Rosamund finished reading, and the letter fluttered from her handdown to the marble floor.
Then the queen said:
"Lady, we ask this sacrifice of you in the name of these and alltheir fellows," and she pointed to the women and the childrenbehind her.
"And my life?" mused Rosamund aloud. "It is all I have. When Ihave paid it away I shall be beggared," and her eyes wandered towhere the tall shape of Wulf stood by a pillar of the church.
"Perchance Saladin will be merciful," hazarded the queen.
"Why should he be merciful," answered Rosamund, "who has alwayswarned me that if I escaped from him and was recaptured,certainly I must die? Nay, he will offer me Islam, or death,which means--death by the rope--or in some worse fashion."
"But if you stay here you must die," pleaded the queen, "or atbest fall into the hands of the soldiers. Oh! lady, your life isbut one life, and with it you can buy those of eighty thousandsouls."
"Is that so sure?" asked Rosamund. "The Sultan has made nopromise; he says only that, if I pray it of him, he will considerthe question of the sparing of Jerusalem."
"But--but," went on the queen, "he says also that if you do notcome he will surely put Jerusalem to the sword, and to Sir Balianhe said that if you gave yourself up he thought he might grantterms which we should be glad to take. Therefore we dare to askof you to give your life in payment for such a hope. Think, thinkwhat otherwise must be the lot of these"--and again she pointedto the women and children--"ay, and your own sisterhood and ofall of us. Whereas, if you die, it will be with much honour, andyour name shall be worshipped as a saint and martyr in everychurch in Christendom.
"Oh! refuse not our prayer, but show that you indeed are greatenough to step forward to meet the death which comes to every oneof us, and thereby earn the blessings of half the world and makesure your place in heaven, nigh to Him Who also died for men.Plead with her, my sisters--plead with her!"
Then the women and the children threw themselves down before her,and with tears and sobbing prayed her that she would give up herlife for theirs. Rosamund looked at them and smiled, then said ina clear voice:
"What say you, my cousin and betrothed, Sir Wulf D'Arcy? Comehither, and, as is fitting in this strait, give me your counsel."
So the grey-eyed, war-worn Wulf strode up the aisle, and,standing by the altar rails, saluted her.
"You have heard," said Rosamund. "Your counsel. Would you have medie?"
"Alas!" he answered in a hoarse voice. "It is hard to speak. Yet,they are many--you are but one."
Now there was a murmur of applause. For it was known that thisknight loved his lady dearly, and that but the other day he hadstood there to defend her to the death against those who wouldgive her up to Saladin.
Now Rosamund laughed out, and the sweet sound of her laughter wasstrange in that solemn place and hour.
"Ah, Wulf!" she said. "Wulf, who must ever speak the truth, evenwhen it costs him dear. Well, I would not have it otherwise.Queen, and all you foolish people, I did but try your tempers.Could you, then, think me so base that I would spare to spendthis poor life of mine, and to forego such few joys as God mighthave in store for me on earth, when those of tens of thousandsmay hang upon the issue? Nay, nay; it is far otherwise."
Then Rosamund sheathed the dagger that all this while she hadheld in her hand, and, lifting the letter from the floor, touchedher brow with it in signal of obedience, saying in Arabic to theenvoys:
"I am the slave of Salah-ed-din, Commander of the Faithful. I amthe small dust beneath his feet. Take notice, Emirs, that inpresence of all here gathered, of my own free will I, RosamundD'Arcy, aforetime princess and sovereign lady of Baalbec,determine to accompany you to the Sultan's camp, there to makeprayer for the sparing of the lives of the citizens of Jerusalem,and afterwards to suffer the punishment of death in payment of myflight, according to my royal uncle's high decree. One request Imake only, if he be pleased to grant it--that my body be broughtback to Jerusalem for burial before this altar, where of my ownact I lay down my life. Emirs, I am ready."
Now the envoys bowed before her in grave admiration, and the airgrew thick with blessings. As Rosamund stepped down from thealtar the queen threw her arms about her neck and kissed her,while lords and knights, women and children, pressed their lipsupon her hands, upon the hem of her white robe, and even on herfeet, calling her "Saint" and "Deliverer."
"Alas!" she answered, waving them back. "As yet I am neither ofthese things, though the latter of them I hope to be. Come; letus be going."
