第20章

AndnowIwillunclaspasecretbook，And，toyourquick-conceivingdiscontent，I’llreadyoumatterdeepanddangerous。

HenryIV。_PartI。_

TheMarquisofMontserrat，andtheGrandMasteroftheKnightsTemplars，stoodtogetherinthefrontoftheroyalpavilion，withinwhichthissingularscenehadpassed，andbeheldastrongguardofbillsandbowsdrawnouttoformacirclearoundit，andkeepatdistanceallwhichmightdisturbthesleepingmonarch。Thesoldiersworethedowncast，silent，andsullenlooks，withwhichtheytrailtheirarmsatafuneral，andsteppedwithsuchcautionthatyoucouldnothearabucklerring，oraswordclatter，thoughsomanymeninarmourweremovingaroundthetent。Theyloweredtheirweaponsindeepreverence，asthedignitariespassedthroughtheirfiles，butwiththesameprofoundsilence。

Thereisachangeofcheeramongtheseislanddogs，’’saidtheGrandMastertoConrade，whentheyhadpassedRichard’sguards。Whathoarsetumultandrevelusedtobebeforethispavilion！noughtbutpitchingthebar，hurlingtheball，wrestling，roaringofsongs，clatteringofwine-pots，andquaffingofflagons，amongtheseburlyyeomen，asiftheywereholdingsomecountrywake，withaMaypoleinthemidstofthem，insteadofaroyalstandard。’’

Mastiffsareafaithfulrace，’’saidConrade；andtheKingtheirmasterhaswontheirlovebybeingreadytowrestle，brawl，orrevelamongsttheforemostofthemwheneverthehumourseizedhim。’’

Heistotallycompoundedofhumours，’’saidtheGrandMaster。Markedyouthepledgehegaveus，insteadofaprayer，overhisgrace-cupyonder？’’

Hewouldhavefeltitagrace-cup，andawell-spicedonetoo，’’saidtheMarquis，wereSaladinlikeanyotherTurkthateverworeturban，orturnedhimtoMeccaatcalloftheMuezzin。

Butheaffectsfaith，andhonour，andgenerosity，-asifitwereforanunbaptizeddoglikehimtopractisethevirtuousbearingofaChristianknight！ItissaidhehathappliedtoRichardtobeadmittedwithinthepaleofchivalry。’’

BySaintBernard！’’exclaimedtheGrandMaster，itweretimethentothrowoffourbeltsandspurs，SirConrade，defaceourarmorialbearings，andrenounceourburgonets，ifthehighesthonourofChristianitywereconferredonanunchristenedTurkoftenpence。’’

YouratetheSoldancheap，’’repliedtheMarquis；yet，thoughhebealikelyman，Ihaveseenabetterheathensoldforfortypenceatthebagnio。’’

Theywerenowneartheirhorses，whichstoodatsomedistancefromtheroyaltent，prancingamongthegallanttrainofesquiresandpagesbywhomtheywereattended，whenConrade，afteramoment’spause，proposedthattheyshouldenjoythecoolnessoftheeveningbreezewhichhadarisen，and，dismissingtheirsteedsandattendants，walkhomewardstotheirownquarters，throughthelinesoftheextendedChristiancamp。

TheGrandMasterassented，andtheyproceededtowalktogetheraccordingly，avoiding，asifbymutualconsent，themoreinhabitedpartsofthecanvascity，andtracingthebroadesplanadewhichlaybetweenthetentsandtheexternaldefences，wheretheycouldconverseinprivate，andunmarked，savebythesentinels，astheypassedthem。

Theyspokeforatimeuponthemilitarypointsandpreparationsfordefence；butthissortofdiscourse，inwhichneitherseemedtotakeinterest，atlengthdiedaway，andtherewasalongpause，whichterminatedbytheMarquisofMontserratstoppingshort，likeamanwhohasformedasuddenresolution，andgazingforsomemomentsonthedarkinflexiblecountenanceoftheGrandMaster，heatlengthaddressedhimthus:-Mightitconsistwithyourvalourandsanctity，reverendSirGilesAmaury，Iwouldprayyouforoncetolayasidethedarkvizorwhichyouwear，andtoconversewithafriendbarefaced。’’

TheTemplarhalfsmiled。

Therearelight-colouredmasks，’’hesaid，aswellasdarkvizors，andtheoneconcealsthenaturalfeaturesascompletelyastheother。’’

Beitso，’’saidtheMarquis，puttinghishandtohischin，andwithdrawingitwiththeactionofonewhounmaskshimself；

thereliesmydisguise。Andnow，whatthinkyou，astouchingtheinterestsofyourownOrder，oftheprospectsofthisCrusade？’’

Thisistearingtheveilfrom_my_thoughtsratherthanexposingyourown，’’saidtheGrandMaster；yetIwillreplywithaparabletoldtomebyasantonofthedesert-`AcertainfarmerprayedtoHeavenforrain，andmurmuredwhenitfellnotathisneed。Topunishhisimpatience，Allah，’saidthesanton，`senttheEuphratesuponhisfarm，andhewasdestroyedwithallhispossessions，evenbythegrantingofhisownwishes。’

