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diff --git a/7987-h/7987-h.htm b/7987-h/7987-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dca3f60 --- /dev/null +++ b/7987-h/7987-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,22429 @@ +<?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 Fair Maid of Perth, by Sir Walter Scott + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; 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%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Fair Maid of Perth, 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 Fair Maid of Perth + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Release Date: July 27, 2009 [EBook #7987] +Last Updated: August 31, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FAIR MAID OF PERTH *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE FAIR MAID OF PERTH + </h1> + <h3> + or + </h3> + <h2> + ST. VALENTINE’S DAY + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Sir Walter Scott + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> INTRODUCTORY. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a><br /><br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + INTRODUCTORY. + </h2> + <p> + The ashes here of murder’d kings Beneath my footsteps sleep; And yonder + lies the scene of death, Where Mary learn’d to weep. + </p> + <p> + CAPTAIN MARJORIBANKS. + </p> + <p> + Every quarter of Edinburgh has its own peculiar boast, so that the city + together combines within its precincts, if you take the word of the + inhabitants on the subject, as much of historical interest as of natural + beauty. Our claims in behalf of the Canongate are not the slightest. The + Castle may excel us in extent of prospect and sublimity of site; the + Calton had always the superiority of its unrivalled panorama, and has of + late added that of its towers, and triumphal arches, and the pillars of + its Parthenon. The High Street, we acknowledge, had the distinguished + honour of being defended by fortifications, of which we can show no + vestiges. We will not descend to notice the claims of more upstart + districts, called Old New Town and New New Town, not to mention the + favourite Moray Place, which is the Newest New Town of all. We will not + match ourselves except with our equals, and with our equals in age only, + for in dignity we admit of one. We boast being the court end of the town, + possessing the Palace and the sepulchral remains of monarchs, and that we + have the power to excite, in a degree unknown to the less honoured + quarters of the city, the dark and solemn recollections of ancient + grandeur, which occupied the precincts of our venerable Abbey from the + time of St. David till her deserted halls were once more made glad, and + her long silent echoes awakened, by the visit of our present gracious + sovereign. + </p> + <p> + My long habitation in the neighbourhood, and the quiet respectability of + my habits, have given me a sort of intimacy with good Mrs. Policy, the + housekeeper in that most interesting part of the old building called Queen + Mary’s Apartments. But a circumstance which lately happened has conferred + upon me greater privileges; so that, indeed, I might, I believe, venture + on the exploit of Chatelet, who was executed for being found secreted at + midnight in the very bedchamber of Scotland’s mistress. + </p> + <p> + It chanced that the good lady I have mentioned was, in the discharge of + her function, showing the apartments to a cockney from London—not + one of your quiet, dull, commonplace visitors, who gape, yawn, and listen + with an acquiescent “umph” to the information doled out by the provincial + cicerone. No such thing: this was the brisk, alert agent of a great house + in the city, who missed no opportunity of doing business, as he termed it—that + is, of putting off the goods of his employers, and improving his own + account of commission. He had fidgeted through the suite of apartments, + without finding the least opportunity to touch upon that which he + considered as the principal end of his existence. Even the story of + Rizzio’s assassination presented no ideas to this emissary of commerce, + until the housekeeper appealed, in support of her narrative, to the dusky + stains of blood upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + “These are the stains,” she said; “nothing will remove them from the + place: there they have been for two hundred and fifty years, and there + they will remain while the floor is left standing—neither water nor + anything else will ever remove them from that spot.” + </p> + <p> + Now our cockney, amongst other articles, sold Scouring Drops, as they are + called, and a stain of two hundred and fifty years’ standing was + interesting to him, not because it had been caused by the blood of a + queen’s favourite, slain in her apartment, but because it offered so + admirable an opportunity to prove the efficacy of his unequalled Detergent + Elixir. Down on his knees went our friend, but neither in horror nor + devotion. + </p> + <p> + “Two hundred and fifty years, ma’am, and nothing take it away? Why, if it + had been five hundred, I have something in my pocket will fetch it out in + five minutes. D’ye see this elixir, ma’am? I will show you the stain + vanish in a moment.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, wetting one end of his handkerchief with the all deterging + specific, he began to rub away on the planks, without heeding the + remonstrances of Mrs. Policy. She, good soul, stood at first in + astonishment, like the abbess of St. Bridget’s, when a profane visitant + drank up the vial of brandy which had long passed muster among the relics + of the cloister for the tears of the blessed saint. The venerable guardian + of St. Bridget probably expected the interference of her patroness—she + of Holyrood might, perhaps, hope that David Ruzzio’s spectre would arise + to prevent the profanation. But Mrs. Policy stood not long in the silence + of horror. She uplifted her voice, and screamed as loudly as Queen Mary + herself when the dreadful deed was in the act of perpetration— + </p> + <p> + “Harrow, now out, and walawa!” she cried. + </p> + <p> + I happened to be taking my morning walk in the adjoining gallery, + pondering in my mind why the kings of Scotland, who hung around me, should + be each and every one painted with a nose like the knocker of a door, when + lo! the walls once more re-echoed with such shrieks as formerly were as + often heard in the Scottish palaces as were sounds of revelry and music. + Somewhat surprised at such an alarm in a place so solitary, I hastened to + the spot, and found the well meaning traveller scrubbing the floor like a + housemaid, while Mrs. Policy, dragging him by the skirts of the coat, in + vain endeavoured to divert him from his sacrilegious purpose. It cost me + some trouble to explain to the zealous purifier of silk stockings, + embroidered waistcoats, broadcloth, and deal planks that there were such + things in the world as stains which ought to remain indelible, on account + of the associations with which they are connected. Our good friend viewed + everything of the kind only as the means of displaying the virtue of his + vaunted commodity. He comprehended, however, that he would not be + permitted to proceed to exemplify its powers on the present occasion, as + two or three inhabitants appeared, who, like me, threatened to maintain + the housekeeper’s side of the question. He therefore took his leave, + muttering that he had always heard the Scots were a nasty people, but had + no idea they carried it so far as to choose to have the floors of their + palaces blood boltered, like Banquo’s ghost, when to remove them would + have cost but a hundred drops of the Infallible Detergent Elixir, prepared + and sold by Messrs. Scrub and Rub, in five shilling and ten shilling + bottles, each bottle being marked with the initials of the inventor, to + counterfeit which would be to incur the pains of forgery. + </p> + <p> + Freed from the odious presence of this lover of cleanliness, my good + friend Mrs. Policy was profuse in her expressions of thanks; and yet her + gratitude, instead of exhausting itself in these declarations, according + to the way of the world, continues as lively at this moment as if she had + never thanked me at all. It is owing to her recollection of this piece of + good service that I have the permission of wandering, like the ghost of + some departed gentleman usher, through these deserted halls, sometimes, as + the old Irish ditty expresses it— + </p> + <p> + Thinking upon things that are long enough ago;—and sometimes wishing + I could, with the good luck of most editors of romantic narrative, light + upon some hidden crypt or massive antique cabinet, which should yield to + my researches an almost illegible manuscript, containing the authentic + particulars of some of the strange deeds of those wild days of the unhappy + Mary. + </p> + <p> + My dear Mrs. Baliol used to sympathise with me when I regretted that all + godsends of this nature had ceased to occur, and that an author might + chatter his teeth to pieces by the seaside without a wave ever wafting to + him a casket containing such a history as that of Automates; that he might + break his shins in stumbling through a hundred vaults without finding + anything but rats and mice; and become the tenant of a dozen sets of + shabby tenements without finding that they contained any manuscript but + the weekly bill for board and lodging. A dairymaid of these degenerate + days might as well wash and deck her dairy in hopes of finding the fairy + tester in her shoe. + </p> + <p> + “It is a sad and too true a tale, cousin,” said Mrs. Baliol, “I am sure we + all have occasion to regret the want of these ready supplements to a + failing invention. But you, most of all, have right to complain that the + fairest have not favoured your researches—you, who have shown the + world that the age of chivalry still exists—you, the knight of + Croftangry, who braved the fury of the ‘London ‘prentice bold,’ in behalf + of the fair Dame Policy, and the memorial of Rizzio’s slaughter! Is it not + a pity, cousin, considering the feat of chivalry was otherwise so much + according to rule—is it not, I say, a great pity that the lady had + not been a little younger, and the legend a little older?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, as to the age at which a fair dame loses the benefit of chivalry, + and is no longer entitled to crave boon of brave knight, that I leave to + the statutes of the Order of Errantry; but for the blood of Rizzio I take + up the gauntlet, and maintain against all and sundry that I hold the + stains to be of no modern date, but to have been actually the consequence + and the record of that terrible assassination.” + </p> + <p> + “As I cannot accept the challenge to the field, fair cousin, I am + contented to require proof.” + </p> + <p> + “The unaltered tradition of the Palace, and the correspondence of the + existing state of things with that tradition.” + </p> + <p> + “Explain, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + “I will. The universal tradition bears that, when Rizzio was dragged out + of the chamber of the Queen, the heat and fury of the assassins, who + struggled which should deal him most wounds, despatched him at the door of + the anteroom. At the door of the apartment, therefore, the greater + quantity of the ill fated minion’s blood was spilled, and there the marks + of it are still shown. It is reported further by historians, that Mary + continued her entreaties for his life, mingling her prayers with screams + and exclamations, until she knew that he was assuredly slain; on which she + wiped her eyes and said, ‘I will now study revenge.’” + </p> + <p> + “All this is granted. But the blood—would it not wash out, or waste + out, think you, in so many years?” + </p> + <p> + “I am coming to that presently. The constant tradition of the Palace says, + that Mary discharged any measures to be taken to remove the marks of + slaughter, which she had resolved should remain as a memorial to quicken + and confirm her purposed vengeance. But it is added that, satisfied with + the knowledge that it existed, and not desirous to have the ghastly + evidence always under her eye, she caused a traverse, as it is called + (that is, a temporary screen of boards), to be drawn along the under part + of the anteroom, a few feet from the door, so as to separate the place + stained with the blood from the rest of the apartment, and involve it in + considerable obscurity. Now this temporary partition still exists, and, by + running across and interrupting the plan of the roof and cornices, plainly + intimates that it has been intended to serve some temporary purpose, since + it disfigures the proportions of the room, interferes with the ornaments + of the ceiling, and could only have been put there for some such purpose + as hiding an object too disagreeable to be looked upon. As to the + objection that the bloodstains would have disappeared in course of time, I + apprehend that, if measures to efface them were not taken immediately + after the affair happened—if the blood, in other words, were allowed + to sink into the wood, the stain would become almost indelible. Now, not + to mention that our Scottish palaces were not particularly well washed in + those days, and that there were no Patent Drops to assist the labours of + the mop, I think it very probable that these dark relics might subsist for + a long course of time, even if Mary had not desired or directed that they + should be preserved, but screened by the traverse from public sight. I + know several instances of similar bloodstains remaining for a great many + years, and I doubt whether, after a certain time, anything can remove them + save the carpenter’s plane. If any seneschal, by way of increasing the + interest of the apartments, had, by means of paint, or any other mode of + imitation, endeavoured to palm upon posterity supposititious stigmata, I + conceive that the impostor would have chosen the Queen’s cabinet and the + bedroom for the scene of his trick, placing his bloody tracery where it + could be distinctly seen by visitors, instead of hiding it behind the + traverse in this manner. The existence of the said traverse, or temporary + partition, is also extremely difficult to be accounted for, if the common + and ordinary tradition be rejected. In short, all the rest of this + striking locality is so true to the historical fact, that I think it may + well bear out the additional circumstance of the blood on the floor.” + </p> + <p> + “I profess to you,” answered Mrs. Baliol, “that I am very willing to be + converted to your faith. We talk of a credulous vulgar, without always + recollecting that there is a vulgar incredulity, which, in historical + matters as well as in those of religion, finds it easier to doubt than to + examine, and endeavours to assume the credit of an esprit fort, by denying + whatever happens to be a little beyond the very limited comprehension of + the sceptic. And so, that point being settled, and you possessing, as we + understand, the open sesamum into these secret apartments, how, if we may + ask, do you intend to avail yourself of your privilege? Do you propose to + pass the night in the royal bedchamber?” + </p> + <p> + “For what purpose, my dear lady? If to improve the rheumatism, this east + wind may serve the purpose.” + </p> + <p> + “Improve the rheumatism! Heaven forbid! that would be worse than adding + colours to the violet. No, I mean to recommend a night on the couch of the + nose of Scotland, merely to improve the imagination. Who knows what dreams + might be produced by a night spent in a mansion of so many memories! For + aught I know, the iron door of the postern stair might open at the dead + hour of midnight, and, as at the time of the conspiracy, forth might sally + the phantom assassins, with stealthy step and ghastly look, to renew the + semblance of the deed. There comes the fierce fanatic Ruthven, party + hatred enabling him to bear the armour which would otherwise weigh down a + form extenuated by wasting disease. See how his writhen features show + under the hollow helmet, like those of a corpse tenanted by a demon, whose + vindictive purpose looks out at the flashing eyes, while the visage has + the stillness of death. Yonder appears the tall form of the boy Darnley, + as goodly in person as vacillating in resolution; yonder he advances with + hesitating step, and yet more hesitating purpose, his childish fear having + already overcome his childish passion. He is in the plight of a + mischievous lad who has fired a mine, and who now, expecting the explosion + in remorse and terror, would give his life to quench the train which his + own hand lighted. Yonder—yonder—But I forget the rest of the + worthy cutthroats. Help me if you can.” + </p> + <p> + “Summon up,” said I, “the postulate, George Douglas, the most active of + the gang. Let him arise at your call—the claimant of wealth which he + does not possess, the partaker of the illustrious blood of Douglas, but + which in his veins is sullied with illegitimacy. Paint him the ruthless, + the daring, the ambitious—so nigh greatness, yet debarred from it; + so near to wealth, yet excluded from possessing it; a political Tantalus, + ready to do or dare anything to terminate his necessities and assert his + imperfect claims.” + </p> + <p> + “Admirable, my dear Croftangry! But what is a postulate?” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh, my dear madam, you disturb the current of my ideas. The postulate + was, in Scottish phrase, the candidate for some benefice which he had not + yet attained. George Douglas, who stabbed Rizzio, was the postulate for + the temporal possessions of the rich abbey of Arbroath.” + </p> + <p> + “I stand informed. Come, proceed; who comes next?” continued Mrs. Baliol. + </p> + <p> + “Who comes next? Yon tall, thin made, savage looking man, with the + petronel in his hand, must be Andrew Ker of Faldonside, a brother’s son, I + believe, of the celebrated Sir David Ker of Cessford; his look and bearing + those of a Border freebooter, his disposition so savage that, during the + fray in the cabinet, he presented his loaded piece at the bosom of the + young and beautiful Queen, that queen also being within a few weeks of + becoming a mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Brave, beau cousin! Well, having raised your bevy of phantoms, I hope you + do not intend to send them back to their cold beds to warm them? You will + put them to some action, and since you do threaten the Canongate with your + desperate quill, you surely mean to novelise, or to dramatise, if you + will, this most singular of all tragedies?” + </p> + <p> + “Worse—that is less interesting—periods of history have been, + indeed, shown up, for furnishing amusement to the peaceable ages which, + have succeeded but, dear lady, the events are too well known in Mary’s + days to be used as vehicles of romantic fiction. What can a better writer + than myself add to the elegant and forcible narrative of Robertson? So + adieu to my vision. I awake, like John Bunyan, ‘and behold it is a dream.’ + Well enough that I awake without a sciatica, which would have probably + rewarded my slumbers had I profaned Queen Mary’s bed by using it as a + mechanical resource to awaken a torpid imagination.” + </p> + <p> + “This will never do, cousin,” answered Mrs. Baliol; “you must get over all + these scruples, if you would thrive in the character of a romantic + historian, which you have determined to embrace. What is the classic + Robertson to you? The light which he carried was that of a lamp to + illuminate the dark events of antiquity; yours is a magic lantern to raise + up wonders which never existed. No reader of sense wonders at your + historical inaccuracies, any more than he does to see Punch in the show + box seated on the same throne with King Solomon in his glory, or to hear + him hallooing out to the patriarch, amid the deluge, ‘Mighty hazy weather, + Master Noah.’” + </p> + <p> + “Do not mistake me, my dear madam,” said I; “I am quite conscious of my + own immunities as a tale teller. But even the mendacious Mr. Fag, in + Sheridan’s Rivals, assures us that, though he never scruples to tell a lie + at his master’s command, yet it hurts his conscience to be found out. Now, + this is the reason why I avoid in prudence all well known paths of + history, where every one can read the finger posts carefully set up to + advise them of the right turning; and the very boys and girls, who learn + the history of Britain by way of question and answer, hoot at a poor + author if he abandons the highway.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not be discouraged, however, cousin Chrystal. There are plenty of + wildernesses in Scottish history, through which, unless I am greatly + misinformed, no certain paths have been laid down from actual survey, but + which are only described by imperfect tradition, which fills up with + wonders and with legends the periods in which no real events are + recognised to have taken place. Even thus, as Mat Prior says: + </p> + <p> + “Geographers on pathless downs Place elephants instead of towns.” + </p> + <p> + “If such be your advice, my dear lady,” said I, “the course of my story + shall take its rise upon this occasion at a remote period of history, and + in a province removed from my natural sphere of the Canongate.” + </p> + <p> + It was under the influence of those feelings that I undertook the + following historical romance, which, often suspended and flung aside, is + now arrived at a size too important to be altogether thrown away, although + there may be little prudence in sending it to the press. + </p> + <p> + I have not placed in the mouth of the characters the Lowland Scotch + dialect now spoken, because unquestionably the Scottish of that day + resembled very closely the Anglo Saxon, with a sprinkling of French or + Norman to enrich it. Those who wish to investigate the subject may consult + the Chronicles of Winton and the History of Bruce by Archdeacon Barbour. + But supposing my own skill in the ancient Scottish were sufficient to + invest the dialogue with its peculiarities, a translation must have been + necessary for the benefit of the general reader. The Scottish dialect may + be therefore considered as laid aside, unless where the use of peculiar + words may add emphasis or vivacity to the composition. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + In continuing the lucubrations of Chrystal Croftangry, it occurred that, + although the press had of late years teemed with works of various + descriptions concerning the Scottish Gad, no attempt had hitherto been + made to sketch their manners, as these might be supposed to have existed + at the period when the statute book, as well as the page of the + chronicler, begins to present constant evidence of the difficulties to + which the crown was exposed, while the haughty house of Douglas all but + overbalanced its authority on the Southern border, and the North was at + the same time torn in pieces by the yet untamed savageness of the Highland + races, and the daring loftiness to which some of the remoter chieftains + still carried their pretensions. + </p> + <p> + The well authenticated fact of two powerful clans having deputed each + thirty champions to fight out a quarrel of old standing, in presence of + King Robert III, his brother the Duke of Albany, and the whole court of + Scotland, at Perth, in the year of grace 1396, seemed to mark with equal + distinctness the rancour of these mountain feuds and the degraded + condition of the general government of the country; and it was fixed upon + accordingly as the point on which the main incidents of a romantic + narrative might be made to hinge. The characters of Robert III, his + ambitious brother, and his dissolute son seemed to offer some + opportunities of interesting contrast; and the tragic fate of the heir of + the throne, with its immediate consequences, might serve to complete the + picture of cruelty and lawlessness. + </p> + <p> + Two features of the story of this barrier battle on the Inch of Perth—the + flight of one of the appointed champions, and the reckless heroism of a + townsman, that voluntarily offered for a small piece of coin to supply his + place in the mortal encounter—suggested the imaginary persons, on + whom much of the novel is expended. The fugitive Celt might have been + easily dealt with, had a ludicrous style of colouring been adopted; but it + appeared to the Author that there would be more of novelty, as well as of + serious interest, if he could succeed in gaining for him something of that + sympathy which is incompatible with the total absence of respect. Miss + Baillie had drawn a coward by nature capable of acting as a hero under the + strong impulse of filial affection. It seemed not impossible to conceive + the case of one constitutionally weak of nerve being supported by feelings + of honour and of jealousy up to a certain point, and then suddenly giving + way, under circumstances to which the bravest heart could hardly refuse + compassion. + </p> + <p> + The controversy as to who really were the clans that figured in the + barbarous conflict of the Inch has been revived since the publication of + the Fair Maid of Perth, and treated in particular at great length by Mr. + Robert Mackay of Thurso, in his very curious History of the House and Clan + of Mackay. Without pretending to say that he has settled any part of the + question in the affirmative, this gentleman certainly seems to have quite + succeeded in proving that his own worthy sept had no part in the + transaction. The Mackays were in that age seated, as they have since + continued to be, in the extreme north of the island; and their chief at + the time was a personage of such importance, that his name and proper + designation could not have been omitted in the early narratives of the + occurrence. He on one occasion brought four thousand of his clan to the + aid of the royal banner against the Lord of the Isles. This historian is + of opinion that the Clan Quhele of Wyntoun were the Camerons, who appear + to have about that period been often designated as Macewans, and to have + gained much more recently the name of Cameron, i.e. Wrynose, from a + blemish in the physiognomy of some heroic chief of the line of Lochiel. + This view of the case is also adopted by Douglas in his Baronage, where he + frequently mentions the bitter feuds between Clan Chattan and Clan Kay, + and identifies the latter sept in reference to the events of 1396, with + the Camerons. It is perhaps impossible to clear up thoroughly this + controversy, little interesting in itself, at least to readers on this + side of Inverness. The names, as we have them in Wyntoun, are “Clanwhewyl” + and “Clachinya,” the latter probably not correctly transcribed. In the + Scoti Chronicon they are “Clanquhele” and “Clankay. Hector Boece writes + Clanchattan” and “Clankay,” in which he is followed by Leslie while + Buchanan disdains to disfigure his page with their Gaelic designations at + all, and merely describes them as two powerful races in the wild and + lawless region beyond the Grampians. Out of this jumble what Sassenach can + pretend dare lucem? The name Clanwheill appears so late as 1594, in an Act + of James VI. Is it not possible that it may be, after all, a mere + corruption of Clan Lochiel? + </p> + <p> + The reader may not be displeased to have Wyntoun’s original rhymes [bk. + ix. chap. xvii.]: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A thousand and thre hundyr yere, + Nynty and sex to mak all clere— + Of thre scor wyld Scottis men, + Thretty agane thretty then, + In felny bolnit of auld fed, + [Boiled with the cruelty of an old feud] + As thare forelderis ware slane to dede. + Tha thre score ware clannys twa, + Clahynnhe Qwhewyl and Clachinyha; + Of thir twa kynnis ware tha men, + Thretty agane thretty then; + And thare thai had than chiftanys twa, + Scha Ferqwharis’ son wes ane of tha, + The tother Cristy Johnesone. + A selcouth thing be tha was done. + At Sanct Johnestone besid the Freris, + All thai entrit in barreris + Wyth bow and ax, knyf and swerd, + To deil amang thaim thare last werd. + Thare thai laid on that time sa fast, + Quha had the ware thare at the last + I will noucht say; hot quha best had, + He wes but dout bathe muth and mad. + Fifty or ma ware slane that day, + Sua few wyth lif than past away. +</pre> + <p> + The prior of Lochleven makes no mention either of the evasion of one of + the Gaelic champions, or of the gallantry of the Perth artisan, in + offering to take a share in the conflict. Both incidents, however, were + introduced, no doubt from tradition, by the Continuator of Fordun [Bower], + whose narrative is in these words: + </p> + <p> + Anno Dom. millesimo trecentesimo nonagesimo sexto, magna pars borealis + Scotiae, trans Alpes, inquietata fuit per duos pestiferos Cateranos, et + eorum sequaces, viz. Scheabeg et suos consanguinarios, qui Clankay, et + Cristi Jonsonem ac suos, qui Clanqwhele dicebantur; qui nullo pacto vel + tractatu pacificari poterant, nullaque arte regis vel gubernatoris + poterant edomari, quoadusque nobilis et industriosus Dominus David de + Lindesay de Crawford, at Dominus Thomas comes Moraviae, diligentiam et + vires apposuerunt, ac inter partes sic tractaverunt, ut coram domino rege + certo die convenirent apud Perth, et alterutra pars eligeret de progenie + sua triginta personas adversus triginta de parte contraria, cum gladiis + tantum, et arcubus et sagittis, absque deploidibus, vel armaturis aliis, + praeter bipennes; et sic congredientes finem liti ponerant, et terra pace + potiretur. Utrique igitur parti summe placuit contractus, et die lunae + proximo ante festum Sancti Michaelis, apud North insulam de Perth, coram + rege et gubernatore et innumerabili multitudine comparentes, conflictum + acerrimum inierunt; ubi de sexaginta interfecti sunt omnes, excepto uno ex + parte Clankay et undecim exceptis ex parte altera. Hoc etiam ibi accidit, + quod omnes in procinctu belli constituti, unus eorum locum diffugii + considerans, inter omnes in amnem elabitur, et aquam de Thaya natando + transgreditur; a millenis insequitur, sed nusquam apprehenditur. Stant + igitur partes attonitae, tanquam non ad conflictum progressuri, ob + defectum evasi: noluit enim pars integrum habens numerum sociorum + consentire, ut unus de suis demeretur; nec potuit pars altera quocumque + pretio alterum ad supplendum vicem fugientis inducere. Stupent igitur + omnes haerentes, de damno fugitivi conquerentes. Et cum totum illud opus + cessare putaretur, ecce in medio prorupit unus stipulosus vernaculus, + statura modicus, sed efferus, dicens: Ecce ego! quis me conducet intrare + cum operariis istis ad hunc ludum theatralem? Pro dimidia enim marca ludum + experiar, ultra hoc petens, ut si vivus de palaestra evasero, victum a + quocumque vestrum recipiam dum vixero: quia, sicut dicitur, “Majorem + caritatem nemo habet, quam ut animam suam ponat suis pro amicis.” Quali + mercede donabor, qui animam meam pro inimicis reipublicae et regni pono? + Quod petiit, a rege et diversis magnatibus conceditur. Cum hoc arcus ejus + extenditur, et primo sagittam in partem contrariam transmittit, et unum + interficit. Confestim hinc inde sagittae volitant, bipennes librant, + gladios vibrant, alterutro certant, et veluti carnifices boves in macello, + sic inconsternate ad invicem se trucidant. Sed nec inter tantos repertus + est vel unus, qui, tanquam vecors ant timidus, sive post tergum alterius + declinans, seipsum a tanta caede praetendit excusare. Iste tamen tyro + superveniens finaliter illaesus exivit; et dehinc multo tempore Boreas + quievit, nec ibidem fuit, ut supra, cateranorum excursus. + </p> + <p> + The scene is heightened with many florid additions by Boece and Leslie, + and the contending savages in Buchanan utter speeches after the most + approved pattern of Livy. + </p> + <p> + The devotion of the young chief of Clan Quhele’s foster father and foster + brethren in the novel is a trait of clannish fidelity, of which Highland + story furnishes many examples. In the battle of Inverkeithing, between the + Royalists and Oliver Cromwell’s troops, a foster father and seven brave + sons are known to have thus sacrificed themselves for Sir Hector Maclean + of Duart; the old man, whenever one of his boys fell, thrusting forward + another to fill his place at the right hand of the beloved chief, with the + very words adopted in the novel, “Another for Hector!” + </p> + <p> + Nay, the feeling could outlive generations. The late much lamented General + Stewart of Garth, in his account of the battle of Killiecrankie, informs + us that Lochiel was attended on the field by the son of his foster + brother. + </p> + <p> + “This faithful adherent followed him like his shadow, ready to assist him + with his sword, or cover him from the shot of the enemy. Suddenly the + chief missed his friend from his side, and, turning round to look what had + become of him, saw him lying on his back with his breast pierced by an + arrow. He had hardly breath, before he expired, to tell Lochiel that, + seeing an enemy, a Highlander in General Mackay’s army, aiming at him with + a bow and arrow, he sprung behind him, and thus sheltered him from instant + death. This” observes the gallant David Stewart, “is a species of duty not + often practised, perhaps, by our aide de camps of the present day.”—Sketches + of the Highlanders, vol. i. p. 65. + </p> + <p> + I have only to add, that the Second Series of Chronicles of the Canongate, + with the chapter introductory which precedes, appeared in May, 1828, and + had a favourable reception. + </p> + <p> + ABBOTSFORD, Aug. 15, 1831. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Behold the Tiber,” the vain Roman cried, + Viewing the ample Tay from Baiglie’s side; + But where’s the Scot that would the vaunt repay, + And hail the puny Tiber for the Tay? + + Anonymous. +</pre> + <p> + Among all the provinces in Scotland, if an intelligent stranger were asked + to describe the most varied and the most beautiful, it is probable he + would name the county of Perth. A native also of any other district of + Caledonia, though his partialities might lead him to prefer his native + county in the first instance, would certainly class that of Perth in the + second, and thus give its inhabitants a fair right to plead that, + prejudice apart, Perthshire forms the fairest portion of the Northern + kingdom. It is long since Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, with that excellent + taste which characterises her writings, expressed her opinion that the + most interesting district of every country, and that which exhibits the + varied beauties of natural scenery in greatest perfection, is that where + the mountains sink down upon the champaign, or more level land. The most + picturesque, if not the highest, hills are also to be found in the county + of Perth. The rivers find their way out of the mountainous region by the + wildest leaps, and through the most romantic passes connecting the + Highlands with the Lowlands. Above, the vegetation of a happier climate + and soil is mingled with the magnificent characteristics of mountain + scenery, and woods, groves, and thickets in profusion clothe the base of + the hills, ascend up the ravines, and mingle with the precipices. It is in + such favoured regions that the traveller finds what the poet Gray, or some + one else, has termed beauty lying in the lap of terror. + </p> + <p> + From the same advantage of situation, this favoured province presents a + variety of the most pleasing character. Its lakes, woods, and mountains + may vie in beauty with any that the Highland tour exhibits; while + Perthshire contains, amidst this romantic scenery, and in some places in + connexion with it, many fertile and habitable tracts, which may vie with + the richness of merry England herself. The county has also been the scene + of many remarkable exploits and events, some of historical importance, + others interesting to the poet and romancer, though recorded in popular + tradition alone. It was in these vales that the Saxons of the plain and + the Gad of the mountains had many a desperate and bloody encounter, in + which it was frequently impossible to decide the palm of victory between + the mailed chivalry of the low country and the plaided clans whom they + opposed. + </p> + <p> + Perth, so eminent for the beauty of its situation, is a place of great + antiquity; and old tradition assigns to the town the importance of a Roman + foundation. That victorious nation, it is said, pretended to recognise the + Tiber in the much more magnificent and navigable Tay, and to acknowledge + the large level space, well known by the name of the North Inch, as having + a near resemblance to their Campus Martins. The city was often the + residence of our monarchs, who, although they had no palace at Perth, + found the Cistercian convent amply sufficient for the reception of their + court. It was here that James the First, one of the wisest and best of the + Scottish kings, fell a victim to the jealousy of the vengeful aristocracy. + Here also occurred the mysterious conspiracy of Gowrie, the scene of which + has only of late been effaced by the destruction of the ancient palace in + which the tragedy was acted. The Antiquarian Society of Perth, with just + zeal for the objects of their pursuit, have published an accurate plan of + this memorable mansion, with some remarks upon its connexion with the + narrative of the plot, which display equal acuteness and candour. + </p> + <p> + One of the most beautiful points of view which Britain, or perhaps the + world, can afford is, or rather we may say was, the prospect from a spot + called the Wicks of Baiglie, being a species of niche at which the + traveller arrived, after a long stage from Kinross, through a waste and + uninteresting country, and from which, as forming a pass over the summit + of a ridgy eminence which he had gradually surmounted, he beheld, + stretching beneath him, the valley of the Tay, traversed by its ample and + lordly stream; the town of Perth, with its two large meadows, or inches, + its steeples, and its towers; the hills of Moncrieff and Kinnoul faintly + rising into picturesque rocks, partly clothed with woods; the rich margin + of the river, studded with elegant mansions; and the distant view of the + huge Grampian mountains, the northern screen of this exquisite landscape. + The alteration of the road, greatly, it must be owned, to the improvement + of general intercourse, avoids this magnificent point of view, and the + landscape is introduced more gradually and partially to the eye, though + the approach must be still considered as extremely beautiful. There is + still, we believe, a footpath left open, by which the station at the Wicks + of Baiglie may be approached; and the traveller, by quitting his horse or + equipage, and walking a few hundred yards, may still compare the real + landscape with the sketch which we have attempted to give. But it is not + in our power to communicate, or in his to receive, the exquisite charm + which surprise gives to pleasure, when so splendid a view arises when + least expected or hoped for, and which Chrystal Croftangry experienced + when he beheld, for the first time, the matchless scene. + </p> + <p> + Childish wonder, indeed, was an ingredient in my delight, for I was not + above fifteen years old; and as this had been the first excursion which I + was permitted to make on a pony of my own, I also experienced the glow of + independence, mingled with that degree of anxiety which the most conceited + boy feels when he is first abandoned to his own undirected counsels. I + recollect pulling up the reins without meaning to do so, and gazing on the + scene before me as if I had been afraid it would shift like those in a + theatre before I could distinctly observe its different parts, or convince + myself that what I saw was real. Since that hour, and the period is now + more than fifty years past, the recollection of that inimitable landscape + has possessed the strongest influence over my mind, and retained its place + as a memorable thing, when much that was influential on my own fortunes + has fled from my recollection. It is therefore unnatural that, whilst + deliberating on what might be brought forward for the amusement of the + public, I should pitch upon some narrative connected with the splendid + scenery which made so much impression on my youthful imagination, and + which may perhaps have that effect in setting off the imperfections of the + composition which ladies suppose a fine set of china to possess in + heightening the flavour of indifferent tea. + </p> + <p> + The period at which I propose to commence is, however, considerably + earlier of the remarkable historical transactions to which I have already + alluded, as the events which I am about to recount occurred during the + last years of the 14th century, when the Scottish sceptre was swayed by + the gentle but feeble hand of John, who, on being called to the throne, + assumed the title of Robert the Third. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A country lip may have the velvet touch; + Though she’s no lady, she may please as much. + + DRYDEN. +</pre> + <p> + Perth, boasting, as we have already mentioned, so large a portion of the + beauties of inanimate nature, has at no time been without its own share of + those charms which are at once more interesting and more transient. To be + called the Fair Maid of Perth would at any period have been a high + distinction, and have inferred no mean superiority in beauty, where there + were many to claim that much envied attribute. But, in the feudal times to + which we now call the reader’s attention, female beauty was a quality of + much higher importance than it has been since the ideas of chivalry have + been in a great measure extinguished. The love of the ancient cavaliers + was a licensed species of idolatry, which the love of Heaven alone was + theoretically supposed to approach in intensity, and which in practice it + seldom equalled. God and the ladies were familiarly appealed to in the + same breath; and devotion to the fair sex was as peremptorily enjoined + upon the aspirant to the honour of chivalry as that which was due to + Heaven. At such a period in society, the power of beauty was almost + unlimited. It could level the highest rank with that which was + immeasurably inferior. + </p> + <p> + It was but in the reign preceding that of Robert III. that beauty alone + had elevated a person of inferior rank and indifferent morals to share the + Scottish throne; and many women, less artful or less fortunate, had risen + to greatness from a state of concubinage, for which the manners of the + times made allowance and apology. Such views might have dazzled a girl of + higher birth than Catharine, or Katie, Glover, who was universally + acknowledged to be the most beautiful young woman of the city or its + vicinity, and whose renown, as the Fair Maid of Perth, had drawn on her + much notice from the young gallants of the royal court, when it chanced to + be residing in or near Perth, insomuch that more than one nobleman of the + highest rank, and most distinguished for deeds of chivalry, were more + attentive to exhibit feats of horsemanship as they passed the door of old + Simon Glover, in what was called Couvrefew, or Curfew, Street, than to + distinguish themselves in the tournaments, where the noblest dames of + Scotland were spectators of their address. But the glover’s daughter—for, + as was common with the citizens and artisans of that early period, her + father, Simon, derived his surname from the trade which he practised—showed + no inclination to listen to any gallantry which came from those of a + station highly exalted above that which she herself occupied, and, though + probably in no degree insensible to her personal charms, seemed desirous + to confine her conquests to those who were within her own sphere of life. + Indeed, her beauty being of that kind which we connect more with the mind + than with the person, was, notwithstanding her natural kindness and + gentleness of disposition, rather allied to reserve than to gaiety, even + when in company with her equals; and the earnestness with which she + attended upon the exercises of devotion induced many to think that + Catharine Glover nourished the private wish to retire from the world and + bury herself in the recesses of the cloister. But to such a sacrifice, + should it be meditated, it was not to be expected her father, reputed a + wealthy man and having this only child, would yield a willing consent. + </p> + <p> + In her resolution of avoiding the addresses of the gallant courtiers, the + reigning beauty of Perth was confirmed by the sentiments of her parent. + </p> + <p> + “Let them go,” he said—“let them go, Catharine, those gallants, with + their capering horses, their jingling spurs, their plumed bonnets, and + their trim mustachios: they are not of our class, nor will we aim at + pairing with them. Tomorrow is St. Valentine’s Day, when every bird + chooses her mate; but you will not see the linnet pair with the sparrow + hawk, nor the Robin Redbreast with the kite. My father was an honest + burgher of Perth, and could use his needle as well as I can. Did there + come war to the gates of our fair burgh, down went needles, thread, and + shamoy leather, and out came the good head piece and target from the dark + nook, and the long lance from above the chimney. Show me a day that either + he or I was absent when the provost made his musters! Thus we have led our + lives, my girl, working to win our bread, and fighting to defend it. I + will have no son in law that thinks himself better than me; and for these + lords and knights, I trust thou wilt always remember thou art too low to + be their lawful love, and too high to be their unlawful loon. And now lay + by thy work, lass, for it is holytide eve, and it becomes us to go to the + evening service, and pray that Heaven may send thee a good Valentine + tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + So the Fair Maid of Perth laid aside the splendid hawking glove which she + was embroidering for the Lady Drummond, and putting on her holyday kirtle, + prepared to attend her father to the Blackfriars monastery, which was + adjacent to Couvrefew Street in which they lived. On their passage, Simon + Glover, an ancient and esteemed burgess of Perth, somewhat stricken in + years and increased in substance, received from young and old the homage + due to his velvet jerkin and his golden chain, while the well known beauty + of Catharine, though concealed beneath her screen—which resembled + the mantilla still worn in Flanders—called both obeisances and + doffings of the bonnet from young and old. + </p> + <p> + As the pair moved on arm in arm, they were followed by a tall handsome + young man, dressed in a yeoman’s habit of the plainest kind, but which + showed to advantage his fine limbs, as the handsome countenance that + looked out from a quantity of curled tresses, surmounted by a small + scarlet bonnet, became that species of headdress. He had no other weapon + than a staff in his hand, it not being thought fit that persons of his + degree (for he was an apprentice to the old glover) should appear on the + street armed with sword or dagger, a privilege which the jackmen, or + military retainers of the nobility, esteemed exclusively their own. He + attended his master at holytide, partly in the character of a domestic, or + guardian, should there be cause for his interference; but it was not + difficult to discern, by the earnest attention which he paid to Catharine + Glover, that it was to her, rather than to her father, that he desired to + dedicate his good offices. + </p> + <p> + Generally speaking, there was no opportunity for his zeal displaying + itself; for a common feeling of respect induced passengers to give way to + the father and daughter. + </p> + <p> + But when the steel caps, barrets, and plumes of squires, archers, and men + at arms began to be seen among the throng, the wearers of these warlike + distinctions were more rude in their demeanour than the quiet citizens. + More than once, when from chance, or perhaps from an assumption of + superior importance, such an individual took the wall of Simon in passing, + the glover’s youthful attendant bristled up with a look of defiance, and + the air of one who sought to distinguish his zeal in his mistress’s + service by its ardour. As frequently did Conachar, for such was the lad’s + name, receive a check from his master, who gave him to understand that he + did not wish his interference before he required it. + </p> + <p> + “Foolish boy,” he said, “hast thou not lived long enough in my shop to + know that a blow will breed a brawl; that a dirk will cut the skin as fast + as a needle pierces leather; that I love peace, though I never feared war, + and care not which side of the causeway my daughter and I walk upon so we + may keep our road in peace and quietness?” + </p> + <p> + Conachar excused himself as zealous for his master’s honour, yet was + scarce able to pacify the old citizen. + </p> + <p> + “What have we to do with honour?” said Simon Glover. “If thou wouldst + remain in my service, thou must think of honesty, and leave honour to the + swaggering fools who wear steel at their heels and iron on their + shoulders. If you wish to wear and use such garniture, you are welcome, + but it shall not be in my house or in my company.” + </p> + <p> + Conachar seemed rather to kindle at this rebuke than to submit to it. But + a sign from Catharine, if that slight raising of her little finger was + indeed a sign, had more effect than the angry reproof of his master; and + the youth laid aside the military air which seemed natural to him, and + relapsed into the humble follower of a quiet burgher. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the little party were overtaken by a tall young man wrapped in a + cloak, which obscured or muffled a part of his face—a practice often + used by the gallants of the time, when they did not wish to be known, or + were abroad in quest of adventures. He seemed, in short, one who might say + to the world around him: “I desire, for the present, not to be known or + addressed in my own character; but, as I am answerable to myself alone for + my actions, I wear my incognito but for form’s sake, and care little + whether you see through it or not.” + </p> + <p> + He came on the right side of Catharine, who had hold of her father’s arm, + and slackened his pace as if joining their party. + </p> + <p> + “Good even to you, goodman.” + </p> + <p> + “The same to your worship, and thanks. May I pray you to pass on? Our pace + is too slow for that of your lordship, our company too mean for that of + your father’s son.” + </p> + <p> + “My father’s son can best judge of that, old man. I have business to talk + of with you and with my fair St. Catharine here, the loveliest and most + obdurate saint in the calendar.” + </p> + <p> + “With deep reverence, my lord,” said the old man, “I would remind you that + this is good St. Valentine’s Eve, which is no time for business, and that + I can have your worshipful commands by a serving man as early as it + pleases you to send them.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no time like the present,” said the persevering youth, whose + rank seemed to be a kind which set him above ceremony. “I wish to know + whether the buff doublet be finished which I commissioned some time since; + and from you, pretty Catharine (here he sank his voice to a whisper), I + desire to be informed whether your fair fingers have been employed upon + it, agreeably to your promise? But I need not ask you, for my poor heart + has felt the pang of each puncture that pierced the garment which was to + cover it. Traitress, how wilt thou answer for thus tormenting the heart + that loves thee so dearly?” + </p> + <p> + “Let me entreat you, my lord,” said Catharine, “to forego this wild talk: + it becomes not you to speak thus, or me to listen. We are of poor rank but + honest manners; and the presence of the father ought to protect the child + from such expressions, even from your lordship.” + </p> + <p> + This she spoke so low, that neither her father nor Conachar could + understand what she said. + </p> + <p> + “Well, tyrant,” answered the persevering gallant, “I will plague you no + longer now, providing you will let me see you from your window tomorrow, + when the sun first peeps over the eastern hills, and give me right to be + your Valentine for the year.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, my lord; my father but now told me that hawks, far less eagles, + pair not with the humble linnet. Seek some court lady, to whom your + favours will be honour; to me—your Highness must permit me to speak + the plain truth—they can be nothing but disgrace.” + </p> + <p> + As they spoke thus, the party arrived at the gate of the church. + </p> + <p> + “Your lordship will, I trust, permit us here to take leave of you?” said + her father. “I am well aware how little you will alter your pleasure for + the pain and uneasiness you may give to such as us but, from the throng of + attendants at the gate, your lordship may see that there are others in the + church to whom even your gracious lordship must pay respect.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes—respect; and who pays any respect to me?” said the haughty + young lord. “A miserable artisan and his daughter, too much honoured by my + slightest notice, have the insolence to tell me that my notice dishonours + them. Well, my princess of white doe skin and blue silk, I will teach you + to rue this.” + </p> + <p> + As he murmured thus, the glover and his daughter entered the Dominican + church, and their attendant, Conachar, in attempting to follow them + closely, jostled, it may be not unwillingly, the young nobleman. The + gallant, starting from his unpleasing reverie, and perhaps considering + this as an intentional insult, seized on the young man by the breast, + struck him, and threw him from him. His irritated opponent recovered + himself with difficulty, and grasped towards his own side, as if seeking a + sword or dagger in the place where it was usually worn; but finding none, + he made a gesture of disappointed rage, and entered the church. During the + few seconds he remained, the young nobleman stood with his arms folded on + his breast, with a haughty smile, as if defying him to do his worst. When + Conachar had entered the church, his opponent, adjusting his cloak yet + closer about his face, made a private signal by holding up one of his + gloves. He was instantly joined by two men, who, disguised like himself, + had waited his motions at a little distance. They spoke together + earnestly, after which the young nobleman retired in one direction, his + friends or followers going off in another. + </p> + <p> + Simon Glover, before he entered the church, cast a look towards the group, + but had taken his place among the congregation before they separated + themselves. He knelt down with the air of a man who has something + burdensome on his mind; but when the service was ended, he seemed free + from anxiety, as one who had referred himself and his troubles to the + disposal of Heaven. The ceremony of High Mass was performed with + considerable solemnity, a number of noblemen and ladies of rank being + present. Preparations had indeed been made for the reception of the good + old King himself, but some of those infirmities to which he was subject + had prevented Robert III from attending the service as was his wont. When + the congregation were dismissed, the glover and his beautiful daughter + lingered for some time, for the purpose of making their several shrifts in + the confessionals, where the priests had taken their places for + discharging that part of their duty. Thus it happened that the night had + fallen dark, and the way was solitary, when they returned along the now + deserted streets to their own dwelling. + </p> + <p> + Most persons had betaken themselves to home and to bed. They who still + lingered in the street were night walkers or revellers, the idle and + swaggering retainers of the haughty nobles, who were much wont to insult + the peaceful passengers, relying on the impunity which their masters’ + court favour was too apt to secure them. + </p> + <p> + It was, perhaps, in apprehension of mischief from some character of this + kind that Conachar, stepping up to the glover, said, “Master, walk faster—we + are dogg’d.” + </p> + <p> + “Dogg’d, sayest thou? By whom and by how many?” + </p> + <p> + “By one man muffled in his cloak, who follows us like our shadow.” + </p> + <p> + “Then will it never mend my pace along the Couvrefew Street for the best + one man that ever trode it.” + </p> + <p> + “But he has arms,” said Conachar. + </p> + <p> + “And so have we, and hands, and legs, and feet. Why, sure, Conachar, you + are not afraid of one man?” + </p> + <p> + “Afraid!” answered Conachar, indignant at the insinuation; “you shall soon + know if I am afraid.” + </p> + <p> + “Now you are as far on the other side of the mark, thou foolish boy: thy + temper has no middle course; there is no occasion to make a brawl, though + we do not run. Walk thou before with Catharine, and I will take thy place. + We cannot be exposed to danger so near home as we are.” + </p> + <p> + The glover fell behind accordingly, and certainly observed a person keep + so close to them as, the time and place considered, justified some + suspicion. When they crossed the street, he also crossed it, and when they + advanced or slackened their pace, the stranger’s was in proportion + accelerated or diminished. The matter would have been of very little + consequence had Simon Glover been alone; but the beauty of his daughter + might render her the object of some profligate scheme, in a country where + the laws afforded such slight protection to those who had not the means to + defend themselves. + </p> + <p> + Conachar and his fair charge having arrived on the threshold of their own + apartment, which was opened to them by an old female servant, the + burgher’s uneasiness was ended. Determined, however, to ascertain, if + possible, whether there had been any cause for it, he called out to the + man whose motions had occasioned the alarm, and who stood still, though he + seemed to keep out of reach of the light. “Come, step forward, my friend, + and do not play at bo peep; knowest thou not, that they who walk like + phantoms in the dark are apt to encounter the conjuration of a + quarterstaff? Step forward, I say, and show us thy shapes, man.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, so I can, Master Glover,” said one of the deepest voices that ever + answered question. “I can show my shapes well enough, only I wish they + could bear the light something better.” + </p> + <p> + “Body of me,” exclaimed Simon, “I should know that voice! And is it thou, + in thy bodily person, Harry Gow? Nay, beshrew me if thou passest this door + with dry lips. What, man, curfew has not rung yet, and if it had, it were + no reason why it should part father and son. Come in, man; Dorothy shall + get us something to eat, and we will jingle a can ere thou leave us. Come + in, I say; my daughter Kate will be right glad to see thee.” + </p> + <p> + By this time he had pulled the person, whom he welcomed so cordially, into + a sort of kitchen, which served also upon ordinary occasions the office of + parlour. Its ornaments were trenchers of pewter, mixed with a silver cup + or two, which, in the highest degree of cleanliness, occupied a range of + shelves like those of a beauffet, popularly called “the bink.” A good + fire, with the assistance of a blazing lamp, spread light and cheerfulness + through the apartment, and a savoury smell of some victuals which Dorothy + was preparing did not at all offend the unrefined noses of those whose + appetite they were destined to satisfy. + </p> + <p> + Their unknown attendant now stood in full light among them, and though his + appearance was neither dignified nor handsome, his face and figure were + not only deserving of attention, but seemed in some manner to command it. + He was rather below the middle stature, but the breadth of his shoulders, + length and brawniness of his arms, and the muscular appearance of the + whole man, argued a most unusual share of strength, and a frame kept in + vigour by constant exercise. His legs were somewhat bent, but not in a + manner which could be said to approach to deformity, on the contrary, + which seemed to correspond to the strength of his frame, though it injured + in some degree its symmetry. + </p> + <p> + His dress was of buff hide; and he wore in a belt around his waist a heavy + broadsword, and a dirk or poniard, as if to defend his purse, which + (burgher fashion) was attached to the same cincture. The head was well + proportioned, round, close cropped, and curled thickly with black hair. + There was daring and resolution in the dark eye, but the other features + seemed to express a bashful timidity, mingled with good humor, and obvious + satisfaction at meeting with his old friends. + </p> + <p> + Abstracted from the bashful expression, which was that of the moment, the + forehead of Henry Gow, or Smith, for he was indifferently so called, was + high and noble, but the lower part of the face was less happily formed. + The mouth was large, and well furnished with a set of firm and beautiful + teeth, the appearance of which corresponded with the air of personal + health and muscular strength which the whole frame indicated. A short + thick beard, and mustachios which had lately been arranged with some care, + completed the picture. His age could not exceed eight and twenty. + </p> + <p> + The family appeared all well pleased with the unexpected appearance of an + old friend. Simon Glover shook his hand again and again, Dorothy made her + compliments, and Catharine herself offered freely her hand, which Henry + held in his massive grasp, as if he designed to carry it to his lips, but, + after a moment’s hesitation, desisted, from fear lest the freedom might be + ill taken. Not that there was any resistance on the part of the little + hand which lay passive in his grasp; but there was a smile mingled with + the blush on her cheek, which seemed to increase the confusion of the + gallant. + </p> + <p> + Her father, on his part, called out frankly, as he saw his friend’s + hesitation: “Her lips, man—her lips! and that’s a proffer I would + not make to every one who crosses my threshold. But, by good St. + Valentine, whose holyday will dawn tomorrow, I am so glad to see thee in + the bonny city of Perth again that it would be hard to tell the thing I + could refuse thee.” + </p> + <p> + The smith, for, as has been said, such was the craft of this sturdy + artisan, was encouraged modestly to salute the Fair Maid, who yielded the + courtesy with a smile of affection that might have become a sister, + saying, at the same time: “Let me hope that I welcome back to Perth a + repentant and amended man.” + </p> + <p> + He held her hand as if about to answer, then suddenly, as one who lost + courage at the moment, relinquished his grasp; and drawing back as if + afraid of what he had done, his dark countenance glowing with bashfulness, + mixed with delight, he sat down by the fire on the opposite side from that + which Catharine occupied. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Dorothy, speed thee with the food, old woman; and Conachar—where + is Conachar?” + </p> + <p> + “He is gone to bed, sir, with a headache,” said Catharine, in a hesitating + voice. + </p> + <p> + “Go, call him, Dorothy,” said the old glover; “I will not be used thus by + him: his Highland blood, forsooth, is too gentle to lay a trencher or + spread a napkin, and he expects to enter our ancient and honourable craft + without duly waiting and tending upon his master and teacher in all + matters of lawful obedience. Go, call him, I say; I will not be thus + neglected.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy was presently heard screaming upstairs, or more probably up a + ladder, to the cock loft, to which the recusant apprentice had made an + untimely retreat; a muttered answer was returned, and soon after Conachar + appeared in the eating apartment. There was a gloom of deep sullenness on + his haughty, though handsome, features, and as he proceeded to spread the + board, and arrange the trenchers, with salt, spices, and other condiments—to + discharge, in short, the duties of a modern domestic, which the custom of + the time imposed upon all apprentices—he was obviously disgusted and + indignant with the mean office imposed upon him. + </p> + <p> + The Fair Maid of Perth looked with some anxiety at him, as if apprehensive + that his evident sullenness might increase her father’s displeasure; but + it was not till her eyes had sought out his for a second time that + Conachar condescended to veil his dissatisfaction, and throw a greater + appearance of willingness and submission into the services which he was + performing. + </p> + <p> + And here we must acquaint our reader that, though the private interchange + of looks betwixt Catharine Glover and the young mountaineer indicated some + interest on the part of the former in the conduct of the latter, it would + have puzzled the strictest observer to discover whether that feeling + exceeded in degree what might have been felt by a young person towards a + friend and inmate of the same age, with whom she had lived on habits of + intimacy. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast had a long journey, son Henry,” said Glover, who had always + used that affectionate style of speech, though no ways akin to the young + artisan; “ay, and hast seen many a river besides Tay, and many a fair + bigging besides St. Johnston.” + </p> + <p> + “But none that I like half so well, and none that are half so much worth + my liking,” answered the smith. “I promise you, father, that, when I + crossed the Wicks of Baiglie, and saw the bonny city lie stretched fairly + before me like a fairy queen in romance, whom the knight finds asleep + among a wilderness of flowers, I felt even as a bird when it folds its + wearied wings to stoop down on its own nest.” + </p> + <p> + “Aha! so thou canst play the maker [old Scottish for poet] yet?” said the + glover. “What, shall we have our ballets and our roundels again? our lusty + carols for Christmas, and our mirthful springs to trip it round the + maypole?” + </p> + <p> + “Such toys there may be forthcoming, father,” said Henry Smith, “though + the blast of the bellows and the clatter of the anvil make but coarse + company to lays of minstrelsy; but I can afford them no better, since I + must mend my fortune, though I mar my verses.” + </p> + <p> + “Right again—my own son just,” answered the glover; “and I trust + thou hast made a saving voyage of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I made a thriving one, father: I sold the steel habergeon that you + wot of for four hundred marks to the English Warden of the East Marches, + Sir Magnus Redman. He scarce scrupled a penny after I gave him leave to + try a sword dint upon it. The beggardly Highland thief who bespoke it + boggled at half the sum, though it had cost me a year’s labour.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou start at, Conachar?” said Simon, addressing himself, by + way of parenthesis, to the mountain disciple; “wilt thou never learn to + mind thy own business, without listening to what is passing round thee? + What is it to thee that an Englishman thinks that cheap which a + Scottishman may hold dear?” + </p> + <p> + Conachar turned round to speak, but, after a moment’s consideration, + looked down, and endeavoured to recover his composure, which had been + deranged by the contemptuous manner in which the smith had spoken of his + Highland customer. + </p> + <p> + Henry went on without paying any attention to him. “I sold at high prices + some swords and whingers when I was at Edinburgh. They expect war there; + and if it please God to send it, my merchandise will be worth its price. + St. Dunstan make us thankful, for he was of our craft. In short, this + fellow (laying his hand on his purse); who, thou knowest, father, was + somewhat lank and low in condition when I set out four months since, is + now as round and full as a six weeks’ porker.” + </p> + <p> + “And that other leathern sheathed, iron hilted fellow who hangs beside + him,” said the glover, “has he been idle all this while? Come, jolly + smith, confess the truth—how many brawls hast thou had since + crossing the Tay?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, now you do me wrong, father, to ask me such a question (glancing a + look at Catharine) in such a presence,” answered the armourer: “I make + swords, indeed, but I leave it to other people to use them. No—no, + seldom have I a naked sword in my fist, save when I am turning them on the + anvil or grindstone; and they slandered me to your daughter Catharine, + that led her to suspect the quietest burgess in Perth of being a brawler. + I wish the best of them would dare say such a word at the Hill of Kinnoul, + and never a man on the green but he and I.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay,” said the glover, laughing, “we should then have a fine + sample of your patient sufferance. Out upon you, Henry, that you will + speak so like a knave to one who knows thee so well! You look at Kate, + too, as if she did not know that a man in this country must make his hand + keep his head, unless he will sleep in slender security. Come—come, + beshrew me if thou hast not spoiled as many suits of armour as thou hast + made.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, he would be a bad armourer, father Simon, that could not with his + own blow make proof of his own workmanship. If I did not sometimes cleave + a helmet, or strike a point through a harness, I should not know what + strength of fabric to give them; and might jingle together such pasteboard + work as yonder Edinburgh smiths think not shame to put out of their + hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Aha, now would I lay a gold crown thou hast had a quarrel with some + Edinburgh ‘burn the wind’ upon that very ground?” + </p> + <p> + [“Burn the wind,” an old cant term for blacksmith, appears in Burns: + </p> + <p> + Then burnewin came on like death, At every chaup, etc.] + </p> + <p> + “A quarrel! no, father,” replied the Perth armourer, “but a measuring of + swords with such a one upon St. Leonard’s Crags, for the honour of my + bonny city, I confess. Surely you do not think I would quarrel with a + brother craftsman?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, to a surety, no. But how did your brother craftman come off?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, as one with a sheet of paper on his bosom might come off from the + stroke of a lance; or rather, indeed, he came not off at all, for, when I + left him, he was lying in the Hermit’s Lodge daily expecting death, for + which Father Gervis said he was in heavenly preparation.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, any more measuring of weapons?” said the glover. + </p> + <p> + “Why, truly, I fought an Englishman at Berwick besides, on the old + question of the supremacy, as they call it—I am sure you would not + have me slack at that debate?—and I had the luck to hurt him on the + left knee.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done for St. Andrew! to it again. Whom next had you to deal with?” + said Simon, laughing at the exploits of his pacific friend. + </p> + <p> + “I fought a Scotchman in the Torwood,” answered Henry Smith, “upon a doubt + which was the better swordsman, which, you are aware, could not be known + or decided without a trial. The poor fellow lost two fingers.” + </p> + <p> + “Pretty well for the most peaceful lad in Perth, who never touches a sword + but in the way of his profession. Well, anything more to tell us?” + </p> + <p> + “Little; for the drubbing of a Highlandman is a thing not worth + mentioning.” + </p> + <p> + “For what didst thou drub him, O man of peace?” inquired the glover. + </p> + <p> + “For nothing that I can remember,” replied the smith, “except his + presenting himself on the south side of Stirling Bridge.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, here is to thee, and thou art welcome to me after all these + exploits. Conachar, bestir thee. Let the cans clink, lad, and thou shalt + have a cup of the nut brown for thyself, my boy.” + </p> + <p> + Conachar poured out the good liquor for his master and for Catharine with + due observance. But that done, he set the flagon on the table and sat + down. + </p> + <p> + “How now, sirrah! be these your manners? Fill to my guest, the worshipful + Master Henry Smith.” + </p> + <p> + “Master Smith may fill for himself, if he wishes for liquor,” answered the + youthful Celt. “The son of my father has demeaned himself enough already + for one evening.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s well crowed for a cockerel,” said Henry; “but thou art so far + right, my lad, that the man deserves to die of thirst who will not drink + without a cupbearer.” + </p> + <p> + But his entertainer took not the contumacy of the young apprentice with so + much patience. “Now, by my honest word, and by the best glove I ever + made,” said Simon, “thou shalt help him with liquor from that cup and + flagon, if thee and I are to abide under one roof.” + </p> + <p> + Conachar arose sullenly upon hearing this threat, and, approaching the + smith, who had just taken the tankard in his hand, and was raising it to + his head, he contrived to stumble against him and jostle him so awkwardly, + that the foaming ale gushed over his face, person, and dress. Good natured + as the smith, in spite of his warlike propensities, really was in the + utmost degree, his patience failed under such a provocation. He seized the + young man’s throat, being the part which came readiest to his grasp, as + Conachar arose from the pretended stumble, and pressing it severely as he + cast the lad from him, exclaimed: “Had this been in another place, young + gallows bird, I had stowed the lugs out of thy head, as I have done to + some of thy clan before thee.” + </p> + <p> + Conachar recovered his feet with the activity of a tiger, and exclaimed: + “Never shall you live to make that boast again!” drew a short, sharp knife + from his bosom, and, springing on Henry Smith, attempted to plunge it into + his body over the collarbone, which must have been a mortal wound. But the + object of this violence was so ready to defend himself by striking up the + assailant’s hand, that the blow only glanced on the bone, and scarce drew + blood. To wrench the dagger from the boy’s hand, and to secure him with a + grasp like that of his own iron vice, was, for the powerful smith, the + work of a single moment. + </p> + <p> + Conachar felt himself at once in the absolute power of the formidable + antagonist whom he had provoked; he became deadly pale, as he had been the + moment before glowing red, and stood mute with shame and fear, until, + relieving him from his powerful hold, the smith quietly said: “It is well + for thee that thou canst not make me angry; thou art but a boy, and I, a + grown man, ought not to have provoked thee. But let this be a warning.” + </p> + <p> + Conachar stood an instant as if about to reply, and then left the room, + ere Simon had collected himself enough to speak. Dorothy was running + hither and thither for salves and healing herbs. Catharine had swooned at + the sight of the trickling blood. + </p> + <p> + “Let me depart, father Simon,” said Henry Smith, mournfully, “I might have + guessed I should have my old luck, and spread strife and bloodshed where I + would wish most to bring peace and happiness. Care not for me. Look to + poor Catharine; the fright of such an affray hath killed her, and all + through my fault.” + </p> + <p> + “Thy fault, my son! It was the fault of yon Highland cateran, whom it is + my curse to be cumbered with; but he shall go back to his glens tomorrow, + or taste the tolbooth of the burgh. An assault upon the life of his + master’s guest in his house! It breaks all bonds between us. But let me + see to thy wound.” + </p> + <p> + “Catharine!” repeated the armourer—“look to Catharine.” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy will see to her,” said Simon; “surprise and fear kill not; skenes + and dirks do. And she is not more the daughter of my blood than thou, my + dear Henry, art the son of my affections. Let me see the wound. The skene + occle is an ugly weapon in a Highland hand.” + </p> + <p> + “I mind it no more than the scratch of a wildcat,” said the armourer; “and + now that the colour is coming to Catharine’s cheek again, you shall see me + a sound man in a moment.” + </p> + <p> + He turned to a corner in which hung a small mirror, and hastily took from + his purse some dry lint to apply to the slight wound he had received. As + he unloosed the leathern jacket from his neck and shoulders, the manly and + muscular form which they displayed was not more remarkable than the + fairness of his skin, where it had not, as in hands and face, been exposed + to the effects of rough weather and of his laborious trade. He hastily + applied some lint to stop the bleeding; and a little water having removed + all other marks of the fray, he buttoned his doublet anew, and turned + again to the table, where Catharine, still pale and trembling, was, + however, recovered from her fainting fit. + </p> + <p> + “Would you but grant me your forgiveness for having offended you in the + very first hour of my return? The lad was foolish to provoke me, and yet I + was more foolish to be provoked by such as he. Your father blames me not, + Catharine, and cannot you forgive me?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no power to forgive,” answered Catharine, “what I have no title to + resent. If my father chooses to have his house made the scene of night + brawls, I must witness them—I cannot help myself. Perhaps it was + wrong in me to faint and interrupt, it may be, the farther progress of a + fair fray. My apology is, that I cannot bear the sight of blood.” + </p> + <p> + “And is this the manner,” said her father, “in which you receive my friend + after his long absence? My friend, did I say? Nay, my son. He escapes + being murdered by a fellow whom I will tomorrow clear this house of, and + you treat him as if he had done wrong in dashing from him the snake which + was about to sting him!” + </p> + <p> + “It is not my part, father,” returned the Maid of Perth, “to decide who + had the right or wrong in the present brawl, nor did I see what happened + distinctly enough to say which was assailant, or which defender. But sure + our friend, Master Henry, will not deny that he lives in a perfect + atmosphere of strife, blood, and quarrels. He hears of no swordsman but he + envies his reputation, and must needs put his valour to the proof. He sees + no brawl but he must strike into the midst of it. Has he friends, he + fights with them for love and honour; has he enemies, he fights with them + for hatred and revenge. And those men who are neither his friends nor + foes, he fights with them because they are on this or that side of a + river. His days are days of battle, and, doubtless, he acts them over + again in his dreams.” + </p> + <p> + “Daughter,” said Simon, “your tongue wags too freely. Quarrels and fights + are men’s business, not women’s, and it is not maidenly to think or speak + of them.” + </p> + <p> + “But if they are so rudely enacted in our presence,” said Catharine, “it + is a little hard to expect us to think or speak of anything else. I will + grant you, my father, that this valiant burgess of Perth is one of the + best hearted men that draws breath within its walls: that he would walk a + hundred yards out of the way rather than step upon a worm; that he would + be as loth, in wantonness, to kill a spider as if he were a kinsman to + King Robert, of happy memory; that in the last quarrel before his + departure he fought with four butchers, to prevent their killing a poor + mastiff that had misbehaved in the bull ring, and narrowly escaped the + fate of the cur that he was protecting. I will grant you also, that the + poor never pass the house of the wealthy armourer but they are relieved + with food and alms. But what avails all this, when his sword makes as many + starving orphans and mourning widows as his purse relieves?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but, Catharine, hear me but a word before going on with a string of + reproaches against my friend, that sound something like sense, while they + are, in truth, inconsistent with all we hear and see around us. What,” + continued the glover, “do our King and our court, our knights and ladies, + our abbots, monks, and priests themselves, so earnestly crowd to see? Is + it not to behold the display of chivalry, to witness the gallant actions + of brave knights in the tilt and tourney ground, to look upon deeds of + honour and glory achieved by arms and bloodshed? What is it these proud + knights do, that differs from what our good Henry Gow works out in his + sphere? Who ever heard of his abusing his skill and strength to do evil or + forward oppression, and who knows not how often it has been employed as + that of a champion in the good cause of the burgh? And shouldst not thou, + of all women, deem thyself honoured and glorious, that so true a heart and + so strong an arm has termed himself thy bachelor? In what do the proudest + dames take their loftiest pride, save in the chivalry of their knight; and + has the boldest in Scotland done more gallant deeds than my brave son + Henry, though but of low degree? Is he not known to Highland and Lowland + as the best armourer that ever made sword, and the truest soldier that + ever drew one?” + </p> + <p> + “My dearest father,” answered Catharine, “your words contradict + themselves, if you will permit your child to say so. Let us thank God and + the good saints that we are in a peaceful rank of life, below the notice + of those whose high birth, and yet higher pride, lead them to glory in + their bloody works of cruelty, which haughty and lordly men term deeds of + chivalry. Your wisdom will allow that it would be absurd in us to prank + ourselves in their dainty plumes and splendid garments; why, then, should + we imitate their full blown vices? Why should we assume their hard hearted + pride and relentless cruelty, to which murder is not only a sport, but a + subject of vainglorious triumph? Let those whose rank claims as its right + such bloody homage take pride and pleasure in it; we, who have no share in + the sacrifice, may the better pity the sufferings of the victim. Let us + thank our lowliness, since it secures us from temptation. But forgive me, + father, if I have stepped over the limits of my duty, in contradicting the + views which you entertain, with so many others, on these subjects.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, thou hast even too much talk for me, girl,” said her father, + somewhat angrily. “I am but a poor workman, whose best knowledge is to + distinguish the left hand glove from the right. But if thou wouldst have + my forgiveness, say something of comfort to my poor Henry. There he sits, + confounded and dismayed with all the preachment thou hast heaped together; + and he, to whom a trumpet sound was like the invitation to a feast, is + struck down at the sound of a child’s whistle.” + </p> + <p> + The armourer, indeed, while he heard the lips that were dearest to him + paint his character in such unfavourable colours, had laid his head down + on the table, upon his folded arms, in an attitude of the deepest + dejection, or almost despair. + </p> + <p> + “I would to Heaven, my dearest father,” answered Catharine, “that it were + in my power to speak comfort to Henry, without betraying the sacred cause + of the truths I have just told you. And I may—nay, I must have such + a commission,” she continued with something that the earnestness with + which she spoke and the extreme beauty of her features caused for the + moment to resemble inspiration. + </p> + <p> + “The truth of Heaven,” she said, in a solemn tone, “was never committed to + a tongue, however feeble, but it gave a right to that tongue to announce + mercy, while it declared judgment. Arise, Henry—rise up, noble + minded, good, and generous, though widely mistaken man. Thy faults are + those of this cruel and remorseless age, thy virtues all thine own.” + </p> + <p> + While she thus spoke, she laid her hand upon the smith’s arm, and + extricating it from under his head by a force which, however gentle, he + could not resist, she compelled him to raise towards her his manly face, + and the eyes into which her expostulations, mingled with other feelings, + had summoned tears. + </p> + <p> + “Weep not,” she said, “or rather, weep on, but weep as those who have + hope. Abjure the sins of pride and anger, which most easily beset thee; + fling from thee the accursed weapons, to the fatal and murderous use of + which thou art so easily tempted.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak to me in vain, Catharine,” returned the armourer: “I may, + indeed, turn monk and retire from the world, but while I live in it I must + practise my trade; and while I form armour and weapons for others, I + cannot myself withstand the temptation of using them. You would not + reproach me as you do, if you knew how inseparably the means by which I + gain my bread are connected with that warlike spirit which you impute to + me as a fault, though it is the consequence of inevitable necessity. While + I strengthen the shield or corselet to withstand wounds, must I not have + constantly in remembrance the manner and strength with which they may be + dealt; and when I forge the sword, and temper it for war, is it + practicable for me to avoid the recollection of its use?” + </p> + <p> + “Then throw from you, my dear Henry,” said the enthusiastic girl, clasping + with both her slender hands the nervous strength and weight of one of the + muscular armourer’s, which they raised with difficulty, permitted by its + owner, yet scarcely receiving assistance from his volition—“cast + from you, I say, the art which is a snare to you. Abjure the fabrication + of weapons which can only be useful to abridge human life, already too + short for repentance, or to encourage with a feeling of safety those whom + fear might otherwise prevent from risking themselves in peril. The art of + forming arms, whether offensive or defensive, is alike sinful in one to + whose violent and ever vehement disposition the very working upon them + proves a sin and a snare. Resign utterly the manufacture of weapons of + every description, and deserve the forgiveness of Heaven, by renouncing + all that can lead to the sin which most easily besets you.” + </p> + <p> + “And what,” murmured the armourer, “am I to do for my livelihood, when I + have given over the art of forging arms for which Henry of Perth is known + from the Tay to the Thames?” + </p> + <p> + “Your art itself,” said Catharine, “has innocent and laudable resources. + If you renounce the forging of swords and bucklers, there remains to you + the task of forming the harmless spade, and the honourable as well as + useful ploughshare—of those implements which contribute to the + support of life, or to its comforts. Thou canst frame locks and bars to + defend the property of the weak against the stouthrief and oppression of + the strong. Men will still resort to thee, and repay thy honest industry—” + </p> + <p> + But here Catharine was interrupted. Her father had heard her declaim + against war and tournaments with a feeling that, though her doctrine were + new to him, they might not, nevertheless, be entirely erroneous. He felt, + indeed, a wish that his proposed son in law should not commit himself + voluntarily to the hazards which the daring character and great personal + strength of Henry the Smith had hitherto led him to incur too readily; and + so far he would rather have desired that Catharine’s arguments should have + produced some effect upon the mind of her lover, whom he knew to be as + ductile when influenced by his affections as he was fierce and intractable + when assailed by hostile remonstrances or threats. But her arguments + interfered with his views, when he heard her enlarge upon the necessity of + his designed son in law resigning a trade which brought in more ready + income than any at that time practised in Scotland, and more profit to + Henry of Perth in particular than to any armourer in the nation. He had + some indistinct idea that it would not be amiss to convert, if possible, + Henry the Smith from his too frequent use of arms, even though he felt + some pride in being connected with one who wielded with such superior + excellence those weapons, which in that warlike age it was the boast of + all men to manage with spirit. But when he heard his daughter recommend, + as the readiest road to this pacific state of mind, that her lover should + renounce the gainful trade in which he was held unrivalled, and which, + from the constant private differences and public wars of the time, was + sure to afford him a large income, he could withhold his wrath no longer. + The daughter had scarce recommended to her lover the fabrication of the + implements of husbandry, than, feeling the certainty of being right, of + which in the earlier part of their debate he had been somewhat doubtful, + the father broke in with: + </p> + <p> + “Locks and bars, plough graith and harrow teeth! and why not grates and + fire prongs, and Culross girdles, and an ass to carry the merchandise + through the country, and thou for another ass to lead it by the halter? + Why, Catharine, girl, has sense altogether forsaken thee, or dost thou + think that in these hard and iron days men will give ready silver for + anything save that which can defend their own life, or enable them to take + that of their enemy? We want swords to protect ourselves every moment now, + thou silly wench, and not ploughs to dress the ground for the grain we may + never see rise. As for the matter of our daily bread, those who are strong + seize it, and live; those who are weak yield it, and die of hunger. Happy + is the man who, like my worthy son, has means of obtaining his living + otherwise than by the point of the sword which he makes. Preach peace to + him as much as thou wilt, I will never be he will say thee nay; but as for + bidding the first armourer in Scotland forego the forging of swords, + curtal axes, and harness, it is enough to drive patience itself mad. Out + from my sight! and next morning I prithee remember that, shouldst thou + have the luck to see Henry the Smith, which is more than thy usage of him + has deserved, you see a man who has not his match in Scotland at the use + of broadsword and battle axe, and who can work for five hundred marks a + year without breaking a holyday.” + </p> + <p> + The daughter, on hearing her father speak thus peremptorily, made a low + obeisance, and, without further goodnight, withdrew to the chamber which + was her usual sleeping apartment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Whence cometh Smith, be he knight, lord, or squire, + But from the smith that forged in the fire? + + VERSTEGAN. +</pre> + <p> + The armourer’s heart swelled big with various and contending sensations, + so that it seemed as if it would burst the leathern doublet under which it + was shrouded. He arose, turned away his head, and extended his hand + towards the glover, while he averted his face, as if desirous that his + emotion should not be read upon his countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, hang me if I bid you farewell, man,” said Simon, striking the flat + of his hand against that which the armourer expanded towards him. “I will + shake no hands with you for an hour to come at least. Tarry but a moment, + man, and I will explain all this; and surely a few drops of blood from a + scratch, and a few silly words from a foolish wench’s lips, are not to + part father and son when they have been so long without meeting? Stay, + then, man, if ever you would wish for a father’s blessing and St. + Valentine’s, whose blessed eve this chances to be.” + </p> + <p> + The glover was soon heard loudly summoning Dorothy, and, after some + clanking of keys and trampling up and down stairs, Dorothy appeared + bearing three large rummer cups of green glass, which were then esteemed a + great and precious curiosity, and the glover followed with a huge bottle, + equal at least to three quarts of these degenerate days. + </p> + <p> + “Here is a cup of wine, Henry, older by half than I am myself; my father + had it in a gift from stout old Crabbe, the Flemish engineer, who defended + Perth so stoutly in the minority of David the Second. We glovers could + always do something in war, though our connexion with it was less than + yours who work in steel and iron. And my father had pleased old Crabbe, + some other day I will tell you how, and also how long these bottles were + concealed under ground, to save them from the reiving Southron. So I will + empty a cup to the soul’s health of my honoured father—May his sins + be forgiven him! Dorothy, thou shalt drink this pledge, and then be gone + to thy cock loft. I know thine ears are itching, girl, but I have that to + say which no one must hear save Henry Smith, the son of mine adoption.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy did not venture to remonstrate, but, taking off her glass, or + rather her goblet, with good courage, retired to her sleeping apartment, + according to her master’s commands. + </p> + <p> + The two friends were left alone. + </p> + <p> + “It grieves me, friend Henry,” said Simon, filling at the same time his + own glass and his guest’s—“it grieves me from my soul that my + daughter retains this silly humor; but also methinks, thou mightst mend + it. Why wouldst thou come hither clattering with thy sword and dagger, + when the girl is so silly that she cannot bear the sight of these? Dost + thou not remember that thou hadst a sort of quarrel with her even before + thy last departure from Perth, because thou wouldst not go like other + honest quiet burghers, but must be ever armed, like one of the rascally + jackmen that wait on the nobility? Sure it is time enough for decent + burgesses to arm at the tolling of the common bell, which calls us out + bodin in effeir of war.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, my good father, that was not my fault; but I had no sooner quitted + my nag than I run hither to tell you of my return, thinking, if it were + your will to permit me, that I would get your advice about being Mistress + Catharine’s Valentine for the year; and then I heard from Mrs. Dorothy + that you were gone to hear mass at the Black Friars. So I thought I would + follow thither, partly to hear the same mass with you, and partly—Our + Lady and St. Valentine forgive me!—to look upon one who thinks + little enough of me. And, as you entered the church, methought I saw two + or three dangerous looking men holding counsel together, and gazing at you + and at her, and in especial Sir John Ramorny, whom I knew well enough, for + all his disguise, and the velvet patch over his eye, and his cloak so like + a serving man’s; so methought, father Simon, that, as you were old, and + yonder slip of a Highlander something too young to do battle, I would even + walk quietly after you, not doubting, with the tools I had about me, to + bring any one to reason that might disturb you in your way home. You know + that yourself discovered me, and drew me into the house, whether I would + or no; otherwise, I promise you, I would not have seen your daughter till + I had donn’d the new jerkin which was made at Berwick after the latest + cut; nor would I have appeared before her with these weapons, which she + dislikes so much. Although, to say truth, so many are at deadly feud with + me for one unhappy chance or another, that it is as needful for me as for + any man in Scotland to go by night with weapons about me.” + </p> + <p> + “The silly wench never thinks of that,” said Simon Glover: “she never has + sense to consider, that in our dear native land of Scotland every man + deems it his privilege and duty to avenge his own wrong. But, Harry, my + boy, thou art to blame for taking her talk so much to heart. I have seen + thee bold enough with other wenches, wherefore so still and tongue tied + with her?” + </p> + <p> + “Because she is something different from other maidens, father Glover—because + she is not only more beautiful, but wiser, higher, holier, and seems to me + as if she were made of better clay than we that approach her. I can hold + my head high enough with the rest of the lasses round the maypole; but + somehow, when I approach Catharine, I feel myself an earthly, coarse, + ferocious creature, scarce worthy to look on her, much less to contradict + the precepts which she expounds to me.” + </p> + <p> + “You are an imprudent merchant, Harry Smith,” replied Simon, “and rate too + high the goods you wish to purchase. Catharine is a good girl, and my + daughter; but if you make her a conceited ape by your bashfulness and your + flattery, neither you nor I will see our wishes accomplished.” + </p> + <p> + “I often fear it, my good father,” said the smith; “for I feel how little + I am deserving of Catharine.” + </p> + <p> + “Feel a thread’s end!” said the glover; “feel for me, friend Smith—for + Catharine and me. Think how the poor thing is beset from morning to night, + and by what sort of persons, even though windows be down and doors shut. + We were accosted today by one too powerful to be named—ay, and he + showed his displeasure openly, because I would not permit him to gallant + my daughter in the church itself, when the priest was saying mass. There + are others scarce less reasonable. I sometimes wish that Catharine were + some degrees less fair, that she might not catch that dangerous sort of + admiration, or somewhat less holy, that she might sit down like an honest + woman, contented with stout Henry Smith, who could protect his wife + against every sprig of chivalry in the court of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I did not,” said Henry, thrusting out a hand and arm which might + have belonged to a giant for bone and muscle, “I would I may never bring + hammer upon anvil again! Ay, an it were come but that length, my fair + Catharine should see that there is no harm in a man having the trick of + defence. But I believe she thinks the whole world is one great minster + church, and that all who live in it should behave as if they were at an + eternal mass.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, in truth,” said the father, “she has strange influence over those + who approach her; the Highland lad, Conachar, with whom I have been + troubled for these two or three years, although you may see he has the + natural spirit of his people, obeys the least sign which Catharine makes + him, and, indeed, will hardly be ruled by any one else in the house. She + takes much pains with him to bring him from his rude Highland habits.” + </p> + <p> + Here Harry Smith became uneasy in his chair, lifted the flagon, set it + down, and at length exclaimed: “The devil take the young Highland whelp + and his whole kindred! What has Catharine to do to instruct such a fellow + as he? He will be just like the wolf cub that I was fool enough to train + to the offices of a dog, and every one thought him reclaimed, till, in an + ill hour, I went to walk on the hill of Moncrieff, when he broke loose on + the laird’s flock, and made a havoc that I might well have rued, had the + laird not wanted a harness at the time. And I marvel that you, being a + sensible man, father Glover, will keep this Highland young fellow—a + likely one, I promise you—so nigh to Catharine, as if there were no + other than your daughter to serve him for a schoolmistress.” + </p> + <p> + “Fie, my son—fie; now you are jealous,” said Simon, “of a poor young + fellow who, to tell you the truth, resides here because he may not so well + live on the other side of the hill.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay, father Simon,” retorted the smith, who had all the narrow + minded feelings of the burghers of his time, “an it were not for fear of + offence, I would say that you have even too much packing and peiling with + yonder loons out of burgh.” + </p> + <p> + “I must get my deer hides, buckskins, kidskins, and so forth somewhere, my + good Harry, and Highlandmen give good bargains.” + </p> + <p> + “They can afford them,” replied Henry, drily, “for they sell nothing but + stolen gear.” + </p> + <p> + “Well—well, be that as it may, it is not my business where they get + the bestial, so I get the hides. But as I was saying, there are certain + considerations why I am willing to oblige the father of this young man, by + keeping him here. And he is but half a Highlander neither, and wants a + thought of the dour spirit of a ‘glune amie’ after all, I have seldom seen + him so fierce as he showed himself but now.” + </p> + <p> + “You could not, unless he had killed his man,” replied the smith, in the + same dry tone. + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, if you wish it, Harry, I’ll set all other respects aside, + and send the landlouper to seek other quarters tomorrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, father,” said the smith, “you cannot suppose that Harry Gow cares + the value of a smithy dander for such a cub as yonder cat-a-mountain? I + care little, I promise you, though all his clan were coming down the + Shoegate with slogan crying and pipes playing: I would find fifty blades + and bucklers would send them back faster than they came. But, to speak + truth, though it is a fool’s speech too, I care not to see the fellow so + much with Catharine. Remember, father Glover, your trade keeps your eyes + and hands close employed, and must have your heedful care, even if this + lazy lurdane wrought at it, which you know yourself he seldom does.” + </p> + <p> + “And that is true,” said Simon: “he cuts all his gloves out for the right + hand, and never could finish a pair in his life.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt, his notions of skin cutting are rather different,” said Henry. + “But with your leave, father, I would only say that, work he or be he + idle, he has no bleared eyes, no hands seared with the hot iron, and + welked by the use of the fore hammer, no hair rusted in the smoke, and + singed in the furnace, like the hide of a badger, rather than what is fit + to be covered with a Christian bonnet. Now, let Catharine be as good a + wench as ever lived, and I will uphold her to be the best in Perth, yet + she must see and know that these things make a difference betwixt man and + man, and that the difference is not in my favour.” + </p> + <p> + “Here is to thee, with all my heart, son Harry,” said the old man, filling + a brimmer to his companion and another to himself; “I see that, good smith + as thou art, thou ken’st not the mettle that women are made of. Thou must + be bold, Henry; and bear thyself not as if thou wert going to the gallows + lee, but like a gay young fellow, who knows his own worth and will not be + slighted by the best grandchild Eve ever had. Catharine is a woman like + her mother, and thou thinkest foolishly to suppose they are all set on + what pleases the eye. Their ear must be pleased too, man: they must know + that he whom they favour is bold and buxom, and might have the love of + twenty, though he is suing for theirs. Believe an old man, woman walk more + by what others think than by what they think themselves, and when she asks + for the boldest man in Perth whom can she hear named but Harry + Burn-the-wind? The best armourer that ever fashioned weapon on anvil? Why, + Harry Smith again. The tightest dancer at the maypole? Why, the lusty + smith. The gayest troller of ballads? Why, who but Harry Gow? The best + wrestler, sword and buckler player, the king of the weapon shawing, the + breaker of mad horses, the tamer of wild Highlandmen? Evermore it is thee—thee—no + one but thee. And shall Catharine prefer yonder slip of a Highland boy to + thee? Pshaw! she might as well make a steel gauntlet out of kid’s leather. + I tell thee, Conachar is nothing to her, but so far as she would fain + prevent the devil having his due of him, as of other Highlandmen. God + bless her, poor thing, she would bring all mankind to better thoughts if + she could.” + </p> + <p> + “In which she will fail to a certainty,” said the smith, who, as the + reader may have noticed, had no goodwill to the Highland race. “I will + wager on Old Nick, of whom I should know something, he being indeed a + worker in the same element with myself, against Catharine on that debate: + the devil will have the tartan, that is sure enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, but Catharine,” replied the glover, “hath a second thou knowest + little of: Father Clement has taken the young reiver in hand, and he fears + a hundred devils as little as I do a flock of geese.” + </p> + <p> + “Father Clement!” said the smith. “You are always making some new saint in + this godly city of St. Johnston. Pray, who, for a devil’s drubber, may he + be? One of your hermits that is trained for the work like a wrestler for + the ring, and brings himself to trim by fasting and penance, is he not?” + </p> + <p> + “No, that is the marvel of it,” said Simon: “Father Clement eats, drinks, + and lives much like other folks—all the rules of the church, + nevertheless, strictly observed.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I comprehend!—a buxom priest that thinks more of good living + than of good life, tipples a can on Fastern’s Eve, to enable him to face + Lent, has a pleasant in principio, and confesses all the prettiest women + about the town?” + </p> + <p> + “You are on the bow hand still, smith. I tell you, my daughter and I could + nose out either a fasting hypocrite or a full one. But Father Clement is + neither the one nor the other.” + </p> + <p> + “But what is he then, in Heaven’s name?” + </p> + <p> + “One who is either greatly better than half his brethren of St. Johnston + put together, or so much worse than the worst of them, that it is sin and + shame that he is suffered to abide in the country.” + </p> + <p> + “Methinks it were easy to tell whether he be the one or the other,” said + the smith. + </p> + <p> + “Content you, my friend,” said Simon, “with knowing that, if you judge + Father Clement by what you see him do and hear him say, you will think of + him as the best and kindest man in the world, with a comfort for every + man’s grief, a counsel for every man’s difficulty, the rich man’s surest + guide, and the poor man’s best friend. But if you listen to what the + Dominicans say of him, he is—Benedicite!—(here the glover + crossed himself on brow and bosom)—a foul heretic, who ought by + means of earthly flames to be sent to those which burn eternally.” + </p> + <p> + The smith also crossed himself, and exclaimed: “St. Mary! father Simon, + and do you, who are so good and prudent that you have been called the Wise + Glover of Perth, let your daughter attend the ministry of one who—the + saints preserve us!—may be in league with the foul fiend himself! + Why, was it not a priest who raised the devil in the Meal Vennel, when + Hodge Jackson’s house was blown down in the great wind? Did not the devil + appear in the midst of the Tay, dressed in a priest’s scapular, gambolling + like a pellack amongst the waves, the morning when our stately bridge was + swept away?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell whether he did or no,” said the glover; “I only know I saw + him not. As to Catharine, she cannot be said to use Father Clement’s + ministry, seeing her confessor is old Father Francis the Dominican, from + whom she had her shrift today. But women will sometimes be wilful, and + sure enough she consults with Father Clement more than I could wish; and + yet when I have spoken with him myself, I have thought him so good and + holy a man that I could have trusted my own salvation with him. There are + bad reports of him among the Dominicans, that is certain. But what have we + laymen to do with such things, my son? Let us pay Mother Church her dues, + give our alms, confess and do our penances duly, and the saints will bear + us out.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, truly; and they will have consideration,” said the smith, “for any + rash and unhappy blow that a man may deal in a fight, when his party was + on defence, and standing up to him; and that’s the only creed a man can + live upon in Scotland, let your daughter think what she pleases. Marry, a + man must know his fence, or have a short lease of his life, in any place + where blows are going so rife. Five nobles to our altar have cleared me + for the best man I ever had misfortune with.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us finish our flask, then,” said the old glover; “for I reckon the + Dominican tower is tolling midnight. And hark thee, son Henry; be at the + lattice window on our east gable by the very peep of dawn, and make me + aware thou art come by whistling the smith’s call gently. I will contrive + that Catharine shall look out at the window, and thus thou wilt have all + the privileges of being a gallant Valentine through the rest of the year; + which, if thou canst not use to thine own advantage, I shall be led to + think that, for all thou be’st covered with the lion’s hide, nature has + left on thee the long ears of the ass.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen, father,” said the armourer, “a hearty goodnight to you; and God’s + blessing on your roof tree, and those whom it covers. You shall hear the + smith’s call sound by cock crowing; I warrant I put sir chanticleer to + shame.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he took his leave; and, though completely undaunted, moved + through the deserted streets like one upon his guard, to his own dwelling, + which was situated in the Mill Wynd, at the western end of Perth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + What’s all this turmoil crammed into our parts? + Faith, but the pit-a-pat of poor young hearts. + + DRYDEN. +</pre> + <p> + The sturdy armourer was not, it may be believed, slack in keeping the + appointment assigned by his intended father in law. He went through the + process of his toilet with more than ordinary care, throwing, as far as he + could, those points which had a military air into the shade. He was far + too noted a person to venture to go entirely unarmed in a town where he + had indeed many friends, but also, from the character of many of his + former exploits, several deadly enemies, at whose hands, should they take + him at advantage, he knew he had little mercy to expect. He therefore wore + under his jerkin a “secret,” or coat of chain mail, made so light and + flexible that it interfered as little with his movements as a modern under + waistcoat, yet of such proof as he might safely depend upon, every ring of + it having been wrought and joined by his own hands. Above this he wore, + like others of his age and degree, the Flemish hose and doublet, which, in + honour of the holy tide, were of the best superfine English broadcloth, + light blue in colour, slashed out with black satin, and passamented + (laced, that is) with embroidery of black silk. His walking boots were of + cordovan leather; his cloak of good Scottish grey, which served to conceal + a whinger, or couteau de chasse, that hung at his belt, and was his only + offensive weapon, for he carried in his hand but a rod of holly. His black + velvet bonnet was lined with steel, quilted between the metal and his + head, and thus constituted a means of defence which might safely be + trusted to. + </p> + <p> + Upon the whole, Henry had the appearance, to which he was well entitled, + of a burgher of wealth and consideration, assuming, in his dress, as much + consequence as he could display without stepping beyond his own rank, and + encroaching on that of the gentry. Neither did his frank and manly + deportment, though indicating a total indifference to danger, bear the + least resemblance to that of the bravoes or swashbucklers of the day, + amongst whom Henry was sometimes unjustly ranked by those who imputed the + frays in which he was so often engaged to a quarrelsome and violent + temper, resting upon a consciousness of his personal strength and + knowledge of his weapon. On the contrary, every feature bore the easy and + good-humoured expression of one who neither thought of inflicting mischief + nor dreaded it from others. + </p> + <p> + Having attired himself in his best, the honest armourer next placed + nearest to his heart (which throbbed at its touch) a little gift which he + had long provided for Catharine Glover, and which his quality of Valentine + would presently give him the title to present, and her to receive, without + regard to maidenly scruples. It was a small ruby cut into the form of a + heart, transfixed with a golden arrow, and was inclosed in a small purse + made of links of the finest work in steel, as if it had been designed for + a hauberk to a king. Round the verge of the purse were these words: + </p> + <p> + Loves darts Cleave hearts Through mail shirts. + </p> + <p> + This device had cost the armourer some thought, and he was much satisfied + with his composition, because it seemed to imply that his skill could + defend all hearts saving his own. + </p> + <p> + He wrapped himself in his cloak, and hastened through the still silent + streets, determined to appear at the window appointed a little before + dawn. + </p> + <p> + With this purpose he passed up the High Street, and turned down the + opening where St. John’s Church now stands, in order to proceed to Curfew + Street; when it occurred to him, from the appearance of the sky, that he + was at least an hour too early for his purpose, and that it would be + better not to appear at the place of rendezvous till nearer the time + assigned. Other gallants were not unlikely to be on the watch as well as + himself about the house of the Fair Maid of Perth; and he knew his own + foible so well as to be sensible of the great chance of a scuffle arising + betwixt them. + </p> + <p> + “I have the advantage,” he thought, “by my father Simon’s friendship; and + why should I stain my fingers with the blood of the poor creatures that + are not worthy my notice, since they are so much less fortunate than + myself? No—no, I will be wise for once, and keep at a distance from + all temptation to a broil. They shall have no more time to quarrel with me + than just what it may require for me to give the signal, and for my father + Simon to answer it. I wonder how the old man will contrive to bring her to + the window? I fear, if she knew his purpose, he would find it difficult to + carry it into execution.” + </p> + <p> + While these lover-like thoughts were passing through his brain, the + armourer loitered in his pace, often turning his eyes eastward, and eyeing + the firmament, in which no slight shades of grey were beginning to + flicker, to announce the approach of dawn, however distant, which, to the + impatience of the stout armourer, seemed on that morning to abstain longer + than usual from occupying her eastern barbican. He was now passing slowly + under the wall of St. Anne’s Chapel (not failing to cross himself and say + an ace, as he trode the consecrated ground), when a voice, which seemed to + come from behind one of the flying buttresses of the chapel, said, “He + lingers that has need to run.” + </p> + <p> + “Who speaks?” said the armourer, looking around him, somewhat startled at + an address so unexpected, both in its tone and tenor. + </p> + <p> + “No matter who speaks,” answered the same voice. “Do thou make great + speed, or thou wilt scarce make good speed. Bandy not words, but begone.” + </p> + <p> + “Saint or sinner, angel or devil,” said Henry, crossing himself, “your + advice touches me but too dearly to be neglected. St. Valentine be my + speed!” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he instantly changed his loitering pace to one with which few + people could have kept up, and in an instant was in Couvrefew Street. He + had not made three steps towards Simon Glover’s, which stood in the midst + of the narrow street, when two men started from under the houses on + different sides, and advanced, as it were by concert, to intercept his + passage. The imperfect light only permitted him to discern that they wore + the Highland mantle. + </p> + <p> + “Clear the way, cateran,” said the armourer, in the deep stern voice which + corresponded with the breadth of his chest. + </p> + <p> + They did not answer, at least intelligibly; but he could see that they + drew their swords, with the purpose of withstanding him by violence. + Conjecturing some evil, but of what kind he could not anticipate, Henry + instantly determined to make his way through whatever odds, and defend his + mistress, or at least die at her feet. He cast his cloak over his left arm + as a buckler, and advanced rapidly and steadily to the two men. The + nearest made a thrust at him, but Henry Smith, parrying the blow with his + cloak, dashed his arm in the man’s face, and tripping him at the same + time, gave him a severe fall on the causeway; while almost at the same + instant he struck a blow with his whinger at the fellow who was upon his + right hand, so severely applied, that he also lay prostrate by his + associate. Meanwhile, the armourer pushed forward in alarm, for which the + circumstance of the street being guarded or defended by strangers who + conducted themselves with such violence afforded sufficient reason. He + heard a suppressed whisper and a bustle under the glover’s windows—those + very windows from which he had expected to be hailed by Catharine as her + Valentine. He kept to the opposite side of the street, that he might + reconnoitre their number and purpose. But one of the party who were + beneath the window, observing or hearing him, crossed the street also, and + taking him doubtless for one of the sentinels, asked, in a whisper, “What + noise was yonder, Kenneth? why gave you not the signal?” + </p> + <p> + “Villain,” said Henry, “you are discovered, and you shall die the death.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke thus, he dealt the stranger a blow with his weapon, which + would probably have made his words good, had not the man, raising his arm, + received on his hand the blow meant for his head. The wound must have been + a severe one, for he staggered and fell with a deep groan. + </p> + <p> + Without noticing him farther, Henry Smith sprung forward upon a party of + men who seemed engaged in placing a ladder against the lattice window in + the gable. Henry did not stop ether to count their numbers or to ascertain + their purpose. But, crying the alarm word of the town, and giving the + signal at which the burghers were wont to collect, he rushed on the night + walkers, one of whom was in the act of ascending the ladder. The smith + seized it by the rounds, threw it down on the pavement, and placing his + foot on the body of the man who had been mounting, prevented him from + regaining his feet. His accomplices struck fiercely at Henry, to extricate + their companion. But his mail coat stood him in good stead, and he repaid + their blows with interest, shouting aloud, “Help—help, for bonny St. + Johnston! Bows and blades, brave citizens! bows and blades! they break + into our houses under cloud of night.” + </p> + <p> + These words, which resounded far through the streets, were accompanied by + as many fierce blows, dealt with good effect among those whom the armourer + assailed. In the mean time, the inhabitants of the district began to + awaken and appear on the street in their shirts, with swords and targets, + and some of them with torches. The assailants now endeavoured to make + their escape, which all of them effected excepting the man who had been + thrown down along with the ladder. Him the intrepid armourer had caught by + the throat in the scuffle, and held as fast as the greyhound holds the + hare. The other wounded men were borne off by their comrades. + </p> + <p> + “Here are a sort of knaves breaking peace within burgh,” said Henry to the + neighbours who began to assemble; “make after the rogues. They cannot all + get off, for I have maimed some of them: the blood will guide you to + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Some Highland caterans,” said the citizens; “up and chase, neighbours!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, chase—chase! leave me to manage this fellow,” continued the + armourer. + </p> + <p> + The assistants dispersed in different directions, their lights flashing + and their cries resounding through the whole adjacent district. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time the armourer’s captive entreated for freedom, using both + promises and threats to obtain it. “As thou art a gentleman,” he said, + “let me go, and what is past shall be forgiven.” + </p> + <p> + “I am no gentleman,” said Henry—“I am Hal of the Wynd, a burgess of + Perth; and I have done nothing to need forgiveness.” + </p> + <p> + “Villain, then hast done thou knowest not what! But let me go, and I will + fill thy bonnet with gold pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall fill thy bonnet with a cloven head presently,” said the armourer, + “unless thou stand still as a true prisoner.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter, my son Harry?” said Simon, who now appeared at the + window. “I hear thy voice in another tone than I expected. What is all + this noise; and why are the neighbours gathering to the affray?” + </p> + <p> + “There have been a proper set of limmers about to scale your windows, + father Simon; but I am like to prove godfather to one of them, whom I hold + here, as fast as ever vice held iron.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear me, Simon Glover,” said the prisoner; “let me but speak one word + with you in private, and rescue me from the gripe of this iron fisted and + leaden pated clown, and I will show thee that no harm was designed to thee + or thine, and, moreover, tell thee what will much advantage thee.” + </p> + <p> + “I should know that voice,” said Simon Glover, who now came to the door + with a dark lantern in his hand. “Son Smith, let this young man speak with + me. There is no danger in him, I promise you. Stay but an instant where + you are, and let no one enter the house, either to attack or defend. I + will be answerable that this galliard meant but some St. Valentine’s + jest.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, the old man pulled in the prisoner and shut the door, leaving + Henry a little surprised at the unexpected light in which his + father-in-law had viewed the affray. + </p> + <p> + “A jest!” he said; “it might have been a strange jest, if they had got + into the maiden’s sleeping room! And they would have done so, had it not + been for the honest friendly voice from betwixt the buttresses, which, if + it were not that of the blessed saint—though what am I that the holy + person should speak to me?—could not sound in that place without her + permission and assent, and for which I will promise her a wax candle at + her shrine, as long as my whinger; and I would I had had my two handed + broadsword instead, both for the sake of St. Johnston and of the rogues, + for of a certain those whingers are pretty toys, but more fit for a boy’s + hand than a man’s. Oh, my old two handed Trojan, hadst thou been in my + hands, as thou hang’st presently at the tester of my bed, the legs of + those rogues had not carried their bodies so clean off the field. But + there come lighted torches and drawn swords. So ho—stand! Are you + for St. Johnston? If friends to the bonny burgh, you are well come.” + </p> + <p> + “We have been but bootless hunters,” said the townsmen. “We followed by + the tracks of the blood into the Dominican burial ground, and we started + two fellows from amongst the tombs, supporting betwixt them a third, who + had probably got some of your marks about him, Harry. They got to the + postern gate before we could overtake them, and rang the sanctuary bell; + the gate opened, and in went they. So they are safe in girth and + sanctuary, and we may go to our cold beds and warm us.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” said one of the party, “the good Dominicans have always some devout + brother of their convent sitting up to open the gate of the sanctuary to + any poor soul that is in trouble, and desires shelter in the church.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if the poor hunted soul can pay for it,” said another “but, truly, + if he be poor in purse as well as in spirit, he may stand on the outside + till the hounds come up with him.” + </p> + <p> + A third, who had been poring for a few minutes upon the ground by + advantage of his torch, now looked upwards and spoke. He was a brisk, + forward, rather corpulent little man, called Oliver Proudfute, reasonably + wealthy, and a leading man in his craft, which was that of bonnet makers; + he, therefore, spoke as one in authority. + </p> + <p> + “Canst tell us, jolly smith”—for they recognised each other by the + lights which were brought into the streets—“what manner of fellows + they were who raised up this fray within burgh?” + </p> + <p> + “The two that I first saw,” answered the armourer, “seemed to me, as well + as I could observe them, to have Highland plaids about them.” + </p> + <p> + “Like enough—like enough,” answered another citizen, shaking his + head. “It’s a shame the breaches in our walls are not repaired, and that + these landlouping Highland scoundrels are left at liberty to take honest + men and women out of their beds any night that is dark enough.” + </p> + <p> + “But look here, neighbours,” said Oliver Proudfute, showing a bloody hand + which he had picked up from the ground; “when did such a hand as this tie + a Highlandman’s brogues? It is large, indeed, and bony, but as fine as a + lady’s, with a ring that sparkles like a gleaming candle. Simon Glover has + made gloves for this hand before now, if I am not much mistaken, for he + works for all the courtiers.” + </p> + <p> + The spectators here began to gaze on the bloody token with various + comments. + </p> + <p> + “If that is the case,” said one, “Harry Smith had best show a clean pair + of heels for it, since the justiciar will scarce think the protecting a + burgess’s house an excuse for cutting off a gentleman’s hand. There be + hard laws against mutilation.” + </p> + <p> + “Fie upon you, that you will say so, Michael Webster,” answered the bonnet + maker; “are we not representatives and successors of the stout old Romans, + who built Perth as like to their own city as they could? And have we not + charters from all our noble kings and progenitors, as being their loving + liegemen? And would you have us now yield up our rights, privileges, and + immunities, our outfang and infang, our handhaband, our back bearand, and + our blood suits, and amerciaments, escheats, and commodities, and suffer + an honest burgess’s house to be assaulted without seeking for redress? No, + brave citizens, craftsmen, and burgesses, the Tay shall flow back to + Dunkeld before we submit to such injustice!” + </p> + <p> + “And how can we help it?” said a grave old man, who stood leaning on a two + handed sword. “What would you have us do?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry, Bailie Craigdallie, I wonder that you, of all men, ask the + question. I would have you pass like true men from this very place to the + King’s Grace’s presence, raise him from his royal rest, and presenting to + him the piteous case of our being called forth from our beds at this + season, with little better covering than these shirts, I would show him + this bloody token, and know from his Grace’s own royal lips whether it is + just and honest that his loving lieges should be thus treated by the + knights and nobles of his deboshed court. And this I call pushing our + cause warmly.” + </p> + <p> + “Warmly, sayst thou?” replied the old burgess; “why, so warmly, that we + shall all die of cold, man, before the porter turn a key to let us into + the royal presence. Come, friends, the night is bitter, we have kept our + watch and ward like men, and our jolly smith hath given a warning to those + that would wrong us, which shall be worth twenty proclamations of the + king. Tomorrow is a new day; we will consult on this matter on this self + same spot, and consider what measures should be taken for discovery and + pursuit of the villains. And therefore let us dismiss before the heart’s + blood freeze in our veins.” + </p> + <p> + “Bravo—bravo, neighbour Craigdallie! St. Johnston for ever!” + </p> + <p> + Oliver Proudfute would still have spoken; for he was one of those pitiless + orators who think that their eloquence can overcome all inconveniences in + time, place, and circumstances. But no one would listen, and the citizens + dispersed to their own houses by the light of the dawn, which began now to + streak the horizon. + </p> + <p> + They were scarce gone ere the door of the glover’s house opened, and + seizing the smith by the hand, the old man pulled him in. + </p> + <p> + “Where is the prisoner?” demanded the armourer. + </p> + <p> + “He is gone—escaped—fled—what do I know of him?” said + the glover. “He got out at the back door, and so through the little + garden. Think not of him, but come and see the Valentine whose honour and + life you have saved this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me but sheathe my weapon,” said the smith, “let me but wash my + hands.” + </p> + <p> + “There is not an instant to lose, she is up and almost dressed. Come on, + man. She shall see thee with thy good weapon in thy hand, and with + villain’s blood on thy fingers, that she may know what is the value of a + true man’s service. She has stopped my mouth overlong with her pruderies + and her scruples. I will have her know what a brave man’s love is worth, + and a bold burgess’s to boot.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Up! lady fair, and braid thy hair, + And rouse thee in the breezy air, + Up! quit thy bower, late wears the hour, + Long have the rooks caw’d round the tower. + + JOANNA BAILLIE. +</pre> + <p> + Startled from her repose by the noise of the affray, the Fair Maid of + Perth had listened in breathless terror to the sounds of violence and + outcry which arose from the street. She had sunk on her knees to pray for + assistance, and when she distinguished the voices of neighbours and + friends collected for her protection, she remained in the same posture to + return thanks. She was still kneeling when her father almost thrust her + champion, Henry Smith, into her apartment; the bashful lover hanging back + at first, as if afraid to give offence, and, on observing her posture, + from respect to her devotion. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said the armourer, “she prays; I dare no more speak to her than + to a bishop when he says mass.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, go thy ways, for a right valiant and courageous blockhead,” said her + father—and then speaking to his daughter, he added, “Heaven is best + thanked, my daughter, by gratitude shown to our fellow creatures. Here + comes the instrument by whom God has rescued thee from death, or perhaps + from dishonour worse than death. Receive him, Catharine, as thy true + Valentine, and him whom I desire to see my affectionate son.” + </p> + <p> + “Not thus—father,” replied Catharine. “I can see—can speak to + no one now. I am not ungrateful—perhaps I am too thankful to the + instrument of our safety; but let me thank the guardian saint who sent me + this timely relief, and give me but a moment to don my kirtle.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, God-a-mercy, wench, it were hard to deny thee time to busk thy body + clothes, since the request is the only words like a woman that thou hast + uttered for these ten days. Truly, son Harry, I would my daughter would + put off being entirely a saint till the time comes for her being canonised + for St. Catherine the Second.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, jest not, father; for I will swear she has at least one sincere + adorer already, who hath devoted himself to her pleasure, so far as sinful + man may. Fare thee well, then, for the moment, fair maiden,” he concluded, + raising his voice, “and Heaven send thee dreams as peaceful as thy waking + thoughts. I go to watch thy slumbers, and woe with him that shall intrude + on them!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, good and brave Henry, whose warm heart is at such variance with thy + reckless hand, thrust thyself into no farther quarrels tonight; but take + the kindest thanks, and with these, try to assume the peaceful thoughts + which you assign to me. Tomorrow we will meet, that I may assure you of my + gratitude. Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + “And farewell, lady and light of my heart!” said the armourer, and, + descending the stair which led to Catharine’s apartment, was about to + sally forth into the street, when the glover caught him by the arm. + </p> + <p> + “I shall like the ruffle of tonight,” said he, “better than I ever thought + to do the clashing of steel, if it brings my daughter to her senses, + Harry, and teaches her what thou art worth. By St. Macgrider! I even love + these roysterers, and am sorry for that poor lover who will never wear + left handed chevron again. Ay! he has lost that which he will miss all the + days of his life, especially when he goes to pull on his gloves; ay, he + will pay but half a fee to my craft in future. Nay, not a step from this + house tonight,” he continued “Thou dost not leave us, I promise thee, my + son.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not mean it. But I will, with your permission, watch in the street. + The attack may be renewed.” + </p> + <p> + “And if it be,” said Simon, “thou wilt have better access to drive them + back, having the vantage of the house. It is the way of fighting which + suits us burghers best—that of resisting from behind stone walls. + Our duty of watch and ward teaches us that trick; besides, enough are + awake and astir to ensure us peace and quiet till morning. So come in this + way.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he drew Henry, nothing loth, into the same apartment where they + had supped, and where the old woman, who was on foot, disturbed as others + had been by the nocturnal affray, soon roused up the fire. + </p> + <p> + “And now, my doughty son,” said the glover, “what liquor wilt thou pledge + thy father in?” + </p> + <p> + Henry Smith had suffered himself to sink mechanically upon a seat of old + black oak, and now gazed on the fire, that flashed back a ruddy light over + his manly features. He muttered to himself half audibly: “Good Henry—brave + Henry. Ah! had she but said, dear Henry!” + </p> + <p> + “What liquors be these?” said the old glover, laughing. “My cellar holds + none such; but if sack, or Rhenish, or wine of Gascony can serve, why, say + the word and the flagon foams, that is all.” + </p> + <p> + “The kindest thanks,” said the armourer, still musing, “that’s more than + she ever said to me before—the kindest thanks—what may not + that stretch to?” + </p> + <p> + “It shall stretch like kid’s leather, man,” said the glover, “if thou wilt + but be ruled, and say what thou wilt take for thy morning’s draught.” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever thou wilt, father,” answered the armourer, carelessly, and + relapsed into the analysis of Catharine’s speech to him. “She spoke of my + warm heart; but she also spoke of my reckless hand. What earthly thing can + I do to get rid of this fighting fancy? Certainly I were best strike my + right hand off, and nail it to the door of a church, that it may never do + me discredit more.” + </p> + <p> + “You have chopped off hands enough for one night,” said his friend, + setting a flagon of wine on the table. “Why dost thou vex thyself, man? + She would love thee twice as well did she not see how thou doatest upon + her. But it becomes serious now. I am not to have the risk of my booth + being broken and my house plundered by the hell raking followers of the + nobles, because she is called the Fair Maid of Perth, an’t please ye. No, + she shall know I am her father, and will have that obedience to which law + and gospel give me right. I will have her thy wife, Henry, my heart of + gold—thy wife, my man of mettle, and that before many weeks are + over. Come—come, here is to thy merry bridal, jolly smith.” + </p> + <p> + The father quaffed a large cup, and filled it to his adopted son, who + raised it slowly to his head; then, ere it had reached his lips, replaced + it suddenly on the table and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, if thou wilt not pledge me to such a health, I know no one who + will,” said Simon. “What canst thou mean, thou foolish lad? Here has a + chance happened, which in a manner places her in thy power, since from one + end of the city to the other all would cry fie on her if she should say + thee nay. Here am I, her father, not only consenting to the cutting out of + the match, but willing to see you two as closely united together as ever + needle stitched buckskin. And with all this on thy side—fortune, + father, and all—thou lookest like a distracted lover in a ballad, + more like to pitch thyself into the Tay than to woo a lass that may be had + for the asking, if you can but choose the lucky minute.