CHAPTER X.
And now I will unclasp a secret book, And, to your quick-conceiving discontent, I'll read you matter deep and dangerous. HENRY IV., PART I.
The Marquis of Montserrat and the Grand Master of the Knights Templarsstood together in the front of the royal pavilion, within which thissingular scene had passed, and beheld a strong guard of bills and bowsdrawn out to form a circle around it, and keep at distance all whichmight disturb the sleeping monarch. The soldiers wore the downcast,silent, and sullen looks with which they trail their arms at a funeral,and stepped with such caution that you could not hear a buckler ringor a sword clatter, though so many men in armour were moving around thetent. They lowered their weapons in deep reverence as the dignitariespassed through their files, but with the same profound silence.
"There is a change of cheer among these island dogs," said the GrandMaster to Conrade, when they had passed Richard's guards. "What hoarsetumult and revel used to be before this pavilion!--nought but pitchingthe bar, hurling the ball, wrestling, roaring of songs, clattering ofwine pots, and quaffing of flagons among these burly yeomen, as if theywere holding some country wake, with a Maypole in the midst of theminstead of a royal standard."
"Mastiffs are a faithful race," said Conrade; "and the King their Masterhas won their love by being ready to wrestle, brawl, or revel amongstthe foremost of them, whenever the humour seized him."
"He is totally compounded of humours," said the Grand Master. "Markedyou the pledge he gave us! instead of a prayer, over his grace-cupyonder."
"He would have felt it a grace-cup, and a well-spiced one too," saidthe Marquis, "were Saladin like any other Turk that ever wore turban,or turned him to Mecca at call of the muezzin. But he affects faith, andhonour, and generosity, as if it were for an unbaptized dog like him topractise the virtuous bearing of a Christian knight. It is said he hathapplied to Richard to be admitted within the pale of chivalry."
"By Saint Bernard!" exclaimed the Grand Master, "it were time thento throw off our belts and spurs, Sir Conrade, deface our armorialbearings, and renounce our burgonets, if the highest honour ofChristianity were conferred on an unchristened Turk of tenpence."
"You rate the Soldan cheap," replied the Marquis; "yet though he be alikely man, I have seen a better heathen sold for forty pence at thebagnio."
They were now near their horses, which stood at some distance from theroyal tent, prancing among the gallant train of esquires and pages bywhom they were attended, when Conrade, after a moment's pause, proposedthat they should enjoy the coolness of the evening breeze which hadarisen, and, dismissing their steeds and attendants, walk homewards totheir own quarters through the lines of the extended Christian camp. TheGrand Master assented, and they proceeded to walk together accordingly,avoiding, as if by mutual consent, the more inhabited parts of thecanvas city, and tracing the broad esplanade which lay between the tentsand the external defences, where they could converse in private, andunmarked, save by the sentinels as they passed them.
They spoke for a time upon the military points and preparations fordefence; but this sort of discourse, in which neither seemed to takeinterest, at length died away, and there was a long pause, whichterminated by the Marquis of Montserrat stopping short, like a man whohas formed a sudden resolution, and gazing for some moments on the dark,inflexible countenance of the Grand Master, he at length addressed himthus: "Might it consist with your valour and sanctity, reverend SirGiles Amaury, I would pray you for once to lay aside the dark visorwhich you wear, and to converse with a friend barefaced."
The Templar half smiled.
"There are light-coloured masks," he said, "as well as dark visors, andthe one conceals the natural features as completely as the other."
"Be it so," said the Marquis, putting his hand to his chin, andwithdrawing it with the action of one who unmasks himself; "there liesmy disguise. And now, what think you, as touching the interests of yourown order, of the prospects of this Crusade?"
"This is tearing the veil from my thoughts rather than exposing yourown," said the Grand Master; "yet I will reply with a parable told to meby a santon of the desert. 'A certain farmer prayed to Heaven for rain,and murmured when it fell not at his need. To punish his impatience,Allah,' said the santon, 'sent the Euphrates upon his farm, and he wasdestroyed, with all his possessions, even by the granting of his ownwishes.'"
"Most truly spoken," said the Marquis Conrade. "Would that the ocean hadswallowed up nineteen parts of the armaments of these Western princes!What remained would better have served the purpose of the Christiannobles of Palestine, the wretched remnant of the Latin kingdom ofJerusalem. Left to ourselves, we might have bent to the storm; or,moderately supported with money and troops, we might have compelledSaladin to respect our valour, and grant us peace and protection on easyterms. But from the extremity of danger with which this powerful Crusadethreatens the Soldan, we cannot suppose, should it pass over, that theSaracen will suffer any one of us to hold possessions or principalitiesin Syria, far less permit the existence of the Christian militaryfraternities, from whom they have experienced so much mischief."
