the gathering of brother hilarius-第13章

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JUNE　was　at　an　end；　and　men　cried　aloud　for　rain。　　The　hedges　were　white；　the　fields　scorched　and　brown；　the　leaves　fell　from　the　trees　as　at　autumn's　touch；　the　fruits　scarce　formed　hung　wry　and　twisted　on　the　bough；　the　heavens　burnt　pitiless；　without　a　cloud。

Dickon；　the　woodman；　sat　by　the　wayside　gnawing　a　crust　and　a　scrap　of　mouldy　bacon。　　There　was　no　sound　but　the　howl　of　a　dog　from　some　neighbouring　farmstead；　and　he　sat　in　sullen　mood；　his　bill…　hook　beside　him；　brooding　over　his　wrongs；　for　the　world　had　gone　contrary　with　him。

His　wife　was　dead；　she　had　died　in　childbed　a　month　gone；　leaving　six　hungry；　naked　brats　on　his　shoulders；　and　now　a　worse　thing　had　befallen　him；　his　gold　was　gone　…　his　gold　to　which　he　had　no　right；　for　'twas　blood…money；　the　food　of　his　children；　ay；　and　something　beside；　but　Dickon　loved　that　gold　piece　above　all　the　world　…　above　Heaven　and　his　own　soul　…　and　it　was　gone。

A　neighbour　had　surely　done　it；　marked　the　hiding…place　which　he　had　deemed　so　safe；　and　made　off　with　the　prize；　and　i'　faith　'twas　easy　carrying。　　There　was　but　one　piece；　and　Dickon　minded　how　he　had　changed　his　petty　hoard　to　gold　scarce　a　month　back　at　the　fair。　　Maybe　it　was　Thomas　the　charcoal　burner　had　served　him　this　ill　turn；　or　William　Crookleg；　the　miller's　man；　he　was　a　sly；　prying　fellow；　and　there　had　been　ill　blood　between　them。

He　was　fain　to　seek　the　Monastery　that　lay　the　other　side　the　forest；　and　crave　justice　of　the　Prior；　but　that　the　Prior　might　say　'twas　ill…got　gain　and　well　rid　of。

Dickon　rose　to　his　feet　and　shambled　homewards；　he　was　ragged；　ill…　fed；　unkempt。　　The　day's　work　was　done；　and　on　the　village　green　he　found　men　and　women；　for　the　most　part　as　ill…clad　as　himself；　standing　about　in　groups　gossiping。　　The　innkeeper　lounged　at　the　ale…house　door；　thin　and　peaked　as　his　fellows；　there　was　no　good　living　for　any　man　in　those　parts；　by　reason　of　the　over…lord　who　sore　oppressed　them。

A　little　man；　keen…eyed　and　restless；　holding　a　lean　and　sorry　horse　by　the　bridle；　was　talking　eagerly。

〃Nay；　'tis　true　eno'；　and　three　crows　saw　I　this　very　day　on　the　churchyard　wall　…　it　bodes　ill　to　some　of　us。〃

〃Well；　well；〃　said　the　innkeeper；　〃have　it　thine　own　way。　　Methinks　the　ill　hath　outrun　the　omen；　for　there　will　be　naught　for　man　or　beast　shortly　…　but　fine　pickings　for　thy　three　crows。〃

The　little　man　scowled　at　him：　　Dickon　came　up。

〃What's　to　do？〃　he　said　curtly。

〃Nay；〃　said　mine　host；　〃Robin　will　have　it　that　some　further　evil　is　upon　us　…　tho'　methinks　we　have　got　our　fill　and　to　spare　with　this　drought　…　ay；　and　'twas　at　thy　house；　Dickon；　he　saw　the　corpse…light。〃

〃Better　a　corpse…light　than　six　open　mouths；　and　naught　to　fill　them；〃　said　Dickon　surlily。　　〃Whither　away；　Robin？　　'Tis　not　far　this　beast　will　travel。〃

〃Right　thou　art；　but　my　master　will　turn　an　honest　penny　with　the　carcass；〃　answered　the　little　man；　〃give　me　my　reckoning；　friend　John。　　I　must　needs　haste　if　I　would　see　the　Forester's　ere　nightfall。〃

He　pulled　out　a　few　small　coins　and　a　gold　piece。　　When　Dickon　saw　it　his　eyes　gleamed。　　Robin　paid　the　reckoning　and　put　the　piece　in　his　cheek。

〃Hard…earned　money　…　'tis　blood　out　of　a　stone　to　draw　wages　from　my　master。　　Better　it　should　light　in　my　belly　than　in　a　rogue's　pocket。　　'Tis　as　well　for　me　that　John　o'　th'　Swift…foot　swings　at　the　cross…roads。　　Godden；　my　masters！〃　　And　leading　his　weary　beast；　he　took　the　road　that　skirted　the　forest。

The　moon　was　at　full；　and　he　had　yet　a　good　stretch　of　lonely　way　before　him；　when　the　horse　stumbled　and　fell　and　would　not　rise。

