by Walter Scott
CHAPTER XXXVIII
---There I throw my gage, To prove it on thee to the extremest point Of martial daring. --Richard II
Even Lucas Beaumanoir himself was affected by the mien and appearanceof Rebecca. He was not originally a cruel or even a severe man; butwith passions by nature cold, and with a high, though mistaken, sense ofduty, his heart had been gradually hardened by the ascetic life which hepursued, the supreme power which he enjoyed, and the supposed necessityof subduing infidelity and eradicating heresy, which he conceivedpeculiarly incumbent on him. His features relaxed in their usualseverity as he gazed upon the beautiful creature before him, alone,unfriended, and defending herself with so much spirit and courage. Hecrossed himself twice, as doubting whence arose the unwonted softeningof a heart, which on such occasions used to resemble in hardness thesteel of his sword. At length he spoke.
"Damsel," he said, "if the pity I feel for thee arise from any practicethine evil arts have made on me, great is thy guilt. But I rather judgeit the kinder feelings of nature, which grieves that so goodly a formshould be a vessel of perdition. Repent, my daughter--confess thywitchcrafts--turn thee from thine evil faith--embrace this holyemblem, and all shall yet be well with thee here and hereafter. In somesisterhood of the strictest order, shalt thou have time for prayer andfitting penance, and that repentance not to be repented of. This do andlive--what has the law of Moses done for thee that thou shouldest diefor it?"
"It was the law of my fathers," said Rebecca; "it was delivered inthunders and in storms upon the mountain of Sinai, in cloud and in fire.This, if ye are Christians, ye believe--it is, you say, recalled; but somy teachers have not taught me."
"Let our chaplain," said Beaumanoir, "stand forth, and tell thisobstinate infidel--"
"Forgive the interruption," said Rebecca, meekly; "I am a maiden,unskilled to dispute for my religion, but I can die for it, if it beGod's will.--Let me pray your answer to my demand of a champion."
"Give me her glove," said Beaumanoir. "This is indeed," he continued, ashe looked at the flimsy texture and slender fingers, "a slight and frailgage for a purpose so deadly!--Seest thou, Rebecca, as this thin andlight glove of thine is to one of our heavy steel gauntlets, so isthy cause to that of the Temple, for it is our Order which thou hastdefied."
"Cast my innocence into the scale," answered Rebecca, "and the glove ofsilk shall outweigh the glove of iron."
"Then thou dost persist in thy refusal to confess thy guilt, and in thatbold challenge which thou hast made?"
"I do persist, noble sir," answered Rebecca.
"So be it then, in the name of Heaven," said the Grand Master; "and mayGod show the right!"
"Amen," replied the Preceptors around him, and the word was deeplyechoed by the whole assembly.
"Brethren," said Beaumanoir, "you are aware that we might well haverefused to this woman the benefit of the trial by combat--but though aJewess and an unbeliever, she is also a stranger and defenceless, andGod forbid that she should ask the benefit of our mild laws, and that itshould be refused to her. Moreover, we are knights and soldiers as wellas men of religion, and shame it were to us upon any pretence, torefuse proffered combat. Thus, therefore, stands the case. Rebecca,the daughter of Isaac of York, is, by many frequent and suspiciouscircumstances, defamed of sorcery practised on the person of a nobleknight of our holy Order, and hath challenged the combat in proof of herinnocence. To whom, reverend brethren, is it your opinion that we shoulddeliver the gage of battle, naming him, at the same time, to be ourchampion on the field?"
"To Brian de Bois-Guilbert, whom it chiefly concerns," said thePreceptor of Goodalricke, "and who, moreover, best knows how the truthstands in this matter."
"But if," said the Grand Master, "our brother Brian be under theinfluence of a charm or a spell--we speak but for the sake ofprecaution, for to the arm of none of our holy Order would we morewillingly confide this or a more weighty cause."
"Reverend father," answered the Preceptor of Goodalricke, "no spell caneffect the champion who comes forward to fight for the judgment of God."
"Thou sayest right, brother," said the Grand Master. "Albert Malvoisin,give this gage of battle to Brian de Bois-Guilbert.--It is our charge tothee, brother," he continued, addressing himself to Bois-Guilbert, "thatthou do thy battle manfully, nothing doubting that the good cause shalltriumph.--And do thou, Rebecca, attend, that we assign thee the thirdday from the present to find a champion."
