CHAPTER XI. EALHSTAN THE BISHOP.
It was in the late afternoon when we rode into Glastonbury town, pastthe palisadings of the outer works, and then among cottages, and hereand there a timber house of the better sort, till we came to the greatabbey. It was not so great then as now, nor is it now as it will be, forever have pious hands built so that those who come after may have roomto add if they will. But it was the greatest building that I had everseen, and, moreover, of stone throughout, which seemed wonderful to me.And there, too, Wulfhere showed me the thorn tree which sprang from thestaff of the blessed Joseph of Arimathea, which flowers on ChristmasDay, ever.
Then we came to the nunnery where we should leave Alswythe, and I, formy part, was sorry that the journey was over, sad though it had been inmany ways, for when I must leave her I knew not how long it should be,if ever, before I saw her again.
And I think the same thought was in her heart, for, when Wulfhere showedher the great house, she sighed, looking at me a little, and I could saynothing. But she began to thank us two for our care of her, as though wecould have borne to take less than we had. And her words were so sweetand gracious that even the old warrior could not find wherewith toanswer her, and we both bowed our heads in thanks, and rode, one on eachside of her, in silence.
Then she must ask Wulfhere what he would do when she was safelybestowed. And that was a plain question he could answer well.
"Truly, lady, if you will give me leave, I would see Heregar, ourmaster, through whatever comes of his messages."
Then was I very glad, and the more that, though I might not think myselfsuch, the old warrior would call me his master, for that told me that hehad full belief in me.
Yet I could but say: "Friend should you call me, Wulfhere, my goodcounsellor, not master."
And I reached out my hand to him, bowing to Alswythe, whose horse's neckI must cross. And Wulfhere took it, and on our two rough hands Alswythelaid her white fingers, pressing them, and, looking from one to theother, said:
"Two such friends I think no woman ever had, or wiser, or braver. Go ontogether as you will, and yet forget not me here in Glastonbury."
Then we loosed our hands, looking, maybe, a little askance, for ourSaxon nature will oft be ashamed, if one may call it so, of a goodimpulse acted on, and Wulfhere said that we must think of those thingshereafter.
When we came to the gate there was a little crowd following us, for wordhad gone round in some way that we were fugitives from Parret side. ButWulfhere had bade the men answer no questions till we had seen thebishop, lest false reports should go about the place. So the crowdmelted away soon, and we knocked, asking admission, and showing theletter from the prioress of Bridgwater.
Now here there was much state, as it seemed, and we must wait for alittle, but then the gates were thrown open, and we rode through theminto the courtyard, which was large and open. Then opened a great dooron the left, and there was the abbess with many sisters, and one askedme for the letter we bore. So I gave it, and, standing there, the abbessread it while we waited.
As she read she grew pale, and then flushed again, and at last, aftertwice reading, came down the steps, all her state forgotten, and withtears embraced Alswythe, giving thanks for her safety. And then, leavingher, she came to me where I sat, unhelmed, and gave me her hand,thanking me for all I had done, and, as she said, perhaps for the safetyof the Bridgwater sisters also.
Then all of a sudden she went back up the steps, where the sisters werewhispering together, and became cold and stately again, so that Iwondered if I had offended her in not speaking, which I dared not.
When she was back again in her place, she bade Alswythe and her maidenswelcome, and added that all her sister prioress asked her she would do.Also, that one would come and show us lodging for men and horses, whichshould be at the expense of the nunnery.
So Alswythe must needs part from us coldly, even as she had joined us atBridgwater, as a noble lady from her attendants, giving us her hand tokiss only. But I went back to my horse well content, knowing that herlove and thoughts went out to me.
She went through the great door, but it closed not so fast but that Imight see the abbess put her arm around her very tenderly, her stateforgotten again, and I knew that she was in good hands.
