A Monk of Fife
by
Andrew Lang
Part 6 out of 6
bring mine host to me instantly. For, at Louviers, we were so well
served by spies, the country siding with us rather than with the
English, that I knew how a company of the Earl of Warwick's men was
looked for in Winchelsea to sail when they had a fair wind for
Rouen.
Mine host came to me in a servile English fashion, and asked me what
I would?
"First, a horse," said I, "for mine dropped dead last night, ten
miles hence on the north road, in your marshes, God damn them, and
you may see by my rusty spur and miry boot that I have walked far.
Here," I cried, pulling off my boots, and flinging them down on the
rushes of the floor, "bid one of your varlets clean them! Next,
breakfast, and a pot of your ale; and then I shall see what manner
of horses you keep, for I must needs ride to Winchelsea."
"You would join the men under the banner of Sir Thomas Grey of
Falloden, I make no doubt?" he answered. "Your speech smacks of the
Northern parts, and the good knight comes from no long way south of
the border. His men rode through our town but few days agone."
"And me they left behind on the way," I answered, "so evil is my
luck in horse-flesh. But for this blessed wind out of the east that
hinders them, my honour were undone."
My tale was not too hard of belief, and before noon I was on my way
to Winchelsea, a stout nag enough between my legs.
The first man-at-arms whom I met I hailed, bidding him lead me
straight to Sir Thomas Grey of Falloden. "What, you would take
service?" he asked, in a Cumberland burr that I knew well, for
indeed it came ready enough on my own tongue.
"Yea, by St. Cuthbert," I answered, "for on the Marches nothing
stirs; moreover, I have slain a man, and fled my own country."
With that he bade God damn his soul if I were not a good fellow, and
so led me straight to the lodgings of the knight under whose colours
he served. To him I told the same tale, adding that I had heard
late of his levying of his men, otherwise I had ridden to join him
at his setting forth.
"You have seen war?" he asked.
"Only a Warden's raid or twain, on the moss-trooping Scots of
Liddesdale. Branxholme I have seen in a blaze, and have faced fire
at the Castle of the Hermitage."
"You speak the tongue of the Northern parts," he said; "are you
noble?"
"A poor cousin of the Storeys of Netherby," I answered, which was
true enough; and when he questioned me about my kin, I showed him
that I knew every name and scutcheon of the line, my mother having
instructed me in all such lore of her family. {38}
"And wherefore come you here alone, and in such plight?"
"By reason of a sword-stroke at Stainishawbank Fair," I answered
boldly.
"Faith, then, I see no cause why, as your will is so good, you
should not soon have your bellyful of sword-strokes. For, when once
we have burned that limb of the devil, the Puzel" (for so the
English call the Maid), "we shall shortly drive these forsworn dogs,
the French, back beyond the Loire."
I felt my face reddening at these ill words, so I stooped, as if to
clear my spur of mire.
"Shortly shall she taste the tar-barrel," I answered, whereat he
swore and laughed; then, calling a clerk, bade him write my
indenture, as is the English manner. Thus, thanks to my northern
English tongue, for which I was sore beaten by the other boys when I
was a boy myself, behold me a man-at-arms of King Henry, and so much
of my enterprise was achieved.
I make no boast of valour, and indeed I greatly feared for my neck,
both now and later. For my risk was that some one of the men-at-
arms in Rouen, whither we were bound, should have seen my face
either at Orleans, at Paris (where I was unhelmeted), or in the
taking of the Bastille at Compiegne. Yet my visor was down, both at
Orleans and Compiegne, and of those few who marked me in girl's gear
in Paris none might chance to meet me at Rouen, or to remember me in
changed garments. So I put a bold brow on it, for better might not
be. None cursed the Puzel more loudly than I, and, without
feigning, none longed so sorely as I for a fair wind to France,
wherefore I was ever going about Winchelsea with my head in the air,
gazing at the weather-cocks. And, as fortune would have it, the
wind went about, and we on board, and with no long delay were at
Rouen town.
CHAPTER XXXI--HOW NORMAN LESLIE SAW THE MAID IN HER PRISON
On arriving in the town of Rouen, three things were my chief care,
whereof the second helped me in the third. The first was to be
lodged as near as I might to the castle, wherein the Maid lay, being
chained (so fell was the cruelty of the English) to her bed. The
next matter was to purvey me three horses of the fleetest. Here my
fortune served me well, for the young esquires and pages would ever
be riding races outside of the gates, they being in no fear of war,
and the time till the Maid was burned hung heavy on their hands. I
therefore, following the manner of the English Marchmen, thrust
myself forward in these sports, and would change horses, giving
money to boot, for any that outran my own. My money I spent with a
very free hand, both in wagers and in feasting men-at-arms, so that
I was taken to be a good fellow, and I willingly let many make their
profit of me. In the end, I had three horses that, with a light
rider in the saddle, could be caught by none in the whole garrison
of Rouen.
Thirdly, I was most sedulous in all duty, and so won the favour of
Sir Thomas Grey, the rather that he counted cousins with me, and
reckoned that we were of some far-off kindred, wherein he spoke the
truth. Thus, partly for our common blood, partly for that I was
ever ready at call, and forward to do his will, and partly because
none could carry a message swifter, or adventure further to spy out
any bands of the French, he kept me close to him, and trusted me as
his galloper. Nay, he gave me, on occasion, his signet, to open the
town gates whensoever he would send me on any errand. Moreover, the
man (noble by birth, but base by breeding) who had the chief charge
and custody of the Maid, was the brother's son of Sir Thomas. He
had to name John Grey, and was an esquire of the body of the English
King, Henry, then a boy. This miscreant it was often my fortune to
meet, at his uncle's table, and to hear his pitiless and cruel
speech. Yet, making friends, as Scripture commands us, of the
Mammon of unrighteousness, I set myself to win the affection of John
Grey by laughing at his jests and doing him what service I might.
Once or twice I dropped to him a word of my great desire to see the
famed Puzel, for the trials that had been held in open hall were now
done in the dungeon, where only the bishop, the doctors of law, and
the notaries might hear them. Her noble bearing, indeed, and wise
answers (which were plainly put into her mouth by the Saints, for
she was simple and ignorant) had gained men's hearts.
One day, they told me, an English lord had cried--"The brave lass,
pity she is not English." For to the English all the rest of God's
earth is as Nazareth, out of which can come no good thing. Thus
none might see the Maid, and, once and again, I let fall a word in
John Grey's ear concerning my desire to look on her in prison. I
dared make no show of eagerness, though now the month of May had
come, which was both her good and ill month. For in May she first
went to Vaucouleurs and prophesied, in May she delivered Orleans,
and in May she was taken at Compiegne. Wherefore I deemed, as men
will, that in May she should escape her prison, or in May should
die. Moreover, on the first day of March they had asked her,
mocking her -
"Shalt thou be delivered?"
And she had answered -
"Ask me on this day three months, and I shall declare it to you."
The English, knowing this, made all haste to end her ere May ended,
wherefore I had the more occasion for speed.
Now, on a certain day, being May the eighth, the heart of John Grey
was merry within him. He had well drunk, and I had let him win of
me, at the dice, that one of my three horses which most he coveted.
He then struck me in friendly fashion on the back, and cried -
"An unlucky day for thee, and for England. This very day, two years
agone, that limb of the devil drove us by her sorceries from before
Orleans. But to-morrow--" and he laughed grossly in his beard.
"Storey, you are a good fellow, though a fool at the dice."
"Faith, I have met my master," I said. "But the lesson you gave me
was worth bay Salkeld," for so I had named my horse, after a great
English house on the Border who dwell at the Castle of Corby.
"I will do thee a good turn," he said. "You crave to see this
Puzel, ere they put on her the high witch's cap for her hellward
journey."
"I should like it not ill," I said; "it were something to tell my
grandchildren, when all France is English land."
"Then you shall see her, for this is your last chance to see her
whole."
"What mean you, fair sir?" I asked, while my heart gave a turn in my
body, and I put out my hand to a great tankard of wine.
"To-morrow the charity of the Church hath resolved that she shall be
had into the torture-chamber."
I set my lips to the tankard, and drank long, to hide my face, and
for that I was nigh swooning with a passion of fear and wrath.
"Thanks to St. George," I said, "the end is nigh!"
"The end of the tankard," quoth he, looking into it, "hath already
come. You drink like a man of the Land Debatable."
Yet I was in such case that, though by custom I drink little, the
great draught touched not my brain, and did but give me heart.
"You might challenge at skinking that great Danish knight who was
with us under Orleans, Sir Andrew Haggard was his name, and his
bearings were . . . " {39}
So he was running on, for he himself had drunk more than his share,
when I brought him back to my matter.
"But as touching this Puzel, how may I have my view of her, that you
graciously offered me?"
"My men change guard at curfew," he said; "five come out and five go
in, and I shall bid them seek you here at your lodgings. So now,
farewell, and your revenge with the dice you shall have when so you
will."
"Nay, pardon me one moment: when relieve you the guard that enters
at curfew?"
"An hour after point of day. But, now I bethink me, you scarce will
care to pass all the night in the Puzel's company. Hast thou paper
or parchment?"
I set paper and ink before him, who said -
"Nay, write yourself; I am no great clerk, yet I can sign and seal."
Therewith, at his wording, I set down an order to the Castle porter
to let me forth as early in the night as I would. This pass he
signed with his name, and sealed with his ring, bearing his arms.
"So I wish you joy of this tryst and bonne fortune," he said, and
departed.
I had two hours before me ere curfew rang, and the time was more
than I needed. Therefore I went first to the Church of St. Ouen,
which is very great and fair, and there clean confessed me, and made
my orisons that, if it were God's will, this enterprise might turn
to His honour, and to the salvation of the Maid. And pitifully I
besought Madame St. Catherine of Fierbois, that as she had delivered
me, a sinner, she would deliver the Sister of the Saints.
Next I went back to my lodgings, and there bade the hostler to have
my two best steeds saddled and bridled in stall, by point of day,
for a council was being held that night in the Castle, and I and
another of Sir Thomas's company might be sent early with a message
to the Bishop of Avranches. This holy man, as then, was a cause of
trouble and delay to the Regent and Pierre Cauchon, Bishop of
Beauvais, because he was just, and fell not in with their treasons.
Next I clad myself in double raiment, doublet above doublet, and
hose over hose, my doublets bearing the red cross of St. George.
Over all I threw a great mantle, falling to the feet, as if I feared
the night chills. Thereafter I made a fair copy of my own writing
in the pass given to me by John Grey, and copied his signature also,
and feigned his seal with a seal of clay, for it might chance that
two passes proved better than one. Then I put in a little wallet
hanging to my girdle the signet of Sir Thomas Grey, and the pass
given to me by John Grey, also an ink-horn with pen and paper, and
in my hand, secretly, I held that phial which I had bought of the
apothecary in Tours. All my gold and jewels I hid about my body; I
sharpened my sword and dagger, and then had no more to do but wait
till curfew rang.
This was the weariest part of all; for what, I thought, if John Grey
had forgotten his promise, the wine being about his wits. Therefore
I walked hither and thither in my chamber, in much misdoubt; but at
the chime of curfew I heard rude voices below, and a heavy step on
the stairs. It was a man-at-arms of the basest sort, who, lurching
with his shoulder against my door, came in, and said that he and his
fellows waited my pleasure. Thereon I showed him the best
countenance, and bade my host fill a pannier with meat and cakes and
wine, to pass the hours in the prison merrily. I myself ran down
into the host's cellar, and was very busy in tasting wine, for I
would have the best. And in making my choice, while the host
stooped over a cask to draw a fresh tankard, I poured all the drugs
of my phial into a large pewter vessel with a lid, filled it with
wine, and, tasting it, swore it would serve my turn. This flagon,
such as we call a 'tappit hen' in my country, but far greater, I
bore with me up the cellar stairs, and gave it to one of the guard,
bidding him spill not a drop, or he should go thirsty.
The lourdaud, that was their captain, carried the pannier, and,
laughing, we crossed the street and the moat, giving the word
"Bedford." To the porter I showed my pass, telling him that, though
I was loath to disturb him, I counted not to watch all night in the
cell, wherefore I gave him a gold piece for the trouble he might
have in letting me go forth at an hour untimely. Herewith he was
well content, and so, passing the word to the sentinel at each post,
we entered.
And now, indeed, my heart beat so that my body seemed to shake with
hope and fear as I walked. At the door of the chamber wherein the
Maid lay we met her guards coming forth, who cried roughly, bidding
her good even, and to think well of what waited her, meaning the
torments. They tumbled down the stairs laughing, while we went in,
and I last. It was a dark vaulted chamber with one window near the
roof, narrow and heavily barred. In the recess by the window was a
brazier burning, and casting as much shadow as light by reason of
the smoke. Here also was a rude table, stained with foul circles of
pot-rims, and there were five or six stools. On a weighty oaken bed
lay one in man's raiment, black in hue, her face downwards, and her
arms spread over her neck. It could scarce be that she slept, but
she lay like one dead, only shuddering when the lourdaud, the
captain of the guard, smote her on the shoulder, asking, in English,
how she did?
"Here she is, sir, surly as ever, and poor company for Christian
men. See you how cunningly all her limbs are gyved, and chained to
the iron bolts of the bed? What would my lady Jeanne give me for
this little master-key?"
Here he showed a slender key, hung on a steel chain about his neck.
"Never a saint of the three, Michael, Margaret, and Catherine, can
take this from me; nay, nor the devils who wear their forms."
"Have you seen this fair company of hers?" I whispered in English,
crossing myself.
"No more than she saw the white lady that goes with that other
witch, Catherine of La Rochelle. But, sir, she is sullen; it is her
manner. With your good leave, shall we sup?"
This was my own desire, so putting the pannier on the table, I
carved the meat with my dagger, and poured out the wine in cups, and
they fell to, being hungry, as Englishmen are at all times. They
roared over their meat, eating like wolves and drinking like fishes,
and one would sing a lewd song, and the others strike in with the
over-word, but drinking was their main avail.
"This is better stuff," says the lourdaud, "than our English ale.
Faith, 'tis strong, my lads! Wake up, Jenkin; wake up, Hal," and
then he roared a snatch, but stopped, looking drowsily about him.
O brothers in Christ, who hear this tale, remember ye that, for now
four months and more, the cleanest soul in Christenty, and the
chastest lady, and of manners the noblest, had endured this company
by night and by day!
"Nay, wake up," I cried; "ye are dull revellers; what say ye to the
dice?"
Therewith I set out my tablier and the dice. Then I filled up the
cup afresh, pretending to drink, and laid on the foul table a great
shining heap of gold. Their dull eyes shone like the metal when I
said -
"Myself will be judge and umpire; play ye, honest fellows, for I
crave no gains from you. Only, a cup for luck!"
They camped at the table, all the five of them, and some while their
greed kept them wakeful, and they called the mains, but their
drought kept them drinking. And, one by one, their heads fell heavy
on the table, or they sprawled on their stools, and so sank on to
the floor, so potent were the poppy and mandragora of the leech in
Tours.
At last they were all sound on sleep, one man's hand yet clutching a
pile of my gold that now and again would slip forth and jingle on
the stone floor.
Now all this time she had never stirred, but lay as she had lain,
her face downwards, her arms above her neck.
Stealthily I took the chain and the key from about the neck of the
sleeping lourdaud, and then drew near her on tiptoe.
I listened, and, from her breathing, I believe that she slept, as
extreme labour and weariness and sorrow do sometimes bring their own
remede.
Then a thought came into my mind, how I should best awake her, and
stooping, I said in her ear -
"Fille De!"
Instantly she turned about, and, sitting up, folded her hands as one
in prayer, deeming, belike, that she was aroused by the voices of
her Saints. I kneeled down beside the bed, and whispered--"Madame,
Jeanne, look on my face!"
She gazed on me, and now I saw her brave face, weary and thin and
white, and, greater than of old, the great grey eyes.
"I said once," came her sweet voice, "that thou alone shouldst stand
by me when all had forsaken me. Fair Saints, do I dream but a
dream?"
"Nay, Madame," I said, "thou wakest and dost not dream. One has
sent me who loves thee, even my lady Elliot; and now listen, for the
time is short. See, here I have the master-key, and when I have
unlocked thy bonds . . . "
"Thou hast not slain these men?" she asked. "That were deadly sin."
"Nay, they do but sleep, and will waken belike ere the fresh guard
comes, wherefore we must make haste."
"When I have freed thee, do on thy body, above thy raiment, this
doublet of mine, for it carries the cross of England, and, I being
of little stature, you may well pass for me. Moreover, this cloak
and its hood, which I wore when I came in, will cover thee. Then,
when thou goest forth give the word "Bedford" to the sentinels; and,
to the porter in the gate, show this written pass of John Grey's.
He knows it already, having seen it this night. Next, when thou art
without the castle, fare to the hostelry called "The Rose and
Apple," which is nearest the castle gate, and so straight into the
stable, where stand two steeds, saddled and bridled. Choose the
black, he is the swifter. If the hostler be awake, he expects me,
and will take thee for me; mount, with no word, and ride to the
eastern port. There show to the gate ward this signet of Sir Thomas
Grey, and he will up with portcullis and down with drawbridge, for
he has often done no less for me and that signet.
"Then, Madame, ride for Louviers, and you shall break your fast with
the Bastard and La Hire." Her white face changed to red, like the
morning light, as on that day at Orleans, before she took Les
Tourelles.
Then the flush faded, and she grew ashen pale, while she said -
"But thou, how shalt thou get forth?"
"Madame," I said, "fear not for me. I will follow after thee, and
shame the sleepy porter to believe that he has dreamed a dream. And
I have written this other pass, on seeing which he will needs credit
me, being adrowse, and, moreover, I will pay him well. And I shall
be at the stable as soon almost as thou, and I have told the hostler
that belike I shall ride with a friend, carrying a message to the
Bishop of Avranches. For I have beguiled the English to believe me
of their party, as Madame Judith wrought to the tyrant Holofernes."
"Nay," she answered simply, "this may not be. Even if the porter
were to be bought or beguiled, thou couldst not pass the sentinels.
It may not be."
"The sentinels, belike, are sleeping, or wellnigh sleeping, and I
have a dagger. O Madame! for the sake of the fortune of France, and
the honour of the King"--for this, I knew, was my surest hope--
"delay not, nor reck at all of me. I have but one life, and it is
thine freely."
"They will burn thee, or slay thee with other torments."
"Not so," I said; "I shall not be taken alive."
"That were deadly sin," she answered. "I shall not go and leave
thee to die for me. Then were my honour lost, and I could not
endure to live. Entreat me not, for I will not go forth, as now.
Nay more, I tell thee as I have told my judges, that which the
Saints have spoken to me. 'Bear this thy martyrdom gently,' they
say, 'tu t'en viendras en royaume du Paradis.' Moreover, this I
know, that I am to be delivered with great victory!"
Here she clasped her hands, looking upwards, and her face was as the
face of an angel.
"Fair victory it were to leave thee in my place, and so make liars
of my brethren of Paradise."
Then, alas! I knew that I was of no more avail to move her; yet one
last art I tried.
"Madame," I said, "I have prayed you in the name of the fortune of
France, and the honour of the King, which is tarnished for ever if
you escape not."
"I shall be delivered," she answered.
"I pray you in the dear name of your lady mother, Madame du Lys."
"I shall be delivered," she said, "and with great victory!"
"Now I pray thee in my own name, and in that of thy first friend, my
lady. She has made a vow to give her virginity to Heaven unless
either thou art set free, or she have tidings from thee that thou
willest her to wed me, without whom I have no desire to live, but
far rather this very night to perish. For I am clean confessed,
within these six hours, knowing that I was like to be in some
jeopardy."
"Then," she said, smiling sweetly, and signing that I should take
her hand--"Then live, Norman Leslie, for this is to me an easy thing
and a joyous. Thou art a clerk, hast thou wherewithal to write?"
"Yes, Madame, here in my wallet."
"Then write as I tell thee:-
"JHESU MARIA"
"'I, Jehanne la Pucelle, send from prison here in Rouen my tidings
of love to Elliot Hume, my first friend among women, and bid her,
for my sake, wed him who loves her, Norman Leslie of Pitcullo, my
faithful servant, praying that all happiness may go with them. In
witness whereto, my hand being guided to write, I set my name,
Jehanne la Pucelle, this ninth day of May, in the year Fourteen
hundred and thirty-one.'
"So guide my hand," she said, taking the pen from my fingers; and
thus guided, while my tears fell on her hand, she wrote JEHANNE LA
PUCELLE.
"Now," quoth she, smiling as of old, "we must seal this missive.
Cut off one lock of my hair with your dagger, for my last gift to my
first friend, and make the seal all orderly."
I did as she bade, and, bringing a lighted stick from the brazier, I
melted wax. Then, when it was smooth, she laid on it two hairs from
the little sundered lock (as was sometimes her custom), and bade me
seal with my own signet, and put the brief in my wallet.
"Now, all is done," she said.
"Nay, nay," I said, "to die for thee is more to me than to live in
love. Ah, nay, go forth, I beseech thee!"
"With victory shall I go forth, and now I lay my last commands on
the last of all my servants. If in aught I have ever offended thee,
in word or deed, forgive me!"
I could but bow my head, for I was weeping, though her eyes were
dry.
"And so, farewell," she said -
"As thou art leal and true, begone; it is my order, and make no
tarrying. To-morrow I have much to do, and needs must I sleep while
these men are quiet. Say to thy lady that I love her dearly, and
bid her hope, as I also hope. Farewell!"
She moved her thin hand, which I kissed, kneeling.
Again she said "Farewell," and turned her back on me as if she would
sleep.
Then I hung the chain and key again on the neck of the lourdaud; I
put some of the fallen coins in the men's pouches, but bestowed the
dice and tablier in my wallet. I opened the door, and went forth,
not looking back; and so from the castle, showing my pass, and
giving the porter another coin. Then I went home, in the sweet dawn
of May, and casting myself on my bed, I wept bitterly, for to-day
she should be tormented.
Of the rest I have no mind to tell (though they had not the heart to
torture the Maid), for it puts me out of charity with a people who
have a name to be Christians, and it is my desire, if I may, to
forgive all men before I die.
At Rouen I endured to abide, even until the day of unjust doom, and
my reason was that I ever hoped for some miracle, even as her Saints
had promised. But it was their will that she should be made perfect
through suffering, and being set free through the gate of fire,
should win her victory over unfaith and mortal fear. Wherefore I
stood afar off at the end, seeing nothing of what befell; yet I
clearly heard, as did all men there, the last word of her sweet
voice, and the cry of JHESUS!
Then I passed through the streets where men and women, and the very
English, were weeping, and, saddling my swiftest horse, I rode to
the east port. When the gate had closed behind me, I turned, and,
lifting my hand, I tore the cross of St. George from my doublet.
"Dogs!" I cried, "ye have burned a Saint! A curse on cruel English
and coward French! St Andrew for Scotland!" The shafts and bolts
hailed past me as I wheeled about; there was mounting of steeds, and
a clatter of hoofs behind me, but the sound died away ere I rode
into Louviers.
There I told them the tale which was their shame, and so betook me
to Tours, and to my lady.
CHAPTER XXXII--THE END OF THIS CHRONICLE
It serves not to speak of my later fortunes, being those of a
private man, nor have I the heart to recall old sorrows. We were
wedded when Elliot's grief had in some sort abated, and for one year
we were happier than God has willed that sinful men should long be
in this world. Then that befell which has befallen many. I may not
write of it: suffice it that God took from me both her and her
child. Then, after certain weeks and days of which I am blessed
enough to keep little memory, I forswore arms, and served in the
household of the Lady Margaret of Scotland, who married the Dauphin
on an unhappy day. I have known much of Courts and of the learned,
I have seen the wicked man exalted, and Brother Thomas Noiroufle in
great honour with Charles VII. King of France, and offering before
him, with his murderous hands, the blessed sacrifice of the Mass.
The death of the Lady Margaret, slain by lying tongues, and the
sudden sight of that evil man, Brother Thomas, raised to power and
place, drove me from France, and I was certain years with the King's
ambassadors at the Courts of Italy. There I heard how the Holy
Inquisition had reversed that false judgment of the English and
false French at Rouen, which made me some joy. And then, finding
old age come upon me, I withdrew to my own country, where I have
lived in religion, somewhile in the Abbey of Dunfermline, and this
year gone in our cell of Pluscardine, where I now write, and where I
hope to die and be buried.
Here ends my tale, in my Latin Chronicle left untold, of how a Scots
Monk was with the Maid both in her victories and recoveries of
towns, and even till her death.
For myself, I now grow old, and the earthly time to come is short,
and there remaineth a rest for all souls Christian. Miscreants I
have heard of, men misbelieving and heretics, who deny that the
spirit abides after the death of the body, for in the long years,
say they, the spirit with the flesh wanes, and at last dies with the
bodily death. Wherein they not only make Holy Church a liar, but
are visibly confounded by this truth which I know and feel, namely,
that while my flesh wastes hourly towards old age, and of many
things my memory is weakened, yet of that day in Chinon I mind me as
clearly, and see my love as well, and hear her sweet voice as plain,
as if she had but now left the room.
Herein my memory does not fail, nor does love faint, growing
stronger with the years, like the stream as it races to the fall.
Wherefore, being more strong than Time, Love shall be more strong
than Death. The river of my life speeds yearly swifter, the years
like months go by, the months like weeks, the weeks like days. Even
so fleet on, O Time, till I rest beside her feet! Nay, never, being
young, did I more desire my love's presence when we were apart than
to-day I desire it, the memory of her filling all my heart as
fragrance of flowers fills a room, till it seems as if she were not
far away, but near me, as I write of her. And, foolish that I am! I
look up as if I might see her by my side. I know not if this be so
with all men, for, indeed, I have asked none, nor spoken to any of
the matter save in confession. For I have loved this once, and no
more; wherefore I deem me happier than most, and more certain of a
good end to my love, where the blessed dwell in the Rose of
Paradise, beholding the Beatific Vision.
To this end I implore the prayers of all Christian souls who read
this book, and of all the Saints, and of that Sister of the Saints
whom, while I might, I served in my degree.
VENERABILIS JOHANNA
ORA PRO NOBIS
APPENDIX A--NORMAN'S MIRACLE
(See "Livre des Miracles de Madame Sainte Katherine de Fierboys.
MSS. Bib. Nat. 7335, fol. lxxxiv.)
Le xvi jour du moys de janvier, l'an mil cccc. xxx., vint en la
chapelle de ceans Norman Leslie de Pytquhoulle, escoth, escuyer de
la compagnie de Hugues Cande, capitaine. {40} Lequel dist et
afferma par serment estre vray le miracle cy apres declaire. C'est
assavoir que le dit Leslie fut prins des Anglois e Paris le jour de
la Nativite de Nostre Dame de l'an dernier passe. Lequel Norman
Leslie avoit entre dans la ville de Paris avec c. Escossoys en
guise d'Angloys, lesqueuls Escossoys furent prins des Angloys, et
ledit Norman fut mis en fers et en ceps. Et estoit l'intention de
ceux qui l'avoient pris de le faire lendemain ardre, parce qu'il
portoit robe de femme par maniere de ruse de guerre.
Si s'avint que ledit Norman se voua e Madame Sainte Katherine, qu'il
luy pleust prier Dieu qu'il le voulsist delivrer de la prison ou il
estoit; et incontinent qu'il pourroit estre dehors, il yroit mercier
Madame Sainte Katherine en sa chapelle de Fierboys. Et incontinent
son veu fait si s'en dormit, et au reveiller trouva en la tour
avecques luy un Singe, qui lui apporta deux files, et un petit
cousteau. Ainsi il trouva maniere de se deferrer, et adoncques s'en
sortit de la prison emportant avecques luy le singe. Si se laissoit
cheoir a val en priant Madame Sainte Katherine et chut a bas, et
oncques ne se fist mal, et se rendit e Saint Denys ou il trouvoit
des compagnons Escossoys.
Et ainsy ledit Norman Leslie s'en est venu audit lieu de Fierboys,
tout sain et sauf, emportant avecques luy ledit singe, qui est beste
estrange et fol de son corps. Et a jure ledit Norman ce estre vray
par la foy et serment de son corps.
Presens messire Richart Kyrthrizian, frere Giles Lacourt, prestres
gouverneurs de la dite chapelle, et messire Hauves Polnoire, peintre
du Roy, et plusieurs aultres.
APPENDIX B--ELLIOT'S RING
The Ring of the Maid, inscribed with the Holy Names, is often
referred to in her Trial ("Proces," i. 86, 103, 185, 236, 238), and
is mentioned by Bower, the contemporary Scottish chronicler
("Proces," iv. 480), whose work was continued in the "Liber
Pluscardensis." We have also, in the text, Norman's statement that
a copy of this ring was presented by the Maid to Elliot Hume.
While correcting the proof-sheets of this Chronicle, the Translator
received from Mr. George Black, Assistant Keeper of the National
Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh, a copy of his essay on "Scottish
Charms and Amulets" ("Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland," May 8, 1893, p. 488). There, to his astonishment, the
Translator read: "The formula MARI. IHS. occurs on two finger-rings
of silver-gilt, one of which was found at Pluscarden, Elginshire,
and the other in an old graveyard near Fintray House,
Aberdeenshire." Have we in the Pluscarden ring a relic of the Monk
of Pluscarden, the companion of Jeanne d'Arc, the author of "Liber
Pluscardensis"?
Footnotes:
{1} Several copies of this book, the Liber Pluscardensis, are
extant, but the author's original MS. is lost.
{2} This was written after the Act of the Scots Parliament of 1457.
{3} Daggers.
{4} Rude wall surrounding a keep.
{5} Sisters in the rule of St. Francis.
{6} These tricks of sleight-of-hand are attributed by Jean Nider,
in his "Formicarium," to the false Jeanne d'Arc.--A. L.
{7} Very intimate.
{8} When the sky falls and smothers the larks,
{9} This quotation makes it certain that Scott's ballad of Harlaw,
in "The Antiquary," is, at least in part, derived from tradition
{10} This description confirms that of the contemporary town-clerk
of La Rochelle.
{11} The staircase still exists.
{12} "My neck would learn the weight of my more solid proportions."
{13} Neck.
{14} "Frightened by a ghost."
{15} "Airt," i.e. "quarter."
{16} "Fright for fright."
{17} Lameter, a lame.
{18} Bor-brief, certificate of gentle birth.
{19} Howlet, a young owl; a proverb for voracity.
{20} Battle-axe.
{21} Bougran, lustrous white linen.
{22} There are some slight variations, as is natural, in the
Fierbois record.
{23} Equipped for battle.
{24} That is, in the "Liber Pluscardensis."
{25} Englishman.
{26} Heavy and still.
{27} Daughter of God, go on, and I will be thine aid. Go on!
{28} Lyrat, grey.
{29} The king's evil: "ecrouelles," scrofula.
{30} Darg, day's work.
{31} "Par mon martin," the oath which she permitted to La Hire.
{32} See Appendix A, 'Norman's Miracle,' Appendix B, 'Elliot's
Ring.'
{33} That in to say, some two thousand combatants.
{34} Echevins--magistrates.
{35} "Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas."
{36} Pavises--large portable shelters.
{37} Block-houses.
{38} The Grahames had not yet possessed themselves of Netherby.--A.
L.
{39} "Substituting 'or' for 'argent,' his bearings were those of
the distinguished modern novelist of the same name.--A. L.
{40} Cande = Kennedy.
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