第10章

Hevisitedallthecastledefencesprettyaccuratelythatnight，andinquiredofhisofficersthestateoftheammunition，provisions，&c。Hesaidnothing；butthePrincessHelen’smaiddid:andeverybodyknewthattheRowskihadmadehisproposals，hadbeenrejected，and，gettingupinaviolentfury，hadcalledforhispeople，andswornbyhisgreatgodsthathewouldnotenterthecastleagainuntilherodeoverthebreach，lanceinhand，theconquerorofClevesandallbelongingtoit。

Nolittleconsternationwasspreadthroughthegarrisonatthenews:foreverybodyknewtheRowskitobeoneofthemostintrepidandpowerfulsoldiersinallGermany，——oneofthemostskilfulgenerals。Generoustoextravagancetohisownfollowers，hewasruthlesstotheenemy:ahundredstoriesweretoldofthedreadfulbarbaritiesexercisedbyhiminseveraltownsandcastleswhichhehadcapturedandsacked。AndpoorHelenhadthepainofthinking，thatinconsequenceofherrefusalshewasdoomingallthemen，women，andchildrenoftheprincipalitytoindiscriminateandhorribleslaughter。

Thedreadfulsurmisesregardingawarreceivedinafewdaysdreadfulconfirmation。Itwasnoon，andtheworthyPrinceofCleveswastakinghisdinner(thoughthehonestwarriorhadhadlittleappetiteforthatmealforsometimepast)，whentrumpetswereheardatthegate；andpresentlytheheraldoftheRowskiofDonnerblitz，cladinatabardonwhichthearmsoftheCountwereblazoned，enteredthedining-hall。Apageboreasteelgauntletonacushion；BleuSanglierhadhishatonhishead。ThePrinceofClevesputonhisown，astheheraldcameuptothechairofstatewherethesovereignsat。”SilenceforBleuSanglier，”criedthePrince，gravely。”Sayyoursay，SirHerald。””InthenameofthehighandmightyRowski，PrinceofDonnerblitz，MargraveofEulenschreckenstein，CountofKrotenwald，Schnauzestadt，andGalgenhugel，HereditaryGrandCorkscrewoftheHolyRomanEmpire——toyou，AdolftheTwenty-third，PrinceofCleves，I，BleuSanglier，bringwaranddefiance。Alone，andlancetolance，ortwentytotwentyinfieldorinfort，onplainoronmountain，thenobleRowskidefiesyou。Here，orwhereverheshallmeetyou，heproclaimswartothedeathbetweenyouandhim。Intokenwhereof，hereishisglove。”Andtakingthesteelglovefromthepage，BleuBoarflungitclangingonthemarblefloor。

ThePrincessHelenturneddeadlypale:butthePrince，withagoodassurance，flungdownhisownglove，callinguponsomeonetoraisetheRowski’s；whichOttoaccordinglytookupandpresentedtohim，onhisknee。”Boteler，fillmygoblet，”saidthePrincetothatfunctionary，who，clothedintightblackhose，withawhitekerchief，andanapkinonhisdexterarm，stoodobsequiouslybyhismaster’schair。

ThegobletwasfilledwithMalvoisie:itheldaboutthreequarts；apreciousgoldenhanapcarvedbythecunningartificer，BenvenutotheFlorentine。”Drink，BleuSanglier，”saidthePrince，”andputthegobletinthybosom。Wearthischain，furthermore，formysake。”Andsosaying，PrinceAdolfflungapreciouschainofemeraldsroundtheherald’sneck。”AninvitationtobattlewaseverawelcomecalltoAdolfofCleves。”Sosaying，andbiddinghispeopletakegoodcareofBleuSanglier’sretinue，thePrinceleftthehallwithhisdaughter。

Allweremarvellingathisdignity，courage，andgenerosity。

But，thoughaffectingunconcern，themindofPrinceAdolfwasfarfromtranquil。Hewasnolongerthestalwartknightwho，inthereignofStanislausAugustus，had，withhisnakedfist，beatenaliontodeathinthreeminutes；andalonehadkepttheposternofPeterwaradinfortwohoursagainstsevenhundredTurkishjanissaries，whowereassailingit。ThosedeedswhichhadmadetheheirofClevesfamousweredonethirtyyearssyne。Afreeliversincehehadcomeintohisprincipality，andofalazyturn，hehadneglectedtheathleticexerciseswhichhadmadehiminyouthsofamousachampion，andindolencehadborneitsusualfruits。Hetriedhisoldbattle-sword——thatfamousbladewithwhich，inPalestine，hehadcutanelephant-driverintwopieces，andsplitasundertheskulloftheelephantwhichherode。AdolfofClevescouldscarcelynowlifttheweaponoverhishead。Hetriedhisarmor。Itwastootightforhim。Andtheoldsoldierburstintotears，whenhefoundhecouldnotbuckleit。SuchamanwasnotfittoencountertheterribleRowskiinsinglecombat。

Norcouldhehopetomakeheadagainsthimforanytimeinthefield。ThePrince’sterritoriesweresmall；hisvassalsproverbiallylazyandpeaceable；histreasuryempty。Thedismallestprospectswerebeforehim:andhepassedasleeplessnightwritingtohisfriendsforsuccor，andcalculatingwithhissecretarythesmallamountoftheresourceswhichhecouldbringtoaidhimagainsthisadvancingandpowerfulenemy。

Helen’spillowthateveningwasalsounvisitedbyslumber。ShelayawakethinkingofOtto，——thinkingofthedangerandtheruinherrefusaltomarryhadbroughtuponherdearpapa。Otto，too，sleptnot:butHISwakingthoughtswerebrilliantandheroic:thenobleChildethoughthowheshoulddefendthePrincess，andwinLOSandhonorintheensuingcombat。

CHAPTERXII。

THECHAMPION。

AndnowthenobleClevesbeganingoodearnesttopreparehiscastleforthethreatenedsiege。Hegatheredinalltheavailablecattleroundtheproperty，andthepigsroundmanymiles；andadreadfulslaughterofhornedandsnoutedanimalstookplace，——thewholecastleresoundingwiththelowingoftheoxenandthesqueaksofthegruntlings，destinedtoprovidefoodforthegarrison。

These，whenslain，(hergentlespirit，ofcourse，wouldnotallowofherwitnessingthatdisagreeableoperation，)thelovelyHelen，withtheassistanceofhermaidens，carefullysaltedandpickled。

Cornwasbroughtiningreatquantities，thePrincepayingforthesamewhenhehadmoney，givingbillswhenhecouldgetcredit，oroccasionally，marry，sendingoutafewstoutmen-at-armstoforage，whobroughtinwheatwithoutmoneyorcrediteither。ThecharmingPrincess，amidsttheintervalsofherlabors，wentaboutencouragingthegarrison，whovowedtoamantheywoulddieforasinglesweetsmileofhers；andinordertomaketheirinevitablesufferingsaseasyaspossibletothegallantfellows，sheandtheapothecariesgotreadyaplentyofefficacioussimples，andscrapedavastquantityoflinttobindtheirwarriors’woundswithal。Allthefortificationswerestrengthened；thefossescarefullyfilledwithspikesandwater；largestonesplacedoverthegates，convenienttotumbleontheheadsoftheassaultingparties；andcaldronsprepared，withfurnacestomeltuppitch，brimstone，boilingoil，&c。，wherewithhospitablytoreceivethem。Havingthekeenesteyeinthewholegarrison，youngOttowasplacedonthetopmosttower，towatchfortheexpectedcomingofthebeleagueringhost。

Theywereseenonlytoosoon。Longranksofshiningspearswereseenglitteringinthedistance，andthearmyoftheRowskisoonmadeitsappearanceinbattle’smagnificentlysternarray。Thetentsoftherenownedchiefandhisnumerouswarriorswerepitchedoutofarrow-shotofthecastle，butinfearfulproximity；andwhenhisarmyhadtakenupitsposition，anofficerwithaflagoftruceandatrumpetwasseenadvancingtothecastlegate。Itwasthesameheraldwhohadpreviouslybornehismaster’sdefiancetothePrinceofCleves。Hecameoncemoretothecastlegate，andthereproclaimedthatthenobleCountofEulenschreckensteinwasinarmswithout，readytodobattlewiththePrinceofCleves，orhischampion；thathewouldremaininarmsforthreedays，readyforcombat。Ifnomanmethimattheendofthatperiod，hewoulddeliveranassault，andwouldgivequartertonosinglesoulinthegarrison。Sosaying，theheraldnailedhislord’sgauntletonthecastlegate。Asbefore，thePrinceflunghimoveranotherglovefromthewall；thoughhowhewastodefendhimselffromsuchawarrior，orgetachampion，orresistthepitilessassaultthatmustfollow，thetroubledoldnoblemanknewnotintheleast。

ThePrincessHelenpassedthenightinthechapel，vowingtonsofwax-candlestoallthepatronsaintsoftheHouseofCleves，iftheywouldraiseherupadefender。

