Tales of My Landlord Author:Walter Scott Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. Here, youth, thy foot unbrace, Here, youth, thy brow unbraiJ, Each tribute that may grace The threshold here be paid. Walk with the stealt... more »hy pace Which Nature teaches deer, When, echoing in the chase, The hunter's horn they hear. The Court. Before entering, Achilles Tatius made various gesticulations, which were imitated roughly and awkwardly by the unpractised Varangian, whose service with his corps had been almost entirely in-the field, his routine of duty not having, till very lately, called him to serve as one of the garrison of Constantinople. He was not therefore acquainted with the minute observances which the Greeks, who were the most formal and ceremonious soldiers and courtiers in the world, rendered not merely to the Greek Emperor in person, but throughout the sphere which peculiarly partook of his influence. Achilles, having gesticulated after his own fashion, at length touched the door with a rap, distinct at once and modest. This was thricerepeated, when the captain whispered to his attendant, The interior!—for thy life, do as thou seest me do. At the same moment he started back, and, stooping his head on his breast, with his hands over his eyes, as if to save them from being dazzled by an expected burst of light, awaited the answer to his summons. The Anglo- Dane, desirous to obey his leader, imitating him as near as he could, stood side by side in the posture of Oriental humiliation. The little portal opened inwards, when no burst of light was seen, but four of the Varangians were made visible in the entrance, holding each his battle- axe, as if about to strike down the intruders who had disturbed the silence of their watch. Acouloutos, said the leader, by way of password. n Tatius and Acouloutos, murmured the warders...« less