FirsthesanganORIGINALairandpoem,beginning”Cherriesnice,cherriesnice,nice,comechoose,Freshandfairones,who’llrefuse?”&c。
Thewhichhewasreadytotakehisaffidavithehadcomposedthedaybeforeyesterday。ThenhesanganequallyORIGINALheroicmelody,ofwhichthechoruswas”RuleBritannia,Britanniarulesthesea,ForBritonsnever,never,neverslavesshallbe,”&c。
Thecourtiersapplaudedthissongastheydidtheother,allexceptIvanhoe,whosatwithoutchangingamuscleofhisfeatures,untiltheKingquestionedhim,whentheknight,withabowsaid”hethoughthehadheardsomethingveryliketheairandthewordselsewhere。”HisMajestyscowledathimasavageglancefromunderhisredbushyeyebrows;butIvanhoehadsavedtheroyallifethatday,andtheKing,therefore,withdifficultycontrolledhisindignation。”Well,”saidhe,”bySt。RichardandSt。George,butyeneverheardTHISsong,forIcomposeditthisveryafternoonasItookmybathafterthemelee。DidInot,Blondel?”
Blondel,ofcourse,wasreadytotakeanaffidavitthathisMajestyhaddoneashesaid,andtheKing,thrummingonhisguitarwithhisgreatredfingersandthumbs,begantosingoutoftuneandasfollows:——”COMMANDERSOFTHEFAITHFUL。”ThePopeheisahappyman,HisPalaceistheVatican,Andtherehesitsanddrainshiscan:
ThePopeheisahappyman。
IoftensaywhenI’mathome,I’dliketobethePopeofRome。”Andthenthere’sSultanSaladin,ThatTurkishSoldanfullofsin;
Hehasahundredwivesatleast,Bywhichhispleasureisincreased:
I’veoftenwished,Ihopenosin,ThatIwereSultanSaladin。”Butno,thePopenowifemaychoose,AndsoIwouldnotwearhisshoes;
NowinemaydrinktheproudPaynim,AndsoI’drathernotbehim:
Mywife,mywine,IloveIhope,AndwouldbeneitherTurknorPope。””Encore!Encore!Bravo!Bis!”EverybodyapplaudedtheKing’ssongwithallhismight:everybodyexceptIvanhoe,whopreservedhisabominablegravity:andwhenaskedaloudbyRogerdeBackbitewhetherhehadheardthattoo,saidfirmly,”Yes,RogerdeBackbite;andsohastthouifthoudarestbuttellthetruth。””Now,bySt。Cicely,mayInevertouchgitternagain,”bawledtheKinginafury,”ifeverynote,word,andthoughtbenotmine;mayIdieinto-morrow’sonslaughtifthesongbenotmysong。Singthyself,WilfridoftheLanthornJaws;thoucould’stsingagoodsonginoldtimes。”Andwithallhismight,andwithaforcedlaugh,theKing,wholovedbrutalpracticaljests,flunghisguitarattheheadofIvanhoe。
SirWilfridcaughtitgracefullywithonehand,andmakinganelegantbowtothesovereign,begantochantasfollows:——”KINGCANUTE。”KingCanutewasweary-hearted;hehadreignedforyearsascore,Battling,struggling,pushing,fighting,killingmuchandrobbingmore;
Andhethoughtuponhisactions,walkingbythewildsea-shore。”’TwixttheChancellorandBishopwalkedtheKingwithstepssedate,Chamberlainsandgroomscameafter,silversticksandgoldsticksgreat,Chaplains,aides-de-camp,andpages,——alltheofficersofstate。”Slidingafterlikehisshadow,pausingwhenhechosetopause,Ifafrownhisfacecontracted,straightthecourtiersdroppedtheirjaws;
IftolaughtheKingwasminded,outtheyburstinloudhee-haws。”Butthatdayasomethingvexedhim,thatwascleartooldandyoung:
ThricehisGracehadyawnedattable,whenhisfavoritegleemensung,OncetheQueenwouldhaveconsoledhim,buthebadeherholdhertongue。”’Somethingailsmygraciousmaster,’criedtheKeeperoftheSeal。
’Sure,mylord,itisthelampreysservedatdinner,ortheveal?’
’Psha!’exclaimedtheangrymonarch。’Keeper,’tisnotthatIfeel。”’’TistheHEART,andnotthedinner,fool,thatdothmyrestimpair:
CanaKingbegreatasIam,prithee,andyetknownocare?
Oh,I’msick,andtired,andweary。’——Someonecried,’TheKing’sarm-chair?’”Thentowardsthelackeysturning,quickmyLordtheKeepernodded,StraighttheKing’sgreatchairwasbroughthim,bytwofootmenable-bodied;
Languidlyhesankintoit:itwascomfortablywadded。”’Leadingonmyfiercecompanions,’criedbe,’overstormandbrine,IhavefoughtandIhaveconquered!Wherewasgloryliketomine?’
Loudlyallthecourtiersechoed:’Whereisgloryliketothine?’”’Whatavailmeallmykingdoms?WearyamInow,andold;
ThosefairsonsIhavebegotten,longtoseemedeadandcold;
WouldIwere,andquietburied,underneaththesilentmould!”’Oh,remorse,thewrithingserpent!atmybosomtearsandbites;
Horrid,horridthingsIlookon,thoughIputoutallthelights;
Ghostsofghastlyrecollectionstroopaboutmybedofnights。”’Citiesburning,conventsblazing,redwithsacrilegiousfires;
Mothersweeping,virginsscreaming,vainlyfortheirslaughteredsires。’——
Suchatenderconscience,’criestheBishop,’everyoneadmires。”’Butforsuchunpleasantbygones,cease,mygraciouslord,tosearch,They’reforgottenandforgivenbyourHolyMotherChurch;
Never,neverdoessheleaveherbenefactorsinthelurch。”’Look!thelandiscrownedwithminsters,whichyourGrace’sbountyraised;
Abbeysfilledwithholymen,whereyouandHeavenaredailypraised:
YOU,mylord,tothinkofdying?onmyconscienceI’mamazed!’”’Nay,Ifeel,’repliedKingCanute,’thatmyendisdrawingnear。’
’Don’tsayso,’exclaimedthecourtiersstrivingeachtosqueezeatear。
’SureyourGraceisstrongandlusty,andmaylivethisfiftyyear。’”’Livethesefiftyyears!’theBishoproared,withactionsmadetosuit。
’Areyoumad,mygoodLordKeeper,thustospeakofKingCanute!
Menhavelivedathousandyears,andsurehisMajestywilldo’t。”’Adam,Enoch,Lamech,Cainan,Mahaleel,Methusela,Livedninehundredyearsapiece,andmayn’ttheKingaswellasthey?’
’Fervently,’exclaimedtheKeeper,’ferventlyItrusthemay。’”’HEtodie?’resumedtheBishop。’HeamortalliketoUS?
Deathwasnotforhimintended,thoughcommunisomnibus:
Keeper,youareirreligious,fortotalkandcavilthus。”’Withhiswondrousskillinhealingne’eradoctorcancompete,Loathsomelepers,ifhetouchthem,startupcleanupontheirfeet;
Surelyhecouldraisethedeadup,didhisHighnessthinkitmeet。”’DidnotoncetheJewishcaptainstaythesunuponthehill,And,thewhileheslewthefoemen,bidthesilvermoonstandstill?
So,nodoubt,couldgraciousCanute,ifitwerehissacredwill。’”’MightIstaythesunaboveus,goodSirBishop?’Canutecried;
’CouldIbidthesilvermoontopauseuponherheavenlyride?
Ifthemoonobeysmyorders,sureIcancommandthetide。”’Willtheadvancingwavesobeyme,Bishop,ifImakethesign?’
