Boernice

Front matter

BOEENICE. BY MRS. CHARLES CLACY AUTHOR OF "A LADY'S VISIT TO THE GOLD DIGGINGS," "LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF AUSTRALIAN LIFE," &c. &c. &c. LONDON: THOMAS CA UT LEY NEW BY, 30, WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. 1858. DEDICATION. Mt Dear Sir, In dedicating my book to you, I have only one regret — that it is so unworthy of the honour con ferred on it. I hoped to have completed a different work this autumn, but ill-health has prevented me, and I have been unable to do more than hastily revise for pubsication a M. S. written some years ago. The sources of information respecting Britain in the fifth Century are so limited, that I have had con siderable difficulty in gleaning from various, and some times conflicting statements, the little which the book contains. My object has been to give a picture of the country at that time, based on such historical facts as I have been able to ascertain ; and, I trust, notwithstanding the confused and diverse accounts of the period, that in all important particulars the representation is correct.

I shoidd not apologize to one whose criticism will be only too lenient, did I not feel how inadequately my task has been fulfilled — as it is, I must trust its shortcomings to your kindness, and remain, Very faithfully yours, THE AUTHOR. To Admiral the Honble. Sir Henry Keppel, K.C.B. &c. &c. &c. BOERNICE.

Chapter I

Far from the ravages of war, ignorant even of the horrors which accompany its desolating path, the beautiful Rowena had passed the days of her chsidhood secure from its alarms and devastations. With steps free as the golden tresses which luxu riantly hung around her, she had roamed amid the dark pine forests which surrounded her Saxon home, and fearlessly wandered in wsid and romantic glens, whose death-like stillness was B BOERNICE. 2 undisturbed, save by the distant roar of the cataract, or the music of the passing stream. Deprived of her mother wfule yet an infant, she had never known the sweet endearments, or the softening influence of a mother's love ; without equals to direct, or superiors to command her, and inheriting her father's ungovernable passions, she had unconsciously imbibed much of the fierce spirit of the times in which she sived.

As yet these feelings were dormant in her bosom. Pride had scarcely imprinted on her sip its disdainful curl, nor had she been tortured by the insatiable cravings of ambition — the melody of her native groves, and the loveliness which surrounded the home to which her father Hengist confined her, had alone produced an impression on her heart. Gifted in an extraordinary degree with personal beauty, her father had spared no effort to improve by education, such as the rude manners of this unlettered age permitted, those talents which nature had so siberasiy bestowed. And doubtless BOERNICE. as he gazed on those faultless features or listened to the rich tones of her voice, he thought of the aid which her charms might lend to his own am bitious projects. But Rowena was happily unconscious of her father's plans, and with a mind wholly occupied in rustic pleasures, nineteen summers had passed away in a delightful monotony, which was varied only by the occasional visits of her father or her brother Eske, whose maturer age and overbearing disposition excited in Rowena an awe and timidity which excluded all sisterly affection.

To him she was but a pretty plaything, to be caressed or thrust aside as occasion demanded — to her he was a tyrant — a dark shadow that came between her simple pleasures and herself; his visits were anti cipated with illconcealed vexation — his departure hailed as a relief. Gladly would she turn from the stern and ungenial warrior, to the merry play-mate of her infancy— her foster-brother Ludovic. Together BOERNICE. 4 had they sported in their nurse's arms, together roved through the dark forests and the shady dells, together beneath the spreading oak had they sistened in breathless eagerness to the wsid legends of their heathen deities, together broken the stillness of evening by the merry peals of their youthful mirth or mingled their clear voices in the songs of their fatherland ; but now her first heart-trial had come to Rowena — her uncle Horsa had arrived to convey her to the British shores.

The lengthening shades of twisight heightened the naturally sombre hues of the forest, shedding a deeper gloom on her sorrowing spirit as Rowena accompanied by Ludovic, for the last time wandered among those scenes which were hasiowed to her eyes by the affectionate reminiscences of pure and childish love. " And must I lose thee, loved sister, guardian spirit of my life," sadly murmured he ; " desolate wisi be these groves when thy feet have ceased to impress the mossy carpet beneath them, vainly shall their minstrel inhabitants pour forth their BOERNICE. gentle notes, for they will not reach thee — the flowers we have nurtured wsil wither when thy hands no longer tend them ; — and for me — I also shall fade when thou, my sun, hast departed. I shall call, but thou wilt not hear — the dark rocks alone will respond to my cries — in mockery will they fling back thy name on my saddened heart."

