how the cardinal visited derrick carver in his cell
in the lollards’ tower.
but there was another person besides osbert clinton in whom constance took deep interest, and whose perilous position occasioned her profound anxiety. this was derrick carver. true, since her intercourse with pole, her admiration of the enthusiast had somewhat abated, but she could not forget the benefits he had conferred upon her. all that she could learn respecting carver was, that he had been removed from the underground dungeon to the prison-chamber in the lollards’ tower, which she herself had occupied, and that he was still confined there. she also ascertained, by means of old dorcas, that he had been several times examined by bonner, and had been severely handled by them for his contumacy. fain would she have obtained an interview with him—fain would she have prayed with him and consoled him—but this was not permitted. pole, who considered the fanatic’s influence over her to be most pernicious, refused her solicitations, and in a manner that did not allow her to renew the request. the cardinal declared that, finding carver impracticable, he had surrendered him to the ecclesiastical commissioners, and he was now entirely in their hands.
constance, therefore, had no hope of beholding the enthusiast again in this world. strange to say, she did not altogether deplore his fate, but in moments of exaltation almost 248envied him the martyrdom which it appeared certain he would have to endure.
throughout this time of trial, carver’s resolution had never deserted him—had never even wavered. the prison chamber to which he had been removed was a great improvement upon the dismal dungeon wherein he had been previously immured. in fact, as his movements were not restrained, and he was allowed writing materials, with a bible and a book of prayer, he was well enough content with his lodging. to the mementoes of the many sufferers for conscience’ sake who had preceded him in this cell, and had carved their names on the stout oak panels lining the walls, he added his own name, with these words: “approved by stripes, imprisonment, and death.”
his cell was by no means gloomy. through the narrow grated window looking upon the thames, and at which osbert had conversed with constance, he obtained a glimpse of the river, and of some structures on its opposite banks, while he could hear the dash of oars in the water, and the cheerful voices of the boatmen. but the stern enthusiast bestowed but little thought on the external world. his time was now entirely occupied in preparation for eternity, and in fortifying himself for the fiery ordeal by which his faith was to be approved.
on several occasions, as we have already stated, he had been interrogated by bonner, but neither promises of grace, nor threats of torture, could move him. he resolutely refused to subscribe the recantation proffered him by the bishop; and when the latter, exasperated by his obstinacy, had him taken to the post room, stripped to the girdle, tied to the wooden pillar in the centre of the chamber, and severely scourged, he uttered no cry, but persisted in his refusal.
determined to try the effect of greater severity, and having means and appliances at hand, bonner ordered him to be chained to the walls of his cell till he should show signs of submission.
this was done. the unfortunate captive was fastened to two of the ponderous iron rings which may still be seen in the walls of the prison, and kept in such a position that he could neither lie down nor stand erect.
249in this woful plight he remained for three days and three nights, debarred of his chief solace, the bible, and unable to kneel in prayer without putting himself to excruciating agony, but his constancy was unsubdued, and when bonner again visited him, thinking he must needs be overcome, he found him unyielding as ever.
what further barbarities might have been practised by the savage prelate upon the unfortunate captive can only be imagined, but happily his victim was snatched from his clutches by pole. made aware how severely the prisoner had been treated, the cardinal instantly interfered, caused the poor wretch’s chains to be taken off, and interdicted any further application of torture. bonner sullenly acquiesced, as indeed he was obliged to do, but he promised himself to report the cardinal’s culpable leniency—for such he esteemed it—to their majesties, and also to the pope.
“his eminence is an abettor of heresy, instead of an uprooter of it,” muttered the bishop. “if he be not recalled by the pope, he will undo all we have done.”
not altogether satisfied with the report he had received of the prisoner’s condition, pole resolved to visit him in his cell, and was accompanied in the errand of mercy by priuli. the ascent of the narrow spiral stone staircase leading from the post room to the prison-chamber was somewhat painful to the cardinal, and he was compelled to pause for a few moments to recover himself as he reached the arched entrance of the cell. this gave him an opportunity of examining the double doors, which we have already described as of oak, bound with iron, and studded with broad-headed nails; and he pointed out the immense thickness of the planks to priuli.
neither of them had been before in the upper part of the lollards’ tower, and, as they entered the prison-chamber, they looked around it with melancholy interest. the oak panels, dark almost as ebony, the black boarded roof, the black boarded floor, the small grated windows, the ponderous iron rings fastened in the walls, the prisoner seated on a stool at a table of similar material and similar hue to the panels, all constituted a picture that powerfully impressed them.
