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
Thuswise conquered Sir Robin his land and the land of Sir Raoul to boot
for all his days. But he was so sore grieving and sad at heart of his
good dame and fair, whom he had thus lost, that he could have no solace;
and on the other hand, he was so sore grieving for John his esquire whom
he had so lost, that marvel it was. And his lord was no less sad at
heart for his fair daughter whom he had thus lost, and of whom he might
have no tidings.
But dame Jehane, who was in the chamber of her cousin germain for fifteen
days in good ease, when she wotted that her lord had vanquished the
battle, was exceeding much at ease. Now she had done make four pair of
gowns, as is aforesaid, and she clad her with the richest of them which
was of silk bended of fine gold of Araby. Moreover she was so fair of
body and of visage, and so dainty withal, that nought in the world might
be found fairer, so that her cousin germain all marvelled at her great
beauty. And she had been bathed, and attired and had ease at all points
for the fifteen days, so that she was come into so great beauty as wonder
was. Much fair was the Lady Jehane in her gown of silk bended of gold.
So she called her cousin to her and said: “How deemest thou of me?”
“What, dame!” said her cousin, “thou art the fairest lady of the world.”
“I shall tell thee, then, fair cousin, what thou shalt do: go thou tell
so much before my father as that he shall make dole no more, but be glad
and joyful, and that thou bearest him good news of his daughter who is
whole and well; and that he come with thee and thou wilt show him. Then
bring him hither, and meseemeth he will see me with a good will.” The
damsel said that she would well do that errand and she came to the father
of the Lady Jehane, and said him what his daughter had said. When her
sire heard thereof great wonder he wist it, and went with the damsel, and
found his daughter in her chamber, and knew her straightway, and put his
arms about her neck, and wept over her for joy and pity, and had so great
joy that scarce might he speak to her. Then he asked her where she had
been so long a while. “Fair father,” said she, “thou shalt know it well
anon. But a-God’s sake do my lady mother to come to me, for I have great
longing to see her.” The lord sent for his wife, and when she came into
the chamber where was her daughter, and saw her and knew her, she swooned
for joy, and might not speak a great while, and when she came out of her
swooning none might believe the great joy that she made of her daughter.
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