 CHAPTER XXIII. Mid these wild scenes, enchantment weighs her hand, to change the face of a mysterious land, till the bewildering scenes around a scene, the vain productions of a feverish dream, a stolfo, a romance. When the night of the leopard awoke from his long and profound repose, he found himself in circumstances so different from those in which he had lain down to sleep, that he doubted whether he was not still dreaming, or whether the scene had not been changed by magic. Outside of the damp grass, he lay on a couch of more than oriental luxury, and some kind hands had, during his repose, stripped him of the cassock of cameos, which he wore under his armour, and substituted night-stress of the finest linen and a loose gown of silk. He had been canopied only by the palm trees of the desert, but now he lay beneath the silk and pavilion, which blazed with the richest colours of the Chinese loom. While a slight curtain of gauze, displayed around his couch, was calculated to protect his repose from the insects, to which he had, ever since his arrival in these climates, been a constant and passive prey. He looked around, as if to convince himself that he was actually awake, and all that fell beneath his eye partook of the splendour of his dormitory. A portable bath of cedar, lined with silver, was ready for use, and steamed with the odours which had been used in preparing it. On a small stand of ebony beside the couch stood a silver vase, containing sherbet of the most exquisite quality, cold as snow, and which the thirst that followed the use of the strong narcotic rendered peculiarly delicious. Still further, to dispel the dregs of intoxication which it had left behind, the night resolved to use the bath, and experienced in doing so a delightful refreshment. Having dried himself with napkins of the Indian wool, he would willingly have resumed his own coarse garments, that he might go forth to see whether the world was as much changed without, as within the place of his repose. These, however, were nowhere to be seen, but in their place he found a saracen dress of rich materials, with sabre and poignard, and all befitting in a mirror of distinction. He was able to suggest no motive to himself for the exuberance of care, accepting a suspicion that these attentions were intended to shake him in his religious profession. As indeed it was well known, that the high esteem of the European knowledge and courage made the soul then unbounded in his gifts to those who, having become his prisoners, had been induced to take the turban. Sir Kenneth, therefore, crossing himself devoutly, resolved to set all such snares at defiance, and that he might do so the more firmly, conscientiously determined to avail himself as moderately as possible of the attentions and luxuries thus liberally heaped upon him. Still, however, he felt his head oppressed and sleepy, and aware, too, that his undress was not fit for appearing abroad. He reclined upon the couch, and was again locked in the arms of slumber. But this time his rest was not unbroken, for he was awakened by the voice of the physician at the door of the tent, inquiring after his health, and whether he had rested sufficiently. "'May I enter your tent?' he concluded, for the curtain is drawn before the entrance. "'The master,' replied Sir Kenneth, determined to show that he was not surprised in forgetfulness of his own condition. Knee demand no permission to enter the tent of the slave. But if I come not as a master?' said El-Hakim, still without entering. "'The physician,' answered the knight, hath free access to the bed-side of his patient. "'Neither come I now as a physician,' replied El-Hakim. "'And therefore I still request permission, ere I come under the covering of thy tent. "'Whoever comes as a friend,' said Sir Kenneth, and such thou hast hithero shown thyself to me, the habitation of the friend is ever open to him. "'Yet, once again,' said the eastern sage, after the paraphraseatical manner of his countrymen, supposing that I come not as a friend. "'Come as thou wilt,' said the Scottish knight, somewhat impatient of the circumlocation. "'Be what thou wilt, thou knowest world it is neither in my power nor my inclination to refuse the entrance.' "'I come, then,' said El-Hakim, as your ancient foe, but a fair and a generous one. He ended as he spoke, and when he stood before the bed-side of Sir Kenneth, the voice continued to be that of Adambeck, the Arabian physician. But the form, dress, and features were those of Ilderim of Kirtostan, called Cherkhov. Sir Kenneth gazed upon him as if he expected the vision to depart, like something created by his imagination. "'Doth it so surprise thee,' said Ilderim, and thou an approved warrior, to see that a soldier knows something of the art of healing? I say to thee, Nazarene, that an accomplished cavalier should know how to dress his steed, as well as how to ride him, how to forge his sword upon the stithy, as well as how to use it in battle, how to burnish his arms, as well as how to wear them, and, above all, how to cure wounds as well as how to inflict them.' As he spoke, the Christian knight repeatedly shut his eyes, and while they remained closed, the idea of the Hakeen, with his long flowing dark robes, high tartar cap, and graved gestures, was present to his imagination. But, as soon as he opened them, the graceful and richly gemmed turban, the light hubark of steel rings entwisted with silver, which glanced brilliantly as it abate every inflection of the body. The features freed from their formal expression. Less swarthy, and no longer shattered by the mass of hair, now limited to a well-trimmed beard, announced the soldier and not the sage. "'Alt thou still so much surprised?' said the Amir, and hath thou walked in the world with such little observance, as to wonder that men are not always what they seem. Thou, thyself, art thou what thou seemest?' "'No, by St. Andrew,' exclaimed the knight, for to the whole Christian camp I seem a traitor, and I know myself to be a true, though earring man. Even so I judged thee,' said Ilderim, and as we had eaten salt together, I deemed myself bound to rescue thee from death and consumily. "'But, wherefore, lie you still on your couch, since the sun is high in the heavens? Or are the vestments which my sumptuous camels have afforded unworthy of your wearing?' "'Not unworthy, surely, but I'm fitting for it,' replied the Scott. "'Give me the dress of a slave noble Ilderim, and I will don it with pleasure. But I cannot brook to wear the habit of the free Eastern warrior with the turban of the Muslim.' "'Nazarene,' answered the Amir. "'Thy nation so easily entertains suspicion, that you may well render themselves suspect. Have I not told thee that Saladin desires no converts, saving those whom the Holy Prophet shall dispose, to submit themselves to his law?' Violence and bribery are alike an alien to his plan for extending the true faith. "'Hark unto me, my brother, when the blind man was miraculously restored to sight, the scales dropped from his eyes at the divine pleasure. "'Think as thou that any earthly leech could have removed them?' "'No, such medicine a might have tormented the patient with his instruments, or perhaps sued him with balsams and cordials. But dark as he was must the darkened man have remained. And it is even so with the blindness of the understanding. If there be those among the Franks, who, for the sake of worldly liqueur, have assumed the turban of the Prophet, and followed the laws of Islam, with their own consciences be the blame.' Themselves sought out the bait. It was not flung to them by the sold-an. And when they shall hereafter be sentenced as hypocrites to the lowest gulf of hell, below Christian and Jew, magician and adulterer, and condemned to eat the fruit of the tree of your con, which is the head of demons, to them themselves, not to the sold-an, shall their guilt and their punishment be attributed. Wherefore, where, without doubt or scruple, the vesterer prepared for you, since, if you proceed to the camp of Saladin, your own native dress will expose you to troublesome observation, and perhaps to insult. "'If I go to the camp of Saladin?' sits the Kenneth, repeating the words of the Amir. "'Alas! Am I a free agent, and to rather must I not go wherever your pleasure carries me?' "'Thine own will may guide thine own motions,' said the Amir, as freely as the wind which moveeth of the dust of the desert, in what direction it chews if. The noble enemy who met and well my master my sword, cannot become my slave like him who has crouched beneath it. If wealth and power were tent thee to join our people, I could ensure thy possessing them. But the man who refused the favours of the sold-an, when the axe was at his head, will not, I fear, now accept them, when I tell him he has free choice. "'Complete your generosity, noble Amir,' said Sir Kenneth, by forbearing to show me a mode of requital, which conscience forbids me to comply with. Permit me rather to express, as bound in courtesy, my gratitude for this most chivalrous bounty, this undeserved generosity.' "'Say not, undeserved,' replied the Amir-Ilderim, "'was it not through thy conversation, and thy account of the beauties which grace the court of this melloc rick, that I ventured me thither in disguise, and thereby procured a sight the most blessed that I have ever enjoyed, that I ever shall enjoy until the glories of Paradise beam on my eyes?' "'I understand you not,' said Sir Kenneth, colouring alternately and tanning pale, as one who felt that the conversation was taking a tone of the most painful delicacy. "'Not understand me,' exclaimed the Amir. "'If the sight I saw in the tent of King Richard, escaped thine observation, I will account it duller than the edge of a buffoon's wooden falchon.' "'True, thou wert under sentence of death at the time, but in my case, had my head been dropping from the trunk, the last strained glances of my eyeballs had distinguished with delight such a vision of loveliness, and the head would have rolled itself towards the incomparable Horus, to kiss with its quivering lips the hem of their vestments. Yonder royalty of England, who, for her superior loveliness, deserves to be the queen of the universe, what tenderness in her blue eyes, what lustre in her tresses of dishevelled gold, or the tomb of the Prophet, I scarce think that the poor I who shall present me the diamond cup of immortality will deserve so warm a caress. "'Sarrison,' said Sir Kenneth Sternley, thou speakers of the wife of Richard of England, of whom men think not and speak not as a woman to be one, but as a queen to be revered. "'I cry your mercy,' said the Sarrison, I had forgotten your superstitious veneration for the sex, which you consider rather fit to be wandered at and worshiped, then wooed and possessed. "'I warrant, since thou exactest such profound respect to Yonder tender piece of royalty, whose every motion, step, and look bespeaks her very woman, lest an absolute adoration must not be yielded to her of the dark tresses, a nobly speaking eye. "'She, indeed, I will allow, hath in her noble port a majestic mane, something at once pure and firm, yet even she, when pressed by opportunity and a forward lover, would I warrant thee, thank him in her heart, rather for treating her as a mortal than as a goddess. "'Respect the kinswoman of Curd-a-Leon,' said Sir Kenneth, in a tone of unrepressed anger. "'Respect