"If our Lord King hath now any fault to find
with my dear sons because they have not sought
his court before, let the full weight of his just an-
ger fall upon me. When my gracious lord. Duke
Sevin, departed from me into the realm beyond
our stars, he left me desolate and fearful, with but
infants to comfort me. In their childish faces I saw
ever my lord and I could not bear that they should
go out of my keeping, even for the space of an
hour. But now that they are men grownўthough
still of tender yearsўI can no longer rule their
lives by a woman's jealous fears. Let them but
wait until after the Easter season so that once
more we may celebrate together the Rising of Our
Lord Jesu, and I shall surrender them to the King
so that they may become his men in all things,
even as was their noble father."
17
Huon arose then, his comely face shining with
pride and pleasure, and said to'the King's mes-
sengers:
"Go then to our Lord King and say unto him
that we are much honored by his commands and
shall speedily set forth to appear at his court,
obeying only this last wish of our lady mother,
that we celebrate the Rising of Christ by her side.
Take you also, in remembrance of this meeting,
these coursers of the Orkney breedўmay they
bear you faithfully and well into the heart of bat-
tle or over the roads of peaceўand with them take
also the knights' cloaks which hang upon their
saddles and the purses looped therewith. For to
the messengers of a King no man can do too much
honor."
Then were the King's knights indeed amazed,
for such costly gifts were the largess of a great
lord. And with great joy they did put on the fine
silken cloaks of deep crimson and mount the war
stallions. Many thanks did they say before they
rode again through the gates of Bordeaux.
And when they returned to the King's court !
they spoke together and severally concerning ,;
