by Walter Scott
CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.
I will converse with iron-witted fools, And unrespective boys; none are for me, That look into me with considerate eyes;-- High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect. RICHARD III.
As they parted from each other, the Emperor and philosopher had eachtheir own anxious thoughts on the interview which had passed betweenthem; thoughts which they expressed in broken sentences andejaculations, though for the better understanding of the degree ofestimation in which they held each other, we will give them a moreregular and intelligible form.
"Thus, then," half muttered half said Alexius, but so low as to hidehis meaning from the officers of the wardrobe, who entered to do theiroffice,--"thus, then, this bookworm--this remnant of old heathenphilosophy, who hardly believes, so God save me, the truth of theChristian creed, has topp'd his part so well that he forces his Emperorto dissemble in his presence. Beginning by being the buffoon of thecourt, he has wormed himself into all its secrets, made himself masterof all its intrigues, conspired with my own son-in-law against me,debauched my guards,--indeed so woven his web of deceit, that my lifeis safe no longer, than he believes me the imperial dolt which I haveaffected to seem, in order to deceive him; fortunate that even so can Iescape his cautionary anticipation of my displeasure, by avoiding toprecipitate his measures of violence. But were this sudden storm of thecrusade fairly passed over, the ungrateful Caesar, the boastful cowardAchilles Tatius, and the bosom serpent Agelastes, shall know whetherAlexius Comnenus has been born their dupe. When Greek meets Greek,comes the strife of subtlety, as well as the tug of war." Thus saying,he resigned himself to the officers of his wardrobe, who proceeded toornament him as the solemnity required,
"I trust him not," said Agelastes, the meaning of whose gestures andexclamations, we, in like manner, render into a connected meaning. "Icannot, and do not trust him--he somewhat overacts his part. He hasborne himself upon other occasions with the shrewd wit of his familythe Comneni; yet he now trusts to the effect of his trumpery lions uponsuch a shrewd people as the Franks and Normans, and seems to rely uponme for the character of men with whom he has been engaged in peace andwar for many years. This can be but to gain my confidence; for therewere imperfect looks, and broken sentences, which seemed to say,'Agelastes, the Emperor knows thee and confides not in thee.' Yet theplot is successful and undiscovered, as far as can be judged; and wereI to attempt to recede now, I were lost for ever. A little time tocarry on this intrigue with the Frank, when possibly, by the assistanceof this gallant, Alexius shall exchange the crown for a cloister, or astill narrower abode; and then, Agelastes, thou deservest to be blottedfrom the roll of philosophers, if thou canst not push out of the thronethe conceited and luxurious Caesar, and reign in his stead, a secondMarcus Antoninus, when the wisdom of thy rule, long unfelt in a worldwhich has been guided by tyrants and voluptuaries, shall soonobliterate recollection of the manner in which thy power was acquired.To work then--be active, and be cautious. The time requires it, and theprize deserves it."
While these thoughts passed through his mind, he arrayed himself, bythe assistance of Diogenes, in a clean suit of that simple apparel inwhich he always frequented the court; a garb as unlike that of acandidate for royalty, as it was a contrast to the magnificent robeswith which Alexius was now investing himself,
In their separate apartments, or dressing-rooms, the Count of Paris andhis lady put on the best apparel which they had prepared to meet such achance upon their journey. Even in France, Robert was seldom seen inthe peaceful cap and sweeping mantle, whose high plumes and flowingfolds were the garb of knights in times of peace. He was now arrayed ina splendid suit of armour, all except the head, which was bareotherwise than as covered by his curled locks. The rest of his personwas sheathed in the complete mail of the time, richly inlaid withsilver, which contrasted with the azure in which the steel wasdamasked. His spurs were upon his heels--his sword was by his side, andhis triangular shield was suspended round his neck, bearing, paintedupon it, a number of _fleures-de-lis semees_, as it is called, upon thefield, being the origin of those lily flowers which after times reducedto three only; and which were the terror of Europe, until they sufferedso many reverses in our own time.
