostelry for
+a long time, without attracting the least attention.
+At length the head of a grizzled servitor was
+thrust out at a small window, who, in a voice
+which sounded like that of one displeased at
+the interruption, rather than hopeful of advantage
+from the arrival of a guest, demanded what he
+wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"Is this an inn?" replied Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," bluntly replied the domestic, and was
+about to withdraw from the window, when the
+traveller added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And if it be, can I have lodgings?"</p>
+
+<p>"You may come in," was the short and dry
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Send some one to take the horses," replied
+Philipson.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No one is at leisure," replied this most repulsive
+of waiters; "you must litter down your horses
+yourself, in the way that likes you best."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the stable?" said the merchant,
+whose prudence and temper were scarce proof
+against this Dutch phlegm.</p>
+
+<p>The fellow, who seemed as sparing of his words
+as if, like the Princess in the fairy tale, he had
+dropped ducats with each of them, only pointed to
+a door in an outer building, more resembling that
+of a cellar than of a stable, and, as if weary of the
+conference, drew in his head, and shut the window
+sharply against the guest, as he would against an
+importunate beggar.</p>
+
+<p>Cursing the spirit of independence which left
+a traveller to his own resources and exertions,
+Philipson, making a virtue of necessity, led the
+two nags towards the door pointed out as that of
+the stable, and was rejoiced at heart to see light
+glimmering through its chinks. He entered with
+his charge into a place very like the dungeon vault
+of an ancient castle, rudely fitted up with some
+racks and mangers. It was of considerable extent
+in point of length, and at the lower end two or
+three persons were engaged in tying up their
+horses, dressing them, and dispensing them their
+provender.</p>
+
+<p>This last article was delivered by the ostler, a
+very old lame man, who neither put his hand to
+wisp or curry-comb, but sat weighing forth hay by
+the pound, and counting out corn, as it seemed, by
+the grain, so anxiously did he bend over his task,
+by the aid of a blinking light enclosed within a
+horn lantern. He did not even turn his head at
+the noise which the Englishman made on entering
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span>
+the place with two additional horses, far less did
+he seem disposed to give himself the least trouble,
+or the stranger the smallest assistance.</p>
+
+<p>In respect of cleanliness, the stable of Augeas
+bore no small resemblance to that of this Alsatian
+<i>dorf</i>, and it would have been an exploit worthy of
+Hercules to have restored it to such a state of
+cleanliness as would have made it barely decent in
+the eyes, and tolerable to the nostrils, of the punctilious
+Englishman. But this was a matter which
+disgusted Philipson himself much more than those
+of his party which were principally concerned.
+They, <i>videlicet</i> the two horses, seeming perfectly to
+understand that the rule of the place was "first come
+first served," hastened to occupy the empty stalls
+which happened to be nearest to them. In this one
+of them at least was disappointed, being received by
+a groom with a blow across the face with a switch.</p>
+
+<p>"Take that," said the fellow, "for forcing thyself
+into the place taken up for the horses of the
+Baron of Randelsheim."</p>
+
+<p>Never in the course of his life had the English
+merchant more pain to retain possession of his
+temper than at that moment. Reflecting, however,
+on the discredit of quarrelling with such a
+man in such a cause, he contented himself with
+placing the animal, thus repulsed from the stall
+he had chosen, into one next to that of his companion,
+to which no one seemed to lay claim.</p>
+
+<p>The merchant then proceeded, notwithstanding
+the fatigue of the day, to pay all that attention to
+the mute companions of his journey which they
+deserve from every traveller who has any share
+of prudence, to say nothing of humanity. The
+unusual degree of trouble which Philipson took to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span>
+arrange his horses, although his dress, and much
+more his demeanour, seemed to place him above
+this species of servile labour, appeared to make an
+impression even upon the iron insensibility of the
+old ostler himself. He showed some alacrity in
+furnishing the traveller, who knew the business
+of a groom so well, with corn, straw, and hay,
+though in small quantity, and at exorbitant rates,
+which were instantly to be paid; nay, he even
+went as far as the door of the stable, that he might
+point across the court to the well, from which
+Philipson was obliged to fetch water with his own
+hands. The duties of the stable being finished,
+the merchant concluded that he had gained such
+an interest with the grim master of the horse, as
+to learn of him whether he might leave his bales
+safely in the stable.</p>
+
+<p>"You may leave them if you will," said the
+ostler; "but touching their safety, you will do
+much more wisely if you take them with you, and
+give no temptation to any one by suffering them to
+pass from under your own eyes."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, the man of oats closed his oracular
+jaws, nor could he be prevailed upon to unlock
+them again by any inquiry which his customer
+could devise.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of this cold and comfortless reception,
+Philipson recollected the necessity of supporting
+the character of a prudent and wary trader,
+which he had forgotten once before in the course of
+the day; and, imitating what he saw the others do,
+who had been, like himself, engaged in taking
+charge of their horses, he took up his baggage,
+and removed himself and his property to the inn.
+Here he was suffered to enter, rather than admitted,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span>
+into the general or public <i>stube</i>, or room of entertainment,
+which, like the ark of the patriarch,
+received all ranks without distinction, whether
+clean or unclean.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>stube</i>, or stove, of a German inn, derived its
+name from the great hypocaust, which is always
+strongly heated to secure the warmth of the apartment
+in which it is placed. There travellers of
+every age and description assembled&mdash;there their
+upper garments were indiscriminately hung up
+around the stove to dry or to air&mdash;and the guests
+themselves were seen employed in various acts
+of ablution or personal arrangement, which are
+generally, in modern times, referred to the privacy
+of the dressing-room.</p>
+
+<p>The more refined feelings of the Englishman
+were disgusted with this scene, and he was reluctant
+to mingle in it. For this reason he inquired
+for the private retreat of the landlord himself,
+trusting that, by some of the arguments powerful
+among his tribe, he might obtain separate quarters
+from the crowd, and a morsel of food, to be eaten
+in private. A grey-haired Ganymede, to whom he
+put the question where the landlord was, indicated
+a recess behind the huge stove, where, veiling
+his glory in a very dark and extremely hot
+corner, it pleased the great man to obscure himself
+from vulgar gaze. There was something remarkable
+about this person. Short, stout, bandylegged,
+and consequential, he was in these respects like
+many brethren of the profession in all countries.
+But the countenance of the man, and still more his
+manners, differed more from the merry host of
+France or England than even the experienced
+Philipson was prepared to expect. He knew
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span>
+German customs too well to expect the suppliant
+and serviceable qualities of the master of a French
+inn, or even the more blunt and frank manners of
+an English landlord. But such German innkeepers
+as he had yet seen, though indeed arbitrary and
+peremptory in their country fashions, yet, being
+humoured in these, they, like tyrants in their
+hours of relaxation, dealt kindly with the guests
+over whom their sway extended, and mitigated, by
+jest and jollity, the harshness of their absolute
+power. But this man's brow was like a tragic
+volume, in which you were as unlikely to find
+anything of jest or amusement, as in a hermit's
+breviary. His answers were short, sudden, and
+repulsive, and the air and manner with which they
+were delivered was as surly as their tenor; which
+will appear from the following dialogue betwixt
+him and his guest:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Good host," said Philipson, in the mildest
+tone he could assume, "I am fatigued, and far
+from well&mdash;May I request to have a separate
+apartment, a cup of wine, and a morsel of food, in
+my private chamber?"</p>
+
+<p>"You may," answered the landlord; but with a
+look strangely at variance with the apparent acquiescence
+which his words naturally implied.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me have such accommodation, then, with
+your earliest convenience."</p>
+
+<p>"Soft!" replied the innkeeper. "I have said
+that you may request these things, but not that I
+would grant them. If you would insist on being
+served differently from others, it must be at another
+inn than mine."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then," said the traveller, "I will shift
+without supper for a night&mdash;nay, more, I will be
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span>
+content to pay for a supper which I do not eat, if
+you will cause me to be accommodated with a
+private apartment."</p>
+
+<p>"Seignor traveller," said the innkeeper, "every
+one here must be accommodated as well as you,
+since all pay alike. Whoso comes to this house
+of entertainment must eat as others eat, drink as
+others drink, sit at table with the rest of my
+guests, and go to bed when the company have done
+drinking."</p>
+
+<p>"All this," said Philipson, humbling himself
+where anger would have been ridiculous, "is highly
+reasonable; and I do not oppose myself to your
+laws or customs. But," added he, taking his
+purse from his girdle, "sickness craves some privilege;
+and when the patient is willing to pay for
+it, methinks the rigour of your laws may admit of
+some mitigation?"</p>
+
+<p>"I keep an inn, Seignor, and not a hospital. If
+you remain here, you shall be served with the
+same attention as others,&mdash;if you are not willing
+to do as others do, leave my house and seek another
+inn."</p>
+
+<p>On receiving this decisive rebuff, Philipson gave
+up the contest, and retired from the <i>sanctum sanctorum</i>
+of his ungracious host, to await the arrival
+of supper, penned up like a bullock in a pound,
+amongst the crowded inhabitants of the <i>stube</i>.
+Some of these, exhausted by fatigue, snored away
+the interval between their own arrival and that
+of the expected repast; others conversed together
+on the news of the country, and others again played
+at dice, or such games as might serve to consume
+the time. The company were of various ranks,
+from those who were apparently wealthy and well
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span>
+appointed, to some whose garments and manners
+indicated that they were but just beyond the grasp
+of poverty.</p>
+
+<p>A begging friar, a man apparently of a gay and
+pleasant temper, approached Philipson, and engaged
+him in conversation. The Englishman was
+well enough acquainted with the world to be
+aware, that whatever of his character and purpose
+it was desirable to conceal would be best hidden
+under a sociable and open demeanour. He, therefore,
+received the friar's approaches graciously,
+and conversed with him upon the state of Lorraine,
+and the interest which the Duke of Burgundy's
+attempt to seize that fief into his own hands was
+likely to create both in France and Germany. On
+these subjects, satisfied with hearing his fellow-traveller's
+sentiments, Philipson expressed no
+opinion of his own, but, after receiving such intelligence
+as the friar chose to communicate, preferred
+rather to talk upon the geography of the country,
+the facilities afforded to commerce, and the rules
+which obstructed or favoured trade.</p>
+
+<p>While he was thus engaged in the conversation
+which seemed most to belong to his profession, the
+landlord suddenly entered the room, and, mounting
+on the head of an old barrel, glanced his eye
+slowly and steadily round the crowded apartment,
+and when he had completed his survey, pronounced,
+in a decisive tone, the double command,&mdash;"Shut
+the gates! Spread the table!"</p>
+
+<p>"The Baron St. Antonio be praised!" said the
+friar. "Our landlord has given up hope of any
+more guests to-night, until which blessed time we
+might have starved for want of food before he had
+relieved us. Ay, here comes the cloth. The old
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span>
+gates of the courtyard are now bolted fast enough;
+and when Johann Mengs has once said, 'Shut the
+gates,' the stranger may knock on the outside as
+he will, but we may rest assured that it shall not
+be opened to him."</p>
+
+<p>"Meinherr Mengs maintains strict discipline in
+his house," said the Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"As absolute as the Duke of Burgundy," answered
+the friar. "After ten o'clock, no admittance&mdash;the
+'seek another inn,' which is before
+that a conditional hint, becomes, after the clock
+has struck, and the watchmen have begun their
+rounds, an absolute order of exclusion. He that is
+without remains without, and he that is within must,
+in like manner, continue there until the gates open
+at break of day. Till then the house is almost like
+a beleaguered citadel, John Mengs its seneschal"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And we its captives, good father," said Philipson.
+"Well, content am I. A wise traveller
+must submit to the control of the leaders of the
+people when he travels; and I hope a goodly fat
+potentate, like John Mengs, will be as clement as
+his station and dignity admit of."</p>
+
+<p>While they were talking in this manner, the
+aged waiter, with many a weary sigh and many a
+groan, had drawn out certain boards, by which a
+table that stood in the midst of the <i>stube</i> had the
+capacity of being extended, so as to contain the
+company present, and covered it with a cloth,
+which was neither distinguished by extreme
+cleanliness nor fineness of texture. On this table,
+when it had been accommodated to receive the
+necessary number of guests, a wooden trencher and
+spoon, together with a glass drinking-cup, were
+placed before each, he being expected to serve
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span>
+himself with his own knife for the other purposes
+of the table. As for forks, they were unknown
+until a much later period, all the Europeans of
+that day making the same use of the fingers to
+select their morsels and transport them to the
+mouth which the Asiatics now practise.</p>
+
+<p>The board was no sooner arranged than the hungry
+guests hastened to occupy their seats around
+it; for which purpose the sleepers were awakened,
+the dicers resigned their game, and the idlers and
+politicians broke off their sage debates, in order to
+secure their station at the supper-table, and be
+ready to perform their part in the interesting
+solemnity which seemed about to take place. But
+there is much between the cup and the lip, and
+not less sometimes between the covering of a table
+and the placing food upon it. The guests sat in
+order, each with his knife drawn, already menacing
+the victuals which were still subject to the
+operations of the cook. They had waited, with
+various degrees of patience, for full half an hour,
+when at length the old attendant before mentioned
+entered with a pitcher of thin Moselle wine, so
+light and so sharp-tasted that Philipson put down
+his cup with every tooth in his head set on edge
+by the slender portion which he had swallowed.
+The landlord, John Mengs, who had assumed a
+seat somewhat elevated at the head of the table,
+did not omit to observe this mark of insubordination,
+and to animadvert upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"The wine likes you not, I think, my master?"
+said he to the English merchant.</p>
+
+<p>"For wine, no," answered Philipson; "but could
+I see anything requiring such sauce, I have seldom
+seen better vinegar."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This jest, though uttered in the most calm and
+composed manner, seemed to drive the innkeeper
+to fury.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you," he exclaimed, "for a foreign
+pedlar, that ventures to quarrel with my wine,
+which has been approved of by so many princes,
+dukes, reigning dukes, graves, rhinegraves, counts,
+barons, and knights of the Empire, whose shoes
+you are altogether unworthy even to clean? Was
+it not of this wine that the Count Palatine of
+Nimmersatt drank six quarts before he ever rose
+from the blessed chair in which I now sit?"</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt it not, mine host," said Philipson;
+"nor should I think of scandalising the sobriety of
+your honourable guest, even if he had drunken
+twice the quantity."</p>
+
+<p>"Silence, thou malicious railer!" said the host;
+"and let instant apology be made to me, and the
+wine which you have calumniated, or I will
+instantly command the supper to be postponed till
+midnight."</p>
+
+<p>Here there was a general alarm among the
+guests, all abjuring any part in the censures of
+Philipson, and most of them proposing that John
+Mengs should avenge himself on the actual culprit
+by turning him instantly out of doors, rather than
+involve so many innocent and famished persons in
+the consequences of his guilt. The wine they
+pronounced excellent; some two or three even
+drank their glass out, to make their words good;
+and they all offered, if not with lives and fortunes,
+at least with hands and feet, to support the ban of
+the house against the contumacious Englishman.
+While petition and remonstrance were assailing
+John Mengs on every side, the friar, like a wise
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span>
+counsellor and a trusty friend, endeavoured to end
+the feud by advising Philipson to submit to the
+host's sovereignty.</p>
+
+<p>"Humble thyself, my son," he said; "bend the
+stubbornness of thy heart before the great lord of
+the spigot and butt. I speak for the sake of others
+as well as my own; for Heaven alone knows how
+much longer they or I can endure this extenuating
+fast!"</p>
+
+<p>"Worthy guests," said Philipson, "I am grieved
+to have offended our respected host, and am so far
+from objecting to the wine that I will pay for a
+double flagon of it, to be served all round to this
+honourable company&mdash;so, only, they do not ask
+me to share of it."</p>
+
+<p>These last words were spoken aside; but the
+Englishman could not fail to perceive, from the
+wry mouths of some of the party who were possessed
+of a nicer palate, that they were as much
+afraid as himself of a repetition of the acid
+potation.</p>
+
+<p>The friar next addressed the company with a
+proposal that the foreign merchant, instead of
+being amerced in a measure of the liquor which
+he had scandalised, should be mulcted in an equal
+quantity of the more generous wines which were
+usually produced after the repast had been concluded.
+In this mine host, as well as the guests,
+found their advantage; and, as Philipson made no
+objection, the proposal was unanimously adopted,
+and John Mengs gave, from his seat of dignity,
+the signal for supper to be served.</p>
+
+<p>The long-expected meal appeared, and there was
+twice as much time employed in consuming as
+there had been in expecting it. The articles of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span>
+which the supper consisted, as well as the mode of
+serving them up, were as much calculated to try
+the patience of the company as the delay which
+had preceded its appearance. Messes of broth and
+vegetables followed in succession, with platters of
+meat sodden and roasted, of which each in its turn
+took a formal course around the ample table, and
+was specially subjected to every one in rotation.
+Black-puddings, hung beef, dried fish, also made
+the circuit, with various condiments, called
+botargo, caviare, and similar names, composed of
+the roes of fish mixed with spices, and the like
+preparations, calculated to awaken thirst and
+encourage deep drinking. Flagons of wine accompanied
+these stimulating dainties. The liquor
+was so superior in flavour and strength to the ordinary
+wine which had awakened so much controversy,
+that it might be objected to on the opposite
+account, being so heady, fiery, and strong, that,
+in spite of the rebuffs which his criticism had
+already procured, Philipson ventured to ask for
+some cold water to allay it.</p>
+
+<p>"You are too difficult to please, sir guest,"
+replied the landlord, again bending upon the
+Englishman a stern and offended brow; "if you
+find the wine too strong in my house, the secret to
+allay its strength is to drink the less. It is indifferent
+to us whether you drink or not, so you
+pay the reckoning of those good fellows who do."
+And he laughed a gruff laugh.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson was about to reply, but the friar,
+retaining his character of mediator, plucked him
+by the cloak, and entreated him to forbear. "You
+do not understand the ways of the place," said he;
+"it is not here as in the hostelries of England and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span>
+France, where each guest calls for what he desires
+for his own use, and where he pays for what he
+has required, and for no more. Here we proceed
+on a broad principle of equality and fraternity.
+No one asks for anything in particular; but such
+provisions as the host thinks sufficient are set
+down before all indiscriminately; and as with the
+feast, so is it with the reckoning. All pay their
+proportions alike, without reference to the quantity
+of wine which one may have swallowed more
+than another; and thus the sick and infirm, nay,
+the female and the child, pay the same as the
+hungry peasant and strolling <i>lanzknecht</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems an unequal custom," said Philipson;
+"but travellers are not to judge. So that when a
+reckoning is called, every one, I am to understand,
+pays alike?"</p>
+
+<p>"Such is the rule," said the friar,&mdash;"excepting,
+perhaps, some poor brother of our own order, whom
+Our Lady and St. Francis send into such a scene
+as this, that good Christians may bestow their
+alms upon him, and so make a step on their road
+to Heaven."</p>
+
+<p>The first words of this speech were spoken in
+the open and independent tone in which the friar
+had begun the conversation; the last sentence died
+away into the professional whine of mendicity
+proper to the convent, and at once apprised Philipson
+at what price he was to pay for the friar's
+counsel and mediation. Having thus explained
+the custom of the country, good Father Gratian
+turned to illustrate it by his example, and, having
+no objection to the new service of wine on account
+of its strength, he seemed well disposed to signalise
+himself amongst some stout topers, who, by
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span>
+drinking deeply, appeared determined to have full
+pennyworths for their share of the reckoning.
+The good wine gradually did its office, and even
+the host relaxed his sullen and grim features, and
+smiled to see the kindling flame of hilarity catch
+from one to another, and at length embrace almost
+all the numerous guests at the table d'hôte, except
+a few who were too temperate to partake deeply of
+the wine, or too fastidious to enter into the discussions
+to which it gave rise. On these the host
+cast, from time to time, a sullen and displeased
+eye.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson, who was reserved and silent, both in
+consequence of his abstinence from the wine-pot
+and his unwillingness to mix in conversation with
+strangers, was looked upon by the landlord as a
+defaulter in both particulars; and as he aroused
+his own sluggish nature with the fiery wine,
+Mengs began to throw out obscure hints about
+kill-joy, mar-company, spoil-sport, and such like
+epithets, which were plainly directed against the
+Englishman. Philipson replied, with the utmost
+equanimity, that he was perfectly sensible that
+his spirits did not at this moment render him
+an agreeable member of a merry company, and
+that with the leave of those present he would
+withdraw to his sleeping-apartment, and wish
+them all a good evening, and continuance to their
+mirth.</p>
+
+<p>But this very reasonable proposal, as it might
+have elsewhere seemed, contained in it treason
+against the laws of German compotation.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you," said John Mengs, "who presume
+to leave the table before the reckoning is
+called and settled? Sapperment der teufel! we
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span>
+are not men upon whom such an offence is to be
+put with impunity! You may exhibit your polite
+pranks in Rams-Alley if you will, or in Eastcheap,
+or in Smithfield; but it shall not be in John
+Mengs's Golden Fleece, nor will I suffer one guest
+to go to bed to blink out of the reckoning, and so
+cheat me and all the rest of my company."</p>
+
+<p>Philipson looked round, to gather the sentiments
+of the company, but saw no encouragement to
+appeal to their judgment. Indeed, many of them
+had little judgment left to appeal to, and those
+who paid any attention to the matter at all were
+some quiet old soakers, who were already beginning
+to think of the reckoning, and were disposed to
+agree with the host in considering the English
+merchant as a flincher, who was determined to
+evade payment of what might be drunk after he
+left the room; so that John Mengs received the
+applause of the whole company, when he concluded
+his triumphant denunciation against Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, you may withdraw if you please;
+but, poz element! it shall not be for this time to
+seek for another inn, but to the courtyard shall
+you go, and no farther, there to make your bed
+upon the stable litter; and good enough for the
+man that will needs be the first to break up good
+company."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well said, my jovial host," said a rich
+trader from Ratisbon; "and here are some six of
+us&mdash;more or less&mdash;who will stand by you to
+maintain the good old customs of Germany; and
+the&mdash;umph&mdash;laudable and&mdash;and praiseworthy
+rules of the Golden Fleece."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, be not angry, sir," said Philipson; "yourself
+and your three companions, whom the good
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span>
+wine has multiplied into six, shall have your own
+way of ordering the matter; and since you will
+not permit me to go to bed, I trust that you will
+take no offence if I fall asleep in my chair."</p>
+
+<p>"How say you? what think you, mine host?"
+said the citizen from Ratisbon; "may the gentleman,
+being drunk, as you see he is, since he cannot
+tell that three and one make six&mdash;I say, may
+he, being drunk, sleep in the elbow-chair?"</p>
+
+<p>This question introduced a contradiction on the
+part of the host, who contended that three and one
+made four, not six; and this again produced a
+retort from the Ratisbon trader. Other clamours
+rose at the same time, and were at length with
+difficulty silenced by the stanzas of a chorus song
+of mirth and good fellowship, which the friar,
+now become somewhat oblivious of the rule of St.
+Francis, thundered forth with better good-will
+than he ever sang a canticle of King David.
+Under cover of this tumult, Philipson drew himself
+a little aside, and though he felt it impossible
+to sleep, as he had proposed, was yet enabled to
+escape the reproachful glances with which John
+Mengs distinguished all those who did not call
+for wine loudly, and drink it lustily. His thoughts
+roamed far from the <i>stube</i> of the Golden Fleece,
+and upon matter very different from that which
+was discussed around him, when his attention was
+suddenly recalled by a loud and continued knocking
+on the door of the hostelry.</p>
+
+<p>"What have we here?" said John Mengs, his
+nose reddening with very indignation; "who the
+foul fiend presses on the Golden Fleece at such an
+hour, as if he thundered at the door of a bordel?
+To the turret window some one&mdash;Geoffrey, knave
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span>
+ostler, or thou, old Timothy, tell the rash man
+there is no admittance into the Golden Fleece save
+at timeous hours."</p>
+
+<p>The men went as they were directed, and might
+be heard in the <i>stube</i> vying with each other in the
+positive denial which they gave to the ill-fated
+guest who was pressing for admission. They
+returned, however, to inform their master, that
+they were unable to overcome the obstinacy of the
+stranger, who refused positively to depart until he
+had an interview with Mengs himself.</p>
+
+<p>Wroth was the master of the Golden Fleece at
+this ill-omened pertinacity, and his indignation
+extended, like a fiery exhalation, from his nose,
+all over the adjacent regions of his cheeks and
+brow. He started from his chair, grasped in his
+hand a stout stick, which seemed his ordinary
+sceptre or leading staff of command, and muttering
+something concerning cudgels for the shoulders of
+fools, and pitchers of fair or foul water for the
+drenching of their ears, he marched off to the window
+which looked into the court, and left his
+guests nodding, winking, and whispering to each
+other, in full expectation of hearing the active
+demonstrations of his wrath. It happened otherwise,
+however; for, after the exchange of a few
+indistinct words, they were astonished when they
+heard the noise of the unbolting and unbarring of
+the gates of the inn, and presently after the footsteps
+of men upon the stairs; and the landlord
+entering, with an appearance of clumsy courtesy,
+prayed those assembled to make room for an
+honoured guest, who came, though late, to add
+to their numbers. A tall dark form followed,
+muffled in a travelling-cloak; on laying aside
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span>
+which, Philipson at once recognised his late fellow-traveller,
+the Black Priest of St. Paul's.</p>
+
+<p>There was in the circumstance itself nothing at
+all surprising, since it was natural that a landlord,
+however coarse and insolent to ordinary
+guests, might yet show deference to an ecclesiastic,
+whether from his rank in the Church or from his
+reputation for sanctity. But what did appear surprising
+to Philipson was the effect produced by the
+entrance of this unexpected guest. He seated himself,
+without hesitation, at the highest place of
+the board, from which John Mengs had dethroned
+the aforesaid trader from Ratisbon, notwithstanding
+his zeal for ancient German customs, his steady
+adherence and loyalty to the Golden Fleece, and
+his propensity to brimming goblets. The priest
+took instant and unscrupulous possession of his
+seat of honour, after some negligent reply to the
+host's unwonted courtesy; when it seemed that
+the effect of his long black vestments, in place of
+the slashed and flounced coat of his predecessor,
+as well as of the cold grey eye with which he
+slowly reviewed the company, in some degree
+resembled that of the fabulous Gorgon, and if it
+did not literally convert those who looked upon it
+into stone, there was yet something petrifying in
+the steady unmoved glance with which he seemed
+to survey them, looking as if desirous of reading
+their very inmost souls, and passing from one to
+another, as if each upon whom he looked in succession
+was unworthy of longer consideration.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson felt, in his turn, that momentary
+examination, in which, however, there mingled
+nothing that seemed to convey recognition. All
+the courage and composure of the Englishman
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span>
+could not prevent an unpleasant feeling while
+under this mysterious man's eye, so that he felt a
+relief when it passed from him and rested upon
+another of the company, who seemed in turn to
+acknowledge the chilling effects of that freezing
+glance. The noise of intoxicated mirth and drunken
+disputation, the clamorous argument, and the still
+more boisterous laugh, which had been suspended
+on the priest's entering the eating-apartment,
+now, after one or two vain attempts to resume
+them, died away, as if the feast had been changed
+to a funeral, and the jovial guests had been at once
+converted into the lugubrious mutes who attend
+on such solemnities. One little rosy-faced man,
+who afterwards proved to be a tailor from Augsburg,
+ambitious, perhaps, of showing a degree of
+courage not usually supposed consistent with his
+effeminate trade, made a bold effort; and yet it
+was with a timid and restrained voice that he
+called on the jovial friar to renew his song. But
+whether it was that he did not dare to venture on
+an uncanonical pastime in presence of a brother
+in orders, or whether he had some other reason for
+declining the invitation, the merry churchman
+hung his head, and shook it with such an expressive
+air of melancholy, that the tailor drew back
+as if he had been detected in cabbaging from a
+cardinal's robes, or cribbing the lace of some cope
+or altar gown. In short, the revel was hushed
+into deep silence, and so attentive were the company
+to what should arrive next, that the bells of
+the village church, striking the first hour after
+midnight, made the guests start as if they heard
+them rung backwards, to announce an assault or
+conflagration. The Black Priest, who had taken
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span>
+some slight and hasty repast, which the host had
+made no kind of objection to supplying him with,
+seemed to think the bells, which announced the
+service of lauds, being the first after midnight, a
+proper signal for breaking up the party.</p>
+
+<p>"We have eaten," he said, "that we may support
+life, let us pray that we may be fit to meet
+death; which waits upon life as surely as night
+upon day, or the shadow upon the sunbeam, though
+we know not when or from whence it is to come
+upon us."</p>
+
+<p>The company, as if mechanically, bent their
+uncovered heads, while the priest said, with his
+deep and solemn voice, a Latin prayer, expressing
+thanks to God for protection throughout the day,
+and entreating for its continuance during the
+witching hours which were to pass ere the day
+again commenced. The hearers bowed their heads
+in token of acquiescence in the holy petition; and,
+when they raised them, the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's had followed the host out of the apartment,
+probably to that which was destined for his repose.
+His absence was no sooner perceived than signs,
+and nods, and even whispers were exchanged
+between the guests; but no one spoke above his
+breath, or in such connected manner, as that
+Philipson could understand anything distinctly
+from them. He himself ventured to ask the friar,
+who sat near him, observing at the same time the
+under-tone which seemed to be fashionable for the
+moment, whether the worthy ecclesiastic who had
+left them was not the Priest of St. Paul's, on the
+frontier town of La Ferette.</p>
+
+<p>"And if you know it is he," said the friar, with
+a countenance and a tone from which all signs of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span>
+intoxication were suddenly banished, "why do you
+ask of me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because," said the merchant, "I would willingly
+learn the spell which so suddenly converted
+so many merry tipplers into men of sober manners,
+and a jovial company into a convent of Carthusian
+friars?"</p>
+
+<p>"Friend," said the friar, "thy discourse savoureth
+mightily of asking after what thou knowest
+right well. But I am no such silly duck as to be
+taken by a decoy. If thou knowest the Black
+Priest, thou canst not be ignorant of the terrors
+which attend his presence, and that it were safer
+to pass a broad jest in the holy House of Loretto
+than where he shows himself."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, and as if desirous of avoiding further
+discourse, he withdrew to a distance from
+Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>At the same moment the landlord again appeared,
+and, with more of the usual manners of a
+publican than he had hitherto exhibited, commanded
+his waiter, Geoffrey, to hand round to the
+company a sleeping-drink, or pillow-cup of distilled
+water, mingled with spices, which was indeed
+as good as Philipson himself had ever tasted.
+John Mengs, in the meanwhile, with somewhat of
+more deference, expressed to his guests a hope that
+his entertainment had given satisfaction; but this
+was in so careless a manner, and he seemed so
+conscious of deserving the affirmative which was
+expressed on all hands, that it became obvious
+there was very little humility in proposing the
+question. The old man, Timothy, was in the
+meantime mustering the guests, and marking with
+chalk on the bottom of a trencher the reckoning,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span>
+the particulars of which were indicated by certain
+conventional hieroglyphics, while he showed on
+another the division of the sum total among the
+company, and proceeded to collect an equal share
+of it from each. When the fatal trencher, in
+which each man paid down his money, approached
+the jolly friar, his countenance seemed to be somewhat
+changed. He cast a piteous look towards
+Philipson, as the person from whom he had the
+most hope of relief; and our merchant, though displeased
+with the manner in which he had held
+back from his confidence, yet not unwilling in
+a strange country to incur a little expense, in the
+hope of making a useful acquaintance, discharged
+the mendicant's score as well as his own. The
+poor friar paid his thanks in many a blessing in
+good German and bad Latin, but the host cut them
+short; for, approaching Philipson with a candle in
+his hand, he offered his own services to show him
+where he might sleep, and even had the condescension
+to carry his mail, or portmanteau, with
+his own landlordly hands.</p>
+
+<p>"You take too much trouble, mine host," said
+the merchant, somewhat surprised at the change
+in the manner of John Mengs, who had hitherto
+contradicted him at every word.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot take too much pains for a guest," was
+the reply, "whom my venerable friend, the Priest
+of St. Paul's, hath especially recommended to my
+charge."</p>
+
+<p>He then opened the door of a small bedroom,
+prepared for the occupation of a guest, and said
+to Philipson,&mdash;"Here you may rest till to-morrow
+at what hour you will, and for as many days more
+as you incline. The key will secure your wares
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span>
+against theft or pillage of any kind. I do not this
+for every one; for, if my guests were every one to
+have a bed to himself, the next thing they would
+demand might be a separate table; and then there
+would be an end of the good old German customs,
+and we should be as foppish and frivolous as our
+neighbours."</p>
+
+<p>He placed the portmanteau on the floor, and
+seemed about to leave the apartment, when, turning
+about, he began a sort of apology for the rudeness
+of his former behaviour.</p>
+
+<p>"I trust there is no misunderstanding between
+us, my worthy guest. You might as well expect
+to see one of our bears come aloft and do tricks
+like a jackanapes, as one of us stubborn old Germans
+play the feats of a French or an Italian host.
+Yet I pray you to note, that if our behaviour is
+rude our charges are honest, and our articles what
+they profess to be. We do not expect to make
+Moselle pass for Rhenish, by dint of a bow and a
+grin, nor will we sauce your mess with poison,
+like the wily Italian, and call you all the time
+Illustrissimo and Magnifico."</p>
+
+<p>He seemed in these words to have exhausted his
+rhetoric, for, when they were spoken, he turned
+abruptly and left the apartment.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson was thus deprived of another opportunity
+to inquire who or what this ecclesiastic could
+be, that had exercised such influence on all who
+approached him. He felt, indeed, no desire to
+prolong a conference with John Mengs, though he
+had laid aside in such a considerable degree his
+rude and repulsive manners; yet he longed to
+know who this man could be, who had power with
+a word to turn aside the daggers of Alsatian banditti,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span>
+habituated as they were, like most borderers,
+to robbery and pillage, and to change into civility
+the proverbial rudeness of a German innkeeper.
+Such were the reflections of Philipson, as he doffed
+his clothes to take his much-needed repose, after a
+day of fatigue, danger, and difficulty, on the pallet
+afforded by the hospitality of the Golden Fleece,
+in the Rhein-Thal.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p><i>Macbeth.</i> How now, ye secret, black, and midnight hags,
+What is't ye do?</p>
+
+<p><i>Witches.</i> A deed without a name.</p>
+
+<p class="i20"><i>Macbeth.</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>We have said in the conclusion of the last chapter,
+that, after a day of unwonted fatigue and
+extraordinary excitation, the merchant, Philipson,
+naturally expected to forget so many agitating
+passages in that deep and profound repose which
+is at once the consequence and the cure of extreme
+exhaustion. But he was no sooner laid on his
+lowly pallet than he felt that the bodily machine,
+over-laboured by so much exercise, was little disposed
+to the charms of sleep. The mind had been
+too much excited, the body was far too feverish,
+to suffer him to partake of needful rest. His anxiety
+about the safety of his son, his conjectures
+concerning the issue of his mission to the Duke of
+Burgundy, and a thousand other thoughts which
+recalled past events, or speculated on those which
+were to come, rushed upon his mind like the
+waves of a perturbed sea, and prevented all tendency
+to repose. He had been in bed about an
+hour, and sleep had not yet approached his couch,
+when he felt that the pallet on which he lay was
+sinking below him, and that he was in the act of
+descending along with it he knew not whither.
+The sound of ropes and pulleys was also indistinctly
+heard, though every caution had been taken
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span>
+to make them run smooth; and the traveller, by
+feeling around him, became sensible that he and
+the bed on which he lay had been spread upon a
+large trap-door, which was capable of being let
+down into the vaults, or apartments beneath.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson felt fear in circumstances so well
+qualified to produce it; for how could he hope a
+safe termination to an adventure which had begun
+so strangely? But his apprehensions were those
+of a brave, ready-witted man, who, even in the
+extremity of danger, which appeared to surround
+him, preserved his presence of mind. His descent
+seemed to be cautiously managed, and he held
+himself in readiness to start to his feet and defend
+himself, as soon as he should be once more upon
+firm ground. Although somewhat advanced in
+years, he was a man of great personal vigour and
+activity, and unless taken at advantage, which no
+doubt was at present much to be apprehended, he
+was likely to make a formidable defence. His
+plan of resistance, however, had been anticipated.
+He no sooner reached the bottom of the vault,
+down to which he was lowered, than two men,
+who had been waiting there till the operation was
+completed, laid hands on him from either side,
+and forcibly preventing him from starting up as
+he intended, cast a rope over his arms, and made
+him a prisoner as effectually as when he was
+in the dungeons of La Ferette. He was obliged,
+therefore, to remain passive and unresisting, and
+await the termination of this formidable adventure.
+Secured as he was, he could only turn his
+head from one side to the other; and it was with
+joy that he at length saw lights twinkle, but they
+appeared at a great distance from him.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span></p>
+
+<p>From the irregular manner in which these scattered
+lights advanced, sometimes keeping a straight
+line, sometimes mixing and crossing each other,
+it might be inferred that the subterranean vault
+in which they appeared was of very considerable
+extent. Their number also increased; and as they
+collected more together, Philipson could perceive
+that the lights proceeded from many torches, borne
+by men muffled in black cloaks, like mourners at
+a funeral, or the Black Friars of St. Francis's
+Order, wearing their cowls drawn over their heads,
+so as to conceal their features. They appeared
+anxiously engaged in measuring off a portion of
+the apartment; and, while occupied in that employment,
+they sang, in the ancient German language,
+rhymes more rude than Philipson could well
+understand, but which may be imitated thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Measurers of good and evil,</p>
+<p>Bring the square, the line, the level,&mdash;</p>
+<p>Rear the altar, dig the trench,</p>
+<p>Blood both stone and ditch shall drench.</p>
+<p>Cubits six, from end to end,</p>
+<p>Must the fatal bench extend,&mdash;</p>
+<p>Cubits six, from side to side,</p>
+<p>Judge and culprit must divide.</p>
+<p>On the east the Court assembles,</p>
+<p>On the west the Accused trembles&mdash;</p>
+<p>Answer, brethren, all and one,</p>
+<p>Is the ritual rightly done?</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>A deep chorus seemed to reply to the question.
+Many voices joined in it, as well of persons
+already in the subterranean vault as of others who
+as yet remained without in various galleries and
+passages which communicated with it, and whom
+Philipson now presumed to be very numerous.
+The answer chanted ran as follows:&mdash;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>On life and soul, on blood and bone,</p>
+<p>One for all, and all for one,</p>
+<p>We warrant this is rightly done.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The original strain was then renewed in the
+same manner as before&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>How wears the night?&mdash;Doth morning shine</p>
+<p>In early radiance on the Rhine?</p>
+<p>What music floats upon his tide?</p>
+<p>Do birds the tardy morning chide?</p>
+<p>Brethren, look out from hill and height,</p>
+<p>And answer true, how wears the night?</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The answer was returned, though less loud than
+at first, and it seemed that those by whom the
+reply was given were at a much greater distance
+than before; yet the words were distinctly heard.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>The night is old; on Rhine's broad breast</p>
+<p>Glance drowsy stars which long to rest.</p>
+<p class="i2">    No beams are twinkling in the east.</p>
+<p>There is a voice upon the flood,</p>
+<p>The stern still call of blood for blood;</p>
+<p class="i2">    'Tis time we listen the behest.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The chorus replied, with many additional
+voices&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Up, then, up! When day's at rest,</p>
+<p>'Tis time that such as we are watchers;</p>
+<p>Rise to judgment, brethren, rise!</p>
+<p>Vengeance knows not sleepy eyes,</p>
+<p>He and night are matchers.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The nature of the verses soon led Philipson to
+comprehend that he was in presence of the Initiated,
+or the Wise Men; names which were applied
+to the celebrated Judges of the Secret Tribunal,
+which continued at that period to subsist in
+Suabia, Franconia, and other districts of the east
+of Germany, which was called, perhaps from the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span>
+frightful and frequent occurrence of executions by
+command of those invisible judges, the Red Land.
+Philipson had often heard that the seat of a Free
+Count, or chief of the Secret Tribunal, was secretly
+instituted even on the left bank of the Rhine, and
+that it maintained itself in Alsace, with the usual
+tenacity of those secret societies, though Duke
+Charles of Burgundy had expressed a desire to discover
+and discourage its influence so far as was
+possible, without exposing himself to danger from
+the thousands of poniards which that mysterious
+tribunal could put in activity against his own life;&mdash;an
+awful means of defence, which for a long
+time rendered it extremely hazardous for the sovereigns
+of Germany, and even the Emperors themselves,
+to put down by authority those singular
+associations.</p>
+
+<p>So soon as this explanation flashed on the mind
+of Philipson, it gave some clue to the character
+and condition of the Black Priest of St. Paul's.
+Supposing him to be a president, or chief official
+of the secret association, there was little wonder
+that he should confide so much in the inviolability
+of his terrible office as to propose vindicating the
+execution of De Hagenbach; that his presence
+should surprise Bartholomew, whom he had power
+to have judged and executed upon the spot; and
+that his mere appearance at supper on the preceding
+evening should have appalled the guests; for
+though everything about the institution, its proceedings
+and its officers, was preserved in as much
+obscurity as is now practised in free-masonry, yet
+the secret was not so absolutely well kept as to
+prevent certain individuals from being guessed or
+hinted at as men initiated and intrusted with high
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span>
+authority by the Vehme-gericht, or tribunal of
+the bounds. When such suspicion attached to
+an individual, his secret power, and supposed acquaintance
+with all guilt, however secret, which
+was committed within the society in which he
+was conversant, made him at once the dread and
+hatred of every one who looked on him; and he
+enjoyed a high degree of personal respect, on the
+same terms on which it would have been yielded
+to a powerful enchanter, or a dreaded genie. In
+conversing with such a person, it was especially
+necessary to abstain from all questions alluding,
+however remotely, to the office which he bore in
+the Secret Tribunal; and, indeed, to testify the
+least curiosity upon a subject so solemn and mysterious
+was sure to occasion some misfortune to
+the inquisitive person.</p>
+
+<p>All these things rushed at once upon the mind
+of the Englishman, who felt that he had fallen
+into the hands of an unsparing tribunal, whose
+proceedings were so much dreaded by those who
+resided within the circle of their power, that the
+friendless stranger must stand a poor chance of
+receiving justice at their hands, whatever might
+be his consciousness of innocence. While Philipson
+made this melancholy reflection, he resolved,
+at the same time, not to forsake his own cause, but
+defend himself as he best might; conscious as he
+was that these terrible and irresponsible judges
+were nevertheless governed by certain rules of
+right and wrong, which formed a check on the
+rigours of their extraordinary code.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><a name="i047" id="i047"></a>
+<img src="images/i-047.jpg" width="367" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">THE SECRET TRIBUNAL.<br />
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>He lay, therefore, devising the best means of
+obviating the present danger, while the persons
+whom he beheld glimmered before him, less like
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span>
+distinct and individual forms than like the phantoms
+of a fever, or the phantasmagoria with which
+a disease of the optic nerves has been known to
+people a sick man's chamber. At length they
+assembled in the centre of the apartment where
+they had first appeared, and seemed to arrange
+themselves into form and order. A great number
+of black torches were successively lighted, and the
+scene became distinctly visible. In the centre of
+the hall, Philipson could now perceive one of the
+altars which are sometimes to be found in ancient
+subterranean chapels. But we must pause, in
+order briefly to describe, not the appearance only,
+but the nature and constitution, of this terrible
+court.</p>
+
+<p>Behind the altar, which seemed to be the central
+point, on which all eyes were bent, there were
+placed in parallel lines two benches covered with
+black cloth. Each was occupied by a number of
+persons, who seemed assembled as judges; but
+those who held the foremost bench were fewer,
+and appeared of a rank superior to those who
+crowded the seat most remote from the altar. The
+first seemed to be all men of some consequence,
+priests high in their order, knights, or noblemen;
+and notwithstanding an appearance of equality
+which seemed to pervade this singular institution,
+much more weight was laid upon their opinion,
+or testimonies. They were called Free Knights,
+Counts, or whatever title they might bear, while
+the inferior class of the judges were only termed
+Free and worthy Burghers. For it must be observed,
+that the Vehmique Institution,<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>
+ which
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span>
+was the name that it commonly bore, although its
+power consisted in a wide system of espionage,
+and the tyrannical application of force which acted
+upon it, was yet (so rude were the ideas of enforcing
+public law) accounted to confer a privilege on
+the country in which it was received, and only
+freemen were allowed to experience its influence.
+Serfs and peasants could not have a place among
+the Free Judges, their assessors, or assistants; for
+there was in this assembly even some idea of trying
+the culprit by his peers.</p>
+
+<p>Besides the dignitaries who occupied the benches,
+there were others who stood around, and seemed
+to guard the various entrances to the hall of judgment,
+or, standing behind the seats on which their
+superiors were ranged, looked prepared to execute
+their commands. These were members of the
+order, though not of the highest ranks. Schöppen
+is the name generally assigned to them, signifying
+officials, or sergeants of the Vehmique court,
+whose doom they stood sworn to enforce, through
+good report and bad report, against their own
+nearest and most beloved, as well as in cases of
+ordinary malefactors.</p>
+
+<p>The Schöppen, or Scabini, as they were termed
+in Latin, had another horrible duty to perform&mdash;that,
+namely, of denouncing to the tribunal whatever
+came under their observation, that might be
+construed as an offence falling under its cognisance;
+or, in their language, a crime against the
+Vehme. This duty extended to the judges as
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span>
+well as to the assistants, and was to be discharged
+without respect of persons; so that, to know, and
+wilfully conceal, the guilt of a mother or brother,
+inferred, on the part of the unfaithful official, the
+same penalty as if he himself had committed the
+crime which his silence screened from punishment.
+Such an institution could only prevail at
+a time when ordinary means of justice were excluded
+by the hand of power, and when, in order
+to bring the guilty to punishment, it required all
+the influence and authority of such a confederacy.
+In no other country than one exposed to every
+species of feudal tyranny, and deprived of every
+ordinary mode of obtaining justice or redress, could
+such a system have taken root and flourished.</p>
+
+<p>We must now return to the brave Englishman,
+who, though feeling all the danger he encountered
+from so tremendous a tribunal, maintained nevertheless
+a dignified and unaltered composure.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting being assembled, a coil of ropes,
+and a naked sword, the well-known signals and
+emblems of Vehmique authority, were deposited
+on the altar; where the sword, from its being
+usually straight, with a cross handle, was considered
+as representing the blessed emblem of Christian
+Redemption, and the cord as indicating the right
+of criminal jurisdiction, and capital punishment.
+Then the President of the meeting, who occupied
+the centre seat on the foremost bench, arose, and
+laying his hand on the symbols, pronounced aloud
+the formula expressive of the duty of the tribunal,
+which all the inferior judges and assistants repeated
+after him, in deep and hollow murmurs.</p>
+
+<p>"I swear by the Holy Trinity, to aid and co-operate,
+without relaxation, in the things belonging
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span>
+to the Holy Vehme, to defend its doctrines and
+institutions against father and mother, brother
+and sister, wife and children; against fire, water,
+earth, and air; against all that the sun enlightens;
+against all that the dew moistens; against all
+created things of heaven and earth, or the waters
+under the earth; and I swear to give information
+to this holy judicature, of all that I know to be
+true, or hear repeated by credible testimony,
+which, by the rules of the Holy Vehme, is deserving
+of animadversion or punishment; and that
+I will not cloak, cover, or conceal, such my knowledge,
+neither for love, friendship, or family affection,
+nor for gold, silver, or precious stones;
+neither will I associate with such as are under the
+sentence of this Sacred Tribunal, by hinting to a
+culprit his danger, or advising him to escape, or
+aiding and supplying him with counsel, or means
+to that effect; neither will I relieve such culprit
+with fire, clothes, food, or shelter, though my
+father should require from me a cup of water in
+the heat of summer noon, or my brother should
+request to sit by my fire in the bitterest cold night
+of winter: And further, I vow and promise to
+honour this holy association, and do its behests
+speedily, faithfully, and firmly, in preference to
+those of any other tribunal whatsoever&mdash;so help
+me God, and His holy Evangelists."</p>
+
+<p>When this oath of office had been taken, the
+President addressing the assembly, as men who
+judge in secret and punish in secret, like the
+Deity, desired them to say, why this "child of the
+cord"<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>
+ lay before them, bound and helpless. An
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span>
+individual rose from the more remote bench, and
+in a voice which, though altered and agitated,
+Philipson conceived that he recognised, declared
+himself the accuser, as bound by his oath, of the
+child of the cord, or prisoner, who lay before
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring forward the prisoner," said the President,
+"duly secured, as is the order of our secret
+law; but not with such severity as may interrupt
+his attention to the proceedings of the tribunal,
+or limit his power of hearing and replying."</p>
+
+<p>Six of the assistants immediately dragged forward
+the pallet and platform of boards on which
+Philipson lay, and advanced it towards the foot of
+the altar. This done, each unsheathed his dagger,
+while two of them unloosed the cords by which the
+merchant's hands were secured, and admonished
+him in a whisper, that the slightest attempt to
+resist or escape would be the signal to stab him
+dead.</p>
+
+<p>"Arise!" said the President; "listen to the
+charge to be preferred against you, and believe you
+shall in us find judges equally just and inflexible."</p>
+
+<p>Philipson, carefully avoiding any gesture which
+might indicate a desire to escape, raised his body
+on the lower part of the couch, and remained
+seated, clothed as he was in his under-vest and
+<i>caleçons</i>, or drawers, so as exactly to face the
+muffled President of the terrible court. Even in
+these agitating circumstances, the mind of the
+undaunted Englishman remained unshaken, and
+his eyelid did not quiver, nor his heart beat
+quicker, though he seemed, according to the expression
+of Scripture, to be a pilgrim in the Valley
+of the Shadow of Death, beset by numerous snares,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span>
+and encompassed by total darkness, where light was
+most necessary for safety.</p>
+
+<p>The President demanded his name, country, and
+occupation.</p>
+
+<p>"John Philipson," was the reply; "by birth an
+Englishman, by profession a merchant."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you ever borne any other name and profession?"
+demanded the Judge.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been a soldier, and, like most others,
+had then a name by which I was known in war."</p>
+
+<p>"What was that name?"</p>
+
+<p>"I laid it aside when I resigned my sword, and
+I do not desire again to be known by it. Moreover,
+I never bore it where your institutions have
+weight and authority," answered the Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Know you before whom you stand?" continued
+the Judge.</p>
+
+<p>"I may at least guess," replied the merchant.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell your guess, then," continued the interrogator.
+"Say who we are, and wherefore are you
+before us?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe that I am before the Unknown, or
+Secret Tribunal, which is called Vehme-gericht."</p>
+
+<p>"Then are you aware," answered the Judge,
+"that you would be safer if you were suspended by
+the hair over the Abyss of Schaffhausen, or if you
+lay below an axe, which a thread of silk alone
+kept back from the fall. What have you done to
+deserve such a fate?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let those reply by whom I am subjected to
+it," answered Philipson, with the same composure
+as before.</p>
+
+<p>"Speak, accuser!" said the President, "to the
+four quarters of heaven!&mdash;To the ears of the free
+judges of this tribunal, and the faithful executors
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span>
+of their doom!&mdash;And to the face of the child of
+the cord, who denies or conceals his guilt, make
+good the substance of thine accusation!"</p>
+
+<p>"Most dreaded," answered the accuser, addressing
+the President, "this man hath entered the
+Sacred Territory, which is called the Red Land,&mdash;a
+stranger under a disguised name and profession.
+When he was yet on the eastern side of the Alps,
+at Turin, in Lombardy, and elsewhere, he at various
+times spoke of the Holy Tribunal in terms of
+hatred and contempt, and declared that were he
+Duke of Burgundy he would not permit it to extend
+itself from Westphalia, or Suabia, into his
+dominions. Also I charge him, that, nourishing
+this malevolent intention against the Holy Tribunal,
+he who now appears before the bench as child
+of the cord has intimated his intention to wait
+upon the court of the Duke of Burgundy, and use
+his influence with him, which he boasts will prove
+effectual to stir him up to prohibit the meetings of
+the Holy Vehme in his dominions, and to inflict on
+their officers, and the executors of their mandates,
+the punishment due to robbers and assassins."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a heavy charge, brother!" said the
+President of the assembly, when the accuser
+ceased speaking. "How do you purpose to make
+it good?"</p>
+
+<p>"According to the tenor of those secret statutes
+the perusal of which is prohibited to all but the
+initiated," answered the accuser.</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said the President; "but I ask
+thee once more, What are those means of proof?
+You speak to holy and to initiated ears."</p>
+
+<p>"I will prove my charge," said the accuser, "by
+the confession of the party himself, and by my
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span>
+own oath upon the holy emblems of the Secret
+Judgment&mdash;that is, the steel and the cord."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a legitimate offer of proof," said a member
+of the aristocratic bench of the assembly;
+"and it much concerns the safety of the system to
+which we are bound by such deep oaths&mdash;a system
+handed down to us from the most Christian and
+holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, for the conversion
+of the heathen Saracens, and punishing
+such of them as revolted again to their Pagan
+practices, that such criminals should be looked to.
+This Duke Charles of Burgundy hath already
+crowded his army with foreigners, whom he can
+easily employ against this Sacred Court, more
+especially with English, a fierce, insular people,
+wedded to their own usages, and hating those of
+every other nation. It is not unknown to us, that
+the Duke hath already encouraged opposition to
+the officials of the Tribunal in more than one part
+of his German dominions; and that in consequence,
+instead of submitting to their doom with
+reverent resignation, children of the cord have
+been found bold enough to resist the executioners
+of the Vehme, striking, wounding, and even slaying
+those who have received commission to put
+them to death. This contumacy must be put an
+end to; and if the accused shall be proved to be
+one of those by whom such doctrines are harboured
+and inculcated, I say let the steel and cord do
+their work on him."</p>
+
+<p>A general murmur seemed to approve what the
+speaker had said; for all were conscious that the
+power of the Tribunal depended much more on
+the opinion of its being deeply and firmly rooted in
+the general system, than upon any regard or esteem
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span>
+for an institution of which all felt the severity.
+It followed, that those of the members who enjoyed
+consequence by means of their station in the ranks
+of the Vehme saw the necessity of supporting its
+terrors by occasional examples of severe punishment;
+and none could be more readily sacrificed
+than an unknown and wandering foreigner. All
+this rushed upon Philipson's mind, but did not
+prevent his making a steady reply to the accusation.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen," he said, "good citizens, burgesses,
+or by whatever other name you please to be addressed,
+know, that in my former days I have
+stood in as great peril as now, and have never
+turned my heel to save my life. Cords and daggers
+are not calculated to strike terror into those
+who have seen swords and lances. My answer to
+the accusation is, that I am an Englishman, one
+of a nation accustomed to yield and to receive
+open-handed and equal justice dealt forth in the
+broad light of day. I am, however, a traveller,
+who knows that he has no right to oppose the
+rules and laws of other nations because they do
+not resemble those of his own. But this caution
+can only be called for in lands where the system
+about which we converse is in full force and operation.
+If we speak of the institutions of Germany,
+being at the time in France or Spain, we may,
+without offence to the country in which they are
+current, dispute concerning them, as students debate
+upon a logical thesis in a university. The
+accuser objects to me, that at Turin, or elsewhere
+in the north of Italy, I spoke with censure of the
+institution under which I am now judged. I will
+not deny that I remember something of the kind;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span>
+but it was in consequence of the question being
+in a manner forced upon me by two guests with
+whom I chanced to find myself at table. I was
+much and earnestly solicited for an opinion ere
+I gave one."</p>
+
+<p>"And was that opinion," said the presiding
+Judge, "favourable or otherwise to the Holy and
+Secret Vehme-gericht? Let truth rule your tongue&mdash;remember,
+life is short, judgment is eternal!"</p>
+
+<p>"I would not save my life at the expense of a
+falsehood. My opinion was unfavourable; and I
+expressed myself thus:&mdash;No laws or judicial proceedings
+can be just or commendable which exist
+and operate by means of a secret combination. I
+said, that justice could only live and exist in the
+open air, and that when she ceased to be public
+she degenerated into revenge and hatred. I said,
+that a system of which your own jurists have said,
+<i>non frater a fratre, non hospes a hospite, tutus</i>,
+was too much adverse to the laws of nature to be
+connected with or regulated by those of religion."</p>
+
+<p>These words were scarcely uttered, when there
+burst a murmur from the Judges highly unfavourable
+to the prisoner,&mdash;"He blasphemes the Holy
+Vehme&mdash;Let his mouth be closed for ever!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hear me," said the Englishman, "as you will
+one day wish to be yourselves heard! I say such
+were my sentiments, and so I expressed them&mdash;I
+say also, I had a right to express these opinions,
+whether sound or erroneous, in a neutral country,
+where this Tribunal neither did, nor could, claim
+any jurisdiction. My sentiments are still the
+same. I would avow them if that sword were at
+my bosom, or that cord around my throat. But I
+deny that I have ever spoken against the institutions
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span>
+of your Vehme, in a country where it had its
+course as a national mode of justice. Far more
+strongly, if possible, do I denounce the absurdity
+of the falsehood, which represents me, a wandering
+foreigner, as commissioned to traffic with the
+Duke of Burgundy about such high matters, or to
+form a conspiracy for the destruction of a system
+to which so many seem warmly attached. I never
+said such a thing, and I never thought it."</p>
+
+<p>"Accuser," said the presiding Judge, "thou hast
+heard the accused&mdash;What is thy reply?"</p>
+
+<p>"The first part of the charge," said the accuser,
+"he hath confessed in this high presence&mdash;namely,
+that his foul tongue hath basely slandered our holy
+mysteries; for which he deserves that it should be
+torn out of his throat. I myself, on my oath of
+office, will aver, as use and law is, that the rest of
+the accusation&mdash;namely, that which taxes him as
+having entered into machinations for the destruction
+of the Vehmique institutions&mdash;is as true as
+those which he has found himself unable to deny."</p>
+
+<p>"In justice," said the Englishman, "the accusation,
+if not made good by satisfactory proof, ought
+to be left to the oath of the party accused, instead
+of permitting the accuser to establish by his own
+deposition the defects in his own charge."</p>
+
+<p>"Stranger," replied the presiding Judge, "we
+permit to thy ignorance a longer and more full
+defence than consists with our usual forms. Know,
+that the right of sitting among these venerable
+judges confers on the person of him who enjoys it
+a sacredness of character which ordinary men cannot
+attain to. The oath of one of the initiated
+must counterbalance the most solemn asseveration
+of every one that is not acquainted with our holy
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span>
+secrets. In the Vehmique court all must be
+Vehmique. The averment of the Emperor, he
+being uninitiated, would not have so much weight
+in our counsels as that of one of the meanest of
+these officials. The affirmation of the accuser can
+only be rebutted by the oath of a member of the
+same Tribunal, being of superior rank."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, God be gracious to me, for I have no
+trust save in Heaven!" said the Englishman, in
+solemn accents. "Yet I will not fall without an
+effort. I call upon thee thyself, dark spirit, who
+presidest in this most deadly assembly&mdash;I call
+upon thyself, to declare on thy faith and honour,
+whether thou holdest me guilty of what is thus
+boldly averred by this false calumniator&mdash;I call
+upon thee by thy sacred character&mdash;by the name
+of"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Hold!" replied the presiding Judge. "The
+name by which we are known in open air must
+not be pronounced in this subterranean judgment-seat."</p>
+
+<p>He then proceeded to address the prisoner and
+the assembly.&mdash;"I, being called on in evidence,
+declare that the charge against thee is so far true
+as it is acknowledged by thyself&mdash;namely, that
+thou hast in other lands than the Red Soil<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>
+ spoken
+lightly of this holy institution of justice. But I
+believe in my soul, and will bear witness on my
+honour, that the rest of the accusation is incredible
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span>
+and false. And this I swear, holding my hand on
+the dagger and the cord.&mdash;What is your judgment,
+my brethren, upon the case which you have
+investigated?"</p>
+
+<p>A member of the first-seated and highest class
+amongst the judges, muffled like the rest, but the
+tone of whose voice and the stoop of whose person
+announced him to be more advanced in years than
+the other two who had before spoken, arose with
+difficulty, and said with a trembling voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The child of the cord who is before us has been
+convicted of folly and rashness in slandering our
+holy institution. But he spoke his folly to ears
+which had never heard our sacred laws&mdash;He has,
+therefore, been acquitted, by irrefragable testimony,
+of combining for the impotent purpose of
+undermining our power, or stirring up princes
+against our holy association, for which death were
+too light a punishment&mdash;He hath been foolish,
+then, but not criminal; and as the holy laws of
+the Vehme bear no penalty save that of death, I
+propose for judgment that the child of the cord be
+restored without injury to society, and to the
+upper world, having been first duly admonished of
+his errors."</p>
+
+<p>"Child of the cord," said the presiding Judge,
+"thou hast heard thy sentence of acquittal. But,
+as thou desirest to sleep in an unbloody grave, let
+me warn thee, that the secrets of this night shall
+remain with thee, as a secret not to be communicated
+to father nor mother, to spouse, son, or
+daughter; neither to be spoken aloud nor whispered;
+to be told in words or written in characters;
+to be carved or to be painted, or to be otherwise
+communicated, either directly or by parable and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span>
+emblem. Obey this behest, and thy life is in
+surety. Let thy heart then rejoice within thee,
+but let it rejoice with trembling. Never more let
+thy vanity persuade thee that thou art secure from
+the servants and Judges of the Holy Vehme.
+Though a thousand leagues lie between thee and
+the Red Land, and thou speakest in that where
+our power is not known; though thou shouldst be
+sheltered by thy native island, and defended by
+thy kindred ocean, yet, even there, I warn thee to
+cross thyself when thou dost so much as think
+of the Holy and Invisible Tribunal, and to retain
+thy thoughts within thine own bosom; for the
+Avenger may be beside thee, and thou mayst die
+in thy folly. Go hence, be wise, and let the fear
+of the Holy Vehme never pass from before thine
+eyes."</p>
+
+<p>At the concluding words, all the lights were at
+once extinguished with a hissing noise. Philipson
+felt once more the grasp of the hands of the
+officials, to which he resigned himself as the safest
+course. He was gently prostrated on his pallet-bed,
+and transported back to the place from which
+he had been advanced to the foot of the altar.
+The cordage was again applied to the platform,
+and Philipson was sensible that his couch rose
+with him for a few moments, until a slight shock
+apprised him that he was again brought to a level
+with the floor of the chamber in which he had
+been lodged on the preceding night, or rather
+morning. He pondered over the events that had
+passed, in which he was sensible that he owed
+Heaven thanks for a great deliverance. Fatigue
+at length prevailed over anxiety, and he fell into
+a deep and profound sleep, from which he was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span>
+only awakened by returning light. He resolved
+on an instant departure from so dangerous a spot,
+and, without seeing any one of the household but
+the old ostler, pursued his journey to Strasburg,
+and reached that city without further accident.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Away with these!&mdash;True Wisdom's world will be</p>
+<p>Within its own creation, or in thine,</p>
+<p>Maternal Nature! for who teems like thee</p>
+<p>Thus on the banks of thy majestic Rhine?</p>
+<p>There Harold gazes on a work divine,</p>
+<p>A blending of all beauties, streams, and dells&mdash;</p>
+<p>Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, cornfield, mountain, vine,</p>
+<p>And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells,</p>
+<p>From grey but leafy walls, where ruin greenly dwells.</p>
+
+<p class="i7"><i>Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Canto III.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>When Arthur Philipson left his father, to go on
+board the bark which was to waft him across the
+Rhine, he took but few precautions for his own
+subsistence, during a separation of which he calculated
+the duration to be very brief. Some necessary
+change of raiment, and a very few pieces of
+gold, were all which he thought it needful to
+withdraw from the general stock; the rest of the
+baggage and money he left with the sumpter-horse,
+which he concluded his father might need,
+in order to sustain his character as an English
+trader. Having embarked with his horse and his
+slender appointments on board a fishing-skiff, she
+instantly raised her temporary mast, spread a sail
+across the yard, and, supported by the force of the
+wind against the downward power of the current,
+moved across the river obliquely in the direction
+of Kirch-hoff, which, as we have said, lies somewhat
+lower on the river than Hans-Kapelle.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span>
+Their passage was so favourable that they reached
+the opposite side in a few minutes, but not until
+Arthur, whose eye and thoughts were on the left
+bank, had seen his father depart from the Chapel
+of the Ferry, accompanied by two horsemen, whom
+he readily concluded to be the guide Bartholomew,
+and some chance traveller who had joined him;
+but the second of whom was in truth the Black
+Priest of St. Paul's, as has been already mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>This augmentation of his father's company was,
+he could not but think, likely to be attended with
+an increase of his safety, since it was not probable
+he would suffer a companion to be forced upon
+him, and one of his own choosing might be a protection,
+in case his guide should prove treacherous.
+At any rate, he had to rejoice that he had seen his
+father depart in safety from the spot where they
+had reason to apprehend some danger awaited
+him. He resolved, therefore, to make no stay at
+Kirch-hoff, but to pursue his way, as fast as possible,
+towards Strasburg, and rest, when darkness
+compelled him to stop, in one of the <i>dorfs</i>, or villages,
+which were situated on the German side
+of the Rhine. At Strasburg, he trusted, with the
+sanguine spirit of youth, he might again be able
+to rejoin his father; and if he could not altogether
+subdue his anxiety on their separation, he fondly
+nourished the hope that he might meet him in
+safety. After some short refreshment and repose
+afforded to his horse, he lost no time in proceeding
+on his journey down the eastern bank of the broad
+river.</p>
+
+<p>He was now upon the most interesting side of
+the Rhine, walled in and repelled as the river is
+on that shore by the most romantic cliffs, now
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span>
+mantled with vegetation of the richest hue, tinged
+with all the variegated colours of autumn; now
+surmounted by fortresses, over whose gates were
+displayed the pennons of their proud owners; or
+studded with hamlets, where the richness of the
+soil supplied to the poor labourer the food of which
+the oppressive hand of his superior threatened
+altogether to deprive him. Every stream which
+here contributes its waters to the Rhine winds
+through its own tributary dell, and each valley
+possesses a varying and separate character, some
+rich with pastures, cornfields, and vineyards, some
+frowning with crags and precipices, and other
+romantic beauties.</p>
+
+<p>The principles of taste were not then explained
+or analysed as they have been since, in countries
+where leisure has been found for this investigation.
+But the feelings arising from so rich a landscape
+as is displayed by the valley of the Rhine
+must have been the same in every bosom, from the
+period when our Englishman took his solitary
+journey through it, in doubt and danger, till that
+in which it heard the indignant Childe Harold bid
+a proud farewell to his native country, in the vain
+search of a land in which his heart might throb
+less fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur enjoyed this scene, although the fading
+daylight began to remind him that, alone as he
+was, and travelling with a very valuable charge, it
+would be matter of prudence to look out for some
+place of rest during the night. Just as he had
+formed the resolution of inquiring at the next
+habitation he should pass, which way he should
+follow for this purpose, the road he pursued descended
+into a beautiful amphitheatre filled with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span>
+large trees, which protected from the heats of
+summer the delicate and tender herbage of the
+pasture. A large brook flowed through it, and
+joined the Rhine. At a short mile up the brook
+its waters made a crescent round a steep craggy
+eminence, crowned with flanking walls, and Gothic
+towers and turrets, enclosing a feudal castle of
+the first order. A part of the savannah that has
+been mentioned had been irregularly cultivated for
+wheat, which had grown a plentiful crop. It was
+gathered in, but the patches of deep yellow stubble
+contrasted with the green of the undisturbed
+pasture land, and with the seared and dark-red
+foliage of the broad oaks which stretched their
+arms athwart the level space. There a lad, in a
+rustic dress, was employed in the task of netting
+a brood of partridges with the assistance of a
+trained spaniel; while a young woman, who had
+the air rather of a domestic in some family of
+rank than that of an ordinary villager, sat on the
+stump of a decayed tree, to watch the progress of
+the amusement. The spaniel, whose duty it was
+to drive the partridges under the net, was perceptibly
+disturbed at the approach of the traveller;
+his attention was divided, and he was obviously
+in danger of marring the sport, by barking and
+putting up the covey, when the maiden quitted
+her seat, and, advancing towards Philipson, requested
+him, for courtesy, to pass at a greater distance,
+and not interfere with their amusement.</p>
+
+<p>The traveller willingly complied with her
+request.</p>
+
+<p>"I will ride, fair damsel," he said, "at whatever
+distance you please. And allow me, in guerdon,
+to ask, whether there is convent, castle, or good
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span>
+man's house, where a stranger, who is belated and
+weary, might receive a night's hospitality?"</p>
+
+<p>The girl, whose face he had not yet distinctly
+seen, seemed to suppress some desire to laugh, as
+she replied, "Hath not yon castle, think you,"
+pointing to the distant towers, "some corner which
+might accommodate a stranger in such extremity?"</p>
+
+<p>"Space enough, certainly," said Arthur; "but
+perhaps little inclination to grant it."</p>
+
+<p>"I myself," said the girl, "being one, and a
+formidable part of the garrison, will be answerable
+for your reception. But as you parley with me
+in such hostile fashion, it is according to martial
+order that I should put down my visor."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, she concealed her face under one of
+those riding-masks which at that period women
+often wore when they went abroad, whether for
+protecting their complexion or screening themselves
+from intrusive observation. But ere she
+could accomplish this operation Arthur had detected
+the merry countenance of Annette Veilchen, a girl
+who, though her attendance on Anne of Geierstein
+was in a menial capacity, was held in high estimation
+at Geierstein. She was a bold wench, unaccustomed
+to the distinctions of rank, which were
+little regarded in the simplicity of the Helvetian
+hills, and she was ready to laugh, jest, and flirt
+with the young men of the Landamman's family.
+This attracted no attention, the mountain manners
+making little distinction between the degrees of
+attendant and mistress, further than that the mistress
+was a young woman who required help, and
+the maiden one who was in a situation to offer and
+afford it. This kind of familiarity would perhaps
+have been dangerous in other lands, but the simplicity
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span>
+of Swiss manners, and the turn of Annette's
+disposition, which was resolute and sensible,
+though rather bold and free, when compared to
+the manners of more civilised countries, kept
+all intercourse betwixt her and the young men
+of the family in the strict path of honour and
+innocence.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur himself had paid considerable attention
+to Annette, being naturally, from his feelings
+towards Anne of Geierstein, heartily desirous to
+possess the good graces of her attendant; a point
+which was easily gained by the attentions of a
+handsome young man, and the generosity with
+which he heaped upon her small presents of articles
+of dress or ornament, which the damsel,
+however faithful, could find no heart to refuse.</p>
+
+<p>The assurance that he was in Anne's neighbourhood,
+and that he was likely to pass the night
+under the same roof, both of which circumstances
+were intimated by the girl's presence and language,
+sent the blood in a hastier current through
+Arthur's veins; for though, since he had crossed
+the river, he had sometimes nourished hopes of
+again seeing her who had made so strong an impression
+on his imagination, yet his understanding
+had as often told him how slight was the chance
+of their meeting, and it was even now chilled by
+the reflection that it could be followed only by the
+pain of a sudden and final separation. He yielded
+himself, however, to the prospect of promised
+pleasure, without attempting to ascertain what
+was to be its duration or its consequence. Desirous,
+in the meantime, to hear as much of Anne's
+circumstances as Annette chose to tell, he resolved
+not to let that merry maiden perceive that she was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span>
+known by him, until she chose of her own accord
+to lay aside her mystery.</p>
+
+<p>While these thoughts passed rapidly through
+his imagination, Annette bade the lad drop his
+nets, and directed him that, having taken two of
+the best-fed partridges from the covey, and carried
+them into the kitchen, he was to set the rest at
+liberty.</p>
+
+<p>"I must provide supper," said she to the
+traveller, "since I am bringing home unexpected
+company."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur earnestly expressed his hope that his
+experiencing the hospitality of the castle would occasion
+no trouble to the inmates, and received satisfactory
+assurances upon the subject of his scruples.</p>
+
+<p>"I would not willingly be the cause of inconvenience
+to your mistress," pursued the traveller.</p>
+
+<p>"Look you there," said Annette Veilchen, "I
+have said nothing of master or mistress, and this
+poor forlorn traveller has already concluded in his
+own mind that he is to be harboured in a lady's
+bower!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, did you not tell me," said Arthur, somewhat
+confused at his blunder, "that you were the
+person of second importance in the place? A
+damsel, I judged, could only be an officer under a
+female governor."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not see the justice of the conclusion,"
+replied the maiden. "I have known ladies bear
+offices of trust in lords' families; nay, and over
+the lords themselves."</p>
+
+<p>"Am I to understand, fair damsel, that you
+hold so predominant a situation in the castle
+which we are now approaching, and of which I
+pray you to tell me the name?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The name of the castle is Arnheim," said
+Annette.</p>
+
+<p>"Your garrison must be a large one," said
+Arthur, looking at the extensive building, "if
+you are able to man such a labyrinth of walls
+and towers."</p>
+
+<p>"In that point," said Annette, "I must needs
+own we are very deficient. At present, we rather
+hide in the castle than inhabit it; and yet it
+is well enough defended by the reports which
+frighten every other person who might disturb its
+seclusion."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet you yourselves dare to reside in it?"
+said the Englishman, recollecting the tale which
+had been told by Rudolph Donnerhugel, concerning
+the character of the Barons of Arnheim, and
+the final catastrophe of the family.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," replied his guide, "we are too intimate
+with the cause of such fears to feel ourselves
+strongly oppressed with them&mdash;perhaps we have
+means of encountering the supposed terrors proper
+to ourselves&mdash;perhaps, and it is not the least
+likely conjecture, we have no choice of a better
+place of refuge. Such seems to be your own fate
+at present, sir, for the tops of the distant hills are
+gradually losing the lights of the evening; and if
+you rest not in Arnheim, well contented or not,
+you are likely to find no safe lodging for many a
+mile."</p>
+
+<p>As she thus spoke she separated from Arthur,
+taking, with the fowler who attended her, a very
+steep but short footpath, which ascended straight
+up to the site of the castle; at the same time
+motioning to the young Englishman to follow a
+horse-track, which, more circuitous, led to the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span>
+same point, and, though less direct, was considerably
+more easy.</p>
+
+<p>He soon stood before the south front of Arnheim
+Castle, which was a much larger building than he
+had conceived, either from Rudolph's description
+or from the distant view. It had been erected
+at many different periods, and a considerable part
+of the edifice was less in the strict Gothic than
+in what has been termed the Saracenic style,
+in which the imagination of the architect is
+more florid than that which is usually indulged in
+the North&mdash;rich in minarets, cupolas, and similar
+approximations to Oriental structures. This
+singular building bore a general appearance of
+desolation and desertion, but Rudolph had been
+misinformed when he declared that it had become
+ruinous. On the contrary, it had been maintained
+with considerable care; and when it fell into the
+hands of the Emperor, although no garrison was
+maintained within its precincts, care was taken to
+keep the building in repair; and though the prejudices
+of the country people prevented any one from
+passing the night within the fearful walls, yet it
+was regularly visited from time to time by a person
+having commission from the Imperial Chancery
+to that effect. The occupation of the domain
+around the castle was a valuable compensation for
+this official person's labour, and he took care not
+to endanger the loss of it by neglecting his duty.
+Of late this officer had been withdrawn, and now
+it appeared that the young Baroness of Arnheim
+had found refuge in the deserted towers of her
+ancestors.</p>
+
+<p>The Swiss damsel did not leave the youthful
+traveller time to study particularly the exterior of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span>
+the castle, or to construe the meaning of emblems
+and mottoes, seemingly of an Oriental character,
+with which the outside was inscribed, and which
+expressed in various modes, more or less directly,
+the attachment of the builders of this extensive
+pile to the learning of the Eastern sages. Ere he
+had time to take more than a general survey of
+the place, the voice of the Swiss maiden called
+him to an angle of the wall in which there was a
+projection, whence a long plank extended over a
+dry moat, and was connected with a window in
+which Annette was standing.</p>
+
+<p>"You have forgotten your Swiss lessons already,"
+said she, observing that Arthur went rather
+timidly about crossing the temporary and precarious
+drawbridge.</p>
+
+<p>The reflection that Anne, her mistress, might
+make the same observation, recalled the young
+traveller to the necessary degree of composure.
+He passed over the plank with the same <i>sang froid</i>
+with which he had learned to brave the far more
+terrific bridge beneath the ruinous castle of Geierstein.
+He had no sooner entered the window than
+Annette, taking off her mask, bade him welcome
+to Germany, and to old friends with new names.</p>
+
+<p>"Anne of Geierstein," she said, "is no more;
+but you will presently see the Lady Baroness of
+Arnheim, who is extremely like her; and I, who
+was Annette Veilchen in Switzerland, the servant
+to a damsel who was not esteemed much greater
+than myself, am now the young Baroness's waiting-woman,
+and make everybody of less quality
+stand back."</p>
+
+<p>"If, in such circumstances," said young Philipson,
+"you have the influence due to your consequence,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span>
+let me beseech of you to tell the Baroness,
+since we must now call her so, that my present
+intrusion on her is occasioned by my ignorance."</p>
+
+<p>"Away, away!" said the girl, laughing. "I
+know better what to say in your behalf. You are
+not the first poor man and pedlar that has got the
+graces of a great lady; but I warrant you it was
+not by making humble apologies, and talking of
+unintentional intrusion. I will tell her of love,
+which all the Rhine cannot quench, and which
+has driven you hither, leaving you no other choice
+than to come or to perish!"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, but Annette, Annette"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fie on you for a fool,&mdash;make a shorter name
+of it,&mdash;cry Anne, Anne! and there will be more
+prospect of your being answered."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, the wild girl ran out of the room,
+delighted, as a mountaineer of her description was
+likely to be, with the thought of having done as
+she would desire to be done by, in her benevolent
+exertions to bring two lovers together, when on
+the eve of inevitable separation.</p>
+
+<p>In this self-approving disposition, Annette sped
+up a narrow turnpike stair to a closet, or dressing-room,
+where her young mistress was seated, and
+exclaimed, with open mouth,&mdash;"Anne of Gei&mdash;&mdash;,
+I mean my Lady Baroness, they are come&mdash;they
+are come!"</p>
+
+<p>"The Philipsons?" said Anne, almost breathless
+as she asked the question.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;no&mdash;" answered the girl; "that is, yes,&mdash;for
+the best of them is come, and that is
+Arthur."</p>
+
+<p>"What meanest thou, girl? Is not Seignor
+Philipson, the father, along with his son?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Not he, indeed," answered Veilchen, "nor did
+I ever think of asking about him. He was no
+friend of mine, nor of any one else, save the old
+Landamman; and well met they were for a couple
+of wiseacres, with eternal proverbs in their mouths,
+and care upon their brows."</p>
+
+<p>"Unkind, inconsiderate girl, what hast thou
+done?" said Anne of Geierstein. "Did I not
+warn and charge thee to bring them both hither?
+and you have brought the young man alone to a
+place where we are nearly in solitude! What will
+he&mdash;what can he think of me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what should I have done?" said
+Annette, remaining firm in her argument. "He
+was alone, and should I have sent him down to
+the <i>dorf</i> to be murdered by the Rhinegrave's Lanzknechts?
+All is fish, I trow, that comes to their
+net; and how is he to get through this country,
+so beset with wandering soldiers, robber barons (I
+beg your ladyship's pardon), and roguish Italians,
+flocking to the Duke of Burgundy's standard?&mdash;Not
+to mention the greatest terror of all, that is
+never in one shape or other absent from one's eye
+or thought."</p>
+
+<p>"Hush, hush, girl! add not utter madness to
+the excess of folly; but let us think what is to be
+done. For our sake, for his own, this unfortunate
+young man must leave this castle instantly."</p>
+
+<p>"You must take the message yourself, then,
+Anne&mdash;I beg pardon, most noble Baroness;&mdash;it
+may be very fit for a lady of high birth to send
+such a message, which, indeed, I have heard the
+Minne-singers tell in their romances; but I am
+sure it is not a meet one for me, or any frank-hearted
+Swiss girl, to carry. No more foolery;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span>
+but remember, if you were born Baroness of Arnheim,
+you have been bred and brought up in the
+bosom of the Swiss hills, and should conduct
+yourself like an honest and well-meaning damsel."</p>
+
+<p>"And in what does your wisdom reprehend my
+folly, good Mademoiselle Annette?" replied the
+Baroness.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, marry! now our noble blood stirs in our
+veins. But remember, gentle my lady, that it
+was a bargain between us, when I left yonder
+noble mountains, and the free air that blows over
+them, to coop myself up in this land of prisons
+and slaves, that I should speak my mind to you as
+freely as I did when our heads lay on the same
+pillow."</p>
+
+<p>"Speak, then," said Anne, studiously averting
+her face as she prepared to listen; "but beware
+that you say nothing which it is unfit for me to
+hear."</p>
+
+<p>"I will speak nature and common-sense; and if
+your noble ears are not made fit to hear and understand
+these, the fault lies in them, and not in my
+tongue. Look you, you have saved this youth
+from two great dangers&mdash;one at the earth-shoot at
+Geierstein, the other this very day, when his life
+was beset. A handsome young man he is, well
+spoken, and well qualified to gain deservedly a
+lady's favour. Before you saw him, the Swiss
+youth were at least not odious to you. You danced
+with them,&mdash;you jested with them,&mdash;you were
+the general object of their admiration,&mdash;and, as
+you well know, you might have had your choice
+through the Canton&mdash;Why, I think it possible a
+little urgency might have brought you to think of
+Rudolph Donnerhugel as your mate."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Never, wench, never!" exclaimed Anne.</p>
+
+<p>"Be not so very positive, my lady. Had he
+recommended himself to the uncle in the first
+place, I think, in my poor sentiment, he might at
+some lucky moment have carried the niece. But
+since we have known this young Englishman, it
+has been little less than contemning, despising,
+and something like hating, all the men whom you
+could endure well enough before."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well," said Anne, "I will detest and
+hate thee more than any of them, unless you bring
+your matters to an end."</p>
+
+<p>"Softly, noble lady, fair and easy go far. All
+this argues you love the young man, and let those
+say that you are wrong who think there is anything
+wonderful in the matter. There is much
+to justify you, and nothing that I know against
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"What, foolish girl! Remember my birth forbids
+me to love a mean man&mdash;my condition to
+love a poor man&mdash;my father's commands to love
+one whose addresses are without his consent&mdash;above
+all, my maidenly pride forbids me fixing my
+affections on one who cares not for me&mdash;nay, perhaps,
+is prejudiced against me by appearances."</p>
+
+<p>"Here is a fine homily!" said Annette; "but
+I can clear every point of it as easily as Father
+Francis does his text in a holiday sermon. Your
+birth is a silly dream, which you have only learned
+to value within these two or three days, when,
+having come to German soil, some of the old German
+weed, usually called family pride, has begun
+to germinate in your heart. Think of such folly
+as you thought when you lived at Geierstein&mdash;that
+is, during all the rational part of your life,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span>
+and this great terrible prejudice will sink into
+nothing. By condition, I conceive you mean
+estate. But Philipson's father, who is the most
+free-hearted of men, will surely give his son as
+many zechins as will stock a mountain farm. You
+have firewood for the cutting, and land for the
+occupying, since you are surely entitled to part of
+Geierstein, and gladly will your uncle put you in
+possession of it. You can manage the dairy,
+Arthur can shoot, hunt, fish, plough, harrow, and
+reap."</p>
+
+<p>Anne of Geierstein shook her head, as if she
+greatly doubted her lover's skill in the last of the
+accomplishments enumerated.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, he can learn, then," said Annette
+Veilchen; "and you will only live the harder the
+first year or so. Besides, Sigismund Biederman
+will aid him willingly, and he is a very horse at
+labour; and I know another besides, who is a
+friend"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Of thine own, I warrant," quoth the young
+Baroness.</p>
+
+<p>"Marry, it is my poor friend Louis Sprenger;
+and I'll never be so false-hearted as to deny my
+bachelor."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, but what is to be the end of all
+this?" said the Baroness, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"The end of it, in my opinion," said Annette,
+"is very simple. Here are priests and prayer-books
+within a mile&mdash;go down to the parlour,
+speak your mind to your lover, or hear him speak
+his mind to you; join hands, go quietly back to
+Geierstein in the character of man and wife, and
+get everything ready to receive your uncle on his
+return. This is the way that a plain Swiss
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span>
+wench would cut off the romance of a German
+Baroness"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And break the heart of her father," said the
+young lady, with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"It is more tough than you are aware of," replied
+Annette. "He hath not lived without you
+so long but that he will be able to spare you for
+the rest of his life, a great deal more easily than
+you, with all your new-fangled ideas of quality,
+will be able to endure his schemes of wealth and
+ambition, which will aim at making you the wife
+of some illustrious Count, like De Hagenbach,
+whom we saw not long since make such an edifying
+end, to the great example of all Robber-Chivalry
+upon the Rhine."</p>
+
+<p>"Thy plan is naught, wench; a childish vision
+of a girl who never knew more of life than she has
+heard told over her milking-pail. Remember that
+my uncle entertains the highest ideas of family
+discipline, and that to act contrary to my father's
+will would destroy us in his good opinion. Why
+else am I here? Wherefore has he resigned his
+guardianship? And why am I obliged to change
+the habits that are dear to me, and assume the
+manners of a people that are strange, and therefore
+unpleasing to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your uncle," said Annette firmly, "is Landamman
+of the Canton of Unterwalden; respects
+its freedom, and is the sworn protector of its laws,
+of which, when you, a denizen of the Confederacy,
+claim the protection, he cannot refuse it to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Even then," said the young Baroness, "I
+should forfeit his good opinion, his more than
+paternal affection; but it is needless to dwell upon
+this. Know, that although I could have loved
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span>
+the young man, whom I will not deny to be as
+amiable as your partiality paints him&mdash;know,"&mdash;she
+hesitated for a moment,&mdash;"that he has never
+spoken a word to me on such a subject as you,
+without knowing either his sentiments or mine,
+would intrude on my consideration."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible?" answered Annette. "I
+thought&mdash;I believed, though I have never pressed
+on your confidence&mdash;that you must&mdash;attached as
+you were to each other&mdash;have spoken together,
+like true maid and true bachelor, before now. I
+have done wrong, when I thought to do for the
+best.&mdash;Is it possible!&mdash;such things have been
+heard of even in our canton&mdash;is it possible he can
+have harboured so unutterably base purposes, as
+that Martin of Brisach, who made love to Adela
+of the Sundgau, enticed her to folly&mdash;the thing,
+though almost incredible, is true&mdash;fled&mdash;fled
+from the country and boasted of his villany, till
+her cousin Raymund silenced for ever his infamous
+triumph, by beating his brains out with his club,
+even in the very street of the villain's native
+town? By the Holy Mother of Einsiedlen! could
+I suspect this Englishman of meditating such
+treason, I would saw the plank across the moat
+till a fly's weight would break it, and it should be
+at six fathom deep that he should abye the perfidy
+which dared to meditate dishonour against an
+adopted daughter of Switzerland!"</p>
+
+<p>As Annette Veilchen spoke, all the fire of her
+mountain courage flashed from her eyes, and she
+listened reluctantly while Anne of Geierstein endeavoured
+to obliterate the dangerous impression
+which her former words had impressed on her
+simple but faithful attendant.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"On my word"&mdash;she said,&mdash;"on my soul&mdash;you
+do Arthur Philipson injustice&mdash;foul injustice, in
+intimating such a suspicion;&mdash;his conduct towards
+me has ever been upright and honourable&mdash;a
+friend to a friend&mdash;a brother to a sister&mdash;could
+not, in all he has done and said, have been more
+respectful, more anxiously affectionate, more undeviatingly
+candid. In our frequent interviews
+and intercourse he has indeed seemed very kind&mdash;very
+attached. But had I been disposed&mdash;at
+times I may have been too much so&mdash;to listen to
+him with endurance,"&mdash;the young lady here put
+her hand on her forehead, but the tears streamed
+through her slender fingers,&mdash;"he has never spoken
+of any love&mdash;any preference;&mdash;if he indeed entertains
+any, some obstacle, insurmountable on his
+part, has interfered to prevent him."</p>
+
+<p>"Obstacle?" replied the Swiss damsel. "Ay,
+doubtless&mdash;some childish bashfulness&mdash;some foolish
+idea about your birth being so high above his
+own&mdash;some dream of modesty pushed to extremity,
+which considers as impenetrable the ice of a
+spring frost. This delusion may be broken by a
+moment's encouragement, and I will take the task
+on myself, to spare your blushes, my dearest
+Anne."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; for Heaven's sake, no, Veilchen!"
+answered the Baroness, to whom Annette had so
+long been a companion and confidant, rather than
+a domestic. "You cannot anticipate the nature of
+the obstacles which may prevent his thinking on
+what you are so desirous to promote. Hear me&mdash;My
+early education, and the instructions of my
+kind uncle, have taught me to know something
+more of foreigners and their fashions than I ever
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span>
+could have learned in our happy retirement of
+Geierstein; I am well-nigh convinced that these
+Philipsons are of rank, as they are of manners and
+bearing, far superior to the occupation which they
+appear to hold. The father is a man of deep observation,
+of high thought and pretension, and lavish
+of gifts, far beyond what consists with the utmost
+liberality of a trader."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said Annette. "I will say for
+myself, that the silver chain he gave me weighs
+against ten silver crowns, and the cross which
+Arthur added to it, the day after the long ride we
+had together up towards Mount Pilatus, is worth,
+they tell me, as much more. There is not the
+like of it in the Cantons. Well, what then? They
+are rich, so are you. So much the better."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! Annette, they are not only rich, but
+noble. I am persuaded of this; for I have observed
+often, that even the father retreated, with
+an air of quiet and dignified contempt, from discussions
+with Donnerhugel and others, who, in
+our plain way, wished to fasten a dispute upon
+him. And when a rude observation or blunt
+pleasantry was pointed at the son, his eye flashed,
+his cheek coloured, and it was only a glance from
+his father which induced him to repress the retort
+of no friendly character which rose to his lips."</p>
+
+<p>"You have been a close observer," said Annette.
+"All this may be true, but I noted it not. But
+what then, I say once more? If Arthur has some
+fine noble name in his own country, are not you
+yourself Baroness of Arnheim? And I will
+frankly allow it as something of worth, if it
+smooths the way to a match, where I think you
+must look for happiness&mdash;I hope so, else I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span>
+am sure it should have no encouragement from
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"I do believe so, my faithful Veilchen; but,
+alas! how can you, in the state of natural freedom
+in which you have been bred, know, or even
+dream, of the various restraints which this gilded
+or golden chain of rank and nobility hangs upon
+those whom it fetters and encumbers, I fear, as
+much as it decorates? In every country, the distinction
+of rank binds men to certain duties. It
+may carry with it restrictions, which may prevent
+alliances in foreign countries&mdash;it often may prevent
+them from consulting their inclinations,
+when they wed in their own. It leads to alliances
+in which the heart is never consulted, to treaties
+of marriage, which are often formed when the
+parties are in the cradle, or in leading strings, but
+which are not the less binding on them in honour
+and faith. Such may exist in the present case.
+These alliances are often blended and mixed up
+with state policy; and if the interest of England,
+or what he deems such, should have occasioned
+the elder Philipson to form such an engagement,
+Arthur would break his own heart&mdash;the heart of
+any one else&mdash;rather than make false his father's
+word."</p>
+
+<p>"The more shame to them that formed such an
+engagement!" said Annette. "Well, they talk of
+England being a free country; but if they can bar
+young men and women of the natural privilege to
+call their hands and hearts their own, I would as
+soon be a German serf.&mdash;Well, lady, you are wise,
+and I am ignorant. But what is to be done? I
+have brought this young man here, expecting, God
+knows, a happier issue to your meeting. But it
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span>
+is clear you cannot marry him without his asking
+you. Now, although I confess that, if I could
+think him willing to forfeit the hand of the fairest
+maid of the Cantons, either from want of manly
+courage to ask it, or from regard to some ridiculous
+engagement, formed betwixt his father and
+some other nobleman of their island of noblemen,
+I would not in either case grudge him a ducking
+in the moat; yet it is another question, whether
+we should send him down to be murdered among
+those cut-throats of the Rhinegrave; and unless
+we do so, I know not how to get rid of him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let the boy William give attendance on
+him here, and do you see to his accommodation.
+It is best we do not meet."</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said Annette; "yet what am I to say
+for you? Unhappily, I let him know that you
+were here."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, imprudent girl! Yet why should I
+blame thee," said Anne of Geierstein, "when the
+imprudence has been so great on my own side? It
+is myself, who, suffering my imagination to rest
+too long upon this young man and his merits,
+have led me into this entanglement. But I will
+show thee that I can overcome this folly, and I
+will not seek in my own error a cause for evading
+the duties of hospitality. Go, Veilchen, get some
+refreshment ready. Thou shalt sup with us, and
+thou must not leave us. Thou shalt see me behave
+as becomes both a German lady and a Swiss
+maiden. Get me first a candle, however, my girl,
+for I must wash these tell-tales, my eyes, and
+arrange my dress."</p>
+
+<p>To Annette this whole explanation had been one
+scene of astonishment, for, in the simple ideas of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span>
+love and courtship in which she had been brought
+up amid the Swiss mountains, she had expected
+that the two lovers would have taken the first
+opportunity of the absence of their natural guardians,
+and have united themselves for ever; and
+she had even arranged a little secondary plot, in
+which she herself and Martin Sprenger, her faithful
+bachelor, were to reside with the young couple
+as friends and dependants. Silenced, therefore,
+but not satisfied, by the objections of her young
+mistress, the zealous Annette retreated murmuring
+to herself,&mdash;"That little hint about her dress is
+the only natural and sensible word she has said
+in my hearing. Please God, I will return and help
+her in the twinkling of an eye. That dressing my
+mistress is the only part of a waiting-lady's life
+that I have the least fancy for&mdash;it seems so natural
+for one pretty maiden to set off another&mdash;in
+faith we are but learning to dress ourselves at
+another time."</p>
+
+<p>And with this sage remark Annette Veilchen
+tripped down stairs.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Tell me not of it&mdash;I could ne'er abide</p>
+<p>The mummery of all that forced civility.</p>
+<p>"Pray, seat yourself, my lord." With cringing hams</p>
+<p>The speech is spoken, and, with bended knee,</p>
+<p>Heard by the smiling courtier.&mdash;"Before you, sir?</p>
+<p>It must be on the earth then." Hang it all!</p>
+<p>The pride which cloaks itself in such poor fashion</p>
+<p>Is scarcely fit to swell a beggar's bosom.</p>
+<p class="i12"><i>Old Play.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Up stairs and down stairs tripped Annette Veilchen,
+the soul of all that was going on in the only
+habitable corner of the huge castle of Arnheim.
+She was equal to every kind of service, and therefore
+popped her head into the stable to be sure
+that William attended properly to Arthur's horse,
+looked into the kitchen to see that the old cook,
+Marthon, roasted the partridges in due time (an
+interference for which she received little thanks),
+rummaged out a flask or two of Rhine wine from
+the huge Dom Daniel of a cellar, and, finally, just
+peeped into the parlour to see how Arthur was
+looking; when, having the satisfaction to see he
+had in the best manner he could sedulously arranged
+his person, she assured him that he should
+shortly see her mistress, who was rather indisposed,
+yet could not refrain from coming down to
+see so valued an acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur blushed when she spoke thus, and
+seemed so handsome in the waiting-maid's eye,
+that she could not help saying to herself, as she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span>
+went to her young lady's room,&mdash;"Well, if true
+love cannot manage to bring that couple together,
+in spite of all the obstacles that they stand
+boggling at, I will never believe that there is
+such a thing as true love in the world, let Martin
+Sprenger say what he will, and swear to it on
+the Gospels."</p>
+
+<p>When she reached the young Baroness's apartment,
+she found, to her surprise, that, instead of
+having put on what finery she possessed, that
+young lady's choice had preferred the same simple
+kirtle which she had worn during the first day
+that Arthur had dined at Geierstein. Annette
+looked at first puzzled and doubtful, then suddenly
+recognised the good taste which had dictated the
+attire, and exclaimed,&mdash;"You are right&mdash;you are
+right&mdash;it is best to meet him as a free-hearted
+Swiss maiden."</p>
+
+<p>Anne also smiled as she replied,&mdash;"But, at the
+same time, in the walls of Arnheim, I must appear
+in some respect as the daughter of my father.&mdash;Here,
+girl, aid me to put this gem upon the riband
+which binds my hair."</p>
+
+<p>It was an aigrette, or plume, composed of two
+feathers of a vulture, fastened together by an opal,
+which changed to the changing light with a variability
+which enchanted the Swiss damsel, who had
+never seen anything resembling it in her life.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Baroness Anne," said she, "if that pretty
+thing be really worn as a sign of your rank, it is
+the only thing belonging to your dignity that I
+should ever think of coveting; for it doth shimmer
+and change colour after a most wonderful
+fashion, even something like one's own cheek
+when one is fluttered."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Alas, Annette!" said the Baroness, passing
+her hand across her eyes, "of all the gauds which
+the females of my house have owned, this perhaps
+hath been the most fatal to its possessors."</p>
+
+<p>"And why then wear it?" said Annette. "Why
+wear it now, of all days in the year?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it best reminds me of my duty to my
+father and family. And now, girl, look thou sit
+with us at table, and leave not the apartment;
+and see thou fly not to and fro to help thyself or
+others with anything on the board, but remain
+quiet and seated till William helps you to what
+you have occasion for."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is a gentle fashion, which I like
+well enough," said Annette, "and William serves
+us so debonairly, that it is a joy to see him; yet,
+ever and anon, I feel as I were not Annette Veilchen
+herself, but only Annette Veilchen's picture,
+since I can neither rise, sit down, run about, nor
+stand still, without breaking some rule of courtly
+breeding. It is not so, I dare say, with you, who
+are always mannerly."</p>
+
+<p>"Less courtly than thou seemest to think," said
+the high-born maiden; "but I feel the restraint
+more on the greensward, and under heaven's free
+air, than when I undergo it closed within the
+walls of an apartment."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, true&mdash;the dancing," said Annette; "that
+was something to be sorry for indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"But most am I sorry, Annette, that I cannot
+tell whether I act precisely right or wrong in seeing
+this young man, though it must be for the
+last time. Were my father to arrive?&mdash;Were Ital
+Schreckenwald to return"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Your father is too deeply engaged on some of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span>
+his dark and mystic errands," said the flippant
+Swiss; "sailed to the mountains of the Brockenberg,
+where witches hold their sabbath, or gone on
+a hunting-party with the Wild Huntsman."</p>
+
+<p>"Fie, Annette, how dare you talk thus of my
+father?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I know little of him personally," said
+the damsel, "and you yourself do not know much
+more. And how should that be false which all
+men say is true?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, fool, what do they say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that the Count is a wizard,&mdash;that your
+grandmother was a will-of-wisp, and old Ital
+Schreckenwald a born devil incarnate; and there
+is some truth in that, whatever comes of the rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gone down to spend the night in the village,
+to see the Rhinegrave's men quartered, and keep
+them in some order, if possible; for the soldiers
+are disappointed of pay which they had been promised;
+and when this happens, nothing resembles
+a lanzknecht except a chafed bear."</p>
+
+<p>"Go we down then, girl; it is perhaps the last
+night which we may spend, for years, with a certain
+degree of freedom."</p>
+
+<p>I will not pretend to describe the marked
+embarrassment with which Arthur Philipson and
+Anne of Geierstein met; neither lifted their eyes,
+neither spoke intelligibly, as they greeted each
+other, and the maiden herself did not blush more
+deeply than her modest visitor; while the good-humoured
+Swiss girl, whose ideas of love partook
+of the freedom of a more Arcadian country and
+its customs, looked on with eyebrows a little
+arched, much in wonder, and a little in contempt,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span>
+at a couple who, as she might think, acted with
+such unnatural and constrained reserve. Deep
+was the reverence and the blush with which
+Arthur offered his hand to the young lady, and
+her acceptance of the courtesy had the same character
+of extreme bashfulness, agitation, and embarrassment.
+In short, though little or nothing
+intelligible passed between this very handsome
+and interesting couple, the interview itself did not
+on that account lose any interest. Arthur handed
+the maiden, as was the duty of a gallant of the
+day, into the next room, where their repast was
+prepared; and Annette, who watched with singular
+attention everything which occurred, felt with
+astonishment that the forms and ceremonies of
+the higher orders of society had such an influence,
+even over her free-born mind, as the rites of the
+Druids over that of the Roman general, when
+he said,</p>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">I scorn them, yet they awe me.</p>
+</div>
+<p>"What can have changed them?" said Annette.
+"When at Geierstein they looked but like another
+girl and bachelor, only that Anne is so very handsome;
+but now they move in time and manner as
+if they were leading a stately pavin, and behave
+to each other with as much formal respect as if he
+were Landamman of the Unterwalden, and she the
+first lady of Berne. 'Tis all very fine, doubtless, but
+it is not the way that Martin Sprenger makes love."</p>
+
+<p>Apparently, the circumstances in which each of
+the young people was placed recalled to them the
+habits of lofty and somewhat formal courtesy to
+which they might have been accustomed in former
+days; and while the Baroness felt it necessary to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span>
+observe the strictest decorum, in order to qualify
+the reception of Arthur into the interior of her
+retreat, he, on the other hand, endeavoured to
+show, by the profoundness of his respect, that he
+was incapable of misusing the kindness with
+which he had been treated. They placed themselves
+at table, scrupulously observing the distance
+which might become a "virtuous gentleman and
+maid." The youth William did the service of
+the entertainment with deftness and courtesy, as
+one well accustomed to such duty; and Annette,
+placing herself between them, and endeavouring,
+as closely as she could, to adhere to the ceremonies
+which she saw them observe, made practice of the
+civilities which were expected from the attendant
+of a baroness. Various, however, were the errors
+which she committed. Her demeanour in general
+was that of a greyhound in the slips, ready to start
+up every moment; and she was only withheld by
+the recollection that she was to ask for that which
+she had far more mind to help herself to.</p>
+
+<p>Other points of etiquette were transgressed in
+their turn, after the repast was over, and the attendant
+had retired. The waiting damsel often
+mingled too unceremoniously in the conversation,
+and could not help calling her mistress by her
+Christian name of Anne, and, in defiance of all
+decorum, addressed her, as well as Philipson, with
+the pronoun <i>thou</i>, which then, as well as now, was
+a dreadful solecism in German politeness. Her
+blunders were so far fortunate that, by furnishing
+the young lady and Arthur with a topic foreign
+to the peculiarities of their own situation, they
+enabled them to withdraw their attentions from
+its embarrassments, and to exchange smiles at
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span>
+poor Annette's expense. She was not long of perceiving
+this, and half nettled, half availing herself
+of the apology to speak her mind, said, with considerable
+spirit, "You have both been very merry,
+forsooth, at my expense, and all because I wished
+rather to rise and seek what I wanted, than wait
+till the poor fellow, who was kept trotting between
+the board and beauffet, found leisure to bring it to
+me. You laugh at me now, because I call you by
+your names, as they were given to you in the
+blessed church at your christening; and because I
+say to you <i>thee</i> and <i>thou</i>, addressing my Juncker
+and my Yungfrau as I would do if I were on my
+knees praying to Heaven. But for all your new-world
+fancies, I can tell you, you are but a couple
+of children, who do not know your own minds,
+and are jesting away the only leisure given you to
+provide for your own happiness. Nay, frown not,
+my sweet Mistress Baroness; I have looked at
+Mount Pilatus too often, to fear a gloomy brow."</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, Annette," said her mistress, "or quit
+the room."</p>
+
+<p>"Were I not more your friend than I am my
+own," said the headstrong and undaunted Annette,
+"I would quit the room, and the castle to boot,
+and leave you to hold your house here, with your
+amiable seneschal, Ital Schreckenwald."</p>
+
+<p>"If not for love, yet for shame, for charity, be
+silent, or leave the room."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said Annette, "my bolt is shot, and I
+have but hinted at what all upon Geierstein Green
+said, the night when the bow of Buttisholz was
+bended. You know what the old saw says"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Peace! peace, for Heaven's sake, or I must
+needs fly!" said the young Baroness.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nay, then," said Annette, considerably changing
+her tone, as if afraid that her mistress should
+actually retire, "if you must fly, necessity must
+have its course. I know no one who can follow.
+This mistress of mine, Seignor Arthur, would require
+for her attendant, not a homely girl of flesh
+and blood like myself, but a waiting-woman with
+substance composed of gossamer, and breath supplied
+by the spirit of ether. Would you believe
+it&mdash;It is seriously held by many, that she partakes
+of the race of spirits of the elements, which
+makes her so much more bashful than maidens of
+this every-day world."</p>
+
+<p>Anne of Geierstein seemed rather glad to lead
+away the conversation from the turn which her
+wayward maiden had given to it, and to turn it on
+more indifferent subjects, though these were still
+personal to herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Seignor Arthur," she said, "thinks, perhaps,
+he has some room to nourish some such strange
+suspicion as your heedless folly expresses, and
+some fools believe, both in Germany and Switzerland.
+Confess, Seignor Arthur, you thought
+strangely of me when I passed your guard upon
+the bridge of Graffs-lust, on the night last past."</p>
+
+<p>The recollection of the circumstances which had
+so greatly surprised him at the time so startled
+Arthur that it was with some difficulty he commanded
+himself, so as to attempt an answer at all;
+and what he did say on the occasion was broken
+and unconnected.</p>
+
+<p>"I did hear, I own&mdash;that is, Rudolph Donnerhugel
+reported&mdash;But that I believed that you, gentle
+lady, were other than a Christian maiden"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, if Rudolph were the reporter," said
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span>
+Annette, "you would hear the worst of my lady
+and her lineage, that is certain. He is one of
+those prudent personages who depreciate and find
+fault with the goods he has thoughts of purchasing,
+in order to deter other offerers. Yes, he told you
+a fine goblin story, I warrant you, of my lady's
+grandmother; and truly, it so happened, that
+the circumstances of the case gave, I dare say,
+some colour in your eyes to"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Not so, Annette," answered Arthur; "whatever
+might be said of your lady that sounded uncouth
+and strange, fell to the ground as incredible."</p>
+
+<p>"Not quite so much so, I fancy," interrupted
+Annette, without heeding sign or frown. "I
+strongly suspect I should have had much more
+trouble in dragging you hither to this castle, had
+you known you were approaching the haunt of the
+Nymph of the Fire, the Salamander, as they call
+her, not to mention the shock of again seeing the
+descendant of that Maiden of the Fiery Mantle."</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, once more, Annette," said her mistress;
+"since Fate has occasioned this meeting, let us
+not neglect the opportunity to disabuse our English
+friend of the absurd report he has listened to,
+with doubt and wonder perhaps, but not with
+absolute incredulity.</p>
+
+<p>"Seignor Arthur Philipson," she proceeded, "it
+is true my grandfather, by the mother's side,
+Baron Herman of Arnheim, was a man of great
+knowledge in abstruse sciences. He was also a
+presiding judge of a tribunal of which you must
+have heard, called the Holy Vehme. One night
+a stranger, closely pursued by the agents of that
+body, which" (crossing herself) "it is not safe even
+to name, arrived at the castle and craved his protection,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span>
+and the rights of hospitality. My grandfather,
+finding the advance which the stranger had
+made to the rank of Adept, gave him his protection,
+and became bail to deliver him to answer the
+charge against him, for a year and a day, which
+delay he was, it seems, entitled to require on his
+behalf. They studied together during that term,
+and pushed their researches into the mysteries of
+nature, as far, in all probability, as men have the
+power of urging them. When the fatal day drew
+nigh on which the guest must part from his host,
+he asked permission to bring his daughter to the
+castle, that they might exchange a last farewell.
+She was introduced with much secrecy, and after
+some days, finding that her father's fate was so uncertain,
+the Baron, with the sage's consent, agreed
+to give the forlorn maiden refuge in his castle,
+hoping to obtain from her some additional information
+concerning the languages and the wisdom
+of the East. Dannischemend, her father, left this
+castle, to go to render himself up to the Vehme-gericht
+at Fulda. The result is unknown; perhaps
+he was saved by Baron Arnheim's testimony,
+perhaps he was given up to the steel and the cord.
+On such matters, who dare speak?</p>
+
+<p>"The fair Persian became the wife of her guardian
+and protector. Amid many excellences, she
+had one peculiarity allied to imprudence. She
+availed herself of her foreign dress and manners,
+as well as of a beauty which was said to have been
+marvellous, and an agility seldom equalled, to
+impose upon and terrify the ignorant German
+ladies, who, hearing her speak Persian and Arabic,
+were already disposed to consider her as over
+closely connected with unlawful arts. She was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span>
+of a fanciful and imaginative disposition, and
+delighted to place herself in such colours and circumstances
+as might confirm their most ridiculous
+suspicions, which she considered only as matter of
+sport. There was no end to the stories to which
+she gave rise. Her first appearance in the castle
+was said to be highly picturesque, and to have
+inferred something of the marvellous. With the
+levity of a child, she had some childish passions,
+and while she encouraged the growth and circulation
+of the most extraordinary legends amongst
+some of the neighbourhood, she entered into disputes
+with persons of her own quality concerning
+rank and precedence, on which the ladies of
+Westphalia have at all times set great store. This
+cost her her life; for, on the morning of the christening
+of my poor mother, the Baroness of Arnheim
+died suddenly, even while a splendid company
+was assembled in the castle chapel to witness
+the ceremony. It was believed that she died of
+poison, administered by the Baroness Steinfeldt,
+with whom she was engaged in a bitter quarrel,
+entered into chiefly on behalf of her friend and
+companion, the Countess Waldstetten."</p>
+
+<p>"And the opal gem?&mdash;and the sprinkling with
+water?" said Arthur Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" replied the young Baroness, "I see you
+desire to hear the real truth of my family history,
+of which you have yet learned only the romantic
+legend.&mdash;The sprinkling of water was necessarily
+had recourse to, on my ancestress's first swoon.
+As for the opal, I have heard that it did indeed
+grow pale, but only because it is said to be the
+nature of that noble gem, on the approach of
+poison. Some part of the quarrel with the Baroness
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span>
+Steinfeldt was about the right of the Persian
+maiden to wear this stone, which an ancestor of
+my family won in battle from the Soldan of Trebizond.
+All these things were confused in popular
+tradition, and the real facts turned into a fairy
+tale."</p>
+
+<p>"But you have said nothing," suggested Arthur
+Philipson, "on&mdash;on"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"On what?" said his hostess.</p>
+
+<p>"On your appearance last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible," said she, "that a man of sense,
+and an Englishman, cannot guess at the explanation
+which I have to give, though not, perhaps,
+very distinctly? My father, you are aware, has
+been a busy man in a disturbed country, and has
+incurred the hatred of many powerful persons.
+He is, therefore, obliged to move in secret, and
+avoid unnecessary observation. He was, besides,
+averse to meet his brother, the Landamman. I
+was therefore told, on our entering Germany, that
+I was to expect a signal where and when to join
+him,&mdash;the token was to be a small crucifix of
+bronze, which had belonged to my poor mother.
+In my apartment at Graffs-lust I found the token,
+with a note from my father, making me acquainted
+with a secret passage proper to such
+places, which, though it had the appearance of
+being blocked up, was in fact very slightly barricaded.
+By this I was instructed to pass to the
+gate, make my escape into the woods, and meet
+my father at a place appointed there."</p>
+
+<p>"A wild and perilous adventure," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I have never been so much shocked," continued
+the maiden, "as at receiving this summons,
+compelling me to steal away from my kind and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span>
+affectionate uncle, and go I knew not whither.
+Yet compliance was absolutely necessary. The
+place of meeting was plainly pointed out. A
+midnight walk, in the neighbourhood of protection,
+was to me a trifle; but the precaution of
+posting sentinels at the gate might have interfered
+with my purpose, had I not mentioned it to some
+of my elder cousins, the Biedermans, who readily
+agreed to let me pass and repass unquestioned.
+But you know my cousins; honest and kind-hearted,
+they are of a rude way of thinking, and
+as incapable of feeling a generous delicacy as&mdash;some
+other persons."&mdash;(Here there was a glance
+towards Annette Veilchen.)&mdash;"They exacted from
+me, that I should conceal myself and my purpose
+from Sigismund; and as they are always making
+sport with the simple youth, they insisted that I
+should pass him in such a manner as might induce
+him to believe that I was a spiritual apparition,
+and out of his terrors for supernatural beings they
+expected to have much amusement. I was obliged
+to secure their connivance at my escape on their
+own terms; and, indeed, I was too much grieved
+at the prospect of quitting my kind uncle to
+think much of anything else. Yet my surprise
+was considerable, when, contrary to expectation,
+I found you on the bridge as sentinel, instead of
+my cousin Sigismund. Your own ideas I ask
+not for."</p>
+
+<p>"They were those of a fool," said Arthur, "of
+a thrice-sodden fool. Had I been aught else, I
+would have offered my escort. My sword"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I could not have accepted your protection,"
+said Anne, calmly. "My mission was in every
+respect a secret one. I met my father&mdash;some
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span>
+intercourse had taken place betwixt him and
+Rudolph Donnerhugel, which induced him to
+alter his purpose of carrying me away with him
+last night. I joined him, however, early this
+morning, while Annette acted for a time my
+part amongst the Swiss pilgrims. My father
+desired that it should not be known when or
+with whom I left my uncle and his escort. I
+need scarce remind you, that I saw you in the
+dungeon."</p>
+
+<p>"You were the preserver of my life," said the
+youth,&mdash;"the restorer of my liberty."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask me not the reason of my silence. I was
+then acting under the agency of others, not under
+mine own. Your escape was effected, in order to
+establish a communication betwixt the Swiss without
+the fortress and the soldiers within. After
+the alarm at La Ferette, I learned from Sigismund
+Biederman that a party of banditti were pursuing
+your father and you, with a view to pillage and
+robbery. My father had furnished me with the
+means of changing Anne of Geierstein into a
+German maiden of quality. I set out instantly,
+and glad I am to have given you a hint which
+might free you from danger."</p>
+
+<p>"But my father?" said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I have every reason to hope he is well and
+safe," answered the young lady. "More than I
+were eager to protect both you and him&mdash;poor
+Sigismund amongst the first.&mdash;And now, my
+friend, these mysteries explained, it is time we
+part, and for ever."</p>
+
+<p>"Part!&mdash;and for ever!" repeated the youth, in
+a voice like a dying echo.</p>
+
+<p>"It is our fate," said the maiden. "I appeal to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span>
+you if it is not your duty&mdash;I tell you it is mine.
+You will depart with early dawn to Strasburg&mdash;and&mdash;and&mdash;we
+never meet again."</p>
+
+<p>With an ardour of passion which he could not
+repress, Arthur Philipson threw himself at the
+feet of the maiden, whose faltering tone had
+clearly expressed that she felt deeply in uttering
+the words. She looked round for Annette, but
+Annette had disappeared at this most critical moment;
+and her mistress for a second or two was not
+perhaps sorry for her absence.</p>
+
+<p>"Rise," she said, "Arthur&mdash;rise. You must
+not give way to feelings that might be fatal to
+yourself and me."</p>
+
+<p>"Hear me, lady, before I bid you adieu, and for
+ever&mdash;the word of a criminal is heard, though he
+plead the worst cause&mdash;I am a belted knight, and
+the son and heir of an Earl, whose name has been
+spread throughout England and France, and wherever
+valour has had fame."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said she, faintly, "I have but too long
+suspected what you now tell me&mdash;Rise, I pray
+you, rise."</p>
+
+<p>"Never till you hear me," said the youth,
+seizing one of her hands, which trembled, but
+hardly could be said to struggle in his grasp.&mdash;"Hear
+me," he said, with the enthusiasm of first
+love, when the obstacles of bashfulness and diffidence
+are surmounted,&mdash;"My father and I are&mdash;I
+acknowledge it&mdash;bound on a most hazardous and
+doubtful expedition. You will very soon learn its
+issue for good or bad. If it succeed, you shall hear
+of me in my own character&mdash;If I fall, I must&mdash;I
+will&mdash;I do claim a tear from Anne of Geierstein.
+If I escape, I have yet a horse, a lance, and a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span>
+sword; and you shall hear nobly of him whom you
+have thrice protected from imminent danger."</p>
+
+<p>"Arise&mdash;arise," repeated the maiden, whose
+tears began to flow fast, as, struggling to raise her
+lover, they fell thick upon his head and face. "I
+have heard enough&mdash;to listen to more were indeed
+madness, both for you and myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet one single word," added the youth;
+"while Arthur has a heart, it beats for you&mdash;while
+Arthur can wield an arm, it strikes for you,
+and in your cause."</p>
+
+<p>Annette now rushed into the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Away, away!" she cried&mdash;"Schreckenwald
+has returned from the village with some horrible
+tidings, and I fear me he comes this way."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur had started to his feet at the first signal
+of alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"If there is danger near your lady, Annette,
+there is at least one faithful friend by her side."</p>
+
+<p>Annette looked anxiously at her mistress.</p>
+
+<p>"But Schreckenwald," she said&mdash;"Schreckenwald,
+your father's steward&mdash;his confidant.&mdash;Oh,
+think better of it&mdash;I can hide Arthur somewhere."</p>
+
+<p>The noble-minded girl had already resumed her
+composure, and replied with dignity,&mdash;"I have
+done nothing," she said, "to offend my father. If
+Schreckenwald be my father's steward, he is my
+vassal. I hide no guest to conciliate him. Sit
+down" (addressing Arthur), "and let us receive
+this man.&mdash;Introduce him instantly, Annette,
+and let us hear his tidings&mdash;and bid him remember,
+that when he speaks to me he addresses his
+mistress."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur resumed his seat, still more proud of his
+choice from the noble and fearless spirit displayed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span>
+by one who had so lately shown herself sensible
+to the gentlest feelings of the female sex.</p>
+
+<p>Annette, assuming courage from her mistress's
+dauntless demeanour, clapped her hands together
+as she left the room, saying, but in a low voice,
+"I see that after all it is something to be a Baroness,
+if one can assert her dignity conformingly.
+How could I be so much frightened for this rude
+man!"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i8">Affairs that walk</p>
+<p>(As they say spirits do) at midnight, have</p>
+<p>In them a wilder nature than the business</p>
+<p>That seeks dispatch by day.</p>
+
+<p class="i7"><i>Henry VIII. Act V.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The approach of the steward was now boldly expected
+by the little party. Arthur, flattered at
+once and elevated by the firmness which Anne had
+shown when this person's arrival was announced,
+hastily considered the part which he was to act
+in the approaching scene, and prudently determined
+to avoid all active and personal interference,
+till he should observe from the demeanour
+of Anne that such was likely to be useful or agreeable
+to her. He resumed his place, therefore, at
+a distant part of the board, on which their meal
+had been lately spread, and remained there, determined
+to act in the manner Anne's behaviour
+should suggest as most prudent and fitting,&mdash;veiling,
+at the same time, the most acute internal
+anxiety, by an appearance of that deferential composure,
+which one of inferior rank adopts when
+admitted to the presence of a superior. Anne, on
+her part, seemed to prepare herself for an interview
+of interest. An air of conscious dignity
+succeeded the extreme agitation which she had so
+lately displayed, and, busying herself with some
+articles of female work, she also seemed to expect
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span>
+with tranquillity the visit to which her attendant
+was disposed to attach so much alarm.</p>
+
+<p>A step was heard upon the stair, hurried and
+unequal, as that of some one in confusion as well
+as haste; the door flew open, and Ital Schreckenwald
+entered.</p>
+
+<p>This person, with whom the details given to
+the elder Philipson by the Landamman Biederman
+have made the reader in some degree acquainted,
+was a tall, well-made, soldierly looking man.
+His dress, like that of persons of rank at the
+period in Germany, was more varied in colour,
+more cut and ornamented, slashed and jagged, than
+the habit worn in France and England. The
+never-failing hawk's feather decked his cap,
+secured with a medal of gold, which served as a
+clasp. His doublet was of buff, for defence, but
+<i>laid down</i>, as it was called in the tailor's craft,
+with rich lace on each seam, and displaying on
+the breast a golden chain, the emblem of his rank
+in the Baron's household. He entered with rather
+a hasty step, and busy and offended look, and
+said, somewhat rudely, "Why, how now, young
+lady&mdash;wherefore this? Strangers in the castle at
+this period of night!"</p>
+
+<p>Anne of Geierstein, though she had been long
+absent from her native country, was not ignorant
+of its habits and customs, and knew the haughty
+manner in which all who were noble exerted their
+authority over their dependants.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you a vassal of Arnheim, Ital Schreckenwald,
+and do you speak to the Lady of Arnheim
+in her own castle with an elevated voice, a saucy
+look, and bonneted withal? Know your place;
+and, when you have demanded pardon for your
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span>
+insolence, and told your errand in such terms as
+befit your condition and mine, I may listen to
+what you have to say."</p>
+
+<p>Schreckenwald's hand, in spite of him, stole to
+his bonnet, and uncovered his haughty brow.</p>
+
+<p>"Noble lady," he said, in a somewhat milder
+tone, "excuse me if my haste be unmannerly, but
+the alarm is instant. The soldiery of the Rhinegrave
+have mutinied, plucked down the banners of
+their master, and set up an independent ensign,
+which they call the pennon of St. Nicholas, under
+which they declare that they will maintain peace
+with God, and war with all the world. This
+castle cannot escape them, when they consider that
+the first course to maintain themselves must be to
+take possession of some place of strength. You
+must up then, and ride with the very peep of
+dawn. For the present, they are busy with the
+wine-skins of the peasants, but when they wake
+in the morning they will unquestionably march
+hither; and you may chance to fall into the hands
+of those who will think of the terrors of the castle
+of Arnheim as the figments of a fairy tale, and
+laugh at its mistress's pretensions to honour and
+respect."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it impossible to make resistance? The
+castle is strong," said the young lady, "and I am
+unwilling to leave the house of my fathers without
+attempting somewhat in our defence."</p>
+
+<p>"Five hundred men," said Schreckenwald,
+"might garrison Arnheim, battlement and tower.
+With a less number it were madness to attempt to
+keep such an extent of walls; and how to get
+twenty soldiers together, I am sure I know not.&mdash;So,
+having now the truth of the story, let me
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span>
+beseech you to dismiss this guest,&mdash;too young, I
+think, to be the inmate of a lady's bower,&mdash;and
+I will point to him the nighest way out of the
+castle; for this is a strait in which we must all
+be contented with looking to our own safety."</p>
+
+<p>"And whither is it that you propose to go?"
+said the Baroness, continuing to maintain, in
+respect to Ital Schreckenwald, the complete and
+calm assertion of absolute superiority, to which the
+seneschal gave way with such marks of impatience
+as a fiery steed exhibits under the management of
+a complete cavalier.</p>
+
+<p>"To Strasburg, I propose to go,&mdash;that is, if it
+so please you,&mdash;with such slight escort as I can
+get hastily together by daybreak. I trust we may
+escape being observed by the mutineers; or, if we
+fall in with a party of stragglers, I apprehend but
+little difficulty in forcing my way."</p>
+
+<p>"And wherefore do you prefer Strasburg as a
+place of asylum?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I trust we shall there meet your
+excellency's father, the noble Count Albert of
+Geierstein."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said the young lady.&mdash;"You also,
+I think, Seignor Philipson, spoke of directing your
+course to Strasburg. If it consist with your convenience,
+you may avail yourself of the protection
+of my escort as far as that city, where you expect
+to meet your father."</p>
+
+<p>It will readily be believed that Arthur cheerfully
+bowed assent to a proposal which was to
+prolong their remaining in society together, and
+might possibly, as his romantic imagination suggested,
+afford him an opportunity, on a road beset
+with dangers, to render some service of importance.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Ital Schreckenwald attempted to remonstrate.</p>
+
+<p>"Lady!&mdash;lady!"&mdash;he said, with some marks
+of impatience.</p>
+
+<p>"Take breath and leisure, Schreckenwald," said
+Anne, "and you will be more able to express
+yourself with distinctness, and with respectful
+propriety."</p>
+
+<p>The impatient vassal muttered an oath betwixt
+his teeth, and answered with forced civility,&mdash;"Permit
+me to state, that our case requires we
+should charge ourselves with the care of no one but
+you. We shall be few enough for your defence,
+and I cannot permit any stranger to travel with
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"If," said Arthur, "I conceived that I was to
+be a useless incumbrance on the retreat of this
+noble young lady, worlds, Sir Squire, would not
+induce me to accept her offer. But I am neither
+child nor woman&mdash;I am a full-grown man, and
+ready to show such good service as manhood may
+in defence of your lady."</p>
+
+<p>"If we must not challenge your valour and
+ability, young sir," said Schreckenwald, "who
+shall answer for your fidelity?"</p>
+
+<p>"To question that elsewhere," said Arthur,
+"might be dangerous."</p>
+
+<p>But Anne interfered between them. "We must
+straight to rest, and remain prompt for alarm, perhaps
+even before the hour of dawn. Schreckenwald,
+I trust to your care for due watch and ward.&mdash;You
+have men enough at least for that purpose.&mdash;And
+hear and mark&mdash;It is my desire and command,
+that this gentleman be accommodated with
+lodgings here for this night, and that he travel
+with us to-morrow. For this I will be responsible
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span>
+to my father, and your part is only to obey
+my commands. I have long had occasion to know
+both the young man's father and himself, who
+were ancient guests of my uncle, the Landamman.
+On the journey you will keep the youth beside
+you, and use such courtesy to him as your rugged
+temper will permit."</p>
+
+<p>Ital Schreckenwald intimated his acquiescence
+with a look of bitterness, which it were vain to
+attempt to describe. It expressed spite, mortification,
+humbled pride, and reluctant submission.
+He did submit, however, and ushered young
+Philipson into a decent apartment with a bed,
+which the fatigue and agitation of the preceding
+day rendered very acceptable.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding the ardour with which Arthur
+expected the rise of the next dawn, his deep repose,
+the fruit of fatigue, held him until the reddening
+of the east, when the voice of Schreckenwald exclaimed,
+"Up, Sir Englishman, if you mean to
+accomplish your boast of loyal service. It is time
+we were in the saddle, and we shall tarry for no
+sluggards."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur was on the floor of the apartment, and
+dressed, in almost an instant, not forgetting to put
+on his shirt of mail, and assume whatever weapons
+seemed most fit to render him an efficient part of
+the convoy. He next hastened to seek out the
+stable, to have his horse in readiness; and descending
+for that purpose into the under story of the
+lower mass of buildings, he was wandering in
+search of the way which led to the offices, when
+the voice of Annette Veilchen softly whispered,
+"This way, Seignor Philipson; I would speak
+with you."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Swiss maiden, at the same time, beckoned
+him into a small room, where he found her alone.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you not surprised," she said, "to see my
+lady queen it so over Ital Schreckenwald, who
+keeps every other person in awe with his stern
+looks and cross words? But the air of command
+seems so natural to her, that, instead of being a
+baroness, she might have been an empress. It
+must come of birth, I think, after all, for I tried
+last night to take state upon me, after the fashion
+of my mistress, and, would you think it, the brute
+Schreckenwald threatened to throw me out of the
+window? But if ever I see Martin Sprenger again,
+I'll know if there is strength in a Swiss arm, and
+virtue in a Swiss quarter-staff.&mdash;But here I stand
+prating, and my lady wishes to see you for a minute
+ere we take to horse."</p>
+
+<p>"Your lady?" said Arthur, starting. "Why
+did you lose an instant? why not tell me before?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I was only to keep you here till she
+came, and&mdash;here she is."</p>
+
+<p>Anne of Geierstein entered, fully attired for her
+journey. Annette, always willing to do as she
+would wish to be done by, was about to leave the
+apartment, when her mistress, who had apparently
+made up her mind concerning what she had to do
+or say, commanded her positively to remain.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure," she said, "Seignor Philipson will
+rightly understand the feelings of hospitality&mdash;I
+will say of friendship&mdash;which prevented my
+suffering him to be expelled from my castle last
+night, and which have determined me this morning
+to admit of his company on the somewhat dangerous
+road to Strasburg. At the gate of that town
+we part, I to join my father, you to place yourself
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span>
+under the direction of yours. From that moment
+intercourse between us ends, and our remembrance
+of each other must be as the thoughts which we
+pay to friends deceased."</p>
+
+<p>"Tender recollections," said Arthur, passionately,
+"more dear to our bosoms than all we have
+surviving upon earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a word in that tone," answered the
+maiden. "With night delusion should end, and
+reason awaken with dawning. One word more&mdash;Do
+not address me on the road; you may, by doing
+so, expose me to vexatious and insulting suspicion,
+and yourself to quarrels and peril.&mdash;Farewell, our
+party is ready to take horse."</p>
+
+<p>She left the apartment, where Arthur remained
+for a moment deeply bewildered in grief and disappointment.
+The patience, nay, even favour,
+with which Anne of Geierstein had, on the previous
+night, listened to his passion, had not prepared
+him for the terms of reserve and distance
+which she now adopted towards him. He was
+ignorant that noble maids, if feeling or passion
+has for a moment swayed them from the strict
+path of principle and duty, endeavour to atone for
+it by instantly returning, and severely adhering,
+to the line from which they have made a momentary
+departure. He looked mournfully on Annette,
+who, as she had been in the room before Anne's
+arrival, took the privilege of remaining a minute
+after her departure; but he read no comfort in
+the glances of the confidant, who seemed as much
+disconcerted as himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot imagine what hath happened to her,"
+said Annette; "to me she is kind as ever, but to
+every other person about her she plays countess
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span>
+and baroness with a witness; and now she is
+begun to tyrannise over her own natural feelings&mdash;and&mdash;if
+this be greatness, Annette Veilchen
+trusts always to remain the penniless Swiss girl;
+she is mistress of her own freedom, and at liberty
+to speak with her bachelor when she pleases, so as
+religion and maiden modesty suffer nothing in the
+conversation. Oh, a single daisy twisted with
+content into one's hair, is worth all the opals in
+India, if they bind us to torment ourselves and
+other people, or hinder us from speaking our mind,
+when our heart is upon our tongue. But never
+fear, Arthur; for if she has the cruelty to think of
+forgetting you, you may rely on one friend who,
+while she has a tongue, and Anne has ears, will
+make it impossible for her to do so."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, away tripped Annette, having first
+indicated to Philipson the passage by which he
+would find the lower court of the castle. There
+his steed stood ready, among about twenty others.
+Twelve of these were accoutred with war saddles,
+and frontlets of proof, being intended for the use
+of as many cavaliers, or troopers, retainers of the
+family of Arnheim, whom the seneschal's exertions
+had been able to collect on the spur of the
+occasion. Two palfreys, somewhat distinguished
+by their trappings, were designed for Anne of
+Geierstein and her favourite female attendant.
+The other menials, chiefly boys and women servants,
+had inferior horses. At a signal made, the
+troopers took their lances and stood by their steeds,
+till the females and menials were mounted and in
+order; they then sprang into their saddles and
+began to move forward, slowly and with great
+precaution. Schreckenwald led the van, and kept
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span>
+Arthur Philipson close beside him. Anne and
+her attendant were in the centre of the little
+body, followed by the unwarlike train of servants,
+while two or three experienced cavaliers brought
+up the rear, with strict orders to guard against
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>On their being put into motion, the first thing
+which surprised Arthur was, that the horses' hoofs
+no longer sent forth the sharp and ringing sound
+arising from the collision of iron and flint, and as
+the morning light increased he could perceive that
+the fetlock and hoof of every steed, his own included,
+had been carefully wrapped around with a
+sufficient quantity of wool, to prevent the usual
+noise which accompanied their motions. It was a
+singular thing to behold the passage of the little
+body of cavalry down the rocky road which led
+from the castle, unattended with the noise which
+we are disposed to consider as inseparable from
+the motions of horse, the absence of which seemed
+to give a peculiar and almost an unearthly appearance
+to the cavalcade.</p>
+
+<p>They passed in this manner the winding path
+which led from the castle of Arnheim to the adjacent
+village, which, as was the ancient feudal custom,
+lay so near the fortress that its inhabitants,
+when summoned by their lord, could instantly
+repair for its defence. But it was at present occupied
+by very different inhabitants, the mutinous
+soldiers of the Rhinegrave. When the party from
+Arnheim approached the entrance of the village,
+Schreckenwald made a signal to halt, which was
+instantly obeyed by his followers. He then rode
+forward in person to reconnoitre, accompanied by
+Arthur Philipson, both moving with the utmost
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span>
+steadiness and precaution. The deepest silence
+prevailed in the deserted streets. Here and there
+a soldier was seen, seemingly designed for a sentinel,
+but uniformly fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p>"The swinish mutineers!" said Schreckenwald;
+"a fair night-watch they keep, and a beautiful
+morning's rouse would I treat them with, were
+not the point to protect yonder peevish wench.&mdash;Halt
+thou here, stranger, while I ride back and
+bring them on&mdash;there is no danger."</p>
+
+<p>Schreckenwald left Arthur as he spoke, who,
+alone in the street of a village filled with banditti,
+though they were lulled into temporary insensibility,
+had no reason to consider his case as very
+comfortable. The chorus of a wassel song, which
+some reveller was trolling over in his sleep; or, in
+its turn, the growling of some village cur, seemed
+the signal for an hundred ruffians to start up
+around him. But in the space of two or three
+minutes, the noiseless cavalcade, headed by Ital
+Schreckenwald, again joined him, and followed
+their leader, observing the utmost precaution not
+to give an alarm. All went well till they reached
+the farther end of the village, where, although the
+Baaren-hauter<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>
+ who kept guard was as drunk as
+his companions on duty, a large shaggy dog which
+lay beside him was more vigilant. As the little
+troop approached, the animal sent forth a ferocious
+yell, loud enough to have broken the rest of the
+Seven Sleepers, and which effectually dispelled
+the slumbers of its master. The soldier snatched
+up his carabine and fired, he knew not well at
+what, or for what reason. The ball, however,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span>
+struck Arthur's horse under him, and, as the animal
+fell, the sentinel rushed forward to kill or
+make prisoner the rider.</p>
+
+<p>"Haste on, haste on, men of Arnheim! care for
+nothing but the young lady's safety," exclaimed
+the leader of the band.</p>
+
+<p>"Stay, I command you;&mdash;aid the stranger, on
+your lives!"&mdash;said Anne, in a voice which,
+usually gentle and meek, she now made heard by
+those around her, like the note of a silver clarion.
+"I will not stir till he is rescued."</p>
+
+<p>Schreckenwald had already spurred his horse for
+flight; but, perceiving Anne's reluctance to follow
+him, he dashed back, and seizing a horse which,
+bridled and saddled, stood picketed near him, he
+threw the reins to Arthur Philipson; and pushing
+his own horse, at the same time, betwixt the Englishman
+and the soldier, he forced the latter to
+quit the hold he had on his person. In an instant
+Philipson was again mounted, when, seizing a
+battle-axe which hung at the saddle-bow of his
+new steed, he struck down the staggering sentinel,
+who was endeavouring again to seize upon him.
+The whole troop then rode off at a gallop, for the
+alarm began to grow general in the village; some
+soldiers were seen coming out of their quarters,
+and others were beginning to get upon horseback.
+Before Schreckenwald and his party had ridden
+a mile, they heard more than once the sound of
+bugles; and when they arrived upon the summit
+of an eminence commanding a view of the village,
+their leader, who, during the retreat, had placed
+himself in the rear of his company, now halted to
+reconnoitre the enemy they had left behind them.
+There was bustle and confusion in the street, but
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span>
+there did not appear to be any pursuit; so that
+Schreckenwald followed his route down the river,
+with speed and activity indeed, but with so much
+steadiness, at the same time, as not to distress the
+slowest horse of his party.</p>
+
+<p>When they had ridden two hours and more, the
+confidence of their leader was so much augmented,
+that he ventured to command a halt at the edge of
+a pleasant grove, which served to conceal their
+number, whilst both riders and horses took some
+refreshment, for which purpose forage and provisions
+had been borne along with them. Ital
+Schreckenwald, having held some communication
+with the Baroness, continued to offer their travelling
+companion a sort of surly civility. He invited
+him to partake of his own mess, which was
+indeed little different from that which was served
+out to the other troopers, but was seasoned with a
+glass of wine from a more choice flask.</p>
+
+<p>"To your health, brother," he said; "if you tell
+this day's story truly, you will allow that I was
+a true comrade to you two hours since, in riding
+through the village of Arnheim."</p>
+
+<p>"I will never deny it, fair sir," said Philipson,
+"and I return you thanks for your timely assistance;
+alike, whether it sprang from your mistress's
+order, or your own good-will."</p>
+
+<p>"Ho! ho! my friend," said Schreckenwald,
+laughing, "you are a philosopher, and can try
+conclusions while your horse lies rolling above
+you, and a Baaren-hauter aims his sword at your
+throat?&mdash;Well, since your wit hath discovered so
+much, I care not if you know, that I should not
+have had much scruple to sacrifice twenty such
+smooth-faced gentlemen as yourself, rather than
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span>
+the young Baroness of Arnheim had incurred the
+slightest danger."</p>
+
+<p>"The propriety of the sentiment," said Philipson,
+"is so undoubtedly correct, that I subscribe
+to it, even though it is something discourteously
+expressed towards myself."</p>
+
+<p>In making this reply, the young man, provoked
+at the insolence of Schreckenwald's manner, raised
+his voice a little. The circumstance did not escape
+observation, for, on the instant, Annette Veilchen
+stood before them, with her mistress's commands
+on them both to speak in whispers, or rather to be
+altogether silent.</p>
+
+<p>"Say to your mistress that I am mute," said
+Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>"Our mistress, the Baroness, says," continued
+Annette, with an emphasis on the title, to which
+she began to ascribe some talismanic influence,&mdash;"the
+Baroness, I tell you, says, that silence much
+concerns our safety, for it were most hazardous to
+draw upon this little fugitive party the notice of
+any passengers who may pass along the road during
+the necessary halt; and so, sirs, it is the Baroness's
+request that you will continue the exercise
+of your teeth as fast as you can, and forbear that
+of your tongues till you are in a safer condition."</p>
+
+<p>"My lady is wise," answered Ital Schreckenwald,
+"and her maiden is witty. I drink, Mrs.
+Annette, in a cup of Rudersheimer, to the continuance
+of her sagacity, and of your amiable liveliness
+of disposition. Will it please you, fair
+mistress, to pledge me in this generous liquor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Out, thou German wine-flask!&mdash;Out, thou
+eternal swill-flagon!&mdash;Heard you ever of a modest
+maiden who drank wine before she had dined?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Remain without the generous inspiration then,"
+said the German, "and nourish thy satirical vein
+on sour cider or acid whey."</p>
+
+<p>A short space having been allowed to refresh
+themselves, the little party again mounted their
+horses, and travelled with such speed, that long
+before noon they arrived at the strongly fortified
+town of Kehl, opposite to Strasburg, on the eastern
+bank of the Rhine.</p>
+
+<p>It is for local antiquaries to discover whether
+the travellers crossed from Kehl to Strasburg by
+the celebrated bridge of boats which at present
+maintains the communication across the river, or
+whether they were wafted over by some other mode
+of transportation. It is enough that they passed
+in safety, and had landed on the other side, where&mdash;whether
+she dreaded that he might forget the
+charge she had given him, that here they were to
+separate, or whether she thought that something
+more might be said in the moment of parting&mdash;the
+young Baroness, before remounting her horse,
+once more approached Arthur Philipson, who too
+truly guessed the tenor of what she had to say.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentle stranger," she said, "I must now bid
+you farewell. But first let me ask if you know
+whereabouts you are to seek your father?"</p>
+
+<p>"In an inn called the Flying Stag," said Arthur,
+dejectedly; "but where that is situated in this
+large town, I know not."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know the place, Ital Schreckenwald?"</p>
+
+<p>"I, young lady?&mdash;Not I&mdash;I know nothing of
+Strasburg and its inns. I believe most of our
+party are as ignorant as I am."</p>
+
+<p>"You and they speak German, I suppose," said
+the Baroness, drily, "and can make inquiry more
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span>
+easily than a foreigner? Go, sir, and forget not
+that humanity to the stranger is a religious duty."</p>
+
+<p>With that shrug of the shoulders which testifies
+a displeased messenger, Ital went to make some
+inquiry, and, in his absence, brief as it was, Anne
+took an opportunity to say apart,&mdash;"Farewell!&mdash;Farewell!
+Accept this token of friendship, and
+wear it for my sake. May you be happy!"</p>
+
+<p>Her slender fingers dropped into his hand a very
+small parcel. He turned to thank her, but she
+was already at some distance; and Schreckenwald,
+who had taken his place by his side, said in his
+harsh voice, "Come, Sir Squire, I have found out
+your place of rendezvous, and I have but little time
+to play the gentleman-usher."</p>
+
+<p>He then rode on; and Philipson, mounted on
+his military charger, followed him in silence to
+the point where a large street joined, or rather
+crossed, that which led from the quay on which
+they had landed.</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder swings the Flying Stag," said Ital,
+pointing to an immense sign, which, mounted on
+a huge wooden frame, crossed almost the whole
+breadth of the street. "Your intelligence can, I
+think, hardly abandon you, with such a guide-post
+in your eye."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he turned his horse without further
+farewell, and rode back to join his mistress and
+her attendants.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson's eyes rested on the same group for a
+moment, when he was recalled to a sense of his
+situation by the thoughts of his father; and,
+spurring his jaded horse down the cross street, he
+reached the hostelry of the Flying Stag.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i7">I was, I must confess,</p>
+<p>Great Albion's queen in former golden days;</p>
+<p>But now mischance hath trod my title down,</p>
+<p>And with dishonour laid me on the ground;</p>
+<p>Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,</p>
+<p>And to my humble seat conform myself.</p>
+
+<p class="i9"><i>Henry VI. Part III.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The hostelry of the Flying Stag, in Strasburg,
+was, like every inn in the empire at the period,
+conducted much with the same discourteous inattention
+to the wants and accommodation of the
+guests as that of John Mengs. But the youth and
+good looks of Arthur Philipson, circumstances
+which seldom or never fail to produce some effect
+where the fair are concerned, prevailed upon a
+short, plump, dimpled, blue-eyed, fair-skinned
+yungfrau, the daughter of the landlord of the Flying
+Stag (himself a fat old man, pinned to the
+oaken chair in the <i>stube</i>), to carry herself to the
+young Englishman with a degree of condescension
+which, in the privileged race to which she belonged,
+was little short of degradation. She not only put
+her light buskins and her pretty ankles in danger
+of being soiled by tripping across the yard to point
+out an unoccupied stable, but, on Arthur's inquiry
+after his father, condescended to recollect that
+such a guest as he described had lodged in the
+house last night, and had said he expected to meet
+there a young person, his fellow-traveller.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I will send him out to you, fair sir," said the
+little yungfrau with a smile, which, if things of
+the kind are to be valued by their rare occurrence,
+must have been reckoned inestimable.</p>
+
+<p>She was as good as her word. In a few instants
+the elder Philipson entered the stable, and folded
+his son in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>"My son&mdash;my dear son!" said the Englishman,
+his usual stoicism broken down and melted
+by natural feeling and parental tenderness,&mdash;"Welcome
+to me at all times&mdash;welcome, in a
+period of doubt and danger&mdash;and most welcome of
+all, in a moment which forms the very crisis of
+our fate. In a few hours I shall know what we
+may expect from the Duke of Burgundy.&mdash;Hast
+thou the token?"</p>
+
+<p>Arthur's hand first sought that which was nearest
+to his heart, both in the literal and allegorical
+sense&mdash;the small parcel, namely, which Anne had
+given him at parting. But he recollected himself
+in the instant, and presented to his father the
+packet which had been so strangely lost and
+recovered at La Ferette.</p>
+
+<p>"It hath run its own risk since you saw it," he
+observed to his father, "and so have I mine. I
+received hospitality at a castle last night, and
+behold a body of lanzknechts in the neighbourhood
+began in the morning to mutiny for their pay.
+The inhabitants fled from the castle to escape their
+violence, and, as we passed their leaguer in the
+grey of the morning, a drunken Baaren-hauter shot
+my poor horse, and I was forced, in the way of
+exchange, to take up with his heavy Flemish
+animal, with its steel saddle, and its clumsy
+chaffron."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Our road is beset with perils," said his father.
+"I too have had my share, having been in great
+danger [he told not its precise nature] at an inn
+where I rested last night. But I left it in the
+morning, and proceeded hither in safety. I have
+at length, however, obtained a safe escort to conduct
+me to the Duke's camp near Dijon; and I
+trust to have an audience of him this evening.
+Then, if our last hope should fail, we will seek
+the seaport of Marseilles, hoist sail for Candia or
+for Rhodes, and spend our lives in defence of
+Christendom, since we may no longer fight for
+England."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur heard these ominous words without
+reply; but they did not the less sink upon his
+heart, deadly as the doom of the judge which
+secludes the criminal from society and all its joys,
+and condemns him to an eternal prison-house.
+The bells from the cathedral began to toll at this
+instant, and reminded the elder Philipson of the
+duty of hearing mass, which was said at all hours
+in some one or other of the separate chapels which
+are contained in that magnificent pile. His son
+followed, on an intimation of his pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>In approaching the access to this superb cathedral,
+the travellers found it obstructed, as is usual
+in Catholic countries, by the number of mendicants
+of both sexes, who crowded round the entrance
+to give the worshippers an opportunity of
+discharging the duty of alms-giving, so positively
+enjoined as a chief observance of their Church.
+The Englishmen extricated themselves from their
+importunity by bestowing, as is usual on such
+occasions, a donative of small coin upon those who
+appeared most needy, or most deserving of their
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span>
+charity. One tall woman stood on the steps close
+to the door, and extended her hand to the elder
+Philipson, who, struck with her appearance, exchanged
+for a piece of silver the copper coins
+which he had been distributing amongst others.</p>
+
+<p>"A marvel!" she said, in the English language,
+but in a tone calculated only to be heard by him
+alone, although his son also caught the sound and
+sense of what she said,&mdash;"Ay, a miracle!&mdash;An
+Englishman still possesses a silver piece, and can
+afford to bestow it on the poor!"</p>
+
+<p>Arthur was sensible that his father started
+somewhat at the voice or words, which bore, even
+in his ear, something of deeper import than the
+observation of an ordinary mendicant. But after
+a glance at the female who thus addressed him,
+his father passed onwards into the body of the
+church, and was soon engaged in attending to the
+solemn ceremony of the mass, as it was performed
+by a priest at the altar of a chapel divided from
+the main body of the splendid edifice, and dedicated,
+as it appeared from the image over the altar,
+to St. George; that military saint, whose real
+history is so obscure, though his popular legend
+rendered him an object of peculiar veneration
+during the feudal ages. The ceremony was begun
+and finished with all customary forms. The
+officiating priest, with his attendants, withdrew,
+and though some of the few worshippers who had
+assisted at the solemnity remained telling their
+beads, and occupied with the performance of their
+private devotions, far the greater part left the
+chapel, to visit other shrines, or to return to the
+prosecution of their secular affairs.</p>
+
+<p>But Arthur Philipson remarked that, whilst
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span>
+they dropped off one after another, the tall woman
+who had received his father's alms continued to
+kneel near the altar; and he was yet more surprised
+to see that his father himself, who, he had
+many reasons to know, was desirous to spend in
+the church no more time than the duties of devotion
+absolutely claimed, remained also on his
+knees, with his eyes resting on the form of the
+veiled devotee (such she seemed from her dress),
+as if his own motions were to be guided by hers.
+By no idea which occurred to him was Arthur able
+to form the least conjecture as to his father's
+motives&mdash;he only knew that he was engaged in
+a critical and dangerous negotiation, liable to influence
+or interruption from various quarters; and
+that political suspicion was so generally awake,
+both in France, Italy, and Flanders, that the most
+important agents were often obliged to assume the
+most impenetrable disguises, in order to insinuate
+themselves without suspicion into the countries
+where their services were required. Louis XI.,
+in particular, whose singular policy seemed in
+some degree to give a character to the age in which
+he lived, was well known to have disguised his
+principal emissaries and envoys in the fictitious
+garbs of mendicant monks, minstrels, gypsies,
+and other privileged wanderers of the meanest
+description.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur concluded, therefore, that it was not
+improbable that this female might, like themselves,
+be something more than her dress imported;
+and he resolved to observe his father's deportment
+towards her, and regulate his own actions accordingly.
+A bell at last announced that mass, upon
+a more splendid scale, was about to be celebrated
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span>
+before the high altar of the cathedral itself, and
+its sound withdrew from the sequestered chapel of
+St. George the few who had remained at the shrine
+of the military saint, excepting the father and son,
+and the female penitent who kneeled opposite to
+them. When the last of the worshippers had
+retired, the female arose and advanced towards
+the elder Philipson, who, folding his arms on his
+bosom, and stooping his head, in an attitude of
+obeisance which his son had never before seen him
+assume, appeared rather to wait what she had to
+say, than to propose addressing her.</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause. Four lamps, lighted before
+the shrine of the saint, cast a dim radiance on his
+armour and steed, represented as he was in the act
+of transfixing with his lance the prostrate dragon,
+whose outstretched wings and writhing neck were
+in part touched by their beams. The rest of the
+chapel was dimly illuminated by the autumnal
+sun, which could scarce find its way through the
+stained panes of the small lanceolated window,
+which was its only aperture to the open air. The
+light fell doubtful and gloomy, tinged with the
+various hues through which it passed, upon the
+stately yet somewhat broken and dejected form of
+the female, and on those of the melancholy and
+anxious father, and his son, who, with all the
+eager interest of youth, suspected and anticipated
+extraordinary consequences from so singular an
+interview.</p>
+
+<p>At length the female approached to the same
+side of the shrine with Arthur and his father, as
+if to be more distinctly heard, without being
+obliged to raise the slow solemn voice in which
+she had spoken.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do you here worship," she said, "the St.
+George of Burgundy, or the St. George of merry
+England, the flower of chivalry?"</p>
+
+<p>"I serve," said Philipson, folding his hands
+humbly on his bosom, "the saint to whom this
+chapel is dedicated, and the Deity with whom I
+hope for his holy intercession, whether here or in
+my native country."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay&mdash;you," said the female, "even you can
+forget&mdash;you, even you, who have been numbered
+among the mirror of knighthood&mdash;can forget that
+you have worshipped in the royal fane of Windsor&mdash;that
+you have there bent a <i>gartered</i> knee, where
+kings and princes kneeled around you&mdash;you can
+forget this, and make your orisons at a foreign
+shrine, with a heart undisturbed with the thoughts
+of what you have been,&mdash;praying, like some poor
+peasant, for bread and life during the day that
+passes over you."</p>
+
+<p>"Lady," replied Philipson, "in my proudest
+hours, I was, before the Being to whom I preferred
+my prayers, but as a worm in the dust&mdash;In His
+eyes I am now neither less nor more, degraded as
+I may be in the opinion of my fellow-reptiles."</p>
+
+<p>"How canst thou think thus?" said the devotee;
+"and yet it is well with thee that thou canst.
+But what have thy losses been, compared to
+mine!"</p>
+
+<p>She put her hand to her brow, and seemed for a
+moment overpowered by agonising recollections.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur pressed to his father's side, and inquired,
+in a tone of interest which could not be repressed,
+"Father, who is this lady?&mdash;Is it my mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my son," answered Philipson;&mdash;"peace, for
+the sake of all you hold dear or holy!"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The singular female, however, heard both the
+question and answer, though expressed in a
+whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, "young man&mdash;I am&mdash;I should
+say I was&mdash;your mother; the mother, the protectress,
+of all that was noble in England&mdash;I am
+Margaret of Anjou."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur sank on his knees before the dauntless
+widow of Henry the Sixth, who so long, and in
+such desperate circumstances, upheld, by unyielding
+courage and deep policy, the sinking cause of
+her feeble husband; and who, if she occasionally
+abused victory by cruelty and revenge, had made
+some atonement by the indomitable resolution with
+which she had supported the fiercest storms of
+adversity. Arthur had been bred in devoted adherence
+to the now dethroned line of Lancaster, of
+which his father was one of the most distinguished
+supporters; and his earliest deeds of arms, which,
+though unfortunate, were neither obscure nor ignoble,
+had been done in their cause. With an
+enthusiasm belonging to his age and education,
+he in the same instant flung his bonnet on the
+pavement, and knelt at the feet of his ill-fated
+sovereign.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret threw back the veil which concealed
+those noble and majestic features, which even yet,&mdash;though
+rivers of tears had furrowed her cheek,&mdash;though
+care, disappointment, domestic grief,
+and humbled pride had quenched the fire of her
+eye, and wasted the smooth dignity of her forehead,&mdash;even
+yet showed the remains of that
+beauty which once was held unequalled in Europe.
+The apathy with which a succession of misfortunes
+and disappointed hopes had chilled the feelings of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span>
+the unfortunate Princess was for a moment melted
+by the sight of the fair youth's enthusiasm. She
+abandoned one hand to him, which he covered
+with tears and kisses, and with the other stroked
+with maternal tenderness his curled locks, as she
+endeavoured to raise him from the posture he had
+assumed. His father, in the meanwhile, shut the
+door of the chapel, and placed his back against it,
+withdrawing himself thus from the group, as if
+for the purpose of preventing any stranger from
+entering, during a scene so extraordinary.</p>
+
+<p>"And thou, then," said Margaret, in a voice
+where female tenderness combated strangely with
+her natural pride of rank, and with the calm,
+stoical indifference induced by the intensity of
+her personal misfortunes; "thou, fair youth, art
+the last scion of the noble stem, so many fair
+boughs of which have fallen in our hapless cause.
+Alas, alas! what can I do for thee? Margaret has
+not even a blessing to bestow. So wayward is her
+fate, that her benedictions are curses, and she has
+but to look on you and wish you well, to insure
+your speedy and utter ruin. I&mdash;I have been the
+fatal poison-tree, whose influence has blighted and
+destroyed all the fair plants that arose beside and
+around me, and brought death upon every one, yet
+am myself unable to find it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Noble and royal mistress," said the elder
+Englishman, "let not your princely courage,
+which has borne such extremities, be dismayed,
+now that they are passed over, and that a chance
+at least of happier times is approaching to you and
+to England."</p>
+
+<p>"To England, to <i>me</i>, noble Oxford!" said the
+forlorn and widowed Queen.&mdash;"If to-morrow's
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span>
+sun could place me once more on the throne of
+England, could it give back to me what I have
+lost? I speak not of wealth or power&mdash;they are
+as nothing in the balance&mdash;I speak not of the
+hosts of noble friends who have fallen in defence
+of me and mine&mdash;Somersets, Percys, Staffords,
+Cliffords&mdash;they have found their place in fame, in
+the annals of their country&mdash;I speak not of my
+husband, he has exchanged the state of a suffering
+saint upon earth for that of a glorified saint in
+heaven&mdash;But oh, Oxford! my son&mdash;my Edward!&mdash;Is
+it possible for me to look on this youth, and
+not remember that thy countess and I on the same
+night gave birth to two fair boys? How oft we
+endeavoured to prophesy their future fortunes, and
+to persuade ourselves that the same constellation
+which shone on their birth would influence their
+succeeding life, and hold a friendly and equal bias
+till they reached some destined goal of happiness
+and honour! Thy Arthur lives; but, alas! my
+Edward, born under the same auspices, fills a
+bloody grave!"</p>
+
+<p>She wrapped her head in her mantle, as if to
+stifle the complaints and groans which maternal
+affection poured forth at these cruel recollections.
+Philipson, or the exiled Earl of Oxford as we may
+now term him, distinguished in those changeful
+times by the steadiness with which he had always
+maintained his loyalty to the line of Lancaster,
+saw the imprudence of indulging his sovereign in
+her weakness.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><a name="i131" id="i131"></a>
+<img src="images/i-131.jpg" width="366" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">ARTHUR BEFORE THE QUEEN.<br />
+
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Royal mistress," he said, "life's journey is
+that of a brief winter's day, and its course will
+run on, whether we avail ourselves of its progress
+or no. My sovereign is, I trust, too much mistress
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span>
+of herself to suffer lamentation for what is
+passed to deprive her of the power of using the
+present time. I am here in obedience to your
+command; I am to see Burgundy forthwith, and
+if I find him pliant to the purpose to which we
+would turn him, events may follow which will
+change into gladness our present mourning. But
+we must use our opportunity with speed as well as
+zeal. Let me know then, madam, for what reason
+your Majesty hath come hither, disguised and in
+danger? Surely it was not merely to weep over
+this young man that the high-minded Queen Margaret
+left her father's court, disguised herself in
+mean attire, and came from a place of safety to
+one of doubt at least, if not of danger?"</p>
+
+<p>"You mock me, Oxford," said the unfortunate
+Queen, "or you deceive yourself, if you think you
+still serve that Margaret whose word was never
+spoken without a reason, and whose slightest action
+was influenced by a motive. Alas! I am no longer
+the same firm and rational being. The feverish
+character of grief, while it makes one place hateful
+to me, drives me to another in very impotence and
+impatience of spirit. My father's residence, thou
+say'st, is safe; but is it tolerable for such a soul as
+mine? Can one who has been deprived of the
+noblest and richest kingdom of Europe&mdash;one who
+has lost hosts of noble friends&mdash;one who is a
+widowed consort, a childless mother&mdash;one upon
+whose head Heaven hath poured forth its last vial
+of unmitigated wrath,&mdash;can she stoop to be the
+companion of a weak old man, who, in sonnets
+and in music, in mummery and folly, in harping
+and rhyming, finds a comfort for all that
+poverty has that is distressing; and, what is still
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span>
+worse, even a solace in all that is ridiculous and
+contemptible?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, with your leave, madam," said her counsellor,
+"blame not the good King René (<a href="#ednote_a" name="enanchor_a" id="enanchor_a" ><i>a</i></a>),<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>
+
+because, persecuted by fortune, he has been able
+to find out for himself humbler sources of solace,
+which your prouder spirit is disposed to disdain.
+A contention among his minstrels has for him the
+animation of a knightly combat; and a crown of
+flowers, twined by his troubadours and graced by
+their sonnets, he accounts a valuable compensation
+for the diadems of Jerusalem, of Naples, and of
+both Sicilies, of which he only possesses the
+empty titles."</p>
+
+<p>"Speak not to me of the pitiable old man," said
+Margaret; "sunk below even the hatred of his
+worst enemies, and never thought worthy of anything
+more than contempt. I tell thee, noble
+Oxford, I have been driven nearly mad with my
+forced residence at Aix, in the paltry circle which
+he calls his court. My ears, tuned as they now
+are only to sounds of affliction, are not so weary
+of the eternal tinkling of harps, and squeaking of
+rebecks, and snapping of castanets;&mdash;my eyes are
+not so tired of the beggarly affectation of court ceremonial,
+which is only respectable when it implies
+wealth and expresses power,&mdash;as my very soul is
+sick of the paltry ambition which can find pleasure
+in spangles, tassels, and trumpery, when the
+reality of all that is great and noble hath passed
+away. No, Oxford. If I am doomed to lose the
+last cast which fickle fortune seems to offer me, I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span>
+will retreat into the meanest convent in the Pyrenean
+hills, and at least escape the insult of the
+idiot gaiety of my father.&mdash;Let him pass from our
+memory as from the page of history, in which his
+name will never be recorded. I have much of
+more importance both to hear and to tell.&mdash;And
+now, my Oxford, what news from Italy? Will
+the Duke of Milan afford us assistance with his
+counsels, or with his treasures?"</p>
+
+<p>"With his counsels willingly, madam; but how
+you will relish them I know not, since he recommends
+to us submission to our hapless fate, and
+resignation to the will of Providence."</p>
+
+<p>"The wily Italian! Will not, then, Galeasso
+advance any part of his hoards, or assist a friend,
+to whom he hath in his time full often sworn
+faith?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not even the diamonds which I offered to
+deposit in his hands," answered the Earl, "could
+make him unlock his treasury to supply us with
+ducats for our enterprise. Yet he said, if Charles
+of Burgundy should think seriously of an exertion
+in our favour, such was his regard for that great
+prince, and his deep sense of your Majesty's misfortunes,
+that he would consider what the state of
+his exchequer, though much exhausted, and the
+condition of his subjects, though impoverished
+by taxes and talliages, would permit him to
+advance in your behalf."</p>
+
+<p>"The double-faced hypocrite!" said Margaret.
+"If the assistance of the princely Burgundy lends
+us a chance of regaining what is our own, then he
+will give us some paltry parcel of crowns, that
+our restored prosperity may forget his indifference
+to our adversity!&mdash;But what of Burgundy? I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span>
+have ventured hither to tell you what I have
+learned, and to hear report of your proceedings&mdash;a
+trusty watch provides for the secrecy of our
+interview. My impatience to see you brought me
+hither in this mean disguise. I have a small
+retinue at a convent a mile beyond the town&mdash;I
+have had your arrival watched by the faithful
+Lambert&mdash;and now I come to know your hopes or
+your fears, and to tell you my own."</p>
+
+<p>"Royal lady," said the Earl, "I have not seen
+the Duke. You know his temper to be wilful,
+sudden, haughty, and unpersuadable. If he can
+adopt the calm and sustained policy which the
+times require, I little doubt his obtaining full
+amends of Louis, his sworn enemy, and even of
+Edward, his ambitious brother-in-law. But if he
+continues to yield to extravagant fits of passion,
+with or without provocation, he may hurry into
+a quarrel with the poor but hardy Helvetians,
+and is likely to engage in a perilous contest,
+in which he cannot be expected to gain anything,
+while he undergoes a chance of the most serious
+losses."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," replied the Queen, "he will not trust
+the usurper Edward, even in the very moment
+when he is giving the greatest proof of treachery
+to his alliance?"</p>
+
+<p>"In what respect, madam?" replied Oxford.
+"The news you allude to has not reached me."</p>
+
+<p>"How, my lord? Am I then the first to tell
+you that Edward of York has crossed the sea (<a href="#ednote_b" name="enanchor_b" id="enanchor_b" ><i>b</i></a>)
+with such an army as scarce even the renowned
+Henry V., my father-in-law, ever transported from
+France to Italy?"</p>
+
+<p>"So much I have indeed heard was expected,"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span>
+said Oxford; "and I anticipated the effect as fatal
+to our cause."</p>
+
+<p>"Edward is arrived," said Margaret, "and the
+traitor and usurper hath sent defiance to Louis of
+France, and demanded of him the crown of that
+kingdom as his own right&mdash;that crown which
+was placed on the head of my unhappy husband,
+when he was yet a child in the cradle."</p>
+
+<p>"It is then decided&mdash;the English are in
+France!" answered Oxford, in a tone expressive of
+the deepest anxiety.&mdash;"And whom brings Edward
+with him on this expedition?"</p>
+
+<p>"All&mdash;all the bitterest enemies of our house
+and cause&mdash;The false, the traitorous, the dishonoured
+George, whom he calls Duke of Clarence&mdash;the
+blood-drinker, Richard&mdash;the licentious
+Hastings&mdash;Howard&mdash;Stanley&mdash;in a word, the
+leaders of all those traitors whom I would not
+name, unless by doing so my curses could sweep
+them from the face of the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"And&mdash;I tremble to ask," said the Earl&mdash;"Does
+Burgundy prepare to join them as a brother of the
+war, and make common cause with this Yorkish
+host against King Louis of France?"</p>
+
+<p>"By my advices," replied the Queen, "and they
+are both private and sure, besides that they are
+confirmed by the bruit of common fame&mdash;No, my
+good Oxford, no!"</p>
+
+<p>"For that may the Saints be praised!" answered
+Oxford. "Edward of York&mdash;I will not malign
+even an enemy&mdash;is a bold and fearless leader&mdash;But
+he is neither Edward the Third, nor the heroic
+Black Prince&mdash;nor is he that fifth Henry of Lancaster,
+under whom I won my spurs, and to whose
+lineage the thoughts of his glorious memory would
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span>
+have made me faithful, had my plighted vows of
+allegiance ever permitted me to entertain a thought
+of varying, or of defection. Let Edward engage in
+war with Louis without the aid of Burgundy, on
+which he has reckoned. Louis is indeed no hero,
+but he is a cautious and skilful general, more to
+be dreaded, perhaps, in these politic days, than if
+Charlemagne could again raise the Oriflamme,
+surrounded by Roland and all his paladins. Louis
+will not hazard such fields as those of Cressy, of
+Poictiers, or of Agincourt. With a thousand
+lances from Hainault, and twenty thousand crowns
+from Burgundy, Edward shall risk the loss of
+England, while he is engaged in a protracted
+struggle for the recovery of Normandy and Guienne.
+But what are the movements of Burgundy?"</p>
+
+<p>"He has menaced Germany," said Margaret,
+"and his troops are now employed in overrunning
+Lorraine, of which he has seized the principal
+towns and castles."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Ferrand de Vaudemont&mdash;a youth, it
+is said, of courage and enterprise, and claiming
+Lorraine in right of his mother, Yolande of Anjou,
+the sister of your Grace?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fled," replied the Queen, "into Germany or
+Helvetia."</p>
+
+<p>"Let Burgundy beware of him," said the experienced
+Earl; "for should the disinherited youth
+obtain confederates in Germany, and allies among
+the hardy Swiss, Charles of Burgundy may find
+him a far more formidable enemy than he expects.
+We are strong for the present, only in the Duke's
+strength, and if it is wasted in idle and desultory
+efforts, our hopes, alas! vanish with his power,
+even if he should be found to have the decided
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span>
+will to assist us. My friends in England are
+resolute not to stir without men and money from
+Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a fear," said Margaret, "but not our
+worst fear. I dread more the policy of Louis,
+who, unless my espials have grossly deceived me,
+has even already proposed a secret peace to Edward,
+offering with large sums of money to purchase
+England to the Yorkists, and a truce of seven
+years."</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be," said Oxford. "No Englishman,
+commanding such an army as Edward must now
+lead, dares for very shame to retire from France
+without a manly attempt to recover his lost
+provinces."</p>
+
+<p>"Such would have been the thoughts of a rightful
+prince," said Margaret, "who left behind him
+an obedient and faithful kingdom. Such may not
+be the thoughts of this Edward, misnamed Plantagenet,
+base perhaps in mind as in blood, since
+they say his real father was one Blackburn, an
+archer of Middleham&mdash;usurper, at least, if not
+bastard&mdash;such will not be his thoughts.<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>
+ Every
+breeze that blows from England will bring with
+it apprehensions of defection amongst those over
+whom he has usurped authority. He will not
+sleep in peace till he returns to England with
+those cut-throats, whom he relies upon for the
+defence of his stolen crown. He will engage in
+no war with Louis, for Louis will not hesitate to
+soothe his pride by humiliation&mdash;to gorge his
+avarice and pamper his voluptuous prodigality by
+sums of gold&mdash;and I fear much we shall soon hear
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span>
+of the English army retiring from France with the
+idle boast, that they have displayed their banners
+once more, for a week or two, in the provinces
+which were formerly their own."</p>
+
+<p>"It the more becomes us to be speedy in moving
+Burgundy to decision," replied Oxford; "and for
+that purpose I post to Dijon. Such an army as
+Edward's cannot be transported over the narrow
+seas in several weeks. The probability is, that
+they must winter in France, even if they should
+have truce with King Louis. With a thousand
+Hainault lances from the eastern part of Flanders,
+I can be soon in the North, where we have many
+friends, besides the assurance of help from Scotland.
+The faithful West will rise at a signal&mdash;a
+Clifford can be found, though the mountain
+mists have hid him from Richard's researches&mdash;the
+Welsh will assemble at the rallying word of
+Tudor&mdash;the Red Rose raises its head once more&mdash;and
+so, God save King Henry!"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the Queen&mdash;"But no husband&mdash;no
+friend of mine&mdash;the son but of my mother-in-law
+by a Welsh chieftain&mdash;cold, they say, and
+crafty&mdash;But be it so&mdash;let me only see Lancaster
+triumph, and obtain revenge upon York, and I
+will die contented!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is then your pleasure that I should make
+the proffers expressed by your Grace's former mandates,
+to induce Burgundy to stir himself in our
+cause? If he learns the proposal of a truce betwixt
+France and England, it will sting sharper than
+aught I can say."</p>
+
+<p>"Promise all, however," said the Queen. "I
+know his inmost soul&mdash;it is set upon extending
+the dominions of his House in every direction.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span>
+For this he has seized Gueldres&mdash;for this he now
+overruns and occupies Lorraine&mdash;for this he covets
+such poor remnants of Provence as my father still
+calls his own. With such augmented territories,
+he proposes to exchange his ducal diadem for an
+arched crown of independent sovereignty. Tell
+the Duke, Margaret can assist his views&mdash;tell
+him, that my father René shall disown the opposition
+made to the Duke's seizure of Lorraine&mdash;He
+shall do more&mdash;he shall declare Charles his
+heir in Provence, with my ample consent&mdash;tell
+him, the old man shall cede his dominions to him
+upon the instant that his Hainaulters embark for
+England, some small pension deducted to maintain
+a concert of fiddlers, and a troop of morrice-dancers.
+These are René's only earthly wants.
+Mine are still fewer&mdash;Revenge upon York, and a
+speedy grave!&mdash;For the paltry gold which we may
+need, thou hast jewels to pledge&mdash;For the other
+conditions, security if required."</p>
+
+<p>"For these, madam, I can pledge my knightly
+word, in addition to your royal faith; and if more
+is required, my son shall be a hostage with
+Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no&mdash;no!" exclaimed the dethroned Queen,
+touched by perhaps the only tender feeling, which
+repeated and extraordinary misfortunes had not
+chilled into insensibility,&mdash;"Hazard not the life
+of the noble youth&mdash;he that is the last of the
+loyal and faithful House of Vere&mdash;he that should
+have been the brother in arms of my beloved
+Edward&mdash;he that had so nearly been his companion
+in a bloody and untimely grave! Do not
+involve this poor child in these fatal intrigues,
+which have been so baneful to his family. Let
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span>
+him go with me. Him at least I will shelter
+from danger whilst I live, and provide for when
+I am no more."</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me, madam," said Oxford, with the
+firmness which distinguished him. "My son, as
+you deign to recollect, is a De Vere, destined,
+perhaps, to be the last of his name. Fall, he
+may, but it must not be without honour. To
+whatever dangers his duty and allegiance call
+him, be it from sword or lance, axe or gibbet, to
+these he must expose himself frankly, when his
+doing so can mark his allegiance. His ancestors
+have shown him how to brave them all."</p>
+
+<p>"True, true," exclaimed the unfortunate Queen,
+raising her arms wildly,&mdash;"All must perish&mdash;all
+that have honoured Lancaster&mdash;all that have
+loved Margaret, or whom she has loved! The
+destruction must be universal&mdash;the young must
+fall with the old&mdash;not a lamb of the scattered
+flock shall escape!"</p>
+
+<p>"For God's sake, gracious madam," said Oxford,
+"compose yourself!&mdash;I hear them knock on the
+chapel door."</p>
+
+<p>"It is the signal of parting," said the exiled
+Queen, collecting herself. "Do not fear, noble
+Oxford, I am not often thus; but how seldom do
+I see those friends, whose faces and voices can disturb
+the composure of my despair! Let me tie
+this relic about thy neck, good youth, and fear not
+its evil influence, though you receive it from an
+ill-omened hand. It was my husband's, blessed
+by many a prayer, and sanctified by many a holy
+tear; even my unhappy hands cannot pollute it.
+I should have bound it on my Edward's bosom on
+the dreadful morning of Tewkesbury fight; but he
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span>
+armed early&mdash;went to the field without seeing
+me, and all my purpose was vain."</p>
+
+<p>She passed a golden chain round Arthur's neck
+as she spoke, which contained a small gold crucifix
+of rich but barbarous manufacture. It had
+belonged, said tradition, to Edward the Confessor.
+The knock at the door of the chapel was repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"We must not tarry," said Margaret; "let us
+part here&mdash;you for Dijon, I to Aix, my abode
+of unrest in Provence. Farewell&mdash;we may meet
+in a better hour&mdash;yet how can I hope it? Thus
+I said on the morning before the fight of St. Albans&mdash;thus
+on the dark dawning of Towton&mdash;thus
+on the yet more bloody field of Tewkesbury&mdash;and
+what was the event? Yet hope is a plant
+which cannot be rooted out of a noble breast,
+till the last heart-string crack as it is pulled
+away."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, she passed through the chapel door,
+and mingled in the miscellaneous assemblage of
+personages who worshipped or indulged their curiosity,
+or consumed their idle hours amongst the
+aisles of the cathedral.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson and his son, both deeply impressed
+with the singular interview which had just taken
+place, returned to their inn, where they found a
+pursuivant, with the Duke of Burgundy's badge
+and livery, who informed them, that if they were
+the English merchants who were carrying wares
+of value to the court of the Duke, he had orders
+to afford them the countenance of his escort and
+inviolable character. Under his protection they
+set out from Strasburg; but such was the uncertainty
+of the Duke of Burgundy's motions, and
+such the numerous obstacles which occurred to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span>
+interrupt their journey, in a country disturbed by
+the constant passage of troops and preparation for
+war, that it was evening on the second day ere
+they reached the plain near Dijon, on which the
+whole, or great part of his power, lay encamped.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Thus said the Duke&mdash;thus did the Duke infer.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Richard III.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The eyes of the elder traveller were well accustomed
+to sights of martial splendour, yet even he
+was dazzled with the rich and glorious display of
+the Burgundian camp, in which, near the walls of
+Dijon, Charles, the wealthiest prince in Europe,
+had displayed his own extravagance, and encouraged
+his followers to similar profusion. The
+pavilions of the meanest officers were of silk and
+samite, while those of the nobility and great
+leaders glittered with cloth of silver, cloth of
+gold, variegated tapestry, and other precious materials,
+which in no other situation would have been
+employed as a cover from the weather, but would
+themselves have been thought worthy of the most
+careful protection. The horsemen and infantry
+who mounted guard were arrayed in the richest
+and most gorgeous armour. A beautiful and very
+numerous train of artillery was drawn up near
+the entrance of the camp, and in its commander
+Philipson (to give the Earl the travelling name
+to which our readers are accustomed) recognised
+Henry Colvin(<a href="#ednote_c" name="enanchor_c" id="enanchor_c" ><i>c</i></a>), an Englishman of inferior birth,
+but distinguished for his skill in conducting these
+terrible engines, which had of late come into
+general use in war. The banners and pennons
+which were displayed by every knight, baron, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span>
+man of rank floated before their tents, and the
+owners of these transitory dwellings sat at the
+door half-armed, and enjoyed the military contests
+of the soldiers, in wrestling, pitching the bar, and
+other athletic exercises.</p>
+
+<p>Long rows of the noblest horses were seen at
+picket, prancing and tossing their heads, as impatient
+of the inactivity to which they were confined,
+or were heard neighing over the provender
+which was spread plentifully before them. The
+soldiers formed joyous groups around the minstrels
+and strolling jugglers, or were engaged in drinking-parties
+at the sutlers' tents; others strolled about
+with folded arms, casting their eyes now and then
+to the sinking sun, as if desirous that the hour
+should arrive which should put an end to a day
+unoccupied, and therefore tedious.</p>
+
+<p>At length the travellers reached, amidst the
+dazzling varieties of this military display, the
+pavilion of the Duke himself, before which floated
+heavily in the evening breeze the broad and rich
+banner, in which glowed the armorial bearings
+and quarterings of a prince, Duke of six provinces,
+and Count of fifteen counties, who was, from his
+power, his disposition, and the success which
+seemed to attend his enterprises, the general dread
+of Europe. The pursuivant made himself known
+to some of the household, and the Englishmen
+were immediately received with courtesy, though
+not such as to draw attention upon them, and conveyed
+to a neighbouring tent, the residence of a
+general officer, which they were given to understand
+was destined for their accommodation, and
+where their packages accordingly were deposited,
+and refreshments offered them.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"As the camp is filled," said the domestic who
+waited upon them, "with soldiers of different
+nations and uncertain dispositions, the Duke of
+Burgundy, for the safety of your merchandise, has
+ordered you the protection of a regular sentinel.
+In the meantime, be in readiness to wait on his
+Highness, seeing you may look to be presently
+sent for."</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, the elder Philipson was shortly
+after summoned to the Duke's presence, introduced
+by a back entrance into the ducal pavilion, and
+into that part of it which, screened by close curtains
+and wooden barricades, formed Charles's own
+separate apartment. The plainness of the furniture,
+and the coarse apparatus of the Duke's
+toilette, formed a strong contrast to the appearance
+of the exterior of the pavilion; for Charles, whose
+character was, in that as in other things, far from
+consistent, exhibited in his own person during
+war an austerity, or rather coarseness of dress, and
+sometimes of manners also, which was more like
+the rudeness of a German lanzknecht, than the
+bearing of a prince of exalted rank; while, at the
+same time, he encouraged and enjoined a great
+splendour of expense and display amongst his vassals
+and courtiers, as if to be rudely attired, and
+to despise every restraint, even of ordinary ceremony,
+were a privilege of the sovereign alone.
+Yet when it pleased him to assume state in person
+and manners, none knew better than Charles of
+Burgundy how he ought to adorn and demean
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>Upon his toilette appeared brushes and combs,
+which might have claimed dismissal as past the
+term of service, over-worn hats and doublets, dog-leashes,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span>
+leather-belts, and other such paltry articles;
+amongst which lay at random, as it seemed, the
+great diamond called Sanci,&mdash;the three rubies
+termed the Three Brothers of Antwerp,&mdash;another
+great diamond called the Lamp of Flanders, and
+other precious stones of scarcely inferior value and
+rarity. This extraordinary display somewhat resembled
+the character of the Duke himself, who
+mixed cruelty with justice, magnanimity with
+meanness of spirit, economy with extravagance,
+and liberality with avarice; being, in fact, consistent
+in nothing excepting in his obstinate
+determination to follow the opinion he had once
+formed, in every situation of things, and through
+all variety of risks.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of the valueless and inestimable
+articles of his wardrobe and toilette, the Duke of
+Burgundy called out to the English traveller,
+"Welcome, Herr Philipson&mdash;welcome, you of a
+nation whose traders are princes, and their merchants
+the mighty ones of the earth. What new
+commodities have you brought to gull us with?
+You merchants, by St. George, are a wily
+generation."</p>
+
+<p>"Faith, no new merchandise I, my lord,"
+answered the elder Englishman; "I bring but the
+commodities which I showed your Highness the
+last time I communicated with you, in the hope
+of a poor trader, that your Grace may find them
+more acceptable upon a review, than when you
+first saw them."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well, Sir&mdash;Philipville, I think they call
+you?&mdash;you are a simple trader, or you take me for
+a silly purchaser, that you think to gull me with
+the same wares which I fancied not formerly.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span>
+Change of fashion, man&mdash;novelty&mdash;is the motto
+of commerce; your Lancaster wares have had their
+day, and I have bought of them like others, and
+was like enough to have paid dear for them too.
+York is all the vogue now."</p>
+
+<p>"It may be so among the vulgar," said the Earl
+of Oxford; "but for souls like your Highness,
+faith, honour, and loyalty are jewels which change
+of fancy, or mutability of taste, cannot put out of
+fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it may be, noble Oxford," said the
+Duke, "that I preserve in my secret mind some
+veneration for these old-fashioned qualities, else
+why should I have such regard for your person, in
+which they have ever been distinguished? But
+my situation is painfully urgent, and should I
+make a false step at this crisis, I might break the
+purposes of my whole life. Observe me, Sir Merchant.
+Here has come over your old competitor,
+Blackburn, whom some call Edward of York and
+of London, with a commodity of bows and bills
+such as never entered France since King Arthur's
+time; and he offers to enter into joint adventure
+with me, or, in plain speech, to make common
+cause with Burgundy, till we smoke out of his
+earths the old fox Louis, and nail his hide to the
+stable-door. In a word, England invites me to
+take part with him against my most wily and
+inveterate enemy, the King of France; to rid
+myself of the chain of vassalage, and to ascend
+into the rank of independent princes;&mdash;how
+think you, noble Earl, can I forego this seducing
+temptation?"</p>
+
+<p>"You must ask this of some of your counsellors
+of Burgundy," said Oxford; "it is a question
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span>
+fraught too deeply with ruin to my cause, for me
+to give a fair opinion on it."</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless," said Charles, "I ask thee, as
+an honourable man, what objections you see to
+the course proposed to me? Speak your mind,
+and speak it freely."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord, I know it is in your Highness's
+nature to entertain no doubts of the facility of
+executing anything which you have once determined
+shall be done. Yet, though this prince-like
+disposition may in some cases prepare for its own
+success, and has often done so, there are others, in
+which, persisting in our purpose, merely because
+we have once willed it, leads not to success, but
+to ruin. Look, therefore, at this English army;&mdash;winter
+is approaching, where are they to be lodged?
+how are they to be victualled? by whom are they
+to be paid? Is your Highness to take all the
+expense and labour of fitting them for the summer
+campaign? for, rely on it, an English army never
+was, nor will be, fit for service, till they have
+been out of their own island long enough to accustom
+them to military duty. They are men, I
+grant, the fittest for soldiers in the world; but
+they are not soldiers as yet, and must be trained
+to become such at your Highness's expense."</p>
+
+<p>"Be it so," said Charles; "I think the Low
+Countries can find food for the beef-consuming
+knaves for a few weeks, and villages for them to
+lie in, and officers to train their sturdy limbs to
+war, and provost-marshals enough to reduce their
+refractory spirit to discipline."</p>
+
+<p>"What happens next?" said Oxford. "You
+march to Paris, add to Edward's usurped power
+another kingdom; restore to him all the possessions
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span>
+which England ever had in France, Normandy,
+Maine, Anjou, Gascony, and all besides&mdash;Can you
+trust this Edward when you shall have thus fostered
+his strength, and made him far stronger than
+this Louis whom you have united to pull down?"</p>
+
+<p>"By St. George, I will not dissemble with you!
+It is in that very point that my doubts trouble me.
+Edward is indeed my brother-in-law, but I am a
+man little inclined to put my head under my
+wife's girdle."</p>
+
+<p>"And the times," said Philipson, "have too
+often shown the inefficiency of family alliances, to
+prevent the most gross breaches of faith."</p>
+
+<p>"You say well, Earl. Clarence betrayed his
+father-in-law; Louis poisoned his brother&mdash;Domestic
+affections, pshaw! they sit warm enough
+by a private man's fireside, but they cannot come
+into fields of battle, or princes' halls, where the
+wind blows cold. No, my alliance with Edward
+by marriage were little succour to me in time of
+need. I would as soon ride an unbroken horse,
+with no better bridle than a lady's garter. But
+what then is the result? He wars on Louis;
+whichever gains the better, I, who must be
+strengthened in their mutual weakness, receive
+the advantage&mdash;The Englishmen slay the French
+with their cloth-yard shafts, and the Frenchmen,
+by skirmishes, waste, weaken, and destroy the
+English. With spring I take the field with an
+army superior to both, and then, St. George for
+Burgundy!"</p>
+
+<p>"And if, in the meanwhile, your Highness will
+deign to assist, even in the most trifling degree, a
+cause the most honourable that ever knight laid
+lance in rest for,&mdash;a moderate sum of money, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span>
+a small body of Hainault lances, who may gain
+both fame and fortune by the service, may replace
+the injured heir of Lancaster in the possession of
+his native and rightful dominion."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, marry, Sir Earl," said the Duke, "you
+come roundly to the point; but we have seen, and
+indeed partly assisted, at so many turns betwixt
+York and Lancaster, that we have some doubt
+which is the side to which Heaven has given
+the right, and the inclinations of the people the
+effectual power; we are surprised into absolute
+giddiness by so many extraordinary revolutions
+of fortune as England has exhibited."</p>
+
+<p>"A proof, my lord, that these mutations are not
+yet ended, and that your generous aid may give to
+the better side an effectual turn of advantage."</p>
+
+<p>"And lend my cousin, Margaret of Anjou, my
+arm to dethrone my wife's brother? Perhaps he
+deserves small good-will at my hands, since he
+and his insolent nobles have been urging me with
+remonstrances, and even threats, to lay aside all
+my own important affairs, and join Edward, forsooth,
+in his knight-errant expedition against
+Louis. I will march against Louis at my own
+time, and not sooner; and, by St. George! neither
+island king, nor island noble, shall dictate to
+Charles of Burgundy. You are fine conceited companions,
+you English of both sides, that think the
+matters of your own bedlam island are as interesting
+to all the world as to yourselves. But neither
+York nor Lancaster, neither brother Blackburn nor
+cousin Margaret of Anjou, not with John de Vere
+to back her, shall gull me. Men lure no hawks
+with empty hands."</p>
+
+<p>Oxford, familiar with the Duke's disposition,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span>
+suffered him to exhaust himself in chafing, that
+any one should pretend to dictate his course of
+conduct, and, when he was at length silent,
+replied with calmness&mdash;"Do I live to hear the
+noble Duke of Burgundy, the mirror of European
+chivalry, say, that no reason has been shown to
+him for an adventure where a helpless queen is
+to be redressed&mdash;a royal house raised from the
+dust? Is there not immortal <i>los</i> and honour&mdash;the
+trumpet of fame to proclaim the sovereign, who,
+alone in a degenerate age, has united the duties
+of a generous knight with those of a princely
+sovereign"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>The Duke interrupted him, striking him at the
+same time on the shoulder&mdash;"And King René's
+five hundred fiddlers to tune their cracked violins
+in my praise? and King René himself to listen to
+them, and say, 'Well fought, Duke&mdash;well played,
+fiddler!' I tell thee, John of Oxford, when thou
+and I wore maiden armour, such words as fame,
+honour, <i>los</i>, knightly glory, lady's love, and so
+forth, were good mottoes for our snow-white
+shields, and a fair enough argument for splintering
+lances&mdash;Ay, and in tilt-yard, though somewhat
+old for these fierce follies, I would jeopard my
+person in such a quarrel yet, as becomes a knight
+of the order. But when we come to paying down
+of crowns, and embarking of large squadrons, we
+must have to propose to our subjects some substantial
+excuse for plunging them in war; some proposal
+for the public good&mdash;or, by St. George! for
+our own private advantage, which is the same
+thing. This is the course the world runs, and,
+Oxford, to tell the plain truth, I mean to hold the
+same bias."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Heaven forbid that I should expect your Highness
+to act otherwise than with a view to your
+subjects' welfare&mdash;the increase, that is, as your
+Grace happily expresses it, of your own power and
+dominion. The money we require is not in benevolence,
+but in loan; and Margaret is willing to
+deposit these jewels, of which I think your Grace
+knows the value, till she shall repay the sum
+which your friendship may advance in her
+necessity."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha!" said the Duke, "would our cousin
+make a pawnbroker of us, and have us deal with
+her like a Jewish usurer with his debtor?&mdash;Yet,
+in faith, Oxford, we may need the diamonds, for
+if this business were otherwise feasible, it is possible
+that I myself must become a borrower to aid
+my cousin's necessities. I have applied to the
+States of the Duchy, who are now sitting, and
+expect, as is reasonable, a large supply. But
+there are restless heads and close hands among
+them, and they may be niggardly&mdash;So place the
+jewels on the table in the meanwhile.&mdash;Well, say
+I am to be no sufferer in purse by this feat of
+knight-errantry which you propose to me, still
+princes enter not into war without some view of
+advantage?"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to me, noble sovereign. You are naturally
+bent to unite the great estates of your father,
+and those you have acquired by your own arms,
+into a compact and firm dukedom"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Call it kingdom," said Charles; "it is the
+worthier word."</p>
+
+<p>"Into a kingdom, of which the crown shall sit
+as fair and even on your Grace's brow as that of
+France on your present suzerain, Louis."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It need not such shrewdness as yours to descry
+that such is my purpose," said the Duke; "else,
+wherefore am I here with helm on my head, and
+sword by my side? And wherefore are my troops
+seizing on the strong places in Lorraine, and
+chasing before them the beggarly De Vaudemont,
+who has the insolence to claim it as his inheritance?
+Yes, my friend, the aggrandisement of
+Burgundy is a theme for which the duke of that
+fair province is bound to fight, while he can put
+foot in stirrup."</p>
+
+<p>"But think you not," said the English Earl,
+"since you allow me to speak freely with your
+Grace, on the footing of old acquaintanceship,
+think you not that in this chart of your dominions,
+otherwise so fairly bounded, there is something
+on the southern frontier which might be arranged
+more advantageously for a King of Burgundy?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot guess whither you would lead me,"
+said the Duke, looking at a map of the Duchy and
+his other possessions, to which the Englishman
+had pointed his attention, and then turning his
+broad keen eye upon the face of the banished
+Earl.</p>
+
+<p>"I would say," replied the latter, "that, to so
+powerful a prince as your Grace, there is no safe
+neighbour but the sea. Here is Provence, which
+interferes betwixt you and the Mediterranean;
+Provence, with its princely harbours, and fertile
+cornfields and vineyards. Were it not well to
+include it in your map of sovereignty, and thus
+touch the middle sea with one hand, while the
+other rested on the sea-coast of Flanders?"</p>
+
+<p>"Provence, said you?" replied the Duke, eagerly.
+"Why, man, my very dreams are of Provence. I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span>
+cannot smell an orange but it reminds me of its
+perfumed woods and bowers, its olives, citrons,
+and pomegranates. But how to frame pretensions
+to it? Shame it were to disturb René, the harmless
+old man, nor would it become a near relation.
+Then he is the uncle of Louis; and most probably,
+failing his daughter Margaret, or perhaps in preference
+to her, he hath named the French King
+his heir."</p>
+
+<p>"A better claim might be raised up in your
+Grace's own person," said the Earl of Oxford, "if
+you will afford Margaret of Anjou the succour she
+requires by me."</p>
+
+<p>"Take the aid thou requirest," replied the Duke;
+"take double the amount of it in men and money!
+Let me but have a claim upon Provence, though
+thin as a single thread of thy Queen Margaret's
+hair, and let me alone for twisting it into the
+tough texture of a quadruple cable.&mdash;But I am a
+fool to listen to the dreams of one who, ruined
+himself, can lose little by holding forth to others
+the most extravagant hopes."</p>
+
+<p>Charles breathed high, and changed complexion
+as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not such a person, my Lord Duke," said
+the Earl. "Listen to me&mdash;René is broken with
+years, fond of repose, and too poor to maintain his
+rank with the necessary dignity; too good-natured,
+or too feeble-minded, to lay further imposts on his
+subjects; weary of contending with bad fortune,
+and desirous to resign his territories"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"His territories!" said Charles.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, all he actually possesses; and the much
+more extensive dominions which he has claim to,
+but which have passed from his sway."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You take away my breath!" said the Duke.
+"René resign Provence! and what says Margaret&mdash;the
+proud, the high-minded Margaret&mdash;will she
+subscribe to so humiliating a proceeding?"</p>
+
+<p>"For the chance of seeing Lancaster triumph in
+England, she would resign, not only dominion,
+but life itself. And, in truth, the sacrifice is less
+than it may seem to be. It is certain that, when
+René dies, the King of France will claim the old
+man's county of Provence as a male fief, and there
+is no one strong enough to back Margaret's claim
+of inheritance, however just it may be."</p>
+
+<p>"It is just," said Charles; "it is undeniable! I
+will not hear of its being denied or challenged&mdash;that
+is, when once it is established in our own
+person. It is the true principle of the war for the
+public good, that none of the great fiefs be suffered
+to revert again to the crown of France, least of all
+while it stands on a brow so astucious and unprincipled
+as that of Louis. Burgundy joined to
+Provence&mdash;a dominion from the German Ocean to
+the Mediterranean! Oxford&mdash;thou art my better
+angel!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your Grace must, however, reflect," said
+Oxford, "that honourable provision must be made
+for King René."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, man, certainly; he shall have a
+score of fiddlers and jugglers to play, roar, and
+recite to him from morning till night. He shall
+have a court of troubadours, who shall do nothing
+but drink, flute, and fiddle to him, and pronounce
+<i>arrests</i> of <i>love</i>, to be confirmed or reversed by an
+appeal to himself, the supreme <i>Roi d'Amour</i>. And
+Margaret shall also be honourably sustained, in
+the manner you may point out."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That will be easily settled," answered the
+English Earl. "If our attempts on England succeed,
+she will need no aid from Burgundy. If she
+fails, she retires into a cloister, and it will not be
+long that she will need the honourable maintenance
+which, I am sure, your Grace's generosity
+will willingly assign her."</p>
+
+<p>"Unquestionably," answered Charles; "and on
+a scale which will become us both;&mdash;but, by my
+halidome, John of Vere, the abbess into whose
+cloister Margaret of Anjou shall retire will have
+an ungovernable penitent under her charge. Well
+do I know her; and, Sir Earl, I will not clog our
+discourse by expressing any doubts, that, if she
+pleases, she can compel her father to resign his
+estates to whomsoever she will. She is like my
+brache, Gorgon, who compels whatsoever hound is
+coupled with her to go the way she chooses, or she
+strangles him if he resists. So has Margaret acted
+with her simple-minded husband, and I am aware
+that her father, a fool of a different cast, must of
+necessity be equally tractable. I think <i>I</i> could
+have matched her,&mdash;though my very neck aches at
+the thought of the struggles we should have had for
+mastery.&mdash;But you look grave, because I jest with
+the pertinacious temper of my unhappy cousin."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said Oxford, "whatever are or have
+been the defects of my mistress, she is in distress,
+and almost in desolation. She is my sovereign,
+and your Highness's cousin not the less."</p>
+
+<p>"Enough said, Sir Earl," answered the Duke.
+"Let us speak seriously. Whatever we may think
+of the abdication of King René, I fear we shall
+find it difficult to make Louis XI. see the matter
+as favourably as we do. He will hold that the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span>
+county of Provence is a male fief, and that neither
+the resignation of René nor the consent of his
+daughter can prevent its reverting to the crown of
+France, as the King of Sicily, as they call him,
+hath no male issue."</p>
+
+<p>"That, may it please your Grace, is a question
+for battle to decide; and your Highness has successfully
+braved Louis for a less important stake.
+All I can say is, that, if your Grace's active assistance
+enables the young Earl of Richmond to
+succeed in his enterprise, you shall have the aid
+of three thousand English archers, if old John of
+Oxford, for want of a better leader, were to bring
+them over himself."</p>
+
+<p>"A noble aid," said the Duke; "graced still
+more by him who promises to lead them. Thy
+succour, noble Oxford, were precious to me, did
+you but come with your sword by your side, and
+a single page at your back. I know you well,
+both heart and head. But let us to this gear;
+exiles, even the wisest, are privileged in promises,
+and sometimes&mdash;excuse me, noble Oxford&mdash;impose
+on themselves as well as on their friends.
+What are the hopes on which you desire me again
+to embark on so troubled and uncertain an ocean
+as these civil contests of yours?"</p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford produced a schedule, and
+explained to the Duke the plan of his expedition,
+to be backed by an insurrection of the friends of
+Lancaster, of which it is enough to say, that it
+was bold to the verge of temerity; but yet so well
+compacted and put together, as to bear, in those
+times of rapid revolution, and under a leader of
+Oxford's approved military skill and political sagacity,
+a strong appearance of probable success.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While Duke Charles mused over the particulars
+of an enterprise attractive and congenial to his
+own disposition,&mdash;while he counted over the
+affronts which he had received from his brother-in-law,
+Edward IV., the present opportunity for
+taking a signal revenge, and the rich acquisition
+which he hoped to make in Provence by the
+cession in his favour of René of Anjou and his
+daughter, the Englishman failed not to press on
+his consideration the urgent necessity of suffering
+no time to escape.</p>
+
+<p>"The accomplishment of this scheme," he said,
+"demands the utmost promptitude. To have a
+chance of success, I must be in England, with
+your Grace's auxiliary forces, before Edward of
+York can return from France with his army."</p>
+
+<p>"And having come hither," said the Duke, "our
+worthy brother will be in no hurry to return again.
+He will meet with black-eyed French women and
+ruby-coloured French wine, and brother Blackburn
+is no man to leave such commodities in a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord Duke, I will speak truth of my
+enemy. Edward is indolent and luxurious when
+things are easy around him, but let him feel the
+spur of necessity, and he becomes as eager as a
+pampered steed. Louis, too, who seldom fails in
+finding means to accomplish his ends, is bent upon
+determining the English King to recross the sea&mdash;therefore,
+speed, noble Prince&mdash;speed is the
+soul of your enterprise."</p>
+
+<p>"Speed!" said the Duke of Burgundy,&mdash;"Why,
+I will go with you, and see the embarkation
+myself; and tried, approved soldiers you shall
+have, such as are nowhere to be found save in
+Artois and Hainault."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But pardon yet, noble Duke, the impatience of
+a drowning wretch urgently pressing for assistance.&mdash;When
+shall we to the coast of Flanders,
+to order this important measure?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, in a fortnight, or perchance a week, or,
+in a word, so soon as I shall have chastised to
+purpose a certain gang of thieves and robbers, who,
+as the scum of the caldron will always be uppermost,
+have got up into the fastnesses of the Alps,
+and from thence annoy our frontiers by contraband
+traffic, pillage, and robbery."</p>
+
+<p>"Your Highness means the Swiss confederates?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, the peasant churls give themselves such
+a name. They are a sort of manumitted slaves
+of Austria, and, like a ban-dog, whose chain is
+broken, they avail themselves of their liberty to
+annoy and rend whatever comes in their way."</p>
+
+<p>"I travelled through their country from Italy,"
+said the exiled Earl, "and I heard it was the purpose
+of the Cantons to send envoys to solicit peace
+of your Highness."</p>
+
+<p>"Peace!" exclaimed Charles.&mdash;"A proper sort
+of peaceful proceedings those of their embassy have
+been! Availing themselves of a mutiny of the
+burghers of La Ferette, the first garrison town
+which they entered, they stormed the walls, seized
+on Archibald de Hagenbach, who commanded the
+place on my part, and put him to death in the
+market-place. Such an insult must be punished,
+Sir John de Vere; and if you do not see me in the
+storm of passion which it well deserves, it is
+because I have already given orders to hang up the
+base runagates who call themselves ambassadors."</p>
+
+<p>"For God's sake, noble Duke," said the Englishman,
+throwing himself at Charles's feet&mdash;"for
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span>
+your own character, for the sake of the peace of
+Christendom, revoke such an order if it is really
+given!"</p>
+
+<p>"What means this passion?" said Duke Charles.&mdash;"What
+are these men's lives to thee, excepting
+that the consequences of a war may delay your
+expedition for a few days?"</p>
+
+<p>"May render it altogether abortive," said the
+Earl; "nay, <i>must</i> needs do so.&mdash;Hear me, Lord
+Duke. I was with these men on a part of their
+journey."</p>
+
+<p>"You!" said the Duke&mdash;"you a companion of
+the paltry Swiss peasants? Misfortune has sunk
+the pride of English nobility to a low ebb, when
+you selected such associates."</p>
+
+<p>"I was thrown amongst them by accident," said
+the Earl. "Some of them are of noble blood, and
+are, besides, men for whose peaceable intentions I
+ventured to constitute myself their warrant."</p>
+
+<p>"On my honour, my Lord of Oxford, you graced
+them highly, and me no less, in interfering between
+the Swiss and myself! Allow me to say
+that I condescend, when, in deference to past
+friendship, I permit you to speak to me of your
+own English affairs. Methinks you might well
+spare me your opinion upon topics with which you
+have no natural concern."</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord of Burgundy," replied Oxford, "I
+followed your banner to Paris, and had the good
+luck to rescue you in the fight at Mont L'Hery,
+when you were beset by the French men-at-arms"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"We have not forgot it," said Duke Charles;
+"and it is a sign that we keep the action in
+remembrance, that you have been suffered to stand
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span>
+before us so long, pleading the cause of a set of
+rascals, whom we are required to spare from the
+gallows that groans for them, because forsooth
+they have been the fellow-travellers of the Earl
+of Oxford!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not so, my lord. I ask their lives, only
+because they are upon a peaceful errand, and the
+leaders amongst them, at least, have no accession
+to the crime of which you complain."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke traversed the apartment with unequal
+steps in much agitation, his large eyebrows drawn
+down over his eyes, his hands clenched, and his
+teeth set, until at length he seemed to take a resolution.
+He rung a handbell of silver, which stood
+upon his table.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Contay," he said to the gentleman of his
+chamber who entered, "are these mountain fellows
+yet executed?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, may it please your Highness; but the
+executioner waits them so soon as the priest hath
+confessed them."</p>
+
+<p>"Let them live," said the Duke. "We will
+hear to-morrow in what manner they propose to
+justify their proceedings towards us."</p>
+
+<p>Contay bowed and left the apartment; then
+turning to the Englishman, the Duke said, with
+an indescribable mixture of haughtiness with
+familiarity and even kindness, but having his
+brows cleared, and his looks composed,&mdash;"We are
+now clear of obligation, my Lord of Oxford&mdash;you
+have obtained life for life&mdash;nay, to make up some
+inequality which there may be betwixt the value
+of the commodities bestowed, you have obtained
+six lives for one. I will, therefore, pay no more
+attention to you, should you again upbraid me
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span>
+with the stumbling horse at Mont L'Hery, or your
+own achievements on that occasion. Most princes
+are contented with privately hating such men as
+have rendered them extraordinary services&mdash;I feel
+no such disposition&mdash;I only detest being reminded
+of having had occasion for them.&mdash;Pshaw! I am
+half choked with the effort of foregoing my own
+fixed resolution.&mdash;So ho! who waits there? Bring
+me to drink."</p>
+
+<p>An usher entered, bearing a large silver flagon,
+which, instead of wine, was filled with ptisan
+slightly flavoured by aromatic herbs.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so hot and choleric by nature," said the
+Duke, "that our leeches prohibit me from drinking
+wine. But you, Oxford, are bound by no such
+regimen. Get thee to thy countryman, Colvin,
+the general of our artillery. We commend thee to
+his custody and hospitality till to-morrow, which
+must be a busy day, since I expect to receive the
+answer of these wiseacres of the Dijon assembly
+of estates; and have also to hear (thanks to your
+lordship's interference) these miserable Swiss
+envoys, as they call themselves. Well, no more
+on't.&mdash;Good-night. You may communicate freely
+with Colvin, who is, like yourself, an old Lancastrian.&mdash;But
+hark ye, not a word respecting
+Provence&mdash;not even in your sleep.&mdash;Contay, conduct
+this English gentleman to Colvin's tent. He
+knows my pleasure respecting him."</p>
+
+<p>"So please your Grace," answered Contay, "I
+left the English gentleman's son with Monsieur
+de Colvin."</p>
+
+<p>"What! thine own son, Oxford? And with
+thee here? Why did you not tell me of him? Is
+he a true scion of the ancient tree?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is my pride to believe so, my lord. He has
+been the faithful companion of all my dangers and
+wanderings."</p>
+
+<p>"Happy man!" said the Duke, with a sigh.
+"You, Oxford, have a son to share your poverty
+and distress&mdash;I have none to be partner and successor
+to my greatness."</p>
+
+<p>"You have a daughter, my lord," said the noble
+De Vere, "and it is to be hoped she will one day
+wed some powerful prince, who may be the stay
+of your Highness's house."</p>
+
+<p>"Never! By St. George, never!" answered the
+Duke, sharply and shortly. "I will have no son-in-law,
+who may make the daughter's bed a stepping-stone
+to reach the father's crown. Oxford, I
+have spoken more freely than I am wont, perhaps
+more freely than I ought&mdash;but I hold some men
+trustworthy, and believe you, Sir John de Vere,
+to be one of them."</p>
+
+<p>The English nobleman bowed, and was about to
+leave his presence, but the Duke presently recalled
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"There is one thing more, Oxford.&mdash;The
+cession of Provence is not quite enough. René
+and Margaret must disavow this hot-brained
+Ferrand de Vaudemont, who is making some
+foolish stir in Lorraine, in right of his mother
+Yolande."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said Oxford, "Ferrand is the grandson
+of King René, the nephew of Queen Margaret;
+but yet"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"But yet, by St. George, his rights, as he calls
+them, on Lorraine must positively be disowned.
+You talk of their family feelings, while you are
+urging me to make war on my own brother-in-law!"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"René's best apology for deserting his grandson,"
+answered Oxford, "will be his total inability
+to support and assist him. I will communicate
+your Grace's condition, though it is a hard one."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he left the pavilion.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i5">I humbly thank your Highness,</p>
+<p>And am right glad to catch this good occasion</p>
+<p>Most thoroughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff</p>
+<p>And corn shall fly asunder.</p>
+
+<p class="i7"><i>King Henry VIII.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Colvin, the English officer, to whom the Duke of
+Burgundy, with splendid pay and appointments,
+committed the charge of his artillery, was owner
+of the tent assigned for the Englishman's lodging,
+and received the Earl of Oxford with the respect
+due to his rank, and to the Duke's especial orders
+upon that subject. He had been himself a follower
+of the Lancaster faction, and of course was
+well disposed towards one of the very few men of
+distinction whom he had known personally, and
+who had constantly adhered to that family through
+the train of misfortunes by which they seemed to
+be totally overwhelmed. A repast, of which his
+son had already partaken, was offered to the Earl
+by Colvin, who omitted not to recommend, by
+precept and example, the good wine of Burgundy,
+from which the sovereign of the province was
+himself obliged to refrain.</p>
+
+<p>"His Grace shows command of passion in that,"
+said Colvin. "For, sooth to speak, and only conversing
+betwixt friends, his temper grows too
+headlong to bear the spur which a cup of cordial
+beverage gives to the blood, and he, therefore,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span>
+wisely restricts himself to such liquid as may cool
+rather than inflame his natural fire of disposition."</p>
+
+<p>"I can perceive as much," said the Lancastrian
+noble. "When I first knew the noble Duke, who
+was then Earl of Charolois, his temper, though
+always sufficiently fiery, was calmness to the
+impetuosity which he now displays on the smallest
+contradiction. Such is the course of an uninterrupted
+flow of prosperity. He has ascended, by
+his own courage and the advantage of circumstances,
+from the doubtful place of a feudatory and
+tributary prince, to rank with the most powerful
+sovereigns in Europe, and to assume independent
+majesty. But I trust the noble starts of generosity
+which atoned for his wilful and wayward temper
+are not more few than formerly?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have good right to say that they are not,"
+replied the soldier of fortune, who understood
+generosity in the restricted sense of liberality.
+"The Duke is a noble and open-handed master."</p>
+
+<p>"I trust his bounty is conferred on men who are
+as faithful and steady in their service as you,
+Colvin, have ever been. But I see a change in
+your army. I know the banners of most of the
+old houses in Burgundy&mdash;How is it that I observe
+so few of them in the Duke's camp? I see flags,
+and pennons, and pennoncelles; but even to me,
+who have been so many years acquainted with the
+nobility both of France and Flanders, their bearings
+are unknown."</p>
+
+<p>"My noble Lord of Oxford," answered the officer,
+"it ill becomes a man who lives on the Duke's
+pay to censure his conduct; but his Highness hath
+of late trusted too much, as it seems to me, to the
+hired arms of foreign levies, and too little to his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span>
+own native subjects and retainers. He holds it
+better to take into his pay large bands of German
+and Italian mercenary soldiers, than to repose confidence
+in the knights and squires who are bound
+to him by allegiance and feudal faith. He uses
+the aid of his own subjects but as the means of
+producing him sums of money, which he bestows
+on his hired troops. The Germans are honest
+knaves enough while regularly paid; but Heaven
+preserve me from the Duke's Italian bands, and
+that Campo-basso their leader, who waits but the
+highest price to sell his Highness like a sheep for
+the shambles!"</p>
+
+<p>"Think you so ill of him?" demanded the Earl.</p>
+
+<p>"So very ill indeed, that I believe," replied
+Colvin, "there is no sort of treachery which the
+heart can devise, or the arm perpetrate, that hath
+not ready reception in his breast, and prompt
+execution at his hand. It is painful, my lord, for
+an honest Englishman like me to serve in an army
+where such traitors have command. But what can
+I do, unless I could once more find me a soldier's
+occupation in my native country? I often hope it
+will please merciful Heaven again to awaken those
+brave civil wars in my own dear England, where
+all was fair fighting, and treason was unheard of."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Oxford gave his host to understand, that
+there was a possibility that his pious wish of
+living and dying in his own country, and in the
+practice of his profession, was not to be despaired of.
+Meantime he requested of him, that early on the
+next morning he would procure him a pass and
+an escort for his son, whom he was compelled to
+despatch forthwith to Nancy, the residence of
+King René.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What!" said Colvin, "is my young Lord of
+Oxford to take a degree in the Court of Love? for
+no other business is listened to at King René's
+capital, save love and poetry."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not ambitious of such distinction for
+him, my good host," answered Oxford; "but Queen
+Margaret is with her father, and it is but fitting
+that the youth should kiss her hand."</p>
+
+<p>"Enough spoken," said the veteran Lancastrian.
+"I trust, though winter is fast approaching,
+the Red Rose may bloom in spring."</p>
+
+<p>He then ushered the Earl of Oxford to the partition
+of the tent which he was to occupy, in which
+there was a couch for Arthur also&mdash;their host, as
+Colvin might be termed, assuring them that, with
+peep of day, horses and faithful attendants should
+be ready to speed the youth on his journey to
+Nancy.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, Arthur," said his father, "we must
+part once more. I dare give thee, in this land of
+danger, no written communication to my mistress,
+Queen Margaret; but say to her, that I have found
+the Duke of Burgundy wedded to his own views of
+interest, but not averse to combine them with
+hers. Say, that I have little doubt that he will
+grant us the required aid, but not without the
+expected resignation in his favour by herself and
+King René. Say, I would never have recommended
+such a sacrifice for the precarious chance
+of overthrowing the House of York, but that I am
+satisfied that France and Burgundy are hanging
+like vultures over Provence, and that the one or
+other, or both princes, are ready, on her father's
+demise, to pounce on such possessions as they
+have reluctantly spared to him during his life.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span>
+An accommodation with Burgundy may therefore,
+on the one hand, insure his active co-operation
+in the attempt on England; and, on the other, if
+our high-spirited princess complies not with the
+Duke's request, the justice of her cause will give
+no additional security to her hereditary claims on
+her father's dominions. Bid Queen Margaret,
+therefore, unless she should have changed her
+views, obtain King René's formal deed of cession,
+conveying his estates to the Duke of Burgundy,
+with her Majesty's consent. The necessary provisions
+to the King and to herself may be filled up
+at her Grace's pleasure, or they may be left blank.
+I can trust to the Duke's generosity to their being
+suitably arranged. All that I fear is, that Charles
+may embroil himself"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"In some silly exploit, necessary for his own
+honour and the safety of his dominions," answered
+a voice behind the lining of the tent; "and, by
+doing so, attend to his own affairs more than to
+ours? Ha, Sir Earl?"</p>
+
+<p>At the same time the curtain was drawn aside,
+and a person entered, in whom, though clothed
+with the jerkin and bonnet of a private soldier of
+the Walloon guard, Oxford instantly recognised
+the Duke of Burgundy's harsh features and fierce
+eyes, as they sparkled from under the fur and
+feather with which the cap was ornamented.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, who knew not the Prince's person,
+started at the intrusion, and laid his hand on
+his dagger; but his father made a signal which
+stayed his hand, and he gazed with wonder on the
+solemn respect with which the Earl received the
+intrusive soldier. The first word informed him of
+the cause.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If this masking be done in proof of my faith,
+noble Duke, permit me to say it is superfluous."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, Oxford," answered the Duke, "I was a
+courteous spy; for I ceased to play the eavesdropper,
+at the very moment when I had reason to
+expect you were about to say something to anger
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"As I am a true Knight, my Lord Duke, if you
+had remained behind the arras, you would only
+have heard the same truths which I am ready to
+tell in your Grace's presence, though it may have
+chanced they might have been more bluntly
+expressed."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, speak them then, in whatever phrase
+thou wilt&mdash;they lie in their throats that say
+Charles of Burgundy was ever offended by advice
+from a well-meaning friend."</p>
+
+<p>"I would then have said," replied the English
+Earl, "that all which Margaret of Anjou had to
+apprehend, was that the Duke of Burgundy, when
+buckling on his armour to win Provence for himself,
+and to afford to her his powerful assistance
+to assert her rights in England, was likely to be
+withdrawn from such high objects by an imprudently
+eager desire to avenge himself of imaginary
+affronts, offered to him, as he supposed, by certain
+confederacies of Alpine mountaineers, over whom
+it is impossible to gain any important advantage,
+or acquire reputation, while, on the contrary, there
+is a risk of losing both. These men dwell amongst
+rocks and deserts which are almost inaccessible,
+and subsist in a manner so rude, that the poorest
+of your subjects would starve if subjected to such
+diet. They are formed by nature to be the garrison
+of the mountain-fortresses in which she has
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span>
+placed them;&mdash;for Heaven's sake meddle not with
+them, but follow forth your own nobler and more
+important objects, without stirring a nest of hornets,
+which, once in motion, may sting you into
+madness."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke had promised patience, and endeavoured
+to keep his word; but the swoln muscles
+of his face, and his flashing eyes, showed how
+painful to him it was to suppress his resentment.</p>
+
+<p>"You are misinformed, my lord," he said;
+"these men are not the inoffensive herdsmen and
+peasants you are pleased to suppose them. If they
+were, I might afford to despise them. But, flushed
+with some victories over the sluggish Austrians,
+they have shaken off all reverence for authority,
+assume airs of independence, form leagues, make
+inroads, storm towns, doom and execute men of
+noble birth at their pleasure.&mdash;Thou art dull, and
+look'st as if thou dost not apprehend me. To
+rouse thy English blood, and make thee sympathise
+with my feelings to these mountaineers,
+know that these Swiss are very Scots to my dominions
+in their neighbourhood; poor, proud,
+ferocious; easily offended, because they gain by
+war; ill to be appeased, because they nourish deep
+revenge; ever ready to seize the moment of advantage,
+and attack a neighbour when he is engaged
+in other affairs. The same unquiet, perfidious,
+and inveterate enemies that the Scots are to England,
+are the Swiss to Burgundy and to my allies.
+What say you? Can I undertake anything of consequence
+till I have crushed the pride of such a
+people? It will be but a few days' work. I will
+grasp the mountain-hedgehog, prickles and all,
+with my steel-gauntlet."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Your Grace will then have shorter work with
+them," replied the disguised nobleman, "than our
+English Kings have had with Scotland. The wars
+there have lasted so long, and proved so bloody,
+that wise men regret we ever began them."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said the Duke, "I will not dishonour
+the Scots by comparing them in all respects to
+these mountain-churls of the Cantons. The Scots
+have blood and gentry among them, and we have
+seen many examples of both; these Swiss are a
+mere brood of peasants, and the few gentlemen of
+birth they can boast must hide their distinction
+in the dress and manners of clowns. They will, I
+think, scarce stand against a charge of Hainaulters."</p>
+
+<p>"Not if the Hainaulters find ground to ride
+upon. But"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, to silence your scruples," said the Duke,
+interrupting him, "know, that these people encourage,
+by their countenance and aid, the formation
+of the most dangerous conspiracies in my
+dominions. Look here&mdash;I told you that my
+officer, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach, was murdered
+when the town of Brisach was treacherously taken
+by these harmless Switzers of yours. And here
+is a scroll of parchment, which announces that
+my servant was murdered by doom of the Vehme-gericht,
+a band of secret assassins, whom I will
+not permit to meet in any part of my dominions.
+Oh, could I but catch them above ground as they
+are found lurking below, they should know what
+the life of a nobleman is worth! Then, look at
+the insolence of their attestation."</p>
+
+<p>The scroll bore, with the day and date adjected,
+that judgment had been done on Archibald de
+Hagenbach, for tyranny, violence, and oppression,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span>
+by order of the Holy Vehme, and that it was
+executed by their officials, who were responsible
+for the same to their tribunal alone. It was countersigned
+in red ink, with the badges of the Secret
+Society, a coil of ropes and a drawn dagger.</p>
+
+<p>"This document I found stuck to my toilette
+with a knife," said the Duke; "another trick by
+which they give mystery to their murderous
+jugglery."</p>
+
+<p>The thought of what he had undergone in John
+Mengs's house, and reflections upon the extent
+and omnipresence of these Secret Associations,
+struck even the brave Englishman with an involuntary
+shudder.</p>
+
+<p>"For the sake of every saint in heaven," he
+said, "forbear, my lord, to speak of these tremendous
+societies, whose creatures are above, beneath,
+and around us. No man is secure of his life,
+however guarded, if it be sought by a man who is
+careless of his own. You are surrounded by Germans,
+Italians, and other strangers&mdash;How many
+amongst these may be bound by the secret ties
+which withdraw men from every other social bond,
+to unite them together in one inextricable though
+secret compact? Beware, noble Prince, of the
+situation on which your throne is placed, though
+it still exhibits all the splendour of power, and all
+the solidity of foundation that belongs to so august
+a structure. I&mdash;the friend of thy house&mdash;were
+it with my dying breath&mdash;must needs tell thee,
+that the Swiss hang like an avalanche over thy
+head; and the Secret Associations work beneath
+thee like the first throes of the coming earthquake.
+Provoke not the contest, and the snow will rest
+undisturbed on the mountain-side&mdash;the agitation
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span>
+of the subterranean vapours will be hushed to rest;
+but a single word of defiance, or one flash of indignant
+scorn, may call their terrors into instant
+action."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak," said the Duke, "with more awe of
+a pack of naked churls, and a band of midnight
+assassins, than I have seen you show for real
+danger. Yet I will not scorn your counsel&mdash;I
+will hear the Swiss envoys patiently, and I will
+not, if I can help it, show the contempt with
+which I cannot but regard their pretensions to
+treat as independent states. On the Secret Associations
+I will be silent, till time gives me the
+means of acting in combination with the Emperor,
+the Diet, and the Princes of the Empire, that they
+may be driven from all their burrows at once.&mdash;Ha,
+Sir Earl, said I well?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is well thought, my lord, but it may be unhappily
+spoken. You are in a position where one
+word overheard by a traitor might produce death
+and ruin."</p>
+
+<p>"I keep no traitors about me," said Charles.
+"If I thought there were such in my camp, I
+would rather die by them at once, than live in
+perpetual terror and suspicion."</p>
+
+<p>"Your Highness's ancient followers and servants,"
+said the Earl, "speak unfavourably of the
+Count of Campo-basso, who holds so high a rank
+in your confidence."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay," replied the Duke, with composure, "it
+is easy to decry the most faithful servant in a
+court by the unanimous hatred of all the others.
+I warrant me your bull-headed countryman,
+Colvin, has been railing against the Count like
+the rest of them, for Campo-basso sees nothing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span>
+amiss in any department but he reports it to me
+without fear or favour. And then his opinions
+are cast so much in the same mould with my own,
+that I can hardly get him to enlarge upon what he
+best understands, if it seems in any respect different
+from my sentiments. Add to this, a noble
+person, grace, gaiety, skill in the exercises of war,
+and in the courtly arts of peace&mdash;such is Campo-basso;
+and, being such, is he not a gem for a
+prince's cabinet?"</p>
+
+<p>"The very materials out of which a favourite is
+formed," answered the Earl of Oxford, "but something
+less adapted for making a faithful counsellor."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, thou mistrustful fool," said the Duke,
+"must I tell thee the very inmost secret respecting
+this man, Campo-basso, and will nothing short of
+it stay these imaginary suspicions which thy new
+trade of an itinerant merchant hath led thee to
+entertain so rashly?"</p>
+
+<p>"If your Highness honours me with your confidence,"
+said the Earl of Oxford, "I can only say
+that my fidelity shall deserve it."</p>
+
+<p>"Know, then, thou misbelieving mortal, that
+my good friend and brother, Louis of France, sent
+me private information through no less a person
+than his famous barber, Oliver le Diable, that
+Campo-basso had for a certain sum offered to put
+my person into his hands, alive or dead.&mdash;You
+start?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do indeed&mdash;recollecting your Highness's
+practice of riding out lightly armed, and with a
+very small attendance, to reconnoitre the ground
+and visit the outposts, and therefore how easily
+such a treacherous device might be carried into
+execution."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Pshaw!" answered the Duke.&mdash;"Thou seest
+the danger as if it were real, whereas nothing can
+be more certain than that, if my cousin of France
+had ever received such an offer, he would have
+been the last person to have put me on my guard
+against the attempt. No&mdash;he knows the value
+I set on Campo-basso's services, and forged the
+accusation to deprive me of them."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet, my lord," replied the English Earl,
+"your Highness, by my counsel, will not unnecessarily
+or impatiently fling aside your armour of
+proof, or ride without the escort of some score of
+your trusty Walloons."</p>
+
+<p>"Tush, man, thou wouldst make a carbonado of
+a fever-stirred wretch like myself, betwixt the
+bright iron and the burning sun. But I will be
+cautious though I jest thus&mdash;and you, young man,
+may assure my cousin, Margaret of Anjou, that I
+will consider her affairs as my own. And remember,
+youth, that the secrets of princes are fatal
+gifts, if he to whom they are imparted blaze them
+abroad; but if duly treasured up, they enrich the
+bearer. And thou shalt have cause to say so, if
+thou canst bring back with thee from Aix the deed
+of resignation of which thy father hath spoken.&mdash;Good-night&mdash;good-night!"</p>
+
+<p>He left the apartment.</p>
+
+<p>"You have just seen," said the Earl of Oxford
+to his son, "a sketch of this extraordinary prince,
+by his own pencil. It is easy to excite his ambition
+or thirst of power, but well-nigh impossible
+to limit him to the just measures by which it is
+most likely to be gratified. He is ever like the
+young archer, startled from his mark by some
+swallow crossing his eye, even careless as he
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span>
+draws the string. Now irregularly and offensively
+suspicious&mdash;now unreservedly lavish of his confidence&mdash;not
+long since the enemy of the line of
+Lancaster, and the ally of her deadly foe&mdash;now
+its last and only stay and hope. God mend all!&mdash;It
+is a weary thing to look on the game and see
+how it might be won, while we are debarred by
+the caprice of others from the power of playing
+it according to our own skill. How much must
+depend on the decision of Duke Charles upon the
+morrow, and how little do I possess the power of
+influencing him, either for his own safety or our
+advantage! Good-night, my son, and let us trust
+events to Him who alone can control them."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>My blood hath been too cold and temperate,</p>
+<p>Unapt to stir at these indignities,</p>
+<p>And you have found me; for, accordingly,</p>
+<p>You tread upon my patience.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Henry IV.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The dawn of morning roused the banished Earl
+of Oxford and his son, and its lights were scarce
+abroad on the eastern heaven, ere their host,
+Colvin, entered with an attendant, bearing some
+bundles, which he placed on the floor of the tent,
+and instantly retired. The officer of the Duke's
+ordnance then announced that he came with a
+message from the Duke of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>"His Highness," he said, "has sent four stout
+yeomen, with a commission of credence to my
+young master of Oxford, and an ample purse of
+gold, to furnish his expenses to Aix, and while
+his affairs may detain him there. Also a letter of
+credence to King René, to insure his reception,
+and two suits of honour for his use, as for an English
+gentleman, desirous to witness the festive
+solemnities of Provence, and in whose safety the
+Duke deigns to take deep interest. His further
+affairs there, if he hath any, his Highness recommends
+to him to manage with prudence and secrecy.
+His Highness hath also sent a couple of
+horses for his use,&mdash;one an ambling jennet for
+the road, and another a strong barbed horse of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span>
+Flanders, in case he hath aught to do. It will be
+fitting that my young master change his dress, and
+assume attire more near his proper rank. His
+attendants know the road, and have power, in case
+of need, to summon, in the Duke's name, assistance
+from all faithful Burgundians. I have but to
+add, the sooner the young gentleman sets forward,
+it will be the better sign of a successful journey."</p>
+
+<p>"I am ready to mount, the instant that I have
+changed my dress," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"And I," said his father, "have no wish to
+detain him on the service in which he is now
+employed. Neither he nor I will say more than
+God be with you. How and where we are to meet
+again, who can tell?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe," said Colvin, "that must rest on the
+motions of the Duke, which, perchance, are not
+yet determined upon; but his Highness depends
+upon your remaining with him, my noble lord, till
+the affairs of which you come to treat may be more
+fully decided. Something I have for your lordship's
+private ear, when your son hath parted on
+his journey."</p>
+
+<p>While Colvin was thus talking with his father,
+Arthur, who was not above half-dressed when he
+entered the tent, had availed himself of an obscure
+corner, in which he exchanged the plain garb belonging
+to his supposed condition as a merchant, for
+such a riding-suit as became a young man of some
+quality attached to the Court of Burgundy. It
+was not without a natural sensation of pleasure
+that the youth resumed an apparel suitable to his
+birth, and which no one was personally more fitted
+to become; but it was with much deeper feeling
+that he hastily, and as secretly as possible, flung
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span>
+round his neck, and concealed under the collar
+and folds of his ornamented doublet, a small thin
+chain of gold, curiously linked in what was called
+Morisco work. This was the contents of the
+parcel which Anne of Geierstein had indulged his
+feelings, and perhaps her own, by putting into his
+hands as they parted. The chain was secured by
+a slight plate of gold, on which a bodkin, or a
+point of a knife, had traced on the one side, in
+distinct though light characters, <span class="smcap">Adieu for ever!</span>
+while, on the reverse, there was much more obscurely
+traced, the word <span class="smcap">Remember!</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">A. von G.</span></p>
+
+<p>All who may read this are, have been, or will
+be, lovers; and there is none, therefore, who may
+not be able to comprehend why this token was
+carefully suspended around Arthur's neck, so that
+the inscription might rest on the region of his
+heart, without the interruption of any substance
+which could prevent the pledge from being agitated
+by every throb of that busy organ.</p>
+
+<p>This being hastily insured, a few minutes completed
+the rest of his toilette; and he kneeled before
+his father to ask his blessing, and his further
+commands for Aix.</p>
+
+<p>His father blessed him almost inarticulately,
+and then said, with recovered firmness, that he
+was already possessed of all the knowledge necessary
+for success on his mission.</p>
+
+<p>"When you can bring me the deeds wanted," he
+whispered with more firmness, "you will find me
+near the person of the Duke of Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>They went forth of the tent in silence, and
+found before it the four Burgundian yeomen, tall
+and active-looking men, ready mounted themselves,
+and holding two saddled horses&mdash;the one
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span>
+accoutred for war, the other a spirited jennet, for
+the purposes of the journey. One of them led a
+sumpter-horse, on which Colvin informed Arthur
+he would find the change of habit necessary when
+he should arrive at Aix; and at the same time
+delivered to him a heavy purse of gold.</p>
+
+<p>"Thiebault," he continued, pointing out the
+eldest of the attendant troopers, "may be trusted&mdash;I
+will be warrant for his sagacity and fidelity.
+The other three are picked men, who will not fear
+their skin-cutting."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur vaulted into the saddle with a sensation
+of pleasure, which was natural to a young cavalier
+who had not for many months felt a spirited horse
+beneath him. The lively jennet reared with impatience.
+Arthur, sitting firm on his seat, as if
+he had been a part of the animal, only said, "Ere
+we are long acquainted, thy spirit, my fair roan,
+will be something more tamed."</p>
+
+<p>"One word more, my son," said his father, and
+whispered in Arthur's ear, as he stooped from the
+saddle; "if you receive a letter from me, do not
+think yourself fully acquainted with the contents
+till the paper has been held opposite to a hot
+fire."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur bowed, and motioned to the elder trooper
+to lead the way, when all, giving rein to their
+horses, rode off through the encampment at a
+round pace, the young leader signing an adieu to
+his father and Colvin.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl stood like a man in a dream, following
+his son with his eyes, in a kind of reverie, which
+was only broken when Colvin said, "I marvel not,
+my lord, that you are anxious about my young master;
+he is a gallant youth, well worth a father's
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span>
+caring for, and the times we live in are both false
+and bloody."</p>
+
+<p>"God and St. Mary be my witness," said the
+Earl, "that if I grieve, it is not for my own house
+only;&mdash;if I am anxious, it is not for the sake of
+my own son alone;&mdash;but it is hard to risk a last
+stake in a cause so perilous.&mdash;What commands
+brought you from the Duke?"</p>
+
+<p>"His Grace," said Colvin, "will get on horseback
+after he has breakfasted. He sends you some
+garments, which, if not fitting your quality, are
+yet nearer to suitable apparel than those you now
+wear, and he desires that, observing your incognito
+as an English merchant of eminence, you will join
+him in his cavalcade to Dijon, where he is to
+receive the answer of the Estates of Burgundy concerning
+matters submitted to their consideration,
+and thereafter give public audience to the Deputies
+from Switzerland. His Highness has charged me
+with the care of finding you suitable accommodation
+during the ceremonies of the day, which, he
+thinks, you will, as a stranger, be pleased to look
+upon. But he probably told you all this himself,
+for I think you saw him last night in disguise&mdash;Nay,
+look as strange as you will&mdash;the Duke plays
+that trick too often to be able to do it with secrecy;
+the very horse-boys know him while he
+traverses the tents of the common soldiery, and
+sutler women give him the name of the spied spy.
+If it were only honest Harry Colvin who knew
+this, it should not cross his lips. But it is practised
+too openly, and too widely known. Come,
+noble lord, though I must teach my tongue to
+forego that courtesy, will you along to breakfast?"</p>
+
+<p>The meal, according to the practice of the time,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span>
+was a solemn and solid one; and a favoured officer
+of the Great Duke of Burgundy lacked no means,
+it may be believed, of rendering due hospitality to
+a guest having claims of such high respect. But
+ere the breakfast was over a clamorous flourish
+of trumpets announced that the Duke, with his
+attendants and retinue, were sounding to horse.
+Philipson, as he was still called, was, in the name
+of the Duke, presented with a stately charger, and
+with his host mingled in the splendid assembly
+which began to gather in front of the Duke's
+pavilion. In a few minutes the Prince himself
+issued forth, in the superb dress of the Order of
+the Golden Fleece, of which his father Philip
+had been the founder, and Charles was himself the
+patron and sovereign. Several of his courtiers
+were dressed in the same magnificent robes, and,
+with their followers and attendants, displayed so
+much wealth and splendour of appearance as to
+warrant the common saying that the Duke of
+Burgundy maintained the most magnificent court
+in Christendom. The officers of his household
+attended in their order, together with heralds and
+pursuivants, the grotesque richness of whose habits
+had a singular effect among those of the high
+clergy in their albes and dalmatiques, and of the
+knights and crown vassals who were arrayed in
+armour. Among these last, who were variously
+equipped, according to the different character of
+their service, rode Oxford, but in a peaceful habit,
+neither so plain as to be out of place amongst such
+splendour, nor so rich as to draw on him a special
+or particular degree of attention. He rode by the
+side of Colvin, his tall muscular figure and deep-marked
+features forming a strong contrast to the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span>
+rough, almost ignoble, cast of countenance, and
+stout thick-set form, of the less distinguished soldier
+of fortune.</p>
+
+<p>Ranged into a solemn procession, the rear of
+which was closed by a guard of two hundred
+picked arquebusiers, a description of soldiers who
+were just then coming into notice, and as many
+mounted men-at-arms, the Duke and his retinue,
+leaving the barriers of the camp, directed their
+march to the town, or rather city, of Dijon, in
+those days the capital of all Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>It was a town well secured with walls and
+ditches, which last were filled by means of a small
+river, named the Ousche, which combines its
+waters for that purpose with a torrent called
+Suzon. Four gates, with appropriate barbicans,
+outworks, and drawbridges, corresponded nearly to
+the cardinal points of the compass, and gave admission
+to the city. The number of towers, which
+stood high above its walls, and defended them at
+different angles, was thirty-three; and the walls
+themselves, which exceeded in most places the
+height of thirty feet, were built of stones hewn
+and squared, and were of great thickness. This
+stately city was surrounded on the outside with
+hills covered with vineyards, while from within
+its walls rose the towers of many noble buildings,
+both public and private, as well as the steeples of
+magnificent churches, and of well-endowed convents,
+attesting the wealth and devotion of the
+House of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>When the trumpets of the Duke's procession
+had summoned the burgher guard at the gate of St.
+Nicholas, the drawbridge fell, the portcullis rose,
+the people shouted joyously, the windows were
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span>
+hung with tapestry, and as, in the midst of his
+retinue, Charles himself came riding on a milk-white
+steed, attended only by six pages under
+fourteen years old, with each a gilded partisan in
+his hand, the acclamations with which he was
+received on all sides showed that, if some instances
+of misrule had diminished his popularity, enough
+of it remained to render his reception into his
+capital decorous at least, if not enthusiastic. It
+is probable that the veneration attached to his
+father's memory counteracted for a long time the
+unfavourable effect which some of his own actions
+were calculated to produce on the public mind.</p>
+
+<p>The procession halted before a large Gothic
+building in the centre of Dijon. This was then
+called Maison du Duc, as, after the union of Burgundy
+with France, it was termed Maison du Roy.
+The Maire of Dijon attended on the steps before
+this palace, accompanied by his official brethren,
+and escorted by a hundred able-bodied citizens, in
+black velvet cloaks, bearing half-pikes in their
+hands. The Maire kneeled to kiss the stirrup of
+the Duke, and at the moment when Charles descended
+from his horse every bell in the city commenced
+so thundering a peal, that they might
+almost have awakened the dead who slept in the
+vicinity of the steeples, which rocked with their
+clangour. Under the influence of this stunning
+peal of welcome, the Duke entered the great hall
+of the building, at the upper end of which were
+erected a throne for the sovereign, seats for his
+more distinguished officers of state and higher vassals,
+with benches behind for persons of less note.
+On one of these, but in a spot from which he
+might possess a commanding view of the whole
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span>
+assembly, as well as of the Duke himself, Colvin
+placed the noble Englishman; and Charles, whose
+quick stern eye glanced rapidly over the party
+when they were seated, seemed, by a nod so slight
+as to be almost imperceptible to those around him,
+to give his approbation of the arrangement adopted.</p>
+
+<p>When the Duke and his assistants were seated
+and in order, the Maire, again approaching, in the
+most humble manner, and kneeling on the lowest
+step of the ducal throne, requested to know if his
+Highness's leisure permitted him to hear the inhabitants
+of his capital express their devoted zeal
+to his person, and to accept the benevolence which,
+in the shape of a silver cup filled with gold pieces,
+he had the distinguished honour to place before
+his feet, in name of the citizens and community
+of Dijon.</p>
+
+<p>Charles, who at no time affected much courtesy,
+answered briefly and bluntly, with a voice which
+was naturally harsh and dissonant, "All things in
+their order, good Master Maire. Let us first hear
+what the Estates of Burgundy have to say to us.
+We will then listen to the burghers of Dijon."</p>
+
+<p>The Maire rose and retired, bearing in his hand
+the silver cup, and experiencing probably some
+vexation, as well as surprise, that its contents had
+not secured an instant and gracious acceptance.</p>
+
+<p>"I expected," said Duke Charles, "to have met
+at this hour and place our Estates of the duchy of
+Burgundy, or a deputation of them, with an answer
+to our message conveyed to them three days since
+by our chancellor. Is there no one here on their
+part?"</p>
+
+<p>The Maire, as none else made any attempt to
+answer, said that the members of the Estates had
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span>
+been in close deliberation the whole of that morning,
+and doubtless would instantly wait upon his
+Highness when they heard that he had honoured
+the town with his presence.</p>
+
+<p>"Go, Toison d'Or," said the Duke to the herald
+of the Order of the Golden Fleece,<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>
+ "bear to these
+gentlemen the tidings that we desire to know the
+end of their deliberations; and that neither in
+courtesy nor in loyalty can they expect us to wait
+long. Be round with them, Sir Herald, or we
+shall be as round with you."</p>
+
+<p>While the herald was absent on his mission, we
+may remind our readers that in all feudalised
+countries (that is to say, in almost all Europe
+during the Middle Ages) an ardent spirit of liberty
+pervaded the constitution; and the only fault that
+could be found was, that the privileges and freedom
+for which the great vassals contended did not
+sufficiently descend to the lower orders of society,
+or extend protection to those who were most likely
+to need it. The two first ranks in the estate, the
+nobles and clergy, enjoyed high and important
+privileges, and even the third estate, or citizens,
+had this immunity in peculiar, that no new duties,
+customs, or taxes of any kind could be exacted
+from them save by their own consent.</p>
+
+<p>The memory of Duke Philip, the father of
+Charles, was dear to the Burgundians; for during
+twenty years that sage prince had maintained his
+rank amongst the sovereigns of Europe with much
+dignity, and had accumulated treasure without
+exacting or receiving any great increase of supplies
+from the rich countries which he governed.
+But the extravagant schemes and immoderate expense
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span>
+of Duke Charles had already excited the suspicion
+of his Estates; and the mutual good-will
+betwixt the prince and people began to be exchanged
+for suspicion and distrust on the one
+side, and defiance on the other. The refractory
+disposition of the Estates had of late increased;
+for they had disapproved of various wars in
+which their Duke had needlessly embarked, and
+from his levying such large bodies of mercenary
+troops, they came to suspect he might finally
+employ the wealth voted to him by his subjects
+for the undue extension of his royal prerogative,
+and the destruction of the liberties of the people.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time, the Duke's uniform success
+in enterprises which appeared desperate as well
+as difficult, esteem for the frankness and openness
+of his character, and dread of the obstinacy and
+headstrong tendency of a temper which could seldom
+bear persuasion, and never endured opposition,
+still threw awe and terror around the throne,
+which was materially aided by the attachment of
+the common people to the person of the present
+Duke and to the memory of his father. It had
+been understood that upon the present occasion
+there was strong opposition amongst the Estates to
+the system of taxation proposed on the part of the
+Duke, and the issue was expected with considerable
+anxiety by the Duke's counsellors, and with
+fretful impatience by the sovereign himself.</p>
+
+<p>After a space of about ten minutes had elapsed,
+the Chancellor of Burgundy, who was Archbishop
+of Vienne, and a prelate of high rank, entered the
+hall with his train; and passing behind the ducal
+throne to occupy one of the most distinguished
+places in the assembly, he stopped for a moment
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span>
+to urge his master to receive the answer of his
+Estates in a private manner, giving him at the
+same time to understand that the result of the
+deliberations had been by no means satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>"By St. George of Burgundy, my Lord Archbishop,"
+answered the Duke, sternly and aloud,
+"we are not a prince of a mind so paltry that we
+need to shun the moody looks of a discontented
+and insolent faction. If the Estates of Burgundy
+send a disobedient and disloyal answer to our
+paternal message, let them deliver it in open
+court, that the assembled people may learn how
+to decide between their Duke and those petty yet
+intriguing spirits, who would interfere with our
+authority."</p>
+
+<p>The chancellor bowed gravely, and took his
+seat; while the English Earl observed, that most
+of the members of the assembly, excepting such as
+in doing so could not escape the Duke's notice,
+passed some observations to their neighbours,
+which were received with a half-expressed nod,
+shrug, or shake of the head, as men treat a proposal
+upon which it is dangerous to decide. At
+the same time, Toison d'Or, who acted as master
+of the ceremonies, introduced into the hall a
+committee of the Estates, consisting of twelve
+members, four from each branch of the Estates,
+announced as empowered to deliver the answer of
+that assembly to the Duke of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>When the deputation entered the hall, Charles
+arose from his throne, according to ancient custom,
+and taking from his head his bonnet, charged with
+a huge plume of feathers, "Health and welcome,"
+he said, "to my good subjects of the Estates of
+Burgundy!" All the numerous train of courtiers
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span>
+rose and uncovered their heads with the same ceremony.
+The members of the States then dropped
+on one knee, the four ecclesiastics, among whom
+Oxford recognised the Black Priest of St. Paul's,
+approaching nearest to the Duke's person, the
+nobles kneeling behind them, and the burgesses
+in the rear of the whole.</p>
+
+<p>"Noble Duke," said the Priest of St. Paul's,
+"will it best please you to hear the answer of your
+good and loyal Estates of Burgundy by the voice
+of one member speaking for the whole, or by three
+persons, each delivering the sense of the body to
+which he belongs?"</p>
+
+<p>"As you will," said the Duke of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>"A priest, a noble, and a free burgher," said
+the Churchman, still on one knee, "will address
+your Highness in succession. For though, blessed
+be the God who leads brethren to dwell together
+in unity! we are agreed in the general answer, yet
+each body of the Estates may have special and
+separate reasons to allege for the common opinion."</p>
+
+<p>"We will hear you separately," said Duke
+Charles, casting his hat upon his head, and throwing
+himself carelessly back into his seat. At the
+same time, all who were of noble blood, whether in
+the committee or amongst the spectators, vouched
+their right to be peers of their sovereign by assuming
+their bonnets; and a cloud of waving plumes
+at once added grace and dignity to the assembly.</p>
+
+<p>When the Duke resumed his seat, the deputation
+arose from their knees, and the Black Priest
+of St. Paul's, again stepping forth, addressed him
+in these words:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord Duke, your loyal and faithful clergy
+have considered your Highness's proposal to lay
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span>
+a talliage on your people, in order to make war
+on the confederate Cantons in the country of the
+Alps. The quarrel, my liege lord, seems to your
+clergy an unjust and oppressive one on your Highness's
+part; nor can they hope that God will bless
+those who arm in it. They are therefore compelled
+to reject your Highness's proposal."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke's eye lowered gloomily on the deliverer
+of this unpalatable message. He shook his
+head with one of those stern and menacing looks
+which the harsh composition of his features rendered
+them peculiarly qualified to express. "You
+have spoken, Sir Priest," was the only reply which
+he deigned to make.</p>
+
+<p>One of the four nobles, the Sire de Myrebeau,
+then expressed himself thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Your Highness has asked of your faithful
+nobles to consent to new imposts and exactions,
+to be levied through Burgundy, for the raising of
+additional bands of hired soldiers for the maintenance
+of the quarrels of the State. My lord, the
+swords of the Burgundian nobles, knights, and
+gentlemen have been ever at your Highness's command,
+as those of our ancestors have been readily
+wielded for your predecessors. In your Highness's
+just quarrel we will go farther, and fight firmer,
+than any hired fellows who can be procured,
+whether from France, or Germany, or Italy. We
+will not give our consent that the people should
+be taxed for paying mercenaries to discharge that
+military duty which it is alike our pride and our
+exclusive privilege to render."</p>
+
+<p>"You have spoken, Sire de Myrebeau," were
+again the only words of the Duke's reply. He
+uttered them slowly and with deliberation, as if
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span>
+afraid lest some phrase of imprudent violence
+should escape along with what he purposed to say.
+Oxford thought he cast a glance towards him before
+he spoke, as if the consciousness of his presence
+was some additional restraint on his passion.
+"Now, Heaven grant," he said to himself, "that
+this opposition may work its proper effect, and
+induce the Duke to renounce an imprudent attempt,
+so hazardous and so unnecessary!"</p>
+
+<p>While he muttered these thoughts, the Duke
+made a sign to one of the <i>tiers état</i>, or commons,
+to speak in his turn. The person who obeyed the
+signal was Martin Block, a wealthy butcher and
+grazier of Dijon. His words were these: "Noble
+Prince, our fathers were the dutiful subjects of
+your predecessors; we are the same to you; our
+children will be alike the liegemen of your successors.
+But, touching the request your chancellor
+has made to us, it is such as our ancestors
+never complied with; such as we are determined
+to refuse, and such as will never be conceded by
+the Estates of Burgundy, to any prince whatsoever,
+even to the end of time."</p>
+
+<p>Charles had borne with impatient silence the
+speeches of the two former orators, but this blunt
+and hardy reply of the third Estate excited him
+beyond what his nature could endure. He gave
+way to the impetuosity of his disposition, stamped
+on the floor till the throne shook, and the high
+vault rung over their heads, and overwhelmed the
+bold burgher with reproaches. "Beast of burden,"
+he said, "am I to be stunned with thy braying
+too? The nobles may claim leave to speak, for
+they can fight; the clergy may use their tongues,
+for it is their trade; but thou, that hast never
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span>
+shed blood, save that of bullocks, more stupid than
+thou art thyself&mdash;must thou and thy herd come
+hither, privileged, forsooth, to bellow at a prince's
+footstool? Know, brute as thou art, that steers
+are never introduced into temples but to be sacrificed,
+or butchers and mechanics brought before
+their sovereign, save that they may have the
+honour to supply the public wants from their own
+swelling hoards!"</p>
+
+<p>A murmur of displeasure, which even the terror
+of the Duke's wrath could not repress, ran through
+the audience at these words; and the burgher of
+Dijon, a sturdy plebeian, replied, with little reverence:
+"Our purses, my Lord Duke, are our own&mdash;we
+will not put the strings of them into your
+Highness's hands, unless we are satisfied with the
+purposes to which the money is to be applied; and
+we know well how to protect our persons and our
+goods against foreign ruffians and plunderers."</p>
+
+<p>Charles was on the point of ordering the deputy
+to be arrested, when, having cast his eye towards
+the Earl of Oxford, whose presence, in despite of
+himself, imposed a certain degree of restraint upon
+him, he exchanged that piece of imprudence for
+another.</p>
+
+<p>"I see," he said, addressing the committee of
+Estates, "that you are all leagued to disappoint
+my purposes, and doubtless to deprive me of all
+the power of a sovereign, save that of wearing a
+coronet, and being served on the knee like a second
+Charles the Simple, while the Estates of my kingdom
+divide the power among them. But you shall
+know that you have to do with Charles of Burgundy,
+a prince who, though he has deigned to
+consult you, is fully able to fight battles without
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span>
+the aid of his nobles, since they refuse him the
+assistance of their swords&mdash;to defray the expense
+without the help of his sordid burghers&mdash;and, it
+may be, to find out a path to heaven without the
+assistance of an ungrateful priesthood. I will
+show all that are here present how little my mind
+is affected, or my purpose changed, by your seditious
+reply to the message with which I honoured
+you.&mdash;Here, Toison d'Or, admit into our presence
+these men from the confederated towns and cantons,
+as they call themselves, of Switzerland."</p>
+
+<p>Oxford, and all who really interested themselves
+in the Duke's welfare, heard, with the
+utmost apprehension, his resolution to give an
+audience to the Swiss Envoys, prepossessed as he
+was against them, and in the moment when his
+mood was chafed to the uttermost by the refusal
+of the Estates to grant him supplies. They were
+aware that obstacles opposed to the current of his
+passion were like rocks in the bed of a river,
+whose course they cannot interrupt, while they
+provoke it to rage and foam. All were sensible
+that the die was cast, but none who were not
+endowed with more than mortal prescience could
+have imagined how deep was the pledge which
+depended upon it. Oxford, in particular, conceived
+that the execution of his plan of a descent
+upon England was the principal point compromised
+by the Duke in his rash obstinacy; but he suspected
+not&mdash;he dreamed not of supposing&mdash;that
+the life of Charles himself, and the independence
+of Burgundy as a separate kingdom, hung quivering
+in the same scales.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Why, 'tis a boisterous and cruel style,</p>
+<p>A style for challengers. Why, she defies us,</p>
+<p>Like Turk to Christian.</p>
+
+<p class="i10"><i>As You Like It.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The doors of the hall were now opened to the
+Swiss deputies, who for the preceding hour had
+been kept in attendance on the outside of the
+building, without receiving the slightest of those
+attentions which among civilised nations are universally
+paid to the representatives of a foreign
+State. Indeed, their very appearance, dressed in
+coarse grey frocks, like mountain hunters or shepherds,
+in the midst of an assembly blazing with
+divers-coloured garments, gold and silver lace,
+embroidery, and precious stones, served to confirm
+the idea that they could only have come hither in
+the capacity of the most humble petitioners.</p>
+
+<p>Oxford, however, who watched closely the deportment
+of his late fellow-travellers, failed not to
+observe that they retained each in his own person
+the character of firmness and indifference which
+formerly distinguished them. Rudolph Donnerhugel
+preserved his bold and haughty look; the
+Banneret, the military indifference which made
+him look with apparent apathy on all around
+him; the burgher of Soleure was as formal and
+important as ever; nor did any of the three show
+themselves affected in the slightest degree by
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span>
+the splendour of the scene around them, or embarrassed
+by the consideration of their own comparative
+inferiority of appointments. But the noble
+Landamman, on whom Oxford chiefly bent his
+attention, seemed overwhelmed with a sense of the
+precarious state in which his country was placed;
+fearing, from the rude and unhonoured manner in
+which they were received, that war was unavoidable,
+while, at the same time, like a good patriot,
+he mourned over the consequences of ruin to the
+freedom of his country by defeat, or injury to her
+simplicity and virtuous indifference of wealth, by
+the introduction of foreign luxuries and the evils
+attending on conquest.</p>
+
+<p>Well acquainted with the opinions of Arnold
+Biederman, Oxford could easily explain his sadness,
+while his comrade Bonstetten, less capable
+of comprehending his friend's feelings, looked at
+him with the expression which may be seen in the
+countenance of a faithful dog, when the creature
+indicates sympathy with his master's melancholy,
+though unable to ascertain or appreciate its cause.
+A look of wonder now and then glided around the
+splendid assembly on the part of all the forlorn
+group, excepting Donnerhugel and the Landamman;
+for the indomitable pride of the one, and
+the steady patriotism of the other, could not for
+even an instant be diverted by external objects
+from their own deep and stern reflections.</p>
+
+<p>After a silence of nearly five minutes, the Duke
+spoke, with the haughty and harsh manner which
+he might imagine belonged to his place, and which
+certainly expressed his character.</p>
+
+<p>"Men of Berne, of Schwitz, or of whatever
+hamlet and wilderness you may represent, know
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span>
+that we had not honoured you, rebels as you are
+to the dominion of your lawful superiors, with an
+audience in our own presence, but for the intercession
+of a well-esteemed friend, who has sojourned
+among your mountains, and whom you may know
+by the name of Philipson, an Englishman, following
+the trade of a merchant, and charged with certain
+valuable matters of traffic to our court. To his
+intercession we have so far given way, that instead
+of commanding you, according to your demerits,
+to the gibbet and the wheel in the Place de Morimont,
+we have condescended to receive you into
+our own presence, sitting in our <i>cour plénière</i>, to
+hear from you such submission as you can offer for
+your outrageous storm of our town of La Ferette,
+the slaughter of many of our liegemen, and the
+deliberate murder of the noble knight, Archibald
+of Hagenbach, executed in your presence, and by
+your countenance and device. Speak&mdash;if you can
+say aught in defence of your felony and treason,
+either to deprecate just punishment, or crave
+undeserved mercy."</p>
+
+<p>The Landamman seemed about to answer; but
+Rudolph Donnerhugel, with his characteristic
+boldness and hardihood, took the task of reply on
+himself. He confronted the proud Duke with an
+eye unappalled, and a countenance as stern as his
+own.</p>
+
+<p>"We came not here," he said, "to compromise
+our own honour, or the dignity of the free people
+whom we represent, by pleading guilty in their
+name, or our own, to crimes of which we are innocent.
+And when you term us rebels, you must
+remember, that a long train of victories, whose
+history is written in the noblest blood of Austria,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span>
+has restored to the confederacy of our communities
+the freedom of which an unjust tyranny in vain
+attempted to deprive us. While Austria was a
+just and beneficent mistress, we served her with
+our lives;&mdash;when she became oppressive and
+tyrannical, we assumed independence. If she has
+aught yet to claim from us, the descendants of
+Tell, Faust, and Stauffacher will be as ready to
+assert their liberties as their fathers were to gain
+them. Your Grace&mdash;if such be your title&mdash;has
+no concern with any dispute betwixt us and
+Austria. For your threats of gibbet and wheel,
+we are here defenceless men, on whom you may
+work your pleasure; but we know how to die, and
+our countrymen know how to avenge us."</p>
+
+<p>The fiery Duke would have replied by commanding
+the instant arrest, and probably the
+immediate execution, of the whole deputation.
