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diff --git a/44247-h/44247-h.htm b/44247-h/44247-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3ffc720 --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/44247-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14390 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Anne of Geierstein, Volume 2, by Walter Scott. + </title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/title-page.jpg" /> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1{ + text-align: center; + clear: both; + margin-top: 6em; +} + +h2 {text-align: center; + clear: both; + margin-top: 4em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-size: 1.2em; +} +.chap1 {margin-top: 2em;} +.glossary { margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%;} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: left; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; +} +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: 33%; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.l15 { width: 15%; + margin-left: 42%; } + +.center { text-align: center; } + +.left45 { margin-left: 45%; } +.left65 { margin-left: 65%; } + +.smcap { font-variant: small-caps; } + +.caption { + font-weight: bold; + margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%; + text-align: center; + margin-bottom: 2em; +} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +p.hanging { + margin-left: 1em; + text-indent: -1em; +} + +.footnote { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em; +} + +.footnotes { border: dashed 1px; + margin-top: 6em; } +.fntitle { margin-top: 1em;} +.footnote .label { + position: absolute; + right: 84%; + text-align: right; +} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +.poetry-container { text-align: center; } + +.poem { + display: inline-block; + font-size: 95%; + margin-bottom: 1em; + text-align: left; +} + +@media handheld { + .poem { + display: block; + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; + } +} + +.poem p { + margin: 0; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; } + +.poem p.i1{ margin-left: 1em; } +.poem p.i2 { margin-left: 2em; } +.poem p.i3 { margin-left: 3em; } +.poem p.i5 { margin-left: 5em; } +.poem p.i8 { margin-left: 8em; } +.poem p.i7 {margin-left: 7em;} +.poem p.i9 {margin-left: 9em;} +.poem p.i10 { margin-left: 10em; } +.poem p.i12 {margin-left: 12em;} +.poem p.o1 { margin-left: -.4em; } + +.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} +.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} +.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} + +.i1 { margin-left: 1em; } +.i2 { margin-left: 2em; } +.i3 { margin-left: 3em; } +.i10 { margin-left: 10em; } +.i12 {margin-left: 12em; } +.i20 {margin-left: 20em; } + +.b20 {font-size:2.0em;} +.b15 {font-size:1.5em;} +.b13 {font-size:1.3em;} +.b12 {font-size:1.2em;} +.s08 {font-size:.8em;} + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 90%; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + empty-cells: show; +} + +td {padding-left: 1em; + padding-right: 1em; +} +.tdr { text-align: right; } + +.tnbox { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-bottom: 8em; + margin-top: auto; + text-align: center; + border: 1px solid; + padding: 1em; + color: black; + background-color: #f6f2f2; + width: 25em; +} + </style> + </head> +<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 & 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!—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?</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—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?—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—by the hostess +and her daughter, all softness, coquetry, and glee—the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span> +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.</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,—</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—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.</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:—</p> + +<p>"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?"</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—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,—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,—"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—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"—</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—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,—"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—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."</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—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—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,—"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:—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poem"> +<p>Measurers of good and evil,</p> +<p>Bring the square, the line, the level,—</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,—</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—</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:— +<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—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poem"> +<p>How wears the night?—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—</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;—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—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—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!—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!—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,—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—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—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—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:—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,—"He blasphemes the Holy +Vehme—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—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—What is thy reply?"</p> + +<p>"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."</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—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"——</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.—"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<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.—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,—</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—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."</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!—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—</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—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."</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—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"——</p> + +<p>"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."</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,—"Anne of Gei——, +I mean my Lady Baroness, they are come—they +are come!"</p> + +<p>"The Philipsons?" said Anne, almost breathless +as she asked the question.</p> + +<p>"Yes—no—" answered the girl; "that is, yes,—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—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?—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—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; +<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—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." +<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—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."</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—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"——</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—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"——</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—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."</p> + +<p>"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!"</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"—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."</p> + +<p>"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."</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—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—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—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."</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.—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,—"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."</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—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.—"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,—"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,—"You are right—you are +right—it is best to meet him as a free-hearted +Swiss maiden."</p> + +<p>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."</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—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?—Were Ital +Schreckenwald to return"—</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,—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"——</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—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—that is, Rudolph Donnerhugel +reported—But that I believed that you, gentle +lady, were other than a Christian maiden"——</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"——</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?—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.—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—on"——</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,—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—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."</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"——</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—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,—"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—poor +Sigismund amongst the first.—And now, my +friend, these mysteries explained, it is time we +part, and for ever."</p> + +<p>"Part!—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—I tell you it is mine. +You will depart with early dawn to Strasburg—and—and—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—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—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."</p> + +<p>"Alas!" said she, faintly, "I have but too long +suspected what you now tell me—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.—"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 +<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—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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Annette now rushed into the room.</p> + +<p>"Away, away!" she cried—"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—"Schreckenwald, +your father's steward—his confidant.—Oh, +think better of it—I can hide Arthur somewhere."</p> + +<p>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."</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,—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—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.—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,—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."</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,—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."</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.—"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!—lady!"—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,—"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—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.—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 +<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.—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—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—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 +<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—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."</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—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."</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.—Halt +thou here, stranger, while I ride back and +bring them on—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;—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."</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?—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,—"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!—Out, thou +eternal swill-flagon!—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—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.</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?