"That is but brief space," answered Rebecca, "for a stranger, who isalso of another faith, to find one who will do battle, wagering lifeand honour for her cause, against a knight who is called an approvedsoldier."
"We may not extend it," answered the Grand Master; "the field must befoughten in our own presence, and divers weighty causes call us on thefourth day from hence."
"God's will be done!" said Rebecca; "I put my trust in Him, to whom aninstant is as effectual to save as a whole age."
"Thou hast spoken well, damsel," said the Grand Master; "but well knowwe who can array himself like an angel of light. It remains but to namea fitting place of combat, and, if it so hap, also of execution.--Whereis the Preceptor of this house?"
Albert Malvoisin, still holding Rebecca's glove in his hand, wasspeaking to Bois-Guilbert very earnestly, but in a low voice.
"How!" said the Grand Master, "will he not receive the gage?"
"He will--he doth, most Reverend Father," said Malvoisin, slipping theglove under his own mantle. "And for the place of combat, I hold thefittest to be the lists of Saint George belonging to this Preceptory,and used by us for military exercise."
"It is well," said the Grand Master.--"Rebecca, in those lists shaltthou produce thy champion; and if thou failest to do so, or if thychampion shall be discomfited by the judgment of God, thou shalt thendie the death of a sorceress, according to doom.--Let this our judgmentbe recorded, and the record read aloud, that no one may pretendignorance."
One of the chaplains, who acted as clerks to the chapter, immediatelyengrossed the order in a huge volume, which contained the proceedings ofthe Templar Knights when solemnly assembled on such occasions; and whenhe had finished writing, the other read aloud the sentence of the GrandMaster, which, when translated from the Norman-French in which it wascouched, was expressed as follows.--
"Rebecca, a Jewess, daughter of Isaac of York, being attainted ofsorcery, seduction, and other damnable practices, practised on a Knightof the most Holy Order of the Temple of Zion, doth deny the same; andsaith, that the testimony delivered against her this day is false,wicked, and disloyal; and that by lawful 'essoine' [54] of her body asbeing unable to combat in her own behalf, she doth offer, by a championinstead thereof, to avouch her case, he performing his loyal 'devoir' inall knightly sort, with such arms as to gage of battle do fullyappertain, and that at her peril and cost. And therewith she profferedher gage. And the gage having been delivered to the noble Lord andKnight, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, of the Holy Order of the Temple of Zion,he was appointed to do this battle, in behalf of his Order and himself,as injured and impaired by the practices of the appellant. Wherefore themost reverend Father and puissant Lord, Lucas Marquis of Beaumanoir, didallow of the said challenge, and of the said 'essoine' of theappellant's body, and assigned the third day for the said combat, theplace being the enclosure called the lists of Saint George, near to thePreceptory of Templestowe. And the Grand Master appoints the appellantto appear there by her champion, on pain of doom, as a person convictedof sorcery or seduction; and also the defendant so to appear, under thepenalty of being held and adjudged recreant in case of default; and thenoble Lord and most reverend Father aforesaid appointed the battle to bedone in his own presence, and according to all that is commendable andprofitable in such a case. And may God aid the just cause!"
"Amen!" said the Grand Master; and the word was echoed by all around.Rebecca spoke not, but she looked up to heaven, and, folding her hands,remained for a minute without change of attitude. She then
modestlyreminded the Grand Master, that she ought to be permitted someopportunity of free communication with her friends, for the purpose ofmaking her condition known to them, and procuring, if possible, somechampion to fight in her behalf.
"It is just and lawful," said the Grand Master; "choose what messengerthou shalt trust, and he shall have free communication with thee in thyprison-chamber."
"Is there," said Rebecca, "any one here, who, either for love of a goodcause, or for ample hire, will do the errand of a distressed being?"
All were silent; for none thought it safe, in the presence of the GrandMaster, to avow any interest in the calumniated prisoner, lest heshould be suspected of leaning towards Judaism. Not even the prospect ofreward, far less any feelings of compassion alone, could surmount thisapprehension.
Rebecca stood for a few moments in indescribable anxiety, and thenexclaimed, "Is it really thus?--And, in English land, am I to bedeprived of the poor chance of safety which remains to me, for want ofan act of charity which would not be refused to the worst criminal?"
