Chapter 38 Chapter Thirty-eight

Here I throw down my gloves, Let it prove you have enough guts. "Richard II" [Note: Shakespeare's historical play. 】 Even Lucas.Bomano was also moved by Rebecca's demeanor and expression.He was not a cruel man, not even a stern man, but because of his natural lack of enthusiasm and a radical but wrong conception of responsibility, his heart was in the ascetic life he yearned for and in the exercise he exercised. In his supreme power, and in his belief that he had a special responsibility for suppressing cults and purging them of heresy, he gradually grew ruthless.His usual stern expression softened now as he gazed at this beautiful woman, alone and friendless, undeterred, rallied and protective.Twice he crossed himself, as if wondering where the unnaturally good-natured emotion in him came from, which was always as hard as a sword under such circumstances.Finally he spoke.

Little girl, he said, if I feel pity for you because of the magic you have done on me, then your sin is serious.But I hope it is only one of the kinder feelings of my nature, which laments that such a beauty should be a vessel for evil.Repent, my daughter, confess your witchcraft, renounce your evil beliefs, take refuge in the Holy Cross, and hereafter you may be born again.You can pray sincerely with your sisters in the strictest order, atone for your sins with asceticism, and never have to worry about repentance.Do this and live like this, the Law of Moses [Note: In Judaism, Moses is considered the greatest prophet and teacher; here the Law of Moses does not only refer to the Ten Commandments of Moses. 】What does it mean to you, why should you die for it?

This is the law of my ancestors, replied Rebecca, and it was taught on Mount Sinai, in thunder and lightning, in cloud and fire.Since you are Christians, this is what you believe in.You say it's withdrawn, but that's not what my teacher taught me. Let our priest stand up, said Bomano, and tell this unrepentant heathen Forgive me for interrupting you, said Rebecca meekly, I am only a young woman, and cannot defend my religion; but I may die for it, if it be God's will.I ask you to grant my duel request. Give me her gloves, Bomano said.As he looked at the thin silk fabric and its slender fingers, he continued: For a matter of life and death, this is indeed a small and fragile guarantee!Look, Rebecca, isn't this thin and light glove of yours, compared with our mighty iron gauntlet, just a symbol of your request and the cause of the Knights Templar?Because it is our Knights that you are fighting against now.

Put my innocence in the scales, replied Rebecca, and the silk glove will weigh more than the iron glove. Do you then staunchly refuse to admit your guilt, and insist on a gallant duel? I insist, my lord, replied Rebecca. So be it, I declare this in the name of Heaven, says the Grand Master, and God will judge justly! Amen!The bishops around him answered in unison, and the audience echoed in deep voices. Brothers, said Bomano, you understand that I may deny this woman, and deprive her of the right to judge by duel; Foreigners, our law is kind, and it is not in accordance with the will of heaven to refuse her request.Besides, we are not only men of the church, but also knights and warriors, and it would be a disgrace to us to refuse a request for a duel for any reason.The circumstances of the present case, therefore, are this: Rebecca, daughter of Isaac of York, guilty of sorcery by frequent and questionable performances against a knight of our noble Order, now demands way to prove her innocence.Do you think, dear brothers, that the token of the duel she threw should be given to one of ours, and to whom should it be given?

Give it to Brian.Bois-Guilbert, who was the main person involved in the case, said the bishop of Goudallic, and only he knew the truth of the matter best. But, said the Great Master, in case our brother Brienne is still under the influence of magic and sorcery, I am just in case, because I also think that among our knights, he is the most suitable for this task, even more important tasks. The venerable Grand Master, the Bishop of Gudallic, replied that no sorcery can overpower those who fight for the judgment of God. You are right, brother, said the Grand Master, Albert.Malvorsin, give the token of the duel to Brienne.Bois Guibert.Brother, he continued to Bois-guibert, we entrust you with this task, and you must fight bravely and without hesitation, because the cause of justice will surely win.Now, Rebecca, listen, you must find a fighter by the third day from today.

