Part 38 (1/2)

Orion: 'Tis not our business; what can we do?

They are too many, and we are too few; And yet, I suppose, you will save, if you can, That lady, your ward, or your kinswoman.

Hugo: She is no kinswoman of mine; How far is Otto's camp from the Rhine?

Orion: Too far for help in such time of need To be brought, though you used your utmost speed.

Eric: Nay, that I doubt.

Hugo: And how many men Have they?

Orion: To your one they could muster ten.

Eric: I know Count Rudolph, and terms may be made With him, I fancy; for though his trade Is a rough one now, gainsay it who can, He was once a knight and a gentleman.

And Dagobert, the chief of the Huns, Bad as he is, will spare the nuns; Though neither he nor the Count could check Those lawless men, should they storm and sack The convent. Jarl Osric, too, I know; He is rather a formidable foe, And will likely enough be troublesome; But the others, I trust, to terms will come.

Hugo: Eric, how many men have you?

I can count a score.

Eric: I have only two.

Hugo: At every hazard we must try to save The nuns.

Eric: Count Rudolph shall think we have A force that almost equals his own, If I can confer with him alone.

Orion: He is close at hand; by this time he waits The Abbot's reply at the convent gates.

Hugo: We had better send him a herald.

Eric: Nay, I will go myself. [Eric goes out.]

Hugo: Orion, stay!

So this is the reed on which I've leaned, These are the hopes thou hast fostered, these The flames thou hast fanned. Oh, lying fiend!

Is it thus thou dost keep thy promises?

Orion: Strong language, Hugo, and most unjust; You will cry out before you are hurt-- You will live to recall your words, I trust.

Fear nothing from Osric or Dagobert, These are your friends, if you only knew it, And would take the advice of a friend sincere; Neglect his counsels and you must rue it, For I know by a sign the crisis is near.

Accept the terms of these outlaws all, And be thankful that things have fallen out Exactly as you would have had them fall-- You may save the one that you care about; Otherwise, how did you hope to gain Access to her--on what pretence?

What were the schemes that worried your brain To tempt her there or to lure her thence?

You must have bungled, and raised a scandal About your ears, that might well have shamed The rudest Hun, the veriest Vandal, Long or ever the bird was tamed.

Hugo: The convent is scarce surrounded yet, We might reach and hold it against their force Till another sun has risen and set; And should I despatch my fleetest horse To Otto----

Orion: For Abbot, or Monk, or Friar, Between ourselves, 'tis little you care If their halls are harried by steel and fire: Their avarice left your heritage bare.

Forsake them! Mitres, and cowls, and hoods Will cover vices while earth endures; Through the green and gold of the summer woods Ride out with that pretty bird of yours.

If again you fail to improve your chance, Why, then, my friend, I can only say You are duller far than the dullest lance That rides in Dagobert's troop this day.

”Faemina semper”, frown not thus, The girl was always giddy and wild, Vain, and foolish, and frivolous, Since she fled from her father's halls, a child.

I sought to initiate you once In the mystic lore of the old Chaldean; But I found you far too stubborn a dunce, And your tastes are coa.r.s.er and more plebeian.

Yet mark my words, for I read the stars, And trace the future in yonder sky; To the right are wars and rumours of wars, To the left are peace and prosperity.

Fear naught. The world shall never detect The cloven hoof, so carefully hid By the scholar so staid and circ.u.mspect, So wise for once to do as he's bid.

Remember what pangs come year by year For opportunity that has fled; And Thora in ignorance.

Hugo: Name not her!

I am sorely tempted to strike thee dead!