For Somerset, off with his guilty head!
_3d Part of Henry VI._
The Governor of La Ferette stood on the battlements of the eastern
entrance-tower of his fortress, and looked out on the road to Bâle,
when first the vanguard of the Swiss mission, then the centre and
rear, appeared in the distance. At the same moment the van halting,
the main body closed with it, while the females and baggage, and mules
in the rear, moved in their turn up to the main body, and the whole
were united in one group.
A messenger then stepped forth, and winded one of those tremendous
horns, the spoils of the wild-bulls, so numerous in the Canton of Uri,
that they are supposed to have given rise to its name.
"They demand admittance," said the esquire.
"They shall have it," answered Sir Archibald de Hagenbach. "Marry, how
they may pass out again, is another and a deeper question."
"Think yet a moment, noble sir," continued the esquire. "Bethink you,
these Switzers are very fiends in fight, and have, besides, no booty
to repay the conquest--some paltry chains of good copper, perchance,
or adulterated silver. You have knocked out the marrow--do not damage
your teeth by trying to grind the bone."
"Thou art a fool, Kilian," answered De Hagenbach, "and it may be a
coward besides. The approach of some score, or at most some score and
a half, of Swiss partisans, makes thee draw in thy horns like a snail
at a child's finger! Mine are strong and inflexible as those of the
Urus, of whom they talk so much, and on which they blow so boldly.
Keep in mind, thou timid creature, that if the Swiss deputies, as they
presume to call themselves, are permitted to pass free, they carry to
the Duke stories of merchants bound to his court, and fraught with
precious commodities, specially addressed to his Grace! Charles has
then at once to endure the presence of the ambassadors, whom he
contemns and hates, and learns by them that the Governor of La
Ferette, permitting such to pass, has nevertheless presumed to stop
those whom he would full gladly see; for what prince would not
blithely welcome such a casket as that which we have taken from yonder
strolling English pedlar?"
"I see not how the assault on these ambassadors will mend your
excellency's plea for despoiling the Englishmen," said Kilian.
"Because thou art a blind mole, Kilian," answered his chief. "If
Burgundy hears of a ruffle between my garrison and the mountain
churls, whom he scorns, and yet hates, it will drown all notice of the
two pedlars who have perished in the fray. If after-inquiry should
come, an hour's ride transports me with my confidants into the
Imperial dominions, where, though the Emperor be a spiritless fool,
the rich prize I have found on these islanders will ensure me a good
reception."
"I will stick by your excellency to the last," returned the esquire;
"and you shall yourself witness that, if a fool, I am at least no
coward."
"I never thought thee such when it came to hand-blows," said De
Hagenbach; "but in policy thou art timid and irresolute. Hand me mine
armour, Kilian, and beware thou brace it well. The Swiss pikes and
swords are no wasp-stings."
"May your excellency wear it with honour and profit," said Kilian;
and, according to the duty of his office, he buckled upon his
principal the complete panoply of a knight of the empire. "Your
purpose of assaulting the Swiss then holds firm," said Kilian. "But
what pretext will your excellency assign?"
"Let me alone," said Archibald de Hagenbach, "to take one, or to make
one. Do you only have Schonfeldt and the soldiers on their stations.
And remember the words are--'Burgundy to the Rescue!' When these words
are first spoken, let the soldiers show themselves,--when repeated,
let them fall on. And now that I am accoutred, away to the churls and
admit them."
Kilian bowed and withdrew.
The bugle of the Switzers had repeatedly emitted its angry roar,
exasperated by the delay of nearly half an hour, without an answer
from the guarded gate of Brisach; and every blast declared, by the
prolonged echoes which it awakened, the increased impatience of those
who summoned the town. At length the portcullis arose, the gate
opened, the drawbridge fell, and Kilian, in the equipage of a
man-at-arms arrayed for fight, rode forth on an ambling palfrey.
"What bold men are ye, sirs, who are here in arms before the fortress
of Brisach, appertaining in right and seignorie to the thrice noble
Duke of Burgundy and Lorraine, and garrisoned for his cause and
interest by the excellent Sir Archibald, Lord of Hagenbach, Knight of
the most Holy Roman Empire?"
"So please you, Sir Esquire," said the Landamman, "for such I
conjecture you to be by the feather in your bonnet, we are here with
no hostile intentions; though armed, as you see, to defend us in a
perilous journey, where we are something unsafe by day, and cannot
always repose by night in places of security. But our arms have no
offensive purpose; if they had such, our numbers had not been so few
as you see them."
"What, then, is your character and purpose?" said Kilian, who had
learned to use, in his master's absence, the lordly and insolent tone
of the Governor himself.
"We are Delegates," answered the Landamman, in a calm and even tone of
voice, without appearing to take offence at, or to observe, the
insolent demeanour of the esquire, "from the Free and Confederated
Cantons of the Swiss States and provinces, and from the good town of
Soleure, who are accredited from our Diet of Legislature to travel to
the presence of his Grace the Duke of Burgundy, on an errand of high
importance to both countries, and with the hope of establishing with
your master's lord--I mean with the noble Duke of Burgundy--a sure and
steadfast peace, upon such terms as shall be to the mutual honour and
advantage of both countries, and to avert disputes, and the effusion
of Christian blood, which may otherwise be shed for want of timely and
good understanding."
