The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-19
late the
Legend of the King of Yortol,


France.
"What led to the overthrow of your
capital?" we asked.
"At the epoch of Louis XII our host
answered, "Yortol had become the Free
City of Normandy, and the contrabandists
there deposited all their merchandise,
and afterwards sold their goods through
out the rest of France with impunity
under letters of marque from the king of
Yortol. The king derived good rev.
enue from the granting of this tolerance,
and the chief artisans of Paris raised such
loud complaints that Louis XI set him
self seriously to destroy this abuse Ac-
cording to his well-known character, he
aimed at becoming master of Yortol by
trickery rather than by force.
While passing through Rouen, and
.supping at the Hotel de Vile, the king
was impressed by some verses set to music
and sung remarkably we'll by skilful
troubadour named J'Aimery Cadnet
The provost of the merchants and the
rich Burghers of Rouen all complained of
the contrabandists of Yortol
Messieurs," said the king to them,
since a Pope has made an inviolable
royalty of that petty burgh, why cannot
|, myself, make principality of Caude-
bee and give that village sovereign a
rival worthy of measuring swords with
him. 1t were a dishonor for me to
provoke conflict directly with such a
wretched sovereign, but [ can manage to
bring them to blows, by which we shall
profit"
The Roueneze merchants, without COM
pretending the kings project, neverthe-
less, loudly expressed approval. The
repast finished, he dismissed them all !;
and Cadnet, who seemed to have come to
no purpose, prepared to leave with the
rest, when Louis XI made sign to him to
remain; and regarding him sportively,
requested him to answer his questions.
Master Cadnet, what is your age?"
twenty-five years, sire.
From what country are you ?"
From Province, 1 left my home fif-
teen years ago to follow celebrated Jug
gler named Calausore, who seduced my
young imagination by his versifcation,
his agility, and bravery"
How then you have taste for
war"
"Sir, have been a soldier; 1 have
made campaign against you, and fought
at the battle of Montlheri."
Good and so you have deserted glory
for jugglery."
The harness was too heavy, the bread
too hard, the wine too sour; besides, sire,
have acquired too much renown in the
gay science to smother all my reputation
under a soldiers cuirass"
All it seems you think yourself an
adept; but pray what can you do?"
" L can rhyme, compose ballads, put
and solve riddles, play symphonies on the
cithem, lutte, monochord, the gique, or
the psaltery. I can mock the songs of
birds, play tricks with knives, make dogs
and monkeys leap through four hoops l
can"
81 see, smiled the king, "you are a
good companion, and the sort of person
[ am searching for; heretofore you have
transformed yourself into bird, l shall
turn you into fox. So valorous sub
ject merits high reward, and 1 announce
to you that l have made you a prince. -
"Prince !" replied Cadnet, bursting into
laughter, prince of fools to figure at the
next festival -
mo Messire, sovereign prince, with
the title of the Duke of Caudebec. Here
on the spot I will write down the pro-
visions. You will read them with atten-
tion and be careful to observe all the
royal instructions they contain
And the king laug ghed heartily. Our
parvenue assumed his dignity, remained
month In Caudebec to make himself
known and raise some troops, and then
resuming his apparel as juggler, joined a
band of contrabandists returning to Yor-
tol. At the royal city the troubadour
gained access to the heart of Arlette, the
kings daughter. In the war which fol-
lowed between the two sovereignties, the
king of Yortol was conquered and con-
veyed prisoner to Caudebec. Never
was prisoner treated more royalty
Mounted. on richly trapped palfrey, sur
rounded with numerous escort, he was
conducted in triumph to the city of his
enemy. The aged king could not under
stand this pomp and honor paid to the
vanquished. Arriving at the palace
music met his ear; garlands Of flowers
adorned the gate through which he
passed. Suddenly two curtains were
drawn aside, and he saw the Duke oi
Caudebec at the feet of his own daugh-
teri His surprise redoubled when he
recognized in him the troubadour Cadnet
They apprised him that his kingdom oil