惊婚记 英文版 Quentin Durward
瓦尔特.司各特 Sir Walter Scott
CHAPTER XXVIII: UNCERTAINTY Page 2
After this extraordinary contract with the object of his adoration,Louis recited, apparently with deep devotion, the seven penitentialpsalms (the 6th, 32d, 38th, 51st, 102d, 130th, and 143d, so calledfrom their penitential character) in Latin, and several aves andprayers especially belonging to the service of the Virgin. He thenarose, satisfied that he had secured the intercession of the Saintto whom he had prayed, the rather, as he craftily reflected, thatmost of the sins for which he had requested her mediation on formeroccasions had been of a different character, and that, therefore,the Lady of Clery was less likely to consider him as a hardened andhabitual shedder of blood than the other saints whom he had morefrequently made confidants of his crimes in that respect.
When he had thus cleared his conscience, or rather whited it overlike a sepulchre, the King thrust his head out at the door of thehall, and summoned Le Balafre into his apartment. "My good soldier,"he said, "thou hast served me long, and hast had little promotion.We are here in a case where I may either live or die; but I wouldnot willingly die an ungrateful man, or leave, so far as the Saintsmay place it in my power, either a friend or an enemy unrecompensed.Now I have a friend to be rewarded, that is thyself -- an enemyto be punished according to his deserts, and that is the base,treacherous villain; Martius Galeotti, who, by his imposturesand specious falsehoods, has trained me hither into the power ofmy mortal enemy, with as firm a purpose of my destruction as everbutcher had of slaying the beast which he drove to the shambles."
"I will challenge him on that quarrel, since they say he is afighting blade, though he looks somewhat unwieldy," said Le Balafre."I doubt not but the Duke of Burgundy is so much a friend to men ofthe sword that he will allow us a fair field within some reasonablespace, and if your Majesty live so long, and enjoy so much freedom,you shall behold me do battle in your right, and take as proper avengeance on this philosopher as your heart could desire."
"I commend your bravery and your devotion to my service," said theKing. "But this treacherous villain is a stout man at arms, and Iwould not willingly risk thy life, my brave soldier."
"I were no brave soldier, if it please your Majesty," said Balafre,"if I dared not face a better man than he. A fine thing it wouldbe for me, who can neither read nor write, to be afraid of a fatlurdane, who has done little else all his Life!"
"Nevertheless," said the King, "it is not our pleasure so to putthee in venture, Balafre. This traitor comes hither, summoned by ourcommand. We would have thee, so soon as thou canst find occasion,close up with him, and smite him under the fifth rib. -- Dost thouunderstand me?"
"Truly I do," answered Le Balafre, "but, if it please your Majesty,this is a matter entirely out of my course of practice. I could notkill you a dog unless it were in hot assault, or pursuit, or upondefiance given, or such like."
"Why, sure, thou dost not pretend to tenderness of heart," saidthe King; "thou who hast been first in storm and siege, and mosteager, as men tell me, on the pleasures and advantages which aregained on such occasions by the rough heart and the bloody hand?"
with him, it matters not which," answeredthe King, grimly smiling.belongs to!
"My lord," answered Le Balafre, "I have neither feared nor sparedyour enemies, sword in hand. And an assault is a desperate matter,under risks which raise a man's blood so that, by Saint Andrew, itwill not settle for an hour or two -- which I call a fair licensefor plundering after a storm. And God pity us poor soldiers, whoare first driven mad with danger, and then madder with victory. Ihave heard of a legion consisting entirely of saints; and methinksit would take them all to pray and intercede for the rest of thearmy, and for all who wear plumes and corselets, buff coats andbroadswords. But what your Majesty purposes is out of my course ofpractice, though I will never deny that it has been wide enough. Asfor the Astrologer, if he be a traitor, let him e'en die a traitor'sdeath -- I will neither meddle nor make with it. Your Majesty hasyour Provost and two of his Marshals men without, who are more fitfor dealing with him than a Scottish gentleman of my family andstanding in the service."
"You say well," said the King; "but, at least, it belongs to thyduty to prevent interruption, and to guard the execution of my mostjust sentence."
"I will do so against all Peronne," said Le Balafre. "Your Majestyneed not doubt my fealty in that which I can reconcile to myconscience, which, for mine own convenience and the service of yourroyal Majesty, I can vouch to be a pretty large one -- at least, Iknow I have done some deeds for your Majesty, which I would ratherhave eaten a handful of my own dagger than I would have done forany one else."
"Let that rest," said the King, "and hear you -- when Galeotti isadmitted, and the door shut on him, do you stand to your weapon,and guard the entrance on the inside of the apartment. Let no oneintrude -- that is all I require of you. Go hence, and send theProvost Marshal to me."
Balafre left the apartment accordingly, and in a minute afterwardsTristan l'Hermite entered from the hall.
