United States or North Korea ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


Down sprang Beltane and ran to greet him and to catch his nerveless hands: "Lord Beltane," quoth he, faintly, "full oft have I shed my blood for Pentavalon to-day I die, messire. But, as thou didst say 'tis well to die in cause so noble! My lord, farewell to thee!" And with the word, even as he stood 'twixt Roger and the archer, the stout old knight was dead.

Conspicuous upon his white charger he beheld Duke Beltane, a proud and warlike figure, who sat his stamping war-horse deep in converse with Sir Jocelyn, while behind were the dense ranks of Mortain. Suddenly, Sir Jocelyn wheeled his charger and galloped along Mortain's front, his rich armour glittering, until he halted at the head of that knightly company posted upon the left.

Then brought Ambrose a wallet, wherein were six gold pieces, and put it in his hand, saying: "These have I kept against this day, my Beltane. Take them to aid thee on thy journey, for the county of Bourne lieth far to the south." "Do I then journey to Bourne, my father?" "Aye, to Sir Benedict, who yet doth hold the great keep of Thrasfordham.

Now great fear came upon Beltane, and he would have uttered desperate prayers, but could not; trembling yet, full gently he drew his arm from under that drooping head, and, stealing soft-footed to the river's marge, stood there staring down at the rippling waters, and his heart was rent with conflicting passions amazement, fear, anger, joy, and a black despair.

Once and twice he circled, seeking a hold, then leapt he swift and low; arms and fingers clenched and locked, and Beltane was bent, swayed, and borne from his feet; but even so, with a cunning twist he brake Black Roger's hold and staggered free. Quoth he: "Art a very strong man, Roger, stronger than methought. Come again!"

And here behold my yellow hair!" and off came bascinet, and back fell mail-coif, whereat the Bailiff started and caught his breath and stared on Beltane in sudden awe. "Dost mark me well, Pardoner?" "Aye, noble sir, verily and in truth do I. So, next time I think on thee thou wilt be a squat man, middle-aged and black-haired. For, my lord, a poor Pardoner I, but nought beside."

Sighed she, with rueful smile: "Thou too art neither old nor cold, nor bent with years, fair son. Come then, till death let us speak together and comfort each other. Lay by thy melancholy as I now lay by this hood and wimple, for the night is hot and close, methinks." "Nay, lady, indeed 'tis cool, for there is much wind abroad," says Beltane, my Innocent.

Sir Benedict telleth me thou hast chosen the post of danger 'tis so I would have it, dear my son, and thy proud mother's prayers go with thee God keep thee O God keep thee, my Beltane ah, there sounds again the clarion bidding me from thee! Kiss now thy mother farewell, for alas! I must be gone!"

So by reason of this poor second rogue, Pentavalon doth rejoice in freedom. To-day is singing on every village green happiness is in the very air, for 'tis Pentavalon's Beltane, and Beltane is a sweet season; so doth this poor second rogue find him recompense.

"Men ha! men, good Benedict soldiers born and bred!" "Forsooth, and 'neath mine own eye, Beltane. There is not one but I have watched him in the stress of battle. Body o' me, but I have chosen needfully, there is none but hath proved his worthiness! See you the little man yonder, in half-mail with sword as great as himself he that pipeth shrill-voiced as a boy?