by Walter Scott 10 страница

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A loud shout from the spectators, waving of scarfs and handkerchiefs,

and general acclamations, attested the interest taken by the spectators

in this encounter; the most equal, as well as the best performed, which

had graced the day. But no sooner had the knights resumed their station,

than the clamour of applause was hushed into a silence, so deep and so

dead, that it seemed the multitude were afraid even to breathe.

A few minutes pause having been allowed, that the combatants and their

horses might recover breath, Prince John with his truncheon signed to

the trumpets to sound the onset. The champions a second time sprung from

their stations, and closed in the centre of the lists, with the same

speed, the same dexterity, the same violence, but not the same equal

fortune as before.

In this second encounter, the Templar aimed at the centre of his

antagonist's shield, and struck it so fair and forcibly, that his spear

went to shivers, and the Disinherited Knight reeled in his saddle.

On the other hand, that champion had, in the beginning of his career,

directed the point of his lance towards Bois-Guilbert's shield, but,

changing his aim almost in the moment of encounter, he addressed it

to the helmet, a mark more difficult to hit, but which, if attained,

rendered the shock more irresistible. Fair and true he hit the Norman on

the visor, where his lance's point kept hold of the bars. Yet, even at

this disadvantage, the Templar sustained his high reputation; and had

not the girths of his saddle burst, he might not have been unhorsed. As

it chanced, however, saddle, horse, and man, rolled on the ground under

a cloud of dust.

To extricate himself from the stirrups and fallen steed, was to the

Templar scarce the work of a moment; and, stung with madness, both at

his disgrace and at the acclamations with which it was hailed by the

spectators, he drew his sword and waved it in defiance of his conqueror.

The Disinherited Knight sprung from his steed, and also unsheathed his

sword. The marshals of the field, however, spurred their horses between

them, and reminded them, that the laws of the tournament did not, on the

present occasion, permit this species of encounter.

" We shall meet again, I trust, " said the Templar, casting a resentful

glance at his antagonist; " and where there are none to separate us. "

" If we do not, " said the Disinherited Knight, " the fault shall not be

mine. On foot or horseback, with spear, with axe, or with sword, I am

alike ready to encounter thee. "

More and angrier words would have been exchanged, but the marshals,

crossing their lances betwixt them, compelled them to separate. The

Disinherited Knight returned to his first station, and Bois-Guilbert

to his tent, where he remained for the rest of the day in an agony of

despair.

Without alighting from his horse, the conqueror called for a bowl of

wine, and opening the beaver, or lower part of his helmet, announced

that he quaffed it, " To all true English hearts, and to the confusion of

foreign tyrants. " He then commanded his trumpet to sound a defiance

to the challengers, and desired a herald to announce to them, that he

should make no election, but was willing to encounter them in the order

in which they pleased to advance against him.

The gigantic Front-de-Boeuf, armed in sable armour, was the first who

took the field. He bore on a white shield a black bull's head, half

defaced by the numerous encounters which he had undergone, and bearing

the arrogant motto, " Cave, Adsum". Over this champion the Disinherited

Knight obtained a slight but decisive advantage. Both Knights broke

their lances fairly, but Front-de-Boeuf, who lost a stirrup in the

encounter, was adjudged to have the disadvantage.

In the stranger's third encounter with Sir Philip Malvoisin, he was

equally successful; striking that baron so forcibly on the casque, that

the laces of the helmet broke, and Malvoisin, only saved from falling by

being unhelmeted, was declared vanquished like his companions.

In his fourth combat with De Grantmesnil, the Disinherited Knight showed

as much courtesy as he had hitherto evinced courage and dexterity. De

Grantmesnil's horse, which was young and violent, reared and plunged

in the course of the career so as to disturb the rider's aim, and the

stranger, declining to take the advantage which this accident afforded

him, raised his lance, and passing his antagonist without touching

him, wheeled his horse and rode back again to his own end of the lists,

offering his antagonist, by a herald, the chance of a second encounter.

This De Grantmesnil declined, avowing himself vanquished as much by the

courtesy as by the address of his opponent.

Ralph de Vipont summed up the list of the stranger's triumphs, being

hurled to the ground with such force, that the blood gushed from his

nose and his mouth, and he was borne senseless from the lists.

The acclamations of thousands applauded the unanimous award of the

Prince and marshals, announcing that day's honours to the Disinherited

Knight.