Mosttrulyspoken，’’saidtheMarquisConrade；wouldthattheoceanhadswallowedupnineteenpartsofthearmamentsofthesewesternprinces！whatremainedwouldbetterhaveservedthepurposeoftheChristiannoblesofPalestine，thewretchedremnantoftheLatinkingdomofJerusalem。Lefttoourselves，wemighthavebenttothestorm，or，moderatelysupportedwithmoneyandtroops，wemighthavecompelledSaladintorespectourvalour，andgrantuspeaceandprotectiononeasyterms。ButfromtheextremityofdangerwithwhichthispowerfulCrusadethreatenstheSoldan，wecannotsuppose，shoulditpassover，thattheSaracenwillsufferanyoneofustoholdpossessionsorprincipalitiesinSyria，farlesspermittheexistenceoftheChristianmilitaryfraternities，fromwhomtheyhaveexperiencedsomuchmischief。’’

Ay，but，’’saidtheTemplar，theseadventurousCrusadersmaysucceed，andagainplanttheCrossonthebulwarksofZion。’’

AndwhatwillthatadvantageeithertheOrderoftheTemplars，orConradeofMontserrat？’’saidtheMarquis。

Youitmayadvantage，’’repliedtheGrandMaster。ConradeofMontserratmightbecomeConradeKingofJerusalem。’’

Thatsoundslikesomething，’’saidtheMarquis，andyetitringsbuthollow-GodfreyofBouillonmightwellchoosethecrownofthornsforhisemblem。GrandMaster，IwillconfesstoyouIhavecaughtsomeattachmenttotheEasternformofgovernment:Apureandsimplemonarchyshouldconsistbutofkingandsubjects。Suchisthesimpleandprimitivestructure-ashepherdandhisflock。Allthisinternalchainoffeudaldependenceisartificialandsophisticated，andIwouldratherholdthebatonofmypoormarquisatewithafirmgripe，andwielditaftermypleasure，thanthesceptreofamonarch，tobeineffectrestrainedandcurbedbythewillofasmanyproudfeudalbaronsasholdlandundertheAssizeofJerusalem。<*>A

*The_AssisesdeJerusalem_werethedigestoffeudallaw，composedby*GodfreyofBoulogne，forthegovernmentoftheLatinkingdomofPalestine，*whenreconqueredfromtheSaracens。Itwascomposedwithadviceof*thepatriarchandbarons，theclergyandlaity，andis，’’saysthehistorian*Gibbon，apreciousmonumentoffeudatoryjurisprudence，foundedupon*thoseprinciplesoffreedomwhichwereessentialtothesystem。’’

Kingshouldtreadfreely，GrandMaster，andshouldnotbecontrolledbyhereaditch，andthereafence-hereafeudalprivilege，andthereamail-cladbaron，withhisswordinhishandtomaintainit。Tosumthewhole，IamawarethatGuydeLusignan’sclaimstothethronewouldbepreferredtomine，ifRichardrecovers，andhasaughttosayinthechoice。’’

Enough，’’saidtheGrandMaster；thouhastindeedconvincedmeofthysincerity。Othersmayholdthesameopinions，butfew，saveConradeofMontserrat，daredfranklyavowthathedesiresnottherestitutionofthekingdomofJerusalem，butratherprefersbeingmasterofaportionofitsfragments；likethebarbarousislanderswholabournotforthedeliveranceofagoodlyvesselfromthebillows，expectingrathertoenrichthemselvesattheexpenseofthewreck。’’

Thouwiltnotbetraymycounsel？’’saidConrade，lookingsharplyandsuspiciously。Know，forcertain，thatmytongueshallneverwrongmyhead，normyhandforsakethedefenceofeither。Impeachmeifthouwilt-IampreparedtodefendmyselfinthelistsagainstthebestTemplarwhoeverlaidlanceinrest。’’

Yetthoustart’stsomewhatsuddenlyforsoboldasteed，’’

saidtheGrandMaster。However，IsweartotheebytheHolyTemple，whichourOrderissworntodefend，thatIwillkeepcounselwiththeeasatruecomrade。’’

BywhichTemple？’’saidtheMarquisofMontserrat，whoseloveofsarcasmoftenoutranhispolicyanddiscretion；-

swearestthoubythatonthehillofZion，whichwasbuiltbyKingSolomon，orbythatsymbolical，emblematicaledifice，whichissaidtobespokenofinthecouncilsheldinthevaultsofyourPreceptories，assomethingwhichinferstheaggrandisementofthyvaliantandvenerableOrder？’’

TheTemplarscowleduponhimwithaneyeofdeath，butansweredcalmly，BywhateverTempleIswear，beassured，LordMarquis，myoathissacred-IwouldIknewhowtobind_thee_byoneofequalobligation。’’

