Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 1Scott, Walter
History
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 1
Scott, Walter
Historical fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction; Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
Then for the cup, Captain Waverley, it was wrought by the command
of Saint Duthac, Abbot of Aberbrothock, for behoof of another
baron of the house of Bradwardine, who had valiantly defended the
patrimony of that monastery against certain encroaching nobles. It
is properly termed the Blessed Bear of Bradwardine (though old
Doctor Doubleit used jocosely to call it Ursa Major), and was
supposed, in old and Catholic times, to be invested with certain
properties of a mystical and supernatural quality. And though I
give not in to such anilia, it is certain it has always been
esteemed a solemn standard cup and heirloom of our house; nor is
it ever used but upon seasons of high festival, and such I hold to
be the arrival of the heir of Sir Everard under my roof; and I
devote this draught to the health and prosperity of the ancient
and highly-to-be-honoured house of Waverley.'
During this long harangue, he carefully decanted a cob-webbed
bottle of claret into the goblet, which held nearly an English
pint; and, at the conclusion, delivering the bottle to the butler,
to be held carefully in the same angle with the horizon, he
devoutly quaffed off the contents of the Blessed Bear of
Bradwardine.
Edward, with horror and alarm, beheld the animal making his
rounds, and thought with great anxiety upon the appropriate motto,
'Beware the Bear'; but, at the same time, plainly foresaw that, as
none of the guests scrupled to do him this extraordinary honour, a
refusal on his part to pledge their courtesy would be extremely
ill received. Resolving, therefore, to submit to this last piece
of tyranny, and then to quit the table, if possible, and confiding
in the strength of his constitution, he did justice to the company
in the contents of the Blessed Bear, and felt less inconvenience
from the draught than he could possibly have expected. The others,
whose time had been more actively employed, began to show symptoms
of innovation--'the good wine did its good office.' [Footnote:
Southey's Madoc.] The frost of etiquette and pride of birth began
to give way before the genial blessings of this benign
constellation, and the formal appellatives with which the three
dignitaries had hitherto addressed each other were now familiarly
abbreviated into Tully, Bally, and Killie. When a few rounds had
passed, the two latter, after whispering together, craved
permission (a joyful hearing for Edward) to ask the grace-cup.
This, after some delay, was at length produced, and Waverley
concluded the orgies of Bacchus were terminated for the evening.
He was never more mistaken in his life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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