Old French Romances

he was, and was held for wise as of his law. He knew well enough of a science that is called Astronomy, and he knew withal of the course of the stars, and the planets, and the moon: and h

he knew much of lore and of sorce

ight-tide, he and a knight of his alone together, amidst of the cit

whereby they went. There was the husband of the said woman aloft in a high solar, and was praying to G

and another while prayeth that she may not be delivered? Certes, he is worser than a thief. For every man ought to have pity of women, more especially of them that be s

e thou prayedst thy God thus for thy wife, one while that she might be delivere

d at the point and the hour whereas I prayed God that she might not be delivered, that if she were delivered at that hour, the child would go the way of perdition, and that needs must he be burned, or hanged, or drowned. But whenas I sa

Emperor, "in what good p

s born but scarce eight days ago; and he shall be emperor withal, and lord of this city, and of all the earth." "Churl," said the Emperor, "this which thou sa

the woman who had been brought to bed. The child was wrapped in linen clothes, and they had laid him on a chair. Thereto came the Knight, and took the child and laid him on a board, and brought him to the Emperor, in such wise that none o

do? It is nought meet to thee, and if folk were to wot thereof, great reproach wouldst thou get thee. Let him be at this present, for he is more than dead. And if it please t

ith had he pity of the child, and said that by him should he never be drowned; so he left him, all wrapped up as he

e Lord Abbot. And the Abbot saw that the child was fair, and said that he would do it to be nourished.

ts. But he said that it would be more than enough, for overmuch would the child be costing. And so much did the Abbot, that he made market with the surgeons for four- s

ood nurse, and got the child to suckle, and he was healed full soon; whereas the flesh of him

l, that he over-passed all his fellows in subtilty and science. When he was of twelve years, he was a child exceeding goodly; so it mig

a goodly gift, whereas the abbey and convent were subject unto him, for the Emperor was a Saracen. When the Abbot had given him his goodl

plain, and esquire, and his folk; and with him was Coustans, who was so well fashioned that all praised his grea

"Sir, a-God's name!" Then the Abbot called to him Coustans, who was holding of his hat while he spake unto the Emperor; and the Emperor looked on the lad, and saw him so fair and gentle as never before had he seen the like fair person. So he asked of the Abbot what he was; and th

to the best that he might, as he who was subject unto him. The Emperor forgat in nowise the great beauty of the lad, a

eas he would render unto God a fair soul. When the Emperor heard that, he fell a-laughing, and said to the Abbot that the Christian law was of no account, and that all they were lost who trowed therein. When the

him to me; and I looked on the babe, and beheld him much fair, and I said that I would do him to be nourished and baptized. I unwrapped him, for the babe was wrapped up in a cover-point of vermil sendel; and when he was unwrapped, I saw that he had the belly slit from the breast to the navel. Then I sent

he would speak thereof to his convent, and that he should have him with their good-will. The Emperor held his peace, and answered never a word. But the Abbot took leave of him, and came to his a

ou gavest him not presently, even as he demanded of thee. We counsel thee send him str

ent to the Emperor. So the Abbot commanded the Prior to l

then he took Coustans by the hand, and, on the said behalf, gave him to the Emperor, who received him as one who was much wrath t

hat the Emperor had matters on hand at the outer marches of his land, much long aloof thence, well a twelve days' journey. So the Emperor betook him to goi

s thou seest this letter thou shalt slay or let slay him who this letter shall bear to thee, so soon as he hast delivered the s

th. The lad took the letter, which was close, and betook him to the road, and did so much by his j

done dinner: and exceeding hot was the weather, as is wont about St. John's-mass. So he entered into the garden all a-horseback. Great and long was the garden; so the lad took the brid

ntil at the last the fair Emperor's daughter came under the tree whereas Coustans lay a-sleeping, and he was all vermil as the rose. And when the damsel saw him, she beheld him with a right good will, and she sai

as he lay a- sleeping; and she spake thus: "Fair fellow, here is a rich treasure. Lo thou! the most fairest fashion of

sore, and said to her fellow: "Certes here is a great grief!" "Ha, my Lady!" said the other one, "tell me what it is." "Of a surety," said the Maiden, "might I but trow

wouldest thou do?" "I will tell thee well," said the daughter of the Emperor; "I will put in his pouch another letter, wherein the Emperor, my father, biddeth his Burgreve to give me to

e Maiden, "for my father delivered to me four pair of scrolls, sealed of his seal thereon; he hath written nought therein; and I will write all

er father had left her, that she might borrow moneys thereby, if so she would. For ever was the Emperor and his folk in war, wher

this letter ye give to my fair daughter in marriage according to our law; whereas I have heard and wot soothly that he is a high pe

he awoke anon, and was all astonied at the fair Maiden, the daughter of the Emperor, and the other one her fellow, who came before him; and the fair Maiden, daughter of the Emperor, greeted him; and he greeted her again right debonairly. Then she asked of him what he was, and whither he went; and he said

etter, and said that the Emperor greeted him. But the Burgreve made great joy of the lad, and kissed the hand of him. The Maiden opened t

en into a chamber, and the Maiden unfolded the letter and read it to the Burgreve, and made semblance of wondering exceedingly; and the Burgreve said to her, "Lady, it behoveth to do the will of my lord thy fat

thou sayest? Thy father has bidden thus by

e barons and mighty men of this realm, and take counsel thereof. And if they be of accord thereto,

will of the Emperor done. Then they wedded the fair youth Coustans, according to the paynim law, unto the fair daughter of the Emperor; and the wedding endur

nigh two journeys thence, came to him a message of the messengers who came from Byzance. The Emperor asked of him what they did in the city; and the varle

efore, Sir! Wot ye not well thereof?" "Nay, fors

well worthy to have her. But thy daughter would not take that before that the Burgreve should have spoken to the barons. And he spake to all them, and showed them thy letter; and they said that it behoved to do thy commandment.

thought much of this matter; and he asked of the varlet how long it was s

n three weeks since he hath wedded her." "Forsooth," said the Emperor, "in a good ho

her husband Coustans, who was so fair a child that none might better be. The Emperor, who was a wise man, made of them much great jo

daughter. So he had no will to gain-say her, but he demanded to see the letter which he had sent, and they showed it unto him, and he saw his seal hanging thereto, a

lord the Emperor died, and his service was done much richly, after the paynim law. Then was Coustans emperor, and he loved and honoured much the Abbot who had nourished him, and he made him his very master. And the Emperor Coustans, by the counsel of the Abbot, and the will of God the all mighty, did do christen his wife, and all

the Story of King C

he ancient French into English b