The girl, glad at heart as was ever lady of her lover, mended
with reviving hope, and in a few days recovered her health, and
therewith more than all her wonted beauty.
[037]
Whereupon the King,
having taken counsel with the Queen how to reward so great a love,
got him one day to horse with a great company of his barons, and
hied him to the apothecary's house; and being come into the garden,
he sent for the apothecary and his daughter; and there, being joined
by the Queen with not a few ladies, who received the girl into their
company, they made such cheer as 'twas a wonder to see.
[038]
And
after a while the King and Queen having called Lisa to them, quoth
the King: "Honourable damsel, by the great love that you have
borne us we are moved greatly to honour you; and we trust that,
for love of us, the honour that we design for you will be acceptable
to you. Now 'tis thus we would honour you: to wit, that, seeing
that you are of marriageable age, we would have you take for
husband him that we shall give you; albeit 'tis none the less our
purpose ever to call ourself your knight, demanding no other tribute
of all your love but one sole kiss."
[039]
Scarlet from brow to neck,
the girl, making the King's pleasure her own, thus with a low
voice replied: "My lord, very sure am I that, should it come to
be known that I was grown enamoured of you, most folk would hold
me for a fool, deeming, perchance, that I was out of my mind, and
witless alike of my own rank and yours;
[040]
but God, who alone reads
the hearts of us mortals, knows that even then, when first I did
affect you, I wist that you were the King, and I but the daughter of
Bernardo the apothecary, and that to suffer my passion to soar so
high did ill become me;
[041]
but, as you know far better than I, none
loves of set and discreet purpose, but only according to the dictates
of impulse and fancy; which law my forces, albeit not seldom
opposed, being powerless to withstand, I loved and still love and
shall ever love you. [042]But as no sooner knew I myself subjugated to
your love, than I vowed to have ever no will but yours; therefore not
only am I compliant to take right gladly him whom you shall be
pleased to give me for husband, thereby conferring upon me great
honour and dignity; but if you should bid me tarry in the fire,
delighted were I to obey, so thereby I might pleasure you.
[043]
How
far it beseems me to have you, my King, for my knight, you best
know; and therefore I say nought thereof; nor will the kiss which
you crave as your sole tribute of my love be granted you save by
leave of my Lady the Queen.
[044]
Natheless, may you have of this
great graciousness that you and my Lady the Queen have shewn
me, and which I may not requite, abundant recompense in the blessing
and favour of God;" and so she was silent.
