With sheep and shaggy goats the porkers bled,

And the proud steer was on the marble spread;

With fire prepared, they deal the morsels round,

Wine rosy bright the brimming goblets crown'd.

Disposed apart, Ulysses shares the treat;

A trivet table and ignobler seat,

The Prince assigns--

--Odyssey, Book XXI

The Prior Aymer had taken the opportunity afforded him, of changing his

riding robe for one of yet more costly materials, over which he wore

a cope curiously embroidered. Besides the massive golden signet ring,

which marked his ecclesiastical dignity, his fingers, though contrary

to the canon, were loaded with precious gems; his sandals were of the

finest leather which was imported from Spain; his beard trimmed to as

small dimensions as his order would possibly permit, and his shaven

crown concealed by a scarlet cap richly embroidered.

The appearance of the Knight Templar was also changed; and, though

less studiously bedecked with ornament, his dress was as rich, and

his appearance far more commanding, than that of his companion. He had

exchanged his shirt of mail for an under tunic of dark purple silk,

garnished with furs, over which flowed his long robe of spotless white,

in ample folds. The eight-pointed cross of his order was cut on the

shoulder of his mantle in black velvet. The high cap no longer invested

his brows, which were only shaded by short and thick curled hair of

a raven blackness, corresponding to his unusually swart complexion.

Nothing could be more gracefully majestic than his step and manner,

had they not been marked by a predominant air of haughtiness, easily

acquired by the exercise of unresisted authority.

These two dignified persons were followed by their respective

attendants, and at a more humble distance by their guide, whose figure

had nothing more remarkable than it derived from the usual weeds of a

pilgrim. A cloak or mantle of coarse black serge, enveloped his whole

body. It was in shape something like the cloak of a modern hussar,

having similar flaps for covering the arms, and was called a "Sclaveyn",

or "Sclavonian".

Coarse sandals, bound with thongs, on his bare feet;

a broad and shadowy hat, with cockle-shells stitched on its brim, and

a long staff shod with iron, to the upper end of which was attached a

branch of palm, completed the palmer's attire. He followed modestly the

last of the train which entered the hall, and, observing that the lower

table scarce afforded room sufficient for the domestics of Cedric and

the retinue of his guests, he withdrew to a settle placed beside and

almost under one of the large chimneys, and seemed to employ himself in

drying his garments, until the retreat of some one should make room

at the board, or the hospitality of the steward should supply him with

refreshments in the place he had chosen apart.




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