+But his chancellor, availing himself of the privilege
+of his office, rose, and, doffing his cap with a
+deep reverence to the Duke, requested leave to
+reply to the misproud young man, who had, he
+said, so greatly mistaken the purpose of his Highness's
+speech.</p>
+
+<p>Charles, feeling perhaps at the moment too
+much irritated to form a calm decision, threw
+himself back in his chair of state, and with an
+impatient and angry nod gave his chancellor permission
+to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Young man," said that high officer, "you have
+mistaken the meaning of the high and mighty sovereign
+in whose presence you stand. Whatever be
+the lawful rights of Austria over the revolted villages
+which have flung off their allegiance to their
+native superior, we have no call to enter on that
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span>
+argument. But that for which Burgundy demands
+your answer is, wherefore, coming here in the
+guise, and with the character, of peaceful envoys,
+on affairs touching your own communities and the
+rights of the Duke's subjects, you have raised war
+in our peaceful dominions, stormed a fortress,
+massacred its garrison, and put to death a noble
+knight, its commander?&mdash;all of them actions contrary
+to the law of nations, and highly deserving
+of the punishment with which you have been justly
+threatened, but with which I hope our gracious
+sovereign will dispense, if you express some sufficient
+reason for such outrageous insolence, with an
+offer of due submission to his Highness's pleasure,
+and satisfactory reparation for such a high injury."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a priest, grave sir?" answered Rudolph
+Donnerhugel, addressing the Chancellor of
+Burgundy. "If there be a soldier in this assembly
+who will avouch your charge, I challenge him to
+the combat, man to man. We did not storm the
+garrison of La Ferette&mdash;we were admitted into
+the gates in a peaceful manner, and were there
+instantly surrounded by the soldiers of the late
+Archibald de Hagenbach, with the obvious purpose
+of assaulting and murdering us on our peaceful
+mission. I promise you there had been news of
+more men dying than us. But an uproar broke
+out among the inhabitants of the town, assisted, I
+believe, by many neighbours, to whom the insolence
+and oppression of Archibald de Hagenbach
+had become odious, as to all who were within his
+reach. We rendered them no assistance; and, I
+trust, it was not expected that we should interfere
+in the favour of men who had stood prepared to do
+the worst against us. But not a pike or sword
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span>
+belonging to us or our attendants was dipped in
+Burgundian blood. Archibald de Hagenbach perished,
+it is true, on a scaffold, and I saw him die
+with pleasure, under a sentence pronounced by a
+competent court, such as is recognised in Westphalia,
+and its dependencies on this side of the
+Rhine. I am not obliged to vindicate their proceedings;
+but I aver, that the Duke has received
+full proof of his regular sentence; and, in fine,
+that it was amply deserved by oppression, tyranny,
+and foul abuse of his authority, I will uphold
+against all gainsayers, with the body of a man.
+There lies my glove."</p>
+
+<p>And, with an action suited to the language he
+used, the stern Swiss flung his right-hand glove
+on the floor of the hall. In the spirit of the age,
+with the love of distinction in arms which it
+nourished, and perhaps with the desire of gaining
+the Duke's favour, there was a general motion
+among the young Burgundians to accept the challenge,
+and more than six or eight gloves were
+hastily doffed by the young knights present, those
+who were more remote flinging them over the heads
+of the nearest, and each proclaiming his name and
+title as he proffered the gage of combat.</p>
+
+<p>"I set at all," said the daring young Swiss,
+gathering the gauntlets as they fell clashing around
+him. "More, gentlemen, more! a glove for every
+finger! come on, one at once&mdash;fair lists, equal
+judges of the field, the combat on foot, and the
+weapons two-handed swords, and I will not budge
+for a score of you."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><a name="i205" id="i205"></a>
+<img src="images/i-205.jpg" width="374" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">THE DEFIANCE.<br />
+
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>"Hold, gentlemen! on your allegiance, hold!"
+said the Duke, gratified at the same time, and
+somewhat appeased, by the zeal which was displayed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span>
+in his cause&mdash;moved by the strain of reckless
+bravery evinced by the challenger, with a
+hardihood akin to his own&mdash;perhaps also not unwilling
+to display, in the view of his <i>cour plénière</i>,
+more temperance than he had been at first capable
+of. "Hold, I command you all.&mdash;Toison d'Or,
+gather up these gauntlets, and return them each to
+his owner. God and St. George forbid that we
+should hazard the life of even the least of our
+noble Burgundian gentry against such a churl as
+this Swiss peasant, who never so much as mounted
+a horse, and knows not a jot of knightly courtesy,
+or the grace of chivalry.&mdash;Carry your vulgar
+brawls elsewhere, young man, and know that, on
+the present occasion, the Place Morimont were your
+only fitting lists, and the hangman your meet
+antagonist. And you, sirs, his companions&mdash;whose
+behaviour in suffering this swaggerer to
+take the lead amongst you seems to show that the
+laws of nature, as well as of society, are inverted,
+and that youth is preferred to age, as gentry to
+peasants&mdash;you white-bearded men, I say, is there
+none of you who can speak your errand in such
+language as it becomes a sovereign prince to listen
+to?"</p>
+
+<p>"God forbid else," said the Landamman, stepping
+forward and silencing Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+who was commencing an answer of defiance&mdash;"God
+forbid," he said, "noble Duke, that we
+should not be able to speak so as to be understood
+before your Highness, since, I trust, we shall
+speak the language of truth, peace, and justice.
+Nay, should it incline your Highness to listen to
+us the more favourably for our humility, I am
+willing to humble myself rather than you should
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span>
+shun to hear us. For my own part, I can truly
+say that, though I have lived, and by free choice
+have resolved to die, a husbandman and a hunter
+on the Alps of the Unterwald, I may claim by
+birth the hereditary right to speak before Dukes
+and Kings, and the Emperor himself. There is
+no one, my Lord Duke, in this proud assembly,
+who derives his descent from a nobler source than
+Geierstein."</p>
+
+<p>"We have heard of you," said the Duke.
+"Men call you the peasant-count. Your birth is
+your shame; or perhaps your mother's, if your
+father had happened to have a handsome ploughman,
+the fitting father of one who has become a
+willing serf."</p>
+
+<p>"No serf, my lord," answered the Landamman,
+"but a freeman, who will neither oppress others
+nor be himself tyrannised over. My father was
+a noble lord, my mother a most virtuous lady.
+But I will not be provoked, by taunt or scornful
+jest, to refrain from stating with calmness what
+my country has given me in charge to say. The
+inhabitants of the bleak and inhospitable regions
+of the Alps desire, mighty sir, to remain at peace
+with all their neighbours, and to enjoy the government
+they have chosen, as best fitted to their
+condition and habits, leaving all other states and
+countries to their free-will in the same respects.
+Especially, they desire to remain at peace and in
+unity with the princely House of Burgundy, whose
+dominions approach their possessions on so many
+points. My lord, they desire it, they entreat it,
+they even consent to pray for it. We have been
+termed stubborn, intractable, and insolent contemners
+of authority, and headers of sedition and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span>
+rebellion. In evidence of the contrary, my Lord
+Duke, I, who never bent a knee but to Heaven,
+feel no dishonour in kneeling before your Highness,
+as before a sovereign prince in the <i>cour
+plénière</i> of his dominions, where he has a right to
+exact homage from his subjects out of duty, and
+from strangers out of courtesy. No vain pride of
+mine," said the noble old man, his eyes swelling
+with tears, as he knelt on one knee, "shall prevent
+me from personal humiliation, when peace&mdash;that
+blessed peace, so dear to God, so inappreciably
+valuable to man&mdash;is in danger of being broken
+off."</p>
+
+<p>The whole assembly, even the Duke himself,
+were affected by the noble and stately manner in
+which the brave old man made a genuflection,
+which was obviously dictated by neither meanness
+nor timidity. "Arise, sir," said Charles; "if we
+have said aught which can wound your private
+feelings, we retract it as publicly as the reproach
+was spoken, and sit prepared to hear you, as a
+fair-meaning envoy."</p>
+
+<p>"For that, my noble lord, thanks; and I shall
+hold it a blessed day, if I can find words worthy
+of the cause I have to plead. My lord, a schedule
+in your Highness's hands has stated the sense of
+many injuries received at the hand of your Highness's
+officers, and those of Romont, Count of
+Savoy, your strict ally and adviser, we have a
+right to suppose, under your Highness's countenance.
+For Count Romont&mdash;he has already felt
+with whom he has to contend; but we have as
+yet taken no measures to avenge injuries, affronts,
+interruptions to our commerce, from those
+who have availed themselves of your Highness's
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span>
+authority to intercept our countrymen, spoil our
+goods, impress their persons, and even, in some
+instances, take their lives. The affray at La
+Ferette&mdash;I can vouch for what I saw&mdash;had no
+origin or abettance from us; nevertheless, it is
+impossible an independent nation can suffer the
+repetition of such injuries, and free and independent
+we are determined to remain, or to die in
+defence of our rights. What then must follow,
+unless your Highness listens to the terms which
+I am commissioned to offer? War, a war to extermination;
+for so long as one of our Confederacy
+can wield a halberd, so long, if this fatal strife
+once commences, there will be war betwixt your
+powerful realms and our poor and barren States.
+And what can the noble Duke of Burgundy gain
+by such a strife? Is it wealth and plunder?
+Alas, my lord, there is more gold and silver on
+the very bridle-bits of your Highness's household
+troops than can be found in the public treasures or
+private hoards of our whole Confederacy. Is it
+fame and glory you aspire to? There is little
+honour to be won by a numerous army over a
+few scattered bands, by men clad in mail over
+half-armed husbandmen and shepherds&mdash;of such
+conquest small were the glory. But if, as all
+Christian men believe, and as it is the constant
+trust of my countrymen, from memory of the
+times of our fathers,&mdash;if the Lord of Hosts should
+cast the balance in behalf of the fewer numbers
+and worse-armed party, I leave it with your Highness
+to judge what would, in that event, be the
+diminution of worship and fame. Is it extent of
+vassalage and dominion your Highness desires, by
+warring with your mountain neighbours? Know
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span>
+that you may, if it be God's will, gain our barren
+and rugged mountains; but, like our ancestors
+of old, we will seek refuge in wilder and more
+distant solitudes, and, when we have resisted to
+the last, we will starve in the icy wastes of the
+glaciers. Ay, men, women, and children, we will
+be frozen into annihilation together, ere one free
+Switzer will acknowledge a foreign master."</p>
+
+<p>The speech of the Landamman made an obvious
+impression on the assembly. The Duke observed
+it, and his hereditary obstinacy was irritated by
+the general disposition which he saw entertained
+in favour of the ambassador. This evil principle
+overcame some impression which the address of
+the noble Biederman had not failed to make upon
+him. He answered with a lowering brow, interrupting
+the old man as he was about to continue
+his speech,&mdash;"You argue falsely, Sir Count, or
+Sir Landamman, or by whatever name you call
+yourself, if you think we war on you from any
+hope of spoil, or any desire of glory. We know as
+well as you can tell us that there is neither profit
+nor fame to be achieved by conquering you. But
+sovereigns, to whom Heaven has given the power,
+must root out a band of robbers, though there is
+dishonour in measuring swords with them; and
+we hunt to death a herd of wolves, though their
+flesh is carrion, and their skins are naught."</p>
+
+<p>The Landamman shook his grey head, and replied,
+without testifying emotion, and even with
+something approaching to a smile,&mdash;"I am an
+older woodsman than you, my Lord Duke&mdash;and,
+it may be, a more experienced one. The boldest,
+the hardiest hunter, will not safely drive the wolf
+to his den. I have shown your Highness the poor
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span>
+chance of gain, and the great risk of loss, which
+even you, powerful as you are, must incur by
+risking a war with determined and desperate men.
+Let me now tell what we are willing to do to
+secure a sincere and lasting peace with our powerful
+neighbour of Burgundy. Your Grace is in the
+act of engrossing Lorraine, and it seems probable,
+under so vigorous and enterprising a Prince, your
+authority may be extended to the shores of the
+Mediterranean&mdash;be our noble friend and sincere
+ally, and our mountains, defended by warriors
+familiar with victory, will be your barriers against
+Germany and Italy. For your sake we will admit
+the Count of Savoy to terms, and restore to him
+our conquests, on such conditions as your Highness
+shall yourself judge reasonable. Of past subjects
+of offence on the part of your lieutenants and
+governors upon the frontier we will be silent, so
+we have assurance of no such aggressions in future.
+Nay, more, and it is my last and proudest offer,
+we will send three thousand of our youth to assist
+your Highness in any war which you may engage
+in, whether against Louis of France or the Emperor
+of Germany. They are a different set of men&mdash;proudly
+and truly may I state it&mdash;from the scum
+of Germany and Italy, who form themselves into
+mercenary bands of soldiers. And, if Heaven
+should decide your Highness to accept our offer,
+there will be one corps in your army which will
+leave their carcasses on the field ere a man of them
+break their plighted troth."</p>
+
+<p>A swarthy but tall and handsome man, wearing
+a corselet richly engraved with arabesque work,
+started from his seat with the air of one provoked
+beyond the bounds of restraint. This was the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span>
+Count de Campo-basso, commander of Charles's
+Italian mercenaries, who possessed, as has been
+alluded to, much influence over the Duke's mind,
+chiefly obtained by accommodating himself to his
+master's opinions and prejudices, and placing before
+the Duke specious arguments to justify him
+for following his own way.</p>
+
+<p>"This lofty presence must excuse me," he said,
+"if I speak in defence of my honour, and those of
+my bold lances, who have followed my fortunes
+from Italy to serve the bravest Prince in Christendom.
+I might, indeed, pass over without
+resentment the outrageous language of this grey-haired
+churl, whose words cannot affect a knight
+and a nobleman more than the yelling of a peasant's
+mastiff. But when I hear him propose to
+associate his bands of mutinous misgoverned ruffians
+with your Highness's troops, I must let him
+know that there is not a horse-boy in my ranks
+who would fight in such fellowship. No, even I
+myself, bound by a thousand ties of gratitude,
+could not submit to strive abreast with such
+comrades. I would fold up my banners, and lead
+five thousand men to seek,&mdash;not a nobler master,
+for the world has none such,&mdash;but wars in
+which we might not be obliged to blush for our
+assistants."</p>
+
+<p>"Silence, Campo-basso!" said the Duke, "and
+be assured you serve a prince who knows your
+worth too well to exchange it for the untried and
+untrustful services of those whom we have only
+known as vexatious and malignant neighbours."</p>
+
+<p>Then, addressing himself to Arnold Biederman,
+he said coldly and sternly, "Sir Landamman, we
+have heard you fairly. We have heard you,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span>
+although you come before us with hands dyed deep
+in the blood of our servant, Sir Archibald de
+Hagenbach; for, supposing he was murdered by a
+villanous association,&mdash;which, by St. George! shall
+never, while we live and reign, raise its pestilential
+head on this side of the Rhine,&mdash;yet it is not
+the less undeniable and undenied, that you stood
+by in arms, and encouraged the deed the assassins
+performed under your countenance. Return to
+your mountains, and be thankful that you return
+in life. Tell those who sent you that I will be
+presently on their frontiers. A deputation of your
+most notable persons, who meet me with halters
+round their necks, torches in their left hands, in
+their right their swords held by the point, may
+learn on what conditions we will grant you
+peace."</p>
+
+<p>"Then farewell peace, and welcome war," said
+the Landamman; "and be its plagues and curses
+on the heads of those who choose blood and strife
+rather than peace and union. We will meet you
+on our frontiers with our naked swords, but the
+hilts, not their points, shall be in our grasp.
+Charles of Burgundy, Flanders, and Lorraine,
+Duke of seven dukedoms, Count of seventeen earldoms,
+I bid you defiance; and declare war against
+you in the name of the confederated Cantons, and
+such others as shall adhere to them. There," he
+said, "are my letters of defiance."</p>
+
+<p>The herald took from Arnold Biederman the
+fatal denunciation.</p>
+
+<p>"Read it not, Toison d'Or!" said the haughty
+Duke. "Let the executioner drag it through the
+streets at his horse's tail, and nail it to the gibbet,
+to show in what account we hold the paltry scroll,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span>
+and those who sent it.&mdash;Away, sirs!" speaking
+to the Swiss. "Trudge back to your wildernesses
+with such haste as your feet can use. When we
+next meet, you shall better know whom you have
+offended.&mdash;Get our horse ready&mdash;the council is
+broken up."</p>
+
+<p>The Maire of Dijon, when all were in motion to
+leave the hall, again approached the Duke, and
+timidly expressed some hopes that his Highness
+would deign to partake of a banquet which the
+magistracy had prepared, in expectation he might
+do them such an honour.</p>
+
+<p>"No, by St. George of Burgundy, Sir Maire,"
+said Charles, with one of the withering glances by
+which he was wont to express indignation mixed
+with contempt,&mdash;"you have not pleased us so
+well with our breakfast as to induce us to trust
+our dinner to the loyalty of our good town of
+Dijon."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he rudely turned off from the mortified
+chief magistrate, and, mounting his horse,
+rode back to his camp, conversing earnestly on
+the way with the Count of Campo-basso.</p>
+
+<p>"I would offer you dinner, my Lord of Oxford,"
+said Colvin to that nobleman, when he alighted at
+his tent, "but I foresee, ere you could swallow a
+mouthful, you will be summoned to the Duke's
+presence; for it is our Charles's way, when he has
+fixed on a wrong course, to wrangle with his
+friends and counsellors, in order to prove it is a
+right one. Marry, he always makes a convert of
+yon supple Italian."</p>
+
+<p>Colvin's augury was speedily realised; for a
+page almost immediately summoned the English
+merchant, Philipson, to attend the Duke. Without
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span>
+waiting an instant, Charles poured forth an
+incoherent tide of reproaches against the Estates of
+his dukedom, for refusing him their countenance
+in so slight a matter, and launched out in explanations
+of the necessity which he alleged there was
+for punishing the audacity of the Swiss. "And
+thou too, Oxford," he concluded, "art such an impatient
+fool as to wish me to engage in a distant
+war with England, and transport forces over the
+sea, when I have such insolent mutineers to chastise
+on my own frontiers?"</p>
+
+<p>When he was at length silent, the English Earl
+laid before him, with respectful earnestness, the
+danger that appeared to be involved in engaging
+with a people, poor indeed, but universally dreaded,
+from their discipline and courage, and that under
+the eye of so dangerous a rival as Louis of France,
+who was sure to support the Duke's enemies underhand,
+if he did not join them openly. On this
+point the Duke's resolution was immovable. "It
+shall never," he said, "be told of me, that I
+uttered threats which I dared not execute. These
+boors have declared war against me, and they
+shall learn whose wrath it is that they have wantonly
+provoked; but I do not, therefore, renounce
+thy scheme, my good Oxford. If thou canst procure
+me this same cession of Provence, and induce
+old René to give up the cause of his grandson,
+Ferrand of Vaudemont, in Lorraine, thou wilt
+make it well worth my while to send thee brave
+aid against my brother Blackburn, who, while he
+is drinking healths pottle-deep in France, may
+well come to lose his lands in England. And be
+not impatient because I cannot at this very instant
+send men across the seas. The march which I am
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span>
+making towards Neufchatel, which is, I think,
+the nearest point where I shall find these churls,
+will be but like a morning's excursion. I trust
+you will go with us, old companion. I should
+like to see if you have forgotten, among yonder
+mountains, how to back a horse and lay a lance
+in rest."</p>
+
+<p>"I will wait on your Highness," said the Earl,
+"as is my duty, for my motions must depend on
+your pleasure. But I will not carry arms, especially
+against those people of Helvetia, from whom
+I have experienced hospitality, unless it be for my
+own personal defence."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied the Duke, "e'en be it so; we
+shall have in you an excellent judge, to tell us
+who best discharges his devoir against the mountain
+clowns."</p>
+
+<p>At this point in the conversation there was a
+knocking at the entrance of the pavilion, and the
+Chancellor of Burgundy presently entered, in great
+haste and anxiety. "News, my lord&mdash;news of
+France and England," said the prelate, and then,
+observing the presence of a stranger, he looked at
+the Duke, and was silent.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a faithful friend, my Lord Bishop," said
+the Duke; "you may tell your news before him."</p>
+
+<p>"It will soon be generally known," said the
+chancellor. "Louis and Edward are fully accorded."
+Both the Duke and the English Earl
+started.</p>
+
+<p>"I expected this," said the Duke, "but not so
+soon."</p>
+
+<p>"The Kings have met," answered his minister.</p>
+
+<p>"How&mdash;in battle?" said Oxford, forgetting
+himself in his extreme eagerness.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The chancellor was somewhat surprised, but as
+the Duke seemed to expect him to give an answer,
+he replied, "No, Sir Stranger&mdash;not in battle, but
+upon appointment, and in peace and amity."</p>
+
+<p>"The sight must have been worth seeing," said
+the Duke; "when the old fox Louis, and my
+brother Black&mdash;I mean my brother Edward&mdash;met.
+Where held they their rendezvous?"</p>
+
+<p>"On a bridge over the Seine, at Picquigny."</p>
+
+<p>"I would thou hadst been there," said the Duke,
+looking to Oxford, "with a good axe in thy hand,
+to strike one fair blow for England, and another
+for Burgundy. My grandfather was treacherously
+slain at just such a meeting, at the Bridge of
+Montereau, upon the Yonne."</p>
+
+<p>"To prevent a similar chance," said the chancellor,
+"a strong barricade, such as closes the cages
+in which men keep wild beasts, was raised in the
+midst of the bridge, and prevented the possibility
+of their even touching each other's hands."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha! By St. George, that smells of Louis's
+craft and caution; for the Englishman, to give
+him his due, is as little acquainted with fear as
+with policy. But what terms have they made?
+Where do the English army winter? What towns,
+fortresses, and castles are surrendered to them, in
+pledge, or in perpetuity?"</p>
+
+<p>"None, my liege," said the chancellor. "The
+English army returns into England, as fast as
+shipping can be procured to transport them; and
+Louis will accommodate them with every sail and
+oar in his dominions, rather than they should not
+instantly evacuate France."</p>
+
+<p>"And by what concessions has Louis bought a
+peace so necessary to his affairs?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"By fair words," said the chancellor, "by liberal
+presents, and by some five hundred tuns of wine."</p>
+
+<p>"Wine!" exclaimed the Duke. "Heardst thou
+ever the like, Seignor Philipson? Why, your
+countrymen are little better than Esau, who sold
+his birthright for a mess of pottage. Marry, I
+must confess I never saw an Englishman who
+loved a dry-lipped bargain."</p>
+
+<p>"I can scarce believe this news," said the Earl
+of Oxford. "If this Edward were content to cross
+the sea with fifty thousand Englishmen merely to
+return again, there are in his camp both proud
+nobles and haughty commons enough to resist his
+disgraceful purpose."</p>
+
+<p>"The money of Louis," said the statesman, "has
+found noble hands willing to clutch it. The wine
+of France has flooded every throat in the English
+army&mdash;the riot and uproar was unbounded&mdash;and
+at one time the town of Amiens, where Louis
+himself resided, was full of so many English
+archers, all of them intoxicated, that the person of
+the King of France was almost in their hands.
+Their sense of national honour has been lost in
+the universal revel, and those amongst them who
+would be more dignified and play the wise politicians
+say, that having come to France by connivance
+of the Duke of Burgundy, and that prince
+having failed to join them with his forces, they
+have done well, wisely, and gallantly, considering
+the season of the year, and the impossibility of
+obtaining quarters, to take tribute of France, and
+return home in triumph."</p>
+
+<p>"And leave Louis," said Oxford, "at undisturbed
+freedom to attack Burgundy with all his
+forces?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Not so, friend Philipson," said Duke Charles;
+"know, that there is a truce betwixt Burgundy
+and France for the space of seven years, and had
+not this been granted and signed, it is probable
+that we might have found some means of marring
+the treaty betwixt Edward and Louis, even at the
+expense of affording those voracious islanders beef
+and beer during the winter months.&mdash;Sir Chancellor,
+you may leave us, but be within reach of a
+hasty summons."</p>
+
+<p>When his minister left the pavilion, the Duke,
+who with his rude and imperious character united
+much kindness, if it could not be termed generosity
+of disposition, came up to the Lancastrian
+lord, who stood like one at whose feet a thunderbolt
+has just broken, and who is still appalled by
+the terrors of the shock.</p>
+
+<p>"My poor Oxford," he said, "thou art stupefied
+by this news, which thou canst not doubt must
+have a fatal effect on the plan which thy brave
+bosom cherishes with such devoted fidelity. I
+would for thy sake I could have detained the English
+a little longer in France; but had I attempted
+to do so, there were an end of my truce with Louis,
+and of course to my power to chastise these paltry
+Cantons, or send forth an expedition to England.
+As matters stand, give me but a week to punish
+these mountaineers, and you shall have a larger
+force than your modesty has requested of me for
+your enterprise; and, in the meanwhile, I will
+take care that Blackburn and his cousin-archers
+have no assistance of shipping from Flanders.
+Tush, man, never fear it&mdash;thou wilt be in England
+long ere they; and, once more, rely on my
+assistance&mdash;always, thou knowest, the cession of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span>
+Provence being executed, as in reason. Our cousin
+Margaret's diamonds we must keep for a time;
+and perhaps they may pass as a pledge, with some
+of our own, for the godly purpose of setting at
+freedom the imprisoned angels of our Flemish
+usurers, who will not lend even to their sovereign,
+unless on good current security. To such straits
+has the disobedient avarice of our Estates for the
+moment reduced us."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! my lord," said the dejected nobleman,
+"I were ungrateful to doubt the sincerity of your
+good intentions. But who can presume on the
+events of war, especially when time presses for
+instant decision? You are pleased to trust me.
+Let your Highness extend your confidence thus
+far: I will take my horse, and ride after the Landamman,
+if he hath already set forth. I have
+little doubt to make such an accommodation with
+him that you may be secure on all your south-eastern
+frontiers. You may then with security
+work your will in Lorraine and Provence."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not speak of it," said the Duke, sharply;
+"thou forget'st thyself and me, when thou supposest
+that a prince, who has pledged his word to
+his people, can recall it like a merchant chaffering
+for his paltry wares. Go to&mdash;we will assist you,
+but we will be ourselves judge of the time and
+manner. Yet, having both kind will to our distressed
+cousin of Anjou, and being your good
+friend, we will not linger in the matter. Our
+host have orders to break up this evening and
+direct their march against Neufchatel, where these
+proud Swiss shall have a taste of the fire and
+sword which they have provoked."</p>
+
+<p>Oxford sighed deeply, but made no further
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span>
+remonstrance; in which he acted wisely, since it
+was likely to have exasperated the fiery temper
+of the sovereign to whom it was addressed, while
+it was certain that it would not in the slightest
+degree alter his resolution.</p>
+
+<p>He took farewell of the Duke, and returned to
+Colvin, whom he found immersed in the business
+of his department, and preparing for the removal
+of the artillery&mdash;an operation which the clumsiness
+of the ordnance, and the execrable state of
+the roads, rendered at that time a much more
+troublesome operation than at present, though it
+is even still one of the most laborious movements
+attending the march of an army. The Master of
+the Ordnance welcomed Oxford with much glee,
+and congratulated himself on the distinguished
+honour of enjoying his company during the campaign,
+and acquainted him that, by the especial
+command of the Duke, he had made fitting preparations
+for his accommodation, suitable to the
+disguised character which he meant to maintain,
+but in every other respect as convenient as a camp
+could admit of.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>A mirthful man he was&mdash;the snows of age</p>
+<p>Fell, but they did not chill him. Gaiety,</p>
+<p>Even in life's closing, touch'd his teeming brain</p>
+<p>With such wild visions as the setting sun</p>
+<p>Raises in front of some hoar glacier,</p>
+<p>Painting the bleak ice with a thousand hues.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Old Play.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Leaving the Earl of Oxford in attendance on the
+stubborn Duke of Burgundy during an expedition
+which the one represented as a brief excursion,
+more resembling a hunting-party than a campaign,
+and which the other considered in a much graver
+and more perilous light, we return to Arthur de
+Vere, or the younger Philipson, as he continued to
+be called, who was conducted by his guide with
+fidelity and success, but certainly very slowly,
+upon his journey into Provence.</p>
+
+<p>The state of Lorraine, overrun by the Duke of
+Burgundy's army, and infested at the same time
+by different scattered bands, who took the field,
+or held out the castles, as they alleged, for the
+interest of Count Ferrand de Vaudemont, rendered
+journeying so dangerous, that it was often necessary
+to leave the main road, and to take circuitous
+tracks, in order to avoid such unfriendly encounters
+as travellers might otherwise have met with.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, taught by sad experience to distrust
+strange guides, found himself, nevertheless, in
+this eventful and perilous journey, disposed to rest
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span>
+considerable confidence in his present conductor,
+Thiebault, a Provençal by birth, intimately acquainted
+with the roads which they took, and, as
+far as he could judge, disposed to discharge his
+office with fidelity. Prudence alike, and the
+habits which he had acquired in travelling, as
+well as the character of a merchant which he still
+sustained, induced him to wave the <i>morgue</i>, or
+haughty superiority of a knight and noble towards
+an inferior personage, especially as he rightly
+conjectured that free intercourse with this man,
+whose acquirements seemed of a superior cast,
+was likely to render him a judge of his opinions
+and disposition towards him. In return for his
+condescension, he obtained a good deal of information
+concerning the province which he was
+approaching.</p>
+
+<p>As they drew near the boundaries of Provence,
+the communications of Thiebault became more
+fluent and interesting. He could not only tell the
+name and history of each romantic castle which
+they passed, in their devious and doubtful route,
+but had at his command the chivalrous history of
+the noble knights and barons to whom they now
+pertained, or had belonged in earlier days, and
+could recount their exploits against the Saracens,
+by repelling their attacks upon Christendom, or
+their efforts to recover the Holy Sepulchre from
+Pagan hands. In the course of such narrations,
+Thiebault was led to speak of the Troubadours, a
+race of native poets of Provençal origin, differing
+widely from the minstrels of Normandy, and the
+adjacent provinces of France, with whose tales of
+chivalry, as well as the numerous translations of
+their works into Norman-French and English,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span>
+Arthur, like most of the noble youth of his country,
+was intimately acquainted and deeply imbued.
+Thiebault boasted that his grandsire, of humble
+birth indeed, but of distinguished talent, was one
+of this gifted race, whose compositions produced
+so great an effect on the temper and manners of
+their age and country. It was, however, to be
+regretted that, inculcating as the prime duty of
+life a fantastic spirit of gallantry, which sometimes
+crossed the Platonic bound prescribed to it,
+the poetry of the Troubadours was too frequently
+used to soften and seduce the heart, and corrupt
+the principles.<a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>
+</p>
+
+<p>Arthur's attention was called to this peculiarity
+by Thiebault singing, which he could do with
+good skill, the history of a Troubadour, named
+William Cabestainy, who loved, <i>par amours</i>, a
+noble and beautiful lady, Margaret, the wife of a
+baron called Raymond de Roussillon. The jealous
+husband obtained proof of his dishonour, and,
+having put Cabestainy to death by assassination,
+he took his heart from his bosom, and causing it
+to be dressed like that of an animal, ordered it to
+be served up to his lady; and when she had eaten
+of the horrible mess, told her of what her banquet
+was composed. The lady replied, that since she
+had been made to partake of food so precious, no
+coarser morsel should ever after cross her lips.
+She persisted in her resolution, and thus starved
+herself to death. The Troubadour who celebrated
+this tragic history had displayed in his composition
+a good deal of poetic art. Glossing over the
+error of the lovers as the fault of their destiny,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span>
+dwelling on their tragical fate with considerable
+pathos, and, finally, execrating the blind fury of
+the husband, with the full fervour of poetical indignation,
+he recorded, with vindictive pleasure,
+how every bold knight and true lover in the south
+of France assembled to besiege the baron's castle,
+stormed it by main force, left not one stone upon
+another, and put the tyrant himself to an ignominious
+death. Arthur was interested in the melancholy
+tale, which even beguiled him of a few
+tears; but as he thought further on its purport, he
+dried his eyes, and said, with some sternness,&mdash;"Thiebault,
+sing me no more such lays. I have
+heard my father say that the readiest mode to
+corrupt a Christian man is to bestow upon vice the
+pity and the praise which are due only to virtue.
+Your Baron of Roussillon is a monster of cruelty;
+but your unfortunate lovers were not the less
+guilty. It is by giving fair names to foul actions
+that those who would start at real vice are led to
+practise its lessons, under the disguise of virtue."</p>
+
+<p>"I would you knew, Seignor," answered Thiebault,
+"that this Lay of Cabestainy and the Lady
+Margaret of Roussillon is reckoned a masterpiece of
+the joyous science. Fie, sir, you are too young to
+be so strict a censor of morals. What will you do
+when your head is grey, if you are thus severe
+when it is scarcely brown?"</p>
+
+<p>"A head which listens to folly in youth will
+hardly be honourable in old age," answered
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Thiebault had no mind to carry the dispute
+further.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not for me to contend with your worship.
+I only think, with every true son of chivalry and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span>
+song, that a knight without a mistress is like a
+sky without a star."</p>
+
+<p>"Do I not know that?" answered Arthur; "but
+yet better remain in darkness than be guided by
+such false lights as shower down vice and
+pestilence."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, it may be your seignorie is right,"
+answered the guide. "It is certain that even in
+Provence here we have lost much of our keen judgment
+on matters of love&mdash;its difficulties, its intricacies,
+and its errors, since the Troubadours are no
+longer regarded as usual, and since the High and
+Noble Parliament of Love<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>
+ has ceased to hold its
+sittings.</p>
+
+<p>"But in these latter days," continued the Provençal,
+"kings, dukes, and sovereigns, instead of
+being the foremost and most faithful vassals of
+the Court of Cupid, are themselves the slaves
+of selfishness and love of gain. Instead of winning
+hearts by breaking lances in the lists, they
+are breaking the hearts of their impoverished
+vassals by the most cruel exactions&mdash;instead
+of attempting to deserve the smile and favours of
+their lady-loves, they are meditating how to steal
+castles, towns, and provinces from their neighbours.
+But long life to the good and venerable
+King René! While he has an acre of land left,
+his residence will be the resort of valiant knights,
+whose only aim is praise in arms, of true lovers,
+who are persecuted by fortune, and of high-toned
+harpers, who know how to celebrate faith and
+valour."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, interested in learning something more
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span>
+precise than common fame had taught him on the
+subject of this prince, easily induced the talkative
+Provençal to enlarge upon the virtues of his old
+sovereign's character, as just, joyous, and debonair,
+a friend to the most noble exercises of the chase
+and the tilt-yard, and still more so to the joyous
+science of Poetry and Music; who gave away more
+revenue than he received, in largesses to knights-errant
+and itinerant musicians, with whom his
+petty court was crowded, as one of the very few
+in which the ancient hospitality was still maintained.</p>
+
+<p>Such was the picture which Thiebault drew of
+the last minstrel monarch; and though the eulogium
+was exaggerated, perhaps the facts were not
+overcharged.</p>
+
+<p>Born of royal parentage, and with high pretensions,
+René had at no period of his life been able
+to match his fortunes to his claims. Of the kingdoms
+to which he asserted right, nothing remained
+in his possession but the county of Provence itself,
+a fair and friendly principality, but diminished by
+the many claims which France had acquired upon
+portions of it by advances of money to supply the
+personal expenses of its master, and by other portions,
+which Burgundy, to whom René had been a
+prisoner, held in pledge for his ransom. In his
+youth he engaged in more than one military enterprise,
+in the hope of attaining some part of the
+territory of which he was styled sovereign. His
+courage is not impeached, but fortune did not
+smile on his military adventures; and he seems at
+last to have become sensible that the power of
+admiring and celebrating warlike merit is very
+different from possessing that quality. In fact,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span>
+René was a prince of very moderate parts, endowed
+with a love of the fine arts, which he carried to
+extremity, and a degree of good-humour, which
+never permitted him to repine at fortune, but
+rendered its possessor happy, when a prince of
+keener feelings would have died of despair. This
+insouciant, light-tempered, gay, and thoughtless
+disposition conducted René, free from all the passions
+which embitter life, and often shorten it, to
+a hale and mirthful old age. Even domestic losses,
+which often affect those who are proof against mere
+reverses of fortune, made no deep impression on
+the feelings of this cheerful old monarch. Most
+of his children had died young; René took it not
+to heart. His daughter Margaret's marriage with
+the powerful Henry of England was considered a
+connection much above the fortunes of the King
+of the Troubadours. But in the issue, instead of
+René deriving any splendour from the match, he
+was involved in the misfortunes of his daughter,
+and repeatedly obliged to impoverish himself to
+supply her ransom. Perhaps in his private soul
+the old king did not think these losses so mortifying
+as the necessity of receiving Margaret into
+his court and family. On fire when reflecting on
+the losses she had sustained, mourning over friends
+slain and kingdoms lost, the proudest and most
+passionate of princesses was ill suited to dwell
+with the gayest and best-humoured of sovereigns,
+whose pursuits she contemned, and whose lightness
+of temper, for finding comfort in such trifles,
+she could not forgive. The discomfort attached to
+her presence and vindictive recollections embarrassed
+the good-humoured old monarch, though it
+was unable to drive him beyond his equanimity.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Another distress pressed him more sorely.&mdash;Yolande,
+a daughter of his first wife, Isabella, had
+succeeded to his claims upon the Duchy of Lorraine,
+and transmitted them to her son, Ferrand,
+Count of Vaudemont, a young man of courage and
+spirit, engaged at this time in the apparently desperate
+undertaking of making his title good against
+the Duke of Burgundy, who, with little right but
+great power, was seizing upon and overrunning
+this rich Duchy, which he laid claim to as a male
+fief. And to conclude, while the aged king on
+one side beheld his dethroned daughter in hopeless
+despair, and on the other his disinherited
+grandson in vain attempting to recover part of
+their rights, he had the additional misfortune to
+know that his nephew, Louis of France, and his
+cousin, the Duke of Burgundy, were secretly contending
+which should succeed him in that portion
+of Provence which he still continued to possess,
+and that it was only jealousy of each other which
+prevented his being despoiled of this last remnant
+of his territory. Yet amid all this distress René
+feasted and received guests, danced, sang, composed
+poetry, used the pencil or brush with no
+small skill, devised and conducted festivals and
+processions, and, studying to promote as far as
+possible the immediate mirth and good-humour of
+his subjects, if he could not materially enlarge
+their more permanent prosperity, was never mentioned
+by them, excepting as <i>Le bon Roi René</i>, a
+distinction conferred on him down to the present
+day, and due to him certainly by the qualities of
+his heart, if not by those of his head.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst Arthur was receiving from his guide a
+full account of the peculiarities of King René,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span>
+they entered the territories of that merry monarch.
+It was late in the autumn, and about the period
+when the south-eastern counties of France rather
+show to least advantage. The foliage of the olive-tree
+is then decayed and withered, and as it predominates
+in the landscape, and resembles the
+scorched complexion of the soil itself, an ashen
+and arid hue is given to the whole. Still, however,
+there were scenes in the hilly and pastoral
+parts of the country where the quantity of evergreens
+relieved the eye even in this dead season.</p>
+
+<p>The appearance of the country, in general, had
+much in it that was peculiar.</p>
+
+<p>The travellers perceived at every turn some
+marks of the King's singular character. Provence,
+as the part of Gaul which first received Roman
+civilisation, and as having been still longer the
+residence of the Grecian colony who founded Marseilles,
+is more full of the splendid relics of ancient
+architecture than any other country in Europe,
+Italy and Greece excepted. The good taste of the
+King René had dictated some attempts to clear out
+and to restore these memorials of antiquity. Was
+there a triumphal arch or an ancient temple&mdash;huts
+and hovels were cleared away from its vicinity,
+and means were used at least to retard the
+approach of ruin. Was there a marble fountain,
+which superstition had dedicated to some sequestered
+naiad&mdash;it was surrounded by olives, almond
+and orange trees&mdash;its cistern was repaired, and
+taught once more to retain its crystal treasures.
+The huge amphitheatres and gigantic colonnades
+experienced the same anxious care, attesting that
+the noblest specimens of the fine arts found one
+admirer and preserver in King René, even during
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span>
+the course of those which are termed the dark and
+barbarous ages.</p>
+
+<p>A change of manners could also be observed in
+passing from Burgundy and Lorraine, where society
+relished of German bluntness, into the pastoral
+country of Provence, where the influence of a fine
+climate and melodious language, joined to the pursuits
+of the romantic old monarch, with the universal
+taste for music and poetry, had introduced a
+civilisation of manners which approached to affectation.
+The shepherd literally marched abroad in
+the morning, piping his flocks forth to the pasture
+with some love-sonnet, the composition of an
+amorous Troubadour; and his "fleecy care" seemed
+actually to be under the influence of his music,
+instead of being ungraciously insensible to its
+melody, as is the case in colder climates. Arthur
+observed, too, that the Provençal sheep, instead of
+being driven before the shepherd, regularly followed
+him, and did not disperse to feed until the
+swain, by turning his face round to them, remaining
+stationary, and, executing variations on the
+air which he was playing, seemed to remind them
+that it was proper to do so. While in motion, his
+huge dog, of a species which is trained to face the
+wolf, and who is respected by the sheep as their
+guardian, and not feared as their tyrant, followed
+his master with his ears pricked, like the chief
+critic and prime judge of the performance, at some
+tones of which he seldom failed to intimate disapprobation;
+while the flock, like the generality of
+an audience, followed in unanimous though silent
+applause. At the hour of noon, the shepherd
+had sometimes acquired an augmentation to his
+audience, in some comely matron or blooming
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span>
+maiden, with whom he had rendezvoused by such a
+fountain as we have described, and who listened
+to the husband's or lover's chalumeau, or mingled
+her voice with his in the duets, of which the songs
+of the Troubadours have left so many examples.
+In the cool of the evening, the dance on the
+village green, or the concert before the hamlet
+door; the little repast of fruits, cheese, and bread,
+which the traveller was readily invited to share,
+gave new charms to the illusion, and seemed in
+earnest to point out Provence as the Arcadia of
+France.</p>
+
+<p>But the greatest singularity was, in the eyes of
+Arthur, the total absence of armed men and soldiers
+in this peaceful country. In England, no man
+stirred without his long-bow, sword, and buckler.
+In France, the hind wore armour even when he
+was betwixt the stilts of his plough. In Germany,
+you could not look along a mile of highway
+but the eye was encountered by clouds of dust, out
+of which were seen, by fits, waving feathers and
+flashing armour. Even in Switzerland, the peasant,
+if he had a journey to make, though but of a
+mile or two, cared not to travel without his halberd
+and two-handed sword. But in Provence all
+seemed quiet and peaceful, as if the music of the
+land had lulled to sleep all its wrathful passions.
+Now and then a mounted cavalier might pass
+them, the harp at whose saddle-bow, or carried by
+one of his attendants, attested the character of a
+Troubadour, which was affected by men of all
+ranks; and then only a short sword on his left
+thigh, borne for show rather than use, was a necessary
+and appropriate part of his equipment.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Peace," said Arthur, as he looked around him,
+"is an inestimable jewel; but it will be soon
+snatched from those who are not prepared with
+heart and hand to defend it."</p>
+
+<p>The sight of the ancient and interesting town of
+Aix, where King René held his court, dispelled
+reflections of a general character, and recalled to
+the young Englishman the peculiar mission on
+which he was engaged.</p>
+
+<p>He then required to know from the Provençal
+Thiebault whether his instructions were to leave
+him, now that he had successfully attained the
+end of his journey.</p>
+
+<p>"My instructions," answered Thiebault, "are to
+remain in Aix while there is any chance of your
+seignorie's continuing there, to be of such use to
+you as you may require, either as a guide or an
+attendant, and to keep these men in readiness to
+wait upon you when you have occasion for messengers
+or guards. With your approbation, I will
+see them disposed of in fitting quarters, and receive
+my further instructions from your seignorie
+wherever you please to appoint me. I propose this
+separation, because I understand it is your present
+pleasure to be private."</p>
+
+<p>"I must go to court," answered Arthur, "without
+any delay. Wait for me in half an hour by
+that fountain in the street, which projects into the
+air such a magnificent pillar of water, surrounded,
+I would almost swear, by a vapour like steam,
+serving as a shroud to the jet which it envelopes."</p>
+
+<p>"The jet is so surrounded," answered the Provençal,
+"because it is supplied by a hot spring
+rising from the bowels of the earth, and the touch
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span>
+of frost on this autumn morning makes the vapour
+more distinguishable than usual.&mdash;But if it is
+good King René whom you seek, you will find
+him at this time walking in his chimney. Do not
+be afraid of approaching him, for there never was
+a monarch so easy of access, especially to good-looking
+strangers like you, seignorie."</p>
+
+<p>"But his ushers," said Arthur, "will not admit
+me into his hall."</p>
+
+<p>"His hall!" repeated Thiebault. "Whose
+hall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, King René's, I apprehend. If he is
+walking in a chimney, it can only be in that of
+his hall, and a stately one it must be to give him
+room for such exercise."</p>
+
+<p>"You mistake my meaning," said the guide,
+laughing. "What we call King René's chimney
+is the narrow parapet yonder; it extends between
+these two towers, has an exposure to the south,
+and is sheltered in every other direction. Yonder
+it is his pleasure to walk and enjoy the beams of
+the sun, on such cool mornings as the present.
+It nurses, he says, his poetical vein. If you
+approach his promenade he will readily speak to
+you, unless, indeed, he is in the very act of a
+poetical composition."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur could not forbear smiling at the thoughts
+of a king, eighty years of age, broken down with
+misfortunes and beset with dangers, who yet
+amused himself with walking in an open parapet,
+and composing poetry in presence of all such of his
+loving subjects as chose to look on.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will walk a few steps this way," said
+Thiebault, "you may see the good King, and judge
+whether or not you will accost him at present. I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span>
+will dispose of the people, and await your orders
+at the fountain in the Corso."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur saw no objection to the proposal of his
+guide, and was not unwilling to have an opportunity
+of seeing something of the good King René,
+before he was introduced to his presence.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Ay, this is he who wears the wreath of bays</p>
+<p>Wove by Apollo and the Sisters Nine,</p>
+<p>Which Jove's dread lightning scathes not. He hath doft</p>
+<p>The cumbrous helm of steel, and flung aside</p>
+<p>The yet more galling diadem of gold;</p>
+<p>While, with a leafy circlet round his brows,</p>
+<p>He reigns the King of Lovers and of Poets.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>A cautious approach to the chimney&mdash;that is,
+the favourite walk of the King, who is described
+by Shakspeare as bearing</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i3">the style of King of Naples,</p>
+<p>Of both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem,</p>
+<p>Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman,</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>gave Arthur the perfect survey of his Majesty in
+person. He saw an old man, with locks and
+beard, which, in amplitude and whiteness, nearly
+rivalled those of the envoy from Schwitz, but with
+a fresh and ruddy colour in his cheek, and an eye
+of great vivacity. His dress was showy to a
+degree almost inconsistent with his years; and
+his step, not only firm but full of alertness and
+vivacity, while occupied in traversing the short
+and sheltered walk, which he had chosen rather
+for comfort than for privacy, showed juvenile
+vigour still animating an aged frame. The old
+King carried his tablets and a pencil in his hand,
+seeming totally abstracted in his own thoughts,
+and indifferent to being observed by several persons
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span>
+from the public street beneath his elevated
+promenade.</p>
+
+<p>Of these, some, from their dress and manner,
+seemed themselves Troubadours; for they held in
+their hands rebecks, rotes, small portable harps,
+and other indications of their profession. Such
+appeared to be stationary, as if engaged in observing
+and recording their remarks on the meditations
+of their Prince. Other passengers, bent on
+their own more serious affairs, looked up to the
+King as to some one whom they were accustomed
+to see daily, but never passed without doffing their
+bonnets, and expressing, by a suitable obeisance, a
+respect and affection towards his person, which
+appeared to make up in cordiality of feeling what
+it wanted in deep and solemn deference.</p>
+
+<p>René, in the meanwhile, was apparently unconscious
+both of the gaze of such as stood still, or
+the greeting of those who passed on, his mind
+seeming altogether engrossed with the apparent
+labour of some arduous task in poetry or music.
+He walked fast or slow as best suited the progress
+of composition. At times he stopped to mark
+hastily down on his tablets something which
+seemed to occur to him as deserving of preservation;
+at other times he dashed out what he had
+written, and flung down the pencil as if in a sort
+of despair. On these occasions, the Sibylline leaf
+was carefully picked up by a beautiful page, his
+only attendant, who reverently observed the first
+suitable opportunity of restoring it again to his
+royal hand. The same youth bore a viol, on
+which, at a signal from his master, he occasionally
+struck a few musical notes, to which the old King
+listened, now with a soothed and satisfied air, now
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span>
+with a discontented and anxious brow. At times
+his enthusiasm rose so high that he even hopped
+and skipped, with an activity which his years did
+not promise; at other times his motions were
+extremely slow, and occasionally he stood still,
+like one wrapped in the deepest and most anxious
+meditation. When he chanced to look on the
+group which seemed to watch his motions, and who
+ventured even to salute him with a murmur of
+applause, it was only to distinguish them with a
+friendly and good-humoured nod; a salutation
+with which, likewise, he failed not to reply to the
+greeting of the occasional passengers, when his
+earnest attention to his task, whatever it might
+be, permitted him to observe them.</p>
+
+<p>At length the royal eye lighted upon Arthur,
+whose attitude of silent observation and the distinction
+of his figure pointed him out as a stranger.
+René beckoned to his page, who, receiving his
+master's commands in a whisper, descended from
+the royal chimney to the broader platform beneath,
+which was open to general resort. The youth,
+addressing Arthur with much courtesy, informed
+him the King desired to speak with him. The
+young Englishman had no alternative but that of
+approaching, though pondering much in his own
+mind how he ought to comport himself towards
+such a singular specimen of royalty.</p>
+
+<p>When he drew near, King René addressed him in
+a tone of courtesy not unmingled with dignity, and
+Arthur's awe in his immediate presence was greater
+than he himself could have anticipated from his
+previous conception of the royal character.</p>
+
+<p>"You are, from your appearance, fair sir," said
+King René, "a stranger in this country. By what
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span>
+name must we call you, and to what business are
+we to ascribe the happiness of seeing you at our
+court?"</p>
+
+<p>Arthur remained a moment silent, and the good
+old man, imputing it to awe and timidity, proceeded
+in an encouraging tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Modesty in youth is ever commendable; you
+are doubtless an acolyte in the noble and joyous
+science of Minstrelsy and Music, drawn hither
+by the willing welcome which we afford to the
+professors of those arts, in which&mdash;praise be to
+Our Lady and the saints!&mdash;we have ourself been
+deemed a proficient."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not aspire to the honours of a Troubadour,"
+answered Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you," answered the King, "for your
+speech smacks of the northern, or Norman-French,
+such as is spoken in England and other unrefined
+nations. But you are a minstrel, perhaps, from
+these ultramontane parts. Be assured we despise
+not their efforts; for we have listened, not without
+pleasure and instruction, to many of their bold
+and wild romaunts, which, though rude in device
+and language, and therefore far inferior to the
+regulated poetry of our Troubadours, have yet
+something in their powerful and rough measure
+which occasionally rouses the heart like the sound
+of a trumpet."</p>
+
+<p>"I have felt the truth of your Grace's observation,
+when I have heard the songs of my country,"
+said Arthur; "but I have neither skill nor
+audacity to imitate what I admire&mdash;My latest
+residence has been in Italy."</p>
+
+<p>"You are perhaps, then, a proficient in painting,"
+said René; "an art which applies itself to the eye
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span>
+as poetry and music do to the ear, and is scarce
+less in esteem with us. If you are skilful in the
+art, you have come to a monarch who loves it, and
+the fair country in which it is practised."</p>
+
+<p>"In simple truth, Sire, I am an Englishman,
+and my hand has been too much welk'd and
+hardened by practice of the bow, the lance, and
+the sword, to touch the harp, or even the pencil."</p>
+
+<p>"An Englishman!" said René, obviously relaxing
+in the warmth of his welcome. "And what
+brings you here? England and I have long had
+little friendship together."</p>
+
+<p>"It is even on that account that I am here,"
+said Arthur. "I come to pay my homage to your
+Grace's daughter, the Princess Margaret of Anjou,
+whom I and many true Englishmen regard still
+as our Queen, though traitors have usurped her
+title."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, good youth," said René, "I must grieve
+for you, while I respect your loyalty and faith.
+Had my daughter Margaret been of my mind, she
+had long since abandoned pretensions which have
+drowned in seas of blood the noblest and bravest
+of her adherents."</p>
+
+<p>The King seemed about to say more, but checked
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Go to my palace," he said; "inquire for the
+Seneschal Hugh de Saint Cyr, he will give thee
+the means of seeing Margaret&mdash;that is, if it be
+her will to see thee. If not, good English youth,
+return to my palace, and thou shalt have hospitable
+entertainment; for a King who loves minstrelsy,
+music, and painting is ever most sensible
+to the claims of honour, virtue, and loyalty; and
+I read in thy looks thou art possessed of these
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span>
+qualities, and willingly believe thou mayst, in
+more quiet times, aspire to share the honours of
+the joyous science. But if thou hast a heart to be
+touched by the sense of beauty and fair proportion,
+it will leap within thee at the first sight of my
+palace, the stately grace of which may be compared
+to the faultless form of some high-bred dame,
+or the artful yet seemingly simple modulations of
+such a tune as we have been now composing."</p>
+
+<p>The King seemed disposed to take his instrument,
+and indulge the youth with a rehearsal of
+the strain he had just arranged; but Arthur at that
+moment experienced the painful internal feeling
+of that peculiar species of shame which well-constructed
+minds feel when they see others express
+a great assumption of importance, with a confidence
+that they are exciting admiration, when in
+fact they are only exposing themselves to ridicule.
+Arthur, in short, took leave, "in very shame," of
+the King of Naples, both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem,
+in a manner somewhat more abrupt than
+ceremony demanded. The King looked after him,
+with some wonder at this want of breeding, which,
+however, he imputed to his visitor's insular education,
+and then again began to twangle his viol.</p>
+
+<p>"The old fool!" said Arthur. "His daughter
+is dethroned, his dominions crumbling to pieces,
+his family on the eve of becoming extinct, his
+grandson driven from one lurking-place to another,
+and expelled from his mother's inheritance,&mdash;and
+he can find amusement in these fopperies! I
+thought him, with his long white beard, like
+Nicholas Bonstetten; but the old Swiss is a Solomon
+compared with him."</p>
+
+<p>As these and other reflections, highly disparaging
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span>
+to King René, passed through Arthur's mind,
+he reached the place of rendezvous, and found
+Thiebault beneath the steaming fountain, forced
+from one of those hot springs which had been the
+delight of the Romans from an early period.
+Thiebault, having assured his master that his
+retinue, horse and man, were so disposed as to be
+ready on an instant's call, readily undertook to
+guide him to King René's palace, which, from its
+singularity, and indeed its beauty of architecture,
+deserved the eulogium which the old monarch had
+bestowed upon it. The front consisted of three
+towers of Roman architecture, two of them being
+placed on the angles of the palace, and the third,
+which served the purpose of a mausoleum, forming
+a part of the group, though somewhat detached
+from the other buildings. This last was a structure
+of beautiful proportions. The lower part of the
+edifice was square, serving as a sort of pedestal to
+the upper part, which was circular, and surrounded
+by columns of massive granite. The other two
+towers at the angles of the palace were round, and
+also ornamented with pillars, and with a double
+row of windows. In front of, and connected with,
+these Roman remains, to which a date has been
+assigned as early as the fifth or sixth century,
+arose the ancient palace of the Counts of Provence,
+built a century or two later, but where a rich
+Gothic or Moorish front contrasted, and yet harmonised,
+with the more regular and massive architecture
+of the lords of the world. It is not more
+than thirty or forty years since this very curious
+remnant of antique art was destroyed, to make
+room for new public buildings, which have never
+yet been erected.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Arthur really experienced some sensation of the
+kind which the old King had prophesied, and
+stood looking with wonder at the ever-open gate of
+the palace, into which men of all kinds seemed
+to enter freely. After looking around for a few
+minutes, the young Englishman ascended the steps
+of a noble portico, and asked of a porter, as old
+and as lazy as a great man's domestic ought to be,
+for the seneschal named to him by the King. The
+corpulent janitor, with great politeness, put the
+stranger under the charge of a page, who ushered
+him to a chamber, in which he found another aged
+functionary of higher rank, with a comely face, a
+clear composed eye, and a brow which, having
+never been knit into gravity, intimated that the
+seneschal of Aix was a proficient in the philosophy
+of his royal master. He recognised Arthur the
+moment he addressed him.</p>
+
+<p>"You speak northern French, fair sir; you have
+lighter hair and a fairer complexion than the
+natives of this country&mdash;You ask after Queen
+Margaret&mdash;By all these marks I read you English&mdash;Her
+Grace of England is at this moment paying
+a vow at the monastery of Mont St. Victoire, and
+if your name be Arthur Philipson, I have commission
+to forward you to her presence immediately&mdash;that
+is, as soon as you have tasted of the royal
+provision."</p>
+
+<p>The young man would have remonstrated, but
+the seneschal left him no leisure.</p>
+
+<p>"Meat and mass," he said, "never hindered
+work&mdash;it is perilous to youth to journey too far
+on an empty stomach&mdash;he himself would take a
+mouthful with the Queen's guest, and pledge him
+to boot in a flask of old Hermitage."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The board was covered with an alacrity which
+showed that hospitality was familiarly exercised
+in King René's dominions. Pasties, dishes of
+game, the gallant boar's head, and other delicacies
+were placed on the table, and the seneschal played
+the merry host, frequently apologising (unnecessarily)
+for showing an indifferent example, as it was
+his duty to carve before King René, and the good
+King was never pleased unless he saw him feed
+lustily as well as carve featly.</p>
+
+<p>"But for you, Sir Guest, eat freely, since you
+may not see food again till sunset; for the good
+Queen takes her misfortunes so to heart that sighs
+are her food, and her tears a bottle of drink, as the
+Psalmist hath it. But I bethink me you will need
+steeds for yourself and your equipage to reach Mont
+St. Victoire, which is seven miles from Aix."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur intimated that he had a guide and horses
+in attendance, and begged permission to take his
+adieu. The worthy seneschal, his fair round belly
+graced with a gold chain, accompanied him to the
+gate with a step which a gentle fit of the gout had
+rendered uncertain, but which, he assured Arthur,
+would vanish before three days' use of the hot
+springs. Thiebault appeared before the gate, not
+with the tired steeds from which they had dismounted
+an hour since, but with fresh palfreys
+from the stable of the King.</p>
+
+<p>"They are yours from the moment you have put
+foot in stirrup," said the seneschal; "the good
+King René never received back as his property a
+horse which he had lent to a guest; and that is
+perhaps one reason why his Highness and we of
+his household must walk often a-foot."</p>
+
+<p>Here the seneschal exchanged greetings with his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span>
+young visitor, who rode forth to seek Queen Margaret's
+place of temporary retirement at the celebrated
+monastery of St. Victoire. He demanded
+of his guide in which direction it lay, who pointed,
+with an air of triumph, to a mountain three thousand
+feet and upwards in height, which arose at
+five or six miles' distance from the town, and which
+its bold and rocky summit rendered the most distinguished
+object of the landscape. Thiebault
+spoke of it with unusual glee and energy, so much
+so as to lead Arthur to conceive that his trusty
+squire had not neglected to avail himself of the
+lavish hospitality of <i>Le bon Roy René</i>. Thiebault,
+however, continued to expatiate on the fame of
+the mountain and monastery. They derived
+their name, he said, from a great victory which
+was gained by a Roman general, named Caio
+Mario, against two large armies of Saracens with
+ultramontane names (the Teutones probably and
+Cimbri), in gratitude to Heaven for which victory
+Caio Mario vowed to build a monastery on the
+mountain, for the service of the Virgin Mary, in
+honour of whom he had been baptised. With all
+the importance of a local connoisseur, Thiebault
+proceeded to prove his general assertion by specific
+facts.</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder," he said, "was the camp of the Saracens,
+from which, when the battle was apparently
+decided, their wives and women rushed, with horrible
+screams, dishevelled hair, and the gestures
+of furies, and for a time prevailed in stopping the
+flight of the men." He pointed out, too, the
+river, for access to which, cut off by the superior
+generalship of the Romans, the barbarians, whom
+he called Saracens, hazarded the action, and whose
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span>
+streams they empurpled with their blood. In
+short, he mentioned many circumstances which
+showed how accurately tradition will preserve the
+particulars of ancient events, even whilst forgetting,
+misstating, and confounding dates and persons.</p>
+
+<p>Perceiving that Arthur lent him a not unwilling
+ear,&mdash;for it may be supposed that the education
+of a youth bred up in the heat of civil wars was
+not well qualified to criticise his account of the
+wars of a distant period,&mdash;the Provençal, when
+he had exhausted this topic, drew up close to his
+master's side, and asked, in a suppressed tone,
+whether he knew, or was desirous of being made
+acquainted with, the cause of Margaret's having
+left Aix, to establish herself in the monastery of
+St. Victoire?</p>
+
+<p>"For the accomplishment of a vow," answered
+Arthur; "all the world knows it."</p>
+
+<p>"All Aix knows the contrary," said Thiebault;
+"and I can tell you the truth, so I were sure it
+would not offend your seignorie."</p>
+
+<p>"The truth can offend no reasonable man, so it
+be expressed in the terms of which Queen Margaret
+must be spoken in the presence of an Englishman."</p>
+
+<p>Thus replied Arthur, willing to receive what
+information he could gather, and desirous, at the
+same time, to check the petulance of his attendant.</p>
+
+<p>"I have nothing," replied his follower, "to state
+in disparagement of the gracious Queen, whose
+only misfortune is that, like her royal father, she
+has more titles than towns. Besides, I know well
+that you Englishmen, though you speak wildly of
+your sovereigns yourselves, will not permit others
+to fail in respect to them."</p>
+
+<p>"Say on, then," answered Arthur.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Your seignorie must know, then," said Thiebault,
+"that the good King René has been much
+disturbed by the deep melancholy which afflicted
+Queen Margaret, and has bent himself with all his
+power to change it into a gayer humour. He made
+entertainments in public and in private; he assembled
+minstrels and Troubadours, whose music
+and poetry might have drawn smiles from one on
+his deathbed. The whole country resounded with
+mirth and glee, and the gracious Queen could not
+stir abroad in the most private manner, but, before
+she had gone a hundred paces, she lighted on an
+ambush, consisting of some pretty pageant, or
+festivous mummery, composed often by the good
+King himself, which interrupted her solitude, in
+purpose of relieving her heavy thoughts with some
+pleasant pastime. But the Queen's deep melancholy
+rejected all these modes of dispelling it, and
+at length she confined herself to her own apartments,
+and absolutely refused to see even her royal
+father, because he generally brought into her presence
+those whose productions he thought likely to
+soothe her sorrow. Indeed she seemed to hear the
+harpers with loathing, and, excepting one wandering
+Englishman, who sung a rude and melancholy
+ballad, which threw her into a flood of tears,
+and to whom she gave a chain of price, she never
+seemed to look at, or be conscious of the presence
+of any one. And at length, as I have had the
+honour to tell your seignorie, she refused to see
+even her royal father unless he came alone; and
+that he found no heart to do."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder not at it," said the young man. "By
+the White Swan, I am rather surprised his mummery
+drove her not to frenzy."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Something like it indeed took place," said
+Thiebault; "and I will tell your seignorie how it
+chanced. You must know that good King René,
+unwilling to abandon his daughter to the foul fiend
+of melancholy, bethought him of making a grand
+effort. You must know, further, that the King,
+powerful in all the craft of Troubadours and Jongleurs,
+is held in peculiar esteem for conducting
+mysteries, and other of those gamesome and delightful
+sports and processions, with which our Holy
+Church permits her graver ceremonies to be relieved
+and diversified, to the cheering of the hearts of all
+true children of religion. It is admitted that no
+one has ever been able to approach his excellence
+in the arrangement of the Fête-Dieu; and the
+tune to which the devils cudgel King Herod, to
+the great edification of all Christian spectators, is
+of our good King's royal composition. He hath
+danced at Tarasconne in the ballet of St. Martha
+and the Dragon, and was accounted in his own
+person the only actor competent to present the
+Tarrasque. His Highness introduced also a new
+ritual into the consecration of the Boy Bishop, and
+composed an entire set of grotesque music for the
+Festival of Asses. In short, his Grace's strength
+lies in those pleasing and becoming festivities
+which strew the path of edification with flowers,
+and send men dancing and singing on their way to
+heaven.</p>
+
+<p>"Now the good King René, feeling his own
+genius for such recreative compositions, resolved
+to exert it to the utmost, in the hope that he
+might thereby relieve the melancholy in which
+his daughter was plunged, and which infected all
+that approached her. It chanced, some short time
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span>
+since, that the Queen was absent for certain days,
+I know not where or on what business, but it gave
+the good King time to make his preparations. So,
+when his daughter returned, he with much importunity
+prevailed on her to make part of a
+religious procession to St. Sauveur, the principal
+church in Aix. The Queen, innocent of what was
+intended, decked herself with solemnity, to witness
+and partake of what she expected would
+prove a work of grave piety. But no sooner had
+she appeared on the esplanade in front of the
+palace, than more than a hundred masks, dressed
+up like Turks, Jews, Saracens, Moors, and I know
+not whom besides, crowded around, to offer her
+their homage, in the character of the Queen of
+Sheba; and a grotesque piece of music called them
+to arrange themselves for a ludicrous ballet, in
+which they addressed the Queen in the most entertaining
+manner, and with the most extravagant
+gestures. The Queen, stunned with the noise,
+and affronted with the petulance of this unexpected
+onset, would have gone back into the
+palace; but the doors had been shut by the King's
+order so soon as she set forth, and her retreat in
+that direction was cut off. Finding herself excluded
+from the palace, the Queen advanced to the
+front of the façade, and endeavoured by signs and
+words to appease the hubbub, but the maskers,
+who had their instructions, only answered with
+songs, music, and shouts."</p>
+
+<p>"I would," said Arthur, "there had been a score
+of English yeomen in presence, with their quarterstaves,
+to teach the bawling villains respect for
+one that has worn the crown of England!"</p>
+
+<p>"All the noise that was made before was silence
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span>
+and soft music," continued Thiebault, "till that
+when the good King himself appeared, grotesquely
+dressed in the character of King Solomon"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"To whom, of all princes, he has the least
+resemblance," said Arthur&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"With such capers and gesticulations of welcome
+to the Queen of Sheba as, I am assured by
+those who saw it, would have brought a dead man
+alive again, or killed a living man with laughing.
+Among other properties, he had in his hand a truncheon,
+somewhat formed like a fool's bauble"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"A most fit sceptre for such a sovereign," said
+Arthur&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Which was headed," continued Thiebault, "by
+a model of the Jewish Temple, finely gilded and
+curiously cut in pasteboard. He managed this
+with the utmost grace, and delighted every spectator
+by his gaiety and activity, excepting the
+Queen, who, the more he skipped and capered,
+seemed to be the more incensed, until, on his
+approaching her to conduct her to the procession,
+she seemed roused to a sort of frenzy, struck the
+truncheon out of his hand, and breaking through
+the crowd, who felt as if a tigress had leapt amongst
+them from a showman's cart, rushed into the royal
+courtyard. Ere the order of the scenic representation,
+which her violence had interrupted, could be
+restored, the Queen again issued forth, mounted
+and attended by two or three English cavaliers of
+her Majesty's suite. She forced her way through
+the crowd, without regarding either their safety
+or her own, flew like a hail-storm along the
+streets, and never drew bridle till she was as far
+up this same Mont St. Victoire as the road would
+permit. She was then received into the convent,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span>
+and has since remained there; and a vow of penance
+is the pretext to cover over the quarrel betwixt her
+and her father."</p>
+
+<p>"How long may it be," said Arthur, "since
+these things chanced?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is but three days since Queen Margaret left
+Aix in the manner I have told you.&mdash;But we are
+come as far up the mountain as men usually ride.
+See, yonder is the monastery rising betwixt two
+huge rocks, which form the very top of Mont St.
+Victoire. There is no more open ground than is
+afforded by the cleft, into which the convent of St.
+Mary of Victory is, as it were, niched; and the
+access is guarded by the most dangerous precipices.
+To ascend the mountain, you must keep that narrow
+path, which, winding and turning among the
+cliffs, leads at length to the summit of the hill,
+and the gate of the monastery."</p>
+
+<p>"And what becomes of you and the horses?"
+said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"We will rest," said Thiebault, "in the hospital
+maintained by the good fathers at the bottom
+of the mountain, for the accommodation of those
+who attend on pilgrims;&mdash;for I promise you the
+shrine is visited by many who come from afar,
+and are attended both by man and horse.&mdash;Care
+not for me,&mdash;I shall be first under cover; but
+there muster yonder in the west some threatening
+clouds, from which your seignorie may suffer inconvenience,
+unless you reach the convent in time.
+I will give you an hour to do the feat, and will
+say you are as active as a chamois-hunter if you
+reach it within the time."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur looked around him, and did indeed
+remark a mustering of clouds in the distant west,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span>
+which threatened soon to change the character of
+the day, which had hitherto been brilliantly clear,
+and so serene that the falling of a leaf might have
+been heard. He therefore turned him to the steep
+and rocky path which ascended the mountain,
+sometimes by scaling almost precipitous rocks, and
+sometimes by reaching their tops by a more circuitous
+process. It winded through thickets of
+wild boxwood and other low aromatic shrubs,
+which afforded some pasture for the mountain
+goats, but were a bitter annoyance to the traveller
+who had to press through them. Such obstacles
+were so frequent, that the full hour allowed by
+Thiebault had elapsed before he stood on the
+summit of Mont St. Victoire, and in front of
+the singular convent of the same name.</p>
+
+<p>We have already said that the crest of the mountain,
+consisting entirely of one bare and solid rock,
+was divided by a cleft or opening into two heads
+or peaks, between which the convent was built,
+occupying all the space between them. The front
+of the building was of the most ancient and sombre
+cast of the old Gothic, or rather, as it has been
+termed, the Saxon; and in that respect corresponded
+with the savage exterior of the naked
+cliffs, of which the structure seemed to make a
+part, and by which it was entirely surrounded,
+excepting a small open space of more level ground,
+where, at the expense of much toil, and by carrying
+earth up the hill, from different spots where
+they could collect it in small quantities, the good
+fathers had been able to arrange the accommodations
+of a garden.</p>
+
+<p>A bell summoned a lay brother, the porter of
+this singularly situated monastery, to whom Arthur
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span>
+announced himself as an English merchant, Philipson
+by name, who came to pay his duty to Queen
+Margaret. The porter, with much respect, showed
+the stranger into the convent, and ushered him
+into a parlour, which, looking towards Aix, commanded
+an extensive and splendid prospect over
+the southern and western parts of Provence. This
+was the direction in which Arthur had approached
+the mountain from Aix; but the circuitous path
+by which he had ascended had completely carried
+him round the hill. The western side of the monastery,
+to which the parlour looked, commanded
+the noble view we have mentioned; and a species
+of balcony, which, connecting the two twin crags,
+at this place not above four or five yards asunder,
+ran along the front of the building, and appeared
+to be constructed for the purpose of enjoying it.
+But on stepping from one of the windows of the
+parlour upon this battlemented bartizan, Arthur
+became aware that the wall on which the parapet
+rested stretched along the edge of a precipice,
+which sank sheer down five hundred feet at least
+from the foundations of the convent. Surprised
+and startled at finding himself on so giddy a verge,
+Arthur turned his eyes from the gulf beneath him
+to admire the distant landscape, partly illumined,
+with ominous lustre, by the now westerly sun.
+The setting beams showed in dark red splendour a
+vast variety of hill and dale, champaign and cultivated
+ground, with towns, churches, and castles,
+some of which rose from among trees, while others
+seemed founded on rocky eminences; others again
+lurked by the side of streams or lakes, to which
+the heat and drought of the climate naturally
+attracted them.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The rest of the landscape presented similar
+objects when the weather was serene, but they
+were now rendered indistinct, or altogether obliterated,
+by the sullen shade of the approaching
+clouds, which gradually spread over great part of
+the horizon, and threatened altogether to eclipse
+the sun, though the lord of the horizon still struggled
+to maintain his influence, and, like a dying
+hero, seemed most glorious even in the moment
+of defeat. Wild sounds, like groans and howls,
+formed by the wind in the numerous caverns of
+the rocky mountain, added to the terrors of the
+scene, and seemed to foretell the fury of some distant
+storm, though the air in general was even
+unnaturally calm and breathless. In gazing on
+this extraordinary scene, Arthur did justice to the
+monks who had chosen this wild and grotesque
+situation, from which they could witness Nature
+in her wildest and grandest demonstrations, and
+compare the nothingness of humanity with her
+awful convulsions.</p>
+
+<p>So much was Arthur awed by the scene before
+him, that he had almost forgotten, while gazing
+from the bartizan, the important business which
+had brought him to this place, when it was suddenly
+recalled by finding himself in the presence
+of Margaret of Anjou, who, not seeing him in the
+parlour of reception, had stept upon the balcony,
+that she might meet with him the sooner.</p>
+
+<p>The Queen's dress was black, without any ornament
+except a gold coronal of an inch in breadth,
+restraining her long black tresses, of which advancing
+years and misfortunes had partly altered
+the hue. There was placed within the circlet a
+black plume with a red rose, the last of the season,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span>
+which the good father who kept the garden had
+presented to her that morning, as the badge of
+her husband's house. Care, fatigue, and sorrow
+seemed to dwell on her brow and her features. To
+another messenger she would in all probability
+have administered a sharp rebuke, for not being
+alert in his duty to receive her as she entered; but
+Arthur's age and appearance corresponded with
+that of her loved and lost son. He was the son
+of a lady whom Margaret had loved with almost
+sisterly affection, and the presence of Arthur continued
+to excite in the dethroned Queen the same
+feelings of maternal tenderness which had been
+awakened on their first meeting in the Cathedral
+of Strasburg. She raised him as he kneeled at
+her feet, spoke to him with much kindness, and
+encouraged him to detail at full length his father's
+message, and such other news as his brief residence
+at Dijon had made him acquainted with.</p>
+
+<p>She demanded which way Duke Charles had
+moved with his army.</p>
+
+<p>"As I was given to understand by the master
+of his artillery," said Arthur, "towards the Lake
+of Neufchatel, on which side he proposes his first
+attack on the Swiss."</p>
+
+<p>"The headstrong fool!" said Queen Margaret.
+"He resembles the poor lunatic, who went to the
+summit of the mountain that he might meet the
+rain halfway.&mdash;Does thy father, then," continued
+Margaret, "advise me to give up the last remains
+of the extensive territories once the dominions of
+our royal house, and for some thousand crowns,
+and the paltry aid of a few hundred lances, to relinquish
+what is left of our patrimony to our proud
+and selfish kinsman of Burgundy, who extends his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span>
+claim to our all, and affords so little help, or
+even promise of help, in return?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should have ill discharged my father's commission,"
+said Arthur, "if I had left your Highness
+to think that he recommends so great a
+sacrifice. He feels most deeply the Duke of
+Burgundy's grasping desire of dominion. Nevertheless,
+he thinks that Provence must, on King
+René's death, or sooner, fall either to the share
+of Duke Charles, or to Louis of France, whatever
+opposition your Highness may make to such a
+destination; and it may be that my father, as a
+knight and a soldier, hopes much from obtaining
+the means to make another attempt on Britain.
+But the decision must rest with your Highness."</p>
+
+<p>"Young man," said the Queen, "the contemplation
+of a question so doubtful almost deprives
+me of reason!"</p>
+
+<p>As she spoke, she sank down, as one who needs
+rest, on a stone seat placed on the very verge of
+the balcony, regardless of the storm, which now
+began to rise with dreadful gusts of wind, the
+course of which being intermitted and altered by
+the crags round which they howled, it seemed as
+if in very deed Boreas, and Eurus, and Caurus,
+unchaining the winds from every quarter of heaven,
+were contending for mastery around the convent
+of Our Lady of Victory. Amid this tumult, and
+amid billows of mist which concealed the bottom
+of the precipice, and masses of clouds which racked
+fearfully over their heads, the roar of the descending
+waters rather resembled the fall of cataracts
+than the rushing of torrents of rain. The seat
+on which Margaret had placed herself was in a
+considerable degree sheltered from the storm, but
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span>
+its eddies, varying in every direction, often tossed
+aloft her dishevelled hair; and we cannot describe
+the appearance of her noble and beautiful, yet
+ghastly and wasted features, agitated strongly by
+anxious hesitation and conflicting thoughts, unless
+to those of our readers who have had the advantage
+of having seen our inimitable Siddons in such a
+character as this. Arthur, confounded by anxiety
+and terror, could only beseech her Majesty to retire
+before the fury of the approaching storm into the
+interior of the convent.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she replied with firmness; "roofs and
+walls have ears, and monks, though they have forsworn
+the world, are not the less curious to know
+what passes beyond their cells. It is in this place
+you must hear what I have to say; as a soldier
+you should scorn a blast of wind or a shower of
+rain; and to me, who have often held counsel
+amidst the sound of trumpets and clash of arms,
+prompt for instant fight, the war of elements is an
+unnoticed trifle. I tell thee, young Arthur Vere,
+as I would to your father&mdash;as I would to my son&mdash;if
+indeed Heaven had left such a blessing to a
+wretch forlorn"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>She paused, and then proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell thee, as I would have told my beloved
+Edward, that Margaret, whose resolutions were
+once firm and immovable as these rocks among
+which we are placed, is now doubtful and variable
+as the clouds which are drifting around us. I
+told your father, in the joy of meeting once more
+a subject of such inappreciable loyalty, of the sacrifices
+I would make to assure the assistance of
+Charles of Burgundy, to so gallant an undertaking
+as that proposed to him by the faithful Oxford.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span>
+But since I saw him I have had cause of deep
+reflection. I met my aged father only to offend
+and, I say it with shame, to insult the old man in
+presence of his people. Our tempers are as opposed
+as the sunshine, which a short space since gilded
+a serene and beautiful landscape, differs from the
+tempests which are now wasting it. I spurned
+with open scorn and contempt what he, in his
+mistaken affection, had devised for means of consolation,
+and, disgusted with the idle follies
+which he had devised for curing the melancholy
+of a dethroned Queen, a widowed spouse&mdash;and,
+alas! a childless mother,&mdash;I retired hither from
+the noisy and idle mirth, which was the bitterest
+aggravation of my sorrows. Such and so gentle is
+René's temper, that even my unfilial conduct will
+not diminish my influence over him; and if your
+father had announced that the Duke of Burgundy,
+like a knight and a sovereign, had cordially and
+nobly entered into the plan of the faithful Oxford,
+I could have found it in my heart to obtain the
+cession of territory his cold and ambitious policy
+requires, in order to insure the assistance which
+he now postpones to afford till he has gratified his
+own haughty humour by settling needless quarrels
+with his unoffending neighbours. Since I have
+been here, and calmness and solitude have given
+me time to reflect, I have thought on the offences
+I have given the old man, and on the wrongs I
+was about to do him. My father, let me do him
+justice, is also the father of his people. They
+have dwelt under their vines and fig-trees, in
+ignoble ease, perhaps, but free from oppression
+and exaction, and their happiness has been that
+of their good King. Must I change all this?&mdash;Must
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span>
+I aid in turning over these contented people
+to a fierce, headlong, arbitrary prince?&mdash;May I
+not break even the easy and thoughtless heart of
+my poor old father, should I succeed in urging
+him to do so?&mdash;These are questions which I
+shudder even to ask myself. On the other hand,
+to disappoint the toils, the venturous hopes of
+your father, to forego the only opportunity which
+may ever again offer itself, of revenge on the
+bloody traitors of York, and restoration of the
+House of Lancaster!&mdash;Arthur, the scene around
+us is not so convulsed by the fearful tempest and
+the driving clouds, as my mind is by doubt and
+uncertainty."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas," replied Arthur, "I am too young and
+inexperienced to be your Majesty's adviser in a
+case so arduous. I would my father had been in
+presence himself."</p>
+
+<p>"I know what he would have said," replied the
+Queen; "but, knowing all, I despair of aid from
+human counsellors&mdash;I have sought others, but
+they also are deaf to my entreaties. Yes, Arthur,
+Margaret's misfortunes have rendered her superstitious.
+Know, that beneath these rocks, and
+under the foundation of this convent, there runs
+a cavern, entering by a secret and defended passage
+a little to the westward of the summit, and
+running through the mountain, having an opening
+to the south, from which, as from this bartizan,
+you can view the landscape so lately seen from
+this balcony, or the strife of winds and confusion
+of clouds which we now behold. In the middle
+of this cavernous thoroughfare is a natural pit, or
+perforation, of great but unknown depth. A stone
+dropped into it is heard to dash from side to side,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span>
+until the noise of its descent, thundering from
+cliff to cliff, dies away in distant and faint tinkling,
+less loud than that of a sheep's bell at a
+mile's distance. The common people, in their
+jargon, call this fearful gulf Lou Garagoule; and
+the traditions of the monastery annex wild and
+fearful recollections to a place in itself sufficiently
+terrible. Oracles, it is said, spoke from thence in
+pagan days, by subterranean voices, arising from
+the abyss; and from these the Roman general is
+said to have heard, in strange and uncouth rhymes,
+promises of the victory which gives name to this
+mountain. These oracles, it is averred, may be
+yet consulted after performance of strange rites, in
+which heathen ceremonies are mixed with Christian
+acts of devotion. The abbots of Mont St.
+Victoire have denounced the consultation of Lou
+Garagoule, and the spirits who reside there, to be
+criminal. But as the sin may be expiated by
+presents to the Church, by masses, and penances,
+the door is sometimes opened by the complaisant
+fathers to those whose daring curiosity leads them,
+at all risks, and by whatever means, to search into
+futurity. Arthur, I have made the experiment,
+and am even now returned from the gloomy cavern,
+in which, according to the traditional ritual, I
+have spent six hours by the margin of the gulf, a
+place so dismal, that after its horrors even this
+tempestuous scene is refreshing."</p>
+
+<p>The Queen stopped, and Arthur, the more
+struck with the wild tale that it reminded him of
+his place of imprisonment at La Ferette, asked
+anxiously if her inquiries had obtained any
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever," replied the unhappy Princess.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span>
+"The demons of Garagoule, if there be such, are
+deaf to the suit of an unfortunate wretch like me,
+to whom neither friends nor fiends will afford
+counsel or assistance. It is my father's circumstances
+which prevent my instant and strong resolution.
+Were my own claims on this piping and
+paltry nation of Troubadours alone interested, I
+could, for the chance of once more setting my foot
+in merry England, as easily and willingly resign
+them, and their paltry coronet, as I commit to the
+storm this idle emblem of the royal rank which I
+have lost."</p>
+
+<p>As Margaret spoke, she tore from her hair the
+sable feather and rose which the tempest had
+detached from the circlet in which they were
+placed, and tossed them from the battlement with
+a gesture of wild energy. They were instantly
+whirled off in a bickering eddy of the agitated
+clouds, which swept the feather far distant into
+empty space, through which the eye could not
+pursue it. But while that of Arthur involuntarily
+strove to follow its course, a contrary gust of wind
+caught the red rose, and drove it back against his
+breast, so that it was easy for him to catch hold
+of and retain it.</p>
+
+<p>"Joy, joy, and good fortune, royal mistress!"
+he said, returning to her the emblematic flower;
+"the tempest brings back the badge of Lancaster to
+its proper owner."</p>
+
+<p>"I accept the omen," said Margaret; "but it
+concerns yourself, noble youth, and not me. The
+feather, which is borne away to waste and desolation,
+is Margaret's emblem. My eyes will never
+see the restoration of the line of Lancaster. But
+you will live to behold it, and to aid to achieve it,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span>
+and to dye our red rose deeper yet in the blood of
+tyrants and traitors. My thoughts are so strangely
+poised, that a feather or a flower may turn the
+scale. But my head is still giddy, and my heart
+sick.&mdash;To-morrow you shall see another Margaret,
+and till then adieu."</p>
+
+<p>It was time to retire, for the tempest began to
+be mingled with fiercer showers of rain. When
+they re-entered the parlour, the Queen clapped her
+hands, and two female attendants entered.</p>
+
+<p>"Let the Father Abbot know," she said, "that
+it is our desire that this young gentleman receive
+for this night such hospitality as befits an esteemed
+friend of ours.&mdash;Till to-morrow, young sir, farewell."</p>
+
+<p>With a countenance which betrayed not the late
+emotion of her mind, and with a stately courtesy
+that would have become her when she graced the
+halls of Windsor, she extended her hand, which
+the youth saluted respectfully. After her leaving
+the parlour, the Abbot entered, and, in his attention
+to Arthur's entertainment and accommodation
+for the evening, showed his anxiety to meet and
+obey Queen Margaret's wishes.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i10">Want you a man</p>
+<p>Experienced in the world and its affairs?</p>
+<p>Here he is for your purpose.&mdash;He's a monk.</p>
+<p>He hath forsworn the world and all its work&mdash;</p>
+<p>The rather that he knows it passing well,</p>
+<p>Special the worst of it, for he's a monk.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Old Play.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>While the dawn of the morning was yet grey,
+Arthur was awakened by a loud ringing at the
+gate of the monastery, and presently afterwards
+the porter entered the cell which had been allotted
+to him for his lodgings, to tell him that, if his
+name was Arthur Philipson, a brother of their
+order had brought him despatches from his father.
+The youth started up, hastily attired himself, and
+was introduced, in the parlour, to a Carmelite
+monk, being of the same order with the community
+of St. Victoire.</p>
+
+<p>"I have ridden many a mile, young man, to
+present you with this letter," said the monk,
+"having undertaken to your father that it should
+be delivered without delay. I came to Aix last
+night during the storm, and, learning at the palace
+that you had ridden hither, I mounted as soon as
+the tempest abated, and here I am."</p>
+
+<p>"I am beholden to you, father," said the youth,
+"and if I could repay your pains with a small
+donative to your convent"&mdash;&mdash;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"By no means," answered the good father; "I
+took my personal trouble out of friendship to your
+father, and mine own errand led me this way.
+The expenses of my long journey have been amply
+provided for. But open your packet, I can answer
+your questions at leisure."</p>
+
+<p>The young man accordingly stepped into an
+embrasure of the window, and read as follows:&mdash;</p>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>
+"<span class="smcap">Son Arthur</span>,&mdash;Touching the state of the country,
+in so far as concerns the safety of travelling, know that
+the same is precarious. The Duke hath taken the towns
+of Brie and Granson, and put to death five hundred
+men, whom he made prisoners in garrison there. But
+the Confederates are approaching with a large force,
+and God will judge for the right. Howsoever the game
+may go, these are sharp wars, in which little quarter
+is spoken of on either side, and therefore there is
+no safety for men of our profession, till something decisive
+shall happen. In the meantime, you may assure
+the widowed lady, that our correspondent continues
+well disposed to purchase the property which she has
+in hand; but will scarce be able to pay the price till
+his present pressing affairs shall be settled, which I
+hope will be in time to permit us to embark the funds
+in the profitable adventure I told our friend of. I
+have employed a friar, travelling to Provence, to carry
+this letter, which I trust will come safe. The bearer
+may be trusted.</p>
+
+<p class="left45">
+"Your affectionate father,</p>
+
+<p class="left65">"<span class="smcap">John Philipson</span>."</p>
+</div>
+<p>Arthur easily comprehended the latter part of
+the epistle, and rejoiced he had received it at so
+critical a moment. He questioned the Carmelite
+on the amount of the Duke's army, which the
+monk stated to amount to sixty thousand men,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span>
+while he said the Confederates, though making
+every exertion, had not yet been able to assemble
+the third part of that number. The young Ferrand
+de Vaudemont was with their army, and had
+received, it was thought, some secret assistance
+from France; but as he was little known in arms,
+and had few followers, the empty title of General
+which he bore added little to the strength of the
+Confederates. Upon the whole, he reported that
+every chance appeared to be in favour of Charles,
+and Arthur, who looked upon his success as presenting
+the only chance in favour of his father's
+enterprise, was not a little pleased to find it insured,
+as far as depended on a great superiority of
+force. He had no leisure to make further inquiries,
+for the Queen at that moment entered the apartment,
+and the Carmelite, learning her quality,
+withdrew from her presence in deep reverence.</p>
+
+<p>The paleness of her complexion still bespoke the
+fatigues of the day preceding; but, as she graciously
+bestowed on Arthur the greetings of the morning,
+her voice was firm, her eye clear, and her countenance
+steady. "I meet you," she said, "not as I
+left you, but determined in my purpose. I am
+satisfied that if René does not voluntarily yield
+up his throne of Provence by some step like that
+which we propose, he will be hurled from it by
+violence, in which, it may be, his life will not
+be spared. We will, therefore, to work with all
+speed&mdash;the worst is, that I cannot leave this convent
+till I have made the necessary penances for
+having visited the Garagoule, without performing
+which I were no Christian woman. When you
+return to Aix, inquire at the palace for my secretary,
+with whom this line will give you credence.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span>
+I have, even before this door of hope opened to me,
+endeavoured to form an estimate of King René's
+situation, and collected the documents for that
+purpose. Tell him to send me, duly sealed, and
+under fitting charge, the small cabinet hooped with
+silver. Hours of penance for past errors may be
+employed to prevent others; and from the contents
+of that cabinet I shall learn whether I am, in this
+weighty matter, sacrificing my father's interests
+to my own half-desperate hopes. But of this I
+have little or no doubt. I can cause the deeds of
+resignation and transference to be drawn up here
+under my own direction, and arrange the execution
+of them when I return to Aix, which shall be the
+first moment after my penance is concluded."</p>
+
+<p>"And this letter, gracious madam," said Arthur,
+"will inform you what events are approaching,
+and of what importance it may be to take time by
+the forelock. Place me but in possession of these
+momentous deeds, and I will travel night and day
+till I reach the Duke's camp. I shall find him
+most likely in the moment of victory, and with
+his heart too much open to refuse a boon to the
+royal kinswoman who is surrendering to him all.
+We will&mdash;we must&mdash;in such an hour, obtain
+princely succours; and we shall soon see if the
+licentious Edward of York, the savage Richard,
+the treacherous and perjured Clarence, are hereafter
+to be lords of merry England, or whether
+they must give place to a more rightful sovereign
+and better man. But oh! royal madam, all depends
+on haste."</p>
+
+<p>"True&mdash;yet a few days may&mdash;nay, must&mdash;cast
+the die between Charles and his opponents; and,
+ere making so great a surrender, it were as well to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span>
+be assured that he whom we would propitiate is in
+capacity to assist us. All the events of a tragic and
+varied life have led me to see there is no such thing
+as an inconsiderable enemy. I will make haste,
+however, trusting in the interim we may have good
+news from the banks of the lake at Neufchatel."</p>
+
+<p>"But who shall be employed to draw these most
+important deeds?" said the young man.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret mused ere she replied,&mdash;"The Father
+Guardian is complaisant, and I think faithful; but
+I would not willingly repose confidence in one of
+the Provençal monks. Stay, let me think&mdash;your
+father says the Carmelite who brought the letter
+may be trusted&mdash;he shall do the turn. He is a
+stranger, and will be silent for a piece of money.
+Farewell, Arthur de Vere.&mdash;You will be treated
+with all hospitality by my father. If thou dost
+receive further tidings, thou wilt let me know
+them; or, should I have instructions to send, thou
+wilt hear from me.&mdash;So, benedicite."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur proceeded to wind down the mountain
+at a much quicker pace than he had ascended on
+the day before. The weather was now gloriously
+serene, and the beauties of vegetation, in a country
+where it never totally slumbers, were at once delicious
+and refreshing. His thoughts wandered from
+the crags of Mont St. Victoire to the cliff of the
+canton of Unterwalden, and fancy recalled the
+moments when his walks through such scenery
+were not solitary, but when there was a form by
+his side whose simple beauty was engraved on his
+memory. Such thoughts were of a preoccupying
+nature; and I grieve to say that they entirely
+drowned the recollection of the mysterious caution
+given him by his father, intimating that Arthur
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span>
+might not be able to comprehend such letters as
+he should receive from him, till they were warmed
+before a fire.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing which reminded him of this
+singular caution was the seeing a chafing-dish of
+charcoal in the kitchen of the hostelry at the bottom
+of the mountain, where he found Thiebault
+and his horses. This was the first fire which he
+had seen since receiving his father's letter, and it
+reminded him not unnaturally of what the Earl
+had recommended. Great was his surprise to see
+that, after exposing the paper to the fire as if to
+dry it, a word emerged in an important passage of
+the letter, and the concluding words now read,&mdash;"The
+bearer may <i>not</i> be trusted." Well-nigh
+choked with shame and vexation, Arthur could
+think of no other remedy than instantly to return
+to the convent, and acquaint the Queen with this
+discovery, which he hoped still to convey to her
+in time to prevent any risk being incurred by the
+Carmelite's treachery.</p>
+
+<p>Incensed at himself, and eager to redeem his
+fault, he bent his manly breast against the steep
+hill, which was probably never scaled in so short
+time as by the young heir of De Vere; for, within
+forty minutes from his commencing the ascent, he
+stood breathless and panting in the presence of
+Queen Margaret, who was alike surprised at his
+appearance and his exhausted condition.</p>
+
+<p>"Trust not the Carmelite!" he exclaimed&mdash;"You
+are betrayed, noble Queen, and it is by my
+negligence. Here is my dagger&mdash;bid me strike
+it into my heart!"</p>
+
+<p>Margaret demanded and obtained a more special
+explanation, and when it was given she said, "It
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span>
+is an unhappy chance; but your father's instructions
+ought to have been more distinct. I have
+told yonder Carmelite the purpose of the contracts,
+and engaged with him to draw them. He has but
+now left me to serve at the choir. There is no
+withdrawing the confidence I have unhappily
+placed; but I can easily prevail with the Father
+Guardian to prevent the monk from leaving the
+convent till we are indifferent to his secrecy. It
+is our best chance to secure it, and we will take
+care that what inconvenience he sustains by his
+detention shall be well recompensed. Meanwhile,
+rest thou, good Arthur, and undo the throat of thy
+mantle. Poor youth, thou art well-nigh exhausted
+with thy haste."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur obeyed, and sat down on a seat in the
+parlour; for the speed which he had exerted rendered
+him almost incapable of standing.</p>
+
+<p>"If I could but see," he said, "the false monk,
+I would find a way to charm him to secrecy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Better leave him to me," said the Queen;
+"and, in a word, I forbid you to meddle with
+him. The coif can treat better with the cowl
+than the casque can do. Say no more of him. I
+joy to see you wear around your neck the holy
+relic I bestowed on you;&mdash;but what Moorish
+charmlet is that you wear beside it? Alas! I
+need not ask. Your heightened colour, almost as
+deep as when you entered a quarter of an hour
+hence, confesses a true-love token. Alas! poor
+boy, hast thou not only such a share of thy country's
+woes to bear, but also thine own load of
+affliction, not the less poignant now that future
+time will show thee how fantastic it is! Margaret
+of Anjou could once have aided wherever thy affections
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span>
+were placed; but now she can only contribute
+to the misery of her friends, not to their happiness.
+But this lady of the charm, Arthur, is she
+fair&mdash;is she wise and virtuous&mdash;is she of noble
+birth&mdash;and does she love?"&mdash;She perused his
+countenance with the glance of an eagle, and continued,
+"To all, thou wouldst answer Yes, if
+shamefacedness permitted thee. Love her then in
+turn, my gallant boy, for love is the parent of
+brave actions. Go, my noble youth&mdash;high-born
+and loyal, valorous and virtuous, enamoured and
+youthful, to what mayst thou not rise? The chivalry
+of ancient Europe only lives in a bosom like
+thine. Go, and let the praises of a Queen fire thy
+bosom with the love of honour and achievement.
+In three days we meet at Aix."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, highly gratified with the Queen's condescension,
+once more left her presence.</p>
+
+<p>Returning down the mountain with a speed very
+different from that which he had used in the
+ascent, he again found his Provençal squire, who
+had remained in much surprise at witnessing the
+confusion in which his master had left the inn,
+almost immediately after he had entered it without
+any apparent haste or agitation. Arthur explained
+his hasty return by alleging he had forgot
+his purse at the convent. "Nay, in that case,"
+said Thiebault, "considering what you left and
+where you left it, I do not wonder at your speed,
+though, Our Lady save me, as I never saw living
+creature, save a goat with a wolf at his heels,
+make his way over crag and briers with half such
+rapidity as you did."</p>
+
+<p>They reached Aix after about an hour's riding,
+and Arthur lost no time in waiting upon the good
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span>
+King René, who gave him a kind reception, both
+in respect of the letter from the Duke of Burgundy,
+and in consideration of his being an Englishman,
+the avowed subject of the unfortunate Margaret.
+The placable monarch soon forgave his young guest
+the want of complaisance with which he had
+eschewed to listen to his compositions; and Arthur
+speedily found that to apologise for his want of
+breeding in that particular was likely to lead to
+a great deal more rehearsing than he could find
+patience to tolerate. He could only avoid the old
+King's extreme desire to recite his own poems,
+and perform his own music, by engaging him in
+speaking of his daughter Margaret. Arthur had
+been sometimes induced to doubt the influence
+which the Queen boasted herself to possess over
+her aged father; but, on being acquainted with
+him personally, he became convinced that her
+powerful understanding and violent passions inspired
+the feeble-minded and passive King with a
+mixture of pride, affection, and fear, which united
+to give her the most ample authority over him.</p>
+
+<p>Although she had parted with him but a day
+or two since, and in a manner so ungracious on
+her side, René was as much overjoyed at hearing
+of the probability of her speedy return, as the
+fondest father could have been at the prospect of
+being reunited to the most dutiful child, whom
+he had not seen for years. The old King was
+impatient as a boy for the day of her arrival, and,
+still strangely unenlightened on the difference of
+her taste from his own, he was with difficulty
+induced to lay aside a project of meeting her in
+the character of old Palemon,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>The prince of shepherds, and their pride,</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span></p>
+
+<p>at the head of an Arcadian procession of nymphs
+and swains, to inspire whose choral dances and
+songs every pipe and tambourine in the country
+was to be placed in requisition. Even the old
+seneschal, however, intimated his disapprobation
+of this species of <i>joyeuse entrée</i>; so that René
+suffered himself at length to be persuaded that
+the Queen was too much occupied by the religious
+impressions to which she had been of late exposed,
+to receive any agreeable sensation from sights or
+sounds of levity. The King gave way to reasons
+which he could not sympathise with; and thus
+Margaret escaped the shock of welcome, which
+would perhaps have driven her in her impatience
+back to the mountain of St. Victoire, and the
+sable cavern of Lou Garagoule.</p>
+
+<p>During the time of her absence, the days of the
+court of Provence were employed in sports and
+rejoicings of every description; tilting at the
+barrier with blunted spears, riding at the ring,
+parties for hare-hunting and falconry, frequented
+by the youth of both sexes, in the company of
+whom the King delighted, while the evenings
+were consumed in dancing and music.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur could not but be sensible that not long
+since all this would have made him perfectly
+happy; but the last months of his existence had
+developed his understanding and passions. He was
+now initiated in the actual business of human life,
+and looked on its amusements with an air of something
+like contempt; so that among the young and
+gay noblesse who composed this merry court he acquired
+the title of the youthful philosopher, which
+was not bestowed upon him, it may be supposed, as
+inferring anything of peculiar compliment.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On the fourth day news was received, by an
+express messenger, that Queen Margaret would
+enter Aix before the hour of noon, to resume her
+residence in her father's palace. The good King
+René seemed, as it drew nigh, to fear the interview
+with his daughter as much as he had previously
+desired it, and contrived to make all
+around him partake of his fidgety anxiety. He
+tormented his steward and cooks to recollect what
+dishes they had ever observed her to taste of with
+approbation&mdash;he pressed the musicians to remember
+the tunes which she approved; and when one
+of them boldly replied he had never known her
+Majesty endure any strain with patience, the old
+monarch threatened to turn him out of his service
+for slandering the taste of his daughter. The
+banquet was ordered to be served at half past
+eleven, as if accelerating it would have had the
+least effect upon hurrying the arrival of the expected
+guests; and the old King, with his napkin
+over his arm, traversed the hall from window
+to window, wearying every one with questions,
+whether they saw anything of the Queen of England.
+Exactly as the bells tolled noon, the Queen,
+with a very small retinue, chiefly English, and in
+mourning habits like herself, rode into the town
+of Aix. King René, at the head of his court,
+failed not to descend from the front of his stately
+palace, and move along the street to meet his
+daughter. Lofty, proud, and jealous of incurring
+ridicule, Margaret was not pleased with this public
+greeting in the market-place. But she was
+desirous at present to make amends for her late
+petulance, and therefore she descended from her
+palfrey; and, although something shocked at seeing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span>
+René equipped with a napkin, she humbled herself
+to bend the knee to him, asking at once his blessing
+and forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou hast&mdash;thou hast my blessing, my suffering
+dove," said the simple King to the proudest
+and most impatient princess that ever wept for a
+lost crown.&mdash;"And for thy pardon, how canst
+thou ask it, who never didst me an offence since
+God made me father to so gracious a child?&mdash;Rise,
+I say rise&mdash;nay, it is for me to ask thy pardon&mdash;True,
+I said in my ignorance, and thought
+within myself, that my heart had indited a goodly
+thing&mdash;but it vexed thee. It is therefore for me
+to crave pardon."&mdash;And down sank good King
+René upon both knees; and the people, who are
+usually captivated with anything resembling the
+trick of the scene, applauded with much noise,
+and some smothered laughter, a situation in which
+the royal daughter and her parent seemed about to
+rehearse the scene of the Roman Charity.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret, sensitively alive to shame, and fully
+aware that her present position was sufficiently
+ludicrous in its publicity at least, signed sharply
+to Arthur, whom she saw in the King's suite, to
+come to her; and, using his arm to rise, she muttered
+to him aside, and in English,&mdash;"To what
+saint shall I vow myself, that I may preserve
+patience when I so much need it!"</p>
+
+<p>"For pity's sake, royal madam, recall your
+firmness of mind and composure," whispered her
+esquire, who felt at the moment more embarrassed
+than honoured by his distinguished office, for he
+could feel that the Queen actually trembled with
+vexation and impatience.</p>
+
+<p>They at length resumed their route to the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span>
+palace, the father and daughter arm in arm&mdash;a
+posture most agreeable to Margaret, who could
+bring herself to endure her father's effusions of
+tenderness, and the general tone of his conversation,
+so that he was not overheard by others. In
+the same manner, she bore with laudable patience
+the teasing attentions which he addressed to her
+at table, noticed some of his particular courtiers,
+inquired after others, led the way to his favourite
+subjects of conversation on poetry, painting, and
+music, till the good King was as much delighted
+with the unwonted civilities of his daughter as
+ever was lover with the favourable confessions of
+his mistress, when, after years of warm courtship,
+the ice of her bosom is at length thawed. It cost
+the haughty Margaret an effort to bend herself to
+play this part&mdash;her pride rebuked her for stooping
+to flatter her father's foibles, in order to bring him
+over to the resignation of his dominions&mdash;yet
+having undertaken to do so, and so much having
+been already hazarded upon this sole remaining
+chance of success in an attack upon England, she
+saw, or was willing to see, no alternative.</p>
+
+<p>Betwixt the banquet and the ball by which it
+was to be followed, the Queen sought an opportunity
+of speaking to Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Bad news, my sage counsellor," she said.
+"The Carmelite never returned to the convent
+after the service was over. Having learned that
+you had come back in great haste, he had, I suppose,
+concluded he might stand in suspicion, so
+he left the convent of Mont St. Victoire."</p>
+
+<p>"We must hasten the measures which your
+Majesty has resolved to adopt," answered Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I will speak with my father to-morrow.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span>
+Meanwhile, you must enjoy the pleasures of the
+evening, for to you they may be pleasures.&mdash;Young
+lady of Boisgelin, I give you this cavalier
+to be your partner for the evening."</p>
+
+<p>The black-eyed and pretty Provençale curtseyed
+with due decorum, and glanced at the handsome
+young Englishman with an eye of approbation;
+but whether afraid of his character as a philosopher,
+or his doubtful rank, added the saving
+clause,&mdash;"If my mother approves."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mother, damsel, will scarce, I think,
+disapprove of any partner whom you receive from
+the hands of Margaret of Anjou. Happy privilege
+of youth," she added with a sigh, as the youthful
+couple went off to take their place in the <i>bransle</i>,<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>
+
+"which can snatch a flower even on the roughest
+road!"</p>
+
+<p>Arthur acquitted himself so well during the
+evening, that perhaps the young Countess was only
+sorry that so gay and handsome a gallant limited
+his compliments and attentions within the cold
+bounds of that courtesy enjoined by the rules of
+ceremony.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>For I have given here my full consent</p>
+<p>To undeck the pompous body of a king,</p>
+<p>Make glory base, and sovereignty a slave,</p>
+<p>Proud majesty a subject, state a peasant.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Richard II.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The next day opened a grave scene. King René
+had not forgotten to arrange the pleasures of the
+day, when, to his horror and discomfiture, Margaret
+demanded an interview upon serious business.
+If there was a proposition in the world
+which René from his soul detested, it was any
+that related to the very name of business.</p>
+
+<p>"What was it that his child wanted?" he said.
+"Was it money? He would give her whatever
+ready sums he had, though he owned his exchequer
+was somewhat bare; yet he had received his income
+for the season. It was ten thousand crowns.
+How much should he desire to be paid to her?&mdash;the
+half&mdash;three parts&mdash;or the whole? All was
+at her command."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, my dear father," said Margaret, "it is
+not my affairs, but your own, on which I desire
+to speak with you."</p>
+
+<p>"If the affairs are mine," said René, "I am
+surely master to put them off to another day&mdash;to
+some rainy dull day, fit for no better purpose.
+See, my love, the hawking-party are all on their
+steeds and ready&mdash;the horses are neighing and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span>
+pawing&mdash;the gallants and maidens mounted, and
+ready with hawk on fist&mdash;the spaniels struggling
+in the leash. It were a sin, with wind and weather
+to friend, to lose so lovely a morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Let them ride their way," said Queen Margaret,
+"and find their sport; for the matter I have
+to speak concerning involves honour and rank, life
+and means of living."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, but I have to hear and judge between
+Calezon and John of Acqua Mortis, the two most
+celebrated Troubadours."</p>
+
+<p>"Postpone their cause till to-morrow," said
+Margaret, "and dedicate an hour or two to more
+important affairs."</p>
+
+<p>"If you are peremptory," replied King René,
+"you are aware, my child, I cannot say you
+nay."</p>
+
+<p>And with reluctance he gave orders for the
+hawkers to go on and follow their sport, as he
+could not attend them that day.</p>
+
+<p>The old King then suffered himself, like an unwilling
+greyhound withheld from the chase, to be
+led into a separate apartment. To insure privacy,
+Margaret stationed her secretary Mordaunt, with
+Arthur, in an antechamber, giving them orders
+to prevent all intrusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, for myself, Margaret," said the good-natured
+old man, "since it must be, I consent to
+be put <i>au secret</i>; but why keep old Mordaunt from
+taking a walk in this beautiful morning; and why
+prevent young Arthur from going forth with the
+rest? I promise you, though they term him a
+philosopher, yet he showed as light a pair of heels
+last night, with the young Countess de Boisgelin,
+as any gallant in Provence."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"They are come from a country," said Margaret,
+"in which men are trained from infancy to prefer
+their duty to their pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>The poor King, led into the council-closet, saw
+with internal shuddering the fatal cabinet of
+ebony, bound with silver, which had never been
+opened but to overwhelm him with weariness, and
+dolefully calculated how many yawns he must
+strangle ere he sustained the consideration of its
+contents. They proved, however, when laid before
+him, of a kind that excited even his interest,
+though painfully.</p>
+
+<p>His daughter presented him with a short and
+clear view of the debts which were secured on his
+dominions, and for which they were mortgaged in
+various pieces and parcels. She then showed him,
+by another schedule, the large claims of which
+payment was instantly demanded, to discharge
+which no funds could be found or assigned. The
+King defended himself like others in his forlorn
+situation. To every claim of six, seven, or eight
+thousand ducats, he replied by the assertion that
+he had ten thousand crowns in his chancery, and
+showed some reluctance to be convinced, till repeatedly
+urged upon him, that the same sum could
+not be adequate to the discharge of thirty times
+the amount.</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said the King, somewhat impatiently,
+"why not pay off those who are most pressing,
+and let the others wait till receipts come round?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is a practice which has been too often
+resorted to," replied the Queen, "and it is but a
+part of honesty to pay creditors who have advanced
+their all in your Grace's service."</p>
+
+<p>"But are we not," said René, "King of both the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">257</a></span>
+Sicilies, Naples, Arragon, and Jerusalem? And
+why is the monarch of such fair kingdoms to be
+pushed to the wall, like a bankrupt yeoman, for a
+few bags of paltry crowns?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are indeed monarch of these kingdoms,"
+said Margaret; "but is it necessary to remind your
+Majesty that it is but as I am Queen of England,
+in which I have not an acre of land, and cannot
+command a penny of revenue? You have no
+dominions which are a source of revenue, save
+those which you see in this scroll, with an exact
+list of the income they afford. It is totally
+inadequate, you see, to maintain your state, and
+to pay the large engagements incurred to former
+creditors."</p>
+
+<p>"It is cruel to press me to the wall thus," said
+the poor King. "What can I do? If I am poor,
+I cannot help it. I am sure I would pay the debts
+you talk of, if I knew the way."</p>
+
+<p>"Royal father, I will show it you.&mdash;Resign
+your useless and unavailing dignity, which, with
+the pretensions attending it, serves but to make
+your miseries ridiculous. Resign your rights as
+a sovereign, and the income which cannot be
+stretched out to the empty excesses of a beggarly
+court will enable you to enjoy, in ease and opulence,
+all the pleasures you most delight in, as
+a private baron."</p>
+
+<p>"Margaret, you speak folly," answered René,
+somewhat sternly. "A king and his people are
+bound by ties which neither can sever without
+guilt. My subjects are my flock, I am their shepherd.
+They are assigned to my governance by
+Heaven, and I dare not renounce the charge of
+protecting them."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">258</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Were you in condition to do so," answered the
+Queen, "Margaret would bid you fight to the death.
+But don your harness, long disused&mdash;mount your
+war-steed&mdash;cry, René for Provence! and see if a
+hundred men will gather round your standard.
+Your fortresses are in the hands of strangers; army
+you have none; your vassals may have good-will,
+but they lack all military skill and soldierlike
+discipline. You stand but the mere skeleton of
+monarchy, which France or Burgundy may prostrate
+on the earth, whichever first puts forth his
+arm to throw it down."</p>
+
+<p>The tears trickled fast down the old King's
+cheeks, when this unflattering prospect was set
+before him, and he could not forbear owning
+his total want of power to defend himself and
+his dominions, and admitting that he had often
+thought of the necessity of compounding for his
+resignation with one of his powerful neighbours.</p>
+
+<p>"It was thy interest, Margaret, harsh and severe
+as you are, which prevented my entering, before
+now, into measures most painful to my feelings,
+but perhaps best calculated for my advantage.
+But I had hoped it would hold on for my day;
+and thou, my child, with the talents Heaven has
+given thee, wouldst, I thought, have found remedy
+for distresses which I cannot escape, otherwise
+than by shunning the thoughts of them."</p>
+
+<p>"If it is in earnest you speak of my interest,"
+said Margaret, "know, that your resigning Provence
+will satisfy the nearest, and almost the only
+wish that my bosom can form; but, so judge me
+Heaven, as it is on your account, gracious sire, as
+well as mine, that I advise your compliance."</p>
+
+<p>"Say no more on't, child; give me the parchment
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span>
+of resignation, and I will sign it: I see thou
+hast it ready drawn; let us sign it, and then
+we will overtake the hawkers. We must suffer
+woe, but there is little need to sit down and weep
+for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you not ask," said Margaret, surprised at
+his apathy, "to whom you cede your dominions?"</p>
+
+<p>"What boots it," answered the King, "since
+they must be no more my own? It must be either
+to Charles of Burgundy, or my nephew Louis&mdash;both
+powerful and politic princes. God send my
+poor people may have no cause to wish their old
+man back again, whose only pleasure was to see
+them happy and mirthful."</p>
+
+<p>"It is to Burgundy you resign Provence," said
+Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>"I would have preferred him," answered René;
+"he is fierce, but not malignant. One word more.
+Are my subjects' privileges and immunities fully
+secured?"</p>
+
+<p>"Amply," replied the Queen; "and your own
+wants of all kinds honourably provided for. I
+would not leave the stipulations in your favour
+in blank, though I might perhaps have trusted
+Charles of Burgundy, where money alone is concerned."</p>
+
+<p>"I ask not for myself&mdash;with my viol and my
+pencil, René the Troubadour will be as happy as
+ever was René the King."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, with practical philosophy he whistled
+the burden of his last composed ariette, and signed
+away the rest of his royal possessions without pulling
+off his glove, or even reading the instrument.</p>
+
+<p>"What is this?" he said, looking at another
+and separate parchment of much briefer contents.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span>
+"Must my kinsman Charles have both the Sicilies,
+Catalonia, Naples, and Jerusalem, as well as the
+poor remainder of Provence? Methinks, in decency,
+some greater extent of parchment should
+have been allowed to so ample a cession."</p>
+
+<p>"That deed," said Margaret, "only disowns and
+relinquishes all countenance of Ferrand de Vaudemont's
+rash attempt on Lorraine, and renounces
+all quarrel on that account against Charles of
+Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>For once Margaret miscalculated the tractability
+of her father's temper. René positively started,
+coloured, and stammered with passion, as he interrupted
+her&mdash;"<i>Only</i> disown&mdash;<i>only</i> relinquish&mdash;<i>only</i>
+renounce the cause of my grandchild, the son
+of my dear Yolande&mdash;his rightful claims on his
+mother's inheritance!&mdash;Margaret, I am ashamed
+for thee. Thy pride is an excuse for thy evil
+temper but what is pride worth which can stoop
+to commit an act of dishonourable meanness? To
+desert, nay, disown, my own flesh and blood, because
+the youth is a bold knight under shield, and
+disposed to battle for his right&mdash;I were worthy
+that harp and horn rung out shame on me, should
+I listen to thee."</p>
+
+<p>Margaret was overcome in some measure by
+the old man's unexpected opposition. She endeavoured,
+however, to show that there was no
+occasion, in point of honour, why René should
+engage in the cause of a wild adventurer, whose
+right, be it good be it bad, was only upheld by
+some petty and underhand supplies of money
+from France, and the countenance of a few of the
+restless banditti who inhabit the borders of all
+nations. But ere René could answer, voices, raised
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">261</a></span>
+to an unusual pitch, were heard in the antechamber,
+the door of which was flung open by an armed
+knight, covered with dust, who exhibited all the
+marks of a long journey.</p>
+
+<p>"Here I am," he said, "father of my mother&mdash;behold
+your grandson&mdash;Ferrand de Vaudemont;
+the son of your lost Yolande kneels at your feet,
+and implores a blessing on him and his enterprise."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou hast it," replied René, "and may it
+prosper with thee, gallant youth, image of thy
+sainted mother&mdash;my blessings, my prayers, my
+hopes, go with you!"</p>
+
+<p>"And you, fair aunt of England," said the
+young knight, addressing Margaret, "you who are
+yourself dispossessed by traitors, will you not own
+the cause of a kinsman who is struggling for his
+inheritance?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish all good to your person, fair nephew,"
+answered the Queen of England, "although your
+features are strange to me. But to advise this old
+man to adopt your cause, when it is desperate in
+the eyes of all wise men, were impious madness."</p>
+
+<p>"Is my cause then so desperate?" said Ferrand.
+"Forgive me if I was not aware of it. And does
+my aunt Margaret say this, whose strength of
+mind supported Lancaster so long, after the spirits
+of her warriors had been quelled by defeat? What&mdash;forgive
+me, for my cause must be pleaded&mdash;what
+would you have said had my mother Yolande
+been capable to advise her father to disown your
+own Edward, had God permitted him to reach
+Provence in safety?"</p>
+
+<p>"Edward," said Margaret, weeping as she spoke,
+"was incapable of desiring his friends to espouse
+a quarrel that was irremediable. His, too, was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span>
+a cause for which mighty princes and peers laid
+lance in rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet Heaven blessed it not&mdash;" said Vaudemont.</p>
+
+<p>"Thine," continued Margaret, "is but embraced
+by the robber nobles of Germany, the upstart
+burghers of the Rhine cities, the paltry and clownish
+Confederates of the Cantons."</p>
+
+<p>"But Heaven <i>has blessed it</i>," replied Vaudemont.
+"Know, proud woman, that I come to interrupt
+your treacherous intrigues; no petty adventurer,
+subsisting and maintaining warfare by sleight
+rather than force, but a conqueror from a bloody
+field of battle, in which Heaven has tamed the
+pride of the tyrant of Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"It is false!" said the Queen, starting. "I
+believe it not."</p>
+
+<p>"It is true," said De Vaudemont, "as true as
+heaven is above us.&mdash;It is four days since I left
+the field of Granson (<a href="#ednote_d" name="enanchor_d" id="enanchor_d" ><i>d</i></a>), heaped with Burgundy's
+mercenaries&mdash;his wealth, his jewels, his plate,
+his magnificent decorations, the prize of the poor
+Swiss, who scarce can tell their value. Know
+you this, Queen Margaret?" continued the young
+soldier, showing the well-known jewel which
+decorated the Duke's Order of the Golden Fleece;
+"think you not the lion was closely hunted when
+he left such trophies as these behind him?"</p>
+
+<p>Margaret looked, with dazzled eyes and bewildered
+thoughts, upon a token which confirmed the
+Duke's defeat, and the extinction of her last
+hopes. Her father, on the contrary, was struck
+with the heroism of the young warrior, a quality
+which, except as it existed in his daughter Margaret,
+had, he feared, taken leave of his family.
+Admiring in his heart the youth who exposed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span>
+himself to danger for the meed of praise, almost as
+much as he did the poets by whom the warrior's
+fame is rendered immortal, he hugged his grandson
+to his bosom, bidding him "gird on his sword
+in strength," and assuring him, if money could
+advance his affairs, he, King René, could command
+ten thousand crowns, any part, or the whole of
+which, was at Ferrand's command; thus giving
+proof of what had been said of him, that his head
+was incapable of containing two ideas at the same
+time.</p>
+
+<p>We return to Arthur, who, with the Queen of
+England's secretary, Mordaunt, had been not a
+little surprised by the entrance of the Count de
+Vaudemont, calling himself Duke of Lorraine,
+into the anteroom, in which they kept a kind of
+guard, followed by a tall strong Swiss, with a
+huge halberd over his shoulder. The prince naming
+himself, Arthur did not think it becoming to
+oppose his entrance to the presence of his grandfather
+and aunt, especially as it was obvious that
+his opposition must have created an affray. In
+the huge staring halberdier, who had sense enough
+to remain in the anteroom, Arthur was not a little
+surprised to recognise Sigismund Biederman, who,
+after staring wildly at him for a moment, like a
+dog which suddenly recognises a favourite, rushed
+up to the young Englishman with a wild cry of
+gladness, and in hurried accents told him how
+happy he was to meet with him, and that he had
+matters of importance to tell him. It was at no
+time easy for Sigismund to arrange his ideas, and
+now they were altogether confused, by the triumphant
+joy which he expressed for the recent victory
+of his countrymen over the Duke of Burgundy;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264</a></span>
+and it was with wonder that Arthur heard his
+confused and rude but faithful tale.</p>
+
+<p>"Look you, King Arthur, the Duke had come
+up with his huge army as far as Granson, which
+is near the outlet of the great lake of Neufchatel.
+There were five or six hundred Confederates in the
+place, and they held it till provisions failed, and
+then you know they were forced to give it over.
+But though hunger is hard to bear, they had better
+have borne it a day or two longer, for the butcher
+Charles hung them all up by the neck, upon trees
+round the place,&mdash;and there was no swallowing
+for them, you know, after such usage as that.
+Meanwhile all was busy on our hills, and every
+man that had a sword or lance accoutred himself
+with it. We met at Neufchatel, and some Germans
+joined us with the noble Duke of Lorraine.
+Ah, King Arthur, there is a leader!&mdash;we all think
+him second but to Rudolph of Donnerhugel&mdash;you
+saw him even now&mdash;it was he that went
+into that room&mdash;and you saw him before,&mdash;it is
+he that was the Blue Knight of Bâle; but we
+called him Laurenz then, for Rudolph said his
+presence among us must not be known to our
+father, and I did not know myself at that time
+who he really was. Well, when we came to Neufchatel
+we were a goodly company; we were fifteen
+thousand stout Confederates, and of others, Germans
+and Lorraine men, I will warrant you five
+thousand more. We heard that the Burgundian
+was sixty thousand in the field; but we heard, at
+the same time, that Charles had hung up our
+brethren like dogs, and the man was not among
+us&mdash;among the Confederates, I mean&mdash;who would
+stay to count heads, when the question was to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">265</a></span>
+avenge them. I would you could have heard the
+roar of fifteen thousand Swiss demanding to be led
+against the butcher of their brethren! My father
+himself, who, you know, is usually so eager for
+peace, now gave the first voice for battle; so, in
+the grey of the morning, we descended the lake
+towards Granson, with tears in our eyes and weapons
+in our hands, determined to have death or
+vengeance. We came to a sort of strait, between
+Vauxmoreux and the lake; there were horse on
+the level ground between the mountain and the
+lake, and a large body of infantry on the side of
+the hill. The Duke of Lorraine and his followers
+engaged the horse, while we climbed the hill to
+dispossess the infantry. It was with us the affair
+of a moment. Every man of us was at home
+among the crags, and Charles's men were stuck
+among them as thou wert, Arthur, when thou
+didst first come to Geierstein. But there were no
+kind maidens to lend them their hands to help
+them down. No, no&mdash;There were pikes, clubs,
+and halberds, many a one, to dash and thrust them
+from places where they could hardly keep their
+feet had there been no one to disturb them. So
+the horsemen, pushed by the Lorrainers, and seeing
+us upon their flanks, fled as fast as their horses
+could carry them. Then we drew together again
+on a fair field, which is <i>buon campagna</i>, as the
+Italian says, where the hills retire from the lake.
+But lo you, we had scarce arrayed our ranks, when
+we heard such a din and clash of instruments,
+such a trample of their great horses, such a shouting
+and crying of men, as if all the soldiers, and
+all the minstrels in France and Germany, were
+striving which should make the loudest noise.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">266</a></span>
+Then there was a huge cloud of dust approaching
+us, and we began to see we must do or die, for
+this was Charles and his whole army come to
+support his vanguard. A blast from the mountain
+dispersed the dust, for they had halted to prepare
+for battle. Oh, good Arthur! you would have
+given ten years of life but to have seen the sight.
+There were thousands of horse all in complete
+array, glancing against the sun, and hundreds of
+knights with crowns of gold and silver on their
+helmets, and thick masses of spears on foot, and
+cannon, as they call them. I did not know what
+things they were, which they drew on heavily
+with bullocks and placed before their army, but I
+knew more of them before the morning was over.
+Well, we were ordered to draw up in a hollow
+square, as we are taught at exercise, and before we
+pushed forwards we were commanded, as is the
+godly rule and guise of our warfare, to kneel down
+and pray to God, Our Lady, and the blessed saints;
+and we afterwards learned that Charles, in his
+arrogance, thought we asked for mercy&mdash;Ha! ha!
+ha! a proper jest. If my father once knelt to
+him, it was for the sake of Christian blood and
+godly peace; but on the field of battle Arnold
+Biederman would not have knelt to him and his
+whole chivalry, though he had stood alone with
+his sons on that field. Well, but Charles, supposing
+we asked grace, was determined to show
+us that we had asked it at a graceless face, for he
+cried, 'Fire my cannon on the coward slaves; it
+is all the mercy they have to expect from me!'&mdash;Bang&mdash;bang&mdash;bang&mdash;off
+went the things I told
+you of, like thunder and lightning, and some mischief
+they did, but the less that we were kneeling;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span>
+and the saints doubtless gave the huge balls a
+hoist over the heads of those who were asking
+grace from them, but from no mortal creatures.
+So we had the signal to rise and rush on, and I
+promise you there were no sluggards. Every man
+felt ten men's strength. My halberd is no child's
+toy&mdash;if you have forgotten it, there it is&mdash;and
+yet it trembled in my grasp as if it had been a
+willow wand to drive cows with. On we went,
+when suddenly the cannon were silent, and the
+earth shook with another and continued growl and
+battering, like thunder under ground. It was the
+men-at-arms rushing to charge us. But our leaders
+knew their trade, and had seen such a sight before&mdash;it
+was, Halt, halt&mdash;kneel down in the front&mdash;stoop
+in the second rank&mdash;close shoulder to
+shoulder like brethren, lean all spears forward and
+receive them like an iron wall! On they rushed,
+and there was a rending of lances that would have
+served the Unterwalden old women with splinters
+of firewood for a twelvemonth. Down went armed
+horse&mdash;down went accoutred knight&mdash;down went
+banner and bannerman&mdash;down went peaked boot
+and crowned helmet, and of those who fell not a
+man escaped with life. So they drew off in confusion,
+and were getting in order to charge again,
+when the noble Duke Ferrand and his horsemen
+dashed at them in their own way, and we moved
+onward to support him. Thus on we pressed, and
+the foot hardly waited for us, seeing their cavalry
+so handled. Then if you had seen the dust and
+heard the blows! the noise of a hundred thousand
+thrashers, the flight of the chaff which they
+drive about, would be but a type of it. On my
+word, I almost thought it shame to dash about
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span>
+my halberd, the rout was so helplessly piteous.
+Hundreds were slain unresisting, and the whole
+army was in complete flight."</p>
+
+<p>"My father&mdash;my father!" exclaimed Arthur.
+"In such a rout, what can have become of him?"</p>
+
+<p>"He escaped safely," said the Swiss; "fled
+with Charles."</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been a bloody field ere he fled,"
+replied the Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," answered Sigismund, "he took no part
+in the fight, but merely remained by Charles; and
+prisoners said it was well for us, for that he is
+a man of great counsel and action in the wars.
+And as to flying, a man in such a matter must go
+back if he cannot press forward, and there is no
+shame in it, especially if you be not engaged in
+your own person."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke thus, their conversation was interrupted
+by Mordaunt, with "Hush, hush&mdash;the
+King and Queen come forth."</p>
+
+<p>"What am I to do?" said Sigismund, in some
+alarm. "I care not for the Duke of Lorraine;
+but what am I to do when kings and queens
+enter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do nothing but rise, unbonnet yourself, and be
+silent."</p>
+
+<p>Sigismund did as he was directed.</p>
+
+<p>King René came forth arm in arm with his
+grandson; and Margaret followed, with deep disappointment
+and vexation on her brow. She
+signed to Arthur as she passed, and said to him&mdash;"Make
+thyself master of the truth of this most
+unexpected news, and bring the particulars to me.
+Mordaunt will introduce thee."</p>
+
+<p>She then cast a look on the young Swiss, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span>
+replied courteously to his awkward salutation.
+The royal party then left the room, René bent on
+carrying his grandson to the sporting-party, which
+had been interrupted, and Margaret to seek the
+solitude of her private apartment, and await the
+confirmation of what she regarded as evil tidings.</p>
+
+<p>They were no sooner passed than Sigismund
+observed,&mdash;"And so that is a King and Queen!&mdash;Peste!
+the King looks somewhat like old Jacomo,
+the violer, that used to scrape on the fiddle to us
+when he came to Geierstein in his rounds. But
+the Queen is a stately creature. The chief cow of
+the herd, who carries the bouquets and garlands,
+and leads the rest to the chalet, has not a statelier
+pace. And how deftly you approached her and
+spoke to her! I could not have done it with
+so much grace&mdash;But it is like that you have
+served apprentice to the court trade?"</p>
+
+<p>"Leave that for the present, good Sigismund,"
+answered Arthur, "and tell me more of this
+battle."</p>
+
+<p>"By St. Mary, but I must have some victuals
+and drink first," said Sigismund, "if your credit
+in this fine place reaches so far."</p>
+
+<p>"Doubt it not, Sigismund," said Arthur; and,
+by the intervention of Mordaunt, he easily procured,
+in a more retired apartment, a collation and
+wine, to which the young Biederman did great
+honour, smacking his lips with much gusto after
+the delicious wines, to which, in spite of his
+father's ascetic precepts, his palate was beginning
+to be considerably formed and habituated. When
+he found himself alone with a flask of <i>côté roti</i> and
+a biscuit, and his friend Arthur, he was easily led
+to continue his tale of conquest.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;where was I?&mdash;Oh, where we broke
+their infantry&mdash;well&mdash;they never rallied, and
+fell into greater confusion at every step&mdash;and we
+might have slaughtered one half of them, had we
+not stopped to examine Charles's camp. Mercy
+on us, Arthur, what a sight was there! Every
+pavilion was full of rich clothes, splendid armour,
+and great dishes and flagons, which some men
+said were of silver; but I knew there was not so
+much silver in the world, and was sure they must
+be of pewter, rarely burnished. Here there were
+hosts of laced lackeys, and grooms, and pages, and
+as many attendants as there were soldiers in the
+army; and thousands, for what I knew, of pretty
+maidens. By the same token, both menials and
+maidens placed themselves at the disposal of the
+victors; but I promise you that my father was
+right severe on any who would abuse the rights of
+war. But some of our young men did not mind
+him, till he taught them obedience with the staff
+of his halberd. Well, Arthur, there was fine
+plundering, for the Germans and French that were
+with us rifled everything, and some of our men
+followed the example&mdash;it is very catching&mdash;So I
+got into Charles's own pavilion, where Rudolph
+and some of his people were trying to keep out
+every one, that he might have the spoiling of it
+himself, I think; but neither he, nor any Bernese
+of them all, dared lay truncheon over my pate; so
+I entered, and saw them putting piles of pewter-trenchers,
+so clean as to look like silver, into
+chests and trunks. I pressed through them into
+the inner place, and there was Charles's pallet-bed&mdash;I
+will do him justice, it was the only hard one
+in his camp&mdash;and there were fine sparkling stones
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span>
+and pebbles lying about among gauntlets, boots,
+vambraces, and suchlike gear&mdash;So I thought of
+your father and you, and looked for something,
+when what should I see but my old friend here"
+(here he drew Queen Margaret's necklace from his
+bosom), "which I knew, because you remember I
+recovered it from the Scharfgerichter at Brisach.&mdash;'Oho!
+you pretty sparklers,' said I, 'you shall be
+Burgundian no longer, but go back to my honest
+English friends,' and therefore"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It is of immense value," said Arthur, "and
+belongs not to my father or to me, but to the Queen
+you saw but now."</p>
+
+<p>"And she will become it rarely," answered
+Sigismund. "Were she but a score, or a score
+and a half years younger, she were a gallant wife
+for a Swiss landholder. I would warrant her to
+keep his household in high order."</p>
+
+<p>"She will reward thee liberally for recovering
+her property," said Arthur, scarce suppressing a
+smile at the idea of the proud Margaret becoming
+the housewife of a Swiss shepherd.</p>
+
+<p>"How&mdash;reward!" said the Swiss. "Bethink
+thee I am Sigismund Biederman, the son of the
+Landamman of Unterwalden&mdash;I am not a base
+lanzknecht, to be paid for courtesy with piastres.
+Let her grant me a kind word of thanks, or the
+matter of a kiss, and I am well contented."</p>
+
+<p>"A kiss of her hand, perhaps," said Arthur,
+again smiling at his friend's simplicity.</p>
+
+<p>"Umph, the hand! Well, it may do for a
+queen of some fifty years and odd, but would be
+poor homage to a Queen of May."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur here brought back the youth to the subject
+of his battle, and learned that the slaughter
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span>
+of the Duke's forces in the flight had been in no
+degree equal to the importance of the action.</p>
+
+<p>"Many rode off on horseback," said Sigismund;
+"and our German <i>reiters</i> flew on the spoil, when
+they should have followed the chase. And besides,
+to speak truth, Charles's camp delayed our
+very selves in the pursuit; but had we gone half
+a mile farther, and seen our friends hanging on
+trees, not a Confederate would have stopped from the
+chase while he had limbs to carry him in pursuit."</p>
+
+<p>"And what has become of the Duke?"</p>
+
+<p>"Charles has retreated into Burgundy, like a
+boar who has felt the touch of the spear, and is
+more enraged than hurt; but is, they say, sad and
+sulky. Others report that he has collected all his
+scattered army, and immense forces besides, and
+has screwed his subjects to give him money, so
+that we may expect another brush. But all Switzerland
+will join us after such a victory."</p>
+
+<p>"And my father is with him?" said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly he is, and has in a right godly manner
+tried to set afoot a treaty of peace with my own
+father. But it will scarce succeed. Charles is as
+mad as ever; and our people are right proud of our
+victory, and so they well may. Nevertheless, my
+father forever preaches that such victories, and
+such heaps of wealth, will change our ancient
+manners, and that the ploughman will leave his
+labour to turn soldier. He says much about it;
+but why money, choice meat and wine, and fine
+clothing should do so much harm, I cannot bring
+my poor brains to see&mdash;And many better heads
+than mine are as much puzzled.&mdash;Here's to you,
+friend Arthur!&mdash;This is choice liquor!"</p>
+
+<p>"And what brings you and your general, Prince
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span>
+Ferrand, post to Nancy?" said the young Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Faith, you are yourself the cause of our
+journey."</p>
+
+<p>"I the cause?" said Arthur.&mdash;"Why, how
+could that be?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it is said you and Queen Margaret are
+urging this old fiddling King René to yield up his
+territories to Charles, and to disown Ferrand in
+his claim upon Lorraine. And the Duke of Lorraine
+sent a man that you know well&mdash;that is,
+you do not know <i>him</i>, but you know some of his
+family, and he knows more of you than you wot&mdash;to
+put a spoke in your wheel, and prevent your
+getting for Charles the county of Provence, or preventing
+Ferrand being troubled or traversed in his
+natural rights over Lorraine."</p>
+
+<p>"On my word, Sigismund, I cannot comprehend
+you," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied the Swiss, "my lot is a hard
+one. All our house say that I can comprehend
+nothing, and I shall be next told that nobody can
+comprehend me.&mdash;Well, in plain language, I
+mean my uncle, Count Albert, as he calls himself,
+of Geierstein&mdash;my father's brother."</p>
+
+<p>"Anne of Geierstein's father!" echoed Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, truly; I thought we should find some
+mark to make you know him by."</p>
+
+<p>"But I never saw him."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, but you have, though&mdash;An able man he
+is, and knows more of every man's business than
+the man does himself. Oh! it was not for nothing
+that he married the daughter of a Salamander!"</p>
+
+<p>"Pshaw, Sigismund, how can you believe that
+nonsense?" answered Arthur.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Rudolph told me you were as much bewildered
+as I was that night at Graffs-lust," answered the
+Swiss.</p>
+
+<p>"If I were so, I was the greater ass for my
+pains," answered Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, but this uncle of mine has got some of
+the old conjuring books from the library at Arnheim,
+and they say he can pass from place to place
+with more than mortal speed; and that he is
+helped in his designs by mightier counsellors than
+mere men. Always, however, though so able and
+highly endowed, his gifts, whether coming from a
+lawful or unlawful quarter, bring him no abiding
+advantage. He is eternally plunged into strife
+and danger."</p>
+
+<p>"I know few particulars of his life," said
+Arthur, disguising as much as he could his anxiety
+to hear more of him; "but I have heard that he
+left Switzerland to join the Emperor."</p>
+
+<p>"True," answered the young Swiss, "and married
+the young Baroness of Arnheim,&mdash;but afterwards
+he incurred my namesake's imperial displeasure,
+and not less that of the Duke of Austria. They
+say you cannot live in Rome and strive with the
+Pope; so my uncle thought it best to cross the
+Rhine, and betake himself to Charles's court, who
+willingly received noblemen from all countries, so
+that they had good sounding names, with the title
+of Count, Marquis, Baron, or suchlike, to march
+in front of them. So my uncle was most kindly
+received; but within this year or two all this
+friendship has been broken up. Uncle Albert
+obtained a great lead in some mysterious societies,
+of which Charles disapproved, and set so hard at
+my poor uncle, that he was fain to take orders and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span>
+shave his hair, rather than lose his head. But
+though he cut off his hair, his brain remains as
+busy as ever; and although the Duke suffered him
+to be at large, yet he found him so often in his
+way, that all men believed he waited but an
+excuse for seizing upon him and putting him to
+death. But my uncle persists that he fears not
+Charles; and that, Duke as he is, Charles has more
+occasion to be afraid of him.&mdash;And so you saw
+how boldly he played his part at La Ferette."</p>
+
+<p>"By St. George of Windsor!" exclaimed Arthur,
+"the Black Priest of St. Paul's?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oho! you understand me now. Well, he took
+it upon him that Charles would not dare to punish
+him for his share in De Hagenbach's death; and
+no more did he, although uncle Albert sat and
+voted in the Estates of Burgundy, and stirred them
+up all he could to refuse giving Charles the money
+he asked of them. But when the Swiss war broke
+out, uncle Albert became assured his being a
+clergyman would be no longer his protection, and
+that the Duke intended to have him accused of
+corresponding with his brother and countrymen;
+and so he appeared suddenly in Ferrand's camp at
+Neufchatel, and sent a message to Charles that he
+renounced his allegiance, and bid him defiance."</p>
+
+<p>"A singular story of an active and versatile
+man," said the young Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you may seek the world for a man like
+uncle Albert. Then he knows everything; and he
+told Duke Ferrand what you were about here, and
+offered to go and bring more certain information&mdash;ay,
+though he left the Swiss camp but five or six
+days before the battle, and the distance between
+Arles and Neufchatel be four hundred miles complete,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span>
+yet he met him on his return, when Duke
+Ferrand, with me to show him the way, was hastening
+hitherward, having set off from the very
+field of battle."</p>
+
+<p>"Met him!" said Arthur&mdash;"Met whom?&mdash;Met
+the Black Priest of St. Paul's?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, I mean so," replied Sigismund; "but he
+was habited as a Carmelite monk."</p>
+
+<p>"A Carmelite!" said Arthur, a sudden light
+flashing on him; "and I was so blind as to recommend
+his services to the Queen! I remember well
+that he kept his face much concealed in his cowl&mdash;and
+I, foolish beast, to fall so grossly into the
+snare!&mdash;And yet perhaps it is as well the transaction
+was interrupted, since I fear, if carried successfully
+through, all must have been disconcerted
+by this astounding defeat."</p>
+
+<p>Their conversation had thus far proceeded, when
+Mordaunt appearing, summoned Arthur to his
+royal mistress's apartment. In that gay palace,
+a gloomy room, whose windows looked upon some
+part of the ruins of the Roman edifice, but excluded
+every other object, save broken walls and tottering
+columns, was the retreat which Margaret had
+chosen for her own. She received Albert with a
+kindness more touching that it was the inmate of
+so proud and fiery a disposition,&mdash;of a heart assailed
+with many woes, and feeling them severely.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, poor Arthur!" she said, "thy life begins
+where thy father's threatens to end, in useless
+labour to save a sinking vessel. The rushing leak
+pours in its waters faster than human force can
+lighten or discharge. All&mdash;all goes wrong, when
+our unhappy cause becomes connected with it&mdash;Strength
+becomes weakness, wisdom folly, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">277</a></span>
+valour cowardice. The Duke of Burgundy, hitherto
+victorious in all his bold undertakings, has but to
+entertain the momentary thought of yielding succour
+to Lancaster, and behold his sword is broken
+by a peasant's flail; and his disciplined army,
+held to be the finest in the world, flies like chaff
+before the wind; while their spoils are divided by
+renegade German hirelings, and barbarous Alpine
+shepherds!&mdash;What more hast thou learned of this
+strange tale?"</p>
+
+<p>"Little, madam, but what you have heard. The
+worst additions are, that the battle was shamefully
+cowardlike, and completely lost, with every
+advantage to have won it&mdash;the best, that the
+Burgundian army has been rather dispersed than
+destroyed, and that the Duke himself has escaped,
+and is rallying his forces in Upper Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"To sustain a new defeat, or engage in a protracted
+and doubtful contest, fatal to his reputation
+as defeat itself. Where is thy father?"</p>
+
+<p>"With the Duke, madam, as I have been informed,"
+replied Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Hie to him, and say I charge him to look after
+his own safety, and care no further for my interests.
+This last blow has sunk me&mdash;I am without
+an ally, without a friend, without treasure"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Not so, madam," replied Arthur. "One piece
+of good fortune has brought back to your Grace
+this inestimable relic of your fortunes."&mdash;And,
+producing the precious necklace, he gave the history
+of its recovery.</p>
+
+<p>"I rejoice at the chance which has restored these
+diamonds," said the Queen, "that in point of
+gratitude, at least, I may not be utterly bankrupt.
+Carry them to your father&mdash;tell him my schemes
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span>
+are over&mdash;and my heart, which so long clung to
+hope, is broken at last.&mdash;Tell him the trinkets are
+his own, and to his own use let him apply them.
+They will but poorly repay the noble earldom of
+Oxford, lost in the cause of her who sends them."</p>
+
+<p>"Royal madam," said the youth, "be assured
+my father would sooner live by service as a
+<i>schwarzreiter</i>, than become a burden on your
+misfortunes."</p>
+
+<p>"He never yet disobeyed command of mine,"
+said Margaret; "and this is the last I will lay
+upon him. If he is too rich or too proud to benefit
+by his Queen's behest, he will find enough of
+poor Lancastrians who have fewer means or fewer
+scruples."</p>
+
+<p>"There is yet a circumstance I have to communicate,"
+said Arthur, and recounted the history
+of Albert of Geierstein, and the disguise of a
+Carmelite monk.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you such a fool," answered the Queen, "as
+to suppose this man has any supernatural powers
+to aid him in his ambitious projects and his hasty
+journeys?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, madam&mdash;but it is whispered that the
+Count Albert of Geierstein, or this Black Priest of
+St. Paul's, is a chief amongst the Secret Societies
+of Germany, which even princes dread whilst they
+hate them; for the man that can command a hundred
+daggers must be feared even by those who
+rule thousands of swords."</p>
+
+<p>"Can this person," said the Queen, "being now
+a Churchman, retain authority amongst those who
+deal in life and death? It is contrary to the
+canons."</p>
+
+<p>"It would seem so, royal madam; but everything
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span>
+in these dark institutions differs from what
+is practised in the light of day. Prelates are
+often heads of a Vehmique bench, and the Archbishop
+of Cologne exercises the dreadful office of
+their chief as Duke of Westphalia, the principal
+region in which these societies flourish.<a name="FNanchor_11" id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>
+ Such
+privileges attach to the secret influence of the
+chiefs of this dark association, as may well seem
+supernatural to those who are unapprised of circumstances
+of which men shun to speak in plain
+terms."</p>
+
+<p>"Let him be wizard or assassin," said the Queen,
+"I thank him for having contributed to interrupt
+my plan of the old man's cession of Provence,
+which, as events stand, would have stripped René
+of his dominions, without furthering our plan of
+invading England.&mdash;Once more, be stirring with
+the dawn, and bend thy way back to thy father, and
+charge him to care for himself and think no more
+of me. Bretagne, where the heir of Lancaster
+resides, will be the safest place of refuge for its
+bravest followers. Along the Rhine, the Invisible
+Tribunal, it would seem, haunts both shores, and
+to be innocent of ill is no security; even here the
+proposed treaty with Burgundy may take air, and
+the Provençaux carry daggers as well as crooks
+and pipes. But I hear the horses fast returning
+from the hawking-party, and the silly old man,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span>
+forgetting all the eventful proceedings of the day,
+whistling as he ascends the steps. Well, we will
+soon part, and my removal will be, I think, a
+relief to him. Prepare for banquet and ball, for
+noise and nonsense&mdash;above all, to bid adieu to
+Aix with morning dawn."</p>
+
+<p>Thus dismissed from the Queen's presence,
+Arthur's first care was to summon Thiebault to
+have all things in readiness for his departure; his
+next, to prepare himself for the pleasures of the
+evening, not perhaps so heavily affected by the
+failure of his negotiation as to be incapable of
+consolation in such a scene; for the truth was,
+that his mind secretly revolted at the thoughts of
+the simple old King being despoiled of his dominions
+to further an invasion of England, in which,
+whatever interest he might have in his daughter's
+rights, there was little chance of success.</p>
+
+<p>If such feelings were censurable, they had their
+punishment. Although few knew how completely
+the arrival of the Duke of Lorraine, and the intelligence
+he brought with him, had disconcerted the
+plans of Queen Margaret, it was well known there
+had been little love betwixt the Queen and his
+mother Yolande; and the young Prince found
+himself at the head of a numerous party in the
+court of his grandfather, who disliked his aunt's
+haughty manners, and were wearied by the unceasing
+melancholy of her looks and conversation,
+and her undisguised contempt of the frivolities
+which passed around her. Ferrand, besides, was
+young, handsome, a victor just arrived from a field
+of battle, fought gloriously, and gained against all
+chances to the contrary. That he was a general
+favourite, and excluded Arthur Philipson, as an
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span>
+adherent of the unpopular Queen, from the notice
+her influence had on a former evening procured
+him, was only a natural consequence of their
+relative condition. But what somewhat hurt Arthur's
+feelings was to see his friend Sigismund the
+Simple, as his brethren called him, shining with
+the reflected glory of the Duke Ferrand of Lorraine,
+who introduced to all the ladies present the gallant
+young Swiss as Count Sigismund of Geierstein.
+His care had procured for his follower a dress
+rather more suitable for such a scene than the
+country attire of the count, otherwise Sigismund
+Biederman.</p>
+
+<p>For a certain time, whatever of novelty is introduced
+into society is pleasing, though it has
+nothing else to recommend it. The Swiss were
+little known personally out of their own country,
+but they were much talked of; it was a recommendation
+to be of that country. Sigismund's
+manners were blunt&mdash;a mixture of awkwardness
+and rudeness, which was termed frankness during
+the moment of his favour. He spoke bad French
+and worse Italian&mdash;it gave naïveté to all he said.
+His limbs were too bulky to be elegant; his
+dancing, for Count Sigismund failed not to dance,
+was the bounding and gambolling of a young elephant;
+yet they were preferred to the handsome
+proportions and courtly movements of the youthful
+Englishman, even by the black-eyed countess in
+whose good graces Arthur had made some progress
+on the preceding evening. Arthur, thus thrown
+into the shade, felt as Mr. Pepys afterwards did
+when he tore his camlet cloak&mdash;the damage was
+not great, but it troubled him.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, the passing evening brought him
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span>
+some revenge. There are some works of art the
+defects of which are not seen till they are injudiciously
+placed in too strong a light, and such was
+the case with Sigismund the Simple. The quick-witted
+though fantastic Provençaux soon found out
+the heaviness of his intellect, and the extent of
+his good-nature, and amused themselves at his
+expense, by ironical compliments and well-veiled
+raillery. It is probable they would have been less
+delicate on the subject, had not the Swiss brought
+into the dancing-room along with him his eternal
+halberd, the size and weight and thickness of
+which boded little good to any one whom the
+owner might detect in the act of making merry at
+his expense. But Sigismund did no further mischief
+that night, except that, in achieving a superb
+<i>entrechat</i>, he alighted with his whole weight on
+the miniature foot of his pretty partner, which he
+well-nigh crushed to pieces.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur had hitherto avoided looking towards
+Queen Margaret during the course of the evening,
+lest he should disturb her thoughts from the channel
+in which they were rolling, by seeming to lay
+a claim on her protection. But there was something
+so whimsical in the awkward physiognomy
+of the maladroit Swiss, that he could not help
+glancing an eye to the alcove where the Queen's
+chair of state was placed, to see if she observed
+him. The very first view was such as to rivet his
+attention. Margaret's head was reclined on the
+chair, her eyes scarcely open, her features drawn
+up and pinched, her hands closed with effort. The
+English lady of honour who stood behind her&mdash;old,
+deaf, and dim-sighted&mdash;had not discovered
+anything in her mistress's position more than the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span>
+abstracted and indifferent attitude with which the
+Queen was wont to be present in body and absent
+in mind during the festivities of the Provençal
+court. But when Arthur, greatly alarmed, came
+behind the seat to press her attention to her mistress,
+she exclaimed, after a minute's investigation,
+"Mother of Heaven, the Queen is dead!"
+And it was so. It seemed that the last fibre of
+life, in that fiery and ambitious mind, had, as she
+herself prophesied, given way at the same time
+with the last thread of political hope.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i2">Toll, toll the bell!</p>
+<p class="i2">Greatness is o'er,</p>
+<p class="i2">The heart has broke,</p>
+<p class="i2">To ache no more;</p>
+<p>An unsubstantial pageant all&mdash;</p>
+<p>Drop o'er the scene the funeral pall.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Old Poem.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The commotion and shrieks of fear and amazement
+which were excited among the ladies of the court
+by an event so singular and shocking, had begun
+to abate, and the sighs, more serious though less
+intrusive, of the few English attendants of the
+deceased Queen began to be heard, together with
+the groans of old King René, whose emotions were
+as acute as they were shortlived. The leeches had
+held a busy but unavailing consultation, and the
+body that was once a queen's was delivered to the
+Priest of St. Sauveur, that beautiful church in
+which the spoils of Pagan temples have contributed
+to fill up the magnificence of the Christian
+edifice. The stately pile was duly lighted up,
+and the funeral provided with such splendour as
+Aix could supply. The Queen's papers being
+examined, it was found that Margaret, by disposing
+of jewels and living at small expense, had
+realised the means of making a decent provision
+for life for her very few English attendants. Her
+diamond necklace, described in her last will as in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span>
+the hands of an English merchant named John
+Philipson, or his son, or the price thereof, if by
+them sold or pledged, she left to the said John
+Philipson and his son Arthur Philipson, with a
+view to the prosecution of the design which they
+had been destined to advance, or, if that should
+prove impossible, to their own use and profit.
+The charge of her funeral rites was wholly intrusted
+to Arthur, called Philipson, with a request
+that they should be conducted entirely after the
+forms observed in England. This trust was expressed
+in an addition to her will, signed the very
+day on which she died.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur lost no time in despatching Thiebault
+express to his father, with a letter explaining, in
+such terms as he knew would be understood, the
+tenor of all that had happened since he came to
+Aix, and, above all, the death of Queen Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, he requested directions for his motions,
+since the necessary delay occupied by the obsequies
+of a person of such eminent rank must detain
+him at Aix till he should receive them.</p>
+
+<p>The old King sustained the shock of his daughter's
+death so easily, that on the second day after
+the event he was engaged in arranging a pompous
+procession for the funeral, and composing an elegy,
+to be sung to a tune also of his own composing, in
+honour of the deceased Queen, who was likened to
+the goddesses of heathen mythology, and to Judith,
+Deborah, and all the other holy women, not to
+mention the saints of the Christian dispensation.
+It cannot be concealed that, when the first burst
+of grief was over, King René could not help feeling
+that Margaret's death cut a political knot which
+he might have otherwise found it difficult to untie,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span>
+and permitted him to take open part with his
+grandson, so far indeed as to afford him a considerable
+share of the contents of the Provençal treasury,
+which amounted to no larger sum than ten
+thousand crowns. Ferrand having received the
+blessing of his grandfather, in a form which his
+affairs rendered most important to him, returned
+to the resolutes whom he commanded; and with
+him, after a most loving farewell to Arthur,
+went the stout but simple-minded young Swiss,
+Sigismund Biederman.</p>
+
+<p>The little court of Aix were left to their mourning.
+King René, for whom ceremonial and show,
+whether of a joyful or melancholy character, was
+always matter of importance, would willingly
+have bestowed on solemnising the obsequies of his
+daughter Margaret what remained of his revenue,
+but was prevented from doing so, partly by remonstrances
+from his ministers, partly by the obstacles
+opposed by the young Englishman, who, acting
+upon the presumed will of the dead, interfered
+to prevent any such fantastic exhibitions being
+produced at the obsequies of the Queen as had
+disgusted her during her life.</p>
+
+<p>The funeral, therefore, after many days had been
+spent in public prayers and acts of devotion, was
+solemnised with the mournful magnificence due
+to the birth of the deceased, and with which the
+Church of Rome so well knows how to affect at
+once the eye, ear, and feelings.</p>
+
+<p>Amid the various nobles who assisted on the
+solemn occasion, there was one who arrived just
+as the tolling of the great bells of St. Sauveur
+had announced that the procession was already
+on its way to the cathedral. The stranger hastily
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span>
+exchanged his travelling-dress for a suit of deep
+mourning, which was made after the fashion proper
+to England. So attired, he repaired to the cathedral,
+where the noble mien of the cavalier imposed
+such respect on the attendants that he was permitted
+to approach close to the side of the bier;
+and it was across the coffin of the Queen for whom
+he had acted and suffered so much that the gallant
+Earl of Oxford exchanged a melancholy glance
+with his son. The assistants, especially the English
+servants of Margaret, gazed on them both with
+respect and wonder, and the elder cavalier, in particular,
+seemed to them no unapt representative
+of the faithful subjects of England, paying their
+last duty at the tomb of her who had so long
+swayed the sceptre, if not faultlessly, yet always
+with a bold and resolved hand.</p>
+
+<p>The last sound of the solemn dirge had died
+away, and almost all the funeral attendants had
+retired, when the father and son still lingered in
+mournful silence beside the remains of their sovereign.
+The clergy at length approached, and intimated
+they were about to conclude the last duties,
+by removing the body, which had been lately
+occupied and animated by so haughty and restless
+a spirit, to the dust, darkness, and silence of the
+vault where the long-descended Counts of Provence
+awaited dissolution. Six priests raised the bier
+on their shoulders, others bore huge waxen torches
+before and behind the body, as they carried it
+down a private staircase which yawned in the floor
+to admit their descent. The last notes of the
+requiem, in which the churchmen joined, had died
+away along the high and fretted arches of the
+cathedral, the last flash of light which arose from
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span>
+the mouth of the vault had glimmered and disappeared,
+when the Earl of Oxford, taking his son
+by the arm, led him in silence forth into a small
+cloistered court behind the building, where they
+found themselves alone. They were silent for a
+few minutes, for both, and particularly the father,
+were deeply affected. At length the Earl spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"And this, then, is her end," said he. "Here,
+royal lady, all that we have planned and pledged
+life upon falls to pieces with thy dissolution!
+The heart of resolution, the head of policy is gone;
+and what avails it that the limbs of the enterprise
+still have motion and life? Alas, Margaret of
+Anjou! may Heaven reward thy virtues, and absolve
+thee from the consequence of thine errors!
+Both belonged to thy station, and, if thou didst
+hoist too high a sail in prosperity, never lived
+there princess who defied more proudly the storms
+of adversity, or bore up against them with such
+dauntless nobility of determination. With this
+event the drama has closed, and our parts, my
+son, are ended."</p>
+
+<p>"We bear arms, then, against the infidels, my
+lord?" said Arthur, with a sigh that was, however,
+hardly audible.</p>
+
+<p>"Not," answered the Earl, "until I learn that
+Henry of Richmond, the undoubted heir of the
+House of Lancaster, has no occasion for my services.
+In these jewels, of which you wrote me,
+so strangely lost and recovered, I may be able to
+supply him with resources more needful than
+either your services or mine. But I return no
+more to the camp of the Duke of Burgundy; for
+in him there is no help."</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be possible that the power of so great a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span>
+sovereign has been overthrown in one fatal battle?"
+said Arthur.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><a name="i315" id="i315"></a>
+<img src="images/i-315.jpg" width="372" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">THE FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN.<br />
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>"By no means," replied his father. "The loss
+at Granson was very great; but to the strength of
+Burgundy it is but a scratch on the shoulders of
+a giant. It is the spirit of Charles himself, his
+wisdom at least, and his foresight, which have
+given way under the mortification of a defeat by
+such as he accounted inconsiderable enemies, and
+expected to have trampled down with a few squadrons
+of his men-at-arms. Then his temper is
+become froward, peevish, and arbitrary, devoted to
+those who flatter and, as there is too much reason
+to believe, betray him, and suspicious of those
+counsellors who give him wholesome advice. Even
+I have had my share of distrust. Thou knowest I
+refused to bear arms against our late hosts the
+Swiss; and he saw in that no reason for rejecting
+my attendance on his march. But since the defeat
+of Granson, I have observed a strong and sudden
+change, owing, perhaps, in some degree to the
+insinuations of Campo-basso, and not a little to
+the injured pride of the Duke, who was unwilling
+that an indifferent person in my situation, and
+thinking as I do, should witness the disgrace of
+his arms. He spoke in my hearing of lukewarm
+friends, cold-blooded neutrals,&mdash;of those who, not
+being with him, must be against him. I tell
+thee, Arthur de Vere, the Duke has said that
+which touched my honour so nearly, that nothing
+but the commands of Queen Margaret, and the
+interests of the House of Lancaster, could have
+made me remain in his camp. That is over&mdash;My
+royal mistress has no more occasion for my poor
+services&mdash;the Duke can spare no aid to our cause&mdash;and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">290</a></span>
+if he could, we can no longer dispose of the
+only bribe which might have induced him to afford
+us succours. The power of seconding his views on
+Provence is buried with Margaret of Anjou."</p>
+
+<p>"What, then, is your purpose?" demanded his son.</p>
+
+<p>"I propose," said Oxford, "to wait at the court
+of King René until I can hear from the Earl of
+Richmond, as we must still call him. I am aware
+that banished men are rarely welcome at the court
+of a foreign prince; but I have been the faithful
+follower of his daughter Margaret. I only propose
+to reside in disguise, and desire neither notice nor
+maintenance; so methinks King René will not
+refuse to permit me to breathe the air of his
+dominions, until I learn in what direction fortune
+or duty shall call me."</p>
+
+<p>"Be assured he will not," answered Arthur.
+"René is incapable of a base or ignoble thought;
+and if he could despise trifles as he detests dishonour,
+he might be ranked high in the list of
+monarchs."</p>
+
+<p>This resolution being adopted, the son presented
+his father at King René's court, whom he privately
+made acquainted that he was a man of quality,
+and a distinguished Lancastrian. The good King
+would in his heart have preferred a guest of lighter
+accomplishments and gayer temper to Oxford, a
+statesman and a soldier of melancholy and grave
+habits. The Earl was conscious of this, and
+seldom troubled his benevolent and light-hearted
+host with his presence. He had, however, an
+opportunity of rendering the old King a favour of
+peculiar value. This was in conducting an important
+treaty betwixt René and Louis XI. of France,
+his nephew. Upon that crafty monarch René
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">291</a></span>
+finally settled his principality; for the necessity of
+extricating his affairs by such a measure was now apparent
+even to himself, every thought of favouring
+Charles of Burgundy in the arrangement having
+died with Queen Margaret. The policy and wisdom
+of the English Earl, who was intrusted with
+almost the sole charge of this secret and delicate
+measure, were of the utmost advantage to good
+King René, who was freed from personal and pecuniary
+vexations, and enabled to go piping and
+tabouring to his grave. Louis did not fail to
+propitiate the plenipotentiary, by throwing out
+distant hopes of aid to the efforts of the Lancastrian
+party in England. A faint and insecure negotiation
+was entered into upon the subject; and these
+affairs, which rendered two journeys to Paris necessary
+on the part of Oxford and his son, in the
+spring and summer of the year 1476, occupied them
+until that year was half spent.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile, the wars of the Duke of Burgundy
+with the Swiss Cantons and Count Ferrand
+of Lorraine continued to rage. Before midsummer
+1476, Charles had assembled a new army of at least
+sixty thousand men, supported by one hundred and
+fifty pieces of cannon, for the purpose of invading
+Switzerland, where the warlike mountaineers easily
+levied a host of thirty thousand Switzers, now
+accounted almost invincible, and called upon their
+confederates, the Free Cities on the Rhine, to support
+them with a powerful body of cavalry. The
+first efforts of Charles were successful. He overran
+the Pays de Vaud, and recovered most of the places
+which he had lost after the defeat at Granson.
+But instead of attempting to secure a well-defended
+frontier, or, what would have been still more
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">292</a></span>
+politic, to achieve a peace upon equitable terms
+with his redoubtable neighbours, this most obstinate
+of princes resumed the purpose of penetrating
+into the recesses of the Alpine mountains, and
+chastising the mountaineers even within their own
+strongholds, though experience might have taught
+him the danger, nay desperation, of the attempt.
+Thus the news received by Oxford and his son,
+when they returned to Aix in midsummer, was,
+that Duke Charles had advanced to Morat (or
+Murten), situated upon a lake of the same name,
+at the very entrance of Switzerland. Here report
+said that Adrian de Bubenburg, a veteran knight
+of Berne, commanded, and maintained the most
+obstinate defence, in expectation of the relief
+which his countrymen were hastily assembling.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, my old brother-in-arms!" said the Earl
+to his son, on hearing these tidings, "this town
+besieged, these assaults repelled, this vicinity of
+an enemy's country, this profound lake, these
+inaccessible cliffs, threaten a second part of the
+tragedy of Granson, more calamitous perhaps than
+even the former!"</p>
+
+<p>On the last week of June, the capital of Provence
+was agitated by one of those unauthorised yet
+generally received rumours which transmit great
+events with incredible swiftness, as an apple flung
+from hand to hand by a number of people will pass
+a given space infinitely faster than if borne by the
+most rapid series of expresses. The report announced
+a second defeat of the Burgundians, in
+terms so exaggerated as induced the Earl of Oxford
+to consider the greater part, if not the whole, as
+a fabrication.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">293</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>And is the hostile troop arrived,</p>
+<p class="i1">And have they won the day?</p>
+<p>It must have been a bloody field</p>
+<p class="i1">Ere Darwent fled away!</p>
+
+<p class="i7">
+<i>The Ettrick Shepherd.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Sleep did not close the eyes of the Earl of Oxford
+or his son; for although the success or defeat of
+the Duke of Burgundy could not now be of importance
+to their own private or political affairs, yet
+the father did not cease to interest himself in the
+fate of his former companion-in-arms; and the son,
+with the fire of youth, always eager after novelty,<a name="FNanchor_12" id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>
+
+expected to find something to advance or thwart
+his own progress in every remarkable event which
+agitated the world.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur had risen from his bed, and was in the
+act of attiring himself, when the tread of a horse
+arrested his attention. He had no sooner looked
+out of the window, than, exclaiming, "News, my
+father, news from the army!" he rushed into the
+street, where a cavalier, who appeared to have
+ridden very hard, was inquiring for the two
+Philipsons, father and son. He had no difficulty
+in recognising Colvin, the master of the Burgundian
+ordnance. His ghastly look bespoke distress
+of mind; his disordered array and broken
+armour, which seemed rusted with rain or stained
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">294</a></span>
+with blood, gave the intelligence of some affray
+in which he had probably been worsted; and so
+exhausted was his gallant steed, that it was with
+difficulty the animal could stand upright. The
+condition of the rider was not much better. When
+he alighted from his horse to greet Arthur, he
+reeled so much that he would have fallen without
+instant support. His horny eye had lost the
+power of speculation; his limbs possessed imperfectly
+that of motion, and it was with a half-suffocated
+voice that he muttered, "Only fatigue&mdash;want
+of rest and of food."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur assisted him into the house, and refreshments
+were procured; but he refused all except a
+bowl of wine, after tasting which he set it down,
+and, looking at the Earl of Oxford with an eye of
+the deepest affliction, he ejaculated, "The Duke of
+Burgundy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Slain?" replied the Earl. "I trust not!"</p>
+
+<p>"It might have been better if he were," said
+the Englishman; "but dishonour has come before
+death."</p>
+
+<p>"Defeated, then?" said Oxford.</p>
+
+<p>"So completely and fearfully defeated," answered
+the soldier, "that all that I have seen of
+loss before was slight in comparison."</p>
+
+<p>"But how, or where?" said the Earl of Oxford.
+"You were superior in numbers, as we were
+informed."</p>
+
+<p>"Two to one at least," answered Colvin; "and
+when I speak of our encounter at this moment, I
+could rend my flesh with my teeth for being here
+to tell such a tale of shame. We had sat down
+for about a week before that paltry town of
+Murten, or Morat, or whatever it is called. The
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">295</a></span>
+governor, one of those stubborn mountain bears of
+Berne, bade us defiance. He would not even condescend
+to shut his gates, but, when we summoned
+the town, returned for answer, we might enter if
+we pleased,&mdash;we should be suitably received. I
+would have tried to bring him to reason by a salvo
+or two of artillery, but the Duke was too much
+irritated to listen to good counsel. Stimulated
+by that black traitor, Campo-basso, he deemed it
+better to run forward with his whole force upon a
+place which, though I could soon have battered it
+about their German ears, was yet too strong to be
+carried by swords, lances, and hagbuts. We were
+beaten off with great loss, and much discouragement
+to the soldiers. We then commenced more
+regularly, and my batteries would have brought
+these mad Switzers to their senses. Walls and
+ramparts went down before the lusty cannoneers
+of Burgundy; we were well secured also by intrenchments
+against those whom we heard of as
+approaching to raise the siege. But, on the evening
+of the twentieth of this month, we learned
+that they were close at hand, and Charles, consulting
+only his own bold spirit, advanced to
+meet them, relinquishing the advantage of our batteries
+and strong position. By his orders, though
+against my own judgment, I accompanied him
+with twenty good pieces, and the flower of my
+people. We broke up on the next morning, and
+had not advanced far before we saw the lances and
+thick array of halberds and two-handed swords
+which crested the mountain. Heaven, too, added
+its terrors&mdash;a thunderstorm, with all the fury
+of those tempestuous climates, descended on both
+armies, but did most annoyance to ours, as our
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">296</a></span>
+troops, especially the Italians, were more sensible
+to the torrents of rain which poured down, and the
+rivulets which, swelled into torrents, inundated
+and disordered our position. The Duke for once
+saw it necessary to alter his purpose of instant
+battle. He rode up to me, and directed me to
+defend with the cannon the retreat which he was
+about to commence, adding that he himself would
+in person sustain me with the men-at-arms. The
+order was given to retreat. But the movement
+gave new spirit to an enemy already sufficiently
+audacious. The ranks of the Swiss instantly prostrated
+themselves in prayer&mdash;a practice on the
+field of battle which I have ridiculed&mdash;but I will
+do so no more. When, after five minutes, they
+sprang again on their feet, and began to advance
+rapidly, sounding their horns and crying their
+war-cries with all their usual ferocity&mdash;behold,
+my lord, the clouds of heaven opened, shedding on
+the Confederates the blessed light of the returning
+sun, while our ranks were still in the gloom of the
+tempest. My men were discouraged. The host
+behind them was retreating; the sudden light
+thrown on the advancing Switzers showed along
+the mountains a profusion of banners, a glancing
+of arms, giving to the enemy the appearance of
+double the numbers that had hitherto been visible
+to us. I exhorted my followers to stand fast, but
+in doing so I thought a thought, and spoke a word,
+which was a grievous sin. 'Stand fast, my brave
+cannoneers!' I said. 'We will presently let them
+hear louder thunders, and show them more fatal
+lightnings, than their prayers have put down!'
+My men shouted. But it was an impious thought,
+a blasphemous speech, and evil came after it.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">297</a></span>
+We levelled our guns on the advancing masses as
+fairly as cannon were ever pointed&mdash;I can vouch
+it, for I laid the Grand Duchess of Burgundy
+myself&mdash;Ah, poor Duchess! what rude hands
+manage thee now!&mdash;The volley was fired, and,
+ere the smoke spread from the muzzles, I could see
+many a man and many a banner go down. It was
+natural to think such a discharge should have
+checked the attack, and whilst the smoke hid the
+enemy from us I made every effort again to load
+our cannon, and anxiously endeavoured to look
+through the mist to discover the state of our
+opponents. But ere our smoke was cleared away,
+or the cannon again loaded, they came headlong
+down on us, horse and foot, old men and boys,
+men-at-arms and varlets, charging up to the
+muzzle of the guns, and over them, with total
+disregard to their lives. My brave fellows were
+cut down, pierced through, and overrun, while
+they were again loading their pieces, nor do I
+believe that a single cannon was fired a second
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford.
+"Did he not support you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most loyally and bravely," answered Colvin,
+"with his own bodyguard of Walloons and Burgundians.
+But a thousand Italian mercenaries
+went off, and never showed face again. The pass,
+too, was cumbered with the artillery, and in
+itself narrow, bordering on mountains and cliffs,
+a deep lake close beside. In short, it was a place
+totally unfit for horsemen to act in. In spite of
+the Duke's utmost exertions, and those of the gallant
+Flemings who fought around him, all were
+borne back in complete disorder. I was on foot,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">298</a></span>
+fighting as I could, without hopes of my life, or
+indeed thoughts of saving it, when I saw the guns
+taken and my faithful cannoneers slain. But I saw
+Duke Charles hard pressed, and took my horse
+from my page that held him&mdash;Thou, too, art lost,
+my poor orphan boy!&mdash;I could only aid Monseigneur
+de la Croye and others to extricate the
+Duke. Our retreat became a total rout, and when
+we reached our rearguard, which we had left strongly
+encamped, the banners of the Switzers were waving
+on our batteries, for a large division had made
+a circuit through mountain passes known only to
+themselves, and attacked our camp, vigorously
+seconded by that accursed Adrian de Bubenburg,
+who sallied from the beleaguered town, so that
+our intrenchments were stormed on both sides at
+once.&mdash;I have more to say, but having ridden day
+and night to bring you these evil tidings, my
+tongue clings to the roof of my mouth, and I feel
+that I can speak no more. The rest is all flight
+and massacre, disgraceful to every soldier that
+shared in it. For my part, I confess my contumelious
+self-confidence and insolence to man, as
+well as blasphemy to Heaven. If I live, it is but
+to hide my disgraced head in a cowl, and expiate
+the numerous sins of a licentious life."</p>
+
+<p>With difficulty the broken-minded soldier was
+prevailed upon to take some nourishment and
+repose, together with an opiate, which was prescribed
+by the physician of King René, who recommended
+it as necessary to preserve even the
+reason of his patient, exhausted by the events of
+the battle, and subsequent fatigue.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford, dismissing other assistance,
+watched alternately with his son at Colvin's bedside.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">299</a></span>
+Notwithstanding the draught that had been
+administered, his repose was far from sound.
+Sudden starts, the perspiration which started from
+his brow, the distortions of his countenance, and
+the manner in which he clenched his fists and
+flung about his limbs, showed that in his dreams he
+was again encountering the terrors of a desperate
+and forlorn combat. This lasted for several hours;
+but about noon fatigue and medicine prevailed
+over nervous excitation, and the defeated commander
+fell into a deep and untroubled repose till
+evening. About sunset he awakened, and, after
+learning with whom and where he was, he partook
+of refreshments, and, without any apparent consciousness
+of having told them before, detailed
+once more all the particulars of the battle of
+Murten.</p>
+
+<p>"It were little wide of truth," he said, "to
+calculate that one half of the Duke's army fell by
+the sword, or were driven into the lake. Those
+who escaped are great part of them scattered, never
+again to unite. Such a desperate and irretrievable
+rout was never witnessed. We fled like deer,
+sheep, or any other timid animals, which only
+remain in company because they are afraid to
+separate, but never think of order or of defence."</p>
+
+<p>"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford.</p>
+
+<p>"We hurried him with us," said the soldier,
+"rather from instinct than loyalty, as men flying
+from a conflagration snatch up what they have of
+value, without knowing what they are doing.
+Knight and knave, officer and soldier, fled in the
+same panic, and each blast of the horn of Uri in
+our rear added new wings to our flight."</p>
+
+<p>"And the Duke?" repeated Oxford.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">300</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"At first he resisted our efforts, and strove to
+turn back on the foe; but when the flight became
+general he galloped along with us, without a word
+spoken or a command issued. At first we thought
+his silence and passiveness, so unusual in a temper
+so fiery, were fortunate for securing his personal
+safety. But when we rode the whole day, without
+being able to obtain a word of reply to all our
+questions,&mdash;when he sternly refused refreshments
+of every kind, though he had tasted no food all
+that disastrous day,&mdash;when every variation of his
+moody and uncertain temper was sunk into silent
+and sullen despair, we took counsel what was to
+be done, and it was by the general voice that I
+was despatched to entreat that you, for whose
+counsels alone Charles has been known to have
+had some occasional deference, would come instantly
+to his place of retreat, and exert all your
+influence to awaken him from this lethargy, which
+may otherwise terminate his existence."</p>
+
+<p>"And what remedy can I interpose?" said
+Oxford. "You know how he neglected my advice,
+when following it might have served my
+interest as well as his own. You are aware that
+my life was not safe among the miscreants that
+surrounded the Duke, and exercised influence over
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"Most true," answered Colvin; "but I also
+know he is your ancient companion-in-arms, and
+it would ill become me to teach the noble Earl of
+Oxford what the laws of chivalry require. For
+your lordship's safety, every honest man in the
+army will give willing security."</p>
+
+<p>"It is for that I care least," said Oxford, indifferently;
+"and if indeed my presence can be of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">301</a></span>
+service to the Duke,&mdash;if I could believe that he
+desired it"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"He does&mdash;he does, my lord!" said the faithful
+soldier, with tears in his eyes. "We heard
+him name your name, as if the words escaped him
+in a painful dream."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go to him, such being the case," said
+Oxford.&mdash;"I will go instantly. Where did he
+purpose to establish his headquarters?"</p>
+
+<p>"He had fixed nothing for himself on that or
+other matters; but Monsieur de Contay named La
+Rivière, near Salins, in Upper Burgundy, as the
+place of his retreat."</p>
+
+<p>"Thither, then, will we, my son, with all haste
+of preparation. Thou, Colvin, hadst better remain
+here, and see some holy man, to be assoilzied for
+thy hasty speech on the battle-field of Morat.
+There was offence in it without doubt, but it will
+be ill atoned for by quitting a generous master
+when he hath most need of your good service; and
+it is but an act of cowardice to retreat into the
+cloister, till we have no longer active duties to
+perform in this world."</p>
+
+<p>"It is true," said Colvin, "that should I leave
+the Duke now, perhaps not a man would stay
+behind that could stell a cannon properly. The
+sight of your lordship cannot but operate favourably
+on my noble master, since it has waked the
+old soldier in myself. If your lordship can delay
+your journey till to-morrow, I will have my
+spiritual affairs settled, and my bodily health sufficiently
+restored, to be your guide to La Rivière;
+and, for the cloister, I will think of it when I
+have regained the good name which I have lost
+at Murten. But I will have masses said, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">302</a></span>
+these right powerful, for the souls of my poor
+cannoneers."</p>
+
+<p>The proposal of Colvin was adopted, and Oxford,
+with his son, attended by Thiebault, spent the day
+in preparation, excepting the time necessary to
+take formal leave of King René, who seemed to
+part with them with regret. In company with
+the ordnance officer of the discomfited Duke, they
+traversed those parts of Provence, Dauphiné, and
+Franche Compté which lie between Aix and the
+place to which the Duke of Burgundy had retreated;
+but the distance and inconvenience of so
+long a route consumed more than a fortnight on
+the road, and the month of July 1476 was commenced
+when the travellers arrived in Upper
+Burgundy, and at the Castle of La Rivière, about
+twenty miles to the south of the town of Salins.
+The castle, which was but of small size, was surrounded
+by very many tents, which were pitched
+in a crowded, disordered, and unsoldierlike manner,
+very unlike the discipline usually observed in
+the camp of Charles the Bold. That the Duke
+was present there, however, was attested by his
+broad banner, which, rich with all its quarterings,
+streamed from the battlements of the castle. The
+guard turned out to receive the strangers, but in
+a manner so disorderly that the Earl looked to
+Colvin for explanation. The master of the ordnance
+shrugged up his shoulders, and was silent.</p>
+
+<p>Colvin having sent in notice of his arrival, and
+that of the English Earl, Monsieur de Contay
+caused them presently to be admitted, and expressed
+much joy at their arrival.</p>
+
+<p>"A few of us," he said, "true servants of the
+Duke, are holding council here, at which your
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">303</a></span>
+assistance, my noble Lord of Oxford, will be of
+the utmost importance. Messieurs De la Croye,
+De Craon, Rubempré, and others, nobles of Burgundy,
+are now assembled to superintend the
+defence of the country at this exigence."</p>
+
+<p>They all expressed delight to see the Earl of
+Oxford, and had only abstained from thrusting
+their attentions on him the last time he was in
+the Duke's camp, as they understood it was his
+wish to observe incognito.</p>
+
+<p>"His Grace," said De Craon, "has asked after
+you twice, and on both times by your assumed
+name of Philipson."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder not at that, my Lord of Craon,"
+replied the English nobleman. "The origin of
+the name took its rise in former days, when I was
+here during my first exile. It was then said that
+we poor Lancastrian nobles must assume other
+names than our own, and the good Duke Philip
+said, as I was brother-in-arms to his son Charles,
+I must be called after himself, by the name of
+Philipson. In memory of the good sovereign, I
+took that name when the day of need actually
+arrived, and I see that the Duke thinks of our
+early intimacy by his distinguishing me so.&mdash;How
+fares his Grace?"</p>
+
+<p>The Burgundians looked at each other, and
+there was a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"Even like a man stunned, brave Oxford," at
+length De Contay replied. "Sieur d'Argentin,
+you can best inform the noble Earl of the condition
+of our sovereign."</p>
+
+<p>"He is like a man distracted," said the future
+historian of that busy period. "After the battle
+of Granson, he was never, to my thinking, of the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">304</a></span>
+same sound judgment as before. But then, he
+was capricious, unreasonable, peremptory, and inconsistent,
+and resented every counsel that was
+offered, as if it had been meant in insult; was
+jealous of the least trespass in point of ceremonial,
+as if his subjects were holding him in contempt.
+Now there is a total change, as if this second
+blow had stunned him, and suppressed the violent
+passions which the first called into action. He
+is silent as a Carthusian, solitary as a hermit,
+expresses interest in nothing, least of all in
+the guidance of his army. He was, you know,
+anxious about his dress, so much so that there
+was some affectation even in the rudenesses which
+he practised in that matter. But, woe's me, you
+will see a change now; he will not suffer his hair
+or nails to be trimmed or arranged. He is totally
+heedless of respect or disrespect towards him,
+takes little or no nourishment, uses strong wines,
+which, however, do not seem to affect his understanding;
+he will hear nothing of war or state
+affairs, as little of hunting or of sport. Suppose
+an anchorite brought from a cell to govern a kingdom,
+you see in him, except in point of devotion,
+a picture of the fiery, active Charles of Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak of a mind deeply wounded, Sieur
+d'Argentin," replied the Englishman. "Think
+you it fit I should present myself before the
+Duke?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will inquire," said Contay; and, leaving the
+apartment, returned presently, and made a sign to
+the Earl to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>In a cabinet, or closet, the unfortunate Charles
+reclined in a large arm-chair, his legs carelessly
+stretched on a footstool, but so changed that the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">305</a></span>
+Earl of Oxford could have believed what he saw
+to be the ghost of the once fiery Duke. Indeed,
+the shaggy length of hair which, streaming from
+his head, mingled with his beard; the hollowness
+of the caverns, at the bottom of which rolled his
+wild eyes; the falling in of the breast, and the
+advance of the shoulders, gave the ghastly appearance
+of one who has suffered the final agony which
+takes from mortality the signs of life and energy.
+His very costume (a cloak flung loosely over him)
+increased his resemblance to a shrouded phantom.
+De Contay named the Earl of Oxford; but the
+Duke gazed on him with a lustreless eye, and gave
+him no answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Speak to him, brave Oxford," said the Burgundian
+in a whisper; "he is even worse than
+usual, but perhaps he may know your voice."</p>
+
+<p>Never, when the Duke of Burgundy was in the
+most palmy state of his fortunes, did the noble
+Englishman kneel to kiss his hand with such
+sincere reverence. He respected in him, not only
+the afflicted friend, but the humbled sovereign,
+upon whose tower of trust the lightning had so
+recently broken. It was probably the falling of
+a tear upon his hand which seemed to awake the
+Duke's attention, for he looked towards the Earl,
+and said, "Oxford&mdash;Philipson&mdash;my old&mdash;my
+only friend, hast thou found me out in this retreat
+of shame and misery?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am not your only friend, my lord," said
+Oxford. "Heaven has given you many affectionate
+friends among your natural and loyal subjects.
+But though a stranger, and saving the allegiance
+I owe to my lawful sovereign, I will yield to none
+of them in the respect and deference which I have
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">306</a></span>
+paid to your Grace in prosperity, and now come
+to render to you in adversity."</p>
+
+<p>"Adversity indeed!" said the Duke; "irremediable,
+intolerable adversity! I was lately Charles
+of Burgundy, called the Bold&mdash;now am I twice
+beaten by a scum of German peasants; my standard
+taken, my men-at-arms put to flight, my
+camp twice plundered, and each time of value
+more than equal to the price of all Switzerland
+fairly lost; myself hunted like a caitiff goat or
+chamois&mdash;The utmost spite of hell could never accumulate
+more shame on the head of a sovereign!"</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, my lord," said Oxford, "it
+is a trial of Heaven, which calls for patience and
+strength of mind. The bravest and best knight
+may lose the saddle; he is but a laggard who lies
+rolling on the sand of the lists after the accident
+has chanced."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, laggard, say'st thou?" said the Duke,
+some part of his ancient spirit awakened by the
+broad taunt. "Leave my presence, sir, and return
+to it no more, till you are summoned thither"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Which I trust will be no later than your Grace
+quits your dishabille, and disposes yourself to see
+your vassals and friends with such ceremony as
+befits you and them," said the Earl composedly.</p>
+
+<p>"How mean you by that, Sir Earl? You are
+unmannerly."</p>
+
+<p>"If I be, my lord, I am taught my ill-breeding
+by circumstances. I can mourn over fallen dignity;
+but I cannot honour him who dishonours
+himself, by bending, like a regardless boy, beneath
+the scourge of evil fortune."</p>
+
+<p>"And who am I that you should term me
+such?" said Charles, starting up in all his natural
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">307</a></span>
+pride and ferocity; "or who are you but a miserable
+exile, that you should break in upon my
+privacy with such disrespectful upbraiding?"</p>
+
+<p>"For me," replied Oxford, "I am, as you say,
+an unrespected exile; nor am I ashamed of my
+condition, since unshaken loyalty to my King and
+his successors has brought me to it. But in you,
+can I recognise the Duke of Burgundy in a sullen
+hermit, whose guards are a disorderly soldiery,
+dreadful only to their friends; whose councils are
+in confusion for want of their sovereign, and who
+himself lurks like a lamed wolf in its den, in an
+obscure castle, waiting but a blast of the Switzer's
+horn to fling open its gates, which there are none
+to defend; who wears not a knightly sword to
+protect his person, and cannot even die like a stag
+at bay, but must be worried like a hunted fox?"</p>
+
+<p>"Death and hell, slanderous traitor!" thundered
+the Duke, glancing a look at his side, and
+perceiving himself without a weapon.&mdash;"It is
+well for thee I have no sword, or thou shouldst
+never boast of thine insolence going unpunished.&mdash;Contay,
+step forth like a good knight, and confute
+the calumniator. Say, are not my soldiers
+arrayed, disciplined, and in order?"</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said Contay, trembling (brave as he
+was in battle) at the frantic rage which Charles
+exhibited, "there are a numerous soldiery yet
+under your command, but they are in evil order,
+and in worse discipline, I think, than they were
+wont."</p>
+
+<p>"I see it&mdash;I see it," said the Duke; "idle and
+evil counsellors are ye all.&mdash;Hearken, Sir of Contay,
+what have you and the rest of you been doing,
+holding as you do large lands and high fiefs of us,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">308</a></span>
+that I cannot stretch my limbs on a sick-bed,
+when my heart is half broken, but my troops
+must fall into such scandalous disorder as exposes
+me to the scorn and reproach of each beggarly
+foreigner?"</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," replied Contay, more firmly, "we
+have done what we could. But your Grace has
+accustomed your mercenary generals, and leaders
+of Free Companies, to take their orders only from
+your own mouth, or hand. They clamour also for
+pay, and the treasurer refuses to issue it without
+your Grace's order, as he alleges it might cost
+him his head; and they will not be guided and
+restrained, either by us or those who compose your
+council."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke laughed sternly, but was evidently
+somewhat pleased with the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha!" he said, "it is only Burgundy who
+can ride his own wild horses, and rule his own
+wild soldiery. Hark thee, Contay&mdash;To-morrow I
+ride forth to review the troops&mdash;for what disorder
+has passed, allowance shall be made. Pay also
+shall be issued&mdash;but woe to those who shall have
+offended too deeply! Let my grooms of the chamber
+know to provide me fitting dress and arms. I
+have got a lesson" (glancing a dark look at Oxford),
+"and I will not again be insulted without the
+means of wreaking my vengeance. Begone, both
+of you! And, Contay, send the treasurer hither
+with his accounts, and woe to his soul if I find
+aught to complain of! Begone, I say, and send
+him hither."</p>
+
+<p>They left the apartment with suitable obeisance.
+As they retired, the Duke said abruptly, "Lord of
+Oxford, a word with you. Where did you study
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">309</a></span>
+medicine? In your own famed university, I suppose.
+Thy physic hath wrought a wonder. Yet,
+Doctor Philipson, it might have cost thee thy
+life."</p>
+
+<p>"I have ever thought my life cheap," said
+Oxford, "when the object was to help my friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art indeed a friend," said Charles, "and
+a fearless one. But go&mdash;I have been sore troubled,
+and thou hast tasked my temper closely. To-morrow
+we will speak further; meantime, I forgive
+thee, and I honour thee."</p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford retired to the council-hall,
+where the Burgundian nobility, aware of what
+had passed, crowded around him with thanks, compliments,
+and congratulations. A general bustle
+now ensued; orders were hurried off in every
+direction. Those officers who had duties to perform
+which had been neglected, hastened to conceal
+or to atone for their negligence. There was a
+general tumult in the camp, but it was a tumult
+of joy; for soldiers are always most pleased when
+they are best in order for performing their military
+service; and licence or inactivity, however
+acceptable at times, are not, when continued, so
+agreeable to their nature, as strict discipline and
+a prospect of employment.</p>
+
+<p>The treasurer, who was, luckily for him, a
+man of sense and method, having been two hours
+in private with the Duke, returned with looks of
+wonder, and professed that never, in Charles's
+most prosperous days, had he showed himself more
+acute in the department of finance, of which he
+had but that morning seemed totally incapable;
+and the merit was universally attributed to the
+visit of Lord Oxford, whose timely reprimand had,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">310</a></span>
+like the shot of a cannon dispersing foul mists,
+awakened the Duke from his black and bilious
+melancholy.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day Charles reviewed his
+troops with his usual attention, directed new
+levies, made various dispositions of his forces, and
+corrected the faults of their discipline by severe
+orders, which were enforced by some deserved
+punishments (of which the Italian mercenaries
+of Campo-basso had a large share), and rendered
+palatable by the payment of arrears, which was
+calculated to attach them to the standard under
+which they served.</p>
+
+<p>The Duke also, after consulting with his council,
+agreed to convoke meetings of the States in
+his different territories, redress certain popular
+grievances, and grant some boons which he had
+hitherto denied; and thus began to open a new
+account of popularity with his subjects, in place
+of that which his rashness had exhausted.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">311</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i7">Here's a weapon now,</p>
+<p>Shall shake a conquering general in his tent,</p>
+<p>A monarch on his throne, or reach a prelate,</p>
+<p class="i3">However holy be his offices,</p>
+<p class="i3">E'en while he serves the altar.</p>
+
+<p class="i12">
+<i>Old Play.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>From this time all was activity in the Duke of
+Burgundy's court and army. Money was collected,
+soldiers were levied, and certain news of
+the Confederates' motions only were wanting to
+bring on the campaign. But although Charles
+was, to all outward appearance, as active as ever,
+yet those who were more immediately about his
+person were of opinion that he did not display the
+soundness of mind or the energy of judgment
+which had been admired in him before these calamities.
+He was still liable to fits of moody
+melancholy, similar to those which descended
+upon Saul, and was vehemently furious when
+aroused out of them. Indeed, the Earl of Oxford
+himself seemed to have lost the power which he
+had exercised over him at first. Nay, though in
+general Charles was both grateful and affectionate
+towards him, he evidently felt humbled by the
+recollection of his having witnessed his impotent
+and disastrous condition, and was so much afraid
+of Lord Oxford being supposed to lead his counsels,
+that he often repelled his advice, merely,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">312</a></span>
+as it seemed, to show his own independence of
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>In these froward humours the Duke was much
+encouraged by Campo-basso. That wily traitor
+now saw his master's affairs tottering to their fall,
+and he resolved to lend his lever to the work, so
+as to entitle him to a share of the spoil. He regarded
+Oxford as one of the most able friends and
+counsellors who adhered to the Duke; he thought
+he saw in his looks that he fathomed his own
+treacherous purpose, and therefore he hated and
+feared him. Besides, in order perhaps to colour
+over, even to his own eyes, the abominable perfidy
+he meditated, he affected to be exceedingly enraged
+against the Duke for the late punishment of marauders
+belonging to his Italian bands. He believed
+that chastisement to have been inflicted by the
+advice of Oxford; and he suspected that the measure
+was pressed with the hope of discovering that
+the Italians had not pillaged for their own emolument
+only, but for that of their commander.
+Believing that Oxford was thus hostile to him,
+Campo-basso would have speedily found means to
+take him out of his path, had not the Earl himself
+found it prudent to observe some precautions; and
+the lords of Flanders and Burgundy, who loved
+him for the very reasons for which the Italian
+abhorred him, watched over his safety with a
+vigilance of which he himself was ignorant, but
+which certainly was the means of preserving his
+life.</p>
+
+<p>It was not to be supposed that Ferrand of Lorraine
+should have left his victory so long unimproved;
+but the Swiss Confederates, who were the
+strength of his forces, insisted that the first operations
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">313</a></span>
+should take place in Savoy and the Pays
+de Vaud, where the Burgundians had many garrisons,
+which, though they received no relief, yet
+were not easily or speedily reduced. Besides, the
+Switzers being, like most of the national soldiers
+of the time, a kind of militia, most of them
+returned home, to get in their harvest, and to
+deposit their spoil in safety. Ferrand, therefore,
+though bent on pursuing his success with all the
+ardour of youthful chivalry, was prevented from
+making any movement in advance until the month
+of December 1476. In the meantime, the Duke
+of Burgundy's forces, to be least burdensome to
+the country, were cantoned in distant places of his
+dominions, where every exertion was made to perfect
+the discipline of the new levies. The Duke,
+if left to himself, would have precipitated the
+struggle by again assembling his forces, and pushing
+forward into the Helvetian territories; but,
+though he inwardly foamed at the recollection of
+Granson and Murten, the memory of these disasters
+was too recent to permit such a plan of the
+campaign. Meantime, weeks glided past, and the
+month of December was far advanced, when one
+morning, as the Duke was sitting in council,
+Campo-basso suddenly entered, with a degree of
+extravagant rapture in his countenance, singularly
+different from the cold, regulated, and subtle
+smile which was usually his utmost advance towards
+laughter. "<i>Guantes</i>,"<a name="FNanchor_13" id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>
+ he said, "<i>Guantes</i>,
+for luck's sake, if it please your Grace."</p>
+
+<p>"And what of good fortune comes nigh us?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">314</a></span>
+said the Duke. "Methought she had forgot the
+way to our gates."</p>
+
+<p>"She has returned to them, please your Highness,
+with her cornucopia full of choicest gifts,
+ready to pour her fruit, her flowers, her treasures,
+on the head of the sovereign of Europe most
+worthy to receive them."</p>
+
+<p>"The meaning of all this?" said Duke Charles.
+"Riddles are for children."</p>
+
+<p>"The harebrained young madman Ferrand, who
+calls himself of Lorraine, has broken down from
+the mountains, at the head of a desultory army of
+scapegraces like himself; and what think you&mdash;ha!
+ha! ha!&mdash;they are overrunning Lorraine, and
+have taken Nancy&mdash;ha! ha! ha!"</p>
+
+<p>"By my good faith, Sir Count," said Contay,
+astonished at the gay humour with which the
+Italian treated a matter so serious, "I have seldom
+heard a fool laugh more gaily at a more scurvy
+jest, than you, a wise man, laugh at the loss of
+the principal town of the province we are fighting
+for."</p>
+
+<p>"I laugh," said Campo-basso, "among the spears,
+as my war-horse does&mdash;ha! ha!&mdash;among the trumpets.
+I laugh also over the destruction of the
+enemy, and the dividing of the spoil, as eagles
+scream their joy over the division of their prey;
+I laugh"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You laugh," said the Lord of Contay, waxing
+impatient, "when you have all the mirth to yourself,
+as you laughed after our losses at Granson and
+Murten."</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, sir!" said the Duke. "The Count of
+Campo-basso has viewed the case as I do. This
+young knight-errant ventures from the protection
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">315</a></span>
+of his mountains; and Heaven deal with me as I
+keep my oath, when I swear that the next fair field
+on which we meet shall see one of us dead! It is
+now the last week of the old year, and before
+Twelfth-Day we will see whether he or I shall
+find the bean in the cake.&mdash;To arms, my lords!
+Let our camp instantly break up, and our troops
+move forward towards Lorraine. Send off the
+Italian and Albanian light cavalry and the Stradiots
+to scour the country in the van&mdash;Oxford,
+thou wilt bear arms in this journey, wilt thou
+not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," said the Earl. "I am eating your
+Highness's bread; and when enemies invade, it
+stands with my honour to fight for your Grace as
+if I was your born subject. With your Grace's
+permission, I will despatch a pursuivant, who
+shall carry letters to my late kind host, the Landamman
+of Unterwalden, acquainting him with
+my purpose."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke having given a ready assent, the
+pursuivant was dismissed accordingly, and returned
+in a few hours, so near had the armies
+approached to each other. He bore a letter from
+the Landamman, in a tone of courtesy and even
+kindness, regretting that any cause should have
+occurred for bearing arms against his late guest,
+for whom he expressed high personal regard. The
+same pursuivant also brought greetings from the
+family of the Biedermans to their friend Arthur,
+and a separate letter, addressed to the same person,
+of which the contents ran thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>
+"Rudolph Donnerhugel is desirous to give the young
+merchant, Arthur Philipson, the opportunity of finishing
+the bargain which remained unsettled between them in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">316</a></span>
+the castle-court of Geierstein. He is the more desirous
+of this, as he is aware that the said Arthur has done
+him wrong, in seducing the affections of a certain
+maiden of rank, to whom he, Philipson, is not, and
+cannot be, anything beyond an ordinary acquaintance.
+Rudolph Donnerhugel will send Arthur Philipson word
+when a fair and equal meeting can take place on neutral
+ground. In the meantime, he will be as often as
+possible in the first rank of the skirmishers."
+</p>
+</div>
+<p>Young Arthur's heart leapt high as he read the
+defiance, the piqued tone of which showed the
+state of the writer's feelings, and argued sufficiently
+Rudolph's disappointment on the subject
+of Anne of Geierstein, and his suspicion that
+she had bestowed her affections on the youthful
+stranger. Arthur found means of despatching a
+reply to the challenge of the Swiss, assuring him
+of the pleasure with which he would attend his
+commands, either in front of the line or elsewhere,
+as Rudolph might desire.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the armies were closely approaching
+to each other, and the light troops sometimes met.
+The Stradiots from the Venetian territory, a sort
+of cavalry resembling that of the Turks, performed
+much of that service on the part of the Burgundian
+army, for which, indeed, if their fidelity could have
+been relied on, they were admirably well qualified.
+The Earl of Oxford observed that these men, who
+were under the command of Campo-basso, always
+brought in intelligence that the enemy were in
+indifferent order, and in full retreat. Besides,
+information was communicated through their
+means that sundry individuals, against whom the
+Duke of Burgundy entertained peculiar personal
+dislike, and whom he specially desired to get into
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">317</a></span>
+his hands, had taken refuge in Nancy. This
+greatly increased the Duke's ardour for retaking
+that place, which became perfectly ungovernable
+when he learned that Ferrand and his Swiss allies
+had drawn off to a neighbouring position called
+St. Nicholas, on the news of his arrival. The
+greater part of the Burgundian counsellors, together
+with the Earl of Oxford, protested against
+his besieging a place of some strength, while an
+active enemy lay in the neighbourhood to relieve
+it. They remonstrated on the smallness of his
+army, on the severity of the weather, on the difficulty
+of obtaining provisions, and exhorted the
+Duke that, having made such a movement as had
+forced the enemy to retreat, he ought to suspend
+decisive operations till spring. Charles at first
+tried to dispute and repel these arguments; but
+when his counsellors reminded him that he was
+placing himself and his army in the same situation
+as at Granson and Murten, he became
+furious at the recollection, foamed at the mouth,
+and only answered by oaths and imprecations,
+that he would be master of Nancy before Twelfth
+Day.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, the army of Burgundy sat down
+before Nancy, in a strong position, protected by
+the hollow of a watercourse, and covered with
+thirty pieces of cannon, which Colvin had under
+his charge.</p>
+
+<p>Having indulged his obstinate temper in thus
+arranging the campaign, the Duke seemed to give
+a little more heed to the advice of his counsellors
+touching the safety of his person, and permitted
+the Earl of Oxford, with his son, and two or three
+officers of his household, men of approved trust,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">318</a></span>
+to sleep within his pavilion, in addition to the
+usual guard.</p>
+
+<p>It wanted three days of Christmas when the
+Duke sat down before Nancy, and on that very
+evening a tumult happened which seemed to
+justify the alarm for his personal safety. It was
+midnight, and all in the ducal pavilion were at
+rest, when a cry of treason arose. The Earl of
+Oxford, drawing his sword, and snatching up a
+light which burned beside him, rushed into the
+Duke's apartment, and found him standing on the
+floor totally undressed, but with his sword in his
+hand, and striking around him so furiously, that
+the Earl himself had difficulty in avoiding his
+blows. The rest of his officers rushed in, their
+weapons drawn, and their cloaks wrapped around
+their left arms. When the Duke was somewhat
+composed, and found himself surrounded by his
+friends, he informed them, with rage and agitation,
+that the officers of the Secret Tribunal had,
+in spite of the vigilant precautions taken, found
+means to gain entrance into his chamber, and
+charged him, under the highest penalty, to appear
+before the Holy Vehme upon Christmas night.</p>
+
+<p>The bystanders heard this story with astonishment,
+and some of them were uncertain whether
+they ought to consider it as a reality, or a dream
+of the Duke's irritable fancy. But the citation
+was found on the Duke's toilette, written, as was
+the form, upon parchment, signeted with three
+crosses, and stuck to the table with a knife. A
+slip of wood had been also cut from the table.
+Oxford read the summons with attention. It
+named, as usual, a place where the Duke was
+cited to come unarmed and unattended, and from
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">319</a></span>
+which it was said he would be guided to the seat
+of judgment.</p>
+
+<p>Charles, after looking at the scroll for some
+time, gave vent to his thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"I know from what quiver this arrow comes,"
+he said. "It is shot by that degenerate noble,
+apostate priest, and accomplice of sorcerers, Albert
+of Geierstein. We have heard that he is among
+the motley group of murderers and outlaws whom
+the old fiddler of Provence's grandson has raked
+together. But, by St. George of Burgundy! neither
+monk's cowl, soldier's casque, nor conjurer's
+cap shall save him after such an insult as this.
+I will degrade him from knighthood, hang him from
+the highest steeple in Nancy, and his daughter
+shall choose between the meanest herd-boy in my
+army and the convent of <i>filles repentées</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever are your purposes, my lord," said
+Contay, "it were surely best be silent, when, from
+this late apparition, we may conjecture that more
+than we wot of may be within hearing."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke seemed struck with this hint, and
+was silent, or at least only muttered oaths and
+threats betwixt his teeth, while the strictest
+search was made for the intruder on his repose.
+But it was in vain.</p>
+
+<p>Charles continued his researches, incensed at a
+flight of audacity higher than ever had been ventured
+upon by these secret societies, who, whatever
+might be the dread inspired by them, had
+not as yet attempted to cope with sovereigns. A
+trusty party of Burgundians were sent on Christmas
+night to watch the spot (a meeting of four
+cross roads) named in the summons, and make
+prisoners of any whom they could lay hands
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">320</a></span>
+upon; but no suspicious persons appeared at or
+near the place. The Duke not the less continued
+to impute the affront he had received to Albert
+of Geierstein. There was a price set upon his
+head; and Campo-basso, always willing to please
+his master's mood, undertook that some of his
+Italians, sufficiently experienced in such feats,
+should bring the obnoxious baron before him,
+alive or dead. Colvin, Contay, and others laughed
+in secret at the Italian's promises.</p>
+
+<p>"Subtle as he is," said Colvin, "he will lure
+the wild vulture from the heavens before he gets
+Albert of Geierstein into his power."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, to whom the words of the Duke had
+given subject for no small anxiety, on account of
+Anne of Geierstein, and of her father for her sake,
+breathed more lightly on hearing his menaces
+held so cheaply.</p>
+
+<p>It was the second day after this alarm that
+Oxford felt a desire to reconnoitre the camp of
+Ferrand of Lorraine, having some doubts whether
+the strength and position of it were accurately
+reported. He obtained the Duke's consent for
+this purpose, who at the same time made him
+and his son a present of two noble steeds of
+great power and speed, which he himself highly
+valued.</p>
+
+<p>So soon as the Duke's pleasure was communicated
+to the Italian count, he expressed the utmost
+joy that he was to have the assistance of Oxford's
+age and experience upon an exploratory party, and
+selected a chosen band of an hundred Stradiots,
+whom he said he had sent sometimes to skirmish
+up to the very beards of the Switzers. The Earl
+showed himself much satisfied with the active and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">321</a></span>
+intelligent manner in which these men performed
+their duty, and drove before them and dispersed
+some parties of Ferrand's cavalry. At the entrance
+of a little ascending valley, Campo-basso
+communicated to the English noblemen that if
+they could advance to the farther extremity they
+would have a full view of the enemy's position.
+Two or three Stradiots then spurred on to examine
+this defile, and, returning back, communicated
+with their leader in their own language, who,
+pronouncing the passage safe, invited the Earl
+of Oxford to accompany him. They proceeded
+through the valley without seeing an enemy, but
+on issuing upon a plain at the point intimated by
+Campo-basso, Arthur, who was in the van of the
+Stradiots, and separated from his father, did indeed
+see the camp of Duke Ferrand within half
+a mile's distance; but a body of cavalry had that
+instant issued from it, and were riding hastily
+towards the gorge of the valley from which he had
+just emerged. He was about to wheel his horse
+and ride off, but, conscious of the great speed of
+the animal, he thought he might venture to stay
+for a moment's more accurate survey of the camp.
+The Stradiots who attended him did not wait his
+orders to retire, but went off, as was indeed their
+duty, when attacked by a superior force.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, Arthur observed that the knight who
+seemed leader of the advancing squadron, mounted
+on a powerful horse that shook the earth beneath
+him, bore on his shield the Bear of Berne, and
+had otherwise the appearance of the massive frame
+of Rudolph Donnerhugel. He was satisfied of this
+when he beheld the cavalier halt his party and
+advance towards him alone, putting his lance in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">322</a></span>
+rest, and moving slowly, as if to give him time
+for preparation. To accept such a challenge, in
+such a moment, was dangerous, but to refuse it
+was disgraceful; and while Arthur's blood boiled
+at the idea of chastising an insolent rival, he was
+not a little pleased at heart that their meeting on
+horseback gave him an advantage over the Swiss,
+through his perfect acquaintance with the practice
+of the tourney, in which Rudolph might be supposed
+more ignorant.</p>
+
+<p>They met, as was the phrase of the time, "manful
+under shield." The lance of the Swiss glanced
+from the helmet of the Englishman, against which
+it was addressed, while the spear of Arthur, directed
+right against the centre of his adversary's
+body, was so justly aimed, and so truly seconded
+by the full fury of the career, as to pierce, not
+only the shield which hung round the ill-fated
+warrior's neck, but a breast-plate and a shirt of
+mail which he wore beneath it. Passing clear
+through the body, the steel point of the weapon
+was only stopped by the back-piece of the unfortunate
+cavalier, who fell headlong from his horse, as
+if struck by lightning, rolled twice or thrice over
+on the ground, tore the earth with his hands, and
+then lay prostrate a dead corpse.</p>
+
+<p>There was a cry of rage and grief among those
+men-at-arms whose ranks Rudolph had that instant
+left, and many couched their lances to avenge
+him; but Ferrand of Lorraine, who was present in
+person, ordered them to make prisoner, but not to
+harm, the successful champion. This was accomplished,
+for Arthur had not time to turn his bridle
+for flight, and resistance would have been madness.</p>
+
+<p>When brought before Ferrand, he raised his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">323</a></span>
+visor, and said, "Is it well, my lord, to make captive
+an adventurous knight, for doing his devoir
+against a personal challenger?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not complain, Sir Arthur of Oxford," said
+Ferrand, "before you experience injury. You are
+free, Sir Knight. Your father and you were faithful
+to my royal aunt Margaret, and, although she
+was my enemy, I do justice to your fidelity in her
+behalf; and from respect to her memory, disinherited
+as she was like myself, and to please my
+grandfather, who I think had some regard for you,
+I give you your freedom. But I must also care
+for your safety during your return to the camp of
+Burgundy. On this side of the hill we are loyal
+and true-hearted men, on the other they are traitors
+and murderers. You, Sir Count, will, I think,
+gladly see our captive placed in safety."</p>
+
+<p>The knight to whom Ferrand addressed himself,
+a tall, stately man, put himself in motion to attend
+on Arthur, while the former was expressing to the
+young Duke of Lorraine the sense he entertained
+of his chivalrous conduct. "Farewell, Sir Arthur
+de Vere," said Ferrand. "You have slain a noble
+champion, and to me a most useful and faithful
+friend. But it was done nobly and openly, with
+equal arms, and in the front of the line; and evil
+befall him who entertains feud first!" Arthur
+bowed to his saddle-bow. Ferrand returned the
+salutation, and they parted.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur and his new companion had ridden but
+a little way up the ascent, when the stranger spoke
+thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"We have been fellow-travellers before, young
+man, yet you remember me not."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur turned his eyes on the cavalier, and,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">324</a></span>
+observing that the crest which adorned his helmet
+was fashioned like a vulture, strange suspicions
+began to cross his mind, which were confirmed
+when the knight, opening his helmet, showed him
+the dark and severe features of the Priest of St.
+Paul's.</p>
+
+<p>"Count Albert of Geierstein!" said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"The same," replied the count, "though thou
+hast seen him in other garb and headgear. But
+tyranny drives all men to arms, and I have resumed,
+by the licence and command of my superiors,
+those which I had laid aside. A war against
+cruelty and oppression is holy as that waged in
+Palestine, in which priests bear armour."</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord Count," said Arthur, eagerly, "I cannot
+too soon entreat you to withdraw to Sir Ferrand
+of Lorraine's squadron. Here you are in
+peril, where no strength or courage can avail you.
+The Duke has placed a price on your head; and
+the country betwixt this and Nancy swarms with
+Stradiots and Italian light horsemen."</p>
+
+<p>"I laugh at them," answered the count. "I
+have not lived so long in a stormy world, amid
+intrigues of war and policy, to fall by the mean
+hand of such as they&mdash;besides, thou art with me,
+and I have seen but now that thou canst bear thee
+nobly."</p>
+
+<p>"In your defence, my lord," said Arthur, who
+thought of his companion as the father of Anne of
+Geierstein, "I should try to do my best."</p>
+
+<p>"What, youth!" replied Count Albert with a
+stern sneer, that was peculiar to his countenance;
+"wouldst thou aid the enemy of the lord under
+whose banner thou servest against his waged
+soldiers?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">325</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Arthur was somewhat abashed at the turn given
+to his ready offer of assistance, for which he had
+expected at least thanks; but he instantly collected
+himself, and replied, "My Lord Count
+Albert, you have been pleased to put yourself in
+peril to protect me from partisans of your party&mdash;I
+am equally bound to defend you from those of
+our side."</p>
+
+<p>"It is happily answered," said the count; "yet
+I think there is a little blind partisan, of whom
+troubadours and minstrels talk, to whose instigation
+I might, in case of need, owe the great zeal of
+my protector."</p>
+
+<p>He did not allow Arthur, who was a good deal
+embarrassed, time to reply, but proceeded: "Hear
+me, young man&mdash;Thy lance has this day done
+an evil deed to Switzerland, to Berne, and Duke
+Ferrand, in slaying their bravest champion. But
+to me the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel is a welcome
+event. Know that he was, as his services
+grew more indispensable, become importunate in
+requiring Duke Ferrand's interest with me for my
+daughter's hand. And the Duke himself, the son
+of a princess, blushed not to ask me to bestow the
+last of my house&mdash;for my brother's family are
+degenerate mongrels&mdash;upon a presumptuous young
+man, whose uncle was a domestic in the house of
+my wife's father, though they boasted some relationship,
+I believe, through an illegitimate channel,
+which yonder Rudolph was wont to make the
+most of, as it favoured his suit."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," said Arthur, "a match with one so
+unequal in birth, and far more in every other
+respect, was too monstrous to be mentioned?"</p>
+
+<p>"While I lived," replied Count Albert, "never
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">326</a></span>
+should such union have been formed, if the death
+both of bride and bridegroom by my dagger could
+have saved the honour of my house from violation.
+But when I&mdash;I whose days, whose very hours are
+numbered&mdash;shall be no more, what could prevent
+an undaunted suitor, fortified by Duke Ferrand's
+favour, by the general applause of his country, and
+perhaps by the unfortunate prepossession of my
+brother Arnold, from carrying his point against
+the resistance and scruples of a solitary maiden?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rudolph is dead," replied Arthur, "and may
+Heaven assoilzie him from guilt! But were he
+alive, and urging his suit on Anne of Geierstein, he
+would find there was a combat to be fought"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Which has been already decided," answered
+Count Albert. "Now, mark me, Arthur de Vere!
+My daughter has told me of the passages betwixt
+you and her. Your sentiments and conduct are
+worthy of the noble house you descend from,
+which I well know ranks with the most illustrious
+in Europe. You are indeed disinherited, but so is
+Anne of Geierstein, save such pittance as her uncle
+may impart to her of her paternal inheritance. If
+you share it together till better days (always supposing
+your noble father gives his consent, for my
+child shall enter no house against the will of its
+head), my daughter knows that she has my willing
+consent, and my blessing. My brother shall also
+know my pleasure. He will approve my purpose;
+for, though dead to thoughts of honour and chivalry,
+he is alive to social feelings, loves his niece,
+and has friendship for thee and for thy father.
+What say'st thou, young man, to taking a beggarly
+countess to aid thee in the journey of life?
+I believe&mdash;nay, I prophesy (for I stand so much
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">327</a></span>
+on the edge of the grave, that methinks I command
+a view beyond it), that a lustre will one day, after
+I have long ended my doubtful and stormy life,
+beam on the coronets of De Vere and Geierstein."</p>
+
+<p>De Vere threw himself from his horse, clasped
+the hand of Count Albert, and was about to exhaust
+himself in thanks; but the count insisted
+on his silence.</p>
+
+<p>"We are about to part," he said. "The time is
+short&mdash;the place is dangerous. You are to me,
+personally speaking, less than nothing. Had any
+one of the many schemes of ambition which I have
+pursued led me to success, the son of a banished
+earl had not been the son-in-law I had chosen.
+Rise and remount your horse&mdash;thanks are unpleasing
+when they are not merited."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur arose, and, mounting his horse, threw
+his raptures into a more acceptable form, endeavouring
+to describe how his love for Anne, and
+efforts for her happiness, should express his gratitude
+to her father; and, observing that the count
+listened with some pleasure to the picture he
+drew of their future life, he could not help exclaiming,&mdash;"And
+you, my lord&mdash;you who have
+been the author of all this happiness, will you not
+be the witness and partaker of it? Believe me, we
+will strive to soften the effect of the hard blows
+which fortune has dealt to you, and, should a ray
+of better luck shine upon us, it will be the more
+welcome that you can share it."</p>
+
+<p>"Forbear such folly," said the Count Albert of
+Geierstein. "I know my last scene is approaching.
+Hear and tremble. The Duke of Burgundy is sentenced
+to die, and the Secret and Invisible Judges,
+who doom in secret and avenge in secret, like the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">328</a></span>
+Deity, have given the cord and the dagger to my
+hand."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, cast from you these vile symbols!" exclaimed
+Arthur, with enthusiasm; "let them find
+butchers and common stabbers to do such an office,
+and not dishonour the noble Lord of Geierstein!"</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, foolish boy!" answered the count.
+"The oath by which I am sworn is higher than
+that clouded sky, more deeply fixed than those
+distant mountains. Nor think my act is that of
+an assassin, though for such I might plead the
+Duke's own example. I send not hirelings, like
+these base Stradiots, to hunt his life, without imperilling
+mine own. I give not his daughter&mdash;innocent
+of his offences&mdash;the choice betwixt a
+disgraceful marriage and a discreditable retreat
+from the world. No, Arthur de Vere, I seek
+Charles with the resolved mind of one who, to
+take the life of an adversary, exposes himself to
+certain death."</p>
+
+<p>"I pray you speak no further of it," said Arthur,
+very anxiously. "Consider I serve for the present
+the prince whom you threaten"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And art bound," interrupted the count, "to
+unfold to him what I tell you. I desire you should
+do so; and though he hath already neglected a
+summons of the Tribunal, I am glad to have this
+opportunity of sending him personal defiance. Say
+to Charles of Burgundy that he has wronged Albert
+of Geierstein. He who is injured in his honour
+loses all value for his life, and whoever does so
+has full command over that of another man. Bid
+him keep himself well from me, since, if he see a
+second sun of the approaching year rise over the
+distant Alps, Albert of Geierstein is forsworn.&mdash;And
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">329</a></span>
+now begone, for I see a party approach under
+a Burgundian banner. They will insure your
+safety, but, should I remain longer, would endanger
+mine."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, the Count of Geierstein turned his
+horse and rode off.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">330</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Faint the din of battle bray'd</p>
+<p class="i2">  Distant down the heavy wind;</p>
+<p>War and terror fled before,</p>
+<p class="i2">  Wounds and death were left behind.</p>
+
+<p class="i12">
+<span class="smcap">Mickle.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Arthur, left alone, and desirous perhaps to cover
+the retreat of Count Albert, rode towards the approaching
+body of Burgundian cavalry, who were
+arrayed under the Lord Contay's banner.</p>
+
+<p>"Welcome, welcome," said that nobleman, advancing
+hastily to the young knight. "The Duke
+of Burgundy is a mile hence, with a body of horse
+to support the reconnoitring party. It is not half
+an hour since your father galloped up, and stated
+that you had been led into an ambuscade by the
+treachery of the Stradiots, and made prisoner. He
+has impeached Campo-basso of treason, and challenged
+him to the combat. They have both been
+sent to the camp, under charge of the Grand Marshal,
+to prevent their fighting on the spot, though
+I think our Italian showed little desire to come
+to blows. The Duke holds their gages, and they
+are to fight upon Twelfth Day."</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt that day will never dawn for some
+who look for it," said Arthur; "but if it do, I
+will myself claim the combat, by my father's
+permission."</p>
+
+<p>He then turned with Contay, and met a still
+larger body of cavalry under the Duke's broad
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">331</a></span>
+banner. He was instantly brought before Charles.
+The Duke heard, with some apparent anxiety,
+Arthur's support of his father's accusations against
+the Italian, in whose favour he was so deeply prejudiced.
+When assured that the Stradiots had
+been across the hill, and communicated with their
+leader just before he encouraged Arthur to advance,
+as it proved, into the midst of an ambush,
+the Duke shook his head, lowered his shaggy
+brows, and muttered to himself,&mdash;"Ill will to
+Oxford, perhaps&mdash;these Italians are vindictive."&mdash;Then
+raising his head, he commanded Arthur to
+proceed.</p>
+
+<p>He heard with a species of ecstasy the death
+of Rudolph Donnerhugel, and, taking a ponderous
+gold chain from his own neck, flung it over
+Arthur's.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, thou hast forestalled all our honours,
+young Arthur&mdash;this was the biggest bear of them
+all&mdash;the rest are but suckling whelps to him!
+I think I have found a youthful David to match
+their huge thick-headed Goliath. But the idiot,
+to think his peasant hand could manage a lance!
+Well, my brave boy&mdash;what more? How camest
+thou off? By some wily device or agile stratagem,
+I warrant."</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon me, my lord," answered Arthur. "I
+was protected by their chief, Ferrand, who considered
+my encounter with Rudolph Donnerhugel
+as a personal duel; and desirous to use fair war,
+as he said, dismissed me honourably, with my
+horse and arms."</p>
+
+<p>"Umph!" said Charles, his bad humour returning;
+"your Prince Adventurer must play the
+generous&mdash;Umph&mdash;well, it belongs to his part,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">332</a></span>
+but shall not be a line for me to square my conduct
+by. Proceed with your story, Sir Arthur de
+Vere."</p>
+
+<p>As Arthur proceeded to tell how and under what
+circumstances Count Albert of Geierstein named
+himself to him, the Duke fixed on him an eager
+look, and trembled with impatience as he fiercely
+interrupted him with the question&mdash;"And you&mdash;you
+struck him with your poniard under the fifth
+rib, did you not?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not, my Lord Duke&mdash;we were pledged
+in mutual assurance to each other."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you knew him to be my mortal enemy?"
+said the Duke. "Go, young man, thy lukewarm
+indifference has cancelled thy merit. The escape
+of Albert of Geierstein hath counterbalanced the
+death of Rudolph Donnerhugel."</p>
+
+<p>"Be it so, my lord," said Arthur, boldly. "I
+neither claim your praises, nor deprecate your censure.
+I had to move me in either case motives
+personal to myself&mdash;Donnerhugel was my enemy,
+and to Count Albert I owe some kindness."</p>
+
+<p>The Burgundian nobles who stood around were
+terrified for the effect of this bold speech. But it
+was never possible to guess with accuracy how
+such things would affect Charles. He looked
+around him with a laugh&mdash;"Hear you this English
+cockerel, my lords&mdash;what a note will he one
+day sound, that already crows so bravely in a
+prince's presence?"</p>
+
+<p>A few horsemen now came in from different
+quarters, recounting that the Duke Ferrand and
+his company had retired into their encampment,
+and the country was clear of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us then draw back also," said Charles,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">333</a></span>
+"since there is no chance of breaking spears to-day.
+And thou, Arthur de Vere, attend me
+closely."</p>
+
+<p>Arrived in the Duke's pavilion, Arthur underwent
+an examination, in which he said nothing of
+Anne of Geierstein, or her father's designs concerning
+him, with which he considered Charles as
+having nothing to do; but he frankly conveyed to
+him the personal threats which the count had
+openly used. The Duke listened with more temper,
+and when he heard the expression, "That a
+man who is desperate of his own life might command
+that of any other person," he said, "But
+there is a life beyond this, in which he who is
+treacherously murdered, and his base and desperate
+assassin, shall each meet their deserts." He then
+took from his bosom a gold cross, and kissed it,
+with much appearance of devotion. "In this,"
+said he, "I will place my trust. If I fail in this
+world, may I find grace in the next.&mdash;Ho, Sir
+Marshal!" he exclaimed. "Let your prisoners
+attend us."</p>
+
+<p>The Marshal of Burgundy entered with the Earl
+of Oxford, and stated that his other prisoner,
+Campo-basso, had desired so earnestly that he
+might be suffered to go and post his sentinels on
+that part of the camp intrusted to the protection of
+his troops, that he, the Marshal, had thought fit
+to comply with his request.</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said Burgundy, without further
+remark. "Then to you, my Lord Oxford, I would
+present your son, had you not already locked him
+in your arms. He has won great los and honour,
+and done me brave service. This is a period of
+the year when good men forgive their enemies;&mdash;I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">334</a></span>
+know not why,&mdash;my mind was little apt to be
+charged with such matters,&mdash;but I feel an unconquerable
+desire to stop the approaching combat
+betwixt you and Campo-basso. For my sake, consent
+to be friends, and to receive back your gage
+of battle, and let me conclude this year&mdash;perhaps
+the last I may see&mdash;with a deed of peace."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said Oxford, "it is a small thing
+you ask of me, since your request only enforces a
+Christian duty. I was enraged at the loss of my
+son. I am grateful to Heaven and your Grace for
+restoring him. To be friends with Campo-basso is
+to me impossible. Faith and treason, truth and
+falsehood, might as soon shake hands and embrace.
+But the Italian shall be to me no more than he
+has been before this rupture; and that is literally
+nothing. I put my honour in your Grace's hands;&mdash;if
+he receives back his gage, I am willing to
+receive mine. John de Vere needs not be apprehensive
+that the world will suppose that he fears
+Campo-basso."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke returned sincere thanks, and detained
+the officers to spend the evening in his tent. His
+manners seemed to Arthur to be more placid than
+he had ever seen them before, while to the Earl of
+Oxford they recalled the earlier days in which
+their intimacy commenced, ere absolute power and
+unbounded success had spoiled Charles's rough but
+not ungenerous disposition. The Duke ordered a
+distribution of provisions and wine to the soldiers,
+and expressed an anxiety about their lodgings, the
+cure of the wounded, and the health of the army,
+to which he received only unpleasing answers. To
+some of his counsellors, apart, he said, "Were it
+not for our vow, we would relinquish this purpose
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">335</a></span>
+till spring, when our poor soldiers might take the
+field with less of suffering."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing else remarkable appeared in the Duke's
+manner, save that he inquired repeatedly after
+Campo-basso, and at length received accounts that
+he was indisposed, and that his physician had
+recommended rest; he had therefore retired to
+repose himself, in order that he might be stirring
+on his duty at peep of day, the safety of the camp
+depending much on his vigilance.</p>
+
+<p>The Duke made no observation on the apology,
+which he considered as indicating some lurking
+disinclination, on the Italian's part, to meet
+Oxford. The guests at the ducal pavilion were
+dismissed an hour before midnight.</p>
+
+<p>When Oxford and his son were in their own
+tent, the Earl fell into a deep reverie, which lasted
+nearly ten minutes. At length, starting suddenly
+up, he said, "My son, give orders to Thiebault
+and thy yeomen to have our horses before the tent
+by break of day, or rather before it; and it would
+not be amiss if you ask our neighbour Colvin to
+ride along with us. I will visit the outposts by
+daybreak."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a sudden resolution, my lord," said
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet it may be taken too late," said his
+father. "Had it been moonlight, I would have
+made the rounds to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"It is dark as a wolf's throat," said Arthur.
+"But wherefore, my lord, can this night in particular
+excite your apprehensions?"</p>
+
+<p>"Son Arthur, perhaps you will hold your father
+credulous. But my nurse, Martha Nixon, was a
+northern woman, and full of superstitions. In
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">336</a></span>
+particular, she was wont to say, that any sudden
+and causeless change of a man's nature, as from
+licence to sobriety, from temperance to indulgence,
+from avarice to extravagance, from prodigality to
+love of money, or the like, indicates an immediate
+change of his fortunes&mdash;that some great alteration
+of circumstances, either for good or evil (and
+for evil most likely, since we live in an evil
+world), is impending over him whose disposition
+is so much altered. This old woman's fancy has
+recurred so strongly to my mind, that I am determined
+to see with mine own eyes, ere to-morrow's
+dawn, that all our guards and patrols around the
+camp are on the alert."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur made the necessary communications to
+Colvin and to Thiebault, and then retired to rest.</p>
+
+<p>It was ere daybreak of the first of January 1477,
+a period long memorable for the events which
+marked it, that the Earl of Oxford, Colvin, and
+the young Englishman, followed only by Thiebault
+and two other servants, commenced their rounds
+of the Duke of Burgundy's encampment. For the
+greater part of their progress they found sentinels
+and guards all on the alert and at their posts. It
+was a bitter morning. The ground was partly
+covered with snow,&mdash;that snow had been partly
+melted by a thaw, which had prevailed for two
+days, and partly congealed into ice by a bitter
+frost, which had commenced the preceding evening,
+and still continued. A more dreary scene
+could scarcely be witnessed.</p>
+
+<p>But what were the surprise and alarm of the
+Earl of Oxford and his companions, when they
+came to that part of the camp which had been
+occupied the day before by Campo-basso and his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">337</a></span>
+Italians, who, reckoning men-at-arms and Stradiots,
+amounted to nigh two thousand men&mdash;not
+a challenge was given&mdash;not a horse neighed&mdash;no
+steeds were seen at picket&mdash;no guard on the camp.
+They examined several of the tents and huts&mdash;they
+were empty.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us back to alarm the camp," said the Earl
+of Oxford; "here is treachery."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, my lord," said Colvin, "let us not carry
+back imperfect tidings. I have a battery an hundred
+yards in advance, covering the access to this
+hollow way; let us see if my German cannoneers
+are at their post, and I think I can swear that
+we shall find them so. The battery commands a
+narrow pass, by which alone the camp can be
+approached, and if my men are at their duty, I will
+pawn my life that we make the pass good till you
+bring up succours from the main body."</p>
+
+<p>"Forward, then, in God's name!" said the Earl
+of Oxford.</p>
+
+<p>They galloped, at every risk, over broken ground,
+slippery with ice in some places, incumbered with
+snow in others. They came to the cannon, judiciously
+placed to sweep the pass, which rose
+towards the artillery on the outward side, and
+then descended gently from the battery into the
+lower ground. The waning winter moon, mingling
+with the dawning light, showed them that the guns
+were in their places, but no sentinel was visible.</p>
+
+<p>"The villains cannot have deserted!" said the
+astonished Colvin. "But see, there is light in
+their cantonment. Oh, that unhallowed distribution
+of wine! Their usual sin of drunkenness has
+beset them. I will soon drive them from their
+revelry."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">338</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He sprang from his horse, and rushed into the
+tent whence the light issued. The cannoneers, or
+most of them, were still there, but stretched on
+the ground, their cups and flagons scattered around
+them; and so drenched were they in wassail, that
+Colvin could only, by commands and threats,
+awaken two or three, who, staggering, and obeying
+him rather from instinct than sense, reeled forward
+to man the battery. A heavy rushing sound,
+like that of men marching fast, was now heard
+coming up the pass.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the roar of a distant avalanche," said
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"It is an avalanche of Switzers, not of snow,"
+said Colvin. "Oh, these drunken slaves! The
+cannon are deeply loaded and well pointed&mdash;this
+volley must check them if they were fiends, and
+the report will alarm the camp sooner than we can
+do. But, oh, these drunken villains!"</p>
+
+<p>"Care not for their aid," said the Earl; "my
+son and I will each take a linstock, and be gunners
+for once."</p>
+
+<p>They dismounted, and bade Thiebault and the
+grooms look to the horses, while the Earl of
+Oxford and his son took each a linstock from one
+of the helpless gunners, three of whom were just
+sober enough to stand by their guns.</p>
+
+<p>"Bravo!" cried the bold master of ordnance,
+"never was a battery so noble. Now, my mates&mdash;your
+pardon, my lords, for there is no time for
+ceremony,&mdash;and you, ye drunken knaves, take
+heed not to fire till I give the word, and, were the
+ribs of these tramplers as flinty as their Alps, they
+shall know how old Colvin loads his guns."</p>
+
+<p>They stood breathless, each by his cannon. The
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">339</a></span>
+dreaded sound approached nearer and more near,
+till the imperfect light showed a dark and shadowy
+but dense column of men, armed with long
+spears, pole-axes, and other weapons, amidst which
+banners dimly floated. Colvin suffered them to
+approach to the distance of about forty yards, and
+then gave the word, Fire! But his own piece
+alone exploded; a slight flame flashed from the
+touch-hole of the others, which had been spiked
+by the Italian deserters, and left in reality disabled,
+though apparently fit for service. Had
+they been all in the same condition with that fired
+by Colvin, they would probably have verified his
+prophecy; for even that single discharge produced
+an awful effect, and made a long lane of dead and
+wounded through the Swiss column, in which the
+first and leading banner was struck down.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand to it yet," said Colvin, "and aid me if
+possible to reload the piece."</p>
+
+<p>For this, however, no time was allowed. A
+stately form, conspicuous in the front of the staggered
+column, raised up the fallen banner, and a
+voice as of a giant exclaimed, "What, countrymen!
+have you seen Murten and Granson, and are
+you daunted by a single gun?&mdash;Berne&mdash;Uri&mdash;Schwitz&mdash;banners
+forward! Unterwalden, here is
+your standard!&mdash;Cry your war-cries, wind your
+horns; Unterwalden, follow your Landamman!"</p>
+
+<p>They rushed on like a raging ocean, with a roar
+as deafening, and a course as impetuous. Colvin,
+still labouring to reload his gun, was struck down
+in the act. Oxford and his son were overthrown
+by the multitude, the closeness of which prevented
+any blows being aimed at them. Arthur
+partly saved himself by getting under the gun
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">340</a></span>
+he was posted at; his father, less fortunate, was
+much trampled upon, and must have been crushed
+to death but for his armour of proof. The human
+inundation, consisting of at least four thousand
+men, rushed down into the camp, continuing their
+dreadful shouts, soon mingled with shrill shrieks,
+groans, and cries of alarm.</p>
+
+<p>A broad red glare rising behind the assailants,
+and putting to shame the pallid lights of the
+winter morning, first recalled Arthur to a sense of
+his condition. The camp was on fire in his rear,
+and resounded with all the various shouts of conquest
+and terror that are heard in a town which is
+stormed. Starting to his feet, he looked around
+him for his father. He lay near him senseless,
+as were the gunners, whose condition prevented
+their attempting an escape. Having opened his
+father's casque, he was rejoiced to see him give
+symptoms of reanimation.</p>
+
+<p>"The horses, the horses!" said Arthur. "Thiebault,
+where art thou?"</p>
+
+<p>"At hand, my lord," said that trusty attendant,
+who had saved himself and his charge by a prudent
+retreat into a small thicket, which the assailants
+had avoided that they might not disorder their
+ranks.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the gallant Colvin?" said the Earl.
+"Get him a horse, I will not leave him in
+jeopardy."</p>
+
+<p>"His wars are ended, my lord," said Thiebault;
+"he will never mount steed more."</p>
+
+<p>A look and a sigh as he saw Colvin, with the
+ramrod in his hand, before the muzzle of the piece,
+his head cleft by a Swiss battle-axe, was all the
+moment permitted.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">341</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Whither must we take our course?" said
+Arthur to his father.</p>
+
+<p>"To join the Duke," said the Earl of Oxford.
+"It is not on a day like this that I will leave
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"So please you," said Thiebault, "I saw the
+Duke, followed by some half-score of his guards,
+riding at full speed across this hollow watercourse,
+and making for the open country to the northward.
+I think I can guide you on the track."</p>
+
+<p>"If that be so," replied Oxford, "we will mount
+and follow him. The camp has been assailed on
+several places at once, and all must be over since
+he has fled."</p>
+
+<p>With difficulty they assisted the Earl of Oxford
+to his horse, and rode, as fast as his returning
+strength permitted, in the direction which the
+Provençal pointed out. Their other attendants
+were dispersed or slain.</p>
+
+<p>They looked back more than once on the camp,
+now one great scene of conflagration, by whose red
+and glaring light they could discover on the ground
+the traces of Charles's retreat. About three miles
+from the scene of their defeat, the sound of which
+they still heard, mingled with the bells of Nancy,
+which were ringing in triumph, they reached a
+half-frozen swamp, round which lay several dead
+bodies. The most conspicuous was that of Charles
+of Burgundy, once the possessor of such unlimited
+power&mdash;such unbounded wealth. He was partly
+stripped and plundered, as were those who lay
+round him. His body was pierced with several
+wounds, inflicted by various weapons. His sword
+was still in his hand, and the singular ferocity
+which was wont to animate his features in battle
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">342</a></span>
+still dwelt on his stiffened countenance. Close
+behind him, as if they had fallen in the act of
+mutual fight, lay the corpse of Count Albert of
+Geierstein; and that of Ital Schreckenwald, the
+faithful though unscrupulous follower of the latter,
+lay not far distant. Both were in the dress of the
+men-at-arms composing the Duke's guard, a disguise
+probably assumed to execute the fatal commission
+of the Secret Tribunal. It is supposed
+that a party of the traitor Campo-basso's men had
+been engaged in the skirmish in which the Duke fell,
+for six or seven of them, and about the same number
+of the Duke's guards, were found near the spot.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford threw himself from his
+horse, and examined the body of his deceased
+brother-in-arms, with all the sorrow inspired by
+early remembrance of his kindness. But as he
+gave way to the feelings inspired by so melancholy
+an example of the fall of human greatness,
+Thiebault, who was looking out on the path they
+had just pursued, exclaimed, "To horse, my lord!
+here is no time to mourn the dead, and little to
+save the living&mdash;the Swiss are upon us."</p>
+
+<p>"Fly thyself, good fellow," said the Earl; "and
+do thou, Arthur, fly also, and save thy youth for
+happier days. I cannot and will not fly farther.
+I will render me to the pursuers; if they take me
+to grace, it is well; if not, there is one above that
+will receive me to His."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not fly," said Arthur, "and leave you
+defenceless; I will stay and share your fate."</p>
+
+<p>"And I will remain also," said Thiebault; "the
+Switzers make fair war when their blood has not
+been heated by much opposition, and they have
+had little enough to-day."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">343</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The party of Swiss which came up proved to be
+Sigismund, with his brother Ernest, and some of
+the youths of Unterwalden. Sigismund kindly
+and joyfully received them to mercy; and thus,
+for the third time, rendered Arthur an important
+service, in return for the kindness he had expressed
+towards him.</p>
+
+<p>"I will take you to my father," said Sigismund,
+"who will be right glad to see you; only that he
+is ill at ease just now for the death of brother
+Rudiger, who fell with the banner in his hand, by
+the only cannon that was fired this morning. The
+rest could not bark: Campo-basso had muzzled
+Colvin's mastiffs, or we should many more of us
+have been served like poor Rudiger. But Colvin
+himself is killed."</p>
+
+<p>"Campo-basso, then, was in your correspondence?"
+said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Not in ours&mdash;we scorn such companions&mdash;but
+some dealing there was between the Italian and
+Duke Ferrand; and having disabled the cannon,
+and filled the German gunners soundly drunk, he
+came off to our camp with fifteen hundred horse,
+and offered to act with us. 'But no, no!' said
+my father,&mdash;'traitors come not into our Swiss
+host;' and so, though we walked in at the door
+which he left open, we would not have his company.
+So he marched with Duke Ferrand to
+attack the other extremity of the camp, where he
+found them entrance by announcing them as the
+return of a reconnoitring party."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, then," said Arthur, "a more accomplished
+traitor never drew breath, nor one who drew his
+net with such success."</p>
+
+<p>"You say well," answered the young Swiss.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">344</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The Duke will never, they say, be able to collect
+another army?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never, young man," said the Earl of Oxford,
+"for he lies dead before you."<a name="FNanchor_14" id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a>
+</p>
+
+<p>Sigismund started; for he had an inherent respect,
+and somewhat of fear, for the lofty name of
+Charles the Bold, and could hardly believe that the
+mangled corpse which now lay before him was once
+the personage he had been taught to dread. But his
+surprise was mingled with sorrow when he saw the
+body of his uncle, Count Albert of Geierstein.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my uncle!" he said&mdash;"my dear uncle
+Albert! has all your greatness and your wisdom
+brought you to a death, at the side of a ditch, like
+any crazed beggar?&mdash;Come, this sad news must be
+presently told to my father, who will be concerned
+to hear of his brother's death, which will add gall
+to bitterness, coming on the back of poor Rudiger's.
+It is some comfort, however, that father and uncle
+never could abide each other."</p>
+
+<p>With some difficulty they once more assisted the
+Earl of Oxford to horseback, and were proceeding
+to set forward, when the English lord said,&mdash;"You
+will place a guard here, to save these bodies
+from further dishonour, that they may be interred
+with due solemnity."</p>
+
+<p>"By Our Lady of Einsiedlen! I thank you for
+the hint," said Sigismund. "Yes, we should do
+all that the Church can for uncle Albert. It is to
+be hoped he has not gambled away his soul beforehand,
+playing with Satan at odds and evens. I
+would we had a priest to stay by his poor body;
+but it matters not, since no one ever heard of a
+demon appearing just before breakfast."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">345</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They proceeded to the Landamman's quarters,
+through sights and scenes which Arthur, and even
+his father, so well accustomed to war in all its
+shapes, could not look upon without shuddering.
+But the simple Sigismund, as he walked by
+Arthur's side, contrived to hit upon a theme so
+interesting as to divert his sense of the horrors
+around them.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you further business in Burgundy, now
+this Duke of yours is at an end?"</p>
+
+<p>"My father knows best," said Arthur; "but I
+apprehend we have none. The Duchess of Burgundy,
+who must now succeed to some sort of
+authority in her late husband's dominion, is sister
+to this Edward of York, and a mortal enemy to
+the House of Lancaster, and to those who have
+stood by it faithfully. It were neither prudent
+nor safe to tarry where she has influence."</p>
+
+<p>"In that case," said Sigismund, "my plan will
+fadge bravely. You shall go back to Geierstein,
+and take up your dwelling with us. Your father
+will be a brother to mine, and a better one than
+uncle Albert, whom he seldom saw or spoke with;
+while with your father he will converse from
+morning till night, and leave us all the work of
+the farm. And you, Arthur, you shall go with
+us, and be a brother to us all, in place of poor
+Rudiger, who was, to be sure, my real brother,
+which you cannot be: nevertheless, I did not like
+him so well, in respect he was not so good-natured.
+And then Anne&mdash;cousin Anne&mdash;is left all to my
+father's charge, and is now at Geierstein&mdash;and
+you know, King Arthur, we used to call her Queen
+Guenover."</p>
+
+<p>"You spoke great folly then," said Arthur.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">346</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But it is great truth&mdash;For, look you, I loved
+to tell Anne tales of our hunting, and so forth, but
+she would not listen a word till I threw in something
+of King Arthur, and then I warrant she
+would sit still as a heath-hen when the hawk is
+in the heavens. And now Donnerhugel is slain,
+you know you may marry my cousin when you
+and she will, for nobody hath interest to prevent
+it."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur blushed with pleasure under his helmet,
+and almost forgave that new-year's morning all
+its complicated distresses.</p>
+
+<p>"You forget," he replied to Sigismund, with as
+much indifference as he could assume, "that I
+may be viewed in your country with prejudice on
+account of Rudolph's death."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a whit, not a whit; we bear no malice for
+what is done in fair fight under shield. It is no
+more than if you had beat him in wrestling or at
+quoits&mdash;only it is a game cannot be played over
+again."</p>
+
+<p>They now entered the town of Nancy. The
+windows were hung with tapestry, and the streets
+crowded with tumultuous and rejoicing multitudes,
+whom the success of the battle had relieved
+from great alarm for the formidable vengeance of
+Charles of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners were received with the utmost
+kindness by the Landamman, who assured them of
+his protection and friendship. He appeared to
+support the death of his son Rudiger with stern
+resignation.</p>
+
+<p>"He had rather," he said, "his son fell in battle,
+than that he should live to despise the old simplicity
+of his country, and think the object of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">347</a></span>
+combat was the gaining of spoil. The gold of the
+dead Burgundy," he added, "would injure the
+morals of Switzerland more irretrievably than ever
+his sword did their bodies."</p>
+
+<p>He heard of his brother's death without surprise,
+but apparently with emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"It was the conclusion," he said, "of a long tissue
+of ambitious enterprises, which often offered fair prospects,
+but uniformly ended in disappointment."</p>
+
+<p>The Landamman further intimated that his
+brother had apprised him that he was engaged in
+an affair of so much danger that he was almost
+certain to perish in it, and had bequeathed his
+daughter to her uncle's care, with instructions
+respecting her.</p>
+
+<p>Here they parted for the present, but shortly
+after, the Landamman inquired earnestly of the
+Earl of Oxford what his motions were like to be,
+and whether he could assist them.</p>
+
+<p>"I think of choosing Bretagne for my place of
+refuge," answered the Earl, "where my wife has
+dwelt since the battle of Tewkesbury expelled us
+from England."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not so," said the kind Landamman, "but
+come to Geierstein with the countess, where, if she
+can, like you, endure our mountain manners and
+mountain fare, you are welcome as to the house of
+a brother, to a soil where neither conspiracy nor
+treason ever flourished. Bethink you, the Duke
+of Bretagne is a weak prince, entirely governed
+by a wicked favourite, Peter Landais. He is as
+capable&mdash;I mean the minister&mdash;of selling brave
+men's blood, as a butcher of selling bullock's flesh;
+and you know, there are those, both in France and
+Burgundy, that thirst after yours."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">348</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford expressed his thanks for the
+proposal, and his determination to profit by it, if
+approved of by Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Richmond,
+whom he now regarded as his sovereign.</p>
+
+<p>To close the tale, about three months after the
+battle of Nancy, the banished Earl of Oxford resumed
+his name of Philipson, bringing with his
+lady some remnants of their former wealth, which
+enabled them to procure a commodious residence
+near to Geierstein; and the Landamman's interest
+in the state procured for them the right of denizenship.
+The high blood and the moderate fortunes
+of Anne of Geierstein and Arthur de Vere,
+joined to their mutual inclination, made their
+marriage in every respect rational; and Annette
+with her bachelor took up their residence with the
+young people, not as servants, but mechanical aids
+in the duties of the farm; for Arthur continued to
+prefer the chase to the labours of husbandry, which
+was of little consequence, as his separate income
+amounted, in that poor country, to opulence. Time
+glided on, till it amounted to five years since the
+exiled family had been inhabitants of Switzerland.
+In the year 1482, the Landamman Biederman died
+the death of the righteous, lamented universally,
+as a model of the true and valiant, simple-minded
+and sagacious chiefs who ruled the ancient Switzers
+in peace, and headed them in battle. In the same
+year, the Earl of Oxford lost his noble countess.</p>
+
+<p>But the star of Lancaster, at that period, began
+again to culminate, and called the banished lord
+and his son from their retirement, to mix once
+more in politics. The treasured necklace of Margaret
+was then put to its destined use, and the
+produce applied to levy those bands which shortly
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">349</a></span>
+after fought the celebrated battle of Bosworth, in
+which the arms of Oxford and his son contributed
+so much to the success of Henry VII. This
+changed the destinies of De Vere and his lady.
+Their Swiss farm was conferred on Annette and
+her husband; and the manners and beauty of Anne
+of Geierstein attracted as much admiration at the
+English court as formerly in the Swiss chalet.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350"></a></span>
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">351</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>AUTHOR'S NOTES.</h2>
+
+<p class="center"><a name="Note_I" id="Note_I"></a><a href="#Page_201">Note I. p. 201</a>.&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Troubadours.</span></p>
+
+<p>The smoothness of the Provençal dialect, partaking strongly
+of the Latin, which had been spoken for so many ages in what
+was called for distinction's sake the Roman Province of Gaul,
+and the richness and fertility of a country abounding in all
+that could delight the senses and soothe the imagination, naturally
+disposed the inhabitants to cultivate the art of poetry,
+and to value and foster the genius of those who distinguished
+themselves by attaining excellence in it. Troubadours, that is,
+<i>finders</i> or <i>inventors</i>, equivalent to the northern term of <i>makers</i>,
+arose in every class, from the lowest to the highest, and success
+in their art dignified men of the meanest rank, and added fresh
+honours to those who were born in the patrician file of society.
+War and love, more especially the latter, were dictated to
+them by the chivalry of the times as the especial subjects of
+their verse. Such, too, were the themes of our northern minstrels.
+But whilst the latter confined themselves in general
+to those well-known metrical histories in which scenes of
+strife and combat mingled with adventures of enchantment,
+and fables of giants and monsters subdued by valiant champions,
+such as best attracted the ears of the somewhat duller
+and more barbarous warriors of northern France, of Britain,
+and of Germany&mdash;the more lively Troubadours produced
+poems which turned on human passion, and on love, affection,
+and dutiful observance, with which the faithful knight was
+bound to regard the object of his choice, and the honour and
+respect with which she was bound to recompense his faithful
+services.</p>
+
+<p>Thus far it cannot be disputed that the themes selected by
+the Troubadours were those on which poetry is most naturally
+exerted, and with the best chance of rising to excellence. But
+it usually happens, that when any one of the fine arts is cultivated
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">352</a></span>
+exclusively, the taste of those who practise and admire
+its productions loses sight of nature, simplicity, and true
+taste, and the artist endeavours to discover, while the public
+learn to admire, some more complicated system, in which
+pedantry supersedes the dictates of natural feeling, and metaphysical
+ingenuity is used instead of the more obvious qualifications
+of simplicity and good sense. Thus, with the unanimous
+approbation of their hearers, the Troubadours framed for
+themselves a species of poetry describing and inculcating a
+system of metaphysical affection as inconsistent with nature as
+the minstrel's tales of magicians and monsters; with this evil
+to society, that it was calculated deeply to injure its manners
+and its morals. Every Troubadour, or good Knight, who took
+the maxims of their poetical school for his rule, was bound to
+choose a lady love, the fairest and noblest to whom he had
+access, to whom he dedicated at once his lyre and his sword,
+and who, married or single, was to be the object to whom his
+life, words, and actions were to be devoted. On the other
+hand, a lady thus honoured and distinguished was bound, by
+accepting the services of such a gallant, to consider him as her
+lover, and on all due occasions to grace him as such with distinguished
+marks of personal favour. It is true that, according
+to the best authorities, the intercourse betwixt her lover and
+herself was to be entirely of a Platonic character, and the loyal
+swain was not to require, or the chosen lady to grant, anything
+beyond the favour she might in strict modesty bestow. Even
+under this restriction, the system was like to make wild work
+with the domestic peace of families, since it permitted, or
+rather enjoined, such familiarity betwixt the fair dame and
+her poetical admirer; and very frequently human passions,
+placed in such a dangerous situation, proved too strong to
+be confined within the metaphysical bounds prescribed to
+them by so fantastic and perilous a system. The injured
+husbands on many occasions avenged themselves with severity,
+and even with dreadful cruelty, on the unfaithful ladies,
+and the musical skill and chivalrous character of the lover
+proved no protection to his person. But the real spirit of
+the system was seen in this, that in the poems of the other
+Troubadours, by whom such events are recorded, their pity
+is all bestowed on the hapless lovers, while, without the least
+allowance for just provocation, the injured husband is held up
+to execration.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">353</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="center p2"><a name="Note_II" id="Note_II"></a><a href="#Page_203">Note II. p. 203</a>.&mdash;<span class="smcap">High and Noble Parliament of
+Love.</span></p>
+
+<p>In Provence, during the flourishing time of the Troubadours,
+Love was esteemed so grave and formal a part of the business
+of life, that a Parliament or High Court of Love was appointed
+for deciding such questions. This singular tribunal was, it
+may be supposed, conversant with more of imaginary than
+of real suits; but it is astonishing with what cold and pedantic
+ingenuity the Troubadours of whom it consisted set themselves
+to plead and to decide, upon reasoning which was not
+less singular and able than out of place, the absurd questions
+which their own fantastic imaginations had previously devised.
+There, for example, is a reported case of much celebrity, where
+a lady sitting in company with three persons, who were her
+admirers, listened to one with the most favourable smiles,
+while she pressed the hand of the second, and touched with
+her own the foot of the third. It was a case much agitated
+and keenly contested in the Parliament of Love, which of
+these rivals had received the distinguishing mark of the lady's
+favour. Much ingenuity was wasted on this and similar cases,
+of which there is a collection, in all judicial form of legal proceedings,
+under the title of <i>Arrêts d'Amour</i> (Adjudged Cases
+of the Court of Love).</p>
+
+<p class="center p2"><a name="Note_III" id="Note_III"></a><a href="#Page_344">Note III. p. 344</a>.</p>
+
+<p>The following very striking passage is that in which Philip
+de Commines sums up the last scene of Charles the Bold,
+whose various fortunes he had long watched with a dark anticipation
+that a character so reckless, and capable of such excess,
+must sooner or later lead to a tragical result:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>
+"As soon as the Count de Campo-basso arrived in the Duke of
+Lorrain's army, word was sent him to leave the camp immediately,
+for they would not entertain, nor have any communication with,
+such traytors. Upon which message he retir'd with his party to a
+Castle and Pass not far off, where he fortified himself with carts
+and other things as well as he could, in hopes, that if the Duke of
+Burgundy was routed, he might have an opportunity of coming in
+for a share of the plunder, as he did afterwards. Nor was this
+practice with the Duke of Lorrain the most execrable action that
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">354</a></span>
+Campo-basso was guilty of; but before he left the army he conspir'd
+with several other officers (finding it was impracticable to attempt
+anything against the Duke of Burgundy's person) to leave him
+just as they came to charge, for at that time he suppos'd it would
+put the Duke into the greatest terror and consternation, and if he
+fled, he was sure he could not escape alive, for he had order'd thirteen
+or fourteen sure men, some to run as soon as the Germans
+came up to charge 'em, and others to watch the Duke of Burgundy,
+and kill him in the rout, which was well enough contrived; I myself
+have seen two or three of those who were employed to kill the
+Duke. Having thus settled his conspiracy at home, he went over
+to the Duke of Lorrain upon the approach of the German army;
+but finding they would not entertain him, he retired to Condé.</p>
+
+<p>"The German army marched forward, and with 'em a considerable
+body of French horse, whom the King had given leave to be
+present at that action. Several parties lay in ambush not far off,
+that if the Duke of Burgundy was routed, they might surprise some
+person of quality, or take some considerable booty. By this every
+one may see into what a deplorable condition this poor Duke had
+brought himself, by his contempt of good counsel. Both armies
+being joyn'd, the Duke of Burgundy's forces having been twice
+beaten before, and by consequence weak and dispirited, and ill
+provided besides, were quickly broken and entirely defeated:
+Many sav'd themselves and got off; the rest were either taken or
+kill'd; and among 'em the Duke of Burgundy himself was killed
+on the spot. One Monsieur Claude of Bausmont, Captain of the
+Castle of Dier in Lorrain, kill'd the Duke of Burgundy. Finding
+his army routed, he mounted a swift horse, and endeavouring to
+swim a little river in order to make his escape, his horse fell with
+him, and overset him: The Duke cry'd out for quarter to this
+gentleman, who was pursuing him, but he being deaf, and not hearing
+him, immediately kill'd and stripp'd him, not knowing who he
+was, and left him naked in the ditch, where his body was found
+the next day after the battle; which the Duke of Lorrain (to his
+eternal honour) buried with great pomp and magnificence in St.