Now when the horses were stabled, and our men knew where they shouldbide in the strangers' lodgings--set apart for the trains of guests tothe nunnery, which were very spacious--Wulfhere and I must needs findthe way to get audience of the bishop. As far as the doors of the abbeywhere he abode was easy enough, but there, waiting for alms and brokenmeats, were crowds of beggars, sitting and lying about in the sun, withtheir eyes ever on the latch to be first when it was lifted for thedaily dole. And again, round the gate were many men of all sorts,suitors, as we deemed for some favour at the hands of bishop or abbot--for the Abbot of Glastonbury was nigh as powerful as Ealhstan himself,in his own town at least.
When we came among these we were told that we must bide our time, foraudience was not given but at stated hours. And one man, grumbling, saidthat that was not Ealhstan's way in his own place at Sherborne, forthere the doors were open ever.
But I knew that my business might not wait, and so, after a little ofthis talk, went up to the gate and thundered thereon in such sort thatthe wicket opened, and the porter's face looked through it angrilyenough, and he would have bidden us begone, for war and travel hadstained us both, so that doubtless we were in no better case, as tolooks, than the crowd that pressed after us--very quietly, indeed--to hear the parley.
One difference in our looks there was, however, which made the portersilent--we wore mail and swords, and at that he seemed to stare inwonder.
Then I held up the ring and said, "Messages from Osric the Sheriff."
Whereupon the wicket closed suddenly, and there was a sound ofunbarring, and the door opened and we were let in, the rest, who mustwait, grumbling loudly at the preference shown to us, while the beggars,who had roused at the sound of the hinges creaking, went back whining intheir disappointment.
Then one came and bade us follow him, and we were led into the abbeyhall and there waited for a little. There were a few monks about,passing and repassing, but they paid no attention to us, and we, too,were silent in that quiet place. Only a great fire crackled at one endof the hall, else there would have been no noise at all. It was, Ithought, a strangely peaceful place into which to bring news of war andtumult.
Then I thought of Ealhstan the Bishop, as he had seemed to me when hejudged me, and that seemed years ago, nor could I think of myself as thesame who had stood a prisoner before him. So I wondered if I should seemthe same to him.
Now it is strange that of Eanulf, the mighty ealdorman who hadpronounced my doom, I thought little at all, but as of one who was bythe bishop. All that day's doings seemed to have been as a dream,wherein I and Wulfhere had living part with this bishop, while the rest,Eanulf and Matelgar and the others, were but phantoms standing by.
Maybe this is not so wonderful, for the doom was the doom of the Moot,and spoken by Eanulf as its mouthpiece, and that passed on my body only.And Matelgar had found a new place in my thoughts, but Wulfhere was myfriend, and the bishop had spoken to my heart, so that his words andlooks abode there.
Then the servant cut short my thoughts, and led us to the bishop,bidding me unhelm first.
He sat in a wide chamber, with another most venerable-looking man at thesame table. And all the walls were covered with books, and on the table,too, lay one or two great ones, open, and bright with gold and crimsonborderings, and great litters on the pages. But those things I sawpresently, only the bishop first of all, sitting quietly and veryupright in his great chair, dressed in a long purple robe, and with agolden cross hanging on his breast.
And for a moment as I looked at him, I remembered the day of the Moot,and my heart rose up, and I was ready to hide my face for minding theshame thereof.
But he looked at me curiously, and then all of a sudden smi
led verykindly and said:
"Heregar, my son, are you the messenger?"
And I knelt before him on one knee, and held out the ring for him totake, and he did so, laying it on the table before him--for my errandwas in hand yet.
"Then," he said, "things are none so ill with you, my son," and hesmiled gravely; "but do your errand first, and afterwards we will speakof that."
So I rose up, and standing before him, told him plainly all that hadbefallen, though there was no need for me to say aught of myself in thematter, except that, flying with the lady, Osric had chosen me to bearthe message of defeat and danger.
And the while I spoke the bishop's face grew very grave, but he saidnothing till I ended by saying that Wulfhere could tell him of the fight.
Then he bade Wulfhere speak, being anxious to know the worst, as itseemed to me. But the old man with him was weeping, and his hands shooksorely.
Now into what Wulfhere told, my name seemed to come often, for he beganwith the first landing at Watchet, and my bearing the war arrow, and soforward to the firing of the huts at Stert, to the rallying onCannington Hill, and our flight, and how Osric sent for me.
