944-945 942-954 Now it chanced that in the calm autumn season, when the fresh air and the clear sky invited to sport and pleasure, Louis was compelled to deny himself the recreation he would so gladly have enjoyed he had to labour in his calling, being required to employ himself in the Tribunal. It was the Session-day of the King's High Court, a busy day of contention and vexation; the jostling litigants crowding the Hall, each Suitor impatient to plead his plea, and each Pleader loud and fluent. Stunning was the strife of tongues, and when the Sovereign took his Seat, it was plain that many an hour must wear away, before the Osmond Royal Judge could rise. Osmond could not resist ard break the temptation of disobeying the irksome injunction-the King set fast upon the bench-when could such a chance recur?-so he minded not the breaking of bounds, but rode forth with the boy. Much did Richard need good practice in the art of falconry, how to fly the gentle bird, to loose the leash and sound the lure. The day was long, the sport delightful, and the long day ended ere the truants had returned. and Rich their arrest. The Court broke up, and the first intelligence with which Gerberga greeted her husband, worried by his weary work, was that Osmond and the boy were absent from Laon.-Evening drew on, had they not escaped?-the King fretted in extreme anxiety. Spitfire Gerberga exasperated her husband's impatience, reproaching him with his carelessness in leaving the prisoners 942-954 unguarded; and Louis continued silent for very rage, until Osmond and Richard, having returned without apprehension, were brought before him. 944-945 Louis-he Osmond ard. Louis, overcome by passion, assailed the of fenders with bitter threats and disgraceful contumely. Osmond, the "vile fool," was threatened with the loss of his eyes. Scurrilous as the lan- Anger of guage employed by Louis towards Osmond might threatens be, his vituperations of Richard were even more and Richungenerous. Louis insulted the child by degrading his mother, bestowing upon Espriota the worst name which can be applied to woman, a lewd harlot, who enhanced her guilt by seducing Guillaume Longue-épée from his lawful consort. If the Bastard ever repeated the attempt of escape, he should be effectually secured, laid fast like a log. The warning monument of the Merovingian princes in the Abbey of Jumièges foreshadowed his destiny-he was threatened with the horrible operation which state prisoners sustained by the commands of those whose consciences forbade them from shedding blood, yet allowed them to inflict a living death,-the stiffening of the victim's sinews by the actual cautery. Osmond and Richard were in danger of life and limb, and Louis in a paroxysm of indignation shouted that he cared not if all the world should know it. Additional Warders were appointed; and the two French knights, Gerard and 942-954 Rosceline, were told to consider themselves personally responsible for Richard's safe custody. If he evaded, they might expect to be burnt or hanged. 944-945 § 16. Through this undignified outbreak, Richard was ultimately saved. When Louis declared his wish that the perils impending over the Heir of Normandy should be universally known, his anger threw him off his guard.-The brief fury made his foot slip, and the slip ultimately brought on his fall.-Osmond easily found the means of conveying the intelligence to Couci, the friendly Castle of Bernard de Senlis. The wary and powerful kinsman transmitted the intelligence to Bernard the Dane: and, repeated by the greybearded Chieftain, the sad report was rapidly diffused throughout Rouen and the Terra Normannorum, exciting deep indignation and deeper terror. Diligently did the Normans counsel amongst themselves how they might best guide their course, but no earthly succour could be found. Herlouin, now wholly devoted to Louis, and the insolent French garrison, retained Rouen in bondage. Any attempt to deliver Richard from Laon Tower by force, was utterly hopeless-who could batter the citadel's walls?-any insurrection against the royal authority would be worse than futile. Richard was the hostage for the obedience of the Normans. The mere rumour of any insurrectional movement reaching Laon would 944-945 have been the signal for summoning the Execu- 942-954 tioner and his Assistants to lay hands upon Richard. Normandy therefore continued outwardly tranquil, and yet the Normans had found the means of testifying their sentiments most impressively and forcibly: submitting themselves to the Oppressor, they sought aid in prayer. mans ex griefs by devotional offices. During three days, a Solemn Fast was observed The Northroughout the Terra Normannorum, processions press their pacing along the streets and highways, the doleful litanies resounding, alms amply bestowed and masses said and sung; and, month after month, was the Fast repeated, and the intercession made. It was not within the power of Louis to prohibit these religious observances, neither were they susceptible of misconstruction. Every verse of each penitential psalm brought Richard before the people's mind; they were helping him in the only way they could, and their supplications testified that they were prepared and ready to give him succour in any other way, when way should open:-"Le bon temps viendra," thought many besides Bernard. Indeed, all parties were kept in check. Louis held up the dart, but dared not strike, restrained perhaps by compunction, and in some degree by fear, whilst Osmond sedulously attended to the education of the intelligent and docile Richard. But no help came. Time wore away heavily. The sense of danger increased, 944-945 942-954 until, at length, the anxiety became unbearable to the imaginative boy. His earnest entreaties induced Osmond to attempt his rescue; and there was one in that dungeon-tower with whom Osmond could well mature his schemes, the noble Yvo de Creil, the renowned father of Guillaume de Belesme. appear of declining health. Symptoms § 17. Hitherto, the young Richard had conRichard's tinued in the enjoyment of exuberant health. Gerberga used to hate him for his good looks; but now, as he waited at the royal board, many symptoms of declining vigour began to be discernible. His ruddy cheeks were pale and wan, his hitherto cheerful countenance, triste and worn. When he presented the cup the wary Queen was compelled to observe how thin his poor hands were becoming, and his plump and rounded limbs were falling away. Richard's ghastliness could not efface Lothaire's ugly freckles, nor did the shrinking of Richard's members straighten the legs of crook-shanked Lothaire; but the contrast between the two lads was in some degree diminished, and so far Gerberga may have rejoiced therein. However, more weighty matters could not fail to be brought before her mind. Richard was sickening for want of fresh air and exercise-what course ought to be pursued? Richard declined rapidly,-food does not nourish the gentle Bachelor, nor sleep refresh him, said all who saw him, he could hardly stand for very |