Old French Romances, Done into EnglishMorris, William
General
Old French Romances, Done into English
Morris, William
French literature -- To 1500 -- Translations into English; Romances; Tales, Medieval
Then he departed from the port and came straight to
Marseilles, wherein he sojourned eight days in the hostel of Sir Robin
and John, which hight the French house. Never did Sir Robin know him,
for on that matter he thought nothing. At the end of eight days he
departed from Marseilles, he and his squires, and went so long by his
journeys that he came into his own country, where he was received with
great joy, as one who was a knight rich in land and chattels. Thereon
his chaplain took him to task, and asked of him if any had demanded the
occasion of his journey; and he said: “Yea, in three places, to wit:
Marseilles, Acre, and Jerusalem: and he of whom I took counsel bade me to
give back the land to Sir Robin, if I hear tidings of him, or to his wife
else, or to his heir.” “Certes,” said the chaplain; “he bade thee good
counsel.” Thus was Sir Raoul in his own country a great while in rest
and good ease. But here leaveth the tale to tell of him, and returneth
to Sir Robin and John.
Here saith the tale that when Sir Robin and John had been at Marseilles
for six years that John had gotten to the value of six hundred pounds,
and they were come into the seventh year, and John might gain eke what he
would, and so sweet he was, and so debonaire that he made himself loved
of all the neighbours, and therewithal he was of good hap as he might not
be of more, and maintained his lord so nobly and so richly that it was
wonder to behold. When the end of the seven years drew nigh, John fell
to talk with his lord Sir Robin, and spake thus: “Sir, we have now been a
great while in this country, and so much have we gained, that we have
hard on six hundred pounds of chattels, what of money, what of vessel of
silver.” “Forsooth, John,” said Sir Robin, “they be not mine, but thine;
for it is thou hast earned them.” “Sir,” said John, “saving thy grace,
it is not so, but they are thine: for thou art my rightful lord, and
never, if it please God, will I change.” “Gramercy, John, I hold thee
not for servant, but for companion and friend.” “Sir,” said John, “all
days I have kept thee loyal company, and shall do from henceforth.” “By
my faith,” said Sir Robin, “I will do what so pleaseth thee: but to go
into my country, I wot not to say thereof: for I have lost so much there
that hardly shall my scathe be righted to me.” “Sir,” said John, “be
thou never dismayed of that matter; for when thou art come into thine own
country thou shalt hear good tidings, please God. And doubt thou
nothing, for in all places whereas we shall be, if it please God, I shall
earn enough for thee and for me.” “Certes, John,” said Sir Robin, “I
will do as it pleaseth thee, and where thou wilt that I go, thither will
I.” “Sir,” said John, “I shall sell our chattels, and dight our journey,
and we will go within fifteen days.” “A-God’s name, John,” said Sir
Robin.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account