Читать «Айвенго / Ivanhoe» онлайн - страница 53

“True says the proverb,” said Wamba, “when the cat is away, the mice will play.’”

“What, Wamba, are you here?” said Richard, “I thought you have run.”

“I ran?” said Wamba, “It is true, I stepped back at first, but I gave the signal to attack.”

“And to good purpose, honest Wamba,” replied the King. “Your good service will not be forgotten.”

At the same time, two additional personages appeared on the scene.

* * *

The new comers were Wilfred of Ivanhoe and Gurth. Ivanhoe was astonished, when he saw six or seven dead bodies lying around his King. He hesitated how to address the King. Richard saw his embarrassment.

“Don’t fear, Wilfred,” he said, “to address Richard Plantagenet as himself when you see him in the company of true English hearts, although it may be they have been brought a few steps aside by warm English blood.”

When the King explained to Ivanhoe what had happened, the young knight exclaimed, “Why, oh why, noble Prince, do you make your faithful servants fear for your life as if it were of no more value than that of a mere travelling knight?”

“And Richard Plantagenet,” said the King, “desires no more fame than he can win with a good lance and a sword.”

“But your kingdom,” said Ivanhoe, “your kingdom is threatened with civil war.”

“Ho! ho! my kingdom and my servants?” answered Richard, impatiently; “I tell you, Sir Wilfred, the best of them do the same. For example, my very faithful servant Wilfred of Ivanhoe will not obey my positive commands, and yet reads his King a homily, because he does not walk exactly by his advice. Yet forgive me, my faithful Wilfred. I need to disguise myself to give my friends and faithful nobles time to assemble their forces. Estoteville and Bohun will not be strong enough to move forward to York for one more day. I must have news of Salisbury from the south. The Chancellor must make sure of London.”

Wilfred only sighed, and Richard went on in conversation with Robin Hood. – “King of Outlaws,” he said, “have you no refreshment to offer to your brother monarch?”

“If your Grace, then,” said Robin, “will again honour with your presence one of Robin Hood’s places of rendezvous, the venison shall not be lacking; and a stoup of ale, and it may be a cup of reasonably good wine.”

Beneath a huge oak-tree the King of England sat surrounded by bandits. As the flagon went round, the rough foresters soon lost their awe for the presence of Majesty. They sang and told jokes, and the King laughed with them.

After some time the King together with Ivanhoe, Gurth and Wamba went to Coningsburgh. They arrived when the sun was yet in the horizon.

* * *

When Richard and Ivanhoe reached Coningsburgh and were led to the castle hall, Wilfred hid his face in his cloak to show it to his father when the King gives him the signal.

In this apartment sat members of the most important Saxon families in this part of the country. They were all old, with grey hair and long beards, and sat in silence. They were looking down on Earth with sorrow.