Chapter 35 Chapter Thirty-Five

Even if it angers Hyrcania [Note: Ancient place name, in the southeast of the Caspian Sea. 】The tiger of the desert, Competing with a hungry lion for its food, There is less danger than the revival of wild and savage beliefs. anonymous Now we have to go back and talk about Isaac of York. He rode a mule given by the leader, escorted and guided by two tall peasants, and went to the temple synagogue to discuss the matter of redeeming his daughter.It was but a day's journey from the ruined castle of Torquaystone to the Temple Synagogue, and the Jews hoped to be there before dark, so when they reached the edge of the wood, they gave their guides a silver coin and dismissed them, and then, as fatigue permitted, Within limits, move forward as quickly as possible.But when he was less than four miles away from the synagogue, his physical strength finally gave up, and his back and limbs seemed to be split.In this way, the anxiety and the pain all over his body made him unable to move forward, so he had to stop in a small town. There lived a Jewish rabbi who was famous for his proficiency in medicine. He was familiar with Isaac. of.So Nathan.Book.Israel received this sick fellow man with the utmost care, for according to their law the Jews were obliged to help one another.He insisted that Isaac lie down and rest, and that he be cured with the most effective medicines at the time, so that the poor old man's fever, under the interplay of terror, fatigue, cruelty, and melancholy, would not be exacerbated.

The next day Isaac planned to get up and continue on his way.Nathan, his master and doctor, disagreed, claiming it would kill him.But Isaac answered that, dead or alive, he must be in the temple synagogue that morning. Temple synagogue!The host was taken aback.I pressed his pulse again, and then figured it out in my heart: his fever has subsided a little, but his mind is not normal, and he seems to be preoccupied. Why can't I go to the temple synagogue?asked the patient, I admit, Nathan, that the people who live there discriminate against us, and regard the elect of God as a stumbling block and a thorn in the side; Do business, visit the so-called headquarters of the Templar Synagogue and the Order of the Physicians.

I fully understand that, Nathan said, but their leader, Lugas the Grand Master they called.Bomano, currently in the temple synagogue, you know? I don't know, Isaac said, but according to our brother's recent letter from Paris, he seems to be there, asking Philip II to send troops to attack Saladin Sultan. But later he came to the UK, which was not even expected by their own people. Nathan said that it is said that he was going to drastically rectify the affairs of the conference and punish the scum who violated the law and discipline.When he saw anyone breaking his oath, he was so angry that all the sons of Belial were dismayed.You must have heard his name, right?

I know all this well, said Isaac, that the Gentiles took this LugasBomano speaks so violently that it seems that he would kill so much to enforce the law of the Nazarenes to the letter that our brethren call him the murderous executioner of the Saracens, the cruel persecutor of our Jews . They were right, said Dr. Nathan, that other Templars might betray their purpose for pleasure, and might accept bribes of gold and silver, but Bomano was a different kind of man who hated lust, despised money, and wanted to get The laurel of martyrdom they call, may the God of Jacob give it to him and all of them soon!Especially this arrogant man, who extended his hand to the Jews, just as the holy David conquered Edom, thinking that killing a Jew is no different from killing a Saracens, and it is a service to God.He even slanders and slanders the efficacy of our medicines as if they were the work of the devil May God punish him!

But no matter what, Isaac said, I must go to the temple synagogue in person, even if his face is more terrible than the devil, I have to see him. So he explained to Nathan the urgent reason for his trip.The rabbi listened carefully, and expressed his sympathy, according to their national custom, by tearing open his clothes and saying: O my daughter!O my daughter!Hey!Save the Maiden of Zion!Oh, save the Israelites in captivity! You see, said Isaac, that's where I am, and I can't delay.Maybe this Lugas.With Bomano's presence, as the leader of their group, he can still stop Brian.The evil that Bois-Guilbert is trying to do, give me back my dear Rebecca.

Go ahead, Nathan.Book.Israel said, but be wise, you know, Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, and he was saved by wisdom.Daniel chapter six, wisdom here refers to a firm belief in God. ]; I wish you all the best, as your heart wishes.But if you can, don't go to the great master, because insulting us Jews is his hobby, and sooner or later he will take pleasure in it.Perhaps it would be better for you to speak privately to Bois-Guilbert; for they say these Nazarenes are not of one mind in the synagogue, and let them quarrel and disgrace themselves!But, brother, you can come back to me again, make my home yours, and let me know how you're doing.I wish you would bring Rebecca too, she is a student of the wise Miriam, who has cured many Gentiles, but whose medical arts have been slandered as witchcraft.