The extreme height of Count Robert's person adapted him for a garb,which had a tendency to make persons of a lower stature appear ratherdwarfish and thick when arrayed _cap-a-pie_. The features, with theirself-collected composure, and noble contempt of whatever could haveastounded or shaken an ordinary mind, formed a well-fitted capital tothe excellently proportioned and vigorous frame which they terminated.The Countess was in more peaceful attire; but her robes were short andsuccinct, like those of one who might be called to hasty exercise. Theupper part of her dress consisted of more than one tunic, sitting closeto the body, while a skirt, descending from the girdle, and reaching tothe ankles, embroidered elegantly but richly, completed an attire whicha lady might have worn in much more modern times. Her tresses werecovered with a light steel head-piece, though some of them, escaping,played round her face, and gave relief to those handsome features whichmight otherwise have seemed too formal, if closed entirely within theverge of steel. Over these undergarments was flung a rich velvet cloakof a deep green colour, descending from the head, where a species ofhood was loosely adjusted over the helmet, deeply laced upon its vergesand seams, and so long as to sweep the ground behind. A dagger of richmaterials ornamented a girdle of curious goldsmith's work, and was theonly offensive weapon which, notwithstanding her military occupation,she bore upon this occasion.
The toilet--as modern times would say--of the Countess, was not nearlyso soon ended as that of Count Robert, who occupied his time, ashusbands of every period are apt to do, in little sub-acid complaintsbetween jest and earnest, upon the dilatory nature of ladies, and thetime which they lose in doffing and donning their garments. But whenthe Countess Brenhilda came forth in the pride of loveliness, from theinner chamber where she had attired herself, her husband, who was stillher lover, clasped her to his breast and expressed his privilege by thekiss which he took as of right from a creature so beautiful. Chidinghim for his folly, yet almost returning the kiss which she received,Brenhilda began now to wonder how they were to find their way to thepresence of the Emperor.
The query was soon solved, for a gentle knock at the door announcedAgelastes, to whom, as best acquainted with the Frankish manners, hadbeen committed, by the Emperor, the charge of introducing the noblestrangers. A distant sound, like that of the roaring of a lion, or notunsimilar to a large and deep gong of modern times, intimated thecommencement of the ceremonial. The black slaves upon guard, who, ashath been observed, were in small numbers, stood ranged in their statedresses of white and gold, bearing in one hand a naked sabre, and inthe other a torch of white wax, which served to guide the Count andCountess through the passages that led to the interior of the palace,and to the most secret hall of audience.
The door of this _sanctum sanctorum_ was lower than usual, a simplestratagem devised by some superstitious officer of the Imperialhousehold, to compel the lofty-crested Frank to lower his body, as hepresented himself in the Imperial presence. Robert, when the door flewopen, and he discovered in the background the Emperor seated upon histhrone amidst a glare of light, which was broken and reflected in tenthousand folds by the jewels with which his vestments were covered,stopt short, and demanded the meaning of introducing him through so lowan arch? Agelastes pointed to the Emperor by way of shifting fromhimself a question which he could not have answered. The mute, toapologize for his silence, yawned, and showed the loss of his tongue.
"Holy Virgin!" said the Countess, "what can these unhappy Africans havedone, to have deserved a condemnation which involves so cruel a fate?"
"The hour of retribution is perhaps come," said the Count, in adispleased tone, while Agelastes, with such hurry as time and placepermitted, entered, making his prostrations and genuflexions, littledoubting that the Frank
must follow him, and to do so must lower hisbody to the Emperor. The Count, however, in the height of displeasureat the trick which he conceived had been, intended him, turned himselfround, and entered the presence-chamber with his back purposely turnedto the sovereign, and did not face Alexius until he reached the middleof the apartment, when he was joined by the Countess, who had made herapproach in a more seemly manner. The Emperor, who had prepared toacknowledge the Count's expected homage in the most gracious manner,found himself now even more unpleasantly circumstanced than when thisuncompromising Frank had usurped the royal throne in the course of theday.
The officers and nobles who stood around, though a very select number,were more numerous than usual, as the meeting was not held for counsel,but merely for state. These assumed such an appearance of mingleddispleasure and confusion as might best suit with the perplexity ofAlexius, while the wily features of the Norman-Italian, Bohemond ofTarentum, who was also present, had a singular mixture of fantasticalglee and derision. It is the misfortune of the weaker on suchoccasions, or at least the more timid, to be obliged to take the pettypart of winking hard, as if not able to see what they cannot avenge.
