ariondas/full_text_dataset · Datasets at Hugging Face

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crown concealed by a scarlet cap richly embroidered.

The appearance of the Knight Templar was also changed; and, though
less studiously bedecked with ornament, his dress was as rich, and
his appearance far more commanding, than that of his companion. He had
exchanged his shirt of mail for an under tunic of dark purple silk,
garnished with furs, over which flowed his long robe of spotless white,
in ample folds. The eight-pointed cross of his order was cut on the
shoulder of his mantle in black velvet. The high cap no longer invested
his brows, which were only shaded by short and thick curled hair of
a raven blackness, corresponding to his unusually swart complexion.
Nothing could be more gracefully majestic than his step and manner,
had they not been marked by a predominant air of haughtiness, easily
acquired by the exercise of unresisted authority.

These two dignified persons were followed by their respective
attendants, and at a more humble distance by their guide, whose figure
had nothing more remarkable than it derived from the usual weeds of a
pilgrim. A cloak or mantle of coarse black serge, enveloped his whole
body. It was in shape something like the cloak of a modern hussar,
having similar flaps for covering the arms, and was called a "Sclaveyn",
or "Sclavonian". Coarse sandals, bound with thongs, on his bare feet;
a broad and shadowy hat, with cockle-shells stitched on its brim, and
a long staff shod with iron, to the upper end of which was attached a
branch of palm, completed the palmer's attire. He followed modestly the
last of the train which entered the hall, and, observing that the lower
table scarce afforded room sufficient for the domestics of Cedric and
the retinue of his guests, he withdrew to a settle placed beside and
almost under one of the large chimneys, and seemed to employ himself in
drying his garments, until the retreat of some one should make room
at the board, or the hospitality of the steward should supply him with
refreshments in the place he had chosen apart.

Cedric rose to receive his guests with an air of dignified hospitality,
and, descending from the dais, or elevated part of his hall, made three
steps towards them, and then awaited their approach.

"I grieve," he said, "reverend Prior, that my vow binds me to advance
no farther upon this floor of my fathers, even to receive such guests
as you, and this valiant Knight of the Holy Temple. But my steward has
expounded to you the cause of my seeming discourtesy. Let me also pray,
that you will excuse my speaking to you in my native language, and that
you will reply in the same if your knowledge of it permits; if not, I
sufficiently understand Norman to follow your meaning."

"Vows," said the Abbot, "must be unloosed, worthy Franklin, or permit
me rather to say, worthy Thane, though the title is antiquated. Vows
are the knots which tie us to Heaven--they are the cords which bind
the sacrifice to the horns of the altar,--and are therefore,--as I said
before,--to be unloosened and discharged, unless our holy Mother Church
shall pronounce the contrary. And respecting language, I willingly
hold communication in that spoken by my respected grandmother, Hilda
of Middleham, who died in odour of sanctity, little short, if we may
presume to say so, of her glorious namesake, the blessed Saint Hilda of
Whitby, God be gracious to her soul!"

When the Prior had ceased what he meant as a conciliatory harangue,
his companion said briefly and emphatically, "I speak ever French,
the language of King Richard and his nobles; but I understand English
sufficiently to communicate with the natives of the country."

Cedric darted at the speaker one of those hasty and impatient glances,
which comparisons between the two rival nations seldom failed to call
forth; but, recollecting the duties of hospitality, he suppressed
further show of resentment, and, motioning with his hand, caused his
guests to assume two seats a little lower than his own, but placed close
beside him, and gave a signal that the evening meal should be placed
upon the board.

While the attendants hastened to obey Cedric's commands, his eye
distinguished Gurth the swineherd, who, with his companion Wamba, had
just entered the hall. "Send these loitering knaves up hither," said the
Saxon, impatiently. And when the culprits came before the dais,--"How
comes it, villains! that you have loitered abroad so late as this? Hast
thou brought home thy charge, sirrah Gurth, or hast thou left them to
robbers and marauders?"

"The herd is safe, so please ye," said Gurth.

"But it does not please me, thou knave," said Cedric, "that I should be
made to suppose otherwise for two hours, and sit here devising vengeance
against my neighbours for wrongs they have not done me. I tell thee,
shackles and the prison-house shall punish the next offence of this
kind."

Gurth, knowing his master's irritable temper, attempted no exculpation;
but the Jester, who could presume upon Cedric's tolerance, by virtue
of his privileges as a fool, replied for them both; "In troth, uncle
Cedric, you are neither wise nor reasonable to-night."

"'How, sir?" said his master; "you shall to the porter's lodge, and
taste of the discipline there, if you give your foolery such license."

"First let your wisdom tell me," said Wamba, "is it just and reasonable
to punish one person for the fault of another?"

"Certainly not, fool," answered Cedric.

"Then why should you shackle poor Gurth, uncle, for the fault of his dog
Fangs? for I dare be sworn we lost not a minute by the way, when we had

crown concealed by a scarlet cap richly embroidered.

