The Monastery Page 34

  Chapter the Thirty-Fourth.

  It is not texts will do it--Church artillery Are silenced soon by real ordnance, And canons are but vain opposed to cannon. Go, coin your crosier, melt your church plate down Bid the starved soldier banquet in your halls, And quaff your long-saved hogsheads--Turn them out Thus primed with your good cheer, to guard your wall, And they will venture for't.-- OLD PLAY.

  The Abbot received his counsellor with a tremulous eagerness of welcome,which announced to the Sub-Prior an extreme agitation of spirits,and the utmost need of good counsel. There was neither mazer-dish norstanding-cup upon the little table, at the elbow of his huge chairof state; his beads alone lay there, and it seemed as if he had beentelling them in his extremity of distress. Beside the beads was placedthe mitre of the Abbot, of an antique form, and blazing with preciousstones, and the rich and highly-embossed crosier rested against the sametable.

  The Sacristan and old Father Nicholas had followed the Sub-Prior intothe Abbot's apartment, perhaps with the hope of learning somethingof the important matter which seemed to be in hand.--They were notmistaken; for, after having ushered in the Sub-Prior, and beingthemselves in the act of retiring, the Abbot made them a signal toremain.

  "My brethren," he said, "it is well known to you with what painful zealwe have overseen the weighty affairs of this house committed to ourunworthy hand--your bread hath been given to you, and your waterhath been sure--I have not wasted the revenues of the Convent on vainpleasures, as hunting or hawking, or in change of rich cope or alb, orin feasting idle bards and jesters, saving those who, according to oldwont, were received in time of Christmas and Easter. Neither have Ienriched either mine own relations nor strange women, at the expense ofthe Patrimony."

  "There hath not been such a Lord Abbot," said Father Nicholas, "to myknowledge, since the days of Abbot Ingelram, who----"

  At that portentous word, which always preluded a long story, the Abbotbroke in.

  "May God have mercy on his soul!--we talk not of him now.--What I wouldknow of ye, my brethren, is, whether I have, in your mind, faithfullydischarged the duties of mine office?"

  "There has never been subject of complaint," answered the Sub-Prior.

  The Sacristan, more diffuse, enumerated the various acts of indulgenceand kindness which the mild government of Abbot Boniface hadconferred on the brotherhood of Saint Mary's--the _indulgentiae_--the_gratias_--the _biberes_-the weekly mess of boiled almonds--theenlarged accommodation of the refectory--the better arrangement ofthe cellarage--the improvement of the revenue of the Monastery--thediminution of the privations of the brethren.

  "You might have added, my brother," said the Abbot, listening withmelancholy acquiescence to the detail of his own merits, "that I causedto be built that curious screen, which secureth the cloisters from thenorth-east wind.--But all these things avail nothing--As we read in holyMaccabee, _Capta est civitas per voluntatem Dei_. It hath cost me nolittle thought, no common toil, to keep these weighty matters in suchorder as you have seen them--there was both barn and binn to be keptfull--Infirmary, dormitory, guest-hall, and refectory, to be lookedto--processions to be made, confessions to be heard, strangers to beentertained, _veniae_ to be granted or refused; and I warrant me, whenevery one of you was asleep in your cell, the Abbot hath lain awake fora full hour by the bell, thinking how these matters might be orderedseemly and suitably."

  "May we ask, reverend my lord," said the Sub-Prior, "what additionalcare has now been thrown upon you, since your discourse seems to pointthat way?"