Buthowdidthenoblegirl’sheartsink——howwerehernotionsofthepurityofmanshakenwithinhergentlebosom，bythedreadintelligencewhichreachedherthenextmorning，afterthedefianceoftheRowski！Atroll-callitwasdiscoveredthatheonwhomsheprincipallyrelied——hewhomherfondhearthadsingledoutasherchampion，hadprovedfaithless！Otto，thedegenerateOtto，hadfled！Hiscomrade，Wolfgang，hadgonewithhim。Aropewasfounddanglingfromthecasementoftheirchamber，andtheymusthaveswumthemoatandpassedovertotheenemyinthedarknessofthepreviousnight。”Aprettyladwasthisfair-spokenarcherofthine！”saidthePrinceherfathertoher；”andaprettykettleoffishhastthoucookedforthefondestoffathers。”Sheretiredweepingtoherapartment。Neverbeforehadthatyoungheartfeltsowretched。

Thatmorning，atnineo’clock，astheyweregoingtobreakfast，theRowski’strumpetssounded。Cladincompletearmor，andmountedonhisenormouspiebaldcharger，hecameoutofhispavilion，androdeslowlyupanddowninfrontofthecastle。Hewasreadytheretomeetachampion。

Threetimeseachdaydidtheodioustrumpetsoundthesamenotesofdefiance。Thricedailydidthesteel-cladRowskicomeforthchallengingthecombat。Thefirstdaypassed，andtherewasnoanswertohissummons。Theseconddaycameandwent，butnochampionhadrisentodefend。Thetauntofhisshrillclarionremainedwithoutanswer；andthesunwentdownuponthewretchedestfatheranddaughterinallthelandofChristendom。

Thetrumpetssoundedanhouraftersunrise，anhourafternoon，andanhourbeforesunset。Thethirddaycame，butwithitbroughtnohope。Thefirstandsecondsummonsmetnoresponse。Atfiveo’clocktheoldPrincecalledhisdaughterandblessedher。”IgotomeetthisRowski，”saidhe。”Itmaybeweshallmeetnomore，myHelen——mychild——theinnocentcauseofallthisgrief。IfI

shallfallto-nighttheRowski’svictim，’twillbethatlifeisnothingwithouthonor。”Andsosaying，heputintoherhandsadagger，andbadehersheatheitinherownbreastsosoonastheterriblechampionhadcarriedthecastlebystorm。

ThisHelenmostfaithfullypromisedtodo；andheragedfatherretiredtohisarmory，anddonnedhisancientwar-worncorselet。

Ithadbornetheshockofathousandlanceserethis，butitwasnowsotightasalmosttochoketheknightlywearer。

Thelasttrumpetsounded——tantara！tantara！——itsshrillcallrangoverthewideplains，andthewideplainsgavebacknoanswer。

Again！——butwhenitsnotesdiedaway，therewasonlyamournful，anawfulsilence。”Farewell，mychild，”saidthePrince，bulkilyliftinghimselfintohisbattle-saddle。”Rememberthedagger。

Hark！thetrumpetsoundsforthethirdtime。Open，warders！

Sound，trumpeters！andgoodSt。Bendigoguardtheright。”

ButPuffendorff，thetrumpeter，hadnotleisuretoliftthetrumpettohislips:when，hark！fromwithouttherecameanothernoteofanotherclarion！——adistantnoteatfirst，thenswellingfuller。

Presently，inbrilliantvariations，thefullrichnotesofthe”Huntsman’sChorus”cameclearlyoverthebreeze；andathousandvoicesofthecrowdgazingoverthegateexclaimed，”Achampion！achampion！”

And，indeed，achampionHADcome。Issuingfromtheforestcameaknightandsquire:theknightgracefullycanteringanelegantcream-coloredArabianofprodigiouspower——thesquiremountedonanunpretendinggraycob；which，nevertheless，wasananimalofconsiderablestrengthandsinew。Itwasthesquirewhoblewthetrumpet，throughthebarsofhishelmet；theknight’svisorwascompletelydown。Asmallprince’scoronetofgold，fromwhichrosethreepinkostrich-feathers，markedthewarrior’srank:hisblankshieldborenocognizance。AsgracefullypoisinghislanceherodeintothegreenspacewheretheRowski’stentswerepitched，theheartsofallpresentbeatwithanxiety，andthepoorPrinceofCleves，especially，hadconsiderabledoubtsabouthisnewchampion。”SoslimafigureasthatcannevercompetewithDonnerblitz，”saidhe，moodily，tohisdaughter；”butwhoeverhebe，thefellowputsagoodfaceonit，andrideslikeaman。See，hehastouchedtheRowski’sshieldwiththepointofhislance！BySt。Bendigo，aperilousventure！”

TheunknownknighthadindeeddefiedtheRowskitothedeath，asthePrinceofClevesremarkedfromthebattlementwhereheandhisdaughterstoodtowitnessthecombat；andso，havingdefiedhisenemy，theIncognitogallopedroundunderthecastlewall，bowingelegantlytothelovelyPrincessthere，andthentookhisgroundandwaitedforthefoe。Hisarmorblazedinthesunshineashesatthere，motionless，onhiscream-coloredsteed。Helookedlikeoneofthosefairyknightsonehasreadof——oneofthosecelestialchampionswhodecidedsomanyvictoriesbeforetheinventionofgunpowder。

TheRowski’shorsewasspeedilybroughttothedoorofhispavilion；andthatredoubtedwarrior，blazinginasuitofmagnificentbrassarmor，clatteredintohissaddle。Longwavesofblood-redfeathersbristledoverhishelmet，whichwasfartherornamentedbytwohugehornsoftheaurochs。Hislancewaspaintedwhiteandred，andhewhirledtheprodigiousbeamintheairandcaughtitwithsavageglee。Helaughedwhenhesawtheslimformofhisantagonist；andhissoulrejoicedtomeetthecomingbattle。

Hedughisspursintotheenormoushorseherode:theenormoushorsesnorted，andsquealed，too，withfiercepleasure。Hejerkedandcurvetedhimwithabrutalplayfulness，andafterafewminutes’turningandwheeling，duringwhicheverybodyhadleisuretoadmiretheperfectionofhisequitation，hecanteredroundtoapointexactlyoppositehisenemy，andpulleduphisimpatientcharger。

TheoldPrinceonthebattlementwassoeagerforthecombat，thatheseemedquitetoforgetthedangerwhichmenacedhimself，shouldhisslimchampionbediscomfitedbythetremendousKnightofDonnerblitz。”Goit！”saidhe，flinginghistruncheonintotheditch；andattheword，thetwowarriorsrushedwithwhirlingrapidityateachother。

Andnowensuedacombatsoterrible，thataweakfemalehand，likethatofherwhopensthistaleofchivalry，canneverhopetodojusticetotheterrifictheme。YouhaveseentwoenginesontheGreatWesternlinerushpasteachotherwithapealingscream？Sorapidlydidthetwowarriorsgalloptowardsoneanother；thefeathersofeitherstreamedyardsbehindtheirbacksastheyconverged。Theirshockastheymetwasasthatoftwocannon-

balls；themightyhorsestrembledandreeledwiththeconcussion；

thelanceaimedattheRowski’shelmetboreoffthecoronet，thehorns，thehelmetitself，andhurledthemtoanincredibledistance:apieceoftheRowski’sleftearwascarriedoffonthepointofthenamelesswarrior’sweapon。Howhadhefared？Hisadversary’sweaponhadglancedharmlessalongtheblanksurfaceofhispolishedbuckler；andthevictorysofarwaswithhim。

TheexpressionoftheRowski’sface，as，bareheaded，heglaredonhisenemywithfiercebloodshoteyeballs，wasoneworthyofademon。Theimprecatoryexpressionswhichhemadeuseofcanneverbecopiedbyafemininepen。

Hisopponentmagnanimouslydeclinedtotakeadvantageoftheopportunitythusofferedhimoffinishingthecombatbysplittinghisopponent’sskullwithhiscurtal-axe，and，ridingbacktohisstarting-place，benthislance’spointtotheground，intokenthathewouldwaituntiltheCountofEulenschreckensteinwashelmetedafresh。”BlessedBendigo！”criedthePrince，”thouartagallantlance:butwhydidstnotraptheSchelm’sbrainout？””Bringmeafreshhelmet！”yelledtheRowski。Anothercasquewasbroughttohimbyhistremblingsquire。

Assoonashehadbracedit，hedrewhisgreatflashingswordfromhisside，andrushedathisenemy，roaringhoarselyhiscryofbattle。Theunknownknight’sswordwasunsheathedinamoment，andatthenextthetwobladeswereclankingtogetherthedreadfulmusicofthecombat！

TheDonnerblitzwieldedhiswithhisusualsavagenessandactivity。

Itwhirledroundhisadversary’sheadwithfrightfulrapidity。Nowitcarriedawayafeatherofhisplume；nowitshoreoffaleafofhiscoronet。Theflailofthethrasherdoesnotfallmoreswiftlyuponthecorn。FormanyminutesitwastheUnknown’sonlytasktodefendhimselffromthetremendousactivityoftheenemy。