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, but that lucky minute, father? I question much if Catharine ever has + such a moment to glance on earth and its inhabitants as might lead her to + listen to a coarse ignorant borrel man like me. I cannot tell how it is, + father; elsewhere I can hold up my head like another man, but with your + saintly daughter I lose heart and courage, and I cannot help thinking that + it would be well nigh robbing a holy shrine if I could succeed in + surprising her affections. Her thoughts are too much fitted for Heaven to + be wasted on such a one as I am.” + </p> + <p> + “E’en as you like, Henry,” answered the glover. “My daughter is not + courting you any more than I am—a fair offer is no cause offend; + only if you think that I will give in to her foolish notions of a convent, + take it with you that I will never listen to them. I love and honour the + church,” he said, crossing himself, “I pay her rights duly and cheerfully—tithes + and alms, wine and wax, I pay them as justly, I say, as any man in Perth + of my means doth—but I cannot afford the church my only and single + ewe lamb that I have in the world. Her mother was dear to me on earth, and + is now an angel in Heaven. Catharine is all I have to remind me of her I + have lost; and if she goes to the cloister, it shall be when these old + eyes are closed for ever, and not sooner. But as for you, friend Gow, I + pray you will act according to your own best liking, I want to force no + wife on you, I promise you.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, now you beat the iron twice over,” said Henry. “It is thus we always + end, father, by your being testy with me for not doing that thing in the + world which would make me happiest, were I to have it in my power. Why, + father, I would the keenest dirk I ever forged were sticking in my heart + at this moment if there is one single particle in it that is not more your + daughter’s property than my own. But what can I do? I cannot think less of + her, or more of myself, than we both deserve; and what seems to you so + easy and certain is to me as difficult as it would be to work a steel + hauberk out of bards of flax. But here is to you, father,” he added, in a + more cheerful tone; “and here is to my fair saint and Valentine, as I hope + your Catharine will be mine for the season. And let me not keep your old + head longer from the pillow, but make interest with your featherbed till + daybreak; and then you must be my guide to your daughter’s chamber door, + and my apology for entering it, to bid her good morrow, for the brightest + that the sun will awaken, in the city or for miles round.” + </p> + <p> + “No bad advice, my son,” said the honest glover, “But you, what will you + do? Will you lie down beside me, or take a part of Conachar’s bed?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither,” answered Harry Gow; “I should but prevent your rest, and for me + this easy chair is worth a down bed, and I will sleep like a sentinel, + with my graith about me.” As he spoke, he laid his hand on his sword. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Heaven send us no more need of weapons. Goodnight, or rather good + morrow, till day peep; and the first who wakes calls up the other.” + </p> + <p> + Thus parted the two burghers. The glover retired to his bed, and, it is to + be supposed, to rest. The lover was not so fortunate. His bodily frame + easily bore the fatigue which he had encountered in the course of the + night, but his mind was of a different and more delicate mould. In one + point of view, he was but the stout burgher of his period, proud alike of + his art in making weapons and wielding them when made; his professional + jealousy, personal strength, and skill in the use of arms brought him into + many quarrels, which had made him generally feared, and in some instances + disliked. But with these qualities were united the simple good nature of a + child, and at the same time an imaginative and enthusiastic temper, which + seemed little to correspond with his labours at the forge or his combats + in the field. Perhaps a little of the hare brained and ardent feeling + which he had picked out of old ballads, or from the metrical romances, + which were his sole source of information or knowledge, may have been the + means of pricking him on to some of his achievements, which had often a + rude strain of chivalry in them; at least, it was certain that his love to + the fair Catharine had in it a delicacy such as might have become the + squire of low degree, who was honoured, if song speaks truth, with the + smiles of the King of Hungary’s daughter. His sentiments towards her were + certainly as exalted as if they had been fixed upon an actual angel, which + made old Simon, and others who watched his conduct, think that his passion + was too high and devotional to be successful with maiden of mortal mould. + They were mistaken, however. Catharine, coy and reserved as she was, had a + heart which could feel and understand the nature and depth of the + armourer’s passion; and whether she was able to repay it or not, she had + as much secret pride in the attachment of the redoubted Henry Gow as a + lady of romance may be supposed to have in the company of a tame lion, who + follows to provide for and defend her. It was with sentiments of the most + sincere gratitude that she recollected, as she awoke at dawn, the services + of Henry during the course of the eventful night, and the first thought + which she dwelt upon was the means of making him understand her feelings. + </p> + <p> + Arising hastily from bed, and half blushing at her own purpose—“I + have been cold to him, and perhaps unjust; I will not be ungrateful,” she + said to herself, “though I cannot yield to his suit. I will not wait till + my father compels me to receive him as my Valentine for the year: I will + seek him out, and choose him myself. I have thought other girls bold when + they did something like this; but I shall thus best please my father, and + but discharge the rites due to good St. Valentine by showing my gratitude + to this brave man.” + </p> + <p> + Hastily slipping on her dress, which, nevertheless, was left a good deal + more disordered than usual, she tripped downstairs and opened the door of + the chamber, in which, as she had guessed, her lover had passed the hours + after the fray. Catharine paused at the door, and became half afraid of + executing her purpose, which not only permitted but enjoined the + Valentines of the year to begin their connexion with a kiss of affection. + It was looked upon as a peculiarly propitious omen if the one party could + find the other asleep, and awaken him or her by performance of this + interesting ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Never was a fairer opportunity offered for commencing this mystic tie than + that which now presented itself to Catharine. After many and various + thoughts, sleep had at length overcome the stout armourer in the chair in + which he had deposited himself. His features, in repose, had a more firm + and manly cast than Catharine had thought, who, having generally seen them + fluctuating between shamefacedness and apprehension of her displeasure, + had been used to connect with them some idea of imbecility. + </p> + <p> + “He looks very stern,” she said; “if he should be angry? And then when he + awakes—we are alone—if I should call Dorothy—if I should + wake my father? But no! it is a thing of custom, and done in all maidenly + and sisterly love and honour. I will not suppose that Henry can + misconstrue it, and I will not let a childish bashfulness put my gratitude + to sleep.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, she tripped along the floor of the apartment with a light, + though hesitating, step; and a cheek crimsoned at her own purpose; and + gliding to the chair of the sleeper, dropped a kiss upon his lips as light + as if a rose leaf had fallen on them. The slumbers must have been slight + which such a touch could dispel, and the dreams of the sleeper must needs + have been connected with the cause of the interruption, since Henry, + instantly starting up, caught the maiden in his arms, and attempted to + return in ecstasy the salute which had broken his repose. But Catharine + struggled in his embrace; and as her efforts implied alarmed modesty + rather than maidenly coyness, her bashful lover suffered her to escape a + grasp from which twenty times her strength could not have extricated her. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, be not angry, good Henry,” said Catharine, in the kindest tone, to + her surprised lover. “I have paid my vows to St. Valentine, to show how I + value the mate which he has sent me for the year. Let but my father be + present, and I will not dare to refuse thee the revenge you may claim for + a broken sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “Let not that be a hinderance,” said the old glover, rushing in ecstasy + into the room; “to her, smith—to her: strike while the iron is hot, + and teach her what it is not to let sleeping dogs lie still.” + </p> + <p> + Thus encouraged, Henry, though perhaps with less alarming vivacity, again + seized the blushing maiden in his arms, who submitted with a tolerable + grace to receive repayment of her salute, a dozen times repeated, and with + an energy very different from that which had provoked such severe + retaliation. At length she again extricated herself from her lover’s arms, + and, as if frightened and repenting what she had done, threw herself into + a seat, and covered her face with her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Cheer up, thou silly girl,” said her father, “and be not ashamed that + thou hast made the two happiest men in Perth, since thy old father is one + of them. Never was kiss so well bestowed, and meet it is that it should be + suitably returned. Look up, my darling! look up, and let me see thee give + but one smile. By my honest word, the sun that now rises over our fair + city shows no sight that can give me greater pleasure. What,” he + continued, in a jocose tone, “thou thoughtst thou hadst Jamie Keddie’s + ring, and couldst walk invisible? but not so, my fairy of the dawning. + Just as I was about to rise, I heard thy chamber door open, and watched + thee downstairs, not to protect thee against this sleepy headed Henry, but + to see with my own delighted eyes my beloved girl do that which her father + most wished. Come, put down these foolish hands, and though thou blushest + a little, it will only the better grace St. Valentine’s morn, when blushes + best become a maiden’s cheek.” + </p> + <p> + As Simon Glover spoke, he pulled away, with gentle violence, the hands + which hid his daughter’s face. She blushed deeply indeed, but there was + more than maiden’s shame in her face, and her eyes were fast filling with + tears. + </p> + <p> + “What! weeping, love?” continued her father; “nay—nay, this is more + than need. Henry, help me to comfort this little fool.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine made an effort to collect herself and to smile, but the smile + was of a melancholy and serious cast. + </p> + <p> + “I only meant to say, father,” said the Fair Maid of Perth, with continued + exertion, “that in choosing Henry Gow for my Valentine, and rendering to + him the rights and greeting of the morning, according to wonted custom, I + meant but to show my gratitude to him for his manly and faithful service, + and my obedience to you. But do not lead him to think—and, oh, + dearest father, do not yourself entertain an idea—that I meant more + than what the promise to be his faithful and affectionate Valentine + through the year requires of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay——ay—ay, we understand it all,” said Simon, + in the soothing tone which nurses apply to children. “We understand what + the meaning is; enough for once—enough for once. Thou shalt not be + frightened or hurried. Loving, true, and faithful Valentines are ye, and + the rest as Heaven and opportunity shall permit. Come, prithee, have done: + wring not thy tiny hands, nor fear farther persecution now. Thou hast done + bravely, excellently. And now, away to Dorothy, and call up the old + sluggard; we must have a substantial breakfast, after a night of confusion + and a morning of joy, and thy hand will be needed to prepare for us some + of these delicate cakes which no one can make but thyself; and well hast + thou a right to the secret, seeing who taught it thee. Ah! health to the + soul of thy dearest mother,” he added, with a sigh; “how blythe would she + have been to see this happy St. Valentine’s morning!” + </p> + <p> + Catharine took the opportunity of escape which was thus given her, and + glided from the room. To Henry it seemed as if the sun had disappeared + from the heaven at midday, and left the world in sudden obscurity. Even + the high swelled hopes with which the late incident had filled him began + to quail, as he reflected upon her altered demeanour—the tears in + her eyes, the obvious fear which occupied her features, and the pains she + had taken to show, as plainly as delicacy would permit, that the advances + which she had made to him were limited to the character with which the + rites of the day had invested him. Her father looked on his fallen + countenance with something like surprise and displeasure. + </p> + <p> + “In the name of good St. John, what has befallen you, that makes you look + as grave as an owl, when a lad of your spirit, having really such a fancy + for this poor girl as you pretend, ought to be as lively as a lark?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, father!” replied the crestfallen lover, “there is that written on + her brow which says she loves me well enough to be my Valentine, + especially since you wish it, but not well enough to be my wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, a plague on thee for a cold, downhearted goosecap,” answered the + father. “I can read a woman’s brow as well, and better, than thou, and I + can see no such matter on hers. What, the foul fiend, man! there thou wast + lying like a lord in thy elbow chair, as sound asleep as a judge, when, + hadst thou been a lover of any spirit, thou wouldst have been watching the + east for the first ray of the sun. But there thou layest, snoring I + warrant, thinking nought about her, or anything else; and the poor girl + rises at peep of day, lest any one else should pick up her most precious + and vigilant Valentine, and wakes thee with a grace which—so help + me, St. Macgrider!—would have put life in an anvil; and thou awakest + to hone, and pine, and moan, as if she had drawn a hot iron across thy + lips! I would to St. John she had sent old Dorothy on the errand, and + bound thee for thy Valentine service to that bundle of dry bones, with + never a tooth in her head. She were fittest Valentine in Perth for so + craven a wooer.” + </p> + <p> + “As to craven, father,” answered the smith, “there are twenty good cocks, + whose combs I have plucked, can tell thee if I am craven or no. And Heaven + knows that I would give my good land, held by burgess’ tenure, with + smithy, bellows, tongs, anvil, and all, providing it would make your view + of the matter the true one. But it is not of her coyness or her blushes + that I speak; it is of the paleness which so soon followed the red, and + chased it from her cheeks; and it is of the tears which succeeded. It was + like the April showers stealing upon and obscuring the fairest dawning + that ever beamed over the Tay.” + </p> + <p> + “Tutti taitti,” replied the glover; “neither Rome nor Perth were built in + a day. Thou hast fished salmon a thousand times, and mightst have taken a + lesson. When the fish has taken the fly, to pull a hard strain on the line + would snap the tackle to pieces, were it made of wire. Ease your hand, + man, and let him rise; take leisure, and in half an hour thou layest him + on the bank. There is a beginning as fair as you could wish, unless you + expect the poor wench to come to thy bedside as she did to thy chair; and + that is not the fashion of modest maidens. But observe me; after we have + had our breakfast, I will take care thou hast an opportunity to speak thy + mind; only beware thou be neither too backward nor press her too hard. + Give her line enough, but do not slack too fast, and my life for yours + upon the issue.” + </p> + <p> + “Do what I can, father,” answered Henry, “you will always lay the blame on + me—either that I give too much head or that I strain the tackle. I + would give the best habergeon I ever wrought, that the difficulty in truth + rested with me, for there were then the better chance of its being + removed. I own, however, I am but an ass in the trick of bringing about + such discourse as is to the purpose for the occasion.” + </p> + <p> + “Come into the booth with me, my son, and I will furnish thee with a + fitting theme. Thou knowest the maiden who ventures to kiss a sleeping man + wins of him a pair of gloves. Come to my booth; thou shalt have a pair of + delicate kid skin that will exactly suit her hand and arm. I was thinking + of her poor mother when I shaped them,” added honest Simon, with a sigh; + “and except Catharine, I know not the woman in Scotland whom they would + fit, though I have measured most of the high beauties of the court. Come + with me, I say, and thou shalt be provided with a theme to wag thy tongue + upon, providing thou hast courage and caution to stand by thee in thy + wooing.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Never to man shall Catharine give her hand. + + Taming of the Shrew. +</pre> + <p> + The breakfast was served, and the thin soft cakes, made of flour and honey + according to the family receipt, were not only commended with all the + partiality of a father and a lover, but done liberal justice to in the + mode which is best proof of cake as well as pudding. They talked, jested, + and laughed. Catharine, too, had recovered her equanimity where the dames + and damsels of the period were apt to lose theirs—in the kitchen, + namely, and in the superintendence of household affairs, in which she was + an adept. I question much if the perusal of Seneca for as long a period + would have had equal effect in composing her mind. + </p> + <p> + Old Dorothy sat down at the board end, as was the homespun fashion of the + period; and so much were the two men amused with their own conversation, + and Catharine occupied either in attending to them or with her own + reflections, that the old woman was the first who observed the absence of + the boy Conachar. + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” said the master glover; “go call him, the idle Highland + loon. He was not seen last night during the fray neither, at least I saw + him not. Did any of you observe him?” + </p> + <p> + The reply was negative; and Henry’s observation followed: + </p> + <p> + “There are times when Highlanders can couch like their own deer—ay, + and run from danger too as fast. I have seen them do so myself, for the + matter of that.” + </p> + <p> + “And there are times,” replied Simon, “when King Arthur and his Round + Table could not make stand against them. I wish, Henry, you would speak + more reverently of the Highlanders. They are often in Perth, both alone + and in numbers, and you ought to keep peace with them so long as they will + keep peace with you.” + </p> + <p> + An answer of defiance rose to Henry’s lips, but he prudently suppressed + it. “Why, thou knowest, father,” he said, smiling, “that we handicrafts + best love the folks we live by; now, my craft provides for valiant and + noble knights, gentle squires and pages, stout men at arms, and others + that wear the weapons which we make. It is natural I should like the + Ruthvens, the Lindsays, the Ogilvys, the Oliphants, and so many others of + our brave and noble neighbours, who are sheathed in steel of my making, + like so many paladins, better than those naked, snatching mountaineers, + who are ever doing us wrong, especially since no five of each clan have a + rusty shirt of mail as old as their brattach; and that is but the work of + the clumsy clan smith after all, who is no member of our honourable + mystery, but simply works at the anvil, where his father wrought before + him. I say, such people can have no favour in the eyes of an honest + craftsman.” + </p> + <p> + “Well—well,” answered Simon; “I prithee let the matter rest even + now, for here comes the loitering boy, and, though it is a holyday morn, I + want no more bloody puddings.” + </p> + <p> + The youth entered accordingly. His face was pale, his eyes red, and there + was an air of discomposure about his whole person. He sat down at the + lower end of the table, opposite to Dorothy, and crossed himself, as if + preparing for his morning’s meal. As he did not help himself to any food, + Catharine offered him a platter containing some of the cakes which had met + with such general approbation. At first he rejected her offered kindness + rather sullenly; but on her repeating the offer with a smile of goodwill, + he took a cake in his hand, broke it, and was about to eat a morsel, when + the effort to swallow seemed almost too much for him; and though he + succeeded, he did not repeat it. + </p> + <p> + “You have a bad appetite for St. Valentine’s morning, Conachar,” said his + good humoured master; “and yet I think you must have slept soundly the + night before, since I conclude you were not disturbed by the noise of the + scuffle. Why, I thought a lively glune amie would have been at his + master’s side, dirk in hand, at the first sound of danger which arose + within a mile of us.” + </p> + <p> + “I heard but an indistinct noise,” said the youth, his face glowing + suddenly like a heated coal, “which I took for the shout of some merry + revellers; and you are wont to bid me never open door or window, or alarm + the house, on the score of such folly.” + </p> + <p> + “Well—well,” said Simon; “I thought a Highlander would have known + better the difference betwixt the clash of swords and the twanging on + harps, the wild war cry and the merry hunt’s up. But let it pass, boy; I + am glad thou art losing thy quarrelsome fashions. Eat thy breakfast, any + way, as I have that to employ thee which requires haste.” + </p> + <p> + “I have breakfasted already, and am in haste myself. I am for the hills. + Have you any message to my father?” + </p> + <p> + “None,” replied the glover, in some surprise; “but art thou beside + thyself, boy? or what a vengeance takes thee from the city, like the wing + of the whirlwind?” + </p> + <p> + “My warning has been sudden,” said Conachar, speaking with difficulty; but + whether arising from the hesitation incidental to the use of a foreign + language, or whether from some other cause, could not easily be + distinguished. “There is to be a meeting—a great hunting—” + Here he stopped. + </p> + <p> + “And when are you to return from this blessed hunting?” said the master; + “that is, if I may make so bold as to ask.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot exactly answer,” replied the apprentice. “Perhaps never, if such + be my father’s pleasure,” continued Conachar, with assumed indifference. + </p> + <p> + “I thought,” said Simon Glover, rather seriously, “that all this was to be + laid aside, when at earnest intercession I took you under my roof. I + thought that when I undertook, being very loth to do so, to teach you an + honest trade, we were to hear no more of hunting, or hosting, or clan + gatherings, or any matters of the kind?” + </p> + <p> + “I was not consulted when I was sent hither,” said the lad, haughtily. “I + cannot tell what the terms were.” + </p> + <p> + “But I can tell you, sir Conachar,” said the glover, angrily, “that there + is no fashion of honesty in binding yourself to an honest craftsman, and + spoiling more hides than your own is worth; and now, when you are of age + to be of some service, in taking up the disposal of your time at your + pleasure, as if it were your own property, not your master’s.” + </p> + <p> + “Reckon with my father about that,” answered Conachar; “he will pay you + gallantly—a French mutton for every hide I have spoiled, and a fat + cow or bullock for each day I have been absent.” + </p> + <p> + “Close with him, friend Glover—close with him,” said the armourer, + drily. “Thou wilt be paid gallantly at least, if not honestly. Methinks I + would like to know how many purses have been emptied to fill the goat skin + sporran that is to be so free to you of its gold, and whose pastures the + bullocks have been calved in that are to be sent down to you from the + Grampian passes.” + </p> + <p> + “You remind me, friend,” said the Highland youth, turning haughtily + towards the smith, “that I have also a reckoning to hold with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Keep at arm’s length, then,” said Henry, extending his brawny arm: “I + will have no more close hugs—no more bodkin work, like last night. I + care little for a wasp’s sting, yet I will not allow the insect to come + near me if I have warning.” + </p> + <p> + Conachar smiled contemptuously. “I meant thee no harm,” he said. “My + father’s son did thee but too much honour to spill such churl’s blood. I + will pay you for it by the drop, that it may be dried up, and no longer + soil my fingers.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, thou bragging ape!” said the smith: “the blood of a true man + cannot be valued in gold. The only expiation would be that thou shouldst + come a mile into the Low Country with two of the strongest galloglasses of + thy clan; and while I dealt with them, I would leave thee to the + correction of my apprentice, little Jankin.” + </p> + <p> + Here Catharine interposed. “Peace,” she said, “my trusty Valentine, whom I + have a right to command; and peace you, Conachar, who ought to obey me as + your master’s daughter. It is ill done to awaken again on the morrow the + evil which has been laid to sleep at night.” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, then, master,” said Conachar, after another look of scorn at + the smith, which he only answered with a laugh—“farewell! and I + thank you for your kindness, which has been more than I deserve. If I have + at times seemed less than thankful, it was the fault of circumstances, and + not of my will. Catharine—” He cast upon the maiden a look of strong + emotion, in which various feelings were blended. He hesitated, as if to + say something, and at length turned away with the single word “farewell.” + </p> + <p> + Five minutes afterwards, with Highland buskins on his feet and a small + bundle in his hand, he passed through the north gate of Perth, and + directed his course to the Highlands. + </p> + <p> + “There goes enough of beggary and of pride for a whole Highland clan,” + said Henry. “He talks as familiarly of gold pieces as I would of silver + pennies, and yet I will be sworn that the thumb of his mother’s worsted + glove might hold the treasure of the whole clan.” + </p> + <p> + “Like enough,” said the glover, laughing at the idea; “his mother was a + large boned woman, especially in the fingers and wrist.” + </p> + <p> + “And as for cattle,” continued Henry, “I reckon his father and brothers + steal sheep by one at a time.” + </p> + <p> + “The less we say of them the better,” said the glover, becoming again + grave. “Brothers he hath none; his father is a powerful man—hath + long hands—reaches as far as he can, and hears farther than it is + necessary to talk of him.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet he hath bound his only son apprentice to a glover in Perth?” said + Henry. “Why, I should have thought the gentle craft, as it is called, of + St. Crispin would have suited him best; and that, if the son of some great + Mac or O was to become an artisan, it could only be in the craft where + princes set him the example.” + </p> + <p> + This remark, though ironical, seemed to awaken our friend Simon’s sense of + professional dignity, which was a prevailing feeling that marked the + manners of the artisans of the time. + </p> + <p> + “You err, son Henry,” he replied, with much gravity: “the glovers’ are the + more honourable craft of the two, in regard they provide for the + accommodation of the hands, whereas the shoemakers and cordwainers do but + work for the feet.” + </p> + <p> + “Both equally necessary members of the body corporate,” said Henry, whose + father had been a cordwainer. + </p> + <p> + “It may be so, my son,” said the glover; “but not both alike honourable. + Bethink you, that we employ the hands as pledges of friendship and good + faith, and the feet have no such privilege. Brave men fight with their + hands; cowards employ their feet in flight. A glove is borne aloft; a shoe + is trampled in the mire. A man greets a friend with his open hand; he + spurns a dog, or one whom he holds as mean as a dog, with his advanced + foot. A glove on the point of a spear is a sign and pledge of faith all + the wide world over, as a gauntlet flung down is a gage of knightly + battle; while I know no other emblem belonging to an old shoe, except that + some crones will fling them after a man by way of good luck, in which + practice I avow myself to entertain no confidence.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the smith, amused with his friend’s eloquent pleading for the + dignity of the art he practised, “I am not the man, I promise you, to + disparage the glover’s mystery. Bethink you, I am myself a maker of + gauntlets. But the dignity of your ancient craft removes not my wonder, + that the father of this Conachar suffered his son to learn a trade of any + kind from a Lowland craftsman, holding us, as they do, altogether beneath + their magnificent degree, and a race of contemptible drudges, unworthy of + any other fate than to be ill used and plundered, as often as these bare + breeched dunnie wassals see safety and convenience for doing so.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” answered the glover, “but there were powerful reasons for—for—” + he withheld something which seemed upon his lips, and went on: “for + Conachar’s father acting as he did. Well, I have played fair with him, and + I do not doubt but he will act honourably by me. But Conachar’s sudden + leave taking has put me to some inconvenience. He had things under his + charge. I must look through the booth.” + </p> + <p> + “Can I help you, father?” said Henry Gow, deceived by the earnestness of + his manner. + </p> + <p> + “You!—no,” said Simon, with a dryness which made Henry so sensible + of the simplicity of his proposal, that he blushed to the eyes at his own + dulness of comprehension, in a matter where love ought to have induced him + to take his cue easily up. + </p> + <p> + “You, Catharine,” said the glover, as he left the room, “entertain your + Valentine for five minutes, and see he departs not till my return. Come + hither with me, old Dorothy, and bestir thy limbs in my behalf.” + </p> + <p> + He left the room, followed by the old woman; and Henry Smith remained with + Catharine, almost for the first time in his life, entirely alone. There + was embarrassment on the maiden’s part, and awkwardness on that of the + lover, for about a minute; when Henry, calling up his courage, pulled the + gloves out of his pocket with which Simon had supplied him, and asked her + to permit one who had been so highly graced that morning to pay the usual + penalty for being asleep at the moment when he would have given the + slumbers of a whole twelvemonth to be awake for a single minute. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but,” said Catharine, “the fulfilment of my homage to St. Valentine + infers no such penalty as you desire to pay, and I cannot therefore think + of accepting them.” + </p> + <p> + “These gloves,” said Henry, advancing his seat insidiously towards + Catharine as he spoke, “were wrought by the hands that are dearest to you; + and see—they are shaped for your own.” + </p> + <p> + He extended them as he spoke, and taking her arm in his robust hand, + spread the gloves beside it to show how well they fitted. + </p> + <p> + “Look at that taper arm,” he said, “look at these small fingers; think who + sewed these seams of silk and gold, and think whether the glove and the + arm which alone the glove can fit ought to remain separate, because the + poor glove has had the misfortune to be for a passing minute in the + keeping of a hand so swart and rough as mine.” + </p> + <p> + “They are welcome as coming from my father,” said Catharine; “and surely + not less so as coming from my friend (and there was an emphasis on the + word), as well as my Valentine and preserver.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me aid to do them on,” said the smith, bringing himself yet closer to + her side; “they may seem a little over tight at first, and you may require + some assistance.” + </p> + <p> + “You are skilful in such service, good Henry Gow,” said the maiden, + smiling, but at the same time drawing farther from her lover. + </p> + <p> + “In good faith, no,” said Henry, shaking his head: “my experience has been + in donning steel gauntlets on mailed knights, more than in fitting + embroidered gloves upon maidens.” + </p> + <p> + “I will trouble you then no further, and Dorothy shall aid me, though + there needs no assistance; my father’s eye and fingers are faithful to his + craft: what work he puts through his hands is always true to the measure.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me be convinced of it,” said the smith—“let me see that these + slender gloves actually match the hands they were made for.” + </p> + <p> + “Some other time, good Henry,” answered the maiden, “I will wear the + gloves in honour of St. Valentine, and the mate he has sent me for the + season. I would to Heaven I could pleasure my father as well in weightier + matters; at present the perfume of the leather harms the headache I have + had since morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Headache, dearest maiden!” echoed her lover. + </p> + <p> + “If you call it heartache, you will not misname it,” said Catharine, with + a sigh, and proceeded to speak in a very serious tone. + </p> + <p> + “Henry,” she said, “I am going perhaps to be as bold as I gave you reason + to think me this morning; for I am about to speak the first upon a subject + on which, it may well be, I ought to wait till I had to answer you. But I + cannot, after what has happened this morning, suffer my feelings towards + you to remain unexplained, without the possibility of my being greatly + misconceived. Nay, do not answer till you have heard me out. You are + brave, Henry, beyond most men, honest and true as the steel you work upon—” + </p> + <p> + “Stop—stop, Catharine, for mercy’s sake! You never said so much that + was good concerning me, save to introduce some bitter censure, of which + your praises were the harbingers. I am honest, and so forth, you would + say, but a hot brained brawler, and common sworder or stabber.” + </p> + <p> + “I should injure both myself and you in calling you such. No, Henry, to no + common stabber, had he worn a plume in his bonnet and gold spurs on his + heels, would Catharine Glover have offered the little grace she has this + day voluntarily done to you. If I have at times dwelt severely upon the + proneness of your spirit to anger, and of your hand to strife, it is + because I would have you, if I could so persuade you, hate in yourself the + sins of vanity and wrath by which you are most easily beset. I have spoken + on the topic more to alarm your own conscience than to express my opinion. + I know as well as my father that, in these forlorn and desperate days, the + whole customs of our nation, nay, of every Christian nation, may be quoted + in favour of bloody quarrels for trifling causes, of the taking deadly and + deep revenge for slight offences, and the slaughter of each other for + emulation of honour, or often in mere sport. But I knew that for all these + things we shall one day be called into judgment; and fain would I convince + thee, my brave and generous friend, to listen oftener to the dictates of + thy good heart, and take less pride in the strength and dexterity of thy + unsparing arm.” + </p> + <p> + “I am—I am convinced, Catharine” exclaimed Henry: “thy words shall + henceforward be a law to me. I have done enough, far too much, indeed, for + proof of my bodily strength and courage; but it is only from you, + Catharine, that I can learn a better way of thinking. Remember, my fair + Valentine, that my ambition of distinction in arms, and my love of strife, + if it can be called such, do not fight even handed with my reason and my + milder dispositions, but have their patrons and sticklers to egg them on. + Is there a quarrel, and suppose that I, thinking on your counsels, am + something loth to engage in it, believe you I am left to decide between + peace or war at my own choosing? Not so, by St. Mary! there are a hundred + round me to stir me on. ‘Why, how now, Smith, is thy mainspring rusted?’ + says one. ‘Jolly Henry is deaf on the quarrelling ear this morning!’ says + another. ‘Stand to it, for the honour of Perth,’ says my lord the Provost. + ‘Harry against them for a gold noble,’ cries your father, perhaps. Now, + what can a poor fellow do, Catharine, when all are hallooing him on in the + devil’s name, and not a soul putting in a word on the other side?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I know the devil has factors enough to utter his wares,” said + Catharine; “but it is our duty to despise such idle arguments, though they + may be pleaded even by those to whom we owe much love and honour.” + </p> + <p> + “Then there are the minstrels, with their romaunts and ballads, which + place all a man’s praise in receiving and repaying hard blows. It is sad + to tell, Catharine, how many of my sins that Blind Harry the Minstrel hath + to answer for. When I hit a downright blow, it is not—so save me—to + do any man injury, but only to strike as William Wallace struck.” + </p> + <p> + The minstrel’s namesake spoke this in such a tone of rueful seriousness, + that Catharine could scarce forbear smiling; but nevertheless she assured + him that the danger of his own and other men’s lives ought not for a + moment to be weighed against such simple toys. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, but,” replied Henry, emboldened by her smiles, “methinks now the good + cause of peace would thrive all the better for an advocate. Suppose, for + example, that, when I am pressed and urged to lay hand on my weapon, I + could have cause to recollect that there was a gentle and guardian angel + at home, whose image would seem to whisper, ‘Henry, do no violence; it is + my hand which you crimson with blood. Henry, rush upon no idle danger; it + is my breast which you expose to injury;’ such thoughts would do more to + restrain my mood than if every monk in Perth should cry, ‘Hold thy hand, + on pain of bell, book, and candle.’” + </p> + <p> + “If such a warning as could be given by the voice of sisterly affection + can have weight in the debate,” said Catharine, “do think that, in + striking, you empurple this hand, that in receiving wounds you harm this + heart.” + </p> + <p> + The smith took courage at the sincerely affectionate tone in which these + words were delivered. + </p> + <p> + “And wherefore not stretch your regard a degree beyond these cold limits? + Why, since you are so kind and generous as to own some interest in the + poor ignorant sinner before you, should you not at once adopt him as your + scholar and your husband? Your father desires it, the town expects it, + glovers and smiths are preparing their rejoicings, and you, only you, + whose words are so fair and so kind, you will not give your consent.” + </p> + <p> + “Henry,” said Catharine, in a low and tremulous voice, “believe me I + should hold it my duty to comply with my father’s commands, were there not + obstacles invincible to the match which he proposes.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet think—think but for a moment. I have little to say for myself + in comparison of you, who can both read and write. But then I wish to hear + reading, and could listen to your sweet voice for ever. You love music, + and I have been taught to play and sing as well as some minstrels. You + love to be charitable, I have enough to give, and enough to keep, as large + a daily alms as a deacon gives would never be missed by me. Your father + gets old for daily toil; he would live with us, as I should truly hold him + for my father also. I would be as chary of mixing in causeless strife as + of thrusting my hand into my own furnace; and if there came on us unlawful + violence, its wares would be brought to an ill chosen market.” + </p> + <p> + “May you experience all the domestic happiness which you can conceive, + Henry, but with some one more happy than I am!” + </p> + <p> + So spoke, or rather so sobbed, the Fair Maiden of Perth, who seemed + choking in the attempt to restrain her tears. + </p> + <p> + “You hate me, then?” said the lover, after a pause. + </p> + <p> + “Heaven is my witness, no.” + </p> + <p> + “Or you love some other better?” + </p> + <p> + “It is cruel to ask what it cannot avail you to know. But you are entirely + mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “Yon wildcat, Conachar, perhaps?” said Henry. “I have marked his looks—” + </p> + <p> + “You avail yourself of this painful situation to insult me, Henry, though + I have little deserved it. Conachar is nothing to me, more than the trying + to tame his wild spirit by instruction might lead me to take some interest + in a mind abandoned to prejudices and passions, and therein, Henry, not + unlike your own.” + </p> + <p> + “It must then be some of these flaunting silkworm sirs about the court,” + said the armourer, his natural heat of temper kindling from disappointment + and vexation—“some of those who think they carry it off through the + height of their plumed bonnets and the jingle of their spurs. I would I + knew which it was that, leaving his natural mates, the painted and + perfumed dames of the court, comes to take his prey among the simple + maidens of the burgher craft. I would I knew but his name and surname!” + </p> + <p> + “Henry Smith,” said Catharine, shaking off the weakness which seemed to + threaten to overpower her a moment before, “this is the language of an + ungrateful fool, or rather of a frantic madman. I have told you already, + there was no one who stood, at the beginning of this conference, more high + in my opinion than he who is now losing ground with every word he utters + in the tone of unjust suspicion and senseless anger. You had no title to + know even what I have told you, which, I pray you to observe, implies no + preference to you over others, though it disowns any preference of another + to you. It is enough you should be aware that there is as insuperable an + objection to what you desire as if an enchanter had a spell over my + destiny.” + </p> + <p> + “Spells may be broken by true men,” said, the smith. “I would it were come + to that. Thorbiorn, the Danish armourer, spoke of a spell he had for + making breastplates, by singing a certain song while the iron was heating. + I told him that his runic rhymes were no proof against the weapons which + fought at Loncarty—what farther came of it it is needless to tell, + but the corselet and the wearer, and the leech who salved his wound, know + if Henry Gow can break a spell or no.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine looked at him as if about to return an answer little approving + of the exploit he had vaunted, which the downright smith had not + recollected was of a kind that exposed him to her frequent censure. But + ere she had given words to her thoughts, her father thrust his head in at + the door. + </p> + <p> + “Henry,” he said, “I must interrupt your more pleasing affairs, and + request you to come into my working room in all speed, to consult about + certain matters deeply affecting the weal of the burgh.” + </p> + <p> + Henry, making his obeisance to Catharine, left the apartment upon her + father’s summons. Indeed, it was probably in favour of their future + friendly intercourse, that they were parted on this occasion at the turn + which the conversation seemed likely to take. For, as the wooer had begun + to hold the refusal of the damsel as somewhat capricious and inexplicable + after the degree of encouragement which, in his opinion, she had afforded; + Catharine, on the other hand, considered him rather as an encroacher upon + the grace which she had shown him than one whose delicacy rendered him + deserving of such favour. But there was living in their bosoms towards + each other a reciprocal kindness, which, on the termination of the + dispute, was sure to revive, inducing the maiden to forget her offended + delicacy, and the lover his slighted warmth of passion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + This quarrel may draw blood another day. + + Henry IV. Part I. +</pre> + <p> + The conclave of citizens appointed to meet for investigating the affray of + the preceding evening had now assembled. The workroom of Simon Glover was + filled to crowding by personages of no little consequence, some of whom + wore black velvet cloaks, and gold chains around their necks. They were, + indeed, the fathers of the city; and there were bailies and deacons in the + honoured number. There was an ireful and offended air of importance upon + every brow as they conversed together, rather in whisper than aloud or in + detail. Busiest among the busy, the little important assistant of the + previous night, Oliver Proudfute by name, and bonnet maker by profession, + was bustling among the crowd, much after the manner of the seagull, which + flutters, screams, and sputters most at the commencement of a gale of + wind, though one can hardly conceive what the bird has better to do than + to fly to its nest and remain quiet till the gale is over. + </p> + <p> + Be that as it may, Master Proudfute was in the midst of the crowd, his + fingers upon every one’s button and his mouth in every man’s ear, + embracing such as were near to his own stature, that he might more closely + and mysteriously utter his sentiments; and standing on tiptoe, and + supporting himself by the cloak collars of tall men, that he might dole + out to them also the same share of information. He felt himself one of the + heroes of the affair, being conscious of the dignity of superior + information on the subject as an eyewitness, and much disposed to push his + connexion with the scuffle a few points beyond the modesty of truth. It + cannot be said that his communications were in especial curious and + important, consisting chiefly of such assertions as these: + </p> + <p> + “It is all true, by St. John! I was there and saw it myself—was the + first to run to the fray; and if it had not been for me and another stout + fellow, who came in about the same time, they had broken into Simon + Glover’s house, cut his throat, and carried his daughter off to the + mountains. It is too evil usage—not to be suffered, neighbour + Crookshank; not to be endured, neighbour Glass; not to be borne, + neighbours Balneaves, Rollock, and Chrysteson. It was a mercy that I and + that stout fellow came in, was it not, neighbour and worthy Bailie + Craigdallie?” + </p> + <p> + These speeches were dispersed by the busy bonnet maker into sundry ears. + Bailie Craigdallie, a portly guild brother, the same who had advised the + prorogation of their civic council to the present place and hour, a big, + burly, good looking man, shook the deacon from his cloak with pretty much + the grace with which a large horse shrugs off the importunate fly that has + beset him for ten minutes, and exclaimed, “Silence, good citizens; here + comes Simon Glover, in whom no man ever saw falsehood. We will hear the + outrage from his own mouth.” + </p> + <p> + Simon being called upon to tell his tale, did so with obvious + embarrassment, which he imputed to a reluctance that the burgh should be + put in deadly feud with any one upon his account. It was, he dared to say, + a masking or revel on the part of the young gallants about court; and the + worst that might come of it would be, that he would put iron stanchions on + his daughter’s window, in case of such another frolic. + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, if this was a mere masking or mummery,” said Craigdallie, “our + townsman, Harry of the Wind, did far wrong to cut off a gentleman’s hand + for such a harmless pleasantry, and the town may be brought to a heavy + fine for it, unless we secure the person of the mutilator.” + </p> + <p> + “Our Lady forbid!” said the glover. “Did you know what I do, you would be + as much afraid of handling this matter as if it were glowing iron. But, + since you will needs put your fingers in the fire, truth must be spoken. + And come what will, I must say, that the matter might have ended ill for + me and mine, but for the opportune assistance of Henry Gow, the armourer, + well known to you all.” + </p> + <p> + “And mine also was not awanting,” said Oliver Proudfute, “though I do not + profess to be utterly so good a swordsman as our neighbour Henry Gow. You + saw me, neighbour Glover, at the beginning of the fray?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw you after the end of it, neighbour,” answered the glover, drily. + </p> + <p> + “True—true; I had forgot you were in your house while the blows were + going, and could not survey who were dealing them.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, neighbour Proudfute—I prithee, peace,” said Craigdallie, who + was obviously tired of the tuneless screeching of the worthy deacon. + </p> + <p> + “There is something mysterious here,” said the bailie; “but I think I spy + the secret. Our friend Simon is, as you all know, a peaceful man, and one + that will rather sit down with wrong than put a friend, or say a + neighbourhood, in danger to seek his redress. Thou, Henry, who art never + wanting where the burgh needs a defender, tell us what thou knowest of + this matter.” + </p> + <p> + Our smith told his story to the same purpose which we have already + related; and the meddling maker of bonnets added as before, “And thou + sawest me there, honest smith, didst thou not?” + </p> + <p> + “Not I, in good faith, neighbour,” answered Henry; “but you are a little + man, you know, and I might overlook you.” + </p> + <p> + This reply produced a laugh at Oliver’s expense, who laughed for company, + but added doggedly, “I was one of the foremost to the rescue for all + that.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, where wert thou, then, neighbour?” said the smith; “for I saw you + not, and I would have given the worth of the best suit of armour I ever + wrought to have seen as stout a fellow as thou at my elbow.” + </p> + <p> + “I was no farther off, however, honest smith; and whilst thou wert laying + on blows as if on an anvil, I was parrying those that the rest of the + villains aimed at thee behind thy back; and that is the cause thou sawest + me not.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard of smiths of old time who had but one eye,” said Henry; “I + have two, but they are both set in my forehead, and so I could not see + behind my back, neighbour.” + </p> + <p> + “The truth is, however,” persevered Master Oliver, “there I was, and I + will give Master Bailie my account of the matter; for the smith and I were + first up to the fray.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough at present,” said the bailie, waving to Master Proudfute an + injunction of silence. “The precognition of Simon Glover and Henry Gow + would bear out a matter less worthy of belief. And now, my masters, your + opinion what should be done. Here are all our burgher rights broken + through and insulted, and you may well fancy that it is by some man of + power, since no less dared have attempted such an outrage. My masters, it + is hard on flesh and blood to submit to this. The laws have framed us of + lower rank than the princes and nobles, yet it is against reason to + suppose that we will suffer our houses to be broken into, and the honour + of our women insulted, without some redress.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not to be endured!” answered the citizens, unanimously. + </p> + <p> + Here Simon Glover interfered with a very anxious and ominous countenance. + “I hope still that all was not meant so ill as it seemed to us, my worthy + neighbours; and I for one would cheerfully forgive the alarm and + disturbance to my poor house, providing the Fair City were not brought + into jeopardy for me. I beseech you to consider who are to be our judges + that are to hear the case, and give or refuse redress. I speak among + neighbours and friends, and therefore I speak openly. The King, God bless + him! is so broken in mind and body, that he will but turn us over to some + great man amongst his counsellors who shall be in favour for the time. + Perchance he will refer us to his brother the Duke of Albany, who will + make our petition for righting of our wrongs the pretence for squeezing + money out of us.” + </p> + <p> + “We will none of Albany for our judge!” answered the meeting with the same + unanimity as before. + </p> + <p> + “Or perhaps,” added Simon, “he will bid the Duke of Rothsay take charge of + it; and the wild young prince will regard the outrage as something for his + gay companions to scoff at, and his minstrels to turn into song.” + </p> + <p> + “Away with Rothsay! he is too gay to be our judge,” again exclaimed the + citizens. + </p> + <p> + Simon, emboldened by seeing he was reaching the point he aimed at, yet + pronouncing the dreaded name with a half whisper, next added, “Would you + like the Black Douglas better to deal with?” + </p> + <p> + There was no answer for a minute. They looked on each other with fallen + countenances and blanched lips. + </p> + <p> + But Henry Smith spoke out boldly, and in a decided voice, the sentiments + which all felt, but none else dared give words to: “The Black Douglas to + judge betwixt a burgher and a gentleman, nay, a nobleman, for all I know + or care! The black devil of hell sooner! You are mad, father Simon, so + much as to name so wild a proposal.” + </p> + <p> + There was again a silence of fear and uncertainty, which was at length + broken by Bailie Craigdallie, who, looking very significantly to the + speaker, replied, “You are confident in a stout doublet, neighbour Smith, + or you would not talk so boldly.” + </p> + <p> + “I am confident of a good heart under my doublet, such as it is, bailie,” + answered the undaunted Henry; “and though I speak but little, my mouth + shall never be padlocked by any noble of them all.” + </p> + <p> + “Wear a thick doublet, good Henry, or do not speak so loud,” reiterated + the bailie in the same significant tone. “There are Border men in the town + who wear the bloody heart on their shoulder. But all this is no rede. What + shall we do?” + </p> + <p> + “Short rede, good rede,” said the smith. “Let us to our provost, and + demand his countenance and assistance.” + </p> + <p> + A murmur of applause went through the party, and Oliver Proudfute + exclaimed, “That is what I have been saying for this half hour, and not + one of ye would listen to me. ‘Let us go to our provost,’ said I. ‘He is a + gentleman himself, and ought to come between the burgh and the nobles in + all matters.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, neighbours—hush; be wary what you say or do,” said a thin + meagre figure of a man, whose diminutive person seemed still more reduced + in size, and more assimilated to a shadow, by his efforts to assume an + extreme degree of humility, and make himself, to suit his argument, look + meaner yet, and yet more insignificant, than nature had made him. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me,” said he; “I am but a poor pottingar. Nevertheless, I have + been bred in Paris, and learned my humanities and my cursus medendi as + well as some that call themselves learned leeches. Methinks I can tent + this wound, and treat it with emollients. Here is our friend Simon Glover, + who is, as you all know, a man of worship. Think you he would not be the + most willing of us all to pursue harsh courses here, since his family + honour is so nearly concerned? And since he blenches away from the charge + against these same revellers, consider if he may not have some good reason + more than he cares to utter for letting the matter sleep. It is not for me + to put my finger on the sore; but, alack! we all know that young maidens + are what I call fugitive essences. Suppose now, an honest maiden—I + mean in all innocence—leaves her window unlatched on St. Valentine’s + morn, that some gallant cavalier may—in all honesty, I mean—become + her Valentine for the season, and suppose the gallant be discovered, may + she not scream out as if the visit were unexpected, and—and—bray + all this in a mortar, and then consider, will it be a matter to place the + town in feud for?” + </p> + <p> + The pottingar delivered his opinion in a most insinuating manner; but he + seemed to shrink into something less than his natural tenuity when he saw + the blood rise in the old cheek of Simon Glover, and inflame to the + temples the complexion of the redoubted smith. + </p> + <p> + The last, stepping forward, and turning a stern look on the alarmed + pottingar, broke out as follows: “Thou walking skeleton! thou asthmatic + gallipot! thou poisoner by profession! if I thought that the puff of vile + breath thou hast left could blight for the tenth part of a minute the fair + fame of Catharine Glover, I would pound thee, quacksalver! in thine own + mortar, and beat up thy wretched carrion with flower of brimstone, the + only real medicine in thy booth, to make a salve to rub mangy hounds + with!” + </p> + <p> + “Hold, son Henry—hold!” cried the glover, in a tone of authority, + “no man has title to speak of this matter but me. Worshipful Bailie + Craigdallie, since such is the construction that is put upon my patience, + I am willing to pursue this riot to the uttermost; and though the issue + may prove that we had better have been patient, you will all see that my + Catharine hath not by any lightness or folly of hers afforded grounds for + this great scandal.” + </p> + <p> + The bailie also interposed. “Neighbour Henry,” said he, “we came here to + consult, and not to quarrel. As one of the fathers of the Fair City, I + command thee to forego all evil will and maltalent you may have against + Master Pottingar Dwining.” + </p> + <p> + “He is too poor a creature, bailie,” said Henry Gow, “for me to harbour + feud with—I that could destroy him and his booth with one blow of my + forehammer.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, then, and hear me,” said the official. “We all are as much + believers in the honour of the Fair Maiden of Perth as in that of our + Blessed Lady.” Here he crossed himself devoutly. “But touching our appeal + to our provost, are you agreed, neighbours, to put matter like this into + our provost’s hand, being against a powerful noble, as is to be feared?” + </p> + <p> + “The provost being himself a nobleman,” squeaked the pottingar, in some + measure released from his terror by the intervention of the bailie. “God + knows, I speak not to the disparagement of an honourable gentleman, whose + forebears have held the office he now holds for many years—” + </p> + <p> + “By free choice of the citizens of Perth,” said the smith, interrupting + the speaker with the tones of his deep and decisive voice. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, surely,” said the disconcerted orator, “by the voice of the citizens. + How else? I pray you, friend Smith, interrupt me not. I speak to our + worthy and eldest bailie, Craigdallie, according to my poor mind. I say + that, come amongst us how he will, still this Sir Patrick Charteris is a + nobleman, and hawks will not pick hawks’ eyes out. He may well bear us out + in a feud with the Highlandmen, and do the part of our provost and leader + against them; but whether he that himself wears silk will take our part + against broidered cloak and cloth of gold, though he may do so against + tartan and Irish frieze, is something to be questioned. Take a fool’s + advice. We have saved our Maiden, of whom I never meant to speak harm, as + truly I knew none. They have lost one man’s hand, at least, thanks to + Harry Smith—” + </p> + <p> + “And to me,” added the little important bonnet maker. + </p> + <p> + “And to Oliver Proudfute, as he tells us,” continued the pottingar, who + contested no man’s claim to glory provided he was not himself compelled to + tread the perilous paths which lead to it. “I say, neighbours, since they + have left a hand as a pledge they will never come in Couvrefew Street + again, why, in my simple mind, we were best to thank our stout townsman, + and the town having the honour and these rakehells the loss, that we + should hush the matter up and say no more about it.” + </p> + <p> + These pacific counsels had their effect with some of the citizens, who + began to nod and look exceedingly wise upon the advocate of acquiescence, + with whom, notwithstanding the offence so lately given, Simon Glover + seemed also to agree in opinion. But not so Henry Smith, who, seeing the + consultation at a stand, took up the speech in his usual downright manner. + </p> + <p> + “I am neither the oldest nor the richest among you, neighbours, and I am + not sorry for it. Years will come, if one lives to see them; and I can win + and spend my penny like another, by the blaze of the furnace and the wind + of the bellows. But no man ever saw me sit down with wrong done in word or + deed to our fair town, if man’s tongue and man’s hand could right it. + Neither will I sit down with this outrage, if I can help it. I will go to + the provost myself, if no one will go with me; he is a knight, it is true, + and a gentleman of free and true born blood, as we all know, since + Wallace’s time, who settled his great grandsire amongst us. But if he were + the proudest nobleman in the land, he is the Provost of Perth, and for his + own honour must see the freedoms and immunities of the burgh preserved—ay, + and I know he will. I have made a steel doublet for him, and have a good + guess at the kind of heart that it was meant to cover.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” said Bailie Craigdallie, “it would be to no purpose to stir at + court without Sir Patrick Charteris’s countenance: the ready answer would + be, ‘Go to your provost, you borrel loons.’ So, neighbours and townsmen, + if you will stand by my side, I and our pottingar Dwining will repair + presently to Kinfauns, with Sim Glover, the jolly smith, and gallant + Oliver Proudfute, for witnesses to the onslaught, and speak with Sir + Patrick Charteris, in name of the fair town.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the peaceful man of medicine, “leave me behind, I pray you: I + lack audacity to speak before a belted knight.” + </p> + <p> + “Never regard that, neighbour, you must go,” said Bailie Craigdallie. “The + town hold me a hot headed carle for a man of threescore; Sim Glover is the + offended party; we all know that Harry Gow spoils more harness with his + sword than he makes with his hammer and our neighbour Proudfute, who, take + his own word, is at the beginning and end of every fray in Perth, is of + course a man of action. We must have at least one advocate amongst us for + peace and quietness; and thou, pottingar, must be the man. Away with you, + sirs, get your boots and your beasts—horse and hattock, I say, and + let us meet at the East Port; that is, if it is your pleasure, neighbours, + to trust us with the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “There can be no better rede, and we will all avouch it,” said the + citizens. “If the provost take our part, as the Fair Town hath a right to + expect, we may bell the cat with the best of them.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well, then, neighbours,” answered the bailie; “so said, so shall be + done. Meanwhile, I have called the whole town council together about this + hour, and I have little doubt,” looking around the company, “that, as so + many of them who are in this place have resolved to consult with our + provost, the rest will be compliant to the same resolution. And, + therefore, neighbours, and good burghers of the Fair City of Perth, horse + and hattock, as I said before, and meet me at the East Port.” + </p> + <p> + A general acclamation concluded the sitting of this species of privy + council, or Lords of the Articles; and they dispersed, the deputation to + prepare for the journey, and the rest to tell their impatient wives and + daughters of the measures they had taken to render their chambers safe in + future against the intrusion of gallants at unseasonable hours. + </p> + <p> + While nags are saddling, and the town council debating, or rather putting + in form what the leading members of their body had already adopted, it may + be necessary, for the information of some readers, to state in distinct + terms what is more circuitously intimated in the course of the former + discussion. + </p> + <p> + It was the custom at this period, when the strength of the feudal + aristocracy controlled the rights, and frequently insulted the privileges, + of the royal burghs of Scotland, that the latter, where it was + practicable, often chose their provost, or chief magistrate, not out of + the order of the merchants, shopkeepers, and citizens, who inhabited the + town itself, and filled up the roll of the ordinary magistracy, but + elected to that preeminent state some powerful nobleman, or baron, in the + neighbourhood of the burgh, who was expected to stand their friend at + court in such matters as concerned their common weal, and to lead their + civil militia to fight, whether in general battle or in private feud, + reinforcing them with his own feudal retainers. This protection was not + always gratuitous. The provosts sometimes availed themselves of their + situation to an unjustifiable degree, and obtained grants of lands and + tenements belonging to the common good, or public property of the burgh, + and thus made the citizens pay dear for the countenance which they + afforded. Others were satisfied to receive the powerful aid of the + townsmen in their own feudal quarrels, with such other marks of respect + and benevolence as the burgh over which they presided were willing to + gratify them with, in order to secure their active services in case of + necessity. The baron, who was the regular protector of a royal burgh, + accepted such freewill offerings without scruple, and repaid them by + defending the rights of the town by arguments in the council and by bold + deeds in the field. + </p> + <p> + The citizens of the town, or, as they loved better to call it, the Fair + City, of Perth, had for several generations found a protector and provost + of this kind in the knightly family of Charteris, Lords of Kinfauns, in + the neighbourhood of the burgh. It was scarce a century (in the time of + Robert III) since the first of this distinguished family had settled in + the strong castle which now belonged to them, with the picturesque and + fertile scenes adjoining to it. But the history of the first settler, + chivalrous and romantic in itself, was calculated to facilitate the + settlement of an alien in the land in which his lot was cast. We relate it + as it is given by an ancient and uniform tradition, which carries in it + great indications of truth, and is warrant enough, perhaps, for it + insertion in graver histories than the present. + </p> + <p> + During the brief career of the celebrated patriot Sir William Wallace, and + when his arms had for a time expelled the English invaders from his native + country, he is said to have undertaken a voyage to France, with a small + band of trusty friends, to try what his presence (for he was respected + through all countries for his prowess) might do to induce the French + monarch to send to Scotland a body of auxiliary forces, or other + assistance, to aid the Scots in regaining their independence. + </p> + <p> + The Scottish Champion was on board a small vessel, and steering for the + port of Dieppe, when a sail appeared in the distance, which the mariners + regarded, first with doubt and apprehension, and at last with confusion + and dismay. Wallace demanded to know what was the cause of their alarm. + The captain of the ship informed him that the tall vessel which was + bearing down, with the purpose of boarding that which he commanded, was + the ship of a celebrated rover, equally famed for his courage, strength of + body, and successful piracies. It was commanded by a gentleman named + Thomas de Longueville, a Frenchman by birth, but by practice one of those + pirates who called themselves friends to the sea and enemies to all who + sailed upon that element. He attacked and plundered vessels of all + nations, like one of the ancient Norse sea kings, as they were termed, + whose dominion was upon the mountain waves. The master added that no + vessel could escape the rover by flight, so speedy was the bark he + commanded; and that no crew, however hardy, could hope to resist him, + when, as was his usual mode of combat, he threw himself on board at the + head of his followers. + </p> + <p> + Wallace smiled sternly, while the master of the ship, with alarm in his + countenance and tears in his eyes, described to him the certainty of their + being captured by the Red Rover, a name given to De Longueville, because + he usually displayed the blood red flag, which he had now hoisted. + </p> + <p> + “I will clear the narrow seas of this rover,” said Wallace. + </p> + <p> + Then calling together some ten or twelve of his own followers, Boyd, + Kerlie, Seton, and others, to whom the dust of the most desperate battle + was like the breath of life, he commanded them to arm themselves, and lie + flat upon the deck, so as to be out of sight. He ordered the mariners + below, excepting such as were absolutely necessary to manage the vessel; + and he gave the master instructions, upon pain of death, so to steer as + that, while the vessel had an appearance of attempting to fly, he should + in fact permit the Red Rover to come up with them and do his worst. + Wallace himself then lay down on the deck, that nothing might be seen + which could intimate any purpose of resistance. In a quarter of an hour De + Longueville’s vessel ran on board that of the Champion, and the Red Rover, + casting out grappling irons to make sure of his prize, jumped on the deck + in complete armour, followed by his men, who gave a terrible shout, as if + victory had been already secured. But the armed Scots started up at once, + and the rover found himself unexpectedly engaged with men accustomed to + consider victory as secure when they were only opposed as one to two or + three. Wallace himself rushed on the pirate captain, and a dreadful strife + began betwixt them with such fury that the others suspended their own + battle to look on, and seemed by common consent to refer the issue of the + strife to the fate of the combat between the two chiefs. The pirate fought + as well as man could do; but Wallace’s strength was beyond that of + ordinary mortals. He dashed the sword from the rover’s hand, and placed + him in such peril that, to avoid being cut down, he was fain to close with + the Scottish Champion in hopes of overpowering him in the grapple. In this + also he was foiled. They fell on the deck, locked in each other’s arms, + but the Frenchman fell undermost; and Wallace, fixing his grasp upon his + gorget, compressed it so closely, notwithstanding it was made of the + finest steel, that the blood gushed from his eyes, nose, and month, and he + was only able to ask for quarter by signs. His men threw down their + weapons and begged for mercy when they saw their leader thus severely + handled. The victor granted them all their lives, but took possession of + their vessel, and detained them prisoners. + </p> + <p> + When he came in sight of the French harbour, Wallace alarmed the place by + displaying the rover’s colours, as if De Longueville was coming to pillage + the town. The bells were rung backward, horns were blown, and the citizens + were hurrying to arms, when the scene changed. The Scottish Lion on his + shield of gold was raised above the piratical flag, and announced that the + Champion of Scotland was approaching, like a falcon with his prey in his + clutch. He landed with his prisoner, and carried him to the court of + France, where, at Wallace’s request, the robberies which the pirate had + committed were forgiven, and the king even conferred the honour of + knighthood on Sir Thomas de Longueville, and offered to take him into his + service. But the rover had contracted such a friendship for his generous + victor, that he insisted on uniting his fortunes with those of Wallace, + with whom he returned to Scotland, and fought by his side in many a bloody + battle, where the prowess of Sir Thomas de Longueville was remarked as + inferior to that of none, save of his heroic conqueror. His fate also was + more fortunate than that of his patron. Being distinguished by the beauty + as well as strength of his person, he rendered himself so acceptable to a + young lady, heiress of the ancient family of Charteris, that she chose him + for her husband, bestowing on him with her hand the fair baronial Castle + of Kinfauns, and the domains annexed to it. Their descendants took the + name of Charteris, as connecting themselves with their maternal ancestors, + the ancient proprietors of the property, though the name of Thomas de + Longueville was equally honoured amongst them; and the large two handed + sword with which he mowed the ranks of war was, and is still, preserved + among the family muniments. Another account is, that the family name of De + Longueville himself was Charteris. The estate afterwards passed to a + family of Blairs, and is now the property of Lord Gray. + </p> + <p> + These barons of Kinfauns, from father to son, held, for several + generations, the office of Provost of Perth, the vicinity of the castle + and town rendering it a very convenient arrangement for mutual support. + The Sir Patrick of this history had more than once led out the men of + Perth to battles and skirmishes with the restless Highland depredators, + and with other enemies, foreign and domestic. True it is, he used + sometimes to be weary of the slight and frivolous complaints unnecessarily + brought before him, and in which he was requested to interest himself. + Hence he had sometimes incurred the charge of being too proud as a + nobleman, or too indolent as a man of wealth, and one who was too much + addicted to the pleasures of the field and the exercise of feudal + hospitality, to bestir himself upon all and every occasion when the Fair + Town would have desired his active interference. But, notwithstanding that + this occasioned some slight murmuring, the citizens, upon any serious + cause of alarm, were wont to rally around their provost, and were warmly + supported by him both in council and action. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Within the bounds of Annandale + The gentle Johnstones ride; + They have been there a thousand years, + A thousand more they’ll bide. + + Old Ballad. +</pre> + <p> + The character and quality of Sir Patrick Charteris, the Provost of Perth, + being such as we have sketched in the last chapter, let us now return to + the deputation which was in the act of rendezvousing at the East Port, in + order to wait upon that dignitary with their complaints at Kinfauns. + </p> + <p> + And first appeared Simon Glover, on a pacing palfrey, which had sometimes + enjoyed the honour of bearing the fairer person as well as the lighter + weight of his beautiful daughter. His cloak was muffled round the lower + part of his face, as a sign to his friends not to interrupt him by any + questions while he passed through the streets, and partly, perhaps, on + account of the coldness of the weather. The deepest anxiety was seated on + his brow, as if the more he meditated on the matter he was engaged in, the + more difficult and perilous it appeared. He only greeted by silent + gestures his friends as they came to the rendezvous. + </p> + <p> + A strong black horse, of the old Galloway breed, of an under size, and not + exceeding fourteen hands, but high shouldered, strong limbed, well + coupled, and round barrelled, bore to the East Port the gallant smith. A + judge of the animal might see in his eye a spark of that vicious temper + which is frequently the accompaniment of the form that is most vigorous + and enduring; but the weight, the hand, and the seat of the rider, added + to the late regular exercise of a long journey, had subdued his + stubbornness for the present. He was accompanied by the honest bonnet + maker, who being, as the reader is aware, a little round man, and what is + vulgarly called duck legged, had planted himself like a red pincushion + (for he was wrapped in a scarlet cloak, over which he had slung a hawking + pouch), on the top of a great saddle, which he might be said rather to be + perched upon than to bestride. The saddle and the man were girthed on the + ridge bone of a great trampling Flemish mare, with a nose turned up in the + air like a camel, a huge fleece of hair at each foot, and every hoof full + as large in circumference as a frying pan. The contrast between the beast + and the rider was so extremely extraordinary, that, whilst chance + passengers contented themselves with wondering how he got up, his friends + were anticipating with sorrow the perils which must attend his coming down + again; for the high seated horseman’s feet did not by any means come + beneath the laps of the saddle. He had associated himself to the smith, + whose motions he had watched for the purpose of joining him; for it was + Oliver Proudfute’s opinion that men of action showed to most advantage + when beside each other; and he was delighted when some wag of the lower + class had gravity enough to cry out, without laughing outright: “There + goes the pride of Perth—there go the slashing craftsmen, the jolly + Smith of the Wynd and the bold bonnet maker!” + </p> + <p> + It is true, the fellow who gave this all hail thrust his tongue in his + cheek to some scapegraces like himself; but as the bonnet maker did not + see this byplay, he generously threw him a silver penny to encourage his + respect for martialists. This munificence occasioned their being followed + by a crowd of boys, laughing and hallooing, until Henry Smith, turning + back, threatened to switch the foremost of them—a resolution which + they did not wait to see put in execution. + </p> + <p> + “Here are we the witnesses,” said the little man on the large horse, as + they joined Simon Glover at the East Port; “but where are they that should + back us? Ah, brother Henry! authority is a load for an ass rather than a + spirited horse: it would but clog the motions of such young fellows as you + and me.” + </p> + <p> + “I could well wish to see you bear ever so little of that same weight, + worthy Master Proudfute,” replied Henry Gow, “were it but to keep you firm + in the saddle; for you bounce aloft as if you were dancing a jig on your + seat, without any help from your legs.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay; I raise myself in my stirrups to avoid the jolting. She is + cruelly hard set this mare of mine; but she has carried me in field and + forest, and through some passages that were something perilous, so Jezabel + and I part not. I call her Jezabel, after the Princess of Castile.” + </p> + <p> + “Isabel, I suppose you mean,” answered the smith. + </p> + <p> + “Ay—Isabel, or Jezabel—all the same, you know. But here comes + Bailie Craigdallie at last, with that poor, creeping, cowardly creature + the pottingar. They have brought two town officers with their partizans, + to guard their fair persons, I suppose. If there is one thing I hate more + than another, it is such a sneaking varlet as that Dwining.” + </p> + <p> + “Have a care he does not hear you say so,” said the smith, “I tell thee, + bonnet maker, that there is more danger in yonder slight wasted anatomy + than in twenty stout fellows like yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw! Bully Smith, you are but jesting with me,” said Oliver, softening + his voice, however, and looking towards the pottingar, as if to discover + in what limb or lineament of his wasted face and form lay any appearance + of the menaced danger; and his examination reassuring him, he answered + boldly: “Blades and bucklers, man, I would stand the feud of a dozen such + as Dwining. What could he do to any man with blood in his veins?” + </p> + <p> + “He could give him a dose of physic,” answered the smith drily. + </p> + <p> + They had no time for further colloquy, for Bailie Craigdallie called to + them to take the road to Kinfauns, and himself showed the example. As they + advanced at a leisurely pace, the discourse turned on the reception which + they were to expect from their provost, and the interest which he was + likely to take in the aggression which they complained of. The glover + seemed particularly desponding, and talked more than once in a manner + which implied a wish that they would yet consent to let the matter rest. + He did not speak out very plainly, however, fearful, perhaps, of the + malignant interpretation which might be derived from any appearance of his + flinching from the assertion of his daughter’s reputation. Dwining seemed + to agree with him in opinion, but spoke more cautiously than in the + morning. + </p> + <p> + “After all,” said the bailie, “when I think of all the propines and good + gifts which have passed from the good town to my Lord Provost’s, I cannot + think he will be backward to show himself. More than one lusty boat, laden + with Bordeaux wine, has left the South Shore to discharge its burden under + the Castle of Kinfauns. I have some right to speak of that, who was the + merchant importer.” + </p> + <p> + “And,” said Dwining, with his squeaking voice, “I could speak of delicate + confections, curious comfits, loaves of wastel bread, and even cakes of + that rare and delicious condiment which men call sugar, that have gone + thither to help out a bridal banquet, or a kirstening feast, or suchlike. + But, alack, Bailie Craigdallie, wine is drunk, comfits are eaten, and the + gift is forgotten when the flavour is past away. Alas! neighbour, the + banquet of last Christmas is gone like the last year’s snow.” + </p> + <p> + “But there have been gloves full of gold pieces,” said the magistrate. + </p> + <p> + “I should know that who wrought them,” said Simon, whose professional + recollections still mingled with whatever else might occupy his mind. “One + was a hawking glove for my lady. I made it something wide. Her ladyship + found no fault, in consideration of the intended lining.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, go to,” said Bailie Craigdallie, “the less I lie; and if these are + not to the fore, it is the provost’s fault, and not the town’s: they could + neither be eat nor drunk in the shape in which he got them.” + </p> + <p> + “I could speak of a brave armour too,” said the smith; “but, cogan na + schie! [Peace or war, I care not!] as John Highlandman says—I think + the knight of Kinfauns will do his devoir by the burgh in peace or war; + and it is needless to be reckoning the town’s good deeds till we see him + thankless for them.” + </p> + <p> + “So say I,” cried our friend Proudfute, from the top of his mare. “We + roystering blades never bear so base a mind as to count for wine and + walnuts with a friend like Sir Patrick Charteris. Nay, trust me, a good + woodsman like Sir Patrick will prize the right of hunting and sporting + over the lands of the burgh as an high privilege, and one which, his + Majesty the King’s Grace excepted, is neither granted to lord nor loon + save to our provost alone.” + </p> + <p> + As the bonnet maker spoke, there was heard on the left hand the cry of, + “So so—waw waw—haw,” being the shout of a falconer to his + hawk. + </p> + <p> + “Methinks yonder is a fellow using the privilege you mention, who, from + his appearance, is neither king nor provost,” said the smith. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, marry, I see him,” said the bonnet maker, who imagined the occasion + presented a prime opportunity to win honour. “Thou and I, jolly smith, + will prick towards him and put him to the question.” + </p> + <p> + “Have with you, then,” cried the smith; and his companion spurred his mare + and went off, never doubting that Gow was at his heels. + </p> + <p> + But Craigdallie caught Henry’s horse by the reins. “Stand fast by the + standard,” he said; “let us see the luck of our light horseman. If he + procures himself a broken pate he will be quieter for the rest of the + day.” + </p> + <p> + “From what I already see,” said the smith, “he may easily come by such a + boon. Yonder fellow, who stops so impudently to look at us, as if he were + engaged in the most lawful sport in the world—I guess him, by his + trotting hobbler, his rusty head piece with the cock’s feather, and long + two handed sword, to be the follower of some of the southland lords—men + who live so near the Southron, that the black jack is never off their + backs, and who are as free of their blows as they are light in their + fingers.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst they were thus speculating on the issue of the rencounter the + valiant bonnet maker began to pull up Jezabel, in order that the smith, + who he still concluded was close behind, might overtake him, and either + advance first or at least abreast of himself. But when he saw him at a + hundred yards distance, standing composedly with the rest of the group, + the flesh of the champion, like that of the old Spanish general, began to + tremble, in anticipation of the dangers into which his own venturous + spirit was about to involve it. Yet the consciousness of being + countenanced by the neighbourhood of so many friends, the hopes that the + appearance of such odds must intimidate the single intruder, and the shame + of abandoning an enterprise in which he had volunteered, and when so many + persons must witness his disgrace, surmounted the strong inclination which + prompted him to wheel Jezabel to the right about, and return to the + friends whose protection he had quitted, as fast as her legs could carry + them. He accordingly continued his direction towards the stranger, who + increased his alarm considerably by putting his little nag in motion, and + riding to meet him at a brisk trot. On observing this apparently offensive + movement, our hero looked over his left shoulder more than once, as if + reconnoitring the ground for a retreat, and in the mean while came to a + decided halt. But the Philistine was upon him ere the bonnet maker could + decide whether to fight or fly, and a very ominous looking Philistine he + was. His figure was gaunt and lathy, his visage marked by two or three ill + favoured scars, and the whole man had much the air of one accustomed to + say, “Stand and deliver,” to a true man. + </p> + <p> + This individual began the discourse by exclaiming, in tones as sinister as + his looks, “The devil catch you for a cuckoo, why do you ride across the + moor to spoil my sport?” + </p> + <p> + “Worthy stranger,” said our friend, in the tone of pacific remonstrance, + “I am Oliver Proudfute, a burgess of Perth, and a man of substance; and + yonder is the worshipful Adam Craigdallie, the oldest bailie of the burgh, + with the fighting Smith of the Wynd, and three or four armed men more, who + desire to know your name, and how you come to take your pleasure over + these lands belonging to the burgh of Perth; although, natheless, I will + answer for them, it is not their wish to quarrel with a gentleman, or + stranger for any accidental trespass; only it is their use and wont not to + grant such leave, unless it is duly asked; and—and—therefore I + desire to know your name, worthy sir.” + </p> + <p> + The grim and loathly aspect with which the falconer had regarded Oliver + Proudfute during his harangue had greatly disconcerted him, and altogether + altered the character of the inquiry which, with Henry Gow to back him, he + would probably have thought most fitting for the occasion. + </p> + <p> + The stranger replied to it, modified as it was, with a most inauspicious + grin, which the scars of his visage made appear still more repulsive. “You + want to know my name? My name is the Devil’s Dick of Hellgarth, well known + in Annandale for a gentle Johnstone. I follow the stout Laird of Wamphray, + who rides with his kinsman the redoubted Lord of Johnstone, who is banded + with the doughty Earl of Douglas; and the earl and the lord, and the laird + and I, the esquire, fly our hawks where we find our game, and ask no man + whose ground we ride over.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do your message, sir,” replied Oliver Proudfute, meekly enough; + for he began to be very desirous to get free of the embassy which he had + so rashly undertaken, and was in the act of turning his horse’s head, when + the Annandale man added: + </p> + <p> + “And take you this to boot, to keep you in mind that you met the Devil’s + Dick, and to teach you another time to beware how you spoil the sport of + any one who wears the flying spur on his shoulder.” + </p> + <p> + With these words he applied two or three smart blows of his riding rod + upon the luckless bonnet maker’s head and person. Some of them lighted + upon Jezabel, who, turning sharply round, laid her rider upon the moor, + and galloped back towards the party of citizens. + </p> + <p> + Proudfute, thus overthrown, began to cry for assistance in no very manly + voice, and almost in the same breath to whimper for mercy; for his + antagonist, dismounting almost as soon as he fell, offered a whinger, or + large wood knife, to his throat, while he rifled the pockets of the + unlucky citizen, and even examined his hawking bag, swearing two or three + grisly oaths, that he would have what it contained, since the wearer had + interrupted his sport. He pulled the belt rudely off, terrifying the + prostrate bonnet maker still more by the regardless violence which he + used, as, instead of taking the pains to unbuckle the strap, he drew till + the fastening gave way. But apparently it contained nothing to his mind. + He threw it carelessly from him, and at the same time suffered the + dismounted cavalier to rise, while he himself remounted his hobbler, and + looked towards the rest of Oliver’s party, who were now advancing. + </p> + <p> + When they had seen their delegate overthrown, there was some laughter; so + much had the vaunting humor of the bonnet maker prepared his friends to + rejoice when, as Henry Smith termed it, they saw the Oliver meet with a + Rowland. But when the bonnet maker’s adversary was seen to bestride him, + and handle him in the manner described, the armourer could hold out no + longer. + </p> + <p> + “Please you, good Master Bailie, I cannot endure to see our townsman + beaten and rifled, and like to be murdered before us all. It reflects upon + the Fair Town, and if it is neighbour Proudfute’s misfortune, it is our + shame. I must to his rescue.” + </p> + <p> + “We will all go to his rescue,” answered Bailie Craigdallie; “but let no + man strike without order from me. We have more feuds on our hands, it is + to be feared, than we have strength to bring to good end. And therefore I + charge you all, more especially you, Henry of the Wynd, in the name of the + Fair City, that you make no stroke but in self defence.” + </p> + <p> + They all advanced, therefore, in a body; and the appearance of such a + number drove the plunderer from his booty. He stood at gaze, however, at + some distance, like the wolf, which, though it retreats before the dogs, + cannot be brought to absolute flight. + </p> + <p> + Henry, seeing this state of things, spurred his horse and advanced far + before the rest of the party, up towards the scene of Oliver Proudfute’s + misfortune. His first task was to catch Jezabel by the flowing rein, and + his next to lead her to meet her discomfited master, who was crippling + towards him, his clothes much soiled with his fall, his eyes streaming + with tears, from pain as well as mortification, and altogether exhibiting + an aspect so unlike the spruce and dapper importance of his ordinary + appearance, that the honest smith felt compassion for the little man, and + some remorse at having left him exposed to such disgrace. All men, I + believe, enjoy an ill natured joke. The difference is, that an ill natured + person can drink out to the very dregs the amusement which it affords, + while the better moulded mind soon loses the sense of the ridiculous in + sympathy for the pain of the sufferer. + </p> + <p> + “Let me pitch you up to your saddle again, neighbour,” said the smith, + dismounting at the same time, and assisting Oliver to scramble into his + war saddle, as a monkey might have done. + </p> + <p> + “May God forgive you, neighbour Smith, for not backing of me! I would not + have believed in it, though fifty credible witnesses had sworn it of you.” + </p> + <p> + Such were the first words, spoken in sorrow more than anger, by which the + dismayed Oliver vented his feelings. + </p> + <p> + “The bailie kept hold of my horse by the bridle; and besides,” Henry + continued, with a smile, which even his compassion could not suppress, “I + thought you would have accused me of diminishing your honour, if I brought + you aid against a single man. But cheer up! the villain took foul odds of + you, your horse not being well at command.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true—that is true,” said Oliver, eagerly catching at the + apology. + </p> + <p> + “And yonder stands the faitour, rejoicing at the mischief he has done, and + triumphing in your overthrow, like the king in the romance, who played + upon the fiddle whilst a city was burning. Come thou with me, and thou + shalt see how we will handle him. Nay, fear not that I will desert thee + this time.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he caught Jezabel by the rein, and galloping alongside of her, + without giving Oliver time to express a negative, he rushed towards the + Devil’s Dick, who had halted on the top of a rising ground at some + distance. The gentle Johnstone, however, either that he thought the + contest unequal, or that he had fought enough for the day, snapping his + fingers and throwing his hand out with an air of defiance, spurred his + horse into a neighbouring bog, through which he seemed to flutter like a + wild duck, swinging his lure round his head, and whistling to his hawk all + the while, though any other horse and rider must have been instantly + bogged up to the saddle girths. + </p> + <p> + “There goes a thoroughbred moss trooper,” said the smith. “That fellow + will fight or flee as suits his humor, and there is no use to pursue him, + any more than to hunt a wild goose. He has got your purse, I doubt me, for + they seldom leave off till they are full handed.” + </p> + <p> + “Ye—ye—yes,” said Proudfute, in a melancholy tone, “he has got + my purse; but there is less matter since he hath left the hawking bag.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, the hawking bag had been an emblem of personal victory, to be sure—a + trophy, as the minstrels call it.” + </p> + <p> + “There is more in it than that, friend,” said Oliver, significantly. + </p> + <p> + “Why, that is well, neighbour: I love to hear you speak in your own + scholarly tone again. Cheer up, you have seen the villain’s back, and + regained the trophies you had lost when taken at advantage.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Henry Gow—Henry Gow—” said the bonnet maker, and stopped + short with a deep sigh, nearly amounting to a groan. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” asked his friend—“what is it you vex yourself + about now?” + </p> + <p> + “I have some suspicion, my dearest friend, Henry Smith, that the villain + fled for fear of you, not of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not think so,” replied the armourer: “he saw two men and fled, and who + can tell whether he fled for one or the other? Besides, he knows by + experience your strength and activity: we all saw how you kicked and + struggled when you were on the ground.” + </p> + <p> + “Did I?” said poor Proudfute. “I do not remember it, but I know it is my + best point: I am a strong dog in the loins. But did they all see it?” + </p> + <p> + “All as much as I,” said the smith, smothering an inclination to laughter. + </p> + <p> + “But thou wilt remind them of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Be assured I will,” answered Henry, “and of thy desperate rally even now. + Mark what I say to Bailie Craigdallie, and make the best of it.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not that I require any evidence in thy favour, for I am as brave by + nature as most men in Perth; but only—” Here the man of valour + paused. + </p> + <p> + “But only what?” inquired the stout armourer. + </p> + <p> + “But only I am afraid of being killed. To leave my pretty wife and my + young family, you know, would be a sad change, Smith. You will know this + when it is your own case, and will feel abated in courage.” + </p> + <p> + “It is like that I may,” said the armourer, musing. + </p> + <p> + “Then I am so accustomed to the use of arms, and so well breathed, that + few men can match me. It’s all here,” said the little man, expanding his + breast like a trussed fowl, and patting himself with his hands—“here + is room for all the wind machinery.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say you are long breathed—long winded; at least your speech + bewrays—” + </p> + <p> + “My speech! You are a wag—But I have got the stern post of a dromond + brought up the river from Dundee.” + </p> + <p> + “The stern post of a Drummond!” exclaimed the armourer; “conscience, man, + it will put you in feud with the whole clan—not the least wrathful + in the country, as I take it.” + </p> + <p> + “St. Andrew, man, you put me out! I mean a dromond—that is, a large + ship. I have fixed this post in my yard, and had it painted and carved + something like a soldan or Saracen, and with him I breathe myself, and + will wield my two handed sword against him, thrust or point, for an hour + together.” + </p> + <p> + “That must make you familiar with the use of your weapon,” said the smith. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, marry does it; and sometimes I will place you a bonnet—an old + one, most likely—on my soldan’s head, and cleave it with such a + downright blow that in troth, the infidel has but little of his skull + remaining to hit at.” + </p> + <p> + “That is unlucky, for you will lose your practice,” said Henry. “But how + say you, bonnet maker? I will put on my head piece and corselet one day, + and you shall hew at me, allowing me my broadsword to parry and pay back? + Eh, what say you?” + </p> + <p> + “By no manner of means, my dear friend. I should do you too much evil; + besides, to tell you the truth, I strike far more freely at a helmet or + bonnet when it is set on my wooden soldan; then I am sure to fetch it + down. But when there is a plume of feathers in it that nod, and two eyes + gleaming fiercely from under the shadow of the visor, and when the whole + is dancing about here and there, I acknowledge it puts out my hand of + fence.” + </p> + <p> + “So, if men would but stand stock still like your soldan, you would play + the tyrant with them, Master Proudfute?” + </p> + <p> + “In time, and with practice, I conclude I might,” answered Oliver. “But + here we come up with the rest of them. Bailie Craigdallie looks angry, but + it is not his kind of anger that frightens me.” + </p> + <p> + You are to recollect, gentle reader, that as soon as the bailie and those + who attended him saw that the smith had come up to the forlorn bonnet + maker, and that the stranger had retreated, they gave themselves no + trouble about advancing further to his assistance, which they regarded as + quite ensured by the presence of the redoubted Henry Gow. They had resumed + their straight road to Kinfauns, desirous that nothing should delay the + execution of their mission. As some time had elapsed ere the bonnet maker + and the smith rejoined the party, Bailie Craigdallie asked them, and Henry + Smith in particular, what they meant by dallying away precious time by + riding uphill after the falconer. + </p> + <p> + “By the mass, it was not my fault, Master Bailie,” replied the smith. “If + ye will couple up an ordinary Low Country greyhound with a Highland wolf + dog, you must not blame the first of them for taking the direction in + which it pleases the last to drag him on. It was so, and not otherwise, + with my neighbour Oliver Proudfute. He no sooner got up from the ground, + but he mounted his mare like a flash of lightning, and, enraged at the + unknightly advantage which yonder rascal had taken of his stumbling horse, + he flew after him like a dromedary. I could not but follow, both to + prevent a second stumble and secure our over bold friend and champion from + the chance of some ambush at the top of the hill. But the villain, who is + a follower of some Lord of the Marches, and wears a winged spur for his + cognizance, fled from our neighbour like fire from flint.” + </p> + <p> + The senior bailie of Perth listened with surprise to the legend which it + had pleased Gow to circulate; for, though not much caring for the matter, + he had always doubted the bonnet maker’s romancing account of his own + exploits, which hereafter he must hold as in some degree orthodox. + </p> + <p> + The shrewd old glover looked closer into the matter. “You will drive the + poor bonnet maker mad,” he whispered to Henry, “and set him a-ringing his + clapper as if he were a town bell on a rejoicing day, when for order and + decency it were better he were silent.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, by Our Lady, father,” replied the smith, “I love the poor little + braggadocio, and could not think of his sitting rueful and silent in the + provost’s hall, while all the rest of them, and in especial that venomous + pottingar, were telling their mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art even too good natured a fellow, Henry,” answered Simon. “But + mark the difference betwixt these two men. The harmless little bonnet + maker assumes the airs of a dragon, to disguise his natural cowardice; + while the pottingar wilfully desires to show himself timid, poor spirited, + and humble, to conceal the danger of his temper. The adder is not the less + deadly that he creeps under a stone. I tell thee, son Henry, that, for all + his sneaking looks and timorous talking, this wretched anatomy loves + mischief more than he fears danger. But here we stand in front of the + provost’s castle; and a lordly place is Kinfauns, and a credit to the city + it is, to have the owner of such a gallant castle for its chief + magistrate.” + </p> + <p> + “A goodly fortalice, indeed,” said the smith, looking at the broad winding + Tay, as it swept under the bank on which the castle stood, like its modern + successor, and seemed the queen of the valley, although, on the opposite + side of the river, the strong walls of Elcho appeared to dispute the + pre-eminence. Elcho, however, was in that age a peaceful nunnery, and the + walls with which it was surrounded were the barriers of secluded vestals, + not the bulwarks of an armed garrison. + </p> + <p> + “‘Tis a brave castle,” said the armourer, again looking at the towers of + Kinfauns, “and the breastplate and target of the bonny course of the Tay. + It were worth lipping a good blade, before wrong were offered to it.” + </p> + <p> + The porter of Kinfauns, who knew from a distance the persons and + characters of the party, had already opened the courtyard gate for their + entrance, and sent notice to Sir Patrick Charteris that the eldest bailie + of Perth, with some other good citizens, were approaching the castle. The + good knight, who was getting ready for a hawking party, heard the + intimation with pretty much the same feelings that the modern + representative of a burgh hears of the menaced visitation of a party of + his worthy electors, at a time rather unseasonable for their reception. + That is, he internally devoted the intruders to Mahound and Termagaunt, + and outwardly gave orders to receive them with all decorum and civility; + commanded the sewers to bring hot venison steaks and cold baked meats into + the knightly hall with all despatch, and the butler to broach his casks, + and do his duty; for if the Fair City of Perth sometimes filled his + cellar, her citizens were always equally ready to assist at emptying his + flagons. + </p> + <p> + The good burghers were reverently marshalled into the hall, where the + knight, who was in a riding habit, and booted up to the middle of his + thighs, received them with a mixture of courtesy and patronising + condescension; wishing them all the while at the bottom of the Tay, on + account of the interruption their arrival gave to his proposed amusement + of the morning. He met them in the midst of the hall, with bare head and + bonnet in hand, and some such salutation as the following: + </p> + <p> + “Ha, my Master Eldest Bailie, and you, worthy Simon Glover, fathers of the + Fair City, and you, my learned pottingar, and you, stout smith, and my + slashing bonnet maker too, who cracks more skulls than he covers, how come + I to have the pleasure of seeing so many friends so early? I was thinking + to see my hawks fly, and your company will make the sport more pleasant—(Aside, + I trust in Our Lady they may break their necks!)—that is, always, + unless the city have any commands to lay on me. Butler Gilbert, despatch, + thou knave. But I hope you have no more grave errand than to try if the + malvoisie holds its flavour?” + </p> + <p> + The city delegates answered to their provost’s civilities by inclinations + and congees, more or less characteristic, of which the pottingar’s bow was + the lowest and the smith’s the least ceremonious. Probably he knew his own + value as a fighting man upon occasion. To the general compliment the elder + bailie replied. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Patrick Charteris, and our noble Lord Provost,” said Craigdallie, + gravely, “had our errand been to enjoy the hospitality with which we have + been often regaled here, our manners would have taught us to tarry till + your lordship had invited us, as on other occasions. And as to hawking, we + have had enough on’t for one morning; since a wild fellow, who was flying + a falcon hard by on the moor, unhorsed and cudgelled our worthy friend + Oliver Bonnet Maker, or Proudfute, as some men call him, merely because he + questioned him, in your honour’s name, and the town of Perth’s, who or + what he was that took so much upon him.” + </p> + <p> + “And what account gave he of himself?” said the provost. “By St. John! I + will teach him to forestall my sport!” + </p> + <p> + “So please your lordship,” said the bonnet maker, “he did take me at + disadvantage. But I got on horseback again afterwards, and pricked after + him gallantly. He calls himself Richard the Devil.” + </p> + <p> + “How, man! he that the rhymes and romances are made on?” said the provost. + “I thought that smaik’s name had been Robert.” + </p> + <p> + “I trow they be different, my lord. I only graced this fellow with the + full title, for indeed he called himself the Devil’s Dick, and said he was + a Johnstone, and a follower of the lord of that name. But I put him back + into the bog, and recovered my hawking bag, which he had taken when I was + at disadvantage.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Patrick paused for an instant. “We have heard,” said he, “of the Lord + of Johnstone, and of his followers. Little is to be had by meddling with + them. Smith, tell me, did you endure this?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, faith did I, Sir Patrick, having command from my betters not to + help.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if thou satst down with it,” said the provost, “I see not why we + should rise up; especially as Master Oliver Proudfute, though taken at + advantage at first, has, as he has told us; recovered his reputation and + that of the burgh. But here comes the wine at length. Fill round to my + good friends and guests till the wine leap over the cup. Prosperity to St. + Johnston, and a merry welcome to you all, my honest friends! And now sit + you to eat a morsel, for the sun is high up, and it must be long since you + thrifty men have broken your fast.” + </p> + <p> + “Before we eat, my Lord Provost,” said the bailie, “let us tell you the + pressing cause of our coming, which as yet we have not touched upon.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, prithee, bailie,” said the provost, “put it off till thou hast + eaten. Some complaint against the rascally jackmen and retainers of the + nobles, for playing at football on the streets of the burgh, or some such + goodly matter.” + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord,” said Craigdallie, stoutly and firmly. “It is the jackmen’s + masters of whom we complain, for playing at football with the honour of + our families, and using as little ceremony with our daughters’ sleeping + chambers as if they were in a bordel at Paris. A party of reiving night + walkers—courtiers and men of rank, as there is but too much reason + to believe—attempted to scale the windows of Simon Glover’s house + last night; they stood in their defence with drawn weapons when they were + interrupted by Henry Smith, and fought till they were driven off by the + rising of the citizens.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” said Sir Patrick, setting down the cup which he was about to raise + to his head. “Cock’s body, make that manifest to me, and, by the soul of + Thomas of Longueville, I will see you righted with my best power, were it + to cost me life and land. Who attests this? Simon Glover, you are held an + honest and a cautious man—do you take the truth of this charge upon + your conscience?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Simon, “understand I am no willing complainer in this + weighty matter. No damage has arisen, save to the breakers of the peace + themselves. I fear only great power could have encouraged such lawless + audacity; and I were unwilling to put feud between my native town and some + powerful nobleman on my account. But it has been said that, if I hang back + in prosecuting this complaint, it will be as much as admitting that my + daughter expected such a visit, which is a direct falsehood. Therefore, my + lord, I will tell your lordship what happened, so far as I know, and leave + further proceeding to your wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + He then told, from point to point, all that he had seen of the attack. + </p> + <p> + Sir Patrick Charteris, listening with much attention, seemed particularly + struck with the escape of the man who had been made prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “Strange,” he said, “that you did not secure him when you had him. Did you + not look at him so as to know him again?” + </p> + <p> + “I had but the light of a lantern, my Lord Provost; and as to suffering + him to escape, I was alone,” said the glover, “and old. But yet I might + have kept him, had I not heard my daughter shriek in the upper room; and + ere I had returned from her chamber the man had escaped through the + garden.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, armourer, as a true man and a good soldier,” said Sir Patrick, “tell + me what you know of this matter.” + </p> + <p> + Henry Gow, in his own decided style, gave a brief but clear narrative of + the whole affair. + </p> + <p> + Honest Proudfute being next called upon, began his statement with an air + of more importance. “Touching this awful and astounding tumult within the + burgh, I cannot altogether, it is true, say with Henry Gow that I saw the + very beginning. But it will not be denied that I beheld a great part of + the latter end, and especially that I procured the evidence most effectual + to convict the knaves.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is it, man?” said Sir Patrick Charteris. “Never lose time + fumbling and prating about it. What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I have brought your lordship, in this pouch, what one of the rogues left + behind him,” said the little man. “It is a trophy which, in good faith and + honest truth, I do confess I won not by the blade, but I claim the credit + of securing it with that presence of mind which few men possess amidst + flashing torches and clashing weapons. I secured it, my lord, and here it + is.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he produced, from the hawking pouch already mentioned, the + stiffened hand which had been found on the scene of the skirmish. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, bonnet maker,” said the provost, “I’ll warrant thee man enough to + secure a rogue’s hand after it is cut from the body. What do you look so + busily for in your bag?” + </p> + <p> + “There should have been—there was—a ring, my lord, which was + on the knave’s finger. I fear I have been forgetful, and left it at home, + for I took it off to show to my wife, as she cared not to look upon the + dead hand, as women love not such sights. But yet I thought I had put it + on the finger again. Nevertheless, it must, I bethink me, be at home. I + will ride back for it, and Henry Smith will trot along with me.” + </p> + <p> + “We will all trot with thee,” said Sir Patrick Charteris, “since I am for + Perth myself. Look you, honest burghers and good neighbours of Perth; you + may have thought me unapt to be moved by light complaints and trivial + breaches of your privileges, such as small trespasses on your game, the + barons’ followers playing football in the street, and suchlike. But, by + the soul of Thomas of Longueville, you shall not find Patrick Charteris + slothful in a matter of this importance. This hand,” he continued, holding + up the severed joint, “belongs to one who hath worked no drudgery. We will + put it in a way to be known and claimed of the owner, if his comrades of + the revel have but one spark of honour in them. Hark you, Gerard; get me + some half score of good men instantly to horse, and let them take jack and + spear. Meanwhile, neighbours, if feud arise out of this, as is most + likely, we must come to each other’s support. If my poor house be + attacked, how many men will you bring to my support?” + </p> + <p> + The burghers looked at Henry Gow, to whom they instinctively turned when + such matters were discussed. + </p> + <p> + “I will answer,” said he, “for fifty good fellows to be assembled ere the + common bell has rung ten minutes; for a thousand, in the space of an + hour.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well,” answered the gallant provost; “and in the case of need, I + will come to aid the Fair City with such men as I can make. And now, good + friends, let us to horse.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + If I know how to manage these affairs, + Thus thrust disorderly upon my hands, + Never believe me— + + Richard II. +</pre> + <p> + It was early in the afternoon of St. Valentine’s Day that the prior of the + Dominicans was engaged in discharge of his duties as confessor to a + penitent of no small importance. This was an elderly man, of a goodly + presence, a florid and healthful cheek, the under part of which was shaded + by a venerable white beard, which descended over his bosom. The large and + clear blue eyes, with the broad expanse of brow, expressed dignity; but it + was of a character which seemed more accustomed to receive honours + voluntarily paid than to enforce them when they were refused. The good + nature of the expression was so great as to approach to defenceless + simplicity or weakness of character, unfit, it might be inferred, to repel + intrusion or subdue resistance. Amongst the grey locks of this personage + was placed a small circlet or coronet of gold, upon a blue fillet. His + beads, which were large and conspicuous, were of native gold, rudely + enough wrought, but ornamented with Scottish pearls of rare size and + beauty. These were his only ornaments; and a long crimson robe of silk, + tied by a sash of the same colour, formed his attire. His shrift being + finished, he arose heavily from the embroidered cushion upon which he + kneeled during his confession, and, by the assistance of a crutch headed + staff of ebony, moved, lame and ungracefully, and with apparent pain, to a + chair of state, which, surmounted by a canopy, was placed for his + accommodation by the chimney of the lofty and large apartment. + </p> + <p> + This was Robert, third of that name, and the second of the ill fated + family of Stuart who filled the throne of Scotland. He had many virtues, + and was not without talent; but it was his great misfortune that, like + others of his devoted line, his merits were not of a kind suited to the + part which he was called upon to perform in life. The king of so fierce a + people as the Scots then were ought to have been warlike, prompt, and + active, liberal in rewarding services, strict in punishing crimes, one + whose conduct should make him feared as well as beloved. The qualities of + Robert the Third were the reverse of all these. In youth he had indeed + seen battles; but, without incurring disgrace, he had never manifested the + chivalrous love of war and peril, or the eager desire to distinguish + himself by dangerous achievements, which that age expected from all who + were of noble birth and had claims to authority. + </p> + <p> + Besides, his military career was very short. Amidst the tumult of a + tournament, the young Earl of Carrick, such was then his title, received a + kick from the horse of Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith, in consequence of + which he was lame for the rest of his life, and absolutely disabled from + taking share either in warfare or in the military sports and tournaments + which were its image. As Robert had never testified much predilection for + violent exertion, he did not probably much regret the incapacities which + exempted him from these active scenes. But his misfortune, or rather its + consequences, lowered him in the eyes of a fierce nobility and warlike + people. He was obliged to repose the principal charge of his affairs now + in one member, now in another, of his family, sometimes with the actual + rank, and always with the power, of lieutenant general of the kingdom. His + paternal affection would have induced him to use the assistance of his + eldest son, a young man of spirit and talent, whom in fondness he had + created Duke of Rothsay, in order to give him the present possession of a + dignity next to that of the throne. But the young prince’s head was too + giddy, and his hand too feeble to wield with dignity the delegated + sceptre. However fond of power, pleasure was the Prince’s favourite + pursuit; and the court was disturbed, and the country scandalised, by the + number of fugitive amours and extravagant revels practised by him who + should have set an example of order and regularity to the youth of the + kingdom. + </p> + <p> + The license and impropriety of the Duke of Rothsay’s conduct was the more + reprehensible in the public view, that he was a married person; although + some, over whom his youth, gaiety, grace, and good temper had obtained + influence, were of opinion that an excuse for his libertinism might be + found in the circumstances of the marriage itself. They reminded each + other that his nuptials were entirely conducted by his uncle, the Duke of + Albany, by whose counsels the infirm and timid King was much governed at + the time, and who had the character of managing the temper of his brother + and sovereign, so as might be most injurious to the interests and + prospects of the young heir. By Albany’s machinations the hand of the heir + apparent was in a manner put up to sale, as it was understood publicly + that the nobleman in Scotland who should give the largest dower to his + daughter might aspire to raise her to the bed of the Duke of Rothsay. + </p> + <p> + In the contest for preference which ensued, George Earl of Dunbar and + March, who possessed, by himself or his vassals, a great part of the + eastern frontier, was preferred to other competitors; and his daughter + was, with the mutual goodwill of the young couple, actually contracted to + the Duke of Rothsay. + </p> + <p> + But there remained a third party to be consulted, and that was no other + than the tremendous Archibald Earl of Douglas, terrible alike from the + extent of his lands, from the numerous offices and jurisdictions with + which he was invested, and from his personal qualities of wisdom and + valour, mingled with indomitable pride, and more than the feudal love of + vengeance. The Earl was also nearly related to the throne, having married + the eldest daughter of the reigning monarch. + </p> + <p> + After the espousals of the Duke of Rothsay with the Earl of March’s + daughter, Douglas, as if he had postponed his share in the negotiation to + show that it could not be concluded with any one but himself, entered the + lists to break off the contract. He tendered a larger dower with his + daughter Marjory than the Earl of March had proffered; and, secured by his + own cupidity and fear of the Douglas, Albany exerted his influence with + the timid monarch till he was prevailed upon to break the contract with + the Earl of March, and wed his son to Marjory Douglas, a woman whom + Rothsay could not love. No apology was offered to the Earl of March, + excepting that the espousals betwixt the Prince and Elizabeth of Dunbar + had not been approved by the States of Parliament, and that till such + ratification the contract was liable to be broken off. The Earl deeply + resented the wrong done to himself and his daughter, and was generally + understood to study revenge, which his great influence on the English + frontier was likely to place within his power. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time, the Duke of Rothsay, incensed at the sacrifice of his + hand and his inclinations to this state intrigue, took his own mode of + venting his displeasure, by neglecting his wife, contemning his formidable + and dangerous father in law, and showing little respect to the authority + of the King himself, and none whatever to the remonstrances of Albany, his + uncle, whom he looked upon as his confirmed enemy. + </p> + <p> + Amid these internal dissensions of his family, which extended themselves + through his councils and administration, introducing everywhere the + baneful effects of uncertainty and disunion, the feeble monarch had for + some time been supported by the counsels of his queen, Annabella, a + daughter of the noble house of Drummond, gifted with a depth of sagacity + and firmness of mind which exercised some restraint over the levities of a + son who respected her, and sustained on many occasions the wavering + resolution of her royal husband. But after her death the imbecile + sovereign resembled nothing so much as a vessel drifted from her anchors, + and tossed about amidst contending currents. Abstractedly considered, + Robert might be said to doat upon his son, to entertain respect and awe + for the character of his brother Albany, so much more decisive than his + own, to fear the Douglas with a terror which was almost instinctive; and + to suspect the constancy of the bold but fickle Earl of March. But his + feelings towards these various characters were so mixed and complicated, + that from time to time they showed entirely different from what they + really were; and according to the interest which had been last exerted + over his flexible mind, the King would change from an indulgent to a + strict and even cruel father, from a confiding to a jealous brother, or + from a benignant and bountiful to a grasping and encroaching sovereign. + Like the chameleon, his feeble mind reflected the colour of that firmer + character upon which at the time he reposed for counsel and assistance. + And when he disused the advice of one of his family, and employed the + counsel of another, it was no unwonted thing to see a total change of + measures, equally disrespectable to the character of the King and + dangerous to the safety of the state. + </p> + <p> + It followed as a matter of course that the clergy of the Catholic Church + acquired influence over a man whose intentions were so excellent, but + whose resolutions were so infirm. Robert was haunted, not only with a due + sense of the errors he had really committed, but with the tormenting + apprehensions of those peccadilloes which beset a superstitious and timid + mind. It is scarce necessary, therefore, to add, that the churchmen of + various descriptions had no small influence over this easy tempered + prince, though, indeed, theirs was, at that period, an influence from + which few or none escaped, however resolute and firm of purpose in affairs + of a temporal character. We now return from this long digression, without + which what we have to relate could not perhaps have been well understood. + </p> + <p> + The King had moved with ungraceful difficulty to the cushioned chair + which, under a state or canopy, stood prepared for his accommodation, and + upon which he sank down with enjoyment, like an indolent man, who had been + for some time confined to a constrained position. When seated, the gentle + and venerable looks of the good old man showed benevolence. The prior, who + now remained standing opposite to the royal seat, with an air of deep + deference which cloaked the natural haughtiness of his carriage, was a man + betwixt forty and fifty years of age, but every one of whose hairs still + retained their natural dark colour. Acute features and a penetrating look + attested the talents by which the venerable father had acquired his high + station in the community over which he presided; and, we may add, in the + councils of the kingdom, in whose service they were often exercised. The + chief objects which his education and habits taught him to keep in view + were the extension of the dominion and the wealth of the church, and the + suppression of heresy, both of which he endeavoured to accomplish by all + the means which his situation afforded him. But he honoured his religion + by the sincerity of his own belief, and by the morality which guided his + conduct in all ordinary situations. The faults of the Prior Anselm, though + they led him into grievous error, and even cruelty, were perhaps rather + those of his age and profession; his virtues were his own. + </p> + <p> + “These things done,” said the King, “and the lands I have mentioned + secured by my gift to this monastery, you are of opinion, father, that I + stand as much in the good graces of our Holy Mother Church as to term + myself her dutiful son?” + </p> + <p> + “Surely, my liege,” said the prior; “would to God that all her children + brought to the efficacious sacrament of confession as deep a sense of + their errors, and as much will to make amends for them. But I speak these + comforting words, my liege, not to Robert King of Scotland, but only to my + humble and devout penitent, Robert Stuart of Carrick.” + </p> + <p> + “You surprise me, father,” answered the King: “I have little check on my + conscience for aught that I have done in my kingly office, seeing that I + use therein less mine own opinion than the advice of the most wise + counsellors.” + </p> + <p> + “Even therein lieth the danger, my liege,” replied the prior. “The Holy + Father recognises in your Grace, in every thought, word, and action, an + obedient vassal of the Holy Church. But there are perverse counsellors, + who obey the instinct of their wicked hearts, while they abuse the good + nature and ductility of their monarch, and, under colour of serving his + temporal interests, take steps which are prejudicial to those that last to + eternity.” + </p> + <p> + King Robert raised himself upright in his chair, and assumed an air of + authority, which, though it well became him, he did not usually display. + </p> + <p> + “Prior Anselm,” he said, “if you have discovered anything in my conduct, + whether as a king or a private individual, which may call down such + censures as your words intimate, it is your duty to speak plainly, and I + command you to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “My liege, you shall be obeyed,” answered the prior, with an inclination + of the body. Then raising himself up, and assuming the dignity of his rank + in the church, he said, “Hear from me the words of our Holy Father the + Pope, the successor of St. Peter, to whom have descended the keys, both to + bind and to unloose. ‘Wherefore, O Robert of Scotland, hast thou not + received into the see of St. Andrews Henry of Wardlaw, whom the Pontiff + hath recommended to fill that see? Why dost thou make profession with thy + lips of dutiful service to the Church, when thy actions proclaim the + depravity and disobedience of thy inward soul? Obedience is better than + sacrifice.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir prior,” said the monarch, bearing himself in a manner not unbecoming + his lofty rank, “we may well dispense with answering you upon this + subject, being a matter which concerns us and the estates of our kingdom, + but does not affect our private conscience.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas,” said the prior, “and whose conscience will it concern at the last + day? Which of your belted lords or wealthy burgesses will then step + between their king and the penalty which he has incurred by following of + their secular policy in matters ecclesiastical? Know, mighty king, that, + were all the chivalry of thy realm drawn up to shield thee from the red + levin bolt, they would be consumed like scorched parchment before the + blaze of a furnace.” + </p> + <p> + “Good father prior,” said the King, on whose timorous conscience this kind + of language seldom failed to make an impression, “you surely argue over + rigidly in this matter. It was during my last indisposition, while the + Earl of Douglas held, as lieutenant general, the regal authority in + Scotland, that the obstruction to the reception of the Primate unhappily + arose. Do not, therefore, tax me with what happened when I was unable to + conduct the affairs of the kingdom, and compelled to delegate my power to + another.” + </p> + <p> + “To your subject, sire, you have said enough,” replied the prior. “But, if + the impediment arose during the lieutenancy of the Earl of Douglas, the + legate of his Holiness will demand wherefore it has not been instantly + removed, when the King resumed in his royal hands the reins of authority? + The Black Douglas can do much—more perhaps than a subject should + have power to do in the kingdom of his sovereign; but he cannot stand + betwixt your Grace and your own conscience, or release you from the duties + to the Holy Church which your situation as a king imposes upon you.” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Robert, somewhat impatiently, “you are over peremptory in + this matter, and ought at least to wait a reasonable season, until we have + time to consider of some remedy. Such disputes have happened repeatedly in + the reigns of our predecessors; and our royal and blessed ancestor, St. + David, did not resign his privileges as a monarch without making a stand + in their defence, even though he was involved in arguments with the Holy + Father himself.” + </p> + <p> + “And therein was that great and good king neither holy nor saintly,” said + the prior “and therefore was he given to be a rout and a spoil to his + enemies, when he raised his sword against the banners of St. Peter, and + St. Paul, and St. John of Beverley, in the war, as it is still called, of + the Standard. Well was it for him that, like his namesake, the son of + Jesse, his sin was punished upon earth, and not entered against him at the + long and dire day of accounting.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, good prior—well—enough of this for the present. The + Holy See shall, God willing, have no reason to complain of me. I take Our + Lady to witness, I would not for the crown I wear take the burden of + wronging our Mother Church. We have ever feared that the Earl of Douglas + kept his eyes too much fixed on the fame and the temporalities of this + frail and passing life to feel altogether as he ought the claims that + refer to a future world.” + </p> + <p> + “It is but lately,” said the prior, “that he hath taken up forcible + quarters in the monastery of Aberbrothock, with his retinue of a thousand + followers; and the abbot is compelled to furnish him with all he needs for + horse and man, which the Earl calls exercising the hospitality which he + hath a right to expect from the foundation to which his ancestors were + contributors. Certain, it were better to return to the Douglas his lands + than to submit to such exaction, which more resembles the masterful + license of Highland thiggers and sorners [sturdy beggars], than the + demeanour of a Christian baron.” + </p> + <p> + “The Black Douglasses,” said the King, with a sigh, “are a race which will + not be said nay. But, father prior, I am myself, it may be, an intruder of + this kind; for my sojourning hath been long among you, and my retinue, + though far fewer than the Douglas’s, are nevertheless enough to cumber you + for their daily maintenance; and though our order is to send out purveyors + to lessen your charge as much as may be, yet if there be inconvenience, it + were fitting we should remove in time.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Our Lady forbid!” said the prior, who, if desirous of power, had + nothing meanly covetous in his temper, but was even magnificent in his + generous kindness; “certainly the Dominican convent can afford to her + sovereign the hospitality which the house offers to every wanderer of + whatever condition who will receive it at the hands of the poor servants + of our patron. No, my royal liege; come with ten times your present train, + they shall neither want a grain of oats, a pile of straw, a morsel of + bread, nor an ounce of food which our convent can supply them. It is one + thing to employ the revenues of the church, which are so much larger than + monks ought to need or wish for, in the suitable and dutiful reception of + your royal Majesty, and another to have it wrenched from us by the hands + of rude and violent men, whose love of rapine is only limited by the + extent of their power.