  "Marry, this it is," said the Abbot. "The talk is not now of _biberes_,

  [Footnote: The _biberes, caritas_, and boiled almonds, of which AbbotBoniface speaks, were special occasions for enjoying luxuries, affordedto the monks by grants from different sovereigns, or from otherbenefactors to the convent. There is one of these charters called _DePitancia Centum Librarum_ By this charter, which is very curious, ourRobert Bruce, on the 10th January, and in the twelfth year of his reign,assigns, out of the customs of Berwick, and failing them, out of thecustoms of Edinburgh or Haddington, the sum of one hundred pounds, atthe half-yearly terms of Pentecost and Saint Martin's in winter, to theabbot and community of the monks of Melrose. The precise purpose of thisannuity is to furnish to each of the monks of the said monastery, whileplaced at food in the refectory, an extra mess of rice boiled withmilk, or of almonds, or peas, or other pulse of that kind which couldbe procured in the country. This addition to their commons is to beentitled the King's Mess. And it is declared, that although any monkshould, from some honest apology, want appetite or inclination to eat ofthe king's mess, his share should, nevertheless, be placed on the tablewith those of his brethren, and afterwards carried to the gate andgiven to the poor. "Neither is it our pleasure," continues the bountifulsovereign, "that the dinner, which is or ought to be served up to thesaid monks according to their ancient rule, should be diminished inquantity, or rendered inferior in quality, on account of this our mess,so furnished as aforesaid." It is, moreover, provided, that the abbot,with the consent of the most sage of his brethren, shall name a prudentand decent monk for receiving, directing, and expending, all mattersconcerning this annuity for the benefit of the community, agreeably tothe royal desire and intention, rendering a faithful account thereofto the abbot and superiors of the same convent. And the same charterdeclares the king's farther pleasure, that the said men of religionshould be bound yearly and for ever, in acknowledgment of the abovedonation, to clothe fifteen poor men at the feast of Saint Martin inwinter, and to feed them on the same day, delivering to each of themfour ells of large or broad, or six ells of narrow cloth, and to eachalso a new pair of shoes or sandals, according to their order; and ifthe said monks shall fail in their engagements or any of them, it is theking's will that the fault shall be redeemed by a double performance ofwhat has been omitted, to be executed at the sight of the chief foresterof Ettrick for the time being, and before the return of Saint Martin'sday succeeding that on which the omission has taken place.

  Of this charter, respecting the pittance of 100_l_ assigned to furnishthe monks of Melrose with a daily mess of boiled rice, almonds, or otherpulse, to mend their commons, the antiquarian reader will be pleased,doubtless, to see the original.

  CARTA REGIS ROBERTI I. ABBATI ET CONVENTUI DE MELROSS.

  _Carta de Pitancia Centum Librarum._

  Robertus Dei gracia Rex Scottorum omnibus probis hominibus tocius terresue Salutem. Sciatis nos pro salute anime nostre et pro salute animarumantecessorum et suocessorum nostrorum Regum Scocie Dedisse Concessisseet hac presenti Carta nostra confirmasse Deo et Beate Marie virgini etReligiosis viris Abbati et Conventui de Melross et eorum successoribusin perpetuum Centum Libras Sterlingorum Annui Redditus singulis annispercipiendas de firmis nostris Burgi Berwici super. Twedam ad terminosPentecostis et Sancti Martini in hyeme pro equali portione vel de novaCustuma nostra Burgi predicti si firme nostre predicte ad dictam summampecunie sufficere non poterunt vel de nova Custuma nostra Burgorumnostrorum de Edenburg et de Hadington Si firme nostre et Custuma nostraville Berwici aliquo casu contingente ad hoc forte non sufficiant. Itaquod dicta summa pecunie Centum Librarum eis annuatim integre etabsque contradictione aliqua plenarie persolvatur pre cunctis aliisquibuscunque assignacionibus per nos factis seu faciendis ad inveniendumin perpetunm singulis diebus cuilibet monacho monasterii predicticomedenti in Refectorio unum sufficiens ferculum risarum factarumcum lacte, amigdalarum vel pisarum sive aliorum ciborum consimiliscondicionis inventornm in patria et illud ferculum ferculum Regisvocabitur in eternum. Et si aliquis monachus ex aliqua causa honesta dedicto ferculo comedere noluerit vel refici non poterit non minusattamen sibi de dicto ferculo ministretur et ad portam pro pauperibusdeportetur. Nec volumus quod occasione ferculi nostri predicti prandiumdicti Conventus de quo antiquitus communiter eis deserviri siveministrari solebat in aliquo pejoretur seu diminuatur. Volum us insuperet ordinamus quod Abbas ejusdem monasterii qui pro tempore fu
erit decousensu saniorum de Conventu specialiter constituat unum monachumprovidum et discretum ad recipiendum ordinandum et expendendum totamsummam pecunie memorate pro utilitate conventus secundum votum etintencionem mentis nostre superius annotatum et ad reddendum fidelecompotum coram Abbate et Maioribus de Conventu singulis annis de pecuniasic recepta. Et volumus quod dicti religiosi teneantur annuatim inperpetuum pro predicta donacione nostra ad perpetuam nostri memoriamvestire quindecim pauperes ad festum Sancti Martini in hieme et eosdemcibare eodem die liberando eorum cuilibet quatuor ulnas panni grossiet lati vel sex ulnas panni stricti et eorum cuilibet unum novum parsotularium de ordine suo. Et si dicti religiosi in premissis velaliquo premissorum aliquo anno defecerint volumus quod illud quodminus perimpletum fuerit dupplicetur diebus magis necessariis per visumcapitalis forestarii nostri de Selkirk, qui pro tempore fuerit. Et quoddicta dupplicatio fiat ante natale domini proximo sequens festum SanctiMartini predictum. In cujus rei testimonium presenti Carte nostresigillum nostrum precipimus apponi. Testibus venerabilibus in Christopatribus Willielmo, Johanne, Willielmo et David Sancti Andree,Glasguensis, Dunkeldensis et Moraviensis ecclesiarum dei graciaepiscopis Bernardo Abbate de Abirbrothock Cancellario, Duncano, Malisio,et Hugone de Fyf de Strathin et de Ross, Comitibus Waltero SenescalloScocie, Jacobo domini de Duglas et Alexandro Fraser Camerario nostroSocie militibus. Apud Abirbrothock, decimo die Januarij. Anno Regninostri vicesimo.]

