CHAPTER LI
When she came down again she was a changed woman. Her eyes were wet, butcalm, and all her bitterness and excitement charmed away.
"Denys," said she softly, "I have got my orders. I am to read my lover'sletter to his folk."
"Ye will never do that?"
"Ay will I."
"I see there is something in the letter has softened ye towards them."
"Not a jot, Denys, not a jot. But an I hated them like poison I wouldnot disobey my love. Denys, 'tis so sweet to obey, and sweetest of allto obey one who is far, far away, and cannot enforce my duty, but musttrust my love for my obedience. Ah, Gerard, my darling, at hand I mighthave slighted thy commands, misliking thy folk as I have cause to do;but now, didst bid me go into the raging sea and read thy sweet letterto the sharks, there I'd go. Therefore, Denys, tell his mother I havegot a letter, and if she and hers would hear it, I am their servant; letthem say their hour, and I'll seat them as best I can, and welcome themas best I may."
Denys went off to Catherine with this good news. He found the family atdinner, and told them there was a long letter from Gerard. Then in themidst of the joy this caused, he said, "And her heart is softened, andshe will read it to you herself; you are to choose your own time."
"What does she think there are none can read but her?" asked Catherine."Let her send the letter and we will read it."
"Nay, but, mother," objected little Kate; "mayhap she cannot bear topart it from her hand; she loves him dearly."
"What, thinks she we shall steal it?"
Cornelis suggested that she would fain wedge herself into the family bymeans of this letter.
Denys cast a look of scorn on the speaker. "There spoke a bad heart,"said he. "La camarade hates you all like poison. Oh, mistake me not,dame; I defend her not, but so 'tis; yet maugre her spleen at a wordfrom Gerard she proffers to read you his letter with her own prettymouth, and hath a voice like honey--sure 'tis a fair proffer."
"'Tis so, mine honest soldier," said the father of the family, "andmerits a civil reply, therefore hold your whisht ye that be women, andI shall answer her. Tell her I, his father, setting aside all pastgrudges, do for this grace thank her, and would she have double thanks,let her send my son's letter by thy faithful hand, the which will Iread to his flesh and blood, and will then to her so surely and faithfulreturn, as I am Eli a Dierich a William a Luke, free burgher of Tergou,like my forbears, and like them, a man of my word."
"Ay, and a man who is better than his word," cried Catherine; "the onlyone I ever did foregather."
"Hold thy peace, wife."
"Art a man of sense, Eli, a dirk, a chose, a chose(1),"' shouted Denys."The she-comrade will be right glad to obey Gerard and yet not face youall, whom she hates as wormwood, saving your presence. Bless ye, theworld hath changed, she is all submission to-day: 'obedience is honey,'quoth she; and in sooth 'tis a sweetmeat she cannot but savour, eatingso little on't, for what with her fair face, and her mellow tongue; andwhat wi' flying in fits and terrifying us that be soldiers to death, anwe thwart her; and what wi' chiding us one while, and petting us likelambs t' other, she hath made two of the crawlingest slaves ever yousaw out of two honest swashbucklers. I be the ironing ruffian, t' otherwashes."
"What next?
"What next? why, whenever the brat is in the world I shall rock cradle,and t' other knave will wash tucker and bib. So, then, I'll go fetchthe letter on the instant. Ye will let me bide and hear it read, will yenot?"
"Else our hearts were black as coal," said Catherine.
So Denys went for the letter. He came back crestfallen. "She will notlet it out of her hand neither to me nor you, nor any he or she thatlives."
"I knew she would not," said Cornelis.
"Whisht! whisht!" said Eli, "and let Denys tell his story."
"'Nay,' said I, 'but be ruled by me.' 'Not I,' quoth she. 'Well, but,'quoth I, 'that same honey Obedience ye spake of.' 'You are a fool,' saysshe; 'obedience to Gerard is sweet, but obedience to any other body, whoever said that was sweet?'
"At last she seemed to soften a bit, and did give me a written paper foryou, mademoiselle. Here 'tis."
"For me?" said little Kate, colouring.
"Give that here!" said Eli, and he scanned the writing, and said almostin a whisper, "These be words from the letter Hearken!
"'And, sweetheart, an if these lines should travel safe to thee, makethou trial of my people's hearts withal. Maybe they are somewhat turnedtowards me, being far away. If 'tis so they will show it to thee, sincenow to me they may not. Read, then, this letter! But I do strictlyforbid thee to let it from thy hand; and if they still hold aloof fromthee, why, then say nought, but let them think me dead. Obey me inthis; for, if thou dost disrespect my judgment and my will in this, thoulovest me not.'"
There was a silence, and Gerard's words copied by Margaret here handedround and inspected.
"Well," said Catherine, "that is another matter. But methinks 'tis forher to come to us, not we to her."
"Alas, mother! what odds does that make?"
"Much," said Eli. "Tell her we are over many to come to her, and bid herhither, the sooner the better."
When Denys was gone, Eli owned it was a bitter pill to him.
"When that lass shall cross my threshold, all the mischief and miseryshe hath made here will seem to come in adoors in one heap. But whatcould I do, wife? We must hear the news of Gerard. I saw that in thineeyes, and felt it in my own heart. And she is backed by our undutifulbut still beloved son, and so is she stronger than we, and brings ournoses down to the grindstone, the sly, cruel jade. But never heed.We will hear the letter; and then let her go unblessed as she cameunwelcome."
"Make your mind easy," said Catherine. "She will not come at all." And atone of regret was visible.
Shortly after Richart, who had been hourly expected, arrived fromAmsterdam grave and dignified in his burgher's robe and gold chain,ruff, and furred cap, and was received not with affection only, butrespect; for he had risen a step higher than his parents, and such stepswere marked in mediaeval society almost as visibly as those in theirstaircases.
Admitted in due course to the family council, he showed plainly, thoughnot discourteously, that his pride was deeply wounded by their havingdeigned to treat with Margaret Brandt. "I see the temptation," said he."But which of us hath not at times to wish one way and do another?" Thisthrew a considerable chill over the old people. So little Kate put in aword. "Vex not thyself, dear Richart. Mother says she will not come.
"All the better, sweetheart. I fear me, if she do, I shall hie me backto Amsterdam."
Here Denys popped his head in at the door, and said--
"She will be here at three on the great dial."
They all looked at one another in silence.
(1) Anglice, a Thing-em-bob.
CHAPTER LIII
"Nay, Richart," said Catherine at last, "for Heaven's sake let not thisone sorry wench set us all by the ears: hath she not made ill bloodenough already?"
"In very deed she hath. Fear me not, good mother. Let her come and readthe letter of the poor boy she hath by devilish arts bewitched and thenlet her go. Give me your words to show her no countenance beyond decentand constrained civility: less we may not, being in our own house; andI will say no more." On this understanding they waited the foe. She, forher part, prepared for the interview in a spirit little less hostile.When Denys brought word they would not come to her, but would receiveher, her lip curled, and she bade him observe how in them every feeling,however small, was larger than the love for Gerard. "Well," said she, "Ihave not that excuse; so why mimic the pretty burgher's pride, the prideof all unlettered folk? I will go to them for Gerard's sake. Oh, how Iloathe them!"
Thus poor good-natured Denys was bringing into one house the materialsof an explosion.
Margaret made her toilet in the same spirit that a knight of her daydressed for battle--he to parry blows, and she to parry glances--glancesof contempt at he
r poverty, or of irony at her extravagance. Her kirtlewas of English cloth, dark blue, and her farthingale and hose of thesame material, but a glossy roan, or claret colour. Not an inch ofpretentious fur about her, but plain snowy linen wristbands, andcuriously plaited linen from the bosom of the kirtle up to thecommencement of the throat; it did not encircle her throat, but framedit, being square, not round. Her front hair still peeped in two wavesmuch after the fashion which Mary Queen of Scots revived a centurylater; but instead of the silver net, which would have ill become herpresent condition, the rest of her head was covered with a very smalltight-fitting hood of dark blue cloth, hemmed with silver. Her shoeswere red; but the roan petticoat and hose prepared the spectator's mindfor the shock, and they set off the arched instep and shapely foot.
Beauty knew its business then as now.
And with all this she kept her enemies waiting, though it was three bythe dial.
At last she started, attended by her he-comrade. And when they werehalfway, she stopped and said thoughtfully, "Denys!"
"Well, she-general?"
"I must go home" (piteously).
"What, have ye left somewhat behind?"
"What?"
"My courage. Oh! oh! oh!"
"Nay, nay, be brave, she-general. I shall be with you."
"Ay, but wilt keep close to me when I be there?"
Denys promised, and she resumed her march, but gingerly.
Meantime they were all assembled, and waiting for her with a strangemixture of feelings.
Mortification, curiosity, panting affection, aversion to her who came togratify those feelings, yet another curiosity to see what she was like,and what there was in her to bewitch Gerard and make so much mischief.
At last Denys came alone, and whispered, "The she-comrade is without."
"Fetch her in," said Eli. "Now whisht, all of ye. None speak to her butI."
They all turned their eyes to the door in dead silence.
A little muttering was heard outside; Denys's rough organ and a woman'ssoft and mellow voice.
Presently that stopped; and then the door opened slowly, and MargaretBrandt, dressed as I have described, and somewhat pale, but calm andlovely, stood on the threshold, looking straight before her.
They all rose but Kate, and remained mute and staring.
"Be seated, mistress," said Eli gravely, and motioned to a seat that hadbeen set apart for her.
She inclined her head, and crossed the apartment; and in so doing hercondition was very visible, not only in her shape, but in her languor.
Cornelis and Sybrandt hated her for it. Richart thought it spoiled herbeauty.
It softened the women somewhat.
She took her letter out of her bosom, and kissed it as if she had beenalone; then disposed herself to read it, with the air of one who knewshe was there for that single purpose.
But as she began, she noticed they had seated her all by herself like aleper. She looked at Denys, and putting her hand down by her side, madehim a swift furtive motion to come by her.
He went with an obedient start as if she had cried "March!" and stoodat her shoulder like a sentinel; but this zealous manner of doing itrevealed to the company that he had been ordered thither; and at thatshe coloured. And now she began to read her Gerard, their Gerard, totheir eager ears, in a mellow, clear voice, so soft, so earnest, sothrilling, her very soul seemed to cling about each precious sound. Itwas a voice as of a woman's bosom set speaking by Heaven itself.
"I do nothing doubt, my Margaret, that long ere this shall meet thybeloved eyes, Denys, my most dear friend, will have sought thee out,and told thee the manner of our unlooked for and most tearful parting.Therefore I will e'en begin at that most doleful day. What befell himafter, poor faithful soul, fain, fain would I hear, but may not. But Ipray for him day and night next after thee, dearest. Friend more stanchand loving had not David in Jonathan, than I in him. Be good to him, forpoor Gerard's sake."
At these words, which came quite unexpectedly to him, Denys leaned hishead on Margaret's high chair, and groaned aloud.
She turned quickly as she sat, and found his hand, and pressed it.
And so the sweetheart and the friend held hands while the sweetheartread.
"I went forward all dizzied, like one in an ill dream; and presently agentleman came up with his servants, all on horseback, and had liked tohave rid o'er me. And he drew rein at the brow of the hill, and senthis armed men back to rob me. They robbed me civilly enough and took mypurse and the last copper, and rid gaily away. I wandered stupid on, afriendless pauper."
There was a general sigh, followed by an oath from Denys.
