the gathering of brother hilarius-第10章

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nvent　…　yea；　even　the　novices　…　were　silent；　to　show　their　displeasure。

When　Prior　Stephen　returned　he　was　exceeding　wroth；　but　said　little；　only　he　took　from　the　Sub…Prior　his　office；　and　all　that　appertained　thereto；　and　made　him　as　one　of　the　other　monks；　and　Brother　William；　who　was　a　gentle　and　devout　servant　of　God；　he　made　Sub…Prior　in　his　stead；　and　the　Convent　was　at　peace。

Brother　Ambrose；　he　to　whom　the　vision　was　vouchsafed；　had　slipped　through　the　grey　veil　which　once　hid　Jerusalem　from　his　longing　gaze；　Brother　Richard　was　now　in　the　land　where　the　blind　receive　their　sight；　and　Brother　Thomas　the　Cellarer　…　but　of　him　let　us　say　little　and　think　with　charity；　for　'tis　to　be　feared　that　he　greatly　abused　his　office　and　is　come　to　judgment。

Two　of　the　older　monks；　Brother　Anselm　and　Brother　Paul；　who　had　spent　fifty　years　in　the　sheltered　peace　of　the　Monastery　walls；　sat　warming　their　tired　old　limbs　in　the　south　cloister；　for　the　summer　sunshine　was　very　pleasant　to　them。

〃Since　Brother　Thomas　died　…　〃　began　Brother　Paul。

〃The　Lord　have　mercy　on　his　soul！〃　ejaculated　Brother　Anselm。

〃Since　Brother　Thomas　died；〃　said　Brother　Paul　again　…　a　little　impatiently；　though　he　crossed　himself　piously　enough　…　〃methinks　the　provisions　have　oft　been　scanty　and　far　from　tempting；　Brother。〃

〃Ay；　and　the　wine；〃　said　Brother　Anselm。　　〃Methinks　our　Cellarer　draws　the　half　of　it　from　the　Convent's　well。〃

They　shook　their　heads　sadly。

〃No　doubt；〃　said　Brother　Anselm　after　a　short　silence；　〃our　Cellarer　is　most　worthy；　strict；　and　honest　in　the　performance　of　his　office　…　while　Brother　Thomas；　alack　…　〃

〃Methinks　Brother　Edmund　is　somewhat　remiss　also　in　his　duties；〃　said　Brother　Paul。　　〃The　Prior；　holy　man；　perceives　nothing　of　these　things。　　On　Sunday's　feast　one　served　him　with　a　most　unsavoury　mess　in　the　refectory；　the　dish　thereof　being　black　and　broken；　yet　he　ate　the　meat　in　great　content；　and　seemingly　with　appetite。〃

〃He　is　but　young；　he　is　but　young　…　sixty　come　Michaelmas　…　sixty；　and　twenty…two　years　Prior　…　'tis　a　long　term；〃　and　Brother　Anselm　nodded　his　head。

〃Ay；　he　is　still　young；　and　of　sound　teeth；〃　said　Brother　Paul；　〃whereas　thou　and　I；　Brother；　are　as　babes　needing　pap…meat。　Brother　Thomas　…　God　rest　his　soul！　…　was　wont　to　give　savoury　mess　easy　of　eating　to　the　elder　Brethren。〃

〃Ay；　he　was　a　kind　man　with　all　his　faults；〃　said　Brother　Anselm；　fingering　his　toothless　gums。　　〃Think　you　'twould　be　well　to　speak　of　this　matter　to　the　Prior？〃

〃Nay；　nay；〃　said　the　other；　〃he　is　ever　against　any　store　being　set　on　the　things　of　this　world　…　''tis　well　for　the　greater　discipline　of　the　flesh；'　so　saith　he　ever。　　Still　he　hath　forbidden　the　blood…letting　to　us　elder　Brethren。〃

〃Methinks　there　is　little　to　let；　since　Brother　Thomas　died；〃　said　Brother　Anselm　ruefully。

〃Nay；　then；　let　us　seek　out　the　Cellarer　and　admonish　him　…　maybe　he　will　hear　a　word　in　season；〃　and　the　two　old　monks　moved　slowly　away　to　the　Cellarer's　office　as　Prior　Stephen　came　down　the　cloister　walk。

He　looked　little　older；　his　carriage　was　upright　as　ever；　but　government　sat　heavy　upon　him；　the　keen；　ascetic　face　was　weary；　and　the　line　of　the　lips　showed　care。　　His　thoughts　were　busy　with　Hilarius。　　It　was　now　full　six　years　that　the　lad　had　left　the　Monastery；　and　since　the　Christmas　after　his　going　no　news　had　come　of　him；　save　that　he　never　reached　St　Alban's。　　Had　the　Plague　gathered　him　as　it　gathered　many　another　well…beloved　son？　　Or　had　the　awakening　proved　too　sudden　for　the　lad　set　blind…eyed　without　the　gate？

