Читать «Айвенго / Ivanhoe» онлайн - страница 23

“I have been in Palestine, Sir Monk,” said the knight, stopping suddenly, “and in Palestine the host should eat together with the guest to show that the food is good. Please follow this Eastern custom.”

“To make you comfortable, Sir Knight, I will break my rule once,” replied the hermit. And he joined his guest.

The ice of ceremony was broken, and the guest and the host started a competition for a better appetite. It was clear that the hermit won.

“Holy Clerk,” said the knight, “I am sure you have some wine for your guests which you have completely forgotten about.”

The hermit only smiled and took out of the same hidden cupboard a very big bottle and two large drinking cups. He filled both cups and saying, “Your health, Sir Lazy Knight!” he emptied his one.

“Your health, Holy Clerk of Copmanhurst!” answered the knight and emptied his. “Holy Clerk,” he went on, “I am surprised that such a strong man lives alone in this wild forest. In my judgment, you should be a commander of a castle, not live here upon peas and water, or even upon the food for your guests. At least, if I were you, I would hunt some of the King’s deer.”

“Sir Lazy Knight,” replied the Clerk, “these are dangerous words. The deer belongs to the King, and I do not break laws.”

“Still, if I were you,” said the knight, “I would go hunting at night, when foresters and keepers are in bed. Tell me, Holy Clerk, have you ever tried this?”

“My lazy friend,” answered the hermit, “believe me, it is better to enjoy the good which God sends you, than to be too curious about where it comes from. Fill your cup, and do not make me by more impolite questions show you that I can fight you.”

“You make me more curious than ever!” said the knight, “And do not threaten me, holy man, because my profession is to find danger wherever it can be found.”

“Sir Lazy Knight, I drink to you,” said the hermit, “respecting your courage but believing you to be unwise. I can oppose you with any arms. What do you say about these, good friend?”

He opened another hidden door, and took out a couple of swords and small shields. The knight, who watched his host, noticed that inside this second hidden cuproard there were two or three good long-bows, a cross-bow, many arrows and a harp.

“I promise you, brother Monk,” said he, “I will ask you no more questions. The contents of that cupboard are an answer to all of them. And I see a weapon there” (he took out the harp) “on which I would more gladly prove my skill, than at the sword and shield.”

“Sit down then, Sir Knight,” said the hermit, “and fill your cup, let us drink, sing, and be merry. If you know a good song, you will be welcome at Copmanhurst as long as I live. Friend, I drink to your successful performance.”

So saying, he drank his cup with much ceremony.

The knight in the meantime had brought the strings into some order, and after a short prelude asked what he should sing.

“A ballad, a ballad,” said the hermit, “only English ballads should be sung in this house.”