his chief carousing
cups. But Mr. Bradwardine, turning towards him with complacency, requested him
to observe this curious relic of the olden time.
    »It represents,« he said, »the chosen crest of our family, a bear, as ye
observe, and rampant, because a good herald will depict every animal in its
noblest posture: as a horse salient, a greyhound currant, and, as may be
inferred, a ravenous animal in actu ferociori, or in a voracious, lacerating,
and devouring posture. Now, sir, we hold this most honourable achievement by the
wappen-brief, or concession of arms, of Frederick Redbeard, Emperor of Germany,
to my predecessor, Godmund Bradwardine, it being the crest of a gigantic Dane,
whom he slew in the lists in the Holy Land, on a quarrel touching the chastity
of the Emperor's spouse or daughter, tradition saith not precisely which, and
thus, as Virgilius hath it -
 
Mutemus clypeos, Danaumque insignia nobis
Aptemus.
 
Then for the cup, Captain Waverley, it was wrought by the command of St. Duthac,
Abbot of Aberbrothock, for behoof of another Baron of the house of Bradwardine,
who had valiantly defended the patrimony of that monastery against certain
encroaching nobles. It is properly termed the Blessed Bear of Bradwardine
(though old Dr. Doubleit used jocosely to call it Ursa Major), and was supposed
in old and Catholic times to be invested with certain properties of a mystical
and supernatural quality. And though I give not in to such anilia, it is certain
it has always been esteemed a solemn standard-cup and heir-loom of our house;
nor is it ever used but upon seasons of high festival, and such I hold to be the
arrival of the heir of Sir Everard under my roof; and I devote this draught to
the health and prosperity of the ancient and highly-to-be-honoured house of
Waverley.«
    During this long harangue he carefully decanted a cobwebbed bottle of claret
into the goblet, which held nearly an English pint, and at the conclusion,
delivering the bottle to the butler, to be held carefully in the same angle with
the horizon, he devoutly quaffed off the contents of the Blessed Bear of
Bradwardine.
    Edward, with horror and alarm, beheld the animal making his rounds, and
thought with great anxiety upon the appropriate motto, »Beware the Bear;« but at
the same time plainly foresaw, that as none of the guests scrupled to do him
this extraordinary honour, a refusal on his part to pledge their courtesy would
be extremely ill received