CHAPTER XIII: THE JOURNEY
Talk not of kings--I scorn the poor comparison; I am a sage and can command the elements-- At least men think I can; and on that thought I found unbounded empire.
ALBUMAZAR
Occupation and adventure might be said to crowd upon the youngScottishman with the force of a spring tide; for he was speedilysummoned to the apartment of his Captain, the Lord Crawford, where, tohis astonishment, he again beheld the King. After a few words respectingthe honour and trust which were about to be reposed in him, which madeQuentin internally afraid that they were again about to propose to himsuch a watch as he had kept upon the Count of Crevecoeur, or perhapssome duty still more repugnant to his feelings, he was not relievedmerely, but delighted, with hearing that he was selected, with theassistance of four others under his command, one of whom was a guide,to escort the Ladies of Croye to the little Court of their relative,the Bishop of Liege, in the safest and most commodious, and, at the sametime, in the most secret manner possible. A scroll was given him, inwhich were set down directions for his guidance, for the places ofhalt (generally chosen in obscure villages, solitary monasteries, andsituations remote from towns), and for the general precautions which hewas to attend to, especially on approaching the frontier of Burgundy. Hewas sufficiently supplied with instructions what he ought to say and doto sustain the personage of the Maitre d'Hotel of two English ladies ofrank, who had been on a pilgrimage to Saint Martin of Tours, and wereabout to visit the holy city of Cologne, and worship the relics of thesage Eastern Monarchs, who came to adore the nativity of Bethlehem [therelics of the three kings, or Magi, were placed in the Cathedral ofCologne in 1162]; for under that character the Ladies of Croye were tojourney.
Without having any defined notions of the cause of his delight, QuentinDurward's heart leapt for joy at the idea of approaching thus nearlyto the person of the Beauty of the Turret, and in a situation whichentitled him to her confidence, since her protection was in so great adegree intrusted to his conduct and courage. He felt no doubt in his ownmind that he should be her successful guide through the hazards ofher pilgrimage. Youth seldom thinks of dangers, and bred up free, andfearless, and self confiding, Quentin, in particular, only thought ofthem to defy them. He longed to be exempted from the restraint of theRoyal presence, that he might indulge the secret glee with which suchunexpected tidings filled him, and which prompted him to bursts ofdelight which would have been totally unfitting for that society.
But Louis had not yet done with him. That cautious monarch had toconsult a counsellor of a different stamp from Oliver le Diable, who wassupposed to derive his skill from the superior and astral intelligences,as men, judging from their fruits, were apt to think the counsels ofOliver sprang from the Devil himself.
Louis therefore led the way, followed by the impatient Quentin, to aseparate tower of the castle of Plessis, in which was installed, inno small ease and splendour; the celebrated astrologer, poet, andphilosopher, Galeotti Marti, or Martius, or Martivalle, a native ofNarni, in Italy, the author of the famous Treatise De Vulgo Incognitis[concerning things unknown to the generality of mankind. S.], and thesubject of his age's admiration, and of the panegyrics of Paulus Jovius[an Italian historian of the sixteenth century who lived at the Pope'scourt]. He had long flourished at the court of the celebrated MatthiasCorvinus, King of Hungary, from whom he was in some measure decoyed byLouis, who grudged the Hungarian monarch the society and the counsels ofa sage accounted so skilful in reading the decrees of Heaven.
[Martius Galeotti... was secretary to Matthias Carvinus, King ofHungary. He left Hungary in 1477, and was made prisoner at Venice ona charge of having propagated heterodox opinions.... He might havesuffered seriously but for the protection of Sixtus IV, then Pope, whohad been one of his scholars.... He attached himself to Louis XI, anddied in his service. S.]
Martivalle was none of those ascetic, withered, pale professors ofmystic learning of those days, who bleared their eyes over the midnightfurnace, and macerated their bodies by out watching the Polar Bear.He indulged in all courtly pleasures, and until he grew corpulent, hadexcelled in all martial sports and gymnastic exercises, as well as inthe use of arms; insomuch, that Janus Pannonius [a Hungarian poet ofthe fifteenth century] has left a Latin epigram upon a wrestling matchbetwixt Galeotti and a renowned champion of that art, in the presenceof the Hungarian King and Court, in which the Astrologer was completelyvictorious.
