Shewasupandfacingtowardthequeeninamoment.Sheindicatedme,andsaid:
\"Madame,HEsaiththismaynotbe.Recallthecommandment,orhewilldissolvethecastleanditshallvanishawayliketheinstablefabricofadream!\"
Confoundit,whatacrazycontracttopledgeapersonto!Whatifthequeen——
Butmyconsternationsubsidedthere,andmypanicpassedoff;forthequeen,allinacollapse,madenoshowofresistancebutgaveacountermandingsignandsunkintoherseat.Whenshereacheditshewassober.Soweremanyoftheothers.Theassemblagerose,whiffedceremonytothewinds,andrushedforthedoorlikeamob;overturningchairs,smashingcrockery,tugging,struggling,shouldering,crowding——anythingtogetoutbeforeIshouldchangemymindandpuffthecastleintothemeasurelessdimvacanciesofspace.Well,well,well,theyWEREasuperstitiouslot.Itisallabodycandotoconceiveofit.
Thepoorqueenwassoscaredandhumbledthatshewasevenafraidtohangthecomposerwithoutfirstconsultingme.Iwasverysorryforher——indeed,anyonewouldhavebeen,forshewasreallysuffering;soI
waswillingtodoanythingthatwasreasonable,andhadnodesiretocarrythingstowantonextremities.Ithereforeconsideredthematterthoughtfully,andendedbyhavingthemusiciansorderedintoourpresencetoplaythatSweetByeandByeagain,whichtheydid.ThenIsawthatshewasright,andgaveherpermissiontohangthewholeband.Thislittlerelaxationofsternnesshadagoodeffectuponthequeen.Astatesmangainslittlebythearbitraryexerciseofiron-cladauthorityuponalloccasionsthatoffer,forthiswoundsthejustprideofhissubordinates,andthustendstounderminehisstrength.Alittleconcession,nowandthen,whereitcandonoharm,isthewiserpolicy.
Nowthatthequeenwasateaseinhermindoncemore,andmeasurablyhappy,herwinenaturallybegantoassertitselfagain,anditgotalittlethestartofher.Imeanitsethermusicgoing——hersilverbellofatongue.Dearme,shewasamastertalker.ItwouldnotbecomemetosuggestthatitwasprettylateandthatIwasatiredmanandverysleepy.IwishedIhadgoneofftobedwhenIhadthechance.NowImuststickitout;therewasnootherway.Soshetinkledalongandalong,intheotherwiseprofoundandghostlyhushofthesleepingcastle,untilbyandbytherecame,asiffromdeepdownunderus,afar-awaysound,asofamuffledshriek——
withanexpressionofagonyaboutitthatmademyfleshcrawl.Thequeenstopped,andhereyeslightedwithpleasure;shetiltedhergracefulheadasabirddoeswhenitlistens.Thesoundboreditswayupthroughthestillnessagain.
\"Whatisit?\"Isaid.
\"Itistrulyastubbornsoul,andendurethlong.Itismanyhoursnow.\"
\"Endurethwhat?\"
\"Therack.Come——yeshallseeablithesight.Anheyieldnothissecretnow,yeshallseehimtornasunder.\"
Whatasilkysmoothhellionshewas;andsocomposedandserene,whenthecordsalldownmylegswerehurtinginsympathywiththatman\'spain.
Conductedbymailedguardsbearingflaringtorches,wetrampedalongechoingcorridors,anddownstonestairwaysdankanddripping,andsmellingofmouldandagesofimprisonednight——achill,uncannyjourneyandalongone,andnotmadetheshorterorthecheerierbythesorceress\'stalk,whichwasaboutthissuffererandhiscrime.Hehadbeenaccusedbyananonymousinformer,ofhavingkilledastagintheroyalpreserves.Isaid:
\"Anonymoustestimonyisn\'tjusttherightthing,yourHighness.Itwerefairertoconfronttheaccusedwiththeaccuser.\"
\"Ihadnotthoughtofthat,itbeingbutofsmallconsequence.ButanIwould,Icouldnot,forthattheaccusercamemaskedbynight,andtoldtheforester,andstraightwaygothimhenceagain,andsotheforesterknowethhimnot.\"
\"ThenisthisUnknowntheonlypersonwhosawthestagkilled?\"
\"Marry,NOmanSAWthekilling,butthisUnknownsawthishardywretchneartothespotwherethestaglay,andcamewithrightloyalzealandbetrayedhimtotheforester.\"
\"SotheUnknownwasnearthedeadstag,too?Isn\'titjustpossiblethathedidthekillinghimself?Hisloyalzeal——inamask——looksjustashadesuspicious.Butwhatisyourhighness\'sideaforrackingtheprisoner?
Whereistheprofit?\"
\"Hewillnotconfess,else;andthenwerehissoullost.Forhiscrimehislifeisforfeitedbythelaw——andofasuretywillIseethathepayethit!——butitwereperiltomyownsoultolethimdieunconfessedandunabsolved.Nay,IwereafooltoflingmeintohellforHISaccommodation.\"
\"But,yourHighness,supposehehasnothingtoconfess?\"
\"Astothat,weshallsee,anon.AnIrackhimtodeathandheconfessnot,itwillperadventureshowthathehadindeednaughttoconfess——
yewillgrantthatthatissooth?ThenshallInotbedamnedforanunconfessedmanthathadnaughttoconfess——wherefore,Ishallbesafe.\"
Itwasthestubbornunreasoningofthetime.Itwasuselesstoarguewithher.Argumentshavenochanceagainstpetrifiedtraining;theywearitaslittleasthewaveswearacliff.Andhertrainingwaseverybody\'s.
