saying word to any, and accompanied by none, went straight to the chamber where he slept.  The prince welcomed her gladly, for they had not met together that day.  The lady, who thought no wrong, condoled with him in his sickness, and of her sweetness gave him a hundred kisses to soothe his hurt.  Too swiftly sped the time in this fashion.  Presently the Queen noticed that the damsel was no longer with her at her task.  She rose to her feet, and going quickly to the chamber of the prince, entered therein without call or knock, for the door was unfastened on the latch.  When the Queen saw these two lovers fondly laced in each other’s arms, she knew and was certified of their love.  Right wrathful was the Queen.  She caught the maiden by the wrist, and shut her fast in her room.  She prayed the King to govern his son more strictly, and to hold him in such ward about the Court that he might get no speech with the damsel.  Since he could have neither sight nor word of his friend, save only the sound of weeping from her chamber, the prince determined to tarry no further in the palace.  He sought his father the self-same hour, and showed him what was in his mind.

“Sire,” said he, “I crave a gift.  If it pleases you to be a father to your son, make me now a knight.  I desire to seek another realm, and to serve some prince for guerdon.  The road calls me, for many a knight has won much riches with his sword.”

The King did not refuse the lad’s request, but accorded it should be even as he wished.  He prayed the prince to dwell for a year about the Court, that he might the more readily assist at such tourneys and follow such feats of arms as were proclaimed in the kingdom.  This the prince agreed to do—­the more readily because there was nothing else to be done.  He remained therefore at the Court, moving ever by his father’s side.  The maiden, for her part, was in the charge of her mother, who reproached her always for that she had done amiss.  The Queen did not content herself with reproaches and threats.  She used the sharp discipline upon her, so that the maiden suffered grievously in her person.  Sick at heart was the varlet whilst he hearkened to the beatings, the discipline and the chastisement wherewith her mother corrected the damsel.  He knew not what to do, for well he understood that his was the fault, and that by reason of him was her neck bowed down in her youth.  More and more was he tormented because of his friend.

More and more the stripes with which she was afflicted became heavier for him to bear.  He shut himself close within his chamber, and making fast the door, gave his heart over to tears.

“Alas,” cried he, “what shall I do!  How may the ill be cured that I have brought on us by my lightness and folly!  I love her more than life, and, certes, if I may not have my friend I will prove that I can die for her, though I cannot live without her.”

Whilst the prince made this lamentation, the Queen came before the King.