The apartments of this courtly and martial sage were far more splendidlyfurnished than any which Quentin had yet seen in the royal palace;and the carving and ornamented woodwork of his library, as well as themagnificence displayed in the tapestries, showed the elegant taste ofthe learned Italian. Out of his study one door opened to his sleepingapartment, another led to the turret which served as his observatory. Alarge open table, in the midst of the chamber, was covered with a richTurkey carpet, the spoils of the tent of a Pacha, after the great battleof Jaiza, where the Astrologer had fought abreast with the valiantchampion of Christendom, Matthias Corvinus. On the table lay a varietyof mathematical and astrological instruments, all of the most richmaterials and curious workmanship. His astrolabe of silver was the giftof the Emperor of Germany, and his Jacob's staff of ebony [a diviningrod made of a hazel fork], jointed with gold and curiously inlaid, was amark of esteem from the reigning Pope.
There were various other miscellaneous articles disposed on the table,or hanging around the walls; amongst others, two complete suits ofarmour, one of mail, the other of plate, both of which, from their greatsize, seemed to call the gigantic Astrologer their owner; a Spanishtoledo, a Scottish broadsword, a Turkish scymetar, with bows, quivers,and other warlike weapons; musical instruments of several differentkinds; a silver crucifix, a sepulchral antique vase, and several ofthe little brazen Penates of the ancient heathens, with other curiousnondescript articles, some of which, in the superstitious opinions ofthat period, seemed to be designed for magical purposes. The library ofthis singular character was of the same miscellaneous descriptionwith its other effects. Curious manuscripts of classical antiquity laymingled with the voluminous labours of Christian divines, and of thosepainstaking sages who professed the chemical science, and proffered toguide their students into the most secret recesses of nature, by meansof the Hermetical Philosophy [a system of philosophy ascribed to theEgyptian Hermes (Thoth) who was reputed to have written certain sacredbooks treating of religion and the natural sciences]. Some were writtenin the Eastern character, and others concealed their sense or nonsenseunder the veil of hieroglyphics and cabalistic characters. Thewhole apartment and its furniture of every kind, formed a scenevery impressive on the fancy, considering the general belief thenindisputably entertained concerning the truth of the occult sciences;and that effect was increased by the manners and appearance of theindividual himself, who, seated in a huge chair, was employed incuriously examining a specimen, just issued from the Frankfort press, ofthe newly invented art of printing.
Galeotti Martivalle was a tall, bulky, yet stately man, considerablypast his prime, and whose youthful habits of exercise, though stilloccasionally resumed, had not been able to contend with his naturaltendency to corpulence, increased by sedentary study, and indulgence inthe pleasures of the table. His features, though rather overgrown,were dignified and noble, and a Santon might have envied the dark anddownward sweep of his long descending beard. His dress was a chamberrobe of the richest Genoa velvet, with ample sleeves, clasped with frogsof gold, and lined with sables. It was fastened round his middle by abroad belt of virgin parchment, round which were represented, in crimsoncharacters, the signs of the Zodiac. He rose and bowed to the King, yetwith the air of one to whom such exalted society was familiar, and whowas not at all likely, even in the royal presence, to compromise thedignity then especially affected by the pursuers of science.
"You are engaged, father," said the King, "and, as I think, with thisnew fashioned art of multiplying manuscripts by the intervention of
machinery. Can things of such mechanical and terrestrial import interestthe thoughts of one before whom Heaven has unrolled her own celestialvolumes?"
"My brother," replied Martivalle, "for so the tenant of this cellmust term even the King of France, when he deigns to visit him asa disciple--believe me that in considering the consequences of thisinvention, I read with as certain augury as by any combination of theheavenly bodies, the most awful and portentous changes. When I reflectwith what slow and limited supplies the stream of science hath hithertodescended to us, how difficult to be obtained by those most ardent inits search, how certain to be neglected by all who regard their ease;how liable to be diverted, altogether dried up, by the invasions ofbarbarism; can I look forward without wonder and astonishment to the lotof a succeeding generation on whom knowledge will descend like the firstand second rain, uninterrupted, unabated, unbounded; fertilizing somegrounds, and overflowing others; changing the whole form of sociallife; establishing and overthrowing religions; erecting and destroyingkingdoms."
"Hold, Galeotti," said Louis, "shall these changes come in our time?"
"No, my royal brother," replied Martivalle; "this invention may belikened to a young tree, which is now newly planted, but shall, insucceeding generations, bear fruit as fatal, yet as precious, as that ofthe Garden of Eden; the knowledge, namely, of good and evil."
Louis answered, after a moment's pause, "Let futurity look to whatconcerns them--we are men of this age, and to this age we will confineour care. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
"Tell me, hast thou proceeded farther in the horoscope Which I sent tothee, and of which you made me some report? I have brought the partyhither, that you may use palmistry, or chiromancy if such is yourpleasure. The matter is pressing."
The bulky sage arose from his seat, and, approaching the young soldier,fixed on him his keen large dark eyes as if he were in the act ofinternally spelling and dissecting every lineament and feature.