"Ay, but," said the Templar, "these adventurous Crusaders may succeed,and again plant the Cross on the bulwarks of Zion."
"And what will that advantage either the Order of the Templars, orConrade of Montserrat?" said the Marquis.
"You it may advantage," replied the Grand Master. "Conrade of Montserratmight become Conrade King of Jerusalem."
"That sounds like something," said the Marquis, "and yet it rings buthollow. Godfrey of Bouillon might well choose the crown of thorns forhis emblem. Grand Master, I will confess to you I have caught someattachment to the Eastern form of government--a pure and simplemonarchy should consist but of king and subjects. Such is the simple andprimitive structure--a shepherd and his flock. All this internal chainof feudal dependance is artificial and sophisticated; and I would ratherhold the baton of my poor marquisate with a firm gripe, and wieldit after my pleasure, than the sceptre of a monarch, to be in effectrestrained and curbed by the will of as many proud feudal barons as holdland under the Assizes of Jerusalem. [The Assises de Jerusalem werethe digest of feudal law, composed by Godfrey of Boulogne, for thegovernment of the Latin kingdom of Palestine, when reconquered from theSaracens. "It was composed with advice of the patriarch and barons,the clergy and laity, and is," says the historian Gibbon, "a preciousmonument of feudatory jurisprudence, founded upon those principlesof freedom which were essential to the system."] A king should treadfreely, Grand Master, and should not be controlled by here a ditch, andthere a fence-here a feudal privilege, and there a mail-clad baron withhis sword in his hand to maintain it. To sum the whole, I am aware thatGuy de Lusignan's claims to the throne would be preferred to mine, ifRichard recovers, and has aught to say in the choice."
"Enough," said the Grand Master; "thou hast indeed convinced me of thysincerity. Others may hold the same opinions, but few, save Conrade ofMontserrat, dared frankly avow that he desires not the restitution ofthe kingdom of Jerusalem, but rather prefers being master of a portionof its fragments--like the barbarous islanders, who labour not for thedeliverance of a goodly vessel from the billows, expecting rather toenrich themselves at the expense of the wreck."
"Thou wilt not betray my counsel?" said Conrade, looking sharply andsuspiciously. "Know, for certain, that my tongue shall never wrong myhead, nor my hand forsake the defence of either. Impeach me if thouwilt--I am prepared to defend myself in the lists against the bestTemplar who ever laid lance in rest."
"Yet thou start'st somewhat suddenly for so bold a steed," said theGrand Master. "However, I swear to thee by the Holy Temple, which ourOrder is sworn to defend, that I will keep counsel with thee as a truecomrade."
"By which Temple?" said the Marquis of Montserrat, whose love of sarcasmoften outran his policy and discretion; "swearest thou by that on thehill of Zion, which was built by King Solomon, or by that symbolical,emblematical edifice, which
is said to be spoken of in the councilsheld in the vaults of your Preceptories, as something which infers theaggrandizement of thy valiant and venerable Order?"
The Templar scowled upon him with an eye of death, but answered calmly,"By whatever Temple I swear, be assured, Lord Marquis, my oath issacred. I would I knew how to bind THEE by one of equal obligation."
"I will swear truth to thee," said the Marquis, laughing, "by theearl's coronet, which I hope to convert, ere these wars are over, intosomething better. It feels cold on my brow, that same slight coronal;a duke's cap of maintenance were a better protection against such anight-breeze as now blows, and a king's crown more preferable still,being lined with comfortable ermine and velvet. In a word, our interestsbind us together; for think not, Lord Grand Master, that, were theseallied princes to regain Jerusalem, and place a king of their ownchoosing there, they would suffer your Order, any more than my poormarquisate, to retain the independence which we now hold. No, by OurLady! In such case, the proud Knights of Saint John must again spreadplasters and dress plague sores in the hospitals; and you, most puissantand venerable Knights of the Temple, must return to your condition ofsimple men-at-arms, sleep three on a pallet, and mount two upon onehorse, as your present seal still expresses to have been your ancientmost simple custom."
"The rank, privileges, and opulence of our Order prevent so muchdegradation as you threaten," said the Templar haughtily.