Thebrightestintellectinthelandwouldnothavebeenabletoseethatherpositionwasdefective.
Asweenteredtherack-cellIcaughtapicturethatwillnotgofromme;Iwishitwould.Anativeyounggiantofthirtyorthereaboutslaystretchedupontheframeonhisback,withhiswristsandanklestiedtoropeswhichledoverwindlassesateitherend.Therewasnocolorinhim;
hisfeatureswerecontortedandset,andsweat-dropsstooduponhisforehead.
Apriestbentoverhimoneachside;theexecutionerstoodby;guardswereonduty;smokingtorchesstoodinsocketsalongthewalls;inacornercrouchedapooryoungcreature,herfacedrawnwithanguish,ahalf-wildandhuntedlookinhereyes,andinherlaplayalittlechildasleep.
Justaswesteppedacrossthethresholdtheexecutionergavehismachineaslightturn,whichwrungacryfromboththeprisonerandthewoman;
butIshouted,andtheexecutionerreleasedthestrainwithoutwaitingtoseewhospoke.Icouldnotletthishorrorgoon;itwouldhavekilledmetoseeit.Iaskedthequeentoletmecleartheplaceandspeaktotheprisonerprivately;andwhenshewasgoingtoobjectIspokeinalowvoiceandsaidIdidnotwanttomakeascenebeforeherservants,butImusthavemyway;forIwasKingArthur\'srepresentative,andwasspeakinginhisname.Shesawshehadtoyield.Iaskedhertoindorsemetothesepeople,andthenleaveme.Itwasnotpleasantforher,butshetookthepill;andevenwentfurtherthanIwasmeaningtorequire.Ionlywantedthebackingofherownauthority;butshesaid:
\"Yewilldoinallthingsasthislordshallcommand.ItisTheBoss.\"
Itwascertainlyagoodwordtoconjurewith:youcouldseeitbythesquirmingoftheserats.Thequeen\'sguardsfellintoline,andsheandtheymarchedaway,withtheirtorch-bearers,andwoketheechoesofthecavernoustunnelswiththemeasuredbeatoftheirretreatingfootfalls.
Ihadtheprisonertakenfromtherackandplaceduponhisbed,andmedicamentsappliedtohishurts,andwinegivenhimtodrink.Thewomancreptnearandlookedon,eagerly,lovingly,buttimorously,——likeonewhofearsarepulse;indeed,shetriedfurtivelytotouchtheman\'sforehead,andjumpedback,thepictureoffright,whenIturnedunconsciouslytowardher.Itwaspitifultosee.
\"Lord,\"Isaid,\"strokehim,lass,ifyouwantto.Doanythingyou\'reamindto;don\'tmindme.\"
Why,hereyeswereasgratefulasananimal\'s,whenyoudoitakindnessthatitunderstands.Thebabywasoutofherwayandshehadhercheekagainsttheman\'sinaminute.andherhandsfondlinghishair,andherhappytearsrunningdown.Themanrevivedandcaressedhiswifewithhiseyes,whichwasallhecoulddo.IjudgedImightcleartheden,now,andIdid;cleareditofallbutthefamilyandmyself.ThenIsaid:
\"Now,myfriend,tellmeyoursideofthismatter;Iknowtheotherside.\"
Themanmovedhisheadinsignofrefusal.Butthewomanlookedpleased——asitseemedtome——pleasedwithmysuggestion.Iwenton——
\"Youknowofme?\"
\"Yes.Alldo,inArthur\'srealms.\"
\"Ifmyreputationhascometoyourightandstraight,youshouldnotbeafraidtospeak.\"
Thewomanbrokein,eagerly:
\"Ah,fairmylord,dothoupersuadehim!Thoucanstanthouwilt.Ah,hesufferethso;anditisforme——forME!AndhowcanIbearit?IwouldImightseehimdie——asweet,swiftdeath;oh,myHugo,Icannotbearthisone!\"
Andshefelltosobbingandgrovellingaboutmyfeet,andstillimploring.
