King Eric and the Outlaws, Vol. 3

  CHAP. VIII.

  While in Sweden as in Denmark, in the loveliest season of the year, theold favourite national songs, with the burden,--"The woods are deckedin leafy green," and "The birds are warbling now their song," were sungas well in castles as behind the plough, and the court rejoiced withthe minnesingers over "the very green and lovely May," and "the mightypower of love," couriers were constantly passing between the Swedishand Danish courts at Stockholm and Helsingborg; and a feeling of joyousexpectation pervaded all Denmark. Drost Aage in conjunction with thelearned and eloquent Master Petrus de Dacia, had succeeded inovercoming the immediate scruples of the Swedish state council,respecting the marriage of the Danish King with Princess Ingeborg.Without in the least betraying with what ardent impetuosity theirchivalrous young king seemed willing to stake life and crown to win hisbride, and without the most distant allusion to the possibility of abreach of peace being caused by the failure of a negociation, which hadfor its object the most peaceable relations, and the most loving ties,these faithful servants of the king, had, by adducing wise and politicreasons, first brought the wise Regent Thorkild Knudsen over to theirside, and, despite all the hindrances which the malicious Drost Brunckeplaced in their way, at last carried their point so far as to divestthe idea of the excommunication at Sjoeborg, and the enforcement of theinterdict at Copenhagen, of its paralysing and terrifying influence,at the Swedish court. From the showing of the learned Master Petrus,and the king's own letters, and clear explanation of the matter, thewant of dispensation from the papal court, came at last to be regardedas the omission of an insignificant formality, afterwards to beremedied through negotiation. The flight and formal banishment ofArchbishop Grand from Denmark, as well as the insurrection caused bythe execution of the interdict in Copenhagen, had rejoiced every braveand free-minded man, as well in Sweden, as in Denmark, and considerablydiminished the dread entertained by the Swedish court and council ofthe consequences of a possible breach with the papal see. A new andoverawing proof had been displayed of the courage of the young Danishking, and of the unanimity with which his loyal people joined him inopposing the usurpation of the hierarchy. Daring politicians were evenfound who hoped the time might not be far distant when the freenational spirit of the north would render people, and princes,independent of the interference of the papal see in state matters, andthe rights of citizenship. Many bold and manly speeches were uttered inthe Swedish state-council on this occasion, which did honour toThorkild Knudsen and his countrymen, but which were reprobated, by theopposite party, as open heresy and ungodliness, which would be visitedupon Sweden as well as Denmark with heavy chastisement.

  Drost Bruncke, and his adherents, despised no means which might tend tostop or protract the negotiations; he had many able prelates on hisside, but the majority of voices were against him, and he sought invain, by reviving the remembrance of the wrongs and animosities of thetwo nations, to rekindle the ancient national hate, which now seemedforgot, and which it was hoped a mutual alliance between the royalhouses, would entirely eradicate.

  The eager opposition party in the Swedish council, which was headed byDrost Bruncke, and in which many were disposed to think that PrinceChristopher took a secret but important part, was calculated rather toforward than hinder the final decision of the affair. Sweden's greateststatesman, Marsk Thorkild Knudsen, was on this occasion called on todisplay his mental superiority. He disdained having recourse to hisauthority as regent, and to his influence as the guardian of KingBirger, and the darling of the Swedish nation. The opinion which hedeclared from full conviction, he wished to see prevail by its ownweight, and by its accordance with the mutual feeling of both nations.Thorkild Knudsen now stood forth in council with an address whichappealed as well to the hearts as to the sober judgment of hiscountrymen.

  After a clear and calm representation of the political relations ofSweden and Denmark, and the original affinity of the Scandinavianpeople, besides what they could and might effect by alliance andfriendship for their mutual security, and the development of theirpowers. Thorkild also pourtrayed, with enthusiastic and glowingeloquence, the greatness and devotion of love's triumph over pettyscruples and national prejudices. He gave an equally true andfavourable portraiture of the constant and loveable character of theyoung Danish king, as well as of the charms of the noble PrincessIngeborg, and the mutual attachment that had subsisted between thebetrothed pair from their childhood. He finally contrived, with as muchsagacity as eloquence, to put down the objections of the oppositeparty, and bring the negotiation of the Danish ambassadors to thehappiest issue; the greater number of his opponents being at lastanimated by a warm feeling of enthusiasm for the royal pair, which wasmingled by the soul-enlarging feeling of the union of two nations inthat of their fairest and noblest representatives.

