Ivanhoe - Penn State University

Ivanhoe
self to Cordova, where thy brother liveth in safety, under the the oppressed of Zion?”
shadow of the throne, even of the throne of Boabdil the “Nay, but,” said the Rabbi, “thou speakest as one that
Saracen; for less cruel are the cruelties of the Moors unto the knoweth not the Gentiles. With gold shalt thou buy their
race of Jacob, than the cruelties of the Nazarenes of England.” valour, even as with gold thou buyest thine own safety. Be of
Isaac listened with tolerable composure while Ben Samuel good courage, and do thou set forward to find out this Wilfred
read the letter, and then again resumed the gestures and excla- of Ivanhoe. I will also up and be doing, for great sin it were to
mations of Oriental sorrow, tearing his garments, besprinkling leave thee in thy calamity. I will hie me to the city of York,
his head with dust, and ejaculating, “My daughter! my daugh- where many warriors and strong men are assembled, and doubt
ter! flesh of my flesh, and bone of my bone!”
not I will find among them some one who will do battle for
“Yet,” said the Rabbi, “take courage, for this grief availeth thy daughter; for gold is their god, and for riches will they
nothing. Gird up thy loins, and seek out this Wilfred, the son pawn their lives as well as their lands.—Thou wilt fulfil, my
of Cedric. It may be he will help thee with counsel or with brother, such promise as I may make unto them in thy name?”
strength; for the youth hath favour in the eyes of Richard, “Assuredly, brother,” said Isaac, “and Heaven be praised that
called of the Nazarenes Coeur-de-Lion, and the tidings that he raised me up a comforter in my misery. Howbeit, grant them
hath returned are constant in the land. It may be that be may not their full demand at once, for thou shalt find it the qual-
obtain his letter, and his signet, commanding these men of ity of this accursed people that they will ask pounds, and
blood, who take their name from the Temple to the dishonour peradventure accept of ounces—Nevertheless, be it as thou
thereof, that they proceed not in their purposed wickedness.” willest, for I am distracted in this thing, and what would my
“I will seek him out,” said Isaac, “for he is a good youth, gold avail me if the child of my love should perish!”
and hath compassion for the exile of Jacob. But he cannot “Farewell,” said the physician, “and may it be to thee as thy
bear his armour, and what other Christian shall do battle for heart desireth.”
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