The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-27

measure
When the deans were fully eeapped, they
were directed to kneel and GEy, advancing,
raised his sword over the head of Deconinek,
and said:
"Be thou a true knight, Messire Deconinck;
let thine honor know no stain, and grasp thy |
sword then only when God, thy fatherland and
thy prince shall summon thee thereto" |
With these words he touched the shoulder of
the cloth worker gently with his sword, &C
cordng to the custom of knighthood; and
then the same ceremony gone through |
with Breydel.
Matilda now advanced from the group of
ladies, and placed herself in front of the kneel-
ing deans She took from the squres the two
emblazoned shields, and attached them to the
necks of the ennobled citizens. Many of the
spectators remarked that she hung the shield
| round BreydePs neck first; and this she must
have done advisedly, for in order to effect it
| she had to move some steps on one side.
"These coats of- arms have been sent to You
from my father" said she, turning herself
rather towards Breydel. 81 feel assured that
you will preserve them in all honor; and re-
| joice that have been permitted to bear q part
in this requital of your noble patriotism"
Breydel regarded the noble maiden with
| look of the profoundest grattude-a look
which was pledge of the mast ardent loyalty
and devotion; he would certaioy have thrown
himself at her feet, had not the stately and
ceremonious bearing Of the surrounding knights
checked his impetuosity. He remained "a one
petrifed, without speech or motion; for be
could scarcely comprehend what had happened
to him.
"You at liberty to return to your
troops, messires," said Guy. eve hope that
you will be present this evening at our coun-
Gil we have need of long deliberation with
you. Lead back now your troops to the camp
Deconinck made low reverence and retired
followed by Breydel; but the latter had gone
but few steps when he felt the movements
of his body impeded and restrained by the
weight of the armor. He turned quickly back
to Guy, and said to him:
"Noble Count, I pray you grant me ono
favor"
"Speak, Messire Breydel it shall surely be
granted to you"
"Look you, most illustrious lord, you have
this day conferred me signal honor; but
yet you will not, of u surety, hinder the from
fighting against our enemies"
e The knights astonished at these words, drew
: nearer to the dean"
, "What do you mean 7" asked Guy.
:
d presses me beyond endurance, nsble Count.
y cannot move in this coat of mail, and the he'll
0 met is so heavy that cannot bend my neck
IT in this prison of iron l shall be SLAIN ike
= calf bound hand and foot"
D. 1.-THE armor will defend you from the swords
II of the French remarked knight.
"Yesn cried Breydel: "but that is nit
is needless in my case. So long as 1 am fre'
Is with my axe, fear nothing should cut
1t pretty figure standing in this stiff and ridicI
o. lous fashion. No, no, measures, will not hav
or it my body; wherefore, l pray you, mob
I'd Count, allow me to remain a simple citize
ns until after the battle, and then will try
be make acquaintance with this cumbrous armor
en- "You may do even as you list, Messire Bre
q DEL" answered Guy "but you are, and mu
We remain knight for all that"
of well, then, cried the dean eagerly, II wi
nc be the knight of the axe! Thanks, thank
r." most illustrious lord"
We Thereupon he left the kpightly group, an
IT, hastened towards his men. They received hi
We with noisy congratulations, and expressed the
at Joy in reiterated shouts. Before Breydel hs
ed reached his butchers, the armor lay peaceme
ed on the ground, and he retained only the CT
Or, blazoned coat of arms which Matilda had g
le, tached to his neck.
nd ALBERT, my friend" he cried to one of
to men, "gather this armor together and lay it I
ew in my tent; will not cover my body wi
ey iron while you expose your naked breasts
en- the foe will keep the festival in my butch
mt clothes. They have made a noble, COZ
rades but cannot give in to this. Ny hea
: a is, and will remain, q true butchers heart at
nit mean to let the French know. Come we W
ut. return to the camp; and will drink my vii
ow with you as have ever done, and will gi
of each of you measure to drink to the succe
of of the Black Lion"
w The shouting recommended on all sides; t.
ace ranks were thrown into confusion, and t
by soldiers were beginning to rush back to t
AT encampment in disorder, great was their j
res at the promise of the dean.
eir "Hold there, my men," interposed Breyd