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Updated: June 7, 2025
And she roughly gripped Solita's wrist so that the girl could not withhold a cry. "In truth, madame," replied the Sieur Rudel, "even last night, in this hall, Solita and I were married by the good abbot, and therefore I will not leave her while she lives."
And while she thus made moan, the princess came softly into her chamber. "He will not leave me, madame," she sobbed. Joceliande came over to her and gently laid her hand upon her head and whispered in her ear, "Not while you live!" For awhile Solita sat silent.
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.
For he had seen the maiden Solita, and of an evening when the Court was feasting in the hall and the music of harps rippled sweetly in the ears, he would slip from the table as one that was busied in statecraft, and in company with Solita pace the terrace in the dark, beneath the lighted windows. Yet neither spoke of love, though loving was their intercourse.
Now when the night was well spent and drawing on to dawn, Solita, for very weariness, fell asleep at the pillar's foot, and Rudel began to take counsel with himself if, by any manner of means, he might outwit the Princess Joceliande. For this he saw, that she would not have him wed her handmaiden, and for that cause, and for no cowardice of his, had so cruelly entreated him.
So she spake, and the messenger from the princess brake in upon them, bidding the Sieur Rudel hasten to the council-chamber, for that the Princess Joceliande waited this long while for his coming. "Now will I ask for the fulfilment of her promise," said Rudel to Solita, "and to-night, sweet, I will claim thee before the whole Court."
Yet for all her jewels and rich attire, she trembled like a common wench at the approach of her lover, and feared that the loud beating of her heart would drown the sound of his footsteps in the passage. But the Sieur Rudel came not, and she sent a messenger to inquire why he tarried, and the messenger brought word and said: "He is with the maiden Solita in the tower."
But I fear me the sight will change all thy thoughts and incline thee to scorn of thy suitor." Then she stood for a little watching the sunlight play upon the golden head and pry into the soft shadows of the curls, and her face saddened and her voice faltered. "But what of me, Solita?" she said. "All men give me reverence, not one knows me for a woman.
And now I would that of your gentleness you would grant me your maiden Solita for wife." "That I may not," returned Joceliande, stricken to the soul at that image of a second queen. "A nameless child, and my handmaiden! Sieur Rudel, it befits a man to look above him for a wife." "And that, madame," he answered, "in very truth I do.
Often have I passed the gate with my warriors, but never could I hold speech with her." "She will have seen your banners glancing in the sun," said Solita, "and so will she know her sacrifice was good." Thereupon she turned her again to her husband. "For my sake, dear Rudel, I pray you go to Broye."
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