—Not I—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,—"Farewell!—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—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?"</p> + +<p>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.</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,—"Ay, a miracle!—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—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—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 <i>gartered</i> 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."</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—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?—Is it my mother?"</p> + +<p>"No, my son," answered Philipson;—"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—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."</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,—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 +<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—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.—"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—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!"</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—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 +<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;—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 +<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.—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?"</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!—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—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."</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—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—the English are in +France!" answered Oxford, in a tone expressive of +the deepest anxiety.—"And whom brings Edward +with him on this expedition?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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?"</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—No, my +good Oxford, no!"</p> + +<p>"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 +<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—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—usurper, at least, if not +bastard—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—to gorge his +avarice and pamper his voluptuous prodigality by +sums of gold—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—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!"</p> + +<p>"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!"</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—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—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."</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—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 +<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,—"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!"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, gracious madam," said Oxford, +"compose yourself!—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—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—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."</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—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,—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.</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—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—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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span> +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."</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;—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;—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—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—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!"</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,—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—"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 <i>los</i> 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"——</p> + +<p>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, <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—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." +<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—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?—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?"</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"——</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.—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—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"——</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—the +proud, the high-minded Margaret—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—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!"</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;—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,—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."</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—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?"</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,—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—therefore, +speed, noble Prince—speed is the +soul of your enterprise."</p> + +<p>"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." +<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.—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.—"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—"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.—"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.—Hear me, Lord +Duke. I was with these men on a part of their +journey."</p> + +<p>"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."</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"——</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,—"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 +<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—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."</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.—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."</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—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—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.—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"——</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—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—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"——</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—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;—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.—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"——</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—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—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 +<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—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?"</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—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.—You +start?"</p> + +<p>"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." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span></p> + +<p>"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."</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—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!"</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—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." +<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,—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>—<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—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—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;—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?"</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—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?"</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:—</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:—</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—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—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—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."</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—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. +<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—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;—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."</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?—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—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—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—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 <i>cour plénière</i>, +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?"</p> + +<p>"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 +<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—that +blessed peace, so dear to God, so inappreciably +valuable to man—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—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—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 +<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,—"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,—"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 +<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—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."</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,—not a nobler master, +for the world has none such,—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,—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."</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.—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."</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,—"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—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—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—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—I mean my brother Edward—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—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."</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.—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—thou wilt be in England +long ere they; and, once more, rely on my +assistance—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—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—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—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,—"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—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—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.—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—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 +<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.—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—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—praise be to +Our Lady and the saints!—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—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—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,—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—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."</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—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." +<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,—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?</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"——</p> + +<p>"To whom, of all princes, he has the least +resemblance," said Arthur——</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"——</p> + +<p>"A most fit sceptre for such a sovereign," said +Arthur——</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.—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;—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."</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.—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—as I would to my son—if +indeed Heaven had left such a blessing to a +wretch forlorn"——</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—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 +<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?—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."</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—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.—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.—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.—He's a monk.