ButeventheRowski’sstrengthwouldslackenafterexertion。Theblowsbegantofalllessthickanon，andthepointoftheunknownknightbegantomakedreadfulplay。ItfoundandpenetratedeveryjointoftheDonnerblitz’sarmor。Nowitnickedhimintheshoulderwherethevambracewasbuckledtothecorselet；nowitboredashrewdholeunderthelightbrissart，andbloodfollowed；

now，withfataldexterity，itdartedthroughthevisor，andcamebacktotherecoverdeeplytingedwithblood。Ascreamofragefollowedthelastthrust；andnowonder:——ithadpenetratedtheRowski’slefteye。

Hisbloodwastricklingthroughadozenorifices；hewasalmostchokinginhishelmetwithlossofbreath，andlossofblood，andrage。Gaspingwithfury，hedrewbackhishorse，flunghisgreatswordathisopponent’shead，andoncemoreplungedathim，wieldinghiscurtal-axe。

Thenyoushouldhaveseentheunknownknightemployingthesamedreadfulweapon！Hithertohehadbeenonhisdefence；nowhebegantheattack；andthegleamingaxewhirredinhishandlikeareed，butdescendedlikeathunderbolt！”Yield！yield！SirRowski，”

shoutedhe，inacalm，clearvoice。

Ablowdealtmadlyathisheadwasthereply。’TwasthelastblowthattheCountofEulenschreckensteineverstruckinbattle！Thecursewasonhislipsasthecrushingsteeldescendedintohisbrain，andsplititintwo。Herolledlikealogfromhishorse:

hisenemy’skneewasinamomentonhischest，andthedaggerofmercyathisthroat，astheknightoncemorecalleduponhimtoyield。

Buttherewasnoanswerfromwithinthehelmet。Whenitwaswithdrawn，theteethwerecrunchedtogether；themouththatshouldhavespoken，grinnedaghastlysilence:oneeyestillglaredwithhateandfury，butitwasglazedwiththefilmofdeath！

TheredorbofthesunwasjustthendippingintotheRhine。Theunknownknight，vaultingoncemoreintohissaddle，madeagracefulobeisancetothePrinceofClevesandhisdaughter，withoutaword，andgallopedbackintotheforest，whencehehadissuedanhourbeforesunset。

CHAPTERXIII。

THEMARRIAGE。

TheconsternationwhichensuedonthedeathoftheRowski，speedilysentallhiscamp-followers，army，&c。totheright-about。Theystrucktheirtentsatthefirstnewsofhisdiscomfiture；andeachmanlayingholdofwhathecould，thewholeofthegallantforcewhichhadmarchedunderhisbannerinthemorninghaddisappearederethesunrose。

Onthatnight，asitmaybeimagined，thegatesoftheCastleofCleveswerenotshut。Everybodywasfreetocomein。Wine-buttswerebroachedinallthecourts；thepickledmeatpreparedinsuchlotsforthesiegewasdistributedamongthepeople，whocrowdedtocongratulatetheirbelovedsovereignonhisvictory；andthePrince，aswascustomarywiththatgoodman，whoneverlostanopportunityofgivingadinner-party，hadasplendidentertainmentmadereadyfortheupperclasses，thewholeconcludingwithatastefuldisplayoffireworks。

Inthemidstoftheseentertainments，ouroldfriendtheCountofHombourgarrivedatthecastle。ThestalwartoldwarriorsworebySaintBugothathewasgrievedthekillingoftheRowskihadbeentakenoutofhishand。ThelaughingClevesvowedbySaintBendigo，Hombourgcouldneverhavefinishedoffhisenemysosatisfactorilyastheunknownknighthadjustdone。

Butwhowashe？wasthequestionwhichnowagitatedthebosomofthesetwooldnobles。Howtofindhim——howtorewardthechampionandrestorerofthehonorandhappinessofCleves？Theyagreedoversupperthatheshouldbesoughtforeverywhere。Beadlesweresentroundtheprincipalcitieswithinfiftymiles，andthedescriptionoftheknightadvertised，intheJournaldeFrancfortandtheAllgemeineZeitung。ThehandofthePrincessHelenwassolemnlyofferedtohimintheseadvertisements，withthereversionofthePrinceofCleves’ssplendidthoughsomewhatdilapidatedproperty。”Butwedon’tknowhim，mydearpapa，”faintlyejaculatedthatyounglady。”Someimpostormaycomeinasuitofplainarmor，andpretendthathewasthechampionwhoovercametheRowski(aprincewhohadhisfaultscertainly，butwhoseattachmentformeIcanneverforget)；andhowareyoutosaywhetherheistherealknightornot？Therearesomanydeceiversinthisworld，”addedthePrincess，intears，”thatonecan’tbetoocautiousnow。”Thefactis，thatshewasthinkingofthedesertionofOttointhemorning；

bywhichinstanceoffaithlessnessherheartwaswellnighbroken。

AsforthatyouthandhiscomradeWolfgang，totheastonishmentofeverybodyattheirimpudence，theycametothearchers’messthatnight，asifnothinghadhappened；gottheirsupper，partakingbothofmeatanddrinkmostplentifully；fellasleepwhentheircomradesbegantodescribetheeventsoftheday，andtheadmirableachievementsoftheunknownwarrior；andturningintotheirhammocks，didnotappearonparadeinthemorninguntiltwentyminutesafterthenameswerecalled。

WhenthePrinceofClevesheardofthereturnofthesedesertershewasinatoweringpassion。”Wherewereyou，fellows，”shoutedhe，”duringthetimemycastlewasatitsutmostneed？”

Ottoreplied，”Wewereoutonparticularbusiness。””Doesasoldierleavehispostonthedayofbattle，sir？”

exclaimedthePrince。”Youknowtherewardofsuch——Death！anddeathyoumerit。Butyouareasoldieronlyofyesterday，andyesterday’svictoryhasmadememerciful。Hangedyoushallnotbe，asyoumerit——onlyflogged，bothofyou。Paradethemen，ColonelTickelstern，afterbreakfast，andgivethesescoundrelsfivehundredapiece。”

YoushouldhaveseenhowyoungOttobounded，whenthisinformationwasthusabruptlyconveyedtohim。”FlogME！”criedhe。”FlogOttoof——””Notso，myfather，”saidthePrincessHelen，whohadbeenstandingbyduringtheconversation，andwhohadlookedatOttoallthewhilewiththemostineffablescorn。”Notso:althoughthesePERSONShaveforgottentheirduty”(shelaidaparticularlysarcasticemphasisonthewordpersons)，”wehavehadnoneedoftheirservices，andhaveluckilyfoundOTHERSmorefaithful。Youpromisedyourdaughteraboon，papa；itisthepardonofthesetwoPERSONS。Letthemgo，andquitaservicetheyhavedisgraced；amistress——thatis，amaster——theyhavedeceived。””Drum’emoutofthecastle，Ticklestern；striptheiruniformsfromtheirbacks，andneverletmehearofthescoundrelsagain。”Sosaying，theoldPrinceangrilyturnedonhisheeltobreakfast，leavingthetwoyoungmentothefunandderisionoftheirsurroundingcomrades。

ThenobleCountofHombourg，whowastakinghisusualairingontherampartsbeforebreakfast，cameupatthisjuncture，andaskedwhatwastherow？Ottoblushedwhenhesawhimandturnedawayrapidly；

buttheCount，too，catchingaglimpseofhim，withahundredexclamationsofjoyfulsurpriseseizeduponthelad，huggedhimtohismanlybreast，kissedhimmostaffectionately，andalmostburstintotearsasheembracedhim。For，insooth，thegoodCounthadthoughthisgodsonlongerethisatthebottomofthesilverRhine。

ThePrinceofCleves，whohadcometothebreakfast-parlorwindow，(toinvitehisguesttoenter，astheteawasmade，)beheldthisstrangescenefromthewindow，asdidthelovelytea-makerlikewise，withbreathlessandbeautifulagitation。TheoldCountandthearcherstrolledupanddownthebattlementsindeepconversation。Bythegesturesofsurpriseanddelightexhibitedbytheformer，’twaseasytoseetheyoungarcherwasconveyingsomeverystrangeandpleasingnewstohim；thoughthenatureoftheconversationwasnotallowedtotranspire。”Agodsonofmine，”saidthenobleCount，wheninterrogatedoverhismuffins。”Iknowhisfamily；worthypeople；sadscapegrace；

ranaway；parentslongingforhim；gladyoudidnotfloghim；deviltopay，”andsoforth。TheCountwasamanoffewwords，andtoldhistaleinthisbrief，artlessmanner。Butwhy，atitsconclusion，didthegentleHelenleavetheroom，hereyesfilledwithtears？Shelefttheroomoncemoretokissacertainlockofyellowhairshehadpilfered。Adazzling，deliciousthought，astrangewildhope，aroseinhersoul！