"Show me your letters of credence," said the esquire.
"Under your forgiveness, Sir Esquire," replied the Landamman, "it will
be time enough to exhibit these, when we are admitted to the presence
of your master the Governor."
"That is as much as to say, wilful will to it. It is well, my masters;
and yet you may take this advice from Kilian of Kersberg. It is
sometimes better to reel backwards than to run forwards.--My master,
and my master's master, are more ticklish persons than the dealers of
Bâle, to whom you sell your cheeses. Home, honest men, home! your way
lies before you, and you are fairly warned."
"We thank thee for thy counsel," said the Landamman, interrupting the
Banneret of Berne, who had commenced an angry reply, "supposing it
kindly meant; if not, an uncivil jest is like an overcharged gun,
which recoils on the cannoneer. Our road lies onward through Brisach,
and onward we propose to go, and take such hap as that which we may
find before us."
"Go onward then, in the devil's name," said the squire, who had
entertained some hope of deterring them from pursuing their journey,
but found himself effectually foiled.
The Switzers entered the town, and, stopped by the barricade of cars
which the Governor had formed across the street, at about twenty yards
from the gate, they drew themselves up in military order, with their
little body formed into three lines, the two females and the fathers
of the deputation being in the centre. The little phalanx presented a
double front, one to each side of the street, while the centre line
faced so as to move forward, and only waited for the removal of the
barricade in order to do so. But while they stood thus inactive, a
knight in complete armour appeared from a side door of the great
tower, under the arch of which they had entered into the town. His
visor was raised, and he walked along the front of the little line
formed by the Swiss, with a stern and frowning aspect.
"Who are you," he said, "who have thus far intruded yourselves in arms
into a Burgundian garrison?"
"With your excellency's leave," said the Landamman, "we are men who
come on a peaceful errand, though we carry arms for our own defence.
Deputies we are from the towns of Berne and Soleure, the Cantons of
Uri, Schwitz, and Unterwalden, come to adjust matters of importance
with the gracious Duke of Burgundy and Lorraine."
"What towns, what cantons?" said the Governor of La Ferette. "I have
heard no such names among the Free Cities of Germany.--Berne, truly!
when became Berne a free state?"
"Since the twenty-first day of June," said Arnold Biederman, "in the
year of grace one thousand three hundred and thirty-nine, on which day
the battle of Laupen was fought."
"Away, vain old man!" said the Knight. "Thinkest thou that such idle
boasts can avail thee here? We have heard, indeed, of some insurgent
villages and communities among the Alps, and how they rebelled against
the Emperor, and by the advantage of fastnesses, ambuscades, and
lurking-places, how they have murdered some knights and gentlemen sent
against them by the Duke of Austria; but we little thought that such
paltry townships and insignificant bands of mutineers had the
insolence to term themselves Free States, and propose to enter into
negotiation as such with a mighty prince like Charles of Burgundy."
"May it please your excellency," replied the Landamman, with perfect
temper; "your own laws of chivalry declare, that if the stronger wrong
the weaker, or the noble does injury to the less gentle, the very act
levels distinctions between them, and the doer of an injury becomes
bound to give condign satisfaction, of such kind as the wronged party
shall demand."
"Hence to thy hills, churl!" exclaimed the haughty Knight; "there comb
thy beard and roast thy chestnuts. What! because a few rats and mice
find retreat among the walls and wainscoting of our dwelling-houses,
shall we therefore allow them to intrude their disgusting presence,
and their airs of freedom and independence, into our personal
presence? No, we will rather crush them beneath the heel of our
ironshod boots."
"We are not men to be trodden on," said Arnold Biederman, calmly;
"those who have attempted it have found us stumbling-blocks. Lay, Sir
Knight, lay aside for an instant this haughty language, which can only
lead to warfare, and listen to the words of peace. Dismiss our
comrade, the English merchant Philipson, on whom you have this morning
laid unlawful hands; let him pay a moderate sum for his ransom, and
we, who are bound instantly to the Duke's presence, will bear a fair
report to him of his Governor of La Ferette."
"You will be so generous, will you!" said Sir Archibald, in a tone of
ridicule. "And what pledge shall I have that you will favour me so
kindly as you propose?"
"The word of a man who never broke his promise," answered the stoical
Landamman.
"Insolent hind!" replied the Knight, "dost thou stipulate? _Thou_
offer thy paltry word as a pledge betwixt the Duke of Burgundy and
Archibald de Hagenbach? Know that ye go not to Burgundy at all, or you
go thither with fetters on your hands and halters round your
necks.--So ho, Burgundy to the Rescue!"
Instantly, as he spoke, the soldiers showed themselves before, behind,
and around the narrow space where the Swiss had drawn themselves up.