her,' answered the Amir in scorn. "'By the cover, and if I do, it shall be rather as the bride of Saladin. "'The infidel-soul, then, is unworthy to salute even a spot that has been pressed by the foot of Edith Pantagent,' exclaimed the Christians, springing from his couch. "'Hah! What,' said the guillot!' exclaimed the Amir, laying his hand on his poignant hilt, while his forehead glowed like glance in copper, and the muscles of his lips and cheeks wrought, till each curl of his beard seemed to twist and screw itself, as if alive with instinctive wrath. But the Scottish knight, who had stood the lion-anger of Richard, was unappalled at the tiger-like mood of the chafed Saracen. "'What I have said,' continued Sir Kenneth, with folded arms and dauntless look, I would, were my hands loose, maintain on foot or horseback against all mortals, and were told it not the most memorable deed of my life, to support it with my good broadsword against a score of these sickles and bodkins.' Pointing at the curd saver and small poignard of the Amir, the Saracen recovered his composure as the Christians spoke, so far as to withdraw his hand from his weapon, as if the motion had been without meaning, but still continued in deep ire. "'By the sword of the Prophet,' he said, which is the key both of heaven and hell, he little values his own life, brother who uses the language thou dost. "'Believe me, that were thine hands loose, as thou termst it, one single true believer would find them so much to do, that thou would soon wish them feted again in manacles of iron. Sooner would I wish them hewn off by the shoulder-blades,' replied Sir Kenneth. "'Well, thy hands are bound at present,' said the Saracen, in more amigable tone, bound by thine own gentle sense of courtesy, for of I any present purpose of setting them at liberty. We have proved each other's strength and courage here now, and we may again meet in a fair field, and shame before him who shall be the first apart from his foeman. But we are now friends, and I look for aid from thee, rather than hard terms or defiances. We are friends,' repeated the night, and there was a pause, during which the fiery Saracen paced the tent, like the lion who, after violent irritation, is said to take that method of cooling the distemperature of his blood, ere he stretches himself to repose in his den. The colder European remained unaltered in posture and aspect, yet he doubtless, was also engaged in subduing the angry feelings which had been so unexpectedly awakened. "'Let us reason of this calmly,' said the Saracen. "'I am a physician, as thou knowest, and it is written that he who would have his wound cured, must not shrink when the leech probes and tests it. See us, thou, I am about to lay my finger on the saw. Thou lovest this kinswoman of the Melachric. Unfold the veil that shrouds thy thoughts, or unfold it not at thou wilt, for mine I see through its coverings. "'I loved her,' answered Sir Kenneth, after a pause. "'As a man loves heaven's grace, and sued for her favour like a sinner for heaven's pardon.' "'And you love her no longer?' said the Saracen. "'Alas!' answered Sir Kenneth, I am no longer worthy to love her. I pray thee cease this discourse, thy words are poignets to me.' "'Pardon me but a moment,' continued Dildar M., when thou, a poor and obscure soldier, did so boldly and so highly fix sign affection, tell me, had sell good hope of its issue?' "'Love exists not without hope,' replied the night. But mine was as nearly a lie to despair as that of the sailor swimming for his life, who, as he surmounts billow after billow, catches by interval some glean of the distant beacon, which shows him there is land in sight, though his sinking heart and weary delims assure him that he shall never reach it. "'And now,' said Dildar M., these hopes are sunk, that solitary light is quenched for ever.' "'For ever,' answered Sir Kenneth, in the tone of a necker from the bosom of a ruined sepulcher.' "'Me, thanks,' said the Saracen, if all thou lackest was some such distinct meteoric glimpse of happiness as thou hadst formerly, thy beacon-light might be rekindled, thy hope fished up from the ocean in which it has sunk, and thou by self-good night, restore to the exercise and amusement of nourishing my fantastic fashion upon a diet, as unsubstantial as moonlight. "'For if thou stoodest to-morrow fair in reputation as ever thou wert, she whom thou lovest would not be lest the daughter of princes, and the elected bride of Saladin, I would it stood so,' said the scot, "'and if it did not?' He stopped short, like a man who is afraid of boasting under circumstances, which did not permit his being put to the test.' The Saracen smiled as he concluded the sentence. "'Thou wouldst challenge the soul down to single combat?' said he. "'And if I did,' said Sir Kenneth, haughtily, Saladin's would neither be the first, nor the best turban that I have couched lance at. "'I,' put me, thinks the soul, that might regard it as too unequal a mode of periling the chance of a royal bride, and the event of a great war,' said the Amir. "'He may be met within the front of battle,' said the night. His eyes gleaming with the ideas which such a thought inspired. "'He has been ever found there,' said Ilderim. Nor is it his want to turn his horse's head from any brave encounter. But it was not of the soul down that I meant to speak. In a word, if it will contend thee to be placed in such reputation, as may be attained by detection of the thief who stole the banner of England, I can put thee in a fair way of achieving this task, that is, if thou wilt be governed. For what, says Lokman, if the child would walk, the nurse must lead him. If the ignorant would understand, the wise must instruct. "'And thou art wise, Ilderim,' said the Scott. "'Wise, though a Saracen, and generous, though an Infidel. I have witnessed thou art both. Take then the guidance of this matter, and so thou ask nothing of me contrary to my loyalty and my Christian faith. I will obey thee punctually. Do what thou hast said, and take my life when it is accomplished.' "'Listen to me, then,' said the Saracen, thy noble hound is now recovered, by the blessing of that divine medicine, which healeth man and beast, and by his sagacity shall those who assailed him be discovered.' "'Ha!' said the Knight, me thinks I comprehend thee. I was dull not to think of this.' "'But tell me,' added the Amir, has thou any followers or retainers in the camp, by whom the animal may be known?' "'I dismissed,' said Sir Kenneth, my old attendant, by patient, with a valet that waited on him, at the time when I expected to suffer death, giving him letters from my friends in Scotland. There are none other to whom this dog is familiar, but there my own person is well known. My very speech will betray me in a camp where I have played an own mean part for many months. Both he and thou shall be disguised, so as to escape even close examination.' "'I tell thee,' said the Saracen, that not thy brother-in-arms, not thy brother-in-blood, shall discover thee, if thou be guided by my consoles. Thou hast seen me do matters more difficult. He that can call the dying from the darkness of the shadow of death can easily cast a mist before the eyes of the living. But mark me, there is still the condition annexed to the darkness, that thou deliver a letter of saladin to the knees of the Melachric, whose name is as difficult to our eastern tongue and lips, as her beauty is delightful to our eyes.' Sir Kenneth paused before he answered, and the Saracen, observing his hesitation, demanded of him, "'If he fear to undertake this message? Not if there were death in the execution,' said Sir Kenneth, "'I do but pause to consider what it consists with my honour, to bear the letter of the saldan, or with that of the late Edith, to receive it from a heathen prince. By the head of Mohammed, and by the honour of a soldier, where the tumult mecca, and by the soul of my father,' said the Amir, "'I swear to thee that the letter is written in all honour and respect. The song of the nightingale will soon oblite the rose-bower she loves, than the words of the saldan offend the ears of the lovely king's woman of England.' "'Then,' said the night, "'I will bear the saldan's letter faithfully, as if I were his born vassal, understanding that beyond this simple act of service which I will render with fidelity, for me of all men he can least expect mediation or advance in his strange love-suit.' "'Soled in his noble,' answered the Amir, "'and will not spur a generous horse to a leap which he cannot achieve.' "'Come with me to my tent,' he added, "'and now shall be presently equipped for the disguise, as unsearchable as midnight. So thou mayest walk the camp of the Nazarenes, as if thou hadst on thy finger the signant of Gaiou Gai.' CHAPTER 24 A Grain of Dust Soiling Our Cup Will make our sense reject for stidiously the draft which we did thirst for. A rusted nail, placed near the faithful compass, will sway it from the truth, and wreck the argosy, who in this small cause of anger and disgust will break the bond's vanity amongst princes, and wreck their noblest purposes. The Crusade The reader can now have little doubt who the Ethiopian slave really was, with what purpose he had sought riches camp, and wherefore, and with what hope he now stood close to the person of that monarch, as, surrounded by his valiant peers of England and Normandy, cuddly and stood on the summit of St. George's Mount, with the banner of England by his side, born by the most goodly person in the army. Being his own natural brother, William, with the longsword, Earl of Salisbury, the offspring of Henry II Amor, with the celebrated Rosemonde of Woodstock. For several expressions in the king's conversation with Neville on the preceding day, the newbeen was left in anxious doubt whether his disguise had not been penetrated, especially as that the king seemed to be aware, in what manner the agency of the dog was expected to discover the thief who stole the banner. Although the circumstance of such an animal's having been wounded on the occasion had been scarce mentioned in Richard's Nevertheless, as the king continued to treat him in no other manner than his exterior acquired, the newbeen remained uncertain whether he was or was not discovered, and determined not to throw his disguise aside voluntarily. Meanwhile the powers of the various crusading princes, arrayed under their royal and princely leaders, swept in long order around the base of the little mound. And as those of each different country passed by, their commanders advanced a sep or two up the hill, and made a signal of courtesy to Richard and to the standard of England. In sign of regard and amity, as the protocol of the ceremony heedfully expressed it, not of subjugation or vassalage, the spiritual dignitaries, who in those days veiled not their bonnets to created being, bestowed on the king and dissymbol of command their blessing instead of rendering abeasance. Thus the long files marched on, and diminished as they were by so many causes, appeared still an iron host to whom the conquest of Palestine might seem an easy task. The soldiers, inspired by the consciousness of United Strength, sat erect in their steel saddles. While it seemed that the trumpets sounded more cheerfully shrill, and the steeds, refreshed by rest and provander, chafed on the bit, and trod the ground more proudly. On they passed, troop after