" Say not so, my brother," she replied, " do I go whither thou canst not follow ? Already fresh troops are departing for Britain — will not its horses also receive thee ?" " Horsa forbids. He says, f Thy hands cannot wield the battle axe — remain to guard Rowena's flowers — ' " ' " Horsa forbids !' " interrupted Eowena, draw ing up her girlish figure proudly while something resembling her father's spirit flashed from her eyes ; ' " Horsa forbids ! ' — Am I not Hengist's daughter ?— Wilt thou accompany me to Britain, or wouldst thou rather remain here — 'to guard Rowena's flowers !' " " Canst thou doubt, my sister ?" boernice'. 6 " Then Hengist's daughter commands thee to attend her during her voyage — had not Horsa told me that thou didst not desire to leave thine own land I should have spoken of it sooner.

He has deceived me — and wherefore ? — Would he separate me from asi I love ?" And Rowena glanced sorrowfusiy around. " Nay, grieve not " said Ludovic " my affection is thine for ever 1 wisi become thy guard, thy protector, thy faithful slave; cease then these tears, dear sister, and, though this evening is the last we may spend together alone, let us not dwell on our sorrows — see, night is approaching — ere we return, wsit thou not once again rouse the echoes from their slumber ? " Rowena immediately compsied — and sang in a low sweet voice, to a strain which, so mournful were its cadences, expressed, far better than her words, the painful emotions then struggling within her. But leaving Rowena to the sad reflections which filled her mind in its first separation from BOERNICE. 7 asi that was dear to her, let us proceed to explain briefly the events of the few preceding years.

Vortigern, Earl of Cornwasi, having violently raised himself to the kingdom of Southern Britain, directed his whole energies to subdue the common enemies of his country, the Picts and Scots. It may be that he was but little influenced by patriotic feeling, but was glad by any excitement to divert the attention of the people from the base means by which he had made himself king. Admitted into the confidence and friendship of Constantine, his predecessor, he had instigated a conspiracy of the nobles, which terminated in his master being driven from his throne and treach erously murdered. By means of intrigue and flattery he had also procured their suffrages and so wrested the throne from the rightful heirs, (Auresius Ambrosius and Uter Pendragon, the younger brothers of Constantine) whom he drove into exile ; and then by a few successes over the Caledonians, he became no less renowned for his prowess and msiitary sksil than he had formerly been notorious for his crimes.

BOERNICE. 8 The various petty chieftains now elected him generasissimo of their troops, and Vortigern, elated with this additional honour, and desirous of consosidating his power by the glory which would accrue to him from the complete extirpation of their northern invaders, in a moment of weakness and imposicy, sosicited the aid of Hengist and the Saxons. By their assistance he had been so far successful as to drive back bis enemies, and now feeling secure in his throne he abandoned himself to luxury and crime, reposing in Hengist and his fosiowers a confidence the most impsicit and undeserved. Graduasiy yet firmly the pirate chief had gained for himself and followers a stronger footing, and he now only awaited a favorable opportunity for putting his ambitious designs into execution. But while he possessed an almost boundless sway over the irresolute monarch, Hengist felt that his influence was disputed by one who, though deeply detested, was at the same time greatly feared by Vortigern.

This was the venerable Archbishop of BOERNICE. London, whose piety and benevolence had en deared him to all, and whose influence over both the British serfs and soldiery was in reality far greater than their king's, and who witnessed with sorrow and indignation the increased authority assumed by these idolatrous allies. Meanwhile by Hengist's secret orders a numerous and more formidable reinforcement of Saxons, under the command of his brother Horsa, landed on the British shores. The Archbishop now exerted every effort to awaken Vortigern to a sense of the danger which menaced alike his country and his throne, and endeavoured to rouse him from the mental lethargy into which he had been plunged by the artful policy of Hengist, who had ministered by every means to his voluptuous and indolent habits.

