Philip Augustus: or, the brothers in arms. The works / Rev. ... by the author. Vol. v.

  • George Payne Rainsford James
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Philip Augustus: or, the brothers in arms. The works / Rev. ... by the author. Vol. v. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    107/450 page 85
    A shriek from the women of the Queen here intorruptctl the harangue of the prelate, and all eyes instantly turned upon her. Simple surprise and astonishment had been the first emotion of Agnes de Meranie, at seeing any one bold enough to oppose a will that, according to all her ideas, was resistless; but, gradually, as she began to comprehend the sco])e of the legate’s discourse, terror and distress took possession of her whole frame. Her eyes strained on him, as on some bad angel come to cross her young happiness; her lip quivered; the warm glow of her check waxed faint and pale, like the sunshine fading away from the evening sky ; and, at the last terrible words that seemed to seal her fate for ever, she fell back senseless into the arms of her women. The scene of confusion that ensued is not to be described. “ By the light of heaven, old man!” exclaimed Philip, ‘^were it not for thy grey hairs, I would strike thee dead !—Away with him! Let him speak no more !—Men-at-arms ! put him forth from the lists ! Away with him !—Agnes, my beloved !” he cried, turning to the Queen, and taking her small hand in his, “ awake, awake ! Pear not, dear Agnes! Is your Philip’s love so light as to be shaken by the impotent words of any churchman in Christendom ?” In the meanwhile, the serjeants-at-arms hurried the prelate and his followers from the lists, amidst many a bitter taunt from the minstrels and trouveres, who feared not even then to attack with the most daring satire the vices of the church of Borne. The ladies of Agnes dc Meranie pressed round their fair mistress, sprinkling her with all kinds of essences and perfumed waters; some chattering, some still screaming, and all abusing the daring legate, who had so pained the heart of their lovely queen, and put a stop to the sports of the day. The knights and barons, all linited in the cause of the princess by every motive that had power in the days of chivalry—youth, beauty, innocence, and distress, shouted loudly, that they acknowledged her for their sovereign, the queen of all queens, and the flower of all ladies ! Philip Augustus, with royal indignation still upon his brow, caught gladly at the enthusiasm of his chivalry ; and, standing forward in the front of the gallery, with the inanimate hand of his lovely wife in his left, and pointing to her death-like check with the other, he exclaimed, in a voice that passed all over the field— “ Knights and nobles of fair France ! shall I suffer my hearth to
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