"These are your bane," said Conrade of Montserrat; "and you, as wellas I, reverend Grand Master, know that, were the allied princes to besuccessful in Palestine, it would be their first point of policy toabate the independence of your Order, which, but for the protection ofour holy father the Pope, and the necessity of employing your valour inthe conquest of Palestine, you would long since have experienced. Givethem complete success, and you will be flung aside, as the splinters ofa broken lance are tossed out of the tilt-yard."
"There may be truth in what you say," said the Templar, darkly smiling."But what were our hopes should the allies withdraw their forces, andleave Palestine in the grasp of Saladin?"
"Great and assured," replied Conrade. "The Soldan would give largeprovinces to maintain at his behest a body of well-appointed Frankishlances. In Egypt, in Persia, a hundred such auxiliaries, joined to hisown light cavalry, would turn the battle against the most fearful odds.This dependence would be but for a time--perhaps during the life ofthis enterprising Soldan; but in the East empires arise like mushrooms.Suppose him dead, and us strengthened with a constant succession offiery and adventurous spirits from Europe, what might we not hope toachieve, uncontrolled by these monarchs, whose dignity throws us atpresent into the shade--and, were they to remain here, and succeed inthis expedition, would willingly consign us for ever to degradation anddependence?"
"You say well, my Lord Marquis," said the Grand Master, "and your wordsfind an echo in my bosom. Yet must we be cautious--Philip of France iswise as well as valiant."
"True, and will be therefore the more easily diverted from an expeditionto which, in a moment of enthusiasm, or urged by his nobles, he rashlybound himself. He is jealous of King Richard, his natural enemy, andlongs to return to prosecute plans of ambition nearer to Paris thanPalestine. Any fair pretence will serve him for withdrawing from a scenein which he is aware he is wasting the force of his kingdom."
"And the Duke of Austria?" said the Templar.
"Oh, touching the Duke," returned Conrade, "his self-conceit and follylead him to the same conclusions as do Philip's policy and wisdom. Heconceives himself, God help the while, ungratefully treated, becausemen's mouths--even those of his own MINNE-SINGERS [The German minstrelswere so termed.]--are filled with the praises of King Richard, whom hefears and hates, and in whose harm he would rejoice, like those unbred,dastardly curs, who, if the foremost of the pack is hurt by the gripe ofthe wolf, are much more likely to assail the sufferer from behind thanto come to his assistance. But wherefore tell I this to thee, save toshow that I am in sincerity in desiring that this league be broken up,and the country freed of these great monarchs with their hosts? And thouwell knowest, and hast thyself seen, how all the princes of influenceand power, one alone excepted, are eager to enter into treaty with theSoldan."
"I acknowledge it," said the Templar; "he were blind that had not seenthis in their last deliberations. But lift yet thy mask an inch higher,and tell me thy real reason for pressing upon the Council that NorthernEnglishman, or Scot, or whatever you call yonder Knight of the Leopard,to carry their proposals for a treaty?"
"There was a policy in it," replied the Italian. "His character ofnative of Britain was sufficient to meet what Saladin required, who knewhim to belong to the band of Richard; while his character of Scot, andcertain other personal grudges which I wot of, rendered it most unlikelythat our envoy should, on his return, hold any communication with thesick-bed of Richard, to whom his presence was ever unacceptable."
"Oh, too finespun policy," said the Grand Master; "trust me, thatItalian spiders' webs will never bind this unshorn Samson of theIsle--well if you can do it with new cords, and those of the toughest.See you not that the envoy whom you have selected so carefully hathbrought us, in this physician, the means of restoring the lion-hearted,bull-necked Englishman to prosecute his Crusading enterprise. And sosoon as he is able once more to rush on, which of the princes dare holdback? They must follow him for very shame, although they would marchunder the banner of Satan as soon."
"Be content," said Conrade of Montserrat; "ere this physician, if hework by anything short of miraculous agency, can accomplish Richard'scure, it may be possible to put some open rupture betwixt theFrenchman--at least the Austrian--and his allies of England, so thatthe breach shall be irreconcilable; and Richard may arise from his bed,perhaps to command his own native troops, but never again, by his soleenergy, to wield the force of the whole Crusade."
"Thou art a willing archer," said the Templar; "but, Conrade ofMontserrat, thy bow is over-slack to carry an arrow to the mark."
He then stopped short, cast a suspicious glance to see that no oneoverheard him, and taking Conrade by the hand, pressed it eagerly as helooked the Italian in the face, and repeated slowly, "Richard arise fromhis bed, sayest thou? Conrade, he must never arise!"
