The words burst from him as at unawares,I had never more need that the heavenly bodies should befriend me,for my earthly path is darkened and confused.It is well known that the age reposed a deep confidence in the vain predictions of judicial astrology,and Leicester,though exempt from the general control of superstition,was not in this respect superior to his time,but,on the contrary,was remarkable for the encouragement which he gave to the professors of this pretended science.Indeed,the wish to pry into futurity,so general among the human race,is peculiarly to be found amongst those who trade in state mysteries and the dangerous intrigues and cabals of courts.With heedful precaution to see that it had not been opened,or its locks tampered with,Leicester applied a key to the steel casket,and drew from it,first,a parcel of gold pieces,which he put into a silk purse;then a parchment inscribed with planetary signs,and the lines and calculations used in framing horoscopes,on which he gazed intently for a few moments;and,lastly,took forth a large key,which,lifting aside the tapestry,he applied to a little,concealed door in the corner of the apartment,and opening it,disclosed a stair constructed in the thickness of the wall.
Alasco,said the Earl,with a voice raised,yet no higher raised than to be heard by the inhabitant of the small turret to which the stair conducted--Alasco,I say,descend.I come,my lord,answered a voice from above.The foot of an aged man was heard slowly descending the narrow stair,and Alasco entered the Earl's apartment.The astrologer was a little man,and seemed much advanced in age,for his heard was long and white,and reached over his black doublet down to his silken girdle.His hair was of the same venerable hue.But his eyebrows were as dark as the keen and piercing black eyes which they shaded,and this peculiarity gave a wild and singular cast to the physiognomy of the old man.His cheek was still fresh and ruddy,and the eyes we have mentioned resembled those of a rat in acuteness and even fierceness of expression.His manner was not without a sort of dignity;and the interpreter of the stars,though respectful,seemed altogether at his ease,and even assumed a tone of instruction and command in conversing with the prime favourite of Elizabeth.
Your prognostications have failed,Alasco,said the Earl,when they had exchanged salutations--he is recovering.My son,replied the astrologer,let me remind you I warranted not his death;nor is there any prognostication that can be derived from the heavenly bodies,their aspects and their conjunctions,which is not liable to be controlled by the will of Heaven.ASTRA REGUNT HOMINES,SED REGIT ASTRA DEUS.Of what avail,then,is your mystery?inquired the Earl.
Of much,my son,replied the old man,since it can show the natural and probable course of events,although that course moves in subordination to an Higher Power.Thus,in reviewing the horoscope which your Lordship subjected to my skill,you will observe that Saturn,being in the sixth House in opposition to Mars,retrograde in the House of Life,cannot but denote long and dangerous sickness,the issue whereof is in the will of Heaven,though death may probably be inferred.Yet if I knew the name of the party I would erect another scheme.His name is a secret,said the Earl;yet,I must own,thy prognostication hath not been unfaithful.He has been sick,and dangerously so,not,however,to death.But hast thou again cast my horoscope as Varney directed thee,and art thou prepared to say what the stars tell of my present fortune?My art stands at your command,said the old man;and here,my son,is the map of thy fortunes,brilliant in aspect as ever beamed from those blessed signs whereby our life is influenced,yet not unchequered with fears,difficulties,and dangers.My lot were more than mortal were it otherwise,said the Earl.
Proceed,father,and believe you speak with one ready to undergo his destiny in action and in passion as may beseem a noble of England.Thy courage to do and to suffer must be wound up yet a strain higher,said the old man.The stars intimate yet a prouder title,yet an higher rank.It is for thee to guess their meaning,not for me to name it.Name it,I conjure you--name it,I command you!said the Earl,his eyes brightening as he spoke.
I may not,and I will not,replied the old man.The ire of princes Is as the wrath of the lion.But mark,and judge for thyself.Here Venus,ascendant in the House of Life,and conjoined with Sol,showers down that flood of silver light,blent with gold,which promises power,wealth,dignity,all that the proud heart of man desires,and in such abundance that never the future Augustus of that old and mighty Rome heard from his HARUSPICES such a tale of glory,as from this rich text my lore might read to my favourite son.Thou dost but jest with me,father,said the Earl,astonished at the strain of enthusiasm in which the astrologer delivered his prediction.
Is it for him to jest who hath his eye on heaven,who hath his foot in the grave?returned the old man solemnly.
The Earl made two or three strides through the apartment,with his hand outstretched,as one who follows the beckoning signal of some phantom,waving him on to deeds of high import.As he turned,however,he caught the eye of the astrologer fixed on him,while an observing glance of the most shrewd penetration shot from under the penthouse of his shaggy,dark eyebrows.
Leicester's haughty and suspicious soul at once caught fire.He darted towards the old man from the farther end of the lofty apartment,only standing still when his extended hand was within a foot of the astrologer's body.