Part 13 (1/2)
”I am obliged to you, Master Lowestoffe, for the good opinion you have expressed in the observation,” said Lord Glenvarloch; ”but my present circ.u.mstances may render even a residence of a day or two in the sanctuary a matter of necessity.”
”Indeed!” said Lowestoffe, in a tone of great surprise; ”I thought your lords.h.i.+p had always taken care not to risk any considerable stake--I beg pardon, but if the bones have proved perfidious, I know just so much law as that a peer's person is sacred from arrest; and for mere impecuniosity, my lord, better s.h.i.+ft can be made elsewhere than in Whitefriars, where all are devouring each other for very poverty.”
”My misfortune has no connexion with want of money,” said Nigel.
”Why, then, I suppose,” said Lowestoffe, ”you have been tilting, my lord, and have pinked your man; in which case, and with a purse reasonably furnished, you may lie perdu in Whitefriars for a twelvemonth--Marry, but you must be entered and received as a member of their wors.h.i.+pful society, my lord, and a frank burgher of Alsatia-- so far you must condescend; there will be neither peace nor safety for you else.”
”My fault is not in a degree so deadly, Master Lowestoffe,” answered Lord Glenvarloch, ”as you seem to conjecture--I have stricken a gentleman in the Park, that is all.”
”By my hand, my lord, and you had better have struck your sword through him at Barns Elms,” said the Templar. ”Strike within the verge of the Court! You will find that a weighty dependence upon your hands, especially if your party be of rank and have favour.”
”I will be plain with you, Master Lowestoffe,” said Nigel, ”since I have gone thus far. The person I struck was Lord Dalgarno, whom you have seen at Beaujeu's.”
”A follower and favourite of the Duke of Buckingham!--It is a most unhappy chance, my lord; but my heart was formed in England, and cannot bear to see a young n.o.bleman borne down, as you are like to be. We converse here greatly too open for your circ.u.mstances. The Templars would suffer no bailiff to execute a writ, and no gentleman to be arrested for a duel, within their precincts; but in such a matter between Lord Dalgarno and your lords.h.i.+p, there might be a party on either side. You must away with me instantly to my poor chambers here, hard by, and undergo some little change of dress, ere you take sanctuary; for else you will have the whole rascal rout of the Friars about you, like crows upon a falcon that strays into their rookery. We must have you arrayed something more like the natives of Alsatia, or there will be no life there for you.”
While Lowestoffe spoke, he pulled Lord Glenvarloch along with him into his chambers, where he had a handsome library, filled with all the poems and play-books which were then in fas.h.i.+on. The Templar then dispatched a boy, who waited upon him, to procure a dish or two from the next cook's shop; ”and this,” he said, ”must be your lords.h.i.+p's dinner, with a gla.s.s of old sack, of which my grandmother (the heavens requite her!) sent me a dozen bottles, with charge to use the liquor only with clarified whey, when I felt my breast ache with over study. Marry, we will drink the good lady's health in it, if it is your lords.h.i.+p's pleasure, and you shall see how we poor students eke out our mutton-commons in the hall.”
The outward door of the chambers was barred so soon as the boy had re- entered with the food; the boy was ordered to keep close watch, and admit no one; and Lowestoffe, by example and precept, pressed his n.o.ble guest to partake of his hospitality. His frank and forward manners, though much differing from the courtly ease of Lord Dalgarno, were calculated to make a favourable impression; and Lord Glenvarloch, though his experience of Dalgarno's perfidy had taught him to be cautious of reposing faith in friendly professions, could not avoid testifying his grat.i.tude to the young Templar, who seemed so anxious for his safety and accommodation.
”You may spare your grat.i.tude any great sense of obligation, my lord,” said the Templar. ”No doubt I am willing to be of use to any gentleman that has cause to sing _Fortune my foe_, and particularly proud to serve your lords.h.i.+p's turn; but I have also an old grudge, to speak Heaven's truth, at your opposite, Lord Dalgarno.”
”May I ask on what account, Master Lowestoffe?” said Lord Glenvarloch.