The time was too short, replied Rebecca, and I was a stranger, and of another faith, and it was not easy to find a man to risk life and honor for me to fight a knight of great renown. I cannot extend the time, replied the Grand Master, the duel should be conducted under my personal presidency, but various important duties obliged me to leave here on the fourth day. God's will will definitely come true!Rebecca said, I trust His arrangements, for Him, a moment and an era can also play a role in saving. You speak well, little girl, said the Grand Master, but we also know who is best at dressing himself up as an angel of light.Now it is only necessary to designate a suitable place for the duel. If all goes well, then this will also be the place for execution.Where is the bishop of this synagogue?

Albert.Malvasin, still holding Rebecca's glove, was trying his best to persuade Bois-guibert, but his voice was very soft. how!The great master said, is he unwilling to accept the token? "No, he will take it, my lord Grandmaster," said Malvosin, tucking the gloves into his robes. "As for the venue of the duel, I think the most suitable place for the duel is St. George's Tournament, which belongs to the The auditorium is usually used for military drills. All right, said the Grand Master, Rebecca, you must get your fighters to that tourney on time, and if you fail, or your fighters are defeated by God's judgment, you must accept your punishment and die as a witch .It is time to record this judgment of ours, and to announce it publicly, lest anyone should presume ignorance.

The priest who acted as a recorder in the court immediately took up a large book and wrote down the decision. This book recorded the decisions made by the Knights Templar at such meetings held over the years.When he had finished writing it, he gave it to another priest, and read aloud the Grand Master's sentence, which was translated from Norman French, and read as follows: Rebecca, daughter of Isaac in Yorkshire, who is Jewish, has been accused of witchcraft, sorcery and other forms of enchantment against a Knight Templar, but the woman has denied the crimes and claims that testimony given today in relation to her crimes is all inclusive. False and untrue claims, requesting a duel judgment, but since the woman cannot participate in the duel in person, the relevant statutory alternatives are invoked, requiring him to invite a fighter to use weapons suitable for duels in accordance with all the rules that knights are expected to perform , to conduct a duel on her behalf, and the consequences and expenses of the duel shall be borne by the woman herself.The woman has submitted a token requesting a duel.The token is now handed over to Brienne, a noble knight of the Knights Templar.Bois-Guilbert was taken in, the knight who, as a victim of the complainant's sorcery, would represent the Order and himself in the duel.The above-mentioned duel and the accommodation requested by the woman have been entrusted to the full power of the law by the noble Grand Master, Lugas.His Excellency the Marquis de Bomano granted his permission, and appointed the third day for the duel to be held in the square called St. George's Tournament, near the Temple.The great master has ordered the complainant that his fighters must be present at that time, otherwise the complainant will be punished as exercising witchcraft and sorcery; as the defendant, the woman should also be present at that time, and if she is absent, she should also be punished as a breach of promise .The above-mentioned most venerable Grand Master decided to supervise the duel himself, to see that it was conducted in accordance with all reasonable and honorable rules.May God bless our cause of justice!

Amen!The great master said that everyone present also followed the instructions.Rebecca didn't speak, but she looked up to the sky, clasped her hands, and didn't change her posture at this moment.Then she humbly reminded the grand master that she should be allowed some opportunity to communicate freely with her relatives and friends, so that they would know her situation and try to get her a champion to fight for her. This request is reasonable and legal, the Grand Master said, you can choose a person you trust as your emissary, and he has the right to freely contact you in your cell.

Is there a man here who, from good intentions, or for a generous reward, would act as a messenger for a distressed woman?asked Rebecca loudly. No one said anything, because no one wanted to show concern for the slandered prisoner in front of the Grand Master, lest he would be accused of being inclined to Judaism.In the face of such concerns, not only is sympathy completely useless, bounty money loses its allure. Rebecca waited a long time in indescribable anxiety, and at last sighed, and said: "Is it true?"Have I been deprived of even the last hope of rescue on this soil of England?Can't even have the kindness that the worst criminal can have?