troop, banners waving, spears glancing, plumes dancing in long perspective, a host composed of different nations, complexions, languages, arms, and appearances. But all fired, for the time, with the wholly yet romantic purpose of rescuing, the distressed daughter of Zion from Mothroldom, and redeeming the sacred earth, which more than mortal are trodden from the yoke of the unbelieving pagan. And he must be owned the tiff, in other circumstances, the species of courtesy rendered to the king of England by so many warriors, from whom he claimed no natural allegiance, had in it something that might have been thought humiliating. Yet the nature and cause of the war was so fitted to his pre-emulantly chivalrous character and renowned feet in arms, that claims which might elsewhere have been urged were there forgotten. And the brave did willing homage to the bravest, in an expedition where the most undaunted and energetic courage was necessary to success. The good king was seated on horseback, about half way up the mount, a morion on his head, surmounted by a crown, which left his manly features exposed to public view, as, with cool and considerate eye, he perused each rank as it passed him, and returned the salutation of the leaders. His tunic was of sky-coloured velvet, covered with plates of silver, and his hose of crimson silk, slashed with cloth of gold. By his side stood the seeming Ethiopian slave, holding the noble dog in a leash, such as was used in woodcraft. It was a circumstance which attracted no notice, for many of the princes of the crusade had introduced black slays into their household, in imitation of the barbarous splendour of the Saracens. Over the king's head streamed the large folds of the banner, and as he looked to it from time to time, he seemed to regard a ceremony, indifferent to himself personally, as important, when considered as a toning and indignity offered to the kingdom which he ruled. In the background, and on the very summit of the mount, a wooden turret, erected for the occasion, held the queen Beringaria and the principal ladies of the court. To this the king looked from time to time, and then ever and anon his eyes returned on the new-been and the dog. But only when such leaders approached, as from circumstances of previous ill will, he suspected of being accusary to the theft of the standard, or whom he judged capable of a crime so mean. For thus he did not look in that direction, when Philippe Augustus of France approached at the head of his splendid troops of Gaelic chivalry. Nay! He anticipated the motions of the French king, by descending the mount as the latter came up the ascent, so that they met in the middle space, and blended their greeting so gracefully that it appeared they met in fraternal equality, the sight of the two greatest princes in Europe, in rank at once and power, once publicly avowing their concord, called forth bursts of thundering acclaim from the crusading host at many miles distant, and made the roving Arab scouts of the desert alarm the camp of Saladin, with intelligence that the army of the Christians was in motion, yet who but the king of kings can read the hearts of monarchs? Under this smooth show of courtesy, rich nourished his pleasure and suspicion against Philippe, and Philippe meditated with drawing himself and his host from the army of the cross, and leaving Richard to accomplish or fail in the enterprise, with his own unassisted forces. Richard's demeanour was different when the dark-harmed knights and squires of the temple chivalry approached, men with countenances bronze to Asiatic blackness by the sons of Palestine, and the admirable state of whose horses and appointments far surpassed even that of the choicest troops of France and England. The king cast a hasty glance aside, but the Nubians stood quiet, and his trusty dog sat at his feet, watching, with the sagacious yet pleased looks, the ranks which now passed before them. The kings looked turned again on the chivalrous Templars, as the grand master, unveiling himself of his mingled character, bestowed his benediction on Richard as a priest, instead of doing him reverence as a military leader. The misproud and amphibious catef puts the monk upon me, said Richard to the Earl of Salisbury, but, longsword, we will let it pass. A punctiller must not lose Christiandom the services of these experienced lances, because their victories have rendered them overweening. Lo, you! Here comes our valent adversary, the Duke of Austria. Mark his manner and bearing, longsword, and thou Nubian, let the hound have full view of him. By heaven! He brings his buffoons along with him. In fact, whether from habit, or, which is more likely, to intimate contempt of the ceremonial he was about to comply with, Leopold was attended by his spruch Sprecher and his jester, and as he advanced towards Richard, he whistled in what he wished to be considered as an indifferent manner, though his heavy features convinced the sullenness, mixed with the fear, with which a truant schoolboy may be seen to approach his master, as the reluctant dignitary maid, with discomposed and sulky look, the obeisance required. The spruch Sprecher shook his baton, and proclaimed like a herald, that, in what he was now doing, the Archduke of Austria was not to be held derogating from the rank and privileges of a sovereign prince, to which the jester answered with a sonorous amen, which provoked much laughter among the bystanders. Having Richard looked more than once at the Nubian and his dog, but the former moved not, nor did the latter strain at the leash, so that Richard said to the slave with some scorn, Thy success in this enterprise, my sable friend, even though thou hast brought thy hound sagacity to back thine own, will not, I fear, place thee high in the rank of wizards, or much augment thy merits towards our person. The Nubian answered as usual, only by a lowly obeisance. Meantime the troops of the Marques of Montserrat next passed in order before the King of England. That powerful and wily baron, to make the greater display of his forces, had divided them into two bodies, at the head of the first, consisting of his vassals and followers, and levied from his Syrian possessions. Came his brother Endurand, and he himself followed, leading on a gallant band of twelve hundred Stardoids, a kind of light cavalry raised by the Venetians in the Dalmatian possessions, and of which they had entrusted to the command of the Marques, with whom the Republic had many bonds of connection. The Stardoids were clothed in a fashion partly European, but partaking chiefly of the Eastern fashion. They wore indeed short hubricks, but had over them partly coloured tunics of rich stuffs, with large wide pantaloons and half-boots. On their heads were straight upright caps, similar to those of the Greeks, and they carried small round targets, bows, and arrows, simitres and poignards. They were mounted on horses carefully selected, and well maintained at the expense of the State of Venice. Their saddles and appointments resembled those of the Turks, and they rode in the same manner, with short stirrups and upon a high seat. These troops were of great use in skirmishing with the Arabs, though unable to engage in close combat, like the iron-sheathed men at arms of western and northern Europe. Before this goodly band came Conrad, in the same gobb with the Stardoids, but of such rich stuff that he seemed to blaze with gold and silver, and the milk-white plume fastened in his cap by a clasp of diamonds, seemed tall enough to sweep the clouds. The noble steed, which he reigned bounded and caracalled, and displayed his spirit and agility in a manner which might have troubled a less admirable horseman than Marques, who gracefully ruled him with the one hand, while the other displayed the baton, whose predominancy over the ranks which he led seemed equally absolute, yet his authority over the Stardoids was more in show than in substance. For the paste behind him, on an ambling pulphry of soberest mood, a little old man dressed entirely in black, without beard or moustaches, and having an appearance altogether mean and insignificant, men compared with the blaze of splendor around him. But this mean-looking old man was one of those deputies whom the Venetian government sent into camps to overlook the conduct of the generals to whom the leading was consigned, and maintained that jealous system of espial and control which had long distinguished the policy of the Republic. Conrad, who, by cultivating Richard's humour, had attained a certain degree of favour with him, no sooner was come within his ken than the King of England descended a step or two to meet him, exclaiming at the same time, Ha! Lord Marques! Thou art the head of the feet of Stardoids, and my black shadow attending thee as usual, whether the sun shines or not, may not one ask thee whether the rule of the troops remains of the shadow or the substance. Conrad was commencing his reply with a smile, when Roswell, the noble hound, uttering a ferocious and savage yell sprang forward. The new-been at the same time slipped the leash, and the hound rushing on, leapt upon Conrad's noble charger, and, seizing the Marques by the throat, pulled him down from the saddle. The plumed rider lay rolling on the sand, and the frightened horse fled in wild career through the camp. Thy hound hath pulled down the right quarry, I warrant him, said the King to the new-been, and I vow to St. George, he is a stag of ten times, pluck the dog off, lest he throttle him. The Ethiopian accordingly, though not without difficulty, disengaged the dog from Conrad, and fastened him up, still highly excited, and struggling in the leash. Meanwhile many crowded to the spot, especially followers of Conrad and officers of the Stadoids, who, as they saw their leader lie gazing wildly on the sky, raised him up amid a tumultary cry of, cut the slave a dishound to pieces, but the voice of Richard, loud and sonorous, was heard clear above all other exclamations. He dies the death who injures the hound, he hath bedone his duty after the sagacity with which God and nature have endowed the brave animal. Stand forward for a false traitor, thou Conrad, Marquez of Montserrat, I impeached thee of treason. Several of the Syrian leaders had now come up. And Conrad, fixation and shame, and confusion struggling with passion in his manner and voice, exclaimed, What means this? With what am I charged? Why this base usage, and these reproachful terms? Is this the League of Concord, which England renewed but so lately? Are the princes of the Crusade, turned hairs or deers in the eyes of King Richard, that he should slip hounds on them? Said the sepular or coral voice of the grand master of the Templars. It must be some singular accident, some fatal mistake. Said Philippe of France, who rode up at the same moment. Some deceit of the enemy, said the Archbishop of Tyre. A stratagem of the Saracens, cried Henry of Champagne. It will well to hang up the dog and put the slave to torture. Let no man lay hand upon them, said Richard, as he loves his own life. Conrad, stand forth with thou dearest, and deny the accusation with which this mute animal hath, in his noble instinct, brought against thee of injury done to him, and fell scorned to England. I never touched the banner, said Conrad hastily. Thy words betray thee, Conrad, said Richard, for how dost thou know, say from conscious guilt, that the