So Isaac said good-bye to his friends, rode on a mule for about an hour, and came to the front of the temple synagogue. The synagogue is located in the middle of green lawns and pastures, and the house was donated to the Knights by the former bishop out of piety.It has a strong building and tight defenses, which the knight organization at the time would never ignore, and it is also particularly important for Britain, which is in a state of turmoil.Two guards with halberds in black guarded the drawbridge, and other soldiers in the same black clothes walked around the city wall like ghosts with funeral steps.The junior officers of the Knights Templar were all dressed in this way. They also wore white at first, just like knights and retinues, but later some of them pretended to be Templars in the mountains of Palestine, which greatly damaged the reputation of the Knights. They had to change to black clothes.From time to time a knight in a white coat crossed the courtyard, with his head bowed and his hands folded, and if two persons came across each other, they greeted each other in a slow and solemn gesture, but said nothing, Because this is their rule, it comes from the scriptures: many words will fall, and misfortune comes from the mouth.In short, the Templars insisted on strict discipline of ascetic practice, which had long been replaced by extravagance and debauchery, and now thanks to Lugas.Bomano's close surveillance, it seems to be resurrected here all of a sudden.

Isaac stood at the gate, considering what manner of entry would be in his best interest; for he knew well that the revived religious fanaticism was as dangerous to his unfortunate people as their debauchery and plundering. Yes, the former treated his religion with hatred and persecution, while the latter made his wealth the object of their plunder and extraction. At this time, Lugas.Bomano was walking in a small garden in the synagogue, which was situated within the high walls of the outlying fortress; beside him was a religious brother who had come with him from Palestine, with whom he seemed worried, and was conversing in secret.

The Grand Master was old, as evidenced by his long gray beard and fluffy gray eyebrows on his eyes, but age could not extinguish the fire in those eyes.This is a daunting soldier, with a thin and stern face that still maintains the ferocious expression of a soldier; but as an ascetic fighter, this face also left haggard traces of abstinence, showing his own piety The spirit felt smug.But combined with this austerity of appearance was a striking nobility, evidently derived from his lofty position, which required him to play an important role among kings and nobles, and in his own society. The center exercises supreme authority over noble-born and gallant knights.He was tall, straight and dignified in his walk, without looking old or tired.His white robes are in the style of St. Bernard [Note: Medieval Christian theologian, Cistercian monks, formed the Knights Templar during the Second Crusade. According to his figure, he was meticulously sewn with a kind of coarse cloth at that time, so it seemed very suitable. There was an octagonal cross made of red cloth on his left shoulder, which was the symbol of this knight organization.There was no squirrel or ermine trim on his clothes, but at the age of the Grand Master it was stipulated that the softest sheepskin lining or a fringed bodice with wool facing outwards was allowed at a time when fur was the most luxurious garment , such clothes have reached the maximum he can accept.In his hand he held a distinctive scepter, the kind that the Templars usually carried with them, it had a disc at the top with their cross engraved on it, surrounded by a circle, or what the heralds called Graphics for borders.The priest who followed the great man was dressed almost exactly like him, but his respectful appearance to his superior showed that their relationship was not equal.This man was the bishop of the synagogue, and he followed the Grand Master at a distance, but not too far, so that Bomano could speak to him without turning his head.

Conrad, the grand master said, you are my close friend in battle and work, and I can only confide my worries to your loyal heart.I can only say to you alone how many times since I came to this kingdom I wished I could leave this world and be with righteous sages.Nothing that my eyes come across in England pleases me, and in that proud capital nothing but the tombs of our brethren resting under the majestic roof of our Temple Church give me some comfort.Whenever I see their tombs and statues and think of the outstanding crusaders who rest there, I can't help calling out in my heart: the heroic Robert.De.Ross!Excellent William.De.O Marechal!Open up your marble tombs, let a broken brother rest with you, for I would rather fight thousands of heretics than see our holy community so corrupt!