CHAPTER IX

----In the midst was seen

A lady of a more majestic mien,

By stature and by beauty mark'd their sovereign Queen.

* * * * *

And as in beauty she surpass'd the choir,

So nobler than the rest was her attire;

A crown of ruddy gold enclosed her brow,

Plain without pomp, and rich without a show;

A branch of Agnus Castus in her hand,

She bore aloft her symbol of command.

The Flower and the Leaf

William de Wyvil and Stephen de Martival, the marshals of the field,

were the first to offer their congratulations to the victor, praying

him, at the same time, to suffer his helmet to be unlaced, or, at least,

that he would raise his visor ere they conducted him to receive

the prize of the day's tourney from the hands of Prince John. The

Disinherited Knight, with all knightly courtesy, declined their request,

alleging, that he could not at this time suffer his face to be seen, for

reasons which he had assigned to the heralds when he entered the lists.

The marshals were perfectly satisfied by this reply; for amidst the

frequent and capricious vows by which knights were accustomed to bind

themselves in the days of chivalry, there were none more common than

those by which they engaged to remain incognito for a certain space, or

until some particular adventure was achieved. The marshals, therefore,

pressed no farther into the mystery of the Disinherited Knight, but,

announcing to Prince John the conqueror's desire to remain unknown, they

requested permission to bring him before his Grace, in order that he

might receive the reward of his valour.

John's curiosity was excited by the mystery observed by the stranger;

and, being already displeased with the issue of the tournament, in which

the challengers whom he favoured had been successively defeated by one

knight, he answered haughtily to the marshals, " By the light of Our

Lady's brow, this same knight hath been disinherited as well of his

courtesy as of his lands, since he desires to appear before us without

uncovering his face. --Wot ye, my lords, " he said, turning round to his

train, " who this gallant can be, that bears himself thus proudly? "

" I cannot guess, " answered De Bracy, " nor did I think there had been

within the four seas that girth Britain a champion that could bear down

these five knights in one day's jousting. By my faith, I shall never

forget the force with which he shocked De Vipont. The poor Hospitaller

was hurled from his saddle like a stone from a sling. "

" Boast not of that, " said a Knight of St John, who was present;

" your Temple champion had no better luck. I saw your brave lance,

Bois-Guilbert, roll thrice over, grasping his hands full of sand at

every turn. "

De Bracy, being attached to the Templars, would have replied, but was

prevented by Prince John. " Silence, sirs! " he said; " what unprofitable

debate have we here? "

" The victor, " said De Wyvil, " still waits the pleasure of your

highness. "

" It is our pleasure, " answered John, " that he do so wait until we learn

whether there is not some one who can at least guess at his name and

quality. Should he remain there till night-fall, he has had work enough

to keep him warm. "

" Your Grace, " said Waldemar Fitzurse, " will do less than due honour to

the victor, if you compel him to wait till we tell your highness that

which we cannot know; at least I can form no guess--unless he be one of

the good lances who accompanied King Richard to Palestine, and who are

now straggling homeward from the Holy Land. "

" It may be the Earl of Salisbury, " said De Bracy; " he is about the same

pitch. "

" Sir Thomas de Multon, the Knight of Gilsland, rather, " said Fitzurse;

" Salisbury is bigger in the bones. " A whisper arose among the train,

but by whom first suggested could not be ascertained. " It might be the

King--it might be Richard Coeur-de-Lion himself! "

" Over God's forbode! " said Prince John, involuntarily turning at the

same time as pale as death, and shrinking as if blighted by a flash of

lightning; " Waldemar! --De Bracy! brave knights and gentlemen, remember

your promises, and stand truly by me! "

" Here is no danger impending, " said Waldemar Fitzurse; " are you so

little acquainted with the gigantic limbs of your father's son, as

to think they can be held within the circumference of yonder suit

of armour? --De Wyvil and Martival, you will best serve the Prince by

bringing forward the victor to the throne, and ending an error that has

conjured all the blood from his cheeks. --Look at him more closely, " he

continued, " your highness will see that he wants three inches of King

Richard's height, and twice as much of his shoulder-breadth. The very

horse he backs, could not have carried the ponderous weight of King

Richard through a single course. "

While he was yet speaking, the marshals brought forward the Disinherited

Knight to the foot of a wooden flight of steps, which formed the ascent

from the lists to Prince John's throne. Still discomposed with the idea

that his brother, so much injured, and to whom he was so much indebted,

had suddenly arrived in his native kingdom, even the distinctions

pointed out by Fitzurse did not altogether remove the Prince's

apprehensions; and while, with a short and embarrassed eulogy upon his

valour, he caused to be delivered to him the war-horse assigned as the

prize, he trembled lest from the barred visor of the mailed form before

him, an answer might be returned, in the deep and awful accents of

Richard the Lion-hearted.

