_To be old_ is to be weak. When the Saracens, when the Norsemen threaten us, what will come to us if the people remain old? Charlemagne weeps, and the Church weeps too. She owns that her relics fail to guard her altars from these Barbarian devils.[13] Had she not better call upon the arm of that wayward child whom she was going to bind fast, the arm of that young giant whom she wanted to paralyse? This movement in two opposite ways fills the whole ninth century. The people are held back, anon they are hurled forward: we fear them and we call on them for aid. With them and by means of them we throw up hasty barriers, defences that may check the Barbarians, while sheltering the priests and their saints escaped thither from their churches. [13] The famous avowal made by Hincmar. In spite of the Bald Emperor’s[14] command not to build, there grows up a tower on the mountain. Thither comes the fugitive, crying, “In God’s name, take me in, at least my wife and children! Myself with my cattle will encamp in your outer enclosure.” The tower emboldens him and he feels himself a man. It gives him shade, and he in his turn defends, protects his protector. [14] Charles the Bald.--TRANS. Formerly in their hunger the small folk yielded themselves to the great as serfs; but here how great the difference! He offers himself as a _vassal_, one who would be called brave and valiant.[15] He gives himself up, and keeps himself, and reserves to himself the right of going elsewhere. “I will go further: the earth is large: I, too, like the rest, can rear my tower yonder. If I have defended the outworks, I can surely look after myself within.” [15] A difference too little felt by those who have spoken of the _personal recommendation_, &c. Thus nobly, thus grandly arose the feudal world. The master of the tower received his vassals with some such words as these: “Thou shalt go when thou willest, and if need be with my help; at least, if thou shouldst sink in the mire, I myself will dismount to succour thee.” These are the very words of the old formula.[16] [16] Grimm, _Rechts Alterthümer_, and my _Origines du Droit_. * * * * * But, one day, what do I see? Can my sight be grown dim? The lord of the valley, as he rides about, sets up bounds that none may overleap; ay, and limits that you cannot see. “What is that? I don’t understand.” That means that the manor is shut in. “The lord keeps it all fast under gate and hinge, between heaven and earth.” Most horrible! By virtue of what law is this _vassus_ (or _valiant_ one) held to his power? People will thereon have it, that _vassus_ may also mean _slave_. In like manner the word _servus_, meaning a _servant_, often indeed a proud one, even a Count or Prince of the Empire, comes in the case of the weak to signify a _serf_, a wretch whose life is hardly worth a halfpenny.