Whensheappearedagain，shemadesomeside-handedinquiriesregardingOtto(withthatgentleartificeoftemployedbywomen)；

buthewasgone。Heandhiscompanionweregone。TheCountofHombourghadlikewisetakenhisdeparture，underpretextofparticularbusiness。HowlonelythevastcastleseemedtoHelen，nowthatHEwasnolongerthere。Thetransactionsofthelastfewdays；thebeautifularcher-boy；theofferfromtheRowski(alwaysaneventinayounglady’slife)；thesiegeofthecastle；thedeathofhertruculentadmirer:allseemedlikeafevereddreamtoher:allwaspassedaway，andhadleftnotracebehind。Notrace？——

yes！one:alittleinsignificantlockofgoldenhair，overwhichtheyoungcreatureweptsomuchthatsheputitoutofcurl；

passinghoursandhoursinthesummer-house，wheretheoperationhadbeenperformed。

Onthesecondday(itismybeliefshewouldhavegoneintoaconsumptionanddiedoflanguor，iftheeventhadbeendelayedadaylonger，)amessenger，withatrumpet，broughtaletterinhastetothePrinceofCleves，whowas，asusual，takingrefreshment。”TotheHighandMightyPrince，”&c。theletterran。”TheChampionwhohadthehonorofengagingonWednesdaylastwithhislateExcellencytheRowskiofDonnerblitz，presentshiscomplimentstoH。S。H。thePrinceofCleves。ThroughthemediumofthepublicprintstheC。hasbeenmadeacquaintedwiththeflatteringproposalofHisSereneHighnessrelativetoaunionbetweenhimself(theChampion)andherSereneHighnessthePrincessHelenofCleves。

TheChampionacceptswithpleasurethatpoliteinvitation，andwillhavethehonorofwaitinguponthePrinceandPrincessofClevesabouthalfanhourafterthereceiptofthisletter。””Tollolderol，girl，”shoutedthePrincewithheartfeltjoy。

(Haveyounotremarked，dearfriend，howofteninnovel-books，andonthestage，joyisannouncedbytheaboveburstofinsensatemonosyllables？)”Tollolderol。Donthybestkirtle，child；thyhusbandwillbehereanon。”AndHelenretiredtoarrangehertoiletforthisawfuleventinthelifeofayoungwoman。Whenshereturned，attiredtowelcomeherdefender，heryoungcheekwasaspaleasthewhitesatinslipandorangesprigsshewore。

Shewasscarceseatedonthedaisbyherfather’sside，whenahugeflourishoftrumpetsfromwithoutproclaimedthearrivalofTHE

CHAMPION。Helenfeltquitesick:adraughtofetherwasnecessarytorestorehertranquillity。

Thegreatdoorwasflungopen。Heentered，——thesametallwarrior，slim，andbeautiful，blazinginshiningsteel。HeapproachedthePrince’sthrone，supportedoneachsidebyafriendlikewiseinarmor。Hekneltgracefullyononeknee。”Icome，”saidheinavoicetremblingwithemotion，”toclaim，asperadvertisement，thehandofthelovelyLadyHelen。”AndheheldoutacopyoftheAllgemeineZeitungashespoke。”Artthounoble，SirKnight？”askedthePrinceofCleves。”Asnobleasyourself，”answeredthekneelingsteel。”Whoanswersforthee？””I，Karl，MargraveofGodesberg，hisfather！”saidtheknightontherighthand，liftinguphisvisor。”AndI——Ludwig，CountofHombourg，hisgodfather！”saidtheknightontheleft，doinglikewise。

Thekneelingknightlifteduphisvisornow，andlookedonHelen。”IKNEWITWAS，”saidshe，andfaintedasshesawOttotheArcher。

Butshewassoonbroughtto，gentles，asIhavesmallneedtotellye。Inaveryfewdaysafter，agreatmarriagetookplaceatClevesunderthepatronageofSaintBugo，SaintBuffo，andSaintBendigo。Afterthemarriageceremony，thehappiestandhandsomestpairintheworlddroveoffinachaise-and-four，topassthehoneymoonatKissingen。TheLadyTheodora，whomweleftlockedupinherconventalongwhilesince，wasprevailedupontocomebacktoGodesberg，whereshewasreconciledtoherhusband。Jealousofherdaughter-in-law，sheidolizedherson，andspoiledallherlittlegrandchildren。Andsoallarehappy，andmysimpletaleisdone。

Ireaditinanold，oldbook，inamouldyoldcirculatinglibrary。

’TwaswrittenintheFrenchtongue，bythenobleAlexandreDumas；

but’tisprobablethathestoleitfromsomeother，andthattheotherhadfilcheditfromaformertale-teller。Fornothingisnewunderthesun。Thingsdieandarereproducedonly。AndsoitisthattheforgottentaleofthegreatDumasreappearsunderthesignatureofTHERESAMACWHIRTER。

WHISTLEBINKIE，N。B。，December1。

REBECCAANDROWENA。

AROMANCEUPONROMANCE。

BYMR。MICHAELANGELOTITMARSH。

CHAPTERI。

THEOVERTURE——COMMENCEMENTOFTHEBUSINESS。

Well-belovednovel-readersandgentlepatronessesofromance，assuredlyithasoftenoccurredtoeveryoneofyou，thatthebookswedelightinhaveveryunsatisfactoryconclusions，andendquiteprematurelywithpage320ofthethirdvolume。Atthatepochofthehistoryitiswellknownthattheheroisseldommorethanthirtyyearsold，andtheheroinebyconsequencesomesevenoreightyearsyounger；andIwouldaskanyofyouwhetheritisfairtosupposethatpeopleaftertheaboveagehavenothingworthyofnoteintheirlives，andceasetoexistastheydriveawayfromSaintGeorge’s，HanoverSquare？You，dearyoungladies，whogetyourknowledgeoflifefromthecirculatinglibrary，maybeledtoimaginethatwhenthemarriagebusinessisdone，andEmiliaiswhiskedoffinthenewtravelling-carriage，bythesideoftheenrapturedEarl；orBelinda，breakingawayfromthetearfulembracesofherexcellentmother，driesherownlovelyeyesuponthethrobbingwaistcoatofherbridegroom——youmaybeapt，Isay，tosupposethatallisoverthen；thatEmiliaandtheEarlaregoingtobehappyfortherestoftheirlivesinhislordship’sromanticcastleintheNorth，andBelindaandheryoungclergymantoenjoyuninterruptedblissintheirrose-trellisedparsonageintheWestofEngland:butsometherebeamongthenovel-readingclasses——oldexperiencedfolks——whoknowbetterthanthis。Sometherebewhohavebeenmarried，andfoundthattheyhavestillsomethingtoseeandtodo，andtosuffermayhap；andthatadventures，andpains，andpleasures，andtaxes，andsunrisesandsettings，andthebusinessandjoysandgriefsoflifegoonafter，asbeforethenuptialceremony。

ThereforeIsay，itisanunfairadvantagewhichthenovelisttakesofheroandheroine，asofhisinexperiencedreader，tosaygood-bytothetwoformer，assoonasevertheyaremadehusbandandwife；

andIhaveoftenwishedthatadditionsshouldbemadetoallworksoffictionwhichhavebeenbroughttoabruptterminationsinthemannerdescribed；andthatweshouldhearwhatoccurstothesobermarriedman，aswellastotheardentbachelor；tothematron，aswellastotheblushingspinster。AndinthisrespectIadmire(andwoulddesiretoimitate，)thenobleandprolificFrenchauthor，AlexandreDumas，whocarrieshisheroesfromearlyyouthdowntothemostvenerableoldage；anddoesnotletthemrestuntiltheyaresoold，thatitisfulltimethepoorfellowsshouldgetalittlepeaceandquiet。Aheroismuchtoovaluableagentlemantobeputupontheretiredlist，intheprimeandvigorofhisyouth；andIwishtoknowwhatladyamonguswouldliketobeputontheshelf，andthoughtnolongerinteresting，becauseshehasafamilygrowingup，andisfourorfiveandthirtyyearsofage？Ihaveknownladiesatsixty，withheartsastenderandideasasromanticasanyyoungmissesofsixteen。Letushavemiddle-

agednovelsthen，aswellasyourextremelyjuvenilelegends:lettheyoungonesbewarnedthattheoldfolkshavearighttobeinteresting:andthataladymaycontinuetohaveaheart，althoughsheissomewhatstouterthanshewaswhenaschool-girl，andamanhisfeelings，althoughhegetshishairfromTruefitt’s。

ThusIwoulddesirethatthebiographiesofmanyofourmostillustriouspersonagesofromanceshouldbecontinuedbyfittinghands，andthattheyshouldbeheardof，untilatleastadecentage——LookatMr。James’sheroes:theyinvariablymarryyoung。

LookatMr。Dickens’s:theydisappearfromthescenewhentheyaremerechits。Itrusttheseauthors，whoarestillalive，willseetheproprietyoftellingussomethingmoreaboutpeopleinwhomwetookaconsiderableinterest，andwhomustbeatpresentstrongandhearty，andinthefullvigorofhealthandintellect。AndinthetalesofthegreatSirWalter(mayhonorbetohisname)，Iamsurethereareanumberofpeoplewhoareuntimelycarriedawayfromus，andofwhomweoughttohearmore。

MydearRebecca，daughterofIsaacofYork，hasalways，inmymind，beenoneofthese；norcanIeverbelievethatsuchawoman，soadmirable，sotender，soheroic，sobeautiful，coulddisappearaltogetherbeforesuchanotherwomanasRowena，thatvapid，flaxen-

headedcreature，whois，inmyhumbleopinion，unworthyofIvanhoe，andunworthyofherplaceasheroine。Hadbothofthemgottheirrights，iteverseemedtomethatRebeccawouldhavehadthehusband，andRowenawouldhavegoneofftoaconventandshutherselfup，whereI，forone，wouldneverhavetakenthetroubleofinquiringforher。