question is concerning the banner? Has thou not kept the camp in turmoil, and that, and no other score? Answered Conrad, and thus thou impute to a prince and an ally a crime which, after all, was probably committed by some petty felon for the sake of the gold thread. Letst thou now impute a confederate on the credit of a dog? By this time the alarm was becoming general, so that Philip of France interposed. Princes and nobles, he said, who speak in presence of those whose souls will soon be at the throats of each other, if they hear their leaders in such terms together, in the name of heaven, let us draw off each his own troops into their separate quarters, and ourselves meet in our hent and the pavilion of council, to take some order in this new state of confusion. "'Content,' said King Richard, though I should have liked to have interrogated the catif, while his gay doublet was yet besmirched with sand. But the pleasure of France shall be ours in this matter. The leaders separated as was proposed, each prince placing himself at the head of his own forces, and then was heard on all sides the crying of war cries, and the sounding of gathering notes upon bugles and trumpets. By which the different stragglers were summoned to their Princess Banner, and the troops were shortly set in motion, each taking different routes through the camp to their own quarters. But, although any immediate act of violence was thus prevented, yet the accident which had taken place dwelt on every mind, and those foreigners who had that morning hailed Richard as the worthiest to lead their army, now resumed their prejudices against his pride and intolerance. While the English, conceiving the honour of their country connected with the quarrel, of which various reports had gone about, considered the natives of other countries jealous of the fame of England and her king, and disposed to undermine it by the meanest arts of intrigue, many and various were the rumours spread upon the occasion, and there was one which avert that the queen and her ladies had been much alarmed by the tumult, and that one of them had been dismayed. The council assembled at the appointed hour. Conrad had in the meanwhile laid aside his dishonoured dress, and with it the shame and confusion which, in spite of his talons and promptitude, had at first overwhelmed him, owing to the strangeness of the accident and the suddenness of the accusation. He was now robed like a prince, and entered the council chamber attended by the Archduke of Austria, the Grand Masters both of the Temple and of the Order of Saint John, and several other potentates, who made a sure of supporting him and defending his cause, chiefly perhaps from political motives, or because they themselves nourished a personal enmity against Richard. The appearance of union in favour of Conrad was far from influencing the king of England. He entered the council with his usual indifference of manor, and in the same dress in which he had just elighted from horseback. He cast a careless and somewhat scornful glance on the leaders, who had, with studied affectation, arranged themselves around Conrad as if owing his cause, and in the most direct terms charged Conrad of Montserrat, with having stolen the banner of England, and wounded the faithful animal who stood in its defence. Conrad arose boldly to answer, and in despite, as he expressed himself, of man and brute, king or dog, avouched his innocence of the crime charged. Brother of England, said Philip, who willingly assumed the character of moderator of the assembly, this is an unusual impeachment. We do not hear you avouch your own knowledge of this matter, further than your belief resisting upon the demeanour of this hound, towards the Marques of Montserrat. Surely the word of a knight and a prince should bear him out against the barking of a cur. Royal brother, returned Richard, recollect that the Almighty who gave the dog to be a companion of our pleasures and our toils, had invested him with a nature noble and incapable of deceit. He forgets neither friend nor foe. Remembers, and with accuracy, both benefit and injury. He of the share of man's intelligence, but no share of man's falsehood. You may bribe a soldier to slay a man with his sword, or a witness to take life by false accusation. But you cannot make a hound tear his benefactor. He is a friend of man, save when man justly incurs his enmity. Dress Yonder Marques and what peacock robes you will. Disguise his appearance, alter his complexion with drugs and washes. Hide him amidst the hundred men. I will yet pour my scepter that the hound detects him, and expresses his resentment, as you have this day beheld. This is no new incident, although a strange one. The murderers and robbers have been here now convicted, and suffered death under such evidence. And men have said that the finger of God was in it. In thine own land, Royal Brother, and upon such an occasion, the matter was tried by a solemn duel betwixt the man and the dog, as appellant and defendant in a challenge of murder. The dog was victorious, the man was punished, and the crime was confessed. Credit me, Royal Brother, that hidden crimes of autonomy brought to light by the testimony even of inanimate substances, not to mention animals far inferior in instinctive sagacity to the dog, who is the friend and companion of our race. Such a duel, the hath indeed been, Royal Brother," answered Philip, and that in the reign of one of our predecessors, to whom God be gracious. But it was in the olden time. Nor can we hold it a precedent fitting for this occasion. The defendant in that case was a private gentleman of small rank or respect. His offensive weapons were only a club, his defensive a leaven jerken. But we cannot degrade a prince to the disgrace of using such rude arms, or to the ignomy of such a combat. I never meant that you should, said King Richard. It were foul play to hazard the good hound's life against that of such a double-faced traitor as his conrad hath proved himself. But there lies our own glove. We appeal him to the combat in respect of the evidence we brought forth against him. A king, at least, is more than the mate of a marquess. Conrad made no hasty effort to season the pledge which Richard cast into the middle of the assembly, and King Philip had time to reply ere the marquess made a motion to lift the glove. A king, said he of France, is a much more than a match for the marquess conrad, as a dog would be less. Well, Richard, this cannot be permitted. You are the leader of our expedition, the sword and buckler of Christendom. I protest against such a combat, said the Venetian providator. Until the king of England shall have repaid the fifty thousand baisants which he is indebted to the republic. It is enough to be threatened with loss of our debt, should our debt of fall by the hands of pagans, without the additional risk of his being slain and brawls amongst Christians concerning dogs and banners. And I, said William, with the longsword Earl of Salisbury, protest in my turn against my royal brother periling his life, which is the property of the people of England in such a cause. Here, noble brother, receive back your glove, and think only as if the wind had blown it from your hand. Mine shall lie in its steed. A king's son, though with the bar sinister on his shield, is at least the match for this marmoset of a marquess. Princess and nobles, said Conrad, I will not accept a king Richard's defiance. He had been chosen our leader against the Saracens, and of his conscience can answer the accusation of provoking an ally to the field on a quarrel so frivolous. Mine at least, cannot endure the reproach of accepting it. But touching his bastard brother, William of Woodstock, or against any other who shall adopt or shall dare to stand Godfather to his most false charge, I will defend my honour in the lists, and prove whosoever impeaches it a false liar. The Marqueser Montserrat, said the Archbishop of Tyre, had spoken like a wise and moderate gentleman, and may think this controversy might, without dishonour to any party, and at this point. May think it might so terminate, said the King of France, provided King Richard will recall his accusation as made upon over slight grounds. Philippe of France, answered Cordelion, my word shall never do my thoughts so much injury. I have charged Sean Conrad as a thief, who, under cloud of night, stole from its place the emblem of England's dignity. I still believe in charging him to be such, and when a day is appointed for the combat, doubt not that, since Conrad declines to meet us in person, I will find a champion to appear in support of my challenge. For thou, William, must not thrust thy longsort into this crawl without our special licence. Since my rank makes me arbiter in this most unhappy matter, said Philippe of France, I appoint the fifth day from hence for the decision thereof, by way of combat, according to nightly usage, Richard, King of England, to appear by his champion as appellant, and Conrad, Marqueser Montserrat, in his own person as defendant. Yet I owe I know not where to find a neutral ground, where such a quarrel may be fought out, for it must not be in the neighbourhood of this camp, where the soldiers would make faction on the different sides. It were well, said Richard, to apply to the generosity of the royal saladin, since, heathen as he is, I have never known night more fulfilled of nobleness, or to whose good faith we may so preemptily entrust ourselves. I speak thus for those who may be doubtful of mishap. For myself, whenever I see my foe, I make that spot my battle ground. Be it so, said Philippe, we will make this matter known to saladin, although it be showing to an enemy the unhappy spirit of discord, which we would willingly hide from even ourselves, were it possible. Meanwhile, I dismiss this assembly, and charge you all, as Christian men and noble knights, that she let this unhappy feud breed no further brawling in the camp, but regard it as a thing solemnly referred to, the judgment of God, to whom each of you should pray that he will dispose of victory in the combat, according to the truth of the quarrel, and therewith may his will be done. Amen, amen. Was the answer on all sides? All the Templar whispered, the Marques, honrad, would thou not add a petition to be delivered from the power of the dog, as a psalmist has it? Peace thou, replied the Marques. There is a revealing demon abroad, which may report, amongst other tidings, how far thou dost carry the motto of thy order. Fareed, O Leo, doth withstand the brunt of a challenge, said the Templar. Out, me not, said Conrad, I would not, indeed, have willingly met the iron arm of Richard himself, and I shame not to confess that I rejoice to be free of his encounter. But from his bursted brother downward, the man breathes not in his ranks whom I fear to meet. It is well you are so confident. Continue the Templar. And in that case, the fangs of yonderhound have done more to dissolve this league of princes, than either thy devices or the dagger of the Shargite. Seeest thou how, under a brow studiously overclouded, Philip cannot conceal the satisfaction which he feels at the prospect of release from the alliance which sat so heavy on him? Mark how Henry of Champagne smiles to himself, like a sparkling goblet of his own wine, and see the chuckling delight of Austria, who thinks his quarrel is about to be avenged without risk or