to have and to hold-第36章

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She　turned　upon　me　a　perfectly　colorless　face。　〃All　my　life　after　I　will　be　to　you　an　obedient　wife；〃　she　　said。　〃This　once　I　pray　you　to　hold　me　excused。　。　。　。　Speak；　my　lord。〃

There　was　the　mirth　of　the　lost　in　the　laugh　with　which　he　turned　to　the　Governor。　〃That　pretty　little　tale；　sir；　that　I　regaled　you　with；　the　day　you　obligingly　picked　me　up；　was　pure　imagination；　the　wetting　must　have　disordered　my　reason。　A　potion　sweeter　than　the　honey　of　Hybla；　which　I　am　about　to　drink；　hath　restored　me　beforehand。　Gentlemen　all；　there　was　mutiny　aboard　that　ship　which　so　providentially　sank　before　your　very　eyes。　For　why？　The　crew；　who　were　pirates；　and　the　captain；　who　was　yonder　gentleman；　did　not　agree。　The　one　wished　to　attack　you；　board　you；　rummage　you；　and　slay；　after　recondite　fashions；　every　mother's　son　of　you；　the　other　demurred；　…　so　strongly；　in　fact；　that　his　life　ceased　to　be　worth　a　pin's　purchase。　Indeed；　I　believe　he　resigned　his　captaincy　then　and　there；　and；　declining　to　lift　a　finger　against　an　English　ship；　defied　them　to　do　their　worst。　He　had　no　hand　in　the　firing　of　those　culverins；　the　mutineers　touched　them　off　without　so　much　as　a　'by　your　leave。'　His　attention　was　otherwise　occupied。　Good　sirs；　there　was　not　the　slightest　reason　in　nature　why　the　ship　should　have　struck　upon　that　sunken　reef；　to　the　damnation　of　her　people　and　the　salvation　of　yours。　Why　do　you　suppose　she　diverged　from　the　path　of　safety　to　split　into　slivers　against　that　fortunate　ledge？〃

The　men　around　drew　in　their　breath；　and　one　or　two　sprang　to　their　feet。　My　lord　laughed　again。　〃Have　you　seen　the　pious　man　who　left　Jamestown　and　went　aboard　the　pirate　ship　as　this　gentleman's　lieutenant？　He　hath　the　strength　of　a　bull。　Captain　Percy　here　had　but　to　nod　his　head；　and　hey；　presto！　　the　helmsman　was　bowled　over；　and　the　minister　had　the　helm。　The　ship　struck：　the　pirates　went　to　hell；　and　you；　gentlemen；　were　preserved　to　order　all　things　well　in　Virginia。　May　she　long　be　grateful！　The　man　who　dared　that　death　rather　than　attack　the　ship　he　guessed　to　be　the　Company's　is　my　mortal　foe；　whom　I　will　yet　sweep　from　my　path；　but　he　is　not　a　pirate。　Ay；　take　it　down；　an　it　please　you；　Master　Secretary！　I　retreat　from　a　most　choice　position；　to　be　sure；　but　what　care　I？　I　see　a　vantage　ground　more　to　my　liking。　I　have　lost　a　throw；　perhaps；　but　I　will　recoup　ten　such　losses　with　one　such　kiss。　By　your　leave；　lady。〃

He　went　up　to　her　where　she　stood；　with　hanging　arms；　her　head　a　little　bent；　white　and　cold　and　yielding　as　a　lady　done　in　snow；　gazed　at　her　a　moment；　with　his　passion　written　in　his　fierce　eyes　and　haggard；　handsome　face；　then　crushed　her　to　him。

If　I　could　have　struck　him　dead；　I　would　have　done　so。　When　her　word　had　been　kept；　she　released　herself　with　a　quiet　and　resolute　dignity。　As　for　him；　he　sank　back　into　the　great　chair　beside　the　Governor's；　leaned　an　elbow　on　the　table；　and　hid　his　eyes　with　one　shaking　hand。

The　Governor　rose　to　his　feet；　and　motioned　away　the　two　seamen　who　held　me　fast。　〃We'll　have　no　hanging　this　morning；　gentlemen；〃　he　announced。　〃Captain　Percy；　I　beg　to　apologize　to　you　for　words　that　were　never　meant　for　a　brave　and　gallant　gentleman；　but　for　a　pirate　who　I　find　does　not　exist。　I　pray　you　to　forget　them；　quite。〃

I　returned　his　bow；　but　my　eyes　traveled　past　him。

〃I　will　allow　you　no　words　with　my　Lord　Carnal；〃　　he　said。　〃With　your　wife；　…　that　is　different。〃　He　moved　aside　with　a　smile。

She　was　standing；　pale；　with　downcast　eyes；　where　my　lord　had　left　her。　〃Jocelyn；〃　I　said。　She　turned　toward　me；　crimsoned　deeply；　uttered　a　low　cry；　half　laughter；　half　a　sob；　then　covered　her　face　with　her　hands。　I　took　them　away　and　spoke　her　name　again；　and　this　time　she　hid　her　face　upon　my　breast。