+George's Church, in the old town of Nancy, himself and all his
+nobility, in deep mourning, attending the corpse to the grave. The
+following epitaph was sometime afterwards ingrav'd on his tomb:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="o1">'<i>Carolus hoc busto Burgundæ gloria gentis</i></p>
+<p><i>Conditur, Europæ qui fuit ante timor.</i>'</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>I saw a seal ring of his, since his death, at Milan, with his arms
+cut curiously upon a sardonix that I have seen him often wear in a
+ribbon at his breast, which was sold at Milan for two ducats, and
+had been stolen from him by a rascal that waited on him in his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">355</a></span>
+chamber. I have often seen the Duke dress'd and undress'd in
+great state and formality, and attended by very great persons; but at
+his death all this pomp and magnificence ceas'd, and his family was
+involv'd in the same ruin with himself, and very likely as a punishment
+for his having deliver'd up the Constable not long before, out
+of a base and avaricious principle; but God forgive him. I have
+known him a powerful and honourable Prince, in as great esteem,
+and as much courted by his neighbours (when his affairs were in a
+prosperous condition), as any Prince in Europe, and perhaps more;
+and I cannot conceive what should provoke God Almighty's displeasure
+so highly against him, unless it was his self-love and arrogance,
+in appropriating all the success of his enterprises, and all the
+renown he ever acquir'd, to his own wisdom and conduct, without
+attributing anything to God. Yet to speak truth, he was master
+of several good qualities: No Prince ever had a greater ambition
+to entertain young noblemen than he, nor was more careful of
+their education: His presents and bounty were never profuse and
+extravagant, because he gave to many, and had a mind everybody
+should taste of it. No Prince was ever more easie of access to
+his servants and subjects. Whilst I was in his service he was
+never cruel, but a little before his death he took up that humour,
+which was an infallible sign of the shortness of his life. He was
+very splendid and curious in his dress, and in everything else, and
+indeed a little too much. He paid great honours to all ambassadors
+and foreigners, and entertain'd them nobly: His ambitious desire
+of fame was insatiable, and it was that which induced him to be
+eternally in wars, more than any other motive. He ambitiously
+desir'd to imitate the old Kings and Heroes of antiquity, whose
+actions still shine in History, and are so much talked of in the
+world, and his courage was equal to any Prince's of his time.</p>
+
+<p>"But all his designs and imaginations were vain and extravagant,
+and turn'd afterwards to his own dishonour and confusion,
+for 'tis the conquerors and not the conquer'd that purchase to
+themselves renown. I cannot easily determine towards whom God
+Almighty shew'd his anger most, whether towards him who died
+suddenly without pain or sickness in the field of battle, or towards
+his subjects who never enjoy'd peace after his death, but were
+continually involv'd in wars, against which they were not able to
+maintain themselves, upon account of the civil dissentions and
+cruel animosities that arose among 'em; and that which was the
+most insupportable, was, that the very people, to whom they were
+now oblig'd for their defence and preservation, were the Germans,
+who were strangers, and not long since their profess'd enemies. In
+short, after the Duke's death, there was not a neighbouring state
+that wished them to prosper, nor even Germany that defended 'em.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">356</a></span>
+And by the management of their affairs, their understanding seem'd
+to be as much infatuated as their master's, for they rejected all
+good counsel, and pursued such methods as directly tended to
+their destruction; and they are still in such a condition, that
+though they have at present some little ease and relaxation from
+their sorrows, yet 'tis with great danger of a relapse, and 'tis well if
+it turns not in the end to their utter ruin.</p>
+
+<p>"I am partly of their opinion who maintain, that God gives
+Princes, as he in his wisdom thinks fit, to punish or chastise the
+subjects; and he disposes the affection of subjects to their Princes,
+as he has determin'd to raise or depress 'em. Just so it has pleas'd
+him to deal with the House of Burgundy; for, after a long series of
+riches and prosperity, and six-and-twenty years' peace under three
+Illustrious Princes, predecessors to this Charles (all of 'em excellent
+persons, and of great prudence and discretion), it pleas'd God to
+send this Duke Charles, who involv'd them in bloody wars, as well
+winter as summer, to their great affliction and expense, in which
+most of their richest and stoutest men were either kill'd, or utterly
+undone. Their misfortunes continu'd successively to the very hour
+of his death; and after such a manner, that at the last, the whole
+strength of their country was destroy'd, and all kill'd or taken
+prisoners who had any zeal or affection for the House of Burgundy,
+and had power to defend the state and dignity of that family; so
+that in a manner their losses were equal to, if not over balanc'd
+their former prosperity; for as I have seen those Princes heretofore
+puissant, rich, and honourable, so it fared the same with their subjects;
+for I think, I have seen and known the greatest part of
+Europe; yet I never knew any province, or country, tho' perhaps
+of a larger extent, so abounding in money, so extravagantly fine in
+furniture for their horses, so sumptuous in their buildings, so profuse
+in their expenses, so luxurious in their feasts and entertainments,
+and so prodigal in all respects, as the subjects of these
+Princes, in my time: but it has pleased God at one blow to subvert
+and ruin this illustrious family. Such changes and revolutions in
+states and kingdoms God in his providence has wrought before we
+were born, and will do again when we are in our graves; for this
+is a certain maxim, that the prosperity or adversity of Princes are
+wholly at his disposal."</p>
+
+<p class="left65">
+<span class="smcap">Commines</span>, Book V. Chap. 9.</p>
+</div>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">357</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="ednotes" id="ednotes">Editor's Notes</a>.</h2>
+
+<p>(<a name="ednote_a" id="ednote_a" href="#enanchor_a"><i>a</i></a>) p. 114. "The good King René." There is a biography
+of this prince, by the Comte de Villeneuve Bargemont. René
+of Anjou, descended from the second son of John of Valois,
+King of France, inherited the duchy of Lorraine in right of
+his wife, daughter of Charles II., Duke of Lorraine. His
+claim was contested by Antoine, Comte de Vaudémont, representing
+a collateral male branch of the earlier line. This
+claimant was backed by Philip the Good, of Burgundy. René
+was defeated, in 1431, at Bulgueville, and passed some years
+as a captive in Dijon. Here, like Charles d'Orleans in England,
+and James I. in the same country, he amused himself
+with poetry and art. He succeeded to the crown of Provence,
+a remnant of the Neapolitan domains of Anjou, and his
+daughter, Yolande, married the son of his rival of Vaudémont.
+Lorraine was entailed on them and their issue, failing
+male issue of René. After an expedition to Naples he ceded
+Lorraine to his son, and passed his time in a pleasing pastoral
+manner, in Provence. In his old age Lorraine fell to his
+grandson René, and the unlucky region was drawn into
+disputes of France and Burgundy, between which it lay. Burgundy
+conquered Lorraine. Old René negotiated for Burgundian
+protection, and for Charles's succession to Provence,
+which on René's death would make Burgundy "a Middle
+Kingdom conterminous with Germany and France." But the
+conquest of Lorraine was the last of Charles's successes: the
+end of the novel before us tells the story of his fall.</p>
+
+<p>(<a name="ednote_b" id="ednote_b" href="#enanchor_b"><i>b</i></a>) p. 116. "Edward of York has crossed the Sea." The
+date is 1475. Louis and Edward met on the bridge over the
+Somme, at Pequigny, and made terms. The scheme of
+Oxford, in the novel, for an invasion of England during
+Edward's absence, was thus rendered impossible.</p>
+
+<p>(<a name="ednote_c" id="ednote_c" href="#enanchor_c"><i>c</i></a>) p. 125. "Henry Colvin." Comines calls this soldier
+"Cohin," in the oldest texts "Colpin." He commanded
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">358</a></span>
+three hundred English, and was killed by a cannon shot:
+"great loss to the Duke, for a single man may save his master,
+though he be of no great lineage, so he have but sense and
+virtue."</p>
+
+<p>(<a name="ednote_d" id="ednote_d" href="#enanchor_d"><i>d</i></a>) p. 262. "Granson." The Burgundian defeat is described
+in Comines, book v. ch. i. Of Charles, Comines says, "il
+perdit honneur et chevance ce jour." Morat he describes in
+book v. ch. iii. The narrative of Charles's despair, and the
+detail of his drinking <i>tisane</i> in place of wine, is borrowed
+from Comines, book v. ch. v., in the sixteenth chapter of
+the novel. The treachery of Campobasso is recorded in
+Comines's sixth-ninth chapter. Mr. Kirk's version of
+Charles's last fight is written with much spirit.</p>
+
+<p class="left65">
+<span class="smcap">Andrew Lang.</span></p>
+
+<p><i>May 1894.</i></p>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">359</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>GLOSSARY.</h2>
+
+<div class="glossary">
+<p class="hanging">
+<b>Abettance</b>, support, encouragement.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Abye</b>, to pay the penalty of, to
+atone for.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Adjected</b>, appended, added.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Albe</b>, a long white linen robe
+worn by priests.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ariette</b>, a little song.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Arquebusier</b>, a soldier armed
+with an arquebuse, an early
+form of musket.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Assoilzied</b>, pardoned.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Astucious</b>, astute, shrewd, cunning.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Baaren-hauter</b>, a nickname for
+a German private soldier.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ban</b>, an imperial edict; the laws
+of the Empire.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ban-dog</b>, a large fierce dog.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Barbed</b>, clad in armour.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Beauffet</b>, a sideboard.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Blink out of</b>," to evade, to
+escape.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Bordel</b>, a brothel.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Botargo</b>, the roe of the mullet or
+tunny, salted and dried.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Brache</b>, a kind of sporting dog.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Bretagne</b>, Brittany.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Broad-piece</b>, an old English
+gold coin.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Bruit</b>, rumour.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Buon campagna</b>," open country.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Caravansera</b>, an inn.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Carbonado</b>, a piece of meat or
+game, seasoned and broiled.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Caviare</b>, the roe of the sturgeon
+pickled in salt.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Chaffron</b>, <b>chamfron</b>, the armoured
+frontlet of a horse.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Chalumeau</b>, a reed or pipe made
+into an instrument of music.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Coif</b>, a woman's headdress.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Corso</b>, the chief street or square
+in an Italian town.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Côte roti</b>," wine grown on a
+sunny slope.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Dalmatic</b>, <b>dalmatique</b>, a long
+ecclesiastical robe.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Debonair</b>, affable, courteous.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Dishabille</b>, undress, negligent
+dress.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Dorf</b>, a village.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ducat</b>, an old gold coin, worth
+about 9<i>s.</i> 4<i>d.</i></p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Entrechat</b>, a caper.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Fadge</b>, to succeed, to turn out
+well.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Galilee</b>, a porch or chapel beside
+a monastery or church, in which
+the monks received visitors,
+where processions were formed,
+penitents stationed, and so
+forth.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Gear</b>, business, affair; property.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Geierstein</b>, vulture-stone.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Grave</b>, a count.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Gutter-blooded</b>, of the meanest
+birth.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Hagbut</b>, a musket.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Halidome</b>, on my word of honour.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Hypocaust</b>, a stove, heating apparatus.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">360</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Jongleur</b>, a minstrel-poet of
+Northern France.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Lauds</b>, a daily service of the
+Roman Catholic Church.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Los</b>, praise.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Morgue</b>, the proud, disdainful
+look of a superior to an inferior.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Morisco</b>, a Moor of Spain.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Pardoner</b>, a licensed seller of papal
+indulgences.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Pavin</b>, a stately Spanish dance.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Pennoncelle</b>, a little flag fixed
+to a lance.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Peste!</b> plague on't!</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Piastre</b>, a silver coin, worth 4<i>s.</i></p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Plump</b>, a clump, collection.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Poz element</b>," a German oath.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Questionary</b>, a pedlar of relics
+or indulgences.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Rebeck</b>, an instrument resembling
+the violin.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Reiter</b>, a horse-soldier.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Rhein-Thal</b>, the valley of the
+Rhine.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ritter</b>, a knight.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Rote</b>, a kind of harp, played by
+turning a wheel.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Samite</b>, a textile made of gold
+cloth or satin.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Sapperment der Teufel!</b>"&mdash;a
+German oath.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Schwarz-reiter</b>, a German mercenary
+horse-soldier.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Sibylline leaf</b>," the oracular
+or precious saying.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Stadtholder</b>, the emperor's deputy
+in ancient Westphalia.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Stell</b>, to mount or plant (a cannon).</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Strick-kind</b>, the child of the
+cord&mdash;the prisoner on trial
+before the Vehmic Tribunal.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Stube</b>, a sitting-room, a public
+room.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Talliage</b>, a subsidy, a tax.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Tiers état</b>," the third estate,
+or representatives of the people.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Turnpike-stair</b>, a spiral or winding
+staircase.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Vambrace</b>, the piece of armour
+that covered the forearm.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Violer</b>, a player on a viol, a kind
+of violin.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Visard</b>, a mask to cover the
+face.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Wass-ail</b>, ale or wine sweetened
+and flavoured with spices.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Wassel-song</b>, a drinking or carousing
+song.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Welked</b>, marked with protuberances
+or ridges.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Yungfrau</b>, <b>Jungfrau</b>, a young
+girl.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Yung-herren</b>, <b>Jung-herren</b>,
+<b>Junker</b>, the sons of a German
+minor noble.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Zechin</b>, a Venetian gold coin,
+worth from 9<i>s.</i> to 10<i>s.</i></p>
+</div>
+<div class="footnotes">
+<h2 class="fntitle">FOOTNOTES:</h2>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a>
+ The word Wehme, pronounced Vehme, is of uncertain derivation,
+but was always used to intimate this inquisitorial and secret
+Court. The members were termed Wissenden, or Initiated,
+answering to the modern phrase of Illuminati. Mr. Palgrave
+seems inclined to derive the word <i>Vehme</i> from <i>Ehme</i>, <i>i.e.</i> <i>Law</i>, and
+he is probably right.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a>
+ The term <i>Strick-kind</i>, or child of the cord, was applied to the
+person accused before these awful assemblies.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a>
+ The parts of Germany subjected to the operation of the Secret
+Tribunal were called, from the blood which it spilt, or from some
+other reason (Mr. Palgrave suggests the ground tincture of the
+ancient banner of the district), the Red Soil. Westphalia, as the
+limits of that country were understood in the Middle Ages, which
+are considerably different from the present boundaries, was the
+principal theatre of the Vehme.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a>
+ <i>Baaren-hauter</i>,&mdash;he of the Bear's hide,&mdash;a nickname for a
+German private soldier.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a>
+ See <a href="#ednotes">Editor's Notes</a> at the end of the Volume. Wherever a
+similar reference occurs, the reader will understand that the same
+direction applies.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a>
+ The Lancastrian party threw the imputation of bastardy
+(which was totally unfounded) upon Edward IV.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a>
+ The chief order of knighthood in the state of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a>
+ <a href="#Note_I">Note I</a>.&mdash;The Troubadours.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a>
+ <a href="#Note_II">Note II</a>.&mdash;Parliament of Love.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a>
+ Bransle, in English, brawl&mdash;a species of dance.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a>
+ The Archbishop of Cologne was recognised as head of all the
+Free Tribunals (<i>i.e.</i> the Vehmique benches) in Westphalia, by a
+writ of privilege granted in 1335 by the Emperor Charles IV.
+Winceslaus confirmed this act by a privilege dated 1382, in which
+the Archbishop is termed Grand Master of the Vehme, or Grand
+Inquisitor. And this prelate and other priests were encouraged to
+exercise such office by Pope Boniface III., whose ecclesiastical discipline
+permitted them in such cases to assume the right of judging
+in matters of life and death.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a>
+ Cupidus novarum rerum.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_13" id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a>
+ <i>Guantes</i>, used by the Spanish as the French say étrennes, or
+the English handsell or luckpenny&mdash;phrases used by inferiors to
+their patrons as the bringers of good news.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_14" id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a>
+ <a href="#Note_III">Note III</a>.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="center p2">END OF VOL. II.</p>
+
+<hr class="l15" />
+<p class="center s08"><i>Printed by</i> <span class="smcap">Ballantyne, Hanson &amp; Co.</span><br />
+<i>Edinburgh and London</i></p>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44247 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
+
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+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
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+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #44247 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44247)
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Anne of Geierstein, by Walter Scott
+
+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: Anne of Geierstein
+       (Volume 2 of 2)
+
+Author: Walter Scott
+
+Annotator: Andrew Lang
+
+Release Date: November 21, 2013 [EBook #44247]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+  Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Inconsistent
+  spelling, hyphenation, and capitalization (e.g. his grace/Grace) in
+  the original document have been preserved.
+
+  Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal
+  signs=.
+
+
+
+
+     WAVERLEY NOVELS
+
+     FORTY-EIGHT VOLUMES
+     VOLUME XLIV.
+
+
+
+
+     BORDER EDITION
+
+     The Introductory Essays and Notes by ANDREW LANG to this
+     Edition of the Waverley Novels are Copyright
+
+     [Illustration: KING RENÉ.
+      Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.]
+
+
+
+
+     ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN
+
+     BY
+
+     SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART.
+
+     WITH INTRODUCTORY ESSAY AND NOTES
+     BY ANDREW LANG
+
+     TEN ETCHINGS
+
+     VOLUME II.
+
+     LONDON
+
+     JOHN C. NIMMO
+
+     14, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND
+
+     MDCCCXCIV
+
+
+
+
+     PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
+     At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ETCHINGS.
+
+PRINTED BY F. GOULDING, LONDON.
+
+
+VOLUME THE SECOND.
+
+     KING RENÉ. Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios
+     (p. 213)                                         Frontispiece
+
+     THE SECRET TRIBUNAL. Drawn and Etched by R. de
+     Los Rios                                      To face page 32
+
+     ARTHUR BEFORE THE QUEEN. Drawn and Etched by
+     R. de Los Rios                                            112
+
+     THE DEFIANCE. Drawn and Etched by R. de Los
+     Rios                                                      182
+
+     THE FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN. Drawn and Etched by
+     R. de Los Rios                                            288
+
+
+
+
+     ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN;
+     OR,
+     THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST.
+
+
+     What! will the aspiring blood of Lancaster
+     Sink in the ground?
+
+     SHAKSPEARE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+     _1st Carrier._ What, ostler!--a plague on thee, hast never
+     an eye in thy head? Canst thou not hear? An 'twere not as
+     good a deed as drink to break the pate of thee, I am a
+     very villain--Come, and be hanged--Hast thou no faith in
+     thee?
+
+     _Gadshill._ I pray thee, lend me thy lantern, to see my
+     gelding in the stable.
+
+     _2d Carrier._ Nay, soft, I pray you--I know a trick worth
+     two of that.
+
+     _Gadshill._ I prithee lend me thine.
+
+     _3d Carrier._ Ay, when? Canst tell?--Lend thee my lantern,
+     quotha? Marry, I'll see thee hanged first.
+                                                   _Henry IV._
+
+
+The social spirit peculiar to the French nation had already introduced
+into the inns of that country the gay and cheerful character of
+welcome upon which Erasmus, at a later period, dwells with strong
+emphasis, as a contrast to the saturnine and sullen reception which
+strangers were apt to meet with at a German caravansera. Philipson
+was, therefore, in expectation of being received by the busy, civil,
+and talkative host--by the hostess and her daughter, all softness,
+coquetry, and glee--the smiling and supple waiter--the officious and
+dimpled chambermaid. The better inns in France boast also separate
+rooms, where strangers could change or put in order their dress, where
+they might sleep without company in their bedroom, and where they
+could deposit their baggage in privacy and safety. But all these
+luxuries were as yet unknown in Germany; and in Alsace, where the
+scene now lies, as well as in the other dependencies of the Empire,
+they regarded as effeminacy everything beyond such provisions as were
+absolutely necessary for the supply of the wants of travellers; and
+even these were coarse and indifferent, and, excepting in the article
+of wine, sparingly ministered.
+
+The Englishman, finding that no one appeared at the gate, began to
+make his presence known by calling aloud, and finally by alighting,
+and smiting with all his might on the doors of the hostelry for a long
+time, without attracting the least attention. At length the head of a
+grizzled servitor was thrust out at a small window, who, in a voice
+which sounded like that of one displeased at the interruption, rather
+than hopeful of advantage from the arrival of a guest, demanded what
+he wanted.
+
+"Is this an inn?" replied Philipson.
+
+"Yes," bluntly replied the domestic, and was about to withdraw from
+the window, when the traveller added,--
+
+"And if it be, can I have lodgings?"
+
+"You may come in," was the short and dry answer.
+
+"Send some one to take the horses," replied Philipson.
+
+"No one is at leisure," replied this most repulsive of waiters; "you
+must litter down your horses yourself, in the way that likes you
+best."
+
+"Where is the stable?" said the merchant, whose prudence and temper
+were scarce proof against this Dutch phlegm.
+
+The fellow, who seemed as sparing of his words as if, like the
+Princess in the fairy tale, he had dropped ducats with each of them,
+only pointed to a door in an outer building, more resembling that of a
+cellar than of a stable, and, as if weary of the conference, drew in
+his head, and shut the window sharply against the guest, as he would
+against an importunate beggar.
+
+Cursing the spirit of independence which left a traveller to his own
+resources and exertions, Philipson, making a virtue of necessity, led
+the two nags towards the door pointed out as that of the stable, and
+was rejoiced at heart to see light glimmering through its chinks. He
+entered with his charge into a place very like the dungeon vault of an
+ancient castle, rudely fitted up with some racks and mangers. It was
+of considerable extent in point of length, and at the lower end two or
+three persons were engaged in tying up their horses, dressing them,
+and dispensing them their provender.
+
+This last article was delivered by the ostler, a very old lame man,
+who neither put his hand to wisp or curry-comb, but sat weighing forth
+hay by the pound, and counting out corn, as it seemed, by the grain,
+so anxiously did he bend over his task, by the aid of a blinking light
+enclosed within a horn lantern. He did not even turn his head at the
+noise which the Englishman made on entering the place with two
+additional horses, far less did he seem disposed to give himself the
+least trouble, or the stranger the smallest assistance.
+
+In respect of cleanliness, the stable of Augeas bore no small
+resemblance to that of this Alsatian _dorf_, and it would have been an
+exploit worthy of Hercules to have restored it to such a state of
+cleanliness as would have made it barely decent in the eyes, and
+tolerable to the nostrils, of the punctilious Englishman. But this was
+a matter which disgusted Philipson himself much more than those of his
+party which were principally concerned. They, _videlicet_ the two
+horses, seeming perfectly to understand that the rule of the place was
+"first come first served," hastened to occupy the empty stalls which
+happened to be nearest to them. In this one of them at least was
+disappointed, being received by a groom with a blow across the face
+with a switch.
+
+"Take that," said the fellow, "for forcing thyself into the place
+taken up for the horses of the Baron of Randelsheim."
+
+Never in the course of his life had the English merchant more pain to
+retain possession of his temper than at that moment. Reflecting,
+however, on the discredit of quarrelling with such a man in such a
+cause, he contented himself with placing the animal, thus repulsed
+from the stall he had chosen, into one next to that of his companion,
+to which no one seemed to lay claim.
+
+The merchant then proceeded, notwithstanding the fatigue of the day,
+to pay all that attention to the mute companions of his journey which
+they deserve from every traveller who has any share of prudence, to
+say nothing of humanity. The unusual degree of trouble which Philipson
+took to arrange his horses, although his dress, and much more his
+demeanour, seemed to place him above this species of servile labour,
+appeared to make an impression even upon the iron insensibility of the
+old ostler himself. He showed some alacrity in furnishing the
+traveller, who knew the business of a groom so well, with corn, straw,
+and hay, though in small quantity, and at exorbitant rates, which were
+instantly to be paid; nay, he even went as far as the door of the
+stable, that he might point across the court to the well, from which
+Philipson was obliged to fetch water with his own hands. The duties of
+the stable being finished, the merchant concluded that he had gained
+such an interest with the grim master of the horse, as to learn of him
+whether he might leave his bales safely in the stable.
+
+"You may leave them if you will," said the ostler; "but touching their
+safety, you will do much more wisely if you take them with you, and
+give no temptation to any one by suffering them to pass from under
+your own eyes."
+
+So saying, the man of oats closed his oracular jaws, nor could he be
+prevailed upon to unlock them again by any inquiry which his customer
+could devise.
+
+In the course of this cold and comfortless reception, Philipson
+recollected the necessity of supporting the character of a prudent and
+wary trader, which he had forgotten once before in the course of the
+day; and, imitating what he saw the others do, who had been, like
+himself, engaged in taking charge of their horses, he took up his
+baggage, and removed himself and his property to the inn. Here he was
+suffered to enter, rather than admitted, into the general or public
+_stube_, or room of entertainment, which, like the ark of the
+patriarch, received all ranks without distinction, whether clean or
+unclean.
+
+The _stube_, or stove, of a German inn, derived its name from the
+great hypocaust, which is always strongly heated to secure the warmth
+of the apartment in which it is placed. There travellers of every age
+and description assembled--there their upper garments were
+indiscriminately hung up around the stove to dry or to air--and the
+guests themselves were seen employed in various acts of ablution or
+personal arrangement, which are generally, in modern times, referred
+to the privacy of the dressing-room.
+
+The more refined feelings of the Englishman were disgusted with this
+scene, and he was reluctant to mingle in it. For this reason he
+inquired for the private retreat of the landlord himself, trusting
+that, by some of the arguments powerful among his tribe, he might
+obtain separate quarters from the crowd, and a morsel of food, to be
+eaten in private. A grey-haired Ganymede, to whom he put the question
+where the landlord was, indicated a recess behind the huge stove,
+where, veiling his glory in a very dark and extremely hot corner, it
+pleased the great man to obscure himself from vulgar gaze. There was
+something remarkable about this person. Short, stout, bandylegged, and
+consequential, he was in these respects like many brethren of the
+profession in all countries. But the countenance of the man, and still
+more his manners, differed more from the merry host of France or
+England than even the experienced Philipson was prepared to expect. He
+knew German customs too well to expect the suppliant and serviceable
+qualities of the master of a French inn, or even the more blunt and
+frank manners of an English landlord. But such German innkeepers as he
+had yet seen, though indeed arbitrary and peremptory in their country
+fashions, yet, being humoured in these, they, like tyrants in their
+hours of relaxation, dealt kindly with the guests over whom their sway
+extended, and mitigated, by jest and jollity, the harshness of their
+absolute power. But this man's brow was like a tragic volume, in which
+you were as unlikely to find anything of jest or amusement, as in a
+hermit's breviary. His answers were short, sudden, and repulsive, and
+the air and manner with which they were delivered was as surly as
+their tenor; which will appear from the following dialogue betwixt him
+and his guest:--
+
+"Good host," said Philipson, in the mildest tone he could assume, "I
+am fatigued, and far from well--May I request to have a separate
+apartment, a cup of wine, and a morsel of food, in my private
+chamber?"
+
+"You may," answered the landlord; but with a look strangely at
+variance with the apparent acquiescence which his words naturally
+implied.
+
+"Let me have such accommodation, then, with your earliest
+convenience."
+
+"Soft!" replied the innkeeper. "I have said that you may request these
+things, but not that I would grant them. If you would insist on being
+served differently from others, it must be at another inn than mine."
+
+"Well, then," said the traveller, "I will shift without supper for a
+night--nay, more, I will be content to pay for a supper which I do
+not eat, if you will cause me to be accommodated with a private
+apartment."
+
+"Seignor traveller," said the innkeeper, "every one here must be
+accommodated as well as you, since all pay alike. Whoso comes to this
+house of entertainment must eat as others eat, drink as others drink,
+sit at table with the rest of my guests, and go to bed when the
+company have done drinking."
+
+"All this," said Philipson, humbling himself where anger would have
+been ridiculous, "is highly reasonable; and I do not oppose myself to
+your laws or customs. But," added he, taking his purse from his
+girdle, "sickness craves some privilege; and when the patient is
+willing to pay for it, methinks the rigour of your laws may admit of
+some mitigation?"
+
+"I keep an inn, Seignor, and not a hospital. If you remain here, you
+shall be served with the same attention as others,--if you are not
+willing to do as others do, leave my house and seek another inn."
+
+On receiving this decisive rebuff, Philipson gave up the contest, and
+retired from the _sanctum sanctorum_ of his ungracious host, to await
+the arrival of supper, penned up like a bullock in a pound, amongst
+the crowded inhabitants of the _stube_. Some of these, exhausted by
+fatigue, snored away the interval between their own arrival and that
+of the expected repast; others conversed together on the news of the
+country, and others again played at dice, or such games as might serve
+to consume the time. The company were of various ranks, from those who
+were apparently wealthy and well appointed, to some whose garments
+and manners indicated that they were but just beyond the grasp of
+poverty.
+
+A begging friar, a man apparently of a gay and pleasant temper,
+approached Philipson, and engaged him in conversation. The Englishman
+was well enough acquainted with the world to be aware, that whatever
+of his character and purpose it was desirable to conceal would be best
+hidden under a sociable and open demeanour. He, therefore, received
+the friar's approaches graciously, and conversed with him upon the
+state of Lorraine, and the interest which the Duke of Burgundy's
+attempt to seize that fief into his own hands was likely to create
+both in France and Germany. On these subjects, satisfied with hearing
+his fellow-traveller's sentiments, Philipson expressed no opinion of
+his own, but, after receiving such intelligence as the friar chose to
+communicate, preferred rather to talk upon the geography of the
+country, the facilities afforded to commerce, and the rules which
+obstructed or favoured trade.
+
+While he was thus engaged in the conversation which seemed most to
+belong to his profession, the landlord suddenly entered the room, and,
+mounting on the head of an old barrel, glanced his eye slowly and
+steadily round the crowded apartment, and when he had completed his
+survey, pronounced, in a decisive tone, the double command,--"Shut the
+gates! Spread the table!"
+
+"The Baron St. Antonio be praised!" said the friar. "Our landlord has
+given up hope of any more guests to-night, until which blessed time we
+might have starved for want of food before he had relieved us. Ay,
+here comes the cloth. The old gates of the courtyard are now bolted
+fast enough; and when Johann Mengs has once said, 'Shut the gates,'
+the stranger may knock on the outside as he will, but we may rest
+assured that it shall not be opened to him."
+
+"Meinherr Mengs maintains strict discipline in his house," said the
+Englishman.
+
+"As absolute as the Duke of Burgundy," answered the friar. "After ten
+o'clock, no admittance--the 'seek another inn,' which is before that a
+conditional hint, becomes, after the clock has struck, and the
+watchmen have begun their rounds, an absolute order of exclusion. He
+that is without remains without, and he that is within must, in like
+manner, continue there until the gates open at break of day. Till then
+the house is almost like a beleaguered citadel, John Mengs its
+seneschal"--
+
+"And we its captives, good father," said Philipson. "Well, content am
+I. A wise traveller must submit to the control of the leaders of the
+people when he travels; and I hope a goodly fat potentate, like John
+Mengs, will be as clement as his station and dignity admit of."
+
+While they were talking in this manner, the aged waiter, with many a
+weary sigh and many a groan, had drawn out certain boards, by which a
+table that stood in the midst of the _stube_ had the capacity of being
+extended, so as to contain the company present, and covered it with a
+cloth, which was neither distinguished by extreme cleanliness nor
+fineness of texture. On this table, when it had been accommodated to
+receive the necessary number of guests, a wooden trencher and spoon,
+together with a glass drinking-cup, were placed before each, he being
+expected to serve himself with his own knife for the other purposes
+of the table. As for forks, they were unknown until a much later
+period, all the Europeans of that day making the same use of the
+fingers to select their morsels and transport them to the mouth which
+the Asiatics now practise.
+
+The board was no sooner arranged than the hungry guests hastened to
+occupy their seats around it; for which purpose the sleepers were
+awakened, the dicers resigned their game, and the idlers and
+politicians broke off their sage debates, in order to secure their
+station at the supper-table, and be ready to perform their part in the
+interesting solemnity which seemed about to take place. But there is
+much between the cup and the lip, and not less sometimes between the
+covering of a table and the placing food upon it. The guests sat in
+order, each with his knife drawn, already menacing the victuals which
+were still subject to the operations of the cook. They had waited,
+with various degrees of patience, for full half an hour, when at
+length the old attendant before mentioned entered with a pitcher of
+thin Moselle wine, so light and so sharp-tasted that Philipson put
+down his cup with every tooth in his head set on edge by the slender
+portion which he had swallowed. The landlord, John Mengs, who had
+assumed a seat somewhat elevated at the head of the table, did not
+omit to observe this mark of insubordination, and to animadvert upon
+it.
+
+"The wine likes you not, I think, my master?" said he to the English
+merchant.
+
+"For wine, no," answered Philipson; "but could I see anything
+requiring such sauce, I have seldom seen better vinegar."
+
+This jest, though uttered in the most calm and composed manner, seemed
+to drive the innkeeper to fury.
+
+"Who are you," he exclaimed, "for a foreign pedlar, that ventures to
+quarrel with my wine, which has been approved of by so many princes,
+dukes, reigning dukes, graves, rhinegraves, counts, barons, and
+knights of the Empire, whose shoes you are altogether unworthy even to
+clean? Was it not of this wine that the Count Palatine of Nimmersatt
+drank six quarts before he ever rose from the blessed chair in which I
+now sit?"
+
+"I doubt it not, mine host," said Philipson; "nor should I think of
+scandalising the sobriety of your honourable guest, even if he had
+drunken twice the quantity."
+
+"Silence, thou malicious railer!" said the host; "and let instant
+apology be made to me, and the wine which you have calumniated, or I
+will instantly command the supper to be postponed till midnight."
+
+Here there was a general alarm among the guests, all abjuring any part
+in the censures of Philipson, and most of them proposing that John
+Mengs should avenge himself on the actual culprit by turning him
+instantly out of doors, rather than involve so many innocent and
+famished persons in the consequences of his guilt. The wine they
+pronounced excellent; some two or three even drank their glass out, to
+make their words good; and they all offered, if not with lives and
+fortunes, at least with hands and feet, to support the ban of the
+house against the contumacious Englishman. While petition and
+remonstrance were assailing John Mengs on every side, the friar, like
+a wise counsellor and a trusty friend, endeavoured to end the feud by
+advising Philipson to submit to the host's sovereignty.
+
+"Humble thyself, my son," he said; "bend the stubbornness of thy heart
+before the great lord of the spigot and butt. I speak for the sake of
+others as well as my own; for Heaven alone knows how much longer they
+or I can endure this extenuating fast!"
+
+"Worthy guests," said Philipson, "I am grieved to have offended our
+respected host, and am so far from objecting to the wine that I will
+pay for a double flagon of it, to be served all round to this
+honourable company--so, only, they do not ask me to share of it."
+
+These last words were spoken aside; but the Englishman could not fail
+to perceive, from the wry mouths of some of the party who were
+possessed of a nicer palate, that they were as much afraid as himself
+of a repetition of the acid potation.
+
+The friar next addressed the company with a proposal that the foreign
+merchant, instead of being amerced in a measure of the liquor which he
+had scandalised, should be mulcted in an equal quantity of the more
+generous wines which were usually produced after the repast had been
+concluded. In this mine host, as well as the guests, found their
+advantage; and, as Philipson made no objection, the proposal was
+unanimously adopted, and John Mengs gave, from his seat of dignity,
+the signal for supper to be served.
+
+The long-expected meal appeared, and there was twice as much time
+employed in consuming as there had been in expecting it. The articles
+of which the supper consisted, as well as the mode of serving them
+up, were as much calculated to try the patience of the company as the
+delay which had preceded its appearance. Messes of broth and
+vegetables followed in succession, with platters of meat sodden and
+roasted, of which each in its turn took a formal course around the
+ample table, and was specially subjected to every one in rotation.
+Black-puddings, hung beef, dried fish, also made the circuit, with
+various condiments, called botargo, caviare, and similar names,
+composed of the roes of fish mixed with spices, and the like
+preparations, calculated to awaken thirst and encourage deep drinking.
+Flagons of wine accompanied these stimulating dainties. The liquor was
+so superior in flavour and strength to the ordinary wine which had
+awakened so much controversy, that it might be objected to on the
+opposite account, being so heady, fiery, and strong, that, in spite of
+the rebuffs which his criticism had already procured, Philipson
+ventured to ask for some cold water to allay it.
+
+"You are too difficult to please, sir guest," replied the landlord,
+again bending upon the Englishman a stern and offended brow; "if you
+find the wine too strong in my house, the secret to allay its strength
+is to drink the less. It is indifferent to us whether you drink or
+not, so you pay the reckoning of those good fellows who do." And he
+laughed a gruff laugh.
+
+Philipson was about to reply, but the friar, retaining his character
+of mediator, plucked him by the cloak, and entreated him to forbear.
+"You do not understand the ways of the place," said he; "it is not
+here as in the hostelries of England and France, where each guest
+calls for what he desires for his own use, and where he pays for what
+he has required, and for no more. Here we proceed on a broad principle
+of equality and fraternity. No one asks for anything in particular;
+but such provisions as the host thinks sufficient are set down before
+all indiscriminately; and as with the feast, so is it with the
+reckoning. All pay their proportions alike, without reference to the
+quantity of wine which one may have swallowed more than another; and
+thus the sick and infirm, nay, the female and the child, pay the same
+as the hungry peasant and strolling _lanzknecht_."
+
+"It seems an unequal custom," said Philipson; "but travellers are not
+to judge. So that when a reckoning is called, every one, I am to
+understand, pays alike?"
+
+"Such is the rule," said the friar,--"excepting, perhaps, some poor
+brother of our own order, whom Our Lady and St. Francis send into such
+a scene as this, that good Christians may bestow their alms upon him,
+and so make a step on their road to Heaven."
+
+The first words of this speech were spoken in the open and independent
+tone in which the friar had begun the conversation; the last sentence
+died away into the professional whine of mendicity proper to the
+convent, and at once apprised Philipson at what price he was to pay
+for the friar's counsel and mediation. Having thus explained the
+custom of the country, good Father Gratian turned to illustrate it by
+his example, and, having no objection to the new service of wine on
+account of its strength, he seemed well disposed to signalise himself
+amongst some stout topers, who, by drinking deeply, appeared
+determined to have full pennyworths for their share of the reckoning.
+The good wine gradually did its office, and even the host relaxed his
+sullen and grim features, and smiled to see the kindling flame of
+hilarity catch from one to another, and at length embrace almost all
+the numerous guests at the table d'hôte, except a few who were too
+temperate to partake deeply of the wine, or too fastidious to enter
+into the discussions to which it gave rise. On these the host cast,
+from time to time, a sullen and displeased eye.
+
+Philipson, who was reserved and silent, both in consequence of his
+abstinence from the wine-pot and his unwillingness to mix in
+conversation with strangers, was looked upon by the landlord as a
+defaulter in both particulars; and as he aroused his own sluggish
+nature with the fiery wine, Mengs began to throw out obscure hints
+about kill-joy, mar-company, spoil-sport, and such like epithets,
+which were plainly directed against the Englishman. Philipson replied,
+with the utmost equanimity, that he was perfectly sensible that his
+spirits did not at this moment render him an agreeable member of a
+merry company, and that with the leave of those present he would
+withdraw to his sleeping-apartment, and wish them all a good evening,
+and continuance to their mirth.
+
+But this very reasonable proposal, as it might have elsewhere seemed,
+contained in it treason against the laws of German compotation.
+
+"Who are you," said John Mengs, "who presume to leave the table before
+the reckoning is called and settled? Sapperment der teufel! we are
+not men upon whom such an offence is to be put with impunity! You may
+exhibit your polite pranks in Rams-Alley if you will, or in Eastcheap,
+or in Smithfield; but it shall not be in John Mengs's Golden Fleece,
+nor will I suffer one guest to go to bed to blink out of the
+reckoning, and so cheat me and all the rest of my company."
+
+Philipson looked round, to gather the sentiments of the company, but
+saw no encouragement to appeal to their judgment. Indeed, many of them
+had little judgment left to appeal to, and those who paid any
+attention to the matter at all were some quiet old soakers, who were
+already beginning to think of the reckoning, and were disposed to
+agree with the host in considering the English merchant as a flincher,
+who was determined to evade payment of what might be drunk after he
+left the room; so that John Mengs received the applause of the whole
+company, when he concluded his triumphant denunciation against
+Philipson.
+
+"Yes, sir, you may withdraw if you please; but, poz element! it shall
+not be for this time to seek for another inn, but to the courtyard
+shall you go, and no farther, there to make your bed upon the stable
+litter; and good enough for the man that will needs be the first to
+break up good company."
+
+"It is well said, my jovial host," said a rich trader from Ratisbon;
+"and here are some six of us--more or less--who will stand by you to
+maintain the good old customs of Germany; and the--umph--laudable
+and--and praiseworthy rules of the Golden Fleece."
+
+"Nay, be not angry, sir," said Philipson; "yourself and your three
+companions, whom the good wine has multiplied into six, shall have
+your own way of ordering the matter; and since you will not permit me
+to go to bed, I trust that you will take no offence if I fall asleep
+in my chair."
+
+"How say you? what think you, mine host?" said the citizen from
+Ratisbon; "may the gentleman, being drunk, as you see he is, since he
+cannot tell that three and one make six--I say, may he, being drunk,
+sleep in the elbow-chair?"
+
+This question introduced a contradiction on the part of the host, who
+contended that three and one made four, not six; and this again
+produced a retort from the Ratisbon trader. Other clamours rose at the
+same time, and were at length with difficulty silenced by the stanzas
+of a chorus song of mirth and good fellowship, which the friar, now
+become somewhat oblivious of the rule of St. Francis, thundered forth
+with better good-will than he ever sang a canticle of King David.
+Under cover of this tumult, Philipson drew himself a little aside, and
+though he felt it impossible to sleep, as he had proposed, was yet
+enabled to escape the reproachful glances with which John Mengs
+distinguished all those who did not call for wine loudly, and drink it
+lustily. His thoughts roamed far from the _stube_ of the Golden
+Fleece, and upon matter very different from that which was discussed
+around him, when his attention was suddenly recalled by a loud and
+continued knocking on the door of the hostelry.
+
+"What have we here?" said John Mengs, his nose reddening with very
+indignation; "who the foul fiend presses on the Golden Fleece at such
+an hour, as if he thundered at the door of a bordel? To the turret
+window some one--Geoffrey, knave ostler, or thou, old Timothy, tell
+the rash man there is no admittance into the Golden Fleece save at
+timeous hours."
+
+The men went as they were directed, and might be heard in the _stube_
+vying with each other in the positive denial which they gave to the
+ill-fated guest who was pressing for admission. They returned,
+however, to inform their master, that they were unable to overcome the
+obstinacy of the stranger, who refused positively to depart until he
+had an interview with Mengs himself.
+
+Wroth was the master of the Golden Fleece at this ill-omened
+pertinacity, and his indignation extended, like a fiery exhalation,
+from his nose, all over the adjacent regions of his cheeks and brow.
+He started from his chair, grasped in his hand a stout stick, which
+seemed his ordinary sceptre or leading staff of command, and muttering
+something concerning cudgels for the shoulders of fools, and pitchers
+of fair or foul water for the drenching of their ears, he marched off
+to the window which looked into the court, and left his guests
+nodding, winking, and whispering to each other, in full expectation of
+hearing the active demonstrations of his wrath. It happened otherwise,
+however; for, after the exchange of a few indistinct words, they were
+astonished when they heard the noise of the unbolting and unbarring of
+the gates of the inn, and presently after the footsteps of men upon
+the stairs; and the landlord entering, with an appearance of clumsy
+courtesy, prayed those assembled to make room for an honoured guest,
+who came, though late, to add to their numbers. A tall dark form
+followed, muffled in a travelling-cloak; on laying aside which,
+Philipson at once recognised his late fellow-traveller, the Black
+Priest of St. Paul's.
+
+There was in the circumstance itself nothing at all surprising, since
+it was natural that a landlord, however coarse and insolent to
+ordinary guests, might yet show deference to an ecclesiastic, whether
+from his rank in the Church or from his reputation for sanctity. But
+what did appear surprising to Philipson was the effect produced by the
+entrance of this unexpected guest. He seated himself, without
+hesitation, at the highest place of the board, from which John Mengs
+had dethroned the aforesaid trader from Ratisbon, notwithstanding his
+zeal for ancient German customs, his steady adherence and loyalty to
+the Golden Fleece, and his propensity to brimming goblets. The priest
+took instant and unscrupulous possession of his seat of honour, after
+some negligent reply to the host's unwonted courtesy; when it seemed
+that the effect of his long black vestments, in place of the slashed
+and flounced coat of his predecessor, as well as of the cold grey eye
+with which he slowly reviewed the company, in some degree resembled
+that of the fabulous Gorgon, and if it did not literally convert those
+who looked upon it into stone, there was yet something petrifying in
+the steady unmoved glance with which he seemed to survey them, looking
+as if desirous of reading their very inmost souls, and passing from
+one to another, as if each upon whom he looked in succession was
+unworthy of longer consideration.
+
+Philipson felt, in his turn, that momentary examination, in which,
+however, there mingled nothing that seemed to convey recognition. All
+the courage and composure of the Englishman could not prevent an
+unpleasant feeling while under this mysterious man's eye, so that he
+felt a relief when it passed from him and rested upon another of the
+company, who seemed in turn to acknowledge the chilling effects of
+that freezing glance. The noise of intoxicated mirth and drunken
+disputation, the clamorous argument, and the still more boisterous
+laugh, which had been suspended on the priest's entering the
+eating-apartment, now, after one or two vain attempts to resume them,
+died away, as if the feast had been changed to a funeral, and the
+jovial guests had been at once converted into the lugubrious mutes who
+attend on such solemnities. One little rosy-faced man, who afterwards
+proved to be a tailor from Augsburg, ambitious, perhaps, of showing a
+degree of courage not usually supposed consistent with his effeminate
+trade, made a bold effort; and yet it was with a timid and restrained
+voice that he called on the jovial friar to renew his song. But
+whether it was that he did not dare to venture on an uncanonical
+pastime in presence of a brother in orders, or whether he had some
+other reason for declining the invitation, the merry churchman hung
+his head, and shook it with such an expressive air of melancholy, that
+the tailor drew back as if he had been detected in cabbaging from a
+cardinal's robes, or cribbing the lace of some cope or altar gown. In
+short, the revel was hushed into deep silence, and so attentive were
+the company to what should arrive next, that the bells of the village
+church, striking the first hour after midnight, made the guests start
+as if they heard them rung backwards, to announce an assault or
+conflagration. The Black Priest, who had taken some slight and hasty
+repast, which the host had made no kind of objection to supplying him
+with, seemed to think the bells, which announced the service of lauds,
+being the first after midnight, a proper signal for breaking up the
+party.
+
+"We have eaten," he said, "that we may support life, let us pray that
+we may be fit to meet death; which waits upon life as surely as night
+upon day, or the shadow upon the sunbeam, though we know not when or
+from whence it is to come upon us."
+
+The company, as if mechanically, bent their uncovered heads, while the
+priest said, with his deep and solemn voice, a Latin prayer,
+expressing thanks to God for protection throughout the day, and
+entreating for its continuance during the witching hours which were to
+pass ere the day again commenced. The hearers bowed their heads in
+token of acquiescence in the holy petition; and, when they raised
+them, the Black Priest of St. Paul's had followed the host out of the
+apartment, probably to that which was destined for his repose. His
+absence was no sooner perceived than signs, and nods, and even
+whispers were exchanged between the guests; but no one spoke above his
+breath, or in such connected manner, as that Philipson could
+understand anything distinctly from them. He himself ventured to ask
+the friar, who sat near him, observing at the same time the under-tone
+which seemed to be fashionable for the moment, whether the worthy
+ecclesiastic who had left them was not the Priest of St. Paul's, on
+the frontier town of La Ferette.
+
+"And if you know it is he," said the friar, with a countenance and a
+tone from which all signs of intoxication were suddenly banished,
+"why do you ask of me?"
+
+"Because," said the merchant, "I would willingly learn the spell which
+so suddenly converted so many merry tipplers into men of sober
+manners, and a jovial company into a convent of Carthusian friars?"
+
+"Friend," said the friar, "thy discourse savoureth mightily of asking
+after what thou knowest right well. But I am no such silly duck as to
+be taken by a decoy. If thou knowest the Black Priest, thou canst not
+be ignorant of the terrors which attend his presence, and that it were
+safer to pass a broad jest in the holy House of Loretto than where he
+shows himself."
+
+So saying, and as if desirous of avoiding further discourse, he
+withdrew to a distance from Philipson.
+
+At the same moment the landlord again appeared, and, with more of the
+usual manners of a publican than he had hitherto exhibited, commanded
+his waiter, Geoffrey, to hand round to the company a sleeping-drink,
+or pillow-cup of distilled water, mingled with spices, which was
+indeed as good as Philipson himself had ever tasted. John Mengs, in
+the meanwhile, with somewhat of more deference, expressed to his
+guests a hope that his entertainment had given satisfaction; but this
+was in so careless a manner, and he seemed so conscious of deserving
+the affirmative which was expressed on all hands, that it became
+obvious there was very little humility in proposing the question. The
+old man, Timothy, was in the meantime mustering the guests, and
+marking with chalk on the bottom of a trencher the reckoning, the
+particulars of which were indicated by certain conventional
+hieroglyphics, while he showed on another the division of the sum
+total among the company, and proceeded to collect an equal share of it
+from each. When the fatal trencher, in which each man paid down his
+money, approached the jolly friar, his countenance seemed to be
+somewhat changed. He cast a piteous look towards Philipson, as the
+person from whom he had the most hope of relief; and our merchant,
+though displeased with the manner in which he had held back from his
+confidence, yet not unwilling in a strange country to incur a little
+expense, in the hope of making a useful acquaintance, discharged the
+mendicant's score as well as his own. The poor friar paid his thanks
+in many a blessing in good German and bad Latin, but the host cut them
+short; for, approaching Philipson with a candle in his hand, he
+offered his own services to show him where he might sleep, and even
+had the condescension to carry his mail, or portmanteau, with his own
+landlordly hands.
+
+"You take too much trouble, mine host," said the merchant, somewhat
+surprised at the change in the manner of John Mengs, who had hitherto
+contradicted him at every word.
+
+"I cannot take too much pains for a guest," was the reply, "whom my
+venerable friend, the Priest of St. Paul's, hath especially
+recommended to my charge."
+
+He then opened the door of a small bedroom, prepared for the
+occupation of a guest, and said to Philipson,--"Here you may rest till
+to-morrow at what hour you will, and for as many days more as you
+incline. The key will secure your wares against theft or pillage of
+any kind. I do not this for every one; for, if my guests were every
+one to have a bed to himself, the next thing they would demand might
+be a separate table; and then there would be an end of the good old
+German customs, and we should be as foppish and frivolous as our
+neighbours."
+
+He placed the portmanteau on the floor, and seemed about to leave the
+apartment, when, turning about, he began a sort of apology for the
+rudeness of his former behaviour.
+
+"I trust there is no misunderstanding between us, my worthy guest. You
+might as well expect to see one of our bears come aloft and do tricks
+like a jackanapes, as one of us stubborn old Germans play the feats of
+a French or an Italian host. Yet I pray you to note, that if our
+behaviour is rude our charges are honest, and our articles what they
+profess to be. We do not expect to make Moselle pass for Rhenish, by
+dint of a bow and a grin, nor will we sauce your mess with poison,
+like the wily Italian, and call you all the time Illustrissimo and
+Magnifico."
+
+He seemed in these words to have exhausted his rhetoric, for, when
+they were spoken, he turned abruptly and left the apartment.
+
+Philipson was thus deprived of another opportunity to inquire who or
+what this ecclesiastic could be, that had exercised such influence on
+all who approached him. He felt, indeed, no desire to prolong a
+conference with John Mengs, though he had laid aside in such a
+considerable degree his rude and repulsive manners; yet he longed to
+know who this man could be, who had power with a word to turn aside
+the daggers of Alsatian banditti, habituated as they were, like most
+borderers, to robbery and pillage, and to change into civility the
+proverbial rudeness of a German innkeeper. Such were the reflections
+of Philipson, as he doffed his clothes to take his much-needed repose,
+after a day of fatigue, danger, and difficulty, on the pallet afforded
+by the hospitality of the Golden Fleece, in the Rhein-Thal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+     _Macbeth._ How now, ye secret, black, and midnight hags,
+     What is't ye do?
+
+     _Witches._ A deed without a name.
+                                                   _Macbeth._
+
+
+We have said in the conclusion of the last chapter, that, after a day
+of unwonted fatigue and extraordinary excitation, the merchant,
+Philipson, naturally expected to forget so many agitating passages in
+that deep and profound repose which is at once the consequence and the
+cure of extreme exhaustion. But he was no sooner laid on his lowly
+pallet than he felt that the bodily machine, over-laboured by so much
+exercise, was little disposed to the charms of sleep. The mind had
+been too much excited, the body was far too feverish, to suffer him to
+partake of needful rest. His anxiety about the safety of his son, his
+conjectures concerning the issue of his mission to the Duke of
+Burgundy, and a thousand other thoughts which recalled past events, or
+speculated on those which were to come, rushed upon his mind like the
+waves of a perturbed sea, and prevented all tendency to repose. He had
+been in bed about an hour, and sleep had not yet approached his couch,
+when he felt that the pallet on which he lay was sinking below him,
+and that he was in the act of descending along with it he knew not
+whither. The sound of ropes and pulleys was also indistinctly heard,
+though every caution had been taken to make them run smooth; and the
+traveller, by feeling around him, became sensible that he and the bed
+on which he lay had been spread upon a large trap-door, which was
+capable of being let down into the vaults, or apartments beneath.
+
+Philipson felt fear in circumstances so well qualified to produce it;
+for how could he hope a safe termination to an adventure which had
+begun so strangely? But his apprehensions were those of a brave,
+ready-witted man, who, even in the extremity of danger, which appeared
+to surround him, preserved his presence of mind. His descent seemed to
+be cautiously managed, and he held himself in readiness to start to
+his feet and defend himself, as soon as he should be once more upon
+firm ground. Although somewhat advanced in years, he was a man of
+great personal vigour and activity, and unless taken at advantage,
+which no doubt was at present much to be apprehended, he was likely to
+make a formidable defence. His plan of resistance, however, had been
+anticipated. He no sooner reached the bottom of the vault, down to
+which he was lowered, than two men, who had been waiting there till
+the operation was completed, laid hands on him from either side, and
+forcibly preventing him from starting up as he intended, cast a rope
+over his arms, and made him a prisoner as effectually as when he was
+in the dungeons of La Ferette. He was obliged, therefore, to remain
+passive and unresisting, and await the termination of this formidable
+adventure. Secured as he was, he could only turn his head from one
+side to the other; and it was with joy that he at length saw lights
+twinkle, but they appeared at a great distance from him.
+
+From the irregular manner in which these scattered lights advanced,
+sometimes keeping a straight line, sometimes mixing and crossing each
+other, it might be inferred that the subterranean vault in which they
+appeared was of very considerable extent. Their number also increased;
+and as they collected more together, Philipson could perceive that the
+lights proceeded from many torches, borne by men muffled in black
+cloaks, like mourners at a funeral, or the Black Friars of St.
+Francis's Order, wearing their cowls drawn over their heads, so as to
+conceal their features. They appeared anxiously engaged in measuring
+off a portion of the apartment; and, while occupied in that
+employment, they sang, in the ancient German language, rhymes more
+rude than Philipson could well understand, but which may be imitated
+thus:--
+
+     Measurers of good and evil,
+     Bring the square, the line, the level,--
+     Rear the altar, dig the trench,
+     Blood both stone and ditch shall drench.
+     Cubits six, from end to end,
+     Must the fatal bench extend,--
+     Cubits six, from side to side,
+     Judge and culprit must divide.
+     On the east the Court assembles,
+     On the west the Accused trembles--
+     Answer, brethren, all and one,
+     Is the ritual rightly done?
+
+A deep chorus seemed to reply to the question. Many voices joined in
+it, as well of persons already in the subterranean vault as of others
+who as yet remained without in various galleries and passages which
+communicated with it, and whom Philipson now presumed to be very
+numerous. The answer chanted ran as follows:--
+
+     On life and soul, on blood and bone,
+     One for all, and all for one,
+     We warrant this is rightly done.
+
+The original strain was then renewed in the same manner as before--
+
+     How wears the night?--Doth morning shine
+     In early radiance on the Rhine?
+     What music floats upon his tide?
+     Do birds the tardy morning chide?
+     Brethren, look out from hill and height,
+     And answer true, how wears the night?
+
+The answer was returned, though less loud than at first, and it seemed
+that those by whom the reply was given were at a much greater distance
+than before; yet the words were distinctly heard.
+
+     The night is old; on Rhine's broad breast
+     Glance drowsy stars which long to rest.
+         No beams are twinkling in the east.
+     There is a voice upon the flood,
+     The stern still call of blood for blood;
+         'Tis time we listen the behest.
+
+The chorus replied, with many additional voices--
+
+     Up, then, up! When day's at rest,
+     'Tis time that such as we are watchers;
+     Rise to judgment, brethren, rise!
+     Vengeance knows not sleepy eyes,
+     He and night are matchers.
+
+The nature of the verses soon led Philipson to comprehend that he was
+in presence of the Initiated, or the Wise Men; names which were
+applied to the celebrated Judges of the Secret Tribunal, which
+continued at that period to subsist in Suabia, Franconia, and other
+districts of the east of Germany, which was called, perhaps from the
+frightful and frequent occurrence of executions by command of those
+invisible judges, the Red Land. Philipson had often heard that the
+seat of a Free Count, or chief of the Secret Tribunal, was secretly
+instituted even on the left bank of the Rhine, and that it maintained
+itself in Alsace, with the usual tenacity of those secret societies,
+though Duke Charles of Burgundy had expressed a desire to discover and
+discourage its influence so far as was possible, without exposing
+himself to danger from the thousands of poniards which that mysterious
+tribunal could put in activity against his own life;--an awful means
+of defence, which for a long time rendered it extremely hazardous for
+the sovereigns of Germany, and even the Emperors themselves, to put
+down by authority those singular associations.
+
+So soon as this explanation flashed on the mind of Philipson, it gave
+some clue to the character and condition of the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's. Supposing him to be a president, or chief official of the
+secret association, there was little wonder that he should confide so
+much in the inviolability of his terrible office as to propose
+vindicating the execution of De Hagenbach; that his presence should
+surprise Bartholomew, whom he had power to have judged and executed
+upon the spot; and that his mere appearance at supper on the preceding
+evening should have appalled the guests; for though everything about
+the institution, its proceedings and its officers, was preserved in as
+much obscurity as is now practised in free-masonry, yet the secret was
+not so absolutely well kept as to prevent certain individuals from
+being guessed or hinted at as men initiated and intrusted with high
+authority by the Vehme-gericht, or tribunal of the bounds. When such
+suspicion attached to an individual, his secret power, and supposed
+acquaintance with all guilt, however secret, which was committed
+within the society in which he was conversant, made him at once the
+dread and hatred of every one who looked on him; and he enjoyed a high
+degree of personal respect, on the same terms on which it would have
+been yielded to a powerful enchanter, or a dreaded genie. In
+conversing with such a person, it was especially necessary to abstain
+from all questions alluding, however remotely, to the office which he
+bore in the Secret Tribunal; and, indeed, to testify the least
+curiosity upon a subject so solemn and mysterious was sure to occasion
+some misfortune to the inquisitive person.
+
+All these things rushed at once upon the mind of the Englishman, who
+felt that he had fallen into the hands of an unsparing tribunal, whose
+proceedings were so much dreaded by those who resided within the
+circle of their power, that the friendless stranger must stand a poor
+chance of receiving justice at their hands, whatever might be his
+consciousness of innocence. While Philipson made this melancholy
+reflection, he resolved, at the same time, not to forsake his own
+cause, but defend himself as he best might; conscious as he was that
+these terrible and irresponsible judges were nevertheless governed by
+certain rules of right and wrong, which formed a check on the rigours
+of their extraordinary code.
+
+  [Illustration: THE SECRET TRIBUNAL.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+He lay, therefore, devising the best means of obviating the present
+danger, while the persons whom he beheld glimmered before him, less
+like distinct and individual forms than like the phantoms
+of a fever, or the phantasmagoria with which a disease of the optic
+nerves has been known to people a sick man's chamber. At length they
+assembled in the centre of the apartment where they had first
+appeared, and seemed to arrange themselves into form and order. A
+great number of black torches were successively lighted, and the scene
+became distinctly visible. In the centre of the hall, Philipson could
+now perceive one of the altars which are sometimes to be found in
+ancient subterranean chapels. But we must pause, in order briefly to
+describe, not the appearance only, but the nature and constitution, of
+this terrible court.
+
+Behind the altar, which seemed to be the central point, on which all
+eyes were bent, there were placed in parallel lines two benches
+covered with black cloth. Each was occupied by a number of persons,
+who seemed assembled as judges; but those who held the foremost bench
+were fewer, and appeared of a rank superior to those who crowded the
+seat most remote from the altar. The first seemed to be all men of
+some consequence, priests high in their order, knights, or noblemen;
+and notwithstanding an appearance of equality which seemed to pervade
+this singular institution, much more weight was laid upon their
+opinion, or testimonies. They were called Free Knights, Counts, or
+whatever title they might bear, while the inferior class of the judges
+were only termed Free and worthy Burghers. For it must be observed,
+that the Vehmique Institution,[1] which was the name that it commonly
+bore, although its power consisted in a wide system of espionage, and
+the tyrannical application of force which acted upon it, was yet (so
+rude were the ideas of enforcing public law) accounted to confer a
+privilege on the country in which it was received, and only freemen
+were allowed to experience its influence. Serfs and peasants could not
+have a place among the Free Judges, their assessors, or assistants;
+for there was in this assembly even some idea of trying the culprit by
+his peers.
+
+Besides the dignitaries who occupied the benches, there were others
+who stood around, and seemed to guard the various entrances to the
+hall of judgment, or, standing behind the seats on which their
+superiors were ranged, looked prepared to execute their commands.
+These were members of the order, though not of the highest ranks.
+Schöppen is the name generally assigned to them, signifying officials,
+or sergeants of the Vehmique court, whose doom they stood sworn to
+enforce, through good report and bad report, against their own nearest
+and most beloved, as well as in cases of ordinary malefactors.
+
+The Schöppen, or Scabini, as they were termed in Latin, had another
+horrible duty to perform--that, namely, of denouncing to the tribunal
+whatever came under their observation, that might be construed as an
+offence falling under its cognisance; or, in their language, a crime
+against the Vehme. This duty extended to the judges as well as to the
+assistants, and was to be discharged without respect of persons; so
+that, to know, and wilfully conceal, the guilt of a mother or brother,
+inferred, on the part of the unfaithful official, the same penalty as
+if he himself had committed the crime which his silence screened from
+punishment. Such an institution could only prevail at a time when
+ordinary means of justice were excluded by the hand of power, and
+when, in order to bring the guilty to punishment, it required all the
+influence and authority of such a confederacy. In no other country
+than one exposed to every species of feudal tyranny, and deprived of
+every ordinary mode of obtaining justice or redress, could such a
+system have taken root and flourished.
+
+We must now return to the brave Englishman, who, though feeling all
+the danger he encountered from so tremendous a tribunal, maintained
+nevertheless a dignified and unaltered composure.
+
+The meeting being assembled, a coil of ropes, and a naked sword, the
+well-known signals and emblems of Vehmique authority, were deposited
+on the altar; where the sword, from its being usually straight, with a
+cross handle, was considered as representing the blessed emblem of
+Christian Redemption, and the cord as indicating the right of criminal
+jurisdiction, and capital punishment. Then the President of the
+meeting, who occupied the centre seat on the foremost bench, arose,
+and laying his hand on the symbols, pronounced aloud the formula
+expressive of the duty of the tribunal, which all the inferior judges
+and assistants repeated after him, in deep and hollow murmurs.
+
+"I swear by the Holy Trinity, to aid and co-operate, without
+relaxation, in the things belonging to the Holy Vehme, to defend its
+doctrines and institutions against father and mother, brother and
+sister, wife and children; against fire, water, earth, and air;
+against all that the sun enlightens; against all that the dew
+moistens; against all created things of heaven and earth, or the
+waters under the earth; and I swear to give information to this holy
+judicature, of all that I know to be true, or hear repeated by
+credible testimony, which, by the rules of the Holy Vehme, is
+deserving of animadversion or punishment; and that I will not cloak,
+cover, or conceal, such my knowledge, neither for love, friendship, or
+family affection, nor for gold, silver, or precious stones; neither
+will I associate with such as are under the sentence of this Sacred
+Tribunal, by hinting to a culprit his danger, or advising him to
+escape, or aiding and supplying him with counsel, or means to that
+effect; neither will I relieve such culprit with fire, clothes, food,
+or shelter, though my father should require from me a cup of water in
+the heat of summer noon, or my brother should request to sit by my
+fire in the bitterest cold night of winter: And further, I vow and
+promise to honour this holy association, and do its behests speedily,
+faithfully, and firmly, in preference to those of any other tribunal
+whatsoever--so help me God, and His holy Evangelists."
+
+When this oath of office had been taken, the President addressing the
+assembly, as men who judge in secret and punish in secret, like the
+Deity, desired them to say, why this "child of the cord"[2] lay before
+them, bound and helpless. An individual rose from the more remote
+bench, and in a voice which, though altered and agitated, Philipson
+conceived that he recognised, declared himself the accuser, as bound
+by his oath, of the child of the cord, or prisoner, who lay before
+them.
+
+"Bring forward the prisoner," said the President, "duly secured, as is
+the order of our secret law; but not with such severity as may
+interrupt his attention to the proceedings of the tribunal, or limit
+his power of hearing and replying."
+
+Six of the assistants immediately dragged forward the pallet and
+platform of boards on which Philipson lay, and advanced it towards the
+foot of the altar. This done, each unsheathed his dagger, while two of
+them unloosed the cords by which the merchant's hands were secured,
+and admonished him in a whisper, that the slightest attempt to resist
+or escape would be the signal to stab him dead.
+
+"Arise!" said the President; "listen to the charge to be preferred
+against you, and believe you shall in us find judges equally just and
+inflexible."
+
+Philipson, carefully avoiding any gesture which might indicate a
+desire to escape, raised his body on the lower part of the couch, and
+remained seated, clothed as he was in his under-vest and _caleçons_,
+or drawers, so as exactly to face the muffled President of the
+terrible court. Even in these agitating circumstances, the mind of the
+undaunted Englishman remained unshaken, and his eyelid did not quiver,
+nor his heart beat quicker, though he seemed, according to the
+expression of Scripture, to be a pilgrim in the Valley of the Shadow
+of Death, beset by numerous snares, and encompassed by total
+darkness, where light was most necessary for safety.
+
+The President demanded his name, country, and occupation.
+
+"John Philipson," was the reply; "by birth an Englishman, by
+profession a merchant."
+
+"Have you ever borne any other name and profession?" demanded the
+Judge.
+
+"I have been a soldier, and, like most others, had then a name by
+which I was known in war."
+
+"What was that name?"
+
+"I laid it aside when I resigned my sword, and I do not desire again
+to be known by it. Moreover, I never bore it where your institutions
+have weight and authority," answered the Englishman.
+
+"Know you before whom you stand?" continued the Judge.
+
+"I may at least guess," replied the merchant.
+
+"Tell your guess, then," continued the interrogator. "Say who we are,
+and wherefore are you before us?"
+
+"I believe that I am before the Unknown, or Secret Tribunal, which is
+called Vehme-gericht."
+
+"Then are you aware," answered the Judge, "that you would be safer if
+you were suspended by the hair over the Abyss of Schaffhausen, or if
+you lay below an axe, which a thread of silk alone kept back from the
+fall. What have you done to deserve such a fate?"
+
+"Let those reply by whom I am subjected to it," answered Philipson,
+with the same composure as before.
+
+"Speak, accuser!" said the President, "to the four quarters of
+heaven!--To the ears of the free judges of this tribunal, and the
+faithful executors of their doom!--And to the face of the child of
+the cord, who denies or conceals his guilt, make good the substance of
+thine accusation!"
+
+"Most dreaded," answered the accuser, addressing the President, "this
+man hath entered the Sacred Territory, which is called the Red
+Land,--a stranger under a disguised name and profession. When he was
+yet on the eastern side of the Alps, at Turin, in Lombardy, and
+elsewhere, he at various times spoke of the Holy Tribunal in terms of
+hatred and contempt, and declared that were he Duke of Burgundy he
+would not permit it to extend itself from Westphalia, or Suabia, into
+his dominions. Also I charge him, that, nourishing this malevolent
+intention against the Holy Tribunal, he who now appears before the
+bench as child of the cord has intimated his intention to wait upon
+the court of the Duke of Burgundy, and use his influence with him,
+which he boasts will prove effectual to stir him up to prohibit the
+meetings of the Holy Vehme in his dominions, and to inflict on their
+officers, and the executors of their mandates, the punishment due to
+robbers and assassins."
+
+"This is a heavy charge, brother!" said the President of the assembly,
+when the accuser ceased speaking. "How do you purpose to make it
+good?"
+
+"According to the tenor of those secret statutes the perusal of which
+is prohibited to all but the initiated," answered the accuser.
+
+"It is well," said the President; "but I ask thee once more, What are
+those means of proof? You speak to holy and to initiated ears."
+
+"I will prove my charge," said the accuser, "by the confession of the
+party himself, and by my own oath upon the holy emblems of the Secret
+Judgment--that is, the steel and the cord."
+
+"It is a legitimate offer of proof," said a member of the aristocratic
+bench of the assembly; "and it much concerns the safety of the system
+to which we are bound by such deep oaths--a system handed down to us
+from the most Christian and holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, for the
+conversion of the heathen Saracens, and punishing such of them as
+revolted again to their Pagan practices, that such criminals should be
+looked to. This Duke Charles of Burgundy hath already crowded his army
+with foreigners, whom he can easily employ against this Sacred Court,
+more especially with English, a fierce, insular people, wedded to
+their own usages, and hating those of every other nation. It is not
+unknown to us, that the Duke hath already encouraged opposition to the
+officials of the Tribunal in more than one part of his German
+dominions; and that in consequence, instead of submitting to their
+doom with reverent resignation, children of the cord have been found
+bold enough to resist the executioners of the Vehme, striking,
+wounding, and even slaying those who have received commission to put
+them to death. This contumacy must be put an end to; and if the
+accused shall be proved to be one of those by whom such doctrines are
+harboured and inculcated, I say let the steel and cord do their work
+on him."
+
+A general murmur seemed to approve what the speaker had said; for all
+were conscious that the power of the Tribunal depended much more on
+the opinion of its being deeply and firmly rooted in the general
+system, than upon any regard or esteem for an institution of which
+all felt the severity. It followed, that those of the members who
+enjoyed consequence by means of their station in the ranks of the
+Vehme saw the necessity of supporting its terrors by occasional
+examples of severe punishment; and none could be more readily
+sacrificed than an unknown and wandering foreigner. All this rushed
+upon Philipson's mind, but did not prevent his making a steady reply
+to the accusation.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, "good citizens, burgesses, or by whatever other
+name you please to be addressed, know, that in my former days I have
+stood in as great peril as now, and have never turned my heel to save
+my life. Cords and daggers are not calculated to strike terror into
+those who have seen swords and lances. My answer to the accusation is,
+that I am an Englishman, one of a nation accustomed to yield and to
+receive open-handed and equal justice dealt forth in the broad light
+of day. I am, however, a traveller, who knows that he has no right to
+oppose the rules and laws of other nations because they do not
+resemble those of his own. But this caution can only be called for in
+lands where the system about which we converse is in full force and
+operation. If we speak of the institutions of Germany, being at the
+time in France or Spain, we may, without offence to the country in
+which they are current, dispute concerning them, as students debate
+upon a logical thesis in a university. The accuser objects to me, that
+at Turin, or elsewhere in the north of Italy, I spoke with censure of
+the institution under which I am now judged. I will not deny that I
+remember something of the kind; but it was in consequence of the
+question being in a manner forced upon me by two guests with whom I
+chanced to find myself at table. I was much and earnestly solicited
+for an opinion ere I gave one."
+
+"And was that opinion," said the presiding Judge, "favourable or
+otherwise to the Holy and Secret Vehme-gericht? Let truth rule your
+tongue--remember, life is short, judgment is eternal!"
+
+"I would not save my life at the expense of a falsehood. My opinion
+was unfavourable; and I expressed myself thus:--No laws or judicial
+proceedings can be just or commendable which exist and operate by
+means of a secret combination. I said, that justice could only live
+and exist in the open air, and that when she ceased to be public she
+degenerated into revenge and hatred. I said, that a system of which
+your own jurists have said, _non frater a fratre, non hospes a
+hospite, tutus_, was too much adverse to the laws of nature to be
+connected with or regulated by those of religion."
+
+These words were scarcely uttered, when there burst a murmur from the
+Judges highly unfavourable to the prisoner,--"He blasphemes the Holy
+Vehme--Let his mouth be closed for ever!"
+
+"Hear me," said the Englishman, "as you will one day wish to be
+yourselves heard! I say such were my sentiments, and so I expressed
+them--I say also, I had a right to express these opinions, whether
+sound or erroneous, in a neutral country, where this Tribunal neither
+did, nor could, claim any jurisdiction. My sentiments are still the
+same. I would avow them if that sword were at my bosom, or that cord
+around my throat. But I deny that I have ever spoken against the
+institutions of your Vehme, in a country where it had its course as a
+national mode of justice. Far more strongly, if possible, do I
+denounce the absurdity of the falsehood, which represents me, a
+wandering foreigner, as commissioned to traffic with the Duke of
+Burgundy about such high matters, or to form a conspiracy for the
+destruction of a system to which so many seem warmly attached. I never
+said such a thing, and I never thought it."
+
+"Accuser," said the presiding Judge, "thou hast heard the
+accused--What is thy reply?"
+
+"The first part of the charge," said the accuser, "he hath confessed
+in this high presence--namely, that his foul tongue hath basely
+slandered our holy mysteries; for which he deserves that it should be
+torn out of his throat. I myself, on my oath of office, will aver, as
+use and law is, that the rest of the accusation--namely, that which
+taxes him as having entered into machinations for the destruction of
+the Vehmique institutions--is as true as those which he has found
+himself unable to deny."
+
+"In justice," said the Englishman, "the accusation, if not made good
+by satisfactory proof, ought to be left to the oath of the party
+accused, instead of permitting the accuser to establish by his own
+deposition the defects in his own charge."
+
+"Stranger," replied the presiding Judge, "we permit to thy ignorance a
+longer and more full defence than consists with our usual forms. Know,
+that the right of sitting among these venerable judges confers on the
+person of him who enjoys it a sacredness of character which ordinary
+men cannot attain to. The oath of one of the initiated must
+counterbalance the most solemn asseveration of every one that is not
+acquainted with our holy secrets. In the Vehmique court all must be
+Vehmique. The averment of the Emperor, he being uninitiated, would not
+have so much weight in our counsels as that of one of the meanest of
+these officials. The affirmation of the accuser can only be rebutted
+by the oath of a member of the same Tribunal, being of superior rank."
+
+"Then, God be gracious to me, for I have no trust save in Heaven!"
+said the Englishman, in solemn accents. "Yet I will not fall without
+an effort. I call upon thee thyself, dark spirit, who presidest in
+this most deadly assembly--I call upon thyself, to declare on thy
+faith and honour, whether thou holdest me guilty of what is thus
+boldly averred by this false calumniator--I call upon thee by thy
+sacred character--by the name of"----
+
+"Hold!" replied the presiding Judge. "The name by which we are known
+in open air must not be pronounced in this subterranean
+judgment-seat."
+
+He then proceeded to address the prisoner and the assembly.--"I, being
+called on in evidence, declare that the charge against thee is so far
+true as it is acknowledged by thyself--namely, that thou hast in other
+lands than the Red Soil[3] spoken lightly of this holy institution of
+justice. But I believe in my soul, and will bear witness on my honour,
+that the rest of the accusation is incredible and false. And this I
+swear, holding my hand on the dagger and the cord.--What is your
+judgment, my brethren, upon the case which you have investigated?"
+
+A member of the first-seated and highest class amongst the judges,
+muffled like the rest, but the tone of whose voice and the stoop of
+whose person announced him to be more advanced in years than the other
+two who had before spoken, arose with difficulty, and said with a
+trembling voice,--
+
+"The child of the cord who is before us has been convicted of folly
+and rashness in slandering our holy institution. But he spoke his
+folly to ears which had never heard our sacred laws--He has,
+therefore, been acquitted, by irrefragable testimony, of combining for
+the impotent purpose of undermining our power, or stirring up princes
+against our holy association, for which death were too light a
+punishment--He hath been foolish, then, but not criminal; and as the
+holy laws of the Vehme bear no penalty save that of death, I propose
+for judgment that the child of the cord be restored without injury to
+society, and to the upper world, having been first duly admonished of
+his errors."
+
+"Child of the cord," said the presiding Judge, "thou hast heard thy
+sentence of acquittal. But, as thou desirest to sleep in an unbloody
+grave, let me warn thee, that the secrets of this night shall remain
+with thee, as a secret not to be communicated to father nor mother, to
+spouse, son, or daughter; neither to be spoken aloud nor whispered; to
+be told in words or written in characters; to be carved or to be
+painted, or to be otherwise communicated, either directly or by
+parable and emblem. Obey this behest, and thy life is in surety. Let
+thy heart then rejoice within thee, but let it rejoice with trembling.
+Never more let thy vanity persuade thee that thou art secure from the
+servants and Judges of the Holy Vehme. Though a thousand leagues lie
+between thee and the Red Land, and thou speakest in that where our
+power is not known; though thou shouldst be sheltered by thy native
+island, and defended by thy kindred ocean, yet, even there, I warn
+thee to cross thyself when thou dost so much as think of the Holy and
+Invisible Tribunal, and to retain thy thoughts within thine own bosom;
+for the Avenger may be beside thee, and thou mayst die in thy folly.
+Go hence, be wise, and let the fear of the Holy Vehme never pass from
+before thine eyes."
+
+At the concluding words, all the lights were at once extinguished with
+a hissing noise. Philipson felt once more the grasp of the hands of
+the officials, to which he resigned himself as the safest course. He
+was gently prostrated on his pallet-bed, and transported back to the
+place from which he had been advanced to the foot of the altar. The
+cordage was again applied to the platform, and Philipson was sensible
+that his couch rose with him for a few moments, until a slight shock
+apprised him that he was again brought to a level with the floor of
+the chamber in which he had been lodged on the preceding night, or
+rather morning. He pondered over the events that had passed, in which
+he was sensible that he owed Heaven thanks for a great deliverance.
+Fatigue at length prevailed over anxiety, and he fell into a deep and
+profound sleep, from which he was only awakened by returning light.
+He resolved on an instant departure from so dangerous a spot, and,
+without seeing any one of the household but the old ostler, pursued
+his journey to Strasburg, and reached that city without further
+accident.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] The word Wehme, pronounced Vehme, is of uncertain derivation, but
+was always used to intimate this inquisitorial and secret Court. The
+members were termed Wissenden, or Initiated, answering to the modern
+phrase of Illuminati. Mr. Palgrave seems inclined to derive the word
+_Vehme_ from _Ehme_, _i.e._ _Law_, and he is probably right.
+
+[2] The term _Strick-kind_, or child of the cord, was applied to the
+person accused before these awful assemblies.
+
+[3] The parts of Germany subjected to the operation of the Secret
+Tribunal were called, from the blood which it spilt, or from some
+other reason (Mr. Palgrave suggests the ground tincture of the ancient
+banner of the district), the Red Soil. Westphalia, as the limits of
+that country were understood in the Middle Ages, which are
+considerably different from the present boundaries, was the principal
+theatre of the Vehme.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+     Away with these!--True Wisdom's world will be
+     Within its own creation, or in thine,
+     Maternal Nature! for who teems like thee
+     Thus on the banks of thy majestic Rhine?
+     There Harold gazes on a work divine,
+     A blending of all beauties, streams, and dells--
+     Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, cornfield, mountain, vine,
+     And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells,
+     From grey but leafy walls, where ruin greenly dwells.
+                   _Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Canto III._
+
+
+When Arthur Philipson left his father, to go on board the bark which
+was to waft him across the Rhine, he took but few precautions for his
+own subsistence, during a separation of which he calculated the
+duration to be very brief. Some necessary change of raiment, and a
+very few pieces of gold, were all which he thought it needful to
+withdraw from the general stock; the rest of the baggage and money he
+left with the sumpter-horse, which he concluded his father might need,
+in order to sustain his character as an English trader. Having
+embarked with his horse and his slender appointments on board a
+fishing-skiff, she instantly raised her temporary mast, spread a sail
+across the yard, and, supported by the force of the wind against the
+downward power of the current, moved across the river obliquely in the
+direction of Kirch-hoff, which, as we have said, lies somewhat lower
+on the river than Hans-Kapelle. Their passage was so favourable that
+they reached the opposite side in a few minutes, but not until Arthur,
+whose eye and thoughts were on the left bank, had seen his father
+depart from the Chapel of the Ferry, accompanied by two horsemen, whom
+he readily concluded to be the guide Bartholomew, and some chance
+traveller who had joined him; but the second of whom was in truth the
+Black Priest of St. Paul's, as has been already mentioned.
+
+This augmentation of his father's company was, he could not but think,
+likely to be attended with an increase of his safety, since it was not
+probable he would suffer a companion to be forced upon him, and one of
+his own choosing might be a protection, in case his guide should prove
+treacherous. At any rate, he had to rejoice that he had seen his
+father depart in safety from the spot where they had reason to
+apprehend some danger awaited him. He resolved, therefore, to make no
+stay at Kirch-hoff, but to pursue his way, as fast as possible,
+towards Strasburg, and rest, when darkness compelled him to stop, in
+one of the _dorfs_, or villages, which were situated on the German
+side of the Rhine. At Strasburg, he trusted, with the sanguine spirit
+of youth, he might again be able to rejoin his father; and if he could
+not altogether subdue his anxiety on their separation, he fondly
+nourished the hope that he might meet him in safety. After some short
+refreshment and repose afforded to his horse, he lost no time in
+proceeding on his journey down the eastern bank of the broad river.
+
+He was now upon the most interesting side of the Rhine, walled in and
+repelled as the river is on that shore by the most romantic cliffs,
+now mantled with vegetation of the richest hue, tinged with all the
+variegated colours of autumn; now surmounted by fortresses, over whose
+gates were displayed the pennons of their proud owners; or studded
+with hamlets, where the richness of the soil supplied to the poor
+labourer the food of which the oppressive hand of his superior
+threatened altogether to deprive him. Every stream which here
+contributes its waters to the Rhine winds through its own tributary
+dell, and each valley possesses a varying and separate character, some
+rich with pastures, cornfields, and vineyards, some frowning with
+crags and precipices, and other romantic beauties.
+
+The principles of taste were not then explained or analysed as they
+have been since, in countries where leisure has been found for this
+investigation. But the feelings arising from so rich a landscape as is
+displayed by the valley of the Rhine must have been the same in every
+bosom, from the period when our Englishman took his solitary journey
+through it, in doubt and danger, till that in which it heard the
+indignant Childe Harold bid a proud farewell to his native country, in
+the vain search of a land in which his heart might throb less
+fiercely.
+
+Arthur enjoyed this scene, although the fading daylight began to
+remind him that, alone as he was, and travelling with a very valuable
+charge, it would be matter of prudence to look out for some place of
+rest during the night. Just as he had formed the resolution of
+inquiring at the next habitation he should pass, which way he should
+follow for this purpose, the road he pursued descended into a
+beautiful amphitheatre filled with large trees, which protected from
+the heats of summer the delicate and tender herbage of the pasture. A
+large brook flowed through it, and joined the Rhine. At a short mile
+up the brook its waters made a crescent round a steep craggy eminence,
+crowned with flanking walls, and Gothic towers and turrets, enclosing
+a feudal castle of the first order. A part of the savannah that has
+been mentioned had been irregularly cultivated for wheat, which had
+grown a plentiful crop. It was gathered in, but the patches of deep
+yellow stubble contrasted with the green of the undisturbed pasture
+land, and with the seared and dark-red foliage of the broad oaks which
+stretched their arms athwart the level space. There a lad, in a rustic
+dress, was employed in the task of netting a brood of partridges with
+the assistance of a trained spaniel; while a young woman, who had the
+air rather of a domestic in some family of rank than that of an
+ordinary villager, sat on the stump of a decayed tree, to watch the
+progress of the amusement. The spaniel, whose duty it was to drive the
+partridges under the net, was perceptibly disturbed at the approach of
+the traveller; his attention was divided, and he was obviously in
+danger of marring the sport, by barking and putting up the covey, when
+the maiden quitted her seat, and, advancing towards Philipson,
+requested him, for courtesy, to pass at a greater distance, and not
+interfere with their amusement.
+
+The traveller willingly complied with her request.
+
+"I will ride, fair damsel," he said, "at whatever distance you please.
+And allow me, in guerdon, to ask, whether there is convent, castle, or
+good man's house, where a stranger, who is belated and weary, might
+receive a night's hospitality?"
+
+The girl, whose face he had not yet distinctly seen, seemed to
+suppress some desire to laugh, as she replied, "Hath not yon castle,
+think you," pointing to the distant towers, "some corner which might
+accommodate a stranger in such extremity?"
+
+"Space enough, certainly," said Arthur; "but perhaps little
+inclination to grant it."
+
+"I myself," said the girl, "being one, and a formidable part of the
+garrison, will be answerable for your reception. But as you parley
+with me in such hostile fashion, it is according to martial order that
+I should put down my visor."
+
+So saying, she concealed her face under one of those riding-masks
+which at that period women often wore when they went abroad, whether
+for protecting their complexion or screening themselves from intrusive
+observation. But ere she could accomplish this operation Arthur had
+detected the merry countenance of Annette Veilchen, a girl who, though
+her attendance on Anne of Geierstein was in a menial capacity, was
+held in high estimation at Geierstein. She was a bold wench,
+unaccustomed to the distinctions of rank, which were little regarded
+in the simplicity of the Helvetian hills, and she was ready to laugh,
+jest, and flirt with the young men of the Landamman's family. This
+attracted no attention, the mountain manners making little distinction
+between the degrees of attendant and mistress, further than that the
+mistress was a young woman who required help, and the maiden one who
+was in a situation to offer and afford it. This kind of familiarity
+would perhaps have been dangerous in other lands, but the simplicity
+of Swiss manners, and the turn of Annette's disposition, which was
+resolute and sensible, though rather bold and free, when compared to
+the manners of more civilised countries, kept all intercourse betwixt
+her and the young men of the family in the strict path of honour and
+innocence.
+
+Arthur himself had paid considerable attention to Annette, being
+naturally, from his feelings towards Anne of Geierstein, heartily
+desirous to possess the good graces of her attendant; a point which
+was easily gained by the attentions of a handsome young man, and the
+generosity with which he heaped upon her small presents of articles of
+dress or ornament, which the damsel, however faithful, could find no
+heart to refuse.
+
+The assurance that he was in Anne's neighbourhood, and that he was
+likely to pass the night under the same roof, both of which
+circumstances were intimated by the girl's presence and language, sent
+the blood in a hastier current through Arthur's veins; for though,
+since he had crossed the river, he had sometimes nourished hopes of
+again seeing her who had made so strong an impression on his
+imagination, yet his understanding had as often told him how slight
+was the chance of their meeting, and it was even now chilled by the
+reflection that it could be followed only by the pain of a sudden and
+final separation. He yielded himself, however, to the prospect of
+promised pleasure, without attempting to ascertain what was to be its
+duration or its consequence. Desirous, in the meantime, to hear as
+much of Anne's circumstances as Annette chose to tell, he resolved not
+to let that merry maiden perceive that she was known by him, until
+she chose of her own accord to lay aside her mystery.
+
+While these thoughts passed rapidly through his imagination, Annette
+bade the lad drop his nets, and directed him that, having taken two of
+the best-fed partridges from the covey, and carried them into the
+kitchen, he was to set the rest at liberty.
+
+"I must provide supper," said she to the traveller, "since I am
+bringing home unexpected company."
+
+Arthur earnestly expressed his hope that his experiencing the
+hospitality of the castle would occasion no trouble to the inmates,
+and received satisfactory assurances upon the subject of his scruples.
+
+"I would not willingly be the cause of inconvenience to your
+mistress," pursued the traveller.
+
+"Look you there," said Annette Veilchen, "I have said nothing of
+master or mistress, and this poor forlorn traveller has already
+concluded in his own mind that he is to be harboured in a lady's
+bower!"
+
+"Why, did you not tell me," said Arthur, somewhat confused at his
+blunder, "that you were the person of second importance in the place?
+A damsel, I judged, could only be an officer under a female governor."
+
+"I do not see the justice of the conclusion," replied the maiden. "I
+have known ladies bear offices of trust in lords' families; nay, and
+over the lords themselves."
+
+"Am I to understand, fair damsel, that you hold so predominant a
+situation in the castle which we are now approaching, and of which I
+pray you to tell me the name?"
+
+"The name of the castle is Arnheim," said Annette.
+
+"Your garrison must be a large one," said Arthur, looking at the
+extensive building, "if you are able to man such a labyrinth of walls
+and towers."
+
+"In that point," said Annette, "I must needs own we are very
+deficient. At present, we rather hide in the castle than inhabit it;
+and yet it is well enough defended by the reports which frighten every
+other person who might disturb its seclusion."
+
+"And yet you yourselves dare to reside in it?" said the Englishman,
+recollecting the tale which had been told by Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+concerning the character of the Barons of Arnheim, and the final
+catastrophe of the family.
+
+"Perhaps," replied his guide, "we are too intimate with the cause of
+such fears to feel ourselves strongly oppressed with them--perhaps we
+have means of encountering the supposed terrors proper to
+ourselves--perhaps, and it is not the least likely conjecture, we have
+no choice of a better place of refuge. Such seems to be your own fate
+at present, sir, for the tops of the distant hills are gradually
+losing the lights of the evening; and if you rest not in Arnheim, well
+contented or not, you are likely to find no safe lodging for many a
+mile."
+
+As she thus spoke she separated from Arthur, taking, with the fowler
+who attended her, a very steep but short footpath, which ascended
+straight up to the site of the castle; at the same time motioning to
+the young Englishman to follow a horse-track, which, more circuitous,
+led to the same point, and, though less direct, was considerably more
+easy.
+
+He soon stood before the south front of Arnheim Castle, which was a
+much larger building than he had conceived, either from Rudolph's
+description or from the distant view. It had been erected at many
+different periods, and a considerable part of the edifice was less in
+the strict Gothic than in what has been termed the Saracenic style, in
+which the imagination of the architect is more florid than that which
+is usually indulged in the North--rich in minarets, cupolas, and
+similar approximations to Oriental structures. This singular building
+bore a general appearance of desolation and desertion, but Rudolph had
+been misinformed when he declared that it had become ruinous. On the
+contrary, it had been maintained with considerable care; and when it
+fell into the hands of the Emperor, although no garrison was
+maintained within its precincts, care was taken to keep the building
+in repair; and though the prejudices of the country people prevented
+any one from passing the night within the fearful walls, yet it was
+regularly visited from time to time by a person having commission from
+the Imperial Chancery to that effect. The occupation of the domain
+around the castle was a valuable compensation for this official
+person's labour, and he took care not to endanger the loss of it by
+neglecting his duty. Of late this officer had been withdrawn, and now
+it appeared that the young Baroness of Arnheim had found refuge in the
+deserted towers of her ancestors.
+
+The Swiss damsel did not leave the youthful traveller time to study
+particularly the exterior of the castle, or to construe the meaning
+of emblems and mottoes, seemingly of an Oriental character, with which
+the outside was inscribed, and which expressed in various modes, more
+or less directly, the attachment of the builders of this extensive
+pile to the learning of the Eastern sages. Ere he had time to take
+more than a general survey of the place, the voice of the Swiss maiden
+called him to an angle of the wall in which there was a projection,
+whence a long plank extended over a dry moat, and was connected with a
+window in which Annette was standing.
+
+"You have forgotten your Swiss lessons already," said she, observing
+that Arthur went rather timidly about crossing the temporary and
+precarious drawbridge.
+
+The reflection that Anne, her mistress, might make the same
+observation, recalled the young traveller to the necessary degree of
+composure. He passed over the plank with the same _sang froid_ with
+which he had learned to brave the far more terrific bridge beneath the
+ruinous castle of Geierstein. He had no sooner entered the window than
+Annette, taking off her mask, bade him welcome to Germany, and to old
+friends with new names.
+
+"Anne of Geierstein," she said, "is no more; but you will presently
+see the Lady Baroness of Arnheim, who is extremely like her; and I,
+who was Annette Veilchen in Switzerland, the servant to a damsel who
+was not esteemed much greater than myself, am now the young Baroness's
+waiting-woman, and make everybody of less quality stand back."
+
+"If, in such circumstances," said young Philipson, "you have the
+influence due to your consequence, let me beseech of you to tell the
+Baroness, since we must now call her so, that my present intrusion on
+her is occasioned by my ignorance."
+
+"Away, away!" said the girl, laughing. "I know better what to say in
+your behalf. You are not the first poor man and pedlar that has got
+the graces of a great lady; but I warrant you it was not by making
+humble apologies, and talking of unintentional intrusion. I will tell
+her of love, which all the Rhine cannot quench, and which has driven
+you hither, leaving you no other choice than to come or to perish!"
+
+"Nay, but Annette, Annette"----
+
+"Fie on you for a fool,--make a shorter name of it,--cry Anne, Anne!
+and there will be more prospect of your being answered."
+
+So saying, the wild girl ran out of the room, delighted, as a
+mountaineer of her description was likely to be, with the thought of
+having done as she would desire to be done by, in her benevolent
+exertions to bring two lovers together, when on the eve of inevitable
+separation.
+
+In this self-approving disposition, Annette sped up a narrow turnpike
+stair to a closet, or dressing-room, where her young mistress was
+seated, and exclaimed, with open mouth,--"Anne of Gei----, I mean my
+Lady Baroness, they are come--they are come!"
+
+"The Philipsons?" said Anne, almost breathless as she asked the
+question.
+
+"Yes--no--" answered the girl; "that is, yes,--for the best of them is
+come, and that is Arthur."
+
+"What meanest thou, girl? Is not Seignor Philipson, the father, along
+with his son?"
+
+"Not he, indeed," answered Veilchen, "nor did I ever think of asking
+about him. He was no friend of mine, nor of any one else, save the old
+Landamman; and well met they were for a couple of wiseacres, with
+eternal proverbs in their mouths, and care upon their brows."
+
+"Unkind, inconsiderate girl, what hast thou done?" said Anne of
+Geierstein. "Did I not warn and charge thee to bring them both hither?
+and you have brought the young man alone to a place where we are
+nearly in solitude! What will he--what can he think of me?"
+
+"Why, what should I have done?" said Annette, remaining firm in her
+argument. "He was alone, and should I have sent him down to the _dorf_
+to be murdered by the Rhinegrave's Lanzknechts? All is fish, I trow,
+that comes to their net; and how is he to get through this country, so
+beset with wandering soldiers, robber barons (I beg your ladyship's
+pardon), and roguish Italians, flocking to the Duke of Burgundy's
+standard?--Not to mention the greatest terror of all, that is never in
+one shape or other absent from one's eye or thought."
+
+"Hush, hush, girl! add not utter madness to the excess of folly; but
+let us think what is to be done. For our sake, for his own, this
+unfortunate young man must leave this castle instantly."
+
+"You must take the message yourself, then, Anne--I beg pardon, most
+noble Baroness;--it may be very fit for a lady of high birth to send
+such a message, which, indeed, I have heard the Minne-singers tell in
+their romances; but I am sure it is not a meet one for me, or any
+frank-hearted Swiss girl, to carry. No more foolery; but remember, if
+you were born Baroness of Arnheim, you have been bred and brought up
+in the bosom of the Swiss hills, and should conduct yourself like an
+honest and well-meaning damsel."
+
+"And in what does your wisdom reprehend my folly, good Mademoiselle
+Annette?" replied the Baroness.
+
+"Ay, marry! now our noble blood stirs in our veins. But remember,
+gentle my lady, that it was a bargain between us, when I left yonder
+noble mountains, and the free air that blows over them, to coop myself
+up in this land of prisons and slaves, that I should speak my mind to
+you as freely as I did when our heads lay on the same pillow."
+
+"Speak, then," said Anne, studiously averting her face as she prepared
+to listen; "but beware that you say nothing which it is unfit for me
+to hear."
+
+"I will speak nature and common-sense; and if your noble ears are not
+made fit to hear and understand these, the fault lies in them, and not
+in my tongue. Look you, you have saved this youth from two great
+dangers--one at the earth-shoot at Geierstein, the other this very
+day, when his life was beset. A handsome young man he is, well spoken,
+and well qualified to gain deservedly a lady's favour. Before you saw
+him, the Swiss youth were at least not odious to you. You danced with
+them,--you jested with them,--you were the general object of their
+admiration,--and, as you well know, you might have had your choice
+through the Canton--Why, I think it possible a little urgency might
+have brought you to think of Rudolph Donnerhugel as your mate."
+
+"Never, wench, never!" exclaimed Anne.
+
+"Be not so very positive, my lady. Had he recommended himself to the
+uncle in the first place, I think, in my poor sentiment, he might at
+some lucky moment have carried the niece. But since we have known this
+young Englishman, it has been little less than contemning, despising,
+and something like hating, all the men whom you could endure well
+enough before."
+
+"Well, well," said Anne, "I will detest and hate thee more than any of
+them, unless you bring your matters to an end."
+
+"Softly, noble lady, fair and easy go far. All this argues you love
+the young man, and let those say that you are wrong who think there is
+anything wonderful in the matter. There is much to justify you, and
+nothing that I know against it."
+
+"What, foolish girl! Remember my birth forbids me to love a mean
+man--my condition to love a poor man--my father's commands to love one
+whose addresses are without his consent--above all, my maidenly pride
+forbids me fixing my affections on one who cares not for me--nay,
+perhaps, is prejudiced against me by appearances."
+
+"Here is a fine homily!" said Annette; "but I can clear every point of
+it as easily as Father Francis does his text in a holiday sermon. Your
+birth is a silly dream, which you have only learned to value within
+these two or three days, when, having come to German soil, some of the
+old German weed, usually called family pride, has begun to germinate
+in your heart. Think of such folly as you thought when you lived at
+Geierstein--that is, during all the rational part of your life, and
+this great terrible prejudice will sink into nothing. By condition, I
+conceive you mean estate. But Philipson's father, who is the most
+free-hearted of men, will surely give his son as many zechins as will
+stock a mountain farm. You have firewood for the cutting, and land for
+the occupying, since you are surely entitled to part of Geierstein,
+and gladly will your uncle put you in possession of it. You can manage
+the dairy, Arthur can shoot, hunt, fish, plough, harrow, and reap."
+
+Anne of Geierstein shook her head, as if she greatly doubted her
+lover's skill in the last of the accomplishments enumerated.
+
+"Well, well, he can learn, then," said Annette Veilchen; "and you will
+only live the harder the first year or so. Besides, Sigismund
+Biederman will aid him willingly, and he is a very horse at labour;
+and I know another besides, who is a friend"----
+
+"Of thine own, I warrant," quoth the young Baroness.
+
+"Marry, it is my poor friend Louis Sprenger; and I'll never be so
+false-hearted as to deny my bachelor."
+
+"Well, well, but what is to be the end of all this?" said the
+Baroness, impatiently.
+
+"The end of it, in my opinion," said Annette, "is very simple. Here
+are priests and prayer-books within a mile--go down to the parlour,
+speak your mind to your lover, or hear him speak his mind to you; join
+hands, go quietly back to Geierstein in the character of man and wife,
+and get everything ready to receive your uncle on his return. This is
+the way that a plain Swiss wench would cut off the romance of a
+German Baroness"----
+
+"And break the heart of her father," said the young lady, with a sigh.
+
+"It is more tough than you are aware of," replied Annette. "He hath
+not lived without you so long but that he will be able to spare you
+for the rest of his life, a great deal more easily than you, with all
+your new-fangled ideas of quality, will be able to endure his schemes
+of wealth and ambition, which will aim at making you the wife of some
+illustrious Count, like De Hagenbach, whom we saw not long since make
+such an edifying end, to the great example of all Robber-Chivalry upon
+the Rhine."
+
+"Thy plan is naught, wench; a childish vision of a girl who never knew
+more of life than she has heard told over her milking-pail. Remember
+that my uncle entertains the highest ideas of family discipline, and
+that to act contrary to my father's will would destroy us in his good
+opinion. Why else am I here? Wherefore has he resigned his
+guardianship? And why am I obliged to change the habits that are dear
+to me, and assume the manners of a people that are strange, and
+therefore unpleasing to me?"
+
+"Your uncle," said Annette firmly, "is Landamman of the Canton of
+Unterwalden; respects its freedom, and is the sworn protector of its
+laws, of which, when you, a denizen of the Confederacy, claim the
+protection, he cannot refuse it to you."
+
+"Even then," said the young Baroness, "I should forfeit his good
+opinion, his more than paternal affection; but it is needless to dwell
+upon this. Know, that although I could have loved the young man, whom
+I will not deny to be as amiable as your partiality paints
+him--know,"--she hesitated for a moment,--"that he has never spoken a
+word to me on such a subject as you, without knowing either his
+sentiments or mine, would intrude on my consideration."
+
+"Is it possible?" answered Annette. "I thought--I believed, though I
+have never pressed on your confidence--that you must--attached as you
+were to each other--have spoken together, like true maid and true
+bachelor, before now. I have done wrong, when I thought to do for the
+best.--Is it possible!--such things have been heard of even in our
+canton--is it possible he can have harboured so unutterably base
+purposes, as that Martin of Brisach, who made love to Adela of the
+Sundgau, enticed her to folly--the thing, though almost incredible, is
+true--fled--fled from the country and boasted of his villany, till her
+cousin Raymund silenced for ever his infamous triumph, by beating his
+brains out with his club, even in the very street of the villain's
+native town? By the Holy Mother of Einsiedlen! could I suspect this
+Englishman of meditating such treason, I would saw the plank across
+the moat till a fly's weight would break it, and it should be at six
+fathom deep that he should abye the perfidy which dared to meditate
+dishonour against an adopted daughter of Switzerland!"
+
+As Annette Veilchen spoke, all the fire of her mountain courage
+flashed from her eyes, and she listened reluctantly while Anne of
+Geierstein endeavoured to obliterate the dangerous impression which
+her former words had impressed on her simple but faithful attendant.
+
+"On my word"--she said,--"on my soul--you do Arthur Philipson
+injustice--foul injustice, in intimating such a suspicion;--his
+conduct towards me has ever been upright and honourable--a friend to a
+friend--a brother to a sister--could not, in all he has done and said,
+have been more respectful, more anxiously affectionate, more
+undeviatingly candid. In our frequent interviews and intercourse he
+has indeed seemed very kind--very attached. But had I been
+disposed--at times I may have been too much so--to listen to him with
+endurance,"--the young lady here put her hand on her forehead, but the
+tears streamed through her slender fingers,--"he has never spoken of
+any love--any preference;--if he indeed entertains any, some obstacle,
+insurmountable on his part, has interfered to prevent him."
+
+"Obstacle?" replied the Swiss damsel. "Ay, doubtless--some childish
+bashfulness--some foolish idea about your birth being so high above
+his own--some dream of modesty pushed to extremity, which considers as
+impenetrable the ice of a spring frost. This delusion may be broken by
+a moment's encouragement, and I will take the task on myself, to spare
+your blushes, my dearest Anne."
+
+"No, no; for Heaven's sake, no, Veilchen!" answered the Baroness, to
+whom Annette had so long been a companion and confidant, rather than a
+domestic. "You cannot anticipate the nature of the obstacles which may
+prevent his thinking on what you are so desirous to promote. Hear
+me--My early education, and the instructions of my kind uncle, have
+taught me to know something more of foreigners and their fashions than
+I ever could have learned in our happy retirement of Geierstein; I am
+well-nigh convinced that these Philipsons are of rank, as they are of
+manners and bearing, far superior to the occupation which they appear
+to hold. The father is a man of deep observation, of high thought and
+pretension, and lavish of gifts, far beyond what consists with the
+utmost liberality of a trader."
+
+"That is true," said Annette. "I will say for myself, that the silver
+chain he gave me weighs against ten silver crowns, and the cross which
+Arthur added to it, the day after the long ride we had together up
+towards Mount Pilatus, is worth, they tell me, as much more. There is
+not the like of it in the Cantons. Well, what then? They are rich, so
+are you. So much the better."
+
+"Alas! Annette, they are not only rich, but noble. I am persuaded of
+this; for I have observed often, that even the father retreated, with
+an air of quiet and dignified contempt, from discussions with
+Donnerhugel and others, who, in our plain way, wished to fasten a
+dispute upon him. And when a rude observation or blunt pleasantry was
+pointed at the son, his eye flashed, his cheek coloured, and it was
+only a glance from his father which induced him to repress the retort
+of no friendly character which rose to his lips."
+
+"You have been a close observer," said Annette. "All this may be true,
+but I noted it not. But what then, I say once more? If Arthur has some
+fine noble name in his own country, are not you yourself Baroness of
+Arnheim? And I will frankly allow it as something of worth, if it
+smooths the way to a match, where I think you must look for
+happiness--I hope so, else I am sure it should have no encouragement
+from me."
+
+"I do believe so, my faithful Veilchen; but, alas! how can you, in the
+state of natural freedom in which you have been bred, know, or even
+dream, of the various restraints which this gilded or golden chain of
+rank and nobility hangs upon those whom it fetters and encumbers, I
+fear, as much as it decorates? In every country, the distinction of
+rank binds men to certain duties. It may carry with it restrictions,
+which may prevent alliances in foreign countries--it often may prevent
+them from consulting their inclinations, when they wed in their own.
+It leads to alliances in which the heart is never consulted, to
+treaties of marriage, which are often formed when the parties are in
+the cradle, or in leading strings, but which are not the less binding
+on them in honour and faith. Such may exist in the present case. These
+alliances are often blended and mixed up with state policy; and if the
+interest of England, or what he deems such, should have occasioned the
+elder Philipson to form such an engagement, Arthur would break his own
+heart--the heart of any one else--rather than make false his father's
+word."
+
+"The more shame to them that formed such an engagement!" said Annette.
+"Well, they talk of England being a free country; but if they can bar
+young men and women of the natural privilege to call their hands and
+hearts their own, I would as soon be a German serf.--Well, lady, you
+are wise, and I am ignorant. But what is to be done? I have brought
+this young man here, expecting, God knows, a happier issue to your
+meeting. But it is clear you cannot marry him without his asking you.
+Now, although I confess that, if I could think him willing to forfeit
+the hand of the fairest maid of the Cantons, either from want of manly
+courage to ask it, or from regard to some ridiculous engagement,
+formed betwixt his father and some other nobleman of their island of
+noblemen, I would not in either case grudge him a ducking in the moat;
+yet it is another question, whether we should send him down to be
+murdered among those cut-throats of the Rhinegrave; and unless we do
+so, I know not how to get rid of him."
+
+"Then let the boy William give attendance on him here, and do you see
+to his accommodation. It is best we do not meet."
+
+"I will," said Annette; "yet what am I to say for you? Unhappily, I
+let him know that you were here."
+
+"Alas, imprudent girl! Yet why should I blame thee," said Anne of
+Geierstein, "when the imprudence has been so great on my own side? It
+is myself, who, suffering my imagination to rest too long upon this
+young man and his merits, have led me into this entanglement. But I
+will show thee that I can overcome this folly, and I will not seek in
+my own error a cause for evading the duties of hospitality. Go,
+Veilchen, get some refreshment ready. Thou shalt sup with us, and thou
+must not leave us. Thou shalt see me behave as becomes both a German
+lady and a Swiss maiden. Get me first a candle, however, my girl, for
+I must wash these tell-tales, my eyes, and arrange my dress."
+
+To Annette this whole explanation had been one scene of astonishment,
+for, in the simple ideas of love and courtship in which she had been
+brought up amid the Swiss mountains, she had expected that the two
+lovers would have taken the first opportunity of the absence of their
+natural guardians, and have united themselves for ever; and she had
+even arranged a little secondary plot, in which she herself and Martin
+Sprenger, her faithful bachelor, were to reside with the young couple
+as friends and dependants. Silenced, therefore, but not satisfied, by
+the objections of her young mistress, the zealous Annette retreated
+murmuring to herself,--"That little hint about her dress is the only
+natural and sensible word she has said in my hearing. Please God, I
+will return and help her in the twinkling of an eye. That dressing my
+mistress is the only part of a waiting-lady's life that I have the
+least fancy for--it seems so natural for one pretty maiden to set off
+another--in faith we are but learning to dress ourselves at another
+time."
+
+And with this sage remark Annette Veilchen tripped down stairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+     Tell me not of it--I could ne'er abide
+     The mummery of all that forced civility.
+     "Pray, seat yourself, my lord." With cringing hams
+     The speech is spoken, and, with bended knee,
+     Heard by the smiling courtier.--"Before you, sir?
+     It must be on the earth then." Hang it all!
+     The pride which cloaks itself in such poor fashion
+     Is scarcely fit to swell a beggar's bosom.
+                                            _Old Play._
+
+
+Up stairs and down stairs tripped Annette Veilchen, the soul of all
+that was going on in the only habitable corner of the huge castle of
+Arnheim. She was equal to every kind of service, and therefore popped
+her head into the stable to be sure that William attended properly to
+Arthur's horse, looked into the kitchen to see that the old cook,
+Marthon, roasted the partridges in due time (an interference for which
+she received little thanks), rummaged out a flask or two of Rhine wine
+from the huge Dom Daniel of a cellar, and, finally, just peeped into
+the parlour to see how Arthur was looking; when, having the
+satisfaction to see he had in the best manner he could sedulously
+arranged his person, she assured him that he should shortly see her
+mistress, who was rather indisposed, yet could not refrain from coming
+down to see so valued an acquaintance.
+
+Arthur blushed when she spoke thus, and seemed so handsome in the
+waiting-maid's eye, that she could not help saying to herself, as she
+went to her young lady's room,--"Well, if true love cannot manage to
+bring that couple together, in spite of all the obstacles that they
+stand boggling at, I will never believe that there is such a thing as
+true love in the world, let Martin Sprenger say what he will, and
+swear to it on the Gospels."
+
+When she reached the young Baroness's apartment, she found, to her
+surprise, that, instead of having put on what finery she possessed,
+that young lady's choice had preferred the same simple kirtle which
+she had worn during the first day that Arthur had dined at Geierstein.
+Annette looked at first puzzled and doubtful, then suddenly recognised
+the good taste which had dictated the attire, and exclaimed,--"You are
+right--you are right--it is best to meet him as a free-hearted Swiss
+maiden."
+
+Anne also smiled as she replied,--"But, at the same time, in the walls
+of Arnheim, I must appear in some respect as the daughter of my
+father.--Here, girl, aid me to put this gem upon the riband which
+binds my hair."
+
+It was an aigrette, or plume, composed of two feathers of a vulture,
+fastened together by an opal, which changed to the changing light with
+a variability which enchanted the Swiss damsel, who had never seen
+anything resembling it in her life.
+
+"Now, Baroness Anne," said she, "if that pretty thing be really worn
+as a sign of your rank, it is the only thing belonging to your dignity
+that I should ever think of coveting; for it doth shimmer and change
+colour after a most wonderful fashion, even something like one's own
+cheek when one is fluttered."
+
+"Alas, Annette!" said the Baroness, passing her hand across her eyes,
+"of all the gauds which the females of my house have owned, this
+perhaps hath been the most fatal to its possessors."
+
+"And why then wear it?" said Annette. "Why wear it now, of all days in
+the year?"
+
+"Because it best reminds me of my duty to my father and family. And
+now, girl, look thou sit with us at table, and leave not the
+apartment; and see thou fly not to and fro to help thyself or others
+with anything on the board, but remain quiet and seated till William
+helps you to what you have occasion for."
+
+"Well, that is a gentle fashion, which I like well enough," said
+Annette, "and William serves us so debonairly, that it is a joy to see
+him; yet, ever and anon, I feel as I were not Annette Veilchen
+herself, but only Annette Veilchen's picture, since I can neither
+rise, sit down, run about, nor stand still, without breaking some rule
+of courtly breeding. It is not so, I dare say, with you, who are
+always mannerly."
+
+"Less courtly than thou seemest to think," said the high-born maiden;
+"but I feel the restraint more on the greensward, and under heaven's
+free air, than when I undergo it closed within the walls of an
+apartment."
+
+"Ah, true--the dancing," said Annette; "that was something to be sorry
+for indeed."
+
+"But most am I sorry, Annette, that I cannot tell whether I act
+precisely right or wrong in seeing this young man, though it must be
+for the last time. Were my father to arrive?--Were Ital Schreckenwald
+to return"--
+
+"Your father is too deeply engaged on some of his dark and mystic
+errands," said the flippant Swiss; "sailed to the mountains of the
+Brockenberg, where witches hold their sabbath, or gone on a
+hunting-party with the Wild Huntsman."
+
+"Fie, Annette, how dare you talk thus of my father?"
+
+"Why, I know little of him personally," said the damsel, "and you
+yourself do not know much more. And how should that be false which all
+men say is true?"
+
+"Why, fool, what do they say?"
+
+"Why, that the Count is a wizard,--that your grandmother was a
+will-of-wisp, and old Ital Schreckenwald a born devil incarnate; and
+there is some truth in that, whatever comes of the rest."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"Gone down to spend the night in the village, to see the Rhinegrave's
+men quartered, and keep them in some order, if possible; for the
+soldiers are disappointed of pay which they had been promised; and
+when this happens, nothing resembles a lanzknecht except a chafed
+bear."
+
+"Go we down then, girl; it is perhaps the last night which we may
+spend, for years, with a certain degree of freedom."
+
+I will not pretend to describe the marked embarrassment with which
+Arthur Philipson and Anne of Geierstein met; neither lifted their
+eyes, neither spoke intelligibly, as they greeted each other, and the
+maiden herself did not blush more deeply than her modest visitor;
+while the good-humoured Swiss girl, whose ideas of love partook of the
+freedom of a more Arcadian country and its customs, looked on with
+eyebrows a little arched, much in wonder, and a little in contempt,
+at a couple who, as she might think, acted with such unnatural and
+constrained reserve. Deep was the reverence and the blush with which
+Arthur offered his hand to the young lady, and her acceptance of the
+courtesy had the same character of extreme bashfulness, agitation, and
+embarrassment. In short, though little or nothing intelligible passed
+between this very handsome and interesting couple, the interview
+itself did not on that account lose any interest. Arthur handed the
+maiden, as was the duty of a gallant of the day, into the next room,
+where their repast was prepared; and Annette, who watched with
+singular attention everything which occurred, felt with astonishment
+that the forms and ceremonies of the higher orders of society had such
+an influence, even over her free-born mind, as the rites of the Druids
+over that of the Roman general, when he said,
+
+     I scorn them, yet they awe me.
+
+"What can have changed them?" said Annette. "When at Geierstein they
+looked but like another girl and bachelor, only that Anne is so very
+handsome; but now they move in time and manner as if they were leading
+a stately pavin, and behave to each other with as much formal respect
+as if he were Landamman of the Unterwalden, and she the first lady of
+Berne. 'Tis all very fine, doubtless, but it is not the way that
+Martin Sprenger makes love."
+
+Apparently, the circumstances in which each of the young people was
+placed recalled to them the habits of lofty and somewhat formal
+courtesy to which they might have been accustomed in former days; and
+while the Baroness felt it necessary to observe the strictest
+decorum, in order to qualify the reception of Arthur into the interior
+of her retreat, he, on the other hand, endeavoured to show, by the
+profoundness of his respect, that he was incapable of misusing the
+kindness with which he had been treated. They placed themselves at
+table, scrupulously observing the distance which might become a
+"virtuous gentleman and maid." The youth William did the service of
+the entertainment with deftness and courtesy, as one well accustomed
+to such duty; and Annette, placing herself between them, and
+endeavouring, as closely as she could, to adhere to the ceremonies
+which she saw them observe, made practice of the civilities which were
+expected from the attendant of a baroness. Various, however, were the
+errors which she committed. Her demeanour in general was that of a
+greyhound in the slips, ready to start up every moment; and she was
+only withheld by the recollection that she was to ask for that which
+she had far more mind to help herself to.
+
+Other points of etiquette were transgressed in their turn, after the
+repast was over, and the attendant had retired. The waiting damsel
+often mingled too unceremoniously in the conversation, and could not
+help calling her mistress by her Christian name of Anne, and, in
+defiance of all decorum, addressed her, as well as Philipson, with the
+pronoun _thou_, which then, as well as now, was a dreadful solecism in
+German politeness. Her blunders were so far fortunate that, by
+furnishing the young lady and Arthur with a topic foreign to the
+peculiarities of their own situation, they enabled them to withdraw
+their attentions from its embarrassments, and to exchange smiles at
+poor Annette's expense. She was not long of perceiving this, and half
+nettled, half availing herself of the apology to speak her mind, said,
+with considerable spirit, "You have both been very merry, forsooth, at
+my expense, and all because I wished rather to rise and seek what I
+wanted, than wait till the poor fellow, who was kept trotting between
+the board and beauffet, found leisure to bring it to me. You laugh at
+me now, because I call you by your names, as they were given to you in
+the blessed church at your christening; and because I say to you
+_thee_ and _thou_, addressing my Juncker and my Yungfrau as I would do
+if I were on my knees praying to Heaven. But for all your new-world
+fancies, I can tell you, you are but a couple of children, who do not
+know your own minds, and are jesting away the only leisure given you
+to provide for your own happiness. Nay, frown not, my sweet Mistress
+Baroness; I have looked at Mount Pilatus too often, to fear a gloomy
+brow."
+
+"Peace, Annette," said her mistress, "or quit the room."
+
+"Were I not more your friend than I am my own," said the headstrong
+and undaunted Annette, "I would quit the room, and the castle to boot,
+and leave you to hold your house here, with your amiable seneschal,
+Ital Schreckenwald."
+
+"If not for love, yet for shame, for charity, be silent, or leave the
+room."
+
+"Nay," said Annette, "my bolt is shot, and I have but hinted at what
+all upon Geierstein Green said, the night when the bow of Buttisholz
+was bended. You know what the old saw says"----
+
+"Peace! peace, for Heaven's sake, or I must needs fly!" said the young
+Baroness.
+
+"Nay, then," said Annette, considerably changing her tone, as if
+afraid that her mistress should actually retire, "if you must fly,
+necessity must have its course. I know no one who can follow. This
+mistress of mine, Seignor Arthur, would require for her attendant, not
+a homely girl of flesh and blood like myself, but a waiting-woman with
+substance composed of gossamer, and breath supplied by the spirit of
+ether. Would you believe it--It is seriously held by many, that she
+partakes of the race of spirits of the elements, which makes her so
+much more bashful than maidens of this every-day world."
+
+Anne of Geierstein seemed rather glad to lead away the conversation
+from the turn which her wayward maiden had given to it, and to turn it
+on more indifferent subjects, though these were still personal to
+herself.
+
+"Seignor Arthur," she said, "thinks, perhaps, he has some room to
+nourish some such strange suspicion as your heedless folly expresses,
+and some fools believe, both in Germany and Switzerland. Confess,
+Seignor Arthur, you thought strangely of me when I passed your guard
+upon the bridge of Graffs-lust, on the night last past."
+
+The recollection of the circumstances which had so greatly surprised
+him at the time so startled Arthur that it was with some difficulty he
+commanded himself, so as to attempt an answer at all; and what he did
+say on the occasion was broken and unconnected.
+
+"I did hear, I own--that is, Rudolph Donnerhugel reported--But that I
+believed that you, gentle lady, were other than a Christian
+maiden"----
+
+"Nay, if Rudolph were the reporter," said Annette, "you would hear
+the worst of my lady and her lineage, that is certain. He is one of
+those prudent personages who depreciate and find fault with the goods
+he has thoughts of purchasing, in order to deter other offerers. Yes,
+he told you a fine goblin story, I warrant you, of my lady's
+grandmother; and truly, it so happened, that the circumstances of the
+case gave, I dare say, some colour in your eyes to"----
+
+"Not so, Annette," answered Arthur; "whatever might be said of your
+lady that sounded uncouth and strange, fell to the ground as
+incredible."
+
+"Not quite so much so, I fancy," interrupted Annette, without heeding
+sign or frown. "I strongly suspect I should have had much more trouble
+in dragging you hither to this castle, had you known you were
+approaching the haunt of the Nymph of the Fire, the Salamander, as
+they call her, not to mention the shock of again seeing the descendant
+of that Maiden of the Fiery Mantle."
+
+"Peace, once more, Annette," said her mistress; "since Fate has
+occasioned this meeting, let us not neglect the opportunity to
+disabuse our English friend of the absurd report he has listened to,
+with doubt and wonder perhaps, but not with absolute incredulity.
+
+"Seignor Arthur Philipson," she proceeded, "it is true my grandfather,
+by the mother's side, Baron Herman of Arnheim, was a man of great
+knowledge in abstruse sciences. He was also a presiding judge of a
+tribunal of which you must have heard, called the Holy Vehme. One
+night a stranger, closely pursued by the agents of that body, which"
+(crossing herself) "it is not safe even to name, arrived at the castle
+and craved his protection, and the rights of hospitality. My
+grandfather, finding the advance which the stranger had made to the
+rank of Adept, gave him his protection, and became bail to deliver him
+to answer the charge against him, for a year and a day, which delay he
+was, it seems, entitled to require on his behalf. They studied
+together during that term, and pushed their researches into the
+mysteries of nature, as far, in all probability, as men have the power
+of urging them. When the fatal day drew nigh on which the guest must
+part from his host, he asked permission to bring his daughter to the
+castle, that they might exchange a last farewell. She was introduced
+with much secrecy, and after some days, finding that her father's fate
+was so uncertain, the Baron, with the sage's consent, agreed to give
+the forlorn maiden refuge in his castle, hoping to obtain from her
+some additional information concerning the languages and the wisdom of
+the East. Dannischemend, her father, left this castle, to go to render
+himself up to the Vehme-gericht at Fulda. The result is unknown;
+perhaps he was saved by Baron Arnheim's testimony, perhaps he was
+given up to the steel and the cord. On such matters, who dare speak?
+
+"The fair Persian became the wife of her guardian and protector. Amid
+many excellences, she had one peculiarity allied to imprudence. She
+availed herself of her foreign dress and manners, as well as of a
+beauty which was said to have been marvellous, and an agility seldom
+equalled, to impose upon and terrify the ignorant German ladies, who,
+hearing her speak Persian and Arabic, were already disposed to
+consider her as over closely connected with unlawful arts. She was of
+a fanciful and imaginative disposition, and delighted to place herself
+in such colours and circumstances as might confirm their most
+ridiculous suspicions, which she considered only as matter of sport.
+There was no end to the stories to which she gave rise. Her first
+appearance in the castle was said to be highly picturesque, and to
+have inferred something of the marvellous. With the levity of a child,
+she had some childish passions, and while she encouraged the growth
+and circulation of the most extraordinary legends amongst some of the
+neighbourhood, she entered into disputes with persons of her own
+quality concerning rank and precedence, on which the ladies of
+Westphalia have at all times set great store. This cost her her life;
+for, on the morning of the christening of my poor mother, the Baroness
+of Arnheim died suddenly, even while a splendid company was assembled
+in the castle chapel to witness the ceremony. It was believed that she
+died of poison, administered by the Baroness Steinfeldt, with whom she
+was engaged in a bitter quarrel, entered into chiefly on behalf of her
+friend and companion, the Countess Waldstetten."
+
+"And the opal gem?--and the sprinkling with water?" said Arthur
+Philipson.
+
+"Ah!" replied the young Baroness, "I see you desire to hear the real
+truth of my family history, of which you have yet learned only the
+romantic legend.--The sprinkling of water was necessarily had recourse
+to, on my ancestress's first swoon. As for the opal, I have heard that
+it did indeed grow pale, but only because it is said to be the nature
+of that noble gem, on the approach of poison. Some part of the quarrel
+with the Baroness Steinfeldt was about the right of the Persian
+maiden to wear this stone, which an ancestor of my family won in
+battle from the Soldan of Trebizond. All these things were confused in
+popular tradition, and the real facts turned into a fairy tale."
+
+"But you have said nothing," suggested Arthur Philipson, "on--on"----
+
+"On what?" said his hostess.
+
+"On your appearance last night."
+
+"Is it possible," said she, "that a man of sense, and an Englishman,
+cannot guess at the explanation which I have to give, though not,
+perhaps, very distinctly? My father, you are aware, has been a busy
+man in a disturbed country, and has incurred the hatred of many
+powerful persons. He is, therefore, obliged to move in secret, and
+avoid unnecessary observation. He was, besides, averse to meet his
+brother, the Landamman. I was therefore told, on our entering Germany,
+that I was to expect a signal where and when to join him,--the token
+was to be a small crucifix of bronze, which had belonged to my poor
+mother. In my apartment at Graffs-lust I found the token, with a note
+from my father, making me acquainted with a secret passage proper to
+such places, which, though it had the appearance of being blocked up,
+was in fact very slightly barricaded. By this I was instructed to pass
+to the gate, make my escape into the woods, and meet my father at a
+place appointed there."
+
+"A wild and perilous adventure," said Arthur.
+
+"I have never been so much shocked," continued the maiden, "as at
+receiving this summons, compelling me to steal away from my kind and
+affectionate uncle, and go I knew not whither. Yet compliance was
+absolutely necessary. The place of meeting was plainly pointed out. A
+midnight walk, in the neighbourhood of protection, was to me a trifle;
+but the precaution of posting sentinels at the gate might have
+interfered with my purpose, had I not mentioned it to some of my elder
+cousins, the Biedermans, who readily agreed to let me pass and repass
+unquestioned. But you know my cousins; honest and kind-hearted, they
+are of a rude way of thinking, and as incapable of feeling a generous
+delicacy as--some other persons."--(Here there was a glance towards
+Annette Veilchen.)--"They exacted from me, that I should conceal
+myself and my purpose from Sigismund; and as they are always making
+sport with the simple youth, they insisted that I should pass him in
+such a manner as might induce him to believe that I was a spiritual
+apparition, and out of his terrors for supernatural beings they
+expected to have much amusement. I was obliged to secure their
+connivance at my escape on their own terms; and, indeed, I was too
+much grieved at the prospect of quitting my kind uncle to think much
+of anything else. Yet my surprise was considerable, when, contrary to
+expectation, I found you on the bridge as sentinel, instead of my
+cousin Sigismund. Your own ideas I ask not for."
+
+"They were those of a fool," said Arthur, "of a thrice-sodden fool.
+Had I been aught else, I would have offered my escort. My sword"----
+
+"I could not have accepted your protection," said Anne, calmly. "My
+mission was in every respect a secret one. I met my father--some
+intercourse had taken place betwixt him and Rudolph Donnerhugel, which
+induced him to alter his purpose of carrying me away with him last
+night. I joined him, however, early this morning, while Annette acted
+for a time my part amongst the Swiss pilgrims. My father desired that
+it should not be known when or with whom I left my uncle and his
+escort. I need scarce remind you, that I saw you in the dungeon."
+
+"You were the preserver of my life," said the youth,--"the restorer of
+my liberty."
+
+"Ask me not the reason of my silence. I was then acting under the
+agency of others, not under mine own. Your escape was effected, in
+order to establish a communication betwixt the Swiss without the
+fortress and the soldiers within. After the alarm at La Ferette, I
+learned from Sigismund Biederman that a party of banditti were
+pursuing your father and you, with a view to pillage and robbery. My
+father had furnished me with the means of changing Anne of Geierstein
+into a German maiden of quality. I set out instantly, and glad I am to
+have given you a hint which might free you from danger."
+
+"But my father?" said Arthur.
+
+"I have every reason to hope he is well and safe," answered the young
+lady. "More than I were eager to protect both you and him--poor
+Sigismund amongst the first.--And now, my friend, these mysteries
+explained, it is time we part, and for ever."
+
+"Part!--and for ever!" repeated the youth, in a voice like a dying
+echo.
+
+"It is our fate," said the maiden. "I appeal to you if it is not your
+duty--I tell you it is mine. You will depart with early dawn to
+Strasburg--and--and--we never meet again."
+
+With an ardour of passion which he could not repress, Arthur Philipson
+threw himself at the feet of the maiden, whose faltering tone had
+clearly expressed that she felt deeply in uttering the words. She
+looked round for Annette, but Annette had disappeared at this most
+critical moment; and her mistress for a second or two was not perhaps
+sorry for her absence.
+
+"Rise," she said, "Arthur--rise. You must not give way to feelings
+that might be fatal to yourself and me."
+
+"Hear me, lady, before I bid you adieu, and for ever--the word of a
+criminal is heard, though he plead the worst cause--I am a belted
+knight, and the son and heir of an Earl, whose name has been spread
+throughout England and France, and wherever valour has had fame."
+
+"Alas!" said she, faintly, "I have but too long suspected what you now
+tell me--Rise, I pray you, rise."
+
+"Never till you hear me," said the youth, seizing one of her hands,
+which trembled, but hardly could be said to struggle in his
+grasp.--"Hear me," he said, with the enthusiasm of first love, when
+the obstacles of bashfulness and diffidence are surmounted,--"My
+father and I are--I acknowledge it--bound on a most hazardous and
+doubtful expedition. You will very soon learn its issue for good or
+bad. If it succeed, you shall hear of me in my own character--If I
+fall, I must--I will--I do claim a tear from Anne of Geierstein. If I
+escape, I have yet a horse, a lance, and a sword; and you shall hear
+nobly of him whom you have thrice protected from imminent danger."
+
+"Arise--arise," repeated the maiden, whose tears began to flow fast,
+as, struggling to raise her lover, they fell thick upon his head and
+face. "I have heard enough--to listen to more were indeed madness,
+both for you and myself."
+
+"Yet one single word," added the youth; "while Arthur has a heart, it
+beats for you--while Arthur can wield an arm, it strikes for you, and
+in your cause."
+
+Annette now rushed into the room.
+
+"Away, away!" she cried--"Schreckenwald has returned from the village
+with some horrible tidings, and I fear me he comes this way."
+
+Arthur had started to his feet at the first signal of alarm.
+
+"If there is danger near your lady, Annette, there is at least one
+faithful friend by her side."
+
+Annette looked anxiously at her mistress.
+
+"But Schreckenwald," she said--"Schreckenwald, your father's
+steward--his confidant.--Oh, think better of it--I can hide Arthur
+somewhere."
+
+The noble-minded girl had already resumed her composure, and replied
+with dignity,--"I have done nothing," she said, "to offend my father.
+If Schreckenwald be my father's steward, he is my vassal. I hide no
+guest to conciliate him. Sit down" (addressing Arthur), "and let us
+receive this man.--Introduce him instantly, Annette, and let us hear
+his tidings--and bid him remember, that when he speaks to me he
+addresses his mistress."
+
+Arthur resumed his seat, still more proud of his choice from the noble
+and fearless spirit displayed by one who had so lately shown herself
+sensible to the gentlest feelings of the female sex.
+
+Annette, assuming courage from her mistress's dauntless demeanour,
+clapped her hands together as she left the room, saying, but in a low
+voice, "I see that after all it is something to be a Baroness, if one
+can assert her dignity conformingly. How could I be so much frightened
+for this rude man!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+                   Affairs that walk
+     (As they say spirits do) at midnight, have
+     In them a wilder nature than the business
+     That seeks dispatch by day.
+                           _Henry VIII. Act V._
+
+
+The approach of the steward was now boldly expected by the little
+party. Arthur, flattered at once and elevated by the firmness which
+Anne had shown when this person's arrival was announced, hastily
+considered the part which he was to act in the approaching scene, and
+prudently determined to avoid all active and personal interference,
+till he should observe from the demeanour of Anne that such was likely
+to be useful or agreeable to her. He resumed his place, therefore, at
+a distant part of the board, on which their meal had been lately
+spread, and remained there, determined to act in the manner Anne's
+behaviour should suggest as most prudent and fitting,--veiling, at the
+same time, the most acute internal anxiety, by an appearance of that
+deferential composure, which one of inferior rank adopts when admitted
+to the presence of a superior. Anne, on her part, seemed to prepare
+herself for an interview of interest. An air of conscious dignity
+succeeded the extreme agitation which she had so lately displayed,
+and, busying herself with some articles of female work, she also
+seemed to expect with tranquillity the visit to which her attendant
+was disposed to attach so much alarm.
+
+A step was heard upon the stair, hurried and unequal, as that of some
+one in confusion as well as haste; the door flew open, and Ital
+Schreckenwald entered.
+
+This person, with whom the details given to the elder Philipson by the
+Landamman Biederman have made the reader in some degree acquainted,
+was a tall, well-made, soldierly looking man. His dress, like that of
+persons of rank at the period in Germany, was more varied in colour,
+more cut and ornamented, slashed and jagged, than the habit worn in
+France and England. The never-failing hawk's feather decked his cap,
+secured with a medal of gold, which served as a clasp. His doublet was
+of buff, for defence, but _laid down_, as it was called in the
+tailor's craft, with rich lace on each seam, and displaying on the
+breast a golden chain, the emblem of his rank in the Baron's
+household. He entered with rather a hasty step, and busy and offended
+look, and said, somewhat rudely, "Why, how now, young lady--wherefore
+this? Strangers in the castle at this period of night!"
+
+Anne of Geierstein, though she had been long absent from her native
+country, was not ignorant of its habits and customs, and knew the
+haughty manner in which all who were noble exerted their authority
+over their dependants.
+
+"Are you a vassal of Arnheim, Ital Schreckenwald, and do you speak to
+the Lady of Arnheim in her own castle with an elevated voice, a saucy
+look, and bonneted withal? Know your place; and, when you have
+demanded pardon for your insolence, and told your errand in such
+terms as befit your condition and mine, I may listen to what you have
+to say."
+
+Schreckenwald's hand, in spite of him, stole to his bonnet, and
+uncovered his haughty brow.
+
+"Noble lady," he said, in a somewhat milder tone, "excuse me if my
+haste be unmannerly, but the alarm is instant. The soldiery of the
+Rhinegrave have mutinied, plucked down the banners of their master,
+and set up an independent ensign, which they call the pennon of St.
+Nicholas, under which they declare that they will maintain peace with
+God, and war with all the world. This castle cannot escape them, when
+they consider that the first course to maintain themselves must be to
+take possession of some place of strength. You must up then, and ride
+with the very peep of dawn. For the present, they are busy with the
+wine-skins of the peasants, but when they wake in the morning they
+will unquestionably march hither; and you may chance to fall into the
+hands of those who will think of the terrors of the castle of Arnheim
+as the figments of a fairy tale, and laugh at its mistress's
+pretensions to honour and respect."
+
+"Is it impossible to make resistance? The castle is strong," said the
+young lady, "and I am unwilling to leave the house of my fathers
+without attempting somewhat in our defence."
+
+"Five hundred men," said Schreckenwald, "might garrison Arnheim,
+battlement and tower. With a less number it were madness to attempt to
+keep such an extent of walls; and how to get twenty soldiers together,
+I am sure I know not.--So, having now the truth of the story, let me
+beseech you to dismiss this guest,--too young, I think, to be the
+inmate of a lady's bower,--and I will point to him the nighest way out
+of the castle; for this is a strait in which we must all be contented
+with looking to our own safety."
+
+"And whither is it that you propose to go?" said the Baroness,
+continuing to maintain, in respect to Ital Schreckenwald, the complete
+and calm assertion of absolute superiority, to which the seneschal
+gave way with such marks of impatience as a fiery steed exhibits under
+the management of a complete cavalier.
+
+"To Strasburg, I propose to go,--that is, if it so please you,--with
+such slight escort as I can get hastily together by daybreak. I trust
+we may escape being observed by the mutineers; or, if we fall in with
+a party of stragglers, I apprehend but little difficulty in forcing my
+way."
+
+"And wherefore do you prefer Strasburg as a place of asylum?"
+
+"Because I trust we shall there meet your excellency's father, the
+noble Count Albert of Geierstein."
+
+"It is well," said the young lady.--"You also, I think, Seignor
+Philipson, spoke of directing your course to Strasburg. If it consist
+with your convenience, you may avail yourself of the protection of my
+escort as far as that city, where you expect to meet your father."
+
+It will readily be believed that Arthur cheerfully bowed assent to a
+proposal which was to prolong their remaining in society together, and
+might possibly, as his romantic imagination suggested, afford him an
+opportunity, on a road beset with dangers, to render some service of
+importance.
+
+Ital Schreckenwald attempted to remonstrate.
+
+"Lady!--lady!"--he said, with some marks of impatience.
+
+"Take breath and leisure, Schreckenwald," said Anne, "and you will be
+more able to express yourself with distinctness, and with respectful
+propriety."
+
+The impatient vassal muttered an oath betwixt his teeth, and answered
+with forced civility,--"Permit me to state, that our case requires we
+should charge ourselves with the care of no one but you. We shall be
+few enough for your defence, and I cannot permit any stranger to
+travel with us."
+
+"If," said Arthur, "I conceived that I was to be a useless incumbrance
+on the retreat of this noble young lady, worlds, Sir Squire, would not
+induce me to accept her offer. But I am neither child nor woman--I am
+a full-grown man, and ready to show such good service as manhood may
+in defence of your lady."
+
+"If we must not challenge your valour and ability, young sir," said
+Schreckenwald, "who shall answer for your fidelity?"
+
+"To question that elsewhere," said Arthur, "might be dangerous."
+
+But Anne interfered between them. "We must straight to rest, and
+remain prompt for alarm, perhaps even before the hour of dawn.
+Schreckenwald, I trust to your care for due watch and ward.--You have
+men enough at least for that purpose.--And hear and mark--It is my
+desire and command, that this gentleman be accommodated with lodgings
+here for this night, and that he travel with us to-morrow. For this I
+will be responsible to my father, and your part is only to obey my
+commands. I have long had occasion to know both the young man's father
+and himself, who were ancient guests of my uncle, the Landamman. On
+the journey you will keep the youth beside you, and use such courtesy
+to him as your rugged temper will permit."
+
+Ital Schreckenwald intimated his acquiescence with a look of
+bitterness, which it were vain to attempt to describe. It expressed
+spite, mortification, humbled pride, and reluctant submission. He did
+submit, however, and ushered young Philipson into a decent apartment
+with a bed, which the fatigue and agitation of the preceding day
+rendered very acceptable.
+
+Notwithstanding the ardour with which Arthur expected the rise of the
+next dawn, his deep repose, the fruit of fatigue, held him until the
+reddening of the east, when the voice of Schreckenwald exclaimed, "Up,
+Sir Englishman, if you mean to accomplish your boast of loyal service.
+It is time we were in the saddle, and we shall tarry for no
+sluggards."
+
+Arthur was on the floor of the apartment, and dressed, in almost an
+instant, not forgetting to put on his shirt of mail, and assume
+whatever weapons seemed most fit to render him an efficient part of
+the convoy. He next hastened to seek out the stable, to have his horse
+in readiness; and descending for that purpose into the under story of
+the lower mass of buildings, he was wandering in search of the way
+which led to the offices, when the voice of Annette Veilchen softly
+whispered, "This way, Seignor Philipson; I would speak with you."
+
+The Swiss maiden, at the same time, beckoned him into a small room,
+where he found her alone.
+
+"Were you not surprised," she said, "to see my lady queen it so over
+Ital Schreckenwald, who keeps every other person in awe with his stern
+looks and cross words? But the air of command seems so natural to her,
+that, instead of being a baroness, she might have been an empress. It
+must come of birth, I think, after all, for I tried last night to take
+state upon me, after the fashion of my mistress, and, would you think
+it, the brute Schreckenwald threatened to throw me out of the window?
+But if ever I see Martin Sprenger again, I'll know if there is
+strength in a Swiss arm, and virtue in a Swiss quarter-staff.--But
+here I stand prating, and my lady wishes to see you for a minute ere
+we take to horse."
+
+"Your lady?" said Arthur, starting. "Why did you lose an instant? why
+not tell me before?"
+
+"Because I was only to keep you here till she came, and--here she is."
+
+Anne of Geierstein entered, fully attired for her journey. Annette,
+always willing to do as she would wish to be done by, was about to
+leave the apartment, when her mistress, who had apparently made up her
+mind concerning what she had to do or say, commanded her positively to
+remain.
+
+"I am sure," she said, "Seignor Philipson will rightly understand the
+feelings of hospitality--I will say of friendship--which prevented my
+suffering him to be expelled from my castle last night, and which have
+determined me this morning to admit of his company on the somewhat
+dangerous road to Strasburg. At the gate of that town we part, I to
+join my father, you to place yourself under the direction of yours.
+From that moment intercourse between us ends, and our remembrance of
+each other must be as the thoughts which we pay to friends deceased."
+
+"Tender recollections," said Arthur, passionately, "more dear to our
+bosoms than all we have surviving upon earth."
+
+"Not a word in that tone," answered the maiden. "With night delusion
+should end, and reason awaken with dawning. One word more--Do not
+address me on the road; you may, by doing so, expose me to vexatious
+and insulting suspicion, and yourself to quarrels and peril.--Farewell,
+our party is ready to take horse."
+
+She left the apartment, where Arthur remained for a moment deeply
+bewildered in grief and disappointment. The patience, nay, even
+favour, with which Anne of Geierstein had, on the previous night,
+listened to his passion, had not prepared him for the terms of reserve
+and distance which she now adopted towards him. He was ignorant that
+noble maids, if feeling or passion has for a moment swayed them from
+the strict path of principle and duty, endeavour to atone for it by
+instantly returning, and severely adhering, to the line from which
+they have made a momentary departure. He looked mournfully on Annette,
+who, as she had been in the room before Anne's arrival, took the
+privilege of remaining a minute after her departure; but he read no
+comfort in the glances of the confidant, who seemed as much
+disconcerted as himself.
+
+"I cannot imagine what hath happened to her," said Annette; "to me she
+is kind as ever, but to every other person about her she plays
+countess and baroness with a witness; and now she is begun to
+tyrannise over her own natural feelings--and--if this be greatness,
+Annette Veilchen trusts always to remain the penniless Swiss girl; she
+is mistress of her own freedom, and at liberty to speak with her
+bachelor when she pleases, so as religion and maiden modesty suffer
+nothing in the conversation. Oh, a single daisy twisted with content
+into one's hair, is worth all the opals in India, if they bind us to
+torment ourselves and other people, or hinder us from speaking our
+mind, when our heart is upon our tongue. But never fear, Arthur; for
+if she has the cruelty to think of forgetting you, you may rely on one
+friend who, while she has a tongue, and Anne has ears, will make it
+impossible for her to do so."
+
+So saying, away tripped Annette, having first indicated to Philipson
+the passage by which he would find the lower court of the castle.
+There his steed stood ready, among about twenty others. Twelve of
+these were accoutred with war saddles, and frontlets of proof, being
+intended for the use of as many cavaliers, or troopers, retainers of
+the family of Arnheim, whom the seneschal's exertions had been able to
+collect on the spur of the occasion. Two palfreys, somewhat
+distinguished by their trappings, were designed for Anne of Geierstein
+and her favourite female attendant. The other menials, chiefly boys
+and women servants, had inferior horses. At a signal made, the
+troopers took their lances and stood by their steeds, till the females
+and menials were mounted and in order; they then sprang into their
+saddles and began to move forward, slowly and with great precaution.
+Schreckenwald led the van, and kept Arthur Philipson close beside
+him. Anne and her attendant were in the centre of the little body,
+followed by the unwarlike train of servants, while two or three
+experienced cavaliers brought up the rear, with strict orders to guard
+against surprise.
+
+On their being put into motion, the first thing which surprised Arthur
+was, that the horses' hoofs no longer sent forth the sharp and ringing
+sound arising from the collision of iron and flint, and as the morning
+light increased he could perceive that the fetlock and hoof of every
+steed, his own included, had been carefully wrapped around with a
+sufficient quantity of wool, to prevent the usual noise which
+accompanied their motions. It was a singular thing to behold the
+passage of the little body of cavalry down the rocky road which led
+from the castle, unattended with the noise which we are disposed to
+consider as inseparable from the motions of horse, the absence of
+which seemed to give a peculiar and almost an unearthly appearance to
+the cavalcade.
+
+They passed in this manner the winding path which led from the castle
+of Arnheim to the adjacent village, which, as was the ancient feudal
+custom, lay so near the fortress that its inhabitants, when summoned
+by their lord, could instantly repair for its defence. But it was at
+present occupied by very different inhabitants, the mutinous soldiers
+of the Rhinegrave. When the party from Arnheim approached the entrance
+of the village, Schreckenwald made a signal to halt, which was
+instantly obeyed by his followers. He then rode forward in person to
+reconnoitre, accompanied by Arthur Philipson, both moving with the
+utmost steadiness and precaution. The deepest silence prevailed in
+the deserted streets. Here and there a soldier was seen, seemingly
+designed for a sentinel, but uniformly fast asleep.
+
+"The swinish mutineers!" said Schreckenwald; "a fair night-watch they
+keep, and a beautiful morning's rouse would I treat them with, were
+not the point to protect yonder peevish wench.--Halt thou here,
+stranger, while I ride back and bring them on--there is no danger."
+
+Schreckenwald left Arthur as he spoke, who, alone in the street of a
+village filled with banditti, though they were lulled into temporary
+insensibility, had no reason to consider his case as very comfortable.
+The chorus of a wassel song, which some reveller was trolling over in
+his sleep; or, in its turn, the growling of some village cur, seemed
+the signal for an hundred ruffians to start up around him. But in the
+space of two or three minutes, the noiseless cavalcade, headed by Ital
+Schreckenwald, again joined him, and followed their leader, observing
+the utmost precaution not to give an alarm. All went well till they
+reached the farther end of the village, where, although the
+Baaren-hauter[4] who kept guard was as drunk as his companions on
+duty, a large shaggy dog which lay beside him was more vigilant. As
+the little troop approached, the animal sent forth a ferocious yell,
+loud enough to have broken the rest of the Seven Sleepers, and which
+effectually dispelled the slumbers of its master. The soldier snatched
+up his carabine and fired, he knew not well at what, or for what
+reason. The ball, however, struck Arthur's horse under him, and, as
+the animal fell, the sentinel rushed forward to kill or make prisoner
+the rider.
+
+"Haste on, haste on, men of Arnheim! care for nothing but the young
+lady's safety," exclaimed the leader of the band.
+
+"Stay, I command you;--aid the stranger, on your lives!"--said Anne,
+in a voice which, usually gentle and meek, she now made heard by those
+around her, like the note of a silver clarion. "I will not stir till
+he is rescued."
+
+Schreckenwald had already spurred his horse for flight; but,
+perceiving Anne's reluctance to follow him, he dashed back, and
+seizing a horse which, bridled and saddled, stood picketed near him,
+he threw the reins to Arthur Philipson; and pushing his own horse, at
+the same time, betwixt the Englishman and the soldier, he forced the
+latter to quit the hold he had on his person. In an instant Philipson
+was again mounted, when, seizing a battle-axe which hung at the
+saddle-bow of his new steed, he struck down the staggering sentinel,
+who was endeavouring again to seize upon him. The whole troop then
+rode off at a gallop, for the alarm began to grow general in the
+village; some soldiers were seen coming out of their quarters, and
+others were beginning to get upon horseback. Before Schreckenwald and
+his party had ridden a mile, they heard more than once the sound of
+bugles; and when they arrived upon the summit of an eminence
+commanding a view of the village, their leader, who, during the
+retreat, had placed himself in the rear of his company, now halted to
+reconnoitre the enemy they had left behind them. There was bustle and
+confusion in the street, but there did not appear to be any pursuit;
+so that Schreckenwald followed his route down the river, with speed
+and activity indeed, but with so much steadiness, at the same time, as
+not to distress the slowest horse of his party.
+
+When they had ridden two hours and more, the confidence of their
+leader was so much augmented, that he ventured to command a halt at
+the edge of a pleasant grove, which served to conceal their number,
+whilst both riders and horses took some refreshment, for which purpose
+forage and provisions had been borne along with them. Ital
+Schreckenwald, having held some communication with the Baroness,
+continued to offer their travelling companion a sort of surly
+civility. He invited him to partake of his own mess, which was indeed
+little different from that which was served out to the other troopers,
+but was seasoned with a glass of wine from a more choice flask.
+
+"To your health, brother," he said; "if you tell this day's story
+truly, you will allow that I was a true comrade to you two hours
+since, in riding through the village of Arnheim."
+
+"I will never deny it, fair sir," said Philipson, "and I return you
+thanks for your timely assistance; alike, whether it sprang from your
+mistress's order, or your own good-will."
+
+"Ho! ho! my friend," said Schreckenwald, laughing, "you are a
+philosopher, and can try conclusions while your horse lies rolling
+above you, and a Baaren-hauter aims his sword at your throat?--Well,
+since your wit hath discovered so much, I care not if you know, that I
+should not have had much scruple to sacrifice twenty such smooth-faced
+gentlemen as yourself, rather than the young Baroness of Arnheim had
+incurred the slightest danger."
+
+"The propriety of the sentiment," said Philipson, "is so undoubtedly
+correct, that I subscribe to it, even though it is something
+discourteously expressed towards myself."
+
+In making this reply, the young man, provoked at the insolence of
+Schreckenwald's manner, raised his voice a little. The circumstance
+did not escape observation, for, on the instant, Annette Veilchen
+stood before them, with her mistress's commands on them both to speak
+in whispers, or rather to be altogether silent.
+
+"Say to your mistress that I am mute," said Philipson.
+
+"Our mistress, the Baroness, says," continued Annette, with an
+emphasis on the title, to which she began to ascribe some talismanic
+influence,--"the Baroness, I tell you, says, that silence much
+concerns our safety, for it were most hazardous to draw upon this
+little fugitive party the notice of any passengers who may pass along
+the road during the necessary halt; and so, sirs, it is the Baroness's
+request that you will continue the exercise of your teeth as fast as
+you can, and forbear that of your tongues till you are in a safer
+condition."
+
+"My lady is wise," answered Ital Schreckenwald, "and her maiden is
+witty. I drink, Mrs. Annette, in a cup of Rudersheimer, to the
+continuance of her sagacity, and of your amiable liveliness of
+disposition. Will it please you, fair mistress, to pledge me in this
+generous liquor?"
+
+"Out, thou German wine-flask!--Out, thou eternal swill-flagon!--Heard
+you ever of a modest maiden who drank wine before she had dined?"
+
+"Remain without the generous inspiration then," said the German, "and
+nourish thy satirical vein on sour cider or acid whey."
+
+A short space having been allowed to refresh themselves, the little
+party again mounted their horses, and travelled with such speed, that
+long before noon they arrived at the strongly fortified town of Kehl,
+opposite to Strasburg, on the eastern bank of the Rhine.
+
+It is for local antiquaries to discover whether the travellers crossed
+from Kehl to Strasburg by the celebrated bridge of boats which at
+present maintains the communication across the river, or whether they
+were wafted over by some other mode of transportation. It is enough
+that they passed in safety, and had landed on the other side,
+where--whether she dreaded that he might forget the charge she had
+given him, that here they were to separate, or whether she thought
+that something more might be said in the moment of parting--the young
+Baroness, before remounting her horse, once more approached Arthur
+Philipson, who too truly guessed the tenor of what she had to say.
+
+"Gentle stranger," she said, "I must now bid you farewell. But first
+let me ask if you know whereabouts you are to seek your father?"
+
+"In an inn called the Flying Stag," said Arthur, dejectedly; "but
+where that is situated in this large town, I know not."
+
+"Do you know the place, Ital Schreckenwald?"
+
+"I, young lady?--Not I--I know nothing of Strasburg and its inns. I
+believe most of our party are as ignorant as I am."
+
+"You and they speak German, I suppose," said the Baroness, drily, "and
+can make inquiry more easily than a foreigner? Go, sir, and forget
+not that humanity to the stranger is a religious duty."
+
+With that shrug of the shoulders which testifies a displeased messenger,
+Ital went to make some inquiry, and, in his absence, brief as it was,
+Anne took an opportunity to say apart,--"Farewell!--Farewell! Accept
+this token of friendship, and wear it for my sake. May you be happy!"
+
+Her slender fingers dropped into his hand a very small parcel. He
+turned to thank her, but she was already at some distance; and
+Schreckenwald, who had taken his place by his side, said in his harsh
+voice, "Come, Sir Squire, I have found out your place of rendezvous,
+and I have but little time to play the gentleman-usher."
+
+He then rode on; and Philipson, mounted on his military charger,
+followed him in silence to the point where a large street joined, or
+rather crossed, that which led from the quay on which they had landed.
+
+"Yonder swings the Flying Stag," said Ital, pointing to an immense
+sign, which, mounted on a huge wooden frame, crossed almost the whole
+breadth of the street. "Your intelligence can, I think, hardly abandon
+you, with such a guide-post in your eye."
+
+So saying, he turned his horse without further farewell, and rode back
+to join his mistress and her attendants.
+
+Philipson's eyes rested on the same group for a moment, when he was
+recalled to a sense of his situation by the thoughts of his father;
+and, spurring his jaded horse down the cross street, he reached the
+hostelry of the Flying Stag.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] _Baaren-hauter_,--he of the Bear's hide,--a nickname for a German
+private soldier.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+                       I was, I must confess,
+     Great Albion's queen in former golden days;
+     But now mischance hath trod my title down,
+     And with dishonour laid me on the ground;
+     Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,
+     And to my humble seat conform myself.
+                            _Henry VI. Part III._
+
+
+The hostelry of the Flying Stag, in Strasburg, was, like every inn in
+the empire at the period, conducted much with the same discourteous
+inattention to the wants and accommodation of the guests as that of
+John Mengs. But the youth and good looks of Arthur Philipson,
+circumstances which seldom or never fail to produce some effect where
+the fair are concerned, prevailed upon a short, plump, dimpled,
+blue-eyed, fair-skinned yungfrau, the daughter of the landlord of the
+Flying Stag (himself a fat old man, pinned to the oaken chair in the
+_stube_), to carry herself to the young Englishman with a degree of
+condescension which, in the privileged race to which she belonged, was
+little short of degradation. She not only put her light buskins and
+her pretty ankles in danger of being soiled by tripping across the
+yard to point out an unoccupied stable, but, on Arthur's inquiry after
+his father, condescended to recollect that such a guest as he
+described had lodged in the house last night, and had said he expected
+to meet there a young person, his fellow-traveller.
+
+"I will send him out to you, fair sir," said the little yungfrau with
+a smile, which, if things of the kind are to be valued by their rare
+occurrence, must have been reckoned inestimable.
+
+She was as good as her word. In a few instants the elder Philipson
+entered the stable, and folded his son in his arms.
+
+"My son--my dear son!" said the Englishman, his usual stoicism broken
+down and melted by natural feeling and parental tenderness,--"Welcome
+to me at all times--welcome, in a period of doubt and danger--and most
+welcome of all, in a moment which forms the very crisis of our fate.
+In a few hours I shall know what we may expect from the Duke of
+Burgundy.--Hast thou the token?"
+
+Arthur's hand first sought that which was nearest to his heart, both
+in the literal and allegorical sense--the small parcel, namely, which
+Anne had given him at parting. But he recollected himself in the
+instant, and presented to his father the packet which had been so
+strangely lost and recovered at La Ferette.
+
+"It hath run its own risk since you saw it," he observed to his
+father, "and so have I mine. I received hospitality at a castle last
+night, and behold a body of lanzknechts in the neighbourhood began in
+the morning to mutiny for their pay. The inhabitants fled from the
+castle to escape their violence, and, as we passed their leaguer in
+the grey of the morning, a drunken Baaren-hauter shot my poor horse,
+and I was forced, in the way of exchange, to take up with his heavy
+Flemish animal, with its steel saddle, and its clumsy chaffron."
+
+"Our road is beset with perils," said his father. "I too have had my
+share, having been in great danger [he told not its precise nature] at
+an inn where I rested last night. But I left it in the morning, and
+proceeded hither in safety. I have at length, however, obtained a safe
+escort to conduct me to the Duke's camp near Dijon; and I trust to
+have an audience of him this evening. Then, if our last hope should
+fail, we will seek the seaport of Marseilles, hoist sail for Candia or
+for Rhodes, and spend our lives in defence of Christendom, since we
+may no longer fight for England."
+
+Arthur heard these ominous words without reply; but they did not the
+less sink upon his heart, deadly as the doom of the judge which
+secludes the criminal from society and all its joys, and condemns him
+to an eternal prison-house. The bells from the cathedral began to toll
+at this instant, and reminded the elder Philipson of the duty of
+hearing mass, which was said at all hours in some one or other of the
+separate chapels which are contained in that magnificent pile. His son
+followed, on an intimation of his pleasure.
+
+In approaching the access to this superb cathedral, the travellers
+found it obstructed, as is usual in Catholic countries, by the number
+of mendicants of both sexes, who crowded round the entrance to give
+the worshippers an opportunity of discharging the duty of alms-giving,
+so positively enjoined as a chief observance of their Church. The
+Englishmen extricated themselves from their importunity by bestowing,
+as is usual on such occasions, a donative of small coin upon those who
+appeared most needy, or most deserving of their charity. One tall
+woman stood on the steps close to the door, and extended her hand to
+the elder Philipson, who, struck with her appearance, exchanged for a
+piece of silver the copper coins which he had been distributing
+amongst others.
+
+"A marvel!" she said, in the English language, but in a tone
+calculated only to be heard by him alone, although his son also caught
+the sound and sense of what she said,--"Ay, a miracle!--An Englishman
+still possesses a silver piece, and can afford to bestow it on the
+poor!"
+
+Arthur was sensible that his father started somewhat at the voice or
+words, which bore, even in his ear, something of deeper import than
+the observation of an ordinary mendicant. But after a glance at the
+female who thus addressed him, his father passed onwards into the body
+of the church, and was soon engaged in attending to the solemn
+ceremony of the mass, as it was performed by a priest at the altar of
+a chapel divided from the main body of the splendid edifice, and
+dedicated, as it appeared from the image over the altar, to St.
+George; that military saint, whose real history is so obscure, though
+his popular legend rendered him an object of peculiar veneration
+during the feudal ages. The ceremony was begun and finished with all
+customary forms. The officiating priest, with his attendants,
+withdrew, and though some of the few worshippers who had assisted at
+the solemnity remained telling their beads, and occupied with the
+performance of their private devotions, far the greater part left the
+chapel, to visit other shrines, or to return to the prosecution of
+their secular affairs.
+
+But Arthur Philipson remarked that, whilst they dropped off one after
+another, the tall woman who had received his father's alms continued
+to kneel near the altar; and he was yet more surprised to see that his
+father himself, who, he had many reasons to know, was desirous to
+spend in the church no more time than the duties of devotion
+absolutely claimed, remained also on his knees, with his eyes resting
+on the form of the veiled devotee (such she seemed from her dress), as
+if his own motions were to be guided by hers. By no idea which
+occurred to him was Arthur able to form the least conjecture as to his
+father's motives--he only knew that he was engaged in a critical and
+dangerous negotiation, liable to influence or interruption from
+various quarters; and that political suspicion was so generally awake,
+both in France, Italy, and Flanders, that the most important agents
+were often obliged to assume the most impenetrable disguises, in order
+to insinuate themselves without suspicion into the countries where
+their services were required. Louis XI., in particular, whose singular
+policy seemed in some degree to give a character to the age in which
+he lived, was well known to have disguised his principal emissaries
+and envoys in the fictitious garbs of mendicant monks, minstrels,
+gypsies, and other privileged wanderers of the meanest description.
+
+Arthur concluded, therefore, that it was not improbable that this
+female might, like themselves, be something more than her dress
+imported; and he resolved to observe his father's deportment towards
+her, and regulate his own actions accordingly. A bell at last
+announced that mass, upon a more splendid scale, was about to be
+celebrated before the high altar of the cathedral itself, and its
+sound withdrew from the sequestered chapel of St. George the few who
+had remained at the shrine of the military saint, excepting the father
+and son, and the female penitent who kneeled opposite to them. When
+the last of the worshippers had retired, the female arose and advanced
+towards the elder Philipson, who, folding his arms on his bosom, and
+stooping his head, in an attitude of obeisance which his son had never
+before seen him assume, appeared rather to wait what she had to say,
+than to propose addressing her.
+
+There was a pause. Four lamps, lighted before the shrine of the saint,
+cast a dim radiance on his armour and steed, represented as he was in
+the act of transfixing with his lance the prostrate dragon, whose
+outstretched wings and writhing neck were in part touched by their
+beams. The rest of the chapel was dimly illuminated by the autumnal
+sun, which could scarce find its way through the stained panes of the
+small lanceolated window, which was its only aperture to the open air.
+The light fell doubtful and gloomy, tinged with the various hues
+through which it passed, upon the stately yet somewhat broken and
+dejected form of the female, and on those of the melancholy and
+anxious father, and his son, who, with all the eager interest of
+youth, suspected and anticipated extraordinary consequences from so
+singular an interview.
+
+At length the female approached to the same side of the shrine with
+Arthur and his father, as if to be more distinctly heard, without
+being obliged to raise the slow solemn voice in which she had spoken.
+
+"Do you here worship," she said, "the St. George of Burgundy, or the
+St. George of merry England, the flower of chivalry?"
+
+"I serve," said Philipson, folding his hands humbly on his bosom, "the
+saint to whom this chapel is dedicated, and the Deity with whom I hope
+for his holy intercession, whether here or in my native country."
+
+"Ay--you," said the female, "even you can forget--you, even you, who
+have been numbered among the mirror of knighthood--can forget that you
+have worshipped in the royal fane of Windsor--that you have there bent
+a _gartered_ knee, where kings and princes kneeled around you--you can
+forget this, and make your orisons at a foreign shrine, with a heart
+undisturbed with the thoughts of what you have been,--praying, like
+some poor peasant, for bread and life during the day that passes over
+you."
+
+"Lady," replied Philipson, "in my proudest hours, I was, before the
+Being to whom I preferred my prayers, but as a worm in the dust--In
+His eyes I am now neither less nor more, degraded as I may be in the
+opinion of my fellow-reptiles."
+
+"How canst thou think thus?" said the devotee; "and yet it is well
+with thee that thou canst. But what have thy losses been, compared to
+mine!"
+
+She put her hand to her brow, and seemed for a moment overpowered by
+agonising recollections.
+
+Arthur pressed to his father's side, and inquired, in a tone of
+interest which could not be repressed, "Father, who is this lady?--Is
+it my mother?"
+
+"No, my son," answered Philipson;--"peace, for the sake of all you
+hold dear or holy!"
+
+The singular female, however, heard both the question and answer,
+though expressed in a whisper.
+
+"Yes," she said, "young man--I am--I should say I was--your mother;
+the mother, the protectress, of all that was noble in England--I am
+Margaret of Anjou."
+
+Arthur sank on his knees before the dauntless widow of Henry the
+Sixth, who so long, and in such desperate circumstances, upheld, by
+unyielding courage and deep policy, the sinking cause of her feeble
+husband; and who, if she occasionally abused victory by cruelty and
+revenge, had made some atonement by the indomitable resolution with
+which she had supported the fiercest storms of adversity. Arthur had
+been bred in devoted adherence to the now dethroned line of Lancaster,
+of which his father was one of the most distinguished supporters; and
+his earliest deeds of arms, which, though unfortunate, were neither
+obscure nor ignoble, had been done in their cause. With an enthusiasm
+belonging to his age and education, he in the same instant flung his
+bonnet on the pavement, and knelt at the feet of his ill-fated
+sovereign.
+
+Margaret threw back the veil which concealed those noble and majestic
+features, which even yet,--though rivers of tears had furrowed her
+cheek,--though care, disappointment, domestic grief, and humbled pride
+had quenched the fire of her eye, and wasted the smooth dignity of her
+forehead,--even yet showed the remains of that beauty which once was
+held unequalled in Europe. The apathy with which a succession of
+misfortunes and disappointed hopes had chilled the feelings of the
+unfortunate Princess was for a moment melted by the sight of the fair
+youth's enthusiasm. She abandoned one hand to him, which he covered
+with tears and kisses, and with the other stroked with maternal
+tenderness his curled locks, as she endeavoured to raise him from the
+posture he had assumed. His father, in the meanwhile, shut the door of
+the chapel, and placed his back against it, withdrawing himself thus
+from the group, as if for the purpose of preventing any stranger from
+entering, during a scene so extraordinary.
+
+"And thou, then," said Margaret, in a voice where female tenderness
+combated strangely with her natural pride of rank, and with the calm,
+stoical indifference induced by the intensity of her personal
+misfortunes; "thou, fair youth, art the last scion of the noble stem,
+so many fair boughs of which have fallen in our hapless cause. Alas,
+alas! what can I do for thee? Margaret has not even a blessing to
+bestow. So wayward is her fate, that her benedictions are curses, and
+she has but to look on you and wish you well, to insure your speedy
+and utter ruin. I--I have been the fatal poison-tree, whose influence
+has blighted and destroyed all the fair plants that arose beside and
+around me, and brought death upon every one, yet am myself unable to
+find it!"
+
+"Noble and royal mistress," said the elder Englishman, "let not your
+princely courage, which has borne such extremities, be dismayed, now
+that they are passed over, and that a chance at least of happier times
+is approaching to you and to England."
+
+"To England, to _me_, noble Oxford!" said the forlorn and widowed
+Queen.--"If to-morrow's sun could place me once more on the throne of
+England, could it give back to me what I have lost? I speak not of
+wealth or power--they are as nothing in the balance--I speak not of
+the hosts of noble friends who have fallen in defence of me and
+mine--Somersets, Percys, Staffords, Cliffords--they have found their
+place in fame, in the annals of their country--I speak not of my
+husband, he has exchanged the state of a suffering saint upon earth
+for that of a glorified saint in heaven--But oh, Oxford! my son--my
+Edward!--Is it possible for me to look on this youth, and not remember
+that thy countess and I on the same night gave birth to two fair boys?
+How oft we endeavoured to prophesy their future fortunes, and to
+persuade ourselves that the same constellation which shone on their
+birth would influence their succeeding life, and hold a friendly and
+equal bias till they reached some destined goal of happiness and
+honour! Thy Arthur lives; but, alas! my Edward, born under the same
+auspices, fills a bloody grave!"
+
+She wrapped her head in her mantle, as if to stifle the complaints and
+groans which maternal affection poured forth at these cruel
+recollections. Philipson, or the exiled Earl of Oxford as we may now
+term him, distinguished in those changeful times by the steadiness
+with which he had always maintained his loyalty to the line of
+Lancaster, saw the imprudence of indulging his sovereign in her
+weakness.
+
+  [Illustration: ARTHUR BEFORE THE QUEEN.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+"Royal mistress," he said, "life's journey is that of a brief winter's
+day, and its course will run on, whether we avail ourselves of its
+progress or no. My sovereign is, I trust, too much mistress
+of herself to suffer lamentation for what is passed to deprive
+her of the power of using the present time. I am here in obedience to
+your command; I am to see Burgundy forthwith, and if I find him pliant
+to the purpose to which we would turn him, events may follow which
+will change into gladness our present mourning. But we must use our
+opportunity with speed as well as zeal. Let me know then, madam, for
+what reason your Majesty hath come hither, disguised and in danger?
+Surely it was not merely to weep over this young man that the
+high-minded Queen Margaret left her father's court, disguised herself
+in mean attire, and came from a place of safety to one of doubt at
+least, if not of danger?"
+
+"You mock me, Oxford," said the unfortunate Queen, "or you deceive
+yourself, if you think you still serve that Margaret whose word was
+never spoken without a reason, and whose slightest action was
+influenced by a motive. Alas! I am no longer the same firm and
+rational being. The feverish character of grief, while it makes one
+place hateful to me, drives me to another in very impotence and
+impatience of spirit. My father's residence, thou say'st, is safe; but
+is it tolerable for such a soul as mine? Can one who has been deprived
+of the noblest and richest kingdom of Europe--one who has lost hosts
+of noble friends--one who is a widowed consort, a childless
+mother--one upon whose head Heaven hath poured forth its last vial of
+unmitigated wrath,--can she stoop to be the companion of a weak old
+man, who, in sonnets and in music, in mummery and folly, in harping
+and rhyming, finds a comfort for all that poverty has that is
+distressing; and, what is still worse, even a solace in all that is
+ridiculous and contemptible?"
+
+"Nay, with your leave, madam," said her counsellor, "blame not the
+good King René (_a_),[5] because, persecuted by fortune, he has been
+able to find out for himself humbler sources of solace, which your
+prouder spirit is disposed to disdain. A contention among his
+minstrels has for him the animation of a knightly combat; and a crown
+of flowers, twined by his troubadours and graced by their sonnets, he
+accounts a valuable compensation for the diadems of Jerusalem, of
+Naples, and of both Sicilies, of which he only possesses the empty
+titles."
+
+"Speak not to me of the pitiable old man," said Margaret; "sunk below
+even the hatred of his worst enemies, and never thought worthy of
+anything more than contempt. I tell thee, noble Oxford, I have been
+driven nearly mad with my forced residence at Aix, in the paltry
+circle which he calls his court. My ears, tuned as they now are only
+to sounds of affliction, are not so weary of the eternal tinkling of
+harps, and squeaking of rebecks, and snapping of castanets;--my eyes
+are not so tired of the beggarly affectation of court ceremonial,
+which is only respectable when it implies wealth and expresses
+power,--as my very soul is sick of the paltry ambition which can find
+pleasure in spangles, tassels, and trumpery, when the reality of all
+that is great and noble hath passed away. No, Oxford. If I am doomed
+to lose the last cast which fickle fortune seems to offer me, I will
+retreat into the meanest convent in the Pyrenean hills, and at least
+escape the insult of the idiot gaiety of my father.--Let him pass from
+our memory as from the page of history, in which his name will never
+be recorded. I have much of more importance both to hear and to
+tell.--And now, my Oxford, what news from Italy? Will the Duke of
+Milan afford us assistance with his counsels, or with his treasures?"
+
+"With his counsels willingly, madam; but how you will relish them I
+know not, since he recommends to us submission to our hapless fate,
+and resignation to the will of Providence."
+
+"The wily Italian! Will not, then, Galeasso advance any part of his
+hoards, or assist a friend, to whom he hath in his time full often
+sworn faith?"
+
+"Not even the diamonds which I offered to deposit in his hands,"
+answered the Earl, "could make him unlock his treasury to supply us
+with ducats for our enterprise. Yet he said, if Charles of Burgundy
+should think seriously of an exertion in our favour, such was his
+regard for that great prince, and his deep sense of your Majesty's
+misfortunes, that he would consider what the state of his exchequer,
+though much exhausted, and the condition of his subjects, though
+impoverished by taxes and talliages, would permit him to advance in
+your behalf."
+
+"The double-faced hypocrite!" said Margaret. "If the assistance of the
+princely Burgundy lends us a chance of regaining what is our own, then
+he will give us some paltry parcel of crowns, that our restored
+prosperity may forget his indifference to our adversity!--But what of
+Burgundy? I have ventured hither to tell you what I have learned, and
+to hear report of your proceedings--a trusty watch provides for the
+secrecy of our interview. My impatience to see you brought me hither
+in this mean disguise. I have a small retinue at a convent a mile
+beyond the town--I have had your arrival watched by the faithful
+Lambert--and now I come to know your hopes or your fears, and to tell
+you my own."
+
+"Royal lady," said the Earl, "I have not seen the Duke. You know his
+temper to be wilful, sudden, haughty, and unpersuadable. If he can
+adopt the calm and sustained policy which the times require, I little
+doubt his obtaining full amends of Louis, his sworn enemy, and even of
+Edward, his ambitious brother-in-law. But if he continues to yield to
+extravagant fits of passion, with or without provocation, he may hurry
+into a quarrel with the poor but hardy Helvetians, and is likely to
+engage in a perilous contest, in which he cannot be expected to gain
+anything, while he undergoes a chance of the most serious losses."
+
+"Surely," replied the Queen, "he will not trust the usurper Edward,
+even in the very moment when he is giving the greatest proof of
+treachery to his alliance?"
+
+"In what respect, madam?" replied Oxford. "The news you allude to has
+not reached me."
+
+"How, my lord? Am I then the first to tell you that Edward of York has
+crossed the sea (_b_) with such an army as scarce even the renowned
+Henry V., my father-in-law, ever transported from France to Italy?"
+
+"So much I have indeed heard was expected," said Oxford; "and I
+anticipated the effect as fatal to our cause."
+
+"Edward is arrived," said Margaret, "and the traitor and usurper hath
+sent defiance to Louis of France, and demanded of him the crown of
+that kingdom as his own right--that crown which was placed on the head
+of my unhappy husband, when he was yet a child in the cradle."
+
+"It is then decided--the English are in France!" answered Oxford, in a
+tone expressive of the deepest anxiety.--"And whom brings Edward with
+him on this expedition?"
+
+"All--all the bitterest enemies of our house and cause--The false, the
+traitorous, the dishonoured George, whom he calls Duke of Clarence--the
+blood-drinker, Richard--the licentious Hastings--Howard--Stanley--in a
+word, the leaders of all those traitors whom I would not name, unless
+by doing so my curses could sweep them from the face of the earth."
+
+"And--I tremble to ask," said the Earl--"Does Burgundy prepare to join
+them as a brother of the war, and make common cause with this Yorkish
+host against King Louis of France?"
+
+"By my advices," replied the Queen, "and they are both private and
+sure, besides that they are confirmed by the bruit of common fame--No,
+my good Oxford, no!"
+
+"For that may the Saints be praised!" answered Oxford. "Edward of
+York--I will not malign even an enemy--is a bold and fearless
+leader--But he is neither Edward the Third, nor the heroic Black
+Prince--nor is he that fifth Henry of Lancaster, under whom I won my
+spurs, and to whose lineage the thoughts of his glorious memory would
+have made me faithful, had my plighted vows of allegiance ever
+permitted me to entertain a thought of varying, or of defection. Let
+Edward engage in war with Louis without the aid of Burgundy, on which
+he has reckoned. Louis is indeed no hero, but he is a cautious and
+skilful general, more to be dreaded, perhaps, in these politic days,
+than if Charlemagne could again raise the Oriflamme, surrounded by
+Roland and all his paladins. Louis will not hazard such fields as
+those of Cressy, of Poictiers, or of Agincourt. With a thousand lances
+from Hainault, and twenty thousand crowns from Burgundy, Edward shall
+risk the loss of England, while he is engaged in a protracted struggle
+for the recovery of Normandy and Guienne. But what are the movements
+of Burgundy?"
+
+"He has menaced Germany," said Margaret, "and his troops are now
+employed in overrunning Lorraine, of which he has seized the principal
+towns and castles."
+
+"Where is Ferrand de Vaudemont--a youth, it is said, of courage and
+enterprise, and claiming Lorraine in right of his mother, Yolande of
+Anjou, the sister of your Grace?"
+
+"Fled," replied the Queen, "into Germany or Helvetia."
+
+"Let Burgundy beware of him," said the experienced Earl; "for should
+the disinherited youth obtain confederates in Germany, and allies
+among the hardy Swiss, Charles of Burgundy may find him a far more
+formidable enemy than he expects. We are strong for the present, only
+in the Duke's strength, and if it is wasted in idle and desultory
+efforts, our hopes, alas! vanish with his power, even if he should be
+found to have the decided will to assist us. My friends in England
+are resolute not to stir without men and money from Burgundy."
+
+"It is a fear," said Margaret, "but not our worst fear. I dread more
+the policy of Louis, who, unless my espials have grossly deceived me,
+has even already proposed a secret peace to Edward, offering with
+large sums of money to purchase England to the Yorkists, and a truce
+of seven years."
+
+"It cannot be," said Oxford. "No Englishman, commanding such an army
+as Edward must now lead, dares for very shame to retire from France
+without a manly attempt to recover his lost provinces."
+
+"Such would have been the thoughts of a rightful prince," said
+Margaret, "who left behind him an obedient and faithful kingdom. Such
+may not be the thoughts of this Edward, misnamed Plantagenet, base
+perhaps in mind as in blood, since they say his real father was one
+Blackburn, an archer of Middleham--usurper, at least, if not
+bastard--such will not be his thoughts.[6] Every breeze that blows
+from England will bring with it apprehensions of defection amongst
+those over whom he has usurped authority. He will not sleep in peace
+till he returns to England with those cut-throats, whom he relies upon
+for the defence of his stolen crown. He will engage in no war with
+Louis, for Louis will not hesitate to soothe his pride by
+humiliation--to gorge his avarice and pamper his voluptuous
+prodigality by sums of gold--and I fear much we shall soon hear of
+the English army retiring from France with the idle boast, that they
+have displayed their banners once more, for a week or two, in the
+provinces which were formerly their own."
+
+"It the more becomes us to be speedy in moving Burgundy to decision,"
+replied Oxford; "and for that purpose I post to Dijon. Such an army as
+Edward's cannot be transported over the narrow seas in several weeks.
+The probability is, that they must winter in France, even if they
+should have truce with King Louis. With a thousand Hainault lances
+from the eastern part of Flanders, I can be soon in the North, where
+we have many friends, besides the assurance of help from Scotland. The
+faithful West will rise at a signal--a Clifford can be found, though
+the mountain mists have hid him from Richard's researches--the Welsh
+will assemble at the rallying word of Tudor--the Red Rose raises its
+head once more--and so, God save King Henry!"
+
+"Alas!" said the Queen--"But no husband--no friend of mine--the son
+but of my mother-in-law by a Welsh chieftain--cold, they say, and
+crafty--But be it so--let me only see Lancaster triumph, and obtain
+revenge upon York, and I will die contented!"
+
+"It is then your pleasure that I should make the proffers expressed by
+your Grace's former mandates, to induce Burgundy to stir himself in
+our cause? If he learns the proposal of a truce betwixt France and
+England, it will sting sharper than aught I can say."
+
+"Promise all, however," said the Queen. "I know his inmost soul--it is
+set upon extending the dominions of his House in every direction. For
+this he has seized Gueldres--for this he now overruns and occupies
+Lorraine--for this he covets such poor remnants of Provence as my
+father still calls his own. With such augmented territories, he
+proposes to exchange his ducal diadem for an arched crown of
+independent sovereignty. Tell the Duke, Margaret can assist his
+views--tell him, that my father René shall disown the opposition made
+to the Duke's seizure of Lorraine--He shall do more--he shall declare
+Charles his heir in Provence, with my ample consent--tell him, the old
+man shall cede his dominions to him upon the instant that his
+Hainaulters embark for England, some small pension deducted to
+maintain a concert of fiddlers, and a troop of morrice-dancers. These
+are René's only earthly wants. Mine are still fewer--Revenge upon
+York, and a speedy grave!--For the paltry gold which we may need, thou
+hast jewels to pledge--For the other conditions, security if
+required."
+
+"For these, madam, I can pledge my knightly word, in addition to your
+royal faith; and if more is required, my son shall be a hostage with
+Burgundy."
+
+"Oh, no--no!" exclaimed the dethroned Queen, touched by perhaps the
+only tender feeling, which repeated and extraordinary misfortunes had
+not chilled into insensibility,--"Hazard not the life of the noble
+youth--he that is the last of the loyal and faithful House of Vere--he
+that should have been the brother in arms of my beloved Edward--he
+that had so nearly been his companion in a bloody and untimely grave!
+Do not involve this poor child in these fatal intrigues, which have
+been so baneful to his family. Let him go with me. Him at least I
+will shelter from danger whilst I live, and provide for when I am no
+more."
+
+"Forgive me, madam," said Oxford, with the firmness which
+distinguished him. "My son, as you deign to recollect, is a De Vere,
+destined, perhaps, to be the last of his name. Fall, he may, but it
+must not be without honour. To whatever dangers his duty and
+allegiance call him, be it from sword or lance, axe or gibbet, to
+these he must expose himself frankly, when his doing so can mark his
+allegiance. His ancestors have shown him how to brave them all."
+
+"True, true," exclaimed the unfortunate Queen, raising her arms
+wildly,--"All must perish--all that have honoured Lancaster--all that
+have loved Margaret, or whom she has loved! The destruction must be
+universal--the young must fall with the old--not a lamb of the
+scattered flock shall escape!"
+
+"For God's sake, gracious madam," said Oxford, "compose yourself!--I
+hear them knock on the chapel door."
+
+"It is the signal of parting," said the exiled Queen, collecting
+herself. "Do not fear, noble Oxford, I am not often thus; but how
+seldom do I see those friends, whose faces and voices can disturb the
+composure of my despair! Let me tie this relic about thy neck, good
+youth, and fear not its evil influence, though you receive it from an
+ill-omened hand. It was my husband's, blessed by many a prayer, and
+sanctified by many a holy tear; even my unhappy hands cannot pollute
+it. I should have bound it on my Edward's bosom on the dreadful
+morning of Tewkesbury fight; but he armed early--went to the field
+without seeing me, and all my purpose was vain."
+
+She passed a golden chain round Arthur's neck as she spoke, which
+contained a small gold crucifix of rich but barbarous manufacture. It
+had belonged, said tradition, to Edward the Confessor. The knock at
+the door of the chapel was repeated.
+
+"We must not tarry," said Margaret; "let us part here--you for Dijon,
+I to Aix, my abode of unrest in Provence. Farewell--we may meet in a
+better hour--yet how can I hope it? Thus I said on the morning before
+the fight of St. Albans--thus on the dark dawning of Towton--thus on
+the yet more bloody field of Tewkesbury--and what was the event? Yet
+hope is a plant which cannot be rooted out of a noble breast, till the
+last heart-string crack as it is pulled away."
+
+So saying, she passed through the chapel door, and mingled in the
+miscellaneous assemblage of personages who worshipped or indulged
+their curiosity, or consumed their idle hours amongst the aisles of
+the cathedral.
+
+Philipson and his son, both deeply impressed with the singular
+interview which had just taken place, returned to their inn, where
+they found a pursuivant, with the Duke of Burgundy's badge and livery,
+who informed them, that if they were the English merchants who were
+carrying wares of value to the court of the Duke, he had orders to
+afford them the countenance of his escort and inviolable character.
+Under his protection they set out from Strasburg; but such was the
+uncertainty of the Duke of Burgundy's motions, and such the numerous
+obstacles which occurred to interrupt their journey, in a country
+disturbed by the constant passage of troops and preparation for war,
+that it was evening on the second day ere they reached the plain near
+Dijon, on which the whole, or great part of his power, lay encamped.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[5] See Editor's Notes at the end of the Volume. Wherever a similar
+reference occurs, the reader will understand that the same direction
+applies.
+
+[6] The Lancastrian party threw the imputation of bastardy (which was
+totally unfounded) upon Edward IV.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+     Thus said the Duke--thus did the Duke infer.
+                                   _Richard III._
+
+
+The eyes of the elder traveller were well accustomed to sights of
+martial splendour, yet even he was dazzled with the rich and glorious
+display of the Burgundian camp, in which, near the walls of Dijon,
+Charles, the wealthiest prince in Europe, had displayed his own
+extravagance, and encouraged his followers to similar profusion. The
+pavilions of the meanest officers were of silk and samite, while those
+of the nobility and great leaders glittered with cloth of silver,
+cloth of gold, variegated tapestry, and other precious materials,
+which in no other situation would have been employed as a cover from
+the weather, but would themselves have been thought worthy of the most
+careful protection. The horsemen and infantry who mounted guard were
+arrayed in the richest and most gorgeous armour. A beautiful and very
+numerous train of artillery was drawn up near the entrance of the
+camp, and in its commander Philipson (to give the Earl the travelling
+name to which our readers are accustomed) recognised Henry
+Colvin(_c_), an Englishman of inferior birth, but distinguished for
+his skill in conducting these terrible engines, which had of late come
+into general use in war. The banners and pennons which were displayed
+by every knight, baron, and man of rank floated before their tents,
+and the owners of these transitory dwellings sat at the door
+half-armed, and enjoyed the military contests of the soldiers, in
+wrestling, pitching the bar, and other athletic exercises.
+
+Long rows of the noblest horses were seen at picket, prancing and
+tossing their heads, as impatient of the inactivity to which they were
+confined, or were heard neighing over the provender which was spread
+plentifully before them. The soldiers formed joyous groups around the
+minstrels and strolling jugglers, or were engaged in drinking-parties
+at the sutlers' tents; others strolled about with folded arms, casting
+their eyes now and then to the sinking sun, as if desirous that the
+hour should arrive which should put an end to a day unoccupied, and
+therefore tedious.
+
+At length the travellers reached, amidst the dazzling varieties of
+this military display, the pavilion of the Duke himself, before which
+floated heavily in the evening breeze the broad and rich banner, in
+which glowed the armorial bearings and quarterings of a prince, Duke
+of six provinces, and Count of fifteen counties, who was, from his
+power, his disposition, and the success which seemed to attend his
+enterprises, the general dread of Europe. The pursuivant made himself
+known to some of the household, and the Englishmen were immediately
+received with courtesy, though not such as to draw attention upon
+them, and conveyed to a neighbouring tent, the residence of a general
+officer, which they were given to understand was destined for their
+accommodation, and where their packages accordingly were deposited,
+and refreshments offered them.
+
+"As the camp is filled," said the domestic who waited upon them, "with
+soldiers of different nations and uncertain dispositions, the Duke of
+Burgundy, for the safety of your merchandise, has ordered you the
+protection of a regular sentinel. In the meantime, be in readiness to
+wait on his Highness, seeing you may look to be presently sent for."
+
+Accordingly, the elder Philipson was shortly after summoned to the
+Duke's presence, introduced by a back entrance into the ducal
+pavilion, and into that part of it which, screened by close curtains
+and wooden barricades, formed Charles's own separate apartment. The
+plainness of the furniture, and the coarse apparatus of the Duke's
+toilette, formed a strong contrast to the appearance of the exterior
+of the pavilion; for Charles, whose character was, in that as in other
+things, far from consistent, exhibited in his own person during war an
+austerity, or rather coarseness of dress, and sometimes of manners
+also, which was more like the rudeness of a German lanzknecht, than
+the bearing of a prince of exalted rank; while, at the same time, he
+encouraged and enjoined a great splendour of expense and display
+amongst his vassals and courtiers, as if to be rudely attired, and to
+despise every restraint, even of ordinary ceremony, were a privilege
+of the sovereign alone. Yet when it pleased him to assume state in
+person and manners, none knew better than Charles of Burgundy how he
+ought to adorn and demean himself.
+
+Upon his toilette appeared brushes and combs, which might have claimed
+dismissal as past the term of service, over-worn hats and doublets,
+dog-leashes, leather-belts, and other such paltry articles; amongst
+which lay at random, as it seemed, the great diamond called
+Sanci,--the three rubies termed the Three Brothers of Antwerp,--another
+great diamond called the Lamp of Flanders, and other precious stones
+of scarcely inferior value and rarity. This extraordinary display
+somewhat resembled the character of the Duke himself, who mixed
+cruelty with justice, magnanimity with meanness of spirit, economy
+with extravagance, and liberality with avarice; being, in fact,
+consistent in nothing excepting in his obstinate determination to
+follow the opinion he had once formed, in every situation of things,
+and through all variety of risks.
+
+In the midst of the valueless and inestimable articles of his wardrobe
+and toilette, the Duke of Burgundy called out to the English
+traveller, "Welcome, Herr Philipson--welcome, you of a nation whose
+traders are princes, and their merchants the mighty ones of the earth.
+What new commodities have you brought to gull us with? You merchants,
+by St. George, are a wily generation."
+
+"Faith, no new merchandise I, my lord," answered the elder Englishman;
+"I bring but the commodities which I showed your Highness the last
+time I communicated with you, in the hope of a poor trader, that your
+Grace may find them more acceptable upon a review, than when you first
+saw them."
+
+"It is well, Sir--Philipville, I think they call you?--you are a
+simple trader, or you take me for a silly purchaser, that you think to
+gull me with the same wares which I fancied not formerly. Change of
+fashion, man--novelty--is the motto of commerce; your Lancaster wares
+have had their day, and I have bought of them like others, and was
+like enough to have paid dear for them too. York is all the vogue
+now."
+
+"It may be so among the vulgar," said the Earl of Oxford; "but for
+souls like your Highness, faith, honour, and loyalty are jewels which
+change of fancy, or mutability of taste, cannot put out of fashion."
+
+"Why, it may be, noble Oxford," said the Duke, "that I preserve in my
+secret mind some veneration for these old-fashioned qualities, else
+why should I have such regard for your person, in which they have ever
+been distinguished? But my situation is painfully urgent, and should I
+make a false step at this crisis, I might break the purposes of my
+whole life. Observe me, Sir Merchant. Here has come over your old
+competitor, Blackburn, whom some call Edward of York and of London,
+with a commodity of bows and bills such as never entered France since
+King Arthur's time; and he offers to enter into joint adventure with
+me, or, in plain speech, to make common cause with Burgundy, till we
+smoke out of his earths the old fox Louis, and nail his hide to the
+stable-door. In a word, England invites me to take part with him
+against my most wily and inveterate enemy, the King of France; to rid
+myself of the chain of vassalage, and to ascend into the rank of
+independent princes;--how think you, noble Earl, can I forego this
+seducing temptation?"
+
+"You must ask this of some of your counsellors of Burgundy," said
+Oxford; "it is a question fraught too deeply with ruin to my cause,
+for me to give a fair opinion on it."
+
+"Nevertheless," said Charles, "I ask thee, as an honourable man, what
+objections you see to the course proposed to me? Speak your mind, and
+speak it freely."
+
+"My lord, I know it is in your Highness's nature to entertain no
+doubts of the facility of executing anything which you have once
+determined shall be done. Yet, though this prince-like disposition may
+in some cases prepare for its own success, and has often done so,
+there are others, in which, persisting in our purpose, merely because
+we have once willed it, leads not to success, but to ruin. Look,
+therefore, at this English army;--winter is approaching, where are
+they to be lodged? how are they to be victualled? by whom are they to
+be paid? Is your Highness to take all the expense and labour of
+fitting them for the summer campaign? for, rely on it, an English army
+never was, nor will be, fit for service, till they have been out of
+their own island long enough to accustom them to military duty. They
+are men, I grant, the fittest for soldiers in the world; but they are
+not soldiers as yet, and must be trained to become such at your
+Highness's expense."
+
+"Be it so," said Charles; "I think the Low Countries can find food for
+the beef-consuming knaves for a few weeks, and villages for them to
+lie in, and officers to train their sturdy limbs to war, and
+provost-marshals enough to reduce their refractory spirit to
+discipline."
+
+"What happens next?" said Oxford. "You march to Paris, add to Edward's
+usurped power another kingdom; restore to him all the possessions
+which England ever had in France, Normandy, Maine, Anjou, Gascony, and
+all besides--Can you trust this Edward when you shall have thus
+fostered his strength, and made him far stronger than this Louis whom
+you have united to pull down?"
+
+"By St. George, I will not dissemble with you! It is in that very
+point that my doubts trouble me. Edward is indeed my brother-in-law,
+but I am a man little inclined to put my head under my wife's girdle."
+
+"And the times," said Philipson, "have too often shown the
+inefficiency of family alliances, to prevent the most gross breaches
+of faith."
+
+"You say well, Earl. Clarence betrayed his father-in-law; Louis
+poisoned his brother--Domestic affections, pshaw! they sit warm enough
+by a private man's fireside, but they cannot come into fields of
+battle, or princes' halls, where the wind blows cold. No, my alliance
+with Edward by marriage were little succour to me in time of need. I
+would as soon ride an unbroken horse, with no better bridle than a
+lady's garter. But what then is the result? He wars on Louis;
+whichever gains the better, I, who must be strengthened in their
+mutual weakness, receive the advantage--The Englishmen slay the French
+with their cloth-yard shafts, and the Frenchmen, by skirmishes, waste,
+weaken, and destroy the English. With spring I take the field with an
+army superior to both, and then, St. George for Burgundy!"
+
+"And if, in the meanwhile, your Highness will deign to assist, even in
+the most trifling degree, a cause the most honourable that ever knight
+laid lance in rest for,--a moderate sum of money, and a small body of
+Hainault lances, who may gain both fame and fortune by the service,
+may replace the injured heir of Lancaster in the possession of his
+native and rightful dominion."
+
+"Ay, marry, Sir Earl," said the Duke, "you come roundly to the point;
+but we have seen, and indeed partly assisted, at so many turns betwixt
+York and Lancaster, that we have some doubt which is the side to which
+Heaven has given the right, and the inclinations of the people the
+effectual power; we are surprised into absolute giddiness by so many
+extraordinary revolutions of fortune as England has exhibited."
+
+"A proof, my lord, that these mutations are not yet ended, and that
+your generous aid may give to the better side an effectual turn of
+advantage."
+
+"And lend my cousin, Margaret of Anjou, my arm to dethrone my wife's
+brother? Perhaps he deserves small good-will at my hands, since he and
+his insolent nobles have been urging me with remonstrances, and even
+threats, to lay aside all my own important affairs, and join Edward,
+forsooth, in his knight-errant expedition against Louis. I will march
+against Louis at my own time, and not sooner; and, by St. George!
+neither island king, nor island noble, shall dictate to Charles of
+Burgundy. You are fine conceited companions, you English of both
+sides, that think the matters of your own bedlam island are as
+interesting to all the world as to yourselves. But neither York nor
+Lancaster, neither brother Blackburn nor cousin Margaret of Anjou, not
+with John de Vere to back her, shall gull me. Men lure no hawks with
+empty hands."
+
+Oxford, familiar with the Duke's disposition, suffered him to exhaust
+himself in chafing, that any one should pretend to dictate his course
+of conduct, and, when he was at length silent, replied with
+calmness--"Do I live to hear the noble Duke of Burgundy, the mirror of
+European chivalry, say, that no reason has been shown to him for an
+adventure where a helpless queen is to be redressed--a royal house
+raised from the dust? Is there not immortal _los_ and honour--the
+trumpet of fame to proclaim the sovereign, who, alone in a degenerate
+age, has united the duties of a generous knight with those of a
+princely sovereign"----
+
+The Duke interrupted him, striking him at the same time on the
+shoulder--"And King René's five hundred fiddlers to tune their cracked
+violins in my praise? and King René himself to listen to them, and
+say, 'Well fought, Duke--well played, fiddler!' I tell thee, John of
+Oxford, when thou and I wore maiden armour, such words as fame,
+honour, _los_, knightly glory, lady's love, and so forth, were good
+mottoes for our snow-white shields, and a fair enough argument for
+splintering lances--Ay, and in tilt-yard, though somewhat old for
+these fierce follies, I would jeopard my person in such a quarrel yet,
+as becomes a knight of the order. But when we come to paying down of
+crowns, and embarking of large squadrons, we must have to propose to
+our subjects some substantial excuse for plunging them in war; some
+proposal for the public good--or, by St. George! for our own private
+advantage, which is the same thing. This is the course the world runs,
+and, Oxford, to tell the plain truth, I mean to hold the same bias."
+
+"Heaven forbid that I should expect your Highness to act otherwise
+than with a view to your subjects' welfare--the increase, that is, as
+your Grace happily expresses it, of your own power and dominion. The
+money we require is not in benevolence, but in loan; and Margaret is
+willing to deposit these jewels, of which I think your Grace knows the
+value, till she shall repay the sum which your friendship may advance
+in her necessity."
+
+"Ha, ha!" said the Duke, "would our cousin make a pawnbroker of us,
+and have us deal with her like a Jewish usurer with his debtor?--Yet,
+in faith, Oxford, we may need the diamonds, for if this business were
+otherwise feasible, it is possible that I myself must become a
+borrower to aid my cousin's necessities. I have applied to the States
+of the Duchy, who are now sitting, and expect, as is reasonable, a
+large supply. But there are restless heads and close hands among them,
+and they may be niggardly--So place the jewels on the table in the
+meanwhile.--Well, say I am to be no sufferer in purse by this feat of
+knight-errantry which you propose to me, still princes enter not into
+war without some view of advantage?"
+
+"Listen to me, noble sovereign. You are naturally bent to unite the
+great estates of your father, and those you have acquired by your own
+arms, into a compact and firm dukedom"----
+
+"Call it kingdom," said Charles; "it is the worthier word."
+
+"Into a kingdom, of which the crown shall sit as fair and even on your
+Grace's brow as that of France on your present suzerain, Louis."
+
+"It need not such shrewdness as yours to descry that such is my
+purpose," said the Duke; "else, wherefore am I here with helm on my
+head, and sword by my side? And wherefore are my troops seizing on the
+strong places in Lorraine, and chasing before them the beggarly De
+Vaudemont, who has the insolence to claim it as his inheritance? Yes,
+my friend, the aggrandisement of Burgundy is a theme for which the
+duke of that fair province is bound to fight, while he can put foot in
+stirrup."
+
+"But think you not," said the English Earl, "since you allow me to
+speak freely with your Grace, on the footing of old acquaintanceship,
+think you not that in this chart of your dominions, otherwise so
+fairly bounded, there is something on the southern frontier which
+might be arranged more advantageously for a King of Burgundy?"
+
+"I cannot guess whither you would lead me," said the Duke, looking at
+a map of the Duchy and his other possessions, to which the Englishman
+had pointed his attention, and then turning his broad keen eye upon
+the face of the banished Earl.
+
+"I would say," replied the latter, "that, to so powerful a prince as
+your Grace, there is no safe neighbour but the sea. Here is Provence,
+which interferes betwixt you and the Mediterranean; Provence, with its
+princely harbours, and fertile cornfields and vineyards. Were it not
+well to include it in your map of sovereignty, and thus touch the
+middle sea with one hand, while the other rested on the sea-coast of
+Flanders?"
+
+"Provence, said you?" replied the Duke, eagerly. "Why, man, my very
+dreams are of Provence. I cannot smell an orange but it reminds me of
+its perfumed woods and bowers, its olives, citrons, and pomegranates.
+But how to frame pretensions to it? Shame it were to disturb René, the
+harmless old man, nor would it become a near relation. Then he is the
+uncle of Louis; and most probably, failing his daughter Margaret, or
+perhaps in preference to her, he hath named the French King his heir."
+
+"A better claim might be raised up in your Grace's own person," said
+the Earl of Oxford, "if you will afford Margaret of Anjou the succour
+she requires by me."
+
+"Take the aid thou requirest," replied the Duke; "take double the
+amount of it in men and money! Let me but have a claim upon Provence,
+though thin as a single thread of thy Queen Margaret's hair, and let
+me alone for twisting it into the tough texture of a quadruple
+cable.--But I am a fool to listen to the dreams of one who, ruined
+himself, can lose little by holding forth to others the most
+extravagant hopes."
+
+Charles breathed high, and changed complexion as he spoke.
+
+"I am not such a person, my Lord Duke," said the Earl. "Listen to
+me--René is broken with years, fond of repose, and too poor to
+maintain his rank with the necessary dignity; too good-natured, or too
+feeble-minded, to lay further imposts on his subjects; weary of
+contending with bad fortune, and desirous to resign his
+territories"----
+
+"His territories!" said Charles.
+
+"Yes, all he actually possesses; and the much more extensive dominions
+which he has claim to, but which have passed from his sway."
+
+"You take away my breath!" said the Duke. "René resign Provence! and
+what says Margaret--the proud, the high-minded Margaret--will she
+subscribe to so humiliating a proceeding?"
+
+"For the chance of seeing Lancaster triumph in England, she would
+resign, not only dominion, but life itself. And, in truth, the
+sacrifice is less than it may seem to be. It is certain that, when
+René dies, the King of France will claim the old man's county of
+Provence as a male fief, and there is no one strong enough to back
+Margaret's claim of inheritance, however just it may be."
+
+"It is just," said Charles; "it is undeniable! I will not hear of its
+being denied or challenged--that is, when once it is established in
+our own person. It is the true principle of the war for the public
+good, that none of the great fiefs be suffered to revert again to the
+crown of France, least of all while it stands on a brow so astucious
+and unprincipled as that of Louis. Burgundy joined to Provence--a
+dominion from the German Ocean to the Mediterranean! Oxford--thou art
+my better angel!"
+
+"Your Grace must, however, reflect," said Oxford, "that honourable
+provision must be made for King René."
+
+"Certainly, man, certainly; he shall have a score of fiddlers and
+jugglers to play, roar, and recite to him from morning till night. He
+shall have a court of troubadours, who shall do nothing but drink,
+flute, and fiddle to him, and pronounce _arrests_ of _love_, to be
+confirmed or reversed by an appeal to himself, the supreme _Roi
+d'Amour_. And Margaret shall also be honourably sustained, in the
+manner you may point out."
+
+"That will be easily settled," answered the English Earl. "If our
+attempts on England succeed, she will need no aid from Burgundy. If
+she fails, she retires into a cloister, and it will not be long that
+she will need the honourable maintenance which, I am sure, your
+Grace's generosity will willingly assign her."
+
+"Unquestionably," answered Charles; "and on a scale which will become
+us both;--but, by my halidome, John of Vere, the abbess into whose
+cloister Margaret of Anjou shall retire will have an ungovernable
+penitent under her charge. Well do I know her; and, Sir Earl, I will
+not clog our discourse by expressing any doubts, that, if she pleases,
+she can compel her father to resign his estates to whomsoever she
+will. She is like my brache, Gorgon, who compels whatsoever hound is
+coupled with her to go the way she chooses, or she strangles him if he
+resists. So has Margaret acted with her simple-minded husband, and I
+am aware that her father, a fool of a different cast, must of
+necessity be equally tractable. I think _I_ could have matched
+her,--though my very neck aches at the thought of the struggles we
+should have had for mastery.--But you look grave, because I jest with
+the pertinacious temper of my unhappy cousin."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "whatever are or have been the defects of my
+mistress, she is in distress, and almost in desolation. She is my
+sovereign, and your Highness's cousin not the less."
+
+"Enough said, Sir Earl," answered the Duke. "Let us speak seriously.
+Whatever we may think of the abdication of King René, I fear we shall
+find it difficult to make Louis XI. see the matter as favourably as we
+do. He will hold that the county of Provence is a male fief, and that
+neither the resignation of René nor the consent of his daughter can
+prevent its reverting to the crown of France, as the King of Sicily,
+as they call him, hath no male issue."
+
+"That, may it please your Grace, is a question for battle to decide;
+and your Highness has successfully braved Louis for a less important
+stake. All I can say is, that, if your Grace's active assistance
+enables the young Earl of Richmond to succeed in his enterprise, you
+shall have the aid of three thousand English archers, if old John of
+Oxford, for want of a better leader, were to bring them over himself."
+
+"A noble aid," said the Duke; "graced still more by him who promises
+to lead them. Thy succour, noble Oxford, were precious to me, did you
+but come with your sword by your side, and a single page at your back.
+I know you well, both heart and head. But let us to this gear; exiles,
+even the wisest, are privileged in promises, and sometimes--excuse me,
+noble Oxford--impose on themselves as well as on their friends. What
+are the hopes on which you desire me again to embark on so troubled
+and uncertain an ocean as these civil contests of yours?"
+
+The Earl of Oxford produced a schedule, and explained to the Duke the
+plan of his expedition, to be backed by an insurrection of the friends
+of Lancaster, of which it is enough to say, that it was bold to the
+verge of temerity; but yet so well compacted and put together, as to
+bear, in those times of rapid revolution, and under a leader of
+Oxford's approved military skill and political sagacity, a strong
+appearance of probable success.
+
+While Duke Charles mused over the particulars of an enterprise
+attractive and congenial to his own disposition,--while he counted
+over the affronts which he had received from his brother-in-law,
+Edward IV., the present opportunity for taking a signal revenge, and
+the rich acquisition which he hoped to make in Provence by the cession
+in his favour of René of Anjou and his daughter, the Englishman failed
+not to press on his consideration the urgent necessity of suffering no
+time to escape.
+
+"The accomplishment of this scheme," he said, "demands the utmost
+promptitude. To have a chance of success, I must be in England, with
+your Grace's auxiliary forces, before Edward of York can return from
+France with his army."
+
+"And having come hither," said the Duke, "our worthy brother will be
+in no hurry to return again. He will meet with black-eyed French women
+and ruby-coloured French wine, and brother Blackburn is no man to
+leave such commodities in a hurry."
+
+"My Lord Duke, I will speak truth of my enemy. Edward is indolent and
+luxurious when things are easy around him, but let him feel the spur
+of necessity, and he becomes as eager as a pampered steed. Louis, too,
+who seldom fails in finding means to accomplish his ends, is bent upon
+determining the English King to recross the sea--therefore, speed,
+noble Prince--speed is the soul of your enterprise."
+
+"Speed!" said the Duke of Burgundy,--"Why, I will go with you, and see
+the embarkation myself; and tried, approved soldiers you shall have,
+such as are nowhere to be found save in Artois and Hainault."
+
+"But pardon yet, noble Duke, the impatience of a drowning wretch
+urgently pressing for assistance.--When shall we to the coast of
+Flanders, to order this important measure?"
+
+"Why, in a fortnight, or perchance a week, or, in a word, so soon as I
+shall have chastised to purpose a certain gang of thieves and robbers,
+who, as the scum of the caldron will always be uppermost, have got up
+into the fastnesses of the Alps, and from thence annoy our frontiers
+by contraband traffic, pillage, and robbery."
+
+"Your Highness means the Swiss confederates?"
+
+"Ay, the peasant churls give themselves such a name. They are a sort
+of manumitted slaves of Austria, and, like a ban-dog, whose chain is
+broken, they avail themselves of their liberty to annoy and rend
+whatever comes in their way."
+
+"I travelled through their country from Italy," said the exiled Earl,
+"and I heard it was the purpose of the Cantons to send envoys to
+solicit peace of your Highness."
+
+"Peace!" exclaimed Charles.--"A proper sort of peaceful proceedings
+those of their embassy have been! Availing themselves of a mutiny of
+the burghers of La Ferette, the first garrison town which they
+entered, they stormed the walls, seized on Archibald de Hagenbach, who
+commanded the place on my part, and put him to death in the
+market-place. Such an insult must be punished, Sir John de Vere; and
+if you do not see me in the storm of passion which it well deserves,
+it is because I have already given orders to hang up the base
+runagates who call themselves ambassadors."
+
+"For God's sake, noble Duke," said the Englishman, throwing himself at
+Charles's feet--"for your own character, for the sake of the peace of
+Christendom, revoke such an order if it is really given!"
+
+"What means this passion?" said Duke Charles.--"What are these men's
+lives to thee, excepting that the consequences of a war may delay your
+expedition for a few days?"
+
+"May render it altogether abortive," said the Earl; "nay, _must_ needs
+do so.--Hear me, Lord Duke. I was with these men on a part of their
+journey."
+
+"You!" said the Duke--"you a companion of the paltry Swiss peasants?
+Misfortune has sunk the pride of English nobility to a low ebb, when
+you selected such associates."
+
+"I was thrown amongst them by accident," said the Earl. "Some of them
+are of noble blood, and are, besides, men for whose peaceable
+intentions I ventured to constitute myself their warrant."
+
+"On my honour, my Lord of Oxford, you graced them highly, and me no
+less, in interfering between the Swiss and myself! Allow me to say
+that I condescend, when, in deference to past friendship, I permit you
+to speak to me of your own English affairs. Methinks you might well
+spare me your opinion upon topics with which you have no natural
+concern."
+
+"My Lord of Burgundy," replied Oxford, "I followed your banner to
+Paris, and had the good luck to rescue you in the fight at Mont
+L'Hery, when you were beset by the French men-at-arms"----
+
+"We have not forgot it," said Duke Charles; "and it is a sign that we
+keep the action in remembrance, that you have been suffered to stand
+before us so long, pleading the cause of a set of rascals, whom we are
+required to spare from the gallows that groans for them, because
+forsooth they have been the fellow-travellers of the Earl of Oxford!"
+
+"Not so, my lord. I ask their lives, only because they are upon a
+peaceful errand, and the leaders amongst them, at least, have no
+accession to the crime of which you complain."
+
+The Duke traversed the apartment with unequal steps in much agitation,
+his large eyebrows drawn down over his eyes, his hands clenched, and
+his teeth set, until at length he seemed to take a resolution. He rung
+a handbell of silver, which stood upon his table.
+
+"Here, Contay," he said to the gentleman of his chamber who entered,
+"are these mountain fellows yet executed?"
+
+"No, may it please your Highness; but the executioner waits them so
+soon as the priest hath confessed them."
+
+"Let them live," said the Duke. "We will hear to-morrow in what manner
+they propose to justify their proceedings towards us."
+
+Contay bowed and left the apartment; then turning to the Englishman,
+the Duke said, with an indescribable mixture of haughtiness with
+familiarity and even kindness, but having his brows cleared, and his
+looks composed,--"We are now clear of obligation, my Lord of
+Oxford--you have obtained life for life--nay, to make up some
+inequality which there may be betwixt the value of the commodities
+bestowed, you have obtained six lives for one. I will, therefore, pay
+no more attention to you, should you again upbraid me with the
+stumbling horse at Mont L'Hery, or your own achievements on that
+occasion. Most princes are contented with privately hating such men as
+have rendered them extraordinary services--I feel no such
+disposition--I only detest being reminded of having had occasion for
+them.--Pshaw! I am half choked with the effort of foregoing my own
+fixed resolution.--So ho! who waits there? Bring me to drink."
+
+An usher entered, bearing a large silver flagon, which, instead of
+wine, was filled with ptisan slightly flavoured by aromatic herbs.
+
+"I am so hot and choleric by nature," said the Duke, "that our leeches
+prohibit me from drinking wine. But you, Oxford, are bound by no such
+regimen. Get thee to thy countryman, Colvin, the general of our
+artillery. We commend thee to his custody and hospitality till
+to-morrow, which must be a busy day, since I expect to receive the
+answer of these wiseacres of the Dijon assembly of estates; and have
+also to hear (thanks to your lordship's interference) these miserable
+Swiss envoys, as they call themselves. Well, no more on't.--Good-night.
+You may communicate freely with Colvin, who is, like yourself, an old
+Lancastrian.--But hark ye, not a word respecting Provence--not even in
+your sleep.--Contay, conduct this English gentleman to Colvin's tent.
+He knows my pleasure respecting him."
+
+"So please your Grace," answered Contay, "I left the English
+gentleman's son with Monsieur de Colvin."
+
+"What! thine own son, Oxford? And with thee here? Why did you not tell
+me of him? Is he a true scion of the ancient tree?"
+
+"It is my pride to believe so, my lord. He has been the faithful
+companion of all my dangers and wanderings."
+
+"Happy man!" said the Duke, with a sigh. "You, Oxford, have a son to
+share your poverty and distress--I have none to be partner and
+successor to my greatness."
+
+"You have a daughter, my lord," said the noble De Vere, "and it is to
+be hoped she will one day wed some powerful prince, who may be the
+stay of your Highness's house."
+
+"Never! By St. George, never!" answered the Duke, sharply and shortly.
+"I will have no son-in-law, who may make the daughter's bed a
+stepping-stone to reach the father's crown. Oxford, I have spoken more
+freely than I am wont, perhaps more freely than I ought--but I hold
+some men trustworthy, and believe you, Sir John de Vere, to be one of
+them."
+
+The English nobleman bowed, and was about to leave his presence, but
+the Duke presently recalled him.
+
+"There is one thing more, Oxford.--The cession of Provence is not
+quite enough. René and Margaret must disavow this hot-brained Ferrand
+de Vaudemont, who is making some foolish stir in Lorraine, in right of
+his mother Yolande."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "Ferrand is the grandson of King René, the
+nephew of Queen Margaret; but yet"----
+
+"But yet, by St. George, his rights, as he calls them, on Lorraine
+must positively be disowned. You talk of their family feelings, while
+you are urging me to make war on my own brother-in-law!"
+
+"René's best apology for deserting his grandson," answered Oxford,
+"will be his total inability to support and assist him. I will
+communicate your Grace's condition, though it is a hard one."
+
+So saying, he left the pavilion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+              I humbly thank your Highness,
+     And am right glad to catch this good occasion
+     Most thoroughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff
+     And corn shall fly asunder.
+                                 _King Henry VIII._
+
+
+Colvin, the English officer, to whom the Duke of Burgundy, with
+splendid pay and appointments, committed the charge of his artillery,
+was owner of the tent assigned for the Englishman's lodging, and
+received the Earl of Oxford with the respect due to his rank, and to
+the Duke's especial orders upon that subject. He had been himself a
+follower of the Lancaster faction, and of course was well disposed
+towards one of the very few men of distinction whom he had known
+personally, and who had constantly adhered to that family through the
+train of misfortunes by which they seemed to be totally overwhelmed. A
+repast, of which his son had already partaken, was offered to the Earl
+by Colvin, who omitted not to recommend, by precept and example, the
+good wine of Burgundy, from which the sovereign of the province was
+himself obliged to refrain.
+
+"His Grace shows command of passion in that," said Colvin. "For, sooth
+to speak, and only conversing betwixt friends, his temper grows too
+headlong to bear the spur which a cup of cordial beverage gives to the
+blood, and he, therefore, wisely restricts himself to such liquid as
+may cool rather than inflame his natural fire of disposition."
+
+"I can perceive as much," said the Lancastrian noble. "When I first
+knew the noble Duke, who was then Earl of Charolois, his temper,
+though always sufficiently fiery, was calmness to the impetuosity
+which he now displays on the smallest contradiction. Such is the
+course of an uninterrupted flow of prosperity. He has ascended, by his
+own courage and the advantage of circumstances, from the doubtful
+place of a feudatory and tributary prince, to rank with the most
+powerful sovereigns in Europe, and to assume independent majesty. But
+I trust the noble starts of generosity which atoned for his wilful and
+wayward temper are not more few than formerly?"
+
+"I have good right to say that they are not," replied the soldier of
+fortune, who understood generosity in the restricted sense of
+liberality. "The Duke is a noble and open-handed master."
+
+"I trust his bounty is conferred on men who are as faithful and steady
+in their service as you, Colvin, have ever been. But I see a change in
+your army. I know the banners of most of the old houses in
+Burgundy--How is it that I observe so few of them in the Duke's camp?
+I see flags, and pennons, and pennoncelles; but even to me, who have
+been so many years acquainted with the nobility both of France and
+Flanders, their bearings are unknown."
+
+"My noble Lord of Oxford," answered the officer, "it ill becomes a man
+who lives on the Duke's pay to censure his conduct; but his Highness
+hath of late trusted too much, as it seems to me, to the hired arms of
+foreign levies, and too little to his own native subjects and
+retainers. He holds it better to take into his pay large bands of
+German and Italian mercenary soldiers, than to repose confidence in
+the knights and squires who are bound to him by allegiance and feudal
+faith. He uses the aid of his own subjects but as the means of
+producing him sums of money, which he bestows on his hired troops. The
+Germans are honest knaves enough while regularly paid; but Heaven
+preserve me from the Duke's Italian bands, and that Campo-basso their
+leader, who waits but the highest price to sell his Highness like a
+sheep for the shambles!"
+
+"Think you so ill of him?" demanded the Earl.
+
+"So very ill indeed, that I believe," replied Colvin, "there is no
+sort of treachery which the heart can devise, or the arm perpetrate,
+that hath not ready reception in his breast, and prompt execution at
+his hand. It is painful, my lord, for an honest Englishman like me to
+serve in an army where such traitors have command. But what can I do,
+unless I could once more find me a soldier's occupation in my native
+country? I often hope it will please merciful Heaven again to awaken
+those brave civil wars in my own dear England, where all was fair
+fighting, and treason was unheard of."
+
+Lord Oxford gave his host to understand, that there was a possibility
+that his pious wish of living and dying in his own country, and in the
+practice of his profession, was not to be despaired of. Meantime he
+requested of him, that early on the next morning he would procure him
+a pass and an escort for his son, whom he was compelled to despatch
+forthwith to Nancy, the residence of King René.
+
+"What!" said Colvin, "is my young Lord of Oxford to take a degree in
+the Court of Love? for no other business is listened to at King René's
+capital, save love and poetry."
+
+"I am not ambitious of such distinction for him, my good host,"
+answered Oxford; "but Queen Margaret is with her father, and it is but
+fitting that the youth should kiss her hand."
+
+"Enough spoken," said the veteran Lancastrian. "I trust, though winter
+is fast approaching, the Red Rose may bloom in spring."
+
+He then ushered the Earl of Oxford to the partition of the tent which
+he was to occupy, in which there was a couch for Arthur also--their
+host, as Colvin might be termed, assuring them that, with peep of day,
+horses and faithful attendants should be ready to speed the youth on
+his journey to Nancy.
+
+"And now, Arthur," said his father, "we must part once more. I dare
+give thee, in this land of danger, no written communication to my
+mistress, Queen Margaret; but say to her, that I have found the Duke
+of Burgundy wedded to his own views of interest, but not averse to
+combine them with hers. Say, that I have little doubt that he will
+grant us the required aid, but not without the expected resignation in
+his favour by herself and King René. Say, I would never have
+recommended such a sacrifice for the precarious chance of overthrowing
+the House of York, but that I am satisfied that France and Burgundy
+are hanging like vultures over Provence, and that the one or other, or
+both princes, are ready, on her father's demise, to pounce on such
+possessions as they have reluctantly spared to him during his life.
+An accommodation with Burgundy may therefore, on the one hand, insure
+his active co-operation in the attempt on England; and, on the other,
+if our high-spirited princess complies not with the Duke's request,
+the justice of her cause will give no additional security to her
+hereditary claims on her father's dominions. Bid Queen Margaret,
+therefore, unless she should have changed her views, obtain King
+René's formal deed of cession, conveying his estates to the Duke of
+Burgundy, with her Majesty's consent. The necessary provisions to the
+King and to herself may be filled up at her Grace's pleasure, or they
+may be left blank. I can trust to the Duke's generosity to their being
+suitably arranged. All that I fear is, that Charles may embroil
+himself"----
+
+"In some silly exploit, necessary for his own honour and the safety of
+his dominions," answered a voice behind the lining of the tent; "and,
+by doing so, attend to his own affairs more than to ours? Ha, Sir
+Earl?"
+
+At the same time the curtain was drawn aside, and a person entered, in
+whom, though clothed with the jerkin and bonnet of a private soldier
+of the Walloon guard, Oxford instantly recognised the Duke of
+Burgundy's harsh features and fierce eyes, as they sparkled from under
+the fur and feather with which the cap was ornamented.
+
+Arthur, who knew not the Prince's person, started at the intrusion,
+and laid his hand on his dagger; but his father made a signal which
+stayed his hand, and he gazed with wonder on the solemn respect with
+which the Earl received the intrusive soldier. The first word informed
+him of the cause.
+
+"If this masking be done in proof of my faith, noble Duke, permit me
+to say it is superfluous."
+
+"Nay, Oxford," answered the Duke, "I was a courteous spy; for I ceased
+to play the eavesdropper, at the very moment when I had reason to
+expect you were about to say something to anger me."
+
+"As I am a true Knight, my Lord Duke, if you had remained behind the
+arras, you would only have heard the same truths which I am ready to
+tell in your Grace's presence, though it may have chanced they might
+have been more bluntly expressed."
+
+"Well, speak them then, in whatever phrase thou wilt--they lie in
+their throats that say Charles of Burgundy was ever offended by advice
+from a well-meaning friend."
+
+"I would then have said," replied the English Earl, "that all which
+Margaret of Anjou had to apprehend, was that the Duke of Burgundy,
+when buckling on his armour to win Provence for himself, and to afford
+to her his powerful assistance to assert her rights in England, was
+likely to be withdrawn from such high objects by an imprudently eager
+desire to avenge himself of imaginary affronts, offered to him, as he
+supposed, by certain confederacies of Alpine mountaineers, over whom
+it is impossible to gain any important advantage, or acquire
+reputation, while, on the contrary, there is a risk of losing both.
+These men dwell amongst rocks and deserts which are almost
+inaccessible, and subsist in a manner so rude, that the poorest of
+your subjects would starve if subjected to such diet. They are formed
+by nature to be the garrison of the mountain-fortresses in which she
+has placed them;--for Heaven's sake meddle not with them, but follow
+forth your own nobler and more important objects, without stirring a
+nest of hornets, which, once in motion, may sting you into madness."
+
+The Duke had promised patience, and endeavoured to keep his word; but
+the swoln muscles of his face, and his flashing eyes, showed how
+painful to him it was to suppress his resentment.
+
+"You are misinformed, my lord," he said; "these men are not the
+inoffensive herdsmen and peasants you are pleased to suppose them. If
+they were, I might afford to despise them. But, flushed with some
+victories over the sluggish Austrians, they have shaken off all
+reverence for authority, assume airs of independence, form leagues,
+make inroads, storm towns, doom and execute men of noble birth at
+their pleasure.--Thou art dull, and look'st as if thou dost not
+apprehend me. To rouse thy English blood, and make thee sympathise
+with my feelings to these mountaineers, know that these Swiss are very
+Scots to my dominions in their neighbourhood; poor, proud, ferocious;
+easily offended, because they gain by war; ill to be appeased, because
+they nourish deep revenge; ever ready to seize the moment of
+advantage, and attack a neighbour when he is engaged in other affairs.
+The same unquiet, perfidious, and inveterate enemies that the Scots
+are to England, are the Swiss to Burgundy and to my allies. What say
+you? Can I undertake anything of consequence till I have crushed the
+pride of such a people? It will be but a few days' work. I will grasp
+the mountain-hedgehog, prickles and all, with my steel-gauntlet."
+
+"Your Grace will then have shorter work with them," replied the
+disguised nobleman, "than our English Kings have had with Scotland.
+The wars there have lasted so long, and proved so bloody, that wise
+men regret we ever began them."
+
+"Nay," said the Duke, "I will not dishonour the Scots by comparing
+them in all respects to these mountain-churls of the Cantons. The
+Scots have blood and gentry among them, and we have seen many examples
+of both; these Swiss are a mere brood of peasants, and the few
+gentlemen of birth they can boast must hide their distinction in the
+dress and manners of clowns. They will, I think, scarce stand against
+a charge of Hainaulters."
+
+"Not if the Hainaulters find ground to ride upon. But"----
+
+"Nay, to silence your scruples," said the Duke, interrupting him,
+"know, that these people encourage, by their countenance and aid, the
+formation of the most dangerous conspiracies in my dominions. Look
+here--I told you that my officer, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach, was
+murdered when the town of Brisach was treacherously taken by these
+harmless Switzers of yours. And here is a scroll of parchment, which
+announces that my servant was murdered by doom of the Vehme-gericht, a
+band of secret assassins, whom I will not permit to meet in any part
+of my dominions. Oh, could I but catch them above ground as they are
+found lurking below, they should know what the life of a nobleman is
+worth! Then, look at the insolence of their attestation."
+
+The scroll bore, with the day and date adjected, that judgment had
+been done on Archibald de Hagenbach, for tyranny, violence, and
+oppression, by order of the Holy Vehme, and that it was executed by
+their officials, who were responsible for the same to their tribunal
+alone. It was countersigned in red ink, with the badges of the Secret
+Society, a coil of ropes and a drawn dagger.
+
+"This document I found stuck to my toilette with a knife," said the
+Duke; "another trick by which they give mystery to their murderous
+jugglery."
+
+The thought of what he had undergone in John Mengs's house, and
+reflections upon the extent and omnipresence of these Secret
+Associations, struck even the brave Englishman with an involuntary
+shudder.
+
+"For the sake of every saint in heaven," he said, "forbear, my lord,
+to speak of these tremendous societies, whose creatures are above,
+beneath, and around us. No man is secure of his life, however guarded,
+if it be sought by a man who is careless of his own. You are
+surrounded by Germans, Italians, and other strangers--How many amongst
+these may be bound by the secret ties which withdraw men from every
+other social bond, to unite them together in one inextricable though
+secret compact? Beware, noble Prince, of the situation on which your
+throne is placed, though it still exhibits all the splendour of power,
+and all the solidity of foundation that belongs to so august a
+structure. I--the friend of thy house--were it with my dying
+breath--must needs tell thee, that the Swiss hang like an avalanche
+over thy head; and the Secret Associations work beneath thee like the
+first throes of the coming earthquake. Provoke not the contest, and
+the snow will rest undisturbed on the mountain-side--the agitation of
+the subterranean vapours will be hushed to rest; but a single word of
+defiance, or one flash of indignant scorn, may call their terrors into
+instant action."
+
+"You speak," said the Duke, "with more awe of a pack of naked churls,
+and a band of midnight assassins, than I have seen you show for real
+danger. Yet I will not scorn your counsel--I will hear the Swiss
+envoys patiently, and I will not, if I can help it, show the contempt
+with which I cannot but regard their pretensions to treat as
+independent states. On the Secret Associations I will be silent, till
+time gives me the means of acting in combination with the Emperor, the
+Diet, and the Princes of the Empire, that they may be driven from all
+their burrows at once.--Ha, Sir Earl, said I well?"
+
+"It is well thought, my lord, but it may be unhappily spoken. You are
+in a position where one word overheard by a traitor might produce
+death and ruin."
+
+"I keep no traitors about me," said Charles. "If I thought there were
+such in my camp, I would rather die by them at once, than live in
+perpetual terror and suspicion."
+
+"Your Highness's ancient followers and servants," said the Earl,
+"speak unfavourably of the Count of Campo-basso, who holds so high a
+rank in your confidence."
+
+"Ay," replied the Duke, with composure, "it is easy to decry the most
+faithful servant in a court by the unanimous hatred of all the others.
+I warrant me your bull-headed countryman, Colvin, has been railing
+against the Count like the rest of them, for Campo-basso sees nothing
+amiss in any department but he reports it to me without fear or
+favour. And then his opinions are cast so much in the same mould with
+my own, that I can hardly get him to enlarge upon what he best
+understands, if it seems in any respect different from my sentiments.
+Add to this, a noble person, grace, gaiety, skill in the exercises of
+war, and in the courtly arts of peace--such is Campo-basso; and, being
+such, is he not a gem for a prince's cabinet?"
+
+"The very materials out of which a favourite is formed," answered the
+Earl of Oxford, "but something less adapted for making a faithful
+counsellor."
+
+"Why, thou mistrustful fool," said the Duke, "must I tell thee the
+very inmost secret respecting this man, Campo-basso, and will nothing
+short of it stay these imaginary suspicions which thy new trade of an
+itinerant merchant hath led thee to entertain so rashly?"
+
+"If your Highness honours me with your confidence," said the Earl of
+Oxford, "I can only say that my fidelity shall deserve it."
+
+"Know, then, thou misbelieving mortal, that my good friend and
+brother, Louis of France, sent me private information through no less
+a person than his famous barber, Oliver le Diable, that Campo-basso
+had for a certain sum offered to put my person into his hands, alive
+or dead.--You start?"
+
+"I do indeed--recollecting your Highness's practice of riding out
+lightly armed, and with a very small attendance, to reconnoitre the
+ground and visit the outposts, and therefore how easily such a
+treacherous device might be carried into execution."
+
+"Pshaw!" answered the Duke.--"Thou seest the danger as if it were
+real, whereas nothing can be more certain than that, if my cousin of
+France had ever received such an offer, he would have been the last
+person to have put me on my guard against the attempt. No--he knows
+the value I set on Campo-basso's services, and forged the accusation
+to deprive me of them."
+
+"And yet, my lord," replied the English Earl, "your Highness, by my
+counsel, will not unnecessarily or impatiently fling aside your armour
+of proof, or ride without the escort of some score of your trusty
+Walloons."
+
+"Tush, man, thou wouldst make a carbonado of a fever-stirred wretch
+like myself, betwixt the bright iron and the burning sun. But I will
+be cautious though I jest thus--and you, young man, may assure my
+cousin, Margaret of Anjou, that I will consider her affairs as my own.
+And remember, youth, that the secrets of princes are fatal gifts, if
+he to whom they are imparted blaze them abroad; but if duly treasured
+up, they enrich the bearer. And thou shalt have cause to say so, if
+thou canst bring back with thee from Aix the deed of resignation of
+which thy father hath spoken.--Good-night--good-night!"
+
+He left the apartment.
+
+"You have just seen," said the Earl of Oxford to his son, "a sketch of
+this extraordinary prince, by his own pencil. It is easy to excite his
+ambition or thirst of power, but well-nigh impossible to limit him to
+the just measures by which it is most likely to be gratified. He is
+ever like the young archer, startled from his mark by some swallow
+crossing his eye, even careless as he draws the string. Now
+irregularly and offensively suspicious--now unreservedly lavish of his
+confidence--not long since the enemy of the line of Lancaster, and the
+ally of her deadly foe--now its last and only stay and hope. God mend
+all!--It is a weary thing to look on the game and see how it might be
+won, while we are debarred by the caprice of others from the power of
+playing it according to our own skill. How much must depend on the
+decision of Duke Charles upon the morrow, and how little do I possess
+the power of influencing him, either for his own safety or our
+advantage! Good-night, my son, and let us trust events to Him who
+alone can control them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+     My blood hath been too cold and temperate,
+     Unapt to stir at these indignities,
+     And you have found me; for, accordingly,
+     You tread upon my patience.
+                                  _Henry IV._
+
+
+The dawn of morning roused the banished Earl of Oxford and his son,
+and its lights were scarce abroad on the eastern heaven, ere their
+host, Colvin, entered with an attendant, bearing some bundles, which
+he placed on the floor of the tent, and instantly retired. The officer
+of the Duke's ordnance then announced that he came with a message from
+the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+"His Highness," he said, "has sent four stout yeomen, with a
+commission of credence to my young master of Oxford, and an ample
+purse of gold, to furnish his expenses to Aix, and while his affairs
+may detain him there. Also a letter of credence to King René, to
+insure his reception, and two suits of honour for his use, as for an
+English gentleman, desirous to witness the festive solemnities of
+Provence, and in whose safety the Duke deigns to take deep interest.
+His further affairs there, if he hath any, his Highness recommends to
+him to manage with prudence and secrecy. His Highness hath also sent a
+couple of horses for his use,--one an ambling jennet for the road, and
+another a strong barbed horse of Flanders, in case he hath aught to
+do. It will be fitting that my young master change his dress, and
+assume attire more near his proper rank. His attendants know the road,
+and have power, in case of need, to summon, in the Duke's name,
+assistance from all faithful Burgundians. I have but to add, the
+sooner the young gentleman sets forward, it will be the better sign of
+a successful journey."
+
+"I am ready to mount, the instant that I have changed my dress," said
+Arthur.
+
+"And I," said his father, "have no wish to detain him on the service
+in which he is now employed. Neither he nor I will say more than God
+be with you. How and where we are to meet again, who can tell?"
+
+"I believe," said Colvin, "that must rest on the motions of the Duke,
+which, perchance, are not yet determined upon; but his Highness
+depends upon your remaining with him, my noble lord, till the affairs
+of which you come to treat may be more fully decided. Something I have
+for your lordship's private ear, when your son hath parted on his
+journey."
+
+While Colvin was thus talking with his father, Arthur, who was not
+above half-dressed when he entered the tent, had availed himself of an
+obscure corner, in which he exchanged the plain garb belonging to his
+supposed condition as a merchant, for such a riding-suit as became a
+young man of some quality attached to the Court of Burgundy. It was
+not without a natural sensation of pleasure that the youth resumed an
+apparel suitable to his birth, and which no one was personally more
+fitted to become; but it was with much deeper feeling that he hastily,
+and as secretly as possible, flung round his neck, and concealed
+under the collar and folds of his ornamented doublet, a small thin
+chain of gold, curiously linked in what was called Morisco work. This
+was the contents of the parcel which Anne of Geierstein had indulged
+his feelings, and perhaps her own, by putting into his hands as they
+parted. The chain was secured by a slight plate of gold, on which a
+bodkin, or a point of a knife, had traced on the one side, in distinct
+though light characters, ADIEU FOR EVER! while, on the reverse, there
+was much more obscurely traced, the word REMEMBER!--A. VON G.
+
+All who may read this are, have been, or will be, lovers; and there is
+none, therefore, who may not be able to comprehend why this token was
+carefully suspended around Arthur's neck, so that the inscription
+might rest on the region of his heart, without the interruption of any
+substance which could prevent the pledge from being agitated by every
+throb of that busy organ.
+
+This being hastily insured, a few minutes completed the rest of his
+toilette; and he kneeled before his father to ask his blessing, and
+his further commands for Aix.
+
+His father blessed him almost inarticulately, and then said, with
+recovered firmness, that he was already possessed of all the knowledge
+necessary for success on his mission.
+
+"When you can bring me the deeds wanted," he whispered with more
+firmness, "you will find me near the person of the Duke of Burgundy."
+
+They went forth of the tent in silence, and found before it the four
+Burgundian yeomen, tall and active-looking men, ready mounted
+themselves, and holding two saddled horses--the one accoutred for
+war, the other a spirited jennet, for the purposes of the journey. One
+of them led a sumpter-horse, on which Colvin informed Arthur he would
+find the change of habit necessary when he should arrive at Aix; and
+at the same time delivered to him a heavy purse of gold.
+
+"Thiebault," he continued, pointing out the eldest of the attendant
+troopers, "may be trusted--I will be warrant for his sagacity and
+fidelity. The other three are picked men, who will not fear their
+skin-cutting."
+
+Arthur vaulted into the saddle with a sensation of pleasure, which was
+natural to a young cavalier who had not for many months felt a
+spirited horse beneath him. The lively jennet reared with impatience.
+Arthur, sitting firm on his seat, as if he had been a part of the
+animal, only said, "Ere we are long acquainted, thy spirit, my fair
+roan, will be something more tamed."
+
+"One word more, my son," said his father, and whispered in Arthur's
+ear, as he stooped from the saddle; "if you receive a letter from me,
+do not think yourself fully acquainted with the contents till the
+paper has been held opposite to a hot fire."
+
+Arthur bowed, and motioned to the elder trooper to lead the way, when
+all, giving rein to their horses, rode off through the encampment at a
+round pace, the young leader signing an adieu to his father and
+Colvin.
+
+The Earl stood like a man in a dream, following his son with his eyes,
+in a kind of reverie, which was only broken when Colvin said, "I
+marvel not, my lord, that you are anxious about my young master; he is
+a gallant youth, well worth a father's caring for, and the times we
+live in are both false and bloody."
+
+"God and St. Mary be my witness," said the Earl, "that if I grieve, it
+is not for my own house only;--if I am anxious, it is not for the sake
+of my own son alone;--but it is hard to risk a last stake in a cause
+so perilous.--What commands brought you from the Duke?"
+
+"His Grace," said Colvin, "will get on horseback after he has
+breakfasted. He sends you some garments, which, if not fitting your
+quality, are yet nearer to suitable apparel than those you now wear,
+and he desires that, observing your incognito as an English merchant
+of eminence, you will join him in his cavalcade to Dijon, where he is
+to receive the answer of the Estates of Burgundy concerning matters
+submitted to their consideration, and thereafter give public audience
+to the Deputies from Switzerland. His Highness has charged me with the
+care of finding you suitable accommodation during the ceremonies of
+the day, which, he thinks, you will, as a stranger, be pleased to look
+upon. But he probably told you all this himself, for I think you saw
+him last night in disguise--Nay, look as strange as you will--the Duke
+plays that trick too often to be able to do it with secrecy; the very
+horse-boys know him while he traverses the tents of the common
+soldiery, and sutler women give him the name of the spied spy. If it
+were only honest Harry Colvin who knew this, it should not cross his
+lips. But it is practised too openly, and too widely known. Come,
+noble lord, though I must teach my tongue to forego that courtesy,
+will you along to breakfast?"
+
+The meal, according to the practice of the time, was a solemn and
+solid one; and a favoured officer of the Great Duke of Burgundy lacked
+no means, it may be believed, of rendering due hospitality to a guest
+having claims of such high respect. But ere the breakfast was over a
+clamorous flourish of trumpets announced that the Duke, with his
+attendants and retinue, were sounding to horse. Philipson, as he was
+still called, was, in the name of the Duke, presented with a stately
+charger, and with his host mingled in the splendid assembly which
+began to gather in front of the Duke's pavilion. In a few minutes the
+Prince himself issued forth, in the superb dress of the Order of the
+Golden Fleece, of which his father Philip had been the founder, and
+Charles was himself the patron and sovereign. Several of his courtiers
+were dressed in the same magnificent robes, and, with their followers
+and attendants, displayed so much wealth and splendour of appearance
+as to warrant the common saying that the Duke of Burgundy maintained
+the most magnificent court in Christendom. The officers of his
+household attended in their order, together with heralds and
+pursuivants, the grotesque richness of whose habits had a singular
+effect among those of the high clergy in their albes and dalmatiques,
+and of the knights and crown vassals who were arrayed in armour. Among
+these last, who were variously equipped, according to the different
+character of their service, rode Oxford, but in a peaceful habit,
+neither so plain as to be out of place amongst such splendour, nor so
+rich as to draw on him a special or particular degree of attention. He
+rode by the side of Colvin, his tall muscular figure and deep-marked
+features forming a strong contrast to the rough, almost ignoble, cast
+of countenance, and stout thick-set form, of the less distinguished
+soldier of fortune.
+
+Ranged into a solemn procession, the rear of which was closed by a
+guard of two hundred picked arquebusiers, a description of soldiers
+who were just then coming into notice, and as many mounted
+men-at-arms, the Duke and his retinue, leaving the barriers of the
+camp, directed their march to the town, or rather city, of Dijon, in
+those days the capital of all Burgundy.
+
+It was a town well secured with walls and ditches, which last were
+filled by means of a small river, named the Ousche, which combines its
+waters for that purpose with a torrent called Suzon. Four gates, with
+appropriate barbicans, outworks, and drawbridges, corresponded nearly
+to the cardinal points of the compass, and gave admission to the city.
+The number of towers, which stood high above its walls, and defended
+them at different angles, was thirty-three; and the walls themselves,
+which exceeded in most places the height of thirty feet, were built of
+stones hewn and squared, and were of great thickness. This stately
+city was surrounded on the outside with hills covered with vineyards,
+while from within its walls rose the towers of many noble buildings,
+both public and private, as well as the steeples of magnificent
+churches, and of well-endowed convents, attesting the wealth and
+devotion of the House of Burgundy.
+
+When the trumpets of the Duke's procession had summoned the burgher
+guard at the gate of St. Nicholas, the drawbridge fell, the portcullis
+rose, the people shouted joyously, the windows were hung with
+tapestry, and as, in the midst of his retinue, Charles himself came
+riding on a milk-white steed, attended only by six pages under
+fourteen years old, with each a gilded partisan in his hand, the
+acclamations with which he was received on all sides showed that, if
+some instances of misrule had diminished his popularity, enough of it
+remained to render his reception into his capital decorous at least,
+if not enthusiastic. It is probable that the veneration attached to
+his father's memory counteracted for a long time the unfavourable
+effect which some of his own actions were calculated to produce on the
+public mind.
+
+The procession halted before a large Gothic building in the centre of
+Dijon. This was then called Maison du Duc, as, after the union of
+Burgundy with France, it was termed Maison du Roy. The Maire of Dijon
+attended on the steps before this palace, accompanied by his official
+brethren, and escorted by a hundred able-bodied citizens, in black
+velvet cloaks, bearing half-pikes in their hands. The Maire kneeled to
+kiss the stirrup of the Duke, and at the moment when Charles descended
+from his horse every bell in the city commenced so thundering a peal,
+that they might almost have awakened the dead who slept in the
+vicinity of the steeples, which rocked with their clangour. Under the
+influence of this stunning peal of welcome, the Duke entered the great
+hall of the building, at the upper end of which were erected a throne
+for the sovereign, seats for his more distinguished officers of state
+and higher vassals, with benches behind for persons of less note. On
+one of these, but in a spot from which he might possess a commanding
+view of the whole assembly, as well as of the Duke himself, Colvin
+placed the noble Englishman; and Charles, whose quick stern eye
+glanced rapidly over the party when they were seated, seemed, by a nod
+so slight as to be almost imperceptible to those around him, to give
+his approbation of the arrangement adopted.
+
+When the Duke and his assistants were seated and in order, the Maire,
+again approaching, in the most humble manner, and kneeling on the
+lowest step of the ducal throne, requested to know if his Highness's
+leisure permitted him to hear the inhabitants of his capital express
+their devoted zeal to his person, and to accept the benevolence which,
+in the shape of a silver cup filled with gold pieces, he had the
+distinguished honour to place before his feet, in name of the citizens
+and community of Dijon.
+
+Charles, who at no time affected much courtesy, answered briefly and
+bluntly, with a voice which was naturally harsh and dissonant, "All
+things in their order, good Master Maire. Let us first hear what the
+Estates of Burgundy have to say to us. We will then listen to the
+burghers of Dijon."
+
+The Maire rose and retired, bearing in his hand the silver cup, and
+experiencing probably some vexation, as well as surprise, that its
+contents had not secured an instant and gracious acceptance.
+
+"I expected," said Duke Charles, "to have met at this hour and place
+our Estates of the duchy of Burgundy, or a deputation of them, with an
+answer to our message conveyed to them three days since by our
+chancellor. Is there no one here on their part?"
+
+The Maire, as none else made any attempt to answer, said that the
+members of the Estates had been in close deliberation the whole of
+that morning, and doubtless would instantly wait upon his Highness
+when they heard that he had honoured the town with his presence.
+
+"Go, Toison d'Or," said the Duke to the herald of the Order of the
+Golden Fleece,[7] "bear to these gentlemen the tidings that we desire
+to know the end of their deliberations; and that neither in courtesy
+nor in loyalty can they expect us to wait long. Be round with them,
+Sir Herald, or we shall be as round with you."
+
+While the herald was absent on his mission, we may remind our readers
+that in all feudalised countries (that is to say, in almost all Europe
+during the Middle Ages) an ardent spirit of liberty pervaded the
+constitution; and the only fault that could be found was, that the
+privileges and freedom for which the great vassals contended did not
+sufficiently descend to the lower orders of society, or extend
+protection to those who were most likely to need it. The two first
+ranks in the estate, the nobles and clergy, enjoyed high and important
+privileges, and even the third estate, or citizens, had this immunity
+in peculiar, that no new duties, customs, or taxes of any kind could
+be exacted from them save by their own consent.
+
+The memory of Duke Philip, the father of Charles, was dear to the
+Burgundians; for during twenty years that sage prince had maintained
+his rank amongst the sovereigns of Europe with much dignity, and had
+accumulated treasure without exacting or receiving any great increase
+of supplies from the rich countries which he governed. But the
+extravagant schemes and immoderate expense of Duke Charles had
+already excited the suspicion of his Estates; and the mutual good-will
+betwixt the prince and people began to be exchanged for suspicion and
+distrust on the one side, and defiance on the other. The refractory
+disposition of the Estates had of late increased; for they had
+disapproved of various wars in which their Duke had needlessly
+embarked, and from his levying such large bodies of mercenary troops,
+they came to suspect he might finally employ the wealth voted to him
+by his subjects for the undue extension of his royal prerogative, and
+the destruction of the liberties of the people.
+
+At the same time, the Duke's uniform success in enterprises which
+appeared desperate as well as difficult, esteem for the frankness and
+openness of his character, and dread of the obstinacy and headstrong
+tendency of a temper which could seldom bear persuasion, and never
+endured opposition, still threw awe and terror around the throne,
+which was materially aided by the attachment of the common people to
+the person of the present Duke and to the memory of his father. It had
+been understood that upon the present occasion there was strong
+opposition amongst the Estates to the system of taxation proposed on
+the part of the Duke, and the issue was expected with considerable
+anxiety by the Duke's counsellors, and with fretful impatience by the
+sovereign himself.
+
+After a space of about ten minutes had elapsed, the Chancellor of
+Burgundy, who was Archbishop of Vienne, and a prelate of high rank,
+entered the hall with his train; and passing behind the ducal throne
+to occupy one of the most distinguished places in the assembly, he
+stopped for a moment to urge his master to receive the answer of his
+Estates in a private manner, giving him at the same time to understand
+that the result of the deliberations had been by no means
+satisfactory.
+
+"By St. George of Burgundy, my Lord Archbishop," answered the Duke,
+sternly and aloud, "we are not a prince of a mind so paltry that we
+need to shun the moody looks of a discontented and insolent faction.
+If the Estates of Burgundy send a disobedient and disloyal answer to
+our paternal message, let them deliver it in open court, that the
+assembled people may learn how to decide between their Duke and those
+petty yet intriguing spirits, who would interfere with our authority."
+
+The chancellor bowed gravely, and took his seat; while the English
+Earl observed, that most of the members of the assembly, excepting
+such as in doing so could not escape the Duke's notice, passed some
+observations to their neighbours, which were received with a
+half-expressed nod, shrug, or shake of the head, as men treat a
+proposal upon which it is dangerous to decide. At the same time,
+Toison d'Or, who acted as master of the ceremonies, introduced into
+the hall a committee of the Estates, consisting of twelve members,
+four from each branch of the Estates, announced as empowered to
+deliver the answer of that assembly to the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+When the deputation entered the hall, Charles arose from his throne,
+according to ancient custom, and taking from his head his bonnet,
+charged with a huge plume of feathers, "Health and welcome," he said,
+"to my good subjects of the Estates of Burgundy!" All the numerous
+train of courtiers rose and uncovered their heads with the same
+ceremony. The members of the States then dropped on one knee, the four
+ecclesiastics, among whom Oxford recognised the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's, approaching nearest to the Duke's person, the nobles kneeling
+behind them, and the burgesses in the rear of the whole.
+
+"Noble Duke," said the Priest of St. Paul's, "will it best please you
+to hear the answer of your good and loyal Estates of Burgundy by the
+voice of one member speaking for the whole, or by three persons, each
+delivering the sense of the body to which he belongs?"
+
+"As you will," said the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+"A priest, a noble, and a free burgher," said the Churchman, still on
+one knee, "will address your Highness in succession. For though,
+blessed be the God who leads brethren to dwell together in unity! we
+are agreed in the general answer, yet each body of the Estates may
+have special and separate reasons to allege for the common opinion."
+
+"We will hear you separately," said Duke Charles, casting his hat upon
+his head, and throwing himself carelessly back into his seat. At the
+same time, all who were of noble blood, whether in the committee or
+amongst the spectators, vouched their right to be peers of their
+sovereign by assuming their bonnets; and a cloud of waving plumes at
+once added grace and dignity to the assembly.
+
+When the Duke resumed his seat, the deputation arose from their knees,
+and the Black Priest of St. Paul's, again stepping forth, addressed
+him in these words:--
+
+"My Lord Duke, your loyal and faithful clergy have considered your
+Highness's proposal to lay a talliage on your people, in order to
+make war on the confederate Cantons in the country of the Alps. The
+quarrel, my liege lord, seems to your clergy an unjust and oppressive
+one on your Highness's part; nor can they hope that God will bless
+those who arm in it. They are therefore compelled to reject your
+Highness's proposal."
+
+The Duke's eye lowered gloomily on the deliverer of this unpalatable
+message. He shook his head with one of those stern and menacing looks
+which the harsh composition of his features rendered them peculiarly
+qualified to express. "You have spoken, Sir Priest," was the only
+reply which he deigned to make.
+
+One of the four nobles, the Sire de Myrebeau, then expressed himself
+thus:--
+
+"Your Highness has asked of your faithful nobles to consent to new
+imposts and exactions, to be levied through Burgundy, for the raising
+of additional bands of hired soldiers for the maintenance of the
+quarrels of the State. My lord, the swords of the Burgundian nobles,
+knights, and gentlemen have been ever at your Highness's command, as
+those of our ancestors have been readily wielded for your
+predecessors. In your Highness's just quarrel we will go farther, and
+fight firmer, than any hired fellows who can be procured, whether from
+France, or Germany, or Italy. We will not give our consent that the
+people should be taxed for paying mercenaries to discharge that
+military duty which it is alike our pride and our exclusive privilege
+to render."
+
+"You have spoken, Sire de Myrebeau," were again the only words of the
+Duke's reply. He uttered them slowly and with deliberation, as if
+afraid lest some phrase of imprudent violence should escape along with
+what he purposed to say. Oxford thought he cast a glance towards him
+before he spoke, as if the consciousness of his presence was some
+additional restraint on his passion. "Now, Heaven grant," he said to
+himself, "that this opposition may work its proper effect, and induce
+the Duke to renounce an imprudent attempt, so hazardous and so
+unnecessary!"
+
+While he muttered these thoughts, the Duke made a sign to one of the
+_tiers état_, or commons, to speak in his turn. The person who obeyed
+the signal was Martin Block, a wealthy butcher and grazier of Dijon.
+His words were these: "Noble Prince, our fathers were the dutiful
+subjects of your predecessors; we are the same to you; our children
+will be alike the liegemen of your successors. But, touching the
+request your chancellor has made to us, it is such as our ancestors
+never complied with; such as we are determined to refuse, and such as
+will never be conceded by the Estates of Burgundy, to any prince
+whatsoever, even to the end of time."
+
+Charles had borne with impatient silence the speeches of the two
+former orators, but this blunt and hardy reply of the third Estate
+excited him beyond what his nature could endure. He gave way to the
+impetuosity of his disposition, stamped on the floor till the throne
+shook, and the high vault rung over their heads, and overwhelmed the
+bold burgher with reproaches. "Beast of burden," he said, "am I to be
+stunned with thy braying too? The nobles may claim leave to speak, for
+they can fight; the clergy may use their tongues, for it is their
+trade; but thou, that hast never shed blood, save that of bullocks,
+more stupid than thou art thyself--must thou and thy herd come hither,
+privileged, forsooth, to bellow at a prince's footstool? Know, brute
+as thou art, that steers are never introduced into temples but to be
+sacrificed, or butchers and mechanics brought before their sovereign,
+save that they may have the honour to supply the public wants from
+their own swelling hoards!"
+
+A murmur of displeasure, which even the terror of the Duke's wrath
+could not repress, ran through the audience at these words; and the
+burgher of Dijon, a sturdy plebeian, replied, with little reverence:
+"Our purses, my Lord Duke, are our own--we will not put the strings of
+them into your Highness's hands, unless we are satisfied with the
+purposes to which the money is to be applied; and we know well how to
+protect our persons and our goods against foreign ruffians and
+plunderers."
+
+Charles was on the point of ordering the deputy to be arrested, when,
+having cast his eye towards the Earl of Oxford, whose presence, in
+despite of himself, imposed a certain degree of restraint upon him, he
+exchanged that piece of imprudence for another.
+
+"I see," he said, addressing the committee of Estates, "that you are
+all leagued to disappoint my purposes, and doubtless to deprive me of
+all the power of a sovereign, save that of wearing a coronet, and
+being served on the knee like a second Charles the Simple, while the
+Estates of my kingdom divide the power among them. But you shall know
+that you have to do with Charles of Burgundy, a prince who, though he
+has deigned to consult you, is fully able to fight battles without
+the aid of his nobles, since they refuse him the assistance of their
+swords--to defray the expense without the help of his sordid
+burghers--and, it may be, to find out a path to heaven without the
+assistance of an ungrateful priesthood. I will show all that are here
+present how little my mind is affected, or my purpose changed, by your
+seditious reply to the message with which I honoured you.--Here,
+Toison d'Or, admit into our presence these men from the confederated
+towns and cantons, as they call themselves, of Switzerland."
+
+Oxford, and all who really interested themselves in the Duke's
+welfare, heard, with the utmost apprehension, his resolution to give
+an audience to the Swiss Envoys, prepossessed as he was against them,
+and in the moment when his mood was chafed to the uttermost by the
+refusal of the Estates to grant him supplies. They were aware that
+obstacles opposed to the current of his passion were like rocks in the
+bed of a river, whose course they cannot interrupt, while they provoke
+it to rage and foam. All were sensible that the die was cast, but none
+who were not endowed with more than mortal prescience could have
+imagined how deep was the pledge which depended upon it. Oxford, in
+particular, conceived that the execution of his plan of a descent upon
+England was the principal point compromised by the Duke in his rash
+obstinacy; but he suspected not--he dreamed not of supposing--that the
+life of Charles himself, and the independence of Burgundy as a
+separate kingdom, hung quivering in the same scales.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[7] The chief order of knighthood in the state of Burgundy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+     Why, 'tis a boisterous and cruel style,
+     A style for challengers. Why, she defies us,
+     Like Turk to Christian.
+                                _As You Like It._
+
+
+The doors of the hall were now opened to the Swiss deputies, who for
+the preceding hour had been kept in attendance on the outside of the
+building, without receiving the slightest of those attentions which
+among civilised nations are universally paid to the representatives of
+a foreign State. Indeed, their very appearance, dressed in coarse grey
+frocks, like mountain hunters or shepherds, in the midst of an
+assembly blazing with divers-coloured garments, gold and silver lace,
+embroidery, and precious stones, served to confirm the idea that they
+could only have come hither in the capacity of the most humble
+petitioners.
+
+Oxford, however, who watched closely the deportment of his late
+fellow-travellers, failed not to observe that they retained each in
+his own person the character of firmness and indifference which
+formerly distinguished them. Rudolph Donnerhugel preserved his bold
+and haughty look; the Banneret, the military indifference which made
+him look with apparent apathy on all around him; the burgher of
+Soleure was as formal and important as ever; nor did any of the three
+show themselves affected in the slightest degree by the splendour of
+the scene around them, or embarrassed by the consideration of their
+own comparative inferiority of appointments. But the noble Landamman,
+on whom Oxford chiefly bent his attention, seemed overwhelmed with a
+sense of the precarious state in which his country was placed;
+fearing, from the rude and unhonoured manner in which they were
+received, that war was unavoidable, while, at the same time, like a
+good patriot, he mourned over the consequences of ruin to the freedom
+of his country by defeat, or injury to her simplicity and virtuous
+indifference of wealth, by the introduction of foreign luxuries and
+the evils attending on conquest.
+
+Well acquainted with the opinions of Arnold Biederman, Oxford could
+easily explain his sadness, while his comrade Bonstetten, less capable
+of comprehending his friend's feelings, looked at him with the
+expression which may be seen in the countenance of a faithful dog,
+when the creature indicates sympathy with his master's melancholy,
+though unable to ascertain or appreciate its cause. A look of wonder
+now and then glided around the splendid assembly on the part of all
+the forlorn group, excepting Donnerhugel and the Landamman; for the
+indomitable pride of the one, and the steady patriotism of the other,
+could not for even an instant be diverted by external objects from
+their own deep and stern reflections.
+
+After a silence of nearly five minutes, the Duke spoke, with the
+haughty and harsh manner which he might imagine belonged to his place,
+and which certainly expressed his character.
+
+"Men of Berne, of Schwitz, or of whatever hamlet and wilderness you
+may represent, know that we had not honoured you, rebels as you are
+to the dominion of your lawful superiors, with an audience in our own
+presence, but for the intercession of a well-esteemed friend, who has
+sojourned among your mountains, and whom you may know by the name of
+Philipson, an Englishman, following the trade of a merchant, and
+charged with certain valuable matters of traffic to our court. To his
+intercession we have so far given way, that instead of commanding you,
+according to your demerits, to the gibbet and the wheel in the Place
+de Morimont, we have condescended to receive you into our own
+presence, sitting in our _cour plénière_, to hear from you such
+submission as you can offer for your outrageous storm of our town of
+La Ferette, the slaughter of many of our liegemen, and the deliberate
+murder of the noble knight, Archibald of Hagenbach, executed in your
+presence, and by your countenance and device. Speak--if you can say
+aught in defence of your felony and treason, either to deprecate just
+punishment, or crave undeserved mercy."
+
+The Landamman seemed about to answer; but Rudolph Donnerhugel, with
+his characteristic boldness and hardihood, took the task of reply on
+himself. He confronted the proud Duke with an eye unappalled, and a
+countenance as stern as his own.
