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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:27:32 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:27:32 -0700 |
| commit | a03eb1e1e6c6df6ccc6fdd37ec488e50727d6422 (patch) | |
| tree | 80ba157deaf733b448d98ac0ebbb41fa6cba9871 /6406-h | |
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diff --git a/6406-h/6406-h.htm b/6406-h/6406-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b22f73e --- /dev/null +++ b/6406-h/6406-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,21417 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!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" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Monastery, by Sir Walter Scott + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 100%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Monastery, by Sir Walter Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Monastery + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + + +Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6406] +This file was first posted on December 8, 2002 +Last Updated: February 27, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MONASTERY *** + + + + +Text file produced by Alan Millar, David Moynihan, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + + <p> + <br /> + </p> + + +<p> + <br /> + </p> +<hr /> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE MONASTERY + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Sir Walter Scott + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + THE WAVERLY NOVELS by SIR WALTER SCOTT. <br /> <br /> Complete In Twelve + Volumes <br /> Printed from the latest English Editions Embracing The + Author's Last Corrections, Prefaces, and Notes. + </h4> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0008m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0008m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0008.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0009m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0009m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0009.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0067m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0067m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0067.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION—(1830.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> ANSWER BY “THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY,” </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> <b>THE MONASTERY.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> Chapter the First. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter the Second. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter the Third. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter the Fourth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter the Fifth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter the Sixth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> Chapter the Seventh. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter the Eighth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter the Ninth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter the Tenth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> Chapter the Eleventh. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> Chapter the Twelfth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> Chapter the Thirteenth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> Chapter the Fourteenth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> Chapter the Fifteenth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> Chapter the Sixteenth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> Chapter the Seventeenth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> Chapter the Eighteenth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> Chapter the Nineteenth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> Chapter the Twentieth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> Chapter the Twenty-First. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> Chapter the Twenty-Second. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> Chapter the Twenty-Third. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> Chapter the Twenty-Fourth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> Chapter the Twenty-Fifth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> Chapter the Twenty-Sixth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> Chapter the Twenty-Seventh. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> Chapter the Twenty-Eighth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> Chapter the Twenty-Ninth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> Chapter the Thirtieth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> Chapter the Thirty-First. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> Chapter the Thirty-Second. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> Chapter the Thirty-Third. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> Chapter the Thirty-Fourth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> Chapter the Thirty-Fifth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> Chapter the Thirty-Sixth. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0037"> Chapter the Thirty-Seventh. </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE MONASTERY. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION—(1830.) + </h2> + <p> + It would be difficult to assign any good reason why the author of Ivanhoe, + after using, in that work, all the art he possessed to remove the + personages, action, and manners of the tale, to a distance from his own + country, should choose for the scene of his next attempt the celebrated + ruins of Melrose, in the immediate neighbourhood of his own residence. But + the reason, or caprice, which dictated his change of system, has entirely + escaped his recollection, nor is it worth while to attempt recalling what + must be a matter of very little consequence. + </p> + <p> + The general plan of the story was, to conjoin two characters in that + bustling and contentious age, who, thrown into situations which gave them + different views on the subject of the Reformation, should, with the same + sincerity and purity of intention, dedicate themselves, the one to the + support of the sinking fabric of the Catholic Church, the other to the + establishment of the Reformed doctrines. It was supposed that some + interesting subjects for narrative might be derived from opposing two such + enthusiasts to each other in the path of life, and contrasting the real + worth of both with their passions and prejudices. The localities of + Melrose suited well the scenery of the proposed story; the ruins + themselves form a splendid theatre for any tragic incident which might be + brought forward; joined to the vicinity of the fine river, with all its + tributary streams, flowing through a country which has been the scene of + so much fierce fighting, and is rich with so many recollections of former + times, and lying almost under the immediate eye of the author, by whom + they were to be used in composition. + </p> + <p> + The situation possessed farther recommendations. On the opposite bank of + the Tweed might be seen the remains of ancient enclosures, surrounded by + sycamores and ash-trees of considerable size. These had once formed the + crofts or arable ground of a village, now reduced to a single hut, the + abode of a fisherman, who also manages a ferry. The cottages, even the + church which once existed there, have sunk into vestiges hardly to be + traced without visiting the spot, the inhabitants having gradually + withdrawn to the more prosperous town of Galashiels, which has risen into + consideration, within two miles of their neighbourhood. Superstitious eld, + however, has tenanted the deserted groves with aerial beings, to supply + the want of the mortal tenants who have deserted it. The ruined and + abandoned churchyard of Boldside has been long believed to be haunted by + the Fairies, and the deep broad current of the Tweed, wheeling in + moonlight round the foot of the steep bank, with the number of trees + originally planted for shelter round the fields of the cottagers, but now + presenting the effect of scattered and detached groves, fill up the idea + which one would form in imagination for a scene that Oberon and Queen Mab + might love to revel in. There are evenings when the spectator might + believe, with Father Chaucer, that the + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + —Queen of Faery, + With harp, and pipe, and symphony, + Were dwelling in the place. +</pre> + <p> + Another, and even a more familiar refuge of the elfin race, (if tradition + is to be trusted,) is the glen of the river, or rather brook, named the + Allen, which falls into the Tweed from the northward, about a quarter of a + mile above the present bridge. As the streamlet finds its way behind Lord + Sommerville's hunting-seat, called the Pavilion, its valley has been + popularly termed the Fairy Dean, or rather the Nameless Dean, because of + the supposed ill luck attached by the popular faith of ancient times, to + any one who might name or allude to the race, whom our fathers + distinguished as the Good Neighbours, and the Highlanders called Daoine + Shie, or Men of Peace; rather by way of compliment, than on account of any + particular idea of friendship or pacific relation which either Highlander + or Borderer entertained towards the irritable beings whom they thus + distinguished, or supposed them to bear to humanity. {Footnote: See Rob + Roy, Note, p. 202.} + </p> + <p> + In evidence of the actual operations of the fairy people even at this + time, little pieces of calcareous matter are found in the glen after a + flood, which either the labours of those tiny artists, or the eddies of + the brook among the stones, have formed into a fantastic resemblance of + cups, saucers, basins, and the like, in which children who gather them + pretend to discern fairy utensils. + </p> + <p> + Besides these circumstances of romantic locality, <i>mea paupera regna</i> + (as Captain Dalgetty denominates his territory of Drumthwacket) are + bounded by a small but deep lake, from which eyes that yet look on the + light are said to have seen the waterbull ascend, and shake the hills with + his roar. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, the country around Melrose, if possessing less of romantic beauty + than some other scenes in Scotland, is connected with so many associations + of a fanciful nature, in which the imagination takes delight, as might + well induce one even less attached to the spot than the author, to + accommodate, after a general manner, the imaginary scenes he was framing + to the localities to which he was partial. But it would be a + misapprehension to suppose, that, because Melrose may in general pass for + Kennaquhair, or because it agrees with scenes of the Monastery in the + circumstances of the drawbridge, the milldam, and other points of + resemblance, that therefore an accurate or perfect local similitude is to + be found in all the particulars of the picture. It was not the purpose of + the author to present a landscape copied from nature, but a piece of + composition, in which a real scene, with which he is familiar, had + afforded him some leading outlines. Thus the resemblance of the imaginary + Glendearg with the real vale of the Allen, is far from being minute, nor + did the author aim at identifying them. This must appear plain to all who + know the actual character of the Glen of Allen, and have taken the trouble + to read the account of the imaginary Glendearg. The stream in the latter + case is described as wandering down a romantic little valley, shifting + itself, after the fashion of such a brook, from one side to the other, as + it can most easily find its passage, and touching nothing in its progress + that gives token of cultivation. It rises near a solitary tower, the abode + of a supposed church vassal, and the scene of several incidents in the + Romance. + </p> + <p> + The real Allen, on the contrary, after traversing the romantic ravine + called the Nameless Dean, thrown off from side to side alternately, like a + billiard ball repelled by the sides of the table on which it has been + played, and in that part of its course resembling the stream which pours + down Glendearg, may be traced upwards into a more open country, where the + banks retreat farther from each other, and the vale exhibits a good deal + of dry ground, which has not been neglected by the active cultivators of + the district. It arrives, too, at a sort of termination, striking in + itself, but totally irreconcilable with the narrative of the Romance. + Instead of a single peel-house, or border tower of defence, such as Dame + Glendinning is supposed to have inhabited, the head of the Allen, about + five miles above its junction with the Tweed, shows three ruins of Border + houses, belonging to different proprietors, and each, from the desire of + mutual support so natural to troublesome times, situated at the extremity + of the property of which it is the principal messuage. One of these is the + ruinous mansion-house of Hillslap, formerly the property of the + Cairncrosses, and now of Mr. Innes of Stow; a second the tower of + Colmslie, an ancient inheritance of the Borthwick family, as is testified + by their crest, the Goat's Head, which exists on the ruin; {Footnote: It + appears that Sir Walter Scott's memory was not quite accurate on these + points. John Borthwick, Esq. in a note to the publisher, (June 11, 1813.) + says that <i>Colmslie</i> belonged to Mr. Innes of Stow, while <i>Hillslap</i> + forms part of the estate of Crookston. He adds—“In proof that the + tower of Hillslap, which I have taken measures to preserve from injury, + was chiefly in his head, as the tower of <i>Glendearg,</i> when writing + the Monastery, I may mention that, on one of the occasions when I had the + honour of being a visiter at Abbotsford, the stables then being full, I + sent a pony to be put up at our tenant's at Hillslap:—'Well.' said + Sir Walter, 'if you do that, you must trust for its not being <i>lifted</i> + before to-morrow, to the protection of Halbert Glendinning: against + Christie of the Clintshill.' At page 58, vol. iii., the first edition, the + '<i>winding</i> stair' which the monk ascended is described. The winding + stone stair is still to be seen in Hillslap, but not in either of the + other two towers” It is however, probable, from the Goat's-Head crest on + Colmslie, that that tower also had been of old a possession of the + Borthwicks.} a third, the house of Langshaw, also ruinous, but near which + the proprietor, Mr. Baillie of Jerviswood and Mellerstain, has built a + small shooting box. + </p> + <p> + All these ruins, so strangely huddled together in a very solitary spot, + have recollections and traditions of their own, but none of them bear the + most distant resemblance to the descriptions in the Romance of the + Monastery; and as the author could hardly have erred so grossly regarding + a spot within a morning's ride of his own house, the inference is, that no + resemblance was intended. Hillslap is remembered by the humours of the + last inhabitants, two or three elderly ladies, of the class of Miss + Raynalds, in the Old Manor House, though less important by birth and + fortune. Colmslie is commemorated in song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Colmslie stands on Colmslie hill. + The water it flows round Colmslie mill; + The mill and the kiln gang bonnily. + And it's up with the whippers of Colmslie. +</pre> + <p> + Langshaw, although larger than the other mansions assembled at the head of + the supposed Glendearg, has nothing about it more remarkable than the + inscription of the present proprietor over his shooting lodge—<i>Utinam + hane eliam viris impleam amicis</i>—a modest wish, which I know no + one more capable of attaining upon an extended scale, than the gentleman + who has expressed it upon a limited one. + </p> + <p> + Having thus shown that I could say something of these desolated towers, + which the desire of social intercourse, or the facility of mutual defence, + had drawn together at the head of this Glen, I need not add any farther + reason to show, that there is no resemblance between them and the solitary + habitation of Dame Elspeth Glendinning. Beyond these dwellings are some + remains of natural wood, and a considerable portion of morass and bog; but + I would not advise any who may be curious in localities, to spend time in + looking for the fountain and holly-tree of the White Lady. + </p> + <p> + While I am on the subject I may add, that Captain Clutterbuck, the + imaginary editor of the Monastery, has no real prototype in the village of + Melrose or neighbourhood, that ever I saw or heard of. To give some + individuality to this personage, he is described as a character which + sometimes occurs in actual society—a person who, having spent his + life within the necessary duties of a technical profession, from which he + has been at length emancipated, finds himself without any occupation + whatever, and is apt to become the prey of ennui, until he discerns some + petty subject of investigation commensurate to his talents, the study of + which gives him employment in solitude; while the conscious possession of + information peculiar to himself, adds to his consequence in society. I + have often observed, that the lighter and trivial branches of antiquarian + study are singularly useful in relieving vacuity of such a kind, and have + known them serve many a Captain Clutterbuck to retreat upon; I was + therefore a good deal surprised, when I found the antiquarian Captain + identified with a neighbour and friend of my own, who could never have + been confounded with him by any one who had read the book, and seen the + party alluded to. This erroneous identification occurs in a work entitled, + “Illustrations of the Author of Waverley, being Notices and Anecdotes of + real Characters, Scenes, and Incidents, supposed to be described in his + works, by Robert Chambers.” This work was, of course, liable to many + errors, as any one of the kind must be, whatever may be the ingenuity of + the author, which takes the task of explaining what can be only known to + another person. Mistakes of place or inanimate things referred to, are of + very little moment; but the ingenious author ought to have been more + cautious of attaching real names to fictitious characters. I think it is + in the Spectator we read of a rustic wag, who, in a copy of “The Whole + Duty of Man,” wrote opposite to every vice the name of some individual in + the neighbourhood, and thus converted that excellent work into a libel on + a whole parish. + </p> + <p> + The scenery being thus ready at the author's hand, the reminiscences of + the country were equally favourable. In a land where the horses remained + almost constantly saddled, and the sword seldom quitted the warrior's side—where + war was the natural and constant state of the inhabitants, and peace only + existed in the shape of brief and feverish truces—there could be no + want of the means to complicate and extricate the incidents of his + narrative at pleasure. There was a disadvantage, notwithstanding, in + treading this Border district, for it had been already ransacked by the + author himself, as well as others; and unless presented under a new light, + was likely to afford ground to the objection of <i>Crambe bis cocta</i>. + </p> + <p> + To attain the indispensable quality of novelty, something, it was thought, + might be gained by contrasting the character of the vassals of the church + with those of the dependants of the lay barons, by whom they were + surrounded. But much advantage could not be derived from this. There were, + indeed, differences betwixt the two classes, but, like tribes in the + mineral and vegetable world, which, resembling each other to common eyes, + can be sufficiently well discriminated by naturalists, they were yet too + similar, upon the whole, to be placed in marked contrast with each other. + </p> + <p> + Machinery remained—the introduction of the supernatural and + marvellous; the resort of distressed authors since the days of Horace, but + whose privileges as a sanctuary have been disputed in the present age, and + well-nigh exploded. The popular belief no longer allows the possibility of + existence to the race of mysterious beings which hovered betwixt this + world and that which is invisible. The fairies have abandoned their + moonlight turf; the witch no longer holds her black orgies in the hemlock + dell; and + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Even the last lingering phantom of the brain, + The churchyard ghost, is now at rest again. +</pre> + <p> + From the discredit attached to the vulgar and more common modes in which + the Scottish superstition displays itself, the author was induced to have + recourse to the beautiful, though almost forgotten, theory of astral + spirits, or creatures of the elements, surpassing human beings in + knowledge and power, but inferior to them, as being subject, after a + certain space of years, to a death which is to them annihilation, as they + have no share in the promise made to the sons of Adam. These spirits are + supposed to be of four distinct kinds, as the elements from which they + have their origin, and are known, to those who have studied the + cabalistical philosophy, by the names of Sylphs, Gnomes, Salamanders, and + Naiads, as they belong to the elements of Air, Earth, Fire, or Water. The + general reader will find an entertaining account of these elementary + spirits in the French book entitled, “Entretiens de Compte du Gabalis.” + The ingenious Compte de la Motte Fouqu? composed, in German, one of the + most successful productions of his fertile brain, where a beautiful and + even afflicting effect is produced by the introduction of a water-nymph, + who loses the privilege of immortality by consenting to become accessible + to human feelings, and uniting her lot with that of a mortal, who treats + her with ingratitude. + </p> + <p> + In imitation of an example so successful, the White Lady of Avenel was + introduced into the following sheets. She is represented as connected with + the family of Avenel by one of those mystic ties, which, in ancient times, + were supposed to exist, in certain circumstances, between the creatures of + the elements and the children of men. Such instances of mysterious union + are recognized in Ireland, in the real Milosian families, who are + possessed of a Banshie; and they are known among the traditions of the + Highlands, which, in many cases, attached an immortal being or spirit to + the service of particular families or tribes. These demons, if they are to + be called so, announced good or evil fortune to the families connected + with them; and though some only condescended to meddle with matters of + importance, others, like the May Mollach, or Maid of the Hairy Arms, + condescended to mingle in ordinary sports, and even to direct the Chief + how to play at draughts. + </p> + <p> + There was, therefore, no great violence in supposing such a being as this + to have existed, while the elementary spirits were believed in; but it was + more difficult to describe or imagine its attributes and principles of + action. Shakespeare, the first of authorities in such a case, has painted + Ariel, that beautiful creature of his fancy, as only approaching so near + to humanity as to know the nature of that sympathy which the creatures of + clay felt for each other, as we learn from the expression—“Mine + would, if I were human.” The inferences from this are singular, but seem + capable of regular deduction. A being, however superior to man in length + of life—in power over the elements—in certain perceptions + respecting the present, the past, and the future, yet still incapable of + human passions, of sentiments of moral good and evil, of meriting future + rewards or punishments, belongs rather to the class of animals, than of + human creatures, and must therefore be presumed to act more from temporary + benevolence or caprice, than from anything approaching to feeling or + reasoning. Such a being's superiority in power can only be compared to + that of the elephant or lion, who are greater in strength than man, though + inferior in the scale of creation. The partialities which we suppose such + spirits to entertain must be like those of the dog; their sudden starts of + passion, or the indulgence of a frolic, or mischief, may be compared to + those of the numerous varieties of the cat. All these propensities are, + however, controlled by the laws which render the elementary race + subordinate to the command of man—liable to be subjected by his + science, (so the sect of Gnostics believed, and on this turned the + Rosicrucian philosophy,) or to be overpowered by his superior courage and + daring, when it set their illusions at defiance. + </p> + <p> + It is with reference to this idea of the supposed spirits of the elements, + that the White Lady of Avenel is represented as acting a varying, + capricious, and inconsistent part in the pages assigned to her in the + narrative; manifesting interest and attachment to the family with whom her + destinies are associated, but evincing whim, and even a species of + malevolence, towards other mortals, as the Sacristan, and the Border + robber, whose incorrect life subjected them to receive petty + mortifications at her hand. The White Lady is scarcely supposed, however, + to have possessed either the power or the inclination to do more than + inflict terror or create embarrassment, and is also subjected by those + mortals, who, by virtuous resolution, and mental energy, could assert + superiority over her. In these particulars she seems to constitute a being + of a middle class, between the <i>esprit follet</i> who places its + pleasure in misleading and tormenting mortals, and the benevolent Fairy of + the East, who uniformly guides, aids, and supports them. + </p> + <p> + Either, however, the author executed his purpose indifferently, or the + public did not approve of it; for the White Lady of Avenel was far from + being popular. He does not now make the present statement, in the view of + arguing readers into a more favourable opinion on the subject, but merely + with the purpose of exculpating himself from the charge of having wantonly + intruded into the narrative a being of inconsistent powers and + propensities. + </p> + <p> + In the delineation of another character, the author of the Monastery + failed, where he hoped for some success. As nothing is so successful a + subject for ridicule as the fashionable follies of the time, it occurred + to him that the more serious scenes of his narrative might be relieved by + the humour of a cavaliero of the age of Queen Elizabeth. In every period, + the attempt to gain and maintain the highest rank of society, has depended + on the power of assuming and supporting a certain fashionable kind of + affectation, usually connected with some vivacity of talent and energy of + character, but distinguished at the same time by a transcendent flight, + beyond sound reason and common sense; both faculties too vulgar to be + admitted into the estimate of one who claims to be esteemed “a choice + spirit of the age.” These, in their different phases, constitute the + gallants of the day, whose boast it is to drive the whims of fashion to + extremity. + </p> + <p> + On all occasions, the manners of the sovereign, the court, and the time, + must give the tone to the peculiar description of qualities by which those + who would attain the height of fashion must seek to distinguish + themselves. The reign of Elizabeth, being that of a maiden queen, was + distinguished by the decorum of the courtiers, and especially the + affectation of the deepest deference to the sovereign. After the + acknowledgment of the Queen's matchless perfections, the same devotion was + extended to beauty as it existed among the lesser stars in her court, who + sparkled, as it was the mode to say, by her reflected lustre. It is true, + that gallant knights no longer vowed to Heaven, the peacock, and the + ladies, to perform some feat of extravagant chivalry, in which they + endangered the lives of others as well as their own; but although their + chivalrous displays of personal gallantry seldom went farther in + Elizabeth's days than the tilt-yard, where barricades, called barriers, + prevented the shock of the horses, and limited the display of the + cavalier's skill to the comparatively safe encounter of their lances, the + language of the lovers to their ladies was still in the exalted terms + which Amadis would have addressed to Oriana, before encountering a dragon + for her sake. This tone of romantic gallantry found a clever but conceited + author, to reduce it to a species of constitution and form, and lay down + the courtly manner of conversation, in a pedantic book, called Euphues and + his England. Of this, a brief account is given in the text, to which it + may now be proper to make some additions. + </p> + <p> + The extravagance of Euphuism, or a symbolical jargon of the same class, + predominates in the romances of Calprenade and Scuderi, which were read + for the amusement of the fair sex of France during the long reign of Louis + XIV., and were supposed to contain the only legitimate language of love + and gallantry. In this reign they encountered the satire of Moliere and + Boileau. A similar disorder, spreading into private society, formed the + ground of the affected dialogue of the <i>Praecieuses</i>, as they were + styled, who formed the coterie of the Hotel de Rambouillet, and afforded + Moliere matter for his admirable comedy, <i>Les Praecieuses Ridicules</i>. + In England, the humour does not seem to have long survived the accession + of James I. + </p> + <p> + The author had the vanity to think that a character, whose peculiarities + should turn on extravagances which were once universally fashionable, + might be read in a fictitious story with a good chance of affording + amusement to the existing generation, who, fond as they are of looking + back on the actions and manners of their ancestors, might be also supposed + to be sensible of their absurdities. He must fairly acknowledge that he + was disappointed, and that the Euphuist, far from being accounted a well + drawn and humorous character of the period, was condemned as unnatural and + absurd. It would be easy to account for this failure, by supposing the + defect to arise from the author's want of skill, and, probably, many + readers may not be inclined to look farther. But as the author himself can + scarcely be supposed willing to acquiesce in this final cause, if any + other can be alleged, he has been led to suspect, that, contrary to what + he originally supposed, his subject was injudiciously chosen, in which, + and not in his mode of treating it, lay the source of the want of success. + </p> + <p> + The manners of a rude people are always founded on nature, and therefore + the feelings of a more polished generation immediately sympathize with + them. We need no numerous notes, no antiquarian dissertations, to enable + the most ignorant to recognize the sentiments and diction of the + characters of Homer; we have but, as Lear says, to strip off our lendings—to + set aside the factitious principles and adornments which we have received + from our comparatively artificial system of society, and our natural + feelings are in unison with those of the bard of Chios and the heroes who + live in his verses. It is the same with a great part of the narratives of + my friend Mr. Cooper. We sympathize with his Indian chiefs and + back-woodsmen, and acknowledge, in the characters which he presents to us, + the same truth of human nature by which we should feel ourselves + influenced if placed in the same condition. So much is this the case, + that, though it is difficult, or almost impossible, to reclaim a savage, + bred from his youth to war and the chase, to the restraints and the duties + of civilized life, nothing is more easy or common than to find men who + have been educated in all the habits and comforts of improved society, + willing to exchange them for the wild labours of the hunter and the + fisher. The very amusements most pursued and relished by men of all ranks, + whose constitutions permit active exercise, are hunting, fishing, and, in + some instances, war, the natural and necessary business of the savage of + Dryden, where his hero talks of being + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + —“As free as nature first made man, + When wild in woods the noble savage ran.” + </pre> + <p> + But although the occupations, and even the sentiments, of human beings in + a primitive state, find access and interest in the minds of the more + civilized part of the species, it does not therefore follow, that the + national tastes, opinions, and follies of one civilized period, should + afford either the same interest or the same amusement to those of another. + These generally, when driven to extravagance, are founded, not upon any + natural taste proper to the species, but upon the growth of some peculiar + cast of affectation, with which mankind in general, and succeeding + generations in particular, feel no common interest or sympathy. The + extravagances of coxcombry in manners and apparel are indeed the + legitimate and often the successful objects of satire, during the time + when they exist. In evidence of this, theatrical critics may observe how + many dramatic <i>jeux d'esprit</i> are well received every season, because + the satirist levels at some well-known or fashionable absurdity; or, in + the dramatic phrase, “shoots folly as it flies.” But when the peculiar + kind of folly keeps the wing no longer, it is reckoned but waste of powder + to pour a discharge of ridicule on what has ceased to exist; and the + pieces in which such forgotten absurdities are made the subject of + ridicule, fall quietly into oblivion with the follies which gave them + fashion, or only continue to exist on the scene, because they contain some + other more permanent interest than that which connects them with manners + and follies of a temporary character. + </p> + <p> + This, perhaps, affords a reason why the comedies of Ben Jonson, founded + upon system, or what the age termed humours,—by which was meant + factitious and affected characters, superinduced on that which was common + to the rest of their race,—in spite of acute satire, deep + scholarship, and strong sense, do not now afford general pleasure, but are + confined to the closet of the antiquary, whose studies have assured him + that the personages of the dramatist were once, though they are now no + longer, portraits of existing nature. + </p> + <p> + Let us take another example of our hypothesis from Shakspeare himself, + who, of all authors, drew his portraits for all ages. With the whole sum + of the idolatry which affects us at his name, the mass of readers peruse, + without amusement, the characters formed on the extravagances of temporary + fashion; and the Euphuist Don Armado, the pedant Holofernes, even Nym and + Pistol, are read with little pleasure by the mass of the public, being + portraits of which we cannot recognize the humour, because the originals + no longer exist. In like manner, while the distresses of Romeo and Juliet + continue to interest every bosom, Mercutio, drawn as an accurate + representation of the finished fine gentleman of the period, and as such + received by the unanimous approbation of contemporaries, has so little to + interest the present age, that, stripped of all his puns, and quirks of + verbal wit, he only retains his place in the scene, in virtue of his fine + and fanciful speech upon dreaming, which belongs to no particular age, and + because he is a personage whose presence is indispensable to the plot. + </p> + <p> + We have already prosecuted perhaps too far an argument, the tendency of + which is to prove, that the introduction of an humorist, acting like Sir + Piercie Shafton, upon some forgotten and obsolete model of folly, once + fashionable, is rather likely to awaken the disgust of the reader, as + unnatural, than find him food for laughter. Whether owing to this theory, + or whether to the more simple and probable cause of the author's failure + in the delineation of the subject he had proposed to himself, the + formidable objection of <i>incredulus odi</i> was applied to the Euphuist, + as well as to the White Lady of Avenel; and the one was denounced as + unnatural, while the other was rejected as impossible. + </p> + <p> + There was little in the story to atone for these failures in two principal + points. The incidents were inartificially huddled together. There was no + part of the intrigue to which deep interest was found to apply; and the + conclusion was brought about, not by incidents arising out of the story + itself, but in consequence of public transactions, with which the + narrative has little connexion, and which the reader had little + opportunity to become acquainted with. + </p> + <p> + This, if not a positive fault, was yet a great defect in the Romance. It + is true, that not only the practice of some great authors in this + department, but even the general course of human life itself, may be + quoted in favour of this more obvious and less artificial practice of + arranging a narrative. It is seldom that the same circle of personages who + have surrounded an individual at his first outset in life, continue to + have an interest in his career till his fate comes to a crisis. On the + contrary, and more especially if the events of his life be of a varied + character, and worth communicating to others, or to the world, the hero's + later connexions are usually totally separated from those with whom he + began the voyage, but whom the individual has outsailed, or who have + drifted astray, or foundered on the passage. This hackneyed comparison + holds good in another point. The numerous vessels of so many different + sorts, and destined for such different purposes, which are launched in the + same mighty ocean, although each endeavours to pursue its own course, are + in every case more influenced by the winds and tides, which are common to + the element which they all navigate, than by their own separate exertions. + And it is thus in the world, that, when human prudence has done its best, + some general, perhaps national, event, destroys the schemes of the + individual, as the casual touch of a more powerful being sweeps away the + web of the spider. + </p> + <p> + Many excellent romances have been composed in this view of human life, + where the hero is conducted through a variety of detached scenes, in which + various agents appear and disappear, without, perhaps, having any + permanent influence on the progress of the story. Such is the structure of + Gil Blas, Roderick Random, and the lives and adventures of many other + heroes, who are described as running through different stations of life, + and encountering various adventures, which are only connected with each + other by having happened to be witnessed by the same individual, whose + identity unites them together, as the string of a necklace links the + beads, which are otherwise detached. + </p> + <p> + But though such an unconnected course of adventures is what most + frequently occurs in nature, yet the province of the romance writer being + artificial, there is more required from him than a mere compliance with + the simplicity of reality,—just as we demand from the scientific + gardener, that he shall arrange, in curious knots and artificial + parterres, the flowers which “nature boon” distributes freely on hill and + dale. Fielding, accordingly, in most of his novels, but especially in Tom + Jones, his <i>chef-d'oeuvre</i>, has set the distinguished example of a + story regularly built and consistent in all its parts, in which nothing + occurs, and scarce a personage is introduced, that has not some share in + tending to advance the catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + To demand equal correctness and felicity in those who may follow in the + track of that illustrious novelist, would be to fetter too much the power + of giving pleasure, by surrounding it with penal rules; since of this sort + of light literature it may be especially said—<i>tout genre est + permis, hors le genre ennuyeux</i>. Still, however, the more closely and + happily the story is combined, and the more natural and felicitous the + catastrophe, the nearer such a composition will approach the perfection of + the novelist's art; nor can an author neglect this branch of his + profession, without incurring proportional censure. + </p> + <p> + For such censure the Monastery gave but too much occasion. The intrigue of + the Romance, neither very interesting in itself, nor very happily + detailed, is at length finally disentangled by the breaking out of + national hostilities between England and Scotland, and the as sudden + renewal of the truce. Instances of this kind, it is true, cannot in + reality have been uncommon, but the resorting to such, in order to + accomplish the catastrophe, as by a <i>tour de force</i>, was objected to + as inartificial, and not perfectly, intelligible to the general reader. + </p> + <p> + Still the Monastery, though exposed to severe and just criticism, did not + fail, judging from the extent of its circulation, to have some interest + for the public. And this, too, was according to the ordinary course of + such matters; for it very seldom happens that literary reputation is + gained by a single effort, and still more rarely is it lost by a solitary + miscarriage. + </p> + <p> + The author, therefore, had his days of grace allowed him, and time, if he + pleased, to comfort himself with the burden of the old Scots song, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “If it isna weel bobbit. + We'll bob it again.” + </pre> + <p> + ABBOTSFORD, <i>1st November</i>, 1830. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0030m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0030m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0030.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE + </h2> + <h4> + FROM CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK, LATE OF HIS MAJESTY'S —— REGIMENT OF + INFANTRY, TO THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY. + </h4> + <p> + Sir, + </p> + <p> + Although I do not pretend to the pleasure of your personal acquaintance, + like many whom I believe to be equally strangers to you, I am nevertheless + interested in your publications, and desire their continuance;-not that I + pretend to much taste in fictitious composition, or that I am apt to be + interested in your grave scenes, or amused by those which are meant to be + lively. I will not disguise from you, that I have yawned over the last + interview of MacIvor and his sister, and fell fairly asleep while the + schoolmaster was reading the humours of Dandie Dinmont. You see, sir, that + I scorn to solicit your favour in a way to which you are no stranger. If + the papers I enclose you are worth nothing, I will not endeavour to + recommend them by personal flattery, as a bad cook pours rancid butter + upon stale fish. No, sir! what I respect in you is the light you have + occasionally thrown on national antiquities, a study which I have + commenced rather late in life, but to which I am attached with the + devotions of a first love, because it is the only study I ever cared a + farthing for. + </p> + <p> + You shall have my history, sir, (it will not reach to three volumes,) + before that of my manuscript; and as you usually throw out a few lines of + verse (by way of skirmishers, I suppose) at the head of each division of + prose, I have had the luck to light upon a stanza in the schoolmaster's + copy of Burns which describes me exactly. I love it the better, because it + was originally designed for Captain Grose, an excellent antiquary, though, + like yourself, somewhat too apt to treat with levity his own pursuits: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Tis said he was a soldier bred, + And ane wad rather fa'en than fled; + But now he's quit the spurtle blade, + And dog-skin wallet, + And ta'en the—antiquarian trade, + I think, they call it. +</pre> + <p> + I never could conceive what influenced me, when a boy, in the choice of a + profession. Military zeal and ardour it was not, which made me stand out + for a commission in the Scots Fusiliers, when my tutors and curators + wished to bind me apprentice to old David Stiles, Clerk to his Majesty's + Signet. I say, military zeal it was <i>not</i>; for I was no fighting boy + in my own person, and cared not a penny to read the history of the heroes + who turned the world upside down in former ages. As for courage, I had, as + I have since discovered, just as much of it as serve'd my turn, and not + one frain of surplus. I soon found out, indeed, that in action there was + more anger in running away than in standing fast; and besides, I could not + afford to lose my commission, which was my chief means of support. But, as + for that overboiling valour, which I have heard many of <i>ours</i> talk + of, though I seldom observed that it influenced them in the actual affair—-that + exuberant zeal, which courts Danger as a bride,—truly my courage was + of a complexion much less ecstatical. + </p> + <p> + Again, the love of a red coat, which, in default of all other aptitudes to + the profession, has made many a bad soldier and some good ones, was an + utter stranger to my disposition. I cared not a “bodle” for the company of + the misses: Nay, though there was a boarding-school in the village, and + though we used to meet with its fair inmates at Simon Lightfoot's weekly + Practising, I cannot recollect any strong emotions being excited on these + occasions, excepting the infinite regret with which I went through the + polite ceremonial of presenting my partner with an orange, thrust into my + pocket by my aunt for this special purpose, but which, had I dared, I + certainly would have secreted for my own personal use. As for vanity, or + love of finery for itself, I was such a stranger to it, that the + difficulty was great to make me brush my coat, and appear in proper trim + upon parade. I shall never forget the rebuke of my old Colonel on a + morning when the King reviewed a brigade of which ours made part. “I am no + friend to extravagance, Ensign Clutterbuck,” said he; “but, on the day + when we are to pass before the Sovereign of the kingdom, in the name of + God I would have at least shown him an inch of clean linen.” + </p> + <p> + Thus, a stranger to the ordinary motives which lead young men to make the + army their choice, and without the least desire to become either a hero or + a dandy, I really do not know what determined my thoughts that way, unless + it were the happy state of half-pay indolence enjoyed by Captain + Doolittle, who had set up his staff of rest in my native village. Every + other person had, or seemed to have, something to do, less or more. They + did not, indeed, precisely go to school and learn tasks, that last of + evils in my estimation; but it did not escape my boyish observation, that + they were all bothered with something or other like duty or labour—all + but the happy Captain Doolittle. The minister had his parish to visit, and + his preaching to prepare, though perhaps he made more fuss than he needed + about both. The laird had his farming and improving operations to + superintend; and, besides, he had to attend trustee meetings, and + lieutenancy meetings, and head-courts, and meetings of justices, and what + not—was as early up, (that I detested,) and as much in the open air, + wet and dry, as his own grieve. The shopkeeper (the village boasted but + one of eminence) stood indeed pretty much at his ease behind his counter, + for his custom was by no means overburdensome; but still he enjoyed his <i>status</i>, + as the Bailie calls it, upon condition of tumbling all the wares in his + booth over and over, when any one chose to want a yard of muslin, a + mousetrap, an ounce of caraways, a paper of pins, the Sermons of Mr. + Peden, or the Life of Jack the Giant-Queller, (not Killer, as usually + erroneously written and pronounced.—See my essay on the true history + of this worthy, where real facts have in a peculiar degree been obscured + by fable.) In short, all in the village were under the necessity of doing + something which they would rather have left undone, excepting Captain + Doolittle, who walked every morning in the open street, which formed the + high mall of our village, in a blue coat with a red neck, and played at + whist the whole evening, when he could make up a party. This happy vacuity + of all employment appeared to me so delicious, that it became the primary + hint, which, according to the system of Helvetius, as the minister says, + determined my infant talents towards the profession I was destined to + illustrate. + </p> + <p> + But who, alas! can form a just estimate of their future prospects in this + deceitful world? I was not long engaged in my new profession, before I + discovered, that if the independent indolence of half-pay was a paradise, + the officer must pass through the purgatory of duty and service in order + to gain admission to it. Captain Doolittle might brush his blue coat with + the red neck, or leave it unbrushed, at his pleasure; but Ensign + Clutterbuck had no such option. Captain Doolittle might go to bed at ten + o'clock, if he had a mind; but the Ensign must make the rounds in his + turn. What was worse, the Captain might repose under the tester of his + tent-bed until noon, if he was so pleased; but the Ensign, God help him, + had to appear upon parade at peep of day. As for duty, I made that as easy + as I could, had the sergeant to whisper to me the words of command, and + bustled through as other folks did. Of service, I saw enough for an + indolent man—was buffeted up and down the world, and visited both + the East and West Indies, Egypt, and other distant places, which my youth + had scarce dreamed of. The French I saw, and felt too; witness two fingers + on my right hand, which one of their cursed hussars took off with his + sabre as neatly as an hospital surgeon. At length, the death of an old + aunt, who left me some fifteen hundred pounds, snugly vested in the three + per cents, gave me the long-wished-for opportunity of retiring, with the + prospect of enjoying a clean shirt and a guinea four times a-week at + least. + </p> + <p> + For the purpose of commencing my new way of life, I selected for my + residence the village of Kennaquhair, in the south of Scotland, celebrated + for the ruins of its magnificent Monastery, intending there to lead my + future life in the <i>otium cum dignitate</i> of half-pay and annuity. I + was not long, however, in making the grand discovery, that in order to + enjoy leisure, it is absolutely necessary it should be preceded by + occupation. For some time, it was delightful to wake at daybreak, dreaming + of the reveill?—then to recollect my happy emancipation from the + slavery that doomed me to start at a piece of clattering parchment, turn + on my other side, damn the parade, and go to sleep again. But even this + enjoyment had its termination; and time, when it became a stock entirely + at my own disposal, began to hang heavy on my hand. + </p> + <p> + I angled for two days, during which time I lost twenty hooks, and several + scores of yards of gut and line, and caught not even a minnow. Hunting was + out of the question, for the stomach of a horse by no means agrees with + the half-pay establishment. When I shot, the shepherds, and ploughmen, and + my very dog, quizzed me every time that I missed, which was, generally + speaking, every time I fired. Besides, the country gentlemen in this + quarter like their game, and began to talk of prosecutions and interdicts. + I did not give up fighting the French to commence a domestic war with the + “pleasant men of Teviotdale,” as the song calls them; so I e'en spent + three days (very agreeably) in cleaning my gun, and disposing it upon two + hooks over my chimney-piece. + </p> + <p> + The success of this accidental experiment set me on trying my skill in the + mechanical arts. Accordingly I took down and cleaned my landlady's + cuckoo-clock, and in so doing, silenced that companion of the spring for + ever and a day. I mounted a turning-lathe, and in attempting to use it, I + very nearly cribbed off, with an inch-and-half former, one of the fingers + which the hussar had left me. + </p> + <p> + Books I tried, both those of the little circulating library, and of the + more rational subscription collection maintained by this intellectual + people. But neither the light reading of the one, nor the heavy artillery + of the other, suited my purpose. I always fell asleep at the fourth or + fifth page of history or disquisition; and it took me a month's hard + reading to wade through a half-bound trashy novel, during which I was + pestered with applications to return the volumes, by every half-bred + milliner's miss about the place. In short, during the time when all the + town besides had something to do, I had nothing for it, but to walk in the + church-yard, and whistle till it was dinner-time. + </p> + <p> + During these promenades, the ruins necessarily forced themselves on my + attention, and, by degrees, I found myself engaged in studying the more + minute ornaments, and at length the general plan, of this noble structure. + The old sexton aided my labours, and gave me his portion of traditional + lore. Every day added something to my stock of knowledge respecting the + ancient state of the building; and at length I made discoveries concerning + the purpose of several detached and very ruinous portions of it, the use + of which had hitherto been either unknown altogether or erroneously + explained. + </p> + <p> + The knowledge which I thus acquired I had frequent opportunities of + retailing to those visiters whom the progress of a Scottish tour brought + to visit this celebrated spot. Without encroaching on the privilege of my + friend the sexton, I became gradually an assistant Cicerone in the task of + description and explanation, and often (seeing a fresh party of visiters + arrive) has he turned over to me those to whom he had told half his story, + with the flattering observation, “What needs I say ony mair about it? + There's the Captain kens mair anent it than I do, or any man in the town.” + Then would I salute the strangers courteously, and expatiate to their + astonished minds upon crypts and chancels, and naves, arches, Gothic and + Saxon architraves, mullions and flying buttresses. It not unfrequently + happened, that an acquaintance which commenced in the Abbey concluded in + the inn, which served to relieve the solitude as well as the monotony of + my landlady's shoulder of mutton, whether roast, cold, or hashed. + </p> + <p> + By degrees my mind became enlarged; I found a book or two which + enlightened me on the subject of Gothic architecture, and I read now with + pleasure, because I was interested in what I read about. Even my character + began to dilate and expand. I spoke with more authority at the club, and + was listened to with deference, because on one subject, at least, I + possessed more information than any of its members. Indeed, I found that + even my stories about Egypt, which, to say truth, were somewhat + threadbare, were now listened to with more respect than formerly. “The + Captain,” they said, “had something in him after a',—there were few + folk kend sae muckle about the Abbey.” + </p> + <p> + With this general approbation waxed my own sense of self-importance, and + my feeling of general comfort. I ate with more appetite, I digested with + more ease, I lay down at night with joy, and slept sound till morning, + when I arose with a sense of busy importance, and hied me to measure, to + examine, and to compare the various parts of this interesting structure. I + lost all sense and consciousness of certain unpleasant sensations of a + nondescript nature, about my head and stomach, to which I had been in the + habit of attending, more for the benefit of the village apothecary than my + own, for the pure want of something else to think about. I had found out + an occupation unwittingly, and was happy because I had something to do. In + a word, I had commenced local antiquary, and was not unworthy of the name. + </p> + <p> + Whilst I was in this pleasing career of busy idleness, for so it might at + best be called, it happened that I was one night sitting in my little + parlour, adjacent to the closet which my landlady calls my bedroom, in the + act of preparing for an early retreat to the realms of Morpheus. Dugdale's + Monasticon, borrowed from the library at A———, was lying + on the table before me, flanked by some excellent Cheshire cheese, (a + present, by the way, from an honest London citizen, to whom I had + explained the difference between a Gothic and a Saxon arch,) and a glass + of Vanderhagen's best ale. Thus armed at all points against my old enemy + Time, I was leisurely and deliciously preparing for bed—now reading + a line of old Dugdale—now sipping my ale, or munching my bread and + cheese—now undoing the strings at my breeches' knees, or a button or + two of my waistcoat, until the village clock should strike ten, before + which time I make it a rule never to go to bed. A loud knocking, however, + interrupted my ordinary process on this occasion, and the voice of my + honest landlord of the George was heard vociferating, {Footnote: The + George was, and is, the principal inn in the village of Kennaquhair, or + Melrose. But the landlord of the period was not the same civil and quiet + person by whom the inn is now kept. David Kyle, a Melrose proprietor of no + little importance, a first-rate person of consequence in whatever belonged + to the business of the town, was the original owner and landlord of the + inn. Poor David, like many other busy men, took so much care of public + affairs, as in some degree to neglect his own. There are persons still + alive at Kennaquhair who can recognise him and his peculiarities in the + following sketch of mine Host of the George.} “What the deevil, Mrs. + Grimslees, the Captain is no in his bed? and a gentleman at our house has + ordered a fowl and minced collops, and a bottle of sherry, and has sent to + ask him to supper, to tell him all about the Abbey.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0039m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0039m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0039.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “Na,” answered Luckie Grimslees, in the true sleepy tone of a Scottish + matron when ten o'clock is going to strike, “he's no in his bed, but I'se + warrant him no gae out at this time o' night to keep folks sitting up + waiting for him—the Captain's a decent man.” + </p> + <p> + I plainly perceived this last compliment was made for my hearing, by way + both of indicating and of recommending the course of conduct which Mrs. + Grimslees desired I should pursue. But I had not been knocked about the + world for thirty years and odd, and lived a bluff bachelor all the while, + to come home and be put under petticoat government by my landlady. + Accordingly I opened my chamber-door, and desired my old friend David to + walk up stairs. + </p> + <p> + “Captain,” said he, as he entered, “I am as glad to find you up as if I + had hooked a twenty pound saumon. There's a gentleman up yonder that will + not sleep sound in his bed this blessed night unless he has the pleasure + to drink a glass of wine with you.” + </p> + <p> + “You know, David,” I replied, with becoming dignity, “that I cannot with + propriety go out to visit strangers at this time of night, or accept of + invitations from people of whom I know nothing.” + </p> + <p> + David swore a round oath, and added, “Was ever the like heard of? He has + ordered a fowl and egg sauce, a pancake and minced collops and a bottle of + sherry—D'ye think I wad come and ask you to go to keep company with + ony bit English rider that sups on toasted cheese, and a cheerer of + rum-toddy? This is a gentleman every inch of him, and a virtuoso, a clean + virtuoso-a sad-coloured stand of claithes, and a wig like the curled back + of a mug-ewe. The very first question he speered was about the auld + drawbrig that has been at the bottom of the water these twal score years—I + have seen the fundations when we were sticking saumon—And how the + deevil suld he ken ony thing about the old drawbrig, unless he were a + virtuoso?” {Footnote: There is more to be said about this old bridge + hereafter. See Note, p. 57.} + </p> + <p> + David being a virtuoso in his own way, and moreover a landholder and + heritor, was a qualified judge of all who frequented his house, and + therefore I could not avoid again tying the strings of my knees. + </p> + <p> + “That's right, Captain,” vociferated David; “you twa will be as thick as + three in a bed an ance ye forgather. I haena seen the like o' him my very + sell since I saw the great Doctor Samuel Johnson on his tower through + Scotland, whilk tower is lying in my back parlour for the amusement of my + guests, wi' the twa boards torn aff.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the gentleman is a scholar, David?” + </p> + <p> + “I'se uphaud him a scholar,” answered David: “he has a black coat on, or a + brown ane, at ony-rate.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he a clergyman?” + </p> + <p> + “I am thinking no, for he looked after his horse's supper before he spoke + o' his ain,” replied mine host. + </p> + <p> + “Has he a servant?” demanded I. + </p> + <p> + “Nae servant,” answered David; “but a grand face o' his ain, that wad gar + ony body be willing to serve him that looks upon him.” + </p> + <p> + “And what makes him think of disturbing me? Ah, David, this has been some + of your chattering; you are perpetually bringing your guests on my + shoulders, as if it were my business to entertain every man who comes to + the George.” + </p> + <p> + “What the deil wad ye hae me do, Captain?” answered mine host; “a + gentleman lights down, and asks me in a most earnest manner, what man of + sense and learning there is about our town, that can tell him about the + antiquities of the place, and specially about the auld Abbey—ye + wadna hae me tell the gentleman a lee? and ye ken weel eneugh there is + naebody in the town can say a reasonable word about it, be it no yoursell, + except the bedral, and he is as fou as a piper by this time. So, says I, + there's Captain Clutterbuck, that's a very civil gentleman and has little + to do forby telling a' the auld cracks about the Abbey, and dwells just + hard by. Then says the gentleman to me, 'Sir,' says he, very civilly, + 'have the goodness to step to Captain Clutterbuck with my compliments, and + say I am a stranger, who have been led to these parts chiefly by the fame + of these Ruins, and that I would call upon him, but the hour is late.' And + mair he said that I have forgotten, but I weel remember it ended,—'And, + landlord, get a bottle of your best sherry, and supper for two.'—Ye + wadna have had me refuse to do the gentleman's bidding, and me a + publican?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, David,” said I, “I wish your virtuoso had taken a fitter hour—but + as you say he is a gentleman—” + </p> + <p> + “I'se uphaud him that—the order speaks for itsell—a bottle of + sherry—minched collops and a fowl—that's speaking like a + gentleman, I trow?—That's right, Captain, button weel up, the + night's raw—but the water's clearing for a' that; we'll be on't + neist night wi' my Lord's boats, and we'll hae ill luck if I dinna send + you a kipper to relish your ale at e'en.” {Footnote: The nobleman whose + boats are mentioned in the text, is the late kind and amiable Lord + Sommerville, an intimate friend of the author. David Kyle was a constant + and privileged attendant when Lord Sommerville had a party for spearing + salmon; on such occasions, eighty or a hundred fish were often killed + between Gleamer and Leaderfoot.} + </p> + <p> + In five minutes after this dialogue, I found myself in the parlour of the + George, and in the presence of the stranger. + </p> + <p> + He was a grave personage, about my own age, (which we shall call about + fifty,) and really had, as my friend David expressed it, something in his + face that inclined men to oblige and to serve him. Yet this expression of + authority was not at all of the cast which I have seen in the countenance + of a general of brigade, neither was the stranger's dress at all martial. + It consisted of a uniform suit of iron-gray clothes, cut in rather an + old-fashioned form. His legs were defended with strong leathern gambadoes, + which, according to an antiquarian contrivance, opened at the sides, and + were secured by steel clasps. His countenance was worn as much by toil and + sorrow as by age, for it intimated that he had seen and endured much. His + address was singularly pleasing and gentlemanlike, and the apology which + he made for disturbing me at such an hour, and in such a manner, was so + well and handsomely expressed, that I could not reply otherwise than by + declaring my willingness to be of service to him. + </p> + <p> + “I have been a traveller to-day, sir,” said he, “and I would willingly + defer the little I have to say till after supper, for which I feel rather + more appetized than usual.” + </p> + <p> + We sate down to table, and notwithstanding the stranger's alleged + appetite, as well as the gentle preparation of cheese and ale which I had + already laid aboard, I really believe that I of the two did the greater + honour to my friend David's fowl and minced collops. + </p> + <p> + When the cloth was removed, and we had each made a tumbler of negus, of + that liquor which hosts call Sherry, and guests call Lisbon, I perceived + that the stranger seemed pensive, silent, and somewhat embarrassed, as if + he had something to communicate which he knew not well how to introduce. + To pave the way for him, I spoke of the ancient ruins of the Monastery, + and of their history. But, to my great surprise, I found I had met my + match with a witness. The stranger not only knew all that I could tell + him, but a great deal more; and, what was still more mortifying, he was + able, by reference to dates, charters, and other evidence of facts, that, + as Burns says, “downa be disputed,” to correct many of the vague tales + which I had adopted on loose and vulgar tradition, as well as to confute + more than one of my favourite theories on the subject of the old monks and + their dwellings, which I had sported freely in all the presumption of + superior information. And here I cannot but remark, that much of the + stranger's arguments and inductions rested upon the authority of Mr. + Deputy Register of Scotland, {Footnote: Thomas Thomson, Esq., whose + well-deserved panegyric ought to be found on another page than one written + by an intimate friend of thirty years' standing.} and his lucubrations; a + gentleman whose indefatigable research into the national records is like + to destroy my trade, and that of all local antiquaries, by substituting + truth instead of legend and romance. Alas! I would the learned gentleman + did but know how difficult it is for us dealers in petty wares of + antiquity to— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Pluck from our memories a rooted “legend,” + Raze out the written records of our brain. + Or cleanse our bosoms of that perilous stuff— +</pre> + <p> + and so forth. It would, I am sure, move his pity to think how many old + dogs he hath set to learn new tricks, how many venerable parrots he hath + taught to sing a new song, how many gray heads he hath addled by vain + attempts to exchange their old <i>Mumpsimus</i> for his new <i>Sumpsimus</i>. + But let it pass. <i>Humana perpessi sumus</i>—All changes round us, + past, present, and to come; that which was history yesterday becomes fable + to-day, and the truth of to-day is hatched into a lie by to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + Finding myself like to be overpowered in the Monastery, which I had + hitherto regarded as my citadel, I began, like a skilful general, to + evacuate that place of defence, and fight my way through the adjacent + country. I had recourse to my acquaintance with the families and + antiquities of the neighbourhood, ground on which I thought I might + skirmish at large without its being possible for the stranger to meet me + with advantage. But I was mistaken. + </p> + <p> + The man in the iron-gray suit showed a much more minute knowledge of these + particulars than I had the least pretension to. He could tell the very + year in which the family of De Haga first settled on their ancient barony. + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: The family of De Haga, modernized into Haig, of Bemerside, is + of the highest antiquity, and is the subject of one of the prophecies of + Thomas the Rhymer:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Betide, betide, whate'er betide. + Haig shall be Haig of Bemerside. } +</pre> + <p> + Not a Thane within reach but he knew his family and connexions, how many + of his ancestors had fallen by the sword of the English, how many in + domestic brawl, and how many by the hand of the executioner for + march-treason. Their castles he was acquainted with from turret to + foundation-stone; and as for the miscellaneous antiquities scattered about + the country, he knew every one of them, from a <i>cromlech</i> to a <i>cairn</i>, + and could give as good an account of each as if he had lived in the time + of the Danes or Druids. + </p> + <p> + I was now in the mortifying predicament of one who suddenly finds himself + a scholar when he came to teach, and nothing was left for me but to pick + up as much of his conversation as I could, for the benefit of the next + company. I told, indeed, Allan Ramsay's story of the Monk and Miller's + Wife, in order to retreat with some honour under cover of a parting + volley. Here, however, my flank was again turned by the eternal stranger. + </p> + <p> + “You are pleased to be facetious, sir,” said he; “but you cannot be + ignorant that the ludicrous incident you mentioned is the subject of a + tale much older than that of Allan Ramsay.” + </p> + <p> + I nodded, unwilling to acknowledge my ignorance, though, in fact, I knew + no more what he meant than did one of my friend David's post-horses. + </p> + <p> + “I do not allude,” continued my omniscient companion, “to the curious poem + published by Pinkerton from the Maitland Manuscript, called the Fryars of + Berwick, although it presents a very minute and amusing picture of + Scottish manners during the reign of James V.; but rather to the Italian + novelist, by whom, so far as I know, the story was first printed, although + unquestionably he first took his original from some ancient <i>fabliau</i>.” + {Footnote: It is curious to remark at how little expense of invention + successive ages are content to receive amusement. The same story which + Ramsay and Dunbar have successively handled, forms also the subject of the + modern farce, No Song, no Supper.} + </p> + <p> + “It is not to be doubted,” answered I, not very well understanding, + however, the proposition to which I gave such unqualified assent. + </p> + <p> + “Yet,” continued my companion, “I question much, had you known my + situation and profession, whether you would have pitched upon this precise + anecdote for my amusement.” + </p> + <p> + This observation he made in a tone of perfect good-humour. I pricked up my + ears at the hint, and answered as politely as I could, that my ignorance + of his condition and rank could be the only cause of my having stumbled on + anything disagreeable; and that I was most willing to apologize for my + unintentional offence, so soon as I should know wherein it consisted. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, no offence, sir,” he replied; “offence can only exist where it is + taken. I have been too long accustomed to more severe and cruel + misconstructions, to be offended at a popular jest, though directed at my + profession.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I to understand, then,” I answered, “that I am speaking with a + Catholic clergyman?” + </p> + <p> + “An unworthy monk of the order of Saint Benedict,” said the stranger, + “belonging to a community of your own countrymen, long established in + France, and scattered unhappily by the events of the Revolution.” “Then,” + said I, “you are a native Scotchman, and from this neighbourhood?” + </p> + <p> + “Not so,” answered the monk; “I am a Scotchman by extraction only, and + never was in this neighbourhood during my whole life.” + </p> + <p> + “Never in this neighbourhood, and yet so minutely acquainted with its + history, its traditions, and even its external scenery! You surprise me, + sir,” I replied. + </p> + <p> + “It is not surprising,” he said, “that I should have that sort of local + information, when it is considered, that my uncle, an excellent man, as + well as a good Scotchman, the head also of our religious community, + employed much of his leisure in making me acquainted with these + particulars; and that I myself, disgusted with what has been passing + around me, have for many years amused myself, by digesting and arranging + the various scraps of information which I derived from my worthy relative, + and other aged brethren of our order.” + </p> + <p> + “I presume, sir,” said I, “though I would by no means intrude the + question, that you are now returned to Scotland with a view to settle + amongst your countrymen, since the great political catastrophe of our time + has reduced your corps?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” replied the Benedictine, “such is not my intention. A European + potentate, who still cherishes the Catholic faith, has offered us a + retreat within his dominions, where a few of my scattered brethren are + already assembled, to pray to God for blessings on their protector, and + pardon to their enemies. No one, I believe, will be able to object to us + under our new establishment, that the extent of our revenues will be + inconsistent with our vows of poverty and abstinence; but, let us strive + to be thankful to God, that the snare of temporal abundance is removed + from us.” + </p> + <p> + “Many of your convents abroad, sir,” said I, “enjoyed very handsome + incomes—and yet, allowing for times, I question if any were better + provided for than the Monastery of this village. It is said to have + possessed nearly two thousand pounds in yearly money-rent, fourteen + chalders and nine bolls of wheat, fifty-six chalders five bolls barley, + forty-four chalders and ten bolls oats, capons and poultry, butter, salt, + carriage and arriage, peats and kain, wool and ale.” + </p> + <p> + “Even too much of all these temporal goods, sir,” said my companion, + “which, though well intended by the pious donors, served only to make the + establishment the envy and the prey of those by whom it was finally + devoured.” + </p> + <p> + “In the meanwhile, however,” I observed, “the monks had an easy life of + it, and, as the old song goes, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + —made gude kale + On Fridays when they fasted.” + </pre> + <p> + “I understand you, sir,” said the Benedictine; “it is difficult, saith the + proverb, to carry a full cup without spilling. Unquestionably the wealth + of the community, as it endangered the safety of the establishment by + exciting the cupidity of others, was also in frequent instances a snare to + the brethren themselves. And yet we have seen the revenues of convents + expended, not only in acts of beneficence and hospitality to individuals, + but in works of general and permanent advantage to the world at large. The + noble folio collection of French historians, commenced in 1737, under the + inspection and at the expense of the community of Saint Maur, will long + show that the revenues of the Benedictines were not always spent in + self-indulgence, and that the members of that order did not uniformly + slumber in sloth and indolence, when they had discharged the formal duties + of their rule.” + </p> + <p> + As I knew nothing earthly at the time about the community of St. Maur, and + their learned labours, I could only return a mumbling assent to this + proposition. I have since seen this noble work in the library of a + distinguished family, and I must own I am ashamed to reflect, that, in so + wealthy a country as ours, a similar digest of our historians should not + be undertaken, under the patronage of the noble and the learned, in + rivalry of that which the Benedictines of Paris executed at the expense of + their own conventual funds. + </p> + <p> + “I perceive,” said the ex-Benedictine, smiling, “that your heretical + prejudices are too strong to allow us poor brethren any merit, whether + literary or spiritual.” + </p> + <p> + “Far from it, sir,” said I; “I assure you I have been much obliged to + monks in my time. When I was quartered in a Monastery in Flanders, in the + campaign of 1793, I never lived more comfortably in my life. They were + jolly fellows, the Flemish Canons, and right sorry was I to leave my good + quarters, and to know that my honest hosts were to be at the mercy of the + Sans-Culottes. But <i>fortune de la guerre!</i>” + </p> + <p> + The poor Benedictine looked down and was silent. I had unwittingly + awakened a train of bitter reflections, or rather I had touched somewhat + rudely upon a chord which seldom ceased to vibrate of itself. But he was + too much accustomed to this sorrowful train of ideas to suffer it to + overcome him. On my part, I hastened to atone for my blunder. “If there + was any object of his journey to this country in which I could, with + propriety, assist him, I begged to offer him my best services.” I own I + laid some little emphasis on the words “with propriety,” as I felt it + would ill become me, a sound Protestant, and a servant of government so + far as my half-pay was concerned, to implicate myself in any recruiting + which my companion might have undertaken in behalf of foreign seminaries, + or in any similar design for the advancement of Popery, which, whether the + Pope be actually the old lady of Babylon or no, it did not become me in + any manner to advance or countenance. + </p> + <p> + My new friend hastened to relieve my indecision. “I was about to request + your assistance, sir,” he said, “in a matter which cannot but interest you + as an antiquary, and a person of research. But I assure you it relates + entirely to events and persons removed to the distance of two centuries + and a half. I have experienced too much evil from the violent unsettlement + of the country in which I was born, to be a rash labourer in the work of + innovation in that of my ancestors.” + </p> + <p> + I again assured him of my willingness to assist him in anything that was + not contrary to my allegiance or religion. + </p> + <p> + “My proposal,” he replied, “affects neither.—May God bless the + reigning family in Britain! They are not, indeed, of that dynasty to + restore which my ancestors struggled and suffered in vain; but the + Providence who has conducted his present Majesty to the throne, has given + him the virtues necessary to his time—firmness and intrepidity—a + true love of his country, and an enlightened view of the dangers by which + she is surrounded.—For the religion of these realms, I am contented + to hope that the great Power, whose mysterious dispensation has rent them + from the bosom of the church, will, in his own good time and manner, + restore them to its holy pale. The efforts of an individual, obscure and + humble as myself, might well retard, but could never advance, a work so + mighty.” + </p> + <p> + “May I then inquire, sir,” said I, “with what purpose you seek this + country?” + </p> + <p> + Ere my companion replied, he took from his pocket a clasped paper book, + about the size of a regimental orderly-book, full, as it seemed, of + memoranda; and, drawing one of the candles close to him, (for David, as a + strong proof of his respect for the stranger, had indulged us with two,) + he seemed to peruse the contents very earnestly. + </p> + <p> + “There is among the ruins of the western end of the Abbey church,” said + he, looking up to me, yet keeping the memorandum-book half open, and + occasionally glancing at it, as if to refresh his memory, “a sort of + recess or chapel beneath a broken arch, and in the immediate vicinity of + one of those shattered Gothic columns which once supported the magnificent + roof, whose fall has now encumbered that part of the building with its + ruins.” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said I, “that I know whereabouts you are. Is there not in the + side wall of the chapel, or recess, which you mention, a large carved + stone, bearing a coat of arms, which no one hitherto has been able to + decipher?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” answered the Benedictine; and again consulting his + memoranda, he added, “the arms on the dexter side are those of + Glendinning, being a cross parted by a cross indented and countercharged + of the same; and on the sinister three spur-rowels for those of Avenel; + they are two ancient families, now almost extinct in this country—the + arms <i>part y per pale</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said I, “there is no part of this ancient structure with which + you are not as well acquainted as was the mason who built it. But if your + information be correct, he who made out these bearings must have had + better eyes than mine.” + </p> + <p> + “His eyes,” said the Benedictine, “have long been closed in death; + probably when he inspected the monument it was in a more perfect state, or + he may have derived his information from the tradition of the place.” + </p> + <p> + “I assure you,” said I, “that no such tradition now exists. I have made + several reconnoissances among the old people, in hopes to learn something + of the armorial bearings, but I never heard of such a circumstance. It + seems odd that you should have acquired it in a foreign land.” + </p> + <p> + “These trifling particulars,” he replied, “were formerly looked upon as + more important, and they were sanctified to the exiles who retained + recollection of them, because they related to a place dear indeed to + memory, but which their eyes could never again behold. It is possible, in + like manner, that on the Potomac or Susquehannah, you may find traditions + current concerning places in England, which are utterly forgotten in the + neighbourhood where they originated. But to my purpose. In this recess, + marked by the armorial bearings, lies buried a treasure, and it is in + order to remove it that I have undertaken my present journey.” + </p> + <p> + “A treasure!” echoed I, in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied the monk, “an inestimable treasure, for those who know how + to use it rightly.” + </p> + <p> + I own my ears did tingle a little at the word treasure, and that a + handsome tilbury, with a neat groom in blue and scarlet livery, having a + smart cockade on his glazed hat, seemed as it were to glide across the + room before gay eyes, while a voice, as of a crier, pronounced my ear, + “Captain Clutterbuck's tilbury—drive up.” But I resisted the devil, + and he fled from me. + </p> + <p> + “I believe,” said I, “all hidden treasure belongs either to the king or + the lord of the soil; and as I have served his majesty, I cannot concern + myself in any adventure which may have an end in the Court of Exchequer.” + </p> + <p> + “The treasure I seek,” said the stranger, smiling, “will not be envied by + princes or nobles,—-it is simply the heart of an upright man.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I understand you,” I answered; “some relic, forgotten in the + confusion of the Reformation. I know the value which men of your + persuasion put upon the bodies and limbs of saints. I have seen the Three + Kings of Cologne.” + </p> + <p> + “The relics which I seek, however,” said the Benedictine, “are not + precisely of that nature. The excellent relative whom I have already + mentioned, amused his leisure hours with putting into form the traditions + of his family, particularly some remarkable circumstances which took place + about the first breaking out of the schism of the church in Scotland. He + became so much interested in his own labours, that at length he resolved + that the heart of one individual, the hero of his tale, should rest no + longer in a land of heresy, now deserted by all his kindred. As he knew + where it was deposited, he formed the resolution to visit his native + country for the purpose of recovering this valued relic. But age, and at + length disease, interfered with his resolution, and it was on his deathbed + that he charged me to undertake the task in his stead. The various + important events which have crowded upon each other, our ruin and our + exile, have for many years obliged me to postpone this delegated duty. + Why, indeed, transfer the relics of a holy and worthy man to a country, + where religion and virtue are become the mockery of the scorner? I have + now a home, which I trust may be permanent, if any thing in this earth can + be, termed so. Thither will I transport the heart of the good father, and + beside the shrine which it shall occupy, I will construct my own grave.” + </p> + <p> + “He must, indeed, have been an excellent man,” replied I, “whose memory, + at so distant a period, calls forth such strong marks of regard.” + </p> + <p> + “He was, as you justly term him,” said the ecclesiastic, “indeed excellent—excellent + in his life and doctrine—excellent, above all, in his self-denied + and disinterested sacrifice of all that life holds dear to principle and + to friendship. But you shall read his history. I shall be happy at once to + gratify your curiosity, and to show my sense of your kindness, if you will + have the goodness to procure me the means of accomplishing my object.” I + replied to the Benedictine, that, as the rubbish amongst which he proposed + to search was no part of the ordinary burial-ground, and as I was on the + best terms with the sexton, I had little doubt that I could procure him + the means of executing his pious purpose. + </p> + <p> + With this promise we parted for the night; and on the ensuing morning I + made it my business to see the sexton, who, for a small gratuity, readily + granted permission of search, on condition, however, that he should be + present himself, to see that the stranger removed nothing of intrinsic + value. + </p> + <p> + “To banes, and skulls, and hearts, if he can find ony, he shall be + welcome,” said this guardian of the ruined Monastery, “there's plenty a' + about, an he's curious of them; but if there be ony picts” (meaning + perhaps <i>pyx</i>) “or chalishes, or the like of such Popish veshells of + gold and silver, deil hae me an I conneve at their being removed.” + </p> + <p> + The sexton also stipulated, that our researches should take place at + night, being unwilling to excite observation, or give rise to scandal. My + new acquaintance and I spent the day as became lovers of hoar antiquity. + We visited every corner of these magnificent ruins again and again during + the forenoon; and, having made a comfortable dinner at David's, we walked + in the afternoon to such places in the neighbourhood as ancient tradition + or modern conjecture had rendered mark worthy. Night found us in the + interior of the ruins, attended by the sexton, who carried a dark lantern, + and stumbling alternately over the graves of the dead, and the fragments + of that architecture, which they doubtless trusted would have canopied + their bones till doomsday. + </p> + <p> + I am by no means particularly superstitious, and yet there was that in the + present service which I did not very much like. There was something awful + in the resolution of disturbing, at such an hour, and in such a place, the + still and mute sanctity of the grave. My companions were free from this + impression—the stranger from his energetic desire to execute the + purpose for which he came—and the sexton from habitual indifference. + We soon stood in the aisle, which, by the account of the Benedictine, + contained the bones of the family of Glendinning, and were busily employed + in removing the rubbish from a corner which the stranger pointed out. If a + half-pay Captain could have represented an ancient Border-knight, or an + ex-Benedictine of the nineteenth century a wizard monk of the sixteenth, + we might have aptly enough personified the search after Michael Scott's + lamp and book of magic power. But the sexton would have been <i>de trop</i> + in the group. {Footnote: This is one of those passages which must now read + awkwardly, since every one knows that the Novelist and the author of the + Lay of the Minstrel, is the same person. But before the avowal was made, + the author was forced into this and similar offences against good taste, + to meet an argument, often repeated, that there was something very + mysterious in the Author of Waverley's reserve concerning Sir Walter + Scott, an author sufficiently voluminous at least. I had a great mind to + remove the passages from this edition, but the more candid way is to + explain how they came there.} + </p> + <p> + Ere the stranger, assisted by the sexton in his task, had been long at + work, they came to some hewn stones, which seemed to have made part of a + small shrine, though now displaced and destroyed. + </p> + <p> + “Let us remove these with caution, my friend,” said the stranger, “lest we + injure that which I come to seek.” + </p> + <p> + “They are prime stanes,” said the sexton, “picked free every ane of them;—warse + than the best wad never serve the monks, I'se warrant.” + </p> + <p> + A minute after he had made this observation, he exclaimed, “I hae fund + something now that stands again' the spade, as if it were neither earth + nor stane.” + </p> + <p> + The stranger stooped eagerly to assist him. + </p> + <p> + “Na, na, haill o' my ain,” said the sexton; “nae halves or quarters;”—and + he lifted from amongst the ruins a small leaden box. + </p> + <p> + “You will be disappointed, my friend,” said the Benedictine, “if you + expect any thing there but the mouldering dust of a human heart, closed in + an inner case of porphyry.” + </p> + <p> + I interposed as a neutral party, and taking the box from the sexton, + reminded him, that if there were treasure concealed in it, still it could + not become the property of the finder. I then proposed, that as the place + was too dark to examine the contents of the leaden casket, we should + adjourn to David's, where we might have the advantage of light and fire + while carrying on our investigation. The stranger requested us to go + before, assuring us that he would follow in a few minutes. + </p> + <p> + I fancy that old Mattocks suspected these few minutes might be employed in + effecting farther discoveries amongst the tombs, for he glided back + through a side-aisle to watch the Benedictine's motions, but presently + returned, and told me in a whisper that “the gentleman was on his knees + amang the cauld stanes, praying like ony saunt.” + </p> + <p> + I stole back, and beheld the old man actually employed as Mattocks had + informed me. The language seemed to be Latin; and as, the whispered, yet + solemn accent, glided away through the ruined aisles, I could not help + reflecting how long it was since they had heard the forms of that + religion, for the exercise of which they had been reared at such cost of + time, taste, labour, and expense. “Come away, come away,” said I; “let us + leave him to himself, Mattocks; this is no business of ours.” + </p> + <p> + “My certes, no, Captain,” said Mattocks; “ne'ertheless, it winna be amiss + to keep an eye on him. My father, rest his saul, was a horse-couper, and + used to say he never was cheated in a naig in his life, saving by a + west-country whig frae Kilmarnock, that said a grace ower a dram o' + whisky. But this gentleman will be a Roman, I'se warrant?” + </p> + <p> + “You are perfectly right in that, Saunders,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, I have seen twa or three of their priests that were chased ower here + some score o' years syne. They just danced like mad when they looked on + the friars' heads, and the nuns' heads, in the cloister yonder; they took + to them like auld acquaintance like.—Od, he is not stirring yet, + mair than he were a through-stane! {Footnote: A tombstone.} I never kend a + Roman, to say kend him, but ane—mair by token, he was the only ane + in the town to ken—and that was auld Jock of the Pend. It wad hae + been lang ere ye fand Jock praying in the Abbey in a thick night, wi' his + knees on a cauld stane. Jock likit a kirk wi' a chimley in't. Mony a merry + ploy I hae had wi' him down at the inn yonder; and when he died, decently + I wad hae earded him; but, or I gat his grave weel howkit, some of the + quality, that were o' his ain unhappy persuasion, had the corpse whirried + away up the water, and buried him after their ain pleasure, doubtless—they + kend best. I wad hae made nae great charge. I wadna hae excised Johnnie, + dead or alive.—Stay, see—the strange gentleman is coming.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold the lantern to assist him, Mattocks,” said I.—“This is rough + walking, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied the Benedictine; “I may say with a poet, who is doubtless + familiar to you——” + </p> + <p> + I should be surprised if he were, thought I internally. + </p> + <p> + The stranger continued: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Saint Francis be my speed! how oft to-night + Have my old feet stumbled at graves!” + </pre> + <p> + “We are now clear of the churchyard,” said I, “and have but a short walk + to David's, where I hope we shall find a cheerful fire to enliven us after + our night's work.” + </p> + <p> + We entered, accordingly, the little parlour, into which Mattocks was also + about to push himself with sufficient effrontery, when David, with a most + astounding oath, expelled him by head and shoulders, d—ning his + curiosity, that would not let gentlemen be private in their own inn. + Apparently mine host considered his own presence as no intrusion, for he + crowded up to the table on which I had laid down the leaden box. It was + frail and wasted, as might be guessed, from having lain so many years in + the ground. On opening it, we found deposited within, a case made of + porphyry, as the stranger had announced to us. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy,” he said, “gentlemen, your curiosity will not be satisfied,—perhaps + I should say that your suspicions will not be removed,—unless I undo + this casket; yet it only contains the mouldering remains of a heart, once + the seat of the noblest thoughts.” + </p> + <p> + He undid the box with great caution; but the shrivelled substance which it + contained bore now no resemblance to what it might once have been, the + means used having been apparently unequal to preserve its shape and + colour, although they were adequate to prevent its total decay. We were + quite satisfied, notwithstanding, that it was, what the stranger asserted, + the remains of a human heart; and David readily promised his influence in + the village, which was almost co-ordinate with that of the bailie himself, + to silence all idle rumours. He was, moreover, pleased to favour us with + his company to supper; and having taken the lion's share of two bottles of + sherry, he not only sanctioned with his plenary authority the stranger's + removal of the heart, but, I believe, would have authorized the removal of + the Abbey itself, were it not that it happens considerably to advantage + the worthy publican's own custom. + </p> + <p> + The object of the Benedictine's visit to the land of his forefathers being + now accomplished, he announced his intention of leaving us early in the + ensuing day, but requested my company to breakfast with him before his + departure. I came accordingly, and when we had finished our morning's + meal, the priest took me apart, and pulling from his pocket a large bundle + of papers, he put them into my hands. “These,” said he, “Captain + Clutterbuck, are genuine Memoirs of the sixteenth century, and exhibit in + a singular, and, as I think, an interesting point of view, the manners of + that period. I am induced to believe that their publication will not be an + unacceptable present to the British public; and willingly make over to you + any profit that may accrue from such a transaction.” + </p> + <p> + I stared a little at this annunciation, and observed, that the hand seemed + too modern for the date he assigned to the manuscript. + </p> + <p> + “Do not mistake me, sir,” said the Benedictine; “I did not mean to say the + Memoirs were written in the sixteenth century, but only, that they were + compiled from authentic materials of that period, but written in the taste + and language of the present day. My uncle commenced this book; and I, + partly to improve my habit of English composition, partly to divert + melancholy thoughts, amused my leisure hours with continuing and + concluding it. You will see the period of the story where my uncle leaves + off his narrative, and I commence mine. In fact, they relate in a great + measure to different persons, as well as to a different period.” + </p> + <p> + Retaining the papers in my hand, I proceeded to state to him my doubts, + whether, as a good Protestant, I could undertake or superintend a + publication written probably in the spirit of Popery. + </p> + <p> + “You will find,” he said, “no matter of controversy in these sheets, nor + any sentiments stated, with which, I trust, the good in all persuasions + will not be willing to join. I remembered I was writing for a land + unhappily divided from the Catholic faith; and I have taken care to say + nothing which, justly interpreted, could give ground for accusing me of + partiality. But if, upon collating my narrative with the proofs to which I + refer you—for you will find copies of many of the original papers in + that parcel—you are of opinion that I have been partial to my own + faith, I freely give you leave to correct my errors in that respect. I + own, however, I am not conscious of this defect, and have rather to fear + that the Catholics may be of opinion, that I have mentioned circumstances + respecting the decay of discipline which preceded, and partly occasioned, + the great schism, called by you the Reformation, over which I ought to + have drawn a veil. And indeed, this is one reason why I choose the papers + should appear in a foreign land, and pass to the press through the hands + of a stranger.” + </p> + <p> + To this I had nothing to reply, unless to object my own incompetency to + the task the good father was desirous to impose upon me. On this subject + he was pleased to say more, I fear, than his knowledge of me fully + warranted—more, at any rate, than my modesty will permit me to + record. At length he ended, with advising me, if I continued to feel the + diffidence which I stated, to apply to some veteran of literature, whose + experience might supply my deficiencies. Upon these terms we parted, with + mutual expressions of regard, and I have never since heard of him. + </p> + <p> + After several attempts to peruse the quires of paper thus singularly + conferred on me, in which I was interrupted by the most inexplicable fits + of yawning, I at length, in a sort of despair, communicated them to our + village club, from whom they found a more favourable reception than the + unlucky conformation of my nerves had been able to afford them. They + unanimously pronounced the work to be exceedingly good, and assured me I + would be guilty of the greatest possible injury to our flourishing + village, if I should suppress what threw such an interesting and radiant + light upon the history of the ancient Monastery of Saint Mary. + </p> + <p> + At length, by dint of listening to their opinion, I became dubious of my + own; and, indeed, when I heard passages read forth by the sonorous voice + of our worthy pastor, I was scarce more tired than I have felt myself at + some of his own sermons. Such, and so great is the difference betwixt + reading a thing one's self, making toilsome way through all the + difficulties of manuscript, and, as the man says in the play, “having the + same read to you;”—it is positively like being wafted over a creek + in a boat, or wading through it on your feet, with the mud up to your + knees. Still, however, there remained the great difficulty of finding some + one who could act as editor, corrector at once of the press and of the + language, which, according to the schoolmaster, was absolutely necessary. + </p> + <p> + Since the trees walked forth to choose themselves a king, never was an + honour so bandied about. The parson would not leave the quiet of his + chimney-corner—the bailie pleaded the dignity of his situation, and + the approach of the great annual fair, as reasons against going to + Edinburgh to make arrangements for printing the Benedictine's manuscript. + The schoolmaster alone seemed of malleable stuff; and, desirous perhaps of + emulating the fame of Jedediah Cleishbotham, evinced a wish to undertake + this momentous commission. But a remonstrance from three opulent farmers, + whose sons he had at bed, board, and schooling, for twenty pounds per + annum a-head, came like a frost over the blossoms of his literary + ambition, and he was compelled to decline the service. + </p> + <p> + In these circumstances, sir, I apply to you, by the advice of our little + council of war, nothing doubting you will not be disinclined to take the + duty upon you, as it is much connected with that in which you have + distinguished yourself. What I request is, that you will review, or rather + revise and correct, the enclosed packet, and prepare it for the press, by + such alterations, additions, and curtailments, as you think necessary. + Forgive my hinting to you, that the deepest well may be exhausted,—the + best corps of grenadiers, as our old general of brigade expressed himself, + may be <i>used up</i>. A few hints can do you no harm; and, for the + prize-money, let the battle be first won, and it shall be parted at the + drum-head. I hope you will take nothing amiss that I have said. I am a + plain soldier, and little accustomed to compliments. I may add, that I + should be well contented to march in the front with you—that is, to + put my name with yours on the title-page. I have the honour to be, Sir, + Your unknown humble Servant, Cuthbert Clutterbuck. Village of Kennaquhair, + — of April, 18— + </p> + <p> + <i>For the Author of “Waverley,” &c. care of Mr. John Ballantyne, + Hanover Street, Edinburgh.</i> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ANSWER BY “THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY,” + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE FOREGOING LETTER FROM CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK. + </h3> + <h3> + DEAR CAPTAIN, + </h3> + <p> + Do not admire, that, notwithstanding the distance and ceremony of your + address, I return an answer in the terms of familiarity. The truth is, + your origin and native country are better known to me than even to + yourself. You derive your respectable parentage, if I am not greatly + mistaken, from a land which has afforded much pleasure, as well as profit, + to those who have traded to it successfully,—I mean that part of the + <i>terra incognita</i> which is called the province of Utopia. Its + productions, though censured by many (and some who use tea and tobacco + without scruple) as idle and unsubstantial luxuries, have nevertheless, + like many other luxuries, a general acceptation, and are secretly enjoyed + even by those who express the greatest scorn and dislike of them in + public. The dram-drinker is often the first to be shocked at the smell of + spirits—it is not unusual to hear old maiden ladies declaim against + scandal—the private book-cases of some grave-seeming men would not + brook decent eyes—and many, I say not of the wise and learned, but + of those most anxious to seem such, when the spring-lock of their library + is drawn, their velvet cap pulled over their ears, their feet insinuated + into their turkey slippers, are to be found, were their retreats suddenly + intruded upon, busily engaged with the last new novel. + </p> + <p> + I have said, the truly wise and learned disdain these shifts, and will + open the said novel as avowedly as they would the lid of their snuff-box. + I will only quote one instance, though I know a hundred. Did you know the + celebrated Watt of Birmingham, Captain Clutterbuck? I believe not, though, + from what I am about to state, he would not have failed to have sought an + acquaintance with you. It was only once my fortune to meet him, whether in + body or in spirit it matters not. There were assembled about half a score + of our Northern Lights, who had amongst them, Heaven knows how, a + well-known character of your country, Jedediah Cleishbotham. This worthy + person, having come to Edinburgh during the Christmas vacation, had become + a sort of lion in the place, and was lead in leash from house to house + along with the guisards, the stone-eater, and other amusements of the + season, which “exhibited their unparalleled feats to private + family-parties, if required.” Amidst this company stood Mr. Watt, the man + whose genius discovered the means of multiplying our national resources to + a degree perhaps even beyond his own stupendous powers of calculation and + combination; bringing the treasures of the abyss to the summit of the + earth—giving the feeble arm of man the momentum of an Afrite—commanding + manufactures to arise, as the rod of the prophet produced water in the + desert—affording the means of dispensing with that time and tide + which wait for no man, and of sailing without that wind which defied the + commands and threats of Xerxes himself. + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: Probably the ingenious author alludes to the national adage: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The king said sail, + But the wind said no. +</pre> + <p> + Our schoolmaster (who is also a land surveyor) thinks this whole passage + refers to Mr. Watt's improvements on the steam engine.—<i>Note by + Captain Clutterbuck</i>.} + </p> + <p> + This potent commander of the elements—this abridger of time and + space—this magician, whose cloudy machinery has produced a change on + the world, the effects of which, extraordinary as they are, are perhaps + only now beginning to be felt—was not only the most profound man of + science, the most successful combiner of powers and calculator of numbers + as adapted to practical purposes,—was not only one of the most + generally well-informed,—but one of the best and kindest of human + beings. + </p> + <p> + There he stood, surrounded by the little band I have mentioned of Northern + literati, men not less tenacious, generally speaking, of their own fame + and their own opinions, than the national regiments are supposed to be + jealous of the high character which they have won upon service. Methinks I + yet see and hear what I shall never see or hear again. In his eighty-fifth + year, the alert, kind, benevolent old man, had his attention alive to + every one's question, his information at every one's command. + </p> + <p> + His talents and fancy overflowed on every subject. One gentleman was a + deep philologist—he talked with him on the origin of the alphabet as + if he had been coeval with Cadmus; another a celebrated critic,—you + would have said the old man had studied political economy and + belles-lettres all his life,—of science it is unnecessary to speak, + it was his own distinguished walk. And yet, Captain Clutterbuck, when he + spoke with your countryman Jedediah Cleishbotham, you would have sworn he + had been coeval with Claver'se and Burley, with the persecutors and + persecuted, and could number every shot the dragoons had fired at the + fugitive Covenanters. In fact, we discovered that no novel of the least + celebrity escaped his perusal, and that the gifted man of science was as + much addicted to the productions of your native country, (the land of + Utopia aforesaid,) in other words, as shameless and obstinate a peruser of + novels, as if he had been a very milliner's apprentice of eighteen. I know + little apology for troubling you with these things, excepting the desire + to commemorate a delightful evening, and a wish to encourage you to shake + off that modest diffidence which makes you afraid of being supposed + connected with the fairy-land of delusive fiction. I will requite your tag + of verse, from Horace himself, with a paraphrase for your own use, my dear + Captain, and for that of your country club, excepting in reverence the + clergyman and schoolmaster:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Ne sit ancillae tibi amor pudori, &c.</i> + + Take thou no scorn. + Of fiction born, + Fair fiction's muse to woe; + Old Homer's theme + Was but a dream, + Himself a fiction too. +</pre> + <p> + Having told you your country, I must next, my dear Captain Clutterbuck, + make free to mention your own immediate descent. You are not to suppose + your land of prodigies so little known to us as the careful concealment of + your origin would seem to imply. But you have it in common with many of + your country, studiously and anxiously to hide any connexion with it. + There is this difference, indeed, betwixt your countrymen and those of our + more material world, that many of the most estimable of them, such as an + old Highland gentleman called Ossian, a monk of Bristol called Rowley, and + others, are inclined to pass themselves off as denizens of the land of + reality, whereas most of our fellow-citizens who deny their country are + such as that country would be very willing to disclaim. The especial + circumstances you mention relating to your life and services, impose not + upon us. We know the versatility of the unsubstantial species to which you + belong permits them to assume all manner of disguises; we have seen them + apparelled in the caftan of a Persian, and the silken robe of a Chinese, + {Footnote: See the Persian Letters, and the Citizen of the World.} and are + prepared to suspect their real character under every disguise. But how can + we be ignorant of your country and manners, or deceived by the evasion of + its inhabitants, when the voyages of discovery which have been made to it + rival in number those recorded by Purchas or by Hackluyt? {Footnote: See + Les Voyages Imaginaires.} And to show the skill and perseverance of your + navigators and travellers, we have only to name Sindbad, Aboulfouaris, and + Robinson Crusoe. These were the men for discoveries. Could we have sent + Captain Greenland to look out for the north-west passage, or Peter Wilkins + to examine Baffin's Bay, what discoveries might we not have expected? But + there are feats, and these both numerous and extraordinary, performed by + the inhabitants of your country, which we read without once attempting to + emulate. + </p> + <p> + I wander from my purpose, which was to assure you, that I know you as well + as the mother who <i>did</i> not bear you, for MacDuff's peculiarity + sticks to your whole race. You are not born of woman, unless, indeed, in + that figurative sense, in which the celebrated Maria Edgeworth may, in her + state of single blessedness, be termed mother of the finest family in + England. You belong, sir, to the Editors of the land of Utopia, a sort of + persons for whom I have the highest esteem. How is it possible it should + be otherwise, when you reckon among your corporation the sage Cid Hamet + Benengeli, the short-faced president of the Spectator's Club, poor Ben + Silton, and many others, who have acted as gentlemen-ushers to works which + have cheered our heaviest, and added wings to our lightest hours? + </p> + <p> + What I have remarked as peculiar to Editors of the class in which I + venture to enrol you, is the happy combination of fortuitous circumstances + which usually put you in possession of the works which you have the + goodness to bring into public notice. One walks on the sea-shore, and a + wave casts on land a small cylindrical trunk or casket, containing a + manuscript much damaged with sea-water, which is with difficulty + deciphered, and so forth. {Footnote: See the History of Automathes.} + Another steps into a chandler's shop, to purchase a pound of butter, and, + behold! the waste-paper on which it is laid is the manuscript of a + cabalist. {Footnote: Adventures of a Guinea.} A third is so fortunate as + to obtain from a woman who lets lodgings, the curious contents of an + antique bureau, the property of a deceased lodger. {Footnote: Adventures + of an Atom.} All these are certainly possible occurrences; but, I know not + how, they seldom occur to any Editors save those of your country. At least + I can answer for myself, that in my solitary walks by the sea, I never saw + it cast ashore any thing but dulse and tangle, and now and then a deceased + star-fish; my landlady never presented me with any manuscript save her + cursed bill; and the most interesting of my discoveries in the way of + waste-paper, was finding a favourite passage of one of my own novels wrapt + round an ounce of snuff. No, Captain, the funds from which I have drawn my + power of amusing the public, have been bought otherwise than by fortuitous + adventure. I have buried myself in libraries to extract from the nonsense + of ancient days new nonsense of my own. I have turned over volumes, which, + from the pot-hooks I was obliged to decipher, might have been the + cabalistic manuscripts of Cornelius Agrippa, although I never saw “the + door open and the devil come in.” {Footnote: See Southey's Ballad on the + Young Man who read in a Conjuror's Books.} But all the domestic + inhabitants of the libraries were disturbed by the vehemence of my + studies:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + From my research the boldest spider fled, + And moths, retreating, trembled as I read; +</pre> + <p> + From this learned sepulchre I emerged like the Magician in the Persian + Tales, from his twelve-month's residence in the mountain, not like him to + soar over the heads of the multitude, but to mingle in the crowd, and to + elbow amongst the throng, making my way from the highest society to the + lowest, undergoing the scorn, or, what is harder to brook, the patronizing + condescension of the one, and enduring the vulgar familiarity of the + other,—and all, you will say, for what?—to collect materials + for one of those manuscripts with which mere chance so often accommodates + your country-men; in other words, to write a successful novel.—“O + Athenians, how hard we labour to deserve your praise!” + </p> + <p> + I might stop here, my dear Clutterbuck; it would have a touching effect, + and the air of proper deference to our dear Public. But I will not be + false with you,—(though falsehood is—excuse the observation—the + current coin of your country,) the truth is, I have studied and lived for + the purpose of gratifying my own curiosity, and passing my own time; and + though the result has been, that, in one shape or other, I have been + frequently before the Public, perhaps more frequently than prudence + warranted, yet I cannot claim from them the favour due to those who have + dedicated their ease and leisure to the improvement and entertainment of + others. + </p> + <p> + Having communicated thus freely with you, my dear Captain, it follows, of + course, that I will gratefully accept of your communication, which, as + your Benedictine observed, divides itself both by subject, manner, and + age, into two parts. But I am sorry I cannot gratify your literary + ambition, by suffering your name to appear upon the title-page; and I will + candidly tell you the reason. + </p> + <p> + The Editors of your country are of such a soft and passive disposition, + that they have frequently done themselves great disgrace by giving up the + coadjutors who first brought them into public notice and public favour, + and suffering their names to be used by those quacks and impostors who + live upon the ideas of others. Thus I shame to tell how the sage Cid Hamet + Benengeli was induced by one Juan Avellaneda to play the Turk with the + ingenious Miguel Cervantes, and to publish a Second Part of the adventures + of his hero the renowned Don Quixote, without the knowledge or + co-operation of his principal aforesaid. It is true, the Arabian sage + returned to his allegiance, and thereafter composed a genuine continuation + of the Knight of La Mancha, in which the said Avellaneda of Tordesillas is + severely chastised. For in this you pseudo-editors resemble the juggler's + disciplined ape, to which a sly old Scotsman likened James I., “if you + have Jackoo in your hand, you can make him bite me; if I have Jackoo in my + hand, I can make him bite you.” Yet, notwithstanding the <i>amende + honorable</i> thus made by Cid Hamet Benengeli, his temporary defection + did not the less occasion the decease of the ingenious Hidalgo Don + Quixote, if he can be said to die, whose memory is immortal. Cervantes put + him to death, lest he should again fall into bad hands. Awful, yet just + consequence of Cid Hamet's defection! + </p> + <p> + To quote a more modern and much less important instance. I am sorry to + observe my old acquaintance Jedediah Cleishbotham has misbehaved himself + so far as to desert his original patron, and set up for himself. I am + afraid the poor pedagogue will make little by his new allies, unless the + pleasure of entertaining the public, and, for aught I know, the gentlemen + of the long robe, with disputes about his identity. + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: I am since more correctly informed, that Mr. Cleishbotham died + some months since at Gandercleuch, and that the person assuming his name + is an impostor. The real Jedediah made a most Christian and edifying end; + and, as I am credibly informed, having sent for a Cameronian clergyman + when he was <i>in extremis</i>, was so fortunate as to convince the good + man, that, after all, he had no wish to bring down on the scattered + remnant of Mountain folks, “the bonnets of Bonny Dundee.” Hard that the + speculators in print and paper will not allow a good man to rest quiet in + his grave. + </p> + <p> + This note, and the passages in the text, were occasioned by a London + bookseller having printed, as a Speculation, an additional collection of + Tales of My Landlord, which was not so fortunate as to succeed in passing + on the world as genuine.} + </p> + <p> + Observe, therefore, Captain Clutterbuck, that, wise by these great + examples, I receive you as a partner, but a sleeping partner only. As I + give you no title to employ or use the firm of the copartnery we are about + to form, I will announce my property in my title-page, and put my own mark + on my own chattels, which the attorney tells me it will be a crime to + counterfeit, as much as it would to imitate the autograph of any other + empiric—a crime amounting, as advertisements upon little vials + assure to us, to nothing short of felony. If, therefore, my dear friend, + your name should hereafter appear in any title-page without mine, readers + will know what to think of you. I scorn to use either arguments or + threats; but you cannot but be sensible, that, as you owe your literary + existence to me on the one hand, so, on the other, your very all is at my + disposal. I can at pleasure cut off your annuity, strike your name from + the half-pay establishment, nay, actually put you to death, without being + answerable to any one. These are plain words to a gentleman who has served + during the whole war; but, I am aware, you will take nothing amiss at my + hands. + </p> + <p> + And now, my good sir, let us address ourselves to our task, and arrange, + as we best can, the manuscript of your Benedictine, so as to suit the + taste of this critical age. You will find I have made very liberal use of + his permission, to alter whatever seemed too favourable to the Church of + Rome, which I abominate, were it but for her fasts and penances. + </p> + <p> + Our reader is doubtless impatient, and we must own, with John Bunyan, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + We have too long detain'd him in the porch, + And kept him from the sunshine with a torch. +</pre> + <p> + Adieu, therefore, my dear Captain—remember me respectfully to the + parson, the schoolmaster, and the bailie, and all friends of the happy + club in the village of Kennaquhair. I have never seen, and never shall + see, one of their faces; and notwithstanding, I believe that as yet I am + better acquainted with them than any other man who lives.—I shall + soon introduce you to my jocund friend, Mr. John Ballantyne of Trinity + Grove, whom you will find warm from his match at single-stick with a + brother Publisher. {Footnote: In consequence of the pseudo Tales of My + Landlord printed in London, as already mentioned, the late Mr. John + Ballantyne, the author's publisher, had a controversy with the interloping + bibliopolist, each insisting that his Jedediah Cleishbotham was the real + Simon Pure.} Peace to their differences! It is a wrathful trade, and the + <i>irritabile genus</i> comprehends the bookselling as well as the + book-writing species.—Once more adieu! + </p> + <h3> + THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY. + </h3> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0074m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0074m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0074.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE MONASTERY. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the First. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + O ay! the Monks, the Monks they did the mischief! + Theirs all the grossness, all the superstition + Of a most gross and superstitious age— + May He be praised that sent the healthful tempest + And scatter'd all these pestilential vapours! + But that we owed them <i>all</i> to yonder Harlot + Throned on the seven hills with her cup of gold, + I will as soon believe, with kind Sir Roger, + That old Moll White took wing with cat and broomstick, + And raised the last night's thunder. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + The village described in the Benedictine's manuscript by the name of + Kennaquhair, bears the same Celtic termination which occurs in Traquhair, + Caquhair, and other compounds. The learned Chalmers derives this word + Quhair, from the winding course of a stream; a definition which coincides, + in a remarkable degree, with the serpentine turns of the river Tweed near + the village of which we speak. It has been long famous for the splendid + Monastery of Saint Mary, founded by David the First of Scotland, in whose + reign were formed, in the same county, the no less splendid establishments + of Melrose, Jedburgh, and Kelso. The donations of land with which the King + endowed these wealthy fraternities procured him from the Monkish + historians the epithet of Saint, and from one of his impoverished + descendants the splenetic censure, “that he had been a sore saint for the + Crown.” + </p> + <p> + It seems probable, notwithstanding, that David, who was a wise as well as + a pious monarch, was not moved solely by religious motives to those great + acts of munificence to the church, but annexed political views to his + pious generosity. His possessions in Northumberland and Cumberland became + precarious after the loss of the Battle of the Standard; and since the + comparatively fertile valley of Teviot-dale was likely to become the + frontier of his kingdom, it is probable he wished to secure at least a + part of these valuable possessions by placing them in the hands of the + monks, whose property was for a long time respected, even amidst the rage + of a frontier war. In this manner alone had the King some chance of + ensuring protection and security to the cultivators of the soil; and, in + fact, for several ages the possessions of these Abbeys were each a sort of + Goshen, enjoying the calm light of peace and immunity, while the rest of + the country, occupied by wild clans and marauding barons, was one dark + scene of confusion, blood, and unremitted outrage. + </p> + <p> + But these immunities did not continue down to the union of the crowns. + Long before that period the wars betwixt England and Scotland had lost + their original character of international hostilities, and had become on + the part of the English, a struggle for subjugation, on that of the Scots + a desperate and infuriated defence of their liberties. This introduced on + both sides a degree of fury and animosity unknown to the earlier period of + their history; and as religious scruples soon gave way to national hatred + spurred by a love of plunder, the patrimony of the Church was no longer + sacred from incursions on either side. Still, however, the tenants and + vassals of the great Abbeys had many advantages over those of the lay + barons, who were harassed by constant military duty, until they became + desperate, and lost all relish for the arts of peace. The vassals of the + church, on the other hand, were only liable to be called to arms on + general occasions, and at other times were permitted in comparative quiet + to possess their farms and feus. {Footnote: Small possessions conferred + upon vassals and their heirs, held for a small quit-rent, or a moderate + proportion of the produce. This was a favourite manner, by which the + churchmen peopled the patrimony of their convents; and many descendants of + such <i>feuars</i>, as they are culled, are still to be found in + possession of their family inheritances in the neighbourhood of the great + Monasteries of Scotland.} They of course exhibited superior skill in every + thing that related to the cultivation of the soil, and were therefore both + wealthier and better informed than the military retainers of the restless + chiefs and nobles in their neighbourhood. + </p> + <p> + The residence of these church vassals was usually in a small village or + hamlet, where, for the sake of mutual aid and protection, some thirty or + forty families dwelt together. This was called the Town, and the land + belonging to the various families by whom the Town was inhabited, was + called the Township. They usually possessed the land in common, though in + various proportions, according to their several grants. The part of the + Township properly arable, and kept as such continually under the plough, + was called <i>in-field</i>. Here the use of quantities of manure supplied + in some degree the exhaustion of the soil, and the feuars raised tolerable + oats and bear, {Footnote: Or bigg, a kind of coarse barley.} usually sowed + on alternate ridges, on which the labour of the whole community was + bestowed without distinction, the produce being divided after harvest, + agreeably to their respective interests. + </p> + <p> + There was, besides, <i>out-field</i> land, from which it was thought + possible to extract a crop now and then, after which it was abandoned to + the “skiey influences,” until the exhausted powers of vegetation were + restored. These out-field spots were selected by any feuar at his own + choice, amongst the sheep-walks and hills which were always annexed to the + Township, to serve as pasturage to the community. The trouble of + cultivating these patches of out-field, and the precarious chance that the + crop would pay the labour, were considered as giving a right to any feuar, + who chose to undertake the adventure, to the produce which might result + from it. + </p> + <p> + There remained the pasturage of extensive moors, where the valleys often + afforded good grass, and upon which the whole cattle belonging to the + community fed indiscriminately during the summer, under the charge of the + Town-herd, who regularly drove them out to pasture in the morning, and + brought them back at night, without which precaution they would have + fallen a speedy prey to some of the Snatchers in the neighbourhood. These + are things to make modern agriculturists hold up their hands and stare; + but the same mode of cultivation is not yet entirely in desuetude in some + distant parts of North Britain, and may be witnessed in full force and + exercise in the Zetland Archipelago. + </p> + <p> + The habitations of the church-feuars were not less primitive than their + agriculture. In each village or town were several small towers, having + battlements projecting over the side walls, and usually an advanced angle + or two with shot-holes for flanking the door-way, which was always + defended by a strong door of oak, studded with nails, and often by an + exterior grated door of iron. These small peel-houses were ordinarily + inhabited by the principal feuars and their families; but, upon the alarm + of approaching danger, the whole inhabitants thronged from their own + miserable cottages, which were situated around, to garrison these points + of defence. It was then no easy matter for a hostile party to penetrate + into the village, for the men were habituated to the use of bows and + fire-arms, and the towers being generally so placed, that the discharge + from one crossed that of another, it was impossible to assault any of them + individually. + </p> + <p> + The interior of these houses was usually sufficiently wretched, for it + would have been folly to have furnished them in a manner which could + excite the avarice of their lawless neighbours. Yet the families + themselves exhibited in their appearance a degree of comfort, information, + and independence, which could hardly have been expected. Their in-field + supplied them with bread and home-brewed ale, their herds and flocks with + beef and mutton (the extravagance of killing lambs or calves was never + thought of). Each family killed a mart, or fat bullock, in November, which + was salted up for winter use, to which the good wife could, upon great + occasions, add a dish of pigeons or a fat capon,—the ill-cultivated + garden afforded “lang-cale,”—and the river gave salmon to serve as a + relish during the season of Lent. + </p> + <p> + Of fuel they had plenty, for the bogs afforded turf; and the remains of + the abused woods continued to give them logs for burning, as well as + timber for the usual domestic purposes. In addition to these comforts, the + good-man would now and then sally forth to the greenwood, and mark down a + buck of season with his gun or his cross-bow; and the Father Confessor + seldom refused him absolution for the trespass, if duly invited to take + his share of the smoking haunch. Some, still bolder, made, either with + their own domestics, or by associating themselves with the moss-troopers, + in the language of shepherds, “a start and overloup;” and the golden + ornaments and silken head-gear—worn by the females of one or two + families of note, were invidiously traced by their neighbours to such + successful excursions. This, however, was a more inexplicable crime in the + eyes of the Abbot and Community of Saint Mary's, than the borrowing one of + the “gude king's deer;” and they failed not to discountenance and punish, + by every means in their power, offences which were sure to lead to severe + retaliation upon the property of the church, and which tended to alter the + character of their peaceful vassalage. + </p> + <p> + As for the information possessed by those dependents of the Abbacies, they + might have been truly said to be better fed than taught, even though their + fare had been worse than it was. Still, however, they enjoyed + opportunities of knowledge from which others were excluded. The monks were + in general well acquainted with their vassals and tenants, and familiar in + the families of the better class among them, where they were sure to be + received with the respect due to their twofold character of spiritual + father and secular landlord. Thus it often happened, when a boy displayed + talents and inclination for study, one of the brethren, with a view to his + being bred to the church, or out of good-nature, in order to pass away his + own idle time, if he had no better motive, initiated him into the + mysteries of reading and writing, and imparted to him such other knowledge + as he himself possessed. And the heads of these allied families, having + more time for reflection, and more skill, as well as stronger motives for + improving their small properties, bore amongst their neighbours the + character of shrewd, intelligent men, who claimed respect on account of + their comparative wealth, even while they were despised for a less warlike + and enterprising turn than the other Borderers. They lived as much as they + well could amongst themselves, avoiding the company of others, and + dreading nothing more than to be involved in the deadly feuds and + ceaseless contentions of the secular landholders. + </p> + <p> + Such is a general picture of these communities. During the fatal wars in + the commencement of Queen Mary's reign, they had suffered dreadfully by + the hostile invasions. For the English, now a Protestant people, were so + far from sparing the church-lands, that they forayed them with more + unrelenting severity than even the possessions of the laity. But the peace + of 1550 had restored some degree of tranquillity to those distracted and + harassed regions, and matters began again gradually to settle upon the + former footing. The monks repaired their ravaged shrines—the feuar + again roofed his small fortalice which the enemy had ruined—the poor + labourer rebuilt his cottage—an easy task, where a few sods, stones, + and some pieces of wood from the next copse, furnished all the materials + necessary. The cattle, lastly, were driven out of the wastes and thickets + in which the remnant of them had been secreted; and the mighty bull moved + at the head of his seraglio and their followers, to take possession of + their wonted pastures. There ensued peace and quiet, the state of the age + and nation considered, to the Monastery of Saint Mary, and its + dependencies, for several tranquil years. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Second. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In yon lone vale his early youth was bred, + Not solitary then—the bugle-horn + Of fell Alecto often waked its windings, + From where the brook joins the majestic river, + To the wild northern bog, the curlew's haunt, + Where oozes forth its first and feeble streamlet. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + We have said, that most of the feuars dwelt in the village belonging to + their townships. This was not, however, universally the case. A lonely + tower, to which the reader must now be introduced, was at least one + exception to the general rule. + </p> + <p> + It was of small dimensions, yet larger than those which occurred in the + village, as intimating that, in case of assault, the proprietor would have + to rely upon his own unassisted strength. Two or three miserable huts, at + the foot of the fortalice, held the bondsmen and tenants of the feuar. The + site was a beautiful green knoll, which started up suddenly in the very + throat of a wild and narrow glen, and which, being surrounded, except on + one side, by the winding of a small stream, afforded a position of + considerable strength. + </p> + <p> + But the great security of Glendearg, for so the place was called, lay in + its secluded, and almost hidden situation. To reach the tower, it was + necessary to travel three miles up the glen, crossing about twenty times + the little stream, which, winding through the narrow valley, encountered + at every hundred yards the opposition of a rock or precipitous bank on the + one side, which altered its course, and caused it to shoot off in an + oblique direction to the other. The hills which ascend on each side of + this glen are very steep, and rise boldly over the stream, which is thus + imprisoned within their barriers. The sides of the glen are impracticable + for horse, and are only to be traversed by means of the sheep-paths which + lie along their sides. It would not be readily supposed that a road so + hopeless and so difficult could lead to any habitation more important than + the summer shealing of a shepherd. + </p> + <p> + Yet the glen, though lonely, nearly inaccessible, and sterile, was not + then absolutely void of beauty. The turf which covered the small portion + of level ground on the sides of the stream, was as close and verdant as if + it had occupied the scythes of a hundred gardeners once a-fortnight; and + it was garnished with an embroidery of daisies and wild flowers, which the + scythes would certainly have destroyed. The little brook, now confined + betwixt closer limits, now left at large to choose its course through the + narrow valley, danced carelessly on from stream to pool, light and + unturbid, as that better class of spirits who pass their way through life, + yielding to insurmountable obstacles, but as far from being subdued by + them as the sailor who meets by chance with an unfavourable wind, and + shapes his course so as to be driven back as little as possible. + </p> + <p> + The mountains, as they would have been called in England, <i>Scottice</i> + the steep <i>braes</i>, rose abruptly over the little glen, here + presenting the gray face of a rock, from which the turf had been peeled by + the torrents, and there displaying patches of wood and copse, which had + escaped the waste of the cattle and the sheep of the feuars, and which, + feathering naturally up the beds of empty torrents, or occupying the + concave recesses of the bank, gave at once beauty and variety to the + landscape. Above these scattered woods rose the hill, in barren, but + purple majesty; the dark rich hue, particularly in autumn, contrasting + beautifully with the thickets of oak and birch, the mountain ashes and + thorns, the alders and quivering aspens, which checquered and varied the + descent, and not less with the dark-green and velvet turf, which composed + the level part of the narrow glen. + </p> + <p> + Yet, though thus embellished, the scene could neither be strictly termed + sublime nor beautiful, and scarcely even picturesque or striking. But its + extreme solitude pressed on the heart; the traveller felt that uncertainty + whither he was going, or in what so wild a path was to terminate, which, + at times, strikes more on the imagination than the grand features of a + show-scene, when you know the exact distance of the inn where your dinner + is bespoke, and at the moment preparing. These are ideas, however, of a + far later age; for at the time we treat of, the picturesque, the + beautiful, the sublime, and all their intermediate shades, were ideas + absolutely unknown to the inhabitants and occasional visitors of + Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + These had, however, attached to the scene feelings fitting the time. Its + name, signifying the Red Valley, seems to have been derived, not only from + the purple colour of the heath, with which the upper part of the rising + banks was profusely clothed, but also from the dark red colour of the + rocks, and of the precipitous earthen banks, which in that country are + called <i>scaurs</i>. Another glen, about the head of Ettrick, has + acquired the same name from similar circumstances; and there are probably + more in Scotland to which it has been given. + </p> + <p> + As our Glendearg did not abound in mortal visitants, superstition, that it + might not be absolutely destitute of inhabitants, had peopled its recesses + with beings belonging to another world. The savage and capricious Brown + Man of the Moors, a being which seems the genuine descendant of the + northern dwarfs, was supposed to be seen there frequently, especially + after the autumnal equinox, when the fogs were thick, and objects not + easily distinguished. The Scottish fairies, too, a whimsical, irritable, + and mischievous tribe, who, though at times capriciously benevolent, were + more frequently adverse to mortals, were also supposed to have formed a + residence in a particularly wild recess of the glen, of which the real + name was, in allusion to that circumstance, <i>Corrie nan Shian</i>, + which, in corrupted Celtic, signifies the Hollow of the Fairies. But the + neighbours were more cautious in speaking about this place, and avoided + giving it a name, from an idea common then throughout all the British and + Celtic provinces of Scotland, and still retained in many places, that to + speak either good or ill of this capricious race of imaginary beings, is + to provoke their resentment, and that secrecy and silence is what they + chiefly desire from those who may intrude upon their revels, or discover + their haunts. + </p> + <p> + A mysterious terror was thus attached to the dale, which afforded access + from the broad valley of the Tweed, up the little glen we have described, + to the fortalice called the Tower of Glendearg. Beyond the knoll, where, + as we have said, the tower was situated, the hills grew more steep, and + narrowed on the slender brook, so as scarce to leave a footpath; and there + the glen terminated in a wild waterfall, where a slender thread of water + dashed in a precipitous line of foam over two or three precipices. Yet + farther in the same direction, and above these successive cataracts, lay a + wild and extensive morass, frequented only by waterfowl, wide, waste, + apparently almost interminable, and serving in a great measure to separate + the inhabitants of the glen from those who lived to the northward. + </p> + <p> + To restless and indefatigable moss-troopers, indeed, these morasses were + well known, and sometimes afforded a retreat. They often rode down the + glen—called at this tower—asked and received hospitality—but + still with a sort of reserve on the part of its more peaceful inhabitants, + who entertained them as a party of North-American Indians might be + received by a new European settler, as much out of fear as hospitality, + while the uppermost wish of the landlord is the speedy departure of the + savage guests. + </p> + <p> + This had not always been the current of feeling in the little valley and + its tower. Simon Glendinning, its former inhabitant, boasted his connexion + by blood to that ancient family of Glendonwyne, on the western border. He + used to narrate, at his fireside, in the autumn evenings, the feats of the + family to which he belonged, one of whom fell by the side of the brave + Earl of Douglas at Otterbourne. On these occasions Simon usually held upon + his knee an ancient broadsword, which had belonged to his ancestors before + any of the family had consented to accept a fief under the peaceful + dominion of the monks of St. Mary's. In modern days, Simon might have + lived at ease on his own estate, and quietly murmured against the fate + that had doomed him to dwell there, and cut off his access to martial + renown. But so many opportunities, nay so many calls there were for him, + who in those days spoke big, to make good his words by his actions, that + Simon Glendinning was soon under the necessity of marching with the men of + the Halidome, as it was called, of St. Mary's, in that disastrous campaign + which was concluded by the battle of Pinkie. + </p> + <p> + The Catholic clergy were deeply interested in that national quarrel, the + principal object of which was, to prevent the union of the infant Queen + Mary, with the son of the heretical Henry VIII. The Monks had called out + their vassals, under an experienced leader. Many of themselves had taken + arms, and marched to the field, under a banner representing a female, + supposed to personify the Scottish Church, kneeling in the attitude of + prayer, with the legend, <i>Afflictae Sponsae ne obliviscaris</i>. + {Footnote: Forget not the afflicted spouse.} + </p> + <p> + The Scots, however, in all their wars, had more occasion for good and + cautious generals, than for excitation, whether political or enthusiastic. + Their headlong and impatient courage uniformly induced them to rush into + action without duly weighing either their own situation, or that of their + enemies, and the inevitable consequence was frequent defeat. With the + dolorous slaughter of Pinkie we have nothing to do, excepting that, among + ten thousand men of low and high degree, Simon Glendinning, of the Tower + of Glendearg, bit the dust, no way disparaging in his death that ancient + race from which he claimed his descent. + </p> + <p> + When the doleful news, which spread terror and mourning through the whole + of Scotland, reached the Tower of Glendearg, the widow of Simon, Elspeth + Brydone by her family name, was alone in that desolate habitation, + excepting a hind or two, alike past martial and agricultural labour, and + the helpless widows and families of those who had fallen with their + master. The feeling of desolation was universal;—but what availed + it? The monks, their patrons and protectors, were driven from their Abbey + by the English forces, who now overran the country, and enforced at least + an appearance of submission on the part of the inhabitants. The Protector, + Somerset, formed a strong camp among the ruins of the ancient Castle of + Roxburgh, and compelled the neighbouring country to come in, pay tribute, + and take assurance from him, as the phrase then went. Indeed, there was no + power of resistance remaining; and the few barons, whose high spirit + disdained even the appearance of surrender, could only retreat into the + wildest fastnesses of the country, leaving their houses and property to + the wrath of the English, who detached parties everywhere to distress, by + military exaction, those whose chiefs had not made their submission. The + Abbot and his community having retreated beyond the Forth, their lands + were severely forayed, as their sentiments were held peculiarly inimical + to the alliance with England. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0080m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0080m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0080.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Amongst the troops detached on this service was a small party, commanded + by Stawarth Bolton, a captain in the English army, and full of the blunt + and unpretending gallantry and generosity which has so often distinguished + that nation. Resistance was in vain. Elspeth Brydone, when she descried a + dozen of horsemen threading their way up the glen, with a man at their + head, whose scarlet cloak, bright armour, and dancing plume, proclaimed + him a leader, saw no better protection for herself than to issue from the + iron grate, covered with a long mourning veil, and holding one of her two + sons in each hand, to meet the Englishman—state her deserted + condition—place the little tower at his command—and beg for + his mercy. She stated, in a few brief words, her intention, and added, “I + submit, because I have nae means of resistance.” + </p> + <p> + “And I do not ask your submission, mistress, for the same reason,” replied + the Englishman. “To be satisfied of your peaceful intentions is all I ask; + and, from what you tell me, there is no reason to doubt them.” + </p> + <p> + “At least, sir,” said Elspeth Brydone, “take share of what our spence and + our garners afford. Your horses are tired—your folk want + refreshment.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a whit—not a whit,” answered the honest Englishman; “it shall + never be said we disturbed by carousal the widow of a brave soldier, while + she was mourning for her husband.—Comrades, face about.—Yet + stay,” he added, checking his war-horse, “my parties are out in every + direction; they must have some token that your family are under my + assurance of safety.—Here, my little fellow,” said he, speaking to + the eldest boy, who might be about nine or ten years old, “lend me thy + bonnet.” + </p> + <p> + The child reddened, looked sulky, and hesitated, while the mother, with + many a <i>fye</i> and <i>nay pshaw</i>, and such sarsenet chidings as + tender mothers give to spoiled children, at length succeeded in snatching + the bonnet from him, and handing it to the English leader. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0083m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0083m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0083.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Stawarth Bolton took his embroidered red cross from his barret-cap, and + putting it into the loop of the boy's bonnet, said to the mistress, (for + the title of lady was not given to dames of her degree,) “By this token, + which all my people will respect, you will be freed from any importunity + on the part of our forayers.” {Footnote: As gallantry of all times and + nations has the same mode of thinking and acting, so it often expresses + itself by the same symbols. In the civil war 1745-6, a party of + Highlanders, under a Chieftain of rank, came to Rose Castle, the seat of + the Bishop of Carlisle, but then occupied by the family of Squire Dacre of + Cumberland. They demanded quarters, which of course were not to be refused + to armed men of a strange attire and unknown language. But the domestic + represented to the captain of the mountaineers, that the lady of the + mansion had been just delivered of a daughter, and expressed her hope, + that, under these circumstances, his party would give as little trouble as + possible. “God forbid,” said the gallant chief, “that I or mine should be + the means of adding to a lady's inconvenience at such a time. May I + request to see the infant?” The child was brought, and the Highlander, + taking his cockade out of his bonnet, and pinning it on the child's + breast, “That will be a token,” he said, “to any of our people who may + come hither, that Donald McDonald of Kinloch-Moidart, has taken the family + of Rose Castle under his protection.” The lady who received in infancy + this gage of Highland protection, is now Mary, Lady Clerk of Pennycuik; + and on the 10th of June still wears the cockade which was pinned on her + breast, with a white rose as a kindred decoration.} He placed it on the + boy's head; but it was no sooner there, than the little fellow, his veins + swelling, and his eyes shooting fire through tears, snatched the bonnet + from his head, and, ere his mother could interfere, skimmed it into the + brook. The other boy ran instantly to fish it out again, threw it back to + his brother, first taking out the cross, which, with great veneration, he + kissed and put into his bosom. The Englishman was half diverted, half + surprised, with the scene. + </p> + <p> + “What mean ye by throwing away Saint George's red cross?” said he to the + elder boy, in a tone betwixt jest and earnest. + </p> + <p> + “Because Saint George is a southern saint,” said the child, sulkily. + “Good”—said Stawarth Bolton.—“And what did you mean by taking + it out of the brook again, my little fellow?” he demanded of the younger. + “Because the priest says it is the common sign of salvation to all good + Christians.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, good again!” said the honest soldier. “I protest unto you, mistress, + I envy you these boys. Are they both yours?” + </p> + <p> + Stawarth Bolton had reason to put the question, for Halbert Glendinning, + the elder of the two, had hair as dark as the raven's plumage, black eyes, + large, bold, and sparkling, that glittered under eyebrows of the same + complexion; a skin deep embrowned, though it could not be termed swarthy, + and an air of activity, frankness, and determination, far beyond his age. + On the other hand, Edward, the younger brother, was light-haired, + blue-eyed, and of fairer complexion, in countenance rather pale, and not + exhibiting that rosy hue which colours the sanguine cheek of robust + health. Yet the boy had nothing sickly or ill-conditioned in his look, but + was, on the contrary, a fair and handsome child, with a smiling face, and + mild, yet cheerful eye. + </p> + <p> + The mother glanced a proud motherly glance, first at the one, and then at + the other, ere she answered the Englishman, “Surely, sir, they are both my + children.” + </p> + <p> + “And by the same father, mistress?” said Stawarth; but, seeing a blush of + displeasure arise on her brow, he instantly added, “Nay, I mean no + offence; I would have asked the same question at any of my gossips in + merry Lincoln.—Well, dame, you have two fair boys; I would I could + borrow one, for Dame Bolton and I live childless in our old hall.—Come, + little fellows, which of you will go with me?” + </p> + <p> + The trembling mother, half-fearing as he spoke, drew the children towards + her, one with either hand, while they both answered the stranger. “I will + not go with you,” said Halbert, boldly, “for you are a false-hearted + Southern; and the Southerns killed my father; and I will war on you to the + death, when I can draw my father's sword.” + </p> + <p> + “God-a-mercy, my little levin-bolt,” said Stawarth, “the goodly custom of + deadly feud will never go down in thy day, I presume.—And you, my + fine white-head, will you not go with me, to ride a cock-horse?” “No,” + said Edward, demurely, “for you are a heretic.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, God-a-mercy still!” said Stawarth Bolton. “Well, dame, I see I shall + find no recruits for my troop from you; and yet I do envy you these two + little chubby knaves.” He sighed a moment, as was visible, in spite of + gorget and corslet, and then added, “And yet, my dame and I would but + quarrel which of the knaves we should like best; for I should wish for the + black-eyed rogue—and she, I warrant me, for that blue-eyed, + fair-haired darling. Natheless, we must brook our solitary wedlock, and + wish joy to those that are more fortunate. Sergeant Brittson, do thou + remain here till recalled—protect this family, as under assurance—do + them no wrong, and suffer no wrong to be done to them, as thou wilt answer + it.—Dame, Brittson is a married man, old and steady; feed him on + what you will, but give him not over much liquor.” + </p> + <p> + Dame Glendinning again offered refreshments, but with a faltering voice, + and an obvious desire her invitation should not be accepted. The fact was, + that, supposing her boys as precious in the eyes of the Englishman as in + her own, (the most ordinary of parental errors,) she was half afraid, that + the admiration he expressed of them in his blunt manner might end in his + actually carrying off one or other of the little darlings whom he appeared + to covet so much. She kept hold of their hands, therefore, as if her + feeble strength could have been of service, had any violence been + intended, and saw with joy she could not disguise, the little party of + horse countermarch, in order to descend the glen. Her feelings did not + escape Bolton: “I forgive you, dame,” he said, “for being suspicious that + an English falcon was hovering over your Scottish moor-brood. But fear not—those + who have fewest children have fewest cares; nor does a wise man covet + those of another household. Adieu, dame; when the black-eyed rogue is able + to drive a foray from England, teach him to spare women and children, for + the sake of Stawarth Bolton.” + </p> + <p> + “God be with you, gallant Southern!” said Elspeth Glendinning, but not + till he was out of hearing, spurring on his good horse to regain the head + of his party, whose plumage and armour were now glancing and gradually + disappearing in the distance, as they winded down the glen. + </p> + <p> + “Mother,” said the elder boy, “I will not say amen to a prayer for a + Southern.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother,” said the younger, more reverentially, “is it right to pray for a + heretic?” + </p> + <p> + “The God to whom I pray only knows,” answered poor Elspeth; “but these two + words, Southern and heretic, have already cost Scotland ten thousand of + her best and bravest, and me a husband, and you a father; and, whether + blessing or banning, I never wish to hear them more.—Follow me to + the Place, sir,” she said to Brittson, “and such as we have to offer you + shall be at your disposal.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Third. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + They lighted down on Tweed water + And blew their coals sae het, + And fired the March and Teviotdale, + All in an evening late. + AULD MAITLAND. +</pre> + <p> + The report soon spread through the patrimony of Saint Mary's and its + vicinity, that the Mistress of Glendearg had received assurance from the + English Captain, and that her cattle were not to be driven off, or her + corn burned. Among others who heard this report, it reached the ears of a + lady, who, once much higher in rank than Elspeth Glendinning, was now by + the same calamity reduced to even greater misfortune. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0089m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0089m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0089.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + She was the widow of a brave soldier, Walter Avenel, descended of a very + ancient Border family, who once possessed immense estates in Eskdale. + These had long since passed from them into other hands, but they still + enjoyed an ancient Barony of considerable extent, not very far from the + patrimony of Saint Mary's, and lying upon the same side of the river with + the narrow vale of Glendearg, at the head of which was the little tower of + the Glendinnings. Here they had lived, bearing a respectable rank amongst + the gentry of their province, though neither wealthy nor powerful. This + general regard had been much augmented by the skill, courage, and + enterprise which had been displayed by Walter Avenel, the last Baron. + </p> + <p> + When Scotland began to recover from the dreadful shock she had sustained + after the battle of Pinkie-Cleuch, Avenel was one of the first who, + assembling a small force, set an example in those bloody and unsparing + skirmishes, which showed that a nation, though conquered and overrun by + invaders, may yet wage against them such a war of detail as shall in the + end become fatal to the foreigners. In one of these, however, Walter + Avenel fell, and the news which came to the house of his fathers was + followed by the distracting intelligence, that a party of Englishmen were + coming to plunder the mansion and lands of his widow, in order, by this + act of terror, to prevent others from following the example of the + deceased. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate lady had no better refuge than the miserable cottage of a + shepherd among the hills, to which she was hastily removed, scarce + conscious where or for what purpose her terrified attendants were removing + her and her infant daughter from her own house. Here she was tended with + all the duteous service of ancient times by the shepherd's wife, Tibb + Tacket, who in better days had been her own bowerwoman. For a time the + lady was unconscious of her misery; but when the first stunning effect of + grief was so far passed away that she could form an estimate of her own + situation, the widow of Avenel had cause to envy the lot of her husband in + his dark and silent abode. The domestics who had guided her to her place + of refuge, were presently obliged to disperse for their own safety, or to + seek for necessary subsistence; and the shepherd and his wife, whose poor + cottage she shared, were soon after deprived of the means of affording + their late mistress even that coarse sustenance which they had gladly + shared with her. Some of the English forayers had discovered and driven + off the few sheep which had escaped the first researches of their avarice. + Two cows shared the fate of the remnant of their stock; they had afforded + the family almost their sole support, and now famine appeared to stare + them in the face. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0096m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0096m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0096.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “We are broken and beggared now, out and out,” said old Martin the + shepherd—and he wrung his hands in the bitterness of agony, “the + thieves, the harrying thieves I not a cloot left of the haill hirsel!” + </p> + <p> + “And to see poor Grizzle and Crumbie,” said his wife, “turning back their + necks to the byre, and routing while the stony-hearted villains were + brogging them on wi' their lances!” + </p> + <p> + “There were but four of them,” said Martin, “and I have seen the day forty + wad not have ventured this length. But our strength and manhood is gane + with our puir maister.” + </p> + <p> + “For the sake of the holy rood, whisht, man,” said the goodwife, “our + leddy is half gane already, as ye may see by that fleightering of the + ee-lid—a word mair and she's dead outright.” + </p> + <p> + “I could almost wish,” said Martin, “we were a' gane, for what to do + passes my puir wit. I care little for mysell, or you, Tibb,—we can + make a fend—work or want—we can do baith, but she can do + neither.” + </p> + <p> + They canvassed their situation thus openly before the lady, convinced by + the paleness of her look, her quivering lip, and dead-set eye, that she + neither heard nor understood what they were saying. + </p> + <p> + “There is a way,” said the shepherd, “but I kenna if she could bring her + heart to it,—there's Simon Glendinning's widow of the glen yonder, + has had assurance from the Southern loons, and nae soldier to steer them + for one cause or other. Now, if the leddy could bow her mind to take + quarters with Elspeth Glendinning till better days cast up, nae doubt it + wad be doing an honour to the like of her, but——” + </p> + <p> + “An honour,” answered Tibb, “ay, by my word, sic an honour as wad be pride + to her kin mony a lang year after her banes were in the mould. Oh! + gudeman, to hear ye even the Lady of Avenel to seeking quarters wi' a + Kirk-vassal's widow!” + </p> + <p> + “Loath should I be to wish her to it,” said Martin; “but what may we do?—to + stay here is mere starvation; and where to go, I'm sure I ken nae mair + than ony tup I ever herded.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak no more of it,” said the widow of Avenel, suddenly joining in the + conversation, “I will go to the tower.—Dame Elspeth is of good folk, + a widow, and the mother of orphans,—she will give us house-room + until something be thought upon. These evil showers make the low bush + better than no bield.” + </p> + <p> + “See there, see there,” said Martin, “you see the leddy has twice our + sense.” + </p> + <p> + “And natural it is,” said Tibb, “seeing that she is convent-bred, and can + lay silk broidery, forby white-seam and shell-work.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not think,” said the lady to Martin, still clasping her child to + her bosom and making it clear from what motives she desired the refuge, + “that Dame Glendinning will make us welcome?” + </p> + <p> + “Blithely welcome, blithely welcome, my leddy,” answered Martin, cheerily, + “and we shall deserve a welcome at her hand. Men are scarce now, my leddy, + with these wars; and gie me a thought of time to it, I can do as good a + day's darg as ever I did in my life, and Tibb can sort cows with ony + living woman.” + </p> + <p> + “And muckle mair could I do,” said Tibb, “were it ony feasible house; but + there will be neither pearlins to mend, nor pinners to busk up, in Elspeth + Glendinning's.” + </p> + <p> + “Whisht wi' your pride, woman,” said the shepherd; “eneugh you can do, + baith outside and inside, an ye set your mind to it; and hard it is if we + twa canna work for three folk's meat, forby my dainty wee leddy there. + Come awa, come awa, nae use in staying here langer; we have five Scots + miles over moss and muir, and that is nae easy walk for a leddy born and + bred.” + </p> + <p> + Household stuff there was little or none to remove or care for; an old + pony which had escaped the plunderers, owing partly to its pitiful + appearance, partly from the reluctance which it showed to be caught by + strangers, was employed to carry the few blankets and other trifles which + they possessed. When Shagram came to his master's well-known whistle, he + was surprised to find the poor thing had been wounded, though slightly, by + an arrow, which one of the forayers had shot off in anger after he had + long chased it in vain. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, Shagram,” said the old man, as he applied something to the wound, + “must you rue the lang-bow as weel as all of us?” + </p> + <p> + “What corner in Scotland rues it not!” said the Lady of Avenel. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, ay, madam,” said Martin, “God keep the kindly Scot from the + cloth-yard shaft, and he will keep himself from the handy stroke. But let + us go our way; the trash that is left I can come back for. There is nae + ane to stir it but the good neighbours, and they——” + </p> + <p> + “For the love of God, goodman,” said his wife, in a remonstrating tone, + “haud your peace! Think what ye're saying, and we hae sae muckle wild land + to go over before we win to the girth gate.” + </p> + <p> + The husband nodded acquiescence; for it was deemed highly imprudent to + speak of the fairies, either by their title of <i>good neighbours</i> or + by any other, especially when about to pass the places which they were + supposed to haunt. + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: This superstition continues to prevail, though one would + suppose it must now be antiquated. It is only a year or two since an + itinerant puppet show-man, who, disdaining to acknowledge the profession + of Gines de Passamonte, called himself an artist from Vauxhall, brought a + complaint of a singular nature before the author, as Sheriff of + Selkirkshire. The singular dexterity with which the show-man had exhibited + the machinery of his little stage, had, upon a Selkirk fair-day, excited + the eager curiosity of some mechanics of Galashiels. These men, from no + worse motive that could be discovered than a thirst after knowledge beyond + their sphere, committed a burglary upon the barn in which the puppets had + been consigned to repose, and carried them off in the nook of their + plaids, when returning from Selkirk to their own village. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “But with the morning cool reflection came.” + </pre> + <p> + The party found, however, they could not make Punch dance, and that the + whole troop were equally intractable; they had also, perhaps, some + apprehensions of the Rhadamanth of the district; and, willing to be quit + of their booty, they left the puppets seated in a grove by the side of the + Ettrick, where they were sure to be touched by the first beams of the + rising sun. Here a shepherd, who was on foot with sunrise to pen his + master's sheep on a field of turnips, to his utter astonishment, saw this + train, profusely gay, sitting in the little grotto. His examination + proceeded thus:— + </p> + <p> + <i>Sheriff</i>. You saw these gay-looking things? what did you think they + were? + </p> + <p> + <i>Shepherd</i>. Ou, I am no that free to say what I might think they + were. + </p> + <p> + <i>Sheriff</i>. Come, lad, I must have a direct answer—who did you + think they were? + </p> + <p> + <i>Shepherd</i>. Ou, sir, troth I am no that free to say that I mind wha I + might think they were. + </p> + <p> + <i>Sheriff</i>. Come, come sir! I ask you distinctly, did you think they + were the fairies you saw? + </p> + <p> + <i>Shepherd</i>. Indeed, sir, and I winna say but I might think it was the + Good Neighbours. + </p> + <p> + Thus unwillingly was he brought to allude to the irritable and captious + inhabitants of fairy land.} + </p> + <p> + They set forward on their pilgrimage on the last day of October. “This is + thy birthday, my sweet Mary,” said the mother, as a sting of bitter + recollection crossed her mind. “Oh, who could have believed that the head, + which, a few years since, was cradled amongst so many rejoicing friends, + may perhaps this night seek a cover in vain!” + </p> + <p> + The exiled family then set forward,—Mary Avenel, a lovely girl + between five and six years old, riding gipsy fashion upon Shagram, betwixt + two bundles of bedding; the Lady of Avenel walking by the animal's side; + Tibb leading the bridle, and old Martin walking a little before, looking + anxiously around him to explore the way. + </p> + <p> + Martin's task as guide, after two or three miles' walking, became more + difficult than he himself had expected, or than he was willing to avow. It + happened that the extensive range of pasturage, with which he was + conversant, lay to the west, and to get into the little valley of + Glendearg he had to proceed easterly. In the wilder districts of Scotland, + the passage from one vale to another, otherwise than by descending that + which you leave, and reascending the other, is often very difficult.—Heights + and hollows, mosses and rocks intervene, and all those local impediments + which throw a traveller out of his course. So that Martin, however sure of + his general direction, became conscious, and at length was forced + reluctantly to admit, that he had missed the direct road to Glendearg, + though he insisted they must be very near it. “If we can but win across + this wide bog,” he said, “I shall warrant ye are on the top of the tower.” + But to get across the bog was a point of no small difficulty. The farther + they ventured into it, though proceeding with all the caution which + Martin's experience recommended, the more unsound the ground became, + until, after they had passed some places of great peril, their best + argument for going forward came to be, that they had to encounter equal + danger in returning. The Lady of Avenel had been tenderly nurtured, but + what will not a woman endure when her child is in danger? Complaining less + of the dangers of the road than her attendants, who had been inured to + such from their infancy, she kept herself close by the side of the pony, + watching its every footstep, and ready, if it should flounder in the + morass, to snatch her little Mary from its back. At length they came to a + place where the guide greatly hesitated, for all around him was broken + lumps of heath, divided from each other by deep sloughs of black tenacious + mire. After great consideration, Martin, selecting what he thought the + safest path, began himself to lead forward Shagram, in order to afford + greater security to the child. But Shagram snorted, laid his ears back, + stretched his two feet forward, and drew his hind feet under him, so as to + adopt the best possible posture for obstinate resistance, and refused to + move one yard in the direction indicated. Old Martin, much puzzled, now + hesitated whether to exert his absolute authority, or to defer to the + contumacious obstinacy of Shagram, and was not greatly comforted by his + wife's observation, who, seeing Shagram stare with his eyes, distend his + nostrils, and tremble with terror, hinted that “he surely saw more than + they could see.” + </p> + <p> + In this dilemma, the child suddenly exclaimed—“Bonny leddy signs to + us to come yon gate.” They all looked in the direction where the child + pointed, but saw nothing, save a wreath, of rising mist, which fancy might + form into a human figure; but which afforded to Martin only the sorrowful + conviction, that the danger of their situation was about to be increased + by a heavy fog. He once more essayed to lead forward Shagram; but the + animal was inflexible in its determination not to move in the direction + Martin recommended. “Take your awn way for it, then,” said Martin, “and + let us see what you can do for us.” + </p> + <p> + Shagram, abandoned to the discretion of his own free-will, set off boldly + in the direction the child had pointed. There was nothing wonderful in + this, nor in its bringing them safe to the other side of the dangerous + morass; for the instinct of these animals in traversing bogs is one of the + most curious parts of their nature, and is a fact generally established. + But it was remarkable, that the child more than once mentioned the + beautiful lady and her signals, and that Shagram seemed to be in the + secret, always moving in the same direction which she indicated. The Lady + of Avenel took little notice at the time, her mind being probably occupied + by the instant danger; but her attendants changed expressive looks with + each other more than once. + </p> + <p> + “All-Hallow Eve!” said Tibb, in a whisper to Martin. + </p> + <p> + “For the mercy of Our Lady, not a word of that now!” said Martin in reply. + “Tell your beads, woman, if you cannot be silent.” + </p> + <p> + When they got once more on firm ground, Martin recognized certain + land-marks, or cairns, on the tops of the neighbouring hills, by which he + was enabled to guide his course, and ere long they arrived at the Tower of + Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + It was at the sight of this little fortalice that the misery of her lot + pressed hard on the poor Lady of Avenel. When by any accident they had met + at church, market, or other place of public resort, she remembered the + distant and respectful air with which the wife of the warlike baron was + addressed by the spouse of the humble feuar. And now, so much was her + pride humbled, that she was to ask to share the precarious safety of the + same feuar's widow, and her pittance of food, which might perhaps be yet + more precarious. Martin probably guessed what was passing in her mind, for + he looked at her with a wistful glance, as if to deprecate any change of + resolution; and answering to his looks, rather than his words, she said, + while the sparkle of subdued pride once more glanced from her eye, “If it + were for myself alone, I could but die-but for this infant—the last + pledge of Avenel—” + </p> + <p> + “True, my lady,” said Martin, hastily; and, as if to prevent the + possibility of her retracting, he added, “I will step on and see Dame + Elspeth—I kend her husband weel, and have bought and sold with him, + for as great a man as he was.” + </p> + <p> + Martin's tale was soon told, and met all acceptance from her companion in + misfortune. The Lady of Avenel had been meek and courteous in her + prosperity; in adversity, therefore, she met with the greatest sympathy. + Besides, there was a point of pride in sheltering and supporting a woman + of such superior birth and rank; and, not to do Elspeth Glendinning + injustice, she felt sympathy for one whose fate resembled her own in so + many points, yet was so much more severe. Every species of hospitality was + gladly and respectfully extended to the distressed travellers, and they + were kindly requested to stay as long at Glendearg as their circumstances + rendered necessary, or their inclination prompted. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Fourth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ne'er be I found by thee unawed, + On that thrice hallow'd eve abroad. + When goblins haunt from flood and fen, + The steps of men. + COLLINS'S <i>Ode to Fear</i>. +</pre> + <p> + As the country became more settled, the Lady of Avenel would have + willingly returned to her husband's mansion. But that was no longer in her + power. It was a reign of minority, when the strongest had the best right, + and when acts of usurpation were frequent amongst those who had much power + and little conscience. + </p> + <p> + Julian Avenel, the younger brother of the deceased Walter, was a person of + this description. He hesitated not to seize upon his brother's house and + lands, so soon as the retreat of the English permitted him. At first, he + occupied the property in the name of his niece; but when the lady proposed + to return with her child to the mansion of its fathers, he gave her to + understand, that Avenel, being a male fief, descended to the brother, + instead of the daughter, of the last possessor. The ancient philosopher + declined a dispute with the emperor who commanded twenty legions, and the + widow of Walter Avenel was in no condition to maintain a contest with the + leader of twenty moss-troopers. Julian was also a man of service, who + could back a friend in case of need, and was sure, therefore, to find + protectors among the ruling powers. In short, however clear the little + Mary's right to the possessions of her father, her mother saw the + necessity of giving way, at least for the time, to the usurpation of her + uncle. + </p> + <p> + Her patience and forbearance were so far attended with advantage, that + Julian, for very shame's sake, could no longer suffer her to be absolutely + dependant on the charity of Elspeth Glendinning. A drove of cattle and a + bull (which were probably missed by some English farmer) were driven to + the pastures of Glendearg; presents of raiment and household stuff were + sent liberally, and some little money, though with a more sparing hand: + for those in the situation of Julian Avenel could come more easily by the + goods, than the representing medium of value, and made their payments + chiefly in kind. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, the widows of Walter Avenel and Simon Glendinning had + become habituated to each other's society, and were unwilling to part. The + lady could hope no more secret and secure residence than in the Tower of + Glendearg, and she was now in a condition to support her share of the + mutual housekeeping. Elspeth, on the other hand, felt pride, as well as + pleasure, in the society of a guest of such distinction, and was at all + times willing to pay much greater deference than the Lady of Walter Avenel + could be prevailed on to accept. + </p> + <p> + Martin and his wife diligently served the united family in their several + vocations, and yielded obedience to both mistresses, though always + considering themselves as the especial servants of the Lady of Avenel. + This distinction sometimes occasioned a slight degree of difference + between Dame Elspeth and Tibb; the former being jealous of her own + consequence, and the latter apt to lay too much stress upon the rank and + family of her mistress. But both were alike desirous to conceal such petty + squabbles from the lady, her hostess scarce yielding to her old domestic + in respect for her person. Neither did the difference exist in such a + degree as to interrupt the general harmony of the family, for the one + wisely gave way as she saw the other become warm; and Tibb, though she + often gave the first provocation, had generally the sense to be the first + in relinquishing the argument. + </p> + <p> + The world which lay beyond was gradually forgotten by the inhabitants of + this sequestered glen, and unless when she attended mass at the Monastery + Church upon some high holiday, Alice of Avenel almost forgot that she once + held an equal rank with the proud wives of the neighbouring barons and + nobles who on such occasions crowded to the solemnity. The recollection + gave her little pain. She loved her husband for himself, and in his + inestimable loss all lesser subjects of regret had ceased to interest her. + At times, indeed, she thought of claiming the protection of the Queen + Regent (Mary of Guise) for her little orphan, but the fear of Julian + Avenel always came between. She was sensible that he would have neither + scruple nor difficulty in spiriting away the child, (if he did not proceed + farther,) should he once consider its existence as formidable to his + interest. Besides, he led a wild and unsettled life, mingling in all feuds + and forays, wherever there was a spear to be broken; he evinced no purpose + of marrying, and the fate which he continually was braving might at length + remove him from his usurped inheritance. Alice of Avenel, therefore, + judged it wise to check all ambitious thoughts for the present, and remain + quiet in the rude, but peaceable retreat, to which Providence had + conducted her. + </p> + <p> + It was upon an All-Hallow's eve, when the family had resided together for + the space of three years, that the domestic circle was assembled round the + blazing turf-fire, in the old narrow hall of the Tower of Glendearg. The + idea of the master or mistress of the mansion feeding or living apart from + their domestics, was at this period never entertained. The highest end of + the board, the most commodious settle by the fire,—these were the + only marks of distinction; and the servants mingled, with deference + indeed, but unreproved and with freedom, in whatever conversation was + going forward. But the two or three domestics, kept merely for + agricultural purposes, had retired to their own cottages without, and with + them a couple of wenches, usually employed within doors, the daughters of + one of the hinds. + </p> + <p> + After their departure, Martin locked, first, the iron grate; and, + secondly, the inner door of the tower, when the domestic circle was thus + arranged. Dame Elspeth sate pulling the thread from her distaff; Tibb + watched the progress of scalding the whey, which hung in a large pot upon + the <i>crook</i>, a chain terminated by a hook, which was suspended in the + chimney to serve the purpose of the modern crane. Martin, while busied in + repairing some of the household articles, (for every man in those days was + his own carpenter and smith, as well as his own tailor and shoemaker,) + kept from time to time a watchful eye upon the three children. + </p> + <p> + They were allowed, however, to exercise their juvenile restlessness by + running up and down the hall, behind the seats of the elder members of the + family, with the privilege of occasionally making excursions into one or + two small apartments which opened from it, and gave excellent opportunity + to play at hide-and-seek. This night, however, the children seemed not + disposed to avail themselves of their privilege of visiting these dark + regions, but preferred carrying on their gambols in the vicinity of the + light. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile, Alice of Avenel, sitting close to an iron candlestick, + which supported a misshapen torch of domestic manufacture, read small + detached passages from a thick clasped volume, which she preserved with + the greatest care. The art of reading the lady had acquired by her + residence in a nunnery during her youth, but she seldom, of late years, + put it to any other use than perusing this little volume, which formed her + whole library. The family listened to the portions which she selected, as + to some good thing which there was a merit in hearing with respect, + whether it was fully understood or no. To her daughter, Alice of Avenel + had determined to impart their mystery more fully, but the knowledge was + at that period attended with personal danger, and was not rashly to be + trusted to a child. + </p> + <p> + The noise of the romping children interrupted, from time to time, the + voice of the lady, and drew on the noisy culprits the rebuke of Elspeth. + </p> + <p> + “Could they not go farther a-field, if they behoved to make such a din, + and disturb the lady's good words?” And this command was backed with the + threat of sending the whole party to bed if it was not attended to + punctually. Acting under the injunction, the children first played at a + greater distance from the party, and more quietly, and then began to stray + into the adjacent apartments, as they became impatient of the restraint to + which they were subjected. But, all at once, the two boys came + open-mouthed into the hall, to tell that there was an armed man in the + spence. + </p> + <p> + “It must be Christie of Clint-hill,” said Martin, rising; “what can have + brought him here at this time?” + </p> + <p> + “Or how came he in?” said Elspeth. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! what can he seek?” said the Lady of Avenel, to whom this man, a + retainer of her husband's brother, and who sometimes executed his + commissions at Glendearg, was an object of secret apprehension and + suspicion. “Gracious heavens!” she added, rising up, “where is my child?” + All rushed to the spence, Halbert Glendinning first arming himself with a + rusty sword, and the younger seizing upon the lady's book. They hastened + to the spence, and were relieved of a part of their anxiety by meeting + Mary at the door of the apartment. She did not seem in the slightest + degree alarmed, or disturbed. They rushed into the spence, (a sort of + interior apartment in which the family ate their victuals in the summer + season,) but there was no one there. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Christie of Clint-hill?” said Martin. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” said little Mary; “I never saw him.” + </p> + <p> + “And what made you, ye misleard loons,” said Dame Elspeth to her two boys, + “come yon gate into the ha', roaring like bullsegs, to frighten the leddy, + and her far frae strong?” The boys looked at each other in silence and + confusion, and their mother proceeded with her lecture. “Could ye find nae + night for daffin but Hallowe'en, and nae time but when the leddy was + reading to us about the holy Saints? May ne'er be in my fingers, if I + dinna sort ye baith for it!” The eldest boy bent his eyes on the ground, + the younger began to weep, but neither spoke; and the mother would have + proceeded to extremities, but for the interposition of the little maiden. + </p> + <p> + “Dame Elspeth, it was <i>my</i> fault—I did say to them, that I saw + a man in the spence.” + </p> + <p> + “And what made you do so, child,” said her mother, “to startle us all + thus?” + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said Mary, lowering her voice, “I could not help it.” + </p> + <p> + “Not help it, Mary!—you occasioned all this idle noise, and you + could not help it? How mean you by that, minion?” + </p> + <p> + “There really was an armed man in this spence,” said Mary; “and because I + was surprised to see him, I cried out to Halbert and Edward—” + </p> + <p> + “She has told it herself,” said Halbert Glendinning, “or it had never been + told by me.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor by me neither,” said Edward, emulously. + </p> + <p> + “Mistress Mary,” said Elspeth, “you never told us anything before that was + not true; tell us if this was a Hallowe'en cantrip, and make an end of + it.” The Lady of Avenel looked as if she would have interfered, but knew + not how; and Elspeth, who was too eagerly curious to regard any distant + hint, persevered in her inquiries. “Was it Christie of the Clint-hill?—I + would not for a mark that he were about the house, and a body no ken + whare.” + </p> + <p> + “It was not Christie,” said Mary; “it was—it was a gentleman—a + gentleman with a bright breastplate, like what I hae seen langsyne, when + we dwelt at Avenel—” + </p> + <p> + “What like was he?” continued Tibb, who now took share in the + investigation. + </p> + <p> + “Black-haired, black-eyed, with a peaked black beard,” said the child; + “and many a fold of pearling round his neck, and hanging down his breast + ower his breastplate; and he had a beautiful hawk, with silver bells, + standing on his left hand, with a crimson silk hood upon its head—” + </p> + <p> + “Ask her no more questions, for the love of God,” said the anxious menial + to Elspeth, “but look to my leddy!” But the Lady of Avenel, taking Mary in + her hand, turned hastily away, and, walking into the hall, gave them no + opportunity of remarking in what manner she received the child's + communication, which she thus cut short. What Tibb thought of it appeared + from her crossing herself repeatedly, and whispering into Elspeth's ear, + “Saint Mary preserve us!—the lassie has seen her father!” + </p> + <p> + When they reached the hall, they found the lady holding her daughter on + her knee, and kissing her repeatedly. When they entered, she again arose, + as if to shun observation, and retired to the little apartment where her + child and she occupied the same bed. + </p> + <p> + The boys were also sent to their cabin, and no one remained by the hall + fire save the faithful Tibb and dame Elspeth, excellent persons both, and + as thorough gossips as ever wagged a tongue. + </p> + <p> + It was but natural that they should instantly resume the subject of the + supernatural appearance, for such they deemed it, which had this night + alarmed the family. + </p> + <p> + “I could hae wished it had been the deil himself—be good to and + preserve us!—rather than Christie o' the Clint-hill,” said the + matron of the mansion, “for the word runs rife in the country, that he is + ane of the maist masterfu' thieves ever lap on horse.” + </p> + <p> + “Hout-tout, Dame Elspeth,” said Tibb, “fear ye naething frae Christie; + tods keep their ain holes clean. You kirk-folk make sic a fasherie about + men shifting a wee bit for their living! Our Border-lairds would ride with + few men at their back, if a' the light-handed lads were out o' gate.” + </p> + <p> + “Better they rade wi' nane than distress the country-side the gate they + do,” said Dame Elspeth. + </p> + <p> + “But wha is to haud back the Southron, then,” said Tibb, “if ye take away + the lances and broadswords? I trow we auld wives couldna do that wi' rock + and wheel, and as little the monks wi' bell and book.” + </p> + <p> + “And sae weel as the lances and broadswords hae kept them back, I trow!—I + was mair beholden to ae Southron, and that was Stawarth Bolton, than to a' + the border-riders ever wore Saint Andrew's cross—I reckon their + skelping back and forward, and lifting honest men's gear, has been a main + cause of a' the breach between us and England, and I am sure that cost me + a kind goodman. They spoke about the wedding of the Prince and our Queen, + but it's as like to be the driving of the Cumberland folk's stocking that + brought them down on us like dragons.” Tibb would not have failed in other + circumstances to answer what she thought reflections disparaging to her + country folk; but she recollected that Dame Elspeth was mistress of the + family, curbed her own zealous patriotism, and hastened to change the + subject. + </p> + <p> + “And is it not strange,” she said, “that the heiress of Avenel should have + seen her father this blessed night?” + </p> + <p> + “And ye think it was her father, then?” said Elspeth Glendinning. + </p> + <p> + “What else can I think?” said Tibb. + </p> + <p> + “It may hae been something waur, in his likeness,” said Dame Glendinning. + </p> + <p> + “I ken naething about that,” said Tibb,—“but his likeness it was, + that I will be sworn to, just as he used to ride out a-hawking; for having + enemies in the country, he seldom laid off the breast-plate; and for my + part,” added Tibb, “I dinna think a man looks like a man unless he has + steel on his breast, and by his side too.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no skill of your harness on breast or side either,” said Dame + Glendinning; “but I ken there is little luck in Hallowe'en sights, for I + have had ane myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, Dame Elspeth?” said old Tibb, edging her stool closer to the huge + elbow-chair occupied by her friend, “I should like to hear about that.” + </p> + <p> + “Ye maun ken, then, Tibb,” said Dame Glendinning, “that when I was a + hempie of nineteen or twenty, it wasna my fault if I wasna at a' the + merry-makings time about.” + </p> + <p> + “That was very natural,” said Tibb; “but ye hae sobered since that, or ye + wadna haud our braw gallants sae lightly.” + </p> + <p> + “I have had that wad sober me or ony ane,” said the matron, “Aweel, Tibb, + a lass like me wasna to lack wooers, for I wasna sae ill-favoured that the + tikes wad bark after me.” + </p> + <p> + “How should that be,” said Tibb, “and you sic a weel-favoured woman to + this day?” + </p> + <p> + “Fie, fie, cummer,” said the matron of Glendearg, hitching her seat of + honour, in her turn, a little nearer to the cuttle-stool on which Tibb was + seated; “weel-favoured is past my time of day; but I might pass then, for + I wasna sae tocherless but what I had a bit land at my breast-lace. My + father was portioner of Little-dearg.” + </p> + <p> + “Ye hae tell'd me that before,” said Tibb; “but anent the Hallowe'en?” + </p> + <p> + “Aweel, aweel, I had mair joes than ane, but I favoured nane o' them; and + sae, at Hallowe'en, Father Nicolas the cellarer—he was cellarer + before this father, Father Clement, that now is—was cracking his + nuts and drinking his brown beer with us, and as blithe as might be, and + they would have me try a cantrip to ken wha suld wed me: and the monk said + there was nae ill in it, and if there was, he would assoil me for it. And + wha but I into the barn to winnow my three weights o' naething—sair, + sair my mind misgave me for fear of wrang-doing and wrang-suffering baith; + but I had aye a bauld spirit. I had not winnowed the last weight clean + out, and the moon was shining bright upon the floor, when in stalked the + presence of my dear Simon Glendinning, that is now happy. I never saw him + plainer in my life than I did that moment; he held up an arrow as he + passed me, and I swarf'd awa wi' fright. Muckle wark there was to bring me + to mysell again, and sair they tried to make me believe it was a trick of + Father Nicolas and Simon between them, and that the arrow was to signify + Cupid's shaft, as the Father called it; and mony a time Simon wad threep + it to me after I was married—gude man, he liked not it should be + said that he was seen out o' the body!—But mark the end o' it, Tibb; + we were married, and the gray-goose wing was the death o' him after a'!” + </p> + <p> + “As it has been of ower mony brave men,” said Tibb; “I wish there wasna + sic a bird as a goose in the wide warld, forby the clecking that we hae at + the burn-side.” + </p> + <p> + “But tell me, Tibb,” said Dame Glendinning, “what does your leddy aye do + reading out o' that thick black book wi' the silver clasps?—there + are ower mony gude words in it to come frae ony body but a priest—An + it were about Robin Hood, or some o' David Lindsay's ballants, ane wad ken + better what to say to it. I am no misdoubting your mistress nae way, but I + wad like ill to hae a decent house haunted wi' ghaists and gyrecarlines.” + </p> + <p> + “Ye hae nae reason to doubt my leddy, or ony thing she says or does, Dame + Glendinning,” said the faithful Tibb, something offended; “and touching + the bairn, it's weel kend she was born on Hallowe'en, was nine years gane, + and they that are born on Hallowe'en whiles see mair than ither folk.” + </p> + <p> + “And that wad be the cause, then, that the bairn didna mak muckle din + about what it saw?—if it had been my Halbert himself, forby Edward, + who is of softer nature, he wad hae yammered the haill night of a + constancy. But it's like Mistress Mary hae sic sights mair natural to + her.” + </p> + <p> + “That may weel be,” said Tibb; “for on Hallowe'en she was born, as I tell + ye, and our auld parish priest wad fain hae had the night ower, and + All-Hallow day begun. But for a' that, the sweet bairn is just like ither + bairns, as ye may see yourself; and except this blessed night, and ance + before when we were in that weary bog on the road here, I kenna that it + saw mair than ither folk.” + </p> + <p> + “But what saw she in the bog, then,” said Dame Glendinning, “forby + moor-cocks and heather-blutters?” + </p> + <p> + “The wean saw something like a white leddy that weised us the gate,” said + Tibb; “when we were like to hae perished in the moss-hags—certain it + was that Shagram reisted, and I ken Martin thinks he saw something.” + </p> + <p> + “And what might the white leddy be?” said Elspeth; “have ye ony guess o' + that?” + </p> + <p> + “It's weel kend that, Dame Elspeth,” said Tibb; “if ye had lived under + grit folk, as I hae dune, ye wadna be to seek in that matter.” + </p> + <p> + “I hae aye keepit my ain ha' house abune my head,” said Elspeth, not + without emphasis, “and if I havena lived wi' grit folk, grit folk have + lived wi' me.” + </p> + <p> + “Weel, weel, dame,” said Tibb, “your pardon's prayed, there was nae + offence meant. But ye maun ken the great ancient families canna be just + served wi' the ordinary saunts, (praise to them!) like Saunt Anthony, + Saunt Cuthbert, and the like, that come and gang at every sinner's + bidding, but they hae a sort of saunts or angels, or what not, to + themsells; and as for the White Maiden of Avenel, she is kend ower the + haill country. And she is aye seen to yammer and wail before ony o' that + family dies, as was weel kend by twenty folk before the death of Walter + Avenel, haly be his cast!” + </p> + <p> + “If she can do nae mair than that,” said Elspeth, somewhat scornfully, + “they needna make mony vows to her, I trow. Can she make nae better fend + for them than that, and has naething better to do than wait on them?” + </p> + <p> + “Mony braw services can the White Maiden do for them to the boot of that, + and has dune in the auld histories,” said Tibb, “but I mind o' naething in + my day, except it was her that the bairn saw in the bog.” + </p> + <p> + “Aweel, aweel, Tibb,” said Dame Glendinning, rising and lighting the iron + lamp, “these are great privileges of your grand folk. But our Lady and + Saunt Paul are good eneugh saunts for me, and I'se warrant them never + leave me in a bog that they can help me out o', seeing I send four waxen + candles to their chapels every Candlemas; and if they are not seen to weep + at my death, I'se warrant them smile at my joyful rising again, whilk + Heaven send to all of us, Amen.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen,” answered Tibb, devoutly; “and now it's time I should hap up the + wee bit gathering turf, as the fire is ower low.” + </p> + <p> + Busily she set herself to perform this duty. The relict of Simon + Glendinning did but pause a moment to cast a heedful and cautious glance + all around the hall, to see that nothing was out of its proper place; + then, wishing Tibb good-night, she retired to repose. + </p> + <p> + “The deil's in the carline,” said Tibb to herself, “because she was the + wife of a cock-laird, she thinks herself grander, I trow, than the + bower-woman of a lady of that ilk!” Having given vent to her suppressed + spleen in this little ejaculation, Tibb also betook herself to slumber. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Fifth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A priest, ye cry, a priest!—lame shepherds they, + How shall they gather in the straggling flock? + Dumb dogs which bark not—how shall they compel + The loitering vagrants to the Master's fold? + Fitter to bask before the blazing fire, + And snuff the mess neat-handed Phillis dresses, + Than on the snow-wreath battle with the wolf. + REFORMATION. +</pre> + <p> + The health of the Lady of Avenel had been gradually decaying ever since + her disaster. It seemed as if the few years which followed her husband's + death had done on her the work of half a century. She lost the fresh + elasticity of form, the colour and the mien of health, and became wasted, + wan, and feeble. She appeared to have no formed complaint; yet it was + evident to those who looked on her, that her strength waned daily. Her + lips at length became blenched and her eye dim; yet she spoke not of any + desire to see a priest, until Elspeth Glendinning in her zeal could not + refrain from touching upon a point which she deemed essential to + salvation. Alice of Avenel received her hint kindly, and thanked her for + it. + </p> + <p> + “If any good priest would take the trouble of such a journey,” she said, + “he should be welcome; for the prayers and lessons of the good must be at + all times advantageous.” + </p> + <p> + This quiet acquiescence was not quite what Elspeth Glendinning wished or + expected. She made up, however, by her own enthusiasm, for the lady's want + of eagerness to avail herself of ghostly counsel, and Martin was + despatched with such haste as Shagram would make, to pray one of the + religious men of Saint Mary's to come up to administer the last + consolations to the widow of Walter Avenel. + </p> + <p> + When the Sacristan had announced to the Lord Abbot, that the Lady of the + umquhile Walter de Avenel was in very weak health in the Tower of + Glendearg, and desired the assistance of a father confessor, the lordly + monk paused on the request. + </p> + <p> + “We do remember Walter de Avenel,” he said; “a good knight and a valiant: + he was dispossessed of his lands, and slain by the Southron—May not + the lady come hither to the sacrament of confession? the road is distant + and painful to travel.” + </p> + <p> + “The lady is unwell, holy father,” answered the Sacristan, “and unable to + bear the journey.” + </p> + <p> + “True—ay,—yes—then must one of our brethren go to her—Knowest + thou if she hath aught of a jointure from this Walter de Avenel?” + </p> + <p> + “Very little, holy father,” said the Sacristan; “she hath resided at + Glendearg since her husband's death, well-nigh on the charity of a poor + widow, called Elspeth Glendinning.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, thou knowest all the widows in the country-side!” said the Abbot. + “Ho! ho! ho!” and he shook his portly sides at his own jest. + </p> + <p> + “Ho! ho! ho!” echoed the Sacristan, in the tone and tune in which an + inferior applauds the jest of his superior.—Then added, with a + hypocritical shuffle, and a sly twinkle of his eye, “It is our duty, most + holy father, to comfort the widow—He! he! he!” + </p> + <p> + This last laugh was more moderate, until the Abbot should put his sanction + on the jest. + </p> + <p> + “Ho! ho!” said the Abbot; “then, to leave jesting, Father Philip, take + thou thy riding gear, and go to confess this Dame Avenel.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said the Sacristan—— + </p> + <p> + “Give me no <i>Buts;</i> neither But nor If pass between monk and Abbot, + Father Philip; the bands of discipline must not be relaxed—heresy + gathers force like a snow-ball—the multitude expect confessions and + preachings from the Benedictine, as they would from so many beggarly + friars—and we may not desert the vineyard, though the toil be + grievous unto us.” + </p> + <p> + “And with so little advantage to the holy monastery,” said the Sacristan. + </p> + <p> + “True, Father Philip; but wot you not that what preventeth harm doth good? + This Julian de Avenel lives a light and evil life, and should we neglect + the widow of his brother, he might foray our lands, and we never able to + show who hurt us—moreover it is our duty to an ancient family, who, + in their day, have been benefactors to the Abbey. Away with thee + instantly, brother; ride night and day, an it be necessary, and let men + see how diligent Abbot Boniface and his faithful children are in the + execution of their spiritual duty—toil not deterring them, for the + glen is five miles in length—fear not withholding them, for it is + said to be haunted of spectres—nothing moving them from pursuit of + their spiritual calling; to the confusion of calumnious heretics, and the + comfort and edification of all true and faithful sons of the Catholic + Church. I wonder what our brother Eustace will say to this?” + </p> + <p> + Breathless with his own picture of the dangers and toil which he was to + encounter, and the fame which he was to acquire, (both by proxy,) the + Abbot moved slowly to finish his luncheon in the refectory, and the + Sacristan, with no very good will, accompanied old Martin in his return to + Glendearg; the greatest impediment in the journey being the trouble of + restraining his pampered mule, that she might tread in something like an + equal pace with poor jaded Shagram. + </p> + <p> + After remaining an hour in private with his penitent, the monk returned + moody and full of thought. Dame Elspeth, who had placed for the honoured + guest some refreshment in the hall, was struck with the embarrassment + which appeared in his countenance. Elspeth watched him with great anxiety. + She observed there was that on his brow which rather resembled a person + come from hearing the confession of some enormous crime, than the look of + a confessor who resigns a reconciled penitent, not to earth, but to + heaven. After long hesitating, she could not at length refrain from + hazarding a question. She was sure she said, the leddy had made an easy + shrift. Five years had they resided together, and she could safely say, no + woman lived better. + </p> + <p> + “Woman,” said the Sacristan, sternly, “thou speakest thou knowest not what—What + avails clearing the outside of the platter, if the inside be foul with + heresy?” + </p> + <p> + “Our dishes and trenchers are not so clean as they could be wished, holy + father,” said Elspeth, but half understanding what he said, and beginning + with her apron to wipe the dust from the plates, of which she supposed him + to complain. + </p> + <p> + “Forbear, Dame Elspeth” said the monk; “your plates are as clean as wooden + trenchers and pewter flagons can well be; the foulness of which I speak is + of that pestilential heresy which is daily becoming ingrained in this our + Holy Church of Scotland, and as a canker-worm in the rose-garland of the + Spouse.” + </p> + <p> + “Holy Mother of Heaven!” said Dame Elspeth, crossing herself, “have I kept + house with a heretic?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Elspeth, no,” replied the monk; “it were too strong a speech for me + to make of this unhappy lady, but I would I could say she is free from + heretical opinions. Alas! they fly about like the pestilence by noon-day, + and infect even the first and fairest of the flock! For it is easy to see + of this dame, that she hath been high in judgment as in rank.” + </p> + <p> + “And she can write and read, I had almost said, as weel as your reverence” + said Elspeth. + </p> + <p> + “Whom doth she write to, and what doth she read?” said the monk, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” replied Elspeth, “I cannot say I ever saw her write at all, but her + maiden that was—she now serves the family—says she can write—And + for reading, she has often read to us good things out of a thick black + volume with silver clasps.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me see it,” said the monk, hastily, “on your allegiance as a true + vassal—on your faith as a Catholic Christian—instantly—instantly + let me see it.” + </p> + <p> + The good woman hesitated, alarmed at the tone in which the confessor took + up her information; and being moreover of opinion, that what so good a + woman as the Lady of Avenel studied so devoutly, could not be of a + tendency actually evil. But borne down by the clamour, exclamations, and + something like threats used by Father Philip, she at length brought him + the fatal volume. It was easy to do this without suspicion on the part of + the owner, as she lay on her bed exhausted with the fatigue of a long + conference with her confessor, and as the small <i>round</i>, or turret + closet, in which was the book and her other trifling property, was + accessible by another door. Of all her effects the book was the last she + would have thought of securing, for of what use or interest could it be in + a family who neither read themselves, nor were in the habit of seeing any + who did? so that Dame Elspeth had no difficulty in possessing herself of + the volume, although her heart all the while accused her of an ungenerous + and an inhospitable part towards her friend and inmate. The double power + of a landlord and a feudal superior was before her eyes; and to say truth, + the boldness, with which she might otherwise have resisted this double + authority, was, I grieve to say it, much qualified by the curiosity she + entertained, as a daughter of Eve, to have some explanation respecting the + mysterious volume which the lady cherished with so much care, yet whose + contents she imparted with such caution. For never had Alice of Avenel + read them any passage from the book in question until the iron door of the + tower was locked, and all possibility of intrusion prevented. Even then + she had shown, by the selection of particular passages, that she was more + anxious to impress on their minds the principles which the volume + contained, than to introduce them to it as a new rule of faith. + </p> + <p> + When Elspeth, half curious, half remorseful, had placed the book in the + monk's hands, he exclaimed, after turning over the leaves, “Now, by mine + order, it is as I suspected!—My mule, my mule!—I will abide no + longer here—well hast thou done, dame, in placing in my hands this + perilous volume.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it then witchcraft or devil's work?” said Dame Elspeth, in great + agitation. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, God forbid!” said the monk, signing himself with the cross, “it is + the Holy Scripture. But it is rendered into the vulgar tongue, and + therefore, by the order of the Holy Catholic Church, unfit to be in the + hands of any lay person.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet is the Holy Scripture communicated for our common salvation,” + said Elspeth. “Good Father, you must instruct mine ignorance better; but + lack of wit cannot be a deadly sin, and truly, to my poor thinking, I + should be glad to read the Holy Scripture.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say thou wouldst,” said the monk; “and even thus did our mother + Eve seek to have knowledge of good and evil, and thus Sin came into the + world, and Death by Sin.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure, and it is true,” said Elspeth. “Oh, if she had dealt by the + counsel of Saint Peter and Saint Paul!” + </p> + <p> + “If she had reverenced the command of Heaven,” said the monk, “which, as + it gave her birth, life, and happiness, fixed upon the grant such + conditions as best corresponded with its holy pleasure. I tell thee, + Elspeth, <i>the Word slayeth</i>—that is, the text alone, read with + unskilled eye and unhallowed lips, is like those strong medicines which + sick men take by the advice of the learned. Such patients recover and + thrive; while those dealing in them at their own hand, shall perish by + their own deed.” + </p> + <p> + “Nae doubt, nae doubt,” said the poor woman, “your reverence knows best.” + </p> + <p> + “Not I,” said Father Philip, in a tone as deferential as he thought could + possibly become the Sacristan of Saint Mary's,—“Not I, but the Holy + Father of Christendom, and our own holy father, the Lord Abbot, know best. + I, the poor Sacristan of Saint Mary's, can but repeat what I hear from + others my superiors. Yet of this, good woman, be assured,—the Word, + the mere Word, slayetlh. But the church hath her ministers to gloze and to + expound the same unto her faithful congregation; and this I say, not so + much, my beloved brethren—I mean my beloved sister,” (for the + Sacristan had got into the end of one of his old sermons,)—“This I + speak not so much of the rectors, curates, and secular clergy, so called + because they live after the fashion of the <i>seculum</i> or age, unbound + by those ties which sequestrate us from the world; neither do I speak this + of the mendicant friars, whether black or gray, whether crossed or + uncrossed; but of the monks, and especially of the monks Benedictine, + reformed on the rule of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, thence called + Cistercian, of which monks, Christian brethren—sister, I would say—great + is the happiness and glory of the country in possessing the holy ministers + of Saint Mary's, whereof I, though an unworthy brother, may say it hath + produced more saints, more bishops, more popes—may our patrons make + us thankful!—than any holy foundation in Scotland. Wherefore—But + I see Martin hath my mule in readiness, and I will but salute you with the + kiss of sisterhood, which maketh not ashamed, and so betake me to my + toilsome return, for the glen is of bad reputation for the evil spirits + which haunt it. Moreover, I may arrive too late at the bridge, whereby I + may be obliged to take to the river, which I observed to be somewhat + waxen.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, he took his leave of Dame Elspeth, who was confounded by the + rapidity of his utterance, and the doctrine he gave forth, and by no means + easy on the subject of the book, which her conscience told her she should + not have communicated to any one, without the knowledge of its owner. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the haste which the monk as well as the mule made to + return to better quarters than they had left at the head of Glendearg; + notwithstanding the eager desire Father Philip had to be the very first + who should acquaint the Abbot that a copy of the book they most dreaded + had been found within the Halidome, or patrimony of the Abbey; + notwithstanding, moreover, certain feelings which induced him to hurry as + fast as possible through the gloomy and evil-reputed glen, still the + difficulties of the road, and the rider's want of habitude of quick + motion, were such, that twilight came upon him ere he had nearly cleared + the narrow valley. It was indeed a gloomy ride. The two sides of the vale + were so near, that at every double of the river the shadows from the + western sky fell upon, and totally obscured, the eastern bank; the + thickets of copsewood seemed to wave with a portentous agitation of boughs + and leaves, and the very crags and scaurs seemed higher and grimmer than + they had appeared to the monk while he was travelling in daylight, and in + company. Father Philip was heartily rejoiced, when, emerging from the + narrow glen, he gained the open valley of the Tweed, which held on its + majestic course from current to pool, and from pool stretched away to + other currents, with a dignity peculiar to itself amongst the Scottish + rivers; for whatever may have been the drought of the season, the Tweed + usually fills up the space between its banks, seldom leaving those + extensive sheets of shingle which deform the margins of many of the + celebrated Scottish streams. + </p> + <p> + The monk, insensible to beauties which the age had not regarded as + deserving of notice, was, nevertheless, like a prudent general, pleased to + find himself out of the narrow glen in which the enemy might have stolen + upon him unperceived. He drew up his bridle, reduced his mule to her + natural and luxurious amble, instead of the agitating and broken trot at + which, to his no small inconvenience, she had hitherto proceeded, and, + wiping his brow, gazed forth at leisure on the broad moon, which, now + mingling with the lights of evening, was rising over field and forest, + village and fortalice, and, above all, over the stately Monastery, seen + far and dim amid the vellow light. + </p> + <p> + The worst part of the magnificent view, in the monk's apprehension, was, + that the Monastery stood on the opposite side of the river, and that of + the many fine bridges which have since been built across that classical + stream, not one then existed. There was, however, in recompense, a bridge + then standing which has since disappeared, although its ruins may still be + traced by the curious. + </p> + <p> + It was of a very peculiar form. Two strong abutments were built on either + side of the river, at a part where the stream was peculiarly contracted. + Upon a rock in the centre of the current was built a solid piece of + masonry, constructed like the pier of a bridge, and presenting, like a + pier, an angle to the current of the stream. The masonry continued solid + until the pier rose to a level with the two abutments upon either side, + and from thence the building rose in the form of a tower. The lower story + of this tower consisted only of an archway or passage through the + building, over either entrance to which hung a drawbridge with + counterpoises, either of which, when dropped, connected the archway with + the opposite abutment, where the farther end of the drawbridge rested. + When both bridges were thus lowered, the passage over the river was + complete. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0113m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0113m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0113.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The bridge-keeper, who was the dependant of a neighbouring baron, resided + with his family in the second and third stories of the tower, which, when + both drawbridges were raised, formed an insulated fortalice in the midst + of the river. He was entitled to a small toll or custom for the passage, + concerning the amount of which disputes sometimes arose between him and + the passengers. It is needless to say, that the bridge-ward had usually + the better in these questions, since he could at pleasure detain the + traveller on the opposite side; or, suffering him to pass half way, might + keep him prisoner in his tower till they were agreed on the rate of + pontage. + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: A bridge of the very peculiar construction described in the + text, actually existed at a small hamlet about a mile and a half above + Melrose, called from the circumstance Bridge-end. It is thus noticed in + Gordon's <i>Iter Septentrionale</i>:— + </p> + <p> + “In another journey through the south parts of Scotland, about a mile and + a half from Melrose, in the shire of Teviotdale, I saw the remains of a + curious bridge over the river Tweed, consisting of three octangular + pillars, or rather towers, standing within the water, without any arches + to join them. The middle one, which is the most entire, has a door towards + the north, and I suppose another opposite one toward the south, which I + could not see without crossing the water. In the middle of this tower is a + projection or cornice surrounding it: the whole is hollow from the door + upwards, and now open at the top, near which is a small window. I was + informed that not long agro a countryman and his family lived in this + tower—and got his livelihood by laying out planks from pillar to + pillar, and conveying passengers over the river. Whether this be ancient + or modern, I know not; but as it is singular in its kind I have thought + fit to exhibit it.” + </p> + <p> + The vestiges of this uncommon species of bridge still exist, and the + author has often seen the foundations of the columns when drifting down + the Tweed at night for the purpose of killing salmon by torch-light. Mr. + John Mercer of Bridge-end recollects, that about fifty years ago the + pillars were visible above water; and the late Mr. David Kyle, of the + George Inn, Melrose, told the author that he saw a stone taken from the + river bearing this inscription:— + </p> + <p> + “I, Sir John Pringle of Palmer stede, Give an hundred markis of gowd sae + reid, To help to bigg my brigg ower Tweed.” + </p> + <p> + Pringle of Galashiels, afterwards of Whytbank, was the Baron to whom the + bridge belonged.} + </p> + <p> + But it was most frequently with the Monks of Saint Mary's that the warder + had to dispute his perquisites. These holy men insisted for, and at length + obtained, a right of gratuitous passage to themselves, greatly to the + discontent of the bridge-keeper. But when they demanded the same immunity + for the numerous pilgrims who visited the shrine, the bridge-keeper waxed + restive, and was supported by his lord in his resistance. The controversy + grew animated on both sides; the Abbot menaced excommunication, and the + keeper of the bridge, though unable to retaliate in kind, yet made each + individual monk who had to cross and recross the river, endure a sort of + purgatory, ere he would accommodate them with a passage. This was a great + inconvenience, and would have proved a more serious one, but that the + river was fordable for man and horse in ordinary weather. + </p> + <p> + It was a fine moonlight night, as we have already said, when Father Philip + approached this bridge, the singular construction of which gives a curious + idea of the insecurity of the times. The river was not in flood, but it + was above its ordinary level—<i>a heavy water</i>, as it is called + in that country, through which the monk had no particular inclination to + ride, if he could manage the matter better. + </p> + <p> + “Peter, my good friend,” cried the Sacristan, raising his voice; “my very + excellent friend, Peter, be so kind as to lower the drawbridge. Peter, I + say, dost thou not hear?—it is thy gossip, Father Philip, who calls + thee.” + </p> + <p> + Peter heard him perfectly well, and saw him into the bargain; but as he + had considered the Sacristan as peculiarly his enemy in his dispute with + the convent, he went quietly to bed, after reconnoitring the monk through + his loop-hole, observing to his wife, that “riding the water in a + moonlight night would do the Sacristan no harm, and would teach him the + value of a brig the neist time, on whilk a man might pass high and dry, + winter and summer, flood and ebb.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0114m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0114m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0114.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + After exhausting his voice in entreaties and threats, which were equally + unattended to by Peter of the Brig, as he was called, Father Philip at + length moved down the river to take the ordinary ford at the head of the + next stream. Cursing the rustic obstinacy of Peter, he began, + nevertheless, to persuade himself that the passage of the river by the + ford was not only safe, but pleasant. The banks and scattered trees were + so beautifully reflected from the bosom of the dark stream, the whole cool + and delicious picture formed so pleasing a contrast to his late agitation, + to the warmth occasioned by his vain endeavours to move the relentless + porter of the bridge, that the result was rather agreeable than otherwise. + </p> + <p> + As Father Philip came close to the water's edge, at the spot where he was + to enter it, there sat a female under a large broken scathed oak-tree, or + rather under the remains of such a tree, weeping, wringing her hands, and + looking earnestly on the current of the river. The monk was struck with + astonishment to see a female there at that time of night. But he was, in + all honest service,—and if a step farther, I put it upon his own + conscience,—a devoted squire of dames. After observing the maiden + for a moment, although she seemed to take no notice of his presence, he + was moved by her distress, and willing to offer his assistance. “Damsel,” + said he, “thou seemest in no ordinary distress; peradventure, like myself, + thou hast been refused passage at the bridge by the churlish keeper, and + thy crossing may concern thee either for performance of a vow, or some + other weighty charge.” + </p> + <p> + The maiden uttered some inarticulate sounds, looked at the river, and then + in the face of the Sacristan. It struck Father Philip at that instant, + that a Highland chief of distinction had been for some time expected to + pay his vows at the shrine of Saint Mary's; and that possibly this fair + maiden might be one of his family, travelling alone for accomplishment of + a vow, or left behind by some accident, to whom, therefore, it would be + but right and prudent to use every civility in his power, especially as + she seemed unacquainted with the Lowland tongue. Such at least was the + only motive the Sacristan was ever known to assign for his courtesy; if + there was any other, I once more refer it to his own conscience. + </p> + <p> + To express himself by signs, the common language of all nations, the + cautious Sacristan first pointed to the river, then to his mule's crupper, + and then made, as gracefully as he could, a sign to induce the fair + solitary to mount behind him. She seemed to understand his meaning, for + she rose up as if to accept his offer; and while the good monk, who, as we + have hinted, was no great cavalier, laboured, with the pressure of the + right leg and the use of the left rein, to place his mule with her side to + the bank in such a position that the lady might mount with ease, she rose + from the ground with rather portentous activity, and at one bound sate + behind the monk upon the animal, much the firmer rider of the two. The + mule by no means seemed to approve of this double burden; she bounded, + bolted, and would soon have thrown Father Philip over her head, had not + the maiden with a firm hand detained him in the saddle. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0116m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0116m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0116.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + At last the restive brute changed her humour; and, from refusing to budge + off the spot, suddenly stretched her nose homeward, and dashed into the + ford as fast as she could scamper. A new terror now invaded the monk's + mind—the ford seemed unusually deep, the water eddied off in strong + ripple from the counter of the mule, and began to rise upon her side. + Philip lost his presence of mind,—which was at no time his most + ready attribute, the mule yielded to the weight of the current, and as the + rider was not attentive to keep her head turned up the river, she drifted + downward, lost the ford and her footing at once, and began to swim with + her head down the stream. And what was sufficiently strange, at the same + moment, notwithstanding the extreme peril, the damsel began to sing, + thereby increasing, if anything could increase, the bodily fear of the + worthy Sacristan. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. + + Merrily swim we, the moon shines bright, + Both current and ripple are dancing in light. + We have roused the night raven, I heard him croak, + As we plashed along beneath the oak + That flings its broad branches so far and so wide, + Their shadows are dancing in midst of the tide. + “Who wakens my nestlings,” the raven he said, + “My beak shall ere morn in his blood be red. + For a blue swoln corpse is a dainty meal. + And I'll have my share with the pike and the eel.” + + II. + + Merrily swim we, the moon shines bright, + There's a golden gleam on the distant height; + There's a silver shower on the alders dank. + And the drooping willows that wave on the bank. + I see the abbey, both turret and tower, + It is all astir for the vesper hour; + The monks for the chapel are leaving each cell. + But Where's Father Philip, should toll the bell? + + III. + + Merrily swim we, the moon shines bright, + Downward we drift through shadow and light, + Under yon rock the eddies sleep, + Calm and silent, dark and deep. + The Kelpy has risen from the fathomless pool. + He has lighted his candle of death and of dool. + Look, Father, look, and you'll laugh to see + How he gapes and glares with his eyes on thee. + + IV. + + Good luck to your fishing, whom watch ye to-night? + A man of mean, or a man of might? + Is it layman or priest that must float in your cove, + Or lover who crosses to visit his love? + Hark! heard ye the Kelpy reply, as we pass'd,— + “God's blessing on the warder, he lock'd the bridge fast! + All that come to my cove are sunk, + Priest or layman, lover or monk.” + </pre> + <p> + How long the damsel might have continued to sing, or where the terrified + monk's journey might have ended, is uncertain. As she sung the last + stanza, they arrived at, or rather in, a broad tranquil sheet of water, + caused by a strong wear or damhead, running across the river, which dashed + in a broad cataract over the barrier. The mule, whether from choice, or + influenced by the suction of the current, made towards the cut intended to + supply the convent mills, and entered it half swimming half wading, and + pitching the unlucky monk to and fro in the saddle at a fearful rate. + </p> + <p> + As his person flew hither and thither, his garment became loose, and in an + effort to retain it, his hand lighted on the volume of the Lady of Avenel + which was in his bosom. No sooner had he grasped it, than his companion + pitched him out of the saddle into the stream, where, still keeping her + hand on his collar, she gave him two or three good souses in the watery + fluid, so as to ensure that every other part of him had its share of + wetting, and then quitted her hold when he was so near the side that by a + slight effort (of a great one he was incapable) he might scramble on + shore. This accordingly he accomplished, and turning his eyes to see what + had become of his extraordinary companion, she was nowhere to be seen; but + still he heard, as if from the surface of the river, and mixing with the + noise of the water breaking over the damhead, a fragment of her wild song, + which seemed to run thus:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Landed—landed! the black book hath won. + Else had you seen Berwick with morning sun! + Sain ye, and save ye, and blithe mot ye be, + For seldom they land that go swimming with me. +</pre> + <p> + The ecstasy of the monk's terror could be endured no longer; his head grew + dizzy, and, after staggering a few steps onward and running himself + against a wall, he sunk down in a state of insensibility. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Sixth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Now let us sit in conclave. That these weeds + Be rooted from the vineyard of the church. + That these foul tares be severed from the wheat, + We are, I trust, agreed.—Yet how to do this, + Nor hurt the wholesome crop and tender vine-plants, + Craves good advisement. +</pre> + <p> + THE REFORMATION. + </p> + <p> + The vesper service in the Monastery Church of Saint Mary's was now over. + The Abbot had disrobed himself of his magnificent vestures of ceremony, + and resumed his ordinary habit, which was a black gown, worn over a white + cassock, with a narrow scapulary; a decent and venerable dress, which was + calculated to set off to advantage the portly mien of Abbot Boniface. + </p> + <p> + In quiet times no one could have filled the state of a mitred Abbot, for + such was his dignity, more respectably than this worthy prelate. He had, + no doubt, many of those habits of self-indulgence which men are apt to + acquire who live for themselves alone. He was vain, moreover; and when + boldly confronted, had sometimes shown symptoms of timidity, not very + consistent with the high claims which he preferred as an eminent member of + the church, or with the punctual deference which he exacted from his + religious brethren, and all who were placed under his command. But he was + hospitable, charitable, and by no means of himself disposed to proceed + with severity against any one. In short, he would in other times have + slumbered out his term of preferment with as much credit as any other + “purple Abbot,” who lived easily, but at the same time decorously—slept + soundly, and did not disquiet himself with dreams. + </p> + <p> + But the wide alarm spread through the whole Church of Rome by the progress + of the reformed doctrines, sorely disturbed the repose of Abbot Boniface, + and opened to him a wide field of duties and cares which he had never so + much as dreamed of. There were opinions to be combated and refuted—practices + to be inquired into—heretics to be detected and punished—the + fallen off to be reclaimed—the wavering to be confirmed—scandal + to be removed from the clergy, and the vigour of discipline to be + re-established. Post upon post arrived at the Monastery of Saint Mary's—horses + reeking, and riders exhausted—this from the Privy Council, that from + the Primate of Scotland, and this other again from the Queen Mother, + exhorting, approving, condemning, requesting advice upon this subject, and + requiring information upon that. + </p> + <p> + These missives Abbot Boniface received with an important air of + helplessness, or a helpless air of importance,—whichever the reader + may please to term it, evincing at once gratified vanity, and profound + trouble of mind. The sharp-witted Primate of Saint Andrews had foreseen + the deficiencies of the Abbot of St. Mary's, and endeavoured to provide + for them by getting admitted into his Monastery as Sub-Prior a brother + Cistercian, a man of parts and knowledge, devoted to the service of the + Catholic Church, and very capable not only to advise the Abbot on + occasions of difficulty, but to make him sensible of his duty in case he + should, from good-nature or timidity, be disposed to shrink from it. + </p> + <p> + Father Eustace played the same part in the Monastery as the old general + who, in foreign armies, is placed at the elbow of the Prince of the Blood, + who nominally commands in chief, on condition of attempting nothing + without the advice of his dry-nurse; and he shared the fate of all such + dry-nurses, being heartily disliked as well as feared by his principal. + Still, however, the Primate's intention was fully answered. Father Eustace + became the constant theme and often the bugbear of the worthy Abbot, who + hardly dared to turn himself in his bed without, considering what Father + Eustace would think of it. In every case of difficulty, Father Eustace was + summoned, and his opinion asked; and no sooner was the embarrassment + removed, than the Abbot's next thought was how to get rid of his adviser. + In every letter which he wrote to those in power, he recommended Father + Eustace to some high church preferment, a bishopric or an abbey; and as + they dropped one after another, and were otherwise conferred, he began to + think, as he confessed to the Sacristan in the bitterness of his spirit, + that the Monastery of St. Mary's had got a life-rent lease of their + Sub-Prior. + </p> + <p> + Yet more indignant he would have been, had he suspected that Father + Eustace's ambition was fixed upon his own mitre, which, from some attacks + of an apoplectic nature, deemed by the Abbot's friends to be more serious + than by himself, it was supposed might be shortly vacant. But the + confidence which, like other dignitaries, he reposed in his own health, + prevented Abbot Boniface from imagining that it held any concatenation, + with the motions of Father Eustace. + </p> + <p> + The necessity under which he found himself of consulting with his grand + adviser, in cases of real difficulty, rendered the worthy Abbot + particularly desirous of doing without him in all ordinary cases of + administration, though not without considering what Father Eustace would + have said of the matter. He scorned, therefore, to give a hint to the + Sub-Prior of the bold stroke by which he had dispatched Brother Philip to + Glendearg; but when the vespers came without his reappearance he became a + little uneasy, the more as other matters weighed upon his mind. The feud + with the warder or keeper of the bridge threatened to be attended with bad + consequences, as the man's quarrel was taken up by the martial baron under + whom he served; and pressing letters of an unpleasant tendency had just + arrived from the Primate. Like a gouty man, who catches hold of his crutch + while he curses the infirmity that induces him to use if, the Abbot, + however reluctant, found himself obliged to require Eustace's presence, + after the service was over, in his house, or rather palace, which was + attached to, and made part of, the Monastery. + </p> + <p> + Abbot Boniface was seated in his high-backed chair, the grotesque carved + back of which terminated in a mitre, before a fire where two or three + large logs were reduced to one red glowing mass of charcoal. At his elbow, + on an oaken stand, stood the remains of a roasted capon, on which his + reverence had made his evening meal, flanked by a goodly stoup of Bordeaux + of excellent flavour. He was gazing indolently on the fire, partly engaged + in meditation on his past and present fortunes, partly occupied by + endeavouring to trace towers and steeples in the red embers. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0123m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0123m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0123.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “Yes,” thought the Abbot to himself, “in that red perspective I could + fancy to myself the peaceful towers of Dundrennan, where I passed my life + ere I was called to pomp and to trouble. A quiet brotherhood we were, + regular in our domestic duties; and when the frailties of humanity + prevailed over us, we confessed, and were absolved by each other, and the + most formidable part of the penance was the jest of the convent on the + culprit. I can almost fancy that I see the cloister garden, and the + pear-trees which I grafted with my own hands. And for what have I changed + all this, but to be overwhelmed with business which concerns me not, to be + called My Lord Abbot, and to be tutored by Father Eustace? I would these + towers were the Abbey of Aberbrothwick, and Father Eustace the Abbot,—or + I would he were in the fire on any terms, so I were rid of him! The + Primate says our Holy Father, the Pope hath an adviser—I am sure he + could not live a week with such a one as mine. Then there is no learning + what Father Eustace thinks till you confess your own difficulties—No + hint will bring forth his opinion—he is like a miser, who will not + unbuckle his purse to bestow a farthing, until the wretch who needs it has + owned his excess of poverty, and wrung out the boon by importunity. And + thus I am dishonoured in the eyes of my religious brethren, who behold me + treated like a child which hath no sense of its own—I will bear it + no longer!—Brother Bennet,”—(a lay brother answered to his + call)—” tell Father Eustace that I need not his presence.” + </p> + <p> + “I came to say to your reverence, that the holy father is entering even + now from the cloisters.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so,” said the Abbot, “he is welcome,—remove these things—or + rather, place a trencher, the holy father may be a little hungry—yet, + no—remove them, for there is no good fellowship in him—Let the + stoup of wine remain, however, and place another cup.” + </p> + <p> + The lay brother obeyed these contradictory commands in the way he judged + most seemly—he removed the carcass of the half-sacked capon, and + placed two goblets beside the stoup of Bourdeaux. At the same instant + entered Father Eustace. + </p> + <p> + He was a thin, sharp-faced, slight-made little man, whose keen grey eyes + seemed almost to look through the person to whom he addressed himself. His + body was emaciated not only with the fasts which he observed with rigid + punctuality, but also by the active and unwearied exercise of his sharp + and piercing intellect;— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A fiery soul, which working out its way, + Fretted the puny body to decay, + And o'er-informed the tenement of clay. +</pre> + <p> + He turned with conventual reverence to the Lord Abbot; and as they stood + together, it was scarce possible to see a more complete difference of form + and expression. The good-natured rosy face and laughing eye of the Abbot, + which even his present anxiety could not greatly ruffle, was a wonderful + contrast to the thin pallid cheek and quick penetrating glance of the + monk, in which an eager and keen spirit glanced through eyes to which it + seemed to give supernatural lustre. + </p> + <p> + The Abbot opened the conversation by motioning to his monk to take a + stool, and inviting to a cup of wine. The courtesy was declined with + respect, yet not without a remark, that the vesper service was past. + </p> + <p> + “For the stomach's sake, brother,” said the Abbot, colouring a little—“You + know the text.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a dangerous one,” answered the monk, “to handle alone, or at late + hours. Out off from human society, the juice of the grape becomes a + perilous companion of solitude, and therefore I ever shun it.” + </p> + <p> + Abbot Boniface had poured himself out a goblet which might hold about half + an English pint; but, either struck with the truth of the observation, or + ashamed to act in direct opposition to it, he suffered it to remain + untasted before him, and immediately changed the subject. + </p> + <p> + “The Primate hath written to us,” said he, “to make strict search within + our bounds after the heretical persons denounced in this list, who have + withdrawn themselves from the justice which their opinions deserve. It is + deemed probable that they will attempt to retire to England by our + Borders, and the Primate requireth me to watch with vigilance, and what + not.” + </p> + <p> + “Assuredly,” said the monk, “the magistrate should not bear the sword in + vain—those be they that turn the world upside down—and + doubtless your reverend wisdom will with due diligence second the + exertions of the Right Reverend Father in God, being in the peremptory + defence of the Holy Church.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, but how is this to be done?” answered the Abbot; “Saint Mary aid us! + The Primate writes to me as if I were a temporal baron—a man under + command, having soldiers under him! He says, send forth—scour the + country—guard the passes—Truly these men do not travel as + those who would give their lives for nothing—the last who went south + passed the dry-march at the Riding-burn with an escort of thirty spears, + as our reverend brother the Abbot of Kelso did write unto us. How are + cowls and scapularies to stop the way?” + </p> + <p> + “Your bailiff is accounted a good man at arms, holy father,” said Eustace; + “your vassals are obliged to rise for the defence of the Holy Kirk—it + is the tenure on which they hold their lands—if they will not come + forth for the Church which gives them bread, let their possessions be + given to others.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall not be wanting,” said the Abbot, collecting himself with + importance, “to do whatever may advantage Holy Kirk—thyself shall + hear the charge to our Bailiff and our officials—but here again is + our controversy with the warden of the bridge and the Baron of Meigallot—Saint + Mary! vexations do so multiply upon the House, and upon the generation, + that a man wots not where to turn to! Thou didst say, Father Eustace, thou + wouldst look into our evidents touching this free passage for the + pilgrims?” + </p> + <p> + “I have looked into the Chartulary of the House, holy father,” said + Eustace, “and therein I find a written and formal grant of all duties and + customs payable at the drawbridge of Brigton, not only by ecclesiastics of + this foundation, but by every pilgrim truly designed to accomplish his + vows at this House, to the Abbot Allford, and the monks of the House of + Saint Mary in Kennaquhair, from that time and for ever. The deed is dated + on Saint Bridget's Even, in the year of Redemption, 1137, and bears the + sign and seal of the granter, Charles of Meigallot, + great-great-grandfather of this baron, and purports to be granted for the + safety of his own soul, and for the weal of the souls of his father and + mother, and of all his predecessors and successors, being Barons of + Meigallot.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0126m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0126m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0126.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “But he alleges,” said the Abbot, “that the bridge-wards have been in + possession of these dues, and have rendered them available for more than + fifty years—and the baron threatens violence—meanwhile, the + journey of the pilgrims is interrupted, to the prejudice of their own + souls and the diminution of the revenues of Saint Mary. The Sacristan + advised us to put on a boat; but the warden, whom thou knowest to be a + godless man, has sworn the devil tear him, but that if they put on a boat + on the laird's stream, he will rive her board from board—and then + some say we should compound the claim for a small sum in silver.” Here the + Abbot paused a moment for a reply, but receiving none, he added, “But what + thinkest thou, Father Eustace? why art thou silent?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I am surprised at the question which the Lord Abbot of Saint + Mary's asks at the youngest of his brethren.” + </p> + <p> + “Youngest in time of your abode with us, Brother Eustace,” said the Abbot, + “not youngest in years, or I think in experience. Sub-Prior also of this + convent.” + </p> + <p> + “I am astonished,” continued Eustace, “that the Abbot of this venerable + house should ask of any one whether he can alienate the patrimony of our + holy and divine patroness, or give up to an unconscientious, and perhaps, + a heretic baron, the rights conferred on this church by his devout + progenitor. Popes and councils alike prohibit it—the honour of the + living, and the weal of departed souls, alike forbid it—it may not + be. To force, if he dare use it, we must surrender; but never by our + consent should we see the goods of the church plundered, with as little + scruple as he would drive off a herd of English beeves. Rouse yourself, + Reverend father, and doubt nothing but that the good cause shall prevail. + Whet the spiritual sword, and direct it against the wicked who would usurp + our holy rights. Whet the temporal sword, if it be necessary, and stir up + the courage and zeal of your loyal vassals.” + </p> + <p> + The Abbot sighed deeply. “All this,” he said, “is soon spoken by him who + hath to act it not; but—” He was interrupted by the entrance of + Bennet rather hastily. “The mule on which the Sacristan had set out in the + morning had returned,” he said, “to the convent stable all over wet, and + with the saddle turned round beneath her belly.” + </p> + <p> + “Sancta Maria!” said the Abbot, “our dear brother hath perished by the + way!” + </p> + <p> + “It may not be,” said Eustace, hastily—“let the bell be tolled—cause + the brethren to get torches—alarm the village—hurry down to + the river—I myself will be the foremost.” + </p> + <p> + The real Abbot stood astonished and agape, when at once he beheld his + office filled, and saw all which he ought to have ordered, going forward + at the dictates of the youngest monk in the convent. But ere the orders of + Eustace, which nobody dreamed of disputing, were carried into execution, + the necessity was prevented by the sudden apparition of the Sacristan, + whose supposed danger excited all the alarm. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Seventh. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Raze out the written troubles of the brain, + Cleanse the foul bosom of the perilous stuff + That weighs upon the heart. + MACBETH. +</pre> + <p> + What betwixt cold and fright the afflicted Sacristan stood before his + Superior, propped on the friendly arm of the convent miller, drenched with + water, and scarce able to utter a syllable. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0129m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0129m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0129.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + After various attempts to speak, the first words he uttered were, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Swim we merrily—the moon shines bright.” + </pre> + <p> + “Swim we merrily!” retorted the Abbot, indignantly; “a merry night have ye + chosen for swimming, and a becoming salutation to your Superior!” + </p> + <p> + “Our brother is bewildered,” said Eustace;—“speak, Father Philip, + how is it with you?” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Good luck to your fishing,” + </pre> + <p> + continued the Sacristan, making a most dolorous attempt at the tune of his + strange companion. + </p> + <p> + “Good luck to your fishing!” repeated the Abbot, still more surprised than + displeased; “by my halidome he is drunken with wine, and comes to our + presence with his jolly catches in his throat! If bread and water can cure + this folly—” + </p> + <p> + “With your pardon, venerable father,” said the Sub-Prior, “of water our + brother has had enough; and methinks, the confusion of his eye, is rather + that of terror, than of aught unbecoming his profession. Where did you + find him, Hob Miller?” + </p> + <p> + “An it please your reverence, I did but go to shut the sluice of the mill—and + as I was going to shut the sluice, I heard something groan near to me; but + judging it was one of Giles Fletcher's hogs—for so please you he + never shuts his gate—I caught up my lever, and was about—Saint + Mary forgive me!—to strike where I heard the sound, when, as the + saints would have it, I heard the second groan just like that of a living + man. So I called up my knaves, and found the Father Sacristan lying wet + and senseless under the wall of our kiln. So soon as we brought him to + himself a bit, he prayed to be brought to your reverence, but I doubt me + his wits have gone a bell-wavering by the road. It was but now that he + spoke in somewhat better form.” + </p> + <p> + “Well!” said Brother Eustace, “thou hast done well, Hob Miller; only + begone now, and remember a second time to pause, ere you strike in the + dark.” + </p> + <p> + “Please your reverence, it shall be a lesson to me,” said the miller, “not + to mistake a holy man for a hog again, so long as I live.” And, making a + bow, with profound humility, the miller withdrew. + </p> + <p> + “And now that this churl is gone, Father Philip,” said Eustace, “wilt thou + tell our venerable Superior what ails thee? art thou <i>vino gravatus,</i> + man? if so we will have thee to thy cell.” + </p> + <p> + “Water! water! not wine,” muttered the exhausted Sacristan. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the monk, “if that be thy complaint, wine may perhaps cure + thee;” and he reached him a cup, which the patient drank off to his great + benefit. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said the Abbot, “let his garments be changed, or rather let him + be carried to the infirmary; for it will prejudice our health, should we + hear his narrative while he stands there, steaming like a rising + hoar-frost.” + </p> + <p> + “I will hear his adventure,” said Eustace, “and report it to your + reverence.” And, accordingly, he attended the Sacristan to his cell. In + about half an hour he returned to the Abbot. + </p> + <p> + “How is it with Father Philip?” said the Abbot; “and through what came he + into such a state?” + </p> + <p> + “He comes from Glendearg, reverend sir,” said Eustace; “and for the rest, + he telleth such a legend, as has not been heard in this Monastery for many + a long day.” He then gave the Abbot the outlines of the Sacristan's + adventures in the homeward journey, and added, that for some time he was + inclined to think his brain was infirm, seeing he had sung, laughed, and + wept all in the same breath. + </p> + <p> + “A wonderful thing it is to us,” said the Abbot, “that Satan has been + permitted to put forth his hand thus far on one of our sacred brethren!” + </p> + <p> + “True,” said Father Eustace; “but for every text there is a paraphrase; + and I have my suspicions, that if the drenching of Father Philip cometh of + the Evil one, yet it may not have been altogether without his own personal + fault.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” said the Father Abbot; “I will not believe that thou makest doubt + that Satan, in former days, hath been permitted to afflict saints and holy + men, even as he afflicted the pious Job?” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid I should make question of it,” said the monk, crossing + himself; “yet, where there is an exposition of the Sacristan's tale, which + is less than miraculous, I hold it safe to consider it at least, if not to + abide by it. Now, this Hob the Miller hath a buxom daughter. Suppose—I + say only suppose—that our Sacristan met her at the ford on her + return from her uncle's on the other side, for there she hath this evening + been—suppose, that, in courtesy, and to save her stripping hose and + shoon, the Sacristan brought her across behind him-suppose he carried his + familiarities farther than the maiden was willing to admit; and we may + easily suppose, farther, that this wetting was the result of it.” + </p> + <p> + “And this legend invented to deceive us!” said the Superior, reddening + with wrath; “but most strictly shall it be sifted and inquired into; it is + not upon us that Father Philip must hope to pass the result of his own + evil practices for doings of Satan. To-morrow cite the wench to appear + before us—we will examine, and we will punish.” + </p> + <p> + “Under your reverence's favour,” said Eustace, “that were but poor policy. + As things now stand with us, the heretics catch hold of each flying report + which tends to the scandal of our clergy. We must abate the evil, not only + by strengthening discipline, but also by suppressing and stifling the + voice of scandal. If my conjectures are true, the miller's daughter will + be silent for her own sake; and your reverence's authority may also impose + silence on her father, and on the Sacristan. If he is again found to + afford room for throwing dishonour on his order, he can be punished with + severity, but at the same time with secrecy. For what say the Decretals! + Facinora ostendi dum punientur, flagitia autem abscondi debent.” + </p> + <p> + A sentence of Latin, as Eustace had before observed, had often much + influence on the Abbot, because he understood it not fluently, and was + ashamed to acknowledge his ignorance. On these terms they parted for the + night. + </p> + <p> + The next day, Abbot Boniface strictly interrogated Philip on the real + cause of his disaster of the previous night. But the Sacristan stood firm + to his story; nor was he found to vary from any point of it, although the + answers he returned were in some degree incoherent, owing to his + intermingling with them ever and anon snatches of the strange damsel's + song, which had made such deep impression on his imagination, that he + could not prevent himself from imitating it repeatedly in the course of + his examination. The Abbot had compassion with the Sacristan's involuntary + frailty, to which something supernatural seemed annexed, and finally + became of opinion, that Father Eustace's more natural explanation was + rather plausible than just. And, indeed, although we have recorded the + adventure as we find it written down, we cannot forbear to add that there + was a schism on the subject in the convent, and that several of the + brethren pretended to have good reason for thinking that the miller's + black-eyed daughter was at the bottom of the affair after all. Whichever + way it might be interpreted, all agreed that it had too ludicrous a sound + to be permitted to get abroad, and therefore the Sacristan was charged, on + his vow of obedience, to say no more of his ducking; an injunction which, + having once eased his mind by telling his story, it may be well + conjectured that he joyfully obeyed. + </p> + <p> + The attention of Father Eustace was much less forcibly arrested by the + marvellous tale of the Sacristan's danger, and his escape, than by the + mention of the volume which he had brought with him from the Tower of + Glendearg. A copy of the Scriptures, translated into the vulgar tongue, + had found its way even into the proper territory of the church, and had + been discovered in one of the most hidden and sequestered recesses of the + Halidome of Saint Mary's. + </p> + <p> + He anxiously requested to see the volume. In this the Sacristan was unable + to gratify him, for he had lost it, as far as he recollected, when the + supernatural being, as he conceived her to be, took her departure from + him. Father Eustace went down to the spot in person, and searched all + around it, in hopes of recovering the volume in question; but his labour + was in vain. He returned to the Abbot, and reported that it must have + fallen into the river or the mill-stream; “for I will hardly believe,” he + said, “that Father Philip's musical friend would fly off with a copy of + the Holy Scriptures.” + </p> + <p> + “Being,” said the Abbot, “as it is, an heretical translation, it may be + thought that Satan may have power over it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay!” said Father Eustace, “it is indeed his chiefest magazine of + artillery, when he inspireth presumptuous and daring men to set forth + their own opinions and expositions of Holy Writ. But though thus abused, + the Scriptures are the source of our salvation, and are no more to be + reckoned unholy, because of these rash men's proceedings, than a powerful + medicine is to be contemned, or held poisonous, because bold and evil + leeches have employed it to the prejudice of their patients. With the + permission of your reverence, I would that this matter were looked into + more closely. I will myself visit the Tower of Glendearg ere I am many + hours older, and we shall see if any spectre or white woman of the wild + will venture to interrupt my journey or return. Have I your reverend + permission and your blessing?” he added, but in a tone that appeared to + set no great store by either. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast both, my brother,” said the Abbot; but no sooner had Eustace + left the apartment, than Boniface could not help breaking on the willing + ear of the Sacristan his sincere wish, that any spirit, black, white, or + gray, would read the adviser such a lesson, as to cure him of his + presumption in esteeming himself wiser than the whole community. + </p> + <p> + “I wish him no worse lesson,” said the Sacristan, “than to go swimming + merrily down the river with a ghost behind, and Kelpies, night-crows, and + mud-eels, all waiting to have a snatch at him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Merrily swim we, the moon shines bright! + Good luck to your fishing, whom watch you to-night?” + </pre> + <p> + “Brother Philip,” said the Abbot, “we exhort thee to say thy prayers, + compose thyself, and banish that foolish chant from thy mind;—it is + but a deception of the devil's.” + </p> + <p> + “I will essay, reverend Father,” said the Sacristan, “but the tune hangs + by my memory like a bur in a beggar's rags; it mingles with the psalter—the + very bells of the convent seem to repeat the words, and jingle to the + tune; and were you to put me to death at this very moment, it is my belief + I should die singing it—'Now swim we merrily'—it is as it were + a spell upon me.” + </p> + <p> + He then again began to warble + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Good luck to your fishing.” + </pre> + <p> + And checking himself in the strain with difficulty, he exclaimed, “It is + too certain—I am but a lost priest! Swim we merrily—I shall + sing it at the very mass—Wo is me! I shall sing all the remainder of + my life, and yet never be able to change the tune!” + </p> + <p> + The honest Abbot replied, “he knew many a good fellow in the same + condition;” and concluded the remark with “ho! ho! ho!” for his reverence, + as the reader may partly have observed, was one of those dull folks who + love a quiet joke. + </p> + <p> + The Sacristan, well acquainted with his Superior's humour, endeavoured to + join in the laugh, but his unfortunate canticle came again across his + imagination, and interrupted the hilarity of his customary echo. + </p> + <p> + “By the rood, Brother Philip,” said the Abbot, much moved, “you become + altogether intolerable! and I am convinced that such a spell could not + subsist over a person of religion, and in a religious house, unless he + were under mortal sin. Wherefore, say the seven penitentiary psalms—make + diligent use of thy scourge and hair-cloth—refrain for three days + from all food, save bread and water—I myself will shrive thee, and + we will see if this singing devil may be driven out of thee; at least I + think Father Eustace himself could devise no better exorcism.” + </p> + <p> + The Sacristan sighed deeply, but knew remonstrance was vain. He retired + therefore to his cell, to try how far psalmody might be able to drive off + the sounds of the syren tune which haunted his memory. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Father Eustace proceeded to the drawbridge, in his way to the + lonely valley of Glendearg. In a brief conversation with the churlish + warder, he had the address to render him more tractable in the controversy + betwixt him and the convent. He reminded him that his father had been a + vassal under the community; that his brother was childless; and that their + possession would revert to the church on his death, and might be either + granted to himself the warder, or to some greater favourite of the Abbot, + as matters chanced to stand betwixt them at the time. The Sub-Prior + suggested to him also, the necessary connexion of interests betwixt the + Monastery and the office which this man enjoyed. He listened with temper + to his rude and churlish answers; and by keeping his own interest firm + pitched in his view, he had the satisfaction to find that Peter gradually + softened his tone, and consented to let every pilgrim who travelled upon + foot pass free of exaction until Pentocost next; they who travelled on + horseback or otherwise, contenting to pay the ordinary custom. Having thus + accommodated a matter in which the weal of the convent was so deeply + interested, Father Eustace proceeded on his journey. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Eighth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Nay, dally not with time, the wise man's treasure, + Though fools are lavish on't—the fatal Fisher + Hooks souls, while we waste moments. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + A November mist overspread the little valley, up which slowly but steadily + rode the Monk Eustace. He was not insensible to the feeling of melancholy + inspired by the scene and by the season. The stream seemed to murmur with + a deep and oppressed note, as if bewailing the departure of autumn. Among + the scattered copses which here and there fringed its banks, the oak-trees + only retained that pallid green that precedes their russet hue. The leaves + of the willows were most of them stripped from the branches, lay rustling + at each breath, and disturbed by every step of the mule; while the foliage + of other trees, totally withered, kept still precarious possession of the + boughs, waiting the first wind to scatter them. + </p> + <p> + The monk dropped into the natural train of pensive thought which these + autumnal emblems of mortal hopes are peculiarly calculated to inspire. + “There,” he said, looking at the leaves which lay strewed around, “lie the + hopes of early youth, first formed that they may soonest wither, and + loveliest in spring to become most contemptible in winter; but you, ye + lingerers,” he added, looking to a knot of beeches which still bore their + withered leaves, “you are the proud plans of adventurous manhood, formed + later, and still clinging to the mind of age, although it acknowledges + their inanity! None lasts—none endures, save the foliage of the + hardy oak, which only begins to show itself when that of the rest of the + forest has enjoyed half its existence. A pale and decayed hue is all it + possesses, but still it retains that symptom of vitality to the last.—So + be it with Father Eustace! The fairy hopes of my youth I have trodden + under foot like those neglected rustlers—to the prouder dreams of my + manhood I look back as to lofty chimeras, of which the pith and essence + have long since faded; but my religious vows, the faithful profession + which I have made in my maturer age, shall retain life while aught of + Eustace lives. Dangerous it may be—feeble it must be—yet live + it shall, the proud determination to serve the Church of which I am a + member, and to combat the heresies by which she is assailed.” Thus spoke, + at least thus thought, a man zealous according to his imperfect knowledge, + confounding the vital interests of Christianity with the extravagant and + usurped claims of the Church of Rome, and defending his cause with an + ardour worthy of a better. + </p> + <p> + While moving onward in this contemplative mood, he could not help thinking + more than once, that he saw in his path the form of a female dressed in + white, who appeared in the attitude of lamentation. But the impression was + only momentary, and whenever he looked steadily to the point where he + conceived the figure appeared, it always proved that he had mistaken some + natural object, a white crag, or the trunk of a decayed birch-tree with + its silver bark, for the appearance in question. + </p> + <p> + Father Eustace had dwelt too long in Rome to partake the superstitious + feelings of the more ignorant Scottish clergy; yet he certainly thought it + extraordinary, that so strong an impression should have been made on his + mind by the legend of the Sacristan. “It is strange,” he said to himself, + “that this story, which doubtless was the invention of Brother Philip to + cover his own impropriety of conduct, should run so much in my head, and + disturb my more serious thoughts—I am wont, I think, to have more + command over my senses. I will repeat my prayers, and banish such folly + from my recollection.” + </p> + <p> + The monk accordingly began with devotion to tell his beads, in pursuance + of the prescribed rule of his order, and was not again disturbed by any + wanderings of the imagination, until he found himself beneath the little + fortalice of Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + Dame Glendinning, who stood at the gate, set up a shout of surprise and + joy at seeing the good father. “Martin,” she said, “Jasper, where be a' + the folk?—help the right reverend Sub-Prior to dismount, and take + his mule from him.—O father! God has sent you in our need—I + was just going to send man and horse to the convent, though I ought to be + ashamed to give so much trouble to your reverences.” + </p> + <p> + “Our trouble matters not, good dame,” said Father Eustace; “in what can I + pleasure you? I came hither to visit the Lady of Avenel.” + </p> + <p> + “Well-a-day!” said Dame Alice, “and it was on her part that I had the + boldness to think of summoning you, for the good lady will never be able + to wear over the day!—Would it please you to go to her chamber?” + </p> + <p> + “Hath she not been shriven by Father Philip?” said the monk. + </p> + <p> + “Shriven she was,” said the Dame of Glendearg, “and by Father Philip, as + your reverence truly says—but—I wish it may have been a clean + shrift—Methought Father Philip looked but moody upon it—and + there was a book which he took away with him, that—” She paused as + if unwilling to proceed. + </p> + <p> + “Speak out, Dame Glendinning,” said the Father; “with us it is your duty + to have no secrets.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, if it please your reverence, it is not that I would keep anything + from your reverence's knowledge, but I fear I should prejudice the lady in + your opinion; for she is an excellent lady—months and years has she + dwelt in this tower, and none more exemplary than she; but this matter, + doubtless, she will explain it herself to your reverence.” + </p> + <p> + “I desire first to know it from you, Dame Glendinning,” said the monk; + “and I again repeat, it is your duty to tell it to me.” + </p> + <p> + “This book, if it please your reverence, which Father Philip removed from + Glendearg, was this morning returned to us in a strange manner,” said the + good widow. + </p> + <p> + “Returned!” said the monk; “how mean you?