"God," said he, "then I am betrayed by him in whom I put my trust; to
whom I prayed so much to help me to my hope. May the Lord God assoil
him never for his treasonable deed. Yet scarcely can I believe that he
has done this wrong. It is easier to hold that you are telling me
lies."
"Well, you will find it truth to-morrow at the ringing of prime; for
already is gathered together a company of the ancient lords of these
parts."
"Alas," said he, "how, then, am I betrayed and tricked and deceived."
For a very little Messire William would have fallen swooning to the
earth, had he not feared the blame of his household. But he was so
filled with rage and grief that he knew not what to do, nor what to
say. He did not cease lamenting his evil case till the varlet prayed
him to control his wrath.
"Sire, cause the saddle to be set forthwith on your good palfrey, so
that my lady may be carried softly to the church."
Then Messire William considered within himself to know whether he
should send his grey palfrey to him whom he had cause to hate more than
any man.
"Yea, without delay," said he, "since she who is the soul of honour has
nothing to do with my trouble. My palfrey shall bear her gladly, in
recompense of the favours she has granted me, for naught but kindness
have I received of her. Never shall I have of her courtesies again, and
all my joy and happiness are past. Now must I lend my palfrey to the
man who has betrayed me to my death, since he has robbed me of that
which I desired more than all the world. No man is bound to return love
for treason. Very rash is he to require my palfrey of me, when he
scrupled not to take the sweetness, the beauty and the courtesy with
which my demoiselle is endowed. Alas, now have I served her in vain,
and my long hope is altogether gone. No joy in my life is left, save to
send her that thing which it breaks my heart to give. Nevertheless,
come what may, my palfrey shall go to the most tender of maidens. Well
I know that when she sets her eyes upon him she will bethink her of
me; of me and of my love, for I love and must love her all the days of
my life, yea, though she has given her heart to those who have wounded
mine. But sure am I that this thing is not seemly to her, for Cain, who
was brother to Abel, wrought no fouler treason."
In this manner the knight bewailed his heavy sorrow. Then he caused a
saddle to be set upon the palfrey, and calling the servitor delivered
the horse to his keeping. So the varlet forthwith went upon his way.
Messire William, yet heavy and wrathful, shut himself fast within his
chamber to brood upon his grief. He charged his household that if there
was a man so bold as to seek to hearten him in his sorrow he would
cause him to be hanged. For his part he had no care for mirth, and
would live withdrawn from men, since he might never lose the pain and
sorrow that weighed upon his heart.
But whilst the knight was in this case, the servant in custody of the
palfrey returned with all the speed he might to the castle of the old
Prince, where all was merriment and noise.
The night was still and serene, and the house was filled with a great
company of ancient lords. When they had eaten their full, the Prince
commanded the watch that, without fail, all men should be roused and
apparelled before the breaking of the day. He bade, too, that the
palfrey and the horses should be saddled and made ready at the same
hour, without confusion or disarray. Then they went to repose
themselves and sleep. But one amongst them had no hope to sleep,
because of the great unrest she suffered by reason of her love. All the
night she could not close her eyes. Others might rest: she alone
remained awake, for her heart knew no repose.
Now shortly after midnight the moon rose very bright, and shone
clearly in the heavens. When the warder saw this thing, being yet giddy
with the wine that he had drunken, he deemed that the dawn had broken.
"Pest take it," said he, "the lords should be about already."