King Eric and the Outlaws, Vol. 1

by Bernhard Severin Ingemann

  CHAP. X.

  From the maiden's tower, which, with the ancient Waldemar's tower, nearthe chapel, stood within the northern semicircle of the wallsurrounding the castle, a vaulted private passage led to the broadflagged and spacious hall on the first floor of the main building intowhich the knights' hall, the ladies' apartment, and various othersopened. There was likewise a front entrance from the court-yard by aflight of high wooden steps, surmounted by a porch, and enclosed oneach side with an iron railing that led up to the balcony. Directlyopposite the two northern towers stood, on the side towards the sea, inthe southern semicircle of the castle wall, the strongly fortifiedtowers called the dragon and the sea tower. Above the entrance stoodthe castle tower, and above the chapel was a small belfry. In the midstof the castle square stood a high flagstaff, bearing the royal arms,the three crowned leopards among a number of golden hearts. Thecircular wall, which, with its high battlements and towers, surroundedthe whole castle, was also environed by ramparts and deep moats. As thecastle was often occupied by the king and his whole court, it was keptin perfect repair, and amply provided with furniture and every kind ofconvenience.

  The castle was one of the most important fortresses in the kingdom. Thenumber of men belonging to the garrison and household was notinconsiderable. Whenever the chapel bell rung for mattins, thecommandant, with all the inmates of the castle and its precincts,proceeded to the chapel across the spacious square of the castle. Theynow were returning from mattins with their extinguished lanterns intheir hands.

  The captive maidens were guarded without any severity. When accompaniedby one female attendant, the whole castle was open to them during theday. They were obliged, however, to sleep at night in the tower, whichwas never unlocked until daylight; and the porter was only permitted toopen the castle gate for them when the commandant himself or his familyaccompanied them to the church of the town, or through the orchard tothe chase of the castle, where at this season of the year theysometimes amused themselves by hawking, a sport of which Ulrica waspassionately fond, but in which Margaretha only shared for her sister'ssake.

  When Ulrica, with her sister and the attendant maiden, stepped out ofthe dark passage into the vestibule, she instantly ran as usual to oneof the bow windows, and breathed upon one of the panes to clear awaythe frost and make herself a peep-hole into the castle yard. "Look!look!" she said, gaily; "we shall have the new yellow car to drive into-day to church; and look! there they ride to water with thestrangers' horses--I declare they have long silken coverings on, andthere are the royal grooms with them--Look! the commandant, with theDrost and the strangers, are crossing over this way--one of thestrangers is a canon; but who _can_ those two comical men be with theGerman caps?"

  "Let us go into the ladies' apartment," said Margaretha; "it would notbe seemly that they should find us here alone so early."

  "One can never see any thing, or enjoy any thing, because of thattiresome seemliness," said Ulrica, pettishly, and followed her sisterreluctantly into the ladies' apartment. Shortly afterwards the dooropened, and Drost Aage entered the ante-chamber, with the king'sconfessor. Master Petrus de Dacia, and the two German minstrels,accompanied by the commandant. Sir Ribolt, a tall man of noblepresence, whose knightly attire was arranged in strict conformity tothe fashion of the time. The commandant first crossed the threshold,and closed the door to keep in the warmth, which began to diffuseitself from the large glowing stone chimney.

  "In the king's name!" he said, with a kind of solemnity, as he doffedhis high plumed hat, "welcome in his hall, noble sirs! Here he is yourhost, though in my insignificant person--I may expect him here, then,in the spring, venerable sir?"

  "He bade me bring you that message, next to royal greeting and favour,"answered Master Petrus de Dacia, giving his hand to the commandant. "Wehave slept under your roof, but as yet your guests are unknown to you,"he continued. "My name you know. In a few hours I must journey onwards;but these honourable strangers desire, and have royal permission, to beyour guests for some time, partly with a learned and scientificobject." He now presented to the commandant Master Poppe and MasterRumelant from Swabia, as renowned professors of the noble art ofminstrelsy, who had visited the territories of many lords and princes,and who were now desirous also of seeing and knowing all that wasremarkable in Denmark respecting the manners and the customs of thepeople, and the state of art and science, compared with that of othernations. "These learned persons," he added, "are commended to you asthe king's guests, so long as it is their desire to remain here. It isthe king's pleasure that they should have free access to the royalcollection of manuscripts and the archives of the castle."

