Agincourt (Historical Novel). G. P. R. James

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СКАЧАТЬ Its recompence shall find,

       Shall win praise,

       And golden days,

       And live in many a tale.

      Oh, go'st thou far or nigh,

       To Palestine or France,

       For thee soft hearts shall sigh,

       And glory wreath thy lance;

       For the true heart and kind,

       Its recompence shall find,

       Shall win praise,

       And golden days,

       And five in many a tale.

      The courtly hall or field,

       Still luck shall thee afford;

       Thy heart shall be thy shield,

       And love shall edge thy sword;

       For the true heart and kind,

       Its recompence shall find

       Shall win praise,

       And golden days,

       And live in many a tale.

      The lark shall sing on high.

       Whatever shores thou rov'st;

       The nightingale shall try,

       To call up her thou lov'st;

       For the true heart and kind,

       Its recompence shall find,

       Shall win praise,

       And golden days,

       And live in many a tale.

      In hours of pain and grief,

       If such thou must endure.

       Thy breast shall know relief,

       In honour tried and pure;

       For the true heart and Kind,

       Its recompence shall find,

       Shall win praise,

       And golden days,

       And live in many a tale.

      And Fortune soon or late,

       Shall give the jewell'd prize;

       For deeds, in spite of fate,

       Gain smiles from ladies' eyes;

       And the true heart and kind,

       Its recompense shall find,

       Shall win praise,

       And golden days,

       And live in many a tale.

      The song was full of hope and cheerfulness; and though the melody was simple, as all music was in those days, it went happily with the words. Richard of Woodville well understood, that though certainly not an improvisation, the verse was intended for him; and feeling grateful to the girl for her promises of success, he drew forth his purse, and held out to her another piece of money. She stepped gracefully forward to receive it, and this time extended a fair, small hand, instead of the cap which she had before borne round the crowd; but just at that moment, a party of horsemen came up at full gallop, and, as if for sport--probably under the influence of wine--rode fiercely through the little circle assembled to hear the song.

      The listeners, young and active, easily got out of the way; but not so the old minstrel, who stood still, as if bewildered, and was knocked down and trampled by one of the horsemen. The girl, his companion, with a shriek, and Richard of Woodville, with a cry of indignation, started forward together; and the latter, catching the horse which had done file mischief by the bridle, with his powerful arm forced it back upon its haunches, throwing the rider to the ground with a heavy fall. As the man went down, his hood was cast back, and Woodville beheld the face of Simeon of Roydon. But he paused not to notice him farther, instantly turning to raise the old man, and endeavouring to support him. The poor minstrel's limbs had no strength, however, and fearing that he was much hurt, the young gentleman exclaimed, "Good heaven! why did you not get out of their way?"

      The old man made no answer; but the girl replied, wringing her hands--"Alas! he is blind!"

      "Let us bear him quick to some hospital!" said Richard; "he is stunned. Who will aid to carry him?"

      "I will, sir!--I will!" answered half-a-dozen voices from the crowd; and the old minstrel was immediately raised in the arms of three or four stout young men, and carried towards the neighbouring nunnery and hospital of St. James's, accompanied by his fair companion.

      Woodville was about to follow, but Sir Simeon of Roydon, who had by this time regained his saddle, thrust himself in the way, saying, in a fierce and bitter tone--"Richard of Woodville, I shall remember this!"

      "And I shall not forget it, Simeon of Roydon," replied the other, hardly able to refrain from punishing him on the spot. "Get thee hence! Thou hast done mischief enough!"

      The knight was about to reply; but a shout of execration burst from the people, and, at the same moment, a stone, flung from an unseen hand, struck him on the face, cutting his cheek severely, and shaking him in the saddle. His companions, alarmed at what they had done, had already ridden on; and, seeing that he was likely to fare ill in the hands of the crowd, Roydon put spurs to his horse, and galloped after them, muttering curses as he went.

      Richard of Woodville soon overtook the little party which was hurrying on with the injured man to the lodge of the monastery, and found the poor girl weeping bitterly.

      "Alas! noble sir!" she said, as soon as she saw him, "he is dead! He does not speak!--his head falls back!"

      "I trust not--I trust not!" answered Woodville. "He is but stunned, probably, by the blow, and will soon recover."

      She shook her head mournfully; and the next moment, one of the young men, who had taken up the old man's cithern, stepped forward before the rest, and rang the bell at the gate of the nunnery. It was opened instantly, and Woodville briefly explained to the porter what was the matter.

      "Bring him in here," said the old man; "we will get help. The good prioress is skilful at such things, and brother Martin still more so; and he is nearest, for the monk's lodging is only just below there. Let one of the men run down and ask for brother Martin."

      In the meantime, the old minstrel was brought in, and laid upon the pallet in the porter's room; and the news of the accident having spread, the lodge was speedily filled with nuns, having their veils down, all eagerly inquiring what had happened.

      The prioress and brother Martin appeared at the same moment; and, in answer to their questions, Woodville explained the facts of the case; for the poor girl, overwhelmed with grief, was kneeling by her old companion's side, and holding a small ebony cross which she wore round her neck to his motionless lips.

      "Give СКАЧАТЬ