Seager.Snell finally spoke: I was originally a disabled person, but thanks to her kind help, I can walk and move around.I will carry your message, he said, turning to Rebecca again, as well as a cripple can, and may my legs make up for what my tongue has done you by running faster.Oh my god!When I boast of your kindness, how can I think that I am driving you to death! Everything is God's arrangement, Rebecca said, He can even pass the smallest warning, so that the Jews who were captured by the state can return to their homeland.Even a snail runs as fast as an eagle that conveys his will.Find Isaac of York, please. Here is your carriage. Give him this note.I don't know if God gave me courage, but I fully believe that I will not die like this, and there will be a warrior who will stand up for me.goodbye!My life and death depend on your speed. The redneck took the note, which contained only a few lines in Hebrew.Many people advised him not to touch such unlucky words.But Seager has made up his mind to do something for his benefactor, who has cured my body, he said, I believe, she will not want to endanger my soul. I shall borrow a swift horse from my neighbor Buza, he added, and be at York in the shortest time I can manage. Fortunately, however, he did not have to travel so far, for he had not traveled a quarter of a mile beyond the gate of the synagogue before he met two mule-riders, from their clothes and their large yellow hats. , he knew that they were Jews; and coming nearer, he found that one of them was Isaac of York, his former master;Book.Israel.Both of them rushed to the synagogue boldly when they heard that the Grand Master was convening a meeting to interrogate a witch, trying to get as close to it as possible to inquire about the news. Book.Brother Israel, said Isaac, I don't know why, my heart is beating so hard.This sorcery charge is often used to cover up the persecution of us Jews. Take courage, brother, the doctor said, you have a lot of money in your hands, you can deal with those Nazarenes, you will be fine if you give them some money; money can control those who go against the law, like the great Solomon's ring Like the devil who can rule over evil.But this poor guy on crutches seems to be looking for us, has something to say?Friends, Doctor Xiang Xig.Snell continued, "If you want to be treated, I will treat you, but I won't give you any money for a beggar who is begging on the road.Let's talk!Are your legs paralyzed?Then let your hands earn your living, for though you are no longer fit to run errands, or to be an industrious shepherd, or to fight, or to serve a quick-tempered master, yet you can do something else, what are you, brother?He interrupted his lecture, looked at Isaac, and saw that he had just glanced at the note that Higger had handed him, then he yelled, fell down from his mule with a grunt, and lay on the ground as if dead, Lost consciousness for a while. The rabbi was taken aback, and got off his mule, hastily trying to revive his friend with his medical skills.He had even pulled the bloodletting equipment out of his pocket and was about to perform a phlebotomy when the patient he was about to operate on woke up suddenly, took his cap off his head, and sprinkled a handful of dirt on his pale hair.This sudden outburst of emotion, which the doctor at first thought was the result of insanity, still wanted to go ahead with his original intention, and went to get his tools again.But Isaac stopped him right away, saying he was wrong. My wretched child, he said, you should be called Benoni [Note: Hebrew, wretched child. ], it shouldn't be called Rebecca!Once you die, how can I, a white-haired old man, live on? I am so sad, and I will curse God until I die! Brother, the rabbi was taken aback and said, you are not an Israeli, how can you say such a thing?I believe your child should still be alive? She is alive, replied Isaac, but that is like when Daniel was called Belteshazzar, even when he was thrown into the lions' den. After Babylon, it was renamed Belteshazzar, and was thrown into the lion's den by the king of Babylon, but survived miraculously. 】.Now he was the captive of Belial's disciples, and they would deal with her cruelly, so that her youthful life and beauty would not continue to exist.ah!She is a crown of verdant palm trees upon my pale head; yet she, like Jonah's castor, will wither overnight.In the Book of Jonah, God gave Jonah a castor plant, but it dried up to death overnight, in order to teach Jonah to cherish life. 