Alexius made the signal that the ceremonial of the grand receptionshould immediately commence. Instantly the lions of Solomon, which hadbeen newly furbished, raised their heads, erected their manes,brandished their tails, until they excited the imagination of CountRobert, who, being already on fire at the circumstances of hisreception, conceived the bellowing of these automata to be the actualannunciation of immediate assault. Whether the lions, whose forms hebeheld, were actually lords of the forest,--whether they were mortalswho had suffered transformation,--whether they were productions of theskill of an artful juggler or profound naturalist, the Count neitherknew nor cared. All that he thought of the danger was, it was worthy ofhis courage; nor did his heart permit him a moment's irresolution. Hestrode to the nearest lion, which seemed in the act of springing up,and said, in a tone loud and formidable as its own, "How now, dog!" Atthe same time he struck the figure with his clenched fist and steelgauntlet with so much force, that its head burst, and the steps andcarpet of the throne were covered with wheels, springs, and othermachinery, which had been the means of producing its mimic terrors.
On this display of the real nature of the cause of his anger, CountRobert could not but feel a little ashamed of having given way topassion on such an occasion. He was still more confused when Bohemond,descending from his station near the Emperor, addressed him in theFrank language;--"You have done a gallant deed, truly, Count Robert, infreeing the court of Byzantium from an object of fear which has longbeen used to frighten peevish children and unruly barbarians!"
Enthusiasm has no greater enemy than ridicule. "Why, then," said CountRobert, blushing deeply at the same time, "did they exhibit itsfantastic terrors to me? I am neither child nor barbarian."
"Address yourself to the Emperor, then, as an intelligent man,"answered Bohemond. "Say something to him in excuse of your conduct, andshow that our bravery has not entirely run away with our common sense.And hark you also, while I have a moment's speech of you,--do you andyour wife heedfully follow my example at supper!" These words werespoken with a significant tone and corresponding look.
The opinion of Bohemond, from his long intercourse, both in peace andwar, with the Grecian Emperor, gave him great influence with the othercrusaders, and Count Robert yielded to his advice. He turned towardsthe Emperor with something liker an obeisance than he had hithertopaid. "I crave your pardon," he said, "for breaking that gilded pieceof pageantry; but, in sooth, the wonders of sorcery, and the portentsof accomplished and skilful jugglers, are so numerous in this country,that one does not clearly distinguish what is true from what is false,or what is real from what is illusory."
The Emperor, notwithstanding the presence of mind for which he wasremarkable, and the courage in which he was not held by his countrymento be deficient, received this apology somewhat awkwardly. Perhaps therueful complaisance with which he accepted the Count's apology, mightbe best compared to that of a lady of the present day when an awkwardguest has broken a valuable piece of china. He muttered something aboutthe machines having been long preserved in the Imperial family, asbeing made on the model of those which guarded the throne of the wiseKing of Israel; to which the blunt plain-spoken Count expressed hisdoubt in reply, whether the wisest prince in the world evercondescended to frighten his subjects or guests by the mimic roaringsof a wooden lion. "If," said he, "I too hastily took it for a livingcreature, I have had the worst, by damaging my excellent gauntlet indashing to pieces its timber skull."
The Emperor, after a little more had been said, chiefly on the samesubject, proposed that they should pass to the banquet-room.Marshalled, accordingly, by the grand sewer of the Imperial table, andattended by all present, excepting the Emperor and the immediatemembers of his family, the Frankish guests were guided through alabyrinth of apartments, each of which was filled with wonders ofnature and art, calculated to enhance their opinion of the wealth andgrandeur which had assembled together so much that was wonderful. Theirpassage being necessarily slow and interrupted, gave the Emperor timeto change his dress, according to the ritual of his court, which didnot permit his appearing twice in the same vesture before the samespectators. He took the opportunity to summon Agelastes into hispresence, and, that their conference might be secret, he used, inassisting his toilet, the agency of some of the mutes destined for theservice of the interior.
The temper of Alexius Comnenus was considerably moved, although it wasone of the peculiarities of his situation to be ever under thenecessity of disguising the emotions of his mind, and of affecting, inpresence of his subjects, a superiority to human passion, which he wasfar from feeling. It was therefore with gravity, and even reprehension,that he asked, "By whose error it was that the wily Bohemond,half-Italian, and half-Norman, was present at this interview? Surely,if there be one in the crusading army likely to conduct that foolishyouth and his wife behind the scenes of the exhibition by which wehoped to impose upon them, the Count of Tarentum, as he entitleshimself, is that person."