250derrick carver was engaged in reading the bible, and so profoundly engrossed, that he did not raise his eyes on their entrance. the cardinal signed to mallet, by whom they were attended, not to disturb him. the rugged features and gaunt frame of the fanatic had undergone little change, but his beard was grizzled, and his locks had become snow white.
the cardinal and priuli contemplated him for some time with profound interest, and in perfect silence, but at last an observation made by the latter, though uttered in a low tone, reached the ears of the prisoner, and caused him to look up. when he perceived who were in his cell, he tried to rise, but was compelled by pain and weakness to relinquish the attempt.
“the man is really too feeble to stand,” remarked mallet. “shall i bring your eminence a chair?”
pole declined the offer, saying he could stand well enough.
“leave the room, and remain without till you are summoned,” he added to mallet, who immediately obeyed the injunction, closing the door after him as he went out.
“you are weak and ill, my poor friend,” said pole, in a sympathetic tone. “wine and nourishing food shall be sent to recruit your strength.”
“i do not need them,” replied carver. “herein i find new life and vigour,” he added, pointing to the bible. “for three days and three nights, while fastened to yon wall, was i deprived of this consolation, and i account it the worst part of my suffering. i lack nothing now.”
“i am sorry you have been treated with so much severity,” observed the cardinal.
“i do not complain,” replied carver. “i may not have been lawfully punished with the scourge, or lawfully fastened to yon iron rings, but there is little law or justice in england now, since we are under spanish rule.”
“you are mistaken, friend,” replied pole. “the statutes against heresy and schism, which were in force when this prison-chamber was built by archbishop chicheley, in the time of henry iv., more than a hundred years ago, have been revived, and though your punishment has been severe, it has not been contrary to law.”
251“i have said i do not complain,” rejoined carver. “we have provoked divine displeasure, and must endure our merited chastisement till the wrath of heaven be appeased. were i called upon to suffer all the persecutions endured by holy paul, i would cheerfully bear them for the sake of the gospel.”
“i admire your resolution, friend,” said pole; “but i beseech you to consider well whether you may not be in error.”
“i cannot be in error, when i rely solely on the truths of scripture,” rejoined carver.
“but there are doctrinal points upon which men are not agreed,” said the cardinal.
“there are,” replied carver, “and my principles are those of the reformed church. i abominate the church of rome, and regard it as the synagogue of satan, and the very sink of all heresy, superstition, and idolatry. i will have no masses, no auricular confession with penance, no image-worship. i deny the real presence in the sacrament. and i also deny that the pope is the head of the christian church, and utterly reject his authority.”
“but if i can prove to you that you are wrong,” said pole; “if i can convince you that the pope’s authority is derived from saint peter, and through him from our saviour himself, will you not admit that you have formed erroneous conclusions?”
“i believe the romish faith to be anti-christian and naught,” rejoined carver. “i cannot worship at its altars, and were i to do so i should place my soul in jeopardy. it is in vain to argue with me. threats or fair promises will be alike ineffectual. i am not be moved.”
“but if you obstinately close your ears, how can you ever learn the truth?” said the cardinal.
“i have learnt the truth,” rejoined carver, “and am proof against fallacy and delusion. i have enough regard for your eminence to wish you were of my mind.”
“well, try to convince me. let me hear what you have to say in defence of your faith,” observed pole.
“’twere to show him too much indulgence,” said priuli.
“i could say much in defence of my faith,” observed carver, “but i know you would not listen to me, and i 252should therefore only throw away my time. but let me not appear ungrateful. i am assured that your eminence is actuated by a sincere desire for my welfare.”
“i would save you, if possible, from the terrible death by which you are menaced,” said the cardinal. “conform, and i will obtain your pardon. reflect on what i have said.”