The battlements of the town were lined with men, others presented
themselves at the doors of each house in the street, prepared to
sally, and, at the windows, prepared to shoot, as well with guns as
with bows and crossbows. The soldiers who defended the barricade also
started up, and seemed ready to dispute the passage in front. The
little band, encompassed and overmatched, but neither startled nor
disheartened, stood to their arms. The centre rank under the Landamman
prepared to force their way over the barricade. The two fronts stood
back to back, ready to dispute the street with those that should issue
from the houses. It could not fail to prove a work of no small blood
and toil to subdue this handful of determined men, even with five
times their number. Some sense of this, perhaps, made Sir Archibald
delay giving the signal for onset, when suddenly behind arose a cry
of, "Treason, treason!"
A soldier, covered with mud, rushed before the Governor, and said, in
hurried accents, that, as he endeavoured to stop a prisoner who had
made his escape some short time since, he had been seized by the
burghers of the town, and well-nigh drowned in the moat. He added,
that the citizens were even now admitting the enemy into the place.
"Kilian," said the Knight, "take two score of men--hasten to the
northern sallyport; stab, cut down, or throw from the battlements,
whomsoever you meet in arms, townsmen or strangers. Leave me to settle
with these peasants by fair means or foul."
But ere Kilian could obey his master's commands, a shout arose in the
rear, where they cried, "Bâle! Bâle!--Freedom! freedom!--The day is
our own!"
Onward came the youth of Bâle, who had not been at such a distance but
that Rudolph had contrived to recall them--onward came many Swiss who
had hovered around the embassy, holding themselves in readiness for
such a piece of service; and onward came the armed citizens of La
Ferette, who, compelled to take arms and mount guard by the tyranny of
De Hagenbach, had availed themselves of the opportunity to admit the
Bâlese at the sallyport through which Philipson had lately made his
escape.
The garrison, somewhat discouraged before by the firm aspect of the
Swiss, who had held their numbers at defiance, were totally
disconcerted by this new and unexpected insurrection. Most of them
prepared rather to fly than to fight, and they threw themselves in
numbers from the walls, as the best chance of escaping. Kilian and
some others, whom pride prevented from flying, and despair from asking
quarter, fought with fury, and were killed on the spot. In the midst
of this confusion the Landamman kept his own bands unmoved, permitting
them to take no share in the action, save to repel such violence as
was offered to them.
"Stand fast all!" sounded the deep voice of Arnold Biederman along
their little body. "Where is Rudolph?--Save lives, but take
none.--Why, how now, Arthur Philipson! stand fast, I say."
"I cannot stand fast," said Arthur, who was in the act of leaving the
ranks. "I must seek my father in the dungeons; they may be slaying him
in this confusion while I stand idle here."
"By our Lady of Einsiedlen, you say well," answered the Landamman;
"that I should have forgot my noble guest! I will help thee to search
for him, Arthur--the affray seems well-nigh ended.--Ho, there, Sir
Banneret, worthy Adam Zimmerman, my good friend Nicholas Bonstetten,
keep our men standing firm--Have nothing to do with this affray, but
leave the men of Bâle to answer their own deeds. I return in a few
minutes."
So saying, he hurried after Arthur Philipson, whose recollection
conducted him, with sufficient accuracy, to the head of the dungeon
stairs. There they met an ill-looking man clad in a buff jerkin, who
bore at his girdle a bunch of rusted keys, which intimated the nature
of his calling.
"Show me the prison of the English merchant," said Arthur Philipson,
"or thou diest by my hand!"
"Which of them desire you to see?" answered the official;--"the old
man, or the young one?"
"The old," said young Philipson. "His son has escaped thee."
"Enter here then, gentlemen," said the jailer, undoing the spring-bolt
of a heavy door.
At the upper end of the apartment lay the man they came to seek for,
who was instantly raised from the ground, and loaded with their
embraces.
"My dear father!"--"My worthy guest!" said his son and friend at the
same moment, "how fares it with you?"
"Well," answered the elder Philipson, "if you, my friend, and son,
come, as I judge from your arms and countenance, as conquerors, and at
liberty--ill, if you come to share my prison-house."
"Have no fear of that," said the Landamman; "we have been in danger,
but are remarkably delivered.--Your evil lair has benumbed you. Lean
on me, my noble guest, and let me assist you to better quarters."
Here he was interrupted by a heavy clash, as it seemed, of iron, and
differing from the distant roar of the popular tumult, which they
still heard from the open street, as men hear the deep voice of a
remote and tempestuous ocean.
"By St. Peter of the fetters!" said Arthur, who instantly discovered
the cause of the sound, "the jailer has cast the door to the staple,
or it has escaped his grasp. The spring-lock has closed upon us, and
we cannot be liberated saving from the outside.--Ho, jailer dog!
villain! open the door, or thou diest!"
"He is probably out of hearing of your threats," said the elder
Philipson, "and your cries avail you nothing. But are you sure the
Swiss are in possession of the town?"
"We are peaceful occupants of it," answered the Landamman, "though
without a blow given on our side."