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well, good prior,” said the King; “and now to turn our thoughts for + an instant from state affairs, can thy reverence inform us how the good + citizens of Perth have begun their Valentine’s Day? Gallantly, and + merrily, and peacefully; I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “For gallantly, my liege, I know little of such qualities. For peacefully, + there were three or four men, two cruelly wounded, came this morning + before daylight to ask the privilege of girth and sanctuary, pursued by a + hue and cry of citizens in their shirts, with clubs, bills, Lochaber axes, + and two handed swords, crying ‘Kill and slay,’ each louder than another. + Nay, they were not satisfied when our porter and watch told them that + those they pursued had taken refuge in the galilee of the church, but + continued for some minutes clamouring and striking upon the postern door, + demanding that the men who had offended should be delivered up to them. I + was afraid their rude noise might have broken your Majesty’s rest, and + raised some surprise.” + </p> + <p> + “My rest might have been broken,” said the monarch; “but that sounds of + violence should have occasioned surprise—Alas! reverend father, + there is in Scotland only one place where the shriek of the victim and + threats of the oppressor are not heard, and that, father, is—the + grave.” + </p> + <p> + The prior stood in respectful silence, sympathising with the feelings of a + monarch whose tenderness of heart suited so ill with the condition and + manners of his people. + </p> + <p> + “And what became of the fugitives?” asked Robert, after a minute’s pause. + </p> + <p> + “Surely, sire,” said the prior, “they were dismissed, as they desired to + be, before daylight; and after we had sent out to be assured that no + ambush of their enemies watched them in the vicinity, they went their way + in peace.” + </p> + <p> + “You know nothing,” inquired the King, “who the men were, or the cause of + their taking refuge with you?” + </p> + <p> + “The cause,” said the prior, “was a riot with the townsmen; but how + arising is not known to us. The custom of our house is to afford + twenty-four hours of uninterrupted refuge in the sanctuary of St. Dominic, + without asking any question at the poor unfortunates who have sought + relief there. If they desire to remain for a longer space, the cause of + their resorting to sanctuary must be put upon the register of the convent; + and, praised be our holy saint, many persons escape the weight of the law + by this temporary protection, whom, did we know the character of their + crimes, we might have found ourselves obliged to render up to their + pursuers and persecutors.” + </p> + <p> + As the prior spoke, a dim idea occurred to the monarch, that the privilege + of sanctuary thus peremptorily executed must prove a severe interruption + to the course of justice through his realm. But he repelled the feeling, + as if it had been a suggestion of Satan, and took care that not a single + word should escape to betray to the churchman that such a profane thought + had ever occupied his bosom; on the contrary, he hasted to change the + subject. + </p> + <p> + “The sun,” he said, “moves slowly on the index. After the painful + information you have given me, I expected the Lords of my Council ere now, + to take order with the ravelled affairs of this unhappy riot. Evil was the + fortune which gave me rule over a people among whom it seems to me I am in + my own person the only man who desires rest and tranquillity!” + </p> + <p> + “The church always desires peace and tranquillity,” added the prior, not + suffering even so general a proposition to escape the poor king’s + oppressed mind without insisting on a saving clause for the church’s + honour. + </p> + <p> + “We meant nothing else,” said Robert. “But, father prior, you will allow + that the church, in quelling strife, as is doubtless her purpose, + resembles the busy housewife, who puts in motion the dust which she means + to sweep away.” + </p> + <p> + To this remark the prior would have made some reply, but the door of the + apartment was opened, and a gentleman usher announced the Duke of Albany. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Gentle friend, + Chide not her mirth, who was sad yesterday, + And may be so tomorrow. + + JOANNA BAILLIE. +</pre> + <p> + The Duke of Albany was, like his royal brother, named Robert. The + Christian name of the latter had been John until he was called to the + throne; when the superstition of the times observed that the name had been + connected with misfortune in the lives and reigns of John of England, John + of France, and John Baliol of Scotland. It was therefore agreed that, to + elude the bad omen, the new king should assume the name of Robert, + rendered dear to Scotland by the recollections of Robert Bruce. We mention + this to account for the existence of two brothers of the same Christian + name in one family, which was not certainly an usual occurrence, more than + at the present day. + </p> + <p> + Albany, also an aged man, was not supposed to be much more disposed for + warlike enterprise than the King himself. But if he had not courage, he + had wisdom to conceal and cloak over his want of that quality, which, once + suspected, would have ruined all the plans which his ambition had formed. + He had also pride enough to supply, in extremity, the want of real valour, + and command enough over his nerves to conceal their agitation. In other + respects, he was experienced in the ways of courts, calm, cool, and + crafty, fixing upon the points which he desired to attain, while they were + yet far removed, and never losing sight of them, though the winding paths + in which he trode might occasionally seem to point to a different + direction. In his person he resembled the King, for he was noble and + majestic both in stature and countenance. But he had the advantage of his + elder brother, in being unencumbered with any infirmity, and in every + respect lighter and more active. His dress was rich and grave, as became + his age and rank, and, like his royal brother, he wore no arms of any + kind, a case of small knives supplying at his girdle the place usually + occupied by a dagger in absence of a sword. + </p> + <p> + At the Duke’s entrance the prior, after making an obeisance, respectfully + withdrew to a recess in the apartment, at some distance from the royal + seat, in order to leave the conversation of the brothers uncontrolled by + the presence of a third person. It is necessary to mention, that the + recess was formed by a window; placed in the inner front of the monastic + buildings, called the palace, from its being the frequent residence of the + Kings of Scotland, but which was, unless on such occasions, the residence + of the prior or abbot. The window was placed over the principal entrance + to the royal apartments, and commanded a view of the internal quadrangle + of the convent, formed on the right hand by the length of the magnificent + church, on the left by a building containing the range of cellars, with + the refectory, chapter house, and other conventual apartments rising above + them, for such existed altogether independent of the space occupied by + King Robert and his attendants; while a fourth row of buildings, showing a + noble outward front to the rising sun, consisted of a large hospitium, for + the reception of strangers and pilgrims, and many subordinate offices, + warehouses, and places of accommodation, for the ample stores which + supplied the magnificent hospitality of the Dominican fathers. A lofty + vaulted entrance led through this eastern front into the quadrangle, and + was precisely opposite to the window at which Prior Anselm stood, so that + he could see underneath the dark arch, and observe the light which gleamed + beneath it from the eastern and open portal; but, owing to the height to + which he was raised, and the depth of the vaulted archway, his eye could + but indistinctly reach the opposite and extended portal. It is necessary + to notice these localities. + </p> + <p> + We return to the conversation between the princely relatives. + </p> + <p> + “My dear brother,” said the King, raising the Duke of Albany, as he + stooped to kiss his hand—“my dear, dear brother, wherefore this + ceremonial? Are we not both sons of the same Stuart of Scotland and of the + same Elizabeth More?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not forgot that it is so,” said Albany, arising; “but I must not + omit, in the familiarity of the brother, the respect that is due to the + king.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, true—most true, Robin,” answered the King. “The throne is like + a lofty and barren rock, upon which flower or shrub can never take root. + All kindly feelings, all tender affections, are denied to a monarch. A + king must not fold a brother to his heart—he dare not give way to + fondness for a son.” + </p> + <p> + “Such, in some respects, is the doom of greatness, sire,” answered Albany; + “but Heaven, who removed to some distance from your Majesty’s sphere the + members of your own family, has given you a whole people to be your + children.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! Robert,” answered the monarch, “your heart is better framed for the + duties of a sovereign than mine. I see from the height at which fate has + placed me that multitude whom you call my children. I love them, I wish + them well; but they are many, and they are distant from me. Alas! even the + meanest of them has some beloved being whom he can clasp to his heart, and + upon whom he can lavish the fondness of a father. But all that a king can + give to a people is a smile, such as the sun bestows on the snowy peaks of + the Grampian mountains, as distant and as ineffectual. Alas, Robin! our + father used to caress us, and if he chid us it was with a tone of + kindness; yet he was a monarch as well as I, and wherefore should not I be + permitted, like him, to reclaim my poor prodigal by affection as well as + severity?” + </p> + <p> + “Had affection never been tried, my liege,” replied Albany, in the tone of + one who delivers sentiments which he grieves to utter, “means of + gentleness ought assuredly to be first made use of. Your Grace is best + judge whether they have been long enough persevered in, and whether those + of discouragement and restraint may not prove a more effectual corrective. + It is exclusively in your royal power to take what measures with the Duke + of Rothsay you think will be most available to his ultimate benefit, and + that of the kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “This is unkind, brother,” said the King: “you indicate the painful path + which you would have me pursue, yet you offer me not your support in + treading it.” + </p> + <p> + “My support your Grace may ever command,” replied Albany; “but would it + become me, of all men on earth, to prompt to your Grace severe measures + against your son and heir? Me, on whom, in case of failure—which + Heaven forefend!—of your Grace’s family, this fatal crown might + descend? Would it not be thought and said by the fiery March and the + haughty Douglas, that Albany had sown dissension between his royal brother + and the heir to the Scottish throne, perhaps to clear the way for the + succession of his own family? No, my liege, I can sacrifice my life to + your service, but I must not place my honour in danger.” + </p> + <p> + “You say true, Robin.—you say very true,” replied the King, + hastening to put his own interpretation upon his brother’s words. “We must + not suffer these powerful and dangerous lords to perceive that there is + aught like discord in the royal family. That must be avoided of all + things: and therefore we will still try indulgent measures, in hopes of + correcting the follies of Rothsay. I behold sparks of hope in him, Robin, + from time to time, that are well worth cherishing. He is young—very + young—a prince, and in the heyday of his blood. We will have + patience with him, like a good rider with a hot tempered horse. Let him + exhaust this idle humor, and no one will be better pleased with him than + yourself. You have censured me in your kindness for being too gentle, too + retired; Rothsay has no such defects.” + </p> + <p> + “I will pawn my life he has not,” replied Albany, drily. + </p> + <p> + “And he wants not reflection as well as spirit,” continued the poor king, + pleading the cause of his son to his brother. “I have sent for him to + attend council today, and we shall see how he acquits himself of his + devoir. You yourself allow, Robin, that the Prince wants neither + shrewdness nor capacity for affairs, when he is in the humor to consider + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Doubtless, he wants neither, my liege,” replied Albany, “when he is in + the humor to consider them.” + </p> + <p> + “I say so,” answered the King; “and am heartily glad that you agree with + me, Robin, in giving this poor hapless young man another trial. He has no + mother now to plead his cause with an incensed father. That must be + remembered, Albany.” + </p> + <p> + “I trust,” said Albany, “the course which is most agreeable to your + Grace’s feelings will also prove the wisest and the best.” + </p> + <p> + The Duke well saw the simple stratagem by which the King was endeavouring + to escape from the conclusions of his reasoning, and to adopt, under + pretence of his sanction, a course of proceeding the reverse of what it + best suited him to recommend. But though he saw he could not guide his + brother to the line of conduct he desired, he would not abandon the reins, + but resolved to watch for a fitter opportunity of obtaining the sinister + advantages to which new quarrels betwixt the King and Prince were soon, he + thought, likely to give rise. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time, King Robert, afraid lest his brother should resume the + painful subject from which he had just escaped, called aloud to the prior + of the Dominicans, “I hear the trampling of horse. Your station commands + the courtyard, reverend father. Look from the window, and tell us who + alights. Rothsay, is it not?” + </p> + <p> + “The noble Earl of March, with his followers,” said the prior. + </p> + <p> + “Is he strongly accompanied?” said the King. “Do his people enter the + inner gate?” + </p> + <p> + At the same moment, Albany whispered the King, “Fear nothing, the + Brandanes of your household are under arms.” + </p> + <p> + The King nodded thanks, while the prior from the window answered the + question he had put. “The Earl is attended by two pages, two gentlemen, + and four grooms. One page follows him up the main staircase, bearing his + lordship’s sword. The others halt in the court, and—Benedicite, how + is this? Here is a strolling glee woman, with her viol, preparing to sing + beneath the royal windows, and in the cloister of the Dominicans, as she + might in the yard of an hostelrie! I will have her presently thrust + forth.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, father,” said the King. “Let me implore grace for the poor + wanderer. The joyous science, as they call it, which they profess, mingles + sadly with the distresses to which want and calamity condemn a strolling + race; and in that they resemble a king, to whom all men cry, ‘All hail!’ + while he lacks the homage and obedient affection which the poorest yeoman + receives from his family. Let the wanderer remain undisturbed, father; and + let her sing if she will to the yeomen and troopers in the court; it will + keep them from quarrelling with each other, belonging, as they do, to such + unruly and hostile masters.” + </p> + <p> + So spoke the well meaning and feeble minded prince, and the prior bowed in + acquiescence. As he spoke, the Earl of March entered the hall of audience, + dressed in the ordinary riding garb of the time, and wearing his poniard. + He had left in the anteroom the page of honour who carried his sword. The + Earl was a well built, handsome man, fair complexioned, with a + considerable profusion of light coloured hair, and bright blue eyes, which + gleamed like those of a falcon. He exhibited in his countenance, otherwise + pleasing, the marks of a hasty and irritable temper, which his situation + as a high and powerful feudal lord had given him but too many + opportunities of indulging. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to see you, my Lord of March,” said the King, with a gracious + inclination of his person. “You have been long absent from our councils.” + </p> + <p> + “My liege,” answered March with a deep reverence to the King, and a + haughty and formal inclination to the Duke of Albany, “if I have been + absent from your Grace’s councils, it is because my place has been + supplied by more acceptable, and, I doubt not, abler, counsellors. And now + I come but to say to your Highness, that the news from the English + frontier make it necessary that I should return without delay to my own + estates. Your Grace has your wise and politic brother, my Lord of Albany, + with whom to consult, and the mighty and warlike Earl of Douglas to carry + your counsels into effect. I am of no use save in my own country; and + thither, with your Highness’s permission, I am purposed instantly to + return, to attend my charge, as Warden of the Eastern Marches.” + </p> + <p> + “You will not deal so unkindly with us, cousin,” replied the gentle + monarch. “Here are evil tidings on the wind. These unhappy Highland clans + are again breaking into general commotion, and the tranquillity even of + our own court requires the wisest of our council to advise, and the + bravest of our barons to execute, what may be resolved upon. The + descendant of Thomas Randolph will not surely abandon the grandson of + Robert Bruce at such a period as this?” + </p> + <p> + “I leave with him the descendant of the far famed James of Douglas,” + answered March. “It is his lordship’s boast that he never puts foot in + stirrup but a thousand horse mount with him as his daily lifeguard, and I + believe the monks of Aberbrothock will swear to the fact. Surely, with all + the Douglas’s chivalry, they are fitter to restrain a disorderly swarm of + Highland kerne than I can be to withstand the archery of England and power + of Henry Hotspur? And then, here is his Grace of Albany, so jealous in his + care of your Highness’s person, that he calls your Brandanes to take arms + when a dutiful subject like myself approaches the court with a poor half + score of horse, the retinue of the meanest of the petty barons who own a + tower and a thousand acres of barren heath. When such precautions are + taken where there is not the slightest chance of peril—since I trust + none was to be apprehended from me—your royal person will surely be + suitably guarded in real danger.” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of March,” said the Duke of Albany, “the meanest of the barons of + whom you speak put their followers in arms even when they receive their + dearest and nearest friends within the iron gate of their castle; and, if + it please Our Lady, I will not care less for the King’s person than they + do for their own. The Brandanes are the King’s immediate retainers and + household servants, and an hundred of them is but a small guard round his + Grace, when yourself, my lord, as well as the Earl of Douglas, often ride + with ten times the number.” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord Duke,” replied March, “when the service of the King requires it, + I can ride with ten times as many horse as your Grace has named; but I + have never done so either traitorously to entrap the King nor boastfully + to overawe other nobles.” + </p> + <p> + “Brother Robert,” said the King, ever anxious to be a peacemaker, “you do + wrong even to intimate a suspicion of my Lord of March. And you, cousin of + March, misconstrue my brother’s caution. But hark—to divert this + angry parley—I hear no unpleasing touch of minstrelsy. You know the + gay science, my Lord of March, and love it well. Step to yonder window, + beside the holy prior, at whom we make no question touching secular + pleasures, and you will tell us if the music and play be worth listening + to. The notes are of France, I think. My brother of Albany’s judgment is + not worth a cockle shell in such matters, so you, cousin, must report your + opinion whether the poor glee maiden deserves recompense. Our son and the + Douglas will presently be here, and then, when our council is assembled, + we will treat of graver matters.” + </p> + <p> + With something like a smile on his proud brow, March withdrew into the + recess of the window, and stood there in silence beside the prior, like + one who, while he obeyed the King’s command, saw through and despised the + timid precaution which it implied, as an attempt to prevent the dispute + betwixt Albany and himself. The tune, which was played upon a viol, was + gay and sprightly in the commencement, with a touch of the wildness of the + troubadour music. But, as it proceeded, the faltering tones of the + instrument, and of the female voice which accompanied it, became plaintive + and interrupted, as if choked by the painful feelings of the minstrel. + </p> + <p> + The offended earl, whatever might be his judgment in such matters on which + the King had complimented him, paid, it may be supposed, little attention + to the music of the female minstrel. His proud heart was struggling + between the allegiance he owed his sovereign, as well as the love he still + found lurking in his bosom for the person of his well natured king, and a + desire of vengeance arising out of his disappointed ambition, and the + disgrace done to him by the substitution of Marjory Douglas to be bride of + the heir apparent, instead of his betrothed daughter. March had the vices + and virtues of a hasty and uncertain character, and even now, when he came + to bid the King adieu, with the purpose of renouncing his allegiance as + soon as he reached his own feudal territories, he felt unwilling, and + almost unable, to resolve upon a step so criminal and so full of peril. It + was with such dangerous cogitations that he was occupied during the + beginning of the glee maiden’s lay; but objects which called his attention + powerfully, as the songstress proceeded, affected the current of his + thoughts, and riveted them on what was passing in the courtyard of the + monastery. The song was in the Provencal dialect, well understood as the + language of poetry in all the courts of Europe, and particularly in + Scotland. It was more simply turned, however, than was the general cast of + the sirventes, and rather resembled the lai of a Norman minstrel. It may + be translated thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Lay of Poor Louise. + + Ah, poor Louise! The livelong day + She roams from cot to castle gay; + And still her voice and viol say, + Ah, maids, beware the woodland way; + Think on Louise. + + Ah, poor Louise! The sun was high; + It smirch’d her cheek, it dimm’d her eye. + The woodland walk was cool and nigh, + Where birds with chiming streamlets vie + To cheer Louise. + + Ah, poor Louise! The savage bear + Made ne’er that lovely grove his lair; + The wolves molest not paths so fair. + But better far had such been there + For poor Louise. + + Ah, poor Louise! In woody wold + She met a huntsman fair and bold; + His baldrick was of silk and gold, + And many a witching tale he told + To poor Louise. + + Ah, poor Louise! Small cause to pine + Hadst thou for treasures of the mine; + For peace of mind, that gift divine, + And spotless innocence, were thine. + Ah, poor Louise! + + Ah, poor Louise! Thy treasure’s reft. + I know not if by force or theft, + Or part by violence, part by gift; + But misery is all that’s left + To poor Louise, + + Let poor Louise some succour have! + She will not long your bounty crave, + Or tire the gay with warning stave; + For Heaven has grace, and earth a grave + For poor Louise. +</pre> + <p> + The song was no sooner finished than, anxious lest the dispute should be + revived betwixt his brother and the Earl of March, King Robert called to + the latter, “What think you of the minstrelsy, my lord? Methinks, as I + heard it even at this distance, it was a wild and pleasing lay.” + </p> + <p> + “My judgment is not deep my lord; but the singer may dispense with my + approbation, since she seems to have received that of his Grace of + Rothsay, the best judge in Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” said the King in alarm; “is my son below?” + </p> + <p> + “He is sitting on horseback by the glee maiden,” said March, with a + malicious smile on his cheek, “apparently as much interested by her + conversation as her music.” + </p> + <p> + “How is this, father prior?” said the King. + </p> + <p> + But the prior drew back from the lattice. “I have no will to see, my lord, + things which it would pain me to repeat.” + </p> + <p> + “How is all this?” said the King, who coloured deeply, and seemed about to + rise from his chair; but changed his mind, as if unwilling, perhaps, to + look upon some unbecoming prank of the wild young prince, which he might + not have had heart to punish with necessary severity. The Earl of March + seemed to have a pleasure in informing him of that of which doubtless he + desired to remain ignorant. + </p> + <p> + “My liege,” he cried, “this is better and better. The glee maiden has not + only engaged the ear of the Prince of Scotland, as well as of every groom + and trooper in the courtyard, but she has riveted the attention of the + Black Douglas, whom we have not known as a passionate admirer of the gay + science. But truly, I do not wonder at his astonishment, for the Prince + has honoured the fair professor of song and viol with a kiss of + approbation.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” cried the King, “is David of Rothsay trifling with a glee maiden, + and his wife’s father in presence? Go, my good father abbot, call the + Prince here instantly. Go, my dearest brother—” And when they had + both left the room, the King continued, “Go, good cousin of March; there + will be mischief, I am assured of it. I pray you go, cousin, and second my + lord prior’s prayers with my commands.” + </p> + <p> + “You forget, my liege,” said March, with the voice of a deeply offended + person, “the father of Elizabeth of Dunbar were but an unfit intercessor + between the Douglas and his royal son in law.” + </p> + <p> + “I crave your pardon, cousin,” said the gentle old man. “I own you have + had some wrong; but my Rothsay will be murdered—I must go myself.” + </p> + <p> + But, as he arose precipitately from his chair, the poor king missed a + footstep, stumbled, and fell heavily to the ground, in such a manner that, + his head striking the corner of the seat from which he had risen, he + became for a minute insensible. The sight of the accident at once overcame + March’s resentment and melted his heart. He ran to the fallen monarch, and + replaced him in his seat, using, in the tenderest and most respectful + manner, such means as seemed most fit to recall animation. + </p> + <p> + Robert opened his eyes, and gazed around with uncertainty. “What has + happened?—are we alone?—who is with us?” + </p> + <p> + “Your dutiful subject, March,” replied the Earl. + </p> + <p> + “Alone with the Earl of March!” repeated the King, his still disturbed + intellect receiving some alarm from the name of a powerful chief whom he + had reason to believe he had mortally offended. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my gracious liege, with poor George of Dunbar, of whom many have + wished your Majesty to think ill, though he will be found truer to your + royal person at the last than they will.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, cousin, you have had too much wrong; and believe me, we shall + strive to redress—” + </p> + <p> + “If your Grace thinks so, it may yet be righted,” interrupted the Earl, + catching at the hopes which his ambition suggested: “the Prince and + Marjory Douglas are nearly related—the dispensation from Rome was + informally granted—their marriage cannot be lawful—the Pope, + who will do much for so godly a prince, can set aside this unchristian + union, in respect of the pre-contract. Bethink you well, my liege,” + continued the Earl, kindling with a new train of ambitious thoughts, to + which the unexpected opportunity of pleading his cause personally had + given rise—“bethink you how you choose betwixt the Douglas and me. + He is powerful and mighty, I grant. But George of Dunbar wears the keys of + Scotland at his belt, and could bring an English army to the gates of + Edinburgh ere Douglas could leave the skirts of Carintable to oppose them. + Your royal son loves my poor deserted girl, and hates the haughty Marjory + of Douglas. Your Grace may judge the small account in which he holds her + by his toying with a common glee maiden even in the presence of her + father.” + </p> + <p> + The King had hitherto listened to the Earl’s argument with the bewildered + feelings of a timid horseman, borne away by an impetuous steed, whose + course he can neither arrest nor direct. But the last words awakened in + his recollection the sense of his son’s immediate danger. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, ay, most true—my son—the Douglas! Oh, my dear cousin, + prevent blood, and all shall be as you will. Hark, there is a tumult—that + was the clash of arms!” + </p> + <p> + “By my coronet, by my knightly faith, it is true!” said the Earl, looking + from the window upon the inner square of the convent, now filled with + armed men and brandished weapons, and resounding with the clash of armour. + The deep vaulted entrance was crowded with warriors at its farthest + extremity, and blows seemed to be in the act of being exchanged betwixt + some who were endeavouring to shut the gate and others who contended to + press in. + </p> + <p> + “I will go instantly,” said the Earl of March, “and soon quell this sudden + broil. Humbly I pray your Majesty to think on what I have had the boldness + to propose.” + </p> + <p> + “I will—I will, fair cousin,” said the King, scarce knowing to what + he pledged himself; “do but prevent tumult and bloodshed!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Fair is the damsel, passing fair; + Sunny at distance gleams her smile; + Approach—the cloud of woful care + Hangs trembling in her eye the while. + + Lucinda, a Ballad. +</pre> + <p> + We must here trace a little more correctly the events which had been + indistinctly seen from the window of the royal apartments, and yet more + indistinctly reported by those who witnessed them. The glee maiden, + already mentioned, had planted herself where a rise of two large broad + steps, giving access to the main gateway of the royal apartments, gained + her an advantage of a foot and a half in height over those in the court, + of whom she hoped to form an audience. She wore the dress of her calling, + which was more gaudy than rich, and showed the person more than did the + garb of other females. She had laid aside an upper mantle, and a small + basket which contained her slender stock of necessaries; and a little + French spaniel dog sat beside them, as their protector. An azure blue + jacket, embroidered with silver, and sitting close to the person, was open + in front, and showed several waistcoats of different coloured silks, + calculated to set off the symmetry of the shoulders and bosom, and + remaining open at the throat. A small silver chain worn around her neck + involved itself amongst these brilliant coloured waistcoats, and was again + produced from them; to display a medal of the same metal, which intimated, + in the name of some court or guild of minstrels, the degree she had taken + in the gay or joyous science. A small scrip, suspended over her shoulders + by a blue silk riband; hung on her left side. + </p> + <p> + Her sunny complexion, snow white teeth, brilliant black eyes, and raven + locks marked her country lying far in the south of France, and the arch + smile and dimpled chin bore the same character. Her luxuriant raven locks, + twisted around a small gold bodkin, were kept in their position by a net + of silk and gold. Short petticoats, deep laced with silver, to correspond + with the jacket, red stockings which were visible so high as near the calf + of the leg, and buskins of Spanish leather, completed her adjustment, + which, though far from new, had been saved as an untarnished holiday suit, + which much care had kept in good order. She seemed about twenty-five years + old; but perhaps fatigue and wandering had anticipated the touch of time + in obliterating the freshness of early youth. + </p> + <p> + We have said the glee maiden’s manner was lively, and we may add that her + smile and repartee were ready. But her gaiety was assumed, as a quality + essentially necessary to her trade, of which it was one of the miseries, + that the professors were obliged frequently to cover an aching heart with + a compelled smile. This seemed to be the case with Louise, who, whether + she was actually the heroine of her own song, or whatever other cause she + might have for sadness, showed at times a strain of deep melancholy + thought, which interfered with and controlled the natural flow of lively + spirits which the practice of the joyous science especially required. She + lacked also, even in her gayest sallies, the decided boldness and + effrontery of her sisterhood, who were seldom at a loss to retort a saucy + jest, or turn the laugh against any who interrupted or interfered with + them. + </p> + <p> + It may be here remarked, that it was impossible that this class of women, + very numerous in that age, could bear a character generally respectable. + They were, however, protected by the manners of the time; and such were + the immunities they possessed by the rights of chivalry, that nothing was + more rare than to hear of such errant damsels sustaining injury or wrong, + and they passed and repassed safely, where armed travellers would probably + have encountered a bloody opposition. But though licensed and protected in + honour of their tuneful art, the wandering minstrels, male or female, like + similar ministers to the public amusement, the itinerant musicians, for + instance, and strolling comedians of our own day, led a life too irregular + and precarious to be accounted a creditable part of society. Indeed, among + the stricter Catholics, the profession was considered as unlawful. + </p> + <p> + Such was the damsel who, with viol in hand, and stationed on the slight + elevation we have mentioned, stepped forward to the bystanders and + announced herself as a mistress of the gay science, duly qualified by a + brief from a Court of Love and Music held at Aix, in Provence, under the + countenance of the flower of chivalry, the gallant Count Aymer; who now + prayed that the cavaliers of merry Scotland, who were known over the wide + world for bravery and courtesy, would permit a poor stranger to try + whether she could afford them any amusement by her art. The love of song + was like the love of fight, a common passion of the age, which all at + least affected, whether they were actually possessed by it or no; + therefore the acquiescence in Louise’s proposal was universal. At the same + time, an aged, dark browed monk who was among the bystanders thought it + necessary to remind the glee maiden that, since she was tolerated within + these precincts, which was an unusual grace, he trusted nothing would be + sung or said inconsistent with the holy character of the place. + </p> + <p> + The glee maiden bent her head low, shook her sable locks, and crossed + herself reverentially, as if she disclaimed the possibility of such a + transgression, and then began the song of “Poor Louise.” which we gave at + length in the last chapter. + </p> + <p> + Just as she commenced, she was stopped by a cry of “Room—room—place + for the Duke of Rothsay!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, hurry no man on my score,” said a gallant young cavalier, who + entered on a noble Arabian horse, which he managed with exquisite grace, + though by such slight handling of the reins, such imperceptible pressure + of the limbs and sway of the body, that to any eye save that of an + experienced horseman the animal seemed to be putting forth his paces for + his own amusement, and thus gracefully bearing forward a rider who was too + indolent to give himself any trouble about the matter. + </p> + <p> + The Prince’s apparel, which was very rich, was put on with slovenly + carelessness. His form, though his stature was low, and his limbs + extremely slight, was elegant in the extreme; and his features no less + handsome. But there was on his brow a haggard paleness, which seemed the + effect of care or of dissipation, or of both these wasting causes + combined. His eyes were sunk and dim, as from late indulgence in revelry + on the preceding evening, while his cheek was inflamed with unnatural red, + as if either the effect of the Bacchanalian orgies had not passed away + from the constitution, or a morning draught had been resorted to, in order + to remove the effects of the night’s debauchery. + </p> + <p> + Such was the Duke of Rothsay, and heir of the Scottish crown, a sight at + once of interest and compassion. All unbonneted and made way for him, + while he kept repeating carelessly, “No haste—no haste: I shall + arrive soon enough at the place I am bound for. How’s this—a damsel + of the joyous science? Ay, by St. Giles! and a comely wench to boot. Stand + still, my merry men; never was minstrelsy marred for me. A good voice, by + the mass! Begin me that lay again, sweetheart.” + </p> + <p> + Louise did not know the person who addressed her; but the general respect + paid by all around, and the easy and indifferent manner in which it was + received, showed her she was addressed by a man of the highest quality. + She recommenced her lay, and sung her best accordingly; while the young + duke seemed thoughtful and rather affected towards the close of the ditty. + But it was not his habit to cherish such melancholy affections. + </p> + <p> + “This is a plaintive ditty, my nut brown maid,” said he, chucking the + retreating glee maiden under the chin, and detaining her by the collar of + her dress, which was not difficult, as he sat on horseback so close to the + steps on which she stood. “But I warrant me you have livelier notes at + will, ma bella tenebrosa; ay, and canst sing in bower as well as wold, and + by night as well as day.” + </p> + <p> + “I am no nightingale, my lord,” said Louise, endeavouring to escape a + species of gallantry which ill suited the place and circumstances—a + discrepancy to which he who addressed it to her seemed contemptuously + indifferent. + </p> + <p> + “What hast thou there, darling?” he added, removing his hold from her + collar to the scrip which she carried. + </p> + <p> + Glad was Louise to escape his grasp, by slipping the knot of the riband, + and leaving the little bag in the Prince’s hand, as, retiring back beyond + his reach, she answered, “Nuts, my lord, of the last season.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince pulled out a handful of nuts accordingly. “Nuts, child! they + will break thine ivory teeth, hurt thy pretty voice,” said Rothsay, + cracking one with his teeth, like a village schoolboy. + </p> + <p> + “They are not the walnuts of my own sunny clime, my lord,” said Louise; + “but they hang low, and are within the reach of the poor.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall have something to afford you better fare, poor wandering ape,” + said the Duke, in a tone in which feeling predominated more than in the + affected and contemptuous gallantry of his first address to the glee + maiden. + </p> + <p> + At this moment, as he turned to ask an attendant for his purse, the Prince + encountered the stern and piercing look of a tall black man, seated on a + powerful iron grey horse, who had entered the court with attendants while + the Duke of Rothsay was engaged with Louise, and now remained stupefied + and almost turned to stone by his surprise and anger at this unseemly + spectacle. Even one who had never seen Archibald Earl of Douglas, called + the Grim, must have known him by his swart complexion, his gigantic frame, + his buff coat of bull’s hide, and his air of courage, firmness, and + sagacity, mixed with indomitable pride. The loss of an eye in battle, + though not perceptible at first sight, as the ball of the injured organ + remained similar to the other, gave yet a stern, immovable glare to the + whole aspect. + </p> + <p> + The meeting of the royal son in law with his terrible stepfather [father + in law] was in circumstances which arrested the attention of all present; + and the bystanders waited the issue with silence and suppressed breath, + lest they should lose any part of what was to ensue. + </p> + <p> + When the Duke of Rothsay saw the expression which occupied the stern + features of Douglas, and remarked that the Earl did not make the least + motion towards respectful, or even civil, salutation, he seemed determined + to show him how little respect he was disposed to pay to his displeased + looks. He took his purse from his chamberlain. + </p> + <p> + “Here, pretty one,” he said, “I give thee one gold piece for the song thou + hast sung me, another for the nuts I have stolen from thee, and a third + for the kiss thou art about to give me. For know, my pretty one, that when + fair lips, and thine for fault of better may be called so, make sweet + music for my pleasure, I am sworn to St. Valentine to press them to mine.” + </p> + <p> + “My song is recompensed nobly,” said Louise, shrinking back; “my nuts are + sold to a good market; farther traffic, my lord, were neither befitting + you nor beseeming me.” + </p> + <p> + “What! you coy it, my nymph of the highway?” said the Prince, + contemptuously. “Know damsel, that one asks you a grace who is unused to + denial.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the Prince of Scotland—the Duke of Rothsay,” said the + courtiers around, to the terrified Louise, pressing forward the trembling + young woman; “you must not thwart his humor.” + </p> + <p> + “But I cannot reach your lordship,” she said, timidly, “you sit so high on + horseback.” + </p> + <p> + “If I must alight,” said Rothsay, “there shall be the heavier penalty. + What does the wench tremble for? Place thy foot on the toe of my boot, + give me hold of thy hand. Gallantly done!” He kissed her as she stood thus + suspended in the air, perched upon his foot and supported by his hand; + saying, “There is thy kiss, and there is my purse to pay it; and to grace + thee farther, Rothsay will wear thy scrip for the day.” + </p> + <p> + He suffered the frightened girl to spring to the ground, and turned his + looks from her to bend them contemptuously on the Earl of Douglas, as if + he had said, “All this I do in despite of you and of your daughter’s + claims.” + </p> + <p> + “By St. Bride of Douglas!” said the Earl, pressing towards the Prince, + “this is too much, unmannered boy, as void of sense as honour! You know + what considerations restrain the hand of Douglas, else had you never dared—” + </p> + <p> + “Can you play at spang cockle, my lord?” said the Prince, placing a nut on + the second joint of his forefinger, and spinning it off by a smart + application of the thumb. The nut struck on Douglas’s broad breast, who + burst out into a dreadful exclamation of wrath, inarticulate, but + resembling the growl of a lion in depth and sternness of expression. + </p> + <p> + “I cry your pardon, most mighty lord,” said the Duke of Rothsay, + scornfully, while all around trembled; “I did not conceive my pellet could + have wounded you, seeing you wear a buff coat. Surely, I trust, it did not + hit your eye?” + </p> + <p> + The prior, despatched by the King, as we have seen in the last chapter, + had by this time made way through the crowd, and laying hold on Douglas’s + rein, in a manner that made it impossible for him to advance, reminded him + that the Prince was the son of his sovereign; and the husband of his + daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Fear not, sir prior,” said Douglas. “I despise the childish boy too much + to raise a finger against him. But I will return insult for insult. Here, + any of you who love the Douglas, spurn me this quean from the monastery + gates; and let her be so scourged that she may bitterly remember to the + last day of her life how she gave means to an unrespective boy to affront + the Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + Four or five retainers instantly stepped forth to execute commands which + were seldom uttered in vain, and heavily would Louise have atoned for an + offence of which she was alike the innocent, unconscious, and unwilling + instrument, had not the Duke of Rothsay interfered. + </p> + <p> + “Spurn the poor glee woman!” he said, in high indignation; “scourge her + for obeying my commands! Spurn thine own oppressed vassals, rude earl—scourge + thine own faulty hounds; but beware how you touch so much as a dog that + Rothsay hath patted on the head, far less a female whose lips he hath + kissed!” + </p> + <p> + Before Douglas could give an answer, which would certainly have been in + defiance, there arose that great tumult at the outward gate of the + monastery, already noticed, and men both on horseback and on foot began to + rush headlong in, not actually fighting with each other, but certainly in + no peaceable manner. + </p> + <p> + One of the contending parties, seemingly, were partizans of Douglas, known + by the cognizance of the bloody heart; the other were composed of citizens + of the town of Perth. It appeared they had been skirmishing in earnest + when without the gates, but, out of respect to the sanctified ground, they + lowered their weapons when they entered, and confined their strife to a + war of words and mutual abuse. + </p> + <p> + The tumult had this good effect, that it forced asunder, by the weight and + press of numbers, the Prince and Douglas, at a moment when the levity of + the former and the pride of the latter were urging both to the utmost + extremity. But now peacemakers interfered on all sides. The prior and the + monks threw themselves among the multitude, and commanded peace in the + name of Heaven, and reverence to their sacred walls, under penalty of + excommunication; and their expostulations began to be listened to. Albany, + who was despatched by his royal brother at the beginning of the fray, had + not arrived till now on the scene of action. He instantly applied himself + to Douglas, and in his ear conjured him to temper his passion. + </p> + <p> + “By St. Bride of Douglas, I will be avenged!” said the Earl. “No man shall + brook life after he has passed an affront on Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, so you may be avenged in fitting time,” said Albany; “but let it not + be said that, like a peevish woman, the Great Douglas could choose neither + time nor place for his vengeance. Bethink you, all that we have laboured + at is like to be upset by an accident. George of Dunbar hath had the + advantage of an audience with the old man; and though it lasted but five + minutes, I fear it may endanger the dissolution of your family match, + which we brought about with so much difficulty. The authority from Rome + has not yet been obtained.” + </p> + <p> + “A toy!” answered Douglas, haughtily; “they dare not dissolve it.” + </p> + <p> + “Not while Douglas is at large, and in possession of his power,” answered + Albany. “But, noble earl, come with me, and I will show you at what + disadvantage you stand.” + </p> + <p> + Douglas dismounted, and followed his wily accomplice in silence. In a + lower hall they saw the ranks of the Brandanes drawn up, well armed in + caps of steel and shirts of mail. Their captain, making an obeisance to + Albany, seemed to desire to address him. + </p> + <p> + “What now, MacLouis?” said the Duke. + </p> + <p> + “We are informed the Duke of Rothsay has been insulted, and I can scarce + keep the Brandanes within door.” + </p> + <p> + “Gallant MacLouis,” said Albany, “and you, my trusty Brandanes, the Duke + of Rothsay, my princely nephew, is as well as a hopeful gentleman can be. + Some scuffle there has been, but all is appeased.” + </p> + <p> + He continued to draw the Earl of Douglas forward. “You see, my lord,” he + said in his ear, “that, if the word ‘arrest’ was to be once spoken, it + would be soon obeyed, and you are aware your attendants are few for + resistance.” + </p> + <p> + Douglas seemed to acquiesce in the necessity of patience for the time. “If + my teeth,” he said, “should bite through my lips, I will be silent till it + is the hour to speak out.” + </p> + <p> + George of March, in the meanwhile, had a more easy task of pacifying the + Prince. “My Lord of Rothsay,” he said, approaching him with grave + ceremony, “I need not tell you that you owe me something for reparation of + honour, though I blame not you personally for the breach of contract which + has destroyed the peace of my family. Let me conjure you, by what + observance your Highness may owe an injured man, to forego for the present + this scandalous dispute.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord, I owe you much,” replied Rothsay; “but this haughty and all + controlling lord has wounded mine honour.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord, I can but add, your royal father is ill—hath swooned with + terror for your Highness’s safety.” + </p> + <p> + “Ill!” replied the Prince—“the kind, good old man swooned, said you, + my Lord of March? I am with him in an instant.” + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Rothsay sprung from his saddle to the ground, and was dashing + into the palace like a greyhound, when a feeble grasp was laid on his + cloak, and the faint voice of a kneeling female exclaimed, “Protection, my + noble prince!—protection for a helpless stranger!” + </p> + <p> + “Hands off, stroller!” said the Earl of March, thrusting the suppliant + glee maiden aside. + </p> + <p> + But the gentler prince paused. “It is true,” he said, “I have brought the + vengeance of an unforgiving devil upon this helpless creature. O Heaven! + what a life, is mine, so fatal to all who approach me! What to do in the + hurry? She must not go to my apartments. And all my men are such born + reprobates. Ha! thou at mine elbow, honest Harry Smith? What dost thou + here?” + </p> + <p> + “There has been something of a fight, my lord,” answered our acquaintance + the smith, “between the townsmen and the Southland loons who ride with the + Douglas; and we have swinged them as far as the abbey gate.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad of it—I am glad of it. And you beat the knaves fairly?” + </p> + <p> + “Fairly, does your Highness ask?” said Henry. “Why, ay! We were stronger + in numbers, to be sure; but no men ride better armed than those who follow + the Bloody Heart. And so in a sense we beat them fairly; for, as your + Highness knows, it is the smith who makes the man at arms, and men with + good weapons are a match for great odds.” + </p> + <p> + While they thus talked, the Earl of March, who had spoken with some one + near the palace gate, returned in anxious haste. “My Lord Duke!—my + Lord Duke! your father is recovered, and if you haste not speedily, my + Lord of Albany and the Douglas will have possession of his royal ear.” + </p> + <p> + “And if my royal father is recovered,” said the thoughtless Prince, “and + is holding, or about to hold, counsel with my gracious uncle and the Earl + of Douglas, it befits neither your lordship nor me to intrude till we are + summoned. So there is time for me to speak of my little business with mine + honest armourer here.” + </p> + <p> + “Does your Highness take it so?” said the Earl, whose sanguine hopes of a + change of favour at court had been too hastily excited, and were as + speedily checked. “Then so let it be for George of Dunbar.” + </p> + <p> + He glided away with a gloomy and displeased aspect; and thus out of the + two most powerful noblemen in Scotland, at a time when the aristocracy so + closely controlled the throne, the reckless heir apparent had made two + enemies—the one by scornful defiance and the other by careless + neglect. He heeded not the Earl of March’s departure, however, or rather + he felt relieved from his importunity. + </p> + <p> + The Prince went on in indolent conversation with our armourer, whose skill + in his art had made him personally known to many of the great lords about + the court. + </p> + <p> + “I had something to say to thee, Smith. Canst thou take up a fallen link + in my Milan hauberk?” + </p> + <p> + “As well, please your Highness, as my mother could take up a stitch in the + nets she wove. The Milaner shall not know my work from his own.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, but that was not what I wished of thee just now,” said the Prince, + recollecting himself: “this poor glee woman, good Smith, she must be + placed in safety. Thou art man enough to be any woman’s champion, and thou + must conduct her to some place of safety.” + </p> + <p> + Henry Smith was, as we have seen, sufficiently rash and daring when + weapons were in question. But he had also the pride of a decent burgher, + and was unwilling to place himself in what might be thought equivocal + circumstances by the sober part of his fellow citizens. + </p> + <p> + “May it please your Highness,” he said, “I am but a poor craftsman. But, + though my arm and sword are at the King’s service and your Highness’s, I + am, with reverence, no squire of dames. Your Highness will find, among + your own retinue, knights and lords willing enough to play Sir Pandarus of + Troy; it is too knightly a part for poor Hal of the Wynd.” + </p> + <p> + “Umph—hah!” said the Prince. “My purse, Edgar.” (His attendant + whispered him.) “True—true, I gave it to the poor wench. I know + enough of your craft, sir smith, and of craftsmen in general, to be aware + that men lure not hawks with empty hands; but I suppose my word may pass + for the price of a good armour, and I will pay it thee, with thanks to + boot, for this slight service.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Highness may know other craftsmen,” said the smith; “but, with + reverence, you know not Henry Gow. He will obey you in making a weapon, or + in wielding one, but he knows nothing of this petticoat service.” + </p> + <p> + “Hark thee, thou Perthshire mule,” said the Prince, yet smiling, while he + spoke, at the sturdy punctilio of the honest burgher; “the wench is as + little to me as she is to thee. But in an idle moment, as you may learn + from those about thee, if thou sawest it not thyself, I did her a passing + grace, which is likely to cost the poor wretch her life. There is no one + here whom I can trust to protect her against the discipline of belt and + bowstring, with which the Border brutes who follow Douglas will beat her + to death, since such is his pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “If such be the case, my liege, she has a right to every honest man’s + protection; and since she wears a petticoat—though I would it were + longer and of a less fanciful fashion—I will answer for her + protection as well as a single man may. But where am I to bestow her?” + </p> + <p> + “Good faith, I cannot tell,” said the Prince. “Take her to Sir John + Ramorny’s lodging. But, no—no—he is ill at ease, and besides, + there are reasons; take her to the devil if thou wilt, but place her in + safety, and oblige David of Rothsay.” + </p> + <p> + “My noble Prince,” said the smith, “I think, always with reverence, that I + would rather give a defenceless woman to the care of the devil than of Sir + John Ramorny. But though the devil be a worker in fire like myself, yet I + know not his haunts, and with aid of Holy Church hope to keep him on terms + of defiance. And, moreover, how I am to convey her out of this crowd, or + through the streets, in such a mumming habit may be well made a question.” + </p> + <p> + “For the leaving the convent,” said the Prince, “this good monk” (seizing + upon the nearest by his cowl)—“Father Nicholas or Boniface—” + </p> + <p> + “Poor brother Cyprian, at your Highness’s command,” said the father. + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay, brother Cyprian,” continued the Prince—“yes. Brother + Cyprian shall let you out at some secret passage which he knows of, and I + will see him again to pay a prince’s thanks for it.” + </p> + <p> + The churchman bowed in acquiescence, and poor Louise, who, during this + debate, had looked from the one speaker to the other, hastily said, “I + will not scandalise this good man with my foolish garb: I have a mantle + for ordinary wear.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, there, Smith, thou hast a friar’s hood and a woman’s mantle to + shroud thee under. I would all my frailties were as well shrouded. + Farewell, honest fellow; I will thank thee hereafter.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as if afraid of farther objection on the smith’s part, he hastened + into the palace. + </p> + <p> + Henry Gow remained stupefied at what had passed, and at finding himself + involved in a charge at once inferring much danger and an equal risk of + scandal, both which, joined to a principal share which he had taken, with + his usual forwardness, in the fray, might, he saw, do him no small injury + in the suit he pursued most anxiously. At the same time, to leave a + defenceless creature to the ill usage of the barbarous Galwegians and + licentious followers of the Douglas was a thought which his manly heart + could not brook for an instant. + </p> + <p> + He was roused from his reverie by the voice of the monk, who, sliding out + his words with the indifference which the holy fathers entertained, or + affected, towards all temporal matters, desired them to follow him. The + smith put himself in motion, with a sigh much resembling a groan, and, + without appearing exactly connected with the monk’s motions, he followed + him into a cloister, and through a postern door, which, after looking once + behind him, the priest left ajar. Behind them followed Louise, who had + hastily assumed her small bundle, and, calling her little four legged + companion, had eagerly followed in the path which opened an escape from + what had shortly before seemed a great and inevitable danger. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Then up and spak the auld gudewife, + And wow! but she was grim: + “Had e’er your father done the like, + It had been ill for him.” + + Lucky Trumbull. +</pre> + <p> + The party were now, by a secret passage, admitted within the church, the + outward doors of which, usually left open, had been closed against every + one in consequence of the recent tumult, when the rioters of both parties + had endeavoured to rush into it for other purposes than those of devotion. + They traversed the gloomy aisles, whose arched roof resounded to the heavy + tread of the armourer, but was silent under the sandalled foot of the + monk, and the light step of poor Louise, who trembled excessively, as much + from fear as cold. She saw that neither her spiritual nor temporal + conductor looked kindly upon her. The former was an austere man, whose + aspect seemed to hold the luckless wanderer in some degree of horror, as + well as contempt; while the latter, though, as we have seen, one of the + best natured men living, was at present grave to the pitch of sternness, + and not a little displeased with having the part he was playing forced + upon him, without, as he was constrained to feel, a possibility of his + declining it. + </p> + <p> + His dislike at his task extended itself to the innocent object of his + protection, and he internally said to himself, as he surveyed her + scornfully: “A proper queen of beggars to walk the streets of Perth with, + and I a decent burgher! This tawdry minion must have as ragged a + reputation as the rest of her sisterhood, and I am finely sped if my + chivalry in her behalf comes to Catharine’s ears. I had better have slain + a man, were he the best in Perth; and, by hammer and nails, I would have + done it on provocation, rather than convoy this baggage through the city.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps Louise suspected the cause of her conductor’s anxiety, for she + said, timidly and with hesitation: “Worthy sir, were it not better I + should stop one instant in that chapel and don my mantle?” + </p> + <p> + “Umph, sweetheart, well proposed,” said the armourer; but the monk + interfered, raising at the same time the finger of interdiction. + </p> + <p> + “The chapel of holy St. Madox is no tiring room for jugglers and strollers + to shift their trappings in. I will presently show thee a vestiary more + suited to thy condition.” + </p> + <p> + The poor young woman hung down her humbled head, and turned from the + chapel door which she had approached with the deep sense of self + abasement. Her little spaniel seemed to gather from his mistress’s looks + and manner that they were unauthorised intruders on the holy ground which + they trode, and hung his ears, and swept the pavement with his tail, as he + trotted slowly and close to Louise’s heels. + </p> + <p> + The monk moved on without a pause. They descended a broad flight of steps, + and proceeded through a labyrinth of subterranean passages, dimly lighted. + As they passed a low arched door, the monk turned and said to Louise, with + the same stern voice as before: “There, daughter of folly—there is a + robing room, where many before you have deposited their vestments.” + </p> + <p> + Obeying the least signal with ready and timorous acquiescence, she pushed + the door open, but instantly recoiled with terror. It was a charnel house, + half filled with dry skulls and bones. + </p> + <p> + “I fear to change my dress there, and alone. But, if you, father, command + it, be it as you will.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, thou child of vanity, the remains on which thou lookest are but the + earthly attire of those who, in their day, led or followed in the pursuit + of worldly pleasure. And such shalt thou be, for all thy mincing and + ambling, thy piping and thy harping—thou, and all such ministers of + frivolous and worldly pleasure, must become like these poor bones, whom + thy idle nicety fears and loathes to look upon.” + </p> + <p> + “Say not with idle nicety, reverend father,” answered the glee maiden, + “for, Heaven knows, I covet the repose of these poor bleached relics; and + if, by stretching my body upon them, I could, without sin, bring my state + to theirs, I would choose that charnel heap for my place of rest beyond + the fairest and softest couch in Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “Be patient, and come on,” said the monk, in a milder tone, “the reaper + must not leave the harvest work till sunset gives the signal that the + day’s toil is over.” + </p> + <p> + They walked forward. Brother Cyprian, at the end of a long gallery, opened + the door of a small apartment, or perhaps a chapel, for it was decorated + with a crucifix, before which burned four lamps. All bent and crossed + themselves; and the priest said to the minstrel maiden, pointing to the + crucifix, “What says that emblem?” + </p> + <p> + “That HE invites the sinner as well as the righteous to approach.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, if the sinner put from him his sin,” said the monk, whose tone of + voice was evidently milder. “Prepare thyself here for thy journey.” + </p> + <p> + Louise remained an instant or two in the chapel, and presently reappeared + in a mantle of coarse grey cloth, in which she had closely muffled + herself, having put such of her more gaudy habiliments as she had time to + take off in the little basket which had before held her ordinary attire. + </p> + <p> + The monk presently afterwards unlocked a door which led to the open air. + They found themselves in the garden which surrounded the monastery of the + Dominicans. + </p> + <p> + “The southern gate is on the latch, and through it you can pass + unnoticed,” said the monk. “Bless thee, my son; and bless thee too, + unhappy child. Remembering where you put off your idle trinkets, may you + take care how you again resume them!” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, father!” said Louise, “if the poor foreigner could supply the mere + wants of life by any more creditable occupation, she has small wish to + profess her idle art. But—” + </p> + <p> + But the monk had vanished; nay, the very door though which she had just + passed appeared to have vanished also, so curiously was it concealed + beneath a flying buttress, and among the profuse ornaments of Gothic + architecture. + </p> + <p> + “Here is a woman let out by this private postern, sure enough,” was + Henry’s reflection. “Pray Heaven the good fathers never let any in! The + place seems convenient for such games at bo peep. But, Benedicite, what is + to be done next? I must get rid of this quean as fast as I can; and I must + see her safe. For let her be at heart what she may, she looks too modest, + now she is in decent dress, to deserve the usage which the wild Scot of + Galloway, or the devil’s legion from the Liddel, are like to afford her.” + </p> + <p> + Louise stood as if she waited his pleasure which way to go. Her little + dog, relieved by the exchange of the dark, subterranean vault for the open + air, sprung in wild gambols through the walks, and jumped upon its + mistress, and even, though more timidly, circled close round the smith’s + feet, to express its satisfaction to him also, and conciliate his favour. + </p> + <p> + “Down, Charlot—down!” said the glee maiden. “You are glad to get + into the blessed sunshine; but where shall we rest at night, my poor + Charlot?” + </p> + <p> + “And now, mistress,” said the smith, not churlishly, for it was not in his + nature, but bluntly, as one who is desirous to finish a disagreeable + employment, “which way lies your road?” + </p> + <p> + Louise looked on the ground and was silent. On being again urged to say + which way she desired to be conducted, she again looked down, and said she + could not tell. + </p> + <p> + “Come—come,” said Henry, “I understand all that: I have been a + galliard—a reveller in my day, but it’s best to be plain. As matters + are with me now, I am an altered man for these many, many months; and so, + my quean, you and I must part sooner than perhaps a light o’ love such as + you expected to part with—a likely young fellow.” + </p> + <p> + Louise wept silently, with her eyes still cast on the ground, as one who + felt an insult which she had not a right to complain of. At length, + perceiving that her conductor was grown impatient, she faltered out, + “Noble sir—” + </p> + <p> + “Sir is for a knight,” said the impatient burgher, “and noble is for a + baron. I am Harry of the Wynd, an honest mechanic, and free of my guild.” + </p> + <p> + “Good craftsman, then,” said the minstrel woman, “you judge me harshly, + but not without seeming cause. I would relieve you immediately of my + company, which, it may be, brings little credit to good men, did I but + know which way to go.” + </p> + <p> + “To the next wake or fair, to be sure,” said Henry, roughly, having no + doubt that this distress was affected for the purpose of palming herself + upon him, and perhaps dreading to throw himself into the way of + temptation; “and that is the feast of St. Madox, at Auchterarder. I + warrant thou wilt find the way thither well enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Aftr—Auchter—” repeated the glee maiden, her Southern tongue + in vain attempting the Celtic accentuation. “I am told my poor plays will + not be understood if I go nearer to yon dreadful range of mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you abide, then, in Perth?” + </p> + <p> + “But where to lodge?” said the wanderer. + </p> + <p> + “Why, where lodged you last night?” replied the smith. “You know where you + came from, surely, though you seem doubtful where you are going?” + </p> + <p> + “I slept in the hospital of the convent. But I was only admitted upon + great importunity, and I was commanded not to return.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, they will never take you in with the ban of the Douglas upon you, + that is even too true. But the Prince mentioned Sir John Ramorny’s; I can + take you to his lodgings through bye streets, though it is short of an + honest burgher’s office, and my time presses.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go anywhere; I know I am a scandal and incumbrance. There was a + time when it was otherwise. But this Ramorny, who is he?” + </p> + <p> + “A courtly knight, who lives a jolly bachelor’s life, and is master of the + horse, and privado, as they say, to the young prince.” + </p> + <p> + “What! to the wild, scornful young man who gave occasion to yonder + scandal? Oh, take me not thither, good friend. Is there no Christian woman + who would give a poor creature rest in her cowhouse or barn for one night? + I will be gone with early daybreak. I will repay her richly. I have gold; + and I will repay you, too, if you will take me where I may be safe from + that wild reveller, and from the followers of that dark baron, in whose + eye was death.” + </p> + <p> + “Keep your gold for those who lack it, mistress,” said Henry, “and do not + offer to honest hands the money that is won by violing, and tabouring, and + toe tripping, and perhaps worse pastimes. I tell you plainly, mistress, I + am not to be fooled. I am ready to take you to any place of safety you can + name, for my promise is as strong as an iron shackle. But you cannot + persuade me that you do not know what earth to make for. You are not so + young in your trade as not to know there are hostelries in every town, + much more in a city like Perth, where such as you may be harboured for + your money, if you cannot find some gulls, more or fewer, to pay your + lawing. If you have money, mistress, my care about you need be the less; + and truly I see little but pretence in all that excessive grief, and fear + of being left alone, in one of your occupation.” + </p> + <p> + Having thus, as he conceived, signified that he was not to be deceived by + the ordinary arts of a glee maiden, Henry walked a few paces sturdily, + endeavouring to think he was doing the wisest and most prudent thing in + the world. Yet he could not help looking back to see how Louise bore his + departure, and was shocked to observe that she had sunk upon a bank, with + her arms resting on her knees and her head on her arms, in a situation + expressive of the utmost desolation. + </p> + <p> + The smith tried to harden his heart. “It is all a sham,” he said: “the + gouge knows her trade, I’ll be sworn, by St. Ringan.” + </p> + <p> + At the instant something pulled the skirts of his cloak; and looking + round, he saw the little spaniel, who immediately, as if to plead his + mistress’s cause, got on his hind legs and began to dance, whimpering at + the same time, and looking back to Louise, as if to solicit compassion for + his forsaken owner. + </p> + <p> + “Poor thing,” said the smith, “there may be a trick in this too, for thou + dost but as thou art taught. Yet, as I promised to protect this poor + creature, I must not leave her in a swoon, if it be one, were it but for + manhood’s sake.” + </p> + <p> + Returning, and approaching his troublesome charge, he was at once assured, + from the change of her complexion, either that she was actually in the + deepest distress, or had a power of dissimulation beyond the comprehension + of man—or woman either. + </p> + <p> + “Young woman,” he said, with more of kindness than he had hitherto been + able even to assume, “I will tell you frankly how I am placed. This is St. + Valentine’s Day, and by custom I was to spend it with my fair Valentine. + But blows and quarrels have occupied all the morning, save one poor half + hour. Now, you may well understand where my heart and my thoughts are, and + where, were it only in mere courtesy, my body ought to be.” + </p> + <p> + The glee maiden listened, and appeared to comprehend him. + </p> + <p> + “If you are a true lover, and have to wait upon a chaste Valentine, God + forbid that one like me should make a disturbance between you! Think about + me no more. I will ask of that great river to be my guide to where it + meets the ocean, where I think they said there was a seaport; I will sail + from thence to La Belle France, and will find myself once more in a + country in which the roughest peasant would not wrong the poorest female.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot go to Dundee today,” said the smith. “The Douglas people are + in motion on both sides of the river, for the alarm of the morning has + reached them ere now; and all this day, and the next, and the whole night + which is between, they will gather to their leader’s standard, like + Highlandmen at the fiery cross. Do you see yonder five or six men who are + riding so wildly on the other side of the river? These are Annandale men: + I know them by the length of their lances, and by the way they hold them. + An Annandale man never slopes his spear backwards, but always keeps the + point upright, or pointed forward.” + </p> + <p> + “And what of them?” said the glee maiden. “They are men at arms and + soldiers. They would respect me for my viol and my helplessness.” + </p> + <p> + “I will say them no scandal,” answered the smith. “If you were in their + own glens, they would use you hospitably, and you would have nothing to + fear; but they are now on an expedition. All is fish that comes to their + net. There are amongst them who would take your life for the value of your + gold earrings. Their whole soul is settled in their eyes to see prey, and + in their hands to grasp it. They have no ears either to hear lays of music + or listen to prayers for mercy. Besides, their leader’s order is gone + forth concerning you, and it is of a kind sure to be obeyed. Ay, great + lords are sooner listened to if they say, ‘Burn a church,’ than if they + say, ‘Build one.’” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said the glee woman, “I were best sit down and die.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not say so,” replied the smith. “If I could but get you a lodging for + the night, I would carry you the next morning to Our Lady’s Stairs, from + whence the vessels go down the river for Dundee, and would put you on + board with some one bound that way, who should see you safely lodged where + you would have fair entertainment and kind usage.” + </p> + <p> + “Good—excellent—generous man!” said the glee maiden, “do this, + and if the prayers and blessings of a poor unfortunate should ever reach + Heaven, they will rise thither in thy behalf. We will meet at yonder + postern door, at whatever time the boats take their departure.” + </p> + <p> + “That is at six in the morning, when the day is but young.” + </p> + <p> + “Away with you, then, to your Valentine; and if she loves you, oh, deceive + her not!” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, poor damsel! I fear it is deceit hath brought thee to this pass. + But I must not leave you thus unprovided. I must know where you are to + pass the night.” + </p> + <p> + “Care not for that,” replied Louise: “the heavens are clear—there + are bushes and boskets enough by the river side—Charlot and I can + well make a sleeping room of a green arbour for one night; and tomorrow + will, with your promised aid, see me out of reach of injury and wrong. Oh, + the night soon passes away when there is hope for tomorrow! Do you still + linger, with your Valentine waiting for you? Nay, I shall hold you but a + loitering lover, and you know what belongs to a minstrel’s reproaches.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot leave you, damsel,” answered the armourer, now completely + melted. “It were mere murder to suffer you to pass the night exposed to + the keenness of a Scottish blast in February. No—no, my word would + be ill kept in this manner; and if I should incur some risk of blame, it + is but just penance for thinking of thee, and using thee, more according + to my own prejudices, as I now well believe, than thy merits. Come with + me, damsel; thou shalt have a sure and honest lodging for the night, + whatsoever may be the consequence. It would be an evil compliment to my + Catharine, were I to leave a poor creature to be starved to death, that I + might enjoy her company an hour sooner.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, and hardening himself against all anticipations of the ill + consequences or scandal which might arise from such a measure, the manly + hearted smith resolved to set evil report at defiance, and give the + wanderer a night’s refuge in his own house. It must be added, that he did + this with extreme reluctance, and in a sort of enthusiasm of benevolence. + </p> + <p> + Ere our stout son of Vulcan had fixed his worship on the Fair Maid of + Perth, a certain natural wildness of disposition had placed him under the + influence of Venus, as well as that of Mars; and it was only the effect of + a sincere attachment which had withdrawn him entirely from such licentious + pleasures. He was therefore justly jealous of his newly acquired + reputation for constancy, which his conduct to this poor wanderer must + expose to suspicion; a little doubtful, perhaps, of exposing himself too + venturously to temptation; and moreover in despair to lose so much of St. + Valentine’s Day, which custom not only permitted, but enjoined him to pass + beside his mate for the season. The journey to Kinfauns, and the various + transactions which followed, had consumed the day, and it was now nearly + evensong time. + </p> + <p> + As if to make up by a speedy pace for the time he was compelled to waste + upon a subject so foreign to that which he had most at heart, he strode on + through the Dominicans’ gardens, entered the town, and casting his cloak + around the lower part of his face, and pulling down his bonnet to conceal + the upper, he continued the same celerity of movement through bye streets + and lanes, hoping to reach his own house in the Wynd without being + observed. But when he had continued his rate of walking for ten minutes, + he began to be sensible it might be too rapid for the young woman to keep + up with him. He accordingly looked behind him with a degree of angry + impatience, which soon turned into compunction, when he saw that she was + almost utterly exhausted by the speed which she had exerted. + </p> + <p> + “Now, marry, hang me up for a brute,” said Henry to himself. “Was my own + haste ever so great, could it give that poor creature wings? And she + loaded with baggage too! I am an ill nurtured beast, that is certain, + wherever women are in question; and always sure to do wrong when I have + the best will to act right. + </p> + <p> + “Hark thee, damsel; let me carry these things for thee. We shall make + better speed that I do so.” + </p> + <p> + Poor Louise would have objected, but her breath was too much exhausted to + express herself; and she permitted her good natured guardian to take her + little basket, which, when the dog beheld, he came straight before Henry, + stood up, and shook his fore paws, whining gently, as if he too wanted to + be carried. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, then, I must needs lend thee a lift too,” said the smith, who saw + the creature was tired: + </p> + <p> + “Fie, Charlot!” said Louise; “thou knowest I will carry thee myself.” + </p> + <p> + She endeavoured to take up the little spaniel, but it escaped from her; + and going to the other side of the smith, renewed its supplication that he + would take it up. + </p> + <p> + “Charlot’s right,” said the smith: “he knows best who is ablest to bear + him. This lets me know, my pretty one, that you have not been always the + bearer of your own mail: Charlot can tell tales.” + </p> + <p> + So deadly a hue came across the poor glee maiden’s countenance as Henry + spoke, that he was obliged to support her, lest she should have dropped to + the ground. She recovered again, however, in an instant or two, and with a + feeble voice requested her guide would go on. + </p> + <p> + “Nay—nay,” said Henry, as they began to move, “keep hold of my + cloak, or my arm, if it helps you forward better. A fair sight we are; and + had I but a rebeck or a guitar at my back, and a jackanapes on my + shoulder, we should seem as joyous a brace of strollers as ever touched + string at a castle gate. + </p> + <p> + “Snails!” he ejaculated internally, “were any neighbour to meet me with + this little harlotry’s basket at my back, her dog under my arm, and + herself hanging on my cloak, what could they think but that I had turned + mumper in good earnest? I would not for the best harness I ever laid + hammer on, that any of our long tongued neighbours met me in this guise; + it were a jest would last from St. Valentine’s Day to next Candlemas.” + </p> + <p> + Stirred by these thoughts, the smith, although at the risk of making much + longer a route which he wished to traverse as swiftly as possible, took + the most indirect and private course which he could find, in order to + avoid the main streets, still crowded with people, owing to the late scene + of tumult and agitation. But unhappily his policy availed him nothing; + for, in turning into an alley, he met a man with his cloak muffled around + his face, from a desire like his own to pass unobserved, though the slight + insignificant figure, the spindle shanks, which showed themselves beneath + the mantle, and the small dull eye that blinked over its upper folds, + announced the pottingar as distinctly as if he had carried his sign in + front of his bonnet. His unexpected and most unwelcome presence + overwhelmed the smith with confusion. Ready evasion was not the property + of his bold, blunt temper; and knowing this man to be a curious observer, + a malignant tale bearer, and by no means well disposed to himself in + particular, no better hope occurred to him than that the worshipful + apothecary would give him some pretext to silence his testimony and secure + his discretion by twisting his neck round. + </p> + <p> + But, far from doing or saying anything which could warrant such + extremities, the pottingar, seeing himself so close upon his stalwart + townsman that recognition was inevitable, seemed determined it should be + as slight as possible; and without appearing to notice anything particular + in the company or circumstances in which they met, he barely slid out + these words as he passed him, without even a glance towards his companion + after the first instant of their meeting: “A merry holiday to you once + more, stout smith. What! thou art bringing thy cousin, pretty Mistress + Joan Letham, with her mail, from the waterside—fresh from Dundee, I + warrant? I heard she was expected at the old cordwainer’s.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke thus, he looked neither right nor left, and exchanging a “Save + you!” with a salute of the same kind which the smith rather muttered than + uttered distinctly, he glided forward on his way like a shadow. + </p> + <p> + “The foul fiend catch me, if I can swallow that pill,” said Henry Smith, + “how well soever it may be gilded. The knave has a shrewd eye for a + kirtle, and knows a wild duck from a tame as well as e’er a man in Perth. + He were the last in the Fair City to take sour plums for pears, or my + roundabout cousin Joan for this piece of fantastic vanity. I fancy his + bearing was as much as to say, ‘I will not see what you might wish me + blind to’; and he is right to do so, as he might easily purchase himself a + broken pate by meddling with my matters, and so he will be silent for his + own sake. But whom have we next? By St. Dunstan, the chattering, bragging, + cowardly knave, Oliver Proudfute!” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +It was, indeed, the bold bonnet maker whom they next encountered, who, +with his cap on one side, and trolling the ditty of— + + “Thou art over long at the pot, Tom, Tom,” + —gave plain intimation that he had made no dry meal. +</pre> + <p> + “Ha! my jolly smith,” he said, “have I caught thee in the manner? What, + can the true steel bend? Can Vulcan, as the minstrel says, pay Venus back + in her own coin? Faith, thou wilt be a gay Valentine before the year’s + out, that begins with the holiday so jollily.” + </p> + <p> + “Hark ye, Oliver,” said the displeased smith, “shut your eyes and pass on, + crony. And hark ye again, stir not your tongue about what concerns you + not, as you value having an entire tooth in your head.” + </p> + <p> + “I betray counsel? I bear tales, and that against my brother martialist? I + would not tell it even to my timber soldan! Why, I can be a wild galliard + in a corner as well as thou, man. And now I think on’t, I will go with + thee somewhere, and we will have a rouse together, and thy Dalilah shall + give us a song. Ha! said I not well?” + </p> + <p> + “Excellently,” said Henry, longing the whole time to knock his brother + martialist down, but wisely taking a more peaceful way to rid himself of + the incumbrance of his presence—“excellently well! I may want thy + help, too, for here are five or six of the Douglasses before us: they will + not fail to try to take the wench from a poor burgher like myself, so I + will be glad of the assistance of a tearer such as thou art.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank ye—I thank ye,” answered the bonnet maker; “but were I not + better run and cause ring the common bell, and get my great sword?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, ay, run home as fast as you can, and say nothing of what you have + seen.” + </p> + <p> + “Who, I? Nay, fear me not. Pah! I scorn a tale bearer.” + </p> + <p> + “Away with you, then. I hear the clash of armour.” + </p> + <p> + This put life and mettle into the heels of the bonnet maker, who, turning + his back on the supposed danger, set off at a pace which the smith never + doubted would speedily bring him to his own house. + </p> + <p> + “Here is another chattering jay to deal with,” thought the smith; “but I + have a hank over him too. The minstrels have a fabliau of a daw with + borrowed feathers—why, this Oliver is The very bird, and, by St. + Dunstan, if he lets his chattering tongue run on at my expense, I will so + pluck him as never hawk plumed a partridge. And this he knows.” + </p> + <p> + As these reflections thronged on his mind, he had nearly reached the end + of his journey, and, with the glee maiden still hanging on his cloak, + exhausted, partly with fear, partly with fatigue, he at length arrived at + the middle of the wynd, which was honoured with his own habitation, and + from which, in the uncertainty that then attended the application of + surnames, he derived one of his own appellatives. Here, on ordinary days, + his furnace was seen to blaze, and four half stripped knaves stunned the + neighbourhood with the clang of hammer and stithy. But St. Valentine’s + holiday was an excuse for these men of steel having shut the shop, and for + the present being absent on their own errands of devotion or pleasure. The + house which adjoined to the smithy called Henry its owner; and though it + was small, and situated in a narrow street, yet, as there was a large + garden with fruit trees behind it, it constituted upon the whole a + pleasant dwelling. The smith, instead of knocking or calling, which would + have drawn neighbours to doors and windows, drew out a pass key of his own + fabrication, then a great and envied curiosity, and opening the door of + his house, introduced his companion into his habitation. + </p> + <p> + The apartment which received Henry and the glee maiden was the kitchen, + which served amongst those of the smith’s station for the family sitting + room, although one or two individuals, like Simon Glover, had an eating + room apart from that in which their victuals were prepared. In the corner + of this apartment, which was arranged with an unusual attention to + cleanliness, sat an old woman, whose neatness of attire, and the precision + with which her scarlet plaid was drawn over her head, so as to descend to + her shoulders on each side, might have indicated a higher rank than that + of Luckie Shoolbred, the smith’s housekeeper. Yet such and no other was + her designation; and not having attended mass in the morning, she was + quietly reposing herself by the side of the fire, her beads, half told, + hanging over her left arm; her prayers, half said, loitering upon her + tongue; her eyes, half closed, resigning themselves to slumber, while she + expected the return of her foster son, without being able to guess at what + hour it was likely to happen. She started up at the sound of his entrance, + and bent her eye upon his companion, at first with a look of the utmost + surprise, which gradually was exchanged for one expressive of great + displeasure. + </p> + <p> + “Now the saints bless mine eyesight, Henry Smith!” she exclaimed, very + devoutly. + </p> + <p> + “Amen, with all my heart. Get some food ready presently, good nurse, for I + fear me this traveller hath dined but lightly.” + </p> + <p> + “And again I pray that Our Lady would preserve my eyesight from the wicked + delusions of Satan!” + </p> + <p> + “So be it, I tell you, good woman. But what is the use of all this + pattering and prayering? Do you not hear me? or will you not do as I bid + you?” + </p> + <p> + “It must be himself, then, whatever is of it! But, oh! it is more like the + foul fiend in his likeness, to have such a baggage hanging upon his cloak. + Oh, Harry Smith, men called you a wild lad for less things; but who would + ever have thought that Harry would have brought a light leman under the + roof that sheltered his worthy mother, and where his own nurse has dwelt + for thirty years?” + </p> + <p> + “Hold your peace, old woman, and be reasonable,” said the smith. “This + glee woman is no leman of mine, nor of any other person that I know of; + but she is going off for Dundee tomorrow by the boats, and we must give + her quarters till then.” + </p> + <p> + “Quarters!” said the old woman. “You may give quarters to such cattle if + you like it yourself, Harry Wynd; but the same house shall not quarter + that trumpery quean and me, and of that you may assure yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Your mother is angry with me,” said Louise, misconstruing the connexion + of the parties. “I will not remain to give her any offence. If there is a + stable or a cowhouse, an empty stall will be bed enough for Charlot and + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay, I am thinking it is the quarters you are best used to,” said + Dame Shoolbred. + </p> + <p> + “Harkye, Nurse Shoolbred,” said the smith. “You know I love you for your + own sake and for my mother’s; but by St. Dunstan, who was a saint of my + own craft, I will have the command of my own house; and if you leave me + without any better reason but your own nonsensical suspicions, you must + think how you will have the door open to you when you return; for you + shall have no help of mine, I promise you.” + </p> + <p> + “Aweel, my bairn, and that will never make me risk the honest name I have + kept for sixty years. It was never your mother’s custom, and it shall + never be mine, to take up with ranters, and jugglers, and singing women; + and I am not so far to seek for a dwelling, that the same roof should + cover me and a tramping princess like that.” + </p> + <p> + With this the refractory gouvernante began in great hurry to adjust her + tartan mantle for going abroad, by pulling it so forwards as to conceal + the white linen cap, the edges of which bordered her shrivelled but still + fresh and healthful countenance. This done, she seized upon a staff, the + trusty companion of her journeys, and was fairly trudging towards the + door, when the smith stepped between her and the passage. + </p> + <p> + “Wait at least, old woman, till we have cleared scores. I owe you for fee + and bountith.” + </p> + <p> + “An’ that’s e’en a dream of your own fool’s head. What fee or bountith am + I to take from the son of your mother, that fed, clad, and bielded me as + if I had been a sister?” + </p> + <p> + “And well you repay it, nurse, leaving her only child at his utmost need.” + </p> + <p> + This seemed to strike the obstinate old woman with compunction. She + stopped and looked at her master and the minstrel alternately; then shook + her head, and seemed about to resume her motion towards the door. + </p> + <p> + “I only receive this poor wanderer under my roof,” urged the smith, “to + save her from the prison and the scourge.” + </p> + <p> + “And why should you save her?” said the inexorable Dame Shoolbred. “I dare + say she has deserved them both as well as ever thief deserved a hempen + collar.” + </p> + <p> + “For aught I know she may or she may not. But she cannot deserve to be + scourged to death, or imprisoned till she is starved to death; and that is + the lot of them that the Black Douglas bears mal-talent against.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are going to thraw the Black Douglas for the cake of a glee + woman? This will be the worst of your feuds yet. Oh, Henry Gow, there is + as much iron in your head as in your anvil!” + </p> + <p> + “I have sometimes thought this myself; Mistress Shoolbred; but if I do get + a cut or two on this new argument, I wonder who is to cure them, if you + run away from me like a scared wild goose? Ay, and, moreover, who is to + receive my bonny bride, that I hope to bring up the wynd one of these + days?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Harry—Harry,” said the old woman, shaking her head, “this is + not the way to prepare an honest man’s house for a young bride: you should + be guided by modesty and discretion, and not by chambering and + wantonness.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you again, this poor creature is nothing to me. I wish her only to + be safely taken care of; and I think the boldest Borderman in Perth will + respect the bar of my door as much as the gate of Carlisle Castle. I am + going down to Sim Glover’s; I may stay there all night, for the Highland + cub is run back to the hills, like a wolf whelp as he is, and so there is + a bed to spare, and father Simon will make me welcome to the use of it. + You will remain with this poor creature, feed her, and protect her during + the night, and I will call on her before day; and thou mayst go with her + to the boat thyself an thou wilt, and so thou wilt set the last eyes on + her at the same time I shall.” + </p> + <p> + “There is some reason in that,” said Dame Shoolbred; “though why you + should put your reputation in risk for a creature that would find a + lodging for a silver twopence and less matter is a mystery to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Trust me with that, old woman, and be kind to the girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Kinder than she deserves, I warrant you; and truly, though I little like + the company of such cattle, yet I think I am less like to take harm from + her than you—unless she be a witch, indeed, which may well come to + be the case, as the devil is very powerful with all this wayfaring + clanjamfray.” + </p> + <p> + “No more a witch than I am a warlock,” said the honest smith: “a poor, + broken hearted thing, that, if she hath done evil, has dreed a sore weird + for it. Be kind to her. And you, my musical damsel, I will call on you + tomorrow morning, and carry you to the waterside. This old woman will + treat you kindly if you say nothing to her but what becomes honest ears.” + </p> + <p> + The poor minstrel had listened to this dialogue without understanding more + than its general tendency; for, though she spoke English well, she had + acquired the language in England itself; and the Northern dialect was + then, as now, of a broader and harsher character. She saw, however, that + she was to remain with the old lady, and meekly folding her arms on her + bosom, bent her head with humility. She next looked towards the smith with + a strong expression of thankfulness, then, raising her eyes to heaven, + took his passive hand, and seemed about to kiss the sinewy fingers in + token of deep and affectionate gratitude. + </p> + <p> + But Dame Shoolbred did not give license to the stranger’s mode of + expressing her feelings. She thrust in between them, and pushing poor + Louise aside, said, “No—no, I’ll have none of that work. Go into the + chimney nook, mistress, and when Harry Smith’s gone, if you must have + hands to kiss, you shall kiss mine as long as you like. And you, Harry, + away down to Sim Glover’s, for if pretty Mistress Catharine hears of the + company you have brought home, she may chance to like them as little as I + do. What’s the matter now? is the man demented? are you going out without + your buckler, and the whole town in misrule?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, dame,” said the armourer; and, throwing the buckler over + his broad shoulders, he departed from his house without abiding farther + question. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How in the noon of night that pibroch thrills, + Savage and shrill! But with the breath which fills + Their mountain pipe, so fill the mountaineers + With the fierce native daring which instils + The stirring memory of a thousand years. + + BYRON. +</pre> + <p> + We must now leave the lower parties in our historical drama, to attend to + the incidents which took place among those of a higher rank and greater + importance. + </p> + <p> + We pass from the hut of an armourer to the council room of a monarch, and + resume our story just when, the tumult beneath being settled, the angry + chieftains were summoned to the royal presence. They entered, displeased + with and lowering upon each other, each so exclusively filled with his own + fancied injuries as to be equally unwilling and unable to attend to reason + or argument. Albany alone, calm and crafty, seemed prepared to use their + dissatisfaction for his own purposes, and turn each incident as it should + occur to the furtherance of his own indirect ends. + </p> + <p> + The King’s irresolution, although it amounted even to timidity, did not + prevent his assuming the exterior bearing becoming his situation. It was + only when hard pressed, as in the preceding scene, that he lost his + apparent composure. In general, he might be driven from his purpose, but + seldom from his dignity of manner. He received Albany, Douglas, March, and + the prior, those ill assorted members of his motley council, with a + mixture of courtesy and loftiness, which reminded each haughty peer that + he stood in the presence of his sovereign, and compelled him to do the + beseeming reverence. + </p> + <p> + Having received their salutations, the King motioned them to be seated; + and they were obeying his commands when Rothsay entered. He walked + gracefully up to his father, and, kneeling at his footstool, requested his + blessing. Robert, with an aspect in which fondness and sorrow were ill + disguised, made an attempt to assume a look of reproof, as he laid his + hand on the youth’s head and said, with a sigh, “God bless thee, my + thoughtless boy, and make thee a wiser man in thy future years!” + </p> + <p> + “Amen, my dearest father!” said Rothsay, in a tone of feeling such as his + happier moments often evinced. He then kissed the royal hand, with the + reverence of a son and a subject; and, instead of taking a place at the + council board, remained standing behind the King’s chair, in such a + position that he might, when he chose, whisper into his father’s ear. + </p> + <p> + The King next made a sign to the prior of St. Dominic to take his place at + the table, on which there were writing materials, which, of all the + subjects present, Albany excepted, the churchman was alone able to use. + The King then opened the purpose of their meeting by saying, with much + dignity: + </p> + <p> + “Our business, my lords, respected these unhappy dissensions in the + Highlands, which, we learn by our latest messengers, are about to occasion + the waste and destruction of the country, even within a few miles of this + our own court. But, near as this trouble is, our ill fate, and the + instigations of wicked men, have raised up one yet nearer, by throwing + strife and contention among the citizens of Perth and those attendants who + follow your lordships and others our knights and nobles. I must first, + therefore, apply to yourselves, my lords, to know why our court is + disturbed by such unseemly contendings, and by what means they ought to be + repressed? Brother of Albany, do you tell us first your sentiments on this + matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir, our royal sovereign and brother,” said the Duke, “being in + attendance on your Grace’s person when the fray began, I am not acquainted + with its origin.” + </p> + <p> + “And for me,” said the Prince, “I heard no worse war cry than a minstrel + wench’s ballad, and saw no more dangerous bolts flying than hazel nuts.” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” said the Earl of March, “could only perceive that the stout + citizens of Perth had in chase some knaves who had assumed the Bloody + Heart on their shoulders. They ran too fast to be actually the men of the + Earl of Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + Douglas understood the sneer, but only replied to it by one of those + withering looks with which he was accustomed to intimate his mortal + resentment. He spoke, however, with haughty composure. + </p> + <p> + “My liege,” he said, “must of course know it is Douglas who must answer to + this heavy charge, for when was there strife or bloodshed in Scotland, but + there were foul tongues to asperse a Douglas or a Douglas’s man as having + given cause to them? We have here goodly witnesses. I speak not of my Lord + of Albany, who has only said that he was, as well becomes him, by your + Grace’s side. And I say nothing of my Lord of Rothsay, who, as befits his + rank, years, and understanding, was cracking nuts with a strolling + musician. He smiles. Here he may say his pleasure; I shall not forget a + tie which he seems to have forgotten. But here is my Lord of March, who + saw my followers flying before the clowns of Perth. I can tell that earl + that the followers of the Bloody Heart advance or retreat when their + chieftain commands and the good of Scotland requires.” + </p> + <p> + “And I can answer—” exclaimed the equally proud Earl of March, his + blood rushing into his face, when the King interrupted him. + </p> + <p> + “Peace! angry lords,” said the King, “and remember in whose presence you + stand. And you, my Lord of Douglas, tell us, if you can, the cause of this + mutiny, and why your followers, whose general good services we are most + willing to acknowledge, were thus active in private brawl.” + </p> + <p> + “I obey, my lord,” said Douglas, slightly stooping a head that seldom + bent. “I was passing from my lodgings in the Carthusian convent, through + the High Street of Perth, with a few of my ordinary retinue, when I beheld + some of the baser sort of citizens crowding around the Cross, against + which there was nailed this placard, and that which accompanies it.” + </p> + <p> + He took from a pocket in the bosom of his buff coat a human hand and a + piece of parchment. The King was shocked and agitated. + </p> + <p> + “Read,” he said, “good father prior, and let that ghastly spectacle be + removed.” + </p> + <p> + The prior read a placard to the following purpose: + </p> + <p> + “Inasmuch as the house of a citizen of Perth was assaulted last night, + being St. Valentine’s Eve, by a sort of disorderly night walkers, + belonging to some company of the strangers now resident in the Fair City; + and whereas this hand was struck from one of the lawless limmers in the + fray that ensued, the provost and magistrates have directed that it should + be nailed to the Cross, in scorn and contempt of those by whom such brawl + was occasioned. And if any one of knightly degree shall say that this our + act is wrongfully done, I, Patrick Charteris of Kinfauns, knight, will + justify this cartel in knightly weapons, within the barrace; or, if any + one of meaner birth shall deny what is here said, he shall be met with by + a citizen of the Fair City of Perth, according to his degree. And so God + and St. John protect the Fair City!” + </p> + <p> + “You will not wonder, my lord,” resumed Douglas, “that, when my almoner + had read to me the contents of so insolent a scroll, I caused one of my + squires to pluck down a trophy so disgraceful to the chivalry and nobility + of Scotland. Where upon, it seems some of these saucy burghers took + license to hoot and insult the hindmost of my train, who wheeled their + horses on them, and would soon have settled the feud, but for my positive + command that they should follow me in as much peace as the rascally vulgar + would permit. And thus they arrived here in the guise of flying men, when, + with my command to repel force by force, they might have set fire to the + four corners of this wretched borough, and stifled the insolent churls, + like malicious fox cubs in a burning brake of furze.” + </p> + <p> + There was a silence when Douglas had done speaking, until the Duke of + Rothsay answered, addressing his father: + </p> + <p> + “Since the Earl of Douglas possesses the power of burning the town where + your Grace holds your court, so soon as the provost and he differ about a + night riot, or the terms of a cartel, I am sure we ought all to be + thankful that he has not the will to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “The Duke of Rothsay,” said Douglas, who seemed resolved to maintain + command of his temper, “may have reason to thank Heaven in a more serious + tone than he now uses that the Douglas is as true as he is powerful. This + is a time when the subjects in all countries rise against the law: we have + heard of the insurgents of the Jacquerie in France; and of Jack Straw, and + Hob Miller, and Parson Ball, among the Southron; and we may be sure there + is fuel enough to catch such a flame, were it spreading to our frontiers. + When I see peasants challenging noblemen, and nailing the hands of the + gentry to their city cross, I will not say I fear mutiny—for that + would be false—but I foresee, and will stand well prepared for, it.” + </p> + <p> + “And why does my Lord Douglas say,” answered the Earl of March, “that this + cartel has been done by churls? I see Sir Patrick Charteris’s name there, + and he, I ween, is of no churl’s blood. The Douglas himself, since he + takes the matter so warmly, might lift Sir Patrick’s gauntlet without + soiling of his honour.” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of March,” replied Douglas, “should speak but of what he + understands. I do no injustice to the descendant of the Red Rover, when I + say he is too slight to be weighed with the Douglas. The heir of Thomas + Randolph might have a better claim to his answer.” + </p> + <p> + “And, by my honour, it shall not miss for want of my asking the grace,” + said the Earl of March, pulling his glove off. + </p> + <p> + “Stay, my lord,” said the King. “Do us not so gross an injury as to bring + your feud to mortal defiance here; but rather offer your ungloved hand in + kindness to the noble earl, and embrace in token of your mutual fealty to + the crown of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, my liege,” answered March; “your Majesty may command me to return + my gauntlet, for that and all the armour it belongs to are at your + command, while I continue to hold my earldom of the crown of Scotland; but + when I clasp Douglas, it must be with a mailed hand. Farewell, my liege. + My counsels here avail not, nay, are so unfavourably received, that + perhaps farther stay were unwholesome for my safety. May God keep your + Highness from open enemies and treacherous friends! I am for my castle of + Dunbar, from whence I think you will soon hear news. Farewell to you, my + Lords of Albany and Douglas; you are playing a high game, look you play it + fairly. Farewell, poor thoughtless prince, who art sporting like a fawn + within spring of a tiger! Farewell, all—George of Dunbar sees the + evil he cannot remedy. Adieu, all.” + </p> + <p> + The King would have spoken, but the accents died on his tongue, as he + received from Albany a look cautioning him to forbear. The Earl of March + left the apartment, receiving the mute salutations of the members of the + council whom he had severally addressed, excepting from Douglas alone, who + returned to his farewell speech a glance of contemptuous defiance. + </p> + <p> + “The recreant goes to betray us to the Southron,” he said; “his pride + rests on his possessing that sea worn hold which can admit the English + into Lothian [the castle of Dunbar]. Nay, look not alarmed, my liege, I + will hold good what I say. Nevertheless, it is yet time. Speak but the + word, my liege—say but ‘Arrest him,’ and March shall not yet cross + the Earn on his traitorous journey.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, gallant earl,” said Albany, who wished rather that the two powerful + lords should counterbalance each other than that one should obtain a + decisive superiority, “that were too hasty counsel. The Earl of March came + hither on the King’s warrant of safe conduct, and it may not consist with + my royal brother’s honour to break it. Yet, if your lordship can bring any + detailed proof—” + </p> + <p> + Here they were interrupted by a flourish of trumpets. + </p> + <p> + “His Grace of Albany is unwontedly scrupulous today,” said Douglas; “but + it skills not wasting words—the time is past—these are March’s + trumpets, and I warrant me he rides at flight speed so soon as he passes + the South Port. We shall hear of him in time; and if it be as I have + conjectured, he shall be met with though all England backed his + treachery.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, let us hope better of the noble earl,” said the King, no way + displeased that the quarrel betwixt March and Douglas had seemed to + obliterate the traces of the disagreement betwixt Rothsay and his father + in law; “he hath a fiery, but not a sullen, temper. In some things he has + been—I will not say wronged, but disappointed—and something is + to be allowed to the resentment of high blood armed with great power. But + thank Heaven, all of us who remain are of one sentiment, and, I may say, + of one house; so that, at least, our councils cannot now be thwarted with + disunion. Father prior, I pray you take your writing materials, for you + must as usual be our clerk of council. And now to business, my lords; and + our first object of consideration must be this Highland cumber.” + </p> + <p> + “Between the Clan Chattan and the Clan Quhele,” said the prior, “which, as + our last advices from our brethren at Dunkeld inform us, is ready to break + out into a more formidable warfare than has yet taken place between these + sons of Belial, who speak of nothing else than of utterly destroying one + another. Their forces are assembling on each side, and not a man claiming + in the tenth degree of kindred but must repair to the brattach of his + tribe, or stand to the punishment of fire and sword. The fiery cross hath + flitted about like a meteor in every direction, and awakened strange and + unknown tribes beyond the distant Moray Firth—may Heaven and St. + Dominic be our protection! But if your lordships cannot find remedy for + evil, it will spread broad and wide, and the patrimony of the church must + in every direction be exposed to the fury of these Amalekites, with whom + there is as little devotion to Heaven as there is pity or love to their + neighbour—may Our Lady be our guard! We hear some of them are yet + utter heathens, and worship Mahound and Termagaunt.” + </p> + <p> + “My lords and kinsmen,” said Robert, “ye have heard the urgency of this + case, and may desire to know my sentiments before you deliver what your + own wisdom shall suggest. And, in sooth, no better remedy occurs to me + than to send two commissioners, with full power from us to settle such + debates as be among them, and at the same time to charge them, as they + shall be answerable to the law, to lay down their arms, and forbear all + practices of violence against each other.” + </p> + <p> + “I approve of your Grace’s proposal,” said Rothsay; “and I trust the good + prior will not refuse the venerable station of envoy upon this peacemaking + errand. And his reverend brother, the abbot of the Carthusian convent, + must contend for an honour which will certainly add two most eminent + recruits to the large army of martyrs, since the Highlanders little regard + the distinction betwixt clerk and layman in the ambassadors whom you send + to them.” + </p> + <p> + “My royal Lord of Rothsay,” said the prior, “if I am destined to the + blessed crown of martyrdom, I shall be doubtless directed to the path by + which I am to attain it. Meantime, if you speak in jest, may Heaven pardon + you, and give you light to perceive that it were better buckle on your + arms to guard the possessions of the church, so perilously endangered, + than to employ your wit in taunting her ministers and servants.” + </p> + <p> + “I taunt no one, father prior,” said the youth, yawning; “Nor have I much + objection to taking arms, excepting that they are a somewhat cumbrous + garb, and in February a furred mantle is more suiting to the weather than + a steel corselet. And it irks me the more to put on cold harness in this + nipping weather, that, would but the church send a detachment of their + saints—and they have some Highland ones well known in this district, + and doubtless used to the climate—they might fight their own + battles, like merry St. George of England. But I know not how it is, we + hear of their miracles when they are propitiated, and of their vengeance + if any one trespasses on their patrimonies, and these are urged as reasons + for extending their lands by large largesses; and yet, if there come down + but a band of twenty Highlanders, bell, book, and candle make no speed, + and the belted baron must be fain to maintain the church in possession of + the lands which he has given to her, as much as if he himself still + enjoyed the fruits of them.” + </p> + <p> + “Son David,” said the King, “you give an undue license to your tongue.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Sir, I am mute,” replied the Prince. “I had no purpose to disturb + your Highness, or displease the father prior, who, with so many miracles + at his disposal, will not face, as it seems, a handful of Highland + caterans.” + </p> + <p> + “We know,” said the prior, with suppressed indignation, “from what source + these vile doctrines are derived, which we hear with horror from the + tongue that now utters them. When princes converse with heretics, their + minds and manners are alike corrupted. They show themselves in the streets + as the companions of maskers and harlots, and in the council as the + scorners of the church and of holy things.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, good father!” said the King. “Rothsay shall make amends for what + he has idly spoken. Alas! let us take counsel in friendly fashion, rather + than resemble a mutinous crew of mariners in a sinking vessel, when each + is more intent on quarrelling with his neighbours than in assisting the + exertions of the forlorn master for the safety of the ship. My Lord of + Douglas, your house has been seldom to lack when the crown of Scotland + desired either wise counsel or manly achievement; I trust you will help us + in this strait.” + </p> + <p> + “I can only wonder that the strait should exist, my lord,” answered the + haughty Douglas. “When I was entrusted with the lieutenancy of the + kingdom, there were some of these wild clans came down from the Grampians. + I troubled not the council about the matter, but made the sheriff, Lord + Ruthven, get to horse with the forces of the Carse—the Hays, the + Lindsays, the Ogilvies, and other gentlemen. By St. Bride! When it was + steel coat to frieze mantle, the thieves knew what lances were good for, + and whether swords had edges or no. There were some three hundred of their + best bonnets, besides that of their chief, Donald Cormac, left on the moor + of Thorn and in Rochinroy Wood; and as many were gibbeted at + Houghmanstares, which has still the name from the hangman work that was + done there. This is the way men deal with thieves in my country; and if + gentler methods will succeed better with these Earish knaves, do not blame + Douglas for speaking his mind. You smile, my Lord of Rothsay. May I ask + how I have a second time become your jest, before I have replied to the + first which you passed on me?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, be not wrathful, my good Lord of Douglas,” answered the Prince; “I + did but smile to think how your princely retinue would dwindle if every + thief were dealt with as the poor Highlanders at Houghmanstares.” + </p> + <p> + The King again interfered, to prevent the Earl from giving an angry reply. + </p> + <p> + “Your lordship,” said he to Douglas, “advises wisely that we should trust + to arms when these men come out against our subjects on the fair and level + plan; but the difficulty is to put a stop to their disorders while they + continue to lurk within their mountains. I need not tell you that the Clan + Chattan and the Clan Quhele are great confederacies, consisting each of + various tribes, who are banded together, each to support their own + separate league, and who of late have had dissensions which have drawn + blood wherever they have met, whether individually or in bands. The whole + country is torn to pieces by their restless feuds.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot see the evil of this,” said the Douglas: “the ruffians will + destroy each other, and the deer of the Highlands will increase as the men + diminish. We shall gain as hunters the exercise we lose as warriors.” + </p> + <p> + “Rather say that the wolves will increase as the men diminish,” replied + the King. + </p> + <p> + “I am content,” said Douglas: “better wild wolves than wild caterans. Let + there be strong forces maintained along the Earish frontier, to separate + the quiet from the disturbed country. Confine the fire of civil war within + the Highlands; let it spend its uncontrolled fury, and it will be soon + burnt out for want of fuel. The survivors will be humbled, and will be + more obedient to a whisper of your Grace’s pleasure than their fathers, or + the knaves that now exist, have, been to your strictest commands.” + </p> + <p> + “This is wise but ungodly counsel,” said the prior, shaking his head; “I + cannot take it upon my conscience to recommend it. It is wisdom, but it is + the wisdom of Achitophel, crafty at once and cruel.” + </p> + <p> + “My heart tells me so,” said the King, laying his hand on his breast—“my + heart tells me that it will be asked of me at the awful day, ‘Robert + Stuart, where are the subjects I have given thee?’ It tells me that I must + account for them all, Saxon and Gael, Lowland, Highland, and Border man; + that I will not be required to answer for those alone who have wealth and + knowledge, but for those also who were robbers because they were poor, and + rebels because they were ignorant.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Highness speaks like a Christian king,” said the prior; “but you + bear the sword as well as the sceptre, and this present evil is of a kind + which the sword must cure.” + </p> + <p> + “Hark ye, my lords,” said the Prince, looking up as if a gay thought had + suddenly struck him. “Suppose we teach these savage mountaineers a strain + of chivalry? It were no hard matter to bring these two great commanders, + the captain of the Clan Chattan and the chief of the no less doughty race + of the Clan Quhele, to defy each other to mortal combat. They might fight + here in Perth—we would lend them horse and armour; thus their feud + would be stanched by the death of one, or probably both, of the villains, + for I think both would break their necks in the first charge; my father’s + godly desire of saving blood would be attained; and we should have the + pleasure of seeing such a combat between two savage knights, for the first + time in their lives wearing breeches and mounted on horses, as has not + been heard of since the days of King Arthur.” + </p> + <p> + “Shame upon you, David!” said the King. “Do you make the distress of your + native country, and the perplexity of our councils, a subject for + buffoonery?” + </p> + <p> + “If you will pardon me, royal brother,” said Albany, “I think that, though + my princely nephew hath started this thought in a jocular manner, there + may be something wrought out of it, which might greatly remedy this + pressing evil.” + </p> + <p> + “Good brother,” replied the King, “it is unkind to expose Rothsay’s folly + by pressing further his ill timed jest. We know the Highland clans have + not our customs of chivalry, nor the habit or mode of doing battle which + these require.” + </p> + <p> + “True, your Grace,” answered Albany; “yet I speak not in scorn, but in + serious earnest. True, the mountaineers have not our forms and mode of + doing battle in the lists, but they have those which are as effectual to + the destruction of human life, and so that the mortal game is played, and + the stake won and lost, what signifies it whether these Gael fight with + sword and lance, as becomes belted knights, or with sandbags, like the + crestless churls of England, or butcher each other with knives and skenes, + in their own barbarous fashion? Their habits, like our own, refer all + disputed rights and claims to the decision of battle. They are as vain, + too, as they are fierce; and the idea that these two clans would be + admitted to combat in presence of your Grace and of your court will + readily induce them to refer their difference to the fate of battle, even + were such rough arbitrement less familiar to their customs, and that in + any such numbers as shall be thought most convenient. We must take care + that they approach not the court, save in such a fashion and number that + they shall not be able to surprise us; and that point being provided + against, the more that shall be admitted to combat upon either side, the + greater will be the slaughter among their bravest and most stirring men, + and the more the chance of the Highlands being quiet for some time to + come.” + </p> + <p> + “This were a bloody policy, brother,” said the King; “and again I say, + that I cannot bring my conscience to countenance the slaughter of these + rude men, that are so little better than so many benighted heathens.” + </p> + <p> + “And are their lives more precious,” asked Albany, “than those of nobles + and gentlemen who by your Grace’s license are so frequently admitted to + fight in barrace, either for the satisfying of disputes at law or simply + to acquire honour?” + </p> + <p> + The King, thus hard pressed, had little to say against a custom so + engrafted upon the laws of the realm and the usages of chivalry as the + trial by combat; and he only replied: “God knows, I have never granted + such license as you urge me with unless with the greatest repugnance; and + that I never saw men have strife together to the effusion of blood, but I + could have wished to appease it with the shedding of my own.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my gracious lord,” said the prior, “it seems that, if we follow not + some such policy as this of my Lord of Albany, we must have recourse to + that of the Douglas; and, at the risk of the dubious event of battle, and + with the certainty of losing many excellent subjects, do, by means of the + Lowland swords, that which these wild mountaineers will otherwise perform + with their own hand. What says my Lord of Douglas to the policy of his + Grace of Albany?” + </p> + <p> + “Douglas,” said the haughty lord, “never counselled that to be done by + policy which might be attained by open force. He remains by his opinion, + and is willing to march at the head of his own followers, with those of + the barons of Perth shire and the Carse, and either bring these + Highlanders to reason or subjection, or leave the body of a Douglas among + their savage wildernesses.” + </p> + <p> + “It is nobly spoken, my Lord of Douglas,” said Albany; “and well might the + King rely upon thy undaunted heart and the courage of thy resolute + followers. But see you not how soon you may be called elsewhere, where + your presence and services are altogether indispensable to Scotland and + her monarch? Marked you not the gloomy tone in which the fiery March + limited his allegiance and faith to our sovereign here present to that + space for which he was to remain King Robert’s vassal? And did not you + yourself suspect that he was plotting a transference of his allegiance to + England? Other chiefs, of subordinate power and inferior fame, may do + battle with the Highlanders; but if Dunbar admit the Percies and their + Englishmen into our frontiers, who will drive them back if the Douglas be + elsewhere?” + </p> + <p> + “My sword,” answered Douglas, “is equally at the service of his Majesty on + the frontier or in the deepest recesses of the Highlands. I have seen the + backs of the proud Percy and George of Dunbar ere now, and I may see them + again. And, if it is the King’s pleasure I should take measures against + this probable conjunction of stranger and traitor, I admit that, rather + than trust to an inferior or feebler hand the important task of settling + the Highlands, I would be disposed to give my opinion in favour of the + policy of my Lord of Albany, and suffer those savages to carve each + other’s limbs, without giving barons and knights the trouble of hunting + them down.” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of Douglas,” said the Prince, who seemed determined to omit no + opportunity to gall his haughty father in law, “does not choose to leave + to us Lowlanders even the poor crumbs of honour which might be gathered at + the expense of the Highland kerne, while he, with his Border chivalry, + reaps the full harvest of victory over the English. But Percy hath seen + men’s backs as well as Douglas; and I have known as great wonders as that + he who goes forth to seek such wool should come back shorn.” + </p> + <p> + “A phrase,” said Douglas, “well becoming a prince who speaks of honour + with a wandering harlot’s scrip in his bonnet, by way of favor.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse it, my lord,” said Rothsay: “men who have matched unfittingly + become careless in the choice of those whom they love par amours. The + chained dog must snatch at the nearest bone.” + </p> + <p> + “Rothsay, my unhappy son!” exclaimed the King, “art thou mad? or wouldst + thou draw down on thee the full storm of a king and father’s displeasure?” + </p> + <p> + “I am dumb,” returned the Prince, “at your Grace’s command.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, my Lord of Albany,” said the King, “since such is your + advice, and since Scottish blood must flow, how, I pray you, are we to + prevail on these fierce men to refer their quarrel to such a combat as you + propose?” + </p> + <p> + “That, my liege,” said Albany, “must be the result of more mature + deliberation. But the task will not be difficult. Gold will be needful to + bribe some of the bards and principal counsellors and spokesmen. The + chiefs, moreover, of both these leagues must be made to understand that, + unless they agree to this amicable settlement—” + </p> + <p> + “Amicable, brother!” said the King, with emphasis. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, amicable, my liege,” replied his brother, “since it is better the + country were placed in peace, at the expense of losing a score or two of + Highland kernes, than remain at war till as many thousands are destroyed + by sword, fire, famine, and all the extremities of mountain battle. To + return to the purpose: I think that the first party to whom the + accommodation is proposed will snatch at it eagerly; that the other will + be ashamed to reject an offer to rest the cause on the swords of their + bravest men; that the national vanity, and factious hate to each other, + will prevent them from seeing our purpose in adopting such a rule of + decision; and that they will be more eager to cut each other to pieces + than we can be to halloo them on. And now, as our counsels are finished, + so far as I can aid, I will withdraw.” + </p> + <p> + “Stay yet a moment,” said the prior, “for I also have a grief to disclose, + of a nature so black and horrible, that your Grace’s pious heart will + hardly credit its existence, and I state it mournfully, because, as + certain as that I am an unworthy servant of St. Dominic, it is the cause + of the displeasure of Heaven against this poor country, by which our + victories are turned into defeat, our gladness into mourning, our councils + distracted with disunion, and our country devoured by civil war.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak, reverend prior,” said the King; “assuredly, if the cause of such + evils be in me or in my house, I will take instant care to their removal.” + </p> + <p> + He uttered these words with a faltering voice, and eagerly waited for the + prior’s reply, in the dread, no doubt, that it might implicate Rothsay in + some new charge of folly or vice. His apprehensions perhaps deceived him, + when he thought he saw the churchman’s eye rest for a moment on the + Prince, before he said, in a solemn tone, “Heresy, my noble and gracious + liege—heresy is among us. She snatches soul after soul from the + congregation, as wolves steal lambs from the sheep fold.” + </p> + <p> + “There are enough of shepherds to watch the fold,” answered the Duke of + Rothsay. “Here are four convents of regular monks alone around this poor + hamlet of Perth, and all the secular clergy besides. Methinks a town so + well garrisoned should be fit to keep out an enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “One traitor in a garrison, my lord,” answered the prior, “can do much to + destroy the security of a city which is guarded by legions; and if that + one traitor is, either from levity, or love of novelty, or whatever other + motive, protected and fostered by those who should be most eager to expel + him from the fortress, his opportunities of working mischief will be + incalculably increased.” + </p> + <p> + “Your words seem to aim at some one in this presence, father prior,” said + the Douglas; “if at me, they do me foul wrong. I am well aware that the + abbot of Aberbrothock hath made some ill advised complaints, that I + suffered not his beeves to become too many for his pastures, or his stock + of grain to burst the girnels of the monastery, while my followers lacked + beef and their horses corn. But bethink you, the pastures and cornfields + which produced that plenty were bestowed by my ancestors on the house of + Aberbrothock, surely not with the purpose that their descendant should + starve in the midst of it; and neither will he, by St. Bride! But for + heresy and false doctrine,” he added, striking his large hand heavily on + the council table, “who is it that dare tax the Douglas? I would not have + poor men burned for silly thoughts; but my hand and sword are ever ready + to maintain the Christian faith.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord, I doubt it not,” said the prior; “so hath it ever been with your + most noble house. For the abbot’s complaints, they may pass to a second + day. But what we now desire is a commission to some noble lord of state, + joined to others of Holy Church, to support by strength of hand, if + necessary, the inquiries which the reverend official of the bounds, and + other grave prelates, my unworthy self being one, are about to make into + the cause of the new doctrines, which are now deluding the simple, and + depraving the pure and precious faith, approved by the Holy Father and his + reverend predecessors.” + </p> + <p> + “Let the Earl of Douglas have a royal commission to this effect,” said + Albany; “and let there be no exception whatever from his jurisdiction, + saving the royal person. For my own part, although conscious that I have + neither in act nor thought received or encouraged a doctrine which Holy + Church hath not sanctioned, yet I should blush to claim an immunity under + the blood royal of Scotland, lest I should seem to be seeking refuge + against a crime so horrible.” + </p> + <p> + “I will have nought to do with it,” said Douglas: “to march against the + English, and the Southron traitor March, is task enough for me. Moreover, + I am a true Scotsman, and will not give way to aught that may put the + Church of Scotland’s head farther into the Roman yoke, or make the baron’s + coronet stoop to the mitre and cowl. Do you, therefore, most noble Duke of + Albany, place your own name in the commission; and I pray your Grace so to + mitigate the zeal of the men of Holy Church who may be associated with + you, that there be no over zealous dealings; for the smell of a fagot on + the Tay would bring back the Douglas from the walls of York.” + </p> + <p> + The Duke hastened to give the Earl assurance that the commission should be + exercised with lenity and moderation. + </p> + <p> + “Without a question,” said King Robert, “the commission must be ample; and + did it consist with the dignity of our crown, we would not ourselves + decline its jurisdiction. But we trust that, while the thunders of the + church are directed against the vile authors of these detestable heresies, + there shall be measures of mildness and compassion taken with the + unfortunate victims of their delusions.” + </p> + <p> + “Such is ever the course of Holy Church, my lord,” said the prior of St. + Dominic’s. + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, let the commission be expedited with due care, in name of our + brother Albany, and such others as shall be deemed convenient,” said the + King. “And now once again let us break up our council; and, Rothsay, come + thou with me, and lend me thine arm; I have matter for thy private ear.” + </p> + <p> + “Ho, la!” here exclaimed the Prince, in the tone in which he would have + addressed a managed horse. + </p> + <p> + “What means this rudeness, boy?” said the King; “wilt thou never learn + reason and courtesy?” + </p> + <p> + “Let me not be thought to offend, my liege,” said the Prince; “but we are + parting without learning what is to be done in the passing strange + adventure of the dead hand, which the Douglas hath so gallantly taken up. + We shall sit but uncomfortably here at Perth, if we are at variance with + the citizens.” + </p> + <p> + “Leave that to me,” said Albany. “With some little grant of lands and + money, and plenty of fair words, the burghers may be satisfied for this + time; but it were well that the barons and their followers, who are in + attendance on the court, were warned to respect the peace within burgh.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely, we would have it so,” said the King; “let strict orders be given + accordingly.” + </p> + <p> + “It is doing the churls but too much grace,” said the Douglas; “but be it + at your Highness’s pleasure. I take leave to retire.” + </p> + <p> + “Not before you taste a flagon of Gascon wine, my lord?” said the King. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon,” replied the Earl, “I am not athirst, and I drink not for + fashion, but either for need or for friendship.” So saying, he departed. + </p> + <p> + The King, as if relieved by his absence, turned to Albany, and said: “And + now, my lord, we should chide this truant Rothsay of ours; yet he hath + served us so well at council, that we must receive his merits as some + atonement for his follies.” + </p> + <p> + “I am happy to hear it,” answered Albany, with a countenance of pity and + incredulity, as if he knew nothing of the supposed services. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, brother, you are dull,” said the King, “for I will not think you + envious. Did you not note that Rothsay was the first to suggest the mode + of settling the Highlands, which your experience brought indeed into + better shape, and which was generally approved of; and even now we had + broken up, leaving a main matter unconsidered, but that he put us in mind + of the affray with the citizens?” + </p> + <p> + “I nothing doubt, my liege,” said the Duke of Albany, with the + acquiescence which he saw was expected, “that my royal nephew will soon + emulate his father’s wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + “Or,” said the Duke of Rothsay, “I may find it easier to borrow from + another member of my family that happy and comfortable cloak of hypocrisy + which covers all vices, and then it signifies little whether they exist or + not.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord prior,” said the Duke, addressing the Dominican, “we will for a + moment pray your reverence’s absence. The King and I have that to say to + the Prince which must have no further audience, not even yours.” + </p> + <p> + The Dominican bowed and withdrew. + </p> + <p> + When the two royal brothers and the Prince were left together, the King + seemed in the highest degree embarrassed and distressed, Albany sullen and + thoughtful, while Rothsay himself endeavoured to cover some anxiety under + his usual appearance of levity. There was a silence of a minute. At length + Albany spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Royal brother,” he said, “my princely nephew entertains with so much + suspicion any admonition coming from my mouth, that I must pray your Grace + yourself to take the trouble of telling him what it is most fitting he + should know.” + </p> + <p> + “It must be some unpleasing communication indeed, which my Lord of Albany + cannot wrap up in honied words,” said the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Peace with thine effrontery, boy,” answered the King, passionately. “You + asked but now of the quarrel with the citizens. Who caused that quarrel, + David? What men were those who scaled the window of a peaceful citizen and + liege man, alarmed the night with torch and outcry, and subjected our + subjects to danger and affright?” + </p> + <p> + “More fear than danger, I fancy,” answered the Prince; “but how can I of + all men tell who made this nocturnal disturbance?” + </p> + <p> + “There was a follower of thine own there,” continued the King—“a man + of Belial, whom I will have brought to condign punishment.