\"YouwillnotrideintoRoueninEnglishguise?Theywillstraightwayhangyouforaspy,andthereinislittlehonour。”
\"Mypurposeissomedealsubtler,\"Isaid,withalaugh,\"butletmekeepmyowncounsel。”
\"Sobeit,\"saidhe,\"awilfulmanmusthavehisway。AndnowI
drinktoyourbetterwisdom,andmayyouescapethatropeonwhichyourheartseemstobeset!\"
Igraspedhishandonit,andbypointofdaywewereridingoutseawards。Wemadeanonslaughtonavillage,burnedahouseortwain,andseizedcertainwainsofhay,so,intheconfusion,I
slippedforward,androdealoneintoalittlewood。ThereIcladmyselfinEnglishguise,havingcarriedthegearinawalletonmysaddle-bow,andsopushedon,tillatnightfallIcametoacertainlittlefishing-village。There,undercoverofthedark,I
covenantedwithafishermantosetmeacrosstheChannel,IfeigningtobeadeserterwhowasfleeingfromtheEnglisharmy,forfearoftheMaid。
\"IwouldwellthatIhadtocarryallthesortofyou,\"saidtheboat-master,forIhadofferedhimmyhorse,andagreatrewardinmoney,partdown,andtheotherparttobepaidwhenIsetfootinEngland。Nordidhemakeanytarrying,but,takinghisnetsonboard,asifhewouldbeabouthislawfulbusiness,setsail,withhistwosonsforacrew。Theeastwindservedustoamiracle,and,afterasfairapassageasmightbe,theylandedmeundercloudofnightnotfarfromthegreatportofWinchelsea。
ThatnightIsleptnone,butwalkingfastandwarily,undercoverofafog,Ifetchedacompassabout,andendedbywalkingintothetownofRyebytheroadfromthenorth。HereIwentstraighttothebestinnoftheplace,andcallingaloudforbreakfast,Ibadethedrawerbringminehosttomeinstantly。For,atLouviers,weweresowellservedbyspies,thecountrysidingwithusratherthanwiththeEnglish,thatIknewhowacompanyoftheEarlofWarwick\'smenwaslookedforinWinchelseatosailwhentheyhadafairwindforRouen。
MinehostcametomeinaservileEnglishfashion,andaskedmewhatIwould?
\"First,ahorse,\"saidI,\"forminedroppeddeadlastnight,tenmileshenceonthenorthroad,inyourmarshes,Goddamnthem,andyoumayseebymyrustyspurandmirybootthatIhavewalkedfar。
Here,\"Icried,pullingoffmyboots,andflingingthemdownontherushesofthefloor,\"bidoneofyourvarletscleanthem!Next,breakfast,andapotofyourale;andthenIshallseewhatmannerofhorsesyoukeep,forImustneedsridetoWinchelsea。”
\"YouwouldjointhemenunderthebannerofSirThomasGreyofFalloden,Imakenodoubt?\"heanswered。\"YourspeechsmacksoftheNorthernparts,andthegoodknightcomesfromnolongwaysouthoftheborder。Hismenrodethroughourtownbutfewdaysagone。”
\"Andmetheyleftbehindontheway,\"Ianswered,\"soevilismyluckinhorse-flesh。Butforthisblessedwindoutoftheeastthathindersthem,myhonourwereundone。”
Mytalewasnottoohardofbelief,andbeforenoonIwasonmywaytoWinchelsea,astoutnagenoughbetweenmylegs。
Thefirstman-at-armswhomImetIhailed,biddinghimleadmestraighttoSirThomasGreyofFalloden。\"What,youwouldtakeservice?\"heasked,inaCumberlandburrthatIknewwell,forindeeditcamereadyenoughonmyowntongue。
\"Yea,bySt。Cuthbert,\"Ianswered,\"forontheMarchesnothingstirs;moreover,Ihaveslainaman,andfledmyowncountry。”
WiththathebadeGoddamnhissoulifIwerenotagoodfellow,andsoledmestraighttothelodgingsoftheknightunderwhosecoloursheserved。TohimItoldthesametale,addingthatIhadheardlateofhislevyingofhismen,otherwiseIhadriddentojoinhimathissettingforth。
\"Youhaveseenwar?\"heasked。
\"OnlyaWarden\'sraidortwain,onthemoss-troopingScotsofLiddesdale。BranxholmeIhaveseeninablaze,andhavefacedfireattheCastleoftheHermitage。”
\"YouspeakthetongueoftheNorthernparts,\"hesaid;\"areyounoble?\"
\"ApoorcousinoftheStoreysofNetherby,\"Ianswered,whichwastrueenough;andwhenhequestionedmeaboutmykin,IshowedhimthatIkneweverynameandscutcheonoftheline,mymotherhavinginstructedmeinallsuchloreofherfamily。{38}
\"Andwhereforecomeyouherealone,andinsuchplight?\"
\"Byreasonofasword-strokeatStainishawbankFair,\"Iansweredboldly。