"It was that old man," said Agelastes, "(if I may reply and live,)Michael Cantacuzene, who deemed that his presence was peculiarlydesired; but he returns to the camp this very night."
"Yes," said Alexius, "to inform Godfrey, and the rest of the crusaders,that one of the boldest and most highly esteemed of their number isleft, with his wife, a hostage in our Imperial city, and to bring back,perhaps, an alternative of instant war, unless they are delivered up!"
"If it is your Imperial Highness's will to think so," said Agelastes,"you can suffer Count Robert and his wife to return to the camp withthe Italian-Norman."
"What?" answered the Emperor, "and so lose all the fruits of anenterprise, the preparations for which have already cost us so much inactual expense; and, were our heart made of the same stuff with that ofordinary mortals, would have cost us so much more in vexation andanxiety? No, no; issue warning to the crusaders, who are still on thehither side, that farther rendering of homage is dispensed with, andthat they repair to the quays on the banks of the Bosphorus, by peep oflight to-morrow. Let our admiral, as he values his head, pass every manof them over to the farther side before noon. Let there be largesses, aprincely banquet on the farther bank--all that may increase theiranxiety to pass. Then, Agelastes, we will trust to ourselves to meetthis additional danger, either by bribing the venality of Bohemond, orby bidding defiance to the crusaders. Their forces are scattered, andthe chief of them, with the leaders themselves, are all now--or by farthe greater part--on the east side of the Bosphorus.--And now to thebanquet! seeing that the change of dress has been made sufficient toanswer the statutes of the household; since our ancestors chose to makerules for exhibiting us to our subjects, as priests exhibit theirimages at their shrines!"
"Under grant of life," said Agelastes, "it was not doneinconsiderately, but in order that the Emperor, ruled ever by the samelaws from fa
ther to son, might ever be regarded as something beyond thecommon laws of humanity--the divine image of a saint, therefore, ratherthan a human being."
"We know it, good Agelastes," answered the Emperor, with a smile, "andwe are also aware, that many of our subjects, like the worshippers ofBel in holy writ, treat us so far as an image, as to assist us indevouring the revenues of our provinces, which are gathered in ourname, and for our use. These things we now only touch lightly, the timenot suiting them."
Alexius left the secret council accordingly, after the order for thepassage of the crusaders had been written out and subscribed in dueform, and in the sacred ink of the Imperial chancery.
Meantime, the rest of the company had arrived in a hall, which, likethe other apartments in the palace, was most tastefully as well asgorgeously fitted up, except that a table, which presented a princelybanquet, might have been deemed faulty in this respect, that thedishes, which were most splendid, both in the materials of which theywere composed, and in the viands which they held, were elevated bymeans of feet, so as to be upon a level with female guests as they sat,and with men as they lay recumbent at the banquet which it offered.
Around stood a number of black slaves richly attired, while the grandsewer, Michael Cantazucene, arranged the strangers with his goldenwand, and conveyed orders to them, by signs, that all should remainstanding around the table, until a signal should be given.
The upper end of the board, thus furnished, and thus surrounded, washidden by a curtain of muslin and silver, which fell from the top ofthe arch under which the upper part seemed to pass. On this curtain thesewer kept a wary eye; and when he observed it slightly shake, he wavedhis wand of office, and all expected the result.
As if self-moved, the mystic curtain arose, and discovered behind it athrone eight steps higher than the end of the table, decorated in themost magnificent manner, and having placed before it a small table ofivory inlaid with silver, behind which was seated Alexius Comnenus, ina dress entirely different from what he had worn in the course of theday, and so much more gorgeous than his former vestments, that itseemed not unnatural that his subjects should prostrate themselvesbefore a figure so splendid. His wife, his daughter, and his son-in-lawthe Caesar, stood behind him with faces bent to the ground, and it waswith deep humility, that, descending from the throne at the Emperor'scommand, they mingled with the guests of the lower table, and, exaltedas they were, proceeded to the festive board at the signal of the grandsewer. So that they could not be said to partake of the repast with theEmperor, nor to be placed at the Imperial table, although they suppedin his presence, and were encouraged by his repeated request to them tomake good cheer. No dishes presented at the lower table were offered atthe higher; but wines, and more delicate sorts of food, which arosebefore the Emperor as if by magic, and seemed designed for his ownproper use, were repeatedly sent, by his special directions, to one orother of the guests whom Alexius delighted to honour--among these theFranks being particularly distinguished.
