The San Francisco call., 1905-01-01

why so?" asked Wulf Though 1t
is the common thought, think it un-
needful that even this should sour our
great love. Come, Goodwin. let US make
pact that it shall not be thus, and
keep it by the help Of heaven. Let us
show the world that two men can love
one woman and still love each other,
not knowing as yet which of them she
will choose-if, indeed, she chooses
either; for. Goodwin, We are not the only
gentlemen in the world whose eyes
have turned. or yet may turn, toward
the high-born. rich and lovely Lady
Rosamund. Is it your will that we
shall make such a pact?"
Goodwin thought a little, then an
swered:
Yes; but il so it must be one so
strong that for her sake and for both
our sakes we cannot break it and live
with honor" o..
so be it," said wulf This is mans
work. not child's make believe"
Then Goodwin rose and going to the
door bade his squire. who watched
without, pray the Prior John to come
to them, as they sought his counsel in
a matter. So he came, and standing
before him with downcast head, God
win told him all the tale, which, indeed,
he who knew so much already was
quick to understand, and of their pur-
pose also; while at a question from the
prior Wulf answered that 1t was well
and truly said, nothing having been
kept back. Then they asked him If 1t
was lawful that they should take such
an oath, to which he replied that he
thought it not only lawful. but very
good. ~
So in the end. kneeling together hand
in hand before the holy rood that stood
in the chamber, they repeated this oath
after him. both of them together:
I'VE brethren, Goodwin and Wulf
D'Arcy, do solemnly swear by the holy
cross of Christ and by the patron saint
of this place, st. Mary Magdalene. and
our patron saints, st. Peter and st.
Chad, standing in the presence OF God,
our guardian angels, and of you. John.
that being both Of us enamored or our
cousin, Rosamund Darcy. We will. If
her sire allows 1t, ask her to wife in
the manner we have agreed. and no
other. That we will abide by her will,
should she choose either of us. nor
seek to alter it by tempting her from
her troth, or in any fashion overt or
covert. That he of us whom she re-
fuses will thenceforth be a brother to
her and no more, however Satan may
tempt his heart otherwise. That so far
as may be possible to US; who are but
sinful men, we will suffer no bitterness
nor jealousy to come between our love
because of this woman, and that in
war or peace we will remain faithful
comrades and brethren. And so we
swear with a true heart and purpose.
and in token thereof. knowing that he
who breaks this oath will be knight
dishonored and a vessel fit for the
wrath of God, we kiss this rood and
one another"
This, then, they said and did. and
with light minds and joyful faces re-
- L. g 1x-1< ~
had christened them in Infancy. and
went down to meet the great company
that had ridden forth to lead them
back to Steeple, where their knighting
should be done.
So to Steeple, preceded by the
squires. who rode before them bare
headed, carrying their. swords by
their scabbarded ints, with the gold
spurs hangin- from the hits, they
came at last. Here the hall was set
for a great feast, space having been
+ left between the tables and the dais,
to which the brethren were conducted.
Then came forward Sir Anthony de
Vaudeville and Sir Roger de Merci
in full armour, and presented to Sir
Andrew Darcy, their uncle, who
stood upon the edge of the dais, also
in his armour, their swords and spurs.
of which he gave back to them the
latter, bidding them affix them. upon
the candidates right heels. This
done, the Prior John blessed the
swords, after which Sir Andrew girded
them about the waists of mis- nephews,
saying:
Take We back the swords. that you
have used so we'll"
Next he drew his wn silyer-hilted
blade that had been his fathers and
his grandfather's, and whilst they
knelt before him, smote each of them
three blows upon the right shoulder.
crying with a loud voice: In the
name of God, Saint Michael and Saint
George l knight ye. Be We good
knights Thereafter came forward
Rosamund as their nearest kinswom-
an, and, helped by other ladies, clad
upon them their hauberks, or coats of
mail, their helms of steel, and their
kite-shaped shields, emblazoned with
a skull, the cognizance of their race.
This done, with the musicians march
ing before them, they walked to
Steeple Church, a distance of 200
PAGES from the hall, where they laid
their swords upon the altar and took
them up again, swearing to be good
servants of Christ and defenders of
the church. AS they left it's doors
who should meet them but the cook,
carrying his chopper in his hand and
claiming as his fee the value of the
spurs they wore, crying aloud at the
same time:
IF either Of you young knights
should do aught in despite of your
honor and of the oaths that you have
sworn-from which may God and his
saints prevent you!-then with my
chopper will / hack these spurs from
off your heels"
Thus at last the long ceremony was
ended, and after it came very great
feast, for at the high table were enter
tanned many noble knights and ladies,
and below in the hall their squires and
other gentlemen, and outside all the
yeomanry and villagers. while the
children and the aged had food and
drink given to them in the nave of the
church itself. When the eating at
length was done, the center of the hall
was cleared, and while men drank. the
ninstrels made music. for all were very
merry with wine and strong ale, and
talk arose as to which of these breth-
ren-Sir Goodwin and Sir Wulf-was the
more brave. the more handsome, and
the more learned and courteous.
Now a knight, it was Sir Saurin de
Salcote-seeing that the argument
grew hot and was like to lead to blows,
rose and declared that this should be
decided by beauty alone, and that none
could be more fitted to Judge than the
fair lady whom the two of them had
saved from woman-thieves at the
Death Creek quay. Then all called,
Aye, let her settle it, and it was
agreed that she would give the kerr
chief from her neck to the bravest,
beaker of wine to the handsomest, and
a book of hours TO tha most learned