He　passed　from　the　cloister　into　the　garth　where　bloomed　the　lilies　that　Hilarius　had　loved　so　well。　　He　looked　at　the　row　of　nameless　graves　with　the　great　Rood　for　their　common　memorial；　last　but　one　lay　the　resting…place　of　Brother　Richard；　and　the　blind　monk's　dying　speech　had　been　of　the　lad　whose　face　he　had　strained　his　eyes　to　see。

Prior　Stephen　stood　by　the　farmery　door；　and　the　scent　of　Mary's　flowers　came　to　him　as　it　had　come　to　Hilarius　at　the　gate。　　He　stretched　out　his　hands　with　the　strange　pathetic　gesture　of　a　strong　man　helpless。　　It　was　all　passing　fair：　　the　fields　of　pale　young　corn　trembling　in　the　gentle　breeze；　the　orchards　and　vineyards　with　fast　maturing　fruit；　the　meadows　where　the　sleek　kine　browsed　languidly　in　the　warm　summer　sunshine。　　Peace　and　prosperity　everywhere；　the　old　Church　springing　into　new　beauty　as　the　spire　rose　slowly　skywards；　peace　and　prosperity；　new　glories　for　the　House　of　the　Lord；　and　yet；　and　yet；　his　heart　ached　for　his　own　helplessness；　and　for　the　exceeding　longing　that　he　had　for　the　boy　whose　mother　once　held　that　heart　in　the　hollow　of　her　little　hand。

Ah　well；　blessed　be　God　who　had　called　him　from　the　things　of　this　world　to　the　service　of　Christ　and　the　Church！　　Once　again　he　offered　himself　in　the　flame　of　his　desires：　　he　would　fast　and　pray　and　wait。

The　Office　bell　sounded　sharp　and　clear　across　the　still　summer　air　calling　to　Vespers；　and　the　Prior　hasted　to　his　place。

〃Qui　seminant　in　lachrymis　in　exultatione　metent；〃　chanted　the　deep　voices　of　the　monks；　and　Prior　Stephen's　voice　trembled　as　he　joined　in　the　Psalmody。

〃Euntes　ibant　et　flebant　mittentes　semina　sua。　　Venientes　autem　venient　cum　exultatione　portantes　manipulos　suos。〃

He　had　sown　in　tears；　ay；　and　was　weary　of　the　sowing；　but　the　harvesting　was　not　yet。



CHAPTER　II　…　MARY'S　LILIES



IT　came　to　pass　upon　a　certain　day　scarce　a　se'nnight　later；　that　Prior　Stephen　was　troubled　in　his　mind　by　reason　of　a　dream　which　came　to　him。

It　happened　on　this　wise。　　He　was　sitting　by　his　window　after　the　noon　repast；　musing；　as　he　was　wont；　on　his　dear　son。　　The　song　of　the　bees　busy　in　the　herb…garden　was　very　pleasant　to　his　ear；　the　warm；　still　air　overcame　him；　and　he　slept。　　Suddenly　he　heard　a　voice　calling　…　a　voice　he　knew　in　every　fibre　of　his　being　and　yet　could　set　no　name　to；　for　it　was　the　voice　of　God。　　He　arose　in　haste　and　went　out　into　the　garth；　and　lo！　under　the　lilies　Hilarius　lay　sleeping。　　The　Prior　stood　fast　in　great　wonder；　his　heart　leaping　for　joy；　yet　he　could　not　cross　the　little　piece　of　grass　that　lay　between　the　cloister　and　the　farmery　door。

As　he　watched；　a　woman；　light　of　foot　and　of　great　beauty；　came　swiftly　from　the　gate　to　where　Hilarius　slept；　and　the　Prior　was　grieved；　and　marvelled　that　the　porter　had　opened　to　such　an　one；　for　it　was　a　grave　scandal　that　a　woman　should　set　foot　within　the　Monastery　precincts。　　He　strove　to　cry；　but　his　voice　died　on　his　lips；　and　his　feet　were　as　lead。

The　woman　stayed　when　she　came　to　the　sleeping　lad；　and　stooped　to　arouse　him；　but　he　slept　on。　　She　called　him；　and　her　voice　was　as　the　calling　of　the　summer　sea　on　a　shelving　beach；　but　Hilarius　gave　no　heed。　　Then；　in　great　impatience；　she　caught　at　the　white　lilies　under　which　he　lay；　and；　as　she　broke　the　flower…crowned　stems；　Hilarius　stirred　and　cried　out　in　his　sleep；　whereat　she　plucked　the　faster。　　Of　a　sudden　Prior　Stephen　was　as　one　set　free。　He　strode　to　the　woman's　side：　　there　was　but　one　lily　left。　　He　laid　his　hand　on　her　shoulder；　for　speech　was　still　far　from　him：　and　she　fell　back　from　the　one　remaining　blossom　with　a　cry　of　fear　…　and　Prior　Stephen　awoke；　for　behold！　it　was　a　dream；　but　he　was　sore　troubled。

〃Maybe；〃　said　he；　〃evil　threatens　the　lad；　such　evil　as　slew　his　mother；　on　whom　God　have　mercy！〃　　And　sighing　heavily　he　took　his　way　to　the　great　Rood　and　made　supplication　for　his　son。


