The Castle of Otranto

plumage on the miraculous casque shaken in co

ount of Falconara, "what mean these portents? If I have offen

Manfred. "Holy Father! will you

urself to the church; and cease to persecute her ministers. Dismiss this innocent youth; and learn to

said Manfred. "Father, do you go to the

e life of Theodore?

red; "but inquire

son, discharged a flood of tears,

o go to the gat

Highness would excuse my thanking yo

y the Prince. I do not deserve that yo

o was without, was a

hom?" s

bre," said the Herald; "and I must

words it had been uttered. The first sounds struck Manfred with terror; but when

business for Monks: I will meet this presumptuous man myself. Go to your convent and prepare the Pr

ss did but this instant freely pardon my child-hav

her it even notifies its will through Friars-but that is your affair, not mine. At present you know my p

some of his attendants to carry Theodore to the top of the black tower, and guard him strictly; scarce permitting the father and son to exchange a

said the Prince, "wha

a, daughter of that Prince, whom thou hast basely and traitorously got into thy power, by bribing her false guardians during his absence; and he requires thee to resign the principality of Otranto, which thou hast usurped from the said Lo

braggart who sends

omes to make good his Lord's claim against thee, as h

had married a beautiful young lady, of whom he was enamoured, and who had died in childbed of Isabella. Her death affected him so much that he had taken the cross and gone to the Holy Land, where he was wounded in an engagement against the infidels, made prisoner, and reported to be dead. When the news reached Manfred's ears, he bribed the guardians of the Lady Isabella to deliver her up to him as a bride for his son Conrad, by which alliance he had proposed to unite t

converse with him. Bid him welcome to my castle, where by my faith, as I am a true Knight, he shall have courteous reception, and full security for himself and followers. If we c

three obeisanc

e will of her Lord; and though he did not doubt but he could alarm her piety not to consent to a divorce, if he could get access to her; yet should Manfred discover that the obstruction came from him, it might be equally fatal to Theodore. He was impatient to know whence came the Herald, who with so little manag

rue that we have lost our ex

est thou, brother? I come this instant from

the chapel to pray for her happy transit to a better life, and willed me to wait thy arrival. They know thy holy attachment to that good Lady, and are anxious for the affliction it will

I tell thee I come from the castle, and left

ritual comfort. I reminded her of the transitory condition of mortality, and advised

Hippolita is well-at least I trust in the Lord she is; I heard nothing to the contrary-

"she wept much, and said she

ld equal the good man's perplexity. He judged that Isabella, suspecting Manfred of having precipitated his wife's death, had taken the alarm, and withdrawn herself to some more secret place of concealment. This new flight would probably carry the Prince's fury to the height. The report of Hippolita's death, though it seemed almost incredible, increased hi

led horse. Two heralds on each side of a gentleman on horseback bearing a banner with the arms of Vicenza and Otranto quarterly-a circumstance that much offended Manfred-but he stifled his resentment. Two more pages. The Knight's confessor telling his beads. Fifty more footmen clad as before. Two Knights habited in complete armour, their beavers down, comrades to the principal Knight. The squires of the two Knights, carrying their shields and devices

ut his attention was soon diverted by a tempest of wind that rose behind him. He turned and beheld the Plumes of the enchanted helmet agitated in the same extraordinary manner as before. It required intrepid

corn to employ sorcery to carry thy point. Be these omens from heaven or hell, Manfred trusts to the righteousness of his cause and to the aid of St. Nicho

stopped to gaze on the miraculous casque; and kneeling down, seemed to pray inwardly for some minutes. Rising, he made a sign to the Prince

rain, and return to you." The three Knights bowed as accepting his courtesy. Manfred directed the stranger's retinue to be conducted to an adjacent hospital, founded by the Princess Hippolita for the reception of pilgrims. As they made the circuit of the court to return towards the gate, the gigantic sword burst from the supporters, and falling to the ground opposite to the helmet, remained immovable. Manfred, almost hardene