  The espousals were, therefore, according to the ardent wish of KingEric and with the consent of the princess, fixed for the first of June,which was already near at hand; and a courier from Drost Aage wasinstantly despatched with the glad tidings to Eric. The whole of theSwedish royal family were to accompany the princess to Helsingborg,where splendid preparations were making for the marriage, and thechivalrous King Eric now only awaited the dawning of that happy day toset out at the head of the chivalry of Denmark, with all the courtlystate suited to the occasion, to meet his beautiful bride and her royalrelatives.

  Towards the close of May, Helsingborg castle, together with the townand its vicinity became daily the resort of all who were mostdistinguished in Denmark and Sweden. The fair gothic castle, with itscircular walls, its bastions, and high towers, rose proudly over thetown on the summit of the steep rock or hill above. The castle wassurrounded by deep moats, and was considered to be an impregnablefortress; but at this time the drawbridge was let down, and the greatiron-cased castle-gate, on the southern side, stood open to admit thecoming guests. The old town, which dated its origin from the days ofKing Frode[3], and was so pleasantly and advantageously situated on thenarrowest part of the Sound, owed its present prosperity to itsconsiderable trade, and great horse and cattle fairs. It was tolerablyextensive, but was, however, by no means, capable of accommodating sogreat a concourse of strangers. The great market-place, close to thecouncil-house, and the handsome church of St. Mary's (the central pointof the town where many streets met), were now daily as much throngedwith people as on the great fair-days. Besides the king's nearestrelatives, and the wedding guests invited by the Marsk, from the lordlymanors and knightly castles of both kingdoms; a great crowd of curiousand sympathising persons of all ranks flocked to Helsingborg, even fromthe most distant provinces, to witness the intended festival, andpartake of the public amusements, which, on this occasion, were torender this celebration of royal nuptials a national festival for bothDenmark and Sweden.

  The king had already held his court, for some weeks, at Helsingborg.Marsk Oluffsen had returned from Jutland, where he had been fortunateenough to put an end to all disturbances by capturing the daringpartizans, Niels Brock and Johan Papae, with some other friends ofthe archbishop's and the outlaws. The insurgents were led to theprison-tower at Flynderborg, but the stern Marsk Oluffsen waspersonally so incensed at these state prisoners, who had long plaguedand defied him, that he thought no punishment was adequate to theirdeserts. At the present moment nothing was thought of at court but joyand festivity. The king's stepfather, Count Gerhard, had arrived fromNykioeping with his consort, the dowager queen Agnes. Next to the kinghimself no one seemed more to rejoice at his marriage than his politicand dignified mother. In her first unhappy marriage, Agnes, asDenmark's queen, had held that wedded happiness, among royalpersonages, was only the dream of visionaries. After the death of herunhappy consort she had sacrificed the title of queen, and changed thisdream into truth and reality, in her own lot, under a humbler name.Amid her own happiness she had often thought, with uneasiness andregret, on having made a treaty, involving the future destiny of herchildren by their betrothal in early childhoo
d, and now saw, withthankfulness, that a union, projected from motives of state policy, hadgrown into the natural tie of kindred hearts.

  It appeared that the brave Duke of Langeland had forgotten all formerdisputes with the king, at the treaty of Wordingborg, but his brother,Duke Valdemar of Slesvig, who had also been invited out of courtesy,had excused himself on plea of illness.

