End of the world -- Fiction; Epidemics -- Fiction; Science fiction; Twenty-first century -- Fiction
Our voices could not be heard in the tumult; Adrian however was eminent
for the white charger he rode; spurring him, he dashed into the midst
of the throng: he was recognized, and a loud cry raised for England and
the Protector. The late adversaries, warmed to affection at the sight
of him, joined in heedless confusion, and surrounded him; the women
kissed his hands, and the edges of his garments; nay, his horse
received tribute of their embraces; some wept their welcome; he
appeared an angel of peace descended among them; and the only danger
was, that his mortal nature would be demonstrated, by his suffocation
from the kindness of his friends. His voice was at length heard, and
obeyed; the crowd fell back; the chiefs alone rallied round him. I had
seen Lord Raymond ride through his lines; his look of victory, and
majestic mien obtained the respect and obedience of all: such was not
the appearance or influence of Adrian. His slight figure, his fervent
look, his gesture, more of deprecation than rule, were proofs that
love, unmingled with fear, gave him dominion over the hearts of a
multitude, who knew that he never flinched from danger, nor was
actuated by other motives than care for the general welfare. No
distinction was now visible between the two parties, late ready to shed
each other’s blood, for, though neither would submit to the other, they
both yielded ready obedience to the Earl of Windsor.
One party however remained, cut off from the rest, which did not
sympathize in the joy exhibited on Adrian’s arrival, or imbibe the
spirit of peace, which fell like dew upon the softened hearts of their
countrymen. At the head of this assembly was a ponderous, dark-looking
man, whose malign eye surveyed with gloating delight the stern looks of
his followers. They had hitherto been inactive, but now, perceiving
themselves to be forgotten in the universal jubilee, they advanced with
threatening gestures: our friends had, as it were in wanton contention,
attacked each other; they wanted but to be told that their cause was
one, for it to become so: their mutual anger had been a fire of straw,
compared to the slow-burning hatred they both entertained for these
seceders, who seized a portion of the world to come, there to entrench
and incastellate themselves, and to issue with fearful sally, and
appalling denunciations, on the mere common children of the earth. The
first advance of the little army of the elect reawakened their rage;
they grasped their arms, and waited but their leader’s signal to
commence the attack, when the clear tones of Adrian’s voice were heard,
commanding them to fall back; with confused murmur and hurried retreat,
as the wave ebbs clamorously from the sands it lately covered, our
friends obeyed. Adrian rode singly into the space between the opposing
bands; he approached the hostile leader, as requesting him to imitate
his example, but his look was not obeyed, and the chief advanced,
followed by his whole troop.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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