Read Ebook: Leatherface: A Tale of Old Flanders by Orczy Emmuska Orczy Baroness

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Ebook has 129 lines and 21241 words, and 3 pages

Which words, so shrilly spoke, made Echo babble; Who, winged with envy, out o' th' window flies, Carries 'Albino' to the monkish rabble, They, hearing that, Perduers made their eyes And, swelled with rage, against the door did knock, 3940 Whose aged breast could not endure the shock.

This stroke Albino's heart did almost break, Yet bids Bellama sheath her body in These homely rags, which only safety speak. 'Care not for coarseness, so they hide the skin, And at this tinker's habit do not wonder, 'Tis but the curtain thy Albino's under.'

'What tipsied fellows at my door do beat Thus early,' quoth mine host, 'is this your manners? What? must mine hostess wait upon th' entreat 3950 Of tailors, cobblers, carpenters, and tanners? If drinking be your errand, where ye got Your last night's fuddling-cap, this morning trot.'

Impatient they did make the door unhinge, Which gave an entrance to enraged Bardino. He to the reverend host did lowly cringe, Told him his errand was to seek Albino. And as they did his homely cottage hem, Albino's name came leaping unto them.

'Ho!' quoth mine host, 'unto mine house there came, 3960 Last night for lodging, a stout tinker knave, Who now is ticking with his ragged dame. Go, if with him ye any business have; But who Albino is I cannot tell. Here's no sike mon does penance in my cell.'

Into the arras-ceil?d parlour then, The copesters went, in every corner snooked, The tinker's visage none of them did ken, But for Albino on Albino looked. Well might he cozen them, whenas his saint 3970 Knew not his face under that mask of paint.

Then as they search?d every place by chance Conrado did his monkish vestments own He lent Felice at their affiance. The host, perceiving that the clothes were known, Said, 'Yesterday, about the after three, A fellow came and pawned those clothes to me.'

They asked Bellama then why she did call Upon Albino. 'Why, forsooth,' said she, 'I was a servant once in Darwey Hall, 3980 Where that young monk I oftentimes did see; Who oft in private would disport with me, And promised that I should his sweeting be.

But, by misfortune being turned away, This jovial tinker took me unto wife, So, as this morn by his warm side I lay, I of Albino dreamed--my joy, my life.' 'He's not thy mon,' quoth Maudge; 'thou li'st, base drab': 'Peace, housewife,' says mine host, 'you tattling blab.'

Thus had the scene been changed, had not the sire 3990 Suppressed her babblings with a check and grin. The monks, well satisfied, gang to the fire To taste the juice of Kate's old kilderkin. The tinker and mine host would always cry, 'Fill, hostess, fill! the monks are still a-dry.'

Drink full ones, tinker, methinks the monks are dry, Drink healths, mine host, the monks do fear a thirst. Are the monks thirsty? the monks will quickly try If they or the tinker want a pillow first. Else will we jig and hay unto the black pot's sound, 4000 Till to that music the house shall dance the round.

Then fill a dozen, hostess, we'll have a merry cup, And make the tinker forfeit his budget and his brass. 'Faith,' says the tinker, 'I'll make your monkships sup Till ye sing requiems in reading of the mass.' Then fill a gallon, hostess, we'll health it all about, Till all complain o' th' headache, the falling, or the gout.

Come on, dropping shavelings, let's see you count your beads, I am half afraid you'll stutter in the mass. Gramercy, lovely pots, and nimble Ganymedes, 4010 That brought more water than what holy was. Well, saucy tinker, well, pray finger you your brass, And let the monks alone, 'lone, they'll finger well the mass.

But base Bardino did this mirth eclipse 4020 , Viewing the travail of his hand, his lips, He, by a secret mark, Albino kenned. For, by some strange mishap, was set a brand, An azure spot upon his abler hand.

Says he, 'Methinks you are too frolic, tinker, Your mirth I fear presageth your disgrace, You must no longer be mine hostess' skinker, For you will say, unless y' have brazed your face-- That you both see and do Albino know: 4030 If you deny 't, I have your hand to show.

During the time that you were cowled and coped, On your right hand there dwelt a cerule mark, Which ne'er would off, although 'twas often soaped.' 'Well,' quoth mine host, 'but pray your worship, hark, May not two men be like? may there not be The selfsame spot of him, and you, and me?'

This could not yet appease Bardino's hate, Still teeming mischief, and with envy big; So, starting up, he fumed, and loud did prate, 4040 And snatch?d off Albino's periwig. Now 'gainst two witnesses he could not stand, Whenas his head bore witness with his hand.

Albino excused, it was by nature so, Saying no razor e'er did touch his skull. 'No,' says Bardino, 'it again does grow; Thou canst not with this fop my wisdom gull. Keep him, my brethren, and meanwhile I will Fetch the watch-beggar and his rusty bill.'

Bellama did meanwhile what language can, 4050 With oil?d words and pity-pleading tears, Beseeching these to free her wedd?d man. But to her voice they cottoned had their ears, Until an Angel did appear unto them, And with his goldy looks and music woo them.

Then did they yield to let them go away, And they meantime would feign a deading sleep. They for a second licence would not stay, But hasting out along the ditches creep. And as they went a raddle-man they meet, 4060 Whom with kind airs and highway phrase they greet.

And, greeting past, Albino did require To change apparel with him, and his trade, Giving him cash to hasten his desire. 'With all my heart,' the raddle-younker said ; 'yet, by the mass, My dames will say I am a podging ass.'

Thus changed they clothes and budgets: then with lead On the new tinker's hand Albino made A mark like his, to gull his envious bead. 4070 With raddle-crimson then, fit for his trade, He clothed his face, and gave Bellama some, So trudged away, for fear the monk should come.

Have you beheld a hound in sudden fright, Whom powder feared, or else the staff did beat, How oft he turns, and looks, yet keeps on flight? So they, with glancing eyes, would oft retreat, Yet mov?d forward still as in a ship The pilots backward look, yet forward skip.

But our new tinker, swell?d with content, 4080 Fearing no colours, to the town did pass, Crying, as he along the hamlet went, 'Ha y' any need ho! of a tinker's brass?' Bardino now returned in a chafe, And ask'd the tinker's name, who answer'd, 'Rafe.'

'Where dwell'st thou?' 'Anywhere?' 'How long Hast tink'ring used?' 'I cannot tell.' Then 'bout the tinker all the monks did throng, Whilst he, poor fellow, thought h' had been in hell. For till that day he never saw such creatures, 4090 And what they were he knew not by their features.

Bardino fear?d this was but a gull, And says, 'Good fellow, let me see thy hand.' 'I'm not asham'd to show 't, by cock and bull.' Bardino, viewing 't well, espied the brand, And says, 'Sir youth, before you cozened me: But now in sooth I will be meet with thee.'

'Devil or friar, whatsoe'er thou art, What taunting language dost thou give to me? Ha!' quoth the tinker. Quoth Bardino, 'Smart 4100 Shall give a comment of my words to thee.' 'Smart?' quoth the tinker. 'Swig for Smart and you: I bid defiance unto all thy crew.

Talk not to me of Smart: for if you prate This knotty staff shall bastinado you. I'll set a scarlet cap upon thy pate, And lace thy shoulders with a purple blue.' 'Peace, honest tinker,' say the other monks. 'Aye! I will peace it, if I catch the hunks.'

But let the monks and tinker take their chances. 4110 We'll view the travels of our raddle-man, With faint Bellam', whom every fear entrances, And every trance does make her roses wan. Thus far their loves have tragi-comic been, Thwarted by Fate and the unconstant Queen.

But every planet with kind aspect now Views their long-travelled loves; and Venus' boy Smiles on their wishes with auspicious brow. Now a full harvest must they have of joy, Though sowed with black disasters, dangers, fears, 4120 Dispair, hope, doubtings, sad complaints, and tears.

For aged Starley's tow'rs Within the kenning of our lovers stood. And the well-tun?d bells did loud proclaim Joy to the lovers in great Hymen's name.

A near ally Albino in this town had, Whose voice he hoped with joy their loves should crown. 4130 But he, a slave in raddle vestures clad And a ragged Marget seeing, started back, Bidding his knaveship to some other pack.

He would have no commerce with such as he, He had no ewes whose backs did want his raddle, And if he over-saucy needs would be, With a good bat he would his gaskins swaddle. 'The Provost Marshal else, if this does fail, Shall show you lodging in the whipstock jail.'

This language sounded in Bellama's ears 4140 Like the sad voice of death, yet fear no slaughter. To joy straight changed shall be this scene of tears, And stead of grief the child of pleasure, laughter. My promise stands unshaked: for this short anger Brings not their loves nor safeties unto danger.

'Sir,' quoth Albino, 'there was once a time When you esteemed those wing?d minutes sainted You spent with me , For you and I have better been acquainted; Though some disasters and stern Fate have made 4150 Me take this homely garb and homelier trade.

Some blood which in your azure channels glide Dwells in my veins: I am Albino hight, And lest you think this smells too much of pride, View this triangle on my able right.' That sight unto rejoicings beat alarms, His kinsman then ensphered him in his arms.

So led them both under his arch?d roof, Breathing kind welcomes from his courteous lips; Excus'd his ignorance and sharp reproof, 4160 Asked what misfortune did his worth eclipse. Demanding how coy Fortune dealt with him, And who she was that was so passing trim?

'Unless high heavens do forbid the bane, This maid shall be my bride, though homely dressed; Clothes oftentimes the purest beauty stain, And Venus most unclothed is cloth?d best. Under this roof of rags Bellama dwells, Fraught with diviner worth than nature spells.'

'Hymen enrich your wishes with content, 4170 As benign heaven has enriched your face With nature's glory, beauty's orient,' Says the Carthusian with a comely grace; 'Thrice welcome! welcome! for your lovely grace Will add a lustre to my homely place.'

'Sir, my endeavours shall be wholly spent Henceforth,' quoth she, 'to recompense your air.' 'This is no time, forsooth, to compliment, Prithee adjourn thy words of courtship, fair, For till our hands be joined as well as hearts 4180 I fear', quoth he, 'supplanting Envy's darts.

Good cousin, ere the next day's sun be rolled Th' Apogaeum, our meridian point, Favour our wishes with the "have and hold". Tie us so fast fate may not us disjoint. For Envy, like a snake, does crawl about, And winds her tail in where she holes her snout.

Omit no nuptial rites; with holy oil Let her anoint the posts, with virgin hand To Janus consecrate the wether's spoil, 4190 And to those gods which for our households stand, Procure horn torches to be borne along, And cry "Thalassus!" with a bridal song.

Provide me store of nuts to throw about With a full hand unto the gaping boys, That from the tumults of the struggling rout All voices may be damped that speak not joys. Over us two let the same Flamine fall, And let the wheaten cake consummate all.

Nor will we manumiss these robes of state, 4200 Within whose walls blest safety only dwells. Lest our known faces, and apparel, prate In louder echoes than the marriage bells. Then say, fair lady, truth I do not jeer, Will you be wedded to a scarleteer?'

Quoth she, with blushes carpeting her cheek, 'And is that question, prithee, yet to ask? Your worth does merit the unequalled Greek, Without nun-penance or Alcides' task. Then pray you 4210 Will you be married to a tinker's trull?'

Thus sleep and mirth did cut the night: and ere The sovereignty was ta'en from Cynthia's horn, When at East's casement newly did appear The orient brightness of the rising morn, Albino rose, and to the church did haste T' un-nun Bellama and ungird her waist.

When the Carthusian's voice had crowned their amours With an assurance of Thalassian joys, The air was thinn?d with the joyful clamours 4220 but of grammar boys; And our fresh sponsants in that height of mirth To every pleasure gave an easy birth.

Now are they landed on the isle of bliss, Where every joy courts their desires with pleasure; Envy did then her snaky train dismiss, For their espousals did all sweet entreasure. Dead grief bequeathed her stings to thorn and thistle. Nor durst a sigh within those borders whistle.

Then, as sea-merchants when their reeling galley, 4230 Drunk with salt Neptune, hazardeth their breaths, To calm bold tempest and the Triton's valley, Hack on the quiet shore their brack?d sheaths, So did our amorists, half wrack'd with eye-men, Devote their raddle vests to Love and Hymen.

Some marrow-lancing eye perchance may quarrel, 'Cause with the bridal torch my muse expires; And in loud jeers his tow'ring voice apparel, Taxing the faintness of my metric fires, Because my lines tread not the common path 4240 Of fortune, issue, and appeasing wrath.

Perhaps I dare not lengthen out my story With those events succeeding time begot, Lest some disaster should eclipse their glory, And the pure ermines of their pleasures spot. For having screwed them into firm embraces, I will not waken hate or rouse disgraces.

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