SaidtheBishop,bowinglowly,’Landandsea,mylord,arethine。’
Canuteturnedtowardstheocean——’Back!’hesaid,’thoufoamingbrine”’FromthesacredshoreIstandon,Icommandtheetoretreat;
Venturenot,thoustormyrebel,toapproachthymaster’sseat:
Ocean,bethoustill!Ibidtheecomenotnearertomyfeet!’”Butthesullenoceanansweredwithalouder,deeperroar,Andtherapidwavesdrewnearer,fallingsoundingontheshore;
BacktheKeeperandtheBishop,backtheKingandcourtiersbore。”Andhesternlybadethemnevermoretokneeltohumanclay,ButalonetopraiseandworshipThatwhichearthandseasobey:
Andhisgoldencrownofempireneverworehefromthatday。
KingCanuteisdeadandgone:Parasitesexistalway。”
Atthisballad,which,tobesure,wasawfullylong,andasgraveasasermon,someofthecourtierstittered,someyawned,andsomeaffectedtobeasleepandsnoreoutright。ButRogerdeBackbitethinkingtocurryfavorwiththeKingbythispieceofvulgarity,hisMajestyfetchedhimaknockonthenoseandabuffetontheear,which,Iwarrantme,wakenedMasterRoger;towhomtheKingsaid,”Listenandbecivil,slave;Wilfridissingingaboutthee——
Wilfrid,thyballadislong,butitistothepurpose,andIhavegrowncoolduringthyhomily。Givemethyhand,honestfriend。
Ladies,goodnight。Gentlemen,wegivethegrandassaultto-morrow;
whenIpromisethee,Wilfrid,thybannershallnotbebeforemine。”——
AndtheKing,givinghisarmtoherMajesty,retiredintotheprivatepavilion。
CHAPTERIII。
ST。GEORGEFORENGLAND。
WhilsttheroyalRichardandhiscourtwerefeastinginthecampoutsidethewallsofChalus,theyofthecastlewereinthemostmiserableplightthatmaybeconceived。Hunger,aswellasthefierceassaultsofthebesiegers,hadmadedireravagesintheplace。Thegarrison’sprovisionsofcornandcattle,theirveryhorses,dogs,anddonkeyshadbeeneatenup——sothatitmightwellbesaidbyWamba”thatfamine,aswellasslaughter,hadTHINNED
thegarrison。”WhenthemenofChaluscameonthewallstodefenditagainstthescaling-partiesofKingRichard,theywerelikesomanyskeletonsinarmor;theycouldhardlypulltheirbowstringsatlast,orpitchdownstonesontheheadsofhisMajesty’sparty,soweakhadtheirarmsbecome;andthegiganticCountofChalus——awarriorasredoubtableforhissizeandstrengthasRichardPlantagenethimself——wasscarcelyabletoliftuphisbattle-axeuponthedayofthatlastassault,whenSirWilfridofIvanhoeranhimthroughthe——butweareadvancingmatters。
WhatshouldpreventmefromdescribingtheagoniesofhungerwhichtheCountamanoflargeappetitesufferedincompanywithhisheroicsonsandgarrison?——Nothing,butthatDantehasalreadydonethebusinessinthenotorioushistoryofCountUgolino;sothatmyeffortsmightbeconsideredasmereimitations。WhyshouldInot,ifIweremindedtorevelinhorrifyingdetails,showyouhowthefamishedgarrisondrewlots,andatethemselvesduringthesiege;
andhowtheunluckylotfallingupontheCountessofChalus,thatheroicwoman,takinganaffectionateleaveofherfamily,causedherlargecaldroninthecastlekitchentobeseta-boiling,hadonions,carrotsandherbs,pepperandsaltmadeready,tomakeasavorysoup,astheFrenchlikeit;andwhenallthingswerequitecompleted,kissedherchildren,jumpedintothecaldronfromoffakitchenstool,andsowassteweddowninherflannelbed-gown?
Dearfriends,itisnotfromwantofimagination,orfromhavingnoturnfortheterribleorpathetic,thatIspareyouthesedetails。
Icouldgiveyousomedescriptionthatwouldspoilyourdinnerandnight’srest,andmakeyourhairstandonend。Butwhyharrowyourfeelings?Fancyallthetorturesandhorrorsthatpossiblycanoccurinabeleagueredandfamishedcastle:fancythefeelingsofmenwhoknowthatnomorequarterwillbegiventhemthantheywouldgetiftheywerepeacefulHungariancitizenskidnappedandbroughttotrialbyhisMajestytheEmperorofAustria;andthenletusrushontothebreachandprepareoncemoretomeettheassaultofdreadfulKingRichardandhismen。
Onthe29thofMarchintheyear1199,thegoodKing,havingcopiouslypartakenofbreakfast,causedhistrumpetstoblow,andadvancedwithhishostuponthebreachofthecastleofChalus。
ArthurdePendennisborehisbanner;WilfridofIvanhoefoughtontheKing’srighthand。Molyneux,BishopofBullocksmithy,doffedcrosierandmitreforthatday,andthoughfatandpursy,pantedupthebreachwiththemostresolutespirit,roaringoutwar-criesandcurses,andwieldingaprodigiousmaceofiron,withwhichhedidgoodexecution。RogerdeBackbitewasforcedtocomeinattendanceuponthesovereign,buttookcaretokeepintherearofhisaugustmaster,andtoshelterbehindhishugetriangularshieldasmuchaspossible。ManylordsofnotefollowedtheKingandboretheladders;andastheywereplacedagainstthewall,theairwasperfectlydarkwiththeshowerofarrowswhichtheFrencharcherspouredoutatthebesiegers,andthecataractofstones,kettles,bootjacks,chestsofdrawers,crockery,umbrellas,congreve-
rockets,bombshells,boltsandarrowsandothermissileswhichthedesperategarrisonflungoutonthestorming-party。TheKingreceivedacoppercoal-scuttlerightoverhiseyes,andamahoganywardrobewasdischargedathismorion,whichwouldhavefelledanox,andwouldhavedonefortheKinghadnotIvanhoewardeditoffskilfully。Stilltheyadvanced,thewarriorsfallingaroundthemlikegrassbeneaththescytheofthemower。
Theladderswereplacedinspiteofthehailofdeathraininground:theKingandIvanhoewere,ofcourse,thefirsttomountthem。Chalusstoodinthebreach,borrowingstrengthfromdespair;
androaringout,”Ha!Plantagenet,St。BarbacueforChalus!”hedealttheKingacrackacrossthehelmetwithhisbattle-axe,whichshoreoffthegiltlionandcrownthatsurmountedthesteelcap。
TheKingbentandreeledback;thebesiegersweredismayed;thegarrisonandtheCountofChalussetupashoutoftriumph:butitwaspremature。
AsquickasthoughtIvanhoewasintotheCountwithathrustintierce,whichtookhimjustatthejointofthearmor,andranhimthroughascleanasaspitdoesapartridge。Utteringahorridshriek,hefellbackwrithing;theKingrecoveringstaggereduptheparapet;therushofknightsfollowed,andtheunion-jackwasplantedtriumphantlyonthewalls,justasIvanhoe,——butwemustleavehimforamoment。”Ha,St。Richard!——ha,St。George!”thetremendousvoiceoftheLion-kingwasheardovertheloudestroaroftheonset。Ateverysweepofhisbladeaseveredheadflewovertheparapet,aspoutingtrunktumbled,bleeding,ontheflagsofthebartizan。TheworldhathneverseenawarriorequaltothatLion-heartedPlantagenet,asheragedoverthekeep,hiseyesflashingfirethroughthebarsofhismorion,snortingandchafingwiththehotlustofbattle。
OnebyonelesenfansdeChalushadfallen;therewasonlyoneleftatlastofallthebraveracethathadfoughtroundthegallantCount:——onlyone,andbutaboy,afair-hairedboy,ablue-eyedboy!hehadbeengatheringpansiesinthefieldsbutyesterday——itwasbutafewyears,andhewasababyinhismother’sarms!WhatcouldhispunysworddoagainstthemostredoubtedbladeinChristendom?——andyetBohemondfacedthegreatchampionofEngland,andmethimfoottofoot!Turnaway,turnaway,mydearyoungfriendsandkind-heartedladies!Donotlookatthatill-fatedpoorboy!hisbladeiscrushedintosplintersundertheaxeoftheconqueror,andthepoorchildisbeatentohisknee!……”Now,bySt。BarbacueofLimoges,”saidBertranddeGourdon,”thebutcherwillneverstrikedownyonderlambling!Holdthyhand,SirKing,or,bySt。Barbacue——”
Swiftasthoughttheveteranarcherraisedhisarblasttohisshoulder,thewhizzingboltfledfromtheringingstring,andthenextmomentcrashedquiveringintothecorseletofPlantagenet。