"Ay," echoed Wulf, stepping to her side, "let us be going."
Rosamund started at the words, and all there stared. "Listen,Queen, Emirs, and People," he went on. "I am this lady's kinsmanand her betrothed knight, sworn to serve her to the end. If shebe guilty of a crime against the Sultan, I am more guilty, and onme also shall fall his vengeance. Let us be going."
"Wulf, Wulf," she said, "it shall not be. One life is asked--notboth."
"Yet, lady, both shall be given that the measure of atonement mayrun over, and Saladin moved to mercy. Nay, forbid me not. I havelived for you, and for you I die. Yes, if they hold me by force,still I die, if need be, on my own sword. When I counselled youjust now, I counselled myself also. Surely you never dreamed thatI would suffer you to go alone, when by sharing it I could makeyour doom easier."
"Oh, Wulf!" she cried. "You will but make it harder."
"No, no; faced hand in hand, death loses half its terrors.Moreover, Saladin is my friend, and I also would plead with himfor the people of Jerusalem."
Then he whispered in her ear, "Sweet Rosamund, deny me not, lestyou should drive me to madness and self-murder, who will have nomore of earth without you."
Now, her eyes full of tears and shining with love, Rosamundmurmured back:
"You are too strong for me. Let it befall as God wills."
Nor did the others attempt to stay him any more.
Going to the abbess, Rosamund would have knelt before her, but itwas the abbess who knelt and called her blessed, and kissed her.The sisters also kissed her one by one in farewell. Then a priestwas brought--not the patriarch, of whom she would have none, butanother, a holy man.
To him apart at the altar, first Rosamund and then Wulf madeconfession of their sins, receiving absolution and the sacramentin that form in which it was given to the dying; while, save theemirs, all in the church knelt and prayed as for souls that pass.
The solemn ritual was ended. They rose, and, followed by two ofthe envoys--for already the third had departed under escort tothe court of Saladin to give him warning--the queen, her ladiesand all the company, walked from the church and through theconvent halls out into the narrow Street of Woe. Here Wulf, asher kinsman, took Rosamund by the hand, leading her as a manleads his sister to her bridal. Without it was bright moonlight,moonlight clear as day, and by now tidings of this strange storyhad spread through all Jerusalem, so that its narrow streets werecrowded with spectators, who stood also upon every roof and atevery window.
"The lady Rosamund!" they shouted. "The blessed Rosamund, whogoes to a martyr's death to save us. The pure Saint Rosamund andher brave knight Wulf!" And they tore flowers and green leavesfrom the gardens and threw them in their path.
Down the long, winding streets, with bent heads and humble mien,companioned ever by the multitude, through which soldierscleared the way, they walked thus, while women held up theirchildren to touch the robe of Rosamund or to look upon her face.At length the gate was reached, and while it was unbarred theyhalted. Then came forward Sir Balian of Ibelin, bareheaded, andsaid:
"Lady, on behalf of the people of Jerusalem and of the whole ofChristendom, I give you honour and thanks, and to you also, SirWulf D'Arcy, the bravest and most faithful of all knights."
A company of priests also, headed by a bishop, advanced chantingand swinging censers, and blessed them solemnly in the name ofthe Church and of Christ its Master.
"Give us not praise and thanks, but
prayers," answered Rosamund;"prayers that we may succeed in our mission, to which we gladlyoffer up our lives, and afterwards, when we are dead, prayers forthe welfare of our sinful souls. But should we fail, as it maychance, then remember of us only that we did our best. Oh! goodpeople, great sorrows have come upon this land, and the Cross ofChrist is veiled with shame. Yet it shall shine forth once more,and to it through the ages shall all men bow the knee. Oh! mayyou live! May no more death come among you! It is our lastpetition, and with it, this--that when at length you die we maymeet again in heaven! Now fare you well."
Then they passed through the gate, and as the envoys declaredthat none might accompany them further, walked forward followedby the sound of the weeping of the multitude towards the camp ofSaladin, two strange and lonesome figures in the moonlight.
At last these lamentations could be heard no more, and there, onthe outskirts of the Moslem lines, an escort met them, andbearers with a litter.
