by Walter Scott
CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.
The parties met. The wily, wordy Greek, Weighing each word, and canvassing each syllable; Evading, arguing, equivocating. And the stern Frank came with his two-hand sword, Watching to see which way the balance sways, That he may throw it in, and turn the scales. PALESTINE.
At a signal made by Agelastes, the door of this romantic retreat wasopened by Diogenes, the negro slave, to whom our readers have beenalready introduced; nor did it escape the wily old man, that the Countand his lady testified some wonder at his form and lineaments, beingthe first African perhaps whom they had ever seen so closely. Thephilosopher lost not the opportunity of making an impression on theirminds, by a display of the superiority of his knowledge.
"This poor being," he observed, "is of the race of Ham, the undutifulson of Noah; for his transgressions against his parent, he was banishedto the sands of Africa, and was condemned to be the father of a racedoomed to be the slaves of the issue of his more dutiful brethren."
The knight and his lady gazed on the wonderful appearance before them,and did not, it may be believed, think of doubting the informationwhich was so much of a piece with their prejudices, while their opinionof their host was greatly augmented by the supposed extent of hisknowledge.
"It gives pleasure to a man of humanity," continued Agelastes, "when,in old age, or sickness, we must employ the services of others, whichis at other times scarce lawful, to choose his assistants out of a raceof beings, hewers of wood and drawers of water--from their birthupwards destined to slavery; and to whom, therefore, by employing themas slaves, we render no injury, but carry into effect, in a slightdegree, the intentions of the Great Being who made us all."
"Are there many of a race," said the Countess, "so singularly unhappyin their destination? I have hitherto thought the stories of black menas idle as those which minstrels tell of fairies and ghosts."
"Do not believe so," said the philosopher; "the race is numerous as thesands of the sea, neither are they altogether unhappy in dischargingthe duties which their fate has allotted them. Those who are of worsecharacter suffer even in this life the penance due to their guilt; theybecome the slaves of the cruel and tyrannical, are beaten, starved, andmutilated. To those whose moral characters are better, better mastersare provided, who share with their slaves, as with their children, foodand raiment, and the other good things which they themselves enjoy. Tosome, Heaven allots the favour of kings and of conquerors, and to afew, but those the chief favourites of the species, hath been assigneda place in the mansions of philosophy, where, by availing themselves ofthe lights which their masters can afford, they gain a prospect intothat world which is the residence of true happiness."
"Methinks I understand you," replied the Countess, "and if so, I oughtrather to envy our sable friend here than to pity him, for having beenallotted in the partition of his kind to the possession of his presentmaster, from whom, doubtless, he has acquired the desirable knowledgewhich you mention."
"He learns, at least," said Agelastes, modestly, "what I can teach,and, above all, to be contented with his situation.--Diogenes, my goodchild," said he, changing his address to the slave, "thou seest I havecompany--What does the poor hermit's larder afford, with which he mayregale his honoured guests?"
Hitherto they had advanced no farther than a sort of outer room, orhall of entrance, fitted up with no more expense than might have suitedone who desired at some outlay, and more taste, to avail himself of theancient building for a sequestered and private retirement. The chairsand couches were covered with Eastern wove mats, and were of thesimplest and most primitive form. But on touching a spring, an interiorapartment was displayed, which had considerable pretension to splendourand magnificence. The furniture and hangings of this apartment were ofstraw-coloured silk, wrought on the looms of Persia, and crossed withembroidery, which produced a rich, yet simple effect. The ceiling wascarved in Arabesque, and the four corners of the apartment were formedinto recesses for statuary, which had been produced in a better age ofthe art than that which existed at the period of our story. In onenook, a shepherd seemed to withdraw himself, as if ashamed to producehis scantily-covered person, while he was willing to afford theaudience the music of the reed which he held in his hand. Threedamsels, resembling the Graces in the beautiful proportions of theirlimbs, and the slender clothing which they wore, lurked in differentattitudes, each in her own niche, and seemed but to await the firstsound of the music, to bound forth from thence and join in the frolicdance. The subject was beautiful, yet somewhat light, to ornament thestudy of such a sage as Agelastes represented himself to be.