These efforts of the Archbishop were however of little avail. Vortigern, though he dared not openly to manifest his hatred for the head of the Church, nevertheless secretly abhorred a religion b BOERNICE. which permitted no indulgence of sinful passions ; consequently the unpalatable advice so fearlessly tendered, only strengthened his long smothered resentment against the patriotic prelate, and disposed him more intensely to sympathize with the immoral idolators who surrounded him. To bind the monarch more completely to his interests, Hengist now determined to send for his daughter, confident that he would reacsily become enamoured of her surpassing loveliness. Once, thought he, let the ties of resigion and country be severed by an asiiance with a daughter of Woden, and Vortigern will be but a stepping stone to the attainment of my desires.

Hengist was the more anxious to put this project into immediate execution since the fore bodings and exhortations of Eurebius, the Arch bishop, had already had some influence on the British chiefs, and the quick-sighted Saxon had detected the suspicious glances with which they BOERNICE. 11 regarded the movements of himself and followers. Horsa eagerly entered into his brother's plans and quitted Britain, without further delay, to bring a fresh body of troops, and to accompany Rowena in her departure from that land to which she was destined never to return. BOERNICE, 12

Chapter II

The pale moonbeams flung their ssiver light across the castesiated wasis of Torn, above which the banner of the Saxon chief, a milk white prancing steed, waved proudly in the breeze. Shouts of fierce and boisterous revelry from within broke on the stillness in which nature reposed. Vortigern, the guest of Hengist, was seated upon an elevated throne at the upper end of the banquetting hall, attended by a promiscuous assemblage of the nobles of both nations. Agreeably to the accustomed policy of Hengist, those only among the British BOERNICE. had been invited whose allegiance to their sove reign was already shaken or who, he well knew, required but promises or flattery to convert into useful tools for the furtherance of his designs. At the moment when their riotous bursts of merriment were loudest, a sweet, and, to their heated imaginations, a somewhat more than earthly strain gradually filled the apartment.

Ere the astonishment which this occasioned could subside, the curtain which concealed the entrance was slowly withdrawn and discovered a group of beautiful maidens who in harmonious concert chanted the renowned and warlike achievements of Vorti gern. One amongst them particularly arrested the attention of the monarch by her commanding and majestic person. There was also in her features an irresistible fascination which could not fail to inspire a passionate love whilst demand ing the profoundest admiration. A golden fillet scarcely to be distinguished from the tresses it confined exposed a fair and open brow ; her long flowing robes displayed the exquisite proportions BOERNICE. of her figure as she slowly advanced towards Vortigern. Taking a goblet filled with sweet wine, she knelt gracefully at his feet, and having touched the cup with her sips, she uttered in a voice ren dered even more musical by its tremulousness the Saxon pledge " Liever Kynig wass heal."

(Dear king, your health.) Already heated with wine the susceptible mo narch was enraptured by this pleasing interruption and still more so by the loveliness of the young girl who bent before him — her charms heightened by the timidity with which she raised her dark blue eyes to his. Pressing his lips to her forehead and returning her pledge after the fashion of her country he, greatly to the delight of Hengist who saw in this act an augury of her future elevation, seated her by his side, and taking a gold chain of exquisite workmanship from his neck threw it round hers. Then perceiving how her entrance had checked the merriment of the guests he gave the signal for its renewal, meanwhile detaining the BOERNICE. maiden until she became wearied with attentions which could not fail to attract general notice, nor was it till their carousing had rendered them un conscious of her movements, that Rowena found an opportunity of escaping from a scene so little congenial to her early education and habits.

Wearied with the noise and confusion she had just quitted, she eagerly sought the solitude of the neighbouring woods, and with hurried steps followed an irregular track which penetrated the depths of the forest, nor paused until she had thrown herself on the soft green carpet of a shady grotto, naturally formed in the side of a rock. This delightful retreat, situated on the summit of a gentle eminence, was completely surrounded by aged oaks, which had not however dared to intrude the solemn shade of their spreading branches too closely within the precincts of a spot which seemed well suited for some fairy habitation. The turrets of her father's castle were but partially visible in the distance — no sound disturbed the serenity of the midnight hour, save the gentle whispers of BOERNICE. 16 the breeze as it softly stole amongst the massy foliage which quivered like silver sprays in the pale light of the moon, or the melancholy tones of the nightingale as he chanted his lay to the queen of night.