trouble of his own. Hush! he approaches. A most grievous chance, most royal Austria, that these breaches in the wards of Arzion. If thou meanest this crusade, reply the Duke, it would it were crumbled to pieces, and each were safe at home. I speak this in confidence. But, said the Marquesa Montserrat, to think this disunion should be made by the hands of King Richard, for whose pleasure we have been contented to endure so much, and to whom we have been as submissive as slaves to a master, in hopes that he would use his valor against our enemies, instead of exercising it upon our friends. I see not that he is so much more valorous than others, said the Archduke. I believe, had the noble Marquesa met him in the lists, he would have had the better. For though the islander deals heavy blows with the Polax, he is not so very dexterous with the lance. I should have cared little to have met him myself in our old quarrel, had the will of Christendom permitted two sovereign princes to breed themselves in the lists, and if thou desireest noble Marquesa, I will myself be your Godfather in this combat. And I also, said the Grandmaster, come then, and take your nooning in our tents, noble sirs, said the Duke. And we all speak of this business over some right to Nirenstein. They entered together recordingly. What said our patron and these great folks together? said Jonas Schwanker to his companion, the Spruxbrecher, who had used the freedom to pass nigh to his master when the council was dismissed, while the jest awaited at a more respectful distance. Servant of folly, said the Spruxbrecher, moderate thy curiosity. It besiems not that I should tell to thee the councils of our master. Man of wisdom you mistake, answered Jonas, we are both the constant attendants on our patron, and it concerns us alike to know whether thou or I, wisdom or folly, have the deeper interest in him. He told to the Marquesa, answer the Spruxbrecher, and to the Grandmaster, that he was wary of these wars, and would be glad he was safe at home. That is a drawn cast, and counts for nothing in the game, said the Jester. It was most wise to think thus, but great folly to tell it to others. Proceed. Ahem! said the Spruxbrecher. He next said to them that Richard was not the more valourous than others, or over dexterous in the tilt-yard. Woodcock of my side, said Schwanker, this was a grievous folly. What next? Nay, I am something oblivious, replied the man of wisdom. He invited them to a goblet of Neonsteen. That hath a show of wisdom in it, said Jonas. Thou mayest mark it till I credit in the meantime. But can he drink too much, as is most likely. I will have it pass to mine. Anything more? Nothing worth memory, answered the orator. Only he wished he had taken the occasion to meet Richard in the lists. Out upon it, out upon it! said Jonas. This is such a dogeage of folly that I am well nigh ashamed of winning the game by it. Near the less, fool as he is, we will follow him, most sage Spruxbrecher, and have our share of the wine of Neonsteen. CHAPTER 25 Yet this inconsistency as such, as thou too sheltered or, it could not love thee, love so much, love doth not honour more, one tropes his lines. When King Richard returned to his tent, he commanded the Nubian to be brought before him. He entered with his usual ceremonial reverence, and having prostrated himself, remained standing before the king, in the attendance of a slave awaiting the orders of his master. It was perhaps well for him that the preservation of his character required his eyes to be fixed on the ground, since the king glance, with which Richard for some time surveyed him in silence would, if fully encountered, have been difficult to sustain. Thou canst well of woodcraft, said the king after a pause. And as stated thy game, and brought him to bay as ably as if Tristum himself had taught thee. The universal tradition ascribed as a Tristum, famous for his love of the fair Queen Azul. The laws concerning the practice of woodcraft, or venery, as it was called, being those that related to the rules of the chase, which were deemed of much consequences during the Middle Ages. But this is not all. He must be brought down at force. I myself would have liked to have levelled my hunting spirit in him. There are, it seems, respects which prevent this. Thou art about to return to the camp of the Saldan, bearing a letter, requiring of his courtesy to appoint neutral ground for the deed of chivalry. And should it consist with his pleasure, to concur with us in witnessing it. Now, speaking conjectulery, we think thou mightest find in that camp some cavalier, who, for the love of truth and his own augmentation of honour, will do battle with the same traitor of Montserrat. The Nubian raised his eyes, and fixed them on the king, with the look of E. Garador, then raised them to heaven with such solemn gratitude that the water soon glistened in them. Then bent his head, as affirming what Richard desired, and resumed his usual posture of submissive attention. "'It is well,' said the king, and I see thy desire to oblige me in this matter. And herein, I must need say, lies the excellent of such a servant as thou, who is not speechy to debate our purpose, or to require explanation of what we have determined. An English-serving man in thy place had given me his dogged advice to trust the combat with some good lance of my household, who, from my brother longsword downwards, are all on fire to do battle in my cause. And a chattering Frenchman had made a thousand attempts to discover wherefore I look for a champion from the camp of the Infidels. "'But thou, my silent agent, canst do mine errand without questioning or comprehending it, with thee to here is to obey.' "'A bend of the body in a genuflexion, for the appropriate answer of the Ethiopian, to these observations.' "'And now to another point,' said the king, and speaking suddenly and rapidly, have you yet seen Edith Plantagent? The mute looked up as in the act of being about to speak. Nay, his lips had begun to utter a distinct negative. And the abortive attempt died away in the imperfect murmurs of the dumb. "'Why?' "'Why, lo, you there,' said the king, that very sound of—the very sound of the name of a royal maiden of beauty, so surpassing as that of our lovely cousin, seems to have power enough well nigh to make the dumb speak. What miracles then, my to-eye, work upon such a subject! I will make the experiment, friend-slave. Thou shalt see this choice beauty of our court, and do the errand of the princely sold-an. Again a joyful glance. Again a genuflexion. But, as he arose, the king laid his hand heavily on his soldier, and proceeded with stern gravity thus. "'Let me in one thing warn you, my sable envoy. Even at thou shouldest feel that the kindly influence of her, whom thou art soon to behold, should loosen the bonds of thy tongue. Presently imprisoned, as the good sold-an expresses it, within the ivory walls of its castle, beware how thou changeest thy tessiton character, or speakest a word in her presence, even if thy powers of utterance were to be miraculously restored. Believe me, that I should have thy tongue extracted by its roots at its ivory palace. That is, I presume, its range of teeth, drawn out one by one. Wherefore be wise, and silence still. The new-mian, so soon as the king had removed his heavy grasp from his shoulder, bent his head, and laid his hand on his lips in token of silent obedience. But rigid again laid his hand on him more gently, and added, "'This behast we lay on thee as on a slave. Watch thou night, and gentlemen, we would require thine honor in pledge of thy silence, which is one a special condition of our present trust.' The Ethiopian raised his body proudly, looked full at the king, and laid his right hand on his heart. Richard then summoned his chamberlain. "'Go, Neville,' he said, with this slave to the tent of our royal consort, and say it is our pleasure that he have an audience, a private audience, of our cousin Edith. He is charged with the commission to her. Thou can show him the way also, in case he requires thy guidance. Though thou mayest have observed it is wonderful how familiar he already seems to be with the purialess of our camp. "'And thou, too, friend Ethiope,' the king continued, "'what thou dost do quickly, and return hither within the half-hour?' I stand discovered, thought the seeming newbian, as with downcast looks and folded eyes, he followed the hasty stride of Neville towards the tent of Queen Beringaria. I stand undoubtedly discovered and unfolded to King Richard, yet I come to perceive that his resentment is hot against me. If I understand his words, and surely it is impossible to misinterpret them, he gives me a noble chance of redeeming my honour upon the crest of this false marquee, whose guilt I read in his craven eye and quivering lip when the charge was made against him. "'Roswell, faithfully hath thou served thy master, and most dearly shall thy wrong be avenged. But what is the meaning of my present permission, to look upon her whom I had despair'd ever to see again? And why, or how, can the royal-plantagent consent that I should see his divine kinswoman, either as the messenger of the heathen Saladin, or as the guilty exile whom he so lately expelled from his camp? As audacious a vow of the affection which is pried be in the greatest enhancement of his guilt, that Richard should consent to her receiving a letter, from an infidel lover by the hands of one of such disproportionate rank, are either of them circumstances equally incredible, and at the same time inconsistent with each other. But Richard, when unmoved by his heady passions, is liberal, generous, and truly noble. And as such I will deal with him and act according to his instructions, direct or implied, seek it to know no more than may gradually unfold itself without my officious inquiry. To him who has given me so brave an opportunity to vindicate my tarnished honour, I owe acquiescence and obedience, and, painful as it may be, the debt shall be paid. And yet, thus the proud swelling of his heart further suggested, Corde Leon, as he is called, might have measured the feelings of others by his own. I urge an address to his kinswoman. I, who never spoke word to her when I took a roll prize from her hand, when I was accounted not the lowest in feats of chivalry among the defenders of the crossed, I approach her when in a base disguise and in a servile habit, and alas, when my actual condition is that of a slave, with a spot of dishonour on that which was once my shield. I do this, he little knows me, yet I thank him for the opportunity which may make us all better acquainted with each other. As he arrived at this conclusion, they paused before the entrance of the queen's pavilion. They were, of course, admitted by the guards, and Neville, leaving the newbie in a small apartment or anti-chamber, which was but too well remembered by him, passed into that which was used as the queen's presence-chamber. He communicated his role, master's pleasure, in a low and respectful tone of voice. Very different from the bluntness of Thomas DeVore, to whom Richard was everything, and the rest of the court, including Beringaria herself, were nothing. A burst of laughter followed the communication of his errand. And what, like, is the newbie and slave, who comes ambassador on such an errand from the sold-in? A negro, De Neville, is he not? said a female voice, easily