Blushing and borne down by this close examination on the part of onewhose expression was so reverend at once and commanding, Quentin benthis eyes on the ground, and did not again raise them, till in the actof obeying the sonorous command of the Astrologer, "Look up and be notafraid, but hold forth thy hand."
When Martivalle had inspected his palm, according to the form of themystic arts which he practised, he led the King some steps aside.
"My royal brother," he said, "the physiognomy of this youth, togetherwith the lines impressed on his hand, confirm, in a wonderful degree,the report which I founded on his horoscope, as well as that judgmentwhich your own proficiency in our sublime arts induced you at once toform of him. All promises that this youth will be brave and fortunate."
"And faithful?" said the King; "for valour and fortune square not alwayswith fidelity."
"And faithful also," said the Astrologer; "for there is manly firmnessin look and eye, and his linea vitae [the line of life, a term usedin palmistry] is deeply marked and clear, which indicates a true andupright adherence to those who do benefit or lodge trust in him. Butyet--"
"But what?" said the King; "Father Galeotti, wherefore do you nowpause?"
"The ears of Kings," said the sage, "are like the palates of thosedainty patients which are unable to endure the bitterness of the drugsnecessary for their recovery."
"My ears and my palate have no such niceness," said Louis; "let mehear what is useful counsel, and swallow what is wholesome medicine.I quarrel not with the rudeness of the one, or the harsh taste of theother. I have not been cockered in wantonness or indulgence; my youthwas one of exile and suffering. My ears are used to harsh counsel, andtake no offence at it."
"Then plainly, Sire," replied Galeotti, "if you have aught in yourpurposed commission which--which, in short, may startle a scrupulousconscience--intrust it not to this youth, at least, not till a fewyears' exercise in your service has made him as unscrupulous as others."
"And is this what you hesitated to speak, my good Galeotti? and didstthou think thy speaking it would offend me?" said the King. "Alack, Iknow that thou art well sensible that the path of royal policy cannot bealways squared (as that of private life ought invariably to be) bythe abstract maxims of religion and of morality. Wherefore do we, thePrinces of the earth, found churches and monasteries, make pilgrimages,undergo penances, and perform devotions with which others may dispense,unless it be because the benefit of the public, and the welfare ofour kingdoms, force us upon measures which grieve our consciences asChristians? But Heaven has mercy, the Church, an unbounded stock ofmerits and the intercession of Our Lady of Embrun and the blessedsaints, is urgent, everlasting, and omnipotent."
He laid his hat on the table, and devoutly kneeling before the imagesstuck into the hat band, repeated in an earnest tone, "Sancte Huberte,Sancte Juliane, Sancte Martine, Sancta Rosalia, Sancti quotquot adestis,orate pro me peccatore!" [St. Hubert, St. Julian, St. Martin, St.Rosalia, all ye saints who hear me, pray for me, a sinner.] He thensmote his breast, arose, reassumed his hat, and continued: "Be assured,good father, that whatever there may be in our commission of the natureat which you have hinted, the execution shall not be intrusted to thisyouth, nor shall he be privy to such part of our purpose."
"In this," said the Astrologer, "you, my royal brother, will walkwisely.--Something may be apprehended likewise from the rashness ofthis your young commissioner, a failing inherent in those of sanguinecomplexion. But I hold that, by the rules of art, this chance is not tobe weighed against the other properties discovered from his horoscopeand otherwise."
"Will this next midnight be a propitious hour in which to commence aperilous journey?" said the King. "See, here is your Ephemerides--yousee the position of the moon in regard to Saturn, and the ascendence ofJupiter.--That should argue, methinks, in submission to your better art,success to him who sends forth the expedition at such an hour."
"To him who sends forth the expedition," said the Astrologer, after apause, "this conjunction doth indeed promise success; but, methinks,that Saturn, being combust, threatens danger and infortune to the partysent; whence I infer that the errand may be perilous, or even fatalto those who are to journey. Violence and captivity, methinks, areintimated in that adverse conjunction."
"Violence and captivity to those who are sent," answered the King,"but success to the wishes of the sender.--Runs it not thus, my learnedfather?"
"Even so," replied the Astrologer.
The King paused, without giving any farther indication how farthis presaging speech (probably hazarded by the Astrologer from hisconjecture that the commission related to some dangerous purpose)squared with his real object, which, as the reader is aware, was tobetray the Countess Isabelle of Croye into the hands of William de laMarck, a nobleman indeed of high birth, but degraded by his crimes intoa leader of banditti, distinguished for his turbulent disposition andferocious bravery.