  or of _caritas_, or of boiled almonds, but of an English band comingagainst us from Hexham, commanded by Sir John Foster; nor is it of thescreening us from the east wind, but how to escape Lord James Stewart,who cometh to lay waste and destroy with his heretic soldiers."

  "I thought that purpose had been broken by the feud between Semple andthe Kennedies," said the Sub-Prior, hastily.

  "They have accorded that matter at the expense of the church as usual,"said the Abbot; "the Earl of Cassilis is to have the teind-sheaves ofhis lands, which were given to the house of Crossraguel, and he hasstricken hands with Stewart, who is now called Murray.--_Principesconvenerunt unum adversus Dominum._--There are the letters."

  The Sub-Prior took the letters, which had come by an express messengerfrom the Primate of Scotland, who still laboured to uphold the totteringfabric of the system under which he was at length buried, and,stepping towards the lamp, read them with an air of deep and settledattention--the Sacristan and Father Nicholas looked as helplessly ateach other, as the denizens of the poultry-yard when the hawk soarsover it. The Abbot seemed bowed down with the extremity of sorrowfulapprehension, but kept his eye timorously fixed on the Sub-Prior, as ifstriving to catch some comfort from the expression of his countenance.When at length he beheld that, after a second intent perusal of theletters, he remained still silent and full of thought, he asked him inan anxious tone, "What is to be done?"

  "Our duty must be done," answered the Sub-Prior, "and the rest is in thehands of God."

  "Our duty--our duty?" answered the Abbot, impatiently; "doubtless we areto do our duty; but what is that duty? or how will it serve us?--Willbell, book, and candle, drive back the English heretics? or will Murraycare for psalms and antiphonars? or can I fight for the Halidome, likeJudas Maccabeus, against those profane Nicanors? or send the Sacristanagainst this new Holofernes, to bring back his head in a basket?"

  "True, my Lord Abbot," said the Sub-Prior, "we cannot fight with carnalweapons, it is alike contrary to our habit and vow; but we can die forour Convent and for our Order. Besides, we can arm those who will andcan fight. The English are but few in number, trusting, as it wouldseem, that they will be joined by Murray, whose march has beeninterrupted. If Foster, with his Cumberland and Hexham bandits, venturesto march into Scotland, to pillage and despoil our House, we will levyour vassals, and, I trust, shall be found strong enough to give himbattle."

  "In the blessed name of Our Lady," said the Abbot, "think you that I amPetrus Eremita, to go forth the leader of an host?"

  "Nay," said the Sub-Prior, "let some man skilled in war lead ourpeople--there is Julian Avenel, an approved soldier."

