Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-08-20


Florimond, upon his lofty throne of
purest gold, with proud Princes bending
their knees before him, was like a sun
amid planets; yet as day pressed upon
day, and Ethne made no sign, the cloud
upon his | fly brow deepened, and upon
the eve of the fifth day he sought Ethne,
and swore by his troth he woIll permit
no further trifing. Upon the m rrow
thou must make thy decision. Is it pos
sible that of the three hundred knights
who entered the lists not ohe has found
favor in thy sight"
Then Ethne turned to him, and said:
'Dear father and sovereign lord, be
not wroth with thy daughter and hum
BILE subject live but to obey thee, and
whatever thou cost command that will
do"
Then she put her soft arms about his
neck and fell to great weeping, and
Florimond was sore perplexed, for he
was most tender man, yet also was he
a mighty monarch whose word would
not be broken, and should he permit the
Frnces of the east and the north ald the
west and the south to depart, scorning a
doting father aud spoiled capricious
maid2
So he loosened the clinging arms, and
bent his brow, and stamped his heel.
''Thou hast heard; show that thou
hast needed, "and was striding from the
chamber when Ethne prostrated herself
at his feet.
"Most gscious King" she supplicated,
mot the meanest of thy serfs implores a
hearing in vain, wilt thou deny thy
daughterin
Thou hast mo there; but think not,
Ethne, to cajole. l do not think in
fash ,oning thee so fair, God hath left out
that chiefest joy in woman, heart
Tell me not thou canst not care for
lover. By st. John, full many gallant
youth have seen these days, most comely
to look upon. Were l maiden, could
not say him nay ween. And yet thou
hast met looks of languishing love with
glace so cod it did freeze the marrow in
the longers bones. 'Tis true what they
say, thou art Ethne, the Icy-hearted.
No, thou hast no h art. Yes, thou hast,
too, for have marked thee weep over a
squalling child's mishap, yet thou art
rock when thou knowest how much
would joy didst thou love some gallant
knight to whom I could say: Welcome,
my son.
"Father," said Ethne, ~ have heart,
and not more than other maids am l in
sensible to manly worth and valor and
beauty! but / cannot say to my heart
Thou must when it cries out it cannot !;
and not until 1t would tell me would |
marry. A noble sight those brave knights
have afforded us, and we'll did delight
the elm. And yet, if in three hundred l
saw not ten to whom l could give Sec
end glance, am to b!ame3 Can force
my heart to beat when it fain would be
still2 But four of the three hundred
have remained unapproached victors. 1t
is from these l will make my choice.
Perchanoe some one will speak the word
l have never yet heard. Yet my father,
King Florimond, need not fear to trust
his daughters word u
Full well pleased were King Florimond, ,
and Robert the Bold, Hugh the Great,
Tancred the Wise, and young Bernard
of Pascarene, gallant knights all. True,
Bernard of Pas arene has little beside his
noble name and his trusty sword; but
said she not something of speechl
Then it would be Tancred, who should
rule his kingdom, and keep up his fame.
Thousands focked to the Field of
Love the next day, for it was announ ced
that the Queen of Love would choose a
hns ho nf c
Princes.
The wrestlers failed to attract q single
plaudit, the tilting passed by unnoticed
All eyes were riveted upon the Queen of
Love. She sat upon her golden throne,
garbed in purest white, for so gloriously
lovely was this gem it needed not rich
setting. In her right hand she held a
great crimson-hearted rose.
After the m n>r awards were made,
mid breathless si!ence entered the four
knights. First, Robert tie bold, on his
coal-black steed, whose proud step
showed he knew a conquerer pressed his
back. Robert dismounted and throw
ing the reins to his squire strobe forward
with slow and stately step, and bent be-
fore the Queen and received his guerdon.
Then stepping back, he made low
obeisance and spake:
"Peerless daughter of noble sire,
know not how to frame my speech.
am follower of Mars, not frequentel
of courts. If my speech jar thy delicate
ear, crave pardon. Never did Robert
the Bold ask favor, or kneel a suppliant
my banners have foated from the Sara
GEMS most guarded towers, my gooG
right hand has sent many doughty war
rior to bite the dust Yet didst thou lay
thine within it, l pledge my knightly
honor thou shouldst nc'er regret 1t; 81
help me, God, and st. Martin"
II do not tell thee my record" sale
Hugh the Great. "'Tis in every man
mouth. / ask thee, wilt thou have MI
for thy husbanl |, and be thy answer yea
or nay, l will abide by it, nor hold {
vengeful thought" "
"Fair Ethne," spoke Tancred tn
Wise, ''men call me wise, and l would
take much of comfort in the name die
my wisdom now show me how to wot
thee. | must needs beg thee to hav
compassion upon one whose wit ha; bee
stolen by thy beauty"
Then slowly advanced Bernard of Pas
carene upon his milk-white stecd, wit
| trappings of azure and silver A goodl
youth to lock upon, with his lithesom
figure and chestnut curls falling upon hi
blue doublet, and his brave, sweet lip
half shaded by the gold brown line.
He sprang from his horse aud threw
| himself at Ethne's feet.
80 Princess, maiden so fair, l know
not whether thou art mortal; l think i
heaven to thus kiss the hem of thy robe
/ would not presume TO seek to wed thee
do not ask thee to give back my hear
which thou hast nossessed sinca tho