</p> +<p>He hath forsworn the world and all its work—</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"—— +<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:—</p> +<div class="blockquot"> +<p> +"<span class="smcap">Son Arthur</span>,—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—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—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."</p> + +<p>"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 +<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,—"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."</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,—"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—"You +are betrayed, noble Queen, and it is by my +negligence. Here is my dagger—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;—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—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."</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,—</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—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—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.</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,—"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—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.</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.—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,—"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?—the +half—three parts—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—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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span> +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."</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.—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—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."</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—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—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—"<i>Only</i> disown—<i>only</i> relinquish—<i>only</i> +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."</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—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."</p> + +<p>"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!"</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—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?"</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—" 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.—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—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,—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 +<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—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—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; +<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—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 +<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—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—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—"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,—"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?"</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—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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span> +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"——</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—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."</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—And many better heads +than mine are as much puzzled.—Here's to you, +friend Arthur!—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.—"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—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—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.—Well, in plain language, I +mean my uncle, Count Albert, as he calls himself, +of Geierstein—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—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,—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.—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—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—"Met whom?—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—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."</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,—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—all goes wrong, when +our unhappy cause becomes connected with it—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!—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—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—I am without +an ally, without a friend, without treasure"——</p> + +<p>"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.</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—tell him my schemes +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span> +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."</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—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.—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—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—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.</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—old, +deaf, and dim-sighted—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—</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,—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 +<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—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,—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 +<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—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. +<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—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."</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—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."</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,—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."</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,—if I could believe that he +desired it"——</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I will go to him, such being the case," said +Oxford.—"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.—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—Philipson—my old—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—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!"</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"——</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.—"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?"</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—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, +<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—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."</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—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—ha! +ha! ha!—they are overrunning Lorraine, and +have taken Nancy—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—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"——</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.—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?"</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:—</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:—</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—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—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—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."</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—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?"</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"——</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—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—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."</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,—"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."</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—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."</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"——</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.—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,—"Ill will to +Oxford, perhaps—these Italians are vindictive."—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—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."</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—Umph—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—"And you—you +struck him with your poniard under the fifth +rib, did you not?"</p> + +<p>"I did not, my Lord Duke—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—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—"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?"</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.—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;—I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">334</a></span> +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."</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;—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—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,—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—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.</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—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—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."</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?—Berne—Uri—Schwitz—banners +forward! Unterwalden, here is +your standard!—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—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—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—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."</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—"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."</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,—"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—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."</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—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—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—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." +<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>.—<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—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>.—<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:—</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:—</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>"—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—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>,—he of the Bear's hide,—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>.—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>.—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—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—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 & Co.</span><br /> +<i>Edinburgh and London</i></p> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44247 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/44247-h/images/i-002.jpg b/44247-h/images/i-002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5ab0dc --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/images/i-002.jpg diff --git a/44247-h/images/i-004.jpg b/44247-h/images/i-004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6aa31f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/images/i-004.jpg diff --git a/44247-h/images/i-047.jpg b/44247-h/images/i-047.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b1a03a --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/images/i-047.jpg diff --git a/44247-h/images/i-131.jpg b/44247-h/images/i-131.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..62cec7e --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/images/i-131.jpg diff --git a/44247-h/images/i-205.jpg b/44247-h/images/i-205.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c5ec311 --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/images/i-205.jpg diff --git a/44247-h/images/i-315.jpg b/44247-h/images/i-315.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..010d3dc --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/images/i-315.jpg diff --git a/44247-h/images/logo.jpg b/44247-h/images/logo.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e88ca01 --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/images/logo.jpg diff --git a/44247-h/images/title-page.jpg b/44247-h/images/title-page.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1307fe3 --- /dev/null +++ b/44247-h/images/title-page.jpg |
