XVII.

THE CLUB.

As from the mist a noble pine we tell Grown old upon the heights of Appenzel, When morning freshness breathes round all the wood, So Eviradnus now before them stood, Opening his visor, which at once revealed The snowy beard it had so well concealed. Thin Sigismond was still as dog at gaze, But Ladisläus leaped, and howl did raise, And laughed and gnashed his teeth, till, like a cloud That sudden bursts, his rage was all avowed. "'Tis but an old man after all!" he cried.

Then the great knight, who looked at both, replied, "Oh, kings! an old man of my time can cope With two much younger ones of yours, I hope. To mortal combat I defy you both Singly; or, if you will, I'm nothing loth With two together to contend; choose here From out the heap what weapon shall appear Most fit. As you no cuirass wear, I see, I will take off my own, for all must be In order perfect--e'en your punishment."

Then Eviradnus, true to his intent, Stripped to his Utrecht jerkin; but the while He calmly had disarmed--with dexterous guile Had Ladisläus seized a knife that lay Upon the damask cloth, and slipped away His shoes; then barefoot, swiftly, silently He crept behind the knight, with arm held high. But Eviradnus was of all aware, And turned upon the murderous weapon there, And twisted it away; then in a trice His strong colossal hand grasped like a vice The neck of Ladisläus, who the blade Now dropped; over his eyes a misty shade Showed that the royal dwarf was near to death.

"Traitor!" said Eviradnus in his wrath, "I rather should have hewn your limbs away, And left you crawling on your stumps, I say,-- But now die fast."

Ghastly, with starting eyes, The King without a cry or struggle dies. One dead--but lo! the other stands bold-faced, Defiant; for the knight, when he unlaced His cuirass, had his trusty sword laid down, And Sigismond now grasps it as his own. The monster-youth laughed at the silv'ry beard, And, sword in hand, a murderer glad appeared. Crossing his arms, he cried, "'Tis my turn now!" And the black mounted knights in solemn row Were judges of the strife. Before them lay The sleeping Mahaud--and not far away The fatal pit, near which the champion knight With evil Emperor must contend for right, Though weaponless he was. And yawned the pit Expectant which should be engulfed in it.

"Now we shall see for whom this ready grave," Said Sigismond, "you dog, whom naught can save!" Aware was Eviradnus that if he Turned for a blade unto the armory, He would be instant pierced--what can he do? The moment is for him supreme. But, lo! He glances now at Ladisläus dead, And with a smile triumphant and yet dread, And air of lion caged to whom is shown Some loophole of escape, he bends him down.

"Ha! ha! no other club than this I need!" He cried, as seizing in his hands with speed The dead King's heels, the body lifted high, Then to the frightened Emperor he came nigh, And made him shake with horror and with fear, The weapon all so ghastly did appear. The head became the stone to this strange sling, Of which the body was the potent string; And while 'twas brandished in a deadly way, The dislocated arms made monstrous play With hideous gestures, as now upside down The bludgeon corpse a giant force had grown. "'Tis well!" said Eviradnus, and he cried, "Arrange between yourselves, you two allied; If hell-fire were extinguished, surely it By such a contest might be all relit; From kindling spark struck out from dead King's brow, Batt'ring to death a living Emperor now."

And Sigismond, thus met and horrified, Recoiled to near the unseen opening wide; The human club was raised, and struck again * * * And Eviradnus did alone remain All empty-handed--but he heard the sound Of spectres two falling to depths profound; Then, stooping o'er the pit, he gazed below, And, as half-dreaming now, he murmured low, "Tiger and jackal meet their portion here, 'Tis well together they should disappear!"