\"Faith,then,Iseenocausewhy,asyourwillissogood,youshouldnotsoonhaveyourbellyfulofsword-strokes。For,whenoncewehaveburnedthatlimbofthedevil,thePuzel\"forsotheEnglishcalltheMaid,\"weshallshortlydrivetheseforsworndogs,theFrench,backbeyondtheLoire。”
Ifeltmyfacereddeningattheseillwords,soIstooped,asiftoclearmyspurofmire。
\"Shortlyshallshetastethetar-barrel,\"Ianswered,whereathesworeandlaughed;then,callingaclerk,badehimwritemyindenture,asistheEnglishmanner。Thus,thankstomynorthernEnglishtongue,forwhichIwassorebeatenbytheotherboyswhenI
wasaboymyself,beholdmeaman-at-armsofKingHenry,andsomuchofmyenterprisewasachieved。
Imakenoboastofvalour,andindeedIgreatlyfearedformyneck,bothnowandlater。Formyriskwasthatsomeoneofthemen-at-
armsinRouen,whitherwewerebound,shouldhaveseenmyfaceeitheratOrleans,atPariswhereIwasunhelmeted,orinthetakingoftheBastilleatCompiegne。Yetmyvisorwasdown,bothatOrleansandCompiegne,andofthosefewwhomarkedmeingirl\'sgearinParisnonemightchancetomeetmeatRouen,ortoremembermeinchangedgarments。SoIputaboldbrowonit,forbettermightnotbe。NonecursedthePuzelmoreloudlythanI,and,withoutfeigning,nonelongedsosorelyasIforafairwindtoFrance,whereforeIwasevergoingaboutWinchelseawithmyheadintheair,gazingattheweather-cocks。And,asfortunewouldhaveit,thewindwentabout,andweonboard,andwithnolongdelaywereatRouentown。
CHAPTERXXXI——HOWNORMANLESLIESAWTHEMAIDINHERPRISON
OnarrivinginthetownofRouen,threethingsweremychiefcare,whereofthesecondhelpedmeinthethird。ThefirstwastobelodgedasnearasImighttothecastle,whereintheMaidlay,beingchainedsofellwasthecrueltyoftheEnglishtoherbed。Thenextmatterwastopurveymethreehorsesofthefleetest。Heremyfortuneservedmewell,fortheyoungesquiresandpageswouldeverberidingracesoutsideofthegates,theybeinginnofearofwar,andthetimetilltheMaidwasburnedhungheavyontheirhands。I
therefore,followingthemanneroftheEnglishMarchmen,thrustmyselfforwardinthesesports,andwouldchangehorses,givingmoneytoboot,foranythatoutranmyown。MymoneyIspentwithaveryfreehand,bothinwagersandinfeastingmen-at-arms,sothatIwastakentobeagoodfellow,andIwillinglyletmanymaketheirprofitofme。Intheend,Ihadthreehorsesthat,withalightriderinthesaddle,couldbecaughtbynoneinthewholegarrisonofRouen。
Thirdly,Iwasmostsedulousinallduty,andsowonthefavourofSirThomasGrey,theratherthathecountedcousinswithme,andreckonedthatwewereofsomefar-offkindred,whereinhespokethetruth。Thus,partlyforourcommonblood,partlyforthatIwaseverreadyatcall,andforwardtodohiswill,andpartlybecausenonecouldcarryamessageswifter,oradventurefurthertospyoutanybandsoftheFrench,hekeptmeclosetohim,andtrustedmeashisgalloper。Nay,hegaveme,onoccasion,hissignet,toopenthetowngateswhensoeverhewouldsendmeonanyerrand。Moreover,themannoblebybirth,butbasebybreedingwhohadthechiefchargeandcustodyoftheMaid,wasthebrother\'ssonofSirThomas。HehadtonameJohnGrey,andwasanesquireofthebodyoftheEnglishKing,Henry,thenaboy。Thismiscreantitwasoftenmyfortunetomeet,athisuncle\'stable,andtohearhispitilessandcruelspeech。Yet,makingfriends,asScripturecommandsus,oftheMammonofunrighteousness,IsetmyselftowintheaffectionofJohnGreybylaughingathisjestsanddoinghimwhatserviceImight。
OnceortwiceIdroppedtohimawordofmygreatdesiretoseethefamedPuzel,forthetrialsthathadbeenheldinopenhallwerenowdoneinthedungeon,whereonlythebishop,thedoctorsoflaw,andthenotariesmighthearthem。Hernoblebearing,indeed,andwiseanswerswhichwereplainlyputintohermouthbytheSaints,forshewassimpleandignoranthadgainedmen\'shearts。
Oneday,theytoldme,anEnglishlordhadcried——\"Thebravelass,pitysheisnotEnglish。”FortotheEnglishalltherestofGod\'searthisasNazareth,outofwhichcancomenogoodthing。ThusnonemightseetheMaid,and,onceandagain,IletfallawordinJohnGrey\'searconcerningmydesiretolookonherinprison。I