"Presently a strange dimness came o'er me; I lay down to sleep on thesnow. 'Twas ill done, and with store of wolves hard by. Had I loved theeas thou dost deserve, I had shown more manhood. But oh, sweet love, thedrowsiness that did crawl o'er me desolate, and benumb me, was more thannature. And so I slept; and but that God was better to us, than I tothee or to myself, from that sleep I ne'er had waked; so all do say.I had slept an hour or two, as I suppose, but no more, when a hand didshake me rudely. I awoke to my troubles. And there stood a servant girlin her holiday suit. 'Are ye mad,' quoth she, in seeming choler, 'tosleep in snow, and under wolves' nosen? Art weary o' life, and not longweaned? Come, now, said she, more kindly, 'get up like a good lad;' soI did rise up. 'Are ye rich, or are ye poor?' But I stared at her as oneamazed. 'Why, 'tis easy of reply,' quoth she. 'Are ye rich, or are yepoor?' Then I gave a great, loud cry; that she did start back. 'Am Irich, or am I poor? Had ye asked me an hour agone, I had said I am rich.But now I am so poor as sure earth beareth on her bosom none poorer.An hour agone I was rich in a friend, rich in money, rich in hope andspirits of youth; but now the Bastard of Burgundy hath taken my friend,and another gentleman my purse; and I can neither go forward to Rome norback to her I left in Holland. I am poorest of the poor.' 'Alack!' saidthe wench. 'Natheless, an ye had been rich ye might ha' lain down againin the snow for any use I had for ye; and then I trow ye had soon faredout o' this world as bare as ye came into it. But, being poor, you areour man: so come wi' me.' Then I went because she bade me, and because Irecked not now whither I went. And she took me to a fine house hard by,and into a noble dining-hall hung with black; and there was set a tablewith many dishes, and but one plate and one chair. 'Fall to!' said she,in a whisper. 'What, alone?' said I. 'Alone? And which of us, think ye,would eat out of the same dish with ye? Are we robbers o' the dead?'Then she speered where I was born. 'At Tergou,' said I. Says she, 'Andwhen a gentleman dies in that country, serve they not the dead man'sdinner up as usual, till he be in the ground, and set some poor man toit?' I told her, 'nay.' She blushed for us then. Here they were betterChristians.' So I behoved to sit down. But small was my heart for meat.Then this kind lass sat by me and poured me out wine; and tasting it,it cut me to the heart Denys was not there to drink with me. He doth solove good wine, and women good, bad, or indifferent. The rich, strongwine curled round my sick heart; and that day first I did seem toglimpse why folk in trouble run to drink so. She made me eat of everydish. ''Twas unlucky to pass one. Nought was here but her master's dailydinner.' 'He had a good stomach, then,' said I. 'Ay, lad, and a goodheart. Leastways, so we all say now he is dead; but, being alive, noword on't e'er heard I.' So I did eat as a bird, nibbling of every dish.And she hearing me sigh, and seeing me like to choke at the food, tookpity and bade me be of good cheer. I should sup and lie there thatnight. And she went to the hind, and he gave me a right good bed; and Itold him all, and asked him would the law give me back my purse. 'Law!'quoth he; 'law there was none for the poor in Burgundy. Why, 'twas thecousin of the Lady of the Manor, he that had robbed me. He knew thewild spark. The matter must be judged before the lady; and she was quiteyoung, and far more like to hang me for slandering her cousin, and agentleman, and a handsome man, than to make him give me back my own.Inside the liberties of a town a poor man might now and then see theface of justice; but out among the grand seigneurs
and dames--never.'So I said, 'I'll sit down robbed rather than seek justice and findgallows.' They were all most kind to me next day; and the girl profferedme money from her small wage to help me towards Rhine."
"Oh, then, he is coming home! he is coming home!" shouted Denys,interrupting the reader. She shook her head gently at him, by way ofreproof.
"I beg pardon, all the company," said he stiffly.
"'Twas a sore temptation but being a servant, my stomach rose againstit. 'Nay, nay,' said I. She told me I was wrong. ''Twas pride out o'place; poor folk should help one another; or who on earth would?' I saidif I could do aught in return 'twere well; but for a free gift, nay: Iwas overmuch beholden already. Should I write a letter for her? 'Nay, heis in the house at present,' said she. 'Should I draw her picture, andso earn my money?' 'What, can ye?' said she. I told her I could try; andher habit would well become a picture. So she was agog to be limned, andgive it her lad. And I set her to stand in a good light, and soon madesketches two, whereof I send thee one, coloured at odd hours. The otherI did most hastily, and with little conscience daub, for which mayHeaven forgive me; but time was short. They, poor things, knew nobetter, and were most proud and joyous; and both kissing me after theircountry fashion, 'twas the hind that was her sweetheart, they did bid meGod-speed; and I towards Rhine."
Margaret paused here, and gave Denys the coloured drawing to hand round.It was eagerly examined by the females on account of the costume, whichdiffered in some respects from that of the Dutch domestic: the hair wasin a tight linen bag, a yellow half kerchief crossed her head from earto ear, but threw out a rectangular point that descended the centre ofher forehead, and it met in two more points over her bosom. She wore ared kirtle with long sleeves, kilted very high in front, and showing agreen farthingale and a great red leather purse hanging down over it;red stockings, yellow leathern shoes, ahead of her age; for they werelow-quartered and square-toed, secured by a strap buckling over theinstep, which was not uncommon, and was perhaps the rude germ of thediamond buckle to come.
Margaret continued:--
"But oh! how I missed my Denys at every step! often I sat down on theroad and groaned. And in the afternoon it chanced that I did so set medown where two roads met, and with heavy head in hand, and heavy heart,did think of thee, my poor sweetheart, and of my lost friend, and of thelittle house at Tergou, where they all loved me once; though now it isturned to hate."
Catherine. "Alas! that he will think so."
Eli. "Whisht, wife!"
"And I did sigh loud, and often. And me sighing so, one came carollinglike a bird adown t' other road. 'Ay, chirp and chirp,' cried Ibitterly. 'Thou has not lost sweetheart, and friend, thy father'shearth, thy mother's smile, and every penny in the world.' And at lasthe did so carol, and carol, I jumped up in ire to get away from his mostjarring mirth. But ere I lied from it, I looked down the path to seewhat could make a man so lighthearted in this weary world; and lo! thesongster was a humpbacked cripple, with a bloody bandage o'er his eye,and both legs gone at the knee."
"He! he! he! he! he!" went Sybrandt, laughing and cackling.
Margaret's eyes flashed: she began to fold the letter up.
"Nay, lass," said Eli, "heed him not! Thou unmannerly cur, offer't butagain and I put thee to the door."
"Why, what was there to gibe at, Sybrandt?" remonstrated Catherine moremildly. "Is not our Kate afflicted? and is she not the most content ofus all, and singeth like a merle at times between her pains? But I amas bad as thou; prithee read on, lass, and stop our gabble wi' somewhatworth the hearkening."
"'Then,' said I, 'may this thing be?' And I took myself to task.'Gerard, son of Eli, dost thou well to bemoan thy lot, thou hast youthand health; and here comes the wreck of nature on crutches, praisingGod's goodness with singing like a mavis?'"
Catherine. "There you see."
Eli. "Whisht, dame, whisht!"
"And whenever he saw me, he left carolling and presently hobbled up andchanted, 'Charity, for love of Heaven, sweet master, charity,' witha whine as piteous as wind at keyhole. 'Alack, poor soul,' said I,'charity is in my heart, but not my purse; I am poor as thou.' Then hebelieved me none, and to melt me undid his sleeve, and showed a sorewound on his arm, and said he, 'Poor cripple though I be, I am like tolose this eye to boot, look else.' I saw and groaned for him, and toexcuse myself let him wot how I had been robbed of my last copper.Thereat he left whining all in a moment, and said, in a big manly voice,'Then I'll e'en take a rest. Here, youngster, pull thou this strap: nay,fear not!' I pulled, and down came a stout pair of legs out of his back;and half his hump had melted away, and the wound in his eye no deeperthan the bandage.
"Oh!" ejaculated Margaret's hearers in a body.
"Whereat, seeing me astounded, he laughed in my face, and told me Iwas not worth gulling, and offered me his protection. 'My face wasprophetic,' he said. 'Of what?' said I. 'Marry,' said he, 'that itsowner will starve in this thievish land.' Travel teaches e'en the youngwisdom. Time was I had turned and fled this impostor as a pestilence;but now I listened patiently to pick up crumbs of counsel. And well Idid: for nature and his adventurous life had crammed the poor knave withshrewdness and knowledge of the homelier sort--a child was I beside him.When he had turned me inside out, said he, 'Didst well to leave Franceand make for Germany; but think not of Holland again. Nay, on toAugsburg and Nurnberg, the Paradise of craftsmen: thence to Venice, anthou wilt. But thou wilt never bide in Italy nor any other land, havingonce tasted the great German cities. Why, there is but one honestcountry in Europe, and that is Germany; and since thou art honest, andsince I am a vagabone, Germany was made for us twain.' I bade him makethat good: how might one country fit true men and knaves! 'Why, thounovice,' said he, 'because in an honest land are fewer knaves to bitethe honest man, and many honest men for the knave to bite. I was inluck, being honest, to have fallen in with a friendly sharp. Be my pal,'said he; 'I go to Nurnberg; we will reach it with full pouches. I'lllearn ye the cul de bois, and the cul de jatte, and how to maund, andchaunt, and patter, and to raise swellings, and paint sores and ulcerson thy body would take in the divell.' I told him shivering, I'd lieverdie than shame myself and my folk so."
Eli. "Good lad! good lad!"