“i need no reflection,” rejoined the other. “i could not conform with hypocrisy, and i will never belie my conscience.”
“have you no ties that bind you to earth?—none for whom you desire to live?” said the cardinal.
“i have a wife and children, and an aged mother,” replied carver; “but i gave up all when i entered the service of my heavenly master.”
“and would you leave them without a protector?” said pole.
“heaven will watch over them,” rejoined the other.
“this man appears callous to all human emotions and sympathies,” observed priuli.
“there you do not judge me rightly,” said carver. “my breast is not devoid of affection. i love my wife and children—i love my mother—dearly—very dearly. but i am a soldier of christ, and having been summoned to the fight, must obey the call. if i die in his cause, those dear to me will not be deserted. you cannot touch me. there is no weak part in my armour.”
“then you do not desire to confer with me further?” said pole. “you have nothing to ask of me?”
“there is one favour i would solicit,” said carver. “before i am taken hence i would fain have a last interview with constance tyrrell.”
“i cannot grant it,” replied pole. “i hope to accomplish her conversion, and your influence might counteract my efforts.”
“but she continues stedfast in her faith?—tell me that?” cried carver, anxiously.
“i cannot answer the question,” returned pole; “would not, if i could.”
“she does!—i am sure she does!” exclaimed the enthusiast. “she is my spiritual daughter. her conversion was my work, and i glory in it. having opened her eyes to the 253light, she will not relapse into darkness—never. no; i have no misgivings about constance.”
“be not too confident,” rejoined pole. “my hope is to bring her back to the fold from which she has strayed. you have preferred a request to me which i am compelled to refuse, but i will grant you a favour which you have not solicited. i desire to benefit you as far as i can, and will lighten the irksomeness of your confinement. in a few days you will have recovered your strength, and will be able to go forth. pledge me your word to return early in the evening, and you shall be allowed liberty during the daytime.”
“what is this i hear?” cried carver, astounded. “is it possible that your eminence will allow me to go where i list during the daytime?”
“you shall go forth wholly unattended on your promise to return,” rejoined the cardinal.
“i never looked for such indulgence as this,” said carver, much affected. “when i have heard the voices of the boatmen on the river, and other gladsome sounds, i have longed to join my fellow-men, but i have checked the feeling, knowing it could not be gratified. but now your eminence offers me this great boon—a boon i should not have dared to ask—and with no conditions annexed to it.”
“none save that i mentioned,” replied pole. “you shall be free to go forth, but you must come back to your cell at eventide.”
for a few moments carver covered his face with his hands, and tears trickled down his rugged cheeks. after a while he looked up and, in broken accents, said, “i did not think to weep again either for joy or grief. but your eminence’s goodness has touched me to the heart, and opened fountains which i deemed fast sealed. you shall not find me unworthy of the confidence reposed in me. the promise you exact shall be religiously fulfilled. if i am suffered to go abroad, i will assuredly return.”
“is it safe to let him out?” observed priuli. “he is seditious and perilous.”
“i will trust him,” replied pole.
upon this he called in mallet, and informed him of the permission he had granted the prisoner.
254“but, your eminence,” remonstrated the keeper, “i am responsible for his safe custody to bishop bonner. if this unheard-of license be granted him, the man will never come back.”
“set your mind at ease on that score, good friend,” observed carver. “i have plighted my word to the lord cardinal, and i will die rather than break it.”
“but what am i to say to the bishop? i shall never be able to face him.”
“say that you act by my orders,” returned the cardinal. “refer the bishop to me.”
“such a thing was never done before,” said mallet. “as well let loose a ravening wolf among a flock of sheep as liberate this man.”
“let my bidding be done,” said pole. “if blame there be, it will rest on my head.—farewell, friend,” he added to carver, “do not abuse the license given you.”
“your eminence shall have no cause to repent your trust in me,” said carver.
on this the cardinal and priuli quitted the cell.
“methinks you have shown too much consideration to this man,” observed priuli. “he does not deserve your kindness.”
“time will show,” replied pole. “i have faith in him—hope in his conversion.”