+
+"We came not here," he said, "to compromise our own honour, or the
+dignity of the free people whom we represent, by pleading guilty in
+their name, or our own, to crimes of which we are innocent. And when
+you term us rebels, you must remember, that a long train of victories,
+whose history is written in the noblest blood of Austria, has
+restored to the confederacy of our communities the freedom of which an
+unjust tyranny in vain attempted to deprive us. While Austria was a
+just and beneficent mistress, we served her with our lives;--when she
+became oppressive and tyrannical, we assumed independence. If she has
+aught yet to claim from us, the descendants of Tell, Faust, and
+Stauffacher will be as ready to assert their liberties as their
+fathers were to gain them. Your Grace--if such be your title--has no
+concern with any dispute betwixt us and Austria. For your threats of
+gibbet and wheel, we are here defenceless men, on whom you may work
+your pleasure; but we know how to die, and our countrymen know how to
+avenge us."
+
+The fiery Duke would have replied by commanding the instant arrest,
+and probably the immediate execution, of the whole deputation. But his
+chancellor, availing himself of the privilege of his office, rose,
+and, doffing his cap with a deep reverence to the Duke, requested
+leave to reply to the misproud young man, who had, he said, so greatly
+mistaken the purpose of his Highness's speech.
+
+Charles, feeling perhaps at the moment too much irritated to form a
+calm decision, threw himself back in his chair of state, and with an
+impatient and angry nod gave his chancellor permission to speak.
+
+"Young man," said that high officer, "you have mistaken the meaning of
+the high and mighty sovereign in whose presence you stand. Whatever be
+the lawful rights of Austria over the revolted villages which have
+flung off their allegiance to their native superior, we have no call
+to enter on that argument. But that for which Burgundy demands your
+answer is, wherefore, coming here in the guise, and with the
+character, of peaceful envoys, on affairs touching your own
+communities and the rights of the Duke's subjects, you have raised war
+in our peaceful dominions, stormed a fortress, massacred its garrison,
+and put to death a noble knight, its commander?--all of them actions
+contrary to the law of nations, and highly deserving of the punishment
+with which you have been justly threatened, but with which I hope our
+gracious sovereign will dispense, if you express some sufficient
+reason for such outrageous insolence, with an offer of due submission
+to his Highness's pleasure, and satisfactory reparation for such a
+high injury."
+
+"You are a priest, grave sir?" answered Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+addressing the Chancellor of Burgundy. "If there be a soldier in this
+assembly who will avouch your charge, I challenge him to the combat,
+man to man. We did not storm the garrison of La Ferette--we were
+admitted into the gates in a peaceful manner, and were there instantly
+surrounded by the soldiers of the late Archibald de Hagenbach, with
+the obvious purpose of assaulting and murdering us on our peaceful
+mission. I promise you there had been news of more men dying than us.
+But an uproar broke out among the inhabitants of the town, assisted, I
+believe, by many neighbours, to whom the insolence and oppression of
+Archibald de Hagenbach had become odious, as to all who were within
+his reach. We rendered them no assistance; and, I trust, it was not
+expected that we should interfere in the favour of men who had stood
+prepared to do the worst against us. But not a pike or sword
+belonging to us or our attendants was dipped in Burgundian blood.
+Archibald de Hagenbach perished, it is true, on a scaffold, and I saw
+him die with pleasure, under a sentence pronounced by a competent
+court, such as is recognised in Westphalia, and its dependencies on
+this side of the Rhine. I am not obliged to vindicate their
+proceedings; but I aver, that the Duke has received full proof of his
+regular sentence; and, in fine, that it was amply deserved by
+oppression, tyranny, and foul abuse of his authority, I will uphold
+against all gainsayers, with the body of a man. There lies my glove."
+
+And, with an action suited to the language he used, the stern Swiss
+flung his right-hand glove on the floor of the hall. In the spirit of
+the age, with the love of distinction in arms which it nourished, and
+perhaps with the desire of gaining the Duke's favour, there was a
+general motion among the young Burgundians to accept the challenge,
+and more than six or eight gloves were hastily doffed by the young
+knights present, those who were more remote flinging them over the
+heads of the nearest, and each proclaiming his name and title as he
+proffered the gage of combat.
+
+"I set at all," said the daring young Swiss, gathering the gauntlets
+as they fell clashing around him. "More, gentlemen, more! a glove for
+every finger! come on, one at once--fair lists, equal judges of the
+field, the combat on foot, and the weapons two-handed swords, and I
+will not budge for a score of you."
+
+  [Illustration: THE DEFIANCE.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+"Hold, gentlemen! on your allegiance, hold!" said the Duke, gratified
+at the same time, and somewhat appeased, by the zeal which was
+displayed in his cause--moved by the strain of reckless
+bravery evinced by the challenger, with a hardihood akin to his
+own--perhaps also not unwilling to display, in the view of his _cour
+plénière_, more temperance than he had been at first capable of.
+"Hold, I command you all.--Toison d'Or, gather up these gauntlets, and
+return them each to his owner. God and St. George forbid that we
+should hazard the life of even the least of our noble Burgundian
+gentry against such a churl as this Swiss peasant, who never so much
+as mounted a horse, and knows not a jot of knightly courtesy, or the
+grace of chivalry.--Carry your vulgar brawls elsewhere, young man, and
+know that, on the present occasion, the Place Morimont were your only
+fitting lists, and the hangman your meet antagonist. And you, sirs,
+his companions--whose behaviour in suffering this swaggerer to take
+the lead amongst you seems to show that the laws of nature, as well as
+of society, are inverted, and that youth is preferred to age, as
+gentry to peasants--you white-bearded men, I say, is there none of you
+who can speak your errand in such language as it becomes a sovereign
+prince to listen to?"
+
+"God forbid else," said the Landamman, stepping forward and silencing
+Rudolph Donnerhugel, who was commencing an answer of defiance--"God
+forbid," he said, "noble Duke, that we should not be able to speak so
+as to be understood before your Highness, since, I trust, we shall
+speak the language of truth, peace, and justice. Nay, should it
+incline your Highness to listen to us the more favourably for our
+humility, I am willing to humble myself rather than you should shun
+to hear us. For my own part, I can truly say that, though I have
+lived, and by free choice have resolved to die, a husbandman and a
+hunter on the Alps of the Unterwald, I may claim by birth the
+hereditary right to speak before Dukes and Kings, and the Emperor
+himself. There is no one, my Lord Duke, in this proud assembly, who
+derives his descent from a nobler source than Geierstein."
+
+"We have heard of you," said the Duke. "Men call you the
+peasant-count. Your birth is your shame; or perhaps your mother's, if
+your father had happened to have a handsome ploughman, the fitting
+father of one who has become a willing serf."
+
+"No serf, my lord," answered the Landamman, "but a freeman, who will
+neither oppress others nor be himself tyrannised over. My father was a
+noble lord, my mother a most virtuous lady. But I will not be
+provoked, by taunt or scornful jest, to refrain from stating with
+calmness what my country has given me in charge to say. The
+inhabitants of the bleak and inhospitable regions of the Alps desire,
+mighty sir, to remain at peace with all their neighbours, and to enjoy
+the government they have chosen, as best fitted to their condition and
+habits, leaving all other states and countries to their free-will in
+the same respects. Especially, they desire to remain at peace and in
+unity with the princely House of Burgundy, whose dominions approach
+their possessions on so many points. My lord, they desire it, they
+entreat it, they even consent to pray for it. We have been termed
+stubborn, intractable, and insolent contemners of authority, and
+headers of sedition and rebellion. In evidence of the contrary, my
+Lord Duke, I, who never bent a knee but to Heaven, feel no dishonour
+in kneeling before your Highness, as before a sovereign prince in the
+_cour plénière_ of his dominions, where he has a right to exact homage
+from his subjects out of duty, and from strangers out of courtesy. No
+vain pride of mine," said the noble old man, his eyes swelling with
+tears, as he knelt on one knee, "shall prevent me from personal
+humiliation, when peace--that blessed peace, so dear to God, so
+inappreciably valuable to man--is in danger of being broken off."
+
+The whole assembly, even the Duke himself, were affected by the noble
+and stately manner in which the brave old man made a genuflection,
+which was obviously dictated by neither meanness nor timidity. "Arise,
+sir," said Charles; "if we have said aught which can wound your
+private feelings, we retract it as publicly as the reproach was
+spoken, and sit prepared to hear you, as a fair-meaning envoy."
+
+"For that, my noble lord, thanks; and I shall hold it a blessed day,
+if I can find words worthy of the cause I have to plead. My lord, a
+schedule in your Highness's hands has stated the sense of many
+injuries received at the hand of your Highness's officers, and those
+of Romont, Count of Savoy, your strict ally and adviser, we have a
+right to suppose, under your Highness's countenance. For Count
+Romont--he has already felt with whom he has to contend; but we have
+as yet taken no measures to avenge injuries, affronts, interruptions
+to our commerce, from those who have availed themselves of your
+Highness's authority to intercept our countrymen, spoil our goods,
+impress their persons, and even, in some instances, take their lives.
+The affray at La Ferette--I can vouch for what I saw--had no origin or
+abettance from us; nevertheless, it is impossible an independent
+nation can suffer the repetition of such injuries, and free and
+independent we are determined to remain, or to die in defence of our
+rights. What then must follow, unless your Highness listens to the
+terms which I am commissioned to offer? War, a war to extermination;
+for so long as one of our Confederacy can wield a halberd, so long, if
+this fatal strife once commences, there will be war betwixt your
+powerful realms and our poor and barren States. And what can the noble
+Duke of Burgundy gain by such a strife? Is it wealth and plunder?
+Alas, my lord, there is more gold and silver on the very bridle-bits
+of your Highness's household troops than can be found in the public
+treasures or private hoards of our whole Confederacy. Is it fame and
+glory you aspire to? There is little honour to be won by a numerous
+army over a few scattered bands, by men clad in mail over half-armed
+husbandmen and shepherds--of such conquest small were the glory. But
+if, as all Christian men believe, and as it is the constant trust of
+my countrymen, from memory of the times of our fathers,--if the Lord
+of Hosts should cast the balance in behalf of the fewer numbers and
+worse-armed party, I leave it with your Highness to judge what would,
+in that event, be the diminution of worship and fame. Is it extent of
+vassalage and dominion your Highness desires, by warring with your
+mountain neighbours? Know that you may, if it be God's will, gain our
+barren and rugged mountains; but, like our ancestors of old, we will
+seek refuge in wilder and more distant solitudes, and, when we have
+resisted to the last, we will starve in the icy wastes of the
+glaciers. Ay, men, women, and children, we will be frozen into
+annihilation together, ere one free Switzer will acknowledge a foreign
+master."
+
+The speech of the Landamman made an obvious impression on the
+assembly. The Duke observed it, and his hereditary obstinacy was
+irritated by the general disposition which he saw entertained in
+favour of the ambassador. This evil principle overcame some impression
+which the address of the noble Biederman had not failed to make upon
+him. He answered with a lowering brow, interrupting the old man as he
+was about to continue his speech,--"You argue falsely, Sir Count, or
+Sir Landamman, or by whatever name you call yourself, if you think we
+war on you from any hope of spoil, or any desire of glory. We know as
+well as you can tell us that there is neither profit nor fame to be
+achieved by conquering you. But sovereigns, to whom Heaven has given
+the power, must root out a band of robbers, though there is dishonour
+in measuring swords with them; and we hunt to death a herd of wolves,
+though their flesh is carrion, and their skins are naught."
+
+The Landamman shook his grey head, and replied, without testifying
+emotion, and even with something approaching to a smile,--"I am an
+older woodsman than you, my Lord Duke--and, it may be, a more
+experienced one. The boldest, the hardiest hunter, will not safely
+drive the wolf to his den. I have shown your Highness the poor chance
+of gain, and the great risk of loss, which even you, powerful as you
+are, must incur by risking a war with determined and desperate men.
+Let me now tell what we are willing to do to secure a sincere and
+lasting peace with our powerful neighbour of Burgundy. Your Grace is
+in the act of engrossing Lorraine, and it seems probable, under so
+vigorous and enterprising a Prince, your authority may be extended to
+the shores of the Mediterranean--be our noble friend and sincere ally,
+and our mountains, defended by warriors familiar with victory, will be
+your barriers against Germany and Italy. For your sake we will admit
+the Count of Savoy to terms, and restore to him our conquests, on such
+conditions as your Highness shall yourself judge reasonable. Of past
+subjects of offence on the part of your lieutenants and governors upon
+the frontier we will be silent, so we have assurance of no such
+aggressions in future. Nay, more, and it is my last and proudest
+offer, we will send three thousand of our youth to assist your
+Highness in any war which you may engage in, whether against Louis of
+France or the Emperor of Germany. They are a different set of
+men--proudly and truly may I state it--from the scum of Germany and
+Italy, who form themselves into mercenary bands of soldiers. And, if
+Heaven should decide your Highness to accept our offer, there will be
+one corps in your army which will leave their carcasses on the field
+ere a man of them break their plighted troth."
+
+A swarthy but tall and handsome man, wearing a corselet richly
+engraved with arabesque work, started from his seat with the air of
+one provoked beyond the bounds of restraint. This was the Count de
+Campo-basso, commander of Charles's Italian mercenaries, who
+possessed, as has been alluded to, much influence over the Duke's
+mind, chiefly obtained by accommodating himself to his master's
+opinions and prejudices, and placing before the Duke specious
+arguments to justify him for following his own way.
+
+"This lofty presence must excuse me," he said, "if I speak in defence
+of my honour, and those of my bold lances, who have followed my
+fortunes from Italy to serve the bravest Prince in Christendom. I
+might, indeed, pass over without resentment the outrageous language of
+this grey-haired churl, whose words cannot affect a knight and a
+nobleman more than the yelling of a peasant's mastiff. But when I hear
+him propose to associate his bands of mutinous misgoverned ruffians
+with your Highness's troops, I must let him know that there is not a
+horse-boy in my ranks who would fight in such fellowship. No, even I
+myself, bound by a thousand ties of gratitude, could not submit to
+strive abreast with such comrades. I would fold up my banners, and
+lead five thousand men to seek,--not a nobler master, for the world
+has none such,--but wars in which we might not be obliged to blush for
+our assistants."
+
+"Silence, Campo-basso!" said the Duke, "and be assured you serve a
+prince who knows your worth too well to exchange it for the untried
+and untrustful services of those whom we have only known as vexatious
+and malignant neighbours."
+
+Then, addressing himself to Arnold Biederman, he said coldly and
+sternly, "Sir Landamman, we have heard you fairly. We have heard you,
+although you come before us with hands dyed deep in the blood of our
+servant, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach; for, supposing he was murdered by
+a villanous association,--which, by St. George! shall never, while we
+live and reign, raise its pestilential head on this side of the
+Rhine,--yet it is not the less undeniable and undenied, that you stood
+by in arms, and encouraged the deed the assassins performed under your
+countenance. Return to your mountains, and be thankful that you return
+in life. Tell those who sent you that I will be presently on their
+frontiers. A deputation of your most notable persons, who meet me with
+halters round their necks, torches in their left hands, in their right
+their swords held by the point, may learn on what conditions we will
+grant you peace."
+
+"Then farewell peace, and welcome war," said the Landamman; "and be
+its plagues and curses on the heads of those who choose blood and
+strife rather than peace and union. We will meet you on our frontiers
+with our naked swords, but the hilts, not their points, shall be in
+our grasp. Charles of Burgundy, Flanders, and Lorraine, Duke of seven
+dukedoms, Count of seventeen earldoms, I bid you defiance; and declare
+war against you in the name of the confederated Cantons, and such
+others as shall adhere to them. There," he said, "are my letters of
+defiance."
+
+The herald took from Arnold Biederman the fatal denunciation.
+
+"Read it not, Toison d'Or!" said the haughty Duke. "Let the
+executioner drag it through the streets at his horse's tail, and nail
+it to the gibbet, to show in what account we hold the paltry scroll,
+and those who sent it.--Away, sirs!" speaking to the Swiss. "Trudge
+back to your wildernesses with such haste as your feet can use. When
+we next meet, you shall better know whom you have offended.--Get our
+horse ready--the council is broken up."
+
+The Maire of Dijon, when all were in motion to leave the hall, again
+approached the Duke, and timidly expressed some hopes that his
+Highness would deign to partake of a banquet which the magistracy had
+prepared, in expectation he might do them such an honour.
+
+"No, by St. George of Burgundy, Sir Maire," said Charles, with one of
+the withering glances by which he was wont to express indignation
+mixed with contempt,--"you have not pleased us so well with our
+breakfast as to induce us to trust our dinner to the loyalty of our
+good town of Dijon."
+
+So saying, he rudely turned off from the mortified chief magistrate,
+and, mounting his horse, rode back to his camp, conversing earnestly
+on the way with the Count of Campo-basso.
+
+"I would offer you dinner, my Lord of Oxford," said Colvin to that
+nobleman, when he alighted at his tent, "but I foresee, ere you could
+swallow a mouthful, you will be summoned to the Duke's presence; for
+it is our Charles's way, when he has fixed on a wrong course, to
+wrangle with his friends and counsellors, in order to prove it is a
+right one. Marry, he always makes a convert of yon supple Italian."
+
+Colvin's augury was speedily realised; for a page almost immediately
+summoned the English merchant, Philipson, to attend the Duke. Without
+waiting an instant, Charles poured forth an incoherent tide of
+reproaches against the Estates of his dukedom, for refusing him their
+countenance in so slight a matter, and launched out in explanations of
+the necessity which he alleged there was for punishing the audacity of
+the Swiss. "And thou too, Oxford," he concluded, "art such an
+impatient fool as to wish me to engage in a distant war with England,
+and transport forces over the sea, when I have such insolent mutineers
+to chastise on my own frontiers?"
+
+When he was at length silent, the English Earl laid before him, with
+respectful earnestness, the danger that appeared to be involved in
+engaging with a people, poor indeed, but universally dreaded, from
+their discipline and courage, and that under the eye of so dangerous a
+rival as Louis of France, who was sure to support the Duke's enemies
+underhand, if he did not join them openly. On this point the Duke's
+resolution was immovable. "It shall never," he said, "be told of me,
+that I uttered threats which I dared not execute. These boors have
+declared war against me, and they shall learn whose wrath it is that
+they have wantonly provoked; but I do not, therefore, renounce thy
+scheme, my good Oxford. If thou canst procure me this same cession of
+Provence, and induce old René to give up the cause of his grandson,
+Ferrand of Vaudemont, in Lorraine, thou wilt make it well worth my
+while to send thee brave aid against my brother Blackburn, who, while
+he is drinking healths pottle-deep in France, may well come to lose
+his lands in England. And be not impatient because I cannot at this
+very instant send men across the seas. The march which I am making
+towards Neufchatel, which is, I think, the nearest point where I shall
+find these churls, will be but like a morning's excursion. I trust you
+will go with us, old companion. I should like to see if you have
+forgotten, among yonder mountains, how to back a horse and lay a lance
+in rest."
+
+"I will wait on your Highness," said the Earl, "as is my duty, for my
+motions must depend on your pleasure. But I will not carry arms,
+especially against those people of Helvetia, from whom I have
+experienced hospitality, unless it be for my own personal defence."
+
+"Well," replied the Duke, "e'en be it so; we shall have in you an
+excellent judge, to tell us who best discharges his devoir against the
+mountain clowns."
+
+At this point in the conversation there was a knocking at the entrance
+of the pavilion, and the Chancellor of Burgundy presently entered, in
+great haste and anxiety. "News, my lord--news of France and England,"
+said the prelate, and then, observing the presence of a stranger, he
+looked at the Duke, and was silent.
+
+"It is a faithful friend, my Lord Bishop," said the Duke; "you may
+tell your news before him."
+
+"It will soon be generally known," said the chancellor. "Louis and
+Edward are fully accorded." Both the Duke and the English Earl
+started.
+
+"I expected this," said the Duke, "but not so soon."
+
+"The Kings have met," answered his minister.
+
+"How--in battle?" said Oxford, forgetting himself in his extreme
+eagerness.
+
+The chancellor was somewhat surprised, but as the Duke seemed to
+expect him to give an answer, he replied, "No, Sir Stranger--not in
+battle, but upon appointment, and in peace and amity."
+
+"The sight must have been worth seeing," said the Duke; "when the old
+fox Louis, and my brother Black--I mean my brother Edward--met. Where
+held they their rendezvous?"
+
+"On a bridge over the Seine, at Picquigny."
+
+"I would thou hadst been there," said the Duke, looking to Oxford,
+"with a good axe in thy hand, to strike one fair blow for England, and
+another for Burgundy. My grandfather was treacherously slain at just
+such a meeting, at the Bridge of Montereau, upon the Yonne."
+
+"To prevent a similar chance," said the chancellor, "a strong
+barricade, such as closes the cages in which men keep wild beasts, was
+raised in the midst of the bridge, and prevented the possibility of
+their even touching each other's hands."
+
+"Ha, ha! By St. George, that smells of Louis's craft and caution; for
+the Englishman, to give him his due, is as little acquainted with fear
+as with policy. But what terms have they made? Where do the English
+army winter? What towns, fortresses, and castles are surrendered to
+them, in pledge, or in perpetuity?"
+
+"None, my liege," said the chancellor. "The English army returns into
+England, as fast as shipping can be procured to transport them; and
+Louis will accommodate them with every sail and oar in his dominions,
+rather than they should not instantly evacuate France."
+
+"And by what concessions has Louis bought a peace so necessary to his
+affairs?"
+
+"By fair words," said the chancellor, "by liberal presents, and by
+some five hundred tuns of wine."
+
+"Wine!" exclaimed the Duke. "Heardst thou ever the like, Seignor
+Philipson? Why, your countrymen are little better than Esau, who sold
+his birthright for a mess of pottage. Marry, I must confess I never
+saw an Englishman who loved a dry-lipped bargain."
+
+"I can scarce believe this news," said the Earl of Oxford. "If this
+Edward were content to cross the sea with fifty thousand Englishmen
+merely to return again, there are in his camp both proud nobles and
+haughty commons enough to resist his disgraceful purpose."
+
+"The money of Louis," said the statesman, "has found noble hands
+willing to clutch it. The wine of France has flooded every throat in
+the English army--the riot and uproar was unbounded--and at one time
+the town of Amiens, where Louis himself resided, was full of so many
+English archers, all of them intoxicated, that the person of the King
+of France was almost in their hands. Their sense of national honour
+has been lost in the universal revel, and those amongst them who would
+be more dignified and play the wise politicians say, that having come
+to France by connivance of the Duke of Burgundy, and that prince
+having failed to join them with his forces, they have done well,
+wisely, and gallantly, considering the season of the year, and the
+impossibility of obtaining quarters, to take tribute of France, and
+return home in triumph."
+
+"And leave Louis," said Oxford, "at undisturbed freedom to attack
+Burgundy with all his forces?"
+
+"Not so, friend Philipson," said Duke Charles; "know, that there is a
+truce betwixt Burgundy and France for the space of seven years, and
+had not this been granted and signed, it is probable that we might
+have found some means of marring the treaty betwixt Edward and Louis,
+even at the expense of affording those voracious islanders beef and
+beer during the winter months.--Sir Chancellor, you may leave us, but
+be within reach of a hasty summons."
+
+When his minister left the pavilion, the Duke, who with his rude and
+imperious character united much kindness, if it could not be termed
+generosity of disposition, came up to the Lancastrian lord, who stood
+like one at whose feet a thunderbolt has just broken, and who is still
+appalled by the terrors of the shock.
+
+"My poor Oxford," he said, "thou art stupefied by this news, which
+thou canst not doubt must have a fatal effect on the plan which thy
+brave bosom cherishes with such devoted fidelity. I would for thy sake
+I could have detained the English a little longer in France; but had I
+attempted to do so, there were an end of my truce with Louis, and of
+course to my power to chastise these paltry Cantons, or send forth an
+expedition to England. As matters stand, give me but a week to punish
+these mountaineers, and you shall have a larger force than your
+modesty has requested of me for your enterprise; and, in the
+meanwhile, I will take care that Blackburn and his cousin-archers have
+no assistance of shipping from Flanders. Tush, man, never fear
+it--thou wilt be in England long ere they; and, once more, rely on my
+assistance--always, thou knowest, the cession of Provence being
+executed, as in reason. Our cousin Margaret's diamonds we must keep
+for a time; and perhaps they may pass as a pledge, with some of our
+own, for the godly purpose of setting at freedom the imprisoned angels
+of our Flemish usurers, who will not lend even to their sovereign,
+unless on good current security. To such straits has the disobedient
+avarice of our Estates for the moment reduced us."
+
+"Alas! my lord," said the dejected nobleman, "I were ungrateful to
+doubt the sincerity of your good intentions. But who can presume on
+the events of war, especially when time presses for instant decision?
+You are pleased to trust me. Let your Highness extend your confidence
+thus far: I will take my horse, and ride after the Landamman, if he
+hath already set forth. I have little doubt to make such an
+accommodation with him that you may be secure on all your
+south-eastern frontiers. You may then with security work your will in
+Lorraine and Provence."
+
+"Do not speak of it," said the Duke, sharply; "thou forget'st thyself
+and me, when thou supposest that a prince, who has pledged his word to
+his people, can recall it like a merchant chaffering for his paltry
+wares. Go to--we will assist you, but we will be ourselves judge of
+the time and manner. Yet, having both kind will to our distressed
+cousin of Anjou, and being your good friend, we will not linger in the
+matter. Our host have orders to break up this evening and direct their
+march against Neufchatel, where these proud Swiss shall have a taste
+of the fire and sword which they have provoked."
+
+Oxford sighed deeply, but made no further remonstrance; in which he
+acted wisely, since it was likely to have exasperated the fiery temper
+of the sovereign to whom it was addressed, while it was certain that
+it would not in the slightest degree alter his resolution.
+
+He took farewell of the Duke, and returned to Colvin, whom he found
+immersed in the business of his department, and preparing for the
+removal of the artillery--an operation which the clumsiness of the
+ordnance, and the execrable state of the roads, rendered at that time
+a much more troublesome operation than at present, though it is even
+still one of the most laborious movements attending the march of an
+army. The Master of the Ordnance welcomed Oxford with much glee, and
+congratulated himself on the distinguished honour of enjoying his
+company during the campaign, and acquainted him that, by the especial
+command of the Duke, he had made fitting preparations for his
+accommodation, suitable to the disguised character which he meant to
+maintain, but in every other respect as convenient as a camp could
+admit of.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+     A mirthful man he was--the snows of age
+     Fell, but they did not chill him. Gaiety,
+     Even in life's closing, touch'd his teeming brain
+     With such wild visions as the setting sun
+     Raises in front of some hoar glacier,
+     Painting the bleak ice with a thousand hues.
+                                           _Old Play._
+
+
+Leaving the Earl of Oxford in attendance on the stubborn Duke of
+Burgundy during an expedition which the one represented as a brief
+excursion, more resembling a hunting-party than a campaign, and which
+the other considered in a much graver and more perilous light, we
+return to Arthur de Vere, or the younger Philipson, as he continued to
+be called, who was conducted by his guide with fidelity and success,
+but certainly very slowly, upon his journey into Provence.
+
+The state of Lorraine, overrun by the Duke of Burgundy's army, and
+infested at the same time by different scattered bands, who took the
+field, or held out the castles, as they alleged, for the interest of
+Count Ferrand de Vaudemont, rendered journeying so dangerous, that it
+was often necessary to leave the main road, and to take circuitous
+tracks, in order to avoid such unfriendly encounters as travellers
+might otherwise have met with.
+
+Arthur, taught by sad experience to distrust strange guides, found
+himself, nevertheless, in this eventful and perilous journey, disposed
+to rest considerable confidence in his present conductor, Thiebault,
+a Provençal by birth, intimately acquainted with the roads which they
+took, and, as far as he could judge, disposed to discharge his office
+with fidelity. Prudence alike, and the habits which he had acquired in
+travelling, as well as the character of a merchant which he still
+sustained, induced him to wave the _morgue_, or haughty superiority of
+a knight and noble towards an inferior personage, especially as he
+rightly conjectured that free intercourse with this man, whose
+acquirements seemed of a superior cast, was likely to render him a
+judge of his opinions and disposition towards him. In return for his
+condescension, he obtained a good deal of information concerning the
+province which he was approaching.
+
+As they drew near the boundaries of Provence, the communications of
+Thiebault became more fluent and interesting. He could not only tell
+the name and history of each romantic castle which they passed, in
+their devious and doubtful route, but had at his command the
+chivalrous history of the noble knights and barons to whom they now
+pertained, or had belonged in earlier days, and could recount their
+exploits against the Saracens, by repelling their attacks upon
+Christendom, or their efforts to recover the Holy Sepulchre from Pagan
+hands. In the course of such narrations, Thiebault was led to speak of
+the Troubadours, a race of native poets of Provençal origin, differing
+widely from the minstrels of Normandy, and the adjacent provinces of
+France, with whose tales of chivalry, as well as the numerous
+translations of their works into Norman-French and English, Arthur,
+like most of the noble youth of his country, was intimately acquainted
+and deeply imbued. Thiebault boasted that his grandsire, of humble
+birth indeed, but of distinguished talent, was one of this gifted
+race, whose compositions produced so great an effect on the temper and
+manners of their age and country. It was, however, to be regretted
+that, inculcating as the prime duty of life a fantastic spirit of
+gallantry, which sometimes crossed the Platonic bound prescribed to
+it, the poetry of the Troubadours was too frequently used to soften
+and seduce the heart, and corrupt the principles.[8]
+
+Arthur's attention was called to this peculiarity by Thiebault
+singing, which he could do with good skill, the history of a
+Troubadour, named William Cabestainy, who loved, _par amours_, a noble
+and beautiful lady, Margaret, the wife of a baron called Raymond de
+Roussillon. The jealous husband obtained proof of his dishonour, and,
+having put Cabestainy to death by assassination, he took his heart
+from his bosom, and causing it to be dressed like that of an animal,
+ordered it to be served up to his lady; and when she had eaten of the
+horrible mess, told her of what her banquet was composed. The lady
+replied, that since she had been made to partake of food so precious,
+no coarser morsel should ever after cross her lips. She persisted in
+her resolution, and thus starved herself to death. The Troubadour who
+celebrated this tragic history had displayed in his composition a good
+deal of poetic art. Glossing over the error of the lovers as the fault
+of their destiny, dwelling on their tragical fate with considerable
+pathos, and, finally, execrating the blind fury of the husband, with
+the full fervour of poetical indignation, he recorded, with vindictive
+pleasure, how every bold knight and true lover in the south of France
+assembled to besiege the baron's castle, stormed it by main force,
+left not one stone upon another, and put the tyrant himself to an
+ignominious death. Arthur was interested in the melancholy tale, which
+even beguiled him of a few tears; but as he thought further on its
+purport, he dried his eyes, and said, with some sternness,--"Thiebault,
+sing me no more such lays. I have heard my father say that the
+readiest mode to corrupt a Christian man is to bestow upon vice the
+pity and the praise which are due only to virtue. Your Baron of
+Roussillon is a monster of cruelty; but your unfortunate lovers were
+not the less guilty. It is by giving fair names to foul actions that
+those who would start at real vice are led to practise its lessons,
+under the disguise of virtue."
+
+"I would you knew, Seignor," answered Thiebault, "that this Lay of
+Cabestainy and the Lady Margaret of Roussillon is reckoned a
+masterpiece of the joyous science. Fie, sir, you are too young to be
+so strict a censor of morals. What will you do when your head is grey,
+if you are thus severe when it is scarcely brown?"
+
+"A head which listens to folly in youth will hardly be honourable in
+old age," answered Arthur.
+
+Thiebault had no mind to carry the dispute further.
+
+"It is not for me to contend with your worship. I only think, with
+every true son of chivalry and song, that a knight without a mistress
+is like a sky without a star."
+
+"Do I not know that?" answered Arthur; "but yet better remain in
+darkness than be guided by such false lights as shower down vice and
+pestilence."
+
+"Nay, it may be your seignorie is right," answered the guide. "It is
+certain that even in Provence here we have lost much of our keen
+judgment on matters of love--its difficulties, its intricacies, and
+its errors, since the Troubadours are no longer regarded as usual, and
+since the High and Noble Parliament of Love[9] has ceased to hold its
+sittings.
+
+"But in these latter days," continued the Provençal, "kings, dukes,
+and sovereigns, instead of being the foremost and most faithful
+vassals of the Court of Cupid, are themselves the slaves of
+selfishness and love of gain. Instead of winning hearts by breaking
+lances in the lists, they are breaking the hearts of their
+impoverished vassals by the most cruel exactions--instead of
+attempting to deserve the smile and favours of their lady-loves, they
+are meditating how to steal castles, towns, and provinces from their
+neighbours. But long life to the good and venerable King René! While
+he has an acre of land left, his residence will be the resort of
+valiant knights, whose only aim is praise in arms, of true lovers, who
+are persecuted by fortune, and of high-toned harpers, who know how to
+celebrate faith and valour."
+
+Arthur, interested in learning something more precise than common
+fame had taught him on the subject of this prince, easily induced the
+talkative Provençal to enlarge upon the virtues of his old sovereign's
+character, as just, joyous, and debonair, a friend to the most noble
+exercises of the chase and the tilt-yard, and still more so to the
+joyous science of Poetry and Music; who gave away more revenue than he
+received, in largesses to knights-errant and itinerant musicians, with
+whom his petty court was crowded, as one of the very few in which the
+ancient hospitality was still maintained.
+
+Such was the picture which Thiebault drew of the last minstrel
+monarch; and though the eulogium was exaggerated, perhaps the facts
+were not overcharged.
+
+Born of royal parentage, and with high pretensions, René had at no
+period of his life been able to match his fortunes to his claims. Of
+the kingdoms to which he asserted right, nothing remained in his
+possession but the county of Provence itself, a fair and friendly
+principality, but diminished by the many claims which France had
+acquired upon portions of it by advances of money to supply the
+personal expenses of its master, and by other portions, which
+Burgundy, to whom René had been a prisoner, held in pledge for his
+ransom. In his youth he engaged in more than one military enterprise,
+in the hope of attaining some part of the territory of which he was
+styled sovereign. His courage is not impeached, but fortune did not
+smile on his military adventures; and he seems at last to have become
+sensible that the power of admiring and celebrating warlike merit is
+very different from possessing that quality. In fact, René was a
+prince of very moderate parts, endowed with a love of the fine arts,
+which he carried to extremity, and a degree of good-humour, which
+never permitted him to repine at fortune, but rendered its possessor
+happy, when a prince of keener feelings would have died of despair.
+This insouciant, light-tempered, gay, and thoughtless disposition
+conducted René, free from all the passions which embitter life, and
+often shorten it, to a hale and mirthful old age. Even domestic
+losses, which often affect those who are proof against mere reverses
+of fortune, made no deep impression on the feelings of this cheerful
+old monarch. Most of his children had died young; René took it not to
+heart. His daughter Margaret's marriage with the powerful Henry of
+England was considered a connection much above the fortunes of the
+King of the Troubadours. But in the issue, instead of René deriving
+any splendour from the match, he was involved in the misfortunes of
+his daughter, and repeatedly obliged to impoverish himself to supply
+her ransom. Perhaps in his private soul the old king did not think
+these losses so mortifying as the necessity of receiving Margaret into
+his court and family. On fire when reflecting on the losses she had
+sustained, mourning over friends slain and kingdoms lost, the proudest
+and most passionate of princesses was ill suited to dwell with the
+gayest and best-humoured of sovereigns, whose pursuits she contemned,
+and whose lightness of temper, for finding comfort in such trifles,
+she could not forgive. The discomfort attached to her presence and
+vindictive recollections embarrassed the good-humoured old monarch,
+though it was unable to drive him beyond his equanimity.
+
+Another distress pressed him more sorely.--Yolande, a daughter of his
+first wife, Isabella, had succeeded to his claims upon the Duchy of
+Lorraine, and transmitted them to her son, Ferrand, Count of
+Vaudemont, a young man of courage and spirit, engaged at this time in
+the apparently desperate undertaking of making his title good against
+the Duke of Burgundy, who, with little right but great power, was
+seizing upon and overrunning this rich Duchy, which he laid claim to
+as a male fief. And to conclude, while the aged king on one side
+beheld his dethroned daughter in hopeless despair, and on the other
+his disinherited grandson in vain attempting to recover part of their
+rights, he had the additional misfortune to know that his nephew,
+Louis of France, and his cousin, the Duke of Burgundy, were secretly
+contending which should succeed him in that portion of Provence which
+he still continued to possess, and that it was only jealousy of each
+other which prevented his being despoiled of this last remnant of his
+territory. Yet amid all this distress René feasted and received
+guests, danced, sang, composed poetry, used the pencil or brush with
+no small skill, devised and conducted festivals and processions, and,
+studying to promote as far as possible the immediate mirth and
+good-humour of his subjects, if he could not materially enlarge their
+more permanent prosperity, was never mentioned by them, excepting as
+_Le bon Roi René_, a distinction conferred on him down to the present
+day, and due to him certainly by the qualities of his heart, if not by
+those of his head.
+
+Whilst Arthur was receiving from his guide a full account of the
+peculiarities of King René, they entered the territories of that
+merry monarch. It was late in the autumn, and about the period when
+the south-eastern counties of France rather show to least advantage.
+The foliage of the olive-tree is then decayed and withered, and as it
+predominates in the landscape, and resembles the scorched complexion
+of the soil itself, an ashen and arid hue is given to the whole.
+Still, however, there were scenes in the hilly and pastoral parts of
+the country where the quantity of evergreens relieved the eye even in
+this dead season.
+
+The appearance of the country, in general, had much in it that was
+peculiar.
+
+The travellers perceived at every turn some marks of the King's
+singular character. Provence, as the part of Gaul which first received
+Roman civilisation, and as having been still longer the residence of
+the Grecian colony who founded Marseilles, is more full of the
+splendid relics of ancient architecture than any other country in
+Europe, Italy and Greece excepted. The good taste of the King René had
+dictated some attempts to clear out and to restore these memorials of
+antiquity. Was there a triumphal arch or an ancient temple--huts and
+hovels were cleared away from its vicinity, and means were used at
+least to retard the approach of ruin. Was there a marble fountain,
+which superstition had dedicated to some sequestered naiad--it was
+surrounded by olives, almond and orange trees--its cistern was
+repaired, and taught once more to retain its crystal treasures. The
+huge amphitheatres and gigantic colonnades experienced the same
+anxious care, attesting that the noblest specimens of the fine arts
+found one admirer and preserver in King René, even during the course
+of those which are termed the dark and barbarous ages.
+
+A change of manners could also be observed in passing from Burgundy
+and Lorraine, where society relished of German bluntness, into the
+pastoral country of Provence, where the influence of a fine climate
+and melodious language, joined to the pursuits of the romantic old
+monarch, with the universal taste for music and poetry, had introduced
+a civilisation of manners which approached to affectation. The
+shepherd literally marched abroad in the morning, piping his flocks
+forth to the pasture with some love-sonnet, the composition of an
+amorous Troubadour; and his "fleecy care" seemed actually to be under
+the influence of his music, instead of being ungraciously insensible
+to its melody, as is the case in colder climates. Arthur observed,
+too, that the Provençal sheep, instead of being driven before the
+shepherd, regularly followed him, and did not disperse to feed until
+the swain, by turning his face round to them, remaining stationary,
+and, executing variations on the air which he was playing, seemed to
+remind them that it was proper to do so. While in motion, his huge
+dog, of a species which is trained to face the wolf, and who is
+respected by the sheep as their guardian, and not feared as their
+tyrant, followed his master with his ears pricked, like the chief
+critic and prime judge of the performance, at some tones of which he
+seldom failed to intimate disapprobation; while the flock, like the
+generality of an audience, followed in unanimous though silent
+applause. At the hour of noon, the shepherd had sometimes acquired an
+augmentation to his audience, in some comely matron or blooming
+maiden, with whom he had rendezvoused by such a fountain as we have
+described, and who listened to the husband's or lover's chalumeau, or
+mingled her voice with his in the duets, of which the songs of the
+Troubadours have left so many examples. In the cool of the evening,
+the dance on the village green, or the concert before the hamlet door;
+the little repast of fruits, cheese, and bread, which the traveller
+was readily invited to share, gave new charms to the illusion, and
+seemed in earnest to point out Provence as the Arcadia of France.
+
+But the greatest singularity was, in the eyes of Arthur, the total
+absence of armed men and soldiers in this peaceful country. In
+England, no man stirred without his long-bow, sword, and buckler. In
+France, the hind wore armour even when he was betwixt the stilts of
+his plough. In Germany, you could not look along a mile of highway but
+the eye was encountered by clouds of dust, out of which were seen, by
+fits, waving feathers and flashing armour. Even in Switzerland, the
+peasant, if he had a journey to make, though but of a mile or two,
+cared not to travel without his halberd and two-handed sword. But in
+Provence all seemed quiet and peaceful, as if the music of the land
+had lulled to sleep all its wrathful passions. Now and then a mounted
+cavalier might pass them, the harp at whose saddle-bow, or carried by
+one of his attendants, attested the character of a Troubadour, which
+was affected by men of all ranks; and then only a short sword on his
+left thigh, borne for show rather than use, was a necessary and
+appropriate part of his equipment.
+
+"Peace," said Arthur, as he looked around him, "is an inestimable
+jewel; but it will be soon snatched from those who are not prepared
+with heart and hand to defend it."
+
+The sight of the ancient and interesting town of Aix, where King René
+held his court, dispelled reflections of a general character, and
+recalled to the young Englishman the peculiar mission on which he was
+engaged.
+
+He then required to know from the Provençal Thiebault whether his
+instructions were to leave him, now that he had successfully attained
+the end of his journey.
+
+"My instructions," answered Thiebault, "are to remain in Aix while
+there is any chance of your seignorie's continuing there, to be of
+such use to you as you may require, either as a guide or an attendant,
+and to keep these men in readiness to wait upon you when you have
+occasion for messengers or guards. With your approbation, I will see
+them disposed of in fitting quarters, and receive my further
+instructions from your seignorie wherever you please to appoint me. I
+propose this separation, because I understand it is your present
+pleasure to be private."
+
+"I must go to court," answered Arthur, "without any delay. Wait for me
+in half an hour by that fountain in the street, which projects into
+the air such a magnificent pillar of water, surrounded, I would almost
+swear, by a vapour like steam, serving as a shroud to the jet which it
+envelopes."
+
+"The jet is so surrounded," answered the Provençal, "because it is
+supplied by a hot spring rising from the bowels of the earth, and the
+touch of frost on this autumn morning makes the vapour more
+distinguishable than usual.--But if it is good King René whom you
+seek, you will find him at this time walking in his chimney. Do not be
+afraid of approaching him, for there never was a monarch so easy of
+access, especially to good-looking strangers like you, seignorie."
+
+"But his ushers," said Arthur, "will not admit me into his hall."
+
+"His hall!" repeated Thiebault. "Whose hall?"
+
+"Why, King René's, I apprehend. If he is walking in a chimney, it can
+only be in that of his hall, and a stately one it must be to give him
+room for such exercise."
+
+"You mistake my meaning," said the guide, laughing. "What we call King
+René's chimney is the narrow parapet yonder; it extends between these
+two towers, has an exposure to the south, and is sheltered in every
+other direction. Yonder it is his pleasure to walk and enjoy the beams
+of the sun, on such cool mornings as the present. It nurses, he says,
+his poetical vein. If you approach his promenade he will readily speak
+to you, unless, indeed, he is in the very act of a poetical
+composition."
+
+Arthur could not forbear smiling at the thoughts of a king, eighty
+years of age, broken down with misfortunes and beset with dangers, who
+yet amused himself with walking in an open parapet, and composing
+poetry in presence of all such of his loving subjects as chose to look
+on.
+
+"If you will walk a few steps this way," said Thiebault, "you may see
+the good King, and judge whether or not you will accost him at
+present. I will dispose of the people, and await your orders at the
+fountain in the Corso."
+
+Arthur saw no objection to the proposal of his guide, and was not
+unwilling to have an opportunity of seeing something of the good King
+René, before he was introduced to his presence.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[8] Note I.--The Troubadours.
+
+[9] Note II.--Parliament of Love.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+     Ay, this is he who wears the wreath of bays
+     Wove by Apollo and the Sisters Nine,
+     Which Jove's dread lightning scathes not. He hath doft
+     The cumbrous helm of steel, and flung aside
+     The yet more galling diadem of gold;
+     While, with a leafy circlet round his brows,
+     He reigns the King of Lovers and of Poets.
+
+
+A cautious approach to the chimney--that is, the favourite walk of the
+King, who is described by Shakspeare as bearing
+
+           the style of King of Naples,
+     Of both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem,
+     Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman,
+
+gave Arthur the perfect survey of his Majesty in person. He saw an old
+man, with locks and beard, which, in amplitude and whiteness, nearly
+rivalled those of the envoy from Schwitz, but with a fresh and ruddy
+colour in his cheek, and an eye of great vivacity. His dress was showy
+to a degree almost inconsistent with his years; and his step, not only
+firm but full of alertness and vivacity, while occupied in traversing
+the short and sheltered walk, which he had chosen rather for comfort
+than for privacy, showed juvenile vigour still animating an aged
+frame. The old King carried his tablets and a pencil in his hand,
+seeming totally abstracted in his own thoughts, and indifferent to
+being observed by several persons from the public street beneath his
+elevated promenade.
+
+Of these, some, from their dress and manner, seemed themselves
+Troubadours; for they held in their hands rebecks, rotes, small
+portable harps, and other indications of their profession. Such
+appeared to be stationary, as if engaged in observing and recording
+their remarks on the meditations of their Prince. Other passengers,
+bent on their own more serious affairs, looked up to the King as to
+some one whom they were accustomed to see daily, but never passed
+without doffing their bonnets, and expressing, by a suitable
+obeisance, a respect and affection towards his person, which appeared
+to make up in cordiality of feeling what it wanted in deep and solemn
+deference.
+
+René, in the meanwhile, was apparently unconscious both of the gaze of
+such as stood still, or the greeting of those who passed on, his mind
+seeming altogether engrossed with the apparent labour of some arduous
+task in poetry or music. He walked fast or slow as best suited the
+progress of composition. At times he stopped to mark hastily down on
+his tablets something which seemed to occur to him as deserving of
+preservation; at other times he dashed out what he had written, and
+flung down the pencil as if in a sort of despair. On these occasions,
+the Sibylline leaf was carefully picked up by a beautiful page, his
+only attendant, who reverently observed the first suitable opportunity
+of restoring it again to his royal hand. The same youth bore a viol,
+on which, at a signal from his master, he occasionally struck a few
+musical notes, to which the old King listened, now with a soothed and
+satisfied air, now with a discontented and anxious brow. At times his
+enthusiasm rose so high that he even hopped and skipped, with an
+activity which his years did not promise; at other times his motions
+were extremely slow, and occasionally he stood still, like one wrapped
+in the deepest and most anxious meditation. When he chanced to look on
+the group which seemed to watch his motions, and who ventured even to
+salute him with a murmur of applause, it was only to distinguish them
+with a friendly and good-humoured nod; a salutation with which,
+likewise, he failed not to reply to the greeting of the occasional
+passengers, when his earnest attention to his task, whatever it might
+be, permitted him to observe them.
+
+At length the royal eye lighted upon Arthur, whose attitude of silent
+observation and the distinction of his figure pointed him out as a
+stranger. René beckoned to his page, who, receiving his master's
+commands in a whisper, descended from the royal chimney to the broader
+platform beneath, which was open to general resort. The youth,
+addressing Arthur with much courtesy, informed him the King desired to
+speak with him. The young Englishman had no alternative but that of
+approaching, though pondering much in his own mind how he ought to
+comport himself towards such a singular specimen of royalty.
+
+When he drew near, King René addressed him in a tone of courtesy not
+unmingled with dignity, and Arthur's awe in his immediate presence was
+greater than he himself could have anticipated from his previous
+conception of the royal character.
+
+"You are, from your appearance, fair sir," said King René, "a stranger
+in this country. By what name must we call you, and to what business
+are we to ascribe the happiness of seeing you at our court?"
+
+Arthur remained a moment silent, and the good old man, imputing it to
+awe and timidity, proceeded in an encouraging tone.
+
+"Modesty in youth is ever commendable; you are doubtless an acolyte in
+the noble and joyous science of Minstrelsy and Music, drawn hither by
+the willing welcome which we afford to the professors of those arts,
+in which--praise be to Our Lady and the saints!--we have ourself been
+deemed a proficient."
+
+"I do not aspire to the honours of a Troubadour," answered Arthur.
+
+"I believe you," answered the King, "for your speech smacks of the
+northern, or Norman-French, such as is spoken in England and other
+unrefined nations. But you are a minstrel, perhaps, from these
+ultramontane parts. Be assured we despise not their efforts; for we
+have listened, not without pleasure and instruction, to many of their
+bold and wild romaunts, which, though rude in device and language, and
+therefore far inferior to the regulated poetry of our Troubadours,
+have yet something in their powerful and rough measure which
+occasionally rouses the heart like the sound of a trumpet."
+
+"I have felt the truth of your Grace's observation, when I have heard
+the songs of my country," said Arthur; "but I have neither skill nor
+audacity to imitate what I admire--My latest residence has been in
+Italy."
+
+"You are perhaps, then, a proficient in painting," said René; "an art
+which applies itself to the eye as poetry and music do to the ear,
+and is scarce less in esteem with us. If you are skilful in the art,
+you have come to a monarch who loves it, and the fair country in which
+it is practised."
+
+"In simple truth, Sire, I am an Englishman, and my hand has been too
+much welk'd and hardened by practice of the bow, the lance, and the
+sword, to touch the harp, or even the pencil."
+
+"An Englishman!" said René, obviously relaxing in the warmth of his
+welcome. "And what brings you here? England and I have long had little
+friendship together."
+
+"It is even on that account that I am here," said Arthur. "I come to
+pay my homage to your Grace's daughter, the Princess Margaret of
+Anjou, whom I and many true Englishmen regard still as our Queen,
+though traitors have usurped her title."
+
+"Alas, good youth," said René, "I must grieve for you, while I respect
+your loyalty and faith. Had my daughter Margaret been of my mind, she
+had long since abandoned pretensions which have drowned in seas of
+blood the noblest and bravest of her adherents."
+
+The King seemed about to say more, but checked himself.
+
+"Go to my palace," he said; "inquire for the Seneschal Hugh de Saint
+Cyr, he will give thee the means of seeing Margaret--that is, if it be
+her will to see thee. If not, good English youth, return to my palace,
+and thou shalt have hospitable entertainment; for a King who loves
+minstrelsy, music, and painting is ever most sensible to the claims of
+honour, virtue, and loyalty; and I read in thy looks thou art
+possessed of these qualities, and willingly believe thou mayst, in
+more quiet times, aspire to share the honours of the joyous science.
+But if thou hast a heart to be touched by the sense of beauty and fair
+proportion, it will leap within thee at the first sight of my palace,
+the stately grace of which may be compared to the faultless form of
+some high-bred dame, or the artful yet seemingly simple modulations of
+such a tune as we have been now composing."
+
+The King seemed disposed to take his instrument, and indulge the youth
+with a rehearsal of the strain he had just arranged; but Arthur at
+that moment experienced the painful internal feeling of that peculiar
+species of shame which well-constructed minds feel when they see
+others express a great assumption of importance, with a confidence
+that they are exciting admiration, when in fact they are only exposing
+themselves to ridicule. Arthur, in short, took leave, "in very shame,"
+of the King of Naples, both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem, in a manner
+somewhat more abrupt than ceremony demanded. The King looked after
+him, with some wonder at this want of breeding, which, however, he
+imputed to his visitor's insular education, and then again began to
+twangle his viol.
+
+"The old fool!" said Arthur. "His daughter is dethroned, his dominions
+crumbling to pieces, his family on the eve of becoming extinct, his
+grandson driven from one lurking-place to another, and expelled from
+his mother's inheritance,--and he can find amusement in these
+fopperies! I thought him, with his long white beard, like Nicholas
+Bonstetten; but the old Swiss is a Solomon compared with him."
+
+As these and other reflections, highly disparaging to King René,
+passed through Arthur's mind, he reached the place of rendezvous, and
+found Thiebault beneath the steaming fountain, forced from one of
+those hot springs which had been the delight of the Romans from an
+early period. Thiebault, having assured his master that his retinue,
+horse and man, were so disposed as to be ready on an instant's call,
+readily undertook to guide him to King René's palace, which, from its
+singularity, and indeed its beauty of architecture, deserved the
+eulogium which the old monarch had bestowed upon it. The front
+consisted of three towers of Roman architecture, two of them being
+placed on the angles of the palace, and the third, which served the
+purpose of a mausoleum, forming a part of the group, though somewhat
+detached from the other buildings. This last was a structure of
+beautiful proportions. The lower part of the edifice was square,
+serving as a sort of pedestal to the upper part, which was circular,
+and surrounded by columns of massive granite. The other two towers at
+the angles of the palace were round, and also ornamented with pillars,
+and with a double row of windows. In front of, and connected with,
+these Roman remains, to which a date has been assigned as early as the
+fifth or sixth century, arose the ancient palace of the Counts of
+Provence, built a century or two later, but where a rich Gothic or
+Moorish front contrasted, and yet harmonised, with the more regular
+and massive architecture of the lords of the world. It is not more
+than thirty or forty years since this very curious remnant of antique
+art was destroyed, to make room for new public buildings, which have
+never yet been erected.
+
+Arthur really experienced some sensation of the kind which the old
+King had prophesied, and stood looking with wonder at the ever-open
+gate of the palace, into which men of all kinds seemed to enter
+freely. After looking around for a few minutes, the young Englishman
+ascended the steps of a noble portico, and asked of a porter, as old
+and as lazy as a great man's domestic ought to be, for the seneschal
+named to him by the King. The corpulent janitor, with great
+politeness, put the stranger under the charge of a page, who ushered
+him to a chamber, in which he found another aged functionary of higher
+rank, with a comely face, a clear composed eye, and a brow which,
+having never been knit into gravity, intimated that the seneschal of
+Aix was a proficient in the philosophy of his royal master. He
+recognised Arthur the moment he addressed him.
+
+"You speak northern French, fair sir; you have lighter hair and a
+fairer complexion than the natives of this country--You ask after
+Queen Margaret--By all these marks I read you English--Her Grace of
+England is at this moment paying a vow at the monastery of Mont St.
+Victoire, and if your name be Arthur Philipson, I have commission to
+forward you to her presence immediately--that is, as soon as you have
+tasted of the royal provision."
+
+The young man would have remonstrated, but the seneschal left him no
+leisure.
+
+"Meat and mass," he said, "never hindered work--it is perilous to
+youth to journey too far on an empty stomach--he himself would take a
+mouthful with the Queen's guest, and pledge him to boot in a flask of
+old Hermitage."
+
+The board was covered with an alacrity which showed that hospitality
+was familiarly exercised in King René's dominions. Pasties, dishes of
+game, the gallant boar's head, and other delicacies were placed on the
+table, and the seneschal played the merry host, frequently apologising
+(unnecessarily) for showing an indifferent example, as it was his duty
+to carve before King René, and the good King was never pleased unless
+he saw him feed lustily as well as carve featly.
+
+"But for you, Sir Guest, eat freely, since you may not see food again
+till sunset; for the good Queen takes her misfortunes so to heart that
+sighs are her food, and her tears a bottle of drink, as the Psalmist
+hath it. But I bethink me you will need steeds for yourself and your
+equipage to reach Mont St. Victoire, which is seven miles from Aix."
+
+Arthur intimated that he had a guide and horses in attendance, and
+begged permission to take his adieu. The worthy seneschal, his fair
+round belly graced with a gold chain, accompanied him to the gate with
+a step which a gentle fit of the gout had rendered uncertain, but
+which, he assured Arthur, would vanish before three days' use of the
+hot springs. Thiebault appeared before the gate, not with the tired
+steeds from which they had dismounted an hour since, but with fresh
+palfreys from the stable of the King.
+
+"They are yours from the moment you have put foot in stirrup," said
+the seneschal; "the good King René never received back as his property
+a horse which he had lent to a guest; and that is perhaps one reason
+why his Highness and we of his household must walk often a-foot."
+
+Here the seneschal exchanged greetings with his young visitor, who
+rode forth to seek Queen Margaret's place of temporary retirement at
+the celebrated monastery of St. Victoire. He demanded of his guide in
+which direction it lay, who pointed, with an air of triumph, to a
+mountain three thousand feet and upwards in height, which arose at
+five or six miles' distance from the town, and which its bold and
+rocky summit rendered the most distinguished object of the landscape.
+Thiebault spoke of it with unusual glee and energy, so much so as to
+lead Arthur to conceive that his trusty squire had not neglected to
+avail himself of the lavish hospitality of _Le bon Roy René_.
+Thiebault, however, continued to expatiate on the fame of the mountain
+and monastery. They derived their name, he said, from a great victory
+which was gained by a Roman general, named Caio Mario, against two
+large armies of Saracens with ultramontane names (the Teutones
+probably and Cimbri), in gratitude to Heaven for which victory Caio
+Mario vowed to build a monastery on the mountain, for the service of
+the Virgin Mary, in honour of whom he had been baptised. With all the
+importance of a local connoisseur, Thiebault proceeded to prove his
+general assertion by specific facts.
+
+"Yonder," he said, "was the camp of the Saracens, from which, when the
+battle was apparently decided, their wives and women rushed, with
+horrible screams, dishevelled hair, and the gestures of furies, and
+for a time prevailed in stopping the flight of the men." He pointed
+out, too, the river, for access to which, cut off by the superior
+generalship of the Romans, the barbarians, whom he called Saracens,
+hazarded the action, and whose streams they empurpled with their
+blood. In short, he mentioned many circumstances which showed how
+accurately tradition will preserve the particulars of ancient events,
+even whilst forgetting, misstating, and confounding dates and persons.
+
+Perceiving that Arthur lent him a not unwilling ear,--for it may be
+supposed that the education of a youth bred up in the heat of civil
+wars was not well qualified to criticise his account of the wars of a
+distant period,--the Provençal, when he had exhausted this topic, drew
+up close to his master's side, and asked, in a suppressed tone,
+whether he knew, or was desirous of being made acquainted with, the
+cause of Margaret's having left Aix, to establish herself in the
+monastery of St. Victoire?
+
+"For the accomplishment of a vow," answered Arthur; "all the world
+knows it."
+
+"All Aix knows the contrary," said Thiebault; "and I can tell you the
+truth, so I were sure it would not offend your seignorie."
+
+"The truth can offend no reasonable man, so it be expressed in the
+terms of which Queen Margaret must be spoken in the presence of an
+Englishman."
+
+Thus replied Arthur, willing to receive what information he could
+gather, and desirous, at the same time, to check the petulance of his
+attendant.
+
+"I have nothing," replied his follower, "to state in disparagement of
+the gracious Queen, whose only misfortune is that, like her royal
+father, she has more titles than towns. Besides, I know well that you
+Englishmen, though you speak wildly of your sovereigns yourselves,
+will not permit others to fail in respect to them."
+
+"Say on, then," answered Arthur.
+
+"Your seignorie must know, then," said Thiebault, "that the good King
+René has been much disturbed by the deep melancholy which afflicted
+Queen Margaret, and has bent himself with all his power to change it
+into a gayer humour. He made entertainments in public and in private;
+he assembled minstrels and Troubadours, whose music and poetry might
+have drawn smiles from one on his deathbed. The whole country
+resounded with mirth and glee, and the gracious Queen could not stir
+abroad in the most private manner, but, before she had gone a hundred
+paces, she lighted on an ambush, consisting of some pretty pageant, or
+festivous mummery, composed often by the good King himself, which
+interrupted her solitude, in purpose of relieving her heavy thoughts
+with some pleasant pastime. But the Queen's deep melancholy rejected
+all these modes of dispelling it, and at length she confined herself
+to her own apartments, and absolutely refused to see even her royal
+father, because he generally brought into her presence those whose
+productions he thought likely to soothe her sorrow. Indeed she seemed
+to hear the harpers with loathing, and, excepting one wandering
+Englishman, who sung a rude and melancholy ballad, which threw her
+into a flood of tears, and to whom she gave a chain of price, she
+never seemed to look at, or be conscious of the presence of any one.
+And at length, as I have had the honour to tell your seignorie, she
+refused to see even her royal father unless he came alone; and that he
+found no heart to do."
+
+"I wonder not at it," said the young man. "By the White Swan, I am
+rather surprised his mummery drove her not to frenzy."
+
+"Something like it indeed took place," said Thiebault; "and I will
+tell your seignorie how it chanced. You must know that good King René,
+unwilling to abandon his daughter to the foul fiend of melancholy,
+bethought him of making a grand effort. You must know, further, that
+the King, powerful in all the craft of Troubadours and Jongleurs, is
+held in peculiar esteem for conducting mysteries, and other of those
+gamesome and delightful sports and processions, with which our Holy
+Church permits her graver ceremonies to be relieved and diversified,
+to the cheering of the hearts of all true children of religion. It is
+admitted that no one has ever been able to approach his excellence in
+the arrangement of the Fête-Dieu; and the tune to which the devils
+cudgel King Herod, to the great edification of all Christian
+spectators, is of our good King's royal composition. He hath danced at
+Tarasconne in the ballet of St. Martha and the Dragon, and was
+accounted in his own person the only actor competent to present the
+Tarrasque. His Highness introduced also a new ritual into the
+consecration of the Boy Bishop, and composed an entire set of
+grotesque music for the Festival of Asses. In short, his Grace's
+strength lies in those pleasing and becoming festivities which strew
+the path of edification with flowers, and send men dancing and singing
+on their way to heaven.
+
+"Now the good King René, feeling his own genius for such recreative
+compositions, resolved to exert it to the utmost, in the hope that he
+might thereby relieve the melancholy in which his daughter was
+plunged, and which infected all that approached her. It chanced, some
+short time since, that the Queen was absent for certain days, I know
+not where or on what business, but it gave the good King time to make
+his preparations. So, when his daughter returned, he with much
+importunity prevailed on her to make part of a religious procession to
+St. Sauveur, the principal church in Aix. The Queen, innocent of what
+was intended, decked herself with solemnity, to witness and partake of
+what she expected would prove a work of grave piety. But no sooner had
+she appeared on the esplanade in front of the palace, than more than a
+hundred masks, dressed up like Turks, Jews, Saracens, Moors, and I
+know not whom besides, crowded around, to offer her their homage, in
+the character of the Queen of Sheba; and a grotesque piece of music
+called them to arrange themselves for a ludicrous ballet, in which
+they addressed the Queen in the most entertaining manner, and with the
+most extravagant gestures. The Queen, stunned with the noise, and
+affronted with the petulance of this unexpected onset, would have gone
+back into the palace; but the doors had been shut by the King's order
+so soon as she set forth, and her retreat in that direction was cut
+off. Finding herself excluded from the palace, the Queen advanced to
+the front of the façade, and endeavoured by signs and words to appease
+the hubbub, but the maskers, who had their instructions, only answered
+with songs, music, and shouts."
+
+"I would," said Arthur, "there had been a score of English yeomen in
+presence, with their quarterstaves, to teach the bawling villains
+respect for one that has worn the crown of England!"
+
+"All the noise that was made before was silence and soft music,"
+continued Thiebault, "till that when the good King himself appeared,
+grotesquely dressed in the character of King Solomon"----
+
+"To whom, of all princes, he has the least resemblance," said
+Arthur----
+
+"With such capers and gesticulations of welcome to the Queen of Sheba
+as, I am assured by those who saw it, would have brought a dead man
+alive again, or killed a living man with laughing. Among other
+properties, he had in his hand a truncheon, somewhat formed like a
+fool's bauble"----
+
+"A most fit sceptre for such a sovereign," said Arthur----
+
+"Which was headed," continued Thiebault, "by a model of the Jewish
+Temple, finely gilded and curiously cut in pasteboard. He managed this
+with the utmost grace, and delighted every spectator by his gaiety and
+activity, excepting the Queen, who, the more he skipped and capered,
+seemed to be the more incensed, until, on his approaching her to
+conduct her to the procession, she seemed roused to a sort of frenzy,
+struck the truncheon out of his hand, and breaking through the crowd,
+who felt as if a tigress had leapt amongst them from a showman's cart,
+rushed into the royal courtyard. Ere the order of the scenic
+representation, which her violence had interrupted, could be restored,
+the Queen again issued forth, mounted and attended by two or three
+English cavaliers of her Majesty's suite. She forced her way through
+the crowd, without regarding either their safety or her own, flew like
+a hail-storm along the streets, and never drew bridle till she was as
+far up this same Mont St. Victoire as the road would permit. She was
+then received into the convent, and has since remained there; and a
+vow of penance is the pretext to cover over the quarrel betwixt her
+and her father."
+
+"How long may it be," said Arthur, "since these things chanced?"
+
+"It is but three days since Queen Margaret left Aix in the manner I
+have told you.--But we are come as far up the mountain as men usually
+ride. See, yonder is the monastery rising betwixt two huge rocks,
+which form the very top of Mont St. Victoire. There is no more open
+ground than is afforded by the cleft, into which the convent of St.
+Mary of Victory is, as it were, niched; and the access is guarded by
+the most dangerous precipices. To ascend the mountain, you must keep
+that narrow path, which, winding and turning among the cliffs, leads
+at length to the summit of the hill, and the gate of the monastery."
+
+"And what becomes of you and the horses?" said Arthur.
+
+"We will rest," said Thiebault, "in the hospital maintained by the
+good fathers at the bottom of the mountain, for the accommodation of
+those who attend on pilgrims;--for I promise you the shrine is visited
+by many who come from afar, and are attended both by man and
+horse.--Care not for me,--I shall be first under cover; but there
+muster yonder in the west some threatening clouds, from which your
+seignorie may suffer inconvenience, unless you reach the convent in
+time. I will give you an hour to do the feat, and will say you are as
+active as a chamois-hunter if you reach it within the time."
+
+Arthur looked around him, and did indeed remark a mustering of clouds
+in the distant west, which threatened soon to change the character of
+the day, which had hitherto been brilliantly clear, and so serene that
+the falling of a leaf might have been heard. He therefore turned him
+to the steep and rocky path which ascended the mountain, sometimes by
+scaling almost precipitous rocks, and sometimes by reaching their tops
+by a more circuitous process. It winded through thickets of wild
+boxwood and other low aromatic shrubs, which afforded some pasture for
+the mountain goats, but were a bitter annoyance to the traveller who
+had to press through them. Such obstacles were so frequent, that the
+full hour allowed by Thiebault had elapsed before he stood on the
+summit of Mont St. Victoire, and in front of the singular convent of
+the same name.
+
+We have already said that the crest of the mountain, consisting
+entirely of one bare and solid rock, was divided by a cleft or opening
+into two heads or peaks, between which the convent was built,
+occupying all the space between them. The front of the building was of
+the most ancient and sombre cast of the old Gothic, or rather, as it
+has been termed, the Saxon; and in that respect corresponded with the
+savage exterior of the naked cliffs, of which the structure seemed to
+make a part, and by which it was entirely surrounded, excepting a
+small open space of more level ground, where, at the expense of much
+toil, and by carrying earth up the hill, from different spots where
+they could collect it in small quantities, the good fathers had been
+able to arrange the accommodations of a garden.
+
+A bell summoned a lay brother, the porter of this singularly situated
+monastery, to whom Arthur announced himself as an English merchant,
+Philipson by name, who came to pay his duty to Queen Margaret. The
+porter, with much respect, showed the stranger into the convent, and
+ushered him into a parlour, which, looking towards Aix, commanded an
+extensive and splendid prospect over the southern and western parts of
+Provence. This was the direction in which Arthur had approached the
+mountain from Aix; but the circuitous path by which he had ascended
+had completely carried him round the hill. The western side of the
+monastery, to which the parlour looked, commanded the noble view we
+have mentioned; and a species of balcony, which, connecting the two
+twin crags, at this place not above four or five yards asunder, ran
+along the front of the building, and appeared to be constructed for
+the purpose of enjoying it. But on stepping from one of the windows of
+the parlour upon this battlemented bartizan, Arthur became aware that
+the wall on which the parapet rested stretched along the edge of a
+precipice, which sank sheer down five hundred feet at least from the
+foundations of the convent. Surprised and startled at finding himself
+on so giddy a verge, Arthur turned his eyes from the gulf beneath him
+to admire the distant landscape, partly illumined, with ominous
+lustre, by the now westerly sun. The setting beams showed in dark red
+splendour a vast variety of hill and dale, champaign and cultivated
+ground, with towns, churches, and castles, some of which rose from
+among trees, while others seemed founded on rocky eminences; others
+again lurked by the side of streams or lakes, to which the heat and
+drought of the climate naturally attracted them.
+
+The rest of the landscape presented similar objects when the weather
+was serene, but they were now rendered indistinct, or altogether
+obliterated, by the sullen shade of the approaching clouds, which
+gradually spread over great part of the horizon, and threatened
+altogether to eclipse the sun, though the lord of the horizon still
+struggled to maintain his influence, and, like a dying hero, seemed
+most glorious even in the moment of defeat. Wild sounds, like groans
+and howls, formed by the wind in the numerous caverns of the rocky
+mountain, added to the terrors of the scene, and seemed to foretell
+the fury of some distant storm, though the air in general was even
+unnaturally calm and breathless. In gazing on this extraordinary
+scene, Arthur did justice to the monks who had chosen this wild and
+grotesque situation, from which they could witness Nature in her
+wildest and grandest demonstrations, and compare the nothingness of
+humanity with her awful convulsions.
+
+So much was Arthur awed by the scene before him, that he had almost
+forgotten, while gazing from the bartizan, the important business
+which had brought him to this place, when it was suddenly recalled by
+finding himself in the presence of Margaret of Anjou, who, not seeing
+him in the parlour of reception, had stept upon the balcony, that she
+might meet with him the sooner.
+
+The Queen's dress was black, without any ornament except a gold
+coronal of an inch in breadth, restraining her long black tresses, of
+which advancing years and misfortunes had partly altered the hue.
+There was placed within the circlet a black plume with a red rose, the
+last of the season, which the good father who kept the garden had
+presented to her that morning, as the badge of her husband's house.
+Care, fatigue, and sorrow seemed to dwell on her brow and her
+features. To another messenger she would in all probability have
+administered a sharp rebuke, for not being alert in his duty to
+receive her as she entered; but Arthur's age and appearance
+corresponded with that of her loved and lost son. He was the son of a
+lady whom Margaret had loved with almost sisterly affection, and the
+presence of Arthur continued to excite in the dethroned Queen the same
+feelings of maternal tenderness which had been awakened on their first
+meeting in the Cathedral of Strasburg. She raised him as he kneeled at
+her feet, spoke to him with much kindness, and encouraged him to
+detail at full length his father's message, and such other news as his
+brief residence at Dijon had made him acquainted with.
+
+She demanded which way Duke Charles had moved with his army.
+
+"As I was given to understand by the master of his artillery," said
+Arthur, "towards the Lake of Neufchatel, on which side he proposes his
+first attack on the Swiss."
+
+"The headstrong fool!" said Queen Margaret. "He resembles the poor
+lunatic, who went to the summit of the mountain that he might meet the
+rain halfway.--Does thy father, then," continued Margaret, "advise me
+to give up the last remains of the extensive territories once the
+dominions of our royal house, and for some thousand crowns, and the
+paltry aid of a few hundred lances, to relinquish what is left of our
+patrimony to our proud and selfish kinsman of Burgundy, who extends
+his claim to our all, and affords so little help, or even promise of
+help, in return?"
+
+"I should have ill discharged my father's commission," said Arthur,
+"if I had left your Highness to think that he recommends so great a
+sacrifice. He feels most deeply the Duke of Burgundy's grasping desire
+of dominion. Nevertheless, he thinks that Provence must, on King
+René's death, or sooner, fall either to the share of Duke Charles, or
+to Louis of France, whatever opposition your Highness may make to such
+a destination; and it may be that my father, as a knight and a
+soldier, hopes much from obtaining the means to make another attempt
+on Britain. But the decision must rest with your Highness."
+
+"Young man," said the Queen, "the contemplation of a question so
+doubtful almost deprives me of reason!"
+
+As she spoke, she sank down, as one who needs rest, on a stone seat
+placed on the very verge of the balcony, regardless of the storm,
+which now began to rise with dreadful gusts of wind, the course of
+which being intermitted and altered by the crags round which they
+howled, it seemed as if in very deed Boreas, and Eurus, and Caurus,
+unchaining the winds from every quarter of heaven, were contending for
+mastery around the convent of Our Lady of Victory. Amid this tumult,
+and amid billows of mist which concealed the bottom of the precipice,
+and masses of clouds which racked fearfully over their heads, the roar
+of the descending waters rather resembled the fall of cataracts than
+the rushing of torrents of rain. The seat on which Margaret had placed
+herself was in a considerable degree sheltered from the storm, but
+its eddies, varying in every direction, often tossed aloft her
+dishevelled hair; and we cannot describe the appearance of her noble
+and beautiful, yet ghastly and wasted features, agitated strongly by
+anxious hesitation and conflicting thoughts, unless to those of our
+readers who have had the advantage of having seen our inimitable
+Siddons in such a character as this. Arthur, confounded by anxiety and
+terror, could only beseech her Majesty to retire before the fury of
+the approaching storm into the interior of the convent.
+
+"No," she replied with firmness; "roofs and walls have ears, and
+monks, though they have forsworn the world, are not the less curious
+to know what passes beyond their cells. It is in this place you must
+hear what I have to say; as a soldier you should scorn a blast of wind
+or a shower of rain; and to me, who have often held counsel amidst the
+sound of trumpets and clash of arms, prompt for instant fight, the war
+of elements is an unnoticed trifle. I tell thee, young Arthur Vere, as
+I would to your father--as I would to my son--if indeed Heaven had
+left such a blessing to a wretch forlorn"----
+
+She paused, and then proceeded.
+
+"I tell thee, as I would have told my beloved Edward, that Margaret,
+whose resolutions were once firm and immovable as these rocks among
+which we are placed, is now doubtful and variable as the clouds which
+are drifting around us. I told your father, in the joy of meeting once
+more a subject of such inappreciable loyalty, of the sacrifices I
+would make to assure the assistance of Charles of Burgundy, to so
+gallant an undertaking as that proposed to him by the faithful
+Oxford. But since I saw him I have had cause of deep reflection. I
+met my aged father only to offend and, I say it with shame, to insult
+the old man in presence of his people. Our tempers are as opposed as
+the sunshine, which a short space since gilded a serene and beautiful
+landscape, differs from the tempests which are now wasting it. I
+spurned with open scorn and contempt what he, in his mistaken
+affection, had devised for means of consolation, and, disgusted with
+the idle follies which he had devised for curing the melancholy of a
+dethroned Queen, a widowed spouse--and, alas! a childless mother,--I
+retired hither from the noisy and idle mirth, which was the bitterest
+aggravation of my sorrows. Such and so gentle is René's temper, that
+even my unfilial conduct will not diminish my influence over him; and
+if your father had announced that the Duke of Burgundy, like a knight
+and a sovereign, had cordially and nobly entered into the plan of the
+faithful Oxford, I could have found it in my heart to obtain the
+cession of territory his cold and ambitious policy requires, in order
+to insure the assistance which he now postpones to afford till he has
+gratified his own haughty humour by settling needless quarrels with
+his unoffending neighbours. Since I have been here, and calmness and
+solitude have given me time to reflect, I have thought on the offences
+I have given the old man, and on the wrongs I was about to do him. My
+father, let me do him justice, is also the father of his people. They
+have dwelt under their vines and fig-trees, in ignoble ease, perhaps,
+but free from oppression and exaction, and their happiness has been
+that of their good King. Must I change all this?--Must I aid in
+turning over these contented people to a fierce, headlong, arbitrary
+prince?--May I not break even the easy and thoughtless heart of my
+poor old father, should I succeed in urging him to do so?--These are
+questions which I shudder even to ask myself. On the other hand, to
+disappoint the toils, the venturous hopes of your father, to forego
+the only opportunity which may ever again offer itself, of revenge on
+the bloody traitors of York, and restoration of the House of
+Lancaster!--Arthur, the scene around us is not so convulsed by the
+fearful tempest and the driving clouds, as my mind is by doubt and
+uncertainty."
+
+"Alas," replied Arthur, "I am too young and inexperienced to be your
+Majesty's adviser in a case so arduous. I would my father had been in
+presence himself."
+
+"I know what he would have said," replied the Queen; "but, knowing
+all, I despair of aid from human counsellors--I have sought others,
+but they also are deaf to my entreaties. Yes, Arthur, Margaret's
+misfortunes have rendered her superstitious. Know, that beneath these
+rocks, and under the foundation of this convent, there runs a cavern,
+entering by a secret and defended passage a little to the westward of
+the summit, and running through the mountain, having an opening to the
+south, from which, as from this bartizan, you can view the landscape
+so lately seen from this balcony, or the strife of winds and confusion
+of clouds which we now behold. In the middle of this cavernous
+thoroughfare is a natural pit, or perforation, of great but unknown
+depth. A stone dropped into it is heard to dash from side to side,
+until the noise of its descent, thundering from cliff to cliff, dies
+away in distant and faint tinkling, less loud than that of a sheep's
+bell at a mile's distance. The common people, in their jargon, call
+this fearful gulf Lou Garagoule; and the traditions of the monastery
+annex wild and fearful recollections to a place in itself sufficiently
+terrible. Oracles, it is said, spoke from thence in pagan days, by
+subterranean voices, arising from the abyss; and from these the Roman
+general is said to have heard, in strange and uncouth rhymes, promises
+of the victory which gives name to this mountain. These oracles, it is
+averred, may be yet consulted after performance of strange rites, in
+which heathen ceremonies are mixed with Christian acts of devotion.
+The abbots of Mont St. Victoire have denounced the consultation of Lou
+Garagoule, and the spirits who reside there, to be criminal. But as
+the sin may be expiated by presents to the Church, by masses, and
+penances, the door is sometimes opened by the complaisant fathers to
+those whose daring curiosity leads them, at all risks, and by whatever
+means, to search into futurity. Arthur, I have made the experiment,
+and am even now returned from the gloomy cavern, in which, according
+to the traditional ritual, I have spent six hours by the margin of the
+gulf, a place so dismal, that after its horrors even this tempestuous
+scene is refreshing."
+
+The Queen stopped, and Arthur, the more struck with the wild tale that
+it reminded him of his place of imprisonment at La Ferette, asked
+anxiously if her inquiries had obtained any answer.
+
+"None whatever," replied the unhappy Princess. "The demons of
+Garagoule, if there be such, are deaf to the suit of an unfortunate
+wretch like me, to whom neither friends nor fiends will afford counsel
+or assistance. It is my father's circumstances which prevent my
+instant and strong resolution. Were my own claims on this piping and
+paltry nation of Troubadours alone interested, I could, for the chance
+of once more setting my foot in merry England, as easily and willingly
+resign them, and their paltry coronet, as I commit to the storm this
+idle emblem of the royal rank which I have lost."
+
+As Margaret spoke, she tore from her hair the sable feather and rose
+which the tempest had detached from the circlet in which they were
+placed, and tossed them from the battlement with a gesture of wild
+energy. They were instantly whirled off in a bickering eddy of the
+agitated clouds, which swept the feather far distant into empty space,
+through which the eye could not pursue it. But while that of Arthur
+involuntarily strove to follow its course, a contrary gust of wind
+caught the red rose, and drove it back against his breast, so that it
+was easy for him to catch hold of and retain it.
+
+"Joy, joy, and good fortune, royal mistress!" he said, returning to
+her the emblematic flower; "the tempest brings back the badge of
+Lancaster to its proper owner."
+
+"I accept the omen," said Margaret; "but it concerns yourself, noble
+youth, and not me. The feather, which is borne away to waste and
+desolation, is Margaret's emblem. My eyes will never see the
+restoration of the line of Lancaster. But you will live to behold it,
+and to aid to achieve it, and to dye our red rose deeper yet in the
+blood of tyrants and traitors. My thoughts are so strangely poised,
+that a feather or a flower may turn the scale. But my head is still
+giddy, and my heart sick.--To-morrow you shall see another Margaret,
+and till then adieu."
+
+It was time to retire, for the tempest began to be mingled with
+fiercer showers of rain. When they re-entered the parlour, the Queen
+clapped her hands, and two female attendants entered.
+
+"Let the Father Abbot know," she said, "that it is our desire that
+this young gentleman receive for this night such hospitality as befits
+an esteemed friend of ours.--Till to-morrow, young sir, farewell."
+
+With a countenance which betrayed not the late emotion of her mind,
+and with a stately courtesy that would have become her when she graced
+the halls of Windsor, she extended her hand, which the youth saluted
+respectfully. After her leaving the parlour, the Abbot entered, and,
+in his attention to Arthur's entertainment and accommodation for the
+evening, showed his anxiety to meet and obey Queen Margaret's wishes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+                         Want you a man
+     Experienced in the world and its affairs?
+     Here he is for your purpose.--He's a monk.
+     He hath forsworn the world and all its work--
+     The rather that he knows it passing well,
+     Special the worst of it, for he's a monk.
+                                       _Old Play._
+
+
+While the dawn of the morning was yet grey, Arthur was awakened by a
+loud ringing at the gate of the monastery, and presently afterwards
+the porter entered the cell which had been allotted to him for his
+lodgings, to tell him that, if his name was Arthur Philipson, a
+brother of their order had brought him despatches from his father. The
+youth started up, hastily attired himself, and was introduced, in the
+parlour, to a Carmelite monk, being of the same order with the
+community of St. Victoire.
+
+"I have ridden many a mile, young man, to present you with this
+letter," said the monk, "having undertaken to your father that it
+should be delivered without delay. I came to Aix last night during the
+storm, and, learning at the palace that you had ridden hither, I
+mounted as soon as the tempest abated, and here I am."
+
+"I am beholden to you, father," said the youth, "and if I could repay
+your pains with a small donative to your convent"----
+
+"By no means," answered the good father; "I took my personal trouble
+out of friendship to your father, and mine own errand led me this way.
+The expenses of my long journey have been amply provided for. But open
+your packet, I can answer your questions at leisure."
+
+The young man accordingly stepped into an embrasure of the window, and
+read as follows:--
+
+     "SON ARTHUR,--Touching the state of the country, in so far
+     as concerns the safety of travelling, know that the same
+     is precarious. The Duke hath taken the towns of Brie and
+     Granson, and put to death five hundred men, whom he made
+     prisoners in garrison there. But the Confederates are
+     approaching with a large force, and God will judge for the
+     right. Howsoever the game may go, these are sharp wars, in
+     which little quarter is spoken of on either side, and
+     therefore there is no safety for men of our profession,
+     till something decisive shall happen. In the meantime, you
+     may assure the widowed lady, that our correspondent
+     continues well disposed to purchase the property which she
+     has in hand; but will scarce be able to pay the price till
+     his present pressing affairs shall be settled, which I
+     hope will be in time to permit us to embark the funds in
+     the profitable adventure I told our friend of. I have
+     employed a friar, travelling to Provence, to carry this
+     letter, which I trust will come safe. The bearer may be
+     trusted.
+
+          "Your affectionate father,
+               "JOHN PHILIPSON."
+
+Arthur easily comprehended the latter part of the epistle, and
+rejoiced he had received it at so critical a moment. He questioned the
+Carmelite on the amount of the Duke's army, which the monk stated to
+amount to sixty thousand men, while he said the Confederates, though
+making every exertion, had not yet been able to assemble the third
+part of that number. The young Ferrand de Vaudemont was with their
+army, and had received, it was thought, some secret assistance from
+France; but as he was little known in arms, and had few followers, the
+empty title of General which he bore added little to the strength of
+the Confederates. Upon the whole, he reported that every chance
+appeared to be in favour of Charles, and Arthur, who looked upon his
+success as presenting the only chance in favour of his father's
+enterprise, was not a little pleased to find it insured, as far as
+depended on a great superiority of force. He had no leisure to make
+further inquiries, for the Queen at that moment entered the apartment,
+and the Carmelite, learning her quality, withdrew from her presence in
+deep reverence.
+
+The paleness of her complexion still bespoke the fatigues of the day
+preceding; but, as she graciously bestowed on Arthur the greetings of
+the morning, her voice was firm, her eye clear, and her countenance
+steady. "I meet you," she said, "not as I left you, but determined in
+my purpose. I am satisfied that if René does not voluntarily yield up
+his throne of Provence by some step like that which we propose, he
+will be hurled from it by violence, in which, it may be, his life will
+not be spared. We will, therefore, to work with all speed--the worst
+is, that I cannot leave this convent till I have made the necessary
+penances for having visited the Garagoule, without performing which I
+were no Christian woman. When you return to Aix, inquire at the palace
+for my secretary, with whom this line will give you credence. I have,
+even before this door of hope opened to me, endeavoured to form an
+estimate of King René's situation, and collected the documents for
+that purpose. Tell him to send me, duly sealed, and under fitting
+charge, the small cabinet hooped with silver. Hours of penance for
+past errors may be employed to prevent others; and from the contents
+of that cabinet I shall learn whether I am, in this weighty matter,
+sacrificing my father's interests to my own half-desperate hopes. But
+of this I have little or no doubt. I can cause the deeds of
+resignation and transference to be drawn up here under my own
+direction, and arrange the execution of them when I return to Aix,
+which shall be the first moment after my penance is concluded."
+
+"And this letter, gracious madam," said Arthur, "will inform you what
+events are approaching, and of what importance it may be to take time
+by the forelock. Place me but in possession of these momentous deeds,
+and I will travel night and day till I reach the Duke's camp. I shall
+find him most likely in the moment of victory, and with his heart too
+much open to refuse a boon to the royal kinswoman who is surrendering
+to him all. We will--we must--in such an hour, obtain princely
+succours; and we shall soon see if the licentious Edward of York, the
+savage Richard, the treacherous and perjured Clarence, are hereafter
+to be lords of merry England, or whether they must give place to a
+more rightful sovereign and better man. But oh! royal madam, all
+depends on haste."
+
+"True--yet a few days may--nay, must--cast the die between Charles and
+his opponents; and, ere making so great a surrender, it were as well
+to be assured that he whom we would propitiate is in capacity to
+assist us. All the events of a tragic and varied life have led me to
+see there is no such thing as an inconsiderable enemy. I will make
+haste, however, trusting in the interim we may have good news from the
+banks of the lake at Neufchatel."
+
+"But who shall be employed to draw these most important deeds?" said
+the young man.
+
+Margaret mused ere she replied,--"The Father Guardian is complaisant,
+and I think faithful; but I would not willingly repose confidence in
+one of the Provençal monks. Stay, let me think--your father says the
+Carmelite who brought the letter may be trusted--he shall do the turn.
+He is a stranger, and will be silent for a piece of money. Farewell,
+Arthur de Vere.--You will be treated with all hospitality by my
+father. If thou dost receive further tidings, thou wilt let me know
+them; or, should I have instructions to send, thou wilt hear from
+me.--So, benedicite."
+
+Arthur proceeded to wind down the mountain at a much quicker pace than
+he had ascended on the day before. The weather was now gloriously
+serene, and the beauties of vegetation, in a country where it never
+totally slumbers, were at once delicious and refreshing. His thoughts
+wandered from the crags of Mont St. Victoire to the cliff of the
+canton of Unterwalden, and fancy recalled the moments when his walks
+through such scenery were not solitary, but when there was a form by
+his side whose simple beauty was engraved on his memory. Such thoughts
+were of a preoccupying nature; and I grieve to say that they entirely
+drowned the recollection of the mysterious caution given him by his
+father, intimating that Arthur might not be able to comprehend such
+letters as he should receive from him, till they were warmed before a
+fire.
+
+The first thing which reminded him of this singular caution was the
+seeing a chafing-dish of charcoal in the kitchen of the hostelry at
+the bottom of the mountain, where he found Thiebault and his horses.
+This was the first fire which he had seen since receiving his father's
+letter, and it reminded him not unnaturally of what the Earl had
+recommended. Great was his surprise to see that, after exposing the
+paper to the fire as if to dry it, a word emerged in an important
+passage of the letter, and the concluding words now read,--"The bearer
+may _not_ be trusted." Well-nigh choked with shame and vexation,
+Arthur could think of no other remedy than instantly to return to the
+convent, and acquaint the Queen with this discovery, which he hoped
+still to convey to her in time to prevent any risk being incurred by
+the Carmelite's treachery.
+
+Incensed at himself, and eager to redeem his fault, he bent his manly
+breast against the steep hill, which was probably never scaled in so
+short time as by the young heir of De Vere; for, within forty minutes
+from his commencing the ascent, he stood breathless and panting in the
+presence of Queen Margaret, who was alike surprised at his appearance
+and his exhausted condition.
+
+"Trust not the Carmelite!" he exclaimed--"You are betrayed, noble
+Queen, and it is by my negligence. Here is my dagger--bid me strike it
+into my heart!"
+
+Margaret demanded and obtained a more special explanation, and when it
+was given she said, "It is an unhappy chance; but your father's
+instructions ought to have been more distinct. I have told yonder
+Carmelite the purpose of the contracts, and engaged with him to draw
+them. He has but now left me to serve at the choir. There is no
+withdrawing the confidence I have unhappily placed; but I can easily
+prevail with the Father Guardian to prevent the monk from leaving the
+convent till we are indifferent to his secrecy. It is our best chance
+to secure it, and we will take care that what inconvenience he
+sustains by his detention shall be well recompensed. Meanwhile, rest
+thou, good Arthur, and undo the throat of thy mantle. Poor youth, thou
+art well-nigh exhausted with thy haste."
+
+Arthur obeyed, and sat down on a seat in the parlour; for the speed
+which he had exerted rendered him almost incapable of standing.
+
+"If I could but see," he said, "the false monk, I would find a way to
+charm him to secrecy!"
+
+"Better leave him to me," said the Queen; "and, in a word, I forbid
+you to meddle with him. The coif can treat better with the cowl than
+the casque can do. Say no more of him. I joy to see you wear around
+your neck the holy relic I bestowed on you;--but what Moorish charmlet
+is that you wear beside it? Alas! I need not ask. Your heightened
+colour, almost as deep as when you entered a quarter of an hour hence,
+confesses a true-love token. Alas! poor boy, hast thou not only such a
+share of thy country's woes to bear, but also thine own load of
+affliction, not the less poignant now that future time will show thee
+how fantastic it is! Margaret of Anjou could once have aided wherever
+thy affections were placed; but now she can only contribute to the
+misery of her friends, not to their happiness. But this lady of the
+charm, Arthur, is she fair--is she wise and virtuous--is she of noble
+birth--and does she love?"--She perused his countenance with the
+glance of an eagle, and continued, "To all, thou wouldst answer Yes,
+if shamefacedness permitted thee. Love her then in turn, my gallant
+boy, for love is the parent of brave actions. Go, my noble
+youth--high-born and loyal, valorous and virtuous, enamoured and
+youthful, to what mayst thou not rise? The chivalry of ancient Europe
+only lives in a bosom like thine. Go, and let the praises of a Queen
+fire thy bosom with the love of honour and achievement. In three days
+we meet at Aix."
+
+Arthur, highly gratified with the Queen's condescension, once more
+left her presence.
+
+Returning down the mountain with a speed very different from that
+which he had used in the ascent, he again found his Provençal squire,
+who had remained in much surprise at witnessing the confusion in which
+his master had left the inn, almost immediately after he had entered
+it without any apparent haste or agitation. Arthur explained his hasty
+return by alleging he had forgot his purse at the convent. "Nay, in
+that case," said Thiebault, "considering what you left and where you
+left it, I do not wonder at your speed, though, Our Lady save me, as I
+never saw living creature, save a goat with a wolf at his heels, make
+his way over crag and briers with half such rapidity as you did."
+
+They reached Aix after about an hour's riding, and Arthur lost no time
+in waiting upon the good King René, who gave him a kind reception,
+both in respect of the letter from the Duke of Burgundy, and in
+consideration of his being an Englishman, the avowed subject of the
+unfortunate Margaret. The placable monarch soon forgave his young
+guest the want of complaisance with which he had eschewed to listen to
+his compositions; and Arthur speedily found that to apologise for his
+want of breeding in that particular was likely to lead to a great deal
+more rehearsing than he could find patience to tolerate. He could only
+avoid the old King's extreme desire to recite his own poems, and
+perform his own music, by engaging him in speaking of his daughter
+Margaret. Arthur had been sometimes induced to doubt the influence
+which the Queen boasted herself to possess over her aged father; but,
+on being acquainted with him personally, he became convinced that her
+powerful understanding and violent passions inspired the feeble-minded
+and passive King with a mixture of pride, affection, and fear, which
+united to give her the most ample authority over him.
+
+Although she had parted with him but a day or two since, and in a
+manner so ungracious on her side, René was as much overjoyed at
+hearing of the probability of her speedy return, as the fondest father
+could have been at the prospect of being reunited to the most dutiful
+child, whom he had not seen for years. The old King was impatient as a
+boy for the day of her arrival, and, still strangely unenlightened on
+the difference of her taste from his own, he was with difficulty
+induced to lay aside a project of meeting her in the character of old
+Palemon,--
+
+     The prince of shepherds, and their pride,
+
+at the head of an Arcadian procession of nymphs and swains, to inspire
+whose choral dances and songs every pipe and tambourine in the country
+was to be placed in requisition. Even the old seneschal, however,
+intimated his disapprobation of this species of _joyeuse entrée_; so
+that René suffered himself at length to be persuaded that the Queen
+was too much occupied by the religious impressions to which she had
+been of late exposed, to receive any agreeable sensation from sights
+or sounds of levity. The King gave way to reasons which he could not
+sympathise with; and thus Margaret escaped the shock of welcome, which
+would perhaps have driven her in her impatience back to the mountain
+of St. Victoire, and the sable cavern of Lou Garagoule.
+
+During the time of her absence, the days of the court of Provence were
+employed in sports and rejoicings of every description; tilting at the
+barrier with blunted spears, riding at the ring, parties for
+hare-hunting and falconry, frequented by the youth of both sexes, in
+the company of whom the King delighted, while the evenings were
+consumed in dancing and music.
+
+Arthur could not but be sensible that not long since all this would
+have made him perfectly happy; but the last months of his existence
+had developed his understanding and passions. He was now initiated in
+the actual business of human life, and looked on its amusements with
+an air of something like contempt; so that among the young and gay
+noblesse who composed this merry court he acquired the title of the
+youthful philosopher, which was not bestowed upon him, it may be
+supposed, as inferring anything of peculiar compliment.
+
+On the fourth day news was received, by an express messenger, that
+Queen Margaret would enter Aix before the hour of noon, to resume her
+residence in her father's palace. The good King René seemed, as it
+drew nigh, to fear the interview with his daughter as much as he had
+previously desired it, and contrived to make all around him partake of
+his fidgety anxiety. He tormented his steward and cooks to recollect
+what dishes they had ever observed her to taste of with
+approbation--he pressed the musicians to remember the tunes which she
+approved; and when one of them boldly replied he had never known her
+Majesty endure any strain with patience, the old monarch threatened to
+turn him out of his service for slandering the taste of his daughter.
+The banquet was ordered to be served at half past eleven, as if
+accelerating it would have had the least effect upon hurrying the
+arrival of the expected guests; and the old King, with his napkin over
+his arm, traversed the hall from window to window, wearying every one
+with questions, whether they saw anything of the Queen of England.
+Exactly as the bells tolled noon, the Queen, with a very small
+retinue, chiefly English, and in mourning habits like herself, rode
+into the town of Aix. King René, at the head of his court, failed not
+to descend from the front of his stately palace, and move along the
+street to meet his daughter. Lofty, proud, and jealous of incurring
+ridicule, Margaret was not pleased with this public greeting in the
+market-place. But she was desirous at present to make amends for her
+late petulance, and therefore she descended from her palfrey; and,
+although something shocked at seeing René equipped with a napkin, she
+humbled herself to bend the knee to him, asking at once his blessing
+and forgiveness.
+
+"Thou hast--thou hast my blessing, my suffering dove," said the simple
+King to the proudest and most impatient princess that ever wept for a
+lost crown.--"And for thy pardon, how canst thou ask it, who never
+didst me an offence since God made me father to so gracious a
+child?--Rise, I say rise--nay, it is for me to ask thy pardon--True, I
+said in my ignorance, and thought within myself, that my heart had
+indited a goodly thing--but it vexed thee. It is therefore for me to
+crave pardon."--And down sank good King René upon both knees; and the
+people, who are usually captivated with anything resembling the trick
+of the scene, applauded with much noise, and some smothered laughter,
+a situation in which the royal daughter and her parent seemed about to
+rehearse the scene of the Roman Charity.
+
+Margaret, sensitively alive to shame, and fully aware that her present
+position was sufficiently ludicrous in its publicity at least, signed
+sharply to Arthur, whom she saw in the King's suite, to come to her;
+and, using his arm to rise, she muttered to him aside, and in
+English,--"To what saint shall I vow myself, that I may preserve
+patience when I so much need it!"
+
+"For pity's sake, royal madam, recall your firmness of mind and
+composure," whispered her esquire, who felt at the moment more
+embarrassed than honoured by his distinguished office, for he could
+feel that the Queen actually trembled with vexation and impatience.
+
+They at length resumed their route to the palace, the father and
+daughter arm in arm--a posture most agreeable to Margaret, who could
+bring herself to endure her father's effusions of tenderness, and the
+general tone of his conversation, so that he was not overheard by
+others. In the same manner, she bore with laudable patience the
+teasing attentions which he addressed to her at table, noticed some of
+his particular courtiers, inquired after others, led the way to his
+favourite subjects of conversation on poetry, painting, and music,
+till the good King was as much delighted with the unwonted civilities
+of his daughter as ever was lover with the favourable confessions of
+his mistress, when, after years of warm courtship, the ice of her
+bosom is at length thawed. It cost the haughty Margaret an effort to
+bend herself to play this part--her pride rebuked her for stooping to
+flatter her father's foibles, in order to bring him over to the
+resignation of his dominions--yet having undertaken to do so, and so
+much having been already hazarded upon this sole remaining chance of
+success in an attack upon England, she saw, or was willing to see, no
+alternative.
+
+Betwixt the banquet and the ball by which it was to be followed, the
+Queen sought an opportunity of speaking to Arthur.
+
+"Bad news, my sage counsellor," she said. "The Carmelite never
+returned to the convent after the service was over. Having learned
+that you had come back in great haste, he had, I suppose, concluded he
+might stand in suspicion, so he left the convent of Mont St.
+Victoire."
+
+"We must hasten the measures which your Majesty has resolved to
+adopt," answered Arthur.
+
+"I will speak with my father to-morrow. Meanwhile, you must enjoy the
+pleasures of the evening, for to you they may be pleasures.--Young
+lady of Boisgelin, I give you this cavalier to be your partner for the
+evening."
+
+The black-eyed and pretty Provençale curtseyed with due decorum, and
+glanced at the handsome young Englishman with an eye of approbation;
+but whether afraid of his character as a philosopher, or his doubtful
+rank, added the saving clause,--"If my mother approves."
+
+"Your mother, damsel, will scarce, I think, disapprove of any partner
+whom you receive from the hands of Margaret of Anjou. Happy privilege
+of youth," she added with a sigh, as the youthful couple went off to
+take their place in the _bransle_,[10] "which can snatch a flower even
+on the roughest road!"
+
+Arthur acquitted himself so well during the evening, that perhaps the
+young Countess was only sorry that so gay and handsome a gallant
+limited his compliments and attentions within the cold bounds of that
+courtesy enjoined by the rules of ceremony.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[10] Bransle, in English, brawl--a species of dance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+     For I have given here my full consent
+     To undeck the pompous body of a king,
+     Make glory base, and sovereignty a slave,
+     Proud majesty a subject, state a peasant.
+                                 _Richard II._
+
+
+The next day opened a grave scene. King René had not forgotten to
+arrange the pleasures of the day, when, to his horror and
+discomfiture, Margaret demanded an interview upon serious business. If
+there was a proposition in the world which René from his soul
+detested, it was any that related to the very name of business.
+
+"What was it that his child wanted?" he said. "Was it money? He would
+give her whatever ready sums he had, though he owned his exchequer was
+somewhat bare; yet he had received his income for the season. It was
+ten thousand crowns. How much should he desire to be paid to her?--the
+half--three parts--or the whole? All was at her command."
+
+"Alas, my dear father," said Margaret, "it is not my affairs, but your
+own, on which I desire to speak with you."
+
+"If the affairs are mine," said René, "I am surely master to put them
+off to another day--to some rainy dull day, fit for no better purpose.
+See, my love, the hawking-party are all on their steeds and ready--the
+horses are neighing and pawing--the gallants and maidens mounted, and
+ready with hawk on fist--the spaniels struggling in the leash. It were
+a sin, with wind and weather to friend, to lose so lovely a morning."
+
+"Let them ride their way," said Queen Margaret, "and find their sport;
+for the matter I have to speak concerning involves honour and rank,
+life and means of living."
+
+"Nay, but I have to hear and judge between Calezon and John of Acqua
+Mortis, the two most celebrated Troubadours."
+
+"Postpone their cause till to-morrow," said Margaret, "and dedicate an
+hour or two to more important affairs."
+
+"If you are peremptory," replied King René, "you are aware, my child,
+I cannot say you nay."
+
+And with reluctance he gave orders for the hawkers to go on and follow
+their sport, as he could not attend them that day.
+
+The old King then suffered himself, like an unwilling greyhound
+withheld from the chase, to be led into a separate apartment. To
+insure privacy, Margaret stationed her secretary Mordaunt, with
+Arthur, in an antechamber, giving them orders to prevent all
+intrusion.
+
+"Nay, for myself, Margaret," said the good-natured old man, "since it
+must be, I consent to be put _au secret_; but why keep old Mordaunt
+from taking a walk in this beautiful morning; and why prevent young
+Arthur from going forth with the rest? I promise you, though they term
+him a philosopher, yet he showed as light a pair of heels last night,
+with the young Countess de Boisgelin, as any gallant in Provence."
+
+"They are come from a country," said Margaret, "in which men are
+trained from infancy to prefer their duty to their pleasure."
+
+The poor King, led into the council-closet, saw with internal
+shuddering the fatal cabinet of ebony, bound with silver, which had
+never been opened but to overwhelm him with weariness, and dolefully
+calculated how many yawns he must strangle ere he sustained the
+consideration of its contents. They proved, however, when laid before
+him, of a kind that excited even his interest, though painfully.
+
+His daughter presented him with a short and clear view of the debts
+which were secured on his dominions, and for which they were mortgaged
+in various pieces and parcels. She then showed him, by another
+schedule, the large claims of which payment was instantly demanded, to
+discharge which no funds could be found or assigned. The King defended
+himself like others in his forlorn situation. To every claim of six,
+seven, or eight thousand ducats, he replied by the assertion that he
+had ten thousand crowns in his chancery, and showed some reluctance to
+be convinced, till repeatedly urged upon him, that the same sum could
+not be adequate to the discharge of thirty times the amount.
+
+"Then," said the King, somewhat impatiently, "why not pay off those
+who are most pressing, and let the others wait till receipts come
+round?"
+
+"It is a practice which has been too often resorted to," replied the
+Queen, "and it is but a part of honesty to pay creditors who have
+advanced their all in your Grace's service."
+
+"But are we not," said René, "King of both the Sicilies, Naples,
+Arragon, and Jerusalem? And why is the monarch of such fair kingdoms
+to be pushed to the wall, like a bankrupt yeoman, for a few bags of
+paltry crowns?"
+
+"You are indeed monarch of these kingdoms," said Margaret; "but is it
+necessary to remind your Majesty that it is but as I am Queen of
+England, in which I have not an acre of land, and cannot command a
+penny of revenue? You have no dominions which are a source of revenue,
+save those which you see in this scroll, with an exact list of the
+income they afford. It is totally inadequate, you see, to maintain
+your state, and to pay the large engagements incurred to former
+creditors."
+
+"It is cruel to press me to the wall thus," said the poor King. "What
+can I do? If I am poor, I cannot help it. I am sure I would pay the
+debts you talk of, if I knew the way."
+
+"Royal father, I will show it you.--Resign your useless and unavailing
+dignity, which, with the pretensions attending it, serves but to make
+your miseries ridiculous. Resign your rights as a sovereign, and the
+income which cannot be stretched out to the empty excesses of a
+beggarly court will enable you to enjoy, in ease and opulence, all the
+pleasures you most delight in, as a private baron."
+
+"Margaret, you speak folly," answered René, somewhat sternly. "A king
+and his people are bound by ties which neither can sever without
+guilt. My subjects are my flock, I am their shepherd. They are
+assigned to my governance by Heaven, and I dare not renounce the
+charge of protecting them."
+
+"Were you in condition to do so," answered the Queen, "Margaret would
+bid you fight to the death. But don your harness, long disused--mount
+your war-steed--cry, René for Provence! and see if a hundred men will
+gather round your standard. Your fortresses are in the hands of
+strangers; army you have none; your vassals may have good-will, but
+they lack all military skill and soldierlike discipline. You stand but
+the mere skeleton of monarchy, which France or Burgundy may prostrate
+on the earth, whichever first puts forth his arm to throw it down."
+
+The tears trickled fast down the old King's cheeks, when this
+unflattering prospect was set before him, and he could not forbear
+owning his total want of power to defend himself and his dominions,
+and admitting that he had often thought of the necessity of
+compounding for his resignation with one of his powerful neighbours.
+
+"It was thy interest, Margaret, harsh and severe as you are, which
+prevented my entering, before now, into measures most painful to my
+feelings, but perhaps best calculated for my advantage. But I had
+hoped it would hold on for my day; and thou, my child, with the
+talents Heaven has given thee, wouldst, I thought, have found remedy
+for distresses which I cannot escape, otherwise than by shunning the
+thoughts of them."
+
+"If it is in earnest you speak of my interest," said Margaret, "know,
+that your resigning Provence will satisfy the nearest, and almost the
+only wish that my bosom can form; but, so judge me Heaven, as it is on
+your account, gracious sire, as well as mine, that I advise your
+compliance."
+
+"Say no more on't, child; give me the parchment of resignation, and I
+will sign it: I see thou hast it ready drawn; let us sign it, and then
+we will overtake the hawkers. We must suffer woe, but there is little
+need to sit down and weep for it."
+
+"Do you not ask," said Margaret, surprised at his apathy, "to whom you
+cede your dominions?"
+
+"What boots it," answered the King, "since they must be no more my
+own? It must be either to Charles of Burgundy, or my nephew
+Louis--both powerful and politic princes. God send my poor people may
+have no cause to wish their old man back again, whose only pleasure
+was to see them happy and mirthful."
+
+"It is to Burgundy you resign Provence," said Margaret.
+
+"I would have preferred him," answered René; "he is fierce, but not
+malignant. One word more. Are my subjects' privileges and immunities
+fully secured?"
+
+"Amply," replied the Queen; "and your own wants of all kinds
+honourably provided for. I would not leave the stipulations in your
+favour in blank, though I might perhaps have trusted Charles of
+Burgundy, where money alone is concerned."
+
+"I ask not for myself--with my viol and my pencil, René the Troubadour
+will be as happy as ever was René the King."
+
+So saying, with practical philosophy he whistled the burden of his
+last composed ariette, and signed away the rest of his royal
+possessions without pulling off his glove, or even reading the
+instrument.
+
+"What is this?" he said, looking at another and separate parchment of
+much briefer contents. "Must my kinsman Charles have both the
+Sicilies, Catalonia, Naples, and Jerusalem, as well as the poor
+remainder of Provence? Methinks, in decency, some greater extent of
+parchment should have been allowed to so ample a cession."
+
+"That deed," said Margaret, "only disowns and relinquishes all
+countenance of Ferrand de Vaudemont's rash attempt on Lorraine, and
+renounces all quarrel on that account against Charles of Burgundy."
+
+For once Margaret miscalculated the tractability of her father's
+temper. René positively started, coloured, and stammered with passion,
+as he interrupted her--"_Only_ disown--_only_ relinquish--_only_
+renounce the cause of my grandchild, the son of my dear Yolande--his
+rightful claims on his mother's inheritance!--Margaret, I am ashamed
+for thee. Thy pride is an excuse for thy evil temper but what is pride
+worth which can stoop to commit an act of dishonourable meanness? To
+desert, nay, disown, my own flesh and blood, because the youth is a
+bold knight under shield, and disposed to battle for his right--I were
+worthy that harp and horn rung out shame on me, should I listen to
+thee."
+
+Margaret was overcome in some measure by the old man's unexpected
+opposition. She endeavoured, however, to show that there was no
+occasion, in point of honour, why René should engage in the cause of a
+wild adventurer, whose right, be it good be it bad, was only upheld by
+some petty and underhand supplies of money from France, and the
+countenance of a few of the restless banditti who inhabit the borders
+of all nations. But ere René could answer, voices, raised to an
+unusual pitch, were heard in the antechamber, the door of which was
+flung open by an armed knight, covered with dust, who exhibited all
+the marks of a long journey.
+
+"Here I am," he said, "father of my mother--behold your
+grandson--Ferrand de Vaudemont; the son of your lost Yolande kneels at
+your feet, and implores a blessing on him and his enterprise."
+
+"Thou hast it," replied René, "and may it prosper with thee, gallant
+youth, image of thy sainted mother--my blessings, my prayers, my
+hopes, go with you!"
+
+"And you, fair aunt of England," said the young knight, addressing
+Margaret, "you who are yourself dispossessed by traitors, will you not
+own the cause of a kinsman who is struggling for his inheritance?"
+
+"I wish all good to your person, fair nephew," answered the Queen of
+England, "although your features are strange to me. But to advise this
+old man to adopt your cause, when it is desperate in the eyes of all
+wise men, were impious madness."
+
+"Is my cause then so desperate?" said Ferrand. "Forgive me if I was
+not aware of it. And does my aunt Margaret say this, whose strength of
+mind supported Lancaster so long, after the spirits of her warriors
+had been quelled by defeat? What--forgive me, for my cause must be
+pleaded--what would you have said had my mother Yolande been capable
+to advise her father to disown your own Edward, had God permitted him
+to reach Provence in safety?"
+
+"Edward," said Margaret, weeping as she spoke, "was incapable of
+desiring his friends to espouse a quarrel that was irremediable. His,
+too, was a cause for which mighty princes and peers laid lance in
+rest."
+
+"Yet Heaven blessed it not--" said Vaudemont.
+
+"Thine," continued Margaret, "is but embraced by the robber nobles of
+Germany, the upstart burghers of the Rhine cities, the paltry and
+clownish Confederates of the Cantons."
+
+"But Heaven _has blessed it_," replied Vaudemont. "Know, proud woman,
+that I come to interrupt your treacherous intrigues; no petty
+adventurer, subsisting and maintaining warfare by sleight rather than
+force, but a conqueror from a bloody field of battle, in which Heaven
+has tamed the pride of the tyrant of Burgundy."
+
+"It is false!" said the Queen, starting. "I believe it not."
+
+"It is true," said De Vaudemont, "as true as heaven is above us.--It
+is four days since I left the field of Granson (_d_), heaped with
+Burgundy's mercenaries--his wealth, his jewels, his plate, his
+magnificent decorations, the prize of the poor Swiss, who scarce can
+tell their value. Know you this, Queen Margaret?" continued the young
+soldier, showing the well-known jewel which decorated the Duke's Order
+of the Golden Fleece; "think you not the lion was closely hunted when
+he left such trophies as these behind him?"
+
+Margaret looked, with dazzled eyes and bewildered thoughts, upon a
+token which confirmed the Duke's defeat, and the extinction of her
+last hopes. Her father, on the contrary, was struck with the heroism
+of the young warrior, a quality which, except as it existed in his
+daughter Margaret, had, he feared, taken leave of his family. Admiring
+in his heart the youth who exposed himself to danger for the meed of
+praise, almost as much as he did the poets by whom the warrior's fame
+is rendered immortal, he hugged his grandson to his bosom, bidding him
+"gird on his sword in strength," and assuring him, if money could
+advance his affairs, he, King René, could command ten thousand crowns,
+any part, or the whole of which, was at Ferrand's command; thus giving
+proof of what had been said of him, that his head was incapable of
+containing two ideas at the same time.
+
+We return to Arthur, who, with the Queen of England's secretary,
+Mordaunt, had been not a little surprised by the entrance of the Count
+de Vaudemont, calling himself Duke of Lorraine, into the anteroom, in
+which they kept a kind of guard, followed by a tall strong Swiss, with
+a huge halberd over his shoulder. The prince naming himself, Arthur
+did not think it becoming to oppose his entrance to the presence of
+his grandfather and aunt, especially as it was obvious that his
+opposition must have created an affray. In the huge staring
+halberdier, who had sense enough to remain in the anteroom, Arthur was
+not a little surprised to recognise Sigismund Biederman, who, after
+staring wildly at him for a moment, like a dog which suddenly
+recognises a favourite, rushed up to the young Englishman with a wild
+cry of gladness, and in hurried accents told him how happy he was to
+meet with him, and that he had matters of importance to tell him. It
+was at no time easy for Sigismund to arrange his ideas, and now they
+were altogether confused, by the triumphant joy which he expressed for
+the recent victory of his countrymen over the Duke of Burgundy; and
+it was with wonder that Arthur heard his confused and rude but
+faithful tale.
+
+"Look you, King Arthur, the Duke had come up with his huge army as far
+as Granson, which is near the outlet of the great lake of Neufchatel.
+There were five or six hundred Confederates in the place, and they
+held it till provisions failed, and then you know they were forced to
+give it over. But though hunger is hard to bear, they had better have
+borne it a day or two longer, for the butcher Charles hung them all up
+by the neck, upon trees round the place,--and there was no swallowing
+for them, you know, after such usage as that. Meanwhile all was busy
+on our hills, and every man that had a sword or lance accoutred
+himself with it. We met at Neufchatel, and some Germans joined us with
+the noble Duke of Lorraine. Ah, King Arthur, there is a leader!--we
+all think him second but to Rudolph of Donnerhugel--you saw him even
+now--it was he that went into that room--and you saw him before,--it
+is he that was the Blue Knight of Bâle; but we called him Laurenz
+then, for Rudolph said his presence among us must not be known to our
+father, and I did not know myself at that time who he really was.
+Well, when we came to Neufchatel we were a goodly company; we were
+fifteen thousand stout Confederates, and of others, Germans and
+Lorraine men, I will warrant you five thousand more. We heard that the
+Burgundian was sixty thousand in the field; but we heard, at the same
+time, that Charles had hung up our brethren like dogs, and the man was
+not among us--among the Confederates, I mean--who would stay to count
+heads, when the question was to avenge them. I would you could have
+heard the roar of fifteen thousand Swiss demanding to be led against
+the butcher of their brethren! My father himself, who, you know, is
+usually so eager for peace, now gave the first voice for battle; so,
+in the grey of the morning, we descended the lake towards Granson,
+with tears in our eyes and weapons in our hands, determined to have
+death or vengeance. We came to a sort of strait, between Vauxmoreux
+and the lake; there were horse on the level ground between the
+mountain and the lake, and a large body of infantry on the side of the
+hill. The Duke of Lorraine and his followers engaged the horse, while
+we climbed the hill to dispossess the infantry. It was with us the
+affair of a moment. Every man of us was at home among the crags, and
+Charles's men were stuck among them as thou wert, Arthur, when thou
+didst first come to Geierstein. But there were no kind maidens to lend
+them their hands to help them down. No, no--There were pikes, clubs,
+and halberds, many a one, to dash and thrust them from places where
+they could hardly keep their feet had there been no one to disturb
+them. So the horsemen, pushed by the Lorrainers, and seeing us upon
+their flanks, fled as fast as their horses could carry them. Then we
+drew together again on a fair field, which is _buon campagna_, as the
+Italian says, where the hills retire from the lake. But lo you, we had
+scarce arrayed our ranks, when we heard such a din and clash of
+instruments, such a trample of their great horses, such a shouting and
+crying of men, as if all the soldiers, and all the minstrels in France
+and Germany, were striving which should make the loudest noise. Then
+there was a huge cloud of dust approaching us, and we began to see we
+must do or die, for this was Charles and his whole army come to
+support his vanguard. A blast from the mountain dispersed the dust,
+for they had halted to prepare for battle. Oh, good Arthur! you would
+have given ten years of life but to have seen the sight. There were
+thousands of horse all in complete array, glancing against the sun,
+and hundreds of knights with crowns of gold and silver on their
+helmets, and thick masses of spears on foot, and cannon, as they call
+them. I did not know what things they were, which they drew on heavily
+with bullocks and placed before their army, but I knew more of them
+before the morning was over. Well, we were ordered to draw up in a
+hollow square, as we are taught at exercise, and before we pushed
+forwards we were commanded, as is the godly rule and guise of our
+warfare, to kneel down and pray to God, Our Lady, and the blessed
+saints; and we afterwards learned that Charles, in his arrogance,
+thought we asked for mercy--Ha! ha! ha! a proper jest. If my father
+once knelt to him, it was for the sake of Christian blood and godly
+peace; but on the field of battle Arnold Biederman would not have
+knelt to him and his whole chivalry, though he had stood alone with
+his sons on that field. Well, but Charles, supposing we asked grace,
+was determined to show us that we had asked it at a graceless face,
+for he cried, 'Fire my cannon on the coward slaves; it is all the
+mercy they have to expect from me!'--Bang--bang--bang--off went the
+things I told you of, like thunder and lightning, and some mischief
+they did, but the less that we were kneeling; and the saints
+doubtless gave the huge balls a hoist over the heads of those who were
+asking grace from them, but from no mortal creatures. So we had the
+signal to rise and rush on, and I promise you there were no sluggards.
+Every man felt ten men's strength. My halberd is no child's toy--if
+you have forgotten it, there it is--and yet it trembled in my grasp as
+if it had been a willow wand to drive cows with. On we went, when
+suddenly the cannon were silent, and the earth shook with another and
+continued growl and battering, like thunder under ground. It was the
+men-at-arms rushing to charge us. But our leaders knew their trade,
+and had seen such a sight before--it was, Halt, halt--kneel down in
+the front--stoop in the second rank--close shoulder to shoulder like
+brethren, lean all spears forward and receive them like an iron wall!
+On they rushed, and there was a rending of lances that would have
+served the Unterwalden old women with splinters of firewood for a
+twelvemonth. Down went armed horse--down went accoutred knight--down
+went banner and bannerman--down went peaked boot and crowned helmet,
+and of those who fell not a man escaped with life. So they drew off in
+confusion, and were getting in order to charge again, when the noble
+Duke Ferrand and his horsemen dashed at them in their own way, and we
+moved onward to support him. Thus on we pressed, and the foot hardly
+waited for us, seeing their cavalry so handled. Then if you had seen
+the dust and heard the blows! the noise of a hundred thousand
+thrashers, the flight of the chaff which they drive about, would be
+but a type of it. On my word, I almost thought it shame to dash about
+my halberd, the rout was so helplessly piteous. Hundreds were slain
+unresisting, and the whole army was in complete flight."
+
+"My father--my father!" exclaimed Arthur. "In such a rout, what can
+have become of him?"
+
+"He escaped safely," said the Swiss; "fled with Charles."
+
+"It must have been a bloody field ere he fled," replied the
+Englishman.
+
+"Nay," answered Sigismund, "he took no part in the fight, but merely
+remained by Charles; and prisoners said it was well for us, for that
+he is a man of great counsel and action in the wars. And as to flying,
+a man in such a matter must go back if he cannot press forward, and
+there is no shame in it, especially if you be not engaged in your own
+person."
+
+As he spoke thus, their conversation was interrupted by Mordaunt, with
+"Hush, hush--the King and Queen come forth."
+
+"What am I to do?" said Sigismund, in some alarm. "I care not for the
+Duke of Lorraine; but what am I to do when kings and queens enter?"
+
+"Do nothing but rise, unbonnet yourself, and be silent."
+
+Sigismund did as he was directed.
+
+King René came forth arm in arm with his grandson; and Margaret
+followed, with deep disappointment and vexation on her brow. She
+signed to Arthur as she passed, and said to him--"Make thyself master
+of the truth of this most unexpected news, and bring the particulars
+to me. Mordaunt will introduce thee."
+
+She then cast a look on the young Swiss, and replied courteously to
+his awkward salutation. The royal party then left the room, René bent
+on carrying his grandson to the sporting-party, which had been
+interrupted, and Margaret to seek the solitude of her private
+apartment, and await the confirmation of what she regarded as evil
+tidings.
+
+They were no sooner passed than Sigismund observed,--"And so that is a
+King and Queen!--Peste! the King looks somewhat like old Jacomo, the
+violer, that used to scrape on the fiddle to us when he came to
+Geierstein in his rounds. But the Queen is a stately creature. The
+chief cow of the herd, who carries the bouquets and garlands, and
+leads the rest to the chalet, has not a statelier pace. And how deftly
+you approached her and spoke to her! I could not have done it with so
+much grace--But it is like that you have served apprentice to the
+court trade?"
+
+"Leave that for the present, good Sigismund," answered Arthur, "and
+tell me more of this battle."
+
+"By St. Mary, but I must have some victuals and drink first," said
+Sigismund, "if your credit in this fine place reaches so far."
+
+"Doubt it not, Sigismund," said Arthur; and, by the intervention of
+Mordaunt, he easily procured, in a more retired apartment, a collation
+and wine, to which the young Biederman did great honour, smacking his
+lips with much gusto after the delicious wines, to which, in spite of
+his father's ascetic precepts, his palate was beginning to be
+considerably formed and habituated. When he found himself alone with a
+flask of _côté roti_ and a biscuit, and his friend Arthur, he was
+easily led to continue his tale of conquest.
+
+"Well--where was I?--Oh, where we broke their infantry--well--they
+never rallied, and fell into greater confusion at every step--and we
+might have slaughtered one half of them, had we not stopped to examine
+Charles's camp. Mercy on us, Arthur, what a sight was there! Every
+pavilion was full of rich clothes, splendid armour, and great dishes
+and flagons, which some men said were of silver; but I knew there was
+not so much silver in the world, and was sure they must be of pewter,
+rarely burnished. Here there were hosts of laced lackeys, and grooms,
+and pages, and as many attendants as there were soldiers in the army;
+and thousands, for what I knew, of pretty maidens. By the same token,
+both menials and maidens placed themselves at the disposal of the
+victors; but I promise you that my father was right severe on any who
+would abuse the rights of war. But some of our young men did not mind
+him, till he taught them obedience with the staff of his halberd.
+Well, Arthur, there was fine plundering, for the Germans and French
+that were with us rifled everything, and some of our men followed the
+example--it is very catching--So I got into Charles's own pavilion,
+where Rudolph and some of his people were trying to keep out every
+one, that he might have the spoiling of it himself, I think; but
+neither he, nor any Bernese of them all, dared lay truncheon over my
+pate; so I entered, and saw them putting piles of pewter-trenchers, so
+clean as to look like silver, into chests and trunks. I pressed
+through them into the inner place, and there was Charles's
+pallet-bed--I will do him justice, it was the only hard one in his
+camp--and there were fine sparkling stones and pebbles lying about
+among gauntlets, boots, vambraces, and suchlike gear--So I thought of
+your father and you, and looked for something, when what should I see
+but my old friend here" (here he drew Queen Margaret's necklace from
+his bosom), "which I knew, because you remember I recovered it from
+the Scharfgerichter at Brisach.--'Oho! you pretty sparklers,' said I,
+'you shall be Burgundian no longer, but go back to my honest English
+friends,' and therefore"----
+
+"It is of immense value," said Arthur, "and belongs not to my father
+or to me, but to the Queen you saw but now."
+
+"And she will become it rarely," answered Sigismund. "Were she but a
+score, or a score and a half years younger, she were a gallant wife
+for a Swiss landholder. I would warrant her to keep his household in
+high order."
+
+"She will reward thee liberally for recovering her property," said
+Arthur, scarce suppressing a smile at the idea of the proud Margaret
+becoming the housewife of a Swiss shepherd.
+
+"How--reward!" said the Swiss. "Bethink thee I am Sigismund Biederman,
+the son of the Landamman of Unterwalden--I am not a base lanzknecht,
+to be paid for courtesy with piastres. Let her grant me a kind word of
+thanks, or the matter of a kiss, and I am well contented."
+
+"A kiss of her hand, perhaps," said Arthur, again smiling at his
+friend's simplicity.
+
+"Umph, the hand! Well, it may do for a queen of some fifty years and
+odd, but would be poor homage to a Queen of May."
+
+Arthur here brought back the youth to the subject of his battle, and
+learned that the slaughter of the Duke's forces in the flight had
+been in no degree equal to the importance of the action.
+
+"Many rode off on horseback," said Sigismund; "and our German
+_reiters_ flew on the spoil, when they should have followed the chase.
+And besides, to speak truth, Charles's camp delayed our very selves in
+the pursuit; but had we gone half a mile farther, and seen our friends
+hanging on trees, not a Confederate would have stopped from the chase
+while he had limbs to carry him in pursuit."
+
+"And what has become of the Duke?"
+
+"Charles has retreated into Burgundy, like a boar who has felt the
+touch of the spear, and is more enraged than hurt; but is, they say,
+sad and sulky. Others report that he has collected all his scattered
+army, and immense forces besides, and has screwed his subjects to give
+him money, so that we may expect another brush. But all Switzerland
+will join us after such a victory."
+
+"And my father is with him?" said Arthur.
+
+"Truly he is, and has in a right godly manner tried to set afoot a
+treaty of peace with my own father. But it will scarce succeed.
+Charles is as mad as ever; and our people are right proud of our
+victory, and so they well may. Nevertheless, my father forever
+preaches that such victories, and such heaps of wealth, will change
+our ancient manners, and that the ploughman will leave his labour to
+turn soldier. He says much about it; but why money, choice meat and
+wine, and fine clothing should do so much harm, I cannot bring my poor
+brains to see--And many better heads than mine are as much
+puzzled.--Here's to you, friend Arthur!--This is choice liquor!"
+
+"And what brings you and your general, Prince Ferrand, post to
+Nancy?" said the young Englishman.
+
+"Faith, you are yourself the cause of our journey."
+
+"I the cause?" said Arthur.--"Why, how could that be?"
+
+"Why, it is said you and Queen Margaret are urging this old fiddling
+King René to yield up his territories to Charles, and to disown
+Ferrand in his claim upon Lorraine. And the Duke of Lorraine sent a
+man that you know well--that is, you do not know _him_, but you know
+some of his family, and he knows more of you than you wot--to put a
+spoke in your wheel, and prevent your getting for Charles the county
+of Provence, or preventing Ferrand being troubled or traversed in his
+natural rights over Lorraine."
+
+"On my word, Sigismund, I cannot comprehend you," said Arthur.
+
+"Well," replied the Swiss, "my lot is a hard one. All our house say
+that I can comprehend nothing, and I shall be next told that nobody
+can comprehend me.--Well, in plain language, I mean my uncle, Count
+Albert, as he calls himself, of Geierstein--my father's brother."
+
+"Anne of Geierstein's father!" echoed Arthur.
+
+"Ay, truly; I thought we should find some mark to make you know him
+by."
+
+"But I never saw him."
+
+"Ay, but you have, though--An able man he is, and knows more of every
+man's business than the man does himself. Oh! it was not for nothing
+that he married the daughter of a Salamander!"
+
+"Pshaw, Sigismund, how can you believe that nonsense?" answered
+Arthur.
+
+"Rudolph told me you were as much bewildered as I was that night at
+Graffs-lust," answered the Swiss.
+
+"If I were so, I was the greater ass for my pains," answered Arthur.
+
+"Well, but this uncle of mine has got some of the old conjuring books
+from the library at Arnheim, and they say he can pass from place to
+place with more than mortal speed; and that he is helped in his
+designs by mightier counsellors than mere men. Always, however, though
+so able and highly endowed, his gifts, whether coming from a lawful or
+unlawful quarter, bring him no abiding advantage. He is eternally
+plunged into strife and danger."
+
+"I know few particulars of his life," said Arthur, disguising as much
+as he could his anxiety to hear more of him; "but I have heard that he
+left Switzerland to join the Emperor."
+
+"True," answered the young Swiss, "and married the young Baroness of
+Arnheim,--but afterwards he incurred my namesake's imperial
+displeasure, and not less that of the Duke of Austria. They say you
+cannot live in Rome and strive with the Pope; so my uncle thought it
+best to cross the Rhine, and betake himself to Charles's court, who
+willingly received noblemen from all countries, so that they had good
+sounding names, with the title of Count, Marquis, Baron, or suchlike,
+to march in front of them. So my uncle was most kindly received; but
+within this year or two all this friendship has been broken up. Uncle
+Albert obtained a great lead in some mysterious societies, of which
+Charles disapproved, and set so hard at my poor uncle, that he was
+fain to take orders and shave his hair, rather than lose his head.
+But though he cut off his hair, his brain remains as busy as ever; and
+although the Duke suffered him to be at large, yet he found him so
+often in his way, that all men believed he waited but an excuse for
+seizing upon him and putting him to death. But my uncle persists that
+he fears not Charles; and that, Duke as he is, Charles has more
+occasion to be afraid of him.--And so you saw how boldly he played his
+part at La Ferette."
+
+"By St. George of Windsor!" exclaimed Arthur, "the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's?"
+
+"Oho! you understand me now. Well, he took it upon him that Charles
+would not dare to punish him for his share in De Hagenbach's death;
+and no more did he, although uncle Albert sat and voted in the Estates
+of Burgundy, and stirred them up all he could to refuse giving Charles
+the money he asked of them. But when the Swiss war broke out, uncle
+Albert became assured his being a clergyman would be no longer his
+protection, and that the Duke intended to have him accused of
+corresponding with his brother and countrymen; and so he appeared
+suddenly in Ferrand's camp at Neufchatel, and sent a message to
+Charles that he renounced his allegiance, and bid him defiance."
+
+"A singular story of an active and versatile man," said the young
+Englishman.
+
+"Oh, you may seek the world for a man like uncle Albert. Then he knows
+everything; and he told Duke Ferrand what you were about here, and
+offered to go and bring more certain information--ay, though he left
+the Swiss camp but five or six days before the battle, and the
+distance between Arles and Neufchatel be four hundred miles complete,
+yet he met him on his return, when Duke Ferrand, with me to show him
+the way, was hastening hitherward, having set off from the very field
+of battle."
+
+"Met him!" said Arthur--"Met whom?--Met the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's?"
+
+"Ay, I mean so," replied Sigismund; "but he was habited as a Carmelite
+monk."
+
+"A Carmelite!" said Arthur, a sudden light flashing on him; "and I was
+so blind as to recommend his services to the Queen! I remember well
+that he kept his face much concealed in his cowl--and I, foolish
+beast, to fall so grossly into the snare!--And yet perhaps it is as
+well the transaction was interrupted, since I fear, if carried
+successfully through, all must have been disconcerted by this
+astounding defeat."
+
+Their conversation had thus far proceeded, when Mordaunt appearing,
+summoned Arthur to his royal mistress's apartment. In that gay palace,
+a gloomy room, whose windows looked upon some part of the ruins of the
+Roman edifice, but excluded every other object, save broken walls and
+tottering columns, was the retreat which Margaret had chosen for her
+own. She received Albert with a kindness more touching that it was the
+inmate of so proud and fiery a disposition,--of a heart assailed with
+many woes, and feeling them severely.
+
+"Alas, poor Arthur!" she said, "thy life begins where thy father's
+threatens to end, in useless labour to save a sinking vessel. The
+rushing leak pours in its waters faster than human force can lighten
+or discharge. All--all goes wrong, when our unhappy cause becomes
+connected with it--Strength becomes weakness, wisdom folly, and
+valour cowardice. The Duke of Burgundy, hitherto victorious in all his
+bold undertakings, has but to entertain the momentary thought of
+yielding succour to Lancaster, and behold his sword is broken by a
+peasant's flail; and his disciplined army, held to be the finest in
+the world, flies like chaff before the wind; while their spoils are
+divided by renegade German hirelings, and barbarous Alpine
+shepherds!--What more hast thou learned of this strange tale?"
+
+"Little, madam, but what you have heard. The worst additions are, that
+the battle was shamefully cowardlike, and completely lost, with every
+advantage to have won it--the best, that the Burgundian army has been
+rather dispersed than destroyed, and that the Duke himself has
+escaped, and is rallying his forces in Upper Burgundy."
+
+"To sustain a new defeat, or engage in a protracted and doubtful
+contest, fatal to his reputation as defeat itself. Where is thy
+father?"
+
+"With the Duke, madam, as I have been informed," replied Arthur.
+
+"Hie to him, and say I charge him to look after his own safety, and
+care no further for my interests. This last blow has sunk me--I am
+without an ally, without a friend, without treasure"----
+
+"Not so, madam," replied Arthur. "One piece of good fortune has
+brought back to your Grace this inestimable relic of your
+fortunes."--And, producing the precious necklace, he gave the history
+of its recovery.
+
+"I rejoice at the chance which has restored these diamonds," said the
+Queen, "that in point of gratitude, at least, I may not be utterly
+bankrupt. Carry them to your father--tell him my schemes are
+over--and my heart, which so long clung to hope, is broken at
+last.--Tell him the trinkets are his own, and to his own use let him
+apply them. They will but poorly repay the noble earldom of Oxford,
+lost in the cause of her who sends them."
+
+"Royal madam," said the youth, "be assured my father would sooner live
+by service as a _schwarzreiter_, than become a burden on your
+misfortunes."
+
+"He never yet disobeyed command of mine," said Margaret; "and this is
+the last I will lay upon him. If he is too rich or too proud to
+benefit by his Queen's behest, he will find enough of poor
+Lancastrians who have fewer means or fewer scruples."
+
+"There is yet a circumstance I have to communicate," said Arthur, and
+recounted the history of Albert of Geierstein, and the disguise of a
+Carmelite monk.
+
+"Are you such a fool," answered the Queen, "as to suppose this man has
+any supernatural powers to aid him in his ambitious projects and his
+hasty journeys?"
+
+"No, madam--but it is whispered that the Count Albert of Geierstein,
+or this Black Priest of St. Paul's, is a chief amongst the Secret
+Societies of Germany, which even princes dread whilst they hate them;
+for the man that can command a hundred daggers must be feared even by
+those who rule thousands of swords."
+
+"Can this person," said the Queen, "being now a Churchman, retain
+authority amongst those who deal in life and death? It is contrary to
+the canons."
+
+"It would seem so, royal madam; but everything in these dark
+institutions differs from what is practised in the light of day.
+Prelates are often heads of a Vehmique bench, and the Archbishop of
+Cologne exercises the dreadful office of their chief as Duke of
+Westphalia, the principal region in which these societies
+flourish.[11] Such privileges attach to the secret influence of the
+chiefs of this dark association, as may well seem supernatural to
+those who are unapprised of circumstances of which men shun to speak
+in plain terms."
+
+"Let him be wizard or assassin," said the Queen, "I thank him for
+having contributed to interrupt my plan of the old man's cession of
+Provence, which, as events stand, would have stripped René of his
+dominions, without furthering our plan of invading England.--Once
+more, be stirring with the dawn, and bend thy way back to thy father,
+and charge him to care for himself and think no more of me. Bretagne,
+where the heir of Lancaster resides, will be the safest place of
+refuge for its bravest followers. Along the Rhine, the Invisible
+Tribunal, it would seem, haunts both shores, and to be innocent of ill
+is no security; even here the proposed treaty with Burgundy may take
+air, and the Provençaux carry daggers as well as crooks and pipes. But
+I hear the horses fast returning from the hawking-party, and the silly
+old man, forgetting all the eventful proceedings of the day,
+whistling as he ascends the steps. Well, we will soon part, and my
+removal will be, I think, a relief to him. Prepare for banquet and
+ball, for noise and nonsense--above all, to bid adieu to Aix with
+morning dawn."
+
+Thus dismissed from the Queen's presence, Arthur's first care was to
+summon Thiebault to have all things in readiness for his departure;
+his next, to prepare himself for the pleasures of the evening, not
+perhaps so heavily affected by the failure of his negotiation as to be
+incapable of consolation in such a scene; for the truth was, that his
+mind secretly revolted at the thoughts of the simple old King being
+despoiled of his dominions to further an invasion of England, in
+which, whatever interest he might have in his daughter's rights, there
+was little chance of success.
+
+If such feelings were censurable, they had their punishment. Although
+few knew how completely the arrival of the Duke of Lorraine, and the
+intelligence he brought with him, had disconcerted the plans of Queen
+Margaret, it was well known there had been little love betwixt the
+Queen and his mother Yolande; and the young Prince found himself at
+the head of a numerous party in the court of his grandfather, who
+disliked his aunt's haughty manners, and were wearied by the unceasing
+melancholy of her looks and conversation, and her undisguised contempt
+of the frivolities which passed around her. Ferrand, besides, was
+young, handsome, a victor just arrived from a field of battle, fought
+gloriously, and gained against all chances to the contrary. That he
+was a general favourite, and excluded Arthur Philipson, as an
+adherent of the unpopular Queen, from the notice her influence had on
+a former evening procured him, was only a natural consequence of their
+relative condition. But what somewhat hurt Arthur's feelings was to
+see his friend Sigismund the Simple, as his brethren called him,
+shining with the reflected glory of the Duke Ferrand of Lorraine, who
+introduced to all the ladies present the gallant young Swiss as Count
+Sigismund of Geierstein. His care had procured for his follower a
+dress rather more suitable for such a scene than the country attire of
+the count, otherwise Sigismund Biederman.
+
+For a certain time, whatever of novelty is introduced into society is
+pleasing, though it has nothing else to recommend it. The Swiss were
+little known personally out of their own country, but they were much
+talked of; it was a recommendation to be of that country. Sigismund's
+manners were blunt--a mixture of awkwardness and rudeness, which was
+termed frankness during the moment of his favour. He spoke bad French
+and worse Italian--it gave naïveté to all he said. His limbs were too
+bulky to be elegant; his dancing, for Count Sigismund failed not to
+dance, was the bounding and gambolling of a young elephant; yet they
+were preferred to the handsome proportions and courtly movements of
+the youthful Englishman, even by the black-eyed countess in whose good
+graces Arthur had made some progress on the preceding evening. Arthur,
+thus thrown into the shade, felt as Mr. Pepys afterwards did when he
+tore his camlet cloak--the damage was not great, but it troubled him.
+
+Nevertheless, the passing evening brought him some revenge. There are
+some works of art the defects of which are not seen till they are
+injudiciously placed in too strong a light, and such was the case with
+Sigismund the Simple. The quick-witted though fantastic Provençaux
+soon found out the heaviness of his intellect, and the extent of his
+good-nature, and amused themselves at his expense, by ironical
+compliments and well-veiled raillery. It is probable they would have
+been less delicate on the subject, had not the Swiss brought into the
+dancing-room along with him his eternal halberd, the size and weight
+and thickness of which boded little good to any one whom the owner
+might detect in the act of making merry at his expense. But Sigismund
+did no further mischief that night, except that, in achieving a superb
+_entrechat_, he alighted with his whole weight on the miniature foot
+of his pretty partner, which he well-nigh crushed to pieces.
+
+Arthur had hitherto avoided looking towards Queen Margaret during the
+course of the evening, lest he should disturb her thoughts from the
+channel in which they were rolling, by seeming to lay a claim on her
+protection. But there was something so whimsical in the awkward
+physiognomy of the maladroit Swiss, that he could not help glancing an
+eye to the alcove where the Queen's chair of state was placed, to see
+if she observed him. The very first view was such as to rivet his
+attention. Margaret's head was reclined on the chair, her eyes
+scarcely open, her features drawn up and pinched, her hands closed
+with effort. The English lady of honour who stood behind her--old,
+deaf, and dim-sighted--had not discovered anything in her mistress's
+position more than the abstracted and indifferent attitude with which
+the Queen was wont to be present in body and absent in mind during the
+festivities of the Provençal court. But when Arthur, greatly alarmed,
+came behind the seat to press her attention to her mistress, she
+exclaimed, after a minute's investigation, "Mother of Heaven, the
+Queen is dead!" And it was so. It seemed that the last fibre of life,
+in that fiery and ambitious mind, had, as she herself prophesied,
+given way at the same time with the last thread of political hope.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[11] The Archbishop of Cologne was recognised as head of all the Free
+Tribunals (_i.e._ the Vehmique benches) in Westphalia, by a writ of
+privilege granted in 1335 by the Emperor Charles IV. Winceslaus
+confirmed this act by a privilege dated 1382, in which the Archbishop
+is termed Grand Master of the Vehme, or Grand Inquisitor. And this
+prelate and other priests were encouraged to exercise such office by
+Pope Boniface III., whose ecclesiastical discipline permitted them in
+such cases to assume the right of judging in matters of life and
+death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+       Toll, toll the bell!
+       Greatness is o'er,
+       The heart has broke,
+       To ache no more;
+     An unsubstantial pageant all--
+     Drop o'er the scene the funeral pall.
+                               _Old Poem._
+
+
+The commotion and shrieks of fear and amazement which were excited
+among the ladies of the court by an event so singular and shocking,
+had begun to abate, and the sighs, more serious though less intrusive,
+of the few English attendants of the deceased Queen began to be heard,
+together with the groans of old King René, whose emotions were as
+acute as they were shortlived. The leeches had held a busy but
+unavailing consultation, and the body that was once a queen's was
+delivered to the Priest of St. Sauveur, that beautiful church in which
+the spoils of Pagan temples have contributed to fill up the
+magnificence of the Christian edifice. The stately pile was duly
+lighted up, and the funeral provided with such splendour as Aix could
+supply. The Queen's papers being examined, it was found that Margaret,
+by disposing of jewels and living at small expense, had realised the
+means of making a decent provision for life for her very few English
+attendants. Her diamond necklace, described in her last will as in
+the hands of an English merchant named John Philipson, or his son, or
+the price thereof, if by them sold or pledged, she left to the said
+John Philipson and his son Arthur Philipson, with a view to the
+prosecution of the design which they had been destined to advance, or,
+if that should prove impossible, to their own use and profit. The
+charge of her funeral rites was wholly intrusted to Arthur, called
+Philipson, with a request that they should be conducted entirely after
+the forms observed in England. This trust was expressed in an addition
+to her will, signed the very day on which she died.
+
+Arthur lost no time in despatching Thiebault express to his father,
+with a letter explaining, in such terms as he knew would be
+understood, the tenor of all that had happened since he came to Aix,
+and, above all, the death of Queen Margaret.
+
+Finally, he requested directions for his motions, since the necessary
+delay occupied by the obsequies of a person of such eminent rank must
+detain him at Aix till he should receive them.
+
+The old King sustained the shock of his daughter's death so easily,
+that on the second day after the event he was engaged in arranging a
+pompous procession for the funeral, and composing an elegy, to be sung
+to a tune also of his own composing, in honour of the deceased Queen,
+who was likened to the goddesses of heathen mythology, and to Judith,
+Deborah, and all the other holy women, not to mention the saints of
+the Christian dispensation. It cannot be concealed that, when the
+first burst of grief was over, King René could not help feeling that
+Margaret's death cut a political knot which he might have otherwise
+found it difficult to untie, and permitted him to take open part with
+his grandson, so far indeed as to afford him a considerable share of
+the contents of the Provençal treasury, which amounted to no larger
+sum than ten thousand crowns. Ferrand having received the blessing of
+his grandfather, in a form which his affairs rendered most important
+to him, returned to the resolutes whom he commanded; and with him,
+after a most loving farewell to Arthur, went the stout but
+simple-minded young Swiss, Sigismund Biederman.
+
+The little court of Aix were left to their mourning. King René, for
+whom ceremonial and show, whether of a joyful or melancholy character,
+was always matter of importance, would willingly have bestowed on
+solemnising the obsequies of his daughter Margaret what remained of
+his revenue, but was prevented from doing so, partly by remonstrances
+from his ministers, partly by the obstacles opposed by the young
+Englishman, who, acting upon the presumed will of the dead, interfered
+to prevent any such fantastic exhibitions being produced at the
+obsequies of the Queen as had disgusted her during her life.
+
+The funeral, therefore, after many days had been spent in public
+prayers and acts of devotion, was solemnised with the mournful
+magnificence due to the birth of the deceased, and with which the
+Church of Rome so well knows how to affect at once the eye, ear, and
+feelings.
+
+Amid the various nobles who assisted on the solemn occasion, there was
+one who arrived just as the tolling of the great bells of St. Sauveur
+had announced that the procession was already on its way to the
+cathedral. The stranger hastily exchanged his travelling-dress for a
+suit of deep mourning, which was made after the fashion proper to
+England. So attired, he repaired to the cathedral, where the noble
+mien of the cavalier imposed such respect on the attendants that he
+was permitted to approach close to the side of the bier; and it was
+across the coffin of the Queen for whom he had acted and suffered so
+much that the gallant Earl of Oxford exchanged a melancholy glance
+with his son. The assistants, especially the English servants of
+Margaret, gazed on them both with respect and wonder, and the elder
+cavalier, in particular, seemed to them no unapt representative of the
+faithful subjects of England, paying their last duty at the tomb of
+her who had so long swayed the sceptre, if not faultlessly, yet always
+with a bold and resolved hand.
+
+The last sound of the solemn dirge had died away, and almost all the
+funeral attendants had retired, when the father and son still lingered
+in mournful silence beside the remains of their sovereign. The clergy
+at length approached, and intimated they were about to conclude the
+last duties, by removing the body, which had been lately occupied and
+animated by so haughty and restless a spirit, to the dust, darkness,
+and silence of the vault where the long-descended Counts of Provence
+awaited dissolution. Six priests raised the bier on their shoulders,
+others bore huge waxen torches before and behind the body, as they
+carried it down a private staircase which yawned in the floor to admit
+their descent. The last notes of the requiem, in which the churchmen
+joined, had died away along the high and fretted arches of the
+cathedral, the last flash of light which arose from the mouth of the
+vault had glimmered and disappeared, when the Earl of Oxford, taking
+his son by the arm, led him in silence forth into a small cloistered
+court behind the building, where they found themselves alone. They
+were silent for a few minutes, for both, and particularly the father,
+were deeply affected. At length the Earl spoke.
+
+"And this, then, is her end," said he. "Here, royal lady, all that we
+have planned and pledged life upon falls to pieces with thy
+dissolution! The heart of resolution, the head of policy is gone; and
+what avails it that the limbs of the enterprise still have motion and
+life? Alas, Margaret of Anjou! may Heaven reward thy virtues, and
+absolve thee from the consequence of thine errors! Both belonged to
+thy station, and, if thou didst hoist too high a sail in prosperity,
+never lived there princess who defied more proudly the storms of
+adversity, or bore up against them with such dauntless nobility of
+determination. With this event the drama has closed, and our parts, my
+son, are ended."
+
+"We bear arms, then, against the infidels, my lord?" said Arthur, with
+a sigh that was, however, hardly audible.
+
+"Not," answered the Earl, "until I learn that Henry of Richmond, the
+undoubted heir of the House of Lancaster, has no occasion for my
+services. In these jewels, of which you wrote me, so strangely lost
+and recovered, I may be able to supply him with resources more needful
+than either your services or mine. But I return no more to the camp of
+the Duke of Burgundy; for in him there is no help."
+
+"Can it be possible that the power of so great a
+sovereign has been overthrown in one fatal battle?" said Arthur.
+
+  [Illustration: THE FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.]
+
+"By no means," replied his father. "The loss at Granson was very
+great; but to the strength of Burgundy it is but a scratch on the
+shoulders of a giant. It is the spirit of Charles himself, his wisdom
+at least, and his foresight, which have given way under the
+mortification of a defeat by such as he accounted inconsiderable
+enemies, and expected to have trampled down with a few squadrons of
+his men-at-arms. Then his temper is become froward, peevish, and
+arbitrary, devoted to those who flatter and, as there is too much
+reason to believe, betray him, and suspicious of those counsellors who
+give him wholesome advice. Even I have had my share of distrust. Thou
+knowest I refused to bear arms against our late hosts the Swiss; and
+he saw in that no reason for rejecting my attendance on his march. But
+since the defeat of Granson, I have observed a strong and sudden
+change, owing, perhaps, in some degree to the insinuations of
+Campo-basso, and not a little to the injured pride of the Duke, who
+was unwilling that an indifferent person in my situation, and thinking
+as I do, should witness the disgrace of his arms. He spoke in my
+hearing of lukewarm friends, cold-blooded neutrals,--of those who, not
+being with him, must be against him. I tell thee, Arthur de Vere, the
+Duke has said that which touched my honour so nearly, that nothing but
+the commands of Queen Margaret, and the interests of the House of
+Lancaster, could have made me remain in his camp. That is over--My
+royal mistress has no more occasion for my poor services--the Duke can
+spare no aid to our cause--and if he could, we can no longer dispose
+of the only bribe which might have induced him to afford us succours.
+The power of seconding his views on Provence is buried with Margaret
+of Anjou."
+
+"What, then, is your purpose?" demanded his son.
+
+"I propose," said Oxford, "to wait at the court of King René until I
+can hear from the Earl of Richmond, as we must still call him. I am
+aware that banished men are rarely welcome at the court of a foreign
+prince; but I have been the faithful follower of his daughter
+Margaret. I only propose to reside in disguise, and desire neither
+notice nor maintenance; so methinks King René will not refuse to
+permit me to breathe the air of his dominions, until I learn in what
+direction fortune or duty shall call me."
+
+"Be assured he will not," answered Arthur. "René is incapable of a
+base or ignoble thought; and if he could despise trifles as he detests
+dishonour, he might be ranked high in the list of monarchs."
+
+This resolution being adopted, the son presented his father at King
+René's court, whom he privately made acquainted that he was a man of
+quality, and a distinguished Lancastrian. The good King would in his
+heart have preferred a guest of lighter accomplishments and gayer
+temper to Oxford, a statesman and a soldier of melancholy and grave
+habits. The Earl was conscious of this, and seldom troubled his
+benevolent and light-hearted host with his presence. He had, however,
+an opportunity of rendering the old King a favour of peculiar value.
+This was in conducting an important treaty betwixt René and Louis XI.
+of France, his nephew. Upon that crafty monarch René finally settled
+his principality; for the necessity of extricating his affairs by such
+a measure was now apparent even to himself, every thought of favouring
+Charles of Burgundy in the arrangement having died with Queen
+Margaret. The policy and wisdom of the English Earl, who was intrusted
+with almost the sole charge of this secret and delicate measure, were
+of the utmost advantage to good King René, who was freed from personal
+and pecuniary vexations, and enabled to go piping and tabouring to his
+grave. Louis did not fail to propitiate the plenipotentiary, by
+throwing out distant hopes of aid to the efforts of the Lancastrian
+party in England. A faint and insecure negotiation was entered into
+upon the subject; and these affairs, which rendered two journeys to
+Paris necessary on the part of Oxford and his son, in the spring and
+summer of the year 1476, occupied them until that year was half spent.
+
+In the meanwhile, the wars of the Duke of Burgundy with the Swiss
+Cantons and Count Ferrand of Lorraine continued to rage. Before
+midsummer 1476, Charles had assembled a new army of at least sixty
+thousand men, supported by one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, for
+the purpose of invading Switzerland, where the warlike mountaineers
+easily levied a host of thirty thousand Switzers, now accounted almost
+invincible, and called upon their confederates, the Free Cities on the
+Rhine, to support them with a powerful body of cavalry. The first
+efforts of Charles were successful. He overran the Pays de Vaud, and
+recovered most of the places which he had lost after the defeat at
+Granson. But instead of attempting to secure a well-defended frontier,
+or, what would have been still more politic, to achieve a peace upon
+equitable terms with his redoubtable neighbours, this most obstinate
+of princes resumed the purpose of penetrating into the recesses of the
+Alpine mountains, and chastising the mountaineers even within their
+own strongholds, though experience might have taught him the danger,
+nay desperation, of the attempt. Thus the news received by Oxford and
+his son, when they returned to Aix in midsummer, was, that Duke
+Charles had advanced to Morat (or Murten), situated upon a lake of the
+same name, at the very entrance of Switzerland. Here report said that
+Adrian de Bubenburg, a veteran knight of Berne, commanded, and
+maintained the most obstinate defence, in expectation of the relief
+which his countrymen were hastily assembling.
+
+"Alas, my old brother-in-arms!" said the Earl to his son, on hearing
+these tidings, "this town besieged, these assaults repelled, this
+vicinity of an enemy's country, this profound lake, these inaccessible
+cliffs, threaten a second part of the tragedy of Granson, more
+calamitous perhaps than even the former!"
+
+On the last week of June, the capital of Provence was agitated by one
+of those unauthorised yet generally received rumours which transmit
+great events with incredible swiftness, as an apple flung from hand to
+hand by a number of people will pass a given space infinitely faster
+than if borne by the most rapid series of expresses. The report
+announced a second defeat of the Burgundians, in terms so exaggerated
+as induced the Earl of Oxford to consider the greater part, if not the
+whole, as a fabrication.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+     And is the hostile troop arrived,
+       And have they won the day?
+     It must have been a bloody field
+       Ere Darwent fled away!
+              _The Ettrick Shepherd._
+
+
+Sleep did not close the eyes of the Earl of Oxford or his son; for
+although the success or defeat of the Duke of Burgundy could not now
+be of importance to their own private or political affairs, yet the
+father did not cease to interest himself in the fate of his former
+companion-in-arms; and the son, with the fire of youth, always eager
+after novelty,[12] expected to find something to advance or thwart his
+own progress in every remarkable event which agitated the world.
+
+Arthur had risen from his bed, and was in the act of attiring himself,
+when the tread of a horse arrested his attention. He had no sooner
+looked out of the window, than, exclaiming, "News, my father, news
+from the army!" he rushed into the street, where a cavalier, who
+appeared to have ridden very hard, was inquiring for the two
+Philipsons, father and son. He had no difficulty in recognising
+Colvin, the master of the Burgundian ordnance. His ghastly look
+bespoke distress of mind; his disordered array and broken armour,
+which seemed rusted with rain or stained with blood, gave the
+intelligence of some affray in which he had probably been worsted; and
+so exhausted was his gallant steed, that it was with difficulty the
+animal could stand upright. The condition of the rider was not much
+better. When he alighted from his horse to greet Arthur, he reeled so
+much that he would have fallen without instant support. His horny eye
+had lost the power of speculation; his limbs possessed imperfectly
+that of motion, and it was with a half-suffocated voice that he
+muttered, "Only fatigue--want of rest and of food."
+
+Arthur assisted him into the house, and refreshments were procured;
+but he refused all except a bowl of wine, after tasting which he set
+it down, and, looking at the Earl of Oxford with an eye of the deepest
+affliction, he ejaculated, "The Duke of Burgundy!"
+
+"Slain?" replied the Earl. "I trust not!"
+
+"It might have been better if he were," said the Englishman; "but
+dishonour has come before death."
+
+"Defeated, then?" said Oxford.
+
+"So completely and fearfully defeated," answered the soldier, "that
+all that I have seen of loss before was slight in comparison."
+
+"But how, or where?" said the Earl of Oxford. "You were superior in
+numbers, as we were informed."
+
+"Two to one at least," answered Colvin; "and when I speak of our
+encounter at this moment, I could rend my flesh with my teeth for
+being here to tell such a tale of shame. We had sat down for about a
+week before that paltry town of Murten, or Morat, or whatever it is
+called. The governor, one of those stubborn mountain bears of Berne,
+bade us defiance. He would not even condescend to shut his gates, but,
+when we summoned the town, returned for answer, we might enter if we
+pleased,--we should be suitably received. I would have tried to bring
+him to reason by a salvo or two of artillery, but the Duke was too
+much irritated to listen to good counsel. Stimulated by that black
+traitor, Campo-basso, he deemed it better to run forward with his
+whole force upon a place which, though I could soon have battered it
+about their German ears, was yet too strong to be carried by swords,
+lances, and hagbuts. We were beaten off with great loss, and much
+discouragement to the soldiers. We then commenced more regularly, and
+my batteries would have brought these mad Switzers to their senses.
+Walls and ramparts went down before the lusty cannoneers of Burgundy;
+we were well secured also by intrenchments against those whom we heard
+of as approaching to raise the siege. But, on the evening of the
+twentieth of this month, we learned that they were close at hand, and
+Charles, consulting only his own bold spirit, advanced to meet them,
+relinquishing the advantage of our batteries and strong position. By
+his orders, though against my own judgment, I accompanied him with
+twenty good pieces, and the flower of my people. We broke up on the
+next morning, and had not advanced far before we saw the lances and
+thick array of halberds and two-handed swords which crested the
+mountain. Heaven, too, added its terrors--a thunderstorm, with all the
+fury of those tempestuous climates, descended on both armies, but did
+most annoyance to ours, as our troops, especially the Italians, were
+more sensible to the torrents of rain which poured down, and the
+rivulets which, swelled into torrents, inundated and disordered our
+position. The Duke for once saw it necessary to alter his purpose of
+instant battle. He rode up to me, and directed me to defend with the
+cannon the retreat which he was about to commence, adding that he
+himself would in person sustain me with the men-at-arms. The order was
+given to retreat. But the movement gave new spirit to an enemy already
+sufficiently audacious. The ranks of the Swiss instantly prostrated
+themselves in prayer--a practice on the field of battle which I have
+ridiculed--but I will do so no more. When, after five minutes, they
+sprang again on their feet, and began to advance rapidly, sounding
+their horns and crying their war-cries with all their usual
+ferocity--behold, my lord, the clouds of heaven opened, shedding on
+the Confederates the blessed light of the returning sun, while our
+ranks were still in the gloom of the tempest. My men were discouraged.
+The host behind them was retreating; the sudden light thrown on the
+advancing Switzers showed along the mountains a profusion of banners,
+a glancing of arms, giving to the enemy the appearance of double the
+numbers that had hitherto been visible to us. I exhorted my followers
+to stand fast, but in doing so I thought a thought, and spoke a word,
+which was a grievous sin. 'Stand fast, my brave cannoneers!' I said.
+'We will presently let them hear louder thunders, and show them more
+fatal lightnings, than their prayers have put down!' My men shouted.
+But it was an impious thought, a blasphemous speech, and evil came
+after it. We levelled our guns on the advancing masses as fairly as
+cannon were ever pointed--I can vouch it, for I laid the Grand Duchess
+of Burgundy myself--Ah, poor Duchess! what rude hands manage thee
+now!--The volley was fired, and, ere the smoke spread from the
+muzzles, I could see many a man and many a banner go down. It was
+natural to think such a discharge should have checked the attack, and
+whilst the smoke hid the enemy from us I made every effort again to
+load our cannon, and anxiously endeavoured to look through the mist to
+discover the state of our opponents. But ere our smoke was cleared
+away, or the cannon again loaded, they came headlong down on us, horse
+and foot, old men and boys, men-at-arms and varlets, charging up to
+the muzzle of the guns, and over them, with total disregard to their
+lives. My brave fellows were cut down, pierced through, and overrun,
+while they were again loading their pieces, nor do I believe that a
+single cannon was fired a second time."
+
+"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford. "Did he not support you?"
+
+"Most loyally and bravely," answered Colvin, "with his own bodyguard
+of Walloons and Burgundians. But a thousand Italian mercenaries went
+off, and never showed face again. The pass, too, was cumbered with the
+artillery, and in itself narrow, bordering on mountains and cliffs, a
+deep lake close beside. In short, it was a place totally unfit for
+horsemen to act in. In spite of the Duke's utmost exertions, and those
+of the gallant Flemings who fought around him, all were borne back in
+complete disorder. I was on foot, fighting as I could, without hopes
+of my life, or indeed thoughts of saving it, when I saw the guns taken
+and my faithful cannoneers slain. But I saw Duke Charles hard pressed,
+and took my horse from my page that held him--Thou, too, art lost, my
+poor orphan boy!--I could only aid Monseigneur de la Croye and others
+to extricate the Duke. Our retreat became a total rout, and when we
+reached our rearguard, which we had left strongly encamped, the
+banners of the Switzers were waving on our batteries, for a large
+division had made a circuit through mountain passes known only to
+themselves, and attacked our camp, vigorously seconded by that
+accursed Adrian de Bubenburg, who sallied from the beleaguered town,
+so that our intrenchments were stormed on both sides at once.--I have
+more to say, but having ridden day and night to bring you these evil
+tidings, my tongue clings to the roof of my mouth, and I feel that I
+can speak no more. The rest is all flight and massacre, disgraceful to
+every soldier that shared in it. For my part, I confess my
+contumelious self-confidence and insolence to man, as well as
+blasphemy to Heaven. If I live, it is but to hide my disgraced head in
+a cowl, and expiate the numerous sins of a licentious life."
+
+With difficulty the broken-minded soldier was prevailed upon to take
+some nourishment and repose, together with an opiate, which was
+prescribed by the physician of King René, who recommended it as
+necessary to preserve even the reason of his patient, exhausted by the
+events of the battle, and subsequent fatigue.
+
+The Earl of Oxford, dismissing other assistance, watched alternately
+with his son at Colvin's bedside. Notwithstanding the draught that
+had been administered, his repose was far from sound. Sudden starts,
+the perspiration which started from his brow, the distortions of his
+countenance, and the manner in which he clenched his fists and flung
+about his limbs, showed that in his dreams he was again encountering
+the terrors of a desperate and forlorn combat. This lasted for several
+hours; but about noon fatigue and medicine prevailed over nervous
+excitation, and the defeated commander fell into a deep and untroubled
+repose till evening. About sunset he awakened, and, after learning
+with whom and where he was, he partook of refreshments, and, without
+any apparent consciousness of having told them before, detailed once
+more all the particulars of the battle of Murten.
+
+"It were little wide of truth," he said, "to calculate that one half
+of the Duke's army fell by the sword, or were driven into the lake.
+Those who escaped are great part of them scattered, never again to
+unite. Such a desperate and irretrievable rout was never witnessed. We
+fled like deer, sheep, or any other timid animals, which only remain
+in company because they are afraid to separate, but never think of
+order or of defence."
+
+"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford.
+
+"We hurried him with us," said the soldier, "rather from instinct than
+loyalty, as men flying from a conflagration snatch up what they have
+of value, without knowing what they are doing. Knight and knave,
+officer and soldier, fled in the same panic, and each blast of the
+horn of Uri in our rear added new wings to our flight."
+
+"And the Duke?" repeated Oxford.
+
+"At first he resisted our efforts, and strove to turn back on the foe;
+but when the flight became general he galloped along with us, without
+a word spoken or a command issued. At first we thought his silence and
+passiveness, so unusual in a temper so fiery, were fortunate for
+securing his personal safety. But when we rode the whole day, without
+being able to obtain a word of reply to all our questions,--when he
+sternly refused refreshments of every kind, though he had tasted no
+food all that disastrous day,--when every variation of his moody and
+uncertain temper was sunk into silent and sullen despair, we took
+counsel what was to be done, and it was by the general voice that I
+was despatched to entreat that you, for whose counsels alone Charles
+has been known to have had some occasional deference, would come
+instantly to his place of retreat, and exert all your influence to
+awaken him from this lethargy, which may otherwise terminate his
+existence."
+
+"And what remedy can I interpose?" said Oxford. "You know how he
+neglected my advice, when following it might have served my interest
+as well as his own. You are aware that my life was not safe among the
+miscreants that surrounded the Duke, and exercised influence over
+him."
+
+"Most true," answered Colvin; "but I also know he is your ancient
+companion-in-arms, and it would ill become me to teach the noble Earl
+of Oxford what the laws of chivalry require. For your lordship's
+safety, every honest man in the army will give willing security."
+
+"It is for that I care least," said Oxford, indifferently; "and if
+indeed my presence can be of service to the Duke,--if I could believe
+that he desired it"----
+
+"He does--he does, my lord!" said the faithful soldier, with tears in
+his eyes. "We heard him name your name, as if the words escaped him in
+a painful dream."
+
+"I will go to him, such being the case," said Oxford.--"I will go
+instantly. Where did he purpose to establish his headquarters?"
+
+"He had fixed nothing for himself on that or other matters; but
+Monsieur de Contay named La Rivière, near Salins, in Upper Burgundy,
+as the place of his retreat."
+
+"Thither, then, will we, my son, with all haste of preparation. Thou,
+Colvin, hadst better remain here, and see some holy man, to be
+assoilzied for thy hasty speech on the battle-field of Morat. There
+was offence in it without doubt, but it will be ill atoned for by
+quitting a generous master when he hath most need of your good
+service; and it is but an act of cowardice to retreat into the
+cloister, till we have no longer active duties to perform in this
+world."
+
+"It is true," said Colvin, "that should I leave the Duke now, perhaps
+not a man would stay behind that could stell a cannon properly. The
+sight of your lordship cannot but operate favourably on my noble
+master, since it has waked the old soldier in myself. If your lordship
+can delay your journey till to-morrow, I will have my spiritual
+affairs settled, and my bodily health sufficiently restored, to be
+your guide to La Rivière; and, for the cloister, I will think of it
+when I have regained the good name which I have lost at Murten. But I
+will have masses said, and these right powerful, for the souls of my
+poor cannoneers."
+
+The proposal of Colvin was adopted, and Oxford, with his son, attended
+by Thiebault, spent the day in preparation, excepting the time
+necessary to take formal leave of King René, who seemed to part with
+them with regret. In company with the ordnance officer of the
+discomfited Duke, they traversed those parts of Provence, Dauphiné,
+and Franche Compté which lie between Aix and the place to which the
+Duke of Burgundy had retreated; but the distance and inconvenience of
+so long a route consumed more than a fortnight on the road, and the
+month of July 1476 was commenced when the travellers arrived in Upper
+Burgundy, and at the Castle of La Rivière, about twenty miles to the
+south of the town of Salins. The castle, which was but of small size,
+was surrounded by very many tents, which were pitched in a crowded,
+disordered, and unsoldierlike manner, very unlike the discipline
+usually observed in the camp of Charles the Bold. That the Duke was
+present there, however, was attested by his broad banner, which, rich
+with all its quarterings, streamed from the battlements of the castle.
+The guard turned out to receive the strangers, but in a manner so
+disorderly that the Earl looked to Colvin for explanation. The master
+of the ordnance shrugged up his shoulders, and was silent.
+
+Colvin having sent in notice of his arrival, and that of the English
+Earl, Monsieur de Contay caused them presently to be admitted, and
+expressed much joy at their arrival.
+
+"A few of us," he said, "true servants of the Duke, are holding
+council here, at which your assistance, my noble Lord of Oxford, will
+be of the utmost importance. Messieurs De la Croye, De Craon,
+Rubempré, and others, nobles of Burgundy, are now assembled to
+superintend the defence of the country at this exigence."
+
+They all expressed delight to see the Earl of Oxford, and had only
+abstained from thrusting their attentions on him the last time he was
+in the Duke's camp, as they understood it was his wish to observe
+incognito.
+
+"His Grace," said De Craon, "has asked after you twice, and on both
+times by your assumed name of Philipson."
+
+"I wonder not at that, my Lord of Craon," replied the English
+nobleman. "The origin of the name took its rise in former days, when I
+was here during my first exile. It was then said that we poor
+Lancastrian nobles must assume other names than our own, and the good
+Duke Philip said, as I was brother-in-arms to his son Charles, I must
+be called after himself, by the name of Philipson. In memory of the
+good sovereign, I took that name when the day of need actually
+arrived, and I see that the Duke thinks of our early intimacy by his
+distinguishing me so.--How fares his Grace?"
+
+The Burgundians looked at each other, and there was a pause.
+
+"Even like a man stunned, brave Oxford," at length De Contay replied.
+"Sieur d'Argentin, you can best inform the noble Earl of the condition
+of our sovereign."
+
+"He is like a man distracted," said the future historian of that busy
+period. "After the battle of Granson, he was never, to my thinking, of
+the same sound judgment as before. But then, he was capricious,
+unreasonable, peremptory, and inconsistent, and resented every counsel
+that was offered, as if it had been meant in insult; was jealous of
+the least trespass in point of ceremonial, as if his subjects were
+holding him in contempt. Now there is a total change, as if this
+second blow had stunned him, and suppressed the violent passions which
+the first called into action. He is silent as a Carthusian, solitary
+as a hermit, expresses interest in nothing, least of all in the
+guidance of his army. He was, you know, anxious about his dress, so
+much so that there was some affectation even in the rudenesses which
+he practised in that matter. But, woe's me, you will see a change now;
+he will not suffer his hair or nails to be trimmed or arranged. He is
+totally heedless of respect or disrespect towards him, takes little or
+no nourishment, uses strong wines, which, however, do not seem to
+affect his understanding; he will hear nothing of war or state
+affairs, as little of hunting or of sport. Suppose an anchorite
+brought from a cell to govern a kingdom, you see in him, except in
+point of devotion, a picture of the fiery, active Charles of
+Burgundy."
+
+"You speak of a mind deeply wounded, Sieur d'Argentin," replied the
+Englishman. "Think you it fit I should present myself before the
+Duke?"
+
+"I will inquire," said Contay; and, leaving the apartment, returned
+presently, and made a sign to the Earl to follow him.
+
+In a cabinet, or closet, the unfortunate Charles reclined in a large
+arm-chair, his legs carelessly stretched on a footstool, but so
+changed that the Earl of Oxford could have believed what he saw to be
+the ghost of the once fiery Duke. Indeed, the shaggy length of hair
+which, streaming from his head, mingled with his beard; the hollowness
+of the caverns, at the bottom of which rolled his wild eyes; the
+falling in of the breast, and the advance of the shoulders, gave the
+ghastly appearance of one who has suffered the final agony which takes
+from mortality the signs of life and energy. His very costume (a cloak
+flung loosely over him) increased his resemblance to a shrouded
+phantom. De Contay named the Earl of Oxford; but the Duke gazed on him
+with a lustreless eye, and gave him no answer.
+
+"Speak to him, brave Oxford," said the Burgundian in a whisper; "he is
+even worse than usual, but perhaps he may know your voice."
+
+Never, when the Duke of Burgundy was in the most palmy state of his
+fortunes, did the noble Englishman kneel to kiss his hand with such
+sincere reverence. He respected in him, not only the afflicted friend,
+but the humbled sovereign, upon whose tower of trust the lightning had
+so recently broken. It was probably the falling of a tear upon his
+hand which seemed to awake the Duke's attention, for he looked towards
+the Earl, and said, "Oxford--Philipson--my old--my only friend, hast
+thou found me out in this retreat of shame and misery?"
+
+"I am not your only friend, my lord," said Oxford. "Heaven has given
+you many affectionate friends among your natural and loyal subjects.
+But though a stranger, and saving the allegiance I owe to my lawful
+sovereign, I will yield to none of them in the respect and deference
+which I have paid to your Grace in prosperity, and now come to render
+to you in adversity."
+
+"Adversity indeed!" said the Duke; "irremediable, intolerable
+adversity! I was lately Charles of Burgundy, called the Bold--now am I
+twice beaten by a scum of German peasants; my standard taken, my
+men-at-arms put to flight, my camp twice plundered, and each time of
+value more than equal to the price of all Switzerland fairly lost;
+myself hunted like a caitiff goat or chamois--The utmost spite of hell
+could never accumulate more shame on the head of a sovereign!"
+
+"On the contrary, my lord," said Oxford, "it is a trial of Heaven,
+which calls for patience and strength of mind. The bravest and best
+knight may lose the saddle; he is but a laggard who lies rolling on
+the sand of the lists after the accident has chanced."
+
+"Ha, laggard, say'st thou?" said the Duke, some part of his ancient
+spirit awakened by the broad taunt. "Leave my presence, sir, and
+return to it no more, till you are summoned thither"----
+
+"Which I trust will be no later than your Grace quits your dishabille,
+and disposes yourself to see your vassals and friends with such
+ceremony as befits you and them," said the Earl composedly.
+
+"How mean you by that, Sir Earl? You are unmannerly."
+
+"If I be, my lord, I am taught my ill-breeding by circumstances. I can
+mourn over fallen dignity; but I cannot honour him who dishonours
+himself, by bending, like a regardless boy, beneath the scourge of
+evil fortune."
+
+"And who am I that you should term me such?" said Charles, starting up
+in all his natural pride and ferocity; "or who are you but a
+miserable exile, that you should break in upon my privacy with such
+disrespectful upbraiding?"
+
+"For me," replied Oxford, "I am, as you say, an unrespected exile; nor
+am I ashamed of my condition, since unshaken loyalty to my King and
+his successors has brought me to it. But in you, can I recognise the
+Duke of Burgundy in a sullen hermit, whose guards are a disorderly
+soldiery, dreadful only to their friends; whose councils are in
+confusion for want of their sovereign, and who himself lurks like a
+lamed wolf in its den, in an obscure castle, waiting but a blast of
+the Switzer's horn to fling open its gates, which there are none to
+defend; who wears not a knightly sword to protect his person, and
+cannot even die like a stag at bay, but must be worried like a hunted
+fox?"
+
+"Death and hell, slanderous traitor!" thundered the Duke, glancing a
+look at his side, and perceiving himself without a weapon.--"It is
+well for thee I have no sword, or thou shouldst never boast of thine
+insolence going unpunished.--Contay, step forth like a good knight,
+and confute the calumniator. Say, are not my soldiers arrayed,
+disciplined, and in order?"
+
+"My lord," said Contay, trembling (brave as he was in battle) at the
+frantic rage which Charles exhibited, "there are a numerous soldiery
+yet under your command, but they are in evil order, and in worse
+discipline, I think, than they were wont."
+
+"I see it--I see it," said the Duke; "idle and evil counsellors are ye
+all.--Hearken, Sir of Contay, what have you and the rest of you been
+doing, holding as you do large lands and high fiefs of us, that I
+cannot stretch my limbs on a sick-bed, when my heart is half broken,
+but my troops must fall into such scandalous disorder as exposes me to
+the scorn and reproach of each beggarly foreigner?"
+
+"My lord," replied Contay, more firmly, "we have done what we could.
+But your Grace has accustomed your mercenary generals, and leaders of
+Free Companies, to take their orders only from your own mouth, or
+hand. They clamour also for pay, and the treasurer refuses to issue it
+without your Grace's order, as he alleges it might cost him his head;
+and they will not be guided and restrained, either by us or those who
+compose your council."
+
+The Duke laughed sternly, but was evidently somewhat pleased with the
+reply.
+
+"Ha, ha!" he said, "it is only Burgundy who can ride his own wild
+horses, and rule his own wild soldiery. Hark thee, Contay--To-morrow I
+ride forth to review the troops--for what disorder has passed,
+allowance shall be made. Pay also shall be issued--but woe to those
+who shall have offended too deeply! Let my grooms of the chamber know
+to provide me fitting dress and arms. I have got a lesson" (glancing a
+dark look at Oxford), "and I will not again be insulted without the
+means of wreaking my vengeance. Begone, both of you! And, Contay, send
+the treasurer hither with his accounts, and woe to his soul if I find
+aught to complain of! Begone, I say, and send him hither."
+
+They left the apartment with suitable obeisance. As they retired, the
+Duke said abruptly, "Lord of Oxford, a word with you. Where did you
+study medicine? In your own famed university, I suppose. Thy physic
+hath wrought a wonder. Yet, Doctor Philipson, it might have cost thee
+thy life."
+
+"I have ever thought my life cheap," said Oxford, "when the object was
+to help my friend."
+
+"Thou art indeed a friend," said Charles, "and a fearless one. But
+go--I have been sore troubled, and thou hast tasked my temper closely.
+To-morrow we will speak further; meantime, I forgive thee, and I
+honour thee."
+
+The Earl of Oxford retired to the council-hall, where the Burgundian
+nobility, aware of what had passed, crowded around him with thanks,
+compliments, and congratulations. A general bustle now ensued; orders
+were hurried off in every direction. Those officers who had duties to
+perform which had been neglected, hastened to conceal or to atone for
+their negligence. There was a general tumult in the camp, but it was a
+tumult of joy; for soldiers are always most pleased when they are best
+in order for performing their military service; and licence or
+inactivity, however acceptable at times, are not, when continued, so
+agreeable to their nature, as strict discipline and a prospect of
+employment.
+
+The treasurer, who was, luckily for him, a man of sense and method,
+having been two hours in private with the Duke, returned with looks of
+wonder, and professed that never, in Charles's most prosperous days,
+had he showed himself more acute in the department of finance, of
+which he had but that morning seemed totally incapable; and the merit
+was universally attributed to the visit of Lord Oxford, whose timely
+reprimand had, like the shot of a cannon dispersing foul mists,
+awakened the Duke from his black and bilious melancholy.
+
+On the following day Charles reviewed his troops with his usual
+attention, directed new levies, made various dispositions of his
+forces, and corrected the faults of their discipline by severe orders,
+which were enforced by some deserved punishments (of which the Italian
+mercenaries of Campo-basso had a large share), and rendered palatable
+by the payment of arrears, which was calculated to attach them to the
+standard under which they served.
+
+The Duke also, after consulting with his council, agreed to convoke
+meetings of the States in his different territories, redress certain
+popular grievances, and grant some boons which he had hitherto denied;
+and thus began to open a new account of popularity with his subjects,
+in place of that which his rashness had exhausted.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[12] Cupidus novarum rerum.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+                       Here's a weapon now,
+     Shall shake a conquering general in his tent,
+     A monarch on his throne, or reach a prelate,
+           However holy be his offices,
+           E'en while he serves the altar.
+                                       _Old Play._
+
+
+From this time all was activity in the Duke of Burgundy's court and
+army. Money was collected, soldiers were levied, and certain news of
+the Confederates' motions only were wanting to bring on the campaign.
+But although Charles was, to all outward appearance, as active as
+ever, yet those who were more immediately about his person were of
+opinion that he did not display the soundness of mind or the energy of
+judgment which had been admired in him before these calamities. He was
+still liable to fits of moody melancholy, similar to those which
+descended upon Saul, and was vehemently furious when aroused out of
+them. Indeed, the Earl of Oxford himself seemed to have lost the power
+which he had exercised over him at first. Nay, though in general
+Charles was both grateful and affectionate towards him, he evidently
+felt humbled by the recollection of his having witnessed his impotent
+and disastrous condition, and was so much afraid of Lord Oxford being
+supposed to lead his counsels, that he often repelled his advice,
+merely, as it seemed, to show his own independence of mind.
+
+In these froward humours the Duke was much encouraged by Campo-basso.
+That wily traitor now saw his master's affairs tottering to their
+fall, and he resolved to lend his lever to the work, so as to entitle
+him to a share of the spoil. He regarded Oxford as one of the most
+able friends and counsellors who adhered to the Duke; he thought he
+saw in his looks that he fathomed his own treacherous purpose, and
+therefore he hated and feared him. Besides, in order perhaps to colour
+over, even to his own eyes, the abominable perfidy he meditated, he
+affected to be exceedingly enraged against the Duke for the late
+punishment of marauders belonging to his Italian bands. He believed
+that chastisement to have been inflicted by the advice of Oxford; and
+he suspected that the measure was pressed with the hope of discovering
+that the Italians had not pillaged for their own emolument only, but
+for that of their commander. Believing that Oxford was thus hostile to
+him, Campo-basso would have speedily found means to take him out of
+his path, had not the Earl himself found it prudent to observe some
+precautions; and the lords of Flanders and Burgundy, who loved him for
+the very reasons for which the Italian abhorred him, watched over his
+safety with a vigilance of which he himself was ignorant, but which
+certainly was the means of preserving his life.
+
+It was not to be supposed that Ferrand of Lorraine should have left
+his victory so long unimproved; but the Swiss Confederates, who were
+the strength of his forces, insisted that the first operations should
+take place in Savoy and the Pays de Vaud, where the Burgundians had
+many garrisons, which, though they received no relief, yet were not
+easily or speedily reduced. Besides, the Switzers being, like most of
+the national soldiers of the time, a kind of militia, most of them
+returned home, to get in their harvest, and to deposit their spoil in
+safety. Ferrand, therefore, though bent on pursuing his success with
+all the ardour of youthful chivalry, was prevented from making any
+movement in advance until the month of December 1476. In the meantime,
+the Duke of Burgundy's forces, to be least burdensome to the country,
+were cantoned in distant places of his dominions, where every exertion
+was made to perfect the discipline of the new levies. The Duke, if
+left to himself, would have precipitated the struggle by again
+assembling his forces, and pushing forward into the Helvetian
+territories; but, though he inwardly foamed at the recollection of
+Granson and Murten, the memory of these disasters was too recent to
+permit such a plan of the campaign. Meantime, weeks glided past, and
+the month of December was far advanced, when one morning, as the Duke
+was sitting in council, Campo-basso suddenly entered, with a degree of
+extravagant rapture in his countenance, singularly different from the
+cold, regulated, and subtle smile which was usually his utmost advance
+towards laughter. "_Guantes_,"[13] he said, "_Guantes_, for luck's
+sake, if it please your Grace."
+
+"And what of good fortune comes nigh us?" said the Duke. "Methought
+she had forgot the way to our gates."
+
+"She has returned to them, please your Highness, with her cornucopia
+full of choicest gifts, ready to pour her fruit, her flowers, her
+treasures, on the head of the sovereign of Europe most worthy to
+receive them."
+
+"The meaning of all this?" said Duke Charles. "Riddles are for
+children."
+
+"The harebrained young madman Ferrand, who calls himself of Lorraine,
+has broken down from the mountains, at the head of a desultory army of
+scapegraces like himself; and what think you--ha! ha! ha!--they are
+overrunning Lorraine, and have taken Nancy--ha! ha! ha!"
+
+"By my good faith, Sir Count," said Contay, astonished at the gay
+humour with which the Italian treated a matter so serious, "I have
+seldom heard a fool laugh more gaily at a more scurvy jest, than you,
+a wise man, laugh at the loss of the principal town of the province we
+are fighting for."
+
+"I laugh," said Campo-basso, "among the spears, as my war-horse
+does--ha! ha!--among the trumpets. I laugh also over the destruction
+of the enemy, and the dividing of the spoil, as eagles scream their
+joy over the division of their prey; I laugh"----
+
+"You laugh," said the Lord of Contay, waxing impatient, "when you have
+all the mirth to yourself, as you laughed after our losses at Granson
+and Murten."
+
+"Peace, sir!" said the Duke. "The Count of Campo-basso has viewed the
+case as I do. This young knight-errant ventures from the protection
+of his mountains; and Heaven deal with me as I keep my oath, when I
+swear that the next fair field on which we meet shall see one of us
+dead! It is now the last week of the old year, and before Twelfth-Day
+we will see whether he or I shall find the bean in the cake.--To arms,
+my lords! Let our camp instantly break up, and our troops move forward
+towards Lorraine. Send off the Italian and Albanian light cavalry and
+the Stradiots to scour the country in the van--Oxford, thou wilt bear
+arms in this journey, wilt thou not?"
+
+"Surely," said the Earl. "I am eating your Highness's bread; and when
+enemies invade, it stands with my honour to fight for your Grace as if
+I was your born subject. With your Grace's permission, I will despatch
+a pursuivant, who shall carry letters to my late kind host, the
+Landamman of Unterwalden, acquainting him with my purpose."
+
+The Duke having given a ready assent, the pursuivant was dismissed
+accordingly, and returned in a few hours, so near had the armies
+approached to each other. He bore a letter from the Landamman, in a
+tone of courtesy and even kindness, regretting that any cause should
+have occurred for bearing arms against his late guest, for whom he
+expressed high personal regard. The same pursuivant also brought
+greetings from the family of the Biedermans to their friend Arthur,
+and a separate letter, addressed to the same person, of which the
+contents ran thus:--
+
+     "Rudolph Donnerhugel is desirous to give the young
+     merchant, Arthur Philipson, the opportunity of finishing
+     the bargain which remained unsettled between them in the
+     castle-court of Geierstein. He is the more desirous of
+     this, as he is aware that the said Arthur has done him
+     wrong, in seducing the affections of a certain maiden of
+     rank, to whom he, Philipson, is not, and cannot be,
+     anything beyond an ordinary acquaintance. Rudolph
+     Donnerhugel will send Arthur Philipson word when a fair
+     and equal meeting can take place on neutral ground. In the
+     meantime, he will be as often as possible in the first
+     rank of the skirmishers."
+
+Young Arthur's heart leapt high as he read the defiance, the piqued
+tone of which showed the state of the writer's feelings, and argued
+sufficiently Rudolph's disappointment on the subject of Anne of
+Geierstein, and his suspicion that she had bestowed her affections on
+the youthful stranger. Arthur found means of despatching a reply to
+the challenge of the Swiss, assuring him of the pleasure with which he
+would attend his commands, either in front of the line or elsewhere,
+as Rudolph might desire.
+
+Meantime the armies were closely approaching to each other, and the
+light troops sometimes met. The Stradiots from the Venetian territory,
+a sort of cavalry resembling that of the Turks, performed much of that
+service on the part of the Burgundian army, for which, indeed, if
+their fidelity could have been relied on, they were admirably well
+qualified. The Earl of Oxford observed that these men, who were under
+the command of Campo-basso, always brought in intelligence that the
+enemy were in indifferent order, and in full retreat. Besides,
+information was communicated through their means that sundry
+individuals, against whom the Duke of Burgundy entertained peculiar
+personal dislike, and whom he specially desired to get into his
+hands, had taken refuge in Nancy. This greatly increased the Duke's
+ardour for retaking that place, which became perfectly ungovernable
+when he learned that Ferrand and his Swiss allies had drawn off to a
+neighbouring position called St. Nicholas, on the news of his arrival.
+The greater part of the Burgundian counsellors, together with the Earl
+of Oxford, protested against his besieging a place of some strength,
+while an active enemy lay in the neighbourhood to relieve it. They
+remonstrated on the smallness of his army, on the severity of the
+weather, on the difficulty of obtaining provisions, and exhorted the
+Duke that, having made such a movement as had forced the enemy to
+retreat, he ought to suspend decisive operations till spring. Charles
+at first tried to dispute and repel these arguments; but when his
+counsellors reminded him that he was placing himself and his army in
+the same situation as at Granson and Murten, he became furious at the
+recollection, foamed at the mouth, and only answered by oaths and
+imprecations, that he would be master of Nancy before Twelfth Day.
+
+Accordingly, the army of Burgundy sat down before Nancy, in a strong
+position, protected by the hollow of a watercourse, and covered with
+thirty pieces of cannon, which Colvin had under his charge.
+
+Having indulged his obstinate temper in thus arranging the campaign,
+the Duke seemed to give a little more heed to the advice of his
+counsellors touching the safety of his person, and permitted the Earl
+of Oxford, with his son, and two or three officers of his household,
+men of approved trust, to sleep within his pavilion, in addition to
+the usual guard.
+
+It wanted three days of Christmas when the Duke sat down before Nancy,
+and on that very evening a tumult happened which seemed to justify the
+alarm for his personal safety. It was midnight, and all in the ducal
+pavilion were at rest, when a cry of treason arose. The Earl of
+Oxford, drawing his sword, and snatching up a light which burned
+beside him, rushed into the Duke's apartment, and found him standing
+on the floor totally undressed, but with his sword in his hand, and
+striking around him so furiously, that the Earl himself had difficulty
+in avoiding his blows. The rest of his officers rushed in, their
+weapons drawn, and their cloaks wrapped around their left arms. When
+the Duke was somewhat composed, and found himself surrounded by his
+friends, he informed them, with rage and agitation, that the officers
+of the Secret Tribunal had, in spite of the vigilant precautions
+taken, found means to gain entrance into his chamber, and charged him,
+under the highest penalty, to appear before the Holy Vehme upon
+Christmas night.
+
+The bystanders heard this story with astonishment, and some of them
+were uncertain whether they ought to consider it as a reality, or a
+dream of the Duke's irritable fancy. But the citation was found on the
+Duke's toilette, written, as was the form, upon parchment, signeted
+with three crosses, and stuck to the table with a knife. A slip of
+wood had been also cut from the table. Oxford read the summons with
+attention. It named, as usual, a place where the Duke was cited to
+come unarmed and unattended, and from which it was said he would be
+guided to the seat of judgment.
+
+Charles, after looking at the scroll for some time, gave vent to his
+thoughts.
+
+"I know from what quiver this arrow comes," he said. "It is shot by
+that degenerate noble, apostate priest, and accomplice of sorcerers,
+Albert of Geierstein. We have heard that he is among the motley group
+of murderers and outlaws whom the old fiddler of Provence's grandson
+has raked together. But, by St. George of Burgundy! neither monk's
+cowl, soldier's casque, nor conjurer's cap shall save him after such
+an insult as this. I will degrade him from knighthood, hang him from
+the highest steeple in Nancy, and his daughter shall choose between
+the meanest herd-boy in my army and the convent of _filles
+repentées_!"
+
+"Whatever are your purposes, my lord," said Contay, "it were surely
+best be silent, when, from this late apparition, we may conjecture
+that more than we wot of may be within hearing."
+
+The Duke seemed struck with this hint, and was silent, or at least
+only muttered oaths and threats betwixt his teeth, while the strictest
+search was made for the intruder on his repose. But it was in vain.
+
+Charles continued his researches, incensed at a flight of audacity
+higher than ever had been ventured upon by these secret societies,
+who, whatever might be the dread inspired by them, had not as yet
+attempted to cope with sovereigns. A trusty party of Burgundians were
+sent on Christmas night to watch the spot (a meeting of four cross
+roads) named in the summons, and make prisoners of any whom they could
+lay hands upon; but no suspicious persons appeared at or near the
+place. The Duke not the less continued to impute the affront he had
+received to Albert of Geierstein. There was a price set upon his head;
+and Campo-basso, always willing to please his master's mood, undertook
+that some of his Italians, sufficiently experienced in such feats,
+should bring the obnoxious baron before him, alive or dead. Colvin,
+Contay, and others laughed in secret at the Italian's promises.
+
+"Subtle as he is," said Colvin, "he will lure the wild vulture from
+the heavens before he gets Albert of Geierstein into his power."
+
+Arthur, to whom the words of the Duke had given subject for no small
+anxiety, on account of Anne of Geierstein, and of her father for her
+sake, breathed more lightly on hearing his menaces held so cheaply.
+
+It was the second day after this alarm that Oxford felt a desire to
+reconnoitre the camp of Ferrand of Lorraine, having some doubts
+whether the strength and position of it were accurately reported. He
+obtained the Duke's consent for this purpose, who at the same time
+made him and his son a present of two noble steeds of great power and
+speed, which he himself highly valued.
+
+So soon as the Duke's pleasure was communicated to the Italian count,
+he expressed the utmost joy that he was to have the assistance of
+Oxford's age and experience upon an exploratory party, and selected a
+chosen band of an hundred Stradiots, whom he said he had sent
+sometimes to skirmish up to the very beards of the Switzers. The Earl
+showed himself much satisfied with the active and intelligent manner
+in which these men performed their duty, and drove before them and
+dispersed some parties of Ferrand's cavalry. At the entrance of a
+little ascending valley, Campo-basso communicated to the English
+noblemen that if they could advance to the farther extremity they
+would have a full view of the enemy's position. Two or three Stradiots
+then spurred on to examine this defile, and, returning back,
+communicated with their leader in their own language, who, pronouncing
+the passage safe, invited the Earl of Oxford to accompany him. They
+proceeded through the valley without seeing an enemy, but on issuing
+upon a plain at the point intimated by Campo-basso, Arthur, who was in
+the van of the Stradiots, and separated from his father, did indeed
+see the camp of Duke Ferrand within half a mile's distance; but a body
+of cavalry had that instant issued from it, and were riding hastily
+towards the gorge of the valley from which he had just emerged. He was
+about to wheel his horse and ride off, but, conscious of the great
+speed of the animal, he thought he might venture to stay for a
+moment's more accurate survey of the camp. The Stradiots who attended
+him did not wait his orders to retire, but went off, as was indeed
+their duty, when attacked by a superior force.
+
+Meantime, Arthur observed that the knight who seemed leader of the
+advancing squadron, mounted on a powerful horse that shook the earth
+beneath him, bore on his shield the Bear of Berne, and had otherwise
+the appearance of the massive frame of Rudolph Donnerhugel. He was
+satisfied of this when he beheld the cavalier halt his party and
+advance towards him alone, putting his lance in rest, and moving
+slowly, as if to give him time for preparation. To accept such a
+challenge, in such a moment, was dangerous, but to refuse it was
+disgraceful; and while Arthur's blood boiled at the idea of chastising
+an insolent rival, he was not a little pleased at heart that their
+meeting on horseback gave him an advantage over the Swiss, through his
+perfect acquaintance with the practice of the tourney, in which
+Rudolph might be supposed more ignorant.
+
+They met, as was the phrase of the time, "manful under shield." The
+lance of the Swiss glanced from the helmet of the Englishman, against
+which it was addressed, while the spear of Arthur, directed right
+against the centre of his adversary's body, was so justly aimed, and
+so truly seconded by the full fury of the career, as to pierce, not
+only the shield which hung round the ill-fated warrior's neck, but a
+breast-plate and a shirt of mail which he wore beneath it. Passing
+clear through the body, the steel point of the weapon was only stopped
+by the back-piece of the unfortunate cavalier, who fell headlong from
+his horse, as if struck by lightning, rolled twice or thrice over on
+the ground, tore the earth with his hands, and then lay prostrate a
+dead corpse.
+
+There was a cry of rage and grief among those men-at-arms whose ranks
+Rudolph had that instant left, and many couched their lances to avenge
+him; but Ferrand of Lorraine, who was present in person, ordered them
+to make prisoner, but not to harm, the successful champion. This was
+accomplished, for Arthur had not time to turn his bridle for flight,
+and resistance would have been madness.
+
+When brought before Ferrand, he raised his visor, and said, "Is it
+well, my lord, to make captive an adventurous knight, for doing his
+devoir against a personal challenger?"
+
+"Do not complain, Sir Arthur of Oxford," said Ferrand, "before you
+experience injury. You are free, Sir Knight. Your father and you were
+faithful to my royal aunt Margaret, and, although she was my enemy, I
+do justice to your fidelity in her behalf; and from respect to her
+memory, disinherited as she was like myself, and to please my
+grandfather, who I think had some regard for you, I give you your
+freedom. But I must also care for your safety during your return to
+the camp of Burgundy. On this side of the hill we are loyal and
+true-hearted men, on the other they are traitors and murderers. You,
+Sir Count, will, I think, gladly see our captive placed in safety."
+
+The knight to whom Ferrand addressed himself, a tall, stately man, put
+himself in motion to attend on Arthur, while the former was expressing
+to the young Duke of Lorraine the sense he entertained of his
+chivalrous conduct. "Farewell, Sir Arthur de Vere," said Ferrand. "You
+have slain a noble champion, and to me a most useful and faithful
+friend. But it was done nobly and openly, with equal arms, and in the
+front of the line; and evil befall him who entertains feud first!"
+Arthur bowed to his saddle-bow. Ferrand returned the salutation, and
+they parted.
+
+Arthur and his new companion had ridden but a little way up the
+ascent, when the stranger spoke thus:--
+
+"We have been fellow-travellers before, young man, yet you remember me
+not."
+
+Arthur turned his eyes on the cavalier, and, observing that the crest
+which adorned his helmet was fashioned like a vulture, strange
+suspicions began to cross his mind, which were confirmed when the
+knight, opening his helmet, showed him the dark and severe features of
+the Priest of St. Paul's.
+
+"Count Albert of Geierstein!" said Arthur.
+
+"The same," replied the count, "though thou hast seen him in other
+garb and headgear. But tyranny drives all men to arms, and I have
+resumed, by the licence and command of my superiors, those which I had
+laid aside. A war against cruelty and oppression is holy as that waged
+in Palestine, in which priests bear armour."
+
+"My Lord Count," said Arthur, eagerly, "I cannot too soon entreat you
+to withdraw to Sir Ferrand of Lorraine's squadron. Here you are in
+peril, where no strength or courage can avail you. The Duke has placed
+a price on your head; and the country betwixt this and Nancy swarms
+with Stradiots and Italian light horsemen."
+
+"I laugh at them," answered the count. "I have not lived so long in a
+stormy world, amid intrigues of war and policy, to fall by the mean
+hand of such as they--besides, thou art with me, and I have seen but
+now that thou canst bear thee nobly."
+
+"In your defence, my lord," said Arthur, who thought of his companion
+as the father of Anne of Geierstein, "I should try to do my best."
+
+"What, youth!" replied Count Albert with a stern sneer, that was
+peculiar to his countenance; "wouldst thou aid the enemy of the lord
+under whose banner thou servest against his waged soldiers?"
+
+Arthur was somewhat abashed at the turn given to his ready offer of
+assistance, for which he had expected at least thanks; but he
+instantly collected himself, and replied, "My Lord Count Albert, you
+have been pleased to put yourself in peril to protect me from
+partisans of your party--I am equally bound to defend you from those
+of our side."
+
+"It is happily answered," said the count; "yet I think there is a
+little blind partisan, of whom troubadours and minstrels talk, to
+whose instigation I might, in case of need, owe the great zeal of my
+protector."
+
+He did not allow Arthur, who was a good deal embarrassed, time to
+reply, but proceeded: "Hear me, young man--Thy lance has this day done
+an evil deed to Switzerland, to Berne, and Duke Ferrand, in slaying
+their bravest champion. But to me the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel is
+a welcome event. Know that he was, as his services grew more
+indispensable, become importunate in requiring Duke Ferrand's interest
+with me for my daughter's hand. And the Duke himself, the son of a
+princess, blushed not to ask me to bestow the last of my house--for my
+brother's family are degenerate mongrels--upon a presumptuous young
+man, whose uncle was a domestic in the house of my wife's father,
+though they boasted some relationship, I believe, through an
+illegitimate channel, which yonder Rudolph was wont to make the most
+of, as it favoured his suit."
+
+"Surely," said Arthur, "a match with one so unequal in birth, and far
+more in every other respect, was too monstrous to be mentioned?"
+
+"While I lived," replied Count Albert, "never should such union have
+been formed, if the death both of bride and bridegroom by my dagger
+could have saved the honour of my house from violation. But when I--I
+whose days, whose very hours are numbered--shall be no more, what
+could prevent an undaunted suitor, fortified by Duke Ferrand's favour,
+by the general applause of his country, and perhaps by the unfortunate
+prepossession of my brother Arnold, from carrying his point against
+the resistance and scruples of a solitary maiden?"
+
+"Rudolph is dead," replied Arthur, "and may Heaven assoilzie him from
+guilt! But were he alive, and urging his suit on Anne of Geierstein,
+he would find there was a combat to be fought"----
+
+"Which has been already decided," answered Count Albert. "Now, mark
+me, Arthur de Vere! My daughter has told me of the passages betwixt
+you and her. Your sentiments and conduct are worthy of the noble house
+you descend from, which I well know ranks with the most illustrious in
+Europe. You are indeed disinherited, but so is Anne of Geierstein,
+save such pittance as her uncle may impart to her of her paternal
+inheritance. If you share it together till better days (always
+supposing your noble father gives his consent, for my child shall
+enter no house against the will of its head), my daughter knows that
+she has my willing consent, and my blessing. My brother shall also
+know my pleasure. He will approve my purpose; for, though dead to
+thoughts of honour and chivalry, he is alive to social feelings, loves
+his niece, and has friendship for thee and for thy father. What say'st
+thou, young man, to taking a beggarly countess to aid thee in the
+journey of life? I believe--nay, I prophesy (for I stand so much on
+the edge of the grave, that methinks I command a view beyond it), that
+a lustre will one day, after I have long ended my doubtful and stormy
+life, beam on the coronets of De Vere and Geierstein."
+
+De Vere threw himself from his horse, clasped the hand of Count
+Albert, and was about to exhaust himself in thanks; but the count
+insisted on his silence.
+
+"We are about to part," he said. "The time is short--the place is
+dangerous. You are to me, personally speaking, less than nothing. Had
+any one of the many schemes of ambition which I have pursued led me to
+success, the son of a banished earl had not been the son-in-law I had
+chosen. Rise and remount your horse--thanks are unpleasing when they
+are not merited."
+
+Arthur arose, and, mounting his horse, threw his raptures into a more
+acceptable form, endeavouring to describe how his love for Anne, and
+efforts for her happiness, should express his gratitude to her father;
+and, observing that the count listened with some pleasure to the
+picture he drew of their future life, he could not help
+exclaiming,--"And you, my lord--you who have been the author of all
+this happiness, will you not be the witness and partaker of it?
+Believe me, we will strive to soften the effect of the hard blows
+which fortune has dealt to you, and, should a ray of better luck shine
+upon us, it will be the more welcome that you can share it."
+
+"Forbear such folly," said the Count Albert of Geierstein. "I know my
+last scene is approaching. Hear and tremble. The Duke of Burgundy is
+sentenced to die, and the Secret and Invisible Judges, who doom in
+secret and avenge in secret, like the Deity, have given the cord and
+the dagger to my hand."
+
+"Oh, cast from you these vile symbols!" exclaimed Arthur, with
+enthusiasm; "let them find butchers and common stabbers to do such an
+office, and not dishonour the noble Lord of Geierstein!"
+
+"Peace, foolish boy!" answered the count. "The oath by which I am
+sworn is higher than that clouded sky, more deeply fixed than those
+distant mountains. Nor think my act is that of an assassin, though for
+such I might plead the Duke's own example. I send not hirelings, like
+these base Stradiots, to hunt his life, without imperilling mine own.
+I give not his daughter--innocent of his offences--the choice betwixt
+a disgraceful marriage and a discreditable retreat from the world. No,
+Arthur de Vere, I seek Charles with the resolved mind of one who, to
+take the life of an adversary, exposes himself to certain death."
+
+"I pray you speak no further of it," said Arthur, very anxiously.
+"Consider I serve for the present the prince whom you threaten"----
+
+"And art bound," interrupted the count, "to unfold to him what I tell
+you. I desire you should do so; and though he hath already neglected a
+summons of the Tribunal, I am glad to have this opportunity of sending
+him personal defiance. Say to Charles of Burgundy that he has wronged
+Albert of Geierstein. He who is injured in his honour loses all value
+for his life, and whoever does so has full command over that of
+another man. Bid him keep himself well from me, since, if he see a
+second sun of the approaching year rise over the distant Alps, Albert
+of Geierstein is forsworn.--And now begone, for I see a party
+approach under a Burgundian banner. They will insure your safety, but,
+should I remain longer, would endanger mine."
+
+So saying, the Count of Geierstein turned his horse and rode off.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[13] _Guantes_, used by the Spanish as the French say étrennes, or the
+English handsell or luckpenny--phrases used by inferiors to their
+patrons as the bringers of good news.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+     Faint the din of battle bray'd
+       Distant down the heavy wind;
+     War and terror fled before,
+       Wounds and death were left behind.
+                                  MICKLE.
+
+
+Arthur, left alone, and desirous perhaps to cover the retreat of Count
+Albert, rode towards the approaching body of Burgundian cavalry, who
+were arrayed under the Lord Contay's banner.
+
+"Welcome, welcome," said that nobleman, advancing hastily to the young
+knight. "The Duke of Burgundy is a mile hence, with a body of horse to
+support the reconnoitring party. It is not half an hour since your
+father galloped up, and stated that you had been led into an ambuscade
+by the treachery of the Stradiots, and made prisoner. He has impeached
+Campo-basso of treason, and challenged him to the combat. They have
+both been sent to the camp, under charge of the Grand Marshal, to
+prevent their fighting on the spot, though I think our Italian showed
+little desire to come to blows. The Duke holds their gages, and they
+are to fight upon Twelfth Day."
+
+"I doubt that day will never dawn for some who look for it," said
+Arthur; "but if it do, I will myself claim the combat, by my father's
+permission."
+
+He then turned with Contay, and met a still larger body of cavalry
+under the Duke's broad banner. He was instantly brought before
+Charles. The Duke heard, with some apparent anxiety, Arthur's support
+of his father's accusations against the Italian, in whose favour he
+was so deeply prejudiced. When assured that the Stradiots had been
+across the hill, and communicated with their leader just before he
+encouraged Arthur to advance, as it proved, into the midst of an
+ambush, the Duke shook his head, lowered his shaggy brows, and
+muttered to himself,--"Ill will to Oxford, perhaps--these Italians are
+vindictive."--Then raising his head, he commanded Arthur to proceed.
+
+He heard with a species of ecstasy the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+and, taking a ponderous gold chain from his own neck, flung it over
+Arthur's.
+
+"Why, thou hast forestalled all our honours, young Arthur--this was
+the biggest bear of them all--the rest are but suckling whelps to him!
+I think I have found a youthful David to match their huge thick-headed
+Goliath. But the idiot, to think his peasant hand could manage a
+lance! Well, my brave boy--what more? How camest thou off? By some
+wily device or agile stratagem, I warrant."
+
+"Pardon me, my lord," answered Arthur. "I was protected by their
+chief, Ferrand, who considered my encounter with Rudolph Donnerhugel
+as a personal duel; and desirous to use fair war, as he said,
+dismissed me honourably, with my horse and arms."
+
+"Umph!" said Charles, his bad humour returning; "your Prince
+Adventurer must play the generous--Umph--well, it belongs to his
+part, but shall not be a line for me to square my conduct by. Proceed
+with your story, Sir Arthur de Vere."
+
+As Arthur proceeded to tell how and under what circumstances Count
+Albert of Geierstein named himself to him, the Duke fixed on him an
+eager look, and trembled with impatience as he fiercely interrupted
+him with the question--"And you--you struck him with your poniard
+under the fifth rib, did you not?"
+
+"I did not, my Lord Duke--we were pledged in mutual assurance to each
+other."
+
+"Yet you knew him to be my mortal enemy?" said the Duke. "Go, young
+man, thy lukewarm indifference has cancelled thy merit. The escape of
+Albert of Geierstein hath counterbalanced the death of Rudolph
+Donnerhugel."
+
+"Be it so, my lord," said Arthur, boldly. "I neither claim your
+praises, nor deprecate your censure. I had to move me in either case
+motives personal to myself--Donnerhugel was my enemy, and to Count
+Albert I owe some kindness."
+
+The Burgundian nobles who stood around were terrified for the effect
+of this bold speech. But it was never possible to guess with accuracy
+how such things would affect Charles. He looked around him with a
+laugh--"Hear you this English cockerel, my lords--what a note will he
+one day sound, that already crows so bravely in a prince's presence?"
+
+A few horsemen now came in from different quarters, recounting that
+the Duke Ferrand and his company had retired into their encampment,
+and the country was clear of the enemy.
+
+"Let us then draw back also," said Charles, "since there is no chance
+of breaking spears to-day. And thou, Arthur de Vere, attend me
+closely."
+
+Arrived in the Duke's pavilion, Arthur underwent an examination, in
+which he said nothing of Anne of Geierstein, or her father's designs
+concerning him, with which he considered Charles as having nothing to
+do; but he frankly conveyed to him the personal threats which the
+count had openly used. The Duke listened with more temper, and when he
+heard the expression, "That a man who is desperate of his own life
+might command that of any other person," he said, "But there is a life
+beyond this, in which he who is treacherously murdered, and his base
+and desperate assassin, shall each meet their deserts." He then took
+from his bosom a gold cross, and kissed it, with much appearance of
+devotion. "In this," said he, "I will place my trust. If I fail in
+this world, may I find grace in the next.--Ho, Sir Marshal!" he
+exclaimed. "Let your prisoners attend us."
+
+The Marshal of Burgundy entered with the Earl of Oxford, and stated
+that his other prisoner, Campo-basso, had desired so earnestly that he
+might be suffered to go and post his sentinels on that part of the
+camp intrusted to the protection of his troops, that he, the Marshal,
+had thought fit to comply with his request.
+
+"It is well," said Burgundy, without further remark. "Then to you, my
+Lord Oxford, I would present your son, had you not already locked him
+in your arms. He has won great los and honour, and done me brave
+service. This is a period of the year when good men forgive their
+enemies;--I know not why,--my mind was little apt to be charged with
+such matters,--but I feel an unconquerable desire to stop the
+approaching combat betwixt you and Campo-basso. For my sake, consent
+to be friends, and to receive back your gage of battle, and let me
+conclude this year--perhaps the last I may see--with a deed of peace."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "it is a small thing you ask of me, since your
+request only enforces a Christian duty. I was enraged at the loss of
+my son. I am grateful to Heaven and your Grace for restoring him. To
+be friends with Campo-basso is to me impossible. Faith and treason,
+truth and falsehood, might as soon shake hands and embrace. But the
+Italian shall be to me no more than he has been before this rupture;
+and that is literally nothing. I put my honour in your Grace's
+hands;--if he receives back his gage, I am willing to receive mine.
+John de Vere needs not be apprehensive that the world will suppose
+that he fears Campo-basso."
+
+The Duke returned sincere thanks, and detained the officers to spend
+the evening in his tent. His manners seemed to Arthur to be more
+placid than he had ever seen them before, while to the Earl of Oxford
+they recalled the earlier days in which their intimacy commenced, ere
+absolute power and unbounded success had spoiled Charles's rough but
+not ungenerous disposition. The Duke ordered a distribution of
+provisions and wine to the soldiers, and expressed an anxiety about
+their lodgings, the cure of the wounded, and the health of the army,
+to which he received only unpleasing answers. To some of his
+counsellors, apart, he said, "Were it not for our vow, we would
+relinquish this purpose till spring, when our poor soldiers might
+take the field with less of suffering."
+
+Nothing else remarkable appeared in the Duke's manner, save that he
+inquired repeatedly after Campo-basso, and at length received accounts
+that he was indisposed, and that his physician had recommended rest;
+he had therefore retired to repose himself, in order that he might be
+stirring on his duty at peep of day, the safety of the camp depending
+much on his vigilance.
+
+The Duke made no observation on the apology, which he considered as
+indicating some lurking disinclination, on the Italian's part, to meet
+Oxford. The guests at the ducal pavilion were dismissed an hour before
+midnight.
+
+When Oxford and his son were in their own tent, the Earl fell into a
+deep reverie, which lasted nearly ten minutes. At length, starting
+suddenly up, he said, "My son, give orders to Thiebault and thy yeomen
+to have our horses before the tent by break of day, or rather before
+it; and it would not be amiss if you ask our neighbour Colvin to ride
+along with us. I will visit the outposts by daybreak."
+
+"It is a sudden resolution, my lord," said Arthur.
+
+"And yet it may be taken too late," said his father. "Had it been
+moonlight, I would have made the rounds to-night."
+
+"It is dark as a wolf's throat," said Arthur. "But wherefore, my lord,
+can this night in particular excite your apprehensions?"
+
+"Son Arthur, perhaps you will hold your father credulous. But my
+nurse, Martha Nixon, was a northern woman, and full of superstitions.
+In particular, she was wont to say, that any sudden and causeless
+change of a man's nature, as from licence to sobriety, from temperance
+to indulgence, from avarice to extravagance, from prodigality to love
+of money, or the like, indicates an immediate change of his
+fortunes--that some great alteration of circumstances, either for good
+or evil (and for evil most likely, since we live in an evil world), is
+impending over him whose disposition is so much altered. This old
+woman's fancy has recurred so strongly to my mind, that I am
+determined to see with mine own eyes, ere to-morrow's dawn, that all
+our guards and patrols around the camp are on the alert."
+
+Arthur made the necessary communications to Colvin and to Thiebault,
+and then retired to rest.
+
+It was ere daybreak of the first of January 1477, a period long
+memorable for the events which marked it, that the Earl of Oxford,
+Colvin, and the young Englishman, followed only by Thiebault and two
+other servants, commenced their rounds of the Duke of Burgundy's
+encampment. For the greater part of their progress they found
+sentinels and guards all on the alert and at their posts. It was a
+bitter morning. The ground was partly covered with snow,--that snow
+had been partly melted by a thaw, which had prevailed for two days,
+and partly congealed into ice by a bitter frost, which had commenced
+the preceding evening, and still continued. A more dreary scene could
+scarcely be witnessed.
+
+But what were the surprise and alarm of the Earl of Oxford and his
+companions, when they came to that part of the camp which had been
+occupied the day before by Campo-basso and his Italians, who,
+reckoning men-at-arms and Stradiots, amounted to nigh two thousand
+men--not a challenge was given--not a horse neighed--no steeds were
+seen at picket--no guard on the camp. They examined several of the
+tents and huts--they were empty.
+
+"Let us back to alarm the camp," said the Earl of Oxford; "here is
+treachery."
+
+"Nay, my lord," said Colvin, "let us not carry back imperfect tidings.
+I have a battery an hundred yards in advance, covering the access to
+this hollow way; let us see if my German cannoneers are at their post,
+and I think I can swear that we shall find them so. The battery
+commands a narrow pass, by which alone the camp can be approached, and
+if my men are at their duty, I will pawn my life that we make the pass
+good till you bring up succours from the main body."
+
+"Forward, then, in God's name!" said the Earl of Oxford.
+
+They galloped, at every risk, over broken ground, slippery with ice in
+some places, incumbered with snow in others. They came to the cannon,
+judiciously placed to sweep the pass, which rose towards the artillery
+on the outward side, and then descended gently from the battery into
+the lower ground. The waning winter moon, mingling with the dawning
+light, showed them that the guns were in their places, but no sentinel
+was visible.
+
+"The villains cannot have deserted!" said the astonished Colvin. "But
+see, there is light in their cantonment. Oh, that unhallowed
+distribution of wine! Their usual sin of drunkenness has beset them. I
+will soon drive them from their revelry."
+
+He sprang from his horse, and rushed into the tent whence the light
+issued. The cannoneers, or most of them, were still there, but
+stretched on the ground, their cups and flagons scattered around them;
+and so drenched were they in wassail, that Colvin could only, by
+commands and threats, awaken two or three, who, staggering, and
+obeying him rather from instinct than sense, reeled forward to man the
+battery. A heavy rushing sound, like that of men marching fast, was
+now heard coming up the pass.
+
+"It is the roar of a distant avalanche," said Arthur.
+
+"It is an avalanche of Switzers, not of snow," said Colvin. "Oh, these
+drunken slaves! The cannon are deeply loaded and well pointed--this
+volley must check them if they were fiends, and the report will alarm
+the camp sooner than we can do. But, oh, these drunken villains!"
+
+"Care not for their aid," said the Earl; "my son and I will each take
+a linstock, and be gunners for once."
+
+They dismounted, and bade Thiebault and the grooms look to the horses,
+while the Earl of Oxford and his son took each a linstock from one of
+the helpless gunners, three of whom were just sober enough to stand by
+their guns.
+
+"Bravo!" cried the bold master of ordnance, "never was a battery so
+noble. Now, my mates--your pardon, my lords, for there is no time for
+ceremony,--and you, ye drunken knaves, take heed not to fire till I
+give the word, and, were the ribs of these tramplers as flinty as
+their Alps, they shall know how old Colvin loads his guns."
+
+They stood breathless, each by his cannon. The dreaded sound
+approached nearer and more near, till the imperfect light showed a
+dark and shadowy but dense column of men, armed with long spears,
+pole-axes, and other weapons, amidst which banners dimly floated.
+Colvin suffered them to approach to the distance of about forty yards,
+and then gave the word, Fire! But his own piece alone exploded; a
+slight flame flashed from the touch-hole of the others, which had been
+spiked by the Italian deserters, and left in reality disabled, though
+apparently fit for service. Had they been all in the same condition
+with that fired by Colvin, they would probably have verified his
+prophecy; for even that single discharge produced an awful effect, and
+made a long lane of dead and wounded through the Swiss column, in
+which the first and leading banner was struck down.
+
+"Stand to it yet," said Colvin, "and aid me if possible to reload the
+piece."
+
+For this, however, no time was allowed. A stately form, conspicuous in
+the front of the staggered column, raised up the fallen banner, and a
+voice as of a giant exclaimed, "What, countrymen! have you seen Murten
+and Granson, and are you daunted by a single gun?--Berne--Uri--Schwitz
+--banners forward! Unterwalden, here is your standard!--Cry your
+war-cries, wind your horns; Unterwalden, follow your Landamman!"
+
+They rushed on like a raging ocean, with a roar as deafening, and a
+course as impetuous. Colvin, still labouring to reload his gun, was
+struck down in the act. Oxford and his son were overthrown by the
+multitude, the closeness of which prevented any blows being aimed at
+them. Arthur partly saved himself by getting under the gun he was
+posted at; his father, less fortunate, was much trampled upon, and
+must have been crushed to death but for his armour of proof. The human
+inundation, consisting of at least four thousand men, rushed down into
+the camp, continuing their dreadful shouts, soon mingled with shrill
+shrieks, groans, and cries of alarm.
+
+A broad red glare rising behind the assailants, and putting to shame
+the pallid lights of the winter morning, first recalled Arthur to a
+sense of his condition. The camp was on fire in his rear, and
+resounded with all the various shouts of conquest and terror that are
+heard in a town which is stormed. Starting to his feet, he looked
+around him for his father. He lay near him senseless, as were the
+gunners, whose condition prevented their attempting an escape. Having
+opened his father's casque, he was rejoiced to see him give symptoms
+of reanimation.
+
+"The horses, the horses!" said Arthur. "Thiebault, where art thou?"
+
+"At hand, my lord," said that trusty attendant, who had saved himself
+and his charge by a prudent retreat into a small thicket, which the
+assailants had avoided that they might not disorder their ranks.
+
+"Where is the gallant Colvin?" said the Earl. "Get him a horse, I will
+not leave him in jeopardy."
+
+"His wars are ended, my lord," said Thiebault; "he will never mount
+steed more."
+
+A look and a sigh as he saw Colvin, with the ramrod in his hand,
+before the muzzle of the piece, his head cleft by a Swiss battle-axe,
+was all the moment permitted.
+
+"Whither must we take our course?" said Arthur to his father.
+
+"To join the Duke," said the Earl of Oxford. "It is not on a day like
+this that I will leave him."
+
+"So please you," said Thiebault, "I saw the Duke, followed by some
+half-score of his guards, riding at full speed across this hollow
+watercourse, and making for the open country to the northward. I think
+I can guide you on the track."
+
+"If that be so," replied Oxford, "we will mount and follow him. The
+camp has been assailed on several places at once, and all must be over
+since he has fled."
+
+With difficulty they assisted the Earl of Oxford to his horse, and
+rode, as fast as his returning strength permitted, in the direction
+which the Provençal pointed out. Their other attendants were dispersed
+or slain.
+
+They looked back more than once on the camp, now one great scene of
+conflagration, by whose red and glaring light they could discover on
+the ground the traces of Charles's retreat. About three miles from the
+scene of their defeat, the sound of which they still heard, mingled
+with the bells of Nancy, which were ringing in triumph, they reached a
+half-frozen swamp, round which lay several dead bodies. The most
+conspicuous was that of Charles of Burgundy, once the possessor of
+such unlimited power--such unbounded wealth. He was partly stripped
+and plundered, as were those who lay round him. His body was pierced
+with several wounds, inflicted by various weapons. His sword was still
+in his hand, and the singular ferocity which was wont to animate his
+features in battle still dwelt on his stiffened countenance. Close
+behind him, as if they had fallen in the act of mutual fight, lay the
+corpse of Count Albert of Geierstein; and that of Ital Schreckenwald,
+the faithful though unscrupulous follower of the latter, lay not far
+distant. Both were in the dress of the men-at-arms composing the
+Duke's guard, a disguise probably assumed to execute the fatal
+commission of the Secret Tribunal. It is supposed that a party of the
+traitor Campo-basso's men had been engaged in the skirmish in which
+the Duke fell, for six or seven of them, and about the same number of
+the Duke's guards, were found near the spot.
+
+The Earl of Oxford threw himself from his horse, and examined the body
+of his deceased brother-in-arms, with all the sorrow inspired by early
+remembrance of his kindness. But as he gave way to the feelings
+inspired by so melancholy an example of the fall of human greatness,
+Thiebault, who was looking out on the path they had just pursued,
+exclaimed, "To horse, my lord! here is no time to mourn the dead, and
+little to save the living--the Swiss are upon us."
+
+"Fly thyself, good fellow," said the Earl; "and do thou, Arthur, fly
+also, and save thy youth for happier days. I cannot and will not fly
+farther. I will render me to the pursuers; if they take me to grace,
+it is well; if not, there is one above that will receive me to His."
+
+"I will not fly," said Arthur, "and leave you defenceless; I will stay
+and share your fate."
+
+"And I will remain also," said Thiebault; "the Switzers make fair war
+when their blood has not been heated by much opposition, and they have
+had little enough to-day."
+
+The party of Swiss which came up proved to be Sigismund, with his
+brother Ernest, and some of the youths of Unterwalden. Sigismund
+kindly and joyfully received them to mercy; and thus, for the third
+time, rendered Arthur an important service, in return for the kindness
+he had expressed towards him.
+
+"I will take you to my father," said Sigismund, "who will be right
+glad to see you; only that he is ill at ease just now for the death of
+brother Rudiger, who fell with the banner in his hand, by the only
+cannon that was fired this morning. The rest could not bark:
+Campo-basso had muzzled Colvin's mastiffs, or we should many more of
+us have been served like poor Rudiger. But Colvin himself is killed."
+
+"Campo-basso, then, was in your correspondence?" said Arthur.
+
+"Not in ours--we scorn such companions--but some dealing there was
+between the Italian and Duke Ferrand; and having disabled the cannon,
+and filled the German gunners soundly drunk, he came off to our camp
+with fifteen hundred horse, and offered to act with us. 'But no, no!'
+said my father,--'traitors come not into our Swiss host;' and so,
+though we walked in at the door which he left open, we would not have
+his company. So he marched with Duke Ferrand to attack the other
+extremity of the camp, where he found them entrance by announcing them
+as the return of a reconnoitring party."
+
+"Nay, then," said Arthur, "a more accomplished traitor never drew
+breath, nor one who drew his net with such success."
+
+"You say well," answered the young Swiss.
+
+"The Duke will never, they say, be able to collect another army?"
+
+"Never, young man," said the Earl of Oxford, "for he lies dead before
+you."[14]
+
+Sigismund started; for he had an inherent respect, and somewhat of
+fear, for the lofty name of Charles the Bold, and could hardly believe
+that the mangled corpse which now lay before him was once the
+personage he had been taught to dread. But his surprise was mingled
+with sorrow when he saw the body of his uncle, Count Albert of
+Geierstein.
+
+"Oh, my uncle!" he said--"my dear uncle Albert! has all your greatness
+and your wisdom brought you to a death, at the side of a ditch, like
+any crazed beggar?--Come, this sad news must be presently told to my
+father, who will be concerned to hear of his brother's death, which
+will add gall to bitterness, coming on the back of poor Rudiger's. It
+is some comfort, however, that father and uncle never could abide each
+other."
+
+With some difficulty they once more assisted the Earl of Oxford to
+horseback, and were proceeding to set forward, when the English lord
+said,--"You will place a guard here, to save these bodies from further
+dishonour, that they may be interred with due solemnity."
+
+"By Our Lady of Einsiedlen! I thank you for the hint," said Sigismund.
+"Yes, we should do all that the Church can for uncle Albert. It is to
+be hoped he has not gambled away his soul beforehand, playing with
+Satan at odds and evens. I would we had a priest to stay by his poor
+body; but it matters not, since no one ever heard of a demon appearing
+just before breakfast."
+
+They proceeded to the Landamman's quarters, through sights and scenes
+which Arthur, and even his father, so well accustomed to war in all
+its shapes, could not look upon without shuddering. But the simple
+Sigismund, as he walked by Arthur's side, contrived to hit upon a
+theme so interesting as to divert his sense of the horrors around
+them.
+
+"Have you further business in Burgundy, now this Duke of yours is at
+an end?"
+
+"My father knows best," said Arthur; "but I apprehend we have none.
+The Duchess of Burgundy, who must now succeed to some sort of
+authority in her late husband's dominion, is sister to this Edward of
+York, and a mortal enemy to the House of Lancaster, and to those who
+have stood by it faithfully. It were neither prudent nor safe to tarry
+where she has influence."
+
+"In that case," said Sigismund, "my plan will fadge bravely. You shall
+go back to Geierstein, and take up your dwelling with us. Your father
+will be a brother to mine, and a better one than uncle Albert, whom he
+seldom saw or spoke with; while with your father he will converse from
+morning till night, and leave us all the work of the farm. And you,
+Arthur, you shall go with us, and be a brother to us all, in place of
+poor Rudiger, who was, to be sure, my real brother, which you cannot
+be: nevertheless, I did not like him so well, in respect he was not so
+good-natured. And then Anne--cousin Anne--is left all to my father's
+charge, and is now at Geierstein--and you know, King Arthur, we used
+to call her Queen Guenover."
+
+"You spoke great folly then," said Arthur.
+
+"But it is great truth--For, look you, I loved to tell Anne tales of
+our hunting, and so forth, but she would not listen a word till I
+threw in something of King Arthur, and then I warrant she would sit
+still as a heath-hen when the hawk is in the heavens. And now
+Donnerhugel is slain, you know you may marry my cousin when you and
+she will, for nobody hath interest to prevent it."
+
+Arthur blushed with pleasure under his helmet, and almost forgave that
+new-year's morning all its complicated distresses.
+
+"You forget," he replied to Sigismund, with as much indifference as he
+could assume, "that I may be viewed in your country with prejudice on
+account of Rudolph's death."
+
+"Not a whit, not a whit; we bear no malice for what is done in fair
+fight under shield. It is no more than if you had beat him in
+wrestling or at quoits--only it is a game cannot be played over
+again."
+
+They now entered the town of Nancy. The windows were hung with
+tapestry, and the streets crowded with tumultuous and rejoicing
+multitudes, whom the success of the battle had relieved from great
+alarm for the formidable vengeance of Charles of Burgundy.
+
+The prisoners were received with the utmost kindness by the Landamman,
+who assured them of his protection and friendship. He appeared to
+support the death of his son Rudiger with stern resignation.
+
+"He had rather," he said, "his son fell in battle, than that he should
+live to despise the old simplicity of his country, and think the
+object of combat was the gaining of spoil. The gold of the dead
+Burgundy," he added, "would injure the morals of Switzerland more
+irretrievably than ever his sword did their bodies."
+
+He heard of his brother's death without surprise, but apparently with
+emotion.
+
+"It was the conclusion," he said, "of a long tissue of ambitious
+enterprises, which often offered fair prospects, but uniformly ended
+in disappointment."
+
+The Landamman further intimated that his brother had apprised him that
+he was engaged in an affair of so much danger that he was almost
+certain to perish in it, and had bequeathed his daughter to her
+uncle's care, with instructions respecting her.
+
+Here they parted for the present, but shortly after, the Landamman
+inquired earnestly of the Earl of Oxford what his motions were like to
+be, and whether he could assist them.
+
+"I think of choosing Bretagne for my place of refuge," answered the
+Earl, "where my wife has dwelt since the battle of Tewkesbury expelled
+us from England."
+
+"Do not so," said the kind Landamman, "but come to Geierstein with the
+countess, where, if she can, like you, endure our mountain manners and
+mountain fare, you are welcome as to the house of a brother, to a soil
+where neither conspiracy nor treason ever flourished. Bethink you, the
+Duke of Bretagne is a weak prince, entirely governed by a wicked
+favourite, Peter Landais. He is as capable--I mean the minister--of
+selling brave men's blood, as a butcher of selling bullock's flesh;
+and you know, there are those, both in France and Burgundy, that
+thirst after yours."
+
+The Earl of Oxford expressed his thanks for the proposal, and his
+determination to profit by it, if approved of by Henry of Lancaster,
+Earl of Richmond, whom he now regarded as his sovereign.
+
+To close the tale, about three months after the battle of Nancy, the
+banished Earl of Oxford resumed his name of Philipson, bringing with
+his lady some remnants of their former wealth, which enabled them to
+procure a commodious residence near to Geierstein; and the Landamman's
+interest in the state procured for them the right of denizenship. The
+high blood and the moderate fortunes of Anne of Geierstein and Arthur
+de Vere, joined to their mutual inclination, made their marriage in
+every respect rational; and Annette with her bachelor took up their
+residence with the young people, not as servants, but mechanical aids
+in the duties of the farm; for Arthur continued to prefer the chase to
+the labours of husbandry, which was of little consequence, as his
+separate income amounted, in that poor country, to opulence. Time
+glided on, till it amounted to five years since the exiled family had
+been inhabitants of Switzerland. In the year 1482, the Landamman
+Biederman died the death of the righteous, lamented universally, as a
+model of the true and valiant, simple-minded and sagacious chiefs who
+ruled the ancient Switzers in peace, and headed them in battle. In the
+same year, the Earl of Oxford lost his noble countess.
+
+But the star of Lancaster, at that period, began again to culminate,
+and called the banished lord and his son from their retirement, to mix
+once more in politics. The treasured necklace of Margaret was then put
+to its destined use, and the produce applied to levy those bands which
+shortly after fought the celebrated battle of Bosworth, in which the
+arms of Oxford and his son contributed so much to the success of Henry
+VII. This changed the destinies of De Vere and his lady. Their Swiss
+farm was conferred on Annette and her husband; and the manners and
+beauty of Anne of Geierstein attracted as much admiration at the
+English court as formerly in the Swiss chalet.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[14] Note III.
+
+
+
+
+AUTHOR'S NOTES.
+
+
+Note I. p. 201.--THE TROUBADOURS.
+
+The smoothness of the Provençal dialect, partaking strongly of the
+Latin, which had been spoken for so many ages in what was called for
+distinction's sake the Roman Province of Gaul, and the richness and
+fertility of a country abounding in all that could delight the senses
+and soothe the imagination, naturally disposed the inhabitants to
+cultivate the art of poetry, and to value and foster the genius of
+those who distinguished themselves by attaining excellence in it.
+Troubadours, that is, _finders_ or _inventors_, equivalent to the
+northern term of _makers_, arose in every class, from the lowest to
+the highest, and success in their art dignified men of the meanest
+rank, and added fresh honours to those who were born in the patrician
+file of society. War and love, more especially the latter, were
+dictated to them by the chivalry of the times as the especial subjects
+of their verse. Such, too, were the themes of our northern minstrels.
+But whilst the latter confined themselves in general to those
+well-known metrical histories in which scenes of strife and combat
+mingled with adventures of enchantment, and fables of giants and
+monsters subdued by valiant champions, such as best attracted the ears
+of the somewhat duller and more barbarous warriors of northern France,
+of Britain, and of Germany--the more lively Troubadours produced poems
+which turned on human passion, and on love, affection, and dutiful
+observance, with which the faithful knight was bound to regard the
+object of his choice, and the honour and respect with which she was
+bound to recompense his faithful services.
+
+Thus far it cannot be disputed that the themes selected by the
+Troubadours were those on which poetry is most naturally exerted, and
+with the best chance of rising to excellence. But it usually happens,
+that when any one of the fine arts is cultivated exclusively, the
+taste of those who practise and admire its productions loses sight of
+nature, simplicity, and true taste, and the artist endeavours to
+discover, while the public learn to admire, some more complicated
+system, in which pedantry supersedes the dictates of natural feeling,
+and metaphysical ingenuity is used instead of the more obvious
+qualifications of simplicity and good sense. Thus, with the unanimous
+approbation of their hearers, the Troubadours framed for themselves a
+species of poetry describing and inculcating a system of metaphysical
+affection as inconsistent with nature as the minstrel's tales of
+magicians and monsters; with this evil to society, that it was
+calculated deeply to injure its manners and its morals. Every
+Troubadour, or good Knight, who took the maxims of their poetical
+school for his rule, was bound to choose a lady love, the fairest and
+noblest to whom he had access, to whom he dedicated at once his lyre
+and his sword, and who, married or single, was to be the object to
+whom his life, words, and actions were to be devoted. On the other
+hand, a lady thus honoured and distinguished was bound, by accepting
+the services of such a gallant, to consider him as her lover, and on
+all due occasions to grace him as such with distinguished marks of
+personal favour. It is true that, according to the best authorities,
+the intercourse betwixt her lover and herself was to be entirely of a
+Platonic character, and the loyal swain was not to require, or the
+chosen lady to grant, anything beyond the favour she might in strict
+modesty bestow. Even under this restriction, the system was like to
+make wild work with the domestic peace of families, since it
+permitted, or rather enjoined, such familiarity betwixt the fair dame
+and her poetical admirer; and very frequently human passions, placed
+in such a dangerous situation, proved too strong to be confined within
+the metaphysical bounds prescribed to them by so fantastic and
+perilous a system. The injured husbands on many occasions avenged
+themselves with severity, and even with dreadful cruelty, on the
+unfaithful ladies, and the musical skill and chivalrous character of
+the lover proved no protection to his person. But the real spirit of
+the system was seen in this, that in the poems of the other
+Troubadours, by whom such events are recorded, their pity is all
+bestowed on the hapless lovers, while, without the least allowance for
+just provocation, the injured husband is held up to execration.
+
+
+Note II. p. 203.--HIGH AND NOBLE PARLIAMENT OF LOVE.
+
+In Provence, during the flourishing time of the Troubadours, Love was
+esteemed so grave and formal a part of the business of life, that a
+Parliament or High Court of Love was appointed for deciding such
+questions. This singular tribunal was, it may be supposed, conversant
+with more of imaginary than of real suits; but it is astonishing with
+what cold and pedantic ingenuity the Troubadours of whom it consisted
+set themselves to plead and to decide, upon reasoning which was not
+less singular and able than out of place, the absurd questions which
+their own fantastic imaginations had previously devised. There, for
+example, is a reported case of much celebrity, where a lady sitting in
+company with three persons, who were her admirers, listened to one
+with the most favourable smiles, while she pressed the hand of the
+second, and touched with her own the foot of the third. It was a case
+much agitated and keenly contested in the Parliament of Love, which of
+these rivals had received the distinguishing mark of the lady's
+favour. Much ingenuity was wasted on this and similar cases, of which
+there is a collection, in all judicial form of legal proceedings,
+under the title of _Arrêts d'Amour_ (Adjudged Cases of the Court of
+Love).
+
+
+Note III. p. 344.
+
+The following very striking passage is that in which Philip de
+Commines sums up the last scene of Charles the Bold, whose various
+fortunes he had long watched with a dark anticipation that a character
+so reckless, and capable of such excess, must sooner or later lead to
+a tragical result:--
+
+     "As soon as the Count de Campo-basso arrived in the Duke
+     of Lorrain's army, word was sent him to leave the camp
+     immediately, for they would not entertain, nor have any
+     communication with, such traytors. Upon which message he
+     retir'd with his party to a Castle and Pass not far off,
+     where he fortified himself with carts and other things as
+     well as he could, in hopes, that if the Duke of Burgundy
+     was routed, he might have an opportunity of coming in for
+     a share of the plunder, as he did afterwards. Nor was this
+     practice with the Duke of Lorrain the most execrable
+     action that Campo-basso was guilty of; but before he left
+     the army he conspir'd with several other officers (finding
+     it was impracticable to attempt anything against the Duke
+     of Burgundy's person) to leave him just as they came to
+     charge, for at that time he suppos'd it would put the Duke
+     into the greatest terror and consternation, and if he
+     fled, he was sure he could not escape alive, for he had
+     order'd thirteen or fourteen sure men, some to run as soon
+     as the Germans came up to charge 'em, and others to watch
+     the Duke of Burgundy, and kill him in the rout, which was
+     well enough contrived; I myself have seen two or three of
+     those who were employed to kill the Duke. Having thus
+     settled his conspiracy at home, he went over to the Duke
+     of Lorrain upon the approach of the German army; but
+     finding they would not entertain him, he retired to Condé.
+
+     "The German army marched forward, and with 'em a
+     considerable body of French horse, whom the King had given
+     leave to be present at that action. Several parties lay in
+     ambush not far off, that if the Duke of Burgundy was
+     routed, they might surprise some person of quality, or
+     take some considerable booty. By this every one may see
+     into what a deplorable condition this poor Duke had
+     brought himself, by his contempt of good counsel. Both
+     armies being joyn'd, the Duke of Burgundy's forces having
+     been twice beaten before, and by consequence weak and
+     dispirited, and ill provided besides, were quickly broken
+     and entirely defeated: Many sav'd themselves and got off;
+     the rest were either taken or kill'd; and among 'em the
+     Duke of Burgundy himself was killed on the spot. One
+     Monsieur Claude of Bausmont, Captain of the Castle of Dier
+     in Lorrain, kill'd the Duke of Burgundy. Finding his army
+     routed, he mounted a swift horse, and endeavouring to swim
+     a little river in order to make his escape, his horse fell
+     with him, and overset him: The Duke cry'd out for quarter
+     to this gentleman, who was pursuing him, but he being
+     deaf, and not hearing him, immediately kill'd and stripp'd
+     him, not knowing who he was, and left him naked in the
+     ditch, where his body was found the next day after the
+     battle; which the Duke of Lorrain (to his eternal honour)
+     buried with great pomp and magnificence in St. George's
+     Church, in the old town of Nancy, himself and all his
+     nobility, in deep mourning, attending the corpse to the
+     grave. The following epitaph was sometime afterwards
+     ingrav'd on his tomb:--
+
+     '_Carolus hoc busto Burgundæ gloria gentis
+     Conditur, Europæ qui fuit ante timor._'
+
+     I saw a seal ring of his, since his death, at Milan, with
+     his arms cut curiously upon a sardonix that I have seen
+     him often wear in a ribbon at his breast, which was sold
+     at Milan for two ducats, and had been stolen from him by a
+     rascal that waited on him in his chamber. I have often
+     seen the Duke dress'd and undress'd in great state and
+     formality, and attended by very great persons; but at his
+     death all this pomp and magnificence ceas'd, and his
+     family was involv'd in the same ruin with himself, and
+     very likely as a punishment for his having deliver'd up
+     the Constable not long before, out of a base and
+     avaricious principle; but God forgive him. I have known
+     him a powerful and honourable Prince, in as great esteem,
+     and as much courted by his neighbours (when his affairs
+     were in a prosperous condition), as any Prince in Europe,
+     and perhaps more; and I cannot conceive what should
+     provoke God Almighty's displeasure so highly against him,
+     unless it was his self-love and arrogance, in
+     appropriating all the success of his enterprises, and all
+     the renown he ever acquir'd, to his own wisdom and
+     conduct, without attributing anything to God. Yet to speak
+     truth, he was master of several good qualities: No Prince
+     ever had a greater ambition to entertain young noblemen
+     than he, nor was more careful of their education: His
+     presents and bounty were never profuse and extravagant,
+     because he gave to many, and had a mind everybody should
+     taste of it. No Prince was ever more easie of access to
+     his servants and subjects. Whilst I was in his service he
+     was never cruel, but a little before his death he took up
+     that humour, which was an infallible sign of the shortness
+     of his life. He was very splendid and curious in his
+     dress, and in everything else, and indeed a little too
+     much. He paid great honours to all ambassadors and
+     foreigners, and entertain'd them nobly: His ambitious
+     desire of fame was insatiable, and it was that which
+     induced him to be eternally in wars, more than any other
+     motive. He ambitiously desir'd to imitate the old Kings
+     and Heroes of antiquity, whose actions still shine in
+     History, and are so much talked of in the world, and his
+     courage was equal to any Prince's of his time.
+
+     "But all his designs and imaginations were vain and
+     extravagant, and turn'd afterwards to his own dishonour
+     and confusion, for 'tis the conquerors and not the
+     conquer'd that purchase to themselves renown. I cannot
+     easily determine towards whom God Almighty shew'd his
+     anger most, whether towards him who died suddenly without
+     pain or sickness in the field of battle, or towards his
+     subjects who never enjoy'd peace after his death, but were
+     continually involv'd in wars, against which they were not
+     able to maintain themselves, upon account of the civil
+     dissentions and cruel animosities that arose among 'em;
+     and that which was the most insupportable, was, that the
+     very people, to whom they were now oblig'd for their
+     defence and preservation, were the Germans, who were
+     strangers, and not long since their profess'd enemies. In
+     short, after the Duke's death, there was not a
+     neighbouring state that wished them to prosper, nor even
+     Germany that defended 'em. And by the management of their
+     affairs, their understanding seem'd to be as much
+     infatuated as their master's, for they rejected all good
+     counsel, and pursued such methods as directly tended to
+     their destruction; and they are still in such a condition,
+     that though they have at present some little ease and
+     relaxation from their sorrows, yet 'tis with great danger
+     of a relapse, and 'tis well if it turns not in the end to
+     their utter ruin.
+
+     "I am partly of their opinion who maintain, that God gives
+     Princes, as he in his wisdom thinks fit, to punish or
+     chastise the subjects; and he disposes the affection of
+     subjects to their Princes, as he has determin'd to raise
+     or depress 'em. Just so it has pleas'd him to deal with
+     the House of Burgundy; for, after a long series of riches
+     and prosperity, and six-and-twenty years' peace under
+     three Illustrious Princes, predecessors to this Charles
+     (all of 'em excellent persons, and of great prudence and
+     discretion), it pleas'd God to send this Duke Charles, who
+     involv'd them in bloody wars, as well winter as summer, to
+     their great affliction and expense, in which most of their
+     richest and stoutest men were either kill'd, or utterly
+     undone. Their misfortunes continu'd successively to the
+     very hour of his death; and after such a manner, that at
+     the last, the whole strength of their country was
+     destroy'd, and all kill'd or taken prisoners who had any
+     zeal or affection for the House of Burgundy, and had power
+     to defend the state and dignity of that family; so that in
+     a manner their losses were equal to, if not over balanc'd
+     their former prosperity; for as I have seen those Princes
+     heretofore puissant, rich, and honourable, so it fared the
+     same with their subjects; for I think, I have seen and
+     known the greatest part of Europe; yet I never knew any
+     province, or country, tho' perhaps of a larger extent, so
+     abounding in money, so extravagantly fine in furniture for
+     their horses, so sumptuous in their buildings, so profuse
+     in their expenses, so luxurious in their feasts and
+     entertainments, and so prodigal in all respects, as the
+     subjects of these Princes, in my time: but it has pleased
+     God at one blow to subvert and ruin this illustrious
+     family. Such changes and revolutions in states and
+     kingdoms God in his providence has wrought before we were
+     born, and will do again when we are in our graves; for
+     this is a certain maxim, that the prosperity or adversity
+     of Princes are wholly at his disposal."
+
+                                    COMMINES, Book V. Chap. 9.
+
+
+
+
+Editor's Notes.
+
+
+(_a_) p. 114. "The good King René." There is a biography of this
+prince, by the Comte de Villeneuve Bargemont. René of Anjou, descended
+from the second son of John of Valois, King of France, inherited the
+duchy of Lorraine in right of his wife, daughter of Charles II., Duke
+of Lorraine. His claim was contested by Antoine, Comte de Vaudémont,
+representing a collateral male branch of the earlier line. This
+claimant was backed by Philip the Good, of Burgundy. René was
+defeated, in 1431, at Bulgueville, and passed some years as a captive
+in Dijon. Here, like Charles d'Orleans in England, and James I. in the
+same country, he amused himself with poetry and art. He succeeded to
+the crown of Provence, a remnant of the Neapolitan domains of Anjou,
+and his daughter, Yolande, married the son of his rival of Vaudémont.
+Lorraine was entailed on them and their issue, failing male issue of
+René. After an expedition to Naples he ceded Lorraine to his son, and
+passed his time in a pleasing pastoral manner, in Provence. In his old
+age Lorraine fell to his grandson René, and the unlucky region was
+drawn into disputes of France and Burgundy, between which it lay.
+Burgundy conquered Lorraine. Old René negotiated for Burgundian
+protection, and for Charles's succession to Provence, which on René's
+death would make Burgundy "a Middle Kingdom conterminous with Germany
+and France." But the conquest of Lorraine was the last of Charles's
+successes: the end of the novel before us tells the story of his fall.
+
+(_b_) p. 116. "Edward of York has crossed the Sea." The date is 1475.
+Louis and Edward met on the bridge over the Somme, at Pequigny, and
+made terms. The scheme of Oxford, in the novel, for an invasion of
+England during Edward's absence, was thus rendered impossible.
+
+(_c_) p. 125. "Henry Colvin." Comines calls this soldier "Cohin," in
+the oldest texts "Colpin." He commanded three hundred English, and
+was killed by a cannon shot: "great loss to the Duke, for a single man
+may save his master, though he be of no great lineage, so he have but
+sense and virtue."
+
+(_d_) p. 262. "Granson." The Burgundian defeat is described in
+Comines, book v. ch. i. Of Charles, Comines says, "il perdit honneur
+et chevance ce jour." Morat he describes in book v. ch. iii. The
+narrative of Charles's despair, and the detail of his drinking
+_tisane_ in place of wine, is borrowed from Comines, book v. ch. v.,
+in the sixteenth chapter of the novel. The treachery of Campobasso is
+recorded in Comines's sixth-ninth chapter. Mr. Kirk's version of
+Charles's last fight is written with much spirit.
+
+          ANDREW LANG.
+
+     May 1894.
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY.
+
+
+     =Abettance=, support, encouragement.
+
+     =Abye=, to pay the penalty of, to atone for.
+
+     =Adjected=, appended, added.
+
+     =Albe=, a long white linen robe worn by priests.
+
+     =Ariette=, a little song.
+
+     =Arquebusier=, a soldier armed with an arquebuse, an early
+     form of musket.
+
+     =Assoilzied=, pardoned.
+
+     =Astucious=, astute, shrewd, cunning.
+
+
+     =Baaren-hauter=, a nickname for a German private soldier.
+
+     =Ban=, an imperial edict; the laws of the Empire.
+
+     =Ban-dog=, a large fierce dog.
+
+     =Barbed=, clad in armour.
+
+     =Beauffet=, a sideboard.
+
+     "=Blink out of=," to evade, to escape.
+
+     =Bordel=, a brothel.
+
+     =Botargo=, the roe of the mullet or tunny, salted and dried.
+
+     =Brache=, a kind of sporting dog.
+
+     =Bretagne=, Brittany.
+
+     =Broad-piece=, an old English gold coin.
+
+     =Bruit=, rumour.
+
+     "=Buon campagna=," open country.
+
+
+     =Caravansera=, an inn.
+
+     =Carbonado=, a piece of meat or game, seasoned and broiled.
+
+     =Caviare=, the roe of the sturgeon pickled in salt.
+
+     =Chaffron=, =chamfron=, the armoured frontlet of a horse.
+
+     =Chalumeau=, a reed or pipe made into an instrument of
+     music.
+
+     =Coif=, a woman's headdress.
+
+     =Corso=, the chief street or square in an Italian town.
+
+     "=Côte roti=," wine grown on a sunny slope.
+
+
+     =Dalmatic=, =dalmatique=, a long ecclesiastical robe.
+
+     =Debonair=, affable, courteous.
+
+     =Dishabille=, undress, negligent dress.
+
+     =Dorf=, a village.
+
+     =Ducat=, an old gold coin, worth about 9_s._ 4_d._
+
+
+     =Entrechat=, a caper.
+
+
+     =Fadge=, to succeed, to turn out well.
+
+
+     =Galilee=, a porch or chapel beside a monastery or church,
+     in which the monks received visitors, where processions
+     were formed, penitents stationed, and so forth.
+
+     =Gear=, business, affair; property.
+
+     =Geierstein=, vulture-stone.
+
+     =Grave=, a count.
+
+     =Gutter-blooded=, of the meanest birth.
+
+
+     =Hagbut=, a musket.
+
+     =Halidome=, on my word of honour.
+
+     =Hypocaust=, a stove, heating apparatus.
+
+
+     =Jongleur=, a minstrel-poet of Northern France.
+
+
+     =Lauds=, a daily service of the Roman Catholic Church.
+
+     =Los=, praise.
+
+
+     =Morgue=, the proud, disdainful look of a superior to an
+     inferior.
+
+     =Morisco=, a Moor of Spain.
+
+
+     =Pardoner=, a licensed seller of papal indulgences.
+
+     =Pavin=, a stately Spanish dance.
+
+     =Pennoncelle=, a little flag fixed to a lance.
+
+     =Peste!= plague on't!
+
+     =Piastre=, a silver coin, worth 4_s._
+
+     =Plump=, a clump, collection.
+
+     "=Poz element=," a German oath.
+
+
+     =Questionary=, a pedlar of relics or indulgences.
+
+
+     =Rebeck=, an instrument resembling the violin.
+
+     =Reiter=, a horse-soldier.
+
+     =Rhein-Thal=, the valley of the Rhine.
+
+     =Ritter=, a knight.
+
+     =Rote=, a kind of harp, played by turning a wheel.
+
+
+     =Samite=, a textile made of gold cloth or satin.
+
+     "=Sapperment der Teufel!="--a German oath.
+
+     =Schwarz-reiter=, a German mercenary horse-soldier.
+
+     "=Sibylline leaf=," the oracular or precious saying.
+
+     =Stadtholder=, the emperor's deputy in ancient Westphalia.
+
+     =Stell=, to mount or plant (a cannon).
+
+     =Strick-kind=, the child of the cord--the prisoner on trial
+     before the Vehmic Tribunal.
+
+     =Stube=, a sitting-room, a public room.
+
+
+     =Talliage=, a subsidy, a tax.
+
+     "=Tiers état=," the third estate, or representatives of the
+     people.
+
+     =Turnpike-stair=, a spiral or winding staircase.
+
+
+     =Vambrace=, the piece of armour that covered the forearm.
+
+     =Violer=, a player on a viol, a kind of violin.
+
+     =Visard=, a mask to cover the face.
+
+
+     =Wass-ail=, ale or wine sweetened and flavoured with spices.
+
+     =Wassel-song=, a drinking or carousing song.
+
+     =Welked=, marked with protuberances or ridges.
+
+
+     =Yungfrau=, =Jungfrau=, a young girl.
+
+     =Yung-herren=, =Jung-herren=, =Junker=, the sons of a German
+     minor noble.
+
+
+     =Zechin=, a Venetian gold coin, worth from 9_s._ to 10_s._
+
+
+END OF VOL. II.
+
+Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
+
+Edinburgh and London
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anne of Geierstein, by Walter Scott
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Anne of Geierstein, by Walter Scott
+
+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: Anne of Geierstein
+       (Volume 2 of 2)
+
+Author: Walter Scott
+
+Annotator: Andrew Lang
+
+Release Date: November 21, 2013 [EBook #44247]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="tnbox">
+<p class="center"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></p>
+<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
+Inconsistent spelling, hyphenation, and capitalization (e.g. his grace/Grace) in
+the original document have been preserved.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="center p6 b20">
+WAVERLEY NOVELS</p>
+<hr class="l15" />
+<p class="center b13"><i>FORTY-EIGHT VOLUMES</i>
+<br />
+VOLUME XLIV.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i-002.jpg" width="308" height="260" alt="" />
+
+<p class="caption"><span class="b12"><i>BORDER EDITION</i></span><br />
+
+<i>The Introductory Essays and Notes by</i> <span class="smcap">Andrew Lang</span> <i>to this Edition
+of the Waverley Novels are Copyright</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter p6"><a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a>
+<img src="images/i-004.jpg" width="368" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">KING RENÉ.<br />
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.</span></p></div>
+
+<h1>
+<span class="smcap">Anne of Geierstein</span></h1>
+
+<p class="center p2">BY</p>
+
+<p class="center p2"><span class="smcap">Sir WALTER SCOTT, Bart.</span></p>
+
+<p class="center p2 b13"><i>WITH INTRODUCTORY ESSAY AND NOTES</i><br />
+<span class="smcap">By</span> ANDREW LANG</p>
+
+<p class="center p2 b13">TEN ETCHINGS</p>
+
+<p class="center p2 b13">VOLUME II.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter p4">
+<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="151" height="142" alt="Printer's Logo" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center p4 b13">LONDON<br />
+JOHN C. NIMMO<br />
+14, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND<br />
+
+<span class="s08">MDCCCXCIV</span></p>
+
+<p class="center p6"><span class="smcap">Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson &amp; Co.</span><br />
+
+<i>At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh</i></p>
+
+<h2>LIST OF ETCHINGS.</h2>
+
+<p class="center p2"><i>PRINTED BY F. GOULDING, LONDON.</i></p>
+
+<p class="center p2">VOLUME THE SECOND.</p>
+
+<table summary="List of Illustrations">
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">King René.</span> Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios
+(<a href="#Page_213">p. 213</a>)</td>
+<td class="tdr"><i><a href="#frontis">Frontispiece</a></i></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Secret Tribunal.</span> Drawn and Etched by R. de
+Los Rios</td>
+<td class="tdr"><i>To face page</i> <a href="#i047">32</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">Arthur before the Queen.</span> Drawn and Etched by
+R. de Los Rios</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#i131">112</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Defiance.</span> Drawn and Etched by R. de Los
+Rios</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#i205">182</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Funeral of the Queen.</span> Drawn and Etched by
+R. de Los Rios</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#i315">288</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p class="center p6"><span class="b20">ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN;</span><br />
+<br />
+OR,<br />
+<br />
+<span class="b15">THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST.</span></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container p2">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>What! will the aspiring blood of Lancaster</p>
+<p>Sink in the ground?</p>
+<p class="i12"><span class="smcap">Shakspeare.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">1</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="center p6"><span class="b15">ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN;</span><br />
+<br />
+OR,<br />
+<br />
+<span class="b12">THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST.</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="chap1">CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>
+<i>1st Carrier.</i> What, ostler!&mdash;a plague on thee, hast never an
+eye in thy head? Canst thou not hear? An 'twere not as good
+a deed as drink to break the pate of thee, I am a very villain&mdash;Come,
+and be hanged&mdash;Hast thou no faith in thee?</p>
+
+<p><i>Gadshill.</i> I pray thee, lend me thy lantern, to see my gelding
+in the stable.</p>
+
+<p><i>2d Carrier.</i> Nay, soft, I pray you&mdash;I know a trick worth two
+of that.</p>
+
+<p><i>Gadshill.</i> I prithee lend me thine.</p>
+
+<p><i>3d Carrier.</i> Ay, when? Canst tell?&mdash;Lend thee my lantern,
+quotha? Marry, I'll see thee hanged first.</p>
+
+<p class="i20"><i>Henry IV.</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>The social spirit peculiar to the French nation
+had already introduced into the inns of that country
+the gay and cheerful character of welcome
+upon which Erasmus, at a later period, dwells
+with strong emphasis, as a contrast to the saturnine
+and sullen reception which strangers were apt
+to meet with at a German caravansera. Philipson
+was, therefore, in expectation of being received by
+the busy, civil, and talkative host&mdash;by the hostess
+and her daughter, all softness, coquetry, and glee&mdash;the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span>
+smiling and supple waiter&mdash;the officious
+and dimpled chambermaid. The better inns in
+France boast also separate rooms, where strangers
+could change or put in order their dress, where
+they might sleep without company in their bedroom,
+and where they could deposit their baggage
+in privacy and safety. But all these luxuries
+were as yet unknown in Germany; and in Alsace,
+where the scene now lies, as well as in the other
+dependencies of the Empire, they regarded as
+effeminacy everything beyond such provisions as
+were absolutely necessary for the supply of the
+wants of travellers; and even these were coarse
+and indifferent, and, excepting in the article of
+wine, sparingly ministered.</p>
+
+<p>The Englishman, finding that no one appeared
+at the gate, began to make his presence known by
+calling aloud, and finally by alighting, and smiting
+with all his might on the doors of the hostelry for
+a long time, without attracting the least attention.