"Why, what shame was it for such as I to turn beggar? Beggary was anancient and most honourable mystery. What did holy monks, and bishops,and kings, when they would win Heaven's smile? why, wash the feet ofbeggars, those favourites of the saints. 'The saints were no fools,' hetold me. Then he did put out his foot. 'Look at that, that was washed bythe greatest king alive, Louis, of France, the last Holy Thursday thatwas. And the next day, Friday, clapped in the stocks by the warden ofa petty hamlet.' So I told him my foot should walk between such highhonour and such low disgrace, on the same path of honesty, pleaseGod. Well then, since I had not spirit to beg, he would indulge myperversity. I should work under him, he be the head, I the fingers.And with that he set himself up like a judge, on a heap of dust by theroad's side, and questioned me strictly what I could do. I began to sayI was strong and willing. 'Ba!' said he, 'so is an ox. Say, what canstdo that Sir Ox cannot?' I could write; I had won a prize for it. 'Canstwrite as fast as the printers?' quo' he, jeering. 'What else?' I couldpaint. 'That was better.' I was like to tear my hair to hear him say so,and me going to Rome to write. I could twang the psaltery a bit. 'Thatwas well. Could I tell stories?' Ay, by the score. 'Then,' said he, 'Ihire you from this moment.' 'What to do?' said I. 'Nought crooked, SirCandour,' says he. 'I will feed thee all the way and find thee work; andtake half thine earnings, no more.' 'Agreed,' said I, and gave my handon it, 'Now, servant,' said he, 'we will dine. But ye need not standbehind my chair, for two reasons--first I ha' got no chair; and next,good fellowship likes me better than state.' And out of his wallet hebrought flesh, fowl, and pastry, a good dozen of spices lapped in flaxpaper, and wine fit for a king. Ne'er feasted I better than out of thisbeggar's wallet, now my master. When we had well eaten I was for goingon. 'But,' said he, 'servants sho
uld not drive their masters too hard,especially after feeding, for then the body is for repose, and the mindturns to contemplation' and he lay on his back gazing calmly at thesky, and presently wondered whether there were any beggars up there.I told him I knew but of one, called Lazarus. 'Could he do the cul dejatte better than I?' said he, and looked quite jealous like. I told himnay; Lazarus was honest, though a beggar, and fed daily of the crumbsfal'n from a rich man's table, and the dogs licked his sores. 'Servant,'quo' he, 'I spy a foul fault in thee. Thou liest without discretion: nowthe end of lying being to gull, this is no better than fumbling with thedivell's tail. I pray Heaven thou mayest prove to paint better than thoucuttest whids, or I am done out of a dinner. No beggar eats crumbs, butonly the fat of the land; and dogs lick not a beggar's sores, being madewith spearwort, or ratsbane, or biting acids, from all which dogs, andeven pigs, abhor. My sores are made after my proper receipt; but no dogwould lick e'en them twice. I have made a scurvy bargain: art a cozeningknave, I doubt, as well as a nincompoop.' I deigned no reply to thisbundle of lies, which did accuse heavenly truth of falsehood for notbeing in a tale with him. He rose and we took the road; and presentlywe came to a place where were two little wayside inns, scarce a furlongapart. 'Halt,' said my master. 'Their armories are sore faded--all thebetter. Go thou in; shun the master; board the wife; and flatter her innsky high, all but the armories, and offer to colour them dirt cheap.'So I went in and told the wife I was a painter, and would revive herarmories cheap; but she sent me away with a rebuff. I to my master. Hegroaned. 'Ye are all fingers and no tongue,' said he; 'I have made ascurvy bargain. Come and hear me patter and flatter.' Between the twoinns was a high hedge. He goes behind it a minute and comes out a decenttradesman. We went on to the other inn, and then I heard him praise itso fulsome as the very wife did blush. 'But,' says he, 'there is onelittle, little fault; your armories are dull and faded. Say but theword, and for a silver franc my apprentice here, the cunningest e'erI had, shall make them bright as ever. Whilst she hesitated, the roguetold her he had done it to a little inn hard by, and now the inn's facewas like the starry firmament. 'D'ye hear that, my man?' cries she,'"The Three Frogs" have been and painted up their armories; shall "TheFour Hedgehogs" be outshone by them?' So I painted, and my master stoodby like a lord, advising me how to do, and winking to me to heed himnone, and I got a silver franc. And he took me back to 'The ThreeFrogs,' and on the way put me on a beard and disguised me, andflattered 'The Three Frogs,' and told them how he had adorned 'The FourHedgehogs,' and into the net jumped the three poor simple frogs, and Iearned another silver franc. Then we went on and he found his crutches,and sent me forward, and showed his "cicatrices d'emprunt," as he calledthem, and all his infirmities, at 'The Four Hedgehogs,' and got bothfood and money. 'Come, share and share,' quoth he: so I gave him onefranc. 'I have made a good bargain,' said he. 'Art a master limner, buttakest too much time.' So I let him know that in matters of honest craftthings could not be done quick and well. 'Then do them quick,' quoth he.And he told me my name was Bon Bec; and I might call him Cul de Jatte,because that was his lay at our first meeting. And at the next town mymaster, Cul de Jatte, bought me a psaltery, and set himself up againby the roadside in state like him that erst judged Marsyas and Apollo,piping for vain glory. So I played a strain. 'Indifferent well,harmonious Bon Bec,' said he haughtily. 'Now tune thy pipes.' So I didsing a sweet strain the good monks taught me; and singing it remindedpoor Bon Bec, Gerard erst, of his young days and home, and brought thewater to my een. But looking up, my master's visage was as the face ofa little boy whipt soundly, or sipping foulest medicine. 'Zounds, stopthat bellyache blether,' quoth he, 'that will ne'er wile a stiver outo' peasants' purses; 'twill but sour the nurses' milk, and gar the kinejump into rivers to be out of earshot on't. What, false knave, did I buythee a fine new psaltery to be minded o' my latter end withal? Hearken!these be the songs that glad the heart, and fill the minstrel's purse.'And he sung so blasphemous a stave, and eke so obscene, as I drew awayfrom him a space that the lightning might not spoil the new psaltery.However, none came, being winter, and then I said, 'Master, the Lordis debonair. Held I the thunder, yon ribaldry had been thy last, thoufoul-mouthed wretch.'
"'Why, Bon Bec, what is to do?' quoth he. 'I have made an ill bargain.Oh, perverse heart, that turneth from doctrine.' So I bade him keephis breath to cool his broth, ne'er would I shame my folk with singingribald songs. 'Then,' says he sulkily, 'the first fire we light by thewayside, clap thou on the music box! so 'twill make our pot boil for thenonce; but with your,
Good people, let us peak and pine, Cut tristful mugs, and miaul and whine Thorough our nosen chaunts divine,
never, never, never. Ye might as well go through Lorraine crying,Mulleygrubs, Mulleygrubs, who'll buy my Mulleygrubs!' So we fared on,bad friends. But I took a thought, and prayed him hum me one of hisnaughty ditties again. Then he brightened, and broke forth into ribaldrylike a nightingale. Finger in ears stuffed I. 'No words; naught but thebare melody.' For oh, Margaret, note the sly malice of the Evil One!Still to the scurviest matter he wedded the tunablest ditties."
Catherine. "That is true as Holy Writ."
Sybrandt. "How know you that, mother?"
Cornelis. "He! he! he!"
Eli. "Whisht, ye uneasy wights, and let me hear the boy. He is wiserthan ye; wiser than his years."
"'What tomfoolery is this,' said he; yet he yielded to me, and soon Igarnered three of his melodies; but I would not let Cul de Jatte wot thething I meditated. 'Show not fools nor bairns unfinished work,' saiththe byword. And by this time 'twas night, and a little town at hand,where we went each to his inn; for my master would not yield to putoff his rags and other sores till morning; nor I to enter an inn witha tatterdemalion. So we were to meet on the road at peep of day, andindeed, we still lodged apart, meeting at morn and parting at eveoutside each town we lay at. And waking at midnight and cogitating, goodthoughts came down to me, and sudden my heart was enlightened. I calledto mind that my Margaret had withstood the taking of the burgomaster'spurse. ''Tis theft,' said you; 'disguise it how ye will.' But I mustbe wiser than my betters; and now that which I had as good as stolen,others had stolen from me. As it came so it was gone. Then I said,'Heaven is not cruel, but just;' and I vowed a vow, to repay ourburgomaster every shilling an' I could. And I went forth in the morningsad, but hopeful. I felt lighter for the purse being gone. My master wasat the gate becrutched. I told him I'd liever have seen him in anotherdisguise. 'Beggars must not be choosers,' said he. However, soon he bademe untruss him, for he felt sadly. His head swam. I told him forcefullyto deform nature thus could scarce be wholesome. He answered none; butlooked scared, and hand on head. By-and-by he gave a groan, and rolledon the ground like a ball, and writhed sore. I was scared, and wistnot what to do, but went to lift him; but his trouble rose higher andhigher, he gnashed his teeth fearfully, and the foam did fly from hislips; and presently his body bended itself like a bow, and jerked andbounded many times into the air. I exorcised him; it but made himworse. There was water in a ditch hard by, not very clear; but the poorcreature struggling between life and death, I filled my hat withal, andcame flying to souse him. Then my lord laughed in my face. 'Come, BonBec, by thy white gills, I have not forgotten my trade.' I stood withwatery hat in hand, glaring. 'Could this be feigning?' 'What else?' saidhe. 'Why, a real fit is the sorriest thing; but a stroke with a feathercompared with mine. Art still betters nature.' 'But look, e'en now bloodtrickleth from your nose,' said I. 'Ay, ay, pricked my nostrils with astraw.' 'But ye foamed at the lips.' 'Oh, a little soap makes a micklefoam.' And he drew out a morsel like a bean from his mouth. 'Thank thystars, Bon Bec,' says he, 'for leading thee to a worthy master. Each dayhis lesson. To-morrow we will study the cul de bois and other branches.To-day, own me prince of demoniacs, and indeed of all good fellows.'Then, being puffed up, he forgot yesterday's grudge, and discoursedme freely of beggars; and gave me, who eftsoons thought a beggar was abeggar, and there an end, the names
and qualities of full thirty sortsof masterful and crafty mendicants in France and Germany and England;his three provinces; for so the poor, proud knave yclept those kingdomsthree; wherein his throne it was the stocks I ween. And outside the nextvillage one had gone to dinner, and left his wheelbarrow. So says he,'I'll tie myself in a knot, and shalt wheel me through; and what withmy crippledom and thy piety, a-wheeling of thy poor old dad, we'll bleedthe bumpkins of a dacha-saltee.' I did refuse. I would work for him; butno hand would have in begging. 'And wheeling an "asker" in a barrow, isnot that work?' said he; 'then fling yon muckle stone in to boot: stay,I'll soil it a bit, and swear it is a chip of the holy sepulchre; andyou wheeled us both from Jerusalem.' Said I, 'Wheeling a pair o' lies,one stony, one fleshy, may be work, and hard work, but honest work 'tisnot. 'Tis fumbling with his tail you wot of. And,' said I, 'master, nexttime you go to tempt me to knavery, speak not to me of my poor old dad.'Said I, 'You have minded me of my real father's face, the truest man inHolland. He and I are ill friends now, worse luck. But though I offendhim shame him I never will.' Dear Margaret, with this knave' saying,'your poor old dad,' it had gone to my heart like a knife. ''Tis well,'said my master gloomily; 'I have made a bad bargain.' Presently hehalts, and eyes a tree by the wayside. 'Go spell me what is writ onyon tree.' So I went, and there was nought but a long square drawn inoutline. I told him so. 'So much for thy monkish lore,' quoth he. Alittle farther, and he sent me to read a wall. There was nought but acircle scratched on the stone with a point of nail or knife, and in thecircle two dots. I said so Then said he, 'Bon Bec, that square was awarning. Some good Truand left it, that came through this village faringwest; that means "dangerous." The circle with the two dots was writ byanother of our brotherhood; and it signifies as how the writer, soitRollin Trapu, soit Triboulet, soit Catin Cul de Bois, or what not, wasbecked for asking here, and lay two months in Starabin.' Then he brokeforth. 'Talk: of your little snivelling books that go in pouch. Threebooks have I, France, England, and Germany; and they are writ all overin one tongue, that my brethren of all countries understand; and thatis what I call learning. So sith here they whip sores, and imprisoninfirmities, I to my tiring room.' And he popped behind the hedge, andcame back worshipful. We passed through the village, and I sat me downon the stocks, and even the barber's apprentice whets his razor on ablock, so did I flesh my psaltery on this village, fearing great cities.I tuned it, and coursed up and down the wires nimbly with my two woodenstrikers; and then chanted loud and clear, as I had heard the minstrelsof the country,
'Qui veut ouir qui veut Savoir,'
some trash, I mind not what. And soon the villagers, male and female,thronged about me; thereat I left singing, and recited them to thepsaltery a short but right merry tale out of 'the lives of the saints,'which it is my handbook of pleasant figments and this ended, instantlystruck up and whistled one of Cul de Jatte's devil's ditties, and playedit on the psaltery to boot. Thou knowest Heaven hath bestowed on me arare whistle, both for compass and tune. And with me whistling brightand full this sprightly air, and making the wires slow when the tune didgallop, and tripping when the tune did amble, or I did stop and shake onone note like a lark i' the air, they were like to eat me; but lookinground, lo! my master had given way to his itch, and there was his haton the ground, and copper pouring in. I deemed it cruel to whistle thebread out of poverty's pouch; so broke off and away; yet could not getclear so swift, but both men and women did slobber me sore, and smelledall of garlic. 'There, master,' said I, 'I call that cleaving the divellin twain and keeping his white half.' Said he, 'Bon Bec, I have madea good bargain.' Then he bade me stay where I was while he went to theHoly Land. I stayed, and he leaped the churchyard dike, and the sextonwas digging a grave, and my master chaffered with him, and came backwith a knuckle bone. But why he clept a churchyard Holy Land, that Ilearned not then, but after dinner. I was colouring the armories of alittle inn; and he sat by me most peaceable, a cutting, and filing, andpolishing bones, sedately; so I speered was not honest work sweet? 'Asrain water,' said he, mocking. 'What was he a making?' 'A pair of bonesto play on with thee; and with the refuse a St. Anthony's thumb anda St. Martin's little finger, for the devout.' The vagabone! And now,sweet Margaret, thou seest our manner of life faring Rhineward. I withthe two arts I had least prized or counted on for bread was welcomeeverywhere; too poor now to fear robbers, yet able to keep both masterand man on the road. For at night I often made a portraiture of theinnkeeper or his dame, and so went richer from an inn; the which it isthe lot of few. But my master despised this even way of life. 'I loveups and downs,' said he. And certes he lacked them not. One day he wouldgather more than I in three; another, to hear his tale, it had rainedkicks all day in lieu of 'saltees,' and that is pennies. Yet even thenat heart he despised me for a poor mechanical soul, and scorned my arts,extolling his own, the art of feigning.
