Maugis, ye sorcerer from ye ancient French : a wonderful tale from ye writings of ye mad savant of ye Maison Maugis in ye olde citie of Mouzon, France
“Permit me, holy father, if I be not committing an indiscretion, to ask
who you are; something tells me that beneath that sacred habit you are
hiding a brave warrior; as for myself, I am the Comte de Rance.”
“My lord,” responded Maugis, “while I have no motive for hiding my
name, I must have your word that the disclosure I make shall be in
confidence. I am Maugis of Montaubon, eldest son of the Duke d’Aymon. I
had incurred the anger of Charlemagne in keeping a neutrality in a war
between him and my relative. For that reason he pursued me from that
day, without ceasing, until recently we made peace, when he pardoned my
brothers and all my relatives, on the condition that I should leave
for the holy land, making the pilgrimage to expiate my faults and the
promise that I would stay until he recalled me.”
At these words Count de Rance sprang from his horse, and falling on his
knee before him, said:
“By thy deeds, sir knight, thou hast proved thyself to be one of the
most noble men the world hath known. Surely thy duty to God at this
most critical juncture in our affairs, when our arms against the
Saracens seem to prevail not, lies not in prayer, but in warlike deeds,
which thou hast proved thyself so fitted to perform. I tender thee my
homage and faith and supplicate thee to command me and mine. There be
other noble knights who will gladly accept thy leadership.”
To this Maugis agreed, and accompanied the count to the camp of the
Christian army, where being made known, the noble knights on all sides
hastened to greet him, and followed the example of the Count de Rance
in paying him homage and tendering him unanimously command of all their
forces, and offered him the privilege of sharing in the booty already
captured from the enemy. This latter proposition, however, Maugis
declined to accept, taking only a horse and arms and armor.
The next day grand _fêtes_ were celebrated in honor of the advent of
the new commander, and these being concluded, they proceeded to dispose
their forces for a new activity against the infidels.
At a council of war then held, Maugis arranged a plan to lure their
foes out of the city by causing them to think the Crusaders had
raised the siege and were abandoning their camp. All these strategic
preparations were made with the greatest silence and secrecy.
At daybreak the following day the Saracens beheld the retreat, and
thinking the camp abandoned, duly commenced to march out. They were
only allowed to advance to a point where their retreat could be readily
cut off. Maugis had secretly sent a number of troops, in command of the
Count de Rance, under the walls of the city, with instructions to cut
the enemy to pieces when they attempted to re-enter.
When the proper moment arrived, Maugis turned and hurled the main body
of troops upon the enemy so unexpectedly as to carry terror and dismay
into their ranks. They would have retreated, but it was in vain; the
Count de Rance appeared in their rear and prevented their entering the
city. The battle then waxed furious on both sides. The chief of the
Saracens at the head of his soldiers, fighting desperately, showed
the greatest valor, but Maugis was everywhere, and pushed his troops
forward in a manner that rendered useless all efforts of the enemy to
escape.
The Count de Rance then unmasked the gate, and falling upon their rear,
cut them to pieces, profiting at the moment when the Saracens were
flying in retreat.
Their chief had been taken prisoner, when the inhabitants of Jerusalem
came to the rescue of the infidels by opening a gate which had escaped
the observations of the Crusaders. The pursuers would have followed the
fugitives into the city, but it was too late. The gates were closed
upon them, and it was in vain that they endeavored to force them. By
this time the walls swarmed with the soldiers of the infidel. Maugis,
however, would not give up, now that his troops were enthused by the
victory, and caused a heavy timber to be brought, which was hurled
with all the force that twenty men could bring to bear against the
gate, regardless of the destruction wrought upon them by the enemy on
the walls above. When men were stricken down at the battering ram, new
ones came forward to take their places, and at last the gates having
yielded, the knights and soldiers victoriously penetrated the city,
slaying all whom they encountered on the way.
All resistance now being hopeless, the principal citizens, reduced
to the last extremity, appeared before Maugis, and yielded up to him
everything and supplicated him for an armistice, and he accorded them
a two days’ truce, pending the ratification of a definitive treaty of
peace.
When this news went abroad among the people they with one accord gave
thanks to Maugis. The ancient city, which had been in a state of
fear and consternation, now resounded with cries of joy. They would
have Maugis occupy the palace and become ruler of the city, but he
refused to do so, preferring his humble abode for all the luxury of the
infidels.
Maugis remained in Jerusalem only sufficient time to establish order
and provide for the safeguard of the people from the infidels, and then
concluded a definite treaty of peace with the latter. Laying aside his
arms, and assuming once more the habit of a pilgrim, he retired to his
hermitage.
The story of the exploits of Maugis was not slow in reaching France,
and caused the emperor to marvel greatly at the deeds of the brave man,
and resolving that he had lived long enough away from his family, he
sent at once a messenger to him, bidding him to return to Montaubon,
that he had completely pardoned him, and was anxious to see him once
more.