ButafterallshemarriedIvanhoe。Whatistobedone？Thereisnohelpforit。ThereitisinblackandwhiteattheendofthethirdvolumeofSirWalterScott’schronicle，thatthecouplewerejoinedtogetherinmatrimony。AndmusttheDisinheritedKnight，whosebloodhasbeenfiredbythesunsofPalestine，andwhosehearthasbeenwarmedinthecompanyofthetenderandbeautifulRebecca，sitdowncontentedforlifebythesideofsuchafrigidpieceofproprietyasthaticy，faultless，prim，niminy-piminyRowena？Forbiditfate，forbiditpoeticaljustice！Thereisasimpleplanforsettingmattersright，andgivingallpartiestheirdue，whichisheresubmittedtothenovel-reader。Ivanhoe’shistoryMUSThavehadacontinuation；anditisthiswhichensues。

Imaybewronginsomeparticularsofthenarrative，——aswhatwriterwillnotbe？——butofthemainincidentsofthehistory，I

haveinmyownmindnosortofdoubt，andconfidentlysubmitthemtothatgenerouspublicwhichlikestoseevirtuerighted，trueloverewarded，andthebrilliantFairydescendoutoftheblazingchariotattheendofthepantomime，andmakeHarlequinandColumbinehappy。What，ifrealitybenotso，gentlemenandladies；

andif，afterdancingavarietyofjigsandantics，andjumpinginandoutofendlesstrap-doorsandwindows，throughlife’sshiftingscenes，nofairycomesdowntomakeUScomfortableatthecloseoftheperformance？Ah！letusgiveourhonestnovel-folksthebenefitoftheirposition，andnotbeenviousoftheirgoodluck。

Nopersonwhohasreadtheprecedingvolumesofthishistory，asthefamouschroniclerofAbbotsfordhasrecordedthem，candoubtforamomentwhatwastheresultofthemarriagebetweenSirWilfridofIvanhoeandLadyRowena。Thosewhohavemarkedherconductduringhermaidenhood，herdistinguishedpoliteness，herspotlessmodestyofdemeanor，herunalterablecoolnessunderallcircumstances，andherloftyandgentlewomanlikebearing，mustbesurethathermarriedconductwouldequalherspinsterbehavior，andthatRowenathewifewouldbeapatternofcorrectnessforallthematronsofEngland。

Suchwasthefact。FormilesaroundRotherwoodhercharacterforpietywasknown。Hercastlewasarendezvousforalltheclergyandmonksofthedistrict，whomshefedwiththerichestviands，whileshepinchedherselfuponpulseandwater。TherewasnotaninvalidinthethreeRidings，SaxonorNorman，butthepalfreyoftheLadyRowenamightbeseenjourneyingtohisdoor，incompanywithFatherGlauber，heralmoner，andBrotherThomasofEpsom，herleech。ShelightedupallthechurchesinYorkshirewithwax-

candles，theofferingsofherpiety。Thebellsofherchapelbegantoringattwoo’clockinthemorning；andallthedomesticsofRotherwoodwerecalledupontoattendatmatins，atcomplins，atnones，atvespers，andatsermon。IneednotsaythatfastingwasobservedwithalltherigorsoftheChurch；andthatthoseoftheservantsoftheLadyRowenawerelookeduponwithmostfavorwhosehair-shirtsweretheroughest，andwhoflagellatedthemselveswiththemostbecomingperseverance。

WhetheritwasthatthisdisciplineclearedpoorWamba’switsorcooledhishumor，itiscertainthathebecamethemostmelancholyfoolinEngland，andifeverheventureduponapuntotheshudderingpoorservitors，whoweremumblingtheirdrycrustsbelowthesalt，itwassuchafaintandstalejokethatnobobydaredtolaughattheinnuendoesoftheunfortunatewag，andasicklysmilewasthebestapplausehecouldmuster。Once，indeed，whenGuffo，thegoose-boy(ahalf-wittedpoorwretch)，laughedoutrightatalamentablystalepunwhichWambapalmeduponhimatsupper-time，(itwasdark，andthetorchesbeingbroughtin，Wambasaid，”Guffo，theycan’tseetheirwayintheargument，andaregoingTOTHROWA

LITTLELIGHTUPONTHESUBJECT，”)theLadyRowena，beingdisturbedinatheologicalcontroversywithFatherWillibald，(afterwardscanonizedasSt。Willibald，ofBareacres，hermitandconfessor，)

calledouttoknowwhatwasthecauseoftheunseemlyinterruption，andGuffoandWambabeingpointedoutastheculprits，orderedthemstraightwayintothecourt-yard，andthreedozentobeadministeredtoeachofthem。”IgotyououtofFront-de-Boeufscastle，”saidpoorWamba，piteously，appealingtoSirWilfridofIvanhoe，”andcanstthounotsavemefromthelash？””Yes，fromFront-de-Boeuf’scastle，WHEREYOUWERELOCKEDUPWITH

THEJEWESSINTHETOWER！”saidRowena，haughtilyreplyingtothetimidappealofherhusband。”Gurth，givehimfourdozen！”

AndthiswasallpoorWambagotbyapplyingforthemediationofhismaster。

Infact，RowenaknewherowndignitysowellasaprincessoftheroyalbloodofEngland，thatSirWilfridofIvanhoe，herconsort，couldscarcelycallhislifehisown，andwasmade，inallthings，tofeeltheinferiorityofhisstation。Andwhichofusisthereacquaintedwiththesexthathasnotremarkedthispropensityinlovelywoman，andhowoftenthewisestinthecouncilaremadetobeasfoolsatHERboard，andtheboldestinthebattle-fieldarecravenwhenfacingherdistaff？”WhereyouwerelockedupwiththeJewessinthetower，”wasaremark，too，ofwhichWilfridkeenlyfelt，andperhapsthereaderwillunderstand，thesignificancy。WhenthedaughterofIsaacofYorkbroughtherdiamondsandrubies——thepoorgentlevictim！——and，meeklylayingthematthefeetoftheconqueringRowena，departedintoforeignlandstotendthesickofherpeople，andtobroodoverthebootlesspassionwhichconsumedherownpureheart，onewouldhavethoughtthattheheartoftheroyalladywouldhavemeltedbeforesuchbeautyandhumility，andthatshewouldhavebeengenerousinthemomentofhervictory。

Butdidyoueverknowaright-mindedwomanpardonanotherforbeinghandsomeandmorelove-worthythanherself？TheLadyRowenadidcertainlysaywithmightymagnanimitytotheJewishmaiden，”Comeandlivewithmeasasister，”astheformerpartofthishistoryshows；butRebeccaknewinherheartthatherladyship’spropositionwaswhatiscalledBOSH(inthatnobleEasternlanguagewithwhichWilfridtheCrusaderwasfamiliar)，orfudge，inplainSaxon；andretiredwithabroken，gentlespirit，neitherabletobearthesightofherrival’shappiness，norwillingtodisturbitbythecontrastofherownwretchedness。Rowena，likethemosthigh-bredandvirtuousofwomen，neverforgaveIsaac’sdaughterherbeauty，norherflirtationwithWilfrid(astheSaxonladychosetotermit)；

nor，aboveall，heradmirablediamondsandjewels，althoughRowenawasactuallyinpossessionofthem。

Inaword，shewasalwaysflingingRebeccaintoIvanhoe’steeth。

TherewasnotadayinhislifebutthatunhappywarriorwasmadetorememberthataHebrewdamselhadbeeninlovewithhim，andthataChristianladyoffashioncouldneverforgivetheinsult。

Forinstance，ifGurth，theswineherd，whowasnowpromotedtobeagamekeeperandverderer，broughttheaccountofafamouswild-boarinthewood，andproposedahunt，Rowenawouldsay，”Do，SirWilfrid，persecutethesepoorpigs:youknowyourfriendstheJewscan’tabidethem！”Orwhen，asitoftwouldhappen，ourlion-

heartedmonarch，Richard，inordertogetaloanorabenevolencefromtheJews，wouldroastafewoftheHebrewcapitalists，orextractsomeoftheprincipalrabbis’teeth，Rowenawouldexultandsay，”Servethemright，themisbelievingwretches！Englandcanneverbeahappycountryuntileveryoneofthesemonstersisexterminated！”orelse，adoptingastrainofstillmoresavagesarcasm，wouldexclaim，”Ivanhoemydear，morepersecutionfortheJews！Hadn’tyoubetterinterfere，mylove？HisMajestywilldoanythingforyou；and，youknow，theJewswereALWAYSSUCH

FAVORITESOFYOURS，”orwordstothateffect。But，nevertheless，herladyshipneverlostanopportunityofwearingRebecca’sjewelsatcourt，whenevertheQueenheldadrawing-room；orattheYorkassizesandball，whensheappearedthere:notofcoursebecauseshetookanyinterestinsuchthings，butbecausesheconsidereditherdutytoattend，asoneofthechiefladiesofthecounty。