You are so right, Conrad.Quite true, replied Monteficher; our brethren are even more unruly and unscrupulous in England than in France. Because they are richer, the Grand Master replied, Pardon me, brother, maybe I am a little boastful.You know how I live, like a righteous knight and a pious priest, obeying every rule of our order, fighting devils, visible and invisible, fighting back the lions that stalk and claw, wherever they meet When it comes to it, I always follow the last words of St. Bernard, who we have entered into heaven, and he said in the forty-fifth chapter of his constitution: to fight the lion constantly. , the phrase recurs in various ways, as if it were one of its basic slogans. 】.I have devoted all my strength and my life to the Knights Templar, yes, I have dedicated my heart and soul to it, and now I can swear to you in its name, except you and a few others remain our knights In spite of the earlier strict conduct of the regiment, I could not see a brother whom I could safely call by that holy name.What do our statutes say, and how do our brethren keep them?They could not wear luxuries or worldly ornaments, nor feathers on helmets, nor gold and silver on stirrups and bridles, yet who are now richly dressed and dissolute like our poor Templars Woolen cloth?According to our regulations, they are not allowed to hunt birds with falcons, shoot animals with bows and arrows, blow hunting horns, or ride horses to chase prey. Who could do more with vanity than the Templars?According to the rules, they were not allowed to read anything except what their superiors gave them permission to read, and they were not allowed to be read to anything except saints' stories during their breaks, but lo and behold!Now their ears hear only the idle tales of troubadours, and their eyes read only absurd romances.It was their duty to eradicate magic and heresy, but lo!Instead they study the cursed witchcraft of the Jews, and the heresies of the Saracens who turned away from Christ.According to regulations, their diet must be simple plant roots, thick soup, thin paste, and only eat meat three times a week, because eating meat often will corrode the body and germinate evil thoughts, but you see, their tables are now full of delicacies from mountains and seas.They should drink only water, but now, drinking and merrying like a Templar has become a model for drunkards to boast about.Let’s just talk about this garden. Now it is full of exotic flowers and plants from the East, and it has become an emir who does not believe in Christ. ]’s harem is no longer like a garden where Christian monks grow vegetables.But alas, Conrad, there's more to indiscipline than that!You are well aware that at first our order admitted pious women, but then we had to refuse them, because, as stated in chapter forty-six, the devil often uses women to lead many astray so that they cannot Enter heaven.Not only that, the last chapter is the conclusion of the whole constitution. In order to ensure the purity and undefilement of the teachings formulated by our founder, we are forbidden here to express our feelings with kisses, even for our sisters and mothers. , he said; it is forbidden to kiss any woman.I am ashamed to speak or think of the flood of corruption that has come among us like a flood.Our pure founder Hugh.De.Payan and Godfrey.De.St. Omer, and the seven saints who were the first to join the ranks and give their lives to the cause of the temple, were disturbed even in heaven by these circumstances.Conrad, they dreamed to me at night, and I saw in their holy eyes, weeping for the sins and depravities of our brethren, for the squalor and luxury they indulged in.They said to me: Bomano, you are still sleeping, wake up!The flesh of the Knights Templar has been stained, and the stain is deep and serious, just like the marks left by lepers on the walls of the houses where they lived [Note: According to "Old Testament.The Book of Leviticus says: After the disaster, there are green or red spots on the walls of the house, etc. 】.The crusaders, who should have avoided the eyes of women as well as the eyes of basilisks, lived openly not only with the women of their own people, but with wicked heretics, and with the daughters of the heinous Jews.You sleep, Bomano; rise up, and wash the shame of our cause!Kill criminals, whether they are male or female!Take our swords!The vision is gone, Conrad, but I wake to hear the clank of their armor and see their white coats fluttering before my eyes.I will do as they say, cleanse the flesh of the Knights Templar, dig up the diseased unclean stones, and wash them out of our buildings. But, my venerable master, replied Montefische, the dirt is so ingrained and habitual that reform must be done with care, just and sure. No, Montefiche, the stern old man replied, no, it must be done with great fanfare and resoluteness, the Knights have reached the critical point of life and death.The seriousness, self-sacrifice, and piety of our predecessors have made us a strong and friendly company; our pride, wealth, and luxury have made us enemies.We must abandon these possessions, lest they arouse the covetousness of princes and nobles; we must let go of our pride, lest we offend their taboos;Otherwise, pay attention to my words, the Knights Templar will collapse completely, and its influence in various countries will be wiped out. May God not let such a disaster happen!said the bishop. Amen!The Grand Master said solemnly, but he will only help us if we are worthy of help.I tell you, Conrad, that neither heavenly nor earthly powers will long tolerate the crimes of this generation.I am fully convinced that the very foundations of the institution that has nourished us have been destroyed, and that any iniquity added to this vast edifice