But this thing never happened but once; for on the morrow when the
drinkers were carousing at The Horn the good women who came thither
to entice them away a second time were driven off in a shameful manner.
And as for the men, they continued to drink and to shout hilarious
carols.
Several times the night-watchman of the town came in to warn them
against making so much noise after the sun was set. Ha, they listened
to him with all respect, and seemed quite abashed and repentant at
their fault; each one said his mea culpa; and in the meantime they gave
the poor watchman so abundantly to drink that when he got outside he
went off straight away to do his round leaning against some wall, and
there snoring like a bass-viol. The others continued their drinking
bouts and heavy slumbering, whereof the unhappy wives never ceased
to complain. And so on, in this fashion, for a month and four days.
Now by great misfortune the good Duke had lately been at war with
my Lord of Flanders, and although peace had been made between them
there remained afoot a band of lewd and ribald scoundrels, who went
about ravishing all the countryside and robbing the townsfolk.
This same band was commanded by a savage captain, to whom was given
the name of Irontooth, because on the top of his casque he wore a
single spike, sharp and cruel, like the tooth of some devil or of
one of the unicorns of hell, cut out into fantastic shape. In battle
he would sometimes put down his head and use this tooth as a wild
boar uses his tusks. In this manner were slain many brave soldiers
of the duchy of Brabant. On this same casque he carried also an evil
bird whose wings beat against the steel, whereof it was said that it
screeched in battle in a terrible fashion.
It was Irontooth's custom to come at night to the villages on which he
was minded to carry out his forays, butchering without mercy the poor
townsfolk in their sleep, and carrying off jewels, plate, women, and
maids, but of these last only the young ones. As for the old women,
he left them their lives, saying that it was not worth the while of
killing them, for they would certainly die of fright by themselves.
XI. In which it is seen how bravely the good wives of Uccle did the
duty of men.
It came about that one night when only a few stars were showing,
and the moon shining a little, there came to Uccle a certain Master
Andre Bredael, running as hard as he could and quite out of breath.
He brought this news: that being by chance behind a bush on the road
to Paris, he had seen a troop of men go past, whom he thought to be
the Irontooth's, for he had seen among them a spiked casque like that
which the great brigand was wont to wear.
While these men were halted by the roadside, and munching some food,
he overheard them say that they were bound that night for Uccle,
where they hoped to get good sport and fair plunder, but they said
also that they must leave the high road and travel by small lanes,
so that their passage should not be discovered. Master Bredael thought
it most likely that they would debouch behind the church.
Having learned so much he had hurried to Uccle by the Paris road,
outdistancing the brigands by a good half-league, so that he might
warn the townsmen to arms, and prepare a strong reception for these
unwelcome travellers.
And arriving there he hastened to the door of the prefecture and
knocked loudly, so that the warning bell might be set ringing at once;
but none came to open to him, for the good reason that the custodian,
being one of the Brothers of the Cheerful Countenance, was fast asleep,
like all the other drinkers. Andre Bredael then sought other means of
alarum, and shouted out so loudly: "Fire! fire! Brand! brand!" that all
the women and old men, and children who were too young to drink, leapt
out of bed and ran to their windows to see what was going forward.
Andre Bredael made himself known to them and begged them to come
down into the square, which they did with all dispatch. When they
were all gathered round him he told them of the coming of Irontooth,
and bade them go and wake their husbands.
At these words the older women began to shout as if mad: "Welcome to
Irontooth, God's tooth in good deed, come to rip them all open! Ha,
drinkers! now we shall see you, as a punishment from heaven, either
hanged short or burnt alive or drowned without respite; and 'tis no
more than your sins deserve!" Then, as if they had wings to their
feet, they flew into their houses, and there Master Bredael, who
stayed with the younger women in the square, heard the enraged old
hags shouting, whining, weeping, vociferating, thumping on chests
and frying-pans, in an attempt to awaken their good men. At the same
time they cried in their ears: "Scoundrels, wake up! Sweet friends,
come and protect us! Drunkards, do your duty for once in your accursed
lives! Dear fellows, do you wish to find us dead by morning? Bear us
no malice for our talk of thrashing you. We were foolish just then,
and too hasty; ye were wise. But save us in this pass!" And so on,
mixing together smooth and bitter words, like milk and vinegar.
But none of the men stirred.
"What is this?" said Master Bredael.
"Alas, master," said the young women, "'tis as you see; they are as
good as dead the night through, and so has it been a while past. If
the angel of God himself were to come he would scarce be able to
rouse them. Ah, must it be that after having left us lonely so long
these wicked husbands will now leave us to die!"
"Do not weep," said Andre Bredael, "this is no time for that. Do you
love these husbands of yours?"
"Yes," said they.
"And your sons?"
"Yes," said they.
"And your little daughters, so sweet and winsome?"
"Yes," said they.
"And you are ready to defend them as best you can?"
"Yes," said they.
"Well, then," said Bredael, "go and fetch your men's bows and come
back here with them as quickly as you can. We will think of some way
to defend ourselves."
Soon enough the women were back again, armed with bows which they
had taken from their husbands, brothers, or sweethearts. These bows
of Uccle were of great renown throughout the land, for they were as
strong as steel, and winged their arrows with very great speed.
With them came certain boys of twelve years old, or not much more,
and one or two brave old men, but the women sent them back again
indoors, saying that they must stay behind and look to the village.
The good womenfolk then collected in a bunch in the square, talking
with great ardour and courage, but not too much bragging withal. Every
one was clad in a white gown, jacket, or shift, as is the customary
night apparel of women. But on this occasion it was by the special
favour of God that they were so clad, as you shall see by and by.
Wantje, who was one of their number, standing very bold and calm,
said suddenly that they must pray. Thereupon they all knelt devoutly,
and the maid spoke thus:
"Madam Mary the Virgin, who art queen of heaven as Madam the Duchess
is queen of this country, give an ear to these poor wives and maids,
humbly kneeling before you, who by reason of the drunkenness of their
husbands and brothers must needs take on themselves men's duty and
arm themselves to fight. If you will but make a small prayer to My
Lord Jesus to give us his aid we shall be sure enough of victory. And
we will give you as thanksgiving a fair crown of gold, with rubies,
turquoises and diamonds in its rim, a fair golden chain, a fair robe
of brocade spangled over with silver, and the same to My Lord your
son. Therefore pray for us, Madam Mary."
And all the other good maids and wives said after Wantje: "Pray for
us, Madam Mary."
Suddenly, as they were rising from their knees, they saw a beautiful
bright star shoot from heaven to earth, not far from where they
were. This was, no doubt, an angel from the good God, who came down
from Paradise in this guise, to stand beside them and help them the
more surely.
Seeing the sign the good women took heart of grace, and Wantje spoke
further, saying:
"Madam the Virgin hearkens to us, 'tis certain. Let us now proceed
to the gate of the village, beside the church of Our Lord, who dwells
therein"--here all crossed themselves--"to await with confidence the
coming of the Irontooth and his men. And when we see them near at
hand let every woman draw her bow, without speaking, nor moving in
any way. Madam the Virgin will guide the arrows."
"Well spoken, brave maid," said Master Bredael. "Come, I see in those
eyes of thine, so bright in the darkness, the breath of God, which is a
flame, alight in thy maid's heart. We must do as she says, good wives."
"Yes, yes," said they.
This woman's army took up its place in line in the alley behind
the church.
After a while of waiting, wherein was much perplexity and anxiety,
they heard the sound of footfalls and voices, growing louder as they
listened, as of men on the march.