"Why, then," said the Englishman, "your followers will soon find you
out. Arthur and I are paltry ciphers, and our absence might easily
pass over unobserved; but you are too important a figure not to be
missed and looked after, when the sum of your number is taken."
"I well hope it will prove so," said the Landamman, "though methinks I
show but scurvily, shut up here like a cat in a cupboard when he has
been stealing cream.--Arthur, my brave boy, dost thou see no means of
shooting back the bolt?"
Arthur, who had been minutely examining the lock, replied in the
negative; and added, that they must take patience perforce, and arm
themselves to wait calmly their deliverance, which they could do
nothing to accelerate.
Arnold Biederman, however, felt somewhat severely the neglect of his
sons and companions.
"All my youths, uncertain whether I am alive or dead, are taking the
opportunity of my absence, doubtless, for pillage and licence--and the
politic Rudolph, I presume, cares not if I should never reappear on
the stage--the Banneret, and the white-bearded fool Bonstetten, who
calls me his friend--every neighbour has deserted me--and yet they
know that I am anxious for the safety of the most insignificant of
them all, as dearer to me than my own. By heavens! it looks like
stratagem; and shows as if the rash young men desired to get rid of a
rule too regular and peaceful to be pleasing to those who are eager
for war and conquest."
The Landamman, fretted out of his usual serenity of temper, and afraid
of the misbehaviour of his countrymen in his absence, thus reflected
upon his friends and companions, while the distant noise soon died
away into the most absolute and total silence.
"What is to do now?" said Arthur Philipson. "I trust they will take
the opportunity of quiet to go through the roll-call, and inquire then
who are a-missing."
It seemed as if the young man's wish had some efficacy, for he had
scarce uttered it before the lock was turned, and the door set ajar by
some one who escaped upstairs from behind it, before those who were
set at liberty could obtain a glance of their deliverer.
"It is the jailer, doubtless," said the Landamman, "who may be
apprehensive, as he has some reason, that we might prove more incensed
at our detention in the dungeon, than grateful for our deliverance."
As they spoke thus they ascended the narrow stairs, and issued from
the door of the Gate-house tower, where a singular spectacle awaited
them. The Swiss Deputies and their escort still remained standing fast
and firm on the very spot where Hagenbach had proposed to assail them.
A few of the late Governor's soldiers, disarmed, and cowering from the
rage of a multitude of the citizens, who now filled the streets, stood
with downcast looks behind the phalanx of the mountaineers, as their
safest place of retreat. But this was not all.
The cars, so lately placed to obstruct the passage of the street, were
now joined together, and served to support a platform, or scaffold,
which had been hastily constructed of planks. On this was placed a
chair, in which sat a tall man, with his head, neck, and shoulders
bare, the rest of his body clothed in bright armour. His countenance
was as pale as death, yet young Philipson recognised the hard-hearted
Governor, Sir Archibald Hagenbach. He appeared to be bound to the
chair. On his right, and close beside him, stood the Priest of St.
Paul's, muttering prayers, with his breviary in his hand; while on his
left, and somewhat behind the captive, appeared a tall man, attired in
red [_h_], and leaning with both hands on the naked sword, which has
been described on a former occasion. The instant that Arnold Biederman
appeared, and before the Landamman could open his lips to demand the
meaning of what he saw, the priest drew back, the executioner stepped
forward, the sword was brandished, the blow was struck, and the
victim's head rolled on the scaffold. A general acclamation and
clapping of hands, like that by which a crowded theatre approves of
some well-graced performer, followed this feat of dexterity. While the
headless corpse shot streams from the arteries, which were drunk up by
the sawdust that strewed the scaffold, the executioner gracefully
presented himself alternately at the four corners of the stage,
modestly bowing, as the multitude greeted him with cheers of
approbation.
"Nobles, knights, gentlemen of free-born blood, and good citizens," he
said, "who have assisted at this act of high justice, I pray you to
bear me witness that this judgment hath been executed after the form
of the sentence, at one blow, and without stroke missed or repeated."
The acclamations were reiterated.
"Long live our Scharfgerichter Steinernherz, and many a tyrant may he
do his duty on!"
"Noble friends," said the executioner, with the deepest obeisance, "I
have yet another word to say, and it must be a proud one.--God be
gracious to the soul of this good and noble knight, Sir Archibald de
Hagenbach. He was the patron of my youth, and my guide to the path of
honour. Eight steps have I made towards freedom and nobility on the
heads of freeborn knights and nobles, who have fallen by his authority
and command; and the ninth, by which I have attained it, is upon his
own, in grateful memory of which I will expend this purse of gold,
which but an hour since he bestowed on me, in masses for his soul.
Gentlemen, noble friends, and now my equals, La Ferette has lost a
nobleman and gained one. Our Lady be gracious to the departed knight,
Sir Archibald de Hagenbach, and bless and prosper the progress of
Stephen Steinernherz von Blutsacker, now free and noble of right!"[8]
With that he took the feather out of the cap of the deceased, which,
soiled with the blood of the wearer, lay near his body upon the
scaffold, and, putting it into his own official bonnet, received the
homage of the crowd in loud huzzas, which were partly in earnest,
partly in ridicule of such an unusual transformation.