"Natheless, at odd times was he ill at his ease. Going through the townof Aix, we came upon a beggar walking, fast by one hand to a cart-tail,and the hangman a lashing his bare bloody back. He, stout knave, sowhipt, did not a jot relent; but I did wince at every stroke; and mymaster hung his head.
"'Soon or late, Bon Bec,' quoth he. 'Soon or late.' I, seeing hishaggard face, knew what he meaned. And at a town whose name hath slippedme, but 'twas on a fair river, as we came to the foot of the bridge hehalted, and shuddered. 'Why what is the coil?' said I. 'Oh, blind,' saidhe, 'they are justifying there.' So nought would serve him but take aboat, and cross the river by water. But 'twas out of the frying-pan, asthe word goeth. For the boatman had scarce told us the matter, and thatit was a man and a woman for stealing glazed windows out of housen, andthat the man was hanged at daybreak, and the quean to be drowned, whenlo! they did fling her off the bridge, and fell in the water not farfrom us. And oh! Margaret, the deadly splash! It ringeth in mine earseven now. But worse was coming; for, though tied, she came up and cried'Help! help!' and I, forgetting all, and hearing a woman's voice cry'Help!' was for leaping in to save her; and had surely done it, but theboatman and Cul de Jatte clung round me, and in a moment the bourreau'sman, that waited in a boat, came and entangled his hooked pole in herlong hair, and so thrust her down and ended her. Oh! if the saintsanswered so our cries for help! And poor Cul de Jatte groaned; and Isat sobbing, and beat my breast, and cried, 'Of what hath God made men'shearts?'"
The reader stopped, and the tears trickled down her cheeks. Gerardcrying in Lorraine, made her cry at Rotterdam. The leagues were no moreto her heart than the breadth of a room.
Eli, softened by many touches in the letter, and by the reader's womanlygraces, said kindly enough, "Take thy time, lass. And methinks some ofye might find her a creepie to rest her foot, and she so near her owntrouble."
"I'd do more for her than that an I durst," said Catherine. "Here,Cornelis," and she held out her little wooden stool, and that worthy,who hated Margaret worse than ever, had to take the creepie and put itcarefully under her foot.
"You are very kind, dame," she faltered. "I will read on 'tis all I cando for you in turn.
"Thus seeing my master ashy and sore shaken, I deemed this horribletragic act came timeously to warn him, so I strove sore to turn him fromhis ill ways, discoursing of sinners and their lethal end. 'Too late!'said he, 'too late!' and gnashed his teeth. Then I told him 'too late'was the divell's favourite whisper in repentant ears. Said I--
'The Lord is debonair, Let sinners nought despair.'
'Too late!' said he, and gnashed his teeth, and writhed his face, asthough vipers were biting his inward parts. But, dear heart, his was amind like running water. Ere we cleared the town he was carolling, andoutside the gate hung the other culprit, from the bough of a littletree, and scarce a yard above the ground. And that stayed my vagabone'smusic. But ere we had gone another furlong, he feigned to have droppedhis, rosary, and ran back, with no good intent, as you shall hear.I strolled on very slowly, and often halting, and presently he camestumping up on one leg, and that bandaged. I asked him how
he couldcontrive that, for 'twas masterly done. 'Oh, that was his mystery. WouldI know that, I must join the brotherhood.' And presently we did passa narrow lane, and at the mouth on't espied a written stone, tellingbeggars by a word like a wee pitchfork to go that way. ''Tis yonfarmhouse,' said he: 'bide thou at hand.' And he went to the house, andcame back with money, food, and wine. 'This lad did the business,' saidhe, slapping his one leg proudly. Then he undid the bandage, and withprideful face showed me a hole in his calf you could have put your neefin. Had I been strange to his tricks, here was a leg had drawn my lastpenny. Presently another farmhouse by the road. He made for it. I stood,and asked myself, should I run away and leave him, not to be shamed inmy own despite by him? But while I doubted, there was a great noise,and my master well cudgelled by the farmer and his men, came towards mehobbling and holloaing, for the peasants had laid on heartily. But moretrouble was at his heels. Some mischievous wight loosed a dog as big asa jackass colt, and came roaring after him, and downed him momently. I,deeming the poor rogue's death certain, and him least fit to die, drewmy sword and ran shouting. But ere I could come near, the muckle dog hadtorn away his bad leg, and ran growling to his lair with it; and Cul deJatte slipped his knot, and came running like a lapwing, with his hairon end, and so striking with both crutches before and behind at unrealdogs as 'twas like a windmill crazed. He fled adown the road. I followedleisurely, and found him at dinner. 'Curse the quiens,' said he. And nota word all dinner time but 'Curse the quiens!'
"I said, I must know who' they were, before I would curse them.
"'Quiens? why, that was dogs. And I knew not even that much? He had madea bad bargain. Well, well,' said he, 'to-morrow we shall be in Germany.There the folk are music bitten, and they molest not beggars, unlessthey fake to boot, and then they drown us out of hand that moment, curse'em!' We came to Strasbourg. And I looked down Rhine with longing heart.The stream how swift! It seemed running to clip Sevenbergen to its softbosom. With but a piece of timber and an oar I might drift at my ease tothee, sleeping yet gliding still. 'Twas a sore temptation. But the fearof an ill welcome from my folk, and of the neighbours' sneers, and thehope of coming back to thee victorious, not, as now I must, defeated andshamed, and thee with me, it did withhold me; and so, with many sighs,and often turning of the head to look on beloved Rhine, I turnedsorrowful face and heavy heart towards Augsburg."
"Alas, dame, alas! Good master Eli, forgive me! But I ne'er can win overthis part all at one time. It taketh my breath away. Welladay! Why didhe not listen to his heart? Had he not gone through peril enow, sorrowenow? Well-a-day! well-a-day!"
The letter dropped from her hand, and she drooped like a wounded lily.
Then there was a clatter on the floor, and it was little Kate going onher crutches, with flushed face, and eyes full of pity, to console her."Water, mother," she cried. "I am afeared she shall swoon."
"Nay, nay, fear me not," said Margaret feebly. "I will not be sotroublesome. Thy good-will it maketh me stouter hearted, sweet mistressKate. For, if thou carest how I fare, sure Heaven is not against me."
Catherine. "D'ye hear that, my man!"
Eli. "Ay, wife, I hear; and mark to boot."
Little Kate went back to her place, and Margaret read on.
"The Germans are fonder of armorials than the French. So I found workevery day. And whiles I wrought, my master would leave me, and doff hisraiment and don his rags, and other infirmities, and cozen the world,which he did clepe it 'plucking of the goose:' this done, would meet meand demand half my earnings; and with restless piercing eye ask me wouldI be so base as cheat my poor master by making three parts in lieu oftwo, till I threatened to lend him a cuff to boot in requital of hissuspicion and thenceforth took his due, with feigned confidence in mygood faith, the which his dancing eye belied. Early in Germany we hada quarrel. I had seen him buy a skull of a jailer's wife, and mightyzealous a polishing it. Thought I, 'How can he carry yon memento,and not repent, seeing where ends his way?' Presently I did catch himselling it to a woman for the head of St. Barnabas, with a tale hadcozened an Ebrew. So I snatched it out of their hands, and trundled itinto the ditch. 'How, thou impious knave,' said I, 'wouldst sell fora saint the skull of some dead thief, thy brother?' He slunk away. Butshallow she did crawl after the skull, and with apron reverently dustit for Barnabas, and it Barabbas; and so home with it. Said I, 'Non vultanser velli, sed populus vult decipi.'"
Catherine. "Oh, the goodly Latin!"
Eli. "What meaneth it?"
Catherine. "Nay, I know not; but 'tis Latin; is not that enow? He wasthe flower of the flock."
"Then I to him, 'Take now thy psaltery, and part we here, for art awalking prison, a walking hell.' But lo! my master fell on his knees,and begged me for pity's sake not turn him off. 'What would become ofhim? He did so love honesty.' 'Thou love honesty?' said I. 'Ay,' saidhe, 'not to enact it; the saints forbid. But to look on. 'Tis so faira thing to look on. Alas, good Bon Bec,' said he; 'hadst starvedperadventure but for me. Kick not down thy ladder! Call ye that just?Nay, calm thy choler! Have pity on me! I must have a pal; and how couldI bear one like myself after one so simple as thou? He might cut mythroat for the money that is hid in my belt. 'Tis not much; 'tis notmuch. With thee I walk at mine ease; with a sharp I dare not go beforein a narrow way. Alas! forgive me. Now I know where in thy bonnet lurksthe bee, I will ware his sting; I will but pluck the secular goose. 'Sobe it,' said I. 'And example was contagious: he should be a true man bythen we reached Nurnberg. 'Twas a long way to Nurnberg.' Seeing him sohumble, I said, 'well, doff rags, and make thyself decent; 'twillhelp me forget what thou art.' And he did so; and we sat down to ournonemete. Presently came by a reverend palmer with hat stuck round withcockle shells from Holy Land, and great rosary of beads like eggs ofteal, and sandals for shoes. And he leaned a-weary on his long staff,and offered us a shell apiece. My master would none. But I, to set hima better example, took one, and for it gave the poor pilgrim two batzen,and had his blessing. And he was scarce gone, when we heard savagecries, and came a sorry sight, one leading a wild woman in a chain, allrags and howling like a wolf. And when they came nigh us, she fell totearing her rags to threads. The man sought an alms of us, and told ushis hard case. 'Twas his wife stark raving mad; and he could not work inthe fields, and leave her in his house to fire it, nor cure her couldbe without the Saintys' help, and had vowed six pounds of wax to St.Anthony to heal her, and so was fain beg of charitable folk for themoney. And now she espied us, and flew at me with her long nails, andI was cold with fear, so devilish showed, her face and rolling eyes andnails like birdys talons. But he with the chain checked her sudden,and with his whip did cruelly lash her for it, that I cried, 'Forbear!forbear! She knoweth not what she doth;' and gave him a batz. And beinggone, said I, 'Master, of those twain I know not which is the morepitiable.' And he laughed in my face, 'Behold thy justice, Bon Bec,'said he. 'Thou railest on thy poor, good, within an ace of honestmaster, and bestowest alms on a "vopper."' 'Vopper,' said I, 'what isa vopper?' 'why, a trull that feigns madness. That was one of us, thatsham maniac, and wow but she did it clumsily. I blushed for her andthee. Also gavest two batzen for a shell from Holy Land, that cameno farther than Normandy. I have culled them myself on that coast byscores, and sold them to pilgrims true and pilgrims false, to gull flatslike thee withal.' 'What!' said I; 'that reverend man?' 'One of us!'cried Cul de Jatte; 'one of us! In France we call them "Coquillarts,"but here "Calmierers." Railest on me for selling a false relic now andthen, and wastest thy earnings on such as sell nought else. I tell thee,Bon Bec,' said he, 'there is not one true relic on earth's face. TheSaints died a thousand years agone, and their bones mixed with thedust; but the trade in relics, it is of yesterday; and there are fortythousand tramps in Europe live by it; selling relics of forty or fiftybodies; oh, threadbare lie! And of the true Cross enow to build CologneMinster. Why, then, may not poor Cul de Jatte turn his penny with thecrowd? Art but a scurvy tyrannical servant to let thy poor master fromhis share of the
swag with your whoreson pilgrims, palmers and friars,black, grey, and crutched; for all these are of our brotherhood, and ofour art, only masters they, and we but poor apprentices, in guild.' Forhis tongue was an ell and a half.