The appearance of the Knight Templar was also changed; and, though

less studiously bedecked with ornament, his dress was as rich, and

his appearance far more commanding, than that of his companion. He had

exchanged his shirt of mail for an under tunic of dark purple silk,

garnished with furs, over which flowed his long robe of spotless white,

in ample folds. The eight-pointed cross of his order was cut on the

shoulder of his mantle in black velvet. The high cap no longer invested

his brows, which were only shaded by short and thick curled hair of

a raven blackness, corresponding to his unusually swart complexion.

Nothing could be more gracefully majestic than his step and manner,

had they not been marked by a predominant air of haughtiness, easily

acquired by the exercise of unresisted authority.

These two dignified persons were followed by their respective

attendants, and at a more humble distance by their guide, whose figure

had nothing more remarkable than it derived from the usual weeds of a

pilgrim. A cloak or mantle of coarse black serge, enveloped his whole

body. It was in shape something like the cloak of a modern hussar,

having similar flaps for covering the arms, and was called a "Sclaveyn",

or "Sclavonian". Coarse sandals, bound with thongs, on his bare feet;

a broad and shadowy hat, with cockle-shells stitched on its brim, and

a long staff shod with iron, to the upper end of which was attached a

branch of palm, completed the palmer's attire. He followed modestly the

last of the train which entered the hall, and, observing that the lower

table scarce afforded room sufficient for the domestics of Cedric and

the retinue of his guests, he withdrew to a settle placed beside and

almost under one of the large chimneys, and seemed to employ himself in

drying his garments, until the retreat of some one should make room

at the board, or the hospitality of the steward should supply him with

refreshments in the place he had chosen apart.

Cedric rose to receive his guests with an air of dignified hospitality,

and, descending from the dais, or elevated part of his hall, made three

steps towards them, and then awaited their approach.

"I grieve," he said, "reverend Prior, that my vow binds me to advance

no farther upon this floor of my fathers, even to receive such guests

as you, and this valiant Knight of the Holy Temple. But my steward has

expounded to you the cause of my seeming discourtesy. Let me also pray,

that you will excuse my speaking to you in my native language, and that

you will reply in the same if your knowledge of it permits; if not, I

sufficiently understand Norman to follow your meaning."

"Vows," said the Abbot, "must be unloosed, worthy Franklin, or permit

me rather to say, worthy Thane, though the title is antiquated. Vows

are the knots which tie us to Heaven--they are the cords which bind

the sacrifice to the horns of the altar,--and are therefore,--as I said

before,--to be unloosened and discharged, unless our holy Mother Church

shall pronounce the contrary. And respecting language, I willingly

hold communication in that spoken by my respected grandmother, Hilda

of Middleham, who died in odour of sanctity, little short, if we may

presume to say so, of her glorious namesake, the blessed Saint Hilda of

Whitby, God be gracious to her soul!"

When the Prior had ceased what he meant as a conciliatory harangue,

his companion said briefly and emphatically, "I speak ever French,

the language of King Richard and his nobles; but I understand English

sufficiently to communicate with the natives of the country."

Cedric darted at the speaker one of those hasty and impatient glances,

which comparisons between the two rival nations seldom failed to call

forth; but, recollecting the duties of hospitality, he suppressed

further show of resentment, and, motioning with his hand, caused his

guests to assume two seats a little lower than his own, but placed close

beside him, and gave a signal that the evening meal should be placed

upon the board.

While the attendants hastened to obey Cedric's commands, his eye

distinguished Gurth the swineherd, who, with his companion Wamba, had

just entered the hall. "Send these loitering knaves up hither," said the

Saxon, impatiently. And when the culprits came before the dais,--"How

comes it, villains! that you have loitered abroad so late as this? Hast

thou brought home thy charge, sirrah Gurth, or hast thou left them to

robbers and marauders?"

"The herd is safe, so please ye," said Gurth.

"But it does not please me, thou knave," said Cedric, "that I should be

made to suppose otherwise for two hours, and sit here devising vengeance

against my neighbours for wrongs they have not done me. I tell thee,

shackles and the prison-house shall punish the next offence of this

kind."

Gurth, knowing his master's irritable temper, attempted no exculpation;

but the Jester, who could presume upon Cedric's tolerance, by virtue

of his privileges as a fool, replied for them both; "In troth, uncle

Cedric, you are neither wise nor reasonable to-night."

"'How, sir?" said his master; "you shall to the porter's lodge, and

taste of the discipline there, if you give your foolery such license."

"First let your wisdom tell me," said Wamba, "is it just and reasonable

to punish one person for the fault of another?"

"Certainly not, fool," answered Cedric.

"Then why should you shackle poor Gurth, uncle, for the fault of his dog

Fangs? for I dare be sworn we lost not a minute by the way, when we had