”O, my lord,” replied the Templar, ”it was for a hap that chanced after you left the ordinary, one evening about three weeks since--at least I think you were not by, as your lords.h.i.+p always left us before deep play began--I mean no offence, but such was your lords.h.i.+p's custom--when there were words between Lord Dalgarno and me concerning a certain game at gleek, and a certain mournival of aces held by his lords.h.i.+p, which went for eight--tib, which went for fifteen--twenty- three in all. Now I held king and queen, being three--a natural towser, making fifteen--and tiddy, nineteen. We vied the ruff, and revied, as your lords.h.i.+p may suppose, till the stake was equal to half my yearly exhibition, fifty as fair yellow canary birds as e'er chirped in the bottom of a green silk purse. Well, my lord, I gained the cards, and lo you! it pleases his lords.h.i.+p to say that we played without tiddy; and as the rest stood by and backed him, and especially the sharking Frenchman, why, I was obliged to lose more than I shall gain all the season.--So judge if I have not a crow to pluck with his lords.h.i.+p. Was it ever heard there was a game at gleek at the ordinary before, without counting tiddy?--marry quep upon his lords.h.i.+p!--Every man who comes there with his purse in his hand, is as free to make new laws as he, I hope, since touch pot touch penny makes every man equal.”
As Master Lowestoffe ran over this jargon of the gaming-table, Lord Glenvarloch was both ashamed and mortified, and felt a severe pang of aristocratic pride, when he concluded in the sweeping clause that the dice, like the grave, levelled those distinguis.h.i.+ng points of society, to which Nigel's early prejudices clung perhaps but too fondly. It was impossible, however, to object any thing to the learned reasoning of the young Templar, and therefore Nigel was contented to turn the conversation, by making some inquiries respecting the present state of White-friars. There also his host was at home.
”You know, my lord,” said Master Lowestoffe, ”that we Templars are a power and a dominion within ourselves, and I am proud to say that I hold some rank in our republic--was treasurer to the Lord of Misrule last year, and am at this present moment in nomination for that dignity myself. In such circ.u.mstances, we are under the necessity of maintaining an amicable intercourse with our neighbours of Alsatia, even as the Christian States find themselves often, in mere policy, obliged to make alliance with the Grand Turk, or the Barbary States.”
”I should have imagined you gentlemen of the Temple more independent of your neighbours,” said Lord Glenvarloch.
”You do us something too much honour, my lord,” said the Templar; ”the Alsatians and we have some common enemies, and we have, under the rose, some common friends. We are in the use of blocking all bailiffs out of our bounds, and we are powerfully aided by our neighbours, who tolerate not a rag belonging to them within theirs. Moreover the Alsatians have--I beg you to understand me--the power of protecting or distressing our friends, male or female, who may be obliged to seek sanctuary within their bounds. In short, the two communities serve each other, though the league is between states of unequal quality, and I may myself say, that I have treated of sundry weighty affairs, and have been a negotiator well approved on both sides.--But hark-- hark--what is that?”
The sound by which Master Lowestoffe was interrupted, was that of a distant horn, winded loud and keenly, and followed by a faint and remote huzza.
”There is something doing,” said Lowestoffe, ”in the Whitefriars at this moment. That is the signal when their privileges are invaded by tipstaff or bailiff; and at the blast of the horn they all swarm out to the rescue, as bees when their hive is disturbed.--Jump, Jim,” he said, calling out to the attendant, ”and see what they are doing in Alsatia.--That b.a.s.t.a.r.d of a boy,” he continued, as the lad, accustomed to the precipitate haste of his master, tumbled rather than ran out of the apartment, and so down stairs, ”is worth gold in this quarter--he serves six masters--four of them in distinct Numbers, and you would think him present like a fairy at the mere wish of him that for the time most needs his attendance. No scout in Oxford, no gip in Cambridge, ever matched him in speed and intelligence. He knows the step of a dun from that of a client, when it reaches the very bottom of the staircase; can tell the trip of a pretty wench from the step of a bencher, when at the upper end of the court; and is, take him all in all--But I see your lords.h.i.+p is anxious--May I press another cup of my kind grandmother's cordial, or will you allow me to show you my wardrobe, and act as your valet or groom of the chamber?”