’Twasalucklessshot,BertrandofGourdon!Maddenedbythepainofthewound,thebrutenatureofRichardwasaroused:hisfiendishappetiteforbloodrosetomadness,andgrindinghisteeth,andwithacursetoohorribletomention,theflashingaxeoftheroyalbutcherfelldownontheblondringletsofthechild,andthechildrenofChaluswerenomore!……
Ijustthrowthisoffbywayofdescription,andtoshowwhatMIGHT
bedoneifIchosetoindulgeinthisstyleofcomposition;butasinthebattleswhicharedescribedbythekindlychronicler,ofoneofwhoseworksthispresentmasterpieceisprofessedlyacontinuation,everythingpassesoffagreeably——thepeopleareslain,butwithoutanyunpleasantsensationtothereader;nay,someofthemostsavageandblood-stainedcharactersofhistory,suchistheindomitablegood-humorofthegreatnovelist,becomeamiable,jovialcompanions,forwhomonehasaheartysympathy——so,ifyouplease,wewillhavethisfightingbusinessatChalus,andthegarrisonandhonestBertrandofGourdon,disposedof;theformer,accordingtotheusageofthegoodoldtimes,havingbeenhungupormurderedtoaman,andthelatterkilledinthemannerdescribedbythelateDr。GoldsmithinhisHistory。
AsfortheLion-hearted,weallverywellknowthattheshaftofBertranddeGourdonputanendtotheroyalhero——andthatfromthat29thofMarchheneverrobbednormurderedanymore。AndwehavelegendsinreconditebooksofthemanneroftheKing’sdeath。”Youmustdie,myson,”saidthevenerableWalterofRouen,asBerengariawascarriedshriekingfromtheKing’stent。”Repent,SirKing,andseparateyourselffromyourchildren!””Itisilljestingwithadyingman,”repliedtheKing。”ChildrenhaveInone,mygoodlordbishop,toinheritafterme。””RichardofEngland,”saidthearchbishop,turninguphisfineeyes,”yourvicesareyourchildren。Ambitionisyoureldestchild,Crueltyisyoursecondchild,Luxuryisyourthirdchild;
andyouhavenourishedthemfromyouryouthup。Separateyourselffromthesesinfulones,andprepareyoursoul,forthehourofdeparturedrawethnigh。”
Violent,wicked,sinful,ashemighthavebeen,RichardofEnglandmethisdeathlikeaChristianman。Peacebetothesoulofthebrave!WhenthenewscametoKingPhilipofFrance,hesternlyforbadehiscourtierstorejoiceatthedeathofhisenemy。”Itisnomatterofjoybutofdolor,”hesaid,”thatthebulwarkofChristendomandthebravestkingofEuropeisnomore。”
MeanwhilewhathasbecomeofSirWilfridofIvanhoe,whomweleftintheactofrescuinghissovereignbyrunningtheCountofChalusthroughthebody?
Asthegoodknightstoopeddowntopickhisswordoutofthecorpseofhisfallenfoe,someonecomingbehindhimsuddenlythrustadaggerintohisbackataplacewherehisshirt-of-mailwasopenforSirWilfridhadarmedthatmorninginahurry,anditwashisbreast,nothisback,thathewasaccustomedordinarilytoprotect;
andwhenpoorWambacameupontherampart,whichhedidwhenthefightingwasover,——beingsuchafoolthathecouldnotbegottothrusthisheadintodangerforglory’ssake——hefoundhisdearknightwiththedaggerinhisbacklyingwithoutlifeuponthebodyoftheCountdeChaluswhomhehadanonslain。
Ah,whatahowlpoorWambasetupwhenhefoundhismasterkilled!
Howhelamentedoverthecorpseofthatnobleknightandfriend!
WhatmatteredittohimthatRichardtheKingwasbornewoundedtohistent,andthatBertranddeGourdonwasflayedalive?Atanothertimethesightofthisspectaclemighthaveamusedthesimpleknave;butnowallhisthoughtswereofhislord:sogood,sogentle,sokind,soloyal,sofrankwiththegreat,sotendertothepoor,sotruthfulofspeech,somodestregardinghisownmerit,sotrueagentleman,inaword,thatanybodymight,withreason,deplorehim。
AsWambaopenedthedearknight’scorselet,hefoundalocketroundhisneck,inwhichtherewassomehair;notflaxenlikethatofmyLadyRowena,whowasalmostasfairasanAlbino,butasblack,Wambathought,asthelocksoftheJewishmaidenwhomtheknighthadrescuedinthelistsofTemplestowe。AbitofRowena’shairwasinSirWilfrid’spossession,too;butthatwasinhispursealongwithhissealofarms,andacoupleofgroats:forthegoodknightneverkeptanymoney,sogenerouswasheofhislargesseswhenmoneycamein。
Wambatookthepurse,andseal,andgroats,butheleftthelocketofhairroundhismaster’sneck,andwhenhereturnedtoEnglandneversaidawordaboutthecircumstance。Afterall,howshouldheknowwhosehairitwas?Itmighthavebeentheknight’sgrandmother’shairforaughtthefoolknew;sohekepthiscounselwhenhebroughtbackthesadnewsandtokenstothedisconsolatewidowatRotherwood。
Thepoorfellowwouldneverhaveleftthebodyatall,andindeedsatbyitallnight,anduntilthegrayofthemorning;when,seeingtwosuspicious-lookingcharactersadvancingtowardshim,hefledindismay,supposingthattheyweremarauderswhowereoutsearchingforbootyamongthedeadbodies;andhavingnottheleastcourage,hefledfromthese,andtumbleddownthebreach,andneverstoppedrunningasfastashislegswouldcarryhim,untilhereachedthetentofhislatebelovedmaster。
Thenewsoftheknight’sdemise,itappeared,hadbeenknownathisquarterslongbefore;forhisservantsweregone,andhadriddenoffonhishorses;hischestswereplundered:therewasnotsomuchasashirt-collarleftinhisdrawers,andtheverybedandblanketshadbeencarriedawaybytheseFAITHFULattendants。WhohadslainIvanhoe?Thatremainsamysterytothepresentday;butRogerdeBackbite,whosenosehehadpulledfordefamation,andwhowasbehindhimintheassaultatChalus,wasseentwoyearsafterwardsatthecourtofKingJohninanembroideredvelvetwaistcoatwhichRowenacouldhaveswornshehadworkedforIvanhoe,andaboutwhichthewidowwouldhavemadesomelittlenoise,butthat——butthatshewasnolongerawidow。
Thatshetrulydeploredthedeathofherlordcannotbequestioned,forsheorderedthedeepestmourningwhichanymillinerinYorkcouldsupply,anderectedamonumenttohismemoryasbigasaminster。Butshewasaladyofsuchfineprinciples,thatshedidnotallowhergrieftoovermasterher;andanopportunityspeedilyarisingforunitingthetwobestSaxonfamiliesinEngland,byanalliancebetweenherselfandthegentlemanwhoofferedhimselftoher,Rowenasacrificedherinclinationtoremainsingle,tohersenseofduty;andcontractedasecondmatrimonialengagement。
ThatAthelstanewastheman,Isupposenoreaderfamiliarwithlife,andnovelswhicharearescriptoflife,andareallstrictlynaturalandedifying,canforamomentdoubt。CardinalPandulfotiedtheknotforthem:andlestthereshouldbeanydoubtaboutIvanhoe’sdeathforhisbodywasneversenthomeafterall,norseenafterWambaranawayfromit,hisEminenceprocuredaPapaldecreeannullingtheformermarriage,sothatRowenabecameMrs。
Athelstanewithaclearconscience。Andwhoshallbesurprised,ifshewashappierwiththestupidandboozyThanethanwiththegentleandmelancholyWilfrid?Didwomenneverhaveapredilectionforfools,Ishouldliketoknow;orfallinlovewithdonkeys,beforethetimeoftheamoursofBottomandTitania?Ah!Mary,hadyounotpreferredanasstoaman,wouldyouhavemarriedJackBray,whenaMichaelAngelooffered?Ah!Fanny,wereyounotawoman,wouldyoupersistinadoringTomHiccups,whobeatsyou,andcomeshometipsyfromtheClub?Yes,RowenacaredahundredtimesmoreabouttipsyAthelstanethanevershehaddoneforgentleIvanhoe,andsogreatwasherinfatuationabouttheformer,thatshewouldsituponhiskneeinthepresenceofallhermaidens,andlethimsmokehiscigarsintheverydrawing-room。
ThisistheepitaphshecausedtobewrittenbyFatherDronowhopiquedhimselfuponhisLatinityonthestonecommemoratingthedeathofherlatelord:——
