Heroic Legends
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Heroic Legends Agnes Grozier Herbertson Heroic Legends Table of Contents Heroic Legends..........................................................................................................................................................1 Agnes Grozier Herbertson.............................................................................................................................1 The Two Brothers..........................................................................................................................................1 The Charcoal−Burner.....................................................................................................................................8 How my Cid the Campeador1 won the Favour of his King.........................................................................15 How the Minstrel Saved the King................................................................................................................22 How Oliver Fought for France and the Faith...............................................................................................28 The Sword in the Stone (The Legend of Arthur and Excalibur)..................................................................34 The Keeping of the Passes...........................................................................................................................41 The Knight of the Ill−Shapen Coat..............................................................................................................49 The Archer of Schwitz.................................................................................................................................56 Beaumains, the Knight of the Kitchen.........................................................................................................63 With Bow and Arrow...................................................................................................................................71 St. George and the Dragon:..........................................................................................................................78 The Quest of Offero.....................................................................................................................................83 i Heroic Legends Agnes Grozier Herbertson This page copyright © 2002 Blackmask Online. http://www.blackmask.com • The Two Brothers • The Charcoal−Burner • How my Cid the Campeador won the Favour of his King • How the Minstrel Saved the King • How Oliver Fought for France and the Faith • The Sword in the Stone (The Legend of Arthur and Excalibur) • The Keeping of the Passes • The Knight of the Ill−Shapen Coat • The Archer of Schwitz • Beaumains, the Knight of the Kitchen • With Bow and Arrow • St. George and the Dragon: • The Quest of Offero The Two Brothers Bellisant, the sister of King Pepin of France, sat in her round room, broidering. She had hair that was bright as the sun that stained her window, and eyes that were clear as pools of dew. She had a peaked chin and an air of wonderment. She held her needle with a grace that was fair to see. Bellisant was fairest of all fair maidens, and there was that about her that won men's hearts, so that they loved her, not counting the cost of loving. But her heart was not less pure than her smile was tender; and when the peasant women chid their daughters, they would say, "Child, child, be careful −−you will never be as good as the Princess Bellisant". As Bellisant sat broidering she heard a step upon the stair, and she knew it was that of King Pepin, her brother, who held her dearest of all he loved. Yet would she not look upon him as he entered, for she knew that he came to speak of a suitor, who should take her from him; and Bellisant had had suitors beyond her reckoning, and liked them ill. "What sewest thou, my sister?" asked the King, with gentleness. Bellisant replied, "It is a robe for a child who hath lost her mother, and I have sewn into every stitch a sweet thought for her. But tell me, brother, what tidings are these I read upon thy face?" King Pepin replied, "I bring tidings of Alexander, Emperor of Greece; for thy fair fame hath reached him. He seeks thy hand in marriage, and even now he waits below to look upon thy face." Bellisant blushed rose−red. Then she said, "I will see no more suitors." Heroic Legends 1 Heroic Legends But the King made answer, coaxing her, yet with something of sternness mingling the sadness of his tone, "He is a mighty monarch, and it is well that thou shouldest see him." Therefore Bellisant left her broideries, that the Emperor of Greece should look upon her face. And she tripped down the long stair and met him. Now she would have given him but a glance and then have withdrawn herself−−such was the intention that moved her−−but as she gave the glance her heart leapt up and went with it; and she knew that she loved Alexander and would wed none other. As for him, he loved her with a love as fond. Thus it came about that fair Bellisant was wedded to Alexander, Emperor of Greece, and went away with him; and all France was in tears. But Bellisant was happy, so that her fairness increased day by day; and many folk travelled from far countries just to look upon her face. And her heart was full of love for all people, and of thoughtfulness for the poor; so that she feared no evil from any. But Alexander had a friend and minister, a priest whom he loved, but one who was of little credit to his order, being full of evil thoughts and crafts. This man would have had the Empress Bellisant love him with a greater love than she bore her husband; and since she would not, he made himself her enemy. So he set himself to think upon her helplessness, and in what fashion he could work her undoing, and afterwards made a plot against her. Now the Emperor loved and trusted this man, and when the false priest came before him, wringing his hands and with tears heavy upon his cheeks, he begged of him that he would relate that which caused his distress. But the priest replied, his tears again overflowing, and with every manifestation of distress: "How can I bring myself to relate this thing and be the means of bringing grief upon the man I love and honour above all men?" Then the Emperor, perceiving that he himself must be the object of the priest's solicitude, turned pale with anxiety, not knowing what should come upon him. "Nay, dear friend, tell thy tale, and tell it quickly," cried he, "for thou fillest my breast with fears that are worse than knowledge!" Thereupon the false friend fell upon his knees, and related to the Emperor how he had learnt of the wickedness of the Empress Bellisant, that her virtue was no real virtue, and that her fair face hid a heart that was blacker than night, and how she had plotted most grievously against the Emperor, and had never loved him. And these things he declared had been told to him in confession, so that he might not reveal the names of those who were partners in the Empress's crime. When Alexander heard of these things, he was filled with grief and anger so great that he threw himself upon the ground and would see no one. And the priest slipt away, well satisfied that his evil work was accomplished; for it did not occur to the Emperor to doubt his friend. When the Emperor had recovered from his grief, he raised himself; and since his sorrow was dim and his anger exceedingly great against Bellisant, he gave orders that she should instantly be put to death. "For I will not ", said he, "that others should look upon her beauty and be deceived." And he hid his face in his hands, remembering that virtuous Bellisant whom he had loved. Then came Bellisant before the Emperor, stupefied with amazement at this evil thing which had come upon her, and knowing not how to defend herself from so cruel a charge. Pale were her cheeks as a lily, and heavy her eyes were with sorrow, and, dropping her little chin within her hands, she looked woefully at Alexander, declaring her innocence of any crime against him. Heroic Legends 2 Heroic Legends But he, turning away, crushed his hands upon his ears, crying, "I will not listen to thy false words, false Bellisant, lest I be again undone. Neither will I behold thy beauty, lest I should be again deceived and think thee pure!" And with that he left her. Yet because, despite himself, her sweet voice lingered in his ears, and because there were many who wept for the fate of the Empress Bellisant−−for she was already greatly beloved of the people−−the Emperor commanded that she should not be executed, but should be exiled and forbidden the country under pain of death. And he ordered that none should accompany Bellisant when she went forth save only her squire Blandiman, whom she had brought with her from her brother's court. Therefore the Empress and Blandiman went into exile. And Blandiman said: "Let us seek the court of King Pepin, that he may espouse thy cause and, having pity upon thy wrongs, may avenge thee; or may give thee succour till thine enemy hath betrayed himself." Therefore they journeyed toward France. And having reached, at length, that forest which is called the Forest of Orleans, Blandiman left his mistress and went in search of food. And while he was absent Bellisant's two children were born, and they were both sons. Now Bellisant sat gazing upon them, and weeping; for she reflected how her sons would never behold their father, or that fair realm which should have been their home. And as she wept, a she−bear approached the tree