"'A truce to thy irreverend sophistries,' said I, 'and say what companyis this a coming.' 'Bohemians,' cried he, 'Ay, ay, this shall be therest of the band.' With that came along so motley a crew as never youreyes beheld, dear Margaret. Marched at their head one with a banner ona steel-pointed lance, and girded with a great long sword, and in velvetdoublet and leathern jerkin, the which stuffs ne'er saw I wedded aforeon mortal flesh, and a gay feather in his lordly cap, and a couple ofdead fowls at his back, the which, an the spark had come by honestly, Iam much mistook. Him followed wives and babes on two lean horses, whoseflanks still rattled like parchment drum, being beaten by kettles andcaldrons. Next an armed man a-riding of a horse, which drew a cart fullof females and children; and in it, sitting backwards, a lustylazy knave, lance in hand, with his luxurious feet raised on a holywater-pail, that lay along, and therein a cat, new kittened, sat glowingo'er her brood, and sparks for eyes. And the cart-horse cavalier had onhis shoulders a round bundle, and thereon did perch a cock and crowedwith zeal, poor ruffler, proud of his brave feathers as the rest, andhaply with more reason, being his own. And on an ass another wife andnew-born child; and one poor quean a-foot scarce dragged herself along,so near her time was she, yet held two little ones by the hand, andhelplessly helped them on the road. And the little folk were just afarce; some rode sticks, with horses' heads, between their legs, whichpranced and caracoled, and soon wearied the riders so sore, they stoodstock still and wept, which cavaliers were presently taken into cart andcuffed. And one, more grave, lost in a man's hat and feather, walked inEgyptian darkness, handed by a girl; another had the great saucepan onhis back, and a tremendous three-footed clay-pot sat on his headand shoulders, swallowing him so as he too went darkling led by hissweetheart three foot high. When they were gone by, and we had bothlaughed lustily, said I, 'Natheless, master, my bowels they yearn forone of that tawdry band, even for the poor wife so near the downlying,scarce able to drag herself, yet still, poor soul, helping the weaker onthe way.'
Catherine. "Nay, nay, Margaret. Why, wench, pluck up heart. Certes thouart no Bohemian."
Kate. "Nay, mother, 'tis not that, I trow, but her father. And, dearheart, why take notice to put her to the blush?"
Richart. "So I say."
"And he derided me. 'Why, that is a "biltreger,"' said he, 'and youwaste your bowels on a pillow, or so forth.' I told him he lied. 'Timewould show,' said he, 'wait till they camp.' And rising after meat andmeditation, and travelling forward, we found them camped between twogreat trees on a common by the wayside; and they had lighted a greatfire, and on it was their caldron and one of the trees slanting o'erthe fire, a kid hung down by a chain from the tree-fork to the fire,and in the fork was wedged an urchin turning still the chain to keep themeat from burning, and a gay spark with a feather in his cap cut upa sheep; and another had spitted a leg of it on a wooden stake; and awoman ended chanticleer's pride with wringing of his neck. And underthe other tree four rufflers played at cards and quarrelled, and no wordsans oath; and of these lewd gamblers one had cockles in his hat and wasmy reverend pilgrim. And a female, young and comely, and dressed like abutterfly, sat and mended a heap of dirty rags. And Cul de Jatte said,'Yon is the "vopper,"' and I looked incredulous and looked again, and itwas so, and at her feet sat he that had so late lashed her; but I weenhe had wist where to strike, or woe betide him; and she did now oppresshim sore, and made him thread her very needle, the which he did withall humility; so was their comedy turned seamy side without; and Cul deJatte told me 'twas still so with 'voppers' and their men in camp; theywould don their bravery though but for an hour, and with their tinsel,empire, and the man durst not the least gainsay the 'vopper,' or shewould turn him off at these times, as I my master, and take anothertyrant more submissive. And my master chuckled over me. Natheless wesoon espied a wife set with her back against the tree, and her hairdown, and her face white, and by her side a wench held up to her eye anewborn babe, with words of cheer, and the rough fellow, her husband,did bring her hot wine in a cup, and bade her take courage. And justo'er the place she sat, they had pinned from bough to bough of thoseneighbouring trees two shawls, and blankets two, together, to keep thedrizzle off her. And so had another poor little rogue come into theworld; and by her own particular folk tended gipsywise, but of theroasters, and boilers, and voppers, and gamblers, no more noticed, no,not for a single moment, than sheep which droppeth her lamb in a field,by travellers upon the way. Then said I, 'What of thy foul suspicions,master? over-knavery blinds the eye as well as over-simplicity.' And helaughed and said, 'Triumph, Bon Bec, triumph. The chances were nine inten against thee.' Then I did pity her, to be in a crowd at such atime; but he rebuked me. 'I should pity rather your queens and royalduchesses, which by law are condemned to groan in a crowd of nobles andcourtiers, and do writhe with shame as, well as sorrow, being come ofdecent mothers, whereas these gipsy women have no more shame under theirskins than a wolf ruth, or a hare valour. And, Bon Bec,' quoth he, 'Iespy in thee a lamentable fault. Wastest thy bowels, wilt have none leftfor thy poor good master which doeth thy will by night and day.' Thenwe came forward; and he talked with the men in some strange Hebrew cantwhereof no word knew I; and the poor knaves bade us welcome and deniedus nought. With them, and all they had, 'twas lightly come and lightlygo; and when we left them, my master said to me 'This is thy firstlesson, but to-night we shall lie at Hansburgh. Come with me to the"rotboss" there, and I'll show thee all our folk and their lays,and especially "the lossners," "the dutzers," "the schleppers," "thegickisses," "the schwanfelders, whom in England we call "shiveringJemmies," "the suntvegers," "the schwiegers," "the joners," "thesesseldegers," "the gensscherers," in France "marcandiers or rifodes,""the veranerins," "the stabulers," with a few foreigners like ourselves,such as "pietres," "francmitoux," "polissons" "malingreux," "traters,""rufflers," "whipjalks," "dommerars," "glymmerars," "jarkmen,""patricos," "swadders," "autem morts," "walking morts" 'Enow,' cried I,stopping him, 'art as gleesome as the Evil One a counting of his imps.I'll jot down in my tablet all these caitiffs and their accursed names:for knowledge is knowledge. But go among them, alive or dead, that willI not with my good will. Moreover,' said I, 'what need? since I have acompanion in thee who is all the knaves on earth in one?' and thought toabash him but his face shone with pride, and hand on breast he did bowlow to me. 'If thy wit be scant, good Bon Bec, thy manners are a charm.I have made a good bargain.' So he to the 'rotboss,' and I to a decentinn, and sketched the landlord's daughter by candle-light, and startedat morn batzen three the richer, but could not find my master, soloitered slowly on, and presently met him coming west for me, andcursing the quiens. Why so? Because he could blind the culls but notthe quiens. At last I prevailed on him to leave cursing and canting,and tell me his adventure. Said he, 'I sat outside the gate of yonmonastery, full of sores, which I sho'ed the passers-by. Oh, Bon Bec,beautifuller sores you never saw; and it rained coppers in my hat.Presently the monks came home from some procession, and the convent dogsran out to meet them, curse the quiens!' 'What, did they fall on theeand bite thee, poor soul?' 'Worse, worse, dear Bon Bec. Had theybitten me I had earned silver. But the great idiots, being, as I think,puppies, or little better, fell on me where I sat, downed me, and fella licking my sores among them. As thou, false knave, didst swear thewhelps in heaven licked the sores of Lazybones, a beggar of old.' 'Nay,nay,' said I, 'I said no such thing. But tell me, since they bit theenot, but sportfully licked thee, what harm?' 'What harm, noodle; why,the sores came off.' 'How could that be?' 'How could aught else be? andthem just fresh put on. Did I think he was so weak as bite holes in hisflesh with ratsbane? Nay, he was an artist, a painter, like his servant,and had put on sores made of pig's blood, rye meal, and glue. So whenthe folk saw my sores go on tongues of puppies, they laughed, and Isaw c
ord or sack before me. So up I jumped, and shouted, "A miracle amiracle! The very dogs of this holy convent be holy, and have cured me.Good fathers," cried I, "whose day is this?" "St. Isidore's," said one."St. Isidore," cried I, in a sort of rapture. "Why, St. Isidore ismy patron saint: so that accounts." And the simple folk swallowed mymiracle as those accursed quiens my wounds. But the monks took me insideand shut the gate, and put their heads together; but I have a quick ear,and one did say, "Caret miraculo monasterium," which is Greek patter,leastways it is no beggar's cant. Finally they bade the lay brethrengive me a hiding, and take me out a back way and put me on the road, andthreatened me did I come back to the town to hand me to the magistrateand have me drowned for a plain impostor. "Profit now by the Church'sgrace," said they, "and mend thy ways." So forward, Bon Bec, for my lifeis not sure nigh hand this town.' As we went he worked his shoulders,'Wow but the brethren laid on. And what means yon piece of monk's cant,I wonder?' So I told him the words meant 'the monastery is in want of amiracle,' but the application thereof was dark to me. 'Dark,' criedhe, 'dark as noon. Why, it means they are going to work the miracle,my miracle, and gather all the grain I sowed. Therefore these blows ontheir benefactor's shoulders; therefore is he that wrought their scurrymiracle driven forth with stripes and threats. Oh, cozening knaves!'Said I, 'Becomes you to complain of guile.' 'Alas, Bon Bec,' said he, 'Ibut outwit the simple, but these monks would pluck Lucifer of hiswing feathers.' And went a league bemoaning himself that he was notconvent-bred like his servant 'He would put it to more profit;' andrailing on quiens. 'And as for those monks, there was one Above.''Certes,' said I, 'there is one Above. What then?' 'Who will call thoseshavelings to compt, one day,' quoth he. 'And all deceitful men' saidI. At one that afternoon I got armories to paint: so my master took theyellow jaundice and went begging through the town, and with his oilytongue, and saffron-water face, did fill his hat. Now in all the townsare certain licensed beggars, and one of these was an old favouritewith the townsfolk: had his station at St. Martin's porch, the greatestchurch: a blind man: they called him blind Hans. He saw my masterdrawing coppers on the other side the street, and knew him by his tricksfor an impostor, so sent and warned the constables, and I met my masterin the constables' hands, and going to his trial in the town hall. Ifollowed and many more; and he was none abashed, neither by the pompof justice, nor memory of his misdeeds, but demanded his accuser like atrumpet. And blind Hans's boy came forward, but was sifted narrowly bymy master, and stammered and faltered, and owned he had seen nothing,but only carried blind Hans's tale to the chief constable. 'This is buthearsay,' said my master. 'Lo ye now, here standeth Misfortune backbitby Envy. But stand thou forth, blind Envy, and vent thine own lie.' Andblind Hans behoved to stand forth, sore against his will. Him did mymaster so press with questions, and so pinch and torture, asking himagain and again, how, being blind, he could see all that befell, andsome that befell not, across a way; and why, an he could not see, hecame there holding up his perjured hand, and maligning the misfortunate,that at last he groaned aloud and would utter no word more. And analderman said, 'In sooth, Hans, ye are to blame; hast cast more dirt ofsuspicion on thyself than on him.' But the burgomaster, a wondrous fatman, and methinks of his fat some had gotten into his head, checked him,and said, 'Nay, Hans we know this many years, and be he blind or not,he hath passed for blind so long, 'tis all one. Back to thy porch, goodHans, and let the strange varlet leave the town incontinent on pain ofwhipping.' Then my master winked to me; but there rose a civic officerin his gown of state and golden chain, a Dignity with us lightly prized,and even shunned of some, but in Germany and France much courted, saveby condemned malefactors, to wit the hangman; and says he, 'Ant pleaseyou, first let us see why he weareth his hair so thick and low.' And hisman went and lifted Cul de Jatte's hair, and lo, the upper gristle ofboth ears was gone. 'How is this knave? quoth the burgomaster. Mymaster said carelessly, he minded not precisely: his had been a life ofmisfortunes and losses. When a poor soul has lost the use of his leg,noble sirs, these more trivial woes rest lightly in his memory.' Whenhe found this would not serve his turn, he named two famous battles,in each of which he had lost half an ear, a fighting like a true managainst traitors and rebels. But the hangman showed them the two cutswere made at one time, and by measurement. ''Tis no bungling soldiers'work, my masters,' said he, ''tis ourn.' Then the burgomaster gavejudgment: 'The present charge is not proven against thee; but, an thoubeest not guilty now, thou hast been at other times, witness thine ears.Wherefore I send thee to prison for one month, and to give a florintowards the new hall of the guilds now a building, and to be whiptout of the town, and pay the hangman's fee for the same.' And all thealdermen approved, and my master was haled to prison with one look ofanguish. It did strike my bosom. I tried to get speech of him, but thejailer denied me. But lingering near the jail I heard a whistle, andthere was Cul de Jatte at a narrow window twenty feet from earth. I wentunder, and he asked me what made I there? I told him I was loath to goforward and not bid him farewell. He seemed quite amazed; but soon hissuspicious soul got the better. That was not all mine errand. I told himnot all: the psaltery: 'Well, what of that?' 'Twas not mine, but his; Iwould pay him the price of it. 'Then throw me a rix dollar,' said he.I counted out my coins, and they came to a rix dollar and two batzen.I threw him up his money in three throws, and when he had got it allhe said, softly, 'Bon Bec.' 'Master,' said I. Then the poor rogue wasgreatly moved. 'I thought ye had been mocking me,' said he; 'oh, BonBec, Bon Bec, if I had found the world like thee at starting I had putmy wit to better use, and I had not lain here.' Then he whimpered out,'I gave not quite a rix dollar for the jingler;' and threw me back thathe had gone to cheat me of; honest for once, and over late; and so, withmany sighs, bade me Godspeed. Thus did my master, after often bafflingmen's justice, fall by their injustice; for his lost ears proved not hisguilt only, but of that guilt the bitter punishment: so the account waseven; yet they for his chastisement did chastise him. Natheless he was aparlous rogue. Yet he holp to make a man of me. Thanks to his good witI went forward richer far with my psaltery and brush, than with yon asgood as stolen purse; for that must have run dry in time, like a bigtrough, but these a little fountain."
