To thee I permit the freedom of intimacy; to him I
must do reverence, as to my superior in his art. Come, man, be
not peevish, but remain and hear our glee."
"To see your Majesty in such cheerful mood," said the Lord of
Gilsland, "by my faith, I could remain till Blondel had achieved
the great romance of King Arthur, which lasts for three days."
"We will not tax your patience so deeply," said the King. "But
see, yonder glare of torches without shows that our consort
approaches. Away to receive her, man, and win thyself grace in
the brightest eyes of Christendom. Nay, never stop to adjust thy
cloak. See, thou hast let Neville come between the wind and the
sails of thy galley."
"He was never before me in the field of battle," said De Vaux,
not greatly pleased to see himself anticipated by the more active
service of the chamberlain.
"No, neither he nor any one went before thee there, my good Tom
of the Gills," said the King, "unless it was ourself, now and
then."
"Ay, my liege," said De Vaux, "and let us do justice to the
unfortunate.
Pages:
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577