| | 1 | Author: | Peacock, Thomas Love | Add | | | Title: | Maid Marian  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | "THE abbot, in his alb arrayed," stood at the altar in the
abbey-chapel of Rubygill, with all his plump, sleek, rosy friars, in
goodly lines disposed, to solemnise the nuptials of the beautiful
Matilda Fitzwater, daughter of the Baron of Arlingford, with the noble
Robert Fitz-Ooth, Earl of Locksley and Huntingdon. The abbey of Rubygill
stood in a picturesque valley, at a little distance from the western
boundary of Sherwood Forest, in a spot which seemed adapted by nature to
be the retreat of monastic mortification, being on the banks of a fine
trout-stream, and in the midst of woodland coverts, abounding with
excellent game. The bride, with her father and attendant maidens,
entered the chapel;
but the earl had not arrived. The baron was amazed, and the bridemaidens
were disconcerted. Matilda feared that some evil had befallen her lover,
but felt no diminution of her confidence in his honour and love. Through
the open gates of the chapel she looked down the narrow road that wound
along the side of the hill; and her ear was the first that heard the
distant trampling of horses, and her eye was the first that caught the
glitter of snowy plumes, and the light of polished spears. "It is
strange," thought the baron, "that the earl should come in this martial
array to his wedding;" but he had not long to meditate on the
phenomenon, for the foaming steeds swept up to the gate like a
whirlwind, and the earl, breathless with speed, and followed by a few of
his yeomen, advanced to his smiling bride. It was then no time to ask
questions, for the organ was in full peal, and the choristers were in
full voice. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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