Rumelant, "is what I here expect to meet with of your famous
theological lumina and christian poets, particularly the far-famed
Hexameron of the great Andreas Sunonis, of which I have never been able
to trace any copy among my countrymen, or among any of the noble lords
and princes, my gracious well-wishers and benefactors, whose praises I
have sung according to my poor ability."
"So far as I know, the manuscript you speak of is to be found here
among the learned Latin writings, from the time of King Waldemar the
Victorious, of blessed memory," answered the commandant, endeavouring
to hide his impatience; "but it is only of what is written in the
language of the country that I can give account to you--your study
shall be next to the manuscript chamber--the castle chaplain has the
superintendence of it; he will no doubt be able to give you all the
information you want. I will arrange every thing in the best way I can
for you, learned sirs; but I pray you to excuse me, who am a layman,
and straight-forward soldier, for my ignorance of such matters. Permit
me now to install you among my family, and to entreat you will be
content for the present with some food for the body."
"Allow me first a few words in private here with the Drost," said
Master Petrus, remaining behind in the vestibule with Aage, whose pale
cheek was for a moment tinged with a crimson hue as the door of the
ladies' apartment closed, and he was but half able to greet Margaretha.
It was evident that he had suffered from a dangerous wound. He still
held his head rather stiffly, and his left arm was in a sling.
The tall ecclesiastic took him by the hand, and gazed on him earnestly,
with his serene, intellectual eye. "It is chiefly for your sake, Drost
Aage, the king sent me hither," he said; "you know how dear you have
been to him from his childhood, and how greatly he needs must miss you;
but ere it is permitted me to speak one word to you of the king's and
state affairs, I am enjoined to certify myself of the health both of
your mind and body. It is said you have not only been dangerously
wounded, but sick at heart besides, and plagued with all manner of
disquiet thoughts and confused dreams, so that you have oft stood more
in need of a spiritual than of a bodily physician. If you place any
trust in me, then confide to me that which seems still to disquiet
you."
"I have been a visionary since I was excommunicated," said Aage; "I know
it right well. The trial was too much for me; but now, praise be to the
Lord and our Lady! a light hath dawned upon my soul, which reconciles
me to what is dark and mysterious in my life and destiny.--But _my_
feelings and concerns are of no moment. Tell me only what the king is
about; how can he and the country be saved from downfall amid all these
perplexing events; for the Lord's sake tell me?"
"Not a word of that as yet, dear Drost," interrupted Master Petrus; "I
must first see how far you are capable of acting in worldly matters.
The spirit that would work mightily for the peace and happiness of king
and country must first be at peace with itself."
"I _have_ that peace, venerable sir! My soul is as well at ease as it
ever will be in this world. When I heard the archbishop was fled, and
the king excommunicated, I threw myself on my horse, and would have
hasted to Sjoeborg, but they brought me back here half dead. What I have
since heard of the king's impetuosity and wrath hath more than ever
disquieted me, and in my tendency to dark presentiments I have many a
night, in my fevered dreams, beheld the king surrounded by robbers and
murderers."
"Be easy on that score, noble Drost. No sovereign was ever more beloved
by his people; an invisible guard of the angels of love and
righteousness accompany the young Eric, even when traitors and
deadly foes are nigh him. I know you were with the king's father in
Finnerup-barn on that bloody St. Cecilia's eve. What you then witnessed
as a child you surely have never been able to forget?"
"No, never!" exclaimed Aage, with breathless earnestness; "and I have
often mourned I had neither courage nor might to avert that
catastrophe. It was not till the barn burst into flames around the
murdered king that I fully recovered the use of my senses. I snatched
the sword from the old insane Palle, when he threw himself on the body
to maltreat it, and struck the same murderous steel into his breast
with which he had slain his liege. That bloody scene, and the dying
look of that crazed old man, hath often been fearfully present to me.