HicestGuilfridus,bellidumvixitavidus:
Cumgladioetlancea,NormaniaetquoqueFranciaVerberaduradabat:perTurcosmultumequitabat:
Guilbertumoccidit:atqueHierosolymavidit。
Heu!nuncsubfossasunttantimilitisossa,UxorAthelstaniestconjuxcastissimaThani。
AndthisisthetranslationwhichthedoggerelknaveWambamadeoftheLatinlines:”REQUIESCAT。”Underthestoneyoubehold,Buried,andcoffined,andcold,LiethSirWilfridtheBold。”Alwayshemarchedinadvance,WarringinFlandersandFrance,Doughtywithswordandwithlance。”FamousinSaracenfight,Rodeinhisyouththegoodknight,ScatteringPaynimsinflight。”BriantheTemplaruntrue,Fairlyintourneyheslew,SawHierusalemtoo。”Nowheisburiedandgone,Lyingbeneaththegraystone:
Whereshallyoufindsuchaone?”Longtimehiswidowdeplored,Weepingthefateofherlord,Sadlycutoffbythesword。”Whenshewaseasedofherpain,CamethegoodLordAthelstane,Whenherladyshipmarriedagain。”
Athelstaneburstintoaloudlaugh,whenheheardit,atthelastline,butRowenawouldhavehadthefoolwhipped,hadnottheThaneinterceded;andtohim,shesaid,shecouldrefusenothing。
CHAPTERIV。
IVANHOEREDIVIVUS。
Itrustnobodywillsuppose,fromtheeventsdescribedinthelastchapter,thatourfriendIvanhoeisreallydead。Becausewehavegivenhimanepitaphortwoandamonument,aretheseanyreasonsthatheshouldbereallygoneoutoftheworld?No:asinthepantomime,whenweseeClownandPantaloonlayoutHarlequinandcryoverhim,wearealwayssurethatMasterHarlequinwillbeupatthenextminutealertandshininginhisglisteningcoat;and,aftergivingaboxontheearstothepairofthem,willbetakingadancewithColumbine,orleapinggaylythroughtheclock-face,orintothethree-pair-of-stairs’window:——soSirWilfrid,theHarlequinofourChristmaspiece,mayberunthroughalittle,ormaymakebelievetobedead,butwillassuredlyriseupagainwhenheiswanted,andshowhimselfattherightmoment。
Thesuspicious-lookingcharactersfromwhomWambaranawaywerenocut-throatsandplunderers,asthepoorknaveimagined,butnootherthanIvanhoe’sfriend,thehermit,andareverendbrotherofhis,whovisitedthesceneofthelatebattleinordertoseeifanyChristiansstillsurvivedthere,whomtheymightshriveandgetreadyforheaven,ortowhomtheymightpossiblyofferthebenefitoftheirskillasleeches。Bothwereprodigiouslylearnedinthehealingart;andhadaboutthemthosepreciouselixirswhichsooftenoccurinromances,andwithwhichpatientsaresomiraculouslyrestored。Abruptlydroppinghismaster’sheadfromhislapashefled,poorWambacausedtheknight’spatetofallwithratheraheavythumptotheground,andiftheknavehadbutstayedaminutelonger,hewouldhaveheardSirWilfridutteradeepgroan。Butthoughthefoolheardhimnot,theholyhermitsdid;andtorecognizethegallantWilfrid,towithdrawtheenormousdaggerstillstickingoutofhisback,towashthewoundwithaportionofthepreciouselixir,andtopouralittleofitdownhisthroat,waswiththeexcellenthermitstheworkofaninstant:whichremediesbeingapplied,oneofthegoodmentooktheknightbytheheelsandtheotherbythehead,andborehimdaintilyfromthecastletotheirhermitageinaneighboringrock。AsfortheCountofChalus,andtheremainderoftheslain,thehermitsweretoomuchoccupiedwithIvanhoe’scasetomindthem,anddidnot,itappears,givethemanyelixir:sothat,iftheyarereallydead,theymuststayontherampartstarkandcold;orifotherwise,whenthesceneclosesuponthemasitdoesnow,theymaygetup,shakethemselves,gototheslipsanddrinkapotofporter,orchangetheirstage-clothesandgohometosupper。Mydearreaders,youmaysettlethematteramongyourselvesasyoulike。Ifyouwishtokillthecharactersreallyoff,letthembedead,andhavedonewiththem:but,entrenous,I
don’tbelievetheyareanymoredeadthanyouorIare,andsometimesdoubtwhetherthereisasinglesyllableoftruthinthiswholestory。
Well,Ivanhoewastakentothehermits’cell,andtheredoctoredbytheholyfathersforhishurts;whichwereofsuchasevereanddangerousorder,thathewasundermedicaltreatmentforaveryconsiderabletime。Whenhewokeupfromhisdelirium,andaskedhowlonghehadbeenill,fancyhisastonishmentwhenheheardthathehadbeeninthefeverforsixyears!Hethoughtthereverendfatherswerejokingatfirst,buttheirprofessionforbadethemfromthatsortoflevity;andbesides,hecouldnotpossiblyhavegotwellanysooner,becausethestorywouldhavebeensadlyputouthadheappearedearlier。Anditproveshowgoodthefathersweretohim,andhowverynearlythatscoundrelofaRogerdeBackbite’sdaggerhadfinishedhim,thathedidnotgetwellunderthisgreatlengthoftime;duringthewholeofwhichthefatherstendedhimwithouteverthinkingofafee。Iknowofakindphysicianinthistownwhodoesasmuchsometimes;butIwon’tdohimtheillserviceofmentioninghisnamehere。
Ivanhoe,beingnowquicklypronouncedwell,trimmedhisbeard,whichbythistimehungdownconsiderablybelowhisknees,andcallingforhissuitofchain-armor,whichbeforehadfittedhiselegantpersonastightaswax,nowputiton,anditbaggedandhungsolooselyabouthim,thateventhegoodfriarslaughedathisabsurdappearance。Itwasimpossiblethatheshouldgoaboutthecountryinsuchagarbasthat:theveryboyswouldlaughathim:
sothefriarsgavehimoneoftheiroldgowns,inwhichhedisguisedhimself,andaftertakinganaffectionatefarewellofhisfriends,setforthonhisreturntohisnativecountry。Ashewentalong,helearnedthatRichardwasdead,thatJohnreigned,thatPrinceArthurhadbeenpoisoned,andwasofcoursemadeacquaintedwithvariousotherfactsofpublicimportancerecordedinPinnock’sCatechismandtheHistoricPage。
Butthesesubjectsdidnotinteresthimnearsomuchashisownprivateaffairs;andIcanfancythathislegstrembledunderhim,andhispilgrim’sstaffshookwithemotion,asatlength,aftermanyperils,hecameinsightofhispaternalmansionofRotherwood,andsawoncemorethechimneyssmoking,theshadowsoftheoaksoverthegrassinthesunset,andtherookswingingoverthetrees。Heheardthesuppergongsounding:heknewhiswaytothedoorwellenough;heenteredthefamiliarhallwithabenedicite,andwithoutanymorewordstookhisplace……
Youmighthavethoughtforamomentthatthegrayfriartrembledandhisshrunkencheeklookeddeadlypale;butherecoveredhimselfpresently:norcouldyouseehispallorforthecowlwhichcoveredhisface。
AlittleboywasplayingonAthelstane’sknee;RowenasmilingandpattingtheSaxonThanefondlyonhisbroadbullhead,filledhimahugecupofspicedwinefromagoldenjug。Hedrainedaquartoftheliquor,and,turninground,addressedthefriar:——”Andso,grayfrere,thousawestgoodKingRichardfallatChalusbytheboltofthatfelonbowman?””Wedid,anitpleaseyou。ThebrothersofourhouseattendedthegoodKinginhislastmoments:intruth,hemadeaChristianending!””Anddidstthouseethearcherflayedalive?Itmusthavebeenraresport,”roaredAthelstane,laughinghugelyatthejoke。”Howthefellowmusthavehowled!””Mylove!”saidRowena,interposingtenderly,andputtingaprettywhitefingeronhislip。”Iwouldhavelikedtoseeittoo,”criedtheboy。”That’smyownlittleCedric,andsothoushalt。And,friar,didstseemypoorkinsmanSirWilfridofIvanhoe?TheysayhefoughtwellatChalus!””Mysweetlord,”againinterposedRowena,”mentionhimnot。””Why?Becausethouandheweresotenderindaysofyore——whenyoucouldnotbearmyplainface,beingallinlovewithhispaleone?””Thosetimesarepastnow,dearAthelstane,”saidhisaffectionatewife,lookinguptotheceiling。”Marry,thounevercouldstforgivehimtheJewess,Rowena。””Theodioushussy!don’tmentionthenameoftheunbelievingcreature,”exclaimedthelady。”Well,well,poorWilwasagoodlad——athoughtmelancholyandmilksopthough。Why,apintofsackfuddledhispoorbrains。””SirWilfridofIvanhoewasagoodlance,”saidthefriar。”IhaveheardtherewasnonebetterinChristendom。Helayinourconventafterhiswounds,anditwastherewetendedhimtillhedied。Hewasburiedinournorthcloister。””Andthere’sanendofhim,”saidAthelstane。”Butcome,thisisdismaltalk。Where’sWambatheJester?Letushaveasong。Stirup,Wamba,anddon’tlielikeadoginthefire!Singusasong,thoucrack-brainedjester,andleaveoffwhimperingforbygones。