The King then pulled forth a paper from his pocket, and, ere he gaveit to Martivalle, said, in a tone which resembled that of an apology,"Learned Galeotti, be not surprised that, possessing in you an oraculartreasure, superior to that lodged in the breast of any now alive, notexcepting the great Nostradamus himself [a French astrologer of thesixteenth century, author of a book of prophecies, which was condemnedby the papal court in 1781], I am desirous frequently to avail myself ofyour skill in those doubts and difficulties which beset every Princewho hath to contend with rebellion within his land, and with externalenemies, both powerful and inveterate."
"When I was honoured with your request, Sire," said the philosopher,"and abandoned the Court of Buda for that of Plessis, it was with theresolution to place at the command of my royal patron whatever my arthad, that might be of service to him."
"Enough, good Martivalle--I pray thee attend to the import of thisquestion."
He proceeded to read from the paper in his hand: "A person having onhand a weighty controversy, which is like to draw to debate eitherby law or by force of arms, is desirous, for the present, to seekaccommoda
tion by a personal interview with his antagonist. He desiresto know what day will be propitious for the execution of such a purpose;also what is likely to be the success of such a negotiation, and whetherhis adversary will be moved to answer the confidence thus reposed inhim, with gratitude and kindness, or may rather be likely to abuse theopportunity and advantage which such meeting may afford him."
"It is an important question," said Martivalle, when the King had donereading, "and requires that I should set a planetary figure [to preparea diagram which would represent the heavens at that particular moment],and give it instant and deep consideration."
"Let it be so, my good father in the sciences, and thou shalt knowwhat it is to oblige a King of France. We are determined, if theconstellations forbid not--and our own humble art leads us to think thatthey approve our purpose--to hazard something, even in our own person,to stop these anti-Christian wars."
"May the Saints forward your Majesty's pious intent," said theAstrologer, "and guard your sacred person."
"Thanks, learned father. Here is something, the while, to enlarge yourcurious library."
He placed under one of the volumes a small purse of gold; for,economical even in his superstitions, Louis conceived the Astrologersufficiently bound to his service by the pensions he had assigned him,and thought himself entitled to the use of his skill at a moderate rate,even upon great exigencies.
Louis, having thus, in legal phrase, added a refreshing fee to hisgeneral retainer, turned from him to address Durward.
"Follow me," he said, "my bonny Scot, as one chosen by Destiny and aMonarch to accomplish a bold adventure. All must be got ready, that thoumayest put foot in stirrup the very instant the bell of Saint Martin'stolls twelve. One minute sooner, one minute later, were to forfeit thefavourable aspect of the constellations which smile on your adventure."
Thus saying, the King left the apartment, followed by his youngguardsman; and no sooner were they gone than the Astrologer gave way tovery different feelings from those which seemed to animate him duringthe royal presence.
"The niggardly slave!" he said, weighing the purse in his hand--for,being a man of unbounded expense, he had almost constant occasion formoney--"The base, sordid scullion! A coxswain's wife would give more toknow that her husband had crossed the narrow seas in safety. He acquireany tincture of humane letters!--yes, when prowling foxes and yellingwolves become musicians. He read the glorious blazoning of thefirmament!--ay, when sordid moles shall become lynxes. Post totpromissa--after so many promises made, to entice me from the Court ofthe magnificent Matthias, where Hun and Turk, Christian and Infidel, theCzar of Muscovia and the Cham of Tartary themselves, contended to loadme with gifts--doth he think I am to abide in this old castle like abullfinch in a cage, fain to sing as oft as he chooses to whistle, andall for seed and water? Not so--aut inveniam viam, aut faciam--Iwill discover or contrive a remedy. The Cardinal Balue is politic andliberal--this query shall to him, and it shall be his Eminence's ownfault if the stars speak not as he would have them."
He again took the despised guerdon, and weighed it in his hand. "It maybe," he said, "there is some jewel, or pearl of price, concealed in thispaltry case--I have heard he can be liberal even to lavishness, when itsuits his caprice or interest."
He emptied the purse, which contained neither more nor less than tengold pieces. The indignation of the Astrologer was extreme.
"Thinks he that for such paltry rate of hire I will practise thatcelestial science which I have studied with the Armenian Abbot ofIstrahoff, who had not seen the sun for forty years--with the GreekDubravius, who is said to have raised the dead--and have even visitedthe Sheik Ebn Hali in his cave in the deserts of Thebais? No, byHeaven!--he that contemns art shall perish through his own ignorance.Ten pieces!--a pittance which I am half ashamed to offer to Toinette, tobuy her new breast laces."
So saying, the indignant Sage nevertheless plunged the contemned piecesof gold into a large pouch which he wore at his girdle, which Toinette,and other abettors of lavish expense, generally contrived to empty fullyfaster than the philosopher, with all his art, could find the means offilling.