The Talisman

S >> Sir Walter Scott >> The Talisman

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30

Conrade of Montserrat had a much more pleasing exterior than the
dark and mysterious priest-soldier by whom he was accompanied.
He was a handsome man, of middle age, or something past that
term, bold in the field, sagacious in council, gay and gallant in
times of festivity; but, on the other hand, he was generally
accused of versatility, of a narrow and selfish ambition, of a
desire to extend his own principality, without regard to the weal
of the Latin kingdom of Palestine, and of seeking his own
interest, by private negotiations with Saladin, to the prejudice
of the Christian leaguers.

When the usual salutations had been made by these dignitaries,
and courteously returned by King Richard, the Marquis of
Montserrat commenced an explanation of the motives of their
visit, sent, as he said they were, by the anxious kings and
princes who composed the Council of the Crusaders, "to inquire
into the health of their magnanimous ally, the valiant King of
England."

"We know the importance in which the princes of the Council hold
our health," replied the English King; "and are well aware how
much they must have suffered by suppressing all curiosity
concerning it for fourteen days, for fear, doubtless, of
aggravating our disorder, by showing their anxiety regarding the
event."

The flow of the Marquis's eloquence being checked, and he himself
thrown into some confusion by this reply, his more austere
companion took up the thread of the conversation, and with as
much dry and brief gravity as was consistent with the presence
which he addressed, informed the King that they came from the
Council, to pray, in the name of Christendom, "that he would not
suffer his health to be tampered with by an infidel physician,
said to be dispatched by Saladin, until the Council had taken
measures to remove or confirm the suspicion which they at present
conceived did attach itself to the mission of such a person."

"Grand Master of the Holy and Valiant Order of Knights Templars,
and you, most noble Marquis of Montserrat," replied Richard, "if
it please you to retire into the adjoining pavilion, you shall
presently see what account we make of the tender remonstrances of
our royal and princely colleagues in this religious warfare."

The Marquis and Grand Master retired accordingly; nor had they
been many minutes in the outward pavilion when the Eastern
physician arrived, accompanied by the Baron of Gilsland and
Kenneth of Scotland. The baron, however, was a little later of
entering the tent than the other two, stopping, perchance, to
issue some orders to the warders without.

As the Arabian physician entered, he made his obeisance, after
the Oriental fashion, to the Marquis and Grand Master, whose
dignity was apparent, both from their appearance and their
bearing. The Grand Master returned the salutation with an
expression of disdainful coldness, the Marquis with the popular
courtesy which he habitually practised to men of every rank and
nation. There was a pause, for the Scottish knight, waiting for
the arrival of De Vaux, presumed not, of his own authority, to
enter the tent of the King of England; and during this interval
the Grand Master sternly demanded of the Moslem, "Infidel, hast
thou the courage to practise thine art upon the person of an
anointed sovereign of the Christian host?"

"The sun of Allah," answered the sage, "shines on the Nazarene as
well as on the true believer, and His servant dare make no
distinction betwixt them when called on to exercise the art of
healing."

"Misbelieving Hakim," said the Grand Master, "or whatsoever they
call thee for an unbaptized slave of darkness, dost thou well
know that thou shalt be torn asunder by wild horses should King
Richard die under thy charge?"

"That were hard justice," answered the physician, "seeing that I
can but use human means, and that the issue is written in the
book of light."

"Nay, reverend and valiant Grand Master," said the Marquis of
Montserrat, "consider that this learned man is not acquainted
with our Christian order, adopted in the fear of God, and for the
safety of His anointed.--Be it known to thee, grave physician,
whose skill we doubt not, that your wisest course is to repair to
the presence of the illustrious Council of our Holy League, and
there to give account and reckoning to such wise and learned
leeches as they shall nominate, concerning your means of process
and cure of this illustrious patient; so shall you escape all the
danger which, rashly taking such a high matter upon your sole
answer, you may else most likely incur."

"My lords," said El Hakim, "I understand you well. But knowledge
hath its champions as well as your military art--nay, hath
sometimes had its martyrs as well as religion. I have the
command of my sovereign, the Soldan Saladin, to heal this
Nazarene King, and, with the blessing of the Prophet, I will obey
his commands. If I fail, ye wear swords thirsting for the blood
of the faithful, and I proffer my body to your weapons. But I
will not reason with one uncircumcised upon the virtue of the
medicines of which I have obtained knowledge through the grace of
the Prophet, and I pray you interpose no delay between me and my
office."

