Pax Vobiscum

"'The spell lies in two words,' replied Wamba. 'Pax vobiscum will answer all queries. If you go or come, eat or drink, bless or ban, Pax vobiscum carries you through it all.'"

Thus quoth Wamba, the wise fool, to his master Cedric. Cedric, Athelstane, Rowena, Ivanhoe, and the Jew and his daughter are all being held captive in the castle of Reginald Front-de-Bœuf. Although it seems that there is no hope, the faithful fool Wamba and the swineherder, Gurth, have been able to gather a force around the castle.

The allies without send a message to the castle in the Saxon tongue, ordering them to give up the prisoners or else. In reply, Front-de-Bœuf and de Bracy send a letter written in Norman French, declaring that the prisoners were to be executed, and that they should send a priest to prepare them for death.

Although the letter is in French, there is one among the allies who can read it. Although there is a friar in their midst, of the order of St. Dunstan, they decide to send Wamba, the Jester, dressed in the guise of a friar.

Wamba knows enough Latin to get by (with plenty of Pax vobiscums), and soon is in the room of Cedric and Athelstane. Wamba at first pretends to be a friar, but soon reveals himself and his plan.

Wamba offers to let Cedric take his disguise and escape, while he remains in the castle to take his place. Cedric tries to send Athelstane instead, but Wamba eloquently explains that he would give his life only for his master, and for no one else. Thus, Cedric takes the friar's garb and Pax vobiscum, and leaves the room.

This narration was written by Benjamin Bruce as a school assignment while reading Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott. "Pax vobiscum" is Latin for "peace be with you."