Lord Glenvarloch hesitated not to acknowledge that he was painfully sensible of his present situation, and anxious to do what must needs be done for his extrication.
The good-natured and thoughtless young Templar readily acquiesced, and led the way into his little bedroom, where, from bandboxes, portmanteaus, mail-trunks, not forgetting an old walnut-tree wardrobe, he began to select the articles which he thought best suited effectually to disguise his guest in venturing into the lawless and turbulent society of Alsatia.
CHAPTER XVII.
Come hither, young one,--Mark me! Thou art now 'Mongst men o' the sword, that live by reputation More than by constant income--Single-suited They are, I grant you; yet each single suit Maintains, on the rough guess, a thousand followers-- And they be men, who, hazarding their all, Needful apparel, necessary income, And human body, and immortal soul, Do in the very deed but hazard nothing-- So strictly is that ALL bound in reversion; Clothes to the broker, income to the usurer, And body to disease, and soul to the foul fiend; Who laughs to see Soldadoes and Fooladoes, Play better than himself his game on earth. _The Mohocks._ ”Your lords.h.i.+p,” said Reginald Lowestoffe, ”must be content to exchange your decent and court-beseeming rapier, which I will retain in safe keeping, for this broadsword, with an hundredweight of rusty iron about the hilt, and to wear these huge-paned slops, instead of your civil and moderate hose. We allow no cloak, for your ruffian always walks in _cuerpo_; and the tarnished doublet of bald velvet, with its discoloured embroidery, and--I grieve to speak it--a few stains from the blood of the grape, will best suit the garb of a roaring boy. I will leave you to change your suit for an instant, till I can help to truss you.”
Lowestoffe retired, while slowly, and with hesitation, Nigel obeyed his instructions. He felt displeasure and disgust at the scoundrelly disguise which he was under the necessity of a.s.suming; but when he considered the b.l.o.o.d.y consequences which law attached to his rash act of violence, the easy and indifferent temper of James, the prejudices of his son, the overbearing influence of the Duke of Buckingham, which was sure to be thrown into the scale against him; and, above all, when he reflected that he must now look upon the active, a.s.siduous, and insinuating Lord Dalgarno, as a bitter enemy, reason told him he was in a situation of peril which authorised all honest means, even the most unseemly in outward appearance, to extricate himself from so dangerous a predicament.
While he was changing his dress, and musing on these particulars, his friendly host re-entered the sleeping apartment--”Zounds!” he said, ”my lord, it was well you went not straight into that same Alsatia of ours at the time you proposed, for the hawks have stooped upon it. Here is Jem come back with tidings, that he saw a pursuivant there with a privy-council warrant, and half a score of yeomen a.s.sistants, armed to the teeth, and the horn which we heard was sounded to call out the posse of the Friars. Indeed, when old Duke Hildebrod saw that the quest was after some one of whom he knew nothing, he permitted, out of courtesy, the man-catcher to search through his dominions, quite certain that they would take little by their motions; for Duke Hildebrod is a most judicious potentate.--Go back, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, and bring us word when all is quiet.”
”And who may Duke Hildebrod be?” said Lord Glenvarloch.
”Nouns! my lord,” said the Templar, ”have you lived so long on the town, and never heard of the valiant, and as wise and politic as valiant, Duke Hildebrod, grand protector of the liberties of Alsatia? I thought the man had never whirled a die but was familiar with his fame.”
”Yet I have never heard of him, Master Lowestoffe,” said Lord Glenvarloch; ”or, what is the same thing, I have paid no attention to aught that may have pa.s.sed in conversation respecting him.”
”Why, then,” said Lowestoffe--”but, first, let me have the honour of trussing you. Now, observe, I have left several of the points untied, of set purpose; and if it please you to let a small portion of your s.h.i.+rt be seen betwixt your doublet and the band of your upper stock, it will have so much the more rakish effect, and will attract you respect in Alsatia, where linen is something scarce. Now, I tie some of the points carefully asquint, for your ruffianly gallant never appears too accurately trussed--so.”
