13
and the law of France. Duke Sevin, their father,
is long dead, and yet never have their faces been
seen among your lords."
Then did Duke Naymes rise up in such haste
as to nigh overturn his chair of state. Black with
anger was his face and hot his voice as he made
answer:
"The truth of this matter is otherwise, Lord
King. When Sevin, who was much loved amongst
us and for good cause, departed into Paradise, his
sons were but green youths, untried in judgment
or battle. And in their names the Duchess Aclis
hath ruled these many years. Greatly did she love
Sevin and greatly does she love these sons of his
who are much like him as he was in the days of
his first youth. Therefore she cannot bear that
they go from her or that they be placed in any
risk. So have they not yet come to court by reason
of their tender years and their mother's great love
for themўand not because of any willful rebellion
against Your Grace. In proof of my wordsўsend
now to Bordeaux and summon these two!"
As Naymes spoke, King Charlemagne remem-
bered well Duke Sevin and bethought himself that
the sons of such a worthy father could not be
judged rebels without good cause. So he called to
him two trusty knights and laid these commands
upon them:
"Go you now to the city of Bordeaux and there
seek out the sons of Duke Sevin and his lady, the
Duchess Aclis. And in my name bid them come
to court that they may do homage and be con-
firmed in their father's lands according to the laws
of France. Mark you well how they make you wel-
come and whether they pay you the full honors
14
becoming those who carry the king's words. A
then return hither at all speed and report how;
were received."