recognised for that of Beringaria. A negro, is he not, De Neville, with black skin, a head curled like a ranz, a flat nose, and blubbery lips? Ha! Worthy so, Henry! Let not your grace forget the shin-bones! said another voice, bent outwards like the edge of a Saracen scimitar, rather like the bow of a Cupid, since he comes upon a lover's errand. said the queen. Gentle Neville, thou art ever prompt to pleasure us poor women, who have so little to pass away our idle moments. We must see this messenger of love. Turks and Moors have I seen many, but negro never. I am created to obey your grace's commands, so you will bear me out with my sovereign for doing so. Answer the debonair night. Yet, let me assure your grace, you will see something different from what you expect. So much the better, uglier yet than our imaginations can fancy, yet the chosen love-messenger of this gallant soul-dern. Gracious Madam! said the Lady Calista. May I implore you with permit to the good night, to carry this messenger straight to the Lady Edith, to whom his credentials are addressed. We have already escaped hardly for such a frolic. Escaped! Escaped! repeated the queen scornfully. Yet, thou mayest be right, Calista, in thy proportion. Let this Nubian, as thou callest him, first do his errand to our cousin. Beside, he is mute, too, is he not? He is, Gracious Madam. Answer the night. Royal sport of these eastern ladies, said Beringaria, attended by those before whom they may say anything, yet who can report nothing, whereas in our camp, as the prelate of St. Jewsers want to say, a bird of the air will carry the matter. Because, because, said De Neville, your grace forgets that you speak within canvas-walls. The voices sunk on this observation, and, after a little whispering, the English knight again returned to the Ethiopian, and made him a sign to follow. He did so, and Neville conducted him to a pavilion, pitched somewhat apart from that of the queen. For the accommodation it seemed, of the Lady Edith and her attendants. One of her Coptic maidens received the message communicated by Sir Henry Neville, and, in the space of a very few minutes, the Nubian was ushered into Edith's presence, while Neville was left on the outside of the tent. The slave who introduced him withdrew on a signal from her mistress. And it was with humiliation, not of the posture only, but of the very innermost soul, that the unfortunate knight, thus strangely disguised, threw himself on one knee, with look spent on the ground, and arms folded on his bosom, like a criminal who expects his doom. Edith was clad in the same manner as when she received King Richard, her long, transparent dark veil hanging around her, like the shade of a summer night on a beautiful landscape, disguising and rendering obscure the beauties which it could not hide. She held in her hand a silver lamp, fed with some aromatic spirit which burned with unusual brightness. Edith came within a step of the kneeling and motion the slave. She held the light towards her face, as if to peruse his features more attentively. Then turned from him and placed her lamps as to throw the shadow of his face in profile upon the curtain which hung beside. She had length spoken of voice composed, yet deeply sorrowful. Is it you? Is it indeed you, brave knight of the Leopard? Galant is a Kenneth of Scotland. Is it indeed you? Thus serverly disguised, thus surrounded by a hundred dangers. At hearing the tone of his lady's voice, thus unexpectedly addressed to him, and in a tone of compassion approaching to tenderness, a corresponding reply rushed to the night's lips, and scarce could Richard's commands and his own unpromised silence prevent his answering that the sight he saw, the sounds he just heard, was sufficient to recompense the slavery of a life, and dangers which threatened that life every hour. He did recollect himself, however, and a deep and impassioned sigh was his only reply to the high-born Edith's question. I see. I know I have guessed right. Continued Edith. I marked you from your first appearance near the platform and which I stood with the Queen. I knew, too, your valiant hound. She is no true lady, and is unworthy of the service of such a knight as thou art, from whom disguises of dress or hue could conceal a faithful servant. Speak then, without fear to Edith's plantagent. She knows how to grace in adversity the good night who served, honour and deeds of arms in her name, when fortune befriended him. Still silent. Is it fear or shame that keeps thee so? Fear should be unknown to thee, and for shame let it remain with those who have wronged thee. The night, in despair at being obliged to play the mute in an interview so interesting, could only express his mortification by sighing deeply, and laying his fingers upon his lips. Edith stepped back as if somewhat displeased. What! she said. The Asiatic mute in very deed, as well as in attire. This I looked not for. Or thou may escort me, perhaps, for thus boldly acknowledging, that I have heedfully observed the homage thou has paid me. Hold no unworthy thoughts of Edith on that account. She knows well the bounds which reserve and modesty prescribed to high-born maidens, and she knows when and how far they should give place to gratitude. To a sincere desire that it were in her power to repay services, and repair injuries arising from the devotion which a good night bore towards her. Why fold thy hands together, and ring them with so much passion? Can it be? She added, shrinking back at the idea, that their cruelty has actually deprived thee of speech? Thou shakest thy head, be it a spell, be it obstinacy, I question thee no further, should leave thee to do thine errand, after thine own fashion? I also can be mute. Then disguise night made an action, as if at once lamenting his own condition, and appreciating her displeasure, while at the same time he presented to her, wrapped as usual in fine silk and cloth of gold, the letter of the sold-an. She took it, surveyed it carelessly, then laid it aside, and bending her eyes once more on the night, said in a low tone of voice, not even a word to do thine errand to me. He pressed both his hands to his brow, as if to intimate the pain which he felt at being unable to obey her, but she turned from him in anger. Begone! she said. I have spoken enough, too much, to one who will not waste on me a word in reply. Begone! And say, if I have wronged thee, I have done penance, for if I have been the unhappy means of dragging thee down from a station of honour, I have, in this interview, forgotten my own worth, and lowered myself in thine eyes, and in my own. She covered her eyes with her hands, and seemed deeply agitated. Sir Kenneth would have approached, but she waved him back. Stand off! Thou, whose soul heaven hath suited to its new station, ought less dull and fearful than a slavage-mute had spoken a word of gratitude. Word but to reconcile me to my own degradation. Why, pause, you, begone! The disguised night almost involuntarily looked towards the letter, as an apology for protracting his stay. She snatched it up, saying in a tone of irony and contempt. I had forgotten. The dutiful slave waits in answer to his message. How's this, from the soul-dan? She hastily ran over the contents, which were expressed both in Arabic and French, and when she had done, she laughed in bitter anger. Now this passes imagination. She said, No jungler can show so death a transmutation. His letter-domain can transform sessions and bisances into doids and marvidus, for Kenneth's art convert a Christian knight, ever esteemed among the bravers of the Holy Crusade, into the dust-kissing slave of a heathen soul-dan, the bearer of a pineam's insolent proposals to a Christian maiden, nay, forget in the laws of honourable chivalry, as well as of religion, but it avails not talking to the willing slave of a heathen hound. Tell your master, when his skirt shall have found the aton, that which thou hast seen me do. So saying she threw the soul-dan's letter on the ground, and placed it foot upon it, and say to him that Edith Pantagent scorned the homage of an un-Christian pagan. With these words she was about to shoot from the night, when, kneeling at her feet in bitter agony, he ventured to lay his hand upon a robe and oppose her departure. That is thou not what I said, dull slave? She said, turning short round on him, and speaking with emphasis, tell the heathen soul-dan thy master, that I scorn his suit as much as I despise the prostration of a worthless renegade to religion and chivalry, to God and to his lady. So saying she burst from him, to her garment from his grasp, and left the tent. The voice of Neville at the same time summoned him from without. Exhausted and stupefied by the distress he had undergone during this interview, from which he could only have extracted himself by breach of the engagement which he had formed with King Richard. The unfortunate night staggered rather than walked after the English baron, till they reached the royal pavilion, before which a party of horsemen had just dismounted. There were light and motion within the tent, and when Neville entered with his disguised attendant, they found the king, with several of his nobility, engaged in welcoming those who were newly arrived. CHAPTER 26 The Tears I Shed Must Ever Fall I weep not for an absent swain, for times may happier hours recall, and parted lovers meet again. I weep not for the silent dead, their pains are past their sorrow's o'er. And those that loved their steps must tread, when death shall join to part no more. But worse than absence, worse than death, she wept her lover's solid frame, and, fired with all the pride of birth, she wept her soldier's injured name. The frank and bold voice of Richard was heard in joyous congratulation. CHAPTER 27 Thomas D'Vaure, stout Thomas the Gills, by the head of King Henry, thou art welcome to me as ever was flask of wine to a jolly topper. I should scarce have known how to order my battle-array, unless I had thy bulky form in mine eyes as a landmark to form my ranks upon. We shall have blows anon, Thomas, if the saints be gracious to us, and had we fought in thine absence, I would have looked to hear of thy being found hanging upon Nelda-tree. I should have borne my disappointment with more Christian patience, I trust," said Thomas D'Vaure. Then to have died the death of an apostle. But I thank your grace for my welcome, which is the more generous, as it respects a banquet of blows, of which, saving your pleasure, you are ever too apt to engross the larger share. But here have I brought one to whom your grace will, I know, give a yet warmer welcome. The person who now stepped forward to make abeasance to Richard was a young man of low stature and slight form. His dress was as modest as his figure was unimpressive, but he bore on his bonnet a gold buckle, with a gem, the lustre of which could only be rivaled by the brilliancy of the eye which the bonnet shaded. What was the only striking feature in his countenance? But when once noticed, it ever made a strong impression on the spectator. About his neck there hung in a scarf sky-blue silk, a rest as it was called. That is, the key with which a harp is tuned, and which was of solid gold. This personage would have kneeled reverently to Richard. But the monarch raised him in joyful haste, pressed him to his bosom warmly, and kissed him on either side of the face. He exclaimed joyfully, Welcome