Tush,man!Therebemanygoodfellowsleftinthisworld。””Therebebuzzardsineagles’nests,”Wambasaid,whowaslyingstretchedbeforethefire,sharingthehearthwiththeThane’sdogs。”Therebedeadmenalive,andlivemendead。Therebemerrysongsanddismalsongs。Marry,andthemerriestarethesaddestsometimes。Iwillleaveoffmotleyandwearblack,gossipAthelstane。Iwillturnhowleratfunerals,andthen,perhaps,I
shallbemerry。Motleyisfitformutes,andblackforfools。
Givemesomedrink,gossip,formyvoiceisascrackedasmybrain。””Drinkandsing,thoubeast,andceaseprating,”theThanesaid。
AndWamba,touchinghisrebeckwildly,satupinthechimney-sideandcurledhisleanshankstogetherandbegan:——”LOVEATTWOSCORE。”Ho!prettypage,withdimpledchin,Thatneverhasknownthebarber’sshear,Allyouraimiswomantowin——
Thisisthewaythatboysbegin——
Waittillyou’vecometofortyyear!”Curlygoldlockscoverfoolishbrains,Billingandcooingisallyourcheer,SighingandsingingofmidnightstrainsUnderBonnybells’window-panes。
Waittillyou’vecometofortyyear!”FortytimesoverletMichaelmaspass,Grizzlinghairthebraindothclear;
Thenyouknowaboyisanass,Thenyouknowtheworthofalass,Onceyouhavecometofortyyear。”Pledgemeround,Ibidyedeclare,Allgoodfellowswhosebeardsaregray:
DidnotthefairestofthefairCommongrow,andwearisome,ereEveramonthwaspassedaway?”Thereddestlipsthateverhavekissed,Thebrightesteyesthateverhaveshone,Mayprayandwhisperandwenotlist,Orlookawayandneverbemissed,Ereyeteveramonthwasgone。”Gillian’sdead,Heavenrestherbier,HowIlovedhertwentyyearssyne!
Marian’smarried,butIsithere,Aliveandmerryatfortyyear,DippingmynoseintheGasconwine。””Whotaughttheethatmerrylay,Wamba,thousonofWitless?”
roaredAthelstane,clatteringhiscuponthetableandshoutingthechorus。”Itwasagoodandholyhermit,sir,thepiousclerkofCopmanhurst,thatyouwotof,whoplayedmanyaprankwithusinthedaysthatweknewKingRichard。Ah,noblesir,thatwasajovialtimeandagoodpriest。””Theysaytheholypriestissureofthenextbishopric,mylove,”
saidRowena。”HisMajestyhathtakenhimintomuchfavor。MyLordofHuntingdonlookedverywellatthelastball;butInevercouldseeanybeautyintheCountess——afreckled,blowsything,whomtheyusedtocallMaidMarian:though,forthematterofthat,whatbetweenherflirtationswithMajorLittlejohnandCaptainScarlett,really——””Jealousagain——haw!haw!”laughedAthelstane。”Iamabovejealousy,andscornit,”Rowenaanswered,drawingherselfupverymajestically。”Well,well,Wamba’swasagoodsong,”Athelstanesaid。”Nay,awickedsong,”saidRowena,turninguphereyesasusual。”What!railatwoman’slove?Preferafilthywinecuptoatruewife?Woman’sloveiseternal,myAthelstane。Hewhoquestionsitwouldbeablasphemerwerehenotafool。Thewell-bornandwell-
nurturedgentlewomanlovesonceandonceonly。””Iprayyou,madam,pardonme,I——Iamnotwell,”saidthegrayfriar,risingabruptlyfromhissettle,andtotteringdownthestepsofthedais。Wambasprungafterhim,hisbellsjinglingasherose,andcastinghisarmsaroundtheapparentlyfaintingman,heledhimawayintothecourt。”Therebedeadmenaliveandlivemendead,”whisperedhe。”Therebecoffinstolaughatandmarriagestocryover。SaidInotsooth,holyfriar?”Andwhentheyhadgotoutintothesolitarycourt,whichwasdesertedbyallthefollowersoftheThane,whowereminglinginthedrunkenrevelryinthehall,Wamba,seeingthatnonewereby,kneltdown,andkissingthefriar’sgarment,said,”Iknewthee,Iknewthee,mylordandmyliege!””Getup,”saidWilfridofIvanhoe,scarcelyabletoarticulate:”onlyfoolsarefaithful。”
Andhepassedon,andintothelittlechapelwherehisfatherlayburied。Allnightlongthefriarspentthere:andWambatheJesterlayoutsidewatchingasmuteasthesaintovertheporch。
Whenthemorningcame,Wumbawasgone;andtheknavebeinginthehabitofwanderinghitherandthitherashechose,littlenoticewastakenofhisabsencebyamasterandmistresswhohadnotmuchsenseofhumor。AsforSirWilfrid,agentlemanofhisdelicacyoffeelingscouldnotbeexpectedtoremaininahousewherethingssonaturallydisagreeabletohimwereoccurring,andhequittedRotherwoodincontinently,afterpayingadutifulvisittothetombwherehisoldfather,Cedric,wasburied;andhastenedontoYork,atwhichcityhemadehimselfknowntothefamilyattorney,amostrespectableman,inwhosehandshisreadymoneywasdeposited,andtookupasumsufficienttofithimselfoutwithcredit,andahandsomeretinue,asbecameaknightofconsideration。Buthechangedhisname,woreawigandspectacles,anddisguisedhimselfentirely,sothatitwasimpossiblehisfriendsorthepublicshouldknowhim,andthusmetamorphosed,wentaboutwhithersoeverhisfancyledhim。HewaspresentatapublicballatYork,whichthelordmayorgave,dancedSirRogerdeCoverleyintheverysamesetwithRowena——whowasdisgustedthatMaidMariantookprecedenceofher——hesawlittleAthelstaneovereathimselfatthesupperandpledgehisbigfatherinacupofsack;hemettheReverendMr。Tuckatamissionarymeeting,wherehesecondedaresolutionproposedbythateminentdivine;——infine,hesawascoreofhisoldacquaintances,noneofwhomrecognizedinhimthewarriorofPalestineandTemplestowe。Havingalargefortuneandnothingtodo,hewentaboutthiscountryperformingcharities,slayingrobbers,rescuingthedistressed,andachievingnoblefeatsofarms。Dragonsandgiantsexistedinhisdaynomore,orbesurehewouldhavehadaflingatthem:forthetruthis,SirWilfridofIvanhoewassomewhatsickofthelifewhichthehermitsofChalushadrestoredtohim,andfelthimselfsofriendlessandsolitarythathewouldnothavebeensorrytocometoanendofit。Ah,mydearfriendsandintelligentBritishpublic,aretherenototherswhoaremelancholyunderamaskofgayety,andwho,inthemidstofcrowds,arelonely?Listonwasamostmelancholyman;Grimaldihadfeelings;andthereareothersIwotof:——butpsha!——letushavethenextchapter。
CHAPTERV。
IVANHOETOTHERESCUE。
Therascallymannerinwhichthechicken-liveredsuccessorofRichardoftheLion-heartconductedhimselftoallparties,tohisrelatives,hisnobles,andhispeople,isamatternotorious,andsetforthclearlyintheHistoricPage:hence,althoughnothing,exceptperhapssuccess,can,inmyopinion,excusedisaffectiontothesovereign,orappearanceinarmedrebellionagainsthim,theloyalreaderwillmakeallowancefortwooftheprincipalpersonagesofthisnarrative,whowillhavetoappearinthepresentchapterintheodiouscharacterofrebelstotheirlordandking。Itmustberemembered,inpartialexculpationofthefaultofAthelstaneandRowena,afaultforwhichtheywerebitterlypunished,asyoushallpresentlyhear,thatthemonarchexasperatedhissubjectsinavarietyofways,——thatbeforehemurderedhisroyalnephew,PrinceArthur,therewasagreatquestionwhetherhewastherightfulkingofEnglandatall,——thathisbehaviorasanuncle,andafamilyman,waslikelytowoundthefeelingsofanyladyandmother,——finally,thattherewerepalliationsfortheconductofRowenaandIvanhoe,whichitnowbecomesourdutytorelate。