"Welcome, gossip," said the King; "what thinkest thou of oursituation?"
"As of men sentenced to death," said the Provost Marshal, "unlessthere come a reprieve from the Duke."'
"Reprieved or not, he that decoyed us into this snare shalt go ourfourrier to the next world, to take up lodgings for us," said theKing, with a grisly and ferocious smile. "Tristan, thou hast donemany an act of brave justice -- finis -- I should have said funiscoronat opus (the end -- I should have said the rope -- crowns thework) -- thou must stand by me to the end."
"I will, my Liege," said Tristan, "I am but a plain fellow, but Iam grateful. I will do my duty within these walls, or elsewhere;and while I live, your Majesty's breath shall pour as potential anote of condemnation, and your sentence be as literally executed,as when you sat on your own throne. They may deal with me the nexthour for it if they will -- I care not."
"It is even what I expected of thee, my loving gossip," said Louis;"but hast thou good assistance? -- The traitor is strong and ablebodied, and will doubtless be clamorous for aid. The Scot will donaught but keep the door, and well that he can be brought to thatby flattery and humouring. Then Oliver is good for nothing butlying, flattering, and suggesting dangerous counsels; and, VentreSaint Dieu! I think is more like one day to deserve the halterhimself than to use it to another. Have you men, think you, andmeans, to make sharp and sure work?"
"I have Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre with me," said he, "men soexpert in their office that, out of three men, they would hang upone ere his two companions were aware. And we have all resolvedto live or die with your Majesty, knowing we shall have as shortbreath to draw when you are gone, as ever fell to the lot ofany of our patients. -- But what is to be our present subject, anit please your Majesty? I love to be sure of my man; for, as yourMajesty is pleased sometimes to remind me, I have now and thenmistaken the criminal, and strung up in his place an honest labourer,who had given your Majesty no offence."
"Most true," said the other. "Know then, Tristan, that the condemnedperson is Martius Galeotti. -- You start, but it is even as I say.The villain hath trained us all hither by false and treacherousrepresentations, that he might put us into the hands of the Dukeof Burgundy without defence."
"But not without vengeance!" said Tristan, "were it the last actof my life, I would sting him home like an expiring wasp, shouldI be crushed to pieces on the next instant!"
"I know thy trusty spirit," said the King, "and the pleasure which,like other good men, thou dost find in the discharge of thy duty,since virtue, as the schoolmen say, is its own reward. But awayand prepare the priests, for the victim approaches."
"Would you have it done in your own presence, my gracious Liege?"said Tristan.
Louis declined this offer; but charged the Provost Marshal to haveeverything ready for the punctual execution of his commands themoment the Astrologer left his apartment.
"For," said the King, "I will see the villain once more, just toobserve how he bears himself towards the master whom he has ledinto the toils. I shall love to see the sense of approaching deathstrike the colour from that ruddy cheek, and dim that eye whichlaughed as it lied. -- Oh, that there were but another with him,whose counsels aided his prognostications! But if I survive this-- look to your scarlet, my Lord Cardinal! for Rome shall scarceprotect you -- be it spoken under favour of Saint Peter and theblessed Lady of Clery, who is all over mercy. -- Why do you tarry?Go get your rooms ready. I expect the villain instantly. I pray toHeaven he take not fear and come not! -- that were indeed a balk.-- Begone, Tristan -- thou wert not wont to be so slow when businesswas to be done."
"On the contrary, an it like your Majesty, you were ever wont tosay that I was too fast, and mistook your purpose, and did the jobon the wrong subject. Now, please your Majesty to give me a sign,just when you part with Galeotti for the night, whether the businessgoes on or no. I have known your Majesty once or twice change yourmind, and blame me for over dispatch."
(The Provost Marshal was often so precipitate in execution as toslay another person instead of him whom the King had indicated. Thisalways occasioned a double execution, for the wrath or revenge ofLouis was never satisfied with a vicarious punishment. S.)
"Thou suspicious creature," answered King Louis, "I tell thee I willnot change my mind -- but to silence thy remonstrances, observe,if I say to the knave at parting, 'There is a Heaven above us!'then let the business go on; but if I say 'Go in peace,' you willunderstand that my purpose is altered."
"My head is somewhat of the dullest out of my own department,"said Tristan l'Hermite. "Stay, let me rehearse. -- If you bid himdepart in peace, I am to have him dealt upon?"
"No, no -- idiot, no," said the King, "in that case, you let himpass free. But if I say, 'There is a heaven above us,' up with hima yard or two nearer the planets he is so conversant with."
"I wish we may have the means here," said the Provost.
"Then up with him, or down with him, it matters not which," answeredthe King, grimly smiling.
"And the body," said the Provost, "how shall we dispose of it?"
