The monastery; The abbot.

THE MONASTERY. 153
"I believe thou wouldst not, mine Audacity," said the knight, resuming
the affected manner which was become a second nature to him; "nevertheless this fosse is curiously well shaped, and might be the masterpiece of
Nature's last bed-maker, I would say the sexton-Wherefore, let us be
thankful to chance or some unknown friend, who hath thus provided for
one of us the decencies of sepulture, and let us proceed to determine which
shall have the advantage of enjoying this place of undisturbed slumber."
So saying, he stripped off his doublet and cloak, which he folded up with
great care, and deposited upon a large stone, while Halbert Glendinning,
not without some emotion, followed his example. Their vicinity to the
favourite haunt of the White Lady led him to form conjectures concerning
the incident of the grave-" It must have beefn her work!" he thought:
"the Spirit foresaw and has provided for the fatal event of the combat -I
must return from this place a homicide, or I must remain here for ever!"
The bridge seemed now broken down behind him, and the chance of
coming off honourably without killing or being killed, (the hope of which
issue has cheered the sinking heart of many a duellist,) seemed now altogether to be removed. Yet the very desperation of his situation gave him,
on an instant's reflection, both firmness and courage, and presented to him
one sole alternative, conquest, namely, or death.
"As we are here," said Sir Piercie Shafton, "unaccompanied by any
patrons or seconds, it were well you should pass your hands over my sides,
as I shall over yours; not that I suspect you to use any quaint device of
privy armour, but in order to comply with the ancient and laudable custom
practised on all such occasions."
While, complying with his antagonist's humour, Halbert Glendinning
went through this ceremony, Sir Piercie Shafton did not fail to solicit his
attention to the quality and fineness of his wrought and embroidered shirt"In this very shirt," said he, " 0 mine Audacity!- I say in this very garment, in which I am now to combat a Scottish rustic like thyself, it was my
envied lot to lead the winning party at that wonderous match at ballon,
made betwixt the divine Astrophel, (our matchless Sidney,) and the right
honourable my very good lord of Oxford. All the beauties of Felicia (by
which name I distinguish our beloved England) stood in the gallery, waving
their kerchiefs at each turn of the game, and cheering the winners by their
plaudits. After which noble sport we were refreshed by a suitable banquet,
whereat it pleased the noble Urania (being the unmatched Countess of Pembroke) to accommodate me with her fan for the cooling my somewhat too
much inflamed visage, to requite which courtesy, I said, casting my features
into a smiling, yet melancholy fashion, 0 divinest Urania! receive again
that too fatal gift, which not like the Zephyr cooleth, but like the hot breath
of the Sirocco, heateth yet more that which is already inflamed. Whereupon,
looking upon me somewhat scornfully, yet not so but what the experienced
courtier might perceive a certain cast of approbative affection "
Here the knight was interrupted by Halbert, who had waited with courteous patience for some little time, till he found, that far from drawing to a
close, Sir Piercie seemed rather inclined to wax prolix in his reminiscences.
"Sir Knight," said the youth, "if this matter be not very much to the
purpose, we will, if you object not, proceed to that which we have in hand.
You should have abidden in England had you desired to waste time in
words, for here we spend it in blows."
"I crave your pardon, most rusticated Audacity," answered Sir Piercie;
"truly I become oblivious of every thing beside, when the recollections of
the divine court of Felicia press upon my wakened memory, even as a saint
is dazzled when he bethinks him of the beatific vision. Ah, felicitous Feliciana! delicate.nurse of the fair, chosen abode of the wise, the birth-place
and cradle of nobility, the temple of courtesy, the fane of sprightly chivalry
-Ah, heavenly court, or rather courtly heaven I cheered with dances, lulled