Meantime, Osbert and his party were more than half across the Thames.
Before them rose the stately palace of Lambeth, with its tower and gateway3, looking like a black mass relieved against the clear sky. The serene4 beauty of night, which contrasted forcibly with the agitating5 events that were taking place, was not without effect upon Osbert. As he stood at the prow6 of the barge7, leaning upon his sword and contemplating8 the scene, its holy calmness insensibly softened9 him, and he began to feel compunction for what he had done. But it was now too late to recede10. The step was taken, and he must go on. He must either perish as a traitor11, or live as the liberator12 of his country. Stifling13 all remorseful14 feelings, he tried to fix his thoughts on the latter contingency15.
As the insurgents approached Lambeth Palace, it was evident from the lights gleaming from the windows, and the sounds heard from the courts, that its inmates16 were alarmed and astir.
In another moment the little squadron reached the wharf17. Osbert was the first to land, and leaped ashore18 sword in hand. Udal and Rufford followed him, but such expedition was used that only a few minutes elapsed before the whole party had disembarked.
Meantime, their movements were watched from the battlements 323of the gateway by Rodomont Bittern and his two lieutenants19. As soon as the insurgents had landed, and were drawn20 up, Osbert marched at their head towards the gateway, but before he reached it, Rodomont called out in a loud voice:—
“Who are ye, Sirs, and what seek ye, that ye approach the palace of the Lord Cardinal21 in this hostile fashion? State your business without parleying, that I may report it to his Eminence22. But I warn you that you can have no admittance at this hour.”
“We will obtain admittance for ourselves if our request be refused,” replied Osbert. “We require Constance Tyrrell and Derrick Carver, both detained within the palace, to be delivered up to us.”
“By whose warrant do you make this demand?” inquired Rodomont.
“By mine own,” replied the other, “which thus backed, shall answer as well as any other, were it even the Queen’s.”
“None but her Majesty23’s own order will procure24 their liberation,” rejoined Rodomont; “and since you possess not that, you are likely to go away empty-handed. Though I would fain disbelieve it, methinks it is Master Osbert Clinton who speaks to me.”
“I am he you suppose,” replied Osbert. “Use dispatch, good Rodomont, and convey my message to the Lord Cardinal.”
“If you are turned rebel, as I suspect from the tone you adopt, and the armed rout25 at your heels,” rejoined Rodomont, “I must pray you to cease all familiarity with me. But I will make your demand known to the Lord Cardinal.”
“Fail not to add, that if they be not delivered up, we will enter the palace and take them,” said Osbert.
“I will communicate your exact words,” rejoined Rodomont, “but I warn you, that if you make the attempt you will assuredly be hanged.”
With this he quitted the battlements.
While he was gone, Osbert employed the time in explaining to the insurgents what must be done in the event of the Cardinal’s refusal.
After a brief delay, a wicket in the gate was opened, and Rodomont Bittern came forth26.
324“What answer bring you from the Lord Cardinal?” demanded Osbert, on seeing him.
“His Eminence will answer you in person,” said Rodomont. “But if you will take the advice of one who was once your friend, and is still your well-wisher, you will pursue this matter no further.”
“A truce27 to this,” cried Osbert, sternly. “I must have the Cardinal’s answer without delay, or I shall proceed to action. I have no time to waste.”
“You are peremptory28, Sir,” observed Rodomont dryly.
“So peremptory, that I will have the prisoners,” rejoined Osbert, fiercely.
“You must discuss that point with the Lord Cardinal himself,” rejoined Rodomont.
As he spoke29, the falling of heavy bars within-side proclaimed that the gates were being unfastened, and in another moment the ponderous30 valves swung aside and disclosed the Cardinal standing31 beneath the archway.
Close behind him stood Priuli with Constance Tyrrell, habited in black, and looking deathly pale, and a little further removed was Derrick Carver, with Mallet32, the keeper of the Lollard’s Tower.
No guard was near the Cardinal; the only persons with him besides Simnel and Holiday being some half-dozen attendants bearing torches. Pole’s features wore a grave and somewhat severe expression. He manifested no apprehension33 whatever, but fixed34 a searching though somewhat sorrowful glance upon Osbert and the insurgent2 crew drawn up behind him.