  "But a scoffer, a debauched person, and, in brief, a man of Belial,"quoth the Abbot.

  "Still," said the monk, "we must use his ministry in that to which hehas been brought up. We can guerdon him richly, and indeed I alreadyknow the price of his service. The English, it is expected, willpresently set forth, hoping here to seize upon Piercie Shafton, whoserefuge being taken with us, they make the pretext of this unheard-ofinroad."

  "Is it even so?" said the Abbot; "I never judged that his body of satinand his brain of feathers boded us much good."

  "Yet we must have his assistance, if possible," said the Sub-Prior; "hemay interest in our behalf the great Piercie, of whose friendship heboasts, and that good and faithful Lord may break Foster's purpose. Iwill despatch the jackman after him with all speed.--Chiefly, however, Itrust to the military spirit of the land, which will not suffer peace tobe easily broken on the frontier. Credit me, my lord, it will bringto our side the hands of many, whose hearts may have gone astray afterstrange doctrines. The great chiefs and barons will be ashamed to letthe vassals of peaceful monks fight unaided against the old enemies ofScotland."

  "It may be," said the Abbot, "that Foster will wait for Murray, whosepurpose hitherward is but delayed for a short space."

  "By the rood, he will not," said the Sub-Prior; "we know this Sir JohnFoster--a pestilent heretic, he will long to destroy the church--born aBorderer, he will thirst to plunder her of her wealth--a Border-warden,he will be eager to ride in Scotland. There are too many causes to urgehim on. If he joins with Murray, he will have at best but an auxiliary'sshare of the spoil--if he comes hither before him, he will reckon on thewhole harvest of depredation as his own. Julian Avenel also has, as Ihave heard, some spite against Sir John Foster; they will fight,when they meet, with double determination.--Sacristan, send for ourbailiff.--Where is the roll of fencible men liable to do suit andservice to the Halidome?--Send off to the Baron of Meigallot; hecan raise threescore horse and better--Say to him the Monastery willcompound with him for the customs of his bridge, which have been incontroversy, if he will show himself a friend at such a point.--And now,my lord, let us compute our possible numbers, and those of the enemy,that human blood be not spilled in vain--Let us therefore calculate----"

  "My brain is dizzied with the emergency," said the poor Abbot--"I amnot, I think, more a coward than others, so far as my own person isconcerned; but speak to me of marching and collecting soldiers, andcalculating forces, and you may as well tell of it to the youngestnovice of a nunnery. But my resolution is taken.--Brethren," he said,rising up, and coming forward with that dignity which his comely personenabled him to assume, "hear for the last time the voice of your AbbotBoniface. I have done for you the best that I could; in quieter timesI had perhaps done better, for it was for quiet that I sought thecloister, which has been to me a place of turmoil, as much as if I hadsate in the receipt of custom, or ridden forth as leader of an armedhost. But now matters turn worse and worse, and I, as I grow old, amless able to struggle with them. Also, it becomes me not to hold aplace, whereof the duties, through my default or misfortune, may be butimperfectly filled by me. Wherefore I have resolved to demit this minehigh office, so that the order of these matters may presently devolveupon Father Eustatius here present, our well-beloved Sub-Prior; andI now rejoice that he hath not been provided according to his meritselsewhere, seeing that I well hope he will succeed to the mitre andstaff which it is my present purpose to lay down."

  "In the name of Our Lady, do nothing hastily, my lord!" said FatherNicholas--"I do remember that when the worthy Abbot Ingelram, being inhis ninetieth year--for I warrant you he could remember when Benedictthe Thirteenth was deposed--and being ill at ease and bed-rid, thebrethren rounded in his ear that he were better resign his office. Andwhat said he, being a pleasant man? marry, that while he could crook hislittle finger he would keep hold of the crosier with it."

  The Sacristan also strongl
y remonstrated against the resolution ofhis Superior, and set down the insufficiency he pleaded to the nativemodesty of his disposition. The Abbot listened in downcast silence; evenflattery could not win his ear.

  Father Eustace took a nobler tone with his disconcerted and dejectedSuperior. "My Lord Abbot," he said, "if I have been silent concerningthe virtues with which you have governed this house, do not think that Iam unaware of them. I know that no man ever brought to your high officea more sincere wish to do well to all mankind; and if your rule hasnot been marked with the bold lines which sometimes distinguished yourspiritual predecessors, their faults have equally been strangers to yourcharacter."

