Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 27: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

23 THE TRIAL BY BATTLE: OR, \ A LEGEND OF WALBROOK. (Concluded from page 16.) “Tis well,” said the king. ‘‘ Sheriffs, see that they be delivered into the custody of our marshal, and let lists be prepared for the combat in Smithfield by sunrise to morrow.”’ The sheriffs left the hall, having in custody the two knights, whose looks indicated their impatience at the delay, but not until Walter of Wallington found means to speak a few words of comfort to Agnes, who dreaded the issue of his encounter with the giant Sir Radulf. she “We would fain know what kas caused this feud,’? said the king to Fitz-Alwaine. ‘‘ We thought our subjects had forgotten hele differences, and that the Norman and Saxon were bro- ers. . ** My liege, I grieve to say it is not so,” replied the mayor, with great reverence; ‘we have had many sad frays since your grace left England. On Lammus-day there were six citizens slain.in a ruffle at the Conduit, in the Chepe. Your grace has heard, too, of the arch-traitor, Fitz-Osbert, whom we took in the church of St. _Mary-le-bow ;—but here comes De Antiloche and Durauf, who can, perhaps, explain this matter unto your grace.” The reply of the mayor was indeed correct ; for though some yenerations had passed away since the Norman conquest of Eng- land, yet a bitterness of feeling existed between the two races, that found its vent in riot and bloodshed at every convenient oppor- tunity. Tradition had kept alive in the Saxon mind the cruelties and oppression of the Normans, the sequestration of the estates of the Saxon nobility, the depopulation of Hampshire for the New Forest, and the exactions which even the lowest of the populace had been subjected to; while, on the side of the Normans, that contempt which the conqueror ever feels for the conquered impelled them to assume that air of hauteur and disdain to the Saxons that galled and goaded them almost to madness. — | Even Richard, the most popular of the early English kings, was unable entirely to repress these feelings; though, from the strict justice and impartiality with which he treated his Saxon subjects, we may date the commencement of that fusion that has since made of the two races one powerful nation. As the mayor spoke the sheriffs approached, and resumed their seats ; when, in answer to the king’s inquiries, De Antiloche spoke, “* My, liege,”’ said he, ‘‘ yon dark and stalwart knight, as I am told, is smitten with the beauty of Mistress Aones Meryl, whom he hath assailed with many pieces of gallantry, but without avail. *Tis said she looks with a more kindly eye upon the fair-haired knight, Sir Walter of Wallington, who was a besom friend of the murdered gentleman. Sir Radulf de Bracy thought that this preference was shown at the persuasion of her brother, and has often been heard to mutter revenge against the young Saxon (whom God assoilize). Sir Radulf was seen last night by the watch hastening from the spot where the murder was committed. Pray Heaven he may clear himself of this charge !”’ _ “Amen,” said the king, ‘‘ we would not, for the brightest jewel in our crown, that De Bracy be the vanquished. We have known him as a brave knight—he did noble work by our side upon the Paynim at Ascalon. They shiall have a fair field, and may God defend the right.” Nothing further occurred to disturb the harmony of that evening, and it was late before the wassailers quitted the festive board, and sought their various homes, many of them, toall appearance, totally disqualified for business on the following day, though some were sober enough to bet upon the issue of the approaching combat. “© T’]l wager a butt of Malvoisey,’ said Ralph de Morden, the rich mercer of the Westcheap, to his neighbour and gossip, as they reeled home; ‘‘ aye, a butt of the best, I’ll wager that Sir Radulf comes off unhurt. I have heard many say that he fought like a Sampson at the taking of Ascalon, where he slew nine Saracens with the good sword he now wears.” “‘He is a doughty knight, in good sooth,” replied the other, “but Master Walter is a man ofa strong frame, and though more fair and comely than De Bracy, he hath thews and sinews that are well nigh a match for his adversary.” ** Pish!” ejaculated a voice, so near that if made the two citizens start, and a man of spare habit advanced from behind them. “Ye talk folly, goodman merchant,”’ said he, addressing the one who had thus spoken, ‘‘ Sir Radulf, my master, is a man for two such springalds as Walter of Wallington.” ‘‘T ery your mercy, Master Argentine,’? said the first citizen, ‘Cand will allow that you, being a man of war, and a follower otf the stont knight we speak of, are better able tojudge of his prowess than us merchants, though, trust me, I have seen some knightly service done ere now.”’ ‘That may be, citizen Morden,” replied the follower, ‘‘ but ye have not seen the fields that I have looked over. There are men of might among the Paynims, and, beshrew me, if they deal not in hard knocks, as my sconce hath ere now testified. By the mass, their maces make helm and burgonet ring like a kettle in a tinker’s hand, and their arrows are of tle sharpest.” ““T doubt it not, Master Argentine,” said the merchant. ‘‘ May I ask what brings ye into Vintry Ward at this hour, when Sir Radulf dwells nigh unto Moorgate?” “*T am going to Kynulph, the armourer’s house hard by here; he has a hood of mail to mend for our knight, and [ must bear it home and get it in order for the combat to-morrow. Give you good even,'my masters.’” As he spoke he turned on his heel, and striding down Thames Street, entered a dark alley, which led to the river side. Here dwelt Kynulph, the Saxon. The red glare seen through the clefts of the closed door, with the heavy ring of the anvil, told that his labours had not yet ceased. Argentine pushed open the door, and entered the smithy, where he found the Saxon and two of his men busily employed on a suit of harness. The appearance of Kynulph was that of a Cyclops, his frame and his height perfectly herculean, and the expression of his countenance had not been improved by the loss of an eye, which had been struck out in one of the frequent frays between the Saxons and their still inveterate foes, the Normans. Kynulph, under an assumed appearance of reckless boldness, disguised the combined qualities of craft and dissimulation: his hatred to the Normans was the most deeply rooted, and towards Sir Radulf de Bracy he nourished the most implacable revenge, for some injuries, real or supposed, which he bad inflicted on his countrymen. It was not, then, with pleasurable feelings that he beheld Argentine, but. dressing his coarse and dingy features ina smile, he extended his huge paw to his visitor, who returned the grasp with which he was greeted, though not with the same degree of pressure, which could be compared to that of the armourer’s own vices. Argentine grinned with pain under the salute, but courtesy forbade him to complain, and after his palm had been released, he inquired for the hood of mail. ‘©Ye might have had it at even-song yesterday, and ye had liked,’’ said the amourer, taking it from a chest. ** Have ye tempered it well, gossip?” inquired Argentine. “6 Aye,” replied the other, ‘‘it is tempered bravely; Sir Radulf will need no other.” | This was uttered in a peculiar tone, and was noticed by Argen- tine. ‘‘ What mean ye, gossip ?’’ said he. “‘T mean,”” replied the other, ‘‘ that it will bear thy master through twenty battles.” ‘Tis well; and now I must away and get all in order for to- morrow. Good even, Master Kynulph.” And so saying, he quitted the smithy with the head-piece, little dreaming that, like another Lychas, he was carrying the means of the knight’s probable destruction, Omic 5) GOlseconn