+At length the head of a grizzled servitor was
+thrust out at a small window, who, in a voice
+which sounded like that of one displeased at
+the interruption, rather than hopeful of advantage
+from the arrival of a guest, demanded what he
+wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"Is this an inn?" replied Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," bluntly replied the domestic, and was
+about to withdraw from the window, when the
+traveller added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And if it be, can I have lodgings?"</p>
+
+<p>"You may come in," was the short and dry
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Send some one to take the horses," replied
+Philipson.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No one is at leisure," replied this most repulsive
+of waiters; "you must litter down your horses
+yourself, in the way that likes you best."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the stable?" said the merchant,
+whose prudence and temper were scarce proof
+against this Dutch phlegm.</p>
+
+<p>The fellow, who seemed as sparing of his words
+as if, like the Princess in the fairy tale, he had
+dropped ducats with each of them, only pointed to
+a door in an outer building, more resembling that
+of a cellar than of a stable, and, as if weary of the
+conference, drew in his head, and shut the window
+sharply against the guest, as he would against an
+importunate beggar.</p>
+
+<p>Cursing the spirit of independence which left
+a traveller to his own resources and exertions,
+Philipson, making a virtue of necessity, led the
+two nags towards the door pointed out as that of
+the stable, and was rejoiced at heart to see light
+glimmering through its chinks. He entered with
+his charge into a place very like the dungeon vault
+of an ancient castle, rudely fitted up with some
+racks and mangers. It was of considerable extent
+in point of length, and at the lower end two or
+three persons were engaged in tying up their
+horses, dressing them, and dispensing them their
+provender.</p>
+
+<p>This last article was delivered by the ostler, a
+very old lame man, who neither put his hand to
+wisp or curry-comb, but sat weighing forth hay by
+the pound, and counting out corn, as it seemed, by
+the grain, so anxiously did he bend over his task,
+by the aid of a blinking light enclosed within a
+horn lantern. He did not even turn his head at
+the noise which the Englishman made on entering
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span>
+the place with two additional horses, far less did
+he seem disposed to give himself the least trouble,
+or the stranger the smallest assistance.</p>
+
+<p>In respect of cleanliness, the stable of Augeas
+bore no small resemblance to that of this Alsatian
+<i>dorf</i>, and it would have been an exploit worthy of
+Hercules to have restored it to such a state of
+cleanliness as would have made it barely decent in
+the eyes, and tolerable to the nostrils, of the punctilious
+Englishman. But this was a matter which
+disgusted Philipson himself much more than those
+of his party which were principally concerned.
+They, <i>videlicet</i> the two horses, seeming perfectly to
+understand that the rule of the place was "first come
+first served," hastened to occupy the empty stalls
+which happened to be nearest to them. In this one
+of them at least was disappointed, being received by
+a groom with a blow across the face with a switch.</p>
+
+<p>"Take that," said the fellow, "for forcing thyself
+into the place taken up for the horses of the
+Baron of Randelsheim."</p>
+
+<p>Never in the course of his life had the English
+merchant more pain to retain possession of his
+temper than at that moment. Reflecting, however,
+on the discredit of quarrelling with such a
+man in such a cause, he contented himself with
+placing the animal, thus repulsed from the stall
+he had chosen, into one next to that of his companion,
+to which no one seemed to lay claim.</p>
+
+<p>The merchant then proceeded, notwithstanding
+the fatigue of the day, to pay all that attention to
+the mute companions of his journey which they
+deserve from every traveller who has any share
+of prudence, to say nothing of humanity. The
+unusual degree of trouble which Philipson took to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span>
+arrange his horses, although his dress, and much
+more his demeanour, seemed to place him above
+this species of servile labour, appeared to make an
+impression even upon the iron insensibility of the
+old ostler himself. He showed some alacrity in
+furnishing the traveller, who knew the business
+of a groom so well, with corn, straw, and hay,
+though in small quantity, and at exorbitant rates,
+which were instantly to be paid; nay, he even
+went as far as the door of the stable, that he might
+point across the court to the well, from which
+Philipson was obliged to fetch water with his own
+hands. The duties of the stable being finished,
+the merchant concluded that he had gained such
+an interest with the grim master of the horse, as
+to learn of him whether he might leave his bales
+safely in the stable.</p>
+
+<p>"You may leave them if you will," said the
+ostler; "but touching their safety, you will do
+much more wisely if you take them with you, and
+give no temptation to any one by suffering them to
+pass from under your own eyes."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, the man of oats closed his oracular
+jaws, nor could he be prevailed upon to unlock
+them again by any inquiry which his customer
+could devise.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of this cold and comfortless reception,
+Philipson recollected the necessity of supporting
+the character of a prudent and wary trader,
+which he had forgotten once before in the course of
+the day; and, imitating what he saw the others do,
+who had been, like himself, engaged in taking
+charge of their horses, he took up his baggage,
+and removed himself and his property to the inn.
+Here he was suffered to enter, rather than admitted,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span>
+into the general or public <i>stube</i>, or room of entertainment,
+which, like the ark of the patriarch,
+received all ranks without distinction, whether
+clean or unclean.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>stube</i>, or stove, of a German inn, derived its
+name from the great hypocaust, which is always
+strongly heated to secure the warmth of the apartment
+in which it is placed. There travellers of
+every age and description assembled&mdash;there their
+upper garments were indiscriminately hung up
+around the stove to dry or to air&mdash;and the guests
+themselves were seen employed in various acts
+of ablution or personal arrangement, which are
+generally, in modern times, referred to the privacy
+of the dressing-room.</p>
+
+<p>The more refined feelings of the Englishman
+were disgusted with this scene, and he was reluctant
+to mingle in it. For this reason he inquired
+for the private retreat of the landlord himself,
+trusting that, by some of the arguments powerful
+among his tribe, he might obtain separate quarters
+from the crowd, and a morsel of food, to be eaten
+in private. A grey-haired Ganymede, to whom he
+put the question where the landlord was, indicated
+a recess behind the huge stove, where, veiling
+his glory in a very dark and extremely hot
+corner, it pleased the great man to obscure himself
+from vulgar gaze. There was something remarkable
+about this person. Short, stout, bandylegged,
+and consequential, he was in these respects like
+many brethren of the profession in all countries.
+But the countenance of the man, and still more his
+manners, differed more from the merry host of
+France or England than even the experienced
+Philipson was prepared to expect. He knew
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span>
+German customs too well to expect the suppliant
+and serviceable qualities of the master of a French
+inn, or even the more blunt and frank manners of
+an English landlord. But such German innkeepers
+as he had yet seen, though indeed arbitrary and
+peremptory in their country fashions, yet, being
+humoured in these, they, like tyrants in their
+hours of relaxation, dealt kindly with the guests
+over whom their sway extended, and mitigated, by
+jest and jollity, the harshness of their absolute
+power. But this man's brow was like a tragic
+volume, in which you were as unlikely to find
+anything of jest or amusement, as in a hermit's
+breviary. His answers were short, sudden, and
+repulsive, and the air and manner with which they
+were delivered was as surly as their tenor; which
+will appear from the following dialogue betwixt
+him and his guest:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Good host," said Philipson, in the mildest
+tone he could assume, "I am fatigued, and far
+from well&mdash;May I request to have a separate
+apartment, a cup of wine, and a morsel of food, in
+my private chamber?"</p>
+
+<p>"You may," answered the landlord; but with a
+look strangely at variance with the apparent acquiescence
+which his words naturally implied.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me have such accommodation, then, with
+your earliest convenience."</p>
+
+<p>"Soft!" replied the innkeeper. "I have said
+that you may request these things, but not that I
+would grant them. If you would insist on being
+served differently from others, it must be at another
+inn than mine."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then," said the traveller, "I will shift
+without supper for a night&mdash;nay, more, I will be
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span>
+content to pay for a supper which I do not eat, if
+you will cause me to be accommodated with a
+private apartment."</p>
+
+<p>"Seignor traveller," said the innkeeper, "every
+one here must be accommodated as well as you,
+since all pay alike. Whoso comes to this house
+of entertainment must eat as others eat, drink as
+others drink, sit at table with the rest of my
+guests, and go to bed when the company have done
+drinking."</p>
+
+<p>"All this," said Philipson, humbling himself
+where anger would have been ridiculous, "is highly
+reasonable; and I do not oppose myself to your
+laws or customs. But," added he, taking his
+purse from his girdle, "sickness craves some privilege;
+and when the patient is willing to pay for
+it, methinks the rigour of your laws may admit of
+some mitigation?"</p>
+
+<p>"I keep an inn, Seignor, and not a hospital. If
+you remain here, you shall be served with the
+same attention as others,&mdash;if you are not willing
+to do as others do, leave my house and seek another
+inn."</p>
+
+<p>On receiving this decisive rebuff, Philipson gave
+up the contest, and retired from the <i>sanctum sanctorum</i>
+of his ungracious host, to await the arrival
+of supper, penned up like a bullock in a pound,
+amongst the crowded inhabitants of the <i>stube</i>.
+Some of these, exhausted by fatigue, snored away
+the interval between their own arrival and that
+of the expected repast; others conversed together
+on the news of the country, and others again played
+at dice, or such games as might serve to consume
+the time. The company were of various ranks,
+from those who were apparently wealthy and well
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span>
+appointed, to some whose garments and manners
+indicated that they were but just beyond the grasp
+of poverty.</p>
+
+<p>A begging friar, a man apparently of a gay and
+pleasant temper, approached Philipson, and engaged
+him in conversation. The Englishman was
+well enough acquainted with the world to be
+aware, that whatever of his character and purpose
+it was desirable to conceal would be best hidden
+under a sociable and open demeanour. He, therefore,
+received the friar's approaches graciously,
+and conversed with him upon the state of Lorraine,
+and the interest which the Duke of Burgundy's
+attempt to seize that fief into his own hands was
+likely to create both in France and Germany. On
+these subjects, satisfied with hearing his fellow-traveller's
+sentiments, Philipson expressed no
+opinion of his own, but, after receiving such intelligence
+as the friar chose to communicate, preferred
+rather to talk upon the geography of the country,
+the facilities afforded to commerce, and the rules
+which obstructed or favoured trade.</p>
+
+<p>While he was thus engaged in the conversation
+which seemed most to belong to his profession, the
+landlord suddenly entered the room, and, mounting
+on the head of an old barrel, glanced his eye
+slowly and steadily round the crowded apartment,
+and when he had completed his survey, pronounced,
+in a decisive tone, the double command,&mdash;"Shut
+the gates! Spread the table!"</p>
+
+<p>"The Baron St. Antonio be praised!" said the
+friar. "Our landlord has given up hope of any
+more guests to-night, until which blessed time we
+might have starved for want of food before he had
+relieved us. Ay, here comes the cloth. The old
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span>
+gates of the courtyard are now bolted fast enough;
+and when Johann Mengs has once said, 'Shut the
+gates,' the stranger may knock on the outside as
+he will, but we may rest assured that it shall not
+be opened to him."</p>
+
+<p>"Meinherr Mengs maintains strict discipline in
+his house," said the Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"As absolute as the Duke of Burgundy," answered
+the friar. "After ten o'clock, no admittance&mdash;the
+'seek another inn,' which is before
+that a conditional hint, becomes, after the clock
+has struck, and the watchmen have begun their
+rounds, an absolute order of exclusion. He that is
+without remains without, and he that is within must,
+in like manner, continue there until the gates open
+at break of day. Till then the house is almost like
+a beleaguered citadel, John Mengs its seneschal"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And we its captives, good father," said Philipson.
+"Well, content am I. A wise traveller
+must submit to the control of the leaders of the
+people when he travels; and I hope a goodly fat
+potentate, like John Mengs, will be as clement as
+his station and dignity admit of."</p>
+
+<p>While they were talking in this manner, the
+aged waiter, with many a weary sigh and many a
+groan, had drawn out certain boards, by which a
+table that stood in the midst of the <i>stube</i> had the
+capacity of being extended, so as to contain the
+company present, and covered it with a cloth,
+which was neither distinguished by extreme
+cleanliness nor fineness of texture. On this table,
+when it had been accommodated to receive the
+necessary number of guests, a wooden trencher and
+spoon, together with a glass drinking-cup, were
+placed before each, he being expected to serve
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span>
+himself with his own knife for the other purposes
+of the table. As for forks, they were unknown
+until a much later period, all the Europeans of
+that day making the same use of the fingers to
+select their morsels and transport them to the
+mouth which the Asiatics now practise.</p>
+
+<p>The board was no sooner arranged than the hungry
+guests hastened to occupy their seats around
+it; for which purpose the sleepers were awakened,
+the dicers resigned their game, and the idlers and
+politicians broke off their sage debates, in order to
+secure their station at the supper-table, and be
+ready to perform their part in the interesting
+solemnity which seemed about to take place. But
+there is much between the cup and the lip, and
+not less sometimes between the covering of a table
+and the placing food upon it. The guests sat in
+order, each with his knife drawn, already menacing
+the victuals which were still subject to the
+operations of the cook. They had waited, with
+various degrees of patience, for full half an hour,
+when at length the old attendant before mentioned
+entered with a pitcher of thin Moselle wine, so
+light and so sharp-tasted that Philipson put down
+his cup with every tooth in his head set on edge
+by the slender portion which he had swallowed.
+The landlord, John Mengs, who had assumed a
+seat somewhat elevated at the head of the table,
+did not omit to observe this mark of insubordination,
+and to animadvert upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"The wine likes you not, I think, my master?"
+said he to the English merchant.</p>
+
+<p>"For wine, no," answered Philipson; "but could
+I see anything requiring such sauce, I have seldom
+seen better vinegar."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This jest, though uttered in the most calm and
+composed manner, seemed to drive the innkeeper
+to fury.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you," he exclaimed, "for a foreign
+pedlar, that ventures to quarrel with my wine,
+which has been approved of by so many princes,
+dukes, reigning dukes, graves, rhinegraves, counts,
+barons, and knights of the Empire, whose shoes
+you are altogether unworthy even to clean? Was
+it not of this wine that the Count Palatine of
+Nimmersatt drank six quarts before he ever rose
+from the blessed chair in which I now sit?"</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt it not, mine host," said Philipson;
+"nor should I think of scandalising the sobriety of
+your honourable guest, even if he had drunken
+twice the quantity."</p>
+
+<p>"Silence, thou malicious railer!" said the host;
+"and let instant apology be made to me, and the
+wine which you have calumniated, or I will
+instantly command the supper to be postponed till
+midnight."</p>
+
+<p>Here there was a general alarm among the
+guests, all abjuring any part in the censures of
+Philipson, and most of them proposing that John
+Mengs should avenge himself on the actual culprit
+by turning him instantly out of doors, rather than
+involve so many innocent and famished persons in
+the consequences of his guilt. The wine they
+pronounced excellent; some two or three even
+drank their glass out, to make their words good;
+and they all offered, if not with lives and fortunes,
+at least with hands and feet, to support the ban of
+the house against the contumacious Englishman.
+While petition and remonstrance were assailing
+John Mengs on every side, the friar, like a wise
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span>
+counsellor and a trusty friend, endeavoured to end
+the feud by advising Philipson to submit to the
+host's sovereignty.</p>
+
+<p>"Humble thyself, my son," he said; "bend the
+stubbornness of thy heart before the great lord of
+the spigot and butt. I speak for the sake of others
+as well as my own; for Heaven alone knows how
+much longer they or I can endure this extenuating
+fast!"</p>
+
+<p>"Worthy guests," said Philipson, "I am grieved
+to have offended our respected host, and am so far
+from objecting to the wine that I will pay for a
+double flagon of it, to be served all round to this
+honourable company&mdash;so, only, they do not ask
+me to share of it."</p>
+
+<p>These last words were spoken aside; but the
+Englishman could not fail to perceive, from the
+wry mouths of some of the party who were possessed
+of a nicer palate, that they were as much
+afraid as himself of a repetition of the acid
+potation.</p>
+
+<p>The friar next addressed the company with a
+proposal that the foreign merchant, instead of
+being amerced in a measure of the liquor which
+he had scandalised, should be mulcted in an equal
+quantity of the more generous wines which were
+usually produced after the repast had been concluded.
+In this mine host, as well as the guests,
+found their advantage; and, as Philipson made no
+objection, the proposal was unanimously adopted,
+and John Mengs gave, from his seat of dignity,
+the signal for supper to be served.</p>
+
+<p>The long-expected meal appeared, and there was
+twice as much time employed in consuming as
+there had been in expecting it. The articles of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span>
+which the supper consisted, as well as the mode of
+serving them up, were as much calculated to try
+the patience of the company as the delay which
+had preceded its appearance. Messes of broth and
+vegetables followed in succession, with platters of
+meat sodden and roasted, of which each in its turn
+took a formal course around the ample table, and
+was specially subjected to every one in rotation.
+Black-puddings, hung beef, dried fish, also made
+the circuit, with various condiments, called
+botargo, caviare, and similar names, composed of
+the roes of fish mixed with spices, and the like
+preparations, calculated to awaken thirst and
+encourage deep drinking. Flagons of wine accompanied
+these stimulating dainties. The liquor
+was so superior in flavour and strength to the ordinary
+wine which had awakened so much controversy,
+that it might be objected to on the opposite
+account, being so heady, fiery, and strong, that,
+in spite of the rebuffs which his criticism had
+already procured, Philipson ventured to ask for
+some cold water to allay it.</p>
+
+<p>"You are too difficult to please, sir guest,"
+replied the landlord, again bending upon the
+Englishman a stern and offended brow; "if you
+find the wine too strong in my house, the secret to
+allay its strength is to drink the less. It is indifferent
+to us whether you drink or not, so you
+pay the reckoning of those good fellows who do."
+And he laughed a gruff laugh.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson was about to reply, but the friar,
+retaining his character of mediator, plucked him
+by the cloak, and entreated him to forbear. "You
+do not understand the ways of the place," said he;
+"it is not here as in the hostelries of England and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span>
+France, where each guest calls for what he desires
+for his own use, and where he pays for what he
+has required, and for no more. Here we proceed
+on a broad principle of equality and fraternity.
+No one asks for anything in particular; but such
+provisions as the host thinks sufficient are set
+down before all indiscriminately; and as with the
+feast, so is it with the reckoning. All pay their
+proportions alike, without reference to the quantity
+of wine which one may have swallowed more
+than another; and thus the sick and infirm, nay,
+the female and the child, pay the same as the
+hungry peasant and strolling <i>lanzknecht</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems an unequal custom," said Philipson;
+"but travellers are not to judge. So that when a
+reckoning is called, every one, I am to understand,
+pays alike?"</p>
+
+<p>"Such is the rule," said the friar,&mdash;"excepting,
+perhaps, some poor brother of our own order, whom
+Our Lady and St. Francis send into such a scene
+as this, that good Christians may bestow their
+alms upon him, and so make a step on their road
+to Heaven."</p>
+
+<p>The first words of this speech were spoken in
+the open and independent tone in which the friar
+had begun the conversation; the last sentence died
+away into the professional whine of mendicity
+proper to the convent, and at once apprised Philipson
+at what price he was to pay for the friar's
+counsel and mediation. Having thus explained
+the custom of the country, good Father Gratian
+turned to illustrate it by his example, and, having
+no objection to the new service of wine on account
+of its strength, he seemed well disposed to signalise
+himself amongst some stout topers, who, by
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span>
+drinking deeply, appeared determined to have full
+pennyworths for their share of the reckoning.
+The good wine gradually did its office, and even
+the host relaxed his sullen and grim features, and
+smiled to see the kindling flame of hilarity catch
+from one to another, and at length embrace almost
+all the numerous guests at the table d'hôte, except
+a few who were too temperate to partake deeply of
+the wine, or too fastidious to enter into the discussions
+to which it gave rise. On these the host
+cast, from time to time, a sullen and displeased
+eye.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson, who was reserved and silent, both in
+consequence of his abstinence from the wine-pot
+and his unwillingness to mix in conversation with
+strangers, was looked upon by the landlord as a
+defaulter in both particulars; and as he aroused
+his own sluggish nature with the fiery wine,
+Mengs began to throw out obscure hints about
+kill-joy, mar-company, spoil-sport, and such like
+epithets, which were plainly directed against the
+Englishman. Philipson replied, with the utmost
+equanimity, that he was perfectly sensible that
+his spirits did not at this moment render him
+an agreeable member of a merry company, and
+that with the leave of those present he would
+withdraw to his sleeping-apartment, and wish
+them all a good evening, and continuance to their
+mirth.</p>
+
+<p>But this very reasonable proposal, as it might
+have elsewhere seemed, contained in it treason
+against the laws of German compotation.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you," said John Mengs, "who presume
+to leave the table before the reckoning is
+called and settled? Sapperment der teufel! we
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span>
+are not men upon whom such an offence is to be
+put with impunity! You may exhibit your polite
+pranks in Rams-Alley if you will, or in Eastcheap,
+or in Smithfield; but it shall not be in John
+Mengs's Golden Fleece, nor will I suffer one guest
+to go to bed to blink out of the reckoning, and so
+cheat me and all the rest of my company."</p>
+
+<p>Philipson looked round, to gather the sentiments
+of the company, but saw no encouragement to
+appeal to their judgment. Indeed, many of them
+had little judgment left to appeal to, and those
+who paid any attention to the matter at all were
+some quiet old soakers, who were already beginning
+to think of the reckoning, and were disposed to
+agree with the host in considering the English
+merchant as a flincher, who was determined to
+evade payment of what might be drunk after he
+left the room; so that John Mengs received the
+applause of the whole company, when he concluded
+his triumphant denunciation against Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, you may withdraw if you please;
+but, poz element! it shall not be for this time to
+seek for another inn, but to the courtyard shall
+you go, and no farther, there to make your bed
+upon the stable litter; and good enough for the
+man that will needs be the first to break up good
+company."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well said, my jovial host," said a rich
+trader from Ratisbon; "and here are some six of
+us&mdash;more or less&mdash;who will stand by you to
+maintain the good old customs of Germany; and
+the&mdash;umph&mdash;laudable and&mdash;and praiseworthy
+rules of the Golden Fleece."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, be not angry, sir," said Philipson; "yourself
+and your three companions, whom the good
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span>
+wine has multiplied into six, shall have your own
+way of ordering the matter; and since you will
+not permit me to go to bed, I trust that you will
+take no offence if I fall asleep in my chair."</p>
+
+<p>"How say you? what think you, mine host?"
+said the citizen from Ratisbon; "may the gentleman,
+being drunk, as you see he is, since he cannot
+tell that three and one make six&mdash;I say, may
+he, being drunk, sleep in the elbow-chair?"</p>
+
+<p>This question introduced a contradiction on the
+part of the host, who contended that three and one
+made four, not six; and this again produced a
+retort from the Ratisbon trader. Other clamours
+rose at the same time, and were at length with
+difficulty silenced by the stanzas of a chorus song
+of mirth and good fellowship, which the friar,
+now become somewhat oblivious of the rule of St.
+Francis, thundered forth with better good-will
+than he ever sang a canticle of King David.
+Under cover of this tumult, Philipson drew himself
+a little aside, and though he felt it impossible
+to sleep, as he had proposed, was yet enabled to
+escape the reproachful glances with which John
+Mengs distinguished all those who did not call
+for wine loudly, and drink it lustily. His thoughts
+roamed far from the <i>stube</i> of the Golden Fleece,
+and upon matter very different from that which
+was discussed around him, when his attention was
+suddenly recalled by a loud and continued knocking
+on the door of the hostelry.</p>
+
+<p>"What have we here?" said John Mengs, his
+nose reddening with very indignation; "who the
+foul fiend presses on the Golden Fleece at such an
+hour, as if he thundered at the door of a bordel?
+To the turret window some one&mdash;Geoffrey, knave
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span>
+ostler, or thou, old Timothy, tell the rash man
+there is no admittance into the Golden Fleece save
+at timeous hours."</p>
+
+<p>The men went as they were directed, and might
+be heard in the <i>stube</i> vying with each other in the
+positive denial which they gave to the ill-fated
+guest who was pressing for admission. They
+returned, however, to inform their master, that
+they were unable to overcome the obstinacy of the
+stranger, who refused positively to depart until he
+had an interview with Mengs himself.</p>
+
+<p>Wroth was the master of the Golden Fleece at
+this ill-omened pertinacity, and his indignation
+extended, like a fiery exhalation, from his nose,
+all over the adjacent regions of his cheeks and
+brow. He started from his chair, grasped in his
+hand a stout stick, which seemed his ordinary
+sceptre or leading staff of command, and muttering
+something concerning cudgels for the shoulders of
+fools, and pitchers of fair or foul water for the
+drenching of their ears, he marched off to the window
+which looked into the court, and left his
+guests nodding, winking, and whispering to each
+other, in full expectation of hearing the active
+demonstrations of his wrath. It happened otherwise,
+however; for, after the exchange of a few
+indistinct words, they were astonished when they
+heard the noise of the unbolting and unbarring of
+the gates of the inn, and presently after the footsteps
+of men upon the stairs; and the landlord
+entering, with an appearance of clumsy courtesy,
+prayed those assembled to make room for an
+honoured guest, who came, though late, to add
+to their numbers. A tall dark form followed,
+muffled in a travelling-cloak; on laying aside
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span>
+which, Philipson at once recognised his late fellow-traveller,
+the Black Priest of St. Paul's.</p>
+
+<p>There was in the circumstance itself nothing at
+all surprising, since it was natural that a landlord,
+however coarse and insolent to ordinary
+guests, might yet show deference to an ecclesiastic,
+whether from his rank in the Church or from his
+reputation for sanctity. But what did appear surprising
+to Philipson was the effect produced by the
+entrance of this unexpected guest. He seated himself,
+without hesitation, at the highest place of
+the board, from which John Mengs had dethroned
+the aforesaid trader from Ratisbon, notwithstanding
+his zeal for ancient German customs, his steady
+adherence and loyalty to the Golden Fleece, and
+his propensity to brimming goblets. The priest
+took instant and unscrupulous possession of his
+seat of honour, after some negligent reply to the
+host's unwonted courtesy; when it seemed that
+the effect of his long black vestments, in place of
+the slashed and flounced coat of his predecessor,
+as well as of the cold grey eye with which he
+slowly reviewed the company, in some degree
+resembled that of the fabulous Gorgon, and if it
+did not literally convert those who looked upon it
+into stone, there was yet something petrifying in
+the steady unmoved glance with which he seemed
+to survey them, looking as if desirous of reading
+their very inmost souls, and passing from one to
+another, as if each upon whom he looked in succession
+was unworthy of longer consideration.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson felt, in his turn, that momentary
+examination, in which, however, there mingled
+nothing that seemed to convey recognition. All
+the courage and composure of the Englishman
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span>
+could not prevent an unpleasant feeling while
+under this mysterious man's eye, so that he felt a
+relief when it passed from him and rested upon
+another of the company, who seemed in turn to
+acknowledge the chilling effects of that freezing
+glance. The noise of intoxicated mirth and drunken
+disputation, the clamorous argument, and the still
+more boisterous laugh, which had been suspended
+on the priest's entering the eating-apartment,
+now, after one or two vain attempts to resume
+them, died away, as if the feast had been changed
+to a funeral, and the jovial guests had been at once
+converted into the lugubrious mutes who attend
+on such solemnities. One little rosy-faced man,
+who afterwards proved to be a tailor from Augsburg,
+ambitious, perhaps, of showing a degree of
+courage not usually supposed consistent with his
+effeminate trade, made a bold effort; and yet it
+was with a timid and restrained voice that he
+called on the jovial friar to renew his song. But
+whether it was that he did not dare to venture on
+an uncanonical pastime in presence of a brother
+in orders, or whether he had some other reason for
+declining the invitation, the merry churchman
+hung his head, and shook it with such an expressive
+air of melancholy, that the tailor drew back
+as if he had been detected in cabbaging from a
+cardinal's robes, or cribbing the lace of some cope
+or altar gown. In short, the revel was hushed
+into deep silence, and so attentive were the company
+to what should arrive next, that the bells of
+the village church, striking the first hour after
+midnight, made the guests start as if they heard
+them rung backwards, to announce an assault or
+conflagration. The Black Priest, who had taken
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span>
+some slight and hasty repast, which the host had
+made no kind of objection to supplying him with,
+seemed to think the bells, which announced the
+service of lauds, being the first after midnight, a
+proper signal for breaking up the party.</p>
+
+<p>"We have eaten," he said, "that we may support
+life, let us pray that we may be fit to meet
+death; which waits upon life as surely as night
+upon day, or the shadow upon the sunbeam, though
+we know not when or from whence it is to come
+upon us."</p>
+
+<p>The company, as if mechanically, bent their
+uncovered heads, while the priest said, with his
+deep and solemn voice, a Latin prayer, expressing
+thanks to God for protection throughout the day,
+and entreating for its continuance during the
+witching hours which were to pass ere the day
+again commenced. The hearers bowed their heads
+in token of acquiescence in the holy petition; and,
+when they raised them, the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's had followed the host out of the apartment,
+probably to that which was destined for his repose.
+His absence was no sooner perceived than signs,
+and nods, and even whispers were exchanged
+between the guests; but no one spoke above his
+breath, or in such connected manner, as that
+Philipson could understand anything distinctly
+from them. He himself ventured to ask the friar,
+who sat near him, observing at the same time the
+under-tone which seemed to be fashionable for the
+moment, whether the worthy ecclesiastic who had
+left them was not the Priest of St. Paul's, on the
+frontier town of La Ferette.</p>
+
+<p>"And if you know it is he," said the friar, with
+a countenance and a tone from which all signs of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span>
+intoxication were suddenly banished, "why do you
+ask of me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because," said the merchant, "I would willingly
+learn the spell which so suddenly converted
+so many merry tipplers into men of sober manners,
+and a jovial company into a convent of Carthusian
+friars?"</p>
+
+<p>"Friend," said the friar, "thy discourse savoureth
+mightily of asking after what thou knowest
+right well. But I am no such silly duck as to be
+taken by a decoy. If thou knowest the Black
+Priest, thou canst not be ignorant of the terrors
+which attend his presence, and that it were safer
+to pass a broad jest in the holy House of Loretto
+than where he shows himself."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, and as if desirous of avoiding further
+discourse, he withdrew to a distance from
+Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>At the same moment the landlord again appeared,
+and, with more of the usual manners of a
+publican than he had hitherto exhibited, commanded
+his waiter, Geoffrey, to hand round to the
+company a sleeping-drink, or pillow-cup of distilled
+water, mingled with spices, which was indeed
+as good as Philipson himself had ever tasted.
+John Mengs, in the meanwhile, with somewhat of
+more deference, expressed to his guests a hope that
+his entertainment had given satisfaction; but this
+was in so careless a manner, and he seemed so
+conscious of deserving the affirmative which was
+expressed on all hands, that it became obvious
+there was very little humility in proposing the
+question. The old man, Timothy, was in the
+meantime mustering the guests, and marking with
+chalk on the bottom of a trencher the reckoning,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span>
+the particulars of which were indicated by certain
+conventional hieroglyphics, while he showed on
+another the division of the sum total among the
+company, and proceeded to collect an equal share
+of it from each. When the fatal trencher, in
+which each man paid down his money, approached
+the jolly friar, his countenance seemed to be somewhat
+changed. He cast a piteous look towards
+Philipson, as the person from whom he had the
+most hope of relief; and our merchant, though displeased
+with the manner in which he had held
+back from his confidence, yet not unwilling in
+a strange country to incur a little expense, in the
+hope of making a useful acquaintance, discharged
+the mendicant's score as well as his own. The
+poor friar paid his thanks in many a blessing in
+good German and bad Latin, but the host cut them
+short; for, approaching Philipson with a candle in
+his hand, he offered his own services to show him
+where he might sleep, and even had the condescension
+to carry his mail, or portmanteau, with
+his own landlordly hands.</p>
+
+<p>"You take too much trouble, mine host," said
+the merchant, somewhat surprised at the change
+in the manner of John Mengs, who had hitherto
+contradicted him at every word.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot take too much pains for a guest," was
+the reply, "whom my venerable friend, the Priest
+of St. Paul's, hath especially recommended to my
+charge."</p>
+
+<p>He then opened the door of a small bedroom,
+prepared for the occupation of a guest, and said
+to Philipson,&mdash;"Here you may rest till to-morrow
+at what hour you will, and for as many days more
+as you incline. The key will secure your wares
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span>
+against theft or pillage of any kind. I do not this
+for every one; for, if my guests were every one to
+have a bed to himself, the next thing they would
+demand might be a separate table; and then there
+would be an end of the good old German customs,
+and we should be as foppish and frivolous as our
+neighbours."</p>
+
+<p>He placed the portmanteau on the floor, and
+seemed about to leave the apartment, when, turning
+about, he began a sort of apology for the rudeness
+of his former behaviour.</p>
+
+<p>"I trust there is no misunderstanding between
+us, my worthy guest. You might as well expect
+to see one of our bears come aloft and do tricks
+like a jackanapes, as one of us stubborn old Germans
+play the feats of a French or an Italian host.
+Yet I pray you to note, that if our behaviour is
+rude our charges are honest, and our articles what
+they profess to be. We do not expect to make
+Moselle pass for Rhenish, by dint of a bow and a
+grin, nor will we sauce your mess with poison,
+like the wily Italian, and call you all the time
+Illustrissimo and Magnifico."</p>
+
+<p>He seemed in these words to have exhausted his
+rhetoric, for, when they were spoken, he turned
+abruptly and left the apartment.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson was thus deprived of another opportunity
+to inquire who or what this ecclesiastic could
+be, that had exercised such influence on all who
+approached him. He felt, indeed, no desire to
+prolong a conference with John Mengs, though he
+had laid aside in such a considerable degree his
+rude and repulsive manners; yet he longed to
+know who this man could be, who had power with
+a word to turn aside the daggers of Alsatian banditti,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span>
+habituated as they were, like most borderers,
+to robbery and pillage, and to change into civility
+the proverbial rudeness of a German innkeeper.
+Such were the reflections of Philipson, as he doffed
+his clothes to take his much-needed repose, after a
+day of fatigue, danger, and difficulty, on the pallet
+afforded by the hospitality of the Golden Fleece,
+in the Rhein-Thal.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p><i>Macbeth.</i> How now, ye secret, black, and midnight hags,
+What is't ye do?</p>
+
+<p><i>Witches.</i> A deed without a name.</p>
+
+<p class="i20"><i>Macbeth.</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>We have said in the conclusion of the last chapter,
+that, after a day of unwonted fatigue and
+extraordinary excitation, the merchant, Philipson,
+naturally expected to forget so many agitating
+passages in that deep and profound repose which
+is at once the consequence and the cure of extreme
+exhaustion. But he was no sooner laid on his
+lowly pallet than he felt that the bodily machine,
+over-laboured by so much exercise, was little disposed
+to the charms of sleep. The mind had been
+too much excited, the body was far too feverish,
+to suffer him to partake of needful rest. His anxiety
+about the safety of his son, his conjectures
+concerning the issue of his mission to the Duke of
+Burgundy, and a thousand other thoughts which
+recalled past events, or speculated on those which
+were to come, rushed upon his mind like the
+waves of a perturbed sea, and prevented all tendency
+to repose. He had been in bed about an
+hour, and sleep had not yet approached his couch,
+when he felt that the pallet on which he lay was
+sinking below him, and that he was in the act of
+descending along with it he knew not whither.
+The sound of ropes and pulleys was also indistinctly
+heard, though every caution had been taken
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span>
+to make them run smooth; and the traveller, by
+feeling around him, became sensible that he and
+the bed on which he lay had been spread upon a
+large trap-door, which was capable of being let
+down into the vaults, or apartments beneath.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson felt fear in circumstances so well
+qualified to produce it; for how could he hope a
+safe termination to an adventure which had begun
+so strangely? But his apprehensions were those
+of a brave, ready-witted man, who, even in the
+extremity of danger, which appeared to surround
+him, preserved his presence of mind. His descent
+seemed to be cautiously managed, and he held
+himself in readiness to start to his feet and defend
+himself, as soon as he should be once more upon
+firm ground. Although somewhat advanced in
+years, he was a man of great personal vigour and
+activity, and unless taken at advantage, which no
+doubt was at present much to be apprehended, he
+was likely to make a formidable defence. His
+plan of resistance, however, had been anticipated.
+He no sooner reached the bottom of the vault,
+down to which he was lowered, than two men,
+who had been waiting there till the operation was
+completed, laid hands on him from either side,
+and forcibly preventing him from starting up as
+he intended, cast a rope over his arms, and made
+him a prisoner as effectually as when he was
+in the dungeons of La Ferette. He was obliged,
+therefore, to remain passive and unresisting, and
+await the termination of this formidable adventure.
+Secured as he was, he could only turn his
+head from one side to the other; and it was with
+joy that he at length saw lights twinkle, but they
+appeared at a great distance from him.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span></p>
+
+<p>From the irregular manner in which these scattered
+lights advanced, sometimes keeping a straight
+line, sometimes mixing and crossing each other,
+it might be inferred that the subterranean vault
+in which they appeared was of very considerable
+extent. Their number also increased; and as they
+collected more together, Philipson could perceive
+that the lights proceeded from many torches, borne
+by men muffled in black cloaks, like mourners at
+a funeral, or the Black Friars of St. Francis's
+Order, wearing their cowls drawn over their heads,
+so as to conceal their features. They appeared
+anxiously engaged in measuring off a portion of
+the apartment; and, while occupied in that employment,
+they sang, in the ancient German language,
+rhymes more rude than Philipson could well
+understand, but which may be imitated thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Measurers of good and evil,</p>
+<p>Bring the square, the line, the level,&mdash;</p>
+<p>Rear the altar, dig the trench,</p>
+<p>Blood both stone and ditch shall drench.</p>
+<p>Cubits six, from end to end,</p>
+<p>Must the fatal bench extend,&mdash;</p>
+<p>Cubits six, from side to side,</p>
+<p>Judge and culprit must divide.</p>
+<p>On the east the Court assembles,</p>
+<p>On the west the Accused trembles&mdash;</p>
+<p>Answer, brethren, all and one,</p>
+<p>Is the ritual rightly done?</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>A deep chorus seemed to reply to the question.
+Many voices joined in it, as well of persons
+already in the subterranean vault as of others who
+as yet remained without in various galleries and
+passages which communicated with it, and whom
+Philipson now presumed to be very numerous.
+The answer chanted ran as follows:&mdash;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>On life and soul, on blood and bone,</p>
+<p>One for all, and all for one,</p>
+<p>We warrant this is rightly done.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The original strain was then renewed in the
+same manner as before&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>How wears the night?&mdash;Doth morning shine</p>
+<p>In early radiance on the Rhine?</p>
+<p>What music floats upon his tide?</p>
+<p>Do birds the tardy morning chide?</p>
+<p>Brethren, look out from hill and height,</p>
+<p>And answer true, how wears the night?</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The answer was returned, though less loud than
+at first, and it seemed that those by whom the
+reply was given were at a much greater distance
+than before; yet the words were distinctly heard.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>The night is old; on Rhine's broad breast</p>
+<p>Glance drowsy stars which long to rest.</p>
+<p class="i2">    No beams are twinkling in the east.</p>
+<p>There is a voice upon the flood,</p>
+<p>The stern still call of blood for blood;</p>
+<p class="i2">    'Tis time we listen the behest.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The chorus replied, with many additional
+voices&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Up, then, up! When day's at rest,</p>
+<p>'Tis time that such as we are watchers;</p>
+<p>Rise to judgment, brethren, rise!</p>
+<p>Vengeance knows not sleepy eyes,</p>
+<p>He and night are matchers.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The nature of the verses soon led Philipson to
+comprehend that he was in presence of the Initiated,
+or the Wise Men; names which were applied
+to the celebrated Judges of the Secret Tribunal,
+which continued at that period to subsist in
+Suabia, Franconia, and other districts of the east
+of Germany, which was called, perhaps from the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span>
+frightful and frequent occurrence of executions by
+command of those invisible judges, the Red Land.
+Philipson had often heard that the seat of a Free
+Count, or chief of the Secret Tribunal, was secretly
+instituted even on the left bank of the Rhine, and
+that it maintained itself in Alsace, with the usual
+tenacity of those secret societies, though Duke
+Charles of Burgundy had expressed a desire to discover
+and discourage its influence so far as was
+possible, without exposing himself to danger from
+the thousands of poniards which that mysterious
+tribunal could put in activity against his own life;&mdash;an
+awful means of defence, which for a long
+time rendered it extremely hazardous for the sovereigns
+of Germany, and even the Emperors themselves,
+to put down by authority those singular
+associations.</p>
+
+<p>So soon as this explanation flashed on the mind
+of Philipson, it gave some clue to the character
+and condition of the Black Priest of St. Paul's.
+Supposing him to be a president, or chief official
+of the secret association, there was little wonder
+that he should confide so much in the inviolability
+of his terrible office as to propose vindicating the
+execution of De Hagenbach; that his presence
+should surprise Bartholomew, whom he had power
+to have judged and executed upon the spot; and
+that his mere appearance at supper on the preceding
+evening should have appalled the guests; for
+though everything about the institution, its proceedings
+and its officers, was preserved in as much
+obscurity as is now practised in free-masonry, yet
+the secret was not so absolutely well kept as to
+prevent certain individuals from being guessed or
+hinted at as men initiated and intrusted with high
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span>
+authority by the Vehme-gericht, or tribunal of
+the bounds. When such suspicion attached to
+an individual, his secret power, and supposed acquaintance
+with all guilt, however secret, which
+was committed within the society in which he
+was conversant, made him at once the dread and
+hatred of every one who looked on him; and he
+enjoyed a high degree of personal respect, on the
+same terms on which it would have been yielded
+to a powerful enchanter, or a dreaded genie. In
+conversing with such a person, it was especially
+necessary to abstain from all questions alluding,
+however remotely, to the office which he bore in
+the Secret Tribunal; and, indeed, to testify the
+least curiosity upon a subject so solemn and mysterious
+was sure to occasion some misfortune to
+the inquisitive person.</p>
+
+<p>All these things rushed at once upon the mind
+of the Englishman, who felt that he had fallen
+into the hands of an unsparing tribunal, whose
+proceedings were so much dreaded by those who
+resided within the circle of their power, that the
+friendless stranger must stand a poor chance of
+receiving justice at their hands, whatever might
+be his consciousness of innocence. While Philipson
+made this melancholy reflection, he resolved,
+at the same time, not to forsake his own cause, but
+defend himself as he best might; conscious as he
+was that these terrible and irresponsible judges
+were nevertheless governed by certain rules of
+right and wrong, which formed a check on the
+rigours of their extraordinary code.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><a name="i047" id="i047"></a>
+<img src="images/i-047.jpg" width="367" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">THE SECRET TRIBUNAL.<br />
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>He lay, therefore, devising the best means of
+obviating the present danger, while the persons
+whom he beheld glimmered before him, less like
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span>
+distinct and individual forms than like the phantoms
+of a fever, or the phantasmagoria with which
+a disease of the optic nerves has been known to
+people a sick man's chamber. At length they
+assembled in the centre of the apartment where
+they had first appeared, and seemed to arrange
+themselves into form and order. A great number
+of black torches were successively lighted, and the
+scene became distinctly visible. In the centre of
+the hall, Philipson could now perceive one of the
+altars which are sometimes to be found in ancient
+subterranean chapels. But we must pause, in
+order briefly to describe, not the appearance only,
+but the nature and constitution, of this terrible
+court.</p>
+
+<p>Behind the altar, which seemed to be the central
+point, on which all eyes were bent, there were
+placed in parallel lines two benches covered with
+black cloth. Each was occupied by a number of
+persons, who seemed assembled as judges; but
+those who held the foremost bench were fewer,
+and appeared of a rank superior to those who
+crowded the seat most remote from the altar. The
+first seemed to be all men of some consequence,
+priests high in their order, knights, or noblemen;
+and notwithstanding an appearance of equality
+which seemed to pervade this singular institution,
+much more weight was laid upon their opinion,
+or testimonies. They were called Free Knights,
+Counts, or whatever title they might bear, while
+the inferior class of the judges were only termed
+Free and worthy Burghers. For it must be observed,
+that the Vehmique Institution,<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>
+ which
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span>
+was the name that it commonly bore, although its
+power consisted in a wide system of espionage,
+and the tyrannical application of force which acted
+upon it, was yet (so rude were the ideas of enforcing
+public law) accounted to confer a privilege on
+the country in which it was received, and only
+freemen were allowed to experience its influence.
+Serfs and peasants could not have a place among
+the Free Judges, their assessors, or assistants; for
+there was in this assembly even some idea of trying
+the culprit by his peers.</p>
+
+<p>Besides the dignitaries who occupied the benches,
+there were others who stood around, and seemed
+to guard the various entrances to the hall of judgment,
+or, standing behind the seats on which their
+superiors were ranged, looked prepared to execute
+their commands. These were members of the
+order, though not of the highest ranks. Schöppen
+is the name generally assigned to them, signifying
+officials, or sergeants of the Vehmique court,
+whose doom they stood sworn to enforce, through
+good report and bad report, against their own
+nearest and most beloved, as well as in cases of
+ordinary malefactors.</p>
+
+<p>The Schöppen, or Scabini, as they were termed
+in Latin, had another horrible duty to perform&mdash;that,
+namely, of denouncing to the tribunal whatever
+came under their observation, that might be
+construed as an offence falling under its cognisance;
+or, in their language, a crime against the
+Vehme. This duty extended to the judges as
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span>
+well as to the assistants, and was to be discharged
+without respect of persons; so that, to know, and
+wilfully conceal, the guilt of a mother or brother,
+inferred, on the part of the unfaithful official, the
+same penalty as if he himself had committed the
+crime which his silence screened from punishment.
+Such an institution could only prevail at
+a time when ordinary means of justice were excluded
+by the hand of power, and when, in order
+to bring the guilty to punishment, it required all
+the influence and authority of such a confederacy.
+In no other country than one exposed to every
+species of feudal tyranny, and deprived of every
+ordinary mode of obtaining justice or redress, could
+such a system have taken root and flourished.</p>
+
+<p>We must now return to the brave Englishman,
+who, though feeling all the danger he encountered
+from so tremendous a tribunal, maintained nevertheless
+a dignified and unaltered composure.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting being assembled, a coil of ropes,
+and a naked sword, the well-known signals and
+emblems of Vehmique authority, were deposited
+on the altar; where the sword, from its being
+usually straight, with a cross handle, was considered
+as representing the blessed emblem of Christian
+Redemption, and the cord as indicating the right
+of criminal jurisdiction, and capital punishment.
+Then the President of the meeting, who occupied
+the centre seat on the foremost bench, arose, and
+laying his hand on the symbols, pronounced aloud
+the formula expressive of the duty of the tribunal,
+which all the inferior judges and assistants repeated
+after him, in deep and hollow murmurs.</p>
+
+<p>"I swear by the Holy Trinity, to aid and co-operate,
+without relaxation, in the things belonging
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span>
+to the Holy Vehme, to defend its doctrines and
+institutions against father and mother, brother
+and sister, wife and children; against fire, water,
+earth, and air; against all that the sun enlightens;
+against all that the dew moistens; against all
+created things of heaven and earth, or the waters
+under the earth; and I swear to give information
+to this holy judicature, of all that I know to be
+true, or hear repeated by credible testimony,
+which, by the rules of the Holy Vehme, is deserving
+of animadversion or punishment; and that
+I will not cloak, cover, or conceal, such my knowledge,
+neither for love, friendship, or family affection,
+nor for gold, silver, or precious stones;
+neither will I associate with such as are under the
+sentence of this Sacred Tribunal, by hinting to a
+culprit his danger, or advising him to escape, or
+aiding and supplying him with counsel, or means
+to that effect; neither will I relieve such culprit
+with fire, clothes, food, or shelter, though my
+father should require from me a cup of water in
+the heat of summer noon, or my brother should
+request to sit by my fire in the bitterest cold night
+of winter: And further, I vow and promise to
+honour this holy association, and do its behests
+speedily, faithfully, and firmly, in preference to
+those of any other tribunal whatsoever&mdash;so help
+me God, and His holy Evangelists."</p>
+
+<p>When this oath of office had been taken, the
+President addressing the assembly, as men who
+judge in secret and punish in secret, like the
+Deity, desired them to say, why this "child of the
+cord"<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>
+ lay before them, bound and helpless. An
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span>
+individual rose from the more remote bench, and
+in a voice which, though altered and agitated,
+Philipson conceived that he recognised, declared
+himself the accuser, as bound by his oath, of the
+child of the cord, or prisoner, who lay before
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring forward the prisoner," said the President,
+"duly secured, as is the order of our secret
+law; but not with such severity as may interrupt
+his attention to the proceedings of the tribunal,
+or limit his power of hearing and replying."</p>
+
+<p>Six of the assistants immediately dragged forward
+the pallet and platform of boards on which
+Philipson lay, and advanced it towards the foot of
+the altar. This done, each unsheathed his dagger,
+while two of them unloosed the cords by which the
+merchant's hands were secured, and admonished
+him in a whisper, that the slightest attempt to
+resist or escape would be the signal to stab him
+dead.</p>
+
+<p>"Arise!" said the President; "listen to the
+charge to be preferred against you, and believe you
+shall in us find judges equally just and inflexible."</p>
+
+<p>Philipson, carefully avoiding any gesture which
+might indicate a desire to escape, raised his body
+on the lower part of the couch, and remained
+seated, clothed as he was in his under-vest and
+<i>caleçons</i>, or drawers, so as exactly to face the
+muffled President of the terrible court. Even in
+these agitating circumstances, the mind of the
+undaunted Englishman remained unshaken, and
+his eyelid did not quiver, nor his heart beat
+quicker, though he seemed, according to the expression
+of Scripture, to be a pilgrim in the Valley
+of the Shadow of Death, beset by numerous snares,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span>
+and encompassed by total darkness, where light was
+most necessary for safety.</p>
+
+<p>The President demanded his name, country, and
+occupation.</p>
+
+<p>"John Philipson," was the reply; "by birth an
+Englishman, by profession a merchant."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you ever borne any other name and profession?"
+demanded the Judge.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been a soldier, and, like most others,
+had then a name by which I was known in war."</p>
+
+<p>"What was that name?"</p>
+
+<p>"I laid it aside when I resigned my sword, and
+I do not desire again to be known by it. Moreover,
+I never bore it where your institutions have
+weight and authority," answered the Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Know you before whom you stand?" continued
+the Judge.</p>
+
+<p>"I may at least guess," replied the merchant.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell your guess, then," continued the interrogator.
+"Say who we are, and wherefore are you
+before us?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe that I am before the Unknown, or
+Secret Tribunal, which is called Vehme-gericht."</p>
+
+<p>"Then are you aware," answered the Judge,
+"that you would be safer if you were suspended by
+the hair over the Abyss of Schaffhausen, or if you
+lay below an axe, which a thread of silk alone
+kept back from the fall. What have you done to
+deserve such a fate?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let those reply by whom I am subjected to
+it," answered Philipson, with the same composure
+as before.</p>
+
+<p>"Speak, accuser!" said the President, "to the
+four quarters of heaven!&mdash;To the ears of the free
+judges of this tribunal, and the faithful executors
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span>
+of their doom!&mdash;And to the face of the child of
+the cord, who denies or conceals his guilt, make
+good the substance of thine accusation!"</p>
+
+<p>"Most dreaded," answered the accuser, addressing
+the President, "this man hath entered the
+Sacred Territory, which is called the Red Land,&mdash;a
+stranger under a disguised name and profession.
+When he was yet on the eastern side of the Alps,
+at Turin, in Lombardy, and elsewhere, he at various
+times spoke of the Holy Tribunal in terms of
+hatred and contempt, and declared that were he
+Duke of Burgundy he would not permit it to extend
+itself from Westphalia, or Suabia, into his
+dominions. Also I charge him, that, nourishing
+this malevolent intention against the Holy Tribunal,
+he who now appears before the bench as child
+of the cord has intimated his intention to wait
+upon the court of the Duke of Burgundy, and use
+his influence with him, which he boasts will prove
+effectual to stir him up to prohibit the meetings of
+the Holy Vehme in his dominions, and to inflict on
+their officers, and the executors of their mandates,
+the punishment due to robbers and assassins."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a heavy charge, brother!" said the
+President of the assembly, when the accuser
+ceased speaking. "How do you purpose to make
+it good?"</p>
+
+<p>"According to the tenor of those secret statutes
+the perusal of which is prohibited to all but the
+initiated," answered the accuser.</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said the President; "but I ask
+thee once more, What are those means of proof?
+You speak to holy and to initiated ears."</p>
+
+<p>"I will prove my charge," said the accuser, "by
+the confession of the party himself, and by my
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span>
+own oath upon the holy emblems of the Secret
+Judgment&mdash;that is, the steel and the cord."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a legitimate offer of proof," said a member
+of the aristocratic bench of the assembly;
+"and it much concerns the safety of the system to
+which we are bound by such deep oaths&mdash;a system
+handed down to us from the most Christian and
+holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, for the conversion
+of the heathen Saracens, and punishing
+such of them as revolted again to their Pagan
+practices, that such criminals should be looked to.
+This Duke Charles of Burgundy hath already
+crowded his army with foreigners, whom he can
+easily employ against this Sacred Court, more
+especially with English, a fierce, insular people,
+wedded to their own usages, and hating those of
+every other nation. It is not unknown to us, that
+the Duke hath already encouraged opposition to
+the officials of the Tribunal in more than one part
+of his German dominions; and that in consequence,
+instead of submitting to their doom with
+reverent resignation, children of the cord have
+been found bold enough to resist the executioners
+of the Vehme, striking, wounding, and even slaying
+those who have received commission to put
+them to death. This contumacy must be put an
+end to; and if the accused shall be proved to be
+one of those by whom such doctrines are harboured
+and inculcated, I say let the steel and cord do
+their work on him."</p>
+
+<p>A general murmur seemed to approve what the
+speaker had said; for all were conscious that the
+power of the Tribunal depended much more on
+the opinion of its being deeply and firmly rooted in
+the general system, than upon any regard or esteem
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span>
+for an institution of which all felt the severity.
+It followed, that those of the members who enjoyed
+consequence by means of their station in the ranks
+of the Vehme saw the necessity of supporting its
+terrors by occasional examples of severe punishment;
+and none could be more readily sacrificed
+than an unknown and wandering foreigner. All
+this rushed upon Philipson's mind, but did not
+prevent his making a steady reply to the accusation.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen," he said, "good citizens, burgesses,
+or by whatever other name you please to be addressed,
+know, that in my former days I have
+stood in as great peril as now, and have never
+turned my heel to save my life. Cords and daggers
+are not calculated to strike terror into those
+who have seen swords and lances. My answer to
+the accusation is, that I am an Englishman, one
+of a nation accustomed to yield and to receive
+open-handed and equal justice dealt forth in the
+broad light of day. I am, however, a traveller,
+who knows that he has no right to oppose the
+rules and laws of other nations because they do
+not resemble those of his own. But this caution
+can only be called for in lands where the system
+about which we converse is in full force and operation.
+If we speak of the institutions of Germany,
+being at the time in France or Spain, we may,
+without offence to the country in which they are
+current, dispute concerning them, as students debate
+upon a logical thesis in a university. The
+accuser objects to me, that at Turin, or elsewhere
+in the north of Italy, I spoke with censure of the
+institution under which I am now judged. I will
+not deny that I remember something of the kind;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span>
+but it was in consequence of the question being
+in a manner forced upon me by two guests with
+whom I chanced to find myself at table. I was
+much and earnestly solicited for an opinion ere
+I gave one."</p>
+
+<p>"And was that opinion," said the presiding
+Judge, "favourable or otherwise to the Holy and
+Secret Vehme-gericht? Let truth rule your tongue&mdash;remember,
+life is short, judgment is eternal!"</p>
+
+<p>"I would not save my life at the expense of a
+falsehood. My opinion was unfavourable; and I
+expressed myself thus:&mdash;No laws or judicial proceedings
+can be just or commendable which exist
+and operate by means of a secret combination. I
+said, that justice could only live and exist in the
+open air, and that when she ceased to be public
+she degenerated into revenge and hatred. I said,
+that a system of which your own jurists have said,
+<i>non frater a fratre, non hospes a hospite, tutus</i>,
+was too much adverse to the laws of nature to be
+connected with or regulated by those of religion."</p>
+
+<p>These words were scarcely uttered, when there
+burst a murmur from the Judges highly unfavourable
+to the prisoner,&mdash;"He blasphemes the Holy
+Vehme&mdash;Let his mouth be closed for ever!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hear me," said the Englishman, "as you will
+one day wish to be yourselves heard! I say such
+were my sentiments, and so I expressed them&mdash;I
+say also, I had a right to express these opinions,
+whether sound or erroneous, in a neutral country,
+where this Tribunal neither did, nor could, claim
+any jurisdiction. My sentiments are still the
+same. I would avow them if that sword were at
+my bosom, or that cord around my throat. But I
+deny that I have ever spoken against the institutions
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span>
+of your Vehme, in a country where it had its
+course as a national mode of justice. Far more
+strongly, if possible, do I denounce the absurdity
+of the falsehood, which represents me, a wandering
+foreigner, as commissioned to traffic with the
+Duke of Burgundy about such high matters, or to
+form a conspiracy for the destruction of a system
+to which so many seem warmly attached. I never
+said such a thing, and I never thought it."</p>
+
+<p>"Accuser," said the presiding Judge, "thou hast
+heard the accused&mdash;What is thy reply?"</p>
+
+<p>"The first part of the charge," said the accuser,
+"he hath confessed in this high presence&mdash;namely,
+that his foul tongue hath basely slandered our holy
+mysteries; for which he deserves that it should be
+torn out of his throat. I myself, on my oath of
+office, will aver, as use and law is, that the rest of
+the accusation&mdash;namely, that which taxes him as
+having entered into machinations for the destruction
+of the Vehmique institutions&mdash;is as true as
+those which he has found himself unable to deny."</p>
+
+<p>"In justice," said the Englishman, "the accusation,
+if not made good by satisfactory proof, ought
+to be left to the oath of the party accused, instead
+of permitting the accuser to establish by his own
+deposition the defects in his own charge."</p>
+
+<p>"Stranger," replied the presiding Judge, "we
+permit to thy ignorance a longer and more full
+defence than consists with our usual forms. Know,
+that the right of sitting among these venerable
+judges confers on the person of him who enjoys it
+a sacredness of character which ordinary men cannot
+attain to. The oath of one of the initiated
+must counterbalance the most solemn asseveration
+of every one that is not acquainted with our holy
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span>
+secrets. In the Vehmique court all must be
+Vehmique. The averment of the Emperor, he
+being uninitiated, would not have so much weight
+in our counsels as that of one of the meanest of
+these officials. The affirmation of the accuser can
+only be rebutted by the oath of a member of the
+same Tribunal, being of superior rank."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, God be gracious to me, for I have no
+trust save in Heaven!" said the Englishman, in
+solemn accents. "Yet I will not fall without an
+effort. I call upon thee thyself, dark spirit, who
+presidest in this most deadly assembly&mdash;I call
+upon thyself, to declare on thy faith and honour,
+whether thou holdest me guilty of what is thus
+boldly averred by this false calumniator&mdash;I call
+upon thee by thy sacred character&mdash;by the name
+of"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Hold!" replied the presiding Judge. "The
+name by which we are known in open air must
+not be pronounced in this subterranean judgment-seat."</p>
+
+<p>He then proceeded to address the prisoner and
+the assembly.&mdash;"I, being called on in evidence,
+declare that the charge against thee is so far true
+as it is acknowledged by thyself&mdash;namely, that
+thou hast in other lands than the Red Soil<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>
+ spoken
+lightly of this holy institution of justice. But I
+believe in my soul, and will bear witness on my
+honour, that the rest of the accusation is incredible
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span>
+and false. And this I swear, holding my hand on
+the dagger and the cord.&mdash;What is your judgment,
+my brethren, upon the case which you have
+investigated?"</p>
+
+<p>A member of the first-seated and highest class
+amongst the judges, muffled like the rest, but the
+tone of whose voice and the stoop of whose person
+announced him to be more advanced in years than
+the other two who had before spoken, arose with
+difficulty, and said with a trembling voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The child of the cord who is before us has been
+convicted of folly and rashness in slandering our
+holy institution. But he spoke his folly to ears
+which had never heard our sacred laws&mdash;He has,
+therefore, been acquitted, by irrefragable testimony,
+of combining for the impotent purpose of
+undermining our power, or stirring up princes
+against our holy association, for which death were
+too light a punishment&mdash;He hath been foolish,
+then, but not criminal; and as the holy laws of
+the Vehme bear no penalty save that of death, I
+propose for judgment that the child of the cord be
+restored without injury to society, and to the
+upper world, having been first duly admonished of
+his errors."</p>
+
+<p>"Child of the cord," said the presiding Judge,
+"thou hast heard thy sentence of acquittal. But,
+as thou desirest to sleep in an unbloody grave, let
+me warn thee, that the secrets of this night shall
+remain with thee, as a secret not to be communicated
+to father nor mother, to spouse, son, or
+daughter; neither to be spoken aloud nor whispered;
+to be told in words or written in characters;
+to be carved or to be painted, or to be otherwise
+communicated, either directly or by parable and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span>
+emblem. Obey this behest, and thy life is in
+surety. Let thy heart then rejoice within thee,
+but let it rejoice with trembling. Never more let
+thy vanity persuade thee that thou art secure from
+the servants and Judges of the Holy Vehme.
+Though a thousand leagues lie between thee and
+the Red Land, and thou speakest in that where
+our power is not known; though thou shouldst be
+sheltered by thy native island, and defended by
+thy kindred ocean, yet, even there, I warn thee to
+cross thyself when thou dost so much as think
+of the Holy and Invisible Tribunal, and to retain
+thy thoughts within thine own bosom; for the
+Avenger may be beside thee, and thou mayst die
+in thy folly. Go hence, be wise, and let the fear
+of the Holy Vehme never pass from before thine
+eyes."</p>
+
+<p>At the concluding words, all the lights were at
+once extinguished with a hissing noise. Philipson
+felt once more the grasp of the hands of the
+officials, to which he resigned himself as the safest
+course. He was gently prostrated on his pallet-bed,
+and transported back to the place from which
+he had been advanced to the foot of the altar.
+The cordage was again applied to the platform,
+and Philipson was sensible that his couch rose
+with him for a few moments, until a slight shock
+apprised him that he was again brought to a level
+with the floor of the chamber in which he had
+been lodged on the preceding night, or rather
+morning. He pondered over the events that had
+passed, in which he was sensible that he owed
+Heaven thanks for a great deliverance. Fatigue
+at length prevailed over anxiety, and he fell into
+a deep and profound sleep, from which he was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span>
+only awakened by returning light. He resolved
+on an instant departure from so dangerous a spot,
+and, without seeing any one of the household but
+the old ostler, pursued his journey to Strasburg,
+and reached that city without further accident.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Away with these!&mdash;True Wisdom's world will be</p>
+<p>Within its own creation, or in thine,</p>
+<p>Maternal Nature! for who teems like thee</p>
+<p>Thus on the banks of thy majestic Rhine?</p>
+<p>There Harold gazes on a work divine,</p>
+<p>A blending of all beauties, streams, and dells&mdash;</p>
+<p>Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, cornfield, mountain, vine,</p>
+<p>And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells,</p>
+<p>From grey but leafy walls, where ruin greenly dwells.</p>
+
+<p class="i7"><i>Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Canto III.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>When Arthur Philipson left his father, to go on
+board the bark which was to waft him across the
+Rhine, he took but few precautions for his own
+subsistence, during a separation of which he calculated
+the duration to be very brief. Some necessary
+change of raiment, and a very few pieces of
+gold, were all which he thought it needful to
+withdraw from the general stock; the rest of the
+baggage and money he left with the sumpter-horse,
+which he concluded his father might need,
+in order to sustain his character as an English
+trader. Having embarked with his horse and his
+slender appointments on board a fishing-skiff, she
+instantly raised her temporary mast, spread a sail
+across the yard, and, supported by the force of the
+wind against the downward power of the current,
+moved across the river obliquely in the direction
+of Kirch-hoff, which, as we have said, lies somewhat
+lower on the river than Hans-Kapelle.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span>
+Their passage was so favourable that they reached
+the opposite side in a few minutes, but not until
+Arthur, whose eye and thoughts were on the left
+bank, had seen his father depart from the Chapel
+of the Ferry, accompanied by two horsemen, whom
+he readily concluded to be the guide Bartholomew,
+and some chance traveller who had joined him;
+but the second of whom was in truth the Black
+Priest of St. Paul's, as has been already mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>This augmentation of his father's company was,
+he could not but think, likely to be attended with
+an increase of his safety, since it was not probable
+he would suffer a companion to be forced upon
+him, and one of his own choosing might be a protection,
+in case his guide should prove treacherous.
+At any rate, he had to rejoice that he had seen his
+father depart in safety from the spot where they
+had reason to apprehend some danger awaited
+him. He resolved, therefore, to make no stay at
+Kirch-hoff, but to pursue his way, as fast as possible,
+towards Strasburg, and rest, when darkness
+compelled him to stop, in one of the <i>dorfs</i>, or villages,
+which were situated on the German side
+of the Rhine. At Strasburg, he trusted, with the
+sanguine spirit of youth, he might again be able
+to rejoin his father; and if he could not altogether
+subdue his anxiety on their separation, he fondly
+nourished the hope that he might meet him in
+safety. After some short refreshment and repose
+afforded to his horse, he lost no time in proceeding
+on his journey down the eastern bank of the broad
+river.</p>
+
+<p>He was now upon the most interesting side of
+the Rhine, walled in and repelled as the river is
+on that shore by the most romantic cliffs, now
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span>
+mantled with vegetation of the richest hue, tinged
+with all the variegated colours of autumn; now
+surmounted by fortresses, over whose gates were
+displayed the pennons of their proud owners; or
+studded with hamlets, where the richness of the
+soil supplied to the poor labourer the food of which
+the oppressive hand of his superior threatened
+altogether to deprive him. Every stream which
+here contributes its waters to the Rhine winds
+through its own tributary dell, and each valley
+possesses a varying and separate character, some
+rich with pastures, cornfields, and vineyards, some
+frowning with crags and precipices, and other
+romantic beauties.</p>
+
+<p>The principles of taste were not then explained
+or analysed as they have been since, in countries
+where leisure has been found for this investigation.
+But the feelings arising from so rich a landscape
+as is displayed by the valley of the Rhine
+must have been the same in every bosom, from the
+period when our Englishman took his solitary
+journey through it, in doubt and danger, till that
+in which it heard the indignant Childe Harold bid
+a proud farewell to his native country, in the vain
+search of a land in which his heart might throb
+less fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur enjoyed this scene, although the fading
+daylight began to remind him that, alone as he
+was, and travelling with a very valuable charge, it
+would be matter of prudence to look out for some
+place of rest during the night. Just as he had
+formed the resolution of inquiring at the next
+habitation he should pass, which way he should
+follow for this purpose, the road he pursued descended
+into a beautiful amphitheatre filled with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span>
+large trees, which protected from the heats of
+summer the delicate and tender herbage of the
+pasture. A large brook flowed through it, and
+joined the Rhine. At a short mile up the brook
+its waters made a crescent round a steep craggy
+eminence, crowned with flanking walls, and Gothic
+towers and turrets, enclosing a feudal castle of
+the first order. A part of the savannah that has
+been mentioned had been irregularly cultivated for
+wheat, which had grown a plentiful crop. It was
+gathered in, but the patches of deep yellow stubble
+contrasted with the green of the undisturbed
+pasture land, and with the seared and dark-red
+foliage of the broad oaks which stretched their
+arms athwart the level space. There a lad, in a
+rustic dress, was employed in the task of netting
+a brood of partridges with the assistance of a
+trained spaniel; while a young woman, who had
+the air rather of a domestic in some family of
+rank than that of an ordinary villager, sat on the
+stump of a decayed tree, to watch the progress of
+the amusement. The spaniel, whose duty it was
+to drive the partridges under the net, was perceptibly
+disturbed at the approach of the traveller;
+his attention was divided, and he was obviously
+in danger of marring the sport, by barking and
+putting up the covey, when the maiden quitted
+her seat, and, advancing towards Philipson, requested
+him, for courtesy, to pass at a greater distance,
+and not interfere with their amusement.</p>
+
+<p>The traveller willingly complied with her
+request.</p>
+
+<p>"I will ride, fair damsel," he said, "at whatever
+distance you please. And allow me, in guerdon,
+to ask, whether there is convent, castle, or good
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span>
+man's house, where a stranger, who is belated and
+weary, might receive a night's hospitality?"</p>
+
+<p>The girl, whose face he had not yet distinctly
+seen, seemed to suppress some desire to laugh, as
+she replied, "Hath not yon castle, think you,"
+pointing to the distant towers, "some corner which
+might accommodate a stranger in such extremity?"</p>
+
+<p>"Space enough, certainly," said Arthur; "but
+perhaps little inclination to grant it."</p>
+
+<p>"I myself," said the girl, "being one, and a
+formidable part of the garrison, will be answerable
+for your reception. But as you parley with me
+in such hostile fashion, it is according to martial
+order that I should put down my visor."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, she concealed her face under one of
+those riding-masks which at that period women
+often wore when they went abroad, whether for
+protecting their complexion or screening themselves
+from intrusive observation. But ere she
+could accomplish this operation Arthur had detected
+the merry countenance of Annette Veilchen, a girl
+who, though her attendance on Anne of Geierstein
+was in a menial capacity, was held in high estimation
+at Geierstein. She was a bold wench, unaccustomed
+to the distinctions of rank, which were
+little regarded in the simplicity of the Helvetian
+hills, and she was ready to laugh, jest, and flirt
+with the young men of the Landamman's family.
+This attracted no attention, the mountain manners
+making little distinction between the degrees of
+attendant and mistress, further than that the mistress
+was a young woman who required help, and
+the maiden one who was in a situation to offer and
+afford it. This kind of familiarity would perhaps
+have been dangerous in other lands, but the simplicity
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span>
+of Swiss manners, and the turn of Annette's
+disposition, which was resolute and sensible,
+though rather bold and free, when compared to
+the manners of more civilised countries, kept
+all intercourse betwixt her and the young men
+of the family in the strict path of honour and
+innocence.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur himself had paid considerable attention
+to Annette, being naturally, from his feelings
+towards Anne of Geierstein, heartily desirous to
+possess the good graces of her attendant; a point
+which was easily gained by the attentions of a
+handsome young man, and the generosity with
+which he heaped upon her small presents of articles
+of dress or ornament, which the damsel,
+however faithful, could find no heart to refuse.</p>
+
+<p>The assurance that he was in Anne's neighbourhood,
+and that he was likely to pass the night
+under the same roof, both of which circumstances
+were intimated by the girl's presence and language,
+sent the blood in a hastier current through
+Arthur's veins; for though, since he had crossed
+the river, he had sometimes nourished hopes of
+again seeing her who had made so strong an impression
+on his imagination, yet his understanding
+had as often told him how slight was the chance
+of their meeting, and it was even now chilled by
+the reflection that it could be followed only by the
+pain of a sudden and final separation. He yielded
+himself, however, to the prospect of promised
+pleasure, without attempting to ascertain what
+was to be its duration or its consequence. Desirous,
+in the meantime, to hear as much of Anne's
+circumstances as Annette chose to tell, he resolved
+not to let that merry maiden perceive that she was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span>
+known by him, until she chose of her own accord
+to lay aside her mystery.</p>
+
+<p>While these thoughts passed rapidly through
+his imagination, Annette bade the lad drop his
+nets, and directed him that, having taken two of
+the best-fed partridges from the covey, and carried
+them into the kitchen, he was to set the rest at
+liberty.</p>
+
+<p>"I must provide supper," said she to the
+traveller, "since I am bringing home unexpected
+company."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur earnestly expressed his hope that his
+experiencing the hospitality of the castle would occasion
+no trouble to the inmates, and received satisfactory
+assurances upon the subject of his scruples.</p>
+
+<p>"I would not willingly be the cause of inconvenience
+to your mistress," pursued the traveller.</p>
+
+<p>"Look you there," said Annette Veilchen, "I
+have said nothing of master or mistress, and this
+poor forlorn traveller has already concluded in his
+own mind that he is to be harboured in a lady's
+bower!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, did you not tell me," said Arthur, somewhat
+confused at his blunder, "that you were the
+person of second importance in the place? A
+damsel, I judged, could only be an officer under a
+female governor."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not see the justice of the conclusion,"
+replied the maiden. "I have known ladies bear
+offices of trust in lords' families; nay, and over
+the lords themselves."</p>
+
+<p>"Am I to understand, fair damsel, that you
+hold so predominant a situation in the castle
+which we are now approaching, and of which I
+pray you to tell me the name?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The name of the castle is Arnheim," said
+Annette.</p>
+
+<p>"Your garrison must be a large one," said
+Arthur, looking at the extensive building, "if
+you are able to man such a labyrinth of walls
+and towers."</p>
+
+<p>"In that point," said Annette, "I must needs
+own we are very deficient. At present, we rather
+hide in the castle than inhabit it; and yet it
+is well enough defended by the reports which
+frighten every other person who might disturb its
+seclusion."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet you yourselves dare to reside in it?"
+said the Englishman, recollecting the tale which
+had been told by Rudolph Donnerhugel, concerning
+the character of the Barons of Arnheim, and
+the final catastrophe of the family.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," replied his guide, "we are too intimate
+with the cause of such fears to feel ourselves
+strongly oppressed with them&mdash;perhaps we have
+means of encountering the supposed terrors proper
+to ourselves&mdash;perhaps, and it is not the least
+likely conjecture, we have no choice of a better
+place of refuge. Such seems to be your own fate
+at present, sir, for the tops of the distant hills are
+gradually losing the lights of the evening; and if
+you rest not in Arnheim, well contented or not,
+you are likely to find no safe lodging for many a
+mile."</p>
+
+<p>As she thus spoke she separated from Arthur,
+taking, with the fowler who attended her, a very
+steep but short footpath, which ascended straight
+up to the site of the castle; at the same time
+motioning to the young Englishman to follow a
+horse-track, which, more circuitous, led to the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span>
+same point, and, though less direct, was considerably
+more easy.</p>
+
+<p>He soon stood before the south front of Arnheim
+Castle, which was a much larger building than he
+had conceived, either from Rudolph's description
+or from the distant view. It had been erected
+at many different periods, and a considerable part
+of the edifice was less in the strict Gothic than
+in what has been termed the Saracenic style,
+in which the imagination of the architect is
+more florid than that which is usually indulged in
+the North&mdash;rich in minarets, cupolas, and similar
+approximations to Oriental structures. This
+singular building bore a general appearance of
+desolation and desertion, but Rudolph had been
+misinformed when he declared that it had become
+ruinous. On the contrary, it had been maintained
+with considerable care; and when it fell into the
+hands of the Emperor, although no garrison was
+maintained within its precincts, care was taken to
+keep the building in repair; and though the prejudices
+of the country people prevented any one from
+passing the night within the fearful walls, yet it
+was regularly visited from time to time by a person
+having commission from the Imperial Chancery
+to that effect. The occupation of the domain
+around the castle was a valuable compensation for
+this official person's labour, and he took care not
+to endanger the loss of it by neglecting his duty.
+Of late this officer had been withdrawn, and now
+it appeared that the young Baroness of Arnheim
+had found refuge in the deserted towers of her
+ancestors.</p>
+
+<p>The Swiss damsel did not leave the youthful
+traveller time to study particularly the exterior of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span>
+the castle, or to construe the meaning of emblems
+and mottoes, seemingly of an Oriental character,
+with which the outside was inscribed, and which
+expressed in various modes, more or less directly,
+the attachment of the builders of this extensive
+pile to the learning of the Eastern sages. Ere he
+had time to take more than a general survey of
+the place, the voice of the Swiss maiden called
+him to an angle of the wall in which there was a
+projection, whence a long plank extended over a
+dry moat, and was connected with a window in
+which Annette was standing.</p>
+
+<p>"You have forgotten your Swiss lessons already,"
+said she, observing that Arthur went rather
+timidly about crossing the temporary and precarious
+drawbridge.</p>
+
+<p>The reflection that Anne, her mistress, might
+make the same observation, recalled the young
+traveller to the necessary degree of composure.
+He passed over the plank with the same <i>sang froid</i>
+with which he had learned to brave the far more
+terrific bridge beneath the ruinous castle of Geierstein.
+He had no sooner entered the window than
+Annette, taking off her mask, bade him welcome
+to Germany, and to old friends with new names.</p>
+
+<p>"Anne of Geierstein," she said, "is no more;
+but you will presently see the Lady Baroness of
+Arnheim, who is extremely like her; and I, who
+was Annette Veilchen in Switzerland, the servant
+to a damsel who was not esteemed much greater
+than myself, am now the young Baroness's waiting-woman,
+and make everybody of less quality
+stand back."</p>
+
+<p>"If, in such circumstances," said young Philipson,
+"you have the influence due to your consequence,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span>
+let me beseech of you to tell the Baroness,
+since we must now call her so, that my present
+intrusion on her is occasioned by my ignorance."</p>
+
+<p>"Away, away!" said the girl, laughing. "I
+know better what to say in your behalf. You are
+not the first poor man and pedlar that has got the
+graces of a great lady; but I warrant you it was
+not by making humble apologies, and talking of
+unintentional intrusion. I will tell her of love,
+which all the Rhine cannot quench, and which
+has driven you hither, leaving you no other choice
+than to come or to perish!"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, but Annette, Annette"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fie on you for a fool,&mdash;make a shorter name
+of it,&mdash;cry Anne, Anne! and there will be more
+prospect of your being answered."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, the wild girl ran out of the room,
+delighted, as a mountaineer of her description was
+likely to be, with the thought of having done as
+she would desire to be done by, in her benevolent
+exertions to bring two lovers together, when on
+the eve of inevitable separation.</p>
+
+<p>In this self-approving disposition, Annette sped
+up a narrow turnpike stair to a closet, or dressing-room,
+where her young mistress was seated, and
+exclaimed, with open mouth,&mdash;"Anne of Gei&mdash;&mdash;,
+I mean my Lady Baroness, they are come&mdash;they
+are come!"</p>
+
+<p>"The Philipsons?" said Anne, almost breathless
+as she asked the question.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;no&mdash;" answered the girl; "that is, yes,&mdash;for
+the best of them is come, and that is
+Arthur."</p>
+
+<p>"What meanest thou, girl? Is not Seignor
+Philipson, the father, along with his son?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Not he, indeed," answered Veilchen, "nor did
+I ever think of asking about him. He was no
+friend of mine, nor of any one else, save the old
+Landamman; and well met they were for a couple
+of wiseacres, with eternal proverbs in their mouths,
+and care upon their brows."</p>
+
+<p>"Unkind, inconsiderate girl, what hast thou
+done?" said Anne of Geierstein. "Did I not
+warn and charge thee to bring them both hither?
+and you have brought the young man alone to a
+place where we are nearly in solitude! What will
+he&mdash;what can he think of me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what should I have done?" said
+Annette, remaining firm in her argument. "He
+was alone, and should I have sent him down to
+the <i>dorf</i> to be murdered by the Rhinegrave's Lanzknechts?
+All is fish, I trow, that comes to their
+net; and how is he to get through this country,
+so beset with wandering soldiers, robber barons (I
+beg your ladyship's pardon), and roguish Italians,
+flocking to the Duke of Burgundy's standard?&mdash;Not
+to mention the greatest terror of all, that is
+never in one shape or other absent from one's eye
+or thought."</p>
+
+<p>"Hush, hush, girl! add not utter madness to
+the excess of folly; but let us think what is to be
+done. For our sake, for his own, this unfortunate
+young man must leave this castle instantly."</p>
+
+<p>"You must take the message yourself, then,
+Anne&mdash;I beg pardon, most noble Baroness;&mdash;it
+may be very fit for a lady of high birth to send
+such a message, which, indeed, I have heard the
+Minne-singers tell in their romances; but I am
+sure it is not a meet one for me, or any frank-hearted
+Swiss girl, to carry. No more foolery;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span>
+but remember, if you were born Baroness of Arnheim,
+you have been bred and brought up in the
+bosom of the Swiss hills, and should conduct
+yourself like an honest and well-meaning damsel."</p>
+
+<p>"And in what does your wisdom reprehend my
+folly, good Mademoiselle Annette?" replied the
+Baroness.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, marry! now our noble blood stirs in our
+veins. But remember, gentle my lady, that it
+was a bargain between us, when I left yonder
+noble mountains, and the free air that blows over
+them, to coop myself up in this land of prisons
+and slaves, that I should speak my mind to you as
+freely as I did when our heads lay on the same
+pillow."</p>
+
+<p>"Speak, then," said Anne, studiously averting
+her face as she prepared to listen; "but beware
+that you say nothing which it is unfit for me to
+hear."</p>
+
+<p>"I will speak nature and common-sense; and if
+your noble ears are not made fit to hear and understand
+these, the fault lies in them, and not in my
+tongue. Look you, you have saved this youth
+from two great dangers&mdash;one at the earth-shoot at
+Geierstein, the other this very day, when his life
+was beset. A handsome young man he is, well
+spoken, and well qualified to gain deservedly a
+lady's favour. Before you saw him, the Swiss
+youth were at least not odious to you. You danced
+with them,&mdash;you jested with them,&mdash;you were
+the general object of their admiration,&mdash;and, as
+you well know, you might have had your choice
+through the Canton&mdash;Why, I think it possible a
+little urgency might have brought you to think of
+Rudolph Donnerhugel as your mate."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Never, wench, never!" exclaimed Anne.</p>
+
+<p>"Be not so very positive, my lady. Had he
+recommended himself to the uncle in the first
+place, I think, in my poor sentiment, he might at
+some lucky moment have carried the niece. But
+since we have known this young Englishman, it
+has been little less than contemning, despising,
+and something like hating, all the men whom you
+could endure well enough before."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well," said Anne, "I will detest and
+hate thee more than any of them, unless you bring
+your matters to an end."</p>
+
+<p>"Softly, noble lady, fair and easy go far. All
+this argues you love the young man, and let those
+say that you are wrong who think there is anything
+wonderful in the matter. There is much
+to justify you, and nothing that I know against
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"What, foolish girl! Remember my birth forbids
+me to love a mean man&mdash;my condition to
+love a poor man&mdash;my father's commands to love
+one whose addresses are without his consent&mdash;above
+all, my maidenly pride forbids me fixing my
+affections on one who cares not for me&mdash;nay, perhaps,
+is prejudiced against me by appearances."</p>
+
+<p>"Here is a fine homily!" said Annette; "but
+I can clear every point of it as easily as Father
+Francis does his text in a holiday sermon. Your
+birth is a silly dream, which you have only learned
+to value within these two or three days, when,
+having come to German soil, some of the old German
+weed, usually called family pride, has begun
+to germinate in your heart. Think of such folly
+as you thought when you lived at Geierstein&mdash;that
+is, during all the rational part of your life,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span>
+and this great terrible prejudice will sink into
+nothing. By condition, I conceive you mean
+estate. But Philipson's father, who is the most
+free-hearted of men, will surely give his son as
+many zechins as will stock a mountain farm. You
+have firewood for the cutting, and land for the
+occupying, since you are surely entitled to part of
+Geierstein, and gladly will your uncle put you in
+possession of it. You can manage the dairy,
+Arthur can shoot, hunt, fish, plough, harrow, and
+reap."</p>
+
+<p>Anne of Geierstein shook her head, as if she
+greatly doubted her lover's skill in the last of the
+accomplishments enumerated.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, he can learn, then," said Annette
+Veilchen; "and you will only live the harder the
+first year or so. Besides, Sigismund Biederman
+will aid him willingly, and he is a very horse at
+labour; and I know another besides, who is a
+friend"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Of thine own, I warrant," quoth the young
+Baroness.</p>
+
+<p>"Marry, it is my poor friend Louis Sprenger;
+and I'll never be so false-hearted as to deny my
+bachelor."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, but what is to be the end of all
+this?" said the Baroness, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"The end of it, in my opinion," said Annette,
+"is very simple. Here are priests and prayer-books
+within a mile&mdash;go down to the parlour,
+speak your mind to your lover, or hear him speak
+his mind to you; join hands, go quietly back to
+Geierstein in the character of man and wife, and
+get everything ready to receive your uncle on his
+return. This is the way that a plain Swiss
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span>
+wench would cut off the romance of a German
+Baroness"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And break the heart of her father," said the
+young lady, with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"It is more tough than you are aware of," replied
+Annette. "He hath not lived without you
+so long but that he will be able to spare you for
+the rest of his life, a great deal more easily than
+you, with all your new-fangled ideas of quality,
+will be able to endure his schemes of wealth and
+ambition, which will aim at making you the wife
+of some illustrious Count, like De Hagenbach,
+whom we saw not long since make such an edifying
+end, to the great example of all Robber-Chivalry
+upon the Rhine."</p>
+
+<p>"Thy plan is naught, wench; a childish vision
+of a girl who never knew more of life than she has
+heard told over her milking-pail. Remember that
+my uncle entertains the highest ideas of family
+discipline, and that to act contrary to my father's
+will would destroy us in his good opinion. Why
+else am I here? Wherefore has he resigned his
+guardianship? And why am I obliged to change
+the habits that are dear to me, and assume the
+manners of a people that are strange, and therefore
+unpleasing to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your uncle," said Annette firmly, "is Landamman
+of the Canton of Unterwalden; respects
+its freedom, and is the sworn protector of its laws,
+of which, when you, a denizen of the Confederacy,
+claim the protection, he cannot refuse it to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Even then," said the young Baroness, "I
+should forfeit his good opinion, his more than
+paternal affection; but it is needless to dwell upon
+this. Know, that although I could have loved
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span>
+the young man, whom I will not deny to be as
+amiable as your partiality paints him&mdash;know,"&mdash;she
+hesitated for a moment,&mdash;"that he has never
+spoken a word to me on such a subject as you,
+without knowing either his sentiments or mine,
+would intrude on my consideration."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible?" answered Annette. "I
+thought&mdash;I believed, though I have never pressed
+on your confidence&mdash;that you must&mdash;attached as
+you were to each other&mdash;have spoken together,
+like true maid and true bachelor, before now. I
+have done wrong, when I thought to do for the
+best.&mdash;Is it possible!&mdash;such things have been
+heard of even in our canton&mdash;is it possible he can
+have harboured so unutterably base purposes, as
+that Martin of Brisach, who made love to Adela
+of the Sundgau, enticed her to folly&mdash;the thing,
+though almost incredible, is true&mdash;fled&mdash;fled
+from the country and boasted of his villany, till
+her cousin Raymund silenced for ever his infamous
+triumph, by beating his brains out with his club,
+even in the very street of the villain's native
+town? By the Holy Mother of Einsiedlen! could
+I suspect this Englishman of meditating such
+treason, I would saw the plank across the moat
+till a fly's weight would break it, and it should be
+at six fathom deep that he should abye the perfidy
+which dared to meditate dishonour against an
+adopted daughter of Switzerland!"</p>
+
+<p>As Annette Veilchen spoke, all the fire of her
+mountain courage flashed from her eyes, and she
+listened reluctantly while Anne of Geierstein endeavoured
+to obliterate the dangerous impression
+which her former words had impressed on her
+simple but faithful attendant.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"On my word"&mdash;she said,&mdash;"on my soul&mdash;you
+do Arthur Philipson injustice&mdash;foul injustice, in
+intimating such a suspicion;&mdash;his conduct towards
+me has ever been upright and honourable&mdash;a
+friend to a friend&mdash;a brother to a sister&mdash;could
+not, in all he has done and said, have been more
+respectful, more anxiously affectionate, more undeviatingly
+candid. In our frequent interviews
+and intercourse he has indeed seemed very kind&mdash;very
+attached. But had I been disposed&mdash;at
+times I may have been too much so&mdash;to listen to
+him with endurance,"&mdash;the young lady here put
+her hand on her forehead, but the tears streamed
+through her slender fingers,&mdash;"he has never spoken
+of any love&mdash;any preference;&mdash;if he indeed entertains
+any, some obstacle, insurmountable on his
+part, has interfered to prevent him."</p>
+
+<p>"Obstacle?" replied the Swiss damsel. "Ay,
+doubtless&mdash;some childish bashfulness&mdash;some foolish
+idea about your birth being so high above his
+own&mdash;some dream of modesty pushed to extremity,
+which considers as impenetrable the ice of a
+spring frost. This delusion may be broken by a
+moment's encouragement, and I will take the task
+on myself, to spare your blushes, my dearest
+Anne."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; for Heaven's sake, no, Veilchen!"
+answered the Baroness, to whom Annette had so
+long been a companion and confidant, rather than
+a domestic. "You cannot anticipate the nature of
+the obstacles which may prevent his thinking on
+what you are so desirous to promote. Hear me&mdash;My
+early education, and the instructions of my
+kind uncle, have taught me to know something
+more of foreigners and their fashions than I ever
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span>
+could have learned in our happy retirement of
+Geierstein; I am well-nigh convinced that these
+Philipsons are of rank, as they are of manners and
+bearing, far superior to the occupation which they
+appear to hold. The father is a man of deep observation,
+of high thought and pretension, and lavish
+of gifts, far beyond what consists with the utmost
+liberality of a trader."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said Annette. "I will say for
+myself, that the silver chain he gave me weighs
+against ten silver crowns, and the cross which
+Arthur added to it, the day after the long ride we
+had together up towards Mount Pilatus, is worth,
+they tell me, as much more. There is not the
+like of it in the Cantons. Well, what then? They
+are rich, so are you. So much the better."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! Annette, they are not only rich, but
+noble. I am persuaded of this; for I have observed
+often, that even the father retreated, with
+an air of quiet and dignified contempt, from discussions
+with Donnerhugel and others, who, in
+our plain way, wished to fasten a dispute upon
+him. And when a rude observation or blunt
+pleasantry was pointed at the son, his eye flashed,
+his cheek coloured, and it was only a glance from
+his father which induced him to repress the retort
+of no friendly character which rose to his lips."</p>
+
+<p>"You have been a close observer," said Annette.
+"All this may be true, but I noted it not. But
+what then, I say once more? If Arthur has some
+fine noble name in his own country, are not you
+yourself Baroness of Arnheim? And I will
+frankly allow it as something of worth, if it
+smooths the way to a match, where I think you
+must look for happiness&mdash;I hope so, else I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span>
+am sure it should have no encouragement from
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"I do believe so, my faithful Veilchen; but,
+alas! how can you, in the state of natural freedom
+in which you have been bred, know, or even
+dream, of the various restraints which this gilded
+or golden chain of rank and nobility hangs upon
+those whom it fetters and encumbers, I fear, as
+much as it decorates? In every country, the distinction
+of rank binds men to certain duties. It
+may carry with it restrictions, which may prevent
+alliances in foreign countries&mdash;it often may prevent
+them from consulting their inclinations,
+when they wed in their own. It leads to alliances
+in which the heart is never consulted, to treaties
+of marriage, which are often formed when the
+parties are in the cradle, or in leading strings, but
+which are not the less binding on them in honour
+and faith. Such may exist in the present case.
+These alliances are often blended and mixed up
+with state policy; and if the interest of England,
+or what he deems such, should have occasioned
+the elder Philipson to form such an engagement,
+Arthur would break his own heart&mdash;the heart of
+any one else&mdash;rather than make false his father's
+word."</p>
+
+<p>"The more shame to them that formed such an
+engagement!" said Annette. "Well, they talk of
+England being a free country; but if they can bar
+young men and women of the natural privilege to
+call their hands and hearts their own, I would as
+soon be a German serf.&mdash;Well, lady, you are wise,
+and I am ignorant. But what is to be done? I
+have brought this young man here, expecting, God
+knows, a happier issue to your meeting. But it
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span>
+is clear you cannot marry him without his asking
+you. Now, although I confess that, if I could
+think him willing to forfeit the hand of the fairest
+maid of the Cantons, either from want of manly
+courage to ask it, or from regard to some ridiculous
+engagement, formed betwixt his father and
+some other nobleman of their island of noblemen,
+I would not in either case grudge him a ducking
+in the moat; yet it is another question, whether
+we should send him down to be murdered among
+those cut-throats of the Rhinegrave; and unless
+we do so, I know not how to get rid of him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let the boy William give attendance on
+him here, and do you see to his accommodation.
+It is best we do not meet."</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said Annette; "yet what am I to say
+for you? Unhappily, I let him know that you
+were here."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, imprudent girl! Yet why should I
+blame thee," said Anne of Geierstein, "when the
+imprudence has been so great on my own side? It
+is myself, who, suffering my imagination to rest
+too long upon this young man and his merits,
+have led me into this entanglement. But I will
+show thee that I can overcome this folly, and I
+will not seek in my own error a cause for evading
+the duties of hospitality. Go, Veilchen, get some
+refreshment ready. Thou shalt sup with us, and
+thou must not leave us. Thou shalt see me behave
+as becomes both a German lady and a Swiss
+maiden. Get me first a candle, however, my girl,
+for I must wash these tell-tales, my eyes, and
+arrange my dress."</p>
+
+<p>To Annette this whole explanation had been one
+scene of astonishment, for, in the simple ideas of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span>
+love and courtship in which she had been brought
+up amid the Swiss mountains, she had expected
+that the two lovers would have taken the first
+opportunity of the absence of their natural guardians,
+and have united themselves for ever; and
+she had even arranged a little secondary plot, in
+which she herself and Martin Sprenger, her faithful
+bachelor, were to reside with the young couple
+as friends and dependants. Silenced, therefore,
+but not satisfied, by the objections of her young
+mistress, the zealous Annette retreated murmuring
+to herself,&mdash;"That little hint about her dress is
+the only natural and sensible word she has said
+in my hearing. Please God, I will return and help
+her in the twinkling of an eye. That dressing my
+mistress is the only part of a waiting-lady's life
+that I have the least fancy for&mdash;it seems so natural
+for one pretty maiden to set off another&mdash;in
+faith we are but learning to dress ourselves at
+another time."</p>
+
+<p>And with this sage remark Annette Veilchen
+tripped down stairs.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Tell me not of it&mdash;I could ne'er abide</p>
+<p>The mummery of all that forced civility.</p>
+<p>"Pray, seat yourself, my lord." With cringing hams</p>
+<p>The speech is spoken, and, with bended knee,</p>
+<p>Heard by the smiling courtier.&mdash;"Before you, sir?</p>
+<p>It must be on the earth then." Hang it all!</p>
+<p>The pride which cloaks itself in such poor fashion</p>
+<p>Is scarcely fit to swell a beggar's bosom.</p>
+<p class="i12"><i>Old Play.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Up stairs and down stairs tripped Annette Veilchen,
+the soul of all that was going on in the only
+habitable corner of the huge castle of Arnheim.
+She was equal to every kind of service, and therefore
+popped her head into the stable to be sure
+that William attended properly to Arthur's horse,
+looked into the kitchen to see that the old cook,
+Marthon, roasted the partridges in due time (an
+interference for which she received little thanks),
+rummaged out a flask or two of Rhine wine from
+the huge Dom Daniel of a cellar, and, finally, just
+peeped into the parlour to see how Arthur was
+looking; when, having the satisfaction to see he
+had in the best manner he could sedulously arranged
+his person, she assured him that he should
+shortly see her mistress, who was rather indisposed,
+yet could not refrain from coming down to
+see so valued an acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur blushed when she spoke thus, and
+seemed so handsome in the waiting-maid's eye,
+that she could not help saying to herself, as she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span>
+went to her young lady's room,&mdash;"Well, if true
+love cannot manage to bring that couple together,
+in spite of all the obstacles that they stand
+boggling at, I will never believe that there is
+such a thing as true love in the world, let Martin
+Sprenger say what he will, and swear to it on
+the Gospels."</p>
+
+<p>When she reached the young Baroness's apartment,
+she found, to her surprise, that, instead of
+having put on what finery she possessed, that
+young lady's choice had preferred the same simple
+kirtle which she had worn during the first day
+that Arthur had dined at Geierstein. Annette
+looked at first puzzled and doubtful, then suddenly
+recognised the good taste which had dictated the
+attire, and exclaimed,&mdash;"You are right&mdash;you are
+right&mdash;it is best to meet him as a free-hearted
+Swiss maiden."</p>
+
+<p>Anne also smiled as she replied,&mdash;"But, at the
+same time, in the walls of Arnheim, I must appear
+in some respect as the daughter of my father.&mdash;Here,
+girl, aid me to put this gem upon the riband
+which binds my hair."</p>
+
+<p>It was an aigrette, or plume, composed of two
+feathers of a vulture, fastened together by an opal,
+which changed to the changing light with a variability
+which enchanted the Swiss damsel, who had
+never seen anything resembling it in her life.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Baroness Anne," said she, "if that pretty
+thing be really worn as a sign of your rank, it is
+the only thing belonging to your dignity that I
+should ever think of coveting; for it doth shimmer
+and change colour after a most wonderful
+fashion, even something like one's own cheek
+when one is fluttered."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Alas, Annette!" said the Baroness, passing
+her hand across her eyes, "of all the gauds which
+the females of my house have owned, this perhaps
+hath been the most fatal to its possessors."</p>
+
+<p>"And why then wear it?" said Annette. "Why
+wear it now, of all days in the year?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it best reminds me of my duty to my
+father and family. And now, girl, look thou sit
+with us at table, and leave not the apartment;
+and see thou fly not to and fro to help thyself or
+others with anything on the board, but remain
+quiet and seated till William helps you to what
+you have occasion for."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is a gentle fashion, which I like
+well enough," said Annette, "and William serves
+us so debonairly, that it is a joy to see him; yet,
+ever and anon, I feel as I were not Annette Veilchen
+herself, but only Annette Veilchen's picture,
+since I can neither rise, sit down, run about, nor
+stand still, without breaking some rule of courtly
+breeding. It is not so, I dare say, with you, who
+are always mannerly."</p>
+
+<p>"Less courtly than thou seemest to think," said
+the high-born maiden; "but I feel the restraint
+more on the greensward, and under heaven's free
+air, than when I undergo it closed within the
+walls of an apartment."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, true&mdash;the dancing," said Annette; "that
+was something to be sorry for indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"But most am I sorry, Annette, that I cannot
+tell whether I act precisely right or wrong in seeing
+this young man, though it must be for the
+last time. Were my father to arrive?&mdash;Were Ital
+Schreckenwald to return"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Your father is too deeply engaged on some of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span>
+his dark and mystic errands," said the flippant
+Swiss; "sailed to the mountains of the Brockenberg,
+where witches hold their sabbath, or gone on
+a hunting-party with the Wild Huntsman."</p>
+
+<p>"Fie, Annette, how dare you talk thus of my
+father?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I know little of him personally," said
+the damsel, "and you yourself do not know much
+more. And how should that be false which all
+men say is true?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, fool, what do they say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that the Count is a wizard,&mdash;that your
+grandmother was a will-of-wisp, and old Ital
+Schreckenwald a born devil incarnate; and there
+is some truth in that, whatever comes of the rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gone down to spend the night in the village,
+to see the Rhinegrave's men quartered, and keep
+them in some order, if possible; for the soldiers
+are disappointed of pay which they had been promised;
+and when this happens, nothing resembles
+a lanzknecht except a chafed bear."</p>
+
+<p>"Go we down then, girl; it is perhaps the last
+night which we may spend, for years, with a certain
+degree of freedom."</p>
+
+<p>I will not pretend to describe the marked
+embarrassment with which Arthur Philipson and
+Anne of Geierstein met; neither lifted their eyes,
+neither spoke intelligibly, as they greeted each
+other, and the maiden herself did not blush more
+deeply than her modest visitor; while the good-humoured
+Swiss girl, whose ideas of love partook
+of the freedom of a more Arcadian country and
+its customs, looked on with eyebrows a little
+arched, much in wonder, and a little in contempt,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span>
+at a couple who, as she might think, acted with
+such unnatural and constrained reserve. Deep
+was the reverence and the blush with which
+Arthur offered his hand to the young lady, and
+her acceptance of the courtesy had the same character
+of extreme bashfulness, agitation, and embarrassment.
+In short, though little or nothing
+intelligible passed between this very handsome
+and interesting couple, the interview itself did not
+on that account lose any interest. Arthur handed
+the maiden, as was the duty of a gallant of the
+day, into the next room, where their repast was
+prepared; and Annette, who watched with singular
+attention everything which occurred, felt with
+astonishment that the forms and ceremonies of
+the higher orders of society had such an influence,
+even over her free-born mind, as the rites of the
+Druids over that of the Roman general, when
+he said,</p>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">I scorn them, yet they awe me.</p>
+</div>
+<p>"What can have changed them?" said Annette.
+"When at Geierstein they looked but like another
+girl and bachelor, only that Anne is so very handsome;
+but now they move in time and manner as
+if they were leading a stately pavin, and behave
+to each other with as much formal respect as if he
+were Landamman of the Unterwalden, and she the
+first lady of Berne. 'Tis all very fine, doubtless, but
+it is not the way that Martin Sprenger makes love."</p>
+
+<p>Apparently, the circumstances in which each of
+the young people was placed recalled to them the
+habits of lofty and somewhat formal courtesy to
+which they might have been accustomed in former
+days; and while the Baroness felt it necessary to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span>
+observe the strictest decorum, in order to qualify
+the reception of Arthur into the interior of her
+retreat, he, on the other hand, endeavoured to
+show, by the profoundness of his respect, that he
+was incapable of misusing the kindness with
+which he had been treated. They placed themselves
+at table, scrupulously observing the distance
+which might become a "virtuous gentleman and
+maid." The youth William did the service of
+the entertainment with deftness and courtesy, as
+one well accustomed to such duty; and Annette,
+placing herself between them, and endeavouring,
+as closely as she could, to adhere to the ceremonies
+which she saw them observe, made practice of the
+civilities which were expected from the attendant
+of a baroness. Various, however, were the errors
+which she committed. Her demeanour in general
+was that of a greyhound in the slips, ready to start
+up every moment; and she was only withheld by
+the recollection that she was to ask for that which
+she had far more mind to help herself to.</p>
+
+<p>Other points of etiquette were transgressed in
+their turn, after the repast was over, and the attendant
+had retired. The waiting damsel often
+mingled too unceremoniously in the conversation,
+and could not help calling her mistress by her
+Christian name of Anne, and, in defiance of all
+decorum, addressed her, as well as Philipson, with
+the pronoun <i>thou</i>, which then, as well as now, was
+a dreadful solecism in German politeness. Her
+blunders were so far fortunate that, by furnishing
+the young lady and Arthur with a topic foreign
+to the peculiarities of their own situation, they
+enabled them to withdraw their attentions from
+its embarrassments, and to exchange smiles at
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span>
+poor Annette's expense. She was not long of perceiving
+this, and half nettled, half availing herself
+of the apology to speak her mind, said, with considerable
+spirit, "You have both been very merry,
+forsooth, at my expense, and all because I wished
+rather to rise and seek what I wanted, than wait
+till the poor fellow, who was kept trotting between
+the board and beauffet, found leisure to bring it to
+me. You laugh at me now, because I call you by
+your names, as they were given to you in the
+blessed church at your christening; and because I
+say to you <i>thee</i> and <i>thou</i>, addressing my Juncker
+and my Yungfrau as I would do if I were on my
+knees praying to Heaven. But for all your new-world
+fancies, I can tell you, you are but a couple
+of children, who do not know your own minds,
+and are jesting away the only leisure given you to
+provide for your own happiness. Nay, frown not,
+my sweet Mistress Baroness; I have looked at
+Mount Pilatus too often, to fear a gloomy brow."</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, Annette," said her mistress, "or quit
+the room."</p>
+
+<p>"Were I not more your friend than I am my
+own," said the headstrong and undaunted Annette,
+"I would quit the room, and the castle to boot,
+and leave you to hold your house here, with your
+amiable seneschal, Ital Schreckenwald."</p>
+
+<p>"If not for love, yet for shame, for charity, be
+silent, or leave the room."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said Annette, "my bolt is shot, and I
+have but hinted at what all upon Geierstein Green
+said, the night when the bow of Buttisholz was
+bended. You know what the old saw says"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Peace! peace, for Heaven's sake, or I must
+needs fly!" said the young Baroness.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nay, then," said Annette, considerably changing
+her tone, as if afraid that her mistress should
+actually retire, "if you must fly, necessity must
+have its course. I know no one who can follow.
+This mistress of mine, Seignor Arthur, would require
+for her attendant, not a homely girl of flesh
+and blood like myself, but a waiting-woman with
+substance composed of gossamer, and breath supplied
+by the spirit of ether. Would you believe
+it&mdash;It is seriously held by many, that she partakes
+of the race of spirits of the elements, which
+makes her so much more bashful than maidens of
+this every-day world."</p>
+
+<p>Anne of Geierstein seemed rather glad to lead
+away the conversation from the turn which her
+wayward maiden had given to it, and to turn it on
+more indifferent subjects, though these were still
+personal to herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Seignor Arthur," she said, "thinks, perhaps,
+he has some room to nourish some such strange
+suspicion as your heedless folly expresses, and
+some fools believe, both in Germany and Switzerland.
+Confess, Seignor Arthur, you thought
+strangely of me when I passed your guard upon
+the bridge of Graffs-lust, on the night last past."</p>
+
+<p>The recollection of the circumstances which had
+so greatly surprised him at the time so startled
+Arthur that it was with some difficulty he commanded
+himself, so as to attempt an answer at all;
+and what he did say on the occasion was broken
+and unconnected.</p>
+
+<p>"I did hear, I own&mdash;that is, Rudolph Donnerhugel
+reported&mdash;But that I believed that you, gentle
+lady, were other than a Christian maiden"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, if Rudolph were the reporter," said
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span>
+Annette, "you would hear the worst of my lady
+and her lineage, that is certain. He is one of
+those prudent personages who depreciate and find
+fault with the goods he has thoughts of purchasing,
+in order to deter other offerers. Yes, he told you
+a fine goblin story, I warrant you, of my lady's
+grandmother; and truly, it so happened, that
+the circumstances of the case gave, I dare say,
+some colour in your eyes to"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Not so, Annette," answered Arthur; "whatever
+might be said of your lady that sounded uncouth
+and strange, fell to the ground as incredible."</p>
+
+<p>"Not quite so much so, I fancy," interrupted
+Annette, without heeding sign or frown. "I
+strongly suspect I should have had much more
+trouble in dragging you hither to this castle, had
+you known you were approaching the haunt of the
+Nymph of the Fire, the Salamander, as they call
+her, not to mention the shock of again seeing the
+descendant of that Maiden of the Fiery Mantle."</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, once more, Annette," said her mistress;
+"since Fate has occasioned this meeting, let us
+not neglect the opportunity to disabuse our English
+friend of the absurd report he has listened to,
+with doubt and wonder perhaps, but not with
+absolute incredulity.</p>
+
+<p>"Seignor Arthur Philipson," she proceeded, "it
+is true my grandfather, by the mother's side,
+Baron Herman of Arnheim, was a man of great
+knowledge in abstruse sciences. He was also a
+presiding judge of a tribunal of which you must
+have heard, called the Holy Vehme. One night
+a stranger, closely pursued by the agents of that
+body, which" (crossing herself) "it is not safe even
+to name, arrived at the castle and craved his protection,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span>
+and the rights of hospitality. My grandfather,
+finding the advance which the stranger had
+made to the rank of Adept, gave him his protection,
+and became bail to deliver him to answer the
+charge against him, for a year and a day, which
+delay he was, it seems, entitled to require on his
+behalf. They studied together during that term,
+and pushed their researches into the mysteries of
+nature, as far, in all probability, as men have the
+power of urging them. When the fatal day drew
+nigh on which the guest must part from his host,
+he asked permission to bring his daughter to the
+castle, that they might exchange a last farewell.
+She was introduced with much secrecy, and after
+some days, finding that her father's fate was so uncertain,
+the Baron, with the sage's consent, agreed
+to give the forlorn maiden refuge in his castle,
+hoping to obtain from her some additional information
+concerning the languages and the wisdom
+of the East. Dannischemend, her father, left this
+castle, to go to render himself up to the Vehme-gericht
+at Fulda. The result is unknown; perhaps
+he was saved by Baron Arnheim's testimony,
+perhaps he was given up to the steel and the cord.
+On such matters, who dare speak?</p>
+
+<p>"The fair Persian became the wife of her guardian
+and protector. Amid many excellences, she
+had one peculiarity allied to imprudence. She
+availed herself of her foreign dress and manners,
+as well as of a beauty which was said to have been
+marvellous, and an agility seldom equalled, to
+impose upon and terrify the ignorant German
+ladies, who, hearing her speak Persian and Arabic,
+were already disposed to consider her as over
+closely connected with unlawful arts. She was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span>
+of a fanciful and imaginative disposition, and
+delighted to place herself in such colours and circumstances
+as might confirm their most ridiculous
+suspicions, which she considered only as matter of
+sport. There was no end to the stories to which
+she gave rise. Her first appearance in the castle
+was said to be highly picturesque, and to have
+inferred something of the marvellous. With the
+levity of a child, she had some childish passions,
+and while she encouraged the growth and circulation
+of the most extraordinary legends amongst
+some of the neighbourhood, she entered into disputes
+with persons of her own quality concerning
+rank and precedence, on which the ladies of
+Westphalia have at all times set great store. This
+cost her her life; for, on the morning of the christening
+of my poor mother, the Baroness of Arnheim
+died suddenly, even while a splendid company
+was assembled in the castle chapel to witness
+the ceremony. It was believed that she died of
+poison, administered by the Baroness Steinfeldt,
+with whom she was engaged in a bitter quarrel,
+entered into chiefly on behalf of her friend and
+companion, the Countess Waldstetten."</p>
+
+<p>"And the opal gem?&mdash;and the sprinkling with
+water?" said Arthur Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" replied the young Baroness, "I see you
+desire to hear the real truth of my family history,
+of which you have yet learned only the romantic
+legend.&mdash;The sprinkling of water was necessarily
+had recourse to, on my ancestress's first swoon.
+As for the opal, I have heard that it did indeed
+grow pale, but only because it is said to be the
+nature of that noble gem, on the approach of
+poison. Some part of the quarrel with the Baroness
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span>
+Steinfeldt was about the right of the Persian
+maiden to wear this stone, which an ancestor of
+my family won in battle from the Soldan of Trebizond.
+All these things were confused in popular
+tradition, and the real facts turned into a fairy
+tale."</p>
+
+<p>"But you have said nothing," suggested Arthur
+Philipson, "on&mdash;on"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"On what?" said his hostess.</p>
+
+<p>"On your appearance last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible," said she, "that a man of sense,
+and an Englishman, cannot guess at the explanation
+which I have to give, though not, perhaps,
+very distinctly? My father, you are aware, has
+been a busy man in a disturbed country, and has
+incurred the hatred of many powerful persons.
+He is, therefore, obliged to move in secret, and
+avoid unnecessary observation. He was, besides,
+averse to meet his brother, the Landamman. I
+was therefore told, on our entering Germany, that
+I was to expect a signal where and when to join
+him,&mdash;the token was to be a small crucifix of
+bronze, which had belonged to my poor mother.
+In my apartment at Graffs-lust I found the token,
+with a note from my father, making me acquainted
+with a secret passage proper to such
+places, which, though it had the appearance of
+being blocked up, was in fact very slightly barricaded.
+By this I was instructed to pass to the
+gate, make my escape into the woods, and meet
+my father at a place appointed there."</p>
+
+<p>"A wild and perilous adventure," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I have never been so much shocked," continued
+the maiden, "as at receiving this summons,
+compelling me to steal away from my kind and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span>
+affectionate uncle, and go I knew not whither.
+Yet compliance was absolutely necessary. The
+place of meeting was plainly pointed out. A
+midnight walk, in the neighbourhood of protection,
+was to me a trifle; but the precaution of
+posting sentinels at the gate might have interfered
+with my purpose, had I not mentioned it to some
+of my elder cousins, the Biedermans, who readily
+agreed to let me pass and repass unquestioned.
+But you know my cousins; honest and kind-hearted,
+they are of a rude way of thinking, and
+as incapable of feeling a generous delicacy as&mdash;some
+other persons."&mdash;(Here there was a glance
+towards Annette Veilchen.)&mdash;"They exacted from
+me, that I should conceal myself and my purpose
+from Sigismund; and as they are always making
+sport with the simple youth, they insisted that I
+should pass him in such a manner as might induce
+him to believe that I was a spiritual apparition,
+and out of his terrors for supernatural beings they
+expected to have much amusement. I was obliged
+to secure their connivance at my escape on their
+own terms; and, indeed, I was too much grieved
+at the prospect of quitting my kind uncle to
+think much of anything else. Yet my surprise
+was considerable, when, contrary to expectation,
+I found you on the bridge as sentinel, instead of
+my cousin Sigismund. Your own ideas I ask
+not for."</p>
+
+<p>"They were those of a fool," said Arthur, "of
+a thrice-sodden fool. Had I been aught else, I
+would have offered my escort. My sword"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I could not have accepted your protection,"
+said Anne, calmly. "My mission was in every
+respect a secret one. I met my father&mdash;some
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span>
+intercourse had taken place betwixt him and
+Rudolph Donnerhugel, which induced him to
+alter his purpose of carrying me away with him
+last night. I joined him, however, early this
+morning, while Annette acted for a time my
+part amongst the Swiss pilgrims. My father
+desired that it should not be known when or
+with whom I left my uncle and his escort. I
+need scarce remind you, that I saw you in the
+dungeon."</p>
+
+<p>"You were the preserver of my life," said the
+youth,&mdash;"the restorer of my liberty."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask me not the reason of my silence. I was
+then acting under the agency of others, not under
+mine own. Your escape was effected, in order to
+establish a communication betwixt the Swiss without
+the fortress and the soldiers within. After
+the alarm at La Ferette, I learned from Sigismund
+Biederman that a party of banditti were pursuing
+your father and you, with a view to pillage and
+robbery. My father had furnished me with the
+means of changing Anne of Geierstein into a
+German maiden of quality. I set out instantly,
+and glad I am to have given you a hint which
+might free you from danger."</p>
+
+<p>"But my father?" said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I have every reason to hope he is well and
+safe," answered the young lady. "More than I
+were eager to protect both you and him&mdash;poor
+Sigismund amongst the first.&mdash;And now, my
+friend, these mysteries explained, it is time we
+part, and for ever."</p>
+
+<p>"Part!&mdash;and for ever!" repeated the youth, in
+a voice like a dying echo.</p>
+
+<p>"It is our fate," said the maiden. "I appeal to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span>
+you if it is not your duty&mdash;I tell you it is mine.
+You will depart with early dawn to Strasburg&mdash;and&mdash;and&mdash;we
+never meet again."</p>
+
+<p>With an ardour of passion which he could not
+repress, Arthur Philipson threw himself at the
+feet of the maiden, whose faltering tone had
+clearly expressed that she felt deeply in uttering
+the words. She looked round for Annette, but
+Annette had disappeared at this most critical moment;
+and her mistress for a second or two was not
+perhaps sorry for her absence.</p>
+
+<p>"Rise," she said, "Arthur&mdash;rise. You must
+not give way to feelings that might be fatal to
+yourself and me."</p>
+
+<p>"Hear me, lady, before I bid you adieu, and for
+ever&mdash;the word of a criminal is heard, though he
+plead the worst cause&mdash;I am a belted knight, and
+the son and heir of an Earl, whose name has been
+spread throughout England and France, and wherever
+valour has had fame."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said she, faintly, "I have but too long
+suspected what you now tell me&mdash;Rise, I pray
+you, rise."</p>
+
+<p>"Never till you hear me," said the youth,
+seizing one of her hands, which trembled, but
+hardly could be said to struggle in his grasp.&mdash;"Hear
+me," he said, with the enthusiasm of first
+love, when the obstacles of bashfulness and diffidence
+are surmounted,&mdash;"My father and I are&mdash;I
+acknowledge it&mdash;bound on a most hazardous and
+doubtful expedition. You will very soon learn its
+issue for good or bad. If it succeed, you shall hear
+of me in my own character&mdash;If I fall, I must&mdash;I
+will&mdash;I do claim a tear from Anne of Geierstein.
+If I escape, I have yet a horse, a lance, and a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span>
+sword; and you shall hear nobly of him whom you
+have thrice protected from imminent danger."</p>
+
+<p>"Arise&mdash;arise," repeated the maiden, whose
+tears began to flow fast, as, struggling to raise her
+lover, they fell thick upon his head and face. "I
+have heard enough&mdash;to listen to more were indeed
+madness, both for you and myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet one single word," added the youth;
+"while Arthur has a heart, it beats for you&mdash;while
+Arthur can wield an arm, it strikes for you,
+and in your cause."</p>
+
+<p>Annette now rushed into the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Away, away!" she cried&mdash;"Schreckenwald
+has returned from the village with some horrible
+tidings, and I fear me he comes this way."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur had started to his feet at the first signal
+of alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"If there is danger near your lady, Annette,
+there is at least one faithful friend by her side."</p>
+
+<p>Annette looked anxiously at her mistress.</p>
+
+<p>"But Schreckenwald," she said&mdash;"Schreckenwald,
+your father's steward&mdash;his confidant.&mdash;Oh,
+think better of it&mdash;I can hide Arthur somewhere."</p>
+
+<p>The noble-minded girl had already resumed her
+composure, and replied with dignity,&mdash;"I have
+done nothing," she said, "to offend my father. If
+Schreckenwald be my father's steward, he is my
+vassal. I hide no guest to conciliate him. Sit
+down" (addressing Arthur), "and let us receive
+this man.&mdash;Introduce him instantly, Annette,
+and let us hear his tidings&mdash;and bid him remember,
+that when he speaks to me he addresses his
+mistress."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur resumed his seat, still more proud of his
+choice from the noble and fearless spirit displayed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span>
+by one who had so lately shown herself sensible
+to the gentlest feelings of the female sex.</p>
+
+<p>Annette, assuming courage from her mistress's
+dauntless demeanour, clapped her hands together
+as she left the room, saying, but in a low voice,
+"I see that after all it is something to be a Baroness,
+if one can assert her dignity conformingly.
+How could I be so much frightened for this rude
+man!"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i8">Affairs that walk</p>
+<p>(As they say spirits do) at midnight, have</p>
+<p>In them a wilder nature than the business</p>
+<p>That seeks dispatch by day.</p>
+
+<p class="i7"><i>Henry VIII. Act V.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The approach of the steward was now boldly expected
+by the little party. Arthur, flattered at
+once and elevated by the firmness which Anne had
+shown when this person's arrival was announced,
+hastily considered the part which he was to act
+in the approaching scene, and prudently determined
+to avoid all active and personal interference,
+till he should observe from the demeanour
+of Anne that such was likely to be useful or agreeable
+to her. He resumed his place, therefore, at
+a distant part of the board, on which their meal
+had been lately spread, and remained there, determined
+to act in the manner Anne's behaviour
+should suggest as most prudent and fitting,&mdash;veiling,
+at the same time, the most acute internal
+anxiety, by an appearance of that deferential composure,
+which one of inferior rank adopts when
+admitted to the presence of a superior. Anne, on
+her part, seemed to prepare herself for an interview
+of interest. An air of conscious dignity
+succeeded the extreme agitation which she had so
+lately displayed, and, busying herself with some
+articles of female work, she also seemed to expect
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span>
+with tranquillity the visit to which her attendant
+was disposed to attach so much alarm.</p>
+
+<p>A step was heard upon the stair, hurried and
+unequal, as that of some one in confusion as well
+as haste; the door flew open, and Ital Schreckenwald
+entered.</p>
+
+<p>This person, with whom the details given to
+the elder Philipson by the Landamman Biederman
+have made the reader in some degree acquainted,
+was a tall, well-made, soldierly looking man.
+His dress, like that of persons of rank at the
+period in Germany, was more varied in colour,
+more cut and ornamented, slashed and jagged, than
+the habit worn in France and England. The
+never-failing hawk's feather decked his cap,
+secured with a medal of gold, which served as a
+clasp. His doublet was of buff, for defence, but
+<i>laid down</i>, as it was called in the tailor's craft,
+with rich lace on each seam, and displaying on
+the breast a golden chain, the emblem of his rank
+in the Baron's household. He entered with rather
+a hasty step, and busy and offended look, and
+said, somewhat rudely, "Why, how now, young
+lady&mdash;wherefore this? Strangers in the castle at
+this period of night!"</p>
+
+<p>Anne of Geierstein, though she had been long
+absent from her native country, was not ignorant
+of its habits and customs, and knew the haughty
+manner in which all who were noble exerted their
+authority over their dependants.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you a vassal of Arnheim, Ital Schreckenwald,
+and do you speak to the Lady of Arnheim
+in her own castle with an elevated voice, a saucy
+look, and bonneted withal? Know your place;
+and, when you have demanded pardon for your
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span>
+insolence, and told your errand in such terms as
+befit your condition and mine, I may listen to
+what you have to say."</p>
+
+<p>Schreckenwald's hand, in spite of him, stole to
+his bonnet, and uncovered his haughty brow.</p>
+
+<p>"Noble lady," he said, in a somewhat milder
+tone, "excuse me if my haste be unmannerly, but
+the alarm is instant. The soldiery of the Rhinegrave
+have mutinied, plucked down the banners of
+their master, and set up an independent ensign,
+which they call the pennon of St. Nicholas, under
+which they declare that they will maintain peace
+with God, and war with all the world. This
+castle cannot escape them, when they consider that
+the first course to maintain themselves must be to
+take possession of some place of strength. You
+must up then, and ride with the very peep of
+dawn. For the present, they are busy with the
+wine-skins of the peasants, but when they wake
+in the morning they will unquestionably march
+hither; and you may chance to fall into the hands
+of those who will think of the terrors of the castle
+of Arnheim as the figments of a fairy tale, and
+laugh at its mistress's pretensions to honour and
+respect."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it impossible to make resistance? The
+castle is strong," said the young lady, "and I am
+unwilling to leave the house of my fathers without
+attempting somewhat in our defence."</p>
+
+<p>"Five hundred men," said Schreckenwald,
+"might garrison Arnheim, battlement and tower.
+With a less number it were madness to attempt to
+keep such an extent of walls; and how to get
+twenty soldiers together, I am sure I know not.&mdash;So,
+having now the truth of the story, let me
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span>
+beseech you to dismiss this guest,&mdash;too young, I
+think, to be the inmate of a lady's bower,&mdash;and
+I will point to him the nighest way out of the
+castle; for this is a strait in which we must all
+be contented with looking to our own safety."</p>
+
+<p>"And whither is it that you propose to go?"
+said the Baroness, continuing to maintain, in
+respect to Ital Schreckenwald, the complete and
+calm assertion of absolute superiority, to which the
+seneschal gave way with such marks of impatience
+as a fiery steed exhibits under the management of
+a complete cavalier.</p>
+
+<p>"To Strasburg, I propose to go,&mdash;that is, if it
+so please you,&mdash;with such slight escort as I can
+get hastily together by daybreak. I trust we may
+escape being observed by the mutineers; or, if we
+fall in with a party of stragglers, I apprehend but
+little difficulty in forcing my way."</p>
+
+<p>"And wherefore do you prefer Strasburg as a
+place of asylum?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I trust we shall there meet your
+excellency's father, the noble Count Albert of
+Geierstein."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said the young lady.&mdash;"You also,
+I think, Seignor Philipson, spoke of directing your
+course to Strasburg. If it consist with your convenience,
+you may avail yourself of the protection
+of my escort as far as that city, where you expect
+to meet your father."</p>
+
+<p>It will readily be believed that Arthur cheerfully
+bowed assent to a proposal which was to
+prolong their remaining in society together, and
+might possibly, as his romantic imagination suggested,
+afford him an opportunity, on a road beset
+with dangers, to render some service of importance.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Ital Schreckenwald attempted to remonstrate.</p>
+
+<p>"Lady!&mdash;lady!"&mdash;he said, with some marks
+of impatience.</p>
+
+<p>"Take breath and leisure, Schreckenwald," said
+Anne, "and you will be more able to express
+yourself with distinctness, and with respectful
+propriety."</p>
+
+<p>The impatient vassal muttered an oath betwixt
+his teeth, and answered with forced civility,&mdash;"Permit
+me to state, that our case requires we
+should charge ourselves with the care of no one but
+you. We shall be few enough for your defence,
+and I cannot permit any stranger to travel with
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"If," said Arthur, "I conceived that I was to
+be a useless incumbrance on the retreat of this
+noble young lady, worlds, Sir Squire, would not
+induce me to accept her offer. But I am neither
+child nor woman&mdash;I am a full-grown man, and
+ready to show such good service as manhood may
+in defence of your lady."</p>
+
+<p>"If we must not challenge your valour and
+ability, young sir," said Schreckenwald, "who
+shall answer for your fidelity?"</p>
+
+<p>"To question that elsewhere," said Arthur,
+"might be dangerous."</p>
+
+<p>But Anne interfered between them. "We must
+straight to rest, and remain prompt for alarm, perhaps
+even before the hour of dawn. Schreckenwald,
+I trust to your care for due watch and ward.&mdash;You
+have men enough at least for that purpose.&mdash;And
+hear and mark&mdash;It is my desire and command,
+that this gentleman be accommodated with
+lodgings here for this night, and that he travel
+with us to-morrow. For this I will be responsible
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span>
+to my father, and your part is only to obey
+my commands. I have long had occasion to know
+both the young man's father and himself, who
+were ancient guests of my uncle, the Landamman.
+On the journey you will keep the youth beside
+you, and use such courtesy to him as your rugged
+temper will permit."</p>
+
+<p>Ital Schreckenwald intimated his acquiescence
+with a look of bitterness, which it were vain to
+attempt to describe. It expressed spite, mortification,
+humbled pride, and reluctant submission.
+He did submit, however, and ushered young
+Philipson into a decent apartment with a bed,
+which the fatigue and agitation of the preceding
+day rendered very acceptable.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding the ardour with which Arthur
+expected the rise of the next dawn, his deep repose,
+the fruit of fatigue, held him until the reddening
+of the east, when the voice of Schreckenwald exclaimed,
+"Up, Sir Englishman, if you mean to
+accomplish your boast of loyal service. It is time
+we were in the saddle, and we shall tarry for no
+sluggards."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur was on the floor of the apartment, and
+dressed, in almost an instant, not forgetting to put
+on his shirt of mail, and assume whatever weapons
+seemed most fit to render him an efficient part of
+the convoy. He next hastened to seek out the
+stable, to have his horse in readiness; and descending
+for that purpose into the under story of the
+lower mass of buildings, he was wandering in
+search of the way which led to the offices, when
+the voice of Annette Veilchen softly whispered,
+"This way, Seignor Philipson; I would speak
+with you."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Swiss maiden, at the same time, beckoned
+him into a small room, where he found her alone.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you not surprised," she said, "to see my
+lady queen it so over Ital Schreckenwald, who
+keeps every other person in awe with his stern
+looks and cross words? But the air of command
+seems so natural to her, that, instead of being a
+baroness, she might have been an empress. It
+must come of birth, I think, after all, for I tried
+last night to take state upon me, after the fashion
+of my mistress, and, would you think it, the brute
+Schreckenwald threatened to throw me out of the
+window? But if ever I see Martin Sprenger again,
+I'll know if there is strength in a Swiss arm, and
+virtue in a Swiss quarter-staff.&mdash;But here I stand
+prating, and my lady wishes to see you for a minute
+ere we take to horse."</p>
+
+<p>"Your lady?" said Arthur, starting. "Why
+did you lose an instant? why not tell me before?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I was only to keep you here till she
+came, and&mdash;here she is."</p>
+
+<p>Anne of Geierstein entered, fully attired for her
+journey. Annette, always willing to do as she
+would wish to be done by, was about to leave the
+apartment, when her mistress, who had apparently
+made up her mind concerning what she had to do
+or say, commanded her positively to remain.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure," she said, "Seignor Philipson will
+rightly understand the feelings of hospitality&mdash;I
+will say of friendship&mdash;which prevented my
+suffering him to be expelled from my castle last
+night, and which have determined me this morning
+to admit of his company on the somewhat dangerous
+road to Strasburg. At the gate of that town
+we part, I to join my father, you to place yourself
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span>
+under the direction of yours. From that moment
+intercourse between us ends, and our remembrance
+of each other must be as the thoughts which we
+pay to friends deceased."</p>
+
+<p>"Tender recollections," said Arthur, passionately,
+"more dear to our bosoms than all we have
+surviving upon earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a word in that tone," answered the
+maiden. "With night delusion should end, and
+reason awaken with dawning. One word more&mdash;Do
+not address me on the road; you may, by doing
+so, expose me to vexatious and insulting suspicion,
+and yourself to quarrels and peril.&mdash;Farewell, our
+party is ready to take horse."</p>
+
+<p>She left the apartment, where Arthur remained
+for a moment deeply bewildered in grief and disappointment.
+The patience, nay, even favour,
+with which Anne of Geierstein had, on the previous
+night, listened to his passion, had not prepared
+him for the terms of reserve and distance
+which she now adopted towards him. He was
+ignorant that noble maids, if feeling or passion
+has for a moment swayed them from the strict
+path of principle and duty, endeavour to atone for
+it by instantly returning, and severely adhering,
+to the line from which they have made a momentary
+departure. He looked mournfully on Annette,
+who, as she had been in the room before Anne's
+arrival, took the privilege of remaining a minute
+after her departure; but he read no comfort in
+the glances of the confidant, who seemed as much
+disconcerted as himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot imagine what hath happened to her,"
+said Annette; "to me she is kind as ever, but to
+every other person about her she plays countess
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span>
+and baroness with a witness; and now she is
+begun to tyrannise over her own natural feelings&mdash;and&mdash;if
+this be greatness, Annette Veilchen
+trusts always to remain the penniless Swiss girl;
+she is mistress of her own freedom, and at liberty
+to speak with her bachelor when she pleases, so as
+religion and maiden modesty suffer nothing in the
+conversation. Oh, a single daisy twisted with
+content into one's hair, is worth all the opals in
+India, if they bind us to torment ourselves and
+other people, or hinder us from speaking our mind,
+when our heart is upon our tongue. But never
+fear, Arthur; for if she has the cruelty to think of
+forgetting you, you may rely on one friend who,
+while she has a tongue, and Anne has ears, will
+make it impossible for her to do so."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, away tripped Annette, having first
+indicated to Philipson the passage by which he
+would find the lower court of the castle. There
+his steed stood ready, among about twenty others.
+Twelve of these were accoutred with war saddles,
+and frontlets of proof, being intended for the use
+of as many cavaliers, or troopers, retainers of the
+family of Arnheim, whom the seneschal's exertions
+had been able to collect on the spur of the
+occasion. Two palfreys, somewhat distinguished
+by their trappings, were designed for Anne of
+Geierstein and her favourite female attendant.
+The other menials, chiefly boys and women servants,
+had inferior horses. At a signal made, the
+troopers took their lances and stood by their steeds,
+till the females and menials were mounted and in
+order; they then sprang into their saddles and
+began to move forward, slowly and with great
+precaution. Schreckenwald led the van, and kept
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span>
+Arthur Philipson close beside him. Anne and
+her attendant were in the centre of the little
+body, followed by the unwarlike train of servants,
+while two or three experienced cavaliers brought
+up the rear, with strict orders to guard against
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>On their being put into motion, the first thing
+which surprised Arthur was, that the horses' hoofs
+no longer sent forth the sharp and ringing sound
+arising from the collision of iron and flint, and as
+the morning light increased he could perceive that
+the fetlock and hoof of every steed, his own included,
+had been carefully wrapped around with a
+sufficient quantity of wool, to prevent the usual
+noise which accompanied their motions. It was a
+singular thing to behold the passage of the little
+body of cavalry down the rocky road which led
+from the castle, unattended with the noise which
+we are disposed to consider as inseparable from
+the motions of horse, the absence of which seemed
+to give a peculiar and almost an unearthly appearance
+to the cavalcade.</p>
+
+<p>They passed in this manner the winding path
+which led from the castle of Arnheim to the adjacent
+village, which, as was the ancient feudal custom,
+lay so near the fortress that its inhabitants,
+when summoned by their lord, could instantly
+repair for its defence. But it was at present occupied
+by very different inhabitants, the mutinous
+soldiers of the Rhinegrave. When the party from
+Arnheim approached the entrance of the village,
+Schreckenwald made a signal to halt, which was
+instantly obeyed by his followers. He then rode
+forward in person to reconnoitre, accompanied by
+Arthur Philipson, both moving with the utmost
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span>
+steadiness and precaution. The deepest silence
+prevailed in the deserted streets. Here and there
+a soldier was seen, seemingly designed for a sentinel,
+but uniformly fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p>"The swinish mutineers!" said Schreckenwald;
+"a fair night-watch they keep, and a beautiful
+morning's rouse would I treat them with, were
+not the point to protect yonder peevish wench.&mdash;Halt
+thou here, stranger, while I ride back and
+bring them on&mdash;there is no danger."</p>
+
+<p>Schreckenwald left Arthur as he spoke, who,
+alone in the street of a village filled with banditti,
+though they were lulled into temporary insensibility,
+had no reason to consider his case as very
+comfortable. The chorus of a wassel song, which
+some reveller was trolling over in his sleep; or, in
+its turn, the growling of some village cur, seemed
+the signal for an hundred ruffians to start up
+around him. But in the space of two or three
+minutes, the noiseless cavalcade, headed by Ital
+Schreckenwald, again joined him, and followed
+their leader, observing the utmost precaution not
+to give an alarm. All went well till they reached
+the farther end of the village, where, although the
+Baaren-hauter<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>
+ who kept guard was as drunk as
+his companions on duty, a large shaggy dog which
+lay beside him was more vigilant. As the little
+troop approached, the animal sent forth a ferocious
+yell, loud enough to have broken the rest of the
+Seven Sleepers, and which effectually dispelled
+the slumbers of its master. The soldier snatched
+up his carabine and fired, he knew not well at
+what, or for what reason. The ball, however,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span>
+struck Arthur's horse under him, and, as the animal
+fell, the sentinel rushed forward to kill or
+make prisoner the rider.</p>
+
+<p>"Haste on, haste on, men of Arnheim! care for
+nothing but the young lady's safety," exclaimed
+the leader of the band.</p>
+
+<p>"Stay, I command you;&mdash;aid the stranger, on
+your lives!"&mdash;said Anne, in a voice which,
+usually gentle and meek, she now made heard by
+those around her, like the note of a silver clarion.
+"I will not stir till he is rescued."</p>
+
+<p>Schreckenwald had already spurred his horse for
+flight; but, perceiving Anne's reluctance to follow
+him, he dashed back, and seizing a horse which,
+bridled and saddled, stood picketed near him, he
+threw the reins to Arthur Philipson; and pushing
+his own horse, at the same time, betwixt the Englishman
+and the soldier, he forced the latter to
+quit the hold he had on his person. In an instant
+Philipson was again mounted, when, seizing a
+battle-axe which hung at the saddle-bow of his
+new steed, he struck down the staggering sentinel,
+who was endeavouring again to seize upon him.
+The whole troop then rode off at a gallop, for the
+alarm began to grow general in the village; some
+soldiers were seen coming out of their quarters,
+and others were beginning to get upon horseback.
+Before Schreckenwald and his party had ridden
+a mile, they heard more than once the sound of
+bugles; and when they arrived upon the summit
+of an eminence commanding a view of the village,
+their leader, who, during the retreat, had placed
+himself in the rear of his company, now halted to
+reconnoitre the enemy they had left behind them.
+There was bustle and confusion in the street, but
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span>
+there did not appear to be any pursuit; so that
+Schreckenwald followed his route down the river,
+with speed and activity indeed, but with so much
+steadiness, at the same time, as not to distress the
+slowest horse of his party.</p>
+
+<p>When they had ridden two hours and more, the
+confidence of their leader was so much augmented,
+that he ventured to command a halt at the edge of
+a pleasant grove, which served to conceal their
+number, whilst both riders and horses took some
+refreshment, for which purpose forage and provisions
+had been borne along with them. Ital
+Schreckenwald, having held some communication
+with the Baroness, continued to offer their travelling
+companion a sort of surly civility. He invited
+him to partake of his own mess, which was
+indeed little different from that which was served
+out to the other troopers, but was seasoned with a
+glass of wine from a more choice flask.</p>
+
+<p>"To your health, brother," he said; "if you tell
+this day's story truly, you will allow that I was
+a true comrade to you two hours since, in riding
+through the village of Arnheim."</p>
+
+<p>"I will never deny it, fair sir," said Philipson,
+"and I return you thanks for your timely assistance;
+alike, whether it sprang from your mistress's
+order, or your own good-will."</p>
+
+<p>"Ho! ho! my friend," said Schreckenwald,
+laughing, "you are a philosopher, and can try
+conclusions while your horse lies rolling above
+you, and a Baaren-hauter aims his sword at your
+throat?&mdash;Well, since your wit hath discovered so
+much, I care not if you know, that I should not
+have had much scruple to sacrifice twenty such
+smooth-faced gentlemen as yourself, rather than
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span>
+the young Baroness of Arnheim had incurred the
+slightest danger."</p>
+
+<p>"The propriety of the sentiment," said Philipson,
+"is so undoubtedly correct, that I subscribe
+to it, even though it is something discourteously
+expressed towards myself."</p>
+
+<p>In making this reply, the young man, provoked
+at the insolence of Schreckenwald's manner, raised
+his voice a little. The circumstance did not escape
+observation, for, on the instant, Annette Veilchen
+stood before them, with her mistress's commands
+on them both to speak in whispers, or rather to be
+altogether silent.</p>
+
+<p>"Say to your mistress that I am mute," said
+Philipson.</p>
+
+<p>"Our mistress, the Baroness, says," continued
+Annette, with an emphasis on the title, to which
+she began to ascribe some talismanic influence,&mdash;"the
+Baroness, I tell you, says, that silence much
+concerns our safety, for it were most hazardous to
+draw upon this little fugitive party the notice of
+any passengers who may pass along the road during
+the necessary halt; and so, sirs, it is the Baroness's
+request that you will continue the exercise
+of your teeth as fast as you can, and forbear that
+of your tongues till you are in a safer condition."</p>
+
+<p>"My lady is wise," answered Ital Schreckenwald,
+"and her maiden is witty. I drink, Mrs.
+Annette, in a cup of Rudersheimer, to the continuance
+of her sagacity, and of your amiable liveliness
+of disposition. Will it please you, fair
+mistress, to pledge me in this generous liquor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Out, thou German wine-flask!&mdash;Out, thou
+eternal swill-flagon!&mdash;Heard you ever of a modest
+maiden who drank wine before she had dined?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Remain without the generous inspiration then,"
+said the German, "and nourish thy satirical vein
+on sour cider or acid whey."</p>
+
+<p>A short space having been allowed to refresh
+themselves, the little party again mounted their
+horses, and travelled with such speed, that long
+before noon they arrived at the strongly fortified
+town of Kehl, opposite to Strasburg, on the eastern
+bank of the Rhine.</p>
+
+<p>It is for local antiquaries to discover whether
+the travellers crossed from Kehl to Strasburg by
+the celebrated bridge of boats which at present
+maintains the communication across the river, or
+whether they were wafted over by some other mode
+of transportation. It is enough that they passed
+in safety, and had landed on the other side, where&mdash;whether
+she dreaded that he might forget the
+charge she had given him, that here they were to
+separate, or whether she thought that something
+more might be said in the moment of parting&mdash;the
+young Baroness, before remounting her horse,
+once more approached Arthur Philipson, who too
+truly guessed the tenor of what she had to say.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentle stranger," she said, "I must now bid
+you farewell. But first let me ask if you know
+whereabouts you are to seek your father?"</p>
+
+<p>"In an inn called the Flying Stag," said Arthur,
+dejectedly; "but where that is situated in this
+large town, I know not."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know the place, Ital Schreckenwald?"</p>
+
+<p>"I, young lady?&mdash;Not I&mdash;I know nothing of
+Strasburg and its inns. I believe most of our
+party are as ignorant as I am."</p>
+
+<p>"You and they speak German, I suppose," said
+the Baroness, drily, "and can make inquiry more
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span>
+easily than a foreigner? Go, sir, and forget not
+that humanity to the stranger is a religious duty."</p>
+
+<p>With that shrug of the shoulders which testifies
+a displeased messenger, Ital went to make some
+inquiry, and, in his absence, brief as it was, Anne
+took an opportunity to say apart,&mdash;"Farewell!&mdash;Farewell!
+Accept this token of friendship, and
+wear it for my sake. May you be happy!"</p>
+
+<p>Her slender fingers dropped into his hand a very
+small parcel. He turned to thank her, but she
+was already at some distance; and Schreckenwald,
+who had taken his place by his side, said in his
+harsh voice, "Come, Sir Squire, I have found out
+your place of rendezvous, and I have but little time
+to play the gentleman-usher."</p>
+
+<p>He then rode on; and Philipson, mounted on
+his military charger, followed him in silence to
+the point where a large street joined, or rather
+crossed, that which led from the quay on which
+they had landed.</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder swings the Flying Stag," said Ital,
+pointing to an immense sign, which, mounted on
+a huge wooden frame, crossed almost the whole
+breadth of the street. "Your intelligence can, I
+think, hardly abandon you, with such a guide-post
+in your eye."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he turned his horse without further
+farewell, and rode back to join his mistress and
+her attendants.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson's eyes rested on the same group for a
+moment, when he was recalled to a sense of his
+situation by the thoughts of his father; and,
+spurring his jaded horse down the cross street, he
+reached the hostelry of the Flying Stag.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i7">I was, I must confess,</p>
+<p>Great Albion's queen in former golden days;</p>
+<p>But now mischance hath trod my title down,</p>
+<p>And with dishonour laid me on the ground;</p>
+<p>Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,</p>
+<p>And to my humble seat conform myself.</p>
+
+<p class="i9"><i>Henry VI. Part III.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The hostelry of the Flying Stag, in Strasburg,
+was, like every inn in the empire at the period,
+conducted much with the same discourteous inattention
+to the wants and accommodation of the
+guests as that of John Mengs. But the youth and
+good looks of Arthur Philipson, circumstances
+which seldom or never fail to produce some effect
+where the fair are concerned, prevailed upon a
+short, plump, dimpled, blue-eyed, fair-skinned
+yungfrau, the daughter of the landlord of the Flying
+Stag (himself a fat old man, pinned to the
+oaken chair in the <i>stube</i>), to carry herself to the
+young Englishman with a degree of condescension
+which, in the privileged race to which she belonged,
+was little short of degradation. She not only put
+her light buskins and her pretty ankles in danger
+of being soiled by tripping across the yard to point
+out an unoccupied stable, but, on Arthur's inquiry
+after his father, condescended to recollect that
+such a guest as he described had lodged in the
+house last night, and had said he expected to meet
+there a young person, his fellow-traveller.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I will send him out to you, fair sir," said the
+little yungfrau with a smile, which, if things of
+the kind are to be valued by their rare occurrence,
+must have been reckoned inestimable.</p>
+
+<p>She was as good as her word. In a few instants
+the elder Philipson entered the stable, and folded
+his son in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>"My son&mdash;my dear son!" said the Englishman,
+his usual stoicism broken down and melted
+by natural feeling and parental tenderness,&mdash;"Welcome
+to me at all times&mdash;welcome, in a
+period of doubt and danger&mdash;and most welcome of
+all, in a moment which forms the very crisis of
+our fate. In a few hours I shall know what we
+may expect from the Duke of Burgundy.&mdash;Hast
+thou the token?"</p>
+
+<p>Arthur's hand first sought that which was nearest
+to his heart, both in the literal and allegorical
+sense&mdash;the small parcel, namely, which Anne had
+given him at parting. But he recollected himself
+in the instant, and presented to his father the
+packet which had been so strangely lost and
+recovered at La Ferette.</p>
+
+<p>"It hath run its own risk since you saw it," he
+observed to his father, "and so have I mine. I
+received hospitality at a castle last night, and
+behold a body of lanzknechts in the neighbourhood
+began in the morning to mutiny for their pay.
+The inhabitants fled from the castle to escape their
+violence, and, as we passed their leaguer in the
+grey of the morning, a drunken Baaren-hauter shot
+my poor horse, and I was forced, in the way of
+exchange, to take up with his heavy Flemish
+animal, with its steel saddle, and its clumsy
+chaffron."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Our road is beset with perils," said his father.
+"I too have had my share, having been in great
+danger [he told not its precise nature] at an inn
+where I rested last night. But I left it in the
+morning, and proceeded hither in safety. I have
+at length, however, obtained a safe escort to conduct
+me to the Duke's camp near Dijon; and I
+trust to have an audience of him this evening.
+Then, if our last hope should fail, we will seek
+the seaport of Marseilles, hoist sail for Candia or
+for Rhodes, and spend our lives in defence of
+Christendom, since we may no longer fight for
+England."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur heard these ominous words without
+reply; but they did not the less sink upon his
+heart, deadly as the doom of the judge which
+secludes the criminal from society and all its joys,
+and condemns him to an eternal prison-house.
+The bells from the cathedral began to toll at this
+instant, and reminded the elder Philipson of the
+duty of hearing mass, which was said at all hours
+in some one or other of the separate chapels which
+are contained in that magnificent pile. His son
+followed, on an intimation of his pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>In approaching the access to this superb cathedral,
+the travellers found it obstructed, as is usual
+in Catholic countries, by the number of mendicants
+of both sexes, who crowded round the entrance
+to give the worshippers an opportunity of
+discharging the duty of alms-giving, so positively
+enjoined as a chief observance of their Church.
+The Englishmen extricated themselves from their
+importunity by bestowing, as is usual on such
+occasions, a donative of small coin upon those who
+appeared most needy, or most deserving of their
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span>
+charity. One tall woman stood on the steps close
+to the door, and extended her hand to the elder
+Philipson, who, struck with her appearance, exchanged
+for a piece of silver the copper coins
+which he had been distributing amongst others.</p>
+
+<p>"A marvel!" she said, in the English language,
+but in a tone calculated only to be heard by him
+alone, although his son also caught the sound and
+sense of what she said,&mdash;"Ay, a miracle!&mdash;An
+Englishman still possesses a silver piece, and can
+afford to bestow it on the poor!"</p>
+
+<p>Arthur was sensible that his father started
+somewhat at the voice or words, which bore, even
+in his ear, something of deeper import than the
+observation of an ordinary mendicant. But after
+a glance at the female who thus addressed him,
+his father passed onwards into the body of the
+church, and was soon engaged in attending to the
+solemn ceremony of the mass, as it was performed
+by a priest at the altar of a chapel divided from
+the main body of the splendid edifice, and dedicated,
+as it appeared from the image over the altar,
+to St. George; that military saint, whose real
+history is so obscure, though his popular legend
+rendered him an object of peculiar veneration
+during the feudal ages. The ceremony was begun
+and finished with all customary forms. The
+officiating priest, with his attendants, withdrew,
+and though some of the few worshippers who had
+assisted at the solemnity remained telling their
+beads, and occupied with the performance of their
+private devotions, far the greater part left the
+chapel, to visit other shrines, or to return to the
+prosecution of their secular affairs.</p>
+
+<p>But Arthur Philipson remarked that, whilst
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span>
+they dropped off one after another, the tall woman
+who had received his father's alms continued to
+kneel near the altar; and he was yet more surprised
+to see that his father himself, who, he had
+many reasons to know, was desirous to spend in
+the church no more time than the duties of devotion
+absolutely claimed, remained also on his
+knees, with his eyes resting on the form of the
+veiled devotee (such she seemed from her dress),
+as if his own motions were to be guided by hers.
+By no idea which occurred to him was Arthur able
+to form the least conjecture as to his father's
+motives&mdash;he only knew that he was engaged in
+a critical and dangerous negotiation, liable to influence
+or interruption from various quarters; and
+that political suspicion was so generally awake,
+both in France, Italy, and Flanders, that the most
+important agents were often obliged to assume the
+most impenetrable disguises, in order to insinuate
+themselves without suspicion into the countries
+where their services were required. Louis XI.,
+in particular, whose singular policy seemed in
+some degree to give a character to the age in which
+he lived, was well known to have disguised his
+principal emissaries and envoys in the fictitious
+garbs of mendicant monks, minstrels, gypsies,
+and other privileged wanderers of the meanest
+description.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur concluded, therefore, that it was not
+improbable that this female might, like themselves,
+be something more than her dress imported;
+and he resolved to observe his father's deportment
+towards her, and regulate his own actions accordingly.
+A bell at last announced that mass, upon
+a more splendid scale, was about to be celebrated
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span>
+before the high altar of the cathedral itself, and
+its sound withdrew from the sequestered chapel of
+St. George the few who had remained at the shrine
+of the military saint, excepting the father and son,
+and the female penitent who kneeled opposite to
+them. When the last of the worshippers had
+retired, the female arose and advanced towards
+the elder Philipson, who, folding his arms on his
+bosom, and stooping his head, in an attitude of
+obeisance which his son had never before seen him
+assume, appeared rather to wait what she had to
+say, than to propose addressing her.</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause. Four lamps, lighted before
+the shrine of the saint, cast a dim radiance on his
+armour and steed, represented as he was in the act
+of transfixing with his lance the prostrate dragon,
+whose outstretched wings and writhing neck were
+in part touched by their beams. The rest of the
+chapel was dimly illuminated by the autumnal
+sun, which could scarce find its way through the
+stained panes of the small lanceolated window,
+which was its only aperture to the open air. The
+light fell doubtful and gloomy, tinged with the
+various hues through which it passed, upon the
+stately yet somewhat broken and dejected form of
+the female, and on those of the melancholy and
+anxious father, and his son, who, with all the
+eager interest of youth, suspected and anticipated
+extraordinary consequences from so singular an
+interview.</p>
+
+<p>At length the female approached to the same
+side of the shrine with Arthur and his father, as
+if to be more distinctly heard, without being
+obliged to raise the slow solemn voice in which
+she had spoken.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do you here worship," she said, "the St.
+George of Burgundy, or the St. George of merry
+England, the flower of chivalry?"</p>
+
+<p>"I serve," said Philipson, folding his hands
+humbly on his bosom, "the saint to whom this
+chapel is dedicated, and the Deity with whom I
+hope for his holy intercession, whether here or in
+my native country."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay&mdash;you," said the female, "even you can
+forget&mdash;you, even you, who have been numbered
+among the mirror of knighthood&mdash;can forget that
+you have worshipped in the royal fane of Windsor&mdash;that
+you have there bent a <i>gartered</i> knee, where
+kings and princes kneeled around you&mdash;you can
+forget this, and make your orisons at a foreign
+shrine, with a heart undisturbed with the thoughts
+of what you have been,&mdash;praying, like some poor
+peasant, for bread and life during the day that
+passes over you."</p>
+
+<p>"Lady," replied Philipson, "in my proudest
+hours, I was, before the Being to whom I preferred
+my prayers, but as a worm in the dust&mdash;In His
+eyes I am now neither less nor more, degraded as
+I may be in the opinion of my fellow-reptiles."</p>
+
+<p>"How canst thou think thus?" said the devotee;
+"and yet it is well with thee that thou canst.
+But what have thy losses been, compared to
+mine!"</p>
+
+<p>She put her hand to her brow, and seemed for a
+moment overpowered by agonising recollections.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur pressed to his father's side, and inquired,
+in a tone of interest which could not be repressed,
+"Father, who is this lady?&mdash;Is it my mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my son," answered Philipson;&mdash;"peace, for
+the sake of all you hold dear or holy!"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The singular female, however, heard both the
+question and answer, though expressed in a
+whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, "young man&mdash;I am&mdash;I should
+say I was&mdash;your mother; the mother, the protectress,
+of all that was noble in England&mdash;I am
+Margaret of Anjou."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur sank on his knees before the dauntless
+widow of Henry the Sixth, who so long, and in
+such desperate circumstances, upheld, by unyielding
+courage and deep policy, the sinking cause of
+her feeble husband; and who, if she occasionally
+abused victory by cruelty and revenge, had made
+some atonement by the indomitable resolution with
+which she had supported the fiercest storms of
+adversity. Arthur had been bred in devoted adherence
+to the now dethroned line of Lancaster, of
+which his father was one of the most distinguished
+supporters; and his earliest deeds of arms, which,
+though unfortunate, were neither obscure nor ignoble,
+had been done in their cause. With an
+enthusiasm belonging to his age and education,
+he in the same instant flung his bonnet on the
+pavement, and knelt at the feet of his ill-fated
+sovereign.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret threw back the veil which concealed
+those noble and majestic features, which even yet,&mdash;though
+rivers of tears had furrowed her cheek,&mdash;though
+care, disappointment, domestic grief,
+and humbled pride had quenched the fire of her
+eye, and wasted the smooth dignity of her forehead,&mdash;even
+yet showed the remains of that
+beauty which once was held unequalled in Europe.
+The apathy with which a succession of misfortunes
+and disappointed hopes had chilled the feelings of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span>
+the unfortunate Princess was for a moment melted
+by the sight of the fair youth's enthusiasm. She
+abandoned one hand to him, which he covered
+with tears and kisses, and with the other stroked
+with maternal tenderness his curled locks, as she
+endeavoured to raise him from the posture he had
+assumed. His father, in the meanwhile, shut the
+door of the chapel, and placed his back against it,
+withdrawing himself thus from the group, as if
+for the purpose of preventing any stranger from
+entering, during a scene so extraordinary.</p>
+
+<p>"And thou, then," said Margaret, in a voice
+where female tenderness combated strangely with
+her natural pride of rank, and with the calm,
+stoical indifference induced by the intensity of
+her personal misfortunes; "thou, fair youth, art
+the last scion of the noble stem, so many fair
+boughs of which have fallen in our hapless cause.
+Alas, alas! what can I do for thee? Margaret has
+not even a blessing to bestow. So wayward is her
+fate, that her benedictions are curses, and she has
+but to look on you and wish you well, to insure
+your speedy and utter ruin. I&mdash;I have been the
+fatal poison-tree, whose influence has blighted and
+destroyed all the fair plants that arose beside and
+around me, and brought death upon every one, yet
+am myself unable to find it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Noble and royal mistress," said the elder
+Englishman, "let not your princely courage,
+which has borne such extremities, be dismayed,
+now that they are passed over, and that a chance
+at least of happier times is approaching to you and
+to England."</p>
+
+<p>"To England, to <i>me</i>, noble Oxford!" said the
+forlorn and widowed Queen.&mdash;"If to-morrow's
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span>
+sun could place me once more on the throne of
+England, could it give back to me what I have
+lost? I speak not of wealth or power&mdash;they are
+as nothing in the balance&mdash;I speak not of the
+hosts of noble friends who have fallen in defence
+of me and mine&mdash;Somersets, Percys, Staffords,
+Cliffords&mdash;they have found their place in fame, in
+the annals of their country&mdash;I speak not of my
+husband, he has exchanged the state of a suffering
+saint upon earth for that of a glorified saint in
+heaven&mdash;But oh, Oxford! my son&mdash;my Edward!&mdash;Is
+it possible for me to look on this youth, and
+not remember that thy countess and I on the same
+night gave birth to two fair boys? How oft we
+endeavoured to prophesy their future fortunes, and
+to persuade ourselves that the same constellation
+which shone on their birth would influence their
+succeeding life, and hold a friendly and equal bias
+till they reached some destined goal of happiness
+and honour! Thy Arthur lives; but, alas! my
+Edward, born under the same auspices, fills a
+bloody grave!"</p>
+
+<p>She wrapped her head in her mantle, as if to
+stifle the complaints and groans which maternal
+affection poured forth at these cruel recollections.
+Philipson, or the exiled Earl of Oxford as we may
+now term him, distinguished in those changeful
+times by the steadiness with which he had always
+maintained his loyalty to the line of Lancaster,
+saw the imprudence of indulging his sovereign in
+her weakness.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><a name="i131" id="i131"></a>
+<img src="images/i-131.jpg" width="366" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">ARTHUR BEFORE THE QUEEN.<br />
+
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Royal mistress," he said, "life's journey is
+that of a brief winter's day, and its course will
+run on, whether we avail ourselves of its progress
+or no. My sovereign is, I trust, too much mistress
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span>
+of herself to suffer lamentation for what is
+passed to deprive her of the power of using the
+present time. I am here in obedience to your
+command; I am to see Burgundy forthwith, and
+if I find him pliant to the purpose to which we
+would turn him, events may follow which will
+change into gladness our present mourning. But
+we must use our opportunity with speed as well as
+zeal. Let me know then, madam, for what reason
+your Majesty hath come hither, disguised and in
+danger? Surely it was not merely to weep over
+this young man that the high-minded Queen Margaret
+left her father's court, disguised herself in
+mean attire, and came from a place of safety to
+one of doubt at least, if not of danger?"</p>
+
+<p>"You mock me, Oxford," said the unfortunate
+Queen, "or you deceive yourself, if you think you
+still serve that Margaret whose word was never
+spoken without a reason, and whose slightest action
+was influenced by a motive. Alas! I am no longer
+the same firm and rational being. The feverish
+character of grief, while it makes one place hateful
+to me, drives me to another in very impotence and
+impatience of spirit. My father's residence, thou
+say'st, is safe; but is it tolerable for such a soul as
+mine? Can one who has been deprived of the
+noblest and richest kingdom of Europe&mdash;one who
+has lost hosts of noble friends&mdash;one who is a
+widowed consort, a childless mother&mdash;one upon
+whose head Heaven hath poured forth its last vial
+of unmitigated wrath,&mdash;can she stoop to be the
+companion of a weak old man, who, in sonnets
+and in music, in mummery and folly, in harping
+and rhyming, finds a comfort for all that
+poverty has that is distressing; and, what is still
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span>
+worse, even a solace in all that is ridiculous and
+contemptible?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, with your leave, madam," said her counsellor,
+"blame not the good King René (<a href="#ednote_a" name="enanchor_a" id="enanchor_a" ><i>a</i></a>),<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>
+
+because, persecuted by fortune, he has been able
+to find out for himself humbler sources of solace,
+which your prouder spirit is disposed to disdain.
+A contention among his minstrels has for him the
+animation of a knightly combat; and a crown of
+flowers, twined by his troubadours and graced by
+their sonnets, he accounts a valuable compensation
+for the diadems of Jerusalem, of Naples, and of
+both Sicilies, of which he only possesses the
+empty titles."</p>
+
+<p>"Speak not to me of the pitiable old man," said
+Margaret; "sunk below even the hatred of his
+worst enemies, and never thought worthy of anything
+more than contempt. I tell thee, noble
+Oxford, I have been driven nearly mad with my
+forced residence at Aix, in the paltry circle which
+he calls his court. My ears, tuned as they now
+are only to sounds of affliction, are not so weary
+of the eternal tinkling of harps, and squeaking of
+rebecks, and snapping of castanets;&mdash;my eyes are
+not so tired of the beggarly affectation of court ceremonial,
+which is only respectable when it implies
+wealth and expresses power,&mdash;as my very soul is
+sick of the paltry ambition which can find pleasure
+in spangles, tassels, and trumpery, when the
+reality of all that is great and noble hath passed
+away. No, Oxford. If I am doomed to lose the
+last cast which fickle fortune seems to offer me, I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span>
+will retreat into the meanest convent in the Pyrenean
+hills, and at least escape the insult of the
+idiot gaiety of my father.&mdash;Let him pass from our
+memory as from the page of history, in which his
+name will never be recorded. I have much of
+more importance both to hear and to tell.&mdash;And
+now, my Oxford, what news from Italy? Will
+the Duke of Milan afford us assistance with his
+counsels, or with his treasures?"</p>
+
+<p>"With his counsels willingly, madam; but how
+you will relish them I know not, since he recommends
+to us submission to our hapless fate, and
+resignation to the will of Providence."</p>
+
+<p>"The wily Italian! Will not, then, Galeasso
+advance any part of his hoards, or assist a friend,
+to whom he hath in his time full often sworn
+faith?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not even the diamonds which I offered to
+deposit in his hands," answered the Earl, "could
+make him unlock his treasury to supply us with
+ducats for our enterprise. Yet he said, if Charles
+of Burgundy should think seriously of an exertion
+in our favour, such was his regard for that great
+prince, and his deep sense of your Majesty's misfortunes,
+that he would consider what the state of
+his exchequer, though much exhausted, and the
+condition of his subjects, though impoverished
+by taxes and talliages, would permit him to
+advance in your behalf."</p>
+
+<p>"The double-faced hypocrite!" said Margaret.
+"If the assistance of the princely Burgundy lends
+us a chance of regaining what is our own, then he
+will give us some paltry parcel of crowns, that
+our restored prosperity may forget his indifference
+to our adversity!&mdash;But what of Burgundy? I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span>
+have ventured hither to tell you what I have
+learned, and to hear report of your proceedings&mdash;a
+trusty watch provides for the secrecy of our
+interview. My impatience to see you brought me
+hither in this mean disguise. I have a small
+retinue at a convent a mile beyond the town&mdash;I
+have had your arrival watched by the faithful
+Lambert&mdash;and now I come to know your hopes or
+your fears, and to tell you my own."</p>
+
+<p>"Royal lady," said the Earl, "I have not seen
+the Duke. You know his temper to be wilful,
+sudden, haughty, and unpersuadable. If he can
+adopt the calm and sustained policy which the
+times require, I little doubt his obtaining full
+amends of Louis, his sworn enemy, and even of
+Edward, his ambitious brother-in-law. But if he
+continues to yield to extravagant fits of passion,
+with or without provocation, he may hurry into
+a quarrel with the poor but hardy Helvetians,
+and is likely to engage in a perilous contest,
+in which he cannot be expected to gain anything,
+while he undergoes a chance of the most serious
+losses."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," replied the Queen, "he will not trust
+the usurper Edward, even in the very moment
+when he is giving the greatest proof of treachery
+to his alliance?"</p>
+
+<p>"In what respect, madam?" replied Oxford.
+"The news you allude to has not reached me."</p>
+
+<p>"How, my lord? Am I then the first to tell
+you that Edward of York has crossed the sea (<a href="#ednote_b" name="enanchor_b" id="enanchor_b" ><i>b</i></a>)
+with such an army as scarce even the renowned
+Henry V., my father-in-law, ever transported from
+France to Italy?"</p>
+
+<p>"So much I have indeed heard was expected,"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span>
+said Oxford; "and I anticipated the effect as fatal
+to our cause."</p>
+
+<p>"Edward is arrived," said Margaret, "and the
+traitor and usurper hath sent defiance to Louis of
+France, and demanded of him the crown of that
+kingdom as his own right&mdash;that crown which
+was placed on the head of my unhappy husband,
+when he was yet a child in the cradle."</p>
+
+<p>"It is then decided&mdash;the English are in
+France!" answered Oxford, in a tone expressive of
+the deepest anxiety.&mdash;"And whom brings Edward
+with him on this expedition?"</p>
+
+<p>"All&mdash;all the bitterest enemies of our house
+and cause&mdash;The false, the traitorous, the dishonoured
+George, whom he calls Duke of Clarence&mdash;the
+blood-drinker, Richard&mdash;the licentious
+Hastings&mdash;Howard&mdash;Stanley&mdash;in a word, the
+leaders of all those traitors whom I would not
+name, unless by doing so my curses could sweep
+them from the face of the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"And&mdash;I tremble to ask," said the Earl&mdash;"Does
+Burgundy prepare to join them as a brother of the
+war, and make common cause with this Yorkish
+host against King Louis of France?"</p>
+
+<p>"By my advices," replied the Queen, "and they
+are both private and sure, besides that they are
+confirmed by the bruit of common fame&mdash;No, my
+good Oxford, no!"</p>
+
+<p>"For that may the Saints be praised!" answered
+Oxford. "Edward of York&mdash;I will not malign
+even an enemy&mdash;is a bold and fearless leader&mdash;But
+he is neither Edward the Third, nor the heroic
+Black Prince&mdash;nor is he that fifth Henry of Lancaster,
+under whom I won my spurs, and to whose
+lineage the thoughts of his glorious memory would
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span>
+have made me faithful, had my plighted vows of
+allegiance ever permitted me to entertain a thought
+of varying, or of defection. Let Edward engage in
+war with Louis without the aid of Burgundy, on
+which he has reckoned. Louis is indeed no hero,
+but he is a cautious and skilful general, more to
+be dreaded, perhaps, in these politic days, than if
+Charlemagne could again raise the Oriflamme,
+surrounded by Roland and all his paladins. Louis
+will not hazard such fields as those of Cressy, of
+Poictiers, or of Agincourt. With a thousand
+lances from Hainault, and twenty thousand crowns
+from Burgundy, Edward shall risk the loss of
+England, while he is engaged in a protracted
+struggle for the recovery of Normandy and Guienne.
+But what are the movements of Burgundy?"</p>
+
+<p>"He has menaced Germany," said Margaret,
+"and his troops are now employed in overrunning
+Lorraine, of which he has seized the principal
+towns and castles."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Ferrand de Vaudemont&mdash;a youth, it
+is said, of courage and enterprise, and claiming
+Lorraine in right of his mother, Yolande of Anjou,
+the sister of your Grace?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fled," replied the Queen, "into Germany or
+Helvetia."</p>
+
+<p>"Let Burgundy beware of him," said the experienced
+Earl; "for should the disinherited youth
+obtain confederates in Germany, and allies among
+the hardy Swiss, Charles of Burgundy may find
+him a far more formidable enemy than he expects.
+We are strong for the present, only in the Duke's
+strength, and if it is wasted in idle and desultory
+efforts, our hopes, alas! vanish with his power,
+even if he should be found to have the decided
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span>
+will to assist us. My friends in England are
+resolute not to stir without men and money from
+Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a fear," said Margaret, "but not our
+worst fear. I dread more the policy of Louis,
+who, unless my espials have grossly deceived me,
+has even already proposed a secret peace to Edward,
+offering with large sums of money to purchase
+England to the Yorkists, and a truce of seven
+years."</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be," said Oxford. "No Englishman,
+commanding such an army as Edward must now
+lead, dares for very shame to retire from France
+without a manly attempt to recover his lost
+provinces."</p>
+
+<p>"Such would have been the thoughts of a rightful
+prince," said Margaret, "who left behind him
+an obedient and faithful kingdom. Such may not
+be the thoughts of this Edward, misnamed Plantagenet,
+base perhaps in mind as in blood, since
+they say his real father was one Blackburn, an
+archer of Middleham&mdash;usurper, at least, if not
+bastard&mdash;such will not be his thoughts.<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>
+ Every
+breeze that blows from England will bring with
+it apprehensions of defection amongst those over
+whom he has usurped authority. He will not
+sleep in peace till he returns to England with
+those cut-throats, whom he relies upon for the
+defence of his stolen crown. He will engage in
+no war with Louis, for Louis will not hesitate to
+soothe his pride by humiliation&mdash;to gorge his
+avarice and pamper his voluptuous prodigality by
+sums of gold&mdash;and I fear much we shall soon hear
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span>
+of the English army retiring from France with the
+idle boast, that they have displayed their banners
+once more, for a week or two, in the provinces
+which were formerly their own."</p>
+
+<p>"It the more becomes us to be speedy in moving
+Burgundy to decision," replied Oxford; "and for
+that purpose I post to Dijon. Such an army as
+Edward's cannot be transported over the narrow
+seas in several weeks. The probability is, that
+they must winter in France, even if they should
+have truce with King Louis. With a thousand
+Hainault lances from the eastern part of Flanders,
+I can be soon in the North, where we have many
+friends, besides the assurance of help from Scotland.
+The faithful West will rise at a signal&mdash;a
+Clifford can be found, though the mountain
+mists have hid him from Richard's researches&mdash;the
+Welsh will assemble at the rallying word of
+Tudor&mdash;the Red Rose raises its head once more&mdash;and
+so, God save King Henry!"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" said the Queen&mdash;"But no husband&mdash;no
+friend of mine&mdash;the son but of my mother-in-law
+by a Welsh chieftain&mdash;cold, they say, and
+crafty&mdash;But be it so&mdash;let me only see Lancaster
+triumph, and obtain revenge upon York, and I
+will die contented!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is then your pleasure that I should make
+the proffers expressed by your Grace's former mandates,
+to induce Burgundy to stir himself in our
+cause? If he learns the proposal of a truce betwixt
+France and England, it will sting sharper than
+aught I can say."</p>
+
+<p>"Promise all, however," said the Queen. "I
+know his inmost soul&mdash;it is set upon extending
+the dominions of his House in every direction.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span>
+For this he has seized Gueldres&mdash;for this he now
+overruns and occupies Lorraine&mdash;for this he covets
+such poor remnants of Provence as my father still
+calls his own. With such augmented territories,
+he proposes to exchange his ducal diadem for an
+arched crown of independent sovereignty. Tell
+the Duke, Margaret can assist his views&mdash;tell
+him, that my father René shall disown the opposition
+made to the Duke's seizure of Lorraine&mdash;He
+shall do more&mdash;he shall declare Charles his
+heir in Provence, with my ample consent&mdash;tell
+him, the old man shall cede his dominions to him
+upon the instant that his Hainaulters embark for
+England, some small pension deducted to maintain
+a concert of fiddlers, and a troop of morrice-dancers.
+These are René's only earthly wants.
+Mine are still fewer&mdash;Revenge upon York, and a
+speedy grave!&mdash;For the paltry gold which we may
+need, thou hast jewels to pledge&mdash;For the other
+conditions, security if required."</p>
+
+<p>"For these, madam, I can pledge my knightly
+word, in addition to your royal faith; and if more
+is required, my son shall be a hostage with
+Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no&mdash;no!" exclaimed the dethroned Queen,
+touched by perhaps the only tender feeling, which
+repeated and extraordinary misfortunes had not
+chilled into insensibility,&mdash;"Hazard not the life
+of the noble youth&mdash;he that is the last of the
+loyal and faithful House of Vere&mdash;he that should
+have been the brother in arms of my beloved
+Edward&mdash;he that had so nearly been his companion
+in a bloody and untimely grave! Do not
+involve this poor child in these fatal intrigues,
+which have been so baneful to his family. Let
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span>
+him go with me. Him at least I will shelter
+from danger whilst I live, and provide for when
+I am no more."</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me, madam," said Oxford, with the
+firmness which distinguished him. "My son, as
+you deign to recollect, is a De Vere, destined,
+perhaps, to be the last of his name. Fall, he
+may, but it must not be without honour. To
+whatever dangers his duty and allegiance call
+him, be it from sword or lance, axe or gibbet, to
+these he must expose himself frankly, when his
+doing so can mark his allegiance. His ancestors
+have shown him how to brave them all."</p>
+
+<p>"True, true," exclaimed the unfortunate Queen,
+raising her arms wildly,&mdash;"All must perish&mdash;all
+that have honoured Lancaster&mdash;all that have
+loved Margaret, or whom she has loved! The
+destruction must be universal&mdash;the young must
+fall with the old&mdash;not a lamb of the scattered
+flock shall escape!"</p>
+
+<p>"For God's sake, gracious madam," said Oxford,
+"compose yourself!&mdash;I hear them knock on the
+chapel door."</p>
+
+<p>"It is the signal of parting," said the exiled
+Queen, collecting herself. "Do not fear, noble
+Oxford, I am not often thus; but how seldom do
+I see those friends, whose faces and voices can disturb
+the composure of my despair! Let me tie
+this relic about thy neck, good youth, and fear not
+its evil influence, though you receive it from an
+ill-omened hand. It was my husband's, blessed
+by many a prayer, and sanctified by many a holy
+tear; even my unhappy hands cannot pollute it.
+I should have bound it on my Edward's bosom on
+the dreadful morning of Tewkesbury fight; but he
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span>
+armed early&mdash;went to the field without seeing
+me, and all my purpose was vain."</p>
+
+<p>She passed a golden chain round Arthur's neck
+as she spoke, which contained a small gold crucifix
+of rich but barbarous manufacture. It had
+belonged, said tradition, to Edward the Confessor.
+The knock at the door of the chapel was repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"We must not tarry," said Margaret; "let us
+part here&mdash;you for Dijon, I to Aix, my abode
+of unrest in Provence. Farewell&mdash;we may meet
+in a better hour&mdash;yet how can I hope it? Thus
+I said on the morning before the fight of St. Albans&mdash;thus
+on the dark dawning of Towton&mdash;thus
+on the yet more bloody field of Tewkesbury&mdash;and
+what was the event? Yet hope is a plant
+which cannot be rooted out of a noble breast,
+till the last heart-string crack as it is pulled
+away."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, she passed through the chapel door,
+and mingled in the miscellaneous assemblage of
+personages who worshipped or indulged their curiosity,
+or consumed their idle hours amongst the
+aisles of the cathedral.</p>
+
+<p>Philipson and his son, both deeply impressed
+with the singular interview which had just taken
+place, returned to their inn, where they found a
+pursuivant, with the Duke of Burgundy's badge
+and livery, who informed them, that if they were
+the English merchants who were carrying wares
+of value to the court of the Duke, he had orders
+to afford them the countenance of his escort and
+inviolable character. Under his protection they
+set out from Strasburg; but such was the uncertainty
+of the Duke of Burgundy's motions, and
+such the numerous obstacles which occurred to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span>
+interrupt their journey, in a country disturbed by
+the constant passage of troops and preparation for
+war, that it was evening on the second day ere
+they reached the plain near Dijon, on which the
+whole, or great part of his power, lay encamped.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Thus said the Duke&mdash;thus did the Duke infer.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Richard III.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The eyes of the elder traveller were well accustomed
+to sights of martial splendour, yet even he
+was dazzled with the rich and glorious display of
+the Burgundian camp, in which, near the walls of
+Dijon, Charles, the wealthiest prince in Europe,
+had displayed his own extravagance, and encouraged
+his followers to similar profusion. The
+pavilions of the meanest officers were of silk and
+samite, while those of the nobility and great
+leaders glittered with cloth of silver, cloth of
+gold, variegated tapestry, and other precious materials,
+which in no other situation would have been
+employed as a cover from the weather, but would
+themselves have been thought worthy of the most
+careful protection. The horsemen and infantry
+who mounted guard were arrayed in the richest
+and most gorgeous armour. A beautiful and very
+numerous train of artillery was drawn up near
+the entrance of the camp, and in its commander
+Philipson (to give the Earl the travelling name
+to which our readers are accustomed) recognised
+Henry Colvin(<a href="#ednote_c" name="enanchor_c" id="enanchor_c" ><i>c</i></a>), an Englishman of inferior birth,
+but distinguished for his skill in conducting these
+terrible engines, which had of late come into
+general use in war. The banners and pennons
+which were displayed by every knight, baron, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span>
+man of rank floated before their tents, and the
+owners of these transitory dwellings sat at the
+door half-armed, and enjoyed the military contests
+of the soldiers, in wrestling, pitching the bar, and
+other athletic exercises.</p>
+
+<p>Long rows of the noblest horses were seen at
+picket, prancing and tossing their heads, as impatient
+of the inactivity to which they were confined,
+or were heard neighing over the provender
+which was spread plentifully before them. The
+soldiers formed joyous groups around the minstrels
+and strolling jugglers, or were engaged in drinking-parties
+at the sutlers' tents; others strolled about
+with folded arms, casting their eyes now and then
+to the sinking sun, as if desirous that the hour
+should arrive which should put an end to a day
+unoccupied, and therefore tedious.</p>
+
+<p>At length the travellers reached, amidst the
+dazzling varieties of this military display, the
+pavilion of the Duke himself, before which floated
+heavily in the evening breeze the broad and rich
+banner, in which glowed the armorial bearings
+and quarterings of a prince, Duke of six provinces,
+and Count of fifteen counties, who was, from his
+power, his disposition, and the success which
+seemed to attend his enterprises, the general dread
+of Europe. The pursuivant made himself known
+to some of the household, and the Englishmen
+were immediately received with courtesy, though
+not such as to draw attention upon them, and conveyed
+to a neighbouring tent, the residence of a
+general officer, which they were given to understand
+was destined for their accommodation, and
+where their packages accordingly were deposited,
+and refreshments offered them.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"As the camp is filled," said the domestic who
+waited upon them, "with soldiers of different
+nations and uncertain dispositions, the Duke of
+Burgundy, for the safety of your merchandise, has
+ordered you the protection of a regular sentinel.
+In the meantime, be in readiness to wait on his
+Highness, seeing you may look to be presently
+sent for."</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, the elder Philipson was shortly
+after summoned to the Duke's presence, introduced
+by a back entrance into the ducal pavilion, and
+into that part of it which, screened by close curtains
+and wooden barricades, formed Charles's own
+separate apartment. The plainness of the furniture,
+and the coarse apparatus of the Duke's
+toilette, formed a strong contrast to the appearance
+of the exterior of the pavilion; for Charles, whose
+character was, in that as in other things, far from
+consistent, exhibited in his own person during
+war an austerity, or rather coarseness of dress, and
+sometimes of manners also, which was more like
+the rudeness of a German lanzknecht, than the
+bearing of a prince of exalted rank; while, at the
+same time, he encouraged and enjoined a great
+splendour of expense and display amongst his vassals
+and courtiers, as if to be rudely attired, and
+to despise every restraint, even of ordinary ceremony,
+were a privilege of the sovereign alone.
+Yet when it pleased him to assume state in person
+and manners, none knew better than Charles of
+Burgundy how he ought to adorn and demean
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>Upon his toilette appeared brushes and combs,
+which might have claimed dismissal as past the
+term of service, over-worn hats and doublets, dog-leashes,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span>
+leather-belts, and other such paltry articles;
+amongst which lay at random, as it seemed, the
+great diamond called Sanci,&mdash;the three rubies
+termed the Three Brothers of Antwerp,&mdash;another
+great diamond called the Lamp of Flanders, and
+other precious stones of scarcely inferior value and
+rarity. This extraordinary display somewhat resembled
+the character of the Duke himself, who
+mixed cruelty with justice, magnanimity with
+meanness of spirit, economy with extravagance,
+and liberality with avarice; being, in fact, consistent
+in nothing excepting in his obstinate
+determination to follow the opinion he had once
+formed, in every situation of things, and through
+all variety of risks.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of the valueless and inestimable
+articles of his wardrobe and toilette, the Duke of
+Burgundy called out to the English traveller,
+"Welcome, Herr Philipson&mdash;welcome, you of a
+nation whose traders are princes, and their merchants
+the mighty ones of the earth. What new
+commodities have you brought to gull us with?
+You merchants, by St. George, are a wily
+generation."</p>
+
+<p>"Faith, no new merchandise I, my lord,"
+answered the elder Englishman; "I bring but the
+commodities which I showed your Highness the
+last time I communicated with you, in the hope
+of a poor trader, that your Grace may find them
+more acceptable upon a review, than when you
+first saw them."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well, Sir&mdash;Philipville, I think they call
+you?&mdash;you are a simple trader, or you take me for
+a silly purchaser, that you think to gull me with
+the same wares which I fancied not formerly.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span>
+Change of fashion, man&mdash;novelty&mdash;is the motto
+of commerce; your Lancaster wares have had their
+day, and I have bought of them like others, and
+was like enough to have paid dear for them too.
+York is all the vogue now."</p>
+
+<p>"It may be so among the vulgar," said the Earl
+of Oxford; "but for souls like your Highness,
+faith, honour, and loyalty are jewels which change
+of fancy, or mutability of taste, cannot put out of
+fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it may be, noble Oxford," said the
+Duke, "that I preserve in my secret mind some
+veneration for these old-fashioned qualities, else
+why should I have such regard for your person, in
+which they have ever been distinguished? But
+my situation is painfully urgent, and should I
+make a false step at this crisis, I might break the
+purposes of my whole life. Observe me, Sir Merchant.
+Here has come over your old competitor,
+Blackburn, whom some call Edward of York and
+of London, with a commodity of bows and bills
+such as never entered France since King Arthur's
+time; and he offers to enter into joint adventure
+with me, or, in plain speech, to make common
+cause with Burgundy, till we smoke out of his
+earths the old fox Louis, and nail his hide to the
+stable-door. In a word, England invites me to
+take part with him against my most wily and
+inveterate enemy, the King of France; to rid
+myself of the chain of vassalage, and to ascend
+into the rank of independent princes;&mdash;how
+think you, noble Earl, can I forego this seducing
+temptation?"</p>
+
+<p>"You must ask this of some of your counsellors
+of Burgundy," said Oxford; "it is a question
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span>
+fraught too deeply with ruin to my cause, for me
+to give a fair opinion on it."</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless," said Charles, "I ask thee, as
+an honourable man, what objections you see to
+the course proposed to me? Speak your mind,
+and speak it freely."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord, I know it is in your Highness's
+nature to entertain no doubts of the facility of
+executing anything which you have once determined
+shall be done. Yet, though this prince-like
+disposition may in some cases prepare for its own
+success, and has often done so, there are others, in
+which, persisting in our purpose, merely because
+we have once willed it, leads not to success, but
+to ruin. Look, therefore, at this English army;&mdash;winter
+is approaching, where are they to be lodged?
+how are they to be victualled? by whom are they
+to be paid? Is your Highness to take all the
+expense and labour of fitting them for the summer
+campaign? for, rely on it, an English army never
+was, nor will be, fit for service, till they have
+been out of their own island long enough to accustom
+them to military duty. They are men, I
+grant, the fittest for soldiers in the world; but
+they are not soldiers as yet, and must be trained
+to become such at your Highness's expense."</p>
+
+<p>"Be it so," said Charles; "I think the Low
+Countries can find food for the beef-consuming
+knaves for a few weeks, and villages for them to
+lie in, and officers to train their sturdy limbs to
+war, and provost-marshals enough to reduce their
+refractory spirit to discipline."</p>
+
+<p>"What happens next?" said Oxford. "You
+march to Paris, add to Edward's usurped power
+another kingdom; restore to him all the possessions
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span>
+which England ever had in France, Normandy,
+Maine, Anjou, Gascony, and all besides&mdash;Can you
+trust this Edward when you shall have thus fostered
+his strength, and made him far stronger than
+this Louis whom you have united to pull down?"</p>
+
+<p>"By St. George, I will not dissemble with you!
+It is in that very point that my doubts trouble me.
+Edward is indeed my brother-in-law, but I am a
+man little inclined to put my head under my
+wife's girdle."</p>
+
+<p>"And the times," said Philipson, "have too
+often shown the inefficiency of family alliances, to
+prevent the most gross breaches of faith."</p>
+
+<p>"You say well, Earl. Clarence betrayed his
+father-in-law; Louis poisoned his brother&mdash;Domestic
+affections, pshaw! they sit warm enough
+by a private man's fireside, but they cannot come
+into fields of battle, or princes' halls, where the
+wind blows cold. No, my alliance with Edward
+by marriage were little succour to me in time of
+need. I would as soon ride an unbroken horse,
+with no better bridle than a lady's garter. But
+what then is the result? He wars on Louis;
+whichever gains the better, I, who must be
+strengthened in their mutual weakness, receive
+the advantage&mdash;The Englishmen slay the French
+with their cloth-yard shafts, and the Frenchmen,
+by skirmishes, waste, weaken, and destroy the
+English. With spring I take the field with an
+army superior to both, and then, St. George for
+Burgundy!"</p>
+
+<p>"And if, in the meanwhile, your Highness will
+deign to assist, even in the most trifling degree, a
+cause the most honourable that ever knight laid
+lance in rest for,&mdash;a moderate sum of money, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span>
+a small body of Hainault lances, who may gain
+both fame and fortune by the service, may replace
+the injured heir of Lancaster in the possession of
+his native and rightful dominion."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, marry, Sir Earl," said the Duke, "you
+come roundly to the point; but we have seen, and
+indeed partly assisted, at so many turns betwixt
+York and Lancaster, that we have some doubt
+which is the side to which Heaven has given
+the right, and the inclinations of the people the
+effectual power; we are surprised into absolute
+giddiness by so many extraordinary revolutions
+of fortune as England has exhibited."</p>
+
+<p>"A proof, my lord, that these mutations are not
+yet ended, and that your generous aid may give to
+the better side an effectual turn of advantage."</p>
+
+<p>"And lend my cousin, Margaret of Anjou, my
+arm to dethrone my wife's brother? Perhaps he
+deserves small good-will at my hands, since he
+and his insolent nobles have been urging me with
+remonstrances, and even threats, to lay aside all
+my own important affairs, and join Edward, forsooth,
+in his knight-errant expedition against
+Louis. I will march against Louis at my own
+time, and not sooner; and, by St. George! neither
+island king, nor island noble, shall dictate to
+Charles of Burgundy. You are fine conceited companions,
+you English of both sides, that think the
+matters of your own bedlam island are as interesting
+to all the world as to yourselves. But neither
+York nor Lancaster, neither brother Blackburn nor
+cousin Margaret of Anjou, not with John de Vere
+to back her, shall gull me. Men lure no hawks
+with empty hands."</p>
+
+<p>Oxford, familiar with the Duke's disposition,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span>
+suffered him to exhaust himself in chafing, that
+any one should pretend to dictate his course of
+conduct, and, when he was at length silent,
+replied with calmness&mdash;"Do I live to hear the
+noble Duke of Burgundy, the mirror of European
+chivalry, say, that no reason has been shown to
+him for an adventure where a helpless queen is
+to be redressed&mdash;a royal house raised from the
+dust? Is there not immortal <i>los</i> and honour&mdash;the
+trumpet of fame to proclaim the sovereign, who,
+alone in a degenerate age, has united the duties
+of a generous knight with those of a princely
+sovereign"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>The Duke interrupted him, striking him at the
+same time on the shoulder&mdash;"And King René's
+five hundred fiddlers to tune their cracked violins
+in my praise? and King René himself to listen to
+them, and say, 'Well fought, Duke&mdash;well played,
+fiddler!' I tell thee, John of Oxford, when thou
+and I wore maiden armour, such words as fame,
+honour, <i>los</i>, knightly glory, lady's love, and so
+forth, were good mottoes for our snow-white
+shields, and a fair enough argument for splintering
+lances&mdash;Ay, and in tilt-yard, though somewhat
+old for these fierce follies, I would jeopard my
+person in such a quarrel yet, as becomes a knight
+of the order. But when we come to paying down
+of crowns, and embarking of large squadrons, we
+must have to propose to our subjects some substantial
+excuse for plunging them in war; some proposal
+for the public good&mdash;or, by St. George! for
+our own private advantage, which is the same
+thing. This is the course the world runs, and,
+Oxford, to tell the plain truth, I mean to hold the
+same bias."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Heaven forbid that I should expect your Highness
+to act otherwise than with a view to your
+subjects' welfare&mdash;the increase, that is, as your
+Grace happily expresses it, of your own power and
+dominion. The money we require is not in benevolence,
+but in loan; and Margaret is willing to
+deposit these jewels, of which I think your Grace
+knows the value, till she shall repay the sum
+which your friendship may advance in her
+necessity."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha!" said the Duke, "would our cousin
+make a pawnbroker of us, and have us deal with
+her like a Jewish usurer with his debtor?&mdash;Yet,
+in faith, Oxford, we may need the diamonds, for
+if this business were otherwise feasible, it is possible
+that I myself must become a borrower to aid
+my cousin's necessities. I have applied to the
+States of the Duchy, who are now sitting, and
+expect, as is reasonable, a large supply. But
+there are restless heads and close hands among
+them, and they may be niggardly&mdash;So place the
+jewels on the table in the meanwhile.&mdash;Well, say
+I am to be no sufferer in purse by this feat of
+knight-errantry which you propose to me, still
+princes enter not into war without some view of
+advantage?"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to me, noble sovereign. You are naturally
+bent to unite the great estates of your father,
+and those you have acquired by your own arms,
+into a compact and firm dukedom"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Call it kingdom," said Charles; "it is the
+worthier word."</p>
+
+<p>"Into a kingdom, of which the crown shall sit
+as fair and even on your Grace's brow as that of
+France on your present suzerain, Louis."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It need not such shrewdness as yours to descry
+that such is my purpose," said the Duke; "else,
+wherefore am I here with helm on my head, and
+sword by my side? And wherefore are my troops
+seizing on the strong places in Lorraine, and
+chasing before them the beggarly De Vaudemont,
+who has the insolence to claim it as his inheritance?
+Yes, my friend, the aggrandisement of
+Burgundy is a theme for which the duke of that
+fair province is bound to fight, while he can put
+foot in stirrup."</p>
+
+<p>"But think you not," said the English Earl,
+"since you allow me to speak freely with your
+Grace, on the footing of old acquaintanceship,
+think you not that in this chart of your dominions,
+otherwise so fairly bounded, there is something
+on the southern frontier which might be arranged
+more advantageously for a King of Burgundy?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot guess whither you would lead me,"
+said the Duke, looking at a map of the Duchy and
+his other possessions, to which the Englishman
+had pointed his attention, and then turning his
+broad keen eye upon the face of the banished
+Earl.</p>
+
+<p>"I would say," replied the latter, "that, to so
+powerful a prince as your Grace, there is no safe
+neighbour but the sea. Here is Provence, which
+interferes betwixt you and the Mediterranean;
+Provence, with its princely harbours, and fertile
+cornfields and vineyards. Were it not well to
+include it in your map of sovereignty, and thus
+touch the middle sea with one hand, while the
+other rested on the sea-coast of Flanders?"</p>
+
+<p>"Provence, said you?" replied the Duke, eagerly.
+"Why, man, my very dreams are of Provence. I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span>
+cannot smell an orange but it reminds me of its
+perfumed woods and bowers, its olives, citrons,
+and pomegranates. But how to frame pretensions
+to it? Shame it were to disturb René, the harmless
+old man, nor would it become a near relation.
+Then he is the uncle of Louis; and most probably,
+failing his daughter Margaret, or perhaps in preference
+to her, he hath named the French King
+his heir."</p>
+
+<p>"A better claim might be raised up in your
+Grace's own person," said the Earl of Oxford, "if
+you will afford Margaret of Anjou the succour she
+requires by me."</p>
+
+<p>"Take the aid thou requirest," replied the Duke;
+"take double the amount of it in men and money!
+Let me but have a claim upon Provence, though
+thin as a single thread of thy Queen Margaret's
+hair, and let me alone for twisting it into the
+tough texture of a quadruple cable.&mdash;But I am a
+fool to listen to the dreams of one who, ruined
+himself, can lose little by holding forth to others
+the most extravagant hopes."</p>
+
+<p>Charles breathed high, and changed complexion
+as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not such a person, my Lord Duke," said
+the Earl. "Listen to me&mdash;René is broken with
+years, fond of repose, and too poor to maintain his
+rank with the necessary dignity; too good-natured,
+or too feeble-minded, to lay further imposts on his
+subjects; weary of contending with bad fortune,
+and desirous to resign his territories"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"His territories!" said Charles.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, all he actually possesses; and the much
+more extensive dominions which he has claim to,
+but which have passed from his sway."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You take away my breath!" said the Duke.
+"René resign Provence! and what says Margaret&mdash;the
+proud, the high-minded Margaret&mdash;will she
+subscribe to so humiliating a proceeding?"</p>
+
+<p>"For the chance of seeing Lancaster triumph in
+England, she would resign, not only dominion,
+but life itself. And, in truth, the sacrifice is less
+than it may seem to be. It is certain that, when
+René dies, the King of France will claim the old
+man's county of Provence as a male fief, and there
+is no one strong enough to back Margaret's claim
+of inheritance, however just it may be."</p>
+
+<p>"It is just," said Charles; "it is undeniable! I
+will not hear of its being denied or challenged&mdash;that
+is, when once it is established in our own
+person. It is the true principle of the war for the
+public good, that none of the great fiefs be suffered
+to revert again to the crown of France, least of all
+while it stands on a brow so astucious and unprincipled
+as that of Louis. Burgundy joined to
+Provence&mdash;a dominion from the German Ocean to
+the Mediterranean! Oxford&mdash;thou art my better
+angel!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your Grace must, however, reflect," said
+Oxford, "that honourable provision must be made
+for King René."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, man, certainly; he shall have a
+score of fiddlers and jugglers to play, roar, and
+recite to him from morning till night. He shall
+have a court of troubadours, who shall do nothing
+but drink, flute, and fiddle to him, and pronounce
+<i>arrests</i> of <i>love</i>, to be confirmed or reversed by an
+appeal to himself, the supreme <i>Roi d'Amour</i>. And
+Margaret shall also be honourably sustained, in
+the manner you may point out."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That will be easily settled," answered the
+English Earl. "If our attempts on England succeed,
+she will need no aid from Burgundy. If she
+fails, she retires into a cloister, and it will not be
+long that she will need the honourable maintenance
+which, I am sure, your Grace's generosity
+will willingly assign her."</p>
+
+<p>"Unquestionably," answered Charles; "and on
+a scale which will become us both;&mdash;but, by my
+halidome, John of Vere, the abbess into whose
+cloister Margaret of Anjou shall retire will have
+an ungovernable penitent under her charge. Well
+do I know her; and, Sir Earl, I will not clog our
+discourse by expressing any doubts, that, if she
+pleases, she can compel her father to resign his
+estates to whomsoever she will. She is like my
+brache, Gorgon, who compels whatsoever hound is
+coupled with her to go the way she chooses, or she
+strangles him if he resists. So has Margaret acted
+with her simple-minded husband, and I am aware
+that her father, a fool of a different cast, must of
+necessity be equally tractable. I think <i>I</i> could
+have matched her,&mdash;though my very neck aches at
+the thought of the struggles we should have had for
+mastery.&mdash;But you look grave, because I jest with
+the pertinacious temper of my unhappy cousin."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said Oxford, "whatever are or have
+been the defects of my mistress, she is in distress,
+and almost in desolation. She is my sovereign,
+and your Highness's cousin not the less."</p>
+
+<p>"Enough said, Sir Earl," answered the Duke.
+"Let us speak seriously. Whatever we may think
+of the abdication of King René, I fear we shall
+find it difficult to make Louis XI. see the matter
+as favourably as we do. He will hold that the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span>
+county of Provence is a male fief, and that neither
+the resignation of René nor the consent of his
+daughter can prevent its reverting to the crown of
+France, as the King of Sicily, as they call him,
+hath no male issue."</p>
+
+<p>"That, may it please your Grace, is a question
+for battle to decide; and your Highness has successfully
+braved Louis for a less important stake.
+All I can say is, that, if your Grace's active assistance
+enables the young Earl of Richmond to
+succeed in his enterprise, you shall have the aid
+of three thousand English archers, if old John of
+Oxford, for want of a better leader, were to bring
+them over himself."</p>
+
+<p>"A noble aid," said the Duke; "graced still
+more by him who promises to lead them. Thy
+succour, noble Oxford, were precious to me, did
+you but come with your sword by your side, and
+a single page at your back. I know you well,
+both heart and head. But let us to this gear;
+exiles, even the wisest, are privileged in promises,
+and sometimes&mdash;excuse me, noble Oxford&mdash;impose
+on themselves as well as on their friends.
+What are the hopes on which you desire me again
+to embark on so troubled and uncertain an ocean
+as these civil contests of yours?"</p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford produced a schedule, and
+explained to the Duke the plan of his expedition,
+to be backed by an insurrection of the friends of
+Lancaster, of which it is enough to say, that it
+was bold to the verge of temerity; but yet so well
+compacted and put together, as to bear, in those
+times of rapid revolution, and under a leader of
+Oxford's approved military skill and political sagacity,
+a strong appearance of probable success.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While Duke Charles mused over the particulars
+of an enterprise attractive and congenial to his
+own disposition,&mdash;while he counted over the
+affronts which he had received from his brother-in-law,
+Edward IV., the present opportunity for
+taking a signal revenge, and the rich acquisition
+which he hoped to make in Provence by the
+cession in his favour of René of Anjou and his
+daughter, the Englishman failed not to press on
+his consideration the urgent necessity of suffering
+no time to escape.</p>
+
+<p>"The accomplishment of this scheme," he said,
+"demands the utmost promptitude. To have a
+chance of success, I must be in England, with
+your Grace's auxiliary forces, before Edward of
+York can return from France with his army."</p>
+
+<p>"And having come hither," said the Duke, "our
+worthy brother will be in no hurry to return again.
+He will meet with black-eyed French women and
+ruby-coloured French wine, and brother Blackburn
+is no man to leave such commodities in a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord Duke, I will speak truth of my
+enemy. Edward is indolent and luxurious when
+things are easy around him, but let him feel the
+spur of necessity, and he becomes as eager as a
+pampered steed. Louis, too, who seldom fails in
+finding means to accomplish his ends, is bent upon
+determining the English King to recross the sea&mdash;therefore,
+speed, noble Prince&mdash;speed is the
+soul of your enterprise."</p>
+
+<p>"Speed!" said the Duke of Burgundy,&mdash;"Why,
+I will go with you, and see the embarkation
+myself; and tried, approved soldiers you shall
+have, such as are nowhere to be found save in
+Artois and Hainault."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But pardon yet, noble Duke, the impatience of
+a drowning wretch urgently pressing for assistance.&mdash;When
+shall we to the coast of Flanders,
+to order this important measure?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, in a fortnight, or perchance a week, or,
+in a word, so soon as I shall have chastised to
+purpose a certain gang of thieves and robbers, who,
+as the scum of the caldron will always be uppermost,
+have got up into the fastnesses of the Alps,
+and from thence annoy our frontiers by contraband
+traffic, pillage, and robbery."</p>
+
+<p>"Your Highness means the Swiss confederates?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, the peasant churls give themselves such
+a name. They are a sort of manumitted slaves
+of Austria, and, like a ban-dog, whose chain is
+broken, they avail themselves of their liberty to
+annoy and rend whatever comes in their way."</p>
+
+<p>"I travelled through their country from Italy,"
+said the exiled Earl, "and I heard it was the purpose
+of the Cantons to send envoys to solicit peace
+of your Highness."</p>
+
+<p>"Peace!" exclaimed Charles.&mdash;"A proper sort
+of peaceful proceedings those of their embassy have
+been! Availing themselves of a mutiny of the
+burghers of La Ferette, the first garrison town
+which they entered, they stormed the walls, seized
+on Archibald de Hagenbach, who commanded the
+place on my part, and put him to death in the
+market-place. Such an insult must be punished,
+Sir John de Vere; and if you do not see me in the
+storm of passion which it well deserves, it is
+because I have already given orders to hang up the
+base runagates who call themselves ambassadors."</p>
+
+<p>"For God's sake, noble Duke," said the Englishman,
+throwing himself at Charles's feet&mdash;"for
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span>
+your own character, for the sake of the peace of
+Christendom, revoke such an order if it is really
+given!"</p>
+
+<p>"What means this passion?" said Duke Charles.&mdash;"What
+are these men's lives to thee, excepting
+that the consequences of a war may delay your
+expedition for a few days?"</p>
+
+<p>"May render it altogether abortive," said the
+Earl; "nay, <i>must</i> needs do so.&mdash;Hear me, Lord
+Duke. I was with these men on a part of their
+journey."</p>
+
+<p>"You!" said the Duke&mdash;"you a companion of
+the paltry Swiss peasants? Misfortune has sunk
+the pride of English nobility to a low ebb, when
+you selected such associates."</p>
+
+<p>"I was thrown amongst them by accident," said
+the Earl. "Some of them are of noble blood, and
+are, besides, men for whose peaceable intentions I
+ventured to constitute myself their warrant."</p>
+
+<p>"On my honour, my Lord of Oxford, you graced
+them highly, and me no less, in interfering between
+the Swiss and myself! Allow me to say
+that I condescend, when, in deference to past
+friendship, I permit you to speak to me of your
+own English affairs. Methinks you might well
+spare me your opinion upon topics with which you
+have no natural concern."</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord of Burgundy," replied Oxford, "I
+followed your banner to Paris, and had the good
+luck to rescue you in the fight at Mont L'Hery,
+when you were beset by the French men-at-arms"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"We have not forgot it," said Duke Charles;
+"and it is a sign that we keep the action in
+remembrance, that you have been suffered to stand
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span>
+before us so long, pleading the cause of a set of
+rascals, whom we are required to spare from the
+gallows that groans for them, because forsooth
+they have been the fellow-travellers of the Earl
+of Oxford!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not so, my lord. I ask their lives, only
+because they are upon a peaceful errand, and the
+leaders amongst them, at least, have no accession
+to the crime of which you complain."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke traversed the apartment with unequal
+steps in much agitation, his large eyebrows drawn
+down over his eyes, his hands clenched, and his
+teeth set, until at length he seemed to take a resolution.
+He rung a handbell of silver, which stood
+upon his table.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Contay," he said to the gentleman of his
+chamber who entered, "are these mountain fellows
+yet executed?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, may it please your Highness; but the
+executioner waits them so soon as the priest hath
+confessed them."</p>
+
+<p>"Let them live," said the Duke. "We will
+hear to-morrow in what manner they propose to
+justify their proceedings towards us."</p>
+
+<p>Contay bowed and left the apartment; then
+turning to the Englishman, the Duke said, with
+an indescribable mixture of haughtiness with
+familiarity and even kindness, but having his
+brows cleared, and his looks composed,&mdash;"We are
+now clear of obligation, my Lord of Oxford&mdash;you
+have obtained life for life&mdash;nay, to make up some
+inequality which there may be betwixt the value
+of the commodities bestowed, you have obtained
+six lives for one. I will, therefore, pay no more
+attention to you, should you again upbraid me
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span>
+with the stumbling horse at Mont L'Hery, or your
+own achievements on that occasion. Most princes
+are contented with privately hating such men as
+have rendered them extraordinary services&mdash;I feel
+no such disposition&mdash;I only detest being reminded
+of having had occasion for them.&mdash;Pshaw! I am
+half choked with the effort of foregoing my own
+fixed resolution.&mdash;So ho! who waits there? Bring
+me to drink."</p>
+
+<p>An usher entered, bearing a large silver flagon,
+which, instead of wine, was filled with ptisan
+slightly flavoured by aromatic herbs.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so hot and choleric by nature," said the
+Duke, "that our leeches prohibit me from drinking
+wine. But you, Oxford, are bound by no such
+regimen. Get thee to thy countryman, Colvin,
+the general of our artillery. We commend thee to
+his custody and hospitality till to-morrow, which
+must be a busy day, since I expect to receive the
+answer of these wiseacres of the Dijon assembly
+of estates; and have also to hear (thanks to your
+lordship's interference) these miserable Swiss
+envoys, as they call themselves. Well, no more
+on't.&mdash;Good-night. You may communicate freely
+with Colvin, who is, like yourself, an old Lancastrian.&mdash;But
+hark ye, not a word respecting
+Provence&mdash;not even in your sleep.&mdash;Contay, conduct
+this English gentleman to Colvin's tent. He
+knows my pleasure respecting him."</p>
+
+<p>"So please your Grace," answered Contay, "I
+left the English gentleman's son with Monsieur
+de Colvin."</p>
+
+<p>"What! thine own son, Oxford? And with
+thee here? Why did you not tell me of him? Is
+he a true scion of the ancient tree?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is my pride to believe so, my lord. He has
+been the faithful companion of all my dangers and
+wanderings."</p>
+
+<p>"Happy man!" said the Duke, with a sigh.
+"You, Oxford, have a son to share your poverty
+and distress&mdash;I have none to be partner and successor
+to my greatness."</p>
+
+<p>"You have a daughter, my lord," said the noble
+De Vere, "and it is to be hoped she will one day
+wed some powerful prince, who may be the stay
+of your Highness's house."</p>
+
+<p>"Never! By St. George, never!" answered the
+Duke, sharply and shortly. "I will have no son-in-law,
+who may make the daughter's bed a stepping-stone
+to reach the father's crown. Oxford, I
+have spoken more freely than I am wont, perhaps
+more freely than I ought&mdash;but I hold some men
+trustworthy, and believe you, Sir John de Vere,
+to be one of them."</p>
+
+<p>The English nobleman bowed, and was about to
+leave his presence, but the Duke presently recalled
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"There is one thing more, Oxford.&mdash;The
+cession of Provence is not quite enough. René
+and Margaret must disavow this hot-brained
+Ferrand de Vaudemont, who is making some
+foolish stir in Lorraine, in right of his mother
+Yolande."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said Oxford, "Ferrand is the grandson
+of King René, the nephew of Queen Margaret;
+but yet"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"But yet, by St. George, his rights, as he calls
+them, on Lorraine must positively be disowned.
+You talk of their family feelings, while you are
+urging me to make war on my own brother-in-law!"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"René's best apology for deserting his grandson,"
+answered Oxford, "will be his total inability
+to support and assist him. I will communicate
+your Grace's condition, though it is a hard one."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he left the pavilion.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i5">I humbly thank your Highness,</p>
+<p>And am right glad to catch this good occasion</p>
+<p>Most thoroughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff</p>
+<p>And corn shall fly asunder.</p>
+
+<p class="i7"><i>King Henry VIII.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Colvin, the English officer, to whom the Duke of
+Burgundy, with splendid pay and appointments,
+committed the charge of his artillery, was owner
+of the tent assigned for the Englishman's lodging,
+and received the Earl of Oxford with the respect
+due to his rank, and to the Duke's especial orders
+upon that subject. He had been himself a follower
+of the Lancaster faction, and of course was
+well disposed towards one of the very few men of
+distinction whom he had known personally, and
+who had constantly adhered to that family through
+the train of misfortunes by which they seemed to
+be totally overwhelmed. A repast, of which his
+son had already partaken, was offered to the Earl
+by Colvin, who omitted not to recommend, by
+precept and example, the good wine of Burgundy,
+from which the sovereign of the province was
+himself obliged to refrain.</p>
+
+<p>"His Grace shows command of passion in that,"
+said Colvin. "For, sooth to speak, and only conversing
+betwixt friends, his temper grows too
+headlong to bear the spur which a cup of cordial
+beverage gives to the blood, and he, therefore,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span>
+wisely restricts himself to such liquid as may cool
+rather than inflame his natural fire of disposition."</p>
+
+<p>"I can perceive as much," said the Lancastrian
+noble. "When I first knew the noble Duke, who
+was then Earl of Charolois, his temper, though
+always sufficiently fiery, was calmness to the
+impetuosity which he now displays on the smallest
+contradiction. Such is the course of an uninterrupted
+flow of prosperity. He has ascended, by
+his own courage and the advantage of circumstances,
+from the doubtful place of a feudatory and
+tributary prince, to rank with the most powerful
+sovereigns in Europe, and to assume independent
+majesty. But I trust the noble starts of generosity
+which atoned for his wilful and wayward temper
+are not more few than formerly?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have good right to say that they are not,"
+replied the soldier of fortune, who understood
+generosity in the restricted sense of liberality.
+"The Duke is a noble and open-handed master."</p>
+
+<p>"I trust his bounty is conferred on men who are
+as faithful and steady in their service as you,
+Colvin, have ever been. But I see a change in
+your army. I know the banners of most of the
+old houses in Burgundy&mdash;How is it that I observe
+so few of them in the Duke's camp? I see flags,
+and pennons, and pennoncelles; but even to me,
+who have been so many years acquainted with the
+nobility both of France and Flanders, their bearings
+are unknown."</p>
+
+<p>"My noble Lord of Oxford," answered the officer,
+"it ill becomes a man who lives on the Duke's
+pay to censure his conduct; but his Highness hath
+of late trusted too much, as it seems to me, to the
+hired arms of foreign levies, and too little to his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span>
+own native subjects and retainers. He holds it
+better to take into his pay large bands of German
+and Italian mercenary soldiers, than to repose confidence
+in the knights and squires who are bound
+to him by allegiance and feudal faith. He uses
+the aid of his own subjects but as the means of
+producing him sums of money, which he bestows
+on his hired troops. The Germans are honest
+knaves enough while regularly paid; but Heaven
+preserve me from the Duke's Italian bands, and
+that Campo-basso their leader, who waits but the
+highest price to sell his Highness like a sheep for
+the shambles!"</p>
+
+<p>"Think you so ill of him?" demanded the Earl.</p>
+
+<p>"So very ill indeed, that I believe," replied
+Colvin, "there is no sort of treachery which the
+heart can devise, or the arm perpetrate, that hath
+not ready reception in his breast, and prompt
+execution at his hand. It is painful, my lord, for
+an honest Englishman like me to serve in an army
+where such traitors have command. But what can
+I do, unless I could once more find me a soldier's
+occupation in my native country? I often hope it
+will please merciful Heaven again to awaken those
+brave civil wars in my own dear England, where
+all was fair fighting, and treason was unheard of."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Oxford gave his host to understand, that
+there was a possibility that his pious wish of
+living and dying in his own country, and in the
+practice of his profession, was not to be despaired of.
+Meantime he requested of him, that early on the
+next morning he would procure him a pass and
+an escort for his son, whom he was compelled to
+despatch forthwith to Nancy, the residence of
+King René.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What!" said Colvin, "is my young Lord of
+Oxford to take a degree in the Court of Love? for
+no other business is listened to at King René's
+capital, save love and poetry."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not ambitious of such distinction for
+him, my good host," answered Oxford; "but Queen
+Margaret is with her father, and it is but fitting
+that the youth should kiss her hand."</p>
+
+<p>"Enough spoken," said the veteran Lancastrian.
+"I trust, though winter is fast approaching,
+the Red Rose may bloom in spring."</p>
+
+<p>He then ushered the Earl of Oxford to the partition
+of the tent which he was to occupy, in which
+there was a couch for Arthur also&mdash;their host, as
+Colvin might be termed, assuring them that, with
+peep of day, horses and faithful attendants should
+be ready to speed the youth on his journey to
+Nancy.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, Arthur," said his father, "we must
+part once more. I dare give thee, in this land of
+danger, no written communication to my mistress,
+Queen Margaret; but say to her, that I have found
+the Duke of Burgundy wedded to his own views of
+interest, but not averse to combine them with
+hers. Say, that I have little doubt that he will
+grant us the required aid, but not without the
+expected resignation in his favour by herself and
+King René. Say, I would never have recommended
+such a sacrifice for the precarious chance
+of overthrowing the House of York, but that I am
+satisfied that France and Burgundy are hanging
+like vultures over Provence, and that the one or
+other, or both princes, are ready, on her father's
+demise, to pounce on such possessions as they
+have reluctantly spared to him during his life.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span>
+An accommodation with Burgundy may therefore,
+on the one hand, insure his active co-operation
+in the attempt on England; and, on the other, if
+our high-spirited princess complies not with the
+Duke's request, the justice of her cause will give
+no additional security to her hereditary claims on
+her father's dominions. Bid Queen Margaret,
+therefore, unless she should have changed her
+views, obtain King René's formal deed of cession,
+conveying his estates to the Duke of Burgundy,
+with her Majesty's consent. The necessary provisions
+to the King and to herself may be filled up
+at her Grace's pleasure, or they may be left blank.
+I can trust to the Duke's generosity to their being
+suitably arranged. All that I fear is, that Charles
+may embroil himself"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"In some silly exploit, necessary for his own
+honour and the safety of his dominions," answered
+a voice behind the lining of the tent; "and, by
+doing so, attend to his own affairs more than to
+ours? Ha, Sir Earl?"</p>
+
+<p>At the same time the curtain was drawn aside,
+and a person entered, in whom, though clothed
+with the jerkin and bonnet of a private soldier of
+the Walloon guard, Oxford instantly recognised
+the Duke of Burgundy's harsh features and fierce
+eyes, as they sparkled from under the fur and
+feather with which the cap was ornamented.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, who knew not the Prince's person,
+started at the intrusion, and laid his hand on
+his dagger; but his father made a signal which
+stayed his hand, and he gazed with wonder on the
+solemn respect with which the Earl received the
+intrusive soldier. The first word informed him of
+the cause.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If this masking be done in proof of my faith,
+noble Duke, permit me to say it is superfluous."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, Oxford," answered the Duke, "I was a
+courteous spy; for I ceased to play the eavesdropper,
+at the very moment when I had reason to
+expect you were about to say something to anger
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"As I am a true Knight, my Lord Duke, if you
+had remained behind the arras, you would only
+have heard the same truths which I am ready to
+tell in your Grace's presence, though it may have
+chanced they might have been more bluntly
+expressed."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, speak them then, in whatever phrase
+thou wilt&mdash;they lie in their throats that say
+Charles of Burgundy was ever offended by advice
+from a well-meaning friend."</p>
+
+<p>"I would then have said," replied the English
+Earl, "that all which Margaret of Anjou had to
+apprehend, was that the Duke of Burgundy, when
+buckling on his armour to win Provence for himself,
+and to afford to her his powerful assistance
+to assert her rights in England, was likely to be
+withdrawn from such high objects by an imprudently
+eager desire to avenge himself of imaginary
+affronts, offered to him, as he supposed, by certain
+confederacies of Alpine mountaineers, over whom
+it is impossible to gain any important advantage,
+or acquire reputation, while, on the contrary, there
+is a risk of losing both. These men dwell amongst
+rocks and deserts which are almost inaccessible,
+and subsist in a manner so rude, that the poorest
+of your subjects would starve if subjected to such
+diet. They are formed by nature to be the garrison
+of the mountain-fortresses in which she has
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span>
+placed them;&mdash;for Heaven's sake meddle not with
+them, but follow forth your own nobler and more
+important objects, without stirring a nest of hornets,
+which, once in motion, may sting you into
+madness."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke had promised patience, and endeavoured
+to keep his word; but the swoln muscles
+of his face, and his flashing eyes, showed how
+painful to him it was to suppress his resentment.</p>
+
+<p>"You are misinformed, my lord," he said;
+"these men are not the inoffensive herdsmen and
+peasants you are pleased to suppose them. If they
+were, I might afford to despise them. But, flushed
+with some victories over the sluggish Austrians,
+they have shaken off all reverence for authority,
+assume airs of independence, form leagues, make
+inroads, storm towns, doom and execute men of
+noble birth at their pleasure.&mdash;Thou art dull, and
+look'st as if thou dost not apprehend me. To
+rouse thy English blood, and make thee sympathise
+with my feelings to these mountaineers,
+know that these Swiss are very Scots to my dominions
+in their neighbourhood; poor, proud,
+ferocious; easily offended, because they gain by
+war; ill to be appeased, because they nourish deep
+revenge; ever ready to seize the moment of advantage,
+and attack a neighbour when he is engaged
+in other affairs. The same unquiet, perfidious,
+and inveterate enemies that the Scots are to England,
+are the Swiss to Burgundy and to my allies.
+What say you? Can I undertake anything of consequence
+till I have crushed the pride of such a
+people? It will be but a few days' work. I will
+grasp the mountain-hedgehog, prickles and all,
+with my steel-gauntlet."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Your Grace will then have shorter work with
+them," replied the disguised nobleman, "than our
+English Kings have had with Scotland. The wars
+there have lasted so long, and proved so bloody,
+that wise men regret we ever began them."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said the Duke, "I will not dishonour
+the Scots by comparing them in all respects to
+these mountain-churls of the Cantons. The Scots
+have blood and gentry among them, and we have
+seen many examples of both; these Swiss are a
+mere brood of peasants, and the few gentlemen of
+birth they can boast must hide their distinction
+in the dress and manners of clowns. They will, I
+think, scarce stand against a charge of Hainaulters."</p>
+
+<p>"Not if the Hainaulters find ground to ride
+upon. But"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, to silence your scruples," said the Duke,
+interrupting him, "know, that these people encourage,
+by their countenance and aid, the formation
+of the most dangerous conspiracies in my
+dominions. Look here&mdash;I told you that my
+officer, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach, was murdered
+when the town of Brisach was treacherously taken
+by these harmless Switzers of yours. And here
+is a scroll of parchment, which announces that
+my servant was murdered by doom of the Vehme-gericht,
+a band of secret assassins, whom I will
+not permit to meet in any part of my dominions.
+Oh, could I but catch them above ground as they
+are found lurking below, they should know what
+the life of a nobleman is worth! Then, look at
+the insolence of their attestation."</p>
+
+<p>The scroll bore, with the day and date adjected,
+that judgment had been done on Archibald de
+Hagenbach, for tyranny, violence, and oppression,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span>
+by order of the Holy Vehme, and that it was
+executed by their officials, who were responsible
+for the same to their tribunal alone. It was countersigned
+in red ink, with the badges of the Secret
+Society, a coil of ropes and a drawn dagger.</p>
+
+<p>"This document I found stuck to my toilette
+with a knife," said the Duke; "another trick by
+which they give mystery to their murderous
+jugglery."</p>
+
+<p>The thought of what he had undergone in John
+Mengs's house, and reflections upon the extent
+and omnipresence of these Secret Associations,
+struck even the brave Englishman with an involuntary
+shudder.</p>
+
+<p>"For the sake of every saint in heaven," he
+said, "forbear, my lord, to speak of these tremendous
+societies, whose creatures are above, beneath,
+and around us. No man is secure of his life,
+however guarded, if it be sought by a man who is
+careless of his own. You are surrounded by Germans,
+Italians, and other strangers&mdash;How many
+amongst these may be bound by the secret ties
+which withdraw men from every other social bond,
+to unite them together in one inextricable though
+secret compact? Beware, noble Prince, of the
+situation on which your throne is placed, though
+it still exhibits all the splendour of power, and all
+the solidity of foundation that belongs to so august
+a structure. I&mdash;the friend of thy house&mdash;were
+it with my dying breath&mdash;must needs tell thee,
+that the Swiss hang like an avalanche over thy
+head; and the Secret Associations work beneath
+thee like the first throes of the coming earthquake.
+Provoke not the contest, and the snow will rest
+undisturbed on the mountain-side&mdash;the agitation
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span>
+of the subterranean vapours will be hushed to rest;
+but a single word of defiance, or one flash of indignant
+scorn, may call their terrors into instant
+action."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak," said the Duke, "with more awe of
+a pack of naked churls, and a band of midnight
+assassins, than I have seen you show for real
+danger. Yet I will not scorn your counsel&mdash;I
+will hear the Swiss envoys patiently, and I will
+not, if I can help it, show the contempt with
+which I cannot but regard their pretensions to
+treat as independent states. On the Secret Associations
+I will be silent, till time gives me the
+means of acting in combination with the Emperor,
+the Diet, and the Princes of the Empire, that they
+may be driven from all their burrows at once.&mdash;Ha,
+Sir Earl, said I well?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is well thought, my lord, but it may be unhappily
+spoken. You are in a position where one
+word overheard by a traitor might produce death
+and ruin."</p>
+
+<p>"I keep no traitors about me," said Charles.
+"If I thought there were such in my camp, I
+would rather die by them at once, than live in
+perpetual terror and suspicion."</p>
+
+<p>"Your Highness's ancient followers and servants,"
+said the Earl, "speak unfavourably of the
+Count of Campo-basso, who holds so high a rank
+in your confidence."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay," replied the Duke, with composure, "it
+is easy to decry the most faithful servant in a
+court by the unanimous hatred of all the others.
+I warrant me your bull-headed countryman,
+Colvin, has been railing against the Count like
+the rest of them, for Campo-basso sees nothing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span>
+amiss in any department but he reports it to me
+without fear or favour. And then his opinions
+are cast so much in the same mould with my own,
+that I can hardly get him to enlarge upon what he
+best understands, if it seems in any respect different
+from my sentiments. Add to this, a noble
+person, grace, gaiety, skill in the exercises of war,
+and in the courtly arts of peace&mdash;such is Campo-basso;
+and, being such, is he not a gem for a
+prince's cabinet?"</p>
+
+<p>"The very materials out of which a favourite is
+formed," answered the Earl of Oxford, "but something
+less adapted for making a faithful counsellor."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, thou mistrustful fool," said the Duke,
+"must I tell thee the very inmost secret respecting
+this man, Campo-basso, and will nothing short of
+it stay these imaginary suspicions which thy new
+trade of an itinerant merchant hath led thee to
+entertain so rashly?"</p>
+
+<p>"If your Highness honours me with your confidence,"
+said the Earl of Oxford, "I can only say
+that my fidelity shall deserve it."</p>
+
+<p>"Know, then, thou misbelieving mortal, that
+my good friend and brother, Louis of France, sent
+me private information through no less a person
+than his famous barber, Oliver le Diable, that
+Campo-basso had for a certain sum offered to put
+my person into his hands, alive or dead.&mdash;You
+start?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do indeed&mdash;recollecting your Highness's
+practice of riding out lightly armed, and with a
+very small attendance, to reconnoitre the ground
+and visit the outposts, and therefore how easily
+such a treacherous device might be carried into
+execution."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Pshaw!" answered the Duke.&mdash;"Thou seest
+the danger as if it were real, whereas nothing can
+be more certain than that, if my cousin of France
+had ever received such an offer, he would have
+been the last person to have put me on my guard
+against the attempt. No&mdash;he knows the value
+I set on Campo-basso's services, and forged the
+accusation to deprive me of them."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet, my lord," replied the English Earl,
+"your Highness, by my counsel, will not unnecessarily
+or impatiently fling aside your armour of
+proof, or ride without the escort of some score of
+your trusty Walloons."</p>
+
+<p>"Tush, man, thou wouldst make a carbonado of
+a fever-stirred wretch like myself, betwixt the
+bright iron and the burning sun. But I will be
+cautious though I jest thus&mdash;and you, young man,
+may assure my cousin, Margaret of Anjou, that I
+will consider her affairs as my own. And remember,
+youth, that the secrets of princes are fatal
+gifts, if he to whom they are imparted blaze them
+abroad; but if duly treasured up, they enrich the
+bearer. And thou shalt have cause to say so, if
+thou canst bring back with thee from Aix the deed
+of resignation of which thy father hath spoken.&mdash;Good-night&mdash;good-night!"</p>
+
+<p>He left the apartment.</p>
+
+<p>"You have just seen," said the Earl of Oxford
+to his son, "a sketch of this extraordinary prince,
+by his own pencil. It is easy to excite his ambition
+or thirst of power, but well-nigh impossible
+to limit him to the just measures by which it is
+most likely to be gratified. He is ever like the
+young archer, startled from his mark by some
+swallow crossing his eye, even careless as he
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span>
+draws the string. Now irregularly and offensively
+suspicious&mdash;now unreservedly lavish of his confidence&mdash;not
+long since the enemy of the line of
+Lancaster, and the ally of her deadly foe&mdash;now
+its last and only stay and hope. God mend all!&mdash;It
+is a weary thing to look on the game and see
+how it might be won, while we are debarred by
+the caprice of others from the power of playing
+it according to our own skill. How much must
+depend on the decision of Duke Charles upon the
+morrow, and how little do I possess the power of
+influencing him, either for his own safety or our
+advantage! Good-night, my son, and let us trust
+events to Him who alone can control them."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>My blood hath been too cold and temperate,</p>
+<p>Unapt to stir at these indignities,</p>
+<p>And you have found me; for, accordingly,</p>
+<p>You tread upon my patience.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Henry IV.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The dawn of morning roused the banished Earl
+of Oxford and his son, and its lights were scarce
+abroad on the eastern heaven, ere their host,
+Colvin, entered with an attendant, bearing some
+bundles, which he placed on the floor of the tent,
+and instantly retired. The officer of the Duke's
+ordnance then announced that he came with a
+message from the Duke of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>"His Highness," he said, "has sent four stout
+yeomen, with a commission of credence to my
+young master of Oxford, and an ample purse of
+gold, to furnish his expenses to Aix, and while
+his affairs may detain him there. Also a letter of
+credence to King René, to insure his reception,
+and two suits of honour for his use, as for an English
+gentleman, desirous to witness the festive
+solemnities of Provence, and in whose safety the
+Duke deigns to take deep interest. His further
+affairs there, if he hath any, his Highness recommends
+to him to manage with prudence and secrecy.
+His Highness hath also sent a couple of
+horses for his use,&mdash;one an ambling jennet for
+the road, and another a strong barbed horse of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span>
+Flanders, in case he hath aught to do. It will be
+fitting that my young master change his dress, and
+assume attire more near his proper rank. His
+attendants know the road, and have power, in case
+of need, to summon, in the Duke's name, assistance
+from all faithful Burgundians. I have but to
+add, the sooner the young gentleman sets forward,
+it will be the better sign of a successful journey."</p>
+
+<p>"I am ready to mount, the instant that I have
+changed my dress," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"And I," said his father, "have no wish to
+detain him on the service in which he is now
+employed. Neither he nor I will say more than
+God be with you. How and where we are to meet
+again, who can tell?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe," said Colvin, "that must rest on the
+motions of the Duke, which, perchance, are not
+yet determined upon; but his Highness depends
+upon your remaining with him, my noble lord, till
+the affairs of which you come to treat may be more
+fully decided. Something I have for your lordship's
+private ear, when your son hath parted on
+his journey."</p>
+
+<p>While Colvin was thus talking with his father,
+Arthur, who was not above half-dressed when he
+entered the tent, had availed himself of an obscure
+corner, in which he exchanged the plain garb belonging
+to his supposed condition as a merchant, for
+such a riding-suit as became a young man of some
+quality attached to the Court of Burgundy. It
+was not without a natural sensation of pleasure
+that the youth resumed an apparel suitable to his
+birth, and which no one was personally more fitted
+to become; but it was with much deeper feeling
+that he hastily, and as secretly as possible, flung
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span>
+round his neck, and concealed under the collar
+and folds of his ornamented doublet, a small thin
+chain of gold, curiously linked in what was called
+Morisco work. This was the contents of the
+parcel which Anne of Geierstein had indulged his
+feelings, and perhaps her own, by putting into his
+hands as they parted. The chain was secured by
+a slight plate of gold, on which a bodkin, or a
+point of a knife, had traced on the one side, in
+distinct though light characters, <span class="smcap">Adieu for ever!</span>
+while, on the reverse, there was much more obscurely
+traced, the word <span class="smcap">Remember!</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">A. von G.</span></p>
+
+<p>All who may read this are, have been, or will
+be, lovers; and there is none, therefore, who may
+not be able to comprehend why this token was
+carefully suspended around Arthur's neck, so that
+the inscription might rest on the region of his
+heart, without the interruption of any substance
+which could prevent the pledge from being agitated
+by every throb of that busy organ.</p>
+
+<p>This being hastily insured, a few minutes completed
+the rest of his toilette; and he kneeled before
+his father to ask his blessing, and his further
+commands for Aix.</p>
+
+<p>His father blessed him almost inarticulately,
+and then said, with recovered firmness, that he
+was already possessed of all the knowledge necessary
+for success on his mission.</p>
+
+<p>"When you can bring me the deeds wanted," he
+whispered with more firmness, "you will find me
+near the person of the Duke of Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>They went forth of the tent in silence, and
+found before it the four Burgundian yeomen, tall
+and active-looking men, ready mounted themselves,
+and holding two saddled horses&mdash;the one
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span>
+accoutred for war, the other a spirited jennet, for
+the purposes of the journey. One of them led a
+sumpter-horse, on which Colvin informed Arthur
+he would find the change of habit necessary when
+he should arrive at Aix; and at the same time
+delivered to him a heavy purse of gold.</p>
+
+<p>"Thiebault," he continued, pointing out the
+eldest of the attendant troopers, "may be trusted&mdash;I
+will be warrant for his sagacity and fidelity.
+The other three are picked men, who will not fear
+their skin-cutting."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur vaulted into the saddle with a sensation
+of pleasure, which was natural to a young cavalier
+who had not for many months felt a spirited horse
+beneath him. The lively jennet reared with impatience.
+Arthur, sitting firm on his seat, as if
+he had been a part of the animal, only said, "Ere
+we are long acquainted, thy spirit, my fair roan,
+will be something more tamed."</p>
+
+<p>"One word more, my son," said his father, and
+whispered in Arthur's ear, as he stooped from the
+saddle; "if you receive a letter from me, do not
+think yourself fully acquainted with the contents
+till the paper has been held opposite to a hot
+fire."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur bowed, and motioned to the elder trooper
+to lead the way, when all, giving rein to their
+horses, rode off through the encampment at a
+round pace, the young leader signing an adieu to
+his father and Colvin.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl stood like a man in a dream, following
+his son with his eyes, in a kind of reverie, which
+was only broken when Colvin said, "I marvel not,
+my lord, that you are anxious about my young master;
+he is a gallant youth, well worth a father's
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span>
+caring for, and the times we live in are both false
+and bloody."</p>
+
+<p>"God and St. Mary be my witness," said the
+Earl, "that if I grieve, it is not for my own house
+only;&mdash;if I am anxious, it is not for the sake of
+my own son alone;&mdash;but it is hard to risk a last
+stake in a cause so perilous.&mdash;What commands
+brought you from the Duke?"</p>
+
+<p>"His Grace," said Colvin, "will get on horseback
+after he has breakfasted. He sends you some
+garments, which, if not fitting your quality, are
+yet nearer to suitable apparel than those you now
+wear, and he desires that, observing your incognito
+as an English merchant of eminence, you will join
+him in his cavalcade to Dijon, where he is to
+receive the answer of the Estates of Burgundy concerning
+matters submitted to their consideration,
+and thereafter give public audience to the Deputies
+from Switzerland. His Highness has charged me
+with the care of finding you suitable accommodation
+during the ceremonies of the day, which, he
+thinks, you will, as a stranger, be pleased to look
+upon. But he probably told you all this himself,
+for I think you saw him last night in disguise&mdash;Nay,
+look as strange as you will&mdash;the Duke plays
+that trick too often to be able to do it with secrecy;
+the very horse-boys know him while he
+traverses the tents of the common soldiery, and
+sutler women give him the name of the spied spy.
+If it were only honest Harry Colvin who knew
+this, it should not cross his lips. But it is practised
+too openly, and too widely known. Come,
+noble lord, though I must teach my tongue to
+forego that courtesy, will you along to breakfast?"</p>
+
+<p>The meal, according to the practice of the time,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span>
+was a solemn and solid one; and a favoured officer
+of the Great Duke of Burgundy lacked no means,
+it may be believed, of rendering due hospitality to
+a guest having claims of such high respect. But
+ere the breakfast was over a clamorous flourish
+of trumpets announced that the Duke, with his
+attendants and retinue, were sounding to horse.
+Philipson, as he was still called, was, in the name
+of the Duke, presented with a stately charger, and
+with his host mingled in the splendid assembly
+which began to gather in front of the Duke's
+pavilion. In a few minutes the Prince himself
+issued forth, in the superb dress of the Order of
+the Golden Fleece, of which his father Philip
+had been the founder, and Charles was himself the
+patron and sovereign. Several of his courtiers
+were dressed in the same magnificent robes, and,
+with their followers and attendants, displayed so
+much wealth and splendour of appearance as to
+warrant the common saying that the Duke of
+Burgundy maintained the most magnificent court
+in Christendom. The officers of his household
+attended in their order, together with heralds and
+pursuivants, the grotesque richness of whose habits
+had a singular effect among those of the high
+clergy in their albes and dalmatiques, and of the
+knights and crown vassals who were arrayed in
+armour. Among these last, who were variously
+equipped, according to the different character of
+their service, rode Oxford, but in a peaceful habit,
+neither so plain as to be out of place amongst such
+splendour, nor so rich as to draw on him a special
+or particular degree of attention. He rode by the
+side of Colvin, his tall muscular figure and deep-marked
+features forming a strong contrast to the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span>
+rough, almost ignoble, cast of countenance, and
+stout thick-set form, of the less distinguished soldier
+of fortune.</p>
+
+<p>Ranged into a solemn procession, the rear of
+which was closed by a guard of two hundred
+picked arquebusiers, a description of soldiers who
+were just then coming into notice, and as many
+mounted men-at-arms, the Duke and his retinue,
+leaving the barriers of the camp, directed their
+march to the town, or rather city, of Dijon, in
+those days the capital of all Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>It was a town well secured with walls and
+ditches, which last were filled by means of a small
+river, named the Ousche, which combines its
+waters for that purpose with a torrent called
+Suzon. Four gates, with appropriate barbicans,
+outworks, and drawbridges, corresponded nearly to
+the cardinal points of the compass, and gave admission
+to the city. The number of towers, which
+stood high above its walls, and defended them at
+different angles, was thirty-three; and the walls
+themselves, which exceeded in most places the
+height of thirty feet, were built of stones hewn
+and squared, and were of great thickness. This
+stately city was surrounded on the outside with
+hills covered with vineyards, while from within
+its walls rose the towers of many noble buildings,
+both public and private, as well as the steeples of
+magnificent churches, and of well-endowed convents,
+attesting the wealth and devotion of the
+House of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>When the trumpets of the Duke's procession
+had summoned the burgher guard at the gate of St.
+Nicholas, the drawbridge fell, the portcullis rose,
+the people shouted joyously, the windows were
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span>
+hung with tapestry, and as, in the midst of his
+retinue, Charles himself came riding on a milk-white
+steed, attended only by six pages under
+fourteen years old, with each a gilded partisan in
+his hand, the acclamations with which he was
+received on all sides showed that, if some instances
+of misrule had diminished his popularity, enough
+of it remained to render his reception into his
+capital decorous at least, if not enthusiastic. It
+is probable that the veneration attached to his
+father's memory counteracted for a long time the
+unfavourable effect which some of his own actions
+were calculated to produce on the public mind.</p>
+
+<p>The procession halted before a large Gothic
+building in the centre of Dijon. This was then
+called Maison du Duc, as, after the union of Burgundy
+with France, it was termed Maison du Roy.
+The Maire of Dijon attended on the steps before
+this palace, accompanied by his official brethren,
+and escorted by a hundred able-bodied citizens, in
+black velvet cloaks, bearing half-pikes in their
+hands. The Maire kneeled to kiss the stirrup of
+the Duke, and at the moment when Charles descended
+from his horse every bell in the city commenced
+so thundering a peal, that they might
+almost have awakened the dead who slept in the
+vicinity of the steeples, which rocked with their
+clangour. Under the influence of this stunning
+peal of welcome, the Duke entered the great hall
+of the building, at the upper end of which were
+erected a throne for the sovereign, seats for his
+more distinguished officers of state and higher vassals,
+with benches behind for persons of less note.
+On one of these, but in a spot from which he
+might possess a commanding view of the whole
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span>
+assembly, as well as of the Duke himself, Colvin
+placed the noble Englishman; and Charles, whose
+quick stern eye glanced rapidly over the party
+when they were seated, seemed, by a nod so slight
+as to be almost imperceptible to those around him,
+to give his approbation of the arrangement adopted.</p>
+
+<p>When the Duke and his assistants were seated
+and in order, the Maire, again approaching, in the
+most humble manner, and kneeling on the lowest
+step of the ducal throne, requested to know if his
+Highness's leisure permitted him to hear the inhabitants
+of his capital express their devoted zeal
+to his person, and to accept the benevolence which,
+in the shape of a silver cup filled with gold pieces,
+he had the distinguished honour to place before
+his feet, in name of the citizens and community
+of Dijon.</p>
+
+<p>Charles, who at no time affected much courtesy,
+answered briefly and bluntly, with a voice which
+was naturally harsh and dissonant, "All things in
+their order, good Master Maire. Let us first hear
+what the Estates of Burgundy have to say to us.
+We will then listen to the burghers of Dijon."</p>
+
+<p>The Maire rose and retired, bearing in his hand
+the silver cup, and experiencing probably some
+vexation, as well as surprise, that its contents had
+not secured an instant and gracious acceptance.</p>
+
+<p>"I expected," said Duke Charles, "to have met
+at this hour and place our Estates of the duchy of
+Burgundy, or a deputation of them, with an answer
+to our message conveyed to them three days since
+by our chancellor. Is there no one here on their
+part?"</p>
+
+<p>The Maire, as none else made any attempt to
+answer, said that the members of the Estates had
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span>
+been in close deliberation the whole of that morning,
+and doubtless would instantly wait upon his
+Highness when they heard that he had honoured
+the town with his presence.</p>
+
+<p>"Go, Toison d'Or," said the Duke to the herald
+of the Order of the Golden Fleece,<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>
+ "bear to these
+gentlemen the tidings that we desire to know the
+end of their deliberations; and that neither in
+courtesy nor in loyalty can they expect us to wait
+long. Be round with them, Sir Herald, or we
+shall be as round with you."</p>
+
+<p>While the herald was absent on his mission, we
+may remind our readers that in all feudalised
+countries (that is to say, in almost all Europe
+during the Middle Ages) an ardent spirit of liberty
+pervaded the constitution; and the only fault that
+could be found was, that the privileges and freedom
+for which the great vassals contended did not
+sufficiently descend to the lower orders of society,
+or extend protection to those who were most likely
+to need it. The two first ranks in the estate, the
+nobles and clergy, enjoyed high and important
+privileges, and even the third estate, or citizens,
+had this immunity in peculiar, that no new duties,
+customs, or taxes of any kind could be exacted
+from them save by their own consent.</p>
+
+<p>The memory of Duke Philip, the father of
+Charles, was dear to the Burgundians; for during
+twenty years that sage prince had maintained his
+rank amongst the sovereigns of Europe with much
+dignity, and had accumulated treasure without
+exacting or receiving any great increase of supplies
+from the rich countries which he governed.
+But the extravagant schemes and immoderate expense
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span>
+of Duke Charles had already excited the suspicion
+of his Estates; and the mutual good-will
+betwixt the prince and people began to be exchanged
+for suspicion and distrust on the one
+side, and defiance on the other. The refractory
+disposition of the Estates had of late increased;
+for they had disapproved of various wars in
+which their Duke had needlessly embarked, and
+from his levying such large bodies of mercenary
+troops, they came to suspect he might finally
+employ the wealth voted to him by his subjects
+for the undue extension of his royal prerogative,
+and the destruction of the liberties of the people.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time, the Duke's uniform success
+in enterprises which appeared desperate as well
+as difficult, esteem for the frankness and openness
+of his character, and dread of the obstinacy and
+headstrong tendency of a temper which could seldom
+bear persuasion, and never endured opposition,
+still threw awe and terror around the throne,
+which was materially aided by the attachment of
+the common people to the person of the present
+Duke and to the memory of his father. It had
+been understood that upon the present occasion
+there was strong opposition amongst the Estates to
+the system of taxation proposed on the part of the
+Duke, and the issue was expected with considerable
+anxiety by the Duke's counsellors, and with
+fretful impatience by the sovereign himself.</p>
+
+<p>After a space of about ten minutes had elapsed,
+the Chancellor of Burgundy, who was Archbishop
+of Vienne, and a prelate of high rank, entered the
+hall with his train; and passing behind the ducal
+throne to occupy one of the most distinguished
+places in the assembly, he stopped for a moment
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span>
+to urge his master to receive the answer of his
+Estates in a private manner, giving him at the
+same time to understand that the result of the
+deliberations had been by no means satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>"By St. George of Burgundy, my Lord Archbishop,"
+answered the Duke, sternly and aloud,
+"we are not a prince of a mind so paltry that we
+need to shun the moody looks of a discontented
+and insolent faction. If the Estates of Burgundy
+send a disobedient and disloyal answer to our
+paternal message, let them deliver it in open
+court, that the assembled people may learn how
+to decide between their Duke and those petty yet
+intriguing spirits, who would interfere with our
+authority."</p>
+
+<p>The chancellor bowed gravely, and took his
+seat; while the English Earl observed, that most
+of the members of the assembly, excepting such as
+in doing so could not escape the Duke's notice,
+passed some observations to their neighbours,
+which were received with a half-expressed nod,
+shrug, or shake of the head, as men treat a proposal
+upon which it is dangerous to decide. At
+the same time, Toison d'Or, who acted as master
+of the ceremonies, introduced into the hall a
+committee of the Estates, consisting of twelve
+members, four from each branch of the Estates,
+announced as empowered to deliver the answer of
+that assembly to the Duke of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>When the deputation entered the hall, Charles
+arose from his throne, according to ancient custom,
+and taking from his head his bonnet, charged with
+a huge plume of feathers, "Health and welcome,"
+he said, "to my good subjects of the Estates of
+Burgundy!" All the numerous train of courtiers
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span>
+rose and uncovered their heads with the same ceremony.
+The members of the States then dropped
+on one knee, the four ecclesiastics, among whom
+Oxford recognised the Black Priest of St. Paul's,
+approaching nearest to the Duke's person, the
+nobles kneeling behind them, and the burgesses
+in the rear of the whole.</p>
+
+<p>"Noble Duke," said the Priest of St. Paul's,
+"will it best please you to hear the answer of your
+good and loyal Estates of Burgundy by the voice
+of one member speaking for the whole, or by three
+persons, each delivering the sense of the body to
+which he belongs?"</p>
+
+<p>"As you will," said the Duke of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>"A priest, a noble, and a free burgher," said
+the Churchman, still on one knee, "will address
+your Highness in succession. For though, blessed
+be the God who leads brethren to dwell together
+in unity! we are agreed in the general answer, yet
+each body of the Estates may have special and
+separate reasons to allege for the common opinion."</p>
+
+<p>"We will hear you separately," said Duke
+Charles, casting his hat upon his head, and throwing
+himself carelessly back into his seat. At the
+same time, all who were of noble blood, whether in
+the committee or amongst the spectators, vouched
+their right to be peers of their sovereign by assuming
+their bonnets; and a cloud of waving plumes
+at once added grace and dignity to the assembly.</p>
+
+<p>When the Duke resumed his seat, the deputation
+arose from their knees, and the Black Priest
+of St. Paul's, again stepping forth, addressed him
+in these words:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord Duke, your loyal and faithful clergy
+have considered your Highness's proposal to lay
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span>
+a talliage on your people, in order to make war
+on the confederate Cantons in the country of the
+Alps. The quarrel, my liege lord, seems to your
+clergy an unjust and oppressive one on your Highness's
+part; nor can they hope that God will bless
+those who arm in it. They are therefore compelled
+to reject your Highness's proposal."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke's eye lowered gloomily on the deliverer
+of this unpalatable message. He shook his
+head with one of those stern and menacing looks
+which the harsh composition of his features rendered
+them peculiarly qualified to express. "You
+have spoken, Sir Priest," was the only reply which
+he deigned to make.</p>
+
+<p>One of the four nobles, the Sire de Myrebeau,
+then expressed himself thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Your Highness has asked of your faithful
+nobles to consent to new imposts and exactions,
+to be levied through Burgundy, for the raising of
+additional bands of hired soldiers for the maintenance
+of the quarrels of the State. My lord, the
+swords of the Burgundian nobles, knights, and
+gentlemen have been ever at your Highness's command,
+as those of our ancestors have been readily
+wielded for your predecessors. In your Highness's
+just quarrel we will go farther, and fight firmer,
+than any hired fellows who can be procured,
+whether from France, or Germany, or Italy. We
+will not give our consent that the people should
+be taxed for paying mercenaries to discharge that
+military duty which it is alike our pride and our
+exclusive privilege to render."</p>
+
+<p>"You have spoken, Sire de Myrebeau," were
+again the only words of the Duke's reply. He
+uttered them slowly and with deliberation, as if
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span>
+afraid lest some phrase of imprudent violence
+should escape along with what he purposed to say.
+Oxford thought he cast a glance towards him before
+he spoke, as if the consciousness of his presence
+was some additional restraint on his passion.
+"Now, Heaven grant," he said to himself, "that
+this opposition may work its proper effect, and
+induce the Duke to renounce an imprudent attempt,
+so hazardous and so unnecessary!"</p>
+
+<p>While he muttered these thoughts, the Duke
+made a sign to one of the <i>tiers état</i>, or commons,
+to speak in his turn. The person who obeyed the
+signal was Martin Block, a wealthy butcher and
+grazier of Dijon. His words were these: "Noble
+Prince, our fathers were the dutiful subjects of
+your predecessors; we are the same to you; our
+children will be alike the liegemen of your successors.
+But, touching the request your chancellor
+has made to us, it is such as our ancestors
+never complied with; such as we are determined
+to refuse, and such as will never be conceded by
+the Estates of Burgundy, to any prince whatsoever,
+even to the end of time."</p>
+
+<p>Charles had borne with impatient silence the
+speeches of the two former orators, but this blunt
+and hardy reply of the third Estate excited him
+beyond what his nature could endure. He gave
+way to the impetuosity of his disposition, stamped
+on the floor till the throne shook, and the high
+vault rung over their heads, and overwhelmed the
+bold burgher with reproaches. "Beast of burden,"
+he said, "am I to be stunned with thy braying
+too? The nobles may claim leave to speak, for
+they can fight; the clergy may use their tongues,
+for it is their trade; but thou, that hast never
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span>
+shed blood, save that of bullocks, more stupid than
+thou art thyself&mdash;must thou and thy herd come
+hither, privileged, forsooth, to bellow at a prince's
+footstool? Know, brute as thou art, that steers
+are never introduced into temples but to be sacrificed,
+or butchers and mechanics brought before
+their sovereign, save that they may have the
+honour to supply the public wants from their own
+swelling hoards!"</p>
+
+<p>A murmur of displeasure, which even the terror
+of the Duke's wrath could not repress, ran through
+the audience at these words; and the burgher of
+Dijon, a sturdy plebeian, replied, with little reverence:
+"Our purses, my Lord Duke, are our own&mdash;we
+will not put the strings of them into your
+Highness's hands, unless we are satisfied with the
+purposes to which the money is to be applied; and
+we know well how to protect our persons and our
+goods against foreign ruffians and plunderers."</p>
+
+<p>Charles was on the point of ordering the deputy
+to be arrested, when, having cast his eye towards
+the Earl of Oxford, whose presence, in despite of
+himself, imposed a certain degree of restraint upon
+him, he exchanged that piece of imprudence for
+another.</p>
+
+<p>"I see," he said, addressing the committee of
+Estates, "that you are all leagued to disappoint
+my purposes, and doubtless to deprive me of all
+the power of a sovereign, save that of wearing a
+coronet, and being served on the knee like a second
+Charles the Simple, while the Estates of my kingdom
+divide the power among them. But you shall
+know that you have to do with Charles of Burgundy,
+a prince who, though he has deigned to
+consult you, is fully able to fight battles without
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span>
+the aid of his nobles, since they refuse him the
+assistance of their swords&mdash;to defray the expense
+without the help of his sordid burghers&mdash;and, it
+may be, to find out a path to heaven without the
+assistance of an ungrateful priesthood. I will
+show all that are here present how little my mind
+is affected, or my purpose changed, by your seditious
+reply to the message with which I honoured
+you.&mdash;Here, Toison d'Or, admit into our presence
+these men from the confederated towns and cantons,
+as they call themselves, of Switzerland."</p>
+
+<p>Oxford, and all who really interested themselves
+in the Duke's welfare, heard, with the
+utmost apprehension, his resolution to give an
+audience to the Swiss Envoys, prepossessed as he
+was against them, and in the moment when his
+mood was chafed to the uttermost by the refusal
+of the Estates to grant him supplies. They were
+aware that obstacles opposed to the current of his
+passion were like rocks in the bed of a river,
+whose course they cannot interrupt, while they
+provoke it to rage and foam. All were sensible
+that the die was cast, but none who were not
+endowed with more than mortal prescience could
+have imagined how deep was the pledge which
+depended upon it. Oxford, in particular, conceived
+that the execution of his plan of a descent
+upon England was the principal point compromised
+by the Duke in his rash obstinacy; but he suspected
+not&mdash;he dreamed not of supposing&mdash;that
+the life of Charles himself, and the independence
+of Burgundy as a separate kingdom, hung quivering
+in the same scales.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Why, 'tis a boisterous and cruel style,</p>
+<p>A style for challengers. Why, she defies us,</p>
+<p>Like Turk to Christian.</p>
+
+<p class="i10"><i>As You Like It.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The doors of the hall were now opened to the
+Swiss deputies, who for the preceding hour had
+been kept in attendance on the outside of the
+building, without receiving the slightest of those
+attentions which among civilised nations are universally
+paid to the representatives of a foreign
+State. Indeed, their very appearance, dressed in
+coarse grey frocks, like mountain hunters or shepherds,
+in the midst of an assembly blazing with
+divers-coloured garments, gold and silver lace,
+embroidery, and precious stones, served to confirm
+the idea that they could only have come hither in
+the capacity of the most humble petitioners.</p>
+
+<p>Oxford, however, who watched closely the deportment
+of his late fellow-travellers, failed not to
+observe that they retained each in his own person
+the character of firmness and indifference which
+formerly distinguished them. Rudolph Donnerhugel
+preserved his bold and haughty look; the
+Banneret, the military indifference which made
+him look with apparent apathy on all around
+him; the burgher of Soleure was as formal and
+important as ever; nor did any of the three show
+themselves affected in the slightest degree by
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span>
+the splendour of the scene around them, or embarrassed
+by the consideration of their own comparative
+inferiority of appointments. But the noble
+Landamman, on whom Oxford chiefly bent his
+attention, seemed overwhelmed with a sense of the
+precarious state in which his country was placed;
+fearing, from the rude and unhonoured manner in
+which they were received, that war was unavoidable,
+while, at the same time, like a good patriot,
+he mourned over the consequences of ruin to the
+freedom of his country by defeat, or injury to her
+simplicity and virtuous indifference of wealth, by
+the introduction of foreign luxuries and the evils
+attending on conquest.</p>
+
+<p>Well acquainted with the opinions of Arnold
+Biederman, Oxford could easily explain his sadness,
+while his comrade Bonstetten, less capable
+of comprehending his friend's feelings, looked at
+him with the expression which may be seen in the
+countenance of a faithful dog, when the creature
+indicates sympathy with his master's melancholy,
+though unable to ascertain or appreciate its cause.
+A look of wonder now and then glided around the
+splendid assembly on the part of all the forlorn
+group, excepting Donnerhugel and the Landamman;
+for the indomitable pride of the one, and
+the steady patriotism of the other, could not for
+even an instant be diverted by external objects
+from their own deep and stern reflections.</p>
+
+<p>After a silence of nearly five minutes, the Duke
+spoke, with the haughty and harsh manner which
+he might imagine belonged to his place, and which
+certainly expressed his character.</p>
+
+<p>"Men of Berne, of Schwitz, or of whatever
+hamlet and wilderness you may represent, know
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span>
+that we had not honoured you, rebels as you are
+to the dominion of your lawful superiors, with an
+audience in our own presence, but for the intercession
+of a well-esteemed friend, who has sojourned
+among your mountains, and whom you may know
+by the name of Philipson, an Englishman, following
+the trade of a merchant, and charged with certain
+valuable matters of traffic to our court. To his
+intercession we have so far given way, that instead
+of commanding you, according to your demerits,
+to the gibbet and the wheel in the Place de Morimont,
+we have condescended to receive you into
+our own presence, sitting in our <i>cour plénière</i>, to
+hear from you such submission as you can offer for
+your outrageous storm of our town of La Ferette,
+the slaughter of many of our liegemen, and the
+deliberate murder of the noble knight, Archibald
+of Hagenbach, executed in your presence, and by
+your countenance and device. Speak&mdash;if you can
+say aught in defence of your felony and treason,
+either to deprecate just punishment, or crave
+undeserved mercy."</p>
+
+<p>The Landamman seemed about to answer; but
+Rudolph Donnerhugel, with his characteristic
+boldness and hardihood, took the task of reply on
+himself. He confronted the proud Duke with an
+eye unappalled, and a countenance as stern as his
+own.</p>
+
+<p>"We came not here," he said, "to compromise
+our own honour, or the dignity of the free people
+whom we represent, by pleading guilty in their
+name, or our own, to crimes of which we are innocent.