  "Well, these learned guests are welcome," answered the commandant,saluting the strangers with some embarrassment; "it is probably thechronicles they desire to search into, and the ancient manuscriptswhich lie here, treating of the affairs of Denmark and the Germankingdoms in olden times. There was lately here a learned monk from Nye,who, by the king's command, had much to do with these writings. Theyare treasures which I, to say truth, know but little how to prize; butscholars can never sufficiently laud our king's carefulness incollecting such writings, and the free use of them which he allows bothto native and foreign scholars. The Lord help me. Sir Drost!" hewhispered to Aage, "they are surely most awfully learned; they perhapsdo not understand a word of Danish?"

  "Are not your king's famous 'Congesta'[18] to be found here?" asked thetall master Poppe, in a half German half Danish dialect; "we desireespecially to become acquainted with that important historicalcollection, as well as with the copy which is here to be seen of yourfamous Saxo Grammaticus, likewise Sveno Agonis[19], and whatever may befound here of collections of old ballads, and of Norwegian or Icelandicpoems, and Sagas of heathen time; item, all remarkable monumenta andvolumina antiquitatis."

  "What I specially rejoice over," said the enthusiastic little MasterRumelant, "is what I here expect to meet with of your famoustheological lumina and christian poets, particularly the far-famedHexameron of the great Andreas Sunonis, of which I have never been ableto trace any copy among my countrymen, or among any of the noble lordsand princes, my gracious well-wishers and benefactors, whose praises Ihave sung according to my poor ability."

  "So far as I know, the manuscript you speak of is to be found hereamong the learned Latin writings, from the time of King Waldemar theVictorious, of blessed memory," answered the commandant, endeavouringto hide his impatience; "but it is only of what is written in thelanguage of the country that I can give account to you--your studyshall be next to the manuscript chamber--the castle chaplain has thesuperintendence of it; he will no doubt be able to give you all theinformation you want. I will arrange every thing in the best way I canfor you, learned sirs; but I pray you to excuse me, who am a layman,and straight-forward soldier, for my ignorance of such matters. Permitme now to install you among my family, and to entreat you will becontent for the present with some food for the body."

  "Allow me first a few words in private here with the Drost," saidMaster Petrus, remaining behind in the vestibule with Aage, whose palecheek was for a moment tinged with a crimson hue as the door of theladies' apartment closed, and he was but half able to greet Margaretha.It was evident that he had suffered from a dangerous wound. He stillheld his head rather stiffly, and his left arm was in a sling.

  The tall ecclesiastic took him by the hand, and gazed on him earnestly,with his serene, intellectual eye. "It is chiefly for your sake, DrostAage, the king sent me hither," he said; "you know how dear you havebeen to him from his childhood, and how greatly he needs must miss you;but ere it is permitted me to speak one word to you of the king's andstate affairs, I am enjoined to certify myself of the health both ofyour mind and body. It is said you have not only been dangerouslywounded, but sick at heart besides, and plagued with all manner ofdisquiet thoughts and confused dreams, so that you have oft stood morein need of a spiritual than of a bodily physician. If you place anytrust in me, then
confide to me that which seems still to disquietyou."

  "I have been a visionary since I was excommunicated," said Aage; "I knowit right well. The trial was too much for me; but now, praise be to theLord and our Lady! a light hath dawned upon my soul, which reconcilesme to what is dark and mysterious in my life and destiny.--But _my_feelings and concerns are of no moment. Tell me only what the king isabout; how can he and the country be saved from downfall amid all theseperplexing events; for the Lord's sake tell me?"

  "Not a word of that as yet, dear Drost," interrupted Master Petrus; "Imust first see how far you are capable of acting in worldly matters.The spirit that would work mightily for the peace and happiness of kingand country must first be at peace with itself."

  "I _have_ that peace, venerable sir! My soul is as well at ease as itever will be in this world. When I heard the archbishop was fled, andthe king excommunicated, I threw myself on my horse, and would havehasted to Sjoeborg, but they brought me back here half dead. What I havesince heard of the king's impetuosity and wrath hath more than everdisquieted me, and in my tendency to dark presentiments I have many anight, in my fevered dreams, beheld the king surrounded by robbers andmurderers."

  "Be easy on that score, noble Drost. No sovereign was ever more belovedby his people; an invisible guard of the angels of love andrighteousness accompany the young Eric, even when traitors anddeadly foes are nigh him. I know you were with the king's father inFinnerup-barn on that bloody St. Cecilia's eve. What you then witnessedas a child you surely have never been able to forget?"