The behaviour of Bohemond was on this occasion particularly remarkable.
Count Robert, who kept an eye upon him, both from his recent words, andowing to an expressive look which he once or twice darted towards him,observed, that in no liquors or food, not even those sent from theEmperor's own table, did this astucious prince choose to indulge. Apiece of bread, taken from the canister at random, and a glass of purewater, was the only refreshment of which he was pleased to partake. Hisalleged excuse was, the veneration due to the Holy Festival of theAdvent, which chanced to occur that very night, and which both theGreek and Latin rule agree to hold sacred.
"I had not expected this of you, Sir Bohemond," said the Emperor, "thatyou should have refused my personal hospitality at my own board, on thevery day on which you honoured me by entering into my service as vassalfor the principality of Antioch."
"Antioch is not yet conquered," said Sir Bohemond; "and conscience,dread sovereign, must always have its exceptions, in whatever temporalcontracts we may engage."
"Come, gentle Count," said the Emperor, who obviously regardedBohemond's inhospitable humour as something arising more from suspicionthan devotion, "we invite, though it is not our custom, our children,our noble guests, and our principal officers here present, to a generalcarouse. Fill the cups called the Nine Muses! let them be brimful ofthe wine which is said to be sacred to the Imperial lips!"
At the Emperor's command the cups were filled; they were of pure gold,and there was richly engraved upon each the effigy of the Muse to whomit was dedicated.
"You at least," said the Emperor, "my gentle Count Robert, you and yourlovely lady, will not have any scruple to pledge your Imperial host?"
"If that scruple is to imply suspicion of the provisions with which weare here served, I disdain to nourish such," said Count Robert. "If itis a sin which I commit by tasting wine to-night, it is a venial one;nor shall I greatly augment my load by carrying it, with the rest of mytrespasses, to the next confessional."
"Will you then, Prince Bohemond, not be ruled by the conduct of yourfriend?" said the Emperor.
"Methinks," replied the Norman-Italian, "my friend might have donebetter to have been, ruled by mine; but be it as his wisdom pleases.The flavour of such exquisite wine is sufficient for me."
"So saying, he emptied the wine into another goblet, and seemedalternately to admire the carving of the cup, and the flavour of whatit had lately contained.
"You are right, Sir Bohemond," said the Emperor; "the fabric of thatcup is beautiful; it was done by one of the ancient gravers of Greece.The boasted cup of Nestor, which Homer has handed down to us, was agood deal larger perhaps, but neither equalled these in the value ofthe material, nor the exquisite beauty of the workmanship. Let eachone, therefore, of my stranger guests, accept of the cup which heeither has or might have drunk out of, as a recollection of me; and maythe expedition against the infidels be as propitious as theirconfidence and courage deserve!"
"If I accept your gift, mighty Emperor," said Bohemond, "it is only toatone for the apparent discourtesy, when my devotion, compels me todecline your Imperial pledge, and to show you that we part on the mostintimate terms of friendship."
So saying, he bowed deeply to the Emperor, who answered him with asmile, into which was thrown, a considerable portion of sarcasticexpression.
"And I," said the Count of Paris, "having taken upon my conscience thefault of meeting your Imperial pledge, may stand excused from incurringthe blame of aiding to dismantle your table of these curious drinkingcups. We empty them to your health, and we cannot in any other respectprofit by them."
"But Prince Bohemond can," said the Emperor; "to whose quarters theyshall be carried, sanctioned by your generous use. And we have still aset for you, and for your lovely Countess, equal to that of the Graces,though no longer matching in number the nymphs of Parnassus.--Theevening bell rings, and calls us to remember the hour of rest, that wemay be ready to meet the labours of to-morrow."
The party then broke up for the evening. Bohemond left the palace thatnight, not forgetting the Muses, of whom he was not in general adevotee. The result was, as the wily Greek had intended, that he hadestablished between Bohemond and the Count, not indeed a quarrel, but akind of difference of opinion; Bohemond feeling that the fiery Count ofParis must think his conduct sordid and avaricious, while Count Robertwas far less inclined than before to rely on him as a counsellor.