Imploringwhat?Theman\'sdeath?Icouldnotquitegetthebearingsofthething.ButHugointerruptedherandsaid:
\"Peace!Yewitnotwhatyeask.ShallIstarvewhomIlove,towinagentledeath?Iwendthouknewestmebetter.\"
\"Well,\"Isaid,\"Ican\'tquitemakethisout.Itisapuzzle.Now——\"
\"Ah,dearmylord,anyewillbutpersuadehim!Considerhowthesehistortureswoundme!Oh,andhewillnotspeak!——whereas,thehealing,thesolacethatlieinablessedswiftdeath——\"
\"WhatAREyoumaunderingabout?He\'sgoingoutfromhereafreemanandwhole——he\'snotgoingtodie.\"
Theman\'swhitefacelitup,andthewomanflungherselfatmeinamostsurprisingexplosionofjoy,andcriedout:
\"Heissaved!——foritistheking\'swordbythemouthoftheking\'sservant——Arthur,thekingwhosewordisgold!\"
\"Well,thenyoudobelieveIcanbetrusted,afterall.Whydidn\'tyoubefore?\"
\"Whodoubted?NotI,indeed;andnotshe.\"
\"Well,whywouldn\'tyoutellmeyourstory,then?\"
\"Yehadmadenopromise;elsehaditbeenotherwise.\"
\"Isee,IseeAndyetIbelieveIdon\'tquitesee,afterall.Youstoodthetortureandrefusedtoconfess;whichshowsplainenoughtoeventhedullestunderstandingthatyouhadnothingtoconfess——\"
\"I,mylord?Howso?ItwasIthatkilledthedeer!\"
\"YouDID?Oh,dear,thisisthemostmixed-upbusinessthatever——\"
\"Dearlord,Ibeggedhimonmykneestoconfess,but——\"
\"YouDID!Itgetsthickerandthicker.Whatdidyouwanthimtodothatfor?\"
\"Sithitwouldbringhimaquickdeathandsavehimallthiscruelpain.\"
\"Well——yes,thereisreasoninthat.ButHEdidn\'twantthequickdeath.\"
\"He?Why,ofasuretyheDID.\"
\"Well,then,whyintheworldDIDN\'Theconfess?\"
\"Ah,sweetsir,andleavemywifeandchickwithoutbreadandshelter?\"
\"Oh,heartofgold,nowIseeit!Thebitterlawtakestheconvictedman\'sestateandbeggarshiswidowandhisorphans.Theycouldtortureyoutodeath,butwithoutconvictionorconfessiontheycouldnotrobyourwifeandbaby.Youstoodbythemlikeaman;andYOU——truewifeandthewomanthatyouare——youwouldhaveboughthimreleasefromtortureatcosttoyourselfofslowstarvationanddeath——well,ithumblesabodytothinkwhatyoursexcandowhenitcomestoself-sacrifice.I\'llbookyoubothformycolony;you\'lllikeitthere;it\'saFactorywhereI\'mgoingtoturngropingandgrubbingautomataintoMEN.\"
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter18Chapter18-InTheQueen\'sDungeonsWELL,Iarrangedallthat;andIhadthemansenttohishome.Ihadagreatdesiretoracktheexecutioner;notbecausehewasagood,painstakingandpaingivingofficial,——forsurelyitwasnottohisdiscreditthatheperformedhisfunctionswell——buttopayhimbackforwantonlycuffingandotherwisedistressingthatyoungwoman.Theprieststoldmeaboutthis,andweregenerouslyhottohavehimpunished.Somethingofthisdisagreeablesortwasturningupeverynowandthen.Imean,episodesthatshowedthatnotallpriestswerefraudsandself-seekers,butthatmany,eventhegreatmajority,ofthesethatweredownonthegroundamongthecommonpeople,weresincereandright-hearted,anddevotedtothealleviationofhumantroublesandsufferings.Well,itwasathingwhichcouldnotbehelped,soIseldomfrettedaboutit,andnevermanyminutesatatime;ithasneverbeenmywaytobothermuchaboutthingswhichyoucan\'tcure.ButIdidnotlikeit,foritwasjustthesortofthingtokeeppeoplereconciledtoanEstablishedChurch.WeMUSThaveareligion——itgoeswithoutsaying——butmyideais,tohaveitcutupintofortyfreesects,sothattheywillpoliceeachother,ashadbeenthecaseintheUnitedStatesinmytime.Concentrationofpowerinapoliticalmachineisbad;andandanEstablishedChurchisonlyapoliticalmachine;itwasinventedforthat;
itisnursed,cradled,preservedforthat;itisanenemytohumanliberty,anddoesnogoodwhichitcouldnotbetterdoinasplit-upandscatteredcondition.Thatwasn\'tlaw;itwasn\'tgospel:itwasonlyanopinion——
myopinion,andIwasonlyaman,oneman:soitwasn\'tworthanymorethanthepope\'s——oranyless,forthatmatter.
Well,Icouldn\'tracktheexecutioner,neitherwouldIoverlookthejustcomplaintofthepriests.Themanmustbepunishedsomehoworother,soIdegradedhimfromhisofficeandmadehimleaderoftheband——thenewonethatwastobestarted.Hebeggedhard,andsaidhecouldn\'tplay——aplausibleexcuse,buttoothin;therewasn\'tamusicianinthecountrythatcould.
Thequeenwasagooddealoutraged,nextmorningwhenshefoundshewasgoingtohaveneitherHugo\'slifenorhisproperty.ButItoldhershemustbearthiscross;thatwhilebylawandcustomshecertainlywasentitledtoboththeman\'slifeandhisproperty,therewereextenuatingcircumstances,andsoinArthurtheking\'snameIhadpardonedhim.Thedeerwasravagingtheman\'sfields,andhehadkilleditinsuddenpassion,andnotforgain;andhehadcarrieditintotheroyalforestinthehopethatthatmightmakedetectionofthemisdoerimpossible.Confoundher,Icouldn\'tmakeherseethatsuddenpassionisanextenuatingcircumstanceinthekillingofvenison——orofaperson——soIgaveitupandlethersulkitoutIDIDthinkIwasgoingtomakeherseeitbyremarkingthatherownsuddenpassioninthecaseofthepagemodifiedthatcrime.
\"Crime!\"sheexclaimed.\"Howthoutalkest!Crime,forsooth!Man,IamgoingtoPAYforhim!\"
Oh,itwasnousetowastesenseonher.Training——trainingiseverything;
trainingisallthereisTOaperson.Wespeakofnature;itisfolly;
thereisnosuchthingasnature;whatwecallbythatmisleadingnameismerelyheredityandtraining.Wehavenothoughtsofourown,noopinionsofourown;theyaretransmittedtous,trainedintous.Allthatisoriginalinus,andthereforefairlycreditableordiscreditabletous,canbecoveredupandhiddenbythepointofacambricneedle,alltherestbeingatomscontributedby,andinheritedfrom,aprocessionofancestorsthatstretchesbackabillionyearstotheAdam-clamorgrasshopperormonkeyfromwhomourracehasbeensotediouslyandostentatiouslyandunprofitablydeveloped.