ThusSirWilfridofIvanhoe，havingattainedtheheightofhiswishes，was，likemanyamanwhenhehasreachedthatdangerouselevation，disappointed。Ah，dearfriends，itisbuttoooftensoinlife！Manyagarden，seenfromadistance，looksfreshandgreen，which，whenbeheldclosely，isdismalandweedy；theshadywalksmelancholyandgrass-grown；thebowersyouwouldfainreposein，cushionedwithstinging-nettles。IhaveriddeninacaiqueuponthewatersoftheBosphorus，andlookeduponthecapitaloftheSoldanofTurkey。Asseenfromthosebluewaters，withpalaceandpinnacle，withgildeddomeandtoweringcypress，itseemethaveryParadiseofMahound:but，enterthecity，anditisbutabeggarlylabyrinthofricketyhutsanddirtyalleys，wherethewaysaresteepandthesmellsarefoul，tenantedbymangydogsandraggedbeggars——adismalillusion！Lifeissuch，ah，well-a-day！

Itisonlyhopewhichisreal，andrealityisabitternessandadeceit。

PerhapsamanwithIvanhoe’shighprincipleswouldneverbringhimselftoacknowledgethisfact；butothersdidforhim。Hegrewthin，andpinedawayasmuchasifhehadbeeninafeverunderthescorchingsunofAscalon。Hehadnoappetiteforhismeals；hesleptill，thoughhewasyawningallday。ThejanglingofthedoctorsandfriarswhomRowenabroughttogetherdidnotintheleastenlivenhim，andhewouldsometimesgiveproofsofsomnolencyduringtheirdisputes，greatlytotheconsternationofhislady。

Hehuntedagooddeal，and，Iverymuchfear，asRowenarightlyremarked，thathemighthaveanexcuseforbeingabsentfromhome。

Hebegantolikewine，too，whohadbeenassoberasahermit；andwhenhecamebackfromAthelstane’s(whitherhewouldrepairnotunfrequently)，theunsteadinessofhisgaitandtheunnaturalbrilliancyofhiseyewereremarkedbyhislady:who，youmaybesure，wassittingupforhim。AsforAthelstane，hesworebySt。

Wullstanthathewasgladtohaveescapedamarriagewithsuchapatternofpropriety；andhonestCedrictheSaxon(whohadbeenveryspeedilydrivenoutofhisdaughter-in-law’scastle)vowedbySt。Waltheofthathissonhadboughtadearbargain。

SoSirWilfridofIvanhoebecamealmostastiredofEnglandashisroyalmasterRichardwas，(whoalwaysquittedthecountrywhenhehadsqueezedfromhisloyalnobles，commons，clergy，andJews，allthemoneywhichhecouldget，)andwhenthelion-heartedPrincebegantomakewaragainsttheFrenchKing，inNormandyandGuienne，SirWilfridpinedlikeatrueservanttobeincompanyofthegoodchampion，alongsideofwhomhehadshiveredsomanylances，anddealtsuchwoundyblowsofswordandbattle-axeontheplainsofJaffaorthebreachesofAcre。TravellerswerewelcomeatRotherwoodthatbroughtnewsfromthecampofthegoodKing:andI

warrantmethattheknightlistenedwithallhismightwhenFatherDrono，thechaplain，readintheSt。James’sChronykyll(whichwasthepaperofnewsheofIvanhoetookin)of”anotherglorioustriumph”——”DefeatoftheFrenchnearBlois”——”SplendidvictoryatEpte，andnarrowescapeoftheFrenchKing:”thewhichdeedsofarmsthelearnedscribeshadtonarrate。

Howeversuchtalesmightexcitehimduringthereading，theylefttheKnightofIvanhoeonlythemoremelancholyafterlistening:andthemoremoodyashesatinhisgreathallsilentlydraininghisGasconywine。Silentlysatheandlookedathiscoats-of-mailhangingvacantonthewall，hisbannercoveredwithspider-webs，andhisswordandaxerustingthere。”Ah，dearaxe，”sighedhe(intohisdrinking-horn)——”ah，gentlesteel！thatwasamerrytimewhenIsenttheecrashingintothepateoftheEmirAbdulMelikasherodeontherightofSaladin。Ah，mysword，mydaintyheadsman？

mysweetsplit-rib？myrazorofinfidelbeards！istherusttoeatthineedgeoff，andamInevermoretowieldtheeinbattle？Whatistheuseofashieldonawall，oralancethathasacobwebforapennon？ORichard，mygoodking，wouldIcouldhearoncemorethyvoiceinthefrontoftheonset！BonesofBriantheTemplar？

wouldyecouldrisefromyourgraveatTemplestowe，andthatwemightbreakanotherspearforhonorand——and——”……”AndREBECCA，”hewouldhavesaid；buttheknightpausedhereinratheraguiltypanic:andherRoyalHighnessthePrincessRowena(asshechosetostyleherselfathome)lookedsohardathimoutofherchina-blueeyes，thatSirWilfridfeltasifshewasreadinghisthoughts，andwasfaintodrophisowneyesintohisflagon。

Inaword，hislifewasintolerable。Thedinnerhourofthetwelfthcentury，itisknown，wasveryearly；infact，peopledinedatteno’clockinthemorning:andafterdinnerRowenasatmumunderhercanopy，embroideredwiththearmsofEdwardtheConfessor，workingwithhermaidensatthemosthideouspiecesoftapestry，representingthetorturesandmartyrdomsofherfavoritesaints，andnotallowingasoultospeakabovehisbreath，exceptwhenshechosetocryoutinherownshrillvoicewhenahandmaidmadeawrongstitch，orletfallaballofworsted。Itwasadrearylife。Wamba，wehavesaid，neverventuredtocrackajoke，saveinawhisper，whenhewastenmilesfromhome；andthenSirWilfridIvanhoewastoowearyandblue-devilledtolaugh；buthuntedinsilence，moodilybringingdowndeerandwild-boarwithshaftandquarrel。

ThenhebesoughtRobinofHuntingdon，thejollyoutlaw，nathless，tojoinhim，andgotothehelpoftheirfairsireKingRichard，withascoreortwooflances。ButtheEarlofHuntingdonwasaverydifferentcharacterfromRobinHoodtheforester。Therewasnomoreconscientiousmagistrateinallthecountythanhislordship:hewasneverknowntomisschurchorquarter-sessions；hewasthestrictestgame-proprietorinalltheRiding，andsentscoresofpoacherstoBotanyBay。”Amanwhohasastakeinthecountry，mygoodSirWilfrid，”LordHuntingdonsaid，withratherapatronizingair(hislordshiphadgrownimmenselyfatsincetheKinghadtakenhimintograce，andrequiredahorseasstrongasanelephanttomounthim)——”amanwithastakeinthecountryoughttostayINthecountry。Propertyhasitsdutiesaswellasitsprivileges，andapersonofmyrankisboundtoliveonthelandfromwhichhegetshisliving。””’Amen！”sangouttheReverend——Tuck，hislordship’sdomesticchaplain，whohadalsogrownassleekastheAbbotofJorvaulx，whowasasprimasaladyinhisdress，worebergamotinhishandkerchief，andhadhispollshavedandhisbeardcurledeveryday。AndsosanctifiedwashisReverencegrown，thathethoughtitwasashametokilltheprettydeer，(thoughheateofthemstillhugely，bothinpastiesandwithFrenchbeansandcurrant-jelly，)

andbeingshownaquarter-staffuponacertainoccasion，handleditcuriously，andasked”whatthatuglygreatstickwas？”

LadyHuntingdon，lateMaidMarian，hadstillsomeofheroldfunandspirits，andpoorIvanhoebeggedandprayedthatshewouldcomeandstayatRotherwoodoccasionally，andegayerthegeneraldulnessofthatcastle。ButherladyshipsaidthatRowenagaveherselfsuchairs，andboredhersointolerablywithstoriesofKingEdwardtheConfessor，thatshepreferredanyplaceratherthanRotherwood，whichwasasdullasifithadbeenatthetopofMountAthos。

TheonlypersonwhovisiteditwasAthelstane。”HisRoyalHighnessthePrince”Rowenaofcoursecalledhim，whomtheladyreceivedwithroyalhonors。Shehadthegunsfired，andthefootmenturnedoutwithpresentedarmswhenhearrived；helpedhimtoallIvanhoe’sfavoritecutsofthemuttonortheturkey，andforcedherpoorhusbandtolighthimtothestatebedroom，walkingbackwards，holdingapairofwax-candles。AtthishourofbedtimetheThaneusedtobeinsuchacondition，thathesawtwopairofcandlesandtwoIvanhoesreelingbeforehim。LetushopeitwasnotIvanhoethatwasreeling，butonlyhiskinsman’sbrainsmuddledwiththequantitiesofdrinkwhichitwashisdailycustomtoconsume。

RowenasaiditwasthecrackwhichthewickedBoisGuilbert，”theJewess’sOTHERlover，Wilfridmydear，”gavehimonhisroyalskull，whichcausedthePrincetobedisturbedsoeasily；butadded，thatdrinkingbecameapersonofroyalblood，andwasbutoneofthedutiesofhisstation。

