And know ye, that
for the sake of her, I have no will to take a wife, howsoever high her
lineage. So wait I for her, and never will I have a wife, but her only.
And if I knew where to find her, no need would I have to seek her."
"Sir," quoth she, "if ye promise me that, I will go in quest of her for
your sake, and for hers, that I love much."
So he sware to her, and anon let give her twenty livres, and she departed
from him, and he wept for the sweetness of Nicolete. And when she saw
him weeping, she said:
"Sir, trouble not thyself so much withal. For in a little while shall I
have brought her into this city, and ye shall see her."
When Aucassin heard that, he was right glad thereof. And she departed
from him, and went into the city to the house of the Captain's wife, for
the Captain her father in God was dead. So she dwelt there, and told all
her tale; and the Captain's wife knew her, and knew well that she was
Nicolete that she herself had nourished. Then she let wash and bathe
her, and there rested she eight full days. Then took she an herb that
was named _Eyebright_ and anointed herself therewith, and was as fair as
ever she had been all the days of her life. Then she clothed herself in
rich robes of silk whereof the lady had great store, and then sat herself
in the chamber on a silken coverlet, and called the lady and bade her go
and bring Aucassin her love, and she did even so.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60