"Would it not be good to hire a fair large house, with cellarage for
wine, that we might offer hostelry and lodging to wealthy folk from
home?"
"John," answered Sir Robert, "your will is mine, for every reason have
I for content with you."
Then John hired a house, both fair and great, and there gave lodging to
honest folk, gaining money very plenteously. He clad his lord in costly
raiment, so that Sir Robert bestrode his own palfrey, and sat at meat
and drink with the most honourable of the town. Moreover John caused
his board to be furnished with all manner of wines and store, so that
his companions marvelled greatly at the abundance thereof. With all
this so bravely did John prosper that within four years he had put by
more than three hundred pounds, besides the furnishing of inn and
bakery, which very well was worth another fifty pounds. But here the
story ceases to speak of John and Sir Robert, and turneth again to tell
of Messire Raoul.
Now telleth the tale that the chaplain pressed Sir Raoul right
earnestly that he should pass beyond the sea, and thus discharge his
surety from the bond, for much he feared that the knight would yet find
reason to remain. So instant was the priest in pleading, that Sir Raoul
saw well that go he must. He made him ready for his journey, spending
money without stint, and at the end set forth upon the road, him and
his three squires. He drew presently to Marseilles-on-Sea, and there
sought lodging at the French Hostelry owned by Sir Robert and by John.
When John set eyes upon him he knew him well, because he had seen him
many times, and for reason of the scar of the wound that he had given
him. The knight sojourned in the town for fifteen days, till he might
find passage in some vessel going oversea. Whilst he was dwelling at
the inn John took him apart and asked him of the purpose of his
journey, whereat Messire Raoul told him openly all the occasion
thereof, just as the tale hath related already. John listened to his
story, but answered naught for good or evil. Presently Sir Raoul caused
his harness and his gear to be bestowed on the nave, and mounted in the
ship, but for eight days it might not depart from forth the harbour. On
the ninth day the vessel sailed from port on its way to the Holy
Sepulchre. Thus Sir Raoul did his pilgrimage, and there made honest
confession of his sins. In sign of penitence his confessor charged him
strictly to restore to the knight and his lady the fief he held in
scorn of law and right; and Sir Raoul promised straitly that when he
came again to his own land he would carry out the wishes of his heart.
So parting from Jerusalem he voyaged to Acre, and took passage in the
first homing ship, as a man who desires above all things to look upon
the face of his own country. He adventured on the sea, and fared so
speedily, by night as by day, that in less than three months he cast
anchor at the port of Aigues Mortes. Parting from the harbour he stayed
not till he was come to Marseilles, where he rested eight days at the
inn owned by Sir Robert and John, which inn men called the French
Hostelry; but Sir Robert did not recall him to mind, for he thought but
little of Sir Raoul. At the end of eight days he set forth from
Marseilles with his three squires, and at length returned to his own
home, where his household received him gladly, for he was a great lord,
very rich in land and in store. His chaplain inquired of him if any had
asked the reason for his journey.
"Yes," said he, "in three places, to wit, Marseilles, Acre, and
Jerusalem. Moreover that priest who shrived me counselled me to give
back his lands to my lord, Sir Robert, so I may find him, or if I may
not hear of him, to his wife or his heirs."
"Certes," said the chaplain, "he gave you godly counsel."
So Messire Raoul dwelt in his own house for a great while in peace and
ease; and there the tale ceaseth to speak of him, and returns to
Messire Robert and to John.
Sir Robert and John dwelt as citizens in Marseilles for the space of
six years. At the end of six years had they put by in a sure place the
sum of six hundred pounds. John and his business prospered exceedingly,
for so gentle was he and diligent, that he was beloved of all his
neighbours. Men spake almost too well of him, and he maintained his
lord in such estate and worship that it was marvellous to see. When the
end of the seventh year drew near, John sought occasion to speak
soberly to Sir Robert his lord, and said--
"Sir, we have dwelt a great while in this city, and have been so
fortunate in our dealings that we have gained nearly six hundred pounds
in money and in silver vessels."
"Certes," said Sir Robert, "all this, John, is not mine, but yours, for
you have earned it."
"Sir," said John, "saving your grace, it is not mine, but yours, for
you are my own true lord, and never, please God, will I take another."
"John, I thank you heartily," said Robert. "I hold you not as servant,
but as comrade and as friend."
"Sir," said John, "all my days have I given you loyal service, and so
will I ever do."
"By my faith," said Sir Robert, "what you require of me, that is my
pleasure. But as to returning to my own country, I know not what to
say. So much have I lost there that never can it be made up to me."
"Sir," answered John, "fret not over your loss, for, so God pleases,
you shall hear good news when you come into your own land. And be not
fearful of anything, for in whatever place we shall be, please God, I
shall gather enough for me and for you."
"Certes, John," said Sir Robert, "I will do that which pleases you, and
lodge wheresoe'er you will."
"Sir," said John, "now will I sell our goods and make ready for the
journey, for we shall part within fifteen days."
So John sold all the fair furnishing of his houses, and bought thereout
three horses, a palfrey for his lord, another for himself, and a pack
horse for the road. Then they bade farewell to their neighbours and to
the most worshipful citizens of the town, who grieved sorely at their
going.
Sir Robert and John travelled so hardily that in less than three weeks
they drew to their own country, and Sir Robert caused it to be told to
his lord, whose daughter he had wedded, that he was near at hand. The
lord was merry at heart, for much he hoped that his daughter might be
with her husband; and so she was, but hid in the trappings of a squire.
The lord greeted Robert warmly, but when he could learn no tidings of
his daughter, his mirth was turned into sorrow; nevertheless he made a
rich banquet for Sir Robert, and bade his knights and his neighbours to
the feast. Amongst these came Sir Raoul who held Sir Robert's land in
his despite. Great was the merriment on that day and the morrow, and
during all this joy Sir Robert told to John the story of his wager, and
of the manner in which Sir Raoul spoiled him of his land.
"Sir," said John, "challenge him to combat as a false traitor, and I
will fight the battle in your stead."
"John," said Sir Robert, "this you shall not do."
Thus they left the matter till the morrow, when John came to Sir
Robert, and said that he was purposed to speak to the father of his
wife. So they sought the lord, and John spake him thus--
"Sir, you are, after God, the lord of my master Sir Robert, who in the
years that are gone married your child. As you know, a wager was made
between him and Sir Raoul, who said that ere Sir Robert came home from
St. James's shrine he would gain the lady to his wish. Sir Raoul spake
falsely, and is a most disloyal and traitor knight, for never had he
part or share in your daughter's love. All which I am ready to prove
upon his body."