the monk(僧侣)-第51章

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To　fight　in　a　far　distant　land；　　　　
Your　tears　for　my　absence　soon　leaving　to　flow；　　
Some　Other　will　court　you；　and　you　will　bestow　　　　
On　a　wealthier　Suitor　your　hand。'

'Oh！　hush　these　suspicions；'　Fair　Imogine　said；　　　　
'Offensive　to　Love　and　to　me！　　
For　if　ye　be　living；　or　if　ye　be　dead；　　
I　swear　by　the　Virgin；　that　none　in　your　stead　　　　
Shall　Husband　of　Imogine　be。

'If　e'er　I　by　lust　or　by　wealth　led　aside　　　　
Forget　my　Alonzo　the　Brave；　　
God　grant；　that　to　punish　my　falsehood　and　pride　
Your　Ghost　at　the　Marriage　may　sit　by　my　side；　　
May　tax　me　with　perjury；　claim　me　as　Bride；　　　　
And　bear　me　away　to　the　Grave！'

To　Palestine　hastened　the　Hero　so　bold；　　　　
His　Love；　She　lamented　him　sore：　　
But　scarce　had　a　twelve…month　elapsed；　when　behold；　　
A　Baron　all　covered　with　jewels　and　gold　　　　
Arrived　at　Fair　Imogine's　door。

His　treasure；　his　presents；　his　spacious　domain　　　　
Soon　made　her　untrue　to　her　vows：　　
He　dazzled　her　eyes；　He　bewildered　her　brain；　　
He　caught　her　affections　so　light　and　so　vain；　　　　
And　carried　her　home　as　his　Spouse。

And　now　had　the　Marriage　been　blest　by　the　Priest；　　　　
The　revelry　now　was　begun：　　
The　Tables；　they　groaned　with　the　weightof　the　Feast；　　
Nor　yet　had　the　laughter　and　merriment　ceased；　　　
When　the　Bell　of　the　Castle　told；'One！'

Then　first　with　amazement　Fair　Imogine　found　　　　
That　a　Stranger　was　placed　by　her　side：　　His　air　was　terrific；　
He　uttered　no　sound；　　He　spoke　not；　He　moved　not；　
He　looked　not　around；　　　　
But　earnestly　gazed　on　the　Bride。

His　vizor　was　closed；　and　gigantic　his　height；　　　　
His　armour　was　sable　to　view：　　
All　pleasure　and　laughter　were　hushed　at　his　sight；　　
The　Dogs　as　They　eyed　him　drew　back　in　affright；　　　　
The　Lights　in　the　chamber　burned　blue！

His　presence　all　bosoms　appeared　to　dismay；　　　　
The　Guests　sat　in　silence　and　fear。　　
At　length　spoke　the　Bride；　while　She　trembled；
'I　pray；　　Sir　Knight；　that　your　Helmet　aside　you　would　lay；　　　
And　deign　to　partake　of　our　chear。'

The　Lady　is　silent：　　The　Stranger　complies。　　　　
His　vizor　lie　slowly　unclosed：　　
Oh！　God！　what　a　sight　met　Fair　Imogine's　eyes！　
What　words　can　express　her　dismay　and　surprize；　　　　
When　a　Skeleton's　head　was　exposed。

All　present　then　uttered　a　terrified　shout；　　　　
All　turned　with　disgust　from　the　scene。　　
The　worms；　They　crept　in；　and　the　worms；　They　crept　out；　　
And　sported　his　eyes　and　his　temples　about；　　　
While　the　Spectre　addressed　Imogine。

'Behold　me；　Thou　false　one！　Behold　me！'　He　cried；　　　　
'Remember　Alonzo　the　Brave！　　
God　grants；　that　to　punish　thy　falsehood　and　pride　　
My　Ghost　at　thy　marriage　should　sit　by　thy　side；　　
Should　tax　thee　with　perjury；　claim　thee　as　Bride　　　　
And　bear　thee　away　to　the　Grave！'

Thus　saying；　his　arms　round　the　Lady　He　wound；　　　　
While　loudly　She　shrieked　in　dismay；　　
Then　sank　with　his　prey　through　the　wide…yawning　ground：　　
Nor　ever　again　was　Fair　Imogine　found；　　　
Or　the　Spectre　who　bore　her　away。

Not　long　lived　the　Baron；　and　none　since　that　time　　　　
To　inhabit　the　Castle　presume：　　
For　Chronicles　tell；　that　by　order　sublime　
There　Imogine　suffers　the　pain　of　her　crime；　　　　
And　mourns　her　deplorable　doom。

At　midnight　four　times　in　each　year　does　her　Spright　　　　
When　Mortals　in　slumber　are　bound；　　
Arrayed　in　her　bridal　apparel　of　white；　　
Appear　in　the　Hall　with　the　Skeleton…Knight；　　　
And　shriek；　as　He　whirls　her　around。

