CHAPTER XXXIV
KING JOHN.--I'll tell thee what, my friend, He is a very serpent in my way; And wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread, He lies before me.--Dost thou understand me? --King John
There was brave feasting in the Castle of York, to which Prince Johnhad invited those nobles, prelates, and leaders, by whose assistance hehoped to carry through his ambitious projects upon his brother's throne.Waldemar Fitzurse, his able and politic agent, was at secret work amongthem, tempering all to that pitch of courage which was necessary inmaking an open declaration of their purpose. But their enterprise wasdelayed by the absence of more than one main limb of the confederacy.The stubborn and daring, though brutal courage of Front-de-Boeuf; thebuoyant spirits and bold bearing of De Bracy; the sagacity, martialexperience, and renowned valour of Brian de Bois-Guilbert, wereimportant to the success of their conspiracy; and, while cursing insecret their unnecessary and unmeaning absence, neither John nor hisadviser dared to proceed without them. Isaac the Jew also seemed to havevanished, and with him the hope of certain sums of money, making up thesubsidy for which Prince John had contracted with that Israelite and hisbrethren. This deficiency was likely to prove perilous in an emergencyso critical.
It was on the morning after the fall of Torquilstone, that a confusedreport began to spread abroad in the city of York, that De Bracy andBois-Guilbert, with their confederate Front-de-Boeuf, had been taken orslain. Waldemar brought the rumour to Prince John, announcing, that hefeared its truth the more that they had set out with a small attendance,for the purpose of committing an assault on the Saxon Cedric and hisattendants. At another time the Prince would have treated this deed ofviolence as a good jest; but now, that it interfered with and impededhis own plans, he exclaimed against the perpetrators, and spoke ofthe broken laws, and the infringement of public order and of privateproperty, in a tone which might have become King Alfred.
The unprincipled marauders, he said--were I ever to become monarch ofEngland, I would hang such transgressors over the drawbridges of theirown castles.
But to become monarch of England, said his Ahithophel coolly, it isnecessary not only that your Grace should endure the transgressionsof these unprincipled marauders, but that you should afford them yourprotection, notwithstanding your laudable zeal for the laws they are inthe habit of infringing. We shall be finely helped, if the churlSaxons should have realized your Grace's vision, of converting feudaldrawbridges into gibbets; and yonder bold-spirited Cedric seemeth one towhom such an imagination might occur. Your Grace is well aware, it willbe dangerous to stir without Front-de-Boeuf, De Bracy, and the Templar;and yet we have gone too far to recede with safety.
Prince John struck his forehead with impatience, and then began tostride up and down the apartment.
The villains, he said, the base treacherous villains, to desert me atthis pinch!
Nay, say rather the feather-pated giddy madmen, said Waldemar, whomust be toying with follies when such business was in hand.
What is to be done? said the Prince, stopping short before Waldemar.
I know nothing which can be done, answered his counsellor, save thatwhich I have already taken order for.--I came not to bewail this evilchance with your Grace, until I had done my best to remedy it.
Thou art ever my better angel, Waldemar, said the Prince; and whenI have such a chancellor to advise withal, the reign of John will berenowned in our annals.--What hast thou commanded?
I have ordered Louis Winkelbrand, De Bracy's lieutenant, to cause histrumpet sound to horse, and to display his banner, and to set presentlyforth towards the castle of Front-de-Boeuf, to do what yet may be donefor the succour of our friends.
Prince John's face flushed with the pride of a spoilt child, who hasundergone what it conceives to be an insult. By the face of God!he said, Waldemar Fitzurse, much hast thou taken upon thee! and overmalapert thou wert to cause trumpet to blow, or banner to be raised, ina town where ourselves were in presence, without our express command.
I crave your Grace's pardon, said Fitzurse, internally cursing theidle vanity of his patron; but when time pressed, and even the loss ofminutes might be fatal, I judged it best to take this much burden uponme, in a matter of such importance to your Grace's interest.
Thou art pardoned, Fitzurse, said the prince, gravely; thy purposehath atoned for thy hasty rashness.--But whom have we here?--De Bracyhimself, by the rood!--and in strange guise doth he come before us.