WhenhisMajestydestroyedPrinceArthur,theLadyRowena,whowasoneoftheladiesofhonortotheQueen,gaveupherplaceatcourtatonce,andretiredtohercastleofRotherwood。Expressionsmadeuseofbyher,andderogatorytothecharacterofthesovereign,werecarriedtothemonarch’sears,bysomeofthoseparasites,doubtless,bywhomitisthecurseofkingstobeattended;andJohnswore,bySt。Peter’steeth,thathewouldberevengeduponthehaughtySaxonlady,——akindofoathwhich,thoughhedidnottroublehimselfaboutallotheroaths,hewasneverknowntobreak。
Itwasnotforsomeyearsafterhehadregisteredthisvow,thathewasenabledtokeepit。
HadIvanhoebeenpresentatRonen,whentheKingmeditatedhishorriddesignsagainsthisnephew,thereislittledoubtthatSirWilfridwouldhavepreventedthem,andrescuedtheboy:forIvanhoewas,asweneedscarcelysay,aheroofromance;anditisthecustomanddutyofallgentlemenofthatprofessiontobepresentonalloccasionsofhistoricinterest,tobeengagedinallconspiracies,royalinterviews,andremarkableoccurrences:andhenceSirWilfridwouldcertainlyhaverescuedtheyoungPrince,hadhebeenanywhereintheneighborhoodofRouen,wherethefoultragedyoccurred。Buthewasacoupleofhundredleaguesoff,atChalus,whenthecircumstancehappened;tieddowninhisbedascrazyasaBedlamite,andravingceaselesslyintheHebrewtonguewhichhehadcaughtupduringapreviousillnessinwhichhewastendedbyamaidenofthatnationaboutacertainRebeccaBenIsaacs,ofwhom,beingamarriedman,heneverwouldhavethought,hadhebeeninhissoundsenses。Duringthisdelirium,whatwerepoliticstohim,orhetopolitics?KingJohnorKingArthurwasentirelyindifferenttoamanwhoannouncedtohisnurse-tenders,thegoodhermitsofChalusbeforementioned,thathewastheMarquisofJericho,andabouttomarryRebeccatheQueenofSheba。
Inaword,heonlyheardofwhathadoccurredwhenhereachedEngland,andhissenseswererestoredtohim。Whetherwashehappier,soundofbrainandentirelymiserable,asanymanwouldbewhofoundsoadmirableawifeasRowenamarriedagain,orperfectlycrazy,thehusbandofthebeautifulRebecca?Idon’tknowwhichhelikedbest。
HowbeittheconductofKingJohninspiredSirWilfridwithsothoroughadetestationofthatsovereign,thathenevercouldbebroughttotakeserviceunderhim;togethimselfpresentedatSt。
James’s,orinanywaytoacknowledge,butbysternacquiescence,theauthorityofthesanguinarysuccessorofhisbelovedKingRichard。ItwasSirWilfridofIvanhoe,Ineedscarcelysay,whogottheBaronsofEnglandtoleaguetogetherandextortfromthekingthatfamousinstrumentandpalladiumofourlibertiesatpresentintheBritishMuseum,GreatRussellStreet,Bloomsbury——
theMagnaCharta。HisnamedoesnotnaturallyappearinthelistofBarons,becausehewasonlyaknight,andaknightindisguisetoo:nordoesAthelstane’ssignaturefigureonthatdocument。
Athelstane,inthefirstplace,couldnotwrite;nordidhecareapennypieceaboutpolitics,solongashecoulddrinkhiswineathomeundisturbed,andhavehishuntingandshootinginquiet。
ItwasnotuntiltheKingwantedtointerferewiththesportofeverygentlemaninEnglandasweknowbyreferencetotheHistoricPagethatthisodiousmonarchdid,thatAthelstanebrokeoutintoopenrebellion,alongwithseveralYorkshiresquiresandnoblemen。
ItisrecordedoftheKing,thatheforbadeeverymantohunthisowndeer;and,inordertosecureanobediencetohisorders,thisHerodofamonarchwantedtosecuretheeldestsonsofallthenobilityandgentry,ashostagesforthegoodbehavioroftheirparents。
Athelstanewasanxiousabouthisgame——Rowenawasanxiousaboutherson。TheformersworethathewouldhunthisdeerinspiteofallNormantyrants——thelatterasked,shouldshegiveupherboytotheruffianwhohadmurderedhisownnephew?*ThespeechesofbothwerebroughttotheKingatYork;and,furious,heorderedaninstantattackuponRotherwood,andthatthelordandladyofthatcastleshouldbebroughtbeforehimdeadoralive。
*SeeHume,GiraldusCambrensis,TheMonkofCroyland,andPinnock’sCatechism。
Ah,wherewasWilfridofIvanhoe,theunconquerablechampion,todefendthecastleagainsttheroyalparty?AfewthrustsfromhislancewouldhavespittedtheleadingwarriorsoftheKing’shost:afewcutsfromhisswordwouldhaveputJohn’sforcestorout。ButthelanceandswordofIvanhoewereidleonthisoccasion。”No,behangedtome!”saidtheknight,bitterly,”THISisaquarrelinwhichIcan’tinterfere。Commonpolitenessforbids。Letyonderale-swillingAthelstanedefendhis——ha,ha——WIFE;andmyLadyRowenaguardher——ha,ha,ha——SON。”Andhelaughedwildlyandmadly;andthesarcastic,wayinwhichhechokedandgurgledoutthewords”wife”and”son”wouldhavemadeyoushuddertohear。
Whenheheard,however,that,onthefourthdayofthesiege,Athelstanehadbeenslainbyacannon-ball,andthistimeforgood,andnottocometolifeagainashehaddonebefore,andthatthewidowifsotheinnocentbigamistmaybecalledwasconductingthedefenceofRotherwoodherselfwiththegreatestintrepidity,showingherselfuponthewallswithherlittleson,whobellowedlikeabull,anddidnotlikethefightingatall,
pointingthegunsandencouragingthegarrisonineveryway——betterfeelingsreturnedtothebosomoftheKnightofIvanhoe,andsummoninghismen,hearmedhimselfquicklyanddeterminedtogoforthtotherescue。
HerodewithoutstoppingfortwodaysandtwonightsinthedirectionofRotherwood,withsuchswiftnessanddisregardforrefreshment,indeed,thathismendroppedonebyoneupontheroad,andhearrivedaloneatthelodge-gateofthepark。Thewindowsweresmashed;thedoorstovein;thelodge,aneatlittleSwisscottage,withagardenwherethepinaforesofMrs。Gurth’schildrenmighthavebeenseenhangingonthegooseberry-bushesinmorepeacefultimes,wasnowaghastlyheapofsmokingruins:cottage,bushes,pinafores,childrenlaymangledtogether,destroyedbythelicentioussoldieryofaninfuriatemonarch!FarbeitfrommetoexcusethedisobedienceofAthelstaneandRowenatotheirsovereign;butsurely,surelythiscrueltymighthavebeenspared。
Gurth,whowaslodge-keeper,waslyingdreadfullywoundedandexpiringattheflamingandviolatedthresholdofhislatelypicturesquehome。Acatapultandacoupleofmangonelshaddonehisbusiness。Thefaithfulfellow,recognizinghismaster,whohadputuphisvisorandforgottenhiswigandspectaclesintheagitationofthemoment,exclaimed,”SirWilfrid!mydearmaster——
praisedbeSt。Waltheof——theremaybeyettime——mybelovedmistr——
masterAthelst……”Hesankback,andneverspokeagain。
IvanhoespurredonhishorseBaviecamadlyupthechestnutavenue。
Thecastlewasbeforehim;thewesterntowerwasinflames;thebesiegerswerepressingatthesoutherngate;Athelstane’sbanner,thebullrampant,wasstillonthenorthernbartizan。”AnIvanhoe,anIvanhoe!”hebellowedout,withashoutthatovercameallthedinofbattle:”NostreDamealarescousse!”AndtohurlhislancethroughthemidriffofReginalddeBracy,whowascommandingtheassault——whofellhowlingwithanguish——towavehisbattle-axeoverhisownhead,andcutoffthoseofthirteenmen-at-arms,wastheworkofaninstant。”AnIvanhoe,anIvanhoe!”hestillshouted,anddownwentamanassureashesaid”hoe!””Ivanhoe!Ivanhoe!”ashrillvoicecriedfromthetopofthenorthernbartizan。Ivanhoeknewit。”Rowenamylove,Icome!”heroaredonhispart。”Villains!touchbutahairofherhead,andI……”
