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When in the elegant prosopopoeia which closes the éloge, the King of England has recalled with arrogance the fatal day of Poitiers, ought he not instantly to have restrained that pride within just limits? ought he not to have cast a hasty glance on the components of the Black Prince's army? to examine whether a body of troops, starting from Bordeaux, recruiting in Guienne, did not contain more Gascons than English? whether France, now bounded by its natural limits, in its magnificent unity, would not have a right, every thing being examined, to consider that battle almost as an event of civil war? ought he not, in short, to have pointed out, in order to corroborate his remarks, that the knight to whom King John surrendered himself, Denys de Morbecque, was a French officer banished from Artois?
And soon the heap was scattered, and alas! not one nor two, but many skulls were brought to light, the culprit moaning at each discovery. Suddenly Denys uttered a strange cry of distress to come from so bold and hard a man; and held up to the torch a mass of human hair. It was long, glossy, and golden. A woman's beautiful hair.
Then came the question, how could he ask Denys, the monk-hater, to stay longer? However, he told him, and offered to abide by his decision. He was agreeably surprised when Denys said graciously, "A day's rest will do neither of us harm. Write thou, and I'll pass the time as I may." Gerard's work was vastly admired; they agreed that the records of the monastery had gained by poor Werter's death.
The grave burgher was much startled at sight of the landlord driven in bleeding from a dozen scratches inflicted by the bones of his own victims, and carrying his horrible collar. But Denys came panting after, and in a few fiery words soon made all clear. "Bind him like the rest," said the alderman sternly. "I count him the blackest of them all."
While the supper was preparing, Denys disappeared, and was eventually found by Gerard in the yard, helping Manon, his plump but not bright decoy duck, to draw water, and pouring extravagant compliments into her dullish ear. Gerard grunted and returned to table, but Denys did not come in for a good quarter of an hour. "Uphill work at the end of a march," said he, shrugging his shoulders.
The delay was attributed to Frederick; and the French actually declared to the Cardinals that if a new Pope were not chosen quickly, the French nation, in accordance with an ancient privilege given by Pope Clement to St. Denys, would set up a Pope of their own.
"I think you would," said Gerard sweetly; "and sore need have I of a kindly voice in mine ear this day." "Oh, no soul is sad alongside me. I lift up their poor little hearts with my consigne; 'Courage, tout le monde, le diable est mort. Ha! Ha!" "So be it, then," said Gerard. "We will go together as far as Rhine, and God go with us both!" "Amen!" said Denys, and lifted up his cap.
Denys!" But scarce had this holy name passed the lips of the little Master, than he set up a howl of anguish, writhing himself with horrible contortions, and wringing his hands, and ended by disappearing in a storm of snow which then arose. Sintram planted his staff firmly in the ground, and stopped.
Nay!" and this he said in a manner truly noble, "not comfortless or cold, or wet, or bleeding, 'twill still warm my heart to lie on my back and think that I have placed my dear friend and comrade true in the 'Tete d'Or, far from a soldier's ills." "I let you run on, dear Denys," said Gerard softly, "because at each word you show me the treasure of a good heart.
Wretched man; to go and shake gold in an innkeeper's face!" The blow came so unexpectedly it staggered even Denys, accustomed as he was to sudden perils. He muttered a single word, but in it a volume. "Gerard!" "Gerard! What is that? Oh, 'tis thy comrade's name, poor lad. Get him out quick ere they come; and fly to the next town." "And thou?" "They will kill me." "That shall they not.
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