THE TALE(第34页)
somemenwouldsay,
howthatthechildmaurice
didthismessageuntotheemperor:
but,asiguess,allawasnotsonice,**foolish
tohimthatissosovereignofhonor
ashethatisofchristianfolktheflowr
sendanychild,butbettertistodeem
hewenthimself;andsoitmaywellsee
thisemperorhathgrantedgentilly
toetodinner,ashehimbesought:
andwellrede*i,helookedbusily*guess,know
uponthischild,andonhisdaughterthought.
allawenttohisinn,andashiught
arrayed*forthisfeastineverywise,*prepared
*asfarforthashiscunning*maysuffice.*asfarashisskill*
therrowcame,andallaganhimdress,**makeready
andekehiswife,theemperortomeet:
andforththeyrodeinjoyandingladness,
andwhenshesawherfatherinthestreet,
shelighteddownandfellbeforehisfeet.
"father,"quothshe,"youryoungechildconstance
isnowfullcleanoutofyourremembrance.
"iamyourdaughter,yourconstance,"quothshe,
"thatwhilomyehavesentintosyrie;
itami,father,thatinthesaltsea
wasputalone,anddamned*fortodie.*condemned
now,goodefather,iyoumercycry,
sendmenoreintononeheatheness,
butthankmylordhereofhiskindeness."
whocanthepiteousjoyetellenall,
betwixtthemthree,sincetheybethusy-met?