But the Disinherited Knight spoke not a word in reply to the compliment

of the Prince, which he only acknowledged with a profound obeisance.

The horse was led into the lists by two grooms richly dressed, the

animal itself being fully accoutred with the richest war-furniture;

which, however, scarcely added to the value of the noble creature in the

eyes of those who were judges. Laying one hand upon the pommel of the

saddle, the Disinherited Knight vaulted at once upon the back of the

steed without making use of the stirrup, and, brandishing aloft his

lance, rode twice around the lists, exhibiting the points and paces of

the horse with the skill of a perfect horseman.

The appearance of vanity, which might otherwise have been attributed to

this display, was removed by the propriety shown in exhibiting to the

best advantage the princely reward with which he had been just honoured,

and the Knight was again greeted by the acclamations of all present.

In the meanwhile, the bustling Prior of Jorvaulx had reminded Prince

John, in a whisper, that the victor must now display his good judgment,

instead of his valour, by selecting from among the beauties who graced

the galleries a lady, who should fill the throne of the Queen of Beauty

and of Love, and deliver the prize of the tourney upon the ensuing day.

The Prince accordingly made a sign with his truncheon, as the Knight

passed him in his second career around the lists. The Knight turned

towards the throne, and, sinking his lance, until the point was within

a foot of the ground, remained motionless, as if expecting John's

commands; while all admired the sudden dexterity with which he instantly

reduced his fiery steed from a state of violent emotion and high

excitation to the stillness of an equestrian statue.

" Sir Disinherited Knight, " said Prince John, " since that is the only

title by which we can address you, it is now your duty, as well as

privilege, to name the fair lady, who, as Queen of Honour and of Love,

is to preside over next day's festival. If, as a stranger in our land,

you should require the aid of other judgment to guide your own, we

can only say that Alicia, the daughter of our gallant knight Waldemar

Fitzurse, has at our court been long held the first in beauty as in

place. Nevertheless, it is your undoubted prerogative to confer on whom

you please this crown, by the delivery of which to the lady of

your choice, the election of to-morrow's Queen will be formal and

complete. --Raise your lance. "

The Knight obeyed; and Prince John placed upon its point a coronet of

green satin, having around its edge a circlet of gold, the upper edge

of which was relieved by arrow-points and hearts placed interchangeably,

like the strawberry leaves and balls upon a ducal crown.

In the broad hint which he dropped respecting the daughter of Waldemar

Fitzurse, John had more than one motive, each the offspring of a mind,

which was a strange mixture of carelessness and presumption with low

artifice and cunning. He wished to banish from the minds of the chivalry

around him his own indecent and unacceptable jest respecting the Jewess

Rebecca; he was desirous of conciliating Alicia's father Waldemar,

of whom he stood in awe, and who had more than once shown himself

dissatisfied during the course of the day's proceedings. He had also a

wish to establish himself in the good graces of the lady; for John was

at least as licentious in his pleasures as profligate in his ambition.

But besides all these reasons, he was desirous to raise up against

the Disinherited Knight (towards whom he already entertained a strong

dislike) a powerful enemy in the person of Waldemar Fitzurse, who was

likely, he thought, highly to resent the injury done to his daughter, in

case, as was not unlikely, the victor should make another choice.

And so indeed it proved. For the Disinherited Knight passed the gallery

close to that of the Prince, in which the Lady Alicia was seated in the

full pride of triumphant beauty, and, pacing forwards as slowly as he

had hitherto rode swiftly around the lists, he seemed to exercise his

right of examining the numerous fair faces which adorned that splendid

circle.

It was worth while to see the different conduct of the beauties who

underwent this examination, during the time it was proceeding. Some

blushed, some assumed an air of pride and dignity, some looked straight

forward, and essayed to seem utterly unconscious of what was going on,

some drew back in alarm, which was perhaps affected, some endeavoured to

forbear smiling, and there were two or three who laughed outright. There

were also some who dropped their veils over their charms; but, as the

Wardour Manuscript says these were fair ones of ten years standing, it

may be supposed that, having had their full share of such vanities, they

were willing to withdraw their claim, in order to give a fair chance to

the rising beauties of the age.

