The Talisman

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wars betwixt the two nations — the English fighting for the subjugation of Scotland, and the Scottish, with all the stern determination and obstinacy which has ever characterized their nation, for the defence of their independence, by the most violent means, under the most disadvantageous circumstances, and at the most extreme hazard. As yet, wars betwixt the two nations, though fierce and frequent, had been conducted on principles of fair hostility, and admitted of those soft

battle, tended much to conciliate the troops of both nations. But upon his illness, and the disadvantageous circumstances in which the Crusaders were placed, the national disuni

, and their southern neighbours would brook no equality. There were charges and recriminations, and both the common soldiery and their leaders and commanders, who had been good comrades in time of victory, lowered on each other in the period of adversity, as if their union had not been then more essential than ever, not only to the success of their common caus

erent — and rough and dangerous to any against whom he entertained a prejudice. De Vaux had never observed without jealousy and displeasure his King exhibit any mark of courtesy or favour to the wicked, deceitful, and ferocious race born on the other side of a river, or an imaginary line drawn through waste and wilderness; and he even doubted the success of a Crusade in which they were suffered to bear arms, holding them in his secret soul little better than the Saracens whom he came to combat. It may be added that, a

hey encountered on the march and in camp. The Scottish barons and knights were not men to bear his scorn unobserved or unreplied to; and it came to that pass that he was regarded as the determined and active enemy of a nation, whom, after all, he only disliked, and in some sort despised. Nay, it was remarked by close observers that, if he had not towards them the charity of Scripture, which suffereth long, and judges kindly, he was by no means deficient in the subordinate and limited virtue, which alleviate

by the pipes, shalms, and kettle-drums of the Saracens; and at the bottom of an avenue of tents, which formed a broad access to the pavilion of Richard, he could see a crowd of idle soldiers assembled around the spot from which the music was heard, almost in the centre of the camp; and he saw, with gre

lags of truce and other communications from the enemy at an appointed place without the barriers — th

ty step, as a Spaniard or a Scot; and presently after muttered to himself, “And a Scot it

I know thee, but I will hold no communication with thee.” But his purpose was defeated by the Northern Knight, who moved forward

me? But say your pleasure, so it be shor

ore nearly,” answered Sir Kennet

, and replied, “Thou art no leech, I think, Sir Scot; I had

ly, answered calmly, “Health to Richard is glory and wealth to Ch

nd be told more distinctly. The sick chambers of princes

ve to tell, must, for the present, cause me to pass over a bearing which else I were unapt to endure. In

; “and who will warrant that he bri

— his head, which he

d his own life as little as it deserved, and would troop to the

held by the Soldan, and with fruits and refreshments for the King’s private chamber, and such message as may pass betwixt honourable enemies, praying him to be recovered of his fever, that he may be the fitter to receive a visit from the Soldan, with his

o will vouch for the honour of Saladin, in a case when bad

th, “will be his guarantee, w

for the South — the Scot for the Turk! May I crave of yo

e of which,” replied Sir Kenneth “I had a message

h it, Sir Kenneth, and with

, my lord,” an

ncil of England,” said

the personal fortunes of England’s sovereign, I was dispatched by the General Council of the kings,

s thou mayest be, no leech shall approach the sick-bed of Richard of England without the consent

posite to him, asked, in a calm voice, yet not without expressing his share of

nsible of his own injustice, and perceiving that Kenneth’s colour rose, he added, “For a good knigh

equal to my ancient gentry, and as sure as I am a belted knight, and come hither to acquire LOS [Los — laus, praise, or renown] and fame in this mortal life, and forgiveness of my sins in that whi

ght of the Leopard, granting (which I do not doubt) that thou art thyself satisfied in this matter, shall I do well, in a land where the art of

our holy enterprise. This leech, this El Hakim, hath ministered remedies to him not two hours since, and already he hath fallen into a refreshing sleep. That he can cure the disorder, which has proved so fatal, I nothing doubt; that he hath the purpose to do it is, I think,

ted, yet was not unwilling to receive conviction. At length

bles and knights of Scotland feed not so high, sleep not so soft, and care not for the magnificence of lodgment which is Proper to their southern neighbours. I am

eny that some of these were excited by its proverbial poverty, he had too much nobleness of disposition to enjoy the

hen pressing forward to the conquest of the Holy City. Fare as hard as we may, we shall yet be better than the h

ometimes happen), that it did not entirely express his own sentiments, being somewhat a lover of good cheer and splend

the knight had demanded ground to the extent of his original retinue — partly occupied by a few miserable huts, hastily constructed of boughs, and covered with palm-leaves. These habitations seemed entirely deserted, and several of them were ruinous. The central hut, which represented the pavilion of the leader, was distinguished by his swallow-ta

He also cast around a glance of examination, which implied pity not altogether unmingled with contempt, to which, perhaps, it is as nearly ak

knights showed themselves on pacific occasions, and the other little spare articles of dress and adornment, had been applied by Sir Kenneth to the accommodation of his sick domestic. In an outward part of the hut, which yet was within the range of the English baron’s eye, a boy, rudely attired with buskins of deer’s hide, a blue cap or bonnet, and a doublet, whose original finery was much tarnished, sat on his knees by a chafing-dish filled with charcoal, cooking upon a plate of iron the cakes of barley-bread, which were then, and still are, a favourite food with the Scottish people. Part of an antelope was suspe

art of his face was covered with a long, black beard, which descended over his breast; that he wore a high TOLPACH, a Tartar cap of the lamb’s wool manufactured at Astracan, bearing the same dusky colour; and that his

d without complaint or murmur, would at any time have claimed more reverence from Thomas de Vaux than would all the splendid formalities of a royal presence-chamber,

efore,” said Sir Kenneth, “as I am

a pressure which had more of cordiality than he permitted his words to utter,

ly raised his voice to its usual decided ton

nneth, taste not, to you as to me, the waters of the Clyde c

sing from the place which he had taken near the couch of the sick, and laying the hand of the patient, whose pulse he had been carefully watching, quietl

ken him now is death or deprivation of reason; but return at the hour when the muezzin calls from the minaret to evening prayer in the mosque, and if left undisturbed until then, I promise you t

who seemed fully to comprehend the importance of the Eastern proverb

is kindness. He had no sooner received the notice which he desired, in the shape of a kind word and slight caress, than, eager to acknowledge his gratitude and joy for his master’s return, he flew off at full speed, galloping in full career, and with outstretched tail, here and there, about and around, cross-ways and endlong, through the decayed huts and the esplanade we have described, but nev

roud of his noble hound, and the northern English baron was, of co

e pray you — speaking in all honour and kindness — have you not heard the proclamation that no one under the rank of earl shall keep hunting dog

he forest-laws of that kingdom, nor have I such respect for them as would incline me to do so. When the trumpet sounds to arms, my foot is in the stirrup as soon as any — wh

g’s ordinance; so, with your good leave, I, as having authority

ind Roswal at disadvantage, and do him some injury, which I should not, perhaps, be slow in returning, and so ill might come of it. You have seen so much of my house-keeping, my lord,” he added, with a smile, “that I need not shame to say that Roswal is our principal purveyor, and well I hope our

” said the baron, “there is something in these words, vert a

e shires of York and Nottingham, having at their head a most stout archer, called Robin Hood, with his lieutenant, Little J

I must now bid you adieu, having presently to return to the King’s pavilion. At vespers I will again, with your leave, visit your quarters, an

hath already stocked my larder for two weeks, since the sun of

himself at more length of the circumstances attending the mission of the Eastern physician, and received from t