_CHAPTER XXXIX_.
_UNDER THE OAKS_.
On the day appointed for the interview between the two sovereigns,Frederic ordered several magnificent tents to be pitched along the bankof the river which was occupied by the German troops, while on theFrench side, Louis and his suite merely sheltered themselves under aclump of oak-trees.
The King wore a green hunting-dress, a plumed hat, and a short sword.He had left the city under the pretext of hunting in a neighboringforest; for he was anxious that the meeting should seem purelyaccidental, at least, to the French people, who had a profound contemptfor the Antipope Victor, and were displeased with the alliance betweenLouis VII. and the schismatic Barbarossa.
The annoyance caused him by this forced interview, was apparent on theKing's face, and his uneasiness increased as he gazed at the rows oftents stretching far into the distance. Barbarossa, indeed, had come atthe head of a numerous army, in order the better to enforce his policy,and all the princes of the Empire were ordered to rendezvous at Laon,with their several contingents on a war-footing.
The King was accompanied by the Duke of Burgundy and the Counts ofChampagne and Nevers, the latter of whom was a bold and arrogant noble,bitterly opposed to the papacy. A violent enemy of Alexander, he wasnone the less so as regarded Victor, and if he favored an alliancebetween Louis and the German Emperor, it was merely through a hope thatthis would better enable him to enjoy the fruits of his robberies.
A little later the Primate of France, Peter of Tarantasia and GaldiniSala, appeared near the bridge. The latter, since the fall of Milan,had been residing at Alexander's court, and had now come with theArchbishop of Tarantasia from Cluny, and had apparently been delegatedon some secret mission.
Louis breathed more freely as the time passed without any signs ofBarbarossa, for he began to hope that the Emperor would not come, andthe interview not take place.
"What think you, my lords?" he said. "His German Majesty seems to carelittle for his promise. It is late now, and the hour fixed upon is longsince passed."
"Some unforeseen occurrence must have detained him," said Henry ofChampagne, who had observed his sovereign's secret satisfaction; "buthe cannot fail to be here soon."
"Would it not be well," remarked one of the nobles, "for your Majestyto inform him of your arrival."
"No," answered Louis; "what use is there of this exchange of messages?What is the King of France, after all? Perhaps the Emperor has alreadyforgotten this trifle."
"He has been detained by some state affairs," said the Count of Nevers.
"And I suppose, until these affairs are settled, the King of Francecan wait. Very well indeed," replied Louis. "But we will wait nolonger--although there are some persons in France who desire ourhumiliation, and perhaps even our dethronement!"
These words, intended for the Count of Champagne, were uttered withsome bitterness.
"Those men are nothing more than traitors!" said the Duke of Burgundy,who was aware of the relations between Henry and the Emperor.
The Count scowled angrily at the speaker.
"I did not believe," added the King, "that in all France there was aman base enough to sell his honor, even if there were any one capableof paying him in false promises."
"The passions, and particularly covetousness," resumed the Duke,"corrupt the heart and dispose it to the commission of evil deeds; butit is positive that France does contain persons, who are ready to selltheir country."
"Are you perfectly assured of the existence of such persons?" askedChampagne, who, with difficulty, restrained his anger.
"I have heard them spoken of," replied the Duke.
"A man of honor is cautious in accusing others."
"Each man knows whether or not he is a slave to Barbarossa," answeredthe Burgundian. "I can only watch the traitors as long as they wear themask of loyalty; but if they ever venture to show their faces, theyshall pay dearly for their perfidy."
"Why this discussion, my lords?" said the Primate, who desired toprevent a still more unfriendly retort from the King's brother-in-law."I am sure that, whenever France shall unfurl her _oriflamme_, Burgundyand Champagne will fight side by side beneath its folds."
"I am always at the post to which my honor and my oath assign me!" saidthe Count proudly.
"There can be no doubt on that point," added Louis; "you are united tous by the double bond of vassalage and relationship."
The Count of Champagne made no reply; his pride forbade furtherdiscussion. In ordinary circumstances, he would have mounted and riddenaway without a word of apology; but now he was obliged to yield, but hedid so with a firm resolution of revenging himself on the BurgundianDuke, on the first favorable opportunity.
Louis appreciated the danger of a quarrel between his vassals, and hehastened to change the subject.
"The hour has passed," he said, looking at the sun. "You, my lords, canbear witness that it is not we who failed to appear."
"But the Emperor will certainly come; wait a little longer," urged theCount Henry.
"No, Count; our self-respect forbids it, and I am tired of waiting.Frederic shows clearly by his absence, that his consideration for yoursovereign is not excessive, and I am almost inclined to believe thereports which attribute to him pretensions to supremacy over all theprinces of Christendom."
"As it may please you, Sire. However," continued Henry of Champagne,"you may possibly regret the results of your too hasty departure."
"The results! What mean you?"
"The Count means to say," replied the Duke of Burgundy, "that theenemies of France may profit by the opportunity to accuse you ofbreaking your royal word, and to invade our frontiers."
"Let them come if they wish; we will meet them!"
Louis looked towards the German camp, and under the influence ofreturning fears, was about to wait still longer, but the Duke opposedhim.
"You cannot, Sire, without compromising yourself. If the Emperor meanswar, all your concessions will not prevent him from fixing a quarrel onyou."
"I commend France to the care of the Almighty," said the feeblemonarch; "but be kind enough, noble Duke, to ride over and salute theEmperor in my name."
"Heaven preserve me from it! I never meet the enemies of France excepton the battle-field. It is at the head of my men-at-arms that I willpay my respects to Barbarossa;" and the fiery soldier mounted hischarger.
"Since it is necessary, reverend father," said Louis to Peter ofTarantasia, "that you bear the Pope's message to the Emperor, have thekindness to explain to his Majesty that I have complied with all theconditions agreed upon, and that I have waited beyond the hourappointed."
"You may trust to me," said the pious Archbishop.
After another glance behind him, the King mounted, and rode with theDuke of Burgundy towards Laon.
The Count of Champagne leaned with a gloomy air against a tree, and thesavage William of Nevers, smiling ironically, approached him.
"The Burgundian," he said, "speaks as though he meant to disputeBarbarossa's claim to the Empire."
"You seem jovial, my lord," replied Henry.
"And why should I not be? The heroic soul of the Duke of Burgundy willinspire the King. Our valiant sovereign will not keep his promise. AsAlexander will not come, Barbarossa will be obliged to bring Victor.Ah! there is a worthy man for you; he thinks it no crime to rob a richconvent! But, if Pope Alexander keeps his place, the devil! I will haveto do penance!"
Whilst the Count of Nevers was explaining the motives which attachedhim to Frederic and Victor, the two ecclesiastics were conversingprivately.
"King Louis may be sincerely devoted to the Holy See," said GaldiniSala; "but he will not go to war against Barbarossa. I have grave fearsfor the Holy Father; he will be incarcerated in some lonely cloister,and will stay there, strictly guarded, until his last hour. Meanwhile,Victor, Frederic's devoted slave, will rule as the Emperor may dictate;and the court prelates will follow h
is bidding, until the whole Churchfalls into a deplorable condition."
"These fears are only human; but God's decrees are inscrutable, andbeyond the comprehension of mortal man," replied the Archbishop. "Howdid Louis receive the news of the negotiations with the English King? Iknow that your mission is to sound him on that subject. But here comesthe Emperor;" and he pointed to a cloud of dust in the distance.
The cavalcade advanced rapidly; the armor glittered in the sunlight.Princely banners, and the sumptuous robes of the nobles, could bedistinguished; and at last the escort drew up before the tents.
Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century. Page 41