Volume Ii Part 5 (2/2)
”With the King!” laughed Hildebad bitterly.
”He is not here,” said Witichis, looking round; ”that confirms our suspicion. We returned because we had cause for grave mistrust. But of that later. Continue where you were interrupted. Everything according to right and order! Peace, friend!”
And, pus.h.i.+ng the impatient Hildebad back, he modestly placed himself on the left of the judgment-seat amongst the others.
After all had become still, the old man continued:
”Gothelindis, our Queen, is accused of the murder of Amalaswintha, the daughter of Theodoric. I ask: are we a tribunal to judge such a cause?”
Old Haduswinth, leaning upon his club, advanced a step and said:
”Red are the cords which enclose this place of execution. The National a.s.sembly has the right to judge red-handed crime; warm life and cold death. If it has been ordered otherwise in late times, it has been by force and not by right. We _are_ a tribunal to judge such a cause.”
”Through all the nation,” resumed Hildebrand, ”a heavy reproach is made against Gothelindis; in the depths of our hearts we accuse her. But who will accuse her here, in open a.s.sembly, in audible words, of this murder?”
”I,” cried a loud voice, and a handsome young Goth in s.h.i.+ning armour stepped forward, on the right of the judge, laying his hand upon his heart.
A murmur of approbation ran through the crowd.
”He loves the beautiful Mataswintha!”
”He is the brother of Duke Guntharis of Tuscany, who holds Florentia.”
”He is her wooer.”
”He comes forward as the avenger of her mother.”
”I, Earl Arahad of Asta, the son of Aramuth, of the n.o.ble race of the Wolfungs,” continued the young Goth with an engaging blush. ”It is true, I am not akin to the murdered Princess; but the men of her family, Theodahad foremost, her cousin and her King, do not fulfil their duty as blood-avengers. Is not Theodahad himself abettor and hider of the murder? I, then, a free and unblemished Goth of n.o.ble blood, a friend of the late unhappy Princess, complain on behalf of her daughter, Mataswintha. I appeal against murder! I appeal against blood!”
And, amidst the loud applause of the a.s.sembly, the stately youth drew his sword and laid it straight before him upon the seat of justice.
”And thy proofs? Speak!”
”Hold, Ting-Earl,” cried a grave voice, and Witichis stepped forward opposite to the complainant. ”Art thou so old, and knowest so well what is just, Master Hildebrand, and allowest thyself to be carried away by the pressure of the mult.i.tude? Must I remind thee, I, the younger man, of the first law of all justice? I hear the complainant, but not the accused.”
”No woman may enter the Ting of the Goths,” said Hildebrand quietly.
”I know it; but where is Theodahad, her husband and defender?”
”He has not appeared.”
”Is he invited?”
”He is invited, upon my oath and that of these messengers,” cried Arahad. ”Step forth, sajones!”
Two of the officers came forward and touched the judgment-seat with their staffs.
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