Volume Iii Part 39 (2/2)

A homely-looking man approached the King, leading a pretty girl by the hand.

”Is it thou, brave Wachis?” cried Earl Teja, going up to him. ”And no longer a bond-servant, but with the long hair of a freedman?”

”Yes, sir. My poor master. King Witichis, gave me my liberty when he sent me away with Mistress Rauthgundis and Wallada. Since then I have let my hair grow. And my mistress--I know it for a fact--was about to free Liuta, so that we might be married according to the law of the nation; but, alas, my mistress never returned to her home at Faesulae.

But I returned just at the right moment to save Liuta, for the very next day the Saracens burnt the house and murdered all whom they found.

After Mistress Rauthgundis's death--leaving no one to claim the inheritance, for a storm had buried her father Athalwin under an avalanche--Liuta became the King's property; and therefore I would beg the King to take me again as a bond-servant, so that we may not be punished if we marry, and----”

”Wachis, thou art indeed faithful!” cried Totila, interrupting him.

”No! thou shalt contract a free marriage! Give me a gold-piece.”

”Here, King Totila,” said Gotho, eagerly taking one from her shepherd's bag; ”it is the last of six.”

The King took the gold, laid it upon Liuta's open palm, and then struck her hand from below, so that the gold-piece flew up into the air, and fell ringing upon the mosaic pavement.

Then the King said:

”Liuta, thou art free! No bonds hold thee. Go in peace and rejoice with thy bridegroom.”

Earl Teja now came forward and said:

”Wachis, once before thou hast borne the s.h.i.+eld of a luckless master.

Wilt thou now become my s.h.i.+eld-bearer?”

With tears in his eyes, Wachis clasped the hand of the Earl in both his own.

And now Teja lifted his golden goblet and solemnly said:

”Fortune befall you!

Already s.h.i.+nes on you The s.h.i.+mmering suns.h.i.+ne: Yet thankfully think Of the Dear and the Dead With reverent remembrance!

He who strove unsuccessful, The world-renowned warrior: Witichis, Waltharis' worthiest son!

Though you celebrate cheerily The feast of the fairest, The Deity's darlings, Yet honour for ever The memory mournful Of the Great and the Good!

I remind you, O revellers, To drink to the dear ones; To the manliest man, And the worthiest woman; To Rauthgundis and Witichis, Deploring, I drink!”

And all solemnly and silently returned his pledge.

Then King Totila once more raised his cup and said before all the people:

”_He_ deserved! _I_ received! To him be eternal honour!”

As he resumed his place--the other two betrothed couples had been seated at the King's table--Earl Thoris.m.u.th, of Thurii (he had been rewarded for his valour by the t.i.tle of Earl, but, at his own request, had retained his office of herald and s.h.i.+eld-hearer), ascended the steps, and lowered his herald's staff before the King, saying:

”I come to announce strangers, O King of the Goths! Guests who have sailed here from afar. The large fleet, of about a hundred s.h.i.+ps, which was reported by thy coast-guards and from the harbour-towns, has now run into the harbour of Portus. It has brought northern people, an old, brave, and seafaring folk, from the land of farthest Thule. Their dragon-s.h.i.+ps have lofty decks, and their monstrous figure-heads terrify the beholder. But they come to thee in peace. Yesterday the flag-s.h.i.+p lowered its boats, and our n.o.ble guests have sailed up the river. I challenged them, and received the answer: 'King Harald of Goetaland, and Haralda (his wife, as it seems), wish to greet King Totila.'”

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