The horrid spectacle, however, was nearly effaced from my memory, when,
two years back, I was one day sent by the king to the captive
archbishop at Sjoeborg to bring him to confession; but when I looked on
yon terrific prisoner, as he uplifted his fettered arm, and gave me
over to the Devil, with the church's most dreadful curse, it seemed to
me as though I stood once more in the barn at Finnerup, and as if a
condemning spirit spoke through the archbishop, and thundered forth the
words of excommunication over me for my sins' sake. In the fever caused
by my wound I have often suffered from the most fearful visions, and
dreamed of fighting with all manner of monsters and demons; but when it
was at the worst I ever saw a heavenly angel at my side, who, with
pious prayers, chased away the evil spirit, and whispered comfort and
consolation to my soul. At last a mild light dawned upon me--I felt I
might yet redeem from the curse that life which in my childhood I had
neither power nor courage to sacrifice for my former master, by my
devoting it to his son, our noble young King Eric. This is now my firm
and stedfast purpose; I have renounced all thoughts of happiness for
myself. Yon angel of consolation hath since appeared to me in a mortal
form; but she neither desires nor is able to turn me from my resolve.
It was the eldest and most estimable of Marsk Stig's daughters.
Venerable sir! to you alone I confide it--she hath become dear to me as
my own soul, and she hath herself wonderfully strengthened me in my
resolution. By saving my life, and preserving it for the service of him
who hath pronounced her whole race outlawed, she hath sought to atone
for a share of her dreaded father's crime. Each step I follow my
beloved young sovereign will and must separate me and Marsk Stig's race
in this world; yet, with the Lord's help, that shall not stop my
progress, or impair my loyalty. Mark, venerable sir! from the moment in
which the future destiny of my life was clear before me I was freed
from the evil spirits which persecuted me, and I now feel myself nearly
healed both in body and soul. Now you know all, tell me, I beseech you,
that which is of far greater moment, what message bring you me from the
king?"
"One word more of yourself first, noble Drost," answered Master Petrus,
in an affectionate tone, taking his hand, and gazing with his usual
look of calm intelligence on Aage's melancholy but resolute
countenance; "your determination I must laud as fair and noble,
although it still in some measure betokens your tendency to extremes,
even in what is good and praiseworthy. You can devote your life and
powers to the service of your king and country without seeking the
death of a martyr; you need not yourself renounce the enjoyments of
life because a higher aim of existence stands in your view; but I will
not upbraid you for such youthful extravagances,--There _was_ a time
when I desired myself to die a martyr in honour of the Holy Virgin;
even now I should glory in it were it so ordered for me; but I no
longer hanker after martyrdom with blind enthusiasm and spiritual
pride. The consoling angel you speak of, noble Drost, she who stood
before you here in the form of a captive maiden, I only desire her
justification and acquittal, and then assuredly you need not renounce
all hope in respect of the secret wishes of your heart. I also have
known such a being," he continued, with emotion; "next to the Holy
Virgin she is even yet to me the most precious soul of her sex that
lives and hath ever lived in the world; she is, in truth, the bride of
Heaven here upon earth, and her duty and condition, as well as mine,
separate us here below. But I believe, to speak truly, neither you nor
any worldly man can be called on or have strength to make such
renunciation; but Providence and its high disposer will care for this.
I rejoice from my heart that the fairest feeling of humanity is
awakened in your soul. Even when attended by the greatest sacrifice and
the extreme of privation, it is, next to the joys of Heaven, the
richest treasure that can be bestowed on a human being."
"Yes, assuredly!" exclaimed Aage, with joyful enthusiasm; "wholly
wretched I never now can be. I have now told you the whole state of my
case. Conceal not any thing longer from me!"
"Well, my excellent young friend," said Master Petrus, pressing his
hand, "I will look on you as spiritually healed. It is a true and
precious feeling--it is the earnest of a noble and mighty life of
action which stirs in your somewhat enthusiastic and visionary soul. I
would send you forth from this much too quiet and trying position,
which only fosters your visionary turn of mind. I will not hesitate to
enlist your whole strength in the service of king and country. Look!
here is a private letter from the king." He reached a sealed packet to
the Drost.
Aage hastily broke the seal. "Ha! what means this? Of course you know
the contents?"
"I wrote the letter myself in the chancellor's absence. It is come to a
breach with Junker Christopher; he must be disarmed and brought to
subjection ere two more suns have set. You or Sir Ribolt are to
beleaguer Holbek castle, and join the king before Kallundborg with a
hundred lancers."
Drost Aage gazed in dismay,--now on the letter,--now on Master Petrus.
