But now when men had well eaten, and the great cup called
the River of Upmeads was brought in, the cupbearers, being so
bidden before, brought it last of all to King Peter, and he stood
up with the River in his hand and spoke aloud, and said:
"Lords and warriors, and good people all, here I do you to wit,
that it is not because my son Ralph has come home to-day and
wrought us a great deliverance, and that my love hath overcome me;
it is not for this cause that I have set him in my throne this even;
but because I see and perceive that of all the kindred he is meetest
to sit therein so long as he liveth; unless perchance this lovely
and valiant woman should bear him a son even better than himself--
and so may it be. Therefore I do you all to wit that this man
is the King of Upmeads, and this woman is his Lady and Queen;
and so deem I of his prowess, and his wisdom, and kindliness,
that I trow he shall be lord and servant of other lands than Upmeads,
and shall draw the good towns and the kindreds and worthy good
lords into peace and might and well-being, such as they have
not known heretofore. Now within three days shall mass be sung
in the choir of St. Laurence, and then shall King Ralph swear
on the gospels such oaths as ye wot of, to guard his people,
and help the needy, and oppress no man, even as I have sworn it.
And I say to you, that if I have kept the oath to my power,
yet shall he keep it better, as he is mightier than I.
Pages:
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750