daredmakenoshowofeagerness,thoughnowthemonthofMayhadcome,whichwasbothhergoodandillmonth。ForinMayshefirstwenttoVaucouleursandprophesied,inMayshedeliveredOrleans,andinMayshewastakenatCompiegne。WhereforeIdeemed,asmenwill,thatinMaysheshouldescapeherprison,orinMayshoulddie。Moreover,onthefirstdayofMarchtheyhadaskedher,mockingher-
\"Shaltthoubedelivered?\"
Andshehadanswered-
\"Askmeonthisdaythreemonths,andIshalldeclareittoyou。”
TheEnglish,knowingthis,madeallhastetoendherereMayended,whereforeIhadthemoreoccasionforspeed。
Now,onacertainday,beingMaytheeighth,theheartofJohnGreywasmerrywithinhim。Hehadwelldrunk,andIhadlethimwinofme,atthedice,thatoneofmythreehorseswhichmosthecoveted。
Hethenstruckmeinfriendlyfashionontheback,andcried-
\"Anunluckydayforthee,andforEngland。Thisveryday,twoyearsagone,thatlimbofthedevildroveusbyhersorceriesfrombeforeOrleans。Butto-morrow——\"andhelaughedgrosslyinhisbeard。
\"Storey,youareagoodfellow,thoughafoolatthedice。”
\"Faith,Ihavemetmymaster,\"Isaid。\"ButthelessonyougavemewasworthbaySalkeld,\"forsoIhadnamedmyhorse,afteragreatEnglishhouseontheBorderwhodwellattheCastleofCorby。
\"Iwilldotheeagoodturn,\"hesaid。\"YoucravetoseethisPuzel,eretheyputonherthehighwitch\'scapforherhellwardjourney。”
\"Ishouldlikeitnotill,\"Isaid;\"itweresomethingtotellmygrandchildren,whenallFranceisEnglishland。”
\"Thenyoushallseeher,forthisisyourlastchancetoseeherwhole。”
\"Whatmeanyou,fairsir?\"Iasked,whilemyheartgaveaturninmybody,andIputoutmyhandtoagreattankardofwine。
\"To-morrowthecharityoftheChurchhathresolvedthatsheshallbehadintothetorture-chamber。”
Isetmylipstothetankard,anddranklong,tohidemyface,andforthatIwasnighswooningwithapassionoffearandwrath。
\"ThankstoSt。George,\"Isaid,\"theendisnigh!\"
\"Theendofthetankard,\"quothhe,lookingintoit,\"hathalreadycome。YoudrinklikeamanoftheLandDebatable。”
YetIwasinsuchcasethat,thoughbycustomIdrinklittle,thegreatdraughttouchednotmybrain,anddidbutgivemeheart。
\"YoumightchallengeatskinkingthatgreatDanishknightwhowaswithusunderOrleans,SirAndrewHaggardwashisname,andhisbearingswere……\"{39}
Sohewasrunningon,forhehimselfhaddrunkmorethanhisshare,whenIbroughthimbacktomymatter。
\"ButastouchingthisPuzel,howmayIhavemyviewofher,thatyougraciouslyofferedme?\"
\"Mymenchangeguardatcurfew,\"hesaid;\"fivecomeoutandfivegoin,andIshallbidthemseekyouhereatyourlodgings。Sonow,farewell,andyourrevengewiththediceyoushallhavewhensoyouwill。”
\"Nay,pardonmeonemoment:whenrelieveyoutheguardthatentersatcurfew?\"
\"Anhourafterpointofday。But,nowIbethinkme,youscarcewillcaretopassallthenightinthePuzel\'scompany。Hastthoupaperorparchment?\"
Isetpaperandinkbeforehim,whosaid-
\"Nay,writeyourself;Iamnogreatclerk,yetIcansignandseal。”
Therewith,athiswording,IsetdownanordertotheCastleportertoletmeforthasearlyinthenightasIwould。Thispasshesignedwithhisname,andsealedwithhisring,bearinghisarms。
\"SoIwishyoujoyofthistrystandbonnefortune,\"hesaid,anddeparted。
Ihadtwohoursbeforemeerecurfewrang,andthetimewasmorethanIneeded。ThereforeIwentfirsttotheChurchofSt。Ouen,whichisverygreatandfair,andtherecleanconfessedme,andmademyorisonsthat,ifitwereGod\'swill,thisenterprisemightturntoHishonour,andtothesalvationoftheMaid。AndpitifullyI
besoughtMadameSt。CatherineofFierbois,thatasshehaddeliveredme,asinner,shewoulddelivertheSisteroftheSaints。
NextIwentbacktomylodgings,andtherebadethehostlertohavemytwobeststeedssaddledandbridledinstall,bypointofday,foracouncilwasbeingheldthatnightintheCastle,andIandanotherofSirThomas\'scompanymightbesentearlywithamessagetotheBishopofAvranches。Thisholyman,asthen,wasacauseoftroubleanddelaytotheRegentandPierreCauchon,BishopofBeauvais,becausehewasjust,andfellnotinwiththeirtreasons。
NextIcladmyselfindoubleraiment,doubletabovedoublet,andhoseoverhose,mydoubletsbearingtheredcrossofSt。George。