  Three days before that fixed for the bridal, Junker Christopher arrivedwith a numerous train from Kallundborg. The king received him with hiswonted courtesy on the quay of Helsingborg, whither he had gone to meethim with his new Marsk, Count Henrik, and his halberdiers; but therewas a painful expression of suppressed anger in the king's generallyjoyous and kindly countenance as he gave his hand to his sullen brotherin token of welcome. It was pretty openly said that the junker lately,by means of secret cabals, had placed obstacles in the way of themarriage, and it was believed the king had painful conjectures on thesubject, although no proofs of this presumable treachery wereforthcoming. The junker himself had appeared latterly to suffer from acorroding melancholy, which was often succeeded by bursts of wildmerriment,--since the storming of Kallundborg castle especially, andthe execution of his unhappy commandant, the restless and gloomydisposition of the prince had assumed this fierce character; even thosefew of his courtiers who were really devoted to him, and regarded hisgloomy reserved deportment as an effect of the wrestlings of a greatspirit with its destiny often complained of his caprices; and thoughthey still adhered to him, it was, however, with a species of fear,mixed with an undefined hope of one day arriving with him at honoursand fortune.

  The mutual greeting of the brothers on Helsingborg quay was strikinglycold, although the junker seemed desirous by his congratulationsand expressions of courtesy to do away with all appearance ofmisunderstanding. To this Count Henrik in particular paid specialattention. In the king's train were seen the German professors ofminstrelsy, who had abandoned their researches at Wordingborg castle toenliven the festival by their lays. The papers and documents whichJunker Christopher had removed from the sacristy chest at Lund, on thearchbishop's imprisonment, and brought, as it was said, to the statearchives at Wordingborg castle, had been sought for in vain by thelearned friends of the king. These documents might even yet become ofgreat importance to the king in the suit against the banishedarchbishop; but they had disappeared at the time when matters had cometo an open breach with the junker, and the king suspected his brotherof having destroyed them, or even of having returned them to thearchbishop.

  The king's train had been also joined by the young Iceland bard, thepriest of St. Olaf, Master Laurentius of Nidaros, who had now exchangedhis layman's red mantle for the more reputable black dress of a canon;and beside the king walked the little deformed Master Thrand Fistlier,with a consequential deportment, and displaying on his finger a largediamond ring, which the king had presented to him in acknowledgement ofhis superior learning. On the king's arrival at Helsingborg thescientific mountebank had been set at liberty. He instantly contrivedto arrest the attention of the king (eager as he was in the pursuit ofknowledge), after he had with dexterity and keen ability repelled everycharge against himself, as well of the Leccar heresy as of witchcraft.This last accusation, which had drawn upon him the persecution andperil he underwent at Skaenor, he alluded to with exultation, as astriking testimony to his own astonishing arts, and a ludicrous proofof the dulness of the age and the absurdities of popular ignorance. Theking now presented him to his brother as a rare scholar and anextraordinary artist. The significant look with which JunkerChristopher greeted this far-travelled adventurer seemed to betray anearlier acquaintanceship, which, however, was acknowledged by neither.Count Henrik placed but little reliance on Prince Christopher'scongratulations and measured courtesy. He narrowly watched the junker,as well as the foreign mountebank, about whom Aage had expressedhimself so dubiously. He thought he more and more perceived a secretunderstanding between the prince and the mysterious scholar, andresolved to be at his post. He ventured not, however, to grieve theking by disclosing it, or increasing his suspicion of his brother,which evidently pained him, and which he seemed desirous to exerthimself to the utmost to shake off. Neither on this nor the twofollowing days was there any nearer approach to confidence between thebrothers. Courteous phrases and stiff court etiquette were resorted to,by way of compensation for the want of cordiality. It was only whenJunker Christopher was at the chase, or seated at the draught-board orthe drinking-table, that the king was seen to converse joyously withhis mother and Count Gerhard, or jest merrily with Count Henrik and hisknights: the German professors of minstrelsy and the learned Icelandersexerted all their powers to while away the evenings preceding hismarriage-day, when his ardent and impatient spirit was not engrossed byimportant affairs of state. But when he seemed at times in the happiestmood he often grew suddenly silent and thoughtful at the mere sound ofhis brother's voice, or on observing his wild uncertain glance fromunder his dark and knitted brow.

  The evening before the impatiently expected first of June the king satin the upper hall of Helsingborg castle, at the chess-table, where hewas usually the victor. On this occasion, however, he had found analmost invincible opponent in the learned Iceland philosopher, whoappeared able beforehand to calculate the plans of his adversary, andonly to need a single move in order to frustrate them. NotwithstandingMaster Thrand's decided superiority, the king had, however, won everygame; but he seemed to regard this with indifference; he was absent,and often forgot to make his moves. At the opposite end of the hall heheard his brother talking of hunting and horses, with Count Gerhard;his mother was listening to the poems of the German minstrels andMaster Laurentius; while the young knights discoursed with animation ofthe next day's festivities and tournament.

