The Boy Crusaders

ng his perilous adventure on the coast of Cyprus, was at Nicosia, and engaged in chivalrous exercises, in the courtyard of the house occupied by the Earl of Marc

iness; and with the air befitting a Norman gentleman who had existed from childhood in the consciousness that his name was known to fame, and w

endeavouring to forget his cares, while conversing familiarly with a young and noble-looking personage of great strength and stature, with a head of immense size, and a countenance beaming with sagacity. In truth this was a ve

g Joinville, 'I marvel much that y

so to do; for physicians have told me I have so large a head,

low yourself to be deceived. If you do not drink water till you are in

innocently, 'why should I dr

your old age, you will be frequently intoxicated; and verily it

Joinville; 'but I am one of those who endeavour

s, after a pause, 'may I ask if y

thout evincing surprise. 'I hardly deem th

, who was their Lord and Master, did for our example when He washed the feet of His apostles. I doubt not you w

a conclusive tone, 'never will I

sly, 'let me ask you another question. Whether wou

, 'rather than be a leper, I would

uch an answer?' said

decision, 'if I were to answer aga

self on the subject; for no leprosy can be so awful as deadly si

ded by the English knight, made his appearance, not without exhibiting symptoms of agitation when he found himself face to face

pect of Louis were not su

as given to magnificence of attire, and generally regarded as by far the greatest dandy in his dominions. Nor had Louis been endowed by nature with the qualities which please the eye and impress the imagination. His figure, it is true, was tall and well proportioned; but his face and features were not calculated to dazzle. When compared with men of such noble presence and regal air as o

knowledge that you have performed an action noble in it

with a golden hilt in a silver sheath. Naturally, therefore, he was at the first glance somewhat disappointed with the appearance of the monarch in whose presence he stood. But as Louis turned upon him a countenance which, albeit not beautiful,

, 'it has come to my knowledge that you have performed an acti

with less than his wonted confidence, 'I scarce

. But such modesty is becoming in youth. However, I mean that, four days since, as I lear

edgement of the complim

nity, or think more highly of yourself than you ought to think on account of your achievement, howev

ty, 'I would fain hope my ideas on the subject will

t, and,' added he, 'seeing that you give promise of being a preuhomme, I pray G

ou must pardon me when I confess that I

uence; for know that by preuhomme I mean a man who is valiant and bold in person, whereas by p

hing so fervently as that the interview would come to an end; and Louis, after condescending to ask some more questions, and inculcate some m

shall perfo

great j

depart from the palace, he turned to

of the adventures which in childhood I have heard related by pilgrims and pedlars at the

have been born with luck on your side-not my own case-and that you have, without hazarding more than you are likely to do in

'beshrew me if I have had the courage to ask either the rank or name of the demoiselle to whom I h

, or what is her name. She is kinswoman of John de Brienne, who, in his day, figured as King of Jerusalem, and kinswoman a

that the whole was not a dream, 'I begin to think that I must assuredly have been born with luck on my sid

t, looking wise, 'when I tell you that