"Who talks of delay?" said the Baron de Vaux, hastily entering
the tent; "we have had but too much already. I salute you, my
Lord of Montserrat, and you, valiant Grand Master. But I must
presently pass with this learned physician to the bedside of my
master."

"My lord," said the Marquis, in Norman-French, or the language of
Ouie, as it was then called, "are you well advised that we came
to expostulate, on the part of the Council of the Monarchs and
Princes of the Crusade, against the risk of permitting an infidel
and Eastern physician to tamper with a health so valuable as that
of your master, King Richard?"

"Noble Lord Marquis," replied the Englishman bluntly, "I can
neither use many words, nor do I delight in listening to them;
moreover, I am much more ready to believe what my eyes have seen
than what my ears have heard. I am satisfied that this heathen
can cure the sickness of King Richard, and I believe and trust he
will labour to do so. Time is precious. If Mohammed--may God's
curse be on him! stood at the door of the tent, with such fair
purpose as this Adonbec el Hakim entertains, I would hold it sin
to delay him for a minute. So, give ye God'en, my lords."

"Nay, but," said Conrade of Montserrat, "the King himself said we
should be present when this same physician dealt upon him."

The baron whispered the chamberlain, probably to know whether the
Marquis spoke truly, and then replied, "My lords, if you will
hold your patience, you are welcome to enter with us; but if you
interrupt, by action or threat, this accomplished physician in
his duty, be it known that, without respect to your high quality,
I will enforce your absence from Richard's tent; for know, I am
so well satisfied of the virtue of this man's medicines, that
were Richard himself to refuse them, by our Lady of Lanercost, I
think I could find in my heart to force him to take the means of
his cure whether he would or no.--Move onward, El Hakim."

The last word was spoken in the lingua franca, and instantly
obeyed by the physician. The Grand Master looked grimly on the
unceremonious old soldier, but, on exchanging a glance with the
Marquis, smoothed his frowning brow as well as he could, and both
followed De Vaux and the Arabian into the inner tent, where
Richard lay expecting them, with that impatience with which the
sick man watches the step of his physician. Sir Kenneth, whose
attendance seemed neither asked nor prohibited, felt himself, by
the circumstances in which he stood, entitled to follow these
high dignitaries; but, conscious of his inferior power and rank,
remained aloof during the scene which took place.

Richard, when they entered his apartment, immediately exclaimed,
"So ho! a goodly fellowship come to see Richard take his leap in
the dark. My noble allies, I greet you as the representatives of
our assembled league; Richard will again be amongst you in his
former fashion, or ye shall bear to the grave what is left of
him.--De Vaux, lives he or dies he, thou hast the thanks of thy
prince. There is yet another--but this fever hath wasted my
eyesight. What, the bold Scot, who would climb heaven without a
ladder! He is welcome too.--Come, Sir Hakim, to the work, to the
work!"

The physician, who had already informed himself of the various
symptoms of the King's illness, now felt his pulse for a long
time, and with deep attention, while all around stood silent, and
in breathless expectation. The sage next filled a cup with
spring water, and dipped into it the small red purse, which, as
formerly, he took from his bosom. When he seemed to think it
sufficiently medicated, he was about to offer it to the
sovereign, who prevented him by saying, "Hold an instant. Thou
hast felt my pulse--let me lay my finger on thine. I too, as
becomes a good knight, know something of thine art."

The Arabian yielded his hand without hesitation, and his long,
slender dark fingers were for an instant enclosed, and almost
buried, in the large enfoldment of King Richard's hand.

"His blood beats calm as an infant's," said the King; "so throbs
not theirs who poison princes. De Vaux, whether we live or die,
dismiss this Hakim with honour and safety.--Commend us, friend,
to the noble Saladin. Should I die, it is without doubt of his
faith; should I live, it will be to thank him as a warrior would
desire to be thanked."

He then raised himself in bed, took the cup in his hand, and
turning to the Marquis and the Grand Master--"Mark what I say,
and let my royal brethren pledge me in Cyprus wine, 'To the
immortal honour of the first Crusader who shall strike lance or
sword on the gate of Jerusalem; and to the shame and eternal
infamy of whomsoever shall turn back from the plough on which he
hath laid his hand!'"