Richart. "How pregnant his reflections be; and but a curly pated ladwhen last I saw him. Asking your pardon, mistress. Prithee read on."
"One day I walked alone, and sooth to say, lighthearted, for mine honestDenys sweetened the air on the way; but poor Cul de Jatte poisonedit. The next day passing a grand house, out came on prancing steedsa gentleman in brave attire and two servants; they overtook me. Thegentleman bade me halt. I laughed in my sleeve; for a few batzen wereall my store. He bade me doff my doublet and jerkin. Then I chuckledno more. 'Bethink you, my lord,' said I, ''tis winter. How may a poorfellow go bare and live? So he told me I shot mine arrow wide of histhought, and off with his own gay jerkin, richly furred, and doublet tomatch, and held them forth to me. Then a servant let me know it was apenance. 'His lordship had had the ill luck to slay his cousin in theircups.' Down to my shoes he changed with me; and set me on his horse likea popinjay, and fared by my side in my worn weeds, with my psaltery onhis back. And said he, 'Now, good youth, thou art Cousin Detstein; andI, late count, thy Servant. Play the part well, and help me save mybloodstained soul! Be haughty and choleric, as any noble; and I will beas humble as I may.' I said I would do my best to play the noble. Butwhat should I call him? He bade me call him nought but Servant. Thatwould mortify him most, he wist. We rode on a long way in silence; forI was meditating this strange chance, that from a beggar's servant hadmade me master to a count, and also cudgelling my brains how best Imight play the master, without being run through the body all at onetime like his cousin. For I mistrusted sore my spark's humility; yourGerman nobles being, to my knowledge, proud as Lucifer, and cholericas fire. As for the servants, they did slily grin to one another to seetheir master so humbled."
"What is that?"
A lump, as of lead, had just bounced
against the door, and the latch wasfumbled with unsuccessfully. Another bounce, and the door swung inwardswith Giles arrayed in cloth of gold sticking to it like a wasp. Helanded on the floor, and was embraced; but on learning what was goingon, trumpeted that he would much liever hear of Gerard than gossip.
Sybrandt pointed to a diminutive chair.
Giles showed his sense of this civility by tearing the said Sybrandtout of a very big one, and there ensconced himself gorgeous and glowing.Sybrandt had to wedge himself into the one, which was too small for themagnificent dwarf's soul, and Margaret resumed. But as this part of theletter was occupied with notices of places, all which my reader probablyknows, and if not, can find handled at large in a dozen well-knownbooks, from Munster to Murray, I skip the topography, and hasten to thatpart where it occurred to him to throw his letter into a journal. Thepersonal narrative that intervened may be thus condensed.
He spoke but little at first to his new companions, but listened to pickup their characters. Neither his noble Servant nor his servants couldread or write; and as he often made entries in his tablets, he impressedthem with some awe. One of his entries was, "Le peu que sont leshommes." For he found the surly innkeepers licked the very groundbefore him now; nor did a soul suspect the hosier's son in the count'sfeathers, nor the count in the minstrel's weeds.
This seems to have surprised him; for he enlarged on it with the naiveteand pomposity of youth. At one place, being humbly requested to presentthe inn with his armorial bearings, he consented loftily; but paintedthem himself, to mine host's wonder, who thought he lowered himselfby handling brush. The true count stood grinning by, and held thepaint-pot, while the sham count painted the shield with threered herrings rampant under a sort of Maltese cross made with twoell-measures. At first his plebeian servants were insolent. But thiscoming to the notice of his noble one, he forgot what he was doingpenance for, and drew his sword to cut off their ears, heads included.But Gerard interposed and saved them, and rebuked the count severely.And finally they all understood one another, and the superior mindobtained its natural influence. He played the barbarous noble of thatday vilely. For his heart would not let him be either tyrannical orcold. Here were three human beings. He tried to make them all happierthan he was; held them ravished with stories and songs, and set HerrPenitent and Co. dancing with his whistle and psaltery. For his ownconvenience he made them ride and tie, and thus pushed rapidly throughthe country, travelling generally fifteen leagues a day.
DIARY.
"This first day of January I observed a young man of the country to meeta strange maiden, and kissed his hand, and then held it out to her. Shetook it with a smile, and lo! acquaintance made; and babbled like oldfriends. Greeting so pretty and delicate I ne'er did see. Yet were theyboth of the baser sort. So the next lass I saw a coming, I said to myservant lord, 'For further penance bow thy pride; go meet yon base-borngirl; kiss thy homicidal hand, and give it her, and hold her indiscourse as best ye may.' And my noble Servant said humbly, 'I shallobey my lord.' And we drew rein and watched while he went forward,kissed his hand and held it out to her. Forthwith she took it smiling,and was most affable with him, and he with her. Presently came up a bandof her companions. So this time I bade him doff his bonnet to them, asthough they were empresses; and he did so. And lo! the lasses drew up asstiff as hedgestakes, and moved not nor spake."
Denys. "Aie! aie! aie Pardon, the company."
"This surprised me none; for so they did discountenance poor Denys. Andthat whole day I wore in experimenting these German lasses; and 'twasstill the same. An ye doff bonnet to them they stiffen into statues;distance for distance. But accost them with honest freedom, and withthat customary, and though rustical, most gracious proffer, of thekissed hand, and they withhold neither their hands in turn nor theiracquaintance in an honest way. Seeing which I vexed myself that Denyswas not with us to prattle with them; he is so fond of women." ("Are youfond of women, Denys?") And the reader opened two great violet eyes uponhim with gentle surprise.
Denys. "Ahem! he says so, she-comrade. By Hannibal's helmet, 'tis theirfault, not mine. They will have such soft voices, and white skins, andsunny hair, and dark blue eyes, and--"
Margaret. (Reading suddenly.) "Which their affability I put to profitthus. I asked them how they made shift to grow roses in yule? For know,dear Margaret, that throughout Germany, the baser sort of lasses wearfor head-dress nought but a 'crantz,' or wreath of roses, encirclingtheir bare hair, as laurel Caesar's; and though of the worshipful,scorned, yet is braver, I wist, to your eye and mine which painters be,though sorry ones, than the gorgeous, uncouth, mechanical head-gear ofthe time, and adorns, not hides her hair, that goodly ornament fittedto her head by craft divine. So the good lasses, being questioned close,did let me know, the rosebuds are cut in summer and laid then in greatclay-pots, thus ordered:--first bay salt, then a row of buds, and overthat row bay salt sprinkled; then, another row of buds placed crosswise;for they say it is death to the buds to touch one another; and so on,buds and salt in layers. Then each pot is covered and soldered tight,and kept in cool cellar. And on Saturday night the master of the house,or mistress, if master be none, opens a pot, and doles the rosebuds outto every female in the house, high or low, withouten grudge; thensolders it up again. And such as of these buds would full-blown rosesmake, put them in warm water a little space, or else in the stove, andthen with tiny brush and soft, wetted in Rhenish wine, do coax them tillthey ope their folds. And some perfume them with rose-water. For, alack,their smell it is fled with the summer; and only their fair bodyes liewithouten soul, in tomb of clay, awaiting resurrection.
"And some with the roses and buds mix nutmegs gilded, but not by my goodwill; for gold, brave in itself, cheek by jowl with roses, is but yellowearth. And it does the eye's heart good to see these fair heads of haircome, blooming with roses, over snowy roads, and by snow-capt hedges,setting winter's beauty by the side of summer's glory. For what sofair as winter's lilies, snow yclept, and what so brave as roses? Andshouldst have had a picture here, but for their superstition. Leaned alass in Sunday garb, cross ankled, against her cottage corner, whoselow roof was snow-clad, and with her crantz did seem a summer flowersprouting from winter's bosom. I drew rein, and out pencil and brush tolimn her for thee. But the simpleton, fearing the evil eye, or glamour,claps both hands to her face and flies panic-stricken. But indeed, theyare not more superstitious than the Sevenbergen folk, which take thyfather for a magician. Yet softly, sith at this moment I profit bythis darkness of their minds; for, at first, sitting down to write thisdiary, I could frame nor thought nor word, so harried and deaved was Iwith noise of mechanical persons, and hoarse laughter at dull jests ofone of these particoloured 'fools,' which are so rife in Germany. Butoh, sorry wit, that is driven to the poor resource of pointed ear-caps,and a green and yellow body. True wit, methinks, is of the mind. Wemet in Burgundy an honest wench, though over free for my palate, achambermaid, had made havoc of all these zanies, droll by brute force.Oh, Digressor! Well then, I to be rid of roaring rusticalls, andmindless jests, put my finger in a glass and drew on the table a greatwatery circle; whereat the rusticalls did look askant, like venison ata cat; and in that circle a smaller circle. The rusticalls held theirpeace; and besides these circles cabalistical, I laid down on the tablesolemnly yon parchment deed I had out of your house. The rusticalls heldtheir breath. Then did I look as glum as might be, and mutteredslowly thus 'Videamus--quam diu tu fictus morio--vosque veristulti--audebitis--in hac aula morari, strepitantes ita--et olentes: utdulcissimae nequeam miser scribere.' They shook like aspens, and stoleaway on tiptoe one by one at first, then in a rush and jostling, andleft me alone; and most scared of all was the fool: never earned jesterfairer his ass's ears. So rubbed I their foible, who first rubbed mine;for of all a traveller's foes I dread those giants twain, Sir Noise, andeke Sir Stench. The saints and martyrs forgive my peevishness. Thus Iwrite to thee in balmy peace, and tell thee trivial things scarce worthyink, also how I love thee, which
there was no need to tell, for wellthou knowest it. And oh, dear Margaret, looking on their roses, whichgrew in summer, but blow in winter, I see the picture of our trueaffection born it was in smiles and bliss, but soon adversity besetus sore with many a bitter blast. Yet our love hath lost no leaf, thankGod, but blossoms full and fair as ever, proof against frowns, andjibes, and prison, and banishment, as those sweet German flowers ablooming in winter's snow.