Iwillsweartruthtothee，’’saidtheMarquis，laughing，bytheEarl’scoronet，whichIhopetoconvert，erethesewarsareover，intosomethingbetter。Itfeelscoldonmybrow，thatsameslightcoronal；aduke’scapofmaintenancewereabetterprotectionagainstsuchanight-breezeasnowblows，andaking’scrownmorepreferablestill，beinglinedwithcomfortableermineandvelvet。Inaword，ourinterestsbindustogether；

forthinknot，LordGrandMaster，that，werethesealliedPrincestoregainJerusalem，andplaceakingoftheirownchoosingthere，theywouldsufferyourOrder，anymorethanmypoorMarquisate，toretaintheindependencewhichwenowhold。No，byOurLady！InsuchcuetheproudknightsofSaintJohnmustagainspreadplasters，anddressplague-soresinthehospitals；andyou，mostpuissantandvenerableKnightsoftheTemple，mustreturntoyourconditionofsimplemen-at-arms，sleepthreeonapallet，andmounttwoupononehorse，asyourpresentsealstillexpressestohavebeenyourancientmostsimplecustom。’’

Therank，privileges，andopulenceofourOrderpreventsomuchdegradationasyouthreaten，’’saidtheTemplar，haughtily。

Theseareyourbane，’’saidConradeofMontserrat；andyou，aswellasI，reverendGrandMaster，know，that，werethealliedPrincestobesuccessfulinPalestine，itwouldbetheirfirstpointofpolicytoabatetheindependenceofyourOrder，which，butfortheprotectionofourholyfatherthePope，andthenecessityofemployingyourvalourintheconquestofPalestine，youwouldlongsincehaveexperienced。Givethemcompletesuccess，andyouwillbeflungaside，asthesplintersofabrokenlancearetossedoutofthetilt-yard。’’

Theremaybetruthinwhatyousay，’’saidtheTemplar，darklysmiling；butwhatwereourhopesshouldtheallieswithdrawtheirforces，andleavePalestineinthegraspofSaladin？’’

Greatandassured，’’repliedConrade；theSoldanwouldgivelargeprovincestomaintainathisbehestabodyofwell-appointedFrankishlances。InEgypt，inPersia，anhundredsuchauxiliaries，joinedtohisownlightcavalry，wouldturnthebattleagainstthemostfearfulodds。Thisdependencewouldbebutforatime-perhapsduringthelifeofthisenterprisingSoldan-butintheEast，empiresariselikemushrooms。

Supposehimdead，andusstrengthenedwithaconstantsuccessionoffieryandadventurousspiritsfromEurope，whatmightwenothopetoachieve，uncontrolledbythesemonarchs，whosedignitythrowsusatpresentintotheshade-and，weretheytoremainhere，andsucceedinthisexpedition，wouldwillinglyconsignusforevertodegradationanddependence？’’

Yousaywell，myLordMarquis，’’saidtheGrandMaster；

andyourwordsfindanechoinmybosom。Yetmustwebecautious；PhilipofFranceiswiseaswellasvaliant。’’

True，andwillbethereforethemoreeasilydivertedfromanexpedition，towhich，inamomentofenthusiasm，orurgedbyhisnobles，herashlyboundhimself。HeisjealousofKingRichard，hisnaturalenemy，andlongstoreturntoprosecuteplansofambitionnearertoParisthanPalestine。Anyfairpretencewillservehimforwithdrawingfromascene，inwhichheisawareheiswastingtheforceofhiskingdom。’’

AndtheDukeofAustria？’’saidtheTemplar。

Oh，touchingtheDuke，’’returnedConrade，hisself-conceit。

andfollyleadhimtothesameconclusionsasdoPhilip’spolicyandwisdom。Heconceiveshimself，Godhelpthewhile，ungratefullytreated，becausemen’smouths，-eventhoseofhisown_minne-singers，_<*>-arefilledwiththepraisesofKingRichard，*TheGermanminstrelsweresotermed。

whomhefearsandhates，andinwhoseharmhewouldrejoice，likethoseunbreddastardlycurs，who，iftheforemostofthepackishurtbythegripeofthewolf，aremuchmorelikelytoassailthesuffererfrombehind，thantocometohisassistance-

ButwhereforetellIthistothee，savetoshowthatIaminsincerityindesiringthatthisleaguebebrokenup，andthecountryfreedofthesegreatmonarchswiththeirhosts？andthouwellknowest，andhastthyselfseen，howalltheprincesofinfluenceandpower，onealoneexcepted，areeagertoenterintotreatywiththeSoldan。’’

Iacknowledgeit，’’saidtheTemplar；hewereblindthathadnotseenthisintheirlastdeliberations。Butliftyetthymaskaninchhigher，andtellmethyrealreasonforpressingupontheCouncilthatNorthernEnglishman，orScot，orwhateveryoucallyonderKnightoftheLeopard，tocarrytheirproposalsforatreaty？’’