Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-17

4
wrong hang me v'
| On hearing this speech the council
unanimously agreed that Sir Robert was
entitled to his life, and thus acquitted. he
knelt down to kiss the hand of Queen
Bertha, when the toothless bag before
mentioned, covered with rags and dirt,
threw herself AT the foot of the thrown,
crying aloud for justice, and thus adj
dressed her majesty:
20 beautious queen, thou who impair
tally distributes justice even to the mean
est of thy subjects, and whose heart Is
ever open to equitable dealings, listen TO
my COMPLAINT. To my skill is this knight
indebted for the knowledge of you secret !;
/ have preserved his life, IL gratitude for
which he promised to grant me whatever
favor might think proper to demand l
now seek justice at your hands, and ex-
pect my boon"
True indeed it is" said Sir Robert.
.'but never yet have been guilty OF in
gratitude; my 20 crowns, my horse, and
my baggage were my whole fortune. AT
the time | was occupied with the Jade
Lavinia, a monk. in fit Of devotion,
carried them all off, so that, with the de-
sire to reward my benefactress, | am dis
possessed of the means"
The queen then addressed Sir Robert.
The whole of your property shall be
restored to you and the thief punished,
but the fortune must be divided into three
lots. The injured Lavinia is entitled TO
the 20 crowns as recompense Tor her
broken eggs this good woman shall have
your steed and you yourself shall retain
possession OF your armor."
"a most generous decree. Just
| queen ~ said the old beldame; but it Is
not his horse | covet Nothing less than
Sir Roberts own person will satisfy me.
I admire his bravery, and his beauty has
made deep impression on my heart.
wish to be the sovereign of his affections.
| In nv embraces he may be very happy !:
and as fulfilment of the promised boon
| require him to marry me this very
day"
| This speech seemed to strike terror and
disgust into the heart of our gallant
knight. for, steadfastly regarding the
squalid figure before him covered with
rags and dirt. he recoiled several steps in
adherence, and striking his forehead. in
frantic tone of voice exclaimed; ''Iiow
have deserved such treatment? Why
am TO be thus ridiculed, and to have
such indignities thrust upon me? o most
beauteous, most gracious queen. put your
first decree into full force and let me suf-
fer death, but do not resign me into the
arms of this miserable bag. She is mad !;
the unreasonableness of her request is a
proof OF it."
"You see with what dsdain he rejects
nv proposal. o Queen" replied the old
woman '.He is cruel and ungratetu :;
but am determined To conquer his un Just
dislike, though fear my affection is too
ardent to meet reciprocal return. |
c,nfess my charms are beginning to fade.
but the union of hearts is everything; my
waning beauty will increase my love and
he will have less cause to suspect my
fidelity. am poor, but surely poverty is
no disgrace. Does contentment reign
only in the dwellings of the great? Is
your repose more calm, madame, in this
gorgeous palace than mine in my lowly
cottageo Or is your affection for your
royal spouse greater than mine for this
poor knight. whom now denand as my
loving husband ?'
This discourse produced such an effect
on the ladies of the palace that they with
out hesitation adjudged Sir Robert to full
fill his promise.
The sacredness of his oath in great
measure lessening his disgust; he was
married that day.
After the ceremony they repaired TO the
residence of this frightful adventures.
On the road she held such tender and
affecting converse as soitened the heart of
our hero; but when he again contemplated
her squalid and dirty figure his limbs
quivered with disgust.
They at length arrived at the cottage.
the interior of which presented a most
miserable and filthy appearance. A rick
ETY. table, two three-legged stools, with a
bed made upon the floor. formed the
greater part of its furniture.
Scanty was their nuptial feast but we
must now leave them to their connubial
felicity. Suffice it to say that the tender
per$uasions and entreaties of his loving
wife soon reconciled Sir Robert to his fate.
On awakening the next morning our hero
found the wretched howell replaced by a
beautiful palace, and in a spacious apart
ment. splendidly furnished. he beheld a
female more lovely than Venus reclining
by his side.
You see. sir knight she said. "wom-
en- like to have their own way; reign
henceforth as sovereign of this palace and
of me. You did not disregard the en-
treaties of ugliness and deformity and
you therefore deserve the smiles and
Establishments of beauty"
1t was the fairy Ursella. who, in those
days, presided over the fates of our war
riors and befriended poor and needful
cavaliers.
There is something soft and tender in the
fall of single snow fake, but it always re-