He was, therefore, graciously pleased to fall into an exceeding
passion, when his confidential messenger returned from his
embassy in piteous plight, having been, by the baron's order,
first tossed in a blanket and set in the stocks to cool,
and afterwards ducked in the moat and set again in the stocks
to dry. John swore to revenge horribly this flagrant outrage
on royal prerogative, and to obtain possession of the lady
by force of arms; and accordingly collected a body of troops,
and marched upon Arlingford castle. A letter, conveyed as before
on the point of a blunt arrow, announced his approach to Matilda:
and lord Fitzwater had just time to assemble his retainers,
collect a hasty supply of provision, raise the draw-bridge, and drop
the portcullis, when the castle was surrounded by the enemy.
The little fat friar, who during the confusion was asleep in the buttery,
found himself, on awaking, inclosed in the besieged castle,
and dolefully bewailed his evil chance.
CHAPTER X
A noble girl, i' faith. Heart! I think I fight with a familiar,
or the ghost of a fencer. Call you this an amorous visage?
Here's blood that would have served me these seven years,
in broken heads and cut fingers, and now it runs out
all together.--MIDDLETON. Roaring Girl.
Prince John sat down impatiently before Arlingford castle in the hope
of starving out the besieged; but finding the duration of their supplies
extend itself in an equal ratio with the prolongation of his hope,
he made vigorous preparations for carrying the place by storm.
Pages:
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87