"You are a learned and God-fearing man, venerable Master Petrus!" said Aagé, who meanwhile had been pacing uneasily up and down, with the king's letter in his hand; "but, pardon me, now, it is you, and not I, who indulge in visionary fancies. I have more confidence in your piety and enlightened view of the Almighty's government here upon earth, and in our time, than in your astrological knowledge and devout gaze into futurity. What we are now concerned in is the present moment; but what in the world is to be done, when neither you, nor any other wise man, can bring the king to his right senses? Hath the archbishop's flight caused him to set at nought discretion? Would he now demand justice only,--not mercy,--of the papal see? Does he think, in defiance of ban and interdict, and even without a dispensation of kindred, he can prevail on the wise Swedish government to consent to the marriage? It is an impossibility--would he despise all reasonable negotiation, and let the sword decide the quarrel with the dukes? And would he now himself storm his brother's castle, and force him to become an avowed traitor and deserter to the enemy?"
"I have shared your apprehensions, noble Drost! I blamed the king's impetuous procedure; I vainly strove to hinder these far too hasty steps. His purpose is inflexible. But amid all my fears for the consequences, I could not but admire the kingly spirit, which ventured so much for the support of royal dignity. In reliance on the justice of his cause, ere twice twenty-four hours King Eric will stand with his knights before Kallundborg, to teach obedience to his rebellious brother."
"The report was true, then, of the blockading of Kallundborg, and the new fortification?"
"Alas, yes! The king was greatly displeased at the junker's contumacy, but still more at his treacherous endeavour to hinder the marriage.--The wily Drost Bruncke hath betrayed him, probably with the view of causing a breach between the brothers, and stirring up tumult in the country."
"Hum! and the Dukes of Sleswig renew their former pretensions at the same time."
"They are probably in league with the junker; yet they have not scared the king.--If they have already forgotten the defeat at Grönsund, he will show them he dares face them on land also. Marsk Oluffsen is assembling all the foot forces against them at Hadersleben."
"And the archbishop and the cardinal, where are they?"
"Grand threatens from Bornholm, and Isarnus from Axelhuus. He demands safe conduct for the archbishop, and protests against the confiscation of the Lund church property. Bishop Johan of Roskild wavers. The enforcement of the interdict is dreaded."
"Merciful Heaven! and, amid all this, can the king think of his marriage?"
"The first of June he purposes to cross to Helsingborg, with a bridal train or an armed force. Yet, perhaps, that was but a hasty speech to me and the Marsk. The Lord forbid it should come to such extremity!"