Arnold Biederman at length found breath, which the extremity of
surprise had at first denied him. Indeed, the whole execution had
passed much too rapidly for the possibility of his interference.
"Who has dared to act this tragedy?" he said indignantly. "And by what
right has it taken place?"
A cavalier, richly dressed in blue, replied to the question--
"The free citizens of Bâle have acted for themselves, as the fathers
of Swiss liberty set them an example; and the tyrant, De Hagenbach,
has fallen by the same right which put to death the tyrant Geysler. We
bore with him till his cup was brimming over, and then we bore no
longer."
"I say not but that he deserved death," replied the Landamman; "but
for your own sake, and for ours, you should have forborne him till the
Duke's pleasure was known."
"What tell you us of the Duke?" answered Laurenz Neipperg, the same
blue cavalier whom Arthur had seen at the secret rendezvous of the
Bâlese youth, in company with Rudolph. "Why talk you of Burgundy to
us, who are none of his subjects? The Emperor, our only rightful lord,
had no title to pawn the town and fortifications of La Ferette, being
as it is a dependency of Bâle, to the prejudice of our free city. He
might have pledged the revenue indeed; and supposing him to have done
so, the debt has been paid twice over by the exactions levied by
yonder oppressor, who has now received his due. But pass on, Landamman
of Unterwalden. If our actions displease you, abjure them at the
footstool of the Duke of Burgundy; but, in doing so, abjure the memory
of William Tell and Stauffacher, of Furst and Melchtal, the fathers of
Swiss freedom."
"You speak truth," said the Landamman; "but it is in an ill-chosen and
unhappy time. Patience would have remedied your evils, which none felt
more deeply, or would have redressed more willingly, than I. But oh,
imprudent young man, you have thrown aside the modesty of your age,
and the subjection you owe to your elders. William Tell and his
brethren were men of years and judgment, husbands and fathers, having
a right to be heard in council, and to be foremost in action.
Enough--I leave it with the fathers and senators of your own city, to
acknowledge or to reprove your actions.--But you, my friends,--you,
Banneret of Berne,--you, Rudolph,--above all, you, Nicholas
Bonstetten, my comrade and my friend, why did you not take this
miserable man under your protection? The action would have shown
Burgundy that we were slandered by those who have declared us desirous
of seeking a quarrel with him, or of inciting his subjects to revolt.
Now, all these prejudices will be confirmed in the minds of men,
naturally more tenacious of evil impressions than of those which are
favourable."
"As I live by bread, good gossip and neighbour," answered Nicholas
Bonstetten, "I thought to obey your injunctions to a tittle; so much
so, that I once thought of breaking in and protecting the man, when
Rudolph Donnerhugel reminded me that your last orders were, to stand
firm, and let the men of Bâle answer for their own actions; and
surely, said I to myself, my gossip Arnold knows better than all of us
what is fitting to be done."
"Ah, Rudolph, Rudolph," said the Landamman, looking on him with a
displeased countenance, "wert thou not ashamed thus to deceive an old
man?"
"To say I deceived him is a hard charge; but from you, Landamman,"
answered the Bernese, with his usual deference, "I can bear anything.
I will only say, that, being a member of this embassy, I am obliged
to think, and to give my opinion as such, especially when he is not
present who is wise enough to lead and direct us all."
"Thy words are always fair, Rudolph," replied Arnold Biederman, "and I
trust so is thy meaning. Yet there are times when I somewhat doubt
it.--But let disputes pass, and let me have your advice, my friends;
and for that purpose go we where it may best profit us, even to the
church, where we will first return our thanks for our deliverance from
assassination, and then hold counsel what next is to be done."
The Landamman led the way, accordingly, to the church of St. Paul's,
while his companions and associates followed in their order. This gave
Rudolph, who, as youngest, suffered the others to precede him, an
opportunity to beckon to him the Landamman's eldest son, Rudiger, and
whisper to him to get rid of the two English merchants.
"Away with them, my dear Rudiger, by fair means, if possible; but away
with them directly. Thy father is besotted with these two English
pedlars, and will listen to no other counsel; and thou and I know,
dearest Rudiger, that such men as these are unfit to give laws to
free-born Switzers. Get the trumpery they have been robbed of, or as
much of it as is extant, together as fast as thou canst, and send them
a-travelling, in Heaven's name."
Rudiger nodded intelligently, and went to offer his services to
expedite the departure of the elder Philipson. He found the sagacious
merchant as desirous to escape from the scene of confusion now
presented in the town, as the young Swiss could be to urge his
departure. He only waited to recover the casket of which De Hagenbach
had possessed himself, and Rudiger Biederman set on foot a strict
search after it, which was the more likely to be successful, that the
simplicity of the Swiss prevented them from setting the true value
upon its contents. A strict and hasty search was immediately
instituted, both on the person of the dead De Hagenbach, on which the
precious packet was not to be found, and on all who had approached him
at his execution, or were supposed to enjoy his confidence.