Higg, the son of Snell, at length replied, "I am but a maimed man,but that I can at all stir or move was owing to her charitableassistance.--I will do thine errand," he added, addressing Rebecca, "aswell as a crippled object can, and happy were my limbs fleet enoughto repair the mischief done by my tongue. Alas! when I boasted of thycharity, I little thought I was leading thee into danger!"
"God," said Rebecca, "is the disposer of all. He can turn back thecaptivity of Judah, even by the weakest instrument. To execute hismessage the snail is as sure a messenger as the falcon. Seek out Isaacof York--here is that will pay for horse and man--let him have thisscroll.--I know not if it be of Heaven the spirit which inspires me,but most truly do I judge that I am not to die this death, and that achampion will be raised up for me. Farewell!--Life and death are in thyhaste."
The peasant took the scroll, which contained only a few lines in Hebrew.Many of the crowd would have dissuaded him from touching a document sosuspicious; but Higg was resolute in the service of his benefactress.She had saved his body, he said, and he was confident she did not meanto peril his soul.
"I will get me," he said, "my neighbour Buthan's good capul, [55] and Iwill be at York within as brief space as man and beast may."
But as it fortuned, he had no occasion to go so far, for within aquarter of a mile from the gate of the Preceptory he met with tworiders, whom, by their dress and their huge yellow caps, he knew to beJews; and, on approaching more nearly, discovered that one of them washis ancient employer, Isaac of York. The other was the Rabbi Ben Samuel;and both had approached as near to the Preceptory as they dared, onhearing that the Grand Master had summoned a chapter for the trial of asorceress.
"Brother Ben Samuel," said Isaac, "my soul is disquieted, and I wot notwhy. This charge of necromancy is right often used for cloaking evilpractices on our people."
"Be of good comfort, brother," said the physician; "thou canst deal withthe Nazarenes as one possessing the mammon of unrighteousness, and cansttherefore purchase immunity at their hands--it rules the savage minds ofthose ungodly men, even as the signet of the mighty Solomon was saidto command the evil genii.--But what poor wretch comes hither upon hiscrutches, desiring, as I think, some speech of me?--Friend," continuedthe physician, addressing Higg, the son of Snell, "I refuse thee not theaid of mine art, but I relieve not with one asper those who beg for almsupon the highway. Out upon thee!--Hast thou the palsy in thy legs? thenlet thy hands work for thy livelihood; for, albeit thou be'st unfit fora speedy post, or for a careful shepherd, or for the warfare, or for theservice of a hasty master, yet there be occupations--How now, brother?"said he, interrupting his harangue to look towards Isaac, who had butglanced at the scroll which Higg offered, when, uttering a deep groan,he fell from his mule like a dying man, and lay for a minute insensible.
The Rabbi now dismounted in great alarm, and hastily applied theremedies which his art suggested for the recovery of his companion. Hehad even taken from his pocket a cupping apparatus, and was aboutto proceed to phlebotomy, when the object of his anxious solicitudesuddenly revived; but it was to dash his cap from his head, and to throwdust on his grey hairs. The physician was at first inclined to ascribethis sudden and violent emotion to the effects of insanity; and,adhering to his original purpose, began once again to handle hisimplements. But Isaac soon convinced him of his error.
"Child of my sorrow," he said, "well shouldst thou be called Benoni,instead of Rebecca! Why should thy death bring down my grey hairs to thegrave, till, in the bitterness of my heart, I curse God and die!"
"Brother," said the Rabbi, in great surprise, "art thou a father inIsrael, and dost thou utter words like unto these?--I trust that thechild of thy house yet liveth?"
"She liveth," answered Isaac; "but it is as Daniel, who was calledBeltheshazzar, even when within the den of the lions. She is captiveunto those men of Belial, and they will wreak their cruelty upon her,sparing neither for her youth nor her comely favour. O! she was as acrown of green palms to my grey locks; and she must wither in a night,like the gourd of Jonah!--Child of my love!--child of my old age!--oh,Rebecca, daughter of Rachel! the darkness of the shadow of death hathencompassed thee."
"Yet read the scroll," said the Rabbi; "peradventure it may be that wemay yet find out a way of deliverance."
"Do thou read, brother," answered Isaac, "for mine eyes are as afountain of water."