OverallIthrewagreatmantle,fallingtothefeet,asifIfearedthenightchills。ThereafterImadeafaircopyofmyownwritinginthepassgiventomebyJohnGrey,andcopiedhissignaturealso,andfeignedhissealwithasealofclay,foritmightchancethattwopassesprovedbetterthanone。ThenIputinalittlewallethangingtomygirdlethesignetofSirThomasGrey,andthepassgiventomebyJohnGrey,alsoanink-hornwithpenandpaper,andinmyhand,secretly,IheldthatphialwhichIhadboughtoftheapothecaryinTours。AllmygoldandjewelsIhidaboutmybody;I
sharpenedmyswordanddagger,andthenhadnomoretodobutwaittillcurfewrang。
Thiswastheweariestpartofall;forwhat,Ithought,ifJohnGreyhadforgottenhispromise,thewinebeingabouthiswits。ThereforeIwalkedhitherandthitherinmychamber,inmuchmisdoubt;butatthechimeofcurfewIheardrudevoicesbelow,andaheavysteponthestairs。Itwasaman-at-armsofthebasestsort,who,lurchingwithhisshoulderagainstmydoor,camein,andsaidthatheandhisfellowswaitedmypleasure。ThereonIshowedhimthebestcountenance,andbademyhostfillapannierwithmeatandcakesandwine,topassthehoursintheprisonmerrily。Imyselfrandownintothehost\'scellar,andwasverybusyintastingwine,forI
wouldhavethebest。Andinmakingmychoice,whilethehoststoopedoveracasktodrawafreshtankard,Ipouredallthedrugsofmyphialintoalargepewtervesselwithalid,filleditwithwine,and,tastingit,sworeitwouldservemyturn。Thisflagon,suchaswecalla\'tappithen\'inmycountry,butfargreater,I
borewithmeupthecellarstairs,andgaveittooneoftheguard,biddinghimspillnotadrop,orheshouldgothirsty。
Thelourdaud,thatwastheircaptain,carriedthepannier,and,laughing,wecrossedthestreetandthemoat,givingtheword\"Bedford。”TotheporterIshowedmypass,tellinghimthat,thoughIwasloathtodisturbhim,Icountednottowatchallnightinthecell,whereforeIgavehimagoldpieceforthetroublehemighthaveinlettingmegoforthatanhouruntimely。Herewithhewaswellcontent,andso,passingthewordtothesentinelateachpost,weentered。
Andnow,indeed,myheartbeatsothatmybodyseemedtoshakewithhopeandfearasIwalked。AtthedoorofthechamberwhereintheMaidlaywemetherguardscomingforth,whocriedroughly,biddinghergoodeven,andtothinkwellofwhatwaitedher,meaningthetorments。Theytumbleddownthestairslaughing,whilewewentin,andIlast。Itwasadarkvaultedchamberwithonewindowneartheroof,narrowandheavilybarred。Intherecessbythewindowwasabrazierburning,andcastingasmuchshadowaslightbyreasonofthesmoke。Herealsowasarudetable,stainedwithfoulcirclesofpot-rims,andtherewerefiveorsixstools。Onaweightyoakenbedlayoneinman\'sraiment,blackinhue,herfacedownwards,andherarmsspreadoverherneck。Itcouldscarcebethatsheslept,butshelaylikeonedead,onlyshudderingwhenthelourdaud,thecaptainoftheguard,smoteherontheshoulder,asking,inEnglish,howshedid?
\"Heresheis,sir,surlyasever,andpoorcompanyforChristianmen。Seeyouhowcunninglyallherlimbsaregyved,andchainedtotheironboltsofthebed?WhatwouldmyladyJeannegivemeforthislittlemaster-key?\"
Hereheshowedaslenderkey,hungonasteelchainabouthisneck。
\"Neverasaintofthethree,Michael,Margaret,andCatherine,cantakethisfromme;nay,northedevilswhoweartheirforms。”
\"Haveyouseenthisfaircompanyofhers?\"IwhisperedinEnglish,crossingmyself。
\"Nomorethanshesawthewhiteladythatgoeswiththatotherwitch,CatherineofLaRochelle。But,sir,sheissullen;itishermanner。Withyourgoodleave,shallwesup?\"
Thiswasmyowndesire,soputtingthepannieronthetable,I
carvedthemeatwithmydagger,andpouredoutthewineincups,andtheyfellto,beinghungry,asEnglishmenareatalltimes。Theyroaredovertheirmeat,eatinglikewolvesanddrinkinglikefishes,andonewouldsingalewdsong,andtheothersstrikeinwiththeover-word,butdrinkingwastheirmainavail。
\"Thisisbetterstuff,\"saysthelourdaud,\"thanourEnglishale。
Faith,\'tisstrong,mylads!Wakeup,Jenkin;wakeup,Hal,\"andthenheroaredasnatch,butstopped,lookingdrowsilyabouthim。
ObrothersinChrist,whohearthistale,rememberyethat,fornowfourmonthsandmore,thecleanestsoulinChristenty,andthechastestlady,andofmannersthenoblest,hadenduredthiscompanybynightandbyday!
