Part 30 (2/2)
”Yet, my dear lord,” she replied, ”the princess did give me this mirror, wherein I could see myself from top to toe, and a great comfort has it been to me.”
So she spake, and the messenger from the princess brake in upon them, bidding the Sieur Rudel hasten to the council-chamber, for that the Princess Joceliande waited this long while for his coming.
”Now will I ask for the fulfilment of her promise,” said Rudel to Solita, ”and to-night, sweet, I will claim thee before the whole Court.” With that he got him from the chamber and, following the messenger, came to where the princess awaited him.
”Madame,” he said, ”good tidings! By G.o.d's grace we have won the victory over your enemies. Never again will they buzz like wasps about your coasts, but from this day forth they will pay you yearly truage.”
”Sir,” she replied, rebuking him shrewdly, ”indeed you bring me good tidings, but you bring them over-late. For here have I tarried for you this long while, and it beseems neither you nor me.”
”Madame,” he answered, ”I pray you acquit me of the fault and lay the blame on Love. For when sweet Cupid thrones a second queen in one's heart beside the first, what wonder that a man forgets his duty? And now I would that of your gentleness you would grant me your maiden Solita for wife.”
”That I may not,” returned Joceliande, stricken to the soul at that image of a second queen. ”A nameless child, and my handmaiden! Sieur Rudel, it befits a man to look above him for a wife.”
”And that, madame,” he answered, ”in very truth I do. Moreover, though no man knows Solita's parentage and place, yet must she be of gentle nurture, else had there been no silk sail to float her hitherwards; and so much it liketh you to grant my boon, for G.o.d's love, I pray you, hold your promise.”
Thereupon was the princess sore distressed for that she had given her promise. Howbeit she said: ”Since it is so, and since my maiden Solita is the boon you crave, I give her to you;” and so dismissed the Sieur Rudel from her presence, and getting her back to her chamber, made moan out of all measure.
”Lord Jesu,” she cried, ”of all my kingdom and barony, but one thing did I hunger for and covet, and that one thing this child, whom of my kindness I loved and fostered, hath traitorously robbed me of! Why did I take her from the sea?”
So she wept for a great while, until she bethought her of a remedy.
Then she wiped her tears and gave order that Sir Broyance should come to her. To him she said: ”To-night at the high feast you shall make your prayer to the Lord Rudel, and I myself will join with you, so that he shall become your leader and rule over you as king.”
So she spake, thinking that when the Sieur Rudel had departed, she would privily put Solita to death--openly she dared not do it, for the great love the n.o.bles bore towards Rudel--and when Solita was dead, then would she send again for Rudel and share her siege with him. Sir Broyance, as ye may believe, was right glad at her words, and made him ready for the feast. Hither, when the company was a.s.sembled, came the Sieur Rudel, clad in a green tunic edged with fur of a white fox, and a chain set with stones of great virtue about his neck. His hose were green and of the finest silk, and on his feet he wore shoes of white doeskin, and the latchets were of gold. So he came into the hall, and seeing him thus gaily attired with all his harness off, much did all marvel at his knightly prowess. For in truth he looked more like some tender minstrel than a gallant warrior. Then up rose Sir Broyance and said;
”From the kingdom of Broye the n.o.bles send greeting to the Sieur Rudel, and a message.”
And with that he set forth his errand and request; but the Sieur Rudel laughed and answered:
”Sir Broyance, great honour you do me, and so, I pray, tell your countrymen of Broye. But never more will I draw sword or feuter spear, for this day hath the Princess Joceliande granted me her maiden Solita for wife, and by her side I will bide till death.”
Thereupon rose a great murmur of astonishment within the hall, the men lamenting that the Sieur Rudel would lead them no more to battle, and the women marvelling to each other that he should choose so mean a thing as Solita for wife. But Sir Broyance said never a word, but got him from the table and out of the hall, so that the company marvelled yet more for that he had not sought to persuade the Sieur Rudel. Then said the Princess Joceliande, and greatly was she angered both against Solita and Rudel:
”Fie, my lord! shame on you; you forget your knighthood!”
And he replied, ”My knighthood, your highness, had but one use, and that to win my sweet Solita.”
Wherefore was Joceliande's heart yet hotter against the twain, and she cried aloud:
”Nay, but it is on us that the shame of your cowardice will fall. Even now Sir Broyance left our hall in anger and scorn. It may not be that our chiefest n.o.ble shall so disgrace us.”
But Sieur Rudel laughed lightly, and answered her:
”Madame, full oft have I jeopardised my life in your good cause, and I fear no charge of cowardice more than I fear thistle-down.”
His words did but increase the fury of the princess, and she brake out in most bitter speech:
”Nay, but it is a kitchen knave we have been honouring unawares, and bidding sit with us at table!”
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