Then said the bishop, "Is that the worst?"
And Wulfhere was fain to answer that he feared not, telling of the smokeclouds we had seen, and what he judged therefrom.
"Aye," said the bishop, as it were to himself and looking before him asone who sees that which he is told of, "we saw the like afterCharnmouth, and let them have their way. Now must we wait, trembling,for Osric's next messenger."
But as for me, though the old man was sorely terrified, as one mightsee, I thought there was little trembling on the bishop's part, thoughhe spoke of it. Rather did he seem to speak in scorn of such as would sowait.
"Tell me now," he went on presently, "how the men rallied, and with whatspirit, on the hill where Heregar stayed them?"
"Well and bravely," answered Wulfhere, "so that the Danes drew back,forming up hastily lest there should be an attack on them; but none wasmade."
Then the bishop's eyes flashed, and I thought to myself that I would hehad been there. Surely he would have swept the Danes back to theirships, and I think that was in Wulfhere's mind also, for he said:
"We want a leader who can see these things. No blame to Osric therein,for it was his first fight."
Then the bishop laughed softly in a strange way, though his eyes stillflashed, and he seemed to put the matter by.
"Truly," said he, "with you, Wulfhere, to advise, and myself to askquestions, and Heregar to prevent our running away, I think we might dogreat things. Well, there is Eanulf, who fought at Charnmouth."
So saying he rose up, and clapped his hands loudly. The old man hadfallen to telling his beads, and paid no attention to him or us anylonger, doubtless dreaming of the burning of his abbey over his head,unless some stronger help was at hand than that of the three men beforehim.
A lay brother came in to answer the bishop's summons.
"Take these thanes to the refectory," he said, "and care for them withall honour. In two hours I will speak with them again, or sooner, ifOsric's messenger comes."
"I am no thane," said Wulfhere, not willing to be mistaken.
"I am Bishop of Sherborne," said he, smiling in an absent way, andwaving his hand for us to go.
So we went, and thereafter were splendidly treated as most honouredguests, even to the replacing of the broad hat which Wulfhere had gottenfrom the franklin by a plain steel helm, with other changes of garment,for which we were most glad.
Now as we bathed and changed, I found that letter which Leofwine thehermit priest had given me, and I prayed the brother to give it to thebishop at some proper moment, and he took it away with him. I hadforgotten it in the greater business.
While we ate and drank, and talked of how to reach Eanulf the Ealdorman,the brother came back and brought us a message, saying:
"The bishop bids you rest here in peace. He has sent messengers toEanulf, bidding him come here in all haste to speak with him and you."
So I asked where he was, and the brother said that he lay at Wells,which pleased Wulfhere, who said that he would be here shortly, and thatwe were in luck, seeing that he wanted another good night's rest; andindeed so did I, sorely, though that I might yet stay near Alswythe wasbetter still.
Before the two hours the bishop had set, there was a clamour in thegreat yard, and we thought the messenger from Osric had surely come. Andso it was, for almost directly the bishop sent for us, and we were takenback to the same chamber. But he was alone now, and motioned us to seatsbeside him to one side.
Then they brought in a thane whom I did not know, and he said he was amessenger from Osric, laying a letter on the table at the same time. Isaw that his armour was battle stained, and that he looked sorely downcast.
Not so the bishop as he read, for that which was written he had alreadyexpected, and he never changed his set look. Once he read the letterthrough, and then again aloud for us to hear. Thus it ran after fitgreeting:
"Now what befell in the first fight you know or shall know shortly fromour trusty messenger Heregar, by whom the flight was stayed from thatfield, on the Hill of Cannington. And this was well done. So, seeingthat the Danes had drawn off, I myself, foolishly deeming the matter atan end, left three hundred men on that hill to watch the Danes back totheir ships, and returned to the town, there to muster again the men whowere sound, and, if it were possible, to lead them on the Danes as theywent on board again to depart. For the men, save those of Bridgwater,would not bide on the hill, but came back, saving the Danes would surelydepart. And, indeed, I also thought so; but wrongly. For even as Italked with Heregar of his own affairs, news came of a fresh attack,whereon I sent him to you, fearing the worst, for the men on the hillwere few, and those in the town seeming of little spirit.
"Now when I came three parts of the way to Cannington, our men therewere sped and driven back on us. Whereupon I could no longer holdtogether any force, and whither the men are scattered I know not.Scarcely could I save the holy women and the monks, for even as theyfled under guard into the Quantock woods, and so to go beyond the hills,the houses of Bridgwater next the Danes were burning.
"Now am I with two hundred men on Brent, and wait either for the Danesto depart, or for orders from yourself or the Ealdorman Eanulf, to whomI pray you let this letter be sent in haste after that you have read it."
So it ended with salutations, and when he had read it, the bishop foldedit slowly and looked at the thane, who shrugged his broad shoulders andsaid:
"True words, Lord Bishop, and all told."
"It is what I expected," said Ealhstan, "these two thanes told me it waslike to be thus."
"Surely," answered the thane. "What else?"
The bishop looked at him and asked him his name.
"Wislac, the Thane of Gatehampton by the Thames, am I," he said. "Astranger here, having come on my own affairs to Bridgwater, and sojoining in the fight. Also, Osric's thanes having trouble enough onhand, I rode with this letter."
"Thanks therefor," said the bishop. "I see that you fought also in aplace where blows were thick."
"Aye, in the first fight," said Wislac. "As for the second, being withOsric, I never saw that."
"Did you stay on the hill where men rallied?"
"That did I, as any man would when the saints came to stay us. OtherwiseI had surely halted at Bridgwater, or this side thereof," answered thestrange thane, with a smile that was bitter enough.
Now the bishop had not heard that tale of the saint on a white horse;but he was quick enough, and glanced aside at me. Whereupon Wislac theThane looked also, and straightway his mouth opened, and he stared atme. Then, being nowise afraid of the bishop, or, as it seemed, ofsaints, he said aloud, seemingly to himself:
"Never saw I bishop before. Still, I knew that they were blessed withvisions; but that live saints should sit below their seat, I dreamtnot!" and so he went on staring at me.
So t
he bishop, for all his trouble, could but smile, and asked him if hesaw a vision.
"Surely," he said, "this is the saint who stayed us on yonder hill."
"Nay, that is Heregar the Thane, messenger of Osric."
"Then," said Wislac, "let me tell you, Heregar the Thane, that one ofthe saints, and I think a valiant one, is mightily like you. Whereby youare the more fortunate."
Now for all the mistake I could not find a word to say, and was fain tothank him for the good word on my looks. Yet he went on looking at menow and then in a puzzled sort of way. And the bishop seemed to enjoyhis wonderment, but was in no mind to enlighten him.
Presently the bishop bade Wislac sit down, and then he took up Osric'sring that I had given him, and also another which lay beside it on thetable--silver also, with some device on it, like that I had worn.
"See, thanes," he said, "have you three a mind to stay with me for awhile and be my council in this matter? For I am here without a fightingman of my own to speak with."
Now this was what I would most wish, and I said so, eagerly and withthanks.
And Wislac said that he was surely in good company, and having nought tocall him home would gladly stay also.
Then said the bishop, "Stranger you are, friend Wislac, and thereforewear this ring of Osric's, that men may pay heed to you as his friendand mine; and do you, Heregar, wear this of mine that men may know youfor bishop's man, and so respect your word."
So was I put under the bishop's protection, and he would answer for mypresence in Wessex to all and any. That was good, and I felt a free managain in truth, for here was no errand that would end, as Osric's wasended, when I had seen Eanulf.
Now Wulfhere had not spoken, and the bishop asked him if he too wouldnot stay.
"Ay, lord," answered Wulfhere, "gladly; but you spoke of thanes only."
"When the Bishop of Sherborne names one as a thane," said Ealhstan,smiling, "men are apt to hold him as such. But only to the worthy aresuch words spoken. Now, friend Wulfhere, I have heard of you atCharnmouth fight, and also there is more in Osric's letter than I haveread to you. So if you will be but a bishop's landless thane, surely youshall be one"
Then Wulfhere grew red with pleasure, and rising up, did obeisance tothe bishop for the honour, and the bishop called us two others towitness that the same was given.