Young Arthur Philipson would gladly have availed himself of a few
moments to bid farewell to Anne of Geierstein. But the grey wimple was
no longer seen in the ranks of the Switzers, and it was reasonable to
think that, in the confusion which followed the execution of De
Hagenbach, and the retreat of the leaders of the little battalion, she
had made her escape into some of the adjacent houses, while the
soldiers around her, no longer restrained by the presence of their
chiefs, had dispersed, some to search for the goods of which the
Englishmen had been despoiled, others doubtless to mingle with and
join in the rejoicings of the victorious youths of Bâle, and of those
burghers of La Ferette by whom the fortifications of the town had been
so gently surrendered.
The cry amongst them was universal, that Brisach, so long considered
as the curb of the Swiss confederates, and the barrier against their
commerce, should henceforth be garrisoned, as their protection against
the encroachments and exactions of the Duke of Burgundy and his
officers. The whole town was in a wild but joyful jubilee, while the
citizens vied with each other in offering to the Swiss every
species of refreshment, and the youths who attended upon the mission
hurried gaily, and in triumph, to profit by the circumstances, which
had so unexpectedly converted the ambuscade so treacherously laid for
them, into a genial and joyous reception.
[Illustration: THE EXECUTION.
Drawn and Etched by R. de Los Rios.]
Amid this scene of confusion, it was impossible for Arthur to quit his
father, even to satisfy the feelings which induced him to wish for a
few moments at his own disposal. Sad, thoughtful, and sorrowful, amid
the general joy, he remained with the parent whom he had so much
reason to love and honour, to assist him in securing and placing on
their mule the various packages and bales which the honest Switzers
had recovered after the death of De Hagenbach, and which they emulated
each other in bringing to their rightful owner; while they were with
difficulty prevailed on to accept the guerdon which the Englishman,
from the means which he had still left upon his person, was disposed
not merely to offer but to force upon the restorers of his property,
and which, in their rude and simple ideas, seemed greatly to exceed
the value of what they had recovered for him.
This scene had scarcely lasted ten or fifteen minutes, when Rudolph
Donnerhugel approached the elder Philipson, and in a tone of great
courtesy invited him to join the council of the Chiefs of the Embassy
of the Swiss Cantons, who, he said, were desirous of having the
advantage of his experience upon some important questions respecting
their conduct on these unexpected occurrences.
"See to our affairs, Arthur, and stir not from the spot on which I
leave you," said Philipson to his son. "Look especially after the
sealed packet of which I was so infamously and illegally robbed: its
recovery is of the utmost consequence."
So speaking, he instantly prepared himself to attend the Bernese, who
in a confidential manner whispered, as he went arm-in-arm with him
towards the church of St. Paul's,--
"I think a man of your wisdom will scarce advise us to trust ourselves
to the mood of the Duke of Burgundy, when he has received such an
injury as the loss of this fortress, and the execution of his officer.
You, at least, would be too judicious to afford us any further the
advantage of your company and society, since to do so would be
wilfully to engage in our shipwreck."
"I will give my best advice," answered Philipson, "when I shall be
more particularly acquainted with the circumstances under which it is
asked of me."
Rudolph muttered an oath, or angry exclamation, and led Philipson to
the church without further argument.
In a small chapel adjoining to the church, and dedicated to St. Magnus
the Martyr, the four deputies were assembled in close conclave, around
the shrine in which the sainted hero stood, armed as when he lived.
The Priest of St. Paul's was also present, and seemed to interest
himself deeply in the debate which was taking place. When Philipson
entered, all were for a moment silent, until the Landamman addressed
him thus: "Seignor Philipson, we esteem you a man far travelled, well
versed in the manners of foreign lands, and acquainted with the
conditions of this Duke Charles of Burgundy; you are therefore fit to
advise us in a matter of great weight. You know with what anxiety we
go on this mission for peace with the Duke; you also know what has
this day happened, which may probably be represented to Charles in the
worst colours. Would you advise us, in such a case, to proceed to the
Duke's presence, with the odium of this action attached to us? or
should we do better to return home, and prepare for war with
Burgundy?"
"How do your own opinions stand on the subject?" said the cautious
Englishman.
"We are divided," answered the Banneret of Berne. "I have borne the
banner of Berne against her foes for thirty years; I am more willing
to carry it against the lances of the knights of Hainault and
Lorraine, than to undergo the rude treatment which we must look to
meet at the footstool of the Duke."
"We put our heads in the lion's mouth if we go forward," said
Zimmerman of Soleure;--"my opinion is, that we draw back."
"I would not advise retreat," said Rudolph Donnerhugel, "were my life
alone concerned; but the Landamman of Unterwalden is the father of the
United Cantons, and it would be parricide if I consented to put his
life in peril. My advice is, that we return, and that the Confederacy
stand on their defence."
"My opinion is different," said Arnold Biederman; "nor will I forgive
any man who, whether in sincere or feigned friendship, places my poor
life in the scale with the advantage of the Cantons. If we go forward,
we risk our heads--be it so. But if we turn back, we involve our
country in war with a power of the first magnitude in Europe. Worthy
citizens! you are brave in fight--show your fortitude as boldly now;
and let us not hesitate to incur such personal danger as may attend
ourselves, if by doing so we can gain a chance of peace for our
country."
