DIARY
"THIS first of January I observed a young man of the country to meet astrange 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. Greetings 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 hedge-stakes, 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 eyesupon him with gentle surprise.
_Denys._] "Ahem! He says so, she-comrade. By Hannibal's helmet 'tistheir fault, not mine. They _will_ have such soft voices, and whiteskins, and sunny 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 wear forhead-dress nought but a 'crantz,' or wreath of roses, encircling theirbare hair, as laurel Caesar's; and though of the worshipful scorned, yetis braver, I wist, to your eye and mine which painters be, though sorryones, than the gorgeous, uncouth, mechanical head-gear of the time, andadorns, not hides her hair, that goodly ornament fitted to her head bycraft divine. So the good lasses, being questioned close, did let meknow, the rose-buds are cut in summer and laid then in great clay pots,thus ordered:--first bay salt, then a row of buds, and over that row baysalt sprinkled; then another row of buds placed crosswise; for they sayit is death to the buds to touch one another; and so on, buds and saltin layers. Then each pot is covered and soldered tight, and kept in coolcellar. And on Saturday night the master of the house, or mistress, ifmaster be none, opens a pot, and doles the rose-buds out to every femalein the house, high or low, withouten grudge; then solders it up again.And such, as of these buds would full-blown roses make, put them in warmwater a little space, or else in the stove, and then with tiny brush andsoft, wetted in Rhenish wine, do coax them till they ope their folds.And some perfume them with rose-water. For, alack, their smell it isfled with the summer; and only their fair bodyes lie withouten soul, intomb 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 so fairas 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, whose lowroof was snowclad, 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 by thisdarkness of their minds; for, at first sitting down to write this diary,I could frame nor thought nor word, so harried and deaved was I withnoise of mechanical persons, and hoarse laughter at dull jests of oneof these parti-coloured 'fools,' which are so rife in Germany. But, oh,sorry wit, that is driven to the poor resource of pointed ear-caps, anda green and yellow body. True wit, methinks, is of the mind. We met inBurgundy an honest wench, though over free for my palate, a chambermaid,had made havoc of all these zanies, droll by brute force. Oh, Digressor!Well then, I to be rid of roaring rusticalls, and mindless jests, put myfinger in a glass and drew on the table a great watery circle; whereatthe rusticalls did look askant, like venison at a cat; and in thatcircle a smaller circle. The rusticalls held their peace; and besidesthese circles cabalistical, I laid down on the table solemnly yonparchment deed I had out of your house. The rusticalls held theirbreath. Then did I look as glum as might be, and muttered slowly thus:'Videamus--quam diu tu fictus morio--vosque veri stulti--audebitis--inhac aula morari, strepitantes ita--et olentes--ut dulcissimae nequeammiser scribere.' They shook like aspens, and stole away on tiptoe one byone at first, then in a rush and jostling, and left me alone; and mostscared of all was the fool: never earned jester fairer his ass's ears.So rubbed I their foible, who first rubbed mine; for of all atraveller's foes I dread those giants twain, Sir Noise, and eke SirStench. The saints and martyrs forgive my peevishness. Thus I write tothee in balmy peace, and tell thee trivial things scarce worth ink, alsohow I love thee, which there was no need to tell, for well thou knowestit. And, oh, dear Margaret, looking on their roses, which grew insummer, but blow in winter, I see the picture of our true affection;born it was in smiles and bliss, but soon adversity beset us sore withmany a bitter blast. Yet our love hath lost no leaf, thank God, butblossoms full and fair as ever, proof against frowns, and jibes, andprison, and banishment, as those sweet German flowers a blooming inwinter's snow.
"_January 2nd._--My servant, the count, finding me curious, took me tothe stables 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 it is 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 s
ilent, but ever and anon cried loud anddolefully, 'Seyte frolich! Be merry.'
"_January 3._--Yesterday between Nurnberg and Augsburg we partedcompany. I gave my lord, late Servant, back, his brave clothes for mine,but his horse he made me keep, and five gold pieces, and said he wasstill my debtor, his penance it had been slight along of me, butprofitable. But his best word was this: 'I see 'tis more noble to beloved than feared.' And then he did so praise me as I blush to put onpaper; yet, poor fool, would fain thou couldst hear his words, but fromsome other pen than mine. And the servants did heartily grasp my hand,and wish me good luck. And riding apace, yet could I not reach Augsburgtill the gates were closed; but it mattered little, for this Augsburg itis an 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 went upagain. Being gone, another thick door creaked and opened, and I ridthrough. 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 could find,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 citie, did crow with delight, and like a cock on hisladder, and at the tower foot was taken into custody for a spy; forwhilst I watched the city the watchman had watched me. The burgomasterreceived me courteously and heard my story; then rebuked he theofficers. 'Could ye not question him yourselves, or read in his face?This is to make our city stink in stranger's report.' Then he told me mycuriosity was of a commendable sort: and seeing I was a craftsman andinquisitive, bade his clerk take me among the guilds. God bless the citywhere the very burgomaster is cut of Solomon'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 spiders' 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, Ihave 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. Fountains inevery street that play to heaven, and in the gardens seeming trees,which being approached, one standing afar touches a spring, and everytwig 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 elsewhere inEurope vainly shall you 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 inside her,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 runsthrough the wall and turns the spit on wheels; beholding which I doffedmy bonnet to the men of Augsburg, for who but these had ere devised tobind ye so dark and subtle a knave as Sir Smoke, and set him to roastDame Pullet?
