"Andre Norton - Huon of the Horn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

"Name you now my successor, for time hangs
like a heavy cloak about my shoulders and this
crown, which was but a featherweight in the days
of my youth, is now a circle of lead wearing griev-
ously upon my white head.

"Aye, I have two sons. But neither one can I
with a clear conscience bring before you and say,
"This is he who shall sit on the throne in my room.'

"For the younger, Louis, is still but a stripling
in years, untried and unproven, and so no king
for a troubled age. As for the elder. ChariotтАФa
bringer of sorrow has he already been in times


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past. Did he not give freedom to his red temper
and strike down the son of Ogier, thus near calling
ruin upon us all? Therefore, if you think it well
to set aside Chariot, although I do love him well,
I shall not say you nay. For a kingdom is like unto
a new-broke stallion, a firm and knowing hand
must hold the guiding rein.

10

"Now among yourselves do you ponder this
matter and your words shall be my will."

Having so spoken the King withdrew into an
inner chamber and the peers glanced uneasily at
one another, no man wishing to speak before his
neighbor lest his words be thought foolish and of
small merit.

But Duke Naymes, having reason to fear no
man there, arose then and spoke, all listening to
him.

"Since our Lord King hath laid this task upon
us let us acquit ourselves as becomes peers of
France. The King hath spoken truly concerning
Prince Louis. He is but a youth who hath never
been put to the test, nor has he yet known the
weight of mail, or held a full course against the
enemy in the open field. Therefore he is no proper