child christopher-第16章

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s　hall；　I　have　been　brought　hither　by　one　of　you；　and　though　I　have　well…nigh　died　of　joy　because　of　the　suddenness　of　this　meeting；　yet　I　thank　him　therefor。　　For　who　is　this　goodly　and　gracious　young　man　save　the　King's　son　of　Oakenrealm；　Christopher　that　was；　and　that　to　my　certain　knowledge；　for　he　is　my　fosterling　and　my　milk…child；　and　I　took　him　from　the　hands　of　the　midwife　in　the　High　House　of　Oakenham　a　twenty…one　years　ago；　and　they　took　him　from　Oakenham；　and　me　with　him　to　the　house　of　Lord　Richard　the　Lean；　at　Longholms；　and　there　we　dwelt；　but　in　a　little　while　they　took　him　away　from　Longholms　to　I　wot　not　whither；　but　would　not　suffer　me　to　go　along　with　him；　and　ever　sithence　have　I　been　wandering　about　and　hoping　to　see　this　lovely　child　again；　and　now　I　see　him；　what　he　is；　and　again　I　thank　God　and　Allhallows　therefor。〃

Once　more　then　was　there　stir　and　glad　tumult　in　the　hall。　But　Goldilind　stood　wondering；　and　fear　entered　into　her　soul；　for　she　saw　before　her　a　time　of　turmoil　and　unpeace；　and　there　seemed　too　much　between　her　and　the　sweetness　of　her　love。　　Withal　it　must　be　said；　that　for　as　little　as　she　knew　of　courts　and　war…hosts；　she　yet　seemed　to　see　lands　without　that　hall；　and　hosts　marching；　and　mighty　walls　glittering　with　spears；　and　the　banners　of　a　great　King　displayed；　and　Jack　of　the　Tofts　and　his　champions　and　good　fellows　seemed　but　a　frail　defence　against　all　that；　when　once　the　hidden　should　be　shown；　and　the　scantiness　of　the　woodland　should　cry　on　the　abundance　of　the　kingdom　to　bow　down。

Now　she　came　round　the　board　and　stood　beside　Christopher；　and　he　turned　to　her；　and　stood　up　and　took　her　hand；　in　such　wise　that　she　felt　the　caress　of　it；　and　joy　filled　her　soul；　as　if　she　had　been　alone　with　him　in　the　wild…wood。

But　he　spake　and　said：　　〃All　ye　my　friends：　　I　see　and　wot　well　that　ye　would　have　me　sit　in　my　father's　seat　and　be　the　King　of　Oakenrealm；　and　that　ye　will　give　me　help　and　furtherance　therein　to　the　utmost；　nor　will　I　cast　back　the　gift　upon　you；　and　I　will　say　this；　that　when　I　am　King　indeed；　it　is　my　meaning　and　my　will　now；　that　then　I　shall　be　no　less　one　of　you　good　fellows　and　kind　friends　than　ye　have　known　me　hitherto；　and　even　so　I　deem　that　ye　think　of　me。　　But；　good　friends；　it　is　not　to　be　hidden　that　the　road　ye　would　have　me　wend　with　you　is　like　to　be　rough；　and　it　may　well　be　that　we　shall　not　come　to　be　kings　or　kings'　friends　but　men　hunted；　and　often；　maybe；　men　taken　and　slain。　　Therefore；　till　one　thing　or　the　other　come；　the　kingship；　or　the　taking；　I　will　try　to　be　no　less　joyous　than　now　I　am；　and　so　meseemeth　shall　ye；　and　if　ye　be　of　this　mind；　then　shall　the　coming　days　be　no　worse　than　the　days　which　have　been；　and　God　wot　they　have　been　happy　enough。　　Now　again；　ye　see　this　most　fair　lady；　whose　hand　I　hold；　she　is　my　beloved　and　my　wife；　and　therewithal　she　is　the　true　Queen　of　Meadham；　and　a　traitor　sits　in　her　place　even　as　a　traitor　sits　in　mine。　　But　I　must　tell　you　that　when　she　took　me　for　her　beloved；　she　knew　not；　nor　did　I；　that　I　was　a　King's　son；　but　she　took　me　as　a　woodman　and　an　outcast；　and　as　a　wood…man　and　outcast　I　wooed　her；　trusting　in　the　might　that　was　in　my　body；　and　the　love　that　was　in　my　heart；　and　now　before　all　you；　my　friends；　I　thank　her　and　worship　her　that　my　body　and　my　love　was　enough　for　her；　as；　God　wot；　the　kingship　of　the　whole　earth　should　not　be　overmuch　for　her；　if　it　lay　open　to　her　to　take。　　But；　sweet　friends；　here　am　I　talking　of　myself　as　a　King　wedded　unto　a　Queen；　whereas　meseemeth　the　chiefest　gift　our　twin　kingship　hath　brought　you　to…night　is　the　gift　of　two　most　mighty　unfriends　for　you；　to　wit；　her　foeman　and　mine。　　See　ye　to　it；　then；　if　the　wild…wood　yonder　is　not　a　meeter　dwelling　for　us　than　this　your　goodly　hall；　and　fear　not　to　put　us　to　the　door　as　a　pair　of　make…bates　and　a　peril　to　this　goodly　company。　　Lo　you；　the　sky　without　has　not　yet　lost　all　memory　of　the　sun；　and　in　a　little　while　it　will　be　yellowing　again　to　the　dawn。　　Nought　evil　shall　be　the　wild…wood　for　our　summer　dwelling；　and　what！　ere　the　winter　come；　we　may　have　won　us　another　house　where　erst　my　fathers　feasted。　　And　thereto；　my　friends；　do　I　bid　you　all。〃

