1828.] Le Roman de Rose. 371 



appearance terrified the inhabitants ; and all who resided in the vicinity 

 fled within the walls, to claim the protection of the absent governor and 

 the bishop. 



fe Very deceitful was Hastings, and of marvellous cunning. He saw that, 

 as the city was strong, well defended, and able to hold out, he could never 

 gain it by force ; so by force he would not assault it. Since, then, he cannot 

 enter it in this way, he must think of another. Wherefore he sendeth word 

 to the bishop and priests that he meaneth not to do ill to the place ; that for 

 this he hath, forsooth, too much to answer, of which it repenteth him sore ; 

 that a storm, and contrary winds, have forced him, howbeit unwillingly, to the 

 coast ; that he hath been driven about, hither and thither, so as not to know 

 where he is ; and that, if his bodily estate were better, he would anon depart. 

 But verily he is sick, so that he cannot continue his voyage : he hath much 

 need of rest. All that he wisheth is, leave to buy food to come and go to the 

 market. He hath moreover great fear of dying, and wisheth, for his^ soul's 

 sake, to become a Christian. And for that he hath done much ill to France, 

 he repenteth sore. So they believed him well in that he wished to save 

 his soul: wherefore they do as he desireth; they grant him a truce; and if 

 he willeth to be made a Christian, they will baptize him, and make him right 

 welcome. Surely in an evil hour was this truce granted ! So the deceiver 

 feigneth sickness ; his visage groweth pale ; much he complaineth of his body 

 much also of his head and that he hath grievous pains in every limb." 



In short, Hastings acted his part so well he complained so heavily, 

 and made such wry faces that some even of his chiefs, who had been 

 acquainted with the deception, began to fear that his sickness was real 

 that he was near the point of death. 



ce Why need I say more of this deceit ? He must and will become a Chris- 

 tian ; and, as he cannot walk, he is carried to the church. The bishop 

 preached to him, signed him with the cross, baptized him, and anointed him 

 with oil. The governor was present, was godfather, and held him over the 

 font. When the ceremony was over, and the traitor clothed in the usual garb, 

 ' Verily,' quoth he, ' if I amend, I will do honour to this place ; and ye all 

 shall not repent the having honoured me. But I am feeble, and sick unto 

 death: my liver, withal, is diseased; so that I cannot much longer live. How- 

 beit, when I am dead, lay me, I pray ye, in this church : for this place I love 

 well, and here I wish to be laid. Bury me as becometh one who now believ- 

 eth, and hopeth to be saved.' " 



What could the good fathers do ? To deny so small a favour to a 

 son of mother church was not surely in their nature. The promise 

 required was given, and Hastings was carried back to his ship. No 

 sooner did he set his foot on board, than he privily assembled his chiefs, 

 acquainted them with the further design he had in view, and how it 

 should be executed. A few days were suffered to elapse, and he was 

 laid on a bier, covered with a funeral pall, and reported to be dead. 

 Loud lamentations were soon heard among the ships, " as if each pagan 

 had lost a father, son, daughter, or brother." Preparations were speedily 

 made for the interment : a considerable number of pirates, all wearing 

 mourning-cloaks, followed the bier in melancholy procession to the gate 

 of the city, and there another howl of grief was raised. The gate was 

 opened, and all entered. 



" The bells began to toll, the citizens to assemble, and there was a great 

 procession of priests, bearing crosses and censors. All pity the mourners, who 



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