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean,” answered Dame Glendinning, “that it was brought back to the + tower of Glendearg, the saints best know how—that same book which + Father Philip carried with him but yesterday. Old Martin, that is my + tasker and the lady's servant, was driving out the cows to the pasture—for + we have three good milk-cows, reverend father, blessed be Saint Waldave, + and thanks to the holy Monastery—” + </p> + <p> + The monk groaned with impatience; but he remembered that a woman of the + good dame's condition was like a top, which, if you let it spin on + untouched, must at last come to a pause; but, if you interrupt it by + flogging, there is no end to its gyrations. “But, to speak no more of the + cows, your reverence, though they are likely cattle as ever were tied to a + stake, the tasker was driving them out, and the lads, that is my Halbert + and my Edward, that your reverence has seen at church on holidays, and + especially Halbert,—for you patted him on the head and gave him a + brooch of Saint Cuthbert, which he wears in his bonnet,—and little + Mary Avenel, that is the lady's daughter, they ran all after the cattle, + and began to play up and down the pasture as young folk will, your + reverence. And at length they lost sight of Martin and the cows; and they + began to run up a little cleugh which we call <i>Corri-nan-Shian</i>, + where there is a wee bit stripe of a burn, and they saw there—Good + guide us!—a White Woman sitting on the burnside wringing her hands—so + the bairns were frighted to see a strange woman sitting there, all but + Halbert, who will be sixteen come Whitsuntide; and, besides, he never + feared ony thing—and when they went up to her—behold she was + passed away!” + </p> + <p> + “For shame, good woman!” said Father Eustace; “a woman of your sense to + listen to a tale so idle!—the young folk told you a lie, and that + was all.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, sir, it was more than that,” said the old dame; “for, besides that + they never told me a lie in their lives, I must warn you that on the very + ground where the White Woman was sitting, they found the Lady of Avenel's + book, and brought it with them to the tower.” + </p> + <p> + “That is worthy of mark at least,” said the monk. “Know you no other copy + of this volume within these bounds?” + </p> + <p> + “None, your reverence,” returned Elspeth; “why should there?—no one + could read it were there twenty.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are sure it is the very same volume which you gave to Father + Philip?” said the monk. + </p> + <p> + “As sure as that I now speak with your reverence.” + </p> + <p> + “It is most singular!” said the monk; and he walked across the room in a + musing posture. + </p> + <p> + “I have been upon nettles to hear what your reverence would say,” + continued Dame Glendinning, “respecting this matter—There is nothing + I would not do for the Lady of Avenel and her family, and that has been + proved, and for her servants to boot, both Martin and Tibb, although Tibb + is not so civil sometimes as altogether I have a right to expect; but I + cannot think it beseeming to have angels, or ghosts, or fairies, or the + like, waiting upon a leddy when she is in another woman's house, in + respect it is no ways creditable. Ony thing she had to do was always done + to her hand, without costing her either pains or pence, as a country body + says; and besides the discredit, I cannot but think that there is no + safety in having such unchancy creatures about ane. But I have tied red + thread round the bairns's throats,” (so her fondness still called them,) + “and given ilka ane of them a riding-wand of rowan-tree, forby sewing up a + slip of witch-elm into their doublets; and I wish to know of your + reverence if there be ony thing mair that a lone woman can do in the + matter of ghosts and fairies?—Be here! that I should have named + their unlucky names twice ower!” + </p> + <p> + “Dame Glendinning,” answered the monk, somewhat abruptly, when the good + woman had finished her narrative, “I pray you, do you know the miller's + daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “Did I know Kate Happer?” replied the widow; “as well as the beggar knows + his dish—a canty quean was Kate, and a special cummer of my ain + maybe twenty years syne.” + </p> + <p> + “She cannot be the wench I mean,” said Father Eustace; “she after whom I + inquire is scarce fifteen, a black-eyed girl—you may have seen her + at the kirk.” + </p> + <p> + “Your reverence must be in the right; and she is my cummer's nie'ce, + doubtless, that you are pleased to speak of: but I thank God I have always + been too duteous in attention to the mass, to know whether young wenches + have black eyes or green ones.” + </p> + <p> + The good father had so much of the world about him, that he was unable to + avoid smiling, when the dame boasted her absolute resistance to a + temptation, which was not quite so liable to beset her as those of the + other sex. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps, then,” he said, “you know her usual dress, Dame Glendinning?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, ay, father,” answered the dame readily enough, “a white kirtle the + wench wears, to hide the dust of the mill, no doubt—and a blue hood, + that might weel be spared, for pridefulness.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, may it not be she,” said the father, “who has brought back this + book, and stepped out of the way when the children came near her?” + </p> + <p> + The dame paused—was unwilling to combat the solution suggested by + the monk—but was at a loss to conceive why the lass of the mill + should come so far from home into so wild a corner merely to leave an old + book with three children, from whose observation she wished to conceal + herself. + </p> + <p> + Above all, she could not understand why, since she had acquaintances in + the family, and since the Dame Glendinning had always paid her multure and + knaveship duly, the said lass of the mill had not come in to rest herself + and eat a morsel, and tell her the current news of the water. + </p> + <p> + These very objections satisfied the monk that his conjectures were right. + “Dame,” he said, “you must be cautious in what you say. This is an + instance—I would it were the sole one—of the power of the + Enemy in these days. The matter must be sifted—with a curious and a + careful hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” said Elspeth, trying to catch and chime in with the ideas of the + Sub-Prior, “I have often thought the miller's folk at the Monastery-mill + were far over careless in sifting our melder, and in bolting it too—some + folk say they will not stick at whiles to put in a handful of ashes + amongst Christian folk's corn-meal.” + </p> + <p> + “That shall be looked after also, dame,” said the Sub-Prior, not + displeased to see that the good old woman went off on a false scent; “and + now, by your leave, I will see this lady—do you go before, and + prepare her to see me.” + </p> + <p> + Dame Glendinning left the lower apartment accordingly, which the monk + paced in anxious reflection, considering how he might best discharge, with + humanity as well as with effect, the important duty imposed on him. He + resolved to approach the bedside of the sick person with reprimands, + mitigated only by a feeling for her weak condition—he determined, in + case of her reply, to which late examples of hardened heretics might + encourage her, to be prepared with answers to the customary scruples. High + fraught, also, with zeal against her unauthorized intrusion into the + priestly function, by study of the Sacred Scriptures, he imagined to + himself the answers which one of the modern school of heresy might return + to him—the victorious refutation which should lay the disputant + prostrate at the Confessor's mercy—and the healing, yet awful + exhortation, which, under pain of refusing the last consolations of + religion, he designed to make to the penitent, conjuring her, as she loved + her own soul's welfare, to disclose to him what she knew of the dark + mystery of iniquity, by which heresies were introduced into the most + secluded spots of the very patrimony of the Church herself—what + agents they had who could thus glide, as it were unseen, from place to + place, bring back the volume which the Church had interdicted to the spots + from which it had been removed under her express auspices; and, who, by + encouraging the daring and profane thirst after knowledge forbidden and + useless to the laity, had encouraged the fisher of souls to use with + effect his old bait of ambition and vain-glory. + </p> + <p> + Much of this premeditated disputation escaped the good father, when + Elspeth returned, her tears flowing faster than her apron could dry them, + and made him a signal to follow her. “How,” said the monk, “is she then so + near her end?—nay, the Church must not break or bruise, when comfort + is yet possible;” and forgetting his polemics, the good Sub-Prior hastened + to the little apartment, where, on the wretched bed which she had occupied + since her misfortunes had driven her to the Tower of Glendearg, the widow + of Walter Avenel had rendered up her spirit to her Creator. “My God!” said + the Sub-Prior, “and has my unfortunate dallying suffered her to depart + without the Church's consolation! Look to her, dame,” he exclaimed, with + eager impatience; “is there not yet a sparkle of the life left?—may + she not be recalled—recalled but for a moment?—Oh! would that + she could express, but by the most imperfect word—but by the most + feeble motion, her acquiescence in the needful task of penitential prayer!—Does + she not breathe?—Art thou sure she doth not?” + </p> + <p> + “She will never breathe more,” said the matron. “Oh! the poor fatherless + girl—now motherless also—Oh, the kind companion I have had + these many years, whom I shall never see again! But she is in heaven for + certain, if ever woman went there; for a woman of better life——” + </p> + <p> + “Wo to me,” said the good monk, “if indeed she went not hence in good + assurance—wo to the reckless shepherd, who suffered the wolf to + carry a choice one from the flock, while he busied himself with trimming + his sling and his staff to give the monster battle! Oh! if in the long + Hereafter, aught but weal should that poor spirit share, what has my delay + cost?—the value of an immortal soul!” + </p> + <p> + He then approached the body, full of the deep remorse natural to a good + man of his persuasion, who devoutly believed the doctrines of the Catholic + Church. “Ay,” said he, gazing on the pallid corpse, from which the spirit + had parted so placidly as to leave a smile upon the thin blue lips, which + had been so long wasted by decay that they had parted with the last breath + of animation without the slightest convulsive tremor—“Ay,” said + Father Eustace, “there lies the faded tree, and, as it fell, so it lies—awful + thought for me, should my neglect have left it to descend in an evil + direction!” He then again and again conjured Dame Glendinning to tell him + what she knew of the demeanour and ordinary walk of the deceased. + </p> + <p> + All tended to the high honour of the deceased lady; for her companion, who + admired her sufficiently while alive, notwithstanding some trifling points + of jealousy, now idolized her after her death, and could think of no + attribute of praise with which she did not adorn her memory. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, the Lady of Avenel, however she might privately doubt some of the + doctrines announced by the Church of Rome, and although she had probably + tacitly appealed from that corrupted system of Christianity to the volume + on which Christianity itself is founded, had nevertheless been regular in + her attendance on the worship of the Church, not, perhaps, extending her + scruples so far as to break off communion. Such indeed was the first + sentiment of the earlier reformers, who seemed to have studied, for a time + at least, to avoid a schism, until the violence of the Pope rendered it + inevitable. + </p> + <p> + Father Eustace, on the present occasion, listened with eagerness to + everything which could lead to assure him of the lady's orthodoxy in the + main points of belief; for his conscience reproached him sorely, that, + instead of protracting conversation with the Dame of Glendearg, he had not + instantly hastened where his presence was so necessary. “If,” he said, + addressing the dead body, “thou art yet free from the utmost penalty due + to the followers of false doctrine—if thou dost but suffer for a + time, to expiate faults done in the body, but partaking of mortal frailty + more than of deadly sin, fear not that thy abode shall be long in the + penal regions to which thou mayest be doomed—if vigils—if + masses—if penance—if maceration of my body, till it resembles + that extenuated form which the soul hath abandoned, may assure thy + deliverance. The Holy Church—the godly foundation—our blessed + Patroness herself, shall intercede for one whose errors were + counter-balanced by so many virtues.—Leave me, dame—here, and + by her bed-side, will I perform those duties—which this piteous case + demands!” + </p> + <p> + Elspeth left the monk, who employed himself in fervent and sincere, though + erroneous prayers, for the weal of the departed spirit. For an hour he + remained in the apartment of death, and then returned to the hall, where + he found the still weeping friend of the deceased. + </p> + <p> + But it would be injustice to Mrs. Glendinning's hospitality, if we suppose + her to have been weeping during this long interval, or rather if we + suppose her so entirely absorbed by the tribute of sorrow which she paid + frankly and plentifully to her deceased friend, as to be incapable of + attending to the rights of hospitality due to the holy visitor—who + was confessor at once, and Sub-Prior—mighty in all religious and + secular considerations, so far as the vassals of the Monastery were + interested. + </p> + <p> + Her barley-bread had been toasted—her choicest cask of home-brewed + ale had been broached—her best butter had been placed on the + hall-table, along with her most savoury ham, and her choicest cheese, ere + she abandoned herself to the extremity of sorrow; and it was not till she + had arranged her little repast neatly on the board, that she sat down in + the chimney corner, threw her checked apron over her head, and gave way to + the current of tears and sobs. In this there was no grimace or + affectation. The good dame held the honours of her house to be as + essential a duty, especially when a monk was her visitant, as any other + pressing call upon her conscience; nor until these were suitably attended + to did she find herself at liberty to indulge her sorrow for her departed + friend. + </p> + <p> + When she was conscious of the Sub-Prior's presence, she rose with the same + attention to his reception; but he declined all the offers of hospitality + with which she endeavoured to tempt him. Not her butter, as yellow as + gold, and the best, she assured him, that was made in the patrimony of St. + Mary—not the barley scones, which “the departed saint, God sain her! + used to say were so good”—not the ale, nor any other cates which + poor Elspeth's stores afforded, could prevail on the Sub-Prior to break + his fast. “This day,” he said, “I must not taste food until the sun go + down, happy if, in so doing, I can expiate my own negligence—happier + still, if my sufferings of this trifling nature, undertaken in pure faith + and singleness of heart, may benefit the soul of the deceased. Yet, dame,” + he added, “I may not so far forget the living in my cares for the dead, as + to leave behind me that book, which is to the ignorant what, to our first + parents, the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil unhappily proved-excellent + indeed in itself, but fatal because used by those to whom it is + prohibited.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, blithely, reverend father,” said the widow of Simon Glendinning, + “will I give you the book, if so be I can while it from the bairns; and + indeed, poor things, as the case stands with them even now, you might take + the heart out of their bodies, and they never find it out, they are sae + begrutten.” {Footnote: <i>Begrutten</i>—over-weeped} + </p> + <p> + “Give them this missal instead, good dame,” said the father, drawing from + his pocket one which was curiously illuminated with paintings, “and I will + come myself, or send one at a fitting time, and teach them the meaning of + these pictures.” + </p> + <p> + “The bonny images!” said Dame Glendinning, forgetting for an instant her + grief in her admiration, “and weel I wot,” added she, “it is another sort + of a book than the poor Lady of Avenel's; and blessed might we have been + this day, if your reverence had found the way up the glen, instead of + Father Philip, though the Sacristan is a powerful man too, and speaks as + if he would ger the house fly abroad, save that the walls are gey thick. + Simon's forebears (may he and they be blessed!) took care of that.” + </p> + <p> + The monk ordered his mule, and was about to take his leave; and the good + dame was still delaying him with questions about the funeral, when a + horseman, armed and accoutred, rode into the little court-yard which + surrounded the Keep. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Ninth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + For since they rode among our doors + With splent on spauld and rusty spurs, + There grows no fruit into our furs; + Thus said John Up-on-land. + DANNATYNE MS. +</pre> + <p> + The Scottish laws, which were as wisely and judiciously made as they were + carelessly and ineffectually executed, had in vain endeavoured to restrain + the damage done to agriculture, by the chiefs and landed proprietors + retaining in their service what were called jack-men, from the <i>jack</i>, + or doublet, quilted with iron which they wore as defensive armour. These + military retainers conducted themselves with great insolence towards the + industrious part of the community—lived in a great measure by + plunder, and were ready to execute any commands of their master, however + unlawful. In adopting this mode of life, men resigned the quiet hopes and + regular labours of industry, for an unsettled, precarious, and dangerous + trade, which yet had such charms for those once accustomed to it, that + they became incapable of following any other. Hence the complaint of John + Upland, a fictitious character, representing a countryman, into whose + mouth the poets of the day put their general satires upon men and manners. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + They ride about in such a rage, + By forest, frith, and field, + With buckler, bow, and brand. + Lo! where they ride out through the rye! + The Devil mot save the company, + Quoth John Up-on-land. +</pre> + <p> + Christie of the Clinthill, the horseman who now arrived at the little + Tower of Glendearg, was one of the hopeful company of whom the poet + complains, as was indicated by his “splent on spauld,” (iron-plates on his + shoulder,) his rusted spurs, and his long lance. An iron skull-cap, none + of the brightest, bore for distinction a sprig of the holly, which was + Avenel's badge. A long two-edged straight sword, having a handle made of + polished oak, hung down by his side. The meagre condition of his horse, + and the wild and emaciated look of the rider, showed their occupation + could not be accounted an easy or a thriving one. He saluted Dame + Glendinning with little courtesy, and the monk with less; for the growing, + disrespect to the religious orders had not failed to extend itself among a + class of men of such disorderly habits, although it may be supposed they + were tolerably indifferent alike to the new or the ancient doctrines. + </p> + <p> + “So, our lady is dead, Dame Glendinning?” said the jack-man; “my master + has sent you even now a fat bullock for her mart—it may serve for + her funeral. I have left him in the upper cleugh, as he is somewhat + kenspeckle, {Footnote: <i>Kenspeckle</i>—that which is easily + recognized by the eye.} and is marked both with cut and birn—the + sooner the skin is off, and he is in saultfat, the less like you are to + have trouble—you understand me? Let me have a peck of corn for my + horse, and beef and beer for myself, for I must go on to the Monastery—though + I think this monk hero might do mine errand.” + </p> + <p> + “Thine errand, rude man!” said the Sub-Prior, knitting his brows— + </p> + <p> + “For God's sake” cried poor Dame Glendinning, terrified at the idea of a + quarrel between them,—“O Christie!—-it is the Sub-Prior—O + reverend sir, it is Christie of the Clinthill, the laird's chief jack-man; + ye know that little havings can be expected from the like o' them.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you a retainer of the Laird of Avenel?” said the monk, addressing + himself to the horseman, “and do you speak thus rudely to a Brother of + Saint Mary's, to whom thy master is so much beholden?” + </p> + <p> + “He means to be yet more beholden to your house, Sir Monk,” answered the + fellow; “for hearing his sister-in-law, the widow of Walter of Avenel, was + on her death-bed, he sent me to say to the Father Abbot and the brethren, + that he will hold the funeral-feast at their convent, and invites himself + thereto, with a score of horse and some friends, and to abide there for + three days and three nights,—having horse-meat and men's-meat at the + charge of the community; of which his intention he sends due notice, that + fitting preparation may be timeously made.” + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” said the Sub-Prior, “believe not that I will do to the Father + Abbot the indignity of delivering such an errand.—Think'st thou the + goods of the church were bestowed upon her by holy princes and pious + nobles, now dead and gone, to be consumed in revelry by every profligate + layman who numbers in his train more followers than he can support by + honest means, or by his own incomings? Tell thy master, from the Sub-Prior + of Saint Mary's, that the Primate hath issued his commands to us that we + submit no longer to this compulsory exaction of hospitality on slight or + false pretences. Our lands and goods were given to relieve pilgrims and + pious persons, not to feast bands of rude soldiers.” + </p> + <p> + “This to me!” said the angry spearman, “this to me and to my master—Look + to yourself then, Sir Priest, and try if <i>Ave</i> and <i>Credo</i> will + keep bullocks from wandering, and hay-stacks from burning.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou menace the Holy Church's patrimony with waste and + fire-raising,” said the Sub-Prior, “and that in the face of the sun? I + call on all who hear me to bear witness to the words this ruffian has + spoken. Remember how the Lord James drowned such as you by scores in the + black pool at Jeddart.-To him and to the Primate will I complain.” The + soldier shifted the position of his lance, and brought it down to a level + with the monk's body. + </p> + <p> + Dame Glendinning began to shriek for assistance. “Tibb Tacket! Martin! + where be ye all?—Christie, for the love of God, consider he is a man + of Holy Kirk!” + </p> + <p> + “I care not for his spear,” said the Sub-Prior; “if I am slain in + defending the rights and privileges of my community, the Primate will know + how to take vengeance.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him look to himself,” said Christie, but at the same time depositing + his lance against the wall of the tower; “if the Fife men spoke true who + came hither with the Governor in the last raid, Norman Leslie has him at + feud, and is like to set him hard. We know Norman a true bloodhound, who + will never quit the slot. But I had no design to offend the holy father,” + he added, thinking perhaps he had gone a little too far; “I am a rude man, + bred to lance and stirrup, and not used to deal with book-learned men and + priests; and I am willing to ask his forgiveness—and his blessing, + if I have said aught amiss.” + </p> + <p> + “For God's sake! your reverence,” said the widow of Glendearg apart to the + Sub-Prior, “bestow on him your forgiveness—how shall we poor folk + sleep in security in the dark nights, if the convent is at feud with such + men as he is?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, dame,” said the Sub-Prior, “your safety should, and must + be, in the first instance consulted.—Soldier, I forgive thee, and + may God bless thee and send thee honesty.” + </p> + <p> + Christie of the Clinthill made an unwilling inclination with his head, and + muttered apart, “that is as much as to say, God send thee starvation, But + now to my master's demand, Sir Priest? What answer am I to return?” + </p> + <p> + “That the body of the widow of Walter of Avenel,” answered the Father, + “shall be interred as becomes her rank, and in the tomb of her valiant + husband. For your master's proffered visit of three days, with such a + company and retinue, I have no authority to reply to it; you must intimate + your Chief's purpose to the Reverend Lord Abbot.” + </p> + <p> + “That will cost me a farther ride,” said the man, “but it is all in the + day's work.—How now, my lad,” said he to Halbert, who was handling + the long lance which he had laid aside; “how do you like such a plaything?—will + you go with me and be a moss-trooper?” + </p> + <p> + “The Saints in their mercy forbid!” said the poor mother; and then, afraid + of having displeased Christie by the vivacity of her exclamation, she + followed it up by explaining, that since Simon's death she could not look + on a spear or a bow, or any implement of destruction without trembling. + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw!” answered Christie, “thou shouldst take another husband, dame, and + drive such follies out of thy thoughts—what sayst thou to such a + strapping lad as I? Why, this old tower of thine is fensible enough, and + there is no want of clenchs, and crags, and bogs, and thickets, if one was + set hard; a man might bide here and keep his half-score of lads, and as + many geldings, and live on what he could lay his hand on, and be kind to + thee, old wench.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! Master Christie,” said the matron, “that you should talk to a lone + woman in such a fashion, and death in the house besides!” + </p> + <p> + “Lone woman!—why, that is the very reason thou shouldst take a mate. + Thy old friend is dead, why, good—choose thou another of somewhat + tougher frame, and that will not die of the pip like a young chicken.—Better + still—Come, dame, let me have something to eat, and we will talk + more of this.” + </p> + <p> + Dame Elspeth, though she well knew the character of the man, whom in fact + she both disliked and feared, could not help simpering at the personal + address which he thought proper to make to her. She whispered to the + Sub-Prior, “ony thing just to keep him quiet,” and went into the tower to + set before the soldier the food he desired, trusting betwixt good cheer + and the power of her own charms, to keep Christie of the Clinthill so well + amused, that the altercation betwixt him and the holy father should not be + renewed. + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior was equally unwilling to hazard any unnecessary rupture + between the community and such a person as Julian of Avenel. He was + sensible that moderation, as well as firmness, was necessary to support + the tottering cause of the Church of Rome; and that, contrary to former + times, the quarrels betwixt the clergy and laity had, in the present, + usually terminated to the advantage of the latter. He resolved, therefore, + to avoid farther strife by withdrawing, but failed not, in the first + place, to possess himself of the volume which the Sacristan carried off + the evening before, and which had been returned to the glen in such a + marvellous manner. + </p> + <p> + Edward, the younger of Dame Elspeth's boys, made great objections to the + book's being removed, in which Mary would probably have joined, but that + she was now in her little sleeping-chamber with Tibb, who was exerting her + simple skill to console the young lady for her mother's death. But the + younger Glendinning stood up in defence of her property, and, with a + positiveness which had hitherto made no part of his character, declared, + that now the kind lady was dead, the book was Mary's, and no one but Mary + should have it. + </p> + <p> + “But if it is not a fit book for Mary to read, my dear boy,” said the + father, gently, “you would not wish it to remain with her?” + </p> + <p> + “The lady read it,” answered the young champion of property; “and so it + could not be wrong—it shall not be taken away.—I wonder where + Halbert is?—listening to the bravading tales of gay Christie, I + reckon,—he is always wishing for fighting, and now he is out of the + way.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Edward, you would not fight with me, who am both a priest and old + man?” + </p> + <p> + “If you were as good a priest as the Pope,” said the boy, “and as old as + the hills to boot, you shall not carry away Mary's book without her leave. + I will do battle for it.” + </p> + <p> + “But see you, my love,” said the monk, amused with the resolute friendship + manifested by the boy, “I do not take it; I only borrow it; and I leave in + its place my own gay missal, as a pledge I will bring it again.” + </p> + <p> + Edward opened the missal with eager curiosity, and glanced at the pictures + with which it was illustrated. “Saint George and the dragon—Halbert + will like that; and Saint Michael brandishing his sword over the head of + the Wicked One—and that will do for Halbert too. And see the Saint + John leading his lamb in the wilderness, with his little cross made of + reeds, and his scrip and staff—that shall be my favourite; and where + shall we find one for poor Mary?—here is a beautiful woman weeping + and lamenting herself.” + </p> + <p> + “This is Saint Mary Magdalen repenting of her sins, my dear boy,” said the + father. + </p> + <p> + “That will not suit <i>our</i> Mary; for she commits no faults, and is + never angry with us, but when we do something wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said the father, “I will show you a Mary, who will protect her and + you, and all good children. See how fairly she is represented, with her + gown covered with golden stars.” + </p> + <p> + The boy was lost in wonder at the portrait of the Virgin, which the + Sub-Prior turned up to him. + </p> + <p> + “This,” he said, “is really like our sweet Mary; and I think I will let + you take away the black book, that has no such goodly shows in it, and + leave this for Mary instead. But you must promise to bring back the book, + good father—for now I think upon it, Mary may like that best which + was her mother's.” + </p> + <p> + “I will certainly return,” said the monk, evading his answer, “and perhaps + I may teach you to write and read such beautiful letters as you see there + written, and to paint them blue, green, and yellow, and to blazon them + with gold.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, and to make such figures as these blessed Saints, and especially + these two Marys?” said the boy. + </p> + <p> + “With their blessing,” said the Sub-Prior, “I can teach you that art too, + so far as I am myself capable of showing, and you of learning it.” “Then,” + said Edward, “will I paint Mary's picture—and remember you are to + bring back the black book; that you must promise me.” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior, anxious to get rid of the boy's pertinacity, and to set + forward on his return to the convent, without having any further interview + with Christie the galloper, answered by giving the promise Edward + required, mounted his mule, and set forth on his return homeward. + </p> + <p> + The November day was well spent ere the Sub-Prior resumed his journey; for + the difficulty of the road, and the various delays which he had met with + at the tower, had detained him longer than he proposed. A chill easterly + wind was sighing among the withered leaves, and stripping them from the + hold they had yet retained on the parent trees. + </p> + <p> + “Even so,” said the monk, “our prospects in this vale of time grow more + disconsolate as the stream of years passes on. Little have I gained by my + journey, saving the certainty that heresy is busy among us with more than + his usual activity, and that the spirit of insulting religious orders, and + plundering the Church's property, so general in the eastern districts of + Scotland, has now come nearer home.” + </p> + <p> + The tread of a horse which came up behind him, interrupted his reverie, + and he soon saw he was mounted by the same wild rider whom he had left at + the tower. + </p> + <p> + “Good even, my son, and benedicite,” said the Sub-Prior as he passed; but + the rude soldier scarce acknowledged the greeting, by bending his head; + and dashing the spurs into his horse, went on at a pace which soon left + the monk and his mule far behind. And there, thought the Sub-Prior, goes + another plague of the times—a fellow whose birth designed him to + cultivate the earth, but who is perverted by the unhallowed and + unchristian divisions of the country, into a daring and dissolute robber. + The barons of Scotland are now turned masterful thieves and ruffians, + oppressing the poor by violence, and wasting the Church, by extorting + free-quarters from abbeys and priories, without either shame or reason. I + fear me I shall be too late to counsel the Abbot to make a stand against + these daring <i>sorners</i> {Footnote: To <i>sorne</i>, in Scotland, is to + exact free quarters against the will of the landlord. It is declared + equivalent to theft, by a statute passed in the year 1445. The great + chieftains oppressed the monasteries very much by exactions of this + nature. The community of Aberbrothwick complained of an Earl of Angus, I + think, who was in the regular habit of visiting them once a year, with a + train of a thousand horse, and abiding till the whole winter provisions of + the convent were exhausted.}—“I must make haste.” He struck his mule + with his riding wand accordingly; but, instead of mending her pace, the + animal suddenly started from the path, and the rider's utmost efforts + could not force her forward. + </p> + <p> + “Art thou, too, infected with the spirit of the times?” said the + Sub-Prior; “thou wert wont to be ready and serviceable, and art now as + restive as any wild jack-man or stubborn heretic of them all.” + </p> + <p> + While he was contending with the startled animal, a voice, like that of a + female, chanted in his ear, or at least very close to it, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Good evening-. Sir Priest, and so late as you ride, + With your mule so fair, and your mantle so wide; + But ride you through valley, or ride you o'er hill. + There is one that has warrant to wait on you still. + Back, back, + The volume black! + I have a warrant to carry it back.” + </pre> + <p> + The Sub-Prior looked around, but neither bush nor brake was near which + could conceal an ambushed songstress. “May Our Lady have mercy on me!” he + said; “I trust my senses have not forsaken me—yet how my thoughts + should arrange themselves into rhymes which I despise, and music which I + care not for, or why there should be the sound of a female voice in ears, + in which its melody has been so long indifferent, baffles my + comprehension, and almost realizes the vision of Philip the Sacristan. + Come, good mule, betake thee to the path, and let us hence while our + judgment serves us.” + </p> + <p> + But the mule stood as if it had been rooted to the spot, backed from the + point to which it was pressed by its rider, and by her ears laid close + into her neck, and her eyes almost starting from their sockets, testified + that she was under great terror. + </p> + <p> + While the Sub-Prior, by alternate threats and soothing, endeavoured to + reclaim the wayward animal to her duty, the wild musical voice was again + heard close beside him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “What, ho! Sub-Prior, and came you but here + To conjure a book from a dead woman's bier? + Sain you, and save you, be wary and wise, + Ride back with the book, or you'll pay for your prize. + Back, back. + There's death in the track! + In the name of my master I bid thee bear back.” + </pre> + <p> + “In the name of MY Master,” said the astonished monk, “that name before + which all things created tremble, I conjure thee to say what thou art that + hauntest me thus?” + </p> + <p> + The same voice replied, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “That which is neither ill nor well. + That which belongs not to Heaven nor to hell, + A wreath of the mist, a bubble of the stream, + 'Twixt a waking thought and a sleeping dream; + A form that men spy + With the half-shut eye. + In the beams of the setting sun, am I.” + </pre> + <p> + “This is more than simple fantasy,” said the Sub-Prior, rousing himself; + though, notwithstanding the natural hardihood of his temper, the sensible + presence of a supernatural being so near him, failed not to make his blood + run cold, and his hair bristle. “I charge thee,” he said aloud, “be thine + errand what it will, to depart and trouble me no more! False spirit, thou + canst not appal any save those who do the work negligently.” The voice + immediately answered: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Vainly, Sir Prior, wouldst thou bar me my right! + Like the star when it shoots, I can dart through the night; + I can dance on the torrent and ride on the air, + And travel the world with the bonny night-mare. + Again, again, + At the crook of the glen, + Where bickers the burnie, I'll meet thee again.” + </pre> + <p> + The road was now apparently left open; for the mule collected herself, and + changed from her posture of terror to one which promised advance, although + a profuse perspiration, and general trembling of the joints, indicated the + bodily terror she had undergone. + </p> + <p> + “I used to doubt the existence of Cabalists and Rosicrucians,” thought the + Sub-Prior, “but, by my Holy Order, I know no longer what to say!—My + pulse beats temperately—my hand is cool—I am fasting from + everything but sin, and possessed of my ordinary faculties—Either + some fiend is permitted to bewilder me, or the tales of Cornelius Agrippa, + Paracelsus, and others who treat of occult philosophy, are not without + foundation.—At the crook of the glen? I could have desired to avoid + a second meeting, but I am on the service of the Church, and the gates of + hell shall not prevail against me.” + </p> + <p> + He moved around accordingly, but with precaution, and not without fear; + for he neither knew the manner in which, or the place where his journey + might be next interrupted by his invisible attendant. He descended the + glen without interruption for about a mile farther, when, just at the spot + where the brook approached the steep hill, with a winding so abrupt as to + leave scarcely room for a horse to pass, the mule was again visited with + the same symptoms of terror which had before interrupted her course. + Better acquainted than before with the cause of her restiveness, the + Priest employed no effort to make her proceed, but addressed himself to + the object, which he doubted not was the same that had formerly + interrupted him, in the words of solemn exorcism prescribed by the Church + of Rome on such occasions. + </p> + <p> + In reply to his demand, the voice again sung;— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Men of good are bold as sackless,{Footnote: Sackless—Innocent.} + Men of rude are wild and reckless, + Lie thou still + In the nook of the hill. + For those be before thee that wish thee ill.” + </pre> + <p> + While the Sub-Prior listened, with his head turned in the direction from + which the sounds seemed to come, he felt as if something rushed against + him; and ere he could discover the cause, he was pushed from his saddle + with gentle but irresistible force. Before he reached the ground his + senses were gone, and he lay long in a state of insensibility; for the + sunset had not ceased to gild the top of the distant hill when he fell,—and + when he again became conscious of existence, the pale moon was gleaming on + the landscape. He awakened in a state of terror, from which, for a few + minutes, he found it difficult to shake himself free. At length he sate + upon the grass, and became sensible, by repeated exertion, that the only + personal injury which he had sustained was the numbness arising from + extreme cold. The motion of something near him made the blood again run to + his heart, and by a sudden effort he started up, and, looking around, saw + to his relief that the noise was occasioned by the footsteps of his own + mule. The peaceable animal had remained quietly beside her master during + his trance, browsing on the grass which grew plentifully in that + sequestered nook. + </p> + <p> + With some exertion he collected himself, remounted the animal, and + meditating upon his wild adventure, descended the glen till its junction + with the broader valley through which the Tweed winds. The drawbridge was + readily dropped at his first summons; and so much had he won upon the + heart of the churlish warden, that Peter appeared himself with a lantern + to show the Sub-Prior his way over the perilous pass. + </p> + <p> + “By my sooth, sir,” he said, holding the light up to Father Eustace's + face, “you look sorely travelled and deadly pale—but a little matter + serves to weary out you men of the cell. I now who speak to you—I + have ridden—before I was perched up here on this pillar betwixt wind + and water—it may be thirty Scots miles before I broke my fast, and + have had the red of a bramble rose in my cheek all the while—But + will you taste some food, or a cup of distilled waters?” + </p> + <p> + “I may not,” said Father Eustace, “being under a vow; but I thank you for + your kindness, and pray you to give what I may not accept to the next poor + pilgrim who comes hither pale and fainting, for so it shall be the better + both with him here, and with you hereafter.” + </p> + <p> + “By my faith, and I will do so,” said Peter Bridge-Ward, “even for thy + sake—It is strange now, how this Sub-Prior gets round one's heart + more than the rest of these cowled gentry, that think of nothing but + quaffing and stuffing!—Wife, I say—wife, we will give a cup of + distilled waters and a crust of bread unto the next pilgrim that comes + over; and ye may keep for {Footnote: An old-fashioned name for an earthen + jar for holding spirits.} the purpose the grunds of the last greybeard, + and the ill-baked bannock which the bairns couldna eat.” + </p> + <p> + While Peter issued these charitable, and, at the same time, prudent + injunctions, the Sub-Prior, whose mild interference had awakened the + Bridge-Ward to such an act of unwonted generosity, was pacing onward to + the Monastery. In the way, he had to commune with and subdue his own + rebellious heart, an enemy, he was sensible, more formidable than any + which the external powers of Satan could place in his way. + </p> + <p> + Father Eustace had indeed strong temptation to suppress the extraordinary + incident which had befallen him, which he was the more reluctant to + confess, because he had passed so severe a judgment upon Father Philip, + who, as he was not unwilling to allow, had, on his return from Glendearg, + encountered obstacles somewhat similar to his own. Of this the Sub-Prior + was the more convinced, when, feeling in his bosom for the Book which he + had brought off from the Tower of Glendearg, he found it was amissing, + which he could only account for by supposing it had been stolen from him + during his trance. + </p> + <p> + “If I confess this strange visitation,” thought the Sub-Prior, “I become + the ridicule of all my brethren—I whom the Primate sent hither to be + a watch, as it were, and a check upon their follies. I give the Abbot an + advantage over me which I shall never again recover, and Heaven only knows + how he may abuse it, in his foolish simplicity, to the dishonour and loss + of Holy Kirk.—But then, if I make not true confession of my shame, + with what face can I again presume to admonish or restrain others?—Avow, + proud heart,” continued he, addressing himself, “that the weal of Holy + Church interests thee less in this matter than thine own humiliation—Yes, + Heaven has punished thee even in that point in which thou didst deem + thyself most strong, in thy spiritual pride and thy carnal wisdom. Thou + hast laughed at and derided the inexperience of thy brethren—stoop + thyself in turn to their derision—tell what they may not believe—affirm + that which they will ascribe to idle fear, or perhaps to idle falsehood—sustain + the disgrace of a silly visionary, or a wilful deceiver.—Be it so, I + will do my duty, and make ample confession to my Superior. If the + discharge of this duty destroys my usefulness in this house, God and Our + Lady will send me where I can better serve them.” + </p> + <p> + There was no little merit in the resolution thus piously and generously + formed by Father Eustace. To men of any rank the esteem of their order is + naturally most dear; but in the monastic establishment, cut off, as the + brethren are, from other objects of ambition, as well as from all exterior + friendship and relationship, the place which they hold in the opinion of + each other is all in all. + </p> + <p> + But the consciousness how much he should rejoice the Abbot and most of the + other monks of Saint Mary's, who were impatient of the unauthorized, yet + irresistible control, which he was wont to exercise in the affairs of the + convent, by a confession which would put him in a ludicrous, or perhaps + even in a criminal point of view, could not weigh with Father Eustace in + comparison with the task which his belief enjoined. + </p> + <p> + As, strong in his feelings of duty, he approached the exterior gate of the + Monastery, he was surprised to see torches gleaming, and men assembled + around it, some on horseback, some on foot, while several of the monks, + distinguished through the night by their white scapularies, were making + themselves busy among the crowd. The Sub-Prior was received with a + unanimous shout of joy, which at once made him sensible that he had + himself been the object of their anxiety. + </p> + <p> + “There he is! there he is! God be thanked—there he is, hale and + fear!” exclaimed the vassals; while the monks exclaimed, “<i>Te Deum + laudamus</i>—the blood of thy servants is precious in thy sight!” + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter, children? what is the matter, my brethren?” said + Father Eustace, dismounting at the gate. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, brother, if thou know'st not, we will not tell thee till thou art in + the refectory,” answered the monks; “suffice it that the Lord Abbot had + ordered these, our zealous and faithful vassals, instantly to set forth to + guard thee from imminent peril—Ye may ungirth your horses, children, + and dismiss; and to-morrow, each who was at this rendezvous may send to + the convent kitchen for a quarter of a yard of roast beef, and a + black-jack full of double ale.” {Footnote: It was one of the few + reminiscences of Old Parr, or Henry Jenkins, I forget which, that, at some + convent in the veteran's neighbourhood, the community, before the + dissolution, used to dole out roast-beef in the measure of feet and + yards.} + </p> + <p> + The vassals dispersed with joyful acclamation, and the monks, with equal + jubilee, conducted the Sub-Prior into the refectory. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Tenth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Here we stand— + Woundless and well, may Heaven's high name be bless'd for't! + As erst, ere treason couch'd a lance against us. + Decker. +</pre> + <p> + No sooner was the Sub-Prior hurried into the refectory by his rejoicing + companions, than the first person on whom he fixed his eye proved to be + Christie of the Clinthill. He was seated in the chimney-corner, fettered + and guarded, his features drawn into that air of sulky and turbid + resolution with which those hardened in guilt are accustomed to view the + approach of punishment. But as the Sub-Prior drew near to him, his face + assumed a more wild and startled expression, while he exclaimed—“The + devil! the devil himself, brings the dead back upon the living.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said a monk to him, “say rather that Our Lady foils the attempts of + the wicked on her faithful servants—our dear brother lives and + moves.” + </p> + <p> + “Lives and moves!” said the ruffian, rising and shuffling towards the + Sub-Prior as well as his chains would permit; “nay, then, I will never + trust ashen shaft and steel point more—It is even so,” he added, as + he gazed on the Sub-Prior with astonishment; “neither wem nor wound—not + as much as a rent in his frock!” + </p> + <p> + “And whence should my wound have come?” said Father Eustace. + </p> + <p> + “From the good lance that never failed me before,” replied Christie of the + Clinthill. + </p> + <p> + “Heaven absolve thee for thy purpose!” said the Sub-Prior; “wouldst thou + have slain a servant of the altar?” + </p> + <p> + “To choose!” answered Christie; “the Fifemen say, an the whole pack of ye + were slain, there were more lost at Flodden.” + </p> + <p> + “Villain! art thou heretic as well as murderer?” + </p> + <p> + “Not I, by Saint Giles,” replied the rider; “I listened blithely enough to + the Laird of Monance, when he told me ye were all cheats and knaves; but + when he would have had me go hear one Wiseheart, a gospeller as they call + him, he might as well have persuaded the wild colt that had flung one + rider to kneel down and help another into the saddle.” + </p> + <p> + “There is some goodness about him yet,” said the Sacristan to the Abbot, + who at that moment entered—“He refused to hear a heretic preacher.” + </p> + <p> + “The better for him in the next world,” answered the Abbot. “Prepare for + death, my son,—we deliver thee over to the secular arm of our + bailie, for execution on the Gallow-hill by peep of light.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” said the ruffian; “'tis the end I must have come by sooner or + later—and what care I whether I feed the crows at Saint Mary's or at + Carlisle?” + </p> + <p> + “Let me implore your reverend patience for an instant,” said the + Sub-Prior; “until I shall inquire—” + </p> + <p> + “What!” exclaimed the Abbot, observing him for the first time—“Our + dear brother restored to us when his life was unhoped for!—nay, + kneel not to a sinner like me—stand up—thou hast my blessing. + When this villain came to the gate, accused by his own evil conscience, + and crying out he had murdered thee, I thought that the pillar of our main + aisle had fallen—no more shall a life so precious be exposed to such + risks as occur in this border country; no longer shall one beloved and + rescued of Heaven hold so low a station in the church as that of a poor + Sub-Prior—I will write by express to the Primate for thy speedy + removal and advancement.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but let me understand,” said the Sub-Prior; “did this soldier say he + had slain me?” + </p> + <p> + “That he had transfixed you,” answered the Abbot, “in full career with his + lance—but it seems he had taken an indifferent aim. But no sooner + didst thou fall to the ground mortally gored, as he deemed, with his + weapon, than our blessed Patroness appeared to him, as he averred—” + </p> + <p> + “I averred no such thing,” said the prisoner; “I said a woman in white + interrupted me, as I was about to examine the priest's cassock, for they + are usually well lined—she had a bulrush in her hand, with one touch + of which she struck me from my horse, as I might strike down a child of + four years old with an iron mace—and then, like a singing fiend as + she was, she sung to me. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Thank the holly-bush + That nods on thy brow; + Or with this slender rush + I had strangled thee now.' +</pre> + <p> + I gathered myself up with fear and difficulty, threw myself on my horse, + and came hither like a fool to get myself hanged for a rogue.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou seest, honoured brother,” said the Abbot to the Sub-Prior, “in what + favour thou art with our blessed Patroness, that she herself becomes the + guardian of thy paths—Not since the days of our blessed founder hath + she shown such grace to any one. All unworthy were we to hold spiritual + superiority over thee, and we pray thee to prepare for thy speedy removal + to Aberbrothwick.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! my lord and father,” said the Sub-Prior, “your words pierce my very + soul. Under the seal of confession will I presently tell thee why I + conceive myself rather the baffled sport of a spirit of another sort, than + the protected favourite of the heavenly powers. But first let me ask this + unhappy man a question or two.” + </p> + <p> + “Do as ye list,” replied the Abbot—“but you shall not convince me + that it is fitting you remain in this inferior office in the convent of + Saint Mary.” + </p> + <p> + “I would ask of this poor man,” said Father Eustace, “for what purpose he + nourished the thought of putting to death one who never did him evil?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay! but thou didst menace me with evil,” said the ruffian, “and no one + but a fool is menaced twice. Dost thou not remember what you said touching + the Primate and Lord James, and the black pool of Jedwood? Didst thou + think me fool enough to wait till thou hadst betrayed me to the sack and + the fork! There were small wisdom in that, methinks—as little as in + coming hither to tell my own misdeeds—I think the devil was in me + when I took this road—I might have remembered the proverb, 'Never + Friar forgot feud.'” + </p> + <p> + “And it was solely for that—for that only hasty word of mine, + uttered in a moment of impatience, and forgotten ere it was well spoken?” + said Father Eustace. + </p> + <p> + “Ay! for that, and—for the love of thy gold crucifix,” said Christie + of the Clinthill. + </p> + <p> + “Gracious Heaven! and could the yellow metal—the glittering earth—so + far overcome every sense of what is thereby represented?—Father + Abbot, I pray, as a dear boon, you will deliver this guilty person to my + mercy.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, brother,” interposed the Sacristan, “to your doom, if you will, not + to your mercy—Remember, we are not all equally favoured by our + blessed Lady, nor is it likely that every frock in the Convent will serve + as a coat of proof when a lance is couched against it.” + </p> + <p> + “For that very reason,” said the Sub-Prior, “I would not that for my + worthless self the community were to fall at feud with Julian of Avenel, + this man's master.” + </p> + <p> + “Our Lady forbid!” said the Sacristan, “he is a second Julian the + Apostate.” + </p> + <p> + “With our reverend father the Abbot's permission, then,” said Father + Eustace, “I desire this man be freed from his chains, and suffered to + depart uninjured;—and here, friend,” he added, giving him the golden + crucifix, “is the image for which thou wert willing to stain thy hands + with murder. View it well, and may it inspire thee with other and better + thoughts than those which referred to it as a piece of bullion! Part with + it, nevertheless, if thy necessities require, and get thee one of such + coarse substance that Mammon shall have no share in any of the reflections + to which it gives rise. It was the bequest of a dear friend to me; but + dearer service can it never do than that of winning a soul to Heaven.” + </p> + <p> + The Borderer, now freed from his chains, stood gazing alternately on the + Sub-Prior, and on the golden crucifix. “By Saint Giles,” said he, “I + understand ye not!—An ye give me gold for couching my lance at thee, + what would you give me to level it at a heretic?” + </p> + <p> + “The Church,” said the Sub-Prior, “will try the effect of her spiritual + censures to bring these stray sheep into the fold, ere she employ the edge + of the sword of Saint Peter.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, but,” said the ruffian, “they say the Primate recommends a little + strangling and burning in aid of both censure and of sword. But fare ye + weel, I owe you a life, and it may be I will not forget my debt.” + </p> + <p> + The bailie now came bustling in, dressed in his blue coat and bandaliers, + and attended by two or three halberdiers. “I have been a thought too late + in waiting upon your reverend lordship. I am grown somewhat fatter since + the field of Pinkie, and my leathern coat slips not on so soon as it was + wont; but the dungeon is ready, and though, as I said, I have been + somewhat late—” + </p> + <p> + Here his intended prisoner walked gravely up to the officer's nose, to his + great amazement. + </p> + <p> + “You have been indeed somewhat late, bailie,” said he, “and I am greatly + obligated to your buff-coat, and to the time you took to put it on. If the + secular arm had arrived some quarter of an hour sooner, I had been out of + the reach of spiritual grace; but as it is, I wish you good even, and a + safe riddance out of your garment of durance, in which you have much the + air of a hog in armour.” + </p> + <p> + Wroth was the bailie at this comparison, and exclaimed in ire—“An it + were not for the presence of the venerable Lord Abbot, thou knave—” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, an thou wouldst try conclusions,” said Christie of the Clinthill, “I + will meet thee at day-break by Saint Mary's Well.” + </p> + <p> + “Hardened wretch!” said Father Eustace, “art thou but this instant + delivered from death, and dost thou so soon morse thoughts of slaughter?” + </p> + <p> + “I will meet with thee ere it be long, thou knave,” said the bailie, “and + teach thee thine Oremus.” + </p> + <p> + “I will meet thy cattle in a moonlight night before that day,” said he of + the Clinthill. + </p> + <p> + “I will have thee by the neck one misty morning, thou strong thief,” + answered the secular officer of the Church. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art thyself as strong a thief as ever rode,” retorted Christie; “and + if the worms were once feasting on that fat carcass of thine I might well + hope to have thine office, by favour of these reverend men.” + </p> + <p> + “A cast of their office, and a cast of mine,” answered the bailie; “a cord + and a confessor, that is all thou wilt have from us.” + </p> + <p> + “Sirs,” said the Sub-Prior, observing that his brethren began to take more + interest than was exactly decorous in this wrangling betwixt justice and + iniquity, “I pray you both to depart—Master Bailie, retire with your + halberdiers, and trouble not the man whom we have dismissed.—And + thou, Christie, or whatever be thy name, take thy departure, and remember + thou owest thy life to the Lord Abbot's clemency.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, as to that,” answered Christie, “I judge that I owe it to your own; + but impute it to whom ye list, I owe a life among ye, and there is an + end.” And whistling as he went, he left the apartment, seeming as if he + held the life which he had forfeited not worthy further thanks. + </p> + <p> + “Obstinate even to brutality!” said Father Eustace; “and yet who knows but + some better ore may lie under so rude an exterior?” + </p> + <p> + “Save a thief from the gallows,” said the Sacristan—“you know the + rest of the proverb; and admitting, as may Heaven grant, that our lives + and limbs are safe from this outrageous knave, who shall insure our meal + and our malt, our herds and our flocks?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry, that will I, my brethren,” said an aged monk. “Ah, brethren, you + little know what may be made of a repentant robber. In Abbot Ingilram's + days—ay, and I remember them as it were yesterday—the + freebooters were the best welcome men that came to Saint Mary's. Ay, they + paid tithe of every drove that they brought over from the South, and + because they were something lightly come by, I have known them make the + tithe a seventh—that is, if their confessor knew his business—ay, + when we saw from the tower a score of fat bullocks, or a drove of sheep, + coming down the valley, with two or three stout men-at-arms behind them + with their glittering steel caps, and their black-jacks, and their long + lances, the good Lord Abbot Ingilram was wont to say—he was a merry + man—there come the tithes of the spoilers of the Egyptians! Ay, and + I have seen the famous John the Armstrang—a fair man he was and a + goodly, the more pity that hemp was ever heckled for him—I have seen + him come into the Abbey-church with nine tassels of gold in his bonnet, + and every tassel made of nine English nobles, and he would go from chapel + to chapel, and from image to image, and from altar to altar, on his knees—and + leave here a tassel, and there a noble, till there was as little gold on + his bonnet as on my hood—you will find no such Border thieves now!” + </p> + <p> + “No, truly, Brother Nicolas,” answered the Abbot; “they are more apt to + take any gold the Church has left, than to bequeath or bestow any—and + for cattle, beshrew me if I think they care whether beeves have fed on the + meadows of Lanercost Abbey or of Saint Mary's!” + </p> + <p> + “There is no good thing left in them,” said Father Nicolas; “they are + clean naught—Ah, the thieves that I have seen!—such proper + men! and as pitiful as proper, and as pious as pitiful!” + </p> + <p> + “It skills not talking of it, Brother Nicolas,” said the Abbot; “and I + will now dismiss you, my brethren, holding your meeting upon this our + inquisition concerning the danger of our reverend Sub-Prior, instead of + the attendance on the lauds this evening—Yet let the bells be duly + rung for the edification of the laymen without, and also that the novices + may give due reverence.—And now, benedicite, brethren! The cellarer + will bestow on each a grace-cup and a morsel as ye pass the buttery, for + ye have been turmoiled and anxious, and dangerous it is to fall asleep in + such case with empty stomach.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Gratias agimus quam maximas, Domine reverendissime</i>,” replied the + brethren, departing in their due order. + </p> + <p> + But the Sub-Prior remained behind, and falling on his knees before the + Abbot, as he was about to withdraw, craved him to hear under the seal of + confession the adventures of the day. The reverend Lord Abbot yawned, and + would have alleged fatigue; but to Father Eustace, of all men, he was + ashamed to show indifference in his religious duties. The confession, + therefore, proceeded, in which Father Eustace told all the extraordinary + circumstances which had befallen him during the journey. And being + questioned by the Abbot, whether he was not conscious of any secret sin, + through which he might have been subjected for a time to the delusions of + evil spirits, the Sub-Prior admitted, with frank avowal, that he thought + he might have deserved such penance for having judged with unfraternal + rigour of the report of Father Philip the Sacristan. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0159m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0159m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0159.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “Heaven,” said the penitent, “may have been willing to convince me, not + only that he can at pleasure open a communication betwixt us and beings of + a different, and, as we word it, supernatural class, but also to punish + our pride of superior wisdom, or superior courage, or superior learning.” + </p> + <p> + It is well said that virtue is its own reward; and I question if duty was + ever more completely recompensed, than by the audience which the reverend + Abbot so unwillingly yielded to the confession of the Sub-Prior. To find + the object of his fear shall we say, or of his envy, or of both, accusing + himself of the very error with which he had so tacitly charged him, was a + corroboration of the Abbot's judgment, a soothing of his pride, and an + allaying of his fears. The sense of triumph, however, rather increased + than diminished his natural good-humour; and so far was Abbot Boniface + from being disposed to tyrannize over his Sub-Prior in consequence of this + discovery, that in his exhortation he hovered somewhat ludicrously betwixt + the natural expression of his own gratified vanity, and his timid + reluctance to hurt the feelings of Father Eustace. + </p> + <p> + “My brother,” said he, <i>ex cathedra</i>, “it cannot have escaped your + judicious observation, that we have often declined our own judgment in + favour of your opinion, even about those matters which most nearly + concerned the community. Nevertheless, grieved would we be, could you + think that we did this, either because we deemed our own opinion less + pregnant, or our wit more shallow, than that of our brethren. For it was + done exclusively to give our younger brethren, such as your much esteemed + self, my dearest brother, that courage which is necessary to a free + deliverance of your opinion,—we ofttimes setting apart our proper + judgment, that our inferiors, and especially our dear brother the + Sub-Prior, may be comforted and encouraged in proposing valiantly his own + thoughts. Which our deference and humility may, in some sort, have + produced in your mind, most reverend brother, that self-opinion of parts + and knowledge, which hath led unfortunately to your over-estimating your + own faculties, and thereby subjecting yourself, as is but too visible, to + the japes and mockeries of evil spirits. For it is assured that Heaven + always holdeth us in the least esteem when we deem of ourselves most + highly, and also, on the other hand, it may be that we have somewhat + departed from what became our high seat in this Abbey, in suffering + ourselves to be too much guided, and even, as it were, controlled, by the + voice of our inferior. Wherefore,” continued the Lord Abbot, “in both of + us such faults shall and must be amended—you hereafter presuming + less upon your gifts and carnal wisdom, and I taking heed not so easily to + relinquish mine own opinion for that of one lower in place and in office. + Nevertheless, we would not that we should thereby lose the high advantage + which we have derived, and may yet derive, from your wise counsels, which + hath been so often recommended to us by our most reverend Primate. + Wherefore, on affairs of high moment, we will call you to our presence in + private, and listen to your opinion, which, if it shall agree with our + own, we will deliver to the Chapter as emanating directly from ourselves; + thus sparing you, dearest brother, that seeming victory which is so apt to + engender spiritual pride, and avoiding ourselves the temptation of falling + into that modest facility of opinion, whereby our office is lessened and + our person (were that of consequence) rendered less important in the eyes + of the community over which we preside.” + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the high notions which, as a rigid Catholic, Father + Eustace entertained of the sacrament of confession, as his Church calls + it, there was some danger that a sense of the ridiculous might have stolen + on him, when he heard his Superior, with such simple cunning, lay out a + little plan for availing himself of the Sub-Prior's wisdom and experience, + while he should take the whole credit to himself. Yet his conscience + immediately told him he was right. + </p> + <p> + “I should have thought more,” he reflected, “of the spiritual Superior, + and less of the individual. I should have spread my mantle over the + frailties of my spiritual father, and done what I might to support his + character, and, of course, to extend his utility among the brethren, as + well as with others. The Abbot cannot be humbled, but what the community + must be humbled in his person. Her boast is, that over all her children, + especially over those called to places of distinction, she can diffuse + those gifts which are necessary to render them illustrious.” + </p> + <p> + Actuated by these sentiments, Father Eustace frankly assented to the + charge which his Superior, even in that moment of authority, had rather + intimated than made, and signified his humble acquiescence in any mode of + communicating his counsel which might be most agreeable to the Lord Abbot, + and might best remove from himself all temptation to glory in his own + wisdom. He then prayed the reverend Father to assign him such penance as + might best suit his offence, intimating, at the same time, that he had + already fasted the whole day. + </p> + <p> + “And it is that I complain of,” answered the Abbot, instead of giving him + credit for his abstinence; “it is these very penances, fasts, and vigils, + of which we complain; as tending only to generate airs and fumes of + vanity, which, ascending from the stomach into the head, do but puff us up + with vain-glory and self-opinion. It is meet and beseeming that novices + should undergo fasts and vigils; for some part of every community must + fast, and young stomachs may best endure it. Besides, in them it abates + wicked thoughts, and the desire of worldly delights. But, reverend + brother, for those to fast who are dead and mortified to the world, as I + and thou, is work of supererogation, and is but the matter of spiritual + pride. Wherefore, I enjoin thee, most reverend brother, go to the buttery + and drink two cups at least of good wine, eating withal a comfortable + morsel, such as may best suit thy taste and stomach. And in respect that + thine opinion of thy own wisdom hath at times made thee less conformable + to, and companionable with, the weaker and less learned brethren, I enjoin + thee, during the said repast, to choose for thy companion, our reverend + brother Nicolas, and without interruption or impatience, to listen for a + stricken hour to his narration, concerning those things which befel in the + times of our venerable predecessor, Abbot Ingilram, on whose soul may + Heaven have mercy! And for such holy exercises as may farther advantage + your soul, and expiate the faults whereof you have contritely and humbly + avowed yourself guilty, we will ponder upon that matter, and announce our + will unto you the next morning.” + </p> + <p> + It was remarkable, that after this memorable evening, the feelings of the + worthy Abbot towards his adviser were much more kindly and friendly than + when he deemed the Sub-Prior the impeccable and infallible person, in + whose garment of virtue and wisdom no flaw was to be discerned. It seemed + as if this avowal of his own imperfections had recommended Father Eustace + to the friendship of the Superior, although at the same time this increase + of benevolence was attended with some circumstances, which, to a man of + the Sub-Prior's natural elevation of mind and temper, were more grievous + than even undergoing the legends of the dull and verbose Father Nicolas. + For instance, the Abbot seldom mentioned him to the other monks, without + designing him our beloved Brother Eustace, poor man!—and now and + then he used to warn the younger brethren against the snares of vainglory + and spiritual pride, which Satan sets for the more rigidly righteous, with + such looks and demonstrations as did all but expressly designate the + Sub-Prior as one who had fallen at one time under such delusions. Upon + these occasions, it required all the votive obedience of a monk, all the + philosophical discipline of the schools, and all the patience of a + Christian, to enable Father Eustace to endure the pompous and patronizing + parade of his honest, but somewhat thick-headed Superior. He began himself + to be desirous of leaving the Monastery, or at least he manifestly + declined to interfere with its affairs, in that marked and authoritative + manner, which he had at first practised. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Eleventh. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + You call this education, do you not? + Why 'tis the forced march of a herd of bullocks + Before a shouting drover. The glad van + Move on at ease, and pause a while to snatch + A passing morsel from the dewy greensward, + While all the blows, the oaths, the indignation, + Fall on the croupe of the ill-fated laggard + That cripples in the rear. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + Two or three years glided on, during which the storm of the approaching + alteration in church government became each day louder and more perilous. + Owing to the circumstances which we have intimated in the end of the last + chapter, the Sub-Prior Eustace appeared to have altered considerably his + habits of life. He afforded, on all extraordinary occasions, to the Abbot, + whether privately, or in the assembled Chapter, the support of his wisdom + and experience; but in his ordinary habits he seemed now to live more for + himself, and less for the community, than had been his former practice. + </p> + <p> + He often absented himself for whole days from the convent; and as the + adventure of Glendearg dwelt deeply on his memory, he was repeatedly + induced to visit that lonely tower, and to take an interest in the orphans + who had their shelter under its roof. Besides, he felt a deep anxiety to + know whether the volume which he had lost, when so strangely preserved + from the lance of the murderer, had again found its way back to the Tower + of Glendearg. “It was strange,” he thought, “that a spirit,” for such he + could not help judging the being whose voice he had heard, “should, on the + one side, seek the advancement of heresy, and, on the other, interpose to + save the life of a zealous Catholic priest.” + </p> + <p> + But from no inquiry which he made of the various inhabitants of the Tower + of Glendearg could he learn that the copy of the translated Scriptures, + for which he made such diligent inquiry, had again been seen by any of + them. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile, the good father's occasional visits were of no small + consequence to Edward Glendinning and to Mary Avenel. The former displayed + a power of apprehending and retaining whatever was taught him, which + tilled Father Eustace with admiration. He was at once acute and + industrious, alert and accurate; one of those rare combinations of talent + and industry, which are seldom united. + </p> + <p> + It was the earnest desire of Father Eustace that the excellent qualities + thus early displayed by Edward should be dedicated to the service of the + Church, to which he thought the youth's own consent might be easily + obtained, as he was of a calm, contemplative, retired habit, and seemed to + consider knowledge as the principal object, and its enlargement as the + greatest pleasure, in life. As to the mother, the Sub-Prior had little + doubt that, trained as she was to view the monks of Saint Mary's with such + profound reverence, she would be but too happy in an opportunity of + enrolling one of her sons in its honoured community. But the good Father + proved to be mistaken in both these particulars. + </p> + <p> + When he spoke to Elspeth Glendinning of that which a mother best loves to + hear—the proficiency and abilities of her son—she listened + with a delighted ear. But when Father Eustace hinted at the duty of + dedicating to the service of the Church, talents which seemed fitted to + defend and adorn it, the dame endeavoured always to shift the subject; and + when pressed farther, enlarged on her own incapacity, as a lone woman, to + manage the feu; on the advantage which her neighbours of the township were + often taking of her unprotected state, and on the wish she had that Edward + might fill his father's place, remain in the tower, and close her eyes. + </p> + <p> + On such occasions the Sub-Prior would answer, that even in a worldly point + of view the welfare of the family would be best consulted by one of the + sons entering into the community of Saint Mary's, as it was not to be + supposed that he would fail to afford his family the important protection + which he could then easily extend towards them. What could be a more + pleasing prospect than to see him high in honour? or what more sweet than + to have the last duties rendered to her by a son, reverend for his + holiness of life and exemplary manners? Besides, he endeavoured to impress + upon the dame, that her eldest son, Halbert, whose bold temper and + headstrong indulgence of a wandering humour, rendered him incapable of + learning, was, for that reason, as well as that he was her eldest born, + fittest to bustle through the affairs of the world, and manage the little + fief. + </p> + <p> + Elspeth durst not directly dissent from what was proposed, for fear of + giving displeasure, and yet she always had something to say against it. + Halbert, she said, was not like any of the neighbour boys—he was + taller by the head, and stronger by the half, than any boy of his years + within the Halidome. But he was fit for no peaceful work that could be + devised. If he liked a book ill, he liked a plough or a pattle worse. He + had scoured his father's old broadsword—suspended it by a belt round + his waist, and seldom stirred without it. He was a sweet boy and a gentle + if spoken fair, but cross him and he was a born devil. “In a word,” she + said, bursting into tears, “deprive me of Edward, good father, and ye + bereave my house of prop and pillar; for my heart tells me that Halbert + will take to his father's gates, and die his father's death.” + </p> + <p> + When the conversation came to this crisis, the good-humoured monk was + always content to drop the discussion for the time, trusting some + opportunity would occur of removing her prejudices, for such he thought + them, against Edward's proposed destination. + </p> + <p> + When, leaving the mother, the Sub-Prior addressed himself to the son, + animating his zeal for knowledge, and pointing out how amply it might be + gratified should he agree to take holy orders, he found the same + repugnance which Dame Elspeth had exhibited. Edward pleaded a want of + sufficient vocation to so serious a profession—his reluctance to + leave his mother, and other objections, which the Sub-Prior treated as + evasive. + </p> + <p> + “I plainly perceive,” he said one day, in answer to them, “that the devil + has his factors as well as Heaven, and that they are equally, or, alas! + the former are perhaps more active, in bespeaking for their master the + first of the market. I trust, young man, that neither idleness, nor + licentious pleasure, nor the love of worldly gain and worldly grandeur, + the chief baits with which the great Fisher of souls conceals his hook, + are the causes of your declining the career to which I would incite you. + But above all I trust—above all I hope—that the vanity of + superior knowledge—a sin with which those who have made proficiency + in learning are most frequently beset—has not led you into the awful + hazard of listening to the dangerous doctrines which are now afloat + concerning religion. Better for you that you were as grossly ignorant as + the beasts which perish, that that the pride of knowledge should induce + you to lend an ear to the voice of heretics.” Edward Glendinning listened + to the rebuke with a downcast look, and failed not, when it was concluded, + earnestly to vindicate himself from the charge of having pushed his + studies into any subjects which the Church inhibited; and so the monk was + left to form vain conjectures respecting the cause of his reluctance to + embrace the monastic state. + </p> + <p> + It is an old proverb, used by Chaucer, and quoted by Elizabeth, that “the + greatest clerks are not the wisest men;” and it is as true as if the poet + had not rhymed, or the queen reasoned on it. If Father Eustace had not had + his thoughts turned so much to the progress of heresy, and so little to + what was passing in the tower, he might have read, in the speaking eyes of + Mary Avenel, now a girl of fourteen or fifteen, reasons which might + disincline her youthful companion towards the monastic vows. I have said, + that she also was a promising pupil of the good father, upon whom her + innocent and infantine beauty had an effect of which he was himself, + perhaps, unconscious. Her rank and expectations entitled her to be taught + the arts of reading and writing;—and each lesson which the monk + assigned her was conned over in company with Edward, and by him explained + and re-explained, and again illustrated, until she became perfectly + mistress of it. + </p> + <p> + In the beginning of their studies, Halbert had been their school + companion. But the boldness and impatience of his disposition soon + quarrelled with an occupation in which, without assiduity and unremitted + attention, no progress was to be expected. The Sub-Prior's visits were at + regular intervals, and often weeks would intervene between them, in which + case Halbert was sure to forget all that had been prescribed for him to + learn, and much which he had partly acquired before. His deficiencies on + these occasions gave him pain, but it was not of that sort which produces + amendment. + </p> + <p> + For a time, like all who are fond of idleness, he endeavoured to detach + the attention of his brother and Mary Avenel from their task, rather than + to learn his own, and such dialogues as the following would ensue: + </p> + <p> + “Take your bonnet, Edward, and make haste—the Laird of Colmslie is + at the head of the glen with his hounds.” + </p> + <p> + “I care not, Halbert,” answered the younger brother; “two brace of dogs + may kill a deer without my being there to see them, and I must help Mary + Avenel with her lesson.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay! you will labour at the monk's lessons till you turn monk yourself,” + answered Halbert.—“Mary, will you go with me, and I will show you + the cushat's nest I told you of?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot go with you, Halbert,” answered Mary, “because I must study this + lesson—it will take me long to learn it—I am sorry I am so + dull, for if I could get my task as fast as Edward, I should like to go + with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Should you indeed?” said Halbert; “then I will wait for you—and, + what is more, I will try to get my lesson also.” + </p> + <p> + With a smile and a sigh he took up the primer, and began heavily to con + over the task which had been assigned him. As if banished from the society + of the two others, he sat sad and solitary in one of the deep + window-recesses, and after in vain struggling with the difficulties of his + task, and his disinclination to learn it, he found himself involuntarily + engaged in watching the movements of the other two students, instead of + toiling any longer. + </p> + <p> + The picture which Halbert looked upon was delightful in itself, but + somehow or other it afforded very little pleasure to him. The beautiful + girl, with looks of simple, yet earnest anxiety, was bent on disentangling + those intricacies which obstructed her progress to knowledge, and looking + ever and anon to Edward for assistance, while, seated close by her side, + and watchful to remove every obstacle from her way, he seemed at once to + be proud of the progress which his pupil made, and of the assistance which + he was able to render her. There was a bond betwixt them, a strong and + interesting tie, the desire of obtaining knowledge, the pride of + surmounting difficulties. + </p> + <p> + Feeling most acutely, yet ignorant of the nature and source of his own + emotions, Halbert could no longer endure to look upon this quiet scene, + but, starting up, dashed his book from him, and exclaimed aloud, “To the + fiend I bequeath all books, and the dreamers that make them!—I would + a score of Southrons would come up the glen, and we should learn how + little all this muttering and scribbling is worth.” + </p> + <p> + Mary Avenol and his brother started, and looked at Halbert with surprise, + while he went on with great animation, his features swelling, and the + tears starting into his eyes as he spoke.—“Yes, Mary—I wish a + score of Southrons came up the glen this very day; and you should see one + good hand, and one good sword, do more to protect you, than all the books + that were ever opened, and all the pens that ever grew on a goose's wing.” + </p> + <p> + Mary looked a little surprised and a little frightened at his vehemence, + but instantly replied affectionately, “You are vexed, Halbert, because you + do not get your lesson so fast as Edward can; and so am I, for I am as + stupid as you—But come, and Edward shall sit betwixt us and teach + us.” + </p> + <p> + “He shall not teach <i>me</i>,” said Halbert, in the same angry mood; “I + never can teach <i>him</i> to do any thing that is honourable and manly, + and he shall not teach <i>me</i> any of his monkish tricks.—I hate + the monks, with their drawling nasal tone like so many frogs, and their + long black petticoats like so many women, and their reverences, and their + lordships, and their lazy vassals that do nothing but peddle in the mire + with plough and harrow from Yule to Michaelmas. I will call none lord, but + him who wears a sword to make his title good; and I will call none man, + but he that can bear himself manlike and masterful.” + </p> + <p> + “For Heaven's sake, peace, brother!” said Edward; “if such words were + taken up and reported out of the house, they would be our mother's ruin.” + </p> + <p> + “Report them yourself, then, and they will be <i>your</i> making, and + nobody's marring save mine own. Say that Halbert Glendinning will never be + vassal to an old man with a cowl and shaven crown, while there are twenty + barons who wear casque and plume that lack bold followers. Let them grant + you these wretched acres, and much meal may they bear you to make your <i>brachan</i>.” + He left the room hastily, but instantly returned, and continued to speak + with the same tone of quick and irritated feeling. “And you need not think + so much, neither of you, and especially you, Edward, need not think so + much of your parchment book there, and your cunning in reading it. By my + faith, I will soon learn to read as well as you; and—for I know a + better teacher than your grim old monk, and a better book than his printed + breviary; and since you like scholarcraft so well, Mary Avenel, you shall + see whether Edward or I have most of it.” He left the apartment, and came + not again. + </p> + <p> + “What can be the matter with him?” said Mary, following Halbert with her + eyes from the window, as with hasty and unequal steps he ran up the wild + glen—“Where can your brother be going, Edward?—what book?—what + teacher does he talk of?” + </p> + <p> + “It avails not guessing,” said Edward. “Halbert is angry, he knows not + why, and speaks of he knows not what; let us go again to our lessons, and + he will come home when he has tired himself with scrambling among the + crags as usual.” + </p> + <p> + But Mary's anxiety on account of Halbert seemed more deeply rooted. She + declined prosecuting the task in which they had been so pleasingly + engaged, under the excuse of a headache; nor could Edward prevail upon her + to resume it again that morning. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Halbert, his head unbonneted, his features swelled with jealous + anger, and the tear still in his eye, sped up the wild and upper extremity + of the little valley of Glendearg with the speed of a roebuck, choosing, + as if in desperate defiance of the difficulties of the way, the wildest + and most dangerous paths, and voluntarily exposing himself a hundred times + to dangers which he might have escaped by turning a little aside from + them. It seemed as if he wished his course to be as straight as that of + the arrow to its mark. + </p> + <p> + He arrived at length in a narrow and secluded <i>cleuch</i>, or deep + ravine, which ran down into the valley, and contributed a scanty rivulet + to the supply of the brook with which Glendearg is watered. Up this he + sped with the same precipitate haste which had marked his departure from + the tower, nor did he pause and look around until he had reached the + fountain from which the rivulet had its rise. + </p> + <p> + Here Halbert stopt short, and cast a gloomy, and almost a frightened + glance around him. A huge rock rose in front, from a cleft of which grew a + wild holly-tree, whose dark green branches rustled over the spring which + arose beneath. The banks on either hand rose so high, and approached each + other so closely, that it was only when the sun was at its meridian + height, and during the summer solstice, that its rays could reach the + bottom of the chasm in which he stood. But it was now summer, and the hour + was noon, so that the unwonted reflection of the sun was dancing in the + pellucid fountain. + </p> + <p> + “It is the season and the hour,” said Halbert to himself; “and now I—I + might soon become wiser than Edward with all his pains! Mary should see + whether he alone is fit to be consulted, and to sit by her side, and hang + over her as she reads, and point out every word and every letter. And she + loves me better than him—I am sure she does—for she comes of + noble blood, and scorns sloth and cowardice.—And do I myself not + stand here slothful and cowardly as any priest of them all?—Why + should I fear to call upon this form—this shape?—Already have + I endured the vision, and why not again? What can it do to me, who am a + man of lith and limb, and have by my side my father's sword? Does my heart + beat—do my hairs bristle, at the thought of calling up a painted + shadow, and how should I face a band of Southrons in flesh and blood? By + the soul of the first Glendinning, I will make proof of the charm!” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0183m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0183m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0183.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + He cast the leathern brogue or buskin from his right foot, planted himself + in a firm posture, unsheathed his sword, and first looking around to + collect his resolution, he bowed three times deliberately towards the + holly-tree, and as often to the little fountain, repeating at the same + time, with a determined voice, the following rhyme: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Thrice to the holly brake— + Thrice to the well:— + I bid thee awake, + White Maid of Avenel! + + “Noon gleams on the Lake— + Noon glows on the Fell— + Wake thee, O wake, + White Maid of Avenel!” + </pre> + <p> + These lines were hardly uttered, when there stood the figure of a female + clothed in white, within three steps of Halbert Glendinning. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “I guess'twas frightful there to see + A lady richly clad as she— + Beautiful exceedingly.” {Footnote: Coleridge's Christabelle.} + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twelfth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + There's something in that ancient superstition, + Which, erring as it is, our fancy loves. + The spring that, with its thousand crystal bubbles, + Bursts from the bosom of some desert rock + In secret solitude, may well be deem'd + The haunt of something purer, more refined, + And mightier than ourselves. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + Young Halbert Glendinning had scarcely pronounced the mystical rhymes, + than, as we have mentioned in the conclusion of the last chapter, an + appearance, as of a beautiful female, dressed in white, stood within two + yards of him. His terror for the moment overcame his natural courage, as + well as the strong resolution which he had formed, that the figure which + he had now twice seen should not a third time daunt him. But it would seem + there is something thrilling and abhorrent to flesh and blood, in the + consciousness that we stand in presence of a being in form like to + ourselves, but so different in faculties and nature, that we can neither + understand its purposes, nor calculate its means of pursuing them. + </p> + <p> + Halbert stood silent and gasped for breath, his hairs erecting themselves + on his head—-his mouth open—his eyes fixed, and, as the sole + remaining sign of his late determined purpose, his sword pointed towards + the apparition. At length with a voice of ineffable sweetness, the White + Lady, for by that name we shall distinguish this being, sung, or rather + chanted, the following lines:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Youth of the dark eye, wherefore didst thou call me? + Wherefore art thou here, if terrors can appal thee? + He that seeks to deal with us must know no fear nor failing! + To coward and churl our speech is dark, our gifts are unavailing. + The breeze that brought me hither now, must sweep Egyptian ground, + The fleecy cloud on which I ride for Araby is bound; + The fleecy cloud is drifting by, the breeze sighs for my stay, + For I must sail a thousand miles before the close of day.” + </pre> + <p> + The astonishment of Halbert began once more to give way to his resolution, + and he gained voice enough to say, though with a faltering accent, “In the + name of God, what art thou?” The answer was in melody of a different tone + and measure:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “What I am I must not show— + What I am thou couldst not know— + Something betwixt heaven and hell— + Something that neither stood nor fell— + Something that through thy wit or will + May work thee good—may work thee ill. + Neither substance quite nor shadow, + Haunting lonely moor and meadow, + Dancing; by the haunted spring, + Riding on the whirlwind's wing; + Aping in fantastic fashion + Every change of human passion, + + While o'er our frozen minds they pass, + Like shadows from the mirror'd glass. + Wayward, fickle is our mood, + Hovering betwixt bad and good, + Happier than brief-dated man, + Living twenty times his span; + Far less happy, for we have + Help nor hope beyond the grave! + Man awakes to joy or sorrow; + Ours the sleep that knows no morrow. + This is all that I can show— + This is all that thou mayest know.” + </pre> + <p> + The White Lady paused, and appeared to await an answer; but, as Halbert + hesitated how to frame his speech, the vision seemed gradually to fade, + and became more and more incorporeal. Justly guessing this to be a symptom + of her disappearance, Halbert compelled himself to say,—“Lady, when + I saw you in the glen, and when you brought back the black book of Mary + Avenel, thou didst say I should one day learn to read it.” + </p> + <p> + The White Lady replied, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ay! and I taught thee the word and the spell, + To waken me here by the Fairies' Well, + But thou hast loved the heron and hawk, + More than to seek my haunted walk; + And thou hast loved the lance and the sword, + More than good text and holy word; + And thou hast loved the deer to track, + More than the lines and the letters black; + And thou art a ranger of moss and of wood, + And scornest the nurture of gentle blood.” + </pre> + <p> + “I will do so no longer, fair maiden,” said Halbert; “I desire to learn; + and thou didst promise me, that when I did so desire, thou wouldst be my + helper; I am no longer afraid of thy presence, and I am no longer + regardless of instruction.” As he uttered these words, the figure of the + White Maiden grew gradually as distinct as it had been at first; and what + had well-nigh faded into an ill-defined and colourless shadow, again + assumed an appearance at least of corporeal consistency, although the hues + were less vivid, and the outline of the figure less distinct and defined—so + at least it seemed to Halbert—than those of an ordinary inhabitant + of earth. “Wilt thou grant my request,” he said, “fair Lady, and give to + my keeping the holy book which Mary of Avenel has so often wept for?” + </p> + <p> + The White Lady replied: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Thy craven fear my truth accused, + Thine idlehood my trust abused; + He that draws to harbour late, + Must sleep without, or burst the gate. + + There is a star for thee which burn'd. + Its influence wanes, its course is turn'd; + Valour and constancy alone + Can bring thee back the chance that's flown.” + </pre> + <p> + “If I have been a loiterer, Lady,” answered young Glendinning, “thou shalt + now find me willing to press forward with double speed. Other thoughts + have filled my mind, other thoughts have engaged my heart, within a brief + period—and by Heaven, other occupations shall henceforward fill up + my time. I have lived in this day the space of years—I came hither a + boy—I will return a man—a man, such as may converse not only + with his own kind, but with whatever God permits to be visible to him. I + will learn the contents of that mysterious volume—I will learn why + the Lady of Avenel loved it—why the priests feared, and would have + stolen it—why thou didst twice recover it from their hands.—What + mystery is wrapt in it?—Speak, I conjure thee!” The lady assumed an + air peculiarly sad and solemn, as drooping her head, and folding her arms + on her bosom, she replied: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Within that awful volume lies + The mystery of mysteries! + Happiest they of human race, + To whom God has granted grace + + To read, to fear, to hope, to pray, + To lift the latch, and force the way; + And better had they ne'er been born, + Who read, to doubt, or read to scorn.” + </pre> + <p> + “Give me the volume, Lady,” said young Glendinning. “They call me idle—they + call me dull—in this pursuit my industry shall not fail, nor, with + God's blessing, shall my understanding. Give me the volume.” The + apparition again replied: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Many a fathom dark and deep + I have laid the book to sleep; + Ethereal fires around it glowing— + Ethereal music ever flowing— + The sacred pledge of Heav'n + All things revere. + Each in his sphere, + Save man for whom 'twas giv'n: + Lend thy hand, and thou shalt spy + Things ne'er seen by mortal eye.” + </pre> + <p> + Halbert Glendinning boldly reached his hand to the White Lady. + </p> + <p> + “Fearest thou to go with me?” she said, as his hand trembled at the soft + and cold touch of her own— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Fearest thou to go with me? + Still it is free to thee + A peasant to dwell: + Thou mayst drive the dull steer, + And chase the king's deer, + But never more come near + This haunted well.” + </pre> + <p> + “If what thou sayest be true,” said the undaunted boy, “my destinies are + higher than thine own. There shall be neither well nor wood which I dare + not visit. No fear of aught, natural or supernatural, shall bar my path + through my native valley.” + </p> + <p> + He had scarce uttered the words, when they both descended through the + earth with a rapidity which took away Halbert's breath and every other + sensation, saving that of being hurried on with the utmost velocity. At + length they stopped with a shock so sudden, that the mortal journeyer + through this unknown space must have been thrown down with violence, had + he not been upheld by his supernatural companion. + </p> + <p> + It was more than a minute, ere, looking around him, he beheld a grotto, or + natural cavern, composed of the most splendid spars and crystals, which + returned in a thousand prismatic hues the light of a brilliant flame that + glowed on an altar of alabaster. This altar, with its fire, formed the + central point of the grotto, which was of a round form, and very high in + the roof, resembling in some respects the dome of a cathedral. + Corresponding to the four points of the compass, there went off four long + galleries, or arcades, constructed of the same brilliant materials with + the dome itself, and the termination of which was lost in darkness. + </p> + <p> + No human imagination can conceive, or words suffice to describe, the + glorious radiance which, shot fiercely forth by the flame, was returned + from so many hundred thousand points of reflection, afforded by the sparry + pillars and their numerous angular crystals. The fire itself did not + remain steady and unmoved, but rose and fell, sometimes ascending in a + brilliant pyramid of condensed flame half way up the lofty expanse, and + again fading into a softer and more rosy hue, and hovering, as it were, on + the surface of the altar to collect its strength for another powerful + exertion. There was no visible fuel by which it was fed, nor did it emit + either smoke or vapour of any kind. + </p> + <p> + What was of all the most remarkable, the black volume so often mentioned + lay not only unconsumed, but untouched in the slightest degree, amid this + intensity of fire, which, while it seemed to be of force sufficient to + melt adamant, had no effect whatever on the sacred book thus subjected to + its utmost influence. + </p> + <p> + The White Lady, having paused long enough to let young Glendinning take a + complete survey of what was around him, now said in her usual chant, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Here lies the volume thou boldly hast sought; + Touch it, and take it,—'twill dearly be bought!” + </pre> + <p> + Familiarized in some degree with marvels, and desperately desirous of + showing the courage he had boasted, Halbert plunged his hand, without + hesitation, into the flame, trusting to the rapidity of the motion, to + snatch out the volume before the fire could greatly affect him. But he was + much disappointed. The flame instantly caught upon his sleeve, and though + he withdrew his hand immediately, yet his arm was so dreadfully scorched, + that he had well-nigh screamed with pain. He suppressed the natural + expression of anguish, however, and only intimated the agony which he felt + by a contortion and a muttered groan. The White Lady passed her cold hand + over his arm, and, ere she had finished the following metrical chant, his + pain had entirely gone, and no mark of the scorching was visible: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Rash thy deed, + Mortal weed + To immortal flames applying; + Rasher trust + Has thing of dust, + On his own weak worth relying: + Strip thee of such fences vain, + Strip, and prove thy luck, again.” + </pre> + <p> + Obedient to what he understood to be the meaning of his conductress, + Halbert bared his arm to the shoulder, throwing down the remains of his + sleeve, which no sooner touched the floor on which he stood than it + collected itself together, shrivelled itself up, and was without any + visible fire reduced to light tinder, which a sudden breath of wind + dispersed into empty space. The White Lady, observing the surprise of the + youth, immediately repeated— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Mortal warp and mortal woof. + Cannot brook this charmed roof; + All that mortal art hath wrought, + In our cell returns to nought. + The molten gold returns to clay, + The polish'd diamond melts away. + All is alter'd, all is flown, + Nought stands fast but truth alone. + Not for that thy quest give o'er: + Courage! prove thy chance once more.” + </pre> + <p> + Imboldened by her words, Halbert Glendinning made a second effort, and, + plunging his bare arm into the flame, took out the sacred volume without + feeling either heat or inconvenience of any kind. Astonished, and almost + terrified at his own success, he beheld the flame collect itself, and + shoot up into one long and final stream, which seemed as if it would + ascend to the very roof of the cavern, and then, sinking as suddenly, + became totally extinguished. The deepest darkness ensued; but Halbert had + no time to consider his situation, for the White Lady had already caught + his hand, and they ascended to upper air with the same velocity with which + they had sunk into the earth. + </p> + <p> + They stood by the fountain in the Corri-nan-shian when they emerged from + the bowels of the earth; but on casting a bewildered glance around him, + the youth was surprised to observe, that the shadows had fallen far to the + east, and that the day was well-nigh spent. He gazed on his conductress + for explanation, but her figure began to fade before his eyes—her + cheeks grew paler, her features less distinct, her form became shadowy, + and blended itself with the mist which was ascending the hollow ravine. + What had late the symmetry of form, and the delicate, yet clear hues of + feminine beauty, now resembled the flitting and pale ghost of some maiden + who has died for love, as it is seen indistinctly and by moonlight, by her + perjured lover. + </p> + <p> + “Stay, spirit!” said the youth, imboldened by his success in the + subterranean dome, “thy kindness must not leave me, as one encumbered with + a weapon he knows not how to wield. Thou must teach me the art to read, + and to understand this volume; else what avails it me that I possess it?” + </p> + <p> + But the figure of the White Lady still waned before his eye, until it + became an outline as pale and indistinct as that of the moon, when the + winter morning is far advanced, and ere she had ended the following chant, + she was entirely invisible:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Alas! alas! + Not ours the grace + These holy characters to trace: + Idle forms of painted air, + Not to us is given to share + The boon bestow'd on Adam's race! + With patience bide. + Heaven will provide + The fitting time, the fitting guide.” + </pre> + <p> + The form was already gone, and now the voice itself had melted away in + melancholy cadence, softening, as if the Being who spoke had been slowly + wafted from the spot where she had commenced her melody. + </p> + <p> + It was at this moment that Halbert felt the extremity of the terror which + he had hitherto so manfully suppressed. The very necessity of exertion had + given him spirit to make it, and the presence of the mysterious Being, + while it was a subject of fear in itself, had nevertheless given him the + sense of protection being near to him. It was when he could reflect with + composure on what had passed, that a cold tremor shot across his limbs, + his hair bristled, and he was afraid to look around lest he should find at + his elbow something more frightful than the first vision. A breeze arising + suddenly, realized the beautiful and wild idea of the most imaginative of + our modern bards {Footnote: Coleridge.}— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + It fann'd his cheek, it raised his hair, + Like a meadow pale in spring; + It mingled strangely with his fears, + Yet it fell like a welcoming. +</pre> + <p> + The youth stood silent and astonished for a few minutes. It seemed to him + that the extraordinary Being he had seen, half his terror, half his + protectress, was still hovering on the gale which swept past him, and that + she might again make herself sensible to his organs of sight. “Speak!” he + said, wildly tossing his arms, “speak yet again—be once more + present, lovely vision!—thrice have I now seen thee, yet the idea of + thy invisible presence around or beside me, makes my heart beat faster + than if the earth yawned and gave up a demon.” + </p> + <p> + But neither sound nor appearance indicated the presence of the White Lady, + and nothing preternatural beyond what he had already witnessed, was again + audible or visible. Halbert, in the meanwhile, by the very exertion of + again inviting the presence of this mysterious Being, had recovered his + natural audacity. He looked around once more, and resumed his solitary + path down the valley into whose recesses he had penetrated. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more strongly contrasted than the storm of passion with + which he had bounded over stock and crag, in order to plunge himself into + the Corri-nan-shian, and the sobered mood in which he now returned + homeward, industriously seeking out the most practicable path, not from a + wish to avoid danger, but that he might not by personal toil distract his + attention, deeply fixed on the extraordinary scene which he had witnessed. + In the former case, he had sought by hazard and bodily exertion to indulge + at once the fiery excitation of passion, and to banish the cause of the + excitement from his recollection; while now he studiously avoided all + interruption to his contemplative walk, lest the difficulty of the way + should interfere with, or disturb, his own deep reflections. Thus slowly + pacing forth his course, with the air of a pilgrim rather than of a + deer-hunter, Halbert about the close of the evening regained his paternal + tower. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirteenth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Miller was of manly make, + To meet him was na mows; + There durst na ten come him to take, + Sae noited he their pows. + CHRIST'S KIRK ON THE GREEN. +</pre> + <p> + It was after sunset, as we have already stated, when Halbert Glendinning + returned to the abode of his father. The hour of dinner was at noon, and + that of supper about an hour after sunset at this period of the year. The + former had passed without Halbert's appearing; but this was no uncommon + circumstance, for the chase, or any other pastime which occurred, made + Halbert a frequent neglecter of hours; and his mother, though angry and + disappointed when she saw him not at table, was so much accustomed to his + occasional absence, and knew so little how to teach him more regularity, + that a testy observation was almost all the censure with which such + omissions were visited. + </p> + <p> + On the present occasion, however, the wrath of good Dame Elspeth soared + higher than usual. It was not merely on account of the special tup's head + and trotters, the haggis and the side of mutton, with which her table was + set forth, but also because of the arrival of no less a person than Hob + Miller, as he was universally termed, though the man's name was Happer. + </p> + <p> + The object of the Miller's visit to the Tower of Glendearg was like the + purpose of those embassies which potentates send to each other's courts, + partly ostensible, partly politic. In outward show, Hob came to visit his + friends of the Halidome, and share the festivity common among country + folk, after the barn-yard has been filled, and to renew old intimacies by + new conviviality. But in very truth he also came to have an eye upon the + contents of each stack, and to obtain such information respecting the + extent of the crop reaped and gathered in by each feuar, as might prevent + the possibility of <i>abstracted multures</i>. + </p> + <p> + All the world knows that the cultivators of each barony or regality, + temporal or spiritual, in Scotland, are obliged to bring their corn to be + grinded at the mill of the territory, for which they pay a heavy charge, + called the <i>intown multures</i>. I could speak to the thirlage of <i>invecta + et illata</i> too, but let that pass. I have said enough to intimate that + I talk not without book. Those of the <i>Sucken</i>, or enthralled ground, + were liable in penalties, if, deviating from this thirlage, (or thraldom,) + they carried their grain to another mill. Now such another mill, erected + on the lands of a lay-baron, lay within a tempting and convenient distance + of Glendearg; and the Miller was so obliging, and his charges so moderate, + that it required Hob Miller's utmost vigilance to prevent evasions of his + right of monopoly. + </p> + <p> + The most effectual means he could devise was this show of good fellowship + and neighbourly friendship,—under colour of which he made his annual + cruise through the barony—numbered every corn-stack, and computed + its contents by the boll, so that he could give a shrewd hint afterwards + whether or not the grist came to the right mill. + </p> + <p> + Dame Elspeth, like her compeers, was obliged to take these domiciliary + visits in the sense of politeness; but in her case they had not occurred + since her husband's death, probably because the Tower of Glendearg was + distant, and there was but a trifling quantity of arable or <i>infield</i> + land attached to it. This year there had been, upon some speculation of + old Martin's, several bolls sown in the exit-field, which, the season + being fine, had ripened remarkably well. Perhaps this circumstance + occasioned the honest Miller's including Glendearg, on this occasion, in + his annual round Dame Glendinning received with pleasure a visit which she + used formerly only to endure with patience; and she had changed her view + of the matter chiefly, if not entirely, because Hob had brought with him + his daughter Mysie, of whose features she could give so slight an account, + but whose dress she had described so accurately to the Sub-Prior. + </p> + <p> + Hitherto this girl had been an object of very trifling consideration in + the eyes of the good widow; but the Sub-Prior's particular and somewhat + mysterious inquiries had set her brains to work on the subject of Mysie of + the Mill; and she had here asked a broad question, and there she had + thrown out an innuendo, and there again she had gradually led on to a + conversation on the subject of poor Mysie. And from all inquiries and + investigations she had collected, that Mysie was a dark-eyed, + laughter-loving wench, with cherry-cheeks, and a skin as white as her + father's finest bolted flour, out of which was made the Abbot's own + wastel-bread. For her temper, she sung and laughed from morning to night; + and for her fortune, a material article, besides that which the Miller + might have amassed by means of his proverbial golden thumb, Mysie was to + inherit a good handsome lump of land, with a prospect of the mill and + mill-acres descending to her husband on an easy lease, if a fair word were + spoken in season to the Abbot, and to the Prior, and to the Sub-Prior, and + to the Sacristan, and so forth. + </p> + <p> + By turning and again turning these advantages over in her own mind, + Elspeth at length came to be of opinion, that the only way to save her son + Halbert from a life of “spur, spear, and snaffle,” as they called that of + the border-riders, from the dint of a cloth-yard shaft, or the loop of an + inch-cord, was, that he should marry and settle, and that Mysie Happer + should be his destined bride. + </p> + <p> + As if to her wish, Hob Miller arrived on his strong-built mare, bearing on + a pillion behind him the lovely Mysie, with cheeks like a peony-rose, (if + Dame Glendinning had ever seen one,) spirits all afloat with rustic + coquetry, and a profusion of hair as black as ebony. The <i>beau-ideal</i> + which Dame Glendinning had been bodying forth in her imagination, became + unexpectedly realized in the buxom form of Mysie Happer, whom, in the + course of half an hour, she settled upon as the maiden who was to fix the + restless and untutored Halbert. True, Mysie, as the dame soon saw, was + like to love dancing round a May-pole as well as managing a domestic + establishment, and Halbert was like to break more heads than he would + grind stacks of corn. But then a miller should always be of manly make, + and has been described so since the days of Chaucer and James I. + {Footnote: The verse we have chosen for a motto, is from a poem imputed to + James I. of Scotland. As for the Miller who figures among the Canterbury + pilgrims, besides his sword and buckler, he boasted other attributes, all + of which, but especially the last, show that he relied more on the + strength of the outside than that of the inside of his skull. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The miller was a stout carl for the nones, + Full big he was of brawn, and eke of bones; + That proved well, for wheresoe'r he cam, + At wrestling he wold bear away the ram; + He was short shoulder'd, broad, a thick gnar; + There n'as no door that he n'old heave of bar, + Or break it at a running with his head, &c. } +</pre> + <p> + Indeed, to be able to outdo and bully the whole <i>Sucken</i>, (once more + we use this barbarous phrase,) in all athletic exercises, was one way to + render easy the collection of dues which men would have disputed with a + less formidable champion. Then, as to the deficiencies of the miller's + wife, the dame was of opinion that they might be supplied by the activity + of the miller's mother. “I will keep house for the young folk myself, for + the tower is grown very lonely,” thought Dame Glendinning, “and to live + near the kirk will be mair comfortable in my auld age—and then + Edward may agree with his brother about the feu, more especially as he is + a favourite with the Sub-Prior, and then he may live in the auld tower + like his worthy father before him—and wha kens but Mary Avenel, + high-blood as she is, may e'en draw in her stool to the chimney-nook, and + sit down here for good and a'?—It's true she has no tocher, but the + like of her for beauty and sense ne'er crossed my een; and I have kend + every wench in the Halidome of St. Mary's—ay, and their mothers that + bore them—ay, she is a sweet and a lovely creature as ever tied + snood over brown hair—ay, and then, though her uncle keeps her out + of her ain for the present time, yet it is to be thought the gray-goose + shaft will find a hole in his coat of proof, as, God help us! it has done + in many a better man's—And, moreover, if they should stand on their + pedigree and gentle race, Edward might say to them, that is, to her gentle + kith and kin, 'whilk o' ye was her best friend, when she came down the + glen to Glendearg in a misty evening, on a beast mair like a cuddie than + aught else?'—And if they tax him with churl's blood, Edward might + say, that, forby the old proverb, how + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Gentle deed + Makes gentle bleid; +</pre> + <p> + yet, moreover, there comes no churl's blood from Glendinning or Brydone; + for, says Edward—” + </p> + <p> + The hoarse voice of the Miller at this moment recalled the dame from her + reverie, and compelled her to remember that if she meant to realize her + airy castle, she must begin by laying the foundation in civility to her + guest and his daughter, whom she was at that moment most strangely + neglecting, though her whole plan turned on conciliating their favour and + good opinion, and that, in fact, while arranging matters for so intimate a + union with her company, she was suffering them to sit unnoticed, and in + their riding gear, as if about to resume their journey. “And so I say, + dame,” concluded the Miller, (for she had not marked the beginning of his + speech,) “an ye be so busied with your housekep, or ought else, why, Mysie + and I will trot our way down the glen again to Johnnie Broxmouth's, who + pressed us right kindly to bide with him.” + </p> + <p> + Starting at once from her dream of marriages and intermarriages, mills, + mill-lands, and baronies, Dame Elspeth felt for a moment like the + milk-maid in the fable, when she overset the pitcher, on the contents of + which so many golden dreams were founded. But the foundation of Dame + Glendinning's hopes was only tottering, not overthrown, and she hastened + to restore its equilibrium. Instead of attempting to account for her + absence of mind and want of attention to her guests, which she might have + found something difficult, she assumed the offensive, like an able general + when he finds it necessary, by a bold attack, to disguise his weakness. + </p> + <p> + A loud exclamation she made, and a passionate complaint she set up against + the unkindness of her old friend, who could for an instant doubt the + heartiness of her welcome to him and to his hopeful daughter; and then to + think of his going back to Johnny Broxmouth's, when the auld tower stood + where it did, and had room in it for a friend or two in the worst of times—and + he too a neighbour that his umquhile gossip Simon, blessed be his cast, + used to think the best friend he had in the Halidome! And on she went, + urging her complaint with so much seriousness, that she had well-nigh + imposed on herself as well as upon Hob Miller, who had no mind to take any + thing in dudgeon; and as it suited his plans to pass the night at + Glendearg, would have been equally contented to do so even had his + reception been less vehemently hospitable. + </p> + <p> + To all Elspeth's expostulations on the unkindness of his proposal to leave + her dwelling, he answered composedly, “Nay, dame, what could I tell? ye + might have had other grist to grind, for ye looked as if ye scarce saw us—or + what know I? ye might bear in mind the words Martin and I had about the + last barley ye sawed—for I ken dry multures {Footnote: Dry multures + were a fine, or compensation in money, for not grinding at the mill of the + thirl. It was, and is, accounted a vexatious exaction.} will sometimes + stick in the throat. A man seeks but his awn, and yet folk shall hold him + for both miller and miller's man, that is millar and knave, {Footnote: The + under miller is, in the language of thirlage, called the knave, which, + indeed, signified originally his lad. (<i>Knabe</i>—German,) but by + degrees came to be taken in a worse sense. In the old translation of the + Bible, Paul is made to term himself the knave of our Saviour. The + allowance of meal taken by the miller's servant was called knave-ship.} + all the country over.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, that you will say so, neighbour Hob,” said Dame Elspeth, “or that + Martin should have had any words with you about the mill-dues! I will + chide him roundly for it, I promise you, on the faith of a true widow. You + know full well that a lone woman is sore put upon by her servants.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, dame,” said the miller, unbuckling the broad belt which made fast + his cloak, and served, at the same time, to suspend by his side a swinging + Andrea Ferrara, “bear no grudge at Martin, for I bear none—I take it + on me as a thing of mine office, to maintain my right of multure, lock, + and gowpen. {Note: The multure was the regular exaction for grinding the + meal. The <i>lock</i>, signifying a small quantity, and the <i>gowpen</i>, + a handful, were additional perquisites demanded by the miller, and + submitted to or resisted by the <i>Suckener</i> as circumstances + permitted. These and other petty dues were called in general the <i>Sequels</i>.} + And reason good, for as the old song says, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I live by my mill. God bless her, + She's parent, child, and wife. +</pre> + <p> + The poor old slut, I am beholden to her for my living, and bound to stand + by her, as I say to my mill knaves, in right and in wrong. And so should + every honest fellow stand by his bread-winner.—And so, Mysie, ye may + doff your cloak since our neighbour is so kindly glad to see us—why, + I think, we are as blithe to see her—not one in the Halidome pays + their multures more duly, sequels, arriage, and carriage, and + mill-services, used and wont.” + </p> + <p> + With that the Miller hung his ample cloak without farther ceremony upon a + huge pair of stag's antlers, which adorned at once the naked walls of the + tower, and served for what we vulgarly call cloak-pins. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Dame Elspeth assisted to disembarrass the damsel whom she + destined for her future daughter-in-law, of her hood, mantle, and the rest + of her riding gear, giving her to appear as beseemed the buxom daughter of + the wealthy Miller, gay and goodly, in a white kirtle, the seams of which + were embroidered with green silken lace or fringe, entwined with some + silver thread. An anxious glance did Elspoth cast upon the good-humoured + face, which was now more fully shown to her, and was only obscured by a + quantity of raven black hair, which the maid of the mill had restrained by + a snood of green silk, embroidered with silver, corresponding to the + trimmings of her kirtle. The countenance itself was exceedingly comely—the + eyes black, large, and roguishly good-humoured—the mouth was small—the + lips well formed, though somewhat full—the teeth were pearly white—and + the chin had a very seducing dimple in it. The form belonging to this + joyous face was full and round, and firm and fair. It might become coarse + and masculine some years hence, which is the common fault of Scottish + beauty; but in Mysie's sixteenth year she had the shape of a Hebe. The + anxious Elspeth, with all her maternal partiality, could not help + admitting within herself, that a better man than Halbert might go farther + and fare worse. She looked a little giddy, and Halbert was not nineteen; + still it was time he should be settled, for to that point the dame always + returned; and here was an excellent opportunity. + </p> + <p> + The simple cunning of Dame Elspeth now exhausted itself in commendations + of her fair guest, from the snood, as they say, to the single-soled shoe. + Mysie listened and blushed with pleasure for the first five minutes; but + ere ten had elapsed, she began to view the old lady's compliments rather + as subjects of mirth than of vanity, and was much more disposed to laugh + at than to be flattered with them, for Nature had mingled the good-humour + with which she had endowed the damsel with no small portion of shrewdness. + Even Hob himself began to tire of hearing his daughter's praises, and + broke in with, “Ay, ay, she is a clever quean enough; and, were she five + years older, she shall lay a loaded sack on an <i>aver</i> {Note: <i>Aver</i>—properly + a horse of labour.} with e'er a lass in the Halidome. But I have been + looking for your two sons, dame. Men say downby that Halbert's turned a + wild springald, and that we may have word of him from Westmoreland one + moonlight night or another.” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid, my good neighbour; God, in his mercy, forbid!” said Dame + Glendinning, earnestly; for it was touching the very key-note of her + apprehensions, to hint any probability that Halbert might become one of + the marauders so common in the age and country. But, fearful of having + betrayed too much alarm on this subject, she immediately added, “That + though, since the last rout at Pinkiecleuch, she had been all of a tremble + when a gun or a spear was named, or when men spoke of fighting; yet, + thanks to God and our Lady, her sons were like to live and die honest and + peaceful tenants to the Abbey, as their father might have done, but for + that awful hosting which he went forth to with mony a brave man that never + returned.” + </p> + <p> + “Ye need not tell me of it, dame,” said the Miller, “since I was there + myself, and made two pair of legs (and these were not mine, but my + mare's,) worth one pair of hands. I judged how it would be, when I saw our + host break ranks, with rushing on through that broken ploughed field, and + so as they had made a pricker of me, I e'en pricked off with myself while + the play was good.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, ay, neighbour,” said the dame, “ye were aye a wise and a wary man; if + my Simon had had your wit, he might have been here to speak about it this + day; but he was aye cracking of his good blood and his high kindred, and + less would not serve him than to bide the bang to the last, with the + earls, and knights, and squires, that had no wives to greet for them, or + else had wives that cared not how soon they were widows; but that is not + for the like of us. But touching my son Halbert, there is no fear of him; + for if it should be his misfortune to be in the like case, he has the best + pair of heels in Halidome, and could run almost as fast as your mare + herself.” + </p> + <p> + “Is this he, neighbour?” quoth the Miller. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied the mother; “that is my youngest son, Edward, who can read + and write like the Lord Abbot himself, if it were not a sin to say so.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” said the Miller; “and is that the young clerk the Sub-Prior thinks + so much of? they say he will come far ben that lad; wha kens but he may + come to be Sub-Prior himself?—as broken a ship has come to land.” + </p> + <p> + “To be a Prior, neighbour Miller,” said Edward, “a man must first be a + priest, and for that I judge I have little vocation.” + </p> + <p> + “He will take to the pleugh-pettle, neighbour,” said the good dame; “and + so will Halbert too, I trust. I wish you saw Halbert.—Edward, where + is your brother?” + </p> + <p> + “Hunting, I think,” replied Edward; “at least he left us this morning to + join the Laird of Colmslie and his hounds. I have heard them baying in the + glen all day.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I had heard that music,” said the Miller, “it would have done my + heart good, ay, and may be taken me two or three miles out of my road. + When I was the Miller of Morebattle's knave, I have followed the hounds + from Eckford to the foot of Hounam-law—followed them on foot, Dame + Glendinning, ay, and led the chase when the Laird of Cessford and his gay + riders were all thrown out by the mosses and gills. I brought the stag on + my back to Hounam Cross, when the dogs had pulled him down. I think I see + the old gray knight, as he sate so upright on his strong war-horse, all + white with foam; and 'Miller,' said he to me, 'an thou wilt turn thy back + on the mill, and wend with me, I will make a man of thee.' But I chose + rather to abide by clap and happer, and the better luck was mine; for the + proud Percy caused hang five of the Laird's henchmen at Alnwick for + burning a rickle of houses some gate beyond Fowberry, and it might have + been my luck as well as another man's.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, neighbour, neighbour,” said Dame Glendinning, “you were aye wise and + wary; but if you like hunting, I must say Halbert's the lad to please you. + He hath all those fair holiday terms of hawk and hound as ready in his + mouth as Tom with the tod's tail, that is the Lord Abbot's ranger.” + </p> + <p> + “Ranges he not homeward at dinner-time, dame,” demanded the Miller; “for + we call noon the dinner-hour at Kennaquhair?” + </p> + <p> + The widow was forced to admit that, even at this important period of the + day, Halbert was frequently absent; at which the Miller shook his head, + intimating, at the same time, some allusion to the proverb of MacFarlane's + geese, which “liked their play better than their meat.” {Footnote: A brood + of wild-geese, which long frequented one of the uppermost islands in + Loch-Lomond, called Inch-Tavoe, were supposed to have some mysterious + connexion with the ancient family of MacFarlane of that ilk, and it is + said were never seen after the ruin and extinction of that house. The + MacFarlanes had a house and garden upon that same island of Inch-Tavoe. + Here James VI. was, on one occasion, regaled by the chieftain. His Majesty + had been previously much amused by the geese pursuing each other on the + Loch. But, when one which was brought to table, was found to be tough and + ill fed, James observed—“that MacFarlane's geese liked their play + better than their meat,” a proverb which has been current ever since.} + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0205m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0205m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0205.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + That the delay of dinner might not increase the Miller's disposition to + prejudge Halbert, Dame Glendinning called hastily on Mary Avenel to take + her task of entertaining Mysie Happer, while she herself rushed to the + kitchen, and, entering at once into the province of Tibb Tacket, rummaged + among trenchers and dishes, snatched pots from the fire, and placed pans + and gridirons on it, accompanying her own feats of personal activity with + such a continued list of injunctions to Tibb, that Tibb at length lost + patience, and said, “Here was as muckle wark about meating an auld miller, + as if they had been to banquet the blood of Bruce.” But this, as it was + supposed to be spoken aside, Dame Glendinning did not think it convenient + to hear. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Fourteenth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Nay, let me have the friends who eat my victuals, + As various as my dishes.—The feast's naught, + Where one huge plate predominates. John Plaintext, + He shall be mighty beef, our English staple; + The worthy Alderman, a butter'd dumpling; + Yon pair of whisker'd Cornets, ruffs and rees: + Their friend the Dandy, a green goose in sippets. + And so the hoard is spread at once and fill'd + On the same principle—Variety. + NEW PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + “And what brave lass is this?” said Hob Miller, as Mary Avenel entered the + apartment to supply the absence of Dame Elspeth Glendinning. + </p> + <p> + “The young Lady of Avenel, father,” said the Maid of the Mill, dropping as + low a curtsy as her rustic manners enabled her to make. The Miller, her + father, doffed his bonnet, and made his reverence, not altogether so low + perhaps as if the young lady had appeared in the pride of rank and riches, + yet so as to give high birth the due homage which the Scotch for a length + of time scrupulously rendered to it. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, from having had her mother's example before her for so many years, + and from a native sense of propriety and even of dignity, Mary Avenel had + acquired a demeanour, which marked her title to consideration, and + effectually checked any attempt at familiarity on the part of those who + might be her associates in her present situation, but could not be well + termed her equals. She was by nature mild, pensive, and contemplative, + gentle in disposition, and most placable when accidentally offended; but + still she was of a retired and reserved habit, and shunned to mix in + ordinary sports, even—when the rare occurrence of a fair or wake + gave her an opportunity of mingling with companions of her own age. If at + such scenes she was seen for an instant, she appeared to behold them with + the composed indifference of one to whom their gaiety was a matter of no + interest, and who seemed only desirous to glide away from the scene as + soon as she possibly could. + </p> + <p> + Something also had transpired concerning her being born on All-hallow Eve, + and the powers with which that circumstance was supposed to invest her + over the invisible world. And from all-these particulars combined, the + young men and women of the Halidome used to distinguish Mary among + themselves by the name of the Spirit of Avenel, as if the fair but fragile + form, the beautiful but rather colourless cheek, the dark blue eye, and + the shady hair, had belonged rather to the immaterial than the substantial + world. The general tradition of the White Lady, who was supposed to wait + on the fortunes of the family of Avenel, gave a sort of zest to this piece + of rural wit. It gave great offence, however, to the two sons of Simon + Glendinning; and when the expression was in their presence applied to the + young lady, Edward was wont to check the petulance of those who used it by + strength of argument, and Halbert by strength of arm. In such cases + Halbert had this advantage, that although ho could render no aid to his + brother's argument, yet when circumstances required it, he was sure to + have that of Edward, who never indeed himself commenced a fray, but, on + the other hand, did not testify any reluctance to enter into combat in + Halbert's behalf or in his rescue. + </p> + <p> + But the zealous attachment of the two youths, being themselves, from the + retired situation in which they dwelt, comparative strangers in the + Halidome, did not serve in any degree to alter the feelings of the + inhabitants towards the young lady, who seemed to have dropped amongst + them from another sphere of life. Still, however, she was regarded with + respect, if not with fondness; and the attention of the Sub-Prior to the + family, not to mention the formidable name of Julian Avenel, which every + new incident of those tumultuous times tended to render more famous, + attached to his niece a certain importance. Thus some aspired to her + acquaintance out of pride while the more timid of the feuars were anxious + to inculcate upon their children the necessity of being respectful to the + noble orphan. So that Mary Avenel, little loved because little known, was + regarded with a mysterious awe, partly derived from fear of her uncle's + moss-troopers, and partly from her own retired and distant habits, + enhanced by the superstitious opinions of the time and country. + </p> + <p> + It was not without some portion of this awe, that Mysie felt herself left + alone in company with a young person so distant in rank, and so different + in bearing, from herself; for her worthy father had taken the first + opportunity to step out unobserved, in order to mark how the barnyard was + filled, and what prospect it afforded of grist to the mill. In youth, + however, there is a sort of free-masonry, which, without much + conversation, teaches young persons to estimate each other's character, + and places them at ease on the shortest acquaintance. It is only when + taught deceit by the commerce of the world, that we learn to shroud our + character from observation, and to disguise our real sentiments from those + with whom we are placed in communion. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, the two young women were soon engaged in such objects of + interest as best became their age. They visited Mary Avenel's pigeons, + which she nursed with the tenderness of a mother; they turned over her + slender stores of finery, which yet contained some articles that excited + the respect of her companion, though Mysie was too good-humoured to + nourish envy. A golden rosary, and some female ornaments marking superior + rank, had been rescued in the moment of their utmost adversity, more by + Tibb Tacket's presence of mind, than by the care of their owner,—who + was at that sad period too much sunk in grief to pay any attention to such + circumstances. They struck Mysie with a deep impression of veneration; + for, excepting what the Lord Abbot and the convent might possess, she did + not believe there was so much real gold in the world as was exhibited in + these few trinkets, and Mary, however sage and serious, was not above + being pleased with the admiration of her rustic companion. + </p> + <p> + Nothing, indeed, could exhibit a stronger contrast than the appearance of + the two girls;—the good-humoured laughter-loving countenance of the + Maid of the Mill, who stood gazing with unrepressed astonishment on + whatever was in her inexperienced eye rare and costly, and with an humble, + and at the same time cheerful acquiescence in her inferiority, asking all + the little queries about the use and value of the ornaments, while Mary + Avenel, with her quiet composed dignity and placidity of manner, produced + them one after another for the amusement of her companion. + </p> + <p> + As they became gradually more familiar, Mysie of the Mill was just + venturing to ask, why Mary Avenel never appeared at the May-pole, and to + express her wonder when the young lady said she disliked dancing, when a + trampling of horses at the gate of the tower interrupted their + conversation. + </p> + <p> + Mysie flew to the shot-window in the full ardour of unrestrained female + curiosity. “Saint Mary! sweet lady! here come two well-mounted gallants; + will you step this way to look at them ?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Mary Avenel, “you shall tell me who they are.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you like it better,” said Mysie—“but how shall I know + them?—-Stay, I do know one of them, and so do you, lady; he is a + blithe man, somewhat light of hand, they say, but the gallants of these + days think no great harm of that. He is your uncle's henchman, that they + call Christie of the Clinthill; and he has not his old green jerkin and + the rusty blackjack over it, but a scarlet cloak, laid down with silver + lace three inches broad, and a breast-plate you might see to dress your + hair in, as well as in that keeking-glass in the ivory frame that you + showed me even now. Come, dear lady, come to the shot-window and see him.” + </p> + <p> + “If it be the man you mean, Mysie,” replied the orphan of Avenel, “I shall + see him soon enough, considering either the pleasure or comfort the sight + will give me.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but if you will not come to see gay Christie,” replied the Maid of + the Mill, her face flushed with eager curiosity, “come and tell me who the + gallant is that is with him, the handsomest, the very lovesomest young man + I ever saw with sight.” + </p> + <p> + “It is my foster-brother, Halbert Glendinning,” said Mary, with, apparent + indifference; for she had been accustomed to call the sons of Elspeth her + foster-brethren, and to live with them as if they had been brothers in + earnest. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, by Our Lady, that it is not,” said Mysie; “I know the favour of both + the Glendinnings well, and I think this rider be not of our country. He + has a crimson velvet bonnet, and long brown hair falling down under it, + and a beard on his upper lip, and his chin clean and close shaved, save a + small patch on the point of the chin, and a sky-blue jerkin slashed and + lined with white satin, and trunk-hose to suit, and no weapon but a rapier + and dagger—Well, if I was a man, I would never wear weapon but the + rapier! it is so slender and becoming, instead of having a cartload of + iron at my back, like my father's broad-sword with its great rusty + basket-hilt. Do you not delight in the rapier and poniard, lady?” + </p> + <p> + “The best sword,” answered Mary, “if I must needs answer a question of the + sort, is that which is drawn in the best cause, and which is best used + when it is out of the scabbard.” + </p> + <p> + “But can you not guess who this stranger should be?” said Mysie. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, I cannot even attempt it; but to judge by his companion, it is no + matter how little he is known,” replied Mary. + </p> + <p> + “My benison on his bonny face,” said Mysie, “if he is not going to alight + here! Now, I am as much pleased as if my father had given me the silver + earrings he has promised me so often;—nay, you had as well come to + the window, for you must see him by and by whether you will or not.” I do + not know how much sooner Mary Avenel might have sought the point of + observation, if she had not been scared from it by the unrestrained + curiosity expressed by her buxom friend; but at length the same feeling + prevailed over her sense of dignity, and satisfied with having displayed + all the indifference that was necessary in point of decorum, she no longer + thought herself bound to restrain her curiosity. + </p> + <p> + From the outshot or projecting window, she could perceive that Christie of + the Clinthill was attended on the present occasion by a very gay and + gallant cavalier, who, from the nobleness of his countenance and manner, + his rich and handsome dress, and the showy appearance of his horse and + furniture, must, she agreed with her new friend, be a person of some + consequence. + </p> + <p> + Christie also seemed conscious of something, which made him call out with + more than his usual insolence of manner, “What, ho! so ho! the house! + Churl peasants, will no one answer when I call?—Ho! Martin,—Tibb,—Dame + Glendinning—a murrain on you, must we stand keeping our horses in + the cold here, and they steaming with heat, when we have ridden so + sharply?” + </p> + <p> + At length he was obeyed, and old Martin made his appearance. “Ha!” said + Christie, “art thou there, old Truepenny? here, stable me these steeds, + and see them well bedded, and stretch thine old limbs by rubbing them + down; and see thou quit not the stable till there is not a turned hair on + either of them.” + </p> + <p> + Martin took the horses to the stable as commanded, but suppressed not his + indignation a moment after he could vent it with safety. “Would not any + one think,” he said to Jasper, an old ploughman, who, in coming to his + assistance, had heard Christie's imperious injunctions, “that this loon, + this Christie of the Clinthill, was laird or lord at least of him? No such + thing, man! I remember him a little dirty turnspit boy in the house of + Avenel, that every body in a frosty morning like this warmed his fingers + by kicking or cuffing! and now he is a gentleman, and swears, d—n + him and renounce him, as if the gentlemen could not so much as keep their + own wickedness to themselves, without the like of him going to hell in + their very company, and by the same road. I have as much a mind as ever I + had to my dinner, to go back and tell him to sort his horse himself, since + he is as able as I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Hout tout, man!” answered Jasper, “keep a calm sough; better to fleech a + fool than fight with him.” + </p> + <p> + Martin acknowledged the truth of the proverb, and, much comforted + therewith, betook himself to cleaning the stranger's horse with great + assiduity, remarking, it was a pleasure to handle a handsome nag, and + turned over the other to the charge of Jasper. Nor was it until Christie's + commands were literally complied with that he deemed it proper, after + fitting ablutions, to join the party in the spence; not for the purpose of + waiting upon them, as a mere modern reader might possibly expect, but that + he might have his share of dinner in their company. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile, Christie had presented his companion to Dame Glendinning + as Sir Piercie Shafton, a friend of his and of his master, come to spend + three or four days with little din in the tower. The good dame could not + conceive how she was entitled to such an honour, and would fain have + pleaded her want of every sort of convenience to entertain a guest of that + quality. But, indeed, the visiter, when he cast his eyes round the bare + walls, eyed the huge black chimney, scrutinized the meagre and broken + furniture of the apartment, and beheld the embarrassment of the mistress + of the family, intimated great reluctance to intrude upon Dame Glendinning + a visit, which could scarce, from all appearances, prove otherwise than an + inconvenience to her, and a penance to himself. + </p> + <p> + But the reluctant hostess and her guest had to do with an inexorable man, + who silenced all expostulations with, “such was his master's pleasure. + And, moreover,” he continued, “though the Baron of Avenel's will must, and + ought to prove law to all within ten miles around him, yet here, dame,” he + said, “is a letter from your petticoated baron, the lord-priest yonder, + who enjoins you, as you regard his pleasure, that you afford to this good + knight such decent accommodation as is in your power, suffering him to + live as privately as he shall desire.—And for you, Sir Piercie + Shafton,” continued Christie, “you will judge for yourself, whether + secrecy and safety is not more your object even now, than soft beds and + high cheer. And do not judge of the dame's goods by the semblance of her + cottage; for you will see by the dinner she is about to spread for us, + that the vassal of the kirk is seldom found with her basket bare.” To Mary + Avenel, Christie presented the stranger, after the best fashion he could, + as to the niece of his master the baron. + </p> + <p> + While he thus laboured to reconcile Sir Piercie Shafton to his fate, the + widow, having consulted her son Edward on the real import of the Lord + Abbot's injunction, and having found that Christie had given a true + exposition, saw nothing else left for her but to make that fate as easy as + she could to the stranger. He himself also seemed reconciled to his lot by + some feeling probably of strong necessity, and accepted with a good grace + the hospitality which the dame offered with a very indifferent one. + </p> + <p> + In fact, the dinner, which soon smoked before the assembled guests, was of + that substantial kind which warrants plenty and comfort. Dame Glendinning + had cooked it after her best manner; and, delighted with the handsome + appearance which her good cheer made when placed on the table, forgot both + her plans and the vexations which interrupted them, in the hospitable duty + of pressing her assembled visiters to eat and drink, watching every + trencher as it waxed empty, and loading it with fresh supplies ere the + guest could utter a negative. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile, the company attentively regarded each other's motions, + and seemed endeavouring to form a judgment of each other's character. Sir + Piercie Shafton condescended to speak to no one but to Mary Avenel, and on + her he conferred exactly the same familiar and compassionate, though + somewhat scornful sort of attention, which a pretty fellow of these days + will sometimes condescend to bestow on a country miss, when there is no + prettier or more fashionable woman present. The manner indeed was + different, for the etiquette of those times did not permit Sir Piercie + Shafton to pick his teeth, or to yawn, or to gabble like the beggar whose + tongue (as he says) was cut out by the Turks, or to affect deafness or + blindness, or any other infirmity of the organs. But though the embroidery + of his conversation was different, the groundwork was the same, and the + high-flown and ornate compliments with which the gallant knight of the + sixteenth century inter-larded his conversation, were as much the + offspring of egotism and self-conceit, as the jargon of the coxcombs of + our own days. + </p> + <p> + The English knight was, however, something daunted at finding that Mary + Avenel listened with an air of indifference, and answered with wonderful + brevity, to all the fine things which ought, as he conceived, to have + dazzled her with their brilliancy, and puzzled her by their obscurity. But + if he was disappointed in making the desired, or rather the expected + impression, upon her whom he addressed, Sir Piercie Shafton's discourse + was marvellous in the ears of Mysie the Miller's daughter, and not the + less so that she did not comprehend the meaning of a single word which he + uttered. Indeed, the gallant knight's language was far too courtly to be + understood by persons of much greater acuteness than Mysie's. + </p> + <p> + It was about this period, that the “only rare poet of his time, the witty, + comical, facetiously-quick, and quickly-facetious, John Lylly—he + that sate at Apollo's table, and to whom Phoebus gave a wreath of his own + bays without snatching” {Footnote: Such, and yet more extravagant, are the + compliments paid to this author by his editor, Blount. Notwithstanding all + exaggeration, Lylly was really a man of wit and imagination, though both + were deformed by the most unnatural affectation that ever disgraced a + printed page.}—he, in short, who wrote that singularly coxcomical + work, called <i>Euphues and his England</i>, was in the very zenith of his + absurdity and his reputation. The quaint, forced, and unnatural style + which he introduced by his “Anatomy of Wit,” had a fashion as rapid as it + was momentary—all the court ladies were his scholars, and to <i>parler + Euphuisme</i>, was as necessary a qualification to a courtly gallant, as + those of understanding how to use his rapier, or to dance a measure. + </p> + <p> + It was no wonder that the Maid of the Mill was soon as effectually blinded + by the intricacies of this erudite and courtly style of conversation, as + she had ever been by the dust of her father's own meal-sacks. But there + she sate with her mouth and eyes as open as the mill-door and the two + windows, showing teeth as white as her father's bolted flour, and + endeavouring to secure a word or two for her own future use out of the + pearls of rhetoric which Sir Piercie Shafton scattered around him with + such bounteous profusion. + </p> + <p> + For the male part of the company, Edward felt ashamed of his own manner + and slowness of speech, when he observed the handsome young courtier, with + an ease and volubility of which he had no conception, run over all the + commonplace topics of high-flown gallantry. It is true the good sense and + natural taste of young Glendinning soon informed him that the gallant + cavalier was speaking nonsense. But, alas! where is the man of modest + merit, and real talent, who has not suffered from being outshone in + conversation and outstripped in the race of life, by men of less reserve, + and of qualities more showy, though less substantial? and well constituted + must the mind be, that can yield up the prize without envy to competitors + more worthy than himself. + </p> + <p> + Edward Glendinning had no such philosophy. While he despised the jargon of + the gay cavalier, he envied the facility with which he could run on, as + well as the courtly tone and expression, and the perfect ease and elegance + with which he offered all the little acts of politeness to which the + duties of the table gave opportunity. And if I am to speak truth, I must + own that he envied those qualities the more as they were all exercised in + Mary Avenel's service, and, although only so far accepted as they could + not be refused, intimated a wish on the stranger's part to place himself + in her good graces, as the only person in the room to whom he thought it + worth while to recommend himself. His title, rank, and very handsome + figure, together with some sparks of wit and spirit which flashed across + the cloud of nonsense which he uttered, rendered him, as the words of the + old song say, “a lad for a lady's viewing;” so that poor Edward, with all + his real worth and acquired knowledge, in his home-spun doublet, blue cap, + and deerskin trowsers, looked like a clown beside the courtier, and, + feeling the full inferiority, nourished no good-will to him by whom he was + eclipsed. + </p> + <p> + Christie, on the other hand, as soon as he had satisfied to the full a + commodious appetite, by means of which persons of his profession could, + like the wolf and eagle, gorge themselves with as much food at one meal as + might serve them for several days, began also to feel himself more in the + back-ground than he liked to be. This worthy had, amongst his other good + qualities, an excellent opinion of himself; and, being of a bold and + forward disposition, had no mind to be thrown into the shade by any one. + With an impudent familiarity which such persons mistake for graceful ease, + he broke in upon the knight's finest speeches with as little remorse as he + would have driven the point of his lance through a laced doublet. Sir + Piercie Shafton, a man of rank and high birth, by no means encouraged or + endured this familiarity, and requited the intruder either with total + neglect, or such laconic replies as intimated a sovereign contempt for the + rude spearman, who affected to converse with him upon terms of equality. + </p> + <p> + The Miller held his peace; for, as his usual conversation turned chiefly + on his clapper and toll-dish, he had no mind to brag of his wealth in + presence of Christie of the Clinthill, or to intrude his discourse on the + English cavalier. + </p> + <p> + A little specimen of the conversation may not be out of place, were it but + to show young ladies what fine things they have lost by living when + Euphuism is out of fashion. + </p> + <p> + “Credit me, fairest lady,” said the knight, “that such is the cunning of + our English courtiers, of the hodiernal strain, that, as they have + infinitely refined upon the plain and rusticial discourse of our fathers, + which, as I may say, more beseemed the mouths of country roisterers in a + May-game than that of courtly gallants in a galliard, so I hold it + ineffably and unutterably impossible, that those who may succeed us in + that garden of wit and courtesy shall alter or amend it. Venus delighted + but in the language of Mercury, Bucephalus will stoop to no one but + Alexander, none can sound Apollo's pipe but Orpheus.” + </p> + <p> + “Valiant sir,” said Mary, who could scarcely help laughing, “we have but + to rejoice in the chance which hath honoured this solitude with a glimpse + of the sun of courtesy, though it rather blinds than enlightens us.” + </p> + <p> + “Pretty and quaint, fairest lady,” answered the Euphuist. “Ah, that I had + with me my Anatomy of Wit—that all-to-be-unparalleled volume—that + quintessence of human wit—that treasury of quaint invention—that + exquisitively-pleasant-to-read, and inevitably-necessary-to-be-remembered + manual, of all that is worthy to be known—which indoctrines the rude + in civility, the dull in intellectuality, the heavy in jocosity, the blunt + in gentility, the vulgar in nobility, and all of them in that unutterable + perfection, of human utterance, that eloquence which no other eloquence is + sufficient to praise, that art which, when we call it by its own name of + Euphuism, we bestow on it its richest panegyric.” + </p> + <p> + “By Saint Mary,” said Christie of the Clinthill, “if your worship had told + me that you had left such stores of wealth as you talk of at Prudhoe + Castle, Long Dickie and I would have had them off with us if man and horse + could have carried them; but you told us of no treasure I wot of, save the + silver tongs for turning up your mustachoes.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0213m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0213m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0213.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The knight treated this intruder's mistake—for certainly Christie + had no idea that all these epithets which sounded so rich and splendid, + were lavished upon a small quarto volume—with a stare, and then + turning again to Mary Avenel, the only person whom he thought worthy to + address, he proceeded in his strain of high-flown oratory, “Even thus,” + said he, “do hogs contemn the splendour of Oriental pearls; even thus are + the delicacies of a choice repast in vain offered to the long-eared grazer + of the common, who turneth from them to devour a thistle. Surely as idle + is it to pour forth the treasures of oratory before the eyes of the + ignorant, and to spread the dainties of the intellectual banquet before + those who are, morally and metaphysically speaking, no better than asses.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Knight, since that is your quality,” said Edward, “we cannot strive + with you in loftiness of language; but I pray you in fair courtesy, while + you honour my father's house with your presence, to spare us such vile + comparisons.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, good villagio,” said the knight, gracefully waving his hand, “I + prithee peace, kind rustic; and you, my guide, whom I may scarce call + honest, let me prevail upon you to imitate the laudable taciturnity of + that honest yeoman, who sits as mute as a mill-post, and of that comely + damsel, who seems as with her ears she drank in what she did not + altogether comprehend, even as a palfrey listening to a lute, whereof, + howsoever, he knoweth not the gamut.” + </p> + <p> + “Marvellous fine words,” at length said Dame Glendinning, who began to be + tired of sitting so long silent, “marvellous fine words, neighbour Happer, + are they not?” + </p> + <p> + “Brave words—very brave words—very exceeding pyet words,” + answered the Miller; “nevertheless, to speak my mind, a lippy of bran were + worth a bushel of them.” + </p> + <p> + “I think so too, under his worship's favour,” answered Christie of the + Clinthill. “I well remember that at the race of Morham, as we call it, + near Berwick, I took a young Southern fellow out of saddle with my lance, + and cast him, it might be, a gad's length from his nag; and so, as he had + some gold on his laced doublet, I deemed he might ha' the like on it in + his pocket too, though that is a rule that does not aye hold good—So + I was speaking to him of ransom, and out he comes with a handful of such + terms as his honour there hath gleaned up, and craved me for mercy, as I + was a true son of Mars, and such like.” + </p> + <p> + “And obtained no mercy at thy hand, I dare be sworn,” said the knight, who + deigned not to speak Euphuism excepting to the fair sex. + </p> + <p> + “By my troggs,” replied Christie, “I would have thrust my lance down his + throat, but just then they flung open that accursed postern-gate, and + forth pricked old Hunsdon, and Henry Carey, and as many fellows at their + heels as turned the chase northward again. So I e'en pricked Bayard with + the spur, and went off with the rest; for a man should ride when he may + not wrestle, as they say in Tynedale.” + </p> + <p> + “Trust me,” said the knight, again turning to Mary Avenel, “if I do not + pity you, lady, who, being of noble blood, are thus in a manner compelled + to abide in the cottage of the ignorant, like the precious stone in the + head of the toad, or like a precious garland on the brow of an ass.—But + soft, what gallant have we here, whose garb savoureth more of the rustic + than doth his demeanour, and whose looks seem more lofty than his habit; + even as—” + </p> + <p> + “I pray you, Sir Knight,” said Mary, “to spare your courtly similitudes + for refined ears, and give me leave to name unto you my foster-brother, + Halbert Glendinning.” + </p> + <p> + “The son of the good dame of the cottage, as I opine,” answered the + English knight; “for by some such name did my guide discriminate the + mistress of this mansion, which you, madam, enrich with your presence.—And + yet, touching this juvenal, he hath that about him which belongeth to + higher birth, for all are not black who dig coals—” + </p> + <p> + “Nor all white who are millers,” said honest Happer, glad to get in a + word, as they say, edgeways. + </p> + <p> + Halbert, who had sustained the glance of the Englishman with some + impatience, and knew not what to make of his manner and language, replied + with some asperity, “Sir Knight, we have in this land of Scotland an + ancient saying, 'Scorn not the bush that bields you'—you are a guest + of my father's house to shelter you from danger, if I am rightly informed + by the domestics. Scoff not its homeliness, nor that of its inmates—ye + might long have abidden at the court of England, ere we had sought your + favour, or cumbered you with our society. Since your fate has sent you + hither amongst us, be contented with such fare and such converse as we can + afford you, and scorn us not for our kindness; for the Scots wear short + patience and long daggers.” + </p> + <p> + All eyes were turned on Halbert while he was thus speaking, and there was + a general feeling that his countenance had an expression of intelligence, + and his person an air of dignity, which they had never before observed. + Whether it were that the wonderful Being with whom he had so lately held + communication, had bestowed on him a grace and dignity of look and bearing + which he had not before, or whether the being conversant in high matters, + and called to a destiny beyond that of other men, had a natural effect in + giving becoming confidence to his language and manner, we pretend not to + determine. But it was evident to all, that, from this day, young Halbert + was an altered man; that he acted with the steadiness, promptitude, and + determination, which belonged to riper years, and bore himself with a + manner which appertained to higher rank. + </p> + <p> + The knight took the rebuke with good humour. “By my mine honour,” he said, + “thou hast reason on thy side, good juvenal—nevertheless, I spoke + not as in ridicule of the roof which relieves me, but rather in your own + praise, to whom, if this roof be native, thou mayst nevertheless rise from + its lowliness; even as the lark, which maketh its humble nest in the + furrow, ascendeth towards the sun, as well as the eagle which buildeth her + eyry in the cliff.” + </p> + <p> + This high-flown discourse was interrupted by Dame Glendinning, who, with + all the busy anxiety of a mother, was loading her son's trencher with + food, and dinning in his ear her reproaches on account of his prolonged + absence. “And see,” she said, “that you do not one day get such a sight + while you are walking about among the haunts of them that are not of our + flesh and bone, as befell Mungo Murray when he slept on the greensward + ring of the Auld Kirkhill at sunset, and wakened at daybreak in the wild + hills of Breadalbane. And see that, when you are looking for deer, the red + stag does not gall you as he did Diccon Thorburn, who never overcast the + wound that he took from a buck's horn. And see, when you go swaggering + about with a long broadsword by your side, whilk it becomes no peaceful + man to do, that you dinna meet with them that have broadsword and lance + both—there are enow of rank riders in this land, that neither fear + God nor regard man.” + </p> + <p> + Here her eye “in a fine frenzy rolling,” fell full upon that of Christie + of the Clinthill, and at once her fears for having given offence + interrupted the current of maternal rebuke, which, like rebuke + matrimonial, may be often better meant than timed. There was something of + sly and watchful significance in Christie's eye, an eye gray, keen, + fierce, yet wily, formed to express at once cunning, and malice, which + made the dame instantly conjecture she had said too much, while she saw in + imagination her twelve goodly cows go lowing down the glen in a moonlight + night, with half a score of Border spearsmen at their heels. + </p> + <p> + Her voice, therefore, sunk from the elevated tone of maternal authority + into a whimpering apologetic sort of strain, and she proceeded to say, “It + is no that I have ony ill thoughts of the Border riders, for Tibb Tacket + there has often heard me say that I thought spear and bridle as natural to + a Borderman as a pen to a priest, or a feather-fan to a lady; and—have + you not heard me say it, Tibb?” + </p> + <p> + Tibb showed something less than her expected alacrity in attesting her + mistress's deep respect for the freebooters of the southland hills; but, + thus conjured, did at length reply, “Hout ay, mistress, I'se warrant I + have heard you say something like that.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother!” said Halbert, in a firm and commanding tone of voice, “what or + whom is it that you fear under my father's roof?—I well hope that it + harbours not a guest in whose presence you are afraid to say your pleasure + to me or my brother? I am sorry I have been detained so late, being + ignorant of the fair company which I should encounter on my return.—I + pray you let this excuse suffice: and what satisfies you, will, I trust, + be nothing less than acceptable to your guests.” + </p> + <p> + An answer calculated so jistly betwixt the submission due to his parent, + and the natural feeling of dignity in one who was by birth master of the + mansion, excited universal satisfaction. And as Elspeth herself confessed + to Tibb on the same evening, “She did not think it had been in the + callant. Till that night, he took pets and passions if he was spoke to, + and lap through the house like a four-year-auld at the least word of + advice that was minted at him, but now he spoke as grave and as douce as + the Lord Abbot himself. She kendna,” she said, “what might be the upshot + of it, but it was like he was a wonderfu' callant even now.” + </p> + <p> + The party then separated, the young men retiring to their apartments, the + elder to their household cares. While Christie went to see his horse + properly accommodated, Edward betook himself to his book, and Halbert, who + was as ingenious in employing his hands as he had hitherto appeared + imperfect in mental exertion, applied himself to constructing a place of + concealment in the floor of his apartment by raising a plank, beneath + which he resolved to deposit that copy of the Holy Scriptures which had + been so strangely regained from the possession of men and spirits. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile Sir Piercie Shafton sate still as a stone, in the chair + in which he had deposited himself, his hands folded on his breast, his + legs stretched straight out before him and resting upon the heels, his + eyes cast up to the ceiling as if he had meant to count every mesh of + every cobweb with which the arched roof was canopied, wearing at the same + time a face of as solemn and imperturbable gravity, as if his existence + had depended on the accuracy of his calculation. + </p> + <p> + He could scarce be roused from his listless state of contemplative + absorption so as to take some supper, a meal at which the younger females + appeared not. Sir Piercie stared around twice or thrice as if he missed + something; but he asked not for them, and only evinced his sense of a + proper audience being wanting, by his abstraction and absence of mind, + seldom speaking until he was twice addressed, and then replying, without + trope or figure, in that plain English which nobody could speak better + when he had a mind. + </p> + <p> + Christie, finding himself in undisturbed possession of the conversation, + indulged all who chose to listen with details of his own wild and + inglorious warfare, while Dame Elspeth's curch bristled with horror, and + Tibb Tacket, rejoiced to find herself once more in the company of a + jackman, listened to his tales, like Desdemona to Othello's, with + undisguised delight. Meantime the two young Glendinnings were each wrapped + up in his own reflections, and only interrupted in them by the signal to + move bedward. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Fifteenth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + He strikes no coin, 'tis true, but coins new phrases, + And vends them forth as knaves vend gilded counters, + Which wise men scorn, and fools accept in payment. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + In the morning Christie of the Clinthill was nowhere to be seen. As this + worthy personage did seldom pique himself on sounding a trumpet before his + movements, no one was surprised at his moonlight departure, though some + alarm was excited lest he had not made it empty-handed. So, in the + language of the national ballad, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Some ran to cupboard, and some to kist, + But nought was away that could be mist. +</pre> + <p> + All was in order, the key of the stable left above the door, and that of + the iron-grate in the inside of the lock. In short, the retreat had been + made with scrupulous attention to the security of the garrison, and so far + Christie left them nothing to complain of. + </p> + <p> + The safety of the premises was ascertained by Halbert, who instead of + catching up a gun or cross-bow, and sallying out for the day as had been + his frequent custom, now, with a gravity beyond his years, took a survey + of all around the tower, and then returned to the spence, or public + apartment, in which, at the early hour of seven, the morning meal was + prepared. + </p> + <p> + There he found the Euphuist in the same elegant posture of abstruse + calculation which he had exhibited on the preceding evening, his arms + folded in the same angle, his eyes turned up to the same cobwebs, and his + heels resting on the ground as before. Tired of this affectation of + indolent importance, and not much flattered with his guest's persevering + in it to the last, Halbert resolved at once to break the ice, being + determined to know what circumstance had brought to the tower of + Glendinning a guest at once so supercilious and so silent. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Knight,” he said with some firmness, “I have twice given you good + morning, to which the absence of your mind hath, I presume, prevented you + from yielding attention, or from making return. This exchange of courtesy + is at your pleasure to give or withhold—But, as what I have further + to say concerns your comfort and your motions in an especial manner, I + will entreat you to give me some signs of attention, that I may be sure I + am not wasting my words on a monumental image.” + </p> + <p> + At this unexpected address, Sir Piercie Shafton opened his eyes, and + afforded the speaker a broad stare; but as Halbert returned the glance + without either confusion or dismay, the knight thought proper to change + his posture, draw in his legs, raise his eyes, fix them on young + Glendinning, and assume the appearance of one who listens to what is said + to him. Nay, to make his purpose more evident, he gave voice to his + resolution in these words, “Speak! we do hear.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Knight,” said the youth, “it is the custom of this Halidome, or + patrimony of St. Mary's, to trouble with inquiries no guests who receive + our hospitality, providing they tarry in our house only for a single + revolution of the sun. We know that both criminals and debtors come hither + for sanctuary, and we scorn to extort from the pilgrim, whom chance may + make our guest, an avowal of the cause of his pilgrimage and penance. But + when one so high above our rank as yourself, Sir Knight, and especially + one to whom the possession of such pre-eminence is not indifferent, shows + his determination to be our guest for a longer time, it is our usage to + inquire of him whence he comes, and what is the cause of his journey?” + </p> + <p> + The English knight gaped twice or thrice before he answered, and then + replied in a bantering tone, “Truly, good villagio, your question hath in + it somewhat of embarrassment, for you ask me of things concerning which I + am not as yet altogether determined what answer I may find it convenient + to make. Let it suffice thee, kind juvenal, that thou hast the Lord + Abbot's authority for treating me to the best of that power of thine, + which, indeed, may not always so well suffice for my accommodation as + either of us would desire.” + </p> + <p> + “I must have a more precise answer than this, Sir Knight,” said the young + Glendinning. + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” said the knight, “be not outrageous. It may suit your northern + manners thus to press harshly upon the secrets of thy betters; but believe + me, that even as the lute, struck by an unskilful hand, doth produce + discords, so——” At this moment the door of the apartment + opened, and Mary Avenel presented herself—“But who can talk of + discords,” said the knight, assuming his complimentary vein and humour, + “when the soul of harmony descends upon us in the presence of surpassing + beauty! For even as foxes, wolves, and other animals void of sense and + reason, do fly from the presence of the resplendent sun of heaven when he + arises in his glory, so do strife, wrath, and all ireful passions retreat, + and, as it were, scud away, from the face which now beams upon us, with + power to compose our angry passions, illuminate our errors and + difficulties, soothe our wounded minds, and lull to rest our disorderly + apprehensions; for as the heat and warmth of the eye of day is to the + material and physical world, so is the eye which I now bow down before to + that of the intellectual microcosm.” + </p> + <p> + He concluded with a profound bow; and Mary Avenel, gazing from one to the + other, and plainly seeing that something was amiss, could only say, “For + heaven's sake, what is the meaning of this?” + </p> + <p> + The newly-acquired tact and intelligence of her foster-brother was as yet + insufficient to enable him to give an answer. He was quite uncertain how + he ought to deal with a guest, who preserving a singularly high tone of + assumed superiority and importance, seemed nevertheless so little serious + in what he said, that it was quite impossible to discern with accuracy + whether he was in jest or earnest. + </p> + <p> + Forming, however, the internal resolution to bring Sir Piercie Shafton to + a reckoning at a more fit place and season, he resolved to prosecute the + matter no farther at present; and the entrance of his mother with the + damsel of the Mill, and the return of the honest Miller from the + stack-yard, where he had been numbering and calculating the probable + amount of the season's grist, rendered farther discussion impossible for + the moment. + </p> + <p> + In the course of the calculation it could not but strike the man of meal + and grindstones, that after the church's dues were paid, and after all + which he himself could by any means deduct from the crop, still the + residue which must revert to Dame Glendinning could not be less than + considerable. I wot not if this led the honest Miller to nourish any plans + similar to those adopted by Elspeth; but it is certain that he accepted + with grateful alacrity an invitation which the dame gave to his daughter, + to remain a week or two as her guest at Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + The principal persons being thus in high good humour with each other, all + business gave place to the hilarity of the morning repast; and so much did + Sir Piercie appear gratified by the attention which was paid to every word + that he uttered by the nut-brown Mysie, that, notwithstanding his high + birth and distinguished quality, he bestowed on her some of the more + ordinary and second-rate tropes of his elocution. + </p> + <p> + Mary Avenel, when relieved from the awkwardness of feeling the full weight + of his conversation addressed to herself, enjoyed it much more; and the + good knight, encouraged by those conciliating marks of approbation from + the sex, for whose sake he cultivated his oratorical talents, made speedy + intimation of his purpose to be more communicative than he had shown + himself in his conversation with Halbert Glendinning, and gave them to + understand, that it was in consequence of some pressing danger that he was + at present their involuntary guest. + </p> + <p> + The conclusion of the breakfast was a signal for the separation of the + company. The Miller went to prepare for his departure; his daughter to + arrange matters for her unexpected stay; Edward was summoned to + consultation by Martin concerning some agricultural matter, in which + Halbert could not be brought to interest himself; the dame left the room + upon her household concerns, and Mary was in the act of following her, + when she suddenly recollected, that if she did so, the strange knight and + Halbert must be left alone together, at the risk of another quarrel. + </p> + <p> + The maiden no sooner observed this circumstance, than she instantly + returned from the door of the apartment, and, seating herself in a small + stone window-seat, resolved to maintain that curb which she was sensible + her presence imposed on Halbert Glendinning, of whose quick temper she had + some apprehensions. + </p> + <p> + The stranger marked her motions, and, either interpreting them as inviting + his society, or obedient to those laws of gallantry which permitted him + not to leave a lady in silence and solitude, he instantly placed himself + near to her side and opened the conversation as follows:— + </p> + <p> + “Credit me, fair lady” he said, addressing Mary Avenel, “it much rejoiceth + me, being, as I am, a banished man from the delights of mine own country, + that I shall find here in this obscure and silvan cottage of the north, a + fair form and a candid soul, with whom I may explain my mutual sentiments. + And let me pray you in particular, lovely lady, that, according to the + universal custom now predominant in our court, the garden of superior + wits, you will exchange with me some epithet whereby you may mark my + devotion to your service. Be henceforward named, for example, my + Protection, and let me be your Affability.” + </p> + <p> + “Our northern and country manners, Sir Knight, do not permit us to + exchange epithets with those to whom we are strangers,” replied Mary + Avenel. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but see now,” said the knight, “how you are startled! even as the + unbroken steed, which swerves aside from the shaking of a handkerchief, + though he must in time encounter the waving of a pennon. This courtly + exchange of epithets of honour, is no more than the compliments which pass + between valour and beauty, wherever they meet, and under whatever + circumstances. Elizabeth of England herself calls Philip Sydney her + Courage, and he in return calls that princess his Inspiration. Wherefore, + my fair Protection, for by such epithet it shall be mine to denominate you—” + </p> + <p> + “Not without the young lady's consent, sir!” interrupted Halbert; “most + truly do I hope your courtly and quaint breeding will not so far prevail + over the more ordinary rules of civil behaviour.” + </p> + <p> + “Fair tenant of an indifferent copyhold,” replied the knight, with the + same coolness and civility of mien, but in a tone somewhat more lofty than + he used to the young lady, “we do not in the southern parts, much + intermingle discourse, save with those with whom we may stand on some + footing of equality; and I must, in all discretion, remind you, that the + necessity which makes us inhabitants of the same cabin, doth not place us + otherwise on a level with each other.” + </p> + <p> + “By Saint Mary,” replied young Glendinning, “it is my thought that it + does; for plain men hold, that he who asks the shelter is indebted to him + who gives it; and so far, therefore, is our rank equalized while this roof + covers us both.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art altogether deceived,” answered Sir Piercie; “and that thou mayst + fully adapt thyself to our relative condition, know that I account not + myself thy guest, but that of thy master, the Lord Abbot of Saint Mary's, + who, for reasons best known to himself and me, chooseth to administer his + hospitality to me through the means of thee, his servant and vassal, who + art, therefore, in good truth, as passive an instrument of my + accommodation as this ill-made and rugged joint-stool on which I sit, or + as the wooden trencher from which I eat my coarse commons. Wherefore,” he + added, turning to Mary, “fairest mistress, or rather, as I said before, + most lovely Protection—” {Footnote: There are many instances to be + met with in the ancient dramas of this whimsical and conceited custom of + persons who formed an intimacy, distinguishing: each, other by some quaint + epithet. In <i>Every Man out of his Humour</i>, there is a humorous debate + upon names most fit to bind the relation betwixt Sogliardo and Cavaliero + Shift, which ends by adopting those of Countenance and Resolution. What is + more to the point is in the speech of Hedon, a voluptuary and a courtier + in <i>Cynthia's Revels</i>. “you know that I call Madam Plilantia my <i>Honour,</i> + and she calls me her <i>Ambition.</i> Now, when I meet her in the + presence, anon, I will come to her and say, 'Sweet Honour, I have hitherto + contented my sense with the lilies of your hand, and now I will taste the + roses of your lip.' To which she cannot but blushing answer, 'Nay, now you + are too ambitious;' and then do I reply, 'I cannot be too ambitious of + Honour, sweet lady. Wilt not be good?'”—I think there is some + remnant of this foppery preserved in masonic lodges, where each brother is + distinguished by a name in the Lodge, signifying some abstract quality as + Discretion, or the like. See the poems of Gavin Wilson.} + </p> + <p> + Mary Avenel was about to reply to him, when the stern, fierce, and + resentful expression of voice and countenance with which Halbert + exclaimed, “not from the King of Scotland, did he live, would I brook such + terms!” induced her to throw herself between him and the stranger, + exclaiming, “for God's sake, Halbert, beware what you do!” + </p> + <p> + “Fear not, fairest Protection,” replied Sir Piercie, with the utmost + serenity, “that I can be provoked by this rustical and mistaught juvenal + to do aught misbecoming your presence or mine own dignity; for as soon + shall the gunner's linstock give fire unto the icicle, as the spark of + passion inflame my blood, tempered as it is to serenity by the respect due + to the presence of my gracious Protection.” + </p> + <p> + “You may well call her your protection, Sir Knight” said Halbert; “by + Saint Andrew, it is the only sensible word I have heard you speak! But we + may meet where her protection shall no longer afford you shelter.” + </p> + <p> + “Fairest Protection,” continued the courtier, not even honouring with a + look, far less with a direct reply, the threat of the incensed Halbert, + “doubt not that thy faithful Affability will be more commoved by the + speech of this rudesby, than the bright and serene moon is perturbed by + the baying of the cottage-cur, proud of the height of his own dunghill, + which, in his conceit, lifteth him nearer unto the majestic luminary.” + </p> + <p> + To what lengths so unsavoury a simile might have driven Halbert's + indignation, is left uncertain; for at that moment Edward rushed into the + apartment with the intelligence that two most important officers of the + Convent, the Kitchener and Refectioner, were just arrived with a + sumpter-mule, loaded with provisions, announcing that the Lord Abbot, the + Sub-Prior, and the Sacristan, were on their way thither. A circumstance so + very extraordinary had never been recorded in the annals of Saint Mary's, + or in the traditions of Glendearg, though there was a faint legendary + report that a certain Abbot had dined there in old days, after having been + bewildered in a hunting expedition amongst the wilds which lie to the + northward. But that the present Lord Abbot should have taken a voluntary + journey to so wild and dreary a spot, the very Kamtschatka of the + Halidome, was a thing never dreamt of; and the news excited the greatest + surprise in all the members of the family saving Halbert alone. + </p> + <p> + This fiery youth was too full of the insult he had received to think of + anything as unconnected with it. “I am glad of it,” he exclaimed; “I am + glad the Abbot comes hither. I will know of him by what right this + stranger is sent hither to domineer over us under our father's roof, as if + we were slaves and not freemen. I will tell the proud priest to his beard—” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! alas! my brother,” said Edward, “think what these words may cost + thee!” + </p> + <p> + “And what will, or what can they cost me,” said Halbert, “that I should + sacrifice my human feelings and my justifiable resentment to the fear of + what the Abbot can do?” + </p> + <p> + “Our mother—our mother!” exclaimed Edward; “think, if she is + deprived of her home, expelled from her property, how can you amend what + your rashness may ruin?” + </p> + <p> + “It is too true, by Heaven!” said Halbert, striking his forehead. Then, + stamping his foot against the floor to express the full energy of the + passion to which he dared no longer give vent, he turned round and left + the apartment. + </p> + <p> + Mary Avenel looked at the stranger knight, while she was endeavouring to + frame a request that he would not report the intemperate violence of her + foster-brother to the prejudice of his family, in the mind of the Abbot. + But Sir Piercie, the very pink of courtesy, conjectured her meaning from + her embarrassment, and waited not to be entreated. + </p> + <p> + “Credit me, fairest Protection,” said he, “your Affability is less than + capable of seeing or hearing, far less of reciting or reiterating, aught + of an unseemly nature which may have chanced while I enjoyed the Elysium + of your presence. The winds of idle passion may indeed rudely agitate the + bosom of the rude; but the heart of the courtier is polished to resist + them. As the frozen lake receives not the influence of the breeze, even so—” + </p> + <p> + The voice of Dame Glendinning, in shrill summons, here demanded Mary + Avenel's attendance, who instantly obeyed, not a little glad to escape + from the compliments and similes of this courtlike gallant. Nor was it + apparently less a relief on his part; for no sooner was she past the + threshold of the room, than he exchanged the look of formal and elaborate + politeness which had accompanied each word he had uttered hitherto, for an + expression of the utmost lassitude and ennui; and after indulging in one + or two portentous yawns, broke forth into a soliloquy. + </p> + <p> + “What the foul fiend sent this wench hither? As if it were not sufficient + plague to be harboured in a hovel that would hardly serve for a dog's + kennel in England, baited by a rude peasant-boy, and dependent on the + faith of a mercenary ruffian, but I cannot even have time to muse over my + own mishap, but must come aloft, frisk, fidget, and make speeches, to + please this pale hectic phantom, because she has gentle blood in her + veins? By mine honour, setting prejudice aside, the mill-wench is the more + attractive of the two—But patienza, Piercie Shafton; thou must not + lose thy well-earned claim to be accounted a devout servant of the fair + sex, a witty-brained, prompt, and accomplished courtier. Rather thank + heaven, Piercie Shafton, which hath sent thee a subject, wherein, without + derogating from thy rank, (since the honours of the Avenel family are + beyond dispute,) thou mayest find a whetstone for thy witty compliments, a + strop whereon to sharpen thine acute engine, a butt whereat to shoot the + arrows of thy gallantry. For even as a Bilboa blade, the more it is + rubbed, the brighter and the sharper will it prove, so—But what need + I waste my stock of similitudes in holding converse with myself?—Yonder + comes the monkish retinue, like some half score of crows winging their way + slowly up the valley—I hope, a'gad, they have not forgotten my + trunk-mails of apparel amid the ample provision they have made for their + own belly-timber—Mercy, a'gad, I were finely helped up if the + vesture has miscarried among the thievish Borderers!” + </p> + <p> + Stung by this reflection, he ran hastily down stairs, and caused his horse + to be saddled, that he might, as soon as possible, ascertain this + important point, by meeting the Lord Abbot and his retinue as they came up + the glen. He had not ridden a mile before he met them advancing with the + slowness and decorum which became persons of their dignity and profession. + The knight failed not to greet the Lord Abbot with all the formal + compliments with which men of rank at that period exchanged courtesies. He + had the good fortune to find that his mails were numbered among the train + of baggage which attended upon the party; and, satisfied in that + particular, he turned his horse's head, and accompanied the Abbot to the + Tower of Glendearg. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0229m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0229m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0229.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Great, in the meanwhile, had been the turmoil of the good Dame Elspeth and + her coadjutors, to prepare for the fitting reception of the Father Lord + Abbot and his retinue. The monks had indeed taken care not to trust too + much to the state of her pantry; but she was not the less anxious to make + such additions as might enable her to claim the thanks of her feudal lord + and spiritual father. Meeting Halbert, as, with his blood on fire, he + returned from his altercation with her guest, she commanded him instantly + to go forth to the hill, and not to return without venison; reminding him + that he was apt enough to go thither for his own pleasure, and must now do + so for the credit of the house. + </p> + <p> + The Miller, who was now hastening his journey homewards, promised to send + up some salmon by his own servant. Dame Elspeth, who by this time thought + she had guests enough, had begun to repent of her invitation to poor + Mysie, and was just considering by what means, short of giving offence, + she could send off the Maid of the Mill behind her father, and adjourn all + her own aerial architecture till some future opportunity, when this + unexpected generosity on the part of the sire rendered any present attempt + to return his daughter on his hands too highly ungracious to be farther + thought on. So the Miller departed alone on his homeward journey. + </p> + <p> + Dame Elspeth's sense of hospitality proved in this instance its own + reward; for Mysie had dwelt too near the Convent to be altogether ignorant + of the noble art of cookery, which her father patronized to the extent of + consuming on festival days such dainties as his daughter could prepare in + emulation of the luxuries of the Abbot's kitchen. Laying aside, therefore, + her holiday kirtle, and adopting a dress more suitable to the occasion, + the good-humored maiden bared her snowy arms above the elbows; and, as + Elspeth acknowledged, in the language of the time and country, took + “entire and aefauld part with her” in the labours of the day; showing + unparalleled talent, and indefatigable industry, in the preparation of <i>mortreux</i>, + <i>blanc-manger</i>, and heaven knows what delicacies besides, which Dame + Glendinning, unassisted by her skill, dared not even have dreamt of + presenting. Leaving this able substitute in the kitchen, and regretting + that Mary Avenel was so brought up, that she could intrust nothing to her + care, unless it might be seeing the great chamber strewed with rushes, and + ornamented with such flowers and branches as the season afforded, Dame + Elspeth hastily donned her best attire, and with a beating heart presented + herself at the door of her little tower, to make her obeisance to the Lord + Abbot as he crossed her humble threshold. Edward stood by his mother, and + felt the same palpitation, which his philosophy was at a loss to account + for. He was yet to learn how long it is ere our reason is enabled to + triumph over the force of external circumstances, and how much our + feelings are affected by novelty, and blunted by use and habit. + </p> + <p> + On the present occasion, he witnessed with wonder and awe the approach of + some half-score of riders, sober men upon sober palfreys, muffled in their + long black garments, and only relieved by their white scapularies, showing + more like a funeral procession than aught else, and not quickening their + pace beyond that which permitted easy conversation and easy digestion. The + sobriety of the scene was indeed somewhat enlivened by the presence of Sir + Piercie Shafton, who, to show that his skill in the manege was not + inferior to his other accomplishments, kept alternately pressing and + checking his gay courser, forcing him to piaffe, to caracole, to passage, + and to do all the other feats of the school, to the great annoyance of the + Lord Abbot, the wonted sobriety of whose palfrey became at length + discomposed by the vivacity of its companion, while the dignitary kept + crying out in bodily alarm, “I do pray you—Sir Knight—good + now, Sir Piercie—Be quiet, Benedict, there is a good steed—soh, + poor fellow” and uttering all the other precatory and soothing + exclamations by which a timid horseman usually bespeaks the favour of a + frisky companion, or of his own unquiet nag, and concluding the bead-roll + with a sincere <i>Deo gratias</i> so soon as he alighted in the court-yard + of the Tower of Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + The inhabitants unanimously knelt down to kiss the hand of the Lord Abbot, + a ceremony which even the monks were often condemned to. Good Abbot + Boniface was too much fluttered by the incidents of the latter part of his + journey, to go through this ceremony with much solemnity, or indeed with + much patience. He kept wiping his brow with a snow-white handkerchief with + one hand, while another was abandoned to the homage of his vassals; and + then signing the cross with his outstretched arm, and exclaiming, “Bless + ye—bless ye, my children” he hastened into the house, and murmured + not a little at the darkness and steepness of the rugged winding stair, + whereby he at length scaled the spence destined for his entertainment, + and, overcome with fatigue, threw himself, I do not say into an easy + chair, but into the easiest the apartment afforded. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Sixteenth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A courtier extraordinary, who by diet + Of meats and drinks, his temperate exercise, + Choice music, frequent bath, his horary shifts + Of shirts and waistcoats, means to immortalize + Mortality itself, and makes the essence + Of his whole happiness the trim of court. + MAGNETIC LADY. +</pre> + <p> + When the Lord Abbot had suddenly and superciliously vanished from the eyes + of his expectant vassals, the Sub-Prior made amends for the negligence of + his principal, by the kind and affectionate greeting which he gave to all + the members of the family, but especially to Dame Elspeth, her + foster-daughter, and her son Edward. “Where,” he even condescended to + inquire, “is that naughty Nimrod, Halbert?—He hath not yet, I trust, + turned, like his great prototype, his hunting-spear against man!” + </p> + <p> + “O no, an it please your reverence,” said Dame Glendinning, “Halbert is up + at the glen to get some venison, or surely he would not have been absent + when such a day of honour dawned upon me and mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, to get savoury meat, such as our soul loveth,” muttered the + Sub-Prior; “it has been at times an acceptable gift.—I bid you good + morrow, my good dame, as I must attend upon his lordship the Father + Abbot.” + </p> + <p> + “And O, reverend sir,” said the good widow, detaining him, “if it might be + your pleasure to take part with us if there is any thing wrong; and if + there is any thing wanted, to say that it is just coming, or to make some + excuses your learning best knows how. Every bit of vassail and silver work + have we been spoiled of since Pinkie Cleuch, when I lost poor Simon + Glendinning, that was the warst of a'.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind—never fear,” said the Sub-Prior, gently extricating his + garment from the anxious grasp of Dame Elspeth, “the Refectioner has with + him the Abbot's plate and drinking cups; and I pray you to believe that + whatever is short in your entertainment will be deemed amply made up in + your good-will.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he escaped from her and went into the spence, where such + preparations as haste permitted were making for the noon collation of the + Abbot and the English knight. Here he found the Lord Abbot, for whom a + cushion, composed of all the plaids in the house, had been unable to + render Simon's huge elbow-chair a soft or comfortable place of rest. + </p> + <p> + “Benedicite!” said Abbot Boniface, “now marry fie upon these hard benches + with all my heart—they are as uneasy as the <i>scabella</i> of our + novices. Saint Jude be with us, Sir Knight, how have you contrived to pass + over the night in this dungeon? An your bed was no softer than your seat, + you might as well have slept on the stone couch of Saint Pacomius. After + trotting a full ten miles, a man needs a softer seat than has fallen to my + hard lot.” + </p> + <p> + With sympathizing faces, the Sacristan and the Refectioner ran to raise + the Lord Abbot, and to adjust his seat to his mind, which was at length + accomplished in some sort, although he continued alternately to bewail his + fatigue, and to exult in the conscious sense of having discharged an + arduous duty. “You errant cavaliers,” said he, addressing the knight, “may + now perceive that others have their travail and their toils to undergo as + well as your honoured faculty. And this I will say for myself and the + soldiers of Saint Mary, among whom I may be termed captain, that it is not + our wont to flinch from the heat of the service, or to withdraw from the + good fight. No, by Saint Mary!—no sooner did I learn that you were + here, and dared not for certain reasons come to the Monastery, where, with + as good will, and with more convenience, we might have given you a better + reception, than, striking the table with my hammer, I called a brother—Timothy, + said I, let them saddle Benedict—let them saddle my black palfrey, + and bid the Sub-Prior and some half-score of attendants be in readiness + tomorrow after matins—we would ride to Glendearg.—Brother + Timothy stared, thinking, I imagine, that his ears had scarce done him + justice—but I repeated my commands, and said, Let the Kitchener and + Refectioner go before to aid the poor vassals to whom the place belongs in + making a suitable collation. So that you will consider, good Sir Piercie, + our mutual in commodities, and forgive whatever you may find amiss.” + </p> + <p> + “By my faith,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “there is nothing to forgive—If + you spiritual warriors have to submit to the grievous incommodities which + your lordship narrates, it would ill become me, a sinful and secular man, + to complain of a bed as hard as a board, of broth which relished as if + made of burnt wool, of flesh, which, in its sable and singed shape, seemed + to put me on a level with Richard Coeur-de-Lion,—when he ate up the + head of a Moor carbonadoed, and of other viands savouring rather of the + rusticity of this northern region.” + </p> + <p> + “By the good Saints, sir,” said the Abbot, somewhat touched in point of + his character for hospitality, of which he was in truth a most faithful + and zealous professor, “it grieves me to the heart that you have found our + vassals no better provided for your reception—Yet I crave leave to + observe, that if Sir Piercie Shafton's affairs had permitted him to honour + with his company our poor house of Saint Mary's, he might have had less to + complain of in respect of easements.” + </p> + <p> + “To give your lordship the reasons,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “why I + could not at this present time approach your dwelling, or avail myself of + its well-known and undoubted hospitality, craves either some delay, or,” + looking around him, “a limited audience.” + </p> + <p> + The Lord Abbot immediately issued his mandate to the Refectioner: “Hie + thee to the kitchen, Brother Hilarius, and there make inquiry of our + brother the Kitchener, within what time he opines that our collation may + be prepared, since sin and sorrow it were, considering the hardships of + this noble and gallant knight, no whit mentioning or—weighing those + we ourselves have endured, if we were now either to advance or retard the + hour of refection beyond the time when the viands are fit to be set before + us.” + </p> + <p> + Brother Hilarius parted with an eager alertness to execute the will of his + Superior, and returned with the assurance, that punctually at one + afternoon would the collation be ready. + </p> + <p> + “Before that time,” said the accurate Refectioner, “the wafers, flamms, + and pastry-meat, will scarce have had the just degree of fire which + learned pottingers prescribe as fittest for the body; and if it should be + past one o'clock, were it but ten minutes, our brother the Kitchener + opines, that the haunch of venison would suffer in spite of the skill of + the little turn-broche whom he has recommended to your holiness by his + praises.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” said the Abbot, “a haunch of venison!—from whence comes that + dainty? I remember not thou didst intimate its presence in thy hamper of + vivers.” + </p> + <p> + “So please your holiness and lordship,” said the Refectioner, “he is a son + of the woman of the house who has shot it and sent it in—killed but + now; yet, as the animal heat hath not left the body, the Kitchener + undertakes it shall eat as tender as a young chicken—and this youth + hath a special gift in shooting deer, and never misses the heart or the + brain; so that the blood is not driven through the flesh, as happens too + often with us. It is a hart of grease—your holiness has seldom seen + such a haunch.” + </p> + <p> + “Silence, Brother Hilarius,” said the Abbot, wiping his mouth; “it is not + beseeming our order to talk of food so earnestly, especially as we must + oft have our animal powers exhausted by fasting, and be accessible (as + being ever mere mortals) to those signs of longing” (he again wiped his + mouth) “which arise on the mention of victuals to an hungry man.—Minute + down, however, the name of that youth—it is fitting merit should be + rewarded, and he shall hereafter be a <i>frater ad succurrendum</i> in the + kitchen and buttery.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! reverend Father and my good lord,” replied the Refectioner, “I did + inquire after the youth, and I learn he is one who prefers the casque to + the cowl, and the sword of the flesh to the weapons of the spirit.” + </p> + <p> + “And if it be so,” said the Abbot, “see that thou retain him as a + deputy-keeper and man-at-arms, and not as a lay brother of the Monastery—for + old Tallboy, our forester, waxes dim-eyed, and hath twice spoiled a noble + buck, by hitting him unwarily on the haunch. Ah! 'tis a foul fault, the + abusing by evil-killing, evil-dressing, evil-appetite, or otherwise, the + good creatures indulged to us for our use. Wherefore, secure us the + service of this youth, Brother Hilarius, in the way that may best suit + him.—And now, Sir Piercie Shafton, since the fates have assigned us + a space of well-nigh an hour, ere we dare hope to enjoy more than the + vapour or savour of our repast, may I pray you, of your courtesy, to tell + me the cause of this visit; and, above all, to inform us, why you will not + approach our more pleasant and better furnished <i>hospitium</i>?” + </p> + <p> + “Reverend Father, and my very good lord,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “it is + well known to your wisdom, that there are stone walls which have ears, and + that secrecy is to be looked to in matters which concern a man's head.” + The Abbot signed to his attendants, excepting the Sub-Prior, to leave the + room, and then said, “Your valour, Sir Piercie, may freely unburden + yourself before our faithful friend and counsellor Father Eustace, the + benefits of whose advice we may too soon lose, inasmuch as his merits will + speedily recommend him to an higher station, in which we trust he may find + the blessing of a friend and adviser as valuable as himself, since I may + say of him, as our claustral rhyme goeth,{Footnote: The rest of this + doggerel rhyme may be found in Fosbrooke's Learned work on British + Monachism.} + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Dixit Abbas ad Prioris, + Tu es homo boni moris, + Quia semper sanioris + Mihi das concilia.' +</pre> + <p> + Indeed,” he added, “the office of Sub-Prior is altogether beneath our dear + brother; nor can we elevate him unto that of Prior, which, for certain + reasons, is at present kept vacant amongst us. Howbeit, Father Eustace is + fully possessed of my confidence, and worthy of yours, and well may it be + said of him, <i>Intravit in secretis nostris</i>.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Piercie Shafton bowed to the reverend brethren, and, heaving a sigh, + as if he would burst his steel cuirass, he thus commenced his speech:— + </p> + <p> + “Certes, reverend sirs, I may well heave such a suspiration, who have, as + it were, exchanged heaven for purgatory, leaving the lightsome sphere of + the royal court of England for a remote nook in this inaccessible desert—quitting + the tilt-yard, where I was ever ready among my compeers to splinter a + lance, either for the love of honour, or for the honour of love, in order + to couch my knightly spear against base and pilfering besognios and + marauders—exchanging the lighted halls, wherein I used nimbly to + pace the swift coranto, or to move with a loftier grace in the stately + galliard, for this rugged and decayed dungeon of rusty-coloured stone—quitting + the gay theatre, for the solitary chimney-nook of a Scottish dog-house—bartering + the sounds of the soul-ravishing lute, and the love-awaking viol-de-gamba, + for the discordant squeak of a northern bagpipe—above all, + exchanging the smiles of those beauties, who form a gay galaxy around the + throne of England, for the cold courtesy of an untaught damsel, and the + bewildered stare of a miller's maiden. More might I say of the exchange of + the conversation of gallant knights and gay courtiers of mine own order + and capacity, whose conceits are bright and vivid as the lightning, for + that of monks and churchmen—but it were discourteous to urge that + topic.” + </p> + <p> + The Abbot listened to this list of complaints with great round eyes, which + evinced no exact intelligence of the orator's meaning; and when the knight + paused to take breath, he looked with a doubtful and inquiring eye at the + Sub-Prior, not well knowing in what tone he should reply to an exordium so + extraordinary. The Sub-Prior accordingly stepped in to the relief of his + principal. + </p> + <p> + “We deeply sympathize with you, Sir Knight, in the several mortifications + and hardships to which fate has subjected you, particularly in that which + has thrown you into the society of those, who, as they were conscious they + deserved not such an honour, so neither did they at all desire it. But all + this goes little way to expound the cause of this train of disasters, or, + in plainer words, the reason which has compelled you into a situation + having so few charms for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Gentle and reverend sir,” replied the knight, “forgive an unhappy person, + who, in giving a history of his miseries, dilateth upon them extremely, + even as he who, having fallen from a precipice, looketh upward to measure + the height from which he hath been precipitated.” + </p> + <p> + “Yea, but,” said Father Eustace, “methinks it were wiser in him to tell + those who come to lift him up, which of his bones have been broken.” + </p> + <p> + “You, reverend sir,” said the knight, “have, in the encounter of our wits, + made a fair attaint; whereas I may be in some sort said to have broken my + staff across. {Footnote: <i>Attaint</i> was a term of tilting used to + express the champion's having <i>attained</i> his mark, or, in other + words, struck his lance straight and fair against the helmet or breast of + his adversary. Whereas to break the lance across, intimated a total + failure in directing the point of the weapon on the object of his aim.} + Pardon me, grave sir, that I speak in the language of the tilt-yard, which + is doubtless strange to your reverend years.—Ah! brave resort of the + noble, the fair and the gay!—Ah! throne of love, and citadel of + honour!—Ah! celestial beauties, by whose bright eyes it is graced! + Never more shall Piercie Shafton advance, as the centre of your radiant + glances, couch his lance, and spur his horse at the sound of the + spirit-stirring trumpets, nobly called the voice of war—never more + shall he baffle his adversary's encounter boldly, break his spear + dexterously, and ambling around the lovely circle, receive the rewards + with which beauty honours chivalry!” + </p> + <p> + Here he paused, wrung his hands, looked upwards, and seemed lost in + contemplation of his own fallen fortunes. + </p> + <p> + “Mad, very mad,” whispered the Abbot to the Sub-Prior; “I would we were + fairly rid of him; for, of a truth, I expect he will proceed from raving + to mischief—Were it not better to call up the rest of the brethren?” + </p> + <p> + But the Sub-Prior knew better than his Superior how to distinguish the + jargon of affectation from the ravings of insanity, and although the + extremity of the knight's passion seemed altogether fantastic, yet he was + not ignorant to what extravagancies the fashion of the day can conduct its + votaries. + </p> + <p> + Allowing, therefore, two minutes' space to permit the knight's + enthusiastic feelings to exhaust themselves, he again gravely reminded him + that the Lord Abbot had taken a journey, unwonted to his age and habits, + solely to learn in what he could serve Sir Piercie Shafton—that it + was altogether impossible he could do so without his receiving distinct + information of the situation in which he had now sought refuge in + Scotland.—“The day wore on,” he observed, looking at the window; + “and if the Abbot should be obliged to return to the Monastery without + obtaining the necessary intelligence, the regret might be mutual, but the + inconvenience was like to be all on Sir Piercie's own side.” + </p> + <p> + The hint was not thrown away. + </p> + <p> + “O, goddess of courtesy!” said the knight, “can I so far have forgotten + thy behests as to make this good prelate's ease and time a sacrifice to my + vain complaints! Know, then, most worthy, and not less worshipful, that I, + your poor visitor and guest, am by birth nearly bound to the Piercie of + Northumberland, whose fame is so widely blown through all parts of the + world where English worth hath been known. Now, this present Earl of + Northumberland, of whom I propose to give you the brief history——” + </p> + <p> + “It is altogether unnecessary,” said the Abbot; “we know him to be a good + and true nobleman, and a sworn upholder of our Catholic faith, in the + spite of the heretical woman who now sits upon the throne of England. And + it is specially as his kinsman, and as knowing that ye partake with him in + such devout and faithful belief and adherence to our holy Mother Church, + that we say to you, Sir Piercie Shafton, that ye be heartily welcome to + us, and that, and we wist how, we would labour to do you good service in + your extremity.” + </p> + <p> + “For such kind offer I rest your most humble debtor,” said Sir Piercie, + “nor need I at this moment say more than that my Right Honourable Cousin + of Northumberland, having devised with me and some others, the choice and + picked spirits of the age, how and by what means the worship of God, + according to the Catholic Church, might be again introduced into this + distracted kingdom of England, (even as one deviseth, by the assistance of + his friend, to catch and bridle a runaway steed,) it pleased him so deeply + to intrust me in those communications, that my personal safety becomes, as + it were, entwined or complicated therewith. Natheless, as we have had + sudden reason to believe, this Princess Elizabeth, who maintaineth around + her a sort of counsellors skilful in tracking whatever schemes may be + pursued for bringing her title into challenge, or for erecting again the + discipline of the Catholic Church, has obtained certain knowledge of the + trains which we had laid before we could give fire unto them. Wherefore, + my Right Honourable Cousin of Northumberland, thinking it best belike that + one man should take both blame and shame for the whole, did lay the burden + of all this trafficking upon my back; which load I am the rather content + to bear, in that he hath always shown himself my kind and honourable + kinsman, as well as that my estate, I wot not how, hath of late been + somewhat insufficient to maintain the expense of those braveries, + wherewith it is incumbent on us, who are chosen and selected spirits, to + distinguish ourselves from the vulgar.” + </p> + <p> + “So that possibly,” said the Sub-Prior, “your private affairs rendered a + foreign journey less incommodious to you than it might have been to the + noble earl, your right worthy cousin?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, reverend sir,” answered the courtier; “<i>rem acu</i>—you + have touched the point with a needle—My cost and expenses had been + indeed somewhat lavish at the late triumphs and tourneys, and the + flat-capp'd citizens had shown themselves unwilling to furnish my pocket + for new gallantries for the honour of the nation, as well as for mine own + peculiar glory—and, to speak truth, it was in some part the hope of + seeing these matters amended that led me to desire a new world in + England.” + </p> + <p> + “So that the miscarriage of your public enterprise, with the derangement + of your own private affairs,” said the Sub-Prior, “have induced you to + seek Scotland as a place of refuge?” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Rem acu</i>, once again,” said Sir Piercie; “and not without good + cause, since my neck, if I remained, might have been brought within the + circumstances of a halter—and so speedy was my journey northward, + that I had but time to exchange my peach-coloured doublet of Genoa velvet, + thickly laid over with goldsmith's work, for this cuirass, which was made + by Bonamico of Milan, and travelled northward with all speed, judging that + I might do well to visit my Right Honourable Cousin of Northumberland, at + one of his numerous castles. But as I posted towards Alnwick, even with + the speed of a star, which, darting from its native sphere, shoots wildly + downwards, I was met at Northallerton by one Henry Vaughan, a servant of + my right honourable kinsman, who showed me, that as then I might not with + safety come to his presence, seeing that, in obedience to orders from his + court, he was obliged to issue out letters for my incarceration.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0241m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0241m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0241.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “This,” said the Abbot, “seems but hard measure on the part of your + honourable kinsman.” + </p> + <p> + “It might be so judged, my lord,” replied Sir Piercie; “nevertheless, I + will stand to the death for the honour of my Right Honourable Cousin of + Northumberland. Also, Henry Vaughan gave me, from my said cousin, a good + horse, and a purse of gold, with two Border-prickers, as they are called, + for my guides, who conducted me, by such roads and by-paths as have never + been seen since the days of Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristrem, into this + kingdom of Scotland, and to the house of a certain baron, or one who holds + the style of such, called Julian Avenel, with whom I found such reception + as the place and party could afford.” + </p> + <p> + “And that,” said the Abbot, “must have been right wretched; for to judge + from the appetite which Julian showeth when abroad, he hath not, I judge, + over-abundant provision at home.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, sir—your reverence is in the right,” continued Sir + Piercie; “we had but lenten fare, and, what was worse, a score to clear at + the departure; for though this Julian Avenel called us to no reckoning, + yet he did so extravagantly admire the fashion of my poniard—the <i>poignet</i> + being of silver exquisitely hatched, and indeed the weapon being + altogether a piece of exceeding rare device and beauty—that in faith + I could not for very shame's sake but pray his acceptance of it; words + which he gave me not the trouble of repeating twice, before he had stuck + it into his greasy buff-belt, where, credit me, reverend sir, it showed + more like a butcher's knife than a gentleman's dagger.” + </p> + <p> + “So goodly a gift might at least have purchased you a few days' + hospitality,” said Father Eustace. + </p> + <p> + “Reverend sir,” said Sir Piercie, “had I abidden with him, I should have + been complimented out of every remnant of my wardrobe—actually + flayed, by the hospitable gods I swear it! Sir, he secured my spare + doublet, and had a pluck at my galligaskins—I was enforced to beat a + retreat before I was altogether unrigged. That Border knave, his serving + man, had a pluck at me too, and usurped a scarlet cassock and steel + cuirass belonging to the page of my body, whom I was fain to leave behind + me. In good time I received a letter from my Right Honourable Cousin, + showing me that he had written to you in my behalf, and sent to your + charge two mails filled with wearing apparel—namely, my rich crimson + silk doublet, slashed out and lined with cloth of gold, which I wore at + the last revels, with baldric and trimmings to correspond—also two + pair black silk slops, with hanging garters of carnation silk—also + the flesh-coloured silken doublet, with the trimmings of fur, in which I + danced the salvage man at the Gray's-Inn mummery—also——” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Knight,” said the Sub-Prior, “I pray you to spare the farther + inventory of your wardrobe. The monks of Saint Mary's are no free-booting + barons, and whatever part of your vestments arrived at our house, have + been this day faithfully brought hither, with the mails which contained + them. I may presume from what has been said, as we have indeed been, given + to understand by the Earl of Northumberland, that your desire is to remain + for the present as unknown and as unnoticed, as may be consistent with + your high worth and distinction?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, reverend father!” replied the courtier, “a blade when it is in the + scabbard cannot give lustre, a diamond when it is in the casket cannot + give light, and worth, when it is compelled by circumstances to obscure + itself, cannot draw observation—my retreat can only attract the + admiration of those few to whom circumstances permit its displaying + itself.” + </p> + <p> + “I conceive now, my venerable father and lord,” said the Sub-Prior, “that + your wisdom will assign such a course of conduct to this noble knight, as + may be alike consistent with his safety, and with the weal of the + community. For you wot well, that perilous strides have been made in these + audacious days, to the destruction of all ecclesiastical foundations, and + that our holy community has been repeatedly menaced. Hitherto they have + found no flaw in our raiment; but a party, friendly as well to the Queen + of England, as to the heretical doctrines of the schismatical church, or + even to worse and wilder forms of heresy, prevails now at the court of our + sovereign, who dare not yield to her suffering clergy the protection she + would gladly extend to them.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord, and reverend sir,” said the knight, “I will gladly relieve you + of my presence, while ye canvass this matter at your freedom; and to speak + truly, I am desirous to see in what case the chamberlain of my noble + kinsman hath found my wardrobe, and how he hath packed the same, and + whether it has suffered from the journey—there are four suits of as + pure and elegant device as ever the fancy of a fair lady doated upon, + every one having a treble, and appropriate change of ribbons, trimmings, + and fringes, which, in case of need, may as it were renew each of them, + and multiply the four into twelve.—There is also my sad-coloured + riding-suit, and three cut-work shirts with falling bands—I pray + you, pardon me—I must needs see how matters stand with them without + farther dallying.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he left the room; and the Sub-Prior, looking after him + significantly, added, “Where the treasure is will the heart be also.” + </p> + <p> + “Saint Mary preserve our wits!” said the Abbot, stunned with the knight's + abundance of words; “were man's brains ever so stuffed with silk and + broadcloth, cut-work, and I wot not what besides! And what could move the + Earl of Northumberland to assume for his bosom counsellor, in matters of + death and danger, such a feather-brained coxcomb as this?” + </p> + <p> + “Had he been other than what he is, venerable father,” said the Sub-Prior, + “he had been less fitted for the part of scape-goat, to which his Right + Honourable Cousin had probably destined him from the commencement, in case + of their plot failing. I know something of this Piercie Shafton. The + legitimacy of his mother's descent from the Piercie family, the point on + which he is most jealous, hath been called in question. If hairbrained + courage, and an outrageous spirit of gallantry, can make good his + pretensions to the high lineage he claims, these qualities have never been + denied him. For the rest, he is one of the ruffling gallants of the time, + like Howland Yorke, Stukely, + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: “Yorke,” says Camden, “was a Londoner, a man of loose and + dissolute behaviour, and desperately audacious—famous in his time + amongst the common bullies and swaggerers, as being the first that, to the + great admiration of many at his boldness, brought into England the bold + and dangerous way of fencing with the rapier in duelling. Whereas, till + that time, the English used to fight with long swords and bucklers, + striking with the edge, and thought it no part of man either to push or + strike beneath the girdle. + </p> + <p> + Having a command in the Low Countries, Yorke revolted to the Spaniards, + and died miserably, poisoned, as was supposed, by his new allies. Three + years afterwards, his bones were dug up and gibbeted by the command of the + States of Holland. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Stukely, another distinguished gallant of the time, was bred a + merchant, being the son of a rich clothier in the west. He wedded the + daughter and heiress of a wealthy alderman of London, named Curtis, after + whose death he squandered the riches he thus acquired in all manner of + extravagance. His wife, whose fortune supplied his waste, represented to + him that he ought to make more of her. Stukely replied, “I will make as + much of thee, believe me, as it is possible for any to do;” and he kept + his word in one sense, having stripped her even of her wearing apparel, + before he finally ran away from her. + </p> + <p> + Having fled to Italy, he contrived to impose upon the Pope, with a plan of + invading Ireland, for which he levied soldiers, and made some + preparations, but ended by engaging himself and his troops in the service + of King Sebastian of Portugal. He sailed with that prince on his fatal + voyage to Barbary, and fell with him at the battle of Alcazar. + </p> + <p> + Stukely, as one of the first gallants of the time, has had the honour to + be chronicled in song, in Evans' Old Ballads, vol. iii, edition 1810. His + fate is also introduced in a tragedy, by George Peel, as has been + supposed, called the Battle of Alcazar, from which play Dryden is alleged + to have taken the idea of Don Sebastian; if so, it is surprising he + omitted a character so congenial to King Charles the Second's time as the + witty, brave, and profligate Thomas Stukely.} + </p> + <p> + and others, who wear out their fortunes, and endanger their lives, in idle + braveries, in order that they may be esteemed the only choice gallants of + the time; and afterwards endeavour to repair their estate, by engaging in + the desperate plots and conspiracies which wiser heads have devised. To + use one of his own conceited similitudes, such courageous fools resemble + hawks, which the wiser conspirator keeps hooded and blinded on his wrist + until the quarry is on the wing, and who are then flown at them.” + </p> + <p> + “Saint Mary,” said the Abbot, “he were an evil guest to introduce into our + quiet household. Our young monks make bustle enough, and more than is + beseeming God's servants, about their outward attire already—this + knight were enough to turn their brains, from the <i>Vestiarius</i> down + to the very scullion boy.” + </p> + <p> + “A worse evil might follow,” said the Sub-Prior: “in these bad days, the + patrimony of the church is bought and sold, forfeited and distrained, as + if it were the unhallowed soil appertaining to a secular baron. Think what + penalty awaits us, were we convicted of harbouring a rebel to her whom + they call the Queen of England! There would neither be wanting Scottish + parasites to beg the lands of the foundation, nor an army from England to + burn and harry the Halidome. The men of Scotland were once Scotsmen, firm + and united in the love of their country, and throwing every other + consideration aside when the frontier was menaced—now they are—what + shall I call them—the one part French, the other part English, + considering their dear native country merely as a prize-fighting stage, + upon which foreigners are welcome to decide their quarrels.” + </p> + <p> + “Benedictine!” replied the Abbot, “they are indeed slippery and evil + times.” + </p> + <p> + “And therefore,” said Father Eustace, “we must walk warily—we must + not, for example, bring this man—this Sir Piercie Shafton, to our + house of Saint Mary's.” + </p> + <p> + “But how then shall we dispose of him?” replied the Abbot; “bethink thee + that he is a sufferer for holy Church's sake—that his patron, the + Earl of Northumberland, hath been our friend, and that, lying so near us, + he may work us weal or wo according as we deal with his kinsman.” + </p> + <p> + “And, accordingly,” said the Sub-Prior, “for these reasons, as well as for + discharge of the great duty of Christian charity, I would protect and + relieve this man. Let him not go back to Julian Avenel—that + unconscientious baron would not stick to plunder the exiled stranger—Let + him remain here—the spot is secluded, and if the accommodation be + beneath his quality, discovery will become the less likely. We will make + such means for his convenience as we can devise.” + </p> + <p> + “Will he be persuaded, thinkest thou?” said the Abbot; “I will leave my + own travelling bed for his repose, and send up a suitable easy-chair.” + </p> + <p> + “With such easements,” said the Sub-Prior, “he must not complain; and + then, if threatened by any sudden danger, he can soon come down to the + sanctuary, where we will harbour him in secret until means can be devised + of dismissing him in safety.” + </p> + <p> + “Were we not better,” said the Abbot, “send him on to the court, and get + rid of him at once?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, but at the expense of our friends—this butterfly may fold his + wings, and lie under cover in the cold air of Glendearg; but were he at + Holyrood, he would, did his life depend on it, expand his spangled drapery + in the eyes of the queen and court—Rather than fail of distinction, + he would sue for love to our gracious sovereign—the eyes of all men + would be upon him in the course of three short days, and the international + peace of the two ends of the island endangered for a creature, who, like a + silly moth, cannot abstain from fluttering round a light.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast prevailed with me, Father Eustace,” said the Abbot, “and it + will go hard but I improve on thy plan—I will send up in secret, not + only household stuff, but wine and wassell-bread. There is a young swankie + here who shoots venison well. I will give him directions to see that the + knight lacks none.” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever accommodation he can have, which infers not a risk of + discovery,” said the Sub-Prior, “it is our duty to afford him.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the Abbot, “we will do more, and will instantly despatch a + servant express to the keeper of our revestiary to send us such things as + he may want, even this night. See it done, good father.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” answered Father Eustace; “but I hear the gull clamorous for some + one to truss his points.{Footnote: The points were the strings of cord or + ribbon, (so called, because <i>pointed</i> with metal like the laces of + women's stays,) which attached the doublet to the hose. They were very + numerous, and required assistance to tie them properly, which was called + <i>trussing</i>.} He will be fortunate if he lights on any one here who + can do him the office of groom of the chamber.” + </p> + <p> + “I would he would appear,” said the Abbot, “for here comes the Refectioner + with the collation—By my faith, the ride hath given me a sharp + appetite!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Seventeenth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I'll seek for other aid—Spirits, they say, + Flit round invisible, as thick as motes + Dance in the sunbeam. If that spell + Or necromancer's sigil can compel them, + They shall hold council with me. + JAMES DUFF. +</pre> + <p> + The reader's attention must be recalled to Halbert Glendinning, who had + left the Tower of Glendearg immediately after his quarrel with its new + guest, Sir Piercie Shafton. As he walked with a rapid pace up the glen, + Old Martin followed him, beseeching him to be less hasty. + </p> + <p> + “Halbert,” said the old man, “you will never live to have white hair, if + you take fire thus at every spark of provocation.” + </p> + <p> + “And why should I wish it, old man,” said Halbert, “if I am to be the butt + that every fool may aim a shaft of scorn against?—What avails it, + old man, that you yourself move, sleep, and wake, eat thy niggard meal, + and repose on thy hard pallet?—Why art thou so well pleased that the + morning should call thee up to daily toil, and the evening again lay thee + down a wearied-out wretch? Were it not better sleep and wake no more, than + to undergo this dull exchange of labour for insensibility and of + insensibility for labour?” + </p> + <p> + “God help me,” answered Martin, “there may be truth in what thou sayest—but + walk slower, for my old limbs cannot keep pace with your young legs—walk + slower, and I will tell you why age, though unlovely, is yet endurable.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak on then,” said Halbert, slackening his pace, “but remember we must + seek venison to refresh the fatigues of these holy men, who will this + morning have achieved a journey of ten miles; and if we reach not the + Brocksburn head we are scarce like to see an antler.” + </p> + <p> + “Then know, my good Halbert,” said Martin, “whom I love as my own son, + that I am satisfied to live till death calls me, because my Maker wills + it. Ay, and although I spend what men call a hard life, pinched with cold + in winter, and burnt with heat in summer, though I feed hard and sleep + hard, and am held mean and despised, yet I bethink me, that were I of no + use on the face of this fair creation, God would withdraw me from it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou poor old man,” said Halbert, “and can such a vain conceit as this of + thy fancied use, reconcile thee to a world where thou playest so poor a + part?” + </p> + <p> + “My part was nearly as poor,” said Martin, “my person nearly as much + despised, the day that I saved my mistress and her child from perishing in + the wilderness.” + </p> + <p> + “Right, Martin,” answered Halbert; “there, indeed, thou didst what might + be a sufficient apology for a whole life of insignificance.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you account it for nothing, Halbert, that I should have the power + of giving you a lesson of patience, and submission to the destinies of + Providence? Methinks there is use for the grey hairs on the old scalp, + were it but to instruct the green head by precept and by example.” + </p> + <p> + Halbert held down his face, and remained silent for a minute or two, and + then resumed his discourse: “Martin, seest thou aught changed in me of + late?” + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” said Martin. “I have always known you hasty, wild, and + inconsiderate, rude, and prompt to speak at the volley and without + reflection; but now, methinks, your bearing, without losing its natural + fire, has something in it of force and dignity which it had not before. It + seems as if you had fallen asleep a carle, and awakened a gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou canst judge, then, of noble bearing?” said Halbert. + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” answered Martin, “in some sort I can; for I have travelled + through court, and camp, and city, with my master, Walter Avenel, although + he could do nothing for me in the long run, but give me room for two score + of sheep on the hill—and surely even now, while I speak with you, I + feel sensible that my language is more refined than it is my wont to use, + and that—though I know not the reason—the rude northern + dialect, so familiar to my tongue, has given place to a more town-bred + speech.” + </p> + <p> + “And this change in thyself and me, thou canst by no means account for?” + said young Glendinning. + </p> + <p> + “Change!” replied Martin, “by our Lady it is not so much a change which I + feel, as a recalling and renewing sentiments and expressions which I had + some thirty years since, ere Tibb and I set up our humble household. It is + singular, that your society should have this sort of influence over me, + Halbert, and that I should never have experienced it ere now.” + </p> + <p> + “Thinkest thou,” said Halbert, “thou seest in me aught that can raise me + from this base, low, despised state, into one where I may rank with those + proud men, who now despise my clownish poverty?” + </p> + <p> + Martin paused an instant, and then answered, “Doubtless you may, Halbert; + as broken a ship has come to land. Heard ye never of Hughie Dun, who left + this Halidome some thirty-five years gone by? A deliverly fellow was + Hughie—could read and write like a priest, and could wield brand and + buckler with the best of the riders. I mind him—the like of him was + never seen in the Halidome of Saint Mary's, and so was seen of the + preferment that God sent him.” + </p> + <p> + “And what was that?” said Halbert, his eyes sparkling with eagerness. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing less,” answered Martin, “than body-servant to the Archbishop of + Saint Andrews!” + </p> + <p> + Halbert's countenance fell.—“A servant—and to a priest? Was + this all that knowledge and activity could raise him to?” + </p> + <p> + Martin, in his turn, looked with wistful surprise in the face of his young + friend. “And to what could fortune lead him farther?” answered he. “The + son of a kirk-feuar is not the stuff that lords and knights are made of. + Courage and school craft cannot change churl's blood into gentle blood, I + trow. I have heard, forby, that Hughie Dun left a good five hundred punds + of Scots money to his only daughter, and that she married the Bailie of + Pittenweem.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment, and while Halbert was embarrassed with devising a suitable + answer, a deer bounded across their path. In an instant the crossbow was + at the youth's shoulder, the bolt whistled, and the deer, after giving one + bound upright, dropt dead on the green sward. + </p> + <p> + “There lies the venison our dame wanted,” said Martin; “who would have + thought of an out-lying stag being so low down the glen at this season?—And + it is a hart of grease too, in full season, and three inches of fat on the + brisket. Now this is all your luck, Halbert, that follows you, go where + you like. Were you to put in for it, I would warrant you were made one of + the Abbot's yeoman-prickers, and ride about in a purple doublet as bold as + the best.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush, man,” answered Halbert, “I will serve the Queen or no one. Take + thou care to have down the venison to the Tower, since they expect it. I + will on to the moss. I have two or three bird-bolts at my girdle, and it + may be I shall find wild-fowl.” + </p> + <p> + He hastened his pace, and was soon out of sight. Martin paused for a + moment, and looked after him. “There goes the making of a right gallant + stripling, an ambition have not the spoiling of him—Serve the Queen! + said he. By my faith, and she hath worse servants, from all that I e'er + heard of him. And wherefore should he not keep a high head? They that + ettle to the top of the ladder will at least get up some rounds. They that + mint {Footnote: <i>Mint</i>—aim at.} at a gown of gold, will always + get a sleeve of it. But come, sir, (addressing the stag,) you shall go to + Glendearg on my two legs somewhat more slowly than you were frisking it + even now on your own four nimble shanks. Nay, by my faith, if you be so + heavy, I will content me with the best of you, and that's the haunch and + the nombles, and e'en heave up the rest on the old oak-tree yonder, and + come back for it with one of the yauds.” {Footnote: <i>Yauds</i>—horses; + more particularly horses of labour.} + </p> + <p> + While Martin returned to Glendearg with the venison, Halbert prosecuted + his walk, breathing more easily since he was free of his companion. “The + domestic of a proud and lazy priest—body-squire to the Archbishop of + Saint Andrews,” he repeated to himself; “and this, with the privilege of + allying his blood with the Bailie of Pittenween, is thought a preferment + worth a brave man's struggling for;—nay more, a preferment which, if + allowed, should crown the hopes, past, present, and to come, of the son of + a Kirk-vassal! By Heaven, but that I find in me a reluctance to practise + their acts of nocturnal rapine, I would rather take the jack and lance, + and join with the Border-riders.—Something I will do. Here, degraded + and dishonoured, I will not live the scorn of each whiffling stranger from + the South, because, forsooth, he wears tinkling spurs on a tawney boot. + This thing—this phantom, be it what it will, I will see it once + more. Since I spoke with her, and touched her hand, thoughts and feelings + have dawned on me, of which my former life had not even dreamed; but shall + I, who feel my father's glen too narrow for my expanding spirit, brook to + be bearded in it by this vain gewgaw of a courtier, and in the sight too + of Mary Avenel? I will not stoop to it, by Heaven!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke thus, he arrived in the sequestered glen of Corri-nan-shian, + as it verged upon the hour of noon. A few moments he remained looking upon + the fountain, and doubting in his own mind with what countenance the White + Lady might receive him. She had not indeed expressly forbidden his again + evoking her; but yet there was something like such a prohibition implied + in the farewell, which recommended him to wait for another guide. + </p> + <p> + Halbert Glendinning did not long, however, allow himself to pause. + Hardihood was the natural characteristic of his mind; and under the + expansion and modification which his feelings had lately undergone, it had + been augmented rather than diminished. He drew his sword, undid the buskin + from his foot, bowed three times with deliberation towards the fountain, + and as often towards the tree, and repeated the same rhyme as formerly,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Thrice to the holy brake— + Thrice to the well:— + I bid thee awake, + White Maid of Avenel! + + Noon gleams on the lake— + Noon glows on the fell— + Wake thee, O wake, + White Maid of Avenel!” + </pre> + <p> + His eye was on the holly bush as he spoke the last line; and it was not + without an involuntary shuddering that he saw the air betwixt his eye and + that object become more dim, and condense, as it were, into the faint + appearance of a form, through which, however, so thin and transparent was + the first appearance of the phantom, he could discern the outline of the + bush, as through a veil of fine crape. But, gradually, it darkened into a + more substantial appearance, and the White Lady stood before him with + displeasure on her brow. She spoke, and her speech was still song, or + rather measured chant; but, as if now more familiar, it flowed + occasionally in modulated blank-verse, and at other times in the lyrical + measure which she had used at their former meeting. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “This is the day when the fairy kind + Sits weeping alone for their hopeless lot, + And the wood-maiden sighs to the sighing wind, + And the mer-maiden weeps in her crystal grot: + For this is the day that a deed was wrought, + In which we have neither part nor share. + For the children of clay was salvation bought, + But not for the forms of sea or air! + And ever the mortal is most forlorn. + Who meeteth our race on the Friday morn.” + </pre> + <p> + “Spirit,” said Halbert Glendinning, boldly, “it is bootless to threaten. + one who holds his life at no rate. Thine anger can but slay; nor do I + think thy power extendeth, or thy will stretcheth, so far. The terrors + which your race produce upon others, are vain against me. My heart is + hardened against fear, as by a sense of despair. If I am, as thy words + infer, of a race more peculiarly the care of Heaven than thine, it is mine + to call, it must be thine to answer. I am the nobler being.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, the figure looked upon him with a fierce and ireful + countenance, which, without losing the similitude of that which it usually + exhibited, had a wilder and more exaggerated cast of features. The eyes + seemed to contract and become more fiery, and slight convulsions passed + over the face, as if it was about to be transformed into something + hideous. The whole appearance resembled those faces which the imagination + summons up when it is disturbed by laudanum, but which do not remain under + the visionary's command, and, beautiful in their first appearance, become + wild and grotesque ere we can arrest them. + </p> + <p> + But when Halbert had concluded his bold speech, the White Lady stood + before him with the same pale, fixed, and melancholy aspect, which she + usually bore. He had expected the agitation which she exhibited would + conclude in some frightful metamorphosis. Folding her arms on her bosom, + the phantom replied,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Daring youth! for thee it is well, + Here calling me in haunted dell, + That thy heart has not quail'd, + Nor thy courage fail'd, + And that thou couldst brook + The angry look + Of Her of Avenel. + + Did one limb shiver, + Or an eyelid quiver, + Thou wert lost for ever. + Though I am form'd from the ether blue, + And my blood is of the unfallen dew. + And thou art framed of mud and dust, + 'Tis thine to speak, reply I must.” + </pre> + <p> + “I demand of thee, then,” said the youth, “by what charm it is that I am + thus altered in mind and in wishes—that I think no longer of deer or + dog, of bow or bolt—that my soul spurns the bounds of this obscure + glen—that my blood boils at an insult from one by whose stirrup I + would some days since have run for a whole summer's morn, contented and + honoured by the notice of a single word? Why do I now seek to mate me with + princes, and knights, and nobles?—Am I the same, who but yesterday, + as it were, slumbered in contented obscurity, but who am to-day awakened + to glory and ambition?—Speak—tell me, if thou canst, the + meaning of this change?—Am I spell-bound?—or have I till now + been under the influence of a spell, that I feel as another being, yet am + conscious of remaining the same? Speak and tell me, is it to thy influence + that the change is owing?” + </p> + <p> + The White Lady replied,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “A mightier wizard far than I + Wields o'er the universe his power; + Him owns the eagle in the sky, + The turtle in the bower. + Chanceful in shape, yet mightiest still, + He wields the heart of man at will, + From ill to good, from good, to ill, + In cot and castle-tower.” + </pre> + <p> + “Speak not thus darkly,” said the youth, colouring so deeply, that face, + neck, and hands were in a sanguine glow; “make me sensible of thy + purpose.” + </p> + <p> + The spirit answered,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ask thy heart,—whose secret cell + Is fill'd with Marv Avenel! + Ask thy pride,—why scornful look + In Mary's view it will not brook? + Ask it, why thou seek'st to rise + Among the mighty and the wise?— + Why thou spurn'st thy lowly lot?— + Why thy pastimes are forgot? + Why thou wouldst in bloody strife + Mend thy luck or lose thy life? + Ask thy heart, and it shall tell, + Sighing from its secret cell, + 'Tis for Mary Avenel.” + </pre> + <p> + “Tell me, then,” said Halbert, his cheek still deeply crimsoned, “thou who + hast said to me that which I dared not say to myself, by what means shall + I urge my passion—by what means make it known?” + </p> + <p> + The White Lady replied,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Do not ask me; + On doubts like these thou canst not task me. + We only see the passing show + Of human passions' ebb and flow; + And view the pageant's idle glance + As mortals eye the northern dance, + When thousand streamers, flashing bright, + Career it o'er the brow of night. + And gazers mark their changeful gleams, + But feel no influence from their beams.” + </pre> + <p> + “Yet thine own fate,” replied Halbert, “unless men greatly err, is linked + with that of mortals?” + </p> + <p> + The phantom answered, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “By ties mysterious link'd, our fated race + Holds strange connexion with the sons of men. + The star that rose upon the House of Avenel, + When Norman Ulric first assumed the name, + That star, when culminating in its orbit, + Shot from its sphere a drop of diamond dew, + And this bright font received it—and a Spirit + Rose from the fountain, and her date of life + Hath co-existence with the House of Avenel, + And with the star that rules it.” + </pre> + <p> + “Speak yet more plainly,” answered young Glendinning; “of this I can + understand nothing. Say, what hath forged thy wierded {Footnote: <i>Wierded</i>—fated.} + link of destiny with the House of Avenel? Say, especially, what fate now + overhangs that house?” + </p> + <p> + The White Lady replied,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Look on my girdle—on this thread of gold— + 'Tis fine as web of lightest gossamer. + And, but there is a spell on't, would not bind, + Light as they are, the folds of my thin robe. + But when 'twas donn'd, it was a massive chain, + Such as might bind the champion of the Jews, + + Even when his looks were longest—it hath dwindled, + Hath minish'd in its substance and its strength, + As sunk the greatness of the House of Avenel. + When this frail thread gives way. I to the elements + Resign the principles of life they lent me. + Ask me no more of this!—the stars forbid it.” + </pre> + <p> + “Then canst thou read the stars,” answered the youth; “and mayest tell me + the fate of my passion, if thou canst not aid it?” + </p> + <p> + The White Lady again replied,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Dim burns the once bright star of Avenel, + Dim as the beacon when the morn is nigh, + And the o'er-wearied warder leaves the light-house; + There is an influence sorrowful and fearful. + That dogs its downward course. Disastrous passion, + Fierce hate and rivalry, are in the aspect + That lowers upon its fortunes.” + </pre> + <p> + “And rivalry?” repeated Glendinning; “it is, then, as I feared!—But + shall that English silkworm presume to beard me in my father's house, and + in the presence of Mary Avenel?—Give me to meet him, spirit—give + me to do away the vain distinction of rank on which he refuses me the + combat. Place us on equal terms, and gleam the stars with what aspect they + will, the sword of my father shall control their influences.” + </p> + <p> + She answered as promptly as before,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Complain not of me, child of clay, + If to thy harm I yield the way. + We, who soar thy sphere above, + Know not aught of hate or love; + As will or wisdom rules thy mood, + My gifts to evil turn, or good.” + </pre> + <p> + “Give me to redeem my honour,” said Halbert Glendinning—“give me to + retort on my proud rival the insults he has thrown on me, and let the rest + fare as it will. If I cannot revenge my wrong, I shall sleep quiet, and + know nought of my disgrace.” + </p> + <p> + The phantom failed not to reply,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “When Piercie Shafton boasteth high, + Let this token meet his eye. + The sun is westering from the dell, + Thy wish is granted—fare thee well!” + </pre> + <p> + As the White Lady spoke or chanted these last words, she undid from her + locks a silver bodkin around which they were twisted, and gave it to + Halbert Glendinning; then shaking her dishevelled hair till it fell like a + veil around her, the outlines of her form gradually became as diffuse as + her flowing tresses, her countenance grew pale as the moon in her first + quarter, her features became indistinguishable, and she melted into the + air. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0273m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0273m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0273.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Habit inures us to wonders; but the youth did not find himself alone by + the fountain without experiencing, though in a much less degree, the + revulsion of spirits which he had felt upon the phantom's former + disappearance. A doubt strongly pressed upon his mind, whether it were + safe to avail himself of the gifts of a spirit which did not even pretend + to belong to the class of angels, and might, for aught he knew, have a + much worse lineage than that which she was pleased to avow. “I will speak + of it,” he said, “to Edward, who is clerkly learned, and will tell me what + I should do. And yet, no—Edward is scrupulous and wary.—I will + prove the effect of her gift on Sir Piercie Shafton, if he again braves + me, and by the issue, I will be myself a sufficient judge whether there is + danger in resorting to her counsel. Home, then, home—and we shall + soon learn whether that home shall longer hold me; for not again will I + brook insult, with my father's sword by my side, and Mary for the + spectator of my disgrace.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Eighteenth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I give thee eighteenpence a-day, + And my bow shall thou bear, + And over all the north country, + I make thee the chief rydere. + And I thirteenpence a-day, quoth the queen, + By God and by my faye, + Come fetch thy payment when thou wilt, + No man shall say thee nay. + WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLEY. +</pre> + <p> + The manners of the age did not permit the inhabitants of Glendearg to + partake of the collation which was placed in the spence of that ancient + tower, before the Lord Abbot and his attendants, and Sir Piercie Shafton. + Dame Glendinning was excluded, both by inferiority of rank and by sex, for + (though it was a rule often neglected) the Superior of Saint Mary's was + debarred from taking his meals in female society. To Mary Avenel the + latter, and to Edward Glendinning the former, incapacity attached; but it + pleased his lordship to require their presence in the apartment, and to + say sundry kind words to them upon the ready and hospitable reception + which they had afforded him. + </p> + <p> + The smoking haunch now stood upon the table; a napkin, white as snow, was, + with due reverence, tucked under the chin of the Abbot by the Refectioner; + and nought was wanting to commence the repast, save the presence of Sir + Piercie Shafton, who at length appeared, glittering like the sun, in a + carnation-velvet doublet, slashed and puffed out with cloth of silver, his + hat of the newest block, surrounded by a hatband of goldsmith's work, + while around his neck he wore a collar of gold, set with rubies and + topazes so rich, that it vindicated his anxiety for the safety of his + baggage from being founded upon his love of mere finery. This gorgeous + collar or chain, resembling those worn by the knights of the highest + orders of chivalry, fell down on his breast, and terminated in a + medallion. + </p> + <p> + “We waited for Sir Piercie Shafton,” said the Abbot, hastily assuming his + place in the great chair which the Kitchener advanced to the table with + ready hand. + </p> + <p> + “I pray your pardon, reverend father, and my good lord,” replied that pink + of courtesy; “I did but wait to cast my riding slough, and to transmew + myself into some civil form meeter for this worshipful company.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot but praise your gallantry, Sir Knight,” said the Abbot, “and + your prudence, also, for choosing the fitting time to appear thus adorned. + Certes, had that goodly chain been visible in some part of your late + progress, there was risk that the lawful owner might have parted company + therewith.” + </p> + <p> + “This chain, said your reverence?” answered Sir Piercie; “surely it is but + a toy, a trifle, a slight thing which shows but poorly with this doublet—marry, + when I wear that of the murrey-coloured double-piled Genoa velvet, puffed + out with ciprus, the gems, being relieved and set off by the darker and + more grave ground of the stuff, show like stars giving a lustre through + dark clouds.” + </p> + <p> + “I nothing doubt it,” said the Abbot, “but I pray you to sit down at the + board.” + </p> + <p> + But Sir Piercie had now got into his element, and was not easily + interrupted—“I own,” he continued, “that slight as the toy is, it + might perchance have had some captivation for Julian—Santa Maria!” + said he, interrupting himself; “what was I about to say, and my fair and + beauteous Protection, or shall I rather term her my Discretion, here in + presence!—Indiscreet hath it been in your Affability, O most lovely + Discretion, to suffer a stray word to have broke out of the penfold of his + mouth, that might overleap the fence of civility, and trespass on the + manor of decorum.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry!” said the Abbot, somewhat impatiently, “the greatest discretion + that I can see in the matter is, to eat our victuals being hot—Father + Eustace, say the Benedicite, and cut up the haunch.” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior readily obeyed the first part of the Abbot's injunction, but + paused upon the second—“It is Friday, most reverend,” he said in + Latin, desirous that the hint should escape, if possible, the ears of the + stranger. + </p> + <p> + “We are travellers,” said the Abbot, in reply, “and <i>viatoribus licitum + est</i>—You know the canon—a traveller must eat what food his + hard fate sets before him. I grant you all a dispensation to eat flesh + this day, conditionally that you, brethren, say the Confiteor at curfew + time, that the knight give alms to his ability, and that all and each of + you fast from flesh on such day within the next month that shall seem most + convenient;—wherefore fall to and eat your food with cheerful + countenances, and you, Father Refectioner, <i>da mixtus</i>.” + </p> + <p> + While the Abbot was thus stating the conditions on which his indulgence + was granted, he had already half finished a slice of the noble haunch, and + now washed it down with a flagon of Rhenish, modestly tempered with water. + </p> + <p> + “Well is it said,” he observed, as he required from the Refectioner + another slice, “that virtue is its own reward; for though this is but + humble fare, and hastily prepared, and eaten in a poor chamber, I do not + remember me of having had such an appetite since I was a simple brother in + the Abbey of Dundrennan, and was wont to labour in the garden from morning + until nones, when our Abbot struck the <i>Cymbalum</i>. Then would I enter + keen with hunger, parched with thirst, (<i>da mihi vinum quaeso, et merum + sit</i>,) and partake with appetite of whatever was set before us, + according to our rule; feast or fast day, <i>caritas</i> or <i>penitentia</i>, + was the same to me. I had no stomach complaints then, which now crave both + the aid of wine and choice cookery, to render my food acceptable to my + palate, and easy of digestion.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be, holy father,” said the Sub-Prior, “an occasional ride to the + extremity of Saint Mary's patrimony, may have the same happy effect on + your health as the air of the garden at Dundrennan.” + </p> + <p> + “Perchance, with our patroness's blessing, such progresses may advantage + us,” said the Abbot; “having an especial eye that our venison is carefully + killed by some woodsman that is master of his craft.” + </p> + <p> + “If the Lord Abbot will permit me,” said the Kitchener, “I think the best + way to assure his lordship on that important point, would be to retain as + a yeoman-pricker, or deputy-ranger, the eldest son of this good woman, + Dame Glendinning, who is here to wait upon us. I should know by mine + office what belongs to killing of game, and I can safely pronounce, that + never saw I, or any other <i>coquinarius</i>, a bolt so justly shot. It + has cloven the very heart of the buck.” + </p> + <p> + “What speak you to us of one good shot, father?” said Sir Piercie; “I + would advise you that such no more maketh a shooter, than doth one swallow + make a summer—I have seen this springald of whom you speak, and if + his hand can send forth his shafts as boldly as his tongue doth utter + presumptuous speeches, I will own him as good an archer as Robin Hood.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry,” said the Abbot, “and it is fitting we know the truth of this + matter from the dame herself; for ill advised were we to give way to any + rashness in this matter, whereby the bounties which Heaven and our + patroness provide might be unskilfully mangled, and rendered unfit for + worthy men's use.—Stand forth, therefore, dame Glendinning, and tell + to us, as thy liege lord and spiritual Superior, using plainness and + truth, without either fear or favour, as being a matter wherein we are + deeply interested, Doth this son of thine use his bow as well as the + Father Kitchener avers to us?” + </p> + <p> + “So please your noble fatherhood,” answered Dame Glendinning with a deep + curtsy, “I should know somewhat of archery to my cost, seeing my husband—God + assoilzie him!—was slain in the field of Pinkie with an arrow-shot, + while he was fighting under the Kirk's banner, as became a liege vassal of + the Halidome. He was a valiant man, please your reverence, and an honest; + and saving that he loved a bit of venison, and shifted for his living at a + time as Border-men will sometimes do, I wot not of sin that he did. And + yet, though I have paid for mass after mass to the matter of a forty + shilling, besides a quarter of wheat and four firlocks of rye, I can have + no assurance yet that he has been delivered from purgatory.” + </p> + <p> + “Dame,” said the Lord Abbot, “this shall be looked into heedfully; and + since thy husband fell, as thou sayest, in the Kirk's quarrel, and under + her banner, rely upon it that we will have him out of purgatory forthwith—that + is, always provided he be there.—But it is not of thy husband whom + we now devise to speak, but of thy son; not of a shot Scotsman, but of a + shot deer—Wherefore, I say, answer me to the point, is thy son a + practised archer, ay or no?” + </p> + <p> + “Alack! my reverend lord,” replied the widow, “and my croft would be + better tilled, if I could answer your reverence that he is not.—Practised + archer!—marry, holy sir, I would he would practise something else—cross-bow + and long-bow, hand-gun and hack-but, falconet and saker, he can shoot with + them all. And if it would please this right honourable gentleman, our + guest, to hold out his hat at the distance of a hundred yards, our Halbert + shall send shaft, bolt, or bullet through it, (so that right honourable + gentleman swerve not, but hold out steady,) and I will forfeit a quarter + of barley if he touch but a knot of his ribands. I have seen our old + Martin do as much, and so has our right reverend the Sub-Prior, if he be + pleased to remember it.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not like to forget it, dame,” said Father Eustace; “for I knew not + which most to admire, the composure of the young marksman, or the + steadiness of the old mark. Yet I presume not to advise Sir Piercie + Shafton to subject his valuable beaver, and yet more valuable person, to + such a risk, unless it should be his own special pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Be assured it is not,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, something hastily; “be + well assured, holy father, that it is not. I dispute not the lad's + qualities, for which your reverence vouches. But bows are but wood, + strings are but flax, or the silk-worm excrement at best; archers are but + men, fingers may slip, eyes may dazzle, the blindest may hit the butt, the + best marker may shoot a bow's length beside. Therefore will we try no + perilous experiments.” + </p> + <p> + “Be that as you will, Sir Piercie,” said the Abbot; “meantime we will name + this youth bow-bearer in the forest granted to us by good King David, that + the chase might recreate our wearied spirits, the flesh of the dear + improve our poor commons, and the hides cover the books of our library; + thus tending at once to the sustenance of body and soul.” + </p> + <p> + “Kneel down, woman, kneel down,” said the Refectioner and the Kitchener, + with one voice, to Dame Glendinning, “and kiss his lordship's hand, for + the grace which he has granted to thy son.” + </p> + <p> + They then, as if they had been chanting the service and the responses, set + off in a sort of duetto, enumerating the advantages of the situation. + </p> + <p> + “A green gown and a pair of leathern galligaskins every Pentecost,” said + the Kitchener. + </p> + <p> + “Four marks by the year at Candlemas,” answered the Refectioner. + </p> + <p> + “A hogshead of ale at Martlemas, of the double strike, and single ale at + pleasure, as he shall agree with the Cellarer—” + </p> + <p> + “Who is a reasonable man,” said the Abbot, “and will encourage an active + servant of the convent.” + </p> + <p> + “A mess of broth and a dole of mutton or beef, at the Kitchener's, on each + high holiday,” resumed the Kitchener. + </p> + <p> + “The gang of two cows and a palfrey on our Lady's meadow.” answered his + brother officer. + </p> + <p> + “An ox-hide to make buskins of yearly, because of the brambles,” echoed + the Kitchener. + </p> + <p> + “And various other perquisites, <i>quae nunc praescribere longum</i>,” + said the Abbot, summing, with his own lordly voice, the advantages + attached to the office of conventional bow-bearer. + </p> + <p> + Dame Glendinning was all this while on her knees, her head mechanically + turning from the one church officer to the other, which, as they stood one + on each side of her, had much the appearance of a figure moved by + clock-work, and so soon as they were silent, most devotedly did she kiss + the munificent hand of the Abbot. Conscious, however, of Halbert's + intractability in some points, she could not help qualifying her grateful + and reiterated thanks for the Abbot's bountiful proffer, with a hope that + Halbert would see his wisdom, and accept of it. + </p> + <p> + “How,” said the Abbot, bending his brows, “accept of it?