you come in the name of Frederic of Vicenza; I have ever heard that he was a gallant and courteous Knight; nor would he, I am bold to say, think it beneath him to mix in social converse with a Prince that is his equal, and not unknown by deeds in arm

d and crossed himself, and

iking. Since mirth is not your mood, let us be sad. Business may hit your fancies better. Let us withdraw, a

chamber, shut the door, and inviting them to be seated

my dominions to your Lord, who gives himself for the nearest of blood to Prince Alfonso, whose soul God rest! I shall speak to the latter article of your demands first. You must know, your Lord knows, that I enjoy the principality of Otranto from my fa

d it by his good sword and by the favour of St. Nicholas-so did my father; and so, Sirs, will I, come what come will. But Frederic, your Lord, is nearest in blood. I have consented to put my title to the issue of the sword. Does that imply a vicious title? I might have asked, where is Frederic your Lord? Report speaks him dead in captivity. You say, your actions say, he lives-I question it not-I might, Sirs,

ver up the Lady Isabella. Sirs, I must a

ight n

u are authorised to receive her, but, gentl

ight n

st unhappy of men!" (he began to weep); "afford me your compassion; I am entitled to it, indeed I

iscovered sig

disposed of my son. I

er?" cried the chief K

of my son has weaned me from earthly cares. Power and greatness have no longer any charms in my eyes. I wished to transmit the sceptre I had received from my ancestors with honour to my son-but that is over! Life itself is so indifferent to me, that I accepted your defi

gnorance, and seemed curio

my story should be a secret to you? Have you heard

ook the

, then, that I have long been troubled in mind on my union with the Princess Hippolita. Oh! Sirs, if ye were acquainted with that excellent woman! if ye knew that I adore her like a mistress, and cherish her as a friend-but man was not born for perfect happiness! She

each other, wondering

d cont

for those relations? I knew of none but Frederic, your Lord; he was a captive to the infidels, or dead; and were he living, and at home, would he quit the flourishing State of Vicenza for the inconsiderable principality of Otranto? If he would not, could I bear the thought of seeing a hard, unfeeling, Viceroy set over my poor faithful people? for, Sirs, I love my people, and thank heaven am beloved by them. But ye will ask whither tends this long discourse? Briefly, then, thus, Sirs. Heaven in your arrival seems to point out a remedy f

rtainly arrived to notify the Princess's return, Manfred began to excuse himself to the Knights for leaving them for a few moments, but was prevented by the arrival of the Friars. Manfred angrily reprimanded

keeping silence, reproached Manfred in bitter terms for his dark and ambiguous dealing, and demanded the cause of Isabella's first absence from the castle. Manfred, casting a stern look at Jerome, implying a command of silence, pretended that on Conrad's death he had placed her in sanctuary until he could determine how to dispose of her. Jerome, who trembled for his son's life, did not dare contradict this falsehood, but one of

rince! Isabella

finding it vain to divert him from the pursuit, offered to accompany him and summoning his attendants, and taking Jerome and some of the Friars to guide them, they issued

female attendants that Manfred had despatched all his men various ways in pursuit of Isabella. He had in his hurry given this order in general terms, not meaning to extend it to the guard he had set upon Theodore, but forgetting it. The domestics, officious to obey so pere

surmounting all other ties, justifies this act. Fly; the doors of thy prison are open: my father and his dome

y divine protectress? Methought thou namedst thy father. Is it possible? Can Manfred's blood feel holy pity! Lovely Lady, thou answerest not. But how art thou here thys

ilda, signing: "I am Manfred's d

essed myself for yielding thee the service thy g

explanation. Fly, virtuous youth, while it is in my power to save thee: sh

that I will accept of life at the hazard of aught cal

by thy delay. Depart; it cannot be k

, "that thou canst not be suspected; else

d Matilda; "but rest assured tha

dost not deceive me," said Theodore; "and let

the Princess; "t

perhaps shall never know other fortune again: suffer the chaste raptures

tilda. "How would Isabella appr

" said the young

"I am serving a deceitful one. Hast t

ion of divinity," said Theodore; "but thy words are dark and m

re I command thee to be gone: thy blood, which I may preserve

se I would not bring the grey hairs of my father with sorrow to

eous vault by which Isabella escaped; it will lead thee to

, and not thy lovely self that I assis

o more; I tremble to see thee stil

r criminals. Theodore's soul is free from guilt, nor will wear the appearance of it. Give

