Ivanhoe by sir walter scott

sir walter scott (1771-1832) was born and educated in edinburgh. as a child, he lived for some years with his grandparents on a farm in the scottish border country and was interested in the history and legends of that area. he apprenticed in his father's law office and became a lawyer. for a time he was a major owner of a publishing company. scott was fiercely patriotic and believed strongly in personal responsibility. when a depression brought financial ruin to his publishing company and to scott, he refused to declare bankruptcy and worked to repay his own debts and most of the debts of his company. ivanhoe was published in 1820.

in that pleasant district of merry england which is watered by the river don, there extended in ancient times a large forest covering the greater part of the beautiful hills and valleys which lie between sheffield and the pleasant town of doncaster. the remains of this extensive wood are still to be seen at the noble seats of wentworth, of wharncliffe park, and around rotherham. here haunted of yore the fabulous dragon of wantley; here were fought many of the most desperate battles during the civil wars of the roses; and here also flourished in ancient times those bands of gallant outlaws, whose deeds have been rendered so popular in english song.

such being our chief scene, the date of our story refers to a period towards the end of the reign of richard l, when his return from his long captivity had become an event rather wished than hoped for by his despairing subjects, who were in the meantime subjected to every species of subordinate oppression. the nobles, whose power had become exorbitant during the reign of stephen, and whom the prudence of henry the second had scarce reduced into some degree of subjection to the crown, had now resumed their ancient license in its utmost extent; despising the feeble interference of the english council of state, fortifying their castles, increasing the number of their dependents, reducing all around them to a state of vassalage, and striving by every means in their power to place themselves each at the head of such forces as might enable him to make a figure in the national convulsions which appeared to be impending.
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locksley led the knight a little apart, and addressed him thus: — "deny it not, sir knight — you are he who decided the victory to the advantage of the english against the strangers on the second day of the tournament at ashby."

"and what follows, if you guess truly, good yeoman? " replied the knight.

"l should in that case hold you," replied the yeoman, "a friend to the weaker party."

"such is the duty of a true knight at least," replied the black champion; "and i would not willingly that there were reason to think otherwise of me."

"but for my purpose," said the yeoman, "thou shouldst be as well a good englishman as a good knight; for that which i have to speak of concerns, indeed, the duty of every honest man, but is more especially that of a true-born native of england."

"you can speak to no one," replied the knight, "to whom england, and the life of every englishman, can be dearer than to me."

"l would willingly believe so," said the woodsman, "for never had this country such need to be supported by those who love her. hear me, and i will tell thee of an enterprise, in which, if thou be'st really that which thou seemest, thou mayest take an honourable part. a band of villains, in the disguise of better men than themselves, have made themselves master of the person of a noble englishman, called cedric the saxon, together with his ward, and his friend, athelstane of coningsburgh, and have transported them to a castle in this forest, called torquilstone. i ask of thee, as a good knight and a good englishman, wilt thou aid in their rescue? "

"l am bound by my vow to do so," replied the knight; "but i would willingly know who you are, who request my assistance in their behalf? "

"l am," said the forester, "a nameless man; but i am the friend of my country, and of my country's friends— with this account of me you must for the present remain satisfied, the more especially since you yourself desire to continue unknown. believe, however, that my word, when pledged, is as inviolate as if i wore golden spurs."

"l willingly believe it," said the knight; "l have been accustomed to study men's countenances, and i can read in thine honesty and resolution. i will, therefore, ask thee no further questions, but aid thee in setting at freedom these oppressed captives; which done, i trust we shall part better acquainted, and well satisfied with each other."

select the correct answer.
look at the examples in highlighted text in the passage. which example shows the influence of sir walter scott's patriotism?
a. "l willingly believe it,". .
b. "you can speak to no one," replied the knight, . .
c. locksley led the knight a little apart, . .
d. such being our chief scene, . .