\"Nay,wakeup,\"Icried;\"yearedullrevellers;whatsayyetothedice?\"
TherewithIsetoutmytablierandthedice。ThenIfilledupthecupafresh,pretendingtodrink,andlaidonthefoultableagreatshiningheapofgold。TheirdulleyesshonelikethemetalwhenI
said-
\"Myselfwillbejudgeandumpire;playye,honestfellows,forI
cravenogainsfromyou。Only,acupforluck!\"
Theycampedatthetable,allthefiveofthem,andsomewhiletheirgreedkeptthemwakeful,andtheycalledthemains,buttheirdroughtkeptthemdrinking。And,onebyone,theirheadsfellheavyonthetable,ortheysprawledontheirstools,andsosankontothefloor,sopotentwerethepoppyandmandragoraoftheleechinTours。
Atlasttheywereallsoundonsleep,oneman\'shandyetclutchingapileofmygoldthatnowandagainwouldslipforthandjingleonthestonefloor。
Nowallthistimeshehadneverstirred,butlayasshehadlain,herfacedownwards,herarmsaboveherneck。
StealthilyItookthechainandthekeyfromabouttheneckofthesleepinglourdaud,andthendrewnearherontiptoe。
Ilistened,and,fromherbreathing,Ibelievethatsheslept,asextremelabourandwearinessandsorrowdosometimesbringtheirownremede。
Thenathoughtcameintomymind,howIshouldbestawakeher,andstooping,Isaidinherear-
\"FilleDe!\"
Instantlysheturnedabout,and,sittingup,foldedherhandsasoneinprayer,deeming,belike,thatshewasarousedbythevoicesofherSaints。Ikneeleddownbesidethebed,andwhispered——\"Madame,Jeanne,lookonmyface!\"
Shegazedonme,andnowIsawherbraveface,wearyandthinandwhite,and,greaterthanofold,thegreatgreyeyes。
\"Isaidonce,\"camehersweetvoice,\"thatthoualoneshouldststandbymewhenallhadforsakenme。FairSaints,doIdreambutadream?\"
\"Nay,Madame,\"Isaid,\"thouwakestanddostnotdream。Onehassentmewholovesthee,evenmyladyElliot;andnowlisten,forthetimeisshort。See,hereIhavethemaster-key,andwhenIhaveunlockedthybonds……\"
\"Thouhastnotslainthesemen?\"sheasked。\"Thatweredeadlysin。”
\"Nay,theydobutsleep,andwillwakenbelikeerethefreshguardcomes,whereforewemustmakehaste。”
\"WhenIhavefreedthee,doonthybody,abovethyraiment,thisdoubletofmine,foritcarriesthecrossofEngland,and,Ibeingoflittlestature,youmaywellpassforme。Moreover,thiscloakanditshood,whichIworewhenIcamein,willcoverthee。Then,whenthougoestforthgivetheword\"Bedford\"tothesentinels;and,totheporterinthegate,showthiswrittenpassofJohnGrey\'s。
Heknowsitalready,havingseenitthisnight。Next,whenthouartwithoutthecastle,faretothehostelrycalled\"TheRoseandApple,\"whichisnearestthecastlegate,andsostraightintothestable,wherestandtwosteeds,saddledandbridled。Choosetheblack,heistheswifter。Ifthehostlerbeawake,heexpectsme,andwilltaketheeforme;mount,withnoword,andridetotheeasternport。ThereshowtothegatewardthissignetofSirThomasGrey,andhewillupwithportcullisanddownwithdrawbridge,forhehasoftendonenolessformeandthatsignet。
\"Then,Madame,rideforLouviers,andyoushallbreakyourfastwiththeBastardandLaHire。”Herwhitefacechangedtored,likethemorninglight,asonthatdayatOrleans,beforeshetookLesTourelles。
Thentheflushfaded,andshegrewashenpale,whileshesaid-
\"Butthou,howshaltthougetforth?\"
\"Madame,\"Isaid,\"fearnotforme。Iwillfollowafterthee,andshamethesleepyportertobelievethathehasdreamedadream。AndIhavewrittenthisotherpass,onseeingwhichhewillneedscreditme,beingadrowse,and,moreover,Iwillpayhimwell。AndIshallbeatthestableassoonalmostasthou,andIhavetoldthehostlerthatbelikeIshallridewithafriend,carryingamessagetotheBishopofAvranches。ForIhavebeguiledtheEnglishtobelievemeoftheirparty,asMadameJudithwroughttothetyrantHolofernes。”