SirWilfridofIvanhoesawitwouldbeofnoavailtoaskthismantobearhimcompanyonhisprojectedtourabroad；butstillhehimselfwaseverydaymoreandmorebentupongoing，andhelongcastaboutforsomemeansofbreakingtohisRowenahisfirmresolutiontojointheKing。Hethoughtshewouldcertaintyfallillifhecommunicatedthenewstooabruptlytoher:hewouldpretendajourneytoYorktoattendagrandjury；thenacalltoLondononlawbusinessortobuystock；thenhewouldslipovertoCalaisbythepacket，bydegreesasitwere；andsobewiththeKingbeforehiswifeknewthathewasoutofsightofWestminsterHall。”SupposeyourhonorsaysyouaregoingasyourhonorwouldsayBo！

toagoose，plump，short，andtothepoint，”saidWambatheJester——

whowasSirWilfrid’schiefcounsellorandattendant——”dependon’therHighnesswouldbearthenewslikeaChristianwoman。””Tush，malapert！Iwillgivetheethestrap，”saidSirWilfrid，inafinetoneofhigh-tragedyindignation。”Thouknowestnotthedelicacyofthenervesofhigh-bornladies。Anshefaintnot，writemedownHollander。””IwillwagermybaubleagainstanIrishbilletofexchangethatshewillletyourhonorgooffreadily:thatis，ifyoupressnotthemattertoostrongly，”Wambaanswered，knowingly。AndthisIvanhoefoundtohisdiscomfiture:foronemorningatbreakfast，adoptingadegageair，ashesippedhistea，hesaid，”Mylove，I

wasthinkingofgoingovertopayhisMajestyavisitinNormandy。”

Uponwhich，layingdownhermuffin，(which，sincetheroyalAlfredbakedthosecakes，hadbeenthechosenbreakfastcateofnobleAnglo-Saxons，andwhichakneelingpagetenderedtoheronasalver，chasedbytheFlorentine，BenvenutoCellini，)——”Whendoyouthinkofgoing，Wilfridmydear？”theladysaid；andthemomentthetea-thingswereremoved，andthetablesandtheirtrestlesputaway，shesetaboutmendinghislinen，andgettingreadyhiscarpet-bag。

SoSirWilfridwasasdisgustedatherreadinesstopartwithhimashehadbeenwearyofstayingathome，whichcausedWambatheFooltosay，”Marry，gossip，thouartlikethemanonship-board，who，whentheboatswainfloggedhim，didcryout’Oh！’wherevertherope’s-endfellonhim:whichcausedMasterBoatswaintosay，’Plagueonthee，fellow，andapizeonthee，knave，whereverIhittheethereisnopleasingthee。’””AndtrulytherearesomebackswhichFortuneisalwaysbelaboring，”

thoughtSirWilfridwithagroan，”andmineisonethatiseversore。”

So，withamoderateretinue，whereoftheknaveWambamadeone，andalargewoollencomforterroundhisneck，whichhiswife’sownwhitefingershadwoven，SirWilfridofIvanhoelefthometojointheKinghismaster。Rowena，standingonthesteps，pouredoutaseriesofprayersandblessings，mostedifyingtohear，asherlordmountedhischarger，whichhissquiresledtothedoor。”ItwasthedutyoftheBritishfemaleofrank，”shesaid，”tosufferall——

ALLinthecauseofhersovereign。SHEwouldnotfearlonelinessduringthecampaign:shewouldbearupagainstwidowhood，desertion，andanunprotectedsituation。””MycousinAthelstanewillprotectthee，”saidIvanhoe，withprofoundemotion，asthetearstrickleddownhisbasenet；andbestowingachastesaluteuponthesteel-cladwarrior，Rowenamodestlysaid”shehopedhisHighnesswouldbesokind。”

ThenIvanhoe’strumpetblew:thenRowenawavedherpocket-

handkerchief:thenthehouseholdgaveashout:thenthepursuivantofthegoodKnight，SirWilfridtheCrusader，flungouthisbanner(whichwasargent，agulescramoisywiththreeMoorsimpaledsable):thenWambagavealashonhismule’shaunch，andIvanhoe，heavingagreatsigh，turnedthetailofhiswar-horseuponthecastleofhisfathers。

Astheyrodealongtheforest，theymetAthelstanetheThanepowderingalongtheroadinthedirectionofRotherwoodonhisgreatdray-horseofacharger。”Good-by，goodlucktoyou，oldbrick，”criedthePrince，usingthevernacularSaxon。”PitchintothoseFrenchmen；giveit’emoverthefaceandeyes；andI’llstopathomeandtakecareofMrs。I。””Thankyou，kinsman，”saidIvanhoe——looking，however，notparticularlywellpleased；andthechiefsshakinghands，thetrainofeachtookitsdifferentway——Athelstane’stoRotherwood，Ivanhoe’stowardshisplaceofembarkation。

Thepoorknighthadhiswish，andyethisfacewasayardlongandasyellowasalawyer’sparchment；andhavinglongedtoquithomeanytimethesethreeyearspast，hefoundhimselfenvyingAthelstane，because，forsooth，hewasgoingtoRotherwood:whichsymptomsofdiscontentbeingobservedbythewitlessWamba，causedthatabsurdmadmantobringhisrebeckoverhisshoulderfromhisback，andtosing——”ATRACURA。”BeforeIlostmyfivepoorwits，ImindmeofaRomishclerk，WhosanghowCare，thephantomdark，Besidethebeltedhorsemansits。

MethoughtIsawthegrieslyspriteJumpupbutnowbehindmyKnight。””Perhapsthoudidst，knave，”saidIvanhoe，lookingoverhisshoulder；andtheknavewentonwithhisjingle:”Andthoughhegallopashemay，ImarkthatcursedmonsterblackStillsitsbehindhishonor’sback，Tightsqueezingofhisheartalway。

LiketwoblackTemplarssittheythere，Besideonecrupper，KnightandCare。”NoknightamIwithpennonedspear，Topranceuponabolddestrere:

IwillnothaveblackCareprevailUponmylong-earedcharger’stail，Forlo，Iamawitlessfool，AndlaughatGriefandrideamule。”

Andhisbellsrattledashekickedhismule’ssides。”Silence，fool！”saidSirWilfridofIvanhoe，inavoicebothmajesticandwrathful。”Ifthouknowestnotcareandgrief，itisbecausethouknowestnotlove，whereoftheyarethecompanions。

Whocanlovewithoutananxiousheart？Howshalltherebejoyatmeeting，withouttearsatparting？”(”Ididnotseethathishonorormyladyshedmanyanon，”thoughtWambatheFool；buthewasonlyazany，andhismindwasnotright。)”Iwouldnotexchangemyverysorrowsforthineindifference，”theknightcontinued。”Wherethereisasun，theremustbeashadow。Iftheshadowoffendme，shallIputoutmyeyesandliveinthedark？No！Iamcontentwithmyfate，evensuchasitis。TheCareofwhichthouspeakest，hardthoughitmayvexhim，neveryetrodedownanhonestman。I

canbearhimonmyshoulders，andmakemywaythroughtheworld’spressinspiteofhim；formyarmisstrong，andmyswordiskeen，andmyshieldhasnostainonit；andmyheart，thoughitissad，knowsnoguile。”Andhere，takingalocketoutofhiswaistcoat(whichwasmadeofchain-mail)，theknightkissedthetoken，putitbackunderthewaistcoatagain，heavedaprofoundsigh，andstuckspursintohishorse。

AsforWamba，hewasmunchingablackpuddingwhilstSirWilfridwasmakingtheabovespeech，(whichimpliedsomesecretgriefontheknight’spart，thatmusthavebeenperfectlyunintelligibletothefool，)andsodidnotlistentoasinglewordofIvanhoe’spompousremarks。Theytravelledonbyslowstagesthroughthewholekingdom，untiltheycametoDover，whencetheytookshippingforCalais。Andinthislittlevoyage，beingexceedinglysea-sick，andbesideselatedatthethoughtofmeetinghissovereign，thegoodknightcastawaythatprofoundmelancholywhichhadaccompaniedhimduringthewholeofhislandjourney。

CHAPTERII。

THELASTDAYSOFTHELION。

FromCalaisSirWilfridofIvanhoetookthediligenceacrosscountrytoLimoges，sendingonGurth，hissquire，withthehorsesandtherestofhisattendants:withtheexceptionofWamba，whotravellednotonlyastheknight’sfool，butashisvalet，andwho，perchedontheroofofthecarriage，amusedhimselfbyblowingtunesupontheconducteur’sFrenchhorn。ThegoodKingRichardwas，asIvanhoelearned，intheLimousin，encampedbeforealittleplacecalledChalus；thelordwhereof，thoughavassaloftheKing’s，washoldingthecastleagainsthissovereignwitharesolutionandvalorwhichcausedagreatfuryandannoyanceonthepartoftheMonarchwiththeLionHeart。Forbraveandmagnanimousashewas，theLion-heartedonedidnotlovetobebalkedanymorethananother；and，liketheroyalanimalwhomhewassaidtoresemble，hecommonlytorehisadversarytopieces，andthen，perchance，hadleisuretothinkhowbravethelatterhadbeen。TheCountofChalushadfound，itwassaid，apotofmoney；theroyalRichardwantedit。Asthecountdeniedthathehadit，whydidhenotopenthegatesofhiscastleatonce？Itwasaclearproofthathewasguilty；andtheKingwasdeterminedtopunishthisrebel，andhavehismoneyandhislifetoo。