Seen by the light of the torches which gleamed upon the Cardinal’s majestic35 figure, upon Constance’s pallid36 but lovely features, upon Priuli’s noble countenance37, and Derrick Carver’s rugged38 physiognomy—upon Osbert, who, sword in hand, confronted the Cardinal, and upon the insurgents with their pikes—the whole picture was exceedingly striking.
The conference was opened by Pole, who, eyeing Osbert severely39, and speaking in a stern tone, said, “I have caused my gates to be thrown open to you, Sir, in order to show you that I have no fear. By what authority do you demand the liberation of the persons committed to my charge?”
“I have no authority for the demand I make,” replied 325Osbert, “but I have the power to enforce compliance40, and that must suffice. You have done well in throwing open your gates to us, Lord Cardinal, for we design you no injury. Let Constance Tyrrell and Derrick Carver, both of whom I see with you, be delivered up to us, and we will trouble you no further.”
“And what will you do if I refuse?” said the Cardinal, sternly.
“We will take them,” rejoined Osbert. “But I beseech41 your Eminence not to compel us to have recourse to violence.”
“Hear me, misguided man,” said Pole; “and hear me all of ye,” he continued, addressing the insurgents in a louder tone, “I will not affect to misunderstand the character in which you come. You are rebels and traitors42 to the Queen, and have risen in arms against her.”
“None would be more loyal and devoted43 subjects of her Majesty than we, were our rights and liberties respected,” said Osbert: “but we have thrown off our allegiance because we will not submit to be governed by a Spanish king. We will not suffer our preachers and pastors44 to be burnt at the stake as heretics and infidels, nor our country to be enslaved. But we have not come hither to make known our grievances45 to your Eminence, or to ask for redress46, which we well know we cannot obtain from you. We have not come hither to do you injury of any sort, for we hold you in profound respect, and wish there were many of your creed47 like you. Our object is to liberate48 all prisoners for religion, and we therefore require the release of the two persons in your custody49.”
“Before you proceed to extremities,” rejoined Pole, “let me counsel you to pause and consider what you are about. You are engaged in a rash enterprise, which will in no way benefit your cause, but will infallibly lead to your destruction. By this outbreak you will give your rulers a plea for further oppression. I do not hesitate to say that I am averse50 to religious persecution51, and would gladly see an end put to it, but this is not the plan to pursue. In a few hours your outbreak will be crushed, and then the party you represent will be worse off than ever. To all such as are peaceably disposed among you, whose families are dear to them, and 326who would avoid bloodshed and ignominious52 death, I would say disperse53 quietly, go to your homes, and come not forth again on a like pretext54. To you, Osbert Clinton, who have been unwise enough to place yourself at the head of this insurrection, I must hold other language. Your only safety is in flight. A price will be set on your head, and, if taken, you will die the death of a traitor.”
“I am aware of it,” replied Osbert. “But I have sworn to free my country and my religion, or perish in the attempt. I have no thoughts of flight, neither will my followers55 desert me. But we have talked long enough. You know our determination. Are we to have the prisoners peaceably, or must we take them by force?”
“I should be loth to provoke you to bloodshed,” replied the Cardinal. “Here are the two prisoners, as you see. I will place no restraint upon them. If they choose to go with you, it is well. If not, you will depart without them.”
“I readily agree to the terms, and thank your Eminence for sparing me the necessity of violence,” replied Osbert. “I do not think they will hesitate. Derrick Carver, you have heard what has passed. We wait for you.”
But, to Osbert’s great surprise, the enthusiast56 did not move.
“I cannot go unless I am set free by the Cardinal,” he said.
“How?” cried Osbert.
“His Eminence suffered me to go forth on my promise to return,” replied Carver, “and I will now prove to him that I am to be relied on.”
“I cannot prevent your departure,” said Pole; “neither can I set you free.”
“Then I stay,” replied Carver.
“I am not disappointed in you,” observed Pole, approvingly.
“If such be your determination when freedom is offered you, you must have taken leave of your senses,” said Osbert. “Constance, I call upon you—and shall not, I am sure, call in vain.”
“I cannot leave the good Cardinal, who has sheltered and protected me, without his consent, even at your bidding, Osbert,” she replied.
