“This is indeed the judgment of God,”
said the Grand Master, looking upwards—–“‘Fiat
voluntas tua!’”
So! now ’tis ended, like an old wife’s story.
Webster
When the first moments of surprise were over, Wilfred
of Ivanhoe demanded of the Grand Master, as judge
of the field, if he had manfully and rightfully done
his duty in the combat? “Manfully and rightfully
hath it been done,” said the Grand Master.
“I pronounce the maiden free and guiltless—–The
arms and the body of the deceased knight are at the
will of the victor.”
“I will not despoil him of his weapons,”
said the Knight of Ivanhoe, “nor condemn his
corpse to shame—–he hath fought for
Christendom—–God’s arm, no human
hand, hath this day struck him down. But let
his obsequies be private, as becomes those of a man
who died in an unjust quarrel.—–And
for the maiden—–”
He was interrupted by a clattering of horses’
feet, advancing in such numbers, and so rapidly, as
to shake the ground before them; and the Black Knight
galloped into the lists. He was followed by a
numerous band of men-at-arms, and several knights in
complete armour.
“I am too late,” he said, looking around
him. “I had doomed Bois-Guilbert for mine
own property.—–Ivanhoe, was this well,
to take on thee such a venture, and thou scarce able
to keep thy saddle?”
“Heaven, my Liege,” answered Ivanhoe,
“hath taken this proud man for its victim.
He was not to be honoured in dying as your will had
designed.”
“Peace be with him,” said Richard, looking
steadfastly on the corpse, “if it may be so—–he
was a gallant knight, and has died in his steel harness
full knightly. But we must waste no time —–Bohun,
do thine office!”
A Knight stepped forward from the King’s attendants,
and, laying his hand on the shoulder of Albert de
Malvoisin, said, “I arrest thee of High Treason.”
The Grand Master had hitherto stood astonished at
the appearance of so many warriors.—–He
now spoke.
“Who dares to arrest a Knight of the Temple
of Zion, within the girth of his own Preceptory, and
in the presence of the Grand Master? and by whose
authority is this bold outrage offered?”
“I make the arrest,” replied the Knight—–“I,
Henry Bohun, Earl of Essex, Lord High Constable of
England.”
“And he arrests Malvoisin,” said the King,
raising his visor, “by the order of Richard
Plantagenet, here present.—–Conrade
Mont-Fitchet, it is well for thee thou art born no
subject of mine.—–But for thee, Malvoisin,
thou diest with thy brother Philip, ere the world
be a week older.”
“I will resist thy doom,” said the Grand
Master.
“Proud Templar,” said the King, “thou
canst not—–look up, and behold the
Royal Standard of England floats over thy towers instead
of thy Temple banner!—–Be wise, Beaumanoir,
and make no bootless opposition—–Thy
hand is in the lion’s mouth.”
