Rookwood

MP3 Audio CD. Rookwood


CHAPTER I

THE VAULT

Let me know, therefore, fully the intent
Of this thy dismal preparation--
This talk fit for a charnel.

WEBSTER.


Within a sepulchral vault, and at midnight, two persons were seated. The
chamber was of singular construction and considerable extent. The roof
was of solid stone masonry, and rose in a wide semicircular arch to the
height of about seventeen feet, measured from the centre of the ceiling
to the ground floor, while the sides were divided by slight
partition-walls into ranges of low, narrow catacombs. The entrance to
each cavity was surrounded by an obtusely-pointed arch, resting upon
slender granite pillars; and the intervening space was filled up with a
variety of tablets, escutcheons, shields, and inscriptions, recording
the titles and heraldic honors of the departed. There were no doors to
the niches; and within might be seen piles of coffins, packed one upon
another, till the floor groaned with the weight of lead. Against one of
the pillars, upon a hook, hung a rack of tattered, time-out-of-mind
hatchments; and in the centre of the tomb might be seen the effigies of
Sir Ranulph de Rokewode, the builder of the mausoleum, and the founder
of the race who slept within its walls. This statue, wrought in black
marble, differed from most monumental carved-work, in that its posture
was erect and lifelike. Sir Ranulph was represented as sheathed in a
complete suit of mail, decorated with his emblazoned and gilded surcoat,
his arm leaning upon the pommel of a weighty curtal-axe. The attitude
was that of stern repose. A conically-formed helmet rested upon the
brow; the beaver was raised, and revealed harsh but commanding features.
The golden spur of knighthood was fixed upon the heel; and, at the feet,