But into this Rosamund would not enter, so they walked onwards upthe hill, till they came to the great square in the centre of thecamp upon the Mount of Olives, beyond the grey trees of theGarden of Gethsemane. There, awaiting them at the head of thesquare, sat Saladin in state, while all about, rank upon rank, inthousands and tens of thousands, was gathered his vast army, whowatched them pass in silence.
Thus they came into the presence of the Sultan and knelt beforehim, Rosamund in her novice's white robe, and Wulf in hisbattered mail.
Chapter Twenty Four: The Dregs of the Cup
Saladin looked at them, but gave them no greeting. Then hespoke:
"Woman, you have had my message. You know that your rank is takenfrom you, and that with it my promises are at an end; you knowalso that you come hither to suffer the death of faithless women.Is it so?"
"I know all these things, great Salah-ed-din," answered Rosamund.
"Tell me, then, do you come of your own free will, unforced byany, and why does the knight Sir Wulf, whose life I spared and donot seek, kneel at your side?"
"I come of my own free will, Salah-ed-din, as your emirs can tellyou; ask them. For the rest, my kinsman must answer for himself."
"Sultan," said Wulf, "I counselled the lady Rosamund that sheshould come--not that she needed such counsel--and, having givenit, I accompanied her by right of blood and of Justice, since heroffence against you is mine also. Her fate is my fate."
"I have no quarrel against you whom I forgave, therefore you musttake your own way to follow the path she goes."
"Doubtless," answered Wulf, "being a Christian among many sons ofthe Prophet, it will not be hard to find a friendly scimitar tohelp me on that road. I ask of your goodness that her fate may bemy fate."
"What!" said Saladin. "You are ready to die with her, althoughyou are young and strong, and there are so many other women inthe world?"
Wulf smiled and nodded his head.
"Good. Who am I that I should stand between a fool and his folly?I grant the boon. Your fate shall be her fate; Wulf D'Arcy, youshall drink of the cup of my slave Rosamund to its lastbitterest dregs."
"I desire no less," said Wulf coolly.
Now Saladin looked at Rosamund and asked,
"Woman, why have you come here to brave my vengeance? Speak on ifyou have aught to ask."
Then Rosamund rose from her knees, and, standing before him,said:
"I am come, O my mighty lord, to plead for the people ofJerusalem, because it was told me that you would listen to noother voice than that of this your slave. See, many moons ago,you had a vision concerning me. Thrice you dreamed in the nightthat I, the niece whom you had never seen, by some act of mineshould be the means of saving much life and a way of peace.Therefore you tore me from my home and brought my father to abloody death, as you are about to bring his daughter; and aftermuch suffering and danger I fell into your power, and was treatedwith great honour. Still I, who am a Christian, and who grewsick with the sight of the daily slaughter and outrage of my kin,strove to escape from you, although you had warned me that theprice of this crime was death; and in the end, through the witand sacrifice of another woman, I did escape.
"Now I return to pay that price, and behold! your vision isfulfilled--or, at the least, you can fulfil it if God shouldtouch your heart with grace, seeing that of my own will I am cometo pray you, Salah-ed-din, to spare the city, and for its bloodto accept mine as a token and an offering.
"Oh, my lord! as you are great, be merciful. What will it availyou in the day of your own judgment that you have added anothereighty thousand to the tally of your slain, and with them manymore thousands of your own folk, since the warriors of Jerusalemwill not die unavenged? Give them their lives and let them gofree, and win thereby the gratitude of mankind and theforgiveness of God above."
So Rosamund spoke, and stretching out her arms towards him, wassilent.
"These things I offered to them, and they were refused," answeredSaladin. "Why should I grant them now that they are conquered?"
"My lord, Strong-to-Aid," said Rosamund, "do you, who are sobrave, blame yonder knights and soldiers because they fought onagainst desperate odds? Would you not have called them cowards ifthey had yielded up the city where their Saviour died and struckno blow to save it? Oh! I am outworn! I can say no more; but onceagain, most humbly and on my knees, I beseech you speak the wordof mercy, and let not your triumph be dyed red with the blood ofwomen and of little children."
Then casting herself upon her face, Rosamund clasped the hem ofhis royal robe with her hands, and pressed it to her forehead.
So for a while she lay there in the shimmering moonlight, whileutter silence fell upon all that vast multitude of armed men asthey waited for the decree of fate to be uttered by theconqueror's lips. But Saladin sat still as a statue, gazing atthe domes and towers of Jerusalem outlined against the deep bluesky.
