Ivanhoe - Penn State University

Ivanhoe
“The Templar is fled,” said De Bracy; “Front-de-Boeuf you “No—only a few outlawed yeomen were around him, and
will never see more. He has found a red grave among the to these his person is unknown. I heard him say he was about
blazing rafters of his own castle and I alone am escaped to tell to depart from them. He joined them only to assist at the
you.”
storming of Torquilstone.”
“Cold news,” said Waldemar, “to us, though you speak of “Ay,” said Fitzurse, “such is indeed the fashion of Richard—
fire and conflagration.”
a true knight-errant he, and will wander in wild adventure,
“The worst news is not yet said,” answered De Bracy; and, trusting the prowess of his single arm, like any Sir Guy or Sir
coming up to Prince John, he uttered in a low and emphatic Bevis, while the weighty affairs of his kingdom slumber, and
tone—“Richard is in England—I have seen and spoken with his own safety is endangered.—What dost thou propose to
him.”
do De Bracy?”
Prince John turned pale, tottered, and caught at the back of “I?—I offered Richard the service of my Free Lances, and
an oaken bench to support himself —much like to a man he refused them—I will lead them to Hull, seize on ship-
who receives an arrow in his bosom.
ping, and embark for Flanders; thanks to the bustling times,
“Thou ravest, De Bracy,” said Fitzurse, “it cannot be.” a man of action will always find employment. And thou,
“It is as true as truth itself,” said De Bracy; “I was his pris- Waldemar, wilt thou take lance and shield, and lay down
oner, and spoke with him.”
thy policies, and wend along with me, and share the fate
“With Richard Plantagenet, sayest thou?” continued Fitzurse. which God sends us?”
“With Richard Plantagenet,” replied De Bracy, with Rich- “I am too old, Maurice, and I have a daughter,” answered
ard Cœur-de-Lion—with Richard of England.”
Waldemar.
“And thou wert his prisoner?” said Waldemar; “he is then at “Give her to me, Fitzurse, and I will maintain her as fits her
the head of a power?”
rank, with the help of lance and stirrup,” said De Bracy.
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