At length the champion paused beneath the balcony in which the Lady

Rowena was placed, and the expectation of the spectators was excited to

the utmost.

It must be owned, that if an interest displayed in his success could

have bribed the Disinherited Knight, the part of the lists before which

he paused had merited his predilection. Cedric the Saxon, overjoyed at

the discomfiture of the Templar, and still more so at the miscarriage of

his two malevolent neighbours, Front-de-Boeuf and Malvoisin, had, with

his body half stretched over the balcony, accompanied the victor in each

course, not with his eyes only, but with his whole heart and soul. The

Lady Rowena had watched the progress of the day with equal attention,

though without openly betraying the same intense interest. Even the

unmoved Athelstane had shown symptoms of shaking off his apathy, when,

calling for a huge goblet of muscadine, he quaffed it to the health

of the Disinherited Knight. Another group, stationed under the gallery

occupied by the Saxons, had shown no less interest in the fate of the

day.

" Father Abraham! " said Isaac of York, when the first course was run

betwixt the Templar and the Disinherited Knight, " how fiercely that

Gentile rides! Ah, the good horse that was brought all the long way

from Barbary, he takes no more care of him than if he were a wild ass's

colt--and the noble armour, that was worth so many zecchins to Joseph

Pareira, the armourer of Milan, besides seventy in the hundred of

profits, he cares for it as little as if he had found it in the

highways! "

" If he risks his own person and limbs, father, " said Rebecca, " in doing

such a dreadful battle, he can scarce be expected to spare his horse and

armour. "

" Child! " replied Isaac, somewhat heated, " thou knowest not what thou

speakest--His neck and limbs are his own, but his horse and armour

belong to--Holy Jacob! what was I about to say! --Nevertheless, it is

a good youth--See, Rebecca! see, he is again about to go up to battle

against the Philistine--Pray, child--pray for the safety of the good

youth, --and of the speedy horse, and the rich armour. --God of my

fathers! " he again exclaimed, " he hath conquered, and the uncircumcised

Philistine hath fallen before his lance, --even as Og the King of

Bashan, and Sihon, King of the Amorites, fell before the sword of our

fathers! --Surely he shall take their gold and their silver, and their

war-horses, and their armour of brass and of steel, for a prey and for a

spoil. "

The same anxiety did the worthy Jew display during every course that was

run, seldom failing to hazard a hasty calculation concerning the value

of the horse and armour which was forfeited to the champion upon each

new success. There had been therefore no small interest taken in the

success of the Disinherited Knight, by those who occupied the part of

the lists before which he now paused.

Whether from indecision, or some other motive of hesitation, the

champion of the day remained stationary for more than a minute, while

the eyes of the silent audience were riveted upon his motions; and then,

gradually and gracefully sinking the point of his lance, he deposited

the coronet which it supported at the feet of the fair Rowena. The

trumpets instantly sounded, while the heralds proclaimed the Lady Rowena

the Queen of Beauty and of Love for the ensuing day, menacing with

suitable penalties those who should be disobedient to her authority.

They then repeated their cry of Largesse, to which Cedric, in the height

of his joy, replied by an ample donative, and to which Athelstane,

though less promptly, added one equally large.

There was some murmuring among the damsels of Norman descent, who were

as much unused to see the preference given to a Saxon beauty, as the

Norman nobles were to sustain defeat in the games of chivalry which they

themselves had introduced. But these sounds of disaffection were drowned

by the popular shout of " Long live the Lady Rowena, the chosen and

lawful Queen of Love and of Beauty! " To which many in the lower area

added, " Long live the Saxon Princess! long live the race of the immortal

Alfred! "

However unacceptable these sounds might be to Prince John, and to

those around him, he saw himself nevertheless obliged to confirm the

nomination of the victor, and accordingly calling to horse, he left

his throne; and mounting his jennet, accompanied by his train, he again

entered the lists. The Prince paused a moment beneath the gallery of

the Lady Alicia, to whom he paid his compliments, observing, at the same

time, to those around him--" By my halidome, sirs! if the Knight's feats

in arms have shown that he hath limbs and sinews, his choice hath no

less proved that his eyes are none of the clearest. "

It was on this occasion, as during his whole life, John's misfortune,

not perfectly to understand the characters of those whom he wished to

conciliate. Waldemar Fitzurse was rather offended than pleased at the

Prince stating thus broadly an opinion, that his daughter had been

slighted.