He drained the cup to the bottom, resigned it to the Arabian, and
sunk back, as if exhausted, upon the cushions which were arranged
to receive him. The physician then, with silent but expressive
signs, directed that all should leave the tent excepting himself
and De Vaux, whom no remonstrance could induce to withdraw. The
apartment was cleared accordingly.

CHAPTER X.

And now I will unclasp a secret book,
And, to your quick-conceiving discontent,
I'll read you matter deep and dangerous. HENRY IV., PART I.

The Marquis of Montserrat and the Grand Master of the Knights
Templars stood together in the front of the royal pavilion,
within which this singular scene had passed, and beheld a strong
guard of bills and bows drawn out to form a circle around it, and
keep at distance all which might disturb the sleeping monarch.
The soldiers wore the downcast, silent, and sullen looks with
which they trail their arms at a funeral, and stepped with such
caution that you could not hear a buckler ring or a sword
clatter, though so many men in armour were moving around the
tent. They lowered their weapons in deep reverence as the
dignitaries passed through their files, but with the same
profound silence.

"There is a change of cheer among these island dogs," said the
Grand Master to Conrade, when they had passed Richard's guards.
"What hoarse tumult and revel used to be before this pavilion!
--nought but pitching the bar, hurling the ball, wrestling,
roaring of songs, clattering of wine pots, and quaffing of
flagons among these burly yeomen, as if they were holding some
country wake, with a Maypole in the midst of them instead of a
royal standard."

"Mastiffs are a faithful race," said Conrade; "and the King their
Master has won their love by being ready to wrestle, brawl, or
revel amongst the foremost of them, whenever the humour seized
him."

"He is totally compounded of humours," said the Grand Master.
"Marked you the pledge he gave us! instead of a prayer, over his
grace-cup yonder."

"He would have felt it a grace-cup, and a well-spiced one too,"
said the Marquis, "were Saladin like any other Turk that ever
wore turban, or turned him to Mecca at call of the muezzin. But
he affects faith, and honour, and generosity, as if it were for
an unbaptized dog like him to practise the virtuous bearing of a
Christian knight. It is said he hath applied to Richard to be
admitted within the pale of chivalry."

"By Saint Bernard!" exclaimed the Grand Master, "it were time
then to throw off our belts and spurs, Sir Conrade, deface our
armorial bearings, and renounce our burgonets, if the highest
honour of Christianity were conferred on an unchristened Turk of
tenpence."

"You rate the Soldan cheap," replied the Marquis; "yet though he
be a likely man, I have seen a better heathen sold for forty
pence at the bagnio."

They were now near their horses, which stood at some distance
from the royal tent, prancing among the gallant train of esquires
and pages by whom they were attended, when Conrade, after a
moment's pause, proposed that they should enjoy the coolness of
the evening breeze which had arisen, and, dismissing their steeds
and attendants, walk homewards to their own quarters through the
lines of the extended Christian camp. The Grand Master assented,
and they proceeded to walk together accordingly, avoiding, as if
by mutual consent, the more inhabited parts of the canvas city,
and tracing the broad esplanade which lay between the tents and
the external defences, where they could converse in private, and
unmarked, save by the sentinels as they passed them.

They spoke for a time upon the military points and preparations
for defence; but this sort of discourse, in which neither seemed
to take interest, at length died away, and there was a long
pause, which terminated by the Marquis of Montserrat stopping
short, like a man who has formed a sudden resolution, and gazing
for some moments on the dark, inflexible countenance of the Grand
Master, he at length addressed him thus: "Might it consist with
your valour and sanctity, reverend Sir Giles Amaury, I would pray
you for once to lay aside the dark visor which you wear, and to
converse with a friend barefaced."

The Templar half smiled.

"There are light-coloured masks," he said, "as well as dark
visors, and the one conceals the natural features as completely
as the other."

"Be it so," said the Marquis, putting his hand to his chin, and
withdrawing it with the action of one who unmasks himself; "there
lies my disguise. And now, what think you, as touching the
interests of your own order, of the prospects of this Crusade?"

"This is tearing the veil from my thoughts rather than exposing
your own," said the Grand Master; "yet I will reply with a
parable told to me by a santon of the desert. 'A certain farmer
prayed to Heaven for rain, and murmured when it fell not at his
need. To punish his impatience, Allah,' said the santon, 'sent
the Euphrates upon his farm, and he was destroyed, with all his
possessions, even by the granting of his own wishes.'"

