Masters of the Guild Part 23

"Knighthood is a fair and n.o.ble thing, but its vows have no magic--no more than the oaths of the guilds, or the monastic orders, or the allegiance of the va.s.sal to his lord. It is the living spirit that keeps the vows--and when that is gone their power is less than nothing. Once I could not see how it was possible for a man to renounce his knighthood and his Lord. I have lived with such a man, and I know that it came of his losing faith.

He lost the power to believe in good. I think that he hated me because I reminded him of his own land and all that he no longer wished to remember.

"Now having known the scourge and the fetters, I may speak to the bondman as a brother. I am alone, with none to need me. Therefore I go hence to join the brethren who are giving their lives to this ministry."

The Palmer rose to his feet as if in haste to be gone. "I weary you perchance with talk too serious for holiday-time," he said with that quick smile of his, "but when you come to your own work you will know how close to the heart that lies. Now be glad and make others glad--it was never G.o.d's will, I am right sure, that this world should be a doleful place for the young."

The piercing silvery notes of the trumpets in the chill air, the trampling of horses in the bailey, gave notice of the arrival of guests. There was no more leisure that day.

In the glitter and glow and splendor of the banquet hall, with its music and gayety, the tall gray figure of the Palmer moved like a spirit. As the guests came one after another to speak with him of his experiences and his plans, their kindling faces proved his rare power of making them see what he saw. To Stephen Giffard the presence of G.o.d was as real as the sunrise.

In the light of his utter self-sacrifice the loyalty, sweetness and courage of other lives seemed to s.h.i.+ne out more brightly. It was all one with the immortal world of Christendom--ruled by the living spirit of the child cradled in Bethlehem centuries ago.

THE CRUSADERS

Daily we waited word or sign-- They were our children, these Who held the unsleeping battle-line Beyond the haunted seas, Who gave their golden unlived years And that clear pathway trod Lifting through sunset gates of fire To the far tents of G.o.d.

Through trackless realms of unknown s.p.a.ce They wander, unafraid, For nothing do they fear to face In worlds that G.o.d has made.

Freed from the shattered bonds of earth They meet their comrades free, To share the service of the Lord In truth and loyalty.

Elizabeth's wise admirals guard Their dear-loved England's coast.

From Somme and Meuse no cannon barred The Maid's undaunted host.

And still the Foreign Legion hears In every desperate chance Her children's cras.h.i.+ng battle-cry-- "For France! For France! For France!"

The captains of the hosts of G.o.d Know every man by name, When from the torn and bleeding sod Their spirits pa.s.s like flame.

The maid must wait her lover still, The mother wait her son,-- For very love they may not leave The task they have begun.

If secret plot of greed or fear Shall bid the trumpets cease, And bind the lands they held so dear To base dishonored peace, How shall their white battalions rest Or sheathe the sword of light,-- The unbroken armies of our dead, Who have not ceased to fight!

NOTES

PEIROL OF THE PIGEONS

The troubadour, minstrel and jongleur or joglar, were not the same in dignity. A troubadour or trouvere was a poet who sang his own compositions to his own music. A jongleur was a singer who was not a poet, though he might make songs. He corresponded more nearly to the modern vaudeville performer. The minstrel was something between the two.

THE TAPESTRY CHAMBER

Saint George was not formally adopted as the patron saint of England until some time after this.

LULLABY OF THE PICT MOTHER

This song may be sung to a very old Scotch air called "O can ye sew cus.h.i.+ons."

THE WOLVES OF OSSORY

The werewolf superst.i.tion is very persistent, and has been held in many countries until quite recent times.

ST. HUGH AND THE BIRDS

The reference is to St. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, who is represented with his pet swan in most of his portraits. He founded a Carthusian monastery by the invitation of Henry II., at Witham in Somerset, and built the choir and a considerable part of Lincoln Cathedral. The stories of his love for birds are found in old chronicles.

THE SWORD OF DAMASCUS

An armorer's shop very like the one described has been brought from Abbeville and set up in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in one of the rooms devoted to armor.

THE WISDOM OF THE GALLEYS

"Y'Allah!" (O G.o.d!) is a common exclamation, often used as meaning "Make Haste!" Abu Ha.s.san is "the father of Ha.s.san," In Moslem countries a father often uses his son's name in this way, allowing his own to be almost forgotten.

Khawaja, Khawadji or Howadji is a t.i.tle of respect given exclusively to unbelievers.

The Breach of Roland--Roncesvalles.

Jebel el Tarik--Gibraltar.

Iskanderia--Alexandria.

"Ma sh' Allah!" (What does G.o.d mean!) the commonest exclamation of surprise.

Feringhi--Frankish, French.

Kafir--Infidel, heathen, a term of extreme contempt.

Ahmed ibn Said--Ahmed the son of Said.

THE EBBING TIDE

Hy-Brasail is the Celtic name for the Fortunate Islands, the Isles of Avilion, said to be situated somewhere west of Europe. The dead were said to go westward to these islands, which were a paradise.

THE END OF A PILGRIMAGE

John de Matha founded the Order of the Holy Trinity, sometimes known as the Redemptorist Fathers, sometimes as the Mathurins. He was afterward made a saint. He was the first to make any serious effort to alleviate the condition of prisoners, especially slaves among the Moslems.

The legend of the Star of Bethlehem referred to is one which is still current in India.