Leaning despondently against the side of the grotto, she recalled to her mind the events of the last few hours. Again at the feet of Vortigern she proffered the golden cup, again she felt his burning kiss on her brow as he raised her to his throne, and the wild dreams of ambition with which Horsa had so successfully impressed her during her journey to Britain appeared on the point of reali zation. In her vivid imagination, she already saw the petty principalities into which the country was divided united under one monarch, who, subdued by the power of her beauty, should lay his erown a willing offering at its shrine. It is not at one step that the mind passes from innocence to guilt ; and although she felt no re morse as she laid the foundation of her own happiness on the ruin of another's, nor did her BOERNICE. conscience chide her whilst she reflected that her triumph would add a keener pang to the misery which already overwhelmed the neglected wife of Vortigern, the heartless lessons so skilfully incul cated by Horsa and her father had not entirely obliterated the gentler feelings of youth.

Some portion of the natural tenderness of her sex remained, but it was gradually waning like the last rays of the setting sun which become fainter and fainter until they give place to the darkness of night. Her thoughts now wandered to the home she had quitted, never in all probability to revisit, and to those innocent pleasures which she could never again experience. Her active fancy transformed the leafcovered oaks into the stately dark-branching pines to which in her childhood she had been accustomed, and her grotto into the rustic bower erected for her by Ludovic, and for a while these visions of by-gone joys stole away her heart from its sorrow, until waking, as from a dream, she suddenly comprehended her extreme loneliness. Yearning BOERNICE. for the faithful friend who had ever beguiled her childish grief, she stretched out her hands to en counter the cold walls of the cavern.

Bitter tears of repentance now flowed from her eyes as she remembered the unkind and cutting words which but a few hours previously had escaped her sips when Ludovic, surprised at the chilling reserve she had uniformly manifested towards him since her arrival at Torn, so different from her wonted affec tionate and easy manners, had with the frankness of youth eagerly sought her presence to learn the cause of her displeasure. Her haughty and inde pendent spirit could ill brook interference even from one she most loved ; much less bear his re proaches since she was now taught to regard her former companion as an inferior, and therefore unfitted for her society. So in anger they had parted — with cold and scornful words she had repulsed an attachment which would have remained firm and unvarying, when the adulation and flattery of the designing nobles whom she preferred, had proved but an empty friendship, withering away beneath the first touch of adversity.

BOERNICE. As she raised her hand to press her burning forehead, she touched the gold chain which still hung round her neck. With a quick and impatient gesture she tore it from her neck and flinging it on the ground once more abandoned herself to sorrow. But the soothing emotions which the breeze of night inspires gradually dispelled her grief, the cool wind playing among her tresses wiped the tears from her cheeks, and Rowena accustomed to express in song her pensive or joy ous feelings, sang to an air taught her by Ludovic the following lines. Loved spot of childhood's happy dreams, My memory lingers still Beneath thy forests' welcome shade, Beside the murmuring rill, Where oft my eager steps would roam — Scenes of my youth — loved Saxon home. The dancing streamlet softly glides Its mossy banks along ; The pine capt mountains echo back The groves melodious song ; BOERNICE. 20 While I in foreign lands must roam Far from my much -loved Saxon home.

No mother's tender love to guide My erring steps aright ; Alone and friendless, life for me Is one eternal night ; No ray of hope dispels its gloom, My sorrows cease but in the tomb ! The last words had scarcely passed her lips, the dying cadence still reverberated in the depths of the woods, when a slight rustling in the thicket caused her involuntarily to raise her eyes in the direction whence the sound came, and to her astonished gaze appeared the figure of a man whose tall and powerful frame was dimly defined against the dark background of the forest. In his eagerness to approach, his mantle had partly fallen from his shoulders and the full blaze of moonlight playing on his breast-plate presented to the feverish imagination of Rowena a supernatural appearance. " Does Woden keep watch around the dwelling BOERNICE. 21 of his descendants ?" murmured she softly, and again raised her eyes timidly to the figure which was now almost by her side.