—Woman, is + thy son in his right wits?” + </p> + <p> + Elspeth, stunned by the tone in which this question was asked, was + altogether unable to reply to it. Indeed, any answer she might have made + could hardly have been heard, as it pleased the two office-bearers of the + Abbot's table again to recommence their alternate dialogue. + </p> + <p> + “Refuse!” said the Kitchener. + </p> + <p> + “Refuse!” answered the Refectioner, echoing the other's word in a tone of + still louder astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Refuse four marks by the year!” said the one. + </p> + <p> + “Ale and beer—broth and mutton—cow's grass and palfrey's!” + shouted the Kitchener. + </p> + <p> + “Gown and galligaskins!” responded the Refectioner. + </p> + <p> + “A moment's patience, my brethren,” answered the Sub-Prior, “and let us + not be thus astonished before cause is afforded of our amazement. This + good dame best knoweth the temper and spirit of her son—this much I + can say, that it lieth not towards letters or learning, of which I have in + vain endeavoured to instil into him some tincture. Nevertheless, he is a + youth of no common spirit, but much like those (in my weak judgment) whom + God raises up among a people when he meaneth that their deliverance shall + be wrought out with strength of hand and valour of heart. Such men we have + seen marked with a waywardness, and even an obstinacy of character, which + hath appeared intractability and stupidity to those among whom they walked + and were conversant, until the very opportunity hath arrived in, which it + was the will of Providence that they should be the fitting instrument of + great things.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, in good time hast thou spoken, Father Eustace,” said the Abbot; “and + we will see this swankie before we decide upon the means of employing him.—How + say you, Sir Piercie Shafton, is it not the court fashion to suit the man + to the office, and not the office to the man?” + </p> + <p> + “So please your reverence and lordship,” answered the Northumbrian knight, + “I do partly, that is, in some sort, subscribe to what your wisdom hath + delivered—Nevertheless, under reverence of the Sub-Prior, we do not + look for gallant leaders and national deliverers in the hovels of the mean + common people. Credit me, that if there be some flashes of martial spirit + about this young person, which I am not called upon to dispute, (though I + have seldom seen that presumption and arrogance were made good upon the + upshot by deed and action,) yet still these will prove insufficient to + distinguish him, save in his own limited and lowly sphere—even as + the glowworm, which makes a goodly show among the grass of the field, + would be of little avail if deposited in a beacon-grate.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, in good time,” said the Sub-Prior, “and here comes the young + huntsman to speak for himself;” for, being placed opposite to the window, + he could observe Halbert as he ascended the little mound on which the + tower was situated. + </p> + <p> + “Summon him to our presence,” said the Lord Abbot; and with an obedient + start the two attendant monks went off with emulous alertness. Dame + Glendinning sprung away at the same moment, partly to gain an instant to + recommend obedience to her son, partly to prevail with him to change his + apparel before coming in presence of the Abbot. But the Kitchener and + Refectioner, both speaking at once, had already seized each an arm, and + were leading Halbert in triumph into the apartment, so that she could only + ejaculate, “His will be done; but an he had but had on him his Sunday's + hose!” + </p> + <p> + Limited and humble as this desire was, the fates did not grant it, for + Halbert Glendinning was hurried into the presence of the Lord Abbot and + his party, without a word of explanation, and without a moment's time + being allowed to assume his holiday hose, which, in the language of the + time, implied both breeches and stockings. + </p> + <p> + Yet, though thus suddenly presented amid the centre of all eyes, there was + something in Halbert's appearance which commanded a certain degree of + respect from the company into which he was so unceremoniously intruded, + and the greater part of whom were disposed to consider him with hauteur if + not with absolute contempt. But his appearance and reception we must + devote to another chapter. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * * * * * * * +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Nineteenth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Now choose thee, gallant, betwixt wealth and honour; + There lies the pelf, in sum to bear thee through + The dance of youth, and the turmoil of manhood, + Yet leave enough for age's chimney-corner; + But an thou grasp to it, farewell ambition, + Farewell each hope of bettering thy condition, + And raising thy low rank above the churls + That till the earth for bread. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + It is necessary to dwell for some brief space on the appearance and + demeanour of young Glendinning, ere we proceed to describe his interview + with the Abbot of St. Mary's, at this momentous crisis of his life. + </p> + <p> + Halbert was now about nineteen years old, tall and active rather than + strong, yet of that hardy conformation of limb and sinew, which promises + great strength when the growth shall be complete, and the system + confirmed. He was perfectly well made, and, like most men who have that + advantage, possessed a grace and natural ease of manner and carriage, + which prevented his height from being the distinguished part of his + external appearance. It was not until you had compared his stature with + that of those amongst or near to whom he stood, that you became sensible + that the young Glendinning was upwards of six feet high. In the + combination of unusual height with perfect symmetry, ease, and grace of + carriage, the young heir of Glendearg, notwithstanding his rustic birth + and education, had greatly the advantage even of Sir Piercie Shafton + himself, whose stature was lower, and his limbs, though there was no + particular point to object to, were on the whole less exactly + proportioned. On the other hand, Sir Piercie's very handsome countenance + afforded him as decided an advantage over the Scotsman, as regularity of + features and brilliance of complexion could give over traits which were + rather strongly marked than beautiful, and upon whose complexion the + “skyey influences,” to which he was constantly exposed, had blended the + red and white into the purely nut-brown hue, which coloured alike cheeks, + neck, and forehead, and blushed only in a darker glow upon the former.—Halbert's + eyes supplied a marked and distinguished part of his physiognomy. They + were large and of a hazel colour, and sparkled in moments of animation + with such uncommon brilliancy, that it seemed as if they actually emitted + light. Nature had closely curled the locks of dark-brown hair, which + relieved and set off the features, such as we have described them, + displaying a bold and animated disposition, much more than might have been + expected from his situation, or from his previous manners, which hitherto + had seemed bashful, homely, and awkward. + </p> + <p> + Halbert's dress was certainly not of that description which sets off to + the best advantage a presence of itself prepossessing. His jerkin and hose + were of coarse rustic cloth, and his cap of the same. A belt round his + waist served at once to sustain the broad-sword which we have already + mentioned, and to hold five or six arrows and bird-bolts, which were stuck + into it on the right side, along with a large knife hilted with buck-horn, + or, as it was then called, a dudgeon-dagger. To complete his dress, we + must notice his loose buskins of deer's hide, formed so as to draw up on + the leg as high as the knee, or at pleasure to be thrust down lower than + the calves. These were generally used at the period by such as either had + their principal occupation, or their chief pleasure, in silvan sports, as + they served to protect the legs against the rough and tangled thickets + into which the pursuit of game frequently led them.—And these + trifling particulars complete his external appearance. + </p> + <p> + It is not easy to do justice to the manner in which young Glendinning's + soul spoke through his eyes when ushered so suddenly into the company of + those whom his earliest education had taught him to treat with awe and + reverence. The degree of embarrassment, which his demeanor evinced, had + nothing in it either meanly servile, or utterly disconcerted. It was no + more than became a generous and ingenuous youth of a bold spirit, but + totally inexperienced, who should for the first time be called upon to + think and act for himself in such society and under such disadvantageous + circumstances. There was not in his carriage a grain either of forwardness + or of timidity, which a friend could have wished away. + </p> + <p> + He kneeled and kissed the Abbot's hand, then rose, and retiring two paces, + bowed respectfully to the circle around, smiling gently as he received an + encouraging nod from the Sub-Prior, to whom alone he was personally known, + and blushing as he encountered the anxious look of Mary Avenel, who beheld + with painful interest the sort of ordeal to which her foster-brother was + about to be subjected. Recovering from the transient flurry of spirits + into which the encounter of her glance had thrown him, he stood composedly + awaiting till the Abbot should express his pleasure. + </p> + <p> + The ingenuous expression of countenance, noble form, and graceful attitude + of the young man, failed not to prepossess in his favor the churchmen in + whose presence he stood. The Abbot looked round, and exchanged a gracious + and approving glance with his counsellor Father Eustace, although probably + the appointment of a ranger, or bow-bearer, was one in which he might have + been disposed to proceed without the Sub-Prior's advice, were it but to + show his own free agency. But the good mien of the young man now in + nomination was such, that he rather hastened to exchange congratulation on + meeting with so proper a subject of promotion, than to indulge any other + feeling. Father Eustace enjoyed the pleasure which a well-constituted mind + derives from seeing a benefit light on a deserving object; for as he had + not seen Halbert since circumstances had made so material a change in his + manner and feelings, he scarce doubted that the proffered appointment + would, notwithstanding his mother's uncertainty, suit the disposition of a + youth who had appeared devoted to woodland sports, and a foe alike to + sedentary or settled occupation of any kind. The Refectioner and Kitchener + were so well pleased with Halbert's prepossessing appearance, that they + seemed to think that the salary, emoluments, and perquisites, the dole, + the grazing, the gown, and the galligaskins, could scarce be better + bestowed than on the active and graceful figure before them. + </p> + <p> + Sir Piercie Shafton, whether from being more deeply engaged in his own + cogitations, or that the subject was unworthy of his notice, did not seem + to partake of the general feeling of approbation excited by the young + man's presence. He sate with his eyes half shut, and his arms folded, + appearing to be wrapped in contemplations of a nature deeper than those + arising out of the scene before him. But, notwithstanding his seeming + abstraction and absence of mind, there was a flutter of vanity in Sir + Piercie's very handsome countenance, an occasional change of posture from + one striking attitude (or what he conceived to be such) to another, and an + occasional stolen glance at the female part of the company, to spy how far + he succeeded in riveting their attention, which gave a marked advantage, + in comparison, to the less regular and more harsh features of Halbert + Glendinning, with their composed, manly, and deliberate expression of + mental fortitude. + </p> + <p> + Of the females belonging to the family of Glendearg, the Miller's daughter + alone had her mind sufficiently at leisure to admire, from time to time, + the graceful attitudes of Sir Piercie Shafton; for both Mary Avenel and + Dame Glendinning were waiting in anxiety and apprehension the answer which + Halbert was to return to the Abbot's proposal, and fearfully anticipating + the consequences of his probable refusal. The conduct of his brother + Edward, for a lad constitutionally shy, respectful, and even timid, was at + once affectionate and noble. This younger son of Dame Elspeth had stood + unnoticed in a corner, after the Abbot, at the request of the Sub-Prior, + had honoured him with some passing notice, and asked him a few + common-place questions about his progress in Donatus, and in the <i>Promptuarium + Parvulorum</i>, without waiting for the answers. From his corner he now + glided round to his brother's side, and keeping a little behind him, slid + his right hand into the huntsman's left, and by a gentle pressure, which + Halbert instantly and ardently returned, expressed at once his interest in + his situation, and his resolution to share his fate. + </p> + <p> + The group was thus arranged, when, after the pause of two or three + minutes, which he employed in slowly sipping his cup of wine, in order + that he might enter on his proposal with due and deliberate dignity, the + Abbot at length expressed himself thus:— + </p> + <p> + “My son—we your lawful Superior, and the Abbot, under God's favour, + of the community of Saint Mary's, have heard of your manifold good gifts—a-hem—especially + touching wood-craft—and the huntsman-like fashion in which you + strike your game, truly and as a yeoman should, not abusing Heaven's good + benefits by spoiling the flesh, as is too often seen in careless rangers—a-hem.” + He made here a pause, but observing that Glendinning only replied to his + compliment by a bow, he proceeded,—“My son, we commend your modesty; + nevertheless, we will that thou shouldst speak freely to us touching that + which we have premeditated for thine advancement, meaning to confer on + thee the office of bow-bearer and ranger, as well over the chases and + forests wherein our house hath privilege by the gifts of pious kings and + nobles, whose souls now enjoy the fruits of their bounties to the Church + as to those which belong to us in exclusive right of property and + perpetuity. Thy knee, my son—that we may, with our own hand, and + without loss of time, induct thee into office.” + </p> + <p> + “Kneel down,” said the Kitchener on the one side; and “Kneel down,” said + the Refectioner on the other. + </p> + <p> + But Halbert Glendinning remained standing. + </p> + <p> + “Were it to show gratitude and good-will for your reverend lordship's + noble offer, I could not,” he said, “kneel low enough, or remain long + enough kneeling. But I may not kneel to take investure of your noble gift, + my Lord Abbot, being a man determined to seek my fortune otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “How is that, sir?” said the Abbot, knitting his brows; “do I hear you + speak aright? and do you, a born vassal of the Halidome, at the moment + when I am destining to you such a noble expression of my good-will, + propose exchanging my service for that of any other?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Halbert Glendinning, “it grieves me to think you hold me + capable of undervaluing your gracious offer, or of exchanging your service + for another. But your noble proffer doth but hasten the execution of a + determination which I have long since formed.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, my son,” said the Abbot, “is it indeed so?—right early have you + learned to form resolutions without consulting those on whom you naturally + depend. But what may it be, this sagacious resolution, if I may so far + pray you?” + </p> + <p> + “To yield up to my brother and mother,” answered Halbert, “mine interest + in the fief of Glendearg, lately possessed by my father, Simon + Glendinning: and having prayed your lordship to be the same kind and + generous master to them, that your predecessors, the venerable Abbots of + Saint Mary's, have been to my fathers in times past; for myself, I am + determined to seek my fortune where I may best find it.” + </p> + <p> + Dame Glendinning here ventured, emboldened by maternal anxiety, to break + silence with an exclamation of “O my son!” Edward clinging to his + brother's side, half spoke, half whispered, a similar ejaculation, of + “Brother! brother!” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior took up the matter in a tone of grave reprehension, which, + as he conceived, the interest he had always taken in the family at + Glendearg required at his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Wilful young man,” he said, “what folly can urge thee to push back the + hand that is stretched out to aid thee? What visionary aim hast thou + before thee, that can compensate for the decent and sufficient + independence which thou art now rejecting with scorn?” + </p> + <p> + “Four marks by the year, duly and truly,” said the Kitchener. + </p> + <p> + “Cow's-grass, doublet, and galligaskins,” responded the Refectioner. + </p> + <p> + “Peace, my brethren,” said the Sub-Prior; “and may it please your + lordship, venerable father, upon my petition, to allow this headstrong + youth a day for consideration, and it shall be my part so to indoctrinate + him, as to convince him what is due on this occasion to your lordship, and + to his family, and to himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Your kindness, reverend father,” said the youth, “craves my dearest + thanks—it is the continuance of a long train of benevolence towards + me, for which I give you my gratitude, for I have nothing else to offer. + It is my mishap, not your fault, that your intentions have been + frustrated. But my present resolution is fixed and unalterable. I cannot + accept the generous offer of the Lord Abbot; my fate calls me elsewhere, + to scenes where I shall end it or mend it.” + </p> + <p> + “By our Lady,” said the Abbot, “I think the youth be mad indeed—or + that you, Sir Piercie, judged of him most truly, when you prophesied that + he would prove unfit for the promotion we designed him—it may be you + knew something of this wayward humour before?” + </p> + <p> + “By the mass, not I,” answered Sir Piercie Shafton, with his usual + indifference. “I but judged of him by his birth and breeding; for seldom + doth a good hawk come out of a kite's egg.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art thyself a kite, and kestrel to boot,” replied Halbert + Glendinning, without a moment's hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “This in our presence, and to a man of worship?” said the Abbot, the blood + rushing to his face. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my lord,” answered the youth; “even in your presence I return to + this gay man's face, the causeless dishonour—which he has flung on + my name. My brave father, who fell in the cause of his country, demands + that justice at the hands of his son!” + </p> + <p> + “Unmannered boy!” said the Abbot. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my good lord,” said the knight, “praying pardon for the coarse + interruption, let me entreat you not to be wroth with this rustical—Credit + me, the north wind shall as soon puff one of your rocks from its basis, as + aught which I hold so slight and inconsiderate as the churlish speech of + an untaught churl, shall move the spleen of Piercie Shafton.” + </p> + <p> + “Proud as you are, Sir Knight,” said Halbert, “in your imagined + superiority, be not too confident that you cannot be moved.” + </p> + <p> + “Faith, by nothing that thou canst urge,” said Sir Piercie. + </p> + <p> + “Knowest thou, then, this token?” said young Glendinning, offering to him + the silver bodkin he had received from the White Lady. + </p> + <p> + Never was such an instant change, from the most contemptuous serenity, to + the most furious state of passion, as that which Sir Piercie Shafton + exhibited. It was the difference between a cannon lying quiet in its + embrasure, and the same gun when touched by the linstock. He started up, + every limb quivering with rage, and his features so inflamed and agitated + by passion, that he more resembled a demoniac, than a man under the + regulation of reason. He clenched both his fists, and thrusting them + forward, offered them furiously at the face of Glendinning, who was even + himself startled at the frantic state of excitation which his action had + occasioned. The next moment he withdrew them, struck his open palm against + his own forehead, and rushed out of the room in a state of indescribable + agitation. The whole matter had been so sudden, that no person present had + time to interfere. + </p> + <p> + When Sir Piercie Shafton had left the apartment, there was a moment's + pause of astonishment; and then a general demand that Halbert Glendinning + should instantly explain by what means he had produced such a violent + change in the deportment of the English cavalier. + </p> + <p> + “I did nought to him,” answered Halbert Glendinning, “but what you all saw—am + I to answer for his fantastic freaks of humour?” + </p> + <p> + “Boy,” said the Abbot, in his most authoritative manner, “these + subterfuges shall not avail thee. This is not a man to be driven from his + temperament without some sufficient cause. That cause was given by thee, + and must have been known to thee. I command thee, as thou wilt save + thyself from worse measure, to explain to me by what means thou hast moved + our friend thus—We choose not that our vassals shall drive our + guests mad in our very presence, and we remain ignorant of the means + whereby that purpose is effected.” + </p> + <p> + “So may it please your reverence, I did but show him this token,” said + Halbert Glendinning, delivering it at the same time to the Abbot, who + looked at it with much attention, and then, shaking his head, gravely + delivered it to the Sub-Prior, without speaking a word. + </p> + <p> + Father Eustace looked at the mysterious token with some attention; and + then addressing Halbert in a stern and severe voice, said, “Young man, if + thou wouldst not have us suspect thee of some strange double-dealing in + this matter, let us instantly know whence thou hadst this token, and how + it possesses an influence on Sir Piercie Shafton?”—It would have + been extremely difficult for Halbert, thus hard pressed, to have either + evaded or answered so puzzling a question. To have avowed the truth might, + in those times, have occasioned his being burnt at a stake, although, in + ours, his confession would have only gained for him the credit of a liar + beyond all rational credibility. He was fortunately relieved by the return + of Sir Piercie Shafton himself, whose ear caught, as he entered, the sound + of the Sub-Prior's question. + </p> + <p> + Without waiting until Halbert Glendinning replied, he came forward, + whispering to him as he passed, “Be secret—thou shalt have the + satisfaction thou hast dared to seek for.” + </p> + <p> + When he returned to his place, there were still marks of discomposure on + his brow; but, becoming apparently collected and calm, he looked around + him, and apologized for the indecorum of which he had been guilty, which + he ascribed to sudden and severe indisposition. All were silent, and + looked on each other with some surprise. + </p> + <p> + The Lord Abbot gave orders for all to retire from the apartment, save + himself, Sir Piercie Shafton, and the Sub-Prior. “And have an eye,” he + added, “on that bold youth, that he escape not; for if he hath practised + by charm, or otherwise, on the health of our worshipful guest, I swear by + the alb and mitre which I wear, that his punishment shall be most + exemplary.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord and venerable father,” said Halbert, bowing respectfully, “fear + not but that I will abide my doom. I think you will best learn from the + worshipful knight himself, what is the cause of his distemperature, and + how slight my share in it has been.” + </p> + <p> + “Be assured,” said the knight, without looking up, however, while he + spoke, “I will satisfy the Lord Abbot.” + </p> + <p> + With these words the company retired, and with them young Glendinning. + When the Abbot, the Sub-Prior, and the English knight were left alone, + Father Eustace, contrary to his custom, could not help speaking the first. + “Expound unto us, noble sir,” he said, “by what mysterious means the + production of this simple toy could so far move your spirit, and overcome + your patience, after you had shown yourself proof to all the provocation + offered by this self-sufficient and singular youth?” + </p> + <p> + The knight took the silver bodkin from the good father's hand, looked at + it with great composure, and, having examined it all over, returned it to + the Sub-Prior, saying at the same time, “In truth, venerable father, I + cannot but marvel, that the wisdom implied alike in your silver hairs, and + in your eminent rank, should, like a babbling hound, (excuse the + similitude,) open thus loudly on a false scent. I were, indeed, more + slight to be moved than the leaves of the aspen-tree, which wag at the + least breath of heaven, could I be touched by such a trifle as this, which + in no way concerns me more than if the same quantity of silver were + stricken into so many groats. Truth is, that from my youth upward, I have + been subjected to such a malady as you saw me visited with even now—a + cruel and searching pain, which goeth through nerve and bone, even as a + good brand in the hands of a brave soldier sheers through limb and sinew—but + it passes away speedily, as you yourselves may judge.” + </p> + <p> + “Still,” said the Sub-Prior, “this will not account for the youth offering + to you this piece of silver, as a token by which you were to understand + something, and, as we must needs conjecture, something disagreeable.” + </p> + <p> + “Your reverence is to conjecture what you will,” said Sir Piercie; “but I + cannot pretend to lay your judgment on the right scent when I see it at + fault. I hope I am not liable to be called upon to account for the foolish + actions of a malapert boy?” + </p> + <p> + “Assuredly,” said the Sub-Prior, “we shall prosecute no inquiry which is + disagreeable to our guest. Nevertheless,” said he, looking to his + Superior, “this chance may, in some sort, alter the plan your lordship had + formed for your worshipful guest's residence for a brief term in this + tower, as a place alike of secrecy and of security; both of which, in the + terms which we now stand on with England, are circumstances to be + desired.” + </p> + <p> + “In truth,” said the Abbot, “and the doubt is well thought on, were it as + well removed; for I scarce know in the Halidome so fitting a place of + refuge, yet see I not how to recommend it to our worshipful guest, + considering the unrestrained petulance of this headstrong youth.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush! reverend sirs—what would you make of me?” said Sir Piercie + Shafton. “I protest, by mine honour, I would abide in this house were I to + choose. What! I take no exceptions at the youth for showing a flash of + spirit, though the spark may light on mine own head. I honour the lad for + it. I protest I will abide here, and he shall aid me in striking down a + deer. I must needs be friends with him, and he be such a shot: and we will + speedily send down to my lord Abbot a buck of the first head, killed so + artificially as shall satisfy even the reverend Kitchener.” + </p> + <p> + This was said with such apparent ease and good-humour, that the Abbot made + no farther observation on what had passed, but proceeded to acquaint his + guest with the details of furniture, hangings, provisions, and so forth, + which he proposed to send up to the Tower of Glendearg for his + accommodation. This discourse, seasoned with a cup or two of wine, served + to prolong the time until the reverend Abbot ordered his cavalcade to + prepare for their return to the Monastery. + </p> + <p> + “As we have,” he said, “in the course of this our toilsome journey, lost + our meridian, {Footnote: The hour of repose at noon, which, in the middle + ages, was employed in slumber, and which the monastic rules of nocturnal + vigils rendered necessary.} indulgence shall be given to those of our + attendants who shall, from very weariness, be unable to attend the duty at + prime, {Footnote: <i>Prime</i> was the midnight service of the monks.} and + this by way of misericord or <i>indulgentia.</i>” {Footnote: <i>Misericord,</i> + according to the learned work of Fosbrooke on British Monachism, meant not + only an indulgence, or exoneration from particular duties, but also a + particular apartment in a convent, where the monks assembled to enjoy such + indulgences or allowances as were granted beyond the rule.} + </p> + <p> + Having benevolently intimated a boon to his faithful followers, which he + probably judged would be far from unacceptable, the good Abbot, seeing all + ready for his journey, bestowed his blessing on the assembled household—gave + his hand to be kissed by Dame Glendinning—himself kissed the cheek + of Mary Avenel, and even of the Miller's maiden, when they approached to + render him the same homage—commanded Halbert to rule his temper, and + to be aiding and obedient in all things to the English Knight—admonished + Edward to be <i>discipulus impiger atque strenuus</i>—then took a + courteous farewell of Sir Piercie Shafton, advising him to lie close, for + fear of the English borderers, who might be employed to kidnap him; and + having discharged these various offices of courtesy, moved forth to the + courtyard, followed by the whole establishment. Here, with a heavy sigh, + approaching to a groan, the venerable father heaved himself upon his + palfrey, whose dark purple housings swept the ground; and, greatly + comforted that the discretion of the animal's pace would be no longer + disturbed by the gambadoes of Sir Piercie and his prancing war-horse, he + set forth at a sober and steady trot upon his return to the Monastery. + </p> + <p> + When the Sub-Prior had mounted to accompany his principal, his eye sought + out Halbert, who, partly hidden by a projection of the outward wall of the + court, stood apart from, and gazing upon the departing cavalcade, and the + group which assembled around them. Unsatisfied with the explanation he had + received concerning the mysterious transaction of the silver bodkin, yet + interesting himself in the youth, of whose character he had formed a + favourable idea, the worthy monk resolved to take an early opportunity of + investigating that matter. In the meanwhile, he looked upon Halbert with a + serious and warning aspect, and held up his finger to him as he signed + farewell. He then joined the rest of the churchmen, and followed his + Superior down the valley. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twentieth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I hope you'll give me cause to think you noble. + And do me right with your sword, sir, as becomes + One gentleman of honour to another; + + All this is fair, sir—let us make no days on't, + I'll lead your way. +</pre> + <h3> + LOVE'S PILGRIMAGE. + </h3> + <p> + The look and sign of warning which the Sub-Prior gave to Halbert + Glendinning as they parted, went to his heart; for although he had + profited much less than Edward by the good man's instructions, he had a + sincere reverence for his person; and even the short time he had for + deliberation tended to show him he was embarked in a perilous adventure. + The nature of the provocation which he had given to Sir Piercie Shafton he + could not even conjecture; but he saw that it was of a mortal quality, and + he was now to abide the consequences. + </p> + <p> + That he might not force these consequences forward by any premature + renewal of their quarrel, he resolved to walk apart for an hour, and + consider on what terms he was to meet this haughty foreigner. The time + seemed propitious for his doing so without having the appearance of + wilfully shunning the stranger, as all the members of the little household + were dispersing either to perform such tasks as had been interrupted by + the arrival of the dignitaries, or to put in order what had been deranged + by their visit. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the tower, therefore, and descending, unobserved as he thought, + the knoll on which it stood, Halbert gained the little piece of level + ground which extended betwixt the descent of the hill, and the first sweep + made by the brook after washing the foot of the eminence on which the + tower was situated, where a few straggling birch and oak-trees served to + secure him from observation. But scarcely had he reached the spot, when he + was surprised to feel a smart tap upon the shoulder, and, turning around, + he perceived he had been closely followed by Sir Piercie Shafton. When, + whether from our state of animal spirits, want of confidence in the + justice of our cause, or any other motive, our own courage happens to be + in a wavering condition, nothing tends so much altogether to disconcert + us, as a great appearance of promptitude on the part of our antagonist. + Halbert Glendinning, both morally and constitutionally intrepid, was + nevertheless somewhat troubled at seeing the stranger, whose resentment he + had provoked, appear at once before him, and with an aspect which boded + hostility. But though his heart might beat somewhat thicker, he was too + high-spirited to exhibit any external signs of emotion.—“What is + your pleasure, Sir Piercie?” he said to the English knight, enduring + without apparent discomposure all the terrors which his antagonist had + summoned into his aspect. + </p> + <p> + “What is my pleasure!” answered Sir Piercie; “a goodly question after the + part you have acted towards me!—Young man, I know not what + infatuation has led thee to place thyself in direct and insolent + opposition to one who is a guest of thy liege-lord the Abbot, and who, + even from the courtesy due to thy mother's roof, had a right to remain + there without meeting insult. Neither do I ask, or care, by what means + thou hast become possessed of the fatal secret by which thou hast dared to + offer me open shame. But I must now tell thee, that the possession of it + has cost thee thy life.” + </p> + <p> + “Not, I trust, if my hand and sword can defend it,” replied Halbert, + boldly. + </p> + <p> + “True,” said the Englishman, “I mean not to deprive thee of thy fair + chance of self-defence. I am only sorry to think, that, young and + country-bred as thou art, it can but little avail thee. But thou must be + well aware, that in this quarrel I shall use no terms of quarter.” + </p> + <p> + “Rely on it, proud man,” answered the youth, “that I shall ask none; and + although thou speakest as if I lay already at thy feet, trust me, that as + I am determined never to ask thy mercy, so I am not fearful of needing + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt, then,” said the knight, “do nothing to avert the certain fate + which thou hast provoked with such wantonness?” + </p> + <p> + “And how were that to be purchased?” replied Halbert Glendinning, more + with the wish of obtaining some farther insight into the terms on which he + stood with this stranger, than to make him the submission which he might + require. + </p> + <p> + “Explain to me instantly,” said Sir Piercie, “without equivocation or + delay, by what means thou wert enabled to wound my honour so deeply—and + shouldst thou point out to me by so doing an enemy more worthy of my + resentment, I will permit thine own obscure insignificance to draw a veil + over thine insolence.” + </p> + <p> + “This is too high a flight,” said Glendinning, fiercely, “for thine own + presumption to soar without being checked. Thou hast come to my father's + house, as well as I can guess, a fugitive and an exile, and thy first + greeting to its inhabitants has been that of contempt and injury. By what + means I have been able to retort that contempt, let thine own conscience + tell thee. Enough for me that I stand on the privilege of a free + Scotchman, and will brook no insult unreturned, and no injury unrequited.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well, then,” said Sir Piercie Shafton; “we will dispute this matter + to-morrow morning with our swords. Let the time be daybreak, and do thou + assign the place. We will go forth as if to strike a deer.” + </p> + <p> + “Content,” replied Halbert Glendinning: “I will guide thee to a spot where + an hundred men might fight and fall without any chance of interruption.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well,” answered Sir Piercie Shafton. “Here then we part.—Many + will say, that in thus indulging the right of a gentleman to the son of a + clod-breaking peasant, I derogate from my sphere, even as the blessed sun + would derogate should he condescend to compare and match his golden beams + with the twinkle of a pale, blinking, expiring, gross-fed taper. But no + consideration of rank shall prevent my avenging the insult thou hast + offered me. We bear a smooth face, observe me, Sir Villagio, before the + worshipful inmates of yonder cabin, and to-morrow we try conclusions with + our swords.” So saying, he turned away towards the tower. + </p> + <p> + It may not be unworthy of notice, that in the last speech only, had Sir + Piercie used some of those flowers of rhetoric which characterized the + usual style of his conversation. Apparently, a sense of wounded honour, + and the deep desire of vindicating his injured feelings, had proved too + strong for the fantastic affectation of his acquired habits. Indeed, such + is usually the influence of energy of mind, when called forth and exerted, + that Sir Piercie Shafton had never appeared in the eyes of his youthful + antagonist half so much deserving of esteem and respect as in this brief + dialogue, by which they exchanged mutual defiance. As he followed him + slowly to the tower, he could not help thinking to himself, that, had the + English knight always displayed this superior tone of bearing and feeling, + he would not probably have felt so earnestly disposed to take offence at + his hand. Mortal offence, however, had been exchanged, and the matter was + to be put to mortal arbitrement. + </p> + <p> + The family met at the evening meal, when Sir Piercie Shafton extended the + benignity of his countenance and the graces of his conversation far more + generally over the party than he had hitherto condescended to do. The + greater part of his attention was, of course, still engrossed by his + divine inimitable Discretion, as he chose to term Mary Avenel; but, + nevertheless there were interjectional flourishes to the Maid of the Mill, + under the title of Comely Damsel, and to the Dame, under that of Worthy + Matron. Nay, lest he should fail to excite their admiration by the graces + of his rhetoric, he generously, and without solicitation, added those of + his voice; and after regretting bitterly the absence of his viol-de-gamba, + he regaled them with a song, “which,” said he, “the inimitable Astrophel, + whom mortals call Philip Sidney, composed in the nonage of his muse, to + show the world what they are to expect from his riper years, and which + will one day see the light in that not-to-be-paralleled perfection of + human wit, which he has addressed to his sister, the matchless Parthenope, + whom men call Countess of Pembroke; a work,” he continued, “whereof his + friendship hath permitted me, though unworthy, to be an occasional + partaker, and whereof I may well say, that the deep afflictive tale which + awakeneth our sorrows, is so relieved with brilliant similitudes, dulcet + descriptions, pleasant poems, and engaging interludes, that they seem as + the stars of the firmament, beautifying the dusky robe of night. And + though I wot well how much the lovely and quaint language will suffer by + my widowed voice, widowed in that it is no longer matched by my beloved + viol-de-gamba, I will essay to give you a taste of the ravishing sweetness + of the poesy of the un-to-be-imitated Astrophel.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0283m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0283m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0283.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + So saying, he sung without mercy or remorse about five hundred verses, of + which the two first and the four last may suffice for a specimen— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “What tongue can her perfections tell, + On whose each part all pens may dwell. + + Of whose high praise arid praiseful bliss, + Goodness the pen. Heaven paper is; + The ink immortal fame doth send, + As I began so I must end.” + </pre> + <p> + As Sir Piercie Shafton always sung with his eyes half shut, it was not + until, agreeably to the promise of poetry, he had fairly made an end, that + looking round, he discovered that the greater part of his audience had, in + the meanwhile, yielded to the charms of repose. Mary Avenel, indeed, from + a natural sense of politeness, had contrived to keep awake through all the + perplexities of the divine Astrophel; but Mysie was transported in dreams + back to the dusty atmosphere of her father's mill. Edward himself, who had + given his attention for some time, had at length fallen fast asleep; and + the good dame's nose, could its tones have been put in regulation, might + have supplied the bass of the lamented viol-de-gamba. Halbert, however, + who had no temptation to give way to the charms of slumber, remained awake + with his eyes fixed on the songster; not that he was better entertained + with the words, or more ravished with the execution, than the rest of the + company, but rather because he admired, or perhaps envied, the composure, + which could thus spend the evening in interminable madrigals, when the + next morning was to be devoted to deadly combat. Yet it struck his natural + acuteness of observation, that the eye of the gallant cavalier did now and + then, furtively as it were, seek a glance of his countenance, as if to + discover how he was taking the exhibition of his antagonist's composure + and serenity of mind. + </p> + <p> + He shall read nothing in my countenance, thought Halbert, proudly, that + can make him think my indifference less than his own. + </p> + <p> + And taking from the shelf a bag full of miscellaneous matters collected + for the purpose, he began with great industry to dress hooks, and had + finished half-a-dozen of flies (we are enabled, for the benefit of those + who admire the antiquities of the gentle art of angling, to state that + they were brown hackles) by the time that Sir Piercie had arrived at the + conclusion of his long-winded strophes of the divine Astrophel. So that he + also testified a magnanimous contempt of that which to-morrow should bring + forth. + </p> + <p> + As it now waxed late, the family of Glendearg separated for the evening; + Sir Piercie first saying to the dame, that “her son Albert—” + </p> + <p> + “Halbert,” said Elspeth, with emphasis, “Halbert, after his goodsire, + Halbert Brydone.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, I have prayed your son, Halbert, that we may strive tomorrow, + with the sun's earliness, to wake a stag from his lair, that I may see + whether he be as prompt at that sport as fame bespeaks him.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! sir,” answered Dame Elspeth, “he is but too prompt, an you talk of + promptitude, at any thing that has steel at one end of it, and mischief at + the other. But he is at your honourable disposal, and I trust you will + teach him how obedience is due to our venerable father and lord, the + Abbot, and prevail with him to take the bow-bearer's place in fee; for, as + the two worthy monks said, it will be a great help to a widow-woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Trust me, good dame,” replied Sir Piercie, “it is my purpose so to + indoctrinate him touching his conduct and bearing towards his betters, + that he shall not lightly depart from the reverence due to them.—We + meet, then, beneath the birch-trees in the plain,” he said, looking to + Halbert, “so soon as the eye of day hath opened its lids.”—Halbert + answered with a sign of acquiescence, and the knight proceeded, “And now, + having wished to my fairest Discretion those pleasant dreams which wave + their pinions around the couch of sleeping beauty, and to this comely + damsel the bounties of Morpheus, and to all others the common good-night, + I will crave you leave to depart to my place of rest, though I may say + with the poet, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Ah rest!—no rest but change of place and posture: + Ah sleep!—no sleep but worn-out Nature's swooning; + Ah bed!—no bed but cushion fill'd with stones: + Rest, sleep, nor bed, await not on an exile.'” + </pre> + <p> + With a delicate obeisance he left the room, evading Dame Glendinning, who + hastened to assure him he would find his accommodations for repose much + more agreeable than they had been the night before, there having been + store of warm coverlets, and a soft feather-bed, sent up from the Abbey. + But the good knight probably thought that the grace and effect of his exit + would be diminished, if he were recalled from his heroics to discuss such + sublunary and domestic topics, and therefore hastened away without waiting + to hear her out. + </p> + <p> + “A pleasant gentleman,” said Dame Glendinning; “but I will warrant him an + humorous {Footnote: <i>Humorous</i>—full of whims—thus + Shakspeare, “Humorous as winter.”—The vulgar word humorsome comes + nearest to the meaning.}—And sings a sweet song, though it is + somewhat of the longest.—Well, I make mine avow he is goodly company—I + wonder when he will go away.” + </p> + <p> + Having thus expressed her respect for her guest, not without intimation + that she was heartily tired of his company, the good dame gave the signal + for the family to disperse, and laid her injunctions on Halbert to attend + Sir Piercie Shafton at daybreak, as he required. + </p> + <p> + When stretched on his pallet by his brother's side, Halbert had no small + cause to envy the sound sleep which instantly settled on the eyes of + Edward, but refused him any share of its influence. He saw now too well + what the spirit had darkly indicated, that, in granting the boon which he + had asked so unadvisedly, she had contributed more to his harm than his + good. He was now sensible, too late, of the various dangers and + inconveniences with which his dearest friends were threatened, alike by + his discomfiture or his success in the approaching duel. If he fell, he + might say personally, “good-night all.” But it was not the less certain + that he should leave a dreadful legacy of distress and embarrassment to + his mother and family,—an anticipation which by no means tended to + render the front of death, in itself a grisly object, more agreeable to + his imagination. The vengeance of the Abbot, his conscience told him, was + sure to descend on his mother and brother, or could only be averted by the + generosity of the victor—And Mary Avenel—he should have shown + himself, if he succumbed in the present combat, as inefficient in + protecting her, as he had been unnecessarily active in bringing disaster + on her, and on the house in which she had been protected from infancy. And + to this view of the case were to be added all those imbittered and anxious + feelings with which the bravest men, even in a better or less doubtful + quarrel, regard the issue of a dubious conflict, the first time when it + has been their fate to engage in an affair of that nature. + </p> + <p> + But however disconsolate the prospect seemed in the event of his being + conquered, Halbert could expect from victory little more than the safety + of his own life, and the gratification of his wounded pride. To his + friends—to his mother and brother—especially to Mary Avenel—the + consequences of his triumph would be more certain destruction than the + contingency of his defeat and death. If the English knight survived, he + might in courtesy extend his protection to them; but if he fell, nothing + was likely to screen them from the vindictive measures which the Abbot and + convent would surely adopt against the violation of the peace of the + Halidome, and the slaughter of a protected guest by one of their own + vassals, within whose house they had lodged him for shelter. These + thoughts, in which neither view of the case augured aught short of ruin to + his family, and that ruin entirely brought on by his own rashness, were + thorns in Halbert Glendinning's pillow, and deprived his soul of peace and + his eyes of slumber. + </p> + <p> + There appeared no middle course, saving one which was marked by + degradation, and which, even if he stooped to it, was by no means free of + danger. He might indeed confess to the English knight the strange + circumstances which led to his presenting him with that token which the + White Lady (in her displeasure as it now seemed) had given him, that he + might offer it to Sir Piercie Shafton. But to this avowal his pride could + not stoop, and reason, who is wonderfully ready to be of counsel with + pride on such occasions, offered many arguments to show it would be + useless as well as mean so far to degrade himself. “If I tell a tale so + wonderful,” thought he, “shall I not either be stigmatized as a liar, or + punished as a wizard?—Were Sir Piercie Shafton generous, noble, and + benevolent, as the champions of whom we hear in romance, I might indeed + gain his ear, and, without demeaning myself, escape from the situation in + which I am placed. But as he is, or at least seems to be, self-conceited, + arrogant, vain, and presumptuous—I should but humble myself in vain—and + I will not humble myself!” he said, starting out of bed, grasping his + broadsword, and brandishing it in the light of the moon, which streamed + through the deep niche that served them as a window; when, to his extreme + surprise and terror, an airy form stood in the moonlight, but intercepted + not the reflection on the floor. Dimly as it was expressed, the sound of + the voice soon made him sensible he saw the White Lady. + </p> + <p> + At no time had her presence seemed so terrific to him; for when he had + invoked her, it was with the expectation of the apparition, and the + determination to abide the issue. But now she had come uncalled, and her + presence impressed him with a sense of approaching misfortune, and with + the hideous apprehension that he had associated himself with a demon, over + whose motions he had no control, and of whose powers and quality he had no + certain knowledge. He remained, therefore, in mere terror, gazing on the + apparition, which chanted or recited in cadence the following lines— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “He whose heart for vengeance sued, + Must not shrink from shedding blood + The knot that thou hast tied with word, + Thou must loose by edge of sword.” + </pre> + <p> + “Avaunt thee, false Spirit!” said Halbert Glendinning; “I have bought thy + advice too dearly already—Begone in the name of God!” + </p> + <p> + The Spirit laughed; and the cold unnatural sound of her laughter had + something in it more fearful than the usually melancholy tones of her + voice. She then replied,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “You have summon'd me once—you have summoned me twice, + And without e'er a summons I come to you thrice; + Unask'd for, unsued for, you came to my glen; + Unsued and unask'd I am with you again.” + </pre> + <p> + Halbert Glendinning gave way for a moment to terror, and called on his + brother, “Edward! waken, waken, for Our Lady's sake!” + </p> + <p> + Edward awaked accordingly, and asked what he wanted. + </p> + <p> + “Look out,” said Halbert, “look up! seest thou no one in the room?” + </p> + <p> + “No, upon my good word,” said Edward, looking out. + </p> + <p> + “What! seest thou nothing in the moonshine upon the floor there?” + </p> + <p> + “No, nothing,” answered Edward, “save thyself resting on thy naked sword. + I tell thee, Halbert, thou shouldst trust more to thy spiritual arms, and + less to those of steel and iron. For this many a night hast thou started + and moaned, and cried out of fighting, and of spectres, and of goblins—thy + sleep hath not refreshed thee—thy waking hath been a dream.—Credit + me, dear Halbert, say the <i>Pater</i> and <i>Credo</i>, resign thyself to + the protection of God, and thou wilt sleep sound and wake in comfort.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be,” said Halbert slowly, and having his eye still bent on the + female form which to him seemed distinctly visible,—“it may be. But + tell me, dear Edward, seest thou no one on the chamber floor but me?” + </p> + <p> + “No one,” answered Edward, raising himself on his elbow; “dear brother, + lay aside thy weapon, say thy prayers, and lay thee down to rest.” + </p> + <p> + While he thus spoke, the Spirit smiled at Halbert as if in scorn; her wan + cheek faded in the wan moonlight even before the smile had passed away, + and Halbert himself no longer beheld the vision to which he had so + anxiously solicited his brother's attention. “May God preserve my wits!” + he said, as, laying aside his weapon, he again threw himself on his bed. + </p> + <p> + “Amen! my dearest brother,” answered Edward; “but we must not provoke that + Heaven in our wantonness which we invoke in our misery.—Be not angry + with me, my dear brother—I know not why you have totally of late + estranged yourself from me—It is true, I am neither so athletic in + body, nor so alert in courage, as you have been from your infancy; yet, + till lately, you have not absolutely cast off my society—Believe me, + I have wept in secret, though I forbore to intrude myself on your privacy. + The time has been—when you held me not so cheap; and—when, if + I could not follow the game so closely, or mark it so truly as you, I + could fill up our intervals of pastime with pleasant tales of the olden + times, which I had read or heard, and which excited even your attention as + we sate and ate our provision by some pleasant spring—but now I + have, though I know not why, lost thy regard and affection.—Nay, + toss not thy arms about thee thus wildly,” said the younger brother; “from + thy strange dreams, I fear some touch of fever hath affected thy blood—let + me draw closer around thee thy mantle.” + </p> + <p> + “Forbear,” said Halbert—“your care is needless—your complaints + are without reason—your fears on my account are in vain.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but hear me, brother,” said Edward. “Your speech in sleep, and now + even your waking dreams, are of beings which belong not to this world, or + to our race—Our good Father Eustace says, that howbeit we may not do + well to receive all idle tales of goblins and spectres, yet there is + warrant from holy Scripture to believe, that the fiends haunt waste and + solitary places; and that those who frequent such wildernesses alone, are + the prey, or the sport, of these wandering demons. And therefore, I pray + thee, brother, let me go with you when you go next up the glen, where, as + you well know, there be places of evil reputation—Thou carest not + for my escort; but, Halbert, such dangers are more safely encountered by + the wise in judgment, than by the bold in bosom; and though I have small + cause to boast of my own wisdom, yet I have that which ariseth from the + written knowledge of elder times.” + </p> + <p> + There was a moment during this discourse, when Halbert had well-nigh come + to the resolution of disburdening his own breast, by intrusting Edward + with all that weighed upon it. But when his brother reminded him that this + was the morning of a high holiday, and that, setting aside all other + business or pleasure, he ought to go to the Monastery and shrive himself + before Father Eustace, who would that day occupy the confessional, pride + stepped in and confirmed his wavering resolution. “I will not avow,” he + thought, “a tale so extraordinary, that I may be considered as an impostor + or something worse—I will not fly from this Englishman, whose arm + and sword may be no better than my own. My fathers have faced his betters, + were he as much distinguished in battle as he is by his quaint discourse.” + </p> + <p> + Pride, which has been said to save man, and woman too, from falling, has + yet a stronger influence on the mind when it embraces the cause of + passion, and seldom fails to render it victorious over conscience and + reason. Halbert, once determined, though not to the better course, at + length slept soundly, and was only awakened by the dawn of day. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * * * * * * +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-First. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Indifferent, but indifferent—pshaw, he doth it not + Like one who is his craft's master—ne'er the less + I have seen a clown confer a bloody coxcomb + On one who was a master of defence. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + With the first gray peep of dawn, Halbert Glendinning arose and hastened + to dress himself, girded on his weapon, and took a cross-bow in his hand, + as if his usual sport had been his sole object. He groped his way down the + dark and winding staircase, and undid, with as little noise as possible, + the fastenings of the inner door, and of the exterior iron grate. At + length he stood free in the court-yard, and looking up to the tower, saw a + signal made with a handkerchief from the window. Nothing doubting that it + was his antagonist, he paused, expecting him. But it was Mary Avenel, who + glided like a spirit from under the low and rugged portal. + </p> + <p> + Halbert was much surprised, and felt, he knew not why, like one caught in + the act of a meditated trespass. The presence of Mary Avenel had till that + moment never given him pain. She spoke, too, in a tone where sorrow seemed + to mingle with reproach, while she asked him with emphasis, “What he was + about to do?” + </p> + <p> + He showed his cross-bow, and was about to express the pretext he had + meditated, when Mary interrupted him. + </p> + <p> + “Not so, Halbert—that evasion were unworthy of one whose word has + hitherto been truth. You meditate not the destruction of the deer—your + hand and your heart are aimed at other game—you seek to do battle + with this stranger.” + </p> + <p> + “And wherefore should I quarrel with our guest?” answered Halbert, + blushing deeply. + </p> + <p> + “There are, indeed, many reasons why you should not,” replied the maiden, + “nor is there one of avail wherefore you should—yet nevertheless, + such a quarrel you are now searching after.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should you suppose so, Mary?” said Halbert, endeavouring to hide his + conscious purpose—“he is my mother's guest—he is protected by + the Abbot and the community, who are our masters—he is of high + degree also,—and wherefore should you think that I can, or dare, + resent a hasty word, which he has perchance thrown out against me more + from the wantonness of his wit, than the purpose of his heart?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” answered the maiden, “the very asking that question puts your + resolution beyond a doubt. Since your childhood you were ever daring, + seeking danger rather than avoiding it—delighting in whatever had + the air of adventure and of courage: and it is not from fear that you will + now blench from your purpose—Oh, let it then be from pity!—from + pity, Halbert, to your aged mother, whom your death or victory will alike + deprive of the comfort and stay of her age.” + </p> + <p> + “She has my brother Edward,” said Halbert, turning suddenly from her. + </p> + <p> + “She has indeed,” said Mary Avenel, “the calm, the noble-minded, the + considerate Edward, who has thy courage, Halbert, without thy fiery + rashness,—thy generous spirit, with more of reason to guide it. He + would not have heard his mother, would not have heard his adopted sister, + beseech him in vain not to ruin himself, and tear up their future hopes of + happiness and protection.” + </p> + <p> + Halbert's heart swelled as he replied to this reproach. “Well—what + avails it speaking?—you have him that is better than me—wiser, + more considerate—braver, for aught I know—you are provided + with a protector, and need care no more for me.” + </p> + <p> + Again he turned to depart, but Mary Avenel laid her hand on his arm so + gently that he scarce felt her hold, yet felt that it was impossible for + him to strike it off. There he stood, one foot advanced to leave the + court-yard, but so little determined on departure, that he resembled a + traveller arrested by the spell of a magician, and unable either to quit + the attitude of motion, or to proceed on his course. + </p> + <p> + Mary Avenel availed herself of his state of suspense. “Hear me,” she said, + “hear me, Halbert!—I am an orphan, and even Heaven hears the orphan—I + have been the companion of your infancy, and if <i>you</i> will not hear + me for an instant, from whom may Mary Avenel claim so poor a boon?” + </p> + <p> + “I hear you,” said Halbert Glendinning, “but be brief, dear Mary—you + mistake the nature of my business—it is but a morning of summer + sport which we propose.” + </p> + <p> + “Say not thus,” said the maiden, interrupting him, “say not thus to me—others + thou mayst deceive, but me thou canst not—There has been that in me + from the earliest youth, which fraud flies from, and which imposture + cannot deceive. For what fate has given me such a power I know not; but + bred an ignorant maiden, in this sequestered valley, mine eyes can too + often see what man would most willingly hide—I can judge of the dark + purpose, though it is hid under the smiling brow, and a glance of the eye + says more to me than oaths and protestations do to others.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Halbert, “if thou canst so read the human heart,—say, + dear Mary—what dost thou see in mine?—tell me that—say + that what thou seest—what thou readest in this bosom, does not + offend thee—say but <i>that</i>, and thou shalt be the guide of my + actions, and mould me now and henceforward to honour or to dishonour at + thy own free will!” + </p> + <p> + Mary Avenel became first red, and then deadly pale, as Halbert Glendinning + spoke. But when, turning round at the close of his address, he took her + hand, she gently withdrew it, and replied, “I cannot read the heart, + Halbert, and I would not of my will know aught of yours, save what beseems + us both—I only can judge of signs, words, and actions of little + outward import, more truly than those around me, as my eyes, thou knowest, + have seen objects not presented to those of others.” + </p> + <p> + “Let them gaze then on one whom they shall never see more,” said Halbert, + once more turning from her, and rushing out of the court-yard without + again looking back. + </p> + <p> + Mary Avenel gave a faint scream, and clasped both her hands firmly on her + forehead and eyes. She had been a minute in this attitude, when she was + thus greeted by a voice from behind: “Generously done, my most clement + Discretion, to hide those brilliant eyes from the far inferior beams which + even now begin to gild the eastern horizon—Certes, peril there were + that Phoebus, outshone in splendour, might in very shamefacedness turn + back his ear, and rather leave the world in darkness, than incur the + disgrace of such an encounter—Credit me, lovely Discretion—” + </p> + <p> + But as Sir Piercie Shafton (the reader will readily set down these flowers + of eloquence to the proper owner) attempted to take Mary Avenel's hand, in + order to proceed in his speech, she shook him abruptly off, and regarding + him with an eye which evinced terror and agitation, rushed past him into + the tower. + </p> + <p> + The knight stood looking after her with a countenance in which contempt + was strongly mingled with mortification. “By my knighthood!” he + ejaculated, “I have thrown away upon this rude rustic Phidel? a speech, + which the proudest beauty at the court of Felicia (so let me call the + Elysium from which I am banished!) might have termed the very matins of + Cupid. Hard and inexorable was the fate that sent thee thither, Piercie + Shafton, to waste thy wit upon country wenches, and thy valour upon + hob-nailed clowns! But that insult—that affront—had it been + offered to me by the lowest plebeian, he must have died for it by my hand, + in respect the enormity of the offence doth countervail the inequality of + him by whom it is given. I trust I shall find this clownish roisterer not + less willing to deal in blows than in taunts.” + </p> + <p> + While he held this conversation with himself, Sir Piercie Shafton was + hastening to the little tuft of birch-trees which had been assigned as the + place of meeting. He greeted his antagonist with a courtly salutation, + followed by this commentary: “I pray you to observe, that I doff my hat to + you, though so much my inferior in rank, without derogation on my part, + inasmuch as my having so far honoured you in receiving and admitting your + defiance, doth, in the judgment of the best martialists, in some sort and + for the time, raise you to a level with me—an honour which you may + and ought to account cheaply purchased, even with the loss of your life, + if such should chance to be the issue of this duello.” + </p> + <p> + “For which condescension,” said Halbert, “I have to thank the token which + I presented to you.” + </p> + <p> + The knight changed colour, and grinded his teeth with rage—“Draw + your weapon!” said he to Glendinning. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0301m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0301m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0301.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “Not in this spot,” answered the youth; “we should be liable to + interruption—Follow me, and I will bring you to a place where we + shall encounter no such risk.” + </p> + <p> + He proceeded to walk up the glen, resolving that their place of combat + should be in the entrance of the Corri-nan-shian; both because the spot, + lying under the reputation of being haunted, was very little frequented, + and also because he regarded it as a place which to him might be termed + fated, and which he therefore resolved should witness his death or + victory. They walked up the glen for some time in silence, like honourable + enemies who did not wish to contend with words, and who had nothing + friendly to exchange with each other. Silence, however, was always an + irksome state with Sir Piercie and, moreover, his anger was usually a + hasty and short-lived passion. As, therefore, he went forth, in his own + idea, in all love and honour towards his antagonist, he saw not any cause + for submitting longer to the painful restraint of positive silence. He + began by complimenting Halbert on the alert activity with which he + surmounted the obstacles and impediments of the way. + </p> + <p> + “Trust me,” said he, “worthy rustic, we have not a lighter or a firmer + step in our courtlike revels, and if duly set forth by a silk hose, and + trained unto that stately exercise, your leg would make an indifferent + good show in a pavin or a galliard. And I doubt nothing,” he added, “that + you have availed yourself of some opportunity to improve yourself in the + art of fence, which is more akin than dancing to our present purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “I know nothing more of fencing,” said Halbert, “than hath been taught me + by an old shepherd of ours, called Martin, and at whiles a lesson from + Christie of the Clinthill—for the rest, I must trust to good sword, + strong arm, and sound heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry and I am glad of it, young Audacity, (I will call you my Audacity, + and you will call me your Condescension, while we are on these terms of + unnatural equality,) I am glad of your ignorance with all my heart. For we + martialists proportion the punishments which we inflict upon our + opposites, to the length and hazard of the efforts wherewith they oppose + themselves to us. And I see not why you, being but a tyro, may not be held + sufficiently punished for your outrecuidance, and orgillous presumption, + by the loss of an ear, an eye, or even a finger, accompanied by some + flesh-wound of depth and severity, suited to your error—whereas, had + you been able to stand more effectually on your defence, I see not how + less than your life could have atoned sufficiently for your presumption.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by God and Our Lady,” said Halbert, unable any longer to restrain + himself, “thou art thyself over-presumptuous, who speakest thus daringly + of the issue of a combat which is not yet even begun—Are you a god, + that you already dispose of my life and limbs? or are you a judge in the + justice-air, telling at your ease and without risk, how the head and + quarters of a condemned criminal are to be disposed of?” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, O thou,—whom I have well permitted to call thyself my + Audacity. I, thy Condescension, am neither a god to judge the issue of the + combat before it is fought, nor a judge to dispose at my ease and in + safety of the limbs and head of a condemned criminal; but I am an + indifferent good master of fence, being the first pupil of the first + master of the first school of fence that our royal England affords, the + said master being no other than the truly noble, and all-unutterably + skilful Vincentio Saviola, from whom I learned the firm step, quick eye, + and nimble hand—of which qualities thou, O my most rustical + Audacity, art full like to reap the fruits so soon as we shall find a + piece of ground fitting for such experiments.” + </p> + <p> + They had now reached the gorge of the ravine, where Halbert had at first + intended to stop; but when he observed the narrowness of the level ground, + he began to consider that it was only by superior agility that he could + expect to make up his deficiency in the science, as it was called, of + defence. He found no spot which afforded sufficient room to traverse for + this purpose, until he gained the well-known fountain, by whose margin, + and in front of the huge rock from which it sprung, was an amphitheatre of + level turf, of small space indeed, compared with the great height of the + cliffs with which it was surrounded on every point save that from which + the rivulet issued forth, yet large enough for their present purpose. + </p> + <p> + When they had reached this spot of ground, fitted well by its gloom and + sequestered situation to be a scene of mortal strife, both were surprised + to observe that a grave was dug close by the foot of the rock with great + neatness and regularity, the green turf being laid down upon the one side, + and the earth thrown out in a heap upon the other. A mattock and shovel + lay by the verge of the grave. + </p> + <p> + Sir Piercie Shafton bent his eye with unusual seriousness upon Halbert + Glendinning, as he asked him sternly, “Does this bode treason, young man? + And have you purpose to set upon me here as in an emboscata or place of + vantage?” + </p> + <p> + “Not on my part, by Heaven!” answered the youth: “I told no one of our + purpose, nor would I for the throne of Scotland take odds against a single + arm.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe thou wouldst not, mine Audacity,” said the knight, resuming the + affected manner which was become a second nature to him; “nevertheless + this fosse is curiously well shaped, and might be the masterpiece of + Nature's last bed-maker, I would say the sexton—Wherefore, let us be + thankful to chance or some unknown friend, who hath thus provided for one + of us the decencies of sepulture, and let us proceed to determine which + shall have the advantage of enjoying this place of undisturbed slumber.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he stripped off his doublet and cloak, which he folded up with + great care, and deposited upon a large stone, while Halbert Glendinning, + not without some emotion, followed his example. Their vicinity to the + favourite haunt of the White Lady led him to form conjectures concerning + the incident of the grave—“It must have been her work!” he thought: + “the Spirit foresaw and has provided for the fatal event of the combat—I + must return from this place a homicide, or I must remain here for ever!” + </p> + <p> + The bridge seemed now broken down behind him, and the chance of coming off + honourably without killing or being killed, (the hope of which issue has + cheered the sinking heart of many a duellist,) seemed now altogether to be + removed. Yet the very desperation of his situation gave him, on an + instant's reflection, both firmness and courage, and presented to him one + sole alternative, conquest, namely, or death. + </p> + <p> + “As we are here,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “unaccompanied by any patrons + or seconds, it were well you should pass your hands over my sides, as I + shall over yours; not that I suspect you to use any quaint device of privy + armour, but in order to comply with the ancient and laudable custom + practised on all such occasions.” + </p> + <p> + While complying with his antagonist's humour, Halbert Glendinning went + through this ceremony, Sir Piercie Shafton did not fail to solicit his + attention to the quality and fineness of his wrought and embroidered shirt—“In + this very shirt,” said he, “O mine Audacity!—I say in this very + garment, in which I am now to combat a Scottish rustic like thyself, it + was my envied lot to lead the winning party at that wonderous match at + ballon, made betwixt the divine Astrophel, (our matchless Sidney,) and the + right honourable my very good lord of Oxford. All the beauties of Felicia + (by which name I distinguish our beloved England) stood in the gallery, + waving their kerchiefs at each turn of the game, and cheering the winners + by their plaudits. After which noble sport we were refreshed by a suitable + banquet, whereat it pleased the noble Urania (being the unmatched Countess + of Pembroke) to accommodate me with her fan for the cooling my somewhat + too much inflamed visage, to requite which courtesy, I said, casting my + features into a smiling, yet melancholy fashion, O divinest Urania! + receive again that too fatal gift, which not like the Zephyr cooleth, but + like the hot breath of the Sirocco, heateth yet more that which is already + inflamed. Whereupon, looking upon me somewhat scornfully, yet not so but + what the experienced courtier might perceive a certain cast of approbative + affection——” + </p> + <p> + Here the knight was interrupted by Halbert, who had waited with courteous + patience for some little time, till he found, that far from drawing to a + close, Sir Piercie seemed rather inclined to wax prolix in his + reminiscences. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Knight,” said the youth, “if this matter be not very much to the + purpose, we will, if you object not, proceed to that which we have in + hand. You should have abidden in England had you desired to waste time in + words, for here we spend it in blows.” + </p> + <p> + “I crave your pardon, most rusticated Audacity,” answered Sir Piercie; + “truly I become oblivious of every thing beside, when the recollections of + the divine court of Felicia press upon my wakened memory, even as a saint + is dazzled when he bethinks him of the beatific vision. Ah, felicitous + Feliciana! delicate nurse of the fair, chosen abode of the wise, the + birth-place and cradle of nobility, the temple of courtesy, the fane of + sprightly chivalry—Ah, heavenly court, or rather courtly heaven! + cheered with dances, lulled asleep with harmony, wakened with sprightly + sports and tourneys, decored with silks and tissues, glittering with + diamonds and jewels, standing on end with double-piled velvets, satins, + and satinettas!” + </p> + <p> + “The token, Sir Knight, the token!” exclaimed Halbert Glendinning, who, + impatient of Sir Piercie's interminable oratory, reminded him of the + ground of their quarrel, as the best way to compel him to the purpose of + their meeting. + </p> + <p> + And he judged right; for Sir Piercie Shafton no sooner heard him speak, + than he exclaimed, “Thy death-hour has struck—betake thee to thy + sword—Via!” + </p> + <p> + Both swords were unsheathed, and the combatants commenced their + engagement. Halbert became immediately aware, that, as he had expected, he + was far inferior to his adversary in the use of his weapon. Sir Piercie + Shafton had taken no more than his own share of real merit, when he termed + himself an absolutely good fencer; and Glendinning soon found that he + should have great difficulty in escaping with life and honour from such a + master of the sword. The English knight was master of all the mystery of + the <i>stoccata, imbrocata, punto-reverso, incartata</i>, and so forth, + which the Italian masters of defence had lately introduced into general + practice. But Glendinning, on his part, was no novice in the principles of + the art, according to the old Scottish fashion, and possessed the first of + all qualities, a steady and collected mind. At first, being desirous to + try the skill, and become acquainted with the play of his enemy, he stood + on his defence, keeping his foot, hand, eye, and body, in perfect unison, + and holding his sword short, and with the point towards his antagonist's + face, so that Sir Piercie, in order to assail him, was obliged to make + actual passes, and could not avail himself of his skill in making feints; + while, on the other hand, Halbert was prompt to parry these attacks, + either by shifting his ground or with the sword. The consequence was, that + after two or three sharp attempts on the part of Sir Piercie, which were + evaded or disconcerted by the address of his opponent, he began to assume + the defensive in his turn, fearful of giving some advantage by being + repeatedly the assailant. But Halbert was too cautious to press on a + swordsman whose dexterity had already more than once placed him within a + hair's breadth of death, which he had only escaped by uncommon + watchfulness and agility. + </p> + <p> + When each had made a feint or two, there was a pause in the conflict, both + as if by one assent dropping their swords' point, and looking on each + other for a moment without speaking. At length Halbert Glendinning, who + felt perhaps more uneasy on account of his family than he had done before + he had displayed his own courage, and proved the strength of his + antagonist, could not help saying, “Is the subject of our quarrel, Sir + Knight, so mortal, that one of our two bodies must needs fill up that + grave? or may we with honour, having proved ourselves against each other, + sheathe our swords and depart friends?” + </p> + <p> + “Valiant and most rustical Audacity,” said the Southron knight, “to no man + on earth could you have put a question on the code of honour, who was more + capable of rendering you a reason. Let us pause for the space of one + venue, until I give you my opinion on this dependence, {Footnote: <i>Dependence</i>—A + phrase among the brethren of the sword for an existing quarrel.} for + certain it is, that brave men should not run upon their fate like brute + and furious wild beasts, but should slay each other deliberately, + decently, and with reason. Therefore, if we coolly examine the state of + our dependence, we may the better apprehend whether the sisters three have + doomed one of us to expiate the same with his blood—Dost thou + understand me?” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard Father Eustace,” said Halbert, after a moment's + recollection, “speak of the three furies, with their thread and their + shears.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough—enough,”—interrupted Sir Piercie Shafton, crimsoning + with a new fit of rage, “the thread of thy life is spun!” + </p> + <p> + And with these words he attacked with the utmost ferocity the Scottish + youth, who had but just time to throw himself into a posture of defence. + But the rash fury of the assailant, as frequently happens, disappointed + its own purpose; for, as he made a desperate thrust, Halbert Glendinning + avoided it, and ere the knight could recover his weapon, requited him (to + use his own language) with a resolute stoccata, which passed through his + body, and Sir Piercie Shafton fell to the ground. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-Second. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Yes, life hath left him—every busy thought, + Each fiery passion, every strong affection, + All sense of outward ill and inward sorrow, + Are fled at once from the pale trunk before me; + And I have given that which spoke and moved, + Thought, acted, suffer'd as a living man, + To be a ghastly form of bloody clay, + Soon the foul food for reptiles. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + I believe few successful duellists (if the word successful can be applied + to a superiority so fatal) have beheld their dead antagonist stretched on + the earth at their feet, without wishing they could redeem with their own + blood that which it has been their fate to spill. Least of all could such + indifference be the lot of so young a man as Halbert Glendinning, who, + unused to the sight of human blood, was not only struck with sorrow, but + with terror, when he beheld Sir Piercie Shafton lie stretched on the + green-sward before him, vomiting gore as if impelled by the strokes of a + pump. He threw his bloody sword on the ground, and hastened to kneel and + support him, vainly striving, at the same time, to stanch his wound, which + seemed rather to bleed inwardly than externally. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate knight spoke at intervals, when the syncope would permit + him, and his words, so far as intelligible, partook of his affected and + conceited, yet not ungenerous character. + </p> + <p> + “Most rustical youth,” he said, “thy fortune hath prevailed over knightly + skill—and Audacity hath overcome Condescension, even as the kite + hath sometimes hawked at and struck down the falcon-gentle.—Fly and + save thyself!—Take my purse—it is in the nether pocket of my + carnation-coloured hose—and is worth a clown's acceptance. See that + my mails, with my vestments, be sent to the Monastery of Saint Mary's”—(here + his voice grew weak, and his mind and recollection seemed to waver)—“I + bestow the cut velvet jerkin, with close breeches conforming—for—oh!—the + good of my soul.” + </p> + <p> + “Be of good comfort, sir,” said Halbert, half distracted with his agony of + pity and remorse. “I trust you shall yet do well—Oh for a leech!” + </p> + <p> + “Were there twenty physicians, O most generous Audacity, and that were a + grave spectacle—I might not survive, my life is ebbing fast.—Commend + me to the rustical nymph whom I called my Discretion—O Claridiana!—true + empress of this bleeding heart—which now bleedeth in sad earnest!—Place + me on the ground at my length, most rustical victor, born to quench the + pride of the burning light of the most felicitous court of Feliciana—O + saints and angels—-knights and ladies—masques and theatres—quaint + devices—chain-work and broidery—love, honour, and beauty!——” + </p> + <p> + While muttering these last words, which slid from him, as it were + unawares, while doubtless he was calling to mind the glories of the + English court, the gallant Sir Piercie Shafton stretched out his limbs—groaned + deeply, shut his eyes, and became motionless. + </p> + <p> + The victor tore his hair for very sorrow, as he looked on the pale + countenance of his victim. Life, he thought, had not utterly fled, but + without better aid than his own, he saw not how it could be preserved. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” he exclaimed in vain penitence, “why did I provoke him to an issue + so fatal! Would to God I had submitted to the worst insult man could + receive from man, rather than be the bloody instrument of this bloody deed—and + doubly cursed be this evil-boding spot, which, haunted as I knew it to be + by a witch or a devil, I yet chose for the place of combat! In any other + place, save this, there had been help to be gotten by speed of foot, or by + uplifting of voice—but here there is no one to be found by search, + no one to hear my shouts, save the evil spirit who has counselled this + mischief. It is not her hour—I will essay the spell howsoever; and + if she can give me aid, she <i>shall</i> do it, or know of what a madman + is capable even against those of another world!” + </p> + <p> + He spurned his bloody shoe from his foot, and repeated the spell with + which the reader is well acquainted; but there was neither voice, + apparition, nor signal of answer. The youth, in the impatience of his + despair, and with the rash hardihood which formed the basis of his + character, shouted aloud, “Witch—Sorceress—Fiend!—art + thou deaf to my cries of help, and so ready to appear and answer those of + vengeance? Arise and speak to me, or I will choke up thy fountain, tear + down thy hollybush, and leave thy haunt as waste and bare as thy fatal + assistance has made me waste of comfort and bare of counsel!”—This + furious and raving invocation was suddenly interrupted by a distant sound, + resembling a hollo, from the gorge of the ravine. “Now may Saint Mary be + praised,” said the youth, hastily fastening his sandal, “I hear the voice + of some living man, who may give me counsel and help in this fearful + extremity.” + </p> + <p> + Having donned his sandal, Halbert Glendinning, hallooing at intervals, in + answer to the sound which he had heard, ran with the speed of a hunted + buck down the rugged defile, as if paradise had been before him, hell and + all her furies behind, and his eternal happiness or misery had depended + upon the speed which he exerted. In a space incredibly short for any one + but a Scottish mountaineer having his nerves strung by the deepest and + most passionate interest, the youth reached the entrance of the ravine, + through which the rill that flows down Corri-nan-shian discharges itself, + and unites with the brook that waters the little valley of Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + Here he paused, and looked around him upwards and downwards through the + glen, without perceiving a human form. His heart sank within him. But the + windings of the glen intercepted his prospect, and the person, whose voice + he had heard, might therefore, be at no great distance, though not obvious + to his sight. The branches of an oak-tree, which shot straight out from + the face of a tall cliff, proffered to his bold spirit, steady head, and + active limbs, the means of ascending it as a place of out-look, although + the enterprise was what most men would have shrunk from. But by one bound + from the earth, the active youth caught hold of the lower branch, and + swung himself up into the tree, and in a minute more gained the top of the + cliff, from which he could easily descry a human figure descending the + valley. It was not that of a shepherd, or of a hunter, and scarcely any + others used to traverse this deserted solitude, especially coming from the + north, since the reader may remember that the brook took its rise from an + extensive and dangerous morass which lay in that direction. + </p> + <p> + But Halbert Glendinning did not pause to consider who the traveller might + be, or what might be the purpose of his journey. To know that he saw a + human being, and might receive, in the extremity of his distress, the + countenance and advice of a fellow-creature, was enough for him at the + moment. He threw himself from the pinnacle of the cliff once more into the + arms of the projecting oak-tree, whose boughs waved in middle air, + anchored by the roots in a huge rift or chasm of the rock. Catching at the + branch which was nearest to him, he dropped himself from that height upon + the ground; and such was the athletic springiness of his youthful sinews, + that he pitched there as lightly, and with as little injury, as the falcon + stooping from her wheel. + </p> + <p> + To resume his race at full speed up the glen, was the work of an instant; + and as he turned angle after angle of the indented banks of the valley, + without meeting that which he sought, he became half afraid that the form + which he had seen at such a distance had already melted into thin air, and + was either a deception of his own imagination, or of the elementary + spirits by which the valley was supposed to be haunted. + </p> + <p> + But to his inexpressible joy, as he turned round the base of a huge and + distinguished crag, he saw, straight before and very near to him, a + person, whose dress, as he viewed it hastily, resembled that of a pilgrim. + </p> + <p> + He was a man of advanced life, and wearing a long beard, having on his + head a large slouched hat, without either band or brooch. His dress was a + tunic of black serge, which, like those commonly called hussar-cloaks, had + an upper part, which covered the arms and fell down on the lower; a small + scrip and bottle, which hung at his back, with a stout staff in his hand, + completed his equipage. His step was feeble, like that of one exhausted by + a toilsome journey. + </p> + <p> + “Save ye, good father!” said the youth. “God and Our Lady have sent you to + my assistance.” + </p> + <p> + “And in what, my son, can so frail a creature as I am, be of service to + you?” said the old man, not a little surprised at being thus accosted by + so handsome a youth, his features discomposed by anxiety, his face flushed + with exertion, his hands and much of his dress stained with blood. “A man + bleeds to death in the valley here, hard by. Come with me—come with + me! You are aged—you have experience—you have at least your + senses—and mine have well nigh left me.” + </p> + <p> + “A man—and bleeding to death—and here in this desolate spot!” + said the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “Stay not to question it, father,” said the youth, “but come instantly to + his rescue. Follow me,—follow me, without an instant's delay.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but, my son,” said the old man, “we do not lightly follow the guides + who present themselves thus suddenly in the bosom of a howling wilderness. + Ere I follow thee, thou must expound to me thy name, thy purpose, and thy + cause.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no time to expound any thing,” said Halbert; “I tell thee a + man's life is at stake, and thou must come to aid him, or I will carry + thee thither by force!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, thou shalt not need,” said the traveller; “if it indeed be as thou + sayest, I will follow thee of free-will—the rather that I am not + wholly unskilled in leech-craft, and have in my scrip that which may do + thy friend a service—Yet walk more slowly, I pray thee, for I am + already well-nigh forespent with travel.” + </p> + <p> + With the indignant impatience of the fiery steed when compelled by his + rider to keep pace with some slow drudge upon the highway, Halbert + accompanied the wayfarer, burning with anxiety which he endeavoured to + subdue, that he might not alarm his companion, who was obviously afraid to + trust him. When they reached the place where they were to turn off the + wider glen into the Corri, the traveller made a doubtful pause, as if + unwilling to leave the broader path—“Young man,” he said, “if thou + meanest aught but good to these gray hairs, thou wilt gain little by thy + cruelty—I have no earthly treasure to tempt either robber or + murderer.” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” said the youth, “am neither—and yet—God of Heaven!—I + <i>may</i> be a murderer, unless your aid comes in time to this wounded + wretch!” + </p> + <p> + “Is it even so,” said the traveller; “and do human passions disturb the + breast of nature, even in her deepest solitude?—Yet why should I + marvel that where darkness abides the works of darkness should abound?—By + its fruits is the tree known—Lead on, unhappy youth—I follow + thee!” + </p> + <p> + And with better will to the journey than he had evinced hitherto, the + stranger exerted himself to the uttermost, and seemed to forget his own + fatigue in his efforts to keep pace with his impatient guide. + </p> + <p> + What was the surprise of Halbert Glendinning, when, upon arriving at the + fatal spot, he saw no appearance of the body of Sir Piercie Shafton! The + traces of the fray were otherwise sufficiently visible. The knight's cloak + had indeed vanished as well as his body, but his doublet remained where he + had laid it down, and the turf on which he had been stretched was stained + with blood in many a dark crimson spot. + </p> + <p> + As he gazed round him in terror and astonishment, Halbert's eyes fell upon + the place of sepulture which had so lately appeared to gape for a victim. + It was no longer open, and it seemed that earth had received the expected + tenant; for the usual narrow hillock was piled over what had lately been + an open grave, and the green sod was adjusted over all with the accuracy + of an experienced sexton. Halbert stood aghast. The idea rushed on his + mind irresistibly, that the earth-heap before him enclosed what had lately + been a living, moving, and sentient fellow-creature, whom, on little + provocation, his fell act had reduced to a clod of the valley, as + senseless and as cold as the turf under which he rested. The hand that + scooped the grave had completed its word; and whose hand could it be save + that of the mysterious being of doubtful quality, whom his rashness had + invoked, and whom he had suffered to intermingle in his destinies? + </p> + <p> + As he stood with clasped hands and uplifted eyes, bitterly ruing his + rashness, he was roused by the voice of the stranger, whose suspicions of + his guide had again been awakened by finding the scene so different from + what Halbert had led him to expect.—“Young man,” he said, “hast thou + baited thy tongue with falsehood to cut perhaps only a few days from the + life of one whom Nature will soon call home, without guilt on thy part to + hasten his journey?” + </p> + <p> + “By the blessed Heaven!—by our dear Lady!” ejaculated Halbert— + </p> + <p> + “Swear not at all!” said the stranger, interrupting him, “neither by + Heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by earth, for it is his footstool—nor + by the creatures whom he hath made, for they are but earth and clay as we + are. Let thy yea be yea, and thy nay, nay. Tell me in a word, why and for + what purpose thou hast feigned a tale, to lead a bewildered traveller yet + farther astray?” + </p> + <p> + “As I am a Christian man,” said Glendinning, “I left him here bleeding to + death—and now I nowhere spy him, and much I doubt that the tomb that + thou seest has closed on his mortal remains.” + </p> + <p> + “And who is he for whose fate thou art so anxious?” said the stranger; “or + how is it possible that this wounded man could have been either removed + from, or interred in, a place so solitary?” + </p> + <p> + “His name,” said Halbert, after a moment's pause, “is Piercie Shafton—there, + on that very spot I left him bleeding; and what power has conveyed him + hence, I know no more than thou dost.” + </p> + <p> + “Piercie Shafton?” said the stranger; “Sir Piercie Shafton of Wilverton, a + kinsman, as it is said, of the great Piercie of Northumberland? If thou + hast slain him, to return to the territories of the proud Abbot is to give + thy neck to the gallows. He is well known, that Piercie Shafton; the + meddling tool of wiser plotters—a harebrained trafficker in treason—a + champion of the Pope, employed as a forlorn hope by those more politic + heads, who have more will to work mischief, than valour to encounter + danger.—Come with me, youth, and save thyself from the evil + consequences of this deed—Guide me to the Castle of Avenel, and thy + reward shall be protection and safety.” + </p> + <p> + Again Halbert paused, and summoned his mind to a hasty council. The + vengeance with which the Abbot was likely to visit the slaughter of + Shafton, his friend, and in some measure his guest, was likely to be + severe; yet, in the various contingencies which he had considered previous + to their duel, he had unaccountably omitted to reflect what was to be his + line of conduct in case of Sir Piercie falling by his hand. If he returned + to Glendearg, he was sure to draw on his whole family, including Mary + Avenel, the resentment of the Abbot and community, whereas it was possible + that flight might make him be regarded as the sole author of the deed, and + might avert the indignation of the monks from the rest of the inhabitants + of his paternal tower. Halbert recollected also the favour expressed for + the household, and especially for Edward, by the Sub-Prior; and he + conceived that he could, by communicating his own guilt to that worthy + ecclesiastic, when at a distance from Glendearg, secure his powerful + interposition in favour of his family. These thoughts rapidly passed + through his mind, and he determined on flight. The stranger's company and + his promised protection came in aid of that resolution; but he was unable + to reconcile the invitation which the old man gave him to accompany him + for safety to the Castle of Avenel, with the connexions of Julian, the + present usurper of that inheritance. + </p> + <p> + “Good father,” he said, “I fear that you mistake the man with whom you + wish me to harbour. Avenel guided Piercie Shafton into Scotland, and his + henchman, Christie of the Clinthill, brought the Southron hither.” + </p> + <p> + “Of that,” said the old man, “I am well aware. Yet if thou wilt trust to + me, as I have shown no reluctance to confide in thee, thou shalt find with + Julian Avenel welcome, or at least safety.” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” replied Halbert, “though I can ill reconcile what thou sayest + with what Julian Avenel hath done, yet caring little about the safety of a + creature so lost as myself, and as thy words seem those of truth and + honesty, and finally, as thou didst render thyself frankly up to my + conduct, I will return the confidence thou hast shown, and accompany thee + to the Castle of Avenel by a road which thou thyself couldst never have + discovered.” He led the way, and the old man followed for some time in + silence. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-Third. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Tis when the wound is stiffening with the cold. + The warrior first feels pain—'tis when the heat + And fiery fever of his soul is pass'd, + The sinner feels remorse. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + The feelings of compunction with which Halbert Glendinning was visited + upon this painful occasion, were deeper than belonged to an age and + country in which human life was held so cheap. They fell far short + certainly of those which might have afflicted a mind regulated by better + religious precepts, and more strictly trained under social laws; but still + they were deep and severely felt, and divided in Halbert's heart even the + regret with which he parted from Mary Avenel and the tower of his fathers. + </p> + <p> + The old traveller walked silently by his side for some time, and then + addressed him.—“My son, it has been said that sorrow must speak or + die—Why art thou so much cast down?—Tell me thy unhappy tale, + and it may be that my gray head may devise counsel and aid for your young + life.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Halbert Glendinning, “can you wonder why I am cast down?—I + am at this instant a fugitive from my father's house, from my mother, and + from my friends, and I bear on my head the blood of a man who injured me + but in idle words, which I have thus bloodily requited. My heart now tells + me I have done evil—it were harder than these rocks if it could bear + unmoved the thought, that I have sent this man to a long account, + unhousled and unshrieved.” + </p> + <p> + “Pause there, my son,” said the traveller. “That thou hast defaced God's + image in thy neighbour's person—that thou hast sent dust to dust in + idle wrath or idler pride, is indeed a sin of the deepest dye—that + thou hast cut short the space which Heaven might have allowed him for + repentance, makes it yet more deadly—but for all this there is balm + in Gilead.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you not, father,” said Halbert, struck by the solemn tone + which was assumed by his companion. + </p> + <p> + The old man proceeded. “Thou hast slain thine enemy—it was a cruel + deed: thou hast cut him off perchance in his sins—it is a fearful + aggravation. Do yet by my counsel, and in lieu of him whom thou hast + perchance consigned to the kingdom of Satan, let thine efforts wrest + another subject from the reign of the Evil One.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you, father,” said Halbert; “thou wouldst have me atone for + my rashness by doing service to the soul of my adversary—But how may + this be? I have no money to purchase masses, and gladly would I go + barefoot to the Holy Land to free his spirit from purgatory, only that—” + </p> + <p> + “My son,” said the old man, interrupting him, “the sinner for whose + redemption I entreat you to labour, is not the dead but the living. It is + not for the soul of thine enemy I would exhort thee to pray—that has + already had its final doom from a Judge as merciful as he is just; nor, + wert thou to coin that rock into ducats, and obtain a mass for each one, + would it avail the departed spirit. Where the tree hath fallen, it must + lie. But the sapling, which hath in it yet the vigour and juice of life, + may be bended to the point to which it ought to incline.” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou a priest, father?” said the young man, “or by what commission + dost thou talk of such high matters?” + </p> + <p> + “By that of my Almighty Master,” said the traveller, “under whose banner I + am an enlisted soldier.” + </p> + <p> + Halbert's acquaintance with religious matters was no deeper than could be + derived from the Archbishop of Saint Andrew's Catechism, and the pamphlet + called the Twapennie Faith, both which were industriously circulated and + recommended by the monks of Saint Mary's. Yet, however indifferent and + superficial a theologian, he began to suspect that he was now in company + with one of the gospellers, or heretics, before whose influence the + ancient system of religion now tottered to the very foundation. Bred up, + as may well be presumed, in a holy horror against these formidable + sectaries, the youth's first feelings were those of a loyal and devoted + church vassal. “Old man,” he said, “wert thou able to make good with thy + hand the words that thy tongue hath spoken against our Holy Mother Church, + we should have tried upon this moor which of our creeds hath the better + champion.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the stranger, “if thou art a true soldier of Rome, thou wilt + not pause from thy purpose because thou hast the odds of years and of + strength on thy side. Hearken to me, my son. I have showed thee how to + make thy peace with Heaven, and thou hast rejected my proffer. I will now + show thee how thou shalt make thy reconciliation with the powers of this + world. Take this gray head from the frail body which supports it, and + carry it to the chair of proud Abbot Boniface; and when thou tellest him + thou hast slain Piercie Shafton, and his ire rises at the deed, lay the + head of Henry Warden at his foot, and thou shalt have praise instead of + censure.” + </p> + <p> + Halbert Glendinning stepped back in surprise. “What! are you that Henry + Warden so famous among the heretics, that even Knox's name is scarce more + frequently in their mouths? Art thou he, and darest thou to approach the + Halidome of Saint Mary's?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Henry Warden, of a surety,” said the old man, “far unworthy to be + named in the same breath with Knox, but yet willing to venture on whatever + dangers my master's service may call me to.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0315m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0315m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0315.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “Hearken to me, then,” said Halbert; “to slay thee, I have no heart—to + make thee prisoner, were equally to bring thy blood on my head—to + leave thee in this wild without a guide, were little better. I will + conduct thee, as I promised, in safety to the Castle of Avenel; but + breathe not, while we are on the journey, a word against the doctrines of + the holy church of which I am an unworthy—but though an ignorant, a + zealous member.—When thou art there arrived, beware of thyself—there + is a high price upon thy head, and Julian Avenel loves the glance of gold + bonnet-pieces.” {Footnote: A gold coin of James V., the most beautiful of + the Scottish series; so called because the effigy of the sovereignty is + represented wearing a bonnet.} + </p> + <p> + “Yet thou sayest not,” answered the Protestant preacher, for such he was, + “that for lucre he would sell the blood of his guest?” + </p> + <p> + “Not if thou comest an invited stranger, relying on his faith,” said the + youth; “evil as Julian may be, he dare not break the rites of hospitality; + for, loose as we on these marches may be in all other ties, these are + respected amongst us even to idolatry, and his nearest relations would + think it incumbent on them to spill his blood themselves, to efface the + disgrace such treason would bring upon their name and lineage. But if thou + goest self-invited, and without assurance of safety, I promise thee thy + risk is great.” + </p> + <p> + “I am in God's hand,” answered the preacher; “it is on His errand that I + traverse these wilds amidst dangers of every kind; while I am useful for + my master's service, they shall not prevail against me, and when, like the + barren fig-tree, I can no longer produce fruit, what imports it when or by + whom the axe is laid to the root?” + </p> + <p> + “Your courage and devotion,” said Glendinning, “are worthy of a better + cause.” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said Warden, “cannot be—mine is the very best.” + </p> + <p> + They continued their journey in silence, Halbert Glendinning tracing with + the utmost accuracy the mazes of the dangerous and intricate morasses and + hills which divided the Halidome from the barony of Avenel. From time to + time he was obliged to stop, in order to assist his companion to cross the + black intervals of quaking bog, called in the Scottish dialect <i>hags</i>, + by which the firmer parts of the morass were intersected. + </p> + <p> + “Courage, old man,” said Halbert, as he saw his companion almost exhausted + with fatigue, “we shall soon be upon hard ground. And yet soft as this + moss is, I have seen the merry falconers go through it as light as deer + when the quarry was upon the flight.” + </p> + <p> + “True, my son,” answered Warden, “for so I will still call you, though you + term me no longer father; and even so doth headlong youth pursue its + pleasures, without regard to the mire and the peril of the paths through + which they are hurried.” + </p> + <p> + “I have already told thee,” answered Halbert Glendinning, sternly, “that I + will hear nothing from thee that savours of doctrine.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but, my son,” answered Warden, “thy spiritual father himself would + surely not dispute the truth of what I have now spoken for your + edification!” + </p> + <p> + Glendinning stoutly replied, “I know not how that may be—but I wot + well it is the fashion of your brotherhood to bait your hook with fair + discourse, and to hold yourselves up as angels of light, that you may the + better extend the kingdom of darkness.” + </p> + <p> + “May God,” replied the preacher, “pardon those who have thus reported of + his servants! I will not offend thee, my son, by being instant out of + season—thou speakest but as thou art taught—yet sure I trust + that so goodly a youth will be still rescued, like a brand from the + burning.” + </p> + <p> + While he thus spoke, the verge of the morass was attained, and their path + lay on the declivity. Green-sward it was, and, viewed from a distance, + chequered with its narrow and verdant line the dark-brown heath which it + traversed, though the distinction was not so easily traced when they were + walking on it. {Footnote: This sort of path, visible when looked at from a + distance, but not to be seen when you are upon it, is called on the Border + by the significant name of a Blind-road.} The old man pursued his journey + with comparative ease; and, unwilling again to awaken the jealous zeal of + his young companion for the Roman faith, he discoursed on other matters. + The tone of his conversation was still grave, moral, and instructive. He + had travelled much, and knew both the language and manners of other + countries, concerning which Halbert Glendinning, already anticipating the + possibility of being obliged to leave Scotland for the deed he had done, + was naturally and anxiously desirous of information. By degrees he was + more attracted by the charms of the stranger's conversation than repelled + by the dread of his dangerous character as a heretic, and Halbert had + called him father more than once, ere the turrets of Avenel Castle came in + view. + </p> + <p> + The situation of this ancient fortress was remarkable. It occupied a small + rocky islet in a mountain lake, or <i>tarn,</i> as such a piece of water + is called in Westmoreland. The lake might be about a mile in + circumference, surrounded by hills of considerable height, which, except + where old trees and brushwood occupied the ravines that divided them from + each other, were bare and heathy. The surprise of the spectator was + chiefly excited by finding a piece of water situated in that high and + mountainous region, and the landscape around had features which might + rather be termed wild, than either romantic or sublime; yet the scene was + not without its charms. Under the burning sun of summer, the clear azure + of the deep unruffled lake refreshed the eye, and impressed the mind with + a pleasing feeling of deep solitude. In winter, when the snow lay on the + mountains around, these dazzling masses appeared to ascend far beyond + their wonted and natural height, while the lake, which stretched beneath, + and filled their bosom with all its frozen waves, lay like the surface of + a darkened and broken mirror around the black and rocky islet, and the + walls of the gray castle with which it was crowned. + </p> + <p> + As the castle occupied, either with its principal buildings, or with its + flanking and outward walls, every projecting point of rock, which served + as its site, it seemed as completely surrounded by water as the nest of a + wild swan, save where a narrow causeway extended betwixt the islet and the + shore. But the fortress was larger in appearance than in reality; and of + the buildings which it actually contained, many had become ruinous and + uninhabitable. In the times of the grandeur of the Avenel family, these + had been occupied by a considerable garrison of followers and retainers, + but they were now in a great measure deserted; and Julian Avenel would + probably have fixed his habitation in a residence better suited to his + diminished fortunes, had it not been for the great security which the + situation of the old castle afforded to a man of his precarious and + perilous mode of life. Indeed, in this respect, the spot could scarce have + been more happily chosen, for it could be rendered almost completely + inaccessible at the pleasure of the inhabitant. The distance betwixt the + nearest shore and the islet was not indeed above an hundred yards; but + then the causeway which connected them was extremely narrow, and + completely divided by two cuts, one in the mid-way between the islet and + shore, and another close under the outward gate of the castle. These + formed a formidable, and almost insurmountable interruption to any hostile + approach. Each was defended by a drawbridge, one of which, being that + nearest to the castle, was regularly raised at all times during the day, + and both were lifted at night. {Footnote: It is in vain to search near + Melrose for any such castle as is here described. The lakes at the head of + the Yarrow, and those at the rise of the water of Ale, present no object + of the kind. But in Vetholm Loch, (a romantic sheet of water, in the dry + march, as it is called,) there are the remains of a fortress called + Lochside Tower, which, like the supposed Castle of Avenel, is built upon + an island, and connected with the land by a causeway. It is much smaller + than the Castle of Avenel is described, consisting only of a single + tower.} + </p> + <p> + The situation of Julian Avenel, engaged in a variety of feuds, and a party + to almost every dark and mysterious transaction which was on foot in that + wild and military frontier, required all these precautions for his + security. His own ambiguous and doubtful course of policy had increased + these dangers; for as he made professions to both parties in the state, + and occasionally united more actively with either the one or the other, as + chanced best to serve his immediate purpose, he could not be said to have + either firm allies and protectors, or determined enemies. His life was a + life of expedients and of peril; and while, in pursuit of his interest, he + made all the doubles which he thought necessary to attain his object, he + often overran his prey, and missed that which he might have gained by + observing a straighter course. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0319m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0319m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0319.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-Fourth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I'll walk on tiptoe; arm my eye with caution, + My heart with courage, and my hand with weapon, + Like him who ventures on a lion's den. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + When, issuing from the gorge of a pass which terminated upon the lake, the + travellers came in sight of the ancient castle of Avenel, the old man + looked with earnest attention upon the scene before him. The castle was, + as we have said, in many places ruinous, as was evident, even at this + distance, by the broken, rugged, and irregular outline of the walls and of + the towers. In others it seemed more entire, and a pillar of dark smoke, + which ascended from the chimneys of the donjon, and spread its long dusky + pennon through the clear ether, indicated that it was inhabited. But no + corn-fields or enclosed pasture-grounds on the side of the lake showed + that provident attention to comfort and subsistence which usually appeared + near the houses of the greater, and even of the lesser barons. There were + no cottages with their patches of infield, and their crofts and gardens, + surrounded by rows of massive sycamores; no church with its simple tower + in the valley; no herds of sheep among the hills; no cattle on the lower + ground; nothing which intimated the occasional prosecution of the arts of + peace and of industry. It was plain that the inhabitants, whether few or + numerous, must be considered as the garrison of the castle, living within + its defended precincts, and subsisting by means which were other than + peaceful. + </p> + <p> + Probably it was with this conviction that the old man, gazing on the + castle, muttered to himself, “<i>Lapis offensionis et petra scandali!</i>” + and then, turning to Halbert Glendinning, he added, “We may say of yonder + fort as King James did of another fastness in this province, that he who + built it was a thief in his heart.” {Footnote: It was of Lochwood, the + hereditary fortress of the Johnstones of Aunandale, a strong castle + situated in the centre of a quaking bog, that James VI. made this remark.} + </p> + <p> + “But it was not so,” answered Glendinning; “yonder castle was built by the + old lords of Avenel, men as much beloved in peace as they were respected + in war. They were the bulwark of the frontiers against foreigners, and the + protectors of the natives from domestic oppression. The present usurper of + their inheritance no more resembles them, than the night-prowling owl + resembles a falcon, because she builds on the same rock.” + </p> + <p> + “This Julian Avenel, then, holds no high place in the love and regard of + his neighbours?” said Warden. + </p> + <p> + “So little,” answered Halbert, “that besides the jack-men and riders with + whom he has associated himself, and of whom he has many at his disposal, I + know of few who voluntarily associate with him. He has been more than once + outlawed both by England and Scotland, his lands declared forfeited, and + his head set at a price. But in these unquiet times, a man so daring as + Julian Avenel has ever found some friends willing to protect him against + the penalties of the law, on condition of his secret services.” + </p> + <p> + “You describe a dangerous man,” replied Warden. + </p> + <p> + “You may have experience of that,” replied the youth, “if you deal not the + more warily;—though it may be that he also has forsaken the + community of the church, and gone astray in the path of heresy.” + </p> + <p> + “What your blindness terms the path of heresy,” answered the reformer, “is + indeed the straight and narrow way, wherein he who walks turns not aside, + whether for worldly wealth or for worldly passions. Would to God this man + were moved by no other and no worse spirit than that which prompts my poor + endeavours to extend the kingdom of Heaven! This Baron of Avenel is + personally unknown to me, is not of our congregation or of our counsel; + yet I bear to him charges touching my safety, from those whom he must fear + if he does not respect them, and upon that assurance I will venture upon + his hold—I am now sufficiently refreshed by these few minutes of + repose.” + </p> + <p> + “Take then this advice for your safety,” said Halbert, “and believe that + it is founded upon the usage of this country and its inhabitants. If you + can better shift for yourself, go not to the Castle of Avenel—if you + do risk going thither, obtain from him, if possible, his safe conduct, and + beware that he swears it by the Black Rood—And lastly, observe + whether he eats with you at the board, or pledges you in the cup; for if + he gives you not these signs of welcome, his thoughts are evil towards + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said the preacher, “I have no better earthly refuge for the + present than these frowning towers, but I go thither trusting to aid which + is not of this earth—But thou, good youth, needest thou trust + thyself in this dangerous den?” + </p> + <p> + “I,” answered Halbert, “am in no danger. I am well known to Christie of + the Clinthill, the henchman of this Julian Avenel; and, what is a yet + better protection, I have nothing either to provoke malice or to tempt + plunder.” + </p> + <p> + The tramp of a steed, which clattered along the shingly banks of the loch, + was now heard behind them; and, when they looked back, a rider was + visible, his steel cap and the point of his long lance glancing in the + setting sun, as he rode rapidly towards them. + </p> + <p> + Halbert Glendinning soon recognized Christie of the Clinthill, and made + his companion aware that the henchman of Julian Avenel was approaching. + </p> + <p> + “Ha, youngling!” said Christie to Halbert, as he came up to them, “thou + hast made good my word at last, and come to take service with my noble + master, hast thou not? Thou shalt find a good friend and a true; and ere + Saint Barnaby come round again, thou shalt know every pass betwixt + Millburn Plain and Netherby, as if thou hadst been born with a jack on thy + back, and a lance in thy hand.—What old carle hast thou with thee?—He + is not of the brotherhood of Saint Mary's—at least he has not the + buist {Footnote: <i>Buist</i>—The brand, or mark, set upon sheep or + cattle, by their owners.} of these black cattle.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a wayfaring man,” said Halbert, “who has concerns with Julian of + Avenel. For myself, I intend to go to Edinburgh to see the court and the + Queen, and when I return hither we will talk of your proffer. Meantime, as + thou hast often invited me to the castle, I crave hospitality there + to-night for myself and my companion.” + </p> + <p> + “For thyself and welcome, young comrade,” replied Christie; “but we + harbour no pilgrims, nor aught that looks like a pilgrim.” + </p> + <p> + “So please you,” said Warden, “I have letters of commendation to thy + master from a sure friend, whom he will right willingly oblige in higher + matters than in affording me a brief protection.—And I am no + pilgrim, but renounce the same, with all its superstitious observances.” + He offered his letters to the horseman, who shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “These,” he said, “are matters for my master, and it will be well if he + can read them himself; for me, sword and lance are my book and psalter, + and have been since I was twelve years old. But I will guide you to the + castle, and the Baron of Avenel will himself judge of your errand.” + </p> + <p> + By this time the party had reached the causeway, along which Christie + advanced at a trot, intimating his presence to the warders within the + castle by a shrill and peculiar whistle. At this signal the farther + drawbridge was lowered. The horseman passed it, and disappeared under the + gloomy portal which was beyond it. + </p> + <p> + Glendinning and his companion advancing more leisurely along the rugged + causeway, stood at length under the same gateway, over which frowned, in + dark red freestone, the ancient armorial bearings of the house of Avenel, + which represented a female figure shrouded and muffled, which occupied the + whole field. The cause of their assuming so singular a device was + uncertain, but the figure was generally supposed to represent the + mysterious being called the White Lady of Avenel. {Footnote: There is an + ancient English family, I believe, which bears, or did bear, a ghost or + spirit passant sable in a field argent. This seems to have been a device + of a punning or <i>canting</i> herald.} The sight of this mouldering + shield awakened in the mind of Halbert the strange circumstances which had + connected his fate with that of Mary Avenel, and with the doings of the + spiritual being who was attached to her house, and whom he saw here, + represented in stone, as he had before seen her effigy upon the seal-ring + of Walter Avenel, which, with other trinkets formerly mentioned, had been + saved from pillage, and brought to Glendearg, when Mary's mother was + driven from her habitation. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0151m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0151m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0151.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “You sigh, my son,” said the old man, observing the impression made on his + youthful companion's countenance, but mistaking the cause; “if you fear to + enter, we may yet return.” + </p> + <p> + “That can ye not,” said Christie of the Clinthill, who emerged at that + instant from the side-door under the archway. “Look yonder, and choose + whether you will return skimming the water like a wild-duck, or winging + the air like a plover.” + </p> + <p> + They looked, and saw that the drawbridge which they had just crossed was + again raised, and now interposed its planks betwixt the setting sun and + the portal of the castle, deepening the gloom of the arch under which they + stood. Christie laughed and bid them follow him, saying, by way of + encouragement, in Halbert's ear, “Answer boldly and readily to whatever + the Baron asks you. Never stop to pick your words, and above all show no + fear of him—the devil is not so black as he is painted.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke thus, he introduced them into the large stone hall, at the + upper end of which blazed a huge fire of wood. The long oaken table, + which, as usual, occupied the midst of the apartment, was covered with + rude preparations for the evening meal of the Baron and his chief + domestics, five or six of whom, strong, athletic, savage-looking men, + paced up and down the lower end of the hall, which rang to the jarring + clang of their long swords that clashed as they moved, and to the heavy + tramp of their high-heeled jack-boots. Iron jacks, or coats of buff, + formed the principal part of their dress, and steel-bonnets, or large + slouched hats with Spanish plumes drooping backwards, were their head + attire. + </p> + <p> + The Baron of Avenel was one of those tall, muscular, martial figures, + which are the favourite subjects of Salvator Rosa. He wore a cloak which + had been once gaily trimmed, but which, by long wear and frequent exposure + to the weather, was now faded in its colours. Thrown negligently about his + tall person, it partly hid, and partly showed, a short doublet of buff, + under which was in some places visible that light shirt of mail which was + called a <i>secret</i>, because worn instead of more ostensible armour to + protect against private assassination. A leathern belt sustained a large + and heavy sword on one side, and on the other that gay poniard which had + once called Sir Piercie Shafton master, of which the hatchments and + gildings were already much defaced, either by rough usage or neglect. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the rudeness of his apparel, Julian Avenel's manner and + countenance had far more elevation than those of the attendants who + surrounded him. He might be fifty or upwards, for his dark hair was + mingled with gray, but age had neither tamed the fire of his eye nor the + enterprise of his disposition. His countenance had been handsome, for + beauty was an attribute of the family; but the lines were roughened by + fatigue and exposure to the weather, and rendered coarse by the habitual + indulgence of violent passions. + </p> + <p> + He seemed in deep and moody reflection, and was pacing at a distance from + his dependents along the upper end of the hall, sometimes stopping from + time to time to caress and feed a gos-hawk, which sat upon his wrist, with + its jesses (<i>i. e.</i> the leathern straps fixed to its legs) wrapt + around his hand. The bird, which seemed not insensible to its master's + attention, answered his caresses by ruffling forward its feathers, and + pecking playfully at his finger. At such intervals the Baron smiled, but + instantly resumed the darksome air of sullen meditation. He did not even + deign to look upon an object, which few could have passed and repassed so + often without bestowing on it a transient glance. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0329m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0329m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0329.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + This was a woman of exceeding beauty, rather gaily than richly attired, + who sat on a low seat close by the huge hall chimney. The gold chains + round her neck and arms,—the gay gown of green which swept the + floor,—the silver embroidered girdle, with its bunch of keys, + depending in house-wifely pride by a silver chain,—the yellow silken + <i>couvrechef</i> (Scottice, <i>curch</i>) which was disposed around her + head, and partly concealed her dark profusion of hair,—above all, + the circumstance so delicately touched in the old ballad, that “the girdle + was too short,” the “gown of green all too strait,” for the wearer's + present shape, would have intimated the Baron's lady. But then the lowly + seat,—the expression of deep melancholy, which was changed into a + timid smile whenever she saw the least chance of catching the eye of + Julian Avenel,—the subdued look of grief, and the starting tear for + which that constrained smile was again exchanged when she saw herself + entirely disregarded,—these were not the attributes of a wife, or + they were those of a dejected and afflicted female, who had yielded her + love on less than legitimate terms. + </p> + <p> + Julian Avenel, as we have said, continued to pace the hall without paying + any of that mute attention which is rendered to almost every female either + by affection or courtesy. He seemed totally unconscious of her presence, + or of that of his attendants, and was only roused from his own dark + reflections by the notice he paid to the falcon, to which, however, the + lady seemed to attend, as if studying to find either an opportunity of + speaking to the Baron, or of finding something enigmatical in the + expressions which he used to the bird. All this the strangers had time + enough to remark; for no sooner had they entered the apartment than their + usher, Christie of the Clinthill, after exchanging a significant glance + with the menials or troopers at the lower end of the apartment, signed to + Halbert Glendinning and to his companion to stand still near the door, + while he himself, advancing nearer the table, placed himself in such a + situation as to catch the Baron's observation when he should be disposed + to look around, but without presuming to intrude himself on his master's + notice. Indeed, the look of this man, naturally bold, hardy, and + audacious, seemed totally changed when he was in presence of his master, + and resembled the dejected and cowering manner of a quarrelsome dog when + rebuked by his owner, or when he finds himself obliged to deprecate the + violence of a superior adversary of his own species. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the novelty of his own situation, and every painful feeling + connected with it, Halbert felt his curiosity interested in the female, + who sate by the chimney unnoticed and unregarded. He marked with what keen + and trembling solicitude she watched the broken words of Julian, and how + her glance stole towards him, ready to be averted upon the slightest + chance of his perceiving himself to be watched. + </p> + <p> + Meantime he went on with his dalliance with his feathered favourite, now + giving, now withholding, the morsel with which he was about to feed the + bird, and so exciting its appetite and gratifying it by turns. “What! more + yet?—thou foul kite, thou wouldst never have done—give thee + part thou wilt have all—Ay, prune thy feathers, and prink thyself + gay—much thou wilt make of it now—dost think I know thee not?—dost + think I see not that all that ruffling and pluming of wing and feathers is + not for thy master, but to try what thou canst make of him, thou greedy + gled?—well—there—take it then, and rejoice thyself—little + boon goes far with thee, and with all thy sex—and so it should.” + </p> + <p> + He ceased to look on the bird, and again traversed the apartment. Then + taking another small piece of raw meat from the trencher, on which it was + placed ready cut for his use, he began once again to tempt and tease the + bird, by offering and withdrawing it, until he awakened its wild and bold + disposition. “What! struggling, fluttering, aiming at me with beak and + single? {Footnote: In the <i>kindly</i> language of hawking, as Lady + Juliana Berners terms it, hawks' talons are called their <i>singles</i>} + So la! So la! wouldst mount? wouldst fly? the jesses are round thy + clutches, fool—thou canst neither stir nor soar but by my will—Beware + thou come to reclaim, wench, else I will wring thy head off one of these + days—Well, have it then, and well fare thou with it.—So ho, + Jenkin!” One of the attendants stepped forward—“Take the foul gled + hence to the mew—or, stay; leave her, but look well to her casting + and to her bathing—we will see her fly to-morrow.—How now, + Christie, so soon returned?” + </p> + <p> + Christie advanced to his master, and gave an account of himself and his + journey, in the way in which a police-officer holds communication with his + magistrate, that is, as much by signs as by words. + </p> + <p> + “Noble sir,” said that worthy satellite, “the Laird of—,” he named + no place, but pointed with his finger in a south-western direction,— + “may not ride with you the day he purposed, because the Lord Warden has + threatened that he will—” + </p> + <p> + Here another blank, intelligibly enough made up by the speaker touching + his own neck with his left fore-finger, and leaning his head a little to + one side. + </p> + <p> + “Cowardly caitiff!” said Julian; “by Heaven! the whole world turns sheer + naught—it is not worth a brave man's living in—ye may ride a + day and night, and never see a feather wave or hear a horse prance—the + spirit of our fathers is dead amongst us—the very brutes are + degenerated—the cattle we bring at our life's risk are mere carrion—our + hawks are riflers {Footnote: So called when they only caught their prey by + the feathers.