from Cyprus, my king of minstrels. Welcome to the king of England, who rates not his own dignity more highly than he does thine. I have been sick, man, and by my soul I believe it was for lack of thee. For, where I half-weighted the gate of heaven, me thinks thy strains could call me back. And what news, my gentle master, from the land of the lyre? Anything fresh from the trovers of Provence? Anything from the minstrels of Mary Normandy? Above all, has thou thyself been busy? But I need not ask thee, thou canest not be idle if thou wouldest. Thy noble qualities are like a fire burning within, and compel thee to pour thyself out in music and song. Something I have learned, and something I have done, noble king. Answer the celebrated blondelle, where the retiring modesty, which all Richard's enthusiastic admiration of his skill had been unable to banish. We will hear thee, man, we will hear thee instantly," said the king. Then, touching blondelle's shoulder kindly, he added, That is, if thou art not fatigued with thy journey, for I would soon arrive my best horse to death and injure a note in thy voice. My voice is, as ever, at the service of my royal patron," said blondelle. But your majesty," he added, looking at some papers on the table, seems more importantly engaged, and the hour waxes late. Not a wit, man, not a wit, my dearest blondelle. I do a bit sketch and a row of battle against the Saracens, a thing of a moment, almost as soon done as the routing of them. Me thinks, however," said Thomas DeVore, it were not unfit to inquire what soldiers your grace hath to array. I bring reports on that subject from Ascalon. "'Thou art a mule, Thomas,' said the king, the very mule for dullness and obstancy. Come, nobles, a hall, a hall, range ye around him. Give blondelle the tabu-ray. Where is his heart-bearer? O, soft, lented my harp, his own may be damaged by the journey. "'I would, your grace, take my report,' said Thomas DeVore. I have ridden far, and have more list to my bed than to have my ears tickled. "'Thy ears tickled,' said the king, that must be with a wood-cox feather, and not with sweet sounds. Hark, thee Thomas, do thine ears know the singing of blondelle from the braying of an ass?' "'In faith, my liege,' replied Thomas, I cannot well say, but setting blondelle out of the question, who is a born gentleman, and doubtless of high acquirements, I shall never, for the sake of your grace's question, look on a minstrel, but I shall think upon an ass.' "'And might not your manners,' said Richard, have accepted me, who am a gentle-born as well as blondelle, and, like him, a gild brother of the joyous science, your grace should remember,' said DeVore, smiling, that his useless asking for manners from a mule. "'Most truly spoken,' said the king, and an ill-conditioned animal thou art. But come here, the master-mule, and be unloaded, that thou mayest get thee to thy litter, without any music being wasted upon thee. Meantime, do thou, good brother of Salisbury, go to a consort's tent, and tell her that blondelle has arrived, with his budget fraught with the newest minstrel's sea, but come here there instantly, and do thou escort her, and see that our cousin Edith Plantagent remain not behind. His eye then rested for a moment on the Nubian, with that expression of doubtful meaning, which his countenance usually displayed when he looked at him. Ha! Our silent and secret messenger returned. Stand up, slave, behind the back of De Nebel, and thou shalt hear presently sounds which will make thee bless God that he afflicted thee rather with dumbness than deafness. So saying, he turned from the rest of the company towards DeVore, and plunged instantly into the military details which that barren laid before him. About the time that the Lord of Gilsland had finished his audience, a messenger announced that the Queen and her attendants were approaching the royal tent. "'A flask of wine, ho!' said the King, of old King Isaac's lonesaved Cyprus, which we won when we stormed from Agosta. Fill to the stout Lord of Gilsland, Gentles, a more careful and faithful servant never had any Prince. "'I am glad,' said Thomas DeVore, that your Grace finds the mule a useful slave, though his voice be less musical than horsehair or wire. "'What, thou canst not yet digest that Crip of the mule?' said Richard. "'Watch it down with a brimming flag on man, though we'll choke upon it.' "'Why so? Well pulled. And now I will tell thee, thou art a soldier as well as I, and we must brook each other's jests in the hall, as each other's blows in the attorney, and love each other the harder we hit. "'By my faith, if thou dost not hit me as hard as I did thee in our late encounter, thou gavest all thy wit to the thrust. But here lies the difference between thee and Blondel. Thou art but my comrade, I might say my pupil, in the art of war. Blondel is my master in the science of minstrelsy and music. To thee I permit the freedom of intercede. To him I must do reverence, as to my superior in his art. Come, man, be not peevish, but remain and hear our glee. To see your majesty in such cheerful mood,' said the Lord of Gilsland. "'By my faith I could remain till Blondel had achieved the great romance of King Arthur, which lasts for three days. We will not tax your patience so deeply,' said the King. "'But see, your underglow of torches without shows that our consort approaches. Away to receive her, man, and win thyself grace in the brighter eyes of Christendom.' Nay, never stopped to adjust thy cloak. See, thou has let Neville come between the wind and the sails of thy galley. He was never before me in the field of battle,' said Devorks. Not greatly pleased to see himself anticipated by the more active service of the Chamberlain. "'No, neither he or any one went before thee there, my good Toe of the Gils,' said the King. Unless it was ourself, now and then. "'By my liege,' said Devorks. "'And let us do justice to the unfortunate. The unhappy night of the leopard had been before me, too, at a season. For, look you, he weighs less on horseback, and so—' "'Hush,' said the King, interrupting him in a preemptory tone. Not a word of him. And instantly stepped forward to greet his royal consort. And when he had done so, he presented to her Blondel, as King of Minstrelsy and his master in the gay science. Beringarria, who well knew that a royal husband's passion for poetry and music almost equaled his appetite for warlike fame, and that Blondel was his special favourite, took anxious care to receive him with all the flattering distinctions due to one whom the King delighted to honour. Yet it was evident that, though Blondel made suitable returns to the compliments showered on him, something too abundantly by the royal beauty, he owned, with deeper reverence and more humble gratitude, the simple and grateful welcome of Edith, whose kindly greeting appeared to him, perhaps, sincere in proportion to his brevity and simplicity. Both the Queen and her royal husband were aware of this distinction. And Richard, seeing his consort somewhat peaked at the preference assigned to his cousin, by which perhaps he himself did not feel much gratified, said in the hearing of both, We minstrels, Beringarria, as thou mayest see by the bearing of our minstrel Blondel, pay more reverence to a severe judge like our kinsmen than to a kindly partial friend like thyself, who is willing to take our worth upon trust. Edith was moved by the sarcasm of her royal kinsmen, and hesitated not to reply that. Be a harsh and severe judge was not an attribute proper to her alone of all the plantagents. She had, perhaps, said more, having some touch of the temper of that house, which, deriving their name in cognizance from the lowly broom, Plantagenistar, assumed as an emblem of humility, were perhaps one of the proudest families that ever ruled in England. But her eye, when kindling her reply, suddenly caught those of the Nubian, although he endeavoured to conceal himself behind the nobles who were present. And she sunk upon a seat, turning so pale that Queen Beringarria deemed herself obliged to call for water in essences, and to go through the other ceremonies appropriate to a lady's swoon. Richard, who better estimated Edith's strength of mind, called to Blondel to assume his seat, and commence his lay, declaring that minstrelcy was worth every other recipe to recall a Plantagen to life. Calling us, he said, that song of the bloody vest, of which thou dost formally give me the argument ere I left Cyprus, thou must be perfect in it by this time, as I omen say, thy bow is broken. The anxious eye of the minstrel, however, dwelt on Edith, and was not till he observed her returning colour, that he rebayed the repeated commands of the king. Then, accompanying his voice with the harp, so as to grace but yet not drown, the sense of what he sung. He chanted in a sort of recitative one of those ancient adventures of love and knighthood, which were want of yore to win the public attention. So soon as he begun to prelude, the insignificance of his personal appearance seemed to disappear, and his countenance glowed with energy and inspiration. His full, mellow, manly voice, so absolutely under command of the purest taste, thrilled in every ear into every heart. Richard rejoices after victory, called out the appropriate summons for silence. Listen, lords, in bower and hall! While, with the zeal of a patron at once in a pupil, he arranged the circle around and hushed them into silence, and he himself set down with an air of expectation and interest, not altogether unmixed with the gravity of the professed critic. The courteous turned their eyes on the king, that they might be ready to trace and imitate the emotions his features would express. And Thomas de Vaughn yawned tremendously, as one who submitted unwillingly to a wearer some penance. The song of Blondel was, of course, in the Norman language, but the verses which follow express its meaning and its manner. The bloody vest. It was near the fair city of Venevent, when the sun was setting on bow and bent, and nights were preparing in bower and tent, on the eve of the Baptist Tournament. When in Lincoln green a stripling gent, whilst seeming a page by a princess sent, wandered the camp and still as he went, inquired for the Englishman, Thomas Accent, for have he fared, and far the must fare, till he finds his pavilion not stately nor rare. Till he finds his pavilion not stately nor rare, little safe iron and steel was there. And, as lacking the coin to pay armor as care, with his sinewy arms to the shoulders bare, the good night with hammer and filed at repair, the mail that to-morrow must see him wear, for the honour of St. John and his Lady Fair. Thus speaks my lady, the page said he, and the night bent lowly both head and knee. She is Venevent's princess so high in degree, and thou art as lowly as night may well be. He that would climb so lofty a tree, or spring such a gulf as divides her from thee, must stare some high deed, though which all men may see, his ambition does backed by his high chivalry. Therefore, thus speaks my lady, the fair page, he said, and the night lowly lounged with hand and with head. Fling aside the good armor on which thou art clad, and don this weed of her night-gear instead, for a hubric of steel, a curtain of thread, and charged of the tide in the tournament dread, and fight as thy want is where most blood is shed, and bring honour away or remain