Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 12, 2025
But Solita bethought her that many men had praised the colour and softness of her hair why, she could not tell, for dark locks alone were beautiful in her eyes. Howbeit men praised hers, and for Sieur Rudel's sake she would fain be as praiseworthy as might be.
Joceliande, when she heard his injuries, knew indeed that her love was unavailing, and that by no means might she win him to share her siege with her. Therefore her love changed to a bitter fury, and standing up forthwith she bade the nobles take their swords and smite off the Sieur Rudel's head. But no one so much as moved a hand towards his hilt.
"Sir, have you changed your tune?" she said; "for never was a man so urgent as you with me for the Sieur Rudel's help." "Alas! madame," he replied, "I knew not then that he was plighted to the maiden Solita, or never would I have borne this message.
And let none gainsay my story, for that I was not my master's servant at the time, and saw not the truth with mine own eyes. I had it from the Sieur Rudel's lips, and more than once when he was vexed at the aspersions thrown upon his name. But he was ever proud, as befitted so knightly a gentleman, and deigned not to argue or plead his honour to the world, but only with his sword.
"That I will well," replied Sir Broyance, bethinking him of the Sieur Rudel's valour, and how that he had a kingdom to proffer to him. But the Princess Joceliande said to herself: "I, too, will offer him a kingdom. My throne shall he share with me;" and so she entertained Sir Broyance right pleasantly until the Sieur Rudel should get him back from the foray.
Thus the time drew on towards the Sieur Rudel's home-coming, and ever the twain looked out across the sea for the black boats to round the bluff and take the beach Joceliande from her balcony, Solita from the window of her little chamber in the tower; and each night the princess gave orders to light a beacon on the highest headland that the wayfarers might steer safely down that red path across the tumbling waters.
But at the last, for the Sieur Rudel's sake, he consented, and married them privily in the hall as the grey dawn was breaking across the sea. Now, in the morning, the princess bid Solita be brought to her, and when they were alone, gently and cunningly she spake: "Child," she said, "I doubt not thy heart is hot against me for that I will not enlarge the Sieur Rudel.
Her own image will she see, and she will go away calling it his soul, and not knowing, poor fool, that it has already faded from his eyes." At this Solita kept silence, deeming it unnecessary to make reply. It might be as the princess said with other men and other women, but the Sieur Rudel had no likeness to other men, and in possessing the Sieur Rudel's love she was far removed from other women.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking