Ivanhoe - Penn State University

my mails, tell down with all speed an hundred crowns to be
expended in masses at the high altar of Jorvaulx Abbey, and
make your vow to eat no venison until next Pentecost, it may
be you shall hear little more of this mad frolic.”
“Holy Father,” said the chief Outlaw, “it grieves me to think
that you have met with such usage from any of my followers,
as calls for your fatherly reprehension.”
“Usage!” echoed the priest, encouraged by the mild tone of
the silvan leader; “it were usage fit for no hound of good
race—much less for a Christian —far less for a priest—and
least of all for the Prior of the holy community of Jorvaulx.
Here is a profane and drunken minstrel, called Allan-a-Dale
—nebulo quidam—who has menaced me with corporal punishment—nay,
with death itself, an I pay not down four hundred
crowns of ransom, to the boot of all the treasure he hath
already robbed me of—gold chains and gymmal rings to an
unknown value; besides what is broken and spoiled among
their rude hands, such as my pouncer-box and silver crisping-
Sir Walter Scott
“It is true as the gospel of Saint Nicodemus,” said the Prior;
“he swore, with many a cruel north-country oath, that he
would hang me up on the highest tree in the greenwood.”
“Did he so in very deed? Nay, then, reverend father, I think
you had better comply with his demands —for Allan-a-Dale
is the very man to abide by his word when he has so pledged
it.” *
“You do but jest with me,” said the astounded Prior, with a
forced laugh; “and I love a good jest with all my heart. But,
ha! ha! ha! when the mirth has lasted the livelong night, it is
time to be grave in the morning.”
“And I am as grave as a father confessor,” replied the Outlaw;
“you must pay a round ransom, Sir Prior, or your convent
is likely to be called to a new election; for your place will
know you no more.”
“Are ye Christians,” said the Prior, “and hold this language
to a churchman?”
“Christians! ay, marry are we, and have divinity among us
tongs.”
*A commissary is said to have received similar consolation
“It is impossible that Allan-a-Dale can have thus treated a
from a certain Commander-in-chief, to whom he complained
man of your reverend bearing,” replied the Captain. that a general officer had used some such threat towards him
as that in the text.
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