It was indeed De Bracy--bloody with spurring, fiery red with speed.His armour bore all the marks of the late obstinate fray, being broken,defaced, and stained with blood in many places, and covered with clayand dust from the crest to the spur. Undoing his helmet, he placed iton the table, and stood a moment as if to collect himself before he toldhis news.
De Bracy, said Prince John, what means this?--Speak, I chargethee!--Are the Saxons in rebellion?
Speak, De Bracy, said Fitzurse, almost in the same moment with hismaster, thou wert wont to be a man--Where is the Templar?--whereFront-de-Boeuf?
The Templar is fled, said De Bracy; Front-de-Boeuf you will neversee more. He has found a red grave among the blazing rafters of his owncastle and I alone am escaped to tell you.
Cold news, said Waldemar, to us, though you speak of fire andconflagration.
The worst news is not yet said, answered De Bracy; and, coming upto Prince John, he uttered in a low and emphatic tone--Richard is inEngland--I have seen and spoken with him.
Prince John turned pale, tottered, and caught at the back of an oakenbench to support himself--much like to a man who receives an arrow inhis bosom.
Thou ravest, De Bracy, said Fitzurse, it cannot be.
It is as true as truth itself, said De Bracy; I was his prisoner, andspoke with him.
With Richard Plantagenet, sayest thou? continued Fitzurse.
With Richard Plantagenet, replied De Bracy, with RichardCoeur-de-Lion--with Richard of England.
And thou wert his prisoner? said Waldemar; he is then at the head ofa power?
No--only a few outlawed yeomen were around him, and to these his personis unknown. I heard him say he was about to depart from them. He joinedthem only to assist at the storming of Torquilstone.
Ay, said Fitzurse, such is indeed the fashion of Richard--a trueknight-errant he, and will wander in wild adventure, trusting theprowess of his single arm, like any Sir Guy or Sir Bevis, whilethe weighty affairs of his kingdom slumber, and his own safety isendangered.--What dost thou propose to do De Bracy?
I?--I offered Richard the service of my Free Lances, and he refusedthem--I will lead them to Hull, seize on shipping, and embark forFlanders; thanks to the bustling times, a man of action will always findemployment. And thou, Waldemar, wilt thou take lance and shield, and laydown thy policies, and wend along with me, and share the fate which Godsends us?
I am too old, Maurice, and I have a daughter, answered Waldemar.
Give her to me, Fitzurse, and I will maintain her as fits her rank,with the help of lance and stirrup, said De Bracy.
Not so, answered Fitzurse; I will take sanctuary in this church ofSaint Peter--the Archbishop is my sworn brother.
During this discourse, Prince John had gradually awakened from thestupor into which he had been thrown by the unexpected intelligence,and had been attentive to the conversation which passed betwixt hisfollowers. They fall off from me, he said to himself, they hold nomore by me than a withered leaf by the bough when a breeze blows onit!--Hell and fiends! can I shape no means for myself when I am desertedby these cravens?--He paused, and there was an expression of diabolicalpassion in the constrained laugh with which he at length broke in ontheir conversation.
Ha, ha, ha! my good lords, by the light of Our Lady's brow, I held yesage men, bold men, ready-witted men; yet ye throw down wealth, honour,pleasure, all that our noble game promised you, at the moment it mightbe won by one bold cast!
I understand you not, said De Bracy. As soon as Richard's return isblown abroad, he will be at the head of an army, and all is then overwith us. I would counsel you, my lord, either to fly to France or takethe protection of the Queen Mother.
I seek no safety for myself, said Prince John, haughtily; that Icould secure by a word spoken to my brother. But although you, De Bracy,and you, Waldemar Fitzurse, are so ready to abandon me, I should notgreatly delight to see your heads blackening on Clifford's gate yonder.Thinkest thou, Waldemar, that the wily Archbishop will not suffer theeto be taken from the very horns of the altar, would it make hispeace with King Richard? And forgettest thou, De Bracy, that RobertEstoteville lies betwixt thee and Hull with all his forces, and that theEarl of Essex is gathering his followers? If we had reason to fear theselevies even before Richard's return, trowest thou there is any doubtnow which party their leaders will take? Trust me, Estoteville alone hasstrength enough to drive all thy Free Lances into the Humber.--WaldemarFitzurse and De Bracy looked in each other's faces with blankdismay.--There is but one road to safety, continued the Prince, andhis brow grew black as midnight; this object of our terror journeysalone--He must be met withal.