While　They　drink　out　of　skulls　newly　torn　from　the　grave；　　　
Dancing　round　them　the　Spectres　are　seen：　　
Their　liquor　is　blood；　and　this　horrible　Stave　　
They　howl。'To　the　health　of　Alonzo　the　Brave；　　　　
And　his　Consort；　the　False　Imogine！'

The　perusal　of　this　story　was　ill…calculated　to　dispel　Antonia's
melancholy。　　She　had　naturally　a　strong　inclination　to　the
marvellous；　and　her　Nurse；　who　believed　firmly　in　Apparitions；
had　related　to　her　when　an　Infant　so　many　horrible　adventures　of
this　kind；　that　all　Elvira's　attempts　had　failed　to　eradicate
their　impressions　from　her　Daughter's　mind。　　Antonia　still
nourished　a　superstitious　prejudice　in　her　bosom：　　She　was　often
susceptible　of　terrors　which；　when　She　discovered　their　natural
and　insignificant　cause；　made　her　blush　at　her　own　weakness。　
With　such　a　turn　of　mind；　the　adventure　which　She　had　just　been
reading　sufficed　to　give　her　apprehensions　the　alarm。　　The　hour
and　the　scene　combined　to　authorize　them。　　It　was　the　dead　of
night：　She　was　alone；　and　in　the　chamber　once　occupied　by　her
deceased　Mother。　　The　weather　was　comfortless　and　stormy：　　The
wind　howled　around　the　House；　the　doors　rattled　in　their　frames；
and　the　heavy　rain　pattered　against　the　windows。　　No　other　sound
was　heard。　　The　Taper；　now　burnt　down　to　the　socket；　sometimes
flaring　upwards　shot　a　gleam　of　light　through　the　room；　then
sinking　again　seemed　upon　the　point　of　expiring。　　Antonia's　heart
throbbed　with　agitation：　　Her　eyes　wandered　fearfully　over　the
objects　around　her；　as　the　trembling　flame　illuminated　them　at
intervals。　　She　attempted　to　rise　from　her　seat；　But　her　limbs
trembled　so　violently　that　She　was　unable　to　proceed。　　She　then
called　Flora；　who　was　in　a　room　at　no　great　distance：　　But
agitation　choaked　her　voice；　and　her　cries　died　away　in　hollow
murmurs。

She　passed　some　minutes　in　this　situation；　after　which　her
terrors　began　to　diminish。　　She　strove　to　recover　herself；　and
acquire　strength　enough　to　quit　the　room：　Suddenly　She　fancied；
that　She　heard　a　low　sigh　drawn　near　her。　　This　idea　brought　back
her　former　weakness。　　She　had　already　raised　herself　from　her
seat；　and　was　on　the　point　of　taking　the　Lamp　from　the　Table。　
The　imaginary　noise　stopped　her：　　She　drew　back　her　hand；　and
supported　herself　upon　the　back　of　a　Chair。　　She　listened
anxiously；　but　nothing　more　was　heard。

'Gracious　God！'　She　said　to　herself；　'What　could　be　that　sound？　
Was　I　deceived；　or　did　I　really　hear　it？'

Her　reflections　were　interrupted　by　a　noise　at　the　door　scarcely
audible：　　It　seemed　as　if　somebody　was　whispering。　　Antonia's
alarm　increased：　　Yet　the　Bolt　She　knew　to　be　fastened；　and　this
idea　in　some　degree　reassured　her。　　Presently　the　Latch　was
lifted　up　softly；　and　the　Door　moved　with　caution　backwards　and
forwards。　　Excess　of　terror　now　supplied　Antonia　with　that
strength；　of　which　She　had　till　then　been　deprived。　　She　started
from　her　place　and　made　towards　the　Closet　door；　whence　She
might　soon　have　reached　the　chamber　where　She　expected　to　find
Flora　and　Dame　Jacintha。　　Scarcely　had　She　reached　the　middle　of
the　room　when　the　Latch　was　lifted　up　a　second　time。　　An
involuntary　movement　obliged　her　to　turn　her　head。　　Slowly　and
gradually　the　Door　turned　upon　its　hinges；　and　standing　upon　the
Threshold　She　beheld　a　tall　thin　Figure；　wrapped　in　a　white
shroud　which　covered　it　from　head　to　foot。

This　vision　arrested　her　feet：　　She　remained　as　if　petrified　in
the　middle　of　the　apartment。　　The　Stranger　with　measured　and
solemn　steps　drew　near　the　Table。　　The　dying　Taper　darted　a　blue
and　melancholy　flame　as　the　Figure　advanced　towards　it。　　Over　the
Table　was　fixed　a　small　Clock；　The　hand　of　it　was　upon　the　stroke
of　three。　　The　Figure　stopped　opposite　to　the　Clock：　　It　raised
its　right　arm；　and　pointed　to　the　hour；　at　the　same　time　looking
earnestly　upon　Antonia；　who　waited　for　the　conclusion　of　this
scene；　motionless　and　silent。

The　figure　remained　in　this　posture　for　some　moments。　The　clock
struck。　　When　the　sound　had　ceased；　the　Stranger　advanced　yet　a
few　steps　nearer　Antonia。