Hehadnaturallybroughtnobreachinggunswithhim，becausethoseinstrumentswerenotyetinvented:andthoughhehadassaultedtheplaceascoreoftimeswiththeutmostfury，hisMajestyhadbeenbeatenbackoneveryoccasion，untilhewassosavagethatitwasdangeroustoapproachtheBritishLion。TheLion’swife，thelovelyBerengaria，scarcelyventuredtocomenearhim。Heflungthejoint-stoolsinhistentattheheadsoftheofficersofstate，andkickedhisaides-de-camproundhispavilion；and，infact，amaidofhonor，whobroughtasack-possetintohisMajestyfromtheQueenafterhecameinfromtheassault，camespinninglikeafootballoutoftheroyaltentjustasIvanhoeenteredit。”Sendmemydrum-majortoflogthatwoman！”roaredouttheinfuriateKing。”BythebonesofSt。Barnabasshehasburnedthesack！BySt。Wittikind，Iwillhaveherflayedalive。Ha，St。

George！ha，St。Richard！whomhavewehere？”Andhelifteduphisdemi-culverin，orcurtal-axe——aweaponweighingaboutthirteenhundredweight——andwasabouttoflingitattheintruder’shead，whenthelatter，kneelinggracefullyononeknee，saidcalmly，”ItisI，mygoodliege，WilfridofIvanhoe。””What，WilfridofTemplestowe，Wilfridthemarriedman，Wilfridthehenpecked！”criedtheKingwithasuddenburstofgood-humor，flingingawaytheculverinfromhim，asthoughithadbeenareed(itlightedthreehundredyardsoff，onthefootofHugodeBunyon，whowassmokingacigaratthedoorofhistent，andcausedthatredoubtedwarriortolimpforsomedaysafter)。”What，Wilfridmygossip？Artcometoseethelion’sden？Therearebonesinit，man，bonesandcarcasses，andthelionisangry，”saidtheKing，withaterrificglareofhiseyes。”Buttush！wewilltalkofthatanon。Ho！bringtwogallonsofhypocrasfortheKingandthegoodKnight，WilfridofIvanhoe。Thouartcomeintime，Wilfrid，for，bySt。RichardandSt。George，wewillgiveagrandassaultto-morrow。Therewillbebonesbroken，ha！””Icarenot，myliege，”saidIvanhoe，pledgingthesovereignrespectfully，andtossingoffthewholecontentsofthebowlofhypocrastohisHighness’sgoodhealth。Andheatonceappearedtobetakenintohighfavor；notalittletotheenvyofmanyofthepersonssurroundingtheKing。

AshisMajestysaid，therewasfightingandfeastinginplentybeforeChalus。Dayafterday，thebesiegersmadeassaultsuponthecastle，butitwasheldsostoutlybytheCountofChalusandhisgallantgarrison，thateachafternoonbeheldtheattacking-partiesreturningdisconsolatelytotheirtents，leavingbehindthemmanyoftheirownslain，andbringingbackwiththemstoreofbrokenheadsandmaimedlimbs，receivedintheunsuccessfulonset。ThevalordisplayedbyIvanhoeinallthesecontestswasprodigious；

andthewayinwhichheescapeddeathfromthedischargesofmangonels，catapults，battering-rams，twenty-fourpounders，boilingoil，andotherartillery，withwhichthebesiegedreceivedtheirenemies，wasremarkable。Afteraday’sfighting，GurthandWambausedtopickthearrowsoutoftheirintrepidmaster’scoat-of-

mail，asiftheyhadbeensomanyalmondsinapudding。’Twaswellforthegoodknight，thatunderhisfirstcoat-ofarmorheworeachoicesuitofToledansteel，perfectlyimpervioustoarrow-shots，andgiventohimbyacertainJew，namedIsaacofYork，towhomhehaddonesomeconsiderableservicesafewyearsback。

IfKingRichardhadnotbeeninsucharageattherepeatedfailuresofhisattacksuponthecastle，thatallsenseofjusticewasblindedinthelion-heartedmonarch，hewouldhavebeenthefirsttoacknowledgethevalorofSirWilfridofIvanhoe，andwouldhavegivenhimaPeerageandtheGrandCrossoftheBathatleastadozentimesinthecourseofthesiege:forIvanhoeledmorethanadozenstormingparties，andwithhisownhandkilledasmanymen(viz，twothousandthreehundredandfifty-one)withinsix，aswereslainbythelion-heartedmonarchhimself。ButhisMajestywasratherdisgustedthanpleasedbyhisfaithfulservant’sprowess；

andallthecourtiers，whohatedIvanhoeforhissuperiorvaloranddexterity(forhewouldkillyouoffacoupleofhundredsofthemofChalus，whilstthestrongestchampionsoftheKingshostcouldnotfinishmorethantheirtwodozenofaday)，poisonedtheroyalmindagainstSirWilfrid，andmadetheKinglookuponhisfeatsofarmswithanevileye。RogerdeBackbitesneeringlytoldtheKingthatSirWilfridhadofferedtobetanequalbetthathewouldkillmorementhanRichardhimselfinthenextassault:PeterdeToadholesaidthatIvanhoestatedeverywherethathisMajestywasnotthemanheusedtobe；thatpleasuresanddrinkhadenervatedhim；thathecouldneitherride，norstrikeablowwithswordoraxe，ashehadbeenenabledtodointheoldtimesinPalestine:

andfinally，inthetwenty-fifthassault，inwhichtheyhadverynearlycarriedtheplace，andinwhichonsetIvanhoeslewseven，andhisMajestysix，ofthesonsoftheCountdeChalus，itsdefender，Ivanhoealmostdidforhimself，byplantinghisbannerbeforetheKing’suponthewall；andonlyrescuedhimselffromutterdisgracebysavinghisMajesty’slifeseveraltimesinthecourseofthismostdesperateonslaught。

Thenthelucklessknight’sveryvirtues(as，nodoubt，myrespectedreadersknow，)madehimenemiesamongstthemen——norwasIvanhoelikedbythewomenfrequentingthecampofthegayKingRichard。

HisyoungQueen，andabrilliantcourtofladies，attendedthepleasure-lovingmonarch。HisMajestywouldtransactbusinessinthemorning，thenfightseverelyfromafterbreakfasttillaboutthreeo’clockintheafternoon；fromwhichtime，untilaftermidnight，therewasnothingbutjiggingandsinging，feastingandrevelry，intheroyaltents。Ivanhoe，whowasaskedasamatterofceremony，andforcedtoattendtheseentertainments，notcaringabouttheblandishmentsofanyoftheladiespresent，lookedonattheiroglinganddancingwithacountenanceasglumasanundertaker’s，andwasaperfectwet-blanketinthemidstofthefestivities。Hisfavoriteresortandconversationwerewitharemarkablyausterehermit，wholivedintheneighborhoodofChalus，andwithwhomIvanhoelovedtotalkaboutPalestine，andtheJews，andothergravemattersofimport，betterthantomingleinthegayestamusementsofthecourtofKingRichard。Manyanight，whentheQueenandtheladiesweredancingquadrillesandpolkas(inwhichhisMajesty，whowasenormouslystoutaswellastall，insisteduponfiguring，andinwhichhewasaboutasgracefulasanelephantdancingahornpipe)，Ivanhoewouldstealawayfromtheball，andcomeandhaveanight’schatunderthemoonwithhisreverendfriend。ItpainedhimtoseeamanoftheKing’sageandsizedancingaboutwiththeyoungfolks。TheylaughedathisMajestywhilsttheyflatteredhim:thepagesandmaidsofhonormimickedtheroyalmountebankalmosttohisface；and，ifIvanhoeevercouldhavelaughed，hecertainlywouldonenightwhentheKing，inlight-bluesatininexpressibles，withhishairinpowder，chosetodancetheminuetdelacourwiththelittleQueenBerangeria。

Then，afterdancing，hisMajestymustneedsorderaguitar，andbegintosing。Hewassaidtocomposehisownsongs——wordsandmusic——butthosewhohavereadLordCampobello’s”LivesoftheLordChancellors”areawarethattherewasapersonbythenameofBlondel，who，infact，didallthemusicalpartoftheKing’sperformances；andasforthewords，whenakingwritesverses，wemaybesuretherewillbeplentyofpeopletoadmirehispoetry。

HisMajestywouldsingyouaballad，ofwhichhehadstoleneveryidea，toanairthatwasringingonallthebarrel-organsofChristendom，and，turningroundtohiscourtiers，wouldsay，”Howdoyoulikethat？Idasheditoffthismorning。”Or，”Blondel，whatdoyouthinkofthismovementinBflat？”orwhatnot；andthecourtiersandBlondel，youmaybesure，wouldapplaudwithalltheirmight，likehypocritesastheywere。

Oneevening——itwastheeveningofthe27thMarch，1199，indeed——

hisMajesty，whowasinthemusicalmood，treatedthecourtwithaquantityofhisso-calledcomposition，untilthepeoplewerefairlytiredofclappingwiththeirhandsandlaughingintheirsleeves。