The monastery; The abbot.

THE ABBOT. 459
weeds which naturally grow up in a strong soil, and require the careful
hand of the husbandman to eradicate them. Thou must study a little
volume, which I will impart to thee in fitting time, in which, by Our Lady's
grace, I have placed in somewhat a clearer light than heretofore, the points
debated betwixt us and these heretics, who sow among the wheat the same
tares which were formerly privily mingled with the good seed by the Albigenses and the Lollards. But it is not by reason alone that you must hope
to conquer these insinuations of the enemy: It is sometimes by timely
resistance, but oftener by timely flight. You must shut your ears against
the arguments of the heresiarch, when circumstances permit you not to
withdraw the foot from his company. Anchor your thoughts upon the
service of Our Lady, while he is expending in vain his heretical sophistry.
Are you unable to maintain your attention on heavenly objects-think rather
on thine own earthly pleasures, than tempt Providence and the Saints by
giving an attentive ear to the erring doctrine-think of thy hawk, thy
hound, thine angling rod, thy sword and buckler-think even of Catherine
Seyton, rather than give thy soul to the lessons of the tempter. Alas! my
son, believe not that, worn out with woes, and bent more by affliction than
by years, I have forgotten the effect of beauty over the heart of youth.
Even in the watches of the night, broken by thoughts of an imprisoned
Queen, a distracted kingdom, a church laid waste and ruinous, come other
thoughts than these suggest, and feelings which belonged to an earlier and
happier course of life. Be it so-we must bear our load as we may: and
not in vain are these passions implanted in our breast, since, as now in thy
case, they may come in aid of resolutions founded upon higher grounds.
Yet beware, my son-this Catherine Seyton is the daughter of one of Scotland's proudest, as well- as most worthy barons; and thy state may not
suffer thee, as yet, to aspire so high. But thus it is-Heaven works its
purposes through human folly; and Douglas's ambitious affection, as well
as thine, shall contribute alike to the desired end."
"How, my father," said the page, " my suspicions are then true! —Douglas
loves "'
" He does; and with a love as much misplaced as thine own; but beware
of him-cross him not-thwart him not."
"Let him not cross or thwart me," said the page; "for I will not yield
him an inch of way, had he in his body the soul of every Douglas that has
lived since the time of the Dark Gray Man."*
"Nay, have patience, idle boy, and reflect that your suit can never interfere with his.-But a truce with these vanities, and let us better employ the
little space which still remains to us to spend together. To thy knees, my
son, and resume the long-interrupted duty of confession, that, happen what
may, the hour may find in thee a faithful Catholic, relieved from the guilt
of his sins by authority of the Holy Church. Could I but tell thee, Roland,
the joy with which I see thee once more put thy knee to its best and fittest
use! Quid dicis, mi fili?"
" Culpas meas," answered the youth; and according to the ritual of the
Catholic Church, he confessed and received absolution, to which was annexed
the condition of performing certain enjoined penances.
When this religious ceremony was ended, an old man, in the dress of a
peasant of the better order, approached the arbour, and greeted the Abbot.
-" I have waited the conclusion of your devotions," he said, "to tell you
the youth is sought after by the chamberlain, and it were well he should
appear without delay. Holy Saint Francis, if the halberdiers were to seek
him here, they might sorely wrong my garden-plot-they are in office, and
By an ancient, though improbable tradition, the Douglasses are said to have derivedc their name from a
champion who had greatly distinguished himself in an action. When the kIing demrrnded by whom the battle
had been won. the attendants are said to have answered, "Sholto Douglas, sir;" which is said to roean,
X Yonder dark gray man." But the name is undoubtedly territorial, and taken from D juglaa river and valea