”Arrange it as you will, sir,” said Nigel; ”but let me hear at least something of the conditions of the unhappy district into which, with other wretches, I am compelled to retreat.”
”Why, my lord,” replied the Templar, ”our neighbouring state of Alsatia, which the law calls the Sanctuary of White-friars, has had its mutations and revolutions like greater kingdoms; and, being in some sort a lawless, arbitrary government, it follows, of course, that these have been more frequent than our own better regulated commonwealth of the Templars, that of Gray's Inn, and other similar a.s.sociations, have had the fortune to witness. Our traditions and records speak of twenty revolutions within the last twelve years, in which the aforesaid state has repeatedly changed from absolute despotism to republicanism, not forgetting the intermediate stages of oligarchy, limited monarchy, and even gynocracy; for I myself remember Alsatia governed for nearly nine months by an old fish-woman. 'I hen it fell under the dominion of a broken attorney, who was dethroned by a reformado captain, who, proving tyrannical, was deposed by a hedgeparson, who was succeeded, upon resignation of his power, by Duke Jacob Hildebrod, of that name the first, whom Heaven long preserve.”
”And is this potentate's government,” said Lord Glenvarloch, forcing himself to take some interest in the conversation, ”of a despotic character?”
”Pardon me, my lord,” said the Templar; ”this said sovereign is too wise to incur, like many of his predecessors, the odium of wielding so important an authority by his own sole will. He has established a council of state, who regularly meet for their morning's draught at seven o'clock; convene a second time at eleven for their _ante- meridiem_, or whet; and, a.s.sembling in solemn conclave at the hour of two afternoon, for the purpose of consulting for the good of the commonwealth, are so prodigal of their labour in the service of the state, that they seldom separate before midnight. Into this worthy senate, composed partly of Duke Hildebrod's predecessors in his high office, whom he has a.s.sociated with him to prevent the envy attending sovereign and sole authority, I must presently introduce your lords.h.i.+p, that they may admit you to the immunities of the Friars, and a.s.sign you a place of residence.”
”Does their authority extend to such regulation?” said Lord Glenvarloch.
”The council account it a main point of their privileges, my lord,” answered Lowestoffe; ”and, in fact, it is one of the most powerful means by which they support their authority. For when Duke Ilildebrod and his senate find a topping householder in the Friars becomes discontented and factious, it is but a.s.signing him, for a lodger, some fat bankrupt, or new lesidenter, whose circ.u.mstances require refuge, and whose purse can pay for it, and the malecontent becomes as tractable as a lamb. As for the poorer refugees, they let them s.h.i.+ft as they can; but the registration of their names in the Duke's entry- book, and the payment of garnish conforming to their circ.u.mstances, is never dispensed with; and the Friars would be a very unsafe residence for the stranger who should dispute these points of jurisdiction.”
”Well, Master Lowestoffe,” said Lord Glenvarloch, ”I must be controlled by the circ.u.mstances which dictate to me this state of concealment--of course, I am desirous not to betray my name and rank.”
”It will be highly advisable, my lord,” said Lowestoffe; ”and is a case thus provided for in the statutes of the republic, or monarchy, or whatsoever you call it.--He who desires that no questions shall be asked him concerning his name, cause of refuge, and the like, may escape the usual interrogations upon payment of double the garnish otherwise belonging to his condition. Complying with this essential stipulation, your lords.h.i.+p may register yourself as King of Bantam if you will, for not a question will be asked of you.--But here comes our scout, with news of peace and tranquillity. Now, I will go with your lords.h.i.+p myself, and present you to the council of Alsatia, with all the influence which I have over them as an office-bearer in the Temple, which is not slight; for they have come halting off upon all occasions when we have taken part against them, and that they well know. The time is propitious, for as the council is now met in Alsatia, so the Temple walks are quiet. Now, my lord, throw your cloak about you, to hide your present exterior. You shall give it to the boy at the foot of the stairs that go down to the Sanctuary; and as the ballad says that Queen Eleanor sunk at Charing Cross and rose at Queenhithe, so you shall sink a n.o.bleman in the Temple Gardens, and rise an Alsatian at Whitefriars.”