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no follower, to my knowledge, capable of deserving your Highness’s + displeasure,” answered the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “I will have no evasions, boy. Where wert thou on St. Valentine’s Eve?” + </p> + <p> + “It is to be hoped that I was serving the good saint, as a man of mould + might,” answered the young man, carelessly. + </p> + <p> + “Will my royal nephew tell us how his master of the horse was employed + upon that holy eve?” said the Duke of Albany. + </p> + <p> + “Speak, David; I command thee to speak,” said the King. + </p> + <p> + “Ramorny was employed in my service, I think that answer may satisfy my + uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “But it will not satisfy me,” said the angry father. “God knows, I never + coveted man’s blood, but that Ramorny’s head I will have, if law can give + it. He has been the encourager and partaker of all thy numerous vices and + follies. I will take care he shall be so no more. Call MacLouis, with a + guard.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not injure an innocent man,” interposed the Prince, desirous at every + sacrifice to preserve his favourite from the menaced danger: “I pledge my + word that Ramorny was employed in business of mine, therefore could not be + engaged in this brawl.” + </p> + <p> + “False equivocator that thou art!” said the King, presenting to the Prince + a ring, “behold the signet of Ramorny, lost in the infamous affray! It + fell into the hands of a follower of the Douglas, and was given by the + Earl to my brother. Speak not for Ramorny, for he dies; and go thou from + my presence, and repent the flagitious counsels which could make thee + stand before me with a falsehood in thy mouth. Oh, shame, David—shame! + as a son thou hast lied to thy father, as a knight to the head of thy + order.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince stood mute, conscience struck, and self convicted. He then gave + way to the honourable feelings which at bottom he really possessed, and + threw himself at his father’s feet. + </p> + <p> + “The false knight,” he said, “deserves degradation, the disloyal subject + death; but, oh! let the son crave from the father pardon for the servant + who did not lead him into guilt, but who reluctantly plunged himself into + it at his command. Let me bear the weight of my own folly, but spare those + who have been my tools rather than my accomplices. Remember, Ramorny was + preferred to my service by my sainted mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Name her not, David, I charge thee,” said the King; “she is happy that + she never saw the child of her love stand before her doubly dishonoured by + guilt and by falsehood.” + </p> + <p> + “I am indeed unworthy to name her,” said the Prince; “and yet, my dear + father, in her name I must petition for Ramorny’s life.” + </p> + <p> + “If I might offer my counsel,” said the Duke of Albany, who saw that a + reconciliation would soon take place betwixt the father and son, “I would + advise that Ramorny be dismissed from the Prince’s household and society, + with such further penalty as his imprudence may seem to merit. The public + will be contented with his disgrace, and the matter will be easily + accommodated or stifled, so that his Highness do not attempt to screen his + servant.” + </p> + <p> + “Wilt thou, for my sake, David,” said the King, with a faltering voice and + the tear in his eye, “dismiss this dangerous man?—for my sake, who + could not refuse thee the heart out of my bosom?” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done, my father—done instantly,” the Prince replied; + and seizing the pen, he wrote a hasty dismissal of Ramorny from his + service, and put it into Albany’s hands. “I would I could fulfil all your + wishes as easily, my royal father,” he added, again throwing himself at + the King’s feet, who raised him up and fondly folded him in his arms. + </p> + <p> + Albany scowled, but was silent; and it was not till after the space of a + minute or two that he said: “This matter being so happily accommodated, + let me ask if your Majesty is pleased to attend the evensong service in + the chapel?” + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” said the King. “Have I not thanks to pay to God, who has + restored union to my family? You will go with us, brother?” + </p> + <p> + “So please your Grace to give me leave of absence—no,” said the + Duke. “I must concert with the Douglas and others the manner in which we + may bring these Highland vultures to our lure.” + </p> + <p> + Albany retired to think over his ambitious projects, while the father and + son attended divine service, to thank God for their happy reconciliation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Will you go to the Hielands, Lizzy Lyndesay, + Will you go the Hielands wi’ me? + Will you go to the Hielands, Lizzy Lyndesay, + My bride and my darling to be? + + Old Ballad. +</pre> + <p> + A former chapter opened in the royal confessional; we are now to introduce + our readers to a situation somewhat similar, though the scene and persons + were very different. Instead of a Gothic and darkened apartment in a + monastery, one of the most beautiful prospects in Scotland lay extended + beneath the hill of Kinnoul, and at the foot of a rock which commanded the + view in every direction sat the Fair Maid of Perth, listening in an + attitude of devout attention to the instructions of a Carthusian monk, in + his white gown and scapular, who concluded his discourse with prayer, in + which his proselyte devoutly joined. + </p> + <p> + When they had finished their devotions, the priest sat for some time with + his eyes fixed on the glorious prospect, of which even the early and + chilly season could not conceal the beauties, and it was some time ere he + addressed his attentive companion. + </p> + <p> + “When I behold,” he said at length, “this rich and varied land, with its + castles, churches, convents, stately palaces, and fertile fields, these + extensive woods, and that noble river, I know not, my daughter, whether + most to admire the bounty of God or the ingratitude of man. He hath given + us the beauty and fertility of the earth, and we have made the scene of + his bounty a charnel house and a battlefield. He hath given us power over + the elements, and skill to erect houses for comfort and defence, and we + have converted them into dens for robbers and ruffians.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet, surely, my father, there is room for comfort,” replied Catharine, + “even in the very prospect we look upon. Yonder four goodly convents, with + their churches, and their towers, which tell the citizens with brazen + voice that they should think on their religious duties; their inhabitants, + who have separated themselves from the world, its pursuits and its + pleasures, to dedicate themselves to the service of Heaven—all bear + witness that, if Scotland be a bloody and a sinful land, she is yet alive + and sensible to the claims which religion demands of the human race.” + </p> + <p> + “Verily, daughter,” answered the priest, “what you say seems truth; and + yet, nearly viewed, too much of the comfort you describe will be found + delusive. It is true, there was a period in the Christian world when good + men, maintaining themselves by the work of their hands, assembled + together, not that they might live easily or sleep softly, but that they + might strengthen each other in the Christian faith, and qualify themselves + to be teachers of the Word to the people. Doubtless there are still such + to be found in the holy edifices on which we now look. But it is to be + feared that the love of many has waxed cold. Our churchmen have become + wealthy, as well by the gifts of pious persons as by the bribes which + wicked men have given in their ignorance, imagining that they can purchase + that pardon by endowments to the church which Heaven has only offered to + sincere penitents. And thus, as the church waxeth rich, her doctrines have + unhappily become dim and obscure, as a light is less seen if placed in a + lamp of chased gold than beheld through a screen of glass. God knows, if I + see these things and mark them, it is from no wish of singularity or + desire to make myself a teacher in Israel; but because the fire burns in + my bosom, and will not permit me to be silent. I obey the rules of my + order, and withdraw not myself from its austerities. Be they essential to + our salvation, or be they mere formalities, adopted to supply the want of + real penitence and sincere devotion, I have promised, nay, vowed, to + observe them; and they shall be respected by me the more, that otherwise I + might be charged with regarding my bodily ease, when Heaven is my witness + how lightly I value what I may be called on to act or suffer, if the + purity of the church could be restored, or the discipline of the + priesthood replaced in its primitive simplicity.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my father,” said Catharine, “even for these opinions men term you a + Lollard and a Wickliffite, and say it is your desire to destroy churches + and cloisters, and restore the religion of heathenesse.” + </p> + <p> + “Even so, my daughter, am I driven to seek refuge in hills and rocks, and + must be presently contented to take my flight amongst the rude + Highlanders, who are thus far in a more gracious state than those I leave + behind me, that theirs are crimes of ignorance, not of presumption. I will + not omit to take such means of safety and escape from their cruelty as + Heaven may open to me; for, while such appear, I shall account it a sign + that I have still a service to accomplish. But when it is my Master’s + pleasure, He knows how willingly Clement Blair will lay down a vilified + life upon earth, in humble hope of a blessed exchange hereafter. But + wherefore dost thou look northward so anxiously, my child? Thy young eyes + are quicker than mine—dost thou see any one coming?” + </p> + <p> + “I look, father, for the Highland youth, Conachar, who will be thy guide + to the hills, where his father can afford thee a safe, if a rude, retreat. + This he has often promised, when we spoke of you and of your lessons. I + fear he is now in company where he will soon forget them.” + </p> + <p> + “The youth hath sparkles of grace in him,” said Father Clement; “although + those of his race are usually too much devoted to their own fierce and + savage customs to endure with patience either the restraints of religion + or those of the social law. Thou hast never told me, daughter, how, + contrary to all the usages either of the burgh or of the mountains, this + youth came to reside in thy father’s house?” + </p> + <p> + “All I know touching that matter,” said Catharine, “is, that his father is + a man of consequence among those hill men, and that he desired as a favour + of my father, who hath had dealings with them in the way of his + merchandise, to keep this youth for a certain time, and that it is only + two days since they parted, as Conachar was to return home to his own + mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “And why has my daughter,” demanded the priest, “maintained such a + correspondence with this Highland youth, that she should know how to send + for him when she desired to use his services in my behalf? Surely, this is + much influence for a maiden to possess over such a wild colt as this + youthful mountaineer.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine blushed, and answered with hesitation: “If I have had any + influence with Conachar, Heaven be my witness, I have only exerted it to + enforce upon his fiery temper compliance with the rules of civil life. It + is true, I have long expected that you, my father, would be obliged to + take to flight, and I therefore had agreed with him that he should meet me + at this place as soon as he should receive a message from me with a token, + which I yesterday despatched. The messenger was a lightfooted boy of his + own clan, whom he used sometimes to send on errands into the Highlands.” + </p> + <p> + “And am I then to understand, daughter, that this youth, so fair to the + eye, was nothing more dear to you than as you desired to enlighten his + mind and reform his manners?” + </p> + <p> + “It is so, my father, and no otherwise,” answered Catharine; “and perhaps + I did not do well to hold intimacy with him, even for his instruction and + improvement. But my discourse never led farther.” + </p> + <p> + “Then have I been mistaken, my daughter; for I thought I had seen in thee + of late some change of purpose, and some wishful regards looking back to + this world, of which you were at one time resolved to take leave.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine hung down her head and blushed more deeply than ever as she + said: “Yourself, father, were used to remonstrate against my taking the + veil.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor do I now approve of it, my child,” said the priest. “Marriage is an + honourable state, appointed by Heaven as the regular means of continuing + the race of man; and I read not in the Scriptures what human inventions + have since affirmed concerning the superior excellence of a state of + celibacy. But I am jealous of thee, my child, as a father is of his only + daughter, lest thou shouldst throw thyself away upon some one unworthy of + thee. Thy parent, I know, less nice in thy behalf than I am, countenances + the addresses of that fierce and riotous reveller whom they call Henry of + the Wynd. He is rich it may be; but a haunter of idle and debauched + company—a common prizefighter, who has shed human blood like water. + Can such a one be a fit mate for Catharine Glover? And yet report says + they are soon to be united.” + </p> + <p> + The Fair Maid of Perth’s complexion changed from red to pale, and from + pale to red, as she hastily replied: “I think not of him; though it is + true some courtesies have passed betwixt us of late, both as he is my + father’s friend and as being according to the custom of the time, my + Valentine.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Valentine, my child!” said Father Clement. “And can your modesty and + prudence have trifled so much with the delicacy of your sex as to place + yourself in such a relation to such a man as this artificer? Think you + that this Valentine, a godly saint and Christian bishop, as he is said to + have been, ever countenanced a silly and unseemly custom, more likely to + have originated in the heathen worship of Flora or Venus, when mortals + gave the names of deities to their passions; and studied to excite instead + of restraining them?” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Catharine, in a tone of more displeasure than she had ever + before assumed to the Carthusian, “I know not upon what ground you tax me + thus severely for complying with a general practice, authorised by + universal custom and sanctioned by my father’s authority. I cannot feel it + kind that you put such misconstruction upon me.” + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me, daughter,” answered the priest, mildly, “if I have given you + offence. But this Henry Gow, or Smith, is a forward, licentious man, to + whom you cannot allow any uncommon degree of intimacy and encouragement, + without exposing yourself to worse misconstruction—unless, indeed, + it be your purpose to wed him, and that very shortly.” + </p> + <p> + “Say no more of it, my father,” said Catharine. “You give me more pain + than you would desire to do; and I may be provoked to answer otherwise + than as becomes me. Perhaps I have already had cause enough to make me + repent my compliance with an idle custom. At any rate, believe that Henry + Smith is nothing to me, and that even the idle intercourse arising from + St. Valentine’s Day is utterly broken off.” + </p> + <p> + “I am rejoiced to hear it, my daughter,” replied the Carthusian, “and must + now prove you on another subject, which renders me most anxious on your + behalf. You cannot your self be ignorant of it, although I could wish it + were not necessary to speak of a thing so dangerous, even, before these + surrounding rocks, cliffs, and stones. But it must be said. Catharine, you + have a lover in the highest rank of Scotland’s sons of honour?” + </p> + <p> + “I know it, father,” answered Catharine, composedly. “I would it were not + so.” + </p> + <p> + “So would I also,” said the priest, “did I see in my daughter only the + child of folly, which most young women are at her age, especially if + possessed of the fatal gift of beauty. But as thy charms, to speak the + language of an idle world, have attached to thee a lover of such high + rank, so I know that thy virtue and wisdom will maintain the influence + over the Prince’s mind which thy beauty hath acquired.” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” replied Catharine, “the Prince is a licentious gallant, whose + notice of me tends only to my disgrace and ruin. Can you, who seemed but + now afraid that I acted imprudently in entering into an ordinary exchange + of courtesies with one of my own rank, speak with patience of the sort of + correspondence which the heir of Scotland dares to fix upon me? Know that + it is but two nights since he, with a party of his debauched followers, + would have carried me by force from my father’s house, had I not been + rescued by that same rash spirited Henry Smith, who, if he be too hasty in + venturing on danger on slight occasion, is always ready to venture his + life in behalf of innocence or in resistance of oppression. It is well my + part to do him that justice.” + </p> + <p> + “I should know something of that matter,” said the monk, “since it was my + voice that sent him to your assistance. I had seen the party as I passed + your door, and was hastening to the civil power in order to raise + assistance, when I perceived a man’s figure coming slowly towards me. + Apprehensive it might be one of the ambuscade, I stepped behind the + buttresses of the chapel of St. John, and seeing from a nearer view that + it was Henry Smith, I guessed which way he was bound, and raised my voice, + in an exhortation which made him double his speed.” + </p> + <p> + “I am beholden to you, father,” said Catharine; “but all this, and the + Duke of Rothsay’s own language to me, only show that the Prince is a + profligate young man, who will scruple no extremities which may promise to + gratify an idle passion, at whatever expense to its object. His emissary, + Ramorny, has even had the insolence to tell me that my father shall suffer + for it if I dare to prefer being the wife of an honest man to becoming the + loose paramour of a married prince. So I see no other remedy than to take + the veil, or run the risk of my own ruin and my poor father’s. Were there + no other reason, the terror of these threats, from a man so notoriously + capable of keeping his word, ought as much to prevent my becoming the + bride of any worthy man as it should prohibit me from unlatching his door + to admit murderers. Oh, good father, what a lot is mine! and how fatal am + I likely to prove to my affectionate parent, and to any one with whom I + might ally my unhappy fortunes!” + </p> + <p> + “Be yet of good cheer, my daughter,” said the monk; “there is comfort for + thee even in this extremity of apparent distress. Ramorny is a villain, + and abuses the ear of his patron. The Prince is unhappily a dissipated and + idle youth; but, unless my grey hairs have been strangely imposed on, his + character is beginning to alter. He hath been awakened to Ramorny’s + baseness, and deeply regrets having followed his evil advice. I believe, + nay, I am well convinced, that his passion for you has assumed a nobler + and purer character, and that the lessons he has heard from me on the + corruptions of the church and of the times will, if enforced from your + lips, sink deeply into his heart, and perhaps produce fruits for the world + to wonder as well as rejoice at. Old prophecies have said that Rome shall + fall by the speech of a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “These are dreams, father,” said Catharine—“the visions of one whose + thoughts are too much on better things to admit his thinking justly upon + the ordinary affairs of Perth. When we have looked long at the sun, + everything else can only be seen indistinctly.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art over hasty, my daughter,” said Clement, “and thou shalt be + convinced of it. The prospects which I am to open to thee were unfit to be + exposed to one of a less firm sense of virtue, or a more ambitious temper. + Perhaps it is not fit that, even to you, I should display them; but my + confidence is strong in thy wisdom and thy principles. Know, then, that + there is much chance that the Church of Rome will dissolve the union which + she has herself formed, and release the Duke of Rothsay from his marriage + with Marjory Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + Here he paused. + </p> + <p> + “And if the church hath power and will to do this,” replied the maiden, + “what influence can the divorce of the Duke from his wife produce on the + fortunes of Catharine Glover?” + </p> + <p> + She looked at the priest anxiously as she spoke, and he had some apparent + difficulty in framing his reply, for he looked on the ground while he + answered her. + </p> + <p> + “What did beauty do for Catharine Logie? Unless our fathers have told us + falsely, it raised her to share the throne of David Bruce.” + </p> + <p> + “Did she live happy or die regretted, good father?” asked Catharine, in + the same calm and steady tone. + </p> + <p> + “She formed her alliance from temporal, and perhaps criminal, ambition,” + replied Father Clement; “and she found her reward in vanity and vexation + of spirit. But had she wedded with the purpose that the believing wife + should convert the unbelieving, or confirm the doubting, husband, what + then had been her reward? Love and honour upon earth, and an inheritance + in Heaven with Queen Margaret and those heroines who have been the nursing + mothers of the church.” + </p> + <p> + Hitherto Catharine had sat upon a stone beside the priest’s feet, and + looked up to him as she spoke or listened; but now, as if animated by + calm, yet settled, feelings of disapprobation, she rose up, and, extending + her hand towards the monk as she spoke, addressed him with a countenance + and voice which might have become a cherub, pitying, and even as much as + possible sparing, the feelings of the mortal whose errors he is + commissioned to rebuke. + </p> + <p> + “And is it even so?” she said, “and can so much of the wishes, hopes, and + prejudices of this vile world affect him who may be called tomorrow to lay + down his life for opposing the corruptions of a wicked age and backsliding + priesthood? Can it be the severely virtuous Father Clement who advises his + child to aim at, or even to think of, the possession of a throne and a bed + which cannot become vacant but by an act of crying injustice to the + present possessor? Can it be the wise reformer of the church who wishes to + rest a scheme, in itself so unjust, upon a foundation so precarious? Since + when is it, good father, that the principal libertine has altered his + morals so much, to be likely to court in honourable fashion the daughter + of a Perth artisan? Two days must have wrought this change; for only that + space has passed since he was breaking into my father’s house at midnight, + with worse mischief in his mind than that of a common robber. And think + you that, if Rothsay’s heart could dictate so mean a match, he could + achieve such a purpose without endangering both his succession and his + life, assailed by the Douglas and March at the same time, for what they + must receive as an act of injury and insult to both their houses? Oh! + Father Clement, where was your principle, where your prudence, when they + suffered you to be bewildered by so strange a dream, and placed the + meanest of your disciples in the right thus to reproach you?” + </p> + <p> + The old man’s eyes filled with tears, as Catharine, visibly and painfully + affected by what she had said, became at length silent. + </p> + <p> + “By the mouths of babes and sucklings,” he said, “hath He rebuked those + who would seem wise in their generation. I thank Heaven, that hath taught + me better thoughts than my own vanity suggested, through the medium of so + kind a monitress. Yes, Catharine, I must not hereafter wonder or exclaim + when I see those whom I have hitherto judged too harshly struggling for + temporal power, and holding all the while the language of religious zeal. + I thank thee, daughter, for thy salutary admonition, and I thank Heaven + that sent it by thy lips, rather than those of a stern reprover.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine had raised her head to reply, and bid the old man, whose + humiliation gave her pain, be comforted, when her eyes were arrested by an + object close at hand. Among the crags and cliffs which surrounded this + place of seclusion, there were two which stood in such close contiguity, + that they seemed to have been portions of the same rock, which, rendered + by lightning or by an earthquake, now exhibited a chasm of about four feet + in breadth, betwixt the masses of stone. Into this chasm an oak tree had + thrust itself, in one of the fantastic frolics which vegetation often + exhibits in such situations. The tree, stunted and ill fed, had sent its + roots along the face of the rock in all directions to seek for supplies, + and they lay like military lines of communication, contorted, twisted, and + knotted like the immense snakes of the Indian archipelago. As Catharine’s + look fell upon the curious complication of knotty branches and twisted + roots, she was suddenly sensible that two large eyes were visible among + them, fixed and glaring at her, like those of a wild animal in ambush. She + started, and, without speaking, pointed out the object to her companion, + and looking herself with more strict attention, could at length trace out + the bushy red hair and shaggy beard, which had hitherto been concealed by + the drooping branches and twisted roots of the tree. + </p> + <p> + When he saw himself discovered, the Highlander, for such he proved, + stepped forth from his lurking place, and, stalking forward, displayed a + colossal person, clothed in a purple, red, and green checked plaid, under + which he wore a jacket of bull’s hide. His bow and arrows were at his + back, his head was bare, and a large quantity of tangled locks, like the + glibbs of the Irish, served to cover the head, and supplied all the + purposes of a bonnet. His belt bore a sword and dagger, and he had in his + hand a Danish pole axe, more recently called a Lochaber axe. Through the + same rude portal advanced, one by one, four men more, of similar size, and + dressed and armed in the same manner. + </p> + <p> + Catharine was too much accustomed to the appearance of the inhabitants of + the mountains so near to Perth to permit herself to be alarmed, as another + Lowland maiden might have been on the same occasion. She saw with + tolerable composure these gigantic forms arrange themselves in a + semicircle around and in front of the monk and herself, all bending upon + them in silence their large fixed eyes, expressing, as far as she could + judge, a wild admiration of her beauty. She inclined her head to them, and + uttered imperfectly the usual words of a Highland salutation. The elder + and leader of the party returned the greeting, and then again remained + silent and motionless. The monk told his beads; and even Catharine began + to have strange fears for her personal safety, and anxiety to know whether + they were to consider themselves at personal freedom. She resolved to make + the experiment, and moved forward as if to descend the hill; but when she + attempted to pass the line of Highlanders, they extended their poleaxes + betwixt each other, so as effectually to occupy each opening through which + she could have passed. + </p> + <p> + Somewhat disconcerted, yet not dismayed, for she could not conceive that + any evil was intended, she sat down upon one of the scattered fragments of + rock, and bade the monk, standing by her side, be of good courage. + </p> + <p> + “If I fear,” said Father Clement, “it is not for myself; for whether I be + brained with the axes of these wild men, like an ox when, worn out by + labour, he is condemned to the slaughter, or whether I am bound with their + bowstrings, and delivered over to those who will take my life with more + cruel ceremony, it can but little concern me, if they suffer thee, dearest + daughter, to escape uninjured.” + </p> + <p> + “We have neither of us,” replied the Maiden of Perth, “any cause for + apprehending evil; and here comes Conachar to assure us of it.” + </p> + <p> + Yet, as she spoke, she almost doubted her own eyes; so altered were the + manner and attire of the handsome, stately, and almost splendidly dressed + youth who, springing like a roebuck from a cliff of considerable height, + lighted just in front of her. His dress was of the same tartan worn by + those who had first made their appearance, but closed at the throat and + elbows with a necklace and armlets of gold. The hauberk which he wore over + his person was of steel, but so clearly burnished that it shone like + silver. His arms were profusely ornamented, and his bonnet, besides the + eagle’s feather marking the quality of chief, was adorned with a chain of + gold, wrapt several times around it, and secured by a large clasp, + glistening with pearls. His brooch, by which the tartan mantle, or plaid, + as it is now called, was secured on the shoulder, was also of gold, large + and curiously carved. He bore no weapon in his hand, excepting a small + sapling stick with a hooked head. His whole appearance and gait, which + used formerly to denote a sullen feeling of conscious degradation, was now + bold, forward, and haughty; and he stood before Catharine with smiling + confidence, as if fully conscious of his improved appearance, and waiting + till she should recognise him. + </p> + <p> + “Conachar,” said Catharine, desirous to break this state of suspense, “are + these your father’s men?” + </p> + <p> + “No, fair Catharine,” answered the young man. “Conachar is no more, unless + in regard to the wrongs he has sustained, and the vengeance which they + demand. I am Ian Eachin MacIan, son to the chief of the Clan Quhele. I + have moulted my feathers, as you see, when I changed my name. And for + these men, they are not my father’s followers, but mine. You see only one + half of them collected: they form a band consisting of my foster father + and eight sons, who are my bodyguard, and the children of my belt, who + breathe but to do my will. But Conachar,” he added, in a softer tone of + voice, “lives again so soon as Catharine desires to see him; and while he + is the young chief of the Clan Quhele to all others, he is to her as + humble and obedient as when he was Simon Glover’s apprentice. See, here is + the stick I had from you when we nutted together in the sunny braes of + Lednoch, when autumn was young in the year that is gone. I would not + exchange it, Catharine, for the truncheon of my tribe.” + </p> + <p> + While Eachin thus spoke, Catharine began to doubt in her own mind whether + she had acted prudently in requesting the assistance of a bold young man, + elated, doubtless, by his sudden elevation from a state of servitude to + one which she was aware gave him extensive authority over a very lawless + body of adherents. + </p> + <p> + “You do not fear me, fair Catharine?” said the young chief, taking her + hand. “I suffered my people to appear before you for a few minutes, that I + might see how you could endure their presence; and methinks you regarded + them as if you were born to be a chieftain’s wife.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no reason to fear wrong from Highlanders,” said Catharine, firmly; + “especially as I thought Conachar was with them. Conachar has drunk of our + cup and eaten of our bread; and my father has often had traffic with + Highlanders, and never was there wrong or quarrel betwixt him and them.” + </p> + <p> + “No?” replied Hector, for such is the Saxon equivalent for Eachin, “what! + never when he took the part of the Gow Chrom (the bandy legged smith) + against Eachin MacIan? Say nothing to excuse it, and believe it will be + your own fault if I ever again allude to it. But you had some command to + lay upon me; speak, and you shall be obeyed.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine hastened to reply; for there was something in the young chief’s + manner and language which made her desire to shorten the interview. + </p> + <p> + “Eachin,” she said, “since Conachar is no longer your name, you ought to + be sensible that in claiming, as I honestly might, a service from my + equal, I little thought that I was addressing a person of such superior + power and consequence. You, as well as I, have been obliged to the + religious instruction of this good man. He is now in great danger: wicked + men have accused him with false charges, and he is desirous to remain in + safety and concealment till the storm shall pass away.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! the good clerk Clement! Ay, the worthy clerk did much for me, and + more than my rugged temper was capable to profit by. I will be glad to see + any one in the town of Perth persecute one who hath taken hold of MacIan’s + mantle!” + </p> + <p> + “It may not be safe to trust too much to that,” said Catharine. “I nothing + doubt the power of your tribe; but when the Black Douglas takes up a feud, + he is not to be scared by the shaking of a Highland plaid.” + </p> + <p> + The Highlander disguised his displeasure at this speech with a forced + laugh. + </p> + <p> + “The sparrow,” he said, “that is next the eye seems larger than the eagle + that is perched on Bengoile. You fear the Douglasses most, because they + sit next to you. But be it as you will. You will not believe how wide our + hills, and vales, and forests extend beyond the dusky barrier of yonder + mountains, and you think all the world lies on the banks of the Tay. But + this good clerk shall see hills that could hide him were all the + Douglasses on his quest—ay, and he shall see men enough also to make + them glad to get once more southward of the Grampians. And wherefore + should you not go with the good man? I will send a party to bring him in + safety from Perth, and we will set up the old trade beyond Loch Tay—only + no more cutting out of gloves for me. I will find your father in hides, + but I will not cut them, save when they are on the creatures’ backs.” + </p> + <p> + “My father will come one day and see your housekeeping, Conachar—I + mean, Hector. But times must be quieter, for there is feud between the + townspeople and the followers of the noblemen, and there is speech of war + about to break out in the Highlands.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, by Our Lady, Catharine! and were it not for that same Highland war, + you should nor thus put off your Highland visit, my pretty mistress. But + the race of the hills are no longer to be divided into two nations. They + will fight like men for the supremacy, and he who gets it will deal with + the King of Scotland as an equal, not as a superior. Pray that the victory + may fall to MacIan, my pious St. Catharine, for thou shalt pray for one + who loves thee dearly.” + </p> + <p> + “I will pray for the right,” said Catharine; “or rather, I will pray that + there be peace on all sides. Farewell, kind and excellent Father Clement. + Believe I shall never forget thy lessons; remember me in thy prayers. But + how wilt thou be able to sustain a journey so toilsome?” + </p> + <p> + “They shall carry him if need be,” said Hector, “if we go far without + finding a horse for him. But you, Catharine—it is far from hence to + Perth. Let me attend you thither as I was wont.” + </p> + <p> + “If you were as you were wont, I would not refuse your escort. But gold + brooches and bracelets are perilous company, when the Liddesdale and + Annandale lancers are riding as throng upon the highway as the leaves at + Hallowmass; and there is no safe meeting betwixt Highland tartans and + steel jackets.” + </p> + <p> + She hazarded this remark, as she somewhat suspected that, in casting his + slough, young Eachin had not entirely surmounted the habits which he had + acquired in his humbler state, and that, though he might use bold words, + he would not be rash enough to brave the odds of numbers, to which a + descent into the vicinity of the city would be likely to expose him. It + appeared that she judged correctly; for, after a farewell, in which she + compounded for the immunity of her lips by permitting him to kiss her + hand, she returned towards Perth, and could obtain at times, when she + looked back, an occasional glance of the Highlanders, as, winding through + the most concealed and impracticable paths, they bent their way towards + the North. + </p> + <p> + She felt in part relieved from her immediate anxiety, as the distance + increased betwixt her and these men, whose actions were only directed by + the will of their chief, and whose chief was a giddy and impetuous boy. + She apprehended no insult on her return to Perth from the soldiery of any + party whom she might meet; for the rules of chivalry were in those days a + surer protection to a maiden of decent appearance than an escort of armed + men, whose cognizance might not be acknowledged as friendly by any other + party whom they might chance to encounter. But more remote dangers pressed + on her apprehension. The pursuit of the licentious Prince was rendered + formidable by threats which his unprincipled counsellor, Ramorny, had not + shunned to utter against her father, if she persevered in her coyness. + These menaces, in such an age, and from such a character, were deep + grounds for alarm; nor could she consider the pretensions to her favour + which Conachar had scarce repressed during his state of servitude, and + seemed now to avow boldly, as less fraught with evil, since there had been + repeated incursions of the Highlanders into the very town of Perth, and + citizens had, on more occasions than one, been made prisoners and carried + off from their own houses, or had fallen by the claymore in the very + streets of their city. She feared, too, her father’s importunity on behalf + of the smith, of whose conduct on St. Valentine’s Day unworthy reports had + reached her; and whose suit, had he stood clear in her good opinion, she + dared not listen to, while Ramorny’s threats of revenge upon her father + rung on her ear. She thought on these various dangers with the deepest + apprehension, and an earnest desire to escape from them and herself, by + taking refuge in the cloister; but saw no possibility of obtaining her + father’s consent to the only course from which she expected peace and + protection. + </p> + <p> + In the course of these reflections, we cannot discover that she very + distinctly regretted that her perils attended her because she was the Fair + Maid of Perth. This was one point which marked that she was not yet + altogether an angel; and perhaps it was another that, in despite of Henry + Smith’s real or supposed delinquencies, a sigh escaped from her bosom when + she thought upon St. Valentine’s dawn. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, for a draught of power to steep + The soul of agony in sleep! + + Bertha. +</pre> + <p> + We have shown the secrets of the confessional; those of the sick chamber + are not hidden from us. The darkened apartment, where salves and medicines + showed that the leech had been busy in his craft, a tall thin form lay on + a bed, arrayed in a nightgown belted around him, with pain on his brow, + and a thousand stormy passions agitating his bosom. Everything in the + apartment indicated a man of opulence and of expense. Henbane Dwining, the + apothecary, who seemed to have the care of the patient, stole with a + crafty and catlike step from one corner of the room to another, busying + himself with mixing medicines and preparing dressings. The sick man + groaned once or twice, on which the leech, advancing to his bedside, asked + whether these sounds were a token of the pain of his body or of the + distress of his mind. + </p> + <p> + “Of both, thou poisoning varlet,” said Sir John Ramorny, “and of being + encumbered with thy accursed company.” + </p> + <p> + “If that is all, I can relieve your knighthood of one of these ills by + presently removing myself elsewhere. Thanks to the feuds of this + boisterous time, had I twenty hands, instead of these two poor servants of + my art (displaying his skinny palms), there is enough of employment for + them—well requited employment, too, where thanks and crowns contend + which shall best pay my services; while you, Sir John, wreak upon your + chirurgeon the anger you ought only to bear against the author of your + wound.” + </p> + <p> + “Villain, it is beneath me to reply to thee,” said the patient; “but every + word of thy malignant tongue is a dirk, inflicting wounds which set all + the medicines of Arabia at defiance.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir John, I understand you not; but if you give way to these tempestuous + fits of rage, it is impossible but fever and inflammation must be the + result.” + </p> + <p> + “Why then dost thou speak in a sense to chafe my blood? Why dost thou name + the supposition of thy worthless self having more hands than nature gave + thee, while I, a knight and gentleman, am mutilated like a cripple?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir John,” replied the chirurgeon, “I am no divine, nor a mainly + obstinate believer in some things which divines tell us. Yet I may remind + you that you have been kindly dealt with; for if the blow which has done + you this injury had lighted on your neck, as it was aimed, it would have + swept your head from your shoulders, instead of amputating a less + considerable member.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish it had, Dwining—I wish it had lighted as it was addressed. I + should not then have seen a policy which had spun a web so fine as mine + burst through by the brute force of a drunken churl. I should not have + been reserved to see horses which I must not mount, lists which I must no + longer enter, splendours which I cannot hope to share, or battles which I + must not take part in. I should not, with a man’s passions for power and + for strife, be set to keep place among the women, despised by them, too, + as a miserable, impotent cripple, unable to aim at obtaining the favour of + the sex.” + </p> + <p> + “Supposing all this to be so, I will yet pray of your knighthood to + remark,” replied Dwining, still busying himself with arranging the + dressings of the wounds, “that your eyes, which you must have lost with + your head, may, being spared to you, present as rich a prospect of + pleasure as either ambition, or victory in the list or in the field, or + the love of woman itself, could have proposed to you.” + </p> + <p> + “My sense is too dull to catch thy meaning, leech,” replied Ramorny. “What + is this precious spectacle reserved to me in such a shipwreck?” + </p> + <p> + “The dearest that mankind knows,” replied Dwining; and then, in the accent + of a lover who utters the name of his beloved mistress, and expresses his + passion for her in the very tone of his voice, he added the word + “REVENGE!” + </p> + <p> + The patient had raised himself on his couch to listen with some anxiety + for the solution of the physician’s enigma. He laid himself down again as + he heard it explained, and after a short pause asked, “In what Christian + college learned you this morality, good Master Dwining?” + </p> + <p> + “In no Christian college,” answered his physician; “for, though it is + privately received in most, it is openly and manfully adopted in none. But + I have studied among the sages of Granada, where the fiery souled Moor + lifts high his deadly dagger as it drops with his enemy’s blood, and avows + the doctrine which the pallid Christian practises, though coward-like he + dare not name it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art then a more high souled villain than I deemed thee,” said + Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “Let that pass,” answered Dwining. “The waters that are the stillest are + also the deepest; and the foe is most to be dreaded who never threatens + till he strikes. You knights and men at arms go straight to your purpose + with sword in hand. We who are clerks win our access with a noiseless step + and an indirect approach, but attain our object not less surely.” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” said the knight, “who have trod to my revenge with a mailed foot, + which made all echo around it, must now use such a slipper as thine—ha?” + </p> + <p> + “He who lacks strength,” said the wily mediciner, “must attain his purpose + by skill.” + </p> + <p> + “And tell me sincerely, mediciner, wherefore thou wouldst read me these + devil’s lessons? Why wouldst thou thrust me faster or farther on to my + vengeance than I may seem to thee ready to go of my own accord? I am old + in the ways of the world, man; and I know that such as thou do not drop + words in vain, or thrust themselves upon the dangerous confidence of men + like me save with the prospect of advancing some purpose of their own. + What interest hast thou in the road, whether peaceful or bloody, which I + may pursue on these occurrents?” + </p> + <p> + “In plain dealing, sir knight, though it is what I seldom use,” answered + the leech, “my road to revenge is the same with yours.” + </p> + <p> + “With mine, man?” said Ramorny, with a tone of scornful surprise. “I + thought it had been high beyond thy reach. Thou aim at the same revenge + with Ramorny?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, truly,” replied Dwining, “for the smithy churl under whose blow you + have suffered has often done me despite and injury. He has thwarted me in + counsel and despised me in action. His brutal and unhesitating bluntness + is a living reproach to the subtlety of my natural disposition. I fear + him, and I hate him.” + </p> + <p> + “And you hope to hind an active coadjutor in me?” said Ramorny, in the + same supercilious tone as before. “But know, the artisan fellow is too low + in degree to be to me either the object of hatred or of fear. Yet he shall + not escape. We hate not the reptile that has stung us, though we might + shake it off the wound, and tread upon it. I know the ruffian of old as a + stout man at arms, and a pretender, as I have heard, to the favour of the + scornful puppet whose beauties, forsooth, spurred us to our wise and + hopeful attempt. Fiends that direct this nether world, by what malice have + ye decided that the hand which has couched a lance against the bosom of a + prince should be struck off like a sapling by the blow of a churl, and + during the turmoil of a midnight riot? Well, mediciner, thus far our + courses hold together, and I bid thee well believe that I will crush for + thee this reptile mechanic. But do not thou think to escape me when that + part of my revenge is done which will be most easily and speedily + accomplished.” + </p> + <p> + “Not, it may be, altogether so easily accomplished,” said the apothecary; + “for if your knighthood will credit me, there will be found small ease or + security in dealing with him. He is the strongest, boldest, and most + skilful swordsman in Perth and all the country around it.” + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing; he shall be met with had he the strength of Sampson. But + then, mark me! Hope not thou to escape my vengeance, unless thou become my + passive agent in the scene which is to follow. Mark me, I say once more. I + have studied at no Moorish college, and lack some of thy unbounded + appetite for revenge, but yet I will have my share of vengeance. Listen to + me, mediciner, while I shall thus far unfold myself; but beware of + treachery, for, powerful as thy fiend is, thou hast taken lessons from a + meaner devil than mine. Hearken—the master whom I have served + through vice and virtue, with too much zeal for my own character, perhaps, + but with unshaken fidelity to him—the very man, to soothe whose + frantic folly I have incurred this irreparable loss, is, at the prayer of + his doating father, about to sacrifice me, by turning me out of his + favour, and leaving me at the mercy of the hypocritical relative with whom + he seeks a precarious reconciliation at my expense. If he perseveres in + this most ungrateful purpose, thy fiercest Moors, were their complexion + swarthy as the smoke of hell, shall blush to see their revenge outdone. + But I will give him one more chance for honour and safety before my wrath + shall descend on him in unrelenting and unmitigated fury. There, then, + thus far thou hast my confidence. Close hands on our bargain. Close hands, + did I say? Where is the hand that should be the pledge and representative + of Ramorny’s plighted word? Is it nailed on the public pillory, or flung + as offal to the houseless dogs, who are even now snarling over it? Lay thy + finger on the mutilated stump, then, and swear to be a faithful actor in + my revenge, as I shall be in yours. How now, sir leech look you pale—you, + who say to death, stand back or advance, can you tremble to think of him + or to hear him named? I have not mentioned your fee, for one who loves + revenge for itself requires no deeper bribe; yet, if broad lands and large + sums of gold can increase thy zeal in a brave cause, believe me, these + shall not be lacking.” + </p> + <p> + “They tell for something in my humble wishes,” said Dwining: “the poor man + in this bustling world is thrust down like a dwarf in a crowd, and so + trodden under foot; the rich and powerful rise like giants above the + press, and are at ease, while all is turmoil around them.” + </p> + <p> + “Then shalt thou arise above the press, mediciner, as high as gold can + raise thee. This purse is weighty, yet it is but an earnest of thy + guerdon.” + </p> + <p> + “And this Smith, my noble benefactor,” said the leech, as he pouched the + gratuity—“this Henry of the Wynd, or what ever is his name—would + not the news that he hath paid the penalty of his action assuage the pain + of thy knighthood’s wound better than the balm of Mecca with which I have + salved it?” + </p> + <p> + “He is beneath the thoughts of Ramorny; and I have no more resentment + against him than I have ill will at the senseless weapon which he swayed. + But it is just thy hate should be vented upon him. Where is he chiefly to + be met with?” + </p> + <p> + “That also I have considered,” said Dwining. “To make the attempt by day + in his own house were too open and dangerous, for he hath five servants + who work with him at the stithy, four of them strong knaves, and all + loving to their master. By night were scarce less desperate, for he hath + his doors strongly secured with bolt of oak and bar of iron, and ere the + fastenings of his house could be forced, the neighbourhood would rise to + his rescue, especially as they are still alarmed by the practice on St. + Valentine’s Even.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, ay, true, mediciner,” said Ramorny, “for deceit is thy nature even + with me: thou knewest my hand and signet, as thou said’st, when that hand + was found cast out on the street, like the disgusting refuse of a shambles—why, + having such knowledge, went’st thou with these jolterheaded citizens to + consult that Patrick Charteris, whose spurs should be hacked off from his + heels for the communion which he holds with paltry burghers, and whom thou + brought’st here with the fools to do dishonour to the lifeless hand, + which, had it held its wonted place, he was not worthy to have touched in + peace or faced in war?” + </p> + <p> + “My noble patron, as soon as I had reason to know you had been the + sufferer, I urged them with all my powers of persuasion to desist from + prosecuting the feud; but the swaggering smith, and one or two other hot + heads, cried out for vengeance. Your knighthood must know this fellow + calls himself bachelor to the Fair Maiden of Perth, and stands upon his + honour to follow up her father’s quarrel; but I have forestalled his + market in that quarter, and that is something in earnest of revenge.” + </p> + <p> + “How mean you by that, sir leech?” said the patient. + </p> + <p> + “Your knighthood shall conceive,” said the mediciner, “that this smith + doth not live within compass, but is an outlier and a galliard. I met him + myself on St. Valentine’s Day, shortly after the affray between the + townsfolk and the followers of Douglas. Yes, I met him sneaking through + the lanes and bye passages with a common minstrel wench, with her messan + and her viol on his one arm and her buxom self hanging upon the other. + What thinks your honour? Is not this a trim squire, to cross a prince’s + love with the fairest girl in Perth, strike off the hand of a knight and + baron, and become gentleman usher to a strolling glee woman, all in the + course of the same four and twenty hours?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry, I think the better of him that he has so much of a gentleman’s + humour, clown though he be,” said Ramorny. “I would he had been a + precisian instead of a galliard, and I should have had better heart to aid + thy revenge. And such revenge!—revenge on a smith—in the + quarrel of a pitiful manufacturer of rotten cheverons! Pah! And yet it + shall be taken in full. Thou hast commenced it, I warrant me, by thine own + manoeuvres.” + </p> + <p> + “In a small degree only,” said the apothecary. “I took care that two or + three of the most notorious gossips in Curfew street, who liked not to + hear Catharine called the Fair Maid of Perth, should be possessed of this + story of her faithful Valentine. They opened on the scent so keenly, that, + rather than doubt had fallen on the tale, they would have vouched for it + as if their own eyes had seen it. The lover came to her father’s within an + hour after, and your worship may think what a reception he had from the + angry glover, for the damsel herself would not be looked upon. And thus + your honour sees I had a foretaste of revenge. But I trust to receive the + full draught from the hands of your lordship, with whom I am in a + brotherly league, which—” + </p> + <p> + “Brotherly!” said the knight, contemptuously. “But be it so, the priests + say we are all of one common earth. I cannot tell, there seems to me some + difference; but the better mould shall keep faith with the baser, and thou + shalt have thy revenge. Call thou my page hither.” + </p> + <p> + A young man made his appearance from the anteroom upon the physician’s + summons. + </p> + <p> + “Eviot,” said the knight, “does Bonthron wait? and is he sober?” + </p> + <p> + “He is as sober as sleep can make him after a deep drink,” answered the + page. + </p> + <p> + “Then fetch him hither, and do thou shut the door.” + </p> + <p> + A heavy step presently approached the apartment, and a man entered, whose + deficiency of height seemed made up in breadth of shoulders and strength + of arm. + </p> + <p> + “There is a man thou must deal upon, Bonthron,” said the knight. The man + smoothed his rugged features and grinned a smile of satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “That mediciner will show thee the party. Take such advantage of time, + place, and circumstance as will ensure the result; and mind you come not + by the worst, for the man is the fighting Smith of the Wynd.” + </p> + <p> + “It Will be a tough job,” growled the assassin; “for if I miss my blow, I + may esteem myself but a dead man. All Perth rings with the smith’s skill + and strength.” + </p> + <p> + “Take two assistants with thee,” said the knight. + </p> + <p> + “Not I,” said Bonthron. “If you double anything, let it be the reward.” + </p> + <p> + “Account it doubled,” said his master; “but see thy work be thoroughly + executed.” + </p> + <p> + “Trust me for that, sir knight: seldom have I failed.” + </p> + <p> + “Use this sage man’s directions,” said the wounded knight, pointing to the + physician. “And hark thee, await his coming forth, and drink not till the + business be done.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” answered the dark satellite; “my own life depends on my blow + being steady and sure. I know whom I have to deal with.” + </p> + <p> + “Vanish, then, till he summons you, and have axe and dagger in readiness.” + </p> + <p> + Bonthron nodded and withdrew. + </p> + <p> + “Will your knighthood venture to entrust such an act to a single hand?” + said the mediciner, when the assassin had left the room. “May I pray you + to remember that yonder party did, two nights since, baffle six armed + men?” + </p> + <p> + “Question me not, sir mediciner: a man like Bonthron, who knows time and + place, is worth a score of confused revellers. Call Eviot; thou shalt + first exert thy powers of healing, and do not doubt that thou shalt, in + the farther work, be aided by one who will match thee in the art of sudden + and unexpected destruction.” + </p> + <p> + The page Eviot again appeared at the mediciner’s summons, and at his + master’s sign assisted the chirurgeon in removing the dressings from Sir + John Ramorny’s wounded arm. Dwining viewed the naked stump with a species + of professional satisfaction, enhanced, no doubt, by the malignant + pleasure which his evil disposition took in the pain and distress of his + fellow creatures. The knight just turned his eye on the ghastly spectacle, + and uttered, under the pressure of bodily pain or mental agony, a groan + which he would fain have repressed. + </p> + <p> + “You groan, sir,” said the leech, in his soft, insinuating tone of voice, + but with a sneer of enjoyment, mixed with scorn, curling upon his lip, + which his habitual dissimulation could not altogether disguise—“you + groan; but be comforted. This Henry Smith knows his business: his sword is + as true to its aim as his hammer to the anvil. Had a common swordsman + struck this fatal blow, he had harmed the bone and damaged the muscles, so + that even my art might not have been able to repair them. But Henry + Smith’s cut is clean, and as sure as that with which my own scalpel could + have made the amputation. In a few days you will be able, with care and + attention to the ordinances of medicine, to stir abroad.” + </p> + <p> + “But my hand—the loss of my hand—” + </p> + <p> + “It may be kept secret for a time,” said the mediciner. “I have possessed + two or three tattling fools, in deep confidence, that the hand which was + found was that of your knighthood’s groom, Black Quentin, and your + knighthood knows that he has parted for Fife, in such sort as to make it + generally believed.” + </p> + <p> + “I know well enough,” said Ramorny, “that the rumour may stifle the truth + for a short time. But what avails this brief delay?” + </p> + <p> + “It may be concealed till your knighthood retires for a time from the + court, and then, when new accidents have darkened the recollection of the + present stir, it may be imputed to a wound received from the shivering of + a spear, or from a crossbow bolt. Your slave will find a suitable device, + and stand for the truth of it.” + </p> + <p> + “The thought maddens me,” said Ramorny, with another groan of mental and + bodily agony; “yet I see no better remedy.” + </p> + <p> + “There is none other,” said the leech, to whose evil nature his patron’s + distress was delicious nourishment. “In the mean while, it is believed you + are confined by the consequences of some bruises, aiding the sense of + displeasure at the Prince’s having consented to dismiss you from his + household at the remonstrance of Albany, which is publicly known.” + </p> + <p> + “Villain, thou rack’st me!” exclaimed the patient. + </p> + <p> + “Upon the whole, therefore,” said Dwining, “your knighthood has escaped + well, and, saving the lack of your hand, a mischance beyond remedy, you + ought rather to rejoice than complain; for no barber chirurgeon in France + or England could have more ably performed the operation than this churl + with one downright blow.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand my obligation fully,” said Ramorny, struggling with his + anger, and affecting composure; “and if Bonthron pays him not with a blow + equally downright, and rendering the aid of the leech unnecessary, say + that John of Ramorny cannot requite an obligation.” + </p> + <p> + “That is spoke like yourself, noble knight!” answered the mediciner. “And + let me further say, that the operator’s skill must have been vain, and the + hemorrhage must have drained your life veins, but for the bandages, the + cautery, and the styptics applied by the good monks, and the poor services + of your humble vassal, Henbane Dwining.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace,” exclaimed the patient, “with thy ill omened voice and worse + omened name! Methinks, as thou mentionest the tortures I have undergone, + my tingling nerves stretch and contract themselves as if they still + actuated the fingers that once could clutch a dagger.” + </p> + <p> + “That,” explained the leech, “may it please your knighthood, is a + phenomenon well known to our profession. There have been those among the + ancient sages who have thought that there still remained a sympathy + between the severed nerves and those belonging to the amputated limb; and + that the several fingers are seen to quiver and strain, as corresponding + with the impulse which proceeds from their sympathy with the energies of + the living system. Could we recover the hand from the Cross, or from the + custody of the Black Douglas, I would be pleased to observe this wonderful + operation of occult sympathies. But, I fear me, one might as safely go to + wrest the joint from the talons of an hungry eagle.” + </p> + <p> + “And thou mayst as safely break thy malignant jests on a wounded lion as + on John of Ramorny,” said the knight, raising himself in uncontrollable + indignation. “Caitiff, proceed to thy duty; and remember, that if my hand + can no longer clasp a dagger, I can command an hundred.” + </p> + <p> + “The sight of one drawn and brandished in anger were sufficient,” said + Dwining, “to consume the vital powers of your chirurgeon. But who then,” + he added in a tone partly insinuating, partly jeering—“who would + then relieve the fiery and scorching pain which my patron now suffers, and + which renders him exasperated even with his poor servant for quoting the + rules of healing, so contemptible, doubtless, compared with the power of + inflicting wounds?” + </p> + <p> + Then, as daring no longer to trifle with the mood of his dangerous + patient, the leech addressed himself seriously to salving the wound, and + applied a fragrant balm, the odour of which was diffused through the + apartment, while it communicated a refreshing coolness, instead of the + burning heat—a change so gratifying to the fevered patient, that, as + he had before groaned with agony, he could not now help sighing for + pleasure, as he sank back on his couch to enjoy the ease which the + dressing bestowed. + </p> + <p> + “Your knightly lordship now knows who is your friend,” said Dwining; “had + you yielded to a rash impulse, and said, ‘Slay me this worthless + quacksalver,’ where, within the four seas of Britain, would you have found + the man to have ministered to you as much comfort?” + </p> + <p> + “Forget my threats, good leech,” said Ramorny, “and beware how you tempt + me. Such as I brook not jests upon our agony. See thou keep thy scoffs, to + pass upon misers [that is, miserable persons, as used in Spenser and other + writers of his time, though the sense is now restricted to those who are + covetous] in the hospital.” + </p> + <p> + Dwining ventured to say no more, but poured some drops from a phial which + he took from his pocket into a small cup of wine allayed with water. + </p> + <p> + “This draught,” said the man of art, “is medicated to produce a sleep + which must not be interrupted.” + </p> + <p> + “For how long will it last?” asked the knight. + </p> + <p> + “The period of its operation is uncertain—perhaps till morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps for ever,” said the patient. “Sir mediciner, taste me that liquor + presently, else it passes not my lips.” + </p> + <p> + The leech obeyed him, with a scornful smile. “I would drink the whole with + readiness; but the juice of this Indian gum will bring sleep on the + healthy man as well as upon the patient, and the business of the leech + requires me to be a watcher.” + </p> + <p> + “I crave your pardon, sir leech,” said Ramorny, looking downwards, as if + ashamed to have manifested suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “There is no room for pardon where offence must not be taken,” answered + the mediciner. “An insect must thank a giant that he does not tread on + him. Yet, noble knight, insects have their power of harming as well as + physicians. What would it have cost me, save a moment’s trouble, so to + have drugged that balm, as should have made your arm rot to the shoulder + joint, and your life blood curdle in your veins to a corrupted jelly? What + is there that prevented me to use means yet more subtle, and to taint your + room with essences, before which the light of life twinkles more and more + dimly, till it expires, like a torch amidst the foul vapours of some + subterranean dungeon? You little estimate my power, if you know not that + these and yet deeper modes of destruction stand at command of my art. But + a physician slays not the patient by whose generosity he lives, and far + less will he the breath of whose nostrils is the hope of revenge destroy + the vowed ally who is to favour his pursuit of it. Yet one word; should a + necessity occur for rousing yourself—for who in Scotland can promise + himself eight hours’ uninterrupted repose?—then smell at the strong + essence contained in this pouncet box. And now, farewell, sir knight; and + if you cannot think of me as a man of nice conscience, acknowledge me at + least as one of reason and of judgment.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, the mediciner left the room, his usual mean and shuffling gait + elevating itself into something more noble, as conscious of a victory over + his imperious patient. + </p> + <p> + Sir John Ramorny remained sunk in unpleasing reflections until he began to + experience the incipient effects of his soporific draught. He then roused + himself for an instant, and summoned his page. + </p> + <p> + “Eviot! what ho! Eviot! I have done ill to unbosom myself so far to this + poisonous quacksalver. Eviot!” + </p> + <p> + The page entered. + </p> + <p> + “Is the mediciner gone forth?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, so please your knighthood.” + </p> + <p> + “Alone or accompanied?” + </p> + <p> + “Bonthron spoke apart with him, and followed him almost immediately—by + your lordship’s command, as I understood him.” + </p> + <p> + “Lackaday, yes! he goes to seek some medicaments; he will return anon. If + he be intoxicated, see he comes not near my chamber, and permit him not to + enter into converse with any one. He raves when drink has touched his + brain. He was a rare fellow before a Southron bill laid his brain pan + bare; but since that time he talks gibberish whenever the cup has crossed + his lips. Said the leech aught to you, Eviot?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, save to reiterate his commands that your honour be not + disturbed.” + </p> + <p> + “Which thou must surely obey,” said the knight. “I feel the summons to + rest, of which I have been deprived since this unhappy wound. At least, if + I have slept it has been but for a snatch. Aid me to take off my gown, + Eviot.” + </p> + <p> + “May God and the saints send you good rest, my lord,” said the page, + retiring after he had rendered his wounded master the assistance required. + </p> + <p> + As Eviot left the room, the knight, whose brain was becoming more and more + confused, muttered over the page’s departing salutation. + </p> + <p> + “God—saints—I have slept sound under such a benison. But now, + methinks if I awake not to the accomplishment of my proud hopes of power + and revenge, the best wish for me is, that the slumbers which now fall + around my head were the forerunners of that sleep which shall return my + borrowed powers to their original nonexistence—I can argue it no + farther.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he fell into a profound sleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + On Fastern’s E’en when we war fou. + + Scots Song. +</pre> + <p> + The night which sunk down on the sickbed of Ramorny was not doomed to be a + quiet one. Two hours had passed since curfew bell, then rung at seven + o’clock at night, and in those primitive times all were retired to rest, + excepting such whom devotion, or duty, or debauchery made watchers; and + the evening being that of Shrovetide, or, as it was called in Scotland, + Fastern’s E’en, the vigils of gaiety were by far the most frequented of + the three. + </p> + <p> + The common people had, throughout the day, toiled and struggled at + football; the nobles and gentry had fought cocks, and hearkened to the + wanton music of the minstrel; while the citizens had gorged themselves + upon pancakes fried in lard, and brose, or brewis—the fat broth, + that is, in which salted beef had been boiled, poured upon highly toasted + oatmeal, a dish which even now is not ungrateful to simple, old fashioned + Scottish palates. These were all exercises and festive dishes proper to + the holiday. It was no less a solemnity of the evening that the devout + Catholic should drink as much good ale and wine as he had means to + procure; and, if young and able, that he should dance at the ring, or + figure among the morrice dancers, who, in the city of Perth, as elsewhere, + wore a peculiarly fantastic garb, and distinguished themselves by their + address and activity. All this gaiety took place under the prudential + consideration that the long term of Lent, now approaching, with its fasts + and deprivations, rendered it wise for mortals to cram as much idle and + sensual indulgence as they could into the brief space which intervened + before its commencement. + </p> + <p> + The usual revels had taken place, and in most parts of the city were + succeeded by the usual pause. A particular degree of care had been taken + by the nobility to prevent any renewal of discord betwixt their followers + and the citizens of the town, so that the revels had proceeded with fewer + casualties than usual, embracing only three deaths and certain fractured + limbs, which, occurring to individuals of little note, were not accounted + worth inquiring into. The carnival was closing quietly in general, but in + some places the sport was still kept up. + </p> + <p> + One company of revellers, who had been particularly noticed and applauded, + seemed unwilling to conclude their frolic. The entry, as it was called, + consisted of thirteen persons, habited in the same manner, having doublets + of chamois leather sitting close to their bodies, curiously slashed and + laced. They wore green caps with silver tassels, red ribands, and white + shoes, had bells hung at their knees and around their ankles, and naked + swords in their hands. This gallant party, having exhibited a sword dance + before the King, with much clashing of weapons and fantastic interchange + of postures, went on gallantly to repeat their exhibition before the door + of Simon Glover, where, having made a fresh exhibition of their agility, + they caused wine to be served round to their own company and the + bystanders, and with a loud shout drank to the health of the Fair Maid of + Perth. This summoned old Simon to the door of his habitation, to + acknowledge the courtesy of his countrymen, and in his turn to send the + wine around in honour of the Merry Morrice Dancers of Perth. + </p> + <p> + “We thank thee, father Simon,” said a voice, which strove to drown in an + artificial squeak the pert, conceited tone of Oliver Proudfute. “But a + sight of thy lovely daughter had been more sweet to us young bloods than a + whole vintage of Malvoisie.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank thee, neighbours, for your goodwill,” replied the glover. “My + daughter is ill at ease, and may not come forth into the cold night air; + but if this gay gallant, whose voice methinks I should know, will go into + my poor house, she will charge him with thanks for the rest of you.” + </p> + <p> + “Bring them to us at the hostelrie of the Griffin,” cried the rest of the + ballet to their favoured companion; “for there will we ring in Lent, and + have another rouse to the health of the lovely Catharine.” + </p> + <p> + “Have with you in half an hour,” said Oliver, “and see who will quaff the + largest flagon, or sing the loudest glee. Nay, I will be merry in what + remains of Fastern’s Even, should Lent find me with my mouth closed for + ever.” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, then,” cried his mates in the morrice—“fare well, + slashing bonnet maker, till we meet again.” + </p> + <p> + The morrice dancers accordingly set out upon their further progress, + dancing and carolling as they went along to the sound of four musicians, + who led the joyous band, while Simon Glover drew their coryphaeus into his + house, and placed him in a chair by his parlour fire. + </p> + <p> + “But where is your daughter?” said Oliver. “She is the bait for us brave + blades.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, truly, she keeps her apartment, neighbour Oliver; and, to speak + plainly, she keeps her bed.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then will I upstairs to see her in her sorrow; you have marred my + ramble, Gaffer Glover, and you owe me amends—a roving blade like me; + I will not lose both the lass and the glass. Keeps her bed, does she? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “My dog and I we have a trick + To visit maids when they are sick; + When they are sick and like to die, + Oh, thither do come my dog and I. + + “And when I die, as needs must hap, + Then bury me under the good ale tap; + With folded arms there let me lie + Cheek for jowl, my dog and I.” + </pre> + <p> + “Canst thou not be serious for a moment, neighbour Proudfute?” said the + glover; “I want a word of conversation with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Serious!” answered his visitor; “why, I have been serious all this day: I + can hardly open my mouth, but something comes out about death, a burial, + or suchlike—the most serious subjects that I wot of.” + </p> + <p> + “St. John, man!” said the glover, “art then fey?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not a whit: it is not my own death which these gloomy fancies + foretell. I have a strong horoscope, and shall live for fifty years to + come. But it is the case of the poor fellow—the Douglas man, whom I + struck down at the fray of St. Valentine’s: he died last night; it is that + which weighs on my conscience, and awakens sad fancies. Ah, father Simon, + we martialists, that have spilt blood in our choler, have dark thoughts at + times; I sometimes wish that my knife had cut nothing but worsted thrums.” + </p> + <p> + “And I wish,” said Simon, “that mine had cut nothing but buck’s leather, + for it has sometimes cut my own fingers. But thou mayst spare thy remorse + for this bout: there was but one man dangerously hurt at the affray, and + it was he from whom Henry Smith hewed the hand, and he is well recovered. + His name is Black Quentin, one of Sir John Ramorny’s followers. He has + been sent privately back to his own country of Fife.” + </p> + <p> + “What, Black Quentin? Why, that is the very man that Henry and I, as we + ever keep close together, struck at in the same moment, only my blow fell + somewhat earlier. I fear further feud will come of it, and so does the + provost. And is he recovered? Why, then, I will be jovial, and since thou + wilt not let me see how Kate becomes her night gear, I will back to the + Griffin to my morrice dancers.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, stay but one instant. Thou art a comrade of Henry Wynd, and hast + done him the service to own one or two deeds and this last among others. I + would thou couldst clear him of other charges with which fame hath loaded + him.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I will swear by the hilt of my sword they are as false as hell, + father Simon. What—blades and targets! shall not men of the sword + stick together?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, neighbour bonnet maker, be patient; thou mayst do the smith a kind + turn, an thou takest this matter the right way. I have chosen thee to + consult with anent this matter—not that I hold thee the wisest head + in Perth, for should I say so I should lie.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay,” answered the self satisfied bonnet maker; “I know where you + think my fault lies: you cool heads think we hot heads are fools—I + have heard men call Henry Wynd such a score of times.” + </p> + <p> + “Fool enough and cool enough may rhyme together passing well,” said the + glover; “but thou art good natured, and I think lovest this crony of + thine. It stands awkwardly with us and him just now,” continued Simon. + “Thou knowest there hath been some talk of marriage between my daughter + Catharine and Henry Gow?” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard some such song since St. Valentine’s Morn. Ah! he that shall + win the Fair Maid of Perth must be a happy man; and yet marriage spoils + many a pretty fellow. I myself somewhat regret—” + </p> + <p> + “Prithee, truce with thy regrets for the present, man,” interrupted the + glover, somewhat peevishly. “You must know, Oliver, that some of these + talking women, who I think make all the business of the world their own, + have accused Henry of keeping light company with glee women and suchlike. + Catharine took it to heart; and I held my child insulted, that he had not + waited upon her like a Valentine, but had thrown himself into unseemly + society on the very day when, by ancient custom, he might have had an + opportunity to press his interest with my daughter. Therefore, when he + came hither late on the evening of St. Valentine’s, I, like a hasty old + fool, bid him go home to the company he had left, and denied him + admittance. I have not seen him since, and I begin to think that I may + have been too rash in the matter. She is my only child, and the grave + should have her sooner than a debauchee, But I have hitherto thought I + knew Henry Gow as if he were my son. I cannot think he would use us thus, + and it may be there are means of explaining what is laid to his charge. I + was led to ask Dwining, who is said to have saluted the smith while he was + walking with this choice mate. If I am to believe his words, this wench + was the smith’s cousin, Joan Letham. But thou knowest that the potter + carrier ever speaks one language with his visage and another with his + tongue. Now, thou, Oliver, hast too little wit—I mean, too much + honesty—to belie the truth, and as Dwining hinted that thou also + hadst seen her—” + </p> + <p> + “I see her, Simon Glover! Will Dwining say that I saw her?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not precisely that; but he says you told him you had met the smith + thus accompanied.” + </p> + <p> + “He lies, and I will pound him into a gallipot!” said Oliver Proudfute. + </p> + <p> + “How! Did you never tell him, then, of such a meeting?” + </p> + <p> + “What an if I did?” said the bonnet maker. “Did not he swear that he would + never repeat again to living mortal what I communicated to him? and + therefore, in telling the occurrent to you, he hath made himself a liar.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou didst not meet the smith, then,” said Simon, “with such a loose + baggage as fame reports?” + </p> + <p> + “Lackaday, not I; perhaps I did, perhaps I did not. Think, father Simon—I + have been a four years married man, and can you expect me to remember the + turn of a glee woman’s ankle, the trip of her toe, the lace upon her + petticoat, and such toys? No, I leave that to unmarried wags, like my + gossip Henry.” + </p> + <p> + “The upshot is, then,” said the glover, much vexed, “you did meet him on + St. Valentine’s Day walking the public streets—” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, neighbour; I met him in the most distant and dark lane in Perth, + steering full for his own house, with bag and baggage, which, as a gallant + fellow, he carried in his arms, the puppy dog on one and the jilt herself—and + to my thought she was a pretty one—hanging upon the other.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by good St. John,” said the glover, “this infamy would make a + Christian man renounce his faith, and worship Mahound in very anger! But + he has seen the last of my daughter. I would rather she went to the wild + Highlands with a barelegged cateran than wed with one who could, at such a + season, so broadly forget honour and decency. Out upon him!” + </p> + <p> + “Tush—tush! father Simon,” said the liberal minded bonnet maker, + “you consider not the nature of young blood. Their company was not long, + for—to speak truth, I did keep a little watch on him—I met him + before sunrise, conducting his errant damsel to the Lady’s Stairs, that + the wench might embark on the Tay from Perth; and I know for certainty, + for I made inquiry, that she sailed in a gabbart for Dundee. So you see it + was but a slight escape of youth.” + </p> + <p> + “And he came here,” said Simon, bitterly, “beseeching for admittance to my + daughter, while he had his harlot awaiting him at home! I had rather he + had slain a score of men! It skills not talking, least of all to thee, + Oliver Proudfute, who, if thou art not such a one as himself, would fain + be thought so. But—” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, think not of it so seriously,” said Oliver, who began to reflect on + the mischief his tattling was likely to occasion to his friend, and on the + consequences of Henry Gow’s displeasure, when he should learn the + disclosure which he had made rather in vanity of heart than in evil + intention. + </p> + <p> + “Consider,” he continued, “that there are follies belonging to youth. + Occasion provokes men to such frolics, and confession wipes them off. I + care not if I tell thee that, though my wife be as goodly a woman as the + city has, yet I myself—” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, silly braggart,” said the glover in high wrath; “thy loves and thy + battles are alike apocryphal. If thou must needs lie, which I think is thy + nature, canst thou invent no falsehood that may at least do thee some + credit? Do I not see through thee, as I could see the light through the + horn of a base lantern? Do I not know, thou filthy weaver of rotten + worsted, that thou durst no more cross the threshold of thy own door, if + thy wife heard of thy making such a boast, than thou darest cross naked + weapons with a boy of twelve years old, who has drawn a sword for the + first time of his life? By St. John, it were paying you for your tale + bearing trouble to send thy Maudie word of thy gay brags.” + </p> + <p> + The bonnet maker, at this threat, started as if a crossbow bolt had + whizzed past his head when least expected. And it was with a trembling + voice that he replied: “Nay, good father Glover, thou takest too much + credit for thy grey hairs. Consider, good neighbour, thou art too old for + a young martialist to wrangle with. And in the matter of my Maudie, I can + trust thee, for I know no one who would be less willing than thou to break + the peace of families.” + </p> + <p> + “Trust thy coxcomb no longer with me,” said the incensed glover; “but take + thyself, and the thing thou call’st a head, out of my reach, lest I borrow + back five minutes of my youth and break thy pate!” + </p> + <p> + “You have had a merry Fastern’s Even, neighbour,” said the bonnet maker, + “and I wish you a quiet sleep; we shall meet better friends tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Out of my doors tonight!” said the glover. “I am ashamed so idle a tongue + as thine should have power to move me thus.” + </p> + <p> + “Idiot—beast—loose tongued coxcomb,” he exclaimed, throwing + himself into a chair, as the bonnet maker disappeared; “that a fellow made + up of lies should not have had the grace to frame one when it might have + covered the shame of a friend! And I—what am I, that I should, in my + secret mind, wish that such a gross insult to me and my child had been + glossed over? Yet such was my opinion of Henry, that I would have + willingly believed the grossest figment the swaggering ass could have + invented. Well, it skills not thinking of it. Our honest name must be + maintained, though everything else should go to ruin.” + </p> + <p> + While the glover thus moralised on the unwelcome confirmation of the tale + he wished to think untrue, the expelled morrice dancer had leisure, in the + composing air of a cool and dark February night, to meditate on the + consequences of the glover’s unrestrained anger. + </p> + <p> + “But it is nothing,” he bethought himself, “to the wrath of Henry Wynd, + who hath killed a man for much less than placing displeasure betwixt him + and Catharine, as well as her fiery old father. Certainly I were better + have denied everything. But the humour of seeming a knowing gallant, as in + truth I am, fairly overcame me. Were I best go to finish the revel at the + Griffin? But then Maudie will rampauge on my return—ay, and this + being holiday even, I may claim a privilege. I have it: I will not to the + Griffin—I will to the smith’s, who must be at home, since no one + hath seen him this day amid the revel. I will endeavour to make peace with + him, and offer my intercession with the glover. Harry is a simple, + downright fellow, and though I think he is my better in a broil, yet in + discourse I can turn him my own way. The streets are now quiet, the night, + too, is dark, and I may step aside if I meet any rioters. I will to the + smith’s, and, securing him for my friend, I care little for old Simon. St. + Ringan bear me well through this night, and I will clip my tongue out ere + it shall run my head into such peril again! Yonder old fellow, when his + blood was up, looked more like a carver of buff jerkins than a clipper of + kid gloves.” + </p> + <p> + With these reflections, the puissant Oliver walked swiftly, yet with as + little noise as possible, towards the wynd in which the smith, as our + readers are aware, had his habitation. But his evil fortune had not ceased + to pursue him. As he turned into the High, or principal, Street, he heard + a burst of music very near him, followed by a loud shout. + </p> + <p> + “My merry mates, the morrice dancers,” thought he; “I would know old + Jeremy’s rebeck among an hundred. I will venture across the street ere + they pass on; if I am espied, I shall have the renown of some private + quest, which may do me honour as a roving blade.” + </p> + <p> + With these longings for distinction among the gay and gallant, combated, + however, internally, by more prudential considerations, the bonnet maker + made an attempt to cross the street. But the revellers, whoever they might + be, were accompanied by torches, the flash of which fell upon Oliver, + whose light coloured habit made him the more distinctly visible. The + general shout of “A prize—a prize” overcame the noise of the + minstrel, and before the bonnet maker could determine whether it were + better to stand or fly, two active young men, clad in fantastic masking + habits, resembling wild men, and holding great clubs, seized upon him, + saying, in a tragical tone: “Yield thee, man of bells and bombast—yield + thee, rescue or no rescue, or truly thou art but a dead morrice dancer.” + </p> + <p> + “To whom shall I yield me?” said the bonnet maker, with a faltering voice; + for, though he saw he had to do with a party of mummers who were afoot for + pleasure, yet he observed at the same time that they were far above his + class, and he lost the audacity necessary to support his part in a game + where the inferior was likely to come by the worst. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou parley, slave?” answered one of the maskers; “and must I show + thee that thou art a captive, by giving thee incontinently the bastinado?” + </p> + <p> + “By no means, puissant man of Ind,” said the bonnet maker; “lo, I am + conformable to your pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, then,” said those who had arrested him—“come and do homage to + the Emperor of Mimes, King of Caperers, and Grand Duke of the Dark Hours, + and explain by what right thou art so presumptuous as to prance and + jingle, and wear out shoe leather, within his dominions without paying him + tribute. Know’st thou not thou hast incurred the pains of high treason?” + </p> + <p> + “That were hard, methinks,” said poor Oliver, “since I knew not that his + Grace exercised the government this evening. But I am willing to redeem + the forfeit, if the purse of a poor bonnet maker may, by the mulct of a + gallon of wine, or some such matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Bring him before the emperor,” was the universal cry; and the morrice + dancer was placed before a slight, but easy and handsome, figure of a + young man, splendidly attired, having a cincture and tiara of peacock’s + feathers, then brought from the East as a marvellous rarity; a short + jacket and under dress of leopard’s skin fitted closely the rest of his + person, which was attired in flesh coloured silk, so as to resemble the + ordinary idea of an Indian prince. He wore sandals, fastened on with + ribands of scarlet silk, and held in his hand a sort of fan, such as + ladies then used, composed of the same feathers, assembled into a plume or + tuft. + </p> + <p> + “What mister wight have we here,” said the Indian chief, “who dares to tie + the bells of a morrice on the ankles of a dull ass? Hark ye, friend, your + dress should make you a subject of ours, since our empire extends over all + Merryland, including mimes and minstrels of every description. What, + tongue tied? He lacks wine; minister to him our nutshell full of sack.” + </p> + <p> + A huge calabash full of sack was offered to the lips of the supplicant, + while this prince of revellers exhorted him: + </p> + <p> + “Crack me this nut, and do it handsomely, and without wry faces.” + </p> + <p> + But, however Oliver might have relished a moderate sip of the same good + wine, he was terrified at the quantity he was required to deal with. He + drank a draught, and then entreated for mercy. + </p> + <p> + “So please your princedom, I have yet far to go, and if I were to swallow + your Grace’s bounty, for which accept my dutiful thanks, I should not be + able to stride over the next kennel.” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou in case to bear thyself like a galliard? Now, cut me a caper—ha! + one—two—three—admirable. Again—give him the spur + (here a satellite of the Indian gave Oliver a slight touch with his + sword). Nay, that is best of all: he sprang like a cat in a gutter. Tender + him the nut once more; nay, no compulsion, he has paid forfeit, and + deserves not only free dismissal but reward. Kneel down—kneel, and + arise Sir Knight of the Calabash! What is thy name? And one of you lend me + a rapier.” + </p> + <p> + “Oliver, may it please your honour—I mean your principality.” + </p> + <p> + “Oliver, man. Nay, then thou art one of the ‘douze peers’ already, and + fate has forestalled our intended promotion. Yet rise up, sweet Sir Oliver + Thatchpate, Knight of the honourable order of the Pumpkin—rise up, + in the name of nonsense, and begone about thine own concerns, and the + devil go with thee!” + </p> + <p> + So saying, the prince of the revels bestowed a smart blow with the flat of + the weapon across the bonnet maker’s shoulders, who sprung to his feet + with more alacrity of motion than he had hitherto displayed, and, + accelerated by the laugh and halloo which arose behind him, arrived at the + smith’s house before he stopped, with the same speed with which a hunted + fox makes for his den. + </p> + <p> + It was not till the affrighted bonnet maker had struck a blow on the door + that he recollected he ought to have bethought himself beforehand in what + manner he was to present himself before Henry, and obtain his forgiveness + for his rash communications to Simon Glover. No one answered to his first + knock, and, perhaps, as these reflections arose in the momentary pause of + recollection which circumstances permitted, the perplexed bonnet maker + might have flinched from his purpose, and made his retreat to his own + premises, without venturing upon the interview which he had purposed. But + a distant strain of minstrelsy revived his apprehensions of falling once + more into the hands of the gay maskers from whom he had escaped, and he + renewed his summons on the door of the smith’s dwelling with a hurried, + though faltering, hand. He was then appalled by the deep, yet not + unmusical, voice of Henry Gow, who answered from within: “Who calls at + this hour, and what is it that you want?” + </p> + <p> + “It is I—Oliver Proudfute,” replied the bonnet maker; “I have a + merry jest to tell you, gossip Henry.” + </p> + <p> + “Carry thy foolery to some other market. I am in no jesting humour,” said + Henry. “Go hence; I will see no one tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “But, gossip—good gossip,” answered the martialist with out, “I am + beset with villains, and beg the shelter of your roof!” + </p> + <p> + “Fool that thou art!” replied Henry; “no dunghill cock, the most recreant + that has fought this Fastern’s Eve, would ruffle his feathers at such a + craven as thou!” + </p> + <p> + At this moment another strain of minstrelsy, and, as the bonnet maker + conceited, one which approached much nearer, goaded his apprehensions to + the uttermost; and in a voice the tones of which expressed the undisguised + extremity of instant fear he exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “For the sake of our old gossipred, and for the love of Our Blessed Lady, + admit me, Henry, if you would not have me found a bloody corpse at thy + door, slain by the bloody minded Douglasses!” + </p> + <p> + “That would be a shame to me,” thought the good natured smith, “and sooth + to say, his peril may be real. There are roving hawks that will strike at + a sparrow as soon as a heron.” + </p> + <p> + With these reflections, half muttered, half spoken, Henry undid his well + fastened door, proposing to reconnoitre the reality of the danger before + he permitted his unwelcome guest to enter the house. But as he looked + abroad to ascertain how matters stood, Oliver bolted in like a scared deer + into a thicket, and harboured himself by the smith’s kitchen fire before + Henry could look up and down the lane, and satisfy himself there were no + enemies in pursuit of the apprehensive fugitive. He secured his door, + therefore, and returned into the kitchen, displeased that he had suffered + his gloomy solitude to be intruded upon by sympathising with apprehensions + which he thought he might have known were so easily excited as those of + his timid townsman. + </p> + <p> + “How now!” he said, coldly enough, when he saw the bonnet maker calmly + seated by his hearth. “What foolish revel is this, Master Oliver? I see no + one near to harm you.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me a drink, kind gossip,” said Oliver: “I am choked with the haste I + have made to come hither.” + </p> + <p> + “I have sworn,” said Henry, “that this shall be no revel night in this + house: I am in my workday clothes, as you see, and keep fast, as I have + reason, instead of holiday. You have had wassail enough for the holiday + evening, for you speak thick already. If you wish more ale or wine you + must go elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “I have had overmuch wassail already,” said poor Oliver, “and have been + well nigh drowned in it. That accursed calabash! A draught of water, kind + gossip—you will not surely let me ask for that in vain? or, if it is + your will, a cup of cold small ale.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, if that be all,” said Henry, “it shall not be lacking. But it must + have been much which brought thee to the pass of asking for either.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he filled a quart flagon from a barrel that stood nigh, and + presented it to his guest. Oliver eagerly accepted it, raised it to his + head with a trembling hand, imbibed the contents with lips which quivered + with emotion, and, though the potation was as thin as he had requested, so + much was he exhausted with the combined fears of alarm and of former + revelry, that, when he placed the flagon on the oak table, he uttered a + deep sigh of satisfaction, and remained silent. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now you have had your draught, gossip,” said the smith, “what is it + you want? Where are those that threatened you? I could see no one.” + </p> + <p> + “No—but there were twenty chased me into the wynd,” said Oliver. + “But when they saw us together, you know they lost the courage that + brought all of them upon one of us.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, do not trifle, friend Oliver,” replied his host; “my mood lies not + that way.” + </p> + <p> + “I jest not, by St. John of Perth. I have been stayed and foully outraged + (gliding his hand sensitively over the place affected) by mad David of + Rothsay, roaring Ramorny, and the rest of them. They made me drink a + firkin of Malvoisie.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou speakest folly, man. Ramorny is sick nigh to death, as the potter + carrier everywhere reports: they and he cannot surely rise at midnight to + do such frolics.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell,” replied Oliver; “but I saw the party by torchlight, and I + can make bodily oath to the bonnets I made for them since last Innocents’. + They are of a quaint device, and I should know my own stitch.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, thou mayst have had wrong,” answered Henry. “If thou art in real + danger, I will cause them get a bed for thee here. But you must fill it + presently, for I am not in the humour of talking.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I would thank thee for my quarters for a night, only my Maudie will + be angry—that is, not angry, for that I care not for—but the + truth is, she is overanxious on a revel night like this, knowing my humour + is like thine for a word and a blow.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, go home,” said the smith, “and show her that her treasure is + in safety, Master Oliver; the streets are quiet, and, to speak a blunt + word, I would be alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but I have things to speak with thee about of moment,” replied + Oliver, who, afraid to stay, seemed yet unwilling to go. “There has been a + stir in our city council about the affair of St. Valentine’s Even. The + provost told me not four hours since, that the Douglas and he had agreed + that the feud should be decided by a yeoman on either party and that our + acquaintance, the Devil’s Dick, was to wave his gentry, and take up the + cause for Douglas and the nobles, and that you or I should fight for the + Fair City. Now, though I am the elder burgess, yet I am willing, for the + love and kindness we have always borne to each other, to give thee the + precedence, and content myself with the humbler office of stickler.” + </p> + <p> + Henry Smith, though angry, could scarce forbear a smile. + </p> + <p> + “If it is that which breaks thy quiet, and keeps thee out of thy bed at + midnight, I will make the matter easy. Thou shalt not lose the advantage + offered thee. I have fought a score of duels—far, far too many. Thou + hast, I think, only encountered with thy wooden soldan: it were unjust—unfair—unkind—in + me to abuse thy friendly offer. So go home, good fellow, and let not the + fear of losing honour disturb thy slumbers. Rest assured that thou shalt + answer the challenge, as good right thou hast, having had injury from this + rough rider.” + </p> + <p> + “Gramercy, and thank thee kindly,” said Oliver much embarrassed by his + friend’s unexpected deference; “thou art the good friend I have always + thought thee. But I have as much friendship for Henry Smith as he for + Oliver Proudfute. I swear by St. John, I will not fight in this quarrel to + thy prejudice; so, having said so, I am beyond the reach of temptation, + since thou wouldst not have me mansworn, though it were to fight twenty + duels.” + </p> + <p> + “Hark thee,” said the smith, “acknowledge thou art afraid, Oliver: tell + the honest truth, at once, otherwise I leave thee to make the best of thy + quarrel.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, good gossip,” replied the bonnet maker, “thou knowest I am never + afraid. But, in sooth, this is a desperate ruffian; and as I have a wife—poor + Maudie, thou knowest—and a small family, and thou—” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” interrupted Henry, hastily, “have none, and never shall have.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, truly, such being the case, I would rather thou fought’st this + combat than I.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by our halidome, gossip,” answered the smith, “thou art easily + gored! Know, thou silly fellow, that Sir Patrick Charteris, who is ever a + merry man, hath but jested with thee. Dost thou think he would venture the + honour of the city on thy head, or that I would yield thee the precedence + in which such a matter was to be disputed? Lackaday, go home, let Maudie + tie a warm nightcap on thy head, get thee a warm breakfast and a cup of + distilled waters, and thou wilt be in ease tomorrow to fight thy wooden + dromond, or soldan, as thou call’st him, the only thing thou wilt ever lay + downright blow upon.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, say’st thou so, comrade?” answered Oliver, much relieved, yet deeming + it necessary to seem in part offended. “I care not for thy dogged humour; + it is well for thee thou canst not wake my patience to the point of + falling foul. Enough—we are gossips, and this house is thine. Why + should the two best blades in Perth clash with each other? What! I know + thy rugged humour, and can forgive it. But is the feud really soldered + up?” + </p> + <p> + “As completely as ever hammer fixed rivet,” said the smith. “The town hath + given the Johnstone a purse of gold, for not ridding them of a troublesome + fellow called Oliver Proudfute, when he had him at his mercy; and this + purse of gold buys for the provost the Sleepless Isle, which the King + grants him, for the King pays all in the long run. And thus Sir Patrick + gets the comely inch which is opposite to his dwelling, and all honour is + saved on both sides, for what is given to the provost is given, you + understand, to the town. Besides all this, the Douglas hath left Perth to + march against the Southron, who, men say, are called into the marches by + the false Earl of March. So the Fair City is quit of him and his cumber.” + </p> + <p> + “But, in St. John’s name, how came all that about,” said Oliver, “and no + one spoken to about it?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, look thee, friend Oliver, this I take to have been the case. The + fellow whom I cropped of a hand is now said to have been a servant of Sir + John Ramorny’s, who hath fled to his motherland of Fife, to which Sir John + himself is also to be banished, with full consent of every honest man. + Now, anything which brings in Sir John Ramorny touches a much greater man—I + think Simon Glover told as much to Sir Patrick Charteris. If it be as I + guess, I have reason to thank Heaven and all the saints I stabbed him not + upon the ladder when I made him prisoner.” + </p> + <p> + “And I too thank Heaven and all the saints, most devoutly,” said Oliver. + “I was behind thee, thou knowest, and—” + </p> + <p> + “No more of that, if thou be’st wise. There are laws against striking + princes,” said the smith: “best not handle the horseshoe till it cools. + All is hushed up now.” + </p> + <p> + “If this be so,” said Oliver, partly disconcerted, but still more + relieved, by the intelligence he received from his better informed friend, + “I have reason to complain of Sir Patrick Charteris for jesting with the + honour of an honest burgess, being, as he is, provost of our town.” + </p> + <p> + “Do, Oliver; challenge him to the field, and he will bid his yeoman loose + his dogs on thee. But come, night wears apace, will you be shogging?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I had one word more to say to thee, good gossip. But first, another + cup of your cold ale.” + </p> + <p> + “Pest on thee for a fool! Thou makest me wish thee where told liquors are + a scarce commodity. There, swill the barrelful an thou wilt.” + </p> + <p> + Oliver took the second flagon, but drank, or rather seemed to drink, very + slowly, in order to gain time for considering how he should introduce his + second subject of conversation, which seemed rather delicate for the + smith’s present state of irritability. At length, nothing better occurred + to him than to plunge into the subject at once, with, “I have seen Simon + Glover today, gossip.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the smith, in a low, deep, and stern tone of voice, “and if + thou hast, what is that to me?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing—nothing,” answered the appalled bonnet maker. “Only I + thought you might like to know that he questioned me close if I had seen + thee on St. Valentine’s Day, after the uproar at the Dominicans’, and in + what company thou wert.” + </p> + <p> + “And I warrant thou told’st him thou met’st me with a glee woman in the + mirk loaning yonder?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou know’st, Henry, I have no gift at lying; but I made it all up with + him.” + </p> + <p> + “As how, I pray you?” said the smith. + </p> + <p> + “Marry, thus: ‘Father Simon,’ said I, ‘you are an old man, and know not + the quality of us, in whose veins youth is like quicksilver. You think, + now, he cares about this girl,’ said I, ‘and, perhaps, that he has her + somewhere here in Perth in a corner? No such matter; I know,’ said I, ‘and + I will make oath to it, that she left his house early next morning for + Dundee.’ Ha! have I helped thee at need?” + </p> + <p> + “Truly, I think thou hast, and if anything could add to my grief and + vexation at this moment, it is that, when I am so deep in the mire, an ass + like thee should place his clumsy hoof on my head, to sink me entirely. + Come, away with thee, and mayst thou have such luck as thy meddling humour + deserves; and then I think, thou wilt be found with a broken neck in the + next gutter. Come, get you out, or I will put you to the door with head + and shoulders forward.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha—ha!” exclaimed Oliver, laughing with some constraint, “thou art + such a groom! But in sadness, gossip Henry, wilt thou not take a turn with + me to my own house, in the Meal Vennel?” + </p> + <p> + “Curse thee, no,” answered the smith. + </p> + <p> + “I will bestow the wine on thee if thou wilt go,” said Oliver. + </p> + <p> + “I will bestow the cudgel on thee if thou stay’st,” said Henry. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, then, I will don thy buff coat and cap of steel, and walk with thy + swashing step, and whistling thy pibroch of ‘Broken Bones at Loncarty’; + and if they take me for thee, there dare not four of them come near me.” + </p> + <p> + “Take all or anything thou wilt, in the fiend’s name! only be gone.” + </p> + <p> + “Well—well, Hal, we shall meet when thou art in better humour,” said + Oliver, who had put on the dress. + </p> + <p> + “Go; and may I never see thy coxcombly face again.” + </p> + <p> + Oliver at last relieved his host by swaggering off, imitating as well as + he could the sturdy step and outward gesture of his redoubted companion, + and whistling a pibroch composed on the rout of the Danes at Loncarty, + which he had picked up from its being a favourite of the smith’s, whom he + made a point of imitating as far as he could. But as the innocent, though + conceited, fellow stepped out from the entrance of the wynd, where it + communicated with the High Street, he received a blow from behind, against + which his headpiece was no defence, and he fell dead upon the spot, an + attempt to mutter the name of Henry, to whom he always looked for + protection, quivering upon his dying tongue. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Nay, I will fit you for a young prince. + + Falstaff. +</pre> + <p> + We return to the revellers, who had, half an hour before, witnessed, with + such boisterous applause, Oliver’s feat of agility, being the last which + the poor bonnet maker was ever to exhibit, and at the hasty retreat which + had followed it, animated by their wild shout. After they had laughed + their fill, they passed on their mirthful path in frolic and jubilee, + stopping and frightening some of the people whom they met, but, it must be + owned, without doing them any serious injury, either in their persons or + feelings. At length, tired with his rambles, their chief gave a signal to + his merry men to close around him. + </p> + <p> + “We, my brave hearts and wise counsellors, are,” he said, “the real king + over all in Scotland that is worth commanding. We sway the hours when the + wine cup circulates, and when beauty becomes kind, when frolic is awake, + and gravity snoring upon his pallet. We leave to our vice regent, King + Robert, the weary task of controlling ambitious nobles, gratifying greedy + clergymen, subduing wild Highlanders, and composing deadly feuds. And + since our empire is one of joy and pleasure, meet it is that we should + haste with all our forces to the rescue of such as own our sway, when they + chance, by evil fortune, to become the prisoners of care and hypochondriac + malady. I speak in relation chiefly to Sir John, whom the vulgar call + Ramorny. We have not seen him since the onslaught of Curfew Street, and + though we know he was somedeal hurt in that matter, we cannot see why he + should not do homage in leal and duteous sort. Here, you, our Calabash + King at arms, did you legally summon Sir John to his part of this + evening’s revels?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + “And did you acquaint him that we have for this night suspended his + sentence of banishment, that, since higher powers have settled that part, + we might at least take a mirthful leave of an old friend?” + </p> + <p> + “I so delivered it, my lord,” answered the mimic herald. + </p> + <p> + “And sent he not a word in writing, he that piques himself upon being so + great a clerk?” + </p> + <p> + “He was in bed, my lord, and I might not see him. So far as I hear, he + hath lived very retired, harmed with some bodily bruises, malcontent with + your Highness’s displeasure, and doubting insult in the streets, he having + had a narrow escape from the burgesses, when the churls pursued him and + his two servants into the Dominican convent. The servants, too, have been + removed to Fife, lest they should tell tales.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, it was wisely done,” said the Prince, who, we need not inform the + intelligent reader, had a better title to be so called than arose from the + humours of the evening—“it was prudently done to keep light tongued + companions out of the way. But St. John’s absenting himself from our + solemn revels, so long before decreed, is flat mutiny and disclamation of + allegiance. Or, if the knight be really the prisoner of illness and + melancholy, we must ourself grace him with a visit, seeing there can be no + better cure for those maladies than our own presence, and a gentle kiss of + the calabash. Forward, ushers, minstrels, guard, and attendants! Bear on + high the great emblem of our dignity. Up with the calabash, I say, and let + the merry men who carry these firkins, which are to supply the wine cup + with their life blood, be chosen with regard to their state of steadiness. + Their burden is weighty and precious, and if the fault is not in our eyes, + they seem to us to reel and stagger more than were desirable. Now, move + on, sirs, and let our minstrels blow their blythest and boldest.” + </p> + <p> + On they went with tipsy mirth and jollity, the numerous torches flashing + their red light against the small windows of the narrow streets, from + whence nightcapped householders, and sometimes their wives to boot, peeped + out by stealth to see what wild wassail disturbed the peaceful streets at + that unwonted hour. At length the jolly train halted before the door of + Sir John Ramorny’s house, which a small court divided from the street. + </p> + <p> + Here they knocked, thundered, and halloo’d, with many denunciations of + vengeance against the recusants who refused to open the gates. The least + punishment threatened was imprisonment in an empty hogshead, within the + massamore [principal dungeon] of the Prince of Pastimes’ feudal palace, + videlicet, the ale cellar. But Eviot, Ramorny’s page, heard and knew well + the character of the intruders who knocked so boldly, and thought it + better, considering his master’s condition, to make no answer at all, in + hopes that the revel would pass on, than to attempt to deprecate their + proceedings, which he knew would be to no purpose. His master’s bedroom + looking into a little garden, his page hoped he might not be disturbed by + the noise; and he was confident in the strength of the outward gate, upon + which he resolved they should beat till they tired themselves, or till the + tone of their drunken humour should change. The revellers accordingly + seemed likely to exhaust themselves in the noise they made by shouting and + beating the door, when their mock prince (alas! too really such) upbraided + them as lazy and dull followers of the god of wine and of mirth. + </p> + <p> + “Bring forward,” he said, “our key, yonder it lies, and apply it to this + rebellious gate.” + </p> + <p> + The key he pointed at was a large beam of wood, left on one side of the + street, with the usual neglect of order characteristic of a Scottish + borough of the period. + </p> + <p> + The shouting men of Ind instantly raised it in their arms, and, supporting + it by their united strength, ran against the door with such force, that + hasp, hinge, and staple jingled, and gave fair promise of yielding. Eviot + did not choose to wait the extremity of this battery: he came forth into + the court, and after some momentary questions for form’s sake, caused the + porter to undo the gate, as if he had for the first time recognised the + midnight visitors. + </p> + <p> + “False slave of an unfaithful master,” said the Prince, “where is our + disloyal subject, Sir John Ramorny, who has proved recreant to our + summons?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Eviot, bowing at once to the real and to the assumed + dignity of the leader, “my master is just now very much indisposed: he has + taken an opiate—and—your Highness must excuse me if I do my + duty to him in saying, he cannot be spoken with without danger of his + life.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush! tell me not of danger, Master Teviot—Cheviot—Eviot—what + is it they call thee? But show me thy master’s chamber, or rather undo me + the door of his lodging, and I will make a good guess at it myself. Bear + high the calabash, my brave followers, and see that you spill not a drop + of the liquor, which Dan Bacchus has sent for the cure of all diseases of + the body and cares of the mind. Advance it, I say, and let us see the holy + rind which incloses such precious liquor.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince made his way into the house accordingly, and, acquainted with + its interior, ran upstairs, followed by Eviot, in vain imploring silence, + and, with the rest of the rabble rout, burst into the room of the wounded + master of the lodging. + </p> + <p> + He who has experienced the sensation of being compelled to sleep in spite + of racking bodily pains by the administration of a strong opiate, and of + having been again startled by noise and violence out of the unnatural + state of insensibility in which he had been plunged by the potency of the + medicine, may be able to imagine the confused and alarmed state of Sir + John Ramorny’s mind, and the agony of his body, which acted and reacted + upon each other. If we add to these feelings the consciousness of a + criminal command, sent forth and in the act of being executed, it may give + us some idea of an awakening to which, in the mind of the party, eternal + sleep would be a far preferable doom. The groan which he uttered as the + first symptom of returning sensation had something in it so terrific, that + even the revellers were awed into momentary silence; and as, from the half + recumbent posture in which he had gone to sleep, he looked around the + room, filled with fantastic shapes, rendered still more so by his + disturbed intellects, he muttered to himself: + </p> + <p> + “It is thus, then, after all, and the legend is true! These are fiends, + and I am condemned for ever! The fire is not external, but I feel it—I + feel it at my heart—burning as if the seven times heated furnace + were doing its work within!” + </p> + <p> + While he cast ghastly looks around him, and struggled to recover some + share of recollection, Eviot approached the Prince, and, falling on his + knees, implored him to allow the apartment to be cleared. + </p> + <p> + “It may,” he said, “cost my master his life.” + </p> + <p> + “Never fear, Cheviot,” replied the Duke of Rothsay; “were he at the gates + of death, here is what should make the fiends relinquish their prey. + Advance the calabash, my masters.” + </p> + <p> + “It is death for him to taste it in his present state,” said Eviot: “if he + drinks wine he dies.” + </p> + <p> + “Some one must drink it for him—he shall be cured vicariously; and + may our great Dan Bacchus deign to Sir John Ramorny the comfort, the + elevation of heart, the lubrication of lungs, and lightness of fancy, + which are his choicest gifts, while the faithful follower, who quaffs in + his stead, shall have the qualms, the sickness, the racking of the nerves, + the dimness of the eyes, and the throbbing of the brain, with which our + great master qualifies gifts which would else make us too like the gods. + What say you, Eviot? will you be the faithful follower that will quaff in + your lord’s behalf, and as his representative? Do this, and we will hold + ourselves contented to depart, for, methinks, our subject doth look + something ghastly.” + </p> + <p> + “I would do anything in my slight power,” said Eviot, “to save my master + from a draught which may be his death, and your Grace from the sense that + you had occasioned it. But here is one who will perform the feat of + goodwill, and thank your Highness to boot.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom have we here?” said the Prince, “a butcher, and I think fresh from + his office. Do butchers ply their craft on Fastern’s Eve? Foh, how he + smells of blood!” + </p> + <p> + This was spoken of Bonthron, who, partly surprised at the tumult in the + house, where he had expected to find all dark and silent, and partly + stupid through the wine which the wretch had drunk in great quantities, + stood in the threshold of the door, staring at the scene before him, with + his buff coat splashed with blood, and a bloody axe in his hand, + exhibiting a ghastly and disgusting spectacle to the revellers, who felt, + though they could not tell why, fear as well as dislike at his presence. + </p> + <p> + As they approached the calabash to this ungainly and truculent looking + savage, and as he extended a hand soiled as it seemed with blood, to grasp + it, the Prince called out: + </p> + <p> + “Downstairs with him! let not the wretch drink in our presence; find him + some other vessel than our holy calabash, the emblem of our revels: a + swine’s trough were best, if it could be come by. Away with him! let him + be drenched to purpose, in atonement for his master’s sobriety. Leave me + alone with Sir John Ramorny and his page; by my honour, I like not yon + ruffian’s looks.” + </p> + <p> + The attendants of the Prince left the apartment, and Eviot alone remained. + </p> + <p> + “I fear,” said the Prince, approaching the bed in different form from that + which he had hitherto used—“I fear, my dear Sir John, that this + visit has been unwelcome; but it is your own fault. Although you know our + old wont, and were your self participant of our schemes for the evening, + you have not come near us since St. Valentine’s; it is now Fastern’s Even, + and the desertion is flat disobedience and treason to our kingdom of mirth + and the statutes of the calabash.” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny raised his head, and fixed a wavering eye upon the Prince; then + signed to Eviot to give him something to drink. A large cup of ptisan was + presented by the page, which the sick man swallowed with eager and + trembling haste. He then repeatedly used the stimulating essence left for + the purpose by the leech, and seemed to collect his scattered senses. + </p> + <p> + “Let me feel your pulse, dear Ramorny,” said the Prince; “I know something + of that craft. How! Do your offer me the left hand, Sir John? that is + neither according to the rules of medicine nor of courtesy.” + </p> + <p> + “The right has already done its last act in your Highness’s service,” + muttered the patient in a low and broken tone. + </p> + <p> + “How mean you by that?” said the Prince. “I am aware thy follower, Black + Quentin, lost a hand; but he can steal with the other as much as will + bring him to the gallows, so his fate cannot be much altered.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not that fellow who has had the loss in your Grace’s service: it is + I, John of Ramorny.” + </p> + <p> + “You!” said the Prince; “you jest with me, or the opiate still masters + your reason.” + </p> + <p> + “If the juice of all the poppies in Egypt were blended in one draught,” + said Ramorny, “it would lose influence over me when I look upon this.” He + drew his right arm from beneath the cover of the bedclothes, and extending + it towards the Prince, wrapped as it was in dressings, “Were these undone + and removed,” he said, “your Highness would see that a bloody stump is all + that remains of a hand ever ready to unsheath the sword at your Grace’s + slightest bidding.” + </p> + <p> + Rothsay started back in horror. “This,” he said, “must be avenged!” + </p> + <p> + “It is avenged in small part,” said Ramorny—“that is, I thought I + saw Bonthron but now; or was it that the dream of hell that first arose in + my mind when I awakened summoned up an image so congenial? Eviot, call the + miscreant—that is, if he is fit to appear.” + </p> + <p> + Eviot retired, and presently returned with Bonthron, whom he had rescued + from the penance, to him no unpleasing infliction, of a second calabash of + wine, the brute having gorged the first without much apparent alteration + in his demeanour. + </p> + <p> + “Eviot,” said the Prince, “let not that beast come nigh me. My soul + recoils from him in fear and disgust: there is something in his looks + alien from my nature, and which I shudder at as at a loathsome snake, from + which my instinct revolts.” + </p> + <p> + “First hear him speak, my lord,” answered Ramorny; “unless a wineskin were + to talk, nothing could use fewer words. Hast thou dealt with him, + Bonthron?” + </p> + <p> + The savage raised the axe which he still held in his hand, and brought it + down again edgeways. + </p> + <p> + “Good. How knew you your man? the night, I am told, is dark.” + </p> + <p> + “By sight and sound, garb, gait, and whistle.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough, vanish! and, Eviot, let him have gold and wine to his brutish + contentment. Vanish! and go thou with him.” + </p> + <p> + “And whose death is achieved?” said the Prince, released from the feelings + of disgust and horror under which he suffered while the assassin was in + presence. “I trust this is but a jest! Else must I call it a rash and + savage deed. Who has had the hard lot to be butchered by that bloody and + brutal slave?” + </p> + <p> + “One little better than himself,” said the patient, “a wretched artisan, + to whom, however, fate gave the power of reducing Ramorny to a mutilated + cripple—a curse go with his base spirit! His miserable life is but + to my revenge what a drop of water would be to a furnace. I must speak + briefly, for my ideas again wander: it is only the necessity of the moment + which keeps them together; as a thong combines a handful of arrows. You + are in danger, my lord—I speak it with certainty: you have braved + Douglas, and offended your uncle, displeased your father, though that were + a trifle, were it not for the rest.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry I have displeased my father,” said the Prince, entirely + diverted from so insignificant a thing as the slaughter of an artisan by + the more important subject touched upon, “if indeed it be so. But if I + live, the strength of the Douglas shall be broken, and the craft of Albany + shall little avail him!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—if—if. My lord,” said Ramorny, “with such opposites as you + have, you must not rest upon if or but; you must resolve at once to slay + or be slain.” + </p> + <p> + “How mean you, Ramorny? Your fever makes you rave” answered the Duke of + Rothsay. + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord,” said Ramorny, “were my frenzy at the highest, the thoughts + that pass through my mind at this moment would qualify it. It may be that + regret for my own loss has made me desperate, that anxious thoughts for + your Highness’s safety have made me nourish bold designs; but I have all + the judgment with which Heaven has gifted me, when I tell you that, if + ever you would brook the Scottish crown, nay, more, if ever you would see + another St. Valentine’s Day, you must—” + </p> + <p> + “What is it that I must do, Ramorny?” said the Prince, with an air of + dignity; “nothing unworthy of myself, I hope?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, certainly, unworthy or misbecoming a prince of Scotland, if the + bloodstained annals of our country tell the tale truly; but that which may + well shock the nerves of a prince of mimes and merry makers.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art severe, Sir John Ramorny,” said the Duke of Rothsay, with an air + of displeasure; “but thou hast dearly bought a right to censure us by what + thou hast lost in our cause.” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of Rothsay,” said the knight, “the chirurgeon who dressed this + mutilated stump told me that the more I felt the pain his knife and brand + inflicted, the better was my chance of recovery. I shall not, therefore, + hesitate to hurt your feelings, while by doing so I may be able to bring + you to a sense of what is necessary for your safety. Your Grace has been + the pupil of mirthful folly too long; you must now assume manly policy, or + be crushed like a butterfly on the bosom of the flower you are sporting + on.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I know your cast of morals, Sir John: you are weary of merry + folly—the churchmen call it vice—and long for a little serious + crime. A murder, now, or a massacre, would enhance the flavour of debauch, + as the taste of the olive gives zest to wine. But my worst acts are but + merry malice: I have no relish for the bloody trade, and abhor to see or + hear of its being acted even on the meanest caitiff. Should I ever fill + the throne, I suppose, like my father before me, I must drop my own name, + and be dubbed Robert, in honour of the Bruce; well, an if it be so, every + Scots lad shall have his flag on in one hand and the other around his + lass’s neck, and manhood shall be tried by kisses and bumpers, not by + dirks and dourlachs; and they shall write on my grave, ‘Here lies Robert, + fourth of his name. He won not battles like Robert the First. He rose not + from a count to a king like Robert the Second. He founded not churches + like Robert the Third, but was contented to live and die king of good + fellows!’ Of all my two centuries of ancestors, I would only emulate the + fame of— + </p> + <p> + “Old King Coul, Who had a brown bowl.” + </p> + <p> + “My gracious lord,” said Ramorny, “let me remind you that your joyous + revels involve serious evils. If I had lost this hand in fighting to + attain for your Grace some important advantage over your too powerful + enemies, the loss would never have grieved me. But to be reduced from + helmet and steel coat to biggin and gown in a night brawl—” + </p> + <p> + “Why, there again now, Sir John,” interrupted the reckless Prince. “How + canst thou be so unworthy as to be for ever flinging thy bloody hand in my + face, as the ghost of Gaskhall threw his head at Sir William Wallace? + Bethink thee, thou art more unreasonable than Fawdyon himself; for wight + Wallace had swept his head off in somewhat a hasty humour, whereas I would + gladly stick thy hand on again, were that possible. And, hark thee, since + that cannot be, I will get thee such a substitute as the steel hand of the + old knight of Carslogie, with which he greeted his friends, caressed his + wife, braved his antagonists, and did all that might be done by a hand of + flesh and blood, in offence or defence. Depend on it, John Ramorny, we + have much that is superfluous about us. Man can see with one eye, hear + with one ear, touch with one hand, smell with one nostril; and why we + should have two of each, unless to supply an accidental loss or injury, I + for one am at a loss to conceive.” + </p> + <p> + Sir John Ramorny turned from the Prince with a low groan. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Sir John;” said the Duke, “I am quite serious. You know the truth + touching the legend of Steel Hand of Carslogie better than I, since he was + your own neighbour. In his time that curious engine could only be made in + Rome; but I will wager an hundred marks with you that, let the Perth + armourer have the use of it for a pattern, Henry of the Wynd will execute + as complete an imitation as all the smiths in Rome could accomplish, with + all the cardinals to bid a blessing on the work.” + </p> + <p> + “I could venture to accept your wager, my lord,” answered Ramorny, + bitterly, “but there is no time for foolery. You have dismissed me from + your service, at command of your uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “At command of my father,” answered the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Upon whom your uncle’s commands are imperative,” replied Ramorny. “I am a + disgraced man, thrown aside, as I may now fling away my right hand glove, + as a thing useless. Yet my head might help you, though my hand be gone. Is + your Grace disposed to listen to me for one word of serious import, for I + am much exhausted, and feel my force sinking under me?” + </p> + <p> + “Speak your pleasure,” said the Prince; “thy loss binds me to hear thee, + thy bloody stump is a sceptre to control me. Speak, then, but be merciful + in thy strength of privilege.” + </p> + <p> + “I will be brief for mine own sake as well as thine; indeed, I have but + little to say. Douglas places himself immediately at the head of his + vassals. He will assemble, in the name of King Robert, thirty thousand + Borderers, whom he will shortly after lead into the interior, to demand + that the Duke of Rothsay receive, or rather restore, his daughter to the + rank and privileges of his Duchess. King Robert will yield to any + conditions which may secure peace. What will the Duke do?” + </p> + <p> + “The Duke of Rothsay loves peace,” said the Prince, haughtily; “but he + never feared war. Ere he takes back yonder proud peat to his table and his + bed, at the command of her father, Douglas must be King of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so; but even this is the less pressing peril, especially as it + threatens open violence, for the Douglas works not in secret.” + </p> + <p> + “What is there which presses, and keeps us awake at this late hour? I am a + weary man, thou a wounded one, and the very tapers are blinking, as if + tired of our conference.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, then, who is it that rules this kingdom of Scotland?” said + Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “Robert, third of the name,” said the Prince, raising his bonnet as he + spoke; “and long may he sway the sceptre!” + </p> + <p> + “True, and amen,” answered Ramorny; “but who sways King Robert, and + dictates almost every measure which the good King pursues?” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord of Albany, you would say,” replied the Prince. “Yes, it is true + my father is guided almost entirely by the counsels of his brother; nor + can we blame him in our consciences, Sir John Ramorny, for little help + hath he had from his son.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us help him now, my lord,” said Ramorny. “I am possessor of a + dreadful secret: Albany hath been trafficking with me, to join him in + taking your Grace’s life! He offers full pardon for the past, high favour + for the future.” + </p> + <p> + “How, man—my life? I trust, though, thou dost only mean my kingdom? + It were impious! He is my father’s brother—they sat on the knees of + the same father—lay in the bosom of the same mother. Out on thee, + man, what follies they make thy sickbed believe!” + </p> + <p> + “Believe, indeed!” said Ramorny. “It is new to me to be termed credulous. + But the man through whom Albany communicated his temptations is one whom + all will believe so soon as he hints at mischief—even the + medicaments which are prepared by his hands have a relish of poison.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush! such a slave would slander a saint,” replied the Prince. “Thou art + duped for once, Ramorny, shrewd as thou art. My uncle of Albany is + ambitious, and would secure for himself and for his house a larger portion + of power and wealth than he ought in reason to desire. But to suppose he + would dethrone or slay his brother’s son—Fie, Ramorny! put me not to + quote the old saw, that evil doers are evil dreaders. It is your + suspicion, not your knowledge, which speaks.