"Great God!" he exclaimed; "is it come to this? Civil war and bloody
feud between the brothers!"
"Be calm, noble Drost! That is precisely what you must prevent, but
quietly,--cautiously. I have, besides, a question to put to you, by
word of mouth, from the king." So saying, Master Petrus drew Aage
further from the door, and continued in a low tone,--"Hath the junker
caused any paper to be fetched from hence lately? Of the noble Sir
Ribolt there is no suspicion; but is the castle chaplain to be counted
on?"
"For the commandant's loyalty I will answer," replied Aage; "the
chaplain I know not. But what mean you?"
"The letters Junker Christopher took from the chest in Lund sacristy he
affirms that he deposited here, but they have been lately sought for in
vain. They might now be of the greatest importance in the king's affair
with Master Grand. The learned scholars I have brought hither with me
are again to search the archives. I must myself haste to Sweden, to
tranquillise the spirits there. You know the ambassadors left us in
haste. We are on doubtful terms with their court; the negotiations are
broken off. The king went too far in his anger at Grand's flight. He
now wants to carry every thing through by force. It is come to a breach
also with the Dukes of Sleswig--the cardinal hath left the court, he
menaces to use his fearful authority."
"Misfortune upon misfortune!" exclaimed Aage. "Great Heaven! what will
be the end of all this?"
"If the Lord please, all may turn out more favourably than seems likely
at present," continued Master Petrus, calmly. "If you and the Marsk can
procure peace with temporal enemies, I and my colleagues hope, with
God's assistance, to obtain a truce with ecclesiastical foes.
Chancellor Martinus and Provost Guido are sent to Rome to anticipate
Grand. Most of the bishops in the country side with the king. The
provincial prior of the Dominicans and the chapters continue their
protest against the constitution of Veile. No priest will uphold the
interdict; and, as I said, the people are loyal and devoted to the
king."
"But this unhappy quarrel with the junker--the breach with the
dukes--the doubtful terms with Sweden--the king's rashness and
impetuosity--and that terrible Isarnus and the outlaws!"
"You are right, Drost Aage! There are more clouds in Denmark's
and our young king's heavens than it is in the power of man to
disperse"--resumed Petrus de Dacia; "but remember," he added, solemnly,
"above the clouds are the stars of heaven, and over the course and
government of the stars presides the most high and righteous Creator!
and forget not, dear Drost, where stern justice would annihilate us
stands the Mediator and his heavenly Mother. Her prayers can shake and
avert the threatenings of each evil star, however firmly fixed in the
judgment heaven. Be comforted, noble Drost!" he continued, with mild
tranquillity; "none can draw aside the veil of futurity: this much,
however, I think to have discerned in yon vast mysterious book, that I
renounce not the hope of better days for Denmark, so long as the Lord
and our blessed Lady will extend a protecting hand over the king's
life. With his fortunate star will that of Denmark now assuredly rise
or sink."
"You are a learned and God-fearing man, venerable Master Petrus!" said
Aage, who meanwhile had been pacing uneasily up and down, with the
king's letter in his hand; "but, pardon me, now, it is _you_, and not
I, who indulge in visionary fancies. I have more confidence in your
piety and enlightened view of the Almighty's government here upon
earth, and in our time, than in your astrological knowledge and devout
gaze into futurity. What we are now concerned in is the present moment;
but what in the world is to be done, when neither you, nor any other
wise man, can bring the king to his right senses? Hath the archbishop's
flight caused him to set at nought discretion? Would he now demand
justice only,--not mercy,--of the papal see? Does he think, in defiance
of ban and interdict, and even without a dispensation of kindred, he
can prevail on the wise Swedish government to consent to the marriage?
It is an impossibility--would he despise all reasonable negotiation,
and let the sword decide the quarrel with the dukes? And would he now
himself storm his brother's castle, and force him to become an avowed
traitor and deserter to the enemy?"
"I have shared your apprehensions, noble Drost! I blamed the king's
impetuous procedure; I vainly strove to hinder these far too hasty
steps. His purpose is inflexible. But amid all my fears for the
consequences, I could not but admire the kingly spirit, which ventured
so much for the support of royal dignity. In reliance on the justice of
his cause, ere twice twenty-four hours King Eric will stand with his
knights before Kallundborg, to teach obedience to his rebellious
brother."