Here,withasuddenplungeandasquealofagony,Baviecasprangforwardwildly,andfellaswildlyonherback,rollingoverandoverupontheknight。Allwasdarkbeforehim;hisbrainreeled;
itwhizzed;somethingcamecrashingdownonhisforehead。St。
WaltheofandallthesaintsoftheSaxoncalendarprotecttheknight!……
Whenhecametohimself,Wambaandthelieutenantofhislanceswereleaningoverhimwithabottleofthehermit’selixir。”Wearrivedherethedayafterthebattle,”saidthefool;”marry,I
haveaknackofthat。””Yourworshiprodesodeucedlyquick,therewasnokeepingupwithyourworship,”saidthelieutenant。”Theday——after——thebat——”groanedIvanhoe。”WhereistheLadyRowena?””Thecastlehasbeentakenandsacked,”thelieutenantsaid,andpointedtowhatonceWASRotherwood,butwasnowonlyaheapofsmokingruins。Notatowerwasleft,notaroof,notafloor,notasinglehumanbeing!Everythingwasflameandruin,smashandmurther!
OfcourseIvanhoefellbackfaintingagainamongtheninety-sevenmen-at-armswhomhehadslain;anditwasnotuntilWambahadappliedasecond,anduncommonlystrongdoseoftheelixirthathecametolifeagain。Thegoodknightwas,however,fromlongpractice,soaccustomedtotheseverestwounds,thatheborethemfarmoreeasilythancommonfolk,andthuswasenabledtoreachYorkuponalitter,whichhismenconstructedforhim,withtolerableease。
Rumorhadasusualadvancedbeforehim;andheheardatthehotelwherehestopped,whathadbeentheissueoftheaffairatRotherwood。Aminuteortwoafterhishorsewasstabbed,andIvanhoeknockeddown,thewesternbartizanwastakenbythestorming-partywhichinvestedit,andeverysoulslain,exceptRowenaandherboy;whoweretieduponhorsesandcarriedaway,underasecureguard,tooneoftheKing’scastles——nobodyknewwhither:andIvanhoewasrecommendedbythehotel-keeperwhosehousehehadusedinformertimestoreassumehiswigandspectacles,andnotcallhimselfbyhisownnameanymore,lestsomeoftheKing’speopleshouldlayhandsonhim。However,ashehadkilledeverybodyroundabouthim,therewasbutlittledangerofhisdiscovery;andtheKnightoftheSpectacles,ashewascalled,wentaboutYorkquiteunmolested,andatlibertytoattendtohisownaffairs。
Wewishtobebriefinnarratingthispartofthegallanthero’sexistence;forhislifewasoneoffeelingratherthanaffection,andthedescriptionofmeresentimentisconsideredbymanywell-
informedpersonstobetedious。WhatWEREhissentimentsnow,itmaybeasked,underthepeculiarpositioninwhichhefoundhimself?HehaddonehisdutybyRowena,certainly:nomancouldsayotherwise。Butasforbeinginlovewithheranymore,afterwhathadoccurred,thatwasadifferentquestion。Well,comewhatwould,hewasdeterminedstilltocontinuedoinghisdutybyher;——
butasshewaswhiskedawaythedeuceknewwhither,howcouldhedoanything?Soheresignedhimselftothefactthatshewasthuswhiskedaway。
He,ofcourse,sentemissariesaboutthecountrytoendeavortofindoutwhereRowenawas:butthesecamebackwithoutanysortofintelligence;anditwasremarked,thathestillremainedinaperfectstateofresignation。Heremainedinthisconditionforayear,ormore;anditwassaidthathewasbecomingmorecheerful,andhecertainlywasgrowingratherfat。TheKnightoftheSpectacleswasvotedanagreeablemaninagraveway;andgavesomeveryelegant,thoughquiet,parties,andwasreceivedinthebestsocietyofYork。
Itwasjustatassize-time,thelawyersandbarristershadarrived,andthetownwasunusuallygay;when,onemorning,theattorney,whomwehavementionedasSirWilfrid’smanofbusiness,andamostrespectableman,calleduponhisgallantclientathislodgings,andsaidhehadacommunicationofimportancetomake。Havingtocommunicatewithaclientofrank,whowascondemnedtobehangedforforgery,SirRogerdeBackbite,theattorneysaid,hehadbeentovisitthatpartyinthecondemnedcell;andonthewaythroughtheyard,andthroughthebarsofanothercell,hadseenandrecognizedanoldacquaintanceofSirWilfridofIvanhoe——andthelawyerheldhimout,withaparticularlook,anote,writtenonapieceofwhity-brownpaper。
WhatwereIvanhoe’ssensationswhenherecognizedthehandwritingofRowena!——hetremblinglydashedopenthebillet,andreadasfollows:——”MYDEARESTIVANHOE,——ForIamthinenowaserst,andmyfirstlovewasever——everdeartome。HaveIbeenneartheedyingforawholeyear,anddidstthoumakenoefforttorescuethyRowena?Haveyegiventoothers——Imentionnottheirnamenortheirodiouscreed——
theheartthatoughttobemine?Isendtheemyforgivenessfrommydyingpalletofstraw——IforgivetheetheinsultsIhavereceived,thecoldandhungerIhaveendured,thefailinghealthofmyboy,thebitternessofmyprison,thyinfatuationaboutthatJewess,whichmadeourmarriedlifemiserable,andwhichcausedthee,Iamsure,togoabroadtolookafterher。Iforgivetheeallmywrongs,andfainwouldbidtheefarewell。Mr。Smithhathgainedovermygaoler——hewilltelltheehowImayseethee。Comeandconsolemylasthourbypromisingthatthouwiltcareformyboy——HISboywhofelllikeaherowhenthouwertabsentcombatingbythesideofROWENA。”
Thereadermayconsulthisownfeelings,andsaywhetherIvanhoewaslikelytobepleasedornotbythisletter:however,heinquiredofMr。Smith,thesolicitor,whatwastheplanwhichthatgentlemanhaddevisedfortheintroductiontoLadyRowena,andwasinformedthathewastogetabarrister’sgownandwig,whenthegaolerwouldintroducehimintotheinterioroftheprison。Thesedecorations,knowingseveralgentlemenoftheNorthernCircuit,SirWilfridofIvanhoeeasilyprocured,andwithfeelingsofnosmalltrepidation,reachedthecell,where,forthespaceofayear,poorRowenahadbeenimmured。
Ifanypersonhaveadoubtofthecorrectness,ofthehistoricalexactnessofthisnarrative,Ireferhimtothe”BiographieUniverselle”articleJeansansTerre,whichsays,”Lafemmed’unbaronauquelonvintdemandersonfils,repondit,’Leroipense-t-
ilquejeconfieraimonfilsaunhommequiaegorgesonneveudesapropremain?’Jeanfitenleverlamereetl’enfant,etlalaissaMOURIRDEFAIMdanslescachots。”
Ipicturetomyself,withapainfulsympathy,Rowenaundergoingthisdisagreeablesentence。Allhervirtues,herresolution,herchasteenergyandperseverance,shinewithredoubledlustre,and,forthefirsttimesincethecommencementofthehistory,IfeelthatIampartiallyreconciledtoher。Thewearyyearpasses——shegrowsweakerandmorelanguid,thinnerandthinner!AtlengthIvanhoe,inthedisguiseofabarristeroftheNorthernCircuit,isintroducedtohercell,andfindshisladyinthelaststageofexhaustion,onthestrawofherdungeon,withherlittleboyinherarms。Shehaspreservedhislifeattheexpenseofherown,givinghimthewholeofthepittancewhichhergaolersallowedher,andperishingherselfofinanition。
Thereisascene!IfeelasifIhadmadeitup,asitwere,withthislady,andthatwepartinpeace,inconsequenceofmyprovidingherwithsosublimeadeath-bed。FancyIvanhoe’sentrance——theirrecognition——thefaintblushuponherwornfeatures——thepatheticwayinwhichshegiveslittleCedricinchargetohim,andhispromisesofprotection。”Wilfrid,myearlyloved,”slowlygaspedshe,removinghergrayhairfromherfurrowedtemples,andgazingonherboyfondly,ashenestledonIvanhoe’sknee——”promiseme,bySt。WaltheofofTemplestowe——promisemeoneboon!””Ido,”saidIvanhoe,claspingtheboy,andthinkingitwastothatlittleinnocentthepromisewasintendedtoapply。”BySt。Waltheof?””BySt。Waltheof!””Promiseme,then,”gaspedRowena,staringwildlyathim,”thatyouneverwillmarryaJewess?””BySt。Waltheof,”criedIvanhoe,”thisistoomuch,Rowena!”——Buthefelthishandgraspedforamoment,thenervesthenrelaxed,thepalelipsceasedtoquiver——shewasnomore!
