Lady Suelva fell to sobbing. "Canst thou not spare him altogether?"
"Nay! nay!" He stamped his foot impatiently. "And it were best to
hurry."
"Only wait till he awakes from the hard blow thou gavest him. He will
decide for himself."
"'Twill be by far less painful if done now."
"Then take him."
"Think well and long," said the jester. "'Tis a life of hell thou
wouldst prolong him to. The jeers, the coarse and ribald laughter of
the court, the scorn and teasing--aye--God! I know the life, for I too
suffer as a courtier's play-thing--and yet, I have a straight body and
a human face and a tongue to answer with. What canst thou offer him to
compensate for all his loss and misery?"
She looked up proudly. "My love. Is it not enough?"
The fool bowed. "It must be, when kings crave for it. Yet beauty such
as thine can only love the beautiful."
"Then I shall pity him--with all my heart's strength; I'll comfort his
poor life with sweetest pity."
"Lady, pity is the meanest gate of love."
The captain growled and swung his halberd viciously.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234