A　moment　thus；　then　…　for　all　eyes　were　upon　her　…　I　lifted　her　head；　kissed　her　；　and　gave　her　to　Lady　Wyatt；　whom　I　found　at　my　side。　〃I　commend　my　wife　to　your　ladyship's　care；〃　I　said。　〃As　you　are　woman；　deal　sisterly　by　her！〃

〃You　may　trust　me；　sir；〃　she　made　answer；　the　tears　upon　her　cheeks。　〃I　did　not　know；　…　I　did　not　understand。　。　。　。Dear　heart；　come　away；　…　come　away　with　Margaret　Wyatt。〃

Clayborne　opened　the　door　of　the　cabin；　and　stood　aside　with　a　low　bow。　The　men　who　had　sat　to　judge　me　rose；　only　the　King's　favorite　kept　his　seat。　With　Lady　Wyatt's　arm　about　her；　the　King's　ward　passed　between　the　lines　of　standing　gentlemen　to　the　door；　there　hesitated；　turned；　and；　facing　them　with　I　know　not　what　of　pride　and　shame；　wistfulness　of　entreaty　and　noble　challenge　to　belief　in　the　face　and　form　that　were　of　all　women's　most　beautiful；　curtsied　to　them　until　her　knee　touched　the　floor。　She　was　gone；　and　the　sunlight　with　her。

When　I　turned　upon　that　shameless　lord　where　he　sat　in　his　evil　beauty；　with　his　honor　dead　before　him；　men　came　hastily　in　between。　I　put　them　aside　with　a　laugh。　I　had　but　wanted　to　look　at　him。　I　had　no　sword；　…　already　he　lay　beneath　my　challenge；　…　and　words　are　weak　things。

At　length　he　rose；　as　arrogant　as　ever　in　his　port；　as　evilly　superb　in　his　towering　pride；　and　as　amazingly　indifferent　to　the　thoughts　of　men　who　lied　not。　〃This　case　hath　wearied　me；〃　he　said。　〃I　will　retire　for　a　while　to　rest；　and　in　dreams　to　live　over　a　past　sweetness。　Give　you　good…day；　gentles！　Sir　Francis　Wyatt；　you　will　remember　that　this　gentleman　did　resist　arrest；　and　that　he　lieth　under　the　King's　displeasure！〃　So　saying　he　clapped　his　hat　upon　his　head　and　walked　out　of　the　cabin。　The　Company's　officers　drew　a　long　breath；　as　if　a　fresher　air　had　come　in　with　his　departure。

〃I　have　no　choice；　Captain　Percy；　but　to　keep　you　still　under　restraint；　both　here　and　when　we　shall　reach　Jamestown；〃　said　the　Governor。　〃All　that　the　Company；　through　me；　can　do；　consistent　with　its　duty　to　his　Majesty；　to　lighten　your　confinement　shall　be　done〃　…

〃Then　send　him　not　again　into　the　hold；　Sir　Francis！〃　exclaimed　the　Treasurer；　with　a　wry　face。

The　Governor　laughed。　〃Lighter　and　sweeter　quarters　shall　be　found。　Your　wife's　a　brave　lady；　Captain　Percy〃　…

〃And　a　passing　fair　one；〃　said　Claybourne　under　his　breath。

〃I　left　a　friend　below　in　the　hold；　your　Honor；〃　I　said。　〃He　came　with　me　from　Jamestown　because　he　was　my　friend。　The　King　hath　never　heard　of　him。　And　he's　no　more　a　pirate　than　I　or　you；　your　Honor。　He　is　a　minister；　…　a　sober；　meek；　and　godly　man〃　…

From　behind　the　Secretary　rose　the　singsong　of　my　acquaintance　of　the　hold；　Dr。　John　Pott。　〃He　is　Jeremy；　your　Honor；　Jeremy　who　made　the　town　　merry　at　Blackfriars。　Your　Honor　remembers　him？　He　had　a　sickness；　and　forsook　the　life　and　went　into　the　country。　He　was　known　to　the　Dean　of　St。　Paul's。　All　the　town　laughed　when　it　heard　that　he　had　taken　orders。〃

〃Jeremy！〃　cried　out　the　Treasurer。　〃Nick　Bottom！　Christopher　Sly！　Sir　Toby　Belch！　Sir　Francis；　give　me　Jeremy　to　keep　in　my　cabin！〃

The　Governor　laughed。　〃He　shall　be　bestowed　with　Captain　Percy　where　he'll　not　lack　for　company；　I　warrant！　Jeremy！　Ben　Jonson　loved　him；　they　drank　together　at　the　Mermaid。〃

A　little　later　the　Treasurer　turned　to　leave　my　new　quarters；　to　which　he　had　walked　beside　me；　glanced　at　the　men　who　waited　for　him　without；　…　Jeremy　had　not　yet　been　brought　from　the　hold；　…　and　returned　to　my　side　to　say；　in　a　low　voice；　but　with　emphasis：　〃Captain　Percy　has　been　a　long　time　without　news　from　home；　…　from　England。　What　would　he　most　desire　to　hear？〃