"Rise," he said at length, "and know, niece, that you have playedyour part in a fashion worthy of my race, and that I,Salah-ed-din, am proud of you. Know also that I will weigh yourprayer as I have weighed that of none other who breathes upon theearth. Now I must take counsel with my own heart, and to-morrowit shall be granted--or refused. To you, who are doomed to die,and to the knight who chooses to die with you, according to theancient law and custom, I offer the choice of Islam, and with itlife and honour."
"We refuse," answered Rosamund and Wulf with one voice. TheSultan bowed his head as though he expected no other answer, andglanced round, as all thought to order the executioners to dotheir office. But he said only to a captain of his Mameluks:
"Take them; keep them under guard and separate them, till my wordof death comes to you. Your life shall answer for their safety.Give them food and drink, and let no harm touch them until I bidyou."
The Mameluk bowed and advanced with his company of soldiers. Asthey prepared to go with them, Rosamund asked:
"Tell me of your grace, what of Masouda, my friend?"
"She died for you; seek her beyond the grave," answered Saladin,whereat Rosamund hid her face with her hands and sighed.
"And what of Godwin, my brother?" cried Wulf; but no answer wasgiven him.
Now Rosamund turned; stretching out her arms towards Wulf, shefell upon his breast. There, then, in the presence of thatcountless army, they kissed their kiss of betrothal and farewell.They spoke no word, only ere she went Rosamund lifted her handand pointed upwards to the sky.
Then a murmur rose from the multitude, and the sound of it seemedto shape itself into one word: "Mercy!"
Still Saladin made no sign, and they were led away to theirprisons.
Among the thousands who watched this strange and most thrillingscene were two men wrapped in long cloaks, Godwin and the bishopEgbert. Thrice did Godwin strive to approach the throne. But itseemed that the soldiers about him had their commands, for theywould not suffer him to stir or speak; and when, as Rosamundpassed, he strove to break a way to her, they seized and heldhim. Yet as she went by he cried:
"The blessing
of Heaven be upon you, pure saint of God--on youand your true knight."
Catching the tones of that voice above the tumult, Rosamundstopped and looked around her, but saw no one, for the guardhemmed her in. So she went on, wondering if perchance it wasGodwin's voice which she had heard, or whether an angel, or onlysome Frankish prisoner had spoken.
Godwin stood wringing his hands while the bishop strove tocomfort him, saying that he should not grieve, since such deathsas those of Rosamund and Wulf were most glorious, and more to bedesired than a hundred lives.
"Ay, ay," answered Godwin, "would that I could go with them!"
"Their work is done, but not yours," said the bishop gently."Come to our tent and let us to our knees. God is more powerfulthan the Sultan, and mayhap He will yet find a way to save them.If they are still alive tomorrow at the dawn we will seekaudience of Saladin to plead with him."
So they entered the tent and prayed there, as the inhabitants ofJerusalem prayed behind their shattered walls, that the heart ofSaladin might be moved to spare them all. While they knelt thusthe curtain of the tent was drawn aside, and an emir stood beforethem.
"Rise," he said, "both of you, and follow me. The Sultan commandsyour presence."
Egbert and Godwin went, wondering, and were led through thepavilion to the royal sleeping place, which guards closed behindthem. On a silken couch reclined Saladin, the light from the lampfalling on his bronzed and thoughtful face.
"I have sent for you two Franks," he said, "that you may bear amessage from me to Sir Balian of Ibelin and the inhabitants ofJerusalem. This is the message:--Let the holy city surrenderto-morrow and all its population acknowledge themselves myprisoners. Then for forty days I will hold them to ransom, duringwhich time none shall be harmed. Every man who pays ten pieces ofgold shall go free, and two women or ten children shall becounted as one man at a like price. Of the poor, seven thousandshall be set free also, on payment of thirty thousand bezants.Such who remain or have no money for their ransom--and there isstill much gold in Jerusalem--shall become my slaves. These aremy terms, which I grant at the dying prayer of my niece, the ladyRosamund, and to her prayer alone. Deliver them to Sir Balian,and bid him wait on me at the dawn with his chief notables, andanswer whether he is willing to accept them on behalf of thepeople. If not, the assault goes on until the city is a heap ofruins covering the bones of its children."