He seemed to be sensible that this might attract observation.--"Thesefigures," he said, "executed at the period of the highest excellence ofGrecian art, were considered of old as the choral nymphs assembled toadore the goddess of the place, waiting but the music to join in theworship of the temple. And, in truth, the wisest may be interested inseeing how near to animation the genius of these wonderful men couldbring the inflexible marble. Allow but for the absence of the divineafflatus, or breath of animation, and an unenlightened heathen mightsuppose the miracle of Prometheus was about to be realized. But we,"said he, looking upwards, "are taught to form a better judgment betweenwhat man can do and the productions of the Deity."
Some subjects of natural history were painted on the walls, and thephilosopher fixed the attention of his guests upon the half-reasoningelephant, of which he mentioned several anecdotes, which they listenedto with great eagerness.
A distant strain was here heard, as if of music in the woods,penetrating by fits through the hoarse roar of the cascade, which, asit sunk immediately below the windows, filled the apartment with itsdeep voice.
"Apparently," said Agelastes, "the friends whom I expected areapproaching, and bring with them the means of enchanting another sense.It is well they do so, since wisdom tells us that we best honour theDeity by enjoying the gifts he has provided us."
These words called the attention of the philosopher's Frankish gueststo the preparations exhibited in this tasteful saloon. These were madefor an entertainment in the manner of the ancient Romans, and couches,which were laid beside a table ready decked, announced that the maleguests, at least, were to assist at the banquet in the usual recumbentposture of the ancients; while seats, placed among the couches, seemedto say that females were expected, who would observe the Greciancustoms, in eating seated. The preparations for good cheer were suchas, though limited in extent, could scarce be excelled in quality,either by the splendid dishes which decked Trimalchio's banquet offormer days, or the lighter delicacies of Grecian cookery, or thesucculent and highly-spiced messes indulged in by the nations of theEast, to whichever they happened to give the preference; and it waswith an air of some vanity that Agelastes asked his guests to share apoor pilgrim's meal.
"We care little for dainties," said the Count; "nor does our presentcourse of life as pilgrims, bound by a vow, allow us much choice onsuch subjects. Whatever is food for soldiers, suffices the Countess andmyself; for, with our will, we would at every hour be ready for battle,and the less time we use in preparing for the field, it is even so muchthe better. Sit then, Brenhilda, since the good man will have it so,and let us lose no time in refreshment, lest we waste that which shouldbe otherwise employed." "A moment's forgiveness," said Agelastes,"until the arrival of my other friends, whose music you may now hear isclose at hand, and who will not long, I may safely promise, divide youfrom your meal."
"For that," said the Count, "there is no haste; and since you seem toaccount it a part of civil manners, Brenhilda and I can with easepostpone our repast, unless you will permit us, what I own would bemore pleasing, to take a morsel of bread and a cup of water presently;and, thus refreshed, to leave the space clear for your more curious andmore familiar guests."
"The saints above forbid!" said Agelastes; "guests so honoured neverbefore pressed these cushions, nor could do so, if th
e sacred family ofthe imperial Alexius himself even now stood at the gate."
He had hardly uttered these words, when the full-blown peal of atrumpet, louder in a tenfold degree than the strains of music they hadbefore heard, was now sounded in the front of the temple, piercingthrough the murmur of the waterfall, as a Damascus blade penetrates thearmour, and assailing the ears of the hearers, as the sword pierces theflesh of him who wears the harness.
"You seem surprised or alarmed, father," said Count Robert. "Is theredanger near, and do you distrust our protection?"
"No," said Agelastes, "that would give me confidence in any extremity;but these sounds excite awe, not fear. They tell me that some of theImperial family are about to be my guests. Yet fear nothing, my noblefriends--they, whose look is life, are ready to shower their favourswith profusion upon strangers so worthy of honour as they will seehere. Meantime, my brow must touch my threshold, in order duly towelcome them." So saying, he hurried to the outer door of the building.
"Each land has its customs," said the Count, as he followed his host,with his wife hanging on his arm; "but, Brenhilda, as they are sovarious, it is little wonder that they appear unseemly to each other.Here, however, in deference to my entertainer, I stoop my crest, in themanner which seems to be required." So saying, he followed Agelastesinto the anteroom, where a new scene awaited them.
