Old French Romances, Done into English — John Shaqi
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
Thus were these two good persons together; and they went to dwell upon
their land, which they had both wide and fair. Good life they led as for
young folk who loved dearly together. Sir Robin went often to tournays
with his lord, of whose mesney he was, and much worship he won, and great
prize he conquered and great wealth, and did so much that he gat him as
much land again as he had had. And when the lord and his lady were dead,
then had he all the land. And he did so well by his prowess that he was
made a double banneret, and he had well four thousand pounds of land.
But never might he have child by his wife, whereof he was much grieved.
Thus was he with his wife for ten years after he had conquered the battle
with Sir Raoul.
After the term of ten years, by the will of God, to whom we be all
subject, the pain of death took hold of him, and he died like a valiant
man, and had all his rights, and was laid in earth with great worship.
His wife the fair lady made so great sorrow over him, that all they that
saw her had pity of her; but in the end needs must she forget her
mourning and take comfort, for as little as it were. Much abode the lady
in her widowhood as a good dame and a holy, for she loved much God and
Holy Church. She held her much humbly and much she loved the poor, and
did them much good, and was so good a lady that none knew how to blame
her or to say of her aught save great good. Therewithal was she so fair,
that each one said who saw her, that she was the mirror of all ladies in
the world for beauty and goodness. But here leaveth the tale a little to
speak of her, and returneth to tell of the King Florus, of whom it hath
been silent a great while.
For saith the tale, that King Florus of Ausay was in his own country sore
grieving, and ill at ease for the departure of his first wife.
Notwithstanding the other was brought unto him, and was both fair and
dainty, but he could not hold her in his heart like as he did the first
one. Four years was he with her, but never child might he have of her;
and when the said time was ended the pains of death took the a lady, and
she was buried, whereof her friends were sore grieving. But service was
done unto her, as was meet to a queen.
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