  "No, never!" exclaimed Aage, with breathless earnestness; "and I haveoften mourned I had neither courage nor might to avert thatcatastrophe. It was not till the barn burst into flames around themurdered king that I fully recovered the use of my senses. I snatchedthe sword from the old insane Palle, when he threw himself on the bodyto maltreat it, and struck the same murderous steel into his breastwith which he had slain his liege. That bloody scene, and the dyinglook of that crazed old man, hath often been fearfully present to me.The horrid spectacle, however, was nearly effaced from my memory, when,two years back, I was one day sent by the king to the captivearchbishop at Sjoeborg to bring him to confession; but when I looked onyon terrific prisoner, as he uplifted his fettered arm, and gave meover to the Devil, with the church's most dreadful curse, it seemed tome as though I stood once more in the barn at Finnerup, and as if acondemning spirit spoke through the archbishop, and thundered forth thewords of excommunication over me for my sins' sake. In the fever causedby my wound I have often suffered from the most fearful visions, anddreamed of fighting with all manner of monsters and demons; but when itwas at the worst I ever saw a heavenly angel at my side, who, withpious prayers, chased away the evil spirit, and whispered comfort andconsolation to my soul. At last a mild light dawned upon me--I felt Imight yet redeem from the curse that life which in my childhood I hadneither power nor courage to sacrifice for my former master, by mydevoting it to his son, our noble young King Eric. This is now my firmand stedfast purpose; I have renounced all thoughts of happiness formyself. Yon angel of consolation hath since appeared to me in a mortalform; but she neither desires nor is able to turn me from my resolve.It was the eldest and most estimable of Marsk Stig's daughters.Venerable sir! to you alone I confide it--she hath become dear to me asmy own soul, and she hath herself wonderfully strengthened me in myresolution. By saving my life, and preserving it for the service of himwho hath pronounced her whole race outlawed, she hath sought to atonefor a share of her dreaded father's crime. Each step I follow mybeloved young sovereign will and must separate me and Marsk Stig's racein this world; yet, with the Lord's help, that shall not stop myprogress, or impair my loyalty. Mark, venerable sir! from the moment inwhich the future destiny of my life was clear before me I was freedfrom the evil spirits which persecuted me, and I now feel myself nearlyhealed both in body and soul. Now you know all, tell me, I beseech you,that which is of far greater moment, what message bring you me from theking?"

  "One word more of yourself first, noble Drost," answered Master Petrus,in an affectionate tone, taking his hand, and gazing with his usuallook of calm intelligence on Aage's melancholy but resolutecountenance; "your determination I must laud as fair and noble,although it still in some measure betokens your tendency to extremes,even in what is good and praiseworthy. You can devote your life andpowers to the service of your king and country without seeking thedeath of a martyr; you need not yourself renounce the enjoyments oflife because a higher aim of existence stands in your view; but I willnot upbraid you for such youthful extravagances,--There _was_ a timewhen I desired myself to die a martyr in honour of the Holy Virgin;even now I should glory in it were it so ordered for me; but I nolonger hanker after martyrdom with blind enthusiasm and spiritualpride. The consoling angel you speak of, noble Drost, she who stoodbefore you here in the form of a captive maiden, I only desire herjustification and acquittal, and then assuredly you need not renounceall hope in respect of the secret wishes of your heart. I also haveknown such a being," he continued, with emotion; "next to the HolyVirgin she is even yet to me the most precious soul of her sex thatlives and hath ever lived in the world; she is, in truth, the bride ofHeaven here upon earth, and her duty and condition, as well as mine,separate us here below. But I believe, to speak truly, neither you norany worldly man can be called on or have strength to make suchrenunciation; but Providence and its high disposer will care for this.I rejoice from my heart that the fairest feeling of humanity isawakened in your soul. Even when attended by the greatest sacrifice andthe extreme of privation, it is, next to the joys of Heaven, therichest treasure that can be bestowed on a human being."

  "Yes, assuredly!" exclaimed Aage, with joyful enthusiasm; "whollywretched I never now can be. I have now told you the whole state of mycase. Conceal not any thing longer from me!"

  "Well, my excellent young friend," said Master Petrus, pressing hishand, "I will look on you as spiritually healed. It is a true andprecious feeling--it is the earnest of a noble and mighty life ofaction which stirs in your somewhat enthusiastic and visionary soul. Iwould send you forth from this much too quiet and trying position,which only fosters your visionary turn of mind. I will not hesitate toenlist your whole strength in the service of king and country. Look!here is a private letter from the king." He reached a sealed packet tothe Drost.