"Most truly spoken," said the Marquis Conrade. "Would that the
ocean had swallowed up nineteen parts of the armaments of these
Western princes! What remained would better have served the
purpose of the Christian nobles of Palestine, the wretched
remnant of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem. Left to ourselves, we
might have bent to the storm; or, moderately supported with money
and troops, we might have compelled Saladin to respect our
valour, and grant us peace and protection on easy terms. But
from the extremity of danger with which this powerful Crusade
threatens the Soldan, we cannot suppose, should it pass over,
that the Saracen will suffer any one of us to hold possessions or
principalities in Syria, far less permit the existence of the
Christian military fraternities, from whom they have experienced
so much mischief."

"Ay, but," said the Templar, "these adventurous Crusaders may
succeed, and again plant the Cross on the bulwarks of Zion."

"And what will that advantage either the Order of the Templars,
or Conrade of Montserrat?" said the Marquis.

"You it may advantage," replied the Grand Master. "Conrade of
Montserrat might become Conrade King of Jerusalem."

"That sounds like something," said the Marquis, "and yet it rings
but hollow. Godfrey of Bouillon might well choose the crown of
thorns for his emblem. Grand Master, I will confess to you I
have caught some attachment to the Eastern form of government--a
pure and simple monarchy should consist but of king and subjects.
Such is the simple and primitive structure--a shepherd and his
flock. All this internal chain of feudal dependance is
artificial and sophisticated; and I would rather hold the baton
of my poor marquisate with a firm gripe, and wield it after my
pleasure, than the sceptre of a monarch, to be in effect
restrained and curbed by the will of as many proud feudal barons
as hold land under the Assizes of Jerusalem. [The Assises de
Jerusalem were the digest of feudal law, composed by Godfrey of
Boulogne, for the government of the Latin kingdom of Palestine,
when reconquered from the Saracens. "It was composed with advice
of the patriarch and barons, the clergy and laity, and is," says
the historian Gibbon, "a precious monument of feudatory
jurisprudence, founded upon those principles of freedom which
were essential to the system."] A king should tread freely,
Grand Master, and should not be controlled by here a ditch, and
there a fence-here a feudal privilege, and there a mail-clad
baron with his sword in his hand to maintain it. To sum the
whole, I am aware that Guy de Lusignan's claims to the throne
would be preferred to mine, if Richard recovers, and has aught to
say in the choice."

"Enough," said the Grand Master; "thou hast indeed convinced me
of thy sincerity. Others may hold the same opinions, but few,
save Conrade of Montserrat, dared frankly avow that he desires
not the restitution of the kingdom of Jerusalem, but rather
prefers being master of a portion of its fragments--like the
barbarous islanders, who labour not for the deliverance of a
goodly vessel from the billows, expecting rather to enrich
themselves at the expense of the wreck."

"Thou wilt not betray my counsel?" said Conrade, looking sharply
and suspiciously. "Know, for certain, that my tongue shall never
wrong my head, nor my hand forsake the defence of either.
Impeach me if thou wilt--I am prepared to defend myself in the
lists against the best Templar who ever laid lance in rest."

"Yet thou start'st somewhat suddenly for so bold a steed," said
the Grand Master. "However, I swear to thee by the Holy Temple,
which our Order is sworn to defend, that I will keep counsel with
thee as a true comrade."

"By which Temple?" said the Marquis of Montserrat, whose love of
sarcasm often outran his policy and discretion; "swearest thou by
that on the hill of Zion, which was built by King Solomon, or by
that symbolical, emblematical edifice, which is said to be spoken
of in the councils held in the vaults of your Preceptories, as
something which infers the aggrandizement of thy valiant and
venerable Order?"

The Templar scowled upon him with an eye of death, but answered
calmly, "By whatever Temple I swear, be assured, Lord Marquis,
my oath is sacred. I would I knew how to bind THEE by one of
equal obligation."

"I will swear truth to thee," said the Marquis, laughing, "by the
earl's coronet, which I hope to convert, ere these wars are over,
into something better. It feels cold on my brow, that same
slight coronal; a duke's cap of maintenance were a better
protection against such a night-breeze as now blows, and a king's
crown more preferable still, being lined with comfortable ermine
and velvet. In a word, our interests bind us together; for think
not, Lord Grand Master, that, were these allied princes to regain
Jerusalem, and place a king of their own choosing there, they
would suffer your Order, any more than my poor marquisate, to
retain the independence which we now hold. No, by Our Lady! In
such case, the proud Knights of Saint John must again spread
plasters and dress plague sores in the hospitals; and you, most
puissant and venerable Knights of the Temple, must return to your
condition of simple men-at-arms, sleep three on a pallet, and
mount two upon one horse, as your present seal still expresses to
have been your ancient most simple custom."

