Classic Poem

H UGO , Eric , and O RION . Eric:

Hugo, their siege we might have tried;
This place would be easier fortified
Than I thought at first: it is now too late,
They have cut off our access to the gate. Hugo:

I have weigh'd the chances and counted the cost,
And I know by the stars that all is lost
If we take up this, quarrel. Eric:

So let it be
I yield to one who is wiser than me.
Nevertheless, I have seen the day
When the stars would scarcely have bade us stay.

Enter the Abbot, Cyril, and other Monks . Hugo:

Lord Abbot, we greet thee. Good fathers all,
We bring you greeting. Orion (aside):

And comfort small. Abbot:

God's benediction on you, my sons. Hugo:

May he save you, too, from Norsemen and Huns!
Since the gates are beleaguer'd and walls begirt
By the forces of Osric and Dagobert;
'Tis a heavy price that the knaves demand. Abbot:

Were we to mortgage the Church's land
We never could raise what they would extort. Orion (aside):

The price is too long and the notice too short. Eric:

And you know the stern alternative. Abbot:

If we die we die, if we live we live:
God's will be done; and our trust is sure
In Him, though His chastenings we endure.
Two messengers rode from here last night,
To Otto they carry news of our plight;
On my swiftest horses I saw them go. Orion (aside):

Then his swiftest horses are wondrous slow. Eric:

One of these is captive and badly hurt;
By the reckless riders of Dagobert
He was overtaken and well-nigh slain,
Not a league from here on the open plain. Abbot:

But the other escap'd. Eric:

It may be so;
We had no word of him, but we know
That unless you can keep these walls for a day
At least, the Prince is too far away
To afford relief. Abbot:

Then a hopeless case
Is ours, and with death we are face to face. Eric:

You have arm'd retainers. Cyril (a Monk):

Aye, some half-score;
And some few of the brethren, less or more,
Have in youth the brunt of the battle bided,
Yet our armoury is but ill provided. Hugo:

We have terms of truce from the robbers in chief,
Though the terms are partial, the truce but brief;
To Abbess, to nuns, and novices all,
And to every woman within your wall,
We can offer escort, and they shall ride
From hence in safety whate'er betide. Abbot:

What escort, Hugo, canst thou afford? Hugo:

Some score of riders who call me lord
Bide at the farm not a mile from here;
Till we rejoin them they will not stir.
My page and armourer wait below,
And all our movements are watch'd by the foe.
Strict stipulation was made, of course,
That, except ourselves, neither man nor horse
Should enter your gates—they were keen to shun
The chance of increasing your garrison. Eric:

I hold safe-conduct here in my hand,
Signed by the chiefs of that lawless band;
See Rudolph's name, no disgrace to a clerk;
And Dagobert's scrawl, and Osric's mark;
Jarl signed sorely against his will,
With a scratch like the print of a raven's bill;
But the foe have muster'd in sight of the gate.
For another hour they will scarcely wait;
Bid Abbess and dame prepare with haste. Hugo:

Lord Abbot, I tell thee candidly
There is no great love between thou and I,
As well thou know'st; but, nevertheless,
I would we were more, or thy foes were less. Abbot:

I will summon the Lady Abbess straight. Eric:

'Tis hard to leave these men to their fate,
Norseman and Hun will never relent;
Their day of grace upon earth is spent.