ldst not dare to lift thy presumptuou

forgotten. But could I gaze on thee, and remember thou art sprung from the tyrant Man

seemed to come from above, star

concluded it the effect of pent-up vapours. And the Princess, preceding Theodore softly, carried him to her

e opposite quarter. Yonder behind that forest to the east is a chain of rocks, hollowed into a labyrinth of caverns that reach to the sea coast. There thou mayst l

the Princess could reply, a clap of thunder was suddenly heard that shook the battlements. Theodore, regardless of the tempest, would have urged his suit: but the Princess, dismayed, retreated hastily into the castle, and commanded the youth to be gone w

llantry of his nature prompted him to wish to assist her; but the Monks could lend him no lights to guess at the route she had taken. He was not tempted to wander far in search of her, for the idea of Matilda had imprinted itself so strongly on his heart, that he co

is mind. In this mood he roved insensibly to the caves which had formerly served as a retreat to hermits, and were now reported round the country to be haunted by evil spirits. He recollected to have heard this tradition; and being of

s valour. Drawing his sabre, he marched sedately onwards, still directing his steps as the imperfect rustling sound before him led the way. The armour he wore was a like indication to the person who avoided him. Theodore, now convinced that he was not mistaken, redoubled his pace, and evidently gained on the person that fled, whose haste increasing, Theodore came up jus

heard that v

Theodore; "unless, as I conject

me, art thou?" And saying those words, she threw herself at

elivered thee from his tyranny, and it shall fare hard with m

known whom I met last night in the vault of the castle? Sure thou

for thy deliverer, it will accomplish its work, and strengthen my arm in thy cause. But come, Lady, we are too near the mouth

s speak the purity of your soul, is it fitting that I should accompany you alone into these per

at the hazard of my life to guard their entrance against every living thing. Besides, Lady," continued he, drawing a deep sigh, "beauteous and all perfect as your form is, and though

red to encourage her, but in vain. He assured her he would die rather than suffer her to return under Manfred's

he had seen a lady enter the passes of the rock. The Knight was preparing to seek her, when Theod

rest to cross my way?" sa

e more than he will p

stand she has taken refuge among these rocks. Impede me

tible," said Theodore. "Return whence thou camest, or

a man, who he concluded was stationed by that Prince to secrete her, confirming his suspicions, he made no reply, but discharging a blow with his sabre at Theodore, would soon have removed all obstruction, if Theodore, who took him for one of Manfred's captains, and who had no sooner given the provocation than prepared to support it, had not received the s

noble stranger. Theodore, notwithstanding his hatred to Manfred, could not behold the victory he had gained without emotions of pity and generosity. But he was more touched when he learned the quality of his adversary, and was informed that he w

f the tyrant; I perceive thou hast made the like mistake. It is too late for

dants; "has nobody a crucifix about

e, "and pour it down his throat,

had been so unfortunate by mistake as to wound a gentleman from her father'

re, the new proof of whose valour recalled her dispersed spirits, she came where the bleeding Knight lay speechless on the ground. But her fears returned when she beheld the domestics o

lding a woman, said, "Art thou-pray tell

e: "good heaven

night, struggling for utterance-

Isabella. "My father! You my father! How came you here, Sir? F

is force; "I am Frederic thy father. Yes, I came to deliv

exhaust yourself; suffer us

the castle? Would you expose my father to the tyrant? If he go

beyond danger; but while I have eyes to dote on thee, forsake me not, dear Isabella! This brave Kn

self to be conducted to the castle. They placed him on a horse belonging to one of the domestics, after binding up his wounds as well a