第61章

“Cheerupthylooks，“answeredtheIndianking，“Andforsweetbeauty’ssake，appeasethywoe，Castatyourfeetereyouexpectthething，Iwillpresenttheheadofthystrongfoe；

ElseshallthishandhispersoncaptivebringAndcastinprisondeep；“heboastedso。

Hisrivalheardhimwell，yetanswerednaught，Butbithislips，andgrievedinsecretthought。

LXXII

ToTisiphernethedamselturningright，“Andwhatsayyou，mynoblelord？“quothshe。

Hetauntingsaid，“IthatamslowtofightWillfollowfarbehind，theworthtoseeOfthisyourterribleandpuissantknight，“

Inscornfulwordsthisbitterscoffgavehe。

“Goodreason，“quoththeking，“thoucomebehind，Nore’ercomparetheewiththePrinceofInd。“

LXXIII

LordTisiphernesshookhishead，andsaid，“Oh，hadmypowerfreelikemycouragebeen，OrhadIlibertytousethisblade，Whoslow，whoweakestis，soonshouldbeseen，Northou，northygreatvauntsmakemeafraid，ButcruelloveIfear，andthisfairqueen。“

Thissaid，tochallengehimthekingforthleapt，Butuptheirmistressstart，andtwixtthemstepped：

LXXIV

“Willyouthusrobmeofthatgift，“quothshe，“Whicheachhathvowedtogivebywordandoath？

Youaremychampions，letthattitlebeThebondofloveandpeacebetweenyouboth；

Hethatdispleasedis，isdispleasedwithme，Forwhichofyouisgrieved，andInotwroth？“

Thuswarnedshethem，theirhearts，forirenighbroke，Inforcedpeaceandrestthusborelove’syoke。“

LXXV

AllthisheardVafrineashestoodbeside，Andhavinglearnedthetruth，heleftthetent，ThattreasonwasagainsttheChristian’sguideContrived，hewist，yetwistnothowitwent，Bywordsandquestionsfaroff，hetriedTofindthetruth；moredifficult，morebentWashetoknowit，andresolvedtodie，Orofthatsecretclosetheintenttospy。

LXXVI

Ofslyintelligenceheprovedallways，Allcrafts，allwiles，thatinhisthoughtsabide，Yetallinvainthemanbywitassays，Toknowthatfalsecompactandpracticehid：

Butchance，whatwisdomcouldnottell，bewrays，Fortuneofallhisdoubttheknotsundid，SothatpreparedforGodfrey’slastmishapAteasehefoundthenet，andspiedthetrap。

LXXVII

Thitherheturnedagainwhereseatedwas，Theangrylover，’twixtherfriendsandlords，Forinthattroopmuchtalkhethoughtwouldpass，Eachgreatassemblystoreofnewsaffords，Hesidedtherealustylovelylass，Andwithsomecourtlytermsthewenchheboards，Hefeignsacquaintance，andasboldappearsAshehadknownthatvirgintwentyyears。

LXXVIII

Hesaid，“Wouldsomesweetladygracemeso，Tochosemeforherchampion，friendandknight，ProudGodfrey’sorRinaldo’shead，Itrow，Shouldfeelthesharpnessofmycurtlaxbright；

Askmethehead，fairmistress，ofsomefoe，Fortoyourbeautywooedismymight；“

Sohebegan，andmeantinspeecheswiseFurthertowade，butthushebroketheice。

LXXIX

Therewithhesmiled，andsmilinggantoframeHislookssototheiroldandnativegrace，Thattowardshimanothervirgincame，Heardhim，beheldhim，andwithbashfulfaceSaid，“ForthymistresschoosenootherdameButme，onmethyloveandserviceplace，Itaketheeformychampion，andapartWouldreasonwiththee，ifmyknightthouart。“

LXXX

Withdrawn，shethusbegan，“Vafrine，pardie，Iknowtheewell，andmethouknowestofold，“

Tohislasttrumpthisdrovethesubtlespy，Butsmilingtowardsherheturnedhimbold，“Ne’erthatIwotIsawtheeerstwitheye，Yetforthyworthalleyesshouldtheebehold，ThusmuchIknowrightwell，forfromthesameWhicherstyougavemedifferentismyname。

LXXXI

“MymotherboremenearBisertuswall，HernamewasLesbine，mineisAlmansore！“

“Iknewlongsince，“quothshe，“whatmentheecall，Andthineestate，dissem

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