"We bless you for this mercy," said the bishop Egbert, "and wehasten to obey. But tell us, Sultan, what shall we do? Return tothe camp with Sir Balian?"
"If he accepts my terms, nay, for in Jerusalem you will be safe,and I give you your freedom without ransom."
"Sire," said Godwin, "ere I go, grant me leave to bid farewell tomy brother and my cousin Rosamund."
"That for the third time you may plot their escape from myvengeance?" said Saladin. "Nay, bide in Jerusalem and await myword; you shall meet them at the last, no more."
"Sire," pleaded Godwin, "of your mercy spare them, for they haveplayed a noble part. It is hard that they should die who loveeach other and are so young and fair and brave."
"Ay," answered Saladin, "a noble part; never have I seen one morenoble. Well, it fits them the better for heaven, ifCross-worshippers enter there. Have done; their doom is writtenand my purpose cannot be turned, nor shall you see them till thelast, as I have said. But if it pleases you to write them aletter of farewell and to send it back by the embassy, it shallbe delivered to them. Now go, for greater matters are afoot thanthis punishment of a pair of lovers. A guard awaits you."
So they went, and within an hour stood before Sir Balian and gavehim the message of Saladin, whereat he rose and blessed the nameof Rosamund. While he called his counsellors from their sleep andbade his servants saddle horses, Godwin found pen and parchment,and wrote hurriedly:
"To Wulf, my brother, and Rosamund, my cousin and hisbetrothed,--I live, though well-nigh I died by deadMasouda--Jesus rest her gallant and most beloved soul! Saladinwill not suffer me to see you, though he has promised that Ishall be with you at the last, so watch for me then. I still dareto hope that it may please God to change the Sultan's heart andspare you. If so, this is my prayer and desire--that you twoshould wed as soon as may be, and get home to England, where, ifI live, I hope to visit you in years to come. Till then seek menot, who would be lonely a while. But if it should be fatedotherwise, then when my sins are purged I will seek you among thesaints, you who by your noble deed have earned the sure grace ofGod.
"The embassy rides. I have no time for more, though there is muchto say. Farewell.--Godwin."
The terms of Saladin had been accepted. With rejoicing becausetheir lives were spared, but with woe and lamentation because theholy city had fallen again into the hands of the Moslem, thepeople of Jerusalem made ready to leave the streets and seek newhomes elsewhere. The great golden cross was torn from the mosqueel-Aksa, and on every tower and wall floated the yellow bannersof Saladin. All who had money paid their ransoms, and those whohad none begged and borrowed it as they could, and if they couldnot, gave themselves over to despair and slavery. Only thepatriarch Heraclius, forgetting the misery of these wretchedones, carried off his own great wealth and the gold plate of thechurches.
Then Saladin showed his mercy, for he freed all the aged withoutcharge, and from his own treasure paid the ransom of hundreds ofladies whose husbands and fathers had fallen in battle, or lay inprison in other cities.
So for forty days, headed by Queen Sybilla and her ladies, thatsad procession of the vanquished marched through the gates, andthere were many of them who, as they passed the conqueror seatedin state, halted to make a prayer to him for those who were leftbehind. A few also who remembered Rosamund, and that it wasbecause of her sacrifice that they continued to look upon thesun, implored him that if they were not already dead, he wouldspare her and her brave knight.
At length it was over, and Saladin took possession of the city.Having purged the Great Mosque, washing it with rose-water, heworshipped in it after his own fashion, and distributed theremnant of the people who could pay no ransom as slaves among hisemirs and followers. Thus did the Crescent triumph aver the Crossin Jerusalem, not in a sea of blood, as ninety years before theCross had triumphed over the Crescent within its walls, but withwhat in those days passed for gentleness, peace, and mercy.
For it was left to the Saracens to teach something of their owndoctrines to the followers of Christ.
During all those forty days Rosamund and Wulf lay in theirseparate prisons, awaiting their doom of death. The letter ofGodwin was brought to Wulf, who read it and rejoiced to learnthat his brother lived. Then it was taken from him to Rosamund,who, although she rejoiced also, wept over it, and wondered alittle what it might mean. Of one thing she was sure from itswording--that they had no hope of life.