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Grace is fatally deluded. I will put it to an issue. The Duke of + Albany is generally hated for his greed and covetousness. Your Highness + is, it may be, more beloved than—” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny stopped, the Prince calmly filled up the blank: “More beloved than + I am honoured. It is so I would have it, Ramorny.” + </p> + <p> + “At least,” said Ramorny, “you are more beloved than you are feared, and + that is no safe condition for a prince. But give me your honour and + knightly word that you will not resent what good service I shall do in + your behalf, and lend me your signet to engage friends in your name, and + the Duke of Albany shall not assume authority in this court till the + wasted hand which once terminated this stump shall be again united to the + body, and acting in obedience to the dictates of my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “You would not venture to dip your hands in royal blood?” said the Prince + sternly. + </p> + <p> + “Fie, my lord, at no rate. Blood need not be shed; life may, nay, will, be + extinguished of itself. For want of trimming it with fresh oil, or + screening it from a breath of wind, the quivering light will die in the + socket. To suffer a man to die is not to kill him.” + </p> + <p> + “True—I had forgot that policy. Well, then, suppose my uncle Albany + does not continue to live—I think that must be the phrase—who + then rules the court of Scotland?” + </p> + <p> + “Robert the Third, with consent, advice, and authority of the most mighty + David, Duke of Rothsay, Lieutenant of the Kingdom, and alter ego; in whose + favour, indeed, the good King, wearied with the fatigues and troubles of + sovereignty, will, I guess, be well disposed to abdicate. So long live our + brave young monarch, King David the Third! + </p> + <p> + “Ille manu fortis Anglis ludebit in hortis.” + </p> + <p> + “And our father and predecessor,” said Rothsay, “will he continue to live + to pray for us, as our beadsman, by whose favour he holds the privilege of + laying his grey hairs in the grave as soon, and no earlier, than the + course of nature permits, or must he also encounter some of those + negligences in consequence of which men cease to continue to live, and can + change the limits of a prison, or of a convent resembling one, for the + dark and tranquil cell, where the priests say that the wicked cease from + troubling and the weary are at rest?” + </p> + <p> + “You speak in jest, my lord,” replied Ramorny: “to harm the good old King + were equally unnatural and impolitic.” + </p> + <p> + “Why shrink from that, man, when thy whole scheme,” answered the Prince, + in stern displeasure, “is one lesson of unnatural guilt, mixed with short + sighted ambition? If the King of Scotland can scarcely make head against + his nobles, even now when he can hold up before them an unsullied and + honourable banner, who would follow a prince that is blackened with the + death of an uncle and the imprisonment of a father? Why, man, thy policy + were enough to revolt a heathen divan, to say nought of the council of a + Christian nation. Thou wert my tutor, Ramorny, and perhaps I might justly + upbraid thy lessons and example for some of the follies which men chide in + me. Perhaps, if it had not been for thee, I had not been standing at + midnight in this fool’s guise (looking at his dress), to hear an ambitious + profligate propose to me the murder of an uncle, the dethronement of the + best of fathers. Since it is my fault as well as thine that has sunk me so + deep in the gulf of infamy, it were unjust that thou alone shouldst die + for it. But dare not to renew this theme to me, on peril of thy life! I + will proclaim thee to my father—to Albany—to Scotland—throughout + its length and breadth. As many market crosses as are in the land shall + have morsels of the traitor’s carcass, who dare counsel such horrors to + the heir of Scotland. Well hope I, indeed, that the fever of thy wound, + and the intoxicating influence of the cordials which act on thy infirm + brain, have this night operated on thee, rather than any fixed purpose.” + </p> + <p> + “In sooth, my lord,” said Ramorny, “if I have said any thing which could + so greatly exasperate your Highness, it must have been by excess of zeal, + mingled with imbecility of understanding. Surely I, of all men, am least + likely to propose ambitious projects with a prospect of advantage to + myself! Alas! my only future views must be to exchange lance and saddle + for the breviary and the confessional. The convent of Lindores must + receive the maimed and impoverished knight of Ramorny, who will there have + ample leisure to meditate upon the text, ‘Put not thy faith in princes.’” + </p> + <p> + “It is a goodly purpose,” said the Prince, “and we will not be lacking to + promote it. Our separation, I thought, would have been but for a time. It + must now be perpetual. Certainly, after such talk as we have held, it were + meet that we should live asunder. But the convent of Lindores, or what + ever other house receives thee, shall be richly endowed and highly + favoured by us. And now, Sir John of Ramorny, sleep—sleep—and + forget this evil omened conversation, in which the fever of disease and of + wine has rather, I trust, held colloquy than your own proper thoughts. + Light to the door, Eviot.” + </p> + <p> + A call from Eviot summoned the attendants of the Prince, who had been + sleeping on the staircase and hall, exhausted by the revels of the + evening. + </p> + <p> + “Is there none amongst you sober?” said the Duke of Rothsay, disgusted by + the appearance of his attendants. + </p> + <p> + “Not a man—not a man,” answered the followers, with a drunken shout, + “we are none of us traitors to the Emperor of Merry makers!” + </p> + <p> + “And are all of you turned into brutes, then?” said the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “In obedience and imitation of your Grace,” answered one fellow; “or, if + we are a little behind your Highness, one pull at the pitcher will—” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, beast!” said the Duke of Rothsay. “Are there none of you sober, I + say?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my noble liege,” was the answer; “here is one false brother, Watkins + the Englishman.” + </p> + <p> + “Come hither then, Watkins, and aid me with a torch; give me a cloak, too, + and another bonnet, and take away this trumpery,” throwing down his + coronet of feathers. “I would I could throw off all my follies as easily. + English Wat, attend me alone, and the rest of you end your revelry, and + doff your mumming habits. The holytide is expended, and the fast has + begun.” + </p> + <p> + “Our monarch has abdicated sooner than usual this night,” said one of the + revel rout; but as the Prince gave no encouragement, such as happened for + the time to want the virtue of sobriety endeavoured to assume it as well + as they could, and the whole of the late rioters began to adopt the + appearance of a set of decent persons, who, having been surprised into + intoxication, endeavoured to disguise their condition by assuming a double + portion of formality of behaviour. In the interim the Prince, having made + a hasty reform in his dress, was lighted to the door by the only sober man + of the company, but, in his progress thither, had well nigh stumbled over + the sleeping bulk of the brute Bonthron. + </p> + <p> + “How now! is that vile beast in our way once more?” he said in anger and + disgust. “Here, some of you, toss this caitiff into the horse trough; that + for once in his life he may be washed clean.” + </p> + <p> + While the train executed his commands, availing themselves of a fountain + which was in the outer court, and while Bonthron underwent a discipline + which he was incapable of resisting, otherwise than by some inarticulate + groans and snorts, like, those of a dying boar, the Prince proceeded on + his way to his apartments, in a mansion called the Constable’s lodgings, + from the house being the property of the Earls of Errol. On the way, to + divert his thoughts from the more unpleasing matters, the Prince asked his + companion how he came to be sober, when the rest of the party had been so + much overcome with liquor. + </p> + <p> + “So please your honour’s Grace,” replied English Wat, “I confess it was + very familiar in me to be sober when it was your Grace’s pleasure that + your train should be mad drunk; but in respect they were all Scottishmen + but myself, I thought it argued no policy in getting drunken in their + company, seeing that they only endure me even when we are all sober, and + if the wine were uppermost, I might tell them a piece of my mind, and be + paid with as many stabs as there are skenes in the good company.” + </p> + <p> + “So it is your purpose never to join any of the revels of our household?” + </p> + <p> + “Under favour, yes; unless it be your Grace’s pleasure that the residue of + your train should remain one day sober, to admit Will Watkins to get drunk + without terror of his life.” + </p> + <p> + “Such occasion may arrive. Where dost thou serve, Watkins?” + </p> + <p> + “In the stable, so please you.” + </p> + <p> + “Let our chamberlain bring thee into the household, as a yeoman of the + night watch. I like thy favour, and it is something to have one sober + fellow in the house, although he is only such through the fear of death. + Attend, therefore, near our person; and thou shalt find sobriety a + thriving virtue.” + </p> + <p> + Meantime a load of care and fear added to the distress of Sir John + Ramorny’s sick chamber. His reflections, disordered as they were by the + opiate, fell into great confusion when the Prince, in whose presence he + had suppressed its effect by strong resistance, had left the apartment. + His consciousness, which he had possessed perfectly during the interview, + began to be very much disturbed. He felt a general sense that he had + incurred a great danger, that he had rendered the Prince his enemy, and + that he had betrayed to him a secret which might affect his own life. In + this state of mind and body, it was not strange that he should either + dream, or else that his diseased organs should become subject to that + species of phantasmagoria which is excited by the use of opium. He thought + that the shade of Queen Annabella stood by his bedside, and demanded the + youth whom she had placed under his charge, simple, virtuous, gay, and + innocent. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast rendered him reckless, dissolute, and vicious,” said the shade + of pallid Majesty. “Yet I thank thee, John of Ramorny, ungrateful to me, + false to thy word, and treacherous to my hopes. Thy hate shall counteract + the evil which thy friendship has done to him. And well do I hope that, + now thou art no longer his counsellor, a bitter penance on earth may + purchase my ill fated child pardon and acceptance in a better world.” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny stretched out his arms after his benefactress, and endeavoured to + express contrition and excuse; but the countenance of the apparition + became darker and sterner, till it was no longer that of the late Queen, + but presented the gloomy and haughty aspect of the Black Douglas; then the + timid and sorrowful face of King Robert, who seemed to mourn over the + approaching dissolution of his royal house; and then a group of fantastic + features, partly hideous, partly ludicrous, which moped, and chattered, + and twisted themselves into unnatural and extravagant forms, as if + ridiculing his endeavour to obtain an exact idea of their lineaments. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A purple land, where law secures not life. + + BYRON. +</pre> + <p> + The morning of Ash Wednesday arose pale and bleak, as usual at this season + in Scotland, where the worst and most inclement weather often occurs in + the early spring months. It was a severe day of frost, and the citizens + had to sleep away the consequences of the preceding holiday’s debauchery. + The sun had therefore risen for an hour above the horizon before there was + any general appearance of life among the inhabitants of Perth, so that it + was some time after daybreak when a citizen, going early to mass, saw the + body of the luckless Oliver Proudfute lying on its face across the kennel + in the manner in which he had fallen under the blow; as our readers will + easily imagine, of Anthony Bonthron, the “boy of the belt”—that is + the executioner of the pleasure—of John of Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + This early citizen was Allan Griffin, so termed because he was master of + the Griffin Inn; and the alarm which he raised soon brought together first + straggling neighbours, and by and by a concourse of citizens. At first + from the circumstance of the well known buff coat and the crimson feather + in the head piece, the noise arose that it was the stout smith that lay + there slain. This false rumour continued for some time, for the host of + the Griffin, who himself had been a magistrate, would not permit the body + to be touched or stirred till Bailie Craigdallie arrived, so that the face + was not seen.. + </p> + <p> + “This concerns the Fair City, my friends,” he said, “and if it is the + stout Smith of the Wynd who lies here, the man lives not in Perth who will + not risk land and life to avenge him. Look you, the villains have struck + him down behind his back, for there is not a man within ten Scotch miles + of Perth, gentle or simple, Highland or Lowland, that would have met him + face to face with such evil purpose. Oh, brave men of Perth! the flower of + your manhood has been cut down, and that by a base and treacherous hand.” + </p> + <p> + A wild cry of fury arose from the people, who were fast assembling. + </p> + <p> + “We will take him on our shoulders,” said a strong butcher, “we will carry + him to the King’s presence at the Dominican convent” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay,” answered a blacksmith, “neither bolt nor bar shall keep us + from the King, neither monk nor mass shall break our purpose. A better + armourer never laid hammer on anvil!” + </p> + <p> + “To the Dominicans—to the Dominicans!” shouted the assembled people. + </p> + <p> + “Bethink you, burghers,” said another citizen, “our king is a good king + and loves us like his children. It is the Douglas and the Duke of Albany + that will not let good King Robert hear the distresses of his people.” + </p> + <p> + “Are we to be slain in our own streets for the King’s softness of heart?” + said the butcher. “The Bruce did otherwise. If the King will not keep us, + we will keep ourselves. Ring the bells backward, every bell of them that + is made of metal. Cry, and spare not, St. Johnston’s hunt is up!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” cried another citizen, “and let us to the holds of Albany and the + Douglas, and burn them to the ground. Let the fires tell far and near that + Perth knew how to avenge her stout Henry Gow. He has fought a score of + times for the Fair City’s right; let us show we can once to avenge his + wrong. Hally ho! brave citizens, St. Johnston’s hunt is up!” + </p> + <p> + This cry, the well known rallying word amongst the inhabitants of Perth, + and seldom heard but on occasions of general uproar, was echoed from voice + to voice; and one or two neighbouring steeples, of which the enraged + citizens possessed themselves, either by consent of the priests or in + spite of their opposition, began to ring out the ominous alarm notes, in + which, as the ordinary succession of the chimes was reversed, the bells + were said to be rung backward. + </p> + <p> + Still, as the crowd thickened, and the roar waxed more universal and + louder, Allan Griffin, a burly man with a deep voice, and well respected + among high and low, kept his station as he bestrode the corpse, and called + loudly to the multitude to keep back and wait the arrival of the + magistrates. + </p> + <p> + “We must proceed by order in this matter, my masters, we must have our + magistrates at our head. They are duly chosen and elected in our town + hall, good men and true every one; we will not be called rioters, or idle + perturbators of the king’s peace. Stand you still, and make room, for + yonder comes Bailie Craigdallie, ay, and honest Simon Glover, to whom the + Fair City is so much bounden. Alas—alas! my kind townsmen, his + beautiful daughter was a bride yesternight; this morning the Fair Maid of + Perth is a widow before she has been a wife.” + </p> + <p> + This new theme of sympathy increased the rage and sorrow of the crowd the + more, as many women now mingled with them, who echoed back the alarm cry + to the men. + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay, St. Johnston’s hunt is up! For the Fair Maid of Perth and + the brave Henry Gow! Up—up, every one of you, spare not for your + skin cutting! To the stables!—to the stables! When the horse is gone + the man at arms is useless—cut off the grooms and yeomen; lame, + maim, and stab the horses; kill the base squires and pages. Let these + proud knights meet us on their feet if they dare!” + </p> + <p> + “They dare not—they dare not,” answered the men; “their strength is + their horses and armour; and yet the haughty and ungrateful villains have + slain a man whose skill as an armourer was never matched in Milan or + Venice. To arms!—to arms, brave burghers! St. Johnston’s hunt is + up!” + </p> + <p> + Amid this clamour, the magistrates and superior class of inhabitants with + difficulty obtained room to examine the body, having with them the town + clerk to take an official protocol, or, as it is still called, a + precognition, of the condition in which it was found. To these delays the + multitude submitted, with a patience and order which strongly marked the + national character of a people whose resentment has always been the more + deeply dangerous, that they will, without relaxing their determination of + vengeance, submit with patience to all delays which are necessary to + ensure its attainment. The multitude, therefore, received their + magistrates with a loud cry, in which the thirst of revenge was announced, + together with the deferential welcome to the patrons by whose direction + they expected to obtain it in right and legal fashion. + </p> + <p> + While these accents of welcome still rung above the crowd, who now filled + the whole adjacent streets, receiving and circulating a thousand varying + reports, the fathers of the city caused the body to be raised and more + closely examined; when it was instantly perceived, and the truth publicly + announced, that not the armourer of the Wynd, so highly and, according to + the esteemed qualities of the time, so justly popular among his fellow + citizens, but a man of far less general estimation, though not without his + own value in society, lay murdered before them—the brisk bonnet + maker, Oliver Proudfute. The resentment of the people had so much turned + upon the general opinion that their frank and brave champion, Henry Gow, + was the slaughtered person, that the contradiction of the report served to + cool the general fury, although, if poor Oliver had been recognised at + first, there is little doubt that the cry of vengeance would have been as + unanimous, though not probably so furious, as in the case of Henry Wynd. + The first circulation of the unexpected intelligence even excited a smile + among the crowd, so near are the confines of the ludicrous to those of the + terrible. + </p> + <p> + “The murderers have without doubt taken him for Henry Smith,” said + Griffin, “which must have been a great comfort to him in the + circumstances.” + </p> + <p> + But the arrival of other persons on the scene soon restored its deeply + tragic character. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Who’s that that rings the bell? Diablos, ho! + The town will rise. + + Othello, Act II. Scene III. +</pre> + <p> + The wild rumours which flew through the town, speedily followed by the + tolling of the alarm bells spread general consternation. The nobles and + knights, with their followers, gathered in different places of rendezvous, + where a defence could best be maintained; and the alarm reached the royal + residence where the young prince was one of the first to appear, to + assist, if necessary, in the defence of the old king. The scene of the + preceding night ran in his recollection; and, remembering the bloodstained + figure of Bonthron, he conceived, though indistinctly, that the ruffian’s + action had been connected with this uproar. The subsequent and more + interesting discourse with Sir John Ramorny had, however, been of such an + impressive nature as to obliterate all traces of what he had vaguely heard + of the bloody act of the assassin, excepting a confused recollection that + some one or other had been slain. It was chiefly on his father’s account + that he had assumed arms with his household train, who, clad in bright + armour, and bearing lances in their hands, made now a figure very + different from that of the preceding night, when they appeared as + intoxicated Bacchanalians. The kind old monarch received this mark of + filial attachment with tears of gratitude, and proudly presented his son + to his brother Albany, who entered shortly afterwards. He took them each + by the hand. + </p> + <p> + “Now are we three Stuarts,” he said, “as inseparable as the holy trefoil; + and, as they say the wearer of that sacred herb mocks at magical delusion, + so we, while we are true to each other, may set malice and enmity at + defiance.” + </p> + <p> + The brother and son kissed the kind hand which pressed theirs, while + Robert III expressed his confidence in their affection. The kiss of the + youth was, for the time, sincere; that of the brother was the salute of + the apostate Judas. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time the bell of St. John’s church alarmed, amongst others, + the inhabitants of Curfew Street. In the house of Simon Glover, old + Dorothy Glover, as she was called (for she also took name from the trade + she practised, under her master’s auspices), was the first to catch the + sound. Though somewhat deaf upon ordinary occasions, her ear for bad news + was as sharp as a kite’s scent for carrion; for Dorothy, otherwise an + industrious, faithful, and even affectionate creature, had that strong + appetite for collecting and retailing sinister intelligence which is often + to be marked in the lower classes. Little accustomed to be listened to, + they love the attention which a tragic tale ensures to the bearer, and + enjoy, perhaps, the temporary equality to which misfortune reduces those + who are ordinarily accounted their superiors. Dorothy had no sooner + possessed herself of a slight packet of the rumours which were flying + abroad than she bounced into her master’s bedroom, who had taken the + privilege of age and the holytide to sleep longer than usual. + </p> + <p> + “There he lies, honest man,” said Dorothy, half in a screeching and half + in a wailing tone of sympathy—“there he lies; his best friend slain, + and he knowing as little about it as the babe new born, that kens not life + from death.” + </p> + <p> + “How now!” said the glover, starting up out of his bed. “What is the + matter, old woman? Is my daughter well?” + </p> + <p> + “Old woman!” said Dorothy, who, having her fish hooked, chose to let him + play a little. “I am not so old,” said she, flouncing out of the room, “as + to bide in the place till a man rises from his naked bed—” + </p> + <p> + And presently she was heard at a distance in the parlour beneath, + melodiously singing to the scrubbing of her own broom. + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy—screech owl—devil—say but my daughter is well!” + </p> + <p> + “I am well, my father,” answered the Fair Maid of Perth, speaking from her + bedroom, “perfectly well, but what, for Our Lady’s sake, is the matter? + The bells ring backward, and there is shrieking and crying in the + streets.” + </p> + <p> + “I will presently know the cause. Here, Conachar, come speedily and tie my + points. I forgot—the Highland loon is far beyond Fortingall. + Patience, daughter, I will presently bring you news.” + </p> + <p> + “Ye need not hurry yourself for that, Simon Glover,” quoth the obdurate + old woman; “the best and the worst of it may be tauld before you could + hobble over your door stane. I ken the haill story abroad; ‘for,’ thought + I, ‘our goodman is so wilful that he’ll be for banging out to the tuilzie, + be the cause what it like; and sae I maun e’en stir my shanks, and learn + the cause of all this, or he will hae his auld nose in the midst of it, + and maybe get it nipt off before he knows what for.’” + </p> + <p> + “And what is the news, then, old woman?” said the impatient glover, still + busying himself with the hundred points or latchets which were the means + of attaching the doublet to the hose. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy suffered him to proceed in his task till she conjectured it must + be nearly accomplished; and foresaw that; if she told not the secret + herself, her master would be abroad to seek in person for the cause of the + disturbance. She, therefore, halloo’d out: “Aweel—aweel, ye canna + say it is me fault, if you hear ill news before you have been at the + morning mass. I would have kept it from ye till ye had heard the priest’s + word; but since you must hear it, you have e’en lost the truest friend + that ever gave hand to another, and Perth maun mourn for the bravest + burgher that ever took a blade in hand!” + </p> + <p> + “Harry Smith! Harry Smith!” exclaimed the father and the daughter at once. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, ay, there ye hae it at last,” said Dorothy; “and whose fault was it + but your ain? ye made such a piece of work about his companying with a + glee woman, as if he had companied with a Jewess!” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy would have gone on long enough, but her master exclaimed to his + daughter, who was still in her own apartment: “It is nonsense, Catharine—all + the dotage of an old fool. No such thing has happened. I will bring you + the true tidings in a moment,” and snatching up his staff, the old man + hurried out past Dorothy and into the street, where the throng of people + were rushing towards the High Street. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy, in the mean time, kept muttering to herself: “Thy father is a + wise man, take his ain word for it. He will come next by some scathe in + the hobbleshow, and then it will be, ‘Dorothy, get the lint,’ and + ‘Dorothy, spread the plaster;’ but now it is nothing but nonsense, and a + lie, and impossibility, that can come out of Dorothy’s mouth. Impossible! + Does auld Simon think that Harry Smith’s head was as hard as his stithy, + and a haill clan of Highlandmen dinging at him?” + </p> + <p> + Here she was interrupted by a figure like an angel, who came wandering by + her with wild eye, cheek deadly pale, hair dishevelled, and an apparent + want of consciousness, which terrified the old woman out of her + discontented humour. + </p> + <p> + “Our Lady bless my bairn!” said she. “What look you sae wild for?” + </p> + <p> + “Did you not say some one was dead?” said Catharine, with a frightful + uncertainty of utterance, as if her organs of speech and hearing served + her but imperfectly. + </p> + <p> + “Dead, hinny! Ay—ay, dead eneugh; ye’ll no hae him to gloom at ony + mair.” + </p> + <p> + “Dead!” repeated Catharine, still with the same uncertainty of voice and + manner. “Dead—slain—and by Highlanders?” + </p> + <p> + “I’se warrant by Highlanders, the lawless loons. Wha is it else that kills + maist of the folks about, unless now and than when the burghers take a + tirrivie, and kill ane another, or whiles that the knights and nobles shed + blood? But I’se uphauld it’s been the Highlandmen this bout. The man was + no in Perth, laird or loon, durst have faced Henry Smith man to man. + There’s been sair odds against him; ye’ll see that when it’s looked into.” + </p> + <p> + “Highlanders!” repeated Catharine, as if haunted by some idea which + troubled her senses. “Highlanders! Oh, Conachar—Conachar!” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, and I dare say you have lighted on the very man, Catharine. They + quarrelled, as you saw, on the St. Valentine’s Even, and had a warstle. A + Highlandman has a long memory for the like of that. Gie him a cuff at + Martinmas, and his cheek will be tingling at Whitsunday. But what could + have brought down the lang legged loons to do their bloody wark within + burgh?” + </p> + <p> + “Woe’s me, it was I,” said Catharine—“it was I brought the + Highlanders down—I that sent for Conachar—ay, they have lain + in wait—but it was I that brought them within reach of their prey. + But I will see with my own eyes—and then—something we will do. + Say to my father I will be back anon.” + </p> + <p> + “Are ye distraught, lassie?” shouted Dorothy, as Catharine made past her + towards the street door. “You would not gang into the street with the hair + hanging down your haffets in that guise, and you kenn’d for the Fair Maid + of Perth? Mass, but she’s out in the street, come o’t what like, and the + auld Glover will be as mad as if I could withhold her, will she nill she, + flyte she fling she. This is a brave morning for an Ash Wednesday! What’s + to be done? If I were to seek my master among the multitude, I were like + to be crushed beneath their feet, and little moan made for the old woman. + And am I to run after Catharine, who ere this is out of sight, and far + lighter of foot than I am? so I will just down the gate to Nicol Barber’s, + and tell him a’ about it.” + </p> + <p> + While the trusty Dorothy was putting her prudent resolve into execution, + Catharine ran through the streets of Perth in a manner which at another + moment would have brought on her the attention of every one who saw her + hurrying on with a reckless impetuosity wildly and widely different from + the ordinary decency and composure of her step and manner, and without the + plaid, scarf, or mantle which “women of good,” of fair character and + decent rank, universally carried around them, when they went abroad. But, + distracted as the people were, every one inquiring or telling the cause of + the tumult, and most recounting it different ways, the negligence of her + dress and discomposure of her manner made no impression on any one; and + she was suffered to press forward on the path she had chosen without + attracting more notice than the other females who, stirred by anxious + curiosity or fear, had come out to inquire the cause of an alarm so + general—it might be to seek for friends for whose safety they were + interested. + </p> + <p> + As Catharine passed along, she felt all the wild influence of the + agitating scene, and it was with difficulty she forbore from repeating the + cries of lamentation and alarm which were echoed around her. In the mean + time, she rushed rapidly on, embarrassed like one in a dream, with a + strange sense of dreadful calamity, the precise nature of which she was + unable to define, but which implied the terrible consciousness that the + man who loved her so fondly, whose good qualities she so highly esteemed, + and whom she now felt to be dearer than perhaps she would before have + acknowledged to her own bosom, was murdered, and most probably by her + means. The connexion betwixt Henry’s supposed death and the descent of + Conachar and his followers, though adopted by her in a moment of extreme + and engrossing emotion, was sufficiently probable to have been received + for truth, even if her understanding had been at leisure to examine its + credibility. Without knowing what she sought except the general desire to + know the worst of the dreadful report, she hurried forward to the very + spot which of all others her feelings of the preceding day would have + induced her to avoid. + </p> + <p> + Who would, upon the evening of Shrovetide, have persuaded the proud, the + timid, the shy, the rigidly decorous Catharine Glover that before mass on + Ash Wednesday she should rush through the streets of Perth, making her way + amidst tumult and confusion, with her hair unbound and her dress + disarranged, to seek the house of that same lover who, she had reason to + believe, had so grossly and indelicately neglected and affronted her as to + pursue a low and licentious amour? Yet so it was; and her eagerness + taking, as if by instinct, the road which was most free, she avoided the + High Street, where the pressure was greatest, and reached the wynd by the + narrow lanes on the northern skirt of the town, through which Henry Smith + had formerly escorted Louise. But even these comparatively lonely passages + were now astir with passengers, so general was the alarm. Catharine Glover + made her way through them, however, while such as observed her looked on + each other and shook their heads in sympathy with her distress. At length, + without any distinct idea of her own purpose, she stood before her lover’s + door and knocked for admittance. + </p> + <p> + The silence which succeeded the echoing of her hasty summons increased the + alarm which had induced her to take this desperate measure. + </p> + <p> + “Open—open, Henry!” she cried. “Open, if you yet live! Open, if you + would not find Catharine Glover dead upon your threshold!” + </p> + <p> + As she cried thus frantically to ears which she was taught to believe were + stopped by death, the lover she invoked opened the door in person, just in + time to prevent her sinking on the ground. The extremity of his ecstatic + joy upon an occasion so unexpected was qualified only by the wonder which + forbade him to believe it real, and by his alarm at the closed eyes, half + opened and blanched lips, total absence of complexion, and apparently + total cessation of breathing. + </p> + <p> + Henry had remained at home, in spite of the general alarm, which had + reached his ears for a considerable time, fully determined to put himself + in the way of no brawls that he could avoid; and it was only in compliance + with a summons from the magistrates, which, as a burgher, he was bound to + obey, that, taking his sword and a spare buckler from the wall, he was + about to go forth, for the first time unwillingly, to pay his service, as + his tenure bound him. + </p> + <p> + “It is hard,” he said, “to be put forward in all the town feuds, when the + fighting work is so detestable to Catharine. I am sure there are enough of + wenches in Perth that say to their gallants, ‘Go out, do your devoir + bravely, and win your lady’s grace’; and yet they send not for their + lovers, but for me, who cannot do the duties of a man to protect a + minstrel woman, or of a burgess who fights for the honour of his town, but + this peevish Catharine uses me as if I were a brawler and bordeller!” + </p> + <p> + Such were the thoughts which occupied his mind, when, as he opened his + door to issue forth, the person dearest to his thoughts, but whom he + certainly least expected to see, was present to his eyes, and dropped into + his arms. + </p> + <p> + His mixture of surprise, joy, and anxiety did not deprive him of the + presence of mind which the occasion demanded. To place Catharine Glover in + safety, and recall her to herself was to be thought of before rendering + obedience to the summons of the magistrates, however pressingly that had + been delivered. He carried his lovely burden, as light as a feather, yet + more precious than the same quantity of purest gold, into a small + bedchamber which had been his mother’s. It was the most fit for an + invalid, as it looked into the garden, and was separated from the noise of + the tumult. + </p> + <p> + “Here, Nurse—Nurse Shoolbred—come quick—come for death + and life—here is one wants thy help!” + </p> + <p> + Up trotted the old dame. “If it should but prove any one that will keep + thee out of the scuffle,” for she also had been aroused by the noise; but + what was her astonishment when, placed in love and reverence on the bed of + her late mistress, and supported by the athletic arms of her foster son, + she saw the apparently lifeless form of the Fair Maid of Perth. + </p> + <p> + “Catharine Glover!” she said; “and, Holy Mother, a dying woman, as it + would seem!” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, old woman,” said her foster son: “the dear heart throbs—the + sweet breath comes and returns! Come thou, that may aid her more meetly + than I—bring water—essences—whatever thy old skill can + devise. Heaven did not place her in my arms to die, but to live for + herself and me!” + </p> + <p> + With an activity which her age little promised, Nurse Shoolbred collected + the means of restoring animation; for, like many women of the period, she + understood what was to be done in such cases, nay, possessed a knowledge + of treating wounds of an ordinary description, which the warlike + propensities of her foster son kept in pretty constant exercise. + </p> + <p> + “Come now,” she said, “son Henry, unfold your arms from about my patient, + though she is worth the pressing, and set thy hands at freedom to help me + with what I want. Nay, I will not insist on your quitting her hand, if you + will beat the palm gently, as the fingers unclose their clenched grasp.” + </p> + <p> + “I beat her slight, beautiful hand!” said Henry; “you were as well bid me + beat a glass cup with a forehammer as tap her fair palm with my horn hard + fingers. But the fingers do unfold, and we will find a better way than + beating”; and he applied his lips to the pretty hand, whose motion + indicated returning sensation. One or two deep sighs succeeded, and the + Fair Maid of Perth opened her eyes, fixed them on her lover, as he kneeled + by the bedside, and again sunk back on the pillow. As she withdrew not her + hand from her lover’s hold or from his grasp, we must in charity believe + that the return to consciousness was not so complete as to make her aware + that he abused the advantage, by pressing it alternately to his lips and + his bosom. At the same time we are compelled to own that the blood was + colouring in her cheek, and that her breathing was deep and regular, for a + minute or two during this relapse. + </p> + <p> + The noise at the door began now to grow much louder, and Henry was called + for by all his various names of Smith. Gow, and Hal of the Wynd, as + heathens used to summon their deities by different epithets. At last, like + Portuguese Catholics when exhausted with entreating their saints, the + crowd without had recourse to vituperative exclamations. + </p> + <p> + “Out upon you, Henry! You are a disgraced man, man sworn to your burgher + oath, and a traitor to the Fair City, unless you come instantly forth!” + </p> + <p> + It would seem that nurse Shoolbred’s applications were now so far + successful that Catharine’s senses were in some measure restored; for, + turning her face more towards that of her lover than her former posture + permitted, she let her right hand fall on his shoulder, leaving her left + still in his possession, and seeming slightly to detain him, while she + whispered: “Do not go, Henry—stay with me; they will kill thee, + these men of blood.” + </p> + <p> + It would seem that this gentle invocation, the result of finding the lover + alive whom she expected to have only recognised as a corpse, though it was + spoken so low as scarcely to be intelligible, had more effect to keep + Henry Wynd in his present posture than the repeated summons of many voices + from without had to bring him downstairs. + </p> + <p> + “Mass, townsmen,” cried one hardy citizen to his companions, “the saucy + smith but jests with us! Let us into the house, and bring him out by the + lug and the horn.” + </p> + <p> + “Take care what you are doing,” said a more cautious assailant. “The man + that presses on Henry Gow’s retirement may go into his house with sound + bones, but will return with ready made work for the surgeon. But here + comes one has good right to do our errand to him, and make the recreant + hear reason on both sides of his head.” + </p> + <p> + The person of whom this was spoken was no other than Simon Glover himself. + He had arrived at the fatal spot where the unlucky bonnet maker’s body was + lying, just in time to discover, to his great relief, that when it was + turned with the face upwards by Bailie Craigdallie’s orders, the features + of the poor braggart Proudfute were recognised, when the crowd expected to + behold those of their favorite champion, Henry Smith. A laugh, or + something approaching to one, went among those who remembered how hard + Oliver had struggled to obtain the character of a fighting man, however + foreign to his nature and disposition, and remarked now that he had met + with a mode of death much better suited to his pretensions than to his + temper. But this tendency to ill timed mirth, which savoured of the + rudeness of the times, was at once hushed by the voice, and cries, and + exclamations of a woman who struggled through the crowd, screaming at the + same time, “Oh, my husband—my husband!” + </p> + <p> + Room was made for the sorrower, who was followed by two or three female + friends. Maudie Proudfute had been hitherto only noticed as a good + looking, black haired woman, believed to be “dink” and disdainful to those + whom she thought meaner or poorer than herself, and lady and empress over + her late husband, whom she quickly caused to lower his crest when she + chanced to hear him crowing out of season. But now, under the influence of + powerful passion, she assumed a far more imposing character. + </p> + <p> + “Do you laugh,” she said, “you unworthy burghers of Perth, because one of + your own citizens has poured his blood into the kennel? or do you laugh + because the deadly lot has lighted on my husband? How has he deserved + this? Did he not maintain an honest house by his own industry, and keep a + creditable board, where the sick had welcome and the poor had relief? Did + he not lend to those who wanted, stand by his neighbours as a friend, keep + counsel and do justice like a magistrate?” + </p> + <p> + “It is true—it is true,” answered the assembly; “his blood is our + blood as much as if it were Henry Gow’s.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak truth, neighbours,” said Bailie Craigdallie; “and this feud + cannot be patched up as the former was: citizen’s blood must not flow + unavenged down our kennels, as if it were ditch water, or we shall soon + see the broad Tay crimsoned with it. But this blow was never meant for the + poor man on whom it has unhappily fallen. Every one knew what Oliver + Proudfute was, how wide he would speak, and how little he would do. He has + Henry Smith’s buff coat, target, and head piece. All the town know them as + well as I do: there is no doubt on’t. He had the trick, as you know, of + trying to imitate the smith in most things. Some one, blind with rage, or + perhaps through liquor, has stricken the innocent bonnet maker, whom no + man either hated or feared, or indeed cared either much or little about, + instead of the stout smith, who has twenty feuds upon his hands.” + </p> + <p> + “What then, is to be done, bailie?” cried the multitude. + </p> + <p> + “That, my friends, your magistrates will determine for you, as we shall + instantly meet together when Sir Patrick Charteris cometh here, which must + be anon. Meanwhile, let the chirurgeon Dwining examine that poor piece of + clay, that he may tell us how he came by his fatal death; and then let the + corpse be decently swathed in a clean shroud, as becomes an honest + citizen, and placed before the high altar in the church of St. John, the + patron of the Fair City. Cease all clamour and noise, and every defensible + man of you, as you would wish well to the Fair Town, keep his weapons in + readiness, and be prepared to assemble on the High Street at the tolling + of the common bell from the townhouse, and we will either revenge the + death of our fellow citizen, or else we shall take such fortune as Heaven + will send us. Meanwhile avoid all quarrelling With the knights and their + followers till we know the innocent from the guilty. But wherefore tarries + this knave Smith? He is ready enough in tumults when his presence is not + wanted, and lags he now when his presence may serve the Fair City? What + ails him, doth any one know? Hath he been upon the frolic last Fastern’s + Even?” + </p> + <p> + “Rather he is sick or sullen, Master Bailie,” said one of the city’s + mairs, or sergeants; “for though he is within door, as his knaves report, + yet he will neither answer to us nor admit us.” + </p> + <p> + “So please your worship, Master Bailie,” said Simon Glover, “I will go + myself to fetch Henry Smith. I have some little difference to make up with + him. And blessed be Our Lady, who hath so ordered it that I find him + alive, as a quarter of an hour since I could never have expected!” + </p> + <p> + “Bring the stout smith to the council house,” said the bailie, as a + mounted yeoman pressed through the crowd and whispered in his ear, “Here + is a good fellow who says the Knight of Kinfauns is entering the port.” + </p> + <p> + Such was the occasion of Simon Glover presenting himself at the house of + Henry Gow at the period already noticed. + </p> + <p> + Unrestrained by the considerations of doubt and hesitation which + influenced others, he repaired to the parlour; and having overheard the + bustling of Dame Shoolbred, he took the privilege of intimacy to ascend to + the bedroom, and, with the slight apology of “I crave your pardon, good + neighbour,” he opened the door and entered the apartment, where a singular + and unexpected sight awaited him. At the sound of his voice, May Catharine + experienced a revival much speedier than Dame Shoolbred’s restoratives had + been able to produce, and the paleness of her complexion changed into a + deep glow of the most lovely red. She pushed her lover from her with both + her hands, which, until this minute, her want of consciousness, or her + affection, awakened by the events of the morning, had well nigh abandoned + to his caresses. Henry Smith, bashful as we know him, stumbled as he rose + up; and none of the party were without a share of confusion, excepting + Dame Shoolbred, who was glad to make some pretext to turn her back to the + others, in order that she might enjoy a laugh at their expense, which she + felt herself utterly unable to restrain, and in which the glover, whose + surprise, though great, was of short duration, and of a joyful character, + sincerely joined. + </p> + <p> + “Now, by good St. John,” he said, “I thought I had seen a sight this + morning that would cure me of laughter, at least till Lent was over; but + this would make me curl my cheek if I were dying. Why, here stands honest + Henry Smith, who was lamented as dead, and toll’d out for from every + steeple in town, alive, merry, and, as it seems from his ruddy complexion, + as like to live as any man in Perth. And here is my precious daughter, + that yesterday would speak of nothing but the wickedness of the wights + that haunt profane sports and protect glee maidens. Ay, she who set St. + Valentine and St. Cupid both at defiance—here she is, turned a glee + maiden herself, for what I can see! Truly, I am glad to see that you, my + good Dame Shoolbred, who give way to no disorder, have been of this loving + party.” + </p> + <p> + “You do me wrong, my dearest father,” said Catharine, as if about to weep. + “I came here with far different expectations than you suppose. I only came + because—because—” + </p> + <p> + “Because you expected to find a dead lover,” said her father, “and you + have found a living one, who can receive the tokens of your regard, and + return them. Now, were it not a sin, I could find in my heart to thank + Heaven that thou hast been surprised at last into owning thyself a woman. + Simon Glover is not worthy to have an absolute saint for his daughter. + Nay, look not so piteously, nor expect condolence from me! Only I will try + not to look merry, if you will be pleased to stop your tears, or confess + them to be tears of joy.” + </p> + <p> + “If I were to die for such a confession,” said poor Catharine, “I could + not tell what to call them. Only believe, dear father, and let Henry + believe, that I would never have come hither; unless—unless—” + </p> + <p> + “Unless you had thought that Henry could not come to you,” said her + father. “And now, shake hands in peace and concord, and agree as + Valentines should. Yesterday was Shrovetide, Henry; We will hold that thou + hast confessed thy follies, hast obtained absolution, and art relieved of + all the guilt thou stoodest charged with.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay touching that, father Simon,” said the smith, “now that you are cool + enough to hear me, I can swear on the Gospels, and I can call my nurse, + Dame Shoolbred, to witness—” + </p> + <p> + “Nay—nay,” said the glover, “but wherefore rake up differences which + should all be forgotten?” + </p> + <p> + “Hark ye, Simon!—Simon Glover!” This was now echoed from beneath. + </p> + <p> + “True, son Smith,” said the glover, seriously, “we have other work in + hand. You and I must to the council instantly. Catharine shall remain here + with Dame Shoolbred, who will take charge of her till we return; and then, + as the town is in misrule, we two, Harry, will carry her home, and they + will be bold men that cross us.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my dear father,” said Catharine, with a smile, “now you are taking + Oliver Proudfute’s office. That doughty burgher is Henry’s brother at + arms.” + </p> + <p> + Her father’s countenance grew dark. + </p> + <p> + “You have spoke a stinging word, daughter; but you know not what has + happened. Kiss him, Catharine, in token of forgiveness.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so,” said Catharine; “I have done him too much grace already. When he + has seen the errant damsel safe home, it will be time enough to claim his + reward.” + </p> + <p> + “Meantime,” said Henry, “I will claim, as your host, what you will not + allow me on other terms.” + </p> + <p> + He folded the fair maiden in his arms, and was permitted to take the + salute which she had refused to bestow. + </p> + <p> + As they descended the stair together, the old man laid his hand on the + smith’s shoulder, and said: “Henry, my dearest wishes are fulfilled; but + it is the pleasure of the saints that it should be in an hour of + difficulty and terror.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” said the smith; “but thou knowest, father, if our riots be + frequent at Perth, at least they seldom last long.” + </p> + <p> + Then, opening a door which led from the house into the smithy, “here, + comrades,” he cried, “Anton, Cuthbert, Dingwell, and Ringen! Let none of + you stir from the place till I return. Be as true as the weapons I have + taught you to forge: a French crown and a Scotch merrymaking for you, if + you obey my command. I leave a mighty treasure in your charge. Watch the + doors well, let little Jannekin scout up and down the wynd, and have your + arms ready if any one approaches the house. Open the doors to no man till + father Glover or I return: it concerns my life and happiness.” + </p> + <p> + The strong, swarthy giants to whom he spoke answered: “Death to him who + attempts it!” + </p> + <p> + “My Catharine is now as safe,” said he to her father, “as if twenty men + garrisoned a royal castle in her cause. We shall pass most quietly to the + council house by walking through the garden.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way through a little orchard accordingly, where the birds, + which had been sheltered and fed during the winter by the good natured + artisan, early in the season as it was, were saluting the precarious + smiles of a February sun with a few faint and interrupted attempts at + melody. + </p> + <p> + “Hear these minstrels, father,” said the smith; “I laughed at them this + morning in the bitterness of my heart, because the little wretches sung, + with so much of winter before them. But now, methinks, I could bear a + blythe chorus, for I have my Valentine as they have theirs; and whatever + ill may lie before me for tomorrow, I am today the happiest man in Perth, + city or county, burgh or landward.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet I must allay your joy,” said the old glover, “though, Heaven knows, I + share it. Poor Oliver Proudfute, the inoffensive fool that you and I knew + so well, has been found this morning dead in the streets.” + </p> + <p> + “Only dead drunk, I trust?” said the smith; “nay, a candle and a dose of + matrimonial advice will bring him to life again.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Henry—no. He is slain—slain with a battle axe or some + such weapon.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” replied the smith; “he was light footed enough, and would + not for all Perth have trusted to his hands, when he could extricate + himself by his heels.” + </p> + <p> + “No choice was allowed him. The blow was dealt in the very back of his + head; he who struck must have been a shorter man than himself, and used a + horseman’s battle axe, or some such weapon, for a Lochaber axe must have + struck the upper part of his head. But there he lies dead, brained, I may + say, by a most frightful wound.” + </p> + <p> + “This is inconceivable,” said Henry Wynd. “He was in my house at midnight, + in a morricer’s habit; seemed to have been drinking, though not to excess. + He told me a tale of having been beset by revellers, and being in danger; + but, alas! you know the man—I deemed it was a swaggering fit, as he + sometimes took when he was in liquor; and, may the Merciful Virgin forgive + me! I let him go without company, in which I did him inhuman wrong. Holy + St. John be my witness! I would have gone with any helpless creature; and + far more with him, with whom I have so often sat at the same board and + drunken of the same cup. Who, of the race of man, could have thought of + harming a creature so simple and so unoffending, excepting by his idle + vaunts?” + </p> + <p> + “Henry, he wore thy head piece, thy buff coat; thy target. How came he by + these?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, he demanded the use of them for the night, and I was ill at ease, + and well pleased to be rid of his company, having kept no holiday, and + being determined to keep none, in respect of our misunderstanding.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the opinion of Bailie Craigdallie and all our sagest counsellors + that the blow was intended for yourself, and that it becomes you to + prosecute the due vengeance of our fellow citizen, who received the death + which was meant for you.” + </p> + <p> + The smith was for some time silent. They had now left the garden, and were + walking in a lonely lane, by which they meant to approach the council + house of the burgh without being exposed to observation or idle inquiry. + </p> + <p> + “You are silent, my son, yet we two have much to speak of,” said Simon + Glover. “Bethink thee that this widowed woman, Maudlin, if she should see + cause to bring a charge against any one for the wrong done to her and her + orphan children, must support it by a champion, according to law and + custom; for, be the murderer who he may, we know enough of these followers + of the nobles to be assured that the party suspected will appeal to the + combat, in derision, perhaps, of we whom they will call the cowardly + burghers. While we are men with blood in our veins, this must not be, + Henry Wynd.” + </p> + <p> + “I see where you would draw me, father,” answered Henry, dejectedly, “and + St. John knows I have heard a summons to battle as willingly as war horse + ever heard the trumpet. But bethink you, father, how I have lost + Catharine’s favour repeatedly, and have been driven well nigh to despair + of ever regaining it, for being, if I may say so, even too ready a man of + my hands. And here are all our quarrels made up, and the hopes that seemed + this morning removed beyond earthly prospect have become nearer and + brighter than ever; and must I with the dear one’s kiss of forgiveness on + my lips, engage in a new scene of violence, which you are well aware will + give her the deepest offence?” + </p> + <p> + “It is hard for me to advise you, Henry,” said Simon; “but this I must ask + you: Have you, or have you not, reason to think that this poor unfortunate + Oliver has been mistaken for you?” + </p> + <p> + “I fear it too much,” said Henry. “He was thought something like me, and + the poor fool had studied to ape my gestures and manner of walking, nay + the very airs which I have the trick of whistling, that he might increase + a resemblance which has cost him dear. I have ill willers enough, both in + burgh and landward, to owe me a shrewd turn; and he, I think, could have + none such.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Henry, I cannot say but my daughter will be offended. She has been + much with Father Clement, and has received notions about peace and + forgiveness which methinks suit ill with a country where the laws cannot + protect us, unless we have spirit to protect ourselves. If you determine + for the combat, I will do my best to persuade her to look on the matter as + the other good womanhood in the burgh will do; and if you resolve to let + the matter rest—the man who has lost his life for yours remaining + unavenged, the widow and the orphans without any reparation for the loss + of a husband and father—I will then do you the justice to think that + I, at least, ought not to think the worse of you for your patience, since + it was adopted for love of my child. But, Henry, we must in that case + remove ourselves from bonny St. Johnston, for here we will be but a + disgraced family.” + </p> + <p> + Henry groaned deeply, and was silent for an instant, then replied: “I + would rather be dead than dishonoured, though I should never see her + again! Had it been yester evening, I would have met the best blade among + these men at arms as blythely as ever I danced at a maypole. But today, + when she had first as good as said, ‘Henry Smith, I love thee!’ Father + Glover; it is very hard. Yet it is all my own fault. This poor unhappy + Oliver! I ought to have allowed him the shelter of my roof, when he prayed + me in his agony of fear; or; had I gone with him, I should then have + prevented or shared his fate. But I taunted him, ridiculed him, loaded him + with maledictions, though the saints know they were uttered in idle + peevishness of impatience. I drove him out from my doors, whom I knew so + helpless, to take the fate which was perhaps intended for me. I must + avenge him, or be dishonoured for ever. See, father, I have been called a + man hard as the steel I work in. Does burnished steel ever drop tears like + these? Shame on me that I should shed them!” + </p> + <p> + “It is no shame, my dearest son,” said Simon; “thou art as kind as brave, + and I have always known it. There is yet a chance for us. No one may be + discovered to whom suspicion attaches, and where none such is found, the + combat cannot take place. It is a hard thing to wish that the innocent + blood may not be avenged. But if the perpetrator of this foul murder be + hidden for the present, thou wilt be saved from the task of seeking that + vengeance which Heaven doubtless will take at its own proper time.” + </p> + <p> + As they spoke thus, they arrived at the point of the High Street where the + council house was situated. As they reached the door, and made their way + through the multitude who thronged the street, they found the avenues + guarded by a select party of armed burghers, and about fifty spears + belonging to the Knight of Kinfauns, who, with his allies the Grays, + Blairs, Moncrieffs, and others, had brought to Perth a considerable body + of horse, of which these were a part. So soon as the glover and smith + presented themselves, they were admitted to the chamber in which the + magistrates were assembled. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A woman wails for justice at the gate, + A widow’d woman, wan and desolate. + + Bertha. +</pre> + <p> + The council room of Perth presented a singular spectacle. In a gloomy + apartment, ill and inconveniently lighted by two windows of different form + and of unequal size, were assembled, around a large oaken table, a group + of men, of whom those who occupied the higher seats were merchants, that + is, guild brethren, or shopkeepers, arrayed in decent dresses becoming + their station, but most of them bearing, like, the Regent York, “signs of + war around their aged necks”—gorgets, namely, and baldricks, which + sustained their weapons. The lower places around the table were occupied + by mechanics and artisans, the presidents, or deacons, as they were + termed, of the working classes, in their ordinary clothes, somewhat better + arranged than usual. These, too, wore pieces of armour of various + descriptions. Some had the blackjack, or doublets covered with small + plates of iron of a lozenge shape, which, secured through the upper angle, + hung in rows above each [other], and which, swaying with the motion of the + wearer’s person, formed a secure defence to the body. Others had buff + coats, which, as already mentioned, could resist the blow of a sword, and + even a lance’s point, unless propelled with great force. At the bottom of + the table, surrounded as it was with this varied assembly, sat Sir Louis + Lundin; no military man, but a priest and parson of St. John’s, arrayed in + his canonical dress, and having his pen and ink before him. He was town + clerk of the burgh, and, like all the priests of the period (who were + called from that circumstance the Pope’s knights), received the honourable + title of Dominus, contracted into Dom, or Dan, or translated into Sir, the + title of reverence due to the secular chivalry. + </p> + <p> + On an elevated seat at the head of the council board was placed Sir + Patrick Charteris, in complete armour brightly burnished—a singular + contrast to the motley mixture of warlike and peaceful attire exhibited by + the burghers, who were only called to arms occasionally. The bearing of + the provost, while it completely admitted the intimate connexion which + mutual interests had created betwixt himself, the burgh, and the + magistracy, was at the same time calculated to assert the superiority + which, in virtue of gentle blood and chivalrous rank, the opinions of the + age assigned to him over the members of the assembly in which he presided. + Two squires stood behind him, one of them holding the knight’s pennon, and + another his shield, bearing his armorial distinctions, being a hand + holding a dagger, or short sword, with the proud motto, “This is my + charter.” A handsome page displayed the long sword of his master, and + another bore his lance; all which chivalrous emblems and appurtenances + were the more scrupulously exhibited, that the dignitary to whom they + belonged was engaged in discharging the office of a burgh magistrate. In + his own person the Knight of Kinfauns appeared to affect something of + state and stiffness which did not naturally pertain to his frank and + jovial character. + </p> + <p> + “So you are come at length, Henry Smith and Simon Glover,” said the + provost. “Know that you have kept us waiting for your attendance. Should + it so chance again while we occupy this place, we will lay such a fine on + you as you will have small pleasure in paying. Enough—make no + excuses. They are not asked now, and another time they will not be + admitted. Know, sirs, that our reverend clerk hath taken down in writing, + and at full length, what I will tell you in brief, that you may see what + is to be required of you, Henry Smith, in particular. Our late fellow + citizen, Oliver Proudfute, hath been found dead in the High Street, close + by the entrance into the wynd. It seemeth he was slain by a heavy blow + with a short axe, dealt from behind and at unawares; and the act by which + he fell can only be termed a deed of foul and forethought murder. So much + for the crime. The criminal can only be indicated by circumstances. It is + recorded in the protocol of the Reverend Sir Louis Lundin, that divers + well reported witnesses saw our deceased citizen, Oliver Proudfute, till a + late period accompanying the entry of the morrice dancers, of whom he was + one, as far as the house of Simon Glover, in Curfew Street, where they + again played their pageant. It is also manifested that at this place he + separated from the rest of the band, after some discourse with Simon + Glover, and made an appointment to meet with the others of his company at + the sign of the Griffin, there to conclude the holiday. Now, Simon, I + demand of you whether this be truly stated, so far as you know? and + further, what was the purport of the defunct Oliver Proudfute’s discourse + with you?” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord Provost and very worshipful Sir Patrick,” answered Simon Glover, + “you and this honourable council shall know that, touching certain reports + which had been made of the conduct of Henry Smith, some quarrel had arisen + between myself and another of my family and the said Smith here present. + Now, this our poor fellow citizen, Oliver Proudfute, having been active in + spreading these reports, as indeed his element lay in such gossipred, some + words passed betwixt him and me on the subject; and, as I think, he left + me with the purpose of visiting Henry Smith, for he broke off from the + morrice dancers, promising, as it seems, to meet them, as your honour has + said, at the sign of the Griffin, in order to conclude the evening. But + what he actually did, I know not, as I never again saw him in life.” + </p> + <p> + “It is enough,” said Sir Patrick, “and agrees with all that we have heard. + Now, worthy sirs, we next find our poor fellow citizen environed by a set + of revellers and maskers who had assembled in the High Street, by whom he + was shamefully ill treated, being compelled to kneel down in the street, + and there to quaff huge quantities of liquor against his inclination, + until at length he escaped from them by flight. This violence was + accomplished with drawn swords, loud shouts, and imprecations, so as to + attract the attention of several persons, who, alarmed by the tumult, + looked out from their windows, as well as of one or two passengers, who, + keeping aloof from the light of the torches, lest they also had been + maltreated, beheld the usage which our fellow citizen received in the High + Street of the burgh. And although these revellers were disguised, and used + vizards, yet their disguises were well known, being a set of quaint + masking habits prepared some weeks ago by command of Sir John Ramorny, + Master of the Horse to his Royal Highness the Duke of Rothsay, Prince + Royal of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + A low groan went through the assembly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, so it is, brave burghers,” continued Sir Patrick; “our inquiries + have led us into conclusions both melancholy and terrible. But as no one + can regret the point at which they seem likely to arrive more than I do, + so no man living can dread its consequences less. It is even so, various + artisans employed upon the articles have described the dresses prepared + for Sir John Ramorny’s mask as being exactly similar to those of the men + by whom Oliver Proudfute was observed to be maltreated. And one mechanic, + being Wingfield the feather dresser, who saw the revellers when they had + our fellow citizen within their hands, remarked that they wore the + cinctures and coronals of painted feathers which he himself had made by + the order of the Prince’s master of horse. + </p> + <p> + “After the moment of his escape from these revellers, we lose all trace of + Oliver’ but we can prove that the maskers went to Sir John Ramorny’s, + where they were admitted, after some show of delay. It is rumoured that + thou, Henry Smith, sawest our unhappy fellow citizen after he had been in + the hands of these revellers. What is the truth of the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “He came to my house in the wynd,” said Henry, “about half an hour before + midnight; and I admitted him, something unwillingly, as he had been + keeping carnival while I remained at home; and ‘There is ill talk,’ says + the proverb, ‘betwixt a full man and a fasting.’” + </p> + <p> + “And in which plight seemed he when thou didst admit him?” said the + provost. + </p> + <p> + “He seemed,” answered the smith, “out of breath, and talked repeatedly of + having been endangered by revellers. I paid but small regard, for he was + ever a timorous, chicken spirited, though well meaning, man, and I held + that he was speaking more from fancy than reality. But I shall always + account it for foul offence in myself that I did not give him my company, + which he requested; and if I live, I will found masses for his soul, in + expiation of my guilt.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he describe those from whom he received the injury?” said the + provost. + </p> + <p> + “Revellers in masking habits,” replied Henry. + </p> + <p> + “And did he intimate his fear of having to do with them on his return?” + again demanded Sir Patrick. + </p> + <p> + “He alluded particularly to his being waylaid, which I treated as + visionary, having been able to see no one in the lane.” + </p> + <p> + “Had he then no help from thee of any kind whatsoever?” said the provost. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, worshipful,” replied the smith; “he exchanged his morrice dress for + my head piece, buff coat, and target, which I hear were found upon his + body; and I have at home his morrice cap and bells, with the jerkin and + other things pertaining. He was to return my garb of fence, and get back + his own masking suit this day, had the saints so permitted.” + </p> + <p> + “You saw him not then afterwards?” + </p> + <p> + “Never, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + “One word more,” said the provost. “Have you any reason to think that the + blow which slew Oliver Proudfute was meant for another man?” + </p> + <p> + “I have,” answered the smith; “but it is doubtful, and may be dangerous to + add such a conjecture, which is besides only a supposition.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak it out, on your burgher faith and oath. For whom, think you, was + the blow meant?” + </p> + <p> + “If I must speak,” replied Henry, “I believe Oliver Proudfute received the + fate which was designed for myself; the rather that, in his folly, Oliver + spoke of trying to assume my manner of walking, as well as my dress.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you feud with any one, that you form such an idea?” said Sir Patrick + Charteris. + </p> + <p> + “To my shame and sin be it spoken, I have feud with Highland and Lowland, + English and Scot, Perth and Angus. I do not believe poor Oliver had feud + with a new hatched chicken. Alas! he was the more fully prepared for a + sudden call!” + </p> + <p> + “Hark ye, smith,” said the provost, “answer me distinctly: Is there cause + of feud between the household of Sir John Ramorny and yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “To a certainty, my lord, there is. It is now generally said that Black + Quentin, who went over Tay to Fife some days since, was the owner of the + hand which was found in Couvrefew Street upon the eve of St. Valentine. It + was I who struck off that hand with a blow of my broadsword. As this Black + Quentin was a chamberlain of Sir John, and much trusted, it is like there + must be feud between me and his master’s dependants.” + </p> + <p> + “It bears a likely front, smith,” said Sir Patrick Charteris. “And now, + good brothers and wise magistrates, there are two suppositions, each of + which leads to the same conclusion. The maskers who seized our fellow + citizen, and misused him in a manner of which his body retains some slight + marks, may have met with their former prisoner as he returned homewards, + and finished their ill usage by taking his life. He himself expressed to + Henry Gow fears that this would be the case. If this be really true, one + or more of Sir John Ramorny’s attendants must have been the assassins. But + I think it more likely that one or two of the revellers may have remained + on the field, or returned to it, having changed perhaps their disguise, + and that to those men (for Oliver Proudfute, in his own personal + appearance, would only have been a subject of sport) his apparition in the + dress, and assuming, as he proposed to do, the manner, of Henry Smith, was + matter of deep hatred; and that, seeing him alone, they had taken, as they + thought, a certain and safe mode to rid themselves of an enemy so + dangerous as all men know Henry Wynd is accounted by those that are his + unfriends. The same train of reasoning, again, rests the guilt with the + household of Sir John Ramorny. How think you, sirs? Are we not free to + charge the crime upon them?” + </p> + <p> + The magistrates whispered together for several minutes, and then replied + by the voice of Bailie Craigdallie: “Noble knight, and our worthy provost, + we agree entirely in what your wisdom has spoken concerning this dark and + bloody matter; nor do we doubt your sagacity in tracing to the fellowship + and the company of John Ramorny of that ilk the villainy which hath been + done to our deceased fellow citizen, whether in his own character and + capacity or as mistaking him for our brave townsman, Henry of the Wynd. + But Sir John, in his own behalf, and as the Prince’s master of the horse, + maintains an extensive household; and as, of course, the charge will be + rebutted by a denial, we would ask how we shall proceed in that case. It + is true, could we find law for firing the lodging, and putting all within + it to the sword; the old proverb of ‘Short rede, good rede,’ might here + apply; for a fouler household of defiers of God, destroyers of men, and + debauchers of women are nowhere sheltered than are in Ramorny’s band. But + I doubt that this summary mode of execution would scarce be borne out by + the laws; and no tittle of evidence which I have heard will tend to fix + the crime on any single individual or individuals.” + </p> + <p> + Before the provost could reply, the town clerk arose, and, stroking his + venerable beard, craved permission to speak, which was instantly granted. + </p> + <p> + “Brethren,” he said, “as well in our fathers’ time as ours; hath God, on + being rightly appealed to, condescended to make manifest the crimes of the + guilty and the innocence of those who may have been rashly accused. Let us + demand from our sovereign lord, King Robert, who, when the wicked do not + interfere to pervert his good intentions, is as just and clement a prince + as our annals can show in their long line, in the name of the Fair City, + and of all the commons in Scotland, that he give us, after the fashion of + our ancestors, the means of appealing to Heaven for light upon this dark + murder, we will demand the proof by ‘bier right,’ often granted in the + days of our sovereign’s ancestors, approved of by bulls and decretals, and + administered by the great Emperor Charlemagne in France, by King Arthur in + Britain, and by Gregory the Great, and the mighty Achaius, in this our + land of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard of the bier right, Sir Louis,” quoth the provost, “and I + know we have it in our charters of the Fair City; but I am something ill + learned in the ancient laws, and would pray you to inform us more + distinctly of its nature.” + </p> + <p> + “We will demand of the King,” said Sir Louis Lundin, “my advice being + taken, that the body of our murdered fellow citizen be transported into + the High Church of St. John, and suitable masses said for the benefit of + his soul and for the discovery of his foul murder. Meantime, we shall + obtain an order that Sir John Ramorny give up a list of such of his + household as were in Perth in the course of the night between Fastern’s + Even and this Ash Wednesday, and become bound to present them on a certain + day and hour, to be early named, in the High Church of St. John, there one + by one to pass before the bier of our murdered fellow citizen, and in the + form prescribed to call upon God and His saints to bear witness that he is + innocent of the acting, art or part, of the murder. And credit me, as has + been indeed proved by numerous instances, that, if the murderer shall + endeavour to shroud himself by making such an appeal, the antipathy which + subsists between the dead body and the hand which dealt the fatal blow + that divorced it from the soul will awaken some imperfect life, under the + influence of which the veins of the dead man will pour forth at the fatal + wounds the blood which has been so long stagnant in the veins. Or, to + speak more certainly, it is the pleasure of Heaven, by some hidden agency + which we cannot comprehend, to leave open this mode of discovering the + wickedness of him who has defaced the image of his Creator.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard this law talked of,” said Sir Patrick, “and it was enforced + in the Bruce’s time. This surely is no unfit period to seek, by such a + mystic mode of inquiry, the truth to which no ordinary means can give us + access, seeing that a general accusation of Sir John’s household would + full surely be met by a general denial. Yet I must crave farther of Sir + Louis, our reverend town clerk, how we shall prevent the guilty person + from escaping in the interim?” + </p> + <p> + “The burghers will maintain a strict watch upon the wall, drawbridges + shall be raised and portcullises lowered, from sunset to sunrise, and + strong patrols maintained through the night. This guard the burghers will + willingly maintain, to secure against the escape of the murderer of their + townsman.” + </p> + <p> + The rest of the counsellors acquiesced, by word, sign, and look, in this + proposal. + </p> + <p> + “Again,” said the provost, “what if any one of the suspected household + refuse to submit to the ordeal of bier right?” + </p> + <p> + “He may appeal to that of combat,” said the reverend city scribe, “with an + opponent of equal rank; because the accused person must have his choice, + in the appeal to the judgment of God, by what ordeal he will be tried. But + if he refuses both, he must be held as guilty, and so punished.” + </p> + <p> + The sages of the council unanimously agreed with the opinion of their + provost and town clerk, and resolved, in all formality, to petition the + King, as a matter of right, that the murder of their fellow citizen should + be inquired into according to this ancient form, which was held to + manifest the truth, and received as matter of evidence in case of murder + so late as towards the end of the 17th century. But before the meeting + dissolved, Bailie Craigdallie thought it meet to inquire who was to be the + champion of Maudie, or Magdalen, Proudfute and her two children. + </p> + <p> + “There need be little inquiry about that,” said Sir Patrick Charteris; “we + are men, and wear swords, which should be broken over the head of any one + amongst us who will not draw it in behalf of the widow and orphans of our + murdered fellow citizen, and in brave revenge of his death. If Sir John + Ramorny shall personally resent the inquiry, Patrick Charteris of Kinfauns + will do battle with him to the outrance, whilst horse and man may stand, + or spear and blade hold together. But in case the challenger be of + yeomanly degree, well wot I that Magdalen Proudfute may choose her own + champion among the bravest burghers of Perth, and shame and dishonour were + it to the Fair City for ever could she light upon one who were traitor and + coward enough to say her nay! Bring her hither, that she may make her + election.” + </p> + <p> + Henry Smith heard this with a melancholy anticipation that the poor + woman’s choice would light upon him, and that his recent reconciliation + with his mistress would be again dissolved, by his being engaged in a + fresh quarrel, from which there lay no honourable means of escape, and + which, in any other circumstances, he would have welcomed as a glorious + opportunity of distinguishing himself, both in sight of the court and of + the city. He was aware that, under the tuition of Father Clement, + Catharine viewed the ordeal of battle rather as an insult to religion than + an appeal to the Deity, and did not consider it as reasonable that + superior strength of arm or skill of weapon should be resorted to as the + proof of moral guilt or innocence. He had, therefore, much to fear from + her peculiar opinions in this particular, refined as they were beyond + those of the age she lived in. + </p> + <p> + While he thus suffered under these contending feelings, Magdalen, the + widow of the slaughtered man, entered the court, wrapt in a deep mourning + veil, and followed and supported by five or six women of good (that is, of + respectability) dressed in the same melancholy attire. One of her + attendants held an infant in her arms, the last pledge of poor Oliver’s + nuptial affections. Another led a little tottering creature of two years, + or thereabouts, which looked with wonder and fear, sometimes on the black + dress in which they had muffled him, and sometimes on the scene around + him. + </p> + <p> + The assembly rose to receive the melancholy group, and saluted them with + an expression of the deepest sympathy, which Magdalen, though the mate of + poor Oliver, returned with an air of dignity, which she borrowed, perhaps, + from the extremity of her distress. Sir Patrick Charteris then stepped + forward, and with the courtesy of a knight to a female, and of a protector + to an oppressed and injured widow, took the poor woman’s hand, and + explained to her briefly by what course the city had resolved to follow + out the vengeance due for her husband’s slaughter. + </p> + <p> + Having, with a softness and gentleness which did not belong to his general + manner, ascertained that the unfortunate woman perfectly understood what + was meant, he said aloud to the assembly: “Good citizens of Perth, and + freeborn men of guild and craft, attend to what is about to pass, for it + concerns your rights and privileges. Here stands Magdalen Proudfute, + desirous to follow forth the revenge due for the death of her husband, + foully murdered, as she sayeth, by Sir John Ramorny, Knight, of that Ilk, + and which she offers to prove, by the evidence of bier right, or by the + body of a man. Therefore, I, Patrick Charteris, being a belted knight and + freeborn gentleman, offer myself to do battle in her just quarrel, whilst + man and horse may endure, if any one of my degree shall lift my glove. How + say you, Magdalen Proudfute, will you accept me for your champion?” + </p> + <p> + The widow answered with difficulty: “I can desire none nobler.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Patrick then took her right hand in his, and, kissing her forehead, + for such was the ceremony, said solemnly: “So may God and St. John prosper + me at my need, as I will do my devoir as your champion, knightly, truly, + and manfully. Go now, Magdalen, and choose at your will among the + burgesses of the Fair City, present or absent, any one upon whom you + desire to rest your challenge, if he against whom you bring plaint shall + prove to be beneath my degree.” + </p> + <p> + All eyes were turned to Henry Smith, whom the general voice had already + pointed out as in every respect the fittest to act as champion on the + occasion. But the widow waited not for the general prompting of their + looks. As soon as Sir Patrick had spoken, she crossed the floor to the + place where, near the bottom of the table, the armourer stood among the + men of his degree, and took him by the hand. + </p> + <p> + “Henry Gow, or Smith,” she said, “good burgher and draftsman, my—my—” + </p> + <p> + “Husband,” she would have said, but the word would not come forth: she was + obliged to change the expression. + </p> + <p> + “He who is gone, loved and prized you over all men; therefore meet it is + that thou shouldst follow out the quarrel of his widow and orphans.” + </p> + <p> + If there had been a possibility, which in that age there was not, of + Henry’s rejecting or escaping from a trust for which all men seemed to + destine him, every wish and idea of retreat was cut off when the widow + began to address him; and a command from Heaven could hardly have made a + stronger impression than did the appeal of the unfortunate Magdalen. Her + allusion to his intimacy with the deceased moved him to the soul. During + Oliver’s life, doubtless, there had been a strain of absurdity in his + excessive predilection for Henry, which, considering how very different + they were in character, had in it something ludicrous. But all this was + now forgotten, and Henry, giving way to his natural ardour, only + remembered that Oliver had been his friend and intimate—a man who + had loved and honoured him as much as he was capable of entertaining such + sentiments for any one, and, above all, that there was much reason to + suspect that the deceased had fallen victim to a blow meant for Henry + himself. + </p> + <p> + It was, therefore, with an alacrity which, the minute before, he could + scarce have commanded, and which seemed to express a stern pleasure, that, + having pressed his lips to the cold brow of the unhappy Magdalen, the + armourer replied: + </p> + <p> + “I, Henry the Smith, dwelling in the Wynd of Perth, good man and true, and + freely born, accept the office of champion to this widow Magdalen and + these orphans, and will do battle in their quarrel to the death, with any + man whomsoever of my own degree, and that so long as I shall draw breath. + So help me at my need God and good St. John!” + </p> + <p> + There arose from the audience a half suppressed cry, expressing the + interest which the persons present took in the prosecution of the quarrel, + and their confidence in the issue. + </p> + <p> + Sir Patrick Charteris then took measures for repairing to the King’s + presence, and demanding leave to proceed with inquiry into the murder of + Oliver Proudfute, according to the custom of bier right, and, if + necessary, by combat. + </p> + <p> + He performed this duty after the town council had dissolved, in a private + interview between himself and the King, who heard of this new trouble with + much vexation, and appointed next morning, after mass, for Sir Patrick and + the parties interested to attend his pleasure in council. In the mean + time, a royal pursuivant was despatched to the Constable’s lodgings, to + call over the roll of Sir John Ramorny’s attendants, and charge him, with + his whole retinue, under high penalties, to abide within Perth until the + King’s pleasure should be farther known. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In God’s name, see the lists and all things fit; + There let them end it—God defend the right! + + Henry IV. Part II. +</pre> + <p> + In the same council room of the conventual palace of the Dominicans, King + Robert was seated with his brother Albany, whose affected austerity of + virtue, and real art and dissimulation, maintained so high an influence + over the feeble minded monarch. It was indeed natural that one who seldom + saw things according to their real forms and outlines should view them + according to the light in which they were presented to him by a bold, + astucious man, possessing the claim of such near relationship. + </p> + <p> + Ever anxious on account of his misguided and unfortunate son, the King was + now endeavouring to make Albany coincide in opinion with him in + exculpating Rothsay from any part in the death of the bonnet maker, the + precognition concerning which had been left by Sir Patrick Charteris for + his Majesty’s consideration. + </p> + <p> + “This is an unhappy matter, brother Robin,” he said—“a most unhappy + occurrence, and goes nigh to put strife and quarrel betwixt the nobility + and the commons here, as they have been at war together in so many distant + lands. I see but one cause of comfort in the matter, and that is, that Sir + John Ramorny having received his dismissal from the Duke of Rothsay’s + family, it cannot be said that he or any of his people who may have done + this bloody deed—if it has truly been done by them—have been + encouraged or hounded out upon such an errand by my poor boy. I am sure, + brother, you and I can bear witness how readily, upon my entreaties, he + agreed to dismiss Ramorny from his service, on account of that brawl in + Curfew Street.” + </p> + <p> + “I remember his doing so,” said Albany; “and well do I hope that the + connexion betwixt the Prince and Ramorny has not been renewed since he + seemed to comply with your Grace’s wishes.” + </p> + <p> + “Seemed to comply! The connexion renewed!” said the King. “What mean you + by these expressions, brother? Surely, when David promised to me that, if + that unhappy matter of Curfew Street were but smothered up and concealed, + he would part with Ramorny, as he was a counsellor thought capable of + involving him in similar fooleries, and would acquiesce in our inflicting + on him either exile or such punishment as it should please us to impose—surely + you cannot doubt that he was sincere in his professions, and would keep + his word? Remember you not that, when you advised that a heavy fine should + be levied upon his estate in Fife in lieu of banishment, the Prince + himself seemed to say that exile would be better for Ramorny, and even for + himself?” + </p> + <p> + “I remember it well, my royal brother. Nor, truly, could I have suspected + Ramorny of having so much influence over the Prince, after having been + accessory to placing him in a situation so perilous, had it not been for + my royal kinsman’s own confession, alluded to by your Grace, that, if + suffered to remain at court, he might still continue to influence his + conduct. I then regretted I had advised a fine in place of exile. But that + time is passed, and now new mischief has occurred, fraught with much peril + to your Majesty, as well as to your royal heir, and to the whole kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “What mean you, Robin?” said the weak minded King. “By the tomb of our + parents! by the soul of Bruce, our immortal ancestor! I entreat thee, my + dearest brother, to take compassion on me. Tell me what evil threatens my + son, or my kingdom?” + </p> + <p> + The features of the King, trembling with anxiety, and his eyes brimful of + tears, were bent upon his brother, who seemed to assume time for + consideration ere he replied. + </p> + <p> + “My lord, the danger lies here. Your Grace believed that the Prince had no + accession to this second aggression upon the citizens of Perth—the + slaughter of this bonnet making fellow, about whose death they clamour, as + a set of gulls about their comrade, when one of the noisy brood is struck + down by a boor’s shaft.” + </p> + <p> + “Their lives,” said the King, “are dear to themselves and their friends, + Robin.” + </p> + <p> + “Truly, ay, my liege; and they make them dear to us too, ere we can settle + with the knaves for the least blood wit. But, as I said, your Majesty + thinks the Prince had no share in this last slaughter; I will not attempt + to shake your belief in that delicate point, but will endeavour to believe + along with you. What you think is rule for me, Robert of Albany will never + think otherwise than Robert of broad Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, thank you,” said the King, taking his brother’s hand. “I knew + I might rely that your affection would do justice to poor heedless + Rothsay, who exposes himself to so much misconstruction that he scarcely + deserves the sentiments you feel for him.” + </p> + <p> + Albany had such an immovable constancy of purpose, that he was able to + return the fraternal pressure of the King’s hand, while tearing up by the + very roots the hopes of the indulgent, fond old man. + </p> + <p> + “But, alas!” the Duke continued, with a sigh, “this burly, intractable + Knight of Kinfauns, and his brawling herd of burghers, will not view the + matter as we do. They have the boldness to say that this dead fellow had + been misused by Rothsay and his fellows, who were in the street in mask + and revel, stopping men and women, compelling them to dance, or to drink + huge quantities of wine, with other follies needless to recount; and they + say that the whole party repaired in Sir John Ramorny’s, and broke their + way into the house in order to conclude their revel there, thus affording + good reason to judge that the dismissal of Sir John from the Prince’s + service was but a feigned stratagem to deceive the public. And hence they + urge that, if ill were done that night by Sir John Ramorny or his + followers, much it is to be thought that the Duke of Rothsay must have at + least been privy to, if he did not authorise, it.” + </p> + <p> + “Albany, this is dreadful!” said the King. “Would they make a murderer of + my boy? would they pretend my David would soil his hands in Scottish blood + without having either provocation or purpose? No—no, they will not + invent calumnies so broad as these, for they are flagrant and incredible.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, my liege,” answered the Duke of Albany; “they say the cause of + quarrel which occasioned the riot in Curfew Street, and, its consequences, + were more proper to the Prince than to Sir John, since none suspects, far + less believes, that that hopeful enterprise was conducted for the + gratification of the knight of Ramorny.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou drivest me mad, Robin!” said the King. + </p> + <p> + “I am dumb,” answered his brother; “I did but speak my poor mind according + to your royal order.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou meanest well, I know,” said the King; “but, instead of tearing me to + pieces with the display of inevitable calamities, were it not kinder, + Robin, to point me out some mode to escape from them?” + </p> + <p> + “True, my liege; but as the only road of extrication is rough and + difficult, it is necessary your Grace should be first possessed with the + absolute necessity of using it, ere you hear it even described. The + chirurgeon must first convince his patient of the incurable condition of a + shattered member, ere he venture to name amputation, though it be the only + remedy.” + </p> + <p> + The King at these words was roused to a degree of alarm and indignation + greater than his brother had deemed he could be awakened to. + </p> + <p> + “Shattered and mortified member, my Lord of Albany! amputation the only + remedy! These are unintelligible words, my lord. If thou appliest them to + our son Rothsay, thou must make them good to the letter, else mayst thou + have bitter cause to rue the consequence.” + </p> + <p> + “You construe me too literally, my royal liege,” said Albany. “I spoke not + of the Prince in such unbeseeming terms, for I call Heaven to witness that + he is dearer to me as the son of a well beloved brother than had he been + son of my own. But I spoke in regard to separating him from the follies + and vanities of life, which holy men say are like to mortified members, + and ought, like them, to be cut off and thrown from us, as things which + interrupt our progress in better things.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand—thou wouldst have this Ramorny, who hath been thought + the instrument of my son’s follies, exiled from court,” said the relieved + monarch, “until these unhappy scandals are forgotten, and our subjects are + disposed to look upon our son with different and more confiding eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “That were good counsel, my liege; but mine went a little—a very + little—farther. I would have the Prince himself removed for some + brief period from court.” + </p> + <p> + “How, Albany! part with my child, my firstborn, the light of my eyes, and—wilful + as he is—the darling of my heart! Oh, Robin! I cannot, and I will + not.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I did but suggest, my lord; I am sensible of the wound such a + proceeding must inflict on a parent’s heart, for am I not myself a + father?” And he hung his head, as if in hopeless despondency. + </p> + <p> + “I could not survive it, Albany. When I think that even our own influence + over him, which, sometimes forgotten in our absence, is ever effectual + whilst he is with us, is by your plan to be entirely removed, what perils + might he not rush upon? I could not sleep in his absence—I should + hear his death groan in every breeze; and you, Albany, though you conceal + it better, would be nearly as anxious.” + </p> + <p> + Thus spoke the facile monarch, willing to conciliate his brother and cheat + himself, by taking it for granted that an affection, of which there were + no traces, subsisted betwixt the uncle and nephew. + </p> + <p> + “Your paternal apprehensions are too easily alarmed, my lord,” said + Albany. “I do not propose to leave the disposal of the Prince’s motions to + his own wild pleasure. I understand that the Prince is to be placed for a + short time under some becoming restraint—that he should be subjected + to the charge of some grave counsellor, who must be responsible both for + his conduct and his safety, as a tutor for his pupil.” + </p> + <p> + “How! a tutor, and at Rothsay’s age!” exclaimed the’ King; “he is two + years beyond the space to which our laws limit the term of nonage.” + </p> + <p> + “The wiser Romans,” said Albany, “extended it for four years after the + period we assign; and, in common sense, the right of control ought to last + till it be no longer necessary, and so the time ought to vary with the + disposition. Here is young Lindsay, the Earl of Crawford, who they say + gives patronage to Ramorny on this appeal. He is a lad of fifteen, with + the deep passions and fixed purpose of a man of thirty; while my royal + nephew, with much more amiable and noble qualities both of head and heart, + sometimes shows, at twenty-three years of age, the wanton humours of a + boy, towards whom restraint may be kindness. And do not be discouraged + that it is so, my liege, or angry with your brother for telling the truth; + since the best fruits are those that are slowest in ripening, and the best + horses such as give most trouble to the grooms who train them for the + field or lists.” + </p> + <p> + The Duke stopped, and, after suffering King Robert to indulge for two or + three minutes in a reverie which he did not attempt to interrupt, he + added, in a more lively tone: “But, cheer up, my noble liege; perhaps the + feud may be made up without farther fighting or difficulty. The widow is + poor, for her husband, though he was much employed, had idle and costly + habits. The matter may be therefore redeemed for money, and the amount of + an assythment may be recovered out of Ramorny’s estate.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, that we will ourselves discharge,” said King Robert, eagerly + catching at the hope of a pacific termination of this unpleasing debate. + “Ramorny’s prospects will be destroyed by his being sent from court and + deprived of his charge in Rothsay’s household, and it would be ungenerous + to load a falling man. But here comes our secretary, the prior, to tell us + the hour of council approaches. Good morrow, my worthy father.” + </p> + <p> + “Benedicite, my royal liege,” answered the abbot. + </p> + <p> + “Now, good father,” continued the King, “without waiting for Rothsay, + whose accession to our counsels we will ourselves guarantee, proceed we to + the business of our kingdom. What advices have you from the Douglas?” + </p> + <p> + “He has arrived at his castle of Tantallon, my liege, and has sent a post + to say, that, though the Earl of March remains in sullen seclusion in his + fortress of Dunbar, his friends and followers are gathering and forming an + encampment near Coldingham, Where it is supposed they intend to await the + arrival of a large force of English, which Hotspur and Sir Ralph Percy are + assembling on the English frontier.” + </p> + <p> + “That is cold news,” said the King; “and may God forgive George of + Dunbar!” + </p> + <p> + The Prince entered as he spoke, and he continued: “Ha! thou art here at + length, Rothsay; I saw thee not at mass.” + </p> + <p> + “I was an idler this morning,” said the Prince, “having spent a restless + and feverish night.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, foolish boy!” answered the King; “hadst thou not been over restless + on Fastern’s Eve, thou hadst not been feverish on the night of Ash + Wednesday.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me not interrupt your praying, my liege,” said the Prince, lightly. + “Your Grace Was invoking Heaven in behalf of some one—an enemy + doubtless, for these have the frequent advantage of your orisons.” + </p> + <p> + “Sit down and be at peace, foolish youth!” said his father, his eye + resting at the same time on the handsome face and graceful figure of his + favourite son. Rothsay drew a cushion near to his father’s feet, and threw + himself carelessly down upon it, while the King resumed. + </p> + <p> + “I was regretting that the Earl of March, having separated warm from my + hand with full assurance that he should receive compensation for + everything which he could complain of as injurious, should have been + capable of caballing with Northumberland against his own country. Is it + possible he could doubt our intentions to make good our word?” + </p> + <p> + “I will answer for him—no,” said the Prince. “March never doubted + your Highness’s word. Marry, he may well have made question whether your + learned counsellors would leave your Majesty the power of keeping it.” + </p> + <p> + Robert the Third had adopted to a great extent the timid policy of not + seeming to hear expressions which, being heard, required, even in his own + eyes, some display of displeasure. He passed on, therefore, in his + discourse, without observing his son’s speech, but in private Rothsay’s + rashness augmented the displeasure which his father began to entertain + against him. + </p> + <p> + “It is well the Douglas is on the marches,” said the King. “His breast, + like those of his ancestors, has ever been the best bulwark of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “Then woe betide us if he should turn his back to the enemy,” said the + incorrigible Rothsay. + </p> + <p> + “Dare you impeach the courage of Douglas?” replied the King, extremely + chafed. + </p> + <p> + “No man dare question the Earl’s courage,” said Rothsay, “it is as certain + as his pride; but his luck may be something doubted.” + </p> + <p> + “By St. Andrew, David,” exclaimed his father, “thou art like a screech + owl, every word thou sayest betokens strife and calamity.” + </p> + <p> + “I am silent, father,” answered the youth. + </p> + <p> + “And what news of our Highland disturbances?” continued the King, + addressing the prior. + </p> + <p> + “I trust they have assumed a favourable aspect,” answered the clergyman. + “The fire which threatened the whole country is likely to be drenched out + by the blood of some forty or fifty kerne; for the two great confederacies + have agreed, by solemn indenture of arms, to decided their quarrel with + such weapons as your Highness may name, and in your royal presence, in + such place as shall be appointed, on the 30th of March next to come, being + Palm Sunday; the number of combatants being limited to thirty on each + side; and the fight to be maintained to extremity, since they + affectionately make humble suit and petition to your Majesty that you will + parentally condescend to waive for the day your royal privilege of + interrupting the combat, by flinging down of truncheon or crying of ‘Ho!’ + until the battle shall be utterly fought to an end.” + </p> + <p> + “The wild savages!” exclaimed the King, “would they limit our best and + dearest royal privilege, that of putting a stop to strife, and crying + truce to battle? Will they remove the only motive which could bring me to + the butcherly spectacle of their combat? Would they fight like men, or + like their own mountain wolves?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Albany, “the Earl of Crawford and I had presumed, without + consulting you, to ratify that preliminary, for the adoption of which we + saw much and pressing reason.” + </p> + <p> + “How! the Earl of Crawford!” said the King. “Methinks he is a young + counsellor on such grave occurrents.” + </p> + <p> + “He is,” replied Albany, “notwithstanding his early years, of such esteem + among his Highland neighbours, that I could have done little with them but + for his aid and influence.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear this, young Rothsay!” said the King reproachfully to his heir. + </p> + <p> + “I pity Crawford, sire,” replied the Prince. “He has too early lost a + father whose counsels would have better become such a season as this.” + </p> + <p> + The King turned next towards Albany with a look of triumph, at the filial + affection which his son displayed in his reply. + </p> + <p> + Albany proceeded without emotion. “It is not the life of these + Highlandmen, but their death, which is to be profitable to this + commonwealth of Scotland; and truly it seemed to the Earl of Crawford and + myself most desirable that the combat should be a strife of + extermination.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry,” said the Prince, “if such be the juvenile policy of Lindsay, he + will be a merciful ruler some ten or twelve years hence! Out upon a boy + that is hard of heart before he has hair upon his lip! Better he had + contented himself with fighting cocks on Fastern’s Even than laying + schemes for massacring men on Palm Sunday, as if he were backing a Welsh + main, where all must fight to death.” + </p> + <p> + “Rothsay is right, Albany,” said the King: “it were unlike a Christian + monarch to give way in this point. I cannot consent to see men battle + until they are all hewn down like cattle in the shambles. It would sicken + me to look at it, and the warder would drop from my hand for mere lack of + strength to hold it.” + </p> + <p> + “It would drop unheeded,” said Albany. “Let me entreat your Grace to + recollect, that you only give up a royal privilege which, exercised, would + win you no respect, since it would receive no obedience. Were your Majesty + to throw down your warder when the war is high, and these men’s blood is + hot, it would meet no more regard than if a sparrow should drop among a + herd of battling wolves the straw which he was carrying to his nest. + Nothing will separate them but the exhaustion of slaughter; and better + they sustain it at the hands of each other than from the swords of such + troops as might attempt to separate them at your Majesty’s commands. An + attempt to keep the peace by violence would be construed into an ambush + laid for them; both parties would unite to resist it, the slaughter would + be the same, and the hoped for results of future peace would be utterly + disappointed.” + </p> + <p> + “There is even too much truth in what you say, brother Robin,” replied the + flexible King. “To little purpose is it to command what I cannot enforce; + and, although I have the unhappiness to do so each day of my life, it were + needless to give such a very public example of royal impotency before the + crowds who may assemble to behold this spectacle. Let these savage men, + therefore, work their bloody will to the uttermost upon each other: I will + not attempt to forbid what I cannot prevent them from executing. Heaven + help this wretched country! I will to my oratory and pray for her, since + to aid her by hand and head is alike denied to me. Father prior, I pray + the support of your arm.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but, brother,” said Albany, “forgive me if I remind you that we must + hear the matter between the citizens of Perth and Ramorny, about the death + of a townsman—” + </p> + <p> + “True—true,” said the monarch, reseating himself; “more violence—more + battle. Oh, Scotland! Scotland! if the best blood of thy bravest children + could enrich thy barren soil, what land on earth would excel thee in + fertility! When is it that a white hair is seen on the beard of a + Scottishman, unless he be some wretch like thy sovereign, protected from + murder by impotence, to witness the scenes of slaughter to which he cannot + put a period? Let them come in, delay them not. They are in haste to kill, + and, grudge each other each fresh breath of their Creator’s blessed air. + The demon of strife and slaughter hath possessed the whole land!” + </p> + <p> + As the mild prince threw himself back on his seat with an air of + impatience and anger not very usual with him, the door at the lower end of + the room was unclosed, and, advancing from the gallery into which it led + (where in perspective was seen a guard of the Bute men, or Brandanes, + under arms), came, in mournful procession, the widow of poor Oliver, led + by Sir Patrick Charteris, with as much respect as if she had been a lady + of the first rank. Behind them came two women of good, the wives of + magistrates of the city, both in mourning garments, one bearing the infant + and the other leading the elder child. The smith followed in his best + attire, and wearing over his buff coat a scarf of crape. Bailie + Craigdallie and a brother magistrate closed the melancholy procession, + exhibiting similar marks of mourning. + </p> + <p> + The good King’s transitory passion was gone the instant he looked at the + pallid countenance of the sorrowing widow, and beheld the unconsciousness + of the innocent orphans who had sustained so great a loss, and when Sir + Patrick Charteris had assisted Magdalen Proudfute to kneel down and, still + holding her hand, kneeled himself on one knee, it was with a sympathetic + tone that King Robert asked her name and business. She made no answer, but + muttered something, looking towards her conductor. + </p> + <p> + “Speak for the poor woman, Sir Patrick Charteris,” said the King, “and + tell us the cause of her seeking our presence.” + </p> + <p> + “So please you, my liege,” answered Sir Patrick, rising up, “this woman, + and these unhappy orphans, make plaint to your Highness upon Sir John + Ramorny of Ramorny, Knight, that by him, or by some of his household, her + umquhile husband, Oliver Proudfute, freeman and burgess of Perth, was + slain upon the streets of the city on the eve of Shrove Tuesday or morning + of Ash Wednesday.” + </p> + <p> + “Woman,” replied the King, with much kindness, “thou art gentle by sex, + and shouldst be pitiful even by thy affliction; for our own calamity ought + to make us—nay, I think it doth make us—merciful to others. + Thy husband hath only trodden the path appointed to us all.” + </p> + <p> + “In his case,” said the widow, “my liege must remember it has been a brief + and a bloody one.” + </p> + <p> + “I agree he hath had foul measure. But since I have been unable to protect + him, as I confess was my royal duty, I am willing, in atonement, to + support thee and these orphans, as well or better than you lived in the + days of your husband; only do thou pass from this charge, and be not the + occasion of spilling more life. Remember, I put before you the choice + betwixt practising mercy and pursuing vengeance, and that betwixt plenty + and penury.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true, my liege, we are poor,” answered the widow, with unshaken + firmness “but I and my children will feed with the beasts of the field ere + we live on the price of my husband’s blood. I demand the combat by my + champion, as you are belted knight and crowned king.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew it would be so!” said the King, aside to Albany. “In Scotland the + first words stammered by an infant and the last uttered by a dying + greybeard are ‘combat—blood—revenge.’ It skills not arguing + farther. Admit the defendants.” + </p> + <p> + Sir John Ramorny entered the apartment. He was dressed in a long furred + robe, such as men of quality wore when they were unarmed. Concealed by the + folds of drapery, his wounded arm was supported by a scarf or sling of + crimson silk, and with the left arm he leaned on a youth, who, scarcely + beyond the years of boyhood, bore on his brow the deep impression of early + thought and premature passion. This was that celebrated Lindsay, Earl of + Crawford, who, in his after days, was known by the epithet of the Tiger + Earl, and who ruled the great and rich valley of Strathmore with the + absolute power and unrelenting cruelty of a feudal tyrant. Two or three + gentlemen, friends of the Earl, or of his own, countenanced Sir John + Ramorny by their presence on this occasion. The charge was again stated, + and met by a broad denial on the part of the accused; and in reply, the + challengers offered to prove their assertion by an appeal to the ordeal of + bier right. + </p> + <p> + “I am not bound,” answered Sir John Ramorny, “to submit to this ordeal, + since I can prove, by the evidence of my late royal master, that I was in + my own lodgings, lying on my bed, ill at ease, while this provost and + these bailies pretend I was committing a crime to which I had neither will + nor temptation. I can therefore be no just object of suspicion.” + </p> + <p> + “I can aver,” said the Prince, “that I saw and conversed with Sir John + Ramorny about some matters concerning my own household on the very night + when this murder was a-doing. I therefore know that he was ill at ease, + and could not in person commit the deed in question. But I know nothing of + the employment of his attendants, and will not take it upon me to say that + some one of them may not have been guilty of the crime now charged on + them.” + </p> + <p> + Sir John Ramorny had, during the beginning of this speech, looked round + with an air of defiance, which was somewhat disconcerted by the concluding + sentence of Rothsay’s speech. + </p> + <p> + “I thank your Highness,” he said, with a smile, “for your cautious and + limited testimony in my behalf. He was wise who wrote, ‘Put not your faith + in princes.’” + </p> + <p> + “If you have no other evidence of your innocence, Sir John Ramorny,” said + the King, “we may not, in respect to your followers, refuse to the injured + widow and orphans, the complainers, the grant of a proof by ordeal of bier + right, unless any of them should prefer that of combat. For yourself, you + are, by the Prince’s evidence, freed from the attaint.” + </p> + <p> + “My liege,” answered Sir John, “I can take warrant upon myself for the + innocence of my household and followers.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, so a monk or a woman might speak,” said Sir Patrick Charteris. “In + knightly language, wilt thou, Sir John de Ramorny, do battle with me in + the behalf of thy followers?” + </p> + <p> + “The provost of Perth had not obtained time to name the word combat,” said + Ramorny, “ere I would have accepted it. But I am not at present fit to + hold a lance.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad of it, under your favour, Sir John. There will be the less + bloodshed,” said the King. “You must therefore produce your followers + according to your steward’s household book, in the great church of St. + John, that, in presence of all whom it may concern, they may purge + themselves of this accusation. See that every man of them do appear at the + time of high mass, otherwise your honour may be sorely tainted.” + </p> + <p> + “They shall attend to a man,” said Sir John Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + Then bowing low to the King, he directed himself to the young Duke of + Rothsay, and, making a deep obeisance, spoke so as to be heard by him + alone. “You have used me generously, my lord! One word of your lips could + have ended this controversy, and you have refused to speak it.” + </p> + <p> + “On my life,” whispered the Prince, “I spake as far as the extreme verge + of truth and conscience would permit. I think thou couldst not expect I + should frame lies for thee; and after all, John, in my broken + recollections of that night, I do bethink me of a butcherly looking mute, + with a curtal axe, much like such a one as may have done yonder night job. + Ha! have I touched you, sir knight?” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny made no answer, but turned as precipitately as if some one had + pressed suddenly on his wounded arm, and regained his lodgings with the + Earl of Crawford; to whom, though disposed for anything rather than + revelry, he was obliged to offer a splendid collation, to acknowledge in + some degree his sense of the countenance which the young noble had + afforded him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In pottingry he wrocht great pyne; + He murdreit mony in medecyne. + + DUNBAR. +</pre> + <p> + When, after an entertainment the prolonging of which was like torture to + the wounded knight, the Earl of Crawford at length took horse, to go to + his distant quarters in the Castle of Dupplin, where he resided as a + guest, the Knight of Ramorny retired into his sleeping apartment, agonized + by pains of body and anxiety of mind. Here he found Henbane Dwining, on + whom it was his hard fate to depend for consolation in both respects. The + physician, with his affectation of extreme humility, hoped he saw his + exalted patient merry and happy. + </p> + <p> + “Merry as a mad dog,” said Ramorny, “and happy as the wretch whom the cur + hath bitten, and who begins to feel the approach of the ravening madness! + That ruthless boy, Crawford, saw my agony, and spared not a single + carouse. I must do him justice, forsooth! If I had done justice to him and + to the world, I had thrown him out of window and cut short a career which, + if he grew up as he has begun, will prove a source of misery to all + Scotland, but especially to Tayside. Take heed as thou undoest the + ligatures, chirurgeon, the touch of a fly’s wing on that raw glowing stump + were like a dagger to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Fear not, my noble patron,” said the leech, with a chuckling laugh of + enjoyment, which he vainly endeavoured to disguise under a tone of + affected sensibility. “We will apply some fresh balsam, and—he, he, + he!—relieve your knightly honour of the irritation which you sustain + so firmly.” + </p> + <p> + “Firmly, man!” said Ramorny, grinning with pain; “I sustain it as I would + the scorching flames of purgatory. The bone seems made of red hot iron; + thy greasy ointment will hiss as it drops upon the wound. And yet it is + December’s ice, compared to the fever fit of my mind!” + </p> + <p> + “We will first use our emollients upon the body, my noble patron,” said + Dwining; “and then, with your knighthood’s permission; your servant will + try his art on the troubled mind; though I fain hope even the mental pain + also may in some degree depend on the irritation of the wound, and that, + abated as I trust the corporeal pangs will soon be, perhaps the stormy + feelings of the mind may subside of themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “Henbane Dwining,” said the patient, as he felt the pain of his wound + assuaged, “thou art a precious and invaluable leech, but some things are + beyond thy power. Thou canst stupify my bodily cause of this raging agony, + but thou canst not teach me to bear the score of the boy whom I have + brought up—whom I loved, Dwining—for I did love him—dearly + love him! The worst of my ill deeds have been to flatter his vices; and he + grudged me a word of his mouth, when a word would have allayed this + cumber! He smiled, too—I saw him smile—when yon paltry + provost, the companion and patron of wretched burghers, defied me, whom + this heartless prince knew to be unable to bear arms. Ere I forget or + forgive it, thou thyself shalt preach up the pardoning of injuries! And + then the care for tomorrow! Think’st thou, Henbane Dwining, that, in very + reality, the Wounds of the slaughtered corpse will gape and shed tears of + fresh blood at the murderer’s approach?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell, my lord, save by report,” said Dwining, “which avouches + the fact.” + </p> + <p> + “The brute Bonthron,” said Ramorny, “is startled at the apprehension of + such a thing, and speaking of being rather willing to stand the combat. + What think’st thou? He is a fellow of steel.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the armourer’s trade to deal with steel,” replied Dwining. + </p> + <p> + “Were Bonthron to fall, it would little grieve me,” said Ramorny; “though + I should miss an useful hand.” + </p> + <p> + “I well believe your lordship will not sorrow as for that you lost in + Curfew Street. Excuse my pleasantry, he, he! But what are the useful + properties of this fellow Bonthron?” + </p> + <p> + “Those of a bulldog,” answered the knight, “he worries without barking.” + </p> + <p> + “You have no fear of his confessing?” said the physician. + </p> + <p> + “Who can tell what the dread of approaching death may do?” replied the + patient. “He has already shown a timorousness entirely alien from his + ordinary sullenness of nature; he, that would scarce wash his hands after + he had slain a man, is now afraid to see a dead body bleed.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the leech, “I must do something for him if I can, since it + was to further my revenge that he struck yonder downright blow, though by + ill luck it lighted not where it was intended.” + </p> + <p> + “And whose fault was that, timid villain,” said Ramorny, “save thine own, + who marked a rascal deer for a buck of the first head?” + </p> + <p> + “Benedicite, noble sir,” replied the mediciner; “would you have me, who + know little save of chamber practice, be as skilful of woodcraft as your + noble self, or tell hart from hind, doe from roe, in a glade at midnight? + I misdoubted me little when I saw the figure run past us to the smith’s + habitation in the wynd, habited like a morrice dancer; and yet my mind + partly misgave me whether it was our man, for methought he seemed less of + stature. But when he came out again, after so much time as to change his + dress, and swaggered onward with buff coat and steel cap, whistling after + the armourer’s wonted fashion, I do own I was mistaken super totam + materiem, and loosed your knighthood’s bulldog upon him, who did his + devoir most duly, though he pulled down the wrong deer. Therefore, unless + the accursed smith kill our poor friend stone dead on the spot, I am + determined, if art may do it, that the ban dog Bonthron shall not + miscarry.” + </p> + <p> + “It will put thine art to the test, man of medicine,” said Ramorny; “for + know that, having the worst of the combat, if our champion be not killed + stone dead in the lists, he will be drawn forth of them by the heels, and + without further ceremony knitted up to the gallows, as convicted of the + murder; and when he hath swung there like a loose tassel for an hour or + so, I think thou wilt hardly take it in hand to cure his broken neck.” + </p> + <p> + “I am of a different opinion, may it please your knighthood,” answered + Dwining, gently. “I will carry him off from the very foot of the gallows + into the land of faery, like King Arthur, or Sir Huon of Bordeaux, or + Ugero the Dane; or I will, if I please, suffer him to dangle on the gibbet + for a certain number of minutes, or hours, and then whisk him away from + the sight of all, with as much ease as the wind wafts away the withered + leaf.” + </p> + <p> + “This is idle boasting, sir leech,” replied Ramorny. “The whole mob of + Perth will attend him to the gallows, each more eager than another to see + the retainer of a nobleman die, for the slaughter of a cuckoldly citizen. + There will be a thousand of them round the gibbet’s foot.” + </p> + <p> + “And were there ten thousand,” said Dwining, “shall I, who am a high + clerk, and have studied in Spain, and Araby itself, not be able to deceive + the eyes of this hoggish herd of citizens, when the pettiest juggler that + ever dealt in legerdemain can gull even the sharp observation of your most + intelligent knighthood? I tell you, I will put the change on them as if I + were in possession of Keddie’s ring.” + </p> + <p> + “If thou speakest truth,” answered the knight, “and I think thou darest + not palter with me on such a theme, thou must have the aid of Satan, and I + will have nought to do with him. I disown and defy him.” + </p> + <p> + Dwining indulged in his internal chuckling laugh when he heard his patron + testify his defiance of the foul fiend, and saw him second it by crossing + himself. He composed himself, however, upon observing Ramorny’s aspect + become very stern, and said, with tolerable gravity, though a little + interrupted by the effort necessary to suppress his mirthful mood: + </p> + <p> + “Confederacy, most devout sir—confederacy is the soul of jugglery. + But—he, he, he!—I have not the honour to be—he, he!—an + ally of the gentleman of whom you speak—in whose existence I am—he, + he!—no very profound believer, though your knightship, doubtless, + hath better opportunities of acquaintance.” + </p> + <p> + “Proceed, rascal, and without that sneer, which thou mayst otherwise + dearly pay for.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, most undaunted,” replied Dwining. “Know that I have my + confederate too, else my skill were little worth.” + </p> + <p> + “And who may that be, pray you?” + </p> + <p> + “Stephen Smotherwell, if it like your honour, lockman of this Fair City. I + marvel your knighthood knows him not.” + </p> + <p> + “And I marvel thy knaveship knows him not on professional acquaintance,” + replied Ramorny; “but I see thy nose is unslit, thy ears yet uncropped, + and if thy shoulders are scarred or branded, thou art wise for using a + high collared jerkin.” + </p> + <p> + “He, he! your honour is pleasant,” said the mediciner. “It is not by + personal circumstances that I have acquired the intimacy of Stephen + Smotherwell, but on account of a certain traffic betwixt us, in which an’t + please you, I exchange certain sums of silver for the bodies, heads, and + limbs of those who die by aid of friend Stephen.” + </p> + <p> + “Wretch!” exclaimed the knight with horror, “is it to compose charms and + forward works of witchcraft that you trade for these miserable relics of + mortality?” + </p> + <p> + “He, he, he! No, an it please your knighthood,” answered the mediciner, + much amused with the ignorance of his patron; “but we, who are knights of + the scalpel, are accustomed to practise careful carving of the limbs of + defunct persons, which we call dissection, whereby we discover, by + examination of a dead member, how to deal with one belonging to a living + man, which hath become diseased through injury or otherwise. Ah! if your + honour saw my poor laboratory, I could show you heads and hands, feet and + lungs, which have been long supposed to be rotting in the mould. The skull + of Wallace, stolen from London Bridge; the head of Sir Simon Fraser [the + famous ancestor of the Lovats, slain at Halidon Hill (executed in London + in 1306)], that never feared man; the lovely skull of the fair Katie Logie + [(should be Margaret Logie), the beautiful mistress of David II]. Oh, had + I but had the fortune to have preserved the chivalrous hand of mine + honoured patron!” + </p> + <p> + Out upon thee, slave! Thinkest thou to disgust me with thy catalogue of + horrors? Tell me at once where thy discourse drives. How can thy traffic + with the hangdog executioner be of avail to serve me, or to help my + servant Bonthron?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I do not recommend it to your knighthood, save in an extremity,” + replied Dwining. “But we will suppose the battle fought and our cock + beaten. Now we must first possess him with the certainty that, if unable + to gain the day, we will at least save him from the hangman, provided he + confess nothing which can prejudice your knighthood’s honour.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! ay, a thought strikes me,” said Ramorny. “We can do more than this, + we can place a word in Bonthron’s mouth that will be troublesome enough to + him whom I am bound to curse for being the cause of my misfortune. Let us + to the ban dog’s kennel, and explain to him what is to be done in every + view of the question. If we can persuade him to stand the bier ordeal, it + may be a mere bugbear, and in that case we are safe. If he take the + combat, he is fierce as a baited bear, and may, perchance, master his + opponent; then we are more than safe, we are avenged. If Bonthron himself + is vanquished, we will put thy device in exercise; and if thou canst + manage it cleanly; we may dictate his confession, take the advantage of + it, as I will show thee on further conference, and make a giant stride + towards satisfaction for my wrongs. Still there remains one hazard. + Suppose our mastiff mortally wounded in the lists, who shall prevent his + growling out some species of confession different from what we would + recommend?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry, that can his mediciner,” said Dwining. “Let me wait on him, and + have the opportunity to lay but a finger on his wound, and trust me he + shall betray no confidence.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, there’s a willing fiend, that needs neither pushing nor prompting!” + said Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “As I trust I shall need neither in your knighthood’s service.” + </p> + <p> + “We will go indoctrinate our agent,” continued the knight. “We shall find + him pliant; for, hound as he is, he knows those who feed from those who + browbeat him; and he holds a late royal master of mine in deep hate for + some injurious treatment and base terms which he received at his hand. I + must also farther concert with thee the particulars of thy practice, for + saving the ban dog from the hands of the herd of citizens.” + </p> + <p> + We leave this worthy pair of friends to their secret practices, of which + we shall afterwards see the results. They were, although of different + qualities, as well matched for device and execution of criminal projects + as the greyhound is to destroy the game which the slowhound raises, or the + slowhound to track the prey which the gazehound discovers by the eye. + Pride and selfishness were the characteristics of both; but, from the + difference of rank, education, and talents, they had assumed the most + different appearance in the two individuals. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could less resemble the high blown ambition of the favourite + courtier, the successful gallant, and the bold warrior than the + submissive, unassuming mediciner, who seemed even to court and delight in + insult; whilst, in his secret soul, he felt himself possessed of a + superiority of knowledge, a power both of science and of mind, which + placed the rude nobles of the day infinitely beneath him. So conscious was + Henbane Dwining of this elevation, that, like a keeper of wild beasts, he + sometimes adventured, for his own amusement, to rouse the stormy passions + of such men as Ramorny, trusting, with his humble manner, to elude the + turmoil he had excited, as an Indian boy will launch his light canoe, + secure from its very fragility, upon a broken surf, in which the boat of + an argosy would be assuredly dashed to pieces. That the feudal baron + should despise the humble practitioner in medicine was a matter of course; + but Ramorny felt not the less the influence which Dwining exercised over + him, and was in the encounter of their wits often mastered by him, as the + most eccentric efforts of a fiery horse are overcome by a boy of twelve + years old, if he has been bred to the arts of the manege. But the contempt + of Dwining for Ramorny was far less qualified. He regarded the knight, in + comparison with himself, as scarcely rising above the brute creation; + capable, indeed, of working destruction, as the bull with his horns or the + wolf with his fangs, but mastered by mean prejudices, and a slave to + priest craft, in which phrase Dwining included religion of every kind. On + the whole, he considered Ramorny as one whom nature had assigned to him as + a serf, to mine for the gold which he worshipped, and the avaricious love + of which was his greatest failing, though by no means his worst vice. He + vindicated this sordid tendency in his own eyes by persuading himself that + it had its source in the love of power. + </p> + <p> + “Henbane Dwining,” he said, as he gazed in delight upon the hoards which + he had secretly amassed, and which he visited from time to time, “is no + silly miser that doats on those pieces for their golden lustre: it is the + power with which they endow the possessor which makes him thus adore them. + What is there that these put not within your command? Do you love beauty, + and are mean, deformed, infirm, and old? Here is a lure the fairest hawk + of them all will stoop to. Are you feeble, weak, subject to the oppression + of the powerful? Here is that will arm in your defence those more mighty + than the petty tyrant whom you fear. Are you splendid in your wishes, and + desire the outward show of opulence? This dark chest contains many a wide + range of hill and dale, many a fair forest full of game, the allegiance of + a thousand vassals. Wish you for favour in courts, temporal or spiritual? + The smiles of kings, the pardon of popes and priests for old crimes, and + the indulgence which encourages priest ridden fools to venture on new ones—all + these holy incentives to vice may be purchased for gold. Revenge itself, + which the gods are said to reserve to themselves, doubtless because they + envy humanity so sweet a morsel—revenge itself is to be bought by + it. But it is also to be won by superior skill, and that is the nobler + mode of reaching it. I will spare, then, my treasure for other uses, and + accomplish my revenge gratis; or rather I will add the luxury of augmented + wealth to the triumph of requited wrongs.” + </p> + <p> + Thus thought Dwining, as, returned from his visit to Sir John Ramorny, he + added the gold he had received for his various services to the mass of his + treasure; and, having gloated over the whole for a minute or two, turned + the key on his concealed treasure house, and walked forth on his visits to + his patients, yielding the wall to every man whom he met and bowing and + doffing his bonnet to the poorest burgher that owned a petty booth, nay, + to the artificers who gained their precarious bread by the labour of their + welked hands. + </p> + <p> + “Caitiffs,” was the thought of his heart while he did such obeisance—“base, + sodden witted mechanics! did you know what this key could disclose, what + foul weather from heaven would prevent your unbonneting? what putrid + kennel in your wretched hamlet would be disgusting enough to make you + scruple to fall down and worship the owner of such wealth? But I will make + you feel my power, though it suits my honour to hide the source of it. I + will be an incubus to your city, since you have rejected me as a + magistrate. Like the night mare, I will hag ride ye, yet remain invisible + myself. This miserable Ramorny, too, he who, in losing his hand, has, like + a poor artisan, lost the only valuable part of his frame, he heaps + insulting language on me, as if anything which he can say had power to + chafe a constant mind like mine! Yet, while he calls me rogue, villain, + and slave, he acts as wisely as if he should amuse himself by pulling + hairs out of my head while my hand had hold of his heart strings. Every + insult I can pay back instantly by a pang of bodily pain or mental agony, + and—he, he!—I run no long accounts with his knighthood, that + must be allowed.” + </p> + <p> + While the mediciner was thus indulging his diabolical musing, and passing, + in his creeping manner, along the street, the cry of females was heard + behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, there he is, Our Lady be praised!—there is the most helpful man + in Perth,” said one voice. + </p> + <p> + “They may speak of knights and kings for redressing wrongs, as they call + it; but give me worthy Master Dwining the potter carrier, cummers,” + replied another. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment, the leech was surrounded and taken hold of by the + speakers, good women of the Fair City. + </p> + <p> + “How now, what’s the matter?” said Dwining, “whose cow has calved?” + </p> + <p> + “There is no calving in the case,” said one of the women, “but a poor + fatherless wean dying; so come awa’ wi’ you, for our trust is constant in + you, as Bruce said to Donald of the Isles.” + </p> + <p> + “Opiferque per orbem dicor,” said Henbane Dwining. “What is the child + dying of?” + </p> + <p> + “The croup—the croup,” screamed one of the gossips; “the innocent is + rouping like a corbie.” + </p> + <p> + “Cynanche trachealis—that disease makes brief work. Show me the + house instantly,” continued the mediciner, who was in the habit of + exercising his profession liberally, not withstanding his natural avarice, + and humanely, in spite of his natural malignity. As we can suspect him of + no better principle, his motive most probably may have been vanity and the + love of his art. + </p> + <p> + He would nevertheless have declined giving his attendance in the present + case had he known whither the kind gossips were conducting him, in time + sufficient to frame an apology. But, ere he guessed where he was going, + the leech was hurried into the house of the late Oliver Proudfute, from + which he heard the chant of the women as they swathed and dressed the + corpse of the umquhile bonnet maker for the ceremony of next morning, of + which chant the following verses may be received as a modern imitation: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Viewless essence, thin and bare, + Well nigh melted into air, + Still with fondness hovering near + The earthly form thou once didst wear, + + Pause upon thy pinion’s flight; + Be thy course to left or right, + Be thou doom’d to soar or sink, + Pause upon the awful brink. + + To avenge the deed expelling + Thee untimely from thy dwelling, + Mystic force thou shalt retain + O’er the blood and o’er the brain. + + When the form thou shalt espy + That darken’d on thy closing eye, + When the footstep thou shalt hear + That thrill’d upon thy dying ear, + + Then strange sympathies shall wake, + The flesh shall thrill, the nerves shall quake, + The wounds renew their clotter’d flood, + And every drop cry blood for blood! +</pre> + <p> + Hardened as he was, the physician felt reluctance to pass the threshold of + the man to whose death he had been so directly, though, so far as the + individual was concerned, mistakingly, accessory. + </p> + <p> + “Let me pass on, women,” he said, “my art can only help the living—the + dead are past our power.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but your patient is upstairs—the youngest orphan”—Dwining + was compelled to go into the house. But he was surprised when, the instant + he stepped over the threshold, the gossips, who were busied with the dead + body, stinted suddenly in their song, while one said to the others: + </p> + <p> + “In God’s name, who entered? That was a large gout of blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so,” said another voice, “it is a drop of the liquid balm.