  "I did not believe," said the Abbot, turning his looks to Father Eustacewith some surprise, "that you, father, of all men, would have done methis justice."

  "In your absence," said the Sub-Prior, "I have even done it morefully. Do not lose the good opinion which all men entertain of you, byrenouncing your office when your care is most needed."

  "But, my brother," said the Abbot, "I leave a more able in my place."

  "That you do not," said Eustace; "because it is not necessary you shouldresign, in order to possess the use of whatever experience or talent Imay be accounted master of. I have been long enough in this professionto know that the individual qualities which any of us may have, are nothis own, but the property of the Community, and only so far useful whenthey promote the general advantage. If you care not in person, my lord,to deal with this troublesome matter, let me implore you to go instantlyto Edinburgh, and make what friends you can in our behalf, while I inyour absence will, as Sub-Prior, do my duty in defence of the Halidome.If I succeed, may the honour and praise be yours, and if I fail, let thedisgrace and shame be mine own."

  The Abbot mused for a space, and then replied,--"No, Father Eustatius,you shall not conquer me by your generosity. In times like these, thishouse must have a stronger pilotage than my weak hands afford; and hewho steers the vessel must be chief of the crew. Shame were it to acceptthe praise of other men's labours; and, in my poor mind, all the praisewhich can be bestowed on him who undertakes a task so perilous andperplexing, is a meed beneath his merits. Misfortune to him woulddeprive him of an iota of it! Assume, therefore, your authorityto-night, and proceed in the preparations you judge necessary. Let theChapter be summoned to-morrow after we have heard mass, and all shall beordered as I have told you. Benedicite, my brethren!--peace be with you!May the new Abbot-expectant sleep as sound as he who is about to resignhis mitre."

  They retired, affected even to tears. The good Abbot had shown a pointof his character to which they were strangers. Even Father Eustacehad held his spiritual Superior hitherto as a good-humoured, indolent,self-indulgent man, whose chief merit was the absence of gross faults;so that this sacrifice of power to a sense of duty, even if a littlealloyed by the meaner motives of fear and apprehended difficulties,raised him considerably in the Sub-Prior's estimation. He even felt anaversion to profit by the resignation of the Abbot Boniface, and in amanner to rise on his ruins; but this sentiment did not long contendwith those which led him to recollect higher considerations. It couldnot be denied that Boniface was entirely unfit for his situation in thepresent crisis; and the Sub-Prior felt that he himself, acting merelyas a delegate, could not well take the decisive measures which the timerequired; the weal of the Community therefore demanded his elevation.If, besides, there crept in a feeling of a high dignity obtained, andthe native exultation of a haughty spirit called to contend withthe imminent dangers attached to a post of such distinction, thesesentiments were so cunningly blended and amalgamated with others ofa more disinterested nature, that, as the Sub-Prior himself wasunconscious of their agency, we, who have a regard for him, are notsolicitous to detect it.

  The Abbot elect carried himself with more dignity than formerly, whengiving such directions as the pressing circumstances of the timesrequired; and those who approached him could perceive an unusualkindling of his falcon eye, and an unusual flush upon his pale andfaded cheek. With briefness and precision he wrote and dictated variousletters to different barons, acquainting them with the meditatedinvasion of the Halidome by the English, and conjuring them to lend aidand assistance as in a common cause. The temptation of advantage washeld out to those whom he judged less sensible of the cause of honour,and all were urged by the motives of patriotism and ancient animosity tothe English. The time had been when no such exhortations would have beennecessary. But so essential was Elizabeth's aid to the reformed partyin Scotland, and so strong was that party almost every where, thatthere was reason to believe a great many would observe neutrality on thepresent occasion, even if they did not go the length of uniting with theEnglish against the Catholics.

  When Father Eustace considered the number of the immediate vassals ofthe church whose aid he might legally command, his heart sunk at thethoughts of ranking them under the banner of the fierce and profligateJulian Avenel.