"January 2.--My servant, the count, finding me curious, took me to thestables of the prince that rules this part. In the first court was ahorse-bath, adorned with twenty-two pillars, graven with the prince'sarms; and also the horse-leech's shop, so furnished as a rich apothecarymight envy. The stable is a fair quadrangle, whereof three sides filledwith horses of all nations. Before each horse's nose was a glazedwindow, with a green curtain to be drawn at pleasure, and at his tail athick wooden pillar with a brazen shield, whence by turning of a pipe heis watered, and serves too for a cupboard to keep his comb and rubbingclothes. Each rack was iron, and each manger shining copper, and eachnag covered with a scarlet mantle, and above him his bridle and saddlehung, ready to gallop forth in a minute; and not less than two hundredhorses, whereof twelve score of foreign breed. And we returned to ourinn full of admiration, and the two varlets said sorrowfully, 'Why werewe born with two legs?' And one of the grooms that was civil and had ofme trinkgeld, stood now at his cottage-door and asked us in. There wefound his wife and children of all ages, from five to eighteen, and hadbut one room to bide and sleep in, a thing pestiferous and most uncivil.Then I asked my Servant, knew he this prince? Ay, did he, and had oftendrunk with him in a marble chamber above the stable, where, for table,was a curious and artificial rock, and the drinking vessels hang on itspinnacles, and at the hottest of the engagement a statue of a horsemanin bronze came forth bearing a bowl of liquor, and he that sat nearestbehoved to drain it. ''Tis well,' said I: 'now for thy penance, whisperthou in yon prince's ear, that God hath given him his people freely, andnot sought a price for them as for horses. And pray him look inside thehuts at his horse-palace door, and bethink himself is it well to househis horses, and stable his folk.' Said he, ''Twill give sore offence.''But,' said I, 'ye must do it discreetly and choose your time.' So hepromised. And riding on we heard plaintive cries. 'Alas,' said I, 'somesore mischance hath befallen some poor soul: what may it be?' And werode up, and lo! it was a wedding feast, and the guests were plying thebusiness of drinking sad and silent, but ever and anon cried loud anddolefully, 'Seyte frolich! Be merry.'
"January 3.--Yesterday between Nurnberg and Augsburg we parted company.I gave my lord, late Servant, back his brave clothes for mine, but hishorse he made me keep, and five gold pieces, and said he was still mydebtor, his penance it had been slight along of me, but profitable. Buthis best word was this: 'I see 'tis more noble to be loved than feared.'And then he did so praise me as I blushed to put on paper; yet, poorfool, would fain thou couldst hear his words, but from some other penthan mine. And the servants did heartily grasp my hand, and wish me goodluck. And riding apace, yet could I not reach Augsburg till thegates were closed; but it mattered little, for this Augsburg it isan enchanted city. For a small coin one took me a long way round toa famous postern called der Einlasse. Here stood two guardians, likestatues. To them I gave my name and business. They nodded me leave toknock; I knocked; and the iron gate opened with a great noise and hollowrattling of a chain, but no hand seen nor chain; and he who drew thehidden chain sits a butt's length from the gate; and I rode in, and thegate closed with a clang after me. I found myself in a great buildingwith a bridge at my feet. This I rode over and presently came to aporter's lodge, where one asked me again my name and business, then ranga bell, and a great portcullis that barred the way began to rise, drawnby a wheel overhead, and no hand seen. Behind the portcullis was a thickoaken door studded with steel. It opened without hand, and I rode into ahall as dark as pitch. Trembling there a while, a door opened and showedme a smaller hall lighted. I rode into it: a tin goblet came down fromthe ceiling by a little chain: I put two batzen into it, and it wentup again. Being gone, another thick door creaked and opened, and Irid through. It closed on me with a tremendous clang, and behold me inAugsburg city. I lay at an inn called 'The Three Moors,' over an hundredyears old; and this morning, according to my way of viewing towns tolearn their compass and shape, I mounted the highest tower I couldfind, and setting my dial at my foot surveyed the beautiful city: wholestreets of palaces and churches tiled with copper burnished like gold;and the house fronts gaily painted and all glazed, and the glass soclean and burnished as 'tis most resplendent and rare; and I, now firstseeing a great city, did crow with delight, and like cock on his ladder,and at the tower foot was taken into custody for a spy; for whilst Iwatched the city the watchman had watched me. The burgomaster receivedme courteously and heard my story; then rebuked he the officers. 'Couldye not question him yourselves, or read in his face? This is to make ourcity stink in strangers' report.' Then he told me my curiosity was of acommendable sort; and seeing I was a craftsman and inquisitive, badehis clerk take me among the guilds. God bless the city where the veryburgomaster is cut of Soloman's cloth!
"January 5.--Dear Margaret, it is a noble city, and a kind mother toarts. Here they cut in wood and ivory, that 'tis like spider's work, andpaint on glass, and sing angelical harmonies. Writing of books is quitegone by; here be six printers. Yet was I offered a bountiful wage towrite fairly a merchant's accounts, one Fugger, a grand and wealthytrader, and hath store of ships, yet his father was but a poor weaver.But here in commerce, her very garden, men swell like mushrooms. And hebought my horse of me, and abated me not a jot, which way of dealing isnot known in Holland. But oh, Margaret, the workmen of all the guildsare so kind and brotherly to one another, and to me. Here, methinks,I have found the true German mind, loyal, frank, and kindly, somewhatcholeric withal, but nought revengeful. Each mechanic wears a sword. Thevery weavers at the loom sit girded with their weapons, and all Germanson too slight occasion draw them and fight; but no treachery: challengefirst, then draw, and with the edge only, mostly the face, not with SirPoint; for if in these combats one thrust at his adversary and hurt him,'tis called ein schelemstucke, a heinous act, both men and women turntheir backs on him; and even the judges punish thrusts bitterly, butpass over cuts. Hence in Germany be good store of scarred faces, threein five at least, and in France scarce more than one in three.
"But in arts mechanical no citizens may compare with these. Fountainsin every street that play to heaven, and in the gardens seeming trees,which being approached, one standing afar touches a spring, andevery twig shoots water, and souses the guests to their host's muchdelectation. Big culverins of war they cast with no more ado than ourfolk horse-shoes, and have done this fourscore years. All stuffs theyweave, and linen fine as ours at home, or nearly, which elsewherein Europe vainly shall ye seek. Sir Printing Press--sore foe to poorGerard, but to other humans beneficial--plieth by night and day, andcasteth goodly words like sower afield; while I, poor fool, can but sowthem as I saw women in France sow rye, dribbling it in the furrow grainby grain. And of their strange mechanical skill take two examples. Forending of exemplary rogues they have a figure like a woman, seven feethigh, and called Jung Frau; but lo, a spring is touched, she seizeth thepoor wretch with iron arms, and opening herself, hales him insideher, and there pierces him through and through with two score lances.Secondly, in all great houses the spit is turned not by a scrubby boy,but by smoke. Ay, mayst well admire, and judge me a lying knave. Thesecunning Germans do set in the chimney a little windmill, and the smokestruggling to wend past, turns it, and from the mill a wire runs throughthe wall and turns the spit on wheels; beholding which I doffed mybonnet to the men of Augsburg, for who but these had ere devised to bindye so dark and subtle a knave as Sir Smoke, and set him to roast DamePullet?
"This day, January 8, with three craftsmen of the town, I painted a packof cards. They were for a senator, in a hurry. I the diamonds. My queenc
ame forth with eyes like spring violets, hair a golden brown, andwitching smile. My fellow-craftsmen saw her, and put their arms roundmy neck and hailed me master. Oh, noble Germans! No jealousy of abrother-workman: no sour looks at a stranger; and would have me spendSunday with them after matins; and the merchant paid me so richly as Iwas ashamed to take the guerdon and I to my inn, and tried to paintthe queen of diamonds for poor Gerard; but no, she would not come likeagain. Luck will not be bespoke. Oh, happy rich man that hath got her!Fie! fie! Happy Gerard that shall have herself one day, and keep housewith her at Augsburg.
"January 8.--With my fellows, and one Veit Stoss, a wood-carver, andone Hafnagel, of the goldsmiths' guild, and their wives and lasses,to Hafnagel's cousin, a senator of this free city, and his stupendouswine-vessel. It is ribbed like a ship, and hath been eighteen months inhand, and finished but now, and holds a hundred and fifty hogsheads, andstandeth not, but lieth; yet even so ye get not on his back, withoutenladders two, of thirty steps. And we sat about the miraculous mass, anddrank Rhenish from it, drawn by a little artificial pump, and the lassespinned their crantzes to it, and we danced round it, and the senatordanced on its back, but with drinking of so many garausses, lost hisfooting and fell off, glass in hand, and broke an arm and a leg in themidst of us. So scurvily ended our drinking bout for this time.
"January 10.--This day started for Venice with a company of merchants,and among them him who had desired me for his scrivener; and so we arenow agreed, I to write at night the letters he shall dict, and othermatters, he to feed and lodge me on the road. We be many and armed, andsoldiers with us to boot, so fear not the thieves which men say lie onthe borders of Italy. But an if I find the printing press at Venice, Itrow I shall not go unto Rome, for man may not vie with iron.
"Imprimit una dies quantum non scribitur anno. And, dearest, somethingtells me you and I shall end our days at Augsburg, whence going, I shallleave it all I can--my blessing.
"January 12.--My master affecteth me much, and now maketh me sit withhim in his horse-litter. A grave good man, of all respected, but sadfor loss of a dear daughter, and loveth my psaltery: not giddy-facedditties, but holy harmonies such as Cul de Jatte made wry mouths at. Somany men, so many minds. But cooped in horse-litter and at night writinghis letters, my journal halteth.
"January 14.--When not attending on my good merchant, I consort withsuch of our company as are Italians, for 'tis to Italy I wend, and Iam ill seen in Italian tongue. A courteous and a subtle people, at meatdelicate feeders and cleanly: love not to put their left hand in thedish. They say Venice is the garden of Lombardy, Lombardy the garden ofItaly, Italy of the world.
"January 16.-Strong ways and steep, and the mountain girls so girded up,as from their armpits to their waist is but a handful. Of all the garbsI yet have seen, the most unlovely.