\"Nay,\"sheansweredsimply,\"thismaynotbe。Eveniftheporterweretobeboughtorbeguiled,thoucouldstnotpassthesentinels。
Itmaynotbe。”
\"Thesentinels,belike,aresleeping,orwellnighsleeping,andI
haveadagger。OMadame!forthesakeofthefortuneofFrance,andthehonouroftheKing\"——forthis,Iknew,wasmysuresthope——
\"delaynot,norreckatallofme。Ihavebutonelife,anditisthinefreely。”
\"Theywillburnthee,orslaytheewithothertorments。”
\"Notso,\"Isaid;\"Ishallnotbetakenalive。”
\"Thatweredeadlysin,\"sheanswered。\"Ishallnotgoandleavetheetodieforme。Thenweremyhonourlost,andIcouldnotenduretolive。Entreatmenot,forIwillnotgoforth,asnow。
Naymore,ItelltheeasIhavetoldmyjudges,thatwhichtheSaintshavespokentome。\'Bearthisthymartyrdomgently,\'theysay,\'tut\'enviendrasenroyaumeduParadis。\'Moreover,thisI
know,thatIamtobedeliveredwithgreatvictory!\"
Heresheclaspedherhands,lookingupwards,andherfacewasasthefaceofanangel。
\"Fairvictoryitweretoleavetheeinmyplace,andsomakeliarsofmybrethrenofParadise。”
Then,alas!IknewthatIwasofnomoreavailtomoveher;yetonelastartItried。
\"Madame,\"Isaid,\"IhaveprayedyouinthenameofthefortuneofFrance,andthehonouroftheKing,whichistarnishedforeverifyouescapenot。”
\"Ishallbedelivered,\"sheanswered。
\"Iprayyouinthedearnameofyourladymother,MadameduLys。”
\"Ishallbedelivered,\"shesaid,\"andwithgreatvictory!\"
\"NowIpraytheeinmyownname,andinthatofthyfirstfriend,mylady。ShehasmadeavowtogivehervirginitytoHeavenunlesseitherthouartsetfree,orshehavetidingsfromtheethatthouwillesthertowedme,withoutwhomIhavenodesiretolive,butfarratherthisverynighttoperish。ForIamcleanconfessed,withinthesesixhours,knowingthatIwasliketobeinsomejeopardy。”
\"Then,\"shesaid,smilingsweetly,andsigningthatIshouldtakeherhand——\"Thenlive,NormanLeslie,forthisistomeaneasythingandajoyous。Thouartaclerk,hastthouwherewithaltowrite?\"
\"Yes,Madame,hereinmywallet。”
\"ThenwriteasItellthee:-
\"JHESUMARIA\"
\"\'I,JehannelaPucelle,sendfromprisonhereinRouenmytidingsoflovetoElliotHume,myfirstfriendamongwomen,andbidher,formysake,wedhimwholovesher,NormanLeslieofPitcullo,myfaithfulservant,prayingthatallhappinessmaygowiththem。Inwitnesswhereto,myhandbeingguidedtowrite,Isetmyname,JehannelaPucelle,thisninthdayofMay,intheyearFourteenhundredandthirty-one。\'
\"Soguidemyhand,\"shesaid,takingthepenfrommyfingers;andthusguided,whilemytearsfellonherhand,shewroteJEHANNELA
PUCELLE。
\"Now,\"quothshe,smilingasofold,\"wemustsealthismissive。
Cutoffonelockofmyhairwithyourdagger,formylastgifttomyfirstfriend,andmakethesealallorderly。”
Ididasshebade,and,bringingalightedstickfromthebrazier,I
meltedwax。Then,whenitwassmooth,shelaidonittwohairsfromthelittlesunderedlockaswassometimeshercustom,andbademesealwithmyownsignet,andputthebriefinmywallet。
\"Now,allisdone,\"shesaid。
\"Nay,nay,\"Isaid,\"todiefortheeismoretomethantoliveinlove。Ah,nay,goforth,Ibeseechthee!\"
\"WithvictoryshallIgoforth,andnowIlaymylastcommandsonthelastofallmyservants。IfinaughtIhaveeveroffendedthee,inwordordeed,forgiveme!\"
Icouldbutbowmyhead,forIwasweeping,thoughhereyesweredry。
\"Andso,farewell,\"shesaid-
\"Asthouartlealandtrue,begone;itismyorder,andmakenotarrying。To-morrowIhavemuchtodo,andneedsmustIsleepwhilethesemenarequiet。SaytothyladythatIloveherdearly,andbidherhope,asIalsohope。Farewell!\"
Shemovedherthinhand,whichIkissed,kneeling。
Againshesaid\"Farewell,\"andturnedherbackonmeasifshewouldsleep。
ThenIhungthechainandkeyagainontheneckofthelourdaud;I