"Now is my council set," he said, "I to ask questions, and you to advise."
So for a long two hours we sat and told him all we knew of those Danes,I of the ships, and Wulfhere and Wislac of numbers, and Wulfhere oftheir ways in raiding a country, for this he had seen before, in Dorset,and also in Ireland, as he told us, in years gone by.
That night we were treated as most honoured guests of the bishop's ownfollowing, and early in the morning the bishop sent for me, before mass.Once again I found him alone in that room of his, and all he said to meI cannot write down. But I found that Leofwine the hermit had told himof how I had taken counsel of him and abided by it, even as Ealhstanhimself had bidden me; and, moreover, that Osric had written in hisletter of what I had been able to do against the Danes, and ofMatelgar's last words concerning me. And for that remembrance of me,according to his promise, even when writing of far greater matters, I amever grateful to the good sheriff.
So, because of these things known, Ealhstan spoke to me as a most lovingfather, praising me where it seemed that praise was due, and reprovingme for the many things of deed and thought that were evil. And I toldhim freely and fully all that had passed from the time I left the hillof Brent till when I had seen the signals of the vikings from aboveWatchet, and bore the war arrow to Matelgar. The rest he knew in a way;but I opened all my heart to him, he drawing all from me most gently,till at last I came to my dream of Matelgar, and my wish that for me hemight rest in peace.
"It is not all forgiveness, Heregar, my son," he said presently. "Thereis love for Alsywthe, and pride in yourself, and thought of Matelgar'sfailure, which have at least brought you to a beginning of it. But trueforgiveness comes slowly, and many a long day shall it be before thathas truly come."
And I knew that maybe he was right, and asked his help; whereupon thatwas freely given, and in such sort that all my life long I must mind thewords he said, and love him in the memory.
When all that was said he would have me hear mass with him, as though Ineeded urging. And there, too, were Wulfhere and Wislac; and that massin the great abbey was the most wonderful I ever heard.
After that we three went out into the town, and Wislac and I marvelledat everything. Then we went to the nunnery gates and asked how ourcharges fared, and then saw to our steeds. There was the collier,working as a groom with the other men, and he told me that he waslearning his new trade fast, but would fain walk ever, rather than ride,having fallen many times from the abbess' mule, which he had bestriddenin anxiety to learn. Whether the mule was the better for this lesson Idoubt.
When we went back to the abbey Eanulf had come, and with him manythanes. And I feared to meet these somewhat, for they might have beenamong the Moot, and would know me. Yet Ealhstan had foreseen this, andone was posted at the door to meet me, bidding me aside privately, sincethe bishop needed me.
Wulfhere and Wislac went into the hall and left me, therefore, and I wastaken to a chamber where were six or seven lay brethren, who asked memany things about the fight, and specially at last about the saint whohad appeared. And that was likely to be a troublesome question for me,as I could not claim to have been the one so mistaken; but anotherstruck in, saying that there were many strange portents about, for thata fiend had appeared bodily from the marsh and had devoured a child, inSedgemoor. Now it seems that fiends are rarer than saints among theseholy men, and they forgot the first wonder and ran on about the second,not thinking that I could have told them of that also. And at last onefetched a great book, as I thought in some secrecy, and made thereoutnothing more nor less than parts of the song of Beowulf itself, and allabout Grendel, which pleased us all well, and so we were quiet enough,listening.
And it happened that while we were all intent on this reading (and Inever heard one read as brother Guthlac read to us) the sub-prior camein to call me, and pulling back the hangings of the doorway, stoodlistening, where I could see him.
First of all he looked pleased to find his people so employed. Then whenthe crash of the fighting verses came to his ears he started a little,and looked round. The good brothers were like to forget their frocks,for their fists were clenched and their eyes sparkled, and their teethwere set, and verily I believe each man of them thought himself one ofBeowulf's comrades, if not the hero himself.
Whereupon the sub-prior and I were presently grinning at one another.
"Ho!" said he, all of a sudden. "Now were I Swithun, where would youheathens spend tonight? Surely in the cells!"
Then for a moment they thought Grendel had indeed come, such power hasverse like this in the mouth of a good reader, and they started up, oneand all.
And the reader saw who it was, and that there was no hiding the bookfrom him, so they stood agape and terrified, for by this time the goodman had managed to look mighty stern.
"Good Father," said I, seeing that someone must needs speak, "I am but afighting man, and the brothers were considering my weakness."
"H'm," said the sub-prior, seeming in great wrath. "Is there no fightingto be read from Holy Writ that you must take these pagan vanities fromwhere you ought not? Go to! Yet, by reason of your care for the bishop'sthane, your penance shall be light now and not heavy hereafter. BrotherGuthlac shall read aloud in refectory today the story of David andGoliath, and you brother," pointing to one, "that of Ahab at Ramoth, andyou, of Joshua at Jericho," and so he went on till each had a chapter ofwar assigned him, and I thought it an easy penance.
"But," he added, "and until all these are read, your meals shall beuntasted before you."
Then the brothers looked at one another, for it was certain that allthis reading would last till the meal must be left fo
r vespers.
Then the sub-prior bade the reader take back the book and go to his owncell, and beckoning me, we passed out and left the brothers in muchdismay, not knowing what should befall them from the abbot when he heard.
So I ventured to tell the sub-prior how this came about, and he smiled,saying that he should not tell Tatwine the Abbot, for the brothers wereseldom in much fault, and that maybe it was laudable to search evenpagan books for the manners of fiends, seeing that forewarned wasforearmed.
Then he said that surely he wished (but this I need tell none else) thathe had been there in my place to hear Guthlac read it. Also that he wasminded to make the old rhyme more Christian-like, if he could, writingparts of it afresh. And this he has done since, so that any man may readit; but it is not so good as the old one [ix].
Now we came to the bishop's chamber, and he went in, calling me afterhim in a minute or so. I could hear Ealhstan's voice and that of anotheras I waited outside.
The other was Eanulf the Ealdorman, and as I entered he rose up andfaced me.
"So, Heregar," he said, "you are bishop's man now, and out of my power.I am glad of it," and so saying he reached me out his hand and wrungmine, and looked very friendly as he did so.
"I have heard of your doings," he said, "and thank you for them. And Iwill see this matter of yours looked into, for I think, as the bishopbelieves, that there has been a plot against you for plain reasonsenough. However, that must stand over as yet. But come with me to thehall and I will right you with the thanes there."
At that I thanked him, knowing that things were going right with me, andthe bishop smiled, as well pleased, but said nothing, as Eanulf took meby the arm, and we went together to the great hall, where the thanes,some twenty of them, were talking together. At once I saw several whosefaces had burnt themselves, as it were, into my mind at the Moot; butnone of Matelgar's friends among them.
They were quiet when their leader went in, and he wasted no time, butspoke in his own direct way.
"See here, thanes; here is Heregar, whom we outlawed but the other day.Take my word and Ealhstan's and Osric's for it that there was a mistake.We know now that there is no truer man, for he has proved it, as some ofyou know-he being the man who lit the huts at Stert in face of theDanes, and being likewise the Saint of Cannington--"
"Aye, it is so," said several voices, and others laughed. Then, likehonest Saxons as they were, they came crowding and laughing to shakehands with an outlawed saint, as one said; so that I was overdone almostwith their kindness, and knew not what to say or do.
But Eanulf pushed me forward among them, saying that I, being bishop'sman, was no more concern of his, outlaw or no outlaw, and that saintswere beyond him. So he too laughed, and went back to the bishop; and Ifound Wulfhere and Wislac, and soon I was one of my own sort again, andthe bad past seemed very far away.
But Wislac looked at me and said: "You have spoilt a fine tale I had totake home with me; but maybe I need not tell the ending. Howbeit, Ialways did hold that there was none so much difference between afighting saint and one of ourselves."
And that seemed to satisfy him.
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