"January 18.-In the midst of life we are in death. Oh! dear Margaret,I thought I had lost thee. Here I lie in pain and dole, and shallwrite thee that, which read you it in a romance ye should cry, 'Mostimprobable!' And so still wondering that I am alive to write it, andthanking for it God and the saints, this is what befell thy Gerard.Yestreen I wearied of being shut up in litter, and of the mule's slowpace, and so went forward; and being, I know not why, strangely fullof spirit and hope, as I have heard befall some men when on trouble'sbrink, seemed to tread on air, and soon distanced them all. Presently Icame to two roads, and took the larger; I should have taken the smaller.After travelling a good half-hour, I found my error, and returned; anddeeming my company had long passed by, pushed bravely on, but I couldnot overtake them; and small wonder, as you shall hear. Then I wasanxious, and ran, but bare was the road of those I sought; and nightcame down, and the wild beasts a-foot, and I bemoaned my folly; also Iwas hungered. The moon rose clear and bright exceedingly, and presentlya little way off the road I saw a tall windmill. 'Come,' said I, 'mayhapthe miller will take ruth on me.' Near the mill was a haystack, andscattered about were store of little barrels; but lo they were notflour-barrels, but tar-barrels, one or two, and the rest of spirits,Brant vein and Schiedam; I knew them momently, having seen the like inHolland. I knocked at the mill-door, but none answered. I lifted thelatch, and the door opened inwards. I went in, and gladly, for the nightwas fine but cold, and a rime on the trees, which were a kind of loftysycamores. There was a stove, but black; I lighted it with some of thehay and wood, for there was a great pile of wood outside, and I knownot how, I went to sleep. Not long had I slept, I trow, when hearing anoise, I awoke; and there were a dozen men around me, with wild faces,and long black hair, and black sparkling eyes."
Catherine. "Oh, my poor boy! those black-haired ones do still scare meto look on."
"I made my excuses in such Italian as I knew, and eking out bysigns. They grinned. 'I had lost my company.' They grinned. 'I was anhungered.' Still they grinned, and spoke to one another in a tongue Iknew not. At last one gave me a piece of bread and a tin mug of wine,as I thought, but it was spirits neat. I made a wry face and asked forwater: then these wild men laughed a horrible laugh. I thought to fly,but looking towards the door it was bolted with two enormous bolts ofiron, and now first, as I ate my bread, I saw it was all guarded too,and ribbed with iron. My blood curdled within me, and yet I couldnot tell thee why; but hadst thou seen the faces, wild, stupid, andruthless. I mumbled my bread, not to let them see I feared them; but oh,it cost me to swallow it and keep it in me. Then it whirled in my brain,was there no way to escape? Said I, 'They will not let me forth bythe door; these be smugglers or robbers.' So I feigned drowsiness, andtaking out two batzen said, 'Good men, for our Lady's grace let me lieon a bed and sleep, for I am faint with travel.' They nodded and grinnedtheir horrible grin, and bade one light a lanthorn and lead me. He tookme up a winding staircase, up, up, and I saw no windows, but the woodenwalls were pierced like a barbican tower, and methinks for the samepurpose, and through these slits I got glimpses of the sky, and thought,'Shall I e'er see thee again?' He took me to the very top of the mill,and there was a room with a heap of straw in one corner and many emptybarrels, and by the wall a truckle bed. He pointed to it, and wentdownstairs heavily, taking the light, for in this room was a greatwindow, and the moon came in bright. I looked out to see, and lo, itwas so high that even the mill sails at their highest came not up to mywindow by some feet, but turned very slow and stately underneath, forwind there was scarce a breath; and the trees seemed silver filagreemade by angel craftsmen. My hope of flight was gone.
"But now, those wild faces being out of sight, I smiled at my fears:what an if they were ill men, would it profit them to hurt me?Natheless, for caution against surprise, I would put the bed against thedoor. I went to move it, but could not. It was free at the head, but atthe foot fast clamped with iron to the floor. So I flung my psaltery onthe bed, but for myself made a layer of straw at the door, so as nonecould open on me unawares. And I laid my sword ready to my hand. Andsaid my prayers for thee and me, and turned to sleep.
"Below they drank and made merry. And hearing this gave me confidence.Said I, 'Out of sight, out of mind. Another hour and the good Schiedamwill make them forget that I am here.' And so I composed myself tosleep. And for some time could not for the boisterous mirth below.At last I dropped off. How long I slept I knew not; but I woke with astart: the noise had ceased below, and the sudden silence woke me. Andscarce was I awake, when sudden the truckle bed was gone with a loudclang all but the feet, and the floor yawned, and I heard my psalteryfall and break to atoms, deep, deep, below the very floor of the mill.It had fallen into a well. And so had I done, lying where it lay."
Margaret shuddered and put her face in her hands. But speedily resumed.
"I lay stupefied at first. Then horror fell on me, and I rose, but stoodrooted there, shaking from head to foot. At last I found myself lookingdown into that fearsome gap, and my very hair did bristle as I peered.And then, I remember, I turned quite calm, and made up my mind to diesword in hand. For I saw no man must know this their bloody secret andlive. An
d I said, 'Poor Margaret!' And I took out of my bosom, wherethey lie ever, our marriage lines, and kissed them again and again. AndI pinned them to my shirt again, that they might lie in one grave withme, if die I must. And I thought, 'All our love and hopes to end thus!'"
Eli. "Whisht all! Their marriage lines? Give her time! But no word. Ican bear no chat. My poor lad!"
During the long pause that ensued Catherine leaned forward and passedsomething adroitly from her own lap under her daughter's apron who satnext her.
"Presently thinking, all in a whirl, of all that ever passed between us,and taking leave of all those pleasant hours, I called to mind how oneday at Sevenbergen thou taughtest me to make a rope of straw. Mindestthou? The moment memory brought that happy day back to me, I cried outvery loud: 'Margaret gives me a chance for life even here.' I woke frommy lethargy. I seized on the straw and twisted it eagerly, as thou didstteach me, but my fingers trembled and delayed the task. Whiles I wroughtI heard a door open below. That was a terrible moment. Even as I twistedmy rope I got to the window and looked down at the great arms of themill coming slowly up, then passing, then turning less slowly down, asit seemed; and I thought, 'They go not as when there is wind: yet, slowor fast, what man rid ever on such steed as these, and lived. Yet,' saidI, 'better trust to them and God than to ill men.' And I prayed to Himwhom even the wind obeyeth.
"Dear Margaret, I fastened my rope, and let myself gently down, andfixed my eye on that huge arm of the mill, which then was creeping upto me, and went to spring on to it. But my heart failed me at the pinch.And methought it was not near enow. And it passed calm and awful by. Iwatched for another; they were three. And after a little while one creptup slower than the rest methought. And I with my foot thrust myself ingood time somewhat out from the wall, and crying aloud 'Margaret!' didgrip with all my soul the wood-work of the sail, and that moment wasswimming in the air."
Giles. "WELL DONE! WELL DONE!"
"Motion I felt little; but the stars seemed to go round the sky, and thenthe grass came up to me nearer and nearer, and when the hoary grass wasquite close I was sent rolling along it as if hurled from a catapult,and got up breathless, and every point and tie about me broken. I rose,but fell down again in agony. I had but one leg I could stand on."
Catherine. "Eh! dear! his leg is broke, my boy's leg is broke."
"And e'en as I lay groaning, I heard a sound like thunder. It was theassassins running up the stairs. The crazy old mill shook under them.They must have found that I had not fallen into their bloody trap, andwere running to despatch me. Margaret, I felt no fear, for I had nowno hope. I could neither run nor hide; so wild the place, so bright themoon. I struggled up all agony and revenge, more like some wounded wildbeast than your Gerard. Leaning on my sword hilt I hobbled round; andswift as lighting, or vengeance, I heaped a great pile of their hayand wood at the mill door; then drove my dagger into a barrel of theirsmuggled spirits, and flung it on then out with my tinder and lightedthe pile. 'This will bring true men round my dead body,' said I.'Aha!' I cried, 'think you I'll die alone, cowards, assassins! recklessfiends!' and at each word on went a barrel pierced. But oh, Margaret!the fire fed by the spirits surprised me: it shot up and singed myvery hair, it went roaring up the side of the mill, swift as fallsthe lightning; and I yelled and laughed in my torture and despair, andpierced more barrels and the very tar-barrels, and flung them on. Thefire roared like a lion for its prey, and voices answered it inside fromthe top of the mill, and the feet came thundering down, and I stoodas near that awful fire as I could, with uplifted sword to slay andbe slain. The bolt was drawn. A tar-barrel caught fire. The door wasopened. What followed? Not the men came out, but the fire rushed inat them like a living death, and the first I thought to fight with wasblackened and crumpled on the floor like a leaf. One fearsome yell, anddumb for ever. The feet ran up again, but fewer. I heard them hack withtheir swords a little way up at the mill's wooden sides; but they hadno time to hew their way out: the fire and reek were at their heels, andthe smoke burst out at every loophole, and oozed blue in the moonlightthrough each crevice. I hobbled back, racked with pain and fury. Therewere white faces up at my window. They saw me. They cursed me. I cursedthem back and shook my naked sword: 'Come down the road I came,' Icried. 'But ye must come one by one, and as ye come, ye die upon thissteel.' Some cursed at that, but others wailed. For I had them all atdeadly vantage. And doubtless, with my smoke-grimed face and fiendishrage, I looked a demon. And now there was a steady roar inside the mill.The flame was going up it as furnace up its chimney. The mill caughtfire. Fire glimmered through it. Tongues of flame darted through eachloophole and shot sparks and fiery flakes into the night. One of theassassins leaped on to the sail, as I had done. In his hurry he missedhis grasp and fell at my feet, and bounded from the hard ground likea ball, and never spoke, nor moved again. And the rest screamed likewomen, and with their despair came back to me both ruth for them andhope of life for myself. And the fire gnawed through the mill in placen,and shot forth showers of great flat sparks like flakes of fiery snow;and the sails caught fire one after another; and I became a man againand staggered away terror-stricken, leaning on my sword, from the sightof my revenge, and with great bodily pain crawled back to the road.And, dear Margaret, the rimy trees were now all like pyramids ofgolden filagree, and lace, cobweb fine, in the red firelight. Oh! mostbeautiful! And a poor wretch got entangled in the burning sails, andwhirled round screaming, and lost hold at the wrong time, and hurledlike stone from mangonel high into the air; then a dull thump; it washis carcass striking the earth. The next moment there was a loud crash.The mill fell in on its destroyer, and a million great sparks flew up,and the sails fell over the burning wreck, and at that a million moresparks flew up, and the ground was strewn with burning wood and men. Iprayed God forgive me, and kneeling with my back to that fiery shambles,I saw lights on the road; a welcome sight. It was a company comingtowards me, and scarce two furlongs off. I hobbled towards them. Ere Ihad gone far I heard a swift step behind me. I turned. One had escaped;how escaped, who can divine? His sword shone in the moonlight. I fearedhim. Methought the ghosts of all those dead sat on that glitteringglaive. I put my other foot to the ground, maugre the anguish, and fledtowards the torches, moaning with pain, and shouting for aid. But whatcould I do He gained on me. Behooved me turn and fight. Denys had taughtme sword play in sport. I wheeled, our swords clashed. His clothesthey smelled all singed. I cut swiftly upward with supple hand, and hisdangled bleeding at the wrist, and his sword fell; it tinkled on theground. I raised my sword to hew him should he stoop for't. He stoodand cursed me. He drew his dagger with his left; I opposed my point anddared him with my eye to close. A great shout arose behind me from truemen's throats. He started. He spat at me in his rage, then gnashed histeeth and fled blaspheming. I turned and saw torches close at hand.Lo, they fell to dancing up and down methought, and thenext-moment-all-was-dark. I had--ah!"
Catherine. "Here, help! water! Stand aloof, you that be men!"
Margaret had fainted away.
The Cloister and the Hearth Page 52