  "Tell me, Master Thrand," said the king to his learned antagonist, witha thoughtful glance out of the window at the star-lit heavens, "what isyour opinion of omens, and of the wondrous art of astrology, to whichso many learned men are devoted in our time. Believe you the life andactions of men and the changeable fortunes of this world can be soconsiderable and important in the eyes of the Almighty that higherpowers should care for them, or intermeddle with them?--and think yethe position and movements of the heavenly bodies stand in any realrelation to our life and destiny?"

  "That is almost more than science can be said as yet to have fathomedwith certainty, most gracious king!" answered the artist, with asubtle, satirical smile on his lips, while his head almost disappearedbetween his shoulders; "but if any science is to bring clearness anddemonstration into the speculations of the learned and the mysteries ofastrology, it must be that exalted science of sciences whose poorworshipper I am. Assuredly, your grace, nothing happens in the worldbut what is natural, that is to say, a necessary consequence offoregoing causes; but it is precisely the great problem of themysterious and hidden causes of these things and events which it is theprovince of human wisdom to solve. '_Beatas qui potuit rerum cognoscerecausas_' hath been said already by the wise heathen. Theologians andpoets indeed picture to themselves a nearer and safer road by which toreach the same goal as ourselves, or even a far higher one," hecontinued, with a scornful self-satisfied smile; "but they deceivethemselves in their simplicity and enthusiasm by looking for a kind ofsupernatural influence of the Divine wisdom which in fact is the lifeand soul of nature, yet which but partially discloses itself to us inits workings, according as these by degrees unfold themselves to us intheir essences through the sacred optic tubes of science and research."

  "Now you mix up too many things together for me, Master Thrand!" saidthe king, shaking his head. "You seem to me almost to confound thegreat living God and Lord with his creation, or what you call nature.With all my respect for human wisdom--for all wise and useful learningwhich man may attain by the examination of earthly things, I think,nevertheless, that the spirit of truth and beauty, commonly called'genius' by our scholars and the poets of olden times, as also 'theprophetic vision,' soar far above the ken of huma
n intellect; and forwhat is of paramount importance for us to see, we have most assuredlythe holiest and noblest optic tube in God's own revealed word." Theking paused a moment and gazed on the strange deportment of the littlephilosopher, with a sharp and scrutinising look, "You smile as if youpitied me for this my sincere opinion. I am a layman, but all the piousand learned men I have known agreed with me; nor can I perceive thatour theologians err in considering the spirit of God as a surer guideto true knowledge of divine things than all human subtlety and wisdom."

  "Far be it from me to contradict my most gracious Lord, or the piousscholars of our time on this point," resumed Master Thrand, lookingaround him with a repressed smile, and a cunning, cautious glance, "butof this I would rather talk with your grace in your private chamber! Idoubt not that with your clear and unprejudiced views, (soaring as yourmind does above the ignorance of our age) you will understand merightly. I dare almost unconditionally subscribe to all that the holychurch, it is said, considers needful for him who would be called atrue believer, provided I may be allowed to interpret the words ofancient writings and symbols according to their true and reasonablesignification;--meanwhile there is, however, much in our science whichmust as yet be a mystery to the great majority, and even to thescholars of our time, who are too but much inclined to discern heresyand ungodliness in every free thought. Noble King!" he added, in a low,mysterious tone, "I read no longer with the learned in the smallwritten volumes (out of which, as you yourself have experienced, cursesare as often quoted as blessings) but I read much more in the greatbook that was not writ by the hand of man, and whose words sound fortheternal wisdom in the din of the storm and the roaring of the ocean, inthe course of the stars above the thunder clouds, and in voices offlame from the depths of the abyss. Mark well, my deep-thinkingking!--you the young Solomon of our north!--the holy Spirit of God, ofwhich so many and so foolish words are spoken, is precisely thatmainspring of forces we seek for in the great workshop of nature'ssanctuary, in the depths of our own souls, and in the philosopher'sstone, which we call the quintessence of creation. To him who butcatches a glimpse of it, (of which, however, we can but boast incertain great moments) to him, the deepest and highest things arerevealed; the future as the past is clear before him; he is the masterand lord of nature, and of eternal power--for him life hath only limitsin his will."