They knew that Jerusalem had fallen, for they heard the shouts oftriumph of the Moslems, and from far away, through their prisonbars could see the endless multitude of fugitives passing theancient gates laden with baggage, and leading their children bythe hand, to seek refuge in the cities of the coast. At thissight, although it was so sad, Rosamund was happy, knowing alsothat now she would not suffer in vain.
At length the camp broke up, Saladin and many of the soldiersentering Jerusalem; but still the pair were left languishing intheir dismal cells, which were fashioned from old tombs. Oneevening, while Rosamund was kneeling; at prayer before she soughther bed, the door of the place was opened, and there appeared aglittering captain and a guard of soldiers, who saluted her andbade her follow him.
"Is it the end?" she asked.
"Lady," he answered, "it is the end." So she bowed her headmeekly and followed. Without a litter was ready, in which theyplaced her and bore her through the bright moonlight into thecity of Jerusalem and along the Way of Sorrow, till they haltedat a great door, which she knew again, for by it stood theancient arch.
"They have brought me back to the Convent of the Holy Cross tokill me where I asked that I might be b
uried," she murmured toherself as she descended from the litter.
Then the doors were thrown open, and she entered the greatcourtyard of the convent, and saw that it was decorated as thoughfor a festival, for about it and in the cloisters round hung manylamps. More; these cloisters and the space in front of them werecrowded with Saracen lords, wearing their robes of state, whileyonder sat Saladin and his court.
"They would make a brave show of my death," thought Rosamundagain. Then a little cry broke from her lips, for there, in frontof the throne of Saladin, the moonlight and the lamp-blazeshining on his armour, stood a tall Christian knight. At that cryhe turned his head, and she grew sure that it was Wulf, wastedsomewhat and grown pale, but still Wulf.
"So we are to die together," she whispered to herself, thenwalked forward with a proud step amidst the deep silence, and,having bowed to Saladin, took the hand of Wulf and held it.
The Sultan looked at them and said:
"However long it may be delayed, the day of fate must break atlast. Say, Franks, are you prepared to drink the dregs of thatcup I promised you?"
"We are prepared," they answered with one voice.
"Do you grieve now that you laid down your lives to save those ofall Jerusalem?" he asked again.
"Nay," Rosamund answered, glancing at Wulf's face; "we rejoiceexceedingly that God has been so good to us."
"I too rejoice," said Saladin; "and I too thank Allah Who inbygone days sent me that vision which has given me back the holycity of Jerusalem without bloodshed. Now all is accomplished asit was fated. Lead them away."
For a moment they clung together, then emirs took Wulf to theright and Rosamund to the left, and she went with a pale face andhigh head to meet her executioner, wondering if she would seeGodwin ere she died. They led her to a chamber where women waitedbut no swordsman that she could see, and shut the door upon her.
"Perchance I am to be strangled by these women," thoughtRosamund, as they came towards her, "so that the blood royal maynot be shed."
Yet it was not so, for with gentle hands, but in silence, theyunrobed her, and washed her with scented waters and braided herhair, twisting it up with pearls and gems. Then they clad her infine linen, and put over it gorgeous, broidered garments, and aroyal mantle of purple, and her own jewels which she had worn inbygone days, and with them others still more splendid, and threwabout her head a gauzy veil worked with golden stars. It was justsuch a veil as Wulf's gift which she had worn on the night whenHassan dragged her from her home at Steeple. She noted it andsmiled at the sad omen, then said:
"Ladies, why should I mock my doom with these bright garments?"
"It is the Sultan's will," they answered; "nor shall you restto-night less happily because of them."
Now all was ready, and the door opened and she stepped throughit, a radiant thing, glittering in the lamplight. Then trumpetsblew and a herald cried: "Way! Way there! Way for the highsovereign lady and princess of Baalbec!"
Thus followed by the train of honourable women who attended her,Rosamund glided forward to the courtyard, and once more bent theknee to Saladin, then stood still, lost in wonder.
Again the trumpets blew, and on the right a herald cried, "Way!Way there! Way for the brave and noble Frankish knight, Sir WulfD'Arcy!"
Lo! attended by emirs and notables, Wulf came forth, clad insplendid armour inlaid with gold, wearing on his shoulder amantel set with gems and on his breast the gleaming Star of theLuck of Hassan. To Rosamund he strode and stood by her, his handsresting on the hilt of his long sword.
