Old French Romances, Done into EnglishMorris, William
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Old French Romances, Done into English
Morris, William
French literature -- To 1500 -- Translations into English; Romances; Tales, Medieval
Then the Soudan let array a ship fair and stout, and let garnish her well
with wine and victual. “Sir,” said the Lady to the Soudan, “I will have
with me my old prisoner and my young one, and they shall play at the
chess and the tables; and my son will I take to pleasure me.” “Dame,”
said he, “it pleaseth me well that thou do thy will herein. But what hap
with the third prisoner?” “Sir,” said she, “thou shalt do thy will
herein.” “Dame,” said he, “I will that thou take him with thee; for he
is a valiant man, and will heed thee well on land and sea, if need thou
have thereto.”
Therewith she prayed leave of the Soudan, and he granted it, and much he
prayed her to come back speedily. The ship was apparelled, and they were
alboun; and they went aboard, and departed from the haven.
Good wind they had, and ran much hard: and the mariners called to the
Lady, and said to her: “Dame, this wind is bringing straight to Brandis;
now command us thy pleasure to go thither or elsewhere.” And she said to
them: “Let run hardily, for I know well how to speak French and other
tongues, and I will lead you through all.”
Now so much they ran by day and by night, through the will of Jesus
Christ, that they are come to Brandis there they took harbour in all
safety, and lighted down on the shore, and were received with much great
joy. The Lady, who was much wise, drew towards the prisoners, and said
to them: “Lords, I would that ye call to mind the words and agreements
which ye said to me, and I would be now all sure of you, and have good
surety of your oaths, and that ye say to me on all that ye hold to be of
God if ye will to hold to your behests, which ye have behight me, or not;
for yet have I good might to return.”
They answered: “Lady, know without doubt that we have covenanted nought
with you which shall not be held toward you by us loyally; and know by
our Christendom and our Baptism, and by whatsoever we hold of God, that
we will hold to it; be thou in no doubt thereof.”
“And I will trow in you henceforth,” said the Lady. “Now, lords,” said
she, “lo here my son, whom I had of the Soudan; what shall we do with
him?” “Dame, let him come to great honour and great gladness.” “Lords,”
said the Lady, “much have I misdone against the Soudan, for I have taken
from him my body, and his son whom he loved much.”
Then she went back to the mariners, and called and said to them:
“Masters, get ye back and tell to the Soudan that I have taken from him
my body, and his son whom he loved much, and that I have cast forth from
prison my father, my husband, and my brother.” And when the mariners
heard that, they were much grieving; but more they might not do; and they
returned, sad and sorrowful for the Lady, and for the youngling, whom
they loved much, and for the prisoners, who were thus lost without
recoverance.
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