how the prince heard high mass in holyrood church;
and how he once more beheld sir bevis and his
companions.
amid the thunder of cannon, the ringing of bells, the beating of drums, the braying of trumpets, the clash of cymbals, the waving of scarves and kerchiefs, accompanied by joyous acclamations, philip entered southampton by the water-gate.
bending lowly in return for the clamorous welcome given him by the occupants of the gallery adjoining the gate, the prince continued to bow gracefully right and left as he rode slowly up the street. philip was never seen to greater advantage than on horse-back, and his stately figure now commanded universal admiration. as he went on, he descried many a comely damsel at the windows, but she he most desired to behold was not visible.
passing through the triumphal arch reared across the streets, which, now that it was completed, had a charming effect, he dismounted at the gothic porch of holyrood church, near which the english nobles were ranged to receive him.
internally, the church presented an imposing appearance, being richly decorated for the occasion. the aisles were densely crowded, but the broad nave was kept clear, and along it a crimson cloth was stretched. the pillars were also covered with embroidered cloths, and ornamented with paintings. superb vessels of gold and silver, chalices, reliquaries 86and pixes, decked the altar, above which stood an image of the virgin, then but newly set up. large tapers burnt on either side. priests and deacons in their stoles, with white-robed choristers and incense-bearers, filled the chantry.
as philip, preceded by the bishop of cuen?a and father de castro, and followed by a splendid train of english and spanish nobles, marched along the nave, the priests advanced to meet him, while the air was filled with fragrance. at the same time the roof resounded with jubilant symphonies. a large velvet cushion had been placed on the right of the altar for the prince, and on this he knelt down, while the english and spanish nobles grouped themselves on either side. mass was then solemnised, the bishop of cuen?a and father de castro officiating with the english priests.
on issuing from the church, philip was greeted with loud acclamations from the crowd, which he graciously acknowledged. mounting his jennet, and attended by a gallant train, consisting of the english and spanish nobles, he proceeded along high street towards the bar-gate, where he was told by the earl of arundel that a pageant awaited him.
the same manifestations of popular satisfaction that had hitherto attended him continued during this part of his course, and no untoward incident occurred to mar the general harmony.
on approaching the bar-gate, philip perceived beneath its archway the gigantic sir bevis of southampton, armed as he had appeared on the previous night, and seated on his mighty charger arundel. royal canute was stationed on the right of the puissant champion, and savage ascapart on the left. behind were the moorish kings.
thus placed, the gigantic figures had a very picturesque effect, and harmonised well with the ancient structure. a trumpet being sounded, a fancifully-attired dwarf issued from a postern in one of the flanking towers, and strutted towards the prince.
“who art thou, and what is thy business?” demanded philip, as the dwarf made him a very ceremonious obeisance.
“my name may perchance have reached your highness’s 87ears,” replied the mannikin, proudly. “i am called sir narcissus le grand, and am one—perchance not the least distinguished—of her majesty’s attendants.”
“i am aware that her majesty has a dwarf to divert her,” replied the prince, laughing. “but i fancied the diminutive valet’s name differed from thine.”
“there is no other dwarf but myself in her majesty’s household,” returned the mannikin. “before i received the honour of knighthood, i was called xit, and i am still occasionally so designated by those who are on familiar terms with me.”
“that name has brevity to recommend it, and therefore suits thee better than the other,” observed the prince.
“nay, an your highness thinks so, i am ready to resume the appellation. xit is a name of which i have no reason to be ashamed, seeing i have ever borne it with honour. perchance your highness designs some distinction for me. the cross of santiago, or the toison d’or, would not be ill bestowed.”
“by saint anthony! a modest proposition!” exclaimed philip. “i marvel thou dost not ask to be made a grandee of the first class.”
“that is indeed my ambition,” replied xit. “i shall then be privileged to remain covered in your highness’s presence, like the proud lords i see yonder. but, though dazzled by the thought, i must not forget the business in hand, which is to acquaint your highness that the knight of southampton, the redoubted sir bevis, with his slave ascapart, and the regal canute, all of whom you behold under yon archway, welcome you to england, and shout with me ‘god save prince philip!’”
“god save prince philip!” vociferated the three giants in concert.
“thanks for the welcome,” replied philip. “your pageant is good, but it lacks its chief character. where is the princess josyan?—she should be with sir bevis.”
“highness,” said xit, somewhat embarrassed, “there are two princesses, and since they cannot agree as to which shall take precedence, it was deemed best that neither should appear. they are within the bar-gate. if you desire it, they can be summoned.”
88“bring forth the youngest and fairest of them,” rejoined philip.
xit bowed, and hastened to execute the prince’s command.
in another instant he reappeared, leading by the hand a comely young damsel, attired in a kirtle of green velvet, and having a glittering caul on her head, in whom philip was at no loss to recognise the captive made by sir bevis on the previous night. a bright blush suffused her cheeks, serving to heighten the effect of her charms, but otherwise she did not seem much abashed, but tripped gaily with her little conductor towards the prince.
“highness,” said xit, as he presented her, “in this damsel, ordinarily known as lilias ringwood, you behold the princess josyan.”
scarcely were the words uttered, than a lattice, immediately above the central arch of the bar-gate, was thrown open, and an angry female face appeared.
“’tis false!” screamed lady le grand, for she it was—“’tis false, i say! i am the real princess josyan, and no one shall usurp the part. i am shut up here under lock and key, or i would soon strip that vile hussy of her attire, which belongs of right to me. doff it at once, minion.”
“retire on the instant, i command you, madam,” screamed xit, shaking his hand furiously at her.
“i shall obey no orders of thine, thou contemptible little monster,” rejoined lady le grand, in a shrill voice. “let me out, or it shall be worse for thee. how dare you put another woman in my place? lilias ringwood shall not enact the part assigned to me.”
“marry, but she shall,” rejoined xit. “his highness desired that the youngest and fairest of the two claimants should be brought forth. thou art neither so young nor so lovely as lilias, and art consequently superseded. retire, i say.”
before lady le grand could make any further rejoinder, philip interposed.
“but what says sir bevis himself?” he demanded. “since he is chiefly concerned in the matter, the choice of a princess ought to rest with him. methinks he cannot hesitate.”
“assuredly not, your highness,” rejoined the gigantic 89warrior, inclining his head. “i am right glad of the exchange.”
“then take fair lilias to him,” said philip. “remember the fate of the strong man of israel,” he added to sir bevis, “and be not subdued like him. otherwise, thou mayst have reason to repent thy choice.”
“no delilah shall enslave me, your highness,” rejoined the giant, as the damsel was placed behind him by ascapart.
“that remains to be seen,” laughed lilias, as she settled herself on the pillion.
mortified by the success of her young rival, lady le grand retreated from the window, amid the jeers and laughter of the beholders, all of whom were mightily entertained by the incident.
no sooner was this important point settled, than sir bevis rode forth from the archway with the fair lilias behind him, her countenance radiant with triumph. bending in knightly fashion to the prince, the gigantic warrior bade his companions attend him, and struck into a street on the right. calling for his piebald steed, xit followed the procession, without troubling himself further about lady le grand.