960-962 Thibaut visits secretly at pacification concluded, restored. Thibaut sought no guarantee, no pledge for 954-987 safety. Gulping the humiliation, he repaired to Richard. Entering the City by night, he stole silently through the dark crooked streets, some Richard few of Richard's confidential friends guiding and Roun guarding him. Thibaut was tired out, Richard and Evreux apprehensive, each equally eager for a reconciliation. When Thibaut entered the Presence chamber, they ran to meet each other, embraced and exchanged mutual kisses,-a ceremony, to both of them either a farce or a loathing.-It is however somewhat mournful to think of the "Vieux Chartrain" craving young Richard's clemency; but he had brought himself to this pass. Not only did he engage forthwith to restore Evreux, city, and castle, but covenanted to hold all his dominions as a Benefice under Richard. Richard may, as his encomiasts tell us, have been vanquished by Thibaut's lowliness, but unquestionably far more by the concession; and, on his part he promised a cordial peace. That self-same night did Thibaut set off for Chartres; and the evacuation of Evreux by Thibaut's troops, and the consequent restoration of the betrayed City to the lawful owner, attested his sincerity. § 43. This weighty transaction concluded, now remained to Richard the equally important concern of completing his negotiations with his enemies the French, and the more difficult task of saving himself from the Danes, his dubious friends. Richard conducted the transaction characteristically, and in consistent conformity with the gay and gallant 954-987, character of the Norman Court:-a character 960-962 which, since Guillaume Longue-épée's accession, Joyous preparations made by the reception of the French. had become traditional. Many of Richard's domestic circle must have fully recollected the merry hunting meet in the romantic "Forest of Lions;" when the courtship between Guillaume Tête-d'Etoupe and the Norman Emma, began so untowardly, and ended so happily. On the Richard for present occasion, the enjoyments of that sylvan festival were re-presented with increased brilliancy. By Richard's command, the trelliced lodges were raised, and the lengthened bowers prepared, astonishing the beholders equally by their size and their magnificence.-Green rushes and sweet smelling herbs overspread the hardtrodden, smooth, foot-worn, embrowned turf within whilst the rich curtains dependent from the entwined branches composing the roof, imparted to the rustic edifice the courtly character of palatial splendour. It was during the brightest season of the year; the Sun in Gemini, radiating upon Mother Earth from the culminating point of vernal loveliness, about to ripen into full summer scorch. As usual, or rather as inevitable, where Richard fixed his quarters, an avalanche of good cheer continued descending-man and beast equally cared for, sacks of oats and trusses of provender,—wains laden with venison and pipes of good wine. Lothaire absent, his Bishops, Counts, Knights, implore Richard's and Nobles, appeared as petitioners before the 954-987 Norman Duke, tendering their services, and en- 960-962 treating his mercy. Urgently did they beseech The French him on behalf of the French King, the French intervention. knighthood, and the French people, that Richard would restrain the ferocity of the Danes, and rescue France from their fangs. Lothaire was guiltless. Thibaut, the seducer, had been pardoned, and, as a perfect guarantee for peace, Lothaire and the Optimates of all France would by their hand-fast compact secure to Richard and his heirs the "Regnum Northmannicum" for ever. Fully willing was Richard,-but now came the pinch. How was Richard to free himself from his allies; now not merely needless, but dangerous?"-The mythic Richard-sans-peur, who figures in the Minstrel song or the Old wife's tale, is as reckless of bogles as Tam o'Shanter. But the flesh and blood Richard never displayed any extravagant venturesomeness when imminent peril was impending. agrees under the pressure from the 44. Manifesting his accustomed gracious- Richard ness equally inbred and acquired, Richard cor- of danger dially accepted the proposition. Yet, even at this Danes. juncture he could not refrain from recapitulating his grievances, and recurring to the treasons which had been effected or contemplated against his liberty-authority-life. Bruno's machinations most of all. We feel that Richard was conscience stung. 960-962 954-987 In this last desperate scheme of invoking the Danes he had fully justified all the obloquy attached to the leader of the Pirates, and which, in the opinion of the French, dictated the course they had pursued, not repudiating the possibility, or rather the hope, of ending his life without judicial formality or war declared. Richard meets the proposes peace. Richard, however, was now as much appalled as the French could be. There were the Danes, His management was and they would not go. skilful, and a friendly negotiation was commenced by him. He knew the Danish strength, and the Danish weakness;-the weight of the Danish battle-axe, and the fault of the Danish armour. ConDanes, and sorting, he addressed them conjointly and seve rally; Chieftains and subordinates, each had his compliment and good word. The old were venerable; the middle aged mighty; and the young so fine and brave. He had not thanks enow for the hearty friendship they had displayed in leav ing their native country. But they had secured his safety, and vindicated their own renown. The King of the French, his Nobles, his people, now worn out by hostilities, earnestly sought quiet, the propo sition. and solicited peace. Richard therefore prayed that they would discuss the proposition, and They reject grant at least a truce.-No, noble Duke, was the unanimous shout of the Northmen. Thou art gibing and jeering us. No.-Neither now nor ever.-No.-Not for a day! They would have their will. France was theirs, and the abandon ment of their conquest would bring them to shame, Danishmen and Irishmen, Alans and Norskmen, before the whole Northern world. Go with us, and we will win all France for ourselves, and for thee.-Keep aloof, and we shall win all France for ourselves, but not for thee. Choose ! Richard, however, continued self-possessed. Loud was the outery, but Richard knew that strength of lungs is not always accompanied by corresponding stoutness of heart.— Hostilities being stayed, let two days, he solicited, be allowed him for deliberation.-Two days were granted. Then two days more.-Four days ended, he then asked eight days further time, and at the end of the eight, he craved eight days again. 954-987 960-962 granted for sideration. Much perplexed were the French Bishops and Trace Nobles by this delay. But Richard was well further conacquainted with the Danish character. He had begun his manœuvres, for his qualifications as a Statesman would be unfairly appreciated, if we rejected the supposition that the proposal which he intended to make, had not been ventilated between him and the more leading men of the Danishry. Having fully matured his scheme, grounded upon his thorough knowledge of the Danish character, he explained his plans to the French. The Danish sword would slip easily into the sheath, if the full purse opened sufficiently wide. To deal successfully with the Danish Chieftains, he must select not only |