"The rank, privileges, and opulence of our Order prevent so much
degradation as you threaten," said the Templar haughtily.

"These are your bane," said Conrade of Montserrat; "and you, as
well as I, reverend Grand Master, know that, were the allied
princes to be successful in Palestine, it would be their first
point of policy to abate the independence of your Order, which,
but for the protection of our holy father the Pope, and the
necessity of employing your valour in the conquest of Palestine,
you would long since have experienced. Give them complete
success, and you will be flung aside, as the splinters of a
broken lance are tossed out of the tilt-yard."

"There may be truth in what you say," said the Templar, darkly
smiling. "But what were our hopes should the allies withdraw
their forces, and leave Palestine in the grasp of Saladin?"

"Great and assured," replied Conrade. "The Soldan would give
large provinces to maintain at his behest a body of well-appointed Frankish lances. In Egypt, in Persia, a
hundred such
auxiliaries, joined to his own light cavalry, would turn the
battle against the most fearful odds. This dependence would be
but for a time--perhaps during the life of this enterprising
Soldan; but in the East empires arise like mushrooms. Suppose
him dead, and us strengthened with a constant succession of fiery
and adventurous spirits from Europe, what might we not hope to
achieve, uncontrolled by these monarchs, whose dignity throws us
at present into the shade--and, were they to remain here, and
succeed in this expedition, would willingly consign us for ever
to degradation and dependence?"

"You say well, my Lord Marquis," said the Grand Master, "and your
words find an echo in my bosom. Yet must we be cautious--Philip
of France is wise as well as valiant."

"True, and will be therefore the more easily diverted from an
expedition to which, in a moment of enthusiasm, or urged by his
nobles, he rashly bound himself. He is jealous of King Richard,
his natural enemy, and longs to return to prosecute plans of
ambition nearer to Paris than Palestine. Any fair pretence will
serve him for withdrawing from a scene in which he is aware he is
wasting the force of his kingdom."

"And the Duke of Austria?" said the Templar.

"Oh, touching the Duke," returned Conrade, "his self-conceit and
folly lead him to the same conclusions as do Philip's policy and
wisdom. He conceives himself, God help the while, ungratefully
treated, because men's mouths--even those of his own MINNE-SINGERS [The German minstrels were so
termed.]--are filled with
the praises of King Richard, whom he fears and hates, and in
whose harm he would rejoice, like those unbred, dastardly curs,
who, if the foremost of the pack is hurt by the gripe of the
wolf, are much more likely to assail the sufferer from behind
than to come to his assistance. But wherefore tell I this to
thee, save to show that I am in sincerity in desiring that this
league be broken up, and the country freed of these great
monarchs with their hosts? And thou well knowest, and hast
thyself seen, how all the princes of influence and power, one
alone excepted, are eager to enter into treaty with the Soldan."

"I acknowledge it," said the Templar; "he were blind that had not
seen this in their last deliberations. But lift yet thy mask an
inch higher, and tell me thy real reason for pressing upon the
Council that Northern Englishman, or Scot, or whatever you call
yonder Knight of the Leopard, to carry their proposals for a
treaty?"

"There was a policy in it," replied the Italian. "His character
of native of Britain was sufficient to meet what Saladin
required, who knew him to belong to the band of Richard; while
his character of Scot, and certain other personal grudges which I
wot of, rendered it most unlikely that our envoy should, on his
return, hold any communication with the sick-bed of Richard, to
whom his presence was ever unacceptable."

"Oh, too finespun policy," said the Grand Master; "trust me, that
Italian spiders' webs will never bind this unshorn Samson of the
Isle--well if you can do it with new cords, and those of the
toughest. See you not that the envoy whom you have selected so
carefully hath brought us, in this physician, the means of
restoring the lion-hearted, bull-necked Englishman to prosecute
his Crusading enterprise. And so soon as he is able once more to
rush on, which of the princes dare hold back? They must follow
him for very shame, although they would march under the banner of
Satan as soon."

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30