Chapter 37

Gone to be married?--Gone to swear a peace!
KING JOHN

The news of the lost battle, so quickly carried by the fugitives to
the village and convent, had spread the greatest alarm among the
inhabitants. The Sacristan and other monks counselled flight; the
Treasurer recommended that the church plate should be offered as a
tribute to bribe the English officer; the Abbot alone was unmoved and
undaunted.

"My brethren," he said, "since God has not given our people victory in
the combat, it must be because he requires of us, his spiritual
soldiers, to fight the good fight of martyrdom, a conflict in which
nothing but our own faint-hearted cowardice can make us fail of
victory. Let us assume, then, the armour of faith, and prepare, if it
be necessary, to die under the ruin of these shrines, to the service
of which we have devoted ourselves. Highly honoured are we all in this
distinguished summons, from our dear brother Nicholas, whose gray
hairs have been preserved until they should be surrounded by the crown
of martyrdom, down to my beloved son Edward, who, arriving at the
vineyard at the latest hour of the day, is yet permitted to share its
toils with those who have laboured from the morning. Be of good
courage, my children. I dare not, like my sainted predecessors,
promise to you that you shall be preserved by miracle--I and you are
alike unworthy of that especial interposition, which, in earlier
times, turned the sword of sacrilege against the bosom of tyrants by
whom it was wielded, daunted the hardened hearts of heretics with
prodigies, and called down hosts of angels to defend the shrine of God
and of the Virgin. Yet, by heavenly aid, you shall this day see that
your Father and Abbot will not disgrace the mitre which sits upon his
brow. Go to your cells, my children, and exercise your private
devotions. Array yourselves also in alb and cope, as for our most
solemn festivals, and be ready, when the tolling of the largest bell
announces the approach of the enemy, to march forth to meet them in
solemn procession. Let the church be opened to afford such refuge as
may be to those of our vassals, who, from their exertion in this day's
unhappy battle, or the cause, are particularly apprehensive of the
rage of the enemy. Tell Sir Piercie Shafton, if he has escaped the
fight--"

"I am here, most venerable Abbot," replied Sir Piercie; "and if it so
seemeth meet to you, I will presently assemble such of the men as have
escaped this escaramouche, and will renew the resistance, even unto
the death. Certes, you will learn from all, that I did my part in this
unhappy matter. Had it pleased Julian Avenel to have attended to my
counsel, specially in somewhat