"The report was true, then, of the blockading of Kallundborg, and the
new fortification?"
"Alas, yes! The king was greatly displeased at the junker's
contumacy, but still more at his treacherous endeavour to hinder the
marriage.--The wily Drost Bruncke hath betrayed him, probably with the
view of causing a breach between the brothers, and stirring up tumult
in the country."
"Hum! and the Dukes of Sleswig renew their former pretensions at the
same time."
"They are probably in league with the junker; yet they have not scared
the king.--If they have already forgotten the defeat at Groensund, he
will show them he dares face them on land also. Marsk Oluffsen is
assembling all the foot forces against them at Hadersleben."
"And the archbishop and the cardinal, where are they?"
"Grand threatens from Bornholm, and Isarnus from Axelhuus. He demands
safe conduct for the archbishop, and protests against the confiscation
of the Lund church property. Bishop Johan of Roskild wavers. The
enforcement of the interdict is dreaded."
"Merciful Heaven! and, amid all this, can the king think of his
marriage?"
"The first of June he purposes to cross to Helsingborg, with a bridal
train or an armed force. Yet, perhaps, that was but a hasty speech to
me and the Marsk. The Lord forbid it should come to such extremity!"
"He draws the bow too tight; it must break. But one word more--the
outlaws who were pursued; are they taken?"
"I know not; but their death doom is pronounced, wherever they are
found; the last murderous attempt hath rendered the king implacable--A
price is set on every outlaw's head--Aage Kagge was on the expedition
with Marsk Stig's daughters--There is now, assuredly, little hope at
present of the freedom of the unhappy maidens."
"They are innocent! by the Lord above, they are innocent!" exclaimed
Aage, impetuously. "I must to the king; it is high time." He tore the
sling from his left arm, and moved it somewhat stiffly. "It _shall_
do," he continued; "my right arm hath no one lamed. I must speed to
Kallundborg to the king. If the castle is to be stormed--if the
traitorous junker is to be chastised, leave that to me--against his own
brother my king shall not himself bear sword and shield. Matters must
have been carried far; his forbearance can hold out no longer."
"Still, however," interrupted Master Petrus, "he expressly enjoins you
to spare the junker, wherever you meet him.--You are to blockade Holbek
with as little alarm as possible.--If you could even yet make peace
between the brothers, noble Drost! you would perhaps save state and
kingdom."
The door of the ladies' apartment now opened, and the commandant
returned. "Your morning repast will be cold, my honoured guests," he
said, courteously; "but what see I, Sir Drost? Your arm is not in the
sling?"
"It can and must be dispensed with," answered Aage. "You have spoilt me
here; you have been much too prudent and watchful. I have now to thank
you and your noble captives for your kindly care. The king needs strong
arms and swords. Can you instantly furnish me with two hundred men from
the garrison here?"
"Two hundred men shall stand fully armed and in the court-yard here
within an hour, if you, as Drost, command it in the king's name,"
answered Sir Ribolt. "Dare I ask their destination?"
"I march to Holbek and Kallundborg. There is the king's name and seal
for it."--He gave him the king's letter. "It is for you also--but it is
to go no farther than ourselves."
"Against the junker? merciful Heaven! Sir Drost, is it possible?"
exclaimed the commandant, clasping his hands in the greatest
astonishment.
"The junker hath taken a fancy to add new fortifications, and shut the
gates against the king's men, as you know. It is probably only an
unfortunate jest, or a misunderstanding; but you see yourself such
gates must be forced betimes, when the king is on the road, and would
enter therein. Two hundred men, then, within an hour, but with as
little stir as possible, of course!"
"You shall find all ready ere it rings to high mass," answered the
commandant, with calm determination. "But your wound, Sir Drost! Can
you yourself ride forth without danger? Otherwise the task is mine?"
"With or without danger I must--I will onward," answered Aage. "When it
rings for high mass, then; and secrecy is expedient--Let it concern a
hunt after the outlaws--Understand you?"
"Right! that shall be the belief in the castle here within the half
hour." So saying, Sir Ribolt hasted into the castle-yard, and Drost
Aage went with Master Petrus into the ladies' apartment.