  "Were the young enthusiast Halbert Glendinning to be found," thoughtFather Eustace in his anxiety, "I would have risked the battle under hisleading, young as he is, and with better hope of God's blessing. But thebailiff is now too infirm, nor know I a chief of name whom I might trustin this important matter better than this Avenel."--He touched a bellwhich stood on the table, and commanded Christie of the Clinthill to bebrought before him.--"Thou owest me a life," said he to that person onhis entrance, "and I may do thee another good turn if thou be'st sincerewith me."

  Christie had already drained two standing-cups of wine, which would, onanother occasion, have added to the insolence of his familiarity. But atpresent there was something in the augmented dignity of manner of FatherEustace, which imposed a restraint on him. Yet his answers partook ofhis usual character of undaunted assurance. He professed himself willingto return a true answer to all inquiries.

  "Has the Baron (so styled) of Avenel any friendship with Sir JohnFoster, Warden of the West Marches of England?"

  "Such friendship as is between the wild-cat and the terrier," repliedthe rider.

  "Will he do battle with him should they meet?"

  "As surely," answered Christie, "as ever cock fought onShrovetide-even."

  "And would he fight with Foster in the Church's quarrel?"

  "On any quarrel, or upon no quarrel whatever," replied the jackman.

  "We will then write to him, letting him know, that if upon occasion ofan apprehended incursion by Sir John Foster, he will join his force withours, he shall lead our men, and be gratified for doing so to the extentof his wish.--Yet one word more--Thou didst say thou couldst find outwhere the English knight Piercie Shafton has this day fled to?"

  "That I can, and bring him back too, by fair means or force, as bestlikes your reverence."

  "No force must be used upon him. Within what time wilt thou find himout?"

  "Within thirty hours, so he have not crossed the Lothian firth--If itis to do you a pleasure, I will set off directly, and wind him as asleuth-dog tracks the moss-trooper," answered Christie.

  "Bring him hither then, and thou wilt deserve good at our hands, which Imay soon have free means of bestowing on thee."

  "Thanks to your reverence, I put myself in your reverence's hands. We ofthe spear and snaffle walk something recklessly through life; but if aman were worse than he is, your reverence knows he must live, and that'snot to be done without shifting, I trow."

  "Peace, sir, and begone on thine errand--thou shalt have a letter fromus to Sir Piercie."

  Christie made two steps towards the door; then turning back andhesitating, like one who would make an impertinent pleasantry if hedared, he asked what he was to do with the wench Mysie Happer whom theSouthron knight had carried off with him.

  "Am I to bring her hither, please your reverence?"

  "Hither, you malapert knave?" said the churchman; "remember you to whomyou speak?"

  "No offence meant," replied Christie; "but if such is not your will, Iwould carry her to Avenel Castle, where a well-favour
ed wench was neverunwelcome.

  "Bring the unfortunate girl to her father's and break no scurril jestshere," said the Sub-Prior--"See that thou guide her in all safety andhonour."

  "In safety, surely," said the rider, "and in such honour as her outbreakhas left her.--I bid your reverence farewell, I must be on horse beforecock-crow."

  "What, in the dark!--how knowest thou which way to go?"

  "I tracked the knight's horse-tread as far as near to the ford, as werode along together," said Christie, "and I observed the track turnto the north-ward. He is for Edinburgh, I will warrant you--so soonas daylight comes I will be on the road again. It is a kenspecklehoof-mark, for the shoe was made by old Eckie of Cannobie--I would swearto the curve of the caulker." So saying, he departed.

  "Hateful necessity," said Father Eustace, looking after him, "thatobliges us to use such implements as these! But assailed as we areon all sides, and by all conditions of men, what alternative is leftus?--But now let me to my most needful task."

  The Abbot elect accordingly sate down to write letters, arrange orders,and take upon him the whole charge of an institution which tottered toits fall, with the same spirit of proud and devoted fortitude wherewiththe commander of a fortress, reduced nearly to the last extremity,calculates what means remain to him to protract the fatal hour ofsuccessful storm. In the meanwhile Abbot Boniface, having given a fewnatural sighs to the downfall of the pre-eminence he had so long enjoyedamongst his brethren, fell fast asleep, leaving the whole cares andtoils of office to his assistant and [Chapter ending is missing in theoriginal]