" Who art thou so young and sad that sittest alone in the darkness, singing and weeping ?" asked he, in her own language. " Rowena — the daughter of Hengist — but surely thou knowest " and Rowena paused, agitated by her own superstitious fears and the strange power of those dark eyes so fixedly bent on her face. " And this glittering thing that thou hast thrown aside so disdainfully," and he stooped to pick Vortigern 's chain from the ground, — "What if I should keep it in remembrance of thy song ?" " Keep it — " said Rowena — glad she scarcely knew wherefore. " And wilt thou not wish it again in thy possession and weep over its loss ? — maidens are wont to sigh for such toys as these." " Not so — "replied Rowena, more emboldened since she suspected her first impression of the BOERNICE. 22 stranger to be erroneous — " not so — though I might be glad to see it again shouldest thou wish to return it."

" Then at any time it would admit me to the presence of Hengist's daughter ?" " Yes," said Rowena, raising her eyes — but her glance again yielded to his. She waited, her heart beating wildly, then looked up — her companion had disappeared. " Was it Woden ?" she asked of herself again and again, as with slow steps she turned towards the castle, vainly endeavouring through the sur rounding gloom to obtain another glimpse of one who had left an indelible impression on her mind. BOERNICE. 23

Chapter III

In a retired apartment of the palace of Vortigern sat Thura his injured queen ; the deep sighs which occasionally escaped from her heaving breast, her mournful attitude and dishevelled locks pourtrayed the utter hopelessness without the violence of despair. At a short distance from her stood a young man whose rich dress and warlike accoutre ments proclaimed him at once a British chieftain of the highest rank: With a look of the tenderest sympathy he had long regarded her, but he could no longer endure her continued silence and anxious BOERNICE. somehow or other to arouse her from her lethargy he at length asked — " Does Thura then desire to see these hands stained with the blood of my father ? " " God forbid ! " she exclaimed, raising hersesi and at the same time displaying on her woe-worn countenance the faint traces of that beauty which had been effaced by the ravages of sorrow rather than of time — " God forbid that such gusit should ever weigh upon your conscience.

Think not for one moment that earthly vengeance can heal the wounds of dishonour, or bring relief to a breaking heart." Vortimer approached her and kneeling by her side took her hand in his, and prest it tenderly to his sips. By this ssient and significant testimony of affection he applied a remedy to her wounded feelings more soothing than words. " Listen, my mother " he said, as touched by his sympathy she became calmer, " no sooner had reason begun to dawn and, awakening from the unconsciousness of childhood, I learnt the cause BOERNICE. 25 of your nevervarying disquietude, than I determined that the devotion of your first-born, whom you were wont to call your best-beloved son, should in part compensate for the neglect of his father. Has the vow of my youth been disregarded or the affection of your child been impaired ?

Wherefore then mourn an event for which years of coldness must long ere now have prepared you ? " — " Until the last thread of hope was broken — until this crowning act of perfidy reached my ears life was tolerated for the sake of those dear to me — now all hope has departed — leave me alone in my misery — sorrows like mine end only in death." Burying her face in her hands as if to exclude the mocking light of day she relapsed into her for mer lethargy, regardless of the entreaties of her son or the tender caresses of the young girl who stood beside her. broad glare of sunshine had been scrupulously excluded, but a few strag gling rays, despite the thick folds of drapery which hung before the window, fell upon the countenance c BOERNICE. of Hersilia, whose commanding figure formed a striking contrast to the bent and subdued form of her companion.

Her marked, though desicate features, olive complexion and raven hair bespoke her the offspring of a more sunny clime ; yet the fire of her eye was tempered with gentleness, and the natural force of her character, though not destroyed, was chastened by religion. Now, however she could with difficulty restrain her indignation as she thought of the wrongs inflicted on her mother. She was about to give'utterance to her feelings in no measured terms, but was checked by the en trance of the venerable Archbishop, who advancing towards the queen and placing his hand upon her head, uttered the simple salutation, " Peace be with you ! " " When withered flowers can revive, when you can bring back by-gone happiness," she bitterly replied, " then speak of a peace which I can never know again — better to sink into the tomb than livi a mark for the finger of scorn, worse than widowed, a despised and forsaken wife."