They went out accordingly, attended by the little scout, traversed the gardens, descended the stairs, and at the bottom the young Templar exclaimed,--”And now let us sing, with Ovid, 'In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas--'
Off, off, ye lendings!” he continued, in the same vein. ”Via, the curtain that shadowed Borgia!--But how now, my lord?” he continued, when he observed Lord Glenvarloch was really distressed at the degrading change in his situation, ”I trust you are not offended at my rattling folly? I would but reconcile you to your present circ.u.mstances, and give you the tone of this strange place. Come, cheer up; I trust it will only be your residence for a very few days.”
Nigel was only able to press his hand, and reply in a whisper, ”I am sensible of your kindness. I know I must drink the cup which my own folly has filled for me. Pardon me, that, at the first taste, I feel its bitterness.”
Reginald Lowestoffe was bustlingly officious and good-natured; but, used to live a scrambling, rakish course of life himself, he had not the least idea of the extent of Lord Glenvarloch's mental sufferings, and thought of his temporary concealment as if it were merely the trick of a wanton boy, who plays at hide-and-seek with his tutor. With the appearance of the place, too, he was familiar--but on his companion it produced a deep sensation.
The ancient Sanctuary at Whitefriars lay considerably lower than the elevated terraces and gardens of the Temple, and was therefore generally involved in the damps and fogs arising from the Thames. The brick buildings by which it was occupied, crowded closely on each other, for, in a place so rarely privileged, every foot of ground was valuable; but, erected in many cases by persons whose funds were inadequate to their speculations, the houses were generally insufficient, and exhibited the lamentable signs of having become ruinous while they were yet new. The wailing of children, the scolding of their mothers, the miserable exhibition of ragged linens hung from the windows to dry, spoke the wants and distresses of the wretched inhabitants; while the sounds of complaint were mocked and overwhelmed in the riotous shouts, oaths, profane songs, and boisterous laughter, that issued from the alehouses and taverns, which, as the signs indicated, were equal in number to all the other houses; and, that the full character of the place might be evident, several faded, tinselled and painted females, looked boldly at the strangers from their open lattices, or more modestly seemed busied with the cracked flower-pots, filled with mignonette and rosemary, which were disposed in front of the windows, to the great risk of the pa.s.sengers.
”_Semi-reducta Venus_,” said the Templar, pointing to one of these nymphs, who seemed afraid of observation, and partly concealed herself behind the cas.e.m.e.nt, as she chirped to a miserable blackbird, the tenant of a wicker prison, which hung outside on the black brick wall.--”I know the face of yonder waistcoateer,” continued the guide; ”and I could wager a rose-n.o.ble, from the posture she stands in, that she has clean head-gear and a soiled night-rail.--But here come two of the male inhabitants, smoking like moving volcanoes! These are roaring blades, whom Nicotia and Trinidado serve, I dare swear, in lieu of beef and pudding; for be it known to you, my lord, that the king's counter-blast against the Indian weed will no more pa.s.s current in Alsatia than will his writ of capias.”
As he spoke, the two smokers approached; s.h.a.ggy, uncombed ruffians, whose enormous mustaches were turned back over their ears, and mingled with the wild elf-locks of their hair, much of which was seen under the old beavers which they wore aside upon their heads, while some straggling portion escaped through the rents of the hats aforesaid. Their tarnished plush jerkins, large slops, or trunk-breeches, their broad greasy shoulder-belts, and discoloured scarfs, and, above all, the ostentatious manner in which the one wore a broad-sword and the other an extravagantly long rapier and poniard, marked the true Alsatian bully, then, and for a hundred years afterwards, a well-known character.
”Tour out,” said the one ruffian to the other; ”tour the bien mort twiring at the gentry cove!” [Footnote: Look sharp. See how the girl is coquetting with the strange gallants!]
”I smell a spy,” replied the other, looking at Nigel. ”Chalk him across the peepers with your cheery.” [Footnote: Slash him over the eyes with your dagger.]
”Bing avast, bing avast!” replied his companion; ”yon other is rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of the Temple--I know him; he is a good boy, and free of the province.”