  Aage hastily broke the seal. "Ha! what means this? Of course you knowthe contents?"

  "I wrote the letter myself in the chancellor's absence. It is come to abreach with Junker Christopher; he must be disarmed and brought tosubjection ere two more suns have set. You or Sir Ribolt are tobeleaguer Holbek castle, and join the king before Kallundborg with ahundred lancers."

  Drost Aage gazed in dismay,--now on the letter,--now on Master Petrus."Great God!" he exclaimed; "is it come to this? Civil war and bloodyfeud between the brothers!"

  "Be calm, noble Drost! That is precisely what you must prevent, butquietly,--cautiously. I have, besides, a question to put to you, byword of mouth, from the king." So saying, Master Petrus drew Aagefurther from the door, and continued in a low tone,--"Hath the junkercaused any paper to be fetched from hence lately? Of the noble SirRibolt there is no suspicion; but is the castle chaplain to be countedon?"

  "For the commandant's loyalty I will answer," replied Aage; "thechaplain I know not. But what mean you?"

  "The letters Junker Christopher took from the chest in Lund sacristy heaffirms that he deposited here, but they have been lately sought for invain. They might now be of the greatest importance in the king's affairwith Master Grand. The learned scholars I have brought hither with meare again to search the archives. I must myself haste to Sweden, totranquillise the spirits there. You know the ambassadors left us inhaste. We are on doubtful terms with their court; the negotiations arebroken off. The king went too far in his anger at Grand's flight. Henow wants to carry every thing through by force. It is come to a breachalso with the Dukes of Sleswig--the cardinal hath left the court, he
menaces to use his fearful authority."

  "Misfortune upon misfortune!" exclaimed Aage. "Great Heaven! what willbe the end of all this?"

  "If the Lord please, all may turn out more favourably than seems likelyat present," continued Master Petrus, calmly. "If you and the Marsk canprocure peace with temporal enemies, I and my colleagues hope, withGod's assistance, to obtain a truce with ecclesiastical foes.Chancellor Martinus and Provost Guido are sent to Rome to anticipateGrand. Most of the bishops in the country side with the king. Theprovincial prior of the Dominicans and the chapters continue theirprotest against the constitution of Veile. No priest will uphold theinterdict; and, as I said, the people are loyal and devoted to theking."

  "But this unhappy quarrel with the junker--the breach with thedukes--the doubtful terms with Sweden--the king's rashness andimpetuosity--and that terrible Isarnus and the outlaws!"

  "You are right, Drost Aage! There are more clouds in Denmark'sand our young king's heavens than it is in the power of man todisperse"--resumed Petrus de Dacia; "but remember," he added, solemnly,"above the clouds are the stars of heaven, and over the course andgovernment of the stars presides the most high and righteous Creator!and forget not, dear Drost, where stern justice would annihilate usstands the Mediator and his heavenly Mother. Her prayers can shake andavert the threatenings of each evil star, however firmly fixed in thejudgment heaven. Be comforted, noble Drost!" he continued, with mildtranquillity; "none can draw aside the veil of futurity: this much,however, I think to have discerned in yon vast mysterious book, that Irenounce not the hope of better days for Denmark, so long as the Lordand our blessed Lady will extend a protecting hand over the king'slife. With his fortunate star will that of Denmark now assuredly riseor sink."

  "You are a learned and God-fearing man, venerable Master Petrus!" saidAage, who meanwhile had been pacing uneasily up and down, with theking's letter in his hand; "but, pardon me, now, it is _you_, and notI, who indulge in visionary fancies. I have more confidence in yourpiety and enlightened view of the Almighty's government here uponearth, and in our time, than in your astrological knowledge and devoutgaze into futurity. What we are now concerned in is the present moment;but what in the world is to be done, when neither you, nor any otherwise man, can bring the king to his right senses? Hath the archbishop'sflight caused him to set at nought discretion? Would he now demandjustice only,--not mercy,--of the papal see? Does he think, in defianceof ban and interdict, and even without a dispensation of kindred, hecan prevail on the wise Swedish government to consent to the marriage?It is an impossibility--would he despise all reasonable negotiation,and let the sword decide the quarrel with the dukes? And would he nowhimself storm his brother's castle, and force him to become an avowedtraitor and deserter to the enemy?"