But　when　they　heard　his　friendly　words；　and　saw　the　beauty　of　the　fair　woman　whose　hand　he　held；　his　face　grew　so　well…beloved　to　them；　that　they　cried　out　with　so　great　a　voice　of　cheer；　wordless　for　their　very　joy；　that　the　timbers　of　the　hall　quavered　because　of　it；　and　it　went　out　into　the　wild…wood　as　though　it　had　been　the　feastful　roaring　of　the　ancient　gods　of　the　forest。

But　when　the　tumult　sank　a　little；　then　cried　out　Jack　of　the　Tofts：　　〃Bring　now　the　mickle　shield；　and　let　us　look　upon　our　King。〃

So　men　went　and　fetched　in　a　huge　ancient　shield；　plated　with　berry…brown　iron；　inlaid　with　gold；　and　the　four　biggest　men　in　the　hall　took　it　on　their　shoulders　and　knelt　down　anigh　the　dais；　before　Christopher；　and　Jack　said　aloud：　　〃King！　King！　Stand　up　here！　for　this　war…board　of　old　days　is　the　castle　and　the　burg　alone　due　to　thee；　and　these　four　fellows　here　are　the　due　mountains　to　upbear　it。〃

Then　lightly　strode　Child　Christopher　on　to　the　shield；　and　when　he　stood　firm　thereon；　they　rose　heedfully　underneath　him　till　they　were　standing　upright　on　their　feet；　and　the　King　stood　on　the　shield　as　if　he　were　grown　there；　and　waved　his　naked　sword　to　the　four　orts。

Then　cried　out　an　old　woman　in　a　shrill　voice：　　〃Lo；　how　the　hills　rise　up　into　tall　mountains；　even　so　shall　arise　Child　Christopher　to　the　kingship。〃

Thereat　all　the　folk　laughed　for　joy　and　cried　out：　　〃Child　Christopher！　Child　Christopher；　our　King！〃　And　for　that　word；　when　he　came　to　the　crown　indeed；　and　ruled　wide　lands；　was　he　called　Child　Christopher；　and　that　name　clave　to　him　after　he　was　dead；　and　but　a　name　in　the　tale　of　his　kindred。

Now　the　King　spake　and　said：　　〃Friends；　now　is　it　time　to　get　to　the　board；　and　the　feast　which　hath　been　stayed　this　while；　and　I　pray　you　let　it　be　as　merry　as　if　there　were　no　striving　and　unpeace　betwixt　us　and　the　winning　of　peace。　But　to…morrow　we　will　hallow…in　the　Mote；　and　my　earl　and　my　barons　and　good　men　shall　give　counsel；　and　then　shall　it　be　that　the　hand　shall　do　what　the　heart　biddeth。〃

Therewith　he　leapt　down　from　the　shield；　and　went　about　the　hall　talking　to　this　one　and　that；　till　the　board　was　full　dight；　then　he　took　his　place　in　the　high…seat；　beside　Jack　of　the　Tofts；　and　David　and　Gilbert　and　his　other　foster…brethren　sat　on　either　side　of　him；　and　their　wives　with　them；　and　men　fell　to　feasting　in　great　glee。

But　one　thing　there　is　yet　to　tell　of　this　feast。　　When　men　had　drunk　a　cup　or　two；　and　drunk　memories　to　good　men　dead；　and　healths　to　good　men　living；　amidst　this　arose　a　grey…head　carle　from　the　lower　end　of　the　hall；　and　said：　〃Child　Christopher；　thy　grace；　that　I　may　crave　a　boon　of　thee　on　this　day　of　leal　service。'

〃Ask　then；〃　said　Christopher；　with　a　pleasant　face。

〃King；〃　quoth　the　carle；　〃here　are　we　all　gathered　together；　and　we　have　before　us　the　most　beautifullest　woman　of　the　world；　who　sitteth　by　thy　side；　now　to…night　we　be　all　dear　friends；　and　there　is　no　lack　between　us；　yet　who　can　say　how　often　we　may　meet　and　things　be　so？　I　do　not　say　that　there　shall　enmity　and　dissension　arise　between　us；　though　that　may　betide；　but　it　is　not　unlike　that　another　time　thou；　King；　and　thy　mate；　may　be　prouder　than　now　ye　be；　since　now　ye　are　new　to　it。　　And　if　that　distance　grow　between　us；　it　will　avail　nought　to　ask　my　boon　then。〃

