第51章

``Thepoorwretch，’’saidDeBracy，``isresolvedtodieinhisvocation——Front-de-Buf，youshallnotslayhim。GivehimtometomakesportformyFreeCompanions——Howsaystthou，knave?Wiltthoutakeheartofgrace，andgotothewarswithme?’’

``Ay，withmymaster’sleave，’’saidWamba；

``for，lookyou，Imustnotslipcollar’’(andhetouchedthatwhichhewore)``withouthispermission。’’

``Oh，aNormansawwillsooncutaSaxoncollar。’’

saidDeBracy。

``Ay，noblesir，’’saidWamba，``andthencegoestheproverb——

`NormansawonEnglishoak，OnEnglishneckaNormanyoke；

NormanspooninEnglishdish，AndEnglandruledasNormanswish；

BlitheworldtoEnglandneverwillbemore，TillEngland’sridofallthefour。’’’

``Thoudostwell，DeBracy，’saidFront-de-Buf，``tostandtherelisteningtoafool’sjargon，whendestructionisgapingforus！Seestthounotweareoverreached，andthatourproposedmodeofcommunicatingwithourfriendswithouthasbeendisconcertedbythissamemotleygentlemanthouartsofondtobrother?Whatviewshavewetoexpectbutinstantstorm?’’

``Tothebattlementsthen，’’saidDeBracy；

``whendidstthoueverseemethegraverforthethoughtsofbattle?CalltheTemplaryonder，andlethimfightbuthalfsowellforhislifeashehasdoneforhisOrder——Makethoutothewallsthyselfwiththyhugebody——Letmedomypoorendeavourinmyownway，andItelltheetheSaxonoutlawsmayaswellattempttoscaletheclouds，asthecastleofTorquilstone；or，ifyouwilltreatwiththebanditti，whynotemploythemediationofthisworthyfranklin，whoseemsinsuchdeepcontemplationofthewine-flagon?——Here，Saxon，’’

hecontinued，addressingAthelstane，andhandingthecuptohim，``rinsethythroatwiththatnobleliquor，androuseupthysoultosaywhatthouwiltdoforthyliberty。’’

``Whatamanofmouldmay，’’answeredAthelstane，``providingitbewhatamanofmanhoodought——Dismissmefree，withmycompanions，andIwillpayaransomofathousandmarks。’’

``Andwiltmoreoverassureustheretreatofthatscumofmankindwhoareswarmingaroundthecastle，contrarytoGod’speaceandtheking’s?’’saidFront-de-Buf。

``InsofarasIcan，’’answeredAthelstane，``I

willwithdrawthem；andIfearnotbutthatmyfatherCedricwilldohisbesttoassistme。’’

``Weareagreedthen，’’saidFront-de-Buf——

``thouandtheyaretobesetatfreedom，andpeaceistobeonbothsides，forpaymentofathousandmarks。Itisatriflingransom，Saxon，andthouwiltowegratitudetothemoderationwhichacceptsofitinexchangeofyourpersons。Butmark，thisextendsnottotheJewIsaac。’’

``NortotheJewIsaac’sdaughter，’’saidtheTemplar，whohadnowjoinedthem``Neither，’’saidFront-de-Buf，``belongtothisSaxon’scompany。’’

``IwereunworthytobecalledChristian，iftheydid，’’repliedAthelstane：``dealwiththeunbelieversasyelist。’’

``NeitherdoestheransomincludetheLadyRowena，’’saidDeBracy。``ItshallneverbesaidIwasscaredoutofafairprizewithoutstrikingablowforit。’’

``Neither，’’saidFront-de-Buf，``doesourtreatyrefertothiswretchedJester，whomIretain，thatImaymakehimanexampletoeveryknavewhoturnsjestintoearnest。’’

``TheLadyRowena，’’answeredAthelstane，withthemoststeadycountenance，``ismyaffiancedbride。Iwillbedrawnbywild