will only sink it more rapidly into the abyss.We must rein in the precipice, change our past, and be a faithful crusader, not only giving our flesh and our lives to our calling, not only giving up our desires and vices, but sacrificing our comfort and well-being, our Innate affection convinced myself that there were many entertainments that were legal to others, but a Templar who kept his oath was forbidden to engage in them. At this time, a squire in a worn-out uniform walked into the garden wearing old clothes discarded by the knights during the apprenticeship period because he was a newcomer to the Holy Order. He stopped in front of the grand master and bowed deeply, waiting for him to allow him to speak. say. You see, this Damien, said the Grand Master, in this dress of Christian humility, with a more smug, pretentious face than he wore in that colorful coat two days ago Wouldn't it be more appropriate to look like a parrot?Speak, Damien, I give you permission to speak.What do you want to report? Noble and respected Grand Master, said the squire, a Jew came to the gate and asked to see Brienne.Brother Bois-Ghibert. You report to me first, which is very right, the Grand Master said, in front of me, a bishop is just an ordinary member of our knight order, and cannot act on his own, he must first ask his superiors for instructions, because according to regulations, his What the ear hears, must obey my order.It is now all the more necessary for me to know the behavior of this Boisguibert.He spoke again verbally to his companion. He was, by all accounts, a gallant and fearless knight.Conrad replied. These words are credible, the Great Master said, only in this point of bravery, we have not regressed, and can be compared with our predecessors, those heroes of the Crusades.But when Brother Brien joined our Knights, he was a down-and-out and very unhappy person. I suspect that his motives were impure. Ascetic way of redemption.Since then, he has always spared no effort to incite people, spread rumors, and plot conspiracies, and has become a leader among those who slander my authority; he did not think that the power of the Grand Master is expressly stipulated, and the staff and staff are it The symbol of the scepter is to help the weak to overcome their shortcomings, and the scepter is to urge the guilty to correct their mistakes.Damien, he went on, brought the Jew to me. After the entourage bowed down respectfully and retreated, a few minutes later, they led Isaac of York back.Even if a naked slave is brought to stand trial before a sovereign who holds the power of life and death, he will not be as frightened and disturbed as the Jew who came before the great master.When he was still three yards away from the Grand Master, Bomano signaled him with his staff not to come any closer.The Jew immediately knelt down, kissed the ground to show his respect, then stood up, and stood in front of the two Templars, clasped his hands, bowed his head, showing the submissive gesture of an oriental slave. Damis, step back, said the great master, and sent a guard outside to wait for my summons at any time; no one is allowed to enter until I leave the garden.The servant bowed and retreated.Jew, continued the haughty old man, listen, my status does not allow me to have a long conversation with you, and I never waste words or time for anyone.Therefore, whatever I ask you, you should answer. It must be simple and clear, and every sentence must be true.If you speak sweet words to me, I will order your tongue to be cut out from your unbelieving mouth. The Jew was about to answer when the Great Master went on: Shut up, heretics who don't believe in Christ!In my presence, you are not allowed to speak except to answer my questions.What do you need, call our brother Brian.Bois Guibert? Isaac was speechless in fright, not knowing what to say.Telling the truth may be considered to damage the reputation of their knight order, but without stating the facts, how can he expect his daughter to be released?Bomano found that he was worried, so he had to be extra accommodating and reassure him. Don't be afraid, he said, though you are a wicked Jew, as long as you are honest and don't tell lies.Let me ask again, what do you need for Brian?Bois Guibert? To the venerable Grand Master, stammered the Jew, I have a letter to the illustrious knight from the abbot of Jurvaux, the abbot Aimer. Conrad, didn't I say these were wicked times?The great master said that a Cistercian elder who wrote to the warriors of the temple sent letters to no one else but to unbelieving Jews.give me the letter. With trembling hands, the Jew pulled out the letter from the elder, which he had hidden in the middle of his Armenian hat for safety, and stretched out his hands, bowed, and was about to take two steps forward in order to hand it to the stern man. Judge. Stand back, you dog!The great master said, except for my sword, I will not touch the unbelievers.Conrad, take the letter from the Jew and give it to me. Through such procedures, the letter reached Bomano's hands. He carefully examined its appearance for a while, and then untied the silk thread that bound the letter. Dear Master, Conrad wanted to stop him, but his attitude was very respectful. Remove the sealing wax? why not?said Bomano, frowning, that Chapter Forty-Second on the reading of letters stipulates that all letters received by a Templar, including those from his own father, should be reported to the Grand Master, and in the presence of the latter Disassembled and read, isn't it? So he read the letter hastily, with astonishment and horror; read it again slowly, then, reaching out to Conrad with one hand, patted it lightly with the other, exclaiming : This is really great, a Christian writes such a letter to another Christian, and both of them are not ordinary people, there is an important responsibility!God, he said solemnly, looking up into the sky, when will you be able to clear the chaff from the threshing floor with your grain hoist? Montefischer received the letter from his superior and was about to read it aloud, Conrad, said the Grand Master, and said to Isaac: You listen carefully to its contents, because I still have to ask you. Conrad read the letter, and it reads: Elder Aimer, Abbot of the Cistercian Convent of Sainte-Marie de Jurvaux, to Brienne, Knight TemplarYour Excellency Bois-Ghibert, I wish him good health under the care of King Bacchus and Mistress Venus. 