}—our hounds are turnspits and trindle-tails—our + men are women—and our women are—” + </p> + <p> + He looked at the female for the first time, and stopped short in the midst + of what he was about to say, though there was something so contemptuous in + the glance, that the blank might have been thus filled up—“Our women + are such as she is.” + </p> + <p> + He said it not, however, and as if desirous of attracting his attention at + all risks, and in whatever manner, she rose and came forward to him, but + with a timorousness ill-disguised by affected gaiety.—“Our women, + Julian—what would you say of the women?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” answered Julian Avenel, “at least nothing but that they are + kind-hearted wenches like thyself, Kate.” The female coloured deeply, and + returned to her seat.—“And what strangers hast thou brought with + thee, Christie, that stand yonder like two stone statues?” said the Baron. + </p> + <p> + “The taller,” answered Christie, “is, so please you, a young fellow called + Halbert Glendinning, the eldest son of the old widow at Glendearg.” + </p> + <p> + “What brings him here?” said the Baron; “hath he any message from Mary + Avenel?” + </p> + <p> + “Not as I think,” said Christie; “the youth is roving the country—he + was always a wild slip, for I have known him since he was the height of my + sword.” + </p> + <p> + “What qualities hath he?” said the Baron. + </p> + <p> + “All manner of qualities,” answered his follower—“he can strike a + buck, track a deer, fly a hawk, halloo to a hound—he shoots in the + long and crossbow to a hair's breadth—wields a lance or sword like + myself nearly—backs a horse manfully and fairly—I wot not what + more a man need to do to make him a gallant companion.” + </p> + <p> + “And who,” said the Baron, “is the old miser {Footnote: Miser, used in the + sense in which it often occurs in Spenser, and which is indeed its literal + import—“wretched old man."} who stands beside him?” + </p> + <p> + “Some cast of a priest as I fancy—he says he is charged with letters + to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Bid them come forward,” said the Baron; and no sooner had they approached + him more nearly, than, struck by the fine form and strength displayed by + Halbert Glendinning, he addressed him thus: “I am told, young Swankie, + that you are roaming the world to seek your fortune,—if you will + serve Julian Avenel, you may find it without going farther.” + </p> + <p> + “So please you,” answered Glendinning, “something has chanced to me that + makes it better I should leave this land, and I am bound for Edinburgh.” + </p> + <p> + “What!—thou hast stricken some of the king's deer, I warrant,—or + lightened the meadows of Saint Mary's of some of their beeves—or + thou hast taken a moonlight leap over the border?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” said Halbert, “my case is entirely different.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I warrant thee,” said the Baron, “thou hast stabbed some brother + churl in a fray about a wench—thou art a likely lad to wrangle in + such a cause.” + </p> + <p> + Ineffably disgusted at his tone and manner, Halbert Glendinning remained + silent, while the thought darted across his mind, what would Julian Avenel + have said, had he known the quarrel of which he spoke so lightly, had + arisen on account of his own brother's daughter! “But be thy cause of + flight what it will,” said Julian, in continuation, “dost thou think the + law or its emissaries can follow thee into this island, or arrest thee + under the standard of Avenel?—Look at the depth of the lake, the + strength of the walls, the length of the causeway—look at my men, + and think if they are likely to see a comrade injured, or if I, their + master, am a man to desert a faithful follower, in good or evil. I tell + thee it shall be an eternal day of truce betwixt thee and justice, as they + call it, from the instant thou hast put my colours into thy cap—thou + shalt ride by the Warden's nose as thou wouldst pass an old market-woman, + and ne'er a cur which follows him shall dare to bay at thee!” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you for your offers, noble sir,” replied Halbert, “but I must + answer in brief, that I cannot profit by them—my fortunes lead me + elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a self-willed fool for thy pains,” said Julian, turning from + him; and signing Christie to approach, he whispered in his ear, “there is + promise in that young fellow's looks, Christie, and we want men of limbs + and sinews so compacted—those thou hast brought to me of late are + the mere refuse of mankind, wretches scarce worth the arrow that ends + them: this youngster is limbed like Saint George. Ply him with wine and + wassail—let the wenches weave their meshes about him like spiders—thou + understandest?” Christie gave a sagacious nod of intelligence, and fell + back to a respectful distance from his master.—“And thou, old man,” + said the Baron, turning to the elder traveller, “hast thou been roaming + the world after fortune too?—it seems not she has fallen into thy + way.” + </p> + <p> + “So please you,” replied Warden, “I were perhaps more to be pitied than I + am now, had I indeed met with that fortune, which, like others, I have + sought in my greener days.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, understand me, friend,” said the Baron; “if thou art satisfied with + thy buckram gown and long staff, I also am well content thou shouldst be + as poor and contemptible as is good for the health of thy body and soul—All + I care to know of thee is, the cause which hath brought thee to my castle, + where few crows of thy kind care to settle. Thou art, I warrant thee, some + ejected monk of a suppressed convent, paying in his old days the price of + the luxurious idleness in which he spent his youth.—Ay, or it may be + some pilgrim with a budget of lies from Saint James of Compostella, or Our + Lady of Loretto; or thou mayest be some pardoner with his budget of relics + from Rome, forgiving sins at a penny a-dozen, and one to the tale.—Ay, + I guess why I find thee in this boy's company, and doubtless thou wouldst + have such a strapping lad as he to carry thy wallet, and relieve thy lazy + shoulders; but by the mass I will cross thy cunning. I make my vow to sun + and moon, I will not see a proper lad so misleard as to run the country + with an old knave like Simmie and his brother. {Footnote: Two <i>quaestionarii</i>, + or begging friars, whose accoutrements and roguery make the subject of an + old Scottish satirical poem} Away with thee!” he added, rising in wrath, + and speaking so fast as to give no opportunity of answer, being probably + determined to terrify the elder guest into an abrupt flight—“Away + with thee, with thy clouted coat, scrip, and scallop-shell, or, by the + name of Avenel, I will have them loose the hounds on thee.” + </p> + <p> + Warden waited with the greatest patience until Julian Avenel, astonished + that the threats and violence of his language made no impression on him, + paused in a sort of wonder, and said in a less imperious tone, “Why the + fiend dost thou not answer me?” + </p> + <p> + “When you have done speaking,” said Warden, in the same composed manner, + “it will be full time to reply.” + </p> + <p> + “Say on man, in the devil's name—but take heed—beg not here—were + it but for the rinds of cheese, the refuse of the rats, or a morsel that + my dogs would turn from—neither a grain of meal, nor the nineteenth + part of a gray groat, will I give to any feigned limmer of thy coat.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be,” answered Warden, “that you would have less quarrel with my + coat if you knew what it covers, I am neither a friar nor mendicant, and + would be right glad to hear thy testimony against these foul deceivers of + God's church, and usurpers of his rights over the Christian flock, were it + given in Christian charity.” + </p> + <p> + “And who or what art thou, then,” said Avenel, “that thou comest to this + Border land, and art neither monk, nor soldier, nor broken man?” + </p> + <p> + “I am an humble teacher of the holy word,” answered Warden. “This letter + from a most noble person will speak why I am here at this present time.” + </p> + <p> + He delivered the letter to the Baron, who regarded the seal with some + surprise, and then looked on the letter itself, which seemed to excite + still more. He then fixed his eyes on the stranger, and said, in a + menacing tone, “I think thou darest not betray me or deceive me?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not the man to attempt either,” was the concise reply. + </p> + <p> + Julian Avenel carried the letter to the window, where he perused, or at + least attempted to peruse it more than once, often looking from the paper + and gazing on the stranger who had delivered it, as if he meant to read + the purport of the missive in the face of the messenger. Julian at length + called to the female,—“Catherine, bestir thee, and fetch me + presently that letter which I bade thee keep ready at hand in thy casket, + having no sure lockfast place of my own.” + </p> + <p> + Catherine went with the readiness of one willing to be employed; and as + she walked, the situation which requires a wider gown and a longer girdle, + and in which woman claims from man a double portion of the most anxious + care, was still more visible than before. She soon returned with the + paper, and was rewarded with a cold—“I thank thee, wench; thou art a + careful secretary.” + </p> + <p> + This second paper he also perused and reperused more than once, and still, + as he read it, bent from time to time a wary and observant eye upon Henry + Warden. This examination and re-examination, though both the man and the + place were dangerous, the preacher endured with the most composed and + steady countenance, seeming, under the eagle, or rather the vulture eye of + the baron, as unmoved as under the gaze of an ordinary and peaceful + peasant. At length Julian Avenel folded both papers, and having put them + into the pocket of his cloak, cleared his brow, and, coming forward, + addressed his female companion. “Catherine,” said he, “I have done this + good man injustice, when I mistook him for one of the drones of Rome. He + is a preacher, Catherine—a preacher of the—the new doctrine of + the Lords of the Congregation.” + </p> + <p> + “The doctrine of the blessed Scriptures,” said the preacher, “purified + from the devices of men.” + </p> + <p> + “Sayest thou?” said Julian Avenel—“Well, thou mayest call it what + thou lists; but to me it is recommended, because it flings off all those + sottish dreams about saints and angels and devils, and unhorses lazy monks + that have ridden us so long, and spur-galled us so hard. No more masses + and corpse-gifts—no more tithes and offerings to make men poor—no + more prayers or psalms to make men cowards-no more christenings and + penances, and confessions and marriages.” + </p> + <p> + “So please you,” said Henry Warden, “it is against the corruptions, not + against the fundamental doctrines, of the church, which we desire to + renovate, and not to abolish.” + </p> + <p> + “Prithee, peace, man,” said the Baron; “we of the laity care not what you + set up, so you pull merrily down what stands in our way. Specially it + suits well with us of the Southland fells; for it is our profession to + turn the world upside down, and we live ever the blithest life when the + downer side is uppermost.” + </p> + <p> + Warden would have replied; but the Baron allowed him not time, striking + the table with the hilt of his dagger, and crying out,—“Ha! you + loitering knaves, bring our supper-meal quickly. See you not this holy man + is exhausted for lack of food? heard ye ever of priest or preacher that + devoured not his five meals a-day?” + </p> + <p> + The attendants bustled to and fro, and speedily brought in several large + smoking platters filled with huge pieces of beef, boiled and roasted, but + without any variety whatsoever; without vegetables, and almost without + bread, though there was at the upper end a few oat-cakes in a basket. + Julian Avenel made a sort of apology to Warden. + </p> + <p> + “You have been commended to our care, Sir Preacher, since that is your + style, by a person whom we highly honour.” + </p> + <p> + “I am assured,” said Warden, “that the most noble Lord—” + </p> + <p> + “Prithee, peace, man,” said Avenel; “what need of naming names, so we + understand each other? I meant but to speak in reference to your safety + and comfort, of which he desires us to be chary. Now, for your safety, + look at my walls and water. But touching your comfort, we have no corn of + our own, and the meal-girnels of the south are less easily transported + than their beeves, seeing they have no legs to walk upon. But what though? + a stoup of wine thou shalt have, and of the best—thou shalt sit + betwixt Catherine and me at the board-end.—And, Christie, do thou + look to the young springald, and call to the cellarer for a flagon of the + best.” + </p> + <p> + The Baron took his wonted place at the upper end of the board; his + Catherine sate down, and courteously pointed to a seat betwixt them for + their reverend guest. But notwithstanding the influence both of hunger and + fatigue, Henry Warden retained his standing posture. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-Fifth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When lovely woman stoops to folly, + And finds too late that men betray— +</pre> + <p> + Julian Avenel saw with surprise the demeanour of the reverend stranger. + “Beshrew me,” he said, “these new-fashioned religioners have fast-days, I + warrant me—the old ones used to confer these blessings chiefly on + the laity.” + </p> + <p> + “We acknowledge no such rule,” said the preacher—“We hold that our + faith consists not in using or abstaining from special meats on special + days; and in fasting we rend our hearts, and not our garments.” + </p> + <p> + “The better—the better for yourselves, and the worse for Tom + Tailor,” said the Baron; “but come, sit down, or, if thou needs must e'en + give us a cast of thy office, mutter thy charm.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Baron,” said the preacher, “I am in a strange land, where neither + mine office nor my doctrine are known, and where, it would seem, both are + greatly misunderstood. It is my duty so to bear me, that in my person, + however unworthy, my Master's dignity may be respected, and that sin may + take not confidence from relaxation of the bonds of discipline.” + </p> + <p> + “Ho la! halt there,” said the Baron; “thou wert sent hither for thy + safety, but not, I think, to preach to me, or control me. What is it thou + wouldst have, Sir Preacher? Remember thou speakest to one somewhat short + of patience, who loves a short health and a long draught.” + </p> + <p> + “In a word, then,” said Henry Warden, “that lady—” + </p> + <p> + “How?” said the Baron, starting—“what of her?—what hast thou + to say of that dame?” + </p> + <p> + “Is she thy house-dame?” said the preacher, after a moment's pause, in + which, he seemed to seek for the best mode of expressing what he had to + say—“Is she, in brief, thy wife?” + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate young woman pressed both her hands on her face, as if to + hide it, but the deep blush which crimsoned her brow and neck, showed that + her cheeks were also glowing; and the bursting tears, which found their + way betwixt her slender fingers, bore witness to her sorrow, as well as to + her shame. + </p> + <p> + “Now, by my father's ashes!” said the Baron, rising and spurning from him + his footstool with such violence, that it hit the wall on the opposite + side of the apartment—then instantly constraining himself, he + muttered, “What need to run myself into trouble for a fool's word?”—then + resuming his seat, he answered coldly and scornfully—“No, Sir Priest + or Sir Preacher, Catherine is not my wife—Cease thy whimpering, thou + foolish wench—she is not my wife, but she is handfasted with me, and + that makes her as honest a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Handfasted?”—repeated Warden. + </p> + <p> + “Knowest thou not that rite, holy man?” said Avenel, in the same tone of + derision; “then I will tell thee. We Border-men are more wary than your + inland clowns of Fife and Lothian—no jump in the dark for us—no + clenching the fetters around our wrists till we know how they will wear + with us—we take our wives, like our horses, upon trial. When we are + handfasted, as we term it, we are man and wife for a year and day—that + space gone by, each may choose another mate, or, at their pleasure, may + call the priest to marry them for life—and this we call + handfasting.” {Footnote: This custom of handfasting actually prevailed in + the upland days. It arose partly from the want of priests. While the + convents subsisted, monks were detached on regular circuits through the + wilder districts, to marry those who had lived in this species of + connexion. A practice of the same kind existed in the Isle of Portland.} + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said the preacher, “I tell thee, noble Baron, in brotherly love to + thy soul, it is a custom licentious, gross, and corrupted, and, if + persisted in, dangerous, yea, damnable. It binds thee to the frailer being + while she is the object of desire—it relieves thee when she is most + the subject of pity—it gives all to brutal sense, and nothing to + generous and gentle affection. I say to thee, that he who can meditate the + breach of such an engagement, abandoning the deluded woman and the + helpless offspring, is worse than the birds of prey; for of them the males + remain with their mates until the nestlings can take wing. Above all, I + say it is contrary to the pure Christian doctrine, which assigns woman to + man as the partner of his labour, the soother of his evil, his helpmate in + peril, his friend in affliction; not as the toy of his looser hours, or as + a flower, which, once cropped, he may throw aside at pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by the Saints, a most virtuous homily!” said the Baron; “quaintly + conceived and curiously pronounced, and to a well-chosen congregation. + Hark ye, Sir Gospeller! trow ye to have a fool in hand? Know I not that + your sect rose by bluff Harry Tudor, merely because ye aided him to change + <i>his</i> Kate; and wherefore should I not use the same Christian liberty + with <i>mine?</i> Tush, man! bless the good food, and meddle not with what + concerns thee not—thou hast no gull in Julian Avenel.” + </p> + <p> + “He hath gulled and cheated himself,” said the preacher, “should he even + incline to do that poor sharer of his domestic cares the imperfect justice + that remains to him. Can he now raise her to the rank of a pure and + uncontaminated matron?—Can he deprive his child of the misery of + owing birth to a mother who has erred? He can indeed give them both the + rank, the state of married wife and of lawful son; but, in public opinion, + their names will be smirched and sullied with a stain which his tardy + efforts cannot entirely efface. Yet render it to them, Baron of Avenel, + render to them this late and imperfect justice. Bid me bind you together + for ever, and celebrate the day of your bridal, not with feasting or + wassail, but with sorrow for past sin, and the resolution to commence a + better life. Happy then will have the chance been that has drawn me to + this castle, though I come driven by calamity, and unknowing where my + course is bound, like a leaf travelling on the north wind.” + </p> + <p> + The plain, and even coarse features, of the zealous speaker, were warmed + at once and ennobled by the dignity of his enthusiasm; and the wild Baron, + lawless as he was, and accustomed to spurn at the control whether of + religious or moral law, felt, for the first time perhaps in his life, that + he was under subjection to a mind superior to his own. He sat mute and + suspended in his deliberations, hesitating betwixt anger and shame, yet + borne down by the weight of the just rebuke thus boldly fulminated against + him. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate young woman, conceiving hopes from her tyrant's silence + and apparent indecision, forgot both her fear and shame in her timid + expectation that Avenel would relent; and fixing upon him her anxious and + beseeching eyes, gradually drew near and nearer to his seat, till at + length, laying a trembling hand on his cloak, she ventured to utter, “O + noble Julian, listen to the good man!” + </p> + <p> + The speech and the motion were ill-timed, and wrought on that proud and + wayward spirit the reverse of her wishes. + </p> + <p> + The fierce Baron started up in a fury, exclaiming, “What! thou foolish + callet, art thou confederate with this strolling vagabond, whom thou hast + seen beard me in my own hall! Hence with thee, and think that I ana proof + both to male and female hypocrisy!” + </p> + <p> + The poor girl started back, astounded at his voice of thunder and looks of + fury, and, turning pale as death, endeavoured to obey his orders, and + tottered towards the door. Her limbs failed in the attempt, and she fell + on the stone floor in a manner which her situation might have rendered + fatal—The blood gushed from her face.—Halbert Glendinning + brooked not a sight so brutal, but, uttering a deep imprecation, started + from his seat, and laid his hand on his sword, under the strong impulse of + passing it through the body of the cruel and hard-hearted ruffian. But + Christie of the Clinthill, guessing his intention, threw his arms around + him, and prevented him from stirring to execute his purpose. + </p> + <p> + The impulse to such an act of violence was indeed but momentary, as it + instantly appeared that Avenel himself, shocked at the effects of his + violence, was lifting up and endeavouring to soothe in his own way the + terrified Catherine. + </p> + <p> + “Peace,” he said, “prithee, peace, thou silly minion—why, Kate, + though I listen not to this tramping preacher, I said not what might + happen an thou dost bear me a stout boy. There—there—dry thy + tears—Call thy women.—So ho!—where be these queans?—Christie—Rowley—Hutcheon—drag + them hither by the hair of the head!” + </p> + <p> + A half dozen of startled wild-looking females rushed into the room, and + bore out her who might be either termed their mistress or their companion. + She showed little sign of life, except by groaning faintly and keeping her + hand on her side. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had this luckless female been conveyed from the apartment, than + the Baron, advancing to the table, filled and drank a deep goblet of wine; + then, putting an obvious restraint on his passions, turned to the + preacher, who stood horror-struck at the scene he had witnessed, and said, + “You have borne too hard on us, Sir Preacher—but coming with the + commendations which you have brought me, I doubt not but your meaning was + good. But we are a wilder folk than you inland men of Fife and Lothian. Be + advised, therefore, by me—Spur not an unbroken horse—put not + your ploughshare too deep into new land—Preach to us spiritual + liberty, and we will hearken to you.—But we will give no way to + spiritual bondage.—Sit, therefore, down, and pledge me in old sack, + and we will talk over these matters.” + </p> + <p> + “It is <i>from</i> spiritual bondage,” said the preacher, in the same tone + of admonitory reproof, “that I came to deliver you—it is from a + bondage more fearful than than that of the heaviest earthly gyves—it + is from your own evil passions.” + </p> + <p> + “Sit down,” said Avenel, fiercely; “sit down while the play is good—else + by my father's crest and my mother's honour!——” + </p> + <p> + “Now,” whispered Christie of the Clinthill to Halbert, “if he refuse to + sit down, I would not give a gray groat for his head.” + </p> + <p> + “Lord Baron,” said Warden, “thou hast placed me in extremity. But if the + question be, whether I am to hide the light which I am commanded to show + forth, or to lose the light of this world, my choice is made. I say to + thee, like the Holy Baptist to Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have + this woman; and I say it though bonds and death be the consequence, + counting my life as nothing in comparison of the ministry to which I am + called.” + </p> + <p> + Julian Avenel, enraged at the firmness of this reply, flung from his right + hand the cup in which he was about to drink to his guest, and from the + other cast off the hawk, which flew wildly through the apartment. His + first motion was to lay hand upon his dagger. But, changing his + resolution, he exclaimed, “To the dungeon with this insolent stroller!—I + will hear no man speak a word for him——Look to the falcon, + Christie, thou fool—an she escape, I will despatch you after her + every man—Away with that hypocritical dreamer—drag him hence + if he resist!” + </p> + <p> + He was obeyed in both points. Christie of the Clinthill arrested the + hawk's flight, by putting his foot on her jesses, and so holding her fast, + while Henry Warden was led off, without having shown the slightest + symptoms of terror, by two of the Baron's satellites. Julian Avenel walked + the apartment for a short time in sullen silence, and despatching one of + his attendants with a whispered message, which probably related to the + health of the unfortunate Catherine, he said aloud, “These rash and + meddling priests—By Heaven! they make us worse than we would be + without them.” + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: If it were necessary to name a prototype for this brutal, + licentious and cruel Border chief, in an age which showed but too many + such, the Laird of Black Ormiston might be selected for that purpose. He + was a friend and confidant of Bothwell, and an agent in Henry Darnley's + murder. At his last stage, he was, like other great offenders, a seeming + penitent; and, as his confession bears, divers gentlemen and servants + being in the chamber, he said, “For God's sake, sit down and pray for me, + for I have been a great sinner otherwise,” (that is, besides his share in + Darnley's death,) “for the which God is this day punishing me; for of all + men on the earth, I have been one of the proudest, and most high-minded, + and most unclean of my body. But specially I have shed the innocent blood + of one Michael Hunter with my own hands. Alas, therefore! because the said + Michael, having me lying on my back, having a fork in his hand, might have + slain me if he had pleased, and did it not, which of all things grieves me + most in conscience. Also, in a rage, I hanged a poor man for a horse;—with + many other wicked deeds, for whilk I ask my God mercy. It is not marvel I + have been wicked, considering the wicked company that ever I have been in, + but specially within the seven years by-past, in which I never saw two + good men or one good deed, but all kind of wickedness, and yet God would + not suffer me to be lost.”—See the whole confession in the State + Trials. + </p> + <p> + Another worthy of the Borders, called Geordy Bourne, of somewhat + subordinate rank, was a similar picture of profligacy. He had fallen into + the hands of Sir Robert Carey, then Warden of the English East Marches, + who gives the following account of his prisoner's confession:— + </p> + <p> + “When all things were quiet, and the watch set at night, after supper, + about ten of the clock, I took one of my men's liveries, and put it about + me, and took two other of my servants with me in their liveries; and we + three, as the Warden's men, came to the Provost Marshal's where Bourne + was, and were let into his chamber. We sate down by him, and told him that + we were desirous to see him, because we heard he was stout and valiant, + and true to his friend, and that we were sorry our master could not be + moved to save his life. He voluntarily of himself said, that he had lived + long enough to do so many villanies as he had done; and withal told us, + that he had lain with above forty men's wives, what in England what in + Scotland; and that he had killed seven Englishmen with his own hands, + cruelly murdering them; and that he had spent his whole time in whoring, + drinking, stealing, and taking deep revenge for slight offences. He seemed + to be very penitent, and much desired a minister for the comfort of his + soul. We promised him to let our master know his desire, who, we knew + would promptly grant it. We took leave of him; and presently I took order + that Mr Selby, a very honest preacher, should go to him, and not stir from + him till his execution the next morning; for after I had heard his own + confession, I was resolved no conditions should save his life, and so took + order, that at the gates opening the next morning, he should be carried to + execution, which accordingly was performed.”—<i>Memoirs of Sir + Robert Carey, Earl of Monmouth.</i>} + </p> + <p> + The answer which he presently received seemed somewhat to pacify his angry + mood, and he took his place at the board, commanding his retinue to the + like. All sat down in silence, and began the repast. + </p> + <p> + During the meal Christie in vain attempted to engage his youthful + companion in carousal, or, at least, in conversation. Halbert Glendinning + pleaded fatigue, and expressed himself unwilling to take any liquor + stronger than the heather ale, which was at that time frequently used at + meals. Thus every effort at jovialty died away, until the Baron, striking + his hand against the table, as if impatient of the long unbroken silence, + cried out aloud, “What, ho! my masters—are ye Border-riders, and sit + as mute over your meal as a mess of monks and friars?—Some one sing, + if no one list to speak. Much eaten without either mirth or music is ill + of digestion.—Louis,” he added, speaking to one of the youngest of + his followers, “thou art ready enough to sing when no one bids thee.” + </p> + <p> + The young man looked first at his master, then up to the arched roof of + the hall, then drank off the horn of ale, or wine, which stood beside him, + and with a rough, yet not unmelodious voice, sung the following ditty to + the ancient air of “Blue bonnets over the Border.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. + + March, march, Ettrick and Teviotdale, + Why the deil dinna ye march forward in order? + March, march, Eskdale and Liddesdale, + All the Blue Bonnets are bound for the Border + Many a banner spread, + Flutters above your head, + Many a crest that is famous in story; + Mount and make ready then, + Sons of the mountain glen, + Fight for the Queen and the old Scottish glory! + + II. + + Come from the hills where the hirsels are grazing, + Come from the glen of the buck and the roe; + Come to the crag where the beacon is blazing, + Come with the buckler, the lance, and the bow. + Trumpets are sounding, + War-steeds are bounding, + Stand to your arms then, and march in good order; + England shall many a day + Tell of the bloody fray, + When the Blue Bonnets came over the Border! +</pre> + <p> + The song, rude as it was, had in it that warlike character which at any + other time would have roused Halbert's spirit; but at present the charm of + minstrelsy had no effect upon him. He made it his request to Christie to + suffer him to retire to rest, a request with which that worthy person, + seeing no chance of making a favourable impression on his intended + proselyte in his present humour, was at length pleased to comply. But no + Sergeant Kite, who ever practised the profession of recruiting, was more + attentive that his object should not escape him, than was Christie of the + Clinthill. He indeed conducted Halbert Glendinning to a small apartment + overlooking the lake, which was accommodated with a truckle bed. But + before quitting him, Christie took special care to give a look to the bars + which crossed the outside of the window, and when he left the apartment, + he failed not to give the key a double turn; circumstances which convinced + young Glendinning that there was no intention of suffering him to depart + from the Castle of Avenel at his own time and pleasure. He judged it, + however, most prudent to let these alarming symptoms pass without + observation. + </p> + <p> + No sooner did he find himself in undisturbed solitude, than he ran rapidly + over the events of the day in his recollection, and to his surprise found + that his own precarious fate, and even the death of Piercie Shafton, made + less impression on him than the singularly bold and determined conduct of + his companion, Henry Warden. Providence, which suits its instruments to + the end they are to achieve, had awakened in the cause of Reformation in + Scotland, a body of preachers of more energy than refinement, bold in + spirit, and strong in faith, contemners of whatever stood betwixt them and + their principal object, and seeking the advancement of the great cause in + which they laboured by the roughest road, provided it were the shortest. + The soft breeze may wave the willow, but it requires the voice of the + tempest to agitate the boughs of the oak; and, accordingly, to milder + hearers, and in a less rude age, their manners would have been + ill-adapted, but they were singularly successful in their mission to the + rude people to whom it was addressed. + </p> + <p> + Owing to these reasons, Halbert Glendinning, who had resisted and repelled + the arguments of the preacher, was forcibly struck by the firmness of his + demeanour in the dispute with Julian Avenel. It might be discourteous, and + most certainly it was incautious, to choose such a place and such an + audience, for upbraiding with his transgressions a baron, whom both + manners and situation placed in full possession of independent power. But + the conduct of the preacher was uncompromising, firm, manly, and obviously + grounded upon the deepest conviction which duty and principle could + afford; and Glendinning, who had viewed the conduct of Avenel with the + deepest abhorrence, was proportionally interested in the brave old man, + who had ventured life rather than withhold the censure due to guilt. This + pitch of virtue seemed to him to be in religion what was demanded by + chivalry of her votaries in war; an absolute surrender of all selfish + feelings, and a combination of every energy proper to the human mind, to + discharge the task which duty demanded. + </p> + <p> + Halbert was at the period when youth was most open to generous emotions, + and knows best how to appreciate them in others, and he felt, although he + hardly knew why, that, whether catholic or heretic, the safety of this man + deeply interested him. Curiosity mingled with the feeling, and led him to + wonder what the nature of those doctrines could be, which stole their + votary so completely from himself, and devoted him to chains or to death + as their sworn champion. He had indeed been told of saints and martyrs of + former days, who had braved for their religious faith the extremity of + death and torture. But their spirit of enthusiastic devotion had long + slept in the ease and indolent habits of their successors, and their + adventures, like those of knights-errant, were rather read for amusement + than for edification. A new impulse had been necessary to rekindle the + energies of religious zeal, and that impulse was now operating in favour + of a purer religion, with one of whose steadiest votaries the youth had + now met for the first time. + </p> + <p> + The sense that he himself was a prisoner, under the power of this savage + chieftain, by no means diminished Halbert's interest in the fate of his + fellow sufferer, while he determined at the same time so far to emulate + his fortitude, that neither threats nor suffering should compel him to + enter into the service of such a master. The possibility of escape next + occurred to him, and though with little hope of effecting it in that way, + Glendinning proceeded to examine more particularly the window of the + apartment. The apartment was situated in the first story of the castle; + and was not so far from the rock, on which it was founded, but that an + active and bold man might with little assistance descend to a shelf of + rock which was immediately below the window, and from thence either leap + or drop himself down into the lake which lay before his eye, clear and + blue in the placid light of a full summer's moon.—“Were I once + placed on that ledge,” thought Glendinning, “Julian Avenel and Christie + had seen the last of me.” The size of the window favoured such an attempt, + but the stanchions or iron bars seemed to form an insurmountable obstacle. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0418m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0418m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0418.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + While Halbert Glendinning gazed from the window with that eagerness of + hope which was prompted by the energy of his character and his + determination not to yield to circumstances, his ear caught some sounds + from below, and listening with more attention, he could distinguish the + voice of the preacher engaged in his solitary devotions. To open a + correspondence with him became immediately his object, and failing to do + so by less marked sounds, he at length ventured to speak, and was answered + from beneath—“Is it thou, my son?” The voice of the prisoner now + sounded more distinctly than when it was first heard, for Warden had + approached the small aperture, which, serving his prison for a window, + opened just betwixt the wall and the rock, and admitted a scanty portion + of light through a wall of immense thickness. This <i>soupirait</i> being + placed exactly under Halbert's window, the contiguity permitted the + prisoners to converse in a low tone, when Halbert declared his intention + to escape, and the possibility he saw of achieving his purpose, but for + the iron stanchions of the window—“Prove thy strength, my son, in + the name of God” said the preacher. Halbert obeyed him more in despair + than hope, but to his great astonishment, and somewhat to his terror, the + bar parted asunder near the bottom, and the longer part being easily bent + outwards, and not secured with lead in the upper socket, dropt out into + Halbert's hand. He immediately whispered, but as energetically as a + whisper could be expressed—“By Heaven, the bar has given way in my + hand!” + </p> + <p> + “Thank Heaven, my son, instead of swearing by it,” answered Warden from + his dungeon. + </p> + <p> + With little effort Halbert Glendinning forced himself through the opening + thus wonderfully effected, and using his leathern sword-belt as a rope to + assist him, let himself safely drop on the shelf of rock upon which the + preacher's window opened. But through this no passage could be effected, + being scarce larger than a loop-hole for musketry, and apparently + constructed for that purpose. + </p> + <p> + “Are there no means by which I can assist your escape, my father?” said + Halbert. + </p> + <p> + “There are none, my son,” answered the preacher; “but if thou wilt ensure + my safety, that may be in thy power.” + </p> + <p> + “I will labour earnestly for it,” said the youth. + </p> + <p> + “Take then a letter which I will presently write, for I have the means of + light and writing materials in my scrip—Hasten towards Edinburgh, + and on the way thou wilt meet a body of horse marching southwards—Give + this to their leader, and acquaint him of the state in which thou hast + left me. It may hap that thy doing so will advantage thyself.” + </p> + <p> + In a minute or two the light of a taper gleamed through the shot-hole, and + very shortly after, the preacher, with the assistance of his staff, pushed + a billet to Glendinning through the window. + </p> + <p> + “God bless thee, my son,” said the old man, “and complete the marvellous + work which he has begun.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” answered Halbert, with solemnity, and proceeded on his enterprise. + </p> + <p> + He hesitated a moment whether he should attempt to descend to the edge of + the water; but the steepness of the rock, and darkness of the night, + rendered the enterprise too dangerous. He clasped his hands above his head + and boldly sprung from the precipice, shooting himself forward into the + air as far as he could for fear of sunken rocks, and alighted on the lake, + head foremost, with such force as sunk him for a minute below the surface. + But strong, long-breathed, and accustomed to such exercise, Halbert, even + though encumbered with his sword, dived and rose like a seafowl, and swam + across the lake in the northern direction. When he landed and looked back + on the castle, he could observe that the alarm had been given, for lights + glanced from window to window, and he heard the drawbridge lowered, and + the tread of horses' feet upon the causeway. But, little alarmed for the + consequence of a pursuit during the darkness, he wrung the water from his + dress, and, plunging into the moors, directed his course to the north-east + by the assistance of the polar star. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-Sixth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Why, what an intricate impeach is this! + I think you all have drank of Circe's cup. + If here you housed him, here he would have been; + If he were mad, he would not plead so coldly. + COMEDY OF ERRORS. +</pre> + <p> + The course of our story, leaving for the present Halbert Glendinning to + the guidance of his courage and his fortune, returns to the Tower of + Glendearg, where matters in the meanwhile fell out, with which it is most + fitting that the reader should be acquainted. + </p> + <p> + The meal was prepared at noontide with all the care which Elspeth and + Tibb, assisted by the various accommodations which had been supplied from + the Monastery, could bestow on it. Their dialogue ran on as usual in the + intervals of their labour, partly as between mistress and servant, partly + as maintained by gossips of nearly equal quality. + </p> + <p> + “Look to the minced meat, Tibb,” said Elspeth; “and turn the broach even, + thou good-for-nothing Simmie,—thy wits are harrying birds' nests, + child.—Weel, Tibb, this is a fasheous job, this Sir Piercie lying + leaguer with us up here, and wha kens for how lang?” + </p> + <p> + “A fasheous job indeed,” answered her faithful attendant, “and little good + did the name ever bring to fair Scotland. Ye may have your hands fuller of + them than they are yet. Mony a sair heart have the Piercies given to Scots + wife and bairns with their pricking on the Borders. There was Hotspur and + many more of that bloody kindred, have sate in our skirts since Malcolm's + time, as Martin says!” + </p> + <p> + “Martin should keep a well-scrapit tongue in his head,” said Elspeth, “and + not slander the kin of any body that quarters at Glendearg; forby, that + Sir Piercie Shafton is much respected with the holy fathers of the + community, and they will make up to us ony fasherie that we may have with + him, either by good word or good deed, I'se warrant them. He is a + considerate lord the Lord Abbot.” + </p> + <p> + “And weel he likes a saft seat to his hinder end,” said Tibb; “I have seen + a belted baron sit on a bare bench, and find nae fault. But an ye are + pleased, mistress, I am pleased.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, in good time, here comes Mysie of the Mill.—And where hae ye + been, lass for a's gane wrang without you?” said Elspeth. + </p> + <p> + “I just gaed a blink up the burn,” said Mysie, “for the young lady has + been down on her bed, and is no just that weel—So I gaed a gliff up + the burn.” + </p> + <p> + “To see the young lads come hame frae the sport, I will warrant you,” said + Elspeth. “Ay, ay, Tibb, that's the way the young folk guide us, Tibbie—leave + us to do the wark, and out to the play themsells.” + </p> + <p> + “Ne'er a bit of that, mistress,” said the Maid of the Mill, stripping her + round pretty arms, and looking actively and good-humouredly round for some + duty that she could discharge, “but just—I thought ye might like to + ken if they were coming back, just to get the dinner forward.” + </p> + <p> + “And saw ye ought of them then?” demanded Elspeth. + </p> + <p> + “Not the least tokening,” said Mysie, “though I got to the head of a + knowe, and though the English knight's beautiful white feather could have + been seen over all the bushes in the Shaw.” + </p> + <p> + “The knight's white feather!” said Dame Glendinning; “ye are a silly + hempie—my Halbert's high head will be seen farther than his feather, + let it be as white as it like, I trow.” + </p> + <p> + Mysie made no answer, but began to knead dough for wastel-cake with all + despatch, observing that Sir Piercie had partaken of that dainty, and + commended it upon the preceding day. And presently, in order to place on + the fire the <i>girdle</i>, or iron plate on which these cates were to be + baked, she displaced a stew-pan in which one of Tibb's delicacies were + submitted to the action of the kitchen fire. Tibb muttered betwixt her + teeth—“And it is the broth for my sick bairn, that maun make room + for the dainty Southron's wastel-bread. It was a blithe time in Wight + Wallace's day, or good King Robert's, when the pock-puddings gat naething + here but hard straiks and bloody crowns. But we will see how it will a' + end.” + </p> + <p> + Elspeth did not think it proper to notice these discontented expressions + of Tibbie, but they sunk into her mind; for she was apt to consider her as + a sort of authority in matters of war and policy, with which her former + experience as bower-woman at Avenel Castle made her better acquainted than + were the peaceful inhabitants of Halidome. She only spoke, however, to + express her surprise that the hunters did not return. + </p> + <p> + “An they come not back the sooner,” said Tibb, “they will fare the waur, + for the meat will be roasted to a cinder—and there is poor Simmie + that can turn the spit nae langer: the bairn is melting like an icicle in + warm water—Gang awa, bairn, and take a mouthful of the caller air, + and I will turn the broach till ye come back.” + </p> + <p> + “Rin up to the bartizan at the tower-head, callant,” said Dame + Glendinning, “the air will be callerer there than ony gate else, and bring + us word if our Halbert and the gentleman are coming down the glen.” + </p> + <p> + The boy lingered long enough to allow his substitute, Tibb Tacket, + heartily to tire of her own generosity, and of his cricket-stool by the + side of a huge fire. He at length returned with the news that he had seen + nobody. The matter was not so remarkable as far as Halbert Glendinning was + concerned, for, patient alike of want and of fatigue, it was no uncommon + circumstance for him to remain in the wilds till curfew time. But nobody + had given Sir Piercie Shafton credit for being so keen a sportsman, and + the idea of an Englishman preferring the chase to his dinner was + altogether inconsistent with their preconceptions of the national + character. Amidst wondering and conjecturing, the usual dinner-hour passed + long away; and the inmates of the tower, taking a hasty meal themselves, + adjourned their more solemn preparations until the hunters' return at + night, since it seemed now certain that their sport had either carried + them to a greater distance, or engaged them for a longer time than had + been expected. + </p> + <p> + About four hours after noon, arrived, not the expected sportsmen, but an + unlooked for visitant, the Sub-Prior from the Monastery. The scene of the + preceding day had dwelt on the mind of Father Eustace, who was of that + keen and penetrating cast of mind which loves not to leave unascertained + whatever of mysterious is subjected to its inquiry. His kindness was + interested in the family of Glendearg, which he had now known for a long + time; and besides, the community was interested in the preservation of the + peace betwixt Sir Piercie Shafton and his youthful host, since whatever + might draw public attention on the former, could not fail to be + prejudicial to the Monastery, which was already threatened by the hand of + power. He found the family assembled, all but Mary Avenel, and was + informed that Halbert Glendinning had accompanied the stranger on a day's + sport. So far was well. They had not returned; but when did youth and + sport conceive themselves bound by set hours? and the circumstance excited + no alarm in his mind. + </p> + <p> + While he was conversing with Edward Glendinning touching his progress in + the studies he had pointed out to him, they were startled by a shriek from + Mary Avenel's apartment, which drew the whole family thither in headlong + haste. They found her in a swoon in the arms of old Martin, who was + bitterly accusing himself of having killed her; so indeed it seemed, for + her pale features and closed eyes argued rather a dead corpse than a + living person. The whole family were instantly in tumult. Snatching her + from Martin's arms with the eagerness of affectionate terror, Edward bore + her to the casement, that she might receive the influence of the open air; + the Sub-Prior, who, like many of his profession, had some knowledge of + medicine, hastened to prescribe the readiest remedies which occurred to + him, and the terrified females contended with, and impeded each other, in + their rival efforts to be useful. + </p> + <p> + “It has been ane of her weary ghaists,” said Dame Glendinning. + </p> + <p> + “It's just a trembling on her spirits, as her blessed mother used to + have,” said Tibb. + </p> + <p> + “It's some ill news has come ower her,” said the miller's maiden; while + burnt feathers, cold water, and all the usual means of restoring suspended + animation, were employed alternately, and with little effect. + </p> + <p> + At length a new assistant, who had joined the group unobserved, tendered + his aid in the following terms:—“How is this, my most fair + Discretion? What cause hath moved the ruby current of life to rush back to + the citadel of the heart, leaving pale those features in which it should + have delighted to meander for ever?—Let me approach her,” he said,”—with + this sovereign essence, distilled by the fair hands of the divine Urania, + and powerful to recall fugitive life, even if it were trembling on the + verge of departure.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, Sir Piercie Shafton knelt down, and most gracefully + presented to the nostrils of Mary Avenel a silver pouncet-box, exquisitely + chased, containing a sponge dipt in the essence which he recommmended so + highly. Yes, gentle reader, it was Sir Piercie Shafton himself who thus + unexpectedly proffered his good offices! his cheeks, indeed, very pale, + and some part of his dress stained with blood, but not otherwise appearing + different from what he was on the preceding evening. But no sooner had + Mary Avenel opened her eyes, and fixed them on the figure of the officious + courtier, than she screamed faintly, and exclaimed,—“Secure the + murderer!” + </p> + <p> + Those present stood aghast with astonishment, and none more so than the + Euphuist, who found himself so suddenly and so strangely accused by the + patient whom he was endeavouring to succour, and who repelled his attempts + to yield her assistance with all the energy of abhorrence. “Take him + away!” she exclaimed—“take away the murderer!” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by my knighthood,” answered Sir Piercie, “your lovely faculties + either of mind or body are, O my most fair Discretion, obnubilated by some + strange hallucination. For either your eyes do not discern that it is + Piercie Shafton, your most devoted Affability, who now stands before you, + or else, your eyes discerning truly, your mind hath most erroneously + concluded that he hath been guilty of some delict or violence to which his + hand is a stranger. No murder, O most scornful Discretion, hath been this + day done, saving but that which your angry glances are now performing on + your most devoted captive.” + </p> + <p> + He was here interrupted by the Sub-Prior, who had, in the meantime, been + speaking with Martin apart, and had received from him an account of the + circumstances, which, suddenly communicated to Mary Avenel, had thrown her + into this state. “Sir Knight,” said the Sub-Prior, in a very solemn tone, + yet with some hesitation, “circumstances have been communicated to us of a + nature so extraordinary, that, reluctant as I am to exercise such + authority over a guest of our venerable community, I am constrained to + request from you an explanation of them. You left this tower early in the + morning, accompanied by a youth, Halbert Glendinning, the eldest son of + this good dame, and you return hither without him. Where, and at what + hour, did you part company from him?” + </p> + <p> + The English knight paused for a moment, and then replied,—“I marvel + that your reverence employs so grave a tone to enforce so light a + question. I parted with the villagio whom you call Halbert Glendinning + some hour or twain after sunrise.” + </p> + <p> + “And at what place, I pray you?” said the monk. + </p> + <p> + “In a deep ravine, where a fountain rises at the base of a huge rock; an + earth-born Titan, which heaveth up its gray head, even as—” + </p> + <p> + “Spare us farther description,” said the Sub-Prior; “we know the spot. But + that youth hath not since been heard of, and it will fall on you to + account for him.” + </p> + <p> + “My bairn! my bairn!” exclaimed Dame Glendinning. “Yes, holy father, make + the villain account for my bairn!” + </p> + <p> + “I swear, good woman, by bread and by water,—which are the props of + our life—” + </p> + <p> + “Swear by wine and wastel-bread, for these are the props of <i>thy</i> + life, thou greedy Southron!” said Dame Glendinning;—“a base + belly-god, to come here to eat the best, and practise on our lives that + give it to him!” + </p> + <p> + “I tell thee, woman,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “I did but go with thy son + to the hunting.” + </p> + <p> + “A black hunting it has been to him, poor bairn,” replied Tibb; “and sae I + said it wad prove since I first saw the false Southron snout of thee. + Little good comes of a Piercie's hunting, from Chevy Chase till now.” + </p> + <p> + “Be silent, woman,” said the Sub-Prior, “and rail not upon the English + knight; we do not yet know of any thing beyond suspicion.” + </p> + <p> + “We will have his heart's blood!” said Dame Glendinning; and, seconded by + the faithful Tibbie, she made such a sudden onslaught on the unlucky + Euphuist, as must have terminated in something serious, had not the monk, + aided by Mysie Happer, interposed to protect him from their fury. Edward + had left the apartment the instant the disturbance broke out, and now + entered, sword in hand, followed by Martin and Jasper, the one having a + hunting spear in his hand, the other a cross-bow. + </p> + <p> + “Keep the door,” he said to his two attendants; “shoot him or stab him + without mercy, should he attempt to break forth; if he offers an escape, + by Heaven he shall die!” + </p> + <p> + “How now, Edward,” said the Sub-Prior; “how is this that you so far forget + yourself? meditating violence to a guest, and in my presence, who + represent your liege lord?” + </p> + <p> + Edward stepped forward with his drawn sword in his hand. “Pardon me, + reverend father,” he said, “but in this matter the voice of nature speaks + louder and stronger than yours. I turn my sword's point against this proud + man, and I demand of him the blood of my brother—the blood of my + father's son—of the heir of our name! If he denies to give me a true + account of him, he shall not deny me vengeance.” + </p> + <p> + Embarrassed as he was, Sir Piercie Shafton showed no personal fear. “Put + up thy sword,” he said, “young man; not in the same day does Piercie + Shafton contend with two peasants.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear him! he confesses the deed, holy father,” said Edward. + </p> + <p> + “Be patient, my son,” said the Sub-Prior, endeavouring to soothe the + feelings which he could not otherwise control, “be patient—thou wilt + attain the ends of justice better through my means than thine own violence—And + you, women, be silent—Tibb, remove your mistress and Mary Avenel.” + </p> + <p> + While Tibb, with the assistance of the other females of the household, + bore the poor mother and Mary Avenel into separate apartments, and while + Edward, still keeping his sword in his hand, hastily traversed the room, + as if to prevent the possibility of Sir Piercie Shafton's escape, the + Sub-Prior insisted upon knowing from the perplexed knight the particulars + which he knew respecting Halbert Glendinning. His situation became + extremely embarrassing, for what he might with safety have told of the + issue of their combat was so revolting to his pride, that he could not + bring himself to enter into the detail; and of Halbert's actual fate he + knew, as the reader is well aware, absolutely nothing. + </p> + <p> + The father in the meanwhile pressed him with remonstrances, and prayed him + to observe, he would greatly prejudice himself by declining to give a full + account of the transactions of the day. “You cannot deny,” he said, “that + yesterday you seemed to take the most violent offence at this unfortunate + youth; and that you suppressed your resentment so suddenly as to impress + us all with surprise. Last night you proposed to him this day's hunting + party, and you set out together by break of day. You parted, you said, at + the fountain near the rock, about an hour or twain after sunrise, and it + appears that before you parted you had been at strife together.” + </p> + <p> + “I said not so,” replied the knight. “Here is a coil indeed about the + absence of a rustical bondsman, who, I dare say, hath gone off (if he be + gone) to join the next rascally band of freebooters! Ye ask me, a knight + of the Piercie's lineage, to account for such an insignificant fugitive, + and I answer,—let me know the price of his head, and I will pay it + to your convent treasurer.” + </p> + <p> + “You admit, then, that you have slain my brother?” said Edward, + interfering once more; “I will presently show you at what price we Scots + rate the lives of our friends.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, Edward, peace—I entreat—I command thee,” said the + Sub-Prior. “And you, Sir Knight, think better of us than to suppose you + may spend Scottish blood, and reckon for it as for wine spilt in a drunken + revel. This youth was no bondsman—thou well knowest, that in thine + own land thou hadst not dared to lift thy sword against the meanest + subject of England, but her laws would have called thee to answer for the + deed. Do not hope it will be otherwise here, for you will but deceive + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “You drive me beyond my patience,” said the Euphuist, “even as the + over-driven ox is urged into madness!—What can I tell you of a young + fellow whom I have not seen since the second hour after sunrise?” + </p> + <p> + “But can you explain in what circumstances you parted with him?” said the + monk. + </p> + <p> + “What <i>are</i> the circumstances, in the devil's name, which you desire + should be explained?—for although I protest against this constraint + as alike unworthy and inhospitable, yet would I willingly end this fray, + provided that by words it may be ended,” said the knight. + </p> + <p> + “If these end it not,” said Edward, “blows shall, and that full speedily.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, impatient boy!” said the Sub-Prior; “and do you, Sir Piercie + Shafton, acquaint me why the ground is bloody by the verge of the fountain + in Corri-nan-shian, where, as you say yourself, you parted from Halbert + Glendinning?” + </p> + <p> + Resolute not to avow his defeat if possibly he could avoid it, the knight + answered in a haughty tone, that he supposed it was no unusual thing to + find the turf bloody where hunters had slain a deer. + </p> + <p> + “And did you bury your game as well as kill it?” said the monk. “We must + know from you who is the tenant of that grave, that newly-made grave, + beside the very fountain whose margin is so deeply crimsoned with blood?—thou + seest thou canst not evade me; therefore be ingenuous, and tell us the + fate of this unhappy youth, whose body is doubtless lying under that + bloody turf.” + </p> + <p> + “If it be,” said Sir Piercie, “they must have buried him alive; for I + swear to thee, reverend father, that this rustic juvenal parted from me in + perfect health. Let the grave be searched, and if his body be found, then + deal with me as ye list.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not my sphere to determine thy fate, Sir Knight, but that of the + Lord Abbot, and the right reverend Chapter. It is but my duty to collect + such information as may best possess their wisdom with the matters which + have chanced.” + </p> + <p> + “Might I presume so far, reverend father,” said the knight, “I should wish + to know the author and evidence of all these suspicions, so unfoundedly + urged against me?” + </p> + <p> + “It is soon told,” said the Sub-Prior; “nor do I wish to disguise it, if + it can avail you in your defence. This maiden, Mary Avenel, apprehending + that you nourished malice against her foster-brother under a friendly + brow, did advisedly send up the old man, Martin Tacket, to follow your + footsteps and to prevent mischief. But it seems that your evil passions + had outrun precaution: for when he came to the spot, guided by your + footsteps upon the dew, he found but the bloody turf and the new covered + grave; and after long and vain search through the wilds after Halbert and + yourself, he brought back the sorrowful news to her who had sent him.” + </p> + <p> + “Saw he not my doublet, I pray you?” said Sir Piercie; “for when I came to + myself, I found that I was wrapped in my cloak, but without my under + garment as your reverence may observe.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he opened his cloak, forgetting, with his characteristical + inconsistency, that he showed his shirt stained with blood. + </p> + <p> + “How! cruel man,” said the monk, when he observed this confirmation of his + suspicions; “wilt thou deny the guilt, even while thou bearest on thy + person the blood thou hast shed?—Wilt thou longer deny that thy rash + hand has robbed a mother of a son, our community of a vassal, the Queen of + Scotland of a liege subject? and what canst thou expect, but that, at the + least, we deliver thee up to England, as undeserving our farther + protection?” + </p> + <p> + “By the Saints!” said the knight, now driven to extremity, “if this blood + be the witness against me, it is but rebel blood, since this morning at + sunrise it flowed within my own veins.” + </p> + <p> + “How were that possible, Sir Piercie Shafton,” said the monk, “since I see + no wound from whence it can have flowed?” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the knight, “is the most mysterious part of the transaction—See + here!” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he undid his shirt collar, and, opening his bosom, showed the + spot through—which Halbert's sword had passed, but already + cicatrized, and bearing the appearance of a wound lately healed. + </p> + <p> + “This exhausts my patience, Sir Knight,” said the Sub-Prior, “and is + adding insult to violence and injury. Do you hold me for a child or an + idiot, that you pretend to make me believe that the fresh blood with which + your shirt is stained, flowed from a wound which has been healed for weeks + or months? Unhappy mocker, thinkest thou thus to blind us? Too well do we + know that it is the blood of your victim, wrestling with you in the + desperate and mortal struggle, which has thus dyed your apparel.” + </p> + <p> + The knight, after a moment's recollection, said in reply, “I will be open + with you, my father—bid these men stand out of ear-shot, and I will + tell you all I know of this mysterious business; and muse not, good + father, though it may pass thy wit to expound it, for I avouch to you it + is too dark for mine own.” + </p> + <p> + The monk commanded Edward and the two men to withdraw, assuring the former + that his conference with the prisoner should be brief, and giving him + permission to keep watch at the door of the apartment; without which + allowance he might, perhaps, have had some difficulty in procuring his + absence. Edward had no sooner left the chamber, than he despatched + messengers to one or two families of the Halidome, with whose sons his + brother and he sometimes associated, to tell them that Halbert Glendinning + had been murdered by an Englishman, and to require them to repair to the + Tower of Glendearg without delay. The duty of revenge in such cases was + held so sacred, that he had no reason to doubt they would instantly come + with such assistance as would ensure the detention of the prisoner. He + then locked the doors of the tower, both inner and outer, and also the + gate of the court-yard. Having taken these precautions, he made a hasty + visit to the females of the family, exhausting himself in efforts to + console them, and in protestations that he would have vengeance for his + murdered brother. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-Seventh. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Now, by Our Lady, Sheriff, 'tis hard reckoning, + That I, with every odds of birth and barony + Should be detain'd here for the casual death + Of a wild forester, whose utmost having + Is but the brazen buckle of the belt + In which he sticks his hedge-knife. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + While Edward was making preparations for securing and punishing the + supposed murderer of his brother, with an intense thirst for vengeance, + which had not hitherto shown itself as part of his character, Sir Piercie + Shafton made such communications as it pleased him to the Sub-Prior, who + listened with great attention, though the knight's narrative was none of + the clearest, especially as his self-conceit led him to conceal or abridge + the details which were necessary to render it intelligible. + </p> + <p> + “You are to know,” he said, “reverend father, that this rustical juvenal + having chosen to offer me, in the presence of your venerable Superior, + yourself, and other excellent and worthy persons, besides the damsel, Mary + Avenel, whom I term my Discretion in all honour and kindness, a gross + insult, rendered yet more intolerable by the time and place, my just + resentment did so gain the mastery over my discretion, that I resolved to + allow him the privileges of an equal, and to indulge him with the combat.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Sir Knight,” said the Sub-Prior, “you still leave two matters very + obscure. First, why the token he presented to you gave you so much + offence, as I with others witnessed; and then again, how the youth, whom + you then met for the first, or, at least, the second time, knew so much of + your history as enabled him so greatly to move you.” + </p> + <p> + The knight coloured very deeply. + </p> + <p> + “For your first query,” he said, “most reverend father, we will, if you + please, pretermit it as nothing essential to the matter in hand; and for + the second—I protest to you that I know as little of his means of + knowledge as you do, and that I am well-nigh persuaded he deals with + Sathanas, of which more anon.—Well, sir—In the evening, I + failed not to veil my purpose with a pleasant brow, as is the custom + amongst us martialists, who never display the bloody colours of defiance + in our countenance until our hand is armed to fight under them. I amused + the fair Discretion with some canzonettes, and other toys, which could not + but be ravishing to her inexperienced ears. I arose in the morning, and + met my antagonist, who, to say truth, for an inexperienced villagio, + comported himself as stoutly as I could have desired.—So, coming to + the encounter, reverend sir, I did try his mettle with some half-a-dozen + of downright passes, with any one of which I could have been through his + body, only that I was loth to take so fatal an advantage, but rather, + mixing mercy with my just indignation, studied to inflict upon him some + flesh-wound of no very fatal quality. But, sir, in the midst of my + clemency, he, being instigated, I think, by the devil, did follow up his + first offence with some insult of the same nature. Whereupon, being eager + to punish him, I made an estramazone, and my foot slipping at the same + time,—not from any fault of fence on my part, or any advantage of + skill on his, but the devil having, as I said, taken up the matter in + hand, and the grass being slippery,—ere I recovered my position I + encountered his sword, which he had advanced, with my undefended person, + so that, as I think, I was in some sort run through the body. My juvenal, + being beyond measure appalled at his own unexpected and unmerited success + in this strange encounter, takes the flight and leaves me there, and I + fall into a dead swoon for the lack of the blood I had lost so foolishly—and + when I awake, as from a sound sleep, I find myself lying, an it like you, + wrapt up in my cloak at the foot of one of the birch-trees which stand + together in a clump near to this place. I feel my limbs, and experience + little pain, but much weakness—I put my hand to the wound—it + was whole and skinned over as you now see it—I rise and come hither; + and in these words you have my whole day's story.” + </p> + <p> + “I can only reply to so strange a tale,” answered the monk, “that it is + scarce possible that Sir Piercie Shafton can expect me to credit it. Here + is a quarrel, the cause of which you conceal—a wound received in the + morning, of which there is no recent appearance at sunset,—a grave + filled up, in which no body is deposited—the vanquished found alive + and well—the victor departed no man knows whither. These things, Sir + Knight, hang not so well together, that I should receive them as gospel.” + </p> + <p> + “Reverend father,” answered Sir Piercie Shafton, “I pray you in the first + place to observe, that if I offer peaceful and civil justification of that + which I have already averred to be true, I do so only in devout deference + to your dress and to your order, protesting, that to any other opposite, + saving a man of religion, a lady or my liege prince, I would not deign to + support that which I had once attested, otherwise than with the point of + my good sword. And so much being premised, I have to add, that I can but + gage my honour as a gentleman, and my faith as a Catholic Christian, that + the things which I have described to you have happened to me as I have + described them, and not otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a deep assertion, Sir Knight,” answered the Sub-Prior; “yet, + bethink you, it is only an assertion, and that no reason can be alleged + why things should be believed which are so contrary to reason. Let me pray + you to say whether the grave, which has been seen at your place of combat, + was open or closed when your encounter took place?” + </p> + <p> + “Reverend father,” said the knight, “I will veil from you nothing, but + show you each secret of my bosom; even as the pure fountain revealeth the + smallest pebble which graces the sand at the bottom of its crystal mirror, + and as—” + </p> + <p> + “Speak in plain terms, for the love of heaven!” said the monk; “these + holiday phrases belong not to solemn affairs—Was the grave open when + the conflict began?” + </p> + <p> + “It was,” answered the knight, “I acknowledge it; even as he that + acknowledgeth—” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I pray you, fair son, forbear these similitudes, and observe me. On + yesterday at even no grave was found in that place, for old Martin + chanced, contrary to his wont, to go thither in quest of a strayed sheep. + At break of day, by your own confession, a grave was opened in that spot, + and there a combat was fought—only one of the combatants appears, + and he is covered with blood, and to all appearance woundless.”—Here + the knight made a gesture of impatience.—“Nay, fair son, hear me but + one moment—the grave is closed and covered by the sod—what can + we believe, but that it conceals the bloody corpse of the fallen + duellist?” + </p> + <p> + “By Heaven, it cannot!” said the knight, “unless the juvenal hath slain + himself and buried himself, in order to place me in the predicament of his + murderer.” + </p> + <p> + “The grave shall doubtless be explored, and that by to-morrow's dawn,” + said the monk, “I will see it done with mine own eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said the prisoner, “I protest against all evidence which may arise + from its contents, and do insist beforehand, that whatever may be found in + that grave shall not prejudice me in my defence. I have been so haunted by + diabolical deceptions in this matter, that what do I know but that the + devil may assume the form of this rustical juvenal, in order to procure me + farther vexation?—I protest to you, holy father, it is my very + thought that there is witchcraft in all that hath befallen me. Since I + entered into this northern land, in which men say that sorceries do + abound, I, who am held in awe and regard even by the prime gallants in the + court of Feliciana, have been here bearded and taunted by a clod-treading + clown. I, whom Vincentio Saviola termed his nimblest and most agile + disciple, was, to speak briefly, foiled by a cow-boy, who knew no more of + fence than is used at every country wake. I am run, as it seemed to me, + through the body, with a very sufficient stoccata, and faint on the spot; + and yet, when I recover, I find myself without either wem or wound, and, + lacking nothing of my apparel, saving my murrey-coloured doublet, slashed + with satin, which I will pray may be inquired after, lest the devil, who + transported me, should have dropped it in his passage among some of the + trees or bushes—it being a choice and most fanciful piece of + raiment, which I wore for the first time at the Queen's pageant in + Southwark.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Knight,” said the monk, “you do again go astray from this matter. I + inquire of you respecting that which concerns the life of another man, and + it may be, touches your own also, and you answer me with the tale of an + old doublet!” + </p> + <p> + “Old!” exclaimed the knight; “now, by the gods and saints, if there be a + gallant at the British Court more fancifully considerate, and more + considerately fanciful, but quaintly curious, and more curiously quaint, + in frequent changes of all rich articles of vesture, becoming one who may + be accounted point-de-vice a courtier, I will give you leave to term me a + slave and a liar.” + </p> + <p> + The monk thought, but did not say, that he had already acquired right to + doubt the veracity of the Euphuist, considering the marvellous tale which + he had told. Yet his own strange adventure, and that of Father Philip, + rushed on his mind, and forbade his coming to any conclusion. He contented + himself, therefore, with observing, that these were certainly strange + incidents, and requested to know if Sir Piercie Shafton had any other + reason for suspecting himself to be in a manner so particularly selected + for the sport of sorcery and witchcraft. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Sub-Prior,” said the Euphuist, “the most extraordinary circumstance + remains behind, which alone, had I neither been bearded in dispute, nor + foiled in combat, nor wounded and cured in the space of a few hours, would + nevertheless of itself, and without any other corroborative, have + compelled me to believe myself the subject of some malevolent fascination. + Reverend sir, it is not to your ears that men should tell tales of love + and gallantry, nor is Sir Piercie Shafton one who, to any ears whatsoever, + is wont to boast of his fair acceptance with the choice and prime beauties + of the court; insomuch that a lady, none of the least resplendent + constellations which revolve in that hemisphere of honour, pleasure, and + beauty, but whose name I here pretermit, was wont to call me her + Taciturnity. Nevertheless truth must be spoken; and I cannot but allow, as + the general report of the court, allowed in camps, and echoed back by city + and country, that in the alacrity of the accost, the tender delicacy of + the regard, the facetiousness of the address, the adopting and pursuing of + the fancy, the solemn close and the graceful fall-off, Piercie Shafton was + accounted the only gallant of the time, and so well accepted among the + choicer beauties of the age, that no silk-hosed reveller of the + presence-chamber, or plumed jouster of the tilt-yard, approached him by a + bow's length in the ladies' regard, being the mark at which every + well-born and generous juvenal aimeth his shaft. Nevertheless, reverend + sir, having found in this rude place something which by blood and birth + might be termed a lady, and being desirous to keep my gallant humour in + exercise, as well as to show my sworn devotion to the sex in general, I + did shoot off some arrows of compliment at this Mary Avenel, terming her + my Discretion, with other quaint and well-imagined courtesies, rather + bestowed out of my bounty than warranted by her merit, or perchance like + unto the boyish fowler, who, rather than not exercise his bird-piece, will + shoot at crows or magpies for lack of better game——” + </p> + <p> + “Mary Avenel is much obliged by your notice,” answered the monk; “but to + what does all this detail of past and present gallantry conduct us?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry, to this conclusion,” answered the knight; “that either this my + Discretion, or I myself, am little less than bewitched; for, instead of + receiving my accost with a gratifying bow, answering my regard with a + suppressed smile, accompanying my falling off or departure with a slight + sigh—honours with which I protest to you the noblest dancers and + proudest beauties in Feliciana have graced my poor services—she hath + paid me as little and as cold regard as if I had been some hob-nailed + clown of these bleak mountains! Nay, this very day, while I was in the act + of kneeling at her feet to render her the succours of this pungent + quintessence, of purest spirit distilled by the fairest hands of the court + of Feliciana, she pushed me from her with looks which savoured of + repugnance, and, as I think, thrust at me with her foot as if to spurn me + from her presence. These things, reverend father, are strange, portentous, + unnatural, and befall not in the current of mortal affairs, but are + symptomatic of sorcery and fascination. So that, having given to your + reverence a perfect, simple, and plain account of all that I know + concerning this matter, I leave it to your wisdom to solve what may be + found soluble in the same, it being my purpose to-morrow, with the peep of + dawn, to set forward towards Edinburgh.” + </p> + <p> + “I grieve to be an interruption to your designs, Sir Knight,” said the + monk, “but that purpose of thine may hardly be fulfilled.” + </p> + <p> + “How, reverend father!” said the knight, with an air of the utmost + surprise; “if what you say respects my departure, understand that it <i>must</i> + be, for I have so resolved it.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Knight,” reiterated the Sub-Prior, “I must once more repeat, this <i>cannot</i> + be, until the Abbot's pleasure be known in the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Reverend sir,” said the knight, drawing himself up with great dignity, “I + desire my hearty and thankful commendations to the Abbot; but in this + matter I have nothing to do with his reverend pleasure, designing only to + consult my own.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me,” said the Sub-Prior; “the Lord Abbot hath in this matter a + voice potential.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Piercie Shafton's colour began to rise—“I marvel,” he said, “to + hear your reverence talk thus—What! will you, for the imagined death + of a rude, low-born frampler and wrangler, venture to impinge upon the + liberty of the kinsman of the house of Piercie?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Knight,” returned the Sub-Prior, civilly, “your high lineage and your + kindling anger will avail you nothing in this matter—You shall not + come here to seek a shelter, and then spill our blood as if it were + water.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you,” said the knight, “once more, as I have told you already, + that there was no blood spilled but mine own!” + </p> + <p> + “That remains to be proved,” replied the Sub-Prior; “we of the community + of Saint Mary's of Kennaquhair, use not to take fairy tales in exchange + for the lives of our liege vassals.” + </p> + <p> + “We of the house of Piercie,” answered Shafton, “brook neither threats nor + restraint—I say I will travel to-morrow, happen what may!” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” answered the Sub-Prior, in the same tone of determination, “say + that I will break your journey, come what may!” + </p> + <p> + “Who shall gainsay me,” said the knight, “if I make my way by force?” + </p> + <p> + “You will judge wisely to think ere you make such an attempt,” answered + the monk, with composure; “there are men enough in the Halidome to + vindicate its rights over those who dare infringe them.” + </p> + <p> + “My cousin of Northumberland will know how to revenge this usage to a + beloved kinsman so near to his blood,” said the Englishman. + </p> + <p> + “The Lord Abbot will know how to protect the rights of his territory, both + with, the temporal and spiritual sword,” said the monk. “Besides, + consider, were we to send you to your kinsman at Alnwick or Warkworth + to-morrow, he dare do nothing but transmit you in fetters to the Queen of + England. Bethink, Sir Knight, that you stand on slippery ground, and will + act most wisely in reconciling yourself to be a prisoner in this place + until the Abbot shall decide the matter. There are armed men enow to + countervail all your efforts at escape. Let patience and resignation, + therefore, arm you to a necessary submission.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0365m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0365m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0365.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + So saying, he clapped his hands, and called aloud. Edward entered, + accompanied by two young men who had already joined him, and were well + armed. + </p> + <p> + “Edward,” said the Sub-Prior, “you will supply the English Knight here in + this spence with suitable food and accommodation for the night, treating + him with as much kindness as if nothing had happened between you. But you + will place a sufficient guard, and look carefully that he make not his + escape. Should he attempt to break forth, resist him to the death; but in + no other case harm a hair of his head, as you shall be answerable.” + </p> + <p> + Edward Glendinning replied,—“That I may obey your commands, reverend + sir, I will not again offer myself to this person's presence; for shame it + were to me to break the peace of the Halidome, but not less shame to leave + my brother's death unavenged.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, his lips grew livid, the blood forsook his cheek, and he was + about to leave the apartment, when the Sub-Prior recalled him and said in + a solemn tone,—“Edward, I have known you from infancy—I have + done what lay within my reach to be of use to you—I say nothing of + what you owe to me as the representative of your spiritual Superior—I + say nothing of the duty from the vassal to the Sub-Prior—But Father + Eustace expects from the pupil whom he has nurtured—he expects from + Edward Glendinning, that he will not by any deed of sudden violence, + however justified in his own mind by the provocation, break through the + respect due to public justice, or that which he has an especial right to + claim from him.” + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing, my reverend father, for so in an hundred senses may I well + term you,” said the young man; “fear not, I would say, that I will in any + thing diminish the respect I owe to the venerable community by whom we + have so long been protected, far less that I will do aught which can be + personally less than respectful to you. But the blood of my brother must + not cry for vengeance in vain—your reverence knows our Border + creed.” + </p> + <p> + “'Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will requite it,'” answered the + monk. “The heathenish custom of deadly feud which prevails in this land, + through which each man seeks vengeance at his own hand when the death of a + friend or kinsman has chanced, hath already deluged our vales with the + blood of Scottish men, spilled by the hands of countrymen and kindred. It + were endless to count up the fatal results. On the Eastern Border, the + Homes are at feud with the Swintons and Cockburns; in our Middle Marches, + the Scotts and Kerrs have spilled as much brave blood in domestic feud as + might have fought a pitched field in England, could they have but forgiven + and forgotten a casual rencounter that placed their names in opposition to + each other. On the west frontier, the Johnstones are at war with the + Maxwells, the Jardines with the Bells, drawing with them the flower of the + country, which should place their breasts as a bulwark against England, + into private and bloody warfare, of which it is the only end to waste and + impair the forces of the country, already divided in itself. Do not, my + dear son Edward, permit this bloody prejudice to master your mind. I + cannot ask you to think of the crime supposed as if the blood spilled had + been less dear to you—Alas! I know that is impossible. But I do + require you, in proportion to your interest in the supposed sufferer, (for + as yet the whole is matter of supposition,) to bear on your mind the + evidence on which the guilt of the accused person must be tried. He hath + spoken with me, and I confess his tale is so extraordinary, that I should + have, without a moment's hesitation, rejected it as incredible, but that + an affair which chanced to myself in this very glen—More of that + another time—Suffice it for the present to say, that from what I + have myself experienced, I deem it possible, that, extraordinary as Sir + Piercie Shafton's story may seem, I hold it not utterly impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Edward Glendinning, when he saw that his preceptor paused, + unwilling farther to explain upon what grounds he was inclined to give a + certain degree of credit to Sir Piercie Shafton's story, while he admitted + it as improbable—“Father to me you have been in every sense. You + know that my hand grasped more readily to the book than to the sword; and + that I lacked utterly the ready and bold spirit which distinguished——” + Here his voice faltered, and he paused for a moment, and then went on with + resolution and rapidity—“I would say, that I was unequal to Halbert + in promptitude of heart and of hand; but Halbert is gone, and I stand his + representative, and that of my father—his successor in all his + rights,” (while he said this his eyes shot fire,) “and bound to assert and + maintain them as he would have done—therefore I am a changed man, + increased in courage as in my rights and pretensions. And, reverend + father, respectfully, but plainly and firmly do I say, his blood, if it + has been shed by this man, shall be atoned—Halbert shall not sleep + neglected in his lonely grave, as if with him the spirit of my father had + ceased forever. His blood flows in my veins, and while his has been poured + forth unrequited, mine will permit me no rest. My poverty and meanness of + rank shall not avail the lordly murderer. My calm nature and peaceful + studies shall not be his protection. Even the obligations, holy father, + which I acknowledge to you, shall not be his protection. I wait with + patience the judgment of the Abbot and Chapter, for the slaughter of one + of their most anciently descended vassals. If they do right to my + brother's memory, it is well. But mark me, father, if they shall fail in + rendering me that justice, I bear a heart and a hand which, though I love + not such extremities, are capable of remedying such an error. He who takes + up my brother's succession must avenge his death.” + </p> + <p> + The monk perceived with surprise, that Edward, with his extreme + diffidence, humility, and obedient assiduity, for such were his general + characteristics, had still boiling in his veins the wild principles of + those from whom he was descended, and by whom he was surrounded. His eyes + sparkled, his frame was agitated, and the extremity of his desire for + vengeance seemed to give a vehemence to his manner resembling the + restlessness of joy. + </p> + <p> + “May God help us,” said Father Eustace, “for, frail wretches as we are, we + cannot help ourselves under sudden and strong temptation.—Edward, I + will rely on your word that you do nothing rashly.” + </p> + <p> + “That will I not,” said Edward,—“that, my better than father, I + surely will not. But the blood of my brother,—the tears of my mother—and—and—and + of Mary Avenel, shall not be shed in vain. I will not deceive you, father—if + this Piercie Shafton hath slain my brother, he dies, if the whole blood of + the whole house of Piercie were in his veins.” + </p> + <p> + There was a deep and solemn determination in the utterance of Edward + Glendinning expressive of a rooted resolution. The Sub-Prior sighed + deeply, and for the moment yielded to circumstances, and urged the + acquiescence of his pupil no farther. He commanded lights to be placed in + the lower chamber, which for a time he paced in silence. + </p> + <p> + A thousand ideas, and even differing principles, debated with each other + in his bosom. He greatly doubted the English knight's account of the duel, + and of what had followed it. Yet the extraordinary and supernatural + circumstances which had befallen the Sacristan and himself in that very + glen, prevented him from being absolutely incredulous on the score of the + wonderful wound and recovery of Sir Piercie Shafton, and prevented him + from at once condemning as impossible that which was altogether + improbable. Then he was at a loss how to control the fraternal affections + of Edward, with respect to whom he felt something like the keeper of a + wild animal, a lion's whelp or tiger's cub, which he has held under his + command from infancy, but which, when grown to maturity, on some sudden + provocation displays his fangs and talons, erects his crest, resumes his + savage nature, and bids defiance at once to his keeper and to all mankind. + </p> + <p> + How to restrain and mitigate an ire which the universal example of the + times rendered deadly and inveterate, was sufficient cause of anxiety to + Father Eustace. But he had also to consider the situation of his + community, dishonoured and degraded by submitting to suffer the slaughter + of a vassal to pass unavenged; a circumstance which of itself might in + those times have afforded pretext for a revolt among their wavering + adherents, or, on the other hand, exposed the community to imminent + danger, should they proceed against a subject of England of high degree, + connected with the house of Northumberland, and other northern families of + high rank, who, as they possessed the means, could not be supposed to lack + inclination, to wreak upon the patrimony of Saint Mary of Kennaquhair, any + violence which might be offered to their kinsman. + </p> + <p> + In either case, the Sub-Prior well knew that the ostensible cause of feud, + insurrection, or incursion, being once afforded, the case would not be + ruled either by reason or by evidence, and he groaned in spirit when, upon + counting up the chances which arose in this ambiguous dilemma, he found he + had only a choice of difficulties. He was a monk, but he felt also as a + man, indignant at the supposed slaughter of young Glendinning by one + skilful in all the practice of arms, in which the vassal of the Monastery + was most likely to be deficient; and to aid the resentment which he felt + for the loss of a youth whom he had known from infancy, came in full force + the sense of dishonour arising to his community from passing over so gross + an insult unavenged. Then the light in which it might be viewed by those + who at present presided in the stormy Court of Scotland, attached as they + were to the Reformation, and allied by common faith and common interest + with Queen Elizabeth, was a formidable subject of apprehension. The + Sub-Prior well knew how they lusted after the revenues of the Church, (to + express it in the ordinary phrase of the religious of the time,) and how + readily they would grasp at such a pretext for encroaching on those of + Saint Mary's, as would be afforded by the suffering to pass unpunished the + death of a native Scottishman by a Catholic Englishman, a rebel to Queen + Elizabeth. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, to deliver up to England, or, which was nearly the same + thing, the Scottish administration, an English knight leagued with the + Piercie by kindred and political intrigue, a faithful follower of the + Catholic Church, who had fled to the Halidome for protection, was, in the + estimation of the Sub-Prior, an act most unworthy in itself, and meriting + the malediction of Heaven, besides being, moreover, fraught with great + temporal risk. If the government of Scotland was now almost entirely in + the hands of the Protestant party, the Queen was still a Catholic, and + there was no knowing when, amid the sudden changes which agitated that + tumultuous country, she might find herself at the head of her own affairs, + and able to protect those of her own faith. Then, if the Court of England + and its Queen were zealously Protestant, the northern counties, whose + friendship or enmity were of most consequence in the first instance to the + community of Saint Mary's, contained many Catholics, the heads of whom + were able, and must be supposed willing, to avenge any injury suffered by + Sir Piercie Shafton. + </p> + <p> + On either side, the Sub-Prior, thinking, according to his sense of duty, + most anxiously for the safety and welfare of his Monastery, saw the + greatest risk of damage, blame, inroad, and confiscation. The only course + on which he could determine, was to stand by the helm like a resolute + pilot, watch every contingence, do his best to weather each reef and + shoal, and commit the rest to heaven and his patroness. + </p> + <p> + As he left the apartment, the knight called after him, beseeching he would + order his trunk-mails to be sent into his apartment, understanding he was + to be guarded there for the night, as he wished to make some alteration in + his apparel. + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: Sir Piercie Shafton's extreme love of dress was an attribute of + the coxcombs of this period. The display made by their forefathers was in + the numbers of their retinue; but as the actual influence of the nobility + began to be restrained both in France and England by the increasing power + of the crown, the indulgence of vanity in personal display became more + inordinate. There are many allusions to this change of custom in + Shakspeare and other dramatic writers, where the reader may find mention + made of + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Bonds enter'd into + For gay apparel against the triumph day.” + </pre> + <p> + Jonson informs us, that for the first entrance of a gallant, “'twere good + you turned four or five hundred acres of your best land into two or three + trunks of apparel.”—<i>Every Man out of his Humour.</i> + </p> + <p> + In the Memorie of the Somerville family, a curious instance occurs of this + fashionable species of extravagance. In the year 1537, when James V. + brought over his shortlived bride from France, the Lord Somerville of the + day was so profuse in the expense of his apparel, that the money which he + borrowed on the occasion was compensated by a perpetual annuity of + threescore pounds Scottish, payable out of the barony of Carnwarth till + doomsday, which was assigned by the creditor to Saint Magdalen's Chapel. + By this deep expense the Lord Somerville had rendered himself so glorious + in apparel, that the King, who saw so brave a gallant enter the gate of + Holyrood, followed, by only two pages, called upon several of the + courtiers to ascertain who it could be who was so richly dressed and so + slightly attended, and he was not recognised until he entered the + presence-chamber. “You are very brave, my lord,” said the King, as he + received his homage; “but where are all your men and attendants?” The Lord + Somerville readily answered, “If it please your Majesty, here they are,” + pointing to the lace that was on his own and his pages' clothes: whereat + the King laughed heartily, and having surveyed the finery more nearly, + bade him have away with it all, and let him have his stout band of spears + again. + </p> + <p> + There is a scene in Jonson's “Every Man out of his Humour,” (Act IV. Scene + 6.) in which a Euphuist of the time gives an account of the effects of a + duel on the clothes of himself and his opponent, and never departs a + syllable from the catalogue of his wardrobe. We shall insert it in + evidence that the foppery of our ancestors was not inferior to that of our + own time. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Fastidius</i>. Good faith, Signior, now you speak of a quarrel, I'll + acquaint you with a difference that happened between a gallant and myself, + Sir Puntarvolo. You know him if I should name him—Signor Luculento. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Punt</i>. Luculento! What inauspicious chance interposed itself to + your two lives? + </p> + <p> + “<i>Fast</i>. Faith, sir, the same that sundered Agamemnon, and great + Thetis' son; but let the cause escape, sir. He sent me a challenge, mixt + with some few braves, which I restored; and, in fine, we met. Now indeed, + sir, I must tell you, he did offer at first very desperately, but without + judgment; for look you, sir, I cast myself into this figure; now he came + violently on, and withal advancing his rapier to strike, I thought to have + took his arm, for he had left his body to my election, and I was sure he + could not recover his guard. Sir, I mist my purpose in his arm, rashed his + doublet sleeves, ran him close by the left cheek and through his hair. He, + again, light me here—I had on a gold cable hat-band, then new come + up, about a murrey French hat I had; cuts my hat-band, and yet it was + massy goldsmith's work, cuts my brim, which, by good fortune, being thick + embroidered with gold twist and spangles, disappointed the force of the + blow; nevertheless it grazed on my shoulder, takes me away six purls of an + Italian cut-work band I wore, cost me three pounds in the Exchange but + three days before. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Punt</i>. This was a strange encounter. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Fast</i>. Nay, you shall hear, sir. With this, we both fell out and + breathed. Now, upon the second sign of his assault, I betook me to my + former manner of defence; he, on the other side, abandoned his body to the + same danger as before, and follows me still with blows; but I, being loath + to take the deadly advantage that lay before me of his left side, made a + kind of stramazoun, ran him up to the hilt through the doublet, through + the shirt, and yet missed the skin. He, making a reverse blow, falls upon + my embossed girdle,—I had thrown off the hangers a little before,—strikes + off a skirt of a thick-laced satin doublet I had, lined with four + taffetas, cuts off two panes embroidered with pearl, rends through the + drawings-out of tissue, enters the linings, and spiks the flesh. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Car</i>. I wonder he speaks not of his wrought shirt. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Fast</i>. Here, in the opinion of mutual damage, we paused. But, ere I + proceed, I must tell you, signior, that in the last encounter, not having + leisure to put off my silver spurs, one of the rowels catched hold of the + ruffles of my boot, and, being Spanish leather and subject to tear, + overthrows me, rends me two pair of silk stockings that I put on, being + somewhat of a raw morning, a peach colour and another, and strikes me some + half-inch deep into the side of the calf: He, seeing the blood come, + presently takes horse and away; I having bound up my wound with a piece of + my wrought shirt— + </p> + <p> + “<i>Car</i>. O, comes it in there. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Fast</i>. Ride after him, and, lighting at the court gate both + together, embraced, and marched hand in hand up into the presence. Was not + this business well carried? + </p> + <p> + “<i>Maci</i>. Well! yes; and by this we can guess what apparel the + gentleman wore. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Punt</i>. 'Fore valour! it was a designment begun with much + resolution, maintained with as much prowess, and ended with more + humanity."} + </p> + <p> + “Ay, ay,” said the monk, muttering as he went up the winding stair, “carry + him his trumpery with all despatch. Alas! that man, with so many noble + objects of pursuit, will amuse himself like a jackanape, with a laced + jerkin and a cap and bells!—I must now to the melancholy work of + consoling that which is well-nigh inconsolable, a mother weeping for her + first-born.” + </p> + <p> + Advancing, after a gentle knock, into the apartment of the women, he found + that Mary Avenel had retired to bed, extremely indisposed, and that Dame + Glendinning and Tibb were indulging their sorrows by the side of a + decaying fire, and by the light of a small iron lamp, or cruize, as it was + termed. Poor Elspeth's apron was thrown over her head, and bitterly did + she sob and weep for “her beautiful, her brave,—the very image of + her dear Simon Glendinning, the stay of her widowhood and the support of + her old age.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0372m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0372m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0372.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The faithful Tibb echoed her complaints, and, more violently clamorous, + made deep promises of revenge on Sir Piercie Shafton, “if there were a man + left in the south who could draw a whinger, or a woman that could thraw a + rape.” The presence of the Sub-Prior imposed silence on these clamours. He + sate down by the unfortunate mother, and essayed, by such topics as his + religion and reason suggested, to interrupt the current of Dame + Glendinning's feelings; but the attempt was in vain. She listened, indeed, + with some little interest, while he pledged his word and his influence + with the Abbot, that the family which had lost their eldest-born by means + of a guest received at his command, should experience particular + protection at the hands of the community; and that the fief which belonged + to Simon Glendinning should, with extended bounds and added privileges, be + conferred on Edward. + </p> + <p> + But it was only for a very brief space that the mother's sobs were + apparently softer, and her grief more mild. She soon blamed herself for + casting a moment's thought upon world's gear while poor Halbert was lying + stretched in his bloody shirt. The Sub-Prior was not more fortunate, when + he promised that Halbert's body “should be removed to hallowed ground, and + his soul secured by the prayers of the Church in his behalf.” Grief would + have its natural course, and the voice of the comforter was wasted in + vain. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-Eighth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + He is at liberty, I have ventured for him! + ——————————————-if the law + Find and condemn me for't, some living wenches, + Some honest-hearted maids will sing my dirge, + And tell to memory my death was noble, + Dying almost a martyr. + THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN. +</pre> + <p> + The Sub-Prior of Saint Mary's, in taking his departure from the spence + which Sir Piercie Shafton was confined, and in which some preparations + were made for his passing the night as the room which might be most + conveniently guarded, left more than one perplexed person behind him. + There was connected with this chamber, and opening into it, a small <i>outshot</i>, + or projecting part of the building, occupied by a sleeping apartment, + which upon ordinary occasions, was that of Mary Avenel, and which, in the + unusual number of guests who had come to the tower on the former evening, + had also accommodated Mysie Happer, the Miller's daughter; for anciently, + as well as in the present day, a Scottish house was always rather too + narrow and limited for the extent of the owner's hospitality, and some + shift and contrivance was necessary, upon any unusual occasion, to ensure + the accommodation of all the guests. + </p> + <p> + The fatal news of Halbert Glendinning's death had thrown all former + arrangements into confusion. Mary Avenel, whose case required immediate + attention, had been transported into the apartment hitherto occupied by + Halbert and his brother, as the latter proposed to watch all night, in + order to prevent the escape of the prisoner. Poor Mysie had been + altogether overlooked, and had naturally enough betaken herself to the + little apartment which she had hitherto occupied, ignorant that the + spence, through which lay the only access to it, was to be the sleeping + chamber of Sir Piercie Shafton. The measures taken for securing him there + had been so sudden, that she was not aware of it, until she found that the + other females had been removed from the spence by the Sub-Prior's + direction, and having once missed the opportunity of retreating along with + them, bashfulness, and the high respect which she was taught to bear to + the monks, prevented her venturing forth alone, and intruding herself on + the presence of Father Eustace, while in secret conference with the + Southron. There appeared no remedy but to wait till their interview was + over; and, as the door was thin, and did not shut very closely, she could + hear every word that passed betwixt them. + </p> + <p> + It thus happened, that without any intended intrusion on her part, she + became privy to the whole conversation of the Sub-Prior and the English + knight, and could also observe from the window of her little retreat, that + more than one of the young men summoned by Edward arrived successively at + the tower. These circumstances led her to entertain most serious + apprehension that the life of Sir Piercie Shafton was in great and instant + peril. + </p> + <p> + Woman is naturally compassionate, and not less willingly so when youth and + fair features are on the side of him who claims her sympathy. The handsome + presence, elaborate dress and address, of Sir Piercie Shafton, which had + failed to make any favorable impression on the grave and lofty character + of Mary Avenel, had completely dazzled and bewildered the poor Maid of the + Mill. The knight had perceived this result, and, flattered by seeing that + his merit was not universally underrated, he had bestowed on Mysie a good + deal more of his courtesy than in his opinion her rank warranted. It was + not cast away, but received with a devout sense of his condescension, and + with gratitude for his personal notice, which, joined to her fears for his + safety, and the natural tenderness of her disposition, began to make wild + work in her heart. + </p> + <p> + “To be sure it was very wrong in him to slay Halbert Glendinning,” (it was + thus she argued the case with herself,) “but then he was a gentleman born, + and a soldier, and so gentle and courteous withal, that she was sure the + quarrel had been all of young Glendinning's own seeking; for it was well + known that both these lads were so taken up with that Mary Avenel, that + they never looked at another lass in the Halidome, more than if they were + of a different degree. And then Halbert's dress was as clownish as his + manners were haughty; and this poor young gentleman, (who was habited like + any prince,) banished from his own land, was first drawn into a quarrel by + a rude brangler, and then persecuted and like to be put to death by his + kin and allies.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0409m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0409m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0409.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Mysie wept bitterly at the thought, and then her heart rising against such + cruelty and oppression to a defenceless stranger, who dressed with so much + skill, and spoke with so much grace, she began to consider whether she + could not render him some assistance in this extremity. + </p> + <p> + Her mind was now entirely altered from its original purpose. At first her + only anxiety had been to find the means of escaping from the interior + apartment, without being noticed by any one; but now she began to think + that Heaven had placed her there for the safety and protection of the + persecuted stranger. She was of a simple and affectionate, but at the same + time an alert and enterprising character, possessing more than female + strength of body, and more than female courage, though with feelings as + capable of being bewildered with gallantry of dress and language, as a + fine gentleman of any generation would have desired to exercise his + talents upon. “I will save him,” she thought, “that is the first thing to + be resolved—and then I wonder what he will say to the poor Miller's + maiden, that has done for him what all the dainty dames in London or + Holyrood would have been afraid to venture upon.” + </p> + <p> + Prudence began to pull her sleeve as she indulged speculations so + hazardous, and hinted to her that the warmer Sir Piercie Shafton's + gratitude might prove, it was the more likely to be fraught with danger to + his benefactress. Alas! poor Prudence, thou mayest say with our moral + teacher, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “I preach for ever, but I preach in vain.” + </pre> + <p> + The Miller's maiden, while you pour your warning into her unwilling bosom, + has glanced her eye on the small mirror by which she has placed her little + lamp, and it returns to her a countenance and eyes, pretty and sparkling + at all times, but ennobled at present with the energy of expression proper + to those who have dared to form, and stand prepared to execute, deeds of + generous audacity. “Will these features—will these eyes, joined to + the benefit I am about to confer upon Sir Piercie Shafton, do nothing + towards removing the distance of rank between us?” + </p> + <p> + Such was the question which female vanity asked of fancy; and though even + fancy dared not answer in a ready affirmative, a middle conclusion was + adopted—“Let me first succour the gallant youth, and trust to + fortune for the rest.” + </p> + <p> + Banishing, therefore, from her mind every thing that was personal to + herself, the rash but generous girl turned her whole thoughts to the means + of executing this enterprise. + </p> + <p> + The difficulties which interposed were of no ordinary nature. The + vengeance of the men of that country, in cases of deadly feud, that is, in + cases of a quarrel excited by the slaughter of any of their relations, was + one of their most marked characteristics; and Edward, however gentle in + other respects, was so fond of his brother, that there could be no doubt + that he would be as signal in his revenge as the customs of the country + authorized. There were to be passed the inner door of the apartment, the + two gates of the tower itself, and the gate of the court-yard, ere the + prisoner was at liberty; and then a guide and means of flight were to be + provided, otherwise ultimate escape was impossible. But where the will of + woman is strongly bent on the accomplishment of such a purpose, her wit is + seldom baffled by difficulties, however embarrassing. + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior had not long left the apartment, ere Mysie had devised a + scheme for Sir Piercie Shafton's freedom, daring, indeed, but likely to be + successful, if dexterously conducted. It was necessary, however, that she + should remain where she was till so late an hour, that all in the tower + should have betaken themselves to repose, excepting those whose duty made + them watchers. The interval she employed in observing the movements of the + person in whose service she was thus boldly a volunteer. + </p> + <p> + She could hear Sir Piercie Shafton pace the floor to and fro, in + reflection doubtless on his own untoward fate and precarious situation. By + and by she heard him making a rustling among his trunks, which, agreeable + to the order of the Sub-Prior, had been placed in the apartment to which + he was confined, and which he was probably amusing more melancholy + thoughts by examining and arranging. Then she could hear him resume his + walk through the room, and, as if his spirits had been somewhat relieved + and elevated by the survey of his wardrobe, she could distinguish that at + one turn he half recited a sonnet, at another half whistled a galliard, + and at the third hummed a saraband. At length she could understand that he + extended himself on the temporary couch which had been allotted to him, + after muttering his prayers hastily, and in a short time she concluded he + must be fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + She employed the moment which intervened in considering her enterprise + under every different aspect; and dangerous as it was, the steady review + which she took of the various perils accompanying her purpose, furnished + her with plausible devices for obviating them. Love and generous + compassion, which give singly such powerful impulse to the female heart, + were in this case united, and championed her to the last extremity of + hazard. + </p> + <p> + It was an hour past midnight. All in the tower slept sound but those who + had undertaken to guard the English prisoner; or if sorrow and suffering + drove sleep from the bed of Dame Glendinning and her foster-daughter, they + were too much wrapt in their own griefs to attend to external sounds. The + means of striking light were at hand in the small apartment, and thus the + Miller's maiden was enabled to light and trim a small lamp. With a + trembling step and throbbing heart, she undid the door which separated her + from the apartment in which the Southron knight was confined, and almost + flinched from her fixed purpose, when she found herself in the same room + with the sleeping prisoner. She scarcely trusted herself to look upon him, + as he lay wrapped in his cloak, and fast asleep upon the pallet bed, but + turned her eyes away while she gently pulled his mantle with no more force + than was just equal to awaken him. He moved not until she had twitched his + cloak a second and a third time, and then at length looking up, was about + to make an exclamation in the suddenness of his surprise. + </p> + <p> + Mysie's bashfulness was conquered by her fear. She placed her fingers on + her lips, in token that he must observe the most strict silence, and then + pointed to the door to intimate that it was watched. + </p> + <p> + Sir Piercie Shafton now collected himself and sat upright on his couch. He + gazed with surprise on the graceful figure of the young woman who stood + before him; her well-formed person, her flowing hair, and the outline of + her features, showed dimly, and yet to advantage, by the partial and + feeble light which she held in her hand. The romantic imagination of the + gallant would soon have coined some compliment proper for the occasion, + but Mysie left him not time. + </p> + <p> + “I come,” she said, “to save your life, which is else in great peril—if + you answer me, speak as low as you can, for they have sentinelled your + door with armed men.” + </p> + <p> + “Comeliest of miller's daughters,” answered Sir Piercie, who by this time + was sitting upright on his couch, “dread nothing for my safety. Credit me, + that, as in very truth, I have not spilled the red puddle (which these + villagios call the blood) of their most uncivil relation, so I am under no + apprehension whatever for the issue of this restraint, seeing that it + cannot but be harmless to me. Natheless, to thee, O most Molendinar + beauty, I return the thanks which thy courtesy may justly claim.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0502m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0502m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0502.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “Nay, but, Sir Knight,” answered the maiden, in a whisper as low as it was + tremulous, “I deserve no thanks unless you will act by my counsel. Edward + Glendinning hath sent for Dan of the Howlet-hirst, and young Adie of + Aikenshaw, and they are come with three men more, and with bow, and jack, + and spear, and I heard them say to each other, and to Edward, as they + alighted in the court, that they would have amends for the death of their + kinsman, if the monk's cowl should smoke for it—And the vassals are + so wilful now, that the Abbot himself dare not control them, for fear they + turn heretics, and refuse to pay their feu-duties.” + </p> + <p> + “In faith,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “it may be a shrewd temptation, and + perchance the monks may rid themselves of trouble and cumber, by handing + me over the march to Sir John Foster or Lord Hundson, the English wardens, + and so make peace with their vassals and with England at once. Fairest + Molinara, I will for once walk by thy rede, and if thou dost contrive to + extricate me from this vile kennel, I will so celebrate thy wit and + beauty, that the Baker's nymph of Raphael d'Urbino shall seem but a gipsey + in comparison of my Molinara.” + </p> + <p> + “I pray you, then, be silent,” said the Miller's daughter; “for if your + speech betrays that you are awake, my scheme fails utterly, and it is + Heaven's mercy and Our Lady's that we are not already overheard and + discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “I am silent,” replied the Southron, “even as the starless night—but + yet—if this contrivance of thine should endanger thy safety, fair + and no less kind than fair damsel, it were utterly unworthy of me to + accept it at thy hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not think of me,” said Mysie, hastily; “I am safe—I will take + thought for myself, if I once saw you out of this dangerous dwelling—if + you would provide yourself with any part of your apparel or goods, lose no + time.” + </p> + <p> + The knight <i>did</i>, however, lose some time, ere he could settle in his + own mind what to take and what to abandon of his wardrobe, each article of + which seemed endeared to him by recollection of the feasts and revels at + which it had been exhibited. For some little while Mysie left him to make + his selections at leisure, for she herself had also some preparations to + make for flight. But when, returning from the chamber into which she had + retired, with a small bundle in her hand, she found him still indecisive, + she insisted in plain terms, that he should either make up his baggage for + the enterprise, or give it up entirely. Thus urged, the disconsolate + knight hastily made up a few clothes into a bundle, regarded his + trunk-mails with a mute expression of parting sorrow, and intimated his + readiness to wait upon his kind guide. + </p> + <p> + She led the way to the door of the apartment, having first carefully + extinguished her lamp, and motioning to the knight to stand close behind + her, tapped once or twice at the door. She was at length answered by + Edward Glendinning, who demanded to know who knocked within, and what was + desired. + </p> + <p> + “Speak low,” said Mysie Happer, “or you will awaken the English knight. It + is I, Mysie Happer, who knock—I wish to get out—you have + locked me up—and I was obliged to wait till the Southron slept.” + </p> + <p> + “Locked you up!” replied Edward, in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the Miller's daughter, “you have locked me up into this + room—I was in Mary Avenel's sleeping apartment.” + </p> + <p> + “And can you not remain there till morning,” replied Edward, “since it has + so chanced?” + </p> + <p> + “What!” said the Miller's daughter, in a tone of offended delicacy, “I + remain here a moment longer than I can get out without discovery!—I + would not, for all the Halidome of St. Mary's, remain a minute longer in + the neighbourhood of a man's apartment than I can help it—For whom, + or for what do you hold me? I promise you my father's daughter has been + better brought up than to put in peril her good name.” + </p> + <p> + “Come forth then, and get to thy chamber in silence,” said Edward. So + saying, he undid the bolt. The staircase without was in utter darkness, as + Mysie had before ascertained. So soon as she stept out, she took hold of + Edward as if to support herself, thus interposing her person betwixt him + and Sir Piercie Shaffcon, by whom she was closely followed. Thus screened + from observation, the Englishman slipped past on tiptoe, unshod and in + silence, while the damsel complained to Edward that she wanted a light. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot get you a light,” said he, “for I cannot leave this post; but + there is a fire below.” + </p> + <p> + “I will sit below till morning,” said the Maid of the Mill; and, tripping + down stairs, heard Edward bolt and bar the door of the now tenantless + apartment with vain caution. + </p> + <p> + At the foot of the stair which she descended, she found the object of her + care waiting her farther directions. She recommended to him the most + absolute silence, which, for once in his life, he seemed not unwilling to + observe, conducted him, with as much caution as if he were walking on + cracked ice, to a dark recess, used for depositing wood, and instructed + him to ensconce himself behind the fagots. She herself lighted her lamp + once more at the kitchen fire, and took her distaff and spindle, that she + might not seem to be unemployed, in case any one came into the apartment. + </p> + <p> + From time to time, however, she stole towards the window on tiptoe, to + catch the first glance of the dawn, for the farther prosecution of her + adventurous project. At length she saw, to her great joy, the first peep + of the morning brighten upon the gray clouds of the east, and, clasping + her hands together, thanked Our Lady for the sight, and implored + protection during the remainder of her enterprise. Ere she had finished + her prayer, she started at feeling a man's arm across her shoulder, while + a rough voice spoke in her ear—“What! menseful Mysie of the Mill so + soon at her prayers?—now, benison on the bonny eyes that open so + early!—I'll have a kiss for good morrow's sake.” + </p> + <p> + Dan of the Howlet-hirst, for he was the gallant who paid Mysie this + compliment, suited the action with the word, and the action, as is usual + in such cases of rustic gallantry, was rewarded with a cuff, which Dan + received as a fine gentleman receives a tap with a fan, but which, + delivered by the energetic arm of the Miller's maiden, would have + certainly astonished a less robust gallant. + </p> + <p> + “How now, Sir Coxcomb!” said she, “and must you be away from your guard + over the English knight, to plague quiet folks with your horse-tricks!” + </p> + <p> + “Truly you are mistaken, pretty Mysie,” said the clown, “for I have not + yet relieved Edward at his post; and were it not a shame to let him stay + any longer, by my faith, I could find it in my heart not to quit you these + two hours.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you have hours and hours enough to see any one,” said Mysie; “but you + must think of the distress of the household even now, and get Edward to + sleep for a while, for he has kept watch this whole night.” + </p> + <p> + “I will have another kiss first,” answered Dan of the Howlet-hirst. + </p> + <p> + But Mysie was now on her guard, and, conscious of the vicinity of the + wood-hole, offered such strenuous resistance, that the swain cursed the + nymph's bad humour with very unpastoral phrase and emphasis, and ran up + stairs to relieve the guard of his comrade. Stealing to the door, she + heard the new sentinel hold a brief conversation with Edward, after which + the latter withdrew, and the former entered upon the duties of his watch. + </p> + <p> + Mysie suffered him to walk there a little while undisturbed, until the + dawning became more general, by which time she supposed he might have + digested her coyness, and then presenting herself before the watchful + sentinel, demanded of him “the keys of the outer tower, and of the + courtyard gate.” + </p> + <p> + “And for what purpose?” answered the warder. + </p> + <p> + “To milk the cows, and drive them out to their pasture,” said Mysie; “you + would not have the poor beasts kept in the byre a' morning, and the family + in such distress, that there is na ane fit to do a turn but the byre-woman + and myself?” + </p> + <p> + “And where is the byre-woman?” said Dan. + </p> + <p> + “Sitting with me in the kitchen, in case these distressed folks want any + thing.” + </p> + <p> + “There are the keys, then, Mysie Dorts,” said the sentinel. + </p> + <p> + “Many thanks, Dan Ne'er-do-weel,” answered the Maid of the Mill, and + escaped down stairs in a moment. + </p> + <p> + To hasten to the wood-hole, and there to robe the English knight in a + short gown and petticoat, which she had provided for the purpose, was the + work of another moment. She then undid the gates of the tower, and made + towards the byre, or cow-house, which stood in one corner of the + courtyard. Sir Piercie Shafton remonstrated against the delay which this + would occasion. + </p> + <p> + “Fair and generous Molinara,” he said, “had we not better undo the outward + gate, and make the best of our way hence, even like a pair of sea-mews who + make towards shelter of the rocks as the storm waxes high?” + </p> + <p> + “We must drive out the cows first,” said Mysie, “for a sin it were to + spoil the poor widow's cattle, both for her sake and the poor beasts' own; + and I have no mind any one shall leave the tower in a hurry to follow us. + Besides, you must have your horse, for you will need a fleet one ere all + be done.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, she locked and double-locked both the inward and outward door + of the tower, proceeded to the cow-house, turned out the cattle, and, + giving the knight his own horse to lead, drove them before her out at the + court-yard gate, intending to return for her own palfrey. But the noise + attending the first operation caught the wakeful attention of Edward, who, + starting to the bartizan, called to know what the matter was. + </p> + <p> + Mysie answered with great readiness, that “she was driving out the cows, + for that they would be spoiled for want of looking to.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank thee, kind maiden,” said Edward—“and yet,” he added, after + a moment's pause, “what damsel is that thou hast with thee?” + </p> + <p> + Mysie was about to answer, when Sir Piercie Shafton, who apparently did + not desire that the great work of his liberation should be executed + without the interposition of his own ingenuity, exclaimed from beneath, “I + am she, O most bucolical juvenal, under whose charge are placed the milky + mothers of the herd.” + </p> + <p> + “Hell and darkness!” exclaimed Edward, in a transport of fury and + astonishment, “it is Piercie Shafton—What! treason! treason!—ho!—Dan—Jasper—Martin—the + villain escapes!” + </p> + <p> + “To horse! to horse!” cried Mysie, and in an instant mounted behind the + knight, who was already in the saddle. + </p> + <p> + Edward caught up a cross-bow, and let fly a bolt, which whistled so near + Mysie's ear, that she called to her companion,—“Spur—spur, Sir + Knight!—the next will not miss us.—Had it been Halbert instead + of Edward who bent that bow, we had been dead.” + </p> + <p> + The knight pressed his horse, which dashed past the cows, and down the + knoll on which the tower was situated. Then taking the road down the + valley, the gallant animal, reckless of its double burden, soon conveyed + them out of hearing of the tumult and alarm with which their departure + filled the Tower of Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + Thus it strangely happened, that two men were flying in different + directions at the same time, each accused of being the other's murderer. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Twenty-Ninth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ——————-Sure he cannot + Be so unmanly as to leave me here; + If he do, maids will not so easily + Trust men again. + THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN. +</pre> + <p> + The knight continued to keep the good horse at a pace as quick as the road + permitted, until they had cleared the valley of Glendearg, and entered + upon the broad dale of the Tweed, which now rolled before them in crystal + beauty, displaying on its opposite bank the huge gray Monastery of St. + Mary's, whose towers and pinnacles were scarce yet touched by the + newly-risen sun, so deeply the edifice lies shrouded under the mountains + which rise to the southward. + </p> + <p> + Turning to the left, the knight continued his road down to the northern + bank of the river, until they arrived nearly opposite to the weir, or + dam-dike, where Father Philip concluded his extraordinary aquatic + excursion. + </p> + <p> + Sir Piercie Shafton, whose brain seldom admitted more than one idea at a + time, had hitherto pushed forward without very distinctly considering + where he was going. But the sight of the Monastery so near to him, + reminded, him that he was still on dangerous ground, and that he must + necessarily provide for his safety by choosing some settled plan of + escape. The situation of his guide and deliverer also occurred to him, for + he was far from being either selfish or ungrateful. He listened, and + discovered that the Miller's daughter was sobbing and weeping bitterly as + she rested her head on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “What ails thee,” he said, “my generous Molinara?