+And when you term us rebels, you must
+remember, that a long train of victories, whose
+history is written in the noblest blood of Austria,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span>
+has restored to the confederacy of our communities
+the freedom of which an unjust tyranny in vain
+attempted to deprive us. While Austria was a
+just and beneficent mistress, we served her with
+our lives;&mdash;when she became oppressive and
+tyrannical, we assumed independence. If she has
+aught yet to claim from us, the descendants of
+Tell, Faust, and Stauffacher will be as ready to
+assert their liberties as their fathers were to gain
+them. Your Grace&mdash;if such be your title&mdash;has
+no concern with any dispute betwixt us and
+Austria. For your threats of gibbet and wheel,
+we are here defenceless men, on whom you may
+work your pleasure; but we know how to die, and
+our countrymen know how to avenge us."</p>
+
+<p>The fiery Duke would have replied by commanding
+the instant arrest, and probably the
+immediate execution, of the whole deputation.
+But his chancellor, availing himself of the privilege
+of his office, rose, and, doffing his cap with a
+deep reverence to the Duke, requested leave to
+reply to the misproud young man, who had, he
+said, so greatly mistaken the purpose of his Highness's
+speech.</p>
+
+<p>Charles, feeling perhaps at the moment too
+much irritated to form a calm decision, threw
+himself back in his chair of state, and with an
+impatient and angry nod gave his chancellor permission
+to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Young man," said that high officer, "you have
+mistaken the meaning of the high and mighty sovereign
+in whose presence you stand. Whatever be
+the lawful rights of Austria over the revolted villages
+which have flung off their allegiance to their
+native superior, we have no call to enter on that
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span>
+argument. But that for which Burgundy demands
+your answer is, wherefore, coming here in the
+guise, and with the character, of peaceful envoys,
+on affairs touching your own communities and the
+rights of the Duke's subjects, you have raised war
+in our peaceful dominions, stormed a fortress,
+massacred its garrison, and put to death a noble
+knight, its commander?&mdash;all of them actions contrary
+to the law of nations, and highly deserving
+of the punishment with which you have been justly
+threatened, but with which I hope our gracious
+sovereign will dispense, if you express some sufficient
+reason for such outrageous insolence, with an
+offer of due submission to his Highness's pleasure,
+and satisfactory reparation for such a high injury."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a priest, grave sir?" answered Rudolph
+Donnerhugel, addressing the Chancellor of
+Burgundy. "If there be a soldier in this assembly
+who will avouch your charge, I challenge him to
+the combat, man to man. We did not storm the
+garrison of La Ferette&mdash;we were admitted into
+the gates in a peaceful manner, and were there
+instantly surrounded by the soldiers of the late
+Archibald de Hagenbach, with the obvious purpose
+of assaulting and murdering us on our peaceful
+mission. I promise you there had been news of
+more men dying than us. But an uproar broke
+out among the inhabitants of the town, assisted, I
+believe, by many neighbours, to whom the insolence
+and oppression of Archibald de Hagenbach
+had become odious, as to all who were within his
+reach. We rendered them no assistance; and, I
+trust, it was not expected that we should interfere
+in the favour of men who had stood prepared to do
+the worst against us. But not a pike or sword
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span>
+belonging to us or our attendants was dipped in
+Burgundian blood. Archibald de Hagenbach perished,
+it is true, on a scaffold, and I saw him die
+with pleasure, under a sentence pronounced by a
+competent court, such as is recognised in Westphalia,
+and its dependencies on this side of the
+Rhine. I am not obliged to vindicate their proceedings;
+but I aver, that the Duke has received
+full proof of his regular sentence; and, in fine,
+that it was amply deserved by oppression, tyranny,
+and foul abuse of his authority, I will uphold
+against all gainsayers, with the body of a man.
+There lies my glove."</p>
+
+<p>And, with an action suited to the language he
+used, the stern Swiss flung his right-hand glove
+on the floor of the hall. In the spirit of the age,
+with the love of distinction in arms which it
+nourished, and perhaps with the desire of gaining
+the Duke's favour, there was a general motion
+among the young Burgundians to accept the challenge,
+and more than six or eight gloves were
+hastily doffed by the young knights present, those
+who were more remote flinging them over the heads
+of the nearest, and each proclaiming his name and
+title as he proffered the gage of combat.</p>
+
+<p>"I set at all," said the daring young Swiss,
+gathering the gauntlets as they fell clashing around
+him. "More, gentlemen, more! a glove for every
+finger! come on, one at once&mdash;fair lists, equal
+judges of the field, the combat on foot, and the
+weapons two-handed swords, and I will not budge
+for a score of you."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><a name="i205" id="i205"></a>
+<img src="images/i-205.jpg" width="374" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">THE DEFIANCE.<br />
+
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>"Hold, gentlemen! on your allegiance, hold!"
+said the Duke, gratified at the same time, and
+somewhat appeased, by the zeal which was displayed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span>
+in his cause&mdash;moved by the strain of reckless
+bravery evinced by the challenger, with a
+hardihood akin to his own&mdash;perhaps also not unwilling
+to display, in the view of his <i>cour plénière</i>,
+more temperance than he had been at first capable
+of. "Hold, I command you all.&mdash;Toison d'Or,
+gather up these gauntlets, and return them each to
+his owner. God and St. George forbid that we
+should hazard the life of even the least of our
+noble Burgundian gentry against such a churl as
+this Swiss peasant, who never so much as mounted
+a horse, and knows not a jot of knightly courtesy,
+or the grace of chivalry.&mdash;Carry your vulgar
+brawls elsewhere, young man, and know that, on
+the present occasion, the Place Morimont were your
+only fitting lists, and the hangman your meet
+antagonist. And you, sirs, his companions&mdash;whose
+behaviour in suffering this swaggerer to
+take the lead amongst you seems to show that the
+laws of nature, as well as of society, are inverted,
+and that youth is preferred to age, as gentry to
+peasants&mdash;you white-bearded men, I say, is there
+none of you who can speak your errand in such
+language as it becomes a sovereign prince to listen
+to?"</p>
+
+<p>"God forbid else," said the Landamman, stepping
+forward and silencing Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+who was commencing an answer of defiance&mdash;"God
+forbid," he said, "noble Duke, that we
+should not be able to speak so as to be understood
+before your Highness, since, I trust, we shall
+speak the language of truth, peace, and justice.
+Nay, should it incline your Highness to listen to
+us the more favourably for our humility, I am
+willing to humble myself rather than you should
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span>
+shun to hear us. For my own part, I can truly
+say that, though I have lived, and by free choice
+have resolved to die, a husbandman and a hunter
+on the Alps of the Unterwald, I may claim by
+birth the hereditary right to speak before Dukes
+and Kings, and the Emperor himself. There is
+no one, my Lord Duke, in this proud assembly,
+who derives his descent from a nobler source than
+Geierstein."</p>
+
+<p>"We have heard of you," said the Duke.
+"Men call you the peasant-count. Your birth is
+your shame; or perhaps your mother's, if your
+father had happened to have a handsome ploughman,
+the fitting father of one who has become a
+willing serf."</p>
+
+<p>"No serf, my lord," answered the Landamman,
+"but a freeman, who will neither oppress others
+nor be himself tyrannised over. My father was
+a noble lord, my mother a most virtuous lady.
+But I will not be provoked, by taunt or scornful
+jest, to refrain from stating with calmness what
+my country has given me in charge to say. The
+inhabitants of the bleak and inhospitable regions
+of the Alps desire, mighty sir, to remain at peace
+with all their neighbours, and to enjoy the government
+they have chosen, as best fitted to their
+condition and habits, leaving all other states and
+countries to their free-will in the same respects.
+Especially, they desire to remain at peace and in
+unity with the princely House of Burgundy, whose
+dominions approach their possessions on so many
+points. My lord, they desire it, they entreat it,
+they even consent to pray for it. We have been
+termed stubborn, intractable, and insolent contemners
+of authority, and headers of sedition and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span>
+rebellion. In evidence of the contrary, my Lord
+Duke, I, who never bent a knee but to Heaven,
+feel no dishonour in kneeling before your Highness,
+as before a sovereign prince in the <i>cour
+plénière</i> of his dominions, where he has a right to
+exact homage from his subjects out of duty, and
+from strangers out of courtesy. No vain pride of
+mine," said the noble old man, his eyes swelling
+with tears, as he knelt on one knee, "shall prevent
+me from personal humiliation, when peace&mdash;that
+blessed peace, so dear to God, so inappreciably
+valuable to man&mdash;is in danger of being broken
+off."</p>
+
+<p>The whole assembly, even the Duke himself,
+were affected by the noble and stately manner in
+which the brave old man made a genuflection,
+which was obviously dictated by neither meanness
+nor timidity. "Arise, sir," said Charles; "if we
+have said aught which can wound your private
+feelings, we retract it as publicly as the reproach
+was spoken, and sit prepared to hear you, as a
+fair-meaning envoy."</p>
+
+<p>"For that, my noble lord, thanks; and I shall
+hold it a blessed day, if I can find words worthy
+of the cause I have to plead. My lord, a schedule
+in your Highness's hands has stated the sense of
+many injuries received at the hand of your Highness's
+officers, and those of Romont, Count of
+Savoy, your strict ally and adviser, we have a
+right to suppose, under your Highness's countenance.
+For Count Romont&mdash;he has already felt
+with whom he has to contend; but we have as
+yet taken no measures to avenge injuries, affronts,
+interruptions to our commerce, from those
+who have availed themselves of your Highness's
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span>
+authority to intercept our countrymen, spoil our
+goods, impress their persons, and even, in some
+instances, take their lives. The affray at La
+Ferette&mdash;I can vouch for what I saw&mdash;had no
+origin or abettance from us; nevertheless, it is
+impossible an independent nation can suffer the
+repetition of such injuries, and free and independent
+we are determined to remain, or to die in
+defence of our rights. What then must follow,
+unless your Highness listens to the terms which
+I am commissioned to offer? War, a war to extermination;
+for so long as one of our Confederacy
+can wield a halberd, so long, if this fatal strife
+once commences, there will be war betwixt your
+powerful realms and our poor and barren States.
+And what can the noble Duke of Burgundy gain
+by such a strife? Is it wealth and plunder?
+Alas, my lord, there is more gold and silver on
+the very bridle-bits of your Highness's household
+troops than can be found in the public treasures or
+private hoards of our whole Confederacy. Is it
+fame and glory you aspire to? There is little
+honour to be won by a numerous army over a
+few scattered bands, by men clad in mail over
+half-armed husbandmen and shepherds&mdash;of such
+conquest small were the glory. But if, as all
+Christian men believe, and as it is the constant
+trust of my countrymen, from memory of the
+times of our fathers,&mdash;if the Lord of Hosts should
+cast the balance in behalf of the fewer numbers
+and worse-armed party, I leave it with your Highness
+to judge what would, in that event, be the
+diminution of worship and fame. Is it extent of
+vassalage and dominion your Highness desires, by
+warring with your mountain neighbours? Know
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span>
+that you may, if it be God's will, gain our barren
+and rugged mountains; but, like our ancestors
+of old, we will seek refuge in wilder and more
+distant solitudes, and, when we have resisted to
+the last, we will starve in the icy wastes of the
+glaciers. Ay, men, women, and children, we will
+be frozen into annihilation together, ere one free
+Switzer will acknowledge a foreign master."</p>
+
+<p>The speech of the Landamman made an obvious
+impression on the assembly. The Duke observed
+it, and his hereditary obstinacy was irritated by
+the general disposition which he saw entertained
+in favour of the ambassador. This evil principle
+overcame some impression which the address of
+the noble Biederman had not failed to make upon
+him. He answered with a lowering brow, interrupting
+the old man as he was about to continue
+his speech,&mdash;"You argue falsely, Sir Count, or
+Sir Landamman, or by whatever name you call
+yourself, if you think we war on you from any
+hope of spoil, or any desire of glory. We know as
+well as you can tell us that there is neither profit
+nor fame to be achieved by conquering you. But
+sovereigns, to whom Heaven has given the power,
+must root out a band of robbers, though there is
+dishonour in measuring swords with them; and
+we hunt to death a herd of wolves, though their
+flesh is carrion, and their skins are naught."</p>
+
+<p>The Landamman shook his grey head, and replied,
+without testifying emotion, and even with
+something approaching to a smile,&mdash;"I am an
+older woodsman than you, my Lord Duke&mdash;and,
+it may be, a more experienced one. The boldest,
+the hardiest hunter, will not safely drive the wolf
+to his den. I have shown your Highness the poor
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span>
+chance of gain, and the great risk of loss, which
+even you, powerful as you are, must incur by
+risking a war with determined and desperate men.
+Let me now tell what we are willing to do to
+secure a sincere and lasting peace with our powerful
+neighbour of Burgundy. Your Grace is in the
+act of engrossing Lorraine, and it seems probable,
+under so vigorous and enterprising a Prince, your
+authority may be extended to the shores of the
+Mediterranean&mdash;be our noble friend and sincere
+ally, and our mountains, defended by warriors
+familiar with victory, will be your barriers against
+Germany and Italy. For your sake we will admit
+the Count of Savoy to terms, and restore to him
+our conquests, on such conditions as your Highness
+shall yourself judge reasonable. Of past subjects
+of offence on the part of your lieutenants and
+governors upon the frontier we will be silent, so
+we have assurance of no such aggressions in future.
+Nay, more, and it is my last and proudest offer,
+we will send three thousand of our youth to assist
+your Highness in any war which you may engage
+in, whether against Louis of France or the Emperor
+of Germany. They are a different set of men&mdash;proudly
+and truly may I state it&mdash;from the scum
+of Germany and Italy, who form themselves into
+mercenary bands of soldiers. And, if Heaven
+should decide your Highness to accept our offer,
+there will be one corps in your army which will
+leave their carcasses on the field ere a man of them
+break their plighted troth."</p>
+
+<p>A swarthy but tall and handsome man, wearing
+a corselet richly engraved with arabesque work,
+started from his seat with the air of one provoked
+beyond the bounds of restraint. This was the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span>
+Count de Campo-basso, commander of Charles's
+Italian mercenaries, who possessed, as has been
+alluded to, much influence over the Duke's mind,
+chiefly obtained by accommodating himself to his
+master's opinions and prejudices, and placing before
+the Duke specious arguments to justify him
+for following his own way.</p>
+
+<p>"This lofty presence must excuse me," he said,
+"if I speak in defence of my honour, and those of
+my bold lances, who have followed my fortunes
+from Italy to serve the bravest Prince in Christendom.
+I might, indeed, pass over without
+resentment the outrageous language of this grey-haired
+churl, whose words cannot affect a knight
+and a nobleman more than the yelling of a peasant's
+mastiff. But when I hear him propose to
+associate his bands of mutinous misgoverned ruffians
+with your Highness's troops, I must let him
+know that there is not a horse-boy in my ranks
+who would fight in such fellowship. No, even I
+myself, bound by a thousand ties of gratitude,
+could not submit to strive abreast with such
+comrades. I would fold up my banners, and lead
+five thousand men to seek,&mdash;not a nobler master,
+for the world has none such,&mdash;but wars in
+which we might not be obliged to blush for our
+assistants."</p>
+
+<p>"Silence, Campo-basso!" said the Duke, "and
+be assured you serve a prince who knows your
+worth too well to exchange it for the untried and
+untrustful services of those whom we have only
+known as vexatious and malignant neighbours."</p>
+
+<p>Then, addressing himself to Arnold Biederman,
+he said coldly and sternly, "Sir Landamman, we
+have heard you fairly. We have heard you,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span>
+although you come before us with hands dyed deep
+in the blood of our servant, Sir Archibald de
+Hagenbach; for, supposing he was murdered by a
+villanous association,&mdash;which, by St. George! shall
+never, while we live and reign, raise its pestilential
+head on this side of the Rhine,&mdash;yet it is not
+the less undeniable and undenied, that you stood
+by in arms, and encouraged the deed the assassins
+performed under your countenance. Return to
+your mountains, and be thankful that you return
+in life. Tell those who sent you that I will be
+presently on their frontiers. A deputation of your
+most notable persons, who meet me with halters
+round their necks, torches in their left hands, in
+their right their swords held by the point, may
+learn on what conditions we will grant you
+peace."</p>
+
+<p>"Then farewell peace, and welcome war," said
+the Landamman; "and be its plagues and curses
+on the heads of those who choose blood and strife
+rather than peace and union. We will meet you
+on our frontiers with our naked swords, but the
+hilts, not their points, shall be in our grasp.
+Charles of Burgundy, Flanders, and Lorraine,
+Duke of seven dukedoms, Count of seventeen earldoms,
+I bid you defiance; and declare war against
+you in the name of the confederated Cantons, and
+such others as shall adhere to them. There," he
+said, "are my letters of defiance."</p>
+
+<p>The herald took from Arnold Biederman the
+fatal denunciation.</p>
+
+<p>"Read it not, Toison d'Or!" said the haughty
+Duke. "Let the executioner drag it through the
+streets at his horse's tail, and nail it to the gibbet,
+to show in what account we hold the paltry scroll,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span>
+and those who sent it.&mdash;Away, sirs!" speaking
+to the Swiss. "Trudge back to your wildernesses
+with such haste as your feet can use. When we
+next meet, you shall better know whom you have
+offended.&mdash;Get our horse ready&mdash;the council is
+broken up."</p>
+
+<p>The Maire of Dijon, when all were in motion to
+leave the hall, again approached the Duke, and
+timidly expressed some hopes that his Highness
+would deign to partake of a banquet which the
+magistracy had prepared, in expectation he might
+do them such an honour.</p>
+
+<p>"No, by St. George of Burgundy, Sir Maire,"
+said Charles, with one of the withering glances by
+which he was wont to express indignation mixed
+with contempt,&mdash;"you have not pleased us so
+well with our breakfast as to induce us to trust
+our dinner to the loyalty of our good town of
+Dijon."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he rudely turned off from the mortified
+chief magistrate, and, mounting his horse,
+rode back to his camp, conversing earnestly on
+the way with the Count of Campo-basso.</p>
+
+<p>"I would offer you dinner, my Lord of Oxford,"
+said Colvin to that nobleman, when he alighted at
+his tent, "but I foresee, ere you could swallow a
+mouthful, you will be summoned to the Duke's
+presence; for it is our Charles's way, when he has
+fixed on a wrong course, to wrangle with his
+friends and counsellors, in order to prove it is a
+right one. Marry, he always makes a convert of
+yon supple Italian."</p>
+
+<p>Colvin's augury was speedily realised; for a
+page almost immediately summoned the English
+merchant, Philipson, to attend the Duke. Without
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span>
+waiting an instant, Charles poured forth an
+incoherent tide of reproaches against the Estates of
+his dukedom, for refusing him their countenance
+in so slight a matter, and launched out in explanations
+of the necessity which he alleged there was
+for punishing the audacity of the Swiss. "And
+thou too, Oxford," he concluded, "art such an impatient
+fool as to wish me to engage in a distant
+war with England, and transport forces over the
+sea, when I have such insolent mutineers to chastise
+on my own frontiers?"</p>
+
+<p>When he was at length silent, the English Earl
+laid before him, with respectful earnestness, the
+danger that appeared to be involved in engaging
+with a people, poor indeed, but universally dreaded,
+from their discipline and courage, and that under
+the eye of so dangerous a rival as Louis of France,
+who was sure to support the Duke's enemies underhand,
+if he did not join them openly. On this
+point the Duke's resolution was immovable. "It
+shall never," he said, "be told of me, that I
+uttered threats which I dared not execute. These
+boors have declared war against me, and they
+shall learn whose wrath it is that they have wantonly
+provoked; but I do not, therefore, renounce
+thy scheme, my good Oxford. If thou canst procure
+me this same cession of Provence, and induce
+old René to give up the cause of his grandson,
+Ferrand of Vaudemont, in Lorraine, thou wilt
+make it well worth my while to send thee brave
+aid against my brother Blackburn, who, while he
+is drinking healths pottle-deep in France, may
+well come to lose his lands in England. And be
+not impatient because I cannot at this very instant
+send men across the seas. The march which I am
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span>
+making towards Neufchatel, which is, I think,
+the nearest point where I shall find these churls,
+will be but like a morning's excursion. I trust
+you will go with us, old companion. I should
+like to see if you have forgotten, among yonder
+mountains, how to back a horse and lay a lance
+in rest."</p>
+
+<p>"I will wait on your Highness," said the Earl,
+"as is my duty, for my motions must depend on
+your pleasure. But I will not carry arms, especially
+against those people of Helvetia, from whom
+I have experienced hospitality, unless it be for my
+own personal defence."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied the Duke, "e'en be it so; we
+shall have in you an excellent judge, to tell us
+who best discharges his devoir against the mountain
+clowns."</p>
+
+<p>At this point in the conversation there was a
+knocking at the entrance of the pavilion, and the
+Chancellor of Burgundy presently entered, in great
+haste and anxiety. "News, my lord&mdash;news of
+France and England," said the prelate, and then,
+observing the presence of a stranger, he looked at
+the Duke, and was silent.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a faithful friend, my Lord Bishop," said
+the Duke; "you may tell your news before him."</p>
+
+<p>"It will soon be generally known," said the
+chancellor. "Louis and Edward are fully accorded."
+Both the Duke and the English Earl
+started.</p>
+
+<p>"I expected this," said the Duke, "but not so
+soon."</p>
+
+<p>"The Kings have met," answered his minister.</p>
+
+<p>"How&mdash;in battle?" said Oxford, forgetting
+himself in his extreme eagerness.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The chancellor was somewhat surprised, but as
+the Duke seemed to expect him to give an answer,
+he replied, "No, Sir Stranger&mdash;not in battle, but
+upon appointment, and in peace and amity."</p>
+
+<p>"The sight must have been worth seeing," said
+the Duke; "when the old fox Louis, and my
+brother Black&mdash;I mean my brother Edward&mdash;met.
+Where held they their rendezvous?"</p>
+
+<p>"On a bridge over the Seine, at Picquigny."</p>
+
+<p>"I would thou hadst been there," said the Duke,
+looking to Oxford, "with a good axe in thy hand,
+to strike one fair blow for England, and another
+for Burgundy. My grandfather was treacherously
+slain at just such a meeting, at the Bridge of
+Montereau, upon the Yonne."</p>
+
+<p>"To prevent a similar chance," said the chancellor,
+"a strong barricade, such as closes the cages
+in which men keep wild beasts, was raised in the
+midst of the bridge, and prevented the possibility
+of their even touching each other's hands."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha! By St. George, that smells of Louis's
+craft and caution; for the Englishman, to give
+him his due, is as little acquainted with fear as
+with policy. But what terms have they made?
+Where do the English army winter? What towns,
+fortresses, and castles are surrendered to them, in
+pledge, or in perpetuity?"</p>
+
+<p>"None, my liege," said the chancellor. "The
+English army returns into England, as fast as
+shipping can be procured to transport them; and
+Louis will accommodate them with every sail and
+oar in his dominions, rather than they should not
+instantly evacuate France."</p>
+
+<p>"And by what concessions has Louis bought a
+peace so necessary to his affairs?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"By fair words," said the chancellor, "by liberal
+presents, and by some five hundred tuns of wine."</p>
+
+<p>"Wine!" exclaimed the Duke. "Heardst thou
+ever the like, Seignor Philipson? Why, your
+countrymen are little better than Esau, who sold
+his birthright for a mess of pottage. Marry, I
+must confess I never saw an Englishman who
+loved a dry-lipped bargain."</p>
+
+<p>"I can scarce believe this news," said the Earl
+of Oxford. "If this Edward were content to cross
+the sea with fifty thousand Englishmen merely to
+return again, there are in his camp both proud
+nobles and haughty commons enough to resist his
+disgraceful purpose."</p>
+
+<p>"The money of Louis," said the statesman, "has
+found noble hands willing to clutch it. The wine
+of France has flooded every throat in the English
+army&mdash;the riot and uproar was unbounded&mdash;and
+at one time the town of Amiens, where Louis
+himself resided, was full of so many English
+archers, all of them intoxicated, that the person of
+the King of France was almost in their hands.
+Their sense of national honour has been lost in
+the universal revel, and those amongst them who
+would be more dignified and play the wise politicians
+say, that having come to France by connivance
+of the Duke of Burgundy, and that prince
+having failed to join them with his forces, they
+have done well, wisely, and gallantly, considering
+the season of the year, and the impossibility of
+obtaining quarters, to take tribute of France, and
+return home in triumph."</p>
+
+<p>"And leave Louis," said Oxford, "at undisturbed
+freedom to attack Burgundy with all his
+forces?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Not so, friend Philipson," said Duke Charles;
+"know, that there is a truce betwixt Burgundy
+and France for the space of seven years, and had
+not this been granted and signed, it is probable
+that we might have found some means of marring
+the treaty betwixt Edward and Louis, even at the
+expense of affording those voracious islanders beef
+and beer during the winter months.&mdash;Sir Chancellor,
+you may leave us, but be within reach of a
+hasty summons."</p>
+
+<p>When his minister left the pavilion, the Duke,
+who with his rude and imperious character united
+much kindness, if it could not be termed generosity
+of disposition, came up to the Lancastrian
+lord, who stood like one at whose feet a thunderbolt
+has just broken, and who is still appalled by
+the terrors of the shock.</p>
+
+<p>"My poor Oxford," he said, "thou art stupefied
+by this news, which thou canst not doubt must
+have a fatal effect on the plan which thy brave
+bosom cherishes with such devoted fidelity. I
+would for thy sake I could have detained the English
+a little longer in France; but had I attempted
+to do so, there were an end of my truce with Louis,
+and of course to my power to chastise these paltry
+Cantons, or send forth an expedition to England.
+As matters stand, give me but a week to punish
+these mountaineers, and you shall have a larger
+force than your modesty has requested of me for
+your enterprise; and, in the meanwhile, I will
+take care that Blackburn and his cousin-archers
+have no assistance of shipping from Flanders.
+Tush, man, never fear it&mdash;thou wilt be in England
+long ere they; and, once more, rely on my
+assistance&mdash;always, thou knowest, the cession of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span>
+Provence being executed, as in reason. Our cousin
+Margaret's diamonds we must keep for a time;
+and perhaps they may pass as a pledge, with some
+of our own, for the godly purpose of setting at
+freedom the imprisoned angels of our Flemish
+usurers, who will not lend even to their sovereign,
+unless on good current security. To such straits
+has the disobedient avarice of our Estates for the
+moment reduced us."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! my lord," said the dejected nobleman,
+"I were ungrateful to doubt the sincerity of your
+good intentions. But who can presume on the
+events of war, especially when time presses for
+instant decision? You are pleased to trust me.
+Let your Highness extend your confidence thus
+far: I will take my horse, and ride after the Landamman,
+if he hath already set forth. I have
+little doubt to make such an accommodation with
+him that you may be secure on all your south-eastern
+frontiers. You may then with security
+work your will in Lorraine and Provence."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not speak of it," said the Duke, sharply;
+"thou forget'st thyself and me, when thou supposest
+that a prince, who has pledged his word to
+his people, can recall it like a merchant chaffering
+for his paltry wares. Go to&mdash;we will assist you,
+but we will be ourselves judge of the time and
+manner. Yet, having both kind will to our distressed
+cousin of Anjou, and being your good
+friend, we will not linger in the matter. Our
+host have orders to break up this evening and
+direct their march against Neufchatel, where these
+proud Swiss shall have a taste of the fire and
+sword which they have provoked."</p>
+
+<p>Oxford sighed deeply, but made no further
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span>
+remonstrance; in which he acted wisely, since it
+was likely to have exasperated the fiery temper
+of the sovereign to whom it was addressed, while
+it was certain that it would not in the slightest
+degree alter his resolution.</p>
+
+<p>He took farewell of the Duke, and returned to
+Colvin, whom he found immersed in the business
+of his department, and preparing for the removal
+of the artillery&mdash;an operation which the clumsiness
+of the ordnance, and the execrable state of
+the roads, rendered at that time a much more
+troublesome operation than at present, though it
+is even still one of the most laborious movements
+attending the march of an army. The Master of
+the Ordnance welcomed Oxford with much glee,
+and congratulated himself on the distinguished
+honour of enjoying his company during the campaign,
+and acquainted him that, by the especial
+command of the Duke, he had made fitting preparations
+for his accommodation, suitable to the
+disguised character which he meant to maintain,
+but in every other respect as convenient as a camp
+could admit of.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>A mirthful man he was&mdash;the snows of age</p>
+<p>Fell, but they did not chill him. Gaiety,</p>
+<p>Even in life's closing, touch'd his teeming brain</p>
+<p>With such wild visions as the setting sun</p>
+<p>Raises in front of some hoar glacier,</p>
+<p>Painting the bleak ice with a thousand hues.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Old Play.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Leaving the Earl of Oxford in attendance on the
+stubborn Duke of Burgundy during an expedition
+which the one represented as a brief excursion,
+more resembling a hunting-party than a campaign,
+and which the other considered in a much graver
+and more perilous light, we return to Arthur de
+Vere, or the younger Philipson, as he continued to
+be called, who was conducted by his guide with
+fidelity and success, but certainly very slowly,
+upon his journey into Provence.</p>
+
+<p>The state of Lorraine, overrun by the Duke of
+Burgundy's army, and infested at the same time
+by different scattered bands, who took the field,
+or held out the castles, as they alleged, for the
+interest of Count Ferrand de Vaudemont, rendered
+journeying so dangerous, that it was often necessary
+to leave the main road, and to take circuitous
+tracks, in order to avoid such unfriendly encounters
+as travellers might otherwise have met with.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, taught by sad experience to distrust
+strange guides, found himself, nevertheless, in
+this eventful and perilous journey, disposed to rest
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span>
+considerable confidence in his present conductor,
+Thiebault, a Provençal by birth, intimately acquainted
+with the roads which they took, and, as
+far as he could judge, disposed to discharge his
+office with fidelity. Prudence alike, and the
+habits which he had acquired in travelling, as
+well as the character of a merchant which he still
+sustained, induced him to wave the <i>morgue</i>, or
+haughty superiority of a knight and noble towards
+an inferior personage, especially as he rightly
+conjectured that free intercourse with this man,
+whose acquirements seemed of a superior cast,
+was likely to render him a judge of his opinions
+and disposition towards him. In return for his
+condescension, he obtained a good deal of information
+concerning the province which he was
+approaching.</p>
+
+<p>As they drew near the boundaries of Provence,
+the communications of Thiebault became more
+fluent and interesting. He could not only tell the
+name and history of each romantic castle which
+they passed, in their devious and doubtful route,
+but had at his command the chivalrous history of
+the noble knights and barons to whom they now
+pertained, or had belonged in earlier days, and
+could recount their exploits against the Saracens,
+by repelling their attacks upon Christendom, or
+their efforts to recover the Holy Sepulchre from
+Pagan hands. In the course of such narrations,
+Thiebault was led to speak of the Troubadours, a
+race of native poets of Provençal origin, differing
+widely from the minstrels of Normandy, and the
+adjacent provinces of France, with whose tales of
+chivalry, as well as the numerous translations of
+their works into Norman-French and English,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span>
+Arthur, like most of the noble youth of his country,
+was intimately acquainted and deeply imbued.
+Thiebault boasted that his grandsire, of humble
+birth indeed, but of distinguished talent, was one
+of this gifted race, whose compositions produced
+so great an effect on the temper and manners of
+their age and country. It was, however, to be
+regretted that, inculcating as the prime duty of
+life a fantastic spirit of gallantry, which sometimes
+crossed the Platonic bound prescribed to it,
+the poetry of the Troubadours was too frequently
+used to soften and seduce the heart, and corrupt
+the principles.<a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>
+</p>
+
+<p>Arthur's attention was called to this peculiarity
+by Thiebault singing, which he could do with
+good skill, the history of a Troubadour, named
+William Cabestainy, who loved, <i>par amours</i>, a
+noble and beautiful lady, Margaret, the wife of a
+baron called Raymond de Roussillon. The jealous
+husband obtained proof of his dishonour, and,
+having put Cabestainy to death by assassination,
+he took his heart from his bosom, and causing it
+to be dressed like that of an animal, ordered it to
+be served up to his lady; and when she had eaten
+of the horrible mess, told her of what her banquet
+was composed. The lady replied, that since she
+had been made to partake of food so precious, no
+coarser morsel should ever after cross her lips.
+She persisted in her resolution, and thus starved
+herself to death. The Troubadour who celebrated
+this tragic history had displayed in his composition
+a good deal of poetic art. Glossing over the
+error of the lovers as the fault of their destiny,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span>
+dwelling on their tragical fate with considerable
+pathos, and, finally, execrating the blind fury of
+the husband, with the full fervour of poetical indignation,
+he recorded, with vindictive pleasure,
+how every bold knight and true lover in the south
+of France assembled to besiege the baron's castle,
+stormed it by main force, left not one stone upon
+another, and put the tyrant himself to an ignominious
+death. Arthur was interested in the melancholy
+tale, which even beguiled him of a few
+tears; but as he thought further on its purport, he
+dried his eyes, and said, with some sternness,&mdash;"Thiebault,
+sing me no more such lays. I have
+heard my father say that the readiest mode to
+corrupt a Christian man is to bestow upon vice the
+pity and the praise which are due only to virtue.
+Your Baron of Roussillon is a monster of cruelty;
+but your unfortunate lovers were not the less
+guilty. It is by giving fair names to foul actions
+that those who would start at real vice are led to
+practise its lessons, under the disguise of virtue."</p>
+
+<p>"I would you knew, Seignor," answered Thiebault,
+"that this Lay of Cabestainy and the Lady
+Margaret of Roussillon is reckoned a masterpiece of
+the joyous science. Fie, sir, you are too young to
+be so strict a censor of morals. What will you do
+when your head is grey, if you are thus severe
+when it is scarcely brown?"</p>
+
+<p>"A head which listens to folly in youth will
+hardly be honourable in old age," answered
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>Thiebault had no mind to carry the dispute
+further.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not for me to contend with your worship.
+I only think, with every true son of chivalry and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span>
+song, that a knight without a mistress is like a
+sky without a star."</p>
+
+<p>"Do I not know that?" answered Arthur; "but
+yet better remain in darkness than be guided by
+such false lights as shower down vice and
+pestilence."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, it may be your seignorie is right,"
+answered the guide. "It is certain that even in
+Provence here we have lost much of our keen judgment
+on matters of love&mdash;its difficulties, its intricacies,
+and its errors, since the Troubadours are no
+longer regarded as usual, and since the High and
+Noble Parliament of Love<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>
+ has ceased to hold its
+sittings.</p>
+
+<p>"But in these latter days," continued the Provençal,
+"kings, dukes, and sovereigns, instead of
+being the foremost and most faithful vassals of
+the Court of Cupid, are themselves the slaves
+of selfishness and love of gain. Instead of winning
+hearts by breaking lances in the lists, they
+are breaking the hearts of their impoverished
+vassals by the most cruel exactions&mdash;instead
+of attempting to deserve the smile and favours of
+their lady-loves, they are meditating how to steal
+castles, towns, and provinces from their neighbours.
+But long life to the good and venerable
+King René! While he has an acre of land left,
+his residence will be the resort of valiant knights,
+whose only aim is praise in arms, of true lovers,
+who are persecuted by fortune, and of high-toned
+harpers, who know how to celebrate faith and
+valour."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, interested in learning something more
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span>
+precise than common fame had taught him on the
+subject of this prince, easily induced the talkative
+Provençal to enlarge upon the virtues of his old
+sovereign's character, as just, joyous, and debonair,
+a friend to the most noble exercises of the chase
+and the tilt-yard, and still more so to the joyous
+science of Poetry and Music; who gave away more
+revenue than he received, in largesses to knights-errant
+and itinerant musicians, with whom his
+petty court was crowded, as one of the very few
+in which the ancient hospitality was still maintained.</p>
+
+<p>Such was the picture which Thiebault drew of
+the last minstrel monarch; and though the eulogium
+was exaggerated, perhaps the facts were not
+overcharged.</p>
+
+<p>Born of royal parentage, and with high pretensions,
+René had at no period of his life been able
+to match his fortunes to his claims. Of the kingdoms
+to which he asserted right, nothing remained
+in his possession but the county of Provence itself,
+a fair and friendly principality, but diminished by
+the many claims which France had acquired upon
+portions of it by advances of money to supply the
+personal expenses of its master, and by other portions,
+which Burgundy, to whom René had been a
+prisoner, held in pledge for his ransom. In his
+youth he engaged in more than one military enterprise,
+in the hope of attaining some part of the
+territory of which he was styled sovereign. His
+courage is not impeached, but fortune did not
+smile on his military adventures; and he seems at
+last to have become sensible that the power of
+admiring and celebrating warlike merit is very
+different from possessing that quality. In fact,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span>
+René was a prince of very moderate parts, endowed
+with a love of the fine arts, which he carried to
+extremity, and a degree of good-humour, which
+never permitted him to repine at fortune, but
+rendered its possessor happy, when a prince of
+keener feelings would have died of despair. This
+insouciant, light-tempered, gay, and thoughtless
+disposition conducted René, free from all the passions
+which embitter life, and often shorten it, to
+a hale and mirthful old age. Even domestic losses,
+which often affect those who are proof against mere
+reverses of fortune, made no deep impression on
+the feelings of this cheerful old monarch. Most
+of his children had died young; René took it not
+to heart. His daughter Margaret's marriage with
+the powerful Henry of England was considered a
+connection much above the fortunes of the King
+of the Troubadours. But in the issue, instead of
+René deriving any splendour from the match, he
+was involved in the misfortunes of his daughter,
+and repeatedly obliged to impoverish himself to
+supply her ransom. Perhaps in his private soul
+the old king did not think these losses so mortifying
+as the necessity of receiving Margaret into
+his court and family. On fire when reflecting on
+the losses she had sustained, mourning over friends
+slain and kingdoms lost, the proudest and most
+passionate of princesses was ill suited to dwell
+with the gayest and best-humoured of sovereigns,
+whose pursuits she contemned, and whose lightness
+of temper, for finding comfort in such trifles,
+she could not forgive. The discomfort attached to
+her presence and vindictive recollections embarrassed
+the good-humoured old monarch, though it
+was unable to drive him beyond his equanimity.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Another distress pressed him more sorely.&mdash;Yolande,
+a daughter of his first wife, Isabella, had
+succeeded to his claims upon the Duchy of Lorraine,
+and transmitted them to her son, Ferrand,
+Count of Vaudemont, a young man of courage and
+spirit, engaged at this time in the apparently desperate
+undertaking of making his title good against
+the Duke of Burgundy, who, with little right but
+great power, was seizing upon and overrunning
+this rich Duchy, which he laid claim to as a male
+fief. And to conclude, while the aged king on
+one side beheld his dethroned daughter in hopeless
+despair, and on the other his disinherited
+grandson in vain attempting to recover part of
+their rights, he had the additional misfortune to
+know that his nephew, Louis of France, and his
+cousin, the Duke of Burgundy, were secretly contending
+which should succeed him in that portion
+of Provence which he still continued to possess,
+and that it was only jealousy of each other which
+prevented his being despoiled of this last remnant
+of his territory. Yet amid all this distress René
+feasted and received guests, danced, sang, composed
+poetry, used the pencil or brush with no
+small skill, devised and conducted festivals and
+processions, and, studying to promote as far as
+possible the immediate mirth and good-humour of
+his subjects, if he could not materially enlarge
+their more permanent prosperity, was never mentioned
+by them, excepting as <i>Le bon Roi René</i>, a
+distinction conferred on him down to the present
+day, and due to him certainly by the qualities of
+his heart, if not by those of his head.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst Arthur was receiving from his guide a
+full account of the peculiarities of King René,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span>
+they entered the territories of that merry monarch.
+It was late in the autumn, and about the period
+when the south-eastern counties of France rather
+show to least advantage. The foliage of the olive-tree
+is then decayed and withered, and as it predominates
+in the landscape, and resembles the
+scorched complexion of the soil itself, an ashen
+and arid hue is given to the whole. Still, however,
+there were scenes in the hilly and pastoral
+parts of the country where the quantity of evergreens
+relieved the eye even in this dead season.</p>
+
+<p>The appearance of the country, in general, had
+much in it that was peculiar.</p>
+
+<p>The travellers perceived at every turn some
+marks of the King's singular character. Provence,
+as the part of Gaul which first received Roman
+civilisation, and as having been still longer the
+residence of the Grecian colony who founded Marseilles,
+is more full of the splendid relics of ancient
+architecture than any other country in Europe,
+Italy and Greece excepted. The good taste of the
+King René had dictated some attempts to clear out
+and to restore these memorials of antiquity. Was
+there a triumphal arch or an ancient temple&mdash;huts
+and hovels were cleared away from its vicinity,
+and means were used at least to retard the
+approach of ruin. Was there a marble fountain,
+which superstition had dedicated to some sequestered
+naiad&mdash;it was surrounded by olives, almond
+and orange trees&mdash;its cistern was repaired, and
+taught once more to retain its crystal treasures.
+The huge amphitheatres and gigantic colonnades
+experienced the same anxious care, attesting that
+the noblest specimens of the fine arts found one
+admirer and preserver in King René, even during
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span>
+the course of those which are termed the dark and
+barbarous ages.</p>
+
+<p>A change of manners could also be observed in
+passing from Burgundy and Lorraine, where society
+relished of German bluntness, into the pastoral
+country of Provence, where the influence of a fine
+climate and melodious language, joined to the pursuits
+of the romantic old monarch, with the universal
+taste for music and poetry, had introduced a
+civilisation of manners which approached to affectation.
+The shepherd literally marched abroad in
+the morning, piping his flocks forth to the pasture
+with some love-sonnet, the composition of an
+amorous Troubadour; and his "fleecy care" seemed
+actually to be under the influence of his music,
+instead of being ungraciously insensible to its
+melody, as is the case in colder climates. Arthur
+observed, too, that the Provençal sheep, instead of
+being driven before the shepherd, regularly followed
+him, and did not disperse to feed until the
+swain, by turning his face round to them, remaining
+stationary, and, executing variations on the
+air which he was playing, seemed to remind them
+that it was proper to do so. While in motion, his
+huge dog, of a species which is trained to face the
+wolf, and who is respected by the sheep as their
+guardian, and not feared as their tyrant, followed
+his master with his ears pricked, like the chief
+critic and prime judge of the performance, at some
+tones of which he seldom failed to intimate disapprobation;
+while the flock, like the generality of
+an audience, followed in unanimous though silent
+applause. At the hour of noon, the shepherd
+had sometimes acquired an augmentation to his
+audience, in some comely matron or blooming
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span>
+maiden, with whom he had rendezvoused by such a
+fountain as we have described, and who listened
+to the husband's or lover's chalumeau, or mingled
+her voice with his in the duets, of which the songs
+of the Troubadours have left so many examples.
+In the cool of the evening, the dance on the
+village green, or the concert before the hamlet
+door; the little repast of fruits, cheese, and bread,
+which the traveller was readily invited to share,
+gave new charms to the illusion, and seemed in
+earnest to point out Provence as the Arcadia of
+France.</p>
+
+<p>But the greatest singularity was, in the eyes of
+Arthur, the total absence of armed men and soldiers
+in this peaceful country. In England, no man
+stirred without his long-bow, sword, and buckler.
+In France, the hind wore armour even when he
+was betwixt the stilts of his plough. In Germany,
+you could not look along a mile of highway
+but the eye was encountered by clouds of dust, out
+of which were seen, by fits, waving feathers and
+flashing armour. Even in Switzerland, the peasant,
+if he had a journey to make, though but of a
+mile or two, cared not to travel without his halberd
+and two-handed sword. But in Provence all
+seemed quiet and peaceful, as if the music of the
+land had lulled to sleep all its wrathful passions.
+Now and then a mounted cavalier might pass
+them, the harp at whose saddle-bow, or carried by
+one of his attendants, attested the character of a
+Troubadour, which was affected by men of all
+ranks; and then only a short sword on his left
+thigh, borne for show rather than use, was a necessary
+and appropriate part of his equipment.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Peace," said Arthur, as he looked around him,
+"is an inestimable jewel; but it will be soon
+snatched from those who are not prepared with
+heart and hand to defend it."</p>
+
+<p>The sight of the ancient and interesting town of
+Aix, where King René held his court, dispelled
+reflections of a general character, and recalled to
+the young Englishman the peculiar mission on
+which he was engaged.</p>
+
+<p>He then required to know from the Provençal
+Thiebault whether his instructions were to leave
+him, now that he had successfully attained the
+end of his journey.</p>
+
+<p>"My instructions," answered Thiebault, "are to
+remain in Aix while there is any chance of your
+seignorie's continuing there, to be of such use to
+you as you may require, either as a guide or an
+attendant, and to keep these men in readiness to
+wait upon you when you have occasion for messengers
+or guards. With your approbation, I will
+see them disposed of in fitting quarters, and receive
+my further instructions from your seignorie
+wherever you please to appoint me. I propose this
+separation, because I understand it is your present
+pleasure to be private."</p>
+
+<p>"I must go to court," answered Arthur, "without
+any delay. Wait for me in half an hour by
+that fountain in the street, which projects into the
+air such a magnificent pillar of water, surrounded,
+I would almost swear, by a vapour like steam,
+serving as a shroud to the jet which it envelopes."</p>
+
+<p>"The jet is so surrounded," answered the Provençal,
+"because it is supplied by a hot spring
+rising from the bowels of the earth, and the touch
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span>
+of frost on this autumn morning makes the vapour
+more distinguishable than usual.&mdash;But if it is
+good King René whom you seek, you will find
+him at this time walking in his chimney. Do not
+be afraid of approaching him, for there never was
+a monarch so easy of access, especially to good-looking
+strangers like you, seignorie."</p>
+
+<p>"But his ushers," said Arthur, "will not admit
+me into his hall."</p>
+
+<p>"His hall!" repeated Thiebault. "Whose
+hall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, King René's, I apprehend. If he is
+walking in a chimney, it can only be in that of
+his hall, and a stately one it must be to give him
+room for such exercise."</p>
+
+<p>"You mistake my meaning," said the guide,
+laughing. "What we call King René's chimney
+is the narrow parapet yonder; it extends between
+these two towers, has an exposure to the south,
+and is sheltered in every other direction. Yonder
+it is his pleasure to walk and enjoy the beams of
+the sun, on such cool mornings as the present.
+It nurses, he says, his poetical vein. If you
+approach his promenade he will readily speak to
+you, unless, indeed, he is in the very act of a
+poetical composition."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur could not forbear smiling at the thoughts
+of a king, eighty years of age, broken down with
+misfortunes and beset with dangers, who yet
+amused himself with walking in an open parapet,
+and composing poetry in presence of all such of his
+loving subjects as chose to look on.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will walk a few steps this way," said
+Thiebault, "you may see the good King, and judge
+whether or not you will accost him at present. I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span>
+will dispose of the people, and await your orders
+at the fountain in the Corso."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur saw no objection to the proposal of his
+guide, and was not unwilling to have an opportunity
+of seeing something of the good King René,
+before he was introduced to his presence.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Ay, this is he who wears the wreath of bays</p>
+<p>Wove by Apollo and the Sisters Nine,</p>
+<p>Which Jove's dread lightning scathes not. He hath doft</p>
+<p>The cumbrous helm of steel, and flung aside</p>
+<p>The yet more galling diadem of gold;</p>
+<p>While, with a leafy circlet round his brows,</p>
+<p>He reigns the King of Lovers and of Poets.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>A cautious approach to the chimney&mdash;that is,
+the favourite walk of the King, who is described
+by Shakspeare as bearing</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i3">the style of King of Naples,</p>
+<p>Of both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem,</p>
+<p>Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman,</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>gave Arthur the perfect survey of his Majesty in
+person. He saw an old man, with locks and
+beard, which, in amplitude and whiteness, nearly
+rivalled those of the envoy from Schwitz, but with
+a fresh and ruddy colour in his cheek, and an eye
+of great vivacity. His dress was showy to a
+degree almost inconsistent with his years; and
+his step, not only firm but full of alertness and
+vivacity, while occupied in traversing the short
+and sheltered walk, which he had chosen rather
+for comfort than for privacy, showed juvenile
+vigour still animating an aged frame. The old
+King carried his tablets and a pencil in his hand,
+seeming totally abstracted in his own thoughts,
+and indifferent to being observed by several persons
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span>
+from the public street beneath his elevated
+promenade.</p>
+
+<p>Of these, some, from their dress and manner,
+seemed themselves Troubadours; for they held in
+their hands rebecks, rotes, small portable harps,
+and other indications of their profession. Such
+appeared to be stationary, as if engaged in observing
+and recording their remarks on the meditations
+of their Prince. Other passengers, bent on
+their own more serious affairs, looked up to the
+King as to some one whom they were accustomed
+to see daily, but never passed without doffing their
+bonnets, and expressing, by a suitable obeisance, a
+respect and affection towards his person, which
+appeared to make up in cordiality of feeling what
+it wanted in deep and solemn deference.</p>
+
+<p>René, in the meanwhile, was apparently unconscious
+both of the gaze of such as stood still, or
+the greeting of those who passed on, his mind
+seeming altogether engrossed with the apparent
+labour of some arduous task in poetry or music.
+He walked fast or slow as best suited the progress
+of composition. At times he stopped to mark
+hastily down on his tablets something which
+seemed to occur to him as deserving of preservation;
+at other times he dashed out what he had
+written, and flung down the pencil as if in a sort
+of despair. On these occasions, the Sibylline leaf
+was carefully picked up by a beautiful page, his
+only attendant, who reverently observed the first
+suitable opportunity of restoring it again to his
+royal hand. The same youth bore a viol, on
+which, at a signal from his master, he occasionally
+struck a few musical notes, to which the old King
+listened, now with a soothed and satisfied air, now
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span>
+with a discontented and anxious brow. At times
+his enthusiasm rose so high that he even hopped
+and skipped, with an activity which his years did
+not promise; at other times his motions were
+extremely slow, and occasionally he stood still,
+like one wrapped in the deepest and most anxious
+meditation. When he chanced to look on the
+group which seemed to watch his motions, and who
+ventured even to salute him with a murmur of
+applause, it was only to distinguish them with a
+friendly and good-humoured nod; a salutation
+with which, likewise, he failed not to reply to the
+greeting of the occasional passengers, when his
+earnest attention to his task, whatever it might
+be, permitted him to observe them.</p>
+
+<p>At length the royal eye lighted upon Arthur,
+whose attitude of silent observation and the distinction
+of his figure pointed him out as a stranger.
+René beckoned to his page, who, receiving his
+master's commands in a whisper, descended from
+the royal chimney to the broader platform beneath,
+which was open to general resort. The youth,
+addressing Arthur with much courtesy, informed
+him the King desired to speak with him. The
+young Englishman had no alternative but that of
+approaching, though pondering much in his own
+mind how he ought to comport himself towards
+such a singular specimen of royalty.</p>
+
+<p>When he drew near, King René addressed him in
+a tone of courtesy not unmingled with dignity, and
+Arthur's awe in his immediate presence was greater
+than he himself could have anticipated from his
+previous conception of the royal character.</p>
+
+<p>"You are, from your appearance, fair sir," said
+King René, "a stranger in this country. By what
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span>
+name must we call you, and to what business are
+we to ascribe the happiness of seeing you at our
+court?"</p>
+
+<p>Arthur remained a moment silent, and the good
+old man, imputing it to awe and timidity, proceeded
+in an encouraging tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Modesty in youth is ever commendable; you
+are doubtless an acolyte in the noble and joyous
+science of Minstrelsy and Music, drawn hither
+by the willing welcome which we afford to the
+professors of those arts, in which&mdash;praise be to
+Our Lady and the saints!&mdash;we have ourself been
+deemed a proficient."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not aspire to the honours of a Troubadour,"
+answered Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you," answered the King, "for your
+speech smacks of the northern, or Norman-French,
+such as is spoken in England and other unrefined
+nations. But you are a minstrel, perhaps, from
+these ultramontane parts. Be assured we despise
+not their efforts; for we have listened, not without
+pleasure and instruction, to many of their bold
+and wild romaunts, which, though rude in device
+and language, and therefore far inferior to the
+regulated poetry of our Troubadours, have yet
+something in their powerful and rough measure
+which occasionally rouses the heart like the sound
+of a trumpet."</p>
+
+<p>"I have felt the truth of your Grace's observation,
+when I have heard the songs of my country,"
+said Arthur; "but I have neither skill nor
+audacity to imitate what I admire&mdash;My latest
+residence has been in Italy."</p>
+
+<p>"You are perhaps, then, a proficient in painting,"
+said René; "an art which applies itself to the eye
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span>
+as poetry and music do to the ear, and is scarce
+less in esteem with us. If you are skilful in the
+art, you have come to a monarch who loves it, and
+the fair country in which it is practised."</p>
+
+<p>"In simple truth, Sire, I am an Englishman,
+and my hand has been too much welk'd and
+hardened by practice of the bow, the lance, and
+the sword, to touch the harp, or even the pencil."</p>
+
+<p>"An Englishman!" said René, obviously relaxing
+in the warmth of his welcome. "And what
+brings you here? England and I have long had
+little friendship together."</p>
+
+<p>"It is even on that account that I am here,"
+said Arthur. "I come to pay my homage to your
+Grace's daughter, the Princess Margaret of Anjou,
+whom I and many true Englishmen regard still
+as our Queen, though traitors have usurped her
+title."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, good youth," said René, "I must grieve
+for you, while I respect your loyalty and faith.
+Had my daughter Margaret been of my mind, she
+had long since abandoned pretensions which have
+drowned in seas of blood the noblest and bravest
+of her adherents."</p>
+
+<p>The King seemed about to say more, but checked
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Go to my palace," he said; "inquire for the
+Seneschal Hugh de Saint Cyr, he will give thee
+the means of seeing Margaret&mdash;that is, if it be
+her will to see thee. If not, good English youth,
+return to my palace, and thou shalt have hospitable
+entertainment; for a King who loves minstrelsy,
+music, and painting is ever most sensible
+to the claims of honour, virtue, and loyalty; and
+I read in thy looks thou art possessed of these
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span>
+qualities, and willingly believe thou mayst, in
+more quiet times, aspire to share the honours of
+the joyous science. But if thou hast a heart to be
+touched by the sense of beauty and fair proportion,
+it will leap within thee at the first sight of my
+palace, the stately grace of which may be compared
+to the faultless form of some high-bred dame,
+or the artful yet seemingly simple modulations of
+such a tune as we have been now composing."</p>
+
+<p>The King seemed disposed to take his instrument,
+and indulge the youth with a rehearsal of
+the strain he had just arranged; but Arthur at that
+moment experienced the painful internal feeling
+of that peculiar species of shame which well-constructed
+minds feel when they see others express
+a great assumption of importance, with a confidence
+that they are exciting admiration, when in
+fact they are only exposing themselves to ridicule.
+Arthur, in short, took leave, "in very shame," of
+the King of Naples, both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem,
+in a manner somewhat more abrupt than
+ceremony demanded. The King looked after him,
+with some wonder at this want of breeding, which,
+however, he imputed to his visitor's insular education,
+and then again began to twangle his viol.</p>
+
+<p>"The old fool!" said Arthur. "His daughter
+is dethroned, his dominions crumbling to pieces,
+his family on the eve of becoming extinct, his
+grandson driven from one lurking-place to another,
+and expelled from his mother's inheritance,&mdash;and
+he can find amusement in these fopperies! I
+thought him, with his long white beard, like
+Nicholas Bonstetten; but the old Swiss is a Solomon
+compared with him."</p>
+
+<p>As these and other reflections, highly disparaging
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span>
+to King René, passed through Arthur's mind,
+he reached the place of rendezvous, and found
+Thiebault beneath the steaming fountain, forced
+from one of those hot springs which had been the
+delight of the Romans from an early period.
+Thiebault, having assured his master that his
+retinue, horse and man, were so disposed as to be
+ready on an instant's call, readily undertook to
+guide him to King René's palace, which, from its
+singularity, and indeed its beauty of architecture,
+deserved the eulogium which the old monarch had
+bestowed upon it. The front consisted of three
+towers of Roman architecture, two of them being
+placed on the angles of the palace, and the third,
+which served the purpose of a mausoleum, forming
+a part of the group, though somewhat detached
+from the other buildings. This last was a structure
+of beautiful proportions. The lower part of the
+edifice was square, serving as a sort of pedestal to
+the upper part, which was circular, and surrounded
+by columns of massive granite. The other two
+towers at the angles of the palace were round, and
+also ornamented with pillars, and with a double
+row of windows. In front of, and connected with,
+these Roman remains, to which a date has been
+assigned as early as the fifth or sixth century,
+arose the ancient palace of the Counts of Provence,
+built a century or two later, but where a rich
+Gothic or Moorish front contrasted, and yet harmonised,
+with the more regular and massive architecture
+of the lords of the world. It is not more
+than thirty or forty years since this very curious
+remnant of antique art was destroyed, to make
+room for new public buildings, which have never
+yet been erected.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Arthur really experienced some sensation of the
+kind which the old King had prophesied, and
+stood looking with wonder at the ever-open gate of
+the palace, into which men of all kinds seemed
+to enter freely. After looking around for a few
+minutes, the young Englishman ascended the steps
+of a noble portico, and asked of a porter, as old
+and as lazy as a great man's domestic ought to be,
+for the seneschal named to him by the King. The
+corpulent janitor, with great politeness, put the
+stranger under the charge of a page, who ushered
+him to a chamber, in which he found another aged
+functionary of higher rank, with a comely face, a
+clear composed eye, and a brow which, having
+never been knit into gravity, intimated that the
+seneschal of Aix was a proficient in the philosophy
+of his royal master. He recognised Arthur the
+moment he addressed him.</p>
+
+<p>"You speak northern French, fair sir; you have
+lighter hair and a fairer complexion than the
+natives of this country&mdash;You ask after Queen
+Margaret&mdash;By all these marks I read you English&mdash;Her
+Grace of England is at this moment paying
+a vow at the monastery of Mont St. Victoire, and
+if your name be Arthur Philipson, I have commission
+to forward you to her presence immediately&mdash;that
+is, as soon as you have tasted of the royal
+provision."</p>
+
+<p>The young man would have remonstrated, but
+the seneschal left him no leisure.</p>
+
+<p>"Meat and mass," he said, "never hindered
+work&mdash;it is perilous to youth to journey too far
+on an empty stomach&mdash;he himself would take a
+mouthful with the Queen's guest, and pledge him
+to boot in a flask of old Hermitage."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The board was covered with an alacrity which
+showed that hospitality was familiarly exercised
+in King René's dominions. Pasties, dishes of
+game, the gallant boar's head, and other delicacies
+were placed on the table, and the seneschal played
+the merry host, frequently apologising (unnecessarily)
+for showing an indifferent example, as it was
+his duty to carve before King René, and the good
+King was never pleased unless he saw him feed
+lustily as well as carve featly.</p>
+
+<p>"But for you, Sir Guest, eat freely, since you
+may not see food again till sunset; for the good
+Queen takes her misfortunes so to heart that sighs
+are her food, and her tears a bottle of drink, as the
+Psalmist hath it. But I bethink me you will need
+steeds for yourself and your equipage to reach Mont
+St. Victoire, which is seven miles from Aix."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur intimated that he had a guide and horses
+in attendance, and begged permission to take his
+adieu. The worthy seneschal, his fair round belly
+graced with a gold chain, accompanied him to the
+gate with a step which a gentle fit of the gout had
+rendered uncertain, but which, he assured Arthur,
+would vanish before three days' use of the hot
+springs. Thiebault appeared before the gate, not
+with the tired steeds from which they had dismounted
+an hour since, but with fresh palfreys
+from the stable of the King.</p>
+
+<p>"They are yours from the moment you have put
+foot in stirrup," said the seneschal; "the good
+King René never received back as his property a
+horse which he had lent to a guest; and that is
+perhaps one reason why his Highness and we of
+his household must walk often a-foot."</p>
+
+<p>Here the seneschal exchanged greetings with his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span>
+young visitor, who rode forth to seek Queen Margaret's
+place of temporary retirement at the celebrated
+monastery of St. Victoire. He demanded
+of his guide in which direction it lay, who pointed,
+with an air of triumph, to a mountain three thousand
+feet and upwards in height, which arose at
+five or six miles' distance from the town, and which
+its bold and rocky summit rendered the most distinguished
+object of the landscape. Thiebault
+spoke of it with unusual glee and energy, so much
+so as to lead Arthur to conceive that his trusty
+squire had not neglected to avail himself of the
+lavish hospitality of <i>Le bon Roy René</i>. Thiebault,
+however, continued to expatiate on the fame of
+the mountain and monastery. They derived
+their name, he said, from a great victory which
+was gained by a Roman general, named Caio
+Mario, against two large armies of Saracens with
+ultramontane names (the Teutones probably and
+Cimbri), in gratitude to Heaven for which victory
+Caio Mario vowed to build a monastery on the
+mountain, for the service of the Virgin Mary, in
+honour of whom he had been baptised. With all
+the importance of a local connoisseur, Thiebault
+proceeded to prove his general assertion by specific
+facts.</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder," he said, "was the camp of the Saracens,
+from which, when the battle was apparently
+decided, their wives and women rushed, with horrible
+screams, dishevelled hair, and the gestures
+of furies, and for a time prevailed in stopping the
+flight of the men." He pointed out, too, the
+river, for access to which, cut off by the superior
+generalship of the Romans, the barbarians, whom
+he called Saracens, hazarded the action, and whose
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span>
+streams they empurpled with their blood. In
+short, he mentioned many circumstances which
+showed how accurately tradition will preserve the
+particulars of ancient events, even whilst forgetting,
+misstating, and confounding dates and persons.</p>
+
+<p>Perceiving that Arthur lent him a not unwilling
+ear,&mdash;for it may be supposed that the education
+of a youth bred up in the heat of civil wars was
+not well qualified to criticise his account of the
+wars of a distant period,&mdash;the Provençal, when
+he had exhausted this topic, drew up close to his
+master's side, and asked, in a suppressed tone,
+whether he knew, or was desirous of being made
+acquainted with, the cause of Margaret's having
+left Aix, to establish herself in the monastery of
+St. Victoire?</p>
+
+<p>"For the accomplishment of a vow," answered
+Arthur; "all the world knows it."</p>
+
+<p>"All Aix knows the contrary," said Thiebault;
+"and I can tell you the truth, so I were sure it
+would not offend your seignorie."</p>
+
+<p>"The truth can offend no reasonable man, so it
+be expressed in the terms of which Queen Margaret
+must be spoken in the presence of an Englishman."</p>
+
+<p>Thus replied Arthur, willing to receive what
+information he could gather, and desirous, at the
+same time, to check the petulance of his attendant.</p>
+
+<p>"I have nothing," replied his follower, "to state
+in disparagement of the gracious Queen, whose
+only misfortune is that, like her royal father, she
+has more titles than towns. Besides, I know well
+that you Englishmen, though you speak wildly of
+your sovereigns yourselves, will not permit others
+to fail in respect to them."</p>
+
+<p>"Say on, then," answered Arthur.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Your seignorie must know, then," said Thiebault,
+"that the good King René has been much
+disturbed by the deep melancholy which afflicted
+Queen Margaret, and has bent himself with all his
+power to change it into a gayer humour. He made
+entertainments in public and in private; he assembled
+minstrels and Troubadours, whose music
+and poetry might have drawn smiles from one on
+his deathbed. The whole country resounded with
+mirth and glee, and the gracious Queen could not
+stir abroad in the most private manner, but, before
+she had gone a hundred paces, she lighted on an
+ambush, consisting of some pretty pageant, or
+festivous mummery, composed often by the good
+King himself, which interrupted her solitude, in
+purpose of relieving her heavy thoughts with some
+pleasant pastime. But the Queen's deep melancholy
+rejected all these modes of dispelling it, and
+at length she confined herself to her own apartments,
+and absolutely refused to see even her royal
+father, because he generally brought into her presence
+those whose productions he thought likely to
+soothe her sorrow. Indeed she seemed to hear the
+harpers with loathing, and, excepting one wandering
+Englishman, who sung a rude and melancholy
+ballad, which threw her into a flood of tears,
+and to whom she gave a chain of price, she never
+seemed to look at, or be conscious of the presence
+of any one. And at length, as I have had the
+honour to tell your seignorie, she refused to see
+even her royal father unless he came alone; and
+that he found no heart to do."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder not at it," said the young man. "By
+the White Swan, I am rather surprised his mummery
+drove her not to frenzy."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Something like it indeed took place," said
+Thiebault; "and I will tell your seignorie how it
+chanced. You must know that good King René,
+unwilling to abandon his daughter to the foul fiend
+of melancholy, bethought him of making a grand
+effort. You must know, further, that the King,
+powerful in all the craft of Troubadours and Jongleurs,
+is held in peculiar esteem for conducting
+mysteries, and other of those gamesome and delightful
+sports and processions, with which our Holy
+Church permits her graver ceremonies to be relieved
+and diversified, to the cheering of the hearts of all
+true children of religion. It is admitted that no
+one has ever been able to approach his excellence
+in the arrangement of the Fête-Dieu; and the
+tune to which the devils cudgel King Herod, to
+the great edification of all Christian spectators, is
+of our good King's royal composition. He hath
+danced at Tarasconne in the ballet of St. Martha
+and the Dragon, and was accounted in his own
+person the only actor competent to present the
+Tarrasque. His Highness introduced also a new
+ritual into the consecration of the Boy Bishop, and
+composed an entire set of grotesque music for the
+Festival of Asses. In short, his Grace's strength
+lies in those pleasing and becoming festivities
+which strew the path of edification with flowers,
+and send men dancing and singing on their way to
+heaven.</p>
+
+<p>"Now the good King René, feeling his own
+genius for such recreative compositions, resolved
+to exert it to the utmost, in the hope that he
+might thereby relieve the melancholy in which
+his daughter was plunged, and which infected all
+that approached her. It chanced, some short time
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span>
+since, that the Queen was absent for certain days,
+I know not where or on what business, but it gave
+the good King time to make his preparations. So,
+when his daughter returned, he with much importunity
+prevailed on her to make part of a
+religious procession to St. Sauveur, the principal
+church in Aix. The Queen, innocent of what was
+intended, decked herself with solemnity, to witness
+and partake of what she expected would
+prove a work of grave piety. But no sooner had
+she appeared on the esplanade in front of the
+palace, than more than a hundred masks, dressed
+up like Turks, Jews, Saracens, Moors, and I know
+not whom besides, crowded around, to offer her
+their homage, in the character of the Queen of
+Sheba; and a grotesque piece of music called them
+to arrange themselves for a ludicrous ballet, in
+which they addressed the Queen in the most entertaining
+manner, and with the most extravagant
+gestures. The Queen, stunned with the noise,
+and affronted with the petulance of this unexpected
+onset, would have gone back into the
+palace; but the doors had been shut by the King's
+order so soon as she set forth, and her retreat in
+that direction was cut off. Finding herself excluded
+from the palace, the Queen advanced to the
+front of the façade, and endeavoured by signs and
+words to appease the hubbub, but the maskers,
+who had their instructions, only answered with
+songs, music, and shouts."</p>
+
+<p>"I would," said Arthur, "there had been a score
+of English yeomen in presence, with their quarterstaves,
+to teach the bawling villains respect for
+one that has worn the crown of England!"</p>
+
+<p>"All the noise that was made before was silence
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span>
+and soft music," continued Thiebault, "till that
+when the good King himself appeared, grotesquely
+dressed in the character of King Solomon"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"To whom, of all princes, he has the least
+resemblance," said Arthur&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"With such capers and gesticulations of welcome
+to the Queen of Sheba as, I am assured by
+those who saw it, would have brought a dead man
+alive again, or killed a living man with laughing.
+Among other properties, he had in his hand a truncheon,
+somewhat formed like a fool's bauble"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"A most fit sceptre for such a sovereign," said
+Arthur&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Which was headed," continued Thiebault, "by
+a model of the Jewish Temple, finely gilded and
+curiously cut in pasteboard. He managed this
+with the utmost grace, and delighted every spectator
+by his gaiety and activity, excepting the
+Queen, who, the more he skipped and capered,
+seemed to be the more incensed, until, on his
+approaching her to conduct her to the procession,
+she seemed roused to a sort of frenzy, struck the
+truncheon out of his hand, and breaking through
+the crowd, who felt as if a tigress had leapt amongst
+them from a showman's cart, rushed into the royal
+courtyard. Ere the order of the scenic representation,
+which her violence had interrupted, could be
+restored, the Queen again issued forth, mounted
+and attended by two or three English cavaliers of
+her Majesty's suite. She forced her way through
+the crowd, without regarding either their safety
+or her own, flew like a hail-storm along the
+streets, and never drew bridle till she was as far
+up this same Mont St. Victoire as the road would
+permit. She was then received into the convent,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span>
+and has since remained there; and a vow of penance
+is the pretext to cover over the quarrel betwixt her
+and her father."</p>
+
+<p>"How long may it be," said Arthur, "since
+these things chanced?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is but three days since Queen Margaret left
+Aix in the manner I have told you.&mdash;But we are
+come as far up the mountain as men usually ride.
+See, yonder is the monastery rising betwixt two
+huge rocks, which form the very top of Mont St.
+Victoire. There is no more open ground than is
+afforded by the cleft, into which the convent of St.
+Mary of Victory is, as it were, niched; and the
+access is guarded by the most dangerous precipices.
+To ascend the mountain, you must keep that narrow
+path, which, winding and turning among the
+cliffs, leads at length to the summit of the hill,
+and the gate of the monastery."</p>
+
+<p>"And what becomes of you and the horses?"
+said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"We will rest," said Thiebault, "in the hospital
+maintained by the good fathers at the bottom
+of the mountain, for the accommodation of those
+who attend on pilgrims;&mdash;for I promise you the
+shrine is visited by many who come from afar,
+and are attended both by man and horse.&mdash;Care
+not for me,&mdash;I shall be first under cover; but
+there muster yonder in the west some threatening
+clouds, from which your seignorie may suffer inconvenience,
+unless you reach the convent in time.
+I will give you an hour to do the feat, and will
+say you are as active as a chamois-hunter if you
+reach it within the time."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur looked around him, and did indeed
+remark a mustering of clouds in the distant west,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span>
+which threatened soon to change the character of
+the day, which had hitherto been brilliantly clear,
+and so serene that the falling of a leaf might have
+been heard. He therefore turned him to the steep
+and rocky path which ascended the mountain,
+sometimes by scaling almost precipitous rocks, and
+sometimes by reaching their tops by a more circuitous
+process. It winded through thickets of
+wild boxwood and other low aromatic shrubs,
+which afforded some pasture for the mountain
+goats, but were a bitter annoyance to the traveller
+who had to press through them. Such obstacles
+were so frequent, that the full hour allowed by
+Thiebault had elapsed before he stood on the
+summit of Mont St. Victoire, and in front of
+the singular convent of the same name.</p>
+
+<p>We have already said that the crest of the mountain,
+consisting entirely of one bare and solid rock,
+was divided by a cleft or opening into two heads
+or peaks, between which the convent was built,
+occupying all the space between them. The front
+of the building was of the most ancient and sombre
+cast of the old Gothic, or rather, as it has been
+termed, the Saxon; and in that respect corresponded
+with the savage exterior of the naked
+cliffs, of which the structure seemed to make a
+part, and by which it was entirely surrounded,
+excepting a small open space of more level ground,
+where, at the expense of much toil, and by carrying
+earth up the hill, from different spots where
+they could collect it in small quantities, the good
+fathers had been able to arrange the accommodations
+of a garden.</p>
+
+<p>A bell summoned a lay brother, the porter of
+this singularly situated monastery, to whom Arthur
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span>
+announced himself as an English merchant, Philipson
+by name, who came to pay his duty to Queen
+Margaret. The porter, with much respect, showed
+the stranger into the convent, and ushered him
+into a parlour, which, looking towards Aix, commanded
+an extensive and splendid prospect over
+the southern and western parts of Provence. This
+was the direction in which Arthur had approached
+the mountain from Aix; but the circuitous path
+by which he had ascended had completely carried
+him round the hill. The western side of the monastery,
+to which the parlour looked, commanded
+the noble view we have mentioned; and a species
+of balcony, which, connecting the two twin crags,
+at this place not above four or five yards asunder,
+ran along the front of the building, and appeared
+to be constructed for the purpose of enjoying it.
+But on stepping from one of the windows of the
+parlour upon this battlemented bartizan, Arthur
+became aware that the wall on which the parapet
+rested stretched along the edge of a precipice,
+which sank sheer down five hundred feet at least
+from the foundations of the convent. Surprised
+and startled at finding himself on so giddy a verge,
+Arthur turned his eyes from the gulf beneath him
+to admire the distant landscape, partly illumined,
+with ominous lustre, by the now westerly sun.
+The setting beams showed in dark red splendour a
+vast variety of hill and dale, champaign and cultivated
+ground, with towns, churches, and castles,
+some of which rose from among trees, while others
+seemed founded on rocky eminences; others again
+lurked by the side of streams or lakes, to which
+the heat and drought of the climate naturally
+attracted them.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The rest of the landscape presented similar
+objects when the weather was serene, but they
+were now rendered indistinct, or altogether obliterated,
+by the sullen shade of the approaching
+clouds, which gradually spread over great part of
+the horizon, and threatened altogether to eclipse
+the sun, though the lord of the horizon still struggled
+to maintain his influence, and, like a dying
+hero, seemed most glorious even in the moment
+of defeat. Wild sounds, like groans and howls,
+formed by the wind in the numerous caverns of
+the rocky mountain, added to the terrors of the
+scene, and seemed to foretell the fury of some distant
+storm, though the air in general was even
+unnaturally calm and breathless. In gazing on
+this extraordinary scene, Arthur did justice to the
+monks who had chosen this wild and grotesque
+situation, from which they could witness Nature
+in her wildest and grandest demonstrations, and
+compare the nothingness of humanity with her
+awful convulsions.</p>
+
+<p>So much was Arthur awed by the scene before
+him, that he had almost forgotten, while gazing
+from the bartizan, the important business which
+had brought him to this place, when it was suddenly
+recalled by finding himself in the presence
+of Margaret of Anjou, who, not seeing him in the
+parlour of reception, had stept upon the balcony,
+that she might meet with him the sooner.</p>
+
+<p>The Queen's dress was black, without any ornament
+except a gold coronal of an inch in breadth,
+restraining her long black tresses, of which advancing
+years and misfortunes had partly altered
+the hue. There was placed within the circlet a
+black plume with a red rose, the last of the season,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span>
+which the good father who kept the garden had
+presented to her that morning, as the badge of
+her husband's house. Care, fatigue, and sorrow
+seemed to dwell on her brow and her features. To
+another messenger she would in all probability
+have administered a sharp rebuke, for not being
+alert in his duty to receive her as she entered; but
+Arthur's age and appearance corresponded with
+that of her loved and lost son. He was the son
+of a lady whom Margaret had loved with almost
+sisterly affection, and the presence of Arthur continued
+to excite in the dethroned Queen the same
+feelings of maternal tenderness which had been
+awakened on their first meeting in the Cathedral
+of Strasburg. She raised him as he kneeled at
+her feet, spoke to him with much kindness, and
+encouraged him to detail at full length his father's
+message, and such other news as his brief residence
+at Dijon had made him acquainted with.</p>
+
+<p>She demanded which way Duke Charles had
+moved with his army.</p>
+
+<p>"As I was given to understand by the master
+of his artillery," said Arthur, "towards the Lake
+of Neufchatel, on which side he proposes his first
+attack on the Swiss."</p>
+
+<p>"The headstrong fool!" said Queen Margaret.
+"He resembles the poor lunatic, who went to the
+summit of the mountain that he might meet the
+rain halfway.&mdash;Does thy father, then," continued
+Margaret, "advise me to give up the last remains
+of the extensive territories once the dominions of
+our royal house, and for some thousand crowns,
+and the paltry aid of a few hundred lances, to relinquish
+what is left of our patrimony to our proud
+and selfish kinsman of Burgundy, who extends his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span>
+claim to our all, and affords so little help, or
+even promise of help, in return?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should have ill discharged my father's commission,"
+said Arthur, "if I had left your Highness
+to think that he recommends so great a
+sacrifice. He feels most deeply the Duke of
+Burgundy's grasping desire of dominion. Nevertheless,
+he thinks that Provence must, on King
+René's death, or sooner, fall either to the share
+of Duke Charles, or to Louis of France, whatever
+opposition your Highness may make to such a
+destination; and it may be that my father, as a
+knight and a soldier, hopes much from obtaining
+the means to make another attempt on Britain.
+But the decision must rest with your Highness."</p>
+
+<p>"Young man," said the Queen, "the contemplation
+of a question so doubtful almost deprives
+me of reason!"</p>
+
+<p>As she spoke, she sank down, as one who needs
+rest, on a stone seat placed on the very verge of
+the balcony, regardless of the storm, which now
+began to rise with dreadful gusts of wind, the
+course of which being intermitted and altered by
+the crags round which they howled, it seemed as
+if in very deed Boreas, and Eurus, and Caurus,
+unchaining the winds from every quarter of heaven,
+were contending for mastery around the convent
+of Our Lady of Victory. Amid this tumult, and
+amid billows of mist which concealed the bottom
+of the precipice, and masses of clouds which racked
+fearfully over their heads, the roar of the descending
+waters rather resembled the fall of cataracts
+than the rushing of torrents of rain. The seat
+on which Margaret had placed herself was in a
+considerable degree sheltered from the storm, but
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span>
+its eddies, varying in every direction, often tossed
+aloft her dishevelled hair; and we cannot describe
+the appearance of her noble and beautiful, yet
+ghastly and wasted features, agitated strongly by
+anxious hesitation and conflicting thoughts, unless
+to those of our readers who have had the advantage
+of having seen our inimitable Siddons in such a
+character as this. Arthur, confounded by anxiety
+and terror, could only beseech her Majesty to retire
+before the fury of the approaching storm into the
+interior of the convent.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she replied with firmness; "roofs and
+walls have ears, and monks, though they have forsworn
+the world, are not the less curious to know
+what passes beyond their cells. It is in this place
+you must hear what I have to say; as a soldier
+you should scorn a blast of wind or a shower of
+rain; and to me, who have often held counsel
+amidst the sound of trumpets and clash of arms,
+prompt for instant fight, the war of elements is an
+unnoticed trifle. I tell thee, young Arthur Vere,
+as I would to your father&mdash;as I would to my son&mdash;if
+indeed Heaven had left such a blessing to a
+wretch forlorn"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>She paused, and then proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell thee, as I would have told my beloved
+Edward, that Margaret, whose resolutions were
+once firm and immovable as these rocks among
+which we are placed, is now doubtful and variable
+as the clouds which are drifting around us. I
+told your father, in the joy of meeting once more
+a subject of such inappreciable loyalty, of the sacrifices
+I would make to assure the assistance of
+Charles of Burgundy, to so gallant an undertaking
+as that proposed to him by the faithful Oxford.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span>
+But since I saw him I have had cause of deep
+reflection. I met my aged father only to offend
+and, I say it with shame, to insult the old man in
+presence of his people. Our tempers are as opposed
+as the sunshine, which a short space since gilded
+a serene and beautiful landscape, differs from the
+tempests which are now wasting it. I spurned
+with open scorn and contempt what he, in his
+mistaken affection, had devised for means of consolation,
+and, disgusted with the idle follies
+which he had devised for curing the melancholy
+of a dethroned Queen, a widowed spouse&mdash;and,
+alas! a childless mother,&mdash;I retired hither from
+the noisy and idle mirth, which was the bitterest
+aggravation of my sorrows. Such and so gentle is
+René's temper, that even my unfilial conduct will
+not diminish my influence over him; and if your
+father had announced that the Duke of Burgundy,
+like a knight and a sovereign, had cordially and
+nobly entered into the plan of the faithful Oxford,
+I could have found it in my heart to obtain the
+cession of territory his cold and ambitious policy
+requires, in order to insure the assistance which
+he now postpones to afford till he has gratified his
+own haughty humour by settling needless quarrels
+with his unoffending neighbours. Since I have
+been here, and calmness and solitude have given
+me time to reflect, I have thought on the offences
+I have given the old man, and on the wrongs I
+was about to do him. My father, let me do him
+justice, is also the father of his people. They
+have dwelt under their vines and fig-trees, in
+ignoble ease, perhaps, but free from oppression
+and exaction, and their happiness has been that
+of their good King. Must I change all this?&mdash;Must
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span>
+I aid in turning over these contented people
+to a fierce, headlong, arbitrary prince?&mdash;May I
+not break even the easy and thoughtless heart of
+my poor old father, should I succeed in urging
+him to do so?&mdash;These are questions which I
+shudder even to ask myself. On the other hand,
+to disappoint the toils, the venturous hopes of
+your father, to forego the only opportunity which
+may ever again offer itself, of revenge on the
+bloody traitors of York, and restoration of the
+House of Lancaster!&mdash;Arthur, the scene around
+us is not so convulsed by the fearful tempest and
+the driving clouds, as my mind is by doubt and
+uncertainty."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas," replied Arthur, "I am too young and
+inexperienced to be your Majesty's adviser in a
+case so arduous. I would my father had been in
+presence himself."</p>
+
+<p>"I know what he would have said," replied the
+Queen; "but, knowing all, I despair of aid from
+human counsellors&mdash;I have sought others, but
+they also are deaf to my entreaties. Yes, Arthur,
+Margaret's misfortunes have rendered her superstitious.
+Know, that beneath these rocks, and
+under the foundation of this convent, there runs
+a cavern, entering by a secret and defended passage
+a little to the westward of the summit, and
+running through the mountain, having an opening
+to the south, from which, as from this bartizan,
+you can view the landscape so lately seen from
+this balcony, or the strife of winds and confusion
+of clouds which we now behold. In the middle
+of this cavernous thoroughfare is a natural pit, or
+perforation, of great but unknown depth. A stone
+dropped into it is heard to dash from side to side,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span>
+until the noise of its descent, thundering from
+cliff to cliff, dies away in distant and faint tinkling,
+less loud than that of a sheep's bell at a
+mile's distance. The common people, in their
+jargon, call this fearful gulf Lou Garagoule; and
+the traditions of the monastery annex wild and
+fearful recollections to a place in itself sufficiently
+terrible. Oracles, it is said, spoke from thence in
+pagan days, by subterranean voices, arising from
+the abyss; and from these the Roman general is
+said to have heard, in strange and uncouth rhymes,
+promises of the victory which gives name to this
+mountain. These oracles, it is averred, may be
+yet consulted after performance of strange rites, in
+which heathen ceremonies are mixed with Christian
+acts of devotion. The abbots of Mont St.
+Victoire have denounced the consultation of Lou
+Garagoule, and the spirits who reside there, to be
+criminal. But as the sin may be expiated by
+presents to the Church, by masses, and penances,
+the door is sometimes opened by the complaisant
+fathers to those whose daring curiosity leads them,
+at all risks, and by whatever means, to search into
+futurity. Arthur, I have made the experiment,
+and am even now returned from the gloomy cavern,
+in which, according to the traditional ritual, I
+have spent six hours by the margin of the gulf, a
+place so dismal, that after its horrors even this
+tempestuous scene is refreshing."</p>
+
+<p>The Queen stopped, and Arthur, the more
+struck with the wild tale that it reminded him of
+his place of imprisonment at La Ferette, asked
+anxiously if her inquiries had obtained any
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever," replied the unhappy Princess.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span>
+"The demons of Garagoule, if there be such, are
+deaf to the suit of an unfortunate wretch like me,
+to whom neither friends nor fiends will afford
+counsel or assistance. It is my father's circumstances
+which prevent my instant and strong resolution.
+Were my own claims on this piping and
+paltry nation of Troubadours alone interested, I
+could, for the chance of once more setting my foot
+in merry England, as easily and willingly resign
+them, and their paltry coronet, as I commit to the
+storm this idle emblem of the royal rank which I
+have lost."</p>
+
+<p>As Margaret spoke, she tore from her hair the
+sable feather and rose which the tempest had
+detached from the circlet in which they were
+placed, and tossed them from the battlement with
+a gesture of wild energy. They were instantly
+whirled off in a bickering eddy of the agitated
+clouds, which swept the feather far distant into
+empty space, through which the eye could not
+pursue it. But while that of Arthur involuntarily
+strove to follow its course, a contrary gust of wind
+caught the red rose, and drove it back against his
+breast, so that it was easy for him to catch hold
+of and retain it.</p>
+
+<p>"Joy, joy, and good fortune, royal mistress!"
+he said, returning to her the emblematic flower;
+"the tempest brings back the badge of Lancaster to
+its proper owner."</p>
+
+<p>"I accept the omen," said Margaret; "but it
+concerns yourself, noble youth, and not me. The
+feather, which is borne away to waste and desolation,
+is Margaret's emblem. My eyes will never
+see the restoration of the line of Lancaster. But
+you will live to behold it, and to aid to achieve it,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span>
+and to dye our red rose deeper yet in the blood of
+tyrants and traitors. My thoughts are so strangely
+poised, that a feather or a flower may turn the
+scale. But my head is still giddy, and my heart
+sick.&mdash;To-morrow you shall see another Margaret,
+and till then adieu."</p>
+
+<p>It was time to retire, for the tempest began to
+be mingled with fiercer showers of rain. When
+they re-entered the parlour, the Queen clapped her
+hands, and two female attendants entered.</p>
+
+<p>"Let the Father Abbot know," she said, "that
+it is our desire that this young gentleman receive
+for this night such hospitality as befits an esteemed
+friend of ours.&mdash;Till to-morrow, young sir, farewell."</p>
+
+<p>With a countenance which betrayed not the late
+emotion of her mind, and with a stately courtesy
+that would have become her when she graced the
+halls of Windsor, she extended her hand, which
+the youth saluted respectfully. After her leaving
+the parlour, the Abbot entered, and, in his attention
+to Arthur's entertainment and accommodation
+for the evening, showed his anxiety to meet and
+obey Queen Margaret's wishes.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i10">Want you a man</p>
+<p>Experienced in the world and its affairs?</p>
+<p>Here he is for your purpose.&mdash;He's a monk.</p>
+<p>He hath forsworn the world and all its work&mdash;</p>
+<p>The rather that he knows it passing well,</p>
+<p>Special the worst of it, for he's a monk.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Old Play.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>While the dawn of the morning was yet grey,
+Arthur was awakened by a loud ringing at the
+gate of the monastery, and presently afterwards
+the porter entered the cell which had been allotted
+to him for his lodgings, to tell him that, if his
+name was Arthur Philipson, a brother of their
+order had brought him despatches from his father.
+The youth started up, hastily attired himself, and
+was introduced, in the parlour, to a Carmelite
+monk, being of the same order with the community
+of St. Victoire.</p>
+
+<p>"I have ridden many a mile, young man, to
+present you with this letter," said the monk,
+"having undertaken to your father that it should
+be delivered without delay. I came to Aix last
+night during the storm, and, learning at the palace
+that you had ridden hither, I mounted as soon as
+the tempest abated, and here I am."</p>
+
+<p>"I am beholden to you, father," said the youth,
+"and if I could repay your pains with a small
+donative to your convent"&mdash;&mdash;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"By no means," answered the good father; "I
+took my personal trouble out of friendship to your
+father, and mine own errand led me this way.
+The expenses of my long journey have been amply
+provided for. But open your packet, I can answer
+your questions at leisure."</p>
+
+<p>The young man accordingly stepped into an
+embrasure of the window, and read as follows:&mdash;</p>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>
+"<span class="smcap">Son Arthur</span>,&mdash;Touching the state of the country,
+in so far as concerns the safety of travelling, know that
+the same is precarious. The Duke hath taken the towns
+of Brie and Granson, and put to death five hundred
+men, whom he made prisoners in garrison there. But
+the Confederates are approaching with a large force,
+and God will judge for the right. Howsoever the game
+may go, these are sharp wars, in which little quarter
+is spoken of on either side, and therefore there is
+no safety for men of our profession, till something decisive
+shall happen. In the meantime, you may assure
+the widowed lady, that our correspondent continues
+well disposed to purchase the property which she has
+in hand; but will scarce be able to pay the price till
+his present pressing affairs shall be settled, which I
+hope will be in time to permit us to embark the funds
+in the profitable adventure I told our friend of. I
+have employed a friar, travelling to Provence, to carry
+this letter, which I trust will come safe. The bearer
+may be trusted.</p>
+
+<p class="left45">
+"Your affectionate father,</p>
+
+<p class="left65">"<span class="smcap">John Philipson</span>."</p>
+</div>
+<p>Arthur easily comprehended the latter part of
+the epistle, and rejoiced he had received it at so
+critical a moment. He questioned the Carmelite
+on the amount of the Duke's army, which the
+monk stated to amount to sixty thousand men,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span>
+while he said the Confederates, though making
+every exertion, had not yet been able to assemble
+the third part of that number. The young Ferrand
+de Vaudemont was with their army, and had
+received, it was thought, some secret assistance
+from France; but as he was little known in arms,
+and had few followers, the empty title of General
+which he bore added little to the strength of the
+Confederates. Upon the whole, he reported that
+every chance appeared to be in favour of Charles,
+and Arthur, who looked upon his success as presenting
+the only chance in favour of his father's
+enterprise, was not a little pleased to find it insured,
+as far as depended on a great superiority of
+force. He had no leisure to make further inquiries,
+for the Queen at that moment entered the apartment,
+and the Carmelite, learning her quality,
+withdrew from her presence in deep reverence.</p>
+
+<p>The paleness of her complexion still bespoke the
+fatigues of the day preceding; but, as she graciously
+bestowed on Arthur the greetings of the morning,
+her voice was firm, her eye clear, and her countenance
+steady. "I meet you," she said, "not as I
+left you, but determined in my purpose. I am
+satisfied that if René does not voluntarily yield
+up his throne of Provence by some step like that
+which we propose, he will be hurled from it by
+violence, in which, it may be, his life will not
+be spared. We will, therefore, to work with all
+speed&mdash;the worst is, that I cannot leave this convent
+till I have made the necessary penances for
+having visited the Garagoule, without performing
+which I were no Christian woman. When you
+return to Aix, inquire at the palace for my secretary,
+with whom this line will give you credence.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span>
+I have, even before this door of hope opened to me,
+endeavoured to form an estimate of King René's
+situation, and collected the documents for that
+purpose. Tell him to send me, duly sealed, and
+under fitting charge, the small cabinet hooped with
+silver. Hours of penance for past errors may be
+employed to prevent others; and from the contents
+of that cabinet I shall learn whether I am, in this
+weighty matter, sacrificing my father's interests
+to my own half-desperate hopes. But of this I
+have little or no doubt. I can cause the deeds of
+resignation and transference to be drawn up here
+under my own direction, and arrange the execution
+of them when I return to Aix, which shall be the
+first moment after my penance is concluded."</p>
+
+<p>"And this letter, gracious madam," said Arthur,
+"will inform you what events are approaching,
+and of what importance it may be to take time by
+the forelock. Place me but in possession of these
+momentous deeds, and I will travel night and day
+till I reach the Duke's camp. I shall find him
+most likely in the moment of victory, and with
+his heart too much open to refuse a boon to the
+royal kinswoman who is surrendering to him all.
+We will&mdash;we must&mdash;in such an hour, obtain
+princely succours; and we shall soon see if the
+licentious Edward of York, the savage Richard,
+the treacherous and perjured Clarence, are hereafter
+to be lords of merry England, or whether
+they must give place to a more rightful sovereign
+and better man. But oh! royal madam, all depends
+on haste."</p>
+
+<p>"True&mdash;yet a few days may&mdash;nay, must&mdash;cast
+the die between Charles and his opponents; and,
+ere making so great a surrender, it were as well to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span>
+be assured that he whom we would propitiate is in
+capacity to assist us. All the events of a tragic and
+varied life have led me to see there is no such thing
+as an inconsiderable enemy. I will make haste,
+however, trusting in the interim we may have good
+news from the banks of the lake at Neufchatel."</p>
+
+<p>"But who shall be employed to draw these most
+important deeds?" said the young man.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret mused ere she replied,&mdash;"The Father
+Guardian is complaisant, and I think faithful; but
+I would not willingly repose confidence in one of
+the Provençal monks. Stay, let me think&mdash;your
+father says the Carmelite who brought the letter
+may be trusted&mdash;he shall do the turn. He is a
+stranger, and will be silent for a piece of money.
+Farewell, Arthur de Vere.&mdash;You will be treated
+with all hospitality by my father. If thou dost
+receive further tidings, thou wilt let me know
+them; or, should I have instructions to send, thou
+wilt hear from me.&mdash;So, benedicite."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur proceeded to wind down the mountain
+at a much quicker pace than he had ascended on
+the day before. The weather was now gloriously
+serene, and the beauties of vegetation, in a country
+where it never totally slumbers, were at once delicious
+and refreshing. His thoughts wandered from
+the crags of Mont St. Victoire to the cliff of the
+canton of Unterwalden, and fancy recalled the
+moments when his walks through such scenery
+were not solitary, but when there was a form by
+his side whose simple beauty was engraved on his
+memory. Such thoughts were of a preoccupying
+nature; and I grieve to say that they entirely
+drowned the recollection of the mysterious caution
+given him by his father, intimating that Arthur
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span>
+might not be able to comprehend such letters as
+he should receive from him, till they were warmed
+before a fire.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing which reminded him of this
+singular caution was the seeing a chafing-dish of
+charcoal in the kitchen of the hostelry at the bottom
+of the mountain, where he found Thiebault
+and his horses. This was the first fire which he
+had seen since receiving his father's letter, and it
+reminded him not unnaturally of what the Earl
+had recommended. Great was his surprise to see
+that, after exposing the paper to the fire as if to
+dry it, a word emerged in an important passage of
+the letter, and the concluding words now read,&mdash;"The
+bearer may <i>not</i> be trusted." Well-nigh
+choked with shame and vexation, Arthur could
+think of no other remedy than instantly to return
+to the convent, and acquaint the Queen with this
+discovery, which he hoped still to convey to her
+in time to prevent any risk being incurred by the
+Carmelite's treachery.</p>
+
+<p>Incensed at himself, and eager to redeem his
+fault, he bent his manly breast against the steep
+hill, which was probably never scaled in so short
+time as by the young heir of De Vere; for, within
+forty minutes from his commencing the ascent, he
+stood breathless and panting in the presence of
+Queen Margaret, who was alike surprised at his
+appearance and his exhausted condition.</p>
+
+<p>"Trust not the Carmelite!" he exclaimed&mdash;"You
+are betrayed, noble Queen, and it is by my
+negligence. Here is my dagger&mdash;bid me strike
+it into my heart!"</p>
+
+<p>Margaret demanded and obtained a more special
+explanation, and when it was given she said, "It
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span>
+is an unhappy chance; but your father's instructions
+ought to have been more distinct. I have
+told yonder Carmelite the purpose of the contracts,
+and engaged with him to draw them. He has but
+now left me to serve at the choir. There is no
+withdrawing the confidence I have unhappily
+placed; but I can easily prevail with the Father
+Guardian to prevent the monk from leaving the
+convent till we are indifferent to his secrecy. It
+is our best chance to secure it, and we will take
+care that what inconvenience he sustains by his
+detention shall be well recompensed. Meanwhile,
+rest thou, good Arthur, and undo the throat of thy
+mantle. Poor youth, thou art well-nigh exhausted
+with thy haste."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur obeyed, and sat down on a seat in the
+parlour; for the speed which he had exerted rendered
+him almost incapable of standing.</p>
+
+<p>"If I could but see," he said, "the false monk,
+I would find a way to charm him to secrecy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Better leave him to me," said the Queen;
+"and, in a word, I forbid you to meddle with
+him. The coif can treat better with the cowl
+than the casque can do. Say no more of him. I
+joy to see you wear around your neck the holy
+relic I bestowed on you;&mdash;but what Moorish
+charmlet is that you wear beside it? Alas! I
+need not ask. Your heightened colour, almost as
+deep as when you entered a quarter of an hour
+hence, confesses a true-love token. Alas! poor
+boy, hast thou not only such a share of thy country's
+woes to bear, but also thine own load of
+affliction, not the less poignant now that future
+time will show thee how fantastic it is! Margaret
+of Anjou could once have aided wherever thy affections
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span>
+were placed; but now she can only contribute
+to the misery of her friends, not to their happiness.
+But this lady of the charm, Arthur, is she
+fair&mdash;is she wise and virtuous&mdash;is she of noble
+birth&mdash;and does she love?"&mdash;She perused his
+countenance with the glance of an eagle, and continued,
+"To all, thou wouldst answer Yes, if
+shamefacedness permitted thee. Love her then in
+turn, my gallant boy, for love is the parent of
+brave actions. Go, my noble youth&mdash;high-born
+and loyal, valorous and virtuous, enamoured and
+youthful, to what mayst thou not rise? The chivalry
+of ancient Europe only lives in a bosom like
+thine. Go, and let the praises of a Queen fire thy
+bosom with the love of honour and achievement.
+In three days we meet at Aix."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, highly gratified with the Queen's condescension,
+once more left her presence.</p>
+
+<p>Returning down the mountain with a speed very
+different from that which he had used in the
+ascent, he again found his Provençal squire, who
+had remained in much surprise at witnessing the
+confusion in which his master had left the inn,
+almost immediately after he had entered it without
+any apparent haste or agitation. Arthur explained
+his hasty return by alleging he had forgot
+his purse at the convent. "Nay, in that case,"
+said Thiebault, "considering what you left and
+where you left it, I do not wonder at your speed,
+though, Our Lady save me, as I never saw living
+creature, save a goat with a wolf at his heels,
+make his way over crag and briers with half such
+rapidity as you did."</p>
+
+<p>They reached Aix after about an hour's riding,
+and Arthur lost no time in waiting upon the good
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span>
+King René, who gave him a kind reception, both
+in respect of the letter from the Duke of Burgundy,
+and in consideration of his being an Englishman,
+the avowed subject of the unfortunate Margaret.
+The placable monarch soon forgave his young guest
+the want of complaisance with which he had
+eschewed to listen to his compositions; and Arthur
+speedily found that to apologise for his want of
+breeding in that particular was likely to lead to
+a great deal more rehearsing than he could find
+patience to tolerate. He could only avoid the old
+King's extreme desire to recite his own poems,
+and perform his own music, by engaging him in
+speaking of his daughter Margaret. Arthur had
+been sometimes induced to doubt the influence
+which the Queen boasted herself to possess over
+her aged father; but, on being acquainted with
+him personally, he became convinced that her
+powerful understanding and violent passions inspired
+the feeble-minded and passive King with a
+mixture of pride, affection, and fear, which united
+to give her the most ample authority over him.</p>
+
+<p>Although she had parted with him but a day
+or two since, and in a manner so ungracious on
+her side, René was as much overjoyed at hearing
+of the probability of her speedy return, as the
+fondest father could have been at the prospect of
+being reunited to the most dutiful child, whom
+he had not seen for years. The old King was
+impatient as a boy for the day of her arrival, and,
+still strangely unenlightened on the difference of
+her taste from his own, he was with difficulty
+induced to lay aside a project of meeting her in
+the character of old Palemon,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>The prince of shepherds, and their pride,</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span></p>
+
+<p>at the head of an Arcadian procession of nymphs
+and swains, to inspire whose choral dances and
+songs every pipe and tambourine in the country
+was to be placed in requisition. Even the old
+seneschal, however, intimated his disapprobation
+of this species of <i>joyeuse entrée</i>; so that René
+suffered himself at length to be persuaded that
+the Queen was too much occupied by the religious
+impressions to which she had been of late exposed,
+to receive any agreeable sensation from sights or
+sounds of levity. The King gave way to reasons
+which he could not sympathise with; and thus
+Margaret escaped the shock of welcome, which
+would perhaps have driven her in her impatience
+back to the mountain of St. Victoire, and the
+sable cavern of Lou Garagoule.</p>
+
+<p>During the time of her absence, the days of the
+court of Provence were employed in sports and
+rejoicings of every description; tilting at the
+barrier with blunted spears, riding at the ring,
+parties for hare-hunting and falconry, frequented
+by the youth of both sexes, in the company of
+whom the King delighted, while the evenings
+were consumed in dancing and music.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur could not but be sensible that not long
+since all this would have made him perfectly
+happy; but the last months of his existence had
+developed his understanding and passions. He was
+now initiated in the actual business of human life,
+and looked on its amusements with an air of something
+like contempt; so that among the young and
+gay noblesse who composed this merry court he acquired
+the title of the youthful philosopher, which
+was not bestowed upon him, it may be supposed, as
+inferring anything of peculiar compliment.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On the fourth day news was received, by an
+express messenger, that Queen Margaret would
+enter Aix before the hour of noon, to resume her
+residence in her father's palace. The good King
+René seemed, as it drew nigh, to fear the interview
+with his daughter as much as he had previously
+desired it, and contrived to make all
+around him partake of his fidgety anxiety. He
+tormented his steward and cooks to recollect what
+dishes they had ever observed her to taste of with
+approbation&mdash;he pressed the musicians to remember
+the tunes which she approved; and when one
+of them boldly replied he had never known her
+Majesty endure any strain with patience, the old
+monarch threatened to turn him out of his service
+for slandering the taste of his daughter. The
+banquet was ordered to be served at half past
+eleven, as if accelerating it would have had the
+least effect upon hurrying the arrival of the expected
+guests; and the old King, with his napkin
+over his arm, traversed the hall from window
+to window, wearying every one with questions,
+whether they saw anything of the Queen of England.
+Exactly as the bells tolled noon, the Queen,
+with a very small retinue, chiefly English, and in
+mourning habits like herself, rode into the town
+of Aix. King René, at the head of his court,
+failed not to descend from the front of his stately
+palace, and move along the street to meet his
+daughter. Lofty, proud, and jealous of incurring
+ridicule, Margaret was not pleased with this public
+greeting in the market-place. But she was
+desirous at present to make amends for her late
+petulance, and therefore she descended from her
+palfrey; and, although something shocked at seeing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span>
+René equipped with a napkin, she humbled herself
+to bend the knee to him, asking at once his blessing
+and forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou hast&mdash;thou hast my blessing, my suffering
+dove," said the simple King to the proudest
+and most impatient princess that ever wept for a
+lost crown.&mdash;"And for thy pardon, how canst
+thou ask it, who never didst me an offence since
+God made me father to so gracious a child?&mdash;Rise,
+I say rise&mdash;nay, it is for me to ask thy pardon&mdash;True,
+I said in my ignorance, and thought
+within myself, that my heart had indited a goodly
+thing&mdash;but it vexed thee. It is therefore for me
+to crave pardon."&mdash;And down sank good King
+René upon both knees; and the people, who are
+usually captivated with anything resembling the
+trick of the scene, applauded with much noise,
+and some smothered laughter, a situation in which
+the royal daughter and her parent seemed about to
+rehearse the scene of the Roman Charity.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret, sensitively alive to shame, and fully
+aware that her present position was sufficiently
+ludicrous in its publicity at least, signed sharply
+to Arthur, whom she saw in the King's suite, to
+come to her; and, using his arm to rise, she muttered
+to him aside, and in English,&mdash;"To what
+saint shall I vow myself, that I may preserve
+patience when I so much need it!"</p>
+
+<p>"For pity's sake, royal madam, recall your
+firmness of mind and composure," whispered her
+esquire, who felt at the moment more embarrassed
+than honoured by his distinguished office, for he
+could feel that the Queen actually trembled with
+vexation and impatience.</p>
+
+<p>They at length resumed their route to the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span>
+palace, the father and daughter arm in arm&mdash;a
+posture most agreeable to Margaret, who could
+bring herself to endure her father's effusions of
+tenderness, and the general tone of his conversation,
+so that he was not overheard by others. In
+the same manner, she bore with laudable patience
+the teasing attentions which he addressed to her
+at table, noticed some of his particular courtiers,
+inquired after others, led the way to his favourite
+subjects of conversation on poetry, painting, and
+music, till the good King was as much delighted
+with the unwonted civilities of his daughter as
+ever was lover with the favourable confessions of
+his mistress, when, after years of warm courtship,
+the ice of her bosom is at length thawed. It cost
+the haughty Margaret an effort to bend herself to
+play this part&mdash;her pride rebuked her for stooping
+to flatter her father's foibles, in order to bring him
+over to the resignation of his dominions&mdash;yet
+having undertaken to do so, and so much having
+been already hazarded upon this sole remaining
+chance of success in an attack upon England, she
+saw, or was willing to see, no alternative.</p>
+
+<p>Betwixt the banquet and the ball by which it
+was to be followed, the Queen sought an opportunity
+of speaking to Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Bad news, my sage counsellor," she said.
+"The Carmelite never returned to the convent
+after the service was over. Having learned that
+you had come back in great haste, he had, I suppose,
+concluded he might stand in suspicion, so
+he left the convent of Mont St. Victoire."</p>
+
+<p>"We must hasten the measures which your
+Majesty has resolved to adopt," answered Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"I will speak with my father to-morrow.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span>
+Meanwhile, you must enjoy the pleasures of the
+evening, for to you they may be pleasures.&mdash;Young
+lady of Boisgelin, I give you this cavalier
+to be your partner for the evening."</p>
+
+<p>The black-eyed and pretty Provençale curtseyed
+with due decorum, and glanced at the handsome
+young Englishman with an eye of approbation;
+but whether afraid of his character as a philosopher,
+or his doubtful rank, added the saving
+clause,&mdash;"If my mother approves."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mother, damsel, will scarce, I think,
+disapprove of any partner whom you receive from
+the hands of Margaret of Anjou. Happy privilege
+of youth," she added with a sigh, as the youthful
+couple went off to take their place in the <i>bransle</i>,<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>
+
+"which can snatch a flower even on the roughest
+road!"</p>
+
+<p>Arthur acquitted himself so well during the
+evening, that perhaps the young Countess was only
+sorry that so gay and handsome a gallant limited
+his compliments and attentions within the cold
+bounds of that courtesy enjoined by the rules of
+ceremony.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>For I have given here my full consent</p>
+<p>To undeck the pompous body of a king,</p>
+<p>Make glory base, and sovereignty a slave,</p>
+<p>Proud majesty a subject, state a peasant.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Richard II.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The next day opened a grave scene. King René
+had not forgotten to arrange the pleasures of the
+day, when, to his horror and discomfiture, Margaret
+demanded an interview upon serious business.
+If there was a proposition in the world
+which René from his soul detested, it was any
+that related to the very name of business.</p>
+
+<p>"What was it that his child wanted?" he said.
+"Was it money? He would give her whatever
+ready sums he had, though he owned his exchequer
+was somewhat bare; yet he had received his income
+for the season. It was ten thousand crowns.
+How much should he desire to be paid to her?&mdash;the
+half&mdash;three parts&mdash;or the whole? All was
+at her command."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, my dear father," said Margaret, "it is
+not my affairs, but your own, on which I desire
+to speak with you."</p>
+
+<p>"If the affairs are mine," said René, "I am
+surely master to put them off to another day&mdash;to
+some rainy dull day, fit for no better purpose.
+See, my love, the hawking-party are all on their
+steeds and ready&mdash;the horses are neighing and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span>
+pawing&mdash;the gallants and maidens mounted, and
+ready with hawk on fist&mdash;the spaniels struggling
+in the leash. It were a sin, with wind and weather
+to friend, to lose so lovely a morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Let them ride their way," said Queen Margaret,
+"and find their sport; for the matter I have
+to speak concerning involves honour and rank, life
+and means of living."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, but I have to hear and judge between
+Calezon and John of Acqua Mortis, the two most
+celebrated Troubadours."</p>
+
+<p>"Postpone their cause till to-morrow," said
+Margaret, "and dedicate an hour or two to more
+important affairs."</p>
+
+<p>"If you are peremptory," replied King René,
+"you are aware, my child, I cannot say you
+nay."</p>
+
+<p>And with reluctance he gave orders for the
+hawkers to go on and follow their sport, as he
+could not attend them that day.</p>
+
+<p>The old King then suffered himself, like an unwilling
+greyhound withheld from the chase, to be
+led into a separate apartment. To insure privacy,
+Margaret stationed her secretary Mordaunt, with
+Arthur, in an antechamber, giving them orders
+to prevent all intrusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, for myself, Margaret," said the good-natured
+old man, "since it must be, I consent to
+be put <i>au secret</i>; but why keep old Mordaunt from
+taking a walk in this beautiful morning; and why
+prevent young Arthur from going forth with the
+rest? I promise you, though they term him a
+philosopher, yet he showed as light a pair of heels
+last night, with the young Countess de Boisgelin,
+as any gallant in Provence."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"They are come from a country," said Margaret,
+"in which men are trained from infancy to prefer
+their duty to their pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>The poor King, led into the council-closet, saw
+with internal shuddering the fatal cabinet of
+ebony, bound with silver, which had never been
+opened but to overwhelm him with weariness, and
+dolefully calculated how many yawns he must
+strangle ere he sustained the consideration of its
+contents. They proved, however, when laid before
+him, of a kind that excited even his interest,
+though painfully.</p>
+
+<p>His daughter presented him with a short and
+clear view of the debts which were secured on his
+dominions, and for which they were mortgaged in
+various pieces and parcels. She then showed him,
+by another schedule, the large claims of which
+payment was instantly demanded, to discharge
+which no funds could be found or assigned. The
+King defended himself like others in his forlorn
+situation. To every claim of six, seven, or eight
+thousand ducats, he replied by the assertion that
+he had ten thousand crowns in his chancery, and
+showed some reluctance to be convinced, till repeatedly
+urged upon him, that the same sum could
+not be adequate to the discharge of thirty times
+the amount.</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said the King, somewhat impatiently,
+"why not pay off those who are most pressing,
+and let the others wait till receipts come round?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is a practice which has been too often
+resorted to," replied the Queen, "and it is but a
+part of honesty to pay creditors who have advanced
+their all in your Grace's service."</p>
+
+<p>"But are we not," said René, "King of both the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">257</a></span>
+Sicilies, Naples, Arragon, and Jerusalem? And
+why is the monarch of such fair kingdoms to be
+pushed to the wall, like a bankrupt yeoman, for a
+few bags of paltry crowns?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are indeed monarch of these kingdoms,"
+said Margaret; "but is it necessary to remind your
+Majesty that it is but as I am Queen of England,
+in which I have not an acre of land, and cannot
+command a penny of revenue? You have no
+dominions which are a source of revenue, save
+those which you see in this scroll, with an exact
+list of the income they afford. It is totally
+inadequate, you see, to maintain your state, and
+to pay the large engagements incurred to former
+creditors."</p>
+
+<p>"It is cruel to press me to the wall thus," said
+the poor King. "What can I do? If I am poor,
+I cannot help it. I am sure I would pay the debts
+you talk of, if I knew the way."</p>
+
+<p>"Royal father, I will show it you.&mdash;Resign
+your useless and unavailing dignity, which, with
+the pretensions attending it, serves but to make
+your miseries ridiculous. Resign your rights as
+a sovereign, and the income which cannot be
+stretched out to the empty excesses of a beggarly
+court will enable you to enjoy, in ease and opulence,
+all the pleasures you most delight in, as
+a private baron."</p>
+
+<p>"Margaret, you speak folly," answered René,
+somewhat sternly. "A king and his people are
+bound by ties which neither can sever without
+guilt. My subjects are my flock, I am their shepherd.
+They are assigned to my governance by
+Heaven, and I dare not renounce the charge of
+protecting them."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">258</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Were you in condition to do so," answered the
+Queen, "Margaret would bid you fight to the death.
+But don your harness, long disused&mdash;mount your
+war-steed&mdash;cry, René for Provence! and see if a
+hundred men will gather round your standard.
+Your fortresses are in the hands of strangers; army
+you have none; your vassals may have good-will,
+but they lack all military skill and soldierlike
+discipline. You stand but the mere skeleton of
+monarchy, which France or Burgundy may prostrate
+on the earth, whichever first puts forth his
+arm to throw it down."</p>
+
+<p>The tears trickled fast down the old King's
+cheeks, when this unflattering prospect was set
+before him, and he could not forbear owning
+his total want of power to defend himself and
+his dominions, and admitting that he had often
+thought of the necessity of compounding for his
+resignation with one of his powerful neighbours.</p>
+
+<p>"It was thy interest, Margaret, harsh and severe
+as you are, which prevented my entering, before
+now, into measures most painful to my feelings,
+but perhaps best calculated for my advantage.
+But I had hoped it would hold on for my day;
+and thou, my child, with the talents Heaven has
+given thee, wouldst, I thought, have found remedy
+for distresses which I cannot escape, otherwise
+than by shunning the thoughts of them."</p>
+
+<p>"If it is in earnest you speak of my interest,"
+said Margaret, "know, that your resigning Provence
+will satisfy the nearest, and almost the only
+wish that my bosom can form; but, so judge me
+Heaven, as it is on your account, gracious sire, as
+well as mine, that I advise your compliance."</p>
+
+<p>"Say no more on't, child; give me the parchment
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span>
+of resignation, and I will sign it: I see thou
+hast it ready drawn; let us sign it, and then
+we will overtake the hawkers. We must suffer
+woe, but there is little need to sit down and weep
+for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you not ask," said Margaret, surprised at
+his apathy, "to whom you cede your dominions?"</p>
+
+<p>"What boots it," answered the King, "since
+they must be no more my own? It must be either
+to Charles of Burgundy, or my nephew Louis&mdash;both
+powerful and politic princes. God send my
+poor people may have no cause to wish their old
+man back again, whose only pleasure was to see
+them happy and mirthful."</p>
+
+<p>"It is to Burgundy you resign Provence," said
+Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>"I would have preferred him," answered René;
+"he is fierce, but not malignant. One word more.
+Are my subjects' privileges and immunities fully
+secured?"</p>
+
+<p>"Amply," replied the Queen; "and your own
+wants of all kinds honourably provided for. I
+would not leave the stipulations in your favour
+in blank, though I might perhaps have trusted
+Charles of Burgundy, where money alone is concerned."</p>
+
+<p>"I ask not for myself&mdash;with my viol and my
+pencil, René the Troubadour will be as happy as
+ever was René the King."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, with practical philosophy he whistled
+the burden of his last composed ariette, and signed
+away the rest of his royal possessions without pulling
+off his glove, or even reading the instrument.</p>
+
+<p>"What is this?" he said, looking at another
+and separate parchment of much briefer contents.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span>
+"Must my kinsman Charles have both the Sicilies,
+Catalonia, Naples, and Jerusalem, as well as the
+poor remainder of Provence? Methinks, in decency,
+some greater extent of parchment should
+have been allowed to so ample a cession."</p>
+
+<p>"That deed," said Margaret, "only disowns and
+relinquishes all countenance of Ferrand de Vaudemont's
+rash attempt on Lorraine, and renounces
+all quarrel on that account against Charles of
+Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>For once Margaret miscalculated the tractability
+of her father's temper. René positively started,
+coloured, and stammered with passion, as he interrupted
+her&mdash;"<i>Only</i> disown&mdash;<i>only</i> relinquish&mdash;<i>only</i>
+renounce the cause of my grandchild, the son
+of my dear Yolande&mdash;his rightful claims on his
+mother's inheritance!&mdash;Margaret, I am ashamed
+for thee. Thy pride is an excuse for thy evil
+temper but what is pride worth which can stoop
+to commit an act of dishonourable meanness? To
+desert, nay, disown, my own flesh and blood, because
+the youth is a bold knight under shield, and
+disposed to battle for his right&mdash;I were worthy
+that harp and horn rung out shame on me, should
+I listen to thee."</p>
+
+<p>Margaret was overcome in some measure by
+the old man's unexpected opposition. She endeavoured,
+however, to show that there was no
+occasion, in point of honour, why René should
+engage in the cause of a wild adventurer, whose
+right, be it good be it bad, was only upheld by
+some petty and underhand supplies of money
+from France, and the countenance of a few of the
+restless banditti who inhabit the borders of all
+nations. But ere René could answer, voices, raised
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">261</a></span>
+to an unusual pitch, were heard in the antechamber,
+the door of which was flung open by an armed
+knight, covered with dust, who exhibited all the
+marks of a long journey.</p>
+
+<p>"Here I am," he said, "father of my mother&mdash;behold
+your grandson&mdash;Ferrand de Vaudemont;
+the son of your lost Yolande kneels at your feet,
+and implores a blessing on him and his enterprise."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou hast it," replied René, "and may it
+prosper with thee, gallant youth, image of thy
+sainted mother&mdash;my blessings, my prayers, my
+hopes, go with you!"</p>
+
+<p>"And you, fair aunt of England," said the
+young knight, addressing Margaret, "you who are
+yourself dispossessed by traitors, will you not own
+the cause of a kinsman who is struggling for his
+inheritance?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish all good to your person, fair nephew,"
+answered the Queen of England, "although your
+features are strange to me. But to advise this old
+man to adopt your cause, when it is desperate in
+the eyes of all wise men, were impious madness."</p>
+
+<p>"Is my cause then so desperate?" said Ferrand.
+"Forgive me if I was not aware of it. And does
+my aunt Margaret say this, whose strength of
+mind supported Lancaster so long, after the spirits
+of her warriors had been quelled by defeat? What&mdash;forgive
+me, for my cause must be pleaded&mdash;what
+would you have said had my mother Yolande
+been capable to advise her father to disown your
+own Edward, had God permitted him to reach
+Provence in safety?"</p>
+
+<p>"Edward," said Margaret, weeping as she spoke,
+"was incapable of desiring his friends to espouse
+a quarrel that was irremediable. His, too, was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span>
+a cause for which mighty princes and peers laid
+lance in rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet Heaven blessed it not&mdash;" said Vaudemont.</p>
+
+<p>"Thine," continued Margaret, "is but embraced
+by the robber nobles of Germany, the upstart
+burghers of the Rhine cities, the paltry and clownish
+Confederates of the Cantons."</p>
+
+<p>"But Heaven <i>has blessed it</i>," replied Vaudemont.
+"Know, proud woman, that I come to interrupt
+your treacherous intrigues; no petty adventurer,
+subsisting and maintaining warfare by sleight
+rather than force, but a conqueror from a bloody
+field of battle, in which Heaven has tamed the
+pride of the tyrant of Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"It is false!" said the Queen, starting. "I
+believe it not."</p>
+
+<p>"It is true," said De Vaudemont, "as true as
+heaven is above us.&mdash;It is four days since I left
+the field of Granson (<a href="#ednote_d" name="enanchor_d" id="enanchor_d" ><i>d</i></a>), heaped with Burgundy's
+mercenaries&mdash;his wealth, his jewels, his plate,
+his magnificent decorations, the prize of the poor
+Swiss, who scarce can tell their value. Know
+you this, Queen Margaret?" continued the young
+soldier, showing the well-known jewel which
+decorated the Duke's Order of the Golden Fleece;
+"think you not the lion was closely hunted when
+he left such trophies as these behind him?"</p>
+
+<p>Margaret looked, with dazzled eyes and bewildered
+thoughts, upon a token which confirmed the
+Duke's defeat, and the extinction of her last
+hopes. Her father, on the contrary, was struck
+with the heroism of the young warrior, a quality
+which, except as it existed in his daughter Margaret,
+had, he feared, taken leave of his family.
+Admiring in his heart the youth who exposed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span>
+himself to danger for the meed of praise, almost as
+much as he did the poets by whom the warrior's
+fame is rendered immortal, he hugged his grandson
+to his bosom, bidding him "gird on his sword
+in strength," and assuring him, if money could
+advance his affairs, he, King René, could command
+ten thousand crowns, any part, or the whole of
+which, was at Ferrand's command; thus giving
+proof of what had been said of him, that his head
+was incapable of containing two ideas at the same
+time.</p>
+
+<p>We return to Arthur, who, with the Queen of
+England's secretary, Mordaunt, had been not a
+little surprised by the entrance of the Count de
+Vaudemont, calling himself Duke of Lorraine,
+into the anteroom, in which they kept a kind of
+guard, followed by a tall strong Swiss, with a
+huge halberd over his shoulder. The prince naming
+himself, Arthur did not think it becoming to
+oppose his entrance to the presence of his grandfather
+and aunt, especially as it was obvious that
+his opposition must have created an affray. In
+the huge staring halberdier, who had sense enough
+to remain in the anteroom, Arthur was not a little
+surprised to recognise Sigismund Biederman, who,
+after staring wildly at him for a moment, like a
+dog which suddenly recognises a favourite, rushed
+up to the young Englishman with a wild cry of
+gladness, and in hurried accents told him how
+happy he was to meet with him, and that he had
+matters of importance to tell him. It was at no
+time easy for Sigismund to arrange his ideas, and
+now they were altogether confused, by the triumphant
+joy which he expressed for the recent victory
+of his countrymen over the Duke of Burgundy;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264</a></span>
+and it was with wonder that Arthur heard his
+confused and rude but faithful tale.</p>
+
+<p>"Look you, King Arthur, the Duke had come
+up with his huge army as far as Granson, which
+is near the outlet of the great lake of Neufchatel.
+There were five or six hundred Confederates in the
+place, and they held it till provisions failed, and
+then you know they were forced to give it over.
+But though hunger is hard to bear, they had better
+have borne it a day or two longer, for the butcher
+Charles hung them all up by the neck, upon trees
+round the place,&mdash;and there was no swallowing
+for them, you know, after such usage as that.
+Meanwhile all was busy on our hills, and every
+man that had a sword or lance accoutred himself
+with it. We met at Neufchatel, and some Germans
+joined us with the noble Duke of Lorraine.
+Ah, King Arthur, there is a leader!&mdash;we all think
+him second but to Rudolph of Donnerhugel&mdash;you
+saw him even now&mdash;it was he that went
+into that room&mdash;and you saw him before,&mdash;it is
+he that was the Blue Knight of Bâle; but we
+called him Laurenz then, for Rudolph said his
+presence among us must not be known to our
+father, and I did not know myself at that time
+who he really was. Well, when we came to Neufchatel
+we were a goodly company; we were fifteen
+thousand stout Confederates, and of others, Germans
+and Lorraine men, I will warrant you five
+thousand more. We heard that the Burgundian
+was sixty thousand in the field; but we heard, at
+the same time, that Charles had hung up our
+brethren like dogs, and the man was not among
+us&mdash;among the Confederates, I mean&mdash;who would
+stay to count heads, when the question was to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">265</a></span>
+avenge them. I would you could have heard the
+roar of fifteen thousand Swiss demanding to be led
+against the butcher of their brethren! My father
+himself, who, you know, is usually so eager for
+peace, now gave the first voice for battle; so, in
+the grey of the morning, we descended the lake
+towards Granson, with tears in our eyes and weapons
+in our hands, determined to have death or
+vengeance. We came to a sort of strait, between
+Vauxmoreux and the lake; there were horse on
+the level ground between the mountain and the
+lake, and a large body of infantry on the side of
+the hill. The Duke of Lorraine and his followers
+engaged the horse, while we climbed the hill to
+dispossess the infantry. It was with us the affair
+of a moment. Every man of us was at home
+among the crags, and Charles's men were stuck
+among them as thou wert, Arthur, when thou
+didst first come to Geierstein. But there were no
+kind maidens to lend them their hands to help
+them down. No, no&mdash;There were pikes, clubs,
+and halberds, many a one, to dash and thrust them
+from places where they could hardly keep their
+feet had there been no one to disturb them. So
+the horsemen, pushed by the Lorrainers, and seeing
+us upon their flanks, fled as fast as their horses
+could carry them. Then we drew together again
+on a fair field, which is <i>buon campagna</i>, as the
+Italian says, where the hills retire from the lake.
+But lo you, we had scarce arrayed our ranks, when
+we heard such a din and clash of instruments,
+such a trample of their great horses, such a shouting
+and crying of men, as if all the soldiers, and
+all the minstrels in France and Germany, were
+striving which should make the loudest noise.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">266</a></span>
+Then there was a huge cloud of dust approaching
+us, and we began to see we must do or die, for
+this was Charles and his whole army come to
+support his vanguard. A blast from the mountain
+dispersed the dust, for they had halted to prepare
+for battle. Oh, good Arthur! you would have
+given ten years of life but to have seen the sight.
+There were thousands of horse all in complete
+array, glancing against the sun, and hundreds of
+knights with crowns of gold and silver on their
+helmets, and thick masses of spears on foot, and
+cannon, as they call them. I did not know what
+things they were, which they drew on heavily
+with bullocks and placed before their army, but I
+knew more of them before the morning was over.
+Well, we were ordered to draw up in a hollow
+square, as we are taught at exercise, and before we
+pushed forwards we were commanded, as is the
+godly rule and guise of our warfare, to kneel down
+and pray to God, Our Lady, and the blessed saints;
+and we afterwards learned that Charles, in his
+arrogance, thought we asked for mercy&mdash;Ha! ha!
+ha! a proper jest. If my father once knelt to
+him, it was for the sake of Christian blood and
+godly peace; but on the field of battle Arnold
+Biederman would not have knelt to him and his
+whole chivalry, though he had stood alone with
+his sons on that field. Well, but Charles, supposing
+we asked grace, was determined to show
+us that we had asked it at a graceless face, for he
+cried, 'Fire my cannon on the coward slaves; it
+is all the mercy they have to expect from me!'&mdash;Bang&mdash;bang&mdash;bang&mdash;off
+went the things I told
+you of, like thunder and lightning, and some mischief
+they did, but the less that we were kneeling;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span>
+and the saints doubtless gave the huge balls a
+hoist over the heads of those who were asking
+grace from them, but from no mortal creatures.
+So we had the signal to rise and rush on, and I
+promise you there were no sluggards. Every man
+felt ten men's strength. My halberd is no child's
+toy&mdash;if you have forgotten it, there it is&mdash;and
+yet it trembled in my grasp as if it had been a
+willow wand to drive cows with. On we went,
+when suddenly the cannon were silent, and the
+earth shook with another and continued growl and
+battering, like thunder under ground. It was the
+men-at-arms rushing to charge us. But our leaders
+knew their trade, and had seen such a sight before&mdash;it
+was, Halt, halt&mdash;kneel down in the front&mdash;stoop
+in the second rank&mdash;close shoulder to
+shoulder like brethren, lean all spears forward and
+receive them like an iron wall! On they rushed,
+and there was a rending of lances that would have
+served the Unterwalden old women with splinters
+of firewood for a twelvemonth. Down went armed
+horse&mdash;down went accoutred knight&mdash;down went
+banner and bannerman&mdash;down went peaked boot
+and crowned helmet, and of those who fell not a
+man escaped with life. So they drew off in confusion,
+and were getting in order to charge again,
+when the noble Duke Ferrand and his horsemen
+dashed at them in their own way, and we moved
+onward to support him. Thus on we pressed, and
+the foot hardly waited for us, seeing their cavalry
+so handled. Then if you had seen the dust and
+heard the blows! the noise of a hundred thousand
+thrashers, the flight of the chaff which they
+drive about, would be but a type of it. On my
+word, I almost thought it shame to dash about
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span>
+my halberd, the rout was so helplessly piteous.
+Hundreds were slain unresisting, and the whole
+army was in complete flight."</p>
+
+<p>"My father&mdash;my father!" exclaimed Arthur.
+"In such a rout, what can have become of him?"</p>
+
+<p>"He escaped safely," said the Swiss; "fled
+with Charles."</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been a bloody field ere he fled,"
+replied the Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," answered Sigismund, "he took no part
+in the fight, but merely remained by Charles; and
+prisoners said it was well for us, for that he is
+a man of great counsel and action in the wars.
+And as to flying, a man in such a matter must go
+back if he cannot press forward, and there is no
+shame in it, especially if you be not engaged in
+your own person."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke thus, their conversation was interrupted
+by Mordaunt, with "Hush, hush&mdash;the
+King and Queen come forth."</p>
+
+<p>"What am I to do?" said Sigismund, in some
+alarm. "I care not for the Duke of Lorraine;
+but what am I to do when kings and queens
+enter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do nothing but rise, unbonnet yourself, and be
+silent."</p>
+
+<p>Sigismund did as he was directed.</p>
+
+<p>King René came forth arm in arm with his
+grandson; and Margaret followed, with deep disappointment
+and vexation on her brow. She
+signed to Arthur as she passed, and said to him&mdash;"Make
+thyself master of the truth of this most
+unexpected news, and bring the particulars to me.
+Mordaunt will introduce thee."</p>
+
+<p>She then cast a look on the young Swiss, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span>
+replied courteously to his awkward salutation.
+The royal party then left the room, René bent on
+carrying his grandson to the sporting-party, which
+had been interrupted, and Margaret to seek the
+solitude of her private apartment, and await the
+confirmation of what she regarded as evil tidings.</p>
+
+<p>They were no sooner passed than Sigismund
+observed,&mdash;"And so that is a King and Queen!&mdash;Peste!
+the King looks somewhat like old Jacomo,
+the violer, that used to scrape on the fiddle to us
+when he came to Geierstein in his rounds. But
+the Queen is a stately creature. The chief cow of
+the herd, who carries the bouquets and garlands,
+and leads the rest to the chalet, has not a statelier
+pace. And how deftly you approached her and
+spoke to her! I could not have done it with
+so much grace&mdash;But it is like that you have
+served apprentice to the court trade?"</p>
+
+<p>"Leave that for the present, good Sigismund,"
+answered Arthur, "and tell me more of this
+battle."</p>
+
+<p>"By St. Mary, but I must have some victuals
+and drink first," said Sigismund, "if your credit
+in this fine place reaches so far."</p>
+
+<p>"Doubt it not, Sigismund," said Arthur; and,
+by the intervention of Mordaunt, he easily procured,
+in a more retired apartment, a collation and
+wine, to which the young Biederman did great
+honour, smacking his lips with much gusto after
+the delicious wines, to which, in spite of his
+father's ascetic precepts, his palate was beginning
+to be considerably formed and habituated. When
+he found himself alone with a flask of <i>côté roti</i> and
+a biscuit, and his friend Arthur, he was easily led
+to continue his tale of conquest.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;where was I?&mdash;Oh, where we broke
+their infantry&mdash;well&mdash;they never rallied, and
+fell into greater confusion at every step&mdash;and we
+might have slaughtered one half of them, had we
+not stopped to examine Charles's camp. Mercy
+on us, Arthur, what a sight was there! Every
+pavilion was full of rich clothes, splendid armour,
+and great dishes and flagons, which some men
+said were of silver; but I knew there was not so
+much silver in the world, and was sure they must
+be of pewter, rarely burnished. Here there were
+hosts of laced lackeys, and grooms, and pages, and
+as many attendants as there were soldiers in the
+army; and thousands, for what I knew, of pretty
+maidens. By the same token, both menials and
+maidens placed themselves at the disposal of the
+victors; but I promise you that my father was
+right severe on any who would abuse the rights of
+war. But some of our young men did not mind
+him, till he taught them obedience with the staff
+of his halberd. Well, Arthur, there was fine
+plundering, for the Germans and French that were
+with us rifled everything, and some of our men
+followed the example&mdash;it is very catching&mdash;So I
+got into Charles's own pavilion, where Rudolph
+and some of his people were trying to keep out
+every one, that he might have the spoiling of it
+himself, I think; but neither he, nor any Bernese
+of them all, dared lay truncheon over my pate; so
+I entered, and saw them putting piles of pewter-trenchers,
+so clean as to look like silver, into
+chests and trunks. I pressed through them into
+the inner place, and there was Charles's pallet-bed&mdash;I
+will do him justice, it was the only hard one
+in his camp&mdash;and there were fine sparkling stones
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span>
+and pebbles lying about among gauntlets, boots,
+vambraces, and suchlike gear&mdash;So I thought of
+your father and you, and looked for something,
+when what should I see but my old friend here"
+(here he drew Queen Margaret's necklace from his
+bosom), "which I knew, because you remember I
+recovered it from the Scharfgerichter at Brisach.&mdash;'Oho!
+you pretty sparklers,' said I, 'you shall be
+Burgundian no longer, but go back to my honest
+English friends,' and therefore"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It is of immense value," said Arthur, "and
+belongs not to my father or to me, but to the Queen
+you saw but now."</p>
+
+<p>"And she will become it rarely," answered
+Sigismund. "Were she but a score, or a score
+and a half years younger, she were a gallant wife
+for a Swiss landholder. I would warrant her to
+keep his household in high order."</p>
+
+<p>"She will reward thee liberally for recovering
+her property," said Arthur, scarce suppressing a
+smile at the idea of the proud Margaret becoming
+the housewife of a Swiss shepherd.</p>
+
+<p>"How&mdash;reward!" said the Swiss. "Bethink
+thee I am Sigismund Biederman, the son of the
+Landamman of Unterwalden&mdash;I am not a base
+lanzknecht, to be paid for courtesy with piastres.
+Let her grant me a kind word of thanks, or the
+matter of a kiss, and I am well contented."</p>
+
+<p>"A kiss of her hand, perhaps," said Arthur,
+again smiling at his friend's simplicity.</p>
+
+<p>"Umph, the hand! Well, it may do for a
+queen of some fifty years and odd, but would be
+poor homage to a Queen of May."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur here brought back the youth to the subject
+of his battle, and learned that the slaughter
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span>
+of the Duke's forces in the flight had been in no
+degree equal to the importance of the action.</p>
+
+<p>"Many rode off on horseback," said Sigismund;
+"and our German <i>reiters</i> flew on the spoil, when
+they should have followed the chase. And besides,
+to speak truth, Charles's camp delayed our
+very selves in the pursuit; but had we gone half
+a mile farther, and seen our friends hanging on
+trees, not a Confederate would have stopped from the
+chase while he had limbs to carry him in pursuit."</p>
+
+<p>"And what has become of the Duke?"</p>
+
+<p>"Charles has retreated into Burgundy, like a
+boar who has felt the touch of the spear, and is
+more enraged than hurt; but is, they say, sad and
+sulky. Others report that he has collected all his
+scattered army, and immense forces besides, and
+has screwed his subjects to give him money, so
+that we may expect another brush. But all Switzerland
+will join us after such a victory."</p>
+
+<p>"And my father is with him?" said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly he is, and has in a right godly manner
+tried to set afoot a treaty of peace with my own
+father. But it will scarce succeed. Charles is as
+mad as ever; and our people are right proud of our
+victory, and so they well may. Nevertheless, my
+father forever preaches that such victories, and
+such heaps of wealth, will change our ancient
+manners, and that the ploughman will leave his
+labour to turn soldier. He says much about it;
+but why money, choice meat and wine, and fine
+clothing should do so much harm, I cannot bring
+my poor brains to see&mdash;And many better heads
+than mine are as much puzzled.&mdash;Here's to you,
+friend Arthur!&mdash;This is choice liquor!"</p>
+
+<p>"And what brings you and your general, Prince
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span>
+Ferrand, post to Nancy?" said the young Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Faith, you are yourself the cause of our
+journey."</p>
+
+<p>"I the cause?" said Arthur.&mdash;"Why, how
+could that be?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it is said you and Queen Margaret are
+urging this old fiddling King René to yield up his
+territories to Charles, and to disown Ferrand in
+his claim upon Lorraine. And the Duke of Lorraine
+sent a man that you know well&mdash;that is,
+you do not know <i>him</i>, but you know some of his
+family, and he knows more of you than you wot&mdash;to
+put a spoke in your wheel, and prevent your
+getting for Charles the county of Provence, or preventing
+Ferrand being troubled or traversed in his
+natural rights over Lorraine."</p>
+
+<p>"On my word, Sigismund, I cannot comprehend
+you," said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied the Swiss, "my lot is a hard
+one. All our house say that I can comprehend
+nothing, and I shall be next told that nobody can
+comprehend me.&mdash;Well, in plain language, I
+mean my uncle, Count Albert, as he calls himself,
+of Geierstein&mdash;my father's brother."</p>
+
+<p>"Anne of Geierstein's father!" echoed Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, truly; I thought we should find some
+mark to make you know him by."</p>
+
+<p>"But I never saw him."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, but you have, though&mdash;An able man he
+is, and knows more of every man's business than
+the man does himself. Oh! it was not for nothing
+that he married the daughter of a Salamander!"</p>
+
+<p>"Pshaw, Sigismund, how can you believe that
+nonsense?" answered Arthur.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Rudolph told me you were as much bewildered
+as I was that night at Graffs-lust," answered the
+Swiss.</p>
+
+<p>"If I were so, I was the greater ass for my
+pains," answered Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, but this uncle of mine has got some of
+the old conjuring books from the library at Arnheim,
+and they say he can pass from place to place
+with more than mortal speed; and that he is
+helped in his designs by mightier counsellors than
+mere men. Always, however, though so able and
+highly endowed, his gifts, whether coming from a
+lawful or unlawful quarter, bring him no abiding
+advantage. He is eternally plunged into strife
+and danger."</p>
+
+<p>"I know few particulars of his life," said
+Arthur, disguising as much as he could his anxiety
+to hear more of him; "but I have heard that he
+left Switzerland to join the Emperor."</p>
+
+<p>"True," answered the young Swiss, "and married
+the young Baroness of Arnheim,&mdash;but afterwards
+he incurred my namesake's imperial displeasure,
+and not less that of the Duke of Austria. They
+say you cannot live in Rome and strive with the
+Pope; so my uncle thought it best to cross the
+Rhine, and betake himself to Charles's court, who
+willingly received noblemen from all countries, so
+that they had good sounding names, with the title
+of Count, Marquis, Baron, or suchlike, to march
+in front of them. So my uncle was most kindly
+received; but within this year or two all this
+friendship has been broken up. Uncle Albert
+obtained a great lead in some mysterious societies,
+of which Charles disapproved, and set so hard at
+my poor uncle, that he was fain to take orders and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span>
+shave his hair, rather than lose his head. But
+though he cut off his hair, his brain remains as
+busy as ever; and although the Duke suffered him
+to be at large, yet he found him so often in his
+way, that all men believed he waited but an
+excuse for seizing upon him and putting him to
+death. But my uncle persists that he fears not
+Charles; and that, Duke as he is, Charles has more
+occasion to be afraid of him.&mdash;And so you saw
+how boldly he played his part at La Ferette."</p>
+
+<p>"By St. George of Windsor!" exclaimed Arthur,
+"the Black Priest of St. Paul's?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oho! you understand me now. Well, he took
+it upon him that Charles would not dare to punish
+him for his share in De Hagenbach's death; and
+no more did he, although uncle Albert sat and
+voted in the Estates of Burgundy, and stirred them
+up all he could to refuse giving Charles the money
+he asked of them. But when the Swiss war broke
+out, uncle Albert became assured his being a
+clergyman would be no longer his protection, and
+that the Duke intended to have him accused of
+corresponding with his brother and countrymen;
+and so he appeared suddenly in Ferrand's camp at
+Neufchatel, and sent a message to Charles that he
+renounced his allegiance, and bid him defiance."</p>
+
+<p>"A singular story of an active and versatile
+man," said the young Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you may seek the world for a man like
+uncle Albert. Then he knows everything; and he
+told Duke Ferrand what you were about here, and
+offered to go and bring more certain information&mdash;ay,
+though he left the Swiss camp but five or six
+days before the battle, and the distance between
+Arles and Neufchatel be four hundred miles complete,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span>
+yet he met him on his return, when Duke
+Ferrand, with me to show him the way, was hastening
+hitherward, having set off from the very
+field of battle."</p>
+
+<p>"Met him!" said Arthur&mdash;"Met whom?&mdash;Met
+the Black Priest of St. Paul's?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, I mean so," replied Sigismund; "but he
+was habited as a Carmelite monk."</p>
+
+<p>"A Carmelite!" said Arthur, a sudden light
+flashing on him; "and I was so blind as to recommend
+his services to the Queen! I remember well
+that he kept his face much concealed in his cowl&mdash;and
+I, foolish beast, to fall so grossly into the
+snare!&mdash;And yet perhaps it is as well the transaction
+was interrupted, since I fear, if carried successfully
+through, all must have been disconcerted
+by this astounding defeat."</p>
+
+<p>Their conversation had thus far proceeded, when
+Mordaunt appearing, summoned Arthur to his
+royal mistress's apartment. In that gay palace,
+a gloomy room, whose windows looked upon some
+part of the ruins of the Roman edifice, but excluded
+every other object, save broken walls and tottering
+columns, was the retreat which Margaret had
+chosen for her own. She received Albert with a
+kindness more touching that it was the inmate of
+so proud and fiery a disposition,&mdash;of a heart assailed
+with many woes, and feeling them severely.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, poor Arthur!" she said, "thy life begins
+where thy father's threatens to end, in useless
+labour to save a sinking vessel. The rushing leak
+pours in its waters faster than human force can
+lighten or discharge. All&mdash;all goes wrong, when
+our unhappy cause becomes connected with it&mdash;Strength
+becomes weakness, wisdom folly, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">277</a></span>
+valour cowardice. The Duke of Burgundy, hitherto
+victorious in all his bold undertakings, has but to
+entertain the momentary thought of yielding succour
+to Lancaster, and behold his sword is broken
+by a peasant's flail; and his disciplined army,
+held to be the finest in the world, flies like chaff
+before the wind; while their spoils are divided by
+renegade German hirelings, and barbarous Alpine
+shepherds!&mdash;What more hast thou learned of this
+strange tale?"</p>
+
+<p>"Little, madam, but what you have heard. The
+worst additions are, that the battle was shamefully
+cowardlike, and completely lost, with every
+advantage to have won it&mdash;the best, that the
+Burgundian army has been rather dispersed than
+destroyed, and that the Duke himself has escaped,
+and is rallying his forces in Upper Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"To sustain a new defeat, or engage in a protracted
+and doubtful contest, fatal to his reputation
+as defeat itself. Where is thy father?"</p>
+
+<p>"With the Duke, madam, as I have been informed,"
+replied Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Hie to him, and say I charge him to look after
+his own safety, and care no further for my interests.
+This last blow has sunk me&mdash;I am without
+an ally, without a friend, without treasure"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Not so, madam," replied Arthur. "One piece
+of good fortune has brought back to your Grace
+this inestimable relic of your fortunes."&mdash;And,
+producing the precious necklace, he gave the history
+of its recovery.</p>
+
+<p>"I rejoice at the chance which has restored these
+diamonds," said the Queen, "that in point of
+gratitude, at least, I may not be utterly bankrupt.
+Carry them to your father&mdash;tell him my schemes
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span>
+are over&mdash;and my heart, which so long clung to
+hope, is broken at last.&mdash;Tell him the trinkets are
+his own, and to his own use let him apply them.
+They will but poorly repay the noble earldom of
+Oxford, lost in the cause of her who sends them."</p>
+
+<p>"Royal madam," said the youth, "be assured
+my father would sooner live by service as a
+<i>schwarzreiter</i>, than become a burden on your
+misfortunes."</p>
+
+<p>"He never yet disobeyed command of mine,"
+said Margaret; "and this is the last I will lay
+upon him. If he is too rich or too proud to benefit
+by his Queen's behest, he will find enough of
+poor Lancastrians who have fewer means or fewer
+scruples."</p>
+
+<p>"There is yet a circumstance I have to communicate,"
+said Arthur, and recounted the history
+of Albert of Geierstein, and the disguise of a
+Carmelite monk.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you such a fool," answered the Queen, "as
+to suppose this man has any supernatural powers
+to aid him in his ambitious projects and his hasty
+journeys?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, madam&mdash;but it is whispered that the
+Count Albert of Geierstein, or this Black Priest of
+St. Paul's, is a chief amongst the Secret Societies
+of Germany, which even princes dread whilst they
+hate them; for the man that can command a hundred
+daggers must be feared even by those who
+rule thousands of swords."</p>
+
+<p>"Can this person," said the Queen, "being now
+a Churchman, retain authority amongst those who
+deal in life and death? It is contrary to the
+canons."</p>
+
+<p>"It would seem so, royal madam; but everything
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span>
+in these dark institutions differs from what
+is practised in the light of day. Prelates are
+often heads of a Vehmique bench, and the Archbishop
+of Cologne exercises the dreadful office of
+their chief as Duke of Westphalia, the principal
+region in which these societies flourish.<a name="FNanchor_11" id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>
+ Such
+privileges attach to the secret influence of the
+chiefs of this dark association, as may well seem
+supernatural to those who are unapprised of circumstances
+of which men shun to speak in plain
+terms."</p>
+
+<p>"Let him be wizard or assassin," said the Queen,
+"I thank him for having contributed to interrupt
+my plan of the old man's cession of Provence,
+which, as events stand, would have stripped René
+of his dominions, without furthering our plan of
+invading England.&mdash;Once more, be stirring with
+the dawn, and bend thy way back to thy father, and
+charge him to care for himself and think no more
+of me. Bretagne, where the heir of Lancaster
+resides, will be the safest place of refuge for its
+bravest followers. Along the Rhine, the Invisible
+Tribunal, it would seem, haunts both shores, and
+to be innocent of ill is no security; even here the
+proposed treaty with Burgundy may take air, and
+the Provençaux carry daggers as well as crooks
+and pipes. But I hear the horses fast returning
+from the hawking-party, and the silly old man,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span>
+forgetting all the eventful proceedings of the day,
+whistling as he ascends the steps. Well, we will
+soon part, and my removal will be, I think, a
+relief to him. Prepare for banquet and ball, for
+noise and nonsense&mdash;above all, to bid adieu to
+Aix with morning dawn."</p>
+
+<p>Thus dismissed from the Queen's presence,
+Arthur's first care was to summon Thiebault to
+have all things in readiness for his departure; his
+next, to prepare himself for the pleasures of the
+evening, not perhaps so heavily affected by the
+failure of his negotiation as to be incapable of
+consolation in such a scene; for the truth was,
+that his mind secretly revolted at the thoughts of
+the simple old King being despoiled of his dominions
+to further an invasion of England, in which,
+whatever interest he might have in his daughter's
+rights, there was little chance of success.</p>
+
+<p>If such feelings were censurable, they had their
+punishment. Although few knew how completely
+the arrival of the Duke of Lorraine, and the intelligence
+he brought with him, had disconcerted the
+plans of Queen Margaret, it was well known there
+had been little love betwixt the Queen and his
+mother Yolande; and the young Prince found
+himself at the head of a numerous party in the
+court of his grandfather, who disliked his aunt's
+haughty manners, and were wearied by the unceasing
+melancholy of her looks and conversation,
+and her undisguised contempt of the frivolities
+which passed around her. Ferrand, besides, was
+young, handsome, a victor just arrived from a field
+of battle, fought gloriously, and gained against all
+chances to the contrary. That he was a general
+favourite, and excluded Arthur Philipson, as an
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span>
+adherent of the unpopular Queen, from the notice
+her influence had on a former evening procured
+him, was only a natural consequence of their
+relative condition. But what somewhat hurt Arthur's
+feelings was to see his friend Sigismund the
+Simple, as his brethren called him, shining with
+the reflected glory of the Duke Ferrand of Lorraine,
+who introduced to all the ladies present the gallant
+young Swiss as Count Sigismund of Geierstein.
+His care had procured for his follower a dress
+rather more suitable for such a scene than the
+country attire of the count, otherwise Sigismund
+Biederman.</p>
+
+<p>For a certain time, whatever of novelty is introduced
+into society is pleasing, though it has
+nothing else to recommend it. The Swiss were
+little known personally out of their own country,
+but they were much talked of; it was a recommendation
+to be of that country. Sigismund's
+manners were blunt&mdash;a mixture of awkwardness
+and rudeness, which was termed frankness during
+the moment of his favour. He spoke bad French
+and worse Italian&mdash;it gave naïveté to all he said.
+His limbs were too bulky to be elegant; his
+dancing, for Count Sigismund failed not to dance,
+was the bounding and gambolling of a young elephant;
+yet they were preferred to the handsome
+proportions and courtly movements of the youthful
+Englishman, even by the black-eyed countess in
+whose good graces Arthur had made some progress
+on the preceding evening. Arthur, thus thrown
+into the shade, felt as Mr. Pepys afterwards did
+when he tore his camlet cloak&mdash;the damage was
+not great, but it troubled him.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, the passing evening brought him
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span>
+some revenge. There are some works of art the
+defects of which are not seen till they are injudiciously
+placed in too strong a light, and such was
+the case with Sigismund the Simple. The quick-witted
+though fantastic Provençaux soon found out
+the heaviness of his intellect, and the extent of
+his good-nature, and amused themselves at his
+expense, by ironical compliments and well-veiled
+raillery. It is probable they would have been less
+delicate on the subject, had not the Swiss brought
+into the dancing-room along with him his eternal
+halberd, the size and weight and thickness of
+which boded little good to any one whom the
+owner might detect in the act of making merry at
+his expense. But Sigismund did no further mischief
+that night, except that, in achieving a superb
+<i>entrechat</i>, he alighted with his whole weight on
+the miniature foot of his pretty partner, which he
+well-nigh crushed to pieces.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur had hitherto avoided looking towards
+Queen Margaret during the course of the evening,
+lest he should disturb her thoughts from the channel
+in which they were rolling, by seeming to lay
+a claim on her protection. But there was something
+so whimsical in the awkward physiognomy
+of the maladroit Swiss, that he could not help
+glancing an eye to the alcove where the Queen's
+chair of state was placed, to see if she observed
+him. The very first view was such as to rivet his
+attention. Margaret's head was reclined on the
+chair, her eyes scarcely open, her features drawn
+up and pinched, her hands closed with effort. The
+English lady of honour who stood behind her&mdash;old,
+deaf, and dim-sighted&mdash;had not discovered
+anything in her mistress's position more than the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span>
+abstracted and indifferent attitude with which the
+Queen was wont to be present in body and absent
+in mind during the festivities of the Provençal
+court. But when Arthur, greatly alarmed, came
+behind the seat to press her attention to her mistress,
+she exclaimed, after a minute's investigation,
+"Mother of Heaven, the Queen is dead!"
+And it was so. It seemed that the last fibre of
+life, in that fiery and ambitious mind, had, as she
+herself prophesied, given way at the same time
+with the last thread of political hope.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i2">Toll, toll the bell!</p>
+<p class="i2">Greatness is o'er,</p>
+<p class="i2">The heart has broke,</p>
+<p class="i2">To ache no more;</p>
+<p>An unsubstantial pageant all&mdash;</p>
+<p>Drop o'er the scene the funeral pall.</p>
+
+<p class="i12"><i>Old Poem.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The commotion and shrieks of fear and amazement
+which were excited among the ladies of the court
+by an event so singular and shocking, had begun
+to abate, and the sighs, more serious though less
+intrusive, of the few English attendants of the
+deceased Queen began to be heard, together with
+the groans of old King René, whose emotions were
+as acute as they were shortlived. The leeches had
+held a busy but unavailing consultation, and the
+body that was once a queen's was delivered to the
+Priest of St. Sauveur, that beautiful church in
+which the spoils of Pagan temples have contributed
+to fill up the magnificence of the Christian
+edifice. The stately pile was duly lighted up,
+and the funeral provided with such splendour as
+Aix could supply. The Queen's papers being
+examined, it was found that Margaret, by disposing
+of jewels and living at small expense, had
+realised the means of making a decent provision
+for life for her very few English attendants. Her
+diamond necklace, described in her last will as in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span>
+the hands of an English merchant named John
+Philipson, or his son, or the price thereof, if by
+them sold or pledged, she left to the said John
+Philipson and his son Arthur Philipson, with a
+view to the prosecution of the design which they
+had been destined to advance, or, if that should
+prove impossible, to their own use and profit.
+The charge of her funeral rites was wholly intrusted
+to Arthur, called Philipson, with a request
+that they should be conducted entirely after the
+forms observed in England. This trust was expressed
+in an addition to her will, signed the very
+day on which she died.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur lost no time in despatching Thiebault
+express to his father, with a letter explaining, in
+such terms as he knew would be understood, the
+tenor of all that had happened since he came to
+Aix, and, above all, the death of Queen Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, he requested directions for his motions,
+since the necessary delay occupied by the obsequies
+of a person of such eminent rank must detain
+him at Aix till he should receive them.</p>
+
+<p>The old King sustained the shock of his daughter's
+death so easily, that on the second day after
+the event he was engaged in arranging a pompous
+procession for the funeral, and composing an elegy,
+to be sung to a tune also of his own composing, in
+honour of the deceased Queen, who was likened to
+the goddesses of heathen mythology, and to Judith,
+Deborah, and all the other holy women, not to
+mention the saints of the Christian dispensation.
+It cannot be concealed that, when the first burst
+of grief was over, King René could not help feeling
+that Margaret's death cut a political knot which
+he might have otherwise found it difficult to untie,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span>
+and permitted him to take open part with his
+grandson, so far indeed as to afford him a considerable
+share of the contents of the Provençal treasury,
+which amounted to no larger sum than ten
+thousand crowns. Ferrand having received the
+blessing of his grandfather, in a form which his
+affairs rendered most important to him, returned
+to the resolutes whom he commanded; and with
+him, after a most loving farewell to Arthur,
+went the stout but simple-minded young Swiss,
+Sigismund Biederman.</p>
+
+<p>The little court of Aix were left to their mourning.
+King René, for whom ceremonial and show,
+whether of a joyful or melancholy character, was
+always matter of importance, would willingly
+have bestowed on solemnising the obsequies of his
+daughter Margaret what remained of his revenue,
+but was prevented from doing so, partly by remonstrances
+from his ministers, partly by the obstacles
+opposed by the young Englishman, who, acting
+upon the presumed will of the dead, interfered
+to prevent any such fantastic exhibitions being
+produced at the obsequies of the Queen as had
+disgusted her during her life.</p>
+
+<p>The funeral, therefore, after many days had been
+spent in public prayers and acts of devotion, was
+solemnised with the mournful magnificence due
+to the birth of the deceased, and with which the
+Church of Rome so well knows how to affect at
+once the eye, ear, and feelings.</p>
+
+<p>Amid the various nobles who assisted on the
+solemn occasion, there was one who arrived just
+as the tolling of the great bells of St. Sauveur
+had announced that the procession was already
+on its way to the cathedral. The stranger hastily
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span>
+exchanged his travelling-dress for a suit of deep
+mourning, which was made after the fashion proper
+to England. So attired, he repaired to the cathedral,
+where the noble mien of the cavalier imposed
+such respect on the attendants that he was permitted
+to approach close to the side of the bier;
+and it was across the coffin of the Queen for whom
+he had acted and suffered so much that the gallant
+Earl of Oxford exchanged a melancholy glance
+with his son. The assistants, especially the English
+servants of Margaret, gazed on them both with
+respect and wonder, and the elder cavalier, in particular,
+seemed to them no unapt representative
+of the faithful subjects of England, paying their
+last duty at the tomb of her who had so long
+swayed the sceptre, if not faultlessly, yet always
+with a bold and resolved hand.</p>
+
+<p>The last sound of the solemn dirge had died
+away, and almost all the funeral attendants had
+retired, when the father and son still lingered in
+mournful silence beside the remains of their sovereign.
+The clergy at length approached, and intimated
+they were about to conclude the last duties,
+by removing the body, which had been lately
+occupied and animated by so haughty and restless
+a spirit, to the dust, darkness, and silence of the
+vault where the long-descended Counts of Provence
+awaited dissolution. Six priests raised the bier
+on their shoulders, others bore huge waxen torches
+before and behind the body, as they carried it
+down a private staircase which yawned in the floor
+to admit their descent. The last notes of the
+requiem, in which the churchmen joined, had died
+away along the high and fretted arches of the
+cathedral, the last flash of light which arose from
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span>
+the mouth of the vault had glimmered and disappeared,
+when the Earl of Oxford, taking his son
+by the arm, led him in silence forth into a small
+cloistered court behind the building, where they
+found themselves alone. They were silent for a
+few minutes, for both, and particularly the father,
+were deeply affected. At length the Earl spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"And this, then, is her end," said he. "Here,
+royal lady, all that we have planned and pledged
+life upon falls to pieces with thy dissolution!
+The heart of resolution, the head of policy is gone;
+and what avails it that the limbs of the enterprise
+still have motion and life? Alas, Margaret of
+Anjou! may Heaven reward thy virtues, and absolve
+thee from the consequence of thine errors!
+Both belonged to thy station, and, if thou didst
+hoist too high a sail in prosperity, never lived
+there princess who defied more proudly the storms
+of adversity, or bore up against them with such
+dauntless nobility of determination. With this
+event the drama has closed, and our parts, my
+son, are ended."</p>
+
+<p>"We bear arms, then, against the infidels, my
+lord?" said Arthur, with a sigh that was, however,
+hardly audible.</p>
+
+<p>"Not," answered the Earl, "until I learn that
+Henry of Richmond, the undoubted heir of the
+House of Lancaster, has no occasion for my services.
+In these jewels, of which you wrote me,
+so strangely lost and recovered, I may be able to
+supply him with resources more needful than
+either your services or mine. But I return no
+more to the camp of the Duke of Burgundy; for
+in him there is no help."</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be possible that the power of so great a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span>
+sovereign has been overthrown in one fatal battle?"
+said Arthur.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><a name="i315" id="i315"></a>
+<img src="images/i-315.jpg" width="372" height="550" alt="" />
+<p class="caption">THE FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN.<br />
+<span class="s08">Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>"By no means," replied his father. "The loss
+at Granson was very great; but to the strength of
+Burgundy it is but a scratch on the shoulders of
+a giant. It is the spirit of Charles himself, his
+wisdom at least, and his foresight, which have
+given way under the mortification of a defeat by
+such as he accounted inconsiderable enemies, and
+expected to have trampled down with a few squadrons
+of his men-at-arms. Then his temper is
+become froward, peevish, and arbitrary, devoted to
+those who flatter and, as there is too much reason
+to believe, betray him, and suspicious of those
+counsellors who give him wholesome advice. Even
+I have had my share of distrust. Thou knowest I
+refused to bear arms against our late hosts the
+Swiss; and he saw in that no reason for rejecting
+my attendance on his march. But since the defeat
+of Granson, I have observed a strong and sudden
+change, owing, perhaps, in some degree to the
+insinuations of Campo-basso, and not a little to
+the injured pride of the Duke, who was unwilling
+that an indifferent person in my situation, and
+thinking as I do, should witness the disgrace of
+his arms. He spoke in my hearing of lukewarm
+friends, cold-blooded neutrals,&mdash;of those who, not
+being with him, must be against him. I tell
+thee, Arthur de Vere, the Duke has said that
+which touched my honour so nearly, that nothing
+but the commands of Queen Margaret, and the
+interests of the House of Lancaster, could have
+made me remain in his camp. That is over&mdash;My
+royal mistress has no more occasion for my poor
+services&mdash;the Duke can spare no aid to our cause&mdash;and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">290</a></span>
+if he could, we can no longer dispose of the
+only bribe which might have induced him to afford
+us succours. The power of seconding his views on
+Provence is buried with Margaret of Anjou."</p>
+
+<p>"What, then, is your purpose?" demanded his son.</p>
+
+<p>"I propose," said Oxford, "to wait at the court
+of King René until I can hear from the Earl of
+Richmond, as we must still call him. I am aware
+that banished men are rarely welcome at the court
+of a foreign prince; but I have been the faithful
+follower of his daughter Margaret. I only propose
+to reside in disguise, and desire neither notice nor
+maintenance; so methinks King René will not
+refuse to permit me to breathe the air of his
+dominions, until I learn in what direction fortune
+or duty shall call me."</p>
+
+<p>"Be assured he will not," answered Arthur.
+"René is incapable of a base or ignoble thought;
+and if he could despise trifles as he detests dishonour,
+he might be ranked high in the list of
+monarchs."</p>
+
+<p>This resolution being adopted, the son presented
+his father at King René's court, whom he privately
+made acquainted that he was a man of quality,
+and a distinguished Lancastrian. The good King
+would in his heart have preferred a guest of lighter
+accomplishments and gayer temper to Oxford, a
+statesman and a soldier of melancholy and grave
+habits. The Earl was conscious of this, and
+seldom troubled his benevolent and light-hearted
+host with his presence. He had, however, an
+opportunity of rendering the old King a favour of
+peculiar value. This was in conducting an important
+treaty betwixt René and Louis XI. of France,
+his nephew. Upon that crafty monarch René
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">291</a></span>
+finally settled his principality; for the necessity of
+extricating his affairs by such a measure was now apparent
+even to himself, every thought of favouring
+Charles of Burgundy in the arrangement having
+died with Queen Margaret. The policy and wisdom
+of the English Earl, who was intrusted with
+almost the sole charge of this secret and delicate
+measure, were of the utmost advantage to good
+King René, who was freed from personal and pecuniary
+vexations, and enabled to go piping and
+tabouring to his grave. Louis did not fail to
+propitiate the plenipotentiary, by throwing out
+distant hopes of aid to the efforts of the Lancastrian
+party in England. A faint and insecure negotiation
+was entered into upon the subject; and these
+affairs, which rendered two journeys to Paris necessary
+on the part of Oxford and his son, in the
+spring and summer of the year 1476, occupied them
+until that year was half spent.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile, the wars of the Duke of Burgundy
+with the Swiss Cantons and Count Ferrand
+of Lorraine continued to rage. Before midsummer
+1476, Charles had assembled a new army of at least
+sixty thousand men, supported by one hundred and
+fifty pieces of cannon, for the purpose of invading
+Switzerland, where the warlike mountaineers easily
+levied a host of thirty thousand Switzers, now
+accounted almost invincible, and called upon their
+confederates, the Free Cities on the Rhine, to support
+them with a powerful body of cavalry. The
+first efforts of Charles were successful. He overran
+the Pays de Vaud, and recovered most of the places
+which he had lost after the defeat at Granson.
+But instead of attempting to secure a well-defended
+frontier, or, what would have been still more
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">292</a></span>
+politic, to achieve a peace upon equitable terms
+with his redoubtable neighbours, this most obstinate
+of princes resumed the purpose of penetrating
+into the recesses of the Alpine mountains, and
+chastising the mountaineers even within their own
+strongholds, though experience might have taught
+him the danger, nay desperation, of the attempt.
+Thus the news received by Oxford and his son,
+when they returned to Aix in midsummer, was,
+that Duke Charles had advanced to Morat (or
+Murten), situated upon a lake of the same name,
+at the very entrance of Switzerland. Here report
+said that Adrian de Bubenburg, a veteran knight
+of Berne, commanded, and maintained the most
+obstinate defence, in expectation of the relief
+which his countrymen were hastily assembling.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, my old brother-in-arms!" said the Earl
+to his son, on hearing these tidings, "this town
+besieged, these assaults repelled, this vicinity of
+an enemy's country, this profound lake, these
+inaccessible cliffs, threaten a second part of the
+tragedy of Granson, more calamitous perhaps than
+even the former!"</p>
+
+<p>On the last week of June, the capital of Provence
+was agitated by one of those unauthorised yet
+generally received rumours which transmit great
+events with incredible swiftness, as an apple flung
+from hand to hand by a number of people will pass
+a given space infinitely faster than if borne by the
+most rapid series of expresses. The report announced
+a second defeat of the Burgundians, in
+terms so exaggerated as induced the Earl of Oxford
+to consider the greater part, if not the whole, as
+a fabrication.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">293</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>And is the hostile troop arrived,</p>
+<p class="i1">And have they won the day?</p>
+<p>It must have been a bloody field</p>
+<p class="i1">Ere Darwent fled away!</p>
+
+<p class="i7">
+<i>The Ettrick Shepherd.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Sleep did not close the eyes of the Earl of Oxford
+or his son; for although the success or defeat of
+the Duke of Burgundy could not now be of importance
+to their own private or political affairs, yet
+the father did not cease to interest himself in the
+fate of his former companion-in-arms; and the son,
+with the fire of youth, always eager after novelty,<a name="FNanchor_12" id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>
+
+expected to find something to advance or thwart
+his own progress in every remarkable event which
+agitated the world.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur had risen from his bed, and was in the
+act of attiring himself, when the tread of a horse
+arrested his attention. He had no sooner looked
+out of the window, than, exclaiming, "News, my
+father, news from the army!" he rushed into the
+street, where a cavalier, who appeared to have
+ridden very hard, was inquiring for the two
+Philipsons, father and son. He had no difficulty
+in recognising Colvin, the master of the Burgundian
+ordnance. His ghastly look bespoke distress
+of mind; his disordered array and broken
+armour, which seemed rusted with rain or stained
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">294</a></span>
+with blood, gave the intelligence of some affray
+in which he had probably been worsted; and so
+exhausted was his gallant steed, that it was with
+difficulty the animal could stand upright. The
+condition of the rider was not much better. When
+he alighted from his horse to greet Arthur, he
+reeled so much that he would have fallen without
+instant support. His horny eye had lost the
+power of speculation; his limbs possessed imperfectly
+that of motion, and it was with a half-suffocated
+voice that he muttered, "Only fatigue&mdash;want
+of rest and of food."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur assisted him into the house, and refreshments
+were procured; but he refused all except a
+bowl of wine, after tasting which he set it down,
+and, looking at the Earl of Oxford with an eye of
+the deepest affliction, he ejaculated, "The Duke of
+Burgundy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Slain?" replied the Earl. "I trust not!"</p>
+
+<p>"It might have been better if he were," said
+the Englishman; "but dishonour has come before
+death."</p>
+
+<p>"Defeated, then?" said Oxford.</p>
+
+<p>"So completely and fearfully defeated," answered
+the soldier, "that all that I have seen of
+loss before was slight in comparison."</p>
+
+<p>"But how, or where?" said the Earl of Oxford.
+"You were superior in numbers, as we were
+informed."</p>
+
+<p>"Two to one at least," answered Colvin; "and
+when I speak of our encounter at this moment, I
+could rend my flesh with my teeth for being here
+to tell such a tale of shame. We had sat down
+for about a week before that paltry town of
+Murten, or Morat, or whatever it is called. The
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">295</a></span>
+governor, one of those stubborn mountain bears of
+Berne, bade us defiance. He would not even condescend
+to shut his gates, but, when we summoned
+the town, returned for answer, we might enter if
+we pleased,&mdash;we should be suitably received. I
+would have tried to bring him to reason by a salvo
+or two of artillery, but the Duke was too much
+irritated to listen to good counsel. Stimulated
+by that black traitor, Campo-basso, he deemed it
+better to run forward with his whole force upon a
+place which, though I could soon have battered it
+about their German ears, was yet too strong to be
+carried by swords, lances, and hagbuts. We were
+beaten off with great loss, and much discouragement
+to the soldiers. We then commenced more
+regularly, and my batteries would have brought
+these mad Switzers to their senses. Walls and
+ramparts went down before the lusty cannoneers
+of Burgundy; we were well secured also by intrenchments
+against those whom we heard of as
+approaching to raise the siege. But, on the evening
+of the twentieth of this month, we learned
+that they were close at hand, and Charles, consulting
+only his own bold spirit, advanced to
+meet them, relinquishing the advantage of our batteries
+and strong position. By his orders, though
+against my own judgment, I accompanied him
+with twenty good pieces, and the flower of my
+people. We broke up on the next morning, and
+had not advanced far before we saw the lances and
+thick array of halberds and two-handed swords
+which crested the mountain. Heaven, too, added
+its terrors&mdash;a thunderstorm, with all the fury
+of those tempestuous climates, descended on both
+armies, but did most annoyance to ours, as our
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">296</a></span>
+troops, especially the Italians, were more sensible
+to the torrents of rain which poured down, and the
+rivulets which, swelled into torrents, inundated
+and disordered our position. The Duke for once
+saw it necessary to alter his purpose of instant
+battle. He rode up to me, and directed me to
+defend with the cannon the retreat which he was
+about to commence, adding that he himself would
+in person sustain me with the men-at-arms. The
+order was given to retreat. But the movement
+gave new spirit to an enemy already sufficiently
+audacious. The ranks of the Swiss instantly prostrated
+themselves in prayer&mdash;a practice on the
+field of battle which I have ridiculed&mdash;but I will
+do so no more. When, after five minutes, they
+sprang again on their feet, and began to advance
+rapidly, sounding their horns and crying their
+war-cries with all their usual ferocity&mdash;behold,
+my lord, the clouds of heaven opened, shedding on
+the Confederates the blessed light of the returning
+sun, while our ranks were still in the gloom of the
+tempest. My men were discouraged. The host
+behind them was retreating; the sudden light
+thrown on the advancing Switzers showed along
+the mountains a profusion of banners, a glancing
+of arms, giving to the enemy the appearance of
+double the numbers that had hitherto been visible
+to us. I exhorted my followers to stand fast, but
+in doing so I thought a thought, and spoke a word,
+which was a grievous sin. 'Stand fast, my brave
+cannoneers!' I said. 'We will presently let them
+hear louder thunders, and show them more fatal
+lightnings, than their prayers have put down!'
+My men shouted. But it was an impious thought,
+a blasphemous speech, and evil came after it.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">297</a></span>
+We levelled our guns on the advancing masses as
+fairly as cannon were ever pointed&mdash;I can vouch
+it, for I laid the Grand Duchess of Burgundy
+myself&mdash;Ah, poor Duchess! what rude hands
+manage thee now!&mdash;The volley was fired, and,
+ere the smoke spread from the muzzles, I could see
+many a man and many a banner go down. It was
+natural to think such a discharge should have
+checked the attack, and whilst the smoke hid the
+enemy from us I made every effort again to load
+our cannon, and anxiously endeavoured to look
+through the mist to discover the state of our
+opponents. But ere our smoke was cleared away,
+or the cannon again loaded, they came headlong
+down on us, horse and foot, old men and boys,
+men-at-arms and varlets, charging up to the
+muzzle of the guns, and over them, with total
+disregard to their lives. My brave fellows were
+cut down, pierced through, and overrun, while
+they were again loading their pieces, nor do I
+believe that a single cannon was fired a second
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford.
+"Did he not support you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most loyally and bravely," answered Colvin,
+"with his own bodyguard of Walloons and Burgundians.
+But a thousand Italian mercenaries
+went off, and never showed face again. The pass,
+too, was cumbered with the artillery, and in
+itself narrow, bordering on mountains and cliffs,
+a deep lake close beside. In short, it was a place
+totally unfit for horsemen to act in. In spite of
+the Duke's utmost exertions, and those of the gallant
+Flemings who fought around him, all were
+borne back in complete disorder. I was on foot,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">298</a></span>
+fighting as I could, without hopes of my life, or
+indeed thoughts of saving it, when I saw the guns
+taken and my faithful cannoneers slain. But I saw
+Duke Charles hard pressed, and took my horse
+from my page that held him&mdash;Thou, too, art lost,
+my poor orphan boy!&mdash;I could only aid Monseigneur
+de la Croye and others to extricate the
+Duke. Our retreat became a total rout, and when
+we reached our rearguard, which we had left strongly
+encamped, the banners of the Switzers were waving
+on our batteries, for a large division had made
+a circuit through mountain passes known only to
+themselves, and attacked our camp, vigorously
+seconded by that accursed Adrian de Bubenburg,
+who sallied from the beleaguered town, so that
+our intrenchments were stormed on both sides at
+once.&mdash;I have more to say, but having ridden day
+and night to bring you these evil tidings, my
+tongue clings to the roof of my mouth, and I feel
+that I can speak no more. The rest is all flight
+and massacre, disgraceful to every soldier that
+shared in it. For my part, I confess my contumelious
+self-confidence and insolence to man, as
+well as blasphemy to Heaven. If I live, it is but
+to hide my disgraced head in a cowl, and expiate
+the numerous sins of a licentious life."</p>
+
+<p>With difficulty the broken-minded soldier was
+prevailed upon to take some nourishment and
+repose, together with an opiate, which was prescribed
+by the physician of King René, who recommended
+it as necessary to preserve even the
+reason of his patient, exhausted by the events of
+the battle, and subsequent fatigue.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford, dismissing other assistance,
+watched alternately with his son at Colvin's bedside.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">299</a></span>
+Notwithstanding the draught that had been
+administered, his repose was far from sound.
+Sudden starts, the perspiration which started from
+his brow, the distortions of his countenance, and
+the manner in which he clenched his fists and
+flung about his limbs, showed that in his dreams he
+was again encountering the terrors of a desperate
+and forlorn combat. This lasted for several hours;
+but about noon fatigue and medicine prevailed
+over nervous excitation, and the defeated commander
+fell into a deep and untroubled repose till
+evening. About sunset he awakened, and, after
+learning with whom and where he was, he partook
+of refreshments, and, without any apparent consciousness
+of having told them before, detailed
+once more all the particulars of the battle of
+Murten.</p>
+
+<p>"It were little wide of truth," he said, "to
+calculate that one half of the Duke's army fell by
+the sword, or were driven into the lake. Those
+who escaped are great part of them scattered, never
+again to unite. Such a desperate and irretrievable
+rout was never witnessed. We fled like deer,
+sheep, or any other timid animals, which only
+remain in company because they are afraid to
+separate, but never think of order or of defence."</p>
+
+<p>"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford.</p>
+
+<p>"We hurried him with us," said the soldier,
+"rather from instinct than loyalty, as men flying
+from a conflagration snatch up what they have of
+value, without knowing what they are doing.
+Knight and knave, officer and soldier, fled in the
+same panic, and each blast of the horn of Uri in
+our rear added new wings to our flight."</p>
+
+<p>"And the Duke?" repeated Oxford.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">300</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"At first he resisted our efforts, and strove to
+turn back on the foe; but when the flight became
+general he galloped along with us, without a word
+spoken or a command issued. At first we thought
+his silence and passiveness, so unusual in a temper
+so fiery, were fortunate for securing his personal
+safety. But when we rode the whole day, without
+being able to obtain a word of reply to all our
+questions,&mdash;when he sternly refused refreshments
+of every kind, though he had tasted no food all
+that disastrous day,&mdash;when every variation of his
+moody and uncertain temper was sunk into silent
+and sullen despair, we took counsel what was to
+be done, and it was by the general voice that I
+was despatched to entreat that you, for whose
+counsels alone Charles has been known to have
+had some occasional deference, would come instantly
+to his place of retreat, and exert all your
+influence to awaken him from this lethargy, which
+may otherwise terminate his existence."</p>
+
+<p>"And what remedy can I interpose?" said
+Oxford. "You know how he neglected my advice,
+when following it might have served my
+interest as well as his own. You are aware that
+my life was not safe among the miscreants that
+surrounded the Duke, and exercised influence over
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"Most true," answered Colvin; "but I also
+know he is your ancient companion-in-arms, and
+it would ill become me to teach the noble Earl of
+Oxford what the laws of chivalry require. For
+your lordship's safety, every honest man in the
+army will give willing security."</p>
+
+<p>"It is for that I care least," said Oxford, indifferently;
+"and if indeed my presence can be of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">301</a></span>
+service to the Duke,&mdash;if I could believe that he
+desired it"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"He does&mdash;he does, my lord!" said the faithful
+soldier, with tears in his eyes. "We heard
+him name your name, as if the words escaped him
+in a painful dream."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go to him, such being the case," said
+Oxford.&mdash;"I will go instantly. Where did he
+purpose to establish his headquarters?"</p>
+
+<p>"He had fixed nothing for himself on that or
+other matters; but Monsieur de Contay named La
+Rivière, near Salins, in Upper Burgundy, as the
+place of his retreat."</p>
+
+<p>"Thither, then, will we, my son, with all haste
+of preparation. Thou, Colvin, hadst better remain
+here, and see some holy man, to be assoilzied for
+thy hasty speech on the battle-field of Morat.
+There was offence in it without doubt, but it will
+be ill atoned for by quitting a generous master
+when he hath most need of your good service; and
+it is but an act of cowardice to retreat into the
+cloister, till we have no longer active duties to
+perform in this world."</p>
+
+<p>"It is true," said Colvin, "that should I leave
+the Duke now, perhaps not a man would stay
+behind that could stell a cannon properly. The
+sight of your lordship cannot but operate favourably
+on my noble master, since it has waked the
+old soldier in myself. If your lordship can delay
+your journey till to-morrow, I will have my
+spiritual affairs settled, and my bodily health sufficiently
+restored, to be your guide to La Rivière;
+and, for the cloister, I will think of it when I
+have regained the good name which I have lost
+at Murten. But I will have masses said, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">302</a></span>
+these right powerful, for the souls of my poor
+cannoneers."</p>
+
+<p>The proposal of Colvin was adopted, and Oxford,
+with his son, attended by Thiebault, spent the day
+in preparation, excepting the time necessary to
+take formal leave of King René, who seemed to
+part with them with regret. In company with
+the ordnance officer of the discomfited Duke, they
+traversed those parts of Provence, Dauphiné, and
+Franche Compté which lie between Aix and the
+place to which the Duke of Burgundy had retreated;
+but the distance and inconvenience of so
+long a route consumed more than a fortnight on
+the road, and the month of July 1476 was commenced
+when the travellers arrived in Upper
+Burgundy, and at the Castle of La Rivière, about
+twenty miles to the south of the town of Salins.
+The castle, which was but of small size, was surrounded
+by very many tents, which were pitched
+in a crowded, disordered, and unsoldierlike manner,
+very unlike the discipline usually observed in
+the camp of Charles the Bold. That the Duke
+was present there, however, was attested by his
+broad banner, which, rich with all its quarterings,
+streamed from the battlements of the castle. The
+guard turned out to receive the strangers, but in
+a manner so disorderly that the Earl looked to
+Colvin for explanation. The master of the ordnance
+shrugged up his shoulders, and was silent.</p>
+
+<p>Colvin having sent in notice of his arrival, and
+that of the English Earl, Monsieur de Contay
+caused them presently to be admitted, and expressed
+much joy at their arrival.</p>
+
+<p>"A few of us," he said, "true servants of the
+Duke, are holding council here, at which your
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">303</a></span>
+assistance, my noble Lord of Oxford, will be of
+the utmost importance. Messieurs De la Croye,
+De Craon, Rubempré, and others, nobles of Burgundy,
+are now assembled to superintend the
+defence of the country at this exigence."</p>
+
+<p>They all expressed delight to see the Earl of
+Oxford, and had only abstained from thrusting
+their attentions on him the last time he was in
+the Duke's camp, as they understood it was his
+wish to observe incognito.</p>
+
+<p>"His Grace," said De Craon, "has asked after
+you twice, and on both times by your assumed
+name of Philipson."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder not at that, my Lord of Craon,"
+replied the English nobleman. "The origin of
+the name took its rise in former days, when I was
+here during my first exile. It was then said that
+we poor Lancastrian nobles must assume other
+names than our own, and the good Duke Philip
+said, as I was brother-in-arms to his son Charles,
+I must be called after himself, by the name of
+Philipson. In memory of the good sovereign, I
+took that name when the day of need actually
+arrived, and I see that the Duke thinks of our
+early intimacy by his distinguishing me so.&mdash;How
+fares his Grace?"</p>
+
+<p>The Burgundians looked at each other, and
+there was a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"Even like a man stunned, brave Oxford," at
+length De Contay replied. "Sieur d'Argentin,
+you can best inform the noble Earl of the condition
+of our sovereign."</p>
+
+<p>"He is like a man distracted," said the future
+historian of that busy period. "After the battle
+of Granson, he was never, to my thinking, of the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">304</a></span>
+same sound judgment as before. But then, he
+was capricious, unreasonable, peremptory, and inconsistent,
+and resented every counsel that was
+offered, as if it had been meant in insult; was
+jealous of the least trespass in point of ceremonial,
+as if his subjects were holding him in contempt.
+Now there is a total change, as if this second
+blow had stunned him, and suppressed the violent
+passions which the first called into action. He
+is silent as a Carthusian, solitary as a hermit,
+expresses interest in nothing, least of all in
+the guidance of his army. He was, you know,
+anxious about his dress, so much so that there
+was some affectation even in the rudenesses which
+he practised in that matter. But, woe's me, you
+will see a change now; he will not suffer his hair
+or nails to be trimmed or arranged. He is totally
+heedless of respect or disrespect towards him,
+takes little or no nourishment, uses strong wines,
+which, however, do not seem to affect his understanding;
+he will hear nothing of war or state
+affairs, as little of hunting or of sport. Suppose
+an anchorite brought from a cell to govern a kingdom,
+you see in him, except in point of devotion,
+a picture of the fiery, active Charles of Burgundy."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak of a mind deeply wounded, Sieur
+d'Argentin," replied the Englishman. "Think
+you it fit I should present myself before the
+Duke?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will inquire," said Contay; and, leaving the
+apartment, returned presently, and made a sign to
+the Earl to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>In a cabinet, or closet, the unfortunate Charles
+reclined in a large arm-chair, his legs carelessly
+stretched on a footstool, but so changed that the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">305</a></span>
+Earl of Oxford could have believed what he saw
+to be the ghost of the once fiery Duke. Indeed,
+the shaggy length of hair which, streaming from
+his head, mingled with his beard; the hollowness
+of the caverns, at the bottom of which rolled his
+wild eyes; the falling in of the breast, and the
+advance of the shoulders, gave the ghastly appearance
+of one who has suffered the final agony which
+takes from mortality the signs of life and energy.
+His very costume (a cloak flung loosely over him)
+increased his resemblance to a shrouded phantom.
+De Contay named the Earl of Oxford; but the
+Duke gazed on him with a lustreless eye, and gave
+him no answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Speak to him, brave Oxford," said the Burgundian
+in a whisper; "he is even worse than
+usual, but perhaps he may know your voice."</p>
+
+<p>Never, when the Duke of Burgundy was in the
+most palmy state of his fortunes, did the noble
+Englishman kneel to kiss his hand with such
+sincere reverence. He respected in him, not only
+the afflicted friend, but the humbled sovereign,
+upon whose tower of trust the lightning had so
+recently broken. It was probably the falling of
+a tear upon his hand which seemed to awake the
+Duke's attention, for he looked towards the Earl,
+and said, "Oxford&mdash;Philipson&mdash;my old&mdash;my
+only friend, hast thou found me out in this retreat
+of shame and misery?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am not your only friend, my lord," said
+Oxford. "Heaven has given you many affectionate
+friends among your natural and loyal subjects.
+But though a stranger, and saving the allegiance
+I owe to my lawful sovereign, I will yield to none
+of them in the respect and deference which I have
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">306</a></span>
+paid to your Grace in prosperity, and now come
+to render to you in adversity."</p>
+
+<p>"Adversity indeed!" said the Duke; "irremediable,
+intolerable adversity! I was lately Charles
+of Burgundy, called the Bold&mdash;now am I twice
+beaten by a scum of German peasants; my standard
+taken, my men-at-arms put to flight, my
+camp twice plundered, and each time of value
+more than equal to the price of all Switzerland
+fairly lost; myself hunted like a caitiff goat or
+chamois&mdash;The utmost spite of hell could never accumulate
+more shame on the head of a sovereign!"</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, my lord," said Oxford, "it
+is a trial of Heaven, which calls for patience and
+strength of mind. The bravest and best knight
+may lose the saddle; he is but a laggard who lies
+rolling on the sand of the lists after the accident
+has chanced."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, laggard, say'st thou?" said the Duke,
+some part of his ancient spirit awakened by the
+broad taunt. "Leave my presence, sir, and return
+to it no more, till you are summoned thither"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Which I trust will be no later than your Grace
+quits your dishabille, and disposes yourself to see
+your vassals and friends with such ceremony as
+befits you and them," said the Earl composedly.</p>
+
+<p>"How mean you by that, Sir Earl? You are
+unmannerly."</p>
+
+<p>"If I be, my lord, I am taught my ill-breeding
+by circumstances. I can mourn over fallen dignity;
+but I cannot honour him who dishonours
+himself, by bending, like a regardless boy, beneath
+the scourge of evil fortune."</p>
+
+<p>"And who am I that you should term me
+such?" said Charles, starting up in all his natural
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">307</a></span>
+pride and ferocity; "or who are you but a miserable
+exile, that you should break in upon my
+privacy with such disrespectful upbraiding?"</p>
+
+<p>"For me," replied Oxford, "I am, as you say,
+an unrespected exile; nor am I ashamed of my
+condition, since unshaken loyalty to my King and
+his successors has brought me to it. But in you,
+can I recognise the Duke of Burgundy in a sullen
+hermit, whose guards are a disorderly soldiery,
+dreadful only to their friends; whose councils are
+in confusion for want of their sovereign, and who
+himself lurks like a lamed wolf in its den, in an
+obscure castle, waiting but a blast of the Switzer's
+horn to fling open its gates, which there are none
+to defend; who wears not a knightly sword to
+protect his person, and cannot even die like a stag
+at bay, but must be worried like a hunted fox?"</p>
+
+<p>"Death and hell, slanderous traitor!" thundered
+the Duke, glancing a look at his side, and
+perceiving himself without a weapon.&mdash;"It is
+well for thee I have no sword, or thou shouldst
+never boast of thine insolence going unpunished.&mdash;Contay,
+step forth like a good knight, and confute
+the calumniator. Say, are not my soldiers
+arrayed, disciplined, and in order?"</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said Contay, trembling (brave as he
+was in battle) at the frantic rage which Charles
+exhibited, "there are a numerous soldiery yet
+under your command, but they are in evil order,
+and in worse discipline, I think, than they were
+wont."</p>
+
+<p>"I see it&mdash;I see it," said the Duke; "idle and
+evil counsellors are ye all.&mdash;Hearken, Sir of Contay,
+what have you and the rest of you been doing,
+holding as you do large lands and high fiefs of us,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">308</a></span>
+that I cannot stretch my limbs on a sick-bed,
+when my heart is half broken, but my troops
+must fall into such scandalous disorder as exposes
+me to the scorn and reproach of each beggarly
+foreigner?"</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," replied Contay, more firmly, "we
+have done what we could. But your Grace has
+accustomed your mercenary generals, and leaders
+of Free Companies, to take their orders only from
+your own mouth, or hand. They clamour also for
+pay, and the treasurer refuses to issue it without
+your Grace's order, as he alleges it might cost
+him his head; and they will not be guided and
+restrained, either by us or those who compose your
+council."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke laughed sternly, but was evidently
+somewhat pleased with the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha!" he said, "it is only Burgundy who
+can ride his own wild horses, and rule his own
+wild soldiery. Hark thee, Contay&mdash;To-morrow I
+ride forth to review the troops&mdash;for what disorder
+has passed, allowance shall be made. Pay also
+shall be issued&mdash;but woe to those who shall have
+offended too deeply! Let my grooms of the chamber
+know to provide me fitting dress and arms. I
+have got a lesson" (glancing a dark look at Oxford),
+"and I will not again be insulted without the
+means of wreaking my vengeance. Begone, both
+of you! And, Contay, send the treasurer hither
+with his accounts, and woe to his soul if I find
+aught to complain of! Begone, I say, and send
+him hither."</p>
+
+<p>They left the apartment with suitable obeisance.
+As they retired, the Duke said abruptly, "Lord of
+Oxford, a word with you. Where did you study
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">309</a></span>
+medicine? In your own famed university, I suppose.
+Thy physic hath wrought a wonder. Yet,
+Doctor Philipson, it might have cost thee thy
+life."</p>
+
+<p>"I have ever thought my life cheap," said
+Oxford, "when the object was to help my friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art indeed a friend," said Charles, "and
+a fearless one. But go&mdash;I have been sore troubled,
+and thou hast tasked my temper closely. To-morrow
+we will speak further; meantime, I forgive
+thee, and I honour thee."</p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford retired to the council-hall,
+where the Burgundian nobility, aware of what
+had passed, crowded around him with thanks, compliments,
+and congratulations. A general bustle
+now ensued; orders were hurried off in every
+direction. Those officers who had duties to perform
+which had been neglected, hastened to conceal
+or to atone for their negligence. There was a
+general tumult in the camp, but it was a tumult
+of joy; for soldiers are always most pleased when
+they are best in order for performing their military
+service; and licence or inactivity, however
+acceptable at times, are not, when continued, so
+agreeable to their nature, as strict discipline and
+a prospect of employment.</p>
+
+<p>The treasurer, who was, luckily for him, a
+man of sense and method, having been two hours
+in private with the Duke, returned with looks of
+wonder, and professed that never, in Charles's
+most prosperous days, had he showed himself more
+acute in the department of finance, of which he
+had but that morning seemed totally incapable;
+and the merit was universally attributed to the
+visit of Lord Oxford, whose timely reprimand had,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">310</a></span>
+like the shot of a cannon dispersing foul mists,
+awakened the Duke from his black and bilious
+melancholy.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day Charles reviewed his
+troops with his usual attention, directed new
+levies, made various dispositions of his forces, and
+corrected the faults of their discipline by severe
+orders, which were enforced by some deserved
+punishments (of which the Italian mercenaries
+of Campo-basso had a large share), and rendered
+palatable by the payment of arrears, which was
+calculated to attach them to the standard under
+which they served.</p>
+
+<p>The Duke also, after consulting with his council,
+agreed to convoke meetings of the States in
+his different territories, redress certain popular
+grievances, and grant some boons which he had
+hitherto denied; and thus began to open a new
+account of popularity with his subjects, in place
+of that which his rashness had exhausted.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">311</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="i7">Here's a weapon now,</p>
+<p>Shall shake a conquering general in his tent,</p>
+<p>A monarch on his throne, or reach a prelate,</p>
+<p class="i3">However holy be his offices,</p>
+<p class="i3">E'en while he serves the altar.</p>
+
+<p class="i12">
+<i>Old Play.</i></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>From this time all was activity in the Duke of
+Burgundy's court and army. Money was collected,
+soldiers were levied, and certain news of
+the Confederates' motions only were wanting to
+bring on the campaign. But although Charles
+was, to all outward appearance, as active as ever,
+yet those who were more immediately about his
+person were of opinion that he did not display the
+soundness of mind or the energy of judgment
+which had been admired in him before these calamities.
+He was still liable to fits of moody
+melancholy, similar to those which descended
+upon Saul, and was vehemently furious when
+aroused out of them. Indeed, the Earl of Oxford
+himself seemed to have lost the power which he
+had exercised over him at first. Nay, though in
+general Charles was both grateful and affectionate
+towards him, he evidently felt humbled by the
+recollection of his having witnessed his impotent
+and disastrous condition, and was so much afraid
+of Lord Oxford being supposed to lead his counsels,
+that he often repelled his advice, merely,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">312</a></span>
+as it seemed, to show his own independence of
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>In these froward humours the Duke was much
+encouraged by Campo-basso. That wily traitor
+now saw his master's affairs tottering to their fall,
+and he resolved to lend his lever to the work, so
+as to entitle him to a share of the spoil. He regarded
+Oxford as one of the most able friends and
+counsellors who adhered to the Duke; he thought
+he saw in his looks that he fathomed his own
+treacherous purpose, and therefore he hated and
+feared him. Besides, in order perhaps to colour
+over, even to his own eyes, the abominable perfidy
+he meditated, he affected to be exceedingly enraged
+against the Duke for the late punishment of marauders
+belonging to his Italian bands. He believed
+that chastisement to have been inflicted by the
+advice of Oxford; and he suspected that the measure
+was pressed with the hope of discovering that
+the Italians had not pillaged for their own emolument
+only, but for that of their commander.
+Believing that Oxford was thus hostile to him,
+Campo-basso would have speedily found means to
+take him out of his path, had not the Earl himself
+found it prudent to observe some precautions; and
+the lords of Flanders and Burgundy, who loved
+him for the very reasons for which the Italian
+abhorred him, watched over his safety with a
+vigilance of which he himself was ignorant, but
+which certainly was the means of preserving his
+life.</p>
+
+<p>It was not to be supposed that Ferrand of Lorraine
+should have left his victory so long unimproved;
+but the Swiss Confederates, who were the
+strength of his forces, insisted that the first operations
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">313</a></span>
+should take place in Savoy and the Pays
+de Vaud, where the Burgundians had many garrisons,
+which, though they received no relief, yet
+were not easily or speedily reduced. Besides, the
+Switzers being, like most of the national soldiers
+of the time, a kind of militia, most of them
+returned home, to get in their harvest, and to
+deposit their spoil in safety. Ferrand, therefore,
+though bent on pursuing his success with all the
+ardour of youthful chivalry, was prevented from
+making any movement in advance until the month
+of December 1476. In the meantime, the Duke
+of Burgundy's forces, to be least burdensome to
+the country, were cantoned in distant places of his
+dominions, where every exertion was made to perfect
+the discipline of the new levies. The Duke,
+if left to himself, would have precipitated the
+struggle by again assembling his forces, and pushing
+forward into the Helvetian territories; but,
+though he inwardly foamed at the recollection of
+Granson and Murten, the memory of these disasters
+was too recent to permit such a plan of the
+campaign. Meantime, weeks glided past, and the
+month of December was far advanced, when one
+morning, as the Duke was sitting in council,
+Campo-basso suddenly entered, with a degree of
+extravagant rapture in his countenance, singularly
+different from the cold, regulated, and subtle
+smile which was usually his utmost advance towards
+laughter. "<i>Guantes</i>,"<a name="FNanchor_13" id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>
+ he said, "<i>Guantes</i>,
+for luck's sake, if it please your Grace."</p>
+
+<p>"And what of good fortune comes nigh us?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">314</a></span>
+said the Duke. "Methought she had forgot the
+way to our gates."</p>
+
+<p>"She has returned to them, please your Highness,
+with her cornucopia full of choicest gifts,
+ready to pour her fruit, her flowers, her treasures,
+on the head of the sovereign of Europe most
+worthy to receive them."</p>
+
+<p>"The meaning of all this?" said Duke Charles.
+"Riddles are for children."</p>
+
+<p>"The harebrained young madman Ferrand, who
+calls himself of Lorraine, has broken down from
+the mountains, at the head of a desultory army of
+scapegraces like himself; and what think you&mdash;ha!
+ha! ha!&mdash;they are overrunning Lorraine, and
+have taken Nancy&mdash;ha! ha! ha!"</p>
+
+<p>"By my good faith, Sir Count," said Contay,
+astonished at the gay humour with which the
+Italian treated a matter so serious, "I have seldom
+heard a fool laugh more gaily at a more scurvy
+jest, than you, a wise man, laugh at the loss of
+the principal town of the province we are fighting
+for."</p>
+
+<p>"I laugh," said Campo-basso, "among the spears,
+as my war-horse does&mdash;ha! ha!&mdash;among the trumpets.
+I laugh also over the destruction of the
+enemy, and the dividing of the spoil, as eagles
+scream their joy over the division of their prey;
+I laugh"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You laugh," said the Lord of Contay, waxing
+impatient, "when you have all the mirth to yourself,
+as you laughed after our losses at Granson and
+Murten."</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, sir!" said the Duke. "The Count of
+Campo-basso has viewed the case as I do. This
+young knight-errant ventures from the protection
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">315</a></span>
+of his mountains; and Heaven deal with me as I
+keep my oath, when I swear that the next fair field
+on which we meet shall see one of us dead! It is
+now the last week of the old year, and before
+Twelfth-Day we will see whether he or I shall
+find the bean in the cake.&mdash;To arms, my lords!
+Let our camp instantly break up, and our troops
+move forward towards Lorraine. Send off the
+Italian and Albanian light cavalry and the Stradiots
+to scour the country in the van&mdash;Oxford,
+thou wilt bear arms in this journey, wilt thou
+not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," said the Earl. "I am eating your
+Highness's bread; and when enemies invade, it
+stands with my honour to fight for your Grace as
+if I was your born subject. With your Grace's
+permission, I will despatch a pursuivant, who
+shall carry letters to my late kind host, the Landamman
+of Unterwalden, acquainting him with
+my purpose."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke having given a ready assent, the
+pursuivant was dismissed accordingly, and returned
+in a few hours, so near had the armies
+approached to each other. He bore a letter from
+the Landamman, in a tone of courtesy and even
+kindness, regretting that any cause should have
+occurred for bearing arms against his late guest,
+for whom he expressed high personal regard. The
+same pursuivant also brought greetings from the
+family of the Biedermans to their friend Arthur,
+and a separate letter, addressed to the same person,
+of which the contents ran thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>
+"Rudolph Donnerhugel is desirous to give the young
+merchant, Arthur Philipson, the opportunity of finishing
+the bargain which remained unsettled between them in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">316</a></span>
+the castle-court of Geierstein. He is the more desirous
+of this, as he is aware that the said Arthur has done
+him wrong, in seducing the affections of a certain
+maiden of rank, to whom he, Philipson, is not, and
+cannot be, anything beyond an ordinary acquaintance.
+Rudolph Donnerhugel will send Arthur Philipson word
+when a fair and equal meeting can take place on neutral
+ground. In the meantime, he will be as often as
+possible in the first rank of the skirmishers."
+</p>
+</div>
+<p>Young Arthur's heart leapt high as he read the
+defiance, the piqued tone of which showed the
+state of the writer's feelings, and argued sufficiently
+Rudolph's disappointment on the subject
+of Anne of Geierstein, and his suspicion that
+she had bestowed her affections on the youthful
+stranger. Arthur found means of despatching a
+reply to the challenge of the Swiss, assuring him
+of the pleasure with which he would attend his
+commands, either in front of the line or elsewhere,
+as Rudolph might desire.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the armies were closely approaching
+to each other, and the light troops sometimes met.
+The Stradiots from the Venetian territory, a sort
+of cavalry resembling that of the Turks, performed
+much of that service on the part of the Burgundian
+army, for which, indeed, if their fidelity could have
+been relied on, they were admirably well qualified.
+The Earl of Oxford observed that these men, who
+were under the command of Campo-basso, always
+brought in intelligence that the enemy were in
+indifferent order, and in full retreat. Besides,
+information was communicated through their
+means that sundry individuals, against whom the
+Duke of Burgundy entertained peculiar personal
+dislike, and whom he specially desired to get into
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">317</a></span>
+his hands, had taken refuge in Nancy. This
+greatly increased the Duke's ardour for retaking
+that place, which became perfectly ungovernable
+when he learned that Ferrand and his Swiss allies
+had drawn off to a neighbouring position called
+St. Nicholas, on the news of his arrival. The
+greater part of the Burgundian counsellors, together
+with the Earl of Oxford, protested against
+his besieging a place of some strength, while an
+active enemy lay in the neighbourhood to relieve
+it. They remonstrated on the smallness of his
+army, on the severity of the weather, on the difficulty
+of obtaining provisions, and exhorted the
+Duke that, having made such a movement as had
+forced the enemy to retreat, he ought to suspend
+decisive operations till spring. Charles at first
+tried to dispute and repel these arguments; but
+when his counsellors reminded him that he was
+placing himself and his army in the same situation
+as at Granson and Murten, he became
+furious at the recollection, foamed at the mouth,
+and only answered by oaths and imprecations,
+that he would be master of Nancy before Twelfth
+Day.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, the army of Burgundy sat down
+before Nancy, in a strong position, protected by
+the hollow of a watercourse, and covered with
+thirty pieces of cannon, which Colvin had under
+his charge.</p>
+
+<p>Having indulged his obstinate temper in thus
+arranging the campaign, the Duke seemed to give
+a little more heed to the advice of his counsellors
+touching the safety of his person, and permitted
+the Earl of Oxford, with his son, and two or three
+officers of his household, men of approved trust,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">318</a></span>
+to sleep within his pavilion, in addition to the
+usual guard.</p>
+
+<p>It wanted three days of Christmas when the
+Duke sat down before Nancy, and on that very
+evening a tumult happened which seemed to
+justify the alarm for his personal safety. It was
+midnight, and all in the ducal pavilion were at
+rest, when a cry of treason arose. The Earl of
+Oxford, drawing his sword, and snatching up a
+light which burned beside him, rushed into the
+Duke's apartment, and found him standing on the
+floor totally undressed, but with his sword in his
+hand, and striking around him so furiously, that
+the Earl himself had difficulty in avoiding his
+blows. The rest of his officers rushed in, their
+weapons drawn, and their cloaks wrapped around
+their left arms. When the Duke was somewhat
+composed, and found himself surrounded by his
+friends, he informed them, with rage and agitation,
+that the officers of the Secret Tribunal had,
+in spite of the vigilant precautions taken, found
+means to gain entrance into his chamber, and
+charged him, under the highest penalty, to appear
+before the Holy Vehme upon Christmas night.</p>
+
+<p>The bystanders heard this story with astonishment,
+and some of them were uncertain whether
+they ought to consider it as a reality, or a dream
+of the Duke's irritable fancy. But the citation
+was found on the Duke's toilette, written, as was
+the form, upon parchment, signeted with three
+crosses, and stuck to the table with a knife. A
+slip of wood had been also cut from the table.
+Oxford read the summons with attention. It
+named, as usual, a place where the Duke was
+cited to come unarmed and unattended, and from
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">319</a></span>
+which it was said he would be guided to the seat
+of judgment.</p>
+
+<p>Charles, after looking at the scroll for some
+time, gave vent to his thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"I know from what quiver this arrow comes,"
+he said. "It is shot by that degenerate noble,
+apostate priest, and accomplice of sorcerers, Albert
+of Geierstein. We have heard that he is among
+the motley group of murderers and outlaws whom
+the old fiddler of Provence's grandson has raked
+together. But, by St. George of Burgundy! neither
+monk's cowl, soldier's casque, nor conjurer's
+cap shall save him after such an insult as this.
+I will degrade him from knighthood, hang him from
+the highest steeple in Nancy, and his daughter
+shall choose between the meanest herd-boy in my
+army and the convent of <i>filles repentées</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever are your purposes, my lord," said
+Contay, "it were surely best be silent, when, from
+this late apparition, we may conjecture that more
+than we wot of may be within hearing."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke seemed struck with this hint, and
+was silent, or at least only muttered oaths and
+threats betwixt his teeth, while the strictest
+search was made for the intruder on his repose.
+But it was in vain.</p>
+
+<p>Charles continued his researches, incensed at a
+flight of audacity higher than ever had been ventured
+upon by these secret societies, who, whatever
+might be the dread inspired by them, had
+not as yet attempted to cope with sovereigns. A
+trusty party of Burgundians were sent on Christmas
+night to watch the spot (a meeting of four
+cross roads) named in the summons, and make
+prisoners of any whom they could lay hands
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">320</a></span>
+upon; but no suspicious persons appeared at or
+near the place. The Duke not the less continued
+to impute the affront he had received to Albert
+of Geierstein. There was a price set upon his
+head; and Campo-basso, always willing to please
+his master's mood, undertook that some of his
+Italians, sufficiently experienced in such feats,
+should bring the obnoxious baron before him,
+alive or dead. Colvin, Contay, and others laughed
+in secret at the Italian's promises.</p>
+
+<p>"Subtle as he is," said Colvin, "he will lure
+the wild vulture from the heavens before he gets
+Albert of Geierstein into his power."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur, to whom the words of the Duke had
+given subject for no small anxiety, on account of
+Anne of Geierstein, and of her father for her sake,
+breathed more lightly on hearing his menaces
+held so cheaply.</p>
+
+<p>It was the second day after this alarm that
+Oxford felt a desire to reconnoitre the camp of
+Ferrand of Lorraine, having some doubts whether
+the strength and position of it were accurately
+reported. He obtained the Duke's consent for
+this purpose, who at the same time made him
+and his son a present of two noble steeds of
+great power and speed, which he himself highly
+valued.</p>
+
+<p>So soon as the Duke's pleasure was communicated
+to the Italian count, he expressed the utmost
+joy that he was to have the assistance of Oxford's
+age and experience upon an exploratory party, and
+selected a chosen band of an hundred Stradiots,
+whom he said he had sent sometimes to skirmish
+up to the very beards of the Switzers. The Earl
+showed himself much satisfied with the active and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">321</a></span>
+intelligent manner in which these men performed
+their duty, and drove before them and dispersed
+some parties of Ferrand's cavalry. At the entrance
+of a little ascending valley, Campo-basso
+communicated to the English noblemen that if
+they could advance to the farther extremity they
+would have a full view of the enemy's position.
+Two or three Stradiots then spurred on to examine
+this defile, and, returning back, communicated
+with their leader in their own language, who,
+pronouncing the passage safe, invited the Earl
+of Oxford to accompany him. They proceeded
+through the valley without seeing an enemy, but
+on issuing upon a plain at the point intimated by
+Campo-basso, Arthur, who was in the van of the
+Stradiots, and separated from his father, did indeed
+see the camp of Duke Ferrand within half
+a mile's distance; but a body of cavalry had that
+instant issued from it, and were riding hastily
+towards the gorge of the valley from which he had
+just emerged. He was about to wheel his horse
+and ride off, but, conscious of the great speed of
+the animal, he thought he might venture to stay
+for a moment's more accurate survey of the camp.
+The Stradiots who attended him did not wait his
+orders to retire, but went off, as was indeed their
+duty, when attacked by a superior force.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, Arthur observed that the knight who
+seemed leader of the advancing squadron, mounted
+on a powerful horse that shook the earth beneath
+him, bore on his shield the Bear of Berne, and
+had otherwise the appearance of the massive frame
+of Rudolph Donnerhugel. He was satisfied of this
+when he beheld the cavalier halt his party and
+advance towards him alone, putting his lance in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">322</a></span>
+rest, and moving slowly, as if to give him time
+for preparation. To accept such a challenge, in
+such a moment, was dangerous, but to refuse it
+was disgraceful; and while Arthur's blood boiled
+at the idea of chastising an insolent rival, he was
+not a little pleased at heart that their meeting on
+horseback gave him an advantage over the Swiss,
+through his perfect acquaintance with the practice
+of the tourney, in which Rudolph might be supposed
+more ignorant.</p>
+
+<p>They met, as was the phrase of the time, "manful
+under shield." The lance of the Swiss glanced
+from the helmet of the Englishman, against which
+it was addressed, while the spear of Arthur, directed
+right against the centre of his adversary's
+body, was so justly aimed, and so truly seconded
+by the full fury of the career, as to pierce, not
+only the shield which hung round the ill-fated
+warrior's neck, but a breast-plate and a shirt of
+mail which he wore beneath it. Passing clear
+through the body, the steel point of the weapon
+was only stopped by the back-piece of the unfortunate
+cavalier, who fell headlong from his horse, as
+if struck by lightning, rolled twice or thrice over
+on the ground, tore the earth with his hands, and
+then lay prostrate a dead corpse.</p>
+
+<p>There was a cry of rage and grief among those
+men-at-arms whose ranks Rudolph had that instant
+left, and many couched their lances to avenge
+him; but Ferrand of Lorraine, who was present in
+person, ordered them to make prisoner, but not to
+harm, the successful champion. This was accomplished,
+for Arthur had not time to turn his bridle
+for flight, and resistance would have been madness.</p>
+
+<p>When brought before Ferrand, he raised his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">323</a></span>
+visor, and said, "Is it well, my lord, to make captive
+an adventurous knight, for doing his devoir
+against a personal challenger?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not complain, Sir Arthur of Oxford," said
+Ferrand, "before you experience injury. You are
+free, Sir Knight. Your father and you were faithful
+to my royal aunt Margaret, and, although she
+was my enemy, I do justice to your fidelity in her
+behalf; and from respect to her memory, disinherited
+as she was like myself, and to please my
+grandfather, who I think had some regard for you,
+I give you your freedom. But I must also care
+for your safety during your return to the camp of
+Burgundy. On this side of the hill we are loyal
+and true-hearted men, on the other they are traitors
+and murderers. You, Sir Count, will, I think,
+gladly see our captive placed in safety."</p>
+
+<p>The knight to whom Ferrand addressed himself,
+a tall, stately man, put himself in motion to attend
+on Arthur, while the former was expressing to the
+young Duke of Lorraine the sense he entertained
+of his chivalrous conduct. "Farewell, Sir Arthur
+de Vere," said Ferrand. "You have slain a noble
+champion, and to me a most useful and faithful
+friend. But it was done nobly and openly, with
+equal arms, and in the front of the line; and evil
+befall him who entertains feud first!" Arthur
+bowed to his saddle-bow. Ferrand returned the
+salutation, and they parted.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur and his new companion had ridden but
+a little way up the ascent, when the stranger spoke
+thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"We have been fellow-travellers before, young
+man, yet you remember me not."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur turned his eyes on the cavalier, and,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">324</a></span>
+observing that the crest which adorned his helmet
+was fashioned like a vulture, strange suspicions
+began to cross his mind, which were confirmed
+when the knight, opening his helmet, showed him
+the dark and severe features of the Priest of St.
+Paul's.</p>
+
+<p>"Count Albert of Geierstein!" said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"The same," replied the count, "though thou
+hast seen him in other garb and headgear. But
+tyranny drives all men to arms, and I have resumed,
+by the licence and command of my superiors,
+those which I had laid aside. A war against
+cruelty and oppression is holy as that waged in
+Palestine, in which priests bear armour."</p>
+
+<p>"My Lord Count," said Arthur, eagerly, "I cannot
+too soon entreat you to withdraw to Sir Ferrand
+of Lorraine's squadron. Here you are in
+peril, where no strength or courage can avail you.
+The Duke has placed a price on your head; and
+the country betwixt this and Nancy swarms with
+Stradiots and Italian light horsemen."</p>
+
+<p>"I laugh at them," answered the count. "I
+have not lived so long in a stormy world, amid
+intrigues of war and policy, to fall by the mean
+hand of such as they&mdash;besides, thou art with me,
+and I have seen but now that thou canst bear thee
+nobly."</p>
+
+<p>"In your defence, my lord," said Arthur, who
+thought of his companion as the father of Anne of
+Geierstein, "I should try to do my best."</p>
+
+<p>"What, youth!" replied Count Albert with a
+stern sneer, that was peculiar to his countenance;
+"wouldst thou aid the enemy of the lord under
+whose banner thou servest against his waged
+soldiers?"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">325</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Arthur was somewhat abashed at the turn given
+to his ready offer of assistance, for which he had
+expected at least thanks; but he instantly collected
+himself, and replied, "My Lord Count
+Albert, you have been pleased to put yourself in
+peril to protect me from partisans of your party&mdash;I
+am equally bound to defend you from those of
+our side."</p>
+
+<p>"It is happily answered," said the count; "yet
+I think there is a little blind partisan, of whom
+troubadours and minstrels talk, to whose instigation
+I might, in case of need, owe the great zeal of
+my protector."</p>
+
+<p>He did not allow Arthur, who was a good deal
+embarrassed, time to reply, but proceeded: "Hear
+me, young man&mdash;Thy lance has this day done
+an evil deed to Switzerland, to Berne, and Duke
+Ferrand, in slaying their bravest champion. But
+to me the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel is a welcome
+event. Know that he was, as his services
+grew more indispensable, become importunate in
+requiring Duke Ferrand's interest with me for my
+daughter's hand. And the Duke himself, the son
+of a princess, blushed not to ask me to bestow the
+last of my house&mdash;for my brother's family are
+degenerate mongrels&mdash;upon a presumptuous young
+man, whose uncle was a domestic in the house of
+my wife's father, though they boasted some relationship,
+I believe, through an illegitimate channel,
+which yonder Rudolph was wont to make the
+most of, as it favoured his suit."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," said Arthur, "a match with one so
+unequal in birth, and far more in every other
+respect, was too monstrous to be mentioned?"</p>
+
+<p>"While I lived," replied Count Albert, "never
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">326</a></span>
+should such union have been formed, if the death
+both of bride and bridegroom by my dagger could
+have saved the honour of my house from violation.
+But when I&mdash;I whose days, whose very hours are
+numbered&mdash;shall be no more, what could prevent
+an undaunted suitor, fortified by Duke Ferrand's
+favour, by the general applause of his country, and
+perhaps by the unfortunate prepossession of my
+brother Arnold, from carrying his point against
+the resistance and scruples of a solitary maiden?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rudolph is dead," replied Arthur, "and may
+Heaven assoilzie him from guilt! But were he
+alive, and urging his suit on Anne of Geierstein, he
+would find there was a combat to be fought"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Which has been already decided," answered
+Count Albert. "Now, mark me, Arthur de Vere!
+My daughter has told me of the passages betwixt
+you and her. Your sentiments and conduct are
+worthy of the noble house you descend from,
+which I well know ranks with the most illustrious
+in Europe. You are indeed disinherited, but so is
+Anne of Geierstein, save such pittance as her uncle
+may impart to her of her paternal inheritance. If
+you share it together till better days (always supposing
+your noble father gives his consent, for my
+child shall enter no house against the will of its
+head), my daughter knows that she has my willing
+consent, and my blessing. My brother shall also
+know my pleasure. He will approve my purpose;
+for, though dead to thoughts of honour and chivalry,
+he is alive to social feelings, loves his niece,
+and has friendship for thee and for thy father.
+What say'st thou, young man, to taking a beggarly
+countess to aid thee in the journey of life?
+I believe&mdash;nay, I prophesy (for I stand so much
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">327</a></span>
+on the edge of the grave, that methinks I command
+a view beyond it), that a lustre will one day, after
+I have long ended my doubtful and stormy life,
+beam on the coronets of De Vere and Geierstein."</p>
+
+<p>De Vere threw himself from his horse, clasped
+the hand of Count Albert, and was about to exhaust
+himself in thanks; but the count insisted
+on his silence.</p>
+
+<p>"We are about to part," he said. "The time is
+short&mdash;the place is dangerous. You are to me,
+personally speaking, less than nothing. Had any
+one of the many schemes of ambition which I have
+pursued led me to success, the son of a banished
+earl had not been the son-in-law I had chosen.
+Rise and remount your horse&mdash;thanks are unpleasing
+when they are not merited."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur arose, and, mounting his horse, threw
+his raptures into a more acceptable form, endeavouring
+to describe how his love for Anne, and
+efforts for her happiness, should express his gratitude
+to her father; and, observing that the count
+listened with some pleasure to the picture he
+drew of their future life, he could not help exclaiming,&mdash;"And
+you, my lord&mdash;you who have
+been the author of all this happiness, will you not
+be the witness and partaker of it? Believe me, we
+will strive to soften the effect of the hard blows
+which fortune has dealt to you, and, should a ray
+of better luck shine upon us, it will be the more
+welcome that you can share it."</p>
+
+<p>"Forbear such folly," said the Count Albert of
+Geierstein. "I know my last scene is approaching.
+Hear and tremble. The Duke of Burgundy is sentenced
+to die, and the Secret and Invisible Judges,
+who doom in secret and avenge in secret, like the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">328</a></span>
+Deity, have given the cord and the dagger to my
+hand."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, cast from you these vile symbols!" exclaimed
+Arthur, with enthusiasm; "let them find
+butchers and common stabbers to do such an office,
+and not dishonour the noble Lord of Geierstein!"</p>
+
+<p>"Peace, foolish boy!" answered the count.
+"The oath by which I am sworn is higher than
+that clouded sky, more deeply fixed than those
+distant mountains. Nor think my act is that of
+an assassin, though for such I might plead the
+Duke's own example. I send not hirelings, like
+these base Stradiots, to hunt his life, without imperilling
+mine own. I give not his daughter&mdash;innocent
+of his offences&mdash;the choice betwixt a
+disgraceful marriage and a discreditable retreat
+from the world. No, Arthur de Vere, I seek
+Charles with the resolved mind of one who, to
+take the life of an adversary, exposes himself to
+certain death."</p>
+
+<p>"I pray you speak no further of it," said Arthur,
+very anxiously. "Consider I serve for the present
+the prince whom you threaten"&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And art bound," interrupted the count, "to
+unfold to him what I tell you. I desire you should
+do so; and though he hath already neglected a
+summons of the Tribunal, I am glad to have this
+opportunity of sending him personal defiance. Say
+to Charles of Burgundy that he has wronged Albert
+of Geierstein. He who is injured in his honour
+loses all value for his life, and whoever does so
+has full command over that of another man. Bid
+him keep himself well from me, since, if he see a
+second sun of the approaching year rise over the
+distant Alps, Albert of Geierstein is forsworn.&mdash;And
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">329</a></span>
+now begone, for I see a party approach under
+a Burgundian banner. They will insure your
+safety, but, should I remain longer, would endanger
+mine."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, the Count of Geierstein turned his
+horse and rode off.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">330</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p>Faint the din of battle bray'd</p>
+<p class="i2">  Distant down the heavy wind;</p>
+<p>War and terror fled before,</p>
+<p class="i2">  Wounds and death were left behind.</p>
+
+<p class="i12">
+<span class="smcap">Mickle.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Arthur, left alone, and desirous perhaps to cover
+the retreat of Count Albert, rode towards the approaching
+body of Burgundian cavalry, who were
+arrayed under the Lord Contay's banner.</p>
+
+<p>"Welcome, welcome," said that nobleman, advancing
+hastily to the young knight. "The Duke
+of Burgundy is a mile hence, with a body of horse
+to support the reconnoitring party. It is not half
+an hour since your father galloped up, and stated
+that you had been led into an ambuscade by the
+treachery of the Stradiots, and made prisoner. He
+has impeached Campo-basso of treason, and challenged
+him to the combat. They have both been
+sent to the camp, under charge of the Grand Marshal,
+to prevent their fighting on the spot, though
+I think our Italian showed little desire to come
+to blows. The Duke holds their gages, and they
+are to fight upon Twelfth Day."</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt that day will never dawn for some
+who look for it," said Arthur; "but if it do, I
+will myself claim the combat, by my father's
+permission."</p>
+
+<p>He then turned with Contay, and met a still
+larger body of cavalry under the Duke's broad
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">331</a></span>
+banner. He was instantly brought before Charles.
+The Duke heard, with some apparent anxiety,
+Arthur's support of his father's accusations against
+the Italian, in whose favour he was so deeply prejudiced.
+When assured that the Stradiots had
+been across the hill, and communicated with their
+leader just before he encouraged Arthur to advance,
+as it proved, into the midst of an ambush,
+the Duke shook his head, lowered his shaggy
+brows, and muttered to himself,&mdash;"Ill will to
+Oxford, perhaps&mdash;these Italians are vindictive."&mdash;Then
+raising his head, he commanded Arthur to
+proceed.</p>
+
+<p>He heard with a species of ecstasy the death
+of Rudolph Donnerhugel, and, taking a ponderous
+gold chain from his own neck, flung it over
+Arthur's.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, thou hast forestalled all our honours,
+young Arthur&mdash;this was the biggest bear of them
+all&mdash;the rest are but suckling whelps to him!
+I think I have found a youthful David to match
+their huge thick-headed Goliath. But the idiot,
+to think his peasant hand could manage a lance!
+Well, my brave boy&mdash;what more? How camest
+thou off? By some wily device or agile stratagem,
+I warrant."</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon me, my lord," answered Arthur. "I
+was protected by their chief, Ferrand, who considered
+my encounter with Rudolph Donnerhugel
+as a personal duel; and desirous to use fair war,
+as he said, dismissed me honourably, with my
+horse and arms."</p>
+
+<p>"Umph!" said Charles, his bad humour returning;
+"your Prince Adventurer must play the
+generous&mdash;Umph&mdash;well, it belongs to his part,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">332</a></span>
+but shall not be a line for me to square my conduct
+by. Proceed with your story, Sir Arthur de
+Vere."</p>
+
+<p>As Arthur proceeded to tell how and under what
+circumstances Count Albert of Geierstein named
+himself to him, the Duke fixed on him an eager
+look, and trembled with impatience as he fiercely
+interrupted him with the question&mdash;"And you&mdash;you
+struck him with your poniard under the fifth
+rib, did you not?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not, my Lord Duke&mdash;we were pledged
+in mutual assurance to each other."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you knew him to be my mortal enemy?"
+said the Duke. "Go, young man, thy lukewarm
+indifference has cancelled thy merit. The escape
+of Albert of Geierstein hath counterbalanced the
+death of Rudolph Donnerhugel."</p>
+
+<p>"Be it so, my lord," said Arthur, boldly. "I
+neither claim your praises, nor deprecate your censure.
+I had to move me in either case motives
+personal to myself&mdash;Donnerhugel was my enemy,
+and to Count Albert I owe some kindness."</p>
+
+<p>The Burgundian nobles who stood around were
+terrified for the effect of this bold speech. But it
+was never possible to guess with accuracy how
+such things would affect Charles. He looked
+around him with a laugh&mdash;"Hear you this English
+cockerel, my lords&mdash;what a note will he one
+day sound, that already crows so bravely in a
+prince's presence?"</p>
+
+<p>A few horsemen now came in from different
+quarters, recounting that the Duke Ferrand and
+his company had retired into their encampment,
+and the country was clear of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us then draw back also," said Charles,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">333</a></span>
+"since there is no chance of breaking spears to-day.
+And thou, Arthur de Vere, attend me
+closely."</p>
+
+<p>Arrived in the Duke's pavilion, Arthur underwent
+an examination, in which he said nothing of
+Anne of Geierstein, or her father's designs concerning
+him, with which he considered Charles as
+having nothing to do; but he frankly conveyed to
+him the personal threats which the count had
+openly used. The Duke listened with more temper,
+and when he heard the expression, "That a
+man who is desperate of his own life might command
+that of any other person," he said, "But
+there is a life beyond this, in which he who is
+treacherously murdered, and his base and desperate
+assassin, shall each meet their deserts." He then
+took from his bosom a gold cross, and kissed it,
+with much appearance of devotion. "In this,"
+said he, "I will place my trust. If I fail in this
+world, may I find grace in the next.&mdash;Ho, Sir
+Marshal!" he exclaimed. "Let your prisoners
+attend us."</p>
+
+<p>The Marshal of Burgundy entered with the Earl
+of Oxford, and stated that his other prisoner,
+Campo-basso, had desired so earnestly that he
+might be suffered to go and post his sentinels on
+that part of the camp intrusted to the protection of
+his troops, that he, the Marshal, had thought fit
+to comply with his request.</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said Burgundy, without further
+remark. "Then to you, my Lord Oxford, I would
+present your son, had you not already locked him
+in your arms. He has won great los and honour,
+and done me brave service. This is a period of
+the year when good men forgive their enemies;&mdash;I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">334</a></span>
+know not why,&mdash;my mind was little apt to be
+charged with such matters,&mdash;but I feel an unconquerable
+desire to stop the approaching combat
+betwixt you and Campo-basso. For my sake, consent
+to be friends, and to receive back your gage
+of battle, and let me conclude this year&mdash;perhaps
+the last I may see&mdash;with a deed of peace."</p>
+
+<p>"My lord," said Oxford, "it is a small thing
+you ask of me, since your request only enforces a
+Christian duty. I was enraged at the loss of my
+son. I am grateful to Heaven and your Grace for
+restoring him. To be friends with Campo-basso is
+to me impossible. Faith and treason, truth and
+falsehood, might as soon shake hands and embrace.
+But the Italian shall be to me no more than he
+has been before this rupture; and that is literally
+nothing. I put my honour in your Grace's hands;&mdash;if
+he receives back his gage, I am willing to
+receive mine. John de Vere needs not be apprehensive
+that the world will suppose that he fears
+Campo-basso."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke returned sincere thanks, and detained
+the officers to spend the evening in his tent. His
+manners seemed to Arthur to be more placid than
+he had ever seen them before, while to the Earl of
+Oxford they recalled the earlier days in which
+their intimacy commenced, ere absolute power and
+unbounded success had spoiled Charles's rough but
+not ungenerous disposition. The Duke ordered a
+distribution of provisions and wine to the soldiers,
+and expressed an anxiety about their lodgings, the
+cure of the wounded, and the health of the army,
+to which he received only unpleasing answers. To
+some of his counsellors, apart, he said, "Were it
+not for our vow, we would relinquish this purpose
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">335</a></span>
+till spring, when our poor soldiers might take the
+field with less of suffering."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing else remarkable appeared in the Duke's
+manner, save that he inquired repeatedly after
+Campo-basso, and at length received accounts that
+he was indisposed, and that his physician had
+recommended rest; he had therefore retired to
+repose himself, in order that he might be stirring
+on his duty at peep of day, the safety of the camp
+depending much on his vigilance.</p>
+
+<p>The Duke made no observation on the apology,
+which he considered as indicating some lurking
+disinclination, on the Italian's part, to meet
+Oxford. The guests at the ducal pavilion were
+dismissed an hour before midnight.</p>
+
+<p>When Oxford and his son were in their own
+tent, the Earl fell into a deep reverie, which lasted
+nearly ten minutes. At length, starting suddenly
+up, he said, "My son, give orders to Thiebault
+and thy yeomen to have our horses before the tent
+by break of day, or rather before it; and it would
+not be amiss if you ask our neighbour Colvin to
+ride along with us. I will visit the outposts by
+daybreak."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a sudden resolution, my lord," said
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet it may be taken too late," said his
+father. "Had it been moonlight, I would have
+made the rounds to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"It is dark as a wolf's throat," said Arthur.
+"But wherefore, my lord, can this night in particular
+excite your apprehensions?"</p>
+
+<p>"Son Arthur, perhaps you will hold your father
+credulous. But my nurse, Martha Nixon, was a
+northern woman, and full of superstitions. In
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">336</a></span>
+particular, she was wont to say, that any sudden
+and causeless change of a man's nature, as from
+licence to sobriety, from temperance to indulgence,
+from avarice to extravagance, from prodigality to
+love of money, or the like, indicates an immediate
+change of his fortunes&mdash;that some great alteration
+of circumstances, either for good or evil (and
+for evil most likely, since we live in an evil
+world), is impending over him whose disposition
+is so much altered. This old woman's fancy has
+recurred so strongly to my mind, that I am determined
+to see with mine own eyes, ere to-morrow's
+dawn, that all our guards and patrols around the
+camp are on the alert."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur made the necessary communications to
+Colvin and to Thiebault, and then retired to rest.</p>
+
+<p>It was ere daybreak of the first of January 1477,
+a period long memorable for the events which
+marked it, that the Earl of Oxford, Colvin, and
+the young Englishman, followed only by Thiebault
+and two other servants, commenced their rounds
+of the Duke of Burgundy's encampment. For the
+greater part of their progress they found sentinels
+and guards all on the alert and at their posts. It
+was a bitter morning. The ground was partly
+covered with snow,&mdash;that snow had been partly
+melted by a thaw, which had prevailed for two
+days, and partly congealed into ice by a bitter
+frost, which had commenced the preceding evening,
+and still continued. A more dreary scene
+could scarcely be witnessed.</p>
+
+<p>But what were the surprise and alarm of the
+Earl of Oxford and his companions, when they
+came to that part of the camp which had been
+occupied the day before by Campo-basso and his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">337</a></span>
+Italians, who, reckoning men-at-arms and Stradiots,
+amounted to nigh two thousand men&mdash;not
+a challenge was given&mdash;not a horse neighed&mdash;no
+steeds were seen at picket&mdash;no guard on the camp.
+They examined several of the tents and huts&mdash;they
+were empty.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us back to alarm the camp," said the Earl
+of Oxford; "here is treachery."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, my lord," said Colvin, "let us not carry
+back imperfect tidings. I have a battery an hundred
+yards in advance, covering the access to this
+hollow way; let us see if my German cannoneers
+are at their post, and I think I can swear that
+we shall find them so. The battery commands a
+narrow pass, by which alone the camp can be
+approached, and if my men are at their duty, I will
+pawn my life that we make the pass good till you
+bring up succours from the main body."</p>
+
+<p>"Forward, then, in God's name!" said the Earl
+of Oxford.</p>
+
+<p>They galloped, at every risk, over broken ground,
+slippery with ice in some places, incumbered with
+snow in others. They came to the cannon, judiciously
+placed to sweep the pass, which rose
+towards the artillery on the outward side, and
+then descended gently from the battery into the
+lower ground. The waning winter moon, mingling
+with the dawning light, showed them that the guns
+were in their places, but no sentinel was visible.</p>
+
+<p>"The villains cannot have deserted!" said the
+astonished Colvin. "But see, there is light in
+their cantonment. Oh, that unhallowed distribution
+of wine! Their usual sin of drunkenness has
+beset them. I will soon drive them from their
+revelry."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">338</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He sprang from his horse, and rushed into the
+tent whence the light issued. The cannoneers, or
+most of them, were still there, but stretched on
+the ground, their cups and flagons scattered around
+them; and so drenched were they in wassail, that
+Colvin could only, by commands and threats,
+awaken two or three, who, staggering, and obeying
+him rather from instinct than sense, reeled forward
+to man the battery. A heavy rushing sound,
+like that of men marching fast, was now heard
+coming up the pass.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the roar of a distant avalanche," said
+Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"It is an avalanche of Switzers, not of snow,"
+said Colvin. "Oh, these drunken slaves! The
+cannon are deeply loaded and well pointed&mdash;this
+volley must check them if they were fiends, and
+the report will alarm the camp sooner than we can
+do. But, oh, these drunken villains!"</p>
+
+<p>"Care not for their aid," said the Earl; "my
+son and I will each take a linstock, and be gunners
+for once."</p>
+
+<p>They dismounted, and bade Thiebault and the
+grooms look to the horses, while the Earl of
+Oxford and his son took each a linstock from one
+of the helpless gunners, three of whom were just
+sober enough to stand by their guns.</p>
+
+<p>"Bravo!" cried the bold master of ordnance,
+"never was a battery so noble. Now, my mates&mdash;your
+pardon, my lords, for there is no time for
+ceremony,&mdash;and you, ye drunken knaves, take
+heed not to fire till I give the word, and, were the
+ribs of these tramplers as flinty as their Alps, they
+shall know how old Colvin loads his guns."</p>
+
+<p>They stood breathless, each by his cannon. The
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">339</a></span>
+dreaded sound approached nearer and more near,
+till the imperfect light showed a dark and shadowy
+but dense column of men, armed with long
+spears, pole-axes, and other weapons, amidst which
+banners dimly floated. Colvin suffered them to
+approach to the distance of about forty yards, and
+then gave the word, Fire! But his own piece
+alone exploded; a slight flame flashed from the
+touch-hole of the others, which had been spiked
+by the Italian deserters, and left in reality disabled,
+though apparently fit for service. Had
+they been all in the same condition with that fired
+by Colvin, they would probably have verified his
+prophecy; for even that single discharge produced
+an awful effect, and made a long lane of dead and
+wounded through the Swiss column, in which the
+first and leading banner was struck down.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand to it yet," said Colvin, "and aid me if
+possible to reload the piece."</p>
+
+<p>For this, however, no time was allowed. A
+stately form, conspicuous in the front of the staggered
+column, raised up the fallen banner, and a
+voice as of a giant exclaimed, "What, countrymen!
+have you seen Murten and Granson, and are
+you daunted by a single gun?&mdash;Berne&mdash;Uri&mdash;Schwitz&mdash;banners
+forward! Unterwalden, here is
+your standard!&mdash;Cry your war-cries, wind your
+horns; Unterwalden, follow your Landamman!"</p>
+
+<p>They rushed on like a raging ocean, with a roar
+as deafening, and a course as impetuous. Colvin,
+still labouring to reload his gun, was struck down
+in the act. Oxford and his son were overthrown
+by the multitude, the closeness of which prevented
+any blows being aimed at them. Arthur
+partly saved himself by getting under the gun
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">340</a></span>
+he was posted at; his father, less fortunate, was
+much trampled upon, and must have been crushed
+to death but for his armour of proof. The human
+inundation, consisting of at least four thousand
+men, rushed down into the camp, continuing their
+dreadful shouts, soon mingled with shrill shrieks,
+groans, and cries of alarm.</p>
+
+<p>A broad red glare rising behind the assailants,
+and putting to shame the pallid lights of the
+winter morning, first recalled Arthur to a sense of
+his condition. The camp was on fire in his rear,
+and resounded with all the various shouts of conquest
+and terror that are heard in a town which is
+stormed. Starting to his feet, he looked around
+him for his father. He lay near him senseless,
+as were the gunners, whose condition prevented
+their attempting an escape. Having opened his
+father's casque, he was rejoiced to see him give
+symptoms of reanimation.</p>
+
+<p>"The horses, the horses!" said Arthur. "Thiebault,
+where art thou?"</p>
+
+<p>"At hand, my lord," said that trusty attendant,
+who had saved himself and his charge by a prudent
+retreat into a small thicket, which the assailants
+had avoided that they might not disorder their
+ranks.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the gallant Colvin?" said the Earl.
+"Get him a horse, I will not leave him in
+jeopardy."</p>
+
+<p>"His wars are ended, my lord," said Thiebault;
+"he will never mount steed more."</p>
+
+<p>A look and a sigh as he saw Colvin, with the
+ramrod in his hand, before the muzzle of the piece,
+his head cleft by a Swiss battle-axe, was all the
+moment permitted.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">341</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Whither must we take our course?" said
+Arthur to his father.</p>
+
+<p>"To join the Duke," said the Earl of Oxford.
+"It is not on a day like this that I will leave
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"So please you," said Thiebault, "I saw the
+Duke, followed by some half-score of his guards,
+riding at full speed across this hollow watercourse,
+and making for the open country to the northward.
+I think I can guide you on the track."</p>
+
+<p>"If that be so," replied Oxford, "we will mount
+and follow him. The camp has been assailed on
+several places at once, and all must be over since
+he has fled."</p>
+
+<p>With difficulty they assisted the Earl of Oxford
+to his horse, and rode, as fast as his returning
+strength permitted, in the direction which the
+Provençal pointed out. Their other attendants
+were dispersed or slain.</p>
+
+<p>They looked back more than once on the camp,
+now one great scene of conflagration, by whose red
+and glaring light they could discover on the ground
+the traces of Charles's retreat. About three miles
+from the scene of their defeat, the sound of which
+they still heard, mingled with the bells of Nancy,
+which were ringing in triumph, they reached a
+half-frozen swamp, round which lay several dead
+bodies. The most conspicuous was that of Charles
+of Burgundy, once the possessor of such unlimited
+power&mdash;such unbounded wealth. He was partly
+stripped and plundered, as were those who lay
+round him. His body was pierced with several
+wounds, inflicted by various weapons. His sword
+was still in his hand, and the singular ferocity
+which was wont to animate his features in battle
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">342</a></span>
+still dwelt on his stiffened countenance. Close
+behind him, as if they had fallen in the act of
+mutual fight, lay the corpse of Count Albert of
+Geierstein; and that of Ital Schreckenwald, the
+faithful though unscrupulous follower of the latter,
+lay not far distant. Both were in the dress of the
+men-at-arms composing the Duke's guard, a disguise
+probably assumed to execute the fatal commission
+of the Secret Tribunal. It is supposed
+that a party of the traitor Campo-basso's men had
+been engaged in the skirmish in which the Duke fell,
+for six or seven of them, and about the same number
+of the Duke's guards, were found near the spot.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford threw himself from his
+horse, and examined the body of his deceased
+brother-in-arms, with all the sorrow inspired by
+early remembrance of his kindness. But as he
+gave way to the feelings inspired by so melancholy
+an example of the fall of human greatness,
+Thiebault, who was looking out on the path they
+had just pursued, exclaimed, "To horse, my lord!
+here is no time to mourn the dead, and little to
+save the living&mdash;the Swiss are upon us."</p>
+
+<p>"Fly thyself, good fellow," said the Earl; "and
+do thou, Arthur, fly also, and save thy youth for
+happier days. I cannot and will not fly farther.
+I will render me to the pursuers; if they take me
+to grace, it is well; if not, there is one above that
+will receive me to His."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not fly," said Arthur, "and leave you
+defenceless; I will stay and share your fate."</p>
+
+<p>"And I will remain also," said Thiebault; "the
+Switzers make fair war when their blood has not
+been heated by much opposition, and they have
+had little enough to-day."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">343</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The party of Swiss which came up proved to be
+Sigismund, with his brother Ernest, and some of
+the youths of Unterwalden. Sigismund kindly
+and joyfully received them to mercy; and thus,
+for the third time, rendered Arthur an important
+service, in return for the kindness he had expressed
+towards him.</p>
+
+<p>"I will take you to my father," said Sigismund,
+"who will be right glad to see you; only that he
+is ill at ease just now for the death of brother
+Rudiger, who fell with the banner in his hand, by
+the only cannon that was fired this morning. The
+rest could not bark: Campo-basso had muzzled
+Colvin's mastiffs, or we should many more of us
+have been served like poor Rudiger. But Colvin
+himself is killed."</p>
+
+<p>"Campo-basso, then, was in your correspondence?"
+said Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"Not in ours&mdash;we scorn such companions&mdash;but
+some dealing there was between the Italian and
+Duke Ferrand; and having disabled the cannon,
+and filled the German gunners soundly drunk, he
+came off to our camp with fifteen hundred horse,
+and offered to act with us. 'But no, no!' said
+my father,&mdash;'traitors come not into our Swiss
+host;' and so, though we walked in at the door
+which he left open, we would not have his company.
+So he marched with Duke Ferrand to
+attack the other extremity of the camp, where he
+found them entrance by announcing them as the
+return of a reconnoitring party."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, then," said Arthur, "a more accomplished
+traitor never drew breath, nor one who drew his
+net with such success."</p>
+
+<p>"You say well," answered the young Swiss.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">344</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The Duke will never, they say, be able to collect
+another army?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never, young man," said the Earl of Oxford,
+"for he lies dead before you."<a name="FNanchor_14" id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a>
+</p>
+
+<p>Sigismund started; for he had an inherent respect,
+and somewhat of fear, for the lofty name of
+Charles the Bold, and could hardly believe that the
+mangled corpse which now lay before him was once
+the personage he had been taught to dread. But his
+surprise was mingled with sorrow when he saw the
+body of his uncle, Count Albert of Geierstein.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my uncle!" he said&mdash;"my dear uncle
+Albert! has all your greatness and your wisdom
+brought you to a death, at the side of a ditch, like
+any crazed beggar?&mdash;Come, this sad news must be
+presently told to my father, who will be concerned
+to hear of his brother's death, which will add gall
+to bitterness, coming on the back of poor Rudiger's.
+It is some comfort, however, that father and uncle
+never could abide each other."</p>
+
+<p>With some difficulty they once more assisted the
+Earl of Oxford to horseback, and were proceeding
+to set forward, when the English lord said,&mdash;"You
+will place a guard here, to save these bodies
+from further dishonour, that they may be interred
+with due solemnity."</p>
+
+<p>"By Our Lady of Einsiedlen! I thank you for
+the hint," said Sigismund. "Yes, we should do
+all that the Church can for uncle Albert. It is to
+be hoped he has not gambled away his soul beforehand,
+playing with Satan at odds and evens. I
+would we had a priest to stay by his poor body;
+but it matters not, since no one ever heard of a
+demon appearing just before breakfast."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">345</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They proceeded to the Landamman's quarters,
+through sights and scenes which Arthur, and even
+his father, so well accustomed to war in all its
+shapes, could not look upon without shuddering.
+But the simple Sigismund, as he walked by
+Arthur's side, contrived to hit upon a theme so
+interesting as to divert his sense of the horrors
+around them.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you further business in Burgundy, now
+this Duke of yours is at an end?"</p>
+
+<p>"My father knows best," said Arthur; "but I
+apprehend we have none. The Duchess of Burgundy,
+who must now succeed to some sort of
+authority in her late husband's dominion, is sister
+to this Edward of York, and a mortal enemy to
+the House of Lancaster, and to those who have
+stood by it faithfully. It were neither prudent
+nor safe to tarry where she has influence."</p>
+
+<p>"In that case," said Sigismund, "my plan will
+fadge bravely. You shall go back to Geierstein,
+and take up your dwelling with us. Your father
+will be a brother to mine, and a better one than
+uncle Albert, whom he seldom saw or spoke with;
+while with your father he will converse from
+morning till night, and leave us all the work of
+the farm. And you, Arthur, you shall go with
+us, and be a brother to us all, in place of poor
+Rudiger, who was, to be sure, my real brother,
+which you cannot be: nevertheless, I did not like
+him so well, in respect he was not so good-natured.
+And then Anne&mdash;cousin Anne&mdash;is left all to my
+father's charge, and is now at Geierstein&mdash;and
+you know, King Arthur, we used to call her Queen
+Guenover."</p>
+
+<p>"You spoke great folly then," said Arthur.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">346</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But it is great truth&mdash;For, look you, I loved
+to tell Anne tales of our hunting, and so forth, but
+she would not listen a word till I threw in something
+of King Arthur, and then I warrant she
+would sit still as a heath-hen when the hawk is
+in the heavens. And now Donnerhugel is slain,
+you know you may marry my cousin when you
+and she will, for nobody hath interest to prevent
+it."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur blushed with pleasure under his helmet,
+and almost forgave that new-year's morning all
+its complicated distresses.</p>
+
+<p>"You forget," he replied to Sigismund, with as
+much indifference as he could assume, "that I
+may be viewed in your country with prejudice on
+account of Rudolph's death."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a whit, not a whit; we bear no malice for
+what is done in fair fight under shield. It is no
+more than if you had beat him in wrestling or at
+quoits&mdash;only it is a game cannot be played over
+again."</p>
+
+<p>They now entered the town of Nancy. The
+windows were hung with tapestry, and the streets
+crowded with tumultuous and rejoicing multitudes,
+whom the success of the battle had relieved
+from great alarm for the formidable vengeance of
+Charles of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners were received with the utmost
+kindness by the Landamman, who assured them of
+his protection and friendship. He appeared to
+support the death of his son Rudiger with stern
+resignation.</p>
+
+<p>"He had rather," he said, "his son fell in battle,
+than that he should live to despise the old simplicity
+of his country, and think the object of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">347</a></span>
+combat was the gaining of spoil. The gold of the
+dead Burgundy," he added, "would injure the
+morals of Switzerland more irretrievably than ever
+his sword did their bodies."</p>
+
+<p>He heard of his brother's death without surprise,
+but apparently with emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"It was the conclusion," he said, "of a long tissue
+of ambitious enterprises, which often offered fair prospects,
+but uniformly ended in disappointment."</p>
+
+<p>The Landamman further intimated that his
+brother had apprised him that he was engaged in
+an affair of so much danger that he was almost
+certain to perish in it, and had bequeathed his
+daughter to her uncle's care, with instructions
+respecting her.</p>
+
+<p>Here they parted for the present, but shortly
+after, the Landamman inquired earnestly of the
+Earl of Oxford what his motions were like to be,
+and whether he could assist them.</p>
+
+<p>"I think of choosing Bretagne for my place of
+refuge," answered the Earl, "where my wife has
+dwelt since the battle of Tewkesbury expelled us
+from England."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not so," said the kind Landamman, "but
+come to Geierstein with the countess, where, if she
+can, like you, endure our mountain manners and
+mountain fare, you are welcome as to the house of
+a brother, to a soil where neither conspiracy nor
+treason ever flourished. Bethink you, the Duke
+of Bretagne is a weak prince, entirely governed
+by a wicked favourite, Peter Landais. He is as
+capable&mdash;I mean the minister&mdash;of selling brave
+men's blood, as a butcher of selling bullock's flesh;
+and you know, there are those, both in France and
+Burgundy, that thirst after yours."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">348</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Earl of Oxford expressed his thanks for the
+proposal, and his determination to profit by it, if
+approved of by Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Richmond,
+whom he now regarded as his sovereign.</p>
+
+<p>To close the tale, about three months after the
+battle of Nancy, the banished Earl of Oxford resumed
+his name of Philipson, bringing with his
+lady some remnants of their former wealth, which
+enabled them to procure a commodious residence
+near to Geierstein; and the Landamman's interest
+in the state procured for them the right of denizenship.
+The high blood and the moderate fortunes
+of Anne of Geierstein and Arthur de Vere,
+joined to their mutual inclination, made their
+marriage in every respect rational; and Annette
+with her bachelor took up their residence with the
+young people, not as servants, but mechanical aids
+in the duties of the farm; for Arthur continued to
+prefer the chase to the labours of husbandry, which
+was of little consequence, as his separate income
+amounted, in that poor country, to opulence. Time
+glided on, till it amounted to five years since the
+exiled family had been inhabitants of Switzerland.
+In the year 1482, the Landamman Biederman died
+the death of the righteous, lamented universally,
+as a model of the true and valiant, simple-minded
+and sagacious chiefs who ruled the ancient Switzers
+in peace, and headed them in battle. In the same
+year, the Earl of Oxford lost his noble countess.</p>
+
+<p>But the star of Lancaster, at that period, began
+again to culminate, and called the banished lord
+and his son from their retirement, to mix once
+more in politics. The treasured necklace of Margaret
+was then put to its destined use, and the
+produce applied to levy those bands which shortly
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">349</a></span>
+after fought the celebrated battle of Bosworth, in
+which the arms of Oxford and his son contributed
+so much to the success of Henry VII. This
+changed the destinies of De Vere and his lady.
+Their Swiss farm was conferred on Annette and
+her husband; and the manners and beauty of Anne
+of Geierstein attracted as much admiration at the
+English court as formerly in the Swiss chalet.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350"></a></span>
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">351</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>AUTHOR'S NOTES.</h2>
+
+<p class="center"><a name="Note_I" id="Note_I"></a><a href="#Page_201">Note I. p. 201</a>.&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Troubadours.</span></p>
+
+<p>The smoothness of the Provençal dialect, partaking strongly
+of the Latin, which had been spoken for so many ages in what
+was called for distinction's sake the Roman Province of Gaul,
+and the richness and fertility of a country abounding in all
+that could delight the senses and soothe the imagination, naturally
+disposed the inhabitants to cultivate the art of poetry,
+and to value and foster the genius of those who distinguished
+themselves by attaining excellence in it. Troubadours, that is,
+<i>finders</i> or <i>inventors</i>, equivalent to the northern term of <i>makers</i>,
+arose in every class, from the lowest to the highest, and success
+in their art dignified men of the meanest rank, and added fresh
+honours to those who were born in the patrician file of society.
+War and love, more especially the latter, were dictated to
+them by the chivalry of the times as the especial subjects of
+their verse. Such, too, were the themes of our northern minstrels.
+But whilst the latter confined themselves in general
+to those well-known metrical histories in which scenes of
+strife and combat mingled with adventures of enchantment,
+and fables of giants and monsters subdued by valiant champions,
+such as best attracted the ears of the somewhat duller
+and more barbarous warriors of northern France, of Britain,
+and of Germany&mdash;the more lively Troubadours produced
+poems which turned on human passion, and on love, affection,
+and dutiful observance, with which the faithful knight was
+bound to regard the object of his choice, and the honour and
+respect with which she was bound to recompense his faithful
+services.</p>
+
+<p>Thus far it cannot be disputed that the themes selected by
+the Troubadours were those on which poetry is most naturally
+exerted, and with the best chance of rising to excellence. But
+it usually happens, that when any one of the fine arts is cultivated
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">352</a></span>
+exclusively, the taste of those who practise and admire
+its productions loses sight of nature, simplicity, and true
+taste, and the artist endeavours to discover, while the public
+learn to admire, some more complicated system, in which
+pedantry supersedes the dictates of natural feeling, and metaphysical
+ingenuity is used instead of the more obvious qualifications
+of simplicity and good sense. Thus, with the unanimous
+approbation of their hearers, the Troubadours framed for
+themselves a species of poetry describing and inculcating a
+system of metaphysical affection as inconsistent with nature as
+the minstrel's tales of magicians and monsters; with this evil
+to society, that it was calculated deeply to injure its manners
+and its morals. Every Troubadour, or good Knight, who took
+the maxims of their poetical school for his rule, was bound to
+choose a lady love, the fairest and noblest to whom he had
+access, to whom he dedicated at once his lyre and his sword,
+and who, married or single, was to be the object to whom his
+life, words, and actions were to be devoted. On the other
+hand, a lady thus honoured and distinguished was bound, by
+accepting the services of such a gallant, to consider him as her
+lover, and on all due occasions to grace him as such with distinguished
+marks of personal favour. It is true that, according
+to the best authorities, the intercourse betwixt her lover and
+herself was to be entirely of a Platonic character, and the loyal
+swain was not to require, or the chosen lady to grant, anything
+beyond the favour she might in strict modesty bestow. Even
+under this restriction, the system was like to make wild work
+with the domestic peace of families, since it permitted, or
+rather enjoined, such familiarity betwixt the fair dame and
+her poetical admirer; and very frequently human passions,
+placed in such a dangerous situation, proved too strong to
+be confined within the metaphysical bounds prescribed to
+them by so fantastic and perilous a system. The injured
+husbands on many occasions avenged themselves with severity,
+and even with dreadful cruelty, on the unfaithful ladies,
+and the musical skill and chivalrous character of the lover
+proved no protection to his person. But the real spirit of
+the system was seen in this, that in the poems of the other
+Troubadours, by whom such events are recorded, their pity
+is all bestowed on the hapless lovers, while, without the least
+allowance for just provocation, the injured husband is held up
+to execration.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">353</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="center p2"><a name="Note_II" id="Note_II"></a><a href="#Page_203">Note II. p. 203</a>.&mdash;<span class="smcap">High and Noble Parliament of
+Love.</span></p>
+
+<p>In Provence, during the flourishing time of the Troubadours,
+Love was esteemed so grave and formal a part of the business
+of life, that a Parliament or High Court of Love was appointed
+for deciding such questions. This singular tribunal was, it
+may be supposed, conversant with more of imaginary than
+of real suits; but it is astonishing with what cold and pedantic
+ingenuity the Troubadours of whom it consisted set themselves
+to plead and to decide, upon reasoning which was not
+less singular and able than out of place, the absurd questions
+which their own fantastic imaginations had previously devised.
+There, for example, is a reported case of much celebrity, where
+a lady sitting in company with three persons, who were her
+admirers, listened to one with the most favourable smiles,
+while she pressed the hand of the second, and touched with
+her own the foot of the third. It was a case much agitated
+and keenly contested in the Parliament of Love, which of
+these rivals had received the distinguishing mark of the lady's
+favour. Much ingenuity was wasted on this and similar cases,
+of which there is a collection, in all judicial form of legal proceedings,
+under the title of <i>Arrêts d'Amour</i> (Adjudged Cases
+of the Court of Love).</p>
+
+<p class="center p2"><a name="Note_III" id="Note_III"></a><a href="#Page_344">Note III. p. 344</a>.</p>
+
+<p>The following very striking passage is that in which Philip
+de Commines sums up the last scene of Charles the Bold,
+whose various fortunes he had long watched with a dark anticipation
+that a character so reckless, and capable of such excess,
+must sooner or later lead to a tragical result:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>
+"As soon as the Count de Campo-basso arrived in the Duke of
+Lorrain's army, word was sent him to leave the camp immediately,
+for they would not entertain, nor have any communication with,
+such traytors. Upon which message he retir'd with his party to a
+Castle and Pass not far off, where he fortified himself with carts
+and other things as well as he could, in hopes, that if the Duke of
+Burgundy was routed, he might have an opportunity of coming in
+for a share of the plunder, as he did afterwards. Nor was this
+practice with the Duke of Lorrain the most execrable action that
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">354</a></span>
+Campo-basso was guilty of; but before he left the army he conspir'd
+with several other officers (finding it was impracticable to attempt
+anything against the Duke of Burgundy's person) to leave him
+just as they came to charge, for at that time he suppos'd it would
+put the Duke into the greatest terror and consternation, and if he
+fled, he was sure he could not escape alive, for he had order'd thirteen
+or fourteen sure men, some to run as soon as the Germans
+came up to charge 'em, and others to watch the Duke of Burgundy,
+and kill him in the rout, which was well enough contrived; I myself
+have seen two or three of those who were employed to kill the
+Duke. Having thus settled his conspiracy at home, he went over
+to the Duke of Lorrain upon the approach of the German army;
+but finding they would not entertain him, he retired to Condé.</p>
+
+<p>"The German army marched forward, and with 'em a considerable
+body of French horse, whom the King had given leave to be
+present at that action. Several parties lay in ambush not far off,
+that if the Duke of Burgundy was routed, they might surprise some
+person of quality, or take some considerable booty. By this every
+one may see into what a deplorable condition this poor Duke had
+brought himself, by his contempt of good counsel. Both armies
+being joyn'd, the Duke of Burgundy's forces having been twice
+beaten before, and by consequence weak and dispirited, and ill
+provided besides, were quickly broken and entirely defeated:
+Many sav'd themselves and got off; the rest were either taken or
+kill'd; and among 'em the Duke of Burgundy himself was killed
+on the spot. One Monsieur Claude of Bausmont, Captain of the
+Castle of Dier in Lorrain, kill'd the Duke of Burgundy. Finding
+his army routed, he mounted a swift horse, and endeavouring to
+swim a little river in order to make his escape, his horse fell with
+him, and overset him: The Duke cry'd out for quarter to this
+gentleman, who was pursuing him, but he being deaf, and not hearing
+him, immediately kill'd and stripp'd him, not knowing who he
+was, and left him naked in the ditch, where his body was found
+the next day after the battle; which the Duke of Lorrain (to his
+eternal honour) buried with great pomp and magnificence in St.