Andasforme,allthatIthinkaboutinthisploddingsadpilgrimage,thispatheticdriftbetweentheeternities,istolookoutandhumblyliveapureandhighandblamelesslife,andsavethatonemicroscopicatominmethatistrulyME:therestmaylandinSheolandwelcomeforallIcare.
No,confoundher,herintellectwasgood,shehadbrainsenough,buthertrainingmadeheranass——thatis,fromamany-centuries-laterpointofview.Tokillthepagewasnocrime——itwasherright;anduponherrightshestood,serenelyandunconsciousofoffense.Shewasaresultofgenerationsoftrainingintheunexaminedandunassailedbeliefthatthelawwhichpermittedhertokillasubjectwhenshechosewasaperfectlyrightandrighteousone.
Well,wemustgiveevenSatanhisdue.Shedeservedacomplimentforonething;andItriedtopayit,butthewordsstuckinmythroat.Shehadarighttokilltheboy,butshewasinnowiseobligedtopayforhim.Thatwaslawforsomeotherpeople,butnotforher.Sheknewquitewellthatshewasdoingalargeandgenerousthingtopayforthatlad,andthatIoughtincommonfairnesstocomeoutwithsomethinghandsomeaboutit,butIcouldn\'t——mymouthrefused.Icouldn\'thelpseeing,inmyfancy,thatpooroldgrandmawiththebrokenheart,andthatfairyoungcreaturelyingbutchered,hislittlesilkenpompsandvanitieslacedwithhisgoldenblood.HowcouldshePAYforhim!WHOMcouldshepay?Andso,wellknowingthatthiswoman,trainedasshehadbeen,deservedpraise,evenadulation,Iwasyetnotabletoutterit,trainedasIhadbeen.
ThebestIcoulddowastofishupacomplimentfromoutside,sotospeak——andthepityofitwas,thatitwastrue:
\"Madame,yourpeoplewilladoreyouforthis.\"
Quitetrue,butImeanttohangherforitsomedayifIlived.Someofthoselawsweretoobad,altogethertoobad.Amastermightkillhisslavefornothing——formerespite,malice,ortopassthetime——justaswehaveseenthatthecrownedheadcoulddoitwithHISslave,thatistosay,anybody.Agentlemancouldkillafreecommoner,andpayforhim——cashorgarden-truck.Anoblecouldkillanoblewithoutexpense,asfarasthelawwasconcerned,butreprisalsinkindweretobeexpected.
ANYbodycouldkillSOME-body,exceptthecommonerandtheslave;thesehadnoprivileges.Iftheykilled,itwasmurder,andthelawwouldn\'tstandmurder.Itmadeshortworkoftheexperimenter——andofhisfamily,too,ifhemurderedsomebodywhobelongedupamongtheornamentalranks.
IfacommonergaveanobleevensomuchasaDamiens-scratchwhichdidn\'tkillorevenhurt,hegotDamiens\'doseforitjustthesame;theypulledhimtoragsandtatterswithhorses,andalltheworldcametoseetheshow,andcrackjokes,andhaveagoodtime;andsomeoftheperformancesofthebestpeoplepresentwereastough,andasproperlyunprintable,asanythathavebeenprintedbythepleasantCasanovainhischapteraboutthedismembermentofLouisXV.\'spoorawkwardenemy.
Ihadhadenoughofthisgrislyplacebythistime,andwantedtoleave,butIcouldn\'t,becauseIhadsomethingonmymindthatmyconsciencekeptproddingmeabout,andwouldn\'tletmeforget.IfIhadtheremakingofman,hewouldn\'thaveanyconscience.Itisoneofthemostdisagreeablethingsconnectedwithaperson;andalthoughitcertainlydoesagreatdealofgood,itcannotbesaidtopay,inthelongrun;itwouldbemuchbettertohavelessgoodandmorecomfort.Still,thisisonlymyopinion,andIamonlyoneman;others,withlessexperience,maythinkdifferently.
Theyhavearighttotheirview.Ionlystandtothis:Ihavenoticedmyconscienceformanyyears,andIknowitismoretroubleandbothertomethananythingelseIstartedwith.IsupposethatinthebeginningI
prizedit,becauseweprizeanythingthatisours;andyethowfoolishitwastothinkso.Ifwelookatitinanotherway,weseehowabsurditis:ifIhadananvilinmewouldIprizeit?Ofcoursenot.Andyetwhenyoucometothink,thereisnorealdifferencebetweenaconscienceandananvil——Imeanforcomfort.Ihavenoticeditathousandtimes.
Andyoucoulddissolveananvilwithacids,whenyoucouldn\'tstanditanylonger;butthereisn\'tanywaythatyoucanworkoffaconscience——atleastsoitwillstayworkedoff;notthatIknowof,anyway.
TherewassomethingIwantedtodobeforeleaving,butitwasadisagreeablematter,andIhatedtogoatit.Well,itbotheredmeallthemorning.
Icouldhavementionedittotheoldking,butwhatwouldbetheuse?——
hewasbutanextinctvolcano;hehadbeenactiveinhistime,buthisfirewasout,thisgoodwhile,hewasonlyastatelyash-pilenow;gentleenough,andkindlyenoughformypurpose,withoutdoubt,butnotusable.
Hewasnothing,thisso-calledking:thequeenwastheonlypowerthere.