—is there aught + that Piercie Shafton can do which may show his gratitude to his + deliverer?” Mysie pointed with her finger across the river, but ventured + not to turn her eyes in that direction. “Nay, but speak plain, most + generous damsel,” said the knight, who, for once, was puzzled as much as + his own elegance of speech was wont to puzzle others, “for I swear to you + that I comprehend nought by the extension of thy fair digit.” + </p> + <p> + “Yonder is my father's house,” said Mysie, in a voice interrupted by the + increased burst of her sorrow. + </p> + <p> + “And I was carrying thee discourteously to a distance from thy + habitation?” said Shafton, imagining he had found out the source of her + grief. “Wo worth the hour that Piercie Shafton, in attention to his own + safety, neglected the accommodation of any female, far less of his most + beneficent liberatrice! Dismount, then, O lovely Molinara, unless thou + wouldst rather that I should transport thee on horseback to the house of + thy molendinary father, which, if thou sayest the word, I am prompt to do, + defying all dangers which may arise to me personally, whether by monk or + miller.” + </p> + <p> + Mysie suppressed her sobs, and with considerable difficulty muttered her + desire to alight, and take her fortune by herself. Sir Piercie Shafton, + too devoted a squire of dames to consider the most lowly as exempted from + a respectful attention, independent of the claims which the Miller's + maiden possessed over him, dismounted instantly from his horse, and + received in his arms the poor girl, who still wept bitterly, and, when + placed on the ground, seemed scarce able to support herself, or at least + still clung, though, as it appeared, unconsciously, to the support he had + afforded. He carried her to a weeping birch tree, which grew on the + green-sward bank around which the road winded, and, placing her on the + ground beneath it, exhorted her to compose herself. A strong touch of + natural feeling struggled with, and half overcame, his acquired + affectation, while he said, “Credit me, most generous damsel, the service + you have done to Piercie Shafton he would have deemed too dearly bought, + had he foreseen it was to cost you these tears and singults. Show me the + cause of your grief, and if I can do aught to remove it, believe that the + rights you have acquired over me will make your commands sacred as those + of an empress. Speak, then, fair Molinara, and command him whom fortune + hath rendered at once your debtor and your champion. What are your + orders?” + </p> + <p> + “Only that you will fly and save yourself,” said Mysie, mustering up her + utmost efforts to utter these few words. + </p> + <p> + “Yet,” said the knight, “let me not leave you without some token of + remembrance.” Mysie would have said there needed none, and most truly + would she have spoken, could she have spoken for weeping. “Piercie Shafton + is poor,” he continued, “but let this chain testify he is not ungrateful + to his deliverer.” + </p> + <p> + He took from his neck the rich chain and medallion we have formerly + mentioned, and put it into the powerless hand of the poor maiden, who + neither received nor rejected it, but, occupied with more intense + feelings, seemed scarce aware of what he was doing. + </p> + <p> + “We shall meet again,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “at least I trust so; + meanwhile, weep no more, fair Molinara, an thou lovest me.” + </p> + <p> + The phrase of conjuration was but used as an ordinary commonplace + expression of the time, but bore a deeper sense to poor Mysie's ear. She + dried her tears; and when the knight, in all kind and chivalrous courtesy, + stooped to embrace her at their parting, she rose humbly up to receive the + proffered honour in a posture of more deference, and meekly and gratefully + accepted the offered salute. Sir Piercie Shafton mounted his horse, and + began to ride off, but curiosity, or perhaps a stronger feeling, soon + induced him to look back, when he beheld the Miller's daughter standing + still motionless on the spot where they had parted, her eyes turned after + him, and the unheeded chain hanging from her hand. + </p> + <p> + It was at this moment that a glimpse of the real state of Mysie's + affections, and of the motive from which she had acted in the whole + matter, glanced on Sir Piercie Shafton's mind. The gallants of that age, + disinterested, aspiring, and lofty-minded, even in their coxcombry, were + strangers to those degrading and mischievous pursuits which are usually + termed low amours. They did not “chase the humble maidens of the plain,” + or degrade their own rank, to deprive rural innocence of peace and virtue. + It followed, of course, that as conquests in this class were no part of + their ambition, they were in most cases totally overlooked and + unsuspected, left unimproved, as a modern would call it, where, as on the + present occasion, they were casually made. The companion of Astrophel, and + flower of the tilt-yard of Feliciana, had no more idea that his graces and + good parts could attach the love of Mysie Happer, than a first-rate beauty + in the boxes dreams of the fatal wound which her charms may inflict on + some attorney's romantic apprentice in the pit. I suppose, in any ordinary + case, the pride of rank and distinction would have pronounced on the + humble admirer the doom which Beau Fielding denounced against the whole + female world, “Let them look and die;” but the obligations under which he + lay to the enamoured maiden, miller's daughter as she was, precluded the + possibility of Sir Piercie's treating the matter <i>en cavalier</i>, and, + much embarrassed, yet a little flattered at the same time, he rode back to + try what could be done for the damsel's relief. + </p> + <p> + The innate modesty of poor Mysie could not prevent her showing too obvious + signs of joy at Sir Piercie Shafton's return. She was betrayed by the + sparkle of the rekindling eye, and a caress which, however timidly + bestowed, she could not help giving to the neck of the horse which brought + back the beloved rider. + </p> + <p> + “What farther can I do for you, kind Molinara?” said Sir Piercie Shafton, + himself hesitating and blushing; for, to the grace of Queen Bess's age be + it spoken, her courtiers wore more iron on their breasts than brass on + their foreheads, and even amid their vanities preserved still the decaying + spirit of chivalry, which inspired of yore the very gentle Knight of + Chaucer, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Who in his port was modest as a maid. +</pre> + <p> + Mysie blushed deeply, with her eyes fixed on the ground, and Sir Piercie + proceeded in the same tone of embarrassed kindness. “Are you afraid to + return home alone, my kind Molinara?—would you that I should + accompany you?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Mysie, looking up, and her cheek changing from scarlet to + pale, “I have no home left.” + </p> + <p> + “How! no home!” said Shafton; “says my generous Molinara she hath no home, + when yonder stands the house of her father, and but a crystal stream + between?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” answered the Miller's maiden, “I have no longer either home or + father. He is a devoted servant to the Abbey—I have offended the + Abbot, and if I return home my father will kill me.” + </p> + <p> + “He dare not injure thee, by Heaven!” said Sir Piercie; “I swear to thee, + by my honour and knighthood, that the forces of my cousin of + Northumberland shall lay the Monastery so flat, that a horse shall not + stumble as he rides over it, if they should dare to injure a hair of your + head! Therefore be hopeful and content, kind Mysinda, and know you have + obliged one who can and will avenge the slightest wrong offered to you.” + </p> + <p> + He sprung from his horse as he spoke, and, in the animation of his + argument, grasped the willing hand of Mysie, (or Mysinda as he had now + christened her.) He gazed too upon full black eyes, fixed upon his own + with an expression which, however subdued by maidenly shame, it was + impossible to mistake, on cheeks where something like hope began to + restore the natural colour, and on two lips which, like double rosebuds, + were kept a little apart by expectation, and showed within a line of teeth + as white as pearl. All this was dangerous to look upon, and Sir. Piercie + Shafton, after repeating with less and less force his request that the + fair Mysinda would allow him to carry her to her father's, ended by asking + the fair Mysinda to go along with him—“At least,” he added, “until I + shall be able to conduct you to a place of safety.” + </p> + <p> + Mysie Happer made no answer; but blushing scarlet betwixt joy and shame, + mutely expressed her willingness to accompany the Southron Knight, by + knitting her bundle closer, and preparing to resume her seat <i>en croupe</i>. + “And what is your pleasure that I should do with this?” she said, holding + up the chain as if she had been for the first time aware that it was in + her hand. + </p> + <p> + “Keep it, fairest Mysinda, for my sake,” said the Knight. + </p> + <p> + “Not so, sir,” answered Mysie, gravely; “the maidens of my country take no + such gifts from their superiors, and I need no token to remind me of this + morning.” + </p> + <p> + Most earnestly and courteously did the Knight urge her acceptance of the + proposed guerdon, but on this point Mysie was resolute; feeling, perhaps, + that to accept of any thing bearing the appearance of reward, would be to + place the service she had rendered him on a mercenary footing. In short, + she would only agree to conceal the chain, lest it might prove the means + of detecting the owner, until Sir Piercie should be placed in perfect + safety. + </p> + <p> + They mounted and resumed their journey, of which Mysie, as bold and + sharp-witted in some points as she was simple and susceptible in others, + now took in some degree the direction, having only inquired its general + destination, and learned that Sir Piercie Shafton desired to go to + Edinburgh, where he hoped to find friends and protection. Possessed of + this information, Mysie availed herself of her local knowledge to get as + soon as possible out of the bounds of the Halidome, and into those of a + temporal baron, supposed to be addicted to the reformed doctrines, and + upon whose limits, at least, she thought their pursuers would not attempt + to hazard any violence. She was not indeed very apprehensive of a pursuit, + reckoning with some confidence that the inhabitants of the Tower of + Glendearg would find it a matter of difficulty to surmount the obstacles + arising from their own bolts and bars, with which she had carefully + secured them before setting forth on the retreat. + </p> + <p> + They journeyed on, therefore, in tolerable security, and Sir Piercie + Shafton found leisure to amuse the time in high-flown speeches and long + anecdotes of the court of Feliciana, to which Mysie bent an ear not a whit + less attentive, that she did not understand one word out of three which + was uttered by her fellow-traveller. She listened, however, and admired + upon trust, as many a wise man has been contented to treat the + conversation of a handsome but silly mistress. As for Sir Piercie, he was + in his element; and, well assured of the interest and full approbation of + his auditor, he went on spouting Euphuism of more than usual obscurity, + and at more than usual length. Thus passed the morning, and noon brought + them within sight of a winding stream, on the side of which arose an + ancient baronial castle, surrounded by some large trees. At a small + distance from the gate of the mansion, extended, as in those days was + usual, a straggling hamlet, having a church in the centre. + </p> + <p> + “There are two hostelries in this Kirk-town,” said Mysie, “but the worst + is best for our purpose; for it stands apart from the other houses, and I + ken the man weel, for he has dealt with my father for malt.” + </p> + <p> + This <i>causa scientiae</i>, to use a lawyer's phrase, was ill chosen for + Mysie's purpose; for Sir Piercie Shafton had, by dint of his own + loquacity, been talking himself all this while into a high esteem for his + fellow-traveller, and, pleased with the gracious reception which she + afforded to his powers of conversation, had well-nigh forgotten that she + was not herself one of those high-born beauties of whom he was recounting + so many stories, when this unlucky speech at once placed the most + disadvantageous circumstances attending her lineage under his immediate + recollection. He said nothing, however. What indeed could he say? Nothing + was so natural as that a miller's daughter should be acquainted with + publicans who dealt with her father for malt, and all that was to be + wondered at was the concurrence of events which had rendered such a female + the companion and guide of Sir Piercie Shafton of Wilverton, kinsman of + the great Earl of Northumberland, whom princes and sovereigns themselves + termed cousin, because of the Piercie blood. {Footnote: Froissart tells us + somewhere, (the readers of romances are indifferent to accurate + reference,) that the King of France called one of the Piercies cousin, + because of the blood of Northumberland.} He felt the disgrace of strolling + through the country with a miller's maiden on the crupper behind him, and + was even ungrateful enough to feel some emotions of shame, when he halted + his horse at the door of the little inn. + </p> + <p> + But the alert intelligence of Mysie Happer spared him farther sense of + derogation, by instantly springing from his horse, and cramming the ears + of mine host, who came out with his mouth agape to receive a guest of the + knight's appearance, with an imagined tale, in which circumstance on + circumstance were huddled so fast, as to astonish Sir Piercie Shafton, + whose own invention was none of the most brilliant. She explained to the + publican that this was a great English knight travelling from the + Monastery to the court of Scotland, after having paid his vows to Saint + Mary, and that she had been directed to conduct him so far on the road; + and that Ball, her palfrey, had fallen by the way, because he had been + over-wrought with carrying home the last melder of meal to the portioner + of Langhope; and that she had turned in Ball to graze in the Tasker's + park, near Cripplecross, for he had stood as still as Lot's wife with very + weariness; and that the knight had courteously insisted she should ride + behind him, and that she had brought him to her kind friend's hostelry + rather than to proud Peter Peddie's, who got his malt at the Mellerstane + mills; and that he must get the best that the house afforded, and that he + must get it ready in a moment of time, and that she was ready to help in + the kitchen. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0393m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0393m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0393.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + All this ran glibly off the tongue without pause on the part of Mysie + Happer, or doubt on that of the landlord. The guest's horse was conducted + to the stable, and he himself installed in the cleanest corner and best + seat which the place afforded. Mysie, ever active and officious, was at + once engaged in preparing food, in spreading the table, and in making all + the better arrangements which her experience could suggest, for the honour + and comfort of her companion. He would fain have resisted this; for while + it was impossible not to be gratified with the eager and alert kindness + which was so active in his service, he felt an undefinable pain in seeing + Mysinda engaged in these menial services, and discharging them, moreover, + as one to whom they were but too familiar. Yet this jarring feeling was + mixed with, and perhaps balanced by, the extreme grace with which the + neat-handed maiden executed these tasks, however mean in themselves, and + gave to the wretched corner of a miserable inn of the period, the air of a + bower, in which an enamoured fairy, or at least a shepherdess of Arcadia, + was displaying, with unavailing solicitude, her designs on the heart of + some knight, destined by fortune to higher thoughts, and a more splendid + union. + </p> + <p> + The lightness and grace with which Mysie covered the little round table + with a snow-white cloth, and arranged upon it the hastily-roasted capon, + with its accompanying stoup of Bourdeaux, were but plebeian graces in + themselves; but yet there were very flattering ideas excited by each + glance. She was so very well made, agile at once and graceful, with her + hand and arm as white as snow, and her face in which a smile contended + with a blush, and her eyes which looked ever at Shafton when he looked + elsewhere, and were dropped at once when they encountered his, that she + was irresistible! In fine, the affectionate delicacy of her whole + demeanour, joined to the promptitude and boldness she had so lately + evinced, tended to ennoble the services she had rendered, as if some + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ——-sweet engaging Grace + Put on some clothes to come abroad, + And took a waiter's place. +</pre> + <p> + But, on the other hand, came the damning reflection, that these duties + were not taught her by Love, to serve the beloved only, but arose from the + ordinary and natural habits of a miller's daughter, accustomed, doubtless, + to render the same service to every wealthier churl who frequented her + father's mill. This stopped the mouth of vanity, and of the love which + vanity had been hatching, as effectually as a peck of literal flour would + have done. + </p> + <p> + Amidst this variety of emotions, Sir Piercie Shafton forgot not to ask the + object of them to sit down and partake the good cheer which she had been + so anxious to provide and to place in order. He expected that this + invitation would have been bashfully, perhaps, but certainly most + thankfully, accepted; but he was partly flattered, and partly piqued, by + the mixture of deference and resolution with which Mysie declined his + invitation. Immediately after, she vanished from the apartment, leaving + the Euphuist to consider whether he was most gratified or displeased by + her disappearance. + </p> + <p> + In fact, this was a point on which he would have found it difficult to + make up his mind, had there been any necessity for it. As there was none, + he drank a few cups of claret, and sang (to himself) a strophe or two of + the canzonettes of the divine Astrophel. But in spite both of wine and of + Sir Philip Sidney, the connexion in which he now stood, and that which he + was in future to hold, with the lovely Molinara, or Mysinda, as he had + been pleased to denominate Mysie Happer, recurred to his mind. The fashion + of the times (as we have already noticed) fortunately coincided with his + own natural generosity of disposition, which indeed amounted almost to + extravagance, in prohibiting, as a deadly sin, alike against gallantry, + chivalry, and morality, his rewarding the good offices he had received + from this poor maiden, by abusing any of the advantages which her + confidence in his honour had afforded. To do Sir Piercie justice, it was + an idea which never entered into his head; and he would probably have + dealt the most scientific <i>imbroccata, stoccata</i>, or <i>punto reverso</i>, + which the school of Vincent Saviola had taught him, to any man who had + dared to suggest to him such selfish and ungrateful meanness. On the other + hand, he was a man, and foresaw various circumstances which might render + their journey together in this intimate fashion a scandal and a snare. + Moreover, he was a coxcomb and a courtier, and felt there was something + ridiculous in travelling the land with a miller's daughter behind his + saddle, giving rise to suspicions not very creditable to either, and to + ludicrous constructions, so far as he himself was concerned. + </p> + <p> + “I would,” he said half aloud, “that if such might be done without harm or + discredit to the too-ambitious, yet too-well-distinguishing Molinara, she + and I were fairly severed, and bound on our different courses; even as we + see the goodly vessel bound for the distant seas hoist sails and bear away + into the deep, while the humble fly-boat carries to shore those friends, + who, with wounded hearts and watery eyes, have committed to their higher + destinies the more daring adventurers by whom the fair frigate is manned.” + </p> + <p> + He had scarce uttered the wish when it was gratified; for the host entered + to say that his worshipful knighthood's horse was ready to be brought + forth as he had desired; and on his inquiry for “the—the damsel—that + is—the young woman—” + </p> + <p> + “Mysie Happer,” said the landlord, “has returned to her father's; but she + bade me say, you could not miss the road for Edinburgh, in respect it was + neither far way nor foul gate.” + </p> + <p> + It is seldom we are exactly blessed with the precise fulfilment of our + wishes at the moment when we utter them; perhaps, because Heaven wisely + withholds what, if granted, would be often received with ingratitude. So + at least it chanced in the present instance; for when mine host said that + Mysie was returned homeward, the knight was tempted to reply, with an + ejaculation of surprise and vexation, and a hasty demand, whither and when + she had departed? The first emotions his prudence suppressed, the second + found utterance. + </p> + <p> + “Where is she gane?” said the host, gazing on him, and repeating his + question—“She is gane hame to her father's, it is like—and she + gaed just when she gave orders about your worship's horse, and saw it well + fed, (she might have trusted me, but millers and millers' kin think a' + body as thief-like as themselves,) an' she's three miles on the gate by + this time.” + </p> + <p> + “Is she gone then?” muttered Sir Piercie, making two or three hasty + strides through the narrow apartment—“Is she gone?—Well, then, + let her go. She could have had but disgrace by abiding by me, and I little + credit by her society. That I should have thought there was such + difficulty in shaking her off! I warrant she is by this time laughing with + some clown she has encountered; and my rich chain will prove a good dowry.—And + ought it not to prove so? and has she not deserved it, were it ten times + more valuable?—Piercie Shafton! Piercie Shafton! dost thou grudge + thy deliverer the guerdon she hath so dearly won? The selfish air of this + northern land hath infected thee, Piercie Shafton! and blighted the + blossoms of thy generosity, even as it is said to shrivel the flowers of + the mulberry.—Yet I thought,” he added, after a moment's pause, + “that she would not so easily and voluntarily have parted from me. But it + skills not thinking of it.—Cast my reckoning, mine host, and let + your groom lead forth my nag.” + </p> + <p> + The good host seemed also to have some mental point to discuss, for he + answered not instantly, debating perhaps whether his conscience would bear + a double charge for the same guests. Apparently his conscience replied in + the negative, though not without hesitation, for he at length replied—“It's + daffing to lee; it winna deny that the lawing is clean paid. Ne'ertheless, + if your worshipful knighthood pleases to give aught for increase of + trouble—” + </p> + <p> + “How!” said the knight; “the reckoning paid? and by whom, I pray you?” + </p> + <p> + “E'en by Mysie Happer, if truth maun be spoken, as I said before,” + answered the honest landlord, with as many compunctious visitings for + telling the verity as another might have felt for making a lie in the + circumstances—“And out of the moneys supplied for your honour's + journey by the Abbot, as she tauld to me. And laith were I to surcharge + any gentleman that darkens my doors.” He added in the confidence of + honesty which his frank avowal entitled him to entertain, “Nevertheless, + as I said before, if it pleases your knighthood of free good-will to + consider extraordinary trouble—” + </p> + <p> + The knight cut short his argument, by throwing the landlord a rose-noble, + which probably doubled the value of a Scottish reckoning, though it would + have defrayed but a half one at the Three Cranes or the Vintry. The bounty + so much delighted mine host, that he ran to fill the stirrup-cup (for + which no charge was ever made) from a butt yet charier than that which he + had pierced for the former stoup. The knight paced slowly to horse, + partook of his courtesy, and thanked him with the stiff condescension of + the court of Elizabeth; then mounted and followed the northern path, which + was pointed out as the nearest to Edinburgh, and which, though very unlike + a modern highway, bore yet so distinct a resemblance to a public and + frequented road as not to be easily mistaken. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not need her guidance it seems,” said he to himself, as he rode + slowly onward; “and I suppose that was one reason of her abrupt departure, + so different from what one might have expected.—Well, I am well rid + of her. Do we not pray to be liberated from temptation? Yet that she + should have erred so much in estimation of her own situation and mine, as + to think of defraying the reckoning! I would I saw her once more, but to + explain to her the solecism of which her inexperience hath rendered her + guilty. And I fear,” he added, as he emerged from some straggling trees, + and looked out upon a wild moorish country, composed of a succession of + swelling lumpish hills, “I fear I shall soon want the aid of this Ariadne, + who might afford me a clew through the recesses of yonder mountainous + labyrinth.” + </p> + <p> + As the Knight thus communed with himself, his attention was caught by the + sound of a horse's footsteps; and a lad, mounted on a little gray Scottish + nag, about fourteen hands high, coming along a path which led from behind + the trees, joined him on the high-road, if it could be termed such. The + dress of the lad was completely in village fashion, yet neat and handsome + in appearance. He had a jerkin of gray cloth slashed and trimmed, with + black hose of the same, with deer-skin rullions or sandals, and handsome + silver spurs. A cloak of a dark mulberry colour was closely drawn round + the upper part of his person, and the cape in part muffled his face, which + was also obscured by his bonnet of black velvet cloth, and its little + plume of feathers. + </p> + <p> + Sir Piercie Shafton, fond of society, desirous also to have a guide, and, + moreover, prepossessed in favour of so handsome a youth, failed not to ask + him whence he came, and whither he was going. The youth looked another + way, as he answered, that he was going to Edinburgh, “to seek service in + some nobleman's family.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear me you have run away from your last master,” said Sir Piercie, + “since you dare not look me in the face while you answer my question.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, sir, I have not,” answered the lad, bashfully, while, as if with + reluctance, he turned round his face, and instantly withdrew it. It was a + glance, but the discovery was complete. There was no mistaking the dark + full eye, the cheek in which much embarrassment could not altogether + disguise an expression of comic humour, and the whole figure at once + betrayed, under her metamorphosis, the Maid of the Mill. The recognition + was joyful, and Sir Piercie Shafton was too much pleased to have regained + his companion to remember the very good reasons which had consoled him for + losing her. + </p> + <p> + To his questions respecting her dress, she answered that she had obtained + it in the Kirktown from a friend; it was the holiday suit of a son of + hers, who had taken the field with his liege-lord, the baron of the land. + She had borrowed the suit under pretence she meant to play in some mumming + or rural masquerade. She had left, she said, her own apparel in exchange, + which was better worth ten crowns than this was worth four. + </p> + <p> + “And the nag, my ingenious Molinara,” said Sir Piercie, “whence comes the + nag?” + </p> + <p> + “I borrowed him from our host at the Gled's-Nest,” she replied; and added, + half stifling a laugh, “he has sent to get, instead of it, our Ball, which + I left in the Tasker's Park at Cripplecross. He will be lucky if he find + it there.” + </p> + <p> + “But then the poor man will lose his horse, most argute Mysinda,” said Sir + Piercie Shafton, whose English notions of property were a little startled + at a mode of acquisition more congenial to the ideas of a miller's + daughter (and he a Border miller to boot) than with those of an English + person of quality. + </p> + <p> + “And if he does lose his horse,” said Mysie, laughing, “surely he is not + the first man on the marches who has had such a mischance. But he will be + no loser, for I warrant he will stop the value out of moneys which he has + owed my father this many a day.” + </p> + <p> + “But then your father will be the loser,” objected yet again the + pertinacious uprightness of Sir Piercie Shafton. + </p> + <p> + “What signifies it now to talk of my father?” said the damsel, pettishly; + then instantly changing to a tone of deep feeling, she added, “my father + has this day lost that which will make him hold light the loss of all the + gear he has left.” + </p> + <p> + Struck with the accents of remorseful sorrow in which his companion + uttered these few words, the English knight felt himself bound both in + honour and conscience to expostulate with her as strongly as he could, on + the risk of the step which she had now taken, and on the propriety of her + returning to her father's house. The matter of his discourse, though + adorned with many unnecessary flourishes, was honourable both to his head + and heart. + </p> + <p> + The Maid of the Mill listened to his flowing periods with her head sunk on + her bosom as she rode, like one in deep thought or deeper sorrow. When he + had finished, she raised up her countenance, looked full on the knight, + and replied with great firmness—“If you are weary of my company, Sir + Piercie Shafton, you have but to say so, and the Miller's daughter will be + no farther cumber to you. And do not think I will be a burden to you, if + we travel together to Edinburgh; I have wit enough and pride enough to be + a willing burden to no man. But if you reject not my company at present, + and fear not it will be burdensome to you hereafter, speak no more to me + of returning back. All that you can say to me I have said to myself; and + that I am now here, is a sign that I have said it to no purpose. Let this + subject, therefore, be forever ended betwixt us. I have already, in some + small fashion, been useful to you, and the time may come I may be more so; + for this is not your land of England, where men say justice is done with + little fear or favour to great and to small; but it is a land where men do + by the strong hand, and defend by the ready wit, and I know better than + you the perils you are exposed to.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Piercie Shafton was somewhat mortified to find that the damsel + conceived her presence useful to him as a protectress as well as guide, + and said something of seeking protection of nought save his own arm and + his good sword. Mysie answered very quietly, that she nothing doubted his + bravery; but it was that very quality of bravery which was most likely to + involve him in danger. Sir Piercie Shafton, whose head never kept very + long in any continued train of thinking, acquiesced without much reply, + resolving in his own mind that the maiden only used this apology to + disguise her real motive, of affection to his person. The romance of the + situation flattered his vanity and elevated his imagination, as placing + him in the situation of one of those romantic heroes of whom he had read + the histories, where similar transformations made a distinguished figure. + </p> + <p> + He took many a sidelong glance at his page, whose habits of country sport + and country exercise had rendered her quite adequate to sustain the + character she had assumed. She managed the little nag with dexterity, and + even with grace; nor did any thing appear that could have betrayed her + disguise, except when a bashful consciousness of her companion's eye being + fixed on her, gave her an appearance of temporary embarrassment, which + greatly added to her beauty. + </p> + <p> + The couple rode forward as in the morning, pleased with themselves and + with each other, until they arrived at the village where they were to + repose for the night, and where all the inhabitants of the little inn, + both male and female, joined in extolling the good grace and handsome + countenance of the English knight, and the uncommon beauty of his youthful + attendant. + </p> + <p> + It was here that Mysie Happer first made Sir Piercie Shafton sensible of + the reserved manner in which she proposed to live with him. She announced + him as her master, and, waiting upon him with the reverent demeanour of an + actual domestic, permitted not the least approach to familiarity, not even + such as the knight might with the utmost innocence have ventured upon. For + example, Sir Piercie, who, as we know, was a great connoisseur in dress, + was detailing to her the advantageous change which he proposed to make in + her attire as soon as they should reach Edinburgh, by arraying her in his + own colours of pink and carnation. Mysie Happer listened with great + complacency to the unction with which he dilated upon welts, laces, + slashes, and trimmings, until, carried away by the enthusiasm with which + he was asserting the superiority of the falling band over the Spanish + ruff, he approached his hand, in the way of illustration, towards the + collar of his page's doublet. She instantly stepped back and gravely + reminded him that she was alone and under his protection. + </p> + <p> + “You cannot but remember the cause which has brought me here,” she + continued; “make the least approach to any familiarity which you would not + offer to a princess surrounded by her court, and you have seen the last of + the Miller's daughter—She will vanish as the chaff disappears from + the shieling-hill {Footnote: The place where corn was winnowed, while that + operation was performed by the hand, was called in Scotland the + Shieling-hill.} when the west wind blows.” + </p> + <p> + “I do protest, fair Molinara,” said Sir Piercie Shafton—but the fair + Molinara had disappeared before his protest could be uttered. “A most + singular wench,” said he to himself; “and by this hand, as discreet as she + is fair-featured—Certes, shame it were to offer her scathe or + dishonour! She makes similes too, though somewhat savouring of her + condition. Had she but read Euphues, and forgotten that accursed mill and + shieling-hill, it is my thought that her converse would be broidered with + as many and as choice pearls of compliment, as that of the most rhetorical + lady in the court of Feliciana. I trust she means to return to bear me + company.” + </p> + <p> + But that was no part of Mysie's prudential scheme. It was then drawing to + dusk, and he saw her not again until the next morning, when the horses + were brought to the door that they might prosecute their journey. + </p> + <p> + But our story here necessarily leaves the English knight and his page, to + return to the Tower of Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirtieth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + You call it an ill angel it may be so, + But sure I am, among the ranks which fell, + 'Tis the first fiend e'er counsell'd man to rise, + And win the bliss the sprite himself had forfeited. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + We must resume our narrative at the period when Mary Avenel was conveyed + to the apartment which had been formerly occupied by the two Glendinnings, + and when her faithful attendant, Tibbie, had exhausted herself in useless + attempts to compose and to comfort her. Father Eustace also dealt forth + with well-meant kindness those apophthegms and dogmata of consolation, + which friendship almost always offers to grief, though they are uniformly + offered in vain. She was at length left to indulge in the desolation of + her own sorrowful feelings. She felt as those who, loving for the first + time, have lost what they loved, before time and repeated calamity have + taught them that every loss is to a certain extent reparable or endurable. + </p> + <p> + Such grief may be conceived better than it can be described, as is well + known to those who have experienced it. But Mary Avenel had been taught by + the peculiarity of her situation, to regard herself as the Child of + Destiny; and the melancholy and reflecting turn of her disposition gave to + her sorrows a depth and breadth peculiar to her character. The grave—and + it was a bloody grave—had closed, as she believed, over the youth to + whom she was secretly, but most warmly attached; the force and ardour of + Halbert's character bearing a singular correspondence to the energy of + which her own was capable. Her sorrow did not exhaust itself in sighs and + tears, but when the first shock had passed away, concentrated itself with + deep and steady meditation, to collect and calculate, like a bankrupt + debtor, the full amount of her loss. It seemed as if all that connected + her with earth, had vanished with this broken tie. She had never dared to + anticipate the probability of an ultimate union with Halbert, yet now his + supposed fall seemed that of the only tree which was to shelter her from + the storm. She respected the more gentle character, and more peaceful + attainments, of the younger Glendinning; but it had not escaped her (what + never indeed escaped woman in such circumstances) that he was disposed to + place himself in competition with what she, the daughter of a proud and + warlike race, deemed the more manly qualities of his elder brother; and + there is no time when a woman does so little justice to the character of a + surviving lover, as when comparing him with the preferred rival of whom + she has been recently deprived. + </p> + <p> + The motherly, but coarse kindness of Dame Glendinning, and the doating + fondness of her old domestic, seemed now the only kind feeling of which + she formed the object; and she could not but reflect how little these were + to be compared with the devoted attachment of a high-souled youth, whom + the least glance of her eye could command, as the high-mettled steed is + governed by the bridle of the rider. It was when plunged among these + desolating reflections, that Mary Avenel felt the void of mind, arising + from the narrow and bigoted ignorance in which Rome then educated the + children of her church. Their whole religion was a ritual, and their + prayers were the formal iteration of unknown words, which, in the hour of + affliction, could yield but little consolation to those who from habit + resorted to them. Unused to the practice of mental devotion, and of + personal approach to the Divine Presence by prayer, she could not help + exclaiming in her distress, “There is no aid for me on earth, and I know + not how to ask it from Heaven!” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke thus in an agony of sorrow, she cast her eyes into the + apartment, and saw the mysterious Spirit, which waited upon the fortunes + of her house, standing in the moonlight in the midst of the room. The same + form, as the reader knows, had more than once offered itself to her sight; + and either her native boldness of mind, or some peculiarity attached to + her from her birth, made her now look upon it without shrinking. But the + White Lady of Avenel was now more distinctly visible, and more closely + present, than she had ever before seemed to be, and Mary was appalled by + her presence. She would, however, have spoken; but there ran a tradition, + that though others who had seen the White Lady had asked questions and + received answers, yet those of the house of Avenel who had ventured to + speak to her, had never long survived the colloquy. The figure, besides, + as sitting up in her bed, Mary Avenel gazed on it intently, seemed by its + gestures to caution her to keep silence, and at the same time to bespeak + attention. + </p> + <p> + The White Lady then seemed to press one of the planks of the floor with + her foot, while, in her usual low, melancholy, and musical chant, she + repeated the following verses: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Maiden, whose sorrows wail the Living Dead, + Whose eyes shall commune with the Dead Alive, + Maiden, attend! Beneath my foot lies hid + The Word, the Law, the Path, which thou dost strive + To find and canst not find.—Could spirits shed + Tears for their lot, it were my lot to weep, + Showing the road which I shall never tread, + Though my foot points it.—Sleep, eternal sleep, + Dark, long, and cold forgetfulness my lot!— + But do not thou at human ills repine, + Secure there lies full guerdon in this spot + For all the woes that wait frail Adam's line— + Stoop, then, and make it yours—I may not make it mine!” + </pre> + <p> + The phantom stooped towards the floor as she concluded, as if with the + intention of laying her hand on the board on which she stood. But ere she + had completed that gesture, her form became indistinct, was presently only + like the shade of a fleecy cloud, which passed betwixt earth and the moon, + and was soon altogether invisible. + </p> + <p> + A strong impression of fear, the first which she had experienced in her + life to any agitating extent, seized upon the mind of Mary Avenel, and for + a minute she felt a disposition to faint. She repelled it, however, + mustered her courage, and addressed herself to saints and angels, as her + church recommended. Broken slumbers at length stole on her exhausted mind + and frame, and she slept until the dawn was about to rise, when she was + awakened by the cry of “Treason! treason! follow, follow!” which arose in + the tower, when it was found that Piercie Shafton had made his escape. + </p> + <p> + Apprehensive of some new misfortune, Mary Avenel hastily arranged the + dress which she had not laid aside, and, venturing to quit her chamber, + learned from Tibb, who, with her gray hairs dishevelled like those of a + sibyl, was flying from room to room, that the bloody Southron villain had + made his escape, and that Halbert Glendinning, poor bairn, would sleep + unrevenged and unquiet in his bloody grave. In the lower apartments, the + young men were roaring like thunder, and venting in oaths and exclamations + against the fugitives the rage which they experienced in finding + themselves locked up within the tower, and debarred from their vindictive + pursuit by the wily precautions of Mysie Happer. The authoritative voice + of the Sub-Prior commanding silence was next heard; upon which Mary + Avenel, whose tone of feeling did not lead her to enter into counsel or + society with the rest of the party, again retired to her solitary chamber. + </p> + <p> + The rest of the family held counsel in the spence, Edward almost beside + himself with rage, and the Sub-Prior in no small degree offended at the + effrontery of Mysie Happer in attempting such a scheme, as well as at the + mingled boldness and dexterity with which it had been executed. But + neither surprise nor anger availed aught. The windows, well secured with + iron bars for keeping assailants out, proved now as effectual for + detaining the inhabitants within. The battlements were open, indeed; but + without ladder or ropes to act as a substitute for wings, there was no + possibility of descending from them. They easily succeeded in alarming the + inhabitants of the cottages beyond the precincts of the court; but the men + had been called in to strengthen the guard for the night, and only women + and children remained who could contribute nothing in the emergency, + except their useless exclamations of surprise, and there were no + neighbours for miles around. Dame Elspeth, however, though drowned in + tears, was not so unmindful of external affairs, but that she could find + voice enough to tell the women and children without, to “leave their + skirling, and look after the cows that she couldna get minded, what wi' + the awfu' distraction of her mind, what wi' that fause slut having locked + them up in their ain tower as fast as if they had been in the Jeddart + tolbooth.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the men finding other modes of exit impossible, unanimously + concluded to force the doors with such tools as the house afforded for the + purpose. These were not very proper for the occasion, and the strength of + the doors was great. The interior one, formed of oak, occupied them for + three mortal hours, and there was little prospect of the iron door being + forced in double the time. + </p> + <p> + While they were engaged in this ungrateful toil, Mary Avenel had with much + less labour acquired exact knowledge of what the Spirit had intimated in + her mystic rhyme. On examining the spot which the phantom had indicated by + her gestures, it was not difficult to discover that a board had been + loosened, which might be raised at pleasure. On removing this piece of + plank, Mary Avenel was astonished to find the Black Book, well remembered + by her as her mother's favourite study, of which she immediately took + possession, with as much joy as her present situation rendered her capable + of feeling. + </p> + <p> + Ignorant in a great measure of its contents, Mary Avenel had been taught + from her infancy to hold this volume in sacred veneration. It is probable + that the deceased Lady of Walter Avenel only postponed initiating her + daughter into the mysteries of the Divine Word, until she should be better + able to comprehend both the lessons which it taught, and the risk at + which, in those times, they were studied. Death interposed, and removed + her before the times became favourable to the reformers, and before her + daughter was so far advanced in age as to be fit to receive religious + instruction of this deep import. But the affectionate mother had made + preparations for the earthly work which she had most at heart. There were + slips of paper inserted in the volume, in which, by an appeal to, and a + comparison of, various passages in holy writ, the errors and human + inventions with which the Church of Rome had defaced the simple edifice of + Christianity, as erected by its divine architect, were pointed out. These + controversial topics were treated with a spirit of calmness and Christian + charity, which might have been an example to the theologians of the + period; but they were clearly, fairly, and plainly argued, and supported + by the necessary proofs and references. Other papers there were which had + no reference whatever to polemics, but were the simple effusions of a + devout mind communing with itself. Among these was one frequently used, as + it seemed from the state of the manuscript, on which the mother of Mary + had transcribed and placed together those affecting texts to which the + heart has recourse, in affliction, and which assures us at once of the + sympathy and protection afforded to the children of the promise. In Mary + Avenel's state of mind, these attracted her above all the other lessons, + which, coming from a hand so dear, had reached her at a time so critical, + and in a manner so touching. She read the affecting promise, “I will never + leave thee nor forsake thee,” and the consoling exhortation, “Call upon me + in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee.” She read them, and her + heart acquiesced in the conclusion. Surely this is the word of God! + </p> + <p> + There are those to whom a sense of religion has come in storm and tempest; + there are those whom it has summoned amid scenes of revelry and idle + vanity; there are those, too, who have heard its “still small voice” amid + rural leisure and placid contentment. But perhaps the knowledge which + causeth not to err, is most frequently impressed upon the mind during + seasons of affliction; and tears are the softened showers which cause the + seed of Heaven to spring and take root in the human breast. At least it + was thus with Mary Avenel. She was insensible to the discordant noise + which rang below, the clang of bars and the jarring symphony of the levers + which they used to force them, the measured shouts of the labouring + inmates as they combined their strength for each heave, and gave time with + their voices to the exertion of their arms, and their deeply muttered vows + of revenge on the fugitives who had bequeathed them at their departure a + task so toilsome and difficult. Not all this din, combined in hideous + concert, and expressive of aught but peace, love, and forgiveness, could + divert Mary Avenel from the new course of study on which she had so + singularly entered. “The serenity of Heaven,” she said, “is above me; the + sounds which are around are but those of earth and earthly passion.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the noon was passed, and little impression was made on the iron + grate, when they who laboured at it received a sudden reinforcement by the + unexpected arrival of Christie of the Clinthill. He came at the head of a + small party, consisting of four horsemen, who bore in their caps the sprig + of holly, which was the badge of Avenel. + </p> + <p> + “What, ho!—my masters,” he said, “I bring you a prisoner.” + </p> + <p> + “You had better have brought us liberty,” said Dan of the Howlet-hirst. + </p> + <p> + Christie looked at the state of affairs with great surprise. “An I were to + be hanged for it,” he said, “as I may for as little a matter, I could not + forbear laughing at seeing men peeping through their own bars like so many + rats in a rat-trap, and he with the beard behind, like the oldest rat in + the cellar.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, thou unmannered knave,” said Edward, “it is the Sub-Prior; and this + is neither time, place, nor company, for your ruffian jests.” + </p> + <p> + “What, ho! is my young master malapert?” said Christie; “why, man, were he + my own carnal father, instead of being father to half the world, I would + have my laugh out. And now it is over, I must assist you, I reckon, for + you are setting very greenly about this gear—put the pinch nearer + the staple, man, and hand me an iron crow through the grate, for that's + the fowl to fly away with a wicket on its shoulders. I have broke into as + many grates as you have teeth in your young head—ay, and broke out + of them too, as the captain of the Castle of Lochmaben knows full well.” + </p> + <p> + Christie did not boast more skill than he really possessed; for, applying + their combined strength, under the direction of that experienced engineer, + bolt and staple gave way before them, and in less than half an hour, the + grate, which had so long repelled their force, stood open before them. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said Edward, “to horse, my mates, and pursue the villain + Shafton!” + </p> + <p> + “Halt, there,” said Christie of the Clinthill; “pursue your guest, my + master's friend and my own?—there go two words to that bargain. What + the foul fiend would you pursue him for?” + </p> + <p> + “Let me pass,” said Edward, vehemently, “I will be staid by no man—the + villain has murdered my brother!” + </p> + <p> + “What says he?” said Christie, turning to the others; “murdered? who is + murdered, and by whom?” + </p> + <p> + “The Englishman, Sir Piercie Shafton,” said Dan of the Howlet-hirst, “has + murdered young Halbert Glendinning yesterday morning, and we have all + risen to the fray.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a bedlam business, I think,” said Christie. “First I find you all + locked up in your own tower, and next I am come to prevent you revenging a + murder that was never committed!” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you,” said Edward, “that my brother was slain and buried yesterday + morning by this false Englishman.” + </p> + <p> + “And I tell you,” answered Christie, “that I saw him alive and well last + night. I would I knew his trick of getting out of the grave; most men find + it more hard to break through a green sod than a grated door.” + </p> + <p> + Every body now paused, and looked on Christie in astonishment, until the + Sub-Prior, who had hitherto avoided communication with him, came up and + required earnestly to know, whether he meant really to maintain that + Halbert Glendinning lived. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” he said, with, more respect than he usually showed to any one + save his master, “I confess I may sometimes jest with those of your coat, + but not with you; because, as you may partly recollect, I owe you a life. + It is certain as the sun is in heaven, that Halbert Glendinning supped at + the house of my master the Baron of Avenel last night, and that he came + thither in company with an old man, of whom more anon.” + </p> + <p> + “And where is he now?” + </p> + <p> + “The devil only can answer that question,” replied Christie, “for the + devil has possessed the whole family, I think. He took fright, the foolish + lad, at something or other which our Baron did in his moody humour, and so + he jumped into the lake and swam ashore like a wild-duck. Robin of + Redcastle spoiled a good gelding in chasing him this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “And why did he chase the youth?” said the Sub-Prior; “what harm had he + done?” + </p> + <p> + “None that I know of,” said Christie; “but such was the Baron's order, + being in his mood, and all the world having gone mad, as I have said + before.” + </p> + <p> + “Whither away so fast, Edward?” said the monk. + </p> + <p> + “To Corri-nan-shian, Father,” answered the youth.—“Martin and Dan, + take pickaxe and mattock, and follow me if you be men!” + </p> + <p> + “Right,” said the monk, “and fail not to give us instant notice what you + find.” + </p> + <p> + “If you find aught there like Halbert Glendinning,” said Christie, + hallooing after Edward, “I will be bound to eat him unsalted.—'T is + a sight to see how that fellow takes the bent!—It is in the time of + action men see what lads are made of. Halbert was aye skipping up and down + like a roo, and his brother used to sit in the chimney nook with his book + and sic-like trash—But the lad was like a loaded hackbut, which will + stand in the corner as quiet as an old crutch until ye draw the trigger, + and then there is nothing but flash and smoke.—But here comes my + prisoner; and, setting other matters aside, I must pray a word with you, + Sir Sub-Prior, respecting him. I came on before to treat about him, but I + was interrupted with this fasherie.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, two more of Avenel's troopers rode into the court-yard, + leading betwixt them a horse, on which, with his hands bound to his side, + sate the reformed preacher, Henry Warden. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirty-First. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + At school I knew him—a sharp-witted youth, + Grave, thoughtful, and reserved among his mates, + Turning the hours of sport and food to labour, + Starving his body to inform his mind. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + The Sub-Prior, at the Borderer's request, had not failed to return to the + tower, into which he was followed by Christie of the Clinthill, who, + shutting the door of the apartment, drew near, and began his discourse + with great confidence and familiarity. + </p> + <p> + “My master,” he said, “sends me with his commendations to you, Sir + Sub-Prior, above all the community of Saint Mary's, and more specially + than even to the Abbot himself; for though he be termed my lord, and so + forth, all the world knows that you are the tongue of the trump.” + </p> + <p> + “If you have aught to say to me concerning the community,” said the + Sub-Prior, “it were well you proceeded in it without farther delay. Time + presses, and the fate of young Glendinnning dwells on my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “I will be caution for him, body for body,” said Christie. “I do protest + to you, as sure as I am a living man, so surely is he one.” + </p> + <p> + “Should I not tell his unhappy mother the joyful tidings?” said Father + Eustace,—“and yet better wait till they return from searching the + grave. Well, Sir Jackman, your message to me from your master?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord and master,” said Christie, “hath good reason to believe that, + from the information of certain back friends, whom he will reward at more + leisure, your reverend community hath been led to deem him ill attached to + Holy Church, allied with heretics and those who favour heresy, and a + hungerer after the spoils of your Abbey.” + </p> + <p> + “Be brief, good henchman,” said the Sub-Prior, “for the devil is ever most + to be feared when he preacheth.” + </p> + <p> + “Briefly, then—my master desires your friendship; and to excuse + himself from the maligner's calumnies, he sends to your Abbot that Henry + Warden, whose sermons have turned the world upside down, to be dealt with + as Holy Church directs, and as the Abbot's pleasure may determine.” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior's eyes sparkled at the intelligence; for it had been + accounted a matter of great importance that this man should be arrested, + possessed, as he was known to be, of so much zeal and popularity, that + scarcely the preaching of Knox himself had been more awakening to the + people, and more formidable to the Church of Rome. + </p> + <p> + In fact, that ancient system, which so well accommodated its doctrines to + the wants and wishes of a barbarous age, had, since the art of printing, + and the gradual diffusion of knowledge, lain floating like some huge + Leviathan, into which ten thousand reforming fishers were darting their + harpoons. The Roman Church of Scotland, in particular, was at her last + gasp, actually blowing blood and water, yet still with unremitted, though + animal exertions, maintaining the conflict with the assailants, who on + every side were plunging their weapons into her bulky body. In many large + towns, the monasteries had been suppressed by the fury of the populace; in + other places, their possessions had been usurped by the power of the + reformed nobles; but still the hierarchy made a part of the common law of + the realm, and might claim both its property and its privileges wherever + it had the means of asserting them. The community of Saint Mary's of + Kennaquhair was considered as being particularly in this situation. They + had retained, undiminished, their territorial power and influence; and the + great barons in the neighbourhood, partly from their attachment to the + party in the state who still upheld the old system of religion, partly + because each grudged the share of the prey which the others must + necessarily claim, had as yet abstained from despoiling the Halidome. The + Community was also understood to be protected by the powerful Earls of + Northumberland and Westmoreland, whose zealous attachment to the Catholic + faith caused at a later period the great rebellion of the tenth of + Elizabeth. + </p> + <p> + Thus happily placed, it was supposed by the friends of the decaying cause + of the Roman Catholic faith, that some determined example of courage and + resolution, exercised where the franchises of the church were yet entire, + and her jurisdiction undisputed, might awe the progress of the new + opinions into activity; and, protected by the laws which still existed, + and by the favour of the sovereign, might be the means of securing the + territory which Rome yet preserved in Scotland, and perhaps of recovering + that which she had lost. + </p> + <p> + The matter had been considered more than once by the northern Catholics of + Scotland, and they had held communication with those of the south. Father + Eustace, devoted by his public and private vows, had caught the flame, and + had eagerly advised that they should execute the doom of heresy on the + first reformed preacher, or, according to his sense, on the first heretic + of eminence, who should venture within the precincts of the Halidome. A + heart, naturally kind and noble, was, in this instance, as it has been in + many more, deceived by its own generosity. Father Eustace would have been + a bad administrator of the inquisitorial power of Spain, where that power + was omnipotent, and where judgment was exercised without danger to those + who inflicted it. In such a situation his rigour might have relented in + favour of the criminal, whom it was at his pleasure to crush or to place + at freedom. But in Scotland, during this crisis, the case was entirely + different. The question was, whether one of the spirituality dared, at the + hazard of his own life, to step forward to assert and exercise the rights + of the church. Was there any who would venture to wield the thunder in her + cause, or must it remain like that in the hand of a painted Jupiter, the + object of derision instead of terror? The crisis was calculated to awake + the soul of Eustace; for it comprised the question, whether he dared, at + all hazards to himself, to execute with stoical severity a measure which, + according to the general opinion, was to be advantageous to the church, + and, according to ancient law, and to his firm belief, was not only + justifiable but meritorious. + </p> + <p> + While such resolutions were agitated amongst the Catholics, chance placed + a victim within their grasp. Henry Warden had, with the animation proper + to the enthusiastic reformers of the age, transgressed, in the vehemence + of his zeal, the bounds of the discretional liberty allowed to his sect so + far, that it was thought the Queen's personal dignity was concerned in + bringing him to justice. He fled from Edinburgh, with recommendations, + however, from Lord James Stewart, afterwards the celebrated Earl of + Murray, to some of the Border chieftains of inferior rank, who were + privately conjured to procure him safe passage into England. One of the + principal persons to whom such recommendation was addressed, was Julian + Avenel; for as yet, and for a considerable time afterwards, the + correspondence and interest of Lord James lay rather with the subordinate + leaders than with the chiefs of great power, and men of distinguished + influence upon the Border. Julian Avenel had intrigued without scruple + with both parties—yet bad as he was, he certainly would not have + practised aught against the guest whom Lord James had recommended to his + hospitality, had it not been for what he termed the preacher's officious + inter-meddling in his family affairs. But when he had determined to make + Warden rue the lecture he had read him, and the scene of public scandal + which he had caused in his hall, Julian resolved, with the constitutional + shrewdness of his disposition, to combine his vengeance with his interest. + And therefore, instead of doing violence on the person of Henry Warden + within his own castle, he determined to deliver him up to the Community of + Saint Mary's, and at once make them the instruments of his own revenge, + and found a claim of personal recompense, either in money, or in a grant + of Abbey lands at a low quit-rent, which last began now to be the + established form in which the temporal nobles plundered the spirituality. + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior, therefore, of Saint Mary's, unexpectedly saw the steadfast, + active, and inflexible enemy of the church delivered into his hand, and + felt himself called upon to make good his promises to the friends of the + Catholic faith, by quenching heresy in the blood of one of its most + zealous professors. + </p> + <p> + To the honour more of Father Eustace's heart than of his consistency, the + communication that Henry Warden was placed within his power, struck him + with more sorrow than triumph; but his next feelings were those of + exultation. “It is sad,” he said to himself, “to cause human suffering; it + is awful to cause human blood to be spilled; but the judge to whom the + sword of Saint Paul, as well as the keys of Saint Peter, are confided, + must not flinch from his task. Our weapon returns into our own bosom, if + not wielded with a steady and unrelenting hand against the irreconcilable + enemies of the Holy Church. <i>Pereat iste!</i> It is the doom he has + incurred, and were all the heretics in Scotland armed and at his back, + they should not prevent its being pronounced, and, if possible, enforced.—Bring + the heretic before me,” he said, issuing his commands aloud, and in a tone + of authority. + </p> + <p> + Henry Warden was led in, his hands still bound, but his feet at liberty. + </p> + <p> + “Clear the apartment,” said the Sub-Prior, “of all but the necessary guard + on the prisoner.” + </p> + <p> + All retired except Christie of the Clinthill, who, having dismissed the + inferior troopers whom he commanded, unsheathed his sword, and placed + himself beside the door, as if taking upon him the character of sentinel. + </p> + <p> + The judge and the accused met face to face, and in that of both was + enthroned the noble confidence of rectitude. The monk was about, at the + utmost risk to himself and his community, to exercise what in his + ignorance he conceived to be his duty. The preacher, actuated by a + better-informed, yet not a more ardent zeal, was prompt to submit to + execution for God's sake, and to seal, were it necessary, his mission with + his blood. Placed at such a distance of time as better enables us to + appreciate the tendency of the principles on which they severally acted, + we cannot doubt to which the palm ought to be awarded. But the zeal of + Father Eustace was as free from passion and personal views as if it had + been exerted in a better cause. + </p> + <p> + They approached each other, armed each and prepared for intellectual + conflict, and each intently regarding his opponent, as if either hoped to + spy out some defect, some chasm in the armour of his antagonist.—As + they gazed on each other, old recollections began to awake in either + bosom, at the sight of features long unseen and much altered, but not + forgotten. The brow of the Sub-Prior dismissed by degrees its frown of + command, the look of calm yet stern defiance gradually vanished from that + of Warden, and both lost for an instant that of gloomy solemnity. They had + been ancient and intimate friends in youth at a foreign university, but + had been long separated from each other; and the change of name, which the + preacher had adopted from motives of safety, and the monk from the common + custom of the convent, had prevented the possibility of their hitherto + recognizing each other in the opposite parts which they had been playing + in the great polemical and political drama. But now the Sub-Prior + exclaimed, “Henry Wellwood!” and the preacher replied, “William Allan!”—and, + stirred by the old familiar names, and never-to-be-forgotten recollections + of college studies and college intimacy, their hands were for a moment + locked in each other. + </p> + <p> + “Remove his bonds,” said the Sub-Prior, and assisted Christie in + performing that office with his own hands, although the prisoner scarcely + would consent to be unbound, repeating with emphasis, that he rejoiced in + the cause for which he suffered shame. When his hands were at liberty, + however, he showed his sense of the kindness by again exchanging a grasp + and a look of affection with the Sub-Prior. + </p> + <p> + The salute was frank and generous on either side, yet it was but the + friendly recognition and greeting which are wont to take place betwixt + adverse champions, who do nothing in hate but all in honour. As each felt + the pressure of the situation in which they stood, he quitted the grasp of + the other's hand, and fell back, confronting each other with looks more + calm and sorrowful than expressive of any other passion. The Sub-Prior was + the first to speak. + </p> + <p> + “And is this, then, the end of that restless activity of mind, that bold + and indefatigable love of truth that urged investigation to its utmost + limits, and seemed to take heaven itself by storm—is this the + termination of Wellwood's career?—And having known and loved him + during the best years of our youth, do we meet in our old age as judge and + criminal?” + </p> + <p> + “Not as judge and criminal,” said Henry Warden,—for to avoid + confusion we describe him by his later and best known name—“Not as + judge and criminal do we meet, but as a misguided oppressor and his ready + and devoted victim. I, too, may ask, are these the harvest of the rich + hopes excited by the classical learning, acute logical powers, and varied + knowledge of William Allan, that he should sink to be the solitary drone + of a cell, graced only above the swarm with the high commission of + executing Roman malice on all who oppose Roman imposture?” + </p> + <p> + “Not to thee,” answered the Sub-Prior, “be assured—not unto thee, + nor unto mortal man, will I render an account of the power with which the + church may have invested me. It was granted but as a deposit for her + welfare—for her welfare it shall at every risk be exercised, without + fear and without favour.” + </p> + <p> + “I expected no less from your misguided zeal,” answered the preacher; “and + in me have you met one on whom you may fearlessly exercise your authority, + secure that his mind at least will defy your influence, as the snows of + that Mont Blanc which we saw together, shrink not under the heat of the + hottest summer sun.” + </p> + <p> + “I do believe thee,” said the Sub-Prior, “I do believe that thine is + indeed metal unmalleable by force. Let it yield then to persuasion. Let us + debate these matters of faith, as we once were wont to conduct our + scholastic disputes, when hours, nay, days, glided past in the mutual + exercise of our intellectual powers. It may be thou mayest yet hear the + voice of the shepherd, and return to the universal fold.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Allan,” replied the prisoner, “this is no vain question, devised by + dreaming scholiasts, on which they may whet their intellectual faculties + until the very metal be wasted away. The errors which I combat are like + those fiends which are only cast out by fasting and prayer. Alas! not many + wise, not many learned are chosen; the cottage and the hamlet shall in our + days bear witness against the schools and their disciples. Thy very + wisdom, which is foolishness, hath made thee, as the Greeks of old, hold + as foolishness that which is the only true wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + “This,” said the Sub-Prior, sternly, “is the mere cant of ignorant + enthusiasm, which appealeth from learning and from authority, from the + sure guidance of that lamp which God hath afforded us in the Councils and + in the Fathers of the Church, to a rash, self-willed, and arbitrary + interpretation of the Scriptures, wrested according to the private opinion + of each speculating heretic.” + </p> + <p> + “I disdain to reply to the charge,” replied Warden. “The question at issue + between your Church and mine, is, whether we will be judged by the Holy + Scriptures, or by the devices and decisions of men not less subject to + error than ourselves, and who have defaced our holy religion with vain + devices, reared up idols of stone and wood, in form of those, who, when + they lived, were but sinful creatures, to share the worship due only to + the Creator—established a toll-house betwixt heaven and hell, that + profitable purgatory of which the Pope keeps the keys, like an iniquitous + judge commutes punishment for bribes, and——” + </p> + <p> + “Silence, blasphemer,” said the Sub-Prior, sternly, “or I will have thy + blatant obloquy stopped with a gag!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” replied Warden, “such is the freedom of the Christian conference to + which Rome's priests so kindly invite us!—the gag—the rack—the + axe—is the <i>ratio ultima Romae</i>. But know thou, mine ancient + friend, that the character of thy former companion is not so changed by + age, but that he still dares to endure for the cause of truth all that thy + proud hierarchy shall dare to inflict.” + </p> + <p> + “Of that,” said the monk, “I nothing doubt—Thou wert ever a lion to + turn against the spear of the hunter, not a stag to be dismayed at the + sound of his bugle.”—He walked through the room in silence. + “Wellwood,” he said at length, “we can no longer be friends. Our faith, + our hope, our anchor on futurity, is no longer the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Deep is my sorrow that thou speakest truth. May God so judge me,” said + the Reformer, “as I would buy the conversion of a soul like thine with my + dearest heart's blood.” + </p> + <p> + “To thee, and with better reason, do I return the wish,” replied the + Sub-Prior; “it is such an arm as thine that should defend the bulwarks of + the Church, and it is now directing the battering-ram against them, and + rendering practicable the breach through which all that is greedy, and all + that is base, and all that is mutable and hot-headed in this innovating + age, already hope to advance to destruction and to spoil. But since such + is our fate, that we can no longer fight side by side as friends, let us + at least act as generous enemies. You cannot have forgotten, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'O gran bonta dei caralieri antiqui! + Erano nemici, eran' de fede diversa'— +</pre> + <p> + Although, perhaps,” he added, stopping short in his quotation, “your new + faith forbids you to reserve a place in your memory, even for what high + poets have recorded of loyal faith and generous sentiment.” + </p> + <p> + “The faith of Buchanan,” replied the preacher, “the faith of Buchanan and + of Beza, cannot be unfriendly to literature. But the poet you have quoted + affords strains fitter for a dissolute court than for a convent.” + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0422m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0422m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0422.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “I might retort on your Theodore Beza,” said the Sub-Prior, smiling; “but + I hate the judgment that, like the flesh-fly, skims over whatever is + sound, to detect and settle upon some spot which is tainted. But to the + purpose. If I conduct thee or send thee a prisoner to St. Mary's, thou art + to-night a tenant of the dungeon, to-morrow a burden to the gibbet-tree. + If I were to let thee go hence at large, I were thereby wronging the Holy + Church, and breaking mine own solemn vow. Other resolutions may be adopted + in the capital, or better times may speedily ensue. Wilt thou remain a + true prisoner upon thy parole, rescue or no rescue, as is the phrase + amongst the warriors of this country? Wilt thou solemnly promise that thou + wilt do so, and at my summons thou wilt present thyself before the Abbot + and Chapter at Saint Mary's, and that thou wilt not stir from this house + above a quarter of a mile in any direction? Wilt thou, I say, engage me + thy word for this? and such is the sure trust which I repose in thy good + faith, that thou shalt remain here unharmed and unsecured, a prisoner at + large, subject only to appear before our court when called upon.” + </p> + <p> + The preacher paused—“I am unwilling,” he said, “to fetter my native + liberty by any self-adopted engagement. But I am already in your power, + and you may bind me to my answer. By such promise, to abide within a + certain limit, and to appear when called upon, I renounce not any liberty + which I at present possess, and am free to exercise; but, on the contrary, + being in bonds, and at your mercy, I acquire thereby a liberty which I at + present possess not. I will therefore accept of thy proffer, as what is + courteously offered on thy part, and may be honourably accepted on mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Stay yet,” said the Sub-Prior; “one important part of thy engagement is + forgotten—thou art farther to promise, that while thus left at + liberty, thou wilt not preach or teach, directly or indirectly, any of + those pestilent heresies by which so many souls have been in this our day + won over from the kingdom of light to the kingdom of darkness.” + </p> + <p> + “There we break off our treaty,” said Warden, firmly—“Wo unto me if + I preach not the Gospel!” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior's countenance became clouded, and he again paced the + apartment, and muttered, “A plague upon the self-willed fool!” then + stopped short in his walk, and proceeded in his argument.—“Why, by + thine own reasoning, Henry, thy refusal here is but peevish obstinacy. It + is in my power to place you where your preaching can reach no human ear; + in promising therefore to abstain from it, you grant nothing which you + have it in your power to refuse.” + </p> + <p> + “I know not that,” replied Henry Warden; “thou mayest indeed cast me into + a dungeon, but can I foretell that my Master hath not task-work for me to + perform even in that dreary mansion? The chains of saints have, ere now, + been the means of breaking the bonds of Satan. In a prison, holy Paul + found the jailor whom he brought to believe the word of salvation, he and + all his house.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the Sub-Prior, in a tone betwixt anger and scorn, “if you + match yourself with the blessed Apostle, it were time we had done—prepare + to endure what thy folly, as well as thy heresy, deserves.—Bind him, + soldier.” + </p> + <p> + With proud submission to his fate, and regarding the Sub-Prior with + something which almost amounted to a smile of superiority, the preacher + placed his arms so that the bonds could be again fastened round him. + </p> + <p> + “Spare me not,” he said to Christie; for even that ruffian hesitated to + draw the cord straitly. + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior, meanwhile, looked at him from under his cowl, which he had + drawn over his head, and partly over his face, as if he wished to shade + his own emotions. They were those of a huntsman within point-blank shot of + a noble stag, who is yet too much struck with his majesty of front and of + antler to take aim at him. They were those of a fowler, who, levelling his + gun at a magnificent eagle, is yet reluctant to use his advantage when he + sees the noble sovereign of the birds pruning himself in proud defiance of + whatever may be attempted against him. The heart of the Sub-Prior (bigoted + as he was) relented, and he doubted if he ought to purchase, by a rigorous + discharge of what he deemed his duty, the remorse he might afterwards feel + for the death of one so nobly independent in thought and character, the + friend, besides, of his own happiest years, during which they had, side by + side, striven in the noble race of knowledge, and indulged their intervals + of repose in the lighter studies of classical and general letters. + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior's hand pressed his half-o'ershadowed cheek, and his eye, + more completely obscured, was bent on the ground, as if to hide the + workings of his relenting nature. + </p> + <p> + “Were but Edward safe from the infection,” he thought to himself—“Edward, + whose eager and enthusiastic mind presses forward in the chase of all that + hath even the shadow of knowledge, I might trust this enthusiast with the + women, after due caution to them that they cannot, without guilt, attend + to his reveries.” + </p> + <p> + As the Sub-Prior revolved these thoughts, and delayed the definitive order + which was to determine the fate of the prisoner, a sudden noise at the + entrance of the tower diverted his attention for an instant, and, his + cheek and brow inflamed with all the glow of heat and determination, + Edward Glendinning rushed into the room. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirty-Second. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Then in my gown of sober gray + Along the mountain path I'll wander, + And wind my solitary way + To the sad shrine that courts me yonder. + + There, in the calm monastic shade, + All injuries may be forgiven; + And there for thee, obdurate maid, + My orisons shall rise to heaven. + THE CRUEL LADY OF THE MOUNTAINS. +</pre> + <p> + The first words which Edward uttered were,—“My brother is safe, + reverend father—he is safe, thank God, and lives!—There is not + in Corri-nan-shian a grave, nor a vestige of a grave. The turf around the + fountain has neither been disturbed by pick-axe, spade, nor mattock, since + the deer's-hair first sprang there. He lives as surely as I live!” + </p> + <p> + The earnestness of the youth—the vivacity with which he looked and + moved—the springy step, outstretched hand, and ardent eye, reminded + Henry Warden of Halbert, so lately his guide. The brothers had indeed a + strong family resemblance, though Halbert was far more athletic and active + in his person, taller and better knit in the limbs, and though Edward had, + on ordinary occasions, a look of more habitual acuteness and more profound + reflection. The preacher was interested as well as the Sub-Prior. + </p> + <p> + “Of whom do you speak, my son?” he said, in a tone as unconcerned as if + his own fate had not been at the same instant trembling in the balance, + and as if a dungeon and death did not appear to be his instant doom—“Of + whom, I say, speak you? If of a youth somewhat older than you seem to be—brown-haired, + open-featured, taller and stronger than you appear, yet having much of the + same air and of the same tone of voice—if such a one is the brother + whom you seek, it may be I can tell you news of him.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak, then, for Heaven's sake,” said Edward—“life or death lies on + thy tongue!” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior joined eagerly in the same request, and, without waiting to + be urged, the preacher gave so minute an account of the circumstances + under which he met the elder Glendinning, with so exact a description of + his person, that there remained no doubt as to his identity. When he + mentioned that Halbert Glendinning had conducted him to a dell in which + they found the grass bloody, and a grave newly closed, and told how the + youth accused himself of the slaughter of Sir Piercie Shafton, the + Sub-Prior looked on Edward with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Didst thou not say, even now,” he said, “that there was no vestige of a + grave in that spot?” + </p> + <p> + “No more vestige of the earth having been removed than if the turf had + grown there since the days of Adam,” replied Edward Glendinning. “It is + true,” he added, “that the adjacent grass was trampled and bloody.” + </p> + <p> + “These are delusions of the Enemy,” said the Sub-Prior, crossing himself.—“Christian + men may no longer doubt of it.” + </p> + <p> + “But an it be so,” said Warden, “Christian men might better guard + themselves by the sword of prayer than by the idle form of a cabalistical + spell.” + </p> + <p> + “The badge of our salvation,” said the Sub-Prior, “cannot be so termed—the + sign of the cross disarmeth all evil spirits.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” answered Henry Warden, apt and armed for controversy, “but it should + be borne in the heart, not scored with the fingers in the air. That very + impassive air, through which your hand passes, shall as soon bear the + imprint of your action, as the external action shall avail the fond bigot + who substitutes vain motions of the body, idle genuflections, and signs of + the cross, for the living and heart-born duties of faith and good works.” + </p> + <p> + “I pity thee,” said the Sub-Prior, as actively ready for polemics as + himself,—“I pity thee, Henry, and reply not to thee. Thou mayest as + well winnow forth and measure the ocean with a sieve, as mete out the + power of holy words, deeds, and signs, by the erring gauge of thine own + reason.” + </p> + <p> + “Not by mine own reason would I mete them,” said Warden; “but by His holy + Word, that unfading and unerring lamp of our paths, compared to which + human reason is but as a glimmering and fading taper, and your boasted + tradition only a misleading wildfire. Show me your Scripture warrant for + ascribing virtue to such vain signs and motions!” + </p> + <p> + “I offered thee a fair field of debate,” said the Sub-Prior, “which thou + didst refuse. I will not at present resume the controversy.” + </p> + <p> + “Were these my last accents,” said the reformer, “and were they uttered at + the stake, half-choked with smoke, and as the fagots kindled into a blaze + around me, with that last utterance I would testify against the + superstitious devices of Rome.” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior suppressed with pain the controversial answer which arose to + his lips, and, turning to Edward Glendinning, he said, “there could be now + no doubt that his mother ought presently to be informed that her son + lived.” + </p> + <p> + “I told you that two hours since,” said Christie of the Clinthill, “an you + would have believed me. But it seems you are more willing to take the word + of an old gray sorner, whose life has been spent in pattering heresy, than + mine, though I never rode a foray in my life without duly saying my + paternoster.” + </p> + <p> + “Go then,” said Father Eustace to Edward; “let thy sorrowing mother know + that her son is restored to her from the grave, like the child of the + widow of Zarephath; at the intercession,” he added, looking at Henry + Warden, “of the blessed Saint whom I invoked in his behalf.” + </p> + <p> + “Deceived thyself,” said Warden, instantly, “thou art a deceiver of + others. It was no dead man, no creature of clay, whom the blessed Tishbite + invoked, when, stung by the reproach of the Shunamite woman, he prayed + that her son's soul might come into him again.” + </p> + <p> + “It was by his intercession, however,” repeated the Sub-Prior; “for what + says the Vulgate? Thus it is written: '<i>Et exaudivit Dominus vocem + Helie; et reversa est anima pueri intra cum, et revixit</i>;'—and + thinkest thou the intercession of a glorified saint is more feeble than + when he walks on earth, shrouded in a tabernacle of clay, and seeing but + with the eye of flesh?” + </p> + <p> + During this controversy Edward Glendinning appeared restless and + impatient, agitated by some internal feeling, but whether of joy, grief, + or expectation, his countenance did not expressly declare. He took now the + unusual freedom to break in upon the discourse of the Sub-Prior, who, + notwithstanding his resolution to the contrary, was obviously kindling in + the spirit of controversy, which Edward diverted by conjuring his + reverence to allow him to speak a few words with him in private. + </p> + <p> + “Remove the prisoner,” said the Sub-Prior to Christie; “look to him + carefully that he escape not; but for thy life do him no injury.” + </p> + <p> + His commands being obeyed, Edward and the monk were left alone, when the + Sub-Prior thus addressed him: + </p> + <p> + “What hath come over thee, Edward, that thy eye kindles so wildly, and thy + cheek is thus changing from scarlet to pale? Why didst thou break in so + hastily and unadvisedly upon the argument with which I was prostrating + yonder heretic? And wherefore dost thou not tell thy mother that her son + is restored to her by the intercession, as Holy Church well warrants us to + believe, of Blessed Saint Benedict, the patron of our Order? For if ever + my prayers were put forth to him with zeal, it hath been in behalf of this + house, and thine eyes have seen the result—go tell it to thy + mother.” + </p> + <p> + “I must tell her then,” said Edward, “that if she has regained one son, + another is lost to her.” + </p> + <p> + “What meanest thou, Edward? what language is this?” said the Sub-Prior. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said the youth, kneeling down to him, “my sin and my shame shall + be told thee, and thou shalt witness my penance with thine own eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “I comprehend thee not,” said the Sub-Prior. “What canst thou have done to + deserve such self-accusation?—Hast thou too listened,” he added, + knitting his brows, “to the demon of heresy, ever most effectual tempter + of those, who, like yonder unhappy man, are distinguished by their love of + knowledge?” + </p> + <p> + “I am guiltless in that matter,” answered Glendinning, “nor have presumed + to think otherwise than thou, my kind father, hast taught me, and than the + Church allows.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is it then, my son,” said the Sub-Prior, kindly, “which thus + afflicts thy conscience? speak it to me, that I may answer thee in the + words of comfort; for the Church's mercy is great to those obedient + children who doubt not her power.” + </p> + <p> + “My confession will require her mercy,” replied Edward. “My brother + Halbert—so kind, so brave, so gentle, who spoke not, thought not, + acted not, but in love to me, whose hand had aided me in every difficulty, + whose eye watched over me like the eagle's over her nestlings, when they + prove their first flight from the eyry—this brother, so kind, so + gently affectionate—I heard of his sudden, his bloody, his violent + death, and I rejoiced—I heard of his unexpected restoration, and I + sorrowed!” + </p> + <p> + “Edward,” said the father, “thou art beside thyself—what could urge + thee to such odious ingratitude?—In your hurry of spirits you have + mistaken the confused tenor of your feelings—Go, my son, pray and + compose thy mind—we will speak of this another time.” + </p> + <p> + “No, father, no,” said Edward, vehemently, “now or never!—I will + find the means to tame this rebellious heart of mine, or I will tear it + out of my bosom—Mistake its passions?—No, father, grief can + ill be mistaken for joy—All wept, all shrieked around me—my + mother—the menials—she too, the cause of my crime—all + wept—and I—I could hardly disguise my brutal and insane joy + under the appearance of revenge—Brother, I said, I cannot give thee + tears, but I will give thee blood—Yes, father, as I counted hour + after hour, while I kept watch upon the English prisoner, and said, I am + an hour nearer to hope and to happiness——” + </p> + <p> + “I understand thee not, Edward,” said the monk, “nor can I conceive in + what way thy brother's supposed murder should have affected thee with such + unnatural joy—Surely the sordid desire to succeed him in his small + possessions——” + </p> + <p> + “Perish the paltry trash!” said Edward, with the same emotion. “No, + father, it was rivalry—it was jealous rage—it was the love of + Mary Avenel, that rendered me the unnatural wretch I confess myself!” + </p> + <p> + “Of Mary Avenel!” said the Priest—“of a lady so high above either of + you in name and in rank? How dared Halbert—how dared you, to presume + to lift your eye to her but in honour and respect, as a superior of + another degree from yours?” + </p> + <p> + “When did love wait for the sanction of heraldry?” replied Edward; “and in + what but a line of dead ancestors was Mary, our mother's guest and + foster-child, different from us, with whom she was brought up?—Enough, + we loved—we both loved her! But the passion of Halbert was requited. + He knew it not, he saw it not—but I was sharper-eyed. I saw that + even when I was more approved, Halbert was more beloved. With me she would + sit for hours at our common task with the cold simplicity and indifference + of a sister, but with Halbert she trusted not herself. She changed colour, + she was fluttered when he approached her; and when he left her, she was + sad, pensive, and solitary. I bore all this—I saw my rival's + advancing progress in her affections—I bore it, father, and yet I + hated him not—I could not hate him!” + </p> + <p> + “And well for thee that thou didst not,” said the father; “wild and + headstrong as thou art, wouldst thou hate thy brother for partaking in + thine own folly?” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” replied Edward, “the world esteems thee wise, and holds thy + knowledge of mankind high; but thy question shows that thou hast never + loved. It was by an effort that I saved myself from hating my kind and + affectionate brother, who, all unsuspicious of my rivalry, was perpetually + loading me with kindness. Nay, there were moods of my mind, in which I + could return that kindness for a time with energetic enthusiasm. Never did + I feel this so strongly as on the night which parted us. But I could not + help rejoicing when he was swept from my path—could not help + sorrowing when he was again restored to be a stumbling-block in my paths.” + </p> + <p> + “May God be gracious to thee, my son!” said the monk; “this is an awful + state of mind. Even in such evil mood did the first murderer rise up + against his brother, because Abel's was the more acceptable sacrifice.” + </p> + <p> + “I will wrestle with the demon which has haunted me, father,” replied the + youth, firmly—“I will wrestle with him, and I will subdue him. But + first I must remove from the scenes which are to follow here. I cannot + endure that I should see Mary Avenel's eyes again flash with joy at the + restoration of her lover. It were a sight to make indeed a second Cain of + me! My fierce, turbid, and transitory joy discharged itself in a thirst to + commit homicide, and how can I estimate the frenzy of my despair?” + </p> + <p> + “Madman!” said the Sub-Prior, “at what dreadful crime does thy fury + drive?” + </p> + <p> + “My lot is determined, father,” said Edward, in a resolute tone; “I will + embrace the spiritual state which you have so oft recommended. It is my + purpose to return with you to Saint Mary's, and, with the permission of + the Holy Virgin and of Saint Benedict, to offer my profession to the + Abbot.” + </p> + <p> + “Not now, my son,” said the Sub-Prior, “not in this distemperature of + mind. The wise and good accept not gifts which are made in heat of blood, + and which may be after repented of; and shall we make our offerings to + wisdom and to goodness itself with less of solemn resolution and deep + devotion of mind, than is necessary to make them acceptable to our own + frail companions in this valley of darkness? This I say to thee, my son, + not as meaning to deter thee from the good path thou art now inclined to + prefer, but that thou mayst make thy vocation and thine election sure.” + </p> + <p> + “There are actions, father,” returned Edward, “which brook no delay, and + this is one. It must be done this very <i>now</i>; or it may never be + done. Let me go with you; let me not behold the return of Halbert into + this house. Shame, and the sense of the injustice I have already done him, + will join with these dreadful passions which urge me to do him yet farther + wrong. Let me then go with you.” + </p> + <p> + “With me, my son,” said the Sub-Prior, “thou shalt surely go; but our + rule, as well as reason and good order, require that you should dwell a + space with us as a probationer, or novice, before taking upon thee those + final vows, which, sequestering thee for ever from the world, dedicate + thee to the service of Heaven.” + </p> + <p> + “And when shall we set forth, father?” said the youth, as eagerly as if + the journey which he was now undertaking led to the pleasures of a summer + holiday. + </p> + <p> + “Even now, if thou wilt,” said the Sub-Prior, yielding to his impetuosity—“go, + then, and command them to prepare for our departure.—Yet stay,” he + said, as Edward, with all the awakened enthusiasm of his character, + hastened from his presence, “come hither, my son, and kneel down.” + </p> + <p> + Edward obeyed, and kneeled down before him. Notwithstanding his slight + figure and thin features, the Sub-Prior could, from the energy of his + tone, and the earnestness of his devotional manner, impress his pupils and + his penitents with no ordinary feelings of personal reverence. His heart + always was, as well as seemed to be, in the duty which he was immediately + performing; and the spiritual guide who thus shows a deep conviction of + the importance of his office, seldom fails to impress a similar feeling + upon his hearers. Upon such occasions as the present, his puny body seemed + to assume more majestic stature—his spare and emaciated countenance + bore a bolder, loftier, and more commanding port—his voice, always + beautiful, trembled as labouring under the immediate impulse of the + Divinity—and his whole demeanour seemed to bespeak, not the mere + ordinary man, but the organ of the Church in which she had vested her high + power for delivering sinners from their load of iniquity. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou, my fair son,” said he, “faithfully recounted the circumstances + which have thus suddenly determined thee to a religious life?” + </p> + <p> + “The sins I have confessed, my father,” answered Edward, “but I have not + yet told of a strange appearance, which, acting in my mind, hath, I think, + aided to determine my resolution.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell it, then, now,” returned the Sub-Prior; “it is thy duty to leave me + uninstructed in nought, so that thereby I may understand the temptation + that besets thee.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell it with unwillingness,” said Edward; “for although, God wot, I + speak but the mere truth, yet even while my tongue speaks it as truth, my + own ears receive it as fable.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet say the whole,” said Father Eustace; “neither fear rebuke from me, + seeing I may know reasons for receiving as true that which others might + regard as fabulous.” + </p> + <p> + “Know, then, father,” replied Edward, “that betwixt hope and despair—and, + heavens! what a hope!—the hope to find the corpse mangled and + crushed hastily in amongst the bloody clay which the foot of the scornful + victor had trod down upon my good, my gentle, my courageous brother,—I + sped to the glen called Corri-nan-shian; but, as your reverence has been + already informed, neither the grave, which my unhallowed wishes had in + spite of my better self longed to see, nor any appearance of the earth + having been opened, was visible in the solitary spot where Martin had, at + morning yesterday, seen the fatal hillock. You know your dalesmen, father. + The place hath an evil name, and this deception of the sight inclined them + to leave it. My companions became affrighted, and hastened down the glen + as men caught in trespass. My hopes were too much blighted, my mind too + much agitated, to fear either the living or the dead. I descended the glen + more slowly than they, often looking back, and not ill pleased with the + poltroonery of my companions, which left me to my own perplexed and moody + humour, and induced them to hasten into the broader dale. They were + already out of sight, and lost amongst the windings of the glen, when, + looking back, I saw a female form standing beside the fountain——” + </p> + <p> + “How, my fair son?” said the Sub-Prior, “beware you jest not with your + present situation!” + </p> + <p> + “I jest not, father,” answered the youth; “it may be I shall never jest + again—surely not for many a day. I saw, I say, the form of a female + clad in white, such as the Spirit which haunts the house of Avenel is + supposed to be. Believe me, my father, for, by heaven and earth, I say + nought but what I saw with these eyes!” + </p> + <p> + “I believe thee, my son,” said the monk; “proceed in thy strange story.” + </p> + <p> + “The apparition,” said Edward Glendinning, “sung, and thus ran her lay; + for, strange as it may seem to you, her words abide by my remembrance as + if they had been sung to me from infancy upward:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Thou who seek'st my fountain lone, + With thoughts and hopes thou dar'st not own; + Whose heart within leap'd wildly glad + When most his brow seem'd dark and sad; + Hie thee back, thou find'st not here + Corpse or coffin, grave or bier; + The Dead Alive is gone and fled— + Go thou, and join the Living Dead! + + 'The Living Dead, whose sober brow + Oft shrouds such thoughts as thou hast now, + Whose hearts within are seldom cured + Of passions by their vows abjured; + Where, under sad and solemn show, + Vain hopes are nursed, wild wishes glow. + Seek the convent's vaulted room, + Prayer and vigil be thy doom; + Doff the green, and don the gray, + To the cloister hence away!'” + </pre> + <p> + “'Tis a wild lay,” said the Sub-Prior, “and chanted, I fear me, with no + good end. But we have power to turn the machinations of Satan to his + shame. Edward, thou shalt go with me as thou desirest; thou shalt prove + the life for which I have long thought thee best fitted—thou shalt + aid, my son, this trembling hand of mine to sustain the Holy Ark, which + bold unhallowed men press rashly forward to touch and to profane.—Wilt + thou not first see thy mother?” + </p> + <p> + “I will see no one,” said Edward, hastily; “I will risk nothing that may + shake the purpose of my heart. From Saint Mary's they shall learn my + destination—all of them shall learn it. My mother—Mary Avenel—my + restored and happy brother—they shall all know that Edward lives no + longer to the world to be a clog on their happiness. Mary shall no longer + need to constrain her looks and expressions to coldness because I am nigh. + She shall no longer——” + </p> + <p> + “My son,” said the Sub-Prior, interrupting him, “it is not by looking back + on the vanities and vexations of this world, that we fit ourselves for the + discharge of duties which are not of it. Go, get our horses ready, and, as + we descend the glen together, I will teach thee the truths through which + the fathers and wise men of old had that precious alchemy, which can + convert suffering into happiness.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirty-Third. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Now, on my faith, this gear is all entangled, + Like to the yarn-clew of the drowsy knitter, + Dragg'd by the frolic kitten through the cabin, + While the good dame sits nodding o'er the fire! + Masters, attend; 'twill crave some skill to clear it. + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + Edward, with the speed of one who doubts the steadiness of his own + resolution, hastened to prepare the horses for their departure, and at the + same time thanked and dismissed the neighbours who had come to his + assistance, and who were not a little surprised both at the suddenness of + his proposed departure, and at the turn affairs had taken. + </p> + <p> + “Here's cold hospitality,” quoth Dan of the Howlet-hirst to his comrades; + “I trow the Glendinnings may die and come alive right oft, ere I put foot + in stirrup again for the matter.” + </p> + <p> + Martin soothed them by placing food and liquor before them. They ate + sullenly, however, and departed in bad humour. + </p> + <p> + The joyful news that Halbert Glendinning lived, was quickly communicated + through the sorrowing family. The mother wept and thanked Heaven + alternately; until her habits of domestic economy awakening as her + feelings became calmer, she observed, “It would be an unco task to mend + the yetts, and what were they to do while they were broken in that + fashion? At open doors dogs come in.” + </p> + <p> + Tibb remarked, “She aye thought Halbert was ower gleg at his weapon to be + killed sae easily by ony Sir Piercie of them a'. They might say of these + Southrons as they liked; but they had not the pith and wind of a canny + Scot, when it came to close grips.” + </p> + <p> + On Mary Avenel the impression was inconceivably deeper. She had but newly + learned to pray, and it seemed to her that her prayers had been instantly + answered—that the compassion of Heaven, which she had learned to + implore in the words of Scripture, had descended upon her after a manner + almost miraculous, and recalled the dead from the grave at the sound of + her lamentations. There was a dangerous degree of enthusiasm in this + strain of feeling, but it originated in the purest devotion. + </p> + <p> + A silken and embroidered muffler, one of the few articles of more costly + attire which she possessed, was devoted to the purpose of wrapping up and + concealing the sacred volume, which henceforth she was to regard as her + chiefest treasure, lamenting only that, for want of a fitting interpreter, + much must remain to her a book closed and a fountain sealed. She was + unaware of the yet greater danger she incurred, of putting an imperfect or + even false sense upon some of the doctrines which appeared most + comprehensible. But Heaven had provided against both these hazards. + </p> + <p> + While Edward was preparing the horses, Christie of the Clinthill again + solicited his orders respecting the reformed preacher, Henry Warden, and + again the worthy monk laboured to reconcile in his own mind the compassion + and esteem which, almost in spite of him, he could not help feeling for + his former companion, with the duty which he owed to the Church. The + unexpected resolution of Edward had removed, he thought, the chief + objection to his being left at Glendearg. + </p> + <p> + “If I carry this Well-wood, or Warden, to the Monastery.” he thought, “he + must die—die in his heresy—perish body and soul. And though + such a measure was once thought advisable, to strike terror into the + heretics, yet such is now their daily increasing strength, that it may + rather rouse them to fury and to revenge. True, he refuses to pledge + himself to abstain from sowing his tares among the wheat; but the ground + here is too barren to receive them. I fear not his making impression on + these poor women, the vassals of the Church, and bred up in due obedience + to her behests. The keen, searching, inquiring, and bold disposition of + Edward, might have afforded fuel to the fire; but that is removed, and + there is nothing left which the flame may catch to.—Thus shall he + have no power to spread his evil doctrines abroad, and yet his life shall + be preserved, and it may be his soul rescued as a prey from the fowler's + net. I will myself contend with him in argument; for when we studied in + common, I yielded not to him, and surely the cause for which I struggle + will support me, were I yet more weak than I deem myself. Were this man + reclaimed from his errors, an hundred-fold more advantage would arise to + the Church from his spiritual regeneration, than from his temporal death.” + </p> + <p> + Having finished these meditations, in which there was at once goodness of + disposition and narrowness of principle, a considerable portion of + self-opinion, and no small degree of self-delusion, the Sub-Prior + commanded the prisoner to be brought into his presence. + </p> + <p> + “Henry,” he said, “whatever a rigid sense of duty may demand of me, + ancient friendship and Christian compassion forbid me to lead thee to + assured death. Thou wert wont to be generous, though stern and stubborn in + thy resolves; let not thy sense of what thine own thoughts term duty, draw + thee farther than mine have done. Remember, that every sheep whom thou + shalt here lead astray from the fold, will be demanded in time and through + eternity of him who hath left thee the liberty of doing such evil. I ask + no engagement of thee, save that thou remain a prisoner on thy word at + this tower, and wilt appear when summoned.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast found an invention to bind my hands,” replied the preacher, + “more sure than would have been the heaviest shackles in the prison of thy + convent. I will not rashly do what may endanger thee with thy unhappy + superiors, and I will be the more cautious, because, if we had farther + opportunity of conference, I trust thine own soul may yet be rescued as a + brand from the burning, and that, casting from thee the livery of + Anti-Christ, that trader in human sins and human souls, I may yet assist + thee to lay hold on the Rock of Ages.” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior heard the sentiment, so similar to that which had occurred + to himself, with the same kindly feelings with which the game-cock hears + and replies to the challenge of his rival. + </p> + <p> + “I bless God and Our Lady,” said he, drawing himself up, “that my faith is + already anchored on that Rock on which Saint Peter founded his Church.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a perversion of the text,” said the eager Henry Warden, “grounded + on a vain play upon words—a most idle paronomasia.” + </p> + <p> + The controversy would have been rekindled, and in all probability—for + what can insure the good temper and moderation of polemics?—might + have ended in the preacher's being transported a captive to the Monastery, + had not Christie of the Clinthill observed that it was growing late, and + that he, having to descend the glen, which had no good reputation, cared + not greatly for travelling there after sunset. The Sub-Prior, therefore, + stifled his desire of argument, and again telling the preacher, that he + trusted to his gratitude and generosity, he bade him farewell. + </p> + <p> + “Be assured, my old friend,” replied Warden, “that no willing act of mine + shall be to thy prejudice. But if my Master shall place work before me, I + must obey God rather than man.” + </p> + <p> + These two men, both excellent from natural disposition and acquired + knowledge, had more points of similarity than they themselves would have + admitted. In truth, the chief distinction betwixt them was, that the + Catholic, defending a religion which afforded little interest to the + feelings, had, in his devotion to the cause he espoused, more of the head + than of the heart, and was politic, cautious, and artful; while the + Protestant, acting under the strong impulse of more lately-adopted + conviction, and feeling, as he justly might, a more animated confidence in + his cause, was enthusiastic, eager, and precipitate in his desire to + advance it. The priest would have been contented to defend, the preacher + aspired to conquer; and, of course, the impulse by which the latter was + governed, was more active and more decisive. They could not part from each + other without a second pressure of hands, and each looked in the face of + his old companion, as he bade him adieu, with a countenance strongly + expressive of sorrow, affection, and pity. + </p> + <p> + Father Eustace then explained briefly to Dame Glendinning, that this + person was to be her guest for some days, forbidding her and her whole + household, under high spiritual censures, to hold any conversation with + him on religious subjects, but commanding her to attend to his wants in + all other particulars. + </p> + <p> + “May Our Lady forgive me, reverend father,” said Dame Glendinning, + somewhat dismayed at this intelligence, “but I must needs say, that ower + mony guests have been the ruin of mony a house, and I trow they will bring + down Glendearg. First came the Lady of Avenel—(her soul be at rest—she + meant nae ill)—but she brought with her as mony bogles and fairies, + as hae kept the house in care ever since, sae that we have been living as + it were in a dream. And then came that English knight, if it please you, + and if he hasna killed my son outright, he has chased him aff the gate, + and it may be lang eneugh ere I see him again—forby the damage done + to outer door and inner door. And now your reverence has given me the + charge of a heretic, who, it is like, may bring the great horned devil + himself down upon us all; and they say that it is neither door nor window + will serve him, but he will take away the side of the auld tower along + with him. Nevertheless, reverend father, your pleasure is doubtless to be + done to our power.” + </p> + <p> + “Go to, woman,” said the Sub-Prior; “send for workmen from the clachan, + and let them charge the expense of their repairs to the Community, and I + will give the treasurer warrant to allow them. Moreover, in settling the + rental mails, and feu-duties, thou shalt have allowance for the trouble + and charges to which thou art now put, and I will cause strict search to + be made after thy son.” + </p> + <p> + The dame curtsied deep and low at each favourable expression; and when the + Sub-Prior had done speaking, she added her farther hope that the Sub-Prior + would hold some communing with her gossip the Miller, concerning the fate + of his daughter, and expound to him that the chance had by no means + happened through any negligence on her part. + </p> + <p> + “I sair doubt me, father,” she said, “whether Mysie finds her way back to + the Mill in a hurry; but it was all her father's own fault that let her + run lamping about the country, riding on bare-backed naigs, and never + settling to do a turn of wark within doors, unless it were to dress + dainties at dinner-time for his ain kyte.” + </p> + <p> + “You remind me, dame, of another matter of urgency,” said Father Eustace; + “and, God knows, too many of them press on me at this moment. This English + knight must be sought out, and explanation given to him of these most + strange chances. The giddy girl must also be recovered. If she hath + suffered in reputation by this unhappy mistake, I will not hold myself + innocent of the disgrace. Yet how to find them out I know not.” + </p> + <p> + “So please you,” said Christie of the Clinthill, “I am willing to take the + chase, and bring them back by fair means or foul; for though you have + always looked as black as night at me, whenever we have forgathered, yet I + have not forgotten that had it not been for you, my neck would have kend + the weight of my four quarters. If any man can track the tread of them, I + will say in the face of both Merse and Teviotdale, and take the Forest to + boot, I am that man. But first I have matters to treat of on my master's + score, if you will permit me to ride down the glen with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but my friend,” said the Sub-Prior, “thou shouldst remember I have + but slender cause to trust thee for a companion through a place so + solitary.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush! tush!” said the Jackman, “fear me not; I had the worst too surely + to begin that sport again. Besides, have I not said a dozen of times, I + owe you a life? and when I owe a man either a good turn or a bad, I never + fail to pay it sooner or later. Moreover, beshrew me if I care to go alone + down the glen, or even with my troopers, who are, every loon of them, as + much devil's bairns as myself; whereas, if your reverence, since that is + the word, take beads and psalter, and I come along with jack and spear, + you will make the devils take the air, and I will make all human enemies + take the earth.” + </p> + <p> + Edward here entered, and told his reverence that his horse was prepared. + At this instant his eye caught his mother's, and the resolution which he + had so strongly formed was staggered when he recollected the necessity of + bidding her farewell. The Sub-Prior saw his embarrassment, and came to his + relief. + </p> + <p> + “Dame,” said he, “I forgot to mention that your son Edward goes with me to + Saint Mary's, and will not return for two or three days.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll be wishing to help him to recover his brother? May the saints + reward your kindness!” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior returned the benediction which, in this instance, he had not + very well deserved, and he and Edward set forth on their route. They were + presently followed by Christie, who came up with his followers at such a + speedy pace, as intimated sufficiently that his wish to obtain spiritual + convoy through the glen, was extremely sincere. He had, however, other + matters to stimulate his speed, for he was desirous to communicate to the + Sub-Prior a message from his master Julian, connected with the delivery of + the prisoner Warden; and having requested the Sub-Prior to ride with him a + few yards before Edward, and the troopers of his own party, he thus + addressed him, sometimes interrupting his discourse in a manner testifying + that his fear of supernatural beings was not altogether lulled to rest by + his confidence in the sanctity of his fellow-traveller. + </p> + <p> + “My master,” said the rider, “deemed he had sent you an acceptable gift in + that old heretic preacher; but it seems, from the slight care you have + taken of him, that you make small account of the boon.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the Sub-Prior, “do not thus judge of it. The Community must + account highly of the service, and will reward it to thy master in goodly + fashion. But this man and I are old friends, and I trust to bring him back + from the paths of perdition.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the moss-trooper, “when I saw you shake hands at the beginning + I counted that you would fight it all out in love and honour, and that + there would be no extreme dealings betwixt ye—however it is all one + to my master—Saint Mary! what call you yon, Sir Monk?” + </p> + <p> + “The branch of a willow streaming across the path betwixt us and the sky.” + </p> + <p> + “Beshrew me,” said Christie, “if it looked not like a man's hand holding a + sword.—But touching my master, he, like a prudent man, hath kept + himself aloof in these broken times, until he could see with precision + what footing he was to stand upon. Right tempting offers he hath had from + the Lords of Congregation, whom you call heretics; and at one time he was + minded, to be plain with you, to have taken their way—for he was + assured that the Lord James {Footnote: Lord James Stewart, afterwards the + Regent Murray.} was coming this road at the head of a round body of + cavalry. And accordingly Lord James did so far reckon upon him, that he + sent this man Warden, or whatsoever be his name, to my master's + protection, as an assured friend; and, moreover, with tidings that he + himself was marching hitherward at the head of a strong body of horse.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Our Lady forfend!” said the Sub-Prior. + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” answered Christie, in some trepidation, “did your reverence see + aught?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing whatever,” replied the monk; “it was thy tale which wrested from + me that exclamation.” + </p> + <p> + “And it was some cause,” replied he of the Clinthill, “for if Lord James + should come hither, your Halidome would smoke for it. But be of good cheer—that + expedition is ended before it was begun. The Baron of Avenel had sure news + that Lord James has been fain to march westward with his merry-men, to + protect Lord Semple against Cassilis and the Kennedies. By my faith, it + will cost him a brush; for wot ye what they say of that name,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Twixt Wigton and the town of Ayr, + Portpatrick and the cruives of Cree, + No man need think for to bide there, + Unless he court Saint Kennedie.'” + </pre> + <p> + “Then,” said the Sub-Prior, “the Lord James's purpose of coming southwards + being broken, cost this person, Henry Warden, a cold reception at Avenel + Castle.” + </p> + <p> + “It would not have been altogether so rough a one,” said the mosstrooper; + “for my master was in heavy thought what to do in these unsettled times, + and would scarce have hazarded misusing a man sent to him by so terrible a + leader as the Lord James. But, to speak the truth, some busy devil tempted + the old man to meddle with my master's Christian liberty of hand-fasting + with Catherine of Newport. So that broke the wand of peace between them, + and now ye may have my master, and all the force he can make, at your + devotion, for Lord James never forgave wrong done to him; and if he come + by the upper hand, he will have Julian's head if there were never another + of the name, as it is like there is not, excepting the bit slip of a + lassie yonder. And now I have told you more of my master's affairs than he + would thank me for; but you have done me a frank turn once, and I may need + one at your hands again.” + </p> + <p> + “Thy frankness,” said the Sub-Prior, “shall surely advantage thee; for + much it concerns the Church in these broken times to know the purposes and + motives of those around us. But what is it that thy master expects from us + in reward of good service? for I esteem him one of those who are not + willing to work without their hire.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, that I can tell you flatly; for Lord James had promised him, in case + he would be of his faction in these parts, an easy tack of the + teindsheaves of his own Barony of Avenel, together with the lands of + Cranberry-moor, which lie intersected with his own. And he will look for + no less at your hand.” + </p> + <p> + “But there is old Gilbert of Cranberry-moor,” said the Sub-Prior; “what + are we to make of him? The heretic Lord James may take on him to dispone + upon the goods and lands of the Halidome at his pleasure, because, + doubtless, but for the protection of God, and the baronage which yet + remain faithful to their creed, he may despoil us of them by force; but + while they are the property of the Community, we may not take steadings + from ancient and faithful vassals, to gratify the covetousness of those + who serve God only from the lucre of gain.” + </p> + <p> + “By the mass,” said Christie, “it is well talking, Sir Priest; but when ye + consider that Gilbert has but two half-starved cowardly peasants to follow + him, and only an auld jaded aver to ride upon, fitter for the plough than + for manly service; and that the Baron of Avenel never rides with fewer + than ten jackmen at his back, and oftener with fifty, bodin in all that + effeirs to war as if they were to do battle for a kingdom, and mounted on + nags that nicker at the clash of the sword as if it were the clank of the + lid of a corn-chest—I say, when ye have computed all this, ye may + guess what course will best serve your Monastery.” + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” said the monk, “I would willingly purchase thy master's + assistance on his own terms, since times leave us no better means of + defence against sacrilegious spoliation of heresy; but to take from a poor + man his patrimony—” + </p> + <p> + “For that matter,” said the rider, “his seat would scarce be a soft one, + if my master thought that Gilbert's interest stood betwixt him and what he + wishes. The Halidome has land enough, and Gilbert may be quartered + elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “We will consider the possibility of so disposing the matter,” said the + monk, “and will expect in consequence your master's most active + assistance, with all the followers he can make, to join in the defence of + the Halidome, against any force by which it may be threatened.” + </p> + <p> + “A man's hand and a mailed glove on that,” said the jackman. “They + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occasions, + the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which they had pledged, + even to an enemy. If any person broke his word so plighted, the individual + to whom faith had not been observed, used to bring to the next + Border-meeting a glove hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots + and English the name of the defaulter. This was accounted so great a + disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clansmen sometimes + destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had brought on them. + </p> + <p> + Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two Border thieves, + whom he used as his guides:—“That they would not care to steal, and + yet that they would not betray any man that trusts in them, for all the + gold in Scotland or in France. They are my guides and outlaws. If they + would betray me they might get their pardons, and cause me to be hanged; + but I have tried them ere this.”—<i>Sadler's letters during the + Northern Insurrection.</i>} + </p> + <p> + call us marauders, thieves, and what not; but the side we take we hold by.—And + I will be blithe when my Baron comes to a point which side he will take, + for the castle is a kind of hell, (Our Lady forgive me for naming such a + word in this place!) while he is in his mood, studying how he may best + advantage himself. And now, Heaven be praised, we are in the open valley, + and I may swear a round oath, should aught happen to provoke it.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” said the Sub-Prior, “thou hast little merit in abstaining + from oaths or blasphemy, if it be only out of fear of evil spirits.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I am not quite a Church vassal yet,” said the jackman, “and if you + link the curb too tight on a young horse, I promise you he will rear—Why, + it is much for me to forbear old customs on any account whatever.” + </p> + <p> + The night being fine, they forded the river at the spot where the + Sacristan met with his unhappy encounter with the spirit. As soon as they + arrived at the gate of the Monastery, the porter in waiting eagerly + exclaimed, “Reverend father, the Lord Abbot is most anxious for your + presence.” + </p> + <p> + “Let these strangers be carried to the great hall,” said the Sub-Prior, + “and be treated with the best by the cellarer; reminding them, however, of + that modesty and decency of conduct which becometh guests in a house like + this.” + </p> + <p> + “But the Lord Abbot demands you instantly, my venerable brother,” said + Father Philip, arriving in great haste. “I have not seen him more + discouraged or desolate of counsel since the field of Pinkie-cleugh was + stricken.” + </p> + <p> + “I come, my good brother, I come,” said Father Eustace. “I pray thee, good + brother, let this youth, Edward Glendinning, be conveyed to the Chamber of + the Novices, and placed under their instructor. God hath touched his + heart, and he proposeth laying aside the vanities of the world, to become + a brother of our holy order; which, if his good parts be matched with + fitting docility and humility, he may one day live to adorn.” + </p> + <p> + “My very venerable brother,” exclaimed old Father Nicholas, who came + hobbling with a third summons to the Sub-Prior, “I pray thee to hasten to + our worshipful Lord Abbot. The holy patroness be with us! never saw I + Abbot of the House of St. Mary's in such consternation; and yet I remember + me well when Father Ingelram had the news of Flodden-field.” + </p> + <p> + “I come, I come, venerable brother,” said Father Eustace—And having + repeatedly ejaculated “I come!” he at last went to the Abbot in good + earnest. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirty-Fourth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + It is not texts will do it—Church artillery + Are silenced soon by real ordnance, + And canons are but vain opposed to cannon. + Go, coin your crosier, melt your church plate down + Bid the starved soldier banquet in your halls, + And quaff your long-saved hogsheads—Turn them out + Thus primed with your good cheer, to guard your wall, + And they will venture for't.— + OLD PLAY. +</pre> + <p> + The Abbot received his counsellor with a tremulous eagerness of welcome, + which announced to the Sub-Prior an extreme agitation of spirits, and the + utmost need of good counsel. There was neither mazer-dish nor standing-cup + upon the little table, at the elbow of his huge chair of state; his beads + alone lay there, and it seemed as if he had been telling them in his + extremity of distress. Beside the beads was placed the mitre of the Abbot, + of an antique form, and blazing with precious stones, and the rich and + highly-embossed crosier rested against the same table. + </p> + <p> + The Sacristan and old Father Nicholas had followed the Sub-Prior into the + Abbot's apartment, perhaps with the hope of learning something of the + important matter which seemed to be in hand.—They were not mistaken; + for, after having ushered in the Sub-Prior, and being themselves in the + act of retiring, the Abbot made them a signal to remain. + </p> + <p> + “My brethren,” he said, “it is well known to you with what painful zeal we + have overseen the weighty affairs of this house committed to our unworthy + hand—your bread hath been given to you, and your water hath been + sure—I have not wasted the revenues of the Convent on vain + pleasures, as hunting or hawking, or in change of rich cope or alb, or in + feasting idle bards and jesters, saving those who, according to old wont, + were received in time of Christmas and Easter. Neither have I enriched + either mine own relations nor strange women, at the expense of the + Patrimony.” + </p> + <p> + “There hath not been such a Lord Abbot,” said Father Nicholas, “to my + knowledge, since the days of Abbot Ingelram, who——” + </p> + <p> + At that portentous word, which always preluded a long story, the Abbot + broke in. + </p> + <p> + “May God have mercy on his soul!—we talk not of him now.—What + I would know of ye, my brethren, is, whether I have, in your mind, + faithfully discharged the duties of mine office?” + </p> + <p> + “There has never been subject of complaint,” answered the Sub-Prior. + </p> + <p> + The Sacristan, more diffuse, enumerated the various acts of indulgence and + kindness which the mild government of Abbot Boniface had conferred on the + brotherhood of Saint Mary's—the <i>indulgentiae</i>—the <i>gratias</i>—the + <i>biberes</i>-the weekly mess of boiled almonds—the enlarged + accommodation of the refectory—the better arrangement of the + cellarage—the improvement of the revenue of the Monastery—the + diminution of the privations of the brethren. + </p> + <p> + “You might have added, my brother,” said the Abbot, listening with + melancholy acquiescence to the detail of his own merits, “that I caused to + be built that curious screen, which secureth the cloisters from the + north-east wind.—But all these things avail nothing—As we read + in holy Maccabee, <i>Capta est civitas per voluntatem Dei</i>. It hath + cost me no little thought, no common toil, to keep these weighty matters + in such order as you have seen them—there was both barn and binn to + be kept full—Infirmary, dormitory, guest-hall, and refectory, to be + looked to—processions to be made, confessions to be heard, strangers + to be entertained, <i>veniae</i> to be granted or refused; and I warrant + me, when every one of you was asleep in your cell, the Abbot hath lain + awake for a full hour by the bell, thinking how these matters might be + ordered seemly and suitably.” + </p> + <p> + “May we ask, reverend my lord,” said the Sub-Prior, “what additional care + has now been thrown upon you, since your discourse seems to point that + way?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry, this it is,” said the Abbot. “The talk is not now of <i>biberes</i>, + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0495m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0495m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0495.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + {Footnote: The <i>biberes, caritas</i>, and boiled almonds, of which Abbot + Boniface speaks, were special occasions for enjoying luxuries, afforded to + the monks by grants from different sovereigns, or from other benefactors + to the convent. There is one of these charters called <i>De Pitancia + Centum Librarum</i> By this charter, which is very curious, our Robert + Bruce, on the 10th January, and in the twelfth year of his reign, assigns, + out of the customs of Berwick, and failing them, out of the customs of + Edinburgh or Haddington, the sum of one hundred pounds, at the half-yearly + terms of Pentecost and Saint Martin's in winter, to the abbot and + community of the monks of Melrose. The precise purpose of this annuity is + to furnish to each of the monks of the said monastery, while placed at + food in the refectory, an extra mess of rice boiled with milk, or of + almonds, or peas, or other pulse of that kind which could be procured in + the country. This addition to their commons is to be entitled the King's + Mess. And it is declared, that although any monk should, from some honest + apology, want appetite or inclination to eat of the king's mess, his share + should, nevertheless, be placed on the table with those of his brethren, + and afterwards carried to the gate and given to the poor. “Neither is it + our pleasure,” continues the bountiful sovereign, “that the dinner, which + is or ought to be served up to the said monks according to their ancient + rule, should be diminished in quantity, or rendered inferior in quality, + on account of this our mess, so furnished as aforesaid.” It is, moreover, + provided, that the abbot, with the consent of the most sage of his + brethren, shall name a prudent and decent monk for receiving, directing, + and expending, all matters concerning this annuity for the benefit of the + community, agreeably to the royal desire and intention, rendering a + faithful account thereof to the abbot and superiors of the same convent. + And the same charter declares the king's farther pleasure, that the said + men of religion should be bound yearly and for ever, in acknowledgment of + the above donation, to clothe fifteen poor men at the feast of Saint + Martin in winter, and to feed them on the same day, delivering to each of + them four ells of large or broad, or six ells of narrow cloth, and to each + also a new pair of shoes or sandals, according to their order; and if the + said monks shall fail in their engagements or any of them, it is the + king's will that the fault shall be redeemed by a double performance of + what has been omitted, to be executed at the sight of the chief forester + of Ettrick for the time being, and before the return of Saint Martin's day + succeeding that on which the omission has taken place. + </p> + <p> + Of this charter, respecting the pittance of 100<i>l</i> assigned to + furnish the monks of Melrose with a daily mess of boiled rice, almonds, or + other pulse, to mend their commons, the antiquarian reader will be + pleased, doubtless, to see the original. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0512m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0512m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0512.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h3> + CARTA REGIS ROBERTI I. ABBATI ET CONVENTUI DE MELROSS. + </h3> + <p> + <i>Carta de Pitancia Centum Librarum.</i> + </p> + <p> + Robertus Dei gracia Rex Scottorum omnibus probis hominibus tocius terre + sue Salutem. Sciatis nos pro salute anime nostre et pro salute animarum + antecessorum et suocessorum nostrorum Regum Scocie Dedisse Concessisse et + hac presenti Carta nostra confirmasse Deo et Beate Marie virgini et + Religiosis viris Abbati et Conventui de Melross et eorum successoribus in + perpetuum Centum Libras Sterlingorum Annui Redditus singulis annis + percipiendas de firmis nostris Burgi Berwici super. Twedam ad terminos + Pentecostis et Sancti Martini in hyeme pro equali portione vel de nova + Custuma nostra Burgi predicti si firme nostre predicte ad dictam summam + pecunie sufficere non poterunt vel de nova Custuma nostra Burgorum + nostrorum de Edenburg et de Hadington Si firme nostre et Custuma nostra + ville Berwici aliquo casu contingente ad hoc forte non sufficiant. Ita + quod dicta summa pecunie Centum Librarum eis annuatim integre et absque + contradictione aliqua plenarie persolvatur pre cunctis aliis quibuscunque + assignacionibus per nos factis seu faciendis ad inveniendum in perpetunm + singulis diebus cuilibet monacho monasterii predicti comedenti in + Refectorio unum sufficiens ferculum risarum factarum cum lacte, + amigdalarum vel pisarum sive aliorum ciborum consimilis condicionis + inventornm in patria et illud ferculum ferculum Regis vocabitur in + eternum. Et si aliquis monachus ex aliqua causa honesta de dicto ferculo + comedere noluerit vel refici non poterit non minus attamen sibi de dicto + ferculo ministretur et ad portam pro pauperibus deportetur. Nec volumus + quod occasione ferculi nostri predicti prandium dicti Conventus de quo + antiquitus communiter eis deserviri sive ministrari solebat in aliquo + pejoretur seu diminuatur. Volum us insuper et ordinamus quod Abbas ejusdem + monasterii qui pro tempore fuerit de cousensu saniorum de Conventu + specialiter constituat unum monachum providum et discretum ad recipiendum + ordinandum et expendendum totam summam pecunie memorate pro utilitate + conventus secundum votum et intencionem mentis nostre superius annotatum + et ad reddendum fidele compotum coram Abbate et Maioribus de Conventu + singulis annis de pecunia sic recepta. Et volumus quod dicti religiosi + teneantur annuatim in perpetuum pro predicta donacione nostra ad perpetuam + nostri memoriam vestire quindecim pauperes ad festum Sancti Martini in + hieme et eosdem cibare eodem die liberando eorum cuilibet quatuor ulnas + panni grossi et lati vel sex ulnas panni stricti et eorum cuilibet unum + novum par sotularium de ordine suo. Et si dicti religiosi in premissis vel + aliquo premissorum aliquo anno defecerint volumus quod illud quod minus + perimpletum fuerit dupplicetur diebus magis necessariis per visum + capitalis forestarii nostri de Selkirk, qui pro tempore fuerit. Et quod + dicta dupplicatio fiat ante natale domini proximo sequens festum Sancti + Martini predictum. In cujus rei testimonium presenti Carte nostre sigillum + nostrum precipimus apponi. Testibus venerabilibus in Christo patribus + Willielmo, Johanne, Willielmo et David Sancti Andree, Glasguensis, + Dunkeldensis et Moraviensis ecclesiarum dei gracia episcopis Bernardo + Abbate de Abirbrothock Cancellario, Duncano, Malisio, et Hugone de Fyf de + Strathin et de Ross, Comitibus Waltero Senescallo Scocie, Jacobo domini de + Duglas et Alexandro Fraser Camerario nostro Socie militibus. Apud + Abirbrothock, decimo die Januarij. Anno Regni nostri vicesimo.