putsomeofthefallencoinsinthemen\'spouches,butbestowedthediceandtablierinmywallet。Iopenedthedoor,andwentforth,notlookingback;andsofromthecastle,showingmypass,andgivingtheporteranothercoin。ThenIwenthome,inthesweetdawnofMay,andcastingmyselfonmybed,Iweptbitterly,forto-daysheshouldbetormented。
OftherestIhavenomindtotellthoughtheyhadnotthehearttotorturetheMaid,foritputsmeoutofcharitywithapeoplewhohaveanametobeChristians,anditismydesire,ifImay,toforgiveallmenbeforeIdie。
AtRouenIenduredtoabide,evenuntilthedayofunjustdoom,andmyreasonwasthatIeverhopedforsomemiracle,evenasherSaintshadpromised。Butitwastheirwillthatsheshouldbemadeperfectthroughsuffering,andbeingsetfreethroughthegateoffire,shouldwinhervictoryoverunfaithandmortalfear。WhereforeI
stoodafaroffattheend,seeingnothingofwhatbefell;yetI
clearlyheard,asdidallmenthere,thelastwordofhersweetvoice,andthecryofJHESUS!
ThenIpassedthroughthestreetswheremenandwomen,andtheveryEnglish,wereweeping,and,saddlingmyswiftesthorse,Irodetotheeastport。Whenthegatehadclosedbehindme,Iturned,and,liftingmyhand,ItorethecrossofSt。Georgefrommydoublet。
\"Dogs!\"Icried,\"yehaveburnedaSaint!AcurseoncruelEnglishandcowardFrench!StAndrewforScotland!\"TheshaftsandboltshailedpastmeasIwheeledabout;therewasmountingofsteeds,andaclatterofhoofsbehindme,butthesounddiedawayereIrodeintoLouviers。
ThereItoldthemthetalewhichwastheirshame,andsobetookmetoTours,andtomylady。
CHAPTERXXXII——THEENDOFTHISCHRONICLE
Itservesnottospeakofmylaterfortunes,beingthoseofaprivateman,norhaveIthehearttorecalloldsorrows。WewereweddedwhenElliot\'sgriefhadinsomesortabated,andforoneyearwewerehappierthanGodhaswilledthatsinfulmenshouldlongbeinthisworld。Thenthatbefellwhichhasbefallenmany。Imaynotwriteofit:sufficeitthatGodtookfrommebothherandherchild。Then,aftercertainweeksanddaysofwhichIamblessedenoughtokeeplittlememory,Iforsworearms,andservedinthehouseholdoftheLadyMargaretofScotland,whomarriedtheDauphinonanunhappyday。IhaveknownmuchofCourtsandofthelearned,Ihaveseenthewickedmanexalted,andBrotherThomasNoiroufleingreathonourwithCharlesVII。KingofFrance,andofferingbeforehim,withhismurderoushands,theblessedsacrificeoftheMass。
ThedeathoftheLadyMargaret,slainbylyingtongues,andthesuddensightofthatevilman,BrotherThomas,raisedtopowerandplace,drovemefromFrance,andIwascertainyearswiththeKing\'sambassadorsattheCourtsofItaly。ThereIheardhowtheHolyInquisitionhadreversedthatfalsejudgmentoftheEnglishandfalseFrenchatRouen,whichmademesomejoy。Andthen,findingoldagecomeuponme,Iwithdrewtomyowncountry,whereIhavelivedinreligion,somewhileintheAbbeyofDunfermline,andthisyeargoneinourcellofPluscardine,whereInowwrite,andwhereI
hopetodieandbeburied。
Hereendsmytale,inmyLatinChronicleleftuntold,ofhowaScotsMonkwaswiththeMaidbothinhervictoriesandrecoveriesoftowns,andeventillherdeath。
Formyself,Inowgrowold,andtheearthlytimetocomeisshort,andthereremainetharestforallsoulsChristian。MiscreantsI
haveheardof,menmisbelievingandheretics,whodenythatthespiritabidesafterthedeathofthebody,forinthelongyears,saythey,thespiritwiththefleshwanes,andatlastdieswiththebodilydeath。WhereintheynotonlymakeHolyChurchaliar,butarevisiblyconfoundedbythistruthwhichIknowandfeel,namely,thatwhilemyfleshwasteshourlytowardsoldage,andofmanythingsmymemoryisweakened,yetofthatdayinChinonImindmeasclearly,andseemyloveaswell,andhearhersweetvoiceasplain,asifshehadbutnowlefttheroom。
Hereinmymemorydoesnotfail,nordoeslovefaint,growingstrongerwiththeyears,likethestreamasitracestothefall。