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, cummer, it was blood. Again I say, who entered the house even now?” + </p> + <p> + One looked out from the apartment into the little entrance, where Dwining, + under pretence of not distinctly seeing the trap ladder by which he was to + ascend into the upper part of this house of lamentation, was delaying his + progress purposely, disconcerted with what had reached him of the + conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, it is only worthy Master Henbane Dwining,” answered one of the + sibyls. + </p> + <p> + “Only Master Dwining,” replied the one who had first spoken, in a tone of + acquiescence—“our best helper in need! Then it must have been balm + sure enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the other, “it may have been blood nevertheless; for the + leech, look you, when the body was found, was commanded by the magistrates + to probe the wound with his instruments, and how could the poor dead + corpse know that that was done with good purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, truly, cummer; and as poor Oliver often mistook friends for enemies + while he was in life, his judgment cannot be thought to have mended now.” + </p> + <p> + Dwining heard no more, being now forced upstairs into a species of garret, + where Magdalen sat on her widowed bed, clasping to her bosom her infant, + which, already black in the face and uttering the gasping, crowing sound + which gives the popular name to the complaint, seemed on the point of + rendering up its brief existence. A Dominican monk sat near the bed, + holding the other child in his arms, and seeming from time to time to + speak a word or two of spiritual consolation, or intermingle some + observation on the child’s disorder. + </p> + <p> + The mediciner cast upon the good father a single glance, filled With that + ineffable disdain which men of science entertain against interlopers. His + own aid was instant and efficacious: he snatched the child from the + despairing mother, stripped its throat, and opened a vein, which, as it + bled freely, relieved the little patient instantaneously. In a brief space + every dangerous symptom disappeared, and Dwining, having bound up the + vein, replaced the infant in the arms of the half distracted mother. + </p> + <p> + The poor woman’s distress for her husband’s loss, which had been suspended + during the extremity of the child’s danger, now returned on Magdalen with + the force of an augmented torrent, which has borne down the dam dike that + for a while interrupted its waves. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, learned sir,” she said, “you see a poor woman of her that you once + knew a richer. But the hands that restored this bairn to my arms must not + leave this house empty. Generous, kind Master Dwining, accept of his + beads; they are made of ebony and silver. He aye liked to have his things + as handsome as any gentleman, and liker he was in all his ways to a + gentleman than any one of his standing, and even so came of it.” + </p> + <p> + With these words, in a mute passion of grief she pressed to her breast and + to her lips the chaplet of her deceased husband, and proceeded to thrust + it into Dwining’s hands. + </p> + <p> + “Take it,” she said, “for the love of one who loved you well. Ah, he used + ever to say, if ever man could be brought back from the brink of the + grave, it must be by Master Dwining’s guidance. And his ain bairn is + brought back this blessed day, and he is lying there stark and stiff, and + kens naething of its health and sickness! Oh, woe is me, and walawa! But + take the beads, and think on his puir soul, as you put them through your + fingers, he will be freed from purgatory the sooner that good people pray + to assoilzie him.” + </p> + <p> + “Take back your beads, cummer; I know no legerdemain, can do no conjuring + tricks,” said the mediciner, who, more moved than perhaps his rugged + nature had anticipated, endeavoured to avoid receiving the ill omened + gift. But his last words gave offence to the churchman, whose presence he + had not recollected when he uttered them. + </p> + <p> + “How now, sir leech!” said the Dominican, “do you call prayers for the + dead juggling tricks? I know that Chaucer, the English maker, says of you + mediciners, that your study is but little on the Bible. Our mother, the + church, hath nodded of late, but her eyes are now opened to discern + friends from foes; and be well assured—” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, reverend father,” said Dwining, “you take me at too great advantage. + I said I could do no miracles, and was about to add that, as the church + certainly could work such conclusions, those rich beads should be + deposited in your hands, to be applied as they may best benefit the soul + of the deceased.” + </p> + <p> + He dropped the beads into the Dominican’s hand, and escaped from the house + of mourning. + </p> + <p> + “This was a strangely timed visit,” he said to himself, when he got safe + out of doors. “I hold such things cheap as any can; yet, though it is but + a silly fancy, I am glad I saved the squalling child’s life. But I must to + my friend Smotherwell, whom I have no doubt to bring to my purpose in the + matter of Bonthron; and thus on this occasion I shall save two lives, and + have destroyed only one.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Lo! where he lies embalmed in gore, + His wound to Heaven cries: + The floodgates of his blood implore + For vengeance from the skies. + + Uranus and Psyche. +</pre> + <p> + The High Church of St. John in Perth, being that of the patron saint of + the burgh, had been selected by the magistrates as that in which the + community was likely to have most fair play for the display of the ordeal. + The churches and convents of the Dominicans, Carthusians, and others of + the regular clergy had been highly endowed by the King and nobles, and + therefore it was the universal cry of the city council that “their ain + good auld St. John,” of whose good graces they thought themselves sure, + ought to be fully confided in, and preferred to the new patrons, for whom + the Dominicans, Carthusians, Carmelites, and others had founded newer + seats around the Fair City. The disputes between the regular and secular + clergy added to the jealousy which dictated this choice of the spot in + which Heaven was to display a species of miracle, upon a direct appeal to + the divine decision in a case of doubtful guilt; and the town clerk was as + anxious that the church of St. John should be preferred as if there had + been a faction in the body of saints for and against the interests of the + beautiful town of Perth. + </p> + <p> + Many, therefore, were the petty intrigues entered into and disconcerted + for the purpose of fixing on the church. But the magistrates, considering + it as a matter touching in a close degree the honour of the city, + determined, with judicious confidence in the justice and impartiality of + their patron, to confide the issue to the influence of St. John. + </p> + <p> + It was, therefore, after high mass had been performed with the greatest + solemnity of which circumstances rendered the ceremony capable, and after + the most repeated and fervent prayers had been offered to Heaven by the + crowded assembly, that preparations were made for appealing to the direct + judgment of Heaven on the mysterious murder of the unfortunate bonnet + maker. + </p> + <p> + The scene presented that effect of imposing solemnity which the rites of + the Catholic Church are so well qualified to produce. The eastern window, + richly and variously painted, streamed down a torrent of chequered light + upon the high altar. On the bier placed before it were stretched the + mortal remains of the murdered man, his arms folded on his breast, and his + palms joined together, with the fingers pointed upwards, as if the + senseless clay was itself appealing to Heaven for vengeance against those + who had violently divorced the immortal spirit from its mangled tenement. + </p> + <p> + Close to the bier was placed the throne which supported Robert of Scotland + and his brother Albany. The Prince sat upon a lower stool, beside his + father—an arrangement which occasioned some observation, as, + Albany’s seat being little distinguished from that of the King, the heir + apparent, though of full age, seemed to be degraded beneath his uncle in + the sight of the assembled people of Perth. The bier was so placed as to + leave the view of the body it sustained open to the greater part of the + multitude assembled in the church. + </p> + <p> + At the head of the bier stood the Knight of Kinfauns, the challenger, and + at the foot the young Earl of Crawford, as representing the defendant. The + evidence of the Duke of Rothsay in expurgation, as it was termed, of Sir + John Ramorny, had exempted him from the necessity of attendance as a party + subjected to the ordeal; and his illness served as a reason for his + remaining at home. His household, including those who, though immediately + in waiting upon Sir John, were accounted the Prince’s domestics, and had + not yet received their dismissal, amounted to eight or ten persons, most + of them esteemed men of profligate habits, and who might therefore be + deemed capable, in the riot of a festival evening, of committing the + slaughter of the bonnet maker. They were drawn up in a row on the left + side of the church, and wore a species of white cassock, resembling the + dress of a penitentiary. All eyes being bent on them, several of this band + seemed so much disconcerted as to excite among the spectators strong + prepossessions of their guilt. The real murderer had a countenance + incapable of betraying him—a sullen, dark look, which neither the + feast nor wine cup could enliven, and which the peril of discovery and + death could not render dejected. + </p> + <p> + We have already noticed the posture of the dead body. The face was bare, + as were the breast and arms. The rest of the corpse was shrouded in a + winding sheet of the finest linen, so that, if blood should flow from any + place which was covered, it could not fail to be instantly manifest. + </p> + <p> + High mass having been performed, followed by a solemn invocation to the + Deity, that He would be pleased to protect the innocent, and make known + the guilty, Eviot, Sir John Ramorny’s page, was summoned to undergo the + ordeal. He advanced with an ill assured step. Perhaps he thought his + internal consciousness that Bonthron must have been the assassin might be + sufficient to implicate him in the murder, though he was not directly + accessory to it. He paused before the bier; and his voice faltered, as he + swore by all that was created in seven days and seven nights, by heaven, + by hell, by his part of paradise, and by the God and author of all, that + he was free and sackless of the bloody deed done upon the corpse before + which he stood, and on whose breast he made the sign of the cross, in + evidence of the appeal. No consequences ensued. The body remained stiff as + before, the curdled wounds gave no sign of blood. + </p> + <p> + The citizens looked on each other with faces of blank disappointment. They + had persuaded themselves of Eviot’s guilt, and their suspicions had been + confirmed by his irresolute manner. Their surprise at his escape was + therefore extreme. The other followers of Ramorny took heart, and advanced + to take the oath with a boldness which increased as one by one they + performed the ordeal, and were declared, by the voice of the judges, free + and innocent of every suspicion attaching to them on account of the death + of Oliver Proudfute. + </p> + <p> + But there was one individual who did not partake that increasing + confidence. The name of “Bonthron—Bonthron!” sounded three times + through the aisles of the church; but he who owned it acknowledged the + call no otherwise than by a sort of shuffling motion with his feet, as if + he had been suddenly affected with a fit of the palsy. + </p> + <p> + “Speak, dog,” whispered Eviot, “or prepare for a dog’s death!” + </p> + <p> + But the murderer’s brain was so much disturbed by the sight before him, + that the judges, beholding his deportment, doubted whether to ordain him + to be dragged before the bier or to pronounce judgment in default; and it + was not until he was asked for the last time whether he would submit to + the ordeal, that he answered, with his usual brevity: + </p> + <p> + “I will not; what do I know what juggling tricks may be practised to take + a poor man’s life? I offer the combat to any man who says I harmed that + dead body.” + </p> + <p> + And, according to usual form, he threw his glove upon the floor of the + church. + </p> + <p> + Henry Smith stepped forward, amidst the murmured applauses of his fellow + citizens, which even the august presence could not entirely suppress; and, + lifting the ruffian’s glove, which he placed in his bonnet, laid down his + own in the usual form, as a gage of battle. But Bonthron raised it not. + </p> + <p> + “He is no match for me,” growled the savage, “nor fit to lift my glove. I + follow the Prince of Scotland, in attending on his master of horse. This + fellow is a wretched mechanic.” + </p> + <p> + Here the Prince interrupted him. “Thou follow me, caitiff! I discharge + thee from my service on the spot. Take him in hand, Smith, and beat him as + thou didst never thump anvil! The villain is both guilty and recreant. It + sickens me even to look at him; and if my royal father will be ruled by + me, he will give the parties two handsome Scottish axes, and we will see + which of them turns out the best fellow before the day is half an hour + older.” + </p> + <p> + This was readily assented to by the Earl of Crawford and Sir Patrick + Charteris, the godfathers of the parties, who, as the combatants were men + of inferior rank, agreed that they should fight in steel caps, buff + jackets, and with axes, and that as soon as they could be prepared for the + combat. + </p> + <p> + The lists were appointed in the Skinners’ Yards—a neighbouring space + of ground, occupied by the corporation from which it had the name, and who + quickly cleared a space of about thirty feet by twenty-five for the + combatants. Thither thronged the nobles, priests, and commons—all + excepting the old King, who, detesting such scenes of blood, retired to + his residence, and devolved the charge of the field upon the Earl of + Errol, Lord High Constable, to whose office it more particularly belonged. + The Duke of Albany watched the whole proceeding with a close and wary eye. + His nephew gave the scene the heedless degree of notice which corresponded + with his character. + </p> + <p> + When the combatants appeared in the lists, nothing could be more striking + than the contrast betwixt the manly, cheerful countenance of the smith, + whose sparkling bright eye seemed already beaming with the victory he + hoped for, and the sullen, downcast aspect of the brutal Bonthron, who + looked as if he were some obscene bird, driven into sunshine out of the + shelter of its darksome haunts. They made oath severally, each to the + truth of his quarrel—a ceremony which Henry Gow performed with + serene and manly confidence, Bonthron with a dogged resolution, which + induced the Duke of Rothsay to say to the High Constable: “Didst thou + ever, my dear Errol, behold such a mixture of malignity, cruelty, and I + think fear, as in that fellow’s countenance?” + </p> + <p> + “He is not comely,” said the Earl, “but a powerful knave as I have seen.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll gage a hogshead of wine with you, my good lord, that he loses the + day. Henry the armourer is as strong as he, and much more active; and then + look at his bold bearing! There is something in that other fellow that is + loathsome to look upon. Let them yoke presently, my dear Constable, for I + am sick of beholding him.” + </p> + <p> + The High Constable then addressed the widow, who, in her deep weeds, and + having her children still beside her, occupied a chair within the lists: + “Woman, do you willingly accept of this man, Henry the Smith, to do battle + as your champion in this cause?” + </p> + <p> + “I do—I do, most willingly,” answered Magdalen Proudfute; “and may + the blessing of God and St. John give him strength and fortune, since he + strikes for the orphan and fatherless!” + </p> + <p> + “Then I pronounce this a fenced field of battle,” said the Constable + aloud. “Let no one dare, upon peril of his life, to interrupt this combat + by word, speech, or look. Sound trumpets, and fight, combatants!” + </p> + <p> + The trumpets flourished, and the combatants, advancing from the opposite + ends of the lists, with a steady and even pace, looked at each other + attentively, well skilled in judging from the motion of the eye the + direction in which a blow was meditated. They halted opposite to, and + within reach of, each other, and in turn made more than one feint to + strike, in order to ascertain the activity and vigilance of the opponent. + At length, whether weary of these manoeuvres, or fearing lest in a contest + so conducted his unwieldy strength would be foiled by the activity of the + smith, Bonthron heaved up his axe for a downright blow, adding the whole + strength of his sturdy arms to the weight of the weapon in its descent. + The smith, however, avoided the stroke by stepping aside; for it was too + forcible to be controlled by any guard which he could have interposed. Ere + Bonthron recovered guard, Henry struck him a sidelong blow on the steel + headpiece, which prostrated him on the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Confess, or die,” said the victor, placing his foot on the body of the + vanquished, and holding to his throat the point of the axe, which + terminated in a spike or poniard. + </p> + <p> + “I will confess,” said the villain, glaring wildly upwards on the sky. + “Let me rise.” + </p> + <p> + “Not till you have yielded,” said Harry Smith. + </p> + <p> + “I do yield,” again murmured Bonthron, and Henry proclaimed aloud that his + antagonist was defeated. + </p> + <p> + The Dukes of Rothsay and Albany, the High Constable, and the Dominican + prior now entered the lists, and, addressing Bonthron, demanded if he + acknowledged himself vanquished. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” answered the miscreant. + </p> + <p> + “And guilty of the murder of Oliver Proudfute?” + </p> + <p> + “I am; but I mistook him for another.” + </p> + <p> + “And whom didst thou intend to slay?” said the prior. “Confess, my son, + and merit thy pardon in another world for with this thou hast little more + to do.” + </p> + <p> + “I took the slain man,” answered the discomfited combatant, “for him whose + hand has struck me down, whose foot now presses me.” + </p> + <p> + “Blessed be the saints!” said the prior; “now all those who doubt the + virtue of the holy ordeal may have their eyes opened to their error. Lo, + he is trapped in the snare which he laid for the guiltless.” + </p> + <p> + “I scarce ever saw the man,” said the smith. “I never did wrong to him or + his. Ask him, an it please your reverence, why he should have thought of + slaying me treacherously.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a fitting question,” answered the prior. “Give glory where it is + due, my son, even though it is manifested by thy shame. For what reason + wouldst thou have waylaid this armourer, who says he never wronged thee?” + </p> + <p> + “He had wronged him whom I served,” answered Bonthron, “and I meditated + the deed by his command.” + </p> + <p> + “By whose command?” asked the prior. + </p> + <p> + Bonthron was silent for an instant, then growled out: “He is too mighty + for me to name.” + </p> + <p> + “Hearken, my son,” said the churchman; “tarry but a brief hour, and the + mighty and the mean of this earth shall to thee alike be empty sounds. The + sledge is even now preparing to drag thee to the place of execution. + Therefore, son, once more I charge thee to consult thy soul’s weal by + glorifying Heaven, and speaking the truth. Was it thy master, Sir John + Ramorny, that stirred thee to so foul a deed?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered the prostrate villain, “it was a greater than he.” And at + the same time he pointed with his finger to the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Wretch!” said the astonished Duke of Rothsay; “do you dare to hint that I + was your instigator?” + </p> + <p> + “You yourself, my lord,” answered the unblushing ruffian. + </p> + <p> + “Die in thy falsehood, accursed slave!” said the Prince; and, drawing his + sword, he would have pierced his calumniator, had not the Lord High + Constable interposed with word and action. + </p> + <p> + “Your Grace must forgive my discharging mine office: this caitiff must be + delivered into the hands of the executioner. He is unfit to be dealt with + by any other, much less by your Highness.” + </p> + <p> + “What! noble earl,” said Albany aloud, and with much real or affected + emotion, “would you let the dog pass alive from hence, to poison the + people’s ears with false accusations against the Prince of Scotland? I + say, cut him to mammocks upon the spot!” + </p> + <p> + “Your Highness will pardon me,” said the Earl of Errol; “I must protect + him till his doom is executed.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let him be gagged instantly,” said Albany. “And you, my royal + nephew, why stand you there fixed in astonishment? Call your resolution up—speak + to the prisoner—swear—protest by all that is sacred that you + knew not of this felon deed. See how the people look on each other and + whisper apart! My life on’t that this lie spreads faster than any Gospel + truth. Speak to them, royal kinsman, no matter what you say, so you be + constant in denial.” + </p> + <p> + “What, sir,” said Rothsay, starting from his pause of surprise and + mortification, and turning haughtily towards his uncle; “would you have me + gage my royal word against that of an abject recreant? Let those who can + believe the son of their sovereign, the descendant of Bruce, capable of + laying ambush for the life of a poor mechanic, enjoy the pleasure of + thinking the villain’s tale true.” + </p> + <p> + “That will not I for one,” said the smith, bluntly. “I never did aught but + what was in honour towards his royal Grace the Duke of Rothsay, and never + received unkindness from him in word, look, or deed; and I cannot think he + would have given aim to such base practice.” + </p> + <p> + “Was it in honour that you threw his Highness from the ladder in Curfew + Street upon Fastern’s [St. Valentine’s] Even?” said Bonthron; “or think + you the favour was received kindly or unkindly?” + </p> + <p> + This was so boldly said, and seemed so plausible, that it shook the + smith’s opinion of the Prince’s innocence. + </p> + <p> + “Alas, my lord,” said he, looking sorrowfully towards Rothsay, “could your + Highness seek an innocent fellow’s life for doing his duty by a helpless + maiden? I would rather have died in these lists than live to hear it said + of the Bruce’s heir!” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a good fellow, Smith,” said the Prince; “but I cannot expect + thee to judge more wisely than others. Away with that convict to the + gallows, and gibbet him alive an you will, that he may speak falsehood and + spread scandal on us to the last prolonged moment of his existence!” + </p> + <p> + So saying, the Prince turned away from the lists, disdaining to notice the + gloomy looks cast towards him, as the crowd made slow and reluctant way + for him to pass, and expressing neither surprise nor displeasure at a + deep, hollow murmur, or groan, which accompanied his retreat. Only a few + of his own immediate followers attended him from the field, though various + persons of distinction had come there in his train. Even the lower class + of citizens ceased to follow the unhappy Prince, whose former indifferent + reputation had exposed him to so many charges of impropriety and levity, + and around whom there seemed now darkening suspicions of the most + atrocious nature. + </p> + <p> + He took his slow and thoughtful way to the church of the Dominicans; but + the ill news, which flies proverbially fast, had reached his father’s + place of retirement before he himself appeared. On entering the palace and + inquiring for the King, the Duke of Rothsay was surprised to be informed + that he was in deep consultation with the Duke of Albany, who, mounting on + horseback as the Prince left the lists, had reached the convent before + him. He was about to use the privilege of his rank and birth to enter the + royal apartment, when MacLouis, the commander of the guard of Brandanes, + gave him to understand, in the most respectful terms, that he had special + instructions which forbade his admittance. + </p> + <p> + “Go at least, MacLouis, and let them know that I wait their pleasure,” + said the Prince. “If my uncle desires to have the credit of shutting the + father’s apartment against the son, it will gratify him to know that I am + attending in the outer hall like a lackey.” + </p> + <p> + “May it please you,” said MacLouis, with hesitation, “if your Highness + would consent to retire just now, and to wait awhile in patience, I will + send to acquaint you when the Duke of Albany goes; and I doubt not that + his Majesty will then admit your Grace to his presence. At present, your + Highness must forgive me, it is impossible you can have access.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you, MacLouis; but go, nevertheless, and obey my commands.” + </p> + <p> + The officer went accordingly, and returned with a message that the King + was indisposed, and on the point of retiring to his private chamber; but + that the Duke of Albany would presently wait upon the Prince of Scotland. + </p> + <p> + It was, however, a full half hour ere the Duke of Albany appeared—a + period of time which Rothsay spent partly in moody silence, and partly in + idle talk with MacLouis and the Brandanes, as the levity or irritability + of his temper obtained the ascendant. + </p> + <p> + At length the Duke came, and with him the lord High Constable, whose + countenance expressed much sorrow and embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + “Fair kinsman,” said the Duke of Albany, “I grieve to say that it is my + royal brother’s opinion that it will be best, for the honour of the royal + family, that your Royal Highness do restrict yourself for a time to the + seclusion of the High Constable’s lodgings, and accept of the noble Earl + here present for your principal, if not sole, companion until the scandals + which have been this day spread abroad shall be refuted or forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + “How is this, my lord of Errol?” said the Prince in astonishment. “Is your + house to be my jail, and is your lordship to be my jailer?” + </p> + <p> + “The saints forbid, my lord,” said the Earl of Errol “but it is my unhappy + duty to obey the commands of your father, by considering your Royal + Highness for some time as being under my ward.” + </p> + <p> + “The Prince—the heir of Scotland, under the ward of the High + Constable! What reason can be given for this? is the blighting speech of a + convicted recreant of strength sufficient to tarnish my royal escutcheon?” + </p> + <p> + “While such accusations are not refuted and denied, my kinsman,” said the + Duke of Albany, “they will contaminate that of a monarch.” + </p> + <p> + “Denied, my lord!” exclaimed the Prince; “by whom are they asserted, save + by a wretch too infamous, even by his own confession, to be credited for a + moment, though a beggar’s character, not a prince’s, were impeached? Fetch + him hither, let the rack be shown to him; you will soon hear him retract + the calumny which he dared to assert!” + </p> + <p> + “The gibbet has done its work too surely to leave Bonthron sensible to the + rack,” said the Duke of Albany. “He has been executed an hour since.” + </p> + <p> + “And why such haste, my lord?” said the Prince; “know you it looks as if + there were practice in it to bring a stain on my name?” + </p> + <p> + “The custom is universal, the defeated combatant in the ordeal of battle + is instantly transferred from the lists to the gallows. And yet, fair + kinsman,” continued the Duke of Albany, “if you had boldly and strongly + denied the imputation, I would have judged right to keep the wretch alive + for further investigation; but as your Highness was silent, I deemed it + best to stifle the scandal in the breath of him that uttered it.” + </p> + <p> + “St. Mary, my lord, but this is too insulting! Do you, my uncle and + kinsman, suppose me guilty of prompting such an useless and unworthy + action as that which the slave confessed?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not for me to bandy question with your Highness, otherwise I would + ask whether you also mean to deny the scarce less unworthy, though less + bloody, attack upon the house in Couvrefew Street? Be not angry with me, + kinsman; but, indeed, your sequestering yourself for some brief space from + the court, were it only during the King’s residence in this city, where so + much offence has been given, is imperiously demanded.” + </p> + <p> + Rothsay paused when he heard this exhortation, and, looking at the Duke in + a very marked manner, replied: + </p> + <p> + “Uncle, you are a good huntsman. You have pitched your toils with much + skill, but you would have been foiled, not withstanding, had not the stag + rushed among the nets of free will. God speed you, and may you have the + profit by this matter which your measures deserve. Say to my father, I + obey his arrest. My Lord High Constable, I wait only your pleasure to + attend you to your lodgings. Since I am to lie in ward, I could not have + desired a kinder or more courteous warden.” + </p> + <p> + The interview between the uncle and nephew being thus concluded, the + Prince retired with the Earl of Errol to his apartments; the citizens whom + they met in the streets passing to the further side when they observed the + Duke of Rothsay, to escape the necessity of saluting one whom they had + been taught to consider as a ferocious as well as unprincipled libertine. + The Constable’s lodgings received the owner and his princely guest, both + glad to leave the streets, yet neither feeling easy in the situation which + they occupied with regard to each other within doors. + </p> + <p> + We must return to the lists after the combat had ceased, and when the + nobles had withdrawn. The crowds were now separated into two distinct + bodies. That which made the smallest in number was at the same time the + most distinguished for respectability, consisting of the better class of + inhabitants of Perth, who were congratulating the successful champion and + each other upon the triumphant conclusion to which they had brought their + feud with the courtiers. The magistrates were so much elated on the + occasion, that they entreated Sir Patrick Charteris’s acceptance of a + collation in the town hall. To this Henry, the hero of the day, was of + course invited, or he was rather commanded to attend. He listened to the + summons with great embarrassment, for it may be readily believed his heart + was with Catharine Glover. But the advice of his father Simon decided him. + That veteran citizen had a natural and becoming deference for the + magistracy of the Fair City; he entertained a high estimation of all + honours which flowed from such a source, and thought that his intended son + in law would do wrong not to receive them with gratitude. + </p> + <p> + “Thou must not think to absent thyself from such a solemn occasion, son + Henry,” was his advice. “Sir Patrick Charteris is to be there himself, and + I think it will be a rare occasion for thee to gain his goodwill. It is + like he may order of thee a new suit of harness; and I myself heard worthy + Bailie Craigdallie say there was a talk of furbishing up the city’s + armoury. Thou must not neglect the good trade, now that thou takest on + thee an expensive family.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush, father Glover,” answered the embarrassed victor, “I lack no custom; + and thou knowest there is Catharine, who may wonder at my absence, and + have her ear abused once more by tales of glee maidens and I wot not + what.” + </p> + <p> + “Fear not for that,” said the glover, “but go, like an obedient burgess, + where thy betters desire to have thee. I do not deny that it will cost + thee some trouble to make thy peace with Catharine about this duel; for + she thinks herself wiser in such matters than king and council, kirk and + canons, provost and bailies. But I will take up the quarrel with her + myself, and will so work for thee, that, though she may receive thee + tomorrow with somewhat of a chiding, it shall melt into tears and smiles, + like an April morning, that begins with a mild shower. Away with thee, + then, my son, and be constant to the time, tomorrow morning after mass.” + </p> + <p> + The smith, though reluctantly, was obliged to defer to the reasoning of + his proposed father in law, and, once determined to accept the honour + destined for him by the fathers of the city, he extricated himself from + the crowd, and hastened home to put on his best apparel; in which he + presently afterwards repaired to the council house, where the ponderous + oak table seemed to bend under the massy dishes of choice Tay salmon and + delicious sea fish from Dundee, being the dainties which the fasting + season permitted, whilst neither wine, ale, nor metheglin were wanting to + wash them down. The waits, or minstrels of the burgh, played during the + repast, and in the intervals of the music one of them recited With great + emphasis a long poetical account of the battle of Blackearnside, fought by + Sir William Wallace and his redoubted captain and friend, Thomas of + Longueville, against the English general Seward—a theme perfectly + familiar to all the guests, who, nevertheless, more tolerant than their + descendants, listened as if it had all the zest of novelty. It was + complimentary to the ancestor of the Knight of Kinfauns, doubtless, and to + other Perthshire families, in passages which the audience applauded + vociferously, whilst they pledged each other in mighty draughts to the + memory of the heroes who had fought by the side of the Champion of + Scotland. The health of Henry Wynd was quaffed with repeated shouts, and + the provost announced publicly, that the magistrates were consulting how + they might best invest him with some distinguished privilege or honorary + reward, to show how highly his fellow citizens valued his courageous + exertions. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, take it not thus, an it like your worships,” said the smith, with + his usual blunt manner, “lest men say that valour must be rare in Perth + when they reward a man for fighting for the right of a forlorn widow. I am + sure there are many scores of stout burghers in the town who would have + done this day’s dargue as well or better than I. For, in good sooth, I + ought to have cracked yonder fellow’s head piece like an earthen pipkin—ay, + and would have done it, too, if it had not been one which I myself + tempered for Sir John Ramorny. But, an the Fair City think my service of + any worth, I will conceive it far more than acquitted by any aid which you + may afford from the common good to the support of the widow Magdalen and + her poor orphans.” + </p> + <p> + “That may well be done,” said Sir Patrick Charteris, “and yet leave the + Fair City rich enough to pay her debts to Henry Wynd, of which every man + of us is a better judge than him self, who is blinded with an unavailing + nicety, which men call modesty. And if the burgh be too poor for this, the + provost will bear his share. The Rover’s golden angels have not all taken + flight yet.” + </p> + <p> + The beakers were now circulated, under the name of a cup of comfort to the + widow, and anon flowed around once more to the happy memory of the + murdered Oliver, now so bravely avenged. In short, it was a feast so + jovial that all agreed nothing was wanting to render it perfect but the + presence of the bonnet maker himself, whose calamity had occasioned the + meeting, and who had usually furnished the standing jest at such festive + assemblies. Had his attendance been possible, it was drily observed by + Bailie Craigdallie, he would certainly have claimed the success of the + day, and vouched himself the avenger of his own murder. + </p> + <p> + At the sound of the vesper bell the company broke up, some of the graver + sort going to evening prayers, where, with half shut eyes and shining + countenances, they made a most orthodox and edifying portion of a Lenten + congregation; others to their own homes, to tell over the occurrences of + the fight and feast, for the information of the family circle; and some, + doubtless, to the licensed freedoms of some tavern, the door of which Lent + did not keep so close shut as the forms of the church required. Henry + returned to the wynd, warm with the good wine and the applause of his + fellow citizens, and fell asleep to dream of perfect happiness and + Catharine Glover. + </p> + <p> + We have said that, when the combat was decided, the spectators were + divided into two bodies. Of these, when the more respectable portion + attended the victor in joyous procession, much the greater number, or what + might be termed the rabble, waited upon the subdued and sentenced + Bonthron, who was travelling in a different direction, and for a very + opposite purpose. Whatever may be thought of the comparative attractions + of the house of mourning and of feasting under other circumstances, there + can be little doubt which will draw most visitors, when the question is, + whether we would witness miseries which we are not to share, or + festivities of which we are not to partake. Accordingly, the tumbril in + which the criminal was conveyed to execution was attended by far the + greater proportion of the inhabitants of Perth. + </p> + <p> + A friar was seated in the same car with the murderer, to whom he did not + hesitate to repeat, under the seal of confession, the same false + asseveration which he had made upon the place of combat, which charged the + Duke of Rothsay with being director of the ambuscade by which the + unfortunate bonnet maker had suffered. The same falsehood he disseminated + among the crowd, averring, with unblushing effrontery, to those who were + nighest to the car, that he owed his death to his having been willing to + execute the Duke of Rothsay’s pleasure. For a time he repeated these + words, sullenly and doggedly, in the manner of one reciting a task, or a + liar who endeavours by reiteration to obtain a credit for his words which + he is internally sensible they do not deserve. But when he lifted up his + eyes, and beheld in the distance the black outline of a gallows, at least + forty feet high, with its ladder and its fatal cord, rising against the + horizon, he became suddenly silent, and the friar could observe that he + trembled very much. + </p> + <p> + “Be comforted, my son,” said the good priest, “you have confessed the + truth, and received absolution. Your penitence will be accepted according + to your sincerity; and though you have been a man of bloody hands and + cruel heart, yet, by the church’s prayers, you shall be in due time + assoilzied from the penal fires of purgatory.” + </p> + <p> + These assurances were calculated rather to augment than to diminish the + terrors of the culprit, who was agitated by doubts whether the mode + suggested for his preservation from death would to a certainty be + effectual, and some suspicion whether there was really any purpose of + employing them in his favour, for he knew his master well enough to be + aware of the indifference with which he would sacrifice one who might on + some future occasion be a dangerous evidence against him. + </p> + <p> + His doom, however, was sealed, and there was no escaping from it. They + slowly approached the fatal tree, which was erected on a bank by the + river’s side, about half a mile from the walls of the city—a site + chosen that the body of the wretch, which was to remain food for the + carrion crows, might be seen from a distance in every direction. Here the + priest delivered Bonthron to the executioner, by whom he was assisted up + the ladder, and to all appearance despatched according to the usual forms + of the law. He seemed to struggle for life for a minute, but soon after + hung still and inanimate. The executioner, after remaining upon duty for + more than half an hour, as if to permit the last spark of life to be + extinguished, announced to the admirers of such spectacles that the irons + for the permanent suspension of the carcass not having been got ready, the + concluding ceremony of disembowelling the dead body and attaching it + finally to the gibbet would be deferred till the next morning at sunrise. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the early hour which he had named, Master Smotherwell had + a reasonable attendance of rabble at the place of execution, to see the + final proceedings of justice with its victim. But great was the + astonishment and resentment of these amateurs to find that the dead body + had been removed from the gibbet. They were not, however, long at a loss + to guess the cause of its disappearance. Bonthron had been the follower of + a baron whose estates lay in Fife, and was himself a native of that + province. What was more natural than that some of the Fife men, whose + boats were frequently plying on the river, should have clandestinely + removed the body of their countryman from the place of public shame? The + crowd vented their rage against Smotherwell for not completing his job on + the preceding evening; and had not he and his assistant betaken themselves + to a boat, and escaped across the Tay, they would have run some risk of + being pelted to death. The event, however, was too much in the spirit of + the times to be much wondered at. Its real cause we shall explain in the + following chapter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Let gallows gape for dogs, let men go free. + + Henry V. +</pre> + <p> + The incidents of a narrative of this kind must be adapted to each other, + as the wards of a key must tally accurately with those of the lock to + which it belongs. The reader, however gentle, will not hold himself + obliged to rest satisfied with the mere fact that such and such + occurrences took place, which is, generally speaking, all that in ordinary + life he can know of what is passing around him; but he is desirous, while + reading for amusement, of knowing the interior movements occasioning the + course of events. This is a legitimate and reasonable curiosity; for every + man hath a right to open and examine the mechanism of his own watch, put + together for his proper use, although he is not permitted to pry into the + interior of the timepiece which, for general information, is displayed on + the town steeple. + </p> + <p> + It would be, therefore, uncourteous to leave my readers under any doubt + concerning the agency which removed the assassin Bonthron from the gallows—an + event which some of the Perth citizens ascribed to the foul fiend himself, + while others were content to lay it upon the natural dislike of Bonthron’s + countrymen of Fife to see him hanging on the river side, as a spectacle + dishonourable to their province. + </p> + <p> + About midnight succeeding the day when the execution had taken place, and + while the inhabitants of Perth were deeply buried in slumber, three men + muffled in their cloaks, and bearing a dark lantern, descended the alleys + of a garden which led from the house occupied by Sir John Ramorny to the + banks of the Tay, where a small boat lay moored to a landing place, or + little projecting pier. The wind howled in a low and melancholy manner + through the leafless shrubs and bushes; and a pale moon “waded,” as it is + termed in Scotland, amongst drifting clouds, which seemed to threaten + rain. The three individuals entered the boat with great precaution to + escape observation. One of them was a tall, powerful man; another short + and bent downwards; the third middle sized, and apparently younger than + his companions, well made, and active. Thus much the imperfect light could + discover. They seated themselves in the boat and unmoored it from the + pier. + </p> + <p> + “We must let her drift with the current till we pass the bridge, where the + burghers still keep guard; and you know the proverb, ‘A Perth arrow hath a + perfect flight,’” said the most youthful of the party, who assumed the + office of helmsman, and pushed the boat off from the pier; whilst the + others took the oars, which were muffled, and rowed with all precaution + till they attained the middle of the river; they then ceased their + efforts, lay upon their oars, and trusted to the steersman for keeping her + in mid channel. + </p> + <p> + In this manner they passed unnoticed or disregarded beneath the stately + Gothic arches of the old bridge, erected by the magnificent patronage of + Robert Bruce in 1329, and carried away by an inundation in 1621. Although + they heard the voices of a civic watch, which, since these disturbances + commenced, had been nightly maintained in that important pass, no + challenge was given; and when they were so far down the stream as to be + out of hearing of these guardians of the night, they began to row, but + still with precaution, and to converse, though in a low tone. + </p> + <p> + “You have found a new trade, comrade, since I left you,” said one of the + rowers to the other. “I left you engaged in tending a sick knight, and I + find you employed in purloining a dead body from the gallows.” + </p> + <p> + “A living body, so please your squirehood, Master Buncle, or else my craft + hath failed of its purpose.” + </p> + <p> + “So I am told, Master Pottercarrier; but, saving your clerkship, unless + you tell me your trick, I will take leave to doubt of its success.” + </p> + <p> + “A simple toy, Master Buncle, not likely to please a genius so acute as + that of your valiancie. Marry, thus it is. This suspension of the human + body, which the vulgar call hanging, operates death by apoplexia—that + is, the blood being unable to return to the heart by the compression of + the veins, it rushes to the brain, and the man dies. Also, and as an + additional cause of dissolution, the lungs no longer receive the needful + supply of the vital air, owing to the ligature of the cord around the + thorax; and hence the patient perishes.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand that well enough. But how is such a revulsion of blood to + the brain to be prevented, sir mediciner?” said the third person, who was + no other than Ramorny’s page, Eviot. + </p> + <p> + “Marry, then,” replied Dwining, “hang me the patient up in such fashion + that the carotid arteries shall not be compressed, and the blood will not + determine to the brain, and apoplexia will not take place; and again, if + there be no ligature around the thorax, the lungs will be supplied with + air, whether the man be hanging in the middle heaven or standing on the + firm earth.” + </p> + <p> + “All this I conceive,” said Eviot; “but how these precautions can be + reconciled with the execution of the sentence of hanging is what my dull + brain cannot comprehend.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! good youth, thy valiancie hath spoiled a fair wit. Hadst thou studied + with me, thou shouldst have learned things more difficult than this. But + here is my trick. I get me certain bandages, made of the same substance + with your young valiancie’s horse girths, having especial care that they + are of a kind which will not shrink on being strained, since that would + spoil my experiment. One loop of this substance is drawn under each foot, + and returns up either side of the leg to a cincture, with which it is + united; these cinctures are connected by divers straps down the breast and + back, in order to divide the weight. And there are sundry other + conveniences for easing the patient, but the chief is this: the straps, or + ligatures, are attached to a broad steel collar, curving outwards, and + having a hook or two, for the better security of the halter, which the + friendly executioner passes around that part of the machine, instead of + applying it to the bare throat of the patient. Thus, when thrown off from + the ladder, the sufferer will find himself suspended, not by his neck, if + it please you, but by the steel circle, which supports the loops in which + his feet are placed, and on which his weight really rests, diminished a + little by similar supports under each arm. Thus, neither vein nor windpipe + being compressed, the man will breathe as free, and his blood, saving from + fright and novelty of situation, will flow as temperately as your + valiancie’s when you stand up in your stirrups to view a field of battle.” + </p> + <p> + “By my faith, a quaint and rare device!” quoth Buncle. + </p> + <p> + “Is it not?” pursued the leech, “and well worth being known to such + mounting spirits as your valiancies, since there is no knowing to what + height Sir John Ramorny’s pupils may arrive; and if these be such that it + is necessary to descend from them by a rope, you may find my mode of + management more convenient than the common practice. Marry, but you must + be provided with a high collared doublet, to conceal the ring of steel, + and, above all, such a bonus socius as Smother well to adjust the noose.” + </p> + <p> + “Base poison vender,” said Eviot, “men of our calling die on the field of + battle.” + </p> + <p> + “I will save the lesson, however,” replied Buncle, “in case of some + pinching occasion. But what a night the bloody hangdog Bonthron must have + had of it, dancing a pavise in mid air to the music of his own shackles, + as the night wind swings him that way and this!” + </p> + <p> + “It were an alms deed to leave him there,” said Eviot; “for his descent + from the gibbet will but encourage him to new murders. He knows but two + elements—drunkenness and bloodshed.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps Sir John Ramorny might have been of your opinion,” said Dwining; + “but it would first have been necessary to cut out the rogue’s tongue, + lest he had told strange tales from his airy height. And there are other + reasons that it concerns not your valiancies to know. In truth, I myself + have been generous in serving him, for the fellow is built as strong as + Edinburgh Castle, and his anatomy would have matched any that is in the + chirurgical hall of Padua. But tell me, Master Buncle, what news bring you + from the doughty Douglas?” + </p> + <p> + “They may tell that know,” said Buncle. “I am the dull ass that bears the + message, and kens nought of its purport. The safer for myself, perhaps. I + carried letters from the Duke of Albany and from Sir John Ramorny to the + Douglas, and he looked black as a northern tempest when he opened them. I + brought them answers from the Earl, at which they smiled like the sun when + the harvest storm is closing over him. Go to your ephemerides, leech, and + conjure the meaning out of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Methinks I can do so without much cost of wit,” said the chirurgeon; “but + yonder I see in the pale moonlight our dead alive. Should he have screamed + out to any chance passenger, it were a curious interruption to a night + journey to be hailed from the top of such a gallows as that. Hark, + methinks I do hear his groans amid the whistling of the wind and the + creaking of the chains. So—fair and softly; make fast the boat with + the grappling, and get out the casket with my matters, we would be better + for a little fire, but the light might bring observation on us. Come on, + my men of valour, march warily, for we are bound for the gallows foot. + Follow with the lantern; I trust the ladder has been left. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Sing, three merry men, and three merry men, + And three merry men are we, + Thou on the land, and I on the sand, + And Jack on the gallows tree.” + </pre> + <p> + As they advanced to the gibbet, they could plainly hear groans, though + uttered in a low tone. Dwining ventured to give a low cough once or twice, + by way of signal; but receiving no answer, “We had best make haste,” said + he to his companions, “for our friend must be in extremis, as he gives no + answer to the signal which announces the arrival of help. Come, let us to + the gear. I will go up the ladder first and cut the rope. Do you two + follow, one after another, and take fast hold of the body, so that he fall + not when the halter is unloosed. Keep sure gripe, for which the bandages + will afford you convenience. Bethink you that, though he plays an owl’s + part tonight, he hath no wings, and to fall out of a halter may be as + dangerous as to fall into one.” + </p> + <p> + While he spoke thus with sneer and gibe, he ascended the ladder, and + having ascertained that the men at arms who followed him had the body in + their hold, he cut the rope, and then gave his aid to support the almost + lifeless form of the criminal. + </p> + <p> + By a skilful exertion of strength and address, the body of Bonthron was + placed safely on the ground; and the faint yet certain existence of life + having been ascertained, it was thence transported to the river side, + where, shrouded by the bank, the party might be best concealed from + observation, while the leech employed himself in the necessary means of + recalling animation, with which he had taken care to provide himself. + </p> + <p> + For this purpose he first freed the recovered person from his shackles, + which the executioner had left unlocked on purpose, and at the same time + disengaged the complicated envelopes and bandages by which he had been + suspended. It was some time ere Dwining’s efforts succeeded; for, in + despite of the skill with which his machine had been constructed, the + straps designed to support the body had stretched so considerably as to + occasion the sense of suffocation becoming extremely overpowering. But the + address of the surgeon triumphed over all obstacles; and, after sneezing + and stretching himself, with one or two brief convulsions, Bonthron gave + decided proofs of reanimation, by arresting the hand of the operator as it + was in the act of dropping strong waters on his breast and throat, and, + directing the bottle which contained them to his lips, he took, almost + perforce, a considerable gulp of the contents. + </p> + <p> + “It is spiritual essence double distilled,” said the astonished operator, + “and would blister the throat and burn the stomach of any other man. But + this extraordinary beast is so unlike all other human creatures, that I + should not wonder if it brought him to the complete possession of his + faculties.” + </p> + <p> + Bonthron seemed to confirm this: he started with a strong convulsion, sat + up, stared around, and indicated some consciousness of existence. + </p> + <p> + “Wine—wine,” were the first words which he articulated. + </p> + <p> + The leech gave him a draught of medicated wine, mixed with water. He + rejected it, under the dishonourable epithet of “kennel washings,” and + again uttered the words, “Wine—wine.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, take it to thee, i’ the devil’s name,” said the leech, “since none + but he can judge of thy constitution.” + </p> + <p> + A draught, long and deep enough to have discomposed the intellects of any + other person, was found effectual in recalling those of Bonthron to a more + perfect state; though he betrayed no recollection of where he was or what + had befallen him, and in his brief and sullen manner asked why he was + brought to the river side at this time of night. + </p> + <p> + “Another frolic of the wild Prince, for drenching me as he did before. + Nails and blood, but I would—” + </p> + <p> + “Hold thy peace,” interrupted Eviot, “and be thankful, I pray you, if you + have any thankfulness in you, that thy body is not crow’s meat and thy + soul in a place where water is too scarce to duck thee.” + </p> + <p> + “I begin to bethink me,” said the ruffian; and raising the flask to his + mouth, which he saluted with a long and hearty kiss, he set the empty + bottle on the earth, dropped his head on his bosom, and seemed to muse for + the purpose of arranging his confused recollections. + </p> + <p> + “We can abide the issue of his meditations no longer,” said Dwining; “he + will be better after he has slept. Up, sir! you have been riding the air + these some hours; try if the water be not an easier mode of conveyance. + Your valours must lend me a hand. I can no more lift this mass than I + could raise in my arms a slaughtered bull.” + </p> + <p> + “Stand upright on thine own feet, Bonthron, now we have placed thee upon + them,” said Eviot. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot,” answered the patient. “Every drop of blood tingles in my veins + as if it had pinpoints, and my knees refuse to bear their burden. What can + be the meaning of all this? This is some practice of thine, thou dog + leech!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay—ay, so it is, honest Bonthron,” said Dwining—“a practice + thou shalt thank me for when thou comest to learn it. In the mean while, + stretch down in the stern of that boat, and let me wrap this cloak about + thee.” + </p> + <p> + Assisted into the boat accordingly, Bonthron was deposited there as + conveniently as things admitted of. He answered their attentions with one + or two snorts resembling the grunt of a boar who has got some food + particularly agreeable to him. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Buncle,” said the chirurgeon, “your valiant squireship knows + your charge. You are to carry this lively cargo by the river to Newburgh, + where you are to dispose of him as you wot of; meantime, here are his + shackles and bandages, the marks of his confinement and liberation. Bind + them up together, and fling them into the deepest pool you pass over; for, + found in your possession, they might tell tales against us all. This low, + light breath of wind from the west will permit you to use a sail as soon + as the light comes in and you are tired of rowing. Your other valiancie, + Master Page Eviot, must be content to return to Perth with me afoot, for + here severs our fair company. Take with thee the lantern, Buncle, for thou + wilt require it more than we, and see thou send me back my flasket.” + </p> + <p> + As the pedestrians returned to Perth, Eviot expressed his belief that + Bonthron’s understanding would never recover the shock which terror had + inflicted upon it, and which appeared to him to have disturbed all the + faculties of his mind, and in particular his memory. + </p> + <p> + “It is not so, an it please your pagehood,” said the leech. “Bonthron’s + intellect, such as it is, hath a solid character: it Will but vacillate to + and fro like a pendulum which hath been put in motion, and then will rest + in its proper point of gravity. Our memory is, of all our powers of mind, + that which is peculiarly liable to be suspended. Deep intoxication or + sound sleep alike destroy it, and yet it returns when the drunkard becomes + sober or the sleeper is awakened. Terror sometimes produces the same + effect. I knew at Paris a criminal condemned to die by the halter, who + suffered the sentence accordingly, showing no particular degree of + timidity upon the scaffold, and behaving and expressing himself as men in + the same condition are wont to do. Accident did for him what a little + ingenious practice hath done for our amiable friend from whom we but now + parted. He was cut down and given to his friends before life was extinct, + and I had the good fortune to restore him. But, though he recovered in + other particulars, he remembered but little of his trial and sentence. Of + his confession on the morning of his execution—he! he! he! (in his + usual chuckling manner)—he remembered him not a word. Neither of + leaving the prison, nor of his passage to the Greve, where he suffered, + nor of the devout speeches with which he—he! he! he!—edified—he! + he! he!—so many good Christians, nor of ascending the fatal tree, + nor of taking the fatal leap, had my revenant the slightest recollection.’ + But here we reach the point where we must separate; for it were unfit, + should we meet any of the watch, that we be found together, and it were + also prudent that we enter the city by different gates. My profession + forms an excuse for my going and coming at all times. Your valiant + pagehood will make such explanation as may seem sufficing.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall make my will a sufficient excuse if I am interrogated,” said the + haughty young man. “Yet I will avoid interruption, if possible. The moon + is quite obscured, and the road as black as a wolf’s mouth.” + </p> + <p> + “Tut,” said the physicianer, “let not your valour care for that: we shall + tread darker paths ere it be long.” + </p> + <p> + Without inquiring into the meaning of these evil boding sentences, and + indeed hardly listening to them in the pride and recklessness of his + nature, the page of Ramorny parted from his ingenious and dangerous + companion, and each took his own way. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The course of true love never did run smooth. + + SHAKSPEARE. +</pre> + <p> + The ominous anxiety of our armourer had not played him false. When the + good glover parted with his intended son in law, after the judicial combat + had been decided, he found what he indeed had expected, that his fair + daughter was in no favourable disposition towards her lover. But although + he perceived that Catharine was cold, restrained, collected, had cast away + the appearance of mortal passion, and listened with a reserve, implying + contempt, to the most splendid description he could give her of the combat + in the Skinners’ Yards, he was determined not to take the least notice of + her altered manner, but to speak of her marriage with his son Henry as a + thing which must of course take place. At length, when she began, as on a + former occasion, to intimate that her attachment to the armourer did not + exceed the bounds of friendship, that she was resolved never to marry, + that the pretended judicial combat was a mockery of the divine will, and + of human laws, the glover not unnaturally grew angry. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot read thy thoughts, wench; nor can I pretend to guess under what + wicked delusion it is that you kiss a declared lover, suffer him to kiss + you, run to his house when a report is spread of his death, and fling + yourself into his arms when you find him alone [alive]. All this shows + very well in a girl prepared to obey her parents in a match sanctioned by + her father; but such tokens of intimacy, bestowed on one whom a young + woman cannot esteem, and is determined not to marry, are uncomely and + unmaidenly. You have already been more bounteous of your favours to Henry + Smith than your mother, whom God assoilzie, ever was to me before I + married her. I tell thee, Catharine, this trifling with the love of an + honest man is what I neither can, will, nor ought to endure. I have given + my consent to the match, and I insist it shall take place without delay, + and that you receive Henry Wynd tomorrow, as a man whose bride you are to + be with all despatch.” + </p> + <p> + “A power more potent than yours, father, will say no,” replied Catharine. + </p> + <p> + “I will risk it; my power is a lawful one, that of a father over a child, + and an erring child,” answered her father. “God and man allow of my + influence.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, may Heaven help us,” said Catharine; “for, if you are obstinate in + your purpose, we are all lost.” + </p> + <p> + “We can expect no help from Heaven,” said the glover, “when we act with + indiscretion. I am clerk enough myself to know that; and that your + causeless resistance to my will is sinful, every priest will inform you. + Ay, and more than that, you have spoken degradingly of the blessed appeal + to God in the combat of ordeal. Take heed! for the Holy Church is awakened + to watch her sheepfold, and to extirpate heresy by fire and steel; so much + I warn thee of.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine uttered a suppressed exclamation; and, with difficulty + compelling herself to assume an appearance of composure, promised her + father that, if he would spare her any farther discussion of the subject + till tomorrow morning, she would then meet him, determined to make a full + discovery of her sentiments. + </p> + <p> + With this promise Simon Glover was obliged to remain contented, though + extremely anxious for the postponed explanation. It could not be levity or + fickleness of character which induced his daughter to act with so much + apparent inconsistency towards the man of his choice, and whom she had so + lately unequivocally owned to be also the man of her own. What external + force there could exist, of a kind powerful enough to change the + resolutions she had so decidedly expressed within twenty-four hours, was a + matter of complete mystery. + </p> + <p> + “But I will be as obstinate as she can be,” thought the glover, “and she + shall either marry Henry Smith without farther delay or old Simon Glover + will know an excellent reason to the contrary.” + </p> + <p> + The subject was not renewed during the evening; but early on the next + morning, just at sun rising, Catharine knelt before the bed in which her + parent still slumbered. Her heart sobbed as if it would burst, and her + tears fell thick upon her father’s face. The good old man awoke, looked + up, crossed his child’s forehead, and kissed her affectionately. + </p> + <p> + “I understand thee, Kate,” he said; “thou art come to confession, and, I + trust, art desirous to escape a heavy penance by being sincere.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine was silent for an instant. + </p> + <p> + “I need not ask, my father, if you remember the Carthusian monk, Clement, + and his preachings and lessons; at which indeed you assisted so often, + that you cannot be ignorant men called you one of his converts, and with + greater justice termed me so likewise?” + </p> + <p> + “I am aware of both,” said the old man, raising himself on his elbow; “but + I defy foul fame to show that I ever owned him in any heretical + proposition, though I loved to hear him talk of the corruptions of the + church, the misgovernment of the nobles, and the wild ignorance of the + poor, proving, as it seemed to me, that the sole virtue of our commonweal, + its strength and its estimation, lay among the burgher craft of the better + class, which I received as comfortable doctrine, and creditable to the + town. And if he preached other than right doctrine, wherefore did his + superiors in the Carthusian convent permit it? If the shepherds turn a + wolf in sheep’s clothing into the flock, they should not blame the sheep + for being worried.” + </p> + <p> + “They endured his preaching, nay, they encouraged it,” said Catharine, + “while the vices of the laity, the contentions of the nobles, and the + oppression of the poor were the subject of his censure, and they rejoiced + in the crowds who, attracted to the Carthusian church, forsook those of + the other convents. But the hypocrites—for such they are—joined + with the other fraternities in accusing their preacher Clement, when, + passing from censuring the crimes of the state, he began to display the + pride, ignorance, and luxury of the churchmen themselves—their + thirst of power, their usurpation over men’s consciences, and their desire + to augment their worldly wealth.” + </p> + <p> + “For God’s sake, Catharine,” said her father, “speak within doors: your + voice rises in tone and your speech in bitterness, your eyes sparkle. It + is owing to this zeal in what concerns you no more than others that + malicious persons fix upon you the odious and dangerous name of a + heretic.” + </p> + <p> + “You know I speak no more than what is truth,” said Catharine, “and which + you yourself have avouched often.” + </p> + <p> + “By needle and buckskin, no!” answered the glover, hastily. “Wouldst thou + have me avouch what might cost me life and limb, land and goods? For a + full commission hath been granted for taking and trying heretics, upon + whom is laid the cause of all late tumults and miscarriages; wherefore, + few words are best, wench. I am ever of mind with the old maker: + </p> + <p> + “Since word is thrall and thought is free, Keep well thy tongue, I counsel + thee.” + </p> + <p> + “The counsel comes too late, father,” answered Catharine, sinking down on + a chair by her father’s bedside. “The words have been spoken and heard; + and it is indited against Simon Glover, burgess in Perth, that he hath + spoken irreverent discourses of the doctrines of Holy Church.” + </p> + <p> + “As I live by knife and needle,” interrupted Simon, “it is a lie! I never + was so silly as to speak of what I understood not.” + </p> + <p> + “And hath slandered the anointed of the church, both regular and secular,” + continued Catharine. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I will never deny the truth,” said the glover: “an idle word I may + have spoken at the ale bench, or over a pottle pot of wine, or in right + sure company; but else, my tongue is not one to run my head into peril.” + </p> + <p> + “So you think, my dearest father; but your slightest language has been + espied, your best meaning phrases have been perverted, and you are in + dittay as a gross railer against church and churchmen, and for holding + discourse against them with loose and profligate persons, such as the + deceased Oliver Proudfute, the smith Henry of the Wynd, and others, set + forth as commending the doctrines of Father Clement, whom they charge with + seven rank heresies, and seek for with staff and spear, to try him to the + death. But that,” said Catharine, kneeling, and looking upwards with the + aspect of one of those beauteous saints whom the Catholics have given to + the fine arts—“that they shall never do. He hath escaped from the + net of the fowler; and, I thank Heaven, it was by my means.” + </p> + <p> + “Thy means, girl—art thou mad?” said the amazed glover. + </p> + <p> + “I will not deny what I glory in,” answered Catharine: “it was by my means + that Conachar was led to come hither with a party of men and carry off the + old man, who is now far beyond the Highland line.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou my rash—my unlucky child!” said the glover, “hast dared to aid + the escape of one accused of heresy, and to invite Highlanders in arms to + interfere with the administration of justice within burgh? Alas! thou hast + offended both against the laws of the church and those of the realm. What—what + would become of us, were this known?” + </p> + <p> + “It is known, my dear father,” said the maiden, firmly—“known even + to those who will be the most willing avengers of the deed.” + </p> + <p> + “This must be some idle notion, Catharine, or some trick of those cogging + priests and nuns; it accords not with thy late cheerful willingness to wed + Henry Smith.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! dearest father, remember the dismal surprise occasioned by his + reported death, and the joyful amazement at finding him alive; and deem it + not wonder if I permitted myself, under your protection, to say more than + my reflection justified. But then I knew not the worst, and thought the + danger exaggerated. Alas I was yesterday fearfully undeceived, when the + abbess herself came hither, and with her the Dominican. They showed me the + commission, under the broad seal of Scotland, for inquiring into and + punishing heresy; they showed me your name and my own in a list of + suspected persons; and it was with tears—real tears, that the abbess + conjured me to avert a dreadful fate by a speedy retreat into the + cloister, and that the monk pledged his word that you should not be + molested if I complied.” + </p> + <p> + “The foul fiend take them both for weeping crocodiles!” said the glover. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” replied Catharine, “complaint or anger will little help us; but + you see I have had real cause for this present alarm.” + </p> + <p> + “Alarm! call it utter ruin. Alas! my reckless child, where was your + prudence when you ran headlong into such a snare?” + </p> + <p> + “Hear me, father,” said Catharine; “there is still one mode of safety held + out: it is one which I have often proposed, and for which I have in vain + supplicated your permission.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you—the convent,” said her father. “But, Catharine, + what abbess or prioress would dare—” + </p> + <p> + “That I will explain to you, father, and it will also show the + circumstances which have made me seem unsteady of resolution to a degree + which has brought censure upon me from yourself and others. Our confessor, + old Father Francis, whom I chose from the Dominican convent at your + command—” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, truly,” interrupted the glover; “and I so counselled and commanded + thee, in order to take off the report that thy conscience was altogether + under the direction of Father Clement.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, this Father Francis has at different times urged and provoked me to + converse on such matters as he judged I was likely to learn something of + from the Carthusian preacher. Heaven forgive me my blindness! I fell into + the snare, spoke freely, and, as he argued gently, as one who would fain + be convinced, I even spoke warmly in defence of what I believed devoutly. + The confessor assumed not his real aspect and betrayed not his secret + purpose until he had learned all that I had to tell him. It was then that + he threatened me with temporal punishment and with eternal condemnation. + Had his threats reached me alone, I could have stood firm; for their + cruelty on earth I could have endured, and their power beyond this life I + have no belief in.” + </p> + <p> + “For Heaven’s sake!” said the glover, who was well nigh beside himself at + perceiving at every new word the increasing extremity of his daughter’s + danger, “beware of blaspheming the Holy Church, whose arms are as prompt + to strike as her ears are sharp to hear.” + </p> + <p> + “To me,” said the Maid of Perth, again looking up, “the terrors of the + threatened denunciations would have been of little avail; but when they + spoke of involving thee, my father, in the charge against me, I own I + trembled, and desired to compromise. The Abbess Martha, of Elcho nunnery, + being my mother’s kinswoman, I told her my distresses, and obtained her + promise that she would receive me, if, renouncing worldly love and + thoughts of wedlock, I would take the veil in her sisterhood. She had + conversation on the topic, I doubt not, with the Dominican Francis, and + both joined in singing the same song. + </p> + <p> + “‘Remain in the world,’ said they, ‘and thy father and thou shall be + brought to trial as heretics; assume the veil, and the errors of both + shall be forgiven and cancelled.’ They spoke not even of recantation of + errors of doctrine: all should be peace if I would but enter the convent.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt not—I doubt not,” said Simon: “the old glover is thought + rich, and his wealth would follow his daughter to the convent of Elcho, + unless what the Dominicans might claim as their own share. So this was thy + call to the veil, these thy objections to Henry Wynd?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, father, the course was urged on all hands, nor did my own mind + recoil from it. Sir John Ramorny threatened me with the powerful vengeance + of the young Prince, if I continued to repel his wicked suit; and as for + poor Henry, it is but of late that I have discovered, to my own surprise—that—that + I love his virtues more than I dislike his faults. Alas! the discovery has + only been made to render my quitting the world more difficult than when I + thought I had thee only to regret.” + </p> + <p> + She rested her head on her hand and wept bitterly. + </p> + <p> + “All this is folly,” said the glover. “Never was there an extremity so + pinching, but what a wise man might find counsel if he was daring enough + to act upon it. This has never been the land or the people over whom + priests could rule in the name of Rome, without their usurpation being + controlled. If they are to punish each honest burgher who says the monks + love gold, and that the lives of some of them cry shame upon the doctrines + they teach, why, truly, Stephen Smotherwell will not lack employment; and + if all foolish maidens are to be secluded from the world because they + follow the erring doctrines of a popular preaching friar, they must + enlarge the nunneries and receive their inmates on slighter composition. + Our privileges have been often defended against the Pope himself by our + good monarchs of yore, and when he pretended to interfere with the + temporal government of the kingdom, there wanted not a Scottish Parliament + who told him his duty in a letter that should have been written in letters + of gold. I have seen the epistle myself, and though I could not read it, + the very sight of the seals of the right reverend prelates and noble and + true barons which hung at it made my heart leap for joy. Thou shouldst not + have kept this secret, my child—but it is no time to tax thee with + thy fault. Go down, get me some food. I will mount instantly, and go to + our Lord Provost and have his advice, and, as I trust, his protection and + that of other true hearted Scottish nobles, who will not see a true man + trodden down for an idle word.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! my father,” said Catharine, “it was even this impetuosity which I + dreaded. I knew if I made my plaint to you there would soon be fire and + feud, as if religion, though sent to us by the Father of peace, were fit + only to be the mother of discord; and hence I could now—even now—give + up the world, and retire with my sorrow among the sisters of Elcho, would + you but let me be the sacrifice. Only, father—comfort poor Henry + when we are parted for ever; and do not—do not let him think of me + too harshly. Say Catharine will never vex him more by her remonstrances, + but that she will never forget him in her prayers.” + </p> + <p> + “The girl hath a tongue that would make a Saracen weep,” said her father, + his own eyes sympathising with those of his daughter. “But I will not + yield way to this combination between the nun and the priest to rob me of + my only child. Away with you, girl, and let me don my clothes; and prepare + yourself to obey me in what I may have to recommend for your safety. Get a + few clothes together, and what valuables thou hast; also, take the keys of + my iron box, which poor Henry Smith gave me, and divide what gold you find + into two portions; put the one into a purse for thyself, and the other + into the quilted girdle which I made on purpose to wear on journeys. Thus + both shall be provided, in case fate should sunder us; in which event, God + send the whirlwind may take the withered leaf and spare the green one! Let + them make ready my horse instantly, and the white jennet that I bought for + thee but a day since, hoping to see thee ride to St. John’s Kirk with + maids and matrons, as blythe a bride as ever crossed the holy threshold. + But it skills not talking. Away, and remember that the saints help those + who are willing to help themselves. Not a word in answer; begone, I say—no + wilfullness now. The pilot in calm weather will let a sea boy trifle with + the rudder; but, by my soul, when winds howl and waves arise, he stands by + the helm himself. Away—no reply.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine left the room to execute, as well as she might, the commands of + her father, who, gentle in disposition and devotedly attached to his + child, suffered her often, as it seemed, to guide and rule both herself + and him; yet who, as she knew, was wont to claim filial obedience and + exercise parental authority with sufficient strictness when the occasion + seemed to require an enforcement of domestic discipline. + </p> + <p> + While the fair Catharine was engaged in executing her father’s behests, + and the good old glover was hastily attiring himself, as one who was about + to take a journey, a horse’s tramp was heard in the narrow street. The + horseman was wrapped in his riding cloak, having the cape of it drawn up, + as if to hide the under part of his face, while his bonnet was pulled over + his brows, and a broad plume obscured his upper features. He sprung from + the saddle, and Dorothy had scarce time to reply to his inquiries that the + glover was in his bedroom, ere the stranger had ascended the stair and + entered the sleeping apartment. Simon, astonished and alarmed, and + disposed to see in this early visitant an apparitor or sumner come to + attach him and his daughter, was much relieved when, as the stranger + doffed the bonnet and threw the skirt of the mantle from his face, he + recognised the knightly provost of the Fair City, a visit from whom at any + time was a favour of no ordinary degree, but, being made at such an hour, + had something marvellous, and, connected with the circumstances of the + times, even alarming. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Patrick Charteris!” said the glover. “This high honour done to your + poor beadsman—” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said the knight, “there is no time for idle civilities. I came + hither because a man is, in trying occasions, his own safest page, and I + can remain no longer than to bid thee fly, good glover, since warrants are + to be granted this day in council for the arrest of thy daughter and thee, + under charge of heresy; and delay will cost you both your liberty for + certain, and perhaps your lives.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard something of such a matter,” said the glover, “and was this + instant setting forth to Kinfauns to plead my innocence of this scandalous + charge, to ask your lordship’s counsel, and to implore your protection.” + </p> + <p> + “Thy innocence, friend Simon, will avail thee but little before prejudiced + judges; my advice is, in one word, to fly, and wait for happier times. As + for my protection, we must tarry till the tide turns ere it will in any + sort avail thee. But if thou canst lie concealed for a few days or weeks, + I have little doubt that the churchmen, who, by siding with the Duke of + Albany in court intrigue, and by alleging the decay of the purity of + Catholic doctrine as the sole cause of the present national misfortunes, + have, at least for the present hour, an irresistible authority over the + King, will receive a check. In the mean while, however, know that King + Robert hath not only given way to this general warrant for inquisition + after heresy, but hath confirmed the Pope’s nomination of Henry Wardlaw to + be Archbishop of St. Andrews and Primate of Scotland; thus yielding to + Rome those freedoms and immunities of the Scottish Church which his + ancestors, from the time of Malcolm Canmore, have so boldly defended. His + brave fathers would have rather subscribed a covenant with the devil than + yielded in such a matter to the pretensions of Rome.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, and what remedy?” + </p> + <p> + “None, old man, save in some sudden court change,” said Sir Patrick. “The + King is but like a mirror, which, having no light itself, reflects back + with equal readiness any which is placed near to it for the time. Now, + although the Douglas is banded with Albany, yet the Earl is unfavourable + to the high claims of those domineering priests, having quarrelled with + them about the exactions which his retinue hath raised on the Abbot of + Arbroath. He will come back again with a high hand, for report says the + Earl of March hath fled before him. When he returns we shall have a + changed world, for his presence will control Albany; especially as many + nobles, and I myself, as I tell you in confidence, are resolved to league + with him to defend the general right. Thy exile, therefore, will end with + his return to our court. Thou hast but to seek thee some temporary hiding + place.” + </p> + <p> + “For that, my lord,” said the glover, “I can be at no loss, since I have + just title to the protection of the high Highland chief, Gilchrist MacIan, + chief of the Clan Quhele.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, if thou canst take hold of his mantle thou needs no help of any one + else: neither Lowland churchman nor layman finds a free course of justice + beyond the Highland frontier.” + </p> + <p> + “But then my child, noble sir—my Catharine?” said the glover. + </p> + <p> + “Let her go with thee, man. The graddan cake will keep her white teeth in + order, the goat’s whey will make the blood spring to her cheek again, + which these alarms have banished and even the Fair Maiden of Perth may + sleep soft enough on a bed of Highland breckan.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not from such idle respects, my lord, that I hesitate,” said the + glover. “Catharine is the daughter of a plain burgher, and knows not + nicety of food or lodging. But the son of MacIan hath been for many years + a guest in my house, and I am obliged to say that I have observed him + looking at my daughter, who is as good as a betrothed bride, in a manner + that, though I cared not for it in this lodging in Curfew Street, would + give me some fear of consequences in a Highland glen, where I have no + friend and Conachar many.” + </p> + <p> + The knightly provost replied by a long whistle. “Whew! whew! Nay, in that + case, I advise thee to send her to the nunnery at Elcho, where the abbess, + if I forget not, is some relation of yours. Indeed, she said so herself, + adding, that she loved her kinswoman well, together with all that belongs + to thee, Simon.” + </p> + <p> + “Truly, my lord, I do believe that the abbess hath so much regard for me, + that she would willingly receive the trust of my daughter, and my whole + goods and gear, into her sisterhood. Marry, her affection is something of + a tenacious character, and would be loth to unloose its hold, either upon + the wench or her tocher.” + </p> + <p> + “Whew—whew!” again whistled the Knight of Kinfauns; “by the Thane’s + Cross, man, but this is an ill favoured pirn to wind: Yet it shall never + be said the fairest maid in the Fair City was cooped up in a convent, like + a kain hen in a cavey, and she about to be married to the bold burgess + Henry Wynd. That tale shall not be told while I wear belt and spurs, and + am called Provost of Perth.” + </p> + <p> + “But what remede, my lord?” asked the glover. + </p> + <p> + “We must all take our share of the risk. Come, get you and your daughter + presently to horse. You shall ride with me, and we’ll see who dare gloom + at you. The summons is not yet served on thee, and if they send an + apparitor to Kinfauns without a warrant under the King’s own hand, I make + mine avow, by the Red Rover’s soul! that he shall eat his writ, both wax + and wether skin. To horse—to horse! and,” addressing Catharine, as + she entered at the moment, “you too, my pretty maid— + </p> + <p> + “To horse, and fear not for your quarters; They thrive in law that trust + in Charters.” + </p> + <p> + In a minute or two the father and daughter were on horseback, both keeping + an arrow’s flight before the provost, by his direction, that they might + not seem to be of the same company. They passed the eastern gate in some + haste, and rode forward roundly until they were out of sight. Sir Patrick + followed leisurely; but, when he was lost to the view of the warders, he + spurred his mettled horse, and soon came up with the glover and Catharine, + when a conversation ensued which throws light upon some previous passages + of this history. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Hail, land of bowmen! seed of those who scorn’d + To stoop the neck to wide imperial Rome— + Oh, dearest half of Albion sea walled! + + Albania (1737). +</pre> + <p> + “I have been devising a mode,” said the well meaning provost, “by which I + may make you both secure for a week or two from the malice of your + enemies, when I have little doubt I may see a changed world at court. But + that I may the better judge what is to be done, tell me frankly, Simon, + the nature of your connexion with Gilchrist MacIan, which leads you to + repose such implicit confidence in him. You are a close observer of the + rules of the city, and are aware of the severe penalties which they + denounce against such burghers as have covine and alliance with the + Highland clans.” + </p> + <p> + “True, my lord; but it is also known to you that our craft, working in + skins of cattle, stags, and every other description of hides, have a + privilege, and are allowed to transact with those Highlanders, as with the + men who can most readily supply us with the means of conducting our trade, + to the great profit of the burgh. Thus it hath chanced with me to have + great dealings with these men; and I can take it on my salvation, that you + nowhere find more just and honourable traffickers, or by whom a man may + more easily make an honest penny. I have made in my day several distant + journeys into the far Highlands, upon the faith of their chiefs; nor did I + ever meet with a people more true to their word, when you can once prevail + upon them to plight it in your behalf. And as for the Highland chief, + Gilchrist MacIan, saving that he is hasty in homicide and fire raising + towards those with whom he hath deadly feud, I have nowhere seen a man who + walketh a more just and upright path.” + </p> + <p> + “It is more than ever I heard before,” said Sir Patrick Charteris. “Yet I + have known something of the Highland runagates too.” + </p> + <p> + “They show another favour, and a very different one, to their friends than + to their enemies, as your lordship shall understand,” said the glover. + “However, be that as it may, it chanced me to serve Gilchrist MacIan in a + high matter. It is now about eighteen years since, that it chanced, the + Clan Quhele and Clan Chattan being at feud, as indeed they are seldom at + peace, the former sustained such a defeat as well nigh extirpated the + family of their chief MacIan. Seven of his sons were slain in battle and + after it, himself put to flight, and his castle taken and given to the + flames. His wife, then near the time of giving birth to an infant, fled + into the forest, attended by one faithful servant and his daughter. Here, + in sorrow and care enough, she gave birth to a boy; and as the misery of + the mother’s condition rendered her little able to suckle the infant, he + was nursed with the milk of a doe, which the forester who attended her + contrived to take alive in a snare. It was not many months afterwards + that, in a second encounter of these fierce clans, MacIan defeated his + enemies in his turn, and regained possession of the district which he had + lost. It was with unexpected rapture that he found his wife and child were + in existence, having never expected to see more of them than the bleached + bones, from which the wolves and wildcats had eaten the flesh. + </p> + <p> + “But a strong and prevailing prejudice, such as is often entertained by + these wild people, prevented their chief from enjoying the full happiness + arising from having thus regained his only son in safety. An ancient + prophecy was current among them, that the power of the tribe should fall + by means of a boy born under a bush of holly and suckled by a white doe. + The circumstance, unfortunately for the chief, tallied exactly with the + birth of the only child which remained to him, and it was demanded of him + by the elders of the clan, that the boy should be either put to death or + at least removed from the dominions of the tribe and brought up in + obscurity. Gilchrist MacIan was obliged to consent and having made choice + of the latter proposal, the child, under the name of Conachar, was brought + up in my family, with the purpose, as was at first intended, of concealing + from him all knowledge who or what he was, or of his pretensions to + authority over a numerous and warlike people. But, as years rolled on, the + elders of the tribe, who had exerted so much authority, were removed by + death, or rendered incapable of interfering in the public affairs by age; + while, on the other hand, the influence of Gilchrist MacIan was increased + by his successful struggles against the Clan Chattan, in which he restored + the equality betwixt the two contending confederacies, which had existed + before the calamitous defeat of which I told your honour. Feeling himself + thus firmly seated, he naturally became desirous to bring home his only + son to his bosom and family; and for that purpose caused me to send the + young Conachar, as he was called, more than once to the Highlands. He was + a youth expressly made, by his form and gallantry of bearing, to gain a + father’s heart. At length, I suppose the lad either guessed the secret of + his birth or something of it was communicated to him; and the disgust + which the paughty Hieland varlet had always shown for my honest trade + became more manifest; so that I dared not so much as lay my staff over his + costard, for fear of receiving a stab with a dirk, as an answer in Gaelic + to a Saxon remark. It was then that I wished to be well rid of him, the + rather that he showed so much devotion to Catharine, who, forsooth, set + herself up to wash the Ethiopian, and teach a wild Hielandmnan mercy and + morals. She knows herself how it ended.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my father,” said Catharine, “it was surely but a point of charity to + snatch the brand from the burning.” + </p> + <p> + “But a small point of wisdom,” said her father, “to risk the burning of + your own fingers for such an end. What says my lord to the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord would not offend the Fair Maid of Perth,” said Sir Patrick; “and + he knows well the purity and truth of her mind. And yet I must needs say + that, had this nursling of the doe been shrivelled, haggard, cross made, + and red haired, like some Highlanders I have known, I question if the Fair + Maiden of Perth would have bestowed so much zeal upon his conversion; and + if Catharine had been as aged, wrinkled, and bent by years as the old + woman that opened the door for me this morning, I would wager my gold + spurs against a pair of Highland brogues that this wild roebuck would + never have listened to a second lecture. You laugh, glover, and Catharine + blushes a blush of anger. Let it pass, it is the way of the world.” + </p> + <p> + “The way in which the men of the world esteem their neighbours, my lord,” + answered Catharine, with some spirit. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, fair saint, forgive a jest,” said the knight; “and thou, Simon, tell + us how this tale ended—with Conachar’s escape to the Highlands, I + suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “With his return thither,” said the glover. “There was, for some two or + three years, a fellow about Perth, a sort of messenger, who came and went + under divers pretences, but was, in fact, the means of communication + between Gilchrist MacIan and his son, young Conachar, or, as he is now + called, Hector. From this gillie I learned, in general, that the + banishment of the dault an neigh dheil, or foster child of the white doe, + was again brought under consideration of the tribe. His foster father, + Torquil of the Oak, the old forester, appeared with eight sons, the finest + men of the clan, and demanded that the doom of banishment should be + revoked. He spoke with the greater authority, as he was himself taishatar, + or a seer, and supposed to have communication with the invisible world. He + affirmed that he had performed a magical ceremony, termed tine egan, by + which he evoked a fiend, from whom he extorted a confession that Conachar, + now called Eachin, or Hector, MacIan, was the only man in the approaching + combat between the two hostile clans who should come off without blood or + blemish. Hence Torquil of the Oak argued that the presence of the fated + person was necessary to ensure the victory. ‘So much I am possessed of + this,’ said the forester, ‘that, unless Eachin fight in his place in the + ranks of the Clan Quhele, neither I, his foster father, nor any of my + eight sons will lift a weapon in the quarrel.’ + </p> + <p> + “This speech was received with much alarm; for the defection of nine men, + the stoutest of their tribe, would be a serious blow, more especially if + the combat, as begins to be rumoured, should be decided by a small number + from each side. The ancient superstition concerning the foster son of the + white doe was counterbalanced by a new and later prejudice, and the father + took the opportunity of presenting to the clan his long hidden son, whose + youthful, but handsome and animated, countenance, haughty carriage, and + active limbs excited the admiration of the clansmen, who joyfully received + him as the heir and descendant of their chief, notwithstanding the ominous + presage attending his birth and nurture. + </p> + <p> + “From this tale, my lord,” continued Simon Glover, “your lordship may + easily conceive why I myself should be secure of a good reception among + the Clan Quhele; and you may also have reason to judge that it would be + very rash in me to carry Catharine thither. And this, noble lord, is the + heaviest of my troubles.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall lighten the load, then,” said Sir Patrick; “and, good glover, I + will take risk for thee and this damsel. My alliance with the Douglas + gives me some interest with Marjory, Duchess of Rothsay, his daughter, the + neglected wife of our wilful Prince. Rely on it, good glover, that in her + retinue thy daughter will be as secure as in a fenced castle. The Duchess + keeps house now at Falkland, a castle which the Duke of Albany, to whom it + belongs, has lent to her for her accommodation. I cannot promise you + pleasure, Fair Maiden; for the Duchess Marjory of Rothsay is unfortunate, + and therefore splenetic, haughty, and overbearing; conscious of the want + of attractive qualities, therefore jealous of those women who possess + them. But she is firm in faith and noble in spirit, and would fling Pope + or prelate into the ditch of her castle who should come to arrest any one + under her protection. You will therefore have absolute safety, though you + may lack comfort.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no title to more,” said Catharine; “and deeply do I feel the + kindness that is willing to secure me such honourable protection. If she + be haughty, I will remember she is a Douglas, and hath right, as being + such, to entertain as much pride as may become a mortal; if she be + fretful, I will recollect that she is unfortunate, and if she be + unreasonably captious, I will not forget that she is my protectress. Heed + no longer for me, my lord, when you have placed me under the noble lady’s + charge. But my poor father, to be exposed amongst these wild and dangerous + people!” + </p> + <p> + “Think not of that, Catharine,” said the glover: “I am as familiar with + brogues and bracken as if I had worn them myself. I have only to fear that + the decisive battle may be fought before I can leave this country; and if + the clan Quhele lose the combat, I may suffer by the ruin of my + protectors.” + </p> + <p> + “We must have that cared for,” said Sir Patrick: “rely on my looking out + for your safety. But which party will carry the day, think you?” + </p> + <p> + “Frankly, my Lord Provost, I believe the Clan Chattan will have the worse: + these nine children of the forest form a third nearly of the band + surrounding the chief of Clan Quhele, and are redoubted champions.” + </p> + <p> + “And your apprentice, will he stand to it, thinkest thou?” + </p> + <p> + “He is hot as fire, Sir Patrick,” answered the glover; “but he is also + unstable as water. Nevertheless, if he is spared, he seems likely to be + one day a brave man.” + </p> + <p> + “But, as now, he has some of the white doe’s milk still lurking about his + liver, ha, Simon?” + </p> + <p> + “He has little experience, my lord,” said the glover, “and I need not tell + an honoured warrior like yourself that danger must be familiar to us ere + we can dally with it like a mistress.” + </p> + <p> + This conversation brought them speedily to the Castle of Kinfauns, where, + after a short refreshment, it was necessary that the father and the + daughter should part, in order to seek their respective places of refuge. + It was then first, as she saw that her father’s anxiety on her account had + drowned all recollections of his friend, that Catharine dropped, as if in + a dream, the name of “Henry Gow.” + </p> + <p> + “True—most true,” continued her father; “we must possess him of our + purposes.” + </p> + <p> + “Leave that to me,” said Sir Patrick. “I will not trust to a messenger, + nor will I send a letter, because, if I could write one, I think he could + not read it. He will suffer anxiety in the mean while, but I will ride to + Perth tomorrow by times and acquaint him with your designs.” + </p> + <p> + The time of separation now approached. It was a bitter moment, but the + manly character of the old burgher, and the devout resignation of + Catharine to the will of Providence made it lighter than might have been + expected. The good knight hurried the departure of the burgess, but in the + kindest manner; and even went so far as to offer him some gold pieces in + loan, which might, where specie was so scarce, be considered as the ne + plus ultra of regard. The glover, however, assured him he was amply + provided, and departed on his journey in a northwesterly direction. The + hospitable protection of Sir Patrick Charteris was no less manifested + towards his fair guest. She was placed under the charge of a duenna who + managed the good knight’s household, and was compelled to remain several + days in Kinfauns, owing to the obstacles and delays interposed by a Tay + boatman, named Kitt Henshaw, to whose charge she was to be committed, and + whom the provost highly trusted. + </p> + <p> + Thus were severed the child and parent in a moment of great danger and + difficulty, much augmented by circumstances of which they were then + ignorant, and which seemed greatly to diminish any chance of safety that + remained for them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “This Austin humbly did.” “Did he?” quoth he. + “Austin may do the same again for me.” + + Pope’s Prologue to Canterbury Tales from Chaucer. +</pre> + <p> + The course of our story will be best pursued by attending that of Simon + Glover. It is not our purpose to indicate the exact local boundaries of + the two contending clans, especially since they are not clearly pointed + out by the historians who have transmitted accounts of this memorable + feud. It is sufficient to say, that the territory of the Clan Chattan + extended far and wide, comprehending Caithness and Sutherland, and having + for their paramount chief the powerful earl of the latter shire, thence + called Mohr ar Chat. In this general sense, the Keiths, the Sinclairs, the + Guns, and other families and clans of great power, were included in the + confederacy. These, however, were not engaged in the present quarrel, + which was limited to that part of the Clan Chattan occupying the extensive + mountainous districts of Perthshire and Inverness shire, which form a + large portion of what is called the northeastern Highlands. It is well + known that two large septs, unquestionably known to belong to the Clan + Chattan, the MacPhersons and the MacIntoshes, dispute to this day which of + their chieftains was at the head of this Badenoch branch of the great + confederacy, and both have of later times assumed the title of Captain of + Clan Chattan. Non nostrum est. But, at all events, Badenoch must have been + the centre of the confederacy, so far as involved in the feud of which we + treat. + </p> + <p> + Of the rival league of Clan Quhele we have a still less distinct account, + for reasons which will appear in the sequel. Some authors have identified + them with the numerous and powerful sept of MacKay. If this is done on + good authority, which is to be doubted, the MacKays must have shifted + their settlements greatly since the reign of Robert III, since they are + now to be found (as a clan) in the extreme northern parts of Scotland, in + the counties of Ross and Sutherland. We cannot, therefore, be so clear as + we would wish in the geography of the story. Suffice it that, directing + his course in a northwesterly direction, the glover travelled for a day’s + journey in the direction of the Breadalbane country, from which he hoped + to reach the castle where Gilchrist MacIan, the captain of the Clan + Quhele, and the father of his pupil Conachar, usually held his residence, + with a barbarous pomp of attendance and ceremonial suited to his lofty + pretensions. + </p> + <p> + We need not stop to describe the toil and terrors of such a journey, where + the path was to be traced among wastes and mountains, now ascending + precipitous ravines, now plunging into inextricable bogs, and often + intersected with large brooks, and even rivers. But all these perils Simon + Glover had before encountered in quest of honest gain; and it was not to + be supposed that he shunned or feared them where liberty, and life itself, + were at stake. + </p> + <p> + The danger from the warlike and uncivilised inhabitants of these wilds + would have appeared to another at least as formidable as the perils of the + journey. But Simon’s knowledge of the manners and language of the people + assured him on this point also. An appeal to the hospitality of the + wildest Gael was never unsuccessful; and the kerne, that in other + circumstances would have taken a man’s life for the silver button of his + cloak, would deprive himself of a meal to relieve the traveller who + implored hospitality at the door of his bothy. The art of travelling in + the Highlands was to appear as confident and defenceless as possible; and + accordingly the glover carried no arms whatever, journeyed without the + least appearance of precaution, and took good care to exhibit nothing + which might excite cupidity. Another rule which he deemed it prudent to + observe was to avoid communication with any of the passengers whom he + might chance to meet, except in the interchange of the common civilities + of salutation, which the Highlanders rarely omit. Few opportunities + occurred of exchanging even such passing greetings. The country, always + lonely, seemed now entirely forsaken; and, even in the little straths or + valleys which he had occasion to pass or traverse, the hamlets were + deserted, and the inhabitants had betaken themselves to woods and caves. + This was easily accounted for, considering the imminent dangers of a feud + which all expected would become one of the most general signals for + plunder and ravage that had ever distracted that unhappy country. + </p> + <p> + Simon began to be alarmed at this state of desolation. He had made a halt + since he left Kinfauns, to allow his nag some rest; and now he began to be + anxious how he was to pass the night. He had reckoned upon spending it at + the cottage of an old acquaintance, called Niel Booshalloch (or the cow + herd), because he had charge of numerous herds of cattle belonging to the + captain of Clan Quhele, for which purpose he had a settlement on the banks + of the Tay, not far from the spot where it leaves the lake of the same + name. From this his old host and friend, with whom he had transacted many + bargains for hides and furs, the old glover hoped to learn the present + state of the country, the prospect of peace or war, and the best measures + to be taken for his own safety. It will be remembered that the news of the + indentures of battle entered into for diminishing the extent of the feud + had only been communicated to King Robert the day before the glover left + Perth, and did not become public till some time afterwards. + </p> + <p> + “If Niel Booshalloch hath left his dwelling like the rest of them, I shall + be finely holped up,” thought Simon, “since I want not only the advantage + of his good advice, but also his interest with Gilchrist MacIan; and, + moreover, a night’s quarters and a supper.” + </p> + <p> + Thus reflecting, he reached the top of a swelling green hill, and saw the + splendid vision of Loch Tay lying beneath him—an immense plate of + polished silver, its dark heathy mountains and leafless thickets of oak + serving as an arabesque frame to a magnificent mirror. + </p> + <p> + Indifferent to natural beauty at any time, Simon Glover was now + particularly so; and the only part of the splendid landscape on which he + turned his eye was an angle or loop of meadow land where the river Tay, + rushing in full swoln dignity from its parent lake, and wheeling around a + beautiful valley of about a mile in breadth, begins his broad course to + the southeastward, like a conqueror and a legislator, to subdue and to + enrich remote districts. Upon the sequestered spot, which is so + beautifully situated between lake, mountain, and river, arose afterwards + the feudal castle of the Ballough [Balloch is Gaelic for the discharge of + a lake into a river], which in our time has been succeeded by the splendid + palace of the Earls of Breadalbane. + </p> + <p> + But the Campbells, though they had already attained very great power in + Argyleshire, had not yet extended themselves so far eastward as Loch Tay, + the banks of which were, either by right or by mere occupancy, possessed + for, the present by the Clan Quhele, whose choicest herds were fattened on + the Balloch margin of the lake. In this valley, therefore, between the + river and the lake, amid extensive forests of oak wood, hazel, rowan tree, + and larches, arose the humble cottage of Niel Booshalloch, a village + Eumaeus, whose hospitable chimneys were seen to smoke plentifully, to the + great encouragement of Simon Glover, who might otherwise have been obliged + to spend the night in the open air, to his no small discomfort. + </p> + <p> + He reached the door of the cottage, whistled, shouted, and made his + approach known. There was a baying of hounds and collies, and presently + the master of the hut came forth. There was much care on his brow, and he + seemed surprised at the sight of Simon Glover, though the herdsman covered + both as well as he might; for nothing in that region could be reckoned + more uncivil than for the landlord to suffer anything to escape him in + look or gesture which might induce the visitor to think that his arrival + was an unpleasing, or even an unexpected, incident. The traveller’s horse + was conducted to a stable, which was almost too low to receive him, and + the glover himself was led into the mansion of the Booshalloch, where, + according to the custom of the country, bread and cheese was placed before + the wayfarer, while more solid food was preparing. Simon, who understood + all their habits, took no notice of the obvious marks of sadness on the + brow of his entertainer and on those of the family, until he had eaten + somewhat for form’s sake, after which he asked the general question, “Was + there any news in the country?” + </p> + <p> + “Bad news as ever were told,” said the herdsman: “our father is no more.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” said Simon, greatly alarmed, “is the captain of the Clan Quhele + dead?” + </p> + <p> + “The captain of the Clan Quhele never dies,” answered the Booshalloch; + “but Gilchrist MacIan died twenty hours since, and his son, Eachin MacIan, + is now captain.” + </p> + <p> + “What, Eachin—that is Conachar—my apprentice?” + </p> + <p> + “As little of that subject as you list, brother Simon,” said the herdsman. + “It is to be remembered, friend, that your craft, which doth very well for + a living in the douce city of Perth, is something too mechanical to be + much esteemed at the foot of Ben Lawers and on the banks of Loch Tay. We + have not a Gaelic word by which we can even name a maker of gloves.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be strange if you had, friend Niel,” said Simon, drily, “having + so few gloves to wear. I think there be none in the whole Clan Quhele, + save those which I myself gave to Gilchrist MacIan, whom God assoilzie, + who esteemed them a choice propine. Most deeply do I regret his death, for + I was coming to him on express business.” + </p> + <p> + “You had better turn the nag’s head southward with morning light,” said + the herdsman. “The funeral is instantly to take place, and it must be with + short ceremony; for there is a battle to be fought by the Clan Quhele and + the Clan Chattan, thirty champions on a side, as soon as Palm Sunday next, + and we have brief time either to lament the dead or honour the living.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet are my affairs so pressing, that I must needs see the young chief, + were it but for a quarter of an hour,” said the glover. + </p> + <p> + “Hark thee, friend,” replied his host, “I think thy business must be + either to gather money or to make traffic. Now, if the chief owe thee + anything for upbringing or otherwise, ask him not to pay it when all the + treasures of the tribe are called in for making gallant preparation of + arms and equipment for their combatants, that we may meet these proud hill + cats in a fashion to show ourselves their superiors. But if thou comest to + practise commerce with us, thy time is still worse chosen. Thou knowest + that thou art already envied of many of our tribe, for having had the + fosterage of the young chief, which is a thing usually given to the best + of the clan.”’ + </p> + <p> + “But, St. Mary, man!” exclaimed the glover, “men should remember the + office was not conferred on me as a favour which I courted, but that it + was accepted by me on importunity and entreaty, to my no small prejudice. + This Conachar, or Hector, of yours, or whatever you call him, has + destroyed me doe skins to the amount of many pounds Scots.” + </p> + <p> + “There again, now,” said the Booshalloch, “you have spoken word to cost + your life—any allusion to skins or hides, or especially to deer and + does—may incur no less a forfeit. The chief is young, and jealous of + his rank; none knows the reason better than thou, friend Glover. He will + naturally wish that everything concerning the opposition to his + succession, and having reference to his exile, should be totally + forgotten; and he will not hold him in affection who shall recall the + recollection of his people, or force back his own, upon what they must + both remember with pain. Think how, at such a moment, they will look on + the old glover of Perth, to whom the chief was so long apprentice! Come—come, + old friend, you have erred in this. You are in over great haste to worship + the rising sun, while his beams are yet level with the horizon. Come thou + when he has climbed higher in the heavens, and thou shalt have thy share + of the warmth of his noonday height.” + </p> + <p> + “Niel Booshalloch,” said the glover, “we have been old friends, as thou + say’st; and as I think thee a true one, I will speak to thee freely, + though what I say might be perilous if spoken to others of thy clan. Thou + think’st I come hither to make my own profit of thy young chief, and it is + natural thou shouldst think so. But I would not, at my years, quit my own + chimney corner in Curfew Street to bask me in the beams of the brightest + sun that ever shone upon Highland heather. The very truth is, I come + hither in extremity: my foes have the advantage of me, and have laid + things to my charge whereof I am incapable, even in thought. Nevertheless, + doom is like to go forth against me, and there is no remedy but that I + must up and fly, or remain and perish. I come to your young chief, as one + who had refuge with me in his distress—who ate of my bread and drank + of my cup. I ask of him refuge, which, as I trust, I shall need but a + short time.” + </p> + <p> + “That makes a different case,” replied the herdsman. “So different, that, + if you came at midnight to the gate of MacIan, having the King of + Scotland’s head in your hand, and a thousand men in pursuit for the + avenging of his blood, I could not think it for his honour to refuse you + protection. And for your innocence or guilt, it concerns not the case; or + rather, he ought the more to shelter you if guilty, seeing your necessity + and his risk are both in that case the greater. I must straightway to him, + that no hasty tongue tell him of your arriving hither without saying the + cause.” + </p> + <p> + “A pity of your trouble,” said the glover; “but where lies the chief?” + </p> + <p> + “He is quartered about ten miles hence, busied with the affairs of the + funeral, and with preparations for the combat—the dead to the grave + and the living to battle.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a long way, and will take you all night to go and come,” said the + glover; “and I am very sure that Conachar when he knows it is I who—” + </p> + <p> + “Forget Conachar,” said the herdsman, placing his finger on his lips. “And + as for the ten miles, they are but a Highland leap, when one bears a + message between his friend and his chief.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, and committing the traveller to the charge of his eldest son + and his daughter, the active herdsman left his house two hours before + midnight, to which he returned long before sunrise. He did not disturb his + wearied guest, but when the old man had arisen in the morning he + acquainted him that the funeral of the late chieftain was to take place + the same day, and that, although Eachin MacIan could not invite a Saxon to + the funeral, he would be glad to receive him at the entertainment which + was to follow. + </p> + <p> + “His will must be obeyed,” said the glover, half smiling at the change of + relation between himself and his late apprentice. “The man is the master + now, and I trust he will remember that, when matters were otherwise + between us, I did not use my authority ungraciously.” + </p> + <p> + “Troutsho, friend!” exclaimed the Booshalloch, “the less of that you say + the better. You will find yourself a right welcome guest to Eachin, and + the deil a man dares stir you within his bounds. But fare you well, for I + must go, as beseems me, to the burial of the best chief the clan ever had, + and the wisest captain that ever cocked the sweet gale (bog myrtle) in his + bonnet. Farewell to you for a while, and if you will go to the top of the + Tom an Lonach behind the house, you will see a gallant sight, and hear + such a coronach as will reach the top of Ben Lawers. A boat will wait for + you, three hours hence, at a wee bit creek about half a mile westward from + the head of the Tay.” + </p> + <p> + With these words he took his departure, followed by his three sons, to man + the boat in which he was to join the rest of the mourners, and two + daughters, whose voices were wanted to join in the lament, which was + chanted, or rather screamed, on such occasions of general affliction. + </p> + <p> + Simon Glover, finding himself alone, resorted to the stable to look after + his nag, which, he found, had been well served with graddan, or bread made + of scorched barley. Of this kindness he was fully sensible, knowing that, + probably, the family had little of this delicacy left to themselves until + the next harvest should bring them a scanty supply. In animal food they + were well provided, and the lake found them abundance of fish for their + lenten diet, which they did not observe very strictly; but bread was a + delicacy very scanty in the Highlands. The bogs afforded a soft species of + hay, none of the best to be sure; but Scottish horses, like their riders, + were then accustomed to hard fare. + </p> + <p> + Gauntlet, for this was the name of the palfrey, had his stall crammed full + of dried fern for litter, and was otherwise as well provided for as + Highland hospitality could contrive. + </p> + <p> + Simon Glover being thus left to his own painful reflections, nothing + better remained, after having seen after the comforts of the dumb + companion of his journey, than to follow the herdsman’s advice; and + ascending towards the top of an eminence called Tom an Lonach, or the + Knoll of Yew Trees, after a walk of half an hour he reached the summit, + and could look down on the broad expanse of the lake, of which the height + commanded a noble view. A few aged and scattered yew trees of great size + still vindicated for the beautiful green hill the name attached to it. But + a far greater number had fallen a sacrifice to the general demand for bow + staves in that warlike age, the bow being a weapon much used by the + mountaineers, though those which they employed, as well as their arrows, + were, in shape and form, and especially in efficacy, far inferior to the + archery of merry England. The dark and shattered individual yews which + remained were like the veterans of a broken host, occupying in disorder + some post of advantage, with the stern purpose of resisting to the last. + Behind this eminence, but detached from it, arose a higher hill, partly + covered with copsewood, partly opening into glades of pasture, where the + cattle strayed, finding, at this season of the year, a scanty sustenance + among the spring heads and marshy places, where the fresh grass began + first to arise. + </p> + <p> + The opposite or northern shore of the lake presented a far more Alpine + prospect than that upon which the glover was stationed. Woods and thickets + ran up the sides of the mountains, and disappeared among the sinuosities + formed by the winding ravines which separated them from each other; but + far above these specimens of a tolerable natural soil arose the swart and + bare mountains themselves, in the dark grey desolation proper to the + season. + </p> + <p> + Some were peaked, some broad crested, some rocky and precipitous, others + of a tamer outline; and the clan of Titans seemed to be commanded by their + appropriate chieftains—the frowning mountain of Ben Lawers, and the + still more lofty eminence of Ben Mohr, arising high above the rest, whose + peaks retain a dazzling helmet of snow far into the summer season, and + sometimes during the whole year. Yet the borders of this wild and silvan + region, where the mountains descended upon the lake, intimated, even at + that early period, many traces of human habitation. Hamlets were seen, + especially on the northern margin of the lake, half hid among the little + glens that poured their tributary streams into Loch Tay, which, like many + earthly things, made a fair show at a distance, but, when more closely + approached, were disgustful and repulsive, from their squalid want of the + conveniences which attend even Indian wigwams. They were inhabited by a + race who neither cultivated the earth nor cared for the enjoyments which + industry procures. The women, although otherwise treated with affection, + and even delicacy of respect, discharged all the absolutely necessary + domestic labour. The men, excepting some reluctant use of an ill formed + plough, or more frequently a spade, grudgingly gone through, as a task + infinitely beneath them, took no other employment than the charge of the + herds of black cattle, in which their wealth consisted. At all other times + they hunted, fished, or marauded, during the brief intervals of peace, by + way of pastime; plundering with bolder license, and fighting with + embittered animosity, in time of war, which, public or private, upon a + broader or more restricted scale, formed the proper business of their + lives, and the only one which they esteemed worthy of them. + </p> + <p> + The magnificent bosom of the lake itself was a scene to gaze on with + delight. Its noble breadth, with its termination in a full and beautiful + run, was rendered yet more picturesque by one of those islets which are + often happily situated in the Scottish lakes. The ruins upon that isle, + now almost shapeless, being overgrown with wood rose, at the time we speak + of, into the towers and pinnacles of a priory, where slumbered the remains + of Sibylla, daughter of Henry I of England, and consort of Alexander the + First of Scotland. This holy place had been deemed of dignity sufficient + to be the deposit of the remains of the captain of the Clan Quhele, at + least till times when the removal of the danger, now so imminently + pressing, should permit of his body being conveyed to a distinguished + convent in the north, where he was destined ultimately to repose with all + his ancestry. + </p> + <p> + A number of boats pushed off from various points of the near and more + distant shore, many displaying sable banners, and others having their + several pipers in the bow, who from time to time poured forth a few notes + of a shrill, plaintive, and wailing character, and intimated to the glover + that the ceremony was about to take place. These sounds of lamentation + were but the tuning as it were of the instruments, compared with the + general wail which was speedily to be raised. + </p> + <p> + A distant sound was heard from far up the lake, even as it seemed from the + remote and distant glens out of which the Dochart and the Lochy pour their + streams into Loch Tay. It was in a wild, inaccessible spot, where the + Campbells at a subsequent period founded their strong fortress of + Finlayrigg, that the redoubted commander of the Clan Quhele drew his last + breath; and, to give due pomp to his funeral, his corpse was now to be + brought down the loch to the island assigned for his temporary place of + rest. The funeral fleet, led by the chieftain’s barge, from which a huge + black banner was displayed, had made more than two thirds of its voyage + ere it was visible from the eminence on which Simon Glover stood to + overlook the ceremony. The instant the distant wail of the coronach was + heard proceeding from the attendants on the funeral barge, all the + subordinate sounds of lamentation were hushed at once, as the raven ceases + to croak and the hawk to whistle whenever the scream of the eagle is + heard. The boats, which had floated hither and thither upon the lake, like + a flock of waterfowl dispersing themselves on its surface, now drew + together with an appearance of order, that the funeral flotilla might pass + onward, and that they themselves might fall into their proper places. In + the mean while the piercing din of the war pipes became louder and louder, + and the cry from the numberless boats which followed that from which the + black banner of the chief was displayed rose in wild unison up to the Tom + an Lonach, from which the glover viewed the spectacle. The galley which + headed the procession bore on its poop a species of scaffold, upon which, + arrayed in white linen, and with the face bare, was displayed the corpse + of the deceased chieftain. His son and the nearest relatives filled the + vessel, while a great number of boats, of every description that could be + assembled, either on Loch Tay itself or brought by land carriage from Loch + Earn and otherwise, followed in the rear, some of them of very frail + materials. There were even curraghs, composed of ox hides stretched over + hoops of willow, in the manner of the ancient British, and some committed + themselves to rafts formed for the occasion, from the readiest materials + that occurred, and united in such a precarious manner as to render it + probable that, before the accomplishment of the voyage, some of the + clansmen of the deceased might be sent to attend their chieftain in the + world of spirits. + </p> + <p> + When the principal flotilla came in sight of the smaller group of boats + collected towards the foot of the lake, and bearing off from the little + island, they hailed each other with a shout so loud and general, and + terminating in a cadence so wildly prolonged, that not only the deer + started from their glens for miles around, and sought the distant recesses + of the mountains, but even the domestic cattle, accustomed to the voice of + man, felt the full panic which the human shout strikes into the wilder + tribes, and like them fled from their pasture into morasses and dingles. + </p> + <p> + Summoned forth from their convent by those sounds, the monks who inhabited + the little islet began to issue from their lowly portal, with cross and + banner, and as much of ecclesiastical state as they had the means of + displaying; their bells at the same time, of which the edifice possessed + three, pealing the death toll over the long lake, which came to the ears + of the now silent multitude, mingled with the solemn chant of the Catholic + Church, raised by the monks in their procession. Various ceremonies were + gone through, while the kindred of the deceased carried the body ashore, + and, placing it on a bank long consecrated to the purpose, made the deasil + around the departed. When the corpse was uplifted to be borne into the + church, another united yell burst from the assembled multitude, in which + the deep shout of warriors and the shrill wail of females joined their + notes with the tremulous voice of age and the babbling cry of childhood. + The coronach was again, and for the last time, shrieked as the body was + carried into the interior of the church, where only the nearest relatives + of the deceased and the most distinguished of the leaders of the clan were + permitted to enter. The last yell of woe was so terribly loud, and + answered by so many hundred echoes, that the glover instinctively raised + his hands to his ears, to shut out, or deaden at least, a sound so + piercing. He kept this attitude while the hawks, owls, and other birds, + scared by the wild scream, had begun to settle in their retreats, when, as + he withdrew his hands, a voice close by him said: + </p> + <p> + “Think you this, Simon Glover, the hymn of penitence and praise with which + it becomes poor forlorn man, cast out from his tenement of clay, to be + wafted into the presence of his maker?” + </p> + <p> + The glover turned, and in the old man with a long white beard who stood + close beside him had no difficulty, from the clear mild eye and the + benevolent cast of features, to recognise the Carthusian monk Father + Clement, no longer wearing his monastic habiliments, but wrapped in a + frieze mantle and having a Highland cap on his head. + </p> + <p> + It may be recollected that the glover regarded this man with a combined + feeling of respect and dislike—respect, which his judgment could not + deny to the monk’s person and character, and dislike, which arose from + Father Clement’s peculiar doctrines being the cause of his daughter’s + exile and his own distress. It was not, therefore, with sentiments of + unmixed satisfaction that he returned the greetings of the father, and + replied to the reiterated question, what he thought of the funeral rites + which were discharged in so wild a manner: “I know not, my good father; + but these men do their duty to their deceased chief according to the + fashion of their ancestors: they mean to express their regret for their + friend’s loss and their prayers to Heaven in his behalf; and that which is + done of goodwill must, to my thinking, be accepted favourably. Had it been + otherwise, methinks they had ere now been enlightened to do better.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art deceived,” answered the monk. “God has sent His light amongst us + all, though in various proportions; but man wilfully shuts his eyes and + prefers darkness. This benighted people mingle with the ritual of the + Roman Church the old heathen ceremonies of their own fathers, and thus + unite with the abominations of a church corrupted by wealth and power the + cruel and bloody ritual of savage paynims.” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Simon, abruptly, “methinks your presence were more useful + in yonder chapel, aiding your brethren in the discharge of their clerical + duties, than in troubling and unsettling the belief of an humble though + ignorant Christian like myself.” + </p> + <p> + “And wherefore say, good brother, that I would unfix thy principles of + belief?” answered Clement. “So Heaven deal with me, as, were my life blood + necessary to cement the mind of any man to the holy religion he + professeth, it should be freely poured out for the purpose.” + </p> + <p> + “Your speech is fair, father, I grant you,” said the glover; “but if I am + to judge the doctrine by the fruits, Heaven has punished me by the hand of + the church for having hearkened thereto. Ere I heard you, my confessor was + little moved though I might have owned to have told a merry tale upon the + ale bench, even if a friar or a nun were the subject. If at a time I had + called Father Hubert a better hunter of hares than of souls, I confessed + me to the Vicar Vinesauf, who laughed and made me pay a reckoning for + penance; or if I had said that the Vicar Vinesauf was more constant to his + cup than to his breviary, I confessed me to Father Hubert, and a new + hawking glove made all well again; and thus I, my conscience, and Mother + Church lived together on terms of peace, friendship, and mutual + forbearance. But since I have listened to you, Father Clement, this goodly + union is broke to pieces, and nothing is thundered in my ear but purgatory + in the next world and fire and fagot in this. Therefore, avoid you, Father + Clement, or speak to those who can understand your doctrine. I have no + heart to be a martyr: I have never in my whole life had courage enough so + much as to snuff a candle with my fingers; and, to speak the truth, I am + minded to go back to Perth, sue out my pardon in the spiritual court, + carry my fagot to the gallows foot in token of recantation, and purchase + myself once more the name of a good Catholic, were it at the price of all + the worldly wealth that remains to me.” + </p> + <p> + “You are angry, my dearest brother,” said Clement, “and repent you on the + pinch of a little worldly danger and a little worldly loss for the good + thoughts which you once entertained.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak at ease, Father Clement, since I think you have long forsworn + the wealth and goods of the world, and are prepared to yield up your life + when it is demanded in exchange for the doctrine you preach and believe. + You are as ready to put on your pitched shirt and brimstone head gear as a + naked man is to go to his bed, and it would seem you have not much more + reluctance to the ceremony. But I still wear that which clings to me. My + wealth is still my own, and I thank Heaven it is a decent pittance whereon + to live; my life, too, is that of a hale old man of sixty, who is in no + haste to bring it to a close; and if I were poor as Job and on the edge of + the grave, must I not still cling to my daughter, whom your doctrines have + already cost so dear?” + </p> + <p> + “Thy daughter, friend Simon,” said the Carmelite [Carthusian], “may be + truly called an angel upon earth.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, and by listening to your doctrines, father, she is now like to be + called on to be an angel in heaven, and to be transported thither in a + chariot of fire.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my good brother,” said Clement, “desist, I pray you, to speak of + what you little understand. Since it is wasting time to show thee the + light that thou chafest against, yet listen to that which I have to say + touching thy daughter, whose temporal felicity, though I weigh it not even + for an instant in the scale against that which is spiritual, is, + nevertheless, in its order, as dear to Clement Blair as to her own + father.” + </p> + <p> + The tears stood in the old man’s eyes as he spoke, and Simon Glover was in + some degree mollified as he again addressed him. + </p> + <p> + “One would think thee, Father Clement, the kindest and most amiable of + men; how comes it, then, that thy steps are haunted by general ill will + wherever thou chancest to turn them? I could lay my life thou hast + contrived already to offend yonder half score of poor friars in their + water girdled cage, and that you have been prohibited from attendance on + the funeral?” + </p> + <p> + “Even so, my son,” said the Carthusian, “and I doubt whether their malice + will suffer me to remain in this country. I did but speak a few sentences + about the superstition and folly of frequenting St. Fillan’s church, to + detect theft by means of his bell, of bathing mad patients in his pool, to + cure their infirmity of mind; and lo! the persecutors have cast me forth + of their communion, as they will speedily cast me out of this life.” + </p> + <p> + “Lo you there now,” said the glover, “see what it is for a man that cannot + take a warning! Well, Father Clement, men will not cast me forth unless it + were as a companion of yours. I pray you, therefore, tell me what you have + to say of my daughter, and let us be less neighbours than we have been.” + </p> + <p> + “This, then, brother Simon, I have to acquaint you with. This young chief, + who is swoln with contemplation of his own power and glory, loves one + thing better than it all, and that is thy daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “He, Conachar!” exclaimed Simon. “My runagate apprentice look up to my + daughter!” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Clement, “how close sits our worldly pride, even as ivy + clings to the wall, and cannot be separated! Look up to thy daughter, good + Simon? Alas, no! The captain of Clan Quhele, great as he is, and greater + as he soon expects to be, looks down to the daughter of the Perth burgess, + and considers himself demeaned in doing so. But, to use his own profane + expression, Catharine is dearer to him than life here and Heaven + hereafter: he cannot live without her.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he may die, if he lists,” said Simon Glover, “for she is betrothed + to an honest burgess of Perth; and I would not break my word to make my + daughter bride to the Prince of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought it would be your answer,” replied the monk; “I would, worthy + friend, thou couldst carry into thy spiritual concerns some part of that + daring and resolved spirit with which thou canst direct thy temporal + affairs.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush thee—hush, Father Clement!” answered the glover; “when thou + fallest into that vein of argument, thy words savour of blazing tar, and + that is a scent I like not. As to Catharine, I must manage as I can, so as + not to displease the young dignitary; but well is it for me that she is + far beyond his reach.” + </p> + <p> + “She must then be distant indeed,” said the Carmelite [Carthusian]. “And + now, brother Simon, since you think it perilous to own me and my opinions, + I must walk alone with my own doctrines and the dangers they draw on me. + But should your eye, less blinded than it now is by worldly hopes and + fears, ever turn a glance back on him who soon may be snatched from you, + remember, that by nought save a deep sense of the truth and importance of + the doctrine which he taught could Clement Blair have learned to + encounter, nay, to provoke, the animosity of the powerful and inveterate, + to alarm the fears of the jealous and timid, to walk in the world as he + belonged not to it, and to be accounted mad of men, that he might, if + possible, win souls to God. Heaven be my witness, that I would comply in + all lawful things to conciliate the love and sympathy of my fellow + creatures! It is no light thing to be shunned by the worthy as an infected + patient, to be persecuted by the Pharisees of the day as an unbelieving + heretic, to be regarded with horror at once and contempt by the multitude, + who consider me as a madman, who may be expected to turn mischievous. But + were all those evils multiplied an hundredfold, the fire within must not + be stifled, the voice which says within me ‘Speak’ must receive obedience. + Woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel, even should I at length preach it + from amidst the pile of flames!” + </p> + <p> + So spoke this bold witness, one of those whom Heaven raised up from time + to time to preserve amidst the most ignorant ages, and to carry down to + those which succeed them, a manifestation of unadulterated Christianity, + from the time of the Apostles to the age when, favoured by the invention + of printing, the Reformation broke out in full splendour. The selfish + policy of the glover was exposed in his own eyes; and he felt himself + contemptible as he saw the Carthusian turn from him in all the + hallowedness of resignation. He was even conscious of a momentary + inclination to follow the example of the preacher’s philanthropy and + disinterested zeal, but it glanced like a flash of lightning through a + dark vault, where there lies nothing to catch the blaze; and he slowly + descended the hill in a direction different from that of the Carthusian, + forgetting him and his doctrines, and buried in anxious thoughts about his + child’s fate and his own. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + What want these outlaws conquerors should have + But history’s purchased page to call them great, + A wider space, an ornamented grave? + Their hopes were not less warm, their souls were full as brave. + + BYRON. +</pre> + <p> + The funeral obsequies being over, the same flotilla which had proceeded in + solemn and sad array down the lake prepared to return with displayed + banners, and every demonstration of mirth and joy; for there was but brief + time to celebrate festivals when the awful conflict betwixt the Clan + Quhele and their most formidable rivals so nearly approached. It had been + agreed, therefore, that the funeral feast should be blended with that + usually given at the inauguration of the young chief. + </p> + <p> + Some objections were made to this arrangement, as containing an evil omen. + But, on the other hand, it had a species of recommendation, from the + habits and feelings of the Highlanders, who, to this day, are wont to + mingle a degree of solemn mirth with their mourning, and something + resembling melancholy with their mirth. The usual aversion to speak or + think of those who have been beloved and lost is less known to this grave + and enthusiastic race than it is to others. You hear not only the young + mention (as is everywhere usual) the merits and the character of parents, + who have, in the course of nature, predeceased them; but the widowed + partner speaks, in ordinary conversation, of the lost spouse, and, what is + still stranger, the parents allude frequently to the beauty or valour of + the child whom they have interred. The Scottish Highlanders appear to + regard the separation of friends by death as something less absolute and + complete than it is generally esteemed in other countries, and converse of + the dear connexions who have sought the grave before them as if they had + gone upon a long journey in which they themselves must soon follow. The + funeral feast, therefore, being a general custom throughout Scotland, was + not, in the opinion of those who were to share it, unseemingly mingled, on + the present occasion, with the festivities which hailed the succession to + the chieftainship. + </p> + <p> + The barge which had lately borne the dead to the grave now conveyed the + young MacIan to his new command and the minstrels sent forth their gayest + notes to gratulate Eachin’s succession, as they had lately sounded their + most doleful dirges when carrying Gilchrist to his grave. From the + attendant flotilla rang notes of triumph and jubilee, instead of those + yells of lamentation which had so lately disturbed the echoes of Loch Tay; + and a thousand voices hailed the youthful chieftain as he stood on the + poop, armed at all points, in the flower of early manhood, beauty, and + activity, on the very spot where his father’s corpse had so lately been + extended, and surrounded by triumphant friends, as that had been by + desolate mourners. + </p> + <p> + One boat kept closest of the flotilla to the honoured galley. Torquil of + the Oak, a grizzled giant, was steersman; and his eight sons, each + exceeding the ordinary stature of mankind, pulled the oars. Like some + powerful and favourite wolf hound, unloosed from his couples, and + frolicking around a liberal master, the boat of the foster brethren passed + the chieftain’s barge, now on one side and now on another, and even rowed + around it, as if in extravagance of joy; while, at the same time, with the + jealous vigilance of the animal we have compared it to, they made it + dangerous for any other of the flotilla to approach so near as themselves, + from the risk of being run down by their impetuous and reckless + manoeuvres. Raised to an eminent rank in the clan by the succession of + their foster brother to the command of the Clan Quhele, this was the + tumultuous and almost terrible mode in which they testified their peculiar + share in their chief’s triumph. + </p> + <p> + Far behind, and with different feelings, on the part of one at least of + the company, came the small boat in which, manned by the Booshalloch and + one of his sons, Simon Glover was a passenger. + </p> + <p> + “If we are bound for the head of the lake,” said Simon to his friend, “we + shall hardly be there for hours.” + </p> + <p> + But as he spoke the crew of the boat of the foster brethren, or leichtach, + on a signal from the chief’s galley, lay on their oars until the + Booshalloch’s boat came up, and throwing on board a rope of hides, which + Niel made fast to the head of his skiff, they stretched to their oars once + more, and, notwithstanding they had the small boat in tow, swept through + the lake with almost the same rapidity as before. The skiff was tugged on + with a velocity which seemed to hazard the pulling her under water, or the + separation of her head from her other timbers. + </p> + <p> + Simon Glover saw with anxiety the reckless fury of their course, and the + bows of the boat occasionally brought within an inch or two of the level + of the water; and though his friend, Niel Booshalloch, assured him it was + all done in especial honour, he heartily wished his voyage might have a + safe termination. It had so, and much sooner than he apprehended; for the + place of festivity was not four miles distant from the sepulchral island, + being chosen to suit the chieftain’s course, which lay to the southeast, + so soon as the banquet should be concluded. A bay on the southern side of + Loch Tay presented a beautiful beach of sparkling sand, on which the boats + might land with ease, and a dry meadow, covered with turf, verdant + considering the season, behind and around which rose high banks, fringed + with copsewood, and displaying the lavish preparations which had been made + for the entertainment. + </p> + <p> + The Highlanders, well known for ready hatchet men, had constructed a long + arbour or silvan banqueting room, capable of receiving two hundred men, + while a number of smaller huts around seemed intended for sleeping + apartments. The uprights, the couples, and roof tree of the temporary hall + were composed of mountain pine, still covered with its bark. The framework + of the sides was of planks or spars of the same material, closely + interwoven with the leafy boughs of the fir and other evergreens, which + the neighbouring woods afforded, while the hills had furnished plenty of + heath to form the roof. Within this silvan palace the most important + personages present were invited to hold high festival. Others of less note + were to feast in various long sheds constructed with less care; and tables + of sod, or rough planks, placed in the open air, were allotted to the + numberless multitude. At a distance were to be seen piles of glowing + charcoal or blazing wood, around which countless cooks toiled, bustled, + and fretted, like so many demons working in their native element. Pits, + wrought in the hillside, and lined with heated stones, served as ovens for + stewing immense quantities of beef, mutton, and venison; wooden spits + supported sheep and goats, which were roasted entire; others were cut into + joints, and seethed in caldrons made of the animal’s own skins, sewed + hastily together and filled with water; while huge quantities of pike, + trout, salmon, and char were broiled with more ceremony on glowing embers. + The glover had seen many a Highland banquet, but never one the + preparations for which were on such a scale of barbarous profusion. + </p> + <p> + He had little time, however, to admire the scene around him for, as soon + as they landed on the beach, the Booshalloch observed with some + embarrassment, that, as they had not been bidden to the table of the dais, + to which he seemed to have expected an invitation, they had best secure a + place in one of the inferior bothies or booths; and was leading the way in + that direction, when he was stopped by one of the bodyguards, seeming to + act as master of ceremonies, who whispered something in his ear. + </p> + <p> + “I thought so,” said the herdsman, much relieved—“I thought neither + the stranger nor the man that has my charge would be left out at the high + table.” + </p> + <p> + They were conducted accordingly into the ample lodge, within which were + long ranges of tables already mostly occupied by the guests, while those + who acted as domestics were placing upon them the abundant though rude + materials of the festival. The young chief, although he certainly saw the + glover and the herdsman enter, did not address any personal salute to + either, and their places were assigned them in a distant corner, far + beneath the salt, a huge piece of antique silver plate, the only article + of value that the table displayed, and which was regarded by the clan as a + species of palladium, only produced and used on the most solemn occasions, + such as the present. + </p> + <p> + The Booshalloch, somewhat discontented, muttered to Simon as he took his + place: “These are changed days, friend. His father, rest his soul, would + have spoken to us both; but these are bad manners which he has learned + among you Sassenachs in the Low Country.” + </p> + <p> + To this remark the glover did not think it necessary to reply; instead of + which he adverted to the evergreens, and particularly to the skins and + other ornaments with which the interior of the bower was decorated. The + most remarkable part of these ornaments was a number of Highland shirts of + mail, with steel bonnets, battle axes, and two handed swords to match, + which hung around the upper part of the room, together with targets highly + and richly embossed. Each mail shirt was hung over a well dressed stag’s + hide, which at once displayed the armour to advantage and saved it from + suffering by damp. + </p> + <p> + “These,” whispered the Booshalloch, “are the arms of the chosen champions + of the Clan Quhele. They are twenty-nine in number, as you see, Eachin + himself being the thirtieth, who wears his armour today, else had there + been thirty. And he has not got such a good hauberk after all as he should + wear on Palm Sunday. These nine suits of harness, of such large size, are + for the leichtach, from whom so much is expected.” + </p> + <p> + “And these goodly deer hides,” said Simon, the spirit of his profession + awakening at the sight of the goods in which he traded—“think you + the chief will be disposed to chaffer for them? They are in demand for the + doublets which knights wear under their armour.” + </p> + <p> + “Did I not pray you,” said Niel Booshalloch, “to say nothing on that + subject?” + </p> + <p> + “It is the mail shirts I speak of,” said Simon—“may I ask if any of + them were made by our celebrated Perth armourer, called Henry of the + Wynd?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art more unlucky than before,” said Niel, “that man’s name is to + Eachin’s temper like a whirlwind upon the lake; yet no man knows for what + cause.” + </p> + <p> + “I can guess,” thought our glover, but gave no utterance to the thought; + and, having twice lighted on unpleasant subjects of conversation, he + prepared to apply himself, like those around him, to his food, without + starting another topic. + </p> + <p> + We have said as much of the preparations as may lead the reader to + conclude that the festival, in respect of the quality of the food, was of + the most rude description, consisting chiefly of huge joints of meat, + which were consumed with little respect to the fasting season, although + several of the friars of the island convent graced and hallowed the board + by their presence. The platters were of wood, and so were the hooped + cogues or cups out of which the guests quaffed their liquor, as also the + broth or juice of the meat, which was held a delicacy. There were also + various preparations of milk which were highly esteemed, and were eaten + out of similar vessels. Bread was the scarcest article at the banquet, but + the glover and his patron Niel were served with two small loaves expressly + for their own use. In eating, as, indeed, was then the case all over + Britain, the guests used their knives called skenes, or the large poniards + named dirks, without troubling themselves by the reflection that they + might occasionally have served different or more fatal purposes. + </p> + <p> + At the upper end of the table stood a vacant seat, elevated a step or two + above the floor. It was covered with a canopy of hollow boughs and ivy, + and there rested against it a sheathed sword and a folded banner. This had + been the seat of the deceased chieftain, and was left vacant in honour of + him. Eachin occupied a lower chair on the right hand of the place of + honour. + </p> + <p> + The reader would be greatly mistaken who should follow out this + description by supposing that the guests behaved like a herd of hungry + wolves, rushing upon a feast rarely offered to them. On the contrary, the + Clan Quhele conducted themselves with that species of courteous reserve + and attention to the wants of others which is often found in primitive + nations, especially such as are always in arms, because a general + observance of the rules of courtesy is necessary to prevent quarrels, + bloodshed, and death. The guests took the places assigned them by Torquil + of the Oak, who, acting as marischal taeh, i.e. sewer of the mess, touched + with a white wand, without speaking a word, the place where each was to + sit. Thus placed in order, the company patiently waited for the portion + assigned them, which was distributed among them by the leichtach; the + bravest men or more distinguished warriors of the tribe being accommodated + with a double mess, emphatically called bieyfir, or the portion of a man. + When the sewers themselves had seen every one served, they resumed their + places at the festival, and were each served with one of these larger + messes of food. Water was placed within each man’s reach, and a handful of + soft moss served the purposes of a table napkin, so that, as at an Eastern + banquet, the hands were washed as often as the mess was changed. For + amusement, the bard recited the praises of the deceased chief, and + expressed the clan’s confidence in the blossoming virtues of his + successor. The seannachie recited the genealogy of the tribe, which they + traced to the race of the Dalriads; the harpers played within, while the + war pipes cheered the multitude without. The conversation among the guests + was grave, subdued, and civil; no jest was attempted beyond the bounds of + a very gentle pleasantry, calculated only to excite a passing smile. There + were no raised voices, no contentious arguments; and Simon Glover had + heard a hundred times more noise at a guild feast in Perth than was made + on this occasion by two hundred wild mountaineers. + </p> + <p> + Even the liquor itself did not seem to raise the festive party above the + same tone of decorous gravity. It was of various kinds. Wine appeared in + very small quantities, and was served out only to the principal guests, + among which honoured number Simon Glover was again included. The wine and + the two wheaten loaves were indeed the only marks of notice which he + received during the feast; but Niel Booshalloch, jealous of his master’s + reputation for hospitality, failed not to enlarge on them as proofs of + high distinction. Distilled liquors, since so generally used in the + Highlands, were then comparatively unknown. The usquebaugh was circulated + in small quantities, and was highly flavoured with a decoction of saffron + and other herbs, so as to resemble a medicinal potion rather than a + festive cordial. Cider and mead were seen at the entertainment, but ale, + brewed in great quantities for the purpose, and flowing round without + restriction, was the liquor generally used, and that was drunk with a + moderation much less known among the more modern Highlanders. A cup to the + memory of the deceased chieftain was the first pledge solemnly proclaimed + after the banquet was finished, and a low murmur of benedictions was heard + from the company, while the monks alone, uplifting their united voices, + sung Requiem eternam dona. An unusual silence followed, as if something + extraordinary was expected, when Eachin arose with a bold and manly, yet + modest, grace, and ascended the vacant seat or throne, saying with dignity + and firmness: + </p> + <p> + “This seat and my father’s inheritance I claim as my right—so + prosper me God and St. Barr!” + </p> + <p> + “How will you rule your father’s children?” said an old man, the uncle of + the deceased. + </p> + <p> + “I will defend them with my father’s sword, and distribute justice to them + under my father’s banner.” + </p> + <p> + The old man, with a trembling hand, unsheathed the ponderous weapon, and, + holding it by the blade, offered the hilt to the young chieftain’s grasp; + at the same time Torquil of the Oak unfurled the pennon of the tribe, and + swung it repeatedly over Eachin’s head, who, with singular grace and + dexterity, brandished the huge claymore as in its defence. The guests + raised a yelling shout to testify their acceptance of the patriarchal + chief who claimed their allegiance, nor was there any who, in the graceful + and agile youth before them, was disposed to recollect the subject of + sinister vaticinations. As he stood in glittering mail, resting on the + long sword, and acknowledging by gracious gestures the acclamations which + rent the air within, without, and around, Simon Glover was tempted to + doubt whether this majestic figure was that of the same lad whom he had + often treated with little ceremony, and began to have some apprehension of + the consequences of having done so. A general burst of minstrelsy + succeeded to the acclamations, and rock and greenwood rang to harp and + pipes, as lately to shout and yell of woe. + </p> + <p> + It would be tedious to pursue the progress of the inaugural feast, or + detail the pledges that were quaffed to former heroes of the clan, and + above all to the twenty-nine brave galloglasses who were to fight in the + approaching conflict, under the eye and leading of their young chief. The + bards, assuming in old times the prophetic character combined with their + own, ventured to assure them of the most distinguished victory, and to + predict the fury with which the blue falcon, the emblem of the Clan + Quhele, should rend to pieces the mountain cat, the well known badge of + the Clan Chattan. + </p> + <p> + It was approaching sunset when a bowl, called the grace cup, made of oak, + hooped with silver, was handed round the table as the signal of + dispersion, although it was left free to any who chose a longer carouse to + retreat to any of the outer bothies. As for Simon Glover, the Booshalloch + conducted him to a small hut, contrived, it would seem, for the use of a + single individual, where a bed of heath and moss was arranged as well as + the season would permit, and an ample supply of such delicacies as the + late feast afforded showed that all care had been taken for the + inhabitant’s accommodation. + </p> + <p> + “Do not leave this hut,” said the Booshalloch, taking leave of his friend + and protege: “this is your place of rest. But apartments are lost on such + a night of confusion, and if the badger leaves his hole the toad will + creep into it.” + </p> + <p> + To Simon Glover this arrangement was by no means disagreeable. He had been + wearied by the noise of the day, and felt desirous of repose. After + eating, therefore, a morsel, which his appetite scarce required, and + drinking a cup of wine to expel the cold, he muttered his evening prayer, + wrapt himself in his cloak, and lay down on a couch which old acquaintance + had made familiar and easy to him. The hum and murmur, and even the + occasional shouts, of some of the festive multitude who continued + revelling without did not long interrupt his repose, and in about ten + minutes he was as fast asleep as if he had lain in his own bed in Curfew + Street. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Still harping on my daughter. + + Hamlet. +</pre> + <p> + Two hours before the black cock crew, Simon Glover was wakened by a well + known voice, which called him by name. + </p> + <p> + “What, Conachar!” he replied, as he started from sleep, “is the morning so + far advanced?” and, raising his eyes, the person of whom he was dreaming + stood before him; and at the same moment, the events of yesterday rushing + on his recollection, he saw with surprise that the vision retained the + form which sleep had assigned it, and it was not the mail clad Highland + chief, with claymore in hand, as he had seen him the preceding night, but + Conachar of Curfew Street, in his humble apprentice’s garb, holding in his + hand a switch of oak. An apparition would not more have surprised our + Perth burgher. As he gazed with wonder, the youth turned upon him a piece + of lighted bog wood which he carried in a lantern, and to his waking + exclamation replied: + </p> + <p> + “Even so, father Simon: it is Conachar, come to renew our old + acquaintance, when our intercourse will attract least notice.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he sat down on a tressel which answered the purpose of a chair, + and placing the lantern beside him, proceeded in the most friendly tone: + </p> + <p> + “I have tasted of thy good cheer many a day, father Simon; I trust thou + hast found no lack in my family?” + </p> + <p> + “None whatever, Eachin MacIan,” answered the glover, for the simplicity of + the Celtic language and manners rejects all honorary titles; “it was even + too good for this fasting season, and much too good for me, since I must + be ashamed to think how hard you fared in Curfew Street.” + </p> + <p> + “Even too well, to use your own word,” said Conachar, “for the deserts of + an idle apprentice and for the wants of a young Highlander. But yesterday, + if there was, as I trust, enough of food, found you not, good glover, some + lack of courteous welcome? Excuse it not—I know you did so. But I am + young in authority with my people, and I must not too early draw their + attention to the period of my residence in the Lowlands, which, however, I + can never forget.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand the cause entirely,” said Simon; “and therefore it is + unwillingly, and as it were by force, that I have made so early a visit + hither.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, father—hush! It is well you are come to see some of my + Highland splendour while it yet sparkles. Return after Palm Sunday, and + who knows whom or what you may find in the territories we now possess! The + wildcat may have made his lodge where the banqueting bower of MacIan now + stands.” + </p> + <p> + The young chief was silent, and pressed the top of the rod to his lips, as + if to guard against uttering more. + </p> + <p> + “There is no fear of that, Eachin,” said Simon, in that vague way in which + lukewarm comforters endeavour to turn the reflections of their friends + from the consideration of inevitable danger. + </p> + <p> + “There is fear, and there is peril of utter ruin,” answered Eachin, “and + there is positive certainty of great loss. I marvel my father consented to + this wily proposal of Albany. I would MacGillie Chattanach would agree + with me, and then, instead of wasting our best blood against each other, + we would go down together to Strathmore and kill and take possession. I + would rule at Perth and he at Dundee, and all the great strath should be + our own to the banks of the Firth of Tay. Such is the policy I have caught + from your old grey head, father Simon, when holding a trencher at thy + back, and listening to thy evening talk with Bailie Craigdallie.” + </p> + <p> + “The tongue is well called an unruly member,” thought the glover. “Here + have I been holding a candle to the devil, to show him the way to + mischief.” + </p> + <p> + But he only said aloud: “These plans come too late.” + </p> + <p> + “Too late indeed!” answered Eachin. “The indentures of battle are signed + by our marks and seals, the burning hate of the Clan Quhele and Clan + Chattan is blown up to an inextinguishable flame by mutual insults and + boasts. Yes, the time is passed by. But to thine own affairs, father + Glover. It is religion that has brought thee hither, as I learn from Niel + Booshalloch. Surely, my experience of thy prudence did not lead me to + suspect thee of any quarrel with Mother Church. As for my old + acquaintance, Father Clement, he is one of those who hunt after the crown + of martyrdom, and think a stake, surrounded with blazing fagots, better + worth embracing than a willing bride. He is a very knight errant in + defence of his religious notions, and does battle wherever he comes. He + hath already a quarrel with the monks of Sibyl’s Isle yonder about some + point of doctrine. Hast seen him?” + </p> + <p> + “I have,” answered Simon; “but we spoke little together, the time being + pressing.” + </p> + <p> + “He may have said that there is a third person—one more likely, I + think, to be a true fugitive for religion than either you, a shrewd + citizen, or he, a wrangling preacher—who would be right heartily + welcome to share our protection? Thou art dull, man, and wilt not guess my + meaning—thy daughter, Catharine.” + </p> + <p> + These last words the young chief spoke in English; and he continued the + conversation in that language, as if apprehensive of being overheard, and, + indeed, as if under the sense of some involuntary hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “My daughter Catharine,” said the glover, remembering what the Carthusian + had told him, “is well and safe.” + </p> + <p> + “But where or with whom?” said the young chief. “And wherefore came she + not with you? Think you the Clan Quhele have no cailliachs as active as + old Dorothy, whose hand has warmed my haffits before now, to wait upon the + daughter of their chieftain’s master?” + </p> + <p> + “Again I thank you,” said the glover, “and doubt neither your power nor + your will to protect my daughter, as well as myself. But an honourable + lady, the friend of Sir Patrick Charteris, hath offered her a safe place + of refuge without the risk of a toilsome journey through a desolate and + distracted country.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, ay, Sir Patrick Charteris,” said Eachin, in a more reserved and + distant tone; “he must be preferred to all men, without doubt. He is your + friend, I think?” + </p> + <p> + Simon Glover longed to punish this affectation of a boy who had been + scolded four times a day for running into the street to see Sir Patrick + Charteris ride past; but he checked his spirit of repartee, and simply + said: + </p> + <p> + “Sir Patrick Charteris has been provost of Perth for seven years, and it + is likely is so still, since the magistrates are elected, not in Lent, but + at St. Martinmas.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, father Glover,” said the youth, in his kinder and more familiar mode + of address, “you are so used to see the sumptuous shows and pageants of + Perth, that you would but little relish our barbarous festival in + comparison. What didst thou think of our ceremonial of yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “It was noble and touching,” said the glover; “and to me, who knew your + father, most especially so. When you rested on the sword and looked around + you, methought I saw mine old friend Gilchrist MacIan arisen from the dead + and renewed in years and in strength.” + </p> + <p> + “I played my part there boldly, I trust; and showed little of that paltry + apprentice boy whom you used to—use just as he deserved?” + </p> + <p> + “Eachin resembles Conachar,” said the glover, “no more than a salmon + resembles a gar, though men say they are the same fish in a different + state, or than a butterfly resembles a grub.” + </p> + <p> + “Thinkest thou that, while I was taking upon me the power which all women + love, I would have been myself an object for a maiden’s eye to rest upon? + To speak plain, what would Catharine have thought of me in the + ceremonial?” + </p> + <p> + “We approach the shallows now,” thought Simon Glover, “and without nice + pilotage we drive right on shore.” + </p> + <p> + “Most women like show, Eachin; but I think my daughter Catharine be an + exception. She would rejoice in the good fortune of her household friend + and playmate; but she would not value the splendid MacIan, captain of Clan + Quhele, more than the orphan Conachar.” + </p> + <p> + “She is ever generous and disinterested,” replied the young chief. “But + yourself, father, have seen the world for many more years than she has + done, and can better form a judgment what power and wealth do for those + who enjoy them. Think, and speak sincerely, what would be your own + thoughts if you saw your Catharine standing under yonder canopy, with the + command over an hundred hills, and the devoted obedience of ten thousand + vassals; and as the price of these advantages, her hand in that of the man + who loves her the best in the world?” + </p> + <p> + “Meaning in your own, Conachar?” said Simon. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, Conachar call me: I love the name, since it was by that I have been + known to Catharine.” + </p> + <p> + “Sincerely, then,” said the glover, endeavouring to give the least + offensive turn to his reply, “my inmost thought would be the earnest wish + that Catharine and I were safe in our humble booth in Curfew Street, with + Dorothy for our only vassal.” + </p> + <p> + “And with poor Conachar also, I trust? You would not leave him to pine + away in solitary grandeur?” + </p> + <p> + “I would not,” answered the glover, “wish so ill to the Clan Quhele, mine + ancient friends, as to deprive them, at the moment of emergency, of a + brave young chief, and that chief of the fame which he is about to acquire + at their head in the approaching conflict.” + </p> + <p> + Eachin bit his lip to suppress his irritated feelings as he replied: + “Words—words—empty words, father Simon. You fear the Clan + Quhele more than you love them, and you suppose their indignation would be + formidable should their chief marry the daughter of a burgess of Perth.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I do fear such an issue, Hector MacIan, have I not reason? How + have ill assorted marriages had issue in the house of MacCallanmore, in + that of the powerful MacLeans—nay, of the Lords of the Isles + themselves? What has ever come of them but divorce and exheredation, + sometimes worse fate, to the ambitious intruder? You could not marry my + child before a priest, and you could only wed her with your left hand; and + I—” he checked the strain of impetuosity which the subject inspired, + and concluded, “and I am an honest though humble burgher of Perth, who + would rather my child were the lawful and undoubted spouse of a citizen in + my own rank than the licensed concubine of a monarch.” + </p> + <p> + “I will wed Catharine before the priest and before the world, before the + altar and before the black stones of Iona,” said the impetuous young man. + “She is the love of my youth, and there is not a tie in religion or honour + but I will bind myself by them! I have sounded my people. If we do but win + this combat—and, with the hope of gaining Catharine, we SHALL win it—my + heart tells me so—I shall be so much lord over their affections + that, were I to take a bride from the almshouse, so it was my pleasure, + they would hail her as if she were a daughter of MacCallanmore. But you + reject my suit?” said Eachin, sternly. + </p> + <p> + “You put words of offence in my mouth,” said the old man, “and may next + punish me for them, since I am wholly in your power. But with my consent + my daughter shall never wed save in her own degree. Her heart would break + amid the constant wars and scenes of bloodshed which connect themselves + with your lot. If you really love her, and recollect her dread of strife + and combat, you would not wish her to be subjected to the train of + military horrors in which you, like your father, must needs be inevitably + and eternally engaged. Choose a bride amongst the daughters of the + mountain chiefs, my son, or fiery Lowland nobles. You are fair, young, + rich, high born, and powerful, and will not woo in vain. You will readily + find one who will rejoice in your conquests, and cheer you under defeat. + To Catharine, the one would be as frightful as the other. A warrior must + wear a steel gauntlet: a glove of kidskin would be torn to pieces in an + hour.” + </p> + <p> + A dark cloud passed over the face of the young chief, lately animated with + so much fire. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell,” he said, “the only hope which could have lighted me to fame or + victory!” + </p> + <p> + He remained for a space silent, and intensely thoughtful, with downcast + eyes, a lowering brow, and folded arms. At length he raised his hands, and + said: “Father,—for such you have been to me—I am about to tell + you a secret. Reason and pride both advise me to be silent, but fate urges + me, and must be obeyed. I am about to lodge in you the deepest and dearest + secret that man ever confided to man. But beware—end this conference + how it will—beware how you ever breathe a syllable of what I am now + to trust to you; for know that, were you to do so in the most remote + corner of Scotland, I have ears to hear it even there, and a hand and + poniard to reach a traitor’s bosom. I am—but the word will not out!” + </p> + <p> + “Do not speak it then,” said the prudent glover: “a secret is no longer + safe when it crosses the lips of him who owns it, and I desire not a + confidence so dangerous as you menace me with.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, but I must speak, and you must hear,” said the youth. “In this age of + battle, father, you have yourself been a combatant?” + </p> + <p> + “Once only,” replied Simon, “when the Southron assaulted the Fair City. I + was summoned to take my part in the defence, as my tenure required, like + that of other craftsmen, who are bound to keep watch and ward.” + </p> + <p> + “And how felt you upon that matter?” inquired the young chief. + </p> + <p> + “What can that import to the present business?” said Simon, in some + surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Much, else I had not asked the question,” answered. Eachin, in the tone + of haughtiness which from time to time he assumed. + </p> + <p> + “An old man is easily brought to speak of olden times,” said Simon, not + unwilling, on an instant’s reflection, to lead the conversation away from + the subject of his daughter, “and I must needs confess my feelings were + much short of the high, cheerful confidence, nay, the pleasure, with which + I have seen other men go to battle. My life and profession were peaceful, + and though I have not wanted the spirit of a man, when the time demanded + it, yet I have seldom slept worse than the night before that onslaught. My + ideas were harrowed by the tales we were told—nothing short of the + truth—about the Saxon archers: how they drew shafts of a cloth yard + length, and used bows a third longer than ours. When I fell into a broken + slumber, if but a straw in the mattress pricked my side I started and + waked, thinking an English arrow was quivering in my body. In the morning, + as I began for very weariness to sink into some repose, I was waked by the + tolling of the common bell, which called us burghers to the walls; I never + heard its sound peal so like a passing knell before or since.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on—what further chanced?” demanded Eachin. + </p> + <p> + “I did on my harness,” said Simon, “such as it was; took my mother’s + blessing, a high spirited woman, who spoke of my father’s actions for the + honour of the Fair Town. This heartened me, and I felt still bolder when I + found myself ranked among the other crafts, all bowmen, for thou knowest + the Perth citizens have good skill in archery. We were dispersed on the + walls, several knights and squires in armour of proof being mingled + amongst us, who kept a bold countenance, confident perhaps in their + harness, and informed us, for our encouragement, that they would cut down + with their swords and axes any of those who should attempt to quit their + post. I was kindly assured of this myself by the old Kempe of Kinfauns, as + he was called, this good Sir Patrick’s father, then our provost. He was a + grandson of the Red Rover, Tom of Longueville, and a likely man to keep + his word, which he addressed to me in especial, because a night of much + discomfort may have made me look paler than usual; and, besides, I was but + a lad.” + </p> + <p> + “And did his exhortation add to your fear or your resolution?” said + Eachin, who seemed very attentive. + </p> + <p> + “To my resolution,” answered Simon; “for I think nothing can make a man so + bold to face one danger at some distance in his front as the knowledge of + another close behind him, to push him forward. Well, I mounted the walls + in tolerable heart, and was placed with others on the Spey Tower, being + accounted a good bowman. But a very cold fit seized me as I saw the + English, in great order, with their archers in front, and their men at + arms behind, marching forward to the attack in strong columns, three in + number. They came on steadily, and some of us would fain have shot at + them; but it was strictly forbidden, and we were obliged to remain + motionless, sheltering ourselves behind the battlement as we best might. + As the Southron formed their long ranks into lines, each man occupying his + place as by magic, and preparing to cover themselves by large shields, + called pavesses, which they planted before them, I again felt a strange + breathlessness, and some desire to go home for a glass of distilled + waters. But as I looked aside, I saw the worthy Kempe of Kinfauns bending + a large crossbow, and I thought it pity he should waste the bolt on a true + hearted Scotsman, when so many English were in presence; so I e’en staid + where I was, being in a comfortable angle, formed by two battlements. The + English then strode forward, and drew their bowstrings—not to the + breast, as your Highland kerne do, but to the ear—and sent off their + volleys of swallow tails before we could call on St. Andrew. I winked when + I saw them haul up their tackle, and I believe I started as the shafts + began to rattle against the parapet. But looking round me, and seeing none + hurt but John Squallit, the town crier, whose jaws were pierced through + with a cloth yard shaft, I took heart of grace, and shot in my turn with + good will and good aim. A little man I shot at, who had just peeped out + from behind his target, dropt with a shaft through his shoulder. The + provost cried, ‘Well stitched, Simon Glover!’ ‘St. John, for his own town, + my fellow craftsmen!’ shouted I, though I was then but an apprentice. And + if you will believe me, in the rest of the skirmish, which was ended by + the foes drawing off, I drew bowstring and loosed shaft as calmly as if I + had been shooting at butts instead of men’s breasts. I gained some credit, + and I have ever afterwards thought that, in case of necessity—for + with me it had never been matter of choice—I should not have lost it + again. And this is all I can tell of warlike experience in battle. Other + dangers I have had, which I have endeavoured to avoid like a wise man, or, + when they were inevitable, I have faced them like a true one. Upon other + terms a man cannot live or hold up his head in Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand your tale,” said Eachin; “but I shall find it difficult to + make you credit mine, knowing the race of which I am descended, and + especially that I am the son of him whom we have this day laid in the tomb—well + that he lies where he will never learn what you are now to hear! Look, my + father, the light which I bear grows short and pale, a few minutes will + extinguish it; but before it expires, the hideous tale will be told. + Father, I am—a COWARD! It is said at last, and the secret of my + disgrace is in keeping of another!” + </p> + <p> + The young man sunk back in a species of syncope, produced by the agony of + his mind as he made the fatal communication. The glover, moved as well by + fear as by compassion, applied himself to recall him to life, and + succeeded in doing so, but not in restoring him to composure. He hid his + face with his hands, and his tears flowed plentifully and bitterly. + </p> + <p> + “For Our Lady’s sake, be composed,” said the old man, “and recall the vile + word! I know you better than yourself: you are no coward, but only too + young and inexperienced, ay, and somewhat too quick of fancy, to have the + steady valour of a bearded man. I would hear no other man say that of you, + Conachar, without giving him the lie. You are no coward: I have seen high + sparks of spirit fly from you even on slight enough provocation.” + </p> + <p> + “High sparks of pride and passion!” said the unfortunate youth; “but when + saw you them supported by the resolution that should have backed them? The + sparks you speak of fell on my dastardly heart as on a piece of ice which + could catch fire from nothing: if my offended pride urged me to strike, my + weakness of mind prompted me the next moment to fly.” + </p> + <p> + “Want of habit,” said Simon; “it is by clambering over walls that youths + learn to scale precipices. Begin with slight feuds; exercise daily the + arms of your country in tourney with your followers.” + </p> + <p> + “And what leisure is there for this?” exclaimed the young chief, starting + as if something horrid had occurred to his imagination. “How many days are + there betwixt this hour and Palm Sunday, and what is to chance then? A + list inclosed, from which no man can stir, more than the poor bear who is + chained to his stake. Sixty living men, the best and fiercest—one + alone excepted!—which Albyn can send down from her mountains, all + athirst for each other’s blood, while a king and his nobles, and shouting + thousands besides, attend, as at a theatre, to encourage their demoniac + fury! Blows clang and blood flows, thicker, faster, redder; they rush on + each other like madmen, they tear each other like wild beasts; the wounded + are trodden to death amid the feet of their companions! Blood ebbs, arms + become weak; but there must be no parley, no truce, no interruption, while + any of the maimed wretches remain alive! Here is no crouching behind + battlements, no fighting with missile weapons: all is hand to hand, till + hands can no longer be raised to maintain the ghastly conflict! If such a + field is so horrible in idea, what think you it will be in reality?” + </p> + <p> + The glover remained silent. + </p> + <p> + “I say again, what think you?” + </p> + <p> + “I can only pity you, Conachar,” said Simon. “It is hard to be the + descendant of a lofty line—the son of a noble father—the + leader by birth of a gallant array, and yet to want, or think you want, + for still I trust the fault lies much in a quick fancy, that over + estimates danger—to want that dogged quality which is possessed by + every game cock that is worth a handful of corn, every hound that is worth + a mess of offal. But how chanced it that, with such a consciousness of + inability to fight in this battle, you proffered even now to share your + chiefdom with my daughter? Your power must depend on your fighting this + combat, and in that Catharine cannot help you.” + </p> + <p> + “You mistake, old man,” replied Eachin: “were Catharine to look kindly on + the earnest love I bear her, it would carry me against the front of the + enemies with the mettle of a war horse. Overwhelming as my sense of + weakness is, the feeling that Catharine looked on would give me strength. + Say yet—oh, say yet—she shall be mine if we gain the combat, + and not the Gow Chrom himself, whose heart is of a piece with his anvil, + ever went to battle so light as I shall do! One strong passion is + conquered by another.” + </p> + <p> + “This is folly, Conachar. Cannot the recollection of your interest, your + honour, your kindred, do as much to stir your courage as the thoughts of a + brent browed lass? Fie upon you, man!” + </p> + <p> + “You tell me but what I have told myself, but it is in vain,” replied + Eachin, with a sigh. “It is only whilst the timid stag is paired with the + doe that he is desperate and dangerous. Be it from constitution; be it, as + our Highland cailliachs will say, from the milk of the white doe; be it + from my peaceful education and the experience of your strict restraint; be + it, as you think, from an overheated fancy, which paints danger yet more + dangerous and ghastly than it is in reality, I cannot tell. But I know my + failing, and—yes, it must be said!—so sorely dread that I + cannot conquer it, that, could I have your consent to my wishes on such + terms, I would even here make a pause, renounce the rank I have assumed, + and retire into humble life.” + </p> + <p> + “What, turn glover at last, Conachar?” said Simon. “This beats the legend + of St. Crispin. Nay—nay, your hand was not framed for that: you + shall spoil me no more doe skins.” + </p> + <p> + “Jest not,” said Eachin, “I am serious. If I cannot labour, I will bring + wealth enough to live without it. They will proclaim me recreant with horn + and war pipe. Let them do so. Catharine will love me the better that I + have preferred the paths of peace to those of bloodshed, and Father + Clement shall teach us to pity and forgive the world, which will load us + with reproaches that wound not. I shall be the happiest of men; Catharine + will enjoy all that unbounded affection can confer upon her, and will be + freed from apprehension of the sights and sounds of horror which your ill + assorted match would have prepared for her; and you, father Glover, shall + occupy your chimney corner, the happiest and most honoured man that ever—” + </p> + <p> + “Hold, Eachin—I prithee, hold,” said the glover; “the fir light, + with which this discourse must terminate, burns very low, and I would + speak a word in my turn, and plain dealing is best. Though it may vex, or + perhaps enrage, you, let me end these visions by saying at once: Catharine + can never be yours. A glove is the emblem of faith, and a man of my craft + should therefore less than any other break his own. Catharine’s hand is + promised—promised to a man whom you may hate, but whom you must + honour—to Henry the armourer. The match is fitting by degree, + agreeable to their mutual wishes, and I have given my promise. It is best + to be plain at once; resent my refusal as you will—I am wholly in + your power. But nothing shall make me break my word.” + </p> + <p> + The glover spoke thus decidedly, because he was aware from experience that + the very irritable disposition of his former apprentice yielded in most + cases to stern and decided resolution. Yet, recollecting where he was, it + was with some feelings of fear that he saw the dying flame leap up and + spread a flash of light on the visage of Eachin, which seemed pale as the + grave, while his eye rolled like that of a maniac in his fever fit. The + light instantly sunk down and died, and Simon felt a momentary terror lest + he should have to dispute for his life with the youth, whom he knew to be + capable of violent actions when highly excited, however short a period his + nature could support the measures which his passion commenced. He was + relieved by the voice of Eachin, who muttered in a hoarse and altered + tone: + </p> + <p> + “Let what we have spoken this night rest in silence for ever. If thou + bring’st it to light, thou wert better dig thine own grave.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, the door of the hut opened, admitting a gleam of moonshine. + The form of the retiring chief crossed it for an instant, the hurdle was + then closed, and the shieling left in darkness. + </p> + <p> + Simon Glover felt relieved when a conversation fraught with offence and + danger was thus peaceably terminated. But he remained deeply affected by + the condition of Hector MacIan, whom he had himself bred up. + </p> + <p> + “The poor child,” said he, “to be called up to a place of eminence, only + to be hurled from it with contempt! What he told me I partly knew, having + often remarked that Conachar was more prone to quarrel than to fight. But + this overpowering faint heartedness, which neither shame nor necessity can + overcome, I, though no Sir William Wallace, cannot conceive. And to + propose himself for a husband to my daughter, as if a bride were to find + courage for herself and the bridegroom! No—no, Catharine must wed a + man to whom she may say, ‘Husband, spare your enemy’—not one in + whose behalf she must cry, ‘Generous enemy, spare my husband!” + </p> + <p> + Tired out with these reflections, the old man at length fell asleep. In + the morning he was awakened by his friend the Booshalloch, who, with + something of a blank visage, proposed to him to return to his abode on the + meadow at the Ballough. He apologised that the chief could not see Simon + Glover that morning, being busied with things about the expected combat; + and that Eachin MacIan thought the residence at the Ballough would be + safest for Simon Glover’s health, and had given charge that every care + should be taken for his protection and accommodation. + </p> + <p> + Niel Booshalloch dilated on these circumstances, to gloss over the neglect + implied in the chief’s dismissing his visitor without a particular + audience. + </p> + <p> + “His father knew better,” said the herdsman. “But where should he have + learned manners, poor thing, and bred up among your Perth burghers, who, + excepting yourself, neighbour Glover, who speak Gaelic as well as I do, + are a race incapable of civility?” + </p> + <p> + Simon Glover, it may be well believed, felt none of the want of respect + which his friend resented on his account. On the contrary, he greatly + preferred the quiet residence of the good herdsman to the tumultuous + hospitality of the daily festival of the chief, even if there had not just + passed an interview with Eachin upon a subject which it would be most + painful to revive. + </p> + <p> + To the Ballough, therefore, he quietly retreated, where, could he have + been secure of Catharine’s safety, his leisure was spent pleasantly + enough. His amusement was sailing on the lake in a little skiff, which a + Highland boy managed, while the old man angled. He frequently landed on + the little island, where he mused over the tomb of his old friend + Gilchrist MacIan, and made friends with the monks, presenting the prior + with gloves of martens’ fur, and the superior officers with each of them a + pair made from the skin of the wildcat. The cutting and stitching of these + little presents served to beguile the time after sunset, while the family + of the herdsman crowded around, admiring his address, and listening to the + tales and songs with which the old man had skill to pass away a heavy + evening. + </p> + <p> + It must be confessed that the cautious glover avoided the conversation of + Father Clement, whom he erroneously considered as rather the author of his + misfortunes than the guiltless sharer of them. “I will not,” he thought, + “to please his fancies, lose the goodwill of these kind monks, which may + be one day useful to me. I have suffered enough by his preachments + already, I trow. Little the wiser and much the poorer they have made me. + No—no, Catharine and Clement may think as they will; but I will take + the first opportunity to sneak back like a rated hound at the call of his + master, submit to a plentiful course of haircloth and whipcord, disburse a + lusty mulct, and become whole with the church again.” + </p> + <p> + More than a fortnight had passed since the glover had arrived at Ballough, + and he began to wonder that he had not heard news of Catharine or of Henry + Wynd, to whom he concluded the provost had communicated the plan and place + of his retreat. He knew the stout smith dared not come up into the Clan + Quhele country, on account of various feuds with the inhabitants, and with + Eachin himself, while bearing the name of Conachar; but yet the glover + thought Henry might have found means to send him a message, or a token, by + some one of the various couriers who passed and repassed between the court + and the headquarters of the Clan Quhele, in order to concert the terms of + the impending combat, the march of the parties to Perth, and other + particulars requiring previous adjustment. It was now the middle of March, + and the fatal Palm Sunday was fast approaching. + </p> + <p> + Whilst time was thus creeping on, the exiled glover had not even once set + eyes upon his former apprentice. The care that was taken to attend to his + wants and convenience in every respect showed that he was not forgotten; + but yet, when he heard the chieftain’s horn ringing through the woods, he + usually made it a point to choose his walk in a different direction. One + morning, however, he found himself unexpectedly in Eachin’s close + neighbourhood, with scarce leisure to avoid him, and thus it happened. + </p> + <p> + As Simon strolled pensively through a little silvan glade, surrounded on + either side with tall forest trees, mixed with underwood, a white doe + broke from the thicket, closely pursued by two deer greyhounds, one of + which griped her haunch, the other her throat, and pulled her down within + half a furlong of the glover, who was something startled at the suddenness + of the incident. The ear and piercing blast of a horn, and the baying of a + slow hound, made Simon aware that the hunters were close behind, and on + the trace of the deer. Hallooing and the sound of men running through the + copse were heard close at hand. A moment’s recollection would have + satisfied Simon that his best way was to stand fast, or retire slowly, and + leave it to Eachin to acknowledge his presence or not, as he should see + cause. But his desire of shunning the young man had grown into a kind of + instinct, and in the alarm of finding him so near, Simon hid himself in a + bush of hazels mixed with holly, which altogether concealed him. He had + hardly done so ere Eachin, rosy with exercise, dashed from the thicket + into the open glade, accompanied by his foster father, Torquil of the Oak. + The latter, with equal strength and address, turned the struggling hind on + her back, and holding her forefeet in his right hand, while he knelt on + her body, offered his skene with the left to the young chief, that he + might cut the animal’s throat. + </p> + <p> + “It may not be, Torquil; do thine office, and take the assay thyself. I + must not kill the likeness of my foster—” + </p> + <p> + This was spoken with a melancholy smile, while a tear at the same time + stood in the speaker’s eye. Torquil stared at his young chief for an + instant, then drew his sharp wood knife across the creature’s throat with + a cut so swift and steady that the weapon reached the backbone. Then + rising on his feet, and again fixing a long piercing look on his chief, he + said: “As much as I have done to that hind would I do to any living man + whose ears could have heard my dault (foster son) so much as name a white + doe, and couple the word with Hector’s name!” + </p> + <p> + If Simon had no reason before to keep himself concealed, this speech of + Torquil furnished him with a pressing one. + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be concealed, father Torquil,” said Eachin: “it will all out to + the broad day.” + </p> + <p> + “What will out? what will to broad day?” asked Torquil in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “It is the fatal secret,” thought Simon; “and now, if this huge privy + councillor cannot keep silence, I shall be made answerable, I suppose, for + Eachin’s disgrace having been blown abroad.” + </p> + <p> + Thinking thus anxiously, he availed himself at the same time of his + position to see as much as he could of what passed between the afflicted + chieftain and his confidant, impelled by that spirit of curiosity which + prompts us in the most momentous, as well as the most trivial, occasions + of life, and which is sometimes found to exist in company with great + personal fear. + </p> + <p> + As Torquil listened to what Eachin communicated, the young man sank into + his arms, and, supporting himself on his shoulder, concluded his + confession by a whisper into his ear. Torquil seemed to listen with such + amazement as to make him incapable of crediting his ears. As if to be + certain that it was Eachin who spoke, he gradually roused the youth from + his reclining posture, and, holding him up in some measure by a grasp on + his shoulder, fixed on him an eye that seemed enlarged, and at the same + time turned to stone, by the marvels he listened to. And so wild waxed the + old man’s visage after he had heard the murmured communication, that Simon + Glover apprehended he would cast the youth from him as a dishonoured + thing, in which case he might have lighted among the very copse in which + he lay concealed, and occasioned his discovery in a manner equally painful + and dangerous. But the passions of Torquil, who entertained for his foster + child even a double portion of that passionate fondness which always + attends that connexion in the Highlands took a different turn. + </p> + <p> + “I believe it not,” he exclaimed; “it is false of thy father’s child, + false of thy mother’s son, falsest of my dault! I offer my gage to heaven + and hell, and will maintain the combat with him that shall call it true. + Thou hast been spellbound by an evil eye, my darling, and the fainting + which you call cowardice is the work of magic. I remember the bat that + struck the torch out on the hour that thou wert born—that hour of + grief and of joy. Cheer up, my beloved. Thou shalt with me to Iona, and + the good St. Columbus, with the whole choir of blessed saints and angels, + who ever favoured thy race, shall take from thee the heart of the white + doe and return that which they have stolen from thee.” + </p> + <p> + Eachin listened, with a look as if he would fain have believed the words + of the comforter. + </p> + <p> + “But, Torquil,” he said, “supposing this might avail us, the fatal day + approaches, and if I go to the lists, I dread me we shall be shamed.” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be—it shall not!” said Torquil. “Hell shall not prevail + so far: we will steep thy sword in holy water, place vervain, St. John’s + Wort, and rowan tree in thy crest. We will surround thee, I and thy eight + brethren: thou shalt be safe as in a castle.” + </p> + <p> + Again the youth helplessly uttered something, which, from the dejected + tone in which it was spoken, Simon could not understand, while Torquil’s + deep tones in reply fell full and distinct upon his ear. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, there may be a chance of withdrawing thee from the conflict. Thou + art the youngest who is to draw blade. Now, hear me, and thou shalt know + what it is to have a foster father’s love, and how far it exceeds the love + even of kinsmen. The youngest on the indenture of the Clan Chattan is + Ferquhard Day. His father slew mine, and the red blood is seething hot + between us; I looked to Palm Sunday as the term that should cool it. But + mark! Thou wouldst have thought that the blood in the veins of this + Ferquhard Day and in mine would not have mingled had they been put into + the same vessel, yet hath he cast the eyes of his love upon my only + daughter Eva, the fairest of our maidens. Think with what feelings I heard + the news. It was as if a wolf from the skirts of Farragon had said, ‘Give + me thy child in wedlock, Torquil.’ My child thought not thus: she loves + Ferquhard, and weeps away her colour and strength in dread of the + approaching battle. Let her give him but a sign of favour, and well I know + he will forget kith and kin, forsake the field, and fly with her to the + desert.” + </p> + <p> + “He, the youngest of the champions of Clan Chattan, being absent, I, the + youngest of the Clan Quhele, may be excused from combat” said Eachin, + blushing at the mean chance of safety thus opened to him. + </p> + <p> + “See now, my chief;” said Torquil, “and judge my thoughts towards thee: + others might give thee their own lives and that of their sons—I + sacrifice to thee the honour of my house.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend—my father,” repeated the chief, folding Torquil to his + bosom, “what a base wretch am I that have a spirit dastardly enough to + avail myself of your sacrifice!” + </p> + <p> + “Speak not of that. Green woods have ears. Let us back to the camp, and + send our gillies for the venison. Back, dogs, and follow at heel.” + </p> + <p> + The slowhound, or lyme dog, luckily for Simon, had drenched his nose in + the blood of the deer, else he might have found the glover’s lair in the + thicket; but its more acute properties of scent being lost, it followed + tranquilly with the gazehounds. + </p> + <p> + When the hunters were out of sight and hearing, the glover arose, greatly + relieved by their departure, and began to move off in the opposite + direction as fast as his age permitted. His first reflection was on the + fidelity of the foster father. + </p> + <p> + “The wild mountain heart is faithful and true. Yonder man is more like the + giants in romaunts than a man of mould like ourselves; and yet Christians + might take an example from him for his lealty. A simple contrivance this, + though, to finger a man from off their enemies’ chequer, as if there would + not be twenty of the wildcats ready to supply his place.” + </p> + <p> + Thus thought the glover, not aware that the strictest proclamations were + issued, prohibiting any of the two contending clans, their friends, + allies, and dependants, from coming within fifty miles of Perth, during a + week before and a week after the combat, which regulation was to be + enforced by armed men. + </p> + <p> + So soon as our friend Simon arrived at the habitation of the herdsman, he + found other news awaiting him. They were brought by Father Clement, who + came in a pilgrim’s cloak, or dalmatic, ready to commence his return to + the southward, and desirous to take leave of his companion in exile, or to + accept him as a travelling companion. + </p> + <p> + “But what,” said the citizen, “has so suddenly induced you to return + within the reach of danger?” + </p> + <p> + “Have you not heard,” said Father Clement, “that, March and his English + allies having retired into England before the Earl of Douglas, the good + earl has applied himself to redress the evils of the commonwealth, and + hath written to the court letters desiring that the warrant for the High + Court of Commission against heresy be withdrawn, as a trouble to men’s + consciences, that the nomination of Henry of Wardlaw to be prelate of St. + Andrews be referred to the Parliament, with sundry other things pleasing + to the Commons? Now, most of the nobles that are with the King at Perth, + and with them Sir Patrick Charteris, your worthy provost, have declared + for the proposals of the Douglas. The Duke of Albany had agreed to them—whether + from goodwill or policy I know not. The good King is easily persuaded to + mild and gentle courses. And thus are the jaw teeth of the oppressors + dashed to pieces in their sockets, and the prey snatched from their + ravening talons. Will you with me to the Lowlands, or do you abide here a + little space?” + </p> + <p> + Neil Booshalloch saved his friend the trouble of reply. + </p> + <p> + “He had the chief’s authority,” he said, “for saying that Simon Glover + should abide until the champions went down to the battle.” + </p> + <p> + In this answer the citizen saw something not quite consistent with his own + perfect freedom of volition; but he cared little for it at the time, as it + furnished a good apology for not travelling along with the clergyman. + </p> + <p> + “An exemplary man,” he said to his friend Niel Booshalloch, as soon as + Father Clement had taken leave—“a great scholar and a great saint. + It is a pity almost he is no longer in danger to be burned, as his sermon + at the stake would convert thousands. O Niel Booshalloch, Father Clement’s + pile would be a sweet savouring sacrifice and a beacon to all decent + Christians! But what would the burning of a borrel ignorant burgess like + me serve? Men offer not up old glove leather for incense, nor are beacons + fed with undressed hides, I trow. Sooth to speak, I have too little + learning and too much fear to get credit by the affair, and, therefore, I + should, in our homely phrase, have both the scathe and the scorn.” + </p> + <p> + “True for you,” answered the herdsman. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + We must return to the characters of our dramatic narrative whom we + left at Perth, when we accompanied the glover and his fair daughter + to Kinfauns, and from that hospitable mansion traced the course of + Simon to Loch Tay; and the Prince, as the highest personage, claims + our immediate attention. +</pre> + <p> + This rash and inconsiderate young man endured with some impatience his + sequestered residence with the Lord High Constable, with whose company, + otherwise in every respect satisfactory, he became dissatisfied, from no + other reason than that he held in some degree the character of his warder. + Incensed against his uncle and displeased with his father, he longed, not + unnaturally, for the society of Sir John Ramorny, on whom he had been so + long accustomed to throw himself for amusement, and, though he would have + resented the imputation as an insult, for guidance and direction. He + therefore sent him a summons to attend him, providing his health + permitted; and directed him to come by water to a little pavilion in the + High Constable’s garden, which, like that of Sir John’s own lodgings, ran + down to the Tay. In renewing an intimacy so dangerous, Rothsay only + remembered that he had been Sir Join Ramorny’s munificent friend; while + Sir John, on receiving the invitation, only recollected, on his part, the + capricious insults he had sustained from his patron, the loss of his hand, + and the lightness with which he had treated the subject, and the readiness + with which Rothsay had abandoned his cause in the matter of the bonnet + maker’s slaughter. He laughed bitterly when he read the Prince’s billet. + </p> + <p> + “Eviot,” he said, “man a stout boat with six trusty men—trusty men, + mark me—lose not a moment, and bid Dwining instantly come hither. + </p> + <p> + “Heaven smiles on us, my trusty friend,” he said to the mediciner. “I was + but beating my brains how to get access to this fickle boy, and here he + sends to invite me.” + </p> + <p> + “Hem! I see the matter very clearly,” said Dwining. “Heaven smiles on some + untoward consequences—he! he! he!” + </p> + <p> + “No matter, the trap is ready; and it is baited, too, my friend, with what + would lure the boy from a sanctuary, though a troop with drawn weapons + waited him in the churchyard. Yet is it scarce necessary. His own + weariness of himself would have done the job. Get thy matters ready—thou + goest with us. Write to him, as I cannot, that we come instantly to attend + his commands, and do it clerkly. He reads well, and that he owes to me.” + </p> + <p> + “He will be your valiancie’s debtor for more knowledge before he dies—he! + he! he! But is your bargain sure with the Duke of Albany?” + </p> + <p> + “Enough to gratify my ambition, thy avarice, and the revenge of both. + Aboard—aboard, and speedily; let Eviot throw in a few flasks of the + choicest wine, and some cold baked meats.” + </p> + <p> + “But your arm, my lord, Sir John? Does it not pain you?” + </p> + <p> + “The throbbing of my heart silences the pain of my wound. It beats as it + would burst my bosom.” + </p> + <p> + “Heaven forbid!” said Dwining; adding, in a low voice—“It would be a + strange sight if it should. I should like to dissect it, save that its + stony case would spoil my best instruments.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes they were in the boat, while a speedy messenger carried + the note to the Prince. + </p> + <p> + Rothsay was seated with the Constable, after their noontide repast. He was + sullen and silent; and the earl had just asked whether it was his pleasure + that the table should be cleared, when a note, delivered to the Prince, + changed at once his aspect. + </p> + <p> + “As you will,” he said. “I go to the pavilion in the garden—always + with permission of my Lord Constable—to receive my late master of + the horse.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord!” said Lord Errol. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, my lord; must I ask permission twice?” + </p> + <p> + “No, surely, my lord,” answered the Constable; “but has your Royal + Highness recollected that Sir John Ramorny—” + </p> + <p> + “Has not the plague, I hope?” replied the Duke of Rothsay. “Come, Errol, + you would play the surly turnkey, but it is not in your nature; farewell + for half an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “A new folly!” said Errol, as the Prince, flinging open a lattice of the + ground parlour in which they sat, stept out into the garden—“a new + folly, to call back that villain to his counsels. But he is infatuated.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince, in the mean time, looked back, and said hastily: + </p> + <p> + “Your lordship’s good housekeeping will afford us a flask or two of wine + and a slight collation in the pavilion? I love the al fresco of the + river.” + </p> + <p> + The Constable bowed, and gave the necessary orders; so that Sir John found + the materials of good cheer ready displayed, when, landing from his barge, + he entered the pavilion. + </p> + <p> + “It grieves my heart to see your Highness under restraint,” said Ramorny, + with a well executed appearance of sympathy. + </p> + <p> + “That grief of thine will grieve mine,” said the Prince. “I am sure here + has Errol, and a right true hearted lord he is, so tired me with grave + looks, and something like grave lessons, that he has driven me back to + thee, thou reprobate, from whom, as I expect nothing good, I may perhaps + obtain something entertaining. Yet, ere we say more, it was foul work, + that upon the Fastern’s Even, Ramorny. I well hope thou gavest not aim to + it.” + </p> + <p> + “On my honour, my lord, a simple mistake of the brute Bonthron. I did hint + to him that a dry beating would be due to the fellow by whom I had lost a + hand; and lo you, my knave makes a double mistake. He takes one man for + another, and instead of the baton he uses the axe.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well that it went no farther. Small matter for the bonnet maker; + but I had never forgiven you had the armourer fallen—there is not + his match in Britain. But I hope they hanged the villain high enough?” + </p> + <p> + “If thirty feet might serve,” replied Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “Pah! no more of him,” said Rothsay; “his wretched name makes the good + wine taste of blood. And what are the news in Perth, Ramorny? How stands + it with the bona robas and the galliards?” + </p> + <p> + “Little galliardise stirring, my lord,” answered the knight. “All eyes are + turned to the motions of the Black Douglas, who comes with five thousand + chosen men to put us all to rights, as if he were bound for another + Otterburn. It is said he is to be lieutenant again. It is certain many + have declared for his faction.” + </p> + <p> + “It is time, then, my feet were free,” said Rothsay, “otherwise I may find + a worse warder than Errol.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, my lord! were you once away from this place, you might make as bold a + head as Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + “Ramorny,” said the Prince, gravely, “I have but a confused remembrance of + your once having proposed something horrible to me. Beware of such + counsel. I would be free—I would have my person at my own disposal; + but I will never levy arms against my father, nor those it pleases him to + trust.” + </p> + <p> + “It was only for your Royal Highness’s personal freedom that I was + presuming to speak,” answered Ramorny. “Were I in your Grace’s place, I + would get me into that good boat which hovers on the Tay, and drop quietly + down to Fife, where you have many friends, and make free to take + possession of Falkland. It is a royal castle; and though the King has + bestowed it in gift on your uncle, yet surely, even if the grant were not + subject to challenge, your Grace might make free with the residence of so + near a relative.” + </p> + <p> + “He hath made free with mine,” said the Duke, “as the stewartry of Renfrew + can tell. But stay, Ramorny—hold; did I not hear Errol say that the + Lady Marjory Douglas, whom they call Duchess of Rothsay, is at Falkland? I + would neither dwell with that lady nor insult her by dislodging her.” + </p> + <p> + “The lady was there, my lord,” replied Ramorny; “I have sure advice that + she is gone to meet her father.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! to animate the Douglas against me? or perhaps to beg him to spare me, + providing I come on my knees to her bed, as pilgrims say the emirs and + amirals upon whom a Saracen soldan bestows a daughter in marriage are + bound to do? Ramorny, I will act by the Douglas’s own saying, ‘It is + better to hear the lark sing than the mouse squeak.’ I will keep both foot + and hand from fetters.” + </p> + <p> + “No place fitter than Falkland,” replied Ramorny. “I have enough of good + yeomen to keep the place; and should your Highness wish to leave it, a + brief ride reaches the sea in three directions.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak well. But we shall die of gloom yonder. Neither mirth, music, + nor maidens—ha!” said the heedless Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, noble Duke; but, though the Lady Marjory Douglas be departed, + like an errant dame in romance, to implore succour of her doughty sire, + there is, I may say, a lovelier, I am sure a younger, maiden, either + presently at Falkland or who will soon be on the road thither. Your + Highness has not forgotten the Fair Maid of Perth?” + </p> + <p> + “Forget the prettiest wench in Scotland! No—any more than thou hast + forgotten the hand that thou hadst in the Curfew Street onslaught on St. + Valentine’s Eve.” + </p> + <p> + “The hand that I had! Your Highness would say, the hand that I lost. As + certain as I shall never regain it, Catharine Glover is, or will soon be, + at Falkland. I will not flatter your Highness by saying she expects to + meet you; in truth, she proposes to place herself under the protection of + the Lady Marjory.” + </p> + <p> + “The little traitress,” said the Prince—“she too to turn against me? + She deserves punishment, Ramorny.” + </p> + <p> + “I trust your Grace will make her penance a gentle one,” replied the + knight. + </p> + <p> + “Faith, I would have been her father confessor long ago, but I have ever + found her coy.” + </p> + <p> + “Opportunity was lacking, my lord,” replied Ramorny; “and time presses + even now.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I am but too apt for a frolic; but my father—” + </p> + <p> + “He is personally safe,” said Ramorny, “and as much at freedom as ever he + can be; while your Highness—” + </p> + <p> + “Must brook fetters, conjugal or literal—I know it. Yonder comes + Douglas, with his daughter in his hand, as haughty and as harsh featured + as himself, bating touches of age.” + </p> + <p> + “And at Falkland sits in solitude the fairest wench in Scotland,” said + Ramorny. “Here is penance and restraint, yonder is joy and freedom.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast prevailed, most sage counsellor,” replied Rothsay; “but mark + you, it shall be the last of my frolics.” + </p> + <p> + “I trust so,” replied Ramorny; “for, when at liberty, you may make a good + accommodation with your royal father.” + </p> + <p> + “I will write to him, Ramorny. Get the writing materials. No, I cannot put + my thoughts in words—do thou write.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Royal Highness forgets,” said Ramorny, pointing to his mutilated + arm. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! that cursed hand of yours. What can we do?” + </p> + <p> + “So please your Highness,” answered his counsellor, “if you would use the + hand of the mediciner, Dwining—he writes like a clerk.” + </p> + <p> + “Hath he a hint of the circumstances? Is he possessed of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Fully,” said Ramorny; and, stepping to the window, he called Dwining from + the boat. + </p> + <p> + He entered the presence of the Prince of Scotland, creeping as if he trode + upon eggs, with downcast eyes, and a frame that seemed shrunk up by a + sense of awe produced by the occasion. + </p> + <p> + “There, fellow, are writing materials. I will make trial of you; thou + know’st the case—place my conduct to my father in a fair light.” + </p> + <p> + Dwining sat down, and in a few minutes wrote a letter, which he handed to + Sir John Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “Why, the devil has aided thee, Dwining,” said the knight. “Listen, my + dear lord. ‘Respected father and liege sovereign—Know that important + considerations induce me to take my departure from this your court, + purposing to make my abode at Falkland, both as the seat of my dearest + uncle Albany, with whom I know your Majesty would desire me to use all + familiarity, and as the residence of one from whom I have been too long + estranged, and with whom I haste to exchange vows of the closest affection + from henceforward.’” + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Rothsay and Ramorny laughed aloud; and the physician, who had + listened to his own scroll as if it were a sentence of death, encouraged + by their applause, raised his eyes, uttered faintly his chuckling note of + “He! he!” and was again grave and silent, as if afraid he had transgressed + the bounds of reverent respect. + </p> + <p> + “Admirable!” said the Prince—“admirable! The old man will apply all + this to the Duchess, as they call her, of Rothsay. Dwining, thou shouldst + be a secretis to his Holiness the Pope, who sometimes, it is said, wants a + scribe that can make one word record two meanings. I will subscribe it, + and have the praise of the device.” + </p> + <p> + “And now, my lord,” said Ramorny, sealing the letter and leaving it + behind, “will you not to boat?” + </p> + <p> + “Not till my chamberlain attends with some clothes and necessaries, and + you may call my sewer also.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Ramorny, “time presses, and preparation will but excite + suspicion. Your officers will follow with the mails tomorrow. For tonight, + I trust my poor service may suffice to wait on you at table and chamber.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, this time it is thou who forgets,” said the Prince, touching the + wounded arm with his walking rod. “Recollect, man, thou canst neither + carve a capon nor tie a point—a goodly sewer or valet of the mouth!” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny grinned with rage and pain; for his wound, though in a way of + healing, was still highly sensitive, and even the pointing a finger + towards it made him tremble. + </p> + <p> + “Will your Highness now be pleased to take boat?” + </p> + <p> + “Not till I take leave of the Lord Constable. Rothsay must not slip away, + like a thief from a prison, from the house of Errol. Summon him hither.” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord Duke,” said Ramorny, “it may be dangerous to our plan.” + </p> + <p> + “To the devil with danger, thy plan, and thyself! I must and will act to + Errol as becomes us both.” + </p> + <p> + The earl entered, agreeable to the Prince’s summons. + </p> + <p> + “I gave you this trouble, my lord,” said Rothsay, with the dignified + courtesy which he knew so well how to assume, “to thank you for your + hospitality and your good company. I can enjoy them no longer, as pressing + affairs call me to Falkland.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said the Lord High Constable, “I trust your Grace remembers + that you are—under ward.” + </p> + <p> + “How!—under ward? If I am a prisoner, speak plainly; if not, I will + take my freedom to depart.” + </p> + <p> + “I would, my lord, your Highness would request his Majesty’s permission + for this journey. There will be much displeasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Mean you displeasure against yourself, my lord, or against me?” + </p> + <p> + “I have already said your Highness lies in ward here; but if you determine + to break it, I have no warrant—God forbid—to put force on your + inclinations. I can but entreat your Highness, for your own sake—” + </p> + <p> + “Of my own interest I am the best judge. Good evening to you, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + The wilful Prince stepped into the boat with Dwining and Ramorny, and, + waiting for no other attendance, Eviot pushed off the vessel, which + descended the Tay rapidly by the assistance of sail and oar and of the ebb + tide. + </p> + <p> + For some space the Duke of Rothsay appeared silent and moody, nor did his + companions interrupt his reflections. He raised his head at length and + said: “My father loves a jest, and when all is over he will take this + frolic at no more serious rate than it deserves—a fit of youth, with + which he will deal as he has with others. Yonder, my masters, shows the + old hold of Kinfauns, frowning above the Tay. Now, tell me, John Ramorny, + how thou hast dealt to get the Fair Maid of Perth out of the hands of + yonder bull headed provost; for Errol told me it was rumoured that she was + under his protection.” + </p> + <p> + “Truly she was, my lord, with the purpose of being transferred to the + patronage of the Duchess—I mean of the Lady Marjory of Douglas. Now, + this beetle headed provost, who is after all but a piece of blundering + valiancy, has, like most such, a retainer of some slyness and cunning, + whom he uses in all his dealings, and whose suggestions he generally + considers as his own ideas. Whenever I would possess myself of a landward + baron, I address myself to such a confidant, who, in the present case, is + called Kitt Henshaw, an old skipper upon the Tay, and who, having in his + time sailed as far as Campvere, holds with Sir Patrick Charteris the + respect due to one who has seen foreign countries. This his agent I have + made my own, and by his means have insinuated various apologies in order + to postpone the departure of Catharine for Falkland.” + </p> + <p> + “But to what good purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not if it is wise to tell your Highness, lest you should + disapprove of my views. I meant the officers of the Commission for inquiry + into heretical opinions should have found the Fair Maid at Kinfauns, for + our beauty is a peevish, self willed swerver from the church; and certes, + I designed that the knight should have come in for his share of the fines + and confiscations that were about to be inflicted. The monks were eager + enough to be at him, seeing he hath had frequent disputes with them about + the salmon tithe.” + </p> + <p> + “But wherefore wouldst thou have ruined the knight’s fortunes, and brought + the beautiful young woman to the stake, perchance?” + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw, my Lord Duke! monks never burn pretty maidens. An old woman might + have been in some danger; and as for my Lord Provost, as they call him, if + they had clipped off some of his fat acres, it would have been some + atonement for the needless brave he put on me in St. John’s church.” + </p> + <p> + “Methinks, John, it was but a base revenge,” said Rothsay. + </p> + <p> + “Rest ye contented, my lord. He that cannot right himself by the hand must + use his head. Well, that chance was over by the tender hearted Douglas’s + declaring in favour of tender conscience; and then, my lord, old Henshaw + found no further objections to carrying the Fair Maid of Perth to + Falkland, not to share the dulness of the Lady Marjory’s society, as Sir + Patrick Charteris and she herself doth opine, but to keep your Highness + from tiring when we return from hunting in the park.” + </p> + <p> + There was again a long pause, in which the Prince seemed to muse deeply. + At length he spoke. “Ramorny, I have a scruple in this matter; but if I + name it to thee, the devil of sophistry, with which thou art possessed, + will argue it out of me, as it has done many others. This girl is the most + beautiful, one excepted, whom I ever saw or knew; and I like her the more + that she bears some features of—Elizabeth of Dunbar. But she, I mean + Catharine Glover, is contracted, and presently to be wedded, to Henry the + armourer, a craftsman unequalled for skill, and a man at arms yet + unmatched in the barrace. To follow out this intrigue would do a good + fellow too much wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Highness will not expect me to be very solicitous of Henry Smith’s + interest,” said Ramorny, looking at his wounded arm. + </p> + <p> + “By St. Andrew with his shored cross, this disaster of thine is too much + harped upon, John Ramorny! Others are content with putting a finger into + every man’s pie, but thou must thrust in thy whole gory hand. It is done, + and cannot be undone; let it be forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my lord, you allude to it more frequently than I,” answered the + knight—“in derision, it is true; while I—but I can be silent + on the subject if I cannot forget it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, I tell thee that I have scruple about this intrigue. Dost + thou remember, when we went in a frolic to hear Father Clement preach, or + rather to see this fair heretic, that he spoke as touchingly as a minstrel + about the rich man taking away the poor man’s only ewe lamb?” + </p> + <p> + “A great matter, indeed,” answered Sir John, “that this churl’s wife’s + eldest son should be fathered by the Prince of Scotland! How many earls + would covet the like fate for their fair countesses? and how many that + have had such good luck sleep not a grain the worse for it?” + </p> + <p> + “And if I might presume to speak,” said the mediciner, “the ancient laws + of Scotland assigned such a privilege to every feudal lord over his female + vassals, though lack of spirit and love of money hath made many exchange + it for gold.” + </p> + <p> + “I require no argument to urge me to be kind to a pretty woman; but this + Catharine has been ever cold to me,” said the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my lord,” said Ramorny, “if, young, handsome, and a prince, you know + not how to make yourself acceptable to a fine woman, it is not for me to + say more.” + </p> + <p> + “And if it were not far too great audacity in me to speak again, I would + say,” quoth the leech, “that all Perth knows that the Gow Chrom never was + the maiden’s choice, but fairly forced upon her by her father. I know for + certain that she refused him repeatedly.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, if thou canst assure us of that, the case is much altered,” said + Rothsay. “Vulcan was a smith as well as Harry Wynd; he would needs wed + Venus, and our chronicles tell us what came of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then long may Lady Venus live and be worshipped,” said Sir John Ramorny, + “and success to the gallant knight Mars who goes a-wooing to her + goddess-ship!” + </p> + <p> + The discourse took a gay and idle turn for a few minutes; but the Duke of + Rothsay soon dropped it. “I have left,” he said, “yonder air of the prison + house behind me, and yet my spirits scarce revive. I feel that drowsy, not + unpleasing, yet melancholy mood that comes over us when exhausted by + exercise or satiated with pleasure. Some music now, stealing on the ear, + yet not loud enough to make us lift the eye, were a treat for the gods.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Grace has but to speak your wishes, and the nymphs of the Tay are as + favourable as the fair ones upon the shore. Hark! it is a lute.” + </p> + <p> + “A lute!” said the Duke of Rothsay, listening; “it is, and rarely touched. + I should remember that dying fall. Steer towards the boat from whence the + music comes.” + </p> + <p> + “It is old Henshaw,” said Ramorny, “working up the stream. How, skipper!” + </p> + <p> + The boatman answered the hail, and drew up alongside of the Prince’s + barge. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, ho! my old friend!” said the Prince, recognising the figure as well + as the appointments of the French glee woman, Louise. “I think I owe thee + something for being the means of thy having a fright, at least, upon St. + Valentine’s Day. Into this boat with thee, lute, puppy dog, scrip and all; + I will prefer thee to a lady’s service who shall feed thy very cur on + capons and canary.” + </p> + <p> + “I trust your Highness will consider—” said Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “I will consider nothing but my pleasure, John. Pray, do thou be so + complying as to consider it also.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it indeed to a lady’s service you would promote me?” said the glee + maiden. “And where does she dwell?” + </p> + <p> + “At Falkland,” answered the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have heard of that great lady!” said Louise; “and will you indeed + prefer me to your right royal consort’s service?” + </p> + <p> + “I will, by my honour—whenever I receive her as such. Mark that + reservation, John,” said he aside to Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + The persons who were in the boat caught up the tidings, and, concluding a + reconciliation was about to take place betwixt the royal couple, exhorted + Louise to profit by her good fortune, and add herself to the Duchess of + Rothsay’s train. Several offered her some acknowledgment for the exercise + of her talents. + </p> + <p> + During this moment of delay, Ramorny whispered to Dwining: “Make in, + knave, with some objection. This addition is one too many. Rouse thy wits, + while I speak a word with Henshaw.” + </p> + <p> + “If I might presume to speak,” said Dwining, “as one who have made my + studies both in Spain and Arabia, I would say, my lord, that the sickness + has appeared in Edinburgh, and that there may be risk in admitting this + young wanderer into your Highness’s vicinity.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! and what is it to thee,” said Rothsay, “whether I choose to be + poisoned by the pestilence or the ‘pothecary? Must thou, too, needs thwart + my humour?” + </p> + <p> + While the Prince thus silenced the remonstrances of Dwining, Sir John + Ramorny had snatched a moment to learn from Henshaw that the removal of + the Duchess of Rothsay from Falkland was still kept profoundly secret, and + that Catharine Glover would arrive there that evening or the next morning, + in expectation of being taken under the noble lady’s protection. + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Rothsay, deeply plunged in thought, received this intimation + so coldly, that Ramorny took the liberty of remonstrating. “This, my + lord,” he said, “is playing the spoiled child of fortune. You wish for + liberty; it comes. You wish for beauty; it awaits you, with just so much + delay as to render the boon more precious. Even your slightest desires + seem a law to the Fates; for you desire music when it seems most distant, + and the lute and song are at your hand. These things, so sent, should be + enjoyed, else we are but like petted children, who break and throw from + them the toys they have wept themselves sick for.” + </p> + <p> + “To enjoy pleasure, Ramorny,” said the Prince, “a man should have suffered + pain, as it requires fasting to gain a good appetite. We, who can have all + for a wish, little enjoy that all when we have possessed it. Seest thou + yonder thick cloud, which is about to burst to rain? It seems to stifle me—the + waters look dark and lurid—the shores have lost their beautiful form—” + </p> + <p> + “My lord, forgive your servant,” said Ramorny. “You indulge a powerful + imagination, as an unskilful horseman permits a fiery steed to rear until + he falls back on his master and crushes him. I pray you shake off this + lethargy. Shall the glee maiden make some music?” + </p> + <p> + “Let her; but it must be melancholy: all mirth would at this moment jar on + my ear.” + </p> + <p> + The maiden sung a melancholy dirge in Norman French; the words, of which + the following is an imitation, were united to a tune as doleful as they + are themselves: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Yes, thou mayst sigh, + And look once more at all around, + At stream and bank, and sky and ground. + Thy life its final course has found, + And thou must die. + + Yes, lay thee down, + And while thy struggling pulses flutter, + Bid the grey monk his soul mass mutter, + And the deep bell its death tone utter— + Thy life is gone. + + Be not afraid. + ‘Tis but a pang, and then a thrill, + A fever fit, and then a chill, + And then an end of human ill, + For thou art dead. +</pre> + <p> + The Prince made no observation on the music; and the maiden, at Ramorny’s + beck, went on from time to time with her minstrel craft, until the evening + sunk down into rain, first soft and gentle, at length in great quantities, + and accompanied by a cold wind. There was neither cloak nor covering for + the Prince, and he sullenly rejected that which Ramorny offered. + </p> + <p> + “It is not for Rothsay to wear your cast garments, Sir John; this melted + snow, which I feel pierce me to the very marrow, I am now encountering by + your fault. Why did you presume to put off the boat without my servants + and apparel?” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny did not attempt an exculpation; for he knew the Prince was in one + of those humours, when to enlarge upon a grievance was more pleasing to + him than to have his mouth stopped by any reasonable apology. In sullen + silence, or amid unsuppressed chiding, the boat arrived at the fishing + village of Newburgh. The party landed, and found horses in readiness, + which, indeed, Ramorny had long since provided for the occasion. Their + quality underwent the Prince’s bitter sarcasm, expressed to Ramorny + sometimes by direct words, oftener by bitter gibes. At length they were + mounted and rode on through the closing night and the falling rain, the + Prince leading the way with reckless haste. The glee maiden, mounted by + his express order, attended them and well for her that, accustomed to + severe weather, and exercise both on foot and horseback, she supported as + firmly as the men the fatigues of the nocturnal ride. Ramorny was + compelled to keep at the Prince’s rein, being under no small anxiety lest, + in his wayward fit, he might ride off from him entirely, and, taking + refuge in the house of some loyal baron, escape the snare which was spread + for him. He therefore suffered inexpressibly during the ride, both in mind + and in body. + </p> + <p> + At length the forest of Falkland received them, and a glimpse of the moon + showed the dark and huge tower, an appendage of royalty itself, though + granted for a season to the Duke of Albany. On a signal given the + drawbridge fell. Torches glared in the courtyard, menials attended, and + the Prince, assisted from horseback, was ushered into an apartment, where + Ramorny waited on him, together with Dwining, and entreated him to take + the leech’s advice. The Duke of Rothsay repulsed the proposal, haughtily + ordered his bed to be prepared, and having stood for some time shivering + in his dank garments beside a large blazing fire, he retired to his + apartment without taking leave of anyone. + </p> + <p> + “You see the peevish humour of this childish boy, now,” said Ramorny to + Dwining; “can you wonder that a servant who has done so much for him as I + have should be tired of such a master?” + </p> + <p> + “No, truly,” said Dwining, “that and the promised earldom of Lindores + would shake any man’s fidelity. But shall we commence with him this + evening? He has, if eye and cheek speak true, the foundation of a fever + within him, which will make our work easy while it will seem the effect of + nature.” + </p> + <p> + “It is an opportunity lost,” said Ramorny; “but we must delay our blow + till he has seen this beauty, Catharine Glover. She may be hereafter a + witness that she saw him in good health, and master of his own motions, a + brief space before—you understand me?” + </p> + <p> + Dwining nodded assent, and added: + </p> + <p> + “There is no time lost; for there is little difficulty in blighting a + flower exhausted from having been made to bloom too soon.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ah, me! in sooth he was a shameless wight, + Sore given to revel and ungodly glee: + Few earthly things found favour in his sight, + Save concubines and carnal companie, + And flaunting wassailers of high and low degree. + + BYRON. +</pre> + <p> + With the next morning the humour of the Duke of Rothsay was changed. He + complained, indeed, of pain and fever, but they rather seemed to stimulate + than to overwhelm him. He was familiar with Ramorny, and though he said + nothing on the subject of the preceding night, it was plain he remembered + what he desired to obliterate from the memory of his followers—the + ill humour he had then displayed. He was civil to every one, and jested + with Ramorny on the subject of Catharine’s arrival. + </p> + <p> + “How surprised will the pretty prude be at seeing herself in a family of + men, when she expects to be admitted amongst the hoods and pinners of Dame + Marjory’s waiting women! Thou hast not many of the tender sex in thy + household, I take it, Ramorny?” + </p> + <p> + “Faith, none except the minstrel wench, but a household drudge or two whom + we may not dispense with. By the way, she is anxiously inquiring after the + mistress your Highness promised to prefer her to. Shall I dismiss her, to + hunt for her new mistress at leisure?” + </p> + <p> + “By no means, she will serve to amuse Catharine. And, hark you, were it + not well to receive that coy jillet with something of a mumming?” + </p> + <p> + “How mean you, my lord?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art dull, man. We will not disappoint her, since she expects to find + the Duchess of Rothsay: I will be Duke and Duchess in my own person.” + </p> + <p> + “Still I do not comprehend.” + </p> + <p> + “No one so dull as a wit,” said the Prince, “when he does not hit off the + scent at once. My Duchess, as they call her, has been in as great a hurry + to run away from Falkland as I to come hither. We have both left our + apparel behind. There is as much female trumpery in the wardrobe adjoining + to my sleeping room as would equip a whole carnival. Look you, I will play + Dame Marjory, disposed on this day bed here with a mourning veil and a + wreath of willow, to show my forsaken plight; thou, John, wilt look starch + and stiff enough for her Galwegian maid of honour, the Countess Hermigild; + and Dwining shall present the old Hecate, her nurse—only she hath + more beard on her upper lip than Dwining on his whole face, and skull to + boot. He should have the commodity of a beard to set her forth + conformably. Get thy kitchen drudges, and what passable pages thou hast + with thee, to make my women of the bedroom. Hearest thou? about it + instantly.” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny hasted into the anteroom, and told Dwining the Prince’s device. + </p> + <p> + “Do thou look to humour the fool,” he said; “I care not how little I see + him, knowing what is to be done.” + </p> + <p> + “Trust all to me,” said the physician, shrugging his shoulders. “What sort + of a butcher is he that can cut the lamb’s throat, yet is afraid to hear + it bleat?” + </p> + <p> + “Tush, fear not my constancy: I cannot forget that he would have cast me + into the cloister with as little regard as if he threw away the truncheon + of a broken lance. Begone—yet stay; ere you go to arrange this silly + pageant, something must be settled to impose on the thick witted + Charteris. He is like enough, should he be left in the belief that the + Duchess of Rothsay is still here, and Catharine Glover in attendance on + her, to come down with offers of service, and the like, when, as I need + scarce tell thee, his presence would be inconvenient. Indeed, this is the + more likely, that some folks have given a warmer name to the iron headed + knight’s great and tender patronage of this damsel.” + </p> + <p> + “With that hint, let me alone to deal with him. I will send him such a + letter, that for this month he shall hold himself as ready for a journey + to hell as to Falkland. Can you tell me the name of the Duchess’s + confessor?” + </p> + <p> + “Waltheof, a grey friar.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough—then here I start.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes, for he was a clerk of rare celerity, Dwining finished a + letter, which he placed in Ramorny’s hand. + </p> + <p> + “This is admirable, and would have made thy fortune with Rothsay. I think + I should have been too jealous to trust thee in his household, save that + his day is closed.” + </p> + <p> + “Read it aloud,” said Dwining, “that we may judge if it goes trippingly + off.” + </p> + <p> + And Ramorny read as follows: “By command of our high and mighty Princess + Marjory, Duchess of Rothsay, and so forth, we Waltheof, unworthy brother + of the order of St. Francis, do thee, Sir Patrick Charteris, knight of + Kinfauns, to know, that her Highness marvels much at the temerity with + which you have sent to her presence a woman of whose fame she can judge + but lightly, seeing she hath made her abode, without any necessity, for + more than a week in thine own castle, without company of any other female, + saving menials; of which foul cohabitation the savour is gone up through + Fife, Angus, and Perthshire. Nevertheless, her Highness, considering the + ease as one of human frailty, hath not caused this wanton one to be + scourged with nettles, or otherwise to dree penance; but, as two good + brethren of the convent of Lindores, the Fathers Thickskull and + Dundermore, have been summoned up to the Highlands upon an especial call, + her Highness hath committed to their care this maiden Catharine, with + charge to convey her to her father, whom she states to be residing beside + Loch Tay, under whose protection she will find a situation more fitting + her qualities and habits than the Castle of Falkland, while her Highness + the Duchess of Rothsay abides there. She hath charged the said reverend + brothers so to deal with the young woman as may give her a sense of the + sin of incontinence, and she commendeth thee to confession and penitence.—Signed, + Waltheof, by command of an high and mighty Princess”; and so forth. + </p> + <p> + When he had finished, “Excellent—excellent!” Ramorny exclaimed. + “This unexpected rebuff will drive Charteris mad! He hath been long making + a sort of homage to this lady, and to find himself suspected of + incontinence, when he was expecting the full credit of a charitable + action, will altogether confound him; and, as thou say’st, it will be long + enough ere he come hither to look after the damsel or do honour to the + dame. But away to thy pageant, while I prepare that which shall close the + pageant for ever.” + </p> + <p> + It was an hour before noon, when Catharine, escorted by old Henshaw and a + groom of the Knight of Kinfauns, arrived before the lordly tower of + Falkland. The broad banner which was displayed from it bore the arms of + Rothsay, the servants who appeared wore the colours of the Prince’s + household, all confirming the general belief that the Duchess still + resided there. Catharine’s heart throbbed, for she had heard that the + Duchess had the pride as well as the high courage of the house of Douglas, + and felt uncertain touching the reception she was to experience. On + entering the castle, she observed that the train was smaller than she had + expected, but, as the Duchess lived in close retirement, she was little + surprised at this. In a species of anteroom she was met by a little old + woman, who seemed bent double with age, and supported herself upon an + ebony staff. + </p> + <p> + “Truly thou art welcome, fair daughter,” said she, saluting Catharine, + “and, as I may say, to an afflicted house; and I trust (once more saluting + her) thou wilt be a consolation to my precious and right royal daughter + the Duchess. Sit thee down, my child, till I see whether my lady be at + leisure to receive thee. Ah, my child, thou art very lovely indeed, if Our + Lady hath given to thee a soul to match with so fair a body.” + </p> + <p> + With that the counterfeit old woman crept into the next apartment, where + she found Rothsay in the masquerading habit he had prepared, and Ramorny, + who had evaded taking part in the pageant, in his ordinary attire. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a precious rascal, sir doctor,” said the Prince; “by my honour, + I think thou couldst find in thy heart to play out the whole play thyself, + lover’s part and all.” + </p> + <p> + “If it were to save your Highness trouble,” said the leech, with his usual + subdued laugh. + </p> + <p> + “No—no,” said Rothsay, “I never need thy help, man; and tell me now, + how look I, thus disposed on the couch—languishing and ladylike, + ha?” + </p> + <p> + “Something too fine complexioned and soft featured for the Lady Marjory of + Douglas, if I may presume to say so,” said the leech. + </p> + <p> + “Away, villain, and marshal in this fair frost piece—fear not she + will complain of my effeminacy; and thou, Ramorny, away also.” + </p> + <p> + As the knight left the apartment by one door, the fictitious old woman + ushered in Catharine Glover by another. The room had been carefully + darkened to twilight, so that Catharine saw the apparently female figure + stretched on the couch without the least suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “Is that the maiden?” asked Rothsay, in a voice naturally sweet, and now + carefully modulated to a whispering tone. “Let her approach, Griselda, and + kiss our hand.” + </p> + <p> + The supposed nurse led the trembling maiden forward to the side of the + couch, and signed to her to kneel. Catharine did so, and kissed with much + devotion and simplicity the gloved hand which the counterfeit duchess + extended to her. + </p> + <p> + “Be not afraid,” said the same musical voice; “in me you only see a + melancholy example of the vanity of human greatness; happy those, my + child, whose rank places them beneath the storms of state.” + </p> + <p> + While he spoke, he put his arms around her neck and drew her towards him, + as if to salute her in token of welcome. But the kiss was bestowed with an + earnestness which so much overacted the part of the fair patroness, that + Catharine, concluding the Duchess had lost her senses, screamed aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Peace, fool! it is I—David of Rothsay.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine looked around her; the nurse was gone, and the Duke tearing off + his veil, she saw herself in the power of a daring young libertine. + </p> + <p> + “Now be present with me, Heaven!” she said; “and Thou wilt, if I forsake + not myself.” + </p> + <p> + As this resolution darted through her mind, she repressed her disposition + to scream, and, as far as she might, strove to conceal her fear. + </p> + <p> + “The jest hath been played,” she said, with as much firmness as she could + assume; “may I entreat that your Highness will now unhand me?” for he + still kept hold of her arm. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my pretty captive, struggle not—why should you fear?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not struggle, my lord. As you are pleased to detain me, I will not, + by striving, provoke you to use me ill, and give pain to yourself, when + you have time to think.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, thou traitress, thou hast held me captive for months,” said the + Prince, “and wilt thou not let me hold thee for a moment?” + </p> + <p> + “This were gallantry, my lord, were it in the streets of Perth, where I + might listen or escape as I listed; it is tyranny here.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I did let thee go, whither wouldst thou fly?” said Rothsay. “The + bridges are up, the portcullis down, and the men who follow me are + strangely deaf to a peevish maiden’s squalls. Be kind, therefore, and you + shall know what it is to oblige a prince.” + </p> + <p> + “Unloose me, then, my lord, and hear me appeal from thyself to thyself, + from Rothsay to the Prince of Scotland. I am the daughter of an humble but + honest citizen. I am, I may well nigh say, the spouse of a brave and + honest man. If I have given your Highness any encouragement for what you + have done, it has been unintentional. Thus forewarned, I entreat you to + forego your power over me, and suffer me to depart. Your Highness can + obtain nothing from me, save by means equally unworthy of knighthood or + manhood.” + </p> + <p> + “You are bold, Catharine,” said the Prince, “but neither as a knight nor a + man can I avoid accepting a defiance. I must teach you the risk of such + challenges.” + </p> + <p> + While he spoke, he attempted to throw his arms again around her; but she + eluded his grasp, and proceeded in the same tone of firm decision. + </p> + <p> + “My strength, my lord, is as great to defend myself in an honourable + strife as yours can be to assail me with a most dishonourable purpose. Do + not shame yourself and me by putting it to the combat. You may stun me + with blows, or you may call aid to overpower me; but otherwise you will + fail of your purpose.” + </p> + <p> + “What a brute you would make me!” said the Prince. “The force I would use + is no more than excuses women in yielding to their own weakness.” + </p> + <p> + He sat down in some emotion. + </p> + <p> + “Then keep it,” said Catharine, “for those women who desire such an + excuse. My resistance is that of the most determined mind which love of + honour and fear of shame ever inspired. Alas! my lord, could you succeed, + you would but break every bond between me and life, between yourself and + honour. I have been trained fraudulently here, by what decoys I know not; + but were I to go dishonoured hence, it would be to denounce the destroyer + of my happiness to every quarter of Europe. I would take the palmer’s + staff in my hand, and wherever chivalry is honoured, or the word Scotland + has been heard, I would proclaim the heir of a hundred kings, the son of + the godly Robert Stuart, the heir of the heroic Bruce, a truthless, + faithless man, unworthy of the crown he expects and of the spurs he wears. + Every lady in wide Europe would hold your name too foul for her lips; + every worthy knight would hold you a baffled, forsworn caitiff, false to + the first vow of arms, the protection of woman and the defence of the + feeble.” + </p> + <p> + Rothsay resumed his seat, and looked at her with a countenance in which + resentment was mingled with admiration. “You forget to whom you speak, + maiden. Know, the distinction I have offered you is one for which hundreds + whose trains you are born to bear would feel gratitude.” + </p> + <p> + “Once more, my lord,” resumed Catharine, “keep these favours for those by + whom they are prized; or rather reserve your time and your health for + other and nobler pursuits—for the defence of your country and the + happiness of your subjects. Alas, my lord, how willingly would an exulting + people receive you for their chief! How gladly would they close around + you, did you show desire to head them against the oppression of the + mighty, the violence of the lawless, the seduction of the vicious, and the + tyranny of the hypocrite!” + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Rothsay, whose virtuous feelings were as easily excited as + they were evanescent, was affected by the enthusiasm with which she spoke. + “Forgive me if I have alarmed you, maiden,” he said “thou art too noble + minded to be the toy of passing pleasure, for which my mistake destined + thee; and I, even were thy birth worthy of thy noble spirit and + transcendent beauty, have no heart to give thee; for by the homage of the + heart only should such as thou be wooed. But my hopes have been blighted, + Catharine: the only woman I ever loved has been torn from me in the very + wantonness of policy, and a wife imposed on me whom I must ever detest, + even had she the loveliness and softness which alone can render a woman + amiable in my eyes. My health is fading even in early youth; and all that + is left for me is to snatch such flowers as the short passage from life to + the grave will now present. Look at my hectic cheek; feel, if you will, my + intermitting pulse; and pity me and excuse me if I, whose rights as a + prince and as a man have been trampled upon and usurped, feel occasional + indifference towards the rights of others, and indulge a selfish desire to + gratify the wish of the passing moment.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my lord!” exclaimed Catharine, with the enthusiasm which belonged to + her character—“I will call you my dear lord, for dear must the heir + of Bruce be to every child of Scotland—let me not, I pray, hear you + speak thus! Your glorious ancestor endured exile, persecution, the night + of famine, and the day of unequal combat, to free his country; do you + practise the like self denial to free yourself. Tear yourself from those + who find their own way to greatness smoothed by feeding your follies. + Distrust yon dark Ramorny! You know it not, I am sure—you could not + know; but the wretch who could urge the daughter to courses of shame by + threatening the life of the aged father is capable of all that is vile, + all that is treacherous!” + </p> + <p> + “Did Ramorny do this?” said the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “He did indeed, my lord, and he dares not deny it.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be looked to,” answered the Duke of Rothsay. “I have ceased to + love him; but he has suffered much for my sake, and I must see his + services honourably requited.” + </p> + <p> + “His services! Oh, my lord, if chronicles speak true, such services + brought Troy to ruins and gave the infidels possession of Spain.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, maiden—speak within compass, I pray you,” said the Prince, + rising up; “our conference ends here.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet one word, my Lord Duke of Rothsay,” said Catharine, with animation, + while her beautiful countenance resembled that of an admonitory angel. “I + cannot tell what impels me to speak thus boldly; but the fire burns within + me, and will break out. Leave this castle without an hour’s delay; the air + is unwholesome for you. Dismiss this Ramorny before the day is ten minutes + older; his company is most dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “What reason have you for saying this?” + </p> + <p> + “None in especial,” answered Catharine, abashed at her own eagerness—“none, + perhaps, excepting my fears for your safety.” + </p> + <p> + “To vague fears the heir of Bruce must not listen. What, ho! who waits + without?” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny entered, and bowed low to the Duke and to the maiden, whom, + perhaps, he considered as likely to be preferred to the post of favourite + sultana, and therefore entitled to a courteous obeisance. + </p> + <p> + “Ramorny,” said the Prince, “is there in the household any female of + reputation who is fit to wait on this young woman till we can send her + where she may desire to go?” + </p> + <p> + “I fear,” replied Ramorny, “if it displease not your Highness to hear the + truth, your household is indifferently provided in that way; and that, to + speak the very verity, the glee maiden is the most decorous amongst us.” + </p> + <p> + “Let her wait upon this young person, then, since better may not be. And + take patience, maiden, for a few hours.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine retired. + </p> + <p> + “So, my lord, part you so soon from the Fair Maid of Perth? This is, + indeed, the very wantonness of victory.” + </p> + <p> + “There is neither victory nor defeat in the case,” returned the Prince, + drily. “The girl loves me not; nor do I love her well enough to torment + myself concerning her scruples.” + </p> + <p> + “The chaste Malcolm the Maiden revived in one of his descendants!” said + Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “Favour me, sir, by a truce to your wit, or by choosing a different + subject for its career. It is noon, I believe, and you will oblige me by + commanding them to serve up dinner.” + </p> + <p> + Ramorny left the room; but Rothsay thought he discovered a smile upon his + countenance, and to be the subject of this man’s satire gave him no + ordinary degree of pain. He summoned, however, the knight to his table, + and even admitted Dwining to the same honour. The conversation was of a + lively and dissolute cast, a tone encouraged by the Prince, as if + designing to counterbalance the gravity of his morals in the morning, + which Ramorny, who was read in old chronicles, had the boldness to liken + to the continence of Scipio. + </p> + <p> + The banquet, nothwithstanding the Duke’s indifferent health, was + protracted in idle wantonness far beyond the rules of temperance; and, + whether owing simply to the strength of the wine which he drank, or the + weakness of his constitution, or, as it is probable, because the last wine + which he quaffed had been adulterated by Dwining, it so happened that the + Prince, towards the end of the repast, fell into a lethargic sleep, from + which it seemed impossible to rouse him. Sir John Ramorny and Dwining + carried him to his chamber, accepting no other assistance than that of + another person, whom we will afterwards give name to. + </p> + <p> + Next morning, it was announced that the Prince was taken ill of an + infectious disorder; and, to prevent its spreading through the household, + no one was admitted to wait on him save his late master of horse, the + physician Dwining, and the domestic already mentioned; one of whom seemed + always to remain in the apartment, while the others observed a degree of + precaution respecting their intercourse with the rest of the family, so + strict as to maintain the belief that he was dangerously ill of an + infectious disorder. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In winter’s tedious nights, sit by the fire, + With good old folks, and let them tell thee tales + Of woeful ages, long ago betid: + And, ere thou bid goodnight, to quit their grief, + Tell thou the lamentable fall of me. + + King Richard II Act V. Scene I. +</pre> + <p> + Far different had been the fate of the misguided heir of Scotland from + that which was publicly given out in the town of Falkland. His ambitious + uncle had determined on his death, as the means of removing the first and + most formidable barrier betwixt his own family and the throne. James, the + younger son of the King, was a mere boy, who might at more leisure be + easily set aside. Ramorny’s views of aggrandisement, and the resentment + which he had latterly entertained against his masters made him a willing + agent in young Rothsay’s destruction. Dwining’s love of gold, and his + native malignity of disposition, rendered him equally forward. It had been + resolved, with the most calculating cruelty, that all means which might + leave behind marks of violence were to be carefully avoided, and the + extinction of life suffered to take place of itself by privation of every + kind acting upon a frail and impaired constitution. The Prince of Scotland + was not to be murdered, as Ramorny had expressed himself on another + occasion, he was only to cease to exist. Rothsay’s bedchamber in the Tower + of Falkland was well adapted for the execution of such a horrible project. + A small, narrow staircase, scarce known to exist, opened from thence by a + trapdoor to the subterranean dungeons of the castle, through a passage by + which the feudal lord was wont to visit, in private and in disguise, the + inhabitants of those miserable regions. By this staircase the villains + conveyed the insensible Prince to the lowest dungeon of the castle, so + deep in the bowels of the earth, that no cries or groans, it was supposed, + could possibly be heard, while the strength of its door and fastenings + must for a long time have defied force, even if the entrance could have + been discovered. Bonthron, who had been saved from the gallows for the + purpose, was the willing agent of Ramorny’s unparalleled cruelty to his + misled and betrayed patron. + </p> + <p> + This wretch revisited the dungeon at the time when the Prince’s lethargy + began to wear off, and when, awaking to sensation, he felt himself deadly + cold, unable to move, and oppressed with fetters, which scarce permitted + him to stir from the dank straw on which he was laid. His first idea was + that he was in a fearful dream, his next brought a confused augury of the + truth. He called, shouted, yelled at length in frenzy but no assistance + came, and he was only answered by the vaulted roof of the dungeon. The + agent of hell heard these agonizing screams, and deliberately reckoned + them against the taunts and reproaches with which Rothsay had expressed + his instinctive aversion to him. When, exhausted and hopeless, the unhappy + youth remained silent, the savage resolved to present himself before the + eyes of his prisoner. The locks were drawn, the chain fell; the Prince + raised himself as high as his fetters permitted; a red glare, against + which he was fain to shut his eyes, streamed through the vault; and when + he opened them again, it was on the ghastly form of one whom he had reason + to think dead. He sunk back in horror. + </p> + <p> + “I am judged and condemned,” he exclaimed, “and the most abhorred fiend in + the infernal regions is sent to torment me!” + </p> + <p> + “I live, my lord,” said Bonthron; “and that you may live and enjoy life, + be pleased to sit up and eat your victuals.” + </p> + <p> + “Free me from these irons,” said the Prince, “release me from this + dungeon, and, dog as thou art, thou shalt be the richest man in Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “If you would give me the weight of your shackles in gold,” said Bonthron, + “I would rather see the iron on you than have the treasure myself! But + look up; you were wont to love delicate fare—behold how I have + catered for you.” + </p> + <p> + The wretch, with fiendish glee, unfolded a piece of rawhide covering the + bundle which he bore under’ his arm, and, passing the light to and fro + before it, showed the unhappy Prince a bull’s head recently hewn from the + trunk, and known in Scotland as the certain signal of death. He placed it + at the foot of the bed, or rather lair, on which the Prince lay. + </p> + <p> + “Be moderate in your food,” he said; “it is like to be long ere thou getst + another meal.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me but one thing, wretch,” said the Prince. “Does Ramorny know of + this practice?” + </p> + <p> + “How else hadst thou been decoyed hither? Poor woodcock, thou art snared!” + answered the murderer. + </p> + <p> + With these words, the door shut, the bolts resounded, and the unhappy + Prince was left to darkness, solitude, and misery. “Oh, my father!—my + prophetic father! The staff I leaned on has indeed proved a spear!” + </p> + <p> + We will not dwell on the subsequent hours, nay, days, of bodily agony and + mental despair. + </p> + <p> + But it was not the pleasure of Heaven that so great a crime should be + perpetrated with impunity. + </p> + <p> + Catharine Glover and the glee woman, neglected by the other inmates, who + seemed to be engaged with the tidings of the Prince’s illness, were, + however, refused permission to leave the castle until it should be seen + how this alarming disease was to terminate, and whether it was actually an + infectious sickness. Forced on each other’s society, the two desolate + women became companions, if not friends; and the union drew somewhat + closer when Catharine discovered that this was the same female minstrel on + whose account Henry Wynd had fallen under her displeasure. She now heard + his complete vindication, and listened with ardour to the praises which + Louise heaped on her gallant protector. On the other hand, the minstrel, + who felt the superiority of Catharine’s station and character, willingly + dwelt upon a theme which seemed to please her, and recorded her gratitude + to the stout smith in the little song of “Bold and True,” which was long a + favourite in Scotland. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, bold and true, + In bonnet blue, + That fear or falsehood never knew, + Whose heart was loyal to his word, + Whose hand was faithful to his sword— + Seek Europe wide from sea to sea, + But bonny blue cap still for me! + + I’ve seen Almain’s proud champions prance, + Have seen the gallant knights of France, + Unrivall’d with the sword and lance, + Have seen the sons of England true, + Wield the brown bill and bend the yew. + Search France the fair, and England free, + But bonny blue cap still for me! +</pre> + <p> + In short, though Louise’s disreputable occupation would have been in other + circumstances an objection to Catharine’s voluntarily frequenting her + company, yet, forced together as they now were, she found her a humble and + accommodating companion. + </p> + <p> + They lived in this manner for four or five days, and, in order to avoid as + much as possible the gaze, and perhaps the incivility, of the menials in + the offices, they prepared their food in their own apartment. In the + absolutely necessary intercourse with domestics, Louise, more accustomed + to expedients, bolder by habit, and desirous to please Catharine, + willingly took on herself the trouble of getting from the pantler the + materials of their slender meal, and of arranging it with the dexterity of + her country. + </p> + <p> + The glee woman had been abroad for this purpose upon the sixth day, a + little before noon; and the desire of fresh air, or the hope to find some + sallad or pot herbs, or at least an early flower or two, with which to + deck their board, had carried her into the small garden appertaining to + the castle. She re-entered her apartment in the tower with a countenance + pale as ashes, and a frame which trembled like an aspen leaf. Her terror + instantly extended itself to Catharine, who could hardly find words to ask + what new misfortune had occurred. + </p> + <p> + “Is the Duke of Rothsay dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Worse! they are starving him alive.” + </p> + <p> + “Madness, woman!” + </p> + <p> + “No—no—no—no!” said Louise, speaking under her breath, + and huddling her words so thick upon each other that Catharine could + hardly catch the sense. “I was seeking for flowers to dress your pottage, + because you said you loved them yesterday; my poor little dog, thrusting + himself into a thicket of yew and holly bushes that grow out of some old + ruins close to the castle wall, came back whining and howling. I crept + forward to see what might be the cause—and, oh! I heard a groaning + as of one in extreme pain, but so faint, that it seemed to arise out of + the very depth of the earth. At length, I found it proceeded from a small + rent in the wall, covered with ivy; and when I laid my ear close to the + opening, I could hear the Prince’s voice distinctly say, ‘It cannot now + last long’—and then it sunk away in something like a prayer.” + </p> + <p> + “Gracious Heaven! did you speak to him?” + </p> + <p> + “I said, ‘Is it you, my lord?’ and the answer was, ‘Who mocks me with that + title?’ I asked him if I could help him, and he answered with a voice I + shall never forget, ‘Food—food! I die of famine!’ So I came hither + to tell you. What is to be done? Shall we alarm the house?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! that were more likely to destroy than to aid,” said Catharine. + </p> + <p> + “And what then shall we do?” said Louise. + </p> + <p> + “I know not yet,” said Catharine, prompt and bold on occasions of moment, + though yielding to her companion in ingenuity of resource on ordinary + occasions: “I know not yet, but something we will do: the blood of Bruce + shall not die unaided.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, she seized the small cruise which contained their soup, and the + meat of which it was made, wrapped some thin cakes which she had baked + into the fold of her plaid, and, beckoning her companion to follow with a + vessel of milk, also part of their provisions, she hastened towards the + garden. + </p> + <p> + “So, our fair vestal is stirring abroad?” said the only man she met, who + was one of the menials; but Catharine passed on without notice or reply, + and gained the little garden without farther interruption. + </p> + <p> + Louise indicated to her a heap of ruins, which, covered with underwood, + was close to the castle wall. It had probably been originally a projection + from the building; and the small fissure, which communicated with the + dungeon, contrived for air, had terminated within it. But the aperture had + been a little enlarged by decay, and admitted a dim ray of light to its + recesses, although it could not be observed by those who visited the place + with torchlight aids. + </p> + <p> + “Here is dead silence,” said Catharine, after she had listened attentively + for a moment. “Heaven and earth, he is gone!” + </p> + <p> + “We must risk something,” said her companion, and ran her fingers over the + strings of her guitar. + </p> + <p> + A sigh was the only answer from the depth of the dungeon. Catharine then + ventured to speak. “I am here, my lord—I am here, with food and + drink.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Ramorny! The jest comes too late; I am dying,” was the answer. + </p> + <p> + “His brain is turned, and no wonder,” thought Catharine; “but whilst there + is life, there may be hope.” + </p> + <p> + “It is I, my lord, Catharine Glover. I have food, if I could pass it + safely to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Heaven bless thee, maiden! I thought the pain was over, but it glows + again within me at the name of food.” + </p> + <p> + “The food is here, but how—ah, how can I pass it to you? the chink + is so narrow, the wall is so thick! Yet there is a remedy—I have it. + Quick, Louise; cut me a willow bough, the tallest you can find.” + </p> + <p> + The glee maiden obeyed, and, by means of a cleft in the top of the wand, + Catharine transmitted several morsels of the soft cakes, soaked in broth, + which served at once for food and for drink. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate young man ate little, and with difficulty, but prayed for + a thousand blessings on the head of his comforter. “I had destined thee to + be the slave of my vices,” he said, “and yet thou triest to become the + preserver of my life! But away, and save thyself.” + </p> + <p> + “I will return with food as I shall see opportunity,” said Catharine, just + as the glee maiden plucked her sleeve and desired her to be silent and + stand close. + </p> + <p> + Both crouched among the ruins, and they heard the voices of Ramorny and + the mediciner in close conversation. + </p> + <p> + “He is stronger than I thought,” said the former, in a low, croaking tone. + “How long held out Dalwolsy, when the knight of Liddesdale prisoned him in + his castle of Hermitage?” + </p> + <p> + “For a fortnight,” answered Dwining; “but he was a strong man, and had + some assistance by grain which fell from a granary above his prison + house.” + </p> + <p> + “Were it not better end the matter more speedily? The Black Douglas comes + this way. He is not in Albany’s secret. He will demand to see the Prince, + and all must be over ere he comes.” + </p> + <p> + They passed on in their dark and fatal conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Now gain we the tower,” said Catharine to her companion, when she saw + they had left the garden. “I had a plan of escape for myself; I will turn + it into one of rescue for the Prince. The dey woman enters the castle + about vesper time, and usually leaves her cloak in the passage as she goes + into the pantlers’ office with the milk. Take thou the cloak, muffle + thyself close, and pass the warder boldly; he is usually drunken at that + hour, and thou wilt go as the dey woman unchallenged through gate and + along bridge, if thou bear thyself with confidence. Then away to meet the + Black Douglas; he is our nearest and only aid.