】,Happy life.As for my lord, I am now in the hands of lawless and powerful men who, defying God, hold me for ransom; and here my lord learns that the General Bull-faced has been doomed, and that your lordship was able to take a Jewish seductress away with you. , it's really lucky, I must have been confused by the black eyes of this beautiful woman.Brother's safe escape is certainly worthy of celebration, but this matter involves another witch of Endor, Wan Wang should be more careful, because I have received a secret report that the great master of your group has sneaked into your society from Normandy. Eyeballs have never been dismissive, and the purpose of this trip is said to be to stop pleasure and clean up discipline, so in my humble opinion, you must be vigilant and plan for rainy days, as the "Bible" says, avoiding disasters and seeking blessings is the right thing to do.The woman's father is Isaac of York, a rich Jew who begged me repeatedly to write to Your Excellency that if her daughter could be released, he would offer a large ransom to buy fifty beautiful women of the same kind without risking it. Risk, why not do it with one step.For this reason, I write a letter as above, and I hope that when we meet next time, we will be able to drink freely and share the joy of the world.Because as the scriptures say: good wine makes people feel refreshed, and it also says: beautiful women can make people feel ecstatic. Goodbye, hope to meet soon.Elder Aimer, Abbot of Jurvaux, wrote it in the bandit's den during morning prayers. Also, the gold necklace under my feet really cannot be my property for a long time, because it has been snatched by a deer robber, and it is hung around the man's neck for him to wear a dog's whistle. What do you think about that, Conrad?The great master asked, bandit cave!For such an elder, the Bandit Cave is a suitable place to live.There are people like Emer in our church. No wonder God punishes us and makes us fail every step of the way in the face of the invasion of the heathen in the Holy Land.What is this elder saying?Oh, another witch of Endor, what's the point? Conrad knew more about these cavaliers' lingo than his superiors because of his ear, and he explained this passage to the bewildered grand master, saying that it was a layman's term referring to their mistress; but This explanation did not fully satisfy the stubborn Bomano. You have not guessed its full meaning, Conrad; you are too honest to understand the depths of this evil abyss.This Rebecca of York is Miriam's student, you've heard that one.Now this Jew will confess it to you too.Then he turned to Isaac and said in a loud voice: Then give your daughter to Brian.Has Bois-guibert been kidnapped? Yes, great master, stammered poor Isaac, I am a poor man, but no matter what ransom I have to pay, as long as I can save shut up!The great master shouted, your daughter knows medical skills, doesn't she? Yes, good master, answered the Jew, reassured, that she heals knights and villagers, squires and servants alike, with the skill God has given her.Many can testify that she was a blessing from the God of Jacob to heal others when their help failed. Bomano grinned grinningly at Montefiche, and, lo, brother, he said, this is a deception played by the man-eating devil.He used this bait to hunt our souls, and exchanged their short lives on earth for their eternal happiness in the afterlife.Our sacred charter says it well; the man-eating lion must be killed.Down with the lion!Get rid of the bane!As he said, he raised the mysterious staff and waved it a few times, as if he was using it to drive away the forces of darkness. Your daughter is healing people. I don’t doubt that. He continued to say to the Jews, using spells and Magic, using talismans and other Jewish sorcery to heal people. No, valiant and honorable knight, answered Isaac, chiefly with a miraculous ointment. Where did she get the secret recipe?Bomano said. It was taught to her by Miriam, a wise woman of our tribe.Isaac replied, a little unconvinced. Humph, dishonest Jew!said the Grand Master, isn't this the witch Miriam?This man's sorcery was notorious throughout Christendom, he shouted, and made the sign of the cross, and her body was burned at the stake, and her ashes were blown away with the wind; today I and my Knights Her only responsibility is to deal with her students in the same way, but more severely!If I don't, I encourage her to continue witchcraft and hexes on the Knights Templar!Listen, Damien, throw this Jew out of the gate; and if he disobeys, or comes back, shoot him dead with arrows.As for his daughter, we will deal with it according to the law of Christianity, as our high duty requires. Thus poor Isaac was driven from the temple synagogue, and all his entreaties, even his intention of a ransom, were rejected and unheeded.Desperate, he had to return to the rabbi's house and try to find out the fate of his daughter by various means.Now he had trembled for her life, where before he had feared only for her honor.Just then, the Grand Master ordered the Bishop of the Temple Synagogue to come and see him.