"I think and vote with my neighbour and gossip, Arnold Biederman,"
said the laconic deputy from Schwitz.
"You hear how we are divided in opinion," said the Landamman to
Philipson. "What is your opinion?"
"I would first ask of you," said the Englishman, "what has been your
part in this storming of a town occupied by the Duke's forces, and
putting to death his Governor?"
"So help me, Heaven!" said the Landamman, "as I knew not of any
purpose of storming the town until it unexpectedly took place."
"And for the execution of De Hagenbach," said the Black Priest, "I
swear to you, stranger, by my holy order, that it took place under the
direction of a competent court, whose sentence Charles of Burgundy
himself is bound to respect, and whose proceedings the deputies of the
Swiss mission could neither have advanced nor retarded."
"If such be the case, and if you can really prove yourselves free of
these proceedings," answered Philipson, "which must needs be highly
resented by the Duke of Burgundy, I would advise you by all means to
proceed upon your journey; with the certainty that you will obtain
from that prince a just and impartial hearing, and it may be a
favourable answer. I know Charles of Burgundy; I may even say that,
our different ranks and walks of life considered, I know him well. He
will be deeply incensed by the first tidings of what has here
chanced, which he will no doubt interpret to your disfavour. But if,
in the course of investigation, you are able to clear yourselves of
these foul imputations, a sense of his own injustice may perhaps turn
the balance in your favour, and in that case he will rush from the
excess of censure into that of indulgence. But your cause must be
firmly stated to the Duke, by some tongue better acquainted with the
language of courts than yours; and such a friendly interpreter might I
have proved to you, had I not been plundered of the valuable packet
which I bore with me in order to present to the Duke, and in testimony
of my commission to him."
"A paltry fetch," whispered Donnerhugel to the Banneret, "that the
trader may obtain from us satisfaction for the goods of which he has
been plundered."
The Landamman himself was perhaps for a moment of the same opinion.
"Merchant," he said, "we hold ourselves bound to make good to
you--that is, if our substance can effect it--whatever loss you may
have sustained, trusting to our protection."
"Ay, that we will," said the old man of Schwitz, "should it cost us
twenty zechins to make it good."
"To your guarantee of immunity I can have no claim," said Philipson,
"seeing I parted company with you before I sustained any loss. And I
regret the loss, not so much for its value, although that is greater
than you may fancy; but chiefly because, that the contents of the
casket I bore being a token betwixt a person of considerable
importance and the Duke of Burgundy, I shall not, I fear, now that I
am deprived of them, receive from his grace that credence which I
desire, both for my own sake and yours. Without them, and speaking
only in the person of a private traveller, I may not take upon me as I
might have done, when using the names of the persons whose mandates I
carried."
"This important packet," said the Landamman, "shall be most rigorously
sought for, and carefully re-delivered to thee. For ourselves, not a
Swiss of us knows the value of its contents; so that if they are in
the hands of any of our men, they will be returned of course as
baubles, upon which they set no value."
As he spoke, there was a knocking at the door of the chapel. Rudolph,
who stood nearest to it, having held some communication with those
without, observed with a smile, which he instantly repressed, lest it
had given offence to Arnold Biederman,--"It is Sigismund, the good
youth--Shall I admit him to our council?"
"To what purpose, poor simple lad?" said his father, with a sorrowful
smile.
"Yet let me undo the door," said Philipson; "he is anxious to enter,
and perhaps he brings news. I have observed, Landamman, that the young
man, though with slowness of ideas and expression, is strong in his
principles, and sometimes happy in his conceptions."
He admitted Sigismund accordingly; while Arnold Biederman felt, on the
one hand, the soothing compliment which Philipson had paid to a boy,
certainly the dullest of his family, and, on the other, feared some
public display of his son's infirmity, or lack of understanding.
Sigismund, however, seemed all confidence; and he certainly had
reason to be so, since, as the shortest mode of explanation, he
presented to Philipson the necklace of diamonds, with the casket in
which it had been deposited.
"This pretty thing is yours," he said. "I understand so much from your
son Arthur, who tells me you will be glad to have it again."
"Most cordially do I thank you," said the merchant. "The necklace is
certainly mine; that is, the packet of which it formed the contents
was under my charge; and it is at this moment of greater additional
value to me than even its actual worth, since it serves as my pledge
and token for the performance of an important mission.--And how, my
young friend," he continued, addressing Sigismund, "have you been so
fortunate as to recover what we have sought for hitherto in vain? Let
me return my best acknowledgments; and do not think me over-curious if
I ask how it reached you."