+George's Church, in the old town of Nancy, himself and all his
+nobility, in deep mourning, attending the corpse to the grave. The
+following epitaph was sometime afterwards ingrav'd on his tomb:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="o1">'<i>Carolus hoc busto Burgundæ gloria gentis</i></p>
+<p><i>Conditur, Europæ qui fuit ante timor.</i>'</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>I saw a seal ring of his, since his death, at Milan, with his arms
+cut curiously upon a sardonix that I have seen him often wear in a
+ribbon at his breast, which was sold at Milan for two ducats, and
+had been stolen from him by a rascal that waited on him in his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">355</a></span>
+chamber. I have often seen the Duke dress'd and undress'd in
+great state and formality, and attended by very great persons; but at
+his death all this pomp and magnificence ceas'd, and his family was
+involv'd in the same ruin with himself, and very likely as a punishment
+for his having deliver'd up the Constable not long before, out
+of a base and avaricious principle; but God forgive him. I have
+known him a powerful and honourable Prince, in as great esteem,
+and as much courted by his neighbours (when his affairs were in a
+prosperous condition), as any Prince in Europe, and perhaps more;
+and I cannot conceive what should provoke God Almighty's displeasure
+so highly against him, unless it was his self-love and arrogance,
+in appropriating all the success of his enterprises, and all the
+renown he ever acquir'd, to his own wisdom and conduct, without
+attributing anything to God. Yet to speak truth, he was master
+of several good qualities: No Prince ever had a greater ambition
+to entertain young noblemen than he, nor was more careful of
+their education: His presents and bounty were never profuse and
+extravagant, because he gave to many, and had a mind everybody
+should taste of it. No Prince was ever more easie of access to
+his servants and subjects. Whilst I was in his service he was
+never cruel, but a little before his death he took up that humour,
+which was an infallible sign of the shortness of his life. He was
+very splendid and curious in his dress, and in everything else, and
+indeed a little too much. He paid great honours to all ambassadors
+and foreigners, and entertain'd them nobly: His ambitious desire
+of fame was insatiable, and it was that which induced him to be
+eternally in wars, more than any other motive. He ambitiously
+desir'd to imitate the old Kings and Heroes of antiquity, whose
+actions still shine in History, and are so much talked of in the
+world, and his courage was equal to any Prince's of his time.</p>
+
+<p>"But all his designs and imaginations were vain and extravagant,
+and turn'd afterwards to his own dishonour and confusion,
+for 'tis the conquerors and not the conquer'd that purchase to
+themselves renown. I cannot easily determine towards whom God
+Almighty shew'd his anger most, whether towards him who died
+suddenly without pain or sickness in the field of battle, or towards
+his subjects who never enjoy'd peace after his death, but were
+continually involv'd in wars, against which they were not able to
+maintain themselves, upon account of the civil dissentions and
+cruel animosities that arose among 'em; and that which was the
+most insupportable, was, that the very people, to whom they were
+now oblig'd for their defence and preservation, were the Germans,
+who were strangers, and not long since their profess'd enemies. In
+short, after the Duke's death, there was not a neighbouring state
+that wished them to prosper, nor even Germany that defended 'em.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">356</a></span>
+And by the management of their affairs, their understanding seem'd
+to be as much infatuated as their master's, for they rejected all
+good counsel, and pursued such methods as directly tended to
+their destruction; and they are still in such a condition, that
+though they have at present some little ease and relaxation from
+their sorrows, yet 'tis with great danger of a relapse, and 'tis well if
+it turns not in the end to their utter ruin.</p>
+
+<p>"I am partly of their opinion who maintain, that God gives
+Princes, as he in his wisdom thinks fit, to punish or chastise the
+subjects; and he disposes the affection of subjects to their Princes,
+as he has determin'd to raise or depress 'em. Just so it has pleas'd
+him to deal with the House of Burgundy; for, after a long series of
+riches and prosperity, and six-and-twenty years' peace under three
+Illustrious Princes, predecessors to this Charles (all of 'em excellent
+persons, and of great prudence and discretion), it pleas'd God to
+send this Duke Charles, who involv'd them in bloody wars, as well
+winter as summer, to their great affliction and expense, in which
+most of their richest and stoutest men were either kill'd, or utterly
+undone. Their misfortunes continu'd successively to the very hour
+of his death; and after such a manner, that at the last, the whole
+strength of their country was destroy'd, and all kill'd or taken
+prisoners who had any zeal or affection for the House of Burgundy,
+and had power to defend the state and dignity of that family; so
+that in a manner their losses were equal to, if not over balanc'd
+their former prosperity; for as I have seen those Princes heretofore
+puissant, rich, and honourable, so it fared the same with their subjects;
+for I think, I have seen and known the greatest part of
+Europe; yet I never knew any province, or country, tho' perhaps
+of a larger extent, so abounding in money, so extravagantly fine in
+furniture for their horses, so sumptuous in their buildings, so profuse
+in their expenses, so luxurious in their feasts and entertainments,
+and so prodigal in all respects, as the subjects of these
+Princes, in my time: but it has pleased God at one blow to subvert
+and ruin this illustrious family. Such changes and revolutions in
+states and kingdoms God in his providence has wrought before we
+were born, and will do again when we are in our graves; for this
+is a certain maxim, that the prosperity or adversity of Princes are
+wholly at his disposal."</p>
+
+<p class="left65">
+<span class="smcap">Commines</span>, Book V. Chap. 9.</p>
+</div>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">357</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="ednotes" id="ednotes">Editor's Notes</a>.</h2>
+
+<p>(<a name="ednote_a" id="ednote_a" href="#enanchor_a"><i>a</i></a>) p. 114. "The good King René." There is a biography
+of this prince, by the Comte de Villeneuve Bargemont. René
+of Anjou, descended from the second son of John of Valois,
+King of France, inherited the duchy of Lorraine in right of
+his wife, daughter of Charles II., Duke of Lorraine. His
+claim was contested by Antoine, Comte de Vaudémont, representing
+a collateral male branch of the earlier line. This
+claimant was backed by Philip the Good, of Burgundy. René
+was defeated, in 1431, at Bulgueville, and passed some years
+as a captive in Dijon. Here, like Charles d'Orleans in England,
+and James I. in the same country, he amused himself
+with poetry and art. He succeeded to the crown of Provence,
+a remnant of the Neapolitan domains of Anjou, and his
+daughter, Yolande, married the son of his rival of Vaudémont.
+Lorraine was entailed on them and their issue, failing
+male issue of René. After an expedition to Naples he ceded
+Lorraine to his son, and passed his time in a pleasing pastoral
+manner, in Provence. In his old age Lorraine fell to his
+grandson René, and the unlucky region was drawn into
+disputes of France and Burgundy, between which it lay. Burgundy
+conquered Lorraine. Old René negotiated for Burgundian
+protection, and for Charles's succession to Provence,
+which on René's death would make Burgundy "a Middle
+Kingdom conterminous with Germany and France." But the
+conquest of Lorraine was the last of Charles's successes: the
+end of the novel before us tells the story of his fall.</p>
+
+<p>(<a name="ednote_b" id="ednote_b" href="#enanchor_b"><i>b</i></a>) p. 116. "Edward of York has crossed the Sea." The
+date is 1475. Louis and Edward met on the bridge over the
+Somme, at Pequigny, and made terms. The scheme of
+Oxford, in the novel, for an invasion of England during
+Edward's absence, was thus rendered impossible.</p>
+
+<p>(<a name="ednote_c" id="ednote_c" href="#enanchor_c"><i>c</i></a>) p. 125. "Henry Colvin." Comines calls this soldier
+"Cohin," in the oldest texts "Colpin." He commanded
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">358</a></span>
+three hundred English, and was killed by a cannon shot:
+"great loss to the Duke, for a single man may save his master,
+though he be of no great lineage, so he have but sense and
+virtue."</p>
+
+<p>(<a name="ednote_d" id="ednote_d" href="#enanchor_d"><i>d</i></a>) p. 262. "Granson." The Burgundian defeat is described
+in Comines, book v. ch. i. Of Charles, Comines says, "il
+perdit honneur et chevance ce jour." Morat he describes in
+book v. ch. iii. The narrative of Charles's despair, and the
+detail of his drinking <i>tisane</i> in place of wine, is borrowed
+from Comines, book v. ch. v., in the sixteenth chapter of
+the novel. The treachery of Campobasso is recorded in
+Comines's sixth-ninth chapter. Mr. Kirk's version of
+Charles's last fight is written with much spirit.</p>
+
+<p class="left65">
+<span class="smcap">Andrew Lang.</span></p>
+
+<p><i>May 1894.</i></p>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">359</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>GLOSSARY.</h2>
+
+<div class="glossary">
+<p class="hanging">
+<b>Abettance</b>, support, encouragement.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Abye</b>, to pay the penalty of, to
+atone for.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Adjected</b>, appended, added.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Albe</b>, a long white linen robe
+worn by priests.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ariette</b>, a little song.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Arquebusier</b>, a soldier armed
+with an arquebuse, an early
+form of musket.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Assoilzied</b>, pardoned.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Astucious</b>, astute, shrewd, cunning.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Baaren-hauter</b>, a nickname for
+a German private soldier.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ban</b>, an imperial edict; the laws
+of the Empire.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ban-dog</b>, a large fierce dog.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Barbed</b>, clad in armour.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Beauffet</b>, a sideboard.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Blink out of</b>," to evade, to
+escape.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Bordel</b>, a brothel.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Botargo</b>, the roe of the mullet or
+tunny, salted and dried.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Brache</b>, a kind of sporting dog.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Bretagne</b>, Brittany.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Broad-piece</b>, an old English
+gold coin.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Bruit</b>, rumour.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Buon campagna</b>," open country.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Caravansera</b>, an inn.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Carbonado</b>, a piece of meat or
+game, seasoned and broiled.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Caviare</b>, the roe of the sturgeon
+pickled in salt.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Chaffron</b>, <b>chamfron</b>, the armoured
+frontlet of a horse.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Chalumeau</b>, a reed or pipe made
+into an instrument of music.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Coif</b>, a woman's headdress.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Corso</b>, the chief street or square
+in an Italian town.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Côte roti</b>," wine grown on a
+sunny slope.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Dalmatic</b>, <b>dalmatique</b>, a long
+ecclesiastical robe.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Debonair</b>, affable, courteous.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Dishabille</b>, undress, negligent
+dress.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Dorf</b>, a village.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ducat</b>, an old gold coin, worth
+about 9<i>s.</i> 4<i>d.</i></p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Entrechat</b>, a caper.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Fadge</b>, to succeed, to turn out
+well.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Galilee</b>, a porch or chapel beside
+a monastery or church, in which
+the monks received visitors,
+where processions were formed,
+penitents stationed, and so
+forth.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Gear</b>, business, affair; property.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Geierstein</b>, vulture-stone.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Grave</b>, a count.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Gutter-blooded</b>, of the meanest
+birth.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Hagbut</b>, a musket.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Halidome</b>, on my word of honour.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Hypocaust</b>, a stove, heating apparatus.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">360</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Jongleur</b>, a minstrel-poet of
+Northern France.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Lauds</b>, a daily service of the
+Roman Catholic Church.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Los</b>, praise.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Morgue</b>, the proud, disdainful
+look of a superior to an inferior.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Morisco</b>, a Moor of Spain.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Pardoner</b>, a licensed seller of papal
+indulgences.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Pavin</b>, a stately Spanish dance.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Pennoncelle</b>, a little flag fixed
+to a lance.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Peste!</b> plague on't!</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Piastre</b>, a silver coin, worth 4<i>s.</i></p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Plump</b>, a clump, collection.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Poz element</b>," a German oath.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Questionary</b>, a pedlar of relics
+or indulgences.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Rebeck</b>, an instrument resembling
+the violin.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Reiter</b>, a horse-soldier.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Rhein-Thal</b>, the valley of the
+Rhine.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Ritter</b>, a knight.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Rote</b>, a kind of harp, played by
+turning a wheel.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Samite</b>, a textile made of gold
+cloth or satin.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Sapperment der Teufel!</b>"&mdash;a
+German oath.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Schwarz-reiter</b>, a German mercenary
+horse-soldier.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Sibylline leaf</b>," the oracular
+or precious saying.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Stadtholder</b>, the emperor's deputy
+in ancient Westphalia.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Stell</b>, to mount or plant (a cannon).</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Strick-kind</b>, the child of the
+cord&mdash;the prisoner on trial
+before the Vehmic Tribunal.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Stube</b>, a sitting-room, a public
+room.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Talliage</b>, a subsidy, a tax.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging">"<b>Tiers état</b>," the third estate,
+or representatives of the people.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Turnpike-stair</b>, a spiral or winding
+staircase.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Vambrace</b>, the piece of armour
+that covered the forearm.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Violer</b>, a player on a viol, a kind
+of violin.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Visard</b>, a mask to cover the
+face.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Wass-ail</b>, ale or wine sweetened
+and flavoured with spices.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Wassel-song</b>, a drinking or carousing
+song.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Welked</b>, marked with protuberances
+or ridges.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Yungfrau</b>, <b>Jungfrau</b>, a young
+girl.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging"><b>Yung-herren</b>, <b>Jung-herren</b>,
+<b>Junker</b>, the sons of a German
+minor noble.</p>
+
+<p class="hanging p2"><b>Zechin</b>, a Venetian gold coin,
+worth from 9<i>s.</i> to 10<i>s.</i></p>
+</div>
+<div class="footnotes">
+<h2 class="fntitle">FOOTNOTES:</h2>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a>
+ The word Wehme, pronounced Vehme, is of uncertain derivation,
+but was always used to intimate this inquisitorial and secret
+Court. The members were termed Wissenden, or Initiated,
+answering to the modern phrase of Illuminati. Mr. Palgrave
+seems inclined to derive the word <i>Vehme</i> from <i>Ehme</i>, <i>i.e.</i> <i>Law</i>, and
+he is probably right.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a>
+ The term <i>Strick-kind</i>, or child of the cord, was applied to the
+person accused before these awful assemblies.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a>
+ The parts of Germany subjected to the operation of the Secret
+Tribunal were called, from the blood which it spilt, or from some
+other reason (Mr. Palgrave suggests the ground tincture of the
+ancient banner of the district), the Red Soil. Westphalia, as the
+limits of that country were understood in the Middle Ages, which
+are considerably different from the present boundaries, was the
+principal theatre of the Vehme.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a>
+ <i>Baaren-hauter</i>,&mdash;he of the Bear's hide,&mdash;a nickname for a
+German private soldier.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a>
+ See <a href="#ednotes">Editor's Notes</a> at the end of the Volume. Wherever a
+similar reference occurs, the reader will understand that the same
+direction applies.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a>
+ The Lancastrian party threw the imputation of bastardy
+(which was totally unfounded) upon Edward IV.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a>
+ The chief order of knighthood in the state of Burgundy.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a>
+ <a href="#Note_I">Note I</a>.&mdash;The Troubadours.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a>
+ <a href="#Note_II">Note II</a>.&mdash;Parliament of Love.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a>
+ Bransle, in English, brawl&mdash;a species of dance.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a>
+ The Archbishop of Cologne was recognised as head of all the
+Free Tribunals (<i>i.e.</i> the Vehmique benches) in Westphalia, by a
+writ of privilege granted in 1335 by the Emperor Charles IV.
+Winceslaus confirmed this act by a privilege dated 1382, in which
+the Archbishop is termed Grand Master of the Vehme, or Grand
+Inquisitor. And this prelate and other priests were encouraged to
+exercise such office by Pope Boniface III., whose ecclesiastical discipline
+permitted them in such cases to assume the right of judging
+in matters of life and death.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a>
+ Cupidus novarum rerum.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_13" id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a>
+ <i>Guantes</i>, used by the Spanish as the French say étrennes, or
+the English handsell or luckpenny&mdash;phrases used by inferiors to
+their patrons as the bringers of good news.</p>
+
+<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_14" id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a>
+ <a href="#Note_III">Note III</a>.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="center p2">END OF VOL. II.</p>
+
+<hr class="l15" />
+<p class="center s08"><i>Printed by</i> <span class="smcap">Ballantyne, Hanson &amp; Co.</span><br />
+<i>Edinburgh and London</i></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anne of Geierstein, by Walter Scott
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Anne of Geierstein, by Walter Scott
+
+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: Anne of Geierstein
+       (Volume 2 of 2)
+
+Author: Walter Scott
+
+Annotator: Andrew Lang
+
+Release Date: November 21, 2013 [EBook #44247]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+  Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Inconsistent
+  spelling, hyphenation, and capitalization (e.g. his grace/Grace) in
+  the original document have been preserved.
+
+  Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal
+  signs=.
+
+
+
+
+     WAVERLEY NOVELS
+
+     FORTY-EIGHT VOLUMES
+     VOLUME XLIV.
+
+
+
+
+     BORDER EDITION
+
+     The Introductory Essays and Notes by ANDREW LANG to this
+     Edition of the Waverley Novels are Copyright
+
+     [Illustration: KING RENE.
+      Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.]
+
+
+
+
+     ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN
+
+     BY
+
+     SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART.
+
+     WITH INTRODUCTORY ESSAY AND NOTES
+     BY ANDREW LANG
+
+     TEN ETCHINGS
+
+     VOLUME II.
+
+     LONDON
+
+     JOHN C. NIMMO
+
+     14, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND
+
+     MDCCCXCIV
+
+
+
+
+     PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
+     At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ETCHINGS.
+
+PRINTED BY F. GOULDING, LONDON.
+
+
+VOLUME THE SECOND.
+
+     KING RENE. Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios
+     (p. 213)                                         Frontispiece
+
+     THE SECRET TRIBUNAL. Drawn and Etched by R. de
+     Los Rios                                      To face page 32
+
+     ARTHUR BEFORE THE QUEEN. Drawn and Etched by
+     R. de Los Rios                                            112
+
+     THE DEFIANCE. Drawn and Etched by R. de Los
+     Rios                                                      182
+
+     THE FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN. Drawn and Etched by
+     R. de Los Rios                                            288
+
+
+
+
+     ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN;
+     OR,
+     THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST.
+
+
+     What! will the aspiring blood of Lancaster
+     Sink in the ground?
+
+     SHAKSPEARE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+     _1st Carrier._ What, ostler!--a plague on thee, hast never
+     an eye in thy head? Canst thou not hear? An 'twere not as
+     good a deed as drink to break the pate of thee, I am a
+     very villain--Come, and be hanged--Hast thou no faith in
+     thee?
+
+     _Gadshill._ I pray thee, lend me thy lantern, to see my
+     gelding in the stable.
+
+     _2d Carrier._ Nay, soft, I pray you--I know a trick worth
+     two of that.
+
+     _Gadshill._ I prithee lend me thine.
+
+     _3d Carrier._ Ay, when? Canst tell?--Lend thee my lantern,
+     quotha? Marry, I'll see thee hanged first.
+                                                   _Henry IV._
+
+
+The social spirit peculiar to the French nation had already introduced
+into the inns of that country the gay and cheerful character of
+welcome upon which Erasmus, at a later period, dwells with strong
+emphasis, as a contrast to the saturnine and sullen reception which
+strangers were apt to meet with at a German caravansera. Philipson
+was, therefore, in expectation of being received by the busy, civil,
+and talkative host--by the hostess and her daughter, all softness,
+coquetry, and glee--the smiling and supple waiter--the officious and
+dimpled chambermaid. The better inns in France boast also separate
+rooms, where strangers could change or put in order their dress, where
+they might sleep without company in their bedroom, and where they
+could deposit their baggage in privacy and safety. But all these
+luxuries were as yet unknown in Germany; and in Alsace, where the
+scene now lies, as well as in the other dependencies of the Empire,
+they regarded as effeminacy everything beyond such provisions as were
+absolutely necessary for the supply of the wants of travellers; and
+even these were coarse and indifferent, and, excepting in the article
+of wine, sparingly ministered.
+
+The Englishman, finding that no one appeared at the gate, began to
+make his presence known by calling aloud, and finally by alighting,
+and smiting with all his might on the doors of the hostelry for a long
+time, without attracting the least attention. At length the head of a
+grizzled servitor was thrust out at a small window, who, in a voice
+which sounded like that of one displeased at the interruption, rather
+than hopeful of advantage from the arrival of a guest, demanded what
+he wanted.
+
+"Is this an inn?" replied Philipson.
+
+"Yes," bluntly replied the domestic, and was about to withdraw from
+the window, when the traveller added,--
+
+"And if it be, can I have lodgings?"
+
+"You may come in," was the short and dry answer.
+
+"Send some one to take the horses," replied Philipson.
+
+"No one is at leisure," replied this most repulsive of waiters; "you
+must litter down your horses yourself, in the way that likes you
+best."
+
+"Where is the stable?" said the merchant, whose prudence and temper
+were scarce proof against this Dutch phlegm.
+
+The fellow, who seemed as sparing of his words as if, like the
+Princess in the fairy tale, he had dropped ducats with each of them,
+only pointed to a door in an outer building, more resembling that of a
+cellar than of a stable, and, as if weary of the conference, drew in
+his head, and shut the window sharply against the guest, as he would
+against an importunate beggar.
+
+Cursing the spirit of independence which left a traveller to his own
+resources and exertions, Philipson, making a virtue of necessity, led
+the two nags towards the door pointed out as that of the stable, and
+was rejoiced at heart to see light glimmering through its chinks. He
+entered with his charge into a place very like the dungeon vault of an
+ancient castle, rudely fitted up with some racks and mangers. It was
+of considerable extent in point of length, and at the lower end two or
+three persons were engaged in tying up their horses, dressing them,
+and dispensing them their provender.
+
+This last article was delivered by the ostler, a very old lame man,
+who neither put his hand to wisp or curry-comb, but sat weighing forth
+hay by the pound, and counting out corn, as it seemed, by the grain,
+so anxiously did he bend over his task, by the aid of a blinking light
+enclosed within a horn lantern. He did not even turn his head at the
+noise which the Englishman made on entering the place with two
+additional horses, far less did he seem disposed to give himself the
+least trouble, or the stranger the smallest assistance.
+
+In respect of cleanliness, the stable of Augeas bore no small
+resemblance to that of this Alsatian _dorf_, and it would have been an
+exploit worthy of Hercules to have restored it to such a state of
+cleanliness as would have made it barely decent in the eyes, and
+tolerable to the nostrils, of the punctilious Englishman. But this was
+a matter which disgusted Philipson himself much more than those of his
+party which were principally concerned. They, _videlicet_ the two
+horses, seeming perfectly to understand that the rule of the place was
+"first come first served," hastened to occupy the empty stalls which
+happened to be nearest to them. In this one of them at least was
+disappointed, being received by a groom with a blow across the face
+with a switch.
+
+"Take that," said the fellow, "for forcing thyself into the place
+taken up for the horses of the Baron of Randelsheim."
+
+Never in the course of his life had the English merchant more pain to
+retain possession of his temper than at that moment. Reflecting,
+however, on the discredit of quarrelling with such a man in such a
+cause, he contented himself with placing the animal, thus repulsed
+from the stall he had chosen, into one next to that of his companion,
+to which no one seemed to lay claim.
+
+The merchant then proceeded, notwithstanding the fatigue of the day,
+to pay all that attention to the mute companions of his journey which
+they deserve from every traveller who has any share of prudence, to
+say nothing of humanity. The unusual degree of trouble which Philipson
+took to arrange his horses, although his dress, and much more his
+demeanour, seemed to place him above this species of servile labour,
+appeared to make an impression even upon the iron insensibility of the
+old ostler himself. He showed some alacrity in furnishing the
+traveller, who knew the business of a groom so well, with corn, straw,
+and hay, though in small quantity, and at exorbitant rates, which were
+instantly to be paid; nay, he even went as far as the door of the
+stable, that he might point across the court to the well, from which
+Philipson was obliged to fetch water with his own hands. The duties of
+the stable being finished, the merchant concluded that he had gained
+such an interest with the grim master of the horse, as to learn of him
+whether he might leave his bales safely in the stable.
+
+"You may leave them if you will," said the ostler; "but touching their
+safety, you will do much more wisely if you take them with you, and
+give no temptation to any one by suffering them to pass from under
+your own eyes."
+
+So saying, the man of oats closed his oracular jaws, nor could he be
+prevailed upon to unlock them again by any inquiry which his customer
+could devise.
+
+In the course of this cold and comfortless reception, Philipson
+recollected the necessity of supporting the character of a prudent and
+wary trader, which he had forgotten once before in the course of the
+day; and, imitating what he saw the others do, who had been, like
+himself, engaged in taking charge of their horses, he took up his
+baggage, and removed himself and his property to the inn. Here he was
+suffered to enter, rather than admitted, into the general or public
+_stube_, or room of entertainment, which, like the ark of the
+patriarch, received all ranks without distinction, whether clean or
+unclean.
+
+The _stube_, or stove, of a German inn, derived its name from the
+great hypocaust, which is always strongly heated to secure the warmth
+of the apartment in which it is placed. There travellers of every age
+and description assembled--there their upper garments were
+indiscriminately hung up around the stove to dry or to air--and the
+guests themselves were seen employed in various acts of ablution or
+personal arrangement, which are generally, in modern times, referred
+to the privacy of the dressing-room.
+
+The more refined feelings of the Englishman were disgusted with this
+scene, and he was reluctant to mingle in it. For this reason he
+inquired for the private retreat of the landlord himself, trusting
+that, by some of the arguments powerful among his tribe, he might
+obtain separate quarters from the crowd, and a morsel of food, to be
+eaten in private. A grey-haired Ganymede, to whom he put the question
+where the landlord was, indicated a recess behind the huge stove,
+where, veiling his glory in a very dark and extremely hot corner, it
+pleased the great man to obscure himself from vulgar gaze. There was
+something remarkable about this person. Short, stout, bandylegged, and
+consequential, he was in these respects like many brethren of the
+profession in all countries. But the countenance of the man, and still
+more his manners, differed more from the merry host of France or
+England than even the experienced Philipson was prepared to expect. He
+knew German customs too well to expect the suppliant and serviceable
+qualities of the master of a French inn, or even the more blunt and
+frank manners of an English landlord. But such German innkeepers as he
+had yet seen, though indeed arbitrary and peremptory in their country
+fashions, yet, being humoured in these, they, like tyrants in their
+hours of relaxation, dealt kindly with the guests over whom their sway
+extended, and mitigated, by jest and jollity, the harshness of their
+absolute power. But this man's brow was like a tragic volume, in which
+you were as unlikely to find anything of jest or amusement, as in a
+hermit's breviary. His answers were short, sudden, and repulsive, and
+the air and manner with which they were delivered was as surly as
+their tenor; which will appear from the following dialogue betwixt him
+and his guest:--
+
+"Good host," said Philipson, in the mildest tone he could assume, "I
+am fatigued, and far from well--May I request to have a separate
+apartment, a cup of wine, and a morsel of food, in my private
+chamber?"
+
+"You may," answered the landlord; but with a look strangely at
+variance with the apparent acquiescence which his words naturally
+implied.
+
+"Let me have such accommodation, then, with your earliest
+convenience."
+
+"Soft!" replied the innkeeper. "I have said that you may request these
+things, but not that I would grant them. If you would insist on being
+served differently from others, it must be at another inn than mine."
+
+"Well, then," said the traveller, "I will shift without supper for a
+night--nay, more, I will be content to pay for a supper which I do
+not eat, if you will cause me to be accommodated with a private
+apartment."
+
+"Seignor traveller," said the innkeeper, "every one here must be
+accommodated as well as you, since all pay alike. Whoso comes to this
+house of entertainment must eat as others eat, drink as others drink,
+sit at table with the rest of my guests, and go to bed when the
+company have done drinking."
+
+"All this," said Philipson, humbling himself where anger would have
+been ridiculous, "is highly reasonable; and I do not oppose myself to
+your laws or customs. But," added he, taking his purse from his
+girdle, "sickness craves some privilege; and when the patient is
+willing to pay for it, methinks the rigour of your laws may admit of
+some mitigation?"
+
+"I keep an inn, Seignor, and not a hospital. If you remain here, you
+shall be served with the same attention as others,--if you are not
+willing to do as others do, leave my house and seek another inn."
+
+On receiving this decisive rebuff, Philipson gave up the contest, and
+retired from the _sanctum sanctorum_ of his ungracious host, to await
+the arrival of supper, penned up like a bullock in a pound, amongst
+the crowded inhabitants of the _stube_. Some of these, exhausted by
+fatigue, snored away the interval between their own arrival and that
+of the expected repast; others conversed together on the news of the
+country, and others again played at dice, or such games as might serve
+to consume the time. The company were of various ranks, from those who
+were apparently wealthy and well appointed, to some whose garments
+and manners indicated that they were but just beyond the grasp of
+poverty.
+
+A begging friar, a man apparently of a gay and pleasant temper,
+approached Philipson, and engaged him in conversation. The Englishman
+was well enough acquainted with the world to be aware, that whatever
+of his character and purpose it was desirable to conceal would be best
+hidden under a sociable and open demeanour. He, therefore, received
+the friar's approaches graciously, and conversed with him upon the
+state of Lorraine, and the interest which the Duke of Burgundy's
+attempt to seize that fief into his own hands was likely to create
+both in France and Germany. On these subjects, satisfied with hearing
+his fellow-traveller's sentiments, Philipson expressed no opinion of
+his own, but, after receiving such intelligence as the friar chose to
+communicate, preferred rather to talk upon the geography of the
+country, the facilities afforded to commerce, and the rules which
+obstructed or favoured trade.
+
+While he was thus engaged in the conversation which seemed most to
+belong to his profession, the landlord suddenly entered the room, and,
+mounting on the head of an old barrel, glanced his eye slowly and
+steadily round the crowded apartment, and when he had completed his
+survey, pronounced, in a decisive tone, the double command,--"Shut the
+gates! Spread the table!"
+
+"The Baron St. Antonio be praised!" said the friar. "Our landlord has
+given up hope of any more guests to-night, until which blessed time we
+might have starved for want of food before he had relieved us. Ay,
+here comes the cloth. The old gates of the courtyard are now bolted
+fast enough; and when Johann Mengs has once said, 'Shut the gates,'
+the stranger may knock on the outside as he will, but we may rest
+assured that it shall not be opened to him."
+
+"Meinherr Mengs maintains strict discipline in his house," said the
+Englishman.
+
+"As absolute as the Duke of Burgundy," answered the friar. "After ten
+o'clock, no admittance--the 'seek another inn,' which is before that a
+conditional hint, becomes, after the clock has struck, and the
+watchmen have begun their rounds, an absolute order of exclusion. He
+that is without remains without, and he that is within must, in like
+manner, continue there until the gates open at break of day. Till then
+the house is almost like a beleaguered citadel, John Mengs its
+seneschal"--
+
+"And we its captives, good father," said Philipson. "Well, content am
+I. A wise traveller must submit to the control of the leaders of the
+people when he travels; and I hope a goodly fat potentate, like John
+Mengs, will be as clement as his station and dignity admit of."
+
+While they were talking in this manner, the aged waiter, with many a
+weary sigh and many a groan, had drawn out certain boards, by which a
+table that stood in the midst of the _stube_ had the capacity of being
+extended, so as to contain the company present, and covered it with a
+cloth, which was neither distinguished by extreme cleanliness nor
+fineness of texture. On this table, when it had been accommodated to
+receive the necessary number of guests, a wooden trencher and spoon,
+together with a glass drinking-cup, were placed before each, he being
+expected to serve himself with his own knife for the other purposes
+of the table. As for forks, they were unknown until a much later
+period, all the Europeans of that day making the same use of the
+fingers to select their morsels and transport them to the mouth which
+the Asiatics now practise.
+
+The board was no sooner arranged than the hungry guests hastened to
+occupy their seats around it; for which purpose the sleepers were
+awakened, the dicers resigned their game, and the idlers and
+politicians broke off their sage debates, in order to secure their
+station at the supper-table, and be ready to perform their part in the
+interesting solemnity which seemed about to take place. But there is
+much between the cup and the lip, and not less sometimes between the
+covering of a table and the placing food upon it. The guests sat in
+order, each with his knife drawn, already menacing the victuals which
+were still subject to the operations of the cook. They had waited,
+with various degrees of patience, for full half an hour, when at
+length the old attendant before mentioned entered with a pitcher of
+thin Moselle wine, so light and so sharp-tasted that Philipson put
+down his cup with every tooth in his head set on edge by the slender
+portion which he had swallowed. The landlord, John Mengs, who had
+assumed a seat somewhat elevated at the head of the table, did not
+omit to observe this mark of insubordination, and to animadvert upon
+it.
+
+"The wine likes you not, I think, my master?" said he to the English
+merchant.
+
+"For wine, no," answered Philipson; "but could I see anything
+requiring such sauce, I have seldom seen better vinegar."
+
+This jest, though uttered in the most calm and composed manner, seemed
+to drive the innkeeper to fury.
+
+"Who are you," he exclaimed, "for a foreign pedlar, that ventures to
+quarrel with my wine, which has been approved of by so many princes,
+dukes, reigning dukes, graves, rhinegraves, counts, barons, and
+knights of the Empire, whose shoes you are altogether unworthy even to
+clean? Was it not of this wine that the Count Palatine of Nimmersatt
+drank six quarts before he ever rose from the blessed chair in which I
+now sit?"
+
+"I doubt it not, mine host," said Philipson; "nor should I think of
+scandalising the sobriety of your honourable guest, even if he had
+drunken twice the quantity."
+
+"Silence, thou malicious railer!" said the host; "and let instant
+apology be made to me, and the wine which you have calumniated, or I
+will instantly command the supper to be postponed till midnight."
+
+Here there was a general alarm among the guests, all abjuring any part
+in the censures of Philipson, and most of them proposing that John
+Mengs should avenge himself on the actual culprit by turning him
+instantly out of doors, rather than involve so many innocent and
+famished persons in the consequences of his guilt. The wine they
+pronounced excellent; some two or three even drank their glass out, to
+make their words good; and they all offered, if not with lives and
+fortunes, at least with hands and feet, to support the ban of the
+house against the contumacious Englishman. While petition and
+remonstrance were assailing John Mengs on every side, the friar, like
+a wise counsellor and a trusty friend, endeavoured to end the feud by
+advising Philipson to submit to the host's sovereignty.
+
+"Humble thyself, my son," he said; "bend the stubbornness of thy heart
+before the great lord of the spigot and butt. I speak for the sake of
+others as well as my own; for Heaven alone knows how much longer they
+or I can endure this extenuating fast!"
+
+"Worthy guests," said Philipson, "I am grieved to have offended our
+respected host, and am so far from objecting to the wine that I will
+pay for a double flagon of it, to be served all round to this
+honourable company--so, only, they do not ask me to share of it."
+
+These last words were spoken aside; but the Englishman could not fail
+to perceive, from the wry mouths of some of the party who were
+possessed of a nicer palate, that they were as much afraid as himself
+of a repetition of the acid potation.
+
+The friar next addressed the company with a proposal that the foreign
+merchant, instead of being amerced in a measure of the liquor which he
+had scandalised, should be mulcted in an equal quantity of the more
+generous wines which were usually produced after the repast had been
+concluded. In this mine host, as well as the guests, found their
+advantage; and, as Philipson made no objection, the proposal was
+unanimously adopted, and John Mengs gave, from his seat of dignity,
+the signal for supper to be served.
+
+The long-expected meal appeared, and there was twice as much time
+employed in consuming as there had been in expecting it. The articles
+of which the supper consisted, as well as the mode of serving them
+up, were as much calculated to try the patience of the company as the
+delay which had preceded its appearance. Messes of broth and
+vegetables followed in succession, with platters of meat sodden and
+roasted, of which each in its turn took a formal course around the
+ample table, and was specially subjected to every one in rotation.
+Black-puddings, hung beef, dried fish, also made the circuit, with
+various condiments, called botargo, caviare, and similar names,
+composed of the roes of fish mixed with spices, and the like
+preparations, calculated to awaken thirst and encourage deep drinking.
+Flagons of wine accompanied these stimulating dainties. The liquor was
+so superior in flavour and strength to the ordinary wine which had
+awakened so much controversy, that it might be objected to on the
+opposite account, being so heady, fiery, and strong, that, in spite of
+the rebuffs which his criticism had already procured, Philipson
+ventured to ask for some cold water to allay it.
+
+"You are too difficult to please, sir guest," replied the landlord,
+again bending upon the Englishman a stern and offended brow; "if you
+find the wine too strong in my house, the secret to allay its strength
+is to drink the less. It is indifferent to us whether you drink or
+not, so you pay the reckoning of those good fellows who do." And he
+laughed a gruff laugh.
+
+Philipson was about to reply, but the friar, retaining his character
+of mediator, plucked him by the cloak, and entreated him to forbear.
+"You do not understand the ways of the place," said he; "it is not
+here as in the hostelries of England and France, where each guest
+calls for what he desires for his own use, and where he pays for what
+he has required, and for no more. Here we proceed on a broad principle
+of equality and fraternity. No one asks for anything in particular;
+but such provisions as the host thinks sufficient are set down before
+all indiscriminately; and as with the feast, so is it with the
+reckoning. All pay their proportions alike, without reference to the
+quantity of wine which one may have swallowed more than another; and
+thus the sick and infirm, nay, the female and the child, pay the same
+as the hungry peasant and strolling _lanzknecht_."
+
+"It seems an unequal custom," said Philipson; "but travellers are not
+to judge. So that when a reckoning is called, every one, I am to
+understand, pays alike?"
+
+"Such is the rule," said the friar,--"excepting, perhaps, some poor
+brother of our own order, whom Our Lady and St. Francis send into such
+a scene as this, that good Christians may bestow their alms upon him,
+and so make a step on their road to Heaven."
+
+The first words of this speech were spoken in the open and independent
+tone in which the friar had begun the conversation; the last sentence
+died away into the professional whine of mendicity proper to the
+convent, and at once apprised Philipson at what price he was to pay
+for the friar's counsel and mediation. Having thus explained the
+custom of the country, good Father Gratian turned to illustrate it by
+his example, and, having no objection to the new service of wine on
+account of its strength, he seemed well disposed to signalise himself
+amongst some stout topers, who, by drinking deeply, appeared
+determined to have full pennyworths for their share of the reckoning.
+The good wine gradually did its office, and even the host relaxed his
+sullen and grim features, and smiled to see the kindling flame of
+hilarity catch from one to another, and at length embrace almost all
+the numerous guests at the table d'hote, except a few who were too
+temperate to partake deeply of the wine, or too fastidious to enter
+into the discussions to which it gave rise. On these the host cast,
+from time to time, a sullen and displeased eye.
+
+Philipson, who was reserved and silent, both in consequence of his
+abstinence from the wine-pot and his unwillingness to mix in
+conversation with strangers, was looked upon by the landlord as a
+defaulter in both particulars; and as he aroused his own sluggish
+nature with the fiery wine, Mengs began to throw out obscure hints
+about kill-joy, mar-company, spoil-sport, and such like epithets,
+which were plainly directed against the Englishman. Philipson replied,
+with the utmost equanimity, that he was perfectly sensible that his
+spirits did not at this moment render him an agreeable member of a
+merry company, and that with the leave of those present he would
+withdraw to his sleeping-apartment, and wish them all a good evening,
+and continuance to their mirth.
+
+But this very reasonable proposal, as it might have elsewhere seemed,
+contained in it treason against the laws of German compotation.
+
+"Who are you," said John Mengs, "who presume to leave the table before
+the reckoning is called and settled? Sapperment der teufel! we are
+not men upon whom such an offence is to be put with impunity! You may
+exhibit your polite pranks in Rams-Alley if you will, or in Eastcheap,
+or in Smithfield; but it shall not be in John Mengs's Golden Fleece,
+nor will I suffer one guest to go to bed to blink out of the
+reckoning, and so cheat me and all the rest of my company."
+
+Philipson looked round, to gather the sentiments of the company, but
+saw no encouragement to appeal to their judgment. Indeed, many of them
+had little judgment left to appeal to, and those who paid any
+attention to the matter at all were some quiet old soakers, who were
+already beginning to think of the reckoning, and were disposed to
+agree with the host in considering the English merchant as a flincher,
+who was determined to evade payment of what might be drunk after he
+left the room; so that John Mengs received the applause of the whole
+company, when he concluded his triumphant denunciation against
+Philipson.
+
+"Yes, sir, you may withdraw if you please; but, poz element! it shall
+not be for this time to seek for another inn, but to the courtyard
+shall you go, and no farther, there to make your bed upon the stable
+litter; and good enough for the man that will needs be the first to
+break up good company."
+
+"It is well said, my jovial host," said a rich trader from Ratisbon;
+"and here are some six of us--more or less--who will stand by you to
+maintain the good old customs of Germany; and the--umph--laudable
+and--and praiseworthy rules of the Golden Fleece."
+
+"Nay, be not angry, sir," said Philipson; "yourself and your three
+companions, whom the good wine has multiplied into six, shall have
+your own way of ordering the matter; and since you will not permit me
+to go to bed, I trust that you will take no offence if I fall asleep
+in my chair."
+
+"How say you? what think you, mine host?" said the citizen from
+Ratisbon; "may the gentleman, being drunk, as you see he is, since he
+cannot tell that three and one make six--I say, may he, being drunk,
+sleep in the elbow-chair?"
+
+This question introduced a contradiction on the part of the host, who
+contended that three and one made four, not six; and this again
+produced a retort from the Ratisbon trader. Other clamours rose at the
+same time, and were at length with difficulty silenced by the stanzas
+of a chorus song of mirth and good fellowship, which the friar, now
+become somewhat oblivious of the rule of St. Francis, thundered forth
+with better good-will than he ever sang a canticle of King David.
+Under cover of this tumult, Philipson drew himself a little aside, and
+though he felt it impossible to sleep, as he had proposed, was yet
+enabled to escape the reproachful glances with which John Mengs
+distinguished all those who did not call for wine loudly, and drink it
+lustily. His thoughts roamed far from the _stube_ of the Golden
+Fleece, and upon matter very different from that which was discussed
+around him, when his attention was suddenly recalled by a loud and
+continued knocking on the door of the hostelry.
+
+"What have we here?" said John Mengs, his nose reddening with very
+indignation; "who the foul fiend presses on the Golden Fleece at such
+an hour, as if he thundered at the door of a bordel? To the turret
+window some one--Geoffrey, knave ostler, or thou, old Timothy, tell
+the rash man there is no admittance into the Golden Fleece save at
+timeous hours."
+
+The men went as they were directed, and might be heard in the _stube_
+vying with each other in the positive denial which they gave to the
+ill-fated guest who was pressing for admission. They returned,
+however, to inform their master, that they were unable to overcome the
+obstinacy of the stranger, who refused positively to depart until he
+had an interview with Mengs himself.
+
+Wroth was the master of the Golden Fleece at this ill-omened
+pertinacity, and his indignation extended, like a fiery exhalation,
+from his nose, all over the adjacent regions of his cheeks and brow.
+He started from his chair, grasped in his hand a stout stick, which
+seemed his ordinary sceptre or leading staff of command, and muttering
+something concerning cudgels for the shoulders of fools, and pitchers
+of fair or foul water for the drenching of their ears, he marched off
+to the window which looked into the court, and left his guests
+nodding, winking, and whispering to each other, in full expectation of
+hearing the active demonstrations of his wrath. It happened otherwise,
+however; for, after the exchange of a few indistinct words, they were
+astonished when they heard the noise of the unbolting and unbarring of
+the gates of the inn, and presently after the footsteps of men upon
+the stairs; and the landlord entering, with an appearance of clumsy
+courtesy, prayed those assembled to make room for an honoured guest,
+who came, though late, to add to their numbers. A tall dark form
+followed, muffled in a travelling-cloak; on laying aside which,
+Philipson at once recognised his late fellow-traveller, the Black
+Priest of St. Paul's.
+
+There was in the circumstance itself nothing at all surprising, since
+it was natural that a landlord, however coarse and insolent to
+ordinary guests, might yet show deference to an ecclesiastic, whether
+from his rank in the Church or from his reputation for sanctity. But
+what did appear surprising to Philipson was the effect produced by the
+entrance of this unexpected guest. He seated himself, without
+hesitation, at the highest place of the board, from which John Mengs
+had dethroned the aforesaid trader from Ratisbon, notwithstanding his
+zeal for ancient German customs, his steady adherence and loyalty to
+the Golden Fleece, and his propensity to brimming goblets. The priest
+took instant and unscrupulous possession of his seat of honour, after
+some negligent reply to the host's unwonted courtesy; when it seemed
+that the effect of his long black vestments, in place of the slashed
+and flounced coat of his predecessor, as well as of the cold grey eye
+with which he slowly reviewed the company, in some degree resembled
+that of the fabulous Gorgon, and if it did not literally convert those
+who looked upon it into stone, there was yet something petrifying in
+the steady unmoved glance with which he seemed to survey them, looking
+as if desirous of reading their very inmost souls, and passing from
+one to another, as if each upon whom he looked in succession was
+unworthy of longer consideration.
+
+Philipson felt, in his turn, that momentary examination, in which,
+however, there mingled nothing that seemed to convey recognition. All
+the courage and composure of the Englishman could not prevent an
+unpleasant feeling while under this mysterious man's eye, so that he
+felt a relief when it passed from him and rested upon another of the
+company, who seemed in turn to acknowledge the chilling effects of
+that freezing glance. The noise of intoxicated mirth and drunken
+disputation, the clamorous argument, and the still more boisterous
+laugh, which had been suspended on the priest's entering the
+eating-apartment, now, after one or two vain attempts to resume them,
+died away, as if the feast had been changed to a funeral, and the
+jovial guests had been at once converted into the lugubrious mutes who
+attend on such solemnities. One little rosy-faced man, who afterwards
+proved to be a tailor from Augsburg, ambitious, perhaps, of showing a
+degree of courage not usually supposed consistent with his effeminate
+trade, made a bold effort; and yet it was with a timid and restrained
+voice that he called on the jovial friar to renew his song. But
+whether it was that he did not dare to venture on an uncanonical
+pastime in presence of a brother in orders, or whether he had some
+other reason for declining the invitation, the merry churchman hung
+his head, and shook it with such an expressive air of melancholy, that
+the tailor drew back as if he had been detected in cabbaging from a
+cardinal's robes, or cribbing the lace of some cope or altar gown. In
+short, the revel was hushed into deep silence, and so attentive were
+the company to what should arrive next, that the bells of the village
+church, striking the first hour after midnight, made the guests start
+as if they heard them rung backwards, to announce an assault or
+conflagration. The Black Priest, who had taken some slight and hasty
+repast, which the host had made no kind of objection to supplying him
+with, seemed to think the bells, which announced the service of lauds,
+being the first after midnight, a proper signal for breaking up the
+party.
+
+"We have eaten," he said, "that we may support life, let us pray that
+we may be fit to meet death; which waits upon life as surely as night
+upon day, or the shadow upon the sunbeam, though we know not when or
+from whence it is to come upon us."
+
+The company, as if mechanically, bent their uncovered heads, while the
+priest said, with his deep and solemn voice, a Latin prayer,
+expressing thanks to God for protection throughout the day, and
+entreating for its continuance during the witching hours which were to
+pass ere the day again commenced. The hearers bowed their heads in
+token of acquiescence in the holy petition; and, when they raised
+them, the Black Priest of St. Paul's had followed the host out of the
+apartment, probably to that which was destined for his repose. His
+absence was no sooner perceived than signs, and nods, and even
+whispers were exchanged between the guests; but no one spoke above his
+breath, or in such connected manner, as that Philipson could
+understand anything distinctly from them. He himself ventured to ask
+the friar, who sat near him, observing at the same time the under-tone
+which seemed to be fashionable for the moment, whether the worthy
+ecclesiastic who had left them was not the Priest of St. Paul's, on
+the frontier town of La Ferette.
+
+"And if you know it is he," said the friar, with a countenance and a
+tone from which all signs of intoxication were suddenly banished,
+"why do you ask of me?"
+
+"Because," said the merchant, "I would willingly learn the spell which
+so suddenly converted so many merry tipplers into men of sober
+manners, and a jovial company into a convent of Carthusian friars?"
+
+"Friend," said the friar, "thy discourse savoureth mightily of asking
+after what thou knowest right well. But I am no such silly duck as to
+be taken by a decoy. If thou knowest the Black Priest, thou canst not
+be ignorant of the terrors which attend his presence, and that it were
+safer to pass a broad jest in the holy House of Loretto than where he
+shows himself."
+
+So saying, and as if desirous of avoiding further discourse, he
+withdrew to a distance from Philipson.
+
+At the same moment the landlord again appeared, and, with more of the
+usual manners of a publican than he had hitherto exhibited, commanded
+his waiter, Geoffrey, to hand round to the company a sleeping-drink,
+or pillow-cup of distilled water, mingled with spices, which was
+indeed as good as Philipson himself had ever tasted. John Mengs, in
+the meanwhile, with somewhat of more deference, expressed to his
+guests a hope that his entertainment had given satisfaction; but this
+was in so careless a manner, and he seemed so conscious of deserving
+the affirmative which was expressed on all hands, that it became
+obvious there was very little humility in proposing the question. The
+old man, Timothy, was in the meantime mustering the guests, and
+marking with chalk on the bottom of a trencher the reckoning, the
+particulars of which were indicated by certain conventional
+hieroglyphics, while he showed on another the division of the sum
+total among the company, and proceeded to collect an equal share of it
+from each. When the fatal trencher, in which each man paid down his
+money, approached the jolly friar, his countenance seemed to be
+somewhat changed. He cast a piteous look towards Philipson, as the
+person from whom he had the most hope of relief; and our merchant,
+though displeased with the manner in which he had held back from his
+confidence, yet not unwilling in a strange country to incur a little
+expense, in the hope of making a useful acquaintance, discharged the
+mendicant's score as well as his own. The poor friar paid his thanks
+in many a blessing in good German and bad Latin, but the host cut them
+short; for, approaching Philipson with a candle in his hand, he
+offered his own services to show him where he might sleep, and even
+had the condescension to carry his mail, or portmanteau, with his own
+landlordly hands.
+
+"You take too much trouble, mine host," said the merchant, somewhat
+surprised at the change in the manner of John Mengs, who had hitherto
+contradicted him at every word.
+
+"I cannot take too much pains for a guest," was the reply, "whom my
+venerable friend, the Priest of St. Paul's, hath especially
+recommended to my charge."
+
+He then opened the door of a small bedroom, prepared for the
+occupation of a guest, and said to Philipson,--"Here you may rest till
+to-morrow at what hour you will, and for as many days more as you
+incline. The key will secure your wares against theft or pillage of
+any kind. I do not this for every one; for, if my guests were every
+one to have a bed to himself, the next thing they would demand might
+be a separate table; and then there would be an end of the good old
+German customs, and we should be as foppish and frivolous as our
+neighbours."
+
+He placed the portmanteau on the floor, and seemed about to leave the
+apartment, when, turning about, he began a sort of apology for the
+rudeness of his former behaviour.
+
+"I trust there is no misunderstanding between us, my worthy guest. You
+might as well expect to see one of our bears come aloft and do tricks
+like a jackanapes, as one of us stubborn old Germans play the feats of
+a French or an Italian host. Yet I pray you to note, that if our
+behaviour is rude our charges are honest, and our articles what they
+profess to be. We do not expect to make Moselle pass for Rhenish, by
+dint of a bow and a grin, nor will we sauce your mess with poison,
+like the wily Italian, and call you all the time Illustrissimo and
+Magnifico."
+
+He seemed in these words to have exhausted his rhetoric, for, when
+they were spoken, he turned abruptly and left the apartment.
+
+Philipson was thus deprived of another opportunity to inquire who or
+what this ecclesiastic could be, that had exercised such influence on
+all who approached him. He felt, indeed, no desire to prolong a
+conference with John Mengs, though he had laid aside in such a
+considerable degree his rude and repulsive manners; yet he longed to
+know who this man could be, who had power with a word to turn aside
+the daggers of Alsatian banditti, habituated as they were, like most
+borderers, to robbery and pillage, and to change into civility the
+proverbial rudeness of a German innkeeper. Such were the reflections
+of Philipson, as he doffed his clothes to take his much-needed repose,
+after a day of fatigue, danger, and difficulty, on the pallet afforded
+by the hospitality of the Golden Fleece, in the Rhein-Thal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+     _Macbeth._ How now, ye secret, black, and midnight hags,
+     What is't ye do?
+
+     _Witches._ A deed without a name.
+                                                   _Macbeth._
+
+
+We have said in the conclusion of the last chapter, that, after a day
+of unwonted fatigue and extraordinary excitation, the merchant,
+Philipson, naturally expected to forget so many agitating passages in
+that deep and profound repose which is at once the consequence and the
+cure of extreme exhaustion. But he was no sooner laid on his lowly
+pallet than he felt that the bodily machine, over-laboured by so much
+exercise, was little disposed to the charms of sleep. The mind had
+been too much excited, the body was far too feverish, to suffer him to
+partake of needful rest. His anxiety about the safety of his son, his
+conjectures concerning the issue of his mission to the Duke of
+Burgundy, and a thousand other thoughts which recalled past events, or
+speculated on those which were to come, rushed upon his mind like the
+waves of a perturbed sea, and prevented all tendency to repose. He had
+been in bed about an hour, and sleep had not yet approached his couch,
+when he felt that the pallet on which he lay was sinking below him,
+and that he was in the act of descending along with it he knew not
+whither. The sound of ropes and pulleys was also indistinctly heard,
+though every caution had been taken to make them run smooth; and the
+traveller, by feeling around him, became sensible that he and the bed
+on which he lay had been spread upon a large trap-door, which was
+capable of being let down into the vaults, or apartments beneath.
+
+Philipson felt fear in circumstances so well qualified to produce it;
+for how could he hope a safe termination to an adventure which had
+begun so strangely? But his apprehensions were those of a brave,
+ready-witted man, who, even in the extremity of danger, which appeared
+to surround him, preserved his presence of mind. His descent seemed to
+be cautiously managed, and he held himself in readiness to start to
+his feet and defend himself, as soon as he should be once more upon
+firm ground. Although somewhat advanced in years, he was a man of
+great personal vigour and activity, and unless taken at advantage,
+which no doubt was at present much to be apprehended, he was likely to
+make a formidable defence. His plan of resistance, however, had been
+anticipated. He no sooner reached the bottom of the vault, down to
+which he was lowered, than two men, who had been waiting there till
+the operation was completed, laid hands on him from either side, and
+forcibly preventing him from starting up as he intended, cast a rope
+over his arms, and made him a prisoner as effectually as when he was
+in the dungeons of La Ferette. He was obliged, therefore, to remain
+passive and unresisting, and await the termination of this formidable
+adventure. Secured as he was, he could only turn his head from one
+side to the other; and it was with joy that he at length saw lights
+twinkle, but they appeared at a great distance from him.
+
+From the irregular manner in which these scattered lights advanced,
+sometimes keeping a straight line, sometimes mixing and crossing each
+other, it might be inferred that the subterranean vault in which they
+appeared was of very considerable extent. Their number also increased;
+and as they collected more together, Philipson could perceive that the
+lights proceeded from many torches, borne by men muffled in black
+cloaks, like mourners at a funeral, or the Black Friars of St.
+Francis's Order, wearing their cowls drawn over their heads, so as to
+conceal their features. They appeared anxiously engaged in measuring
+off a portion of the apartment; and, while occupied in that
+employment, they sang, in the ancient German language, rhymes more
+rude than Philipson could well understand, but which may be imitated
+thus:--
+
+     Measurers of good and evil,
+     Bring the square, the line, the level,--
+     Rear the altar, dig the trench,
+     Blood both stone and ditch shall drench.
+     Cubits six, from end to end,
+     Must the fatal bench extend,--
+     Cubits six, from side to side,
+     Judge and culprit must divide.
+     On the east the Court assembles,
+     On the west the Accused trembles--
+     Answer, brethren, all and one,
+     Is the ritual rightly done?
+
+A deep chorus seemed to reply to the question. Many voices joined in
+it, as well of persons already in the subterranean vault as of others
+who as yet remained without in various galleries and passages which
+communicated with it, and whom Philipson now presumed to be very
+numerous. The answer chanted ran as follows:--
+
+     On life and soul, on blood and bone,
+     One for all, and all for one,
+     We warrant this is rightly done.
+
+The original strain was then renewed in the same manner as before--
+
+     How wears the night?--Doth morning shine
+     In early radiance on the Rhine?
+     What music floats upon his tide?
+     Do birds the tardy morning chide?
+     Brethren, look out from hill and height,
+     And answer true, how wears the night?
+
+The answer was returned, though less loud than at first, and it seemed
+that those by whom the reply was given were at a much greater distance
+than before; yet the words were distinctly heard.
+
+     The night is old; on Rhine's broad breast
+     Glance drowsy stars which long to rest.
+         No beams are twinkling in the east.
+     There is a voice upon the flood,
+     The stern still call of blood for blood;
+         'Tis time we listen the behest.
+
+The chorus replied, with many additional voices--
+
+     Up, then, up! When day's at rest,
+     'Tis time that such as we are watchers;
+     Rise to judgment, brethren, rise!
+     Vengeance knows not sleepy eyes,
+     He and night are matchers.
+
+The nature of the verses soon led Philipson to comprehend that he was
+in presence of the Initiated, or the Wise Men; names which were
+applied to the celebrated Judges of the Secret Tribunal, which
+continued at that period to subsist in Suabia, Franconia, and other
+districts of the east of Germany, which was called, perhaps from the
+frightful and frequent occurrence of executions by command of those
+invisible judges, the Red Land. Philipson had often heard that the
+seat of a Free Count, or chief of the Secret Tribunal, was secretly
+instituted even on the left bank of the Rhine, and that it maintained
+itself in Alsace, with the usual tenacity of those secret societies,
+though Duke Charles of Burgundy had expressed a desire to discover and
+discourage its influence so far as was possible, without exposing
+himself to danger from the thousands of poniards which that mysterious
+tribunal could put in activity against his own life;--an awful means
+of defence, which for a long time rendered it extremely hazardous for
+the sovereigns of Germany, and even the Emperors themselves, to put
+down by authority those singular associations.
+
+So soon as this explanation flashed on the mind of Philipson, it gave
+some clue to the character and condition of the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's. Supposing him to be a president, or chief official of the
+secret association, there was little wonder that he should confide so
+much in the inviolability of his terrible office as to propose
+vindicating the execution of De Hagenbach; that his presence should
+surprise Bartholomew, whom he had power to have judged and executed
+upon the spot; and that his mere appearance at supper on the preceding
+evening should have appalled the guests; for though everything about
+the institution, its proceedings and its officers, was preserved in as
+much obscurity as is now practised in free-masonry, yet the secret was
+not so absolutely well kept as to prevent certain individuals from
+being guessed or hinted at as men initiated and intrusted with high
+authority by the Vehme-gericht, or tribunal of the bounds. When such
+suspicion attached to an individual, his secret power, and supposed
+acquaintance with all guilt, however secret, which was committed
+within the society in which he was conversant, made him at once the
+dread and hatred of every one who looked on him; and he enjoyed a high
+degree of personal respect, on the same terms on which it would have
+been yielded to a powerful enchanter, or a dreaded genie. In
+conversing with such a person, it was especially necessary to abstain
+from all questions alluding, however remotely, to the office which he
+bore in the Secret Tribunal; and, indeed, to testify the least
+curiosity upon a subject so solemn and mysterious was sure to occasion
+some misfortune to the inquisitive person.
+
+All these things rushed at once upon the mind of the Englishman, who
+felt that he had fallen into the hands of an unsparing tribunal, whose
+proceedings were so much dreaded by those who resided within the
+circle of their power, that the friendless stranger must stand a poor
+chance of receiving justice at their hands, whatever might be his
+consciousness of innocence. While Philipson made this melancholy
+reflection, he resolved, at the same time, not to forsake his own
+cause, but defend himself as he best might; conscious as he was that
+these terrible and irresponsible judges were nevertheless governed by
+certain rules of right and wrong, which formed a check on the rigours
+of their extraordinary code.
+
+  [Illustration: THE SECRET TRIBUNAL.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+He lay, therefore, devising the best means of obviating the present
+danger, while the persons whom he beheld glimmered before him, less
+like distinct and individual forms than like the phantoms
+of a fever, or the phantasmagoria with which a disease of the optic
+nerves has been known to people a sick man's chamber. At length they
+assembled in the centre of the apartment where they had first
+appeared, and seemed to arrange themselves into form and order. A
+great number of black torches were successively lighted, and the scene
+became distinctly visible. In the centre of the hall, Philipson could
+now perceive one of the altars which are sometimes to be found in
+ancient subterranean chapels. But we must pause, in order briefly to
+describe, not the appearance only, but the nature and constitution, of
+this terrible court.
+
+Behind the altar, which seemed to be the central point, on which all
+eyes were bent, there were placed in parallel lines two benches
+covered with black cloth. Each was occupied by a number of persons,
+who seemed assembled as judges; but those who held the foremost bench
+were fewer, and appeared of a rank superior to those who crowded the
+seat most remote from the altar. The first seemed to be all men of
+some consequence, priests high in their order, knights, or noblemen;
+and notwithstanding an appearance of equality which seemed to pervade
+this singular institution, much more weight was laid upon their
+opinion, or testimonies. They were called Free Knights, Counts, or
+whatever title they might bear, while the inferior class of the judges
+were only termed Free and worthy Burghers. For it must be observed,
+that the Vehmique Institution,[1] which was the name that it commonly
+bore, although its power consisted in a wide system of espionage, and
+the tyrannical application of force which acted upon it, was yet (so
+rude were the ideas of enforcing public law) accounted to confer a
+privilege on the country in which it was received, and only freemen
+were allowed to experience its influence. Serfs and peasants could not
+have a place among the Free Judges, their assessors, or assistants;
+for there was in this assembly even some idea of trying the culprit by
+his peers.
+
+Besides the dignitaries who occupied the benches, there were others
+who stood around, and seemed to guard the various entrances to the
+hall of judgment, or, standing behind the seats on which their
+superiors were ranged, looked prepared to execute their commands.
+These were members of the order, though not of the highest ranks.
+Schoeppen is the name generally assigned to them, signifying officials,
+or sergeants of the Vehmique court, whose doom they stood sworn to
+enforce, through good report and bad report, against their own nearest
+and most beloved, as well as in cases of ordinary malefactors.
+
+The Schoeppen, or Scabini, as they were termed in Latin, had another
+horrible duty to perform--that, namely, of denouncing to the tribunal
+whatever came under their observation, that might be construed as an
+offence falling under its cognisance; or, in their language, a crime
+against the Vehme. This duty extended to the judges as well as to the
+assistants, and was to be discharged without respect of persons; so
+that, to know, and wilfully conceal, the guilt of a mother or brother,
+inferred, on the part of the unfaithful official, the same penalty as
+if he himself had committed the crime which his silence screened from
+punishment. Such an institution could only prevail at a time when
+ordinary means of justice were excluded by the hand of power, and
+when, in order to bring the guilty to punishment, it required all the
+influence and authority of such a confederacy. In no other country
+than one exposed to every species of feudal tyranny, and deprived of
+every ordinary mode of obtaining justice or redress, could such a
+system have taken root and flourished.
+
+We must now return to the brave Englishman, who, though feeling all
+the danger he encountered from so tremendous a tribunal, maintained
+nevertheless a dignified and unaltered composure.
+
+The meeting being assembled, a coil of ropes, and a naked sword, the
+well-known signals and emblems of Vehmique authority, were deposited
+on the altar; where the sword, from its being usually straight, with a
+cross handle, was considered as representing the blessed emblem of
+Christian Redemption, and the cord as indicating the right of criminal
+jurisdiction, and capital punishment. Then the President of the
+meeting, who occupied the centre seat on the foremost bench, arose,
+and laying his hand on the symbols, pronounced aloud the formula
+expressive of the duty of the tribunal, which all the inferior judges
+and assistants repeated after him, in deep and hollow murmurs.
+
+"I swear by the Holy Trinity, to aid and co-operate, without
+relaxation, in the things belonging to the Holy Vehme, to defend its
+doctrines and institutions against father and mother, brother and
+sister, wife and children; against fire, water, earth, and air;
+against all that the sun enlightens; against all that the dew
+moistens; against all created things of heaven and earth, or the
+waters under the earth; and I swear to give information to this holy
+judicature, of all that I know to be true, or hear repeated by
+credible testimony, which, by the rules of the Holy Vehme, is
+deserving of animadversion or punishment; and that I will not cloak,
+cover, or conceal, such my knowledge, neither for love, friendship, or
+family affection, nor for gold, silver, or precious stones; neither
+will I associate with such as are under the sentence of this Sacred
+Tribunal, by hinting to a culprit his danger, or advising him to
+escape, or aiding and supplying him with counsel, or means to that
+effect; neither will I relieve such culprit with fire, clothes, food,
+or shelter, though my father should require from me a cup of water in
+the heat of summer noon, or my brother should request to sit by my
+fire in the bitterest cold night of winter: And further, I vow and
+promise to honour this holy association, and do its behests speedily,
+faithfully, and firmly, in preference to those of any other tribunal
+whatsoever--so help me God, and His holy Evangelists."
+
+When this oath of office had been taken, the President addressing the
+assembly, as men who judge in secret and punish in secret, like the
+Deity, desired them to say, why this "child of the cord"[2] lay before
+them, bound and helpless. An individual rose from the more remote
+bench, and in a voice which, though altered and agitated, Philipson
+conceived that he recognised, declared himself the accuser, as bound
+by his oath, of the child of the cord, or prisoner, who lay before
+them.
+
+"Bring forward the prisoner," said the President, "duly secured, as is
+the order of our secret law; but not with such severity as may
+interrupt his attention to the proceedings of the tribunal, or limit
+his power of hearing and replying."
+
+Six of the assistants immediately dragged forward the pallet and
+platform of boards on which Philipson lay, and advanced it towards the
+foot of the altar. This done, each unsheathed his dagger, while two of
+them unloosed the cords by which the merchant's hands were secured,
+and admonished him in a whisper, that the slightest attempt to resist
+or escape would be the signal to stab him dead.
+
+"Arise!" said the President; "listen to the charge to be preferred
+against you, and believe you shall in us find judges equally just and
+inflexible."
+
+Philipson, carefully avoiding any gesture which might indicate a
+desire to escape, raised his body on the lower part of the couch, and
+remained seated, clothed as he was in his under-vest and _calecons_,
+or drawers, so as exactly to face the muffled President of the
+terrible court. Even in these agitating circumstances, the mind of the
+undaunted Englishman remained unshaken, and his eyelid did not quiver,
+nor his heart beat quicker, though he seemed, according to the
+expression of Scripture, to be a pilgrim in the Valley of the Shadow
+of Death, beset by numerous snares, and encompassed by total
+darkness, where light was most necessary for safety.
+
+The President demanded his name, country, and occupation.
+
+"John Philipson," was the reply; "by birth an Englishman, by
+profession a merchant."
+
+"Have you ever borne any other name and profession?" demanded the
+Judge.
+
+"I have been a soldier, and, like most others, had then a name by
+which I was known in war."
+
+"What was that name?"
+
+"I laid it aside when I resigned my sword, and I do not desire again
+to be known by it. Moreover, I never bore it where your institutions
+have weight and authority," answered the Englishman.
+
+"Know you before whom you stand?" continued the Judge.
+
+"I may at least guess," replied the merchant.
+
+"Tell your guess, then," continued the interrogator. "Say who we are,
+and wherefore are you before us?"
+
+"I believe that I am before the Unknown, or Secret Tribunal, which is
+called Vehme-gericht."
+
+"Then are you aware," answered the Judge, "that you would be safer if
+you were suspended by the hair over the Abyss of Schaffhausen, or if
+you lay below an axe, which a thread of silk alone kept back from the
+fall. What have you done to deserve such a fate?"
+
+"Let those reply by whom I am subjected to it," answered Philipson,
+with the same composure as before.
+
+"Speak, accuser!" said the President, "to the four quarters of
+heaven!--To the ears of the free judges of this tribunal, and the
+faithful executors of their doom!--And to the face of the child of
+the cord, who denies or conceals his guilt, make good the substance of
+thine accusation!"
+
+"Most dreaded," answered the accuser, addressing the President, "this
+man hath entered the Sacred Territory, which is called the Red
+Land,--a stranger under a disguised name and profession. When he was
+yet on the eastern side of the Alps, at Turin, in Lombardy, and
+elsewhere, he at various times spoke of the Holy Tribunal in terms of
+hatred and contempt, and declared that were he Duke of Burgundy he
+would not permit it to extend itself from Westphalia, or Suabia, into
+his dominions. Also I charge him, that, nourishing this malevolent
+intention against the Holy Tribunal, he who now appears before the
+bench as child of the cord has intimated his intention to wait upon
+the court of the Duke of Burgundy, and use his influence with him,
+which he boasts will prove effectual to stir him up to prohibit the
+meetings of the Holy Vehme in his dominions, and to inflict on their
+officers, and the executors of their mandates, the punishment due to
+robbers and assassins."
+
+"This is a heavy charge, brother!" said the President of the assembly,
+when the accuser ceased speaking. "How do you purpose to make it
+good?"
+
+"According to the tenor of those secret statutes the perusal of which
+is prohibited to all but the initiated," answered the accuser.
+
+"It is well," said the President; "but I ask thee once more, What are
+those means of proof? You speak to holy and to initiated ears."
+
+"I will prove my charge," said the accuser, "by the confession of the
+party himself, and by my own oath upon the holy emblems of the Secret
+Judgment--that is, the steel and the cord."
+
+"It is a legitimate offer of proof," said a member of the aristocratic
+bench of the assembly; "and it much concerns the safety of the system
+to which we are bound by such deep oaths--a system handed down to us
+from the most Christian and holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, for the
+conversion of the heathen Saracens, and punishing such of them as
+revolted again to their Pagan practices, that such criminals should be
+looked to. This Duke Charles of Burgundy hath already crowded his army
+with foreigners, whom he can easily employ against this Sacred Court,
+more especially with English, a fierce, insular people, wedded to
+their own usages, and hating those of every other nation. It is not
+unknown to us, that the Duke hath already encouraged opposition to the
+officials of the Tribunal in more than one part of his German
+dominions; and that in consequence, instead of submitting to their
+doom with reverent resignation, children of the cord have been found
+bold enough to resist the executioners of the Vehme, striking,
+wounding, and even slaying those who have received commission to put
+them to death. This contumacy must be put an end to; and if the
+accused shall be proved to be one of those by whom such doctrines are
+harboured and inculcated, I say let the steel and cord do their work
+on him."
+
+A general murmur seemed to approve what the speaker had said; for all
+were conscious that the power of the Tribunal depended much more on
+the opinion of its being deeply and firmly rooted in the general
+system, than upon any regard or esteem for an institution of which
+all felt the severity. It followed, that those of the members who
+enjoyed consequence by means of their station in the ranks of the
+Vehme saw the necessity of supporting its terrors by occasional
+examples of severe punishment; and none could be more readily
+sacrificed than an unknown and wandering foreigner. All this rushed
+upon Philipson's mind, but did not prevent his making a steady reply
+to the accusation.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, "good citizens, burgesses, or by whatever other
+name you please to be addressed, know, that in my former days I have
+stood in as great peril as now, and have never turned my heel to save
+my life. Cords and daggers are not calculated to strike terror into
+those who have seen swords and lances. My answer to the accusation is,
+that I am an Englishman, one of a nation accustomed to yield and to
+receive open-handed and equal justice dealt forth in the broad light
+of day. I am, however, a traveller, who knows that he has no right to
+oppose the rules and laws of other nations because they do not
+resemble those of his own. But this caution can only be called for in
+lands where the system about which we converse is in full force and
+operation. If we speak of the institutions of Germany, being at the
+time in France or Spain, we may, without offence to the country in
+which they are current, dispute concerning them, as students debate
+upon a logical thesis in a university. The accuser objects to me, that
+at Turin, or elsewhere in the north of Italy, I spoke with censure of
+the institution under which I am now judged. I will not deny that I
+remember something of the kind; but it was in consequence of the
+question being in a manner forced upon me by two guests with whom I
+chanced to find myself at table. I was much and earnestly solicited
+for an opinion ere I gave one."
+
+"And was that opinion," said the presiding Judge, "favourable or
+otherwise to the Holy and Secret Vehme-gericht? Let truth rule your
+tongue--remember, life is short, judgment is eternal!"
+
+"I would not save my life at the expense of a falsehood. My opinion
+was unfavourable; and I expressed myself thus:--No laws or judicial
+proceedings can be just or commendable which exist and operate by
+means of a secret combination. I said, that justice could only live
+and exist in the open air, and that when she ceased to be public she
+degenerated into revenge and hatred. I said, that a system of which
+your own jurists have said, _non frater a fratre, non hospes a
+hospite, tutus_, was too much adverse to the laws of nature to be
+connected with or regulated by those of religion."
+
+These words were scarcely uttered, when there burst a murmur from the
+Judges highly unfavourable to the prisoner,--"He blasphemes the Holy
+Vehme--Let his mouth be closed for ever!"
+
+"Hear me," said the Englishman, "as you will one day wish to be
+yourselves heard! I say such were my sentiments, and so I expressed
+them--I say also, I had a right to express these opinions, whether
+sound or erroneous, in a neutral country, where this Tribunal neither
+did, nor could, claim any jurisdiction. My sentiments are still the
+same. I would avow them if that sword were at my bosom, or that cord
+around my throat. But I deny that I have ever spoken against the
+institutions of your Vehme, in a country where it had its course as a
+national mode of justice. Far more strongly, if possible, do I
+denounce the absurdity of the falsehood, which represents me, a
+wandering foreigner, as commissioned to traffic with the Duke of
+Burgundy about such high matters, or to form a conspiracy for the
+destruction of a system to which so many seem warmly attached. I never
+said such a thing, and I never thought it."
+
+"Accuser," said the presiding Judge, "thou hast heard the
+accused--What is thy reply?"
+
+"The first part of the charge," said the accuser, "he hath confessed
+in this high presence--namely, that his foul tongue hath basely
+slandered our holy mysteries; for which he deserves that it should be
+torn out of his throat. I myself, on my oath of office, will aver, as
+use and law is, that the rest of the accusation--namely, that which
+taxes him as having entered into machinations for the destruction of
+the Vehmique institutions--is as true as those which he has found
+himself unable to deny."
+
+"In justice," said the Englishman, "the accusation, if not made good
+by satisfactory proof, ought to be left to the oath of the party
+accused, instead of permitting the accuser to establish by his own
+deposition the defects in his own charge."
+
+"Stranger," replied the presiding Judge, "we permit to thy ignorance a
+longer and more full defence than consists with our usual forms. Know,
+that the right of sitting among these venerable judges confers on the
+person of him who enjoys it a sacredness of character which ordinary
+men cannot attain to. The oath of one of the initiated must
+counterbalance the most solemn asseveration of every one that is not
+acquainted with our holy secrets. In the Vehmique court all must be
+Vehmique. The averment of the Emperor, he being uninitiated, would not
+have so much weight in our counsels as that of one of the meanest of
+these officials. The affirmation of the accuser can only be rebutted
+by the oath of a member of the same Tribunal, being of superior rank."
+
+"Then, God be gracious to me, for I have no trust save in Heaven!"
+said the Englishman, in solemn accents. "Yet I will not fall without
+an effort. I call upon thee thyself, dark spirit, who presidest in
+this most deadly assembly--I call upon thyself, to declare on thy
+faith and honour, whether thou holdest me guilty of what is thus
+boldly averred by this false calumniator--I call upon thee by thy
+sacred character--by the name of"----
+
+"Hold!" replied the presiding Judge. "The name by which we are known
+in open air must not be pronounced in this subterranean
+judgment-seat."
+
+He then proceeded to address the prisoner and the assembly.--"I, being
+called on in evidence, declare that the charge against thee is so far
+true as it is acknowledged by thyself--namely, that thou hast in other
+lands than the Red Soil[3] spoken lightly of this holy institution of
+justice. But I believe in my soul, and will bear witness on my honour,
+that the rest of the accusation is incredible and false. And this I
+swear, holding my hand on the dagger and the cord.--What is your
+judgment, my brethren, upon the case which you have investigated?"
+
+A member of the first-seated and highest class amongst the judges,
+muffled like the rest, but the tone of whose voice and the stoop of
+whose person announced him to be more advanced in years than the other
+two who had before spoken, arose with difficulty, and said with a
+trembling voice,--
+
+"The child of the cord who is before us has been convicted of folly
+and rashness in slandering our holy institution. But he spoke his
+folly to ears which had never heard our sacred laws--He has,
+therefore, been acquitted, by irrefragable testimony, of combining for
+the impotent purpose of undermining our power, or stirring up princes
+against our holy association, for which death were too light a
+punishment--He hath been foolish, then, but not criminal; and as the
+holy laws of the Vehme bear no penalty save that of death, I propose
+for judgment that the child of the cord be restored without injury to
+society, and to the upper world, having been first duly admonished of
+his errors."
+
+"Child of the cord," said the presiding Judge, "thou hast heard thy
+sentence of acquittal. But, as thou desirest to sleep in an unbloody
+grave, let me warn thee, that the secrets of this night shall remain
+with thee, as a secret not to be communicated to father nor mother, to
+spouse, son, or daughter; neither to be spoken aloud nor whispered; to
+be told in words or written in characters; to be carved or to be
+painted, or to be otherwise communicated, either directly or by
+parable and emblem. Obey this behest, and thy life is in surety. Let
+thy heart then rejoice within thee, but let it rejoice with trembling.
+Never more let thy vanity persuade thee that thou art secure from the
+servants and Judges of the Holy Vehme. Though a thousand leagues lie
+between thee and the Red Land, and thou speakest in that where our
+power is not known; though thou shouldst be sheltered by thy native
+island, and defended by thy kindred ocean, yet, even there, I warn
+thee to cross thyself when thou dost so much as think of the Holy and
+Invisible Tribunal, and to retain thy thoughts within thine own bosom;
+for the Avenger may be beside thee, and thou mayst die in thy folly.
+Go hence, be wise, and let the fear of the Holy Vehme never pass from
+before thine eyes."
+
+At the concluding words, all the lights were at once extinguished with
+a hissing noise. Philipson felt once more the grasp of the hands of
+the officials, to which he resigned himself as the safest course. He
+was gently prostrated on his pallet-bed, and transported back to the
+place from which he had been advanced to the foot of the altar. The
+cordage was again applied to the platform, and Philipson was sensible
+that his couch rose with him for a few moments, until a slight shock
+apprised him that he was again brought to a level with the floor of
+the chamber in which he had been lodged on the preceding night, or
+rather morning. He pondered over the events that had passed, in which
+he was sensible that he owed Heaven thanks for a great deliverance.
+Fatigue at length prevailed over anxiety, and he fell into a deep and
+profound sleep, from which he was only awakened by returning light.
+He resolved on an instant departure from so dangerous a spot, and,
+without seeing any one of the household but the old ostler, pursued
+his journey to Strasburg, and reached that city without further
+accident.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] The word Wehme, pronounced Vehme, is of uncertain derivation, but
+was always used to intimate this inquisitorial and secret Court. The
+members were termed Wissenden, or Initiated, answering to the modern
+phrase of Illuminati. Mr. Palgrave seems inclined to derive the word
+_Vehme_ from _Ehme_, _i.e._ _Law_, and he is probably right.
+
+[2] The term _Strick-kind_, or child of the cord, was applied to the
+person accused before these awful assemblies.
+
+[3] The parts of Germany subjected to the operation of the Secret
+Tribunal were called, from the blood which it spilt, or from some
+other reason (Mr. Palgrave suggests the ground tincture of the ancient
+banner of the district), the Red Soil. Westphalia, as the limits of
+that country were understood in the Middle Ages, which are
+considerably different from the present boundaries, was the principal
+theatre of the Vehme.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+     Away with these!--True Wisdom's world will be
+     Within its own creation, or in thine,
+     Maternal Nature! for who teems like thee
+     Thus on the banks of thy majestic Rhine?
+     There Harold gazes on a work divine,
+     A blending of all beauties, streams, and dells--
+     Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, cornfield, mountain, vine,
+     And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells,
+     From grey but leafy walls, where ruin greenly dwells.
+                   _Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Canto III._
+
+
+When Arthur Philipson left his father, to go on board the bark which
+was to waft him across the Rhine, he took but few precautions for his
+own subsistence, during a separation of which he calculated the
+duration to be very brief. Some necessary change of raiment, and a
+very few pieces of gold, were all which he thought it needful to
+withdraw from the general stock; the rest of the baggage and money he
+left with the sumpter-horse, which he concluded his father might need,
+in order to sustain his character as an English trader. Having
+embarked with his horse and his slender appointments on board a
+fishing-skiff, she instantly raised her temporary mast, spread a sail
+across the yard, and, supported by the force of the wind against the
+downward power of the current, moved across the river obliquely in the
+direction of Kirch-hoff, which, as we have said, lies somewhat lower
+on the river than Hans-Kapelle. Their passage was so favourable that
+they reached the opposite side in a few minutes, but not until Arthur,
+whose eye and thoughts were on the left bank, had seen his father
+depart from the Chapel of the Ferry, accompanied by two horsemen, whom
+he readily concluded to be the guide Bartholomew, and some chance
+traveller who had joined him; but the second of whom was in truth the
+Black Priest of St. Paul's, as has been already mentioned.
+
+This augmentation of his father's company was, he could not but think,
+likely to be attended with an increase of his safety, since it was not
+probable he would suffer a companion to be forced upon him, and one of
+his own choosing might be a protection, in case his guide should prove
+treacherous. At any rate, he had to rejoice that he had seen his
+father depart in safety from the spot where they had reason to
+apprehend some danger awaited him. He resolved, therefore, to make no
+stay at Kirch-hoff, but to pursue his way, as fast as possible,
+towards Strasburg, and rest, when darkness compelled him to stop, in
+one of the _dorfs_, or villages, which were situated on the German
+side of the Rhine. At Strasburg, he trusted, with the sanguine spirit
+of youth, he might again be able to rejoin his father; and if he could
+not altogether subdue his anxiety on their separation, he fondly
+nourished the hope that he might meet him in safety. After some short
+refreshment and repose afforded to his horse, he lost no time in
+proceeding on his journey down the eastern bank of the broad river.
+
+He was now upon the most interesting side of the Rhine, walled in and
+repelled as the river is on that shore by the most romantic cliffs,
+now mantled with vegetation of the richest hue, tinged with all the
+variegated colours of autumn; now surmounted by fortresses, over whose
+gates were displayed the pennons of their proud owners; or studded
+with hamlets, where the richness of the soil supplied to the poor
+labourer the food of which the oppressive hand of his superior
+threatened altogether to deprive him. Every stream which here
+contributes its waters to the Rhine winds through its own tributary
+dell, and each valley possesses a varying and separate character, some
+rich with pastures, cornfields, and vineyards, some frowning with
+crags and precipices, and other romantic beauties.
+
+The principles of taste were not then explained or analysed as they
+have been since, in countries where leisure has been found for this
+investigation. But the feelings arising from so rich a landscape as is
+displayed by the valley of the Rhine must have been the same in every
+bosom, from the period when our Englishman took his solitary journey
+through it, in doubt and danger, till that in which it heard the
+indignant Childe Harold bid a proud farewell to his native country, in
+the vain search of a land in which his heart might throb less
+fiercely.
+
+Arthur enjoyed this scene, although the fading daylight began to
+remind him that, alone as he was, and travelling with a very valuable
+charge, it would be matter of prudence to look out for some place of
+rest during the night. Just as he had formed the resolution of
+inquiring at the next habitation he should pass, which way he should
+follow for this purpose, the road he pursued descended into a
+beautiful amphitheatre filled with large trees, which protected from
+the heats of summer the delicate and tender herbage of the pasture. A
+large brook flowed through it, and joined the Rhine. At a short mile
+up the brook its waters made a crescent round a steep craggy eminence,
+crowned with flanking walls, and Gothic towers and turrets, enclosing
+a feudal castle of the first order. A part of the savannah that has
+been mentioned had been irregularly cultivated for wheat, which had
+grown a plentiful crop. It was gathered in, but the patches of deep
+yellow stubble contrasted with the green of the undisturbed pasture
+land, and with the seared and dark-red foliage of the broad oaks which
+stretched their arms athwart the level space. There a lad, in a rustic
+dress, was employed in the task of netting a brood of partridges with
+the assistance of a trained spaniel; while a young woman, who had the
+air rather of a domestic in some family of rank than that of an
+ordinary villager, sat on the stump of a decayed tree, to watch the
+progress of the amusement. The spaniel, whose duty it was to drive the
+partridges under the net, was perceptibly disturbed at the approach of
+the traveller; his attention was divided, and he was obviously in
+danger of marring the sport, by barking and putting up the covey, when
+the maiden quitted her seat, and, advancing towards Philipson,
+requested him, for courtesy, to pass at a greater distance, and not
+interfere with their amusement.
+
+The traveller willingly complied with her request.
+
+"I will ride, fair damsel," he said, "at whatever distance you please.
+And allow me, in guerdon, to ask, whether there is convent, castle, or
+good man's house, where a stranger, who is belated and weary, might
+receive a night's hospitality?"
+
+The girl, whose face he had not yet distinctly seen, seemed to
+suppress some desire to laugh, as she replied, "Hath not yon castle,
+think you," pointing to the distant towers, "some corner which might
+accommodate a stranger in such extremity?"
+
+"Space enough, certainly," said Arthur; "but perhaps little
+inclination to grant it."
+
+"I myself," said the girl, "being one, and a formidable part of the
+garrison, will be answerable for your reception. But as you parley
+with me in such hostile fashion, it is according to martial order that
+I should put down my visor."
+
+So saying, she concealed her face under one of those riding-masks
+which at that period women often wore when they went abroad, whether
+for protecting their complexion or screening themselves from intrusive
+observation. But ere she could accomplish this operation Arthur had
+detected the merry countenance of Annette Veilchen, a girl who, though
+her attendance on Anne of Geierstein was in a menial capacity, was
+held in high estimation at Geierstein. She was a bold wench,
+unaccustomed to the distinctions of rank, which were little regarded
+in the simplicity of the Helvetian hills, and she was ready to laugh,
+jest, and flirt with the young men of the Landamman's family. This
+attracted no attention, the mountain manners making little distinction
+between the degrees of attendant and mistress, further than that the
+mistress was a young woman who required help, and the maiden one who
+was in a situation to offer and afford it. This kind of familiarity
+would perhaps have been dangerous in other lands, but the simplicity
+of Swiss manners, and the turn of Annette's disposition, which was
+resolute and sensible, though rather bold and free, when compared to
+the manners of more civilised countries, kept all intercourse betwixt
+her and the young men of the family in the strict path of honour and
+innocence.
+
+Arthur himself had paid considerable attention to Annette, being
+naturally, from his feelings towards Anne of Geierstein, heartily
+desirous to possess the good graces of her attendant; a point which
+was easily gained by the attentions of a handsome young man, and the
+generosity with which he heaped upon her small presents of articles of
+dress or ornament, which the damsel, however faithful, could find no
+heart to refuse.
+
+The assurance that he was in Anne's neighbourhood, and that he was
+likely to pass the night under the same roof, both of which
+circumstances were intimated by the girl's presence and language, sent
+the blood in a hastier current through Arthur's veins; for though,
+since he had crossed the river, he had sometimes nourished hopes of
+again seeing her who had made so strong an impression on his
+imagination, yet his understanding had as often told him how slight
+was the chance of their meeting, and it was even now chilled by the
+reflection that it could be followed only by the pain of a sudden and
+final separation. He yielded himself, however, to the prospect of
+promised pleasure, without attempting to ascertain what was to be its
+duration or its consequence. Desirous, in the meantime, to hear as
+much of Anne's circumstances as Annette chose to tell, he resolved not
+to let that merry maiden perceive that she was known by him, until
+she chose of her own accord to lay aside her mystery.
+
+While these thoughts passed rapidly through his imagination, Annette
+bade the lad drop his nets, and directed him that, having taken two of
+the best-fed partridges from the covey, and carried them into the
+kitchen, he was to set the rest at liberty.
+
+"I must provide supper," said she to the traveller, "since I am
+bringing home unexpected company."
+
+Arthur earnestly expressed his hope that his experiencing the
+hospitality of the castle would occasion no trouble to the inmates,
+and received satisfactory assurances upon the subject of his scruples.
+
+"I would not willingly be the cause of inconvenience to your
+mistress," pursued the traveller.
+
+"Look you there," said Annette Veilchen, "I have said nothing of
+master or mistress, and this poor forlorn traveller has already
+concluded in his own mind that he is to be harboured in a lady's
+bower!"
+
+"Why, did you not tell me," said Arthur, somewhat confused at his
+blunder, "that you were the person of second importance in the place?
+A damsel, I judged, could only be an officer under a female governor."
+
+"I do not see the justice of the conclusion," replied the maiden. "I
+have known ladies bear offices of trust in lords' families; nay, and
+over the lords themselves."
+
+"Am I to understand, fair damsel, that you hold so predominant a
+situation in the castle which we are now approaching, and of which I
+pray you to tell me the name?"
+
+"The name of the castle is Arnheim," said Annette.
+
+"Your garrison must be a large one," said Arthur, looking at the
+extensive building, "if you are able to man such a labyrinth of walls
+and towers."
+
+"In that point," said Annette, "I must needs own we are very
+deficient. At present, we rather hide in the castle than inhabit it;
+and yet it is well enough defended by the reports which frighten every
+other person who might disturb its seclusion."
+
+"And yet you yourselves dare to reside in it?" said the Englishman,
+recollecting the tale which had been told by Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+concerning the character of the Barons of Arnheim, and the final
+catastrophe of the family.
+
+"Perhaps," replied his guide, "we are too intimate with the cause of
+such fears to feel ourselves strongly oppressed with them--perhaps we
+have means of encountering the supposed terrors proper to
+ourselves--perhaps, and it is not the least likely conjecture, we have
+no choice of a better place of refuge. Such seems to be your own fate
+at present, sir, for the tops of the distant hills are gradually
+losing the lights of the evening; and if you rest not in Arnheim, well
+contented or not, you are likely to find no safe lodging for many a
+mile."
+
+As she thus spoke she separated from Arthur, taking, with the fowler
+who attended her, a very steep but short footpath, which ascended
+straight up to the site of the castle; at the same time motioning to
+the young Englishman to follow a horse-track, which, more circuitous,
+led to the same point, and, though less direct, was considerably more
+easy.
+
+He soon stood before the south front of Arnheim Castle, which was a
+much larger building than he had conceived, either from Rudolph's
+description or from the distant view. It had been erected at many
+different periods, and a considerable part of the edifice was less in
+the strict Gothic than in what has been termed the Saracenic style, in
+which the imagination of the architect is more florid than that which
+is usually indulged in the North--rich in minarets, cupolas, and
+similar approximations to Oriental structures. This singular building
+bore a general appearance of desolation and desertion, but Rudolph had
+been misinformed when he declared that it had become ruinous. On the
+contrary, it had been maintained with considerable care; and when it
+fell into the hands of the Emperor, although no garrison was
+maintained within its precincts, care was taken to keep the building
+in repair; and though the prejudices of the country people prevented
+any one from passing the night within the fearful walls, yet it was
+regularly visited from time to time by a person having commission from
+the Imperial Chancery to that effect. The occupation of the domain
+around the castle was a valuable compensation for this official
+person's labour, and he took care not to endanger the loss of it by
+neglecting his duty. Of late this officer had been withdrawn, and now
+it appeared that the young Baroness of Arnheim had found refuge in the
+deserted towers of her ancestors.
+
+The Swiss damsel did not leave the youthful traveller time to study
+particularly the exterior of the castle, or to construe the meaning
+of emblems and mottoes, seemingly of an Oriental character, with which
+the outside was inscribed, and which expressed in various modes, more
+or less directly, the attachment of the builders of this extensive
+pile to the learning of the Eastern sages. Ere he had time to take
+more than a general survey of the place, the voice of the Swiss maiden
+called him to an angle of the wall in which there was a projection,
+whence a long plank extended over a dry moat, and was connected with a
+window in which Annette was standing.
+
+"You have forgotten your Swiss lessons already," said she, observing
+that Arthur went rather timidly about crossing the temporary and
+precarious drawbridge.
+
+The reflection that Anne, her mistress, might make the same
+observation, recalled the young traveller to the necessary degree of
+composure. He passed over the plank with the same _sang froid_ with
+which he had learned to brave the far more terrific bridge beneath the
+ruinous castle of Geierstein. He had no sooner entered the window than
+Annette, taking off her mask, bade him welcome to Germany, and to old
+friends with new names.
+
+"Anne of Geierstein," she said, "is no more; but you will presently
+see the Lady Baroness of Arnheim, who is extremely like her; and I,
+who was Annette Veilchen in Switzerland, the servant to a damsel who
+was not esteemed much greater than myself, am now the young Baroness's
+waiting-woman, and make everybody of less quality stand back."
+
+"If, in such circumstances," said young Philipson, "you have the
+influence due to your consequence, let me beseech of you to tell the
+Baroness, since we must now call her so, that my present intrusion on
+her is occasioned by my ignorance."
+
+"Away, away!" said the girl, laughing. "I know better what to say in
+your behalf. You are not the first poor man and pedlar that has got
+the graces of a great lady; but I warrant you it was not by making
+humble apologies, and talking of unintentional intrusion. I will tell
+her of love, which all the Rhine cannot quench, and which has driven
+you hither, leaving you no other choice than to come or to perish!"
+
+"Nay, but Annette, Annette"----
+
+"Fie on you for a fool,--make a shorter name of it,--cry Anne, Anne!
+and there will be more prospect of your being answered."
+
+So saying, the wild girl ran out of the room, delighted, as a
+mountaineer of her description was likely to be, with the thought of
+having done as she would desire to be done by, in her benevolent
+exertions to bring two lovers together, when on the eve of inevitable
+separation.
+
+In this self-approving disposition, Annette sped up a narrow turnpike
+stair to a closet, or dressing-room, where her young mistress was
+seated, and exclaimed, with open mouth,--"Anne of Gei----, I mean my
+Lady Baroness, they are come--they are come!"
+
+"The Philipsons?" said Anne, almost breathless as she asked the
+question.
+
+"Yes--no--" answered the girl; "that is, yes,--for the best of them is
+come, and that is Arthur."
+
+"What meanest thou, girl? Is not Seignor Philipson, the father, along
+with his son?"
+
+"Not he, indeed," answered Veilchen, "nor did I ever think of asking
+about him. He was no friend of mine, nor of any one else, save the old
+Landamman; and well met they were for a couple of wiseacres, with
+eternal proverbs in their mouths, and care upon their brows."
+
+"Unkind, inconsiderate girl, what hast thou done?" said Anne of
+Geierstein. "Did I not warn and charge thee to bring them both hither?
+and you have brought the young man alone to a place where we are
+nearly in solitude! What will he--what can he think of me?"
+
+"Why, what should I have done?" said Annette, remaining firm in her
+argument. "He was alone, and should I have sent him down to the _dorf_
+to be murdered by the Rhinegrave's Lanzknechts? All is fish, I trow,
+that comes to their net; and how is he to get through this country, so
+beset with wandering soldiers, robber barons (I beg your ladyship's
+pardon), and roguish Italians, flocking to the Duke of Burgundy's
+standard?--Not to mention the greatest terror of all, that is never in
+one shape or other absent from one's eye or thought."
+
+"Hush, hush, girl! add not utter madness to the excess of folly; but
+let us think what is to be done. For our sake, for his own, this
+unfortunate young man must leave this castle instantly."
+
+"You must take the message yourself, then, Anne--I beg pardon, most
+noble Baroness;--it may be very fit for a lady of high birth to send
+such a message, which, indeed, I have heard the Minne-singers tell in
+their romances; but I am sure it is not a meet one for me, or any
+frank-hearted Swiss girl, to carry. No more foolery; but remember, if
+you were born Baroness of Arnheim, you have been bred and brought up
+in the bosom of the Swiss hills, and should conduct yourself like an
+honest and well-meaning damsel."
+
+"And in what does your wisdom reprehend my folly, good Mademoiselle
+Annette?" replied the Baroness.
+
+"Ay, marry! now our noble blood stirs in our veins. But remember,
+gentle my lady, that it was a bargain between us, when I left yonder
+noble mountains, and the free air that blows over them, to coop myself
+up in this land of prisons and slaves, that I should speak my mind to
+you as freely as I did when our heads lay on the same pillow."
+
+"Speak, then," said Anne, studiously averting her face as she prepared
+to listen; "but beware that you say nothing which it is unfit for me
+to hear."
+
+"I will speak nature and common-sense; and if your noble ears are not
+made fit to hear and understand these, the fault lies in them, and not
+in my tongue. Look you, you have saved this youth from two great
+dangers--one at the earth-shoot at Geierstein, the other this very
+day, when his life was beset. A handsome young man he is, well spoken,
+and well qualified to gain deservedly a lady's favour. Before you saw
+him, the Swiss youth were at least not odious to you. You danced with
+them,--you jested with them,--you were the general object of their
+admiration,--and, as you well know, you might have had your choice
+through the Canton--Why, I think it possible a little urgency might
+have brought you to think of Rudolph Donnerhugel as your mate."
+
+"Never, wench, never!" exclaimed Anne.
+
+"Be not so very positive, my lady. Had he recommended himself to the
+uncle in the first place, I think, in my poor sentiment, he might at
+some lucky moment have carried the niece. But since we have known this
+young Englishman, it has been little less than contemning, despising,
+and something like hating, all the men whom you could endure well
+enough before."
+
+"Well, well," said Anne, "I will detest and hate thee more than any of
+them, unless you bring your matters to an end."
+
+"Softly, noble lady, fair and easy go far. All this argues you love
+the young man, and let those say that you are wrong who think there is
+anything wonderful in the matter. There is much to justify you, and
+nothing that I know against it."
+
+"What, foolish girl! Remember my birth forbids me to love a mean
+man--my condition to love a poor man--my father's commands to love one
+whose addresses are without his consent--above all, my maidenly pride
+forbids me fixing my affections on one who cares not for me--nay,
+perhaps, is prejudiced against me by appearances."
+
+"Here is a fine homily!" said Annette; "but I can clear every point of
+it as easily as Father Francis does his text in a holiday sermon. Your
+birth is a silly dream, which you have only learned to value within
+these two or three days, when, having come to German soil, some of the
+old German weed, usually called family pride, has begun to germinate
+in your heart. Think of such folly as you thought when you lived at
+Geierstein--that is, during all the rational part of your life, and
+this great terrible prejudice will sink into nothing. By condition, I
+conceive you mean estate. But Philipson's father, who is the most
+free-hearted of men, will surely give his son as many zechins as will
+stock a mountain farm. You have firewood for the cutting, and land for
+the occupying, since you are surely entitled to part of Geierstein,
+and gladly will your uncle put you in possession of it. You can manage
+the dairy, Arthur can shoot, hunt, fish, plough, harrow, and reap."
+
+Anne of Geierstein shook her head, as if she greatly doubted her
+lover's skill in the last of the accomplishments enumerated.
+
+"Well, well, he can learn, then," said Annette Veilchen; "and you will
+only live the harder the first year or so. Besides, Sigismund
+Biederman will aid him willingly, and he is a very horse at labour;
+and I know another besides, who is a friend"----
+
+"Of thine own, I warrant," quoth the young Baroness.
+
+"Marry, it is my poor friend Louis Sprenger; and I'll never be so
+false-hearted as to deny my bachelor."
+
+"Well, well, but what is to be the end of all this?" said the
+Baroness, impatiently.
+
+"The end of it, in my opinion," said Annette, "is very simple. Here
+are priests and prayer-books within a mile--go down to the parlour,
+speak your mind to your lover, or hear him speak his mind to you; join
+hands, go quietly back to Geierstein in the character of man and wife,
+and get everything ready to receive your uncle on his return. This is
+the way that a plain Swiss wench would cut off the romance of a
+German Baroness"----
+
+"And break the heart of her father," said the young lady, with a sigh.
+
+"It is more tough than you are aware of," replied Annette. "He hath
+not lived without you so long but that he will be able to spare you
+for the rest of his life, a great deal more easily than you, with all
+your new-fangled ideas of quality, will be able to endure his schemes
+of wealth and ambition, which will aim at making you the wife of some
+illustrious Count, like De Hagenbach, whom we saw not long since make
+such an edifying end, to the great example of all Robber-Chivalry upon
+the Rhine."
+
+"Thy plan is naught, wench; a childish vision of a girl who never knew
+more of life than she has heard told over her milking-pail. Remember
+that my uncle entertains the highest ideas of family discipline, and
+that to act contrary to my father's will would destroy us in his good
+opinion. Why else am I here? Wherefore has he resigned his
+guardianship? And why am I obliged to change the habits that are dear
+to me, and assume the manners of a people that are strange, and
+therefore unpleasing to me?"
+
+"Your uncle," said Annette firmly, "is Landamman of the Canton of
+Unterwalden; respects its freedom, and is the sworn protector of its
+laws, of which, when you, a denizen of the Confederacy, claim the
+protection, he cannot refuse it to you."
+
+"Even then," said the young Baroness, "I should forfeit his good
+opinion, his more than paternal affection; but it is needless to dwell
+upon this. Know, that although I could have loved the young man, whom
+I will not deny to be as amiable as your partiality paints
+him--know,"--she hesitated for a moment,--"that he has never spoken a
+word to me on such a subject as you, without knowing either his
+sentiments or mine, would intrude on my consideration."
+
+"Is it possible?" answered Annette. "I thought--I believed, though I
+have never pressed on your confidence--that you must--attached as you
+were to each other--have spoken together, like true maid and true
+bachelor, before now. I have done wrong, when I thought to do for the
+best.--Is it possible!--such things have been heard of even in our
+canton--is it possible he can have harboured so unutterably base
+purposes, as that Martin of Brisach, who made love to Adela of the
+Sundgau, enticed her to folly--the thing, though almost incredible, is
+true--fled--fled from the country and boasted of his villany, till her
+cousin Raymund silenced for ever his infamous triumph, by beating his
+brains out with his club, even in the very street of the villain's
+native town? By the Holy Mother of Einsiedlen! could I suspect this
+Englishman of meditating such treason, I would saw the plank across
+the moat till a fly's weight would break it, and it should be at six
+fathom deep that he should abye the perfidy which dared to meditate
+dishonour against an adopted daughter of Switzerland!"
+
+As Annette Veilchen spoke, all the fire of her mountain courage
+flashed from her eyes, and she listened reluctantly while Anne of
+Geierstein endeavoured to obliterate the dangerous impression which
+her former words had impressed on her simple but faithful attendant.
+
+"On my word"--she said,--"on my soul--you do Arthur Philipson
+injustice--foul injustice, in intimating such a suspicion;--his
+conduct towards me has ever been upright and honourable--a friend to a
+friend--a brother to a sister--could not, in all he has done and said,
+have been more respectful, more anxiously affectionate, more
+undeviatingly candid. In our frequent interviews and intercourse he
+has indeed seemed very kind--very attached. But had I been
+disposed--at times I may have been too much so--to listen to him with
+endurance,"--the young lady here put her hand on her forehead, but the
+tears streamed through her slender fingers,--"he has never spoken of
+any love--any preference;--if he indeed entertains any, some obstacle,
+insurmountable on his part, has interfered to prevent him."
+
+"Obstacle?" replied the Swiss damsel. "Ay, doubtless--some childish
+bashfulness--some foolish idea about your birth being so high above
+his own--some dream of modesty pushed to extremity, which considers as
+impenetrable the ice of a spring frost. This delusion may be broken by
+a moment's encouragement, and I will take the task on myself, to spare
+your blushes, my dearest Anne."
+
+"No, no; for Heaven's sake, no, Veilchen!" answered the Baroness, to
+whom Annette had so long been a companion and confidant, rather than a
+domestic. "You cannot anticipate the nature of the obstacles which may
+prevent his thinking on what you are so desirous to promote. Hear
+me--My early education, and the instructions of my kind uncle, have
+taught me to know something more of foreigners and their fashions than
+I ever could have learned in our happy retirement of Geierstein; I am
+well-nigh convinced that these Philipsons are of rank, as they are of
+manners and bearing, far superior to the occupation which they appear
+to hold. The father is a man of deep observation, of high thought and
+pretension, and lavish of gifts, far beyond what consists with the
+utmost liberality of a trader."
+
+"That is true," said Annette. "I will say for myself, that the silver
+chain he gave me weighs against ten silver crowns, and the cross which
+Arthur added to it, the day after the long ride we had together up
+towards Mount Pilatus, is worth, they tell me, as much more. There is
+not the like of it in the Cantons. Well, what then? They are rich, so
+are you. So much the better."
+
+"Alas! Annette, they are not only rich, but noble. I am persuaded of
+this; for I have observed often, that even the father retreated, with
+an air of quiet and dignified contempt, from discussions with
+Donnerhugel and others, who, in our plain way, wished to fasten a
+dispute upon him. And when a rude observation or blunt pleasantry was
+pointed at the son, his eye flashed, his cheek coloured, and it was
+only a glance from his father which induced him to repress the retort
+of no friendly character which rose to his lips."
+
+"You have been a close observer," said Annette. "All this may be true,
+but I noted it not. But what then, I say once more? If Arthur has some
+fine noble name in his own country, are not you yourself Baroness of
+Arnheim? And I will frankly allow it as something of worth, if it
+smooths the way to a match, where I think you must look for
+happiness--I hope so, else I am sure it should have no encouragement
+from me."
+
+"I do believe so, my faithful Veilchen; but, alas! how can you, in the
+state of natural freedom in which you have been bred, know, or even
+dream, of the various restraints which this gilded or golden chain of
+rank and nobility hangs upon those whom it fetters and encumbers, I
+fear, as much as it decorates? In every country, the distinction of
+rank binds men to certain duties. It may carry with it restrictions,
+which may prevent alliances in foreign countries--it often may prevent
+them from consulting their inclinations, when they wed in their own.
+It leads to alliances in which the heart is never consulted, to
+treaties of marriage, which are often formed when the parties are in
+the cradle, or in leading strings, but which are not the less binding
+on them in honour and faith. Such may exist in the present case. These
+alliances are often blended and mixed up with state policy; and if the
+interest of England, or what he deems such, should have occasioned the
+elder Philipson to form such an engagement, Arthur would break his own
+heart--the heart of any one else--rather than make false his father's
+word."
+
+"The more shame to them that formed such an engagement!" said Annette.
+"Well, they talk of England being a free country; but if they can bar
+young men and women of the natural privilege to call their hands and
+hearts their own, I would as soon be a German serf.--Well, lady, you
+are wise, and I am ignorant. But what is to be done? I have brought
+this young man here, expecting, God knows, a happier issue to your
+meeting. But it is clear you cannot marry him without his asking you.
+Now, although I confess that, if I could think him willing to forfeit
+the hand of the fairest maid of the Cantons, either from want of manly
+courage to ask it, or from regard to some ridiculous engagement,
+formed betwixt his father and some other nobleman of their island of
+noblemen, I would not in either case grudge him a ducking in the moat;
+yet it is another question, whether we should send him down to be
+murdered among those cut-throats of the Rhinegrave; and unless we do
+so, I know not how to get rid of him."
+
+"Then let the boy William give attendance on him here, and do you see
+to his accommodation. It is best we do not meet."
+
+"I will," said Annette; "yet what am I to say for you? Unhappily, I
+let him know that you were here."
+
+"Alas, imprudent girl! Yet why should I blame thee," said Anne of
+Geierstein, "when the imprudence has been so great on my own side? It
+is myself, who, suffering my imagination to rest too long upon this
+young man and his merits, have led me into this entanglement. But I
+will show thee that I can overcome this folly, and I will not seek in
+my own error a cause for evading the duties of hospitality. Go,
+Veilchen, get some refreshment ready. Thou shalt sup with us, and thou
+must not leave us. Thou shalt see me behave as becomes both a German
+lady and a Swiss maiden. Get me first a candle, however, my girl, for
+I must wash these tell-tales, my eyes, and arrange my dress."
+
+To Annette this whole explanation had been one scene of astonishment,
+for, in the simple ideas of love and courtship in which she had been
+brought up amid the Swiss mountains, she had expected that the two
+lovers would have taken the first opportunity of the absence of their
+natural guardians, and have united themselves for ever; and she had
+even arranged a little secondary plot, in which she herself and Martin
+Sprenger, her faithful bachelor, were to reside with the young couple
+as friends and dependants. Silenced, therefore, but not satisfied, by
+the objections of her young mistress, the zealous Annette retreated
+murmuring to herself,--"That little hint about her dress is the only
+natural and sensible word she has said in my hearing. Please God, I
+will return and help her in the twinkling of an eye. That dressing my
+mistress is the only part of a waiting-lady's life that I have the
+least fancy for--it seems so natural for one pretty maiden to set off
+another--in faith we are but learning to dress ourselves at another
+time."
+
+And with this sage remark Annette Veilchen tripped down stairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+     Tell me not of it--I could ne'er abide
+     The mummery of all that forced civility.
+     "Pray, seat yourself, my lord." With cringing hams
+     The speech is spoken, and, with bended knee,
+     Heard by the smiling courtier.--"Before you, sir?
+     It must be on the earth then." Hang it all!
+     The pride which cloaks itself in such poor fashion
+     Is scarcely fit to swell a beggar's bosom.
+                                            _Old Play._
+
+
+Up stairs and down stairs tripped Annette Veilchen, the soul of all
+that was going on in the only habitable corner of the huge castle of
+Arnheim. She was equal to every kind of service, and therefore popped
+her head into the stable to be sure that William attended properly to
+Arthur's horse, looked into the kitchen to see that the old cook,
+Marthon, roasted the partridges in due time (an interference for which
+she received little thanks), rummaged out a flask or two of Rhine wine
+from the huge Dom Daniel of a cellar, and, finally, just peeped into
+the parlour to see how Arthur was looking; when, having the
+satisfaction to see he had in the best manner he could sedulously
+arranged his person, she assured him that he should shortly see her
+mistress, who was rather indisposed, yet could not refrain from coming
+down to see so valued an acquaintance.
+
+Arthur blushed when she spoke thus, and seemed so handsome in the
+waiting-maid's eye, that she could not help saying to herself, as she
+went to her young lady's room,--"Well, if true love cannot manage to
+bring that couple together, in spite of all the obstacles that they
+stand boggling at, I will never believe that there is such a thing as
+true love in the world, let Martin Sprenger say what he will, and
+swear to it on the Gospels."
+
+When she reached the young Baroness's apartment, she found, to her
+surprise, that, instead of having put on what finery she possessed,
+that young lady's choice had preferred the same simple kirtle which
+she had worn during the first day that Arthur had dined at Geierstein.
+Annette looked at first puzzled and doubtful, then suddenly recognised
+the good taste which had dictated the attire, and exclaimed,--"You are
+right--you are right--it is best to meet him as a free-hearted Swiss
+maiden."
+
+Anne also smiled as she replied,--"But, at the same time, in the walls
+of Arnheim, I must appear in some respect as the daughter of my
+father.--Here, girl, aid me to put this gem upon the riband which
+binds my hair."
+
+It was an aigrette, or plume, composed of two feathers of a vulture,
+fastened together by an opal, which changed to the changing light with
+a variability which enchanted the Swiss damsel, who had never seen
+anything resembling it in her life.
+
+"Now, Baroness Anne," said she, "if that pretty thing be really worn
+as a sign of your rank, it is the only thing belonging to your dignity
+that I should ever think of coveting; for it doth shimmer and change
+colour after a most wonderful fashion, even something like one's own
+cheek when one is fluttered."
+
+"Alas, Annette!" said the Baroness, passing her hand across her eyes,
+"of all the gauds which the females of my house have owned, this
+perhaps hath been the most fatal to its possessors."
+
+"And why then wear it?" said Annette. "Why wear it now, of all days in
+the year?"
+
+"Because it best reminds me of my duty to my father and family. And
+now, girl, look thou sit with us at table, and leave not the
+apartment; and see thou fly not to and fro to help thyself or others
+with anything on the board, but remain quiet and seated till William
+helps you to what you have occasion for."
+
+"Well, that is a gentle fashion, which I like well enough," said
+Annette, "and William serves us so debonairly, that it is a joy to see
+him; yet, ever and anon, I feel as I were not Annette Veilchen
+herself, but only Annette Veilchen's picture, since I can neither
+rise, sit down, run about, nor stand still, without breaking some rule
+of courtly breeding. It is not so, I dare say, with you, who are
+always mannerly."
+
+"Less courtly than thou seemest to think," said the high-born maiden;
+"but I feel the restraint more on the greensward, and under heaven's
+free air, than when I undergo it closed within the walls of an
+apartment."
+
+"Ah, true--the dancing," said Annette; "that was something to be sorry
+for indeed."
+
+"But most am I sorry, Annette, that I cannot tell whether I act
+precisely right or wrong in seeing this young man, though it must be
+for the last time. Were my father to arrive?--Were Ital Schreckenwald
+to return"--
+
+"Your father is too deeply engaged on some of his dark and mystic
+errands," said the flippant Swiss; "sailed to the mountains of the
+Brockenberg, where witches hold their sabbath, or gone on a
+hunting-party with the Wild Huntsman."
+
+"Fie, Annette, how dare you talk thus of my father?"
+
+"Why, I know little of him personally," said the damsel, "and you
+yourself do not know much more. And how should that be false which all
+men say is true?"
+
+"Why, fool, what do they say?"
+
+"Why, that the Count is a wizard,--that your grandmother was a
+will-of-wisp, and old Ital Schreckenwald a born devil incarnate; and
+there is some truth in that, whatever comes of the rest."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"Gone down to spend the night in the village, to see the Rhinegrave's
+men quartered, and keep them in some order, if possible; for the
+soldiers are disappointed of pay which they had been promised; and
+when this happens, nothing resembles a lanzknecht except a chafed
+bear."
+
+"Go we down then, girl; it is perhaps the last night which we may
+spend, for years, with a certain degree of freedom."
+
+I will not pretend to describe the marked embarrassment with which
+Arthur Philipson and Anne of Geierstein met; neither lifted their
+eyes, neither spoke intelligibly, as they greeted each other, and the
+maiden herself did not blush more deeply than her modest visitor;
+while the good-humoured Swiss girl, whose ideas of love partook of the
+freedom of a more Arcadian country and its customs, looked on with
+eyebrows a little arched, much in wonder, and a little in contempt,
+at a couple who, as she might think, acted with such unnatural and
+constrained reserve. Deep was the reverence and the blush with which
+Arthur offered his hand to the young lady, and her acceptance of the
+courtesy had the same character of extreme bashfulness, agitation, and
+embarrassment. In short, though little or nothing intelligible passed
+between this very handsome and interesting couple, the interview
+itself did not on that account lose any interest. Arthur handed the
+maiden, as was the duty of a gallant of the day, into the next room,
+where their repast was prepared; and Annette, who watched with
+singular attention everything which occurred, felt with astonishment
+that the forms and ceremonies of the higher orders of society had such
+an influence, even over her free-born mind, as the rites of the Druids
+over that of the Roman general, when he said,
+
+     I scorn them, yet they awe me.
+
+"What can have changed them?" said Annette. "When at Geierstein they
+looked but like another girl and bachelor, only that Anne is so very
+handsome; but now they move in time and manner as if they were leading
+a stately pavin, and behave to each other with as much formal respect
+as if he were Landamman of the Unterwalden, and she the first lady of
+Berne. 'Tis all very fine, doubtless, but it is not the way that
+Martin Sprenger makes love."
+
+Apparently, the circumstances in which each of the young people was
+placed recalled to them the habits of lofty and somewhat formal
+courtesy to which they might have been accustomed in former days; and
+while the Baroness felt it necessary to observe the strictest
+decorum, in order to qualify the reception of Arthur into the interior
+of her retreat, he, on the other hand, endeavoured to show, by the
+profoundness of his respect, that he was incapable of misusing the
+kindness with which he had been treated. They placed themselves at
+table, scrupulously observing the distance which might become a
+"virtuous gentleman and maid." The youth William did the service of
+the entertainment with deftness and courtesy, as one well accustomed
+to such duty; and Annette, placing herself between them, and
+endeavouring, as closely as she could, to adhere to the ceremonies
+which she saw them observe, made practice of the civilities which were
+expected from the attendant of a baroness. Various, however, were the
+errors which she committed. Her demeanour in general was that of a
+greyhound in the slips, ready to start up every moment; and she was
+only withheld by the recollection that she was to ask for that which
+she had far more mind to help herself to.
+
+Other points of etiquette were transgressed in their turn, after the
+repast was over, and the attendant had retired. The waiting damsel
+often mingled too unceremoniously in the conversation, and could not
+help calling her mistress by her Christian name of Anne, and, in
+defiance of all decorum, addressed her, as well as Philipson, with the
+pronoun _thou_, which then, as well as now, was a dreadful solecism in
+German politeness. Her blunders were so far fortunate that, by
+furnishing the young lady and Arthur with a topic foreign to the
+peculiarities of their own situation, they enabled them to withdraw
+their attentions from its embarrassments, and to exchange smiles at
+poor Annette's expense. She was not long of perceiving this, and half
+nettled, half availing herself of the apology to speak her mind, said,
+with considerable spirit, "You have both been very merry, forsooth, at
+my expense, and all because I wished rather to rise and seek what I
+wanted, than wait till the poor fellow, who was kept trotting between
+the board and beauffet, found leisure to bring it to me. You laugh at
+me now, because I call you by your names, as they were given to you in
+the blessed church at your christening; and because I say to you
+_thee_ and _thou_, addressing my Juncker and my Yungfrau as I would do
+if I were on my knees praying to Heaven. But for all your new-world
+fancies, I can tell you, you are but a couple of children, who do not
+know your own minds, and are jesting away the only leisure given you
+to provide for your own happiness. Nay, frown not, my sweet Mistress
+Baroness; I have looked at Mount Pilatus too often, to fear a gloomy
+brow."
+
+"Peace, Annette," said her mistress, "or quit the room."
+
+"Were I not more your friend than I am my own," said the headstrong
+and undaunted Annette, "I would quit the room, and the castle to boot,
+and leave you to hold your house here, with your amiable seneschal,
+Ital Schreckenwald."
+
+"If not for love, yet for shame, for charity, be silent, or leave the
+room."
+
+"Nay," said Annette, "my bolt is shot, and I have but hinted at what
+all upon Geierstein Green said, the night when the bow of Buttisholz
+was bended. You know what the old saw says"----
+
+"Peace! peace, for Heaven's sake, or I must needs fly!" said the young
+Baroness.
+
+"Nay, then," said Annette, considerably changing her tone, as if
+afraid that her mistress should actually retire, "if you must fly,
+necessity must have its course. I know no one who can follow. This
+mistress of mine, Seignor Arthur, would require for her attendant, not
+a homely girl of flesh and blood like myself, but a waiting-woman with
+substance composed of gossamer, and breath supplied by the spirit of
+ether. Would you believe it--It is seriously held by many, that she
+partakes of the race of spirits of the elements, which makes her so
+much more bashful than maidens of this every-day world."
+
+Anne of Geierstein seemed rather glad to lead away the conversation
+from the turn which her wayward maiden had given to it, and to turn it
+on more indifferent subjects, though these were still personal to
+herself.
+
+"Seignor Arthur," she said, "thinks, perhaps, he has some room to
+nourish some such strange suspicion as your heedless folly expresses,
+and some fools believe, both in Germany and Switzerland. Confess,
+Seignor Arthur, you thought strangely of me when I passed your guard
+upon the bridge of Graffs-lust, on the night last past."
+
+The recollection of the circumstances which had so greatly surprised
+him at the time so startled Arthur that it was with some difficulty he
+commanded himself, so as to attempt an answer at all; and what he did
+say on the occasion was broken and unconnected.
+
+"I did hear, I own--that is, Rudolph Donnerhugel reported--But that I
+believed that you, gentle lady, were other than a Christian
+maiden"----
+
+"Nay, if Rudolph were the reporter," said Annette, "you would hear
+the worst of my lady and her lineage, that is certain. He is one of
+those prudent personages who depreciate and find fault with the goods
+he has thoughts of purchasing, in order to deter other offerers. Yes,
+he told you a fine goblin story, I warrant you, of my lady's
+grandmother; and truly, it so happened, that the circumstances of the
+case gave, I dare say, some colour in your eyes to"----
+
+"Not so, Annette," answered Arthur; "whatever might be said of your
+lady that sounded uncouth and strange, fell to the ground as
+incredible."
+
+"Not quite so much so, I fancy," interrupted Annette, without heeding
+sign or frown. "I strongly suspect I should have had much more trouble
+in dragging you hither to this castle, had you known you were
+approaching the haunt of the Nymph of the Fire, the Salamander, as
+they call her, not to mention the shock of again seeing the descendant
+of that Maiden of the Fiery Mantle."
+
+"Peace, once more, Annette," said her mistress; "since Fate has
+occasioned this meeting, let us not neglect the opportunity to
+disabuse our English friend of the absurd report he has listened to,
+with doubt and wonder perhaps, but not with absolute incredulity.
+
+"Seignor Arthur Philipson," she proceeded, "it is true my grandfather,
+by the mother's side, Baron Herman of Arnheim, was a man of great
+knowledge in abstruse sciences. He was also a presiding judge of a
+tribunal of which you must have heard, called the Holy Vehme. One
+night a stranger, closely pursued by the agents of that body, which"
+(crossing herself) "it is not safe even to name, arrived at the castle
+and craved his protection, and the rights of hospitality. My
+grandfather, finding the advance which the stranger had made to the
+rank of Adept, gave him his protection, and became bail to deliver him
+to answer the charge against him, for a year and a day, which delay he
+was, it seems, entitled to require on his behalf. They studied
+together during that term, and pushed their researches into the
+mysteries of nature, as far, in all probability, as men have the power
+of urging them. When the fatal day drew nigh on which the guest must
+part from his host, he asked permission to bring his daughter to the
+castle, that they might exchange a last farewell. She was introduced
+with much secrecy, and after some days, finding that her father's fate
+was so uncertain, the Baron, with the sage's consent, agreed to give
+the forlorn maiden refuge in his castle, hoping to obtain from her
+some additional information concerning the languages and the wisdom of
+the East. Dannischemend, her father, left this castle, to go to render
+himself up to the Vehme-gericht at Fulda. The result is unknown;
+perhaps he was saved by Baron Arnheim's testimony, perhaps he was
+given up to the steel and the cord. On such matters, who dare speak?
+
+"The fair Persian became the wife of her guardian and protector. Amid
+many excellences, she had one peculiarity allied to imprudence. She
+availed herself of her foreign dress and manners, as well as of a
+beauty which was said to have been marvellous, and an agility seldom
+equalled, to impose upon and terrify the ignorant German ladies, who,
+hearing her speak Persian and Arabic, were already disposed to
+consider her as over closely connected with unlawful arts. She was of
+a fanciful and imaginative disposition, and delighted to place herself
+in such colours and circumstances as might confirm their most
+ridiculous suspicions, which she considered only as matter of sport.
+There was no end to the stories to which she gave rise. Her first
+appearance in the castle was said to be highly picturesque, and to
+have inferred something of the marvellous. With the levity of a child,
+she had some childish passions, and while she encouraged the growth
+and circulation of the most extraordinary legends amongst some of the
+neighbourhood, she entered into disputes with persons of her own
+quality concerning rank and precedence, on which the ladies of
+Westphalia have at all times set great store. This cost her her life;
+for, on the morning of the christening of my poor mother, the Baroness
+of Arnheim died suddenly, even while a splendid company was assembled
+in the castle chapel to witness the ceremony. It was believed that she
+died of poison, administered by the Baroness Steinfeldt, with whom she
+was engaged in a bitter quarrel, entered into chiefly on behalf of her
+friend and companion, the Countess Waldstetten."
+
+"And the opal gem?--and the sprinkling with water?" said Arthur
+Philipson.
+
+"Ah!" replied the young Baroness, "I see you desire to hear the real
+truth of my family history, of which you have yet learned only the
+romantic legend.--The sprinkling of water was necessarily had recourse
+to, on my ancestress's first swoon. As for the opal, I have heard that
+it did indeed grow pale, but only because it is said to be the nature
+of that noble gem, on the approach of poison. Some part of the quarrel
+with the Baroness Steinfeldt was about the right of the Persian
+maiden to wear this stone, which an ancestor of my family won in
+battle from the Soldan of Trebizond. All these things were confused in
+popular tradition, and the real facts turned into a fairy tale."
+
+"But you have said nothing," suggested Arthur Philipson, "on--on"----
+
+"On what?" said his hostess.
+
+"On your appearance last night."
+
+"Is it possible," said she, "that a man of sense, and an Englishman,
+cannot guess at the explanation which I have to give, though not,
+perhaps, very distinctly? My father, you are aware, has been a busy
+man in a disturbed country, and has incurred the hatred of many
+powerful persons. He is, therefore, obliged to move in secret, and
+avoid unnecessary observation. He was, besides, averse to meet his
+brother, the Landamman. I was therefore told, on our entering Germany,
+that I was to expect a signal where and when to join him,--the token
+was to be a small crucifix of bronze, which had belonged to my poor
+mother. In my apartment at Graffs-lust I found the token, with a note
+from my father, making me acquainted with a secret passage proper to
+such places, which, though it had the appearance of being blocked up,
+was in fact very slightly barricaded. By this I was instructed to pass
+to the gate, make my escape into the woods, and meet my father at a
+place appointed there."
+
+"A wild and perilous adventure," said Arthur.
+
+"I have never been so much shocked," continued the maiden, "as at
+receiving this summons, compelling me to steal away from my kind and
+affectionate uncle, and go I knew not whither. Yet compliance was
+absolutely necessary. The place of meeting was plainly pointed out. A
+midnight walk, in the neighbourhood of protection, was to me a trifle;
+but the precaution of posting sentinels at the gate might have
+interfered with my purpose, had I not mentioned it to some of my elder
+cousins, the Biedermans, who readily agreed to let me pass and repass
+unquestioned. But you know my cousins; honest and kind-hearted, they
+are of a rude way of thinking, and as incapable of feeling a generous
+delicacy as--some other persons."--(Here there was a glance towards
+Annette Veilchen.)--"They exacted from me, that I should conceal
+myself and my purpose from Sigismund; and as they are always making
+sport with the simple youth, they insisted that I should pass him in
+such a manner as might induce him to believe that I was a spiritual
+apparition, and out of his terrors for supernatural beings they
+expected to have much amusement. I was obliged to secure their
+connivance at my escape on their own terms; and, indeed, I was too
+much grieved at the prospect of quitting my kind uncle to think much
+of anything else. Yet my surprise was considerable, when, contrary to
+expectation, I found you on the bridge as sentinel, instead of my
+cousin Sigismund. Your own ideas I ask not for."
+
+"They were those of a fool," said Arthur, "of a thrice-sodden fool.
+Had I been aught else, I would have offered my escort. My sword"----
+
+"I could not have accepted your protection," said Anne, calmly. "My
+mission was in every respect a secret one. I met my father--some
+intercourse had taken place betwixt him and Rudolph Donnerhugel, which
+induced him to alter his purpose of carrying me away with him last
+night. I joined him, however, early this morning, while Annette acted
+for a time my part amongst the Swiss pilgrims. My father desired that
+it should not be known when or with whom I left my uncle and his
+escort. I need scarce remind you, that I saw you in the dungeon."
+
+"You were the preserver of my life," said the youth,--"the restorer of
+my liberty."
+
+"Ask me not the reason of my silence. I was then acting under the
+agency of others, not under mine own. Your escape was effected, in
+order to establish a communication betwixt the Swiss without the
+fortress and the soldiers within. After the alarm at La Ferette, I
+learned from Sigismund Biederman that a party of banditti were
+pursuing your father and you, with a view to pillage and robbery. My
+father had furnished me with the means of changing Anne of Geierstein
+into a German maiden of quality. I set out instantly, and glad I am to
+have given you a hint which might free you from danger."
+
+"But my father?" said Arthur.
+
+"I have every reason to hope he is well and safe," answered the young
+lady. "More than I were eager to protect both you and him--poor
+Sigismund amongst the first.--And now, my friend, these mysteries
+explained, it is time we part, and for ever."
+
+"Part!--and for ever!" repeated the youth, in a voice like a dying
+echo.
+
+"It is our fate," said the maiden. "I appeal to you if it is not your
+duty--I tell you it is mine. You will depart with early dawn to
+Strasburg--and--and--we never meet again."
+
+With an ardour of passion which he could not repress, Arthur Philipson
+threw himself at the feet of the maiden, whose faltering tone had
+clearly expressed that she felt deeply in uttering the words. She
+looked round for Annette, but Annette had disappeared at this most
+critical moment; and her mistress for a second or two was not perhaps
+sorry for her absence.
+
+"Rise," she said, "Arthur--rise. You must not give way to feelings
+that might be fatal to yourself and me."
+
+"Hear me, lady, before I bid you adieu, and for ever--the word of a
+criminal is heard, though he plead the worst cause--I am a belted
+knight, and the son and heir of an Earl, whose name has been spread
+throughout England and France, and wherever valour has had fame."
+
+"Alas!" said she, faintly, "I have but too long suspected what you now
+tell me--Rise, I pray you, rise."
+
+"Never till you hear me," said the youth, seizing one of her hands,
+which trembled, but hardly could be said to struggle in his
+grasp.--"Hear me," he said, with the enthusiasm of first love, when
+the obstacles of bashfulness and diffidence are surmounted,--"My
+father and I are--I acknowledge it--bound on a most hazardous and
+doubtful expedition. You will very soon learn its issue for good or
+bad. If it succeed, you shall hear of me in my own character--If I
+fall, I must--I will--I do claim a tear from Anne of Geierstein. If I
+escape, I have yet a horse, a lance, and a sword; and you shall hear
+nobly of him whom you have thrice protected from imminent danger."
+
+"Arise--arise," repeated the maiden, whose tears began to flow fast,
+as, struggling to raise her lover, they fell thick upon his head and
+face. "I have heard enough--to listen to more were indeed madness,
+both for you and myself."
+
+"Yet one single word," added the youth; "while Arthur has a heart, it
+beats for you--while Arthur can wield an arm, it strikes for you, and
+in your cause."
+
+Annette now rushed into the room.
+
+"Away, away!" she cried--"Schreckenwald has returned from the village
+with some horrible tidings, and I fear me he comes this way."
+
+Arthur had started to his feet at the first signal of alarm.
+
+"If there is danger near your lady, Annette, there is at least one
+faithful friend by her side."
+
+Annette looked anxiously at her mistress.
+
+"But Schreckenwald," she said--"Schreckenwald, your father's
+steward--his confidant.--Oh, think better of it--I can hide Arthur
+somewhere."
+
+The noble-minded girl had already resumed her composure, and replied
+with dignity,--"I have done nothing," she said, "to offend my father.
+If Schreckenwald be my father's steward, he is my vassal. I hide no
+guest to conciliate him. Sit down" (addressing Arthur), "and let us
+receive this man.--Introduce him instantly, Annette, and let us hear
+his tidings--and bid him remember, that when he speaks to me he
+addresses his mistress."
+
+Arthur resumed his seat, still more proud of his choice from the noble
+and fearless spirit displayed by one who had so lately shown herself
+sensible to the gentlest feelings of the female sex.
+
+Annette, assuming courage from her mistress's dauntless demeanour,
+clapped her hands together as she left the room, saying, but in a low
+voice, "I see that after all it is something to be a Baroness, if one
+can assert her dignity conformingly. How could I be so much frightened
+for this rude man!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+                   Affairs that walk
+     (As they say spirits do) at midnight, have
+     In them a wilder nature than the business
+     That seeks dispatch by day.
+                           _Henry VIII. Act V._
+
+
+The approach of the steward was now boldly expected by the little
+party. Arthur, flattered at once and elevated by the firmness which
+Anne had shown when this person's arrival was announced, hastily
+considered the part which he was to act in the approaching scene, and
+prudently determined to avoid all active and personal interference,
+till he should observe from the demeanour of Anne that such was likely
+to be useful or agreeable to her. He resumed his place, therefore, at
+a distant part of the board, on which their meal had been lately
+spread, and remained there, determined to act in the manner Anne's
+behaviour should suggest as most prudent and fitting,--veiling, at the
+same time, the most acute internal anxiety, by an appearance of that
+deferential composure, which one of inferior rank adopts when admitted
+to the presence of a superior. Anne, on her part, seemed to prepare
+herself for an interview of interest. An air of conscious dignity
+succeeded the extreme agitation which she had so lately displayed,
+and, busying herself with some articles of female work, she also
+seemed to expect with tranquillity the visit to which her attendant
+was disposed to attach so much alarm.
+
+A step was heard upon the stair, hurried and unequal, as that of some
+one in confusion as well as haste; the door flew open, and Ital
+Schreckenwald entered.
+
+This person, with whom the details given to the elder Philipson by the
+Landamman Biederman have made the reader in some degree acquainted,
+was a tall, well-made, soldierly looking man. His dress, like that of
+persons of rank at the period in Germany, was more varied in colour,
+more cut and ornamented, slashed and jagged, than the habit worn in
+France and England. The never-failing hawk's feather decked his cap,
+secured with a medal of gold, which served as a clasp. His doublet was
+of buff, for defence, but _laid down_, as it was called in the
+tailor's craft, with rich lace on each seam, and displaying on the
+breast a golden chain, the emblem of his rank in the Baron's
+household. He entered with rather a hasty step, and busy and offended
+look, and said, somewhat rudely, "Why, how now, young lady--wherefore
+this? Strangers in the castle at this period of night!"
+
+Anne of Geierstein, though she had been long absent from her native
+country, was not ignorant of its habits and customs, and knew the
+haughty manner in which all who were noble exerted their authority
+over their dependants.
+
+"Are you a vassal of Arnheim, Ital Schreckenwald, and do you speak to
+the Lady of Arnheim in her own castle with an elevated voice, a saucy
+look, and bonneted withal? Know your place; and, when you have
+demanded pardon for your insolence, and told your errand in such
+terms as befit your condition and mine, I may listen to what you have
+to say."
+
+Schreckenwald's hand, in spite of him, stole to his bonnet, and
+uncovered his haughty brow.
+
+"Noble lady," he said, in a somewhat milder tone, "excuse me if my
+haste be unmannerly, but the alarm is instant. The soldiery of the
+Rhinegrave have mutinied, plucked down the banners of their master,
+and set up an independent ensign, which they call the pennon of St.
+Nicholas, under which they declare that they will maintain peace with
+God, and war with all the world. This castle cannot escape them, when
+they consider that the first course to maintain themselves must be to
+take possession of some place of strength. You must up then, and ride
+with the very peep of dawn. For the present, they are busy with the
+wine-skins of the peasants, but when they wake in the morning they
+will unquestionably march hither; and you may chance to fall into the
+hands of those who will think of the terrors of the castle of Arnheim
+as the figments of a fairy tale, and laugh at its mistress's
+pretensions to honour and respect."
+
+"Is it impossible to make resistance? The castle is strong," said the
+young lady, "and I am unwilling to leave the house of my fathers
+without attempting somewhat in our defence."
+
+"Five hundred men," said Schreckenwald, "might garrison Arnheim,
+battlement and tower. With a less number it were madness to attempt to
+keep such an extent of walls; and how to get twenty soldiers together,
+I am sure I know not.--So, having now the truth of the story, let me
+beseech you to dismiss this guest,--too young, I think, to be the
+inmate of a lady's bower,--and I will point to him the nighest way out
+of the castle; for this is a strait in which we must all be contented
+with looking to our own safety."
+
+"And whither is it that you propose to go?" said the Baroness,
+continuing to maintain, in respect to Ital Schreckenwald, the complete
+and calm assertion of absolute superiority, to which the seneschal
+gave way with such marks of impatience as a fiery steed exhibits under
+the management of a complete cavalier.
+
+"To Strasburg, I propose to go,--that is, if it so please you,--with
+such slight escort as I can get hastily together by daybreak. I trust
+we may escape being observed by the mutineers; or, if we fall in with
+a party of stragglers, I apprehend but little difficulty in forcing my
+way."
+
+"And wherefore do you prefer Strasburg as a place of asylum?"
+
+"Because I trust we shall there meet your excellency's father, the
+noble Count Albert of Geierstein."
+
+"It is well," said the young lady.--"You also, I think, Seignor
+Philipson, spoke of directing your course to Strasburg. If it consist
+with your convenience, you may avail yourself of the protection of my
+escort as far as that city, where you expect to meet your father."
+
+It will readily be believed that Arthur cheerfully bowed assent to a
+proposal which was to prolong their remaining in society together, and
+might possibly, as his romantic imagination suggested, afford him an
+opportunity, on a road beset with dangers, to render some service of
+importance.
+
+Ital Schreckenwald attempted to remonstrate.
+
+"Lady!--lady!"--he said, with some marks of impatience.
+
+"Take breath and leisure, Schreckenwald," said Anne, "and you will be
+more able to express yourself with distinctness, and with respectful
+propriety."
+
+The impatient vassal muttered an oath betwixt his teeth, and answered
+with forced civility,--"Permit me to state, that our case requires we
+should charge ourselves with the care of no one but you. We shall be
+few enough for your defence, and I cannot permit any stranger to
+travel with us."
+
+"If," said Arthur, "I conceived that I was to be a useless incumbrance
+on the retreat of this noble young lady, worlds, Sir Squire, would not
+induce me to accept her offer. But I am neither child nor woman--I am
+a full-grown man, and ready to show such good service as manhood may
+in defence of your lady."
+
+"If we must not challenge your valour and ability, young sir," said
+Schreckenwald, "who shall answer for your fidelity?"
+
+"To question that elsewhere," said Arthur, "might be dangerous."
+
+But Anne interfered between them. "We must straight to rest, and
+remain prompt for alarm, perhaps even before the hour of dawn.
+Schreckenwald, I trust to your care for due watch and ward.--You have
+men enough at least for that purpose.--And hear and mark--It is my
+desire and command, that this gentleman be accommodated with lodgings
+here for this night, and that he travel with us to-morrow. For this I
+will be responsible to my father, and your part is only to obey my
+commands. I have long had occasion to know both the young man's father
+and himself, who were ancient guests of my uncle, the Landamman. On
+the journey you will keep the youth beside you, and use such courtesy
+to him as your rugged temper will permit."
+
+Ital Schreckenwald intimated his acquiescence with a look of
+bitterness, which it were vain to attempt to describe. It expressed
+spite, mortification, humbled pride, and reluctant submission. He did
+submit, however, and ushered young Philipson into a decent apartment
+with a bed, which the fatigue and agitation of the preceding day
+rendered very acceptable.
+
+Notwithstanding the ardour with which Arthur expected the rise of the
+next dawn, his deep repose, the fruit of fatigue, held him until the
+reddening of the east, when the voice of Schreckenwald exclaimed, "Up,
+Sir Englishman, if you mean to accomplish your boast of loyal service.
+It is time we were in the saddle, and we shall tarry for no
+sluggards."
+
+Arthur was on the floor of the apartment, and dressed, in almost an
+instant, not forgetting to put on his shirt of mail, and assume
+whatever weapons seemed most fit to render him an efficient part of
+the convoy. He next hastened to seek out the stable, to have his horse
+in readiness; and descending for that purpose into the under story of
+the lower mass of buildings, he was wandering in search of the way
+which led to the offices, when the voice of Annette Veilchen softly
+whispered, "This way, Seignor Philipson; I would speak with you."
+
+The Swiss maiden, at the same time, beckoned him into a small room,
+where he found her alone.
+
+"Were you not surprised," she said, "to see my lady queen it so over
+Ital Schreckenwald, who keeps every other person in awe with his stern
+looks and cross words? But the air of command seems so natural to her,
+that, instead of being a baroness, she might have been an empress. It
+must come of birth, I think, after all, for I tried last night to take
+state upon me, after the fashion of my mistress, and, would you think
+it, the brute Schreckenwald threatened to throw me out of the window?
+But if ever I see Martin Sprenger again, I'll know if there is
+strength in a Swiss arm, and virtue in a Swiss quarter-staff.--But
+here I stand prating, and my lady wishes to see you for a minute ere
+we take to horse."
+
+"Your lady?" said Arthur, starting. "Why did you lose an instant? why
+not tell me before?"
+
+"Because I was only to keep you here till she came, and--here she is."
+
+Anne of Geierstein entered, fully attired for her journey. Annette,
+always willing to do as she would wish to be done by, was about to
+leave the apartment, when her mistress, who had apparently made up her
+mind concerning what she had to do or say, commanded her positively to
+remain.
+
+"I am sure," she said, "Seignor Philipson will rightly understand the
+feelings of hospitality--I will say of friendship--which prevented my
+suffering him to be expelled from my castle last night, and which have
+determined me this morning to admit of his company on the somewhat
+dangerous road to Strasburg. At the gate of that town we part, I to
+join my father, you to place yourself under the direction of yours.
+From that moment intercourse between us ends, and our remembrance of
+each other must be as the thoughts which we pay to friends deceased."
+
+"Tender recollections," said Arthur, passionately, "more dear to our
+bosoms than all we have surviving upon earth."
+
+"Not a word in that tone," answered the maiden. "With night delusion
+should end, and reason awaken with dawning. One word more--Do not
+address me on the road; you may, by doing so, expose me to vexatious
+and insulting suspicion, and yourself to quarrels and peril.--Farewell,
+our party is ready to take horse."
+
+She left the apartment, where Arthur remained for a moment deeply
+bewildered in grief and disappointment. The patience, nay, even
+favour, with which Anne of Geierstein had, on the previous night,
+listened to his passion, had not prepared him for the terms of reserve
+and distance which she now adopted towards him. He was ignorant that
+noble maids, if feeling or passion has for a moment swayed them from
+the strict path of principle and duty, endeavour to atone for it by
+instantly returning, and severely adhering, to the line from which
+they have made a momentary departure. He looked mournfully on Annette,
+who, as she had been in the room before Anne's arrival, took the
+privilege of remaining a minute after her departure; but he read no
+comfort in the glances of the confidant, who seemed as much
+disconcerted as himself.
+
+"I cannot imagine what hath happened to her," said Annette; "to me she
+is kind as ever, but to every other person about her she plays
+countess and baroness with a witness; and now she is begun to
+tyrannise over her own natural feelings--and--if this be greatness,
+Annette Veilchen trusts always to remain the penniless Swiss girl; she
+is mistress of her own freedom, and at liberty to speak with her
+bachelor when she pleases, so as religion and maiden modesty suffer
+nothing in the conversation. Oh, a single daisy twisted with content
+into one's hair, is worth all the opals in India, if they bind us to
+torment ourselves and other people, or hinder us from speaking our
+mind, when our heart is upon our tongue. But never fear, Arthur; for
+if she has the cruelty to think of forgetting you, you may rely on one
+friend who, while she has a tongue, and Anne has ears, will make it
+impossible for her to do so."
+
+So saying, away tripped Annette, having first indicated to Philipson
+the passage by which he would find the lower court of the castle.
+There his steed stood ready, among about twenty others. Twelve of
+these were accoutred with war saddles, and frontlets of proof, being
+intended for the use of as many cavaliers, or troopers, retainers of
+the family of Arnheim, whom the seneschal's exertions had been able to
+collect on the spur of the occasion. Two palfreys, somewhat
+distinguished by their trappings, were designed for Anne of Geierstein
+and her favourite female attendant. The other menials, chiefly boys
+and women servants, had inferior horses. At a signal made, the
+troopers took their lances and stood by their steeds, till the females
+and menials were mounted and in order; they then sprang into their
+saddles and began to move forward, slowly and with great precaution.
+Schreckenwald led the van, and kept Arthur Philipson close beside
+him. Anne and her attendant were in the centre of the little body,
+followed by the unwarlike train of servants, while two or three
+experienced cavaliers brought up the rear, with strict orders to guard
+against surprise.
+
+On their being put into motion, the first thing which surprised Arthur
+was, that the horses' hoofs no longer sent forth the sharp and ringing
+sound arising from the collision of iron and flint, and as the morning
+light increased he could perceive that the fetlock and hoof of every
+steed, his own included, had been carefully wrapped around with a
+sufficient quantity of wool, to prevent the usual noise which
+accompanied their motions. It was a singular thing to behold the
+passage of the little body of cavalry down the rocky road which led
+from the castle, unattended with the noise which we are disposed to
+consider as inseparable from the motions of horse, the absence of
+which seemed to give a peculiar and almost an unearthly appearance to
+the cavalcade.
+
+They passed in this manner the winding path which led from the castle
+of Arnheim to the adjacent village, which, as was the ancient feudal
+custom, lay so near the fortress that its inhabitants, when summoned
+by their lord, could instantly repair for its defence. But it was at
+present occupied by very different inhabitants, the mutinous soldiers
+of the Rhinegrave. When the party from Arnheim approached the entrance
+of the village, Schreckenwald made a signal to halt, which was
+instantly obeyed by his followers. He then rode forward in person to
+reconnoitre, accompanied by Arthur Philipson, both moving with the
+utmost steadiness and precaution. The deepest silence prevailed in
+the deserted streets. Here and there a soldier was seen, seemingly
+designed for a sentinel, but uniformly fast asleep.
+
+"The swinish mutineers!" said Schreckenwald; "a fair night-watch they
+keep, and a beautiful morning's rouse would I treat them with, were
+not the point to protect yonder peevish wench.--Halt thou here,
+stranger, while I ride back and bring them on--there is no danger."
+
+Schreckenwald left Arthur as he spoke, who, alone in the street of a
+village filled with banditti, though they were lulled into temporary
+insensibility, had no reason to consider his case as very comfortable.
+The chorus of a wassel song, which some reveller was trolling over in
+his sleep; or, in its turn, the growling of some village cur, seemed
+the signal for an hundred ruffians to start up around him. But in the
+space of two or three minutes, the noiseless cavalcade, headed by Ital
+Schreckenwald, again joined him, and followed their leader, observing
+the utmost precaution not to give an alarm. All went well till they
+reached the farther end of the village, where, although the
+Baaren-hauter[4] who kept guard was as drunk as his companions on
+duty, a large shaggy dog which lay beside him was more vigilant. As
+the little troop approached, the animal sent forth a ferocious yell,
+loud enough to have broken the rest of the Seven Sleepers, and which
+effectually dispelled the slumbers of its master. The soldier snatched
+up his carabine and fired, he knew not well at what, or for what
+reason. The ball, however, struck Arthur's horse under him, and, as
+the animal fell, the sentinel rushed forward to kill or make prisoner
+the rider.
+
+"Haste on, haste on, men of Arnheim! care for nothing but the young
+lady's safety," exclaimed the leader of the band.
+
+"Stay, I command you;--aid the stranger, on your lives!"--said Anne,
+in a voice which, usually gentle and meek, she now made heard by those
+around her, like the note of a silver clarion. "I will not stir till
+he is rescued."
+
+Schreckenwald had already spurred his horse for flight; but,
+perceiving Anne's reluctance to follow him, he dashed back, and
+seizing a horse which, bridled and saddled, stood picketed near him,
+he threw the reins to Arthur Philipson; and pushing his own horse, at
+the same time, betwixt the Englishman and the soldier, he forced the
+latter to quit the hold he had on his person. In an instant Philipson
+was again mounted, when, seizing a battle-axe which hung at the
+saddle-bow of his new steed, he struck down the staggering sentinel,
+who was endeavouring again to seize upon him. The whole troop then
+rode off at a gallop, for the alarm began to grow general in the
+village; some soldiers were seen coming out of their quarters, and
+others were beginning to get upon horseback. Before Schreckenwald and
+his party had ridden a mile, they heard more than once the sound of
+bugles; and when they arrived upon the summit of an eminence
+commanding a view of the village, their leader, who, during the
+retreat, had placed himself in the rear of his company, now halted to
+reconnoitre the enemy they had left behind them. There was bustle and
+confusion in the street, but there did not appear to be any pursuit;
+so that Schreckenwald followed his route down the river, with speed
+and activity indeed, but with so much steadiness, at the same time, as
+not to distress the slowest horse of his party.
+
+When they had ridden two hours and more, the confidence of their
+leader was so much augmented, that he ventured to command a halt at
+the edge of a pleasant grove, which served to conceal their number,
+whilst both riders and horses took some refreshment, for which purpose
+forage and provisions had been borne along with them. Ital
+Schreckenwald, having held some communication with the Baroness,
+continued to offer their travelling companion a sort of surly
+civility. He invited him to partake of his own mess, which was indeed
+little different from that which was served out to the other troopers,
+but was seasoned with a glass of wine from a more choice flask.
+
+"To your health, brother," he said; "if you tell this day's story
+truly, you will allow that I was a true comrade to you two hours
+since, in riding through the village of Arnheim."
+
+"I will never deny it, fair sir," said Philipson, "and I return you
+thanks for your timely assistance; alike, whether it sprang from your
+mistress's order, or your own good-will."
+
+"Ho! ho! my friend," said Schreckenwald, laughing, "you are a
+philosopher, and can try conclusions while your horse lies rolling
+above you, and a Baaren-hauter aims his sword at your throat?--Well,
+since your wit hath discovered so much, I care not if you know, that I
+should not have had much scruple to sacrifice twenty such smooth-faced
+gentlemen as yourself, rather than the young Baroness of Arnheim had
+incurred the slightest danger."
+
+"The propriety of the sentiment," said Philipson, "is so undoubtedly
+correct, that I subscribe to it, even though it is something
+discourteously expressed towards myself."
+
+In making this reply, the young man, provoked at the insolence of
+Schreckenwald's manner, raised his voice a little. The circumstance
+did not escape observation, for, on the instant, Annette Veilchen
+stood before them, with her mistress's commands on them both to speak
+in whispers, or rather to be altogether silent.
+
+"Say to your mistress that I am mute," said Philipson.
+
+"Our mistress, the Baroness, says," continued Annette, with an
+emphasis on the title, to which she began to ascribe some talismanic
+influence,--"the Baroness, I tell you, says, that silence much
+concerns our safety, for it were most hazardous to draw upon this
+little fugitive party the notice of any passengers who may pass along
+the road during the necessary halt; and so, sirs, it is the Baroness's
+request that you will continue the exercise of your teeth as fast as
+you can, and forbear that of your tongues till you are in a safer
+condition."
+
+"My lady is wise," answered Ital Schreckenwald, "and her maiden is
+witty. I drink, Mrs. Annette, in a cup of Rudersheimer, to the
+continuance of her sagacity, and of your amiable liveliness of
+disposition. Will it please you, fair mistress, to pledge me in this
+generous liquor?"
+
+"Out, thou German wine-flask!--Out, thou eternal swill-flagon!--Heard
+you ever of a modest maiden who drank wine before she had dined?"
+
+"Remain without the generous inspiration then," said the German, "and
+nourish thy satirical vein on sour cider or acid whey."
+
+A short space having been allowed to refresh themselves, the little
+party again mounted their horses, and travelled with such speed, that
+long before noon they arrived at the strongly fortified town of Kehl,
+opposite to Strasburg, on the eastern bank of the Rhine.
+
+It is for local antiquaries to discover whether the travellers crossed
+from Kehl to Strasburg by the celebrated bridge of boats which at
+present maintains the communication across the river, or whether they
+were wafted over by some other mode of transportation. It is enough
+that they passed in safety, and had landed on the other side,
+where--whether she dreaded that he might forget the charge she had
+given him, that here they were to separate, or whether she thought
+that something more might be said in the moment of parting--the young
+Baroness, before remounting her horse, once more approached Arthur
+Philipson, who too truly guessed the tenor of what she had to say.
+
+"Gentle stranger," she said, "I must now bid you farewell. But first
+let me ask if you know whereabouts you are to seek your father?"
+
+"In an inn called the Flying Stag," said Arthur, dejectedly; "but
+where that is situated in this large town, I know not."
+
+"Do you know the place, Ital Schreckenwald?"
+
+"I, young lady?--Not I--I know nothing of Strasburg and its inns. I
+believe most of our party are as ignorant as I am."
+
+"You and they speak German, I suppose," said the Baroness, drily, "and
+can make inquiry more easily than a foreigner? Go, sir, and forget
+not that humanity to the stranger is a religious duty."
+
+With that shrug of the shoulders which testifies a displeased messenger,
+Ital went to make some inquiry, and, in his absence, brief as it was,
+Anne took an opportunity to say apart,--"Farewell!--Farewell! Accept
+this token of friendship, and wear it for my sake. May you be happy!"
+
+Her slender fingers dropped into his hand a very small parcel. He
+turned to thank her, but she was already at some distance; and
+Schreckenwald, who had taken his place by his side, said in his harsh
+voice, "Come, Sir Squire, I have found out your place of rendezvous,
+and I have but little time to play the gentleman-usher."
+
+He then rode on; and Philipson, mounted on his military charger,
+followed him in silence to the point where a large street joined, or
+rather crossed, that which led from the quay on which they had landed.
+
+"Yonder swings the Flying Stag," said Ital, pointing to an immense
+sign, which, mounted on a huge wooden frame, crossed almost the whole
+breadth of the street. "Your intelligence can, I think, hardly abandon
+you, with such a guide-post in your eye."
+
+So saying, he turned his horse without further farewell, and rode back
+to join his mistress and her attendants.
+
+Philipson's eyes rested on the same group for a moment, when he was
+recalled to a sense of his situation by the thoughts of his father;
+and, spurring his jaded horse down the cross street, he reached the
+hostelry of the Flying Stag.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] _Baaren-hauter_,--he of the Bear's hide,--a nickname for a German
+private soldier.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+                       I was, I must confess,
+     Great Albion's queen in former golden days;
+     But now mischance hath trod my title down,
+     And with dishonour laid me on the ground;
+     Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,
+     And to my humble seat conform myself.
+                            _Henry VI. Part III._
+
+
+The hostelry of the Flying Stag, in Strasburg, was, like every inn in
+the empire at the period, conducted much with the same discourteous
+inattention to the wants and accommodation of the guests as that of
+John Mengs. But the youth and good looks of Arthur Philipson,
+circumstances which seldom or never fail to produce some effect where
+the fair are concerned, prevailed upon a short, plump, dimpled,
+blue-eyed, fair-skinned yungfrau, the daughter of the landlord of the
+Flying Stag (himself a fat old man, pinned to the oaken chair in the
+_stube_), to carry herself to the young Englishman with a degree of
+condescension which, in the privileged race to which she belonged, was
+little short of degradation. She not only put her light buskins and
+her pretty ankles in danger of being soiled by tripping across the
+yard to point out an unoccupied stable, but, on Arthur's inquiry after
+his father, condescended to recollect that such a guest as he
+described had lodged in the house last night, and had said he expected
+to meet there a young person, his fellow-traveller.
+
+"I will send him out to you, fair sir," said the little yungfrau with
+a smile, which, if things of the kind are to be valued by their rare
+occurrence, must have been reckoned inestimable.
+
+She was as good as her word. In a few instants the elder Philipson
+entered the stable, and folded his son in his arms.
+
+"My son--my dear son!" said the Englishman, his usual stoicism broken
+down and melted by natural feeling and parental tenderness,--"Welcome
+to me at all times--welcome, in a period of doubt and danger--and most
+welcome of all, in a moment which forms the very crisis of our fate.
+In a few hours I shall know what we may expect from the Duke of
+Burgundy.--Hast thou the token?"
+
+Arthur's hand first sought that which was nearest to his heart, both
+in the literal and allegorical sense--the small parcel, namely, which
+Anne had given him at parting. But he recollected himself in the
+instant, and presented to his father the packet which had been so
+strangely lost and recovered at La Ferette.
+
+"It hath run its own risk since you saw it," he observed to his
+father, "and so have I mine. I received hospitality at a castle last
+night, and behold a body of lanzknechts in the neighbourhood began in
+the morning to mutiny for their pay. The inhabitants fled from the
+castle to escape their violence, and, as we passed their leaguer in
+the grey of the morning, a drunken Baaren-hauter shot my poor horse,
+and I was forced, in the way of exchange, to take up with his heavy
+Flemish animal, with its steel saddle, and its clumsy chaffron."
+
+"Our road is beset with perils," said his father. "I too have had my
+share, having been in great danger [he told not its precise nature] at
+an inn where I rested last night. But I left it in the morning, and
+proceeded hither in safety. I have at length, however, obtained a safe
+escort to conduct me to the Duke's camp near Dijon; and I trust to
+have an audience of him this evening. Then, if our last hope should
+fail, we will seek the seaport of Marseilles, hoist sail for Candia or
+for Rhodes, and spend our lives in defence of Christendom, since we
+may no longer fight for England."
+
+Arthur heard these ominous words without reply; but they did not the
+less sink upon his heart, deadly as the doom of the judge which
+secludes the criminal from society and all its joys, and condemns him
+to an eternal prison-house. The bells from the cathedral began to toll
+at this instant, and reminded the elder Philipson of the duty of
+hearing mass, which was said at all hours in some one or other of the
+separate chapels which are contained in that magnificent pile. His son
+followed, on an intimation of his pleasure.
+
+In approaching the access to this superb cathedral, the travellers
+found it obstructed, as is usual in Catholic countries, by the number
+of mendicants of both sexes, who crowded round the entrance to give
+the worshippers an opportunity of discharging the duty of alms-giving,
+so positively enjoined as a chief observance of their Church. The
+Englishmen extricated themselves from their importunity by bestowing,
+as is usual on such occasions, a donative of small coin upon those who
+appeared most needy, or most deserving of their charity. One tall
+woman stood on the steps close to the door, and extended her hand to
+the elder Philipson, who, struck with her appearance, exchanged for a
+piece of silver the copper coins which he had been distributing
+amongst others.
+
+"A marvel!" she said, in the English language, but in a tone
+calculated only to be heard by him alone, although his son also caught
+the sound and sense of what she said,--"Ay, a miracle!--An Englishman
+still possesses a silver piece, and can afford to bestow it on the
+poor!"
+
+Arthur was sensible that his father started somewhat at the voice or
+words, which bore, even in his ear, something of deeper import than
+the observation of an ordinary mendicant. But after a glance at the
+female who thus addressed him, his father passed onwards into the body
+of the church, and was soon engaged in attending to the solemn
+ceremony of the mass, as it was performed by a priest at the altar of
+a chapel divided from the main body of the splendid edifice, and
+dedicated, as it appeared from the image over the altar, to St.
+George; that military saint, whose real history is so obscure, though
+his popular legend rendered him an object of peculiar veneration
+during the feudal ages. The ceremony was begun and finished with all
+customary forms. The officiating priest, with his attendants,
+withdrew, and though some of the few worshippers who had assisted at
+the solemnity remained telling their beads, and occupied with the
+performance of their private devotions, far the greater part left the
+chapel, to visit other shrines, or to return to the prosecution of
+their secular affairs.
+
+But Arthur Philipson remarked that, whilst they dropped off one after
+another, the tall woman who had received his father's alms continued
+to kneel near the altar; and he was yet more surprised to see that his
+father himself, who, he had many reasons to know, was desirous to
+spend in the church no more time than the duties of devotion
+absolutely claimed, remained also on his knees, with his eyes resting
+on the form of the veiled devotee (such she seemed from her dress), as
+if his own motions were to be guided by hers. By no idea which
+occurred to him was Arthur able to form the least conjecture as to his
+father's motives--he only knew that he was engaged in a critical and
+dangerous negotiation, liable to influence or interruption from
+various quarters; and that political suspicion was so generally awake,
+both in France, Italy, and Flanders, that the most important agents
+were often obliged to assume the most impenetrable disguises, in order
+to insinuate themselves without suspicion into the countries where
+their services were required. Louis XI., in particular, whose singular
+policy seemed in some degree to give a character to the age in which
+he lived, was well known to have disguised his principal emissaries
+and envoys in the fictitious garbs of mendicant monks, minstrels,
+gypsies, and other privileged wanderers of the meanest description.
+
+Arthur concluded, therefore, that it was not improbable that this
+female might, like themselves, be something more than her dress
+imported; and he resolved to observe his father's deportment towards
+her, and regulate his own actions accordingly. A bell at last
+announced that mass, upon a more splendid scale, was about to be
+celebrated before the high altar of the cathedral itself, and its
+sound withdrew from the sequestered chapel of St. George the few who
+had remained at the shrine of the military saint, excepting the father
+and son, and the female penitent who kneeled opposite to them. When
+the last of the worshippers had retired, the female arose and advanced
+towards the elder Philipson, who, folding his arms on his bosom, and
+stooping his head, in an attitude of obeisance which his son had never
+before seen him assume, appeared rather to wait what she had to say,
+than to propose addressing her.
+
+There was a pause. Four lamps, lighted before the shrine of the saint,
+cast a dim radiance on his armour and steed, represented as he was in
+the act of transfixing with his lance the prostrate dragon, whose
+outstretched wings and writhing neck were in part touched by their
+beams. The rest of the chapel was dimly illuminated by the autumnal
+sun, which could scarce find its way through the stained panes of the
+small lanceolated window, which was its only aperture to the open air.
+The light fell doubtful and gloomy, tinged with the various hues
+through which it passed, upon the stately yet somewhat broken and
+dejected form of the female, and on those of the melancholy and
+anxious father, and his son, who, with all the eager interest of
+youth, suspected and anticipated extraordinary consequences from so
+singular an interview.
+
+At length the female approached to the same side of the shrine with
+Arthur and his father, as if to be more distinctly heard, without
+being obliged to raise the slow solemn voice in which she had spoken.
+
+"Do you here worship," she said, "the St. George of Burgundy, or the
+St. George of merry England, the flower of chivalry?"
+
+"I serve," said Philipson, folding his hands humbly on his bosom, "the
+saint to whom this chapel is dedicated, and the Deity with whom I hope
+for his holy intercession, whether here or in my native country."
+
+"Ay--you," said the female, "even you can forget--you, even you, who
+have been numbered among the mirror of knighthood--can forget that you
+have worshipped in the royal fane of Windsor--that you have there bent
+a _gartered_ knee, where kings and princes kneeled around you--you can
+forget this, and make your orisons at a foreign shrine, with a heart
+undisturbed with the thoughts of what you have been,--praying, like
+some poor peasant, for bread and life during the day that passes over
+you."
+
+"Lady," replied Philipson, "in my proudest hours, I was, before the
+Being to whom I preferred my prayers, but as a worm in the dust--In
+His eyes I am now neither less nor more, degraded as I may be in the
+opinion of my fellow-reptiles."
+
+"How canst thou think thus?" said the devotee; "and yet it is well
+with thee that thou canst. But what have thy losses been, compared to
+mine!"
+
+She put her hand to her brow, and seemed for a moment overpowered by
+agonising recollections.
+
+Arthur pressed to his father's side, and inquired, in a tone of
+interest which could not be repressed, "Father, who is this lady?--Is
+it my mother?"
+
+"No, my son," answered Philipson;--"peace, for the sake of all you
+hold dear or holy!"
+
+The singular female, however, heard both the question and answer,
+though expressed in a whisper.
+
+"Yes," she said, "young man--I am--I should say I was--your mother;
+the mother, the protectress, of all that was noble in England--I am
+Margaret of Anjou."
+
+Arthur sank on his knees before the dauntless widow of Henry the
+Sixth, who so long, and in such desperate circumstances, upheld, by
+unyielding courage and deep policy, the sinking cause of her feeble
+husband; and who, if she occasionally abused victory by cruelty and
+revenge, had made some atonement by the indomitable resolution with
+which she had supported the fiercest storms of adversity. Arthur had
+been bred in devoted adherence to the now dethroned line of Lancaster,
+of which his father was one of the most distinguished supporters; and
+his earliest deeds of arms, which, though unfortunate, were neither
+obscure nor ignoble, had been done in their cause. With an enthusiasm
+belonging to his age and education, he in the same instant flung his
+bonnet on the pavement, and knelt at the feet of his ill-fated
+sovereign.
+
+Margaret threw back the veil which concealed those noble and majestic
+features, which even yet,--though rivers of tears had furrowed her
+cheek,--though care, disappointment, domestic grief, and humbled pride
+had quenched the fire of her eye, and wasted the smooth dignity of her
+forehead,--even yet showed the remains of that beauty which once was
+held unequalled in Europe. The apathy with which a succession of
+misfortunes and disappointed hopes had chilled the feelings of the
+unfortunate Princess was for a moment melted by the sight of the fair
+youth's enthusiasm. She abandoned one hand to him, which he covered
+with tears and kisses, and with the other stroked with maternal
+tenderness his curled locks, as she endeavoured to raise him from the
+posture he had assumed. His father, in the meanwhile, shut the door of
+the chapel, and placed his back against it, withdrawing himself thus
+from the group, as if for the purpose of preventing any stranger from
+entering, during a scene so extraordinary.
+
+"And thou, then," said Margaret, in a voice where female tenderness
+combated strangely with her natural pride of rank, and with the calm,
+stoical indifference induced by the intensity of her personal
+misfortunes; "thou, fair youth, art the last scion of the noble stem,
+so many fair boughs of which have fallen in our hapless cause. Alas,
+alas! what can I do for thee? Margaret has not even a blessing to
+bestow. So wayward is her fate, that her benedictions are curses, and
+she has but to look on you and wish you well, to insure your speedy
+and utter ruin. I--I have been the fatal poison-tree, whose influence
+has blighted and destroyed all the fair plants that arose beside and
+around me, and brought death upon every one, yet am myself unable to
+find it!"
+
+"Noble and royal mistress," said the elder Englishman, "let not your
+princely courage, which has borne such extremities, be dismayed, now
+that they are passed over, and that a chance at least of happier times
+is approaching to you and to England."
+
+"To England, to _me_, noble Oxford!" said the forlorn and widowed
+Queen.--"If to-morrow's sun could place me once more on the throne of
+England, could it give back to me what I have lost? I speak not of
+wealth or power--they are as nothing in the balance--I speak not of
+the hosts of noble friends who have fallen in defence of me and
+mine--Somersets, Percys, Staffords, Cliffords--they have found their
+place in fame, in the annals of their country--I speak not of my
+husband, he has exchanged the state of a suffering saint upon earth
+for that of a glorified saint in heaven--But oh, Oxford! my son--my
+Edward!--Is it possible for me to look on this youth, and not remember
+that thy countess and I on the same night gave birth to two fair boys?
+How oft we endeavoured to prophesy their future fortunes, and to
+persuade ourselves that the same constellation which shone on their
+birth would influence their succeeding life, and hold a friendly and
+equal bias till they reached some destined goal of happiness and
+honour! Thy Arthur lives; but, alas! my Edward, born under the same
+auspices, fills a bloody grave!"
+
+She wrapped her head in her mantle, as if to stifle the complaints and
+groans which maternal affection poured forth at these cruel
+recollections. Philipson, or the exiled Earl of Oxford as we may now
+term him, distinguished in those changeful times by the steadiness
+with which he had always maintained his loyalty to the line of
+Lancaster, saw the imprudence of indulging his sovereign in her
+weakness.
+
+  [Illustration: ARTHUR BEFORE THE QUEEN.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+"Royal mistress," he said, "life's journey is that of a brief winter's
+day, and its course will run on, whether we avail ourselves of its
+progress or no. My sovereign is, I trust, too much mistress
+of herself to suffer lamentation for what is passed to deprive
+her of the power of using the present time. I am here in obedience to
+your command; I am to see Burgundy forthwith, and if I find him pliant
+to the purpose to which we would turn him, events may follow which
+will change into gladness our present mourning. But we must use our
+opportunity with speed as well as zeal. Let me know then, madam, for
+what reason your Majesty hath come hither, disguised and in danger?
+Surely it was not merely to weep over this young man that the
+high-minded Queen Margaret left her father's court, disguised herself
+in mean attire, and came from a place of safety to one of doubt at
+least, if not of danger?"
+
+"You mock me, Oxford," said the unfortunate Queen, "or you deceive
+yourself, if you think you still serve that Margaret whose word was
+never spoken without a reason, and whose slightest action was
+influenced by a motive. Alas! I am no longer the same firm and
+rational being. The feverish character of grief, while it makes one
+place hateful to me, drives me to another in very impotence and
+impatience of spirit. My father's residence, thou say'st, is safe; but
+is it tolerable for such a soul as mine? Can one who has been deprived
+of the noblest and richest kingdom of Europe--one who has lost hosts
+of noble friends--one who is a widowed consort, a childless
+mother--one upon whose head Heaven hath poured forth its last vial of
+unmitigated wrath,--can she stoop to be the companion of a weak old
+man, who, in sonnets and in music, in mummery and folly, in harping
+and rhyming, finds a comfort for all that poverty has that is
+distressing; and, what is still worse, even a solace in all that is
+ridiculous and contemptible?"
+
+"Nay, with your leave, madam," said her counsellor, "blame not the
+good King Rene (_a_),[5] because, persecuted by fortune, he has been
+able to find out for himself humbler sources of solace, which your
+prouder spirit is disposed to disdain. A contention among his
+minstrels has for him the animation of a knightly combat; and a crown
+of flowers, twined by his troubadours and graced by their sonnets, he
+accounts a valuable compensation for the diadems of Jerusalem, of
+Naples, and of both Sicilies, of which he only possesses the empty
+titles."
+
+"Speak not to me of the pitiable old man," said Margaret; "sunk below
+even the hatred of his worst enemies, and never thought worthy of
+anything more than contempt. I tell thee, noble Oxford, I have been
+driven nearly mad with my forced residence at Aix, in the paltry
+circle which he calls his court. My ears, tuned as they now are only
+to sounds of affliction, are not so weary of the eternal tinkling of
+harps, and squeaking of rebecks, and snapping of castanets;--my eyes
+are not so tired of the beggarly affectation of court ceremonial,
+which is only respectable when it implies wealth and expresses
+power,--as my very soul is sick of the paltry ambition which can find
+pleasure in spangles, tassels, and trumpery, when the reality of all
+that is great and noble hath passed away. No, Oxford. If I am doomed
+to lose the last cast which fickle fortune seems to offer me, I will
+retreat into the meanest convent in the Pyrenean hills, and at least
+escape the insult of the idiot gaiety of my father.--Let him pass from
+our memory as from the page of history, in which his name will never
+be recorded. I have much of more importance both to hear and to
+tell.--And now, my Oxford, what news from Italy? Will the Duke of
+Milan afford us assistance with his counsels, or with his treasures?"
+
+"With his counsels willingly, madam; but how you will relish them I
+know not, since he recommends to us submission to our hapless fate,
+and resignation to the will of Providence."
+
+"The wily Italian! Will not, then, Galeasso advance any part of his
+hoards, or assist a friend, to whom he hath in his time full often
+sworn faith?"
+
+"Not even the diamonds which I offered to deposit in his hands,"
+answered the Earl, "could make him unlock his treasury to supply us
+with ducats for our enterprise. Yet he said, if Charles of Burgundy
+should think seriously of an exertion in our favour, such was his
+regard for that great prince, and his deep sense of your Majesty's
+misfortunes, that he would consider what the state of his exchequer,
+though much exhausted, and the condition of his subjects, though
+impoverished by taxes and talliages, would permit him to advance in
+your behalf."
+
+"The double-faced hypocrite!" said Margaret. "If the assistance of the
+princely Burgundy lends us a chance of regaining what is our own, then
+he will give us some paltry parcel of crowns, that our restored
+prosperity may forget his indifference to our adversity!--But what of
+Burgundy? I have ventured hither to tell you what I have learned, and
+to hear report of your proceedings--a trusty watch provides for the
+secrecy of our interview. My impatience to see you brought me hither
+in this mean disguise. I have a small retinue at a convent a mile
+beyond the town--I have had your arrival watched by the faithful
+Lambert--and now I come to know your hopes or your fears, and to tell
+you my own."
+
+"Royal lady," said the Earl, "I have not seen the Duke. You know his
+temper to be wilful, sudden, haughty, and unpersuadable. If he can
+adopt the calm and sustained policy which the times require, I little
+doubt his obtaining full amends of Louis, his sworn enemy, and even of
+Edward, his ambitious brother-in-law. But if he continues to yield to
+extravagant fits of passion, with or without provocation, he may hurry
+into a quarrel with the poor but hardy Helvetians, and is likely to
+engage in a perilous contest, in which he cannot be expected to gain
+anything, while he undergoes a chance of the most serious losses."
+
+"Surely," replied the Queen, "he will not trust the usurper Edward,
+even in the very moment when he is giving the greatest proof of
+treachery to his alliance?"
+
+"In what respect, madam?" replied Oxford. "The news you allude to has
+not reached me."
+
+"How, my lord? Am I then the first to tell you that Edward of York has
+crossed the sea (_b_) with such an army as scarce even the renowned
+Henry V., my father-in-law, ever transported from France to Italy?"
+
+"So much I have indeed heard was expected," said Oxford; "and I
+anticipated the effect as fatal to our cause."
+
+"Edward is arrived," said Margaret, "and the traitor and usurper hath
+sent defiance to Louis of France, and demanded of him the crown of
+that kingdom as his own right--that crown which was placed on the head
+of my unhappy husband, when he was yet a child in the cradle."
+
+"It is then decided--the English are in France!" answered Oxford, in a
+tone expressive of the deepest anxiety.--"And whom brings Edward with
+him on this expedition?"
+
+"All--all the bitterest enemies of our house and cause--The false, the
+traitorous, the dishonoured George, whom he calls Duke of Clarence--the
+blood-drinker, Richard--the licentious Hastings--Howard--Stanley--in a
+word, the leaders of all those traitors whom I would not name, unless
+by doing so my curses could sweep them from the face of the earth."
+
+"And--I tremble to ask," said the Earl--"Does Burgundy prepare to join
+them as a brother of the war, and make common cause with this Yorkish
+host against King Louis of France?"
+
+"By my advices," replied the Queen, "and they are both private and
+sure, besides that they are confirmed by the bruit of common fame--No,
+my good Oxford, no!"
+
+"For that may the Saints be praised!" answered Oxford. "Edward of
+York--I will not malign even an enemy--is a bold and fearless
+leader--But he is neither Edward the Third, nor the heroic Black
+Prince--nor is he that fifth Henry of Lancaster, under whom I won my
+spurs, and to whose lineage the thoughts of his glorious memory would
+have made me faithful, had my plighted vows of allegiance ever
+permitted me to entertain a thought of varying, or of defection. Let
+Edward engage in war with Louis without the aid of Burgundy, on which
+he has reckoned. Louis is indeed no hero, but he is a cautious and
+skilful general, more to be dreaded, perhaps, in these politic days,
+than if Charlemagne could again raise the Oriflamme, surrounded by
+Roland and all his paladins. Louis will not hazard such fields as
+those of Cressy, of Poictiers, or of Agincourt. With a thousand lances
+from Hainault, and twenty thousand crowns from Burgundy, Edward shall
+risk the loss of England, while he is engaged in a protracted struggle
+for the recovery of Normandy and Guienne. But what are the movements
+of Burgundy?"
+
+"He has menaced Germany," said Margaret, "and his troops are now
+employed in overrunning Lorraine, of which he has seized the principal
+towns and castles."
+
+"Where is Ferrand de Vaudemont--a youth, it is said, of courage and
+enterprise, and claiming Lorraine in right of his mother, Yolande of
+Anjou, the sister of your Grace?"
+
+"Fled," replied the Queen, "into Germany or Helvetia."
+
+"Let Burgundy beware of him," said the experienced Earl; "for should
+the disinherited youth obtain confederates in Germany, and allies
+among the hardy Swiss, Charles of Burgundy may find him a far more
+formidable enemy than he expects. We are strong for the present, only
+in the Duke's strength, and if it is wasted in idle and desultory
+efforts, our hopes, alas! vanish with his power, even if he should be
+found to have the decided will to assist us. My friends in England
+are resolute not to stir without men and money from Burgundy."
+
+"It is a fear," said Margaret, "but not our worst fear. I dread more
+the policy of Louis, who, unless my espials have grossly deceived me,
+has even already proposed a secret peace to Edward, offering with
+large sums of money to purchase England to the Yorkists, and a truce
+of seven years."
+
+"It cannot be," said Oxford. "No Englishman, commanding such an army
+as Edward must now lead, dares for very shame to retire from France
+without a manly attempt to recover his lost provinces."
+
+"Such would have been the thoughts of a rightful prince," said
+Margaret, "who left behind him an obedient and faithful kingdom. Such
+may not be the thoughts of this Edward, misnamed Plantagenet, base
+perhaps in mind as in blood, since they say his real father was one
+Blackburn, an archer of Middleham--usurper, at least, if not
+bastard--such will not be his thoughts.[6] Every breeze that blows
+from England will bring with it apprehensions of defection amongst
+those over whom he has usurped authority. He will not sleep in peace
+till he returns to England with those cut-throats, whom he relies upon
+for the defence of his stolen crown. He will engage in no war with
+Louis, for Louis will not hesitate to soothe his pride by
+humiliation--to gorge his avarice and pamper his voluptuous
+prodigality by sums of gold--and I fear much we shall soon hear of
+the English army retiring from France with the idle boast, that they
+have displayed their banners once more, for a week or two, in the
+provinces which were formerly their own."
+
+"It the more becomes us to be speedy in moving Burgundy to decision,"
+replied Oxford; "and for that purpose I post to Dijon. Such an army as
+Edward's cannot be transported over the narrow seas in several weeks.
+The probability is, that they must winter in France, even if they
+should have truce with King Louis. With a thousand Hainault lances
+from the eastern part of Flanders, I can be soon in the North, where
+we have many friends, besides the assurance of help from Scotland. The
+faithful West will rise at a signal--a Clifford can be found, though
+the mountain mists have hid him from Richard's researches--the Welsh
+will assemble at the rallying word of Tudor--the Red Rose raises its
+head once more--and so, God save King Henry!"
+
+"Alas!" said the Queen--"But no husband--no friend of mine--the son
+but of my mother-in-law by a Welsh chieftain--cold, they say, and
+crafty--But be it so--let me only see Lancaster triumph, and obtain
+revenge upon York, and I will die contented!"
+
+"It is then your pleasure that I should make the proffers expressed by
+your Grace's former mandates, to induce Burgundy to stir himself in
+our cause? If he learns the proposal of a truce betwixt France and
+England, it will sting sharper than aught I can say."
+
+"Promise all, however," said the Queen. "I know his inmost soul--it is
+set upon extending the dominions of his House in every direction. For
+this he has seized Gueldres--for this he now overruns and occupies
+Lorraine--for this he covets such poor remnants of Provence as my
+father still calls his own. With such augmented territories, he
+proposes to exchange his ducal diadem for an arched crown of
+independent sovereignty. Tell the Duke, Margaret can assist his
+views--tell him, that my father Rene shall disown the opposition made
+to the Duke's seizure of Lorraine--He shall do more--he shall declare
+Charles his heir in Provence, with my ample consent--tell him, the old
+man shall cede his dominions to him upon the instant that his
+Hainaulters embark for England, some small pension deducted to
+maintain a concert of fiddlers, and a troop of morrice-dancers. These
+are Rene's only earthly wants. Mine are still fewer--Revenge upon
+York, and a speedy grave!--For the paltry gold which we may need, thou
+hast jewels to pledge--For the other conditions, security if
+required."
+
+"For these, madam, I can pledge my knightly word, in addition to your
+royal faith; and if more is required, my son shall be a hostage with
+Burgundy."
+
+"Oh, no--no!" exclaimed the dethroned Queen, touched by perhaps the
+only tender feeling, which repeated and extraordinary misfortunes had
+not chilled into insensibility,--"Hazard not the life of the noble
+youth--he that is the last of the loyal and faithful House of Vere--he
+that should have been the brother in arms of my beloved Edward--he
+that had so nearly been his companion in a bloody and untimely grave!
+Do not involve this poor child in these fatal intrigues, which have
+been so baneful to his family. Let him go with me. Him at least I
+will shelter from danger whilst I live, and provide for when I am no
+more."
+
+"Forgive me, madam," said Oxford, with the firmness which
+distinguished him. "My son, as you deign to recollect, is a De Vere,
+destined, perhaps, to be the last of his name. Fall, he may, but it
+must not be without honour. To whatever dangers his duty and
+allegiance call him, be it from sword or lance, axe or gibbet, to
+these he must expose himself frankly, when his doing so can mark his
+allegiance. His ancestors have shown him how to brave them all."
+
+"True, true," exclaimed the unfortunate Queen, raising her arms
+wildly,--"All must perish--all that have honoured Lancaster--all that
+have loved Margaret, or whom she has loved! The destruction must be
+universal--the young must fall with the old--not a lamb of the
+scattered flock shall escape!"
+
+"For God's sake, gracious madam," said Oxford, "compose yourself!--I
+hear them knock on the chapel door."
+
+"It is the signal of parting," said the exiled Queen, collecting
+herself. "Do not fear, noble Oxford, I am not often thus; but how
+seldom do I see those friends, whose faces and voices can disturb the
+composure of my despair! Let me tie this relic about thy neck, good
+youth, and fear not its evil influence, though you receive it from an
+ill-omened hand. It was my husband's, blessed by many a prayer, and
+sanctified by many a holy tear; even my unhappy hands cannot pollute
+it. I should have bound it on my Edward's bosom on the dreadful
+morning of Tewkesbury fight; but he armed early--went to the field
+without seeing me, and all my purpose was vain."
+
+She passed a golden chain round Arthur's neck as she spoke, which
+contained a small gold crucifix of rich but barbarous manufacture. It
+had belonged, said tradition, to Edward the Confessor. The knock at
+the door of the chapel was repeated.
+
+"We must not tarry," said Margaret; "let us part here--you for Dijon,
+I to Aix, my abode of unrest in Provence. Farewell--we may meet in a
+better hour--yet how can I hope it? Thus I said on the morning before
+the fight of St. Albans--thus on the dark dawning of Towton--thus on
+the yet more bloody field of Tewkesbury--and what was the event? Yet
+hope is a plant which cannot be rooted out of a noble breast, till the
+last heart-string crack as it is pulled away."
+
+So saying, she passed through the chapel door, and mingled in the
+miscellaneous assemblage of personages who worshipped or indulged
+their curiosity, or consumed their idle hours amongst the aisles of
+the cathedral.
+
+Philipson and his son, both deeply impressed with the singular
+interview which had just taken place, returned to their inn, where
+they found a pursuivant, with the Duke of Burgundy's badge and livery,
+who informed them, that if they were the English merchants who were
+carrying wares of value to the court of the Duke, he had orders to
+afford them the countenance of his escort and inviolable character.
+Under his protection they set out from Strasburg; but such was the
+uncertainty of the Duke of Burgundy's motions, and such the numerous
+obstacles which occurred to interrupt their journey, in a country
+disturbed by the constant passage of troops and preparation for war,
+that it was evening on the second day ere they reached the plain near
+Dijon, on which the whole, or great part of his power, lay encamped.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[5] See Editor's Notes at the end of the Volume. Wherever a similar
+reference occurs, the reader will understand that the same direction
+applies.
+
+[6] The Lancastrian party threw the imputation of bastardy (which was
+totally unfounded) upon Edward IV.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+     Thus said the Duke--thus did the Duke infer.
+                                   _Richard III._
+
+
+The eyes of the elder traveller were well accustomed to sights of
+martial splendour, yet even he was dazzled with the rich and glorious
+display of the Burgundian camp, in which, near the walls of Dijon,
+Charles, the wealthiest prince in Europe, had displayed his own
+extravagance, and encouraged his followers to similar profusion. The
+pavilions of the meanest officers were of silk and samite, while those
+of the nobility and great leaders glittered with cloth of silver,
+cloth of gold, variegated tapestry, and other precious materials,
+which in no other situation would have been employed as a cover from
+the weather, but would themselves have been thought worthy of the most
+careful protection. The horsemen and infantry who mounted guard were
+arrayed in the richest and most gorgeous armour. A beautiful and very
+numerous train of artillery was drawn up near the entrance of the
+camp, and in its commander Philipson (to give the Earl the travelling
+name to which our readers are accustomed) recognised Henry
+Colvin(_c_), an Englishman of inferior birth, but distinguished for
+his skill in conducting these terrible engines, which had of late come
+into general use in war. The banners and pennons which were displayed
+by every knight, baron, and man of rank floated before their tents,
+and the owners of these transitory dwellings sat at the door
+half-armed, and enjoyed the military contests of the soldiers, in
+wrestling, pitching the bar, and other athletic exercises.
+
+Long rows of the noblest horses were seen at picket, prancing and
+tossing their heads, as impatient of the inactivity to which they were
+confined, or were heard neighing over the provender which was spread
+plentifully before them. The soldiers formed joyous groups around the
+minstrels and strolling jugglers, or were engaged in drinking-parties
+at the sutlers' tents; others strolled about with folded arms, casting
+their eyes now and then to the sinking sun, as if desirous that the
+hour should arrive which should put an end to a day unoccupied, and
+therefore tedious.
+
+At length the travellers reached, amidst the dazzling varieties of
+this military display, the pavilion of the Duke himself, before which
+floated heavily in the evening breeze the broad and rich banner, in
+which glowed the armorial bearings and quarterings of a prince, Duke
+of six provinces, and Count of fifteen counties, who was, from his
+power, his disposition, and the success which seemed to attend his
+enterprises, the general dread of Europe. The pursuivant made himself
+known to some of the household, and the Englishmen were immediately
+received with courtesy, though not such as to draw attention upon
+them, and conveyed to a neighbouring tent, the residence of a general
+officer, which they were given to understand was destined for their
+accommodation, and where their packages accordingly were deposited,
+and refreshments offered them.
+
+"As the camp is filled," said the domestic who waited upon them, "with
+soldiers of different nations and uncertain dispositions, the Duke of
+Burgundy, for the safety of your merchandise, has ordered you the
+protection of a regular sentinel. In the meantime, be in readiness to
+wait on his Highness, seeing you may look to be presently sent for."
+
+Accordingly, the elder Philipson was shortly after summoned to the
+Duke's presence, introduced by a back entrance into the ducal
+pavilion, and into that part of it which, screened by close curtains
+and wooden barricades, formed Charles's own separate apartment. The
+plainness of the furniture, and the coarse apparatus of the Duke's
+toilette, formed a strong contrast to the appearance of the exterior
+of the pavilion; for Charles, whose character was, in that as in other
+things, far from consistent, exhibited in his own person during war an
+austerity, or rather coarseness of dress, and sometimes of manners
+also, which was more like the rudeness of a German lanzknecht, than
+the bearing of a prince of exalted rank; while, at the same time, he
+encouraged and enjoined a great splendour of expense and display
+amongst his vassals and courtiers, as if to be rudely attired, and to
+despise every restraint, even of ordinary ceremony, were a privilege
+of the sovereign alone. Yet when it pleased him to assume state in
+person and manners, none knew better than Charles of Burgundy how he
+ought to adorn and demean himself.
+
+Upon his toilette appeared brushes and combs, which might have claimed
+dismissal as past the term of service, over-worn hats and doublets,
+dog-leashes, leather-belts, and other such paltry articles; amongst
+which lay at random, as it seemed, the great diamond called
+Sanci,--the three rubies termed the Three Brothers of Antwerp,--another
+great diamond called the Lamp of Flanders, and other precious stones
+of scarcely inferior value and rarity. This extraordinary display
+somewhat resembled the character of the Duke himself, who mixed
+cruelty with justice, magnanimity with meanness of spirit, economy
+with extravagance, and liberality with avarice; being, in fact,
+consistent in nothing excepting in his obstinate determination to
+follow the opinion he had once formed, in every situation of things,
+and through all variety of risks.
+
+In the midst of the valueless and inestimable articles of his wardrobe
+and toilette, the Duke of Burgundy called out to the English
+traveller, "Welcome, Herr Philipson--welcome, you of a nation whose
+traders are princes, and their merchants the mighty ones of the earth.
+What new commodities have you brought to gull us with? You merchants,
+by St. George, are a wily generation."
+
+"Faith, no new merchandise I, my lord," answered the elder Englishman;
+"I bring but the commodities which I showed your Highness the last
+time I communicated with you, in the hope of a poor trader, that your
+Grace may find them more acceptable upon a review, than when you first
+saw them."
+
+"It is well, Sir--Philipville, I think they call you?--you are a
+simple trader, or you take me for a silly purchaser, that you think to
+gull me with the same wares which I fancied not formerly. Change of
+fashion, man--novelty--is the motto of commerce; your Lancaster wares
+have had their day, and I have bought of them like others, and was
+like enough to have paid dear for them too. York is all the vogue
+now."
+
+"It may be so among the vulgar," said the Earl of Oxford; "but for
+souls like your Highness, faith, honour, and loyalty are jewels which
+change of fancy, or mutability of taste, cannot put out of fashion."
+
+"Why, it may be, noble Oxford," said the Duke, "that I preserve in my
+secret mind some veneration for these old-fashioned qualities, else
+why should I have such regard for your person, in which they have ever
+been distinguished? But my situation is painfully urgent, and should I
+make a false step at this crisis, I might break the purposes of my
+whole life. Observe me, Sir Merchant. Here has come over your old
+competitor, Blackburn, whom some call Edward of York and of London,
+with a commodity of bows and bills such as never entered France since
+King Arthur's time; and he offers to enter into joint adventure with
+me, or, in plain speech, to make common cause with Burgundy, till we
+smoke out of his earths the old fox Louis, and nail his hide to the
+stable-door. In a word, England invites me to take part with him
+against my most wily and inveterate enemy, the King of France; to rid
+myself of the chain of vassalage, and to ascend into the rank of
+independent princes;--how think you, noble Earl, can I forego this
+seducing temptation?"
+
+"You must ask this of some of your counsellors of Burgundy," said
+Oxford; "it is a question fraught too deeply with ruin to my cause,
+for me to give a fair opinion on it."
+
+"Nevertheless," said Charles, "I ask thee, as an honourable man, what
+objections you see to the course proposed to me? Speak your mind, and
+speak it freely."
+
+"My lord, I know it is in your Highness's nature to entertain no
+doubts of the facility of executing anything which you have once
+determined shall be done. Yet, though this prince-like disposition may
+in some cases prepare for its own success, and has often done so,
+there are others, in which, persisting in our purpose, merely because
+we have once willed it, leads not to success, but to ruin. Look,
+therefore, at this English army;--winter is approaching, where are
+they to be lodged? how are they to be victualled? by whom are they to
+be paid? Is your Highness to take all the expense and labour of
+fitting them for the summer campaign? for, rely on it, an English army
+never was, nor will be, fit for service, till they have been out of
+their own island long enough to accustom them to military duty. They
+are men, I grant, the fittest for soldiers in the world; but they are
+not soldiers as yet, and must be trained to become such at your
+Highness's expense."
+
+"Be it so," said Charles; "I think the Low Countries can find food for
+the beef-consuming knaves for a few weeks, and villages for them to
+lie in, and officers to train their sturdy limbs to war, and
+provost-marshals enough to reduce their refractory spirit to
+discipline."
+
+"What happens next?" said Oxford. "You march to Paris, add to Edward's
+usurped power another kingdom; restore to him all the possessions
+which England ever had in France, Normandy, Maine, Anjou, Gascony, and
+all besides--Can you trust this Edward when you shall have thus
+fostered his strength, and made him far stronger than this Louis whom
+you have united to pull down?"
+
+"By St. George, I will not dissemble with you! It is in that very
+point that my doubts trouble me. Edward is indeed my brother-in-law,
+but I am a man little inclined to put my head under my wife's girdle."
+
+"And the times," said Philipson, "have too often shown the
+inefficiency of family alliances, to prevent the most gross breaches
+of faith."
+
+"You say well, Earl. Clarence betrayed his father-in-law; Louis
+poisoned his brother--Domestic affections, pshaw! they sit warm enough
+by a private man's fireside, but they cannot come into fields of
+battle, or princes' halls, where the wind blows cold. No, my alliance
+with Edward by marriage were little succour to me in time of need. I
+would as soon ride an unbroken horse, with no better bridle than a
+lady's garter. But what then is the result? He wars on Louis;
+whichever gains the better, I, who must be strengthened in their
+mutual weakness, receive the advantage--The Englishmen slay the French
+with their cloth-yard shafts, and the Frenchmen, by skirmishes, waste,
+weaken, and destroy the English. With spring I take the field with an
+army superior to both, and then, St. George for Burgundy!"
+
+"And if, in the meanwhile, your Highness will deign to assist, even in
+the most trifling degree, a cause the most honourable that ever knight
+laid lance in rest for,--a moderate sum of money, and a small body of
+Hainault lances, who may gain both fame and fortune by the service,
+may replace the injured heir of Lancaster in the possession of his
+native and rightful dominion."
+
+"Ay, marry, Sir Earl," said the Duke, "you come roundly to the point;
+but we have seen, and indeed partly assisted, at so many turns betwixt
+York and Lancaster, that we have some doubt which is the side to which
+Heaven has given the right, and the inclinations of the people the
+effectual power; we are surprised into absolute giddiness by so many
+extraordinary revolutions of fortune as England has exhibited."
+
+"A proof, my lord, that these mutations are not yet ended, and that
+your generous aid may give to the better side an effectual turn of
+advantage."
+
+"And lend my cousin, Margaret of Anjou, my arm to dethrone my wife's
+brother? Perhaps he deserves small good-will at my hands, since he and
+his insolent nobles have been urging me with remonstrances, and even
+threats, to lay aside all my own important affairs, and join Edward,
+forsooth, in his knight-errant expedition against Louis. I will march
+against Louis at my own time, and not sooner; and, by St. George!
+neither island king, nor island noble, shall dictate to Charles of
+Burgundy. You are fine conceited companions, you English of both
+sides, that think the matters of your own bedlam island are as
+interesting to all the world as to yourselves. But neither York nor
+Lancaster, neither brother Blackburn nor cousin Margaret of Anjou, not
+with John de Vere to back her, shall gull me. Men lure no hawks with
+empty hands."
+
+Oxford, familiar with the Duke's disposition, suffered him to exhaust
+himself in chafing, that any one should pretend to dictate his course
+of conduct, and, when he was at length silent, replied with
+calmness--"Do I live to hear the noble Duke of Burgundy, the mirror of
+European chivalry, say, that no reason has been shown to him for an
+adventure where a helpless queen is to be redressed--a royal house
+raised from the dust? Is there not immortal _los_ and honour--the
+trumpet of fame to proclaim the sovereign, who, alone in a degenerate
+age, has united the duties of a generous knight with those of a
+princely sovereign"----
+
+The Duke interrupted him, striking him at the same time on the
+shoulder--"And King Rene's five hundred fiddlers to tune their cracked
+violins in my praise? and King Rene himself to listen to them, and
+say, 'Well fought, Duke--well played, fiddler!' I tell thee, John of
+Oxford, when thou and I wore maiden armour, such words as fame,
+honour, _los_, knightly glory, lady's love, and so forth, were good
+mottoes for our snow-white shields, and a fair enough argument for
+splintering lances--Ay, and in tilt-yard, though somewhat old for
+these fierce follies, I would jeopard my person in such a quarrel yet,
+as becomes a knight of the order. But when we come to paying down of
+crowns, and embarking of large squadrons, we must have to propose to
+our subjects some substantial excuse for plunging them in war; some
+proposal for the public good--or, by St. George! for our own private
+advantage, which is the same thing. This is the course the world runs,
+and, Oxford, to tell the plain truth, I mean to hold the same bias."
+
+"Heaven forbid that I should expect your Highness to act otherwise
+than with a view to your subjects' welfare--the increase, that is, as
+your Grace happily expresses it, of your own power and dominion. The
+money we require is not in benevolence, but in loan; and Margaret is
+willing to deposit these jewels, of which I think your Grace knows the
+value, till she shall repay the sum which your friendship may advance
+in her necessity."
+
+"Ha, ha!" said the Duke, "would our cousin make a pawnbroker of us,
+and have us deal with her like a Jewish usurer with his debtor?--Yet,
+in faith, Oxford, we may need the diamonds, for if this business were
+otherwise feasible, it is possible that I myself must become a
+borrower to aid my cousin's necessities. I have applied to the States
+of the Duchy, who are now sitting, and expect, as is reasonable, a
+large supply. But there are restless heads and close hands among them,
+and they may be niggardly--So place the jewels on the table in the
+meanwhile.--Well, say I am to be no sufferer in purse by this feat of
+knight-errantry which you propose to me, still princes enter not into
+war without some view of advantage?"
+
+"Listen to me, noble sovereign. You are naturally bent to unite the
+great estates of your father, and those you have acquired by your own
+arms, into a compact and firm dukedom"----
+
+"Call it kingdom," said Charles; "it is the worthier word."
+
+"Into a kingdom, of which the crown shall sit as fair and even on your
+Grace's brow as that of France on your present suzerain, Louis."
+
+"It need not such shrewdness as yours to descry that such is my
+purpose," said the Duke; "else, wherefore am I here with helm on my
+head, and sword by my side? And wherefore are my troops seizing on the
+strong places in Lorraine, and chasing before them the beggarly De
+Vaudemont, who has the insolence to claim it as his inheritance? Yes,
+my friend, the aggrandisement of Burgundy is a theme for which the
+duke of that fair province is bound to fight, while he can put foot in
+stirrup."
+
+"But think you not," said the English Earl, "since you allow me to
+speak freely with your Grace, on the footing of old acquaintanceship,
+think you not that in this chart of your dominions, otherwise so
+fairly bounded, there is something on the southern frontier which
+might be arranged more advantageously for a King of Burgundy?"
+
+"I cannot guess whither you would lead me," said the Duke, looking at
+a map of the Duchy and his other possessions, to which the Englishman
+had pointed his attention, and then turning his broad keen eye upon
+the face of the banished Earl.
+
+"I would say," replied the latter, "that, to so powerful a prince as
+your Grace, there is no safe neighbour but the sea. Here is Provence,
+which interferes betwixt you and the Mediterranean; Provence, with its
+princely harbours, and fertile cornfields and vineyards. Were it not
+well to include it in your map of sovereignty, and thus touch the
+middle sea with one hand, while the other rested on the sea-coast of
+Flanders?"
+
+"Provence, said you?" replied the Duke, eagerly. "Why, man, my very
+dreams are of Provence. I cannot smell an orange but it reminds me of
+its perfumed woods and bowers, its olives, citrons, and pomegranates.
+But how to frame pretensions to it? Shame it were to disturb Rene, the
+harmless old man, nor would it become a near relation. Then he is the
+uncle of Louis; and most probably, failing his daughter Margaret, or
+perhaps in preference to her, he hath named the French King his heir."
+
+"A better claim might be raised up in your Grace's own person," said
+the Earl of Oxford, "if you will afford Margaret of Anjou the succour
+she requires by me."
+
+"Take the aid thou requirest," replied the Duke; "take double the
+amount of it in men and money! Let me but have a claim upon Provence,
+though thin as a single thread of thy Queen Margaret's hair, and let
+me alone for twisting it into the tough texture of a quadruple
+cable.--But I am a fool to listen to the dreams of one who, ruined
+himself, can lose little by holding forth to others the most
+extravagant hopes."
+
+Charles breathed high, and changed complexion as he spoke.
+
+"I am not such a person, my Lord Duke," said the Earl. "Listen to
+me--Rene is broken with years, fond of repose, and too poor to
+maintain his rank with the necessary dignity; too good-natured, or too
+feeble-minded, to lay further imposts on his subjects; weary of
+contending with bad fortune, and desirous to resign his
+territories"----
+
+"His territories!" said Charles.
+
+"Yes, all he actually possesses; and the much more extensive dominions
+which he has claim to, but which have passed from his sway."
+
+"You take away my breath!" said the Duke. "Rene resign Provence! and
+what says Margaret--the proud, the high-minded Margaret--will she
+subscribe to so humiliating a proceeding?"
+
+"For the chance of seeing Lancaster triumph in England, she would
+resign, not only dominion, but life itself. And, in truth, the
+sacrifice is less than it may seem to be. It is certain that, when
+Rene dies, the King of France will claim the old man's county of
+Provence as a male fief, and there is no one strong enough to back
+Margaret's claim of inheritance, however just it may be."
+
+"It is just," said Charles; "it is undeniable! I will not hear of its
+being denied or challenged--that is, when once it is established in
+our own person. It is the true principle of the war for the public
+good, that none of the great fiefs be suffered to revert again to the
+crown of France, least of all while it stands on a brow so astucious
+and unprincipled as that of Louis. Burgundy joined to Provence--a
+dominion from the German Ocean to the Mediterranean! Oxford--thou art
+my better angel!"
+
+"Your Grace must, however, reflect," said Oxford, "that honourable
+provision must be made for King Rene."
+
+"Certainly, man, certainly; he shall have a score of fiddlers and
+jugglers to play, roar, and recite to him from morning till night. He
+shall have a court of troubadours, who shall do nothing but drink,
+flute, and fiddle to him, and pronounce _arrests_ of _love_, to be
+confirmed or reversed by an appeal to himself, the supreme _Roi
+d'Amour_. And Margaret shall also be honourably sustained, in the
+manner you may point out."
+
+"That will be easily settled," answered the English Earl. "If our
+attempts on England succeed, she will need no aid from Burgundy. If
+she fails, she retires into a cloister, and it will not be long that
+she will need the honourable maintenance which, I am sure, your
+Grace's generosity will willingly assign her."
+
+"Unquestionably," answered Charles; "and on a scale which will become
+us both;--but, by my halidome, John of Vere, the abbess into whose
+cloister Margaret of Anjou shall retire will have an ungovernable
+penitent under her charge. Well do I know her; and, Sir Earl, I will
+not clog our discourse by expressing any doubts, that, if she pleases,
+she can compel her father to resign his estates to whomsoever she
+will. She is like my brache, Gorgon, who compels whatsoever hound is
+coupled with her to go the way she chooses, or she strangles him if he
+resists. So has Margaret acted with her simple-minded husband, and I
+am aware that her father, a fool of a different cast, must of
+necessity be equally tractable. I think _I_ could have matched
+her,--though my very neck aches at the thought of the struggles we
+should have had for mastery.--But you look grave, because I jest with
+the pertinacious temper of my unhappy cousin."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "whatever are or have been the defects of my
+mistress, she is in distress, and almost in desolation. She is my
+sovereign, and your Highness's cousin not the less."
+
+"Enough said, Sir Earl," answered the Duke. "Let us speak seriously.
+Whatever we may think of the abdication of King Rene, I fear we shall
+find it difficult to make Louis XI. see the matter as favourably as we
+do. He will hold that the county of Provence is a male fief, and that
+neither the resignation of Rene nor the consent of his daughter can
+prevent its reverting to the crown of France, as the King of Sicily,
+as they call him, hath no male issue."
+
+"That, may it please your Grace, is a question for battle to decide;
+and your Highness has successfully braved Louis for a less important
+stake. All I can say is, that, if your Grace's active assistance
+enables the young Earl of Richmond to succeed in his enterprise, you
+shall have the aid of three thousand English archers, if old John of
+Oxford, for want of a better leader, were to bring them over himself."
+
+"A noble aid," said the Duke; "graced still more by him who promises
+to lead them. Thy succour, noble Oxford, were precious to me, did you
+but come with your sword by your side, and a single page at your back.
+I know you well, both heart and head. But let us to this gear; exiles,
+even the wisest, are privileged in promises, and sometimes--excuse me,
+noble Oxford--impose on themselves as well as on their friends. What
+are the hopes on which you desire me again to embark on so troubled
+and uncertain an ocean as these civil contests of yours?"
+
+The Earl of Oxford produced a schedule, and explained to the Duke the
+plan of his expedition, to be backed by an insurrection of the friends
+of Lancaster, of which it is enough to say, that it was bold to the
+verge of temerity; but yet so well compacted and put together, as to
+bear, in those times of rapid revolution, and under a leader of
+Oxford's approved military skill and political sagacity, a strong
+appearance of probable success.
+
+While Duke Charles mused over the particulars of an enterprise
+attractive and congenial to his own disposition,--while he counted
+over the affronts which he had received from his brother-in-law,
+Edward IV., the present opportunity for taking a signal revenge, and
+the rich acquisition which he hoped to make in Provence by the cession
+in his favour of Rene of Anjou and his daughter, the Englishman failed
+not to press on his consideration the urgent necessity of suffering no
+time to escape.
+
+"The accomplishment of this scheme," he said, "demands the utmost
+promptitude. To have a chance of success, I must be in England, with
+your Grace's auxiliary forces, before Edward of York can return from
+France with his army."
+
+"And having come hither," said the Duke, "our worthy brother will be
+in no hurry to return again. He will meet with black-eyed French women
+and ruby-coloured French wine, and brother Blackburn is no man to
+leave such commodities in a hurry."
+
+"My Lord Duke, I will speak truth of my enemy. Edward is indolent and
+luxurious when things are easy around him, but let him feel the spur
+of necessity, and he becomes as eager as a pampered steed. Louis, too,
+who seldom fails in finding means to accomplish his ends, is bent upon
+determining the English King to recross the sea--therefore, speed,
+noble Prince--speed is the soul of your enterprise."
+
+"Speed!" said the Duke of Burgundy,--"Why, I will go with you, and see
+the embarkation myself; and tried, approved soldiers you shall have,
+such as are nowhere to be found save in Artois and Hainault."
+
+"But pardon yet, noble Duke, the impatience of a drowning wretch
+urgently pressing for assistance.--When shall we to the coast of
+Flanders, to order this important measure?"
+
+"Why, in a fortnight, or perchance a week, or, in a word, so soon as I
+shall have chastised to purpose a certain gang of thieves and robbers,
+who, as the scum of the caldron will always be uppermost, have got up
+into the fastnesses of the Alps, and from thence annoy our frontiers
+by contraband traffic, pillage, and robbery."
+
+"Your Highness means the Swiss confederates?"
+
+"Ay, the peasant churls give themselves such a name. They are a sort
+of manumitted slaves of Austria, and, like a ban-dog, whose chain is
+broken, they avail themselves of their liberty to annoy and rend
+whatever comes in their way."
+
+"I travelled through their country from Italy," said the exiled Earl,
+"and I heard it was the purpose of the Cantons to send envoys to
+solicit peace of your Highness."
+
+"Peace!" exclaimed Charles.--"A proper sort of peaceful proceedings
+those of their embassy have been! Availing themselves of a mutiny of
+the burghers of La Ferette, the first garrison town which they
+entered, they stormed the walls, seized on Archibald de Hagenbach, who
+commanded the place on my part, and put him to death in the
+market-place. Such an insult must be punished, Sir John de Vere; and
+if you do not see me in the storm of passion which it well deserves,
+it is because I have already given orders to hang up the base
+runagates who call themselves ambassadors."
+
+"For God's sake, noble Duke," said the Englishman, throwing himself at
+Charles's feet--"for your own character, for the sake of the peace of
+Christendom, revoke such an order if it is really given!"
+
+"What means this passion?" said Duke Charles.--"What are these men's
+lives to thee, excepting that the consequences of a war may delay your
+expedition for a few days?"
+
+"May render it altogether abortive," said the Earl; "nay, _must_ needs
+do so.--Hear me, Lord Duke. I was with these men on a part of their
+journey."
+
+"You!" said the Duke--"you a companion of the paltry Swiss peasants?
+Misfortune has sunk the pride of English nobility to a low ebb, when
+you selected such associates."
+
+"I was thrown amongst them by accident," said the Earl. "Some of them
+are of noble blood, and are, besides, men for whose peaceable
+intentions I ventured to constitute myself their warrant."
+
+"On my honour, my Lord of Oxford, you graced them highly, and me no
+less, in interfering between the Swiss and myself! Allow me to say
+that I condescend, when, in deference to past friendship, I permit you
+to speak to me of your own English affairs. Methinks you might well
+spare me your opinion upon topics with which you have no natural
+concern."
+
+"My Lord of Burgundy," replied Oxford, "I followed your banner to
+Paris, and had the good luck to rescue you in the fight at Mont
+L'Hery, when you were beset by the French men-at-arms"----
+
+"We have not forgot it," said Duke Charles; "and it is a sign that we
+keep the action in remembrance, that you have been suffered to stand
+before us so long, pleading the cause of a set of rascals, whom we are
+required to spare from the gallows that groans for them, because
+forsooth they have been the fellow-travellers of the Earl of Oxford!"
+
+"Not so, my lord. I ask their lives, only because they are upon a
+peaceful errand, and the leaders amongst them, at least, have no
+accession to the crime of which you complain."
+
+The Duke traversed the apartment with unequal steps in much agitation,
+his large eyebrows drawn down over his eyes, his hands clenched, and
+his teeth set, until at length he seemed to take a resolution. He rung
+a handbell of silver, which stood upon his table.
+
+"Here, Contay," he said to the gentleman of his chamber who entered,
+"are these mountain fellows yet executed?"
+
+"No, may it please your Highness; but the executioner waits them so
+soon as the priest hath confessed them."
+
+"Let them live," said the Duke. "We will hear to-morrow in what manner
+they propose to justify their proceedings towards us."
+
+Contay bowed and left the apartment; then turning to the Englishman,
+the Duke said, with an indescribable mixture of haughtiness with
+familiarity and even kindness, but having his brows cleared, and his
+looks composed,--"We are now clear of obligation, my Lord of
+Oxford--you have obtained life for life--nay, to make up some
+inequality which there may be betwixt the value of the commodities
+bestowed, you have obtained six lives for one. I will, therefore, pay
+no more attention to you, should you again upbraid me with the
+stumbling horse at Mont L'Hery, or your own achievements on that
+occasion. Most princes are contented with privately hating such men as
+have rendered them extraordinary services--I feel no such
+disposition--I only detest being reminded of having had occasion for
+them.--Pshaw! I am half choked with the effort of foregoing my own
+fixed resolution.--So ho! who waits there? Bring me to drink."
+
+An usher entered, bearing a large silver flagon, which, instead of
+wine, was filled with ptisan slightly flavoured by aromatic herbs.
+
+"I am so hot and choleric by nature," said the Duke, "that our leeches
+prohibit me from drinking wine. But you, Oxford, are bound by no such
+regimen. Get thee to thy countryman, Colvin, the general of our
+artillery. We commend thee to his custody and hospitality till
+to-morrow, which must be a busy day, since I expect to receive the
+answer of these wiseacres of the Dijon assembly of estates; and have
+also to hear (thanks to your lordship's interference) these miserable
+Swiss envoys, as they call themselves. Well, no more on't.--Good-night.
+You may communicate freely with Colvin, who is, like yourself, an old
+Lancastrian.--But hark ye, not a word respecting Provence--not even in
+your sleep.--Contay, conduct this English gentleman to Colvin's tent.
+He knows my pleasure respecting him."
+
+"So please your Grace," answered Contay, "I left the English
+gentleman's son with Monsieur de Colvin."
+
+"What! thine own son, Oxford? And with thee here? Why did you not tell
+me of him? Is he a true scion of the ancient tree?"
+
+"It is my pride to believe so, my lord. He has been the faithful
+companion of all my dangers and wanderings."
+
+"Happy man!" said the Duke, with a sigh. "You, Oxford, have a son to
+share your poverty and distress--I have none to be partner and
+successor to my greatness."
+
+"You have a daughter, my lord," said the noble De Vere, "and it is to
+be hoped she will one day wed some powerful prince, who may be the
+stay of your Highness's house."
+
+"Never! By St. George, never!" answered the Duke, sharply and shortly.
+"I will have no son-in-law, who may make the daughter's bed a
+stepping-stone to reach the father's crown. Oxford, I have spoken more
+freely than I am wont, perhaps more freely than I ought--but I hold
+some men trustworthy, and believe you, Sir John de Vere, to be one of
+them."
+
+The English nobleman bowed, and was about to leave his presence, but
+the Duke presently recalled him.
+
+"There is one thing more, Oxford.--The cession of Provence is not
+quite enough. Rene and Margaret must disavow this hot-brained Ferrand
+de Vaudemont, who is making some foolish stir in Lorraine, in right of
+his mother Yolande."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "Ferrand is the grandson of King Rene, the
+nephew of Queen Margaret; but yet"----
+
+"But yet, by St. George, his rights, as he calls them, on Lorraine
+must positively be disowned. You talk of their family feelings, while
+you are urging me to make war on my own brother-in-law!"
+
+"Rene's best apology for deserting his grandson," answered Oxford,
+"will be his total inability to support and assist him. I will
+communicate your Grace's condition, though it is a hard one."
+
+So saying, he left the pavilion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+              I humbly thank your Highness,
+     And am right glad to catch this good occasion
+     Most thoroughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff
+     And corn shall fly asunder.
+                                 _King Henry VIII._
+
+
+Colvin, the English officer, to whom the Duke of Burgundy, with
+splendid pay and appointments, committed the charge of his artillery,
+was owner of the tent assigned for the Englishman's lodging, and
+received the Earl of Oxford with the respect due to his rank, and to
+the Duke's especial orders upon that subject. He had been himself a
+follower of the Lancaster faction, and of course was well disposed
+towards one of the very few men of distinction whom he had known
+personally, and who had constantly adhered to that family through the
+train of misfortunes by which they seemed to be totally overwhelmed. A
+repast, of which his son had already partaken, was offered to the Earl
+by Colvin, who omitted not to recommend, by precept and example, the
+good wine of Burgundy, from which the sovereign of the province was
+himself obliged to refrain.
+
+"His Grace shows command of passion in that," said Colvin. "For, sooth
+to speak, and only conversing betwixt friends, his temper grows too
+headlong to bear the spur which a cup of cordial beverage gives to the
+blood, and he, therefore, wisely restricts himself to such liquid as
+may cool rather than inflame his natural fire of disposition."
+
+"I can perceive as much," said the Lancastrian noble. "When I first
+knew the noble Duke, who was then Earl of Charolois, his temper,
+though always sufficiently fiery, was calmness to the impetuosity
+which he now displays on the smallest contradiction. Such is the
+course of an uninterrupted flow of prosperity. He has ascended, by his
+own courage and the advantage of circumstances, from the doubtful
+place of a feudatory and tributary prince, to rank with the most
+powerful sovereigns in Europe, and to assume independent majesty. But
+I trust the noble starts of generosity which atoned for his wilful and
+wayward temper are not more few than formerly?"
+
+"I have good right to say that they are not," replied the soldier of
+fortune, who understood generosity in the restricted sense of
+liberality. "The Duke is a noble and open-handed master."
+
+"I trust his bounty is conferred on men who are as faithful and steady
+in their service as you, Colvin, have ever been. But I see a change in
+your army. I know the banners of most of the old houses in
+Burgundy--How is it that I observe so few of them in the Duke's camp?
+I see flags, and pennons, and pennoncelles; but even to me, who have
+been so many years acquainted with the nobility both of France and
+Flanders, their bearings are unknown."
+
+"My noble Lord of Oxford," answered the officer, "it ill becomes a man
+who lives on the Duke's pay to censure his conduct; but his Highness
+hath of late trusted too much, as it seems to me, to the hired arms of
+foreign levies, and too little to his own native subjects and
+retainers. He holds it better to take into his pay large bands of
+German and Italian mercenary soldiers, than to repose confidence in
+the knights and squires who are bound to him by allegiance and feudal
+faith. He uses the aid of his own subjects but as the means of
+producing him sums of money, which he bestows on his hired troops. The
+Germans are honest knaves enough while regularly paid; but Heaven
+preserve me from the Duke's Italian bands, and that Campo-basso their
+leader, who waits but the highest price to sell his Highness like a
+sheep for the shambles!"
+
+"Think you so ill of him?" demanded the Earl.
+
+"So very ill indeed, that I believe," replied Colvin, "there is no
+sort of treachery which the heart can devise, or the arm perpetrate,
+that hath not ready reception in his breast, and prompt execution at
+his hand. It is painful, my lord, for an honest Englishman like me to
+serve in an army where such traitors have command. But what can I do,
+unless I could once more find me a soldier's occupation in my native
+country? I often hope it will please merciful Heaven again to awaken
+those brave civil wars in my own dear England, where all was fair
+fighting, and treason was unheard of."
+
+Lord Oxford gave his host to understand, that there was a possibility
+that his pious wish of living and dying in his own country, and in the
+practice of his profession, was not to be despaired of. Meantime he
+requested of him, that early on the next morning he would procure him
+a pass and an escort for his son, whom he was compelled to despatch
+forthwith to Nancy, the residence of King Rene.
+
+"What!" said Colvin, "is my young Lord of Oxford to take a degree in
+the Court of Love? for no other business is listened to at King Rene's
+capital, save love and poetry."
+
+"I am not ambitious of such distinction for him, my good host,"
+answered Oxford; "but Queen Margaret is with her father, and it is but
+fitting that the youth should kiss her hand."
+
+"Enough spoken," said the veteran Lancastrian. "I trust, though winter
+is fast approaching, the Red Rose may bloom in spring."
+
+He then ushered the Earl of Oxford to the partition of the tent which
+he was to occupy, in which there was a couch for Arthur also--their
+host, as Colvin might be termed, assuring them that, with peep of day,
+horses and faithful attendants should be ready to speed the youth on
+his journey to Nancy.
+
+"And now, Arthur," said his father, "we must part once more. I dare
+give thee, in this land of danger, no written communication to my
+mistress, Queen Margaret; but say to her, that I have found the Duke
+of Burgundy wedded to his own views of interest, but not averse to
+combine them with hers. Say, that I have little doubt that he will
+grant us the required aid, but not without the expected resignation in
+his favour by herself and King Rene. Say, I would never have
+recommended such a sacrifice for the precarious chance of overthrowing
+the House of York, but that I am satisfied that France and Burgundy
+are hanging like vultures over Provence, and that the one or other, or
+both princes, are ready, on her father's demise, to pounce on such
+possessions as they have reluctantly spared to him during his life.
+An accommodation with Burgundy may therefore, on the one hand, insure
+his active co-operation in the attempt on England; and, on the other,
+if our high-spirited princess complies not with the Duke's request,
+the justice of her cause will give no additional security to her
+hereditary claims on her father's dominions. Bid Queen Margaret,
+therefore, unless she should have changed her views, obtain King
+Rene's formal deed of cession, conveying his estates to the Duke of
+Burgundy, with her Majesty's consent. The necessary provisions to the
+King and to herself may be filled up at her Grace's pleasure, or they
+may be left blank. I can trust to the Duke's generosity to their being
+suitably arranged. All that I fear is, that Charles may embroil
+himself"----
+
+"In some silly exploit, necessary for his own honour and the safety of
+his dominions," answered a voice behind the lining of the tent; "and,
+by doing so, attend to his own affairs more than to ours? Ha, Sir
+Earl?"
+
+At the same time the curtain was drawn aside, and a person entered, in
+whom, though clothed with the jerkin and bonnet of a private soldier
+of the Walloon guard, Oxford instantly recognised the Duke of
+Burgundy's harsh features and fierce eyes, as they sparkled from under
+the fur and feather with which the cap was ornamented.
+
+Arthur, who knew not the Prince's person, started at the intrusion,
+and laid his hand on his dagger; but his father made a signal which
+stayed his hand, and he gazed with wonder on the solemn respect with
+which the Earl received the intrusive soldier. The first word informed
+him of the cause.
+
+"If this masking be done in proof of my faith, noble Duke, permit me
+to say it is superfluous."
+
+"Nay, Oxford," answered the Duke, "I was a courteous spy; for I ceased
+to play the eavesdropper, at the very moment when I had reason to
+expect you were about to say something to anger me."
+
+"As I am a true Knight, my Lord Duke, if you had remained behind the
+arras, you would only have heard the same truths which I am ready to
+tell in your Grace's presence, though it may have chanced they might
+have been more bluntly expressed."
+
+"Well, speak them then, in whatever phrase thou wilt--they lie in
+their throats that say Charles of Burgundy was ever offended by advice
+from a well-meaning friend."
+
+"I would then have said," replied the English Earl, "that all which
+Margaret of Anjou had to apprehend, was that the Duke of Burgundy,
+when buckling on his armour to win Provence for himself, and to afford
+to her his powerful assistance to assert her rights in England, was
+likely to be withdrawn from such high objects by an imprudently eager
+desire to avenge himself of imaginary affronts, offered to him, as he
+supposed, by certain confederacies of Alpine mountaineers, over whom
+it is impossible to gain any important advantage, or acquire
+reputation, while, on the contrary, there is a risk of losing both.
+These men dwell amongst rocks and deserts which are almost
+inaccessible, and subsist in a manner so rude, that the poorest of
+your subjects would starve if subjected to such diet. They are formed
+by nature to be the garrison of the mountain-fortresses in which she
+has placed them;--for Heaven's sake meddle not with them, but follow
+forth your own nobler and more important objects, without stirring a
+nest of hornets, which, once in motion, may sting you into madness."
+
+The Duke had promised patience, and endeavoured to keep his word; but
+the swoln muscles of his face, and his flashing eyes, showed how
+painful to him it was to suppress his resentment.
+
+"You are misinformed, my lord," he said; "these men are not the
+inoffensive herdsmen and peasants you are pleased to suppose them. If
+they were, I might afford to despise them. But, flushed with some
+victories over the sluggish Austrians, they have shaken off all
+reverence for authority, assume airs of independence, form leagues,
+make inroads, storm towns, doom and execute men of noble birth at
+their pleasure.--Thou art dull, and look'st as if thou dost not
+apprehend me. To rouse thy English blood, and make thee sympathise
+with my feelings to these mountaineers, know that these Swiss are very
+Scots to my dominions in their neighbourhood; poor, proud, ferocious;
+easily offended, because they gain by war; ill to be appeased, because
+they nourish deep revenge; ever ready to seize the moment of
+advantage, and attack a neighbour when he is engaged in other affairs.
+The same unquiet, perfidious, and inveterate enemies that the Scots
+are to England, are the Swiss to Burgundy and to my allies. What say
+you? Can I undertake anything of consequence till I have crushed the
+pride of such a people? It will be but a few days' work. I will grasp
+the mountain-hedgehog, prickles and all, with my steel-gauntlet."
+
+"Your Grace will then have shorter work with them," replied the
+disguised nobleman, "than our English Kings have had with Scotland.
+The wars there have lasted so long, and proved so bloody, that wise
+men regret we ever began them."
+
+"Nay," said the Duke, "I will not dishonour the Scots by comparing
+them in all respects to these mountain-churls of the Cantons. The
+Scots have blood and gentry among them, and we have seen many examples
+of both; these Swiss are a mere brood of peasants, and the few
+gentlemen of birth they can boast must hide their distinction in the
+dress and manners of clowns. They will, I think, scarce stand against
+a charge of Hainaulters."
+
+"Not if the Hainaulters find ground to ride upon. But"----
+
+"Nay, to silence your scruples," said the Duke, interrupting him,
+"know, that these people encourage, by their countenance and aid, the
+formation of the most dangerous conspiracies in my dominions. Look
+here--I told you that my officer, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach, was
+murdered when the town of Brisach was treacherously taken by these
+harmless Switzers of yours. And here is a scroll of parchment, which
+announces that my servant was murdered by doom of the Vehme-gericht, a
+band of secret assassins, whom I will not permit to meet in any part
+of my dominions. Oh, could I but catch them above ground as they are
+found lurking below, they should know what the life of a nobleman is
+worth! Then, look at the insolence of their attestation."
+
+The scroll bore, with the day and date adjected, that judgment had
+been done on Archibald de Hagenbach, for tyranny, violence, and
+oppression, by order of the Holy Vehme, and that it was executed by
+their officials, who were responsible for the same to their tribunal
+alone. It was countersigned in red ink, with the badges of the Secret
+Society, a coil of ropes and a drawn dagger.
+
+"This document I found stuck to my toilette with a knife," said the
+Duke; "another trick by which they give mystery to their murderous
+jugglery."
+
+The thought of what he had undergone in John Mengs's house, and
+reflections upon the extent and omnipresence of these Secret
+Associations, struck even the brave Englishman with an involuntary
+shudder.
+
+"For the sake of every saint in heaven," he said, "forbear, my lord,
+to speak of these tremendous societies, whose creatures are above,
+beneath, and around us. No man is secure of his life, however guarded,
+if it be sought by a man who is careless of his own. You are
+surrounded by Germans, Italians, and other strangers--How many amongst
+these may be bound by the secret ties which withdraw men from every
+other social bond, to unite them together in one inextricable though
+secret compact? Beware, noble Prince, of the situation on which your
+throne is placed, though it still exhibits all the splendour of power,
+and all the solidity of foundation that belongs to so august a
+structure. I--the friend of thy house--were it with my dying
+breath--must needs tell thee, that the Swiss hang like an avalanche
+over thy head; and the Secret Associations work beneath thee like the
+first throes of the coming earthquake. Provoke not the contest, and
+the snow will rest undisturbed on the mountain-side--the agitation of
+the subterranean vapours will be hushed to rest; but a single word of
+defiance, or one flash of indignant scorn, may call their terrors into
+instant action."
+
+"You speak," said the Duke, "with more awe of a pack of naked churls,
+and a band of midnight assassins, than I have seen you show for real
+danger. Yet I will not scorn your counsel--I will hear the Swiss
+envoys patiently, and I will not, if I can help it, show the contempt
+with which I cannot but regard their pretensions to treat as
+independent states. On the Secret Associations I will be silent, till
+time gives me the means of acting in combination with the Emperor, the
+Diet, and the Princes of the Empire, that they may be driven from all
+their burrows at once.--Ha, Sir Earl, said I well?"
+
+"It is well thought, my lord, but it may be unhappily spoken. You are
+in a position where one word overheard by a traitor might produce
+death and ruin."
+
+"I keep no traitors about me," said Charles. "If I thought there were
+such in my camp, I would rather die by them at once, than live in
+perpetual terror and suspicion."
+
+"Your Highness's ancient followers and servants," said the Earl,
+"speak unfavourably of the Count of Campo-basso, who holds so high a
+rank in your confidence."
+
+"Ay," replied the Duke, with composure, "it is easy to decry the most
+faithful servant in a court by the unanimous hatred of all the others.
+I warrant me your bull-headed countryman, Colvin, has been railing
+against the Count like the rest of them, for Campo-basso sees nothing
+amiss in any department but he reports it to me without fear or
+favour. And then his opinions are cast so much in the same mould with
+my own, that I can hardly get him to enlarge upon what he best
+understands, if it seems in any respect different from my sentiments.
+Add to this, a noble person, grace, gaiety, skill in the exercises of
+war, and in the courtly arts of peace--such is Campo-basso; and, being
+such, is he not a gem for a prince's cabinet?"
+
+"The very materials out of which a favourite is formed," answered the
+Earl of Oxford, "but something less adapted for making a faithful
+counsellor."
+
+"Why, thou mistrustful fool," said the Duke, "must I tell thee the
+very inmost secret respecting this man, Campo-basso, and will nothing
+short of it stay these imaginary suspicions which thy new trade of an
+itinerant merchant hath led thee to entertain so rashly?"
+
+"If your Highness honours me with your confidence," said the Earl of
+Oxford, "I can only say that my fidelity shall deserve it."
+
+"Know, then, thou misbelieving mortal, that my good friend and
+brother, Louis of France, sent me private information through no less
+a person than his famous barber, Oliver le Diable, that Campo-basso
+had for a certain sum offered to put my person into his hands, alive
+or dead.--You start?"
+
+"I do indeed--recollecting your Highness's practice of riding out
+lightly armed, and with a very small attendance, to reconnoitre the
+ground and visit the outposts, and therefore how easily such a
+treacherous device might be carried into execution."
+
+"Pshaw!" answered the Duke.--"Thou seest the danger as if it were
+real, whereas nothing can be more certain than that, if my cousin of
+France had ever received such an offer, he would have been the last
+person to have put me on my guard against the attempt. No--he knows
+the value I set on Campo-basso's services, and forged the accusation
+to deprive me of them."
+
+"And yet, my lord," replied the English Earl, "your Highness, by my
+counsel, will not unnecessarily or impatiently fling aside your armour
+of proof, or ride without the escort of some score of your trusty
+Walloons."
+
+"Tush, man, thou wouldst make a carbonado of a fever-stirred wretch
+like myself, betwixt the bright iron and the burning sun. But I will
+be cautious though I jest thus--and you, young man, may assure my
+cousin, Margaret of Anjou, that I will consider her affairs as my own.
+And remember, youth, that the secrets of princes are fatal gifts, if
+he to whom they are imparted blaze them abroad; but if duly treasured
+up, they enrich the bearer. And thou shalt have cause to say so, if
+thou canst bring back with thee from Aix the deed of resignation of
+which thy father hath spoken.--Good-night--good-night!"
+
+He left the apartment.
+
+"You have just seen," said the Earl of Oxford to his son, "a sketch of
+this extraordinary prince, by his own pencil. It is easy to excite his
+ambition or thirst of power, but well-nigh impossible to limit him to
+the just measures by which it is most likely to be gratified. He is
+ever like the young archer, startled from his mark by some swallow
+crossing his eye, even careless as he draws the string. Now
+irregularly and offensively suspicious--now unreservedly lavish of his
+confidence--not long since the enemy of the line of Lancaster, and the
+ally of her deadly foe--now its last and only stay and hope. God mend
+all!--It is a weary thing to look on the game and see how it might be
+won, while we are debarred by the caprice of others from the power of
+playing it according to our own skill. How much must depend on the
+decision of Duke Charles upon the morrow, and how little do I possess
+the power of influencing him, either for his own safety or our
+advantage! Good-night, my son, and let us trust events to Him who
+alone can control them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+     My blood hath been too cold and temperate,
+     Unapt to stir at these indignities,
+     And you have found me; for, accordingly,
+     You tread upon my patience.
+                                  _Henry IV._
+
+
+The dawn of morning roused the banished Earl of Oxford and his son,
+and its lights were scarce abroad on the eastern heaven, ere their
+host, Colvin, entered with an attendant, bearing some bundles, which
+he placed on the floor of the tent, and instantly retired. The officer
+of the Duke's ordnance then announced that he came with a message from
+the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+"His Highness," he said, "has sent four stout yeomen, with a
+commission of credence to my young master of Oxford, and an ample
+purse of gold, to furnish his expenses to Aix, and while his affairs
+may detain him there. Also a letter of credence to King Rene, to
+insure his reception, and two suits of honour for his use, as for an
+English gentleman, desirous to witness the festive solemnities of
+Provence, and in whose safety the Duke deigns to take deep interest.
+His further affairs there, if he hath any, his Highness recommends to
+him to manage with prudence and secrecy. His Highness hath also sent a
+couple of horses for his use,--one an ambling jennet for the road, and
+another a strong barbed horse of Flanders, in case he hath aught to
+do. It will be fitting that my young master change his dress, and
+assume attire more near his proper rank. His attendants know the road,
+and have power, in case of need, to summon, in the Duke's name,
+assistance from all faithful Burgundians. I have but to add, the
+sooner the young gentleman sets forward, it will be the better sign of
+a successful journey."
+
+"I am ready to mount, the instant that I have changed my dress," said
+Arthur.
+
+"And I," said his father, "have no wish to detain him on the service
+in which he is now employed. Neither he nor I will say more than God
+be with you. How and where we are to meet again, who can tell?"
+
+"I believe," said Colvin, "that must rest on the motions of the Duke,
+which, perchance, are not yet determined upon; but his Highness
+depends upon your remaining with him, my noble lord, till the affairs
+of which you come to treat may be more fully decided. Something I have
+for your lordship's private ear, when your son hath parted on his
+journey."
+
+While Colvin was thus talking with his father, Arthur, who was not
+above half-dressed when he entered the tent, had availed himself of an
+obscure corner, in which he exchanged the plain garb belonging to his
+supposed condition as a merchant, for such a riding-suit as became a
+young man of some quality attached to the Court of Burgundy. It was
+not without a natural sensation of pleasure that the youth resumed an
+apparel suitable to his birth, and which no one was personally more
+fitted to become; but it was with much deeper feeling that he hastily,
+and as secretly as possible, flung round his neck, and concealed
+under the collar and folds of his ornamented doublet, a small thin
+chain of gold, curiously linked in what was called Morisco work. This
+was the contents of the parcel which Anne of Geierstein had indulged
+his feelings, and perhaps her own, by putting into his hands as they
+parted. The chain was secured by a slight plate of gold, on which a
+bodkin, or a point of a knife, had traced on the one side, in distinct
+though light characters, ADIEU FOR EVER! while, on the reverse, there
+was much more obscurely traced, the word REMEMBER!--A. VON G.
+
+All who may read this are, have been, or will be, lovers; and there is
+none, therefore, who may not be able to comprehend why this token was
+carefully suspended around Arthur's neck, so that the inscription
+might rest on the region of his heart, without the interruption of any
+substance which could prevent the pledge from being agitated by every
+throb of that busy organ.
+
+This being hastily insured, a few minutes completed the rest of his
+toilette; and he kneeled before his father to ask his blessing, and
+his further commands for Aix.
+
+His father blessed him almost inarticulately, and then said, with
+recovered firmness, that he was already possessed of all the knowledge
+necessary for success on his mission.
+
+"When you can bring me the deeds wanted," he whispered with more
+firmness, "you will find me near the person of the Duke of Burgundy."
+
+They went forth of the tent in silence, and found before it the four
+Burgundian yeomen, tall and active-looking men, ready mounted
+themselves, and holding two saddled horses--the one accoutred for
+war, the other a spirited jennet, for the purposes of the journey. One
+of them led a sumpter-horse, on which Colvin informed Arthur he would
+find the change of habit necessary when he should arrive at Aix; and
+at the same time delivered to him a heavy purse of gold.
+
+"Thiebault," he continued, pointing out the eldest of the attendant
+troopers, "may be trusted--I will be warrant for his sagacity and
+fidelity. The other three are picked men, who will not fear their
+skin-cutting."
+
+Arthur vaulted into the saddle with a sensation of pleasure, which was
+natural to a young cavalier who had not for many months felt a
+spirited horse beneath him. The lively jennet reared with impatience.
+Arthur, sitting firm on his seat, as if he had been a part of the
+animal, only said, "Ere we are long acquainted, thy spirit, my fair
+roan, will be something more tamed."
+
+"One word more, my son," said his father, and whispered in Arthur's
+ear, as he stooped from the saddle; "if you receive a letter from me,
+do not think yourself fully acquainted with the contents till the
+paper has been held opposite to a hot fire."
+
+Arthur bowed, and motioned to the elder trooper to lead the way, when
+all, giving rein to their horses, rode off through the encampment at a
+round pace, the young leader signing an adieu to his father and
+Colvin.
+
+The Earl stood like a man in a dream, following his son with his eyes,
+in a kind of reverie, which was only broken when Colvin said, "I
+marvel not, my lord, that you are anxious about my young master; he is
+a gallant youth, well worth a father's caring for, and the times we
+live in are both false and bloody."
+
+"God and St. Mary be my witness," said the Earl, "that if I grieve, it
+is not for my own house only;--if I am anxious, it is not for the sake
+of my own son alone;--but it is hard to risk a last stake in a cause
+so perilous.--What commands brought you from the Duke?"
+
+"His Grace," said Colvin, "will get on horseback after he has
+breakfasted. He sends you some garments, which, if not fitting your
+quality, are yet nearer to suitable apparel than those you now wear,
+and he desires that, observing your incognito as an English merchant
+of eminence, you will join him in his cavalcade to Dijon, where he is
+to receive the answer of the Estates of Burgundy concerning matters
+submitted to their consideration, and thereafter give public audience
+to the Deputies from Switzerland. His Highness has charged me with the
+care of finding you suitable accommodation during the ceremonies of
+the day, which, he thinks, you will, as a stranger, be pleased to look
+upon. But he probably told you all this himself, for I think you saw
+him last night in disguise--Nay, look as strange as you will--the Duke
+plays that trick too often to be able to do it with secrecy; the very
+horse-boys know him while he traverses the tents of the common
+soldiery, and sutler women give him the name of the spied spy. If it
+were only honest Harry Colvin who knew this, it should not cross his
+lips. But it is practised too openly, and too widely known. Come,
+noble lord, though I must teach my tongue to forego that courtesy,
+will you along to breakfast?"
+
+The meal, according to the practice of the time, was a solemn and
+solid one; and a favoured officer of the Great Duke of Burgundy lacked
+no means, it may be believed, of rendering due hospitality to a guest
+having claims of such high respect. But ere the breakfast was over a
+clamorous flourish of trumpets announced that the Duke, with his
+attendants and retinue, were sounding to horse. Philipson, as he was
+still called, was, in the name of the Duke, presented with a stately
+charger, and with his host mingled in the splendid assembly which
+began to gather in front of the Duke's pavilion. In a few minutes the
+Prince himself issued forth, in the superb dress of the Order of the
+Golden Fleece, of which his father Philip had been the founder, and
+Charles was himself the patron and sovereign. Several of his courtiers
+were dressed in the same magnificent robes, and, with their followers
+and attendants, displayed so much wealth and splendour of appearance
+as to warrant the common saying that the Duke of Burgundy maintained
+the most magnificent court in Christendom. The officers of his
+household attended in their order, together with heralds and
+pursuivants, the grotesque richness of whose habits had a singular
+effect among those of the high clergy in their albes and dalmatiques,
+and of the knights and crown vassals who were arrayed in armour. Among
+these last, who were variously equipped, according to the different
+character of their service, rode Oxford, but in a peaceful habit,
+neither so plain as to be out of place amongst such splendour, nor so
+rich as to draw on him a special or particular degree of attention. He
+rode by the side of Colvin, his tall muscular figure and deep-marked
+features forming a strong contrast to the rough, almost ignoble, cast
+of countenance, and stout thick-set form, of the less distinguished
+soldier of fortune.
+
+Ranged into a solemn procession, the rear of which was closed by a
+guard of two hundred picked arquebusiers, a description of soldiers
+who were just then coming into notice, and as many mounted
+men-at-arms, the Duke and his retinue, leaving the barriers of the
+camp, directed their march to the town, or rather city, of Dijon, in
+those days the capital of all Burgundy.
+
+It was a town well secured with walls and ditches, which last were
+filled by means of a small river, named the Ousche, which combines its
+waters for that purpose with a torrent called Suzon. Four gates, with
+appropriate barbicans, outworks, and drawbridges, corresponded nearly
+to the cardinal points of the compass, and gave admission to the city.
+The number of towers, which stood high above its walls, and defended
+them at different angles, was thirty-three; and the walls themselves,
+which exceeded in most places the height of thirty feet, were built of
+stones hewn and squared, and were of great thickness. This stately
+city was surrounded on the outside with hills covered with vineyards,
+while from within its walls rose the towers of many noble buildings,
+both public and private, as well as the steeples of magnificent
+churches, and of well-endowed convents, attesting the wealth and
+devotion of the House of Burgundy.
+
+When the trumpets of the Duke's procession had summoned the burgher
+guard at the gate of St. Nicholas, the drawbridge fell, the portcullis
+rose, the people shouted joyously, the windows were hung with
+tapestry, and as, in the midst of his retinue, Charles himself came
+riding on a milk-white steed, attended only by six pages under
+fourteen years old, with each a gilded partisan in his hand, the
+acclamations with which he was received on all sides showed that, if
+some instances of misrule had diminished his popularity, enough of it
+remained to render his reception into his capital decorous at least,
+if not enthusiastic. It is probable that the veneration attached to
+his father's memory counteracted for a long time the unfavourable
+effect which some of his own actions were calculated to produce on the
+public mind.
+
+The procession halted before a large Gothic building in the centre of
+Dijon. This was then called Maison du Duc, as, after the union of
+Burgundy with France, it was termed Maison du Roy. The Maire of Dijon
+attended on the steps before this palace, accompanied by his official
+brethren, and escorted by a hundred able-bodied citizens, in black
+velvet cloaks, bearing half-pikes in their hands. The Maire kneeled to
+kiss the stirrup of the Duke, and at the moment when Charles descended
+from his horse every bell in the city commenced so thundering a peal,
+that they might almost have awakened the dead who slept in the
+vicinity of the steeples, which rocked with their clangour. Under the
+influence of this stunning peal of welcome, the Duke entered the great
+hall of the building, at the upper end of which were erected a throne
+for the sovereign, seats for his more distinguished officers of state
+and higher vassals, with benches behind for persons of less note. On
+one of these, but in a spot from which he might possess a commanding
+view of the whole assembly, as well as of the Duke himself, Colvin
+placed the noble Englishman; and Charles, whose quick stern eye
+glanced rapidly over the party when they were seated, seemed, by a nod
+so slight as to be almost imperceptible to those around him, to give
+his approbation of the arrangement adopted.
+
+When the Duke and his assistants were seated and in order, the Maire,
+again approaching, in the most humble manner, and kneeling on the
+lowest step of the ducal throne, requested to know if his Highness's
+leisure permitted him to hear the inhabitants of his capital express
+their devoted zeal to his person, and to accept the benevolence which,
+in the shape of a silver cup filled with gold pieces, he had the
+distinguished honour to place before his feet, in name of the citizens
+and community of Dijon.
+
+Charles, who at no time affected much courtesy, answered briefly and
+bluntly, with a voice which was naturally harsh and dissonant, "All
+things in their order, good Master Maire. Let us first hear what the
+Estates of Burgundy have to say to us. We will then listen to the
+burghers of Dijon."
+
+The Maire rose and retired, bearing in his hand the silver cup, and
+experiencing probably some vexation, as well as surprise, that its
+contents had not secured an instant and gracious acceptance.
+
+"I expected," said Duke Charles, "to have met at this hour and place
+our Estates of the duchy of Burgundy, or a deputation of them, with an
+answer to our message conveyed to them three days since by our
+chancellor. Is there no one here on their part?"
+
+The Maire, as none else made any attempt to answer, said that the
+members of the Estates had been in close deliberation the whole of
+that morning, and doubtless would instantly wait upon his Highness
+when they heard that he had honoured the town with his presence.
+
+"Go, Toison d'Or," said the Duke to the herald of the Order of the
+Golden Fleece,[7] "bear to these gentlemen the tidings that we desire
+to know the end of their deliberations; and that neither in courtesy
+nor in loyalty can they expect us to wait long. Be round with them,
+Sir Herald, or we shall be as round with you."
+
+While the herald was absent on his mission, we may remind our readers
+that in all feudalised countries (that is to say, in almost all Europe
+during the Middle Ages) an ardent spirit of liberty pervaded the
+constitution; and the only fault that could be found was, that the
+privileges and freedom for which the great vassals contended did not
+sufficiently descend to the lower orders of society, or extend
+protection to those who were most likely to need it. The two first
+ranks in the estate, the nobles and clergy, enjoyed high and important
+privileges, and even the third estate, or citizens, had this immunity
+in peculiar, that no new duties, customs, or taxes of any kind could
+be exacted from them save by their own consent.
+
+The memory of Duke Philip, the father of Charles, was dear to the
+Burgundians; for during twenty years that sage prince had maintained
+his rank amongst the sovereigns of Europe with much dignity, and had
+accumulated treasure without exacting or receiving any great increase
+of supplies from the rich countries which he governed. But the
+extravagant schemes and immoderate expense of Duke Charles had
+already excited the suspicion of his Estates; and the mutual good-will
+betwixt the prince and people began to be exchanged for suspicion and
+distrust on the one side, and defiance on the other. The refractory
+disposition of the Estates had of late increased; for they had
+disapproved of various wars in which their Duke had needlessly
+embarked, and from his levying such large bodies of mercenary troops,
+they came to suspect he might finally employ the wealth voted to him
+by his subjects for the undue extension of his royal prerogative, and
+the destruction of the liberties of the people.
+
+At the same time, the Duke's uniform success in enterprises which
+appeared desperate as well as difficult, esteem for the frankness and
+openness of his character, and dread of the obstinacy and headstrong
+tendency of a temper which could seldom bear persuasion, and never
+endured opposition, still threw awe and terror around the throne,
+which was materially aided by the attachment of the common people to
+the person of the present Duke and to the memory of his father. It had
+been understood that upon the present occasion there was strong
+opposition amongst the Estates to the system of taxation proposed on
+the part of the Duke, and the issue was expected with considerable
+anxiety by the Duke's counsellors, and with fretful impatience by the
+sovereign himself.
+
+After a space of about ten minutes had elapsed, the Chancellor of
+Burgundy, who was Archbishop of Vienne, and a prelate of high rank,
+entered the hall with his train; and passing behind the ducal throne
+to occupy one of the most distinguished places in the assembly, he
+stopped for a moment to urge his master to receive the answer of his
+Estates in a private manner, giving him at the same time to understand
+that the result of the deliberations had been by no means
+satisfactory.
+
+"By St. George of Burgundy, my Lord Archbishop," answered the Duke,
+sternly and aloud, "we are not a prince of a mind so paltry that we
+need to shun the moody looks of a discontented and insolent faction.
+If the Estates of Burgundy send a disobedient and disloyal answer to
+our paternal message, let them deliver it in open court, that the
+assembled people may learn how to decide between their Duke and those
+petty yet intriguing spirits, who would interfere with our authority."
+
+The chancellor bowed gravely, and took his seat; while the English
+Earl observed, that most of the members of the assembly, excepting
+such as in doing so could not escape the Duke's notice, passed some
+observations to their neighbours, which were received with a
+half-expressed nod, shrug, or shake of the head, as men treat a
+proposal upon which it is dangerous to decide. At the same time,
+Toison d'Or, who acted as master of the ceremonies, introduced into
+the hall a committee of the Estates, consisting of twelve members,
+four from each branch of the Estates, announced as empowered to
+deliver the answer of that assembly to the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+When the deputation entered the hall, Charles arose from his throne,
+according to ancient custom, and taking from his head his bonnet,
+charged with a huge plume of feathers, "Health and welcome," he said,
+"to my good subjects of the Estates of Burgundy!" All the numerous
+train of courtiers rose and uncovered their heads with the same
+ceremony. The members of the States then dropped on one knee, the four
+ecclesiastics, among whom Oxford recognised the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's, approaching nearest to the Duke's person, the nobles kneeling
+behind them, and the burgesses in the rear of the whole.
+
+"Noble Duke," said the Priest of St. Paul's, "will it best please you
+to hear the answer of your good and loyal Estates of Burgundy by the
+voice of one member speaking for the whole, or by three persons, each
+delivering the sense of the body to which he belongs?"
+
+"As you will," said the Duke of Burgundy.
+
+"A priest, a noble, and a free burgher," said the Churchman, still on
+one knee, "will address your Highness in succession. For though,
+blessed be the God who leads brethren to dwell together in unity! we
+are agreed in the general answer, yet each body of the Estates may
+have special and separate reasons to allege for the common opinion."
+
+"We will hear you separately," said Duke Charles, casting his hat upon
+his head, and throwing himself carelessly back into his seat. At the
+same time, all who were of noble blood, whether in the committee or
+amongst the spectators, vouched their right to be peers of their
+sovereign by assuming their bonnets; and a cloud of waving plumes at
+once added grace and dignity to the assembly.
+
+When the Duke resumed his seat, the deputation arose from their knees,
+and the Black Priest of St. Paul's, again stepping forth, addressed
+him in these words:--
+
+"My Lord Duke, your loyal and faithful clergy have considered your
+Highness's proposal to lay a talliage on your people, in order to
+make war on the confederate Cantons in the country of the Alps. The
+quarrel, my liege lord, seems to your clergy an unjust and oppressive
+one on your Highness's part; nor can they hope that God will bless
+those who arm in it. They are therefore compelled to reject your
+Highness's proposal."
+
+The Duke's eye lowered gloomily on the deliverer of this unpalatable
+message. He shook his head with one of those stern and menacing looks
+which the harsh composition of his features rendered them peculiarly
+qualified to express. "You have spoken, Sir Priest," was the only
+reply which he deigned to make.
+
+One of the four nobles, the Sire de Myrebeau, then expressed himself
+thus:--
+
+"Your Highness has asked of your faithful nobles to consent to new
+imposts and exactions, to be levied through Burgundy, for the raising
+of additional bands of hired soldiers for the maintenance of the
+quarrels of the State. My lord, the swords of the Burgundian nobles,
+knights, and gentlemen have been ever at your Highness's command, as
+those of our ancestors have been readily wielded for your
+predecessors. In your Highness's just quarrel we will go farther, and
+fight firmer, than any hired fellows who can be procured, whether from
+France, or Germany, or Italy. We will not give our consent that the
+people should be taxed for paying mercenaries to discharge that
+military duty which it is alike our pride and our exclusive privilege
+to render."
+
+"You have spoken, Sire de Myrebeau," were again the only words of the
+Duke's reply. He uttered them slowly and with deliberation, as if
+afraid lest some phrase of imprudent violence should escape along with
+what he purposed to say. Oxford thought he cast a glance towards him
+before he spoke, as if the consciousness of his presence was some
+additional restraint on his passion. "Now, Heaven grant," he said to
+himself, "that this opposition may work its proper effect, and induce
+the Duke to renounce an imprudent attempt, so hazardous and so
+unnecessary!"
+
+While he muttered these thoughts, the Duke made a sign to one of the
+_tiers etat_, or commons, to speak in his turn. The person who obeyed
+the signal was Martin Block, a wealthy butcher and grazier of Dijon.
+His words were these: "Noble Prince, our fathers were the dutiful
+subjects of your predecessors; we are the same to you; our children
+will be alike the liegemen of your successors. But, touching the
+request your chancellor has made to us, it is such as our ancestors
+never complied with; such as we are determined to refuse, and such as
+will never be conceded by the Estates of Burgundy, to any prince
+whatsoever, even to the end of time."
+
+Charles had borne with impatient silence the speeches of the two
+former orators, but this blunt and hardy reply of the third Estate
+excited him beyond what his nature could endure. He gave way to the
+impetuosity of his disposition, stamped on the floor till the throne
+shook, and the high vault rung over their heads, and overwhelmed the
+bold burgher with reproaches. "Beast of burden," he said, "am I to be
+stunned with thy braying too? The nobles may claim leave to speak, for
+they can fight; the clergy may use their tongues, for it is their
+trade; but thou, that hast never shed blood, save that of bullocks,
+more stupid than thou art thyself--must thou and thy herd come hither,
+privileged, forsooth, to bellow at a prince's footstool? Know, brute
+as thou art, that steers are never introduced into temples but to be
+sacrificed, or butchers and mechanics brought before their sovereign,
+save that they may have the honour to supply the public wants from
+their own swelling hoards!"
+
+A murmur of displeasure, which even the terror of the Duke's wrath
+could not repress, ran through the audience at these words; and the
+burgher of Dijon, a sturdy plebeian, replied, with little reverence:
+"Our purses, my Lord Duke, are our own--we will not put the strings of
+them into your Highness's hands, unless we are satisfied with the
+purposes to which the money is to be applied; and we know well how to
+protect our persons and our goods against foreign ruffians and
+plunderers."
+
+Charles was on the point of ordering the deputy to be arrested, when,
+having cast his eye towards the Earl of Oxford, whose presence, in
+despite of himself, imposed a certain degree of restraint upon him, he
+exchanged that piece of imprudence for another.
+
+"I see," he said, addressing the committee of Estates, "that you are
+all leagued to disappoint my purposes, and doubtless to deprive me of
+all the power of a sovereign, save that of wearing a coronet, and
+being served on the knee like a second Charles the Simple, while the
+Estates of my kingdom divide the power among them. But you shall know
+that you have to do with Charles of Burgundy, a prince who, though he
+has deigned to consult you, is fully able to fight battles without
+the aid of his nobles, since they refuse him the assistance of their
+swords--to defray the expense without the help of his sordid
+burghers--and, it may be, to find out a path to heaven without the
+assistance of an ungrateful priesthood. I will show all that are here
+present how little my mind is affected, or my purpose changed, by your
+seditious reply to the message with which I honoured you.--Here,
+Toison d'Or, admit into our presence these men from the confederated
+towns and cantons, as they call themselves, of Switzerland."
+
+Oxford, and all who really interested themselves in the Duke's
+welfare, heard, with the utmost apprehension, his resolution to give
+an audience to the Swiss Envoys, prepossessed as he was against them,
+and in the moment when his mood was chafed to the uttermost by the
+refusal of the Estates to grant him supplies. They were aware that
+obstacles opposed to the current of his passion were like rocks in the
+bed of a river, whose course they cannot interrupt, while they provoke
+it to rage and foam. All were sensible that the die was cast, but none
+who were not endowed with more than mortal prescience could have
+imagined how deep was the pledge which depended upon it. Oxford, in
+particular, conceived that the execution of his plan of a descent upon
+England was the principal point compromised by the Duke in his rash
+obstinacy; but he suspected not--he dreamed not of supposing--that the
+life of Charles himself, and the independence of Burgundy as a
+separate kingdom, hung quivering in the same scales.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[7] The chief order of knighthood in the state of Burgundy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+     Why, 'tis a boisterous and cruel style,
+     A style for challengers. Why, she defies us,
+     Like Turk to Christian.
+                                _As You Like It._
+
+
+The doors of the hall were now opened to the Swiss deputies, who for
+the preceding hour had been kept in attendance on the outside of the
+building, without receiving the slightest of those attentions which
+among civilised nations are universally paid to the representatives of
+a foreign State. Indeed, their very appearance, dressed in coarse grey
+frocks, like mountain hunters or shepherds, in the midst of an
+assembly blazing with divers-coloured garments, gold and silver lace,
+embroidery, and precious stones, served to confirm the idea that they
+could only have come hither in the capacity of the most humble
+petitioners.
