“Wilt thou take service with the Rowski of Donnerblitz?” said that
individual to the youth. “Thou shalt be captain of my archers in place
of yon blundering nincompoop, whom thou hast overcome.”
“Yon blundering nincompoop is a skilful and gallant archer,” replied
Otto, haughtily; “and I will NOT take service with the Rowski of
Donnerblitz.”
“Wilt thou enter the household of the Prince of Cleves?” said the father
of Helen, laughing, and not a little amused at the haughtiness of the
humble archer.
“I would die for the Duke of Cleves and HIS FAMILY,” said Otto, bowing
low. He laid a particular and a tender emphasis on the word family.
Helen knew what he meant. SHE was the family. In fact her mother was no
more, and her papa had no other offspring.
“What is thy name, good fellow,” said the Prince, “that my steward may
enroll thee?”
“Sir,” said Otto, again blushing, “I am OTTO THE ARCHER.”
CHAPTER XI.
THE MARTYR OF LOVE.
The archers who had travelled in company with young Otto gave a handsome
dinner in compliment to the success of our hero; at which his friend
distinguished himself as usual in the eating and drinking department.
Squintoff, the Rowski bowman, declined to attend; so great was the envy
of the brute at the youthful hero's superiority. As for Otto himself, he
sat on the right hand of the chairman; but it was remarked that he could
not eat. Gentle reader of my page! thou knowest why full well. He was
too much in love to have any appetite; for though I myself when laboring
under that passion, never found my consumption of victuals diminish, yet
remember our Otto was a hero of romance, and they NEVER are hungry when
they're in love.
The next day, the young gentleman proceeded to enroll himself in the
corps of Archers of the Prince of Cleves, and with him came his attached
squire, who vowed he never would leave him. As Otto threw aside his own
elegant dress, and donned the livery of the House of Cleves, the noble
Childe sighed not a little. 'Twas a splendid uniform 'tis true, but
still it WAS a livery, and one of his proud spirit ill bears another's
cognizances. “They are the colors of the Princess, however,” said he,
consoling himself; “and what suffering would I not undergo for HER?” As
for Wolfgang, the squire, it may well be supposed that the good-natured,
low-born fellow had no such scruples; but he was glad enough to
exchange for the pink hose, the yellow jacket, the pea-green cloak, and
orange-tawny hat, with which the Duke's steward supplied him, the homely
patched doublet of green which he had worn for years past.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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