〃A　murrain　on　the　beast！〃　muttered　Robin　angrily；　tugging　in　vain　at　the　creature　on　whom　death　had　taken　pity。　　〃I　must　e'en　leave　him　by　the　wayside　and　tell　Richard　what　hath　befallen。〃

He　stooped　to　loose　the　halter；　and　as　he　bent　to　his　task　a　man　slipped　from　the　shadow　of　the　hedge　into　the　quiet　moonlight。　There　was　a　thud；　a　dull　cry；　and　Robin　fell　prone　across　the　horse's　neck　…　a　pace　beyond　him　in　the　moonlight　shone　the　gleam　of　gold。

Next　day　Dickon's　child　died；　ay；　and　the　other　five　followed　with　scant　time　between　the　buryings。　　Another　had　fathered　them　and　filled　the　gaping　mouths；　but　men　shuddered　at　his　care；　for　it　was　the　Black　Death　that　they　had　deemed　far　from　them。

Pale　and　woebegone　they　clustered　on　the　green。　　News　had　come　of　Robin　…　he　was　dead　when　they　found　him　…　but　no　man　gave　heed。　Death　was　in　the　air；　death　held　them　safe　in　walls　they　might　not　scale。　　The　heavens　were　brass；　food　failed　for　man　and　beast；　God　and　man　alike　had　forsaken　them。　　The　forest　lay　one　side；　the　river；　now　but　a　shallow　sluggish　stream；　lay　the　other；　'twas　a　cleft　stick　and　the　springe　tightened。

No　evil　had　as　yet　befallen　Dickon。　　He　stood　with　the　rest　and　murmured；　cursing。　　All　at　once　he　made　for　the　ale…house。

〃Fools　that　we　are　to　stand　like　helpless　brats　when　there　is　liquor　enough　and　to　spare　in　yon　cellars。　　He　who　is　minded　to　go　dry　throat　to　Heaven　had　best　make　haste；　for　me　I　will　e'en　swill　a　bucket　to　the　devil's　health；　and　so　to　hell。〃

Half…a…dozen　men　followed　him；　pushing　aside　mine　host　who　strove　to　bar　the　door。　　Some　of　the　women　fell　on　their　knees　and　clamoured　in　half　delirious　prayer；　the　rest　slunk　dismayed　to　their　pestilent　homes。



CHAPTER　VII　…　THE　VISION　OF　THE　EVENING　AND　THE　MORNING



MEANWHILE；　news　came　to　the　Monastery　of　the　ill　case　of　the　village；　for　it　lay　scarce　a　league　away　across　the　forest；　but　the　pine…trees　stood　as　guardian　angels　in　between。

The　Prior　summoned　the　whole　Convent；　according　to　the　ruling　of　Blessed　Benedict　when　the　matter　is　a　grave　one；　and　told　the　tidings。

Then　he　went　on　to　give　reason　for　their　assembling。

〃My　Brethren；　it　is　in　my　heart　that　we　dare　not　leave　these　poor；　stricken　sheep　to　die　alone　without　shepherding；　moreover；　in　their　fear　and　desolation；　they　may　flee　to　other　villages；　and　so　the　terror　and　pest　spread　ever　further。　　And　I　deem　that；　inasmuch　as　Charity　is　greater　than　Faith　or　Hope；　so　it　is　greater　than　obedience　also。　　Wherefore　I　purpose　to　set　aside　the　Rule　of　our　Order　in　the　letter　that　I　may　hold　to　it　in　the　spirit；　and　go　forth　to　serve　these　perishing　brethren；　and　I　will　take　with　me　whosoever　hears　the　call　of　God　in　this　visitation。〃

When　he　had　made　an　end；　there　was　silence　in　the　Chapter。　　Break　cloister；　the　Prior　himself　urging　them　thereto？　　The　Convent　might　scarce　credit　its　ears。

Prior　Hilarius　watched　his　children　with　a　tender　smile　on　his　white　face；　and　a　prayer　on　his　lips　that　love　might　have　its　triumph。

Five　monks　stood　up；　among　them　the　Sub…Prior；　and　seven　novices　sprang　also　to　their　feet。

〃Nay；　Brother　Walter；〃　said　Hilarius；　turning　to　the　Sub…Prior；　〃this　flock　must　have　its　shepherd　also；　thy　place　is　here。　　But　I　will　take　with　me　Brother　Simon　and　Brother　Leo；　who　will　doubtless　suffice　at　first　for　the　ministry；　and　…　〃　smiling　at　the　novices　…　〃all　these　dear　lads　to　tend　the　sick　and　bury　the　dead。〃

The　Sub…Prior　ventured　on　a　remonstrance。

〃Good　Father；　it　is　not　fitting　that　thou　should'st　go　on　such　an　errand；　send　me　in　thy　stead；　for　my　life　is　a　small　thing　as　compared　with　thine。　　Moreover　these　novices；　'tis　but　the　other　day　the　Master　gave　them　as　lazy　and　ill…conditioned；　and　…　〃

