The Childhood of King Erik Menved: An Historical Romance — John Shaqi
The Childhood of King Erik Menved: An Historical RomanceIngemann, Bernhard Severin
History
The Childhood of King Erik Menved: An Historical Romance
Ingemann, Bernhard Severin
Denmark -- History -- Erik Glipping, 1259-1286 -- Fiction; Denmark -- History -- Erik Menved, 1286-1319 -- Fiction
"The preparation is a secret, my most worthy sir," answered the cook,
"the knowledge of which I shall keep to myself, until I make my will:
then shall I enrich after generations with my invention, if the world
prove worthy of it. I have named this divine beverage _bishop_: I hope
it deserves its title, and that it will hereafter render the name of
Morten Fynbo immortal, among both learned and simple."
"Call it archbishop: it deserves the name better than the carlin we
have now in Lund," roared Count Jacob. "Such a bishop is fitted to
mediate an eternal peace between the temporal and spiritual lords of
the kingdom; and, at this time, it is much needed. We have made a
beginning with you, very learned Master Grand," he continued: "when you
come hereafter to be archbishop, perhaps it will fare better with
justice in the land. You are the man to lend me a letter of
excommunication, when my own sword is too short to recover my feudal
rents, withheld by a tyrant."
Master Grand made no reply, but gave the loud-voiced count a familiar
and significant look.
"To our noble dean, the pride and honour of Roskild!" resumed Count
Jacob: "long life to our very learned Master Jens Grand! A rogue is he
who does not pledge the toast to the bottom; and confusion to all the
vermin and king's thralls in the country!" With these words, he touched
the ecclesiastic's cup with his own. His example was followed by Duke
Waldemar and the knights; the whole bursting out into a simultaneous
shout of applause, in which the cook heartily joined.
"I thank you, my high-born Count Jacob; you, too, my noble duke; and
you, my valiant lords and knights," said Master Grand, agreeably
surprised, while he rose, and regarded all around him with an air of
seriousness and significance. "The time may come when my deeds shall
prove to you that it is my highest wish to effect a friendly union
between the knightly sword and the bishop's staff. Earthly and heavenly
power must be truly united, when there is anything great to be done in
the world. But more of this at another time and place," he said,
suddenly interrupting himself. "_Latet anguis in herbâ_--there is a
snake in the grass, as the saying goes: Satan has his imps everywhere."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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