Not by me, said De Bracy, hastily; I was his prisoner, and he took meto mercy. I will not harm a feather in his crest.
Who spoke of harming him? said Prince John, with a hardened laugh;the knave will say next that I meant he should slay him!--No--a prisonwere better; and whether in Britain or Austria, what matters it?--Thingswill be but as they were when we commenced our enterprise--It wasfounded on the hope that Richard would remain a captive in Germany--Ouruncle Robert lived and died in the castle of Cardiffe.
Ay, but, said Waldemar, your sire Henry sate more firm in his seatthan your Grace can. I say the best prison is that which is made by thesexton--no dungeon like a church-vault! I have said my say.
Prison or tomb, said De Bracy, I wash my hands of the whole matter.
Villain! said Prince John, thou wouldst not bewray our counsel?
Counsel was never bewrayed by me, said De Bracy, haughtily, nor mustthe name of villain be coupled with mine!
Peace, Sir Knight! said Waldemar; and you, good my lord, forgive thescruples of valiant De Bracy; I trust I shall soon remove them.
That passes your eloquence, Fitzurse, replied the Knight.
Why, good Sir Maurice, rejoined the wily politician, start not asidelike a scared steed, without, at least, considering the object of yourterror.--This Richard--but a day since, and it would have been thydearest wish to have met him hand to hand in the ranks of battle--ahundred times I have heard thee wish it.
Ay, said De Bracy, but that was as thou sayest, hand to hand, andin the ranks of battle! Thou never heardest me breathe a thought ofassaulting him alone, and in a forest.
Thou art no good knight if thou dost scruple at it, said Waldemar.Was it in battle that Lancelot de Lac and Sir Tristram won renown? orwas it not by encountering gigantic knights under the shade of deep andunknown forests?
Ay, but I promise you, said De Bracy, that neither Tristram norLancelot would have been match, hand to hand, for Richard Plantagenet,and I think it was not their wont to take odds against a single man.
Thou art mad, De Bracy--what is it we propose to thee, a hired andretained captain of Free Companions, whose swords are purchased forPrince John's service? Thou art apprized of our enemy, and then thouscruplest, though thy patron's fortunes, those of thy comrades, thineown, and the life and honour of every one amongst us, be at stake!
I tell you, said De Bracy, sullenly, that he gave me my life. True,he sent me from his presence, and refused my homage--so far I owe himneither favour nor allegiance--but I will not lift hand against him.
It needs not--send Louis Winkelbrand and a score of thy lances.
Ye have sufficient ruffians of your own, said De Bracy; not one ofmine shall budge on such an errand.
Art thou so obstinate, De Bracy? said Prince John; and wilt thouforsake me, after so many protestations of zeal for my service?
I mean it not, said De Bracy; I will abide by you in aught thatbecomes a knight, whether in the lists or in the camp; but this highwaypractice comes not within my vow.
Come hither, Waldemar, said Prince John. An unhappy prince am I. Myfather, King Henry, had faithful servants--He had but to say that he wasplagued with a factious priest, and the blood of Thomas-a-Becket, saintthough he was, stained the steps of his own altar.--Tracy, Morville,Brito [47] loyal and daring subjects, your names, your spirit, areextinct! and although Reginald Fitzurse hath left a son, he hath fallenoff from his father's fidelity and courage.