〃Well；　well；　ask　it　now；　friend；〃　said　the　King；　laughing；　〃I　were　fain　of　ending　the　day　with　a　gift。〃

〃This　it　is　then；　King；〃　said　the　carle：　　〃since　we　are　here　set　down　before　the　loveliest　woman　in　the　world；　grant　us　this；　that　all　we　men…folk　may　for　this　once　kiss　the　face　of　her；　if　she　will　have　it　so。〃

Huge　laughter　and　cheers　arose　at　his　word；　but　King　Christopher　arose　and　said：　〃Friend；　thy　boon　is　granted　with　a　good　will；　or　how　sayest　thou；　Goldilind　my　beloved？

For　all　answer　she　stood　up　blushing　like　a　rose；　and　held　out　her　two　hands　to　the　men　in　the　hall。　　And　straightway　the　old　carle　rose　up　and　went　in　haste　to　the　high…table；　before　another　man　might　stir；　and　took　Goldilind　by　the　chin；　and　kissed　her　well…favouredly；　and　again　men　laughed　joyously。　　Then　came　before　her　Jack　of　the　Tofts　and　all　his　sons；　one　after　other；　and　kissed　her　face；　save　only　David；　who　knelt　humbly　before　her；　and　took　her　right　hand　and　kissed　it；　while　the　tears　were　in　his　eyes。　　Then　came　many　of　the　men　in　the　hall；　and　some　were　bold；　but　many　were　shy；　and　when　they　came　before　her　durst　kiss　neither　hand　nor　face　of　her；　but　their　hearts　were　full　of　her　when　they　went　to　their　places　again；　and　all　the　assembly　was　praising　her。

So　wore　the　time　of　that　first　night　of　the　kingship　of　Child　Christopher。



CHAPTER　XXVII。

OF　THE　HUSTING　OF　THE　TOFTS。


When　morning　was；　there　were　horns　sounding　from　the　tower　on　the　toft；　and　all　men　hastening　in　their　war…gear　to　the　topmost　of　the　other　toft；　the　bare　one；　whereon　was　no　building；　for　thereon　was　ever　the　mote…stead　of　these　woodmen。　　But　men　came　not　only　from　the　stead　and　houses　of　the　Tofts；　but　also　from　the　woodland　cots　and　dwellings　anigh；　of　which　were　no　few。　　And　they　that　came　there　first　found　King　Christopher　sitting　on　the　mound　amid　the　mote…stead；　and　Jack　of　the　Tofts　and　his　seven　sons　sitting　by　him；　and　all　they　well…weaponed　and　with　green　coats　over　their　hauberks；　and　they　that　came　last　found　three　hundreds　of　good　men　and　true　gathered　there；　albeit　this　was　but　the　Husting　of　the　Tofts。

So　when　there　were　no　more　to　come；　then　was　the　Mote　hallowed；　and　the　talk　began；　but　short　and　sharp　was　their　rede；　for　well　did　all　men　wot　who　had　been　in　the　hall　the　night　before　that　there　was　now　no　time　to　lose。　　For　though　nigh　all　the　men　that　had　been　in　the　hall　were　well　known　to　each　other；　yet　might　there　perchance　have　been　some　spy　unknown；　who　had　edged　him　in　as　a　guest　to　one　of　the　good　men。　　Withal；　as　the　saw　saith：　　The　word　flieth；　the　wight　dieth。　　And　it　were　well　if　they　might　gather　a　little　host　ere　their　foeman　might　gather　a　mickle。

First　therefore　arose　Jack　of　the　Tofts；　and　began　shortly　to　put　forth　the　sooth；　that　there　was　come　the　son　of　King　Christopher　the　Old；　and　that　now　he　was　seeking　to　his　kingdom；　not　for　lust　of　power　and　gain；　but　that　he　might　be　the　friend　of　good　men　and　true；　and　uphold　them　and　be　by　them　upholden。　　And　saith　he：　　〃Look　ye　on　the　face　of　this　man；　and　tell　me　where　ye　shall　find　a　friend　friendlier　than　he；　and　more　single…hearted？〃　And　therewith　he　laid　his　hand　on　Christopher's　head；　and　the　young　man　rose　up；　blushing　like　a　maid；　and　thereafter　a　long　time　could　no　lord　be　heard　for　the　tumult　of　gladness　and　the　clashing　of　weapons。

But　when　it　was　a　little　hushed；　then　spake　Jack　again：　〃Now　need　no　man　say　more　to　man　on　this　matter；　for　ye　call　this　curly…headed　lad　the　King　of　Oakenrealm；　even　as　some　of　ye　did　last　night。〃

Mighty　was　the　shout　of　yea…say　that　arose　at　that　word；　and　when　it　was　stilled；　a　grey…head　stood　up　and　said：　　〃King　Christopher；　a