"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 queencame forth with eyes like spring violets, hair a golden brown, andwitching smile. My fellow-craftsmen saw her, and put their arms round myneck 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 paint thequeen 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, toHafnagel's cousin, a senator of this free city, and his stupendiouswine-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 on to 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 sad forloss of a dear daughter, and loveth my psaltery: not giddy-pacedditties, 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,writing his 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 I ami
ll 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 girdedup, as from their armpits to their waist is but a handful. Of all thegarbs I 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 shall writethee 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 full ofspirit and hope, as I have heard befall some men when on trouble'sbrink, seemed to tread on air, and soon outdistanced them all. PresentlyI came to two roads; and took the larger: I should have taken thesmaller. After travelling a good half-hour I found my error andreturned, and deeming my company had long passed by, pushed bravely on,but I could not overtake them; and small wonder, as you shall hear. ThenI was anxious, and ran, but bare was the road of those I sought, andnight came down, and the wild beasts afoot, and I bemoaned my folly,also I was hungered. The moon rose clear and bright exceedingly, andpresently, a little way off the road, I saw a tall wind-mill. 'Come,'said I, 'mayhap the miller will take ruth on me.' Near the mill was ahaystack, and scattered about were store of little barrels, but lo, theywere not flour-barrels but tar-barrels, one or two, and the rest ofspirits, Brant vein and Schiedam; I knew them momently, having seen thelike in Holland. I knocked at the mill door, but none answered. Ilifted the latch and the door opened inwards. I went in, and gladly, forthe night was fine but cold, and a rime on the trees, which were a kindof lofty sycamores. There was a stove, but black; I lighted it with someof the hay and wood, for there was a great pile of wood outside: and, Iknow not how, I went to sleep. Not long had I slept, I trow, whenhearing a noise I awoke, and there were a dozen men around me, with wildfaces, and long black hair, and black sparkling eyes."
_Catherine._] "Oh, my poor boy! those blackhaired ones do still scare meto look on."
"I made my excuses in such Italian as I knew, and eking out by signs.They grinned. 'I had lost my company.' They grinned. I was an hungered.Still they grinned, and spoke to one another in a tongue I knew not. Atlast 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 for water: thenthese wild men laughed a horrible laugh. I thought to fly, but, lookingtowards the door, it was bolted with two enormous bolts of iron, and nowfirst, as I ate my bread, I saw it was all guarded too, and ribbed withiron. My blood curdled within me, and yet I could not tell thee why; buthadst thou seen the faces, wild, stupid, and ruthless. I mumbled mybread, not to let them see I feared them; but oh, it cost me to swallowit and keep it in me. Then it whirled in my brain, was there no way toescape? Said I, 'They will not let me forth by the door; these besmugglers or robbers.' So I feigned drowsiness, and taking out twobatzen said, 'Good men, for our Lady's grace let me lie on a bed andsleep, for I am faint with travel.' They nodded and grinned theirhorrible grin, and bade one light a lanthorn and lead me. He took me upa winding staircase, up, up, and I saw no windows, but the wooden wallswere pierced like a barbican tower, and methinks for the same purpose,and through these slits I got glimpses of the sky, and thought, 'Shall Ie'er see thee again?' He took me to the very top of the mill, and therewas a room with a heap of straw in one corner, and many empty barrels,and by the wall a truckle bed. He pointed to it, and went down stairsheavily, taking the light, for in this room was a great window, and themoon came in bright. I looked out to see, and lo it was so high thateven the mill sails at their highest came not up to my window by somefeet, but turned very slow and stately underneath, for wind there wasscarce a breath: and the trees seemed silver filagree made by angelcraftsmen. 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. Atlast 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. Ithad 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. And I said 'Poor Margaret!' And I took out of my bosom, where theylie ever, our marriage lines, and kissed them again and again. And Ipinned them to my shirt again, that they might lie in one grave with me,if die I must. And I thought 'All our love and hopes to end thus!'"
* * * * *
_Eli._] "Whist 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. Mindstthou? 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 up tome, and went to spring on to it. But my heart failed me at the pinch.And methought it was 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, andthen the grass came up to me nearer and nearer, and when the hoary grasswas quite close I was sent rolling along it as if hurled from acatapult, and got up breathless, and every point and tie about mebroken. I rose, but fell down again in agony. I had but one leg I couldstand on."