He has fallen off from neither, said Waldemar Fitzurse; and sinceit may not better be, I will take on me the conduct of this perilousenterprise. Dearly, however, did my father purchase the praise of azealous friend; and yet did his proof of loyalty to Henry fall far shortof what I am about to afford; for rather would I assail a whole calendarof saints, than put spear in rest against Coeur-de-Lion.--De Bracy, tothee I must trust to keep up the spirits of the doubtful, and to guardPrince John's person. If you receive such news as I trust to send you,our enterprise will no longer wear a doubtful aspect.--Page, he said,hie to my lodgings, and tell my armourer to be there in readiness; andbid Stephen Wetheral, Broad Thoresby, and the Three Spears of Spyinghow,come to me instantly; and let the scout-master, Hugh Bardon, attend mealso.--Adieu, my Prince, till better times. Thus speaking, he left theapartment. He goes to make my brother prisoner, said Prince John to DeBracy, with as little touch of compunction, as if it but concerned theliberty of a Saxon franklin. I trust he will observe our orders, and useour dear Richard's person with all due respect.
De Bracy only answered by a smile.
By the light of Our Lady's brow, said Prince John, our orders tohim were most precise--though it may be you heard them not, as we stoodtogether in the oriel window--Most clear and positive was our chargethat Richard's safety should be cared for, and woe to Waldemar's head ifhe transgress it!
I had better pass to his lodgings, said De Bracy, and make him fullyaware of your Grace's pleasure; for, as it quite escaped my ear, it maynot perchance have reached that of Waldemar.
Nay, nay, said Prince John, impatiently, I promise thee he heard me;and, besides, I have farther occupation for thee. Maurice, come hither;let me lean on thy shoulder.
They walked a turn through the hall in this familiar posture, and PrinceJohn, with an air of the most confidential intimacy, proceeded to say,What thinkest thou of this Waldemar Fitzurse, my De Bracy?--He truststo be our Chancellor. Surely we will pause ere we give an office so highto one who shows evidently how little he reverences our blood, by his soreadily undertaking this enterprise against Richard. Thou dost think,I warrant, that thou hast lost somewhat of our regard, by thy boldlydeclining this unpleasing task--But no, Maurice! I rather honour theefor thy virtuous constancy. There are things most necessary to be done,the perpetrator of which we neither love nor honour; and there may berefusals to serve us, which shall rather exalt in our estimation thosewho deny our request. The arrest of my unfortunate brother forms nosuch good title to the high office of Chancellor, as thy chivalrous andcourageous denial establishes in thee to the truncheon of High Marshal.Think of this, De Bracy, and begone to thy charge.
Fickle tyrant! muttered De Bracy, as he left the presence of thePrince; evil luck have they who trust thee. Thy Chancellor, indeed!--Hewho hath the keeping of thy conscience shall have an easy charge, Itrow. But High Marshal of England! that, he said, extending his arm, asif to grasp the baton of office, and assuming a loftier stride along theantechamber, that is indeed a prize worth playing for!
De Bracy had no sooner left the apartment than Prince John summoned anattendant.
Bid Hugh Bardon, our scout-master, come hither, as soon as he shallhave spoken with Waldemar Fitzurse.
The scout-master arrived after a brief delay, during which Johntraversed the apartment with, unequal and disordered steps.
Bardon, said he, what did Waldemar desire of thee?
Two resolute men, well acquainted with these northern wilds, andskilful in tracking the tread of man and horse.
And thou hast fitted him?
Let your grace never trust me else, answered the master of the spies.One is from Hexamshire; he is wont to trace the Tynedale and Teviotdalethieves, as a bloodhound follows the slot of a hurt deer. The otheris Yorkshire bred, and has twanged his bowstring right oft in merrySherwood; he knows each glade and dingle, copse and high-wood, betwixtthis and Richmond.
'Tis well, said the Prince.--Goes Waldemar forth with them?
Instantly, said Bardon.
With what attendance? asked John, carelessly.
Broad Thoresby goes with him, and Wetheral, whom they call, for hiscruelty, Stephen Steel-heart; and three northern men-at-arms thatbelonged to Ralph Middleton's gang--they are called the Spears ofSpyinghow.
'Tis well, said Prince John; then added, after a moment's pause,Bardon, it imports our service that thou keep a strict watch on MauriceDe Bracy--so that he shall not observe it, however--And let us knowof his motions from time to time--with whom he converses, what heproposeth. Fail not in this, as thou wilt be answerable.
Hugh Bardon bowed, and retired.
If Maurice betrays me, said Prince John--if he betrays me, as hisbearing leads me to fear, I will have his head, were Richard thunderingat the gates of York.