"Princess," said Saladin, "I give you back your rank and titles,because you have shown a noble heart; and you, Sir Wulf, I honouralso as best I may, but to my decree I hold. Let them go togetherto the drinking of the cup of their destiny as to a bridal bed."
Again the trumpets blew and the heralds called, and they led themto the doors of the chapel, which at their knocking were thrownwide. From within came the sound of women's voices singing, butit was no sad song they sang.
"The sisters of the Order are still there," said Rosamund toWulf, "and would cheer us on our road to heaven."
"Perchance," he answered. "I know not. I am amazed."
At the door the company of Moslems left them, but they crowdedround the entrance as though to watch what passed. Now down thelong aisle walked a single whiterobed figure. It was the abbess.
"What shall we do, Mother?" said Rosamund to her.
"Follow me, both of you," she said, and they followed her throughthe nave to the altar rails, and at a sign from her knelt down.
Now they saw that on either side of the altar stood a Christianpriest. The priest to the right--it was the bishop Egbert--cameforward and began to read over them the marriage service of theirfaith.
"They'd wed us ere we die," whispered Rosamund to Wulf.
"So be it," he answered; "I am glad."
"And I also, beloved," she whispered back.
The service went on--as in a dream, the service went on, whilethe white-robed sisters sat in their carven chairs and watched.The rings that were handed to them had been interchanged; Wulfhad taken Rosamund to wife, Rosamund had taken Wulf to husband,till death did them part.
Then the old bishop withdrew to the altar, and another hoodedmonk came forward and uttered over them the benediction in a deepand sonorous voice, which stirred their hearts most strangely, asthough some echo reached them from beyond the grave. He held hishands above them in blessing and looked upwards, so that his hoodfell back, and the light of the altar lamp fell upon his face.
It was the face of Godwin, and on his head was the tonsure of amonk.
Once more they stood before Saladin, and now their train wasswelled by the abbess and sisters of the Holy Cross.
"Sir Wulf D'Arcy," said the Sultan, "and you, Rosamund, my niece,princess of Baalbec, the dregs of your cup, sweet or bitter, orbitter-sweet, are drunk; the doom which I decreed for you isaccomplished, and, according to your own rites, you are man andwife till Allah sends upon you that death which I withhold.Because you showed mercy upon those doomed to die and were themeans of mercy, I also give you mercy, and with it my love andhonour. Now bide here if you will in my freedom, and enjoy yourrank and wealth, or go hence if you will, and live out your livesacross the sea. The blessing of Allah be upon you, and turn yoursouls light. This is the decree of Yusuf Salah-ed-din, Commanderof the Faithful, Conqueror and Caliph of the East."
Trembling, full of joy and wonder, they knelt before him andkissed his hand. Then, after a few swift words between them,Rosamund spoke.
"Sire, that God whom you have invoked, the God of Christian andof Moslem, the God of all the world, though the world worship Himin many ways and shapes, bless and reward you for this royaldeed. Yet listen to our petition. It may be that many of ourfaith still lie unransomed in Jerusalem. Take my lands and gems,and let them be valued, and their price given to pay for theliberty of some poor slaves. It is our marriage offering. As forus, we will get us to our own country."
"So be it," answered Saladin. "The lands I will take and devotethe sum of them as you desire--yes, to the last bezant. Thejewels also shall be valued, but I give them back to you as mywedding dower. To these nuns further I grant permission to bidehere in Jerusalem to nurse the Christian sick, unharmed andunmolested, if so they will, and this because they sheltered you.Ho! minstrels and heralds lead this new-wed pair to the placethat has been prepared for them."
Still trembling and bewildered, they turned to go, when lo!Godwin stood before them smiling, and kissed them both upon thecheek, calling them "Beloved brother and sister."
"And you, Godwin?" stammered Rosamund.
"I, Rosamund, have also found my bride, and she is named theChurch of Christ."
"Do you, then, return to England, brother?" asked Wulf.
"Nay," Godwin answered, in a fierce whisper and with flashingeyes, "the Cross is down, but not forever. That Cross has Richardof England and many another servant beyond the seas, and theywill come at the
Church's call. Here, brother, before all isdone, we may meet again in war. Till then, farewell."
So spoke Godwin and then was gone.
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends