Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 144 — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

<= - ——— - — re ee oe == SSS a —— 2S — a en eee feudal jurisdiction of the bailiff?’ ‘‘ Sire, the bailiff of the Palace has the Rue de la Cal- andre, as faras the Rue de |'Herberie, the Place St. chel, and the Places vulgarly called the Mureaux, situate near the church of Nutre-Dame-des-Champs”’ —here the king lifted the brim of his hat—‘“ which hotels are thirteen in number ; also the Cour des Mir- acles, the lazar-house called La Banlieue, and the whole ae ae ee ee SS Oe — NOTRE-DAME: THE HUNCHBACK OF —— eS ——S ee - ——™”*t—F - = _ —_ — —— —— -_--— hevded. I am inunocent of this commotion. l beseech your majesty ’—— * Silence !’’ said the king, between two gulps of his diet-drink. “ ‘hou stunnest one.” Tristan the Hermit stepped forward, and pointing | to Gringore, “ Sire,”’ he ask we take him too ?”’ ed, “ may line of causeway commencing at this lazar-house and | tered. ending at the gate ot St. Jacques. Of all these parts | he is the liege-lord, with the right of administering high, middle, and low justice.” “Hey-day!"’ said the king, rubbing the side of his nose with his fore finger, ‘tis a good slice of my ‘air | city. So Monsieur the bailiff was g of all that!" He asked no more questions, but remained absorbed in thought, and talking to himself, ‘ Very fine, Mou- sieur the bailiff! you had there between your teeth a nice piecé of Paris !"’ ‘ Al] at once he burst forth : “ Why,” replied the king, “I see no reason for the contrary.”’ * Alas, sire! I see a great many!” ejaculated Grin- | goire. Our philosopher was at that moment greener than an olive.. Froni‘the cold and indifferent look of the king he perceived that he had no resource but in some- thing eye | pathetic, and, throwing himeelf at his feet, he cried with vehement gesticulation: “ Sire, your majesty will deign to hear me. Ah, sire! let not those men who pretend to be liege-lords, ju yes, and | Tle thunderbolts of God are not hurled against a let- masters here? who have their toll-bar at the end of tuce. You, sire every field? their gibbet andtheir hangman at every | monarch; have pity on @ poor but honest man, who cro#s-street among our people? Greek, who believed in as many gods as there were | So that, like the | would be more puzzled to kindle a sedition than an icicle to give outa spark. Most gracious sovereign, foutitains, and the Persian, as he saw stars, the French clemency is a kingly virtue; wuilst severity only ex- have as many kings as they see gibbets. a frightful state of things. I would fain know if it be by the grace of God that there is &t Paris any other leige-lord besides the king, any eaher justice besides our Parliament, any other ont besides ourselves in this empire. By the | faith of my soul, there must come a day when there | #hall be in France but one king, one liege-lord, one | judge, one headsman, as in Paradise there is but one '"" ‘ Aguin he lifted his hat, and, still musing, continued with the look and ro of a pee ee ma = and urging on his : “Good! my people! we done! Down with ne faise lords! On then! on them! Sack, plunder, hany |! You would fain be kings, Measeigneurs, would you ?’ ' th Pion in succession, and, snddenly seizing his hat with bh which had half escaped him him, fixed his | both hands, and looking steadiastly at it, he exclaimed : | “Oh! 1 would barn thee, if thou knewest what there ie in my head!” Then casting his eyes again around him, with the keen and restless look of afoxslyly returnin den, ‘‘ It matters not; we will send succor to this moment against such amob. We must wait till omning. Order shall be restored in the city, and they shall hang out of the way all who are taken.”’ “ By-the-by, sire,’ said Compere Coictier, “I forgot in my —the watch has taken two stragglers of the . If your majesty pleases to see ‘ they * mad , : at Isee them ?” cried the king. “ Pasque-Dieu! how couldst thou forget that! Run ‘quick, Olivier, and fetch them !” ee a le‘'t the, room, and presently re- turned with the two prisoners surrounded by prope of the ordinance. 6 first had a bloated face and stupid, idiot-ike, drunken look. He was dressed in , he bent his knees and shuffled and smiling countenance of aniili Be ne the neatet te abreadly fi ar. The king serutinized them for 4 moment without a word, and then abruptly asked the other, = tis thy name ?” “ Glefiroy Pincebourde. “9 re: profession ?” sieur “ What were you going todo in that damnable se- dition ?”’ The varlet stared at the king, swinging his arms with a bebkotted look. His was one of those mis- shapen heads, in which the understanding is almost as much damped as a light beneath an extin- wt know not,” said he. “ The officers went; so I np wr ee “ Were ye not bound to attack with violence and to plunder your liege lord the bailiff ot the Pulace ?”’ “I know that we ure going to tuke something trom som —that is all!’ A sol rought tothe king a hedging-bill which had been found upon the prisoner, “ Ownest thou that weapon ?"’ inquired the king. “ Yes; "tis bill; bam a vinedresser.”’ “Knowest thou this man?’’ pointing to the other pri - “ was he one of thy companious ?” ” No, I know him not.” « "Tis enough,” said the king; and, beckoni silent _ e stationed near the door, “ Tristan,”’ ° e, * there is a man for you,” Tristan, the Hermit, bowed. He gave some direc. tions in a low tone to the two archers, who took the wretched away. “The king meanwhile turned to the second prisoner whose brow was covered with a cold perspiration, “ Thy name?” “ arisen op BOF “Ha Pret thou, | to the ou, knave, to go and assault our deur the bailiff of the Palace, and what thou to say to this riot?’ — “ Sire, I had no hand in it.” “ How now, varlet! hast thon not been apprehended by watch in this ¢ company ?” ** No, ; tis a m : Se was ~4n _—. wake | es. conjure y esty re , of my pr afe nddicthd to walking the streets at night. 16 wae the greatest short, bit his ip. as if to catch the | i ng eye on each of the five personages reer to hia | winter. uckily we have but few troops here at | fic professions. Egad | this is | asperates the minds of men. Tue fierce blasts of the I like not the confusion. | Dorth cannot make the traveler turow offhis cloak; the sun, gradually poureth forth his rays, warms him to such a degree that he is glad to strip himself to his shirt. I avouch to you, my sovereign lord and master, that lam not of the Vagabond crew,a thief, or a disorderly person. Sedition and robbery belong not to the train ot Apollo. I am notaman to rush in those clouds which burst in thunders of insur- rection. Iam a faithiul liege of your majesty. The same pealecey which a husband has for the honor of | o his wife, the love which a son feels in return tor the affection ot. a father, a good subject ought to have for the glory of the king; Jie ought to burn his zeal for his person, his house, his prosperity, to the exclusion of every other passion. Sach, sire, is my political creed. Judge we not, then, from this coat out at the elbows, to be an accomplice in sedition and plunder, Pardon me, sire, and on my knees will I pray to God, night and morning, for you, Lam not very rich, it is true; indeed, I am ratuer poor, but not vicious for all that. Itis not my fault. Every one kuows that great wealth is not to be gained by letters, and that the most learned bhaye not always the largest fire in The lawyers run away with all the grain, and leave nothin tthe atraw for the other acicnti- could repeat to you forty excellent proverbs on the raged cloak of the philosopher. Oh, sire! clemency is the only light that can illumine the interior of the great soul. Cle cy bears the torch before all the other virtnes. hout it the are blind, and grope about in the dark for Gody Mercy, which is the same thing as cleniency, produces love in subjects, which is the most effective guard tor the person of the prince. What harm can it do to your majesty, who dazzles all eyes, that there is one poor man more upon the eartl—one poor innocent philosopher, flounderin,s in the darkness, of calamity, with