CHAP. XI.
The state of feverish anxiety into which Aage had been thrown, had
called the colour into his cheek, and restored the appearance of health
to his countenance. In the spacious apartment appropriated to the
female inmates of the castle, where strangers were received, and where
the household assembled on holidays before divine service, Aage and
Master Petrus were received by the aged mistress of the castle, who
herself presented the guests their warm morning drink in cups of
polished silver. At a large round table in the middle of the apartment,
which was covered with a white fringed woollen table-cloth, sat the two
German minstrels, with the smoking cups before them, in pleasant
converse with the ladies. Ulrica questioned them, with curiosity, of
their visits to foreign princes, in whose praise and exaltation Master
Rumelant was as inexhaustible as he was unwearied in reckoning up all
the honour he had gained by his lays with these "excellent lords, his
august and most gracious patrons."
Margaretha also took part in the conversation with the strangers; but
she was more modest in her queries. She was much more interested in
their art than in the good fortune they had sought and obtained by it
from the great. The solemn Master Poppe favoured her with a detailed
account of the genius and lays of the famous Minnesingers, whose most
flourishing period Master Poppe asserted could only be supposed by the
ignorant to have passed away. He affirmed, on the contrary, that the
noble art of minstrelsy had only now for the first time fully developed
itself on higher themes,--in the praise of moral truth and seraphic
beauty. Minstrels no longer repeated the monotonous praises of verdant
May, or of the beauty of earthly females and vain loves, but now in the
same, or even in a more regular measure, sang moral or religious themes
and important theological dogmas. He could not, however, deny that the
ancient love songs possessed a degree of pathos and animation which
even his good friends Master Henrick Frauenlob and a certain Master
Regenbogen, as well as the famous schoolmaster of Esslingen, with all
their learning, vainly strove to attain. Meanwhile he deemed it very
fortunate that, as princes and emperors no longer, as in former times,
devoted themselves to the noble art of minstrelsy, now cultivated
chiefly by the honest burgher class, there still were lords and
princes, like the King of Denmark, to honour and encourage the art, and
that the minstrel's lay yet resounded in knightly halls and in the
apartments of noble ladies. He lauded the poetic spirit of the
chivalrous poetry of Denmark, but still considered it, as well as the
love songs, too vain and worldly; a charge which Margaretha took much
to heart, although she readily admitted to the learned minstrel, that
all the Danish ballads she knew and admired treated of love adventures;
not a single one on scriptural or theological subjects.
When Drost Aage entered the ladies' apartment, Margaretha rose to
return his greeting, and observed, with some uneasiness, that he had
thrown aside his sling. Her attention to Master Poppe's discourse was
at an end, and she entreated him to excuse, that she, as an attendant
on a wounded patient, had an occupation which could not be postponed.
"Pardon me, Sir Drost!" she said to Aage, and pointed to his unswathed
arm. "This is not according to agreement; yet you seem to have the use
of your arm," she added, when she perceived how easily he moved it.
"The wound is healed in some sort. With caution you may use it, in
moderation. But the stiff neck bandage----"
"That I shall wear in remembrance of you, until we meet again, noble
maiden!" answered Aage; "although I almost think it might be dispensed
with. Within an hour I must leave the castle. That I am able to do so I
owe to your skill and unwearied care. I think soon to see my noble
master the king," he added, in a low voice, as he drew her to a recess
in the window fronting the castle garden; "but the suitable time for
effecting any thing towards your liberation is, alas! hardly come as
yet."
"We ask no clemency from our earthly judges, but only that which is
just and reasonable," answered Margaretha, with calm seriousness. "I
should have thought all times were equally convenient to a good
sovereign for hearing the justification of the innocent."
"It would grieve me deeply, noble Lady Margaretha!" said Aage, "if my
just-intentioned sovereign were for a moment to seem unjust in your
eyes; but your case now appears dark and intricate to those who are
not, as I am, acquainted with your pious sentiments and admirable
conduct. It is known that the traitorous squire Kagge was in your
company--your unfortunate confidence in that miscreant brought
suspicion on your innocence, and places you under a cloud; but, by the
living Lord! I will justify you. If earthly justice is blind, the
judgment of Heaven and my knightly sword shall surely open her eyes!"