In the
name of the most holy faith, of which I am the defender, I command
thee to avoid my path. Get thee backwards, Satan!"
The demon laughed derisively.
"Harry of England, advance towards me, and you advance upon your
peril," he rejoined.
"Avaunt, I say!" cried the king. "In the name of the blessed Trinity, and
of all holy angels and saints, I strike!
And he whirled the staff round his head. But ere the weapon could
descend, a flash of dazzling fire encircled the demon, amidst which he
vanished.
"Heaven protect us!" exclaimed Henry, appalled.
At this juncture the sound of a horn was heard, and a number of wild
figures in fantastic garbs--some mounted on swarthy steeds, and
accompanied by hounds, others on foot-issued from the adjoining
covert, and hurried towards the spot occupied by the king.
"Aha!" exclaimed Henry-" more of the same sort. Hell, it would seem,
has let loose her hosts; but I have no fear of them. Stand by me,
Suffolk."
"To the death, sire," replied the duke, drawing his sword. By this time
one of the foremost of the impish crew had reached the king, and
commanded him to yield himself prisoner.
"Dost know whom thou askest to yield, dog?" cried Henry furiously.
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