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Louise, “is he not that terrible lord who threatened me with + shame and punishment?” + </p> + <p> + “Believe it,” said Catharine, “such as thou or I never dwelt an hour in + the Douglas’s memory, either for good or evil. Tell him that his son in + law, the Prince of Scotland dies—treacherously famished—in + Falkland Castle, and thou wilt merit not pardon only, but reward.” + </p> + <p> + “I care not for reward,” said Louise; “the deed will reward itself. But + methinks to stay is more dangerous than to go. Let me stay, then, and + nourish the unhappy Prince, and do you depart to bring help. If they kill + me before you return, I leave you my poor lute, and pray you to be kind to + my poor Charlot.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Louise,” replied Catharine, “you are a more privileged and + experienced wanderer than I—do you go; and if you find me dead on + your return, as may well chance, give my poor father this ring and a lock + of my hair, and say, Catharine died in endeavouring to save the blood of + Bruce. And give this other lock to Henry; say, Catharine thought of him to + the last, and that, if he has judged her too scrupulous touching the blood + of others, he will then know it was not because she valued her own.” + </p> + <p> + They sobbed in each other’s arms, and the intervening hours till evening + were spent in endeavouring to devise some better mode of supplying the + captive with nourishment, and in the construction of a tube, composed of + hollow reeds, slipping into each other, by which liquids might be conveyed + to him. The bell of the village church of Falkland tolled to vespers. The + dey, or farm woman, entered with her pitchers to deliver the milk for the + family, and to hear and tell the news stirring. She had scarcely entered + the kitchen when the female minstrel, again throwing herself in + Catharine’s arms, and assuring her of her unalterable fidelity, crept in + silence downstairs, the little dog under her arm. A moment after, she was + seen by the breathless Catharine, wrapt in the dey woman’s cloak, and + walking composedly across the drawbridge. + </p> + <p> + “So,” said the warder, “you return early tonight, May Bridget? Small mirth + towards in the hall—ha, wench! Sick times are sad times!” + </p> + <p> + “I have forgotten my tallies,” said the ready witted French woman, “and + will return in the skimming of a bowie.” + </p> + <p> + She went onward, avoiding the village of Falkland, and took a footpath + which led through the park. Catharine breathed freely, and blessed God + when she saw her lost in the distance. It was another anxious hour for + Catharine which occurred before the escape of the fugitive was discovered. + This happened so soon as the dey girl, having taken an hour to perform a + task which ten minutes might have accomplished, was about to return, and + discovered that some one had taken away her grey frieze cloak. A strict + search was set on foot; at length the women of the house remembered the + glee maiden, and ventured to suggest her as one not unlikely to exchange + an old cloak for a new one. The warder, strictly questioned, averred he + saw the dey woman depart immediately after vespers; and on this being + contradicted by the party herself, he could suggest, as the only + alternative, that it must needs have been the devil. + </p> + <p> + As, however, the glee woman could not be found, the real circumstances of + the case were easily guessed at; and the steward went to inform Sir John + Ramorny and Dwining, who were now scarcely ever separate, of the escape of + one of their female captives. Everything awakens the suspicions of the + guilty. They looked on each other with faces of dismay, and then went + together to the humble apartment of Catharine, that they might take her as + much as possible by surprise while they inquired into the facts attending + Louise’s disappearance. + </p> + <p> + “Where is your companion, young woman?” said Ramorny, in a tone of austere + gravity. + </p> + <p> + “I have no companion here,” answered Catharine. + </p> + <p> + “Trifle not,” replied the knight; “I mean the glee maiden, who lately + dwelt in this chamber with you.” + </p> + <p> + “She is gone, they tell me,” said Catharine—“gone about an hour + since.” + </p> + <p> + “And whither?” said Dwining. + </p> + <p> + “How,” answered Catharine, “should I know which way a professed wanderer + may choose to travel? She was tired no doubt of a solitary life, so + different from the scenes of feasting and dancing which her trade leads + her to frequent. She is gone, and the only wonder is that she should have + stayed so long.” + </p> + <p> + “This, then,” said Ramorny, “is all you have to tell us?” + </p> + <p> + “All that I have to tell you, Sir John,” answered Catharine, firmly; “and + if the Prince himself inquire, I can tell him no more.” + </p> + <p> + “There is little danger of his again doing you the honour to speak to you + in person,” said Ramorny, “even if Scotland should escape being rendered + miserable by the sad event of his decease.” + </p> + <p> + “Is the Duke of Rothsay so very ill?” asked Catharine. + </p> + <p> + “No help, save in Heaven,” answered Ramorny, looking upward. + </p> + <p> + “Then may there yet be help there,” said Catharine, “if human aid prove + unavailing!” + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” said Ramorny, with the most determined gravity; while Dwining + adopted a face fit to echo the feeling, though it seemed to cost him a + painful struggle to suppress his sneering yet soft laugh of triumph, which + was peculiarly excited by anything having a religious tendency. + </p> + <p> + “And it is men—earthly men, and not incarnate devils, who thus + appeal to Heaven, while they are devouring by inches the life blood of + their hapless master!” muttered Catharine, as her two baffled inquisitors + left the apartment. “Why sleeps the thunder? But it will roll ere long, + and oh! may it be to preserve as well as to punish!” + </p> + <p> + The hour of dinner alone afforded a space when, all in the castle being + occupied with that meal, Catharine thought she had the best opportunity of + venturing to the breach in the wall, with the least chance of being + observed. In waiting for the hour, she observed some stir in the castle, + which had been silent as the grave ever since the seclusion of the Duke of + Rothsay. The portcullis was lowered and raised, and the creaking of the + machinery was intermingled with the tramp of horse, as men at arms went + out and returned with steeds hard ridden and covered with foam. She + observed, too, that such domestics as she casually saw from her window + were in arms. All this made her heart throb high, for it augured the + approach of rescue; and besides, the bustle left the little garden more + lonely than ever. At length the hour of noon arrived; she had taken care + to provide, under pretence of her own wishes, which the pantler seemed + disposed to indulge, such articles of food as could be the most easily + conveyed to the unhappy captive. She whispered to intimate her presence; + there was no answer; she spoke louder, still there was silence. + </p> + <p> + “He sleeps,” she muttered these words half aloud, and with a shuddering + which was succeeded by a start and a scream, when a voice replied behind + her: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he sleeps; but it is for ever.” + </p> + <p> + She looked round. Sir John Ramorny stood behind her in complete armour, + but the visor of his helmet was up, and displayed a countenance more + resembling one about to die than to fight. He spoke with a grave tone, + something between that of a calm observer of an interesting event and of + one who is an agent and partaker in it. + </p> + <p> + “Catharine,” he said, “all is true which I tell you. He is dead. You have + done your best for him; you can do no more.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not—I cannot believe it,” said Catharine. “Heaven be + merciful to me! it would make one doubt of Providence, to think so great a + crime has been accomplished.” + </p> + <p> + “Doubt not of Providence, Catharine, though it has suffered the profligate + to fall by his own devices. Follow me; I have that to say which concerns + you. I say follow (for she hesitated), unless you prefer being left to the + mercies of the brute Bonthron and the mediciner Henbane Dwining.” + </p> + <p> + “I will follow you,” said Catharine. “You cannot do more to me than you + are permitted.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way into the tower, and mounted staircase after staircase and + ladder after ladder. + </p> + <p> + Catharine’s resolution failed her. “I will follow no farther,” she said. + “Whither would you lead me? If to my death, I can die here.” + </p> + <p> + “Only to the battlements of the castle, fool,” said Ramorny, throwing wide + a barred door which opened upon the vaulted roof of the castle, where men + were bending mangonels, as they called them (military engines, that is, + for throwing arrows or stones), getting ready crossbows, and piling stones + together. But the defenders did not exceed twenty in number, and Catharine + thought she could observe doubt and irresolution amongst them. + </p> + <p> + “Catharine,” said Ramorny, “I must not quit this station, which is + necessary for my defence; but I can speak with you here as well as + elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Say on,” answered Catharine, “I am prepared to hear you.” + </p> + <p> + “You have thrust yourself, Catharine, into a bloody secret. Have you the + firmness to keep it?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not understand you, Sir John,” answered the maiden. + </p> + <p> + “Look you. I have slain—murdered, if you will—my late master, + the Duke of Rothsay. The spark of life which your kindness would have fed + was easily smothered. His last words called on his father. You are faint—bear + up—you have more to hear. You know the crime, but you know not the + provocation. See! this gauntlet is empty; I lost my right hand in his + cause, and when I was no longer fit to serve him, I was cast off like a + worn out hound, my loss ridiculed, and a cloister recommended, instead of + the halls and palaces in which I had my natural sphere! Think on this—pity + and assist me.” + </p> + <p> + “In what manner can you require my assistance?” said the trembling maiden; + “I can neither repair your loss nor cancel your crime.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou canst be silent, Catharine, on what thou hast seen and heard in + yonder thicket. It is but a brief oblivion I ask of you, whose word will, + I know, be listened to, whether you say such things were or were not. That + of your mountebank companion, the foreigner, none will hold to be of a pin + point’s value. If you grant me this, I will take your promise for my + security, and throw the gate open to those who now approach it. If you + will not promise silence, I defend this castle till every one perishes, + and I fling you headlong from these battlements. Ay, look at them—it + is not a leap to be rashly braved. Seven courses of stairs brought you up + hither with fatigue and shortened breath; but you shall go from the top to + the bottom in briefer time than you can breathe a sigh! Speak the word, + fair maid; for you speak to one unwilling to harm you, but determined in + his purpose.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine stood terrified, and without power of answering a man who seemed + so desperate; but she was saved the necessity of reply by the approach of + Dwining. He spoke with the same humble conges which at all times + distinguished his manner, and with his usual suppressed ironical sneer, + which gave that manner the lie. + </p> + <p> + “I do you wrong, noble sir, to intrude on your valiancie when engaged with + a fair damsel. But I come to ask a trifling question.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak, tormentor!” said Ramorny; “ill news are sport to thee even when + they affect thyself, so that they concern others also.” + </p> + <p> + “Hem!—he, he!—I only desired to know if your knighthood + proposed the chivalrous task of defending the castle with your single hand—I + crave pardon, I meant your single arm? The question is worth asking, for I + am good for little to aid the defence, unless you could prevail on the + besiegers to take physic—he, he, he!—and Bonthron is as drunk + as ale and strong waters can make him; and you, he, and I make up the + whole garrison who are disposed for resistance.” + </p> + <p> + “How! Will the other dogs not fight?” said Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “Never saw men who showed less stomach to the work,” answered Dwining—“never. + But here come a brace of them. Venit extrema dies. He, he, he!” + </p> + <p> + Eviot and his companion Buncle now approached, with sullen resolution in + their faces, like men who had made their minds up to resist that authority + which they had so long obeyed. + </p> + <p> + “How now!” said Ramorny, stepping forward to meet them. “Wherefore from + your posts? Why have you left the barbican, Eviot? And you other fellow, + did I not charge you to look to the mangonels?” + </p> + <p> + “We have something to tell you, Sir John Ramorny,” answered Eviot. “We + will not fight in this quarrel.” + </p> + <p> + “How—my own squires control me?” exclaimed Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “We were your squires and pages, my lord, while you were master of the + Duke of Rothsay’s household. It is bruited about the Duke no longer lives; + we desire to know the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “What traitor dares spread such falsehoods?” said Ramorny. + </p> + <p> + “All who have gone out to skirt the forest, my lord, and I myself among + others, bring back the same news. The minstrel woman who left the castle + yesterday has spread the report everywhere that the Duke of Rothsay is + murdered, or at death’s door. The Douglas comes on us with a strong force—” + </p> + <p> + “And you, cowards, take advantage of an idle report to forsake your + master?” said Ramorny, indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said Eviot, “let Buncle and myself see the Duke of Rothsay, and + receive his personal orders for defence of this castle, and if we do not + fight to the death in that quarrel, I will consent to be hanged on its + highest turret. But if he be gone by natural disease, we will yield up the + castle to the Earl of Douglas, who is, they say, the King’s lieutenant. Or + if—which Heaven forefend!—the noble Prince has had foul play, + we will not involve ourselves in the guilt of using arms in defence of the + murderers, be they who they will.” + </p> + <p> + “Eviot,” said Ramorny, raising his mutilated arm, “had not that glove been + empty, thou hadst not lived to utter two words of this insolence.” + </p> + <p> + “It is as it is,” answered Evict, “and we do but our duty. I have followed + you long, my lord, but here I draw bridle.” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, then, and a curse light on all of you!” exclaimed the incensed + baron. “Let my horse be brought forth!” + </p> + <p> + “Our valiancie is about to run away,” said the mediciner, who had crept + close to Catharine’s side before she was aware. “Catharine, thou art a + superstitious fool, like most women; nevertheless thou hast some mind, and + I speak to thee as one of more understanding than the buffaloes which are + herding about us. These haughty barons who overstride the world, what are + they in the day of adversity? Chaff before the wind. Let their sledge + hammer hands or their column resembling legs have injury, and bah! the men + at arms are gone. Heart and courage is nothing to them, lith and limb + everything: give them animal strength, what are they better than furious + bulls; take that away, and your hero of chivalry lies grovelling like the + brute when he is hamstrung. Not so the sage; while a grain of sense + remains in a crushed or mutilated frame, his mind shall be strong as ever. + Catharine, this morning I was practising your death; but methinks I now + rejoice that you may survive to tell how the poor mediciner, the pill + gilder, the mortar pounder, the poison vender, met his fate, in company + with the gallant Knight of Ramorny, Baron in possession and Earl of + Lindores in expectation—God save his lordship!” + </p> + <p> + “Old man,” said Catharine, “if thou be indeed so near the day of thy + deserved doom, other thoughts were far wholesomer than the vainglorious + ravings of a vain philosophy. Ask to see a holy man—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Dwining, scornfully, “refer myself to a greasy monk, who does + not—he! he! he!—understand the barbarous Latin he repeats by + rote. Such would be a fitting counsellor to one who has studied both in + Spain and Arabia! No, Catharine, I will choose a confessor that is + pleasant to look upon, and you shall be honoured with the office. Now, + look yonder at his valiancie, his eyebrow drops with moisture, his lip + trembles with agony; for his valiancie—he! he! he!—is pleading + for his life with his late domestics, and has not eloquence enough to + persuade them to let him slip. See how the fibres of his face work as he + implores the ungrateful brutes, whom he has heaped with obligations, to + permit him to get such a start for his life as the hare has from the + greyhounds when men course her fairly. Look also at the sullen, downcast, + dogged faces with which, fluctuating between fear and shame, the domestic + traitors deny their lord this poor chance for his life. These things + thought themselves the superior of a man like me! and you, foolish wench, + think so meanly of your Deity as to suppose wretches like them are the + work of Omnipotence!” + </p> + <p> + “No! man of evil—no!” said Catharine, warmly; “the God I worship + created these men with the attributes to know and adore Him, to guard and + defend their fellow creatures, to practise holiness and virtue. Their own + vices, and the temptations of the Evil One, have made them such as they + now are. Oh, take the lesson home to thine own heart of adamant! Heaven + made thee wiser than thy fellows, gave thee eyes to look into the secrets + of nature, a sagacious heart, and a skilful hand; but thy pride has + poisoned all these fair gifts, and made an ungodly atheist of one who + might have been a Christian sage!” + </p> + <p> + “Atheist, say’st thou?” answered Dwining. “Perhaps I have doubts on that + matter—but they will be soon solved. Yonder comes one who will send + me, as he has done thousands, to the place where all mysteries shall be + cleared.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine followed the mediciner’s eye up one of the forest glades, and + beheld it occupied by a body of horsemen advancing at full gallop. In the + midst was a pennon displayed, which, though its bearings were not visible + to Catharine, was, by a murmur around, acknowledged as that of the Black + Douglas. They halted within arrow shot of the castle, and a herald with + two trumpets advanced up to the main portal, where, after a loud flourish, + he demanded admittance for the high and dreaded Archibald Earl of Douglas, + Lord Lieutenant of the King, and acting for the time with the plenary + authority of his Majesty; commanding, at the same time, that the inmates + of the castle should lay down their arms, all under penalty of high + treason. + </p> + <p> + “You hear?” said Eviot to Ramorny, who stood sullen and undecided. “Will + you give orders to render the castle, or must I?” + </p> + <p> + “No, villain!” interrupted the knight, “to the last I will command you. + Open the gates, drop the bridge, and render the castle to the Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, that’s what may be called a gallant exertion of free will,” said + Dwining. “Just as if the pieces of brass that were screaming a minute + since should pretend to call those notes their own which are breathed + through them by a frowsy trumpeter.” + </p> + <p> + “Wretched man!” said Catharine, “either be silent or turn thy thoughts to + the eternity on the brink of which thou art standing.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is that to thee?” answered Dwining. “Thou canst not, wench, help + hearing what I say to thee, and thou wilt tell it again, for thy sex + cannot help that either. Perth and all Scotland shall know what a man they + have lost in Henbane Dwining!” + </p> + <p> + The clash of armour now announced that the newcomers had dismounted and + entered the castle, and were in the act of disarming the small garrison. + Earl Douglas himself appeared on the battlements, with a few of his + followers, and signed to them to take Ramorny and Dwining into custody. + Others dragged from some nook the stupefied Bonthron. + </p> + <p> + “It was to these three that the custody of the Prince was solely committed + daring his alleged illness?” said the Douglas, prosecuting an inquiry + which he had commenced in the hall of the castle. + </p> + <p> + “No other saw him, my lord,” said Eviot, “though I offered my services.” + </p> + <p> + “Conduct us to the Duke’s apartment, and bring the prisoners with us. Also + should there be a female in the castle, if she hath not been murdered or + spirited away—the companion of the glee maiden who brought the first + alarm.” + </p> + <p> + “She is here, my lord,” said Eviot, bringing Catharine forward. + </p> + <p> + Her beauty and her agitation made some impression even upon the impassible + Earl. + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing, maiden,” he said; “thou hast deserved both praise and + reward. Tell to me, as thou wouldst confess to Heaven, the things thou + hast witnessed in this castle.” + </p> + <p> + Few words served Catharine to unfold the dreadful story. + </p> + <p> + “It agrees,” said the Douglas, “with the tale of the glee maiden, from + point to point. Now show us the Prince’s apartment.” + </p> + <p> + They passed to the room which the unhappy Duke of Rothsay had been + supposed to inhabit; but the key was not to be found, and the Earl could + only obtain entrance by forcing the door. On entering, the wasted and + squalid remains of the unhappy Prince were discovered, flung on the bed as + if in haste. The intention of the murderers had apparently been to arrange + the dead body so as to resemble a timely parted corpse, but they had been + disconcerted by the alarm occasioned by the escape of Louise. Douglas + looked on the body of the misguided youth, whose wild passions and + caprices had brought him to this fatal and premature catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + “I had wrongs to be redressed,” he said; “but to see such a sight as this + banishes all remembrance of injury!” + </p> + <p> + “He! he! It should have been arranged,” said Dwining, “more to your + omnipotence’s pleasure; but you came suddenly on us, and hasty masters + make slovenly service.” + </p> + <p> + Douglas seemed not to hear what his prisoner said, so closely did he + examine the wan and wasted features, and stiffened limbs, of the dead body + before him. Catharine, overcome by sickness and fainting, at length + obtained permission to retire from the dreadful scene, and, through + confusion of every description, found her way to her former apartment, + where she was locked in the arms of Louise, who had returned in the + interval. + </p> + <p> + The investigations of Douglas proceeded. The dying hand of the Prince was + found to be clenched upon a lock of hair, resembling, in colour and + texture, the coal black bristles of Bonthron. Thus, though famine had + begun the work, it would seem that Rothsay’s death had been finally + accomplished by violence. The private stair to the dungeon, the keys of + which were found at the subaltern assassin’s belt, the situation of the + vault, its communication with the external air by the fissure in the + walls, and the wretched lair of straw, with the fetters which remained + there, fully confirmed the story of Catharine and of the glee woman. + </p> + <p> + “We will not hesitate an instant,” said the Douglas to his near kinsman, + the Lord Balveny, as soon as they returned from the dungeon. “Away with + the murderers! hang them over the battlements.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my lord, some trial may be fitting,” answered Balveny. + </p> + <p> + “To what purpose?” answered, Douglas. “I have taken them red hand; my + authority will stretch to instant execution. Yet stay—have we not + some Jedwood men in our troop?” + </p> + <p> + “Plenty of Turnbulls, Rutherfords, Ainslies, and so forth,” said Balveny. + </p> + <p> + “Call me an inquest of these together; they are all good men and true, + saving a little shifting for their living. Do you see to the execution of + these felons, while I hold a court in the great hall, and we’ll try + whether the jury or the provost marshal do their work first; we will have + Jedwood justice—hang in haste and try at leisure.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet stay, my lord,” said Ramorny, “you may rue your haste—will you + grant me a word out of earshot?” + </p> + <p> + “Not for worlds!” said Douglas; “speak out what thou hast to say before + all that are here present.” + </p> + <p> + “Know all; then,” said Ramorny, aloud, “that this noble Earl had letters + from the Duke of Albany and myself, sent him by the hand of yon cowardly + deserter, Buncle—let him deny it if he dare—counselling the + removal of the Duke for a space from court, and his seclusion in this + Castle of Falkland.” + </p> + <p> + “But not a word,” replied Douglas, sternly smiling, “of his being flung + into a dungeon—famished—strangled. Away with the wretches, + Balveny, they pollute God’s air too long!” + </p> + <p> + The prisoners were dragged off to the battlements. But while the means of + execution were in the act of being prepared, the apothecary expressed so + ardent a desire to see Catharine once more, and, as he said, for the good + of his soul, that the maiden, in hopes his obduracy might have undergone + some change even at the last hour, consented again to go to the + battlements, and face a scene which her heart recoiled from. A single + glance showed her Bonthron, sunk in total and drunken insensibility; + Ramorny, stripped of his armour, endeavouring in vain to conceal fear, + while he spoke with a priest, whose good offices he had solicited; and + Dwining, the same humble, obsequious looking, crouching individual she had + always known him. He held in his hand a little silver pen, with which he + had been writing on a scrap of parchment. + </p> + <p> + “Catharine,” he said—“he, he, he!—I wish to speak to thee on + the nature of my religious faith.” + </p> + <p> + “If such be thy intention, why lose time with me? Speak with this good + father.” + </p> + <p> + “The good father,” said Dwining, “is—he, he!—already a + worshipper of the deity whom I have served. I therefore prefer to give the + altar of mine idol a new worshipper in thee, Catharine. This scrap of + parchment will tell thee how to make your way into my chapel, where I have + worshipped so often in safety. I leave the images which it contains to + thee as a legacy, simply because I hate and contemn thee something less + than any of the absurd wretches whom I have hitherto been obliged to call + fellow creatures. And now away—or remain and see if the end of the + quacksalver belies his life.” + </p> + <p> + “Our Lady forbid!” said Catharine. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the mediciner, “I have but a single word to say, and yonder + nobleman’s valiancie may hear it if he will.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Balveny approached, with some curiosity; for the undaunted resolution + of a man who never wielded sword or bore armour and was in person a poor + dwindled dwarf, had to him an air of something resembling sorcery.” + </p> + <p> + “You see this trifling implement,” said the criminal, showing the silver + pen. “By means of this I can escape the power even of the Black Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + “Give him no ink nor paper,” said Balveny, hastily, “he will draw a + spell.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, please your wisdom and valiancie—he, he, he!” said Dwining + with his usual chuckle, as he unscrewed the top of the pen, within which + was a piece of sponge or some such substance, no bigger than a pea. + </p> + <p> + “Now, mark this—” said the prisoner, and drew it between his lips. + The effect was instantaneous. He lay a dead corpse before them, the + contemptuous sneer still on his countenance. + </p> + <p> + Catharine shrieked and fled, seeking, by a hasty descent, an escape from a + sight so appalling. Lord Balveny was for a moment stupified, and then + exclaimed, “This may be glamour! hang him over the battlements, quick or + dead. If his foul spirit hath only withdrawn for a space, it shall return + to a body with a dislocated neck.” + </p> + <p> + His commands were obeyed. Ramorny and Bonthron were then ordered for + execution. The last was hanged before he seemed quite to comprehend what + was designed to be done with him. Ramorny, pale as death, yet with the + same spirit of pride which had occasioned his ruin, pleaded his + knighthood, and demanded the privilege of dying by decapitation by the + sword, and not by the noose. + </p> + <p> + “The Douglas never alters his doom,” said Balveny. “But thou shalt have + all thy rights. Send the cook hither with a cleaver.” + </p> + <p> + The menial whom he called appeared at his summons. + </p> + <p> + “What shakest thou for, fellow?” said Balveny; “here, strike me this man’s + gilt spurs from his heels with thy cleaver. And now, John Ramorny, thou + art no longer a knight, but a knave. To the halter with him, provost + marshal! hang him betwixt his companions, and higher than them if it may + be.” + </p> + <p> + In a quarter of an hour afterwards, Balveny descended to tell the Douglas + that the criminals were executed. + </p> + <p> + “Then there is no further use in the trial,” said the Earl. “How say you, + good men of inquest, were these men guilty of high treason—ay or + no?” + </p> + <p> + “Guilty,” exclaimed the obsequious inquest, with edifying unanimity, “we + need no farther evidence.” + </p> + <p> + “Sound trumpets, and to horse then, with our own train only; and let each + man keep silence on what has chanced here, until the proceedings shall be + laid before the King, which cannot conveniently be till the battle of Palm + Sunday shall be fought and ended. Select our attendants, and tell each man + who either goes with us or remains behind that he who prates dies.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes the Douglas was on horseback, with the followers selected + to attend his person. Expresses were sent to his daughter, the widowed + Duchess of Rothsay, directing her to take her course to Perth, by the + shores of Lochleven, without approaching Falkland, and committing to her + charge Catharine Glover and the glee woman, as persons whose safety he + tendered. + </p> + <p> + As they rode through the forest, they looked back, and beheld the three + bodies hanging, like specks darkening the walls of the old castle. + </p> + <p> + “The hand is punished,” said Douglas, “but who shall arraign the head by + whose direction the act was done?” + </p> + <p> + “You mean the Duke of Albany?” said Balveny. + </p> + <p> + “I do, kinsman; and were I to listen to the dictates of my heart, I would + charge him with the deed, which I am certain he has authorised. But there + is no proof of it beyond strong suspicion, and Albany has attached to + himself the numerous friends of the house of Stuart, to whom, indeed, the + imbecility of the King and the ill regulated habits of Rothsay left no + other choice of a leader. Were I, therefore, to break the bond which I + have so lately formed with Albany, the consequence must be civil war, an + event ruinous to poor Scotland while threatened by invasion from the + activity of the Percy, backed by the treachery of March. No, Balveny, the + punishment of Albany must rest with Heaven, which, in its own good time, + will execute judgment on him and on his house.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The hour is nigh: now hearts beat high; + Each sword is sharpen’d well; + And who dares die, who stoops to fly, + Tomorrow’s light shall tell. + + Sir Edwald. +</pre> + <p> + We are now to recall to our reader’s recollection, that Simon Glover and + his fair daughter had been hurried from their residence without having + time to announce to Henry Smith either their departure or the alarming + cause of it. When, therefore, the lover appeared in Curfew Street, on the + morning of their flight, instead of the hearty welcome of the honest + burgher, and the April reception, half joy half censure, which he had been + promised on the part of his lovely daughter, he received only the + astounding intelligence, that her father and she had set off early, on the + summons of a stranger, who had kept himself carefully muffled from + observation. To this, Dorothy, whose talents for forestalling evil, and + communicating her views of it, are known to the reader, chose to add, that + she had no doubt her master and young mistress were bound for the + Highlands, to avoid a visit which had been made since their departure by + two or three apparitors, who, in the name of a Commission appointed by the + King, had searched the house, put seals upon such places as were supposed + to contain papers, and left citations for father and daughter to appear + before the Court of Commission, on a day certain, under pain of outlawry. + All these alarming particulars Dorothy took care to state in the gloomiest + colours, and the only consolation which she afforded the alarmed lover + was, that her master had charged her to tell him to reside quietly at + Perth, and that he should soon hear news of them. This checked the smith’s + first resolve, which was to follow them instantly to the Highlands, and + partake the fate which they might encounter. + </p> + <p> + But when he recollected his repeated feuds with divers of the Clan Quhele, + and particularly his personal quarrel with Conachar, who was now raised to + be a high chief, he could not but think, on reflection, that his intrusion + on their place of retirement was more likely to disturb the safety which + they might otherwise enjoy there than be of any service to them. He was + well acquainted with Simon’s habitual intimacy with the chief of the Clan + Quhele, and justly augured that the glover would obtain protection, which + his own arrival might be likely to disturb, while his personal prowess + could little avail him in a quarrel with a whole tribe of vindictive + mountaineers. At the same time his heart throbbed with indignation, when + he thought of Catharine being within the absolute power of young Conachar, + whose rivalry he could not doubt, and who had now so many means of urging + his suit. What if the young chief should make the safety of the father + depend on the favour of the daughter? He distrusted not Catharine’s + affections, but then her mode of thinking was so disinterested, and her + attachment to her father so tender, that, if the love she bore her suitor + was weighed against his security, or perhaps his life, it was matter of + deep and awful doubt whether it might not be found light in the balance. + Tormented by thoughts on which we need not dwell, he resolved nevertheless + to remain at home, stifle his anxiety as he might, and await the promised + intelligence from the old man. It came, but it did not relieve his + concern. + </p> + <p> + Sir Patrick Charteris had not forgotten his promise to communicate to the + smith the plans of the fugitives. But, amid the bustle occasioned by the + movement of troops, he could not himself convey the intelligence. He + therefore entrusted to his agent, Kitt Henshaw, the task of making it + known. But this worthy person, as the reader knows, was in the interest of + Ramorny, whose business it was to conceal from every one, but especially + from a lover so active and daring as Henry, the real place of Catharine’s + residence. Henshaw therefore announced to the anxious smith that his + friend the glover was secure in the Highlands; and though he affected to + be more reserved on the subject of Catharine, he said little to contradict + the belief that she as well as Simon shared the protection of the Clan + Quhele. But he reiterated, in the name of Sir Patrick, assurances that + father and daughter were both well, and that Henry would best consult his + own interest and their safety by remaining quiet and waiting the course of + events. + </p> + <p> + With an agonized heart, therefore, Henry Gow determined to remain quiet + till he had more certain intelligence, and employed himself in finishing a + shirt of mail, which he intended should be the best tempered and the most + finely polished that his skilful hands had ever executed. This exercise of + his craft pleased him better than any other occupation which he could have + adopted, and served as an apology for secluding himself in his workshop, + and shunning society, where the idle reports which were daily circulated + served only to perplex and disturb him. He resolved to trust in the warm + regard of Simon, the faith of his daughter, and the friendship of the + provost, who, having so highly commended his valour in the combat with + Bonthron, would never, he thought, desert him at this extremity of his + fortunes. Time, however, passed on day by day; and it was not till Palm + Sunday was near approaching, that Sir Patrick Charteris, having entered + the city to make some arrangements for the ensuing combat, bethought + himself of making a visit to the Smith of the Wynd. + </p> + <p> + He entered his workshop with an air of sympathy unusual to him, and which + made Henry instantly augur that he brought bad news. The smith caught the + alarm, and the uplifted hammer was arrested in its descent upon the heated + iron, while the agitated arm that wielded it, strong before as that of a + giant, became so powerless, that it was with difficulty Henry was able to + place the weapon on the ground, instead of dropping it from his hand. + </p> + <p> + “My poor Henry,” said Sir Patrick, “I bring you but cold news; they are + uncertain, however, and, if true, they are such as a brave man like you + should not take too deeply to heart.” + </p> + <p> + “In God’s name, my lord,” said Henry, “I trust you bring no evil news of + Simon Glover or his daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “Touching themselves,” said Sir Patrick, “no: they are safe and well. But + as to thee, Henry, my tidings are more cold. Kitt Henshaw has, I think, + apprised thee that I had endeavoured to provide Catharine Glover with a + safe protection in the house of an honourable lady, the Duchess of + Rothsay. But she hath declined the charge, and Catharine hath been sent to + her father in the Highlands. What is worst is to come. Thou mayest have + heard that Gilchrist MacIan is dead, and that his son Eachin, who was + known in Perth as the apprentice of old Simon, by the name of Conachar, is + now the chief of Clan Quhele; and I heard from one of my domestics that + there is a strong rumour among the MacIans that the young chief seeks the + hand of Catharine in marriage. My domestic learned this—as a secret, + however—while in the Breadalbane country, on some arrangements + touching the ensuing combat. The thing is uncertain but, Henry, it wears a + face of likelihood.” + </p> + <p> + “Did your lordship’s servant see Simon Glover and his daughter?” said + Henry, struggling for breath, and coughing, to conceal from the provost + the excess of his agitation. + </p> + <p> + “He did not,” said Sir Patrick; “the Highlanders seemed jealous, and + refused to permit him to speak to the old man, and he feared to alarm them + by asking to see Catharine. Besides, he talks no Gaelic, nor had his + informer much English, so there may be some mistake in the matter. + Nevertheless, there is such a report, and I thought it best to tell it + you. But you may be well assured that the wedding cannot go on till the + affair of Palm Sunday be over; and I advise you to take no step till we + learn the circumstances of the matter, for certainty is most desirable, + even when it is painful. Go you to the council house,” he added, after a + pause, “to speak about the preparations for the lists in the North Inch? + You will be welcome there.” + </p> + <p> + “No, my good lord.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Smith, I judge by your brief answer that you are discomposed with + this matter; but, after all, women are weathercocks, that is the truth + on’t. Solomon and others have proved it before you.” + </p> + <p> + And so Sir Patrick Charteris retired, fully convinced he had discharged + the office of a comforter in the most satisfactory manner. + </p> + <p> + With very different impressions did the unfortunate lover regard the + tidings and listen to the consoling commentary. + </p> + <p> + “The provost,” he said bitterly to himself, “is an excellent man; marry, + he holds his knighthood so high, that, if he speaks nonsense, a poor man + must hold it sense, as he must praise dead ale if it be handed to him in + his lordship’s silver flagon. How would all this sound in another + situation? Suppose I were rolling down the steep descent of the Corrichie + Dhu, and before I came to the edge of the rock, comes my Lord Provost, and + cries: ‘Henry, there is a deep precipice, and I grieve to say you are in + the fair way of rolling over it. But be not downcast, for Heaven may send + a stone or a bush to stop your progress. However, I thought it would be + comfort to you to know the worst, which you will be presently aware of. I + do not know how many hundred feet deep the precipice descends, but you may + form a judgment when you are at the bottom, for certainty is certainty. + And hark ye! when come you to take a game at bowls?’ And this gossip is to + serve instead of any friendly attempt to save the poor wight’s neck! When + I think of this, I could go mad, seize my hammer, and break and destroy + all around me. But I will be calm; and if this Highland kite, who calls + himself a falcon, should stoop at my turtle dove, he shall know whether a + burgess of Perth can draw a bow or not.” + </p> + <p> + It was now the Thursday before the fated Palm Sunday, and the champions on + either side were expected to arrive the next day, that they might have the + interval of Saturday to rest, refresh themselves, and prepare for the + combat. Two or three of each of the contending parties were detached to + receive directions about the encampment of their little band, and such + other instructions as might be necessary to the proper ordering of the + field. Henry was not, therefore, surprised at seeing a tall and powerful + Highlander peering anxiously about the wynd in which he lived, in the + manner in which the natives of a wild country examine the curiosities of + one that is more civilized. The smith’s heart rose against the man on + account of his country, to which our Perth burgher bore a natural + prejudice, and more especially as he observed the individual wear the + plaid peculiar to the Clan Quhele. The sprig of oak leaves, worked in + silk, intimated also that the individual was one of those personal guards + of young Eachin, upon whose exertions in the future battle so much + reliance was placed by those of their clan. + </p> + <p> + Having observed so much, Henry withdrew into his smithy, for the sight of + the man raised his passion; and, knowing that the Highlander came plighted + to a solemn combat, and could not be the subject of any inferior quarrel, + he was resolved at least to avoid friendly intercourse with him. In a few + minutes, however, the door of the smithy flew open, and flattering in his + tartans, which greatly magnified his actual size, the Gael entered with + the haughty step of a man conscious of a personal dignity superior to + anything which he is likely to meet with. He stood looking around him, and + seemed to expect to be received with courtesy and regarded with wonder. + But Henry had no sort of inclination to indulge his vanity and kept + hammering away at a breastplate which was lying upon his anvil as if he + were not aware of his visitor’s presence. + </p> + <p> + “You are the Gow Chrom?” (the bandy legged smith), said the Highlander. + </p> + <p> + “Those that wish to be crook backed call me so,” answered Henry. + </p> + <p> + “No offence meant,” said the Highlander; “but her own self comes to buy an + armour.” + </p> + <p> + “Her own self’s bare shanks may trot hence with her,” answered Henry; “I + have none to sell.” + </p> + <p> + “If it was not within two days of Palm Sunday, herself would make you sing + another song,” retorted the Gael. + </p> + <p> + “And being the day it is,” said Henry, with the same contemptuous + indifference, “I pray you to stand out of my light.” + </p> + <p> + “You are an uncivil person; but her own self is fir nan ord too; and she + knows the smith is fiery when the iron is hot.” + </p> + <p> + “If her nainsell be hammer man herself, her nainsell may make her nain + harness,” replied Henry. + </p> + <p> + “And so her nainsell would, and never fash you for the matter; but it is + said, Gow Chrom, that you sing and whistle tunes over the swords and + harnishes that you work, that have power to make the blades cut steel + links as if they were paper, and the plate and mail turn back steel lances + as if they were boddle prins?” + </p> + <p> + “They tell your ignorance any nonsense that Christian men refuse to + believe,” said Henry. “I whistle at my work whatever comes uppermost, like + an honest craftsman, and commonly it is the Highlandman’s ‘Och hone for + Houghman stares!’ My hammer goes naturally to that tune.” + </p> + <p> + “Friend, it is but idle to spur a horse when his legs are ham shackled,” + said the Highlander, haughtily. “Her own self cannot fight even now, and + there is little gallantry in taunting her thus.” + </p> + <p> + “By nails and hammer, you are right there,” said the smith, altering his + tone. “But speak out at once, friend, what is it thou wouldst have of me? + I am in no humour for dallying.” + </p> + <p> + “A hauberk for her chief, Eachin MacIan,” said the Highlander. + </p> + <p> + “You are a hammer man, you say? Are you a judge of this?” said our smith, + producing from a chest the mail shirt on which he had been lately + employed. + </p> + <p> + The Gael handled it with a degree of admiration which had something of + envy in it. He looked curiously at every part of its texture, and at + length declared it the very best piece of armour that he had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + “A hundred cows and bullocks and a good drift of sheep would be e’en ower + cheap an offer,” said the Highlandman, by way of tentative; “but her + nainsell will never bid thee less, come by them how she can.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a fair proffer,” replied Henry; “but gold nor gear will never buy + that harness. I want to try my own sword on my own armour, and I will not + give that mail coat to any one but who will face me for the best of three + blows and a thrust in the fair field; and it is your chief’s upon these + terms.” + </p> + <p> + “Hut, prut, man—take a drink and go to bed,” said the Highlander, in + great scorn. “Are ye mad? Think ye the captain of the Clan Quhele will be + brawling and battling with a bit Perth burgess body like you? Whisht, man, + and hearken. Her nainsell will do ye mair credit than ever belonged to + your kin. She will fight you for the fair harness hersell.” + </p> + <p> + “She must first show that she is my match,” said Henry, with a grim smile. + </p> + <p> + “How! I, one of Eachin MacIan’s leichtach, and not your match!” + </p> + <p> + “You may try me, if you will. You say you are a fir nan ord. Do you know + how to cast a sledge hammer?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, truly—ask the eagle if he can fly over Farragon.” + </p> + <p> + “But before you strive with me, you must first try a cast with one of my + leichtach. Here, Dunter, stand forth for the honour of Perth! And now, + Highlandman, there stands a row of hammers; choose which you will, and let + us to the garden.” + </p> + <p> + The Highlander whose name was Norman nan Ord, or Norman of the Hammer, + showed his title to the epithet by selecting the largest hammer of the + set, at which Henry smiled. Dunter, the stout journeyman of the smith, + made what was called a prodigious cast; but the Highlander, making a + desperate effort, threw beyond it by two or three feet, and looked with an + air of triumph to Henry, who again smiled in reply. + </p> + <p> + “Will you mend that?” said the Gael, offering our smith the hammer. + </p> + <p> + “Not with that child’s toy,” said Henry, “which has scarce weight to fly + against the wind. Jannekin, fetch me Sampson; or one of you help the boy, + for Sampson is somewhat ponderous.” + </p> + <p> + The hammer now produced was half as heavy again as that which the + Highlander had selected as one of unusual weight. Norman stood astonished; + but he was still more so when Henry, taking his position, swung the + ponderous implement far behind his right haunch joint, and dismissed it + from his hand as if it had flown from a warlike engine. The air groaned + and whistled as the mass flew through it. Down at length it came, and the + iron head sunk a foot into the earth, a full yard beyond the cast of + Norman. + </p> + <p> + The Highlander, defeated and mortified, went to the spot where the weapon + lay, lifted it, poised it in his hand with great wonder, and examined it + closely, as if he expected to discover more in it than a common hammer. He + at length returned it to the owner with a melancholy smile, shrugging his + shoulders and shaking his head as the smith asked him whether he would not + mend his cast. + </p> + <p> + “Norman has lost too much at the sport already,” he replied. “She has lost + her own name of the Hammerer. But does her own self, the Gow Chrom, work + at the anvil with that horse’s load of iron?” + </p> + <p> + “You shall see, brother,” said Henry, leading the way to the smithy. + “Dunter,” he said, “rax me that bar from the furnace”; and uplifting + Sampson, as he called the monstrous hammer, he plied the metal with a + hundred strokes from right to left—now with the right hand, now with + the left, now with both, with so much strength at once and dexterity, that + he worked off a small but beautifully proportioned horseshoe in half the + time that an ordinary smith would have taken for the same purpose, using a + more manageable implement. + </p> + <p> + “Oigh—oigh!” said the Highlander, “and what for would you be + fighting with our young chief, who is far above your standard, though you + were the best smith ever wrought with wind and fire?” + </p> + <p> + “Hark you!” said Henry; “you seem a good fellow, and I’ll tell you the + truth. Your master has wronged me, and I give him this harness freely for + the chance of fighting him myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, if he hath wronged you he must meet you,” said the life guardsman. + “To do a man wrong takes the eagle’s feather out of the chief’s bonnet; + and were he the first in the Highlands, and to be sure so is Eachin, he + must fight the man he has wronged, or else a rose falls from his chaplet.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you move him to this,” said Henry, “after the fight on Sunday?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, her nainsell will do her best, if the hawks have not got her + nainsell’s bones to pick; for you must know, brother, that Clan Chattan’s + claws pierce rather deep.” + </p> + <p> + “The armour is your chief’s on that condition,” said Henry; “but I will + disgrace him before king and court if he does not pay me the price.” + </p> + <p> + “Deil a fear—deil a fear; I will bring him in to the barrace + myself,” said Norman, “assuredly.” + </p> + <p> + “You will do me a pleasure,” replied Henry; “and that you may remember + your promise, I will bestow on you this dirk. Look—if you hold it + truly, and can strike between the mail hood and the collar of your enemy, + the surgeon will be needless.” + </p> + <p> + The Highlander was lavish in his expressions of gratitude, and took his + leave. + </p> + <p> + “I have given him the best mail harness I ever wrought,” said the smith to + himself, rather repenting his liberality, “for the poor chance that he + will bring his chief into a fair field with me; and then let Catharine be + his who can win her fairly. But much I dread the youth will find some + evasion, unless he have such luck on Palm Sunday as may induce him to try + another combat. That is some hope, however; for I have often, ere now, + seen a raw young fellow shoot up after his first fight from a dwarf into a + giant queller.” + </p> + <p> + Thus, with little hope, but with the most determined resolution, Henry + Smith awaited the time that should decide his fate. What made him augur + the worst was the silence both of the glover and of his daughter. + </p> + <p> + “They are ashamed,” he said, “to confess the truth to me, and therefore + they are silent.” + </p> + <p> + Upon the Friday at noon, the two bands of thirty men each, representing + the contending clans, arrived at the several points where they were to + halt for refreshments. + </p> + <p> + The Clan Quhele was entertained hospitably at the rich abbey of Scone, + while the provost regaled their rivals at his Castle of Kinfauns, the + utmost care being taken to treat both parties with the most punctilious + attention, and to afford neither an opportunity of complaining of + partiality. All points of etiquette were, in the mean while, discussed and + settled by the Lord High Constable Errol and the young Earl of Crawford, + the former acting on the part of the Clan Chattan and the latter + patronising the Clan Quhele. Messengers were passing continually from the + one earl to the other, and they held more than: six meetings within thirty + hours, before the ceremonial of the field could be exactly arranged. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, in case of revival of ancient quarrel, many seeds of which + existed betwixt the burghers and their mountain neighbours, a proclamation + commanded the citizens not to approach within half a mile of the place + where the Highlanders were quartered; while on their part the intended + combatants were prohibited from approaching Perth without special license. + Troops were stationed to enforce this order, who did their charge so + scrupulously as to prevent Simon Glover himself, burgess and citizen of + Perth, from approaching the town, because he owned having come thither at + the same time with the champions of Eachin MacIan, and wore a plaid around + him of their check or pattern. This interruption prevented Simon from + seeking out Henry Wynd and possessing him with a true knowledge of all + that had happened since their separation, which intercourse, had it taken + place, must have materially altered the catastrophe of our narrative. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday afternoon another arrival took place, which interested the + city almost as much as the preparations for the expected combat. This was + the approach of the Earl Douglas, who rode through the town with a troop + of only thirty horse, but all of whom were knights and gentlemen of the + first consequence. Men’s eyes followed this dreaded peer as they pursue + the flight of an eagle through the clouds, unable to ken the course of the + bird of Jove yet silent, attentive, and as earnest in observing him as if + they could guess the object for which he sweeps through the firmament; He + rode slowly through the city, and passed out at the northern gate. He next + alighted at the Dominican convent and desired to see the Duke of Albany. + The Earl was introduced instantly, and received by the Duke with a manner + which was meant to be graceful and conciliatory, but which could not + conceal both art and inquietude. When the first greetings were over, the + Earl said with great gravity: “I bring you melancholy news. Your Grace’s + royal nephew, the Duke of Rothsay, is no more, and I fear hath perished by + some foul practices.” + </p> + <p> + “Practices!” said the Duke’ in confusion—“what practices? Who dared + practise on the heir of the Scottish throne?” + </p> + <p> + “‘Tis not for me to state how these doubts arise,” said Douglas; “but men + say the eagle was killed with an arrow fledged from his own wing, and the + oak trunk rent by a wedge of the same wood.” + </p> + <p> + “Earl of Douglas,” said the Duke of Albany, “I am no reader of riddles.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor am I a propounder of them,” said Douglas, haughtily, “Your Grace will + find particulars in these papers worthy of perusal. I will go for half an + hour to the cloister garden, and then rejoin you.” + </p> + <p> + “You go not to the King, my lord?” said Albany. + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Douglas; “I trust your Grace will agree with me that we + should conceal this great family misfortune from our sovereign till the + business of tomorrow be decided.” + </p> + <p> + “I willingly agree,” said Albany. “If the King heard of this loss, he + could not witness the combat; and if he appear not in person, these men + are likely to refuse to fight, and the whole work is cast loose. But I + pray you sit down, my lord, while I read these melancholy papers + respecting poor Rothsay.” + </p> + <p> + He passed the papers through his hands, turning some over with a hasty + glance, and dwelling on others as if their contents had been of the last + importance. When he had spent nearly a quarter of an hour in this manner, + he raised his eyes, and said very gravely: “My lord, in these most + melancholy documents, it is yet a comfort to see nothing which can renew + the divisions in the King’s councils, which were settled by the last + solemn agreement between your lordship and myself. My unhappy nephew was + by that agreement to be set aside, until time should send him a graver + judgment. He is now removed by Fate, and our purpose in that matter is + anticipated and rendered unnecessary.” + </p> + <p> + “If your Grace,” replied the Earl, “sees nothing to disturb the good + understanding which the tranquillity and safety of Scotland require should + exist between us, I am not so ill a friend of my country as to look + closely for such.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you, my Lord of Douglas,” said Albany, eagerly. “You hastily + judged that I should be offended with your lordship for exercising your + powers of lieutenancy, and punishing the detestable murderers within my + territory of Falkland. Credit me, on the contrary, I am obliged to your + lordship for taking out of my hands the punishment of these wretches, as + it would have broken my heart even to have looked on them. The Scottish + Parliament will inquire, doubtless, into this sacrilegious deed; and happy + am I that the avenging sword has been in the hand of a man so important as + your lordship. Our communication together, as your lordship must well + recollect, bore only concerning a proposed restraint of my unfortunate + nephew until the advance of a year or two had taught him discretion?” + </p> + <p> + “Such was certainly your Grace’s purpose, as expressed to me,” said the + Earl; “I can safely avouch it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, noble earl, we cannot be censured because villains, for their + own revengeful ends, appear to have engrafted a bloody termination on our + honest purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “The Parliament will judge it after their wisdom,” said Douglas. “For my + part, my conscience acquits me.” + </p> + <p> + “And mine assoilzies me,” said the Duke with solemnity. “Now, my lord, + touching the custody of the boy James, who succeeds to his father’s claims + of inheritance?” + </p> + <p> + “The King must decide it,” said Douglas, impatient of the conference. “I + will consent to his residence anywhere save at Stirling, Doune, or + Falkland.” + </p> + <p> + With that he left the apartment abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “He is gone,” muttered the crafty Albany, “and he must be my ally, yet + feels himself disposed to be my mortal foe. No matter, Rothsay sleeps with + his fathers, James may follow in time, and then—a crown is the + recompense of my perplexities.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Thretty for thretty faucht in barreris, + At Sanct Johnstoun on a day besyde the black freris. + + WYNTOUN. +</pre> + <p> + Palm Sunday now dawned. At an earlier period of the Christian Church, the + use of any of the days of Passion Week for the purpose of combat would + have been accounted a profanity worthy of excommunication. The Church of + Rome, to her infinite honour, had decided that during the holy season of + Easter, when the redemption of man from his fallen state was accomplished, + the sword of war should be sheathed, and angry monarchs should respect the + season termed the Truce of God. The ferocious violence of the latter wars + betwixt Scotland and England had destroyed all observance of this decent + and religious Ordinance. Very often the most solemn occasions were chosen + by one party for an attack, because they hoped to find the other engaged + in religious duties and unprovided for defence. Thus the truce, once + considered as proper to the season, had been discontinued; and it became + not unusual even to select the sacred festivals of the church for decision + of the trial by combat, to which this intended contest bore a considerable + resemblance. + </p> + <p> + On the present occasion, however, the duties of the day were observed with + the usual solemnity, and the combatants themselves took share in them. + Bearing branches of yew in their hands, as the readiest substitute for + palm boughs, they marched respectively to the Dominican and Carthusian + convents, to hear High Mass, and, by a show at least of devotion, to + prepare themselves for the bloody strife of the day. Great care had of + course been taken that, during this march, they should not even come + within the sound of each other’s bagpipes; for it was certain that, like + game cocks exchanging mutual notes of defiance, they would have sought out + and attacked each other before they arrived at the place of combat. + </p> + <p> + The citizens of Perth crowded to see the unusual procession on the + streets, and thronged the churches where the two clans attended their + devotions, to witness their behaviour, and to form a judgment from their + appearance which was most likely to obtain the advantage in the + approaching conflict. Their demeanour in the church, although not habitual + frequenters of places of devotion, was perfectly decorous; and, + notwithstanding their wild and untamed dispositions, there were few of the + mountaineers who seemed affected either with curiosity or wonder. They + appeared to think it beneath their dignity of character to testify either + curiosity or surprise at many things which were probably then presented to + them for the first time. + </p> + <p> + On the issue of the combat, few even of the most competent judges dared + venture a prediction; although the great size of Torquil and his eight + stalwart sons induced some who professed themselves judges of the thewes + and sinews of men to incline to ascribe the advantage to the party of the + Clan Quhele. The opinion of the female sex was much decided by the + handsome form, noble countenance, and gallant demeanour of Eachin MacIan. + There were more than one who imagined they had recollection of his + features, but his splendid military attire rendered the humble glover’s + apprentice unrecognisable in the young Highland chief, saving by one + person. + </p> + <p> + That person, as may well be supposed, was the Smith of the Wynd, who had + been the foremost in the crowd that thronged to see the gallant champions + of Clan Quhele. It was with mingled feelings of dislike, jealousy, and + something approaching to admiration that he saw the glover’s apprentice + stripped of his mean slough, and blazing forth as a chieftain, who, by his + quick eye and gallant demeanour, the noble shape of his brow and throat, + his splendid arms and well proportioned limbs, seemed well worthy to hold + the foremost rank among men selected to live or die for the honour of + their race. The smith could hardly think that he looked upon the same + passionate boy whom he had brushed off as he might a wasp that stung him, + and, in mere compassion, forebore to despatch by treading on him. + </p> + <p> + “He looks it gallantly with my noble hauberk,” thus muttered Henry to + himself, “the best I ever wrought. Yet, if he and I stood together where + there was neither hand to help nor eye to see, by all that is blessed in + this holy church, the good harness should return to its owner! All that I + am worth would I give for three fair blows on his shoulders to undo my own + best work; but such happiness will never be mine. If he escape from the + conflict, it will be with so high a character for courage, that he may + well disdain to put his fortune, in its freshness, to the risk of an + encounter with a poor burgess like myself. He will fight by his champion, + and turn me over to my fellow craftsman the hammerer, when all I can reap + will be the pleasure of knocking a Highland bullock on the head. If I + could but see Simon Glover! I will to the other church in quest of him, + since for sure he must have come down from the Highlands.” + </p> + <p> + The congregation was moving from the church of the Dominicans when the + smith formed this determination, which he endeavoured to carry into speedy + execution, by thrusting through the crowd as hastily as the solemnity of + the place and occasion would permit. In making his way through the press, + he was at one instant carried so close to Eachin that their eyes + encountered. The smith’s hardy and embrowned countenance coloured up like + the heated iron on which he wrought, and retained its dark red hue for + several minutes. Eachin’s features glowed with a brighter blush of + indignation, and a glance of fiery hatred was shot from his eyes. But the + sudden flush died away in ashy paleness, and his gaze instantly avoided + the unfriendly but steady look with which it was encountered. + </p> + <p> + Torquil, whose eye never quitted his foster son, saw his emotion, and + looked anxiously around to discover the cause. But Henry was already at a + distance, and hastening on his way to the Carthusian convent. Here also + the religious service of the day was ended; and those who had so lately + borne palms in honour of the great event which brought peace on earth and + goodwill to the children of men were now streaming to the place of combat—some + prepared to take the lives of their fellow creatures or to lose their own, + others to view the deadly strife with the savage delight which the + heathens took in the contests of their gladiators. + </p> + <p> + The crowd was so great that any other person might well have despaired of + making way through it. But the general deference entertained for Henry of + the Wynd, as the champion of Perth, and the universal sense of his ability + to force a passage, induced all to unite in yielding room for him, so that + he was presently quite close to the warriors of the Clan Chattan. Their + pipers marched at the head of their column. Next followed the well known + banner, displaying a mountain cat rampant, with the appropriate caution, + “Touch not the cat, but (i.e. without) the glove.” The chief followed with + his two handed sword advanced, as if to protect the emblem of the tribe. + He was a man of middle stature, more than fifty years old, but betraying + neither in features nor form any decay of strength or symptoms of age. His + dark red close curled locks were in part chequered by a few grizzled + hairs, but his step and gesture were as light in the dance, in the chase, + or in the battle as if he had not passed his thirtieth year. His grey eye + gleamed with a wild light expressive of valour and ferocity mingled; but + wisdom and experience dwelt on the expression of his forehead, eyebrows, + and lips. The chosen champions followed by two and two. There was a cast + of anxiety on several of their faces, for they had that morning discovered + the absence of one of their appointed number; and, in a contest so + desperate as was expected, the loss seemed a matter of importance to all + save to their high mettled chief, MacGillie Chattanach. + </p> + <p> + “Say nothing to the Saxons of his absence,” said this bold leader, when + the diminution of his force was reported to him. “The false Lowland + tongues might say that one of Clan Chattan was a coward, and perhaps that + the rest favoured his escape, in order to have a pretence to avoid the + battle. I am sure that Ferquhard Day will be found in the ranks ere we are + ready for battle; or, if he should not, am not I man enough for two of the + Clan Quhele? or would we not fight them fifteen to thirty, rather than + lose the renown that this day will bring us?” + </p> + <p> + The tribe received the brave speech of their leader with applause, yet + there were anxious looks thrown out in hopes of espying the return of the + deserter; and perhaps the chief himself was the only one of the determined + band who was totally indifferent on the subject. + </p> + <p> + They marched on through the streets without seeing anything of Ferquhard + Day, who, many a mile beyond the mountains, was busied in receiving such + indemnification as successful love could bestow for the loss of honour. + MacGillie Chattanach marched on without seeming to observe the absence of + the deserter, and entered upon the North Inch, a beautiful and level + plain, closely adjacent to the city, and appropriated to the martial + exercises of the inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + The plain is washed on one side by the deep and swelling Tay. There was + erected within it a strong palisade, inclosing on three sides a space of + one hundred and fifty yards in length and seventy-four yards in width. The + fourth side of the lists was considered as sufficiently fenced by the + river. An amphitheatre for the accommodation of spectators surrounded the + palisade, leaving a large space free to be occupied by armed men on foot + and horseback, and for the more ordinary class of spectators. At the + extremity of the lists which was nearest to the city, there was a range of + elevated galleries for the King and his courtiers, so highly decorated + with rustic treillage, intermingled with gilded ornaments, that the spot + retains to this day the name of the Golden, or Gilded, Arbour. + </p> + <p> + The mountain minstrelsy, which sounded the appropriate pibrochs or battle + tunes of the rival confederacies, was silent when they entered on the + Inch, for such was the order which had been given. Two stately but aged + warriors, each bearing the banner of his tribe, advanced to the opposite + extremities of the lists, and, pitching their standards into the earth, + prepared to be spectators of a fight in which they were not to join. The + pipers, who were also to be neutral in the strife, took their places by + their respective brattachs. + </p> + <p> + The multitude received both bands with the same general shout with which + on similar occasions they welcome those from whose exertion they expect + amusement, or what they term sport. The destined combatants returned no + answer to this greeting, but each party advanced to the opposite + extremities of the lists, where were entrances by which they were to be + admitted to the interior. A strong body of men at arms guarded either + access; and the Earl Marshal at the one and the Lord High Constable at the + other carefully examined each individual, to see whether he had the + appropriate arms, being steel cap, mail shirt, two handed sword, and + dagger. They also examined the numbers of each party; and great was the + alarm among the multitude when the Earl of Errol held up his hand and + cried: “Ho! The combat cannot proceed, for the Clan Chattan lack one of + their number.” + </p> + <p> + “What reek of that?” said the young Earl of Crawford; “they should have + counted better ere they left home.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl Marshal, however, agreed with the Constable that the fight could + not proceed until the inequality should be removed; and a general + apprehension was excited in the assembled multitude that, after all the + preparation, there would be no battle. + </p> + <p> + Of all present there were only two perhaps who rejoiced at the prospect of + the combat being adjourned, and these were the captain of the Clan Quhele + and the tender hearted King Robert. Meanwhile the two chiefs, each + attended by a special friend and adviser, met in the midst of the lists, + having, to assist them in determining what was to be done, the Earl + Marshal, the Lord High Constable, the Earl of Crawford, and Sir Patrick + Charteris. The chief of the Clan Chattan declared himself willing and + desirous of fighting upon the spot, without regard to the disparity of + numbers. + </p> + <p> + “That,” said Torquil of the Oak, “Clan Quhele will never consent to. You + can never win honour from us with the sword, and you seek but a + subterfuge, that you may say when you are defeated, as you know you will + be, that it was for want of the number of your band fully counted out. But + I make a proposal: Ferquhard Day was the youngest of your band, Eachin + MacIan is the youngest of ours; we will set him aside in place of the man + who has fled from the combat.” + </p> + <p> + “A most unjust and unequal proposal,” exclaimed Toshach Beg, the second, + as he might be termed, of MacGillie Chattanach. “The life of the chief is + to the clan the breath of our nostrils, nor will we ever consent that our + chief shall be exposed to dangers which the captain of Clan Quhele does + not share.” + </p> + <p> + Torquil saw with deep anxiety that his plan was about to fail when the + objection was made to Hector’s being withdrawn from the battle, and he was + meditating how to support his proposal, when Eachin himself interfered. + His timidity, it must be observed, was not of that sordid and selfish + nature which induces those who are infected by it calmly to submit to + dishonour rather than risk danger. On the contrary, he was morally brave, + though constitutionally timid, and the shame of avoiding the combat became + at the moment more powerful than the fear of facing it. + </p> + <p> + “I will not hear,” he said, “of a scheme which will leave my sword + sheathed during this day’s glorious combat. If I am young in arms, there + are enough of brave men around me whom I may imitate if I cannot equal.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke these words in a spirit which imposed on Torquil, and perhaps on + the young chief himself. + </p> + <p> + “Now, God bless his noble heart!” said the foster father to himself. “I + was sure the foul spell would be broken through, and that the tardy spirit + which besieged him would fly at the sound of the pipe and the first + flutter of the brattach!” + </p> + <p> + “Hear me, Lord Marshal,” said the Constable. “The hour of combat may not + be much longer postponed, for the day approaches to high noon. Let the + chief of Clan Chattan take the half hour which remains, to find, if he + can, a substitute for this deserter; if he cannot, let them fight as they + stand.” + </p> + <p> + “Content I am,” said the Marshal, “though, as none of his own clan are + nearer than fifty miles, I see not how MacGillis Chattanach is to find an + auxiliary.” + </p> + <p> + “That is his business,” said the High Constable; “but, if he offers a high + reward, there are enough of stout yeomen surrounding the lists, who will + be glad enough to stretch their limbs in such a game as is expected. I + myself, did my quality and charge permit, would blythely take a turn of + work amongst these wild fellows, and think it fame won.” + </p> + <p> + They communicated their decision to the Highlanders, and the chief of the + Clan Chattan replied: “You have judged unpartially and nobly, my lords, + and I deem myself obliged to follow your direction. So make proclamation, + heralds, that, if any one will take his share with Clan Chattan of the + honours and chances of this day, he shall have present payment of a gold + crown, and liberty to fight to the death in my ranks.” + </p> + <p> + “You are something chary of your treasure, chief,” said the Earl Marshal: + “a gold crown is poor payment for such a campaign as is before you.” + </p> + <p> + “If there be any man willing to fight for honour,” replied MacGillis + Chattanach, “the price will be enough; and I want not the service of a + fellow who draws his sword for gold alone.” + </p> + <p> + The heralds had made their progress, moving half way round the lists, + stopping from time to time to make proclamation as they had been directed, + without the least apparent disposition on the part of any one to accept of + the proffered enlistment. Some sneered at the poverty of the Highlanders, + who set so mean a price upon such a desperate service. Others affected + resentment, that they should esteem the blood of citizens so lightly. None + showed the slightest intention to undertake the task proposed, until the + sound of the proclamation reached Henry of the Wynd, as he stood without + the barrier, speaking from time to time with Baillie Craigdallie, or + rather listening vaguely to what the magistrate was saying to him. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! what proclaim they?” he cried out. + </p> + <p> + “A liberal offer on the part of MacGillie Chattanach,” said the host of + the Griffin, “who proposes a gold crown to any one who will turn wildcat + for the day, and be killed a little in his service! That’s all.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” exclaimed the smith, eagerly, “do they make proclamation for a man + to fight against the Clan Quhele?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, marry do they,” said Griffin; “but I think they will find no such + fools in Perth.” + </p> + <p> + He had hardly said the word, when he beheld the smith clear the barriers + at a single bound and alight in the lists, saying: “Here am I, sir herald, + Henry of the Wynd, willing to battle on the part of the Clan Chattan.” + </p> + <p> + A cry of admiration ran through the multitude, while the grave burghers, + not being able to conceive the slightest reason for Henry’s behaviour, + concluded that his head must be absolutely turned with the love of + fighting. The provost was especially shocked. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art mad,” he said, “Henry! Thou hast neither two handed sword nor + shirt of mail.” + </p> + <p> + “Truly no,” said Henry, “for I parted with a mail shirt, which I had made + for myself, to yonder gay chief of the Clan Quhele, who will soon find on + his shoulders with what sort of blows I clink my rivets! As for two handed + sword, why, this boy’s brand will serve my turn till I can master a + heavier one.” + </p> + <p> + “This must not be,” said Errol. “Hark thee, armourer, by St. Mary, thou + shalt have my Milan hauberk and good Spanish sword.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank your noble earlship, Sir Gilbert Hay, but the yoke with which + your brave ancestor turned the battle at Loncarty would serve my turn well + enough. I am little used to sword or harness that I have not wrought + myself, because I do not well know what blows the one will bear out + without being cracked or the other lay on without snapping.” + </p> + <p> + The cry had in the mean while run through the multitude and passed into + the town, that the dauntless smith was about to fight without armour, + when, just as the fated hour was approaching, the shrill voice of a female + was heard screaming for passage through the crowd. The multitude gave + place to her importunity, and she advanced, breathless with haste under + the burden of a mail hauberk and a large two handed sword. The widow of + Oliver Proudfute was soon recognised, and the arms which she bore were + those of the smith himself, which, occupied by her husband on the fatal + evening when he was murdered, had been naturally conveyed to his house + with the dead body, and were now, by the exertions of his grateful widow, + brought to the lists at a moment when such proved weapons were of the last + consequence to their owner. Henry joyfully received the well known arms, + and the widow with trembling haste assisted in putting them on, and then + took leave of him, saying: “God for the champion of the widow and orphan, + and ill luck to all who come before him!” + </p> + <p> + Confident at feeling himself in his well proved armour, Henry shook + himself as if to settle the steel shirt around him, and, unsheathing the + two handed sword, made it flourish over his head, cutting the air through + which it whistled in the form of the figure eight with an ease and sleight + of hand that proved how powerfully and skilfully he could wield the + ponderous weapon. The champions were now ordered to march in their turns + around the lists, crossing so as to avoid meeting each other, and making + obeisance as they passed the Golden Arbour where the King was seated. + </p> + <p> + While this course was performing, most of the spectators were again + curiously comparing the stature, limbs, and sinews of the two parties, and + endeavouring to form a conjecture an to the probable issue of the combat. + The feud of a hundred years, with all its acts of aggression and + retaliation, was concentrated in the bosom of each combatant. Their + countenances seemed fiercely writhen into the wildest expression of pride, + hate, and a desperate purpose of fighting to the very last. + </p> + <p> + The spectators murmured a joyful applause, in high wrought expectation of + the bloody game. Wagers were offered and accepted both on the general + issue of the conflict and on the feats of particular champions. The clear, + frank, and elated look of Henry Smith rendered him a general favourite + among the spectators, and odds, to use the modern expression, were taken + that he would kill three of his opponents before he himself fell. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely was the smith equipped for the combat, when the commands of the + chiefs ordered the champions into their places; and at the same moment + Henry heard the voice of Simon Glover issuing from the crowd, who were now + silent with expectation, and calling on him: “Harry Smith—Harry + Smith, what madness hath possessed thee?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, he wishes to save his hopeful son in law that is, or is to be, from + the smith’s handling,” was Henry’s first thought; his second was to turn + and speak with him; and his third, that he could on no pretext desert the + band which he had joined, or even seem desirous to delay the fight, + consistently with honour. + </p> + <p> + He turned himself, therefore, to the business of the hour. Both parties + were disposed by the respective chiefs in three lines, each containing ten + men. They were arranged with such intervals between each individual as + offered him scope to wield his sword, the blade of which was five feet + long, not including the handle. The second and third lines were to come up + as reserves, in case the first experienced disaster. On the right of the + array of Clan Quhele, the chief, Eachin MacIan, placed himself in the + second line betwixt two of his foster brothers. Four of them occupied the + right of the first line, whilst the father and two others protected the + rear of the beloved chieftain. Torquil, in particular, kept close behind, + for the purpose of covering him. Thus Eachin stood in the centre of nine + of the strongest men of his band, having four especial defenders in front, + one on each hand, and three in his rear. + </p> + <p> + The line of the Clan Chattan was arranged in precisely the same order, + only that the chief occupied the centre of the middle rank, instead of + being on the extreme right. This induced Henry Smith, who saw in the + opposing bands only one enemy, and that was the unhappy Eachin, to propose + placing himself on the left of the front rank of the Clan Chattan. But the + leader disapproved of this arrangement; and having reminded Henry that he + owed him obedience, as having taken wages at his hand, he commanded him to + occupy the space in the third line immediately behind himself—a post + of honour, certainly, which Henry could not decline, though he accepted of + it with reluctance. + </p> + <p> + When the clans were thus drawn up opposed to each other, they intimated + their feudal animosity and their eagerness to engage by a wild scream, + which, uttered by the Clan Quhele, was answered and echoed back by the + Clan Chattan, the whole at the same time shaking their swords and menacing + each other, as if they meant to conquer the imagination of their opponents + ere they mingled in the actual strife. + </p> + <p> + At this trying moment, Torquil, who had never feared for himself, was + agitated with alarm on the part of his dault, yet consoled by observing + that he kept a determined posture, and that the few words which he spoke + to his clan were delivered boldly, and well calculated to animate them to + combat, as expressing his resolution to partake their fate in death or + victory. But there was no time for further observation. The trumpets of + the King sounded a charge, the bagpipes blew up their screaming and + maddening notes, and the combatants, starting forward in regular order, + and increasing their pace till they came to a smart run, met together in + the centre of the ground, as a furious land torrent encounters an + advancing tide. + </p> + <p> + For an instant or two the front lines, hewing at each other with their + long swords, seemed engaged in a succession of single combats; but the + second and third ranks soon came up on either side, actuated alike by the + eagerness of hatred and the thirst of honour, pressed through the + intervals, and rendered the scene a tumultuous chaos, over which the huge + swords rose and sunk, some still glittering, others streaming with blood, + appearing, from the wild rapidity with which they were swayed, rather to + be put in motion by some complicated machinery than to be wielded by human + hands. Some of the combatants, too much crowded together to use those long + weapons, had already betaken themselves to their poniards, and endeavoured + to get within the sword sweep of those opposed to them. In the mean time, + blood flowed fast, and the groans of those who fell began to mingle with + the cries of those who fought; for, according to the manner of the + Highlanders at all times, they could hardly be said to shout, but to yell. + Those of the spectators whose eyes were best accustomed to such scenes of + blood and confusion could nevertheless discover no advantage yet acquired + by either party. The conflict swayed, indeed, at different intervals + forwards or backwards, but it was only in momentary superiority, which the + party who acquired it almost instantly lost by a corresponding exertion on + the other side. The wild notes of the pipers were still heard above the + tumult, and stimulated to farther exertions the fury of the combatants. + </p> + <p> + At once, however, and as if by mutual agreement, the instruments sounded a + retreat; it was expressed in wailing notes, which seemed to imply a dirge + for the fallen. The two parties disengaged themselves from each other, to + take breath for a few minutes. The eyes of the spectators greedily + surveyed the shattered array of the combatants as they drew off from the + contest, but found it still impossible to decide which had sustained the + greater loss. It seemed as if the Clan Chattan had lost rather fewer men + than their antagonists; but in compensation, the bloody plaids and skirts + of their party (for several on both sides had thrown their mantles away) + showed more wounded men than the Clan Quhele. About twenty of both sides + lay on the field dead or dying; and arms and legs lopped off, heads cleft + to the chin, slashes deep through the shoulder into the breast, showed at + once the fury of the combat, the ghastly character of the weapons used, + and the fatal strength of the arms which wielded them. The chief of the + Clan Chattan had behaved himself with the most determined courage, and was + slightly wounded. Eachin also had fought with spirit, surrounded by his + bodyguard. His sword was bloody, his bearing bold and warlike; and he + smiled when old Torquil, folding him in his arms, loaded him with praises + and with blessings. + </p> + <p> + The two chiefs, after allowing their followers to breathe for the space of + about ten minutes, again drew up in their files, diminished by nearly one + third of their original number. They now chose their ground nearer to the + river than that on which they had formerly encountered, which was + encumbered with the wounded and the slain. Some of the former were + observed, from time to time, to raise themselves to gain a glimpse of the + field, and sink back, most of them to die from the effusion of blood which + poured from the terrific gashes inflicted by the claymore. + </p> + <p> + Harry Smith was easily distinguished by his Lowland habit, as well as his + remaining on the spot where they had first encountered, where he stood + leaning on a sword beside a corpse, whose bonneted head, carried to ten + yards’ distance from the body by the force of the blow which had swept it + off, exhibited the oak leaf, the appropriate ornament of the bodyguard of + Eachin MacIan. Since he slew this man, Henry had not struck a blow, but + had contented himself with warding off many that were dealt at himself, + and some which were aimed at the chief. MacGillie Chattanach became + alarmed, when, having given the signal that his men should again draw + together, he observed that his powerful recruit remained at a distance + from the ranks, and showed little disposition to join them. + </p> + <p> + “What ails thee, man?” said the chief. “Can so strong a body have a mean + and cowardly spirit? Come, and make in to the combat.” + </p> + <p> + “You as good as called me hireling but now,” replied Henry. “If I am + such,” pointing to the headless corpse, “I have done enough for my day’s + wage.” + </p> + <p> + “He that serves me without counting his hours,” replied the chief, “I + reward him without reckoning wages.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said the smith, “I fight as a volunteer, and in the post which + best likes me.” + </p> + <p> + “All that is at your own discretion,” replied MacGillis Chattanach, who + saw the prudence of humouring an auxiliary of such promise. + </p> + <p> + “It is enough,” said Henry; and, shouldering his heavy weapon, he joined + the rest of the combatants with alacrity, and placed himself opposite to + the chief of the Clan Quhele. + </p> + <p> + It was then, for the first time, that Eachin showed some uncertainty. He + had long looked up to Henry as the best combatant which Perth and its + neighbourhood could bring into the lists. His hatred to him as a rival was + mingled with recollection of the ease with which he had once, though + unarmed, foiled his own sudden and desperate attack; and when he beheld + him with his eyes fixed in his direction, the dripping sword in his hand, + and obviously meditating an attack on him individually, his courage fell, + and he gave symptoms of wavering, which did not escape his foster father. + </p> + <p> + It was lucky for Eachin that Torquil was incapable, from the formation of + his own temper, and that of those with whom he had lived, to conceive the + idea of one of his own tribe, much less of his chief and foster son, being + deficient in animal courage. Could he have imagined this, his grief and + rage might have driven him to the fierce extremity of taking Eachin’s + life, to save him from staining his honour. But his mind rejected the idea + that his dault was a personal coward, as something which was monstrous and + unnatural. That he was under the influence of enchantment was a solution + which superstition had suggested, and he now anxiously, but in a whisper, + demanded of Hector: “Does the spell now darken thy spirit, Eachin?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, wretch that I am,” answered the unhappy youth; “and yonder stands + the fell enchanter!” + </p> + <p> + “What!” exclaimed Torquil, “and you wear harness of his making? Norman, + miserable boy, why brought you that accursed mail?” + </p> + <p> + “If my arrow has flown astray, I can but shoot my life after it,” answered + Norman nan Ord. “Stand firm, you shall see me break the spell.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, stand firm,” said Torquil. “He may be a fell enchanter; but my own + ear has heard, and my own tongue has told, that Eachin shall leave the + battle whole, free, and unwounded; let us see the Saxon wizard who can + gainsay that. He may be a strong man, but the fair forest of the oak shall + fall, stock and bough, ere he lay a finger on my dault. Ring around him, + my sons; bas air son Eachin!” + </p> + <p> + The sons of Torquil shouted back the words, which signify, “Death for + Hector.” + </p> + <p> + Encouraged by their devotion, Eachin renewed his spirit, and called boldly + to the minstrels of his clan, “Seid suas” that is, “Strike up.” + </p> + <p> + The wild pibroch again sounded the onset; but the two parties approached + each other more slowly than at first, as men who knew and respected each + other’s valour. Henry Wynd, in his impatience to begin the contest, + advanced before the Clan Chattan and signed to Eachin to come on. Norman, + however, sprang forward to cover his foster brother, and there was a + general, though momentary, pause, as if both parties were willing to + obtain an omen of the fate of the day from the event of this duel. The + Highlander advanced, with his large sword uplifted, as in act to strike; + but, just as he came within sword’s length, he dropt the long and cumbrous + weapon, leapt lightly over the smith’s sword, as he fetched a cut at him, + drew his dagger, and, being thus within Henry’s guard, struck him with the + weapon (his own gift) on the side of the throat, directing the blow + downwards into the chest, and calling aloud, at the same time, “You taught + me the stab!” + </p> + <p> + But Henry Wynd wore his own good hauberk, doubly defended with a lining of + tempered steel. Had he been less surely armed, his combats had been ended + for ever. Even as it was, he was slightly wounded. + </p> + <p> + “Fool!” he replied, striking Norman a blow with the pommel of his long + sword, which made him stagger backwards, “you were taught the thrust, but + not the parry”; and, fetching a blow at his antagonist, which cleft his + skull through the steel cap, he strode over the lifeless body to engage + the young chief, who now stood open before him. + </p> + <p> + But the sonorous voice of Torquil thundered out, “Far eil air son Eachin!” + (Another for Hector!) and the two brethren who flanked their chief on each + side thrust forward upon Henry, and, striking both at once, compelled him + to keep the defensive. + </p> + <p> + “Forward, race of the tiger cat!” cried MacGillie Chattanach. “Save the + brave Saxon; let these kites feel your talons!” + </p> + <p> + Already much wounded, the chief dragged himself up to the smith’s + assistance, and cut down one of the leichtach, by whom he was assailed. + Henry’s own good sword rid him of the other. + </p> + <p> + “Reist air son Eachin!” (Again for Hector!) shouted the faithful foster + father. + </p> + <p> + “Bas air son Eachin!” (Death for Hector!) answered two more of his devoted + sons, and opposed themselves to the fury of the smith and those who had + come to his aid; while Eachin, moving towards the left wing of the battle, + sought less formidable adversaries, and again, by some show of valour, + revived the sinking hopes of his followers. The two children of the oak, + who had covered, this movement, shared the fate of their brethren; for the + cry of the Clan Chattan chief had drawn to that part of the field some of + his bravest warriors. The sons of Torquil did not fall unavenged, but left + dreadful marks of their swords on the persons of the dead and living. But + the necessity of keeping their most distinguished soldiers around the + person of their chief told to disadvantage on the general event of the + combat; and so few were now the number who remained fighting, that it was + easy to see that the Clan Chattan had fifteen of their number left, though + most of them wounded, and that of the Clan Quhele only about ten remained, + of whom there were four of the chief’s bodyguard, including Torquil + himself. + </p> + <p> + They fought and struggled on, however, and as their strength decayed, + their fury seemed to increase. Henry Wynd, now wounded in many places, was + still bent on breaking through, or exterminating, the band of bold hearts + who continued to fight around the object of his animosity. But still the + father’s shout of “Another for Hector!” was cheerfully answered by the + fatal countersign, “Death for Hector!” and though the Clan Quhele were now + outnumbered, the combat seemed still dubious. It was bodily lassitude + alone that again compelled them to another pause. + </p> + <p> + The Clan Chattan were then observed to be twelve in number, but two or + three were scarce able to stand without leaning on their swords. Five were + left of the Clan Quhele; Torquil and his youngest son were of the number, + both slightly wounded. Eachin alone had, from the vigilance used to + intercept all blows levelled against his person, escaped without injury. + The rage of both parties had sunk, through exhaustion, into sullen + desperation. They walked staggering, as if in their sleep, through the + carcasses of the slain, and gazed on them, as if again to animate their + hatred towards their surviving enemies by viewing the friends they had + lost. + </p> + <p> + The multitude soon after beheld the survivors of the desperate conflict + drawing together to renew the exterminating feud on the banks of the + river, as the spot least slippery with blood, and less encumbered with the + bodies of the slain. + </p> + <p> + “For God’s sake—for the sake of the mercy which we daily pray for,” + said the kind hearted old King to the Duke of Albany, “let this be ended! + Wherefore should these wretched rags and remnants of humanity be suffered + to complete their butchery? Surely they will now be ruled, and accept of + peace on moderate terms?” + </p> + <p> + “Compose yourself, my liege,” said his brother. “These men are the pest of + the Lowlands. Both chiefs are still living; if they go back unharmed, the + whole day’s work is cast away. Remember your promise to the council, that + you would not cry ‘hold.’” + </p> + <p> + “You compel me to a great crime, Albany, both as a king, who should + protect his subjects, and as a Christian man, who respects the brother of + his faith.” + </p> + <p> + “You judge wrong, my lord,” said the Duke: “these are not loving subjects, + but disobedient rebels, as my Lord of Crawford can bear witness; and they + are still less Christian men, for the prior of the Dominicans will vouch + for me that they are more than half heathen.” + </p> + <p> + The King sighed deeply. “You must work your pleasure, and are too wise for + me to contend with. I can but turn away and shut my eyes from the sights + and sounds of a carnage which makes me sicken. But well I know that God + will punish me even for witnessing this waste of human life.” + </p> + <p> + “Sound, trumpets,” said Albany; “their wounds will stiffen if they dally + longer.” + </p> + <p> + While this was passing, Torquil was embracing and encouraging his young + chief. + </p> + <p> + “Resist the witchcraft but a few minutes longer! Be of good cheer, you + will come off without either scar or scratch, wem or wound. Be of good + cheer!” + </p> + <p> + “How can I be of good cheer,” said Eachin, “while my brave kinsmen have + one by one died at my feet—died all for me, who could never deserve + the least of their kindness?” + </p> + <p> + “And for what were they born, save to die for their chief?” said Torquil, + composedly. “Why lament that the arrow returns not to the quiver, + providing it hit the mark? Cheer up yet. Here are Tormot and I but little + hurt, while the wildcats drag themselves through the plain as if they were + half throttled by the terriers. Yet one brave stand, and the day shall be + your own, though it may well be that you alone remain alive. Minstrels, + sound the gathering.” + </p> + <p> + The pipers on both sides blew their charge, and the combatants again + mingled in battle, not indeed with the same strength, but with unabated + inveteracy. They were joined by those whose duty it was to have remained + neuter, but who now found themselves unable to do so. The two old + champions who bore the standards had gradually advanced from the extremity + of the lists, and now approached close to the immediate scene of action. + When they beheld the carnage more nearly, they were mutually impelled by + the desire to revenge their brethren, or not to survive them. They + attacked each other furiously with the lances to which the standards were + attached, closed after exchanging several deadly thrusts, then grappled in + close strife, still holding their banners, until at length, in the + eagerness of their conflict, they fell together into the Tay, and were + found drowned after the combat, closely locked in each other’s arms. The + fury of battle, the frenzy of rage and despair, infected next the + minstrels. The two pipers, who, during the conflict, had done their utmost + to keep up the spirits of their brethren, now saw the dispute well nigh + terminated for want of men to support it. They threw down their + instruments, rushed desperately upon each other with their daggers, and + each being more intent on despatching his opponent than in defending + himself, the piper of Clan Quhele was almost instantly slain and he of + Clan Chattan mortally wounded. The last, nevertheless, again grasped his + instrument, and the pibroch of the clan yet poured its expiring notes over + the Clan Chattan, while the dying minstrel had breath to inspire it. The + instrument which he used, or at least that part of it called the chanter, + is preserved in the family of a Highland chief to this day, and is much + honoured under the name of the federan dhu, or, “black chanter.”’ + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, in the final charge, young Tormot, devoted, like his brethren, + by his father Torquil to the protection of his chief, had been mortally + wounded by the unsparing sword of the smith. The other two remaining of + the Clan Quhele had also fallen, and Torquil, with his foster son and the + wounded Tormot, forced to retreat before eight or ten of the Clan Chattan, + made a stand on the bank of the river, while their enemies were making + such exertions as their wounds would permit to come up with them. Torquil + had just reached the spot where he had resolved to make the stand, when + the young Tormot dropped and expired. His death drew from his father the + first and only sigh which he had breathed throughout the eventful day. + </p> + <p> + “My son Tormot!” he said, “my youngest and dearest! But if I save Hector, + I save all. Now, my darling dault, I have done for thee all that man may, + excepting the last. Let me undo the clasps of that ill omened armour, and + do thou put on that of Tormot; it is light, and will fit thee well. While + you do so, I will rush on these crippled men, and make what play with them + I can. I trust I shall have but little to do, for they are following each + other like disabled steers. At least, darling of my soul, if I am unable + to save thee, I can show thee how a man should die.” + </p> + <p> + While Torquil thus spoke, he unloosed the clasps of the young chief’s + hauberk, in the simple belief that he could thus break the meshes which + fear and necromancy had twined about his heart. + </p> + <p> + “My father—my father—my more than parent,” said the unhappy + Eachin, “stay with me! With you by my side, I feel I can fight to the + last.” + </p> + <p> + “It is impossible,” said Torquil. “I will stop them coming up, while you + put on the hauberk. God eternally bless thee, beloved of my soul!” + </p> + <p> + And then, brandishing his sword, Torquil of the Oak rushed forward with + the same fatal war cry which had so often sounded over that bloody field, + “Bas air son Eachin!” The words rung three times in a voice of thunder; + and each time that he cried his war shout he struck down one of the Clan + Chattan as he met them successively straggling towards him. + </p> + <p> + “Brave battle, hawk—well flown, falcon!” exclaimed the multitude, as + they witnessed exertions which seemed, even at this last hour, to threaten + a change of the fortunes of the day. Suddenly these cries were hushed into + silence, and succeeded by a clashing of swords so dreadful, as if the + whole conflict had recommenced in the person of Henry Wynd and Torquil of + the Oak. They cut, foined, hewed, and thrust as if they had drawn their + blades for the first time that day; and their inveteracy was mutual, for + Torquil recognised the foul wizard who, as he supposed, had cast a spell + over his child; and Henry saw before him the giant who, during the whole + conflict, had interrupted the purpose for which alone he had joined the + combatants—that of engaging in single combat with Hector. They + fought with an equality which, perhaps, would not have existed, had not + Henry, more wounded than his antagonist, been somewhat deprived of his + usual agility. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Eachin, finding himself alone, after a disorderly and vain + attempt to put on his foster brother’s harness, became animated by an + emotion of shame and despair, and hurried forward to support his foster + father in the terrible struggle, ere some other of the Clan Chattan should + come up. When he was within five yards, and sternly determined to take his + share in the death fight, his foster father fell, cleft from the + collarbone well nigh to the heart, and murmuring with his last breath, + “Bas air son Eachin!” The unfortunate youth saw the fall of his last + friend, and at the same moment beheld the deadly enemy who had hunted him + through the whole field standing within sword’s point of him, and + brandishing the huge weapon which had hewed its way to his life through so + many obstacles. Perhaps this was enough to bring his constitutional + timidity to its highest point; or perhaps he recollected at the same + moment that he was without defensive armour, and that a line of enemies, + halting indeed and crippled, but eager for revenge and blood, were closely + approaching. It is enough to say, that his heart sickened, his eyes + darkened, his ears tingled, his brain turned giddy, all other + considerations were lost in the apprehension of instant death; and, + drawing one ineffectual blow at the smith, he avoided that which was aimed + at him in return by bounding backward; and, ere the former could recover + his weapon, Eachin had plunged into the stream of the Tay. A roar of + contumely pursued him as he swam across the river, although, perhaps, not + a dozen of those who joined in it would have behaved otherwise in the like + circumstances. Henry looked after the fugitive in silence and surprise, + but could not speculate on the consequences of his flight, on account of + the faintness which seemed to overpower him as soon as the animation of + the contest had subsided. He sat down on the grassy bank, and endeavoured + to stanch such of his wounds as were pouring fastest. + </p> + <p> + The victors had the general meed of gratulation. The Duke of Albany and + others went down to survey the field; and Henry Wynd was honoured with + particular notice. + </p> + <p> + “If thou wilt follow me, good fellow,” said the Black Douglas, “I will + change thy leathern apron for a knight’s girdle, and thy burgage tenement + for an hundred pound land to maintain thy rank withal.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you humbly, my lord,” said the smith, dejectedly, “but I have + shed blood enough already, and Heaven has punished me by foiling the only + purpose for which I entered the combat.” + </p> + <p> + “How, friend?” said Douglas. “Didst thou not fight for the Clan Chattan, + and have they not gained a glorious conquest?” + </p> + <p> + “I fought for my own hand,” [meaning, I did such a thing for my own + pleasure, not for your profit] said the smith, indifferently; and the + expression is still proverbial in Scotland. + </p> + <p> + The good King Robert now came up on an ambling palfrey, having entered the + barriers for the purpose of causing the wounded to be looked after. + </p> + <p> + “My lord of Douglas,” he said, “you vex the poor man with temporal matters + when it seems he may have short timer to consider those that are + spiritual. Has he no friends here who will bear him where his bodily + wounds and the health of his soul may be both cared for?” + </p> + <p> + “He hath as many friends as there are good men in Perth,” said Sir Patrick + Charteris, “and I esteem myself one of the closest.” + </p> + <p> + “A churl will savour of churl’s kind,” said the haughty Douglas, turning + his horse aside; “the proffer of knighthood from the sword of Douglas had + recalled him from death’s door, had there been a drop of gentle blood in + his body.” + </p> + <p> + Disregarding the taunt of the mighty earl, the Knight of Kinfauns + dismounted to take Henry in his arms, as he now sunk back from very + faintness. But he was prevented by Simon Glover, who, with other burgesses + of consideration, had now entered the barrace. + </p> + <p> + “Henry, my beloved son Henry!” said the old man. “Oh, what tempted you to + this fatal affray? Dying—speechless?” + </p> + <p> + “No—not speechless,” said Henry. “Catharine—” He could utter + no more. + </p> + <p> + “Catharine is well, I trust, and shall be thine—that is, if—” + </p> + <p> + “If she be safe, thou wouldst say, old man,” said the Douglas, who, though + something affronted at Henry’s rejection of his offer, was too magnanimous + not to interest himself in what was passing. “She is safe, if Douglas’s + banner can protect her—safe, and shall be rich. Douglas can give + wealth to those who value it more than honour.” + </p> + <p> + “For her safety, my lord, let the heartfelt thanks and blessings of a + father go with the noble Douglas. For wealth, we are rich enough. Gold + cannot restore my beloved son.” + </p> + <p> + “A marvel!” said the Earl: “a churl refuses nobility, a citizen despises + gold!” + </p> + <p> + “Under your lordship’s favour,” said Sir Patrick, “I, who am knight and + noble, take license to say, that such a brave man as Henry Wynd may reject + honourable titles, such an honest man as this reverend citizen may + dispense with gold.” + </p> + <p> + “You do well, Sir Patrick, to speak for your town, and I take no offence,” + said the Douglas. “I force my bounty on no one. But,” he added, in a + whisper to Albany, “your Grace must withdraw the King from this bloody + sight, for he must know that tonight which will ring over broad Scotland + when tomorrow dawns. This feud is ended. Yet even I grieve that so many + brave Scottishmen lie here slain, whose brands might have decided a + pitched field in their country’s cause.” + </p> + <p> + With dignity King Robert was withdrawn from the field, the tears running + down his aged cheeks and white beard, as he conjured all around him, + nobles and priests, that care should be taken for the bodies and souls of + the few wounded survivors, and honourable burial rendered to the slain. + The priests who were present answered zealously for both services, and + redeemed their pledge faithfully and piously. + </p> + <p> + Thus ended this celebrated conflict of the North Inch of Perth. Of + sixty-four brave men (the minstrels and standard bearers included) who + strode manfully to the fatal field, seven alone survived, who were + conveyed from thence in litters, in a case little different from the dead + and dying around them, and mingled with them in the sad procession which + conveyed them from the scene of their strife. Eachin alone had left it + void of wounds and void of honour. + </p> + <p> + It remains but to say, that not a man of the Clan Quhele survived the + bloody combat except the fugitive chief; and the consequence of the defeat + was the dissolution of their confederacy. The clans of which it consisted + are now only matter of conjecture to the antiquary, for, after this + eventful contest, they never assembled under the same banner. The Clan + Chattan, on the other hand, continued to increase and flourish; and the + best families of the Northern Highlands boast their descent from the race + of the Cat a Mountain. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV. + </h2> + <p> + While the King rode slowly back to the convent which he then occupied, + Albany, with a discomposed aspect and faltering voice, asked the Earl of + Douglas: “Will not your lordship, who saw this most melancholy scene at + Falkland, communicate the tidings to my unhappy brother?” + </p> + <p> + “Not for broad Scotland,” said the Douglas. “I would sooner bare my + breast, within flight shot, as a butt to an hundred Tynedale bowmen. No, + by St. Bride of Douglas! I could but say I saw the ill fated youth dead. + How he came by his death, your Grace can perhaps better explain. Were it + not for the rebellion of March and the English war, I would speak my own + mind of it.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, and making his obeisance to the King, the Earl rode off to his + own lodgings, leaving Albany to tell his tale as he best could. + </p> + <p> + “The rebellion and the English war!” said the Duke to himself. “Ay, and + thine own interest, haughty earl, which, imperious as thou art, thou + darest not separate from mine. Well, since the task falls on me, I must + and will discharge it.” + </p> + <p> + He followed the King into his apartment. The King looked at him with + surprise after he had assumed his usual seat. + </p> + <p> + “Thy countenance is ghastly, Robin,” said the King. “I would thou wouldst + think more deeply when blood is to be spilled, since its consequences + affect thee so powerfully. And yet, Robin, I love thee the better that thy + kind nature will sometimes show itself, even through thy reflecting + policy.” + </p> + <p> + “I would to Heaven, my royal brother,” said Albany, with a voice half + choked, “that the bloody field we have seen were the worst we had to see + or hear of this day. I should waste little sorrow on the wild kerne who + lie piled on it like carrion. But—” he paused. + </p> + <p> + “How!” exclaimed the King, in terror. “What new evil? Rothsay? It must be—it + is Rothsay! Speak out! What new folly has been done? What fresh + mischance?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord—my liege, folly and mischance are now ended with my hapless + nephew.” + </p> + <p> + “He is dead!—he is dead!” screamed the agonized parent. “Albany, as + thy brother, I conjure thee! But no, I am thy brother no longer. As thy + king, dark and subtle man, I charge thee to tell the worst.” + </p> + <p> + Albany faltered out: “The details are but imperfectly known to me; but the + certainty is, that my unhappy nephew was found dead in his apartment last + night from sudden illness—as I have heard.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Rothsay!—Oh, my beloved David! Would to God I had died for + thee, my son—my son!” + </p> + <p> + So spoke, in the emphatic words of Scripture, the helpless and bereft + father, tearing his grey beard and hoary hair, while Albany, speechless + and conscience struck, did not venture to interrupt the tempest of his + grief. But the agony of the King’s sorrow almost instantly changed to fury—a + mood so contrary to the gentleness and timidity of his nature, that the + remorse of Albany was drowned in his fear. + </p> + <p> + “And this is the end,” said the King, “of thy moral saws and religious + maxims! But the besotted father who gave the son into thy hands—who + gave the innocent lamb to the butcher—is a king, and thou shalt know + it to thy cost. Shall the murderer stand in presence of his brother—stained + with the blood of that brother’s son? No! What ho, without there!—MacLouis!—Brandanes! + Treachery! Murder! Take arms, if you love the Stuart!” + </p> + <p> + MacLouis, with several of the guards, rushed into the apartment. + </p> + <p> + “Murder and treason!” exclaimed the miserable King. “Brandanes, your noble + Prince—” Here his grief and agitation interrupted for a moment the + fatal information it was his object to convey. At length he resumed his + broken speech: “An axe and a block instantly into the courtyard! Arrest—” + The word choked his utterance. + </p> + <p> + “Arrest whom, my noble liege?” said MacLouis, who, observing the King + influenced by a tide of passion so different from the gentleness of his + ordinary demeanour, almost conjectured that his brain had been disturbed + by the unusual horrors of the combat he had witnessed. + </p> + <p> + “Whom shall I arrest, my liege?” he replied. “Here is none but your + Grace’s royal brother of Albany.” + </p> + <p> + “Most true,” said the King, his brief fit of vindictive passion soon dying + away. “Most true—none but Albany—none but my parent’s child—none + but my brother. O God, enable me to quell the sinful passion which glows + in this bosom. Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis!” + </p> + <p> + MacLouis cast a look of wonder towards the Duke of Albany, who endeavoured + to hide his confusion under an affectation of deep sympathy, and muttered + to the officer: “The great misfortune has been too much for his + understanding.” + </p> + <p> + “What misfortune, please your Grace?” replied MacLouis. “I have heard of + none.” + </p> + <p> + “How! not heard of the death of my nephew Rothsay?” + </p> + <p> + “The Duke of Rothsay dead, my Lord of Albany?” exclaimed the faithful + Brandane, with the utmost horror and astonishment. “When, how, and where?” + </p> + <p> + “Two days since—the manner as yet unknown—at Falkland.” + </p> + <p> + MacLouis gazed at the Duke for an instant; then, with a kindling eye and + determined look, said to the King, who seemed deeply engaged in his mental + devotion: “My liege! a minute or two since you left a word—one word—unspoken. + Let it pass your lips, and your pleasure is law to your Brandanes!” + </p> + <p> + “I was praying against temptation, MacLouis,” said the heart broken King, + “and you bring it to me. Would you arm a madman with a drawn weapon? But + oh, Albany! my friend—my brother—my bosom counsellor—how—how + camest thou by the heart to do this?” + </p> + <p> + Albany, seeing that the King’s mood was softening, replied with more + firmness than before: “My castle has no barrier against the power of + death. I have not deserved the foul suspicions which your Majesty’s words + imply. I pardon them, from the distraction of a bereaved father. But I am + willing to swear by cross and altar, by my share in salvation, by the + souls of our royal parents—” + </p> + <p> + “Be silent, Robert!” said the King: “add not perjury to murder. And was + this all done to gain a step nearer to a crown and sceptre? Take them to + thee at once, man; and mayst thou feel as I have done, that they are both + of red hot iron! Oh, Rothsay—Rothsay! thou hast at least escaped + being a king!” + </p> + <p> + “My liege,” said MacLouis, “let me remind you that the crown and sceptre + of Scotland are, when your Majesty ceases to bear them, the right of + Prince James, who succeeds to his brother’s rights.” + </p> + <p> + “True, MacLouis,” said the King, eagerly, “and will succeed, poor child, + to his brother’s perils! Thanks, MacLouis—thanks. You have reminded + me that I have still work upon earth. Get thy Brandanes under arms with + what speed thou canst. Let no man go with us whose truth is not known to + thee. None in especial who has trafficked with the Duke of Albany—that + man, I mean, who calls himself my brother—and order my litter to be + instantly prepared. We will to Dunbarton, MacLouis, or to Bute. + Precipices, and tides, and my Brandanes’ hearts shall defend the child + till we can put oceans betwixt him and his cruel uncle’s ambition. + Farewell, Robert of Albany—farewell for ever, thou hard hearted, + bloody man! Enjoy such share of power as the Douglas may permit thee. But + seek not to see my face again, far less to approach my remaining child; + for, that hour thou dost, my guards shall have orders to stab thee down + with their partizans! MacLouis, look it be so directed.” + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Albany left the presence without attempting further + justification or reply. + </p> + <p> + What followed is matter of history. In the ensuing Parliament, the Duke of + Albany prevailed on that body to declare him innocent of the death of + Rothsay, while, at the same time, he showed his own sense of guilt by + taking out a remission or pardon for the offence. The unhappy and aged + monarch secluded himself in his Castle of Rothsay, in Bute, to mourn over + the son he had lost, and watch with feverish anxiety over the life of him + who remained. As the best step for the youthful James’s security, he sent + him to France to receive his education at the court of the reigning + sovereign. But the vessel in which the Prince of Scotland sailed was taken + by an English cruiser, and, although there was a truce for the moment + betwixt the kingdoms, Henry IV ungenerously detained him a prisoner. This + last blow completely broke the heart of the unhappy King Robert III. + Vengeance followed, though with a slow pace, the treachery and cruelty of + his brother. Robert of Albany’s own grey hairs went, indeed, in peace to + the grave, and he transferred the regency which he had so foully acquired + to his son Murdoch. But, nineteen years after the death of the old King, + James I returned to Scotland, and Duke Murdoch of Albany, with his sons, + was brought to the scaffold, in expiation of his father’s guilt and his + own. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The honest heart that’s free frae a’ + Intended fraud or guile, + However Fortune kick the ba’, + Has aye some cause to smile. + + BURNS. +</pre> + <p> + We now return to the Fair Maid of Perth, who had been sent from the + horrible scene at Falkland by order of the Douglas, to be placed under the + protection of his daughter, the now widowed Duchess of Rothsay. That + lady’s temporary residence was a religious house called Campsie, the ruins + of which still occupy a striking situation on the Tay. It arose on the + summit of a precipitous rock, which descends on the princely river, there + rendered peculiarly remarkable by the cataract called Campsie Linn, where + its waters rush tumultuously over a range of basaltic rock, which + intercepts the current, like a dike erected by human hands. Delighted with + a site so romantic, the monks of the abbey of Cupar reared a structure + there, dedicated to an obscure saint, named St. Hunnand, and hither they + were wont themselves to retire for pleasure or devotion. It had readily + opened its gates to admit the noble lady who was its present inmate, as + the country was under the influence of the powerful Lord Drummond, the + ally of the Douglas. There the Earl’s letters were presented to the + Duchess by the leader of the escort which conducted Catharine and the glee + maiden to Campsie. Whatever reason she might have to complain of Rothsay, + his horrible and unexpected end greatly shocked the noble lady, and she + spent the greater part of the night in indulging her grief and in + devotional exercises. + </p> + <p> + On the next morning, which was that of the memorable Palm Sunday, she + ordered Catharine Glover and the minstrel into her presence. The spirits + of both the young women had been much sunk and shaken by the dreadful + scenes in which they had so lately been engaged; and the outward + appearance of the Duchess Marjory was, like that of her father, more + calculated to inspire awe than confidence. She spoke with kindness, + however, though apparently in deep affliction, and learned from them all + which they had to tell concerning the fate of her erring and inconsiderate + husband. She appeared grateful for the efforts which Catharine and the + glee maiden had made, at their own extreme peril, to save Rothsay from his + horrible fate. She invited them to join in her devotions; and at the hour + of dinner gave them her hand to kiss, and dismissed them to their own + refection, assuring both, and Catharine in particular, of her efficient + protection, which should include, she said, her father’s, and be a wall + around them both, so long as she herself lived. + </p> + <p> + They retired from the presence of the widowed Princess, and partook of a + repast with her duennas and ladies, all of whom, amid their profound + sorrow, showed a character of stateliness which chilled the light heart of + the Frenchwoman, and imposed restraint even on the more serious character + of Catharine Glover. The friends, for so we may now term them, were fain, + therefore, to escape from the society of these persons, all of them born + gentlewomen, who thought themselves but ill assorted with a burgher’s + daughter and a strolling glee maiden, and saw them with pleasure go out to + walk in the neighbourhood of the convent. A little garden, with its bushes + and fruit trees, advanced on one side of the convent, so as to skirt the + precipice, from which it was only separated by a parapet built on the + ledge of the rock, so low that the eye might easily measure the depth of + the crag, and gaze on the conflicting waters which foamed, struggled, and + chafed over the reef below. + </p> + <p> + The Fair Maiden of Perth and her companion walked slowly on a path that + ran within this parapet, looked at the romantic prospect, and judged what + it must be when the advancing summer should clothe the grove with leaves. + They observed for some time a deep silence. At length the gay and bold + spirit of the glee maiden rose above the circumstances in which she had + been and was now placed. + </p> + <p> + “Do the horrors of Falkland, fair May, still weigh down your spirits? + Strive to forget them as I do: we cannot tread life’s path lightly, if we + shake not from our mantles the raindrops as they fall.” + </p> + <p> + “These horrors are not to be forgotten,” answered Catharine. “Yet my mind + is at present anxious respecting my father’s safety; and I cannot but + think how many brave men may be at this instant leaving the world, even + within six miles of us, or little farther.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean the combat betwixt sixty champions, of which the Douglas’s + equerry told us yesterday? It were a sight for a minstrel to witness. But + out upon these womanish eyes of mine—they could never see swords + cross each other without being dazzled. But see—look yonder, May + Catharine—look yonder! That flying messenger certainly brings news + of the battle.” + </p> + <p> + “Methinks I should know him who runs so wildly,” said Catharine. “But if + it be he I think of, some wild thoughts are urging his speed.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, the runner directed his course to the garden. Louise’s + little dog ran to meet him, barking furiously, but came back, to cower, + creep, and growl behind its mistress; for even dumb animals can + distinguish when men are driven on by the furious energy of irresistible + passion, and dread to cross or encounter them in their career. The + fugitive rushed into the garden at the same reckless pace. His head was + bare, his hair dishevelled, his rich acton and all his other vestments + looked as if they had been lately drenched in water. His leathern buskins + were cut and torn, and his feet marked the sod with blood. His countenance + was wild, haggard, and highly excited, or, as the Scottish phrase + expresses it, much “raised.” + </p> + <p> + “Conachar!” said Catharine, as he advanced, apparently without seeing what + was before him, as hares are said to do when severely pressed by the + greyhounds. But he stopped short when he heard his own name. + </p> + <p> + “Conachar,” said Catharine, “or rather Eachin MacIan, what means all this? + Have the Clan Quhele sustained a defeat?” + </p> + <p> + “I have borne such names as this maiden gives me,” said the fugitive, + after a moment’s recollection. “Yes, I was called Conachar when I was + happy, and Eachin when I was powerful. But now I have no name, and there + is no such clan as thou speak’st of; and thou art a foolish maid to speak + of that which is not to one who has no existence.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! unfortunate—” + </p> + <p> + “And why unfortunate, I pray you?” exclaimed the youth. “If I am coward + and villain, have not villainy and cowardice command over the elements? + Have I not braved the water without its choking me, and trod the firm + earth without its opening to devour me? And shall a mortal oppose my + purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “He raves, alas!” said Catharine. “Haste to call some help. He will not + harm me; but I fear he will do evil to himself. See how he stares down on + the roaring waterfall!” + </p> + <p> + The glee woman hastened to do as she was ordered, and Conachar’s half + frenzied spirit seemed relieved by her absence. + </p> + <p> + “Catharine,” he said, “now she is gone, I will say I know thee—I + know thy love of peace and hatred of war. But hearken; I have, rather than + strike a blow at my enemy, given up all that a man calls dearest: I have + lost honour, fame, and friends, and such friends! (he placed his hands + before his face). Oh! their love surpassed the love of woman! Why should I + hide my tears? All know my shame; all should see my sorrow. Yes, all might + see, but who would pity it? Catharine, as I ran like a madman down the + strath, man and woman called ‘shame’ on me! The beggar to whom I flung an + alms, that I might purchase one blessing, threw it back in disgust, and + with a curse upon the coward! Each bell that tolled rung out, ‘Shame on + the recreant caitiff!’ The brute beasts in their lowing and bleating, the + wild winds in their rustling and howling, the hoarse waters in their dash + and roar, cried, ‘Out upon the dastard!’ The faithful nine are still + pursuing me; they cry with feeble voice, ‘Strike but one blow in our + revenge, we all died for you!’” + </p> + <p> + While the unhappy youth thus raved, a rustling was heard in the bushes. + </p> + <p> + “There is but one way!” he exclaimed, springing upon the parapet, but with + a terrified glance towards the thicket, through which one or two + attendants were stealing, with the purpose of surprising him. But the + instant he saw a human form emerge from the cover of the bushes, he waved + his hands wildly over his head, and shrieking out, “Bas air Eachin!” + plunged down the precipice into the raging cataract beneath. + </p> + <p> + It is needless to say, that aught save thistledown must have been dashed + to pieces in such a fall. But the river was swelled, and the remains of + the unhappy youth were never seen. A varying tradition has assigned more + than one supplement to the history. It is said by one account, that the + young captain of Clan Quhele swam safe to shore, far below the Linns of + Campsie; and that, wandering disconsolately in the deserts of Rannoch, he + met with Father Clement, who had taken up his abode in the wilderness as a + hermit, on the principle of the old Culdees. He converted, it is said, the + heart broken and penitent Conachar, who lived with him in his cell, + sharing his devotion and privations, till death removed them in + succession. + </p> + <p> + Another wilder legend supposes that he was snatched from death by the + daione shie, or fairy folk, and that he continues to wander through wood + and wild, armed like an ancient Highlander, but carrying his sword in his + left hand. The phantom appears always in deep grief. Sometimes he seems + about to attack the traveller, but, when resisted with courage, always + flies. These legends are founded on two peculiar points in his story—his + evincing timidity and his committing suicide—both of them + circumstances almost unexampled in the history of a mountain chief. + </p> + <p> + When Simon Glover, having seen his friend Henry duly taken care of in his + own house in Curfew Street, arrived that evening at the Place of Campsie, + he found his daughter extremely ill of a fever, in consequence of the + scenes to which she had lately been a witness, and particularly the + catastrophe of her late playmate. The affection of the glee maiden + rendered her so attentive and careful a nurse, that the glover said it + should not be his fault if she ever touched lute again, save for her own + amusement. + </p> + <p> + It was some time ere Simon ventured to tell his daughter of Henry’s late + exploits, and his severe wounds; and he took care to make the most of the + encouraging circumstance, that her faithful lover had refused both honour + and wealth rather than become a professed soldier and follow the Douglas. + Catharine sighed deeply and shook her head at the history of bloody Palm + Sunday on the North Inch. But apparently she had reflected that men rarely + advance in civilisation or refinement beyond the ideas of their own age, + and that a headlong and exuberant courage, like that of Henry Smith, was, + in the iron days in which they lived, preferable to the deficiency which + had led to Conachar’s catastrophe. If she had any doubts on the subject, + they were removed in due time by Henry’s protestations, so soon as + restored health enabled him to plead his own cause. + </p> + <p> + “I should blush to say, Catharine, that I am even sick of the thoughts of + doing battle. Yonder last field showed carnage enough to glut a tiger. I + am therefore resolved to hang up my broadsword, never to be drawn more + unless against the enemies of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “And should Scotland call for it,” said Catharine, “I will buckle it round + you.” + </p> + <p> + “And, Catharine,” said the joyful glover, “we will pay largely for soul + masses for those who have fallen by Henry’s sword; and that will not only + cure spiritual flaws, but make us friends with the church again.” + </p> + <p> + “For that purpose, father,” said Catharine, “the hoards of the wretched + Dwining may be applied. He bequeathed them to me; but I think you would + not mix his base blood money with your honest gains?” + </p> + <p> + “I would bring the plague into my house as soon,” said the resolute + glover. + </p> + <p> + The treasures of the wicked apothecary were distributed accordingly among + the four monasteries; nor was there ever after a breath of suspicion + concerning the orthodoxy of old Simon or his daughter. + </p> + <p> + Henry and Catharine were married within four months after the battle of + the North Inch, and never did the corporations of the glovers and + hammermen trip their sword dance so featly as at the wedding of the + boldest burgess and brightest maiden in Perth. Ten months after, a gallant + infant filled the well spread cradle, and was rocked by Louise to the tune + of— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Bold and true, + In bonnet blue. +</pre> + <p> + The names of the boy’s sponsors are recorded, as “Ane Hie and Michty Lord, + Archibald Erl of Douglas, ane Honorabil and gude Knicht, Schir Patrick + Charteris of Kinfauns, and ane Gracious Princess, Marjory Dowaire of his + Serene Highness David, umquhile Duke of Rothsay.” + </p> + <p> + Under such patronage a family rises fast; and several of the most + respected houses in Scotland, but especially in Perthshire, and many + individuals distinguished both in arts and arms, record with pride their + descent from the Gow Chrom and the Fair Maid of Perth. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Fair Maid of Perth, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FAIR MAID OF PERTH *** + +***** This file should be named 7987-h.htm or 7987-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/9/8/7987/ + +Produced by Martin Robb, and 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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