CHAPTERVI。
IVANHOETHEWIDOWER。
HavingplacedyoungCedricatschoolatthehallofDotheboyes,inYorkshire,andarrangedhisfamilyaffairs,SirWilfridofIvanhoequittedacountrywhichhadnolongeranycharmsforhim,andinwhichhisstaywasrenderedthelessagreeablebythenotionthatKingJohnwouldhanghim,ifeverhecouldlayhandsonthefaithfulfollowerofKingRichardandPrinceArthur。
Buttherewasalwaysinthosedaysahomeandoccupationforabraveandpiousknight。Asaddleonagallantwar-horse,apitchedfieldagainsttheMoors,alancewherewithtospitaturbanedinfidel,oraroadtoParadisecarvedoutbyhisscimitar,——theseweretheheightoftheambitionofgoodandreligiouswarriors;andsorenownedachampionasSirWilfridofIvanhoewassuretobewellreceivedwhereverblowswerestrickenforthecauseofChristendom。EvenamongthedarkTemplars,hewhohadtwiceovercomethemostfamouslanceoftheirOrderwasarespectedthoughnotawelcomeguest:butamongtheoppositioncompanyoftheKnightsofSt。John,hewasadmiredandcourtedbeyondmeasure;andalwaysaffectioningthatOrder,whichofferedhim,indeed,itsfirstrankandcommanderies,hedidmuchgoodservice;fightingintheirranksforthegloryofheavenandSt。Waltheof,andslayingmanythousandsoftheheatheninPrussia,Poland,andthosesavageNortherncountries。Theonlyfaultthatthegreatandgallant,thoughsevereandasceticFolkoofHeydenbraten,thechiefoftheOrderofSt。John,foundwiththemelancholywarrior,whoselancedidsuchgoodservicetothecause,was,thathedidnotpersecutetheJewsassoreligiousaknightshould。Heletoffsundrycaptivesofthatpersuasionwhomhehadtakenwithhisswordandhisspear,savedothersfromtorture,andactuallyransomedthetwolastgrindersofavenerablerabbithatRogerdeCartright,anEnglishknightoftheOrder,wasabouttoextortfromtheelderlyIsraelite,withahundredcrownsandagimmalring,whichwereallthepropertyhepossessed。Wheneverhesoransomedorbenefitedoneofthisreligion,hewouldmoreovergivethemalittletokenoramessagewerethegoodknightoutofmoney,saying,”Takethistoken,andrememberthisdeedwasdonebyWilfridtheDisinherited,fortheserviceswhilomerenderedtohimbyRebecca,thedaughterofIsaacofYork!”Soamongthemselves,andintheirmeetingsandsynagogues,andintheirrestlesstravelsfromlandtoland,whentheyofJewrycursedandreviledallChristians,assuchabominableheathenswill,theyneverthelessexceptedthenameoftheDesdichado,orthedoubly-disinheritedashenowwas,theDesdichado-Doblado。
Theaccountofallthebattles,storms,andscaladoesinwhichSirWilfridtookpart,wouldonlywearythereader;forthechoppingoffoneheathen’sheadwithanaxemustbeverylikethedecapitationofanyotherunbeliever。Sufficeittosay,thatwhereverthiskindofworkwastobedone,andSirWilfridwasintheway,hewasthemantoperformit。ItwouldastonishyouwereyoutoseetheaccountthatWambakeptofhismaster’sachievements,andoftheBulgarians,Bohemians,Croatians,slainormaimedbyhishand。Andas,inthosedays,areputationforvalorhadanimmenseeffectuponthesoftheartsofwomen,andeventheugliestman,wereheastoutwarrior,waslookeduponwithfavorbyBeauty:soIvanhoe,whowasbynomeansill-favored,thoughnowbecomingratherelderly,madeconquestsoverfemalebreastsaswellasoverSaracens,andhadmorethanonedirectofferofmarriagemadetohimbyprincesses,countesses,andnobleladiespossessingbothcharmsandmoney,whichtheywereanxioustoplaceatthedisposalofachampionsorenowned。ItisrelatedthattheDuchessRegentofKartoffelbergofferedhimherhand,andtheducalcrownofKartoffelberg,whichhehadrescuedfromtheunbelievingPrussians;
butIvanhoeevadedtheDuchess’soffer,byridingawayfromhercapitalsecretlyatmidnightandhidinghimselfinaconventofKnightsHospitallersonthebordersofPoland。AnditisafactthatthePrincessRosaliaSeraphinaofPumpernickel,themostlovelywomanofhertime,becamesofranticallyattachedtohim,thatshefollowedhimonacampaign,andwasdiscoveredwithhisbaggagedisguisedasahorse-boy。Butnoprincess,nobeauty,nofemaleblandishmentshadanycharmsforIvanhoe:nohermitpractisedamoreausterecelibacy。Theseverityofhismoralscontrastedsoremarkablywiththelaxanddissolutemanneroftheyounglordsandnoblesinthecourtswhichhefrequented,thattheseyoungspringaldswouldsometimessneerandcallhimMonkandMilksop;buthiscourageinthedayofbattlewassoterribleandadmirable,thatIpromiseyoutheyouthfullibertinesdidnotsneerTHEN;andthemostrecklessofthemoftenturnedpalewhentheycouchedtheirlancestofollowIvanhoe。HolyWaltheof!itwasanawfulsighttoseehimwithhispalecalmface,hisshielduponhisbreast,hisheavylancebeforehim,chargingasquadronofheathenBohemians,oraregimentofCossacks!Whereverhesawtheenemy,Ivanhoeassaultedhim:andwhenpeopleremonstratedwithhim,andsaidifheattackedsuchandsuchapost,breach,castle,orarmy,hewouldbeslain,”AndsupposeIbe?”heanswered,givingthemtounderstandthathewouldaslieftheBattleofLifewereoveraltogether。