AndshewasaVesuvius.Asafavor,shemightconsenttowarmaflockofsparrowsforyou,butthenshemighttakethatveryopportunitytoturnherselflooseandburyacity.However,Ireflectedthatasoftenasanyotherway,whenyouareexpectingtheworst,yougetsomethingthatisnotsobad,afterall.
SoIbracedupandplacedmymatterbeforeherroyalHighness.IsaidIhadbeenhavingageneraljail-deliveryatCamelotandamongneighboringcastles,andwithherpermissionIwouldliketoexaminehercollection,herbric-a-brac——thatistosay,herprisoners.Sheresisted;butIwasexpectingthat.Butshefinallyconsented.Iwasexpectingthat,too,butnotsosoon.Thataboutendedmydiscomfort.Shecalledherguardsandtorches,andwewentdownintothedungeons.Theseweredownunderthecastle\'sfoundations,andmainlyweresmallcellshollowedoutofthelivingrock.Someofthesecellshadnolightatall.Inoneofthemwasawoman,infoulrags,whosatontheground,andwouldnotansweraquestionorspeakaword,butonlylookedupatusonceortwice,throughacobweboftangledhair,asiftoseewhatcasualthingitmightbethatwasdisturbingwithsoundandlightthemeaninglessdulldreamthatwasbecomeherlife;
afterthat,shesatbowed,withherdirt-cakedfingersidlyinterlockedinherlap,andgavenofurthersign.Thispoorrackofboneswasawomanofmiddleage,apparently;butonlyapparently;shehadbeentherenineyears,andwaseighteenwhensheentered.Shewasacommoner,andhadbeensenthereonherbridalnightbySirBreuseSancePite,aneighboringlordwhosevassalherfatherwas,andtowhichsaidlordshehadrefusedwhathassincebeencalledledroitduseigneur,and,moreover,hadopposedviolencetoviolenceandspilthalfagillofhisalmostsacredblood.
Theyounghusbandhadinterferedatthatpoint.believingthebride\'slifeindanger,andhadflungthenobleoutintothemidstofthehumbleandtremblingweddingguests,intheparlor,andlefthimthereastonishedatthisstrangetreatment,andimplacablyembitteredagainstbothbrideandgroom.Thesaidlordbeingcrampedfordungeon-roomhadaskedthequeentoaccommodatehistwocriminals,andhereinherbastiletheyhadbeeneversince;hither,indeed,theyhadcomebeforetheircrimewasanhourold,andhadneverseeneachothersince.Heretheywere,kenneledliketoadsinthesamerock;theyhadpassedninepitchdarkyearswithinfiftyfeetofeachother,yetneitherknewwhethertheotherwasaliveornot.
Allthefirstyears,theironlyquestionhadbeen——askedwithbeseechingsandtearsthatmighthavemovedstones,intime,perhaps,butheartsarenotstones:\"Ishealive?\"\"Isshealive?\"Buttheyhadnevergotananswer;
andatlastthatquestionwasnotaskedanymore——oranyother.
Iwantedtoseetheman,afterhearingallthis.Hewasthirty-fouryearsold,andlookedsixty.Hesatuponasquaredblockofstone,withhisheadbentdown,hisforearmsrestingonhisknees,hislonghairhanginglikeafringebeforehisface,andhewasmutteringtohimself.Heraisedhischinandlookedusslowlyover,inalistlessdullway,blinkingwiththedistressofthetorchlight,thendroppedhisheadandfelltomutteringagainandtooknofurthernoticeofus.Thereweresomepatheticallysuggestivedumbwitnessespresent.Onhiswristsandankleswerecicatrices,oldsmoothscars,andfastenedtothestoneonwhichhesatwasachainwithmanaclesandfettersattached;butthisapparatuslayidleontheground,andwasthickwithrust.Chainsceasetobeneededafterthespirithasgoneoutofaprisoner.
Icouldnotrousetheman;soIsaidwewouldtakehimtoher,andsee——tothebridewhowasthefairestthingintheearthtohim,once——
roses,pearls,anddewmadeflesh,forhim;awonder-work,themaster-workofnature:witheyeslikenoothereyes,andvoicelikenoothervoice,andafreshness,andlitheyounggrace,andbeauty,thatbelongedproperlytothecreaturesofdreams——ashethought——andtonoother.Thesightofherwouldsethisstagnantbloodleaping;thesightofher——
Butitwasadisappointment.Theysattogetheronthegroundandlookeddimlywonderingintoeachother\'sfacesawhile,withasortofweakanimalcuriosity;thenforgoteachother\'spresence,anddroppedtheireyes,andyousawthattheywereawayagainandwanderinginsomefarlandofdreamsandshadowsthatweknownothingabout.
Ihadthemtakenoutandsenttotheirfriends.Thequeendidnotlikeitmuch.Notthatshefeltanypersonalinterestinthematter,butshethoughtitdisrespectfultoSirBreuseSancePite.However,Iassuredherthatifhefoundhecouldn\'tstanditIwouldfixhimsothathecould.
Isetforty-sevenprisonerslooseoutofthoseawfulrat-holes,andleftonlyoneincaptivity.Hewasalord,andhadkilledanotherlord,asortofkinsmanofthequeen.Thatotherlordhadambushedhimtoassassinatehim,butthisfellowhadgotthebestofhimandcuthisthroat.However,itwasnotforthatthatIlefthimjailed,butformaliciouslydestroyingtheonlypublicwellinoneofhiswretchedvillages.Thequeenwasboundtohanghimforkillingherkinsman,butIwouldnotallowit:itwasnocrimetokillanassassin.ButIsaidIwaswillingtoletherhanghimfordestroyingthewell;sosheconcludedtoputupwiththat,asitwasbetterthannothing.
