The Red Romance Book

finest linen and the richest silks of India or China decked the princess from the moment she was old enough to run a

in his garden, watching the flowers open and the fruits ripen, and by-and-by he planted trees and shrubs and made

a bride for their sons. The emperor’s heart sank when he heard rumours of embassies that were coming to rob him of his daughter, and he shut himself

king steadily, but every scheme had some drawback. At le

o attend his council, looking quite a differen

er, and would give her in marriage to any man who would pass through the garden and bring him a branch of the tree which stood at the further end.’ Noth

st so many had entered that fatal gate that it seemed as if there could be no more princes or nobles left,

gate of the castle. Like the others, he was welcomed and feasted, and when the feast was ended he cr

ne as yet has been able to fulfil it. You have merely to walk through the garden that you see below, and bring me back a branch from a tree bearing

ion likes me well. Still, as fortune is ever inconstant, and may be tired of dealing me favours, I would first ask as a boon

ow this small mercy to a man who was going to his death, and he led his guest down

u the way to the garden,’ said the emperor, ‘and meanwhile I bid you far

e at her beauty and she at his boldness, for never before had any man crossed her threshold. For a moment both we

d this adventure before me, and have entered that garden and never returned from it. Without your aid my fate wi

have bewailed in secret the noble youths who had fallen victims to her

a daughter to betray her father’s confidence. Yet, as I am loth that any more fair youths should lose their lives for my sake, I will give you this counsel. You must first pass t

anding a ball of

dy of

the chamberlain was heard without, bidding him withdraw, and, gla

s ease and rest till the emperor should return, but instead the knigh

cried, ‘Where is the Lady of Solace?’ Then he sat down on a stone and waited. In a sho

hite cloth, and rose up and went with the ladies to the palace, which was built of blue marble, and the fairest that ever he saw. The Lady of Solace was fair likewise and of a marvellous sweet countenance, and her voice was

r hand, unwinding it as you go. For if you lose the clue, you will perish like those before you. And more. A lion dwells in the garden, who will spring out and devour you, as he has devoured the rest. Therefore, arm yourself with armour, and see that the armour be anointed thickly wit

m their path; but beware of them also, and if you are in peril call to me, and I wil

e he found that the emperor was still sitting at his council. He sat down in the

you sped?’

id the knight, ‘there can be but one ending to my journey. I go at onc

ever failed to give good wishes to his daughter’s suit

ng. On pretence of sharpening his sword, he borrowed a pot of ointment from the man, and, unseen by him, rubbed the paste thic

o lift the knight who

LACE HELPS THE

ar close to him caused him to start. The knight had just time to draw his sword and hold up his shield before the lion was upon him; but, as he had been forewarned, the great beast dashed aside the shield, and fastened his teeth in the arm that held it. The pain was such that the kn

ounsel of the Lady of Solace, it was he who would have been slain, and not the lion. He swelled with pride and conce

e spied seven trees, very fair to view, all covered with fruit that shone temptingly in the sun. He gathered a cluster that hung ju

im away from the tree and flung him into a ditch that was full of water, and his armour weighed him down, so that he could not get out. Then at last he remembered his clue, and felt for it, but it was not there, and his pride broke down, and he saw that he had br

way out of the garden? I will lift you out of the ditch, but, for the clue,

growing on the ground. At length he wandered back to the spot where he had fought with the lion, and there, covered with blood, lay the clue he had so long sought. By its help he was led to the tre

e steps of the throne. And the emperor could not gainsay him, but bade his officers fetch his daughter, and afte

a Romanorum.]<