Wherefore,beingmorestrongthanTime,LoveshallbemorestrongthanDeath。Theriverofmylifespeedsyearlyswifter,theyearslikemonthsgoby,themonthslikeweeks,theweekslikedays。Evensofleeton,OTime,tillIrestbesideherfeet!Nay,never,beingyoung,didImoredesiremylove\'spresencewhenwewereapartthanto-dayIdesireit,thememoryofherfillingallmyheartasfragranceofflowersfillsaroom,tillitseemsasifshewerenotfaraway,butnearme,asIwriteofher。And,foolishthatIam!I
lookupasifImightseeherbymyside。Iknownotifthisbesowithallmen,for,indeed,Ihaveaskednone,norspokentoanyofthemattersaveinconfession。ForIhavelovedthisonce,andnomore;whereforeIdeemmehappierthanmost,andmorecertainofagoodendtomylove,wheretheblesseddwellintheRoseofParadise,beholdingtheBeatificVision。
TothisendIimploretheprayersofallChristiansoulswhoreadthisbook,andofalltheSaints,andofthatSisteroftheSaintswhom,whileImight,Iservedinmydegree。
VENERABILISJOHANNA
ORAPRONOBIS
APPENDIXA——NORMAN\'SMIRACLE
See\"LivredesMiraclesdeMadameSainteKatherinedeFierboys。
MSS。Bib。Nat。7335,fol。lxxxiv。
Lexvijourdumoysdejanvier,l\'anmilcccc。xxx。,vintenlachapelledeceansNormanLesliedePytquhoulle,escoth,escuyerdelacompagniedeHuguesCande,capitaine。{40}Lequeldistetaffermaparsermentestrevraylemiraclecyapresdeclaire。C\'estassavoirqueleditLesliefutprinsdesAngloiseParislejourdelaNativitedeNostreDamedel\'andernierpasse。LequelNormanLeslieavoitentredanslavilledeParisavecc。Escossoysenguised\'Angloys,lesqueulsEscossoysfurentprinsdesAngloys,etleditNormanfutmisenfersetenceps。Etestoitl\'intentiondeceuxquil\'avoientprisdelefairelendemainardre,parcequ\'ilportoitrobedefemmeparmanierederusedeguerre。
Sis\'avintqueleditNormansevouaeMadameSainteKatherine,qu\'illuypleustprierDieuqu\'illevoulsistdelivrerdelaprisonouilestoit;etincontinentqu\'ilpourroitestredehors,ilyroitmercierMadameSainteKatherineensachapelledeFierboys。Etincontinentsonveufaitsis\'endormit,etaureveillertrouvaenlatouravecquesluyunSinge,quiluiapportadeuxfiles,etunpetitcousteau。Ainsiiltrouvamanieredesedeferrer,etadoncquess\'ensortitdelaprisonemportantavecquesluylesinge。SiselaissoitcheoiravalenpriantMadameSainteKatherineetchutabas,etoncquesnesefistmal,etserenditeSaintDenysouiltrouvoitdescompagnonsEscossoys。
EtainsyleditNormanLeslies\'enestvenuauditlieudeFierboys,toutsainetsauf,emportantavecquesluyleditsinge,quiestbesteestrangeetfoldesoncorps。EtajureleditNormanceestrevrayparlafoyetsermentdesoncorps。
PresensmessireRichartKyrthrizian,frereGilesLacourt,prestresgouverneursdeladitechapelle,etmessireHauvesPolnoire,peintreduRoy,etplusieursaultres。
APPENDIXB——ELLIOT\'SRING
TheRingoftheMaid,inscribedwiththeHolyNames,isoftenreferredtoinherTrial\"Proces,\"i。86,103,185,236,238,andismentionedbyBower,thecontemporaryScottishchronicler\"Proces,\"iv。480,whoseworkwascontinuedinthe\"LiberPluscardensis。”Wehavealso,inthetext,Norman\'sstatementthatacopyofthisringwaspresentedbytheMaidtoElliotHume。
Whilecorrectingtheproof-sheetsofthisChronicle,theTranslatorreceivedfromMr。GeorgeBlack,AssistantKeeperoftheNationalMuseumofAntiquitiesinEdinburgh,acopyofhisessayon\"ScottishCharmsandAmulets\"\"ProceedingsoftheSocietyofAntiquariesofScotland,\"May8,1893,p。488。There,tohisastonishment,theTranslatorread:\"TheformulaMARI。IHS。occursontwofinger-ringsofsilver-gilt,oneofwhichwasfoundatPluscarden,Elginshire,andtheotherinanoldgraveyardnearFintrayHouse,Aberdeenshire。”HaveweinthePluscardenringarelicoftheMonkofPluscarden,thecompanionofJeanned\'Arc,theauthorof\"LiberPluscardensis\"?