Dearme,forwhattriflingoffensesthemostofthoseforty-sevenmenandwomenwereshutupthere!Indeed,someweretherefornodistinctoffenseatall,butonlytogratifysomebody\'sspite;andnotalwaysthequeen\'sbyanymeans,butafriend\'s.Thenewestprisoner\'scrimewasamereremarkwhichhehadmade.Hesaidhebelievedthatmenwereaboutallalike,andonemanasgoodasanother,barringclothes.Hesaidhebelievedthatifyouweretostripthenationnakedandsendastrangerthroughthecrowd,hecouldn\'ttellthekingfromaquackdoctor,noradukefromahotelclerk.Apparentlyherewasamanwhosebrainshadnotbeenreducedtoanineffectualmushbyidiotictraining.IsethimlooseandsenthimtotheFactory.
Someofthecellscarvedinthelivingrockwerejustbehindthefaceoftheprecipice,andineachoftheseanarrow-slithadbeenpiercedoutwardtothedaylight,andsothecaptivehadathinrayfromtheblessedsunforhiscomfort.Thecaseofoneofthesepoorfellowswasparticularlyhard.Fromhisduskyswallow\'sholehighupinthatvastwallofnativerockhecouldpeeroutthroughthearrow-slitandseehisownhomeoffyonderinthevalley;andfortwenty-twoyearshehadwatchedit,withheartacheandlonging,throughthatcrack.Hecouldseethelightsshinethereatnight,andinthedaytimehecouldseefiguresgoinandcomeout——hiswifeandchildren,someofthem,nodoubt,thoughhecouldnotmakeoutatthatdistance.Inthecourseofyearshenotedfestivitiesthere,andtriedtorejoice,andwonderediftheywereweddingsorwhattheymightbe.Andhenotedfunerals;andtheywrunghisheart.Hecouldmakeoutthecoffin,buthecouldnotdetermineitssize,andsocouldnottellwhetheritwaswifeorchild.Hecouldseetheprocessionform,withpriestsandmourners,andmovesolemnlyaway,bearingthesecretwiththem.Hehadleftbehindhimfivechildrenandawife;andinnineteenyearshehadseenfivefuneralsissue,andnoneofthemhumbleenoughinpomptodenoteaservant.Sohehadlostfiveofhistreasures;theremuststillbeoneremaining——onenowinfinitely,unspeakablyprecious,——
butWHICHone?wife,orchild?Thatwasthequestionthattorturedhim,bynightandbyday,asleepandawake.Well,tohaveaninterest,ofsomesort,andhalfarayoflight,whenyouareinadungeon,isagreatsupporttothebodyandpreserveroftheintellect.Thismanwasinprettygoodconditionyet.Bythetimehehadfinishedtellingmehisdistressfultale,Iwasinthesamestateofmindthatyouwouldhavebeeninyourself,ifyouhavegotaveragehumancuriosity;thatistosay,Iwasasburningupashewastofindoutwhichmemberofthefamilyitwasthatwasleft.
SoItookhimoverhomemyself;andanamazingkindofasurprisepartyitwas,too——typhoonsandcyclonesoffranticjoy,andwholeNiagarasofhappytears;andbyGeorge!wefoundtheaforetimeyoungmatrongrayingtowardtheimminentvergeofherhalfcentury,andthebabiesallmenandwomen,andsomeofthemmarriedandexperimentingfamilywisethemselves——fornotasoulofthetribewasdead!Conceiveoftheingeniousdevilishnessofthatqueen:shehadaspecialhatredforthisprisoner,andshehadINVENTEDallthosefuneralsherself,toscorchhisheartwith;andthesublimeststrokeofgeniusofthewholethingwasleavingthefamily-invoiceafuneralSHORT,soastolethimwearhispooroldsouloutguessing.
Butforme,heneverwouldhavegotout.MorganleFayhatedhimwithherwholeheart,andsheneverwouldhavesoftenedtowardhim.Andyethiscrimewascommittedmoreinthoughtlessnessthandeliberatedepravity.
Hehadsaidshehadredhair.Well,shehad;butthatwasnowaytospeakofit.Whenredheadedpeopleareaboveacertainsocialgradetheirhairisauburn.
Considerit:amongtheseforty-sevencaptivestherewerefivewhosenames,offenses,anddatesofincarcerationwerenolongerknown!Onewomanandfourmen——allbent,andwrinkled,andmind-extinguishedpatriarchs.
Theythemselveshadlongagoforgottenthesedetails;atanyratetheyhadmerevaguetheoriesaboutthem,nothingdefiniteandnothingthattheyrepeatedtwiceinthesameway.ThesuccessionofpriestswhoseofficeithadbeentopraydailywiththecaptivesandremindthemthatGodhadputthemthere,forsomewisepurposeorother,andteachthemthatpatience,humbleness,andsubmissiontooppressionwaswhatHelovedtoseeinpartiesofasubordinaterank,hadtraditionsaboutthesepooroldhumanruins,butnothingmore.Thesetraditionswentbutlittleway,fortheyconcernedthelengthoftheincarcerationonly,andnotthenamesoftheoffenses.
Andevenbythehelpoftraditiontheonlythingthatcouldbeprovenwasthatnoneofthefivehadseendaylightforthirty-fiveyears:howmuchlongerthisprivationhaslastedwasnotguessable.Thekingandthequeenknewnothingaboutthesepoorcreatures,exceptthattheywereheirlooms,assetsinherited,alongwiththethrone,fromtheformerfirm.Nothingoftheirhistoryhadbeentransmittedwiththeirpersons,andsotheinheritingownershadconsideredthemofnovalue,andhadfeltnointerestinthem.