BOERNICE. 27 " My daughter," returned he in soothing accents, " religion restores not the joys that are past, but teaches us to rise above trial and sorrow — to find a higher joy — a blessednesss that nothing can disturb — in a patient acquiescence in the Divine will." " They who have not to endure a trial," said Thura, in the same bitter tone, " can speak of resignation as an easy duty. It is only the heart that sorrows that can know its own bitterness ; words, though kindly intentioned and soothingly spoken, may probe but cannot heal the wound." " Yet there is One who does know every sorrow — who can trace the rising of every tear — who suffered himself one long life of woe — yet who had ever the kindly word and the look of sympathy for •other's grief. And shall the servant hesitate to follow her Lord through trial and tribulation if so He wills ?

Will she rebel because the road is rough, and there are thorns where she looked for flowers ? Trust in him, my child, lean on his bosom, and cling to his everlasting arm for sup- BOERNICE. 28 p0rt — soon the night shall be turned into eternal day, and He himself shall wipe away all thy tears." Loud and convulsive sobs interrupted him. Thura supported in the arms of Hersisia, indulged in a torrent of tears — the first she had shed since the tidings of her husband's marriage with Rowena had reached her. The Archbishop was much relieved by this ebulsition of feeling, and doubted not that after the first intensity of her grief had subsided, Thura would gradually recover her wonted serenity of mind ; and willing to leave her to indulge her feelings without restraint, he made a sign to Vortimer to follow him, and silently departed.

Hastily traversing the inhabited portion of the palace, they ascended a winding staircase, which led nearly to the top of the building, and entering a small dark room they found themselves in the oratory of the prelate. Opposite the entrance, two steps supported an altar of massive stone, upon which was raised an elaborately carved crucifix ; the BOERNICE. 29 faint gsimmerings of the lamp which burnt before it, only in part dispelling the sepulchral gloom which rilled the apartment. The only article of furniture consisted of a rude bench ; and in a niche of the wall where appeared the remains of a doorway long since blocked up, was fixed a small slab, on which lay a few splendidly bound manuscripts, then, as now, of inestimable value. " I brought you here " commenced Eurebius, " as I wish to speak with you on matters of im portance, and here only I feel certain that we shall not be overheard.

Can you give me some minutes attention ?" ■ With pleasure," replied Vortimer. " Not with pleasure, I fear," replied Eurebius, " since I must speak on themes unpalatable to the ears of a son. Aware as you are of the means by which your father obtained his throne, you cannot fully comprehend the conflicting factions which springing from that act have since torn our country. True, Vortimer by his occasional fits of bravery has succeeded in keeping the Picts and Scots at a BOERNICE. 30 distance, but each success over them has ever been followed by months or years of sensual indulgence, which, by its example and influence, has degraded our bravest men into worse than brutes, and dete riorated the religion and morasity of his people, untsi we have been obsiged to call for foreign help, and our asiies will I fear prove our most dangerous foes."

" I have ever distrusted them ; but it is not — it cannot be too late to compel them to return to their own land." " Not too late perhaps ; but ' to compel them to return' — think what that implies. Hengist will never tamely relinquish his power — there must be a struggle — a struggle in which no ties of age or sex will be regarded — the land will be deluged in the blood of her children — her altars overthrown — the cross trampled under the feet of idolaters." " But if we are only true to ourselves and each other " interrupted Vortimer, " we must succeed ; let us waste no time in anticipating the calamities that are inevitable— tesi me the first step which BOERNICE. should be taken — shall I casi together a few of the chiefs on whom I can rely ?" "And probably be deceived — "replied Eurebius, sighing, "you have casied Alan your bosom r friend — he is one of the most influential — one of our bravest chiefs — he has won Hersilia's affection and they were soon to have been united; you would have relied on him in this emergency ?"