Far　away；　under　a　southern　sky；　in　one　of　the　great　palaces　of　Florence；　there　stood　a　woman　of　fair　stature；　with　tight…clenched　hands；　whose　many　jewels　bit　the　tender　flesh。　　Her　russet　eyes　flashed　under　threatening　brows；　her　teeth　held　fast　the　curling　upper　lip。　　Great；　alack！　was　her　fame：　　men　crept　to　her　knee　like　spaniels　craving　favour。　　Great　was　her　wealth：　　a　golden　piece　for　every　ruddy　strand　that　hung　a　shimmering　mantle　to　her　knee。　　Her　beauty　…　nay；　men　had　slain　themselves　gladly　to　escape　the　torment　of　her　look。　　She　stood　in　the　curtained　doorway；　a　heavy　purple　hanging　at　her　back；　and　the　man　who　awaited　her　paled　as　he　saw　her　vengeful　face。

It　was　Hilarius。　　He　drew　himself　up　to　the　full　of　his　slender　height；　and　bowed。

Panting　a　little；　the　woman　came　towards　him　across　the　many…hued　marble　floors；　and；　as　she　passed；　a　vase　of　great　white　lilies　caught　in　her　draperies　of　cramoisie　and　fell。　　She　gave　no　heed；　but　swept　on；　and　faced　him　in　the　sunny　silence。　　Across　the　pause　the　Angelus　sounded　from　a　church　hard　by：　　Hilarius　crossed　himself　devoutly；　and　the　stillness　fled　before　a　woman's　scornful　laugh。

〃Nay；　then；　Signor；〃　she　cried　mockingly；　〃is　ours　to　be　a　war　of　signs　and　silence？　　I　have　heard　thy　lips　were　ready　enough　with　judgment；　though　they　halt　at　a　love…phrase。　　By　Our　Lady；　if　all　that　is　said　of　thee　be　true；　I　will　e'en　have　thee　whipped　at　the　gibbet　for　thy　gibes！　　Speak；　fool；　while　thy　tongue　is　left　thee；　'tis　a　last　asking。　　Wilt　thou　paint　this　face　of　mine　that　is；　it　seems；　so　little　to　thy　liking？　　Strain　not　my　patience　over　much　…　'tis　a　slender　cord　at　best；　and　somewhat　tried　already。　　Speak；　is　it　yea　or　nay？〃

Hilarius　looked　away　to　where　Mary's　flowers　lay　bruised　and　scattered　on　the　flag　of　blood…red　marble；　his　answer　came　low　and　clear：…

〃'It　is　nay。'〃

She　thrust　her　head　forward；　and　looked　at　him　wondering；　there　was　a　stain　where　her　teeth　had　been　busy。

〃'It　is　nay；'〃　she　repeated　after　him；　and　her　eyes　mocked　him。　〃May　a　poor　Princess　ask　the　Signor's　reason？〃

Hilarius　pointed　past　her　to　the　fallen　lilies。

〃It　lies　there。〃

For　an　instant　the　hot　colour　splashed　the　angry　whiteness　of　her　cheek；　then；　pale　to　the　lips；　she　turned　on　him；　and　she　stammered　in　her　wrath：…

〃And　dost　thou　…　dost　thou　dare；　say　this　to　my　face　…　to　me；　who　stooped　to　ask　when　I　had　but　to　command？　　I；　with　my　unmatched　beauty；　I；　who　hold　the　hearts　of　men　in　thrall　to　the　lifting　of　my　eyes；　I；　to　whom　men　kneel　as　to　their　God！　　Art　thou　mad；　mad；　that　thou　canst　set　aside　such　a　behest　as　mine？　　'Tis　small　wonder　men　say　thy　doublet　hides　a　monkish　dress；　of　a　truth　the　tale　they　brought　savoured　of　little　else。　　Hear　me；　thou　prating；　milk…faced　Modesty；　I　choose　that　thou　shalt　limn　this　face　of　mine：　　say　me　nay；　and　I　will　teach　thee　a　lesson　hard　of　forgetting；　for　I　will　silence　thy　preaching　for　aye；　and　lend　my　serving…men　to　whip　thee　through　the　streets。　　Men；　said　I？　　Nay；　thou　art　too　much　a　cur　to　make　fit　sport　for　men：　　rather　my　maids　shall　wield　the　rod　and　lace　thy　shoulders。〃

She　flung　herself　on　a　low　couch　by　the　open　window；　where　the　peacocks　on　the　terrace　strutted　in　the　sun；　and　Hilarius　waited；　dumb　as　the　dog　to　which　she　had　likened　him；　for　he　had　no　word。

There　was　silence　a　while。

Then　the　Princess　spoke；　and　her　voice　cut　Hilarius　like　the　sting　of　a　lash：…

〃Bring　me　yon　flowers。〃

He　obeyed。

〃Set　them　at　my　feet。〃

He　bent　his　knee　and　did　so；　wondering。

A　moment；　and　she　trod　them　under；　their　dying　fragrance　filled　the　air；　as　their　living　breath　had　flooded　the　senses　of　the　blind…　eyed　lad　at　the　Monastery　gate。

One　by　one　she　set　her　he