The Scottish Cavalier: An Historical Romance, Volume 2 (of 3)Grant, James
History
The Scottish Cavalier: An Historical Romance, Volume 2 (of 3)
Grant, James
Scotland -- History -- 1649-1660 -- Fiction
"The same. Why, my dear fellow, this man is a mere Swiss, and prick
his ears whenever drums beat without caring a rush which side wins if
the rix-dollars are sure. The Prince's Guards and Brandenburgers
under Count Solmes, Knight of the Teutonic Order, and Grand Commander
of the Bailiewick of Utrecht, march with a white standard."
"Bravo! we will know all the rogues by head-mark."
"The Dutch and French Protestant refugees, under Velt Mareschal
Frederick Duc de Schomberg, carry a little blue banner," continued
the Earl, still consulting his dispatch. "Mynheer Goderdt van Baron
de Ginckel, on whom the would-be usurper hath bestowed the Earldom of
Athlone, commands the cavalry; Mynheer Bein Tenk, who expects the
Dukedom of Portland; and Arnold Joost van Keppel, the Earldom of
Albemarle; Massue de Rouvigny, who is to be Earl of Galway; General
le Baron de Sainte Hippolite; d'Auverquerque, Zuylestein, and
Caillemote, with all our banished Lords, Argyle, Shrewsbury,
Macclesfield, Dunblane, and the devil knows how many more runaways
and wild soldiers of fortune, the riddlings of rapine and scum of
European wars, all crowd beneath his banner as to a bridal!"
"They are welcome!" exclaimed Finland, with enthusiasm. "Up,
gallants, all for God and King James!" and drawing his sword he
flourished it aloft, and drained his wine-horn to the bottom. Every
man followed his example, save Gibbie Runlet, who, having no rapier
to draw, contented himself by draining his wine tankard, which he did
without once removing his large saucer eyes from the face of the
Earl, to whose muster-roll of hard-named invaders he listened with
the aspect of one astounded.
"Our dogs of citizens have already caught the rumour, that their
Dutch Saviour is coming with his fireships and Swart Ruyters," said
Holsterlee; "and in anticipation of their great political millennium
are chanting the _Lillibulero_ with might and main; yea, under our
very beards, as we rode down the Canongate. By the horns of Mahoud!
we have tough work before us gentlemen. Fifteen thousand Hollanders
under baton, said you, my lord?"
"Pooh!" said Doctor Joram; "King James's English troops alone are
enough to eat them up."
"Will they be inclined to do so, reverend sir?" replied the earl. "I
fear me greatly."
"Then God help Church and King!" ejaculated the minister, gulping
down a sigh and his sack together.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account