"My will is that you obey me in this carrying out of the oath I took on
the holy ring, [10] and on the Gospels also to please
your mother. You shall marry the man whom I choose, so that he be
according to the words of that oath."
"So that he be king or son of a king, I will obey you," answered Goldberga.
"Then you defy me. For that I have told you that I will not have. Now
shall we see who is master. You mind yon kitchen knave of last night?
There can be none in all England mightier or more goodly than he is to
look on, and him shall you wed. So will my oath be well kept. Then if
your precious Witan will have him, well and good, for his master shall I
be."
Thereat the princess said that it were better that she should die; but
now Alsi had set out all his plan to her, and he did not mean to flinch
from carrying it out. There was no doubt that the Norfolk people would
hold that she had disgraced herself by the marriage, and so would refuse
to have her as queen. And that was all he needed.
But Goldberga had no more to say, for she was past speaking, and the
king was fain to call her ladies. And when they came he went away
quickly, and gave orders for the safe keeping of the princess, lest she
should try to fly, or to get any message to Ragnar or other of the
Norfolk thanes.
Now he must go through with this marriage, for he had shown himself too
plainly, and never would the princess trust him again.
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