Foxholme Hall, and Other TalesKingston, William Henry Giles
General
Foxholme Hall, and Other Tales
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Adventure stories; Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction; Children's stories; Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
"Mark you, Roger, watch over the boy as a precious jewel. Remember his
noble blood and parentage, bring him up as becomes both, and above all
things, when he comes to man's estate, take care that he finds a bride
befitting him, and does not wed beneath him. I fear me much that I do
not leave him as rich a heritage as I received, but should quiet times
ever come back to this realm of England, with your careful nursing, it
may once more be made as profitable as of yore. You know my wishes,
good Roger; I can speak no more. Especially in that one point of
marriage guide the boy aright. Lift me up. How goes the fight? Let me
behold the white rose of York once more triumphant. See--see--they
charge forward! No--alas! they turn and fly. Then welcome death!" The
old knight, pressing Roger's hand, uttered the word, "Remember," and
fell back and died.
The brave serving-man, rising to his feet, stood over the dead body of
his master with drawn sword, to protect it from spoliation, and
ultimately succeeded in bearing it off from the field, so as to give it
honoured sepulture in the precincts of the neighbouring church. The
priests were desirous to keep the knight's armour in pawn, that masses
might be said for the repose of his soul.
"Thanks, reverend and worthy gentlemen," answered Roger, quietly. "But
my dear master was as hearty a prayer as he was a fighter, and methinks
if he's failed while he lived to make his peace with Heaven, nothing
that you or any other can say will aid him now that he is gone, and
knows more about the matter than you and all the world besides put
together."
"What rank heresy is this you are speaking?" exclaimed the priest. "The
prayers of the Church not of use to the dead, do you say? This savours
strongly of the abominable tenets of Wycliffe. Why, you must belong to
the abominable sect of the Lollards, Master Roger."
"Nay, but I was only speaking in the case of my good master," answered
the latter, in his quiet tone. "I said that he was a hearty prayer; and
what is the use of a man's praying if his prayers are not to be heard?
But if my master's prayers were heard--and I am sure they were--then
there is no further need of any one praying for him. I am a true son of
Holy Mother Church. I know nothing of Master Wycliffe, and conclude
that he has been dead no small number of years."
The priest, not accustomed in those days to controversy, had nothing to
say in reply to Roger's remarks, though, still suspecting him strongly
to be a Lollard, he would have liked to entrap him, and have the power
to bring down punishment on his head. Honest Roger, however, not aware
of the feelings of animosity he had excited, frankly wished the irate
ecclesiastic farewell, and with the arms and armour of his late master,
all that remained of him, took his departure for the now mourning castle
of Beauville.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account