327“And my consent must be refused,” said Pole. “Alas57! misguided man,” he continued to Osbert. “You little know what you have done. Just as the King has assented58 to your union with Constance, you yourself raise an insuperable obstacle to it. Now Constance is lost to you for ever.”
“It is too true, Osbert!—it is too true,” she cried. “Why did you come hither thus?”
“Ah! why?” he cried, striking his head with his clenched59 hand. “Perdition on my folly60!”
“Save yourself by instant flight—that is the best advice I can give you,” said the Cardinal.
“Desert my friends—never!” exclaimed Osbert. “The die is cast, and I must stand the issue. Constance, by all the love you profess61 to bear me, I implore62 you to come with me.”
“Alas! alas! I cannot obey you,” she rejoined.
“Then I will carry you off in spite of your resistance,” cried Osbert. “Forward, friends, forward!”
Some few advanced at the summons, but the majority, upon whom the Cardinal’s harangue63, combined with subsequent circumstances, had produced a powerful impression, held back.
As Osbert stepped forward, Rodomont and his two comrades placed themselves in his way.
“Back, misguided man!” cried the Cardinal. “Another step, and you rush on certain destruction. The sanctity of this asylum64 shall not be violated with impunity65.”
Just then loud shouts were heard, and some of the insurgents rushing forth to see what was the matter, immediately returned to say that a large number of the royal guard were landing from boats, and that some of them were already on the wharf.
“What shall we do?” cried several voices.
“Give them battle,” rejoined Osbert, in a loud voice. “Farewell, Constance,” he added; “if I fall, think that I came to save you. Now, friends, to the wharf!—to the wharf!”
Hereupon, all the insurgents, headed by Osbert, rushed forth simultaneously66 from the archway, shouting, “Down with King Philip!—down with the Pope!”
As soon as they were gone, the gates were closed by order of the Cardinal.
328Some thirty or forty archers67 had already disembarked from the boats that had brought them, and others were leaping ashore, as Osbert and his partisans68 appeared on the wharf. Fierce shouts were raised on both sides, and in another instant a desperate conflict commenced. By a sudden dash, Osbert hoped to drive the enemy into the river; but the archers stood their ground well, and being quickly reinforced by their comrades from the boats, they not only repelled69 the attack made upon them, but forced the insurgents to retire.
It soon became evident to Rodomont and his lieutenants, who had mounted to the summit of the gateway to watch the conflict, that it must speedily terminate in favour of the archers, who were more than a match for their brave but undisciplined opponents. And so it turned out. In less than ten minutes the conflict was over, and the insurgents dispersed70 or made captive. Osbert fought desperately71 to the last, but finding it in vain to struggle longer, followed by three or four others, among whom were Udal and Rufford, he leaped into a boat, and, pushing off, was borne swiftly down the river.
Half-a-dozen other boats, manned by archers, instantly started in pursuit, and frequent shots were fired at the fugitives72. Whether any of these took effect could not be ascertained73 by Rodomont and his comrades, who watched the chase with great interest from the battlements; but, at all events, the flying barque held on its course, and seemed to gain upon the others. At last, pursued and pursuers disappeared from view.
“As the Queen’s loyal subject I ought not to wish well to a traitor and a rebel,” remarked Rodomont, “and yet I cannot help hoping that Osbert Clinton has escaped.”
In this wish both his comrades concurred74.
End of the Fifth Book.
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insurgents
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| n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 ) | |
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insurgent
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| adj.叛乱的，起事的；n.叛乱分子 | |
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gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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agitating
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| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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recede
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| vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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liberator
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| 解放者 | |
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stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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remorseful
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| adj.悔恨的 | |
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contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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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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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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mallet
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| n.槌棒 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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42
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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43
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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44
pastors
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| n.（基督教的）牧师( pastor的名词复数 ) | |
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grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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redress
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| n.赔偿，救济，矫正；v.纠正，匡正，革除 | |
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creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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48
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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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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50
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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51
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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52
ignominious
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| adj.可鄙的，不光彩的，耻辱的 | |
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53
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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54
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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55
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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56
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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57
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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58
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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62
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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63
harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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64
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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65
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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66
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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69
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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70
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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concurred
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| 同意（concur的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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