  The king looked in grave silence on the singular little man's visage,every muscle of which quivered with emotion, while sparks seemed toflash as it were from his small deep-set eyes. "Follow me afterwards tomy private chamber," said the king rising. Meanwhile Count Henrik hadapproached and heard part of this conversation; he thought he observeda kind of triumphant smile in Master Thrand's self-satisfiedcountenance; but he sought in vain for an opportunity of cautioning theking, who quitted Thrand in a very thoughtful mood, and went to joinhis mother and the three stranger bards.

  Master Laurentius had related to the Countess Agnes much of thegrandeur of Norway and Iceland, and of the remarkable bards and Sagawriters of his fatherland; he made special mention of the greatSnorro[4] and his learned nephews, who had given such a preponderanceto Saga literature, as almost to throw poetry entirely into the shade.In order, however, to prove to Countess Agnes and the German minstrelsthat poetic inspiration in his fatherland had not altogether died away,as they believed, with heathenism and the gifted Skalds of the Edda, hehad recited several poems and heroic lays, to which they could notrefuse their approbation.

  When the king joined them, Laurentius was reciting some strophes ofEinar Skulesen's famous epic poem, "Geisli," or "The Ray," in honor ofSt. Olaf. The king stopped and listened. In this poem St. Olaf wascalled, "A ray of light from God's kingdom, a beam or glimmer of theglorious Son of Grace;" and Christ was described as the light of theworld, and the Lord of Heaven, who, as "a ray from a bright star (theVirgin Mary) manifested himself on earth for our ineffable good." Theking nodded with satisfaction; he seemed to find a consolingcounterpoise in the pious lay to what had disturbed and alarmed him inthe discourse of the wise Master Thrand. "Go on!" he saidencouragingly, to Master Laurentius. The young priest of St. Olaf, whohad been inspired with lively enthusiasm by the praises in honor of hissaint, repeated in his musical and declamatory tones some more strophesof the beginning of the poem, touching the glory of the Saviour and ofhis kingdom. From this he passed on to the praise of St. Olaf, "as thesaint confirmed by miracles;" but when he came to that passage in thepoem where the bard exclaims, that "Deceit and treachery caused KingOlaf's fall at Stiklestad[5]--" the king suddenly interrupted theenthusiastic Master Laurentius. "Thanks!" he said, "the poem isbeautiful and edifying; but deceit and treachery I will hear nought ofthe day before my bridal. Norway's sovereign and Duke Haco havedefended a bad cause against me," he continued, "but I highly esteemthe brave Northmen, notwithstanding; they deserved a king and guardiansaint like St. Olaf; he hath well merited to be called a ray fromheaven in the north; the circumstances of his downfal I will not nowthink on. Sing rather of constancy and of beauty, and of that which isthe ornament and honour of our age."

  "Permit me a poor attempt to dilate upon that theme, my most graciouslord and patron!" began Master Rumelant, hastily, and instantlycommenced a German lay in honour of the beauty and constancy of thenorthern fair, in which he forgot not the praises of the still youthfuland beautiful Countess Agnes, and still less of the king's absentbride; but the lay also included a secret defence of Marsk Stig'sdaughters, whose beauty and unhappy fate had made a deep impression onboth the minstrels. Master Poppe chimed in also, and did not lose thisopportunity of putting in his good word for the captive maidens. Theycould especially not sufficiently praise the piety and amiability ofthe meek Margaretha in her captivity.

  The king's countenance grew dark. He had referred the cause of thecaptives to the law and justice of the land; he would hear nothing ofit himself: he knew they had accused themselves before their judges ofbeing privy to the treasonable sojourn of Kagge at Wordingborg. He wassilent; but it was evident that the thought of Marsk Stig and of hisfather's death was again fearfully present to Eric's mind, and disposedhim but little to favour the race of the regicide or any friend of theoutlaws;--the minstrels looked doubtfully at each other, and no onedared to say a word more on this subject.