[Ivanhoe by Walter Scott]@TWC D-Link bookIvanhoe CHAPTER VI 4/15
On the first point, the Palmer professed ignorance; on the second, he said that the voyage might be safely made by the way of Venice and Genoa, and from thence through France to England.
"Ivanhoe," he said, "was so well acquainted with the language and manners of the French, that there was no fear of his incurring any hazard during that part of his travels." "Would to God," said the Lady Rowena, "he were here safely arrived, and able to bear arms in the approaching tourney, in which the chivalry of this land are expected to display their address and valour.
Should Athelstane of Coningsburgh obtain the prize, Ivanhoe is like to hear evil tidings when he reaches England .-- How looked he, stranger, when you last saw him? Had disease laid her hand heavy upon his strength and comeliness ?" "He was darker," said the Palmer, "and thinner, than when he came from Cyprus in the train of Coeur-de-Lion, and care seemed to sit heavy on his brow; but I approached not his presence, because he is unknown to me." "He will," said the lady, "I fear, find little in his native land to clear those clouds from his countenance.
Thanks, good Pilgrim, for your information concerning the companion of my childhood .-- Maidens," she said, "draw near--offer the sleeping cup to this holy man, whom I will no longer detain from repose." One of the maidens presented a silver cup, containing a rich mixture of wine and spice, which Rowena barely put to her lips.
It was then offered to the Palmer, who, after a low obeisance, tasted a few drops. "Accept this alms, friend," continued the lady, offering a piece of gold, "in acknowledgment of thy painful travail, and of the shrines thou hast visited." The Palmer received the boon with another low reverence, and followed Edwina out of the apartment. In the anteroom he found his attendant Anwold, who, taking the torch from the hand of the waiting-maid, conducted him with more haste than ceremony to an exterior and ignoble part of the building, where a number of small apartments, or rather cells, served for sleeping places to the lower order of domestics, and to strangers of mean degree. "In which of these sleeps the Jew ?" said the Pilgrim. "The unbelieving dog," answered Anwold, "kennels in the cell next your holiness .-- St Dunstan, how it must be scraped and cleansed ere it be again fit for a Christian!" "And where sleeps Gurth the swineherd ?" said the stranger. "Gurth," replied the bondsman, "sleeps in the cell on your right, as the Jew on that to your left; you serve to keep the child of circumcision separate from the abomination of his tribe.
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