with the dead. Untroubled in his look and untroubled in his breast, the night of the weed hath taken and reverently hath kissed. Now blessed be the moment the messenger be blessed, much honour do I hold me in my lady's high behest, and say unto my lady, in this dear night wedded dress, to the best aunt champion I will not fail my crest. But if I live, and bear me well, it is her turn to take the test. Here gentles ends the foremost fright of the lay of the bloody vest. Thou hast changed the measure upon us unawares in that last couplet, my Blondel," said the king. Most true, my lord," said Blondel. I rendered the verses from the Italian of an old harper, whom I met in Cyprus, and not having had time either to translate it accurately, or commit it to memory, I am faint to supply gaps in the music and the verse, as I can up on the spur of the moment. As you see, boars mend a quick-set fence with a faggot. Nay, on my faith," said the king, I like these rattling-rolling Alexandreans, me things they come more twangingly off to the music than that briefer measure. Both are licensed, as is well known to your grace," answered Blondel. They are so, Blondel," said Richard, yet me things are seen, where there is likely to be fighting, will go best on in these same thundering Alexandreans, which sound like the charge of cavalry, while the other measure is but like the side-long amble of a lady's pelfry. It shall be as your grace pleases," replied Blondel, and began again to prelude. Nay, first cherished thy fancy with a cup of fiery chaos wine," said the king, and hark thee, I would have thee fling away that new-fangled restriction of vine, terminating inaccurate and similar rhymes. The error constraint on thy flow of fancy, and make thee resemble a man dancing in fetters. The fetters are easily flung off at last," said Blondel, again sweeping his fingers over the strings, as one who would rather have played than listen to criticism. But why put them on, man," continued the king, wherefore thrust thy genius into iron bracelets. I marvel how you got forward at all. I am sure it should not have been able to compose a stanza in yonder hampered measure. Blondel looked down, and visit himself with the strings of his harp, to hide an involuntary smile which crept over his features. But it escaped not Richard's observation. By my faith thou laughest at me, Blondel," he said, and in good truth every man deserves it who presumes to play the master, when he should be the pupil. But we kings get to bear to habits of self-opinion. Come on with thy lay, dearest Blondel. On, after thy known fashion, better than ought that we can suggest, though we must need to be talking. Blondel resumed the lay, but as extemporaneous composition was familiar to him, he failed not to comply with the king's hints, and was perhaps not displeased to show with how much ease he could new model a poem, even while in the act of recitation. The bloody vest, fight second. The Baptist's fair morrow beheld gallant feats. There was winning of honour and losing of seats. There was chewing with falchions and splintering of staves. The victors won glory, the vanquished won graves. Oh, many a night there fought bravely and well, yet one was accounted his peers to excel, and was he who saw armour on body and breast, seemed the weed of a damsel woven when bound for her rest. There were some dealt him wounds that were bloody and sore, but others respected his plight and for war. It is some oath of honour, they said, and I trial, to a knightly to slay him achieving his vow. Then the prince, for his sake, by the tournament cease. He flung down his water, the trumpets unpeace, and the judges declare and competitive yield, that the night of the night gear was first in the field. The feast it were nigh, and the mass it was nigher, when before the fair princess low Lucia de Squire, and delivered a garment unseemly to view, with sword-cut and spear-thrust, all hacked and pierced through, all rent and all tattered or clotted with blood, with firm of the horses, with dust and with mud. Not to the point of that lady's small finger, I wean, could have rested on spot was unsullied and clean. This token my master, Sir Thomas Accent, restored to the princess of Fairbyn event. He that climbs the tall tree has won right to the fruit. He that leaps the wide gulf should prevail in his suit. Through life's utmost peril the prize have I won, and now must the faith of my mistress be shown. If she you prompts knights on such danger to run, must avouch his true service in front of the sun. I restore, says my master, the garment I've worn, and a claim of the princess to don it in turn. For it stains in its wrense she should prize it the more, since by shamed is unsullied, though crimson'd with gore. Then deep blushed the princess, yet kished she impressed, the blood spotted robes to her lips and her breast. Go tell my true knight, church and chamber shall show, if I value the blood on this garment or no. And when it was time for the nobles to pass, and solemn procession to minister and mass, the first walked the princess in purple and pole, for the blood of a smear'd knight-rope she wore overall. And eek in the hall where they all sat to dine, when she knelt to her father and proffered the wine, over all her rich robes and state-jewels she wore, that wimple unseemly bedabbled with gore. Then lords whispered ladies as well, you may think, and ladies replied with nod, titter and wink. And the prince, who in anger and shame had looked down, turned at length to his daughter and spoke with a frown. Now since thou hast published thy folly and guilt, in a tone with thy hand for the blood that has spilt, yet sore for your boldness you both will repent, when you wander as exiles from fair ben event. Then outspirksed out Thomas, in hall where he stood, exhausted and feeble, but dauntless of mood. The blood that I lost for this daughter of vine, I poured forth as freely as flask gives its wine. And if for my sake she brooks penance and blame, do not doubt I will save her from suffering and shame. In light will she wreck of thy princedom and rent, when I hail her in England at the Countess of Kent. A murmur of applause ran through the assembly, following the example of Richard himself, who loaded with praise as his favourite minstrel, and ended by presenting him with a ring of considerable value. The queen hastened to distinguish the favourite by a rich bracelet, and many of the nobles who were present followed the royal example. Is our cousin Edith, said the king, become insensible to the sound of the harp she once loved? She thanks Blondel for his lay, replied Edith, but doubly the kindness of the kinswoman who suggested it. Thou art angry, cousin, said the king, angry because thou hast heard of a woman more wayward than thyself, but you escape me not. I will walk a space homeward with you towards the queen's pavilion. We must have conference together ere this night has waned into morning. The queen and her attendants were now on foot, and the other guests withdrew from a royal tent. A train with blazing torches and an escort of arches awaited Beringaria without the pavilion, and she was soon away homeward. Richard, as he had proposed, walked beside his kinswoman, and compelled her to accept of his arm as her support, so that they could speak to each other without being overheard. What answer, then, am I to return to the noble soldan, said Richard? The kings and princes are falling from me, Edith. This new qual have alienated them once more. I would do something for the holy sepulchre by composition, if not by victory, and the chance of my doing this depends, alas, on the caprice of a woman. I would lay my single spear in the rest against ten of the best lances in Christendom, rather than argue with a will for wench, who knows not what is for her own good. What answer, cause, am I to return to the soldan, it must be decisive? Tell him, said Edith, that the poorest of plantagents will rather wed with misery than with misbelief. Shall I say with slavery, Edith, said the king? Me thanks that, as nearer thy thoughts. There is no room, said Edith, for the suspicion you so grossly insinuate. Slavery of the body might have been pitied, for that of the soul is only to be despised. Shame to thee, king of merry England! Thou has enthralled both the limbs and the spirit of a night, one scarcely spame than thyself. Should I not prevent my kinswoman from drinking poison, by sullying the vessel which contained it, if I saw no other means of disgusting her but the fatal liqueur? replied the king. It is thyself, answered Edith, that would press me to drink poison, because it is proffered in a golden chalice. Edith, said Richard, I cannot force thy resolution, but to be where you shut not the door which heaven opens. The hermit of Ingadi, he who popes and counts as a regarded as a prophet, have read in the stars that thy marriage shall reconcile me with a powerful enemy, and that thy husband shall be Christian, leaving thus the fairest ground to hope that the conversion of the soul-dan, and the bringing in of the sons of Ishmael to the pale of the church, will be the consequence of thy wedding with Saladin. Come, that must make some sacrifice rather than massage happy prospects. Men may sacrifice rams and goats, said Edith, but not honour and conscience. I have heard that it was the dishonour of a Christian maiden who brought the Saracens into Spain. The shame of another is no likely mode of expelling them from Palestine. Does thou call it shame to become an empress? said the king. I call it shame and dishonour, to refrain a Christian sacrament by entering into it with an infidel whom it cannot bind, and I call it foul dishonour the tie, the descendant of a Christian princess, should become a free will, the head of a harem of heathen concubines. Well, king's woman, said the king after a pause, I must not quarrel with thee, though I think thy dependent condition might have dictated more compliance. My liege, replied Edith, your grace hath weatherly succeeded to all the wealth and dignity and dominion of the house of plantagent. Do not, therefore, begrudge your poor kinswoman, some share of their pride. By my faith wench, replied the king, thou hast unhorsed me with that very word, so we will kiss and be friends. I will presently dispatch thy answer to Saladin. But after all, cause, were it not better to suspend your answer till you have seen him? I say, he is preeminently handsome. There is no chance of our meeting, my lord. said Edith. By Saint George, there is a next to a certainty of it, said the king. For Saladin would doubtless afford us a free field for the doing of this new battle at the standard, and will witness it himself. Beringaria is well to behold it also, and I dare be swore not a feather of you, her companions and attendants will remain to behind, least of all thou thyself, fair cause. But come, we have reached the pavilion a must part. Not an unkindness, though. Oh, nay, there must seal it with thy lip as well as thy hand, sweet Edith. It is my right as a sovereign to kiss my pretty vassals. He embraced her respectfully and affectionately, and returned for the moonlit camp, humming to himself such snatches of blondels lay as he could recollect. On his arrival he lost no time in making up his dispatchers for Saladin, and delivered them to the Nubian, with a charge set out by peep of day, on his return to the end of chapter 26.