The Marquis of Montserrat started. "What! spoke you of Richard ofEngland--of Coeur de Lion--the champion of Christendom?"
His cheek turned pale and his knees trembled as he spoke. The Templarlooked at him, with his iron visage contorted into a smile of contempt.
"Knowest thou what thou look'st like, Sir Conrade, at this moment? Notlike the politic and valiant Marquis of Montserrat, not like himwho would direct the Council of Princes and determine the fate ofempires--but like a novice, who, stumbling upon a conjuration in hismaster's book of gramarye, has raised the devil when he least thought ofit, and now stands terrified at the spirit which appears before him."
"I grant you," said Conrade, recovering himself, "that--unless someother sure road could be discovered--thou hast hinted at that whichleads most direct to our purpose. But, blessed Mary! we shall become thecurse of all Europe, the malediction of every one, from the Pope on histhrone to the very beggar at the church gate, who, ragged and leprous,in the last extremity of human wretchedness, shall bless himself that heis neither Giles Amaury nor Conrade of Montserrat."
"If thou takest it thus," said the Grand Master, with the same composurewhich characterized him all through this remarkable dialogue, "let ushold there has nothing passed between us--that we have spoken in oursleep--have awakened, and the vision is gone."
"It never can depart," answered Conrade.
"Visions of ducal crowns and kingly diadems are, indeed, somewhattenacious of their place in the imagination," replied the Grand Master.
"Well," answered Conrade, "let me but first try to break peace betweenAustria and England."
They parted. Conrade remained standing still upon the spot, and watchingthe flowing white cloak of the Templar as he stalked sl
owly away, andgradually disappeared amid the fast-sinking darkness of the Orientalnight. Proud, ambitious, unscrupulous, and politic, the Marquis ofMontserrat was yet not cruel by nature. He was a voluptuary and anepicurean, and, like many who profess this character, was averse,even upon selfish motives, from inflicting pain or witnessing acts ofcruelty; and he retained also a general sense of respect for his ownreputation, which sometimes supplies the want of the better principle bywhich reputation is to be maintained.
"I have," he said, as his eyes still watched the point at which he hadseen the last slight wave of the Templar's mantle--"I have, in truth,raised the devil with a vengeance! Who would have thought this stern,ascetic Grand Master, whose whole fortune and misfortune is merged inthat of his order, would be willing to do more for its advancement thanI who labour for my own interest? To check this wild Crusade was mymotive, indeed, but I durst not think on the ready mode which thisdetermined priest has dared to suggest. Yet it is the surest--perhapseven the safest."
Such were the Marquis's meditations, when his muttered soliloquy wasbroken by a voice from a little distance, which proclaimed with theemphatic tone of a herald, "Remember the Holy Sepulchre!"
The exhortation was echoed from post to post, for it was the duty ofthe sentinels to raise this cry from time to time upon their periodicalwatch, that the host of the Crusaders might always have in theirremembrance the purpose of their being in arms. But though Conrade wasfamiliar with the custom, and had heard the warning voice on all formeroccasions as a matter of habit, yet it came at the present moment sostrongly in contact with his own train of thought, that it seemed avoice from Heaven warning him against the iniquity which his heartmeditated. He looked around anxiously, as if, like the patriarch ofold, though from very different circumstances, he was expecting someram caught in a thicket some substitution for the sacrifice which hiscomrade proposed to offer, not to the Supreme Being, but to the Molochof their own ambition. As he looked, the broad folds of the ensign ofEngland, heavily distending itself to the failing night-breeze, caughthis eye. It was displayed upon an artificial mound, nearly in the midstof the camp, which perhaps of old some Hebrew chief or champion hadchosen as a memorial of his place of rest. If so, the name was nowforgotten, and the Crusaders had christened it Saint George'sMount, because from that commanding height the banner of England wassupereminently displayed, as if an emblem of sovereignty over the manydistinguished, noble, and even royal ensigns, which floated in lowersituations.
A quick intellect like that of Conrade catches ideas from the glance ofa moment. A single look on the standard seemed to dispel the uncertaintyof mind which had affected him. He walked to his pavilion with the hastyand determined step of one who has adopted a plan which he is resolvedto achieve, dismissed the almost princely train who waited to attendhim, and, as he committed himself to his couch, muttered his amendedresolution, that the milder means are to be tried before the moredesperate are resorted to.
"To-morrow," he said, "I sit at the board of the Archduke of Austria. Wewill see what can be done to advance our purpose before prosecuting thedark suggestions of this Templar."