〃Of　the　welfare　of　his　Grace　of　Buckingham；〃　I　replied。

He　smiled。　〃His　Grace　is　as　well　as　heart　could　desire；　and　as　powerful。　The　Queen's　dog　now　tuggeth　the　sow　by　the　ears　this　way　or　that；　as　it　pleaseth　him。　Since　we　are　not　to　hang　you　as　a　pirate；　Captain　Percy；　I　incline　to　think　your　affairs　in　better　posture　than　when　you　left　Virginia。〃

〃I　think　so　too；　sir；〃　I　said；　and　gave　him　thanks　for　his　courtesy；　and　wished　him　good…day；　being　anxious　to　sit　still　and　thank　God；　with　my　face　in　my　hands　and　summer　in　my　heart。



CHAPTER　XXVIII　　IN　WHICH　THE　SPRINGTIME　IS　AT　HAND


TIRED　of　dicing　against　myself；　and　of　the　books　that　Rolfe　had　sent　me；　I　betook　myself　to　the　gaol　window；　and；　leaning　against　the　bars；　looked　out　in　search　of　entertainment。　The　nearest　if　not　the　merriest　thing　the　prospect　had　to　offer　was　the　pillory。　It　was　built　so　tall　that　it　was　but　little　lower　than　the　low　upper　story　of　the　gaol；　and　it　faced　my　window　at　so　short　a　distance　that　I　could　hear　the　long；　whistling　breath　of　the　wretch　who　happened　to　occupy　it。　It　was　not　a　pleasant　sound；　neither　was　a　livid　face；　new　branded　on　the　cheek　with　a　great　R；　and　with　a　trickle　of　dark　blood　from　the　mutilated　ears　staining　the　board　in　which　the　head　was　immovably　fixed；　a　pleasant　sight。　A　little　to　one　side　was　the　whipping　post：　a　woman　had　been　whipped　that　morning；　and　her　cries　had　tainted　the　air　even　more　effectually　than　had　the　decayed　matter　with　which　certain　small　devils　had　pelted　the　runaway　in　the　pillory。　I　looked　away　from　the　poor　rogue　below　me　into　the　clear；　hard　brightness　of　the　March　day；　and　was　most　heartily　weary　of　the　bars　between　me　and　it。　The　wind　blew　keenly；　the　sky　was　blue　as　blue　could　be；　and　the　river　a　great　ribbon　of　azure　sewn　with　diamonds。　All　colors　were　vivid　and　all　distances　near。　There　was　no　haze　over　the　forest；　brown　and　bare　it　struck　the　cloudless　blue。　The　marsh　was　emerald；　the　green　　of　the　pines　deep　and　rich；　the　budding　maples　redder　than　coral。　The　church；　with　the　low　green　graves　around　it；　appeared　not　a　stone's　throw　away；　and　the　voices　of　the　children　up　and　down　the　street　sounded　clearly；　as　though　they　played　in　the　brown　square　below　me。　When　the　drum　beat　for　the　nooning　the　roll　was　close　in　my　ears。　The　world　looked　so　bright　and　keen　that　it　seemed　new　made；　and　the　brilliant　sunshine　and　the　cold　wind　stirred　the　blood　like　wine。

Now　and　then　men　and　women　passed　through　the　square　below。　Well…nigh　all　glanced　up　at　the　window；　and　their　eyes　were　friendly。　It　was　known　now　that　Buckingham　was　paramount　at　home；　and　my　Lord　Carnal's　following　in　Virginia　was　much　decayed。　Young　Hamor　strode　by；　bravely　dressed　and　whistling　cheerily；　and　doffed　a　hat　with　a　most　noble　broken　feather。　〃We're　going　to　bait　a　bear　below　the　fort！〃　he　called。　〃Sorry　you'll　miss　the　sport！　There　will　be　all　the　world　…　and　my　Lord　Carnal。〃　He　whistled　himself　away；　and　presently　there　came　along　Master　Edward　Sharpless。　He　stopped　and　stared　at　the　rogue　in　the　pillory；　…　with　no　prescience；　I　suppose；　of　a　day　when　he　was　to　stand　there　himself；　then　looked　up　at　me　with　as　much　malevolence　as　his　small　soul　could　write　upon　his　mean　features；　and　passed　on。　He　had　a　jaded　look；　moreover；　his　clothes　were　swamp…stained　and　his　cloak　had　been　torn　by　briers。　〃What　did　you　go　to　the　forest　for？〃　I　muttered。

The　key　grated　in　the　door　behind　me；　and　it　opened　to　admit　the　gaoler　and　Diccon　with　my　dinner；　…　which　I　was　not　sorry　to　see。　〃Sir　George　sent　the　venison；　sir；〃　said　the　gaoler；　grinning；　〃and　Master　Piersey　the　wild　fowl；　and　Madam　West　the　pasty　　and　the　marchpane；　and　Master　Pory　the　sack。　Be　there　anything　you　lack；　sir？〃

〃Nothing　that　you　can　supply；〃　I　answered　curtly。

The　fellow　gr