" I know no right of chivalry, " he said, " more precious or inalienable

than that of each free knight to choose his lady-love by his own

judgment. My daughter courts distinction from no one; and in her own

character, and in her own sphere, will never fail to receive the full

proportion of that which is her due. "

Prince John replied not; but, spurring his horse, as if to give vent

to his vexation, he made the animal bound forward to the gallery where

Rowena was seated, with the crown still at her feet.

" Assume, " he said, " fair lady, the mark of your sovereignty, to which

none vows homage more sincerely than ourself, John of Anjou; and if

it please you to-day, with your noble sire and friends, to grace our

banquet in the Castle of Ashby, we shall learn to know the empress to

whose service we devote to-morrow. "

Rowena remained silent, and Cedric answered for her in his native Saxon.

" The Lady Rowena, " he said, " possesses not the language in which to

reply to your courtesy, or to sustain her part in your festival. I also,

and the noble Athelstane of Coningsburgh, speak only the language, and

practise only the manners, of our fathers. We therefore decline with

thanks your Highness's courteous invitation to the banquet. To-morrow,

the Lady Rowena will take upon her the state to which she has been

called by the free election of the victor Knight, confirmed by the

acclamations of the people. "

So saying, he lifted the coronet, and placed it upon Rowena's head, in

token of her acceptance of the temporary authority assigned to her.

" What says he? " said Prince John, affecting not to understand the

Saxon language, in which, however, he was well skilled. The purport of

Cedric's speech was repeated to him in French. " It is well, " he said;

" to-morrow we will ourself conduct this mute sovereign to her seat of

dignity. --You, at least, Sir Knight, " he added, turning to the victor,

who had remained near the gallery, " will this day share our banquet? "

The Knight, speaking for the first time, in a low and hurried voice,

excused himself by pleading fatigue, and the necessity of preparing for

to-morrow's encounter.

" It is well, " said Prince John, haughtily; " although unused to such

refusals, we will endeavour to digest our banquet as we may, though

ungraced by the most successful in arms, and his elected Queen of

Beauty. "

So saying, he prepared to leave the lists with his glittering train, and

his turning his steed for that purpose, was the signal for the breaking

up and dispersion of the spectators.

Yet, with the vindictive memory proper to offended pride, especially

when combined with conscious want of desert, John had hardly proceeded

three paces, ere again, turning around, he fixed an eye of stern

resentment upon the yeoman who had displeased him in the early part of

the day, and issued his commands to the men-at-arms who stood near--" On

your life, suffer not that fellow to escape. "

The yeoman stood the angry glance of the Prince with the same unvaried

steadiness which had marked his former deportment, saying, with a smile,

" I have no intention to leave Ashby until the day after to-morrow--I

must see how Staffordshire and Leicestershire can draw their bows--the

forests of Needwood and Charnwood must rear good archers. "

" I, " said Prince John to his attendants, but not in direct reply, --" I

will see how he can draw his own; and woe betide him unless his skill

should prove some apology for his insolence! "

" It is full time, " said De Bracy, " that the 'outrecuidance' [19] of

these peasants should be restrained by some striking example. "

Waldemar Fitzurse, who probably thought his patron was not taking the

readiest road to popularity, shrugged up his shoulders and was silent.

Prince John resumed his retreat from the lists, and the dispersion of

the multitude became general.

In various routes, according to the different quarters from which

they came, and in groups of various numbers, the spectators were seen

retiring over the plain. By far the most numerous part streamed towards

the town of Ashby, where many of the distinguished persons were lodged

in the castle, and where others found accommodation in the town itself.

Among these were most of the knights who had already appeared in the

tournament, or who proposed to fight there the ensuing day, and who, as

they rode slowly along, talking over the events of the day, were greeted

with loud shouts by the populace. The same acclamations were bestowed

upon Prince John, although he was indebted for them rather to the

splendour of his appearance and train, than to the popularity of his

character.

A more sincere and more general, as well as a better-merited

acclamation, attended the victor of the day, until, anxious to withdraw

himself from popular notice, he accepted the accommodation of one of

those pavilions pitched at the extremities of the lists, the use of

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