_Catherine._] "Eh! dear! his leg is broke, my boy's leg is broke."
"And, e'en as I lay gro
aning, I heard a sound like thunder. It was theassassins running up the stairs. The crazy old mill shook under them.They must have found I had not fallen into their bloody trap, and wererunning to despatch me. Margaret, I felt no fear, for I had now no hope.I could neither run, nor hide; so wild the place, so bright the moon. Istruggled up all agony and revenge, more like some wounded wild beastthan your Gerard. Leaning on my sword hilt I hobbled round; and swift aslightning, or vengeance, I heaped a great pile of their hay and wood atthe mill door; then drove my dagger into a barrel of their smuggledspirits, and flung it on; then out with my tinder and lighted the pile.'This will bring true men round my dead body,' said I. 'Aha!' I cried,'think you I'll die alone, cowards, assassins! reckless fiends!' and ateach word on went a barrel pierced. But, oh, Margaret! the fire fed bythe spirits surprised me: it shot up and singed my very hair, it wentroaring up the side of the mill, swift as falls the lightning: and Iyelled and laughed in my torture and despair, and pierced more barrels,and the very tar-barrels, and flung them on. The fire roared like a lionfor its prey, and voices answered it inside from the top of the mill,and the feet came thundering down, and I stood as near that awful fireas I could with uplifted sword to slay and be slain. The bolt was drawn.A tar-barrel caught fire. The door was opened. What followed? Not themen came out, but the fire rushed in at them like a living death, andthe first I thought to fight with was blackened and crumpled on thefloor like a leaf. One fearsome yell, and dumb for ever. The feet ran upagain, but fewer. I heard them hack with their swords a little way up,at the mill's wooden sides; but they had no time to hew their way out:the fire and reek were at their heels, and the smoke burst out at everyloophole, and oozed blue in the moonlight through each crevice. Ihobbled back, racked with pain and fury. There were white faces up at mywindow. They saw me. They cursed me. I cursed them back and shook mynaked sword: 'Come down the road I came,' I cried. 'But ye must come oneby one, and, as ye come, ye die upon this steel.' Some cursed at that,but others wailed. For I had them all at deadly vantage. And doubtlesswith my smoke-grimed face and fiendish rage I looked a demon. And nowthere was a steady roar inside the mill. The flame was going up it asfurnace up its chimney. The mill caught fire. Fire glimmered through it.Tongues of flame darted through each loophole and shot sparks and fieryflakes into the night. One of the assassins leaped on to the sail, as Ihad done. In his hurry he missed his grasp and fell at my feet, andbounded from the hard ground like a ball, and never spoke, nor movedagain. And the rest screamed like women, and with their despair cameback to me both ruth for them and hope of life for myself. And the firegnawed through the mill in places, and shot forth showers of great flatsparks like flakes of fiery snow; and the sails caught fire one afteranother; and I became a man again and staggered away terror-stricken,leaning on my sword, from the sight of my revenge, and with great bodilypain crawled back to the road. And, dear Margaret, the rimy trees werenow all like pyramids of golden filagree, and lace, cobweb fine, in thered firelight. Oh! most beautiful! And a poor wretch got entangled inthe burning sails, and whirled round screaming, and lost hold at thewrong time, and hurled like stone from mangonel high into the air; thena dull thump; it was his carcass striking the earth. The next momentthere was a loud crash. The mill fell in on its destroyer, and a milliongreat sparks flew up, and the sails fell over the burning wreck, and atthat a million more sparks flew up, and the ground was strewn withburning wood and men. I prayed God forgive me, and kneeling with my backto that fiery shambles, I saw lights on the road; a welcome sight. Itwas a company coming towards me, and scarce two furlongs off. I hobbledtowards them. Ere I had gone far I heard a swift step behind me. Iturned. One had escaped; how escaped, who can divine? His sword shone inthe moonlight. I feared him, methought the ghost of all those dead saton that glittering glaive. I put my other foot to the ground, maugre theanguish, and fled towards the torches, moaning with pain, and shoutingfor aid. But what could I do? He gained on me. Behooved me turn andfight. Denys had taught me sword play in sport. I wheeled, our swordsclashed. His clothes they smelled all singed. I cut swiftly upward withsupple hand, and his dangled bleeding at the wrist, and his sword fell;it tinkled on the ground. I raised my sword to hew him should he stoopfor't. He stood and cursed me. He drew his dagger with his left; Iopposed my point and dared him with my eye to close. A great shout arosebehind me from true men's throats. He started. He spat at me in hisrage, then gnashed his teeth and fled blaspheming. I turned and sawtorches close at hand. Lo, they fell to dancing up and down methought,and the next--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: A Tale of the Middle Ages Page 57