Isaidtothequeen:
\"Thenwhyintheworlddidn\'tyousetthemfree?\"
Thequestionwasapuzzler.Shedidn\'tknowWHYshehadn\'t,thethinghadnevercomeupinhermind.Sohereshewas,forecastingtheveritablehistoryoffutureprisonersoftheCastled\'If,withoutknowingit.Itseemedplaintomenow,thatwithhertraining,thoseinheritedprisonersweremerelyproperty——nothingmore,nothingless.Well,whenweinheritproperty,itdoesnotoccurtoustothrowitaway,evenwhenwedonotvalueit.
WhenIbroughtmyprocessionofhumanbatsupintotheopenworldandtheglareoftheafternoonsun——previouslyblindfoldingthem,incharityforeyessolonguntorturedbylight——theywereaspectacletolookat.
Skeletons,scarecrows,goblins,patheticfrights,everyone;legitimatestpossiblechildrenofMonarchybytheGraceofGodandtheEstablishedChurch.
Imutteredabsently:
\"IWISHIcouldphotographthem!\"
Youhaveseenthatkindofpeoplewhowillneverletonthattheydon\'tknowthemeaningofanewbigword.Themoreignoranttheyare,themorepitifullycertaintheyaretopretendyouhaven\'tshotovertheirheads.
Thequeenwasjustoneofthatsort,andwasalwaysmakingthestupidestblundersbyreasonofit.Shehesitatedamoment;thenherfacebrightenedupwithsuddencomprehension,andshesaidshewoulddoitforme.
Ithoughttomyself:She?whywhatcansheknowaboutphotography?Butitwasapoortimetobethinking.WhenIlookedaround,shewasmovingontheprocessionwithanaxe!
Well,shecertainlywasacuriousone,wasMorganleFay.Ihaveseenagoodmanykindsofwomeninmytime,butshelaidoverthemallforvariety.
Andhowsharplycharacteristicofherthisepisodewas.Shehadnomoreideathanahorseofhowtophotographaprocession;butbeingindoubt,itwasjustlikehertotrytodoitwithanaxe.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter19Chapter19-Knight-ErrantryasaTradeSANDYandIwereontheroadagain,nextmorning,brightandearly.Itwassogoodtoopenupone\'slungsandtakeinwholelusciousbarrels-fuloftheblessedGod\'suntainted,dew-fashioned,woodlandscentedaironcemore,aftersuffocatingbodyandmindfortwodaysandnightsinthemoralandphysicalstenchesofthatintolerableoldbuzzard-roost!mean,forme:ofcoursetheplacewasallrightandagreeableenoughforSandy,forshehadbeenusedtohighlifeallherdays.
Poorgirl,herjawshadhadawearisomerestnowforawhile,andI
wasexpectingtogettheconsequences.Iwasright;butshehadstoodbymemosthelpfullyinthecastle,andhadmightilysupportedandreinforcedmewithgiganticfoolishnesseswhichwereworthmorefortheoccasionthanwisdomsdoubletheirsize;soIthoughtshehadearnedarighttoworkhermillforawhile,ifshewantedto,andIfeltnotapangwhenshestarteditup:
\"NowturnweuntoSirMarhausthatrodewiththedamselofthirtywinterofagesouthward——\"
\"Areyougoingtoseeifyoucanworkupanotherhalf-stretchonthetrailofthecowboys,Sandy?\"
\"Evenso,fairmylord.\"
\"Goahead,then.Iwon\'tinterruptthistime,ifIcanhelpit.Beginoveragain;startfair,andshakeoutallyourreefs,andIwillloadmypipeandgivegoodattention.\"
\"NowturnweuntoSirMarhausthatrodewiththedamselofthirtywinterofagesouthward.Andsotheycameintoadeepforest,andbyfortunetheywerenighted,androdealonginadeepway,andatthelasttheycameintoacourtelagewhereabodethedukeofSouthMarches,andtheretheyaskedharbour.AndonthemornthedukesentuntoSirMarhaus,andbadhimmakehimready.AndsoSirMarhausaroseandarmedhim,andtherewasamasssungaforehim,andhebrakehisfast,andsomountedonhorsebackinthecourtofthecastle,theretheyshoulddothebattle.Sotherewasthedukealreadyonhorseback,cleanarmed,andhissixsonsbyhim,andeveryeachhadaspearinhishand,andsotheyencountered,whereasthedukeandhistwosonsbraketheirspearsuponhim,butSirMarhaushelduphisspearandtouchednoneofthem.Thencamethefoursonsbycouples,andtwoofthembraketheirspears,andsodidtheothertwo.AndallthiswhileSirMarhaustouchedthemnot.ThenSirMarhausrantotheduke,andsmotehimwithhisspearthathorseandmanfelltotheearth.Andsoheservedhissons.AndthenSirMarhausalightdown,andbadthedukeyieldhimorelsehewouldslayhim.Andthensomeofhissonsrecovered,andwouldhavesetuponSirMarhaus.ThenSirMarhaussaidtotheduke,Ceasethysons,orelseIwilldotheuttermosttoyouall.Whenthedukesawhemightnotescapethedeath,hecriedtohissons,andchargedthemtoyieldthemtoSirMarhaus.Andtheykneeledalldownandputthepommelsoftheirswordstotheknight,andsohereceivedthem.Andthentheyholpuptheirfather,andsobytheircommonassentpromiseduntoSirMarhausnevertobefoesuntoKingArthur,andthereuponatWhitsuntideafter,tocomeheandhissons,andputthemintheking\'sgrace.*
[*Footnote:Thestoryisborrowed,languageandall,fromtheMorted\'Arthur——M.T.]
