The Red Romance Book

oved each other like brothers. And, what is more to be wondered at, their wives were the best friends in the world. To complete th

r. However, Amys and Amyle did not disappoint their fathers and mothers in this way. From the moment they could walk they were never seen apart; if they ever did quarrel no one ever heard of it; and by the time they were twelve

hem some of the customs of chivalry. Amys and Amyle went with the rest, and endless were the mistakes made about them. The boys themselves, who were merry little fellows, de

, they did not dare say so; only their wives noticed, as they entered the

more closely than ever, but, after a little, they got used to the change, and learned eagerly

proving to the world that no tie of blood could bind them closer than the love they bore one to another, was to swear the oaths which made them brothers in arms, and obliged them

w. When, however, he heard that Amys and Amyle had sworn the solemn oaths that made them brothers in arms, he ordered a tournament to be held in their honour, and, when it was over, knighted them on

was that they would have to be very careful, for the eyes of the old steward were watching eagerly to report any mistakes to the duke their master. Luckily for them, they were favourites

e ladies of the court, when a sudden stop was put to all their pleasures. One day a man-at-arms riding a jade

news that I bear unto you. Your father and mother, that noble knight and his lady, died of a pest

ther?’ cried Amys

ood by his friend, ‘I know not if indeed it may be yours. It is long years since I have seen

is hand on his b

? and, though I cannot go with thee now, I will fol

of birds and beasts, such as he and Amys had often chased in the forests and lakes of Lombardy. The cups were no more to be told from each other than were Amys and Amyle themselves, and Amyle placed th

to you, according to the oath which we sware, that as long as we b

f his oath, then slowly turned hi

tenders who had sprung up to claim his father’s lands. When at last peace was restored and the false traitors had been thrown into

in would receive her. Oh, what a fluttering of hearts there was in the towns and villages, as the herald, with his silver trumpet and his satin coat of red and yellow, covered with figures of strange beasts, passed up and down the streets! How the girls all ran to their mirrors, and turned themselves this way and that to see if there could possibly be a chance for them! Perhaps it was t

seback, one passin

who in her secret heart thought it was

the sun, though while she spoke she was really thinking that no one could bear comparison with her. A

ders. He walked slowly down the ranks of the maidens, watching each carefully, and noting the way in which she received his gaze. Some l

that she might take her stand with the rest. None would have chosen her as Queen of a Tourney, or bidden her preside ov

he side of his wife Sir Amyle

teward, who now received him with smiles and fair words. Nay, he even desired that they should become brothers at arms, but to

ew off the mask with which he

rly choking in his wrath; ‘you dog, you white-livered

e fair damsel, but, though many doughty deeds were done, the prize fell to Sir Amys. When he came up to receive the golden circlet from the hands of the duchess — for the duke held his daughter to be of too tender years to be queen of the tourney

oman of whom great things are said, woeful is in general the disappointment. But even

that any man alive could pass her by. But Sir Amys’ thoughts dwel

She fell sick with love and anger, and for many days lay

she had guessed something of her mistress’s heart — that Sir Amys had so wearied himself in pursuit of a boar the previous evening that he had let his lord ride forth alone. So Belisante bade her maiden b

it tree, looking down on the man s

o her feet and st

lying under a tree by the side of a stream, but in her guile sh

ten to the birds, how sweetly they sing! Methinks I hear the voice of the ni

mother, and signing to her ladies

seen save the green darkness about her, nothing was to be heard save the songs of the birds. Softly she rose to her feet, and st

hearkened to her words, not knowing if he had heard aright, but, calling his wits to his aid, he answered that she was the daughter of a great prince while he was only the son of a poor knight, and that marriage between them might never b

d go in search of Sir Amys. Creeping stealthily up to them, he hid himself behind a clump of bushes and heard all that was said. Cunningly he made his plan, a

have fallen dead, but behind him was a little room, and into this he stepped, shutting the door, so that the sword stuck in the hard wood as it came against it. This mischance somewhat co

to save Belisante from her father’s wrath, he swore a great oath that there was no truth in that tale, and, flinging down his glove, offered to fight any man whom the duke should app

e steward’s power at court that all men feared to come forward on behalf of Sir Amys. The young man would have fared badly, and indeed would at

se oath, and it was to no purpose that Belisante reminded him of all the ill deeds done by the steward to him and others. ‘This time

Turn his thoughts which side he would, escape seemed barred, till the image of Sir Amyle flashed across him. ‘Fool, why had he not remembered him earlier? Luckily there was yet time, and he could ride wi

under him from sheer weariness. As there was no town or house where he might find another, he was forced to proceed on foot. But by-and-by he too fell from lack o

ing up, he told his friend all his woes, and how he

the horse to Sir Amys, at court, as you heard he had sore need of one. None will know you from me, no more than they did of old, and, as to m

him, and Sir Amyle hastened wit

riumph, proclaimed to all whom it might concern that his adversary knew himself to be a traitor to his lord, and had fled

he men worked right slowly; linger as they might, the pile was ready at last, and with one despairing glance round, the duchess and her daughter were bravely walking up to it, when Sir Amyle hastily

for a short space before he mounted his horse. So the two ladies embraced him and left him, wishing hi

his horse he rode into the lists, and, kneeling, took the oath that he w

ewood with a knight on horseback beh

VES IN TIME TO

rm to deal a second blow, when Sir Amyle suddenly spurred his horse to one side and pierced his enemy to the heart. Then, all bleeding as he was, the false Amys cut off the head of the traitor, and gave it to the duke, proving to him and to all the court that the right had conqu

but I will let my people know that you were always true, and you shall marry my daughter as so

n the forest, nine days hence, which message Sir Amys obeyed, wondering what had passed. Then the two knights changed their cl

om Early English Metrical