  "I have shared your apprehensions, noble Drost! I blamed the king'simpetuous procedure; I vainly strove to hinder these far too hastysteps. His purpose is inflexible. But amid all my fears for theconsequences, I could not but admire the kingly spirit, which venturedso much for the support of royal dignity. In reliance on the justice ofhis cause, ere twice twenty-four hours King Eric will stand with hisknights before Kallundborg, to teach obedience to his rebelliousbrother."

  "The report was true, then, of the blockading of Kallundborg, and thenew fortification?"

  "Alas, yes! The king was greatly displeased at the junker'scontumacy, but still more at his treacherous endeavour to hinder themarriage.--The wily Drost Bruncke hath betrayed him, probably with theview of causing a breach between the brothers, and stirring up tumultin the country."

  "Hum! and the Dukes of Sleswig renew their former pretensions at thesame time."

  "They are probably in league with the junker; yet they have not scaredthe king.--If they have already forgotten the defeat at Groensund, hewill show them he dares face them on land also. Marsk Oluffsen isassembling all the foot forces against them at Hadersleben."

  "And the archbishop and the cardinal, where are they?"

  "Grand threatens from Bornholm, and Isarnus from Axelhuus. He demandssafe conduct for the archbishop, and protests against the confiscationof the Lund church property. Bishop Johan of Roskild wavers. Theenforcement of the interdict is dreaded."

  "Merciful Heaven! and, amid all this, can the king think of hismarriage?"

  "The first of June he purposes to cross to Helsingborg, with a bridaltrain or an armed force. Yet, perhaps, that was but a hasty speech tome and the Marsk. The Lord forbid it should come to such extremity!"

  "He draws the bow too tight; it must break. But one word more--theoutlaws who were pursued; are they taken?"

  "I know not; but their death doom is pronounced, wherever they arefound; the last murderous attempt hath rendered the king implacable--Aprice is set on every outlaw's head--Aage Kagge was on the expeditionwith Marsk Stig's daughters--There is now, assuredly, little hope atpresent of the freedom of the unhappy maidens."

  "They are innocent! by the Lord above, they are innocent!" exclaimedAage, impetuously. "I must to the king; it is high time." He tore thesling from his left arm, and moved it somewhat stiffly. "It _shall_do," he continued; "my right arm hath no one lamed. I must speed toKallundborg to the king. If the castle is to be stormed--if thetraitorous junker is to be chastised, leave that to me--against his ownbrother my king shall not himself bear sword and shield. Matters musthave been carried far; his forbearance can hold out no longer."

  "Still, however," interrupted Master Petrus, "he expressly enjoins youto spare the junker, wherever you meet him.--You are to blockade Holbekwith as little alarm as possible.--If you could even yet make peacebetween the brothers, noble Drost! you would perhaps save state andkingdom."

  The door of the ladies' apartment now opened, and the commandantreturned. "Your morning repast will be cold, my honoured guests," hesaid, courteously; "but what see I, Sir Drost? Your arm is not in thesling?"

  "It can and must be dispensed with," answered Aage. "You have spoilt mehere; you have been much too prudent and watchful. I have now to thankyou and your noble captives for your kindly care. The king needs strongarms and swords. Can you instantly furnish me with two hundred men fromthe garrison here?"

  "Two hundred men shall stand fully armed and in the court-yard herewithin an hour, if you, as Drost, command it in the king's name,"answered Sir Ribolt. "Dare I ask their destination?"

  "I march to Holbek and Kallundborg. There is the king's name and sealfor it."--He gave him the king's letter. "It is for you also--but it isto go no farther than ourselves."

  "Against the junker? merciful Heaven! Sir Drost, is it possible?"exclaimed the commandant, clasping his hands in the greatestastonishment.

  "The junker hath taken a fancy to add new fortifications, and shut thegates against the king's men, as you know. It is probably only anunfortunate jest, or a misunderstanding; but you see yourself suchgates must be forced betimes, when the king is on the road, and wouldenter therein. Two hundred men, then, within an hour, but with aslittle stir as possible, of course!"

  "You shall find all ready ere it rings to high mass," answered thecommandant, with calm determination. "But your wound, Sir Drost! Canyou yourself ride forth without danger? Otherwise the task is mine?"

  "With or without danger I must--I will onward," answered Aage. "When itrings for high mass, then; and secrecy is expedient--Let it concern ahunt after the outlaws--Understand you?"

  "Right! that shall be the belief in the castle here within the halfhour." So saying, Sir Ribolt hasted into the castle-yard, and DrostAage went with Master Petrus into the ladies' apartment.