Maugis, on receiving this message, would not remain a day longer than
possible on that strange soil. He embarked on a magnificent vessel,
presented by the King of Jerusalem, having been given many valuable
presents, and set sail homeward. Alas! fate had in store for him many
more vicissitudes; his fond hopes to be again in the midst of his
family were to be denied.
At first the voyage was prosperous, but at last they were attacked by
pirates in great force, and after being delayed by adverse winds they
finally encountered a tempest and nearly wrecked. They at last landed
at Palermo, on the Island of Sicily. There the king received them with
honors and gave Maugis a brilliant reception, and would have him remain
with him for some time, but Maugis declined.
It was while he was waiting at Palermo, repairing the damage done to
his ship by the tempest, and recruiting himself after the rigors of
his voyage, that an extraordinary event occurred. A war was declared
against the King of Sicily by the Saracens, and before any precaution
could be taken a large army landed on his coast. The King of Sicily,
not being prepared to meet this great force, was in great fear, but
Maugis reassured him that he would disembarrass Sicily of the Saracens,
whom he had already defeated in Palestine. The Sicilian army was
hastily assembled before Palermo, and Maugis placed himself at its head.
Everything being gotten quickly in readiness, Maugis marched out to
meet the Saracens without delay, who, thinking they were marching
to surprise their enemy unprepared for the unexpected change in the
position, caused by the sudden appearance of the Sicilian army,
hesitated, while the Sicilians advanced upon them firmly.
Emiraza, the chief of the infidels, whom Maugis had already defeated
at Jerusalem, little thought who he had opposing him once more. He
galloped forward to see if he could discover what caused this bold
interference with his designs, and when he animated his troops and
brought them forward to battle he soon perceived he was to meet with a
very stubborn resistance. Seeing a group of knights at the head of the
Sicilian army, he charged upon them with his escort. At that instant
the cry of “Montaubon!” rang in his ears. He stopped still, trembling,
and asked how it was possible that Maugis could be found in Sicily,
when it was over five months since he had departed from Palestine to
return to France.
Meanwhile, regaining his courage, he continued his charge upon the
invincible group of knights, and was repulsed, and Maugis, taking
advantage of the confusion this repulse occasioned, threw his forces
upon the Saracens and completely routed them. In vain it was the
infidels offered a heroic resistance, they were forced to the seashore.
Emiraza, relying upon the swiftness of his horse, reached the shore,
plunged into the waves, and sought to gain his galley. When his
soldiers, later, were stopped by the sea, they were pressed upon by the
victorious Sicilians, until finally they were either killed or made
prisoners to the last man.
This victory covered Maugis with more glory than ever. He was
complimented by magnificent _fêtes_ and given great honors. The king
himself would have him share his crown, but Maugis refused. He had but
one thought and that was to go home to his own country; to be reunited
with his family was his sole ambition.
After a few days spent in _fêtes_ and rejoicing, Maugis embarked, and
after a short and uneventful voyage in due time reached Dordogne,
whereupon, being apprised of their arrival, Richard, Alard, and
Guichard went forward to meet him.
They were followed by all the nobility of the vicinity. The people
formed themselves in a line along the road, and their progress was
marked by cheers and acclamations, and with his name in every one’s
mouth, Maugis finally arrived at the palace.
His first thought was for his well-beloved wife. He was astonished not
to see her among the others. He interrogated his brothers, and they
only responded by silence.
“What signifies this silence?” he demanded of them. “Have you yet
another misfortune to announce to me? Has Providence again stricken me?”
“You must have courage, my dear Maugis,” responded Alard. “Your noble
wife is dead, and died with your name upon her lips. During your
absence, and in the failure to receive news of you, everyone thought
you dead. Yolande refused to be consoled. Certain noblemen dared to
raise their eyes to her, and when they sought to convince her you
were no more, she would not hear, and finally one of them took to her
a piece of your armor, pretending it to be a relic of your decease.
Yolande was deceived by this, and from that day commenced to despair.
It was in vain that Charlemagne assured her of your safety, and even a
courier was sent to Jerusalem to determine it. Everybody assured her
that you were living, but she was death-stricken. She faded in our
arms and passed away, dying in the sweet satisfaction that you had not
ceased to love her.”
This sorrowful news caused Maugis the most intense anguish. The
strongman bowed his head and wept bitterly. He would not be consoled,
and calling together his brothers and his sons, he told them he had
formed a resolution that he should lose no time in carrying out. Said
he:
“I have been blessed with all the triumphs that a man could desire. I
have acquired a universal renown. Nothing is wanting for me in honors
or glory. Alas! what use is it all to me now, when I have not Yolande
to participate in it with me? I was so anxious to be with my family
again. I thought that I could spend the rest of my days among you, but
she is no more. It is a loss I never can forget; therefore have I taken
this resolution: I will quit the world, and retiring to some solitude I
will await the day when I can rejoin her.”
It happened that Renaud, the cousin of Maugis, had made a similar
resolve previously, to the same effect, and was now in some solitary
retreat, having bid adieu to his relatives.
All attempts to change the resolution of Maugis to carry out this plan