empty ‘pocket, and empty stomach! Besides, sire, I am one of the learned. Great kings add a —_ to their crown by protecting le . ixduined not the title o nus patronized Jean de Monro mathematics. Now it is a ba ters to hang those who cultivate them. he et- tuin the ornamerit o way of patronizin What a upon Alexander, if he had hunged Aristotle! That | drapery trait would not be a spot on the face of his reputation | pe heightening its beauty, but a foul ulcer disfiguring it. Sire, | have composed a most pertinent epithalamium for Mademoisélie of Flanders and mee ur, the most august Dauphin. Thatis not a brand bellion, Your majesty percei that I havestudied deeply, and that L have ypreat natural eloquence. Have merey then, sire! In so doing you will perform an act of gallantry to Our aes and I protest to you that L have a strong dislike to the idea ot being hanged !”’ As he thus spoke the disconsolate Gringoire kissed the king's slippers, and Guillannre Kym whispered to Coppenele: “ He does right to crawl the floor, Kin are Like the Cretan Jupiter; they have no ears but in their feet.’ The hosier, without bestowing a thought on the Cretan Jupiter, replied with a m smile, and his eyes fixed on Grinyoires * Capital, by the rood! Methinks I hear the Chancellor Hugonet begging his life of me!” When Gringoire at length ceased, out of breath with his harangue, be liited his eves, tren bling, toward the king, who was scratching with his nail a spot. on the kuee of his breeches ; lis majesty then sipped at his drink. He uttered not a word, however: and this silence kept Gringoire on the ruck. At leuyth the kiny fixed his eye upon him. “ W)at an eternal prater! said he. Then turuing to Tristan the Hermit: “ Bah! let the varlet yo !"’ Gringoire fell backward, overpowered with joy “Let him go!” grumbled stan. please your majesty to have him shut up awhile in a cage?” “ Compe ench birds we make cages costing three hundred sixty- seven livres eight sous three deniers’? Dismiss me incoutinently . this llard ’’—Monsieur Louis was fond ot this term, which, with “ asque-Dieu,"’ consti- tuted the whole stock of his jocularity—‘ and turn him out witha sound drubbing.” t was the first audible word that he had ut- are an august and most puissant, | delicate, with action so natural ves that I au: not anignorant yarlet, |- “Will it not had relinquished its re."* rejoined Louis XI., “ dost think it is for | the face. “I naderstand,” said ‘eanght but in the sea.’ : the same way of thinkin “Ab!” ejaculated Gringoire, “ what a magnanimous | Now listen to this, Wehave a good m — ——— what was’’—— He corrected himself, “what is the | chance in the world. I have been wrongfully appre-' The good-humor of «the king, ever since he had Your | majesty found that lam not known to yon Vagabond. beeh inturmed of the insurrection against the asaulf. manifested itselfin all he did. The unusual clemeiy was no slight sign of it. Tristan the Hermit looke.! him a bone and taken it away again, The king, meanwhile, was playfully drumming tl. march of Pont-Audemer with his fingers on the arm of his chair. This prince was a dissembler, but he con)d conceal hia troubles much better than his joy. These /external ianiiestations of deiight at any agreeable tidings were sometimes carried to a great length; as | at the death of Charles the Bold, when he vowed to | present a silver balustrade to St. Martin of Tours; andat his accession to the throne, when he forgot to give directions for the funeral of his father. | “Eh, sire!’ suddenly exclaimed Jacques Cvietier, | * what is become of the acute fit of illuess tor wiich | your majesty commanded my services ?’’ ' “Oh!” gaid the king, “I am really in great pain, “* Pasque Dieu! wha', mean | your wrath fall upon so humble an object as I am! Compere; I have a ringing in wy ears, and rakes of fire are harrowing my breast.” Coictier,took the hand of the king, and felt his pulse With a most self-sufficient look, “See, Copp nole,”’ said Rym, in a low tone, “there he is between Cvicticr and Tristan. These are Lis whole court. A physician for himself, a hangman for all besides.”’ Whilst feeling the king’s pulse, Coictier assumed a look of more aud more ularm., Louis eyed him with some anxiety, Cvictier’s countenance assume! a darker and darker shade. The worthy a had noth- ing to live upon but the ill-healtn of the king; this resource he cultivated with his utmost skill, “Indeed !"" he at length muttered; “but this is serious!” , Is it not ?”’ said the king in alarm. “Pulse quick, irregular, intermittent,”’ continyed the physician. ‘ * Pasque- Dieu!" . “In less than three days this might prove fatal. “Our Lady!" ejaculated the y. “And what remedy, Compere?”’ é; v1 will consider of it, sire.” ; Pau the king to put ou tongue, shook his head, and made a rueful face. in the midst of Piers grimaces, ** Eyad, sire |’’ le abetpely began, “TI have to tell you that a receivership of vacant benefices has lalien in, aud to remind you that I have a nephew.”’ “Thy nephew shall haye iy receivership, Compere Jacques,” replied the king; but relieve we from “this fire ~ my sheets J . ‘*Since your majesty is so gracious,” rejoined the physician, “ you will not refuse me a tte exa toward pee building of my house in the Rue St. Andre dee rea, , “Eh 1” said the king. a gy - “My money is allrun out,” continued the doctor, “and it were indeed a pit t the house should lack a roof; not forthe sake of the house, which is quite ample avd burgher-like; but for the paintings of A pag Fourbault, wherewith the ceilings are enlivened. T is a Diana flying in the air, but 8) path 80 | “ ear so neat and with a crescent, and flesh so white, that slie ie enough to temptthem that examine her closely. There ia a Ceres too, another dess of auty. Hercules | She is sea een ot tare of wheat having G erty he me TN Matthias Corvi- Lene away dof ears ent er with 6 y aud owers, Nothing was ever ~— lovely then her eyes, more neatly turned then her limbs, more noble than her air, or tore graceful than her , . She is one of the most innocent and riect beauties that the pencil hath ever produced.” “Bloodsucker!"”” muftered the king, “what is it na} (iy oo have ?”’ “Ilack a roof for these paintings, sire; the coat will be érifting. but I have no money.” : ote se ey cost?" | to “Why—aroof of cop a, Sra petahes w res and gilt—two thousand livies at a utmoet.? ‘ia “Ah! the murderer!” exclaimed the “He never draws me a tooth but he makesa diamend of it tor himself.” | ‘Shall I have my roof?’ said Coictier. “Yes; and go to the devil—but cure me first,” Jaques Coictier made @ protound obeisance. “ Sire,’” said be, “nothing but a repellent cam gaye you. We will rnb your loins with that fine s compcsed of cerate, Armenian bole, white of egg, oil, and vinegar. You mustcontiuue your drink, and we will answer for your majesty.” A lighted candle attraets more than one moth. Master Olivier, seei the hberality of the ,and deeming it afavorable opportunity, approached in his turn. “ Sire”—— “But now ?” said Lovfis XI. 4 “ aa your majesty knows ‘that Simon Ratin is eat = ‘ “What then ?” “ oe counsellor of Justice to the Exchequer.” “ His place is vacant, sire.’ _ : As he thus spoke, the haughty face of Master Olivier arroguut expression, and assumed a cringing air—the only change of which courtiers fea- tures are susceptible. The ret boeken him full in e, dryly. “Master Olivier,’ he again a og "atte @ brie’ panse, “Marshal de Boucicaut used to say er are no gifts to be got but from the king, no Heh b. I perveive that you are ot as Monsieur de Roneloant. ary. In ‘6s, ou groom of our king!’ and, for fear of « counter-order, he hastened we made han ; in '69, kee toward the which Tristan opened for him with a | of the caktle, of the br of ‘Bt. Cloud, ata ralary of very ill e soldiers weut out with him, driy- | one, hun livres tournois; you wanted them to jug him before them with kicks and thumps, which | be ®. In November ‘3, by Je fseuedl at Pierre bore like a geBuine stvic Gerg €, we appointed you keeper of the w of GOmiicodoo as surly in his corner as a dog when you dave show: | (EO)