'Yet　three　days；'　said　a　voice　faint；　hollow；　and　sepulchral；
'Yet　three　days；　and　we　meet　again！'

Antonia　shuddered　at　the　words。

'We　meet　again？'　She　pronounced　at　length　with　difficulty：　
'Where　shall　we　meet？　　Whom　shall　I　meet？'

The　figure　pointed　to　the　ground　with　one　hand；　and　with　the
other　raised　the　Linen　which　covered　its　face。

'Almighty　God！　My　Mother！'

Antonia　shrieked；　and　fell　lifeless　upon　the　floor。

Dame　Jacintha　who　was　at　work　in　a　neighbouring　chamber；　was
alarmed　by　the　cry：　　Flora　was　just　gone　down　stairs　to　fetch
fresh　oil　for　the　Lamp；　by　which　they　had　been　sitting。　　Jacintha
therefore　hastened　alone　to　Antonia's　assistance；　and　great　was
her　amazement　to　find　her　extended　upon　the　floor。　　She　raised
her　in　her　arms；　conveyed　her　to　her　apartment；　and　placed　her
upon　the　Bed　still　senseless。　　She　then　proceeded　to　bathe　her
temples；　chafe　her　hands；　and　use　all　possible　means　of　bringing
her　to　herself。　　With　some　difficulty　She　succeeded。　　Antonia
opened　her　eyes；　and　looked　round　her　wildly。

'Where　is　She？'　She　cried　in　a　trembling　voice；　'Is　She　gone？　　Am
I　safe？　　Speak　to　me！　　Comfort　me！　　Oh！　speak　to　me　for　God's
sake！'

'Safe　from　whom；　my　Child？'　replied　the　astonished　Jacintha；
'What　alarms　you？　　Of　whom　are　you　afraid？'

'In　three　days！　She　told　me　that　we　should　meet　in　three　days！　　I
heard　her　say　it！　　I　saw　her；　Jacintha；　I　saw　her　but　this
moment！'

She　threw　herself　upon　Jacintha's　bosom。

'You　saw　her？　　Saw　whom？'

'My　Mother's　Ghost！'

'Christ　Jesus！'　cried　Jacintha；　and　starting　from　the　Bed；　let
fall　Antonia　upon　the　pillow；　and　fled　in　consternation　out　of
the　room。

As　She　hastened　down　stairs；　She　met　Flora　ascending　them。

'Go　to　your　Mistress；　Flora；'　said　She；　'Here　are　rare　doings！　
Oh！　I　am　the　most　unfortunate　Woman　alive！　　My　House　is　filled
with　Ghosts　and　dead　Bodies；　and　the　Lord　knows　what　besides；　Yet
I　am　sure；　nobody　likes　such　company　less　than　I　do。　　But　go
your　way　to　Donna　Antonia；　Flora；　and　let　me　go　mine。'

Thus　saying；　She　continued　her　course　to　the　Street　door；　which
She　opened；　and　without　allowing　herself　time　to　throw　on　her
veil；　She　made　the　best　of　her　way　to　the　Capuchin　Abbey。　　In　the
meanwhile；　Flora　hastened　to　her　Lady's　chamber；　equally
surprized　and　alarmed　at　Jacintha's　consternation。　　She　found
Antonia　lying　upon　the　bed　insensible。　　She　used　the　same　means
for　her　recovery　that　Jacintha　had　already　employed；　But　finding
that　her　Mistress　only　recovered　from　one　fit　to　fall　into
another；　She　sent　in　all　haste　for　a　Physician。　　While　expecting
his　arrival；　She　undrest　Antonia；　and　conveyed　her　to　Bed。

Heedless　of　the　storm；　terrified　almost　out　of　her　senses；
Jacintha　ran　through　the　Streets；　and　stopped　not　till　She
reached　the　Gate　of　the　Abbey。　　She　rang　loudly　at　the　bell；　and
as　soon　as　the　Porter　appeared；　She　desired　permission　to　speak
to　the　Superior。　　Ambrosio　was　then　conferring　with　Matilda　upon
the　means　of　procuring　access　to　Antonia。　　The　cause　of　Elvira's
death　remaining　unknown；　He　was　convinced　that　crimes　were　not　so
swiftly　followed　by　punishment；　as　his　Instructors　the　Monks　had
taught　him；　and　as　till　then　He　had　himself　believed。　　This
persuasion　made　him　resolve　upon　Antonia's　ruin；　for　the
enjoyment　of　whose　person　dangers　and　difficulties　only　seemed　to
have　increased　his　passion。　　The　Monk　had　already　made　one
attempt　to　gain　admission　to　her　presence；　But　Flora　had　refused
him　in　such　a　manner　as　to　convince　him　that　all　future
endeavours　must　be　vain。　　Elvira　had　confided　her　suspicions　to
that　trusty　Servant：　　She　had　desired　her　never　to　leave　Ambrosio
alone