"Let me see an instant," said the King -- "the windows of the hallare too narrow; but that projecting oriel is wide enough. We willover with him into the Somme, and put a paper on his breast, withthe legend, 'Let the justice of the King pass toll free.' The Duke'sofficers may seize it for duties if they dare."
The Provost Marshal left the apartment of Louis, and summoned histwo assistants to council in an embrasure in the great hall, whereTrois Eschelles stuck a torch against the wall to give them light.They discoursed in whispers, little noticed by Oliver le Dain, whoseemed sunk in dejection, and Le Balafre, who was fast asleep.
"Comrades," said the Provost to his executioners, "perhaps youhave thought that our vocation was over, or that, at least, we weremore likely to be the subjects of the duty of others than to haveany more to discharge on our own parts. But courage, my mates! Ourgracious master has reserved for us one noble cast of our office,and it must be gallantly executed, as by men who would live inhistory."
"Ay, I guess how it is," said Trois Eschelles; "our patron is likethe old Kaisers of Rome, who, when things came to an extremity, or,as we would say, to the ladder foot with them, were wont to selectfrom their own ministers of justice some experienced person,who might spare their sacred persons from the awkward attempts ofa novice, or blunderer in our mystery. It was a pretty custom forEthnics; but, as a good Catholic, I should make some scruple atlaying hands on the Most Christian King."
"Nay, but, brother, you are ever too scrupulous," said Petit Andre."If he issues word and warrant for his own execution, I see nothow we can in duty dispute it. He that dwells at Rome must obeythe Pope -- the Marshalsmen, must do their master's bidding, andhe the King's."
finis -- I should have said funiscoronat opus (the.
"Hush, you knaves!" said the Provost Marshal, "there is here nopurpose concerning the King's person, but only that of the Greekheretic pagan and Mahomedan wizard, Martius Galeotti."
"Galeotti!" answered Petit-Andre, "that comes quite natural. Inever knew one of these legerdemain fellows, who pass their lives,as one may say, in dancing upon a tight rope, but what they cameat length to caper at the end of one -- tchick."
"My only concern is," said Trois Eschelles, looking upwards, "thatthe poor creature must die without confession."
"Tush! tush!" said the Provost Marshal, in reply, "he is a rankheretic and necromancer -- a whole college of priests could notabsolve him from the doom he has deserved. Besides, if he hatha fancy that way, thou hast a gift, Trois Eschelles, to serve himfor ghostly father thyself. But, what is more material, I fear youmost use your poniards, my mates; for you have not here the fittingconveniences for the exercise of your profession."
"Now our Lady of the Isle of Paris forbid," said Trois Eschelles,"that the King's command should find me destitute of my tools!I always wear around my body Saint Francis's cord, doubled fourtimes, with a handsome loop at the farther end of it; for I am ofthe company of Saint Francis, and may wear his cowl when I am inextremis (at the point of death) -- I thank God and the good fathersof Saumur."
"And for me," said Petit Andre, "I have always in my budget a handyblock and sheaf, or a pulley as they call it, with a strong screwfor securing it where I list, in case we should travel where treesare scarce, or high branched from the ground. I have found it agreat convenience."
"That will suit us well," said the Provost Marshal. "You have butto screw your pulley into yonder beam above the door, and pass therope over it. I will keep the fellow in some conversation near thespot until you adjust the noose under his chin, and then --"
"And then we run up the rope," said Petit Andre, "and, tchick, ourAstrologer is so far in Heaven that he hath not a foot on earth."
"But these gentlemen," said Trois Eschelles, looking towards thechimney, "do not these help, and so take a handsel of our vocation?"
"Hem! no," answered the Provost, "the barber only contrives mischief,which he leaves other men to execute; and for the Scot, he keepsthe door when the deed is a-doing, which he hath not spirit orquickness sufficient to partake in more actively -- every one tohis trade."
(The author has endeavoured to give to the odious Tristan l'Hermitea species of dogged and brutal fidelity to Louis, similar to theattachment of a bulldog to his master. With all the atrocity of hisexecrable character, he was certainly a man of courage, and was inhis youth made knight in the breach of Fronsac, with a great numberof other young nobles, by the honour giving hand of the elderDunois, the celebrated hero of Charles the Fifth's reign. S.)
With infinite dexterity, and even a sort of professional delightwhich sweetened the sense of their own precarious situation, theworthy executioners of the Provost's mandates adapted their ropeand pulley for putting in force the sentence which had been utteredagainst Galeotti by the captive Monarch -- seeming to rejoice thatthat last action was to be one so consistent with their past lives.Tristan l'Hermite sat eyeing their proceedings with a species ofsatisfaction; while Oliver paid no attention to them whatever; andLudovic Lesly, if, awaked by the bustle, he looked upon them atall, considered them as engaged in matters entirely unconnectedwith his own duty, and for which he was not to be regarded asresponsible in one way or other.