"For that matter," said Sigismund, "the story is soon told. I had
planted myself as near the scaffold as I could, having never beheld an
execution before; and I observed the executioner, who I thought did
his duty very cleverly, just in the moment that he spread a cloth over
the body of De Hagenbach, snatch something from the dead man's bosom,
and huddle it hastily into his own; so, when the rumour arose that an
article of value was a-missing, I hurried in quest of the fellow. I
found he had bespoke masses to the extent of a hundred crowns at the
high altar of St. Paul's; and I traced him to the tavern of the
village, where some ill-looking men were joyously drinking to him as
a free citizen and a nobleman. So I stepped in amongst them with my
partisan, and demanded of his lordship either to surrender to me what
he had thus possessed himself of, or to try the weight of the weapon I
carried. His lordship, my Lord Hangman, hesitated, and was about to
make a brawl. But I was something peremptory, and so he judged it best
to give me the parcel, which I trust you, Seignor Philipson, will find
safe and entire as it was taken from you. And--and--I left them to
conclude their festivities--and that is the whole of the story."
"Thou art a brave lad," said Philipson; "and with a heart always
right, the head can seldom be far wrong. But the Church shall not lose
its dues, and I take it on myself, ere I leave La Ferette, to pay for
the masses which the man had ordered for the sake of De Hagenbach's
soul, snatched from the world so unexpectedly."
Sigismund was about to reply; but Philipson, fearing he might bring
out some foolery to diminish the sense which his father had so
joyously entertained of his late conduct, immediately added, "Hie
away, my good youth, and give to my son Arthur this precious casket."
With simple exultation at receiving applause to which he was little
accustomed, Sigismund took his leave, and the council were once more
left to their own privacy.
There was a moment's silence; for the Landamman could not overcome the
feeling of exquisite pleasure at the sagacity which poor Sigismund,
whose general conduct warranted no such expectations, had displayed on
the present occasion. It was not, however, a feeling to which
circumstances permitted him to give vent, and he reserved it for his
own secret enjoyment, as a solace to the anxiety which he had hitherto
entertained concerning the limited intellect of this simple-minded
young man. When he spoke, it was to Philipson, with the usual candour
and manliness of his character.
"Seignor Philipson," he said, "we will hold you bound by no offer
which you made while these glittering matters were out of your
possession; because a man may often think that if he were in such and
such a situation he would be able to achieve certain ends which, that
position being attained, he may find himself unable to accomplish. But
I now ask you, whether, having thus fortunately and unexpectedly
regained possession of what you say will give you certain credence
with the Duke of Burgundy, you conceive yourself entitled to mediate
with him on our behalf, as you formerly proposed?"
All bent forward to hear the merchant's answer.
"Landamman," he replied, "I never spoke the word in difficulty which I
was not ready to redeem when that difficulty was removed. You say, and
I believe, that you had no concern with this storming of La Ferette.
You say also, that the life of De Hagenbach was taken by a judicature
over which you had no control, and exercised none--let a protocol be
drawn up, averring these circumstances, and, as far as possible,
proving them. Intrust it to me--under seal if you will--and if such
points be established, I will pledge my word as a--as a--as an honest
man and a true-born Englishman, that the Duke of Burgundy will neither
detain nor offer you any personal injury. I also hope to show to
Charles strong and weighty reasons why a league of friendship betwixt
Burgundy and the United Cantons of Helvetia is, on his grace's part, a
wise and generous measure. But it is possible I may fail in this last
point; and if I do, I shall deeply grieve for it. In warranting your
safe passage to the Duke's court, and your safe return from it to your
own country, I think I cannot fail. If I do, my own life, and that of
my beloved and only child, shall pay the ransom for my excess of
confidence in the Duke's justice and honour."
The other deputies stood silent, and looked on the Landamman; but
Rudolph Donnerhugel spoke.
"Are we then to trust our own lives, and, what is still dearer to us,
that of our honoured associate, Arnold Biederman, on the simple word
of a foreign trader? We all know the temper of the Duke, and how
vindictively and relentlessly he has ever felt towards our country and
its interests. Methinks this English merchant should express the
nature of his interest at the court of Burgundy more plainly, if he
expects us to place such implicit reliance in it."
"That, Seignor Rudolph Donnerhugel," replied the merchant, "I find
myself not at liberty to do. I pry not into your secrets, whether they
belong to you as a body or as individuals. My own are sacred. If I
consulted my own safety merely, I should act most wisely to part
company with you here. But the object of your mission is peace; and
your sudden return, after what has chanced at La Ferette, will make
war inevitable. I think I can assure you of a safe and free audience
from the Duke, and I am willing, for the chance of securing the peace
of Christendom, to encounter any personal peril which may attach to
myself."
"Say no more, worthy Philipson," said the Landamman; "thy good faith
is undoubted on our part, and ill luck is his who cannot read it
written on thy manly forehead. We go forward, then, prepared to risk
our own safety at the hand of a despotic prince, rather than leave
undischarged the mission which our country has intrusted us with. He
is but half a brave man who will risk his life only in the field of
battle. There are other dangers, to front which is equally honourable;
and since the weal of Switzerland demands that we should encounter
them, not one of us will hesitate to take the risk."
The other members of the mission bowed in assent, and the conclave
broke up to prepare for their farther entrance into Burgundy.
FOOTNOTE:
[8] Note I.