The physician read, but in their native language, the following words:--
"To Isaac, the son of Adonikam, whom the Gentiles call Isaac of York,peace and the blessing of the promise be multiplied unto thee!--Myfather, I am as one doomed to die for that which my soul knowethnot--even for the crime of witchcraft. My father, if a strong man can befound to do battle for my cause with sword and spear, according to thecustom of the Nazarenes, and that within the lists of Templestowe, onthe third day from this time, peradventure our fathers' God will givehim strength to defend the innocent, and her who hath none to help her.But if this may not be, let the virgins of our people mourn for me asfor one cast off, and for the hart that is stricken by the hunter, andfor the flower which is cut down by the scythe of the mower. Whereforelook now what thou doest, and whether there be any rescue. One Nazarenewarrior might indeed bear arms in my behalf, even Wilfred, son ofCedric, whom the Gentiles call Ivanhoe. But he may not yet endurethe weight of his armour. Nevertheless, send the tidings unto him, myfather; for he hath favour among the strong men of his people, and ashe was our companion in the house of bondage, he may find some one to dobattle for my sake. And say unto him, even unto him, even unto Wilfred,the son of Cedric, that if Rebecca live, or if Rebecca die, she livethor dieth wholly free of the guilt she is charged withal. And if it bethe will of God that thou shalt be deprived of thy daughter, do notthou tarry, old man, in this land of bloodshed and cruelty; but betakethyself to Cordova, where thy brother liveth in safety, under the shadowof the throne, even of the throne of Boabdil the Saracen; for lesscruel are the cruelties of the Moors unto the race of Jacob, than thecruelties of the Nazarenes of England."
Isaac listened with tolerable composure while Ben Samuel read theletter, and then again resumed the gestures and exclamations of Orientalsorrow, tearing his garments, besprinkling his head with dust, andejaculating, "My daughter! my daughter! flesh of my flesh, and bone ofmy bone!"
"Yet," said the Rabbi, "take courage, for this grief availeth nothing.Gird up thy loins, and seek out this Wilfred, the son of Cedric. It maybe he will help thee with counsel or with strength; for the youth hathfavour in the eyes of Richard, called of the Nazarenes Coeur-de-Lion,and the tidings that he hath returned are constant in the land. It maybe that he may obtain his letter, and his signet, commanding these menof blood, who take their name from the Temple to the dishonour thereof,that they proceed not in their purposed wickedness."
"I will seek him out," said Isaac, "for he is a good youth, and hathcompassion for the exile of Jacob. But he cannot bear his ar
mour, andwhat other Christian shall do battle for the oppressed of Zion?"
"Nay, but," said the Rabbi, "thou speakest as one that knoweth not theGentiles. With gold shalt thou buy their valour, even as with gold thoubuyest thine own safety. Be of good courage, and do thou set forward tofind out this Wilfred of Ivanhoe. I will also up and be doing, for greatsin it were to leave thee in thy calamity. I will hie me to the city ofYork, where many warriors and strong men are assembled, and doubt not Iwill find among them some one who will do battle for thy daughter; forgold is their god, and for riches will they pawn their lives as well astheir lands.--Thou wilt fulfil, my brother, such promise as I may makeunto them in thy name?"
"Assuredly, brother," said Isaac, "and Heaven be praised that raised meup a comforter in my misery. Howbeit, grant them not their full demandat once, for thou shalt find it the quality of this accursed people thatthey will ask pounds, and peradventure accept of ounces--Nevertheless,be it as thou willest, for I am distracted in this thing, and what wouldmy gold avail me if the child of my love should perish!"
"Farewell," said the physician, "and may it be to thee as thy heartdesireth."
They embraced accordingly, and departed on their several roads. Thecrippled peasant remained for some time looking after them.
"These dog-Jews!" said he; "to take no more notice of a freeguild-brother, than if I were a bond slave or a Turk, or a circumcisedHebrew like themselves! They might have flung me a mancus or two,however. I was not obliged to bring their unhallowed scrawls, and runthe risk of being bewitched, as more folks than one told me. And whatcare I for the bit of gold that the wench gave me, if I am to come toharm from the priest next Easter at confession, and be obliged to givehim twice as much to make it up with him, and be called the Jew'sflying post all my life, as it may hap, into the bargain? I think I wasbewitched in earnest when I was beside that girl!--But it was always sowith Jew or Gentile, whosoever came near her--none could stay when shehad an errand to go--and still, whenever I think of her, I would giveshop and tools to save her life."
