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
But the archers hastened and came to the Soudan, and said: “Sir, thou
doest us wrong, and the day is a-waning.” And therewith they went to the
gaol and brought out the son of the Count, who was all covered with his
hair and dishevelled, as one who had not been washen a while. Young man
he was, so that he had not yet a beard; but so lean he was, and so sick
and feeble, that scarce might he hold him up. And when the Lady saw him,
she had of him much great pity. She came to him and asked of him whose
son, and whence he was, and he said he was the son of the first worthy.
Then she wotted well that he was her brother, but no semblance she made
thereof.
“Sir, certes,” said she to the Soudan, “thou wilt now do me great
goodness if thou wilt give me this one also; for he knows the chess and
the tables, and all other games, which much shall please thee to see and
to hear.” But the Soudan said: “Dame, by my law, were there an hundred
of them I would give them unto thee willingly.”
The Lady thanked him much, and took her brother, and sent him straightway
into her chamber. But the folk betook them anew to the gaol, and brought
forth another; and the Lady departed thence, whereas she knew him not.
So was he led to his martyrdom, and our Lord Jesus Christ received his
soul. But the Lady went her ways forthwith; for it pleased her not, the
martyrdoms which the Saracens did on the Christians.
She came to her chamber wherein were the prisoners, and when they saw her
coming, they made as they would rise up, but she made sign to them to
hold them still. Then she went close up to them, and made them sign of
friendship. And the Count, who was right sage, asked thereon: “Dame,
when shall they slay us?” And she answered that it would not be yet.
“Dame,” said they, “thereof are we heavy; for we have so great hunger,
that it lacketh but a little of our hearts departing from us.”
Thereat she went forth and let array meat; and then she brought it, and
gave to each one a little, and a little of drink. And when they had
taken it, then had they yet greater hunger than afore. Thuswise she gave
them to eat, ten times the day, by little and little; for she doubted
that if they ate all freely, that they would take so much as would grieve
them. Wherefore she did them to eat thus attemperly.
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