} + </p> + <p> + or of <i>caritas</i>, or of boiled almonds, but of an English band coming + against us from Hexham, commanded by Sir John Foster; nor is it of the + screening us from the east wind, but how to escape Lord James Stewart, who + cometh to lay waste and destroy with his heretic soldiers.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought that purpose had been broken by the feud between Semple and the + Kennedies,” said the Sub-Prior, hastily. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0505m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0505m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0505.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “They have accorded that matter at the expense of the church as usual,” + said the Abbot; “the Earl of Cassilis is to have the teind-sheaves of his + lands, which were given to the house of Crossraguel, and he has stricken + hands with Stewart, who is now called Murray.—<i>Principes + convenerunt unum adversus Dominum.</i>—There are the letters.” + </p> + <p> + The Sub-Prior took the letters, which had come by an express messenger + from the Primate of Scotland, who still laboured to uphold the tottering + fabric of the system under which he was at length buried, and, stepping + towards the lamp, read them with an air of deep and settled attention—the + Sacristan and Father Nicholas looked as helplessly at each other, as the + denizens of the poultry-yard when the hawk soars over it. The Abbot seemed + bowed down with the extremity of sorrowful apprehension, but kept his eye + timorously fixed on the Sub-Prior, as if striving to catch some comfort + from the expression of his countenance. When at length he beheld that, + after a second intent perusal of the letters, he remained still silent and + full of thought, he asked him in an anxious tone, “What is to be done?” + </p> + <p> + “Our duty must be done,” answered the Sub-Prior, “and the rest is in the + hands of God.” + </p> + <p> + “Our duty—our duty?” answered the Abbot, impatiently; “doubtless we + are to do our duty; but what is that duty? or how will it serve us?—Will + bell, book, and candle, drive back the English heretics? or will Murray + care for psalms and antiphonars? or can I fight for the Halidome, like + Judas Maccabeus, against those profane Nicanors? or send the Sacristan + against this new Holofernes, to bring back his head in a basket?” + </p> + <p> + “True, my Lord Abbot,” said the Sub-Prior, “we cannot fight with carnal + weapons, it is alike contrary to our habit and vow; but we can die for our + Convent and for our Order. Besides, we can arm those who will and can + fight. The English are but few in number, trusting, as it would seem, that + they will be joined by Murray, whose march has been interrupted. If + Foster, with his Cumberland and Hexham bandits, ventures to march into + Scotland, to pillage and despoil our House, we will levy our vassals, and, + I trust, shall be found strong enough to give him battle.” + </p> + <p> + “In the blessed name of Our Lady,” said the Abbot, “think you that I am + Petrus Eremita, to go forth the leader of an host?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the Sub-Prior, “let some man skilled in war lead our people—there + is Julian Avenel, an approved soldier.” + </p> + <p> + “But a scoffer, a debauched person, and, in brief, a man of Belial,” quoth + the Abbot. + </p> + <p> + “Still,” said the monk, “we must use his ministry in that to which he has + been brought up. We can guerdon him richly, and indeed I already know the + price of his service. The English, it is expected, will presently set + forth, hoping here to seize upon Piercie Shafton, whose refuge being taken + with us, they make the pretext of this unheard-of inroad.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it even so?” said the Abbot; “I never judged that his body of satin + and his brain of feathers boded us much good.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet we must have his assistance, if possible,” said the Sub-Prior; “he + may interest in our behalf the great Piercie, of whose friendship he + boasts, and that good and faithful Lord may break Foster's purpose. I will + despatch the jackman after him with all speed.—Chiefly, however, I + trust to the military spirit of the land, which will not suffer peace to + be easily broken on the frontier. Credit me, my lord, it will bring to our + side the hands of many, whose hearts may have gone astray after strange + doctrines. The great chiefs and barons will be ashamed to let the vassals + of peaceful monks fight unaided against the old enemies of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be,” said the Abbot, “that Foster will wait for Murray, whose + purpose hitherward is but delayed for a short space.” + </p> + <p> + “By the rood, he will not,” said the Sub-Prior; “we know this Sir John + Foster—a pestilent heretic, he will long to destroy the church—born + a Borderer, he will thirst to plunder her of her wealth—a + Border-warden, he will be eager to ride in Scotland. There are too many + causes to urge him on. If he joins with Murray, he will have at best but + an auxiliary's share of the spoil—if he comes hither before him, he + will reckon on the whole harvest of depredation as his own. Julian Avenel + also has, as I have heard, some spite against Sir John Foster; they will + fight, when they meet, with double determination.—Sacristan, send + for our bailiff.—Where is the roll of fencible men liable to do suit + and service to the Halidome?—Send off to the Baron of Meigallot; he + can raise threescore horse and better—Say to him the Monastery will + compound with him for the customs of his bridge, which have been in + controversy, if he will show himself a friend at such a point.—And + now, my lord, let us compute our possible numbers, and those of the enemy, + that human blood be not spilled in vain—Let us therefore calculate——” + </p> + <p> + “My brain is dizzied with the emergency,” said the poor Abbot—“I am + not, I think, more a coward than others, so far as my own person is + concerned; but speak to me of marching and collecting soldiers, and + calculating forces, and you may as well tell of it to the youngest novice + of a nunnery. But my resolution is taken.—Brethren,” he said, rising + up, and coming forward with that dignity which his comely person enabled + him to assume, “hear for the last time the voice of your Abbot Boniface. I + have done for you the best that I could; in quieter times I had perhaps + done better, for it was for quiet that I sought the cloister, which has + been to me a place of turmoil, as much as if I had sate in the receipt of + custom, or ridden forth as leader of an armed host. But now matters turn + worse and worse, and I, as I grow old, am less able to struggle with them. + Also, it becomes me not to hold a place, whereof the duties, through my + default or misfortune, may be but imperfectly filled by me. Wherefore I + have resolved to demit this mine high office, so that the order of these + matters may presently devolve upon Father Eustatius here present, our + well-beloved Sub-Prior; and I now rejoice that he hath not been provided + according to his merits elsewhere, seeing that I well hope he will succeed + to the mitre and staff which it is my present purpose to lay down.” + </p> + <p> + “In the name of Our Lady, do nothing hastily, my lord!” said Father + Nicholas—“I do remember that when the worthy Abbot Ingelram, being + in his ninetieth year—for I warrant you he could remember when + Benedict the Thirteenth was deposed—and being ill at ease and + bed-rid, the brethren rounded in his ear that he were better resign his + office. And what said he, being a pleasant man? marry, that while he could + crook his little finger he would keep hold of the crosier with it.” + </p> + <p> + The Sacristan also strongly remonstrated against the resolution of his + Superior, and set down the insufficiency he pleaded to the native modesty + of his disposition. The Abbot listened in downcast silence; even flattery + could not win his ear. + </p> + <p> + Father Eustace took a nobler tone with his disconcerted and dejected + Superior. “My Lord Abbot,” he said, “if I have been silent concerning the + virtues with which you have governed this house, do not think that I am + unaware of them. I know that no man ever brought to your high office a + more sincere wish to do well to all mankind; and if your rule has not been + marked with the bold lines which sometimes distinguished your spiritual + predecessors, their faults have equally been strangers to your character.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not believe,” said the Abbot, turning his looks to Father Eustace + with some surprise, “that you, father, of all men, would have done me this + justice.” + </p> + <p> + “In your absence,” said the Sub-Prior, “I have even done it more fully. Do + not lose the good opinion which all men entertain of you, by renouncing + your office when your care is most needed.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my brother,” said the Abbot, “I leave a more able in my place.” + </p> + <p> + “That you do not,” said Eustace; “because it is not necessary you should + resign, in order to possess the use of whatever experience or talent I may + be accounted master of. I have been long enough in this profession to know + that the individual qualities which any of us may have, are not his own, + but the property of the Community, and only so far useful when they + promote the general advantage. If you care not in person, my lord, to deal + with this troublesome matter, let me implore you to go instantly to + Edinburgh, and make what friends you can in our behalf, while I in your + absence will, as Sub-Prior, do my duty in defence of the Halidome. If I + succeed, may the honour and praise be yours, and if I fail, let the + disgrace and shame be mine own.” + </p> + <p> + The Abbot mused for a space, and then replied,—“No, Father + Eustatius, you shall not conquer me by your generosity. In times like + these, this house must have a stronger pilotage than my weak hands afford; + and he who steers the vessel must be chief of the crew. Shame were it to + accept the praise of other men's labours; and, in my poor mind, all the + praise which can be bestowed on him who undertakes a task so perilous and + perplexing, is a meed beneath his merits. Misfortune to him would deprive + him of an iota of it! Assume, therefore, your authority to-night, and + proceed in the preparations you judge necessary. Let the Chapter be + summoned to-morrow after we have heard mass, and all shall be ordered as I + have told you. Benedicite, my brethren!—peace be with you! May the + new Abbot-expectant sleep as sound as he who is about to resign his + mitre.” + </p> + <p> + They retired, affected even to tears. The good Abbot had shown a point of + his character to which they were strangers. Even Father Eustace had held + his spiritual Superior hitherto as a good-humoured, indolent, + self-indulgent man, whose chief merit was the absence of gross faults; so + that this sacrifice of power to a sense of duty, even if a little alloyed + by the meaner motives of fear and apprehended difficulties, raised him + considerably in the Sub-Prior's estimation. He even felt an aversion to + profit by the resignation of the Abbot Boniface, and in a manner to rise + on his ruins; but this sentiment did not long contend with those which led + him to recollect higher considerations. It could not be denied that + Boniface was entirely unfit for his situation in the present crisis; and + the Sub-Prior felt that he himself, acting merely as a delegate, could not + well take the decisive measures which the time required; the weal of the + Community therefore demanded his elevation. If, besides, there crept in a + feeling of a high dignity obtained, and the native exultation of a haughty + spirit called to contend with the imminent dangers attached to a post of + such distinction, these sentiments were so cunningly blended and + amalgamated with others of a more disinterested nature, that, as the + Sub-Prior himself was unconscious of their agency, we, who have a regard + for him, are not solicitous to detect it. + </p> + <p> + The Abbot elect carried himself with more dignity than formerly, when + giving such directions as the pressing circumstances of the times + required; and those who approached him could perceive an unusual kindling + of his falcon eye, and an unusual flush upon his pale and faded cheek. + With briefness and precision he wrote and dictated various letters to + different barons, acquainting them with the meditated invasion of the + Halidome by the English, and conjuring them to lend aid and assistance as + in a common cause. The temptation of advantage was held out to those whom + he judged less sensible of the cause of honour, and all were urged by the + motives of patriotism and ancient animosity to the English. The time had + been when no such exhortations would have been necessary. But so essential + was Elizabeth's aid to the reformed party in Scotland, and so strong was + that party almost every where, that there was reason to believe a great + many would observe neutrality on the present occasion, even if they did + not go the length of uniting with the English against the Catholics. + </p> + <p> + When Father Eustace considered the number of the immediate vassals of the + church whose aid he might legally command, his heart sunk at the thoughts + of ranking them under the banner of the fierce and profligate Julian + Avenel. + </p> + <p> + “Were the young enthusiast Halbert Glendinning to be found,” thought + Father Eustace in his anxiety, “I would have risked the battle under his + leading, young as he is, and with better hope of God's blessing. But the + bailiff is now too infirm, nor know I a chief of name whom I might trust + in this important matter better than this Avenel.”—He touched a bell + which stood on the table, and commanded Christie of the Clinthill to be + brought before him.—“Thou owest me a life,” said he to that person + on his entrance, “and I may do thee another good turn if thou be'st + sincere with me.” + </p> + <p> + Christie had already drained two standing-cups of wine, which would, on + another occasion, have added to the insolence of his familiarity. But at + present there was something in the augmented dignity of manner of Father + Eustace, which imposed a restraint on him. Yet his answers partook of his + usual character of undaunted assurance. He professed himself willing to + return a true answer to all inquiries. + </p> + <p> + “Has the Baron (so styled) of Avenel any friendship with Sir John Foster, + Warden of the West Marches of England?” + </p> + <p> + “Such friendship as is between the wild-cat and the terrier,” replied the + rider. + </p> + <p> + “Will he do battle with him should they meet?” + </p> + <p> + “As surely,” answered Christie, “as ever cock fought on Shrovetide-even.” + </p> + <p> + “And would he fight with Foster in the Church's quarrel?” + </p> + <p> + “On any quarrel, or upon no quarrel whatever,” replied the jackman. + </p> + <p> + “We will then write to him, letting him know, that if upon occasion of an + apprehended incursion by Sir John Foster, he will join his force with + ours, he shall lead our men, and be gratified for doing so to the extent + of his wish.—Yet one word more—Thou didst say thou couldst + find out where the English knight Piercie Shafton has this day fled to?” + </p> + <p> + “That I can, and bring him back too, by fair means or force, as best likes + your reverence.” + </p> + <p> + “No force must be used upon him. Within what time wilt thou find him out?” + </p> + <p> + “Within thirty hours, so he have not crossed the Lothian firth—If it + is to do you a pleasure, I will set off directly, and wind him as a + sleuth-dog tracks the moss-trooper,” answered Christie. + </p> + <p> + “Bring him hither then, and thou wilt deserve good at our hands, which I + may soon have free means of bestowing on thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to your reverence, I put myself in your reverence's hands. We of + the spear and snaffle walk something recklessly through life; but if a man + were worse than he is, your reverence knows he must live, and that's not + to be done without shifting, I trow.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, sir, and begone on thine errand—thou shalt have a letter + from us to Sir Piercie.” + </p> + <p> + Christie made two steps towards the door; then turning back and + hesitating, like one who would make an impertinent pleasantry if he dared, + he asked what he was to do with the wench Mysie Happer whom the Southron + knight had carried off with him. + </p> + <p> + “Am I to bring her hither, please your reverence?” + </p> + <p> + “Hither, you malapert knave?” said the churchman; “remember you to whom + you speak?” + </p> + <p> + “No offence meant,” replied Christie; “but if such is not your will, I + would carry her to Avenel Castle, where a well-favoured wench was never + unwelcome. + </p> + <p> + “Bring the unfortunate girl to her father's and break no scurril jests + here,” said the Sub-Prior—“See that thou guide her in all safety and + honour.” + </p> + <p> + “In safety, surely,” said the rider, “and in such honour as her outbreak + has left her.—I bid your reverence farewell, I must be on horse + before cock-crow.” + </p> + <p> + “What, in the dark!—how knowest thou which way to go?” + </p> + <p> + “I tracked the knight's horse-tread as far as near to the ford, as we rode + along together,” said Christie, “and I observed the track turn to the + north-ward. He is for Edinburgh, I will warrant you—so soon as + daylight comes I will be on the road again. It is a kenspeckle hoof-mark, + for the shoe was made by old Eckie of Cannobie—I would swear to the + curve of the caulker.” So saying, he departed. + </p> + <p> + “Hateful necessity,” said Father Eustace, looking after him, “that obliges + us to use such implements as these! But assailed as we are on all sides, + and by all conditions of men, what alternative is left us?—But now + let me to my most needful task.” + </p> + <p> + The Abbot elect accordingly sate down to write letters, arrange orders, + and take upon him the whole charge of an institution which tottered to its + fall, with the same spirit of proud and devoted fortitude wherewith the + commander of a fortress, reduced nearly to the last extremity, calculates + what means remain to him to protract the fatal hour of successful storm. + In the meanwhile Abbot Boniface, having given a few natural sighs to the + downfall of the pre-eminence he had so long enjoyed amongst his brethren, + fell fast asleep, leaving the whole cares and toils of office to his + assistant and {Chapter ending is missing in the original} + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirty-Fifth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + And when he came to broken briggs, + He slacked his bow and swam; + And when he came to grass growing, + Set down his feet and ran. + GIL MORRICE. +</pre> + <p> + We return to Halbert Glendinning, who, as our readers may remember, took + the high road to Edinburgh. His intercourse with the preacher, Henry + Warden, from whom he received a letter at the moment of his deliverance, + had been so brief, that he had not even learned the name of the nobleman + to whose care he was recommended. Something like a name had been spoken + indeed, but he had only comprehended that he was to meet the chief + advancing towards the south, at the head of a party of horse. When day + dawned on his journey he was in the same uncertainty. A better scholar + would have been informed by the address of the letter, but Halbert had not + so far profited by Father Eustace's lessons as to be able to decipher it. + His mother-wit taught him that he must not, in such uncertain times, be + too hasty in asking information of any one; and when, after a long day's + journey, night surprised him near a little village, he began to be dubious + and anxious concerning the issue of his journey. + </p> + <p> + In a poor country, hospitality is generally exercised freely, and Halbert, + when he requested a night's quarters, did nothing either degrading or + extraordinary. The old woman, to whom he made this request, granted it the + more readily, that she thought she saw some resemblance between Halbert + and her son Saunders, who had been killed in one of the frays so common in + the time. It is true, Saunders was a short square-made fellow, with red + hair and a freckled face, and somewhat bandy-legged, whereas the stranger + was of a brown complexion, tall, and remarkably well-made. Nevertheless, + the widow was clear that there existed a general resemblance betwixt her + guest and Saunders, and kindly pressed him to share of her evening cheer. + A pedlar, a man of about forty years old, was also her guest, who talked + with great feeling of the misery of pursuing such a profession as his in + the time of war and tumult. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0458m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0458m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0458.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + “We think much of knights and soldiers,” said he; “but the pedder-coffe + who travels the land has need of more courage than them all. I am sure he + maun face mair risk, God help him. Here have I come this length, trusting + the godly Earl of Murray would be on his march to the Borders, for he was + to have guestened with the Baron of Avenel; and instead of that comes news + that he has gone westlandways about some tuilzie in Ayrshire. And what to + do I wot not; for if I go to the south without a safeguard, the next bonny + rider I meet might ease me of sack and pack, and maybe of my life to boot; + and then, if I try to strike across the moors, I may be as ill off before + I can join myself to that good Lord's company.” + </p> + <p> + No one was quicker at catching a hint than Halbert Glendinning. He said he + himself had a desire to go westward. The pedlar looked at him with a very + doubtful air, when the old dame, who perhaps thought her young guest + resembled the umquhile Saunders, not only in his looks, but in a certain + pretty turn to sleight-of-hand, which the defunct was supposed to have + possessed, tipped him the wink, and assured the pedlar he need have no + doubt that her young cousin was a true man. + </p> + <p> + “Cousin!” said the pedlar, “I thought you said this youth had been a + stranger.” + </p> + <p> + “Ill hearing makes ill rehearsing,” said the landlady; “he is a stranger + to me by eye-sight, but that does not make him a stranger to me by blood, + more especially seeing his likeness to my son Saunders, poor bairn.” + </p> + <p> + The pedlar's scruples and jealousies being thus removed, or at least + silenced, the travellers agreed that they would proceed in company + together the next morning by daybreak, the pedlar acting as a guide to + Glendinning, and the youth as a guard to the pedlar, until they should + fall in with Murray's detachment of horse. It would appear that the lady + never doubted what was to be the event of this compact, for, taking + Glendinning aside, she charged him, “to be moderate with the puir body, + but at all events, not to forget to take a piece of black say, to make the + auld wife a new rokelay.” Halbert laughed and took his leave. + </p> + <p> + It did not a little appal the pedlar, when, in the midst of a black heath, + the young man told him the nature of the commission with which their + hostess had charged him. He took heart, however, upon seeing the open, + frank, and friendly demeanor of the youth, and vented his exclamations on + the ungrateful old traitress. “I gave her,” he said, “yesterday-e'en nae + farther gane, a yard of that very black say, to make her a couvre-chef; + but I see it is ill done to teach the cat the way to the kirn.” + </p> + <p> + Thus set at ease on the intentions of his companion (for in those happy + days the worst was always to be expected from a stranger), the pedlar + acted as Halbert's guide over moss and moor, over hill and many a dale, in + such a direction as might best lead them towards the route of Murray's + party. At length they arrived upon the side of an eminence, which + commanded a distant prospect over a tract of savage and desolate moorland, + marshy and waste—an alternate change of shingly hill and level + morass, only varied by blue stagnant pools of water. A road scarcely + marked winded like a serpent through the wilderness, and the pedlar, + pointing to it, said—“The road from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Here we + must wait, and if Murray and his train be not already passed by, we shall + soon see trace of them, unless some new purpose shall have altered their + resolution; for in these blessed days no man, were he the nearest the + throne, as the Earl of Murray may be, knows when he lays his head on his + pillow at night where it is to lie upon the following even.” + </p> + <p> + They paused accordingly and sat down, the pedlar cautiously using for a + seat the box which contained his treasures, and not concealing from his + companion that he wore under his cloak a pistolet hanging at his belt in + case of need. He was courteous, however, and offered Halbert a share of + the provisions which he carried about him for refreshment. They were of + the coarsest kind—oat-bread baked in cakes, oatmeal slaked with cold + water, an onion or two, and a morsel of smoked ham completed the feast. + But such as it was, no Scotsman of the time, had his rank been much higher + than that of Glendinning, would have refused to share in it, especially as + the pedlar produced, with a mysterious air, a tup's horn, which he carried + slung from his shoulders, and which, when its contents were examined, + produced to each party a clam-shell-full of excellent usquebaugh—a + liquor strange to Halbert, for the strong waters known in the south of + Scotland came from France, and in fact such were but rarely used. The + pedlar recommended it as excellent, said he had procured it in his last + visit to the braes of Doune, where he had securely traded under the + safe-conduct of the Laird of Buchanan. He also set an example to Halbert, + by devoutly emptying the cup “to the speedy downfall of Anti-Christ.” + </p> + <p> + Their conviviality was scarce ended, ere a rising dust was seen on the + road of which they commanded the prospect, and half a score of horsemen + were dimly descried advancing at considerable speed, their casques + glancing, and the points of their spears twinkling as they caught a + glimpse of the sun. + </p> + <p> + “These,” said the pedlar, “must be the out-scourers of Murray's party; let + us lie down in the peat-hag, and keep ourselves out of sight.” + </p> + <p> + “And why so?” said Halbert; “let us rather go down and make a signal to + them.” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid!” replied the pedlar; “do you ken so ill the customs of our + Scottish nation? That plump of spears that are spurring on so fast are + doubtless commanded by some wild kinsman of Morton, or some such daring + fear-nothing as neither regards God nor man. It is their business, if they + meet with any enemies, to pick quarrels and clear the way of them; and the + chief knows nothing of what happens, coming up with his more discreet and + moderate friends, it may be a full mile in the rear. Were we to go near + these lads of the laird's belt, your letter would do you little good, and + my pack would do me muckle black ill; they would tirl every steek of + claithes from our back, fling us into a moss-hag with a stone at our + heels, naked as the hour that brought us into this cumbered and sinful + world, and neither Murray nor any other man ever the wiser. But if he did + come to ken of it, what might he help it?—it would be accounted a + mere mistake, and there were all the moan made. O credit me, youth, that + when men draw cold steel on each other in their native country, they + neither can nor may dwell deeply on the offences of those whose swords are + useful to them.” + </p> + <p> + They suffered, therefore, the vanguard, as it might be termed, of the Earl + of Murray's host to pass forward; and it was not long until a denser cloud + of dust began to arise to the northward. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the pedlar, “let us hurry down the hill; for to tell the + truth,” said he, dragging Halbert along earnestly, “a Scottish noble's + march is like a serpent—the head is furnished with fangs, and the + tail hath its sting; the only harmless point of access is the main body.” + </p> + <p> + “I will hasten as fast as you,” said the youth; “but tell me why the + rearward of such an army should be as dangerous as the van?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, as the vanguard consists of their picked wild desperates, + resolute for mischief, such as neither fear God nor regard their + fellow-creatures, but understand themselves bound to hurry from the road + whatever is displeasing to themselves, so the rear-guard consists of + misproud serving-men, who, being in charge of the baggage, take care to + amend by their exactions upon travelling-merchants and others, their own + thefts on their master's property. You will hear the advanced <i>enfans + perdus</i>, as the French call them, and so they are indeed, namely, + children of the fall, singing unclean and fulsome ballads of sin and + harlotrie. And then will come on the middle-ward, when you will hear the + canticles and psalms sung by the reforming nobles, and the gentry, and + honest and pious clergy, by whom they are accompanied. And last of all, + you will find in the rear a legend of godless lackies, palfreniers, and + horse-boys, talking of nothing but dicing, drinking, and drabbing.” + </p> + <p> + As the pedlar spoke, they had reached the side of the high-road, and + Murray's main body was in sight, consisting of about three hundred horse, + marching with great regularity, and in a closely compacted body. Some of + the troopers wore the liveries of their masters, but this was not common. + Most of them were dressed in such colours as chance dictated. But the + majority, being clad in blue cloth, and the whole armed with cuirass and + back-plate, with sleeves of mail, gauntlets, and poldroons, and either + mailed hose or strong jack-boots, they had something of a uniform + appearance. + </p> + <p> + Many of the leaders were clad in complete armour, and all in a certain + half-military dress, which no man of quality in those disturbed times ever + felt himself sufficiently safe to abandon. + </p> + <p> + The foremost of this party immediately rode up to the pedlar and to + Halbert Glendinning, and demanded of them who they were. The pedlar told + his story, the young Glendinning exhibited his letter, which a gentleman + carried to Murray. In an instant after, the word “Halt!” was given through + the squadron, and at once the onward heavy tramp, which seemed the most + distinctive attribute of the body, ceased, and was heard no more. The + command was announced that the troop should halt here for an hour to + refresh themselves and their horses. The pedlar was assured of safe + protection, and accommodated with the use of a baggage horse. But at the + same time he was ordered into the rear; a command which he reluctantly + obeyed, and not without wringing pathetically the hand of Halbert as he + separated from him. + </p> + <p> + The young heir of Glendearg was in the meanwhile conducted to a plot of + ground more raised, and therefore drier than the rest of the moor. Here a + carpet was flung on the ground by way of table-cloth, and around it sat + the leaders of the party, partaking of an entertainment as coarse, with + relation to their rank, as that which Glendinning had so lately shared. + Murray himself rose as he came forward, and advanced a step to meet him. + </p> + <p> + This celebrated person had in his appearance, as well as in his mind, much + of the admirable qualities of James V. his father. Had not the stain of + illegitimacy rested upon his birth, he would have filled the Scottish + throne with as much honour as any of the Stewart race. But History, while + she acknowledges his high talents, and much that was princely, nay, royal, + in his conduct, cannot forget that ambition led him farther than honour or + loyalty warranted. Brave amongst the bravest, fair in presence and in + favour, skilful to manage the most intricate affairs, to attach to himself + those who were doubtful, to stun and overwhelm, by the suddenness and + intrepidity of his enterprises, those who were resolute in resistance, he + attained, and as to personal merit certainly deserved, the highest place + in the kingdom. But he abused, under the influence of strong temptation, + the opportunities which his sister Mary's misfortunes and imprudence threw + in his way; he supplanted his sovereign and benefactress in her power, and + his history affords us one of those mixed characters, in which principle + was so often sacrificed to policy, that we must condemn the statesman + while we pity and regret the individual. Many events in his life gave + likelihood to the charge that he himself aimed at the crown; and it is too + true, that he countenanced the fatal expedient of establishing an English, + that is a foreign and a hostile interest, in the councils of Scotland. But + his death may be received as an atonement for his offences, and may serve + to show how much more safe is the person of a real patriot, than that of + the mere head of a faction, who is accounted answerable for the offences + of his meanest attendants. + </p> + <p> + When Murray approached, the young rustic was naturally abashed at the + dignity of his presence. The commanding form and the countenance to which + high and important thoughts were familiar, the features which bore the + resemblance of Scotland's long line of kings, were well calculated to + impress awe and reverence. His dress had little to distinguish him from + the high-born nobles and barons by whom he was attended. A buff-coat, + richly embroidered with silken lace, supplied the place of armour; and a + massive gold chain, with its medal, hung round his neck. His black velvet + bonnet was decorated with a string of large and fair pearls, and with a + small tufted feather; a long heavy sword was girt to his side, as the + familiar companion of his hand. He wore gilded spurs on his boots, and + these completed his equipment. + </p> + <p> + “This letter,” he said, “is from the godly preacher of the word, Henry + Warden, young man? is it not so?” Halbert answered in the affirmative. + “And he writes to us, it would seem, in some strait, and refers us to you + for the circumstances. Let us know, I pray you, how things stand with + him.” + </p> + <p> + In some perturbation Halbert Glendinning gave an account of the + circumstances which had accompanied the preacher's imprisonment. When he + came to the discussion of the <i>handfasting</i> engagement, he was struck + with the ominous and displeased expression of Murray's brows, and, + contrary to all prudential and politic rule, seeing something was wrong, + yet not well aware what that something was, had almost stopped short in + his narrative. + </p> + <p> + “What ails the fool?” said the Earl, drawing his dark-red eyebrows + together, while the same dusky glow kindled on his brow—“Hast thou + not learned to tell a true tale without stammering?” + </p> + <p> + “So please you,” answered Halbert, with considerable address, “I have + never before spoken in such a presence.” + </p> + <p> + “He seems a modest youth,” said Murray, turning to his next attendant, + “and yet one who in a good cause will neither fear friend nor foe.—Speak + on, friend, and speak freely.” + </p> + <p> + Halbert then gave an account of the quarrel betwixt Julian Avenel and the + preacher, which the Earl, biting his lip the while, compelled himself to + listen to as a thing of indifference. At first he appeared even to take + the part of the Baron. + </p> + <p> + “Henry Warden,” he said, “is too hot in his zeal. The law both of God and + man maketh allowance for certain alliances, though not strictly formal, + and the issue of such may succeed.” + </p> + <p> + This general declaration he expressed, accompanying it with a glance + around upon the few followers who were present at this interview. The most + of them answered—“There is no contravening that;” but one or two + looked on the ground, and were silent. Murray then turned again to + Glendinning, commanding him to say what next chanced, and not to omit any + particular. When he mentioned the manner in which Julian had cast from him + his concubine, Murray drew a deep breath, set his teeth hard, and laid his + hand on the hilt of his dagger. Casting his eyes once more around the + circle, which was now augmented by one or two of the reformed preachers, + he seemed to devour his rage in silence, and again commanded Halbert to + proceed. When he came to describe how Warden had been dragged to a + dungeon, the Earl seemed to have found the point at which he might give + vent to his own resentment, secure of the sympathy and approbation of all + who were present. “Judge you,” he said, looking to those around him, + “judge you, my peers, and noble gentlemen of Scotland, betwixt me and this + Julian Avenel—he hath broken his own word, and hath violated my + safe-conduct—and judge you also, my reverend brethren, he hath put + his hand forth upon a preacher of the gospel, and perchance may sell his + blood to the worshippers of Anti-Christ!” + </p> + <p> + “Let him die the death of a traitor,” said the secular chiefs, “and let + his tongue be struck through with the hangman's fiery iron to avenge his + perjury!” + </p> + <p> + “Let him go down to his place with Baal's priests,” said the preachers, + “and be his ashes cast into Tophet!” + </p> + <p> + Murray heard them with the smile of expected revenge; yet it is probable + that the brutal treatment of the female, whose circumstances somewhat + resembled those of the Earl's own mother, had its share in the grim smile + which curled his sun-burnt cheek and its haughty lip. To Halbert + Glendinning, when his narrative was finished, he spoke with great + kindness. + </p> + <p> + “He is a bold and gallant youth,” said he to those around, “and formed of + the stuff which becomes a bustling time. There are periods when men's + spirits shine bravely through them. I will know something more of him.” + </p> + <p> + He questioned him more particularly concerning the Baron of Avenel's + probable forces—the strength of his castle—the dispositions of + his next heir, and this brought necessarily forward the sad history of his + brother's daughter, Mary Avenel, which was told with an embarrassment that + did not escape Murray. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Julian Avenel,” he said, “and do you provoke my resentment, when you + have so much more reason to deprecate my justice! I knew Walter Avenel, a + true Scotsman and a good soldier. Our sister, the Queen, must right his + daughter; and were her land restored, she would be a fitting bride to some + brave man who may better merit our favour than the traitor Julian.”—Then + looking at Halbert, he said, “Art thou of gentle blood, young man?” + </p> + <p> + Halbert, with a faltering and uncertain voice, began to speak of his + distant pretensions to claim a descent from the ancient Glendonwynes of + Galloway, when Murray interrupted him with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Nay—nay—leave pedigrees to bards and heralds. In our days, + each, man is the son of his own deeds. The glorious light of reformation + hath shone alike on prince and peasant; and peasant as well as prince may + be illustrated by fighting in its defence. It is a stirring world, where + all may advance themselves who have stout hearts and strong arms. Tell me + frankly why thou hast left thy father's house.” + </p> + <p> + Halbert Glendinning made a frank confession of his duel with Piercie + Shafton, and mentioned his supposed death. + </p> + <p> + “By my hand,” said Murray, “thou art a bold sparrow-hawk, to match thee so + early with such a kite as Piercie Shafton. Queen Elizabeth would give her + glove filled with gold crowns to know that meddling coxcomb to be under + the sod.—Would she not, Morton?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, by my word, and esteem her glove a better gift than the crowns,” + replied Morton, “which few Border lads like this fellow will esteem just + valuation.” + </p> + <p> + “But what shall we do with this young homicide?” said Murray; “what will + our preachers say?” + </p> + <p> + “Tell them of Moses and of Benaiah,” said Morton; “it is but the smiting + of an Egyptian when all is said out.” + </p> + <p> + “Let it be so,” said Murray, laughing; “but we will bury the tale, as the + prophet did the body, in the sand. I will take care of this swankie.—Be + near to us, Glendinning, since that is thy name. We retain thee as a + squire of our household. The master of our horse will see thee fully + equipped and armed.” + </p> + <p> + During the expedition which he was now engaged in, Murray found several + opportunities of putting Glendinning's courage and presence of mind to the + test, and he began to rise so rapidly in his esteem, that those who knew + the Earl considered the youth's fortune as certain. One step only was + wanting to raise him to a still higher degree of confidence and favour—it + was the abjuration of the Popish religion. The ministers who attended upon + Murray and formed his chief support amongst the people, found an easy + convert in Halbert Glendinning, who, from his earliest days, had never + felt much devotion towards the Catholic faith, and who listened eagerly to + more reasonable views of religion. By thus adopting the faith of his + master, he rose higher in his favour, and was constantly about his person + during his prolonged stay in the west of Scotland, which the + intractability of those whom the Earl had to deal with, protracted from + day to day, and week to week. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0461m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0461m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0461.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirty-Sixth. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Faint the din of battle bray'd + Distant down the hollow wind; + War and terror fled before, + Wounds and death were left behind. + PENROSE. +</pre> + <p> + The autumn of the year was well advanced, when the Earl of Morton, one + morning, rather unexpectedly, entered the antechamber of Murray, in which + Halbert Glendinning was in waiting. + </p> + <p> + “Call your master, Halbert,” said the Earl; “I have news for him from + Teviotdale; and for you too, Glendinning.—News! news! my Lord of + Murray!” he exclaimed at the door of the Earl's bedroom; “come forth + instantly.” The Earl appeared, and greeted his ally, demanding eagerly his + tidings. + </p> + <p> + “I have had a sure friend with me from the south,” said Morton; “he has + been at Saint Mary's Monastery, and brings important tidings.” “Of what + complexion?” said Murray, “and can you trust the bearer?” “He is faithful, + on my life,” said Morton; “I wish all around your Lordship may prove + equally so.” + </p> + <p> + “At what, and whom, do you point?” demanded Murray. + </p> + <p> + “Here is the Egyptian of trusty Halbert Glendinning, our Southland Moses, + come alive again, and flourishing, gay and bright as ever, in that + Teviotdale Goshen, the Halidome of Kennaquhair.” + </p> + <p> + “What mean you, my lord?” said Murray. + </p> + <p> + “Only that your new henchman has put a false tale upon you. Piercie + Shafton is alive and well; by the same token that the gull is thought to + be detained there by love to a miller's daughter, who roamed the country + with him in disguise.” + </p> + <p> + “Glendinning,” said Murray, bending his brow into his darkest frown, “thou + hast not, I trust, dared to bring me a lie in thy mouth, in order to win + my confidence?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Halbert, “I am incapable of a lie. I should choke on one + were my life to require that I pronounced it. I say, that this sword of my + father was through the body—the point came out behind his back—the + hilt pressed upon his breast-bone. And I will plunge it as deep in the + body of any one who shall dare to charge me with falsehood.” + </p> + <p> + “How, fellow!” said Morton, “wouldst thou beard a nobleman?” + </p> + <p> + “Be silent, Halbert,” said Murray, “and you, my Lord of Morton, forbear + him. I see truth written on his brow.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish the inside of the manuscript may correspond with the + superscription,” replied his more suspicious ally. “Look to it, my lord, + you will one day lose your life by too much confidence.” + </p> + <p> + “And you will lose your friends by being too readily suspicious,” answered + Murray. “Enough of this—let me hear thy tidings.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir John Foster,” said Morton, “is about to send a party into Scotland to + waste the Halidome.” + </p> + <p> + “How! without waiting my presence and permission?” said Murray—“he + is mad—will he come as an enemy into the Queen's country?” + </p> + <p> + “He has Elizabeth's express orders,” answered Morton, “and they are not to + be trifled with. Indeed, his march has been more than once projected and + laid aside during the time we have been here, and has caused much alarm at + Kennaquhair. Boniface, the old Abbot, has resigned, and whom think you + they have chosen in his place?” + </p> + <p> + “No one surely,” said Murray; “they would presume to hold no election + until the Queen's pleasure and mine were known?” + </p> + <p> + Morton shrugged his shoulders—“They have chosen the pupil of old + Cardinal Beatoun, that wily determined champion of Rome, the bosom-friend + of our busy Primate of Saint Andrews. Eustace, late the Sub-Prior of + Kennaquhair, is now its Abbot, and, like a second Pope Julius, is levying + men and making musters to fight with Foster if he comes forward.” + </p> + <p> + “We must prevent that meeting,” said Murray, hastily; “whichever party + wins the day, it were a fatal encounter for us—Who commands the + troop of the Abbot?” + </p> + <p> + “Our faithful old friend, Julian Avenel, nothing less,” answered Morton. + </p> + <p> + “Glendinning,” said Murray, “sound trumpets to horse directly, and let all + who love us get on horseback without delay—Yes, my lord, this were + indeed a fatal dilemma. If we take part with our English friends, the + country will cry shame on us—the very old wives will attack us with + their rocks and spindles—the very stones of the street will rise up + against us—we cannot set our face to such a deed of infamy. And my + sister, whose confidence I already have such difficulty in preserving, + will altogether withdraw it from me. Then, were we to oppose the English + Warden, Elizabeth would call it a protecting of her enemies and what not, + and we should lose her.” + </p> + <p> + “The she-dragon,” said Morton, “is the best card in our pack; and yet I + would not willingly stand still and see English blades carve Scots flesh—What + say you to loitering by the way, marching far and easy for fear of + spoiling our horses? They might then fight dog fight bull, fight Abbot + fight archer, and no one could blame us for what chanced when we were not + present.” + </p> + <p> + “All would blame us, James Douglas,” replied Murray; “we should lose both + sides—we had better advance with the utmost celerity, and do what we + can to keep the peace betwixt them.—I would the nag that brought + Piercie Shafton hither had broken his neck over the highest heuch in + Northumberland!—He is a proper coxcomb to make all this bustle + about, and to occasion perhaps a national war!” + </p> + <p> + “Had we known in time,” said Douglas, “we might have had him privily + waited upon as he entered the Borders; there are strapping lads enough + would have rid us of him for the lucre of his spur-whang. {Footnote: <i>Spur-whang</i>—Spur-leather.} + But to the saddle, James Stewart, since so the phrase goes. I hear your + trumpets. Bound to horse and away—we shall soon see which nag is + best breathed.” + </p> + <p> + Followed by a train of about three hundred well-mounted men-at-arms, these + two powerful barons directed their course to Dumfries, and from thence + eastward to Teviotdale, marching at a rate which, as Morton had foretold, + soon disabled a good many of their horses, so that when they approached + the scene of expected action, there were not above two hundred of their + train remaining in a body, and of these most were mounted on steeds which + had been sorely jaded. + </p> + <p> + They had hitherto been amused and agitated by various reports concerning + the advance of the English soldiers, and the degree of resistance which + the Abbot was able to oppose to them. But when they were six or seven + miles from Saint Mary's of Kennaquhair, a gentleman of the country, whom + Murray had summoned to attend him, and on whose intelligence he knew he + could rely, arrived at the head of two or three servants, “bloody with + spurring, fiery red with haste.” According to his report, Sir John Foster, + after several times announcing, and as often delaying, his intended + incursion, had at last been so stung with the news that Piercie Shafton + was openly residing within the Halidome, that he determined to execute the + commands of his mistress, which directed him, at every risk, to make + himself master of the Euphuist's person. The Abbot's unceasing exertions + had collected a body of men almost equal in number to those of the English + Warden, but less practised in arms. They were united under the command of + Julian Avenel, and it was apprehended they would join battle upon the + banks of a small stream which forms the verge of the Halidome. + </p> + <p> + “Who knows the place?” said Murray. + </p> + <p> + “I do, my lord,” answered Glendinning. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis well,” said the Earl; “take a score of the best-mounted horse—make + what haste thou canst, and announce to them that I am coming up instantly + with a strong power, and will cut to pieces, without mercy, whichever + party strikes the first blow.—Davidson,” said he to the gentleman + who brought the intelligence, “thou shalt be my guide.—Hie thee on, + Glendinning—Say to Foster, I conjure him, as he respects his + mistress's service, that he will leave the matter in my hands. Say to the + Abbot, I will burn the Monastery over his head, if he strikes a stroke + till I come—Tell the dog, Julian Avenel, that he hath already one + deep score to settle with me—I will set his head on the top of the + highest pinnacle of Saint Mary's, if he presume to open another. Make + haste, and spare not the spur for fear of spoiling horse-flesh.” + </p> + <p> + “Your bidding shall be obeyed, my lord,” said Glendinning; and choosing + those whose horses were in best plight to be his attendants, he went off + as fast as the jaded state of their cavalry permitted. Hill and hollow + vanished from under the feet of the chargers. + </p> + <p> + They had not ridden half the way, when they met stragglers coming off from + the field, whose appearance announced that the conflict was begun. Two + supported in their arms a third, their elder brother, who was pierced with + an arrow through the body. Halbert, who knew them to belong to the + Halidome, called them by their names, and questioned them of the state of + the affray; but just then, in spite of their efforts to retain him in the + saddle, their brother dropped from the horse, and they dismounted in haste + to receive his last breath. From men thus engaged, no information was to + be obtained. Glendinning, therefore, pushed on with his little troop, the + more anxiously, as he perceived other stragglers, bearing Saint Andrew's + cross upon their caps and corslets, flying apparently from the field of + battle. Most of these, when they were aware of a body of horsemen + approaching on the road, held to the one hand or the other, at such a + distance as precluded coming to speech of them. Others, whose fear was + more intense, kept the onward road, galloping wildly as fast as their + horses could carry them, and when questioned, only glared without reply on + those who spoke to them, and rode on without drawing bridle. Several of + these were also known to Halbert, who had therefore no doubt, from the + circumstances in which he met them, that the men of the Halidome were + defeated. He became now unspeakably anxious concerning the fate of his + brother, who, he could not doubt, must have been engaged in the affray. He + therefore increased the speed of his horse, so that not above five or six + of his followers could keep up with him. At length he reached a little + hill, at the descent of which, surrounded by a semi-circular sweep of a + small stream, lay the plain which had been the scene of the skirmish. + </p> + <p> + It was a melancholy spectacle. War and terror, to use the expression of + the poet, had rushed on to the field, and left only wounds and death + behind them. The battle had been stoutly contested, as was almost always + the case with these Border skirmishes, where ancient hatred, and mutual + injuries, made men stubborn in maintaining the cause of their conflict. + Towards the middle of the plain, there lay the bodies of several men who + had fallen in the very act of grappling with the enemy; and there were + seen countenances which still bore the stern expression of + unextinguishable hate and defiance, hands which clasped the hilt of the + broken falchion, or strove in vain to pluck the deadly arrow from the + wound. Some were wounded, and, cowed of the courage they had lately shown, + were begging aid, and craving water, in a tone of melancholy depression, + while others tried to teach the faltering tongue to pronounce some + half-forgotten prayer, which, even when first learned, they had but half + understood. Halbert, uncertain what course he was next to pursue, rode + through the plain to see if, among the dead or wounded, he could discover + any traces of his brother Edward. He experienced no interruption from the + English. A distant cloud of dust announced that they were still pursuing + the scattered fugitives, and he guessed, that to approach them with his + followers, until they were again under some command, would be to throw + away his own life, and that of his men, whom the victors would instantly + confound with the Scots, against whom they had been successful. He + resolved, therefore, to pause until Murray came up with his forces, to + which he was the more readily moved, as he heard the trumpets of the + English Warden sounding the retreat, and recalling from the pursuit. He + drew his men together, and made a stand in an advantageous spot of ground, + which had been occupied by the Scots in the beginning of the action, and + most fiercely disputed while the skirmish lasted. + </p> + <p> + While he stood here, Halbert's ear was assailed by the feeble moan of a + woman, which he had not expected to hear amid that scene, until the + retreat of the foes had permitted the relations of the slain to approach, + for the purpose of paying them the last duties. He looked with anxiety, + and at length observed, that by the body of a knignt in bright armour, + whose crest, though soiled and broken, still showed the marks of rank and + birth, there sat a female wrapped in a horseman's cloak, and holding + something pressed against her bosom, which he soon discovered to be a + child. He glanced towards the English. They advanced not, and the + continued and prolonged sound of their trumpets, with the shouts of the + leaders, announced that their powers would not be instantly re-assembled. + He had, therefore, a moment to look after this unfortunate woman. He gave + his horse to a spearman as he dismounted, and, approaching the unhappy + female, asked her, in the most soothing tone he could assume, whether he + could assist her in her distress. The mourner made him no direct answer; + but endeavouring, with a trembling and unskilful hand, to undo the springs + of the visor and gorget, said, in a tone of impatient grief, “Oh, he would + recover instantly could I but give him air—land and living, life and + honour, would I give for the power of undoing these cruel iron platings + that suffocate him!” He that would soothe sorrow must not argue on the + vanity of the most deceitful hopes. The body lay as that of one whose last + draught of vital air had been drawn, and who must never more have concern + with the nether sky. But Halbert Glendinning failed not to raise the visor + and cast loose the gorget, when, to his great surprise, he recognized the + pale face of Julian Avenel. His last fight was over, the fierce and turbid + spirit had departed in the strife in which it had so long delighted. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! he is gone,” said Halbert, speaking to the young woman, in whom he + had now no difficulty of knowing the unhappy Catherine. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, no, no!” she reiterated, “do not say so—he is not dead—he + is but in a swoon. I have lain as long in one myself—and then his + voice would arouse me, when he spoke kindly, and said, Catherine, look up + for my sake—And look up, Julian, for mine!” she said, addressing the + senseless corpse; “I know you do but counterfeit to frighten me, but I am + not frightened,” she added, with an hysterical attempt to laugh; and then + instantly changing her tone, entreated him to “speak, were it but to curse + my folly. Oh, the rudest word you ever said to me would now sound like the + dearest you wasted on me before I gave you all. Lift him up,” she said, + “lift him up, for God's sake!—have you no compassion? He promised to + wed me if I bore him a boy, and this child is so like to its father!—How + shall he keep his word, if you do not help me to awaken him?—Christie + of the Clinthill, Rowley, Hutcheon! ye were constant at his feast, but ye + fled from him at the fray, false villains as ye are!” + </p> + <p> + “Not I, by Heaven!” said a dying man, who made some shift to raise himself + on his elbow, and discovered to Halbert the well-known features of + Christie; “I fled not a foot, and a man can but fight while his breath + lasts—mine is going fast.—So, youngster,” said he, looking at + Glendinning, and seeing his military dress, “thou hast ta'en the basnet at + last? it is a better cap to live in than die in. I would chance had sent + thy brother here instead—there was good in him—but thou art as + wild, and wilt soon be as wicked as myself.” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid!” said Halbert, hastily. + </p> + <p> + “Marry, and amen, with all my heart,” said the wounded man, “there will be + company enow without thee where I am going. But God be praised I had no + hand in that wickedness,” said he, looking to poor Catherine; and with + some exclamation in his mouth, that sounded betwixt a prayer and a curse, + the soul of Christie of the Clinthill took wing to the last account. + </p> + <p> + Deeply wrapt in the painful interest which these shocking events had + excited, Glendinning forgot for a moment his own situation and duties, and + was first recalled to them by a trampling of horse, and the cry of Saint + George for England, which the English soldiers still continued to use. His + handful of men, for most of the stragglers had waited for Murray's coming + up, remained on horseback, holding their lances upright, having no command + either to submit or resist. + </p> + <p> + “There stands our Captain,” said one of them, as a strong party of English + came up, the vanguard of Foster's troop. + </p> + <p> + “Your Captain! with his sword sheathed, and on foot in the presence of his + enemy? a raw soldier, I warrant him,” said the English leader. “So! ho! + young man, is your dream out, and will you now answer me if you will fight + or fly?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither,” answered Halbert Glendinning, with great tranquillity. + </p> + <p> + “Then throw down thy sword and yield thee,” answered the Englishman. + </p> + <p> + “Not till I can help myself no otherwise,” said Halbert, with the same + moderation of tone and manner. + </p> + <p> + “Art thou for thine own hand, friend, or to whom dost thou owe service?” + demanded the English Captain. + </p> + <p> + “To the noble Earl of Murray.” + </p> + <p> + “Then thou servest,” said the Southron, “the most disloyal nobleman who + breathes—false both to England and Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou liest,” said Glendinning, regardless of all consequences. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! art thou so hot how, and wert so cold but a minute since? I lie, do + I? Wilt thou do battle with me on that quarrel?” + </p> + <p> + “With one to one—one to two—or two to five, as you list,” said + Halbert Glendinning; “grant me but a fair field.” + </p> + <p> + “That thou shalt have.—Stand back, my mates,” said the brave + Englishman. “If I fall, give him fair play, and let him go off free with + his people.” + </p> + <p> + “Long life to the noble Captain!” cried the soldiers, as impatient to see + the duel, as if it had been a bull-baiting. + </p> + <p> + “He will have a short life of it, though,” said the sergeant, “if he, an + old man of sixty, is to fight, for any reason, or for no reason, with + every man he meets, and especially the young fellows he might be father + to.—And here comes the Warden besides to see the sword-play.” + </p> + <p> + In fact, Sir John Foster came up with a considerable body of his horsemen, + just as his Captain, whose age rendered him unequal to the combat with so + strong and active a youth as Glendinning, was deprived of his sword. + </p> + <p> + “Take it up for shame, old Stawarth Bolton,” said the English Warden; “and + thou, young man, tell me who and what thou art?” + </p> + <p> + “A follower of the Earl of Murray, who bore his will to your honour,” + answered Glendinning,—“but here he comes to say it himself; I see + the van of his horsemen come over the hills.” + </p> + <p> + “Get into order, my masters,” said Sir John Foster to his followers; “you + that have broken your spears, draw your swords. We are something + unprovided for a second field, but if yonder dark cloud on the hill edge + bring us foul weather, we must bear as bravely as our broken cloaks will + bide it. Meanwhile, Stawarth, we have got the deer we have hunted for—here + is Piercie Shafton hard and fast betwixt two troopers.” + </p> + <p> + “Who, that lad?” said Bolton; “he is no more Piercie Shafton than I am. He + hath his gay cloak indeed—but Piercie Shafton is a round dozen of + years older than that slip of roguery. I have known him since he was thus + high. Did you never see him in the tilt-yard or in the presence?” + </p> + <p> + “To the devil with such vanities!” said Sir John Foster; “when had I + leisure for them or any thing else? During my whole life has she kept me + to this hangman's office, chasing thieves one day and traitors another, in + daily fear of my life; the lance never hung up in the hall, the foot never + out of the stirrup, the saddles never off my nags' backs; and now, because + I have been mistaken in the person of a man I never saw, I warrant me, the + next letters from the Privy Council will rate me as I were a dog—a + man were better dead than thus slaved and harassed.” + </p> + <p> + A trumpet interrupted Foster's complaints, and a Scottish pursuivant who + attended, declared “that the noble Earl of Murray desired, in all honour + and safety, a personal conference with Sir John Foster, midway between + their parties, with six of company in each, and ten free minutes to come + and go.” + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said the Englishman, “comes another plague. I must go speak + with yonder false Scot, and he knows how to frame his devices, to cast + dust in the eyes of a plain man, as well as ever a knave in the north. I + am no match for him in words, and for hard blows we are but too ill + provided.—Pursuivant, we grant the conference—and you, Sir + Swordsman,” (speaking to young Glendinning,) “draw off with your troopers + to your own party—march—attend your Earl's trumpet.—Stawarth + Bolton, put our troop in order, and be ready to move forward at the + wagging of a finger.—Get you gone to your own friends, I tell you, + Sir Squire, and loiter not here.” + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding this peremptory order, Halbert Glendinning could not help + stopping to cast a look upon the unfortunate Catherine, who lay insensible + of the danger and of the trampling of so many horses around her, + insensible, as the second glance assured him, of all and forever. + Glendinning almost rejoiced when he saw that the last misery of life was + over, and that the hoofs of the war-horses, amongst which he was compelled + to leave her, could only injure and deface a senseless corpse. He caught + the infant from her arms, half ashamed of the shout of laughter which rose + on all sides, at seeing an armed man in such a situation assume such an + unwonted and inconvenient burden. + </p> + <p> + “Shoulder your infant!” cried a harquebusier. + </p> + <p> + “Port your infant!” said a pikeman. + </p> + <p> + “Peace, ye brutes,” said Stawarth Bolton, “and respect humanity in others + if you have none yourselves. I pardon the lad having done some discredit + to my gray hairs, when I see him take care of that helpless creature, + which ye would have trampled upon as if ye had been littered of + bitch-wolves, not born of women.” + </p> + <p> + While this passed, the leaders on either side met in the neutral space + betwixt the forces of either, and the Earl accosted the English Warden: + </p> + <p> + “Is this fair or honest usage, Sir John, or for whom do you hold the Earl + of Morton and myself, that you ride in Scotland with arrayed banner, + fight, slay, and make prisoners at your own pleasure? Is it well done, + think you, to spoil our land and shed our blood, after the many proofs we + have given to your mistress of our devotion due to her will, saving always + the allegiance due to our own sovereign?” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of Murray,” answered Foster, “all the world knows you to be a man + of quick ingine and deep wisdom, and these several weeks you have held me + in hand with promising to arrest my sovereign mistress's rebel, this + Piercie Shafton of Wilverton, and you have never kept your word, alleging + turmoils in the west, and I wot not what other causes of hinderance. Now, + since he has had the insolence to return hither, and live openly within + ten miles of England, I could no longer, in plain duty to my mistress and + queen, tarry upon your successive delays, and therefore I have used her + force to take her rebel, by the strong hand, wherever I can find him.” + </p> + <p> + “And is Piercie Shafton in your hands, then?” said the Earl of Murray. “Be + aware that I may not, without my own great shame, suffer you to remove him + hence without doing battle.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you, Lord Earl, after all the advantages you have received at the + hands of the Queen of England, do battle in the cause of her rebel?” said + Sir John Foster. + </p> + <p> + “Not so, Sir John,” answered the Earl, “but I will fight to the death in + defence of the liberties of our free kingdom of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “By my faith,” said Sir John Foster, “I am well content—my sword is + not blunted with all it has done yet this day.” + </p> + <p> + “By my honour, Sir John,” said Sir George Heron of Chipchase, “there is + but little reason we should fight these Scottish Lords e'en now, for I + hold opinion with old Stawarth Bolton, and believe yonder prisoner to be + no more Piercie Shafton than he is the Earl of Northumberland; and you + were but ill advised to break the peace betwixt the countries for a + prisoner of less consequence than that gay mischief-maker.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir George,” replied Foster, “I have often heard you herons are afraid of + hawks—Nay, lay not hand on sword, man—I did but jest; and for + this prisoner, let him be brought up hither, that we may see who or what + he is—always under assurance, my Lords,” he continued, addressing + the Scots. + </p> + <p> + “Upon our word and honour,” said Morton, “we will offer no violence.” + </p> + <p> + The laugh turned against Sir John Foster considerably, when the prisoner, + being brought up, proved not only a different person from Sir Piercie + Shafton, but a female in man's attire. + </p> + <p> + “Pluck the mantle from the quean's face, and cast her to the horse-boys,” + said Foster; “she has kept such company ere now, I warrant.” + </p> + <p> + Even Murray was moved to laughter, no common thing with him, at the + disappointment of the English Warden; but he would not permit any violence + to be offered to the fair Molinara, who had thus a second time rescued Sir + Piercie Shafton at her own personal risk. + </p> + <p> + “You have already done more mischief than you can well answer,” said the + Earl to the English Warden, “and it were dishonour to me should I permit + you to harm a hair of this young woman's head.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Morton, “if Sir John will ride apart with me but for one + moment, I will show him such reasons as shall make him content to depart, + and to refer this unhappy day's work to the judgment of the Commissioners + nominated to try offences on the Border.” + </p> + <p> + He then led Sir John Foster aside, and spoke to him in this manner:—“Sir + John Foster, I much marvel that a man who knows your Queen Elizabeth as + you do, should not know that, if you hope any thing from her, it must be + for doing her useful service, not for involving her in quarrels with her + neighbours without any advantage. Sir Knight, I will speak frankly what I + know to be true. Had you seized the true Piercie Shafton by this + ill-advised inroad; and had your deed threatened, as most likely it might, + a breach betwixt the countries, your politic princess and her politic + council would rather have disgraced Sir John Foster than entered into war + in his behalf. But now that you have stricken short of your aim, you may + rely on it you will have little thanks for carrying the matter farther. I + will work thus far on the Earl of Murray, that he will undertake to + dismiss Sir Piercie Shafton from the realm of Scotland.—Be well + advised, and let the matter now pass off—you will gain nothing by + farther violence, for if we fight, you as the fewer and the weaker through + your former action, will needs have the worse.” + </p> + <p> + Sir John Foster listened with his head declining on his breast-plate. + </p> + <p> + “It is a cursed chance,” he said, “and I shall have little thanks for my + day's work.” + </p> + <p> + He then rode up to Murray, and said, that, in deference to his Lordship's + presence and that of my Lord of Morton, he had come to the resolution of + withdrawing himself, with his power, without farther proceedings. + </p> + <p> + “Stop there, Sir John Foster,” said Murray; “I cannot permit you to retire + in safety, unless you leave some one who may be surety to Scotland, that + the injuries you have at present done us may be fully accounted for—you + will reflect, that by permitting your retreat, I become accountable to my + Sovereign, who will demand a reckoning of me for the blood of her + subjects, if I suffer those who shed it to depart so easily.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall never be told in England,” said the Warden, “that John Foster + gave pledges like a subdued man, and that on the very field on which he + stands victorious.—But,” he added, after a moment's pause, “if + Stawarth Bolton wills to abide with you on his own free choice, I will say + nothing against it; and, as I bethink me, it were better he should stay to + see the dismissal of this same Piercie Shafton.” + </p> + <p> + “I receive him as your hostage, nevertheless, and shall treat him as + such,” said the Earl of Murray. But Foster, turning away as if to give + directions to Bolton and his men, affected not to hear this observation. + </p> + <p> + “There rides a faithful servant of his most beautiful and Sovereign Lady,” + said Murray aside to Morton. “Happy man! he knows not whether the + execution of her commands may not cost him his head; and yet he is most + certain that to leave them unexecuted will bring disgrace and death + without reprieve. Happy are they who are not only subjected to the + caprices of Dame Fortune, but held bound to account and be responsible for + them, and that to a sovereign as moody and fickle as her humorous ladyship + herself!” + </p> + <p> + “We also have a female Sovereign, my lord,” said Morton. + </p> + <p> + “We have so, Douglas,” said the Earl,—with a suppressed sigh; “but + it remains to be seen how long a female hand can hold the reins of power + in a realm so wild as ours. We will now go on to Saint Mary's, and see + ourselves after the state of that House.—Glendinning, look to that + woman, and protect her.—What the fiend, man, hast thou got in thine + arms?—an infant as I live!—where couldst thou find such a + charge, at such a place and moment?” + </p> + <p> + Halbert Glendinning briefly told the story. The Earl rode forward to the + place where the body of Julian Avenel lay, with his unhappy companion's + arms wrapped around him like the trunk of an uprooted oak borne down by + the tempest with all its ivy garlands. Both were cold dead. Murray was + touched in an unwonted degree, remembering, perhaps, his own birth. “What + have they to answer for, Douglas,” he said, “who thus abuse the sweetest + gifts of affection?” + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Morton, unhappy in his marriage, was a libertine in his + amours. + </p> + <p> + “You must ask that question of Henry Warden, my lord, or of John Knox—I + am but a wild counsellor in women's matters.” + </p> + <p> + “Forward to Saint Mary's,” said the Earl; “pass the word on—Glendinning, + give the infant to this same female cavalier, and let it be taken charge + of. Let no dishonour be done to the dead bodies, and call on the country + to bury or remove them.—Forward, I say, my masters!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Thirty-Seventh. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Gone to be married?—Gone to swear a peace! +</pre> + <h3> + KING JOHN + </h3> + <p> + The news of the lost battle, so quickly carried by the fugitives to the + village and convent, had spread the greatest alarm among the inhabitants. + The Sacristan and other monks counselled flight; the Treasurer recommended + that the church plate should be offered as a tribute to bribe the English + officer; the Abbot alone was unmoved and undaunted. + </p> + <p> + “My brethren,” he said, “since God has not given our people victory in the + combat, it must be because he requires of us, his spiritual soldiers, to + fight the good fight of martyrdom, a conflict in which nothing but our own + faint-hearted cowardice can make us fail of victory. Let us assume, then, + the armour of faith, and prepare, if it be necessary, to die under the + ruin of these shrines, to the service of which we have devoted ourselves. + Highly honoured are we all in this distinguished summons, from our dear + brother Nicholas, whose gray hairs have been preserved until they should + be surrounded by the crown of martyrdom, down to my beloved son Edward, + who, arriving at the vineyard at the latest hour of the day, is yet + permitted to share its toils with those who have laboured from the + morning. Be of good courage, my children. I dare not, like my sainted + predecessors, promise to you that you shall be preserved by miracle—I + and you are alike unworthy of that especial interposition, which, in + earlier times, turned the sword of sacrilege against the bosom of tyrants + by whom it was wielded, daunted the hardened hearts of heretics with + prodigies, and called down hosts of angels to defend the shrine of God and + of the Virgin. Yet, by heavenly aid, you shall this day see that your + Father and Abbot will not disgrace the mitre which sits upon his brow. Go + to your cells, my children, and exercise your private devotions. Array + yourselves also in alb and cope, as for our most solemn festivals, and be + ready, when the tolling of the largest bell announces the approach of the + enemy, to march forth to meet them in solemn procession. Let the church be + opened to afford such refuge as may be to those of our vassals, who, from + their exertion in this day's unhappy battle, or the cause, are + particularly apprehensive of the rage of the enemy. Tell Sir Piercie + Shafton, if he has escaped the fight—” + </p> + <p> + “I am here, most venerable Abbot,” replied Sir Piercie; “and if it so + seemeth meet to you, I will presently assemble such of the men as have + escaped this escaramouche, and will renew the resistance, even unto the + death. Certes, you will learn from all, that I did my part in this unhappy + matter. Had it pleased Julian Avenel to have attended to my counsel, + specially in somewhat withdrawing of his main battle, even as you may have + marked the heron eschew the stoop of the falcon, receiving him rather upon + his beak than upon his wing, affairs, as I do conceive, might have had a + different face, and we might then, in a more bellacose manner, have + maintained that affray. Nevertheless, I would not be understood to speak + any thing in disregard of Julian Avenel, whom I saw fall fighting manfully + with his face to his enemy, which hath banished from my memory the + unseemly term of 'meddling coxcomb,' with which it pleased him something + rashly to qualify my advice, and for which, had it pleased Heaven and the + saints to have prolonged the life of that excellent person, I had it bound + upon my soul to have put him to death with my own hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Piercie,” said the Abbot, at length interrupting him, “our time + allows brief leisure to speak what might have been.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, most venerable Lord and Father,” replied the incorrigible + Euphuist; “the preterite, as grammarians have it, concerns frail mortality + less than the future mood, and indeed our cogitations respect chiefly the + present. In a word, I am willing to head all who will follow me, and offer + such opposition as manhood and mortality may permit, to the advance of the + English, though they be my own countrymen; and be assured, Piercie Shafton + will measure his length, being five feet ten inches, on the ground as he + stands, rather than give two yards in retreat, according to the usual + motion in which we retrograde.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, Sir Knight,” said the Abbot, “and I doubt not that you would + make your words good; but it is not the will of Heaven that carnal weapons + should rescue us. We are called to endure, not to resist, and may not + waste the blood of our innocent commons in vain—Fruitless opposition + becomes not men of our profession; they have my commands to resign the + sword and the spear,—God and Our Lady have not blessed our banner.” + </p> + <p> + “Bethink you, reverend lord,” said Piercie Shafton, very eagerly, “ere you + resign the defence that is in your power—there are many posts near + the entry of this village, where brave men might live or die to the + advantage; and I have this additional motive to make defence,—the + safety, namely, of a fair friend, who, I hope, hath escaped the hands of + the heretics.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you, Sir Piercie,” said the Abbot—“you mean the + daughter of our Convent's miller?” + </p> + <p> + “Reverend my lord,” said Sir Piercie, not without hesitation, “the fair + Mysinda is, as may be in some sort alleged, the daughter of one who + mechanically prepareth corn to be manipulated into bread, without which we + could not exist, and which is therefore an employment in itself + honourable, nay necessary. Nevertheless, if the purest sentiments of a + generous mind, streaming forth like the rays of the sun reflected by a + diamond, may ennoble one, who is in some sort the daughter of a + molendinary mechanic——” + </p> + <p> + “I have no time for all this, Sir Knight,” said the Abbot; “be it enough + to answer, that with our will we war no longer with carnal weapons. We of + the spirituality will teach you of the temporality how to die in cold + blood, our hands not clenched for resistance, but folded for prayer—our + minds not filled with jealous hatred, but with Christian meekness and + forgiveness—our ears not deafened, nor our senses confused, by the + sound of clamorous instruments of war; but, on the contrary, our voices + composed to Halleluiah, Kyrie-Eleison, and Salve Regina, and our blood + temperate and cold, as those who think upon reconciling themselves with + God, not of avenging themselves of their fellow-mortals.” + </p> + <p> + “Lord Abbot,” said Sir Piercie, “this is nothing to the fate of my + Molinara, whom I beseech you to observe, I will not abandon, while golden + hilt and steel blade bide together on my falchion. I commanded her not to + follow us to the field, and yet methought I saw her in her page's attire + amongst the rear of the combatants.” + </p> + <p> + “You must seek elsewhere for the person in whose fate you are so deeply + interested,” said the Abbot; “and at present I will pray of your + knighthood to inquire concerning her at the church, in which all our more + defenceless vassals have taken refuge. It is my advice to you, that you + also abide by the horns of the altar; and, Sir Piercie Shafton,” he added, + “be of one thing secure, that if you come to harm, it will involve the + whole of this brotherhood; for never, I trust, will the meanest of us buy + safety at the expense of surrendering a friend or a guest. Leave us, my + son, and may God be your aid!” + </p> + <p> + When Sir Piercie Shafton had departed, and the Abbot was about to betake + himself to his own cell, he was surprised by an unknown person anxiously + requiring a conference, who, being admitted, proved to be no other than + Henry Warden. The Abbot started as he entered, and exclaimed, angrily,—“Ha! + are the few hours that fate allows him who may last wear the mitre of this + house, not to be excused from the intrusion of heresy? Dost thou come,” he + said, “to enjoy the hopes which fete holds out to thy demented and + accursed sect, to see the bosom of destruction sweep away the pride of old + religion—to deface our shrines,—to mutilate and lay waste the + bodies of our benefactors, as well as their sepulchres—to destroy + the pinnacles and carved work of God's house, and Our Lady's?” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, William Allan!” said the Protestant preacher, with dignified + composure; “for none of these purposes do I come. I would have these + stately shrines deprived of the idols which, no longer simply regarded as + the effigies of the good and of the wise, have become the objects of foul + idolatry. I would otherwise have its ornaments subsist, unless as they + are, or may be, a snare to the souls of men; and especially do I condemn + those ravages which have been made by the heady fury of the people, stung + into zeal against will-worship by bloody persecution. Against such wanton + devastations I lift my testimony.” + </p> + <p> + “Idle distinguisher that thou art!” said the Abbot Eustace, interrupting + him; “what signifies the pretext under which thou dost despoil the house + of God? and why at this present emergence will thou insult the master of + it by thy ill-omened presence?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art unjust, William Allan,” said Warden; “but I am not the less + settled in my resolution. Thou hast protected me some time since at the + hazard of thy rank, and what I know thou holdest still dearer, at the risk + of thy reputation with thine own sect. Our party is now uppermost, and, + believe me, I have come down the valley, in which thou didst quarter me + for sequestration's sake, simply with the wish to keep my engagements to + thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” answered the Abbot, “and it may be, that my listening to that + worldly and infirm compassion which pleaded with me for thy life, is now + avenged by this impending judgment. Heaven hath smitten, it may be, the + erring shepherd, and scattered the flock.” + </p> + <p> + “Think better of the Divine judgments,” said Warden. “Not for thy sins, + which are those of thy blended education and circumstances; not for thine + own sins, William Allan, art thou stricken, but for the accumulated guilt + which thy mis-named Church hath accumulated on her head, and those of her + votaries, by the errors and corruption of ages.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by my sure belief in the Rock of Peter,” said the Abbot, “thou dost + rekindle the last spark of human indignation for which my bosom has fuel—I + thought I might not again have felt the impulse of earthly passion, and it + is thy voice which once more calls me to the expression of human anger! + yes, it is thy voice that comest to insult me in my hour of sorrow, with + these blasphemous accusations of that church which hath kept the light of + Christianity alive from the times of the Apostles till now.” + </p> + <p> + “From the times of the Apostles?” said the preacher, eagerly. “<i>Negatur, + Gulielme Allan</i>—the primitive church differed as much from that + of Rome, as did light from darkness, which, did time permit, I should + speedily prove. And worse dost thou judge, in saying, I come to insult + thee in thy hour of affliction, being here, God wot, with the Christian + wish of fulfilling an engagement I had made to my host, and of rendering + myself to thy will while it had yet power to exercise aught upon me, and + if it might so be, to mitigate in thy behalf the rage of the victors whom + God hath sent as a scourge to thy obstinacy.” + </p> + <p> + “I will none of thy intercession,” said the Abbot, sternly; “the dignity + to which the church has exalted me, never should have swelled my bosom + more proudly in the time of the highest prosperity, than it doth at this + crisis—I ask nothing of thee, but the assurance that my lenity to + thee hath been the means of perverting no soul to Satan, that I have not + given to the wolf any of the stray lambs whom the Great Shepherd of souls + had intrusted to my charge.” + </p> + <p> + “William Allan,” answered the Protestant, “I will be sincere with thee. + What I promised I have kept—I have withheld my voice from speaking + even good things. But it has pleased Heaven to call the maiden Mary Avenel + to a better sense of faith than thou and all the disciples of Rome can + teach. Her I have aided with my humble power—I have extricated her + from the machinations of evil spirits to which she and her house were + exposed during the blindness of their Romish superstition, and, praise be + to my Master, I have not reason to fear she will again be caught in thy + snares.” + </p> + <p> + “Wretched man!” said the Abbot, unable to suppress his rising indignation, + “is it to the Abbot of St. Mary's that you boast having misled the soul of + a dweller in Our Lady's Halidome into the paths of foul error and damning + heresy?—Thou dost urge me, Wellwood, beyond what it becomes me to + bear, and movest me to employ the few moments of power I may yet possess, + in removing from the face of the earth one whose qualities, given by God, + have been so utterly perverted as thine to the service of Satan.” + </p> + <p> + “Do thy pleasure,” said the preacher; “thy vain wrath shall not prevent my + doing my duty to advantage thee, where it may be done without neglecting + my higher call. I go to the Earl of Murray.” + </p> + <p> + Their conference, which was advancing fast into bitter disputation, was + here interrupted by the deep and sullen toll of the largest and heaviest + bell of the Convent, a sound famous in the chronicles of the Community, + for dispelling of tempests, and putting to flight demons, but which now + only announced danger, without affording any means of warding against it. + Hastily repeating his orders, that all the brethren should attend in the + choir, arrayed for solemn procession, the Abbot ascended to the + battlements of the lofty Monastery, by his own private staircase, and + there met the Sacristan, who had been in the act of directing the tolling + of the huge bell, which fell under his charge. + </p> + <p> + “It is the last time I shall discharge mine office, most venerable Father + and Lord,” said he to the Abbot, “for yonder come the Philistines; but I + would not that the large bell of Saint Mary's should sound for the last + time, otherwise than in true and full tone—I have been a sinful man + for one of our holy profession,” added he, looking upward, “yet may I + presume to say, not a bell hath sounded out of tune from the tower of the + house, while Father Philip had the superintendence of the chime and the + belfry.” + </p> + <p> + The Abbot, without reply, cast his eyes towards the path, which, winding + around the mountain, descends upon Kennaquhair, from the south-east. He + beheld at a distance a cloud of dust, and heard the neighing of many + horses, while the occasional sparkle of the long line of spears, as they + came downwards into the valley, announced that the band came thither in + arms. + </p> + <p> + “Shame on my weakness!” said Abbot Eustace, dashing the tears from his + eyes; “my sight is too much dimmed to observe their motions—look, my + son Edward,” for his favourite novice had again joined him, “and tell me + what ensigns they bear.” + </p> + <p> + “They are Scottish men, when all is done!” exclaimed Edward—“I see + the white crosses—it may be the Western Borderers, or Fernieherst + and his clan.” + </p> + <p> + “Look at the banner,” said the Abbot; “tell me, what are the blazonries?” + </p> + <p> + “The arms of Scotland,” said Edward, “the lion and its tressure, + quartered, as I think, with three cushions—Can it be the royal + standard?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! no,” said the Abbot, “it is that of the Earl of Murray. He hath + assumed with his new conquest the badge of the valiant Randolph, and hath + dropt from his hereditary coat the bend which indicates his own base birth—would + to God he may not have blotted it also from his memory, and aim as well at + possessing the name, as the power, of a king.” + </p> + <p> + “At least, my father,” said Edward, “he will secure us from the violence + of the Southron.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, my son, as the shepherd secures a silly lamb from the wolf, which he + destines in due time to his own banquet. Oh my son, evil days are on us! A + breach has been made in the walls of our sanctuary—thy brother hath + fallen from the faith. Such news brought my last secret intelligence—Murray + hath already spoken of rewarding his services with the hand of Mary + Avenel.” + </p> + <p> + “Of Mary Avenel!” said the novice, tottering towards and grasping hold of + one of the carved pinnacles which adorned the proud battlement. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, of Mary Avenel, my son, who has also abjured the faith of her + fathers. Weep not, my Edward, weep not, my beloved son! or weep for their + apostasy, and not for their union—Bless God, who hath called thee to + himself, out of the tents of wickedness; but for the grace of Our Lady and + Saint Benedict, thou also hadst been a castaway.” + </p> + <p> + “I endeavour, my father,” said Edward, “I endeavour to forget; but what I + would now blot from my memory has been the thought of all my former life—Murray + dare not forward a match so unequal in birth.” + </p> + <p> + “He dares do what suits his purpose—The Castle of Avenel is strong, + and needs a good castellan, devoted to his service; as for the difference + of their birth, he will mind it no more than he would mind defacing the + natural regularity of the ground, were it necessary he should erect upon + it military lines and intrenchments. But do not droop for that—awaken + thy soul within thee, my son. Think you part with a vain vision, an idle + dream, nursed in solitude and inaction.—I weep not, yet what am I + now like to lose?—Look at these towers, where saints dwelt, and + where heroes have been buried—Think that I, so briefly called to + preside over the pious flock, which has dwelt here since the first light + of Christianity, may be this day written down the last father of this holy + community—Come, let us descend, and meet our fate. I see them + approach near to the village.” + </p> + <p> + The Abbot descended, the novice cast a glance around him; yet the sense of + the danger impending over the stately structure, with which he was now + united, was unable to banish the recollection of Mary Ayenel.—“His + brother's bride!” he pulled the cowl over his face, and followed his + Superior. + </p> + <p> + The whole bells of the Abbey now added their peal to the death-toll of the + largest which had so long sounded. The monks wept and prayed as they got + themselves into the order of their procession for the last time, as seemed + but too probable. + </p> + <p> + “It is well our Father Boniface hath retired to the inland,” said Father + Philip; “he could never have put over this day—it would have broken + his heart!” + </p> + <p> + “God be with the soul of Abbot Ingelram!” said old Father Nicholas, “there + were no such doings in his days.—They say we are to be put forth of + the cloisters; and how I am to live any where else than where I have lived + for these seventy years, I wot not—the best is, that I have not long + to live any where.” + </p> + <p> + A few moments after this the great gate of the Abbey was flung open, and + the procession moved slowly forward from beneath its huge and + richly-adorned gateway. Cross and banner, pix and chalice, shrines + containing relics, and censers steaming with incense, preceded and were + intermingled with the long and solemn array of the brotherhood, in their + long black gowns and cowls, with their white scapularies hanging over + them, the various officers of the convent each displaying his proper badge + of office. In the centre of the procession came the Abbot, surrounded and + supported by his chief assistants. He was dressed in his habit of high + solemnity, and appeared as much unconcerned as if he had been taking his + usual part in some ordinary ceremony. After him came the inferior persons + of the convent; the novices in their albs or white dresses, and the lay + brethren distinguished by their beards, which were seldom worn by the + Fathers. Women and children, mixed with a few men, came in the rear, + bewailing the apprehended desolation of their ancient sanctuary. They + moved, however, in order, and restrained the marks of their sorrow to a + low wailing sound, which rather mingled with than interrupted the measured + chant of the monks. + </p> + <p> + In this order the procession entered the market-place of the village of + Kennaquhair, which was then, as now, distinguished by an ancient cross of + curious workmanship, the gift of some former monarch of Scotland. Close by + the cross, of much greater antiquity, and scarcely less honoured, was an + immensely large oak-tree, which perhaps had witnessed the worship of the + Druids, ere the stately Monastery to which it adjoined had raised its + spires in honour of the Christian faith. Like the Bentang-tree of the + African villages, or the Plaistow-oak mentioned in White's Natural History + of Selborne, this tree was the rendezvous of the villagers, and regarded + with peculiar veneration; a feeling common to most nations, and which + perhaps may be traced up to the remote period when the patriarch feasted + the angels under the oak at Mamre. {Footnote: It is scarcely necessary to + say, that in Melrose, the prototype of Kennaquhair, no such oak ever + existed.} + </p> + <p> + The monks formed themselves each in their due place around the cross, + while under the ruins of the aged tree crowded the old and the feeble, + with others who felt the common alarm. When they had thus arranged + themselves, there was a deep and solemn pause. The monks stilled their + chant, the lay populace hushed their lamentations, and all awaited in + terror and silence the arrival of those heretical forces, whom they had + been so long taught to regard with fear and trembling. + </p> + <p> + A distant trampling was at length heard, and the glance of spears was seen + to shine through the trees above the village. The sounds increased, and + became more thick, one close continuous rushing sound, in which the tread + of hoofs was mingled with the ringing of armour. The horsemen soon + appeared at the principal entrance which leads into the irregular square + or market-place which forms the centre of the village. They entered two by + two, slowly, and in the greatest order. The van continued to move on, + riding round the open spaoe, until they had attained the utmost point, and + then turning their horses' heads to the street, stood fast; their + companions followed in the same order, until the whole market-place was + closely surrounded with soldiers; and the files who followed, making the + same manoeuvre, formed an inner line within those who had first arrived, + until the place was begirt with a quadruple file of horsemen closely drawn + up. There was now a pause, of which the Abbot availed himself, by + commanding the brotherhood to raise the solemn chant <i>De profundis + clamavi</i>. He looked around the armed ranks, to see what impression the + solemn sounds made on them. All were silent, but the brows of some had an + expression of contempt, and almost all the rest bore a look of + indifference; their course had been too long decided to permit past + feelings of enthusiasm to be anew awakened by a procession or by a hymn. + </p> + <p> + “Their hearts are hardened,” said the Abbot to himself in dejection, but + not in despair; “it remains to see whether those of their leaders are + equally obdurate.” + </p> + <p> + The leaders, in the meanwhile, were advancing slowly, and Murray, with + Morton, rode in deep conversation before a chosen band of their most + distinguished followers, amongst whom came Halbert Glendinning. But the + preacher Henry Warden, who, upon leaving the Monastery, had instantly + joined them, was the only person admitted to their conference. + </p> + <p> + “You are determined, then,” said Morton to Murray, “to give the heiress of + Avenel, with all her pretensions, to this nameless and obscure young man?” + </p> + <p> + “Hath not Warden told you,” said Murray, “that they have been bred + together, and are lovers from their youth upward?” + </p> + <p> + “And that they are both,” said Warden, “by means which may be almost + termed miraculous, rescued from the delusions of Rome, and brought within + the pale of the true church. My residence at Glendearg hath made me well + acquainted with these things. Ill would it beseem my habit and my calling, + to thrust myself into match-making and giving in marriage, but worse were + it in me to see your lordships do needless wrong to the feelings which are + proper to our nature, and which, being indulged honestly and under the + restraints of religion, become a pledge of domestic quiet here, and future + happiness in a better world. I say, that you will do ill to rend those + ties asunder, and to give this maiden to the kinsman of Lord Morton, + though Lord Morton's kinsman he be.” + </p> + <p> + “These are fair reasons, my Lord of Murray,” said Morton, “why you should + refuse me so simple a boon as to bestow this silly damsel upon young + Bennygask. Speak out plainly, my lord; say you would rather see the Castle + of Avenel in the hands of one who owes his name and existence solely to + your favour, than in the power of a Douglas, and of my kinsman.” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of Morton,” said Murray, “I have done nothing in this matter + which should aggrieve you. This young man Glendinning has done me good + service, and may do me more. My promise was in some degree passed to him, + and that while Julian Avenel was alive, when aught beside the maiden's + lily hand would have been hard to come by; whereas, you never thought of + such an alliance for your kinsman, till you saw Julian lie dead yonder on + the field, and knew his land to be a waif free to the first who could + seize it. Come, come, my lord, you do less than justice to your gallant + kinsman, in wishing him a bride bred up under the milk-pail; for this girl + is a peasant wench in all but the accident of birth. I thought you had + more deep respect for the honour of the Douglasses.” + </p> + <p> + “The honour of the Douglasses is safe in my keeping,” answered Morton, + haughtily; “that of other ancient families may suffer as well as the name + of Avenel, if rustics are to be matched with the blood of our ancient + barons.” + </p> + <p> + “This is but idle talking,” answered Lord Murray; “in times like these, we + must look to men and not to pedigrees. Hay was but a rustic before the + battle of Loncarty—the bloody yoke actually dragged the plough ere + it was emblazoned on a crest by the herald. Times of action make princes + into peasants, and boors into barons. All families have sprung from one + mean man; and it is well if they have never degenerated from his virtue + who raised them first from obscurity.” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of Murray will please to except the house of Douglas,” said + Morton, haughtily; “men have seen it in the tree, but never in the sapling—have + seen it in the stream, but never in the fountain. + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: The late excellent and laborious antiquary, Mr. George + Chalmers, has rebuked the vaunt of the House of Douglas, or rather of Hume + of Godscroft, their historian, but with less than his wonted accuracy. In + the first volume of his Caledonia, he quotes the passage in Godscroft for + the purpose of confuting it. + </p> + <p> + The historian (of the Douglasses) cries out, “We do not know them in the + fountain, but in the stream; not in the root, but in the stem; for we know + not which is the mean man that did rise above the vulgar.” This assumption + Mr. Chalmers conceives ill-timed, and alleges, that if the historian had + attended more to research than to declamation, he might easily have seen + the first mean man of this renowned family. This he alleges to have been + one Theobaldus Flammaticus, or Theobald the Fleming, to whom Arnold, Abbot + of Kelso, between the year 1147 and 1160, granted certain lands on Douglas + water, by a deed which Mr. Chalmers conceives to be the first link of the + chain of title-deeds to Douglasdale. Hence, he says, the family must + renounce their family domain, or acknowledge this obscure Fleming as their + ancestor. Theobald the Fleming, it is acknowledged, did not himself assume + the name of Douglas; “but,” says the antiquary, “his son William, who + inherited his estate, called himself, and was named by others, De Duglas;” + and he refers to the deeds in which he is so designed. Mr. Chalmers' full + argument may be found in the first volume of his Caledonia, p. 579. + </p> + <p> + This proposition is one which a Scotsman will admit unwillingly, and only + upon undeniable testimony: and as it is liable to strong grounds of + challenge, the present author, with all the respect to Mr. Chalmers which + his zealous and effectual researches merit, is not unwilling to take this + opportunity to state some plausible grounds for doubting that Theobaldus + Flammaticus was either the father of the first William de Douglas, or in + the slightest degree connected with the Douglas family. + </p> + <p> + It must first be observed, that there is no reason whatever for concluding + Theobaldus Flammaticus to be the father of William de Douglas, except that + they both held lands upon the small river of Douglas; and that there are + two strong presumptions to the contrary. For, first, the father being + named Fleming, there seems no good reason why the son should have assumed + a different designation: secondly, there does not occur a single instance + of the name of Theobald during the long line of the Douglas pedigree, an + omission very unlikely to take place had the original father of the race + been so called. These are secondary considerations indeed; but they are + important, in so far as they exclude any support of Mr. Chalmers' system, + except from the point which he has rather assumed than proved, namely, + that the lands granted to Theobald the Fleming were the same which were + granted to William de Douglas, and which constituted the original domain + of which we find this powerful family lords. + </p> + <p> + Now, it happens, singularly enough, that the lands granted by the Abbot of + Kelso to Theobaldus Flammaticus are not the same of which William de + Douglas was in possession. Nay, it would appear, from comparing the + charter granted to Theobaldus Flammaticus, that, though situated on the + water of Douglas, they never made a part of the barony of that name, and + therefore cannot be the same with those held by William de Douglas in the + succeeding generation. But if William de Douglas did not succeed + Theobaldus Flammaticus, there is no more reason for holding these two + persons to be father and son than if they had lived in different + provinces; and we are still as far from having discovered the first mean + man of the Douglas family as Hume of Godscroft was in the 16th century. We + leave the question to antiquaries and genealogists.} + </p> + <p> + In the earliest of our Scottish annals, the Black Douglas was powerful and + distinguished as now.” + </p> + <p> + “I bend to the honours of the house of Douglas,” said Murray, somewhat + ironically; “I am conscious we of the Royal House have little right to + compete with them in dignity—What though we have worn crowns and + carried sceptres for a few generations, if our genealogy moves no farther + back than to the humble <i>Alanus Dapifer!”</i> + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: To atone to the memory of the learned and indefatigable + Chalmers for having ventured to impeach his genealogical proposition + concerning the descent of the Douglasses, we are bound to render him our + grateful thanks for the felicitous light which he has thrown on that of + the House of Stewart, still more important to Scottish history. + </p> + <p> + The acute pen of Lord Hailes, which, like the spear of Ithuriel, conjured + so many shadows from Scottish history, had dismissed among the rest those + of Banquo and Fleance, the rejection of which fables left the illustrious + family of Stewart without an ancestor beyond Walter the son of Allan, who + is alluded to in the text. The researches of our late learned antiquary + detected in this Walter, the descendant of Allan, the son of Flaald, who + obtained from William the Conqueror the Castle of Oswestry in Shropshire, + and was the father of an illustrious line of English nobles, by his first + son, William, and by his second son, Walter, the progenitor of the royal + family of Stewart.} + </p> + <p> + Morton's cheek reddened as he was about to reply; but Henry Warden availed + himself of the liberty which the Protestant clergy long possessed, and + exerted it to interrupt a discussion which was becoming too eager and + personal to be friendly. + </p> + <p> + “My lords,” he said, “I must be bold in discharging the duty of my Master. + It is a shame and scandal to hear two nobles, whose hands have been so + forward in the work of reformation, fall into discord about such vain + follies as now occupy your thoughts. Bethink you how long you have thought + with one mind, seen with one eye, heard with one ear, confirmed by your + union the congregation of the Church, appalled by your joint authority the + congregation of Anti-Christ; and will you now fall into discord, about an + old decayed castle and a few barren hills, about the loves and likings of + an humble spearman, and a damsel bred in the same obscurity, or about the + still vainer questions of idle genealogy?” + </p> + <p> + “The good man hath spoken right, noble Douglas,” said Murray, reaching him + his hand, “our union is too essential to the good cause to be broken off + upon such idle terms of dissension. I am fixed to gratify Glendinning in + this matter—my promise is passed. The wars, in which I have had my + share, have made many a family miserable; I will at least try if I may not + make one happy. There are maids and manors enow in Scotland.—I + promise you, my noble ally, that young Bennygask shall be richly wived.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Warden, “you speak nobly, and like a Christian. Alas! this + is a land of hatred and bloodshed—let us not chase from thence the + few traces that remain of gentle and domestic love.—And be not too + eager for wealth to thy noble kinsman, my Lord of Morton, seeing + contentment in the marriage state no way depends on it.” + </p> + <p> + “If you allude to my family misfortune,” said Morton, whose Countess, + wedded by him for her estate and honours, was insane in her mind, “the + habit you wear, and the liberty, or rather license, of your profession, + protect you from my resentment.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! my lord,” replied Warden, “how quick and sensitive is our + self-love! When pressing forward in our high calling, we point out the + errors of the Sovereign, who praises our boldness more than the noble + Morton? But touch we upon his own sore, which most needs lancing, and he + shrinks from the faithful chirurgeon in fear and impatient anger!” + </p> + <p> + “Enough of this, good and reverend sir,” said Murray; “you transgress the + prudence yourself recommended even now.—We are now close upon the + village, and the proud Abbot is come forth at the head of his hive. Thou + hast pleaded well for him, Warden, otherwise I had taken this occasion to + pull down the nest, and chase away the rooks.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but do not so,” said Warden; “this William Allan, whom they call the + Abbot Eustatius, is a man whose misfortunes would more prejudice our cause + than his prosperity. You cannot inflict more than he will endure; and the + more that he is made to bear, the higher will be the influence of his + talents and his courage. In his conventual throne he will be but coldly + looked on—disliked, it may be, and envied. But turn his crucifix of + gold into a crucifix of wood—let him travel through the land, an + oppressed and impoverished man, and his patience, his eloquence, and + learning, will win more hearts from the good cause, than all the mitred + abbots of Scotland have been able to make prey of during the last hundred + years.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush! tush! man,” said Morton, “the revenues of the Halidome will bring + more men, spears, and horses, into the field in one day, than his + preaching in a whole lifetime. These are not the days of Peter the Hermit, + when monks could march armies from England to Jerusalem; but gold and good + deeds will still do as much or more than ever. Had Julian Avenel had but a + score or two more men this morning, Sir John Foster had not missed a worse + welcome. I say, confiscating the monk's revenues is drawing his + fang-teeth.” + </p> + <p> + “We will surely lay him under contribution,” said Murray; “and, moreover, + if he desires to remain in his Abbey, he will do well to produce Piercie + Shafton.” + </p> + <p> + As he thus spoke, they entered the market-place, distinguished by their + complete armour and their lofty plumes, as well as by the number of + followers bearing their colours and badges. Both these powerful nobles, + but more especially Murray, so nearly allied to the crown, had at that + time a retinue and household not much inferior to that of Scottish + royalty. As they advanced into the market-place, a pursuivant, pressing + forward from their train, addressed the monks in these words:—“The + Abbot of Saint Mary's is commanded to appear before the Earl of Murray.” + </p> + <p> + “The Abbot of Saint Mary's,” said Eustace, “is, in the patrimony of his + Convent, superior to every temporal lord. Let the Earl of Murray, if he + seeks him, come himself to his presence.” + </p> + <p> + On receiving this answer, Murray smiled scornfully, and, dismounting from + his lofty saddle, he advanced, accompanied by Morton, and followed by + others, to the body of monks assembled around the cross. There was an + appearance of shrinking among them at the approach of the heretic lord, so + dreaded and so powerful. But the Abbot, casting on them a glance of rebuke + and encouragement, stepped forth from their ranks like a courageous + leader, when he sees that his personal valour must be displayed to revive + the drooping courage of his followers. “Lord James Stewart,” he said, “or + Earl of Murray, if that be thy title, I, Eustatius, Abbot of Saint Mary's, + demand by what right you have filled our peaceful village, and surrounded + our brethren, with these bands of armed men? If hospitality is sought, we + have never refused it to courteous asking—if violence be meant + against peaceful churchmen, let us know at once the pretext and the + object?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Abbot,” said Murray, “your language would better have become another + age, and a presence inferior to ours. We come not here to reply to your + interrogations, but to demand of you why you have broken the peace, + collecting your vassals in arms, and convocating the Queen's lieges, + whereby many men have been slain, and much trouble, perchance breach of + amity with England, is likely to arise?” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Lupus in fabula</i>,” answered the Abbot, scornfully. “The wolf + accused the sheep of muddying the stream when he drank in it above her—but + it served as a pretext for devouring her. Convocate the Queen's lieges! I + did so to defend the Queen's land against foreigners. I did but my duty; + and I regret I had not the means to do it more effectually.” + </p> + <p> + “And was it also a part of your duty to receive and harbour the Queen of + England's rebel and traitor; and to inflame a war betwixt England and + Scotland?” said Murray. + </p> + <p> + “In my younger days, my lord,” answered the Abbot, with the same + intrepidity, “a war with England was no such dreaded matter; and not + merely a mitred abbot, bound by his rule to show hospitality and afford + sanctuary to all, but the poorest Scottish peasant, would have been + ashamed to have pleaded fear of England as the reason for shutting his + door against a persecuted exile. But in those olden days, the English + seldom saw the face of a Scottish nobleman, save through the bars of his + visor.” + </p> + <p> + “Monk!” said the Earl of Morton, sternly, “this insolence will little + avail thee; the days are gone by when Rome's priests were permitted to + brave noblemen with impunity. Give us up this Piercie Shafton, or by my + father's crest I will set thy Abbey in a bright flame!” + </p> + <p> + “And if thou dost, Lord of Morton, its ruins will tumble above the tombs + of thine own ancestors. Be the issue as God wills, the Abbot of Saint + Mary's gives up no one whom he hath promised to protect.” + </p> + <p> + “Abbot!” said Murray, “bethink thee ere we are driven to deal roughly—the + hands of these men,” he said, pointing to the soldiers, “will make wild + work among shrines and cells, if we are compelled to undertake a search + for this Englishman.” + </p> + <p> + “Ye shall not need,” said a voice from the crowd; and, advancing + gracefully before the Earls, the Euphuist flung from him the mantle in + which he was muffled. “Via the cloud that shadowed Shafton!” said he; + “behold, my lords, the Knight of Wilverton, who spares you the guilt of + violence and sacrilege.” + </p> + <p> + “I protest before God and man against any infraction of the privileges of + this house,” said the Abbot, “by an attempt to impose violent hands upon + the person of this noble knight. If there be yet spirit in a Scottish + Parliament, we will make you hear of this elsewhere, my lords!” + </p> + <p> + “Spare your threats,” said Murray; “it may be, my purpose with Sir Piercie + Shafton is not such as thou dost suppose—Attach him, pursuivant, as + our prisoner, rescue or no rescue.” + </p> + <p> + “I yield myself,” said the Euphuist, “reserving my right to defy my Lord + of Murray and my Lord of Morton to single duel, even as one gentleman may + demand satisfaction of another.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall not want those who will answer your challenge, Sir Knight,” + replied Morton, “without aspiring to men above thine own degree.” + </p> + <p> + “And where am I to find these superlative champions,” said the English + knight, “whose blood runs more pure than that of Piercie Shafton?” + </p> + <p> + “Here is a flight for you, my lord!” said Murray. + </p> + <p> + “As ever was flown by a wild-goose,” said Stawarth Bolton, who had now + approached to the front of the party. + </p> + <p> + “Who dared to say that word?” said the Euphuist, his face crimson with + rage. + </p> + <p> + “Tut! man,” said Bolton, “make the best of it, thy mother's father was but + a tailor, old Overstitch of Holderness—Why, what! because thou art a + misproud bird, and despiseth thine own natural lineage, and rufflest in + unpaid silks and velvets, and keepest company with gallants and cutters, + must we lose our memory for that? Thy mother, Moll Overstitch, was the + prettiest wench in those parts—she was wedded by wild Shafton of + Wilverton, who men say, was akin to the Piercie on the wrong side of the + blanket.” + </p> + <p> + “Help the knight to some strong waters,” said Morton; “he hath fallen from + such a height, that he is stunned with the tumble.” + </p> + <p> + In fact, Sir Piercie Shafton looked like a man stricken by a thunderbolt, + while, notwithstanding the seriousness of the scene hitherto, no one of + those present, not even the Abbot himself, could refrain from laughing at + the rueful and mortified expression of his face. + </p> + <p> + “Laugh on,” he said at length, “laugh on, my masters,” shrugging his + shoulders; “it is not for me to be offended—yet would I know full + fain from that squire who is laughing with the loudest, how he had + discovered this unhappy blot in an otherwise spotless lineage, and for + what purpose he hath made it known?” + </p> + <p> + “<i>I</i> make it known?” said Halbert Glendinning, in astonishment,—for + to him this pathetic appeal was made,—“I never heard the thing till + this moment.” + </p> + <p> + {Footnote: The contrivance of provoking the irritable vanity of Sir + Piercie Shafton, by presenting him with a bodkin, indicative of his + descent from a tailor, is borrowed from a German romance, by the + celebrated Tieck, called Das Peter Manchem, <i>i. e.</i> The Dwarf Peter. + The being who gives name to the tale, is the Burg-geist, or castle + spectre, of a German family, whom he aids with his counsel, as he defends + their castle by his supernatural power. But the Dwarf Peter is so + unfortunate an adviser, that all his counsels, though producing success in + the immediate results, are in the issue attended with mishap and with + guilt. The youthful baron, the owner of the haunted castle, falls in love + with a maiden, the daughter of a neighbouring count, a man of great pride, + who refuses him the hand of the young lady, on account of his own + superiority of descent. The lover, repulsed and affronted, returns to take + counsel with the Dwarf Peter, how he may silence the count, and obtain the + victory in the argument, the next time they enter on the topic of + pedigree. The dwarf gives his patron or pupil a horse-shoe, instructing + him to give it to the count when he is next giving himself superior airs + on the subject of his family. It has the effect accordingly. The count, + understanding it as an allusion to a misalliance of one of his ancestors + with the daughter of a blacksmith, is thrown into a dreadful passion with + the young lover, the consequences of which are the seduction of the young + lady, and the slaughter of her father. + </p> + <p> + If we suppose the dwarf to represent the corrupt part of human nature,—that + “law in our members which wars against the law of our minds,”—the + work forms an ingenious allegory.} + </p> + <p> + “Why, did not that old rude soldier learn it from thee?” said the knight, + in increasing amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Not I, by Heaven!” said Bolton; “I never saw the youth in my life + before.” + </p> + <p> + “But you <i>have</i> seen him ere now, my worthy master,” said Dame + Glendinning, bursting in her turn from the crowd. “My son, this is + Stawarth Bolton, he to whom we owe life, and the means of preserving it—if + he be a prisoner, as seems most likely, use thine interest with these + noble lords to be kind to the widow's friend.” + </p> + <p> + “What, my Dame of the Glen!” said Bolton, “thy brow is more withered, as + well as mine, since we met last, but thy tongue holds the touch better + than my arm. This boy of thine gave me the foil sorely this morning. The + Brown Varlet has turned as stout a trooper as I prophesied; and where is + White Head?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said the mother, looking down, “Edward has taken orders, and + become a monk of this Abbey.” + </p> + <p> + “A monk and a soldier!—Evil trades both, my good dame. Better have + made one a good master fashioner, like old Overstitch, of Holderness. I + sighed when I envied you the two bonny children, but I sigh not now to + call either the monk or the soldier mine own. The soldier dies in the + field, the monk scarce lives in the cloister.” + </p> + <p> + “My dearest mother,” said Halbert, “where is Edward—can I not speak + with him?” + </p> + <p> + “He has just left us for the present,” said Father Philip, “upon a message + from the Lord Abbot.” + </p> + <p> + “And Mary, my dearest mother?” said Halbert.—Mary Avenel was not far + distant, and the three were soon withdrawn from the crowd, to hear and + relate their various chances of fortune. + </p> + <p> + While the subordinate personages thus disposed of themselves, the Abbot + held serious discussion with the two Earls, and, partly yielding to their + demands, partly defending himself with skill and eloquence, was enabled to + make a composition for his Convent, which left it provisionally in no + worse situation than before. The Earls were the more reluctant to drive + matters to extremity, since he protested, that if urged beyond what his + conscience would comply with, he would throw the whole lands of the + Monastery into the Queen of Scotland's hands, to be disposed of at her + pleasure. This would not have answered the views of the Earls, who were + contented, for the time, with a moderate sacrifice of money and lands. + Matters being so far settled, the Abbot became anxious for the fate of Sir + Piercie Shafton, and implored mercy in his behalf. + </p> + <p> + “He is a coxcomb,” he said, “my lords, but he is a generous, though a vain + fool; and it is my firm belief you have this day done him more pain than + if you had run a poniard into him.” + </p> + <p> + “Run a needle into him you mean, Abbot,” said the Earl of Morton; “by mine + honour, I thought this grandson of a fashioner of doublets was descended + from a crowned head at least!” + </p> + <p> + “I hold with the Abbot,” said Murray; “there were little honour in + surrendering him to Elizabeth, but he shall be sent where he can do her no + injury. Our pursuivant and Bolton shall escort him to Dunbar, and ship him + off for Flanders.—But soft, here he comes, and leading a female, as + I think.” + </p> + <p> + “Lords and others,” said the English knight with great solemnity, “make + way for the Lady of Piercie Shafton—a secret which I listed not to + make known, till fate, which hath betrayed what I vainly strove to + conceal, makes me less desirous to hide that which I now announce to you.” + </p> + <p> + “It is Mysie Happer, the Miller's daughter, on my life!” said Tibb Tacket. + “I thought the pride of these Piercies would have a fa'.” + </p> + <p> + “It is indeed the lovely Mysinda,” said the knight, “whose merits towards + her devoted servant deserved higher rank than he had to bestow.” + </p> + <p> + “I suspect, though,” said Murray, “that we should not have heard of the + Miller's daughter being made a lady, had not the knight proved to be the + grandson of a tailor.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Piercie Shafton, “it is poor valour to strike him that + cannot smite again; and I hope you will consider what is due to a prisoner + by the law of arms, and say nothing more on this odious subject. When I am + once more mine own man, I will find a new road to dignity.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Shape</i> one, I presume,” said the Earl of Morton. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Douglas, you will drive him mad,”—said Murray; “besides, we + have other matter in hand—I must see Warden wed Glendinning with + Mary Avenel, and put him in possession of his wife's castle without delay. + It will be best done ere our forces leave these parts.” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” said the Miller, “have the like grist to grind; for I hope some + one of the good fathers will wed my wench with her gay bridegroom.” + </p> + <p> + “It needs not,” said Shafton; “the ceremonial hath been solemnly + performed.” + </p> + <p> + “It will not be the worse of another bolting,” said the Miller; “it is + always best to be sure, as I say when I chance to take multure twice from + the same meal-sack.” + </p> + <p> + “Stave the miller off him,” said Murray, “or he will worry him dead. The + Abbot, my lord, offers us the hospitality of the Convent; I move we should + repair hither, Sir Piercie and all of us. I must learn to know the Maid of + Avenel—to-morrow I must act as her father—All Scotland shall + see how Murray can reward a faithful servant.” + </p> + <p> + Mary Avenel and her lover avoided meeting the Abbot, and took up their + temporary abode in a house of the village, where next day their hands were + united by the Protestant preacher in presence of the two Earls. On the + same day Piercie Shafton and his bride departed, under an escort which was + to conduct him to the sea-side, and see him embark for the Low Countries. + Early on the following morning the bands of the Earls were under march to + the Castle of Avenel, to invest the young bridegroom with the property of + his wife, which was surrendered to them without opposition. + </p> + <p> + But not without those omens which seemed to mark every remarkable event + which befell the fated family, did Mary take possession of the ancient + castle of her forefathers. The same warlike form which had appeared more + than once at Glendearg, was seen by Tibb Tacket and Martin, who returned + with their young mistress to partake her altered fortunes. It glided + before the cavalcade as they advanced upon the long causeway, paused at + each drawbridge, and flourished its hand, as in triumph, as it disappeared + under the gloomy archway, which was surmounted by the insignia of the + house of Avenel. The two trusty servants made their vision only known to + Dame Glendinning, who, with much pride of heart, had accompanied her son + to see him take his rank among the barons of the land. “Oh, my dear + bairn!” she exclaimed, when she heard the tale, “the castle is a grand + place to be sure, but I wish ye dinna a' desire to be back in the quiet + braes of Glendearg before the play be played out.” But this natural + reflection, springing from maternal anxiety, was soon forgotten amid the + busy and pleasing task of examining and admiring the new habitation of her + son. + </p> + <p> + While these affairs were passing, Edward had hidden himself and his + sorrows in the paternal Tower of Glendearg, where every object was full of + matter for bitter reflection. The Abbot's kindness had despatched him + thither upon pretence of placing some papers belonging to the Abbey in + safety and secrecy; but in reality to prevent his witnessing the triumph + of his brother. Through the deserted apartments, the scene of so many + bitter reflections, the unhappy youth stalked like a discontented ghost, + conjuring up around him at every step new subjects for sorrow and for + self-torment. Impatient, at length, of the state of irritation and + agonized recollection in which he found himself, he rushed out and walked + hastily up the glen, as if to shake off the load which hung upon his mind. + The sun was setting when he reached the entrance of Corri-nan-shian, and + the recollection of what he had seen when he last visited that haunted + ravine, burst on his mind. He was in a humour, however, rather to seek out + danger than to avoid it. + </p> + <p> + “I will face this mystic being,” he said; “she foretold the fate which has + wrapt me in this dress,—I will know whether she has aught else to + tell me of a life which cannot but be miserable.” + </p> + <p> + He failed not to see the White Spirit seated by her accustomed haunt, and + singing in her usual low and sweet tone. While she sung, she seemed to + look with sorrow on her golden zone, which was now diminished to the + fineness of a silken thread. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Fare thee well, thou Holly green, + Thou shall seldom now be seen, + With all thy glittering garlands bending, + As to greet my slow descending, + Startling the bewilder'd hind. + Who sees thee wave without a wind. + + “Farewell, Fountain! now not long + Shalt thou murmur to my song, + While thy crystal bubbles glancing, + Keep the time in mystic dancing, + Rise and swell, are burst and lost, + Like mortal schemes by fortune crost. + + “The knot of fate at length is tied, + The Churl is Lord, the Maid is bride. + Vainly did my magic sleight + Send the lover from her sight; + Wither bush, and perish well, + Fall'n is lofty Avenel!” + </pre> + <p> + The vision seemed to weep while she sung; and the words impressed on + Edward a melancholy belief, that the alliance of Mary with his brother + might be fatal to them both. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Here terminates the First Part of the Benedictine's Manuscript. I have in + vain endeavoured to ascertain the precise period of the story, as the + dates cannot be exactly reconciled with those of the most accredited + histories. But it is astonishing how careless the writers of Utopia are + upon these important subjects. I observe that the learned Mr. Laurence + Templeton, in his late publication entitled IVANHOE, has not only blessed + the bed of Edward the Confessor with an offspring unknown to history, with + sundry other solecisms of the same kind, but has inverted the order of + nature, and feasted his swine with acorns in the midst of summer. All that + can be alleged by the warmest admirer of this author amounts to this,—that + the circumstances objected to are just as true as the rest of the story; + which appears to me (more especially in the matter of the acorns) to be a + very imperfect defence, and that the author will do well to profit by + Captain Absolute's advice to his servant, and never tell him more lies + than are indispensably necessary. + </p> + <p> + End of THE MONASTERY. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Monastery, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MONASTERY *** + +***** This file should be named 6406-h.htm or 6406-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/0/6406/ + + +Text file produced by Alan Millar, David Moynihan, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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