\"Evensostandeththehistory,fairSirBoss.NowyeshallwitthatthatverydukeandhissixsonsaretheywhombutfewdayspastyoualsodidovercomeandsendtoArthur\'scourt!\"
\"Why,Sandy,youcan\'tmeanit!\"
\"AnIspeaknotsooth,letitbetheworseforme.\"
\"Well,well,well,——nowwhowouldeverhavethoughtit?Onewholedukeandsixdukelets;why,Sandy,itwasaneleganthaul.Knight-errantryisamostchuckle-headedtrade,anditistedioushardwork,too,butI
begintoseethatthereISmoneyinit,afterall,ifyouhaveluck.NotthatIwouldeverengageinitasabusiness,forIwouldn\'t.Nosoundandlegitimatebusinesscanbeestablishedonabasisofspeculation.A
successfulwhirlintheknight-errantryline——nowwhatisitwhenyoublowawaythenonsenseandcomedowntothecoldfacts?It\'sjustacornerinpork,that\'sall,andyoucan\'tmakeanythingelseoutofit.You\'rerich——yes,——suddenlyrich——foraboutaday,maybeaweek;thensomebodycornersthemarketonYOU,anddowngoesyourbucketshop;ain\'tthatso,Sandy?\"
\"Whethersoeveritbethatmymindmiscarrieth,bewrayingsimplelanguageinsuchsortthatthewordsdoseemtocomeendlongandoverthwart——\"
\"There\'snouseinbeatingaboutthebushandtryingtogetarounditthatway,Sandy,it\'sSO,justasIsay.IKNOWit\'sso.And,moreover,whenyoucomerightdowntothebedrock,knight-errantryisWORSEthanpork;forwhateverhappens,thepork\'sleft,andsosomebody\'sbenefitedanyway;butwhenthemarketbreaks,inaknight-errantrywhirl,andeveryknightinthepoolpassesinhischecks,whathaveyougotforassets?
Justarubbish-pileofbatteredcorpsesandabarrelortwoofbustedhardware.
CanyoucallTHOSEassets?Givemepork,everytime.AmIright?\"
\"Ah,peradventuremyheadbeingdistraughtbythemanifoldmatterswhereuntotheconfusionsofthesebutlateadventuredhapsandfortuningswherebynotIalonenoryoualone,buteveryeachofus,meseemeth——\"
\"No,it\'snotyourhead,Sandy.Yourhead\'sallright,asfarasitgoes,butyoudon\'tknowbusiness;that\'swherethetroubleis.Itunfitsyoutoargueaboutbusiness,andyou\'rewrongtobealwaystrying.However,thataside,itwasagoodhaul,anyway,andwillbreedahandsomecropofreputationinArthur\'scourt.Andspeakingofthecowboys,whatacuriouscountrythisisforwomenandmenthatnevergetold.Nowthere\'sMorganleFay,asfreshandyoungasaVassarpullet,toallappearances,andhereisthisolddukeoftheSouthMarchesstillslashingawaywithswordandlanceathistimeoflife,afterraisingsuchafamilyashehasraised.
AsIunderstandit,SirGawainekilledsevenofhissons,andstillhehadsixleftforSirMarhausandmetotakeintocamp.Andthentherewasthatdamselofsixtywinterofagestillexcursioningaroundinherfrostybloom——Howoldareyou,Sandy?\"
ItwasthefirsttimeIeverstruckastillplaceinher.Themillhadshutdownforrepairs,orsomething.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter20Chapter20-TheOgre\'sCastleBETWEENsixandninewemadetenmiles,whichwasplentyforahorsecarryingtriple——man,woman,andarmor;thenwestoppedforalongnooningundersometreesbyalimpidbrook.
Rightsocamebyandbyaknightriding;andashedrewnearhemadedolorousmoan,andbythewordsofitIperceivedthathewascursingandswearing;yetneverthelesswasIgladofhiscoming,forthatIsawheboreabulletin-boardwhereoninlettersallofshininggoldwaswrit:
\"USEPETERSONSPROPHYLACTICTOOTH-BRUSH——ALLTHEGO.\"
Iwasgladofhiscoming,forevenbythistokenIknewhimforknightofmine.ItwasSirMadokdelaMontaine,aburlygreatfellowwhosechiefdistinctionwasthathehadcomewithinanaceofsendingSirLauncelotdownoverhishorse-tailonce.Hewasneverlonginastranger\'spresencewithoutfindingsomepretextorothertoletoutthatgreatfact.Buttherewasanotherfactofnearlythesamesize,whichheneverpusheduponanybodyunasked,andyetneverwithheldwhenasked:thatwas,thatthereasonhedidn\'tquitesucceedwas,thathewasinterruptedandsentdownoverhorse-tailhimself.Thisinnocentvastlubberdidnotseeanyparticulardifferencebetweenthetwofacts.Ilikedhim,forhewasearnestinhiswork,andveryvaluable.Andhewassofinetolookat,withhisbroadmailedshoulders,andthegrandleoninesetofhisplumedhead,andhisbigshieldwithitsquaintdeviceofagauntletedhandclutchingaprophylactictooth-brush,withmotto:\"TryNoyoudont.\"Thiswasatooth-washthatIwasintroducing.
Hewasaweary,hesaid,andindeedhelookedit;buthewouldnotalight.