CARDINAL1.
Their Majesties2 had not long quitted Lambeth Palace, when the Franciscan friar was summoned by Rodomont to the presence of the Cardinal.
While crossing the court with the monk3, Rodomont paused for a moment, and directed his companion’s attention to the Lollards’ Tower.
“You would imagine the prisoners must be secure in that tower, holy father,” he remarked.
“Unquestionably so, my son,” replied the friar.
“His Majesty4, however, is not of that opinion,” rejoined Rodomont. “He is under the impression that a certain young gallant5, whose brain seems turned by love, would be rash enough to climb, by means of a rope-ladder, to the window of the cell wherein his mistress is confined.”
“Does the King suspect this?” inquired the monk, uneasily.
“So shrewdly, that he has ordered me to keep strict watch to-night, and to arrest the love-sick gallant should he appear. The task is not to my liking6, but I must obey his Majesty’s orders. Some men will run any risk for those they love—but you, father, cannot understand such matters. You would reprove Osbert Clinton—for so the gallant is named—for his rashness and folly7.”
“I should pity him, rather than blame him,” said the friar.
“And you would not deem it wrong if I were to aid him, eh, father? Certes, I should be loth to betray him—but he is so imprudent that he might betray himself. ’Tis a miracle that he ’scaped detection by the King just now.”
240“What mean you, my son?” cried the monk, alarmed.
“I mean that Master Osbert Clinton has been rash enough to venture hither,” said Rodomont; “and though luckily his Majesty did not see through his disguise, I was not equally blind.”
“You knew me, then?” said Osbert Clinton.
“My suspicions of the truth were roused from the first, and were speedily changed to certainty,” rejoined Rodomont. “’Twas marvellous, I repeat, that you imposed upon the quick-sighted King, but I do not think the Cardinal was deceived. However, you have not much to fear from his Eminence8, who is too kind-hearted to do more than chide9 you for your indiscretion. Had things continued as they were, and Mistress Constance been kept a prisoner in yon tower, I would have helped you to liberate10 her. But a change for the better has occurred. The doors of her cell are opened, and she is free to go where she lists within the palace. Let that content you. And now I must bring you before his Eminence.”
With this they entered the palace, and after passing through the vestibule, where a number of persons belonging to the household were collected, they proceeded to a spacious11 chamber12, with a carved oak ceiling, windows filled with painted glass, and walls furnished with book-shelves stored with goodly tomes, where they found the Cardinal seated at a table. He was writing at the moment, and only suspended his task to look up, and then resumed it. When he had finished his letter and sealed it, he delivered it to Rodomont, bidding him give it to Lord Montague’s messenger, who was waiting to receive it. As soon as they were alone, he turned to Osbert, and assuming a grave and severe expression of countenance13, ordered him to throw back his hood14; and, as the young man complied, he said, “’Tis as I suspected. You are Osbert Clinton.”
“Yes, I am he,” replied the other. “It was my intention to avow15 myself to your Eminence—to explain my motives16 in coming hither, and to crave17 your pardon.”
“It is needless to explain your motives,” said Pole; “I am fully18 aware of them. Neither, though I blame your rashness, shall I refuse you pardon. But this indiscretion must not be repeated. If you come here again, you must take the consequences 241of your folly. You are free to go as you came—but again I say, you must not return.”
“Ere I go, your Eminence’s goodness emboldens19 me to ask your permission for a brief interview with Constance Tyrrell.”
“I cannot grant your request,” replied the Cardinal, “though it pains me to refuse it. I pity both you and Constance, but I cannot aid you in the dilemma20 in which you are placed. Patience is difficult, especially to a young and ardent21 lover; but you must perforce practise it. Be not cast down. If Fortune refuses to smile on you now, she may do so hereafter. Be hopeful, be courageous22, be trustful; and if your love survives these trials, you will be rewarded in due season. Rashness and precipitancy will destroy all. Constance will be safe with me—safe as with her own father; nay23, safer, for I have more power than he can possess. If I cannot give her to you—if I cannot even allow you to approach her—I can protect her. Seek not then to disturb her, or to plunge24 yourself into difficulties from which none can extricate25 you. I shall employ the same arguments with Constance. I will tell her that your enforced separation will only be for a time—that she must not despair, but may confidently look forward to a meeting with you on some future day.”
“I am fully sensible of the wisdom of your Eminence’s counsel, and will endeavour to profit by it,” said Osbert. “Though the separation will be hard to bear, it will be shorn of much of its anguish26 by the reflection that she has found a sanctuary27 with you.”
“And such, in truth, it is, for she will be protected from all danger,” rejoined Pole. “Henceforth you may picture her, not as the inmate28 of a narrow cell, condemned29 to pass her hours in seclusion30, but as my guest, free to go where she will within this mansion31; not coerced32 in matters of religion, though I shall try by all proper means to lead her back to her former faith; subject to no harsh discipline or regulations; not compelled to perform any severe penance33, but left to her own free will—such will be the course I shall pursue with her, and I trust it may tend to her comfort and benefit.”
“It cannot fail,” said Osbert. “Under your Eminence’s benignant influence she must be happy.”
242“She will at least find a refuge from the terrible storm which is at hand, and which might overwhelm her as it will many others,” said the Cardinal. “Be thankful, therefore, that she is not exposed to this great peril34, and is not likely to be numbered amongst the victims of the religious persecution35, which, I fear, is at hand. And now fare you well, Sir. Take my blessing36 with you. No words of gratitude37 are needed. You shall thank me hereafter, when I restore Constance to you.”
With this, he struck a small silver bell which stood upon the table beside him. Before the summons could be answered, Osbert had drawn38 the cowl over his head.
“Conduct this monk to the gate,” said the Cardinal to Rodomont, as the latter entered the room, “and suffer him not to talk with anyone by the way.”
“It shall be done as your Eminence enjoins,” said Rodomont. “Come, Father!”
And he quitted the room with Osbert.
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1
cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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2
majesties
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| n.雄伟( majesty的名词复数 )；庄严；陛下；王权 | |
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3
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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4
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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5
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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6
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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7
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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8
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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9
chide
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| v.叱责；谴责 | |
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10
liberate
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| v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由 | |
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11
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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12
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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13
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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14
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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15
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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16
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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17
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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18
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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19
emboldens
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的第三人称单数 ) | |
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20
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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21
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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22
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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23
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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24
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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25
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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26
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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27
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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28
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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29
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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30
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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31
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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32
coerced
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| v.迫使做( coerce的过去式和过去分词 )；强迫；（以武力、惩罚、威胁等手段）控制；支配 | |
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33
penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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34
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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35
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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36
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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37
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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38
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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