The templar, a play - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850 Excerpt: ...thy tidings make amend For thy discourtesy. What brings thee hither? La Marche (rising). The welfare of thine Order. DE LA ROCHE. Prove thy words, And speak thine errand briefly. La Marche (glancing at Beauvais). We must be Alone. DE LA ROCHE. Speak freely, serf! this trusted friend May hear thy secret. Speak;--we number not, 'Mongst all the Temple's crests, a purer name Than Louis of Beauvais. LA MARCHE. It may be so. But, though his name were worthier than thine own, Yet will 1 speak to none but thee. No ear Save thine must hear my tidings.. DE LA ROCHE. Am I braved? Now, by the brow of our Lady, I will make Thy tongue less stubborn than thy knee. Saynow, I do refuse to be alone. LA MARCHE. I can be silent. DE LA ROCHE. Ay!--Canst thou so? we'll try thy resolution With gyves and dungeon. Ho, there! Fabian! LA MARCHE. Stop! You will but put a fetter on my tongue Shall bind it closer than your gyves my limbs. But you will not do this. DE LA ROCHE. Not do it, slave? Man, art thou crazed? LA MARCHE. Thy Temple's good forbids. Is it for Aymer De la Roche, whose ears Were closed to shrieks of mothers as they strove To guard their babes from the destroying hands Of his fierce soldiery, is it for him To let his pride outweigh his zeal? go to! I speak to him who hath upheld his faith With fire and sword; whose coursers' reeking flanks, Red with the life-stream of his flying foes, So oft have told the service he had done His holy cause; to him who smote the Albigence, And set the torch unto his roof-tree--yea! To him who steeped the Cross in blood--to him Who now so fitly bears upon his breast The crimson symbol BEAUVAIS. Villain! curb thy tongue. DE LA ROCHE. Nay, Beauvais, let him speak. He reckons up My glory, not my shame. I did smite down The misbelieving houn...