】!My sweetheart!Consolation of my old age!O Rebecca, daughter of Rachel!The shadow of death has enveloped you. But read the note first, said the rabbi, maybe we can find a way to save her. Read it, brother, replied Isaac, for my eyes are full of tears and I cannot see clearly. The doctor read the following in Hebrew: To Isaac son of Adonikon, who the Gentiles call Isaac of York, may God keep him safe and happy!Father, I have been condemned to die, for what reason I do not know, but for witchcraft.Father, if I can find a strong warrior who is willing to come to the arena of the temple synagogue on the third day from today, according to the custom of the Nazarenes, to fight a duel with sword or knife instead of me, then God may grant His strength, to protect an innocent woman who is powerless to defend herself.If not, there is no hope for your daughter's life, and she must be stabbed like a deer by the hunter, and cut off like a flower by the farmer's sickle.Now I ask my father to consider this matter, maybe it can still save his son's life.As far as I know, Cedric's son Wilfred, also known as Ivanhoe by the Gentiles, is a warrior of the Nazarenes, and he should be willing to fight for his daughter.It's just that he may still be weak and unable to go into battle.But, father, give him the news, for he has a reputation among the powerful in England, and we have suffered with him in prison, and he may find a warrior to fight for me.You tell him, you have to tell him, tell this Wilfred, son of Cedric, that Rebecca may live or die, but whether she lives or dies, she is innocent of the crime she is accused of. .Father, if it is God's will that you lose your daughter, do not stay in this land of blood and cruelty after my death, but hurry to Cordoba, where your brother lived Although it was under Bob Dill of the Saracens, the Moors treated the descendants of Jacob better [Note: From the eighth century AD, Muslims controlled most of Spain and established Many small kingdoms, such as the Cordoba region. ], not as brutal as the British Nazarenes. In this.When Israel read the letter, Isaac tried his best to be patient and listened carefully, but after reading, he resumed the oriental way of expressing grief, tearing his clothes, throwing dust on his head, and shouting repeatedly: My daughter!my daughter!My baby, my own flesh and blood! But you have to be brave, said the rabbi, it's no use crying like that.Brace yourselves and get ready to go, you must find Wilfred, son of Cedric.Perhaps he will tell you what to do, or do it for you, for the young man is a favorite courtier of Richard the Lionheart, as the Nazarenes say, and word is being spread everywhere that the king is home.Maybe the young man could get a letter signed by Richard himself, ordering those cruel people to stop their evil deeds. These people have done all the evil deeds in the name of the Temple. I must find him, said Isaac, a good young man who sympathizes with us exiles.But he can't wear armor, and who else is going to do justice to the oppressed Jews? No, said the rabbi, you speak like you don't understand the Gentiles.You give them gold and they will work for you, just as you give them gold and they will keep you safe.Take courage, set off, and find this Wilfred of Ivanhoe.I will also try my best to help you. When you encounter a disaster, it is a great sin to leave you alone.I must hurry to York City, where many knights and powerful men are assembled now, I believe I can find a man who will fight for your daughter, because gold is their god, for gold, they can take it like a mortgage field. Life is at stake.But, my brother, will you accept the promise I made in your name? Of course, brother, said Isaac, thank God he gave me a friend who helped me in my troubles!However, do not agree to all their demands at once, because you will find that these evil people have a characteristic: they ask you for a few pounds, but maybe you give them a few taels, and they will be satisfied.But do what you will, for I am so confused by the matter, and what am I to do with all this gold in case my dear boy dies! Goodbye, said the doctor, and may you all be well and achieve your purpose. So they hugged and parted ways.The crippled countryman stared at their backs and was stunned for a while. These Jewish cowards!He said they simply dismissed me, a free guild worker, as if I were a slave, or a Turk, or a circumcised Hebrew like them!They should at least give me a silver or two.It is not my duty to send them such inauspicious letters, many have told me that there is a danger of enchantment.What's a gold coin that little girl gave me, and if next Easter the priest asks me to confess, I'll have to pay him twice as much, and I'll be scolded all my life for running errands for the Jews. .When I stood beside that girl, I must have been enchanted to be so enthusiastic!But no one, Jew or Gentile, would refuse to deliver a letter for her after seeing her appearance; besides, whenever I think of her, if I can save her, I will take out all my workshops and tools. willingly.