+
+Oxford, however, who watched closely the deportment of his late
+fellow-travellers, failed not to observe that they retained each in
+his own person the character of firmness and indifference which
+formerly distinguished them. Rudolph Donnerhugel preserved his bold
+and haughty look; the Banneret, the military indifference which made
+him look with apparent apathy on all around him; the burgher of
+Soleure was as formal and important as ever; nor did any of the three
+show themselves affected in the slightest degree by the splendour of
+the scene around them, or embarrassed by the consideration of their
+own comparative inferiority of appointments. But the noble Landamman,
+on whom Oxford chiefly bent his attention, seemed overwhelmed with a
+sense of the precarious state in which his country was placed;
+fearing, from the rude and unhonoured manner in which they were
+received, that war was unavoidable, while, at the same time, like a
+good patriot, he mourned over the consequences of ruin to the freedom
+of his country by defeat, or injury to her simplicity and virtuous
+indifference of wealth, by the introduction of foreign luxuries and
+the evils attending on conquest.
+
+Well acquainted with the opinions of Arnold Biederman, Oxford could
+easily explain his sadness, while his comrade Bonstetten, less capable
+of comprehending his friend's feelings, looked at him with the
+expression which may be seen in the countenance of a faithful dog,
+when the creature indicates sympathy with his master's melancholy,
+though unable to ascertain or appreciate its cause. A look of wonder
+now and then glided around the splendid assembly on the part of all
+the forlorn group, excepting Donnerhugel and the Landamman; for the
+indomitable pride of the one, and the steady patriotism of the other,
+could not for even an instant be diverted by external objects from
+their own deep and stern reflections.
+
+After a silence of nearly five minutes, the Duke spoke, with the
+haughty and harsh manner which he might imagine belonged to his place,
+and which certainly expressed his character.
+
+"Men of Berne, of Schwitz, or of whatever hamlet and wilderness you
+may represent, know that we had not honoured you, rebels as you are
+to the dominion of your lawful superiors, with an audience in our own
+presence, but for the intercession of a well-esteemed friend, who has
+sojourned among your mountains, and whom you may know by the name of
+Philipson, an Englishman, following the trade of a merchant, and
+charged with certain valuable matters of traffic to our court. To his
+intercession we have so far given way, that instead of commanding you,
+according to your demerits, to the gibbet and the wheel in the Place
+de Morimont, we have condescended to receive you into our own
+presence, sitting in our _cour pleniere_, to hear from you such
+submission as you can offer for your outrageous storm of our town of
+La Ferette, the slaughter of many of our liegemen, and the deliberate
+murder of the noble knight, Archibald of Hagenbach, executed in your
+presence, and by your countenance and device. Speak--if you can say
+aught in defence of your felony and treason, either to deprecate just
+punishment, or crave undeserved mercy."
+
+The Landamman seemed about to answer; but Rudolph Donnerhugel, with
+his characteristic boldness and hardihood, took the task of reply on
+himself. He confronted the proud Duke with an eye unappalled, and a
+countenance as stern as his own.
+
+"We came not here," he said, "to compromise our own honour, or the
+dignity of the free people whom we represent, by pleading guilty in
+their name, or our own, to crimes of which we are innocent. And when
+you term us rebels, you must remember, that a long train of victories,
+whose history is written in the noblest blood of Austria, has
+restored to the confederacy of our communities the freedom of which an
+unjust tyranny in vain attempted to deprive us. While Austria was a
+just and beneficent mistress, we served her with our lives;--when she
+became oppressive and tyrannical, we assumed independence. If she has
+aught yet to claim from us, the descendants of Tell, Faust, and
+Stauffacher will be as ready to assert their liberties as their
+fathers were to gain them. Your Grace--if such be your title--has no
+concern with any dispute betwixt us and Austria. For your threats of
+gibbet and wheel, we are here defenceless men, on whom you may work
+your pleasure; but we know how to die, and our countrymen know how to
+avenge us."
+
+The fiery Duke would have replied by commanding the instant arrest,
+and probably the immediate execution, of the whole deputation. But his
+chancellor, availing himself of the privilege of his office, rose,
+and, doffing his cap with a deep reverence to the Duke, requested
+leave to reply to the misproud young man, who had, he said, so greatly
+mistaken the purpose of his Highness's speech.
+
+Charles, feeling perhaps at the moment too much irritated to form a
+calm decision, threw himself back in his chair of state, and with an
+impatient and angry nod gave his chancellor permission to speak.
+
+"Young man," said that high officer, "you have mistaken the meaning of
+the high and mighty sovereign in whose presence you stand. Whatever be
+the lawful rights of Austria over the revolted villages which have
+flung off their allegiance to their native superior, we have no call
+to enter on that argument. But that for which Burgundy demands your
+answer is, wherefore, coming here in the guise, and with the
+character, of peaceful envoys, on affairs touching your own
+communities and the rights of the Duke's subjects, you have raised war
+in our peaceful dominions, stormed a fortress, massacred its garrison,
+and put to death a noble knight, its commander?--all of them actions
+contrary to the law of nations, and highly deserving of the punishment
+with which you have been justly threatened, but with which I hope our
+gracious sovereign will dispense, if you express some sufficient
+reason for such outrageous insolence, with an offer of due submission
+to his Highness's pleasure, and satisfactory reparation for such a
+high injury."
+
+"You are a priest, grave sir?" answered Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+addressing the Chancellor of Burgundy. "If there be a soldier in this
+assembly who will avouch your charge, I challenge him to the combat,
+man to man. We did not storm the garrison of La Ferette--we were
+admitted into the gates in a peaceful manner, and were there instantly
+surrounded by the soldiers of the late Archibald de Hagenbach, with
+the obvious purpose of assaulting and murdering us on our peaceful
+mission. I promise you there had been news of more men dying than us.
+But an uproar broke out among the inhabitants of the town, assisted, I
+believe, by many neighbours, to whom the insolence and oppression of
+Archibald de Hagenbach had become odious, as to all who were within
+his reach. We rendered them no assistance; and, I trust, it was not
+expected that we should interfere in the favour of men who had stood
+prepared to do the worst against us. But not a pike or sword
+belonging to us or our attendants was dipped in Burgundian blood.
+Archibald de Hagenbach perished, it is true, on a scaffold, and I saw
+him die with pleasure, under a sentence pronounced by a competent
+court, such as is recognised in Westphalia, and its dependencies on
+this side of the Rhine. I am not obliged to vindicate their
+proceedings; but I aver, that the Duke has received full proof of his
+regular sentence; and, in fine, that it was amply deserved by
+oppression, tyranny, and foul abuse of his authority, I will uphold
+against all gainsayers, with the body of a man. There lies my glove."
+
+And, with an action suited to the language he used, the stern Swiss
+flung his right-hand glove on the floor of the hall. In the spirit of
+the age, with the love of distinction in arms which it nourished, and
+perhaps with the desire of gaining the Duke's favour, there was a
+general motion among the young Burgundians to accept the challenge,
+and more than six or eight gloves were hastily doffed by the young
+knights present, those who were more remote flinging them over the
+heads of the nearest, and each proclaiming his name and title as he
+proffered the gage of combat.
+
+"I set at all," said the daring young Swiss, gathering the gauntlets
+as they fell clashing around him. "More, gentlemen, more! a glove for
+every finger! come on, one at once--fair lists, equal judges of the
+field, the combat on foot, and the weapons two-handed swords, and I
+will not budge for a score of you."
+
+  [Illustration: THE DEFIANCE.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de los Rios.]
+
+"Hold, gentlemen! on your allegiance, hold!" said the Duke, gratified
+at the same time, and somewhat appeased, by the zeal which was
+displayed in his cause--moved by the strain of reckless
+bravery evinced by the challenger, with a hardihood akin to his
+own--perhaps also not unwilling to display, in the view of his _cour
+pleniere_, more temperance than he had been at first capable of.
+"Hold, I command you all.--Toison d'Or, gather up these gauntlets, and
+return them each to his owner. God and St. George forbid that we
+should hazard the life of even the least of our noble Burgundian
+gentry against such a churl as this Swiss peasant, who never so much
+as mounted a horse, and knows not a jot of knightly courtesy, or the
+grace of chivalry.--Carry your vulgar brawls elsewhere, young man, and
+know that, on the present occasion, the Place Morimont were your only
+fitting lists, and the hangman your meet antagonist. And you, sirs,
+his companions--whose behaviour in suffering this swaggerer to take
+the lead amongst you seems to show that the laws of nature, as well as
+of society, are inverted, and that youth is preferred to age, as
+gentry to peasants--you white-bearded men, I say, is there none of you
+who can speak your errand in such language as it becomes a sovereign
+prince to listen to?"
+
+"God forbid else," said the Landamman, stepping forward and silencing
+Rudolph Donnerhugel, who was commencing an answer of defiance--"God
+forbid," he said, "noble Duke, that we should not be able to speak so
+as to be understood before your Highness, since, I trust, we shall
+speak the language of truth, peace, and justice. Nay, should it
+incline your Highness to listen to us the more favourably for our
+humility, I am willing to humble myself rather than you should shun
+to hear us. For my own part, I can truly say that, though I have
+lived, and by free choice have resolved to die, a husbandman and a
+hunter on the Alps of the Unterwald, I may claim by birth the
+hereditary right to speak before Dukes and Kings, and the Emperor
+himself. There is no one, my Lord Duke, in this proud assembly, who
+derives his descent from a nobler source than Geierstein."
+
+"We have heard of you," said the Duke. "Men call you the
+peasant-count. Your birth is your shame; or perhaps your mother's, if
+your father had happened to have a handsome ploughman, the fitting
+father of one who has become a willing serf."
+
+"No serf, my lord," answered the Landamman, "but a freeman, who will
+neither oppress others nor be himself tyrannised over. My father was a
+noble lord, my mother a most virtuous lady. But I will not be
+provoked, by taunt or scornful jest, to refrain from stating with
+calmness what my country has given me in charge to say. The
+inhabitants of the bleak and inhospitable regions of the Alps desire,
+mighty sir, to remain at peace with all their neighbours, and to enjoy
+the government they have chosen, as best fitted to their condition and
+habits, leaving all other states and countries to their free-will in
+the same respects. Especially, they desire to remain at peace and in
+unity with the princely House of Burgundy, whose dominions approach
+their possessions on so many points. My lord, they desire it, they
+entreat it, they even consent to pray for it. We have been termed
+stubborn, intractable, and insolent contemners of authority, and
+headers of sedition and rebellion. In evidence of the contrary, my
+Lord Duke, I, who never bent a knee but to Heaven, feel no dishonour
+in kneeling before your Highness, as before a sovereign prince in the
+_cour pleniere_ of his dominions, where he has a right to exact homage
+from his subjects out of duty, and from strangers out of courtesy. No
+vain pride of mine," said the noble old man, his eyes swelling with
+tears, as he knelt on one knee, "shall prevent me from personal
+humiliation, when peace--that blessed peace, so dear to God, so
+inappreciably valuable to man--is in danger of being broken off."
+
+The whole assembly, even the Duke himself, were affected by the noble
+and stately manner in which the brave old man made a genuflection,
+which was obviously dictated by neither meanness nor timidity. "Arise,
+sir," said Charles; "if we have said aught which can wound your
+private feelings, we retract it as publicly as the reproach was
+spoken, and sit prepared to hear you, as a fair-meaning envoy."
+
+"For that, my noble lord, thanks; and I shall hold it a blessed day,
+if I can find words worthy of the cause I have to plead. My lord, a
+schedule in your Highness's hands has stated the sense of many
+injuries received at the hand of your Highness's officers, and those
+of Romont, Count of Savoy, your strict ally and adviser, we have a
+right to suppose, under your Highness's countenance. For Count
+Romont--he has already felt with whom he has to contend; but we have
+as yet taken no measures to avenge injuries, affronts, interruptions
+to our commerce, from those who have availed themselves of your
+Highness's authority to intercept our countrymen, spoil our goods,
+impress their persons, and even, in some instances, take their lives.
+The affray at La Ferette--I can vouch for what I saw--had no origin or
+abettance from us; nevertheless, it is impossible an independent
+nation can suffer the repetition of such injuries, and free and
+independent we are determined to remain, or to die in defence of our
+rights. What then must follow, unless your Highness listens to the
+terms which I am commissioned to offer? War, a war to extermination;
+for so long as one of our Confederacy can wield a halberd, so long, if
+this fatal strife once commences, there will be war betwixt your
+powerful realms and our poor and barren States. And what can the noble
+Duke of Burgundy gain by such a strife? Is it wealth and plunder?
+Alas, my lord, there is more gold and silver on the very bridle-bits
+of your Highness's household troops than can be found in the public
+treasures or private hoards of our whole Confederacy. Is it fame and
+glory you aspire to? There is little honour to be won by a numerous
+army over a few scattered bands, by men clad in mail over half-armed
+husbandmen and shepherds--of such conquest small were the glory. But
+if, as all Christian men believe, and as it is the constant trust of
+my countrymen, from memory of the times of our fathers,--if the Lord
+of Hosts should cast the balance in behalf of the fewer numbers and
+worse-armed party, I leave it with your Highness to judge what would,
+in that event, be the diminution of worship and fame. Is it extent of
+vassalage and dominion your Highness desires, by warring with your
+mountain neighbours? Know that you may, if it be God's will, gain our
+barren and rugged mountains; but, like our ancestors of old, we will
+seek refuge in wilder and more distant solitudes, and, when we have
+resisted to the last, we will starve in the icy wastes of the
+glaciers. Ay, men, women, and children, we will be frozen into
+annihilation together, ere one free Switzer will acknowledge a foreign
+master."
+
+The speech of the Landamman made an obvious impression on the
+assembly. The Duke observed it, and his hereditary obstinacy was
+irritated by the general disposition which he saw entertained in
+favour of the ambassador. This evil principle overcame some impression
+which the address of the noble Biederman had not failed to make upon
+him. He answered with a lowering brow, interrupting the old man as he
+was about to continue his speech,--"You argue falsely, Sir Count, or
+Sir Landamman, or by whatever name you call yourself, if you think we
+war on you from any hope of spoil, or any desire of glory. We know as
+well as you can tell us that there is neither profit nor fame to be
+achieved by conquering you. But sovereigns, to whom Heaven has given
+the power, must root out a band of robbers, though there is dishonour
+in measuring swords with them; and we hunt to death a herd of wolves,
+though their flesh is carrion, and their skins are naught."
+
+The Landamman shook his grey head, and replied, without testifying
+emotion, and even with something approaching to a smile,--"I am an
+older woodsman than you, my Lord Duke--and, it may be, a more
+experienced one. The boldest, the hardiest hunter, will not safely
+drive the wolf to his den. I have shown your Highness the poor chance
+of gain, and the great risk of loss, which even you, powerful as you
+are, must incur by risking a war with determined and desperate men.
+Let me now tell what we are willing to do to secure a sincere and
+lasting peace with our powerful neighbour of Burgundy. Your Grace is
+in the act of engrossing Lorraine, and it seems probable, under so
+vigorous and enterprising a Prince, your authority may be extended to
+the shores of the Mediterranean--be our noble friend and sincere ally,
+and our mountains, defended by warriors familiar with victory, will be
+your barriers against Germany and Italy. For your sake we will admit
+the Count of Savoy to terms, and restore to him our conquests, on such
+conditions as your Highness shall yourself judge reasonable. Of past
+subjects of offence on the part of your lieutenants and governors upon
+the frontier we will be silent, so we have assurance of no such
+aggressions in future. Nay, more, and it is my last and proudest
+offer, we will send three thousand of our youth to assist your
+Highness in any war which you may engage in, whether against Louis of
+France or the Emperor of Germany. They are a different set of
+men--proudly and truly may I state it--from the scum of Germany and
+Italy, who form themselves into mercenary bands of soldiers. And, if
+Heaven should decide your Highness to accept our offer, there will be
+one corps in your army which will leave their carcasses on the field
+ere a man of them break their plighted troth."
+
+A swarthy but tall and handsome man, wearing a corselet richly
+engraved with arabesque work, started from his seat with the air of
+one provoked beyond the bounds of restraint. This was the Count de
+Campo-basso, commander of Charles's Italian mercenaries, who
+possessed, as has been alluded to, much influence over the Duke's
+mind, chiefly obtained by accommodating himself to his master's
+opinions and prejudices, and placing before the Duke specious
+arguments to justify him for following his own way.
+
+"This lofty presence must excuse me," he said, "if I speak in defence
+of my honour, and those of my bold lances, who have followed my
+fortunes from Italy to serve the bravest Prince in Christendom. I
+might, indeed, pass over without resentment the outrageous language of
+this grey-haired churl, whose words cannot affect a knight and a
+nobleman more than the yelling of a peasant's mastiff. But when I hear
+him propose to associate his bands of mutinous misgoverned ruffians
+with your Highness's troops, I must let him know that there is not a
+horse-boy in my ranks who would fight in such fellowship. No, even I
+myself, bound by a thousand ties of gratitude, could not submit to
+strive abreast with such comrades. I would fold up my banners, and
+lead five thousand men to seek,--not a nobler master, for the world
+has none such,--but wars in which we might not be obliged to blush for
+our assistants."
+
+"Silence, Campo-basso!" said the Duke, "and be assured you serve a
+prince who knows your worth too well to exchange it for the untried
+and untrustful services of those whom we have only known as vexatious
+and malignant neighbours."
+
+Then, addressing himself to Arnold Biederman, he said coldly and
+sternly, "Sir Landamman, we have heard you fairly. We have heard you,
+although you come before us with hands dyed deep in the blood of our
+servant, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach; for, supposing he was murdered by
+a villanous association,--which, by St. George! shall never, while we
+live and reign, raise its pestilential head on this side of the
+Rhine,--yet it is not the less undeniable and undenied, that you stood
+by in arms, and encouraged the deed the assassins performed under your
+countenance. Return to your mountains, and be thankful that you return
+in life. Tell those who sent you that I will be presently on their
+frontiers. A deputation of your most notable persons, who meet me with
+halters round their necks, torches in their left hands, in their right
+their swords held by the point, may learn on what conditions we will
+grant you peace."
+
+"Then farewell peace, and welcome war," said the Landamman; "and be
+its plagues and curses on the heads of those who choose blood and
+strife rather than peace and union. We will meet you on our frontiers
+with our naked swords, but the hilts, not their points, shall be in
+our grasp. Charles of Burgundy, Flanders, and Lorraine, Duke of seven
+dukedoms, Count of seventeen earldoms, I bid you defiance; and declare
+war against you in the name of the confederated Cantons, and such
+others as shall adhere to them. There," he said, "are my letters of
+defiance."
+
+The herald took from Arnold Biederman the fatal denunciation.
+
+"Read it not, Toison d'Or!" said the haughty Duke. "Let the
+executioner drag it through the streets at his horse's tail, and nail
+it to the gibbet, to show in what account we hold the paltry scroll,
+and those who sent it.--Away, sirs!" speaking to the Swiss. "Trudge
+back to your wildernesses with such haste as your feet can use. When
+we next meet, you shall better know whom you have offended.--Get our
+horse ready--the council is broken up."
+
+The Maire of Dijon, when all were in motion to leave the hall, again
+approached the Duke, and timidly expressed some hopes that his
+Highness would deign to partake of a banquet which the magistracy had
+prepared, in expectation he might do them such an honour.
+
+"No, by St. George of Burgundy, Sir Maire," said Charles, with one of
+the withering glances by which he was wont to express indignation
+mixed with contempt,--"you have not pleased us so well with our
+breakfast as to induce us to trust our dinner to the loyalty of our
+good town of Dijon."
+
+So saying, he rudely turned off from the mortified chief magistrate,
+and, mounting his horse, rode back to his camp, conversing earnestly
+on the way with the Count of Campo-basso.
+
+"I would offer you dinner, my Lord of Oxford," said Colvin to that
+nobleman, when he alighted at his tent, "but I foresee, ere you could
+swallow a mouthful, you will be summoned to the Duke's presence; for
+it is our Charles's way, when he has fixed on a wrong course, to
+wrangle with his friends and counsellors, in order to prove it is a
+right one. Marry, he always makes a convert of yon supple Italian."
+
+Colvin's augury was speedily realised; for a page almost immediately
+summoned the English merchant, Philipson, to attend the Duke. Without
+waiting an instant, Charles poured forth an incoherent tide of
+reproaches against the Estates of his dukedom, for refusing him their
+countenance in so slight a matter, and launched out in explanations of
+the necessity which he alleged there was for punishing the audacity of
+the Swiss. "And thou too, Oxford," he concluded, "art such an
+impatient fool as to wish me to engage in a distant war with England,
+and transport forces over the sea, when I have such insolent mutineers
+to chastise on my own frontiers?"
+
+When he was at length silent, the English Earl laid before him, with
+respectful earnestness, the danger that appeared to be involved in
+engaging with a people, poor indeed, but universally dreaded, from
+their discipline and courage, and that under the eye of so dangerous a
+rival as Louis of France, who was sure to support the Duke's enemies
+underhand, if he did not join them openly. On this point the Duke's
+resolution was immovable. "It shall never," he said, "be told of me,
+that I uttered threats which I dared not execute. These boors have
+declared war against me, and they shall learn whose wrath it is that
+they have wantonly provoked; but I do not, therefore, renounce thy
+scheme, my good Oxford. If thou canst procure me this same cession of
+Provence, and induce old Rene to give up the cause of his grandson,
+Ferrand of Vaudemont, in Lorraine, thou wilt make it well worth my
+while to send thee brave aid against my brother Blackburn, who, while
+he is drinking healths pottle-deep in France, may well come to lose
+his lands in England. And be not impatient because I cannot at this
+very instant send men across the seas. The march which I am making
+towards Neufchatel, which is, I think, the nearest point where I shall
+find these churls, will be but like a morning's excursion. I trust you
+will go with us, old companion. I should like to see if you have
+forgotten, among yonder mountains, how to back a horse and lay a lance
+in rest."
+
+"I will wait on your Highness," said the Earl, "as is my duty, for my
+motions must depend on your pleasure. But I will not carry arms,
+especially against those people of Helvetia, from whom I have
+experienced hospitality, unless it be for my own personal defence."
+
+"Well," replied the Duke, "e'en be it so; we shall have in you an
+excellent judge, to tell us who best discharges his devoir against the
+mountain clowns."
+
+At this point in the conversation there was a knocking at the entrance
+of the pavilion, and the Chancellor of Burgundy presently entered, in
+great haste and anxiety. "News, my lord--news of France and England,"
+said the prelate, and then, observing the presence of a stranger, he
+looked at the Duke, and was silent.
+
+"It is a faithful friend, my Lord Bishop," said the Duke; "you may
+tell your news before him."
+
+"It will soon be generally known," said the chancellor. "Louis and
+Edward are fully accorded." Both the Duke and the English Earl
+started.
+
+"I expected this," said the Duke, "but not so soon."
+
+"The Kings have met," answered his minister.
+
+"How--in battle?" said Oxford, forgetting himself in his extreme
+eagerness.
+
+The chancellor was somewhat surprised, but as the Duke seemed to
+expect him to give an answer, he replied, "No, Sir Stranger--not in
+battle, but upon appointment, and in peace and amity."
+
+"The sight must have been worth seeing," said the Duke; "when the old
+fox Louis, and my brother Black--I mean my brother Edward--met. Where
+held they their rendezvous?"
+
+"On a bridge over the Seine, at Picquigny."
+
+"I would thou hadst been there," said the Duke, looking to Oxford,
+"with a good axe in thy hand, to strike one fair blow for England, and
+another for Burgundy. My grandfather was treacherously slain at just
+such a meeting, at the Bridge of Montereau, upon the Yonne."
+
+"To prevent a similar chance," said the chancellor, "a strong
+barricade, such as closes the cages in which men keep wild beasts, was
+raised in the midst of the bridge, and prevented the possibility of
+their even touching each other's hands."
+
+"Ha, ha! By St. George, that smells of Louis's craft and caution; for
+the Englishman, to give him his due, is as little acquainted with fear
+as with policy. But what terms have they made? Where do the English
+army winter? What towns, fortresses, and castles are surrendered to
+them, in pledge, or in perpetuity?"
+
+"None, my liege," said the chancellor. "The English army returns into
+England, as fast as shipping can be procured to transport them; and
+Louis will accommodate them with every sail and oar in his dominions,
+rather than they should not instantly evacuate France."
+
+"And by what concessions has Louis bought a peace so necessary to his
+affairs?"
+
+"By fair words," said the chancellor, "by liberal presents, and by
+some five hundred tuns of wine."
+
+"Wine!" exclaimed the Duke. "Heardst thou ever the like, Seignor
+Philipson? Why, your countrymen are little better than Esau, who sold
+his birthright for a mess of pottage. Marry, I must confess I never
+saw an Englishman who loved a dry-lipped bargain."
+
+"I can scarce believe this news," said the Earl of Oxford. "If this
+Edward were content to cross the sea with fifty thousand Englishmen
+merely to return again, there are in his camp both proud nobles and
+haughty commons enough to resist his disgraceful purpose."
+
+"The money of Louis," said the statesman, "has found noble hands
+willing to clutch it. The wine of France has flooded every throat in
+the English army--the riot and uproar was unbounded--and at one time
+the town of Amiens, where Louis himself resided, was full of so many
+English archers, all of them intoxicated, that the person of the King
+of France was almost in their hands. Their sense of national honour
+has been lost in the universal revel, and those amongst them who would
+be more dignified and play the wise politicians say, that having come
+to France by connivance of the Duke of Burgundy, and that prince
+having failed to join them with his forces, they have done well,
+wisely, and gallantly, considering the season of the year, and the
+impossibility of obtaining quarters, to take tribute of France, and
+return home in triumph."
+
+"And leave Louis," said Oxford, "at undisturbed freedom to attack
+Burgundy with all his forces?"
+
+"Not so, friend Philipson," said Duke Charles; "know, that there is a
+truce betwixt Burgundy and France for the space of seven years, and
+had not this been granted and signed, it is probable that we might
+have found some means of marring the treaty betwixt Edward and Louis,
+even at the expense of affording those voracious islanders beef and
+beer during the winter months.--Sir Chancellor, you may leave us, but
+be within reach of a hasty summons."
+
+When his minister left the pavilion, the Duke, who with his rude and
+imperious character united much kindness, if it could not be termed
+generosity of disposition, came up to the Lancastrian lord, who stood
+like one at whose feet a thunderbolt has just broken, and who is still
+appalled by the terrors of the shock.
+
+"My poor Oxford," he said, "thou art stupefied by this news, which
+thou canst not doubt must have a fatal effect on the plan which thy
+brave bosom cherishes with such devoted fidelity. I would for thy sake
+I could have detained the English a little longer in France; but had I
+attempted to do so, there were an end of my truce with Louis, and of
+course to my power to chastise these paltry Cantons, or send forth an
+expedition to England. As matters stand, give me but a week to punish
+these mountaineers, and you shall have a larger force than your
+modesty has requested of me for your enterprise; and, in the
+meanwhile, I will take care that Blackburn and his cousin-archers have
+no assistance of shipping from Flanders. Tush, man, never fear
+it--thou wilt be in England long ere they; and, once more, rely on my
+assistance--always, thou knowest, the cession of Provence being
+executed, as in reason. Our cousin Margaret's diamonds we must keep
+for a time; and perhaps they may pass as a pledge, with some of our
+own, for the godly purpose of setting at freedom the imprisoned angels
+of our Flemish usurers, who will not lend even to their sovereign,
+unless on good current security. To such straits has the disobedient
+avarice of our Estates for the moment reduced us."
+
+"Alas! my lord," said the dejected nobleman, "I were ungrateful to
+doubt the sincerity of your good intentions. But who can presume on
+the events of war, especially when time presses for instant decision?
+You are pleased to trust me. Let your Highness extend your confidence
+thus far: I will take my horse, and ride after the Landamman, if he
+hath already set forth. I have little doubt to make such an
+accommodation with him that you may be secure on all your
+south-eastern frontiers. You may then with security work your will in
+Lorraine and Provence."
+
+"Do not speak of it," said the Duke, sharply; "thou forget'st thyself
+and me, when thou supposest that a prince, who has pledged his word to
+his people, can recall it like a merchant chaffering for his paltry
+wares. Go to--we will assist you, but we will be ourselves judge of
+the time and manner. Yet, having both kind will to our distressed
+cousin of Anjou, and being your good friend, we will not linger in the
+matter. Our host have orders to break up this evening and direct their
+march against Neufchatel, where these proud Swiss shall have a taste
+of the fire and sword which they have provoked."
+
+Oxford sighed deeply, but made no further remonstrance; in which he
+acted wisely, since it was likely to have exasperated the fiery temper
+of the sovereign to whom it was addressed, while it was certain that
+it would not in the slightest degree alter his resolution.
+
+He took farewell of the Duke, and returned to Colvin, whom he found
+immersed in the business of his department, and preparing for the
+removal of the artillery--an operation which the clumsiness of the
+ordnance, and the execrable state of the roads, rendered at that time
+a much more troublesome operation than at present, though it is even
+still one of the most laborious movements attending the march of an
+army. The Master of the Ordnance welcomed Oxford with much glee, and
+congratulated himself on the distinguished honour of enjoying his
+company during the campaign, and acquainted him that, by the especial
+command of the Duke, he had made fitting preparations for his
+accommodation, suitable to the disguised character which he meant to
+maintain, but in every other respect as convenient as a camp could
+admit of.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+     A mirthful man he was--the snows of age
+     Fell, but they did not chill him. Gaiety,
+     Even in life's closing, touch'd his teeming brain
+     With such wild visions as the setting sun
+     Raises in front of some hoar glacier,
+     Painting the bleak ice with a thousand hues.
+                                           _Old Play._
+
+
+Leaving the Earl of Oxford in attendance on the stubborn Duke of
+Burgundy during an expedition which the one represented as a brief
+excursion, more resembling a hunting-party than a campaign, and which
+the other considered in a much graver and more perilous light, we
+return to Arthur de Vere, or the younger Philipson, as he continued to
+be called, who was conducted by his guide with fidelity and success,
+but certainly very slowly, upon his journey into Provence.
+
+The state of Lorraine, overrun by the Duke of Burgundy's army, and
+infested at the same time by different scattered bands, who took the
+field, or held out the castles, as they alleged, for the interest of
+Count Ferrand de Vaudemont, rendered journeying so dangerous, that it
+was often necessary to leave the main road, and to take circuitous
+tracks, in order to avoid such unfriendly encounters as travellers
+might otherwise have met with.
+
+Arthur, taught by sad experience to distrust strange guides, found
+himself, nevertheless, in this eventful and perilous journey, disposed
+to rest considerable confidence in his present conductor, Thiebault,
+a Provencal by birth, intimately acquainted with the roads which they
+took, and, as far as he could judge, disposed to discharge his office
+with fidelity. Prudence alike, and the habits which he had acquired in
+travelling, as well as the character of a merchant which he still
+sustained, induced him to wave the _morgue_, or haughty superiority of
+a knight and noble towards an inferior personage, especially as he
+rightly conjectured that free intercourse with this man, whose
+acquirements seemed of a superior cast, was likely to render him a
+judge of his opinions and disposition towards him. In return for his
+condescension, he obtained a good deal of information concerning the
+province which he was approaching.
+
+As they drew near the boundaries of Provence, the communications of
+Thiebault became more fluent and interesting. He could not only tell
+the name and history of each romantic castle which they passed, in
+their devious and doubtful route, but had at his command the
+chivalrous history of the noble knights and barons to whom they now
+pertained, or had belonged in earlier days, and could recount their
+exploits against the Saracens, by repelling their attacks upon
+Christendom, or their efforts to recover the Holy Sepulchre from Pagan
+hands. In the course of such narrations, Thiebault was led to speak of
+the Troubadours, a race of native poets of Provencal origin, differing
+widely from the minstrels of Normandy, and the adjacent provinces of
+France, with whose tales of chivalry, as well as the numerous
+translations of their works into Norman-French and English, Arthur,
+like most of the noble youth of his country, was intimately acquainted
+and deeply imbued. Thiebault boasted that his grandsire, of humble
+birth indeed, but of distinguished talent, was one of this gifted
+race, whose compositions produced so great an effect on the temper and
+manners of their age and country. It was, however, to be regretted
+that, inculcating as the prime duty of life a fantastic spirit of
+gallantry, which sometimes crossed the Platonic bound prescribed to
+it, the poetry of the Troubadours was too frequently used to soften
+and seduce the heart, and corrupt the principles.[8]
+
+Arthur's attention was called to this peculiarity by Thiebault
+singing, which he could do with good skill, the history of a
+Troubadour, named William Cabestainy, who loved, _par amours_, a noble
+and beautiful lady, Margaret, the wife of a baron called Raymond de
+Roussillon. The jealous husband obtained proof of his dishonour, and,
+having put Cabestainy to death by assassination, he took his heart
+from his bosom, and causing it to be dressed like that of an animal,
+ordered it to be served up to his lady; and when she had eaten of the
+horrible mess, told her of what her banquet was composed. The lady
+replied, that since she had been made to partake of food so precious,
+no coarser morsel should ever after cross her lips. She persisted in
+her resolution, and thus starved herself to death. The Troubadour who
+celebrated this tragic history had displayed in his composition a good
+deal of poetic art. Glossing over the error of the lovers as the fault
+of their destiny, dwelling on their tragical fate with considerable
+pathos, and, finally, execrating the blind fury of the husband, with
+the full fervour of poetical indignation, he recorded, with vindictive
+pleasure, how every bold knight and true lover in the south of France
+assembled to besiege the baron's castle, stormed it by main force,
+left not one stone upon another, and put the tyrant himself to an
+ignominious death. Arthur was interested in the melancholy tale, which
+even beguiled him of a few tears; but as he thought further on its
+purport, he dried his eyes, and said, with some sternness,--"Thiebault,
+sing me no more such lays. I have heard my father say that the
+readiest mode to corrupt a Christian man is to bestow upon vice the
+pity and the praise which are due only to virtue. Your Baron of
+Roussillon is a monster of cruelty; but your unfortunate lovers were
+not the less guilty. It is by giving fair names to foul actions that
+those who would start at real vice are led to practise its lessons,
+under the disguise of virtue."
+
+"I would you knew, Seignor," answered Thiebault, "that this Lay of
+Cabestainy and the Lady Margaret of Roussillon is reckoned a
+masterpiece of the joyous science. Fie, sir, you are too young to be
+so strict a censor of morals. What will you do when your head is grey,
+if you are thus severe when it is scarcely brown?"
+
+"A head which listens to folly in youth will hardly be honourable in
+old age," answered Arthur.
+
+Thiebault had no mind to carry the dispute further.
+
+"It is not for me to contend with your worship. I only think, with
+every true son of chivalry and song, that a knight without a mistress
+is like a sky without a star."
+
+"Do I not know that?" answered Arthur; "but yet better remain in
+darkness than be guided by such false lights as shower down vice and
+pestilence."
+
+"Nay, it may be your seignorie is right," answered the guide. "It is
+certain that even in Provence here we have lost much of our keen
+judgment on matters of love--its difficulties, its intricacies, and
+its errors, since the Troubadours are no longer regarded as usual, and
+since the High and Noble Parliament of Love[9] has ceased to hold its
+sittings.
+
+"But in these latter days," continued the Provencal, "kings, dukes,
+and sovereigns, instead of being the foremost and most faithful
+vassals of the Court of Cupid, are themselves the slaves of
+selfishness and love of gain. Instead of winning hearts by breaking
+lances in the lists, they are breaking the hearts of their
+impoverished vassals by the most cruel exactions--instead of
+attempting to deserve the smile and favours of their lady-loves, they
+are meditating how to steal castles, towns, and provinces from their
+neighbours. But long life to the good and venerable King Rene! While
+he has an acre of land left, his residence will be the resort of
+valiant knights, whose only aim is praise in arms, of true lovers, who
+are persecuted by fortune, and of high-toned harpers, who know how to
+celebrate faith and valour."
+
+Arthur, interested in learning something more precise than common
+fame had taught him on the subject of this prince, easily induced the
+talkative Provencal to enlarge upon the virtues of his old sovereign's
+character, as just, joyous, and debonair, a friend to the most noble
+exercises of the chase and the tilt-yard, and still more so to the
+joyous science of Poetry and Music; who gave away more revenue than he
+received, in largesses to knights-errant and itinerant musicians, with
+whom his petty court was crowded, as one of the very few in which the
+ancient hospitality was still maintained.
+
+Such was the picture which Thiebault drew of the last minstrel
+monarch; and though the eulogium was exaggerated, perhaps the facts
+were not overcharged.
+
+Born of royal parentage, and with high pretensions, Rene had at no
+period of his life been able to match his fortunes to his claims. Of
+the kingdoms to which he asserted right, nothing remained in his
+possession but the county of Provence itself, a fair and friendly
+principality, but diminished by the many claims which France had
+acquired upon portions of it by advances of money to supply the
+personal expenses of its master, and by other portions, which
+Burgundy, to whom Rene had been a prisoner, held in pledge for his
+ransom. In his youth he engaged in more than one military enterprise,
+in the hope of attaining some part of the territory of which he was
+styled sovereign. His courage is not impeached, but fortune did not
+smile on his military adventures; and he seems at last to have become
+sensible that the power of admiring and celebrating warlike merit is
+very different from possessing that quality. In fact, Rene was a
+prince of very moderate parts, endowed with a love of the fine arts,
+which he carried to extremity, and a degree of good-humour, which
+never permitted him to repine at fortune, but rendered its possessor
+happy, when a prince of keener feelings would have died of despair.
+This insouciant, light-tempered, gay, and thoughtless disposition
+conducted Rene, free from all the passions which embitter life, and
+often shorten it, to a hale and mirthful old age. Even domestic
+losses, which often affect those who are proof against mere reverses
+of fortune, made no deep impression on the feelings of this cheerful
+old monarch. Most of his children had died young; Rene took it not to
+heart. His daughter Margaret's marriage with the powerful Henry of
+England was considered a connection much above the fortunes of the
+King of the Troubadours. But in the issue, instead of Rene deriving
+any splendour from the match, he was involved in the misfortunes of
+his daughter, and repeatedly obliged to impoverish himself to supply
+her ransom. Perhaps in his private soul the old king did not think
+these losses so mortifying as the necessity of receiving Margaret into
+his court and family. On fire when reflecting on the losses she had
+sustained, mourning over friends slain and kingdoms lost, the proudest
+and most passionate of princesses was ill suited to dwell with the
+gayest and best-humoured of sovereigns, whose pursuits she contemned,
+and whose lightness of temper, for finding comfort in such trifles,
+she could not forgive. The discomfort attached to her presence and
+vindictive recollections embarrassed the good-humoured old monarch,
+though it was unable to drive him beyond his equanimity.
+
+Another distress pressed him more sorely.--Yolande, a daughter of his
+first wife, Isabella, had succeeded to his claims upon the Duchy of
+Lorraine, and transmitted them to her son, Ferrand, Count of
+Vaudemont, a young man of courage and spirit, engaged at this time in
+the apparently desperate undertaking of making his title good against
+the Duke of Burgundy, who, with little right but great power, was
+seizing upon and overrunning this rich Duchy, which he laid claim to
+as a male fief. And to conclude, while the aged king on one side
+beheld his dethroned daughter in hopeless despair, and on the other
+his disinherited grandson in vain attempting to recover part of their
+rights, he had the additional misfortune to know that his nephew,
+Louis of France, and his cousin, the Duke of Burgundy, were secretly
+contending which should succeed him in that portion of Provence which
+he still continued to possess, and that it was only jealousy of each
+other which prevented his being despoiled of this last remnant of his
+territory. Yet amid all this distress Rene feasted and received
+guests, danced, sang, composed poetry, used the pencil or brush with
+no small skill, devised and conducted festivals and processions, and,
+studying to promote as far as possible the immediate mirth and
+good-humour of his subjects, if he could not materially enlarge their
+more permanent prosperity, was never mentioned by them, excepting as
+_Le bon Roi Rene_, a distinction conferred on him down to the present
+day, and due to him certainly by the qualities of his heart, if not by
+those of his head.
+
+Whilst Arthur was receiving from his guide a full account of the
+peculiarities of King Rene, they entered the territories of that
+merry monarch. It was late in the autumn, and about the period when
+the south-eastern counties of France rather show to least advantage.
+The foliage of the olive-tree is then decayed and withered, and as it
+predominates in the landscape, and resembles the scorched complexion
+of the soil itself, an ashen and arid hue is given to the whole.
+Still, however, there were scenes in the hilly and pastoral parts of
+the country where the quantity of evergreens relieved the eye even in
+this dead season.
+
+The appearance of the country, in general, had much in it that was
+peculiar.
+
+The travellers perceived at every turn some marks of the King's
+singular character. Provence, as the part of Gaul which first received
+Roman civilisation, and as having been still longer the residence of
+the Grecian colony who founded Marseilles, is more full of the
+splendid relics of ancient architecture than any other country in
+Europe, Italy and Greece excepted. The good taste of the King Rene had
+dictated some attempts to clear out and to restore these memorials of
+antiquity. Was there a triumphal arch or an ancient temple--huts and
+hovels were cleared away from its vicinity, and means were used at
+least to retard the approach of ruin. Was there a marble fountain,
+which superstition had dedicated to some sequestered naiad--it was
+surrounded by olives, almond and orange trees--its cistern was
+repaired, and taught once more to retain its crystal treasures. The
+huge amphitheatres and gigantic colonnades experienced the same
+anxious care, attesting that the noblest specimens of the fine arts
+found one admirer and preserver in King Rene, even during the course
+of those which are termed the dark and barbarous ages.
+
+A change of manners could also be observed in passing from Burgundy
+and Lorraine, where society relished of German bluntness, into the
+pastoral country of Provence, where the influence of a fine climate
+and melodious language, joined to the pursuits of the romantic old
+monarch, with the universal taste for music and poetry, had introduced
+a civilisation of manners which approached to affectation. The
+shepherd literally marched abroad in the morning, piping his flocks
+forth to the pasture with some love-sonnet, the composition of an
+amorous Troubadour; and his "fleecy care" seemed actually to be under
+the influence of his music, instead of being ungraciously insensible
+to its melody, as is the case in colder climates. Arthur observed,
+too, that the Provencal sheep, instead of being driven before the
+shepherd, regularly followed him, and did not disperse to feed until
+the swain, by turning his face round to them, remaining stationary,
+and, executing variations on the air which he was playing, seemed to
+remind them that it was proper to do so. While in motion, his huge
+dog, of a species which is trained to face the wolf, and who is
+respected by the sheep as their guardian, and not feared as their
+tyrant, followed his master with his ears pricked, like the chief
+critic and prime judge of the performance, at some tones of which he
+seldom failed to intimate disapprobation; while the flock, like the
+generality of an audience, followed in unanimous though silent
+applause. At the hour of noon, the shepherd had sometimes acquired an
+augmentation to his audience, in some comely matron or blooming
+maiden, with whom he had rendezvoused by such a fountain as we have
+described, and who listened to the husband's or lover's chalumeau, or
+mingled her voice with his in the duets, of which the songs of the
+Troubadours have left so many examples. In the cool of the evening,
+the dance on the village green, or the concert before the hamlet door;
+the little repast of fruits, cheese, and bread, which the traveller
+was readily invited to share, gave new charms to the illusion, and
+seemed in earnest to point out Provence as the Arcadia of France.
+
+But the greatest singularity was, in the eyes of Arthur, the total
+absence of armed men and soldiers in this peaceful country. In
+England, no man stirred without his long-bow, sword, and buckler. In
+France, the hind wore armour even when he was betwixt the stilts of
+his plough. In Germany, you could not look along a mile of highway but
+the eye was encountered by clouds of dust, out of which were seen, by
+fits, waving feathers and flashing armour. Even in Switzerland, the
+peasant, if he had a journey to make, though but of a mile or two,
+cared not to travel without his halberd and two-handed sword. But in
+Provence all seemed quiet and peaceful, as if the music of the land
+had lulled to sleep all its wrathful passions. Now and then a mounted
+cavalier might pass them, the harp at whose saddle-bow, or carried by
+one of his attendants, attested the character of a Troubadour, which
+was affected by men of all ranks; and then only a short sword on his
+left thigh, borne for show rather than use, was a necessary and
+appropriate part of his equipment.
+
+"Peace," said Arthur, as he looked around him, "is an inestimable
+jewel; but it will be soon snatched from those who are not prepared
+with heart and hand to defend it."
+
+The sight of the ancient and interesting town of Aix, where King Rene
+held his court, dispelled reflections of a general character, and
+recalled to the young Englishman the peculiar mission on which he was
+engaged.
+
+He then required to know from the Provencal Thiebault whether his
+instructions were to leave him, now that he had successfully attained
+the end of his journey.
+
+"My instructions," answered Thiebault, "are to remain in Aix while
+there is any chance of your seignorie's continuing there, to be of
+such use to you as you may require, either as a guide or an attendant,
+and to keep these men in readiness to wait upon you when you have
+occasion for messengers or guards. With your approbation, I will see
+them disposed of in fitting quarters, and receive my further
+instructions from your seignorie wherever you please to appoint me. I
+propose this separation, because I understand it is your present
+pleasure to be private."
+
+"I must go to court," answered Arthur, "without any delay. Wait for me
+in half an hour by that fountain in the street, which projects into
+the air such a magnificent pillar of water, surrounded, I would almost
+swear, by a vapour like steam, serving as a shroud to the jet which it
+envelopes."
+
+"The jet is so surrounded," answered the Provencal, "because it is
+supplied by a hot spring rising from the bowels of the earth, and the
+touch of frost on this autumn morning makes the vapour more
+distinguishable than usual.--But if it is good King Rene whom you
+seek, you will find him at this time walking in his chimney. Do not be
+afraid of approaching him, for there never was a monarch so easy of
+access, especially to good-looking strangers like you, seignorie."
+
+"But his ushers," said Arthur, "will not admit me into his hall."
+
+"His hall!" repeated Thiebault. "Whose hall?"
+
+"Why, King Rene's, I apprehend. If he is walking in a chimney, it can
+only be in that of his hall, and a stately one it must be to give him
+room for such exercise."
+
+"You mistake my meaning," said the guide, laughing. "What we call King
+Rene's chimney is the narrow parapet yonder; it extends between these
+two towers, has an exposure to the south, and is sheltered in every
+other direction. Yonder it is his pleasure to walk and enjoy the beams
+of the sun, on such cool mornings as the present. It nurses, he says,
+his poetical vein. If you approach his promenade he will readily speak
+to you, unless, indeed, he is in the very act of a poetical
+composition."
+
+Arthur could not forbear smiling at the thoughts of a king, eighty
+years of age, broken down with misfortunes and beset with dangers, who
+yet amused himself with walking in an open parapet, and composing
+poetry in presence of all such of his loving subjects as chose to look
+on.
+
+"If you will walk a few steps this way," said Thiebault, "you may see
+the good King, and judge whether or not you will accost him at
+present. I will dispose of the people, and await your orders at the
+fountain in the Corso."
+
+Arthur saw no objection to the proposal of his guide, and was not
+unwilling to have an opportunity of seeing something of the good King
+Rene, before he was introduced to his presence.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[8] Note I.--The Troubadours.
+
+[9] Note II.--Parliament of Love.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+     Ay, this is he who wears the wreath of bays
+     Wove by Apollo and the Sisters Nine,
+     Which Jove's dread lightning scathes not. He hath doft
+     The cumbrous helm of steel, and flung aside
+     The yet more galling diadem of gold;
+     While, with a leafy circlet round his brows,
+     He reigns the King of Lovers and of Poets.
+
+
+A cautious approach to the chimney--that is, the favourite walk of the
+King, who is described by Shakspeare as bearing
+
+           the style of King of Naples,
+     Of both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem,
+     Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman,
+
+gave Arthur the perfect survey of his Majesty in person. He saw an old
+man, with locks and beard, which, in amplitude and whiteness, nearly
+rivalled those of the envoy from Schwitz, but with a fresh and ruddy
+colour in his cheek, and an eye of great vivacity. His dress was showy
+to a degree almost inconsistent with his years; and his step, not only
+firm but full of alertness and vivacity, while occupied in traversing
+the short and sheltered walk, which he had chosen rather for comfort
+than for privacy, showed juvenile vigour still animating an aged
+frame. The old King carried his tablets and a pencil in his hand,
+seeming totally abstracted in his own thoughts, and indifferent to
+being observed by several persons from the public street beneath his
+elevated promenade.
+
+Of these, some, from their dress and manner, seemed themselves
+Troubadours; for they held in their hands rebecks, rotes, small
+portable harps, and other indications of their profession. Such
+appeared to be stationary, as if engaged in observing and recording
+their remarks on the meditations of their Prince. Other passengers,
+bent on their own more serious affairs, looked up to the King as to
+some one whom they were accustomed to see daily, but never passed
+without doffing their bonnets, and expressing, by a suitable
+obeisance, a respect and affection towards his person, which appeared
+to make up in cordiality of feeling what it wanted in deep and solemn
+deference.
+
+Rene, in the meanwhile, was apparently unconscious both of the gaze of
+such as stood still, or the greeting of those who passed on, his mind
+seeming altogether engrossed with the apparent labour of some arduous
+task in poetry or music. He walked fast or slow as best suited the
+progress of composition. At times he stopped to mark hastily down on
+his tablets something which seemed to occur to him as deserving of
+preservation; at other times he dashed out what he had written, and
+flung down the pencil as if in a sort of despair. On these occasions,
+the Sibylline leaf was carefully picked up by a beautiful page, his
+only attendant, who reverently observed the first suitable opportunity
+of restoring it again to his royal hand. The same youth bore a viol,
+on which, at a signal from his master, he occasionally struck a few
+musical notes, to which the old King listened, now with a soothed and
+satisfied air, now with a discontented and anxious brow. At times his
+enthusiasm rose so high that he even hopped and skipped, with an
+activity which his years did not promise; at other times his motions
+were extremely slow, and occasionally he stood still, like one wrapped
+in the deepest and most anxious meditation. When he chanced to look on
+the group which seemed to watch his motions, and who ventured even to
+salute him with a murmur of applause, it was only to distinguish them
+with a friendly and good-humoured nod; a salutation with which,
+likewise, he failed not to reply to the greeting of the occasional
+passengers, when his earnest attention to his task, whatever it might
+be, permitted him to observe them.
+
+At length the royal eye lighted upon Arthur, whose attitude of silent
+observation and the distinction of his figure pointed him out as a
+stranger. Rene beckoned to his page, who, receiving his master's
+commands in a whisper, descended from the royal chimney to the broader
+platform beneath, which was open to general resort. The youth,
+addressing Arthur with much courtesy, informed him the King desired to
+speak with him. The young Englishman had no alternative but that of
+approaching, though pondering much in his own mind how he ought to
+comport himself towards such a singular specimen of royalty.
+
+When he drew near, King Rene addressed him in a tone of courtesy not
+unmingled with dignity, and Arthur's awe in his immediate presence was
+greater than he himself could have anticipated from his previous
+conception of the royal character.
+
+"You are, from your appearance, fair sir," said King Rene, "a stranger
+in this country. By what name must we call you, and to what business
+are we to ascribe the happiness of seeing you at our court?"
+
+Arthur remained a moment silent, and the good old man, imputing it to
+awe and timidity, proceeded in an encouraging tone.
+
+"Modesty in youth is ever commendable; you are doubtless an acolyte in
+the noble and joyous science of Minstrelsy and Music, drawn hither by
+the willing welcome which we afford to the professors of those arts,
+in which--praise be to Our Lady and the saints!--we have ourself been
+deemed a proficient."
+
+"I do not aspire to the honours of a Troubadour," answered Arthur.
+
+"I believe you," answered the King, "for your speech smacks of the
+northern, or Norman-French, such as is spoken in England and other
+unrefined nations. But you are a minstrel, perhaps, from these
+ultramontane parts. Be assured we despise not their efforts; for we
+have listened, not without pleasure and instruction, to many of their
+bold and wild romaunts, which, though rude in device and language, and
+therefore far inferior to the regulated poetry of our Troubadours,
+have yet something in their powerful and rough measure which
+occasionally rouses the heart like the sound of a trumpet."
+
+"I have felt the truth of your Grace's observation, when I have heard
+the songs of my country," said Arthur; "but I have neither skill nor
+audacity to imitate what I admire--My latest residence has been in
+Italy."
+
+"You are perhaps, then, a proficient in painting," said Rene; "an art
+which applies itself to the eye as poetry and music do to the ear,
+and is scarce less in esteem with us. If you are skilful in the art,
+you have come to a monarch who loves it, and the fair country in which
+it is practised."
+
+"In simple truth, Sire, I am an Englishman, and my hand has been too
+much welk'd and hardened by practice of the bow, the lance, and the
+sword, to touch the harp, or even the pencil."
+
+"An Englishman!" said Rene, obviously relaxing in the warmth of his
+welcome. "And what brings you here? England and I have long had little
+friendship together."
+
+"It is even on that account that I am here," said Arthur. "I come to
+pay my homage to your Grace's daughter, the Princess Margaret of
+Anjou, whom I and many true Englishmen regard still as our Queen,
+though traitors have usurped her title."
+
+"Alas, good youth," said Rene, "I must grieve for you, while I respect
+your loyalty and faith. Had my daughter Margaret been of my mind, she
+had long since abandoned pretensions which have drowned in seas of
+blood the noblest and bravest of her adherents."
+
+The King seemed about to say more, but checked himself.
+
+"Go to my palace," he said; "inquire for the Seneschal Hugh de Saint
+Cyr, he will give thee the means of seeing Margaret--that is, if it be
+her will to see thee. If not, good English youth, return to my palace,
+and thou shalt have hospitable entertainment; for a King who loves
+minstrelsy, music, and painting is ever most sensible to the claims of
+honour, virtue, and loyalty; and I read in thy looks thou art
+possessed of these qualities, and willingly believe thou mayst, in
+more quiet times, aspire to share the honours of the joyous science.
+But if thou hast a heart to be touched by the sense of beauty and fair
+proportion, it will leap within thee at the first sight of my palace,
+the stately grace of which may be compared to the faultless form of
+some high-bred dame, or the artful yet seemingly simple modulations of
+such a tune as we have been now composing."
+
+The King seemed disposed to take his instrument, and indulge the youth
+with a rehearsal of the strain he had just arranged; but Arthur at
+that moment experienced the painful internal feeling of that peculiar
+species of shame which well-constructed minds feel when they see
+others express a great assumption of importance, with a confidence
+that they are exciting admiration, when in fact they are only exposing
+themselves to ridicule. Arthur, in short, took leave, "in very shame,"
+of the King of Naples, both the Sicilies, and Jerusalem, in a manner
+somewhat more abrupt than ceremony demanded. The King looked after
+him, with some wonder at this want of breeding, which, however, he
+imputed to his visitor's insular education, and then again began to
+twangle his viol.
+
+"The old fool!" said Arthur. "His daughter is dethroned, his dominions
+crumbling to pieces, his family on the eve of becoming extinct, his
+grandson driven from one lurking-place to another, and expelled from
+his mother's inheritance,--and he can find amusement in these
+fopperies! I thought him, with his long white beard, like Nicholas
+Bonstetten; but the old Swiss is a Solomon compared with him."
+
+As these and other reflections, highly disparaging to King Rene,
+passed through Arthur's mind, he reached the place of rendezvous, and
+found Thiebault beneath the steaming fountain, forced from one of
+those hot springs which had been the delight of the Romans from an
+early period. Thiebault, having assured his master that his retinue,
+horse and man, were so disposed as to be ready on an instant's call,
+readily undertook to guide him to King Rene's palace, which, from its
+singularity, and indeed its beauty of architecture, deserved the
+eulogium which the old monarch had bestowed upon it. The front
+consisted of three towers of Roman architecture, two of them being
+placed on the angles of the palace, and the third, which served the
+purpose of a mausoleum, forming a part of the group, though somewhat
+detached from the other buildings. This last was a structure of
+beautiful proportions. The lower part of the edifice was square,
+serving as a sort of pedestal to the upper part, which was circular,
+and surrounded by columns of massive granite. The other two towers at
+the angles of the palace were round, and also ornamented with pillars,
+and with a double row of windows. In front of, and connected with,
+these Roman remains, to which a date has been assigned as early as the
+fifth or sixth century, arose the ancient palace of the Counts of
+Provence, built a century or two later, but where a rich Gothic or
+Moorish front contrasted, and yet harmonised, with the more regular
+and massive architecture of the lords of the world. It is not more
+than thirty or forty years since this very curious remnant of antique
+art was destroyed, to make room for new public buildings, which have
+never yet been erected.
+
+Arthur really experienced some sensation of the kind which the old
+King had prophesied, and stood looking with wonder at the ever-open
+gate of the palace, into which men of all kinds seemed to enter
+freely. After looking around for a few minutes, the young Englishman
+ascended the steps of a noble portico, and asked of a porter, as old
+and as lazy as a great man's domestic ought to be, for the seneschal
+named to him by the King. The corpulent janitor, with great
+politeness, put the stranger under the charge of a page, who ushered
+him to a chamber, in which he found another aged functionary of higher
+rank, with a comely face, a clear composed eye, and a brow which,
+having never been knit into gravity, intimated that the seneschal of
+Aix was a proficient in the philosophy of his royal master. He
+recognised Arthur the moment he addressed him.
+
+"You speak northern French, fair sir; you have lighter hair and a
+fairer complexion than the natives of this country--You ask after
+Queen Margaret--By all these marks I read you English--Her Grace of
+England is at this moment paying a vow at the monastery of Mont St.
+Victoire, and if your name be Arthur Philipson, I have commission to
+forward you to her presence immediately--that is, as soon as you have
+tasted of the royal provision."
+
+The young man would have remonstrated, but the seneschal left him no
+leisure.
+
+"Meat and mass," he said, "never hindered work--it is perilous to
+youth to journey too far on an empty stomach--he himself would take a
+mouthful with the Queen's guest, and pledge him to boot in a flask of
+old Hermitage."
+
+The board was covered with an alacrity which showed that hospitality
+was familiarly exercised in King Rene's dominions. Pasties, dishes of
+game, the gallant boar's head, and other delicacies were placed on the
+table, and the seneschal played the merry host, frequently apologising
+(unnecessarily) for showing an indifferent example, as it was his duty
+to carve before King Rene, and the good King was never pleased unless
+he saw him feed lustily as well as carve featly.
+
+"But for you, Sir Guest, eat freely, since you may not see food again
+till sunset; for the good Queen takes her misfortunes so to heart that
+sighs are her food, and her tears a bottle of drink, as the Psalmist
+hath it. But I bethink me you will need steeds for yourself and your
+equipage to reach Mont St. Victoire, which is seven miles from Aix."
+
+Arthur intimated that he had a guide and horses in attendance, and
+begged permission to take his adieu. The worthy seneschal, his fair
+round belly graced with a gold chain, accompanied him to the gate with
+a step which a gentle fit of the gout had rendered uncertain, but
+which, he assured Arthur, would vanish before three days' use of the
+hot springs. Thiebault appeared before the gate, not with the tired
+steeds from which they had dismounted an hour since, but with fresh
+palfreys from the stable of the King.
+
+"They are yours from the moment you have put foot in stirrup," said
+the seneschal; "the good King Rene never received back as his property
+a horse which he had lent to a guest; and that is perhaps one reason
+why his Highness and we of his household must walk often a-foot."
+
+Here the seneschal exchanged greetings with his young visitor, who
+rode forth to seek Queen Margaret's place of temporary retirement at
+the celebrated monastery of St. Victoire. He demanded of his guide in
+which direction it lay, who pointed, with an air of triumph, to a
+mountain three thousand feet and upwards in height, which arose at
+five or six miles' distance from the town, and which its bold and
+rocky summit rendered the most distinguished object of the landscape.
+Thiebault spoke of it with unusual glee and energy, so much so as to
+lead Arthur to conceive that his trusty squire had not neglected to
+avail himself of the lavish hospitality of _Le bon Roy Rene_.
+Thiebault, however, continued to expatiate on the fame of the mountain
+and monastery. They derived their name, he said, from a great victory
+which was gained by a Roman general, named Caio Mario, against two
+large armies of Saracens with ultramontane names (the Teutones
+probably and Cimbri), in gratitude to Heaven for which victory Caio
+Mario vowed to build a monastery on the mountain, for the service of
+the Virgin Mary, in honour of whom he had been baptised. With all the
+importance of a local connoisseur, Thiebault proceeded to prove his
+general assertion by specific facts.
+
+"Yonder," he said, "was the camp of the Saracens, from which, when the
+battle was apparently decided, their wives and women rushed, with
+horrible screams, dishevelled hair, and the gestures of furies, and
+for a time prevailed in stopping the flight of the men." He pointed
+out, too, the river, for access to which, cut off by the superior
+generalship of the Romans, the barbarians, whom he called Saracens,
+hazarded the action, and whose streams they empurpled with their
+blood. In short, he mentioned many circumstances which showed how
+accurately tradition will preserve the particulars of ancient events,
+even whilst forgetting, misstating, and confounding dates and persons.
+
+Perceiving that Arthur lent him a not unwilling ear,--for it may be
+supposed that the education of a youth bred up in the heat of civil
+wars was not well qualified to criticise his account of the wars of a
+distant period,--the Provencal, when he had exhausted this topic, drew
+up close to his master's side, and asked, in a suppressed tone,
+whether he knew, or was desirous of being made acquainted with, the
+cause of Margaret's having left Aix, to establish herself in the
+monastery of St. Victoire?
+
+"For the accomplishment of a vow," answered Arthur; "all the world
+knows it."
+
+"All Aix knows the contrary," said Thiebault; "and I can tell you the
+truth, so I were sure it would not offend your seignorie."
+
+"The truth can offend no reasonable man, so it be expressed in the
+terms of which Queen Margaret must be spoken in the presence of an
+Englishman."
+
+Thus replied Arthur, willing to receive what information he could
+gather, and desirous, at the same time, to check the petulance of his
+attendant.
+
+"I have nothing," replied his follower, "to state in disparagement of
+the gracious Queen, whose only misfortune is that, like her royal
+father, she has more titles than towns. Besides, I know well that you
+Englishmen, though you speak wildly of your sovereigns yourselves,
+will not permit others to fail in respect to them."
+
+"Say on, then," answered Arthur.
+
+"Your seignorie must know, then," said Thiebault, "that the good King
+Rene has been much disturbed by the deep melancholy which afflicted
+Queen Margaret, and has bent himself with all his power to change it
+into a gayer humour. He made entertainments in public and in private;
+he assembled minstrels and Troubadours, whose music and poetry might
+have drawn smiles from one on his deathbed. The whole country
+resounded with mirth and glee, and the gracious Queen could not stir
+abroad in the most private manner, but, before she had gone a hundred
+paces, she lighted on an ambush, consisting of some pretty pageant, or
+festivous mummery, composed often by the good King himself, which
+interrupted her solitude, in purpose of relieving her heavy thoughts
+with some pleasant pastime. But the Queen's deep melancholy rejected
+all these modes of dispelling it, and at length she confined herself
+to her own apartments, and absolutely refused to see even her royal
+father, because he generally brought into her presence those whose
+productions he thought likely to soothe her sorrow. Indeed she seemed
+to hear the harpers with loathing, and, excepting one wandering
+Englishman, who sung a rude and melancholy ballad, which threw her
+into a flood of tears, and to whom she gave a chain of price, she
+never seemed to look at, or be conscious of the presence of any one.
+And at length, as I have had the honour to tell your seignorie, she
+refused to see even her royal father unless he came alone; and that he
+found no heart to do."
+
+"I wonder not at it," said the young man. "By the White Swan, I am
+rather surprised his mummery drove her not to frenzy."
+
+"Something like it indeed took place," said Thiebault; "and I will
+tell your seignorie how it chanced. You must know that good King Rene,
+unwilling to abandon his daughter to the foul fiend of melancholy,
+bethought him of making a grand effort. You must know, further, that
+the King, powerful in all the craft of Troubadours and Jongleurs, is
+held in peculiar esteem for conducting mysteries, and other of those
+gamesome and delightful sports and processions, with which our Holy
+Church permits her graver ceremonies to be relieved and diversified,
+to the cheering of the hearts of all true children of religion. It is
+admitted that no one has ever been able to approach his excellence in
+the arrangement of the Fete-Dieu; and the tune to which the devils
+cudgel King Herod, to the great edification of all Christian
+spectators, is of our good King's royal composition. He hath danced at
+Tarasconne in the ballet of St. Martha and the Dragon, and was
+accounted in his own person the only actor competent to present the
+Tarrasque. His Highness introduced also a new ritual into the
+consecration of the Boy Bishop, and composed an entire set of
+grotesque music for the Festival of Asses. In short, his Grace's
+strength lies in those pleasing and becoming festivities which strew
+the path of edification with flowers, and send men dancing and singing
+on their way to heaven.
+
+"Now the good King Rene, feeling his own genius for such recreative
+compositions, resolved to exert it to the utmost, in the hope that he
+might thereby relieve the melancholy in which his daughter was
+plunged, and which infected all that approached her. It chanced, some
+short time since, that the Queen was absent for certain days, I know
+not where or on what business, but it gave the good King time to make
+his preparations. So, when his daughter returned, he with much
+importunity prevailed on her to make part of a religious procession to
+St. Sauveur, the principal church in Aix. The Queen, innocent of what
+was intended, decked herself with solemnity, to witness and partake of
+what she expected would prove a work of grave piety. But no sooner had
+she appeared on the esplanade in front of the palace, than more than a
+hundred masks, dressed up like Turks, Jews, Saracens, Moors, and I
+know not whom besides, crowded around, to offer her their homage, in
+the character of the Queen of Sheba; and a grotesque piece of music
+called them to arrange themselves for a ludicrous ballet, in which
+they addressed the Queen in the most entertaining manner, and with the
+most extravagant gestures. The Queen, stunned with the noise, and
+affronted with the petulance of this unexpected onset, would have gone
+back into the palace; but the doors had been shut by the King's order
+so soon as she set forth, and her retreat in that direction was cut
+off. Finding herself excluded from the palace, the Queen advanced to
+the front of the facade, and endeavoured by signs and words to appease
+the hubbub, but the maskers, who had their instructions, only answered
+with songs, music, and shouts."
+
+"I would," said Arthur, "there had been a score of English yeomen in
+presence, with their quarterstaves, to teach the bawling villains
+respect for one that has worn the crown of England!"
+
+"All the noise that was made before was silence and soft music,"
+continued Thiebault, "till that when the good King himself appeared,
+grotesquely dressed in the character of King Solomon"----
+
+"To whom, of all princes, he has the least resemblance," said
+Arthur----
+
+"With such capers and gesticulations of welcome to the Queen of Sheba
+as, I am assured by those who saw it, would have brought a dead man
+alive again, or killed a living man with laughing. Among other
+properties, he had in his hand a truncheon, somewhat formed like a
+fool's bauble"----
+
+"A most fit sceptre for such a sovereign," said Arthur----
+
+"Which was headed," continued Thiebault, "by a model of the Jewish
+Temple, finely gilded and curiously cut in pasteboard. He managed this
+with the utmost grace, and delighted every spectator by his gaiety and
+activity, excepting the Queen, who, the more he skipped and capered,
+seemed to be the more incensed, until, on his approaching her to
+conduct her to the procession, she seemed roused to a sort of frenzy,
+struck the truncheon out of his hand, and breaking through the crowd,
+who felt as if a tigress had leapt amongst them from a showman's cart,
+rushed into the royal courtyard. Ere the order of the scenic
+representation, which her violence had interrupted, could be restored,
+the Queen again issued forth, mounted and attended by two or three
+English cavaliers of her Majesty's suite. She forced her way through
+the crowd, without regarding either their safety or her own, flew like
+a hail-storm along the streets, and never drew bridle till she was as
+far up this same Mont St. Victoire as the road would permit. She was
+then received into the convent, and has since remained there; and a
+vow of penance is the pretext to cover over the quarrel betwixt her
+and her father."
+
+"How long may it be," said Arthur, "since these things chanced?"
+
+"It is but three days since Queen Margaret left Aix in the manner I
+have told you.--But we are come as far up the mountain as men usually
+ride. See, yonder is the monastery rising betwixt two huge rocks,
+which form the very top of Mont St. Victoire. There is no more open
+ground than is afforded by the cleft, into which the convent of St.
+Mary of Victory is, as it were, niched; and the access is guarded by
+the most dangerous precipices. To ascend the mountain, you must keep
+that narrow path, which, winding and turning among the cliffs, leads
+at length to the summit of the hill, and the gate of the monastery."
+
+"And what becomes of you and the horses?" said Arthur.
+
+"We will rest," said Thiebault, "in the hospital maintained by the
+good fathers at the bottom of the mountain, for the accommodation of
+those who attend on pilgrims;--for I promise you the shrine is visited
+by many who come from afar, and are attended both by man and
+horse.--Care not for me,--I shall be first under cover; but there
+muster yonder in the west some threatening clouds, from which your
+seignorie may suffer inconvenience, unless you reach the convent in
+time. I will give you an hour to do the feat, and will say you are as
+active as a chamois-hunter if you reach it within the time."
+
+Arthur looked around him, and did indeed remark a mustering of clouds
+in the distant west, which threatened soon to change the character of
+the day, which had hitherto been brilliantly clear, and so serene that
+the falling of a leaf might have been heard. He therefore turned him
+to the steep and rocky path which ascended the mountain, sometimes by
+scaling almost precipitous rocks, and sometimes by reaching their tops
+by a more circuitous process. It winded through thickets of wild
+boxwood and other low aromatic shrubs, which afforded some pasture for
+the mountain goats, but were a bitter annoyance to the traveller who
+had to press through them. Such obstacles were so frequent, that the
+full hour allowed by Thiebault had elapsed before he stood on the
+summit of Mont St. Victoire, and in front of the singular convent of
+the same name.
+
+We have already said that the crest of the mountain, consisting
+entirely of one bare and solid rock, was divided by a cleft or opening
+into two heads or peaks, between which the convent was built,
+occupying all the space between them. The front of the building was of
+the most ancient and sombre cast of the old Gothic, or rather, as it
+has been termed, the Saxon; and in that respect corresponded with the
+savage exterior of the naked cliffs, of which the structure seemed to
+make a part, and by which it was entirely surrounded, excepting a
+small open space of more level ground, where, at the expense of much
+toil, and by carrying earth up the hill, from different spots where
+they could collect it in small quantities, the good fathers had been
+able to arrange the accommodations of a garden.
+
+A bell summoned a lay brother, the porter of this singularly situated
+monastery, to whom Arthur announced himself as an English merchant,
+Philipson by name, who came to pay his duty to Queen Margaret. The
+porter, with much respect, showed the stranger into the convent, and
+ushered him into a parlour, which, looking towards Aix, commanded an
+extensive and splendid prospect over the southern and western parts of
+Provence. This was the direction in which Arthur had approached the
+mountain from Aix; but the circuitous path by which he had ascended
+had completely carried him round the hill. The western side of the
+monastery, to which the parlour looked, commanded the noble view we
+have mentioned; and a species of balcony, which, connecting the two
+twin crags, at this place not above four or five yards asunder, ran
+along the front of the building, and appeared to be constructed for
+the purpose of enjoying it. But on stepping from one of the windows of
+the parlour upon this battlemented bartizan, Arthur became aware that
+the wall on which the parapet rested stretched along the edge of a
+precipice, which sank sheer down five hundred feet at least from the
+foundations of the convent. Surprised and startled at finding himself
+on so giddy a verge, Arthur turned his eyes from the gulf beneath him
+to admire the distant landscape, partly illumined, with ominous
+lustre, by the now westerly sun. The setting beams showed in dark red
+splendour a vast variety of hill and dale, champaign and cultivated
+ground, with towns, churches, and castles, some of which rose from
+among trees, while others seemed founded on rocky eminences; others
+again lurked by the side of streams or lakes, to which the heat and
+drought of the climate naturally attracted them.
+
+The rest of the landscape presented similar objects when the weather
+was serene, but they were now rendered indistinct, or altogether
+obliterated, by the sullen shade of the approaching clouds, which
+gradually spread over great part of the horizon, and threatened
+altogether to eclipse the sun, though the lord of the horizon still
+struggled to maintain his influence, and, like a dying hero, seemed
+most glorious even in the moment of defeat. Wild sounds, like groans
+and howls, formed by the wind in the numerous caverns of the rocky
+mountain, added to the terrors of the scene, and seemed to foretell
+the fury of some distant storm, though the air in general was even
+unnaturally calm and breathless. In gazing on this extraordinary
+scene, Arthur did justice to the monks who had chosen this wild and
+grotesque situation, from which they could witness Nature in her
+wildest and grandest demonstrations, and compare the nothingness of
+humanity with her awful convulsions.
+
+So much was Arthur awed by the scene before him, that he had almost
+forgotten, while gazing from the bartizan, the important business
+which had brought him to this place, when it was suddenly recalled by
+finding himself in the presence of Margaret of Anjou, who, not seeing
+him in the parlour of reception, had stept upon the balcony, that she
+might meet with him the sooner.
+
+The Queen's dress was black, without any ornament except a gold
+coronal of an inch in breadth, restraining her long black tresses, of
+which advancing years and misfortunes had partly altered the hue.
+There was placed within the circlet a black plume with a red rose, the
+last of the season, which the good father who kept the garden had
+presented to her that morning, as the badge of her husband's house.
+Care, fatigue, and sorrow seemed to dwell on her brow and her
+features. To another messenger she would in all probability have
+administered a sharp rebuke, for not being alert in his duty to
+receive her as she entered; but Arthur's age and appearance
+corresponded with that of her loved and lost son. He was the son of a
+lady whom Margaret had loved with almost sisterly affection, and the
+presence of Arthur continued to excite in the dethroned Queen the same
+feelings of maternal tenderness which had been awakened on their first
+meeting in the Cathedral of Strasburg. She raised him as he kneeled at
+her feet, spoke to him with much kindness, and encouraged him to
+detail at full length his father's message, and such other news as his
+brief residence at Dijon had made him acquainted with.
+
+She demanded which way Duke Charles had moved with his army.
+
+"As I was given to understand by the master of his artillery," said
+Arthur, "towards the Lake of Neufchatel, on which side he proposes his
+first attack on the Swiss."
+
+"The headstrong fool!" said Queen Margaret. "He resembles the poor
+lunatic, who went to the summit of the mountain that he might meet the
+rain halfway.--Does thy father, then," continued Margaret, "advise me
+to give up the last remains of the extensive territories once the
+dominions of our royal house, and for some thousand crowns, and the
+paltry aid of a few hundred lances, to relinquish what is left of our
+patrimony to our proud and selfish kinsman of Burgundy, who extends
+his claim to our all, and affords so little help, or even promise of
+help, in return?"
+
+"I should have ill discharged my father's commission," said Arthur,
+"if I had left your Highness to think that he recommends so great a
+sacrifice. He feels most deeply the Duke of Burgundy's grasping desire
+of dominion. Nevertheless, he thinks that Provence must, on King
+Rene's death, or sooner, fall either to the share of Duke Charles, or
+to Louis of France, whatever opposition your Highness may make to such
+a destination; and it may be that my father, as a knight and a
+soldier, hopes much from obtaining the means to make another attempt
+on Britain. But the decision must rest with your Highness."
+
+"Young man," said the Queen, "the contemplation of a question so
+doubtful almost deprives me of reason!"
+
+As she spoke, she sank down, as one who needs rest, on a stone seat
+placed on the very verge of the balcony, regardless of the storm,
+which now began to rise with dreadful gusts of wind, the course of
+which being intermitted and altered by the crags round which they
+howled, it seemed as if in very deed Boreas, and Eurus, and Caurus,
+unchaining the winds from every quarter of heaven, were contending for
+mastery around the convent of Our Lady of Victory. Amid this tumult,
+and amid billows of mist which concealed the bottom of the precipice,
+and masses of clouds which racked fearfully over their heads, the roar
+of the descending waters rather resembled the fall of cataracts than
+the rushing of torrents of rain. The seat on which Margaret had placed
+herself was in a considerable degree sheltered from the storm, but
+its eddies, varying in every direction, often tossed aloft her
+dishevelled hair; and we cannot describe the appearance of her noble
+and beautiful, yet ghastly and wasted features, agitated strongly by
+anxious hesitation and conflicting thoughts, unless to those of our
+readers who have had the advantage of having seen our inimitable
+Siddons in such a character as this. Arthur, confounded by anxiety and
+terror, could only beseech her Majesty to retire before the fury of
+the approaching storm into the interior of the convent.
+
+"No," she replied with firmness; "roofs and walls have ears, and
+monks, though they have forsworn the world, are not the less curious
+to know what passes beyond their cells. It is in this place you must
+hear what I have to say; as a soldier you should scorn a blast of wind
+or a shower of rain; and to me, who have often held counsel amidst the
+sound of trumpets and clash of arms, prompt for instant fight, the war
+of elements is an unnoticed trifle. I tell thee, young Arthur Vere, as
+I would to your father--as I would to my son--if indeed Heaven had
+left such a blessing to a wretch forlorn"----
+
+She paused, and then proceeded.
+
+"I tell thee, as I would have told my beloved Edward, that Margaret,
+whose resolutions were once firm and immovable as these rocks among
+which we are placed, is now doubtful and variable as the clouds which
+are drifting around us. I told your father, in the joy of meeting once
+more a subject of such inappreciable loyalty, of the sacrifices I
+would make to assure the assistance of Charles of Burgundy, to so
+gallant an undertaking as that proposed to him by the faithful
+Oxford. But since I saw him I have had cause of deep reflection. I
+met my aged father only to offend and, I say it with shame, to insult
+the old man in presence of his people. Our tempers are as opposed as
+the sunshine, which a short space since gilded a serene and beautiful
+landscape, differs from the tempests which are now wasting it. I
+spurned with open scorn and contempt what he, in his mistaken
+affection, had devised for means of consolation, and, disgusted with
+the idle follies which he had devised for curing the melancholy of a
+dethroned Queen, a widowed spouse--and, alas! a childless mother,--I
+retired hither from the noisy and idle mirth, which was the bitterest
+aggravation of my sorrows. Such and so gentle is Rene's temper, that
+even my unfilial conduct will not diminish my influence over him; and
+if your father had announced that the Duke of Burgundy, like a knight
+and a sovereign, had cordially and nobly entered into the plan of the
+faithful Oxford, I could have found it in my heart to obtain the
+cession of territory his cold and ambitious policy requires, in order
+to insure the assistance which he now postpones to afford till he has
+gratified his own haughty humour by settling needless quarrels with
+his unoffending neighbours. Since I have been here, and calmness and
+solitude have given me time to reflect, I have thought on the offences
+I have given the old man, and on the wrongs I was about to do him. My
+father, let me do him justice, is also the father of his people. They
+have dwelt under their vines and fig-trees, in ignoble ease, perhaps,
+but free from oppression and exaction, and their happiness has been
+that of their good King. Must I change all this?--Must I aid in
+turning over these contented people to a fierce, headlong, arbitrary
+prince?--May I not break even the easy and thoughtless heart of my
+poor old father, should I succeed in urging him to do so?--These are
+questions which I shudder even to ask myself. On the other hand, to
+disappoint the toils, the venturous hopes of your father, to forego
+the only opportunity which may ever again offer itself, of revenge on
+the bloody traitors of York, and restoration of the House of
+Lancaster!--Arthur, the scene around us is not so convulsed by the
+fearful tempest and the driving clouds, as my mind is by doubt and
+uncertainty."
+
+"Alas," replied Arthur, "I am too young and inexperienced to be your
+Majesty's adviser in a case so arduous. I would my father had been in
+presence himself."
+
+"I know what he would have said," replied the Queen; "but, knowing
+all, I despair of aid from human counsellors--I have sought others,
+but they also are deaf to my entreaties. Yes, Arthur, Margaret's
+misfortunes have rendered her superstitious. Know, that beneath these
+rocks, and under the foundation of this convent, there runs a cavern,
+entering by a secret and defended passage a little to the westward of
+the summit, and running through the mountain, having an opening to the
+south, from which, as from this bartizan, you can view the landscape
+so lately seen from this balcony, or the strife of winds and confusion
+of clouds which we now behold. In the middle of this cavernous
+thoroughfare is a natural pit, or perforation, of great but unknown
+depth. A stone dropped into it is heard to dash from side to side,
+until the noise of its descent, thundering from cliff to cliff, dies
+away in distant and faint tinkling, less loud than that of a sheep's
+bell at a mile's distance. The common people, in their jargon, call
+this fearful gulf Lou Garagoule; and the traditions of the monastery
+annex wild and fearful recollections to a place in itself sufficiently
+terrible. Oracles, it is said, spoke from thence in pagan days, by
+subterranean voices, arising from the abyss; and from these the Roman
+general is said to have heard, in strange and uncouth rhymes, promises
+of the victory which gives name to this mountain. These oracles, it is
+averred, may be yet consulted after performance of strange rites, in
+which heathen ceremonies are mixed with Christian acts of devotion.
+The abbots of Mont St. Victoire have denounced the consultation of Lou
+Garagoule, and the spirits who reside there, to be criminal. But as
+the sin may be expiated by presents to the Church, by masses, and
+penances, the door is sometimes opened by the complaisant fathers to
+those whose daring curiosity leads them, at all risks, and by whatever
+means, to search into futurity. Arthur, I have made the experiment,
+and am even now returned from the gloomy cavern, in which, according
+to the traditional ritual, I have spent six hours by the margin of the
+gulf, a place so dismal, that after its horrors even this tempestuous
+scene is refreshing."
+
+The Queen stopped, and Arthur, the more struck with the wild tale that
+it reminded him of his place of imprisonment at La Ferette, asked
+anxiously if her inquiries had obtained any answer.
+
+"None whatever," replied the unhappy Princess. "The demons of
+Garagoule, if there be such, are deaf to the suit of an unfortunate
+wretch like me, to whom neither friends nor fiends will afford counsel
+or assistance. It is my father's circumstances which prevent my
+instant and strong resolution. Were my own claims on this piping and
+paltry nation of Troubadours alone interested, I could, for the chance
+of once more setting my foot in merry England, as easily and willingly
+resign them, and their paltry coronet, as I commit to the storm this
+idle emblem of the royal rank which I have lost."
+
+As Margaret spoke, she tore from her hair the sable feather and rose
+which the tempest had detached from the circlet in which they were
+placed, and tossed them from the battlement with a gesture of wild
+energy. They were instantly whirled off in a bickering eddy of the
+agitated clouds, which swept the feather far distant into empty space,
+through which the eye could not pursue it. But while that of Arthur
+involuntarily strove to follow its course, a contrary gust of wind
+caught the red rose, and drove it back against his breast, so that it
+was easy for him to catch hold of and retain it.
+
+"Joy, joy, and good fortune, royal mistress!" he said, returning to
+her the emblematic flower; "the tempest brings back the badge of
+Lancaster to its proper owner."
+
+"I accept the omen," said Margaret; "but it concerns yourself, noble
+youth, and not me. The feather, which is borne away to waste and
+desolation, is Margaret's emblem. My eyes will never see the
+restoration of the line of Lancaster. But you will live to behold it,
+and to aid to achieve it, and to dye our red rose deeper yet in the
+blood of tyrants and traitors. My thoughts are so strangely poised,
+that a feather or a flower may turn the scale. But my head is still
+giddy, and my heart sick.--To-morrow you shall see another Margaret,
+and till then adieu."
+
+It was time to retire, for the tempest began to be mingled with
+fiercer showers of rain. When they re-entered the parlour, the Queen
+clapped her hands, and two female attendants entered.
+
+"Let the Father Abbot know," she said, "that it is our desire that
+this young gentleman receive for this night such hospitality as befits
+an esteemed friend of ours.--Till to-morrow, young sir, farewell."
+
+With a countenance which betrayed not the late emotion of her mind,
+and with a stately courtesy that would have become her when she graced
+the halls of Windsor, she extended her hand, which the youth saluted
+respectfully. After her leaving the parlour, the Abbot entered, and,
+in his attention to Arthur's entertainment and accommodation for the
+evening, showed his anxiety to meet and obey Queen Margaret's wishes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+                         Want you a man
+     Experienced in the world and its affairs?
+     Here he is for your purpose.--He's a monk.
+     He hath forsworn the world and all its work--
+     The rather that he knows it passing well,
+     Special the worst of it, for he's a monk.
+                                       _Old Play._
+
+
+While the dawn of the morning was yet grey, Arthur was awakened by a
+loud ringing at the gate of the monastery, and presently afterwards
+the porter entered the cell which had been allotted to him for his
+lodgings, to tell him that, if his name was Arthur Philipson, a
+brother of their order had brought him despatches from his father. The
+youth started up, hastily attired himself, and was introduced, in the
+parlour, to a Carmelite monk, being of the same order with the
+community of St. Victoire.
+
+"I have ridden many a mile, young man, to present you with this
+letter," said the monk, "having undertaken to your father that it
+should be delivered without delay. I came to Aix last night during the
+storm, and, learning at the palace that you had ridden hither, I
+mounted as soon as the tempest abated, and here I am."
+
+"I am beholden to you, father," said the youth, "and if I could repay
+your pains with a small donative to your convent"----
+
+"By no means," answered the good father; "I took my personal trouble
+out of friendship to your father, and mine own errand led me this way.
+The expenses of my long journey have been amply provided for. But open
+your packet, I can answer your questions at leisure."
+
+The young man accordingly stepped into an embrasure of the window, and
+read as follows:--
+
+     "SON ARTHUR,--Touching the state of the country, in so far
+     as concerns the safety of travelling, know that the same
+     is precarious. The Duke hath taken the towns of Brie and
+     Granson, and put to death five hundred men, whom he made
+     prisoners in garrison there. But the Confederates are
+     approaching with a large force, and God will judge for the
+     right. Howsoever the game may go, these are sharp wars, in
+     which little quarter is spoken of on either side, and
+     therefore there is no safety for men of our profession,
+     till something decisive shall happen. In the meantime, you
+     may assure the widowed lady, that our correspondent
+     continues well disposed to purchase the property which she
+     has in hand; but will scarce be able to pay the price till
+     his present pressing affairs shall be settled, which I
+     hope will be in time to permit us to embark the funds in
+     the profitable adventure I told our friend of. I have
+     employed a friar, travelling to Provence, to carry this
+     letter, which I trust will come safe. The bearer may be
+     trusted.
+
+          "Your affectionate father,
+               "JOHN PHILIPSON."
+
+Arthur easily comprehended the latter part of the epistle, and
+rejoiced he had received it at so critical a moment. He questioned the
+Carmelite on the amount of the Duke's army, which the monk stated to
+amount to sixty thousand men, while he said the Confederates, though
+making every exertion, had not yet been able to assemble the third
+part of that number. The young Ferrand de Vaudemont was with their
+army, and had received, it was thought, some secret assistance from
+France; but as he was little known in arms, and had few followers, the
+empty title of General which he bore added little to the strength of
+the Confederates. Upon the whole, he reported that every chance
+appeared to be in favour of Charles, and Arthur, who looked upon his
+success as presenting the only chance in favour of his father's
+enterprise, was not a little pleased to find it insured, as far as
+depended on a great superiority of force. He had no leisure to make
+further inquiries, for the Queen at that moment entered the apartment,
+and the Carmelite, learning her quality, withdrew from her presence in
+deep reverence.
+
+The paleness of her complexion still bespoke the fatigues of the day
+preceding; but, as she graciously bestowed on Arthur the greetings of
+the morning, her voice was firm, her eye clear, and her countenance
+steady. "I meet you," she said, "not as I left you, but determined in
+my purpose. I am satisfied that if Rene does not voluntarily yield up
+his throne of Provence by some step like that which we propose, he
+will be hurled from it by violence, in which, it may be, his life will
+not be spared. We will, therefore, to work with all speed--the worst
+is, that I cannot leave this convent till I have made the necessary
+penances for having visited the Garagoule, without performing which I
+were no Christian woman. When you return to Aix, inquire at the palace
+for my secretary, with whom this line will give you credence. I have,
+even before this door of hope opened to me, endeavoured to form an
+estimate of King Rene's situation, and collected the documents for
+that purpose. Tell him to send me, duly sealed, and under fitting
+charge, the small cabinet hooped with silver. Hours of penance for
+past errors may be employed to prevent others; and from the contents
+of that cabinet I shall learn whether I am, in this weighty matter,
+sacrificing my father's interests to my own half-desperate hopes. But
+of this I have little or no doubt. I can cause the deeds of
+resignation and transference to be drawn up here under my own
+direction, and arrange the execution of them when I return to Aix,
+which shall be the first moment after my penance is concluded."
+
+"And this letter, gracious madam," said Arthur, "will inform you what
+events are approaching, and of what importance it may be to take time
+by the forelock. Place me but in possession of these momentous deeds,
+and I will travel night and day till I reach the Duke's camp. I shall
+find him most likely in the moment of victory, and with his heart too
+much open to refuse a boon to the royal kinswoman who is surrendering
+to him all. We will--we must--in such an hour, obtain princely
+succours; and we shall soon see if the licentious Edward of York, the
+savage Richard, the treacherous and perjured Clarence, are hereafter
+to be lords of merry England, or whether they must give place to a
+more rightful sovereign and better man. But oh! royal madam, all
+depends on haste."
+
+"True--yet a few days may--nay, must--cast the die between Charles and
+his opponents; and, ere making so great a surrender, it were as well
+to be assured that he whom we would propitiate is in capacity to
+assist us. All the events of a tragic and varied life have led me to
+see there is no such thing as an inconsiderable enemy. I will make
+haste, however, trusting in the interim we may have good news from the
+banks of the lake at Neufchatel."
+
+"But who shall be employed to draw these most important deeds?" said
+the young man.
+
+Margaret mused ere she replied,--"The Father Guardian is complaisant,
+and I think faithful; but I would not willingly repose confidence in
+one of the Provencal monks. Stay, let me think--your father says the
+Carmelite who brought the letter may be trusted--he shall do the turn.
+He is a stranger, and will be silent for a piece of money. Farewell,
+Arthur de Vere.--You will be treated with all hospitality by my
+father. If thou dost receive further tidings, thou wilt let me know
+them; or, should I have instructions to send, thou wilt hear from
+me.--So, benedicite."
+
+Arthur proceeded to wind down the mountain at a much quicker pace than
+he had ascended on the day before. The weather was now gloriously
+serene, and the beauties of vegetation, in a country where it never
+totally slumbers, were at once delicious and refreshing. His thoughts
+wandered from the crags of Mont St. Victoire to the cliff of the
+canton of Unterwalden, and fancy recalled the moments when his walks
+through such scenery were not solitary, but when there was a form by
+his side whose simple beauty was engraved on his memory. Such thoughts
+were of a preoccupying nature; and I grieve to say that they entirely
+drowned the recollection of the mysterious caution given him by his
+father, intimating that Arthur might not be able to comprehend such
+letters as he should receive from him, till they were warmed before a
+fire.
+
+The first thing which reminded him of this singular caution was the
+seeing a chafing-dish of charcoal in the kitchen of the hostelry at
+the bottom of the mountain, where he found Thiebault and his horses.
+This was the first fire which he had seen since receiving his father's
+letter, and it reminded him not unnaturally of what the Earl had
+recommended. Great was his surprise to see that, after exposing the
+paper to the fire as if to dry it, a word emerged in an important
+passage of the letter, and the concluding words now read,--"The bearer
+may _not_ be trusted." Well-nigh choked with shame and vexation,
+Arthur could think of no other remedy than instantly to return to the
+convent, and acquaint the Queen with this discovery, which he hoped
+still to convey to her in time to prevent any risk being incurred by
+the Carmelite's treachery.
+
+Incensed at himself, and eager to redeem his fault, he bent his manly
+breast against the steep hill, which was probably never scaled in so
+short time as by the young heir of De Vere; for, within forty minutes
+from his commencing the ascent, he stood breathless and panting in the
+presence of Queen Margaret, who was alike surprised at his appearance
+and his exhausted condition.
+
+"Trust not the Carmelite!" he exclaimed--"You are betrayed, noble
+Queen, and it is by my negligence. Here is my dagger--bid me strike it
+into my heart!"
+
+Margaret demanded and obtained a more special explanation, and when it
+was given she said, "It is an unhappy chance; but your father's
+instructions ought to have been more distinct. I have told yonder
+Carmelite the purpose of the contracts, and engaged with him to draw
+them. He has but now left me to serve at the choir. There is no
+withdrawing the confidence I have unhappily placed; but I can easily
+prevail with the Father Guardian to prevent the monk from leaving the
+convent till we are indifferent to his secrecy. It is our best chance
+to secure it, and we will take care that what inconvenience he
+sustains by his detention shall be well recompensed. Meanwhile, rest
+thou, good Arthur, and undo the throat of thy mantle. Poor youth, thou
+art well-nigh exhausted with thy haste."
+
+Arthur obeyed, and sat down on a seat in the parlour; for the speed
+which he had exerted rendered him almost incapable of standing.
+
+"If I could but see," he said, "the false monk, I would find a way to
+charm him to secrecy!"
+
+"Better leave him to me," said the Queen; "and, in a word, I forbid
+you to meddle with him. The coif can treat better with the cowl than
+the casque can do. Say no more of him. I joy to see you wear around
+your neck the holy relic I bestowed on you;--but what Moorish charmlet
+is that you wear beside it? Alas! I need not ask. Your heightened
+colour, almost as deep as when you entered a quarter of an hour hence,
+confesses a true-love token. Alas! poor boy, hast thou not only such a
+share of thy country's woes to bear, but also thine own load of
+affliction, not the less poignant now that future time will show thee
+how fantastic it is! Margaret of Anjou could once have aided wherever
+thy affections were placed; but now she can only contribute to the
+misery of her friends, not to their happiness. But this lady of the
+charm, Arthur, is she fair--is she wise and virtuous--is she of noble
+birth--and does she love?"--She perused his countenance with the
+glance of an eagle, and continued, "To all, thou wouldst answer Yes,
+if shamefacedness permitted thee. Love her then in turn, my gallant
+boy, for love is the parent of brave actions. Go, my noble
+youth--high-born and loyal, valorous and virtuous, enamoured and
+youthful, to what mayst thou not rise? The chivalry of ancient Europe
+only lives in a bosom like thine. Go, and let the praises of a Queen
+fire thy bosom with the love of honour and achievement. In three days
+we meet at Aix."
+
+Arthur, highly gratified with the Queen's condescension, once more
+left her presence.
+
+Returning down the mountain with a speed very different from that
+which he had used in the ascent, he again found his Provencal squire,
+who had remained in much surprise at witnessing the confusion in which
+his master had left the inn, almost immediately after he had entered
+it without any apparent haste or agitation. Arthur explained his hasty
+return by alleging he had forgot his purse at the convent. "Nay, in
+that case," said Thiebault, "considering what you left and where you
+left it, I do not wonder at your speed, though, Our Lady save me, as I
+never saw living creature, save a goat with a wolf at his heels, make
+his way over crag and briers with half such rapidity as you did."
+
+They reached Aix after about an hour's riding, and Arthur lost no time
+in waiting upon the good King Rene, who gave him a kind reception,
+both in respect of the letter from the Duke of Burgundy, and in
+consideration of his being an Englishman, the avowed subject of the
+unfortunate Margaret. The placable monarch soon forgave his young
+guest the want of complaisance with which he had eschewed to listen to
+his compositions; and Arthur speedily found that to apologise for his
+want of breeding in that particular was likely to lead to a great deal
+more rehearsing than he could find patience to tolerate. He could only
+avoid the old King's extreme desire to recite his own poems, and
+perform his own music, by engaging him in speaking of his daughter
+Margaret. Arthur had been sometimes induced to doubt the influence
+which the Queen boasted herself to possess over her aged father; but,
+on being acquainted with him personally, he became convinced that her
+powerful understanding and violent passions inspired the feeble-minded
+and passive King with a mixture of pride, affection, and fear, which
+united to give her the most ample authority over him.
+
+Although she had parted with him but a day or two since, and in a
+manner so ungracious on her side, Rene was as much overjoyed at
+hearing of the probability of her speedy return, as the fondest father
+could have been at the prospect of being reunited to the most dutiful
+child, whom he had not seen for years. The old King was impatient as a
+boy for the day of her arrival, and, still strangely unenlightened on
+the difference of her taste from his own, he was with difficulty
+induced to lay aside a project of meeting her in the character of old
+Palemon,--
+
+     The prince of shepherds, and their pride,
+
+at the head of an Arcadian procession of nymphs and swains, to inspire
+whose choral dances and songs every pipe and tambourine in the country
+was to be placed in requisition. Even the old seneschal, however,
+intimated his disapprobation of this species of _joyeuse entree_; so
+that Rene suffered himself at length to be persuaded that the Queen
+was too much occupied by the religious impressions to which she had
+been of late exposed, to receive any agreeable sensation from sights
+or sounds of levity. The King gave way to reasons which he could not
+sympathise with; and thus Margaret escaped the shock of welcome, which
+would perhaps have driven her in her impatience back to the mountain
+of St. Victoire, and the sable cavern of Lou Garagoule.
+
+During the time of her absence, the days of the court of Provence were
+employed in sports and rejoicings of every description; tilting at the
+barrier with blunted spears, riding at the ring, parties for
+hare-hunting and falconry, frequented by the youth of both sexes, in
+the company of whom the King delighted, while the evenings were
+consumed in dancing and music.
+
+Arthur could not but be sensible that not long since all this would
+have made him perfectly happy; but the last months of his existence
+had developed his understanding and passions. He was now initiated in
+the actual business of human life, and looked on its amusements with
+an air of something like contempt; so that among the young and gay
+noblesse who composed this merry court he acquired the title of the
+youthful philosopher, which was not bestowed upon him, it may be
+supposed, as inferring anything of peculiar compliment.
+
+On the fourth day news was received, by an express messenger, that
+Queen Margaret would enter Aix before the hour of noon, to resume her
+residence in her father's palace. The good King Rene seemed, as it
+drew nigh, to fear the interview with his daughter as much as he had
+previously desired it, and contrived to make all around him partake of
+his fidgety anxiety. He tormented his steward and cooks to recollect
+what dishes they had ever observed her to taste of with
+approbation--he pressed the musicians to remember the tunes which she
+approved; and when one of them boldly replied he had never known her
+Majesty endure any strain with patience, the old monarch threatened to
+turn him out of his service for slandering the taste of his daughter.
+The banquet was ordered to be served at half past eleven, as if
+accelerating it would have had the least effect upon hurrying the
+arrival of the expected guests; and the old King, with his napkin over
+his arm, traversed the hall from window to window, wearying every one
+with questions, whether they saw anything of the Queen of England.
+Exactly as the bells tolled noon, the Queen, with a very small
+retinue, chiefly English, and in mourning habits like herself, rode
+into the town of Aix. King Rene, at the head of his court, failed not
+to descend from the front of his stately palace, and move along the
+street to meet his daughter. Lofty, proud, and jealous of incurring
+ridicule, Margaret was not pleased with this public greeting in the
+market-place. But she was desirous at present to make amends for her
+late petulance, and therefore she descended from her palfrey; and,
+although something shocked at seeing Rene equipped with a napkin, she
+humbled herself to bend the knee to him, asking at once his blessing
+and forgiveness.
+
+"Thou hast--thou hast my blessing, my suffering dove," said the simple
+King to the proudest and most impatient princess that ever wept for a
+lost crown.--"And for thy pardon, how canst thou ask it, who never
+didst me an offence since God made me father to so gracious a
+child?--Rise, I say rise--nay, it is for me to ask thy pardon--True, I
+said in my ignorance, and thought within myself, that my heart had
+indited a goodly thing--but it vexed thee. It is therefore for me to
+crave pardon."--And down sank good King Rene upon both knees; and the
+people, who are usually captivated with anything resembling the trick
+of the scene, applauded with much noise, and some smothered laughter,
+a situation in which the royal daughter and her parent seemed about to
+rehearse the scene of the Roman Charity.
+
+Margaret, sensitively alive to shame, and fully aware that her present
+position was sufficiently ludicrous in its publicity at least, signed
+sharply to Arthur, whom she saw in the King's suite, to come to her;
+and, using his arm to rise, she muttered to him aside, and in
+English,--"To what saint shall I vow myself, that I may preserve
+patience when I so much need it!"
+
+"For pity's sake, royal madam, recall your firmness of mind and
+composure," whispered her esquire, who felt at the moment more
+embarrassed than honoured by his distinguished office, for he could
+feel that the Queen actually trembled with vexation and impatience.
+
+They at length resumed their route to the palace, the father and
+daughter arm in arm--a posture most agreeable to Margaret, who could
+bring herself to endure her father's effusions of tenderness, and the
+general tone of his conversation, so that he was not overheard by
+others. In the same manner, she bore with laudable patience the
+teasing attentions which he addressed to her at table, noticed some of
+his particular courtiers, inquired after others, led the way to his
+favourite subjects of conversation on poetry, painting, and music,
+till the good King was as much delighted with the unwonted civilities
+of his daughter as ever was lover with the favourable confessions of
+his mistress, when, after years of warm courtship, the ice of her
+bosom is at length thawed. It cost the haughty Margaret an effort to
+bend herself to play this part--her pride rebuked her for stooping to
+flatter her father's foibles, in order to bring him over to the
+resignation of his dominions--yet having undertaken to do so, and so
+much having been already hazarded upon this sole remaining chance of
+success in an attack upon England, she saw, or was willing to see, no
+alternative.
+
+Betwixt the banquet and the ball by which it was to be followed, the
+Queen sought an opportunity of speaking to Arthur.
+
+"Bad news, my sage counsellor," she said. "The Carmelite never
+returned to the convent after the service was over. Having learned
+that you had come back in great haste, he had, I suppose, concluded he
+might stand in suspicion, so he left the convent of Mont St.
+Victoire."
+
+"We must hasten the measures which your Majesty has resolved to
+adopt," answered Arthur.
+
+"I will speak with my father to-morrow. Meanwhile, you must enjoy the
+pleasures of the evening, for to you they may be pleasures.--Young
+lady of Boisgelin, I give you this cavalier to be your partner for the
+evening."
+
+The black-eyed and pretty Provencale curtseyed with due decorum, and
+glanced at the handsome young Englishman with an eye of approbation;
+but whether afraid of his character as a philosopher, or his doubtful
+rank, added the saving clause,--"If my mother approves."
+
+"Your mother, damsel, will scarce, I think, disapprove of any partner
+whom you receive from the hands of Margaret of Anjou. Happy privilege
+of youth," she added with a sigh, as the youthful couple went off to
+take their place in the _bransle_,[10] "which can snatch a flower even
+on the roughest road!"
+
+Arthur acquitted himself so well during the evening, that perhaps the
+young Countess was only sorry that so gay and handsome a gallant
+limited his compliments and attentions within the cold bounds of that
+courtesy enjoined by the rules of ceremony.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[10] Bransle, in English, brawl--a species of dance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+     For I have given here my full consent
+     To undeck the pompous body of a king,
+     Make glory base, and sovereignty a slave,
+     Proud majesty a subject, state a peasant.
+                                 _Richard II._
+
+
+The next day opened a grave scene. King Rene had not forgotten to
+arrange the pleasures of the day, when, to his horror and
+discomfiture, Margaret demanded an interview upon serious business. If
+there was a proposition in the world which Rene from his soul
+detested, it was any that related to the very name of business.
+
+"What was it that his child wanted?" he said. "Was it money? He would
+give her whatever ready sums he had, though he owned his exchequer was
+somewhat bare; yet he had received his income for the season. It was
+ten thousand crowns. How much should he desire to be paid to her?--the
+half--three parts--or the whole? All was at her command."
+
+"Alas, my dear father," said Margaret, "it is not my affairs, but your
+own, on which I desire to speak with you."
+
+"If the affairs are mine," said Rene, "I am surely master to put them
+off to another day--to some rainy dull day, fit for no better purpose.
+See, my love, the hawking-party are all on their steeds and ready--the
+horses are neighing and pawing--the gallants and maidens mounted, and
+ready with hawk on fist--the spaniels struggling in the leash. It were
+a sin, with wind and weather to friend, to lose so lovely a morning."
+
+"Let them ride their way," said Queen Margaret, "and find their sport;
+for the matter I have to speak concerning involves honour and rank,
+life and means of living."
+
+"Nay, but I have to hear and judge between Calezon and John of Acqua
+Mortis, the two most celebrated Troubadours."
+
+"Postpone their cause till to-morrow," said Margaret, "and dedicate an
+hour or two to more important affairs."
+
+"If you are peremptory," replied King Rene, "you are aware, my child,
+I cannot say you nay."
+
+And with reluctance he gave orders for the hawkers to go on and follow
+their sport, as he could not attend them that day.
+
+The old King then suffered himself, like an unwilling greyhound
+withheld from the chase, to be led into a separate apartment. To
+insure privacy, Margaret stationed her secretary Mordaunt, with
+Arthur, in an antechamber, giving them orders to prevent all
+intrusion.
+
+"Nay, for myself, Margaret," said the good-natured old man, "since it
+must be, I consent to be put _au secret_; but why keep old Mordaunt
+from taking a walk in this beautiful morning; and why prevent young
+Arthur from going forth with the rest? I promise you, though they term
+him a philosopher, yet he showed as light a pair of heels last night,
+with the young Countess de Boisgelin, as any gallant in Provence."
+
+"They are come from a country," said Margaret, "in which men are
+trained from infancy to prefer their duty to their pleasure."
+
+The poor King, led into the council-closet, saw with internal
+shuddering the fatal cabinet of ebony, bound with silver, which had
+never been opened but to overwhelm him with weariness, and dolefully
+calculated how many yawns he must strangle ere he sustained the
+consideration of its contents. They proved, however, when laid before
+him, of a kind that excited even his interest, though painfully.
+
+His daughter presented him with a short and clear view of the debts
+which were secured on his dominions, and for which they were mortgaged
+in various pieces and parcels. She then showed him, by another
+schedule, the large claims of which payment was instantly demanded, to
+discharge which no funds could be found or assigned. The King defended
+himself like others in his forlorn situation. To every claim of six,
+seven, or eight thousand ducats, he replied by the assertion that he
+had ten thousand crowns in his chancery, and showed some reluctance to
+be convinced, till repeatedly urged upon him, that the same sum could
+not be adequate to the discharge of thirty times the amount.
+
+"Then," said the King, somewhat impatiently, "why not pay off those
+who are most pressing, and let the others wait till receipts come
+round?"
+
+"It is a practice which has been too often resorted to," replied the
+Queen, "and it is but a part of honesty to pay creditors who have
+advanced their all in your Grace's service."
+
+"But are we not," said Rene, "King of both the Sicilies, Naples,
+Arragon, and Jerusalem? And why is the monarch of such fair kingdoms
+to be pushed to the wall, like a bankrupt yeoman, for a few bags of
+paltry crowns?"
+
+"You are indeed monarch of these kingdoms," said Margaret; "but is it
+necessary to remind your Majesty that it is but as I am Queen of
+England, in which I have not an acre of land, and cannot command a
+penny of revenue? You have no dominions which are a source of revenue,
+save those which you see in this scroll, with an exact list of the
+income they afford. It is totally inadequate, you see, to maintain
+your state, and to pay the large engagements incurred to former
+creditors."
+
+"It is cruel to press me to the wall thus," said the poor King. "What
+can I do? If I am poor, I cannot help it. I am sure I would pay the
+debts you talk of, if I knew the way."
+
+"Royal father, I will show it you.--Resign your useless and unavailing
+dignity, which, with the pretensions attending it, serves but to make
+your miseries ridiculous. Resign your rights as a sovereign, and the
+income which cannot be stretched out to the empty excesses of a
+beggarly court will enable you to enjoy, in ease and opulence, all the
+pleasures you most delight in, as a private baron."
+
+"Margaret, you speak folly," answered Rene, somewhat sternly. "A king
+and his people are bound by ties which neither can sever without
+guilt. My subjects are my flock, I am their shepherd. They are
+assigned to my governance by Heaven, and I dare not renounce the
+charge of protecting them."
+
+"Were you in condition to do so," answered the Queen, "Margaret would
+bid you fight to the death. But don your harness, long disused--mount
+your war-steed--cry, Rene for Provence! and see if a hundred men will
+gather round your standard. Your fortresses are in the hands of
+strangers; army you have none; your vassals may have good-will, but
+they lack all military skill and soldierlike discipline. You stand but
+the mere skeleton of monarchy, which France or Burgundy may prostrate
+on the earth, whichever first puts forth his arm to throw it down."
+
+The tears trickled fast down the old King's cheeks, when this
+unflattering prospect was set before him, and he could not forbear
+owning his total want of power to defend himself and his dominions,
+and admitting that he had often thought of the necessity of
+compounding for his resignation with one of his powerful neighbours.
+
+"It was thy interest, Margaret, harsh and severe as you are, which
+prevented my entering, before now, into measures most painful to my
+feelings, but perhaps best calculated for my advantage. But I had
+hoped it would hold on for my day; and thou, my child, with the
+talents Heaven has given thee, wouldst, I thought, have found remedy
+for distresses which I cannot escape, otherwise than by shunning the
+thoughts of them."
+
+"If it is in earnest you speak of my interest," said Margaret, "know,
+that your resigning Provence will satisfy the nearest, and almost the
+only wish that my bosom can form; but, so judge me Heaven, as it is on
+your account, gracious sire, as well as mine, that I advise your
+compliance."
+
+"Say no more on't, child; give me the parchment of resignation, and I
+will sign it: I see thou hast it ready drawn; let us sign it, and then
+we will overtake the hawkers. We must suffer woe, but there is little
+need to sit down and weep for it."
+
+"Do you not ask," said Margaret, surprised at his apathy, "to whom you
+cede your dominions?"
+
+"What boots it," answered the King, "since they must be no more my
+own? It must be either to Charles of Burgundy, or my nephew
+Louis--both powerful and politic princes. God send my poor people may
+have no cause to wish their old man back again, whose only pleasure
+was to see them happy and mirthful."
+
+"It is to Burgundy you resign Provence," said Margaret.
+
+"I would have preferred him," answered Rene; "he is fierce, but not
+malignant. One word more. Are my subjects' privileges and immunities
+fully secured?"
+
+"Amply," replied the Queen; "and your own wants of all kinds
+honourably provided for. I would not leave the stipulations in your
+favour in blank, though I might perhaps have trusted Charles of
+Burgundy, where money alone is concerned."
+
+"I ask not for myself--with my viol and my pencil, Rene the Troubadour
+will be as happy as ever was Rene the King."
+
+So saying, with practical philosophy he whistled the burden of his
+last composed ariette, and signed away the rest of his royal
+possessions without pulling off his glove, or even reading the
+instrument.
+
+"What is this?" he said, looking at another and separate parchment of
+much briefer contents. "Must my kinsman Charles have both the
+Sicilies, Catalonia, Naples, and Jerusalem, as well as the poor
+remainder of Provence? Methinks, in decency, some greater extent of
+parchment should have been allowed to so ample a cession."
+
+"That deed," said Margaret, "only disowns and relinquishes all
+countenance of Ferrand de Vaudemont's rash attempt on Lorraine, and
+renounces all quarrel on that account against Charles of Burgundy."
+
+For once Margaret miscalculated the tractability of her father's
+temper. Rene positively started, coloured, and stammered with passion,
+as he interrupted her--"_Only_ disown--_only_ relinquish--_only_
+renounce the cause of my grandchild, the son of my dear Yolande--his
+rightful claims on his mother's inheritance!--Margaret, I am ashamed
+for thee. Thy pride is an excuse for thy evil temper but what is pride
+worth which can stoop to commit an act of dishonourable meanness? To
+desert, nay, disown, my own flesh and blood, because the youth is a
+bold knight under shield, and disposed to battle for his right--I were
+worthy that harp and horn rung out shame on me, should I listen to
+thee."
+
+Margaret was overcome in some measure by the old man's unexpected
+opposition. She endeavoured, however, to show that there was no
+occasion, in point of honour, why Rene should engage in the cause of a
+wild adventurer, whose right, be it good be it bad, was only upheld by
+some petty and underhand supplies of money from France, and the
+countenance of a few of the restless banditti who inhabit the borders
+of all nations. But ere Rene could answer, voices, raised to an
+unusual pitch, were heard in the antechamber, the door of which was
+flung open by an armed knight, covered with dust, who exhibited all
+the marks of a long journey.
+
+"Here I am," he said, "father of my mother--behold your
+grandson--Ferrand de Vaudemont; the son of your lost Yolande kneels at
+your feet, and implores a blessing on him and his enterprise."
+
+"Thou hast it," replied Rene, "and may it prosper with thee, gallant
+youth, image of thy sainted mother--my blessings, my prayers, my
+hopes, go with you!"
+
+"And you, fair aunt of England," said the young knight, addressing
+Margaret, "you who are yourself dispossessed by traitors, will you not
+own the cause of a kinsman who is struggling for his inheritance?"
+
+"I wish all good to your person, fair nephew," answered the Queen of
+England, "although your features are strange to me. But to advise this
+old man to adopt your cause, when it is desperate in the eyes of all
+wise men, were impious madness."
+
+"Is my cause then so desperate?" said Ferrand. "Forgive me if I was
+not aware of it. And does my aunt Margaret say this, whose strength of
+mind supported Lancaster so long, after the spirits of her warriors
+had been quelled by defeat? What--forgive me, for my cause must be
+pleaded--what would you have said had my mother Yolande been capable
+to advise her father to disown your own Edward, had God permitted him
+to reach Provence in safety?"
+
+"Edward," said Margaret, weeping as she spoke, "was incapable of
+desiring his friends to espouse a quarrel that was irremediable. His,
+too, was a cause for which mighty princes and peers laid lance in
+rest."
+
+"Yet Heaven blessed it not--" said Vaudemont.
+
+"Thine," continued Margaret, "is but embraced by the robber nobles of
+Germany, the upstart burghers of the Rhine cities, the paltry and
+clownish Confederates of the Cantons."
+
+"But Heaven _has blessed it_," replied Vaudemont. "Know, proud woman,
+that I come to interrupt your treacherous intrigues; no petty
+adventurer, subsisting and maintaining warfare by sleight rather than
+force, but a conqueror from a bloody field of battle, in which Heaven
+has tamed the pride of the tyrant of Burgundy."
+
+"It is false!" said the Queen, starting. "I believe it not."
+
+"It is true," said De Vaudemont, "as true as heaven is above us.--It
+is four days since I left the field of Granson (_d_), heaped with
+Burgundy's mercenaries--his wealth, his jewels, his plate, his
+magnificent decorations, the prize of the poor Swiss, who scarce can
+tell their value. Know you this, Queen Margaret?" continued the young
+soldier, showing the well-known jewel which decorated the Duke's Order
+of the Golden Fleece; "think you not the lion was closely hunted when
+he left such trophies as these behind him?"
+
+Margaret looked, with dazzled eyes and bewildered thoughts, upon a
+token which confirmed the Duke's defeat, and the extinction of her
+last hopes. Her father, on the contrary, was struck with the heroism
+of the young warrior, a quality which, except as it existed in his
+daughter Margaret, had, he feared, taken leave of his family. Admiring
+in his heart the youth who exposed himself to danger for the meed of
+praise, almost as much as he did the poets by whom the warrior's fame
+is rendered immortal, he hugged his grandson to his bosom, bidding him
+"gird on his sword in strength," and assuring him, if money could
+advance his affairs, he, King Rene, could command ten thousand crowns,
+any part, or the whole of which, was at Ferrand's command; thus giving
+proof of what had been said of him, that his head was incapable of
+containing two ideas at the same time.
+
+We return to Arthur, who, with the Queen of England's secretary,
+Mordaunt, had been not a little surprised by the entrance of the Count
+de Vaudemont, calling himself Duke of Lorraine, into the anteroom, in
+which they kept a kind of guard, followed by a tall strong Swiss, with
+a huge halberd over his shoulder. The prince naming himself, Arthur
+did not think it becoming to oppose his entrance to the presence of
+his grandfather and aunt, especially as it was obvious that his
+opposition must have created an affray. In the huge staring
+halberdier, who had sense enough to remain in the anteroom, Arthur was
+not a little surprised to recognise Sigismund Biederman, who, after
+staring wildly at him for a moment, like a dog which suddenly
+recognises a favourite, rushed up to the young Englishman with a wild
+cry of gladness, and in hurried accents told him how happy he was to
+meet with him, and that he had matters of importance to tell him. It
+was at no time easy for Sigismund to arrange his ideas, and now they
+were altogether confused, by the triumphant joy which he expressed for
+the recent victory of his countrymen over the Duke of Burgundy; and
+it was with wonder that Arthur heard his confused and rude but
+faithful tale.
+
+"Look you, King Arthur, the Duke had come up with his huge army as far
+as Granson, which is near the outlet of the great lake of Neufchatel.
+There were five or six hundred Confederates in the place, and they
+held it till provisions failed, and then you know they were forced to
+give it over. But though hunger is hard to bear, they had better have
+borne it a day or two longer, for the butcher Charles hung them all up
+by the neck, upon trees round the place,--and there was no swallowing
+for them, you know, after such usage as that. Meanwhile all was busy
+on our hills, and every man that had a sword or lance accoutred
+himself with it. We met at Neufchatel, and some Germans joined us with
+the noble Duke of Lorraine. Ah, King Arthur, there is a leader!--we
+all think him second but to Rudolph of Donnerhugel--you saw him even
+now--it was he that went into that room--and you saw him before,--it
+is he that was the Blue Knight of Bale; but we called him Laurenz
+then, for Rudolph said his presence among us must not be known to our
+father, and I did not know myself at that time who he really was.
+Well, when we came to Neufchatel we were a goodly company; we were
+fifteen thousand stout Confederates, and of others, Germans and
+Lorraine men, I will warrant you five thousand more. We heard that the
+Burgundian was sixty thousand in the field; but we heard, at the same
+time, that Charles had hung up our brethren like dogs, and the man was
+not among us--among the Confederates, I mean--who would stay to count
+heads, when the question was to avenge them. I would you could have
+heard the roar of fifteen thousand Swiss demanding to be led against
+the butcher of their brethren! My father himself, who, you know, is
+usually so eager for peace, now gave the first voice for battle; so,
+in the grey of the morning, we descended the lake towards Granson,
+with tears in our eyes and weapons in our hands, determined to have
+death or vengeance. We came to a sort of strait, between Vauxmoreux
+and the lake; there were horse on the level ground between the
+mountain and the lake, and a large body of infantry on the side of the
+hill. The Duke of Lorraine and his followers engaged the horse, while
+we climbed the hill to dispossess the infantry. It was with us the
+affair of a moment. Every man of us was at home among the crags, and
+Charles's men were stuck among them as thou wert, Arthur, when thou
+didst first come to Geierstein. But there were no kind maidens to lend
+them their hands to help them down. No, no--There were pikes, clubs,
+and halberds, many a one, to dash and thrust them from places where
+they could hardly keep their feet had there been no one to disturb
+them. So the horsemen, pushed by the Lorrainers, and seeing us upon
+their flanks, fled as fast as their horses could carry them. Then we
+drew together again on a fair field, which is _buon campagna_, as the
+Italian says, where the hills retire from the lake. But lo you, we had
+scarce arrayed our ranks, when we heard such a din and clash of
+instruments, such a trample of their great horses, such a shouting and
+crying of men, as if all the soldiers, and all the minstrels in France
+and Germany, were striving which should make the loudest noise. Then
+there was a huge cloud of dust approaching us, and we began to see we
+must do or die, for this was Charles and his whole army come to
+support his vanguard. A blast from the mountain dispersed the dust,
+for they had halted to prepare for battle. Oh, good Arthur! you would
+have given ten years of life but to have seen the sight. There were
+thousands of horse all in complete array, glancing against the sun,
+and hundreds of knights with crowns of gold and silver on their
+helmets, and thick masses of spears on foot, and cannon, as they call
+them. I did not know what things they were, which they drew on heavily
+with bullocks and placed before their army, but I knew more of them
+before the morning was over. Well, we were ordered to draw up in a
+hollow square, as we are taught at exercise, and before we pushed
+forwards we were commanded, as is the godly rule and guise of our
+warfare, to kneel down and pray to God, Our Lady, and the blessed
+saints; and we afterwards learned that Charles, in his arrogance,
+thought we asked for mercy--Ha! ha! ha! a proper jest. If my father
+once knelt to him, it was for the sake of Christian blood and godly
+peace; but on the field of battle Arnold Biederman would not have
+knelt to him and his whole chivalry, though he had stood alone with
+his sons on that field. Well, but Charles, supposing we asked grace,
+was determined to show us that we had asked it at a graceless face,
+for he cried, 'Fire my cannon on the coward slaves; it is all the
+mercy they have to expect from me!'--Bang--bang--bang--off went the
+things I told you of, like thunder and lightning, and some mischief
+they did, but the less that we were kneeling; and the saints
+doubtless gave the huge balls a hoist over the heads of those who were
+asking grace from them, but from no mortal creatures. So we had the
+signal to rise and rush on, and I promise you there were no sluggards.
+Every man felt ten men's strength. My halberd is no child's toy--if
+you have forgotten it, there it is--and yet it trembled in my grasp as
+if it had been a willow wand to drive cows with. On we went, when
+suddenly the cannon were silent, and the earth shook with another and
+continued growl and battering, like thunder under ground. It was the
+men-at-arms rushing to charge us. But our leaders knew their trade,
+and had seen such a sight before--it was, Halt, halt--kneel down in
+the front--stoop in the second rank--close shoulder to shoulder like
+brethren, lean all spears forward and receive them like an iron wall!
+On they rushed, and there was a rending of lances that would have
+served the Unterwalden old women with splinters of firewood for a
+twelvemonth. Down went armed horse--down went accoutred knight--down
+went banner and bannerman--down went peaked boot and crowned helmet,
+and of those who fell not a man escaped with life. So they drew off in
+confusion, and were getting in order to charge again, when the noble
+Duke Ferrand and his horsemen dashed at them in their own way, and we
+moved onward to support him. Thus on we pressed, and the foot hardly
+waited for us, seeing their cavalry so handled. Then if you had seen
+the dust and heard the blows! the noise of a hundred thousand
+thrashers, the flight of the chaff which they drive about, would be
+but a type of it. On my word, I almost thought it shame to dash about
+my halberd, the rout was so helplessly piteous. Hundreds were slain
+unresisting, and the whole army was in complete flight."
+
+"My father--my father!" exclaimed Arthur. "In such a rout, what can
+have become of him?"
+
+"He escaped safely," said the Swiss; "fled with Charles."
+
+"It must have been a bloody field ere he fled," replied the
+Englishman.
+
+"Nay," answered Sigismund, "he took no part in the fight, but merely
+remained by Charles; and prisoners said it was well for us, for that
+he is a man of great counsel and action in the wars. And as to flying,
+a man in such a matter must go back if he cannot press forward, and
+there is no shame in it, especially if you be not engaged in your own
+person."
+
+As he spoke thus, their conversation was interrupted by Mordaunt, with
+"Hush, hush--the King and Queen come forth."
+
+"What am I to do?" said Sigismund, in some alarm. "I care not for the
+Duke of Lorraine; but what am I to do when kings and queens enter?"
+
+"Do nothing but rise, unbonnet yourself, and be silent."
+
+Sigismund did as he was directed.
+
+King Rene came forth arm in arm with his grandson; and Margaret
+followed, with deep disappointment and vexation on her brow. She
+signed to Arthur as she passed, and said to him--"Make thyself master
+of the truth of this most unexpected news, and bring the particulars
+to me. Mordaunt will introduce thee."
+
+She then cast a look on the young Swiss, and replied courteously to
+his awkward salutation. The royal party then left the room, Rene bent
+on carrying his grandson to the sporting-party, which had been
+interrupted, and Margaret to seek the solitude of her private
+apartment, and await the confirmation of what she regarded as evil
+tidings.
+
+They were no sooner passed than Sigismund observed,--"And so that is a
+King and Queen!--Peste! the King looks somewhat like old Jacomo, the
+violer, that used to scrape on the fiddle to us when he came to
+Geierstein in his rounds. But the Queen is a stately creature. The
+chief cow of the herd, who carries the bouquets and garlands, and
+leads the rest to the chalet, has not a statelier pace. And how deftly
+you approached her and spoke to her! I could not have done it with so
+much grace--But it is like that you have served apprentice to the
+court trade?"
+
+"Leave that for the present, good Sigismund," answered Arthur, "and
+tell me more of this battle."
+
+"By St. Mary, but I must have some victuals and drink first," said
+Sigismund, "if your credit in this fine place reaches so far."
+
+"Doubt it not, Sigismund," said Arthur; and, by the intervention of
+Mordaunt, he easily procured, in a more retired apartment, a collation
+and wine, to which the young Biederman did great honour, smacking his
+lips with much gusto after the delicious wines, to which, in spite of
+his father's ascetic precepts, his palate was beginning to be
+considerably formed and habituated. When he found himself alone with a
+flask of _cote roti_ and a biscuit, and his friend Arthur, he was
+easily led to continue his tale of conquest.
+
+"Well--where was I?--Oh, where we broke their infantry--well--they
+never rallied, and fell into greater confusion at every step--and we
+might have slaughtered one half of them, had we not stopped to examine
+Charles's camp. Mercy on us, Arthur, what a sight was there! Every
+pavilion was full of rich clothes, splendid armour, and great dishes
+and flagons, which some men said were of silver; but I knew there was
+not so much silver in the world, and was sure they must be of pewter,
+rarely burnished. Here there were hosts of laced lackeys, and grooms,
+and pages, and as many attendants as there were soldiers in the army;
+and thousands, for what I knew, of pretty maidens. By the same token,
+both menials and maidens placed themselves at the disposal of the
+victors; but I promise you that my father was right severe on any who
+would abuse the rights of war. But some of our young men did not mind
+him, till he taught them obedience with the staff of his halberd.
+Well, Arthur, there was fine plundering, for the Germans and French
+that were with us rifled everything, and some of our men followed the
+example--it is very catching--So I got into Charles's own pavilion,
+where Rudolph and some of his people were trying to keep out every
+one, that he might have the spoiling of it himself, I think; but
+neither he, nor any Bernese of them all, dared lay truncheon over my
+pate; so I entered, and saw them putting piles of pewter-trenchers, so
+clean as to look like silver, into chests and trunks. I pressed
+through them into the inner place, and there was Charles's
+pallet-bed--I will do him justice, it was the only hard one in his
+camp--and there were fine sparkling stones and pebbles lying about
+among gauntlets, boots, vambraces, and suchlike gear--So I thought of
+your father and you, and looked for something, when what should I see
+but my old friend here" (here he drew Queen Margaret's necklace from
+his bosom), "which I knew, because you remember I recovered it from
+the Scharfgerichter at Brisach.--'Oho! you pretty sparklers,' said I,
+'you shall be Burgundian no longer, but go back to my honest English
+friends,' and therefore"----
+
+"It is of immense value," said Arthur, "and belongs not to my father
+or to me, but to the Queen you saw but now."
+
+"And she will become it rarely," answered Sigismund. "Were she but a
+score, or a score and a half years younger, she were a gallant wife
+for a Swiss landholder. I would warrant her to keep his household in
+high order."
+
+"She will reward thee liberally for recovering her property," said
+Arthur, scarce suppressing a smile at the idea of the proud Margaret
+becoming the housewife of a Swiss shepherd.
+
+"How--reward!" said the Swiss. "Bethink thee I am Sigismund Biederman,
+the son of the Landamman of Unterwalden--I am not a base lanzknecht,
+to be paid for courtesy with piastres. Let her grant me a kind word of
+thanks, or the matter of a kiss, and I am well contented."
+
+"A kiss of her hand, perhaps," said Arthur, again smiling at his
+friend's simplicity.
+
+"Umph, the hand! Well, it may do for a queen of some fifty years and
+odd, but would be poor homage to a Queen of May."
+
+Arthur here brought back the youth to the subject of his battle, and
+learned that the slaughter of the Duke's forces in the flight had
+been in no degree equal to the importance of the action.
+
+"Many rode off on horseback," said Sigismund; "and our German
+_reiters_ flew on the spoil, when they should have followed the chase.
+And besides, to speak truth, Charles's camp delayed our very selves in
+the pursuit; but had we gone half a mile farther, and seen our friends
+hanging on trees, not a Confederate would have stopped from the chase
+while he had limbs to carry him in pursuit."
+
+"And what has become of the Duke?"
+
+"Charles has retreated into Burgundy, like a boar who has felt the
+touch of the spear, and is more enraged than hurt; but is, they say,
+sad and sulky. Others report that he has collected all his scattered
+army, and immense forces besides, and has screwed his subjects to give
+him money, so that we may expect another brush. But all Switzerland
+will join us after such a victory."
+
+"And my father is with him?" said Arthur.
+
+"Truly he is, and has in a right godly manner tried to set afoot a
+treaty of peace with my own father. But it will scarce succeed.
+Charles is as mad as ever; and our people are right proud of our
+victory, and so they well may. Nevertheless, my father forever
+preaches that such victories, and such heaps of wealth, will change
+our ancient manners, and that the ploughman will leave his labour to
+turn soldier. He says much about it; but why money, choice meat and
+wine, and fine clothing should do so much harm, I cannot bring my poor
+brains to see--And many better heads than mine are as much
+puzzled.--Here's to you, friend Arthur!--This is choice liquor!"
+
+"And what brings you and your general, Prince Ferrand, post to
+Nancy?" said the young Englishman.
+
+"Faith, you are yourself the cause of our journey."
+
+"I the cause?" said Arthur.--"Why, how could that be?"
+
+"Why, it is said you and Queen Margaret are urging this old fiddling
+King Rene to yield up his territories to Charles, and to disown
+Ferrand in his claim upon Lorraine. And the Duke of Lorraine sent a
+man that you know well--that is, you do not know _him_, but you know
+some of his family, and he knows more of you than you wot--to put a
+spoke in your wheel, and prevent your getting for Charles the county
+of Provence, or preventing Ferrand being troubled or traversed in his
+natural rights over Lorraine."
+
+"On my word, Sigismund, I cannot comprehend you," said Arthur.
+
+"Well," replied the Swiss, "my lot is a hard one. All our house say
+that I can comprehend nothing, and I shall be next told that nobody
+can comprehend me.--Well, in plain language, I mean my uncle, Count
+Albert, as he calls himself, of Geierstein--my father's brother."
+
+"Anne of Geierstein's father!" echoed Arthur.
+
+"Ay, truly; I thought we should find some mark to make you know him
+by."
+
+"But I never saw him."
+
+"Ay, but you have, though--An able man he is, and knows more of every
+man's business than the man does himself. Oh! it was not for nothing
+that he married the daughter of a Salamander!"
+
+"Pshaw, Sigismund, how can you believe that nonsense?" answered
+Arthur.
+
+"Rudolph told me you were as much bewildered as I was that night at
+Graffs-lust," answered the Swiss.
+
+"If I were so, I was the greater ass for my pains," answered Arthur.
+
+"Well, but this uncle of mine has got some of the old conjuring books
+from the library at Arnheim, and they say he can pass from place to
+place with more than mortal speed; and that he is helped in his
+designs by mightier counsellors than mere men. Always, however, though
+so able and highly endowed, his gifts, whether coming from a lawful or
+unlawful quarter, bring him no abiding advantage. He is eternally
+plunged into strife and danger."
+
+"I know few particulars of his life," said Arthur, disguising as much
+as he could his anxiety to hear more of him; "but I have heard that he
+left Switzerland to join the Emperor."
+
+"True," answered the young Swiss, "and married the young Baroness of
+Arnheim,--but afterwards he incurred my namesake's imperial
+displeasure, and not less that of the Duke of Austria. They say you
+cannot live in Rome and strive with the Pope; so my uncle thought it
+best to cross the Rhine, and betake himself to Charles's court, who
+willingly received noblemen from all countries, so that they had good
+sounding names, with the title of Count, Marquis, Baron, or suchlike,
+to march in front of them. So my uncle was most kindly received; but
+within this year or two all this friendship has been broken up. Uncle
+Albert obtained a great lead in some mysterious societies, of which
+Charles disapproved, and set so hard at my poor uncle, that he was
+fain to take orders and shave his hair, rather than lose his head.
+But though he cut off his hair, his brain remains as busy as ever; and
+although the Duke suffered him to be at large, yet he found him so
+often in his way, that all men believed he waited but an excuse for
+seizing upon him and putting him to death. But my uncle persists that
+he fears not Charles; and that, Duke as he is, Charles has more
+occasion to be afraid of him.--And so you saw how boldly he played his
+part at La Ferette."
+
+"By St. George of Windsor!" exclaimed Arthur, "the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's?"
+
+"Oho! you understand me now. Well, he took it upon him that Charles
+would not dare to punish him for his share in De Hagenbach's death;
+and no more did he, although uncle Albert sat and voted in the Estates
+of Burgundy, and stirred them up all he could to refuse giving Charles
+the money he asked of them. But when the Swiss war broke out, uncle
+Albert became assured his being a clergyman would be no longer his
+protection, and that the Duke intended to have him accused of
+corresponding with his brother and countrymen; and so he appeared
+suddenly in Ferrand's camp at Neufchatel, and sent a message to
+Charles that he renounced his allegiance, and bid him defiance."
+
+"A singular story of an active and versatile man," said the young
+Englishman.
+
+"Oh, you may seek the world for a man like uncle Albert. Then he knows
+everything; and he told Duke Ferrand what you were about here, and
+offered to go and bring more certain information--ay, though he left
+the Swiss camp but five or six days before the battle, and the
+distance between Arles and Neufchatel be four hundred miles complete,
+yet he met him on his return, when Duke Ferrand, with me to show him
+the way, was hastening hitherward, having set off from the very field
+of battle."
+
+"Met him!" said Arthur--"Met whom?--Met the Black Priest of St.
+Paul's?"
+
+"Ay, I mean so," replied Sigismund; "but he was habited as a Carmelite
+monk."
+
+"A Carmelite!" said Arthur, a sudden light flashing on him; "and I was
+so blind as to recommend his services to the Queen! I remember well
+that he kept his face much concealed in his cowl--and I, foolish
+beast, to fall so grossly into the snare!--And yet perhaps it is as
+well the transaction was interrupted, since I fear, if carried
+successfully through, all must have been disconcerted by this
+astounding defeat."
+
+Their conversation had thus far proceeded, when Mordaunt appearing,
+summoned Arthur to his royal mistress's apartment. In that gay palace,
+a gloomy room, whose windows looked upon some part of the ruins of the
+Roman edifice, but excluded every other object, save broken walls and
+tottering columns, was the retreat which Margaret had chosen for her
+own. She received Albert with a kindness more touching that it was the
+inmate of so proud and fiery a disposition,--of a heart assailed with
+many woes, and feeling them severely.
+
+"Alas, poor Arthur!" she said, "thy life begins where thy father's
+threatens to end, in useless labour to save a sinking vessel. The
+rushing leak pours in its waters faster than human force can lighten
+or discharge. All--all goes wrong, when our unhappy cause becomes
+connected with it--Strength becomes weakness, wisdom folly, and
+valour cowardice. The Duke of Burgundy, hitherto victorious in all his
+bold undertakings, has but to entertain the momentary thought of
+yielding succour to Lancaster, and behold his sword is broken by a
+peasant's flail; and his disciplined army, held to be the finest in
+the world, flies like chaff before the wind; while their spoils are
+divided by renegade German hirelings, and barbarous Alpine
+shepherds!--What more hast thou learned of this strange tale?"
+
+"Little, madam, but what you have heard. The worst additions are, that
+the battle was shamefully cowardlike, and completely lost, with every
+advantage to have won it--the best, that the Burgundian army has been
+rather dispersed than destroyed, and that the Duke himself has
+escaped, and is rallying his forces in Upper Burgundy."
+
+"To sustain a new defeat, or engage in a protracted and doubtful
+contest, fatal to his reputation as defeat itself. Where is thy
+father?"
+
+"With the Duke, madam, as I have been informed," replied Arthur.
+
+"Hie to him, and say I charge him to look after his own safety, and
+care no further for my interests. This last blow has sunk me--I am
+without an ally, without a friend, without treasure"----
+
+"Not so, madam," replied Arthur. "One piece of good fortune has
+brought back to your Grace this inestimable relic of your
+fortunes."--And, producing the precious necklace, he gave the history
+of its recovery.
+
+"I rejoice at the chance which has restored these diamonds," said the
+Queen, "that in point of gratitude, at least, I may not be utterly
+bankrupt. Carry them to your father--tell him my schemes are
+over--and my heart, which so long clung to hope, is broken at
+last.--Tell him the trinkets are his own, and to his own use let him
+apply them. They will but poorly repay the noble earldom of Oxford,
+lost in the cause of her who sends them."
+
+"Royal madam," said the youth, "be assured my father would sooner live
+by service as a _schwarzreiter_, than become a burden on your
+misfortunes."
+
+"He never yet disobeyed command of mine," said Margaret; "and this is
+the last I will lay upon him. If he is too rich or too proud to
+benefit by his Queen's behest, he will find enough of poor
+Lancastrians who have fewer means or fewer scruples."
+
+"There is yet a circumstance I have to communicate," said Arthur, and
+recounted the history of Albert of Geierstein, and the disguise of a
+Carmelite monk.
+
+"Are you such a fool," answered the Queen, "as to suppose this man has
+any supernatural powers to aid him in his ambitious projects and his
+hasty journeys?"
+
+"No, madam--but it is whispered that the Count Albert of Geierstein,
+or this Black Priest of St. Paul's, is a chief amongst the Secret
+Societies of Germany, which even princes dread whilst they hate them;
+for the man that can command a hundred daggers must be feared even by
+those who rule thousands of swords."
+
+"Can this person," said the Queen, "being now a Churchman, retain
+authority amongst those who deal in life and death? It is contrary to
+the canons."
+
+"It would seem so, royal madam; but everything in these dark
+institutions differs from what is practised in the light of day.
+Prelates are often heads of a Vehmique bench, and the Archbishop of
+Cologne exercises the dreadful office of their chief as Duke of
+Westphalia, the principal region in which these societies
+flourish.[11] Such privileges attach to the secret influence of the
+chiefs of this dark association, as may well seem supernatural to
+those who are unapprised of circumstances of which men shun to speak
+in plain terms."
+
+"Let him be wizard or assassin," said the Queen, "I thank him for
+having contributed to interrupt my plan of the old man's cession of
+Provence, which, as events stand, would have stripped Rene of his
+dominions, without furthering our plan of invading England.--Once
+more, be stirring with the dawn, and bend thy way back to thy father,
+and charge him to care for himself and think no more of me. Bretagne,
+where the heir of Lancaster resides, will be the safest place of
+refuge for its bravest followers. Along the Rhine, the Invisible
+Tribunal, it would seem, haunts both shores, and to be innocent of ill
+is no security; even here the proposed treaty with Burgundy may take
+air, and the Provencaux carry daggers as well as crooks and pipes. But
+I hear the horses fast returning from the hawking-party, and the silly
+old man, forgetting all the eventful proceedings of the day,
+whistling as he ascends the steps. Well, we will soon part, and my
+removal will be, I think, a relief to him. Prepare for banquet and
+ball, for noise and nonsense--above all, to bid adieu to Aix with
+morning dawn."
+
+Thus dismissed from the Queen's presence, Arthur's first care was to
+summon Thiebault to have all things in readiness for his departure;
+his next, to prepare himself for the pleasures of the evening, not
+perhaps so heavily affected by the failure of his negotiation as to be
+incapable of consolation in such a scene; for the truth was, that his
+mind secretly revolted at the thoughts of the simple old King being
+despoiled of his dominions to further an invasion of England, in
+which, whatever interest he might have in his daughter's rights, there
+was little chance of success.
+
+If such feelings were censurable, they had their punishment. Although
+few knew how completely the arrival of the Duke of Lorraine, and the
+intelligence he brought with him, had disconcerted the plans of Queen
+Margaret, it was well known there had been little love betwixt the
+Queen and his mother Yolande; and the young Prince found himself at
+the head of a numerous party in the court of his grandfather, who
+disliked his aunt's haughty manners, and were wearied by the unceasing
+melancholy of her looks and conversation, and her undisguised contempt
+of the frivolities which passed around her. Ferrand, besides, was
+young, handsome, a victor just arrived from a field of battle, fought
+gloriously, and gained against all chances to the contrary. That he
+was a general favourite, and excluded Arthur Philipson, as an
+adherent of the unpopular Queen, from the notice her influence had on
+a former evening procured him, was only a natural consequence of their
+relative condition. But what somewhat hurt Arthur's feelings was to
+see his friend Sigismund the Simple, as his brethren called him,
+shining with the reflected glory of the Duke Ferrand of Lorraine, who
+introduced to all the ladies present the gallant young Swiss as Count
+Sigismund of Geierstein. His care had procured for his follower a
+dress rather more suitable for such a scene than the country attire of
+the count, otherwise Sigismund Biederman.
+
+For a certain time, whatever of novelty is introduced into society is
+pleasing, though it has nothing else to recommend it. The Swiss were
+little known personally out of their own country, but they were much
+talked of; it was a recommendation to be of that country. Sigismund's
+manners were blunt--a mixture of awkwardness and rudeness, which was
+termed frankness during the moment of his favour. He spoke bad French
+and worse Italian--it gave naivete to all he said. His limbs were too
+bulky to be elegant; his dancing, for Count Sigismund failed not to
+dance, was the bounding and gambolling of a young elephant; yet they
+were preferred to the handsome proportions and courtly movements of
+the youthful Englishman, even by the black-eyed countess in whose good
+graces Arthur had made some progress on the preceding evening. Arthur,
+thus thrown into the shade, felt as Mr. Pepys afterwards did when he
+tore his camlet cloak--the damage was not great, but it troubled him.
+
+Nevertheless, the passing evening brought him some revenge. There are
+some works of art the defects of which are not seen till they are
+injudiciously placed in too strong a light, and such was the case with
+Sigismund the Simple. The quick-witted though fantastic Provencaux
+soon found out the heaviness of his intellect, and the extent of his
+good-nature, and amused themselves at his expense, by ironical
+compliments and well-veiled raillery. It is probable they would have
+been less delicate on the subject, had not the Swiss brought into the
+dancing-room along with him his eternal halberd, the size and weight
+and thickness of which boded little good to any one whom the owner
+might detect in the act of making merry at his expense. But Sigismund
+did no further mischief that night, except that, in achieving a superb
+_entrechat_, he alighted with his whole weight on the miniature foot
+of his pretty partner, which he well-nigh crushed to pieces.
+
+Arthur had hitherto avoided looking towards Queen Margaret during the
+course of the evening, lest he should disturb her thoughts from the
+channel in which they were rolling, by seeming to lay a claim on her
+protection. But there was something so whimsical in the awkward
+physiognomy of the maladroit Swiss, that he could not help glancing an
+eye to the alcove where the Queen's chair of state was placed, to see
+if she observed him. The very first view was such as to rivet his
+attention. Margaret's head was reclined on the chair, her eyes
+scarcely open, her features drawn up and pinched, her hands closed
+with effort. The English lady of honour who stood behind her--old,
+deaf, and dim-sighted--had not discovered anything in her mistress's
+position more than the abstracted and indifferent attitude with which
+the Queen was wont to be present in body and absent in mind during the
+festivities of the Provencal court. But when Arthur, greatly alarmed,
+came behind the seat to press her attention to her mistress, she
+exclaimed, after a minute's investigation, "Mother of Heaven, the
+Queen is dead!" And it was so. It seemed that the last fibre of life,
+in that fiery and ambitious mind, had, as she herself prophesied,
+given way at the same time with the last thread of political hope.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[11] The Archbishop of Cologne was recognised as head of all the Free
+Tribunals (_i.e._ the Vehmique benches) in Westphalia, by a writ of
+privilege granted in 1335 by the Emperor Charles IV. Winceslaus
+confirmed this act by a privilege dated 1382, in which the Archbishop
+is termed Grand Master of the Vehme, or Grand Inquisitor. And this
+prelate and other priests were encouraged to exercise such office by
+Pope Boniface III., whose ecclesiastical discipline permitted them in
+such cases to assume the right of judging in matters of life and
+death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+       Toll, toll the bell!
+       Greatness is o'er,
+       The heart has broke,
+       To ache no more;
+     An unsubstantial pageant all--
+     Drop o'er the scene the funeral pall.
+                               _Old Poem._
+
+
+The commotion and shrieks of fear and amazement which were excited
+among the ladies of the court by an event so singular and shocking,
+had begun to abate, and the sighs, more serious though less intrusive,
+of the few English attendants of the deceased Queen began to be heard,
+together with the groans of old King Rene, whose emotions were as
+acute as they were shortlived. The leeches had held a busy but
+unavailing consultation, and the body that was once a queen's was
+delivered to the Priest of St. Sauveur, that beautiful church in which
+the spoils of Pagan temples have contributed to fill up the
+magnificence of the Christian edifice. The stately pile was duly
+lighted up, and the funeral provided with such splendour as Aix could
+supply. The Queen's papers being examined, it was found that Margaret,
+by disposing of jewels and living at small expense, had realised the
+means of making a decent provision for life for her very few English
+attendants. Her diamond necklace, described in her last will as in
+the hands of an English merchant named John Philipson, or his son, or
+the price thereof, if by them sold or pledged, she left to the said
+John Philipson and his son Arthur Philipson, with a view to the
+prosecution of the design which they had been destined to advance, or,
+if that should prove impossible, to their own use and profit. The
+charge of her funeral rites was wholly intrusted to Arthur, called
+Philipson, with a request that they should be conducted entirely after
+the forms observed in England. This trust was expressed in an addition
+to her will, signed the very day on which she died.
+
+Arthur lost no time in despatching Thiebault express to his father,
+with a letter explaining, in such terms as he knew would be
+understood, the tenor of all that had happened since he came to Aix,
+and, above all, the death of Queen Margaret.
+
+Finally, he requested directions for his motions, since the necessary
+delay occupied by the obsequies of a person of such eminent rank must
+detain him at Aix till he should receive them.
+
+The old King sustained the shock of his daughter's death so easily,
+that on the second day after the event he was engaged in arranging a
+pompous procession for the funeral, and composing an elegy, to be sung
+to a tune also of his own composing, in honour of the deceased Queen,
+who was likened to the goddesses of heathen mythology, and to Judith,
+Deborah, and all the other holy women, not to mention the saints of
+the Christian dispensation. It cannot be concealed that, when the
+first burst of grief was over, King Rene could not help feeling that
+Margaret's death cut a political knot which he might have otherwise
+found it difficult to untie, and permitted him to take open part with
+his grandson, so far indeed as to afford him a considerable share of
+the contents of the Provencal treasury, which amounted to no larger
+sum than ten thousand crowns. Ferrand having received the blessing of
+his grandfather, in a form which his affairs rendered most important
+to him, returned to the resolutes whom he commanded; and with him,
+after a most loving farewell to Arthur, went the stout but
+simple-minded young Swiss, Sigismund Biederman.
+
+The little court of Aix were left to their mourning. King Rene, for
+whom ceremonial and show, whether of a joyful or melancholy character,
+was always matter of importance, would willingly have bestowed on
+solemnising the obsequies of his daughter Margaret what remained of
+his revenue, but was prevented from doing so, partly by remonstrances
+from his ministers, partly by the obstacles opposed by the young
+Englishman, who, acting upon the presumed will of the dead, interfered
+to prevent any such fantastic exhibitions being produced at the
+obsequies of the Queen as had disgusted her during her life.
+
+The funeral, therefore, after many days had been spent in public
+prayers and acts of devotion, was solemnised with the mournful
+magnificence due to the birth of the deceased, and with which the
+Church of Rome so well knows how to affect at once the eye, ear, and
+feelings.
+
+Amid the various nobles who assisted on the solemn occasion, there was
+one who arrived just as the tolling of the great bells of St. Sauveur
+had announced that the procession was already on its way to the
+cathedral. The stranger hastily exchanged his travelling-dress for a
+suit of deep mourning, which was made after the fashion proper to
+England. So attired, he repaired to the cathedral, where the noble
+mien of the cavalier imposed such respect on the attendants that he
+was permitted to approach close to the side of the bier; and it was
+across the coffin of the Queen for whom he had acted and suffered so
+much that the gallant Earl of Oxford exchanged a melancholy glance
+with his son. The assistants, especially the English servants of
+Margaret, gazed on them both with respect and wonder, and the elder
+cavalier, in particular, seemed to them no unapt representative of the
+faithful subjects of England, paying their last duty at the tomb of
+her who had so long swayed the sceptre, if not faultlessly, yet always
+with a bold and resolved hand.
+
+The last sound of the solemn dirge had died away, and almost all the
+funeral attendants had retired, when the father and son still lingered
+in mournful silence beside the remains of their sovereign. The clergy
+at length approached, and intimated they were about to conclude the
+last duties, by removing the body, which had been lately occupied and
+animated by so haughty and restless a spirit, to the dust, darkness,
+and silence of the vault where the long-descended Counts of Provence
+awaited dissolution. Six priests raised the bier on their shoulders,
+others bore huge waxen torches before and behind the body, as they
+carried it down a private staircase which yawned in the floor to admit
+their descent. The last notes of the requiem, in which the churchmen
+joined, had died away along the high and fretted arches of the
+cathedral, the last flash of light which arose from the mouth of the
+vault had glimmered and disappeared, when the Earl of Oxford, taking
+his son by the arm, led him in silence forth into a small cloistered
+court behind the building, where they found themselves alone. They
+were silent for a few minutes, for both, and particularly the father,
+were deeply affected. At length the Earl spoke.
+
+"And this, then, is her end," said he. "Here, royal lady, all that we
+have planned and pledged life upon falls to pieces with thy
+dissolution! The heart of resolution, the head of policy is gone; and
+what avails it that the limbs of the enterprise still have motion and
+life? Alas, Margaret of Anjou! may Heaven reward thy virtues, and
+absolve thee from the consequence of thine errors! Both belonged to
+thy station, and, if thou didst hoist too high a sail in prosperity,
+never lived there princess who defied more proudly the storms of
+adversity, or bore up against them with such dauntless nobility of
+determination. With this event the drama has closed, and our parts, my
+son, are ended."
+
+"We bear arms, then, against the infidels, my lord?" said Arthur, with
+a sigh that was, however, hardly audible.
+
+"Not," answered the Earl, "until I learn that Henry of Richmond, the
+undoubted heir of the House of Lancaster, has no occasion for my
+services. In these jewels, of which you wrote me, so strangely lost
+and recovered, I may be able to supply him with resources more needful
+than either your services or mine. But I return no more to the camp of
+the Duke of Burgundy; for in him there is no help."
+
+"Can it be possible that the power of so great a
+sovereign has been overthrown in one fatal battle?" said Arthur.
+
+  [Illustration: THE FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN.
+   Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.]
+
+"By no means," replied his father. "The loss at Granson was very
+great; but to the strength of Burgundy it is but a scratch on the
+shoulders of a giant. It is the spirit of Charles himself, his wisdom
+at least, and his foresight, which have given way under the
+mortification of a defeat by such as he accounted inconsiderable
+enemies, and expected to have trampled down with a few squadrons of
+his men-at-arms. Then his temper is become froward, peevish, and
+arbitrary, devoted to those who flatter and, as there is too much
+reason to believe, betray him, and suspicious of those counsellors who
+give him wholesome advice. Even I have had my share of distrust. Thou
+knowest I refused to bear arms against our late hosts the Swiss; and
+he saw in that no reason for rejecting my attendance on his march. But
+since the defeat of Granson, I have observed a strong and sudden
+change, owing, perhaps, in some degree to the insinuations of
+Campo-basso, and not a little to the injured pride of the Duke, who
+was unwilling that an indifferent person in my situation, and thinking
+as I do, should witness the disgrace of his arms. He spoke in my
+hearing of lukewarm friends, cold-blooded neutrals,--of those who, not
+being with him, must be against him. I tell thee, Arthur de Vere, the
+Duke has said that which touched my honour so nearly, that nothing but
+the commands of Queen Margaret, and the interests of the House of
+Lancaster, could have made me remain in his camp. That is over--My
+royal mistress has no more occasion for my poor services--the Duke can
+spare no aid to our cause--and if he could, we can no longer dispose
+of the only bribe which might have induced him to afford us succours.
+The power of seconding his views on Provence is buried with Margaret
+of Anjou."
+
+"What, then, is your purpose?" demanded his son.
+
+"I propose," said Oxford, "to wait at the court of King Rene until I
+can hear from the Earl of Richmond, as we must still call him. I am
+aware that banished men are rarely welcome at the court of a foreign
+prince; but I have been the faithful follower of his daughter
+Margaret. I only propose to reside in disguise, and desire neither
+notice nor maintenance; so methinks King Rene will not refuse to
+permit me to breathe the air of his dominions, until I learn in what
+direction fortune or duty shall call me."
+
+"Be assured he will not," answered Arthur. "Rene is incapable of a
+base or ignoble thought; and if he could despise trifles as he detests
+dishonour, he might be ranked high in the list of monarchs."
+
+This resolution being adopted, the son presented his father at King
+Rene's court, whom he privately made acquainted that he was a man of
+quality, and a distinguished Lancastrian. The good King would in his
+heart have preferred a guest of lighter accomplishments and gayer
+temper to Oxford, a statesman and a soldier of melancholy and grave
+habits. The Earl was conscious of this, and seldom troubled his
+benevolent and light-hearted host with his presence. He had, however,
+an opportunity of rendering the old King a favour of peculiar value.
+This was in conducting an important treaty betwixt Rene and Louis XI.
+of France, his nephew. Upon that crafty monarch Rene finally settled
+his principality; for the necessity of extricating his affairs by such
+a measure was now apparent even to himself, every thought of favouring
+Charles of Burgundy in the arrangement having died with Queen
+Margaret. The policy and wisdom of the English Earl, who was intrusted
+with almost the sole charge of this secret and delicate measure, were
+of the utmost advantage to good King Rene, who was freed from personal
+and pecuniary vexations, and enabled to go piping and tabouring to his
+grave. Louis did not fail to propitiate the plenipotentiary, by
+throwing out distant hopes of aid to the efforts of the Lancastrian
+party in England. A faint and insecure negotiation was entered into
+upon the subject; and these affairs, which rendered two journeys to
+Paris necessary on the part of Oxford and his son, in the spring and
+summer of the year 1476, occupied them until that year was half spent.
+
+In the meanwhile, the wars of the Duke of Burgundy with the Swiss
+Cantons and Count Ferrand of Lorraine continued to rage. Before
+midsummer 1476, Charles had assembled a new army of at least sixty
+thousand men, supported by one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, for
+the purpose of invading Switzerland, where the warlike mountaineers
+easily levied a host of thirty thousand Switzers, now accounted almost
+invincible, and called upon their confederates, the Free Cities on the
+Rhine, to support them with a powerful body of cavalry. The first
+efforts of Charles were successful. He overran the Pays de Vaud, and
+recovered most of the places which he had lost after the defeat at
+Granson. But instead of attempting to secure a well-defended frontier,
+or, what would have been still more politic, to achieve a peace upon
+equitable terms with his redoubtable neighbours, this most obstinate
+of princes resumed the purpose of penetrating into the recesses of the
+Alpine mountains, and chastising the mountaineers even within their
+own strongholds, though experience might have taught him the danger,
+nay desperation, of the attempt. Thus the news received by Oxford and
+his son, when they returned to Aix in midsummer, was, that Duke
+Charles had advanced to Morat (or Murten), situated upon a lake of the
+same name, at the very entrance of Switzerland. Here report said that
+Adrian de Bubenburg, a veteran knight of Berne, commanded, and
+maintained the most obstinate defence, in expectation of the relief
+which his countrymen were hastily assembling.
+
+"Alas, my old brother-in-arms!" said the Earl to his son, on hearing
+these tidings, "this town besieged, these assaults repelled, this
+vicinity of an enemy's country, this profound lake, these inaccessible
+cliffs, threaten a second part of the tragedy of Granson, more
+calamitous perhaps than even the former!"
+
+On the last week of June, the capital of Provence was agitated by one
+of those unauthorised yet generally received rumours which transmit
+great events with incredible swiftness, as an apple flung from hand to
+hand by a number of people will pass a given space infinitely faster
+than if borne by the most rapid series of expresses. The report
+announced a second defeat of the Burgundians, in terms so exaggerated
+as induced the Earl of Oxford to consider the greater part, if not the
+whole, as a fabrication.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+     And is the hostile troop arrived,
+       And have they won the day?
+     It must have been a bloody field
+       Ere Darwent fled away!
+              _The Ettrick Shepherd._
+
+
+Sleep did not close the eyes of the Earl of Oxford or his son; for
+although the success or defeat of the Duke of Burgundy could not now
+be of importance to their own private or political affairs, yet the
+father did not cease to interest himself in the fate of his former
+companion-in-arms; and the son, with the fire of youth, always eager
+after novelty,[12] expected to find something to advance or thwart his
+own progress in every remarkable event which agitated the world.
+
+Arthur had risen from his bed, and was in the act of attiring himself,
+when the tread of a horse arrested his attention. He had no sooner
+looked out of the window, than, exclaiming, "News, my father, news
+from the army!" he rushed into the street, where a cavalier, who
+appeared to have ridden very hard, was inquiring for the two
+Philipsons, father and son. He had no difficulty in recognising
+Colvin, the master of the Burgundian ordnance. His ghastly look
+bespoke distress of mind; his disordered array and broken armour,
+which seemed rusted with rain or stained with blood, gave the
+intelligence of some affray in which he had probably been worsted; and
+so exhausted was his gallant steed, that it was with difficulty the
+animal could stand upright. The condition of the rider was not much
+better. When he alighted from his horse to greet Arthur, he reeled so
+much that he would have fallen without instant support. His horny eye
+had lost the power of speculation; his limbs possessed imperfectly
+that of motion, and it was with a half-suffocated voice that he
+muttered, "Only fatigue--want of rest and of food."
+
+Arthur assisted him into the house, and refreshments were procured;
+but he refused all except a bowl of wine, after tasting which he set
+it down, and, looking at the Earl of Oxford with an eye of the deepest
+affliction, he ejaculated, "The Duke of Burgundy!"
+
+"Slain?" replied the Earl. "I trust not!"
+
+"It might have been better if he were," said the Englishman; "but
+dishonour has come before death."
+
+"Defeated, then?" said Oxford.
+
+"So completely and fearfully defeated," answered the soldier, "that
+all that I have seen of loss before was slight in comparison."
+
+"But how, or where?" said the Earl of Oxford. "You were superior in
+numbers, as we were informed."
+
+"Two to one at least," answered Colvin; "and when I speak of our
+encounter at this moment, I could rend my flesh with my teeth for
+being here to tell such a tale of shame. We had sat down for about a
+week before that paltry town of Murten, or Morat, or whatever it is
+called. The governor, one of those stubborn mountain bears of Berne,
+bade us defiance. He would not even condescend to shut his gates, but,
+when we summoned the town, returned for answer, we might enter if we
+pleased,--we should be suitably received. I would have tried to bring
+him to reason by a salvo or two of artillery, but the Duke was too
+much irritated to listen to good counsel. Stimulated by that black
+traitor, Campo-basso, he deemed it better to run forward with his
+whole force upon a place which, though I could soon have battered it
+about their German ears, was yet too strong to be carried by swords,
+lances, and hagbuts. We were beaten off with great loss, and much
+discouragement to the soldiers. We then commenced more regularly, and
+my batteries would have brought these mad Switzers to their senses.
+Walls and ramparts went down before the lusty cannoneers of Burgundy;
+we were well secured also by intrenchments against those whom we heard
+of as approaching to raise the siege. But, on the evening of the
+twentieth of this month, we learned that they were close at hand, and
+Charles, consulting only his own bold spirit, advanced to meet them,
+relinquishing the advantage of our batteries and strong position. By
+his orders, though against my own judgment, I accompanied him with
+twenty good pieces, and the flower of my people. We broke up on the
+next morning, and had not advanced far before we saw the lances and
+thick array of halberds and two-handed swords which crested the
+mountain. Heaven, too, added its terrors--a thunderstorm, with all the
+fury of those tempestuous climates, descended on both armies, but did
+most annoyance to ours, as our troops, especially the Italians, were
+more sensible to the torrents of rain which poured down, and the
+rivulets which, swelled into torrents, inundated and disordered our
+position. The Duke for once saw it necessary to alter his purpose of
+instant battle. He rode up to me, and directed me to defend with the
+cannon the retreat which he was about to commence, adding that he
+himself would in person sustain me with the men-at-arms. The order was
+given to retreat. But the movement gave new spirit to an enemy already
+sufficiently audacious. The ranks of the Swiss instantly prostrated
+themselves in prayer--a practice on the field of battle which I have
+ridiculed--but I will do so no more. When, after five minutes, they
+sprang again on their feet, and began to advance rapidly, sounding
+their horns and crying their war-cries with all their usual
+ferocity--behold, my lord, the clouds of heaven opened, shedding on
+the Confederates the blessed light of the returning sun, while our
+ranks were still in the gloom of the tempest. My men were discouraged.
+The host behind them was retreating; the sudden light thrown on the
+advancing Switzers showed along the mountains a profusion of banners,
+a glancing of arms, giving to the enemy the appearance of double the
+numbers that had hitherto been visible to us. I exhorted my followers
+to stand fast, but in doing so I thought a thought, and spoke a word,
+which was a grievous sin. 'Stand fast, my brave cannoneers!' I said.
+'We will presently let them hear louder thunders, and show them more
+fatal lightnings, than their prayers have put down!' My men shouted.
+But it was an impious thought, a blasphemous speech, and evil came
+after it. We levelled our guns on the advancing masses as fairly as
+cannon were ever pointed--I can vouch it, for I laid the Grand Duchess
+of Burgundy myself--Ah, poor Duchess! what rude hands manage thee
+now!--The volley was fired, and, ere the smoke spread from the
+muzzles, I could see many a man and many a banner go down. It was
+natural to think such a discharge should have checked the attack, and
+whilst the smoke hid the enemy from us I made every effort again to
+load our cannon, and anxiously endeavoured to look through the mist to
+discover the state of our opponents. But ere our smoke was cleared
+away, or the cannon again loaded, they came headlong down on us, horse
+and foot, old men and boys, men-at-arms and varlets, charging up to
+the muzzle of the guns, and over them, with total disregard to their
+lives. My brave fellows were cut down, pierced through, and overrun,
+while they were again loading their pieces, nor do I believe that a
+single cannon was fired a second time."
+
+"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford. "Did he not support you?"
+
+"Most loyally and bravely," answered Colvin, "with his own bodyguard
+of Walloons and Burgundians. But a thousand Italian mercenaries went
+off, and never showed face again. The pass, too, was cumbered with the
+artillery, and in itself narrow, bordering on mountains and cliffs, a
+deep lake close beside. In short, it was a place totally unfit for
+horsemen to act in. In spite of the Duke's utmost exertions, and those
+of the gallant Flemings who fought around him, all were borne back in
+complete disorder. I was on foot, fighting as I could, without hopes
+of my life, or indeed thoughts of saving it, when I saw the guns taken
+and my faithful cannoneers slain. But I saw Duke Charles hard pressed,
+and took my horse from my page that held him--Thou, too, art lost, my
+poor orphan boy!--I could only aid Monseigneur de la Croye and others
+to extricate the Duke. Our retreat became a total rout, and when we
+reached our rearguard, which we had left strongly encamped, the
+banners of the Switzers were waving on our batteries, for a large
+division had made a circuit through mountain passes known only to
+themselves, and attacked our camp, vigorously seconded by that
+accursed Adrian de Bubenburg, who sallied from the beleaguered town,
+so that our intrenchments were stormed on both sides at once.--I have
+more to say, but having ridden day and night to bring you these evil
+tidings, my tongue clings to the roof of my mouth, and I feel that I
+can speak no more. The rest is all flight and massacre, disgraceful to
+every soldier that shared in it. For my part, I confess my
+contumelious self-confidence and insolence to man, as well as
+blasphemy to Heaven. If I live, it is but to hide my disgraced head in
+a cowl, and expiate the numerous sins of a licentious life."
+
+With difficulty the broken-minded soldier was prevailed upon to take
+some nourishment and repose, together with an opiate, which was
+prescribed by the physician of King Rene, who recommended it as
+necessary to preserve even the reason of his patient, exhausted by the
+events of the battle, and subsequent fatigue.
+
+The Earl of Oxford, dismissing other assistance, watched alternately
+with his son at Colvin's bedside. Notwithstanding the draught that
+had been administered, his repose was far from sound. Sudden starts,
+the perspiration which started from his brow, the distortions of his
+countenance, and the manner in which he clenched his fists and flung
+about his limbs, showed that in his dreams he was again encountering
+the terrors of a desperate and forlorn combat. This lasted for several
+hours; but about noon fatigue and medicine prevailed over nervous
+excitation, and the defeated commander fell into a deep and untroubled
+repose till evening. About sunset he awakened, and, after learning
+with whom and where he was, he partook of refreshments, and, without
+any apparent consciousness of having told them before, detailed once
+more all the particulars of the battle of Murten.
+
+"It were little wide of truth," he said, "to calculate that one half
+of the Duke's army fell by the sword, or were driven into the lake.
+Those who escaped are great part of them scattered, never again to
+unite. Such a desperate and irretrievable rout was never witnessed. We
+fled like deer, sheep, or any other timid animals, which only remain
+in company because they are afraid to separate, but never think of
+order or of defence."
+
+"And the Duke?" said the Earl of Oxford.
+
+"We hurried him with us," said the soldier, "rather from instinct than
+loyalty, as men flying from a conflagration snatch up what they have
+of value, without knowing what they are doing. Knight and knave,
+officer and soldier, fled in the same panic, and each blast of the
+horn of Uri in our rear added new wings to our flight."
+
+"And the Duke?" repeated Oxford.
+
+"At first he resisted our efforts, and strove to turn back on the foe;
+but when the flight became general he galloped along with us, without
+a word spoken or a command issued. At first we thought his silence and
+passiveness, so unusual in a temper so fiery, were fortunate for
+securing his personal safety. But when we rode the whole day, without
+being able to obtain a word of reply to all our questions,--when he
+sternly refused refreshments of every kind, though he had tasted no
+food all that disastrous day,--when every variation of his moody and
+uncertain temper was sunk into silent and sullen despair, we took
+counsel what was to be done, and it was by the general voice that I
+was despatched to entreat that you, for whose counsels alone Charles
+has been known to have had some occasional deference, would come
+instantly to his place of retreat, and exert all your influence to
+awaken him from this lethargy, which may otherwise terminate his
+existence."
+
+"And what remedy can I interpose?" said Oxford. "You know how he
+neglected my advice, when following it might have served my interest
+as well as his own. You are aware that my life was not safe among the
+miscreants that surrounded the Duke, and exercised influence over
+him."
+
+"Most true," answered Colvin; "but I also know he is your ancient
+companion-in-arms, and it would ill become me to teach the noble Earl
+of Oxford what the laws of chivalry require. For your lordship's
+safety, every honest man in the army will give willing security."
+
+"It is for that I care least," said Oxford, indifferently; "and if
+indeed my presence can be of service to the Duke,--if I could believe
+that he desired it"----
+
+"He does--he does, my lord!" said the faithful soldier, with tears in
+his eyes. "We heard him name your name, as if the words escaped him in
+a painful dream."
+
+"I will go to him, such being the case," said Oxford.--"I will go
+instantly. Where did he purpose to establish his headquarters?"
+
+"He had fixed nothing for himself on that or other matters; but
+Monsieur de Contay named La Riviere, near Salins, in Upper Burgundy,
+as the place of his retreat."
+
+"Thither, then, will we, my son, with all haste of preparation. Thou,
+Colvin, hadst better remain here, and see some holy man, to be
+assoilzied for thy hasty speech on the battle-field of Morat. There
+was offence in it without doubt, but it will be ill atoned for by
+quitting a generous master when he hath most need of your good
+service; and it is but an act of cowardice to retreat into the
+cloister, till we have no longer active duties to perform in this
+world."
+
+"It is true," said Colvin, "that should I leave the Duke now, perhaps
+not a man would stay behind that could stell a cannon properly. The
+sight of your lordship cannot but operate favourably on my noble
+master, since it has waked the old soldier in myself. If your lordship
+can delay your journey till to-morrow, I will have my spiritual
+affairs settled, and my bodily health sufficiently restored, to be
+your guide to La Riviere; and, for the cloister, I will think of it
+when I have regained the good name which I have lost at Murten. But I
+will have masses said, and these right powerful, for the souls of my
+poor cannoneers."
+
+The proposal of Colvin was adopted, and Oxford, with his son, attended
+by Thiebault, spent the day in preparation, excepting the time
+necessary to take formal leave of King Rene, who seemed to part with
+them with regret. In company with the ordnance officer of the
+discomfited Duke, they traversed those parts of Provence, Dauphine,
+and Franche Compte which lie between Aix and the place to which the
+Duke of Burgundy had retreated; but the distance and inconvenience of
+so long a route consumed more than a fortnight on the road, and the
+month of July 1476 was commenced when the travellers arrived in Upper
+Burgundy, and at the Castle of La Riviere, about twenty miles to the
+south of the town of Salins. The castle, which was but of small size,
+was surrounded by very many tents, which were pitched in a crowded,
+disordered, and unsoldierlike manner, very unlike the discipline
+usually observed in the camp of Charles the Bold. That the Duke was
+present there, however, was attested by his broad banner, which, rich
+with all its quarterings, streamed from the battlements of the castle.
+The guard turned out to receive the strangers, but in a manner so
+disorderly that the Earl looked to Colvin for explanation. The master
+of the ordnance shrugged up his shoulders, and was silent.
+
+Colvin having sent in notice of his arrival, and that of the English
+Earl, Monsieur de Contay caused them presently to be admitted, and
+expressed much joy at their arrival.
+
+"A few of us," he said, "true servants of the Duke, are holding
+council here, at which your assistance, my noble Lord of Oxford, will
+be of the utmost importance. Messieurs De la Croye, De Craon,
+Rubempre, and others, nobles of Burgundy, are now assembled to
+superintend the defence of the country at this exigence."
+
+They all expressed delight to see the Earl of Oxford, and had only
+abstained from thrusting their attentions on him the last time he was
+in the Duke's camp, as they understood it was his wish to observe
+incognito.
+
+"His Grace," said De Craon, "has asked after you twice, and on both
+times by your assumed name of Philipson."
+
+"I wonder not at that, my Lord of Craon," replied the English
+nobleman. "The origin of the name took its rise in former days, when I
+was here during my first exile. It was then said that we poor
+Lancastrian nobles must assume other names than our own, and the good
+Duke Philip said, as I was brother-in-arms to his son Charles, I must
+be called after himself, by the name of Philipson. In memory of the
+good sovereign, I took that name when the day of need actually
+arrived, and I see that the Duke thinks of our early intimacy by his
+distinguishing me so.--How fares his Grace?"
+
+The Burgundians looked at each other, and there was a pause.
+
+"Even like a man stunned, brave Oxford," at length De Contay replied.
+"Sieur d'Argentin, you can best inform the noble Earl of the condition
+of our sovereign."
+
+"He is like a man distracted," said the future historian of that busy
+period. "After the battle of Granson, he was never, to my thinking, of
+the same sound judgment as before. But then, he was capricious,
+unreasonable, peremptory, and inconsistent, and resented every counsel
+that was offered, as if it had been meant in insult; was jealous of
+the least trespass in point of ceremonial, as if his subjects were
+holding him in contempt. Now there is a total change, as if this
+second blow had stunned him, and suppressed the violent passions which
+the first called into action. He is silent as a Carthusian, solitary
+as a hermit, expresses interest in nothing, least of all in the
+guidance of his army. He was, you know, anxious about his dress, so
+much so that there was some affectation even in the rudenesses which
+he practised in that matter. But, woe's me, you will see a change now;
+he will not suffer his hair or nails to be trimmed or arranged. He is
+totally heedless of respect or disrespect towards him, takes little or
+no nourishment, uses strong wines, which, however, do not seem to
+affect his understanding; he will hear nothing of war or state
+affairs, as little of hunting or of sport. Suppose an anchorite
+brought from a cell to govern a kingdom, you see in him, except in
+point of devotion, a picture of the fiery, active Charles of
+Burgundy."
+
+"You speak of a mind deeply wounded, Sieur d'Argentin," replied the
+Englishman. "Think you it fit I should present myself before the
+Duke?"
+
+"I will inquire," said Contay; and, leaving the apartment, returned
+presently, and made a sign to the Earl to follow him.
+
+In a cabinet, or closet, the unfortunate Charles reclined in a large
+arm-chair, his legs carelessly stretched on a footstool, but so
+changed that the Earl of Oxford could have believed what he saw to be
+the ghost of the once fiery Duke. Indeed, the shaggy length of hair
+which, streaming from his head, mingled with his beard; the hollowness
+of the caverns, at the bottom of which rolled his wild eyes; the
+falling in of the breast, and the advance of the shoulders, gave the
+ghastly appearance of one who has suffered the final agony which takes
+from mortality the signs of life and energy. His very costume (a cloak
+flung loosely over him) increased his resemblance to a shrouded
+phantom. De Contay named the Earl of Oxford; but the Duke gazed on him
+with a lustreless eye, and gave him no answer.
+
+"Speak to him, brave Oxford," said the Burgundian in a whisper; "he is
+even worse than usual, but perhaps he may know your voice."
+
+Never, when the Duke of Burgundy was in the most palmy state of his
+fortunes, did the noble Englishman kneel to kiss his hand with such
+sincere reverence. He respected in him, not only the afflicted friend,
+but the humbled sovereign, upon whose tower of trust the lightning had
+so recently broken. It was probably the falling of a tear upon his
+hand which seemed to awake the Duke's attention, for he looked towards
+the Earl, and said, "Oxford--Philipson--my old--my only friend, hast
+thou found me out in this retreat of shame and misery?"
+
+"I am not your only friend, my lord," said Oxford. "Heaven has given
+you many affectionate friends among your natural and loyal subjects.
+But though a stranger, and saving the allegiance I owe to my lawful
+sovereign, I will yield to none of them in the respect and deference
+which I have paid to your Grace in prosperity, and now come to render
+to you in adversity."
+
+"Adversity indeed!" said the Duke; "irremediable, intolerable
+adversity! I was lately Charles of Burgundy, called the Bold--now am I
+twice beaten by a scum of German peasants; my standard taken, my
+men-at-arms put to flight, my camp twice plundered, and each time of
+value more than equal to the price of all Switzerland fairly lost;
+myself hunted like a caitiff goat or chamois--The utmost spite of hell
+could never accumulate more shame on the head of a sovereign!"
+
+"On the contrary, my lord," said Oxford, "it is a trial of Heaven,
+which calls for patience and strength of mind. The bravest and best
+knight may lose the saddle; he is but a laggard who lies rolling on
+the sand of the lists after the accident has chanced."
+
+"Ha, laggard, say'st thou?" said the Duke, some part of his ancient
+spirit awakened by the broad taunt. "Leave my presence, sir, and
+return to it no more, till you are summoned thither"----
+
+"Which I trust will be no later than your Grace quits your dishabille,
+and disposes yourself to see your vassals and friends with such
+ceremony as befits you and them," said the Earl composedly.
+
+"How mean you by that, Sir Earl? You are unmannerly."
+
+"If I be, my lord, I am taught my ill-breeding by circumstances. I can
+mourn over fallen dignity; but I cannot honour him who dishonours
+himself, by bending, like a regardless boy, beneath the scourge of
+evil fortune."
+
+"And who am I that you should term me such?" said Charles, starting up
+in all his natural pride and ferocity; "or who are you but a
+miserable exile, that you should break in upon my privacy with such
+disrespectful upbraiding?"
+
+"For me," replied Oxford, "I am, as you say, an unrespected exile; nor
+am I ashamed of my condition, since unshaken loyalty to my King and
+his successors has brought me to it. But in you, can I recognise the
+Duke of Burgundy in a sullen hermit, whose guards are a disorderly
+soldiery, dreadful only to their friends; whose councils are in
+confusion for want of their sovereign, and who himself lurks like a
+lamed wolf in its den, in an obscure castle, waiting but a blast of
+the Switzer's horn to fling open its gates, which there are none to
+defend; who wears not a knightly sword to protect his person, and
+cannot even die like a stag at bay, but must be worried like a hunted
+fox?"
+
+"Death and hell, slanderous traitor!" thundered the Duke, glancing a
+look at his side, and perceiving himself without a weapon.--"It is
+well for thee I have no sword, or thou shouldst never boast of thine
+insolence going unpunished.--Contay, step forth like a good knight,
+and confute the calumniator. Say, are not my soldiers arrayed,
+disciplined, and in order?"
+
+"My lord," said Contay, trembling (brave as he was in battle) at the
+frantic rage which Charles exhibited, "there are a numerous soldiery
+yet under your command, but they are in evil order, and in worse
+discipline, I think, than they were wont."
+
+"I see it--I see it," said the Duke; "idle and evil counsellors are ye
+all.--Hearken, Sir of Contay, what have you and the rest of you been
+doing, holding as you do large lands and high fiefs of us, that I
+cannot stretch my limbs on a sick-bed, when my heart is half broken,
+but my troops must fall into such scandalous disorder as exposes me to
+the scorn and reproach of each beggarly foreigner?"
+
+"My lord," replied Contay, more firmly, "we have done what we could.
+But your Grace has accustomed your mercenary generals, and leaders of
+Free Companies, to take their orders only from your own mouth, or
+hand. They clamour also for pay, and the treasurer refuses to issue it
+without your Grace's order, as he alleges it might cost him his head;
+and they will not be guided and restrained, either by us or those who
+compose your council."
+
+The Duke laughed sternly, but was evidently somewhat pleased with the
+reply.
+
+"Ha, ha!" he said, "it is only Burgundy who can ride his own wild
+horses, and rule his own wild soldiery. Hark thee, Contay--To-morrow I
+ride forth to review the troops--for what disorder has passed,
+allowance shall be made. Pay also shall be issued--but woe to those
+who shall have offended too deeply! Let my grooms of the chamber know
+to provide me fitting dress and arms. I have got a lesson" (glancing a
+dark look at Oxford), "and I will not again be insulted without the
+means of wreaking my vengeance. Begone, both of you! And, Contay, send
+the treasurer hither with his accounts, and woe to his soul if I find
+aught to complain of! Begone, I say, and send him hither."
+
+They left the apartment with suitable obeisance. As they retired, the
+Duke said abruptly, "Lord of Oxford, a word with you. Where did you
+study medicine? In your own famed university, I suppose. Thy physic
+hath wrought a wonder. Yet, Doctor Philipson, it might have cost thee
+thy life."
+
+"I have ever thought my life cheap," said Oxford, "when the object was
+to help my friend."
+
+"Thou art indeed a friend," said Charles, "and a fearless one. But
+go--I have been sore troubled, and thou hast tasked my temper closely.
+To-morrow we will speak further; meantime, I forgive thee, and I
+honour thee."
+
+The Earl of Oxford retired to the council-hall, where the Burgundian
+nobility, aware of what had passed, crowded around him with thanks,
+compliments, and congratulations. A general bustle now ensued; orders
+were hurried off in every direction. Those officers who had duties to
+perform which had been neglected, hastened to conceal or to atone for
+their negligence. There was a general tumult in the camp, but it was a
+tumult of joy; for soldiers are always most pleased when they are best
+in order for performing their military service; and licence or
+inactivity, however acceptable at times, are not, when continued, so
+agreeable to their nature, as strict discipline and a prospect of
+employment.
+
+The treasurer, who was, luckily for him, a man of sense and method,
+having been two hours in private with the Duke, returned with looks of
+wonder, and professed that never, in Charles's most prosperous days,
+had he showed himself more acute in the department of finance, of
+which he had but that morning seemed totally incapable; and the merit
+was universally attributed to the visit of Lord Oxford, whose timely
+reprimand had, like the shot of a cannon dispersing foul mists,
+awakened the Duke from his black and bilious melancholy.
+
+On the following day Charles reviewed his troops with his usual
+attention, directed new levies, made various dispositions of his
+forces, and corrected the faults of their discipline by severe orders,
+which were enforced by some deserved punishments (of which the Italian
+mercenaries of Campo-basso had a large share), and rendered palatable
+by the payment of arrears, which was calculated to attach them to the
+standard under which they served.
+
+The Duke also, after consulting with his council, agreed to convoke
+meetings of the States in his different territories, redress certain
+popular grievances, and grant some boons which he had hitherto denied;
+and thus began to open a new account of popularity with his subjects,
+in place of that which his rashness had exhausted.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[12] Cupidus novarum rerum.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+                       Here's a weapon now,
+     Shall shake a conquering general in his tent,
+     A monarch on his throne, or reach a prelate,
+           However holy be his offices,
+           E'en while he serves the altar.
+                                       _Old Play._
+
+
+From this time all was activity in the Duke of Burgundy's court and
+army. Money was collected, soldiers were levied, and certain news of
+the Confederates' motions only were wanting to bring on the campaign.
+But although Charles was, to all outward appearance, as active as
+ever, yet those who were more immediately about his person were of
+opinion that he did not display the soundness of mind or the energy of
+judgment which had been admired in him before these calamities. He was
+still liable to fits of moody melancholy, similar to those which
+descended upon Saul, and was vehemently furious when aroused out of
+them. Indeed, the Earl of Oxford himself seemed to have lost the power
+which he had exercised over him at first. Nay, though in general
+Charles was both grateful and affectionate towards him, he evidently
+felt humbled by the recollection of his having witnessed his impotent
+and disastrous condition, and was so much afraid of Lord Oxford being
+supposed to lead his counsels, that he often repelled his advice,
+merely, as it seemed, to show his own independence of mind.
+
+In these froward humours the Duke was much encouraged by Campo-basso.
+That wily traitor now saw his master's affairs tottering to their
+fall, and he resolved to lend his lever to the work, so as to entitle
+him to a share of the spoil. He regarded Oxford as one of the most
+able friends and counsellors who adhered to the Duke; he thought he
+saw in his looks that he fathomed his own treacherous purpose, and
+therefore he hated and feared him. Besides, in order perhaps to colour
+over, even to his own eyes, the abominable perfidy he meditated, he
+affected to be exceedingly enraged against the Duke for the late
+punishment of marauders belonging to his Italian bands. He believed
+that chastisement to have been inflicted by the advice of Oxford; and
+he suspected that the measure was pressed with the hope of discovering
+that the Italians had not pillaged for their own emolument only, but
+for that of their commander. Believing that Oxford was thus hostile to
+him, Campo-basso would have speedily found means to take him out of
+his path, had not the Earl himself found it prudent to observe some
+precautions; and the lords of Flanders and Burgundy, who loved him for
+the very reasons for which the Italian abhorred him, watched over his
+safety with a vigilance of which he himself was ignorant, but which
+certainly was the means of preserving his life.
+
+It was not to be supposed that Ferrand of Lorraine should have left
+his victory so long unimproved; but the Swiss Confederates, who were
+the strength of his forces, insisted that the first operations should
+take place in Savoy and the Pays de Vaud, where the Burgundians had
+many garrisons, which, though they received no relief, yet were not
+easily or speedily reduced. Besides, the Switzers being, like most of
+the national soldiers of the time, a kind of militia, most of them
+returned home, to get in their harvest, and to deposit their spoil in
+safety. Ferrand, therefore, though bent on pursuing his success with
+all the ardour of youthful chivalry, was prevented from making any
+movement in advance until the month of December 1476. In the meantime,
+the Duke of Burgundy's forces, to be least burdensome to the country,
+were cantoned in distant places of his dominions, where every exertion
+was made to perfect the discipline of the new levies. The Duke, if
+left to himself, would have precipitated the struggle by again
+assembling his forces, and pushing forward into the Helvetian
+territories; but, though he inwardly foamed at the recollection of
+Granson and Murten, the memory of these disasters was too recent to
+permit such a plan of the campaign. Meantime, weeks glided past, and
+the month of December was far advanced, when one morning, as the Duke
+was sitting in council, Campo-basso suddenly entered, with a degree of
+extravagant rapture in his countenance, singularly different from the
+cold, regulated, and subtle smile which was usually his utmost advance
+towards laughter. "_Guantes_,"[13] he said, "_Guantes_, for luck's
+sake, if it please your Grace."
+
+"And what of good fortune comes nigh us?" said the Duke. "Methought
+she had forgot the way to our gates."
+
+"She has returned to them, please your Highness, with her cornucopia
+full of choicest gifts, ready to pour her fruit, her flowers, her
+treasures, on the head of the sovereign of Europe most worthy to
+receive them."
+
+"The meaning of all this?" said Duke Charles. "Riddles are for
+children."
+
+"The harebrained young madman Ferrand, who calls himself of Lorraine,
+has broken down from the mountains, at the head of a desultory army of
+scapegraces like himself; and what think you--ha! ha! ha!--they are
+overrunning Lorraine, and have taken Nancy--ha! ha! ha!"
+
+"By my good faith, Sir Count," said Contay, astonished at the gay
+humour with which the Italian treated a matter so serious, "I have
+seldom heard a fool laugh more gaily at a more scurvy jest, than you,
+a wise man, laugh at the loss of the principal town of the province we
+are fighting for."
+
+"I laugh," said Campo-basso, "among the spears, as my war-horse
+does--ha! ha!--among the trumpets. I laugh also over the destruction
+of the enemy, and the dividing of the spoil, as eagles scream their
+joy over the division of their prey; I laugh"----
+
+"You laugh," said the Lord of Contay, waxing impatient, "when you have
+all the mirth to yourself, as you laughed after our losses at Granson
+and Murten."
+
+"Peace, sir!" said the Duke. "The Count of Campo-basso has viewed the
+case as I do. This young knight-errant ventures from the protection
+of his mountains; and Heaven deal with me as I keep my oath, when I
+swear that the next fair field on which we meet shall see one of us
+dead! It is now the last week of the old year, and before Twelfth-Day
+we will see whether he or I shall find the bean in the cake.--To arms,
+my lords! Let our camp instantly break up, and our troops move forward
+towards Lorraine. Send off the Italian and Albanian light cavalry and
+the Stradiots to scour the country in the van--Oxford, thou wilt bear
+arms in this journey, wilt thou not?"
+
+"Surely," said the Earl. "I am eating your Highness's bread; and when
+enemies invade, it stands with my honour to fight for your Grace as if
+I was your born subject. With your Grace's permission, I will despatch
+a pursuivant, who shall carry letters to my late kind host, the
+Landamman of Unterwalden, acquainting him with my purpose."
+
+The Duke having given a ready assent, the pursuivant was dismissed
+accordingly, and returned in a few hours, so near had the armies
+approached to each other. He bore a letter from the Landamman, in a
+tone of courtesy and even kindness, regretting that any cause should
+have occurred for bearing arms against his late guest, for whom he
+expressed high personal regard. The same pursuivant also brought
+greetings from the family of the Biedermans to their friend Arthur,
+and a separate letter, addressed to the same person, of which the
+contents ran thus:--
+
+     "Rudolph Donnerhugel is desirous to give the young
+     merchant, Arthur Philipson, the opportunity of finishing
+     the bargain which remained unsettled between them in the
+     castle-court of Geierstein. He is the more desirous of
+     this, as he is aware that the said Arthur has done him
+     wrong, in seducing the affections of a certain maiden of
+     rank, to whom he, Philipson, is not, and cannot be,
+     anything beyond an ordinary acquaintance. Rudolph
+     Donnerhugel will send Arthur Philipson word when a fair
+     and equal meeting can take place on neutral ground. In the
+     meantime, he will be as often as possible in the first
+     rank of the skirmishers."
+
+Young Arthur's heart leapt high as he read the defiance, the piqued
+tone of which showed the state of the writer's feelings, and argued
+sufficiently Rudolph's disappointment on the subject of Anne of
+Geierstein, and his suspicion that she had bestowed her affections on
+the youthful stranger. Arthur found means of despatching a reply to
+the challenge of the Swiss, assuring him of the pleasure with which he
+would attend his commands, either in front of the line or elsewhere,
+as Rudolph might desire.
+
+Meantime the armies were closely approaching to each other, and the
+light troops sometimes met. The Stradiots from the Venetian territory,
+a sort of cavalry resembling that of the Turks, performed much of that
+service on the part of the Burgundian army, for which, indeed, if
+their fidelity could have been relied on, they were admirably well
+qualified. The Earl of Oxford observed that these men, who were under
+the command of Campo-basso, always brought in intelligence that the
+enemy were in indifferent order, and in full retreat. Besides,
+information was communicated through their means that sundry
+individuals, against whom the Duke of Burgundy entertained peculiar
+personal dislike, and whom he specially desired to get into his
+hands, had taken refuge in Nancy. This greatly increased the Duke's
+ardour for retaking that place, which became perfectly ungovernable
+when he learned that Ferrand and his Swiss allies had drawn off to a
+neighbouring position called St. Nicholas, on the news of his arrival.
+The greater part of the Burgundian counsellors, together with the Earl
+of Oxford, protested against his besieging a place of some strength,
+while an active enemy lay in the neighbourhood to relieve it. They
+remonstrated on the smallness of his army, on the severity of the
+weather, on the difficulty of obtaining provisions, and exhorted the
+Duke that, having made such a movement as had forced the enemy to
+retreat, he ought to suspend decisive operations till spring. Charles
+at first tried to dispute and repel these arguments; but when his
+counsellors reminded him that he was placing himself and his army in
+the same situation as at Granson and Murten, he became furious at the
+recollection, foamed at the mouth, and only answered by oaths and
+imprecations, that he would be master of Nancy before Twelfth Day.
+
+Accordingly, the army of Burgundy sat down before Nancy, in a strong
+position, protected by the hollow of a watercourse, and covered with
+thirty pieces of cannon, which Colvin had under his charge.
+
+Having indulged his obstinate temper in thus arranging the campaign,
+the Duke seemed to give a little more heed to the advice of his
+counsellors touching the safety of his person, and permitted the Earl
+of Oxford, with his son, and two or three officers of his household,
+men of approved trust, to sleep within his pavilion, in addition to
+the usual guard.
+
+It wanted three days of Christmas when the Duke sat down before Nancy,
+and on that very evening a tumult happened which seemed to justify the
+alarm for his personal safety. It was midnight, and all in the ducal
+pavilion were at rest, when a cry of treason arose. The Earl of
+Oxford, drawing his sword, and snatching up a light which burned
+beside him, rushed into the Duke's apartment, and found him standing
+on the floor totally undressed, but with his sword in his hand, and
+striking around him so furiously, that the Earl himself had difficulty
+in avoiding his blows. The rest of his officers rushed in, their
+weapons drawn, and their cloaks wrapped around their left arms. When
+the Duke was somewhat composed, and found himself surrounded by his
+friends, he informed them, with rage and agitation, that the officers
+of the Secret Tribunal had, in spite of the vigilant precautions
+taken, found means to gain entrance into his chamber, and charged him,
+under the highest penalty, to appear before the Holy Vehme upon
+Christmas night.
+
+The bystanders heard this story with astonishment, and some of them
+were uncertain whether they ought to consider it as a reality, or a
+dream of the Duke's irritable fancy. But the citation was found on the
+Duke's toilette, written, as was the form, upon parchment, signeted
+with three crosses, and stuck to the table with a knife. A slip of
+wood had been also cut from the table. Oxford read the summons with
+attention. It named, as usual, a place where the Duke was cited to
+come unarmed and unattended, and from which it was said he would be
+guided to the seat of judgment.
+
+Charles, after looking at the scroll for some time, gave vent to his
+thoughts.
+
+"I know from what quiver this arrow comes," he said. "It is shot by
+that degenerate noble, apostate priest, and accomplice of sorcerers,
+Albert of Geierstein. We have heard that he is among the motley group
+of murderers and outlaws whom the old fiddler of Provence's grandson
+has raked together. But, by St. George of Burgundy! neither monk's
+cowl, soldier's casque, nor conjurer's cap shall save him after such
+an insult as this. I will degrade him from knighthood, hang him from
+the highest steeple in Nancy, and his daughter shall choose between
+the meanest herd-boy in my army and the convent of _filles
+repentees_!"
+
+"Whatever are your purposes, my lord," said Contay, "it were surely
+best be silent, when, from this late apparition, we may conjecture
+that more than we wot of may be within hearing."
+
+The Duke seemed struck with this hint, and was silent, or at least
+only muttered oaths and threats betwixt his teeth, while the strictest
+search was made for the intruder on his repose. But it was in vain.
+
+Charles continued his researches, incensed at a flight of audacity
+higher than ever had been ventured upon by these secret societies,
+who, whatever might be the dread inspired by them, had not as yet
+attempted to cope with sovereigns. A trusty party of Burgundians were
+sent on Christmas night to watch the spot (a meeting of four cross
+roads) named in the summons, and make prisoners of any whom they could
+lay hands upon; but no suspicious persons appeared at or near the
+place. The Duke not the less continued to impute the affront he had
+received to Albert of Geierstein. There was a price set upon his head;
+and Campo-basso, always willing to please his master's mood, undertook
+that some of his Italians, sufficiently experienced in such feats,
+should bring the obnoxious baron before him, alive or dead. Colvin,
+Contay, and others laughed in secret at the Italian's promises.
+
+"Subtle as he is," said Colvin, "he will lure the wild vulture from
+the heavens before he gets Albert of Geierstein into his power."
+
+Arthur, to whom the words of the Duke had given subject for no small
+anxiety, on account of Anne of Geierstein, and of her father for her
+sake, breathed more lightly on hearing his menaces held so cheaply.
+
+It was the second day after this alarm that Oxford felt a desire to
+reconnoitre the camp of Ferrand of Lorraine, having some doubts
+whether the strength and position of it were accurately reported. He
+obtained the Duke's consent for this purpose, who at the same time
+made him and his son a present of two noble steeds of great power and
+speed, which he himself highly valued.
+
+So soon as the Duke's pleasure was communicated to the Italian count,
+he expressed the utmost joy that he was to have the assistance of
+Oxford's age and experience upon an exploratory party, and selected a
+chosen band of an hundred Stradiots, whom he said he had sent
+sometimes to skirmish up to the very beards of the Switzers. The Earl
+showed himself much satisfied with the active and intelligent manner
+in which these men performed their duty, and drove before them and
+dispersed some parties of Ferrand's cavalry. At the entrance of a
+little ascending valley, Campo-basso communicated to the English
+noblemen that if they could advance to the farther extremity they
+would have a full view of the enemy's position. Two or three Stradiots
+then spurred on to examine this defile, and, returning back,
+communicated with their leader in their own language, who, pronouncing
+the passage safe, invited the Earl of Oxford to accompany him. They
+proceeded through the valley without seeing an enemy, but on issuing
+upon a plain at the point intimated by Campo-basso, Arthur, who was in
+the van of the Stradiots, and separated from his father, did indeed
+see the camp of Duke Ferrand within half a mile's distance; but a body
+of cavalry had that instant issued from it, and were riding hastily
+towards the gorge of the valley from which he had just emerged. He was
+about to wheel his horse and ride off, but, conscious of the great
+speed of the animal, he thought he might venture to stay for a
+moment's more accurate survey of the camp. The Stradiots who attended
+him did not wait his orders to retire, but went off, as was indeed
+their duty, when attacked by a superior force.
+
+Meantime, Arthur observed that the knight who seemed leader of the
+advancing squadron, mounted on a powerful horse that shook the earth
+beneath him, bore on his shield the Bear of Berne, and had otherwise
+the appearance of the massive frame of Rudolph Donnerhugel. He was
+satisfied of this when he beheld the cavalier halt his party and
+advance towards him alone, putting his lance in rest, and moving
+slowly, as if to give him time for preparation. To accept such a
+challenge, in such a moment, was dangerous, but to refuse it was
+disgraceful; and while Arthur's blood boiled at the idea of chastising
+an insolent rival, he was not a little pleased at heart that their
+meeting on horseback gave him an advantage over the Swiss, through his
+perfect acquaintance with the practice of the tourney, in which
+Rudolph might be supposed more ignorant.
+
+They met, as was the phrase of the time, "manful under shield." The
+lance of the Swiss glanced from the helmet of the Englishman, against
+which it was addressed, while the spear of Arthur, directed right
+against the centre of his adversary's body, was so justly aimed, and
+so truly seconded by the full fury of the career, as to pierce, not
+only the shield which hung round the ill-fated warrior's neck, but a
+breast-plate and a shirt of mail which he wore beneath it. Passing
+clear through the body, the steel point of the weapon was only stopped
+by the back-piece of the unfortunate cavalier, who fell headlong from
+his horse, as if struck by lightning, rolled twice or thrice over on
+the ground, tore the earth with his hands, and then lay prostrate a
+dead corpse.
+
+There was a cry of rage and grief among those men-at-arms whose ranks
+Rudolph had that instant left, and many couched their lances to avenge
+him; but Ferrand of Lorraine, who was present in person, ordered them
+to make prisoner, but not to harm, the successful champion. This was
+accomplished, for Arthur had not time to turn his bridle for flight,
+and resistance would have been madness.
+
+When brought before Ferrand, he raised his visor, and said, "Is it
+well, my lord, to make captive an adventurous knight, for doing his
+devoir against a personal challenger?"
+
+"Do not complain, Sir Arthur of Oxford," said Ferrand, "before you
+experience injury. You are free, Sir Knight. Your father and you were
+faithful to my royal aunt Margaret, and, although she was my enemy, I
+do justice to your fidelity in her behalf; and from respect to her
+memory, disinherited as she was like myself, and to please my
+grandfather, who I think had some regard for you, I give you your
+freedom. But I must also care for your safety during your return to
+the camp of Burgundy. On this side of the hill we are loyal and
+true-hearted men, on the other they are traitors and murderers. You,
+Sir Count, will, I think, gladly see our captive placed in safety."
+
+The knight to whom Ferrand addressed himself, a tall, stately man, put
+himself in motion to attend on Arthur, while the former was expressing
+to the young Duke of Lorraine the sense he entertained of his
+chivalrous conduct. "Farewell, Sir Arthur de Vere," said Ferrand. "You
+have slain a noble champion, and to me a most useful and faithful
+friend. But it was done nobly and openly, with equal arms, and in the
+front of the line; and evil befall him who entertains feud first!"
+Arthur bowed to his saddle-bow. Ferrand returned the salutation, and
+they parted.
+
+Arthur and his new companion had ridden but a little way up the
+ascent, when the stranger spoke thus:--
+
+"We have been fellow-travellers before, young man, yet you remember me
+not."
+
+Arthur turned his eyes on the cavalier, and, observing that the crest
+which adorned his helmet was fashioned like a vulture, strange
+suspicions began to cross his mind, which were confirmed when the
+knight, opening his helmet, showed him the dark and severe features of
+the Priest of St. Paul's.
+
+"Count Albert of Geierstein!" said Arthur.
+
+"The same," replied the count, "though thou hast seen him in other
+garb and headgear. But tyranny drives all men to arms, and I have
+resumed, by the licence and command of my superiors, those which I had
+laid aside. A war against cruelty and oppression is holy as that waged
+in Palestine, in which priests bear armour."
+
+"My Lord Count," said Arthur, eagerly, "I cannot too soon entreat you
+to withdraw to Sir Ferrand of Lorraine's squadron. Here you are in
+peril, where no strength or courage can avail you. The Duke has placed
+a price on your head; and the country betwixt this and Nancy swarms
+with Stradiots and Italian light horsemen."
+
+"I laugh at them," answered the count. "I have not lived so long in a
+stormy world, amid intrigues of war and policy, to fall by the mean
+hand of such as they--besides, thou art with me, and I have seen but
+now that thou canst bear thee nobly."
+
+"In your defence, my lord," said Arthur, who thought of his companion
+as the father of Anne of Geierstein, "I should try to do my best."
+
+"What, youth!" replied Count Albert with a stern sneer, that was
+peculiar to his countenance; "wouldst thou aid the enemy of the lord
+under whose banner thou servest against his waged soldiers?"
+
+Arthur was somewhat abashed at the turn given to his ready offer of
+assistance, for which he had expected at least thanks; but he
+instantly collected himself, and replied, "My Lord Count Albert, you
+have been pleased to put yourself in peril to protect me from
+partisans of your party--I am equally bound to defend you from those
+of our side."
+
+"It is happily answered," said the count; "yet I think there is a
+little blind partisan, of whom troubadours and minstrels talk, to
+whose instigation I might, in case of need, owe the great zeal of my
+protector."
+
+He did not allow Arthur, who was a good deal embarrassed, time to
+reply, but proceeded: "Hear me, young man--Thy lance has this day done
+an evil deed to Switzerland, to Berne, and Duke Ferrand, in slaying
+their bravest champion. But to me the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel is
+a welcome event. Know that he was, as his services grew more
+indispensable, become importunate in requiring Duke Ferrand's interest
+with me for my daughter's hand. And the Duke himself, the son of a
+princess, blushed not to ask me to bestow the last of my house--for my
+brother's family are degenerate mongrels--upon a presumptuous young
+man, whose uncle was a domestic in the house of my wife's father,
+though they boasted some relationship, I believe, through an
+illegitimate channel, which yonder Rudolph was wont to make the most
+of, as it favoured his suit."
+
+"Surely," said Arthur, "a match with one so unequal in birth, and far
+more in every other respect, was too monstrous to be mentioned?"
+
+"While I lived," replied Count Albert, "never should such union have
+been formed, if the death both of bride and bridegroom by my dagger
+could have saved the honour of my house from violation. But when I--I
+whose days, whose very hours are numbered--shall be no more, what
+could prevent an undaunted suitor, fortified by Duke Ferrand's favour,
+by the general applause of his country, and perhaps by the unfortunate
+prepossession of my brother Arnold, from carrying his point against
+the resistance and scruples of a solitary maiden?"
+
+"Rudolph is dead," replied Arthur, "and may Heaven assoilzie him from
+guilt! But were he alive, and urging his suit on Anne of Geierstein,
+he would find there was a combat to be fought"----
+
+"Which has been already decided," answered Count Albert. "Now, mark
+me, Arthur de Vere! My daughter has told me of the passages betwixt
+you and her. Your sentiments and conduct are worthy of the noble house
+you descend from, which I well know ranks with the most illustrious in
+Europe. You are indeed disinherited, but so is Anne of Geierstein,
+save such pittance as her uncle may impart to her of her paternal
+inheritance. If you share it together till better days (always
+supposing your noble father gives his consent, for my child shall
+enter no house against the will of its head), my daughter knows that
+she has my willing consent, and my blessing. My brother shall also
+know my pleasure. He will approve my purpose; for, though dead to
+thoughts of honour and chivalry, he is alive to social feelings, loves
+his niece, and has friendship for thee and for thy father. What say'st
+thou, young man, to taking a beggarly countess to aid thee in the
+journey of life? I believe--nay, I prophesy (for I stand so much on
+the edge of the grave, that methinks I command a view beyond it), that
+a lustre will one day, after I have long ended my doubtful and stormy
+life, beam on the coronets of De Vere and Geierstein."
+
+De Vere threw himself from his horse, clasped the hand of Count
+Albert, and was about to exhaust himself in thanks; but the count
+insisted on his silence.
+
+"We are about to part," he said. "The time is short--the place is
+dangerous. You are to me, personally speaking, less than nothing. Had
+any one of the many schemes of ambition which I have pursued led me to
+success, the son of a banished earl had not been the son-in-law I had
+chosen. Rise and remount your horse--thanks are unpleasing when they
+are not merited."
+
+Arthur arose, and, mounting his horse, threw his raptures into a more
+acceptable form, endeavouring to describe how his love for Anne, and
+efforts for her happiness, should express his gratitude to her father;
+and, observing that the count listened with some pleasure to the
+picture he drew of their future life, he could not help
+exclaiming,--"And you, my lord--you who have been the author of all
+this happiness, will you not be the witness and partaker of it?
+Believe me, we will strive to soften the effect of the hard blows
+which fortune has dealt to you, and, should a ray of better luck shine
+upon us, it will be the more welcome that you can share it."
+
+"Forbear such folly," said the Count Albert of Geierstein. "I know my
+last scene is approaching. Hear and tremble. The Duke of Burgundy is
+sentenced to die, and the Secret and Invisible Judges, who doom in
+secret and avenge in secret, like the Deity, have given the cord and
+the dagger to my hand."
+
+"Oh, cast from you these vile symbols!" exclaimed Arthur, with
+enthusiasm; "let them find butchers and common stabbers to do such an
+office, and not dishonour the noble Lord of Geierstein!"
+
+"Peace, foolish boy!" answered the count. "The oath by which I am
+sworn is higher than that clouded sky, more deeply fixed than those
+distant mountains. Nor think my act is that of an assassin, though for
+such I might plead the Duke's own example. I send not hirelings, like
+these base Stradiots, to hunt his life, without imperilling mine own.
+I give not his daughter--innocent of his offences--the choice betwixt
+a disgraceful marriage and a discreditable retreat from the world. No,
+Arthur de Vere, I seek Charles with the resolved mind of one who, to
+take the life of an adversary, exposes himself to certain death."
+
+"I pray you speak no further of it," said Arthur, very anxiously.
+"Consider I serve for the present the prince whom you threaten"----
+
+"And art bound," interrupted the count, "to unfold to him what I tell
+you. I desire you should do so; and though he hath already neglected a
+summons of the Tribunal, I am glad to have this opportunity of sending
+him personal defiance. Say to Charles of Burgundy that he has wronged
+Albert of Geierstein. He who is injured in his honour loses all value
+for his life, and whoever does so has full command over that of
+another man. Bid him keep himself well from me, since, if he see a
+second sun of the approaching year rise over the distant Alps, Albert
+of Geierstein is forsworn.--And now begone, for I see a party
+approach under a Burgundian banner. They will insure your safety, but,
+should I remain longer, would endanger mine."
+
+So saying, the Count of Geierstein turned his horse and rode off.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[13] _Guantes_, used by the Spanish as the French say etrennes, or the
+English handsell or luckpenny--phrases used by inferiors to their
+patrons as the bringers of good news.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+     Faint the din of battle bray'd
+       Distant down the heavy wind;
+     War and terror fled before,
+       Wounds and death were left behind.
+                                  MICKLE.
+
+
+Arthur, left alone, and desirous perhaps to cover the retreat of Count
+Albert, rode towards the approaching body of Burgundian cavalry, who
+were arrayed under the Lord Contay's banner.
+
+"Welcome, welcome," said that nobleman, advancing hastily to the young
+knight. "The Duke of Burgundy is a mile hence, with a body of horse to
+support the reconnoitring party. It is not half an hour since your
+father galloped up, and stated that you had been led into an ambuscade
+by the treachery of the Stradiots, and made prisoner. He has impeached
+Campo-basso of treason, and challenged him to the combat. They have
+both been sent to the camp, under charge of the Grand Marshal, to
+prevent their fighting on the spot, though I think our Italian showed
+little desire to come to blows. The Duke holds their gages, and they
+are to fight upon Twelfth Day."
+
+"I doubt that day will never dawn for some who look for it," said
+Arthur; "but if it do, I will myself claim the combat, by my father's
+permission."
+
+He then turned with Contay, and met a still larger body of cavalry
+under the Duke's broad banner. He was instantly brought before
+Charles. The Duke heard, with some apparent anxiety, Arthur's support
+of his father's accusations against the Italian, in whose favour he
+was so deeply prejudiced. When assured that the Stradiots had been
+across the hill, and communicated with their leader just before he
+encouraged Arthur to advance, as it proved, into the midst of an
+ambush, the Duke shook his head, lowered his shaggy brows, and
+muttered to himself,--"Ill will to Oxford, perhaps--these Italians are
+vindictive."--Then raising his head, he commanded Arthur to proceed.
+
+He heard with a species of ecstasy the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel,
+and, taking a ponderous gold chain from his own neck, flung it over
+Arthur's.
+
+"Why, thou hast forestalled all our honours, young Arthur--this was
+the biggest bear of them all--the rest are but suckling whelps to him!
+I think I have found a youthful David to match their huge thick-headed
+Goliath. But the idiot, to think his peasant hand could manage a
+lance! Well, my brave boy--what more? How camest thou off? By some
+wily device or agile stratagem, I warrant."
+
+"Pardon me, my lord," answered Arthur. "I was protected by their
+chief, Ferrand, who considered my encounter with Rudolph Donnerhugel
+as a personal duel; and desirous to use fair war, as he said,
+dismissed me honourably, with my horse and arms."
+
+"Umph!" said Charles, his bad humour returning; "your Prince
+Adventurer must play the generous--Umph--well, it belongs to his
+part, but shall not be a line for me to square my conduct by. Proceed
+with your story, Sir Arthur de Vere."
+
+As Arthur proceeded to tell how and under what circumstances Count
+Albert of Geierstein named himself to him, the Duke fixed on him an
+eager look, and trembled with impatience as he fiercely interrupted
+him with the question--"And you--you struck him with your poniard
+under the fifth rib, did you not?"
+
+"I did not, my Lord Duke--we were pledged in mutual assurance to each
+other."
+
+"Yet you knew him to be my mortal enemy?" said the Duke. "Go, young
+man, thy lukewarm indifference has cancelled thy merit. The escape of
+Albert of Geierstein hath counterbalanced the death of Rudolph
+Donnerhugel."
+
+"Be it so, my lord," said Arthur, boldly. "I neither claim your
+praises, nor deprecate your censure. I had to move me in either case
+motives personal to myself--Donnerhugel was my enemy, and to Count
+Albert I owe some kindness."
+
+The Burgundian nobles who stood around were terrified for the effect
+of this bold speech. But it was never possible to guess with accuracy
+how such things would affect Charles. He looked around him with a
+laugh--"Hear you this English cockerel, my lords--what a note will he
+one day sound, that already crows so bravely in a prince's presence?"
+
+A few horsemen now came in from different quarters, recounting that
+the Duke Ferrand and his company had retired into their encampment,
+and the country was clear of the enemy.
+
+"Let us then draw back also," said Charles, "since there is no chance
+of breaking spears to-day. And thou, Arthur de Vere, attend me
+closely."
+
+Arrived in the Duke's pavilion, Arthur underwent an examination, in
+which he said nothing of Anne of Geierstein, or her father's designs
+concerning him, with which he considered Charles as having nothing to
+do; but he frankly conveyed to him the personal threats which the
+count had openly used. The Duke listened with more temper, and when he
+heard the expression, "That a man who is desperate of his own life
+might command that of any other person," he said, "But there is a life
+beyond this, in which he who is treacherously murdered, and his base
+and desperate assassin, shall each meet their deserts." He then took
+from his bosom a gold cross, and kissed it, with much appearance of
+devotion. "In this," said he, "I will place my trust. If I fail in
+this world, may I find grace in the next.--Ho, Sir Marshal!" he
+exclaimed. "Let your prisoners attend us."
+
+The Marshal of Burgundy entered with the Earl of Oxford, and stated
+that his other prisoner, Campo-basso, had desired so earnestly that he
+might be suffered to go and post his sentinels on that part of the
+camp intrusted to the protection of his troops, that he, the Marshal,
+had thought fit to comply with his request.
+
+"It is well," said Burgundy, without further remark. "Then to you, my
+Lord Oxford, I would present your son, had you not already locked him
+in your arms. He has won great los and honour, and done me brave
+service. This is a period of the year when good men forgive their
+enemies;--I know not why,--my mind was little apt to be charged with
+such matters,--but I feel an unconquerable desire to stop the
+approaching combat betwixt you and Campo-basso. For my sake, consent
+to be friends, and to receive back your gage of battle, and let me
+conclude this year--perhaps the last I may see--with a deed of peace."
+
+"My lord," said Oxford, "it is a small thing you ask of me, since your
+request only enforces a Christian duty. I was enraged at the loss of
+my son. I am grateful to Heaven and your Grace for restoring him. To
+be friends with Campo-basso is to me impossible. Faith and treason,
+truth and falsehood, might as soon shake hands and embrace. But the
+Italian shall be to me no more than he has been before this rupture;
+and that is literally nothing. I put my honour in your Grace's
+hands;--if he receives back his gage, I am willing to receive mine.
+John de Vere needs not be apprehensive that the world will suppose
+that he fears Campo-basso."
+
+The Duke returned sincere thanks, and detained the officers to spend
+the evening in his tent. His manners seemed to Arthur to be more
+placid than he had ever seen them before, while to the Earl of Oxford
+they recalled the earlier days in which their intimacy commenced, ere
+absolute power and unbounded success had spoiled Charles's rough but
+not ungenerous disposition. The Duke ordered a distribution of
+provisions and wine to the soldiers, and expressed an anxiety about
+their lodgings, the cure of the wounded, and the health of the army,
+to which he received only unpleasing answers. To some of his
+counsellors, apart, he said, "Were it not for our vow, we would
+relinquish this purpose till spring, when our poor soldiers might
+take the field with less of suffering."
+
+Nothing else remarkable appeared in the Duke's manner, save that he
+inquired repeatedly after Campo-basso, and at length received accounts
+that he was indisposed, and that his physician had recommended rest;
+he had therefore retired to repose himself, in order that he might be
+stirring on his duty at peep of day, the safety of the camp depending
+much on his vigilance.
+
+The Duke made no observation on the apology, which he considered as
+indicating some lurking disinclination, on the Italian's part, to meet
+Oxford. The guests at the ducal pavilion were dismissed an hour before
+midnight.
+
+When Oxford and his son were in their own tent, the Earl fell into a
+deep reverie, which lasted nearly ten minutes. At length, starting
+suddenly up, he said, "My son, give orders to Thiebault and thy yeomen
+to have our horses before the tent by break of day, or rather before
+it; and it would not be amiss if you ask our neighbour Colvin to ride
+along with us. I will visit the outposts by daybreak."
+
+"It is a sudden resolution, my lord," said Arthur.
+
+"And yet it may be taken too late," said his father. "Had it been
+moonlight, I would have made the rounds to-night."
+
+"It is dark as a wolf's throat," said Arthur. "But wherefore, my lord,
+can this night in particular excite your apprehensions?"
+
+"Son Arthur, perhaps you will hold your father credulous. But my
+nurse, Martha Nixon, was a northern woman, and full of superstitions.
+In particular, she was wont to say, that any sudden and causeless
+change of a man's nature, as from licence to sobriety, from temperance
+to indulgence, from avarice to extravagance, from prodigality to love
+of money, or the like, indicates an immediate change of his
+fortunes--that some great alteration of circumstances, either for good
+or evil (and for evil most likely, since we live in an evil world), is
+impending over him whose disposition is so much altered. This old
+woman's fancy has recurred so strongly to my mind, that I am
+determined to see with mine own eyes, ere to-morrow's dawn, that all
+our guards and patrols around the camp are on the alert."
+
+Arthur made the necessary communications to Colvin and to Thiebault,
+and then retired to rest.
+
+It was ere daybreak of the first of January 1477, a period long
+memorable for the events which marked it, that the Earl of Oxford,
+Colvin, and the young Englishman, followed only by Thiebault and two
+other servants, commenced their rounds of the Duke of Burgundy's
+encampment. For the greater part of their progress they found
+sentinels and guards all on the alert and at their posts. It was a
+bitter morning. The ground was partly covered with snow,--that snow
+had been partly melted by a thaw, which had prevailed for two days,
+and partly congealed into ice by a bitter frost, which had commenced
+the preceding evening, and still continued. A more dreary scene could
+scarcely be witnessed.
+
+But what were the surprise and alarm of the Earl of Oxford and his
+companions, when they came to that part of the camp which had been
+occupied the day before by Campo-basso and his Italians, who,
+reckoning men-at-arms and Stradiots, amounted to nigh two thousand
+men--not a challenge was given--not a horse neighed--no steeds were
+seen at picket--no guard on the camp. They examined several of the
+tents and huts--they were empty.
+
+"Let us back to alarm the camp," said the Earl of Oxford; "here is
+treachery."
+
+"Nay, my lord," said Colvin, "let us not carry back imperfect tidings.
+I have a battery an hundred yards in advance, covering the access to
+this hollow way; let us see if my German cannoneers are at their post,
+and I think I can swear that we shall find them so. The battery
+commands a narrow pass, by which alone the camp can be approached, and
+if my men are at their duty, I will pawn my life that we make the pass
+good till you bring up succours from the main body."
+
+"Forward, then, in God's name!" said the Earl of Oxford.
+
+They galloped, at every risk, over broken ground, slippery with ice in
+some places, incumbered with snow in others. They came to the cannon,
+judiciously placed to sweep the pass, which rose towards the artillery
+on the outward side, and then descended gently from the battery into
+the lower ground. The waning winter moon, mingling with the dawning
+light, showed them that the guns were in their places, but no sentinel
+was visible.
+
+"The villains cannot have deserted!" said the astonished Colvin. "But
+see, there is light in their cantonment. Oh, that unhallowed
+distribution of wine! Their usual sin of drunkenness has beset them. I
+will soon drive them from their revelry."
+
+He sprang from his horse, and rushed into the tent whence the light
+issued. The cannoneers, or most of them, were still there, but
+stretched on the ground, their cups and flagons scattered around them;
+and so drenched were they in wassail, that Colvin could only, by
+commands and threats, awaken two or three, who, staggering, and
+obeying him rather from instinct than sense, reeled forward to man the
+battery. A heavy rushing sound, like that of men marching fast, was
+now heard coming up the pass.
+
+"It is the roar of a distant avalanche," said Arthur.
+
+"It is an avalanche of Switzers, not of snow," said Colvin. "Oh, these
+drunken slaves! The cannon are deeply loaded and well pointed--this
+volley must check them if they were fiends, and the report will alarm
+the camp sooner than we can do. But, oh, these drunken villains!"
+
+"Care not for their aid," said the Earl; "my son and I will each take
+a linstock, and be gunners for once."
+
+They dismounted, and bade Thiebault and the grooms look to the horses,
+while the Earl of Oxford and his son took each a linstock from one of
+the helpless gunners, three of whom were just sober enough to stand by
+their guns.
+
+"Bravo!" cried the bold master of ordnance, "never was a battery so
+noble. Now, my mates--your pardon, my lords, for there is no time for
+ceremony,--and you, ye drunken knaves, take heed not to fire till I
+give the word, and, were the ribs of these tramplers as flinty as
+their Alps, they shall know how old Colvin loads his guns."
+
+They stood breathless, each by his cannon. The dreaded sound
+approached nearer and more near, till the imperfect light showed a
+dark and shadowy but dense column of men, armed with long spears,
+pole-axes, and other weapons, amidst which banners dimly floated.
+Colvin suffered them to approach to the distance of about forty yards,
+and then gave the word, Fire! But his own piece alone exploded; a
+slight flame flashed from the touch-hole of the others, which had been
+spiked by the Italian deserters, and left in reality disabled, though
+apparently fit for service. Had they been all in the same condition
+with that fired by Colvin, they would probably have verified his
+prophecy; for even that single discharge produced an awful effect, and
+made a long lane of dead and wounded through the Swiss column, in
+which the first and leading banner was struck down.
+
+"Stand to it yet," said Colvin, "and aid me if possible to reload the
+piece."
+
+For this, however, no time was allowed. A stately form, conspicuous in
+the front of the staggered column, raised up the fallen banner, and a
+voice as of a giant exclaimed, "What, countrymen! have you seen Murten
+and Granson, and are you daunted by a single gun?--Berne--Uri--Schwitz
+--banners forward! Unterwalden, here is your standard!--Cry your
+war-cries, wind your horns; Unterwalden, follow your Landamman!"
+
+They rushed on like a raging ocean, with a roar as deafening, and a
+course as impetuous. Colvin, still labouring to reload his gun, was
+struck down in the act. Oxford and his son were overthrown by the
+multitude, the closeness of which prevented any blows being aimed at
+them. Arthur partly saved himself by getting under the gun he was
+posted at; his father, less fortunate, was much trampled upon, and
+must have been crushed to death but for his armour of proof. The human
+inundation, consisting of at least four thousand men, rushed down into
+the camp, continuing their dreadful shouts, soon mingled with shrill
+shrieks, groans, and cries of alarm.
+
+A broad red glare rising behind the assailants, and putting to shame
+the pallid lights of the winter morning, first recalled Arthur to a
+sense of his condition. The camp was on fire in his rear, and
+resounded with all the various shouts of conquest and terror that are
+heard in a town which is stormed. Starting to his feet, he looked
+around him for his father. He lay near him senseless, as were the
+gunners, whose condition prevented their attempting an escape. Having
+opened his father's casque, he was rejoiced to see him give symptoms
+of reanimation.
+
+"The horses, the horses!" said Arthur. "Thiebault, where art thou?"
+
+"At hand, my lord," said that trusty attendant, who had saved himself
+and his charge by a prudent retreat into a small thicket, which the
+assailants had avoided that they might not disorder their ranks.
+
+"Where is the gallant Colvin?" said the Earl. "Get him a horse, I will
+not leave him in jeopardy."
+
+"His wars are ended, my lord," said Thiebault; "he will never mount
+steed more."
+
+A look and a sigh as he saw Colvin, with the ramrod in his hand,
+before the muzzle of the piece, his head cleft by a Swiss battle-axe,
+was all the moment permitted.
+
+"Whither must we take our course?" said Arthur to his father.
+
+"To join the Duke," said the Earl of Oxford. "It is not on a day like
+this that I will leave him."
+
+"So please you," said Thiebault, "I saw the Duke, followed by some
+half-score of his guards, riding at full speed across this hollow
+watercourse, and making for the open country to the northward. I think
+I can guide you on the track."
+
+"If that be so," replied Oxford, "we will mount and follow him. The
+camp has been assailed on several places at once, and all must be over
+since he has fled."
+
+With difficulty they assisted the Earl of Oxford to his horse, and
+rode, as fast as his returning strength permitted, in the direction
+which the Provencal pointed out. Their other attendants were dispersed
+or slain.
+
+They looked back more than once on the camp, now one great scene of
+conflagration, by whose red and glaring light they could discover on
+the ground the traces of Charles's retreat. About three miles from the
+scene of their defeat, the sound of which they still heard, mingled
+with the bells of Nancy, which were ringing in triumph, they reached a
+half-frozen swamp, round which lay several dead bodies. The most
+conspicuous was that of Charles of Burgundy, once the possessor of
+such unlimited power--such unbounded wealth. He was partly stripped
+and plundered, as were those who lay round him. His body was pierced
+with several wounds, inflicted by various weapons. His sword was still
+in his hand, and the singular ferocity which was wont to animate his
+features in battle still dwelt on his stiffened countenance. Close
+behind him, as if they had fallen in the act of mutual fight, lay the
+corpse of Count Albert of Geierstein; and that of Ital Schreckenwald,
+the faithful though unscrupulous follower of the latter, lay not far
+distant. Both were in the dress of the men-at-arms composing the
+Duke's guard, a disguise probably assumed to execute the fatal
+commission of the Secret Tribunal. It is supposed that a party of the
+traitor Campo-basso's men had been engaged in the skirmish in which
+the Duke fell, for six or seven of them, and about the same number of
+the Duke's guards, were found near the spot.
+
+The Earl of Oxford threw himself from his horse, and examined the body
+of his deceased brother-in-arms, with all the sorrow inspired by early
+remembrance of his kindness. But as he gave way to the feelings
+inspired by so melancholy an example of the fall of human greatness,
+Thiebault, who was looking out on the path they had just pursued,
+exclaimed, "To horse, my lord! here is no time to mourn the dead, and
+little to save the living--the Swiss are upon us."
+
+"Fly thyself, good fellow," said the Earl; "and do thou, Arthur, fly
+also, and save thy youth for happier days. I cannot and will not fly
+farther. I will render me to the pursuers; if they take me to grace,
+it is well; if not, there is one above that will receive me to His."
+
+"I will not fly," said Arthur, "and leave you defenceless; I will stay
+and share your fate."
+
+"And I will remain also," said Thiebault; "the Switzers make fair war
+when their blood has not been heated by much opposition, and they have
+had little enough to-day."
+
+The party of Swiss which came up proved to be Sigismund, with his
+brother Ernest, and some of the youths of Unterwalden. Sigismund
+kindly and joyfully received them to mercy; and thus, for the third
+time, rendered Arthur an important service, in return for the kindness
+he had expressed towards him.
+
+"I will take you to my father," said Sigismund, "who will be right
+glad to see you; only that he is ill at ease just now for the death of
+brother Rudiger, who fell with the banner in his hand, by the only
+cannon that was fired this morning. The rest could not bark:
+Campo-basso had muzzled Colvin's mastiffs, or we should many more of
+us have been served like poor Rudiger. But Colvin himself is killed."
+
+"Campo-basso, then, was in your correspondence?" said Arthur.
+
+"Not in ours--we scorn such companions--but some dealing there was
+between the Italian and Duke Ferrand; and having disabled the cannon,
+and filled the German gunners soundly drunk, he came off to our camp
+with fifteen hundred horse, and offered to act with us. 'But no, no!'
+said my father,--'traitors come not into our Swiss host;' and so,
+though we walked in at the door which he left open, we would not have
+his company. So he marched with Duke Ferrand to attack the other
+extremity of the camp, where he found them entrance by announcing them
+as the return of a reconnoitring party."
+
+"Nay, then," said Arthur, "a more accomplished traitor never drew
+breath, nor one who drew his net with such success."
+
+"You say well," answered the young Swiss.
+
+"The Duke will never, they say, be able to collect another army?"
+
+"Never, young man," said the Earl of Oxford, "for he lies dead before
+you."[14]
+
+Sigismund started; for he had an inherent respect, and somewhat of
+fear, for the lofty name of Charles the Bold, and could hardly believe
+that the mangled corpse which now lay before him was once the
+personage he had been taught to dread. But his surprise was mingled
+with sorrow when he saw the body of his uncle, Count Albert of
+Geierstein.
+
+"Oh, my uncle!" he said--"my dear uncle Albert! has all your greatness
+and your wisdom brought you to a death, at the side of a ditch, like
+any crazed beggar?--Come, this sad news must be presently told to my
+father, who will be concerned to hear of his brother's death, which
+will add gall to bitterness, coming on the back of poor Rudiger's. It
+is some comfort, however, that father and uncle never could abide each
+other."
+
+With some difficulty they once more assisted the Earl of Oxford to
+horseback, and were proceeding to set forward, when the English lord
+said,--"You will place a guard here, to save these bodies from further
+dishonour, that they may be interred with due solemnity."
+
+"By Our Lady of Einsiedlen! I thank you for the hint," said Sigismund.
+"Yes, we should do all that the Church can for uncle Albert. It is to
+be hoped he has not gambled away his soul beforehand, playing with
+Satan at odds and evens. I would we had a priest to stay by his poor
+body; but it matters not, since no one ever heard of a demon appearing
+just before breakfast."
+
+They proceeded to the Landamman's quarters, through sights and scenes
+which Arthur, and even his father, so well accustomed to war in all
+its shapes, could not look upon without shuddering. But the simple
+Sigismund, as he walked by Arthur's side, contrived to hit upon a
+theme so interesting as to divert his sense of the horrors around
+them.
+
+"Have you further business in Burgundy, now this Duke of yours is at
+an end?"
+
+"My father knows best," said Arthur; "but I apprehend we have none.
+The Duchess of Burgundy, who must now succeed to some sort of
+authority in her late husband's dominion, is sister to this Edward of
+York, and a mortal enemy to the House of Lancaster, and to those who
+have stood by it faithfully. It were neither prudent nor safe to tarry
+where she has influence."
+
+"In that case," said Sigismund, "my plan will fadge bravely. You shall
+go back to Geierstein, and take up your dwelling with us. Your father
+will be a brother to mine, and a better one than uncle Albert, whom he
+seldom saw or spoke with; while with your father he will converse from
+morning till night, and leave us all the work of the farm. And you,
+Arthur, you shall go with us, and be a brother to us all, in place of
+poor Rudiger, who was, to be sure, my real brother, which you cannot
+be: nevertheless, I did not like him so well, in respect he was not so
+good-natured. And then Anne--cousin Anne--is left all to my father's
+charge, and is now at Geierstein--and you know, King Arthur, we used
+to call her Queen Guenover."
+
+"You spoke great folly then," said Arthur.
+
+"But it is great truth--For, look you, I loved to tell Anne tales of
+our hunting, and so forth, but she would not listen a word till I
+threw in something of King Arthur, and then I warrant she would sit
+still as a heath-hen when the hawk is in the heavens. And now
+Donnerhugel is slain, you know you may marry my cousin when you and
+she will, for nobody hath interest to prevent it."
+
+Arthur blushed with pleasure under his helmet, and almost forgave that
+new-year's morning all its complicated distresses.
+
+"You forget," he replied to Sigismund, with as much indifference as he
+could assume, "that I may be viewed in your country with prejudice on
+account of Rudolph's death."
+
+"Not a whit, not a whit; we bear no malice for what is done in fair
+fight under shield. It is no more than if you had beat him in
+wrestling or at quoits--only it is a game cannot be played over
+again."
+
+They now entered the town of Nancy. The windows were hung with
+tapestry, and the streets crowded with tumultuous and rejoicing
+multitudes, whom the success of the battle had relieved from great
+alarm for the formidable vengeance of Charles of Burgundy.
+
+The prisoners were received with the utmost kindness by the Landamman,
+who assured them of his protection and friendship. He appeared to
+support the death of his son Rudiger with stern resignation.
+
+"He had rather," he said, "his son fell in battle, than that he should
+live to despise the old simplicity of his country, and think the
+object of combat was the gaining of spoil. The gold of the dead
+Burgundy," he added, "would injure the morals of Switzerland more
+irretrievably than ever his sword did their bodies."
+
+He heard of his brother's death without surprise, but apparently with
+emotion.
+
+"It was the conclusion," he said, "of a long tissue of ambitious
+enterprises, which often offered fair prospects, but uniformly ended
+in disappointment."
+
+The Landamman further intimated that his brother had apprised him that
+he was engaged in an affair of so much danger that he was almost
+certain to perish in it, and had bequeathed his daughter to her
+uncle's care, with instructions respecting her.
+
+Here they parted for the present, but shortly after, the Landamman
+inquired earnestly of the Earl of Oxford what his motions were like to
+be, and whether he could assist them.
+
+"I think of choosing Bretagne for my place of refuge," answered the
+Earl, "where my wife has dwelt since the battle of Tewkesbury expelled
+us from England."
+
+"Do not so," said the kind Landamman, "but come to Geierstein with the
+countess, where, if she can, like you, endure our mountain manners and
+mountain fare, you are welcome as to the house of a brother, to a soil
+where neither conspiracy nor treason ever flourished. Bethink you, the
+Duke of Bretagne is a weak prince, entirely governed by a wicked
+favourite, Peter Landais. He is as capable--I mean the minister--of
+selling brave men's blood, as a butcher of selling bullock's flesh;
+and you know, there are those, both in France and Burgundy, that
+thirst after yours."
+
+The Earl of Oxford expressed his thanks for the proposal, and his
+determination to profit by it, if approved of by Henry of Lancaster,
+Earl of Richmond, whom he now regarded as his sovereign.
+
+To close the tale, about three months after the battle of Nancy, the
+banished Earl of Oxford resumed his name of Philipson, bringing with
+his lady some remnants of their former wealth, which enabled them to
+procure a commodious residence near to Geierstein; and the Landamman's
+interest in the state procured for them the right of denizenship. The
+high blood and the moderate fortunes of Anne of Geierstein and Arthur
+de Vere, joined to their mutual inclination, made their marriage in
+every respect rational; and Annette with her bachelor took up their
+residence with the young people, not as servants, but mechanical aids
+in the duties of the farm; for Arthur continued to prefer the chase to
+the labours of husbandry, which was of little consequence, as his
+separate income amounted, in that poor country, to opulence. Time
+glided on, till it amounted to five years since the exiled family had
+been inhabitants of Switzerland. In the year 1482, the Landamman
+Biederman died the death of the righteous, lamented universally, as a
+model of the true and valiant, simple-minded and sagacious chiefs who
+ruled the ancient Switzers in peace, and headed them in battle. In the
+same year, the Earl of Oxford lost his noble countess.
+
+But the star of Lancaster, at that period, began again to culminate,
+and called the banished lord and his son from their retirement, to mix
+once more in politics. The treasured necklace of Margaret was then put
+to its destined use, and the produce applied to levy those bands which
+shortly after fought the celebrated battle of Bosworth, in which the
+arms of Oxford and his son contributed so much to the success of Henry
+VII. This changed the destinies of De Vere and his lady. Their Swiss
+farm was conferred on Annette and her husband; and the manners and
+beauty of Anne of Geierstein attracted as much admiration at the
+English court as formerly in the Swiss chalet.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[14] Note III.
+
+
+
+
+AUTHOR'S NOTES.
+
+
+Note I. p. 201.--THE TROUBADOURS.
+
+The smoothness of the Provencal dialect, partaking strongly of the
+Latin, which had been spoken for so many ages in what was called for
+distinction's sake the Roman Province of Gaul, and the richness and
+fertility of a country abounding in all that could delight the senses
+and soothe the imagination, naturally disposed the inhabitants to
+cultivate the art of poetry, and to value and foster the genius of
+those who distinguished themselves by attaining excellence in it.
+Troubadours, that is, _finders_ or _inventors_, equivalent to the
+northern term of _makers_, arose in every class, from the lowest to
+the highest, and success in their art dignified men of the meanest
+rank, and added fresh honours to those who were born in the patrician
+file of society. War and love, more especially the latter, were
+dictated to them by the chivalry of the times as the especial subjects
+of their verse. Such, too, were the themes of our northern minstrels.
+But whilst the latter confined themselves in general to those
+well-known metrical histories in which scenes of strife and combat
+mingled with adventures of enchantment, and fables of giants and
+monsters subdued by valiant champions, such as best attracted the ears
+of the somewhat duller and more barbarous warriors of northern France,
+of Britain, and of Germany--the more lively Troubadours produced poems
+which turned on human passion, and on love, affection, and dutiful
+observance, with which the faithful knight was bound to regard the
+object of his choice, and the honour and respect with which she was
+bound to recompense his faithful services.
+
+Thus far it cannot be disputed that the themes selected by the
+Troubadours were those on which poetry is most naturally exerted, and
+with the best chance of rising to excellence. But it usually happens,
+that when any one of the fine arts is cultivated exclusively, the
+taste of those who practise and admire its productions loses sight of
+nature, simplicity, and true taste, and the artist endeavours to
+discover, while the public learn to admire, some more complicated
+system, in which pedantry supersedes the dictates of natural feeling,
+and metaphysical ingenuity is used instead of the more obvious
+qualifications of simplicity and good sense. Thus, with the unanimous
+approbation of their hearers, the Troubadours framed for themselves a
+species of poetry describing and inculcating a system of metaphysical
+affection as inconsistent with nature as the minstrel's tales of
+magicians and monsters; with this evil to society, that it was
+calculated deeply to injure its manners and its morals. Every
+Troubadour, or good Knight, who took the maxims of their poetical
+school for his rule, was bound to choose a lady love, the fairest and
+noblest to whom he had access, to whom he dedicated at once his lyre
+and his sword, and who, married or single, was to be the object to
+whom his life, words, and actions were to be devoted. On the other
+hand, a lady thus honoured and distinguished was bound, by accepting
+the services of such a gallant, to consider him as her lover, and on
+all due occasions to grace him as such with distinguished marks of
+personal favour. It is true that, according to the best authorities,
+the intercourse betwixt her lover and herself was to be entirely of a
+Platonic character, and the loyal swain was not to require, or the
+chosen lady to grant, anything beyond the favour she might in strict
+modesty bestow. Even under this restriction, the system was like to
+make wild work with the domestic peace of families, since it
+permitted, or rather enjoined, such familiarity betwixt the fair dame
+and her poetical admirer; and very frequently human passions, placed
+in such a dangerous situation, proved too strong to be confined within
+the metaphysical bounds prescribed to them by so fantastic and
+perilous a system. The injured husbands on many occasions avenged
+themselves with severity, and even with dreadful cruelty, on the
+unfaithful ladies, and the musical skill and chivalrous character of
+the lover proved no protection to his person. But the real spirit of
+the system was seen in this, that in the poems of the other
+Troubadours, by whom such events are recorded, their pity is all
+bestowed on the hapless lovers, while, without the least allowance for
+just provocation, the injured husband is held up to execration.
+
+
+Note II. p. 203.--HIGH AND NOBLE PARLIAMENT OF LOVE.
+
+In Provence, during the flourishing time of the Troubadours, Love was
+esteemed so grave and formal a part of the business of life, that a
+Parliament or High Court of Love was appointed for deciding such
+questions. This singular tribunal was, it may be supposed, conversant
+with more of imaginary than of real suits; but it is astonishing with
+what cold and pedantic ingenuity the Troubadours of whom it consisted
+set themselves to plead and to decide, upon reasoning which was not
+less singular and able than out of place, the absurd questions which
+their own fantastic imaginations had previously devised. There, for
+example, is a reported case of much celebrity, where a lady sitting in
+company with three persons, who were her admirers, listened to one
+with the most favourable smiles, while she pressed the hand of the
+second, and touched with her own the foot of the third. It was a case
+much agitated and keenly contested in the Parliament of Love, which of
+these rivals had received the distinguishing mark of the lady's
+favour. Much ingenuity was wasted on this and similar cases, of which
+there is a collection, in all judicial form of legal proceedings,
+under the title of _Arrets d'Amour_ (Adjudged Cases of the Court of
+Love).
+
+
+Note III. p. 344.
+
+The following very striking passage is that in which Philip de
+Commines sums up the last scene of Charles the Bold, whose various
+fortunes he had long watched with a dark anticipation that a character
+so reckless, and capable of such excess, must sooner or later lead to
+a tragical result:--
+
+     "As soon as the Count de Campo-basso arrived in the Duke
+     of Lorrain's army, word was sent him to leave the camp
+     immediately, for they would not entertain, nor have any
+     communication with, such traytors. Upon which message he
+     retir'd with his party to a Castle and Pass not far off,
+     where he fortified himself with carts and other things as
+     well as he could, in hopes, that if the Duke of Burgundy
+     was routed, he might have an opportunity of coming in for
+     a share of the plunder, as he did afterwards. Nor was this
+     practice with the Duke of Lorrain the most execrable
+     action that Campo-basso was guilty of; but before he left
+     the army he conspir'd with several other officers (finding
+     it was impracticable to attempt anything against the Duke
+     of Burgundy's person) to leave him just as they came to
+     charge, for at that time he suppos'd it would put the Duke
+     into the greatest terror and consternation, and if he
+     fled, he was sure he could not escape alive, for he had
+     order'd thirteen or fourteen sure men, some to run as soon
+     as the Germans came up to charge 'em, and others to watch
+     the Duke of Burgundy, and kill him in the rout, which was
+     well enough contrived; I myself have seen two or three of
+     those who were employed to kill the Duke. Having thus
+     settled his conspiracy at home, he went over to the Duke
+     of Lorrain upon the approach of the German army; but
+     finding they would not entertain him, he retired to Conde.
+
+     "The German army marched forward, and with 'em a
+     considerable body of French horse, whom the King had given
+     leave to be present at that action. Several parties lay in
+     ambush not far off, that if the Duke of Burgundy was
+     routed, they might surprise some person of quality, or
+     take some considerable booty. By this every one may see
+     into what a deplorable condition this poor Duke had
+     brought himself, by his contempt of good counsel. Both
+     armies being joyn'd, the Duke of Burgundy's forces having
+     been twice beaten before, and by consequence weak and
+     dispirited, and ill provided besides, were quickly broken
+     and entirely defeated: Many sav'd themselves and got off;
+     the rest were either taken or kill'd; and among 'em the
+     Duke of Burgundy himself was killed on the spot. One
+     Monsieur Claude of Bausmont, Captain of the Castle of Dier
+     in Lorrain, kill'd the Duke of Burgundy. Finding his army
+     routed, he mounted a swift horse, and endeavouring to swim
+     a little river in order to make his escape, his horse fell
+     with him, and overset him: The Duke cry'd out for quarter
+     to this gentleman, who was pursuing him, but he being
+     deaf, and not hearing him, immediately kill'd and stripp'd
+     him, not knowing who he was, and left him naked in the
+     ditch, where his body was found the next day after the
+     battle; which the Duke of Lorrain (to his eternal honour)
+     buried with great pomp and magnificence in St. George's
+     Church, in the old town of Nancy, himself and all his
+     nobility, in deep mourning, attending the corpse to the
+     grave. The following epitaph was sometime afterwards
+     ingrav'd on his tomb:--
+
+     '_Carolus hoc busto Burgundae gloria gentis
+     Conditur, Europae qui fuit ante timor._'
+
+     I saw a seal ring of his, since his death, at Milan, with
+     his arms cut curiously upon a sardonix that I have seen
+     him often wear in a ribbon at his breast, which was sold
+     at Milan for two ducats, and had been stolen from him by a
+     rascal that waited on him in his chamber. I have often
+     seen the Duke dress'd and undress'd in great state and
+     formality, and attended by very great persons; but at his
+     death all this pomp and magnificence ceas'd, and his
+     family was involv'd in the same ruin with himself, and
+     very likely as a punishment for his having deliver'd up
+     the Constable not long before, out of a base and
+     avaricious principle; but God forgive him. I have known
+     him a powerful and honourable Prince, in as great esteem,
+     and as much courted by his neighbours (when his affairs
+     were in a prosperous condition), as any Prince in Europe,
+     and perhaps more; and I cannot conceive what should
+     provoke God Almighty's displeasure so highly against him,
+     unless it was his self-love and arrogance, in
+     appropriating all the success of his enterprises, and all
+     the renown he ever acquir'd, to his own wisdom and
+     conduct, without attributing anything to God. Yet to speak
+     truth, he was master of several good qualities: No Prince
+     ever had a greater ambition to entertain young noblemen
+     than he, nor was more careful of their education: His
+     presents and bounty were never profuse and extravagant,
+     because he gave to many, and had a mind everybody should
+     taste of it. No Prince was ever more easie of access to
+     his servants and subjects. Whilst I was in his service he
+     was never cruel, but a little before his death he took up
+     that humour, which was an infallible sign of the shortness
+     of his life. He was very splendid and curious in his
+     dress, and in everything else, and indeed a little too
+     much. He paid great honours to all ambassadors and
+     foreigners, and entertain'd them nobly: His ambitious
+     desire of fame was insatiable, and it was that which
+     induced him to be eternally in wars, more than any other
+     motive. He ambitiously desir'd to imitate the old Kings
+     and Heroes of antiquity, whose actions still shine in
+     History, and are so much talked of in the world, and his
+     courage was equal to any Prince's of his time.
+
+     "But all his designs and imaginations were vain and
+     extravagant, and turn'd afterwards to his own dishonour
+     and confusion, for 'tis the conquerors and not the
+     conquer'd that purchase to themselves renown. I cannot
+     easily determine towards whom God Almighty shew'd his
+     anger most, whether towards him who died suddenly without
+     pain or sickness in the field of battle, or towards his
+     subjects who never enjoy'd peace after his death, but were
+     continually involv'd in wars, against which they were not
+     able to maintain themselves, upon account of the civil
+     dissentions and cruel animosities that arose among 'em;
+     and that which was the most insupportable, was, that the
+     very people, to whom they were now oblig'd for their
+     defence and preservation, were the Germans, who were
+     strangers, and not long since their profess'd enemies. In
+     short, after the Duke's death, there was not a
+     neighbouring state that wished them to prosper, nor even
+     Germany that defended 'em. And by the management of their
+     affairs, their understanding seem'd to be as much
+     infatuated as their master's, for they rejected all good
+     counsel, and pursued such methods as directly tended to
+     their destruction; and they are still in such a condition,
+     that though they have at present some little ease and
+     relaxation from their sorrows, yet 'tis with great danger
+     of a relapse, and 'tis well if it turns not in the end to
+     their utter ruin.
+
+     "I am partly of their opinion who maintain, that God gives
+     Princes, as he in his wisdom thinks fit, to punish or
+     chastise the subjects; and he disposes the affection of
+     subjects to their Princes, as he has determin'd to raise
+     or depress 'em. Just so it has pleas'd him to deal with
+     the House of Burgundy; for, after a long series of riches
+     and prosperity, and six-and-twenty years' peace under
+     three Illustrious Princes, predecessors to this Charles
+     (all of 'em excellent persons, and of great prudence and
+     discretion), it pleas'd God to send this Duke Charles, who
+     involv'd them in bloody wars, as well winter as summer, to
+     their great affliction and expense, in which most of their
+     richest and stoutest men were either kill'd, or utterly
+     undone. Their misfortunes continu'd successively to the
+     very hour of his death; and after such a manner, that at
+     the last, the whole strength of their country was
+     destroy'd, and all kill'd or taken prisoners who had any
+     zeal or affection for the House of Burgundy, and had power
+     to defend the state and dignity of that family; so that in
+     a manner their losses were equal to, if not over balanc'd
+     their former prosperity; for as I have seen those Princes
+     heretofore puissant, rich, and honourable, so it fared the
+     same with their subjects; for I think, I have seen and
+     known the greatest part of Europe; yet I never knew any
+     province, or country, tho' perhaps of a larger extent, so
+     abounding in money, so extravagantly fine in furniture for
+     their horses, so sumptuous in their buildings, so profuse
+     in their expenses, so luxurious in their feasts and
+     entertainments, and so prodigal in all respects, as the
+     subjects of these Princes, in my time: but it has pleased
+     God at one blow to subvert and ruin this illustrious
+     family. Such changes and revolutions in states and
+     kingdoms God in his providence has wrought before we were
+     born, and will do again when we are in our graves; for
+     this is a certain maxim, that the prosperity or adversity
+     of Princes are wholly at his disposal."
+
+                                    COMMINES, Book V. Chap. 9.
+
+
+
+
+Editor's Notes.
+
+
+(_a_) p. 114. "The good King Rene." There is a biography of this
+prince, by the Comte de Villeneuve Bargemont. Rene of Anjou, descended
+from the second son of John of Valois, King of France, inherited the
+duchy of Lorraine in right of his wife, daughter of Charles II., Duke
+of Lorraine. His claim was contested by Antoine, Comte de Vaudemont,
+representing a collateral male branch of the earlier line. This
+claimant was backed by Philip the Good, of Burgundy. Rene was
+defeated, in 1431, at Bulgueville, and passed some years as a captive
+in Dijon. Here, like Charles d'Orleans in England, and James I. in the
+same country, he amused himself with poetry and art. He succeeded to
+the crown of Provence, a remnant of the Neapolitan domains of Anjou,
+and his daughter, Yolande, married the son of his rival of Vaudemont.
+Lorraine was entailed on them and their issue, failing male issue of
+Rene. After an expedition to Naples he ceded Lorraine to his son, and
+passed his time in a pleasing pastoral manner, in Provence. In his old
+age Lorraine fell to his grandson Rene, and the unlucky region was
+drawn into disputes of France and Burgundy, between which it lay.
+Burgundy conquered Lorraine. Old Rene negotiated for Burgundian
+protection, and for Charles's succession to Provence, which on Rene's
+death would make Burgundy "a Middle Kingdom conterminous with Germany
+and France." But the conquest of Lorraine was the last of Charles's
+successes: the end of the novel before us tells the story of his fall.
+
+(_b_) p. 116. "Edward of York has crossed the Sea." The date is 1475.
+Louis and Edward met on the bridge over the Somme, at Pequigny, and
+made terms. The scheme of Oxford, in the novel, for an invasion of
+England during Edward's absence, was thus rendered impossible.
+
+(_c_) p. 125. "Henry Colvin." Comines calls this soldier "Cohin," in
+the oldest texts "Colpin." He commanded three hundred English, and
+was killed by a cannon shot: "great loss to the Duke, for a single man
+may save his master, though he be of no great lineage, so he have but
+sense and virtue."
+
+(_d_) p. 262. "Granson." The Burgundian defeat is described in
+Comines, book v. ch. i. Of Charles, Comines says, "il perdit honneur
+et chevance ce jour." Morat he describes in book v. ch. iii. The
+narrative of Charles's despair, and the detail of his drinking
+_tisane_ in place of wine, is borrowed from Comines, book v. ch. v.,
+in the sixteenth chapter of the novel. The treachery of Campobasso is
+recorded in Comines's sixth-ninth chapter. Mr. Kirk's version of
+Charles's last fight is written with much spirit.
+
+          ANDREW LANG.
+
+     May 1894.
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY.
+
+
+     =Abettance=, support, encouragement.
+
+     =Abye=, to pay the penalty of, to atone for.
+
+     =Adjected=, appended, added.
+
+     =Albe=, a long white linen robe worn by priests.
+
+     =Ariette=, a little song.
+
+     =Arquebusier=, a soldier armed with an arquebuse, an early
+     form of musket.
+
+     =Assoilzied=, pardoned.
+
+     =Astucious=, astute, shrewd, cunning.
+
+
+     =Baaren-hauter=, a nickname for a German private soldier.
+
+     =Ban=, an imperial edict; the laws of the Empire.
+
+     =Ban-dog=, a large fierce dog.
+
+     =Barbed=, clad in armour.
+
+     =Beauffet=, a sideboard.
+
+     "=Blink out of=," to evade, to escape.
+
+     =Bordel=, a brothel.
+
+     =Botargo=, the roe of the mullet or tunny, salted and dried.
+
+     =Brache=, a kind of sporting dog.
+
+     =Bretagne=, Brittany.
+
+     =Broad-piece=, an old English gold coin.
+
+     =Bruit=, rumour.
+
+     "=Buon campagna=," open country.
+
+
+     =Caravansera=, an inn.
+
+     =Carbonado=, a piece of meat or game, seasoned and broiled.
+
+     =Caviare=, the roe of the sturgeon pickled in salt.
+
+     =Chaffron=, =chamfron=, the armoured frontlet of a horse.
+
+     =Chalumeau=, a reed or pipe made into an instrument of
+     music.
+
+     =Coif=, a woman's headdress.
+
+     =Corso=, the chief street or square in an Italian town.
+
+     "=Cote roti=," wine grown on a sunny slope.
+
+
+     =Dalmatic=, =dalmatique=, a long ecclesiastical robe.
+
+     =Debonair=, affable, courteous.
+
+     =Dishabille=, undress, negligent dress.
+
+     =Dorf=, a village.
+
+     =Ducat=, an old gold coin, worth about 9_s._ 4_d._
+
+
+     =Entrechat=, a caper.
+
+
+     =Fadge=, to succeed, to turn out well.
+
+
+     =Galilee=, a porch or chapel beside a monastery or church,
+     in which the monks received visitors, where processions
+     were formed, penitents stationed, and so forth.
+
+     =Gear=, business, affair; property.
+
+     =Geierstein=, vulture-stone.
+
+     =Grave=, a count.
+
+     =Gutter-blooded=, of the meanest birth.
+
+
+     =Hagbut=, a musket.
+
+     =Halidome=, on my word of honour.
+
+     =Hypocaust=, a stove, heating apparatus.
+
+
+     =Jongleur=, a minstrel-poet of Northern France.
+
+
+     =Lauds=, a daily service of the Roman Catholic Church.
+
+     =Los=, praise.
+
+
+     =Morgue=, the proud, disdainful look of a superior to an
+     inferior.
+
+     =Morisco=, a Moor of Spain.
+
+
+     =Pardoner=, a licensed seller of papal indulgences.
+
+     =Pavin=, a stately Spanish dance.
+
+     =Pennoncelle=, a little flag fixed to a lance.
+
+     =Peste!= plague on't!
+
+     =Piastre=, a silver coin, worth 4_s._
+
+     =Plump=, a clump, collection.
+
+     "=Poz element=," a German oath.
+
+
+     =Questionary=, a pedlar of relics or indulgences.
+
+
+     =Rebeck=, an instrument resembling the violin.
+
+     =Reiter=, a horse-soldier.
+
+     =Rhein-Thal=, the valley of the Rhine.
+
+     =Ritter=, a knight.
+
+     =Rote=, a kind of harp, played by turning a wheel.
+
+
+     =Samite=, a textile made of gold cloth or satin.
+
+     "=Sapperment der Teufel!="--a German oath.
+
+     =Schwarz-reiter=, a German mercenary horse-soldier.
+
+     "=Sibylline leaf=," the oracular or precious saying.
+
+     =Stadtholder=, the emperor's deputy in ancient Westphalia.
+
+     =Stell=, to mount or plant (a cannon).
+
+     =Strick-kind=, the child of the cord--the prisoner on trial
+     before the Vehmic Tribunal.
+
+     =Stube=, a sitting-room, a public room.
+
+
+     =Talliage=, a subsidy, a tax.
+
+     "=Tiers etat=," the third estate, or representatives of the
+     people.
+
+     =Turnpike-stair=, a spiral or winding staircase.
+
+
+     =Vambrace=, the piece of armour that covered the forearm.
+
+     =Violer=, a player on a viol, a kind of violin.
+
+     =Visard=, a mask to cover the face.
+
+
+     =Wass-ail=, ale or wine sweetened and flavoured with spices.
+
+     =Wassel-song=, a drinking or carousing song.
+
+     =Welked=, marked with protuberances or ridges.
+
+
+     =Yungfrau=, =Jungfrau=, a young girl.
+
+     =Yung-herren=, =Jung-herren=, =Junker=, the sons of a German
+     minor noble.
+
+
+     =Zechin=, a Venetian gold coin, worth from 9_s._ to 10_s._
+
+
+END OF VOL. II.
+
+Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
+
+Edinburgh and London
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anne of Geierstein, by Walter Scott
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