The　Prior　held　up　his　hand。

〃Dear　Brother；　I　thank　thee　for　thy　love　and　care　for　me；　but　my　call　has　come。　　As　for　these　…　〃　he　stretched　out　his　hand　towards　the　waiting　novices　…　〃maybe　they　are　in　the　wrong　school；　and　the　Lord　hath　even　opened　the　door　that　they　may　serve　Him；　perchance　die　for　Him；　elsewhere。　　And　shall　I　count　myself　wiser　than　Prior　Stephen；　who　set　me　without　the　gate　to　learn　my　lesson？　　Let　us　go　in　peace；　my　children；　for　we　are　about　the　Lord's　business。〃


Very　early　next　day；　having　eaten　of　Heavenly　manna；　the　little　band　embraced　their　brethren　and　set　out；　laden　with　food　and　wine　and　herbs　from　the　farmery；　and　the　Prior　appointed　a　place　to　which　the　Convent　should　send　daily　all　things　needed。

The　shade　of　the　forest　was　very　welcome　in　the　hot；　breathless　sunshine；　and　the　scent　of　the　pine…needles；　odorous；　pungent；　rose　at　each　footfall　from　the　silent　path。　　The　Brethren　chanted　the　Gradual　Psalms　as　they　paced　two　and　two　through　the　sun…lit　aisles；　full　of　the　Prior's　memories；　and　he　looked　up　again　to　see　Our　Lady's　robe　across　the　tree…tops。　　Then　all　at　once　the　Psalm　broke；　and　Brother　Simon；　who　was　leading；　stayed　suddenly。

Under　a　bush　beside　the　track　lay　a　man；　naked　save　for　filthy　rags；　his　hair　and　beard　matted　with　moss　and　leaves；　his　eyes　sunk；　his　lips　drawn　apart　in　a　ghastly　grin。　　Hilarius　made　haste　to　kneel　beside　him；　and　lo！　sudden　remembrance　lighted　the　fast…　glazing　eyes；　but　his　own　answered　not。

〃My　son；　my　son；〃　said　the　Prior；　and　his　voice　was　very　pitiful；　〃thou　art　indeed　in　evil　case；　let　me　shrive　thee　ere　it　be　too　late。〃

He　motioned　the　others　to　stand　back；　and　raising　the　heavy　head　upon　his　shoulder；　bent　close　to　catch　the　whisper　of　the　parched　lips。

At　first　no　sound　came；　and　then　a　hoarse　word　reached　him。

〃The　Convent's　hens！〃

The　Prior　stared　amazed；　then　once　more　the　laboured　voice　…

〃Hast　forgot　thy　theft；　and　the　dancer？〃

Hilarius　needed　no　further　word；　in　a　moment　the　years　were　wiped　away。

〃Lad；　lad；　to　find　thee　again；　and　in　such　sorry　plight！　　But　see；　stay　not　thy　shriving；　for　the　time　is　short；　and　the　Lord　ever　ready　to　pardon。〃

The　man　strove　in　vain　to　speak。　　At　last　he　said　quite　clearly：　〃I　hunger；〃　and　so　saying　died。

The　Prior　was　greatly　moved；　and　for　a　while　he　knelt　in　prayer；　while　the　Brethren；　amazed；　waited　his　pleasure。　　Then　he　rose；　and　lo！　before　him　lay　the　open　glade　where　his　schooling　had　begun；　and　he　had　seen　a　flower　incarnate　dance　in　the　wind。

He　bade　them　lift　the　dead；　and　lay　him　in　the　hollow　of　the　glade　under　fallen　branches　until　they　could　return　and　give　him　burial。　Then；　as　they　went　on　their　way；　he　told　the　tale　of　his　little　maid；　and　when　the　telling　was　ended；　the　village　they　had　come　to　succour　was　in　sight；　and　lo！　they　saw　it　through　a　mist。



CHAPTER　VIII　…　〃BEHOLD　THE　FIELDS　ARE　WHITE〃



THE　Prior's　heart　was　ready；　and　it　seemed　to　him　as　he　passed　up　the　village　and　saw　the　huddled；　helpless　people；　that　his　little　maid　led　him　by　the　hand。

Brother　Simon；　Brother　Leo；　and　the　novices　turned　aside　to　speak　comfort　and　carry　succour　to　the　sick　and　fearful；　and　to　bury　the　dead；　for　three　unshriven　souls　had　passed　to　judgment　and　mercy。　Hilarius　made　straight　for　the　ale…house。

As　he　crossed　the　green；　the　door　opened　and　Dickon　stumbled　blindly　down　the　steps。　　At　sight　of　a　monk　he　cried　out；　and　suddenly　sobered；　dropped　on　his　knees；　while　the　topers　and　roysterers　staring　from　the　open　doorway　fell　into　silence。

Hilarius　pushed　back　his　cowl　and　stood　bareheaded　in　the　scorching　sun　of　that　windless　day；　it　came　to　his　mind　that　he　was　very　weary。

〃Hear；　O　my　children；　the　Lord　hath　sent　me　to　succour　you；　lest　ye　go　down　quick　into　the　pit。　　Return；　every　one　of　you；　for　the　arms　of　His　love　are　still　stretched　wide　upon　the　R