按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
King； let not my skill and experience be despised； because I am young；
and a Maiden； for my profession is not Physicke； neither do I
undertake the ministering thereof； as depending on mine owne
knowledge； but by the gracious assistance of heaven； and some rules of
skilfull observation； which I learned of reverend Gerard of Narbona
who was my worthy Father； and a Physitian of no meane fame； all the
while he lived。
At the hearing of these words； the King began somewhat to admire
at her gracious carriage； and saide within himselfe。 What know I；
whether this Virgin is sent to me by the direction of heaven； or no？
Why should I disdaine to make proofe of her skill？ Her promise is；
to cure me in a small times compasse； and without any paine or
affliction to me： she shall not come so farre； to returne againe
with the losse of he labour； I am resolved to try her cunning； and
thereon saide。 Faire Virgin； if you cause me to breake my setled
determination； and faile of curing me； what can you expect to follow
thereon？ Whatsoever great King （quoth she） shall please you。 Let me be
strongly guarded； yet not hindered； when I am to prosecute the
businesse： and then if I do not perfectly heale you within eight
daies； let a good fire be made； and therein consume my body unto
ashes。 But if I accomplish the cure； and set your Highnesse free
from all further greevance； what recompence then shall remaine to me？
Much did the King commend the confident perswasion which she had
of her owne power； and presently replyed。 Faire beauty （quoth he） in
regard that thou art a Maide and unmaried； if thou keepe promise；
and I finde my selfe to be fully cured： I will match thee with some
such Gentleman in marriage； as shall be of honourable and worthy
reputation； with a sufficient dowry beside。 My gracious Soveraigne
saide she； willing am I； and most heirtily thankfull withall； that
your Highnesse shall bestow me in marriage： but I desire then； to have
such a husband； as I shall desire or demand by your gracious favour；
without presuming to crave any of your Sonnes； Kindred； or Alliance；
or appertaining unto your Royal blood。 Whereto the King gladly
granted。 Young Juliet began to minister her Physicke； and within fewer
dayes then her limited time； the King was sound and perfectly cured；
which when he perceived； he saide unto her。 Trust me vertuous Mayde；
most woorthily hast thou wonne a Husband； name him； and thou shalt
have him。 Royall King （quoth she） then have I won the Count Bertrand
of Roussillion； whom I have most entirely loved from mine Infancy； and
cannot （in my soule） affect any other。 Very loath was the King to
grant her the young Count； but in regard of his solemne passed
promise； and his royal word engaged； which he would not by any
meanes breake； he commanded； that the Count should be sent for； and
spake thus to him。 Noble Count； it is not unknowne to us； that you are
a Gentleman of great honour； and it is our Royall pleasure； to
discharge your wardship； that you may repaire home to your owne House；
there to settle your affaires in such order； as you may be the readier
to enjoy a Wife； which we intend to bestowe upon you。 The Count
returned his Highnesse most humble thankes； desiring to know of
whence； and what she was？ It is this Gentlewoman； answered the King；
who （by the helpe of Heaven） hath beene the meanes to save my life。
Well did the Count know her； as having very often before seene her；
and although she was very faire and amiable； yet in regard of her
meane birth； which he held as a disparagement to his Nobility in
blood； he made a scorne of her； and spake thus to the King。 Would your
Highnesse give me a Quacksalver to my Wife； one that deales in drugges
and Physicarie？ I hope I am able to bestowe my selfe much better
then so。 Why？ quoth the King； wouldst thou have us breake our faith；
which for the recovery of our health； we have given to this vertuous
virgin； and she will have no other reward； but onely Count Bertrand to
be her husband？ Sir； replied the Count； you may dispossesse me of
all that is mine； because I am your Ward and Subject； any where else
you may bestow me： but pardon me to tell you； that this marriage
cannot be made with any liking or allowance of mine； neither will I
ever give consent thereto。
Sir； saide the King； it is our will that it shall be so； vertuous
she is； faire and wise； she loveth thee most affectionately； and
with her mayest thou lead a more Noble life； then with the greatest
Lady in our Kingdome。 Silent； and discontented stoode the Count； but
the King commanded preparation for the marriage； and when the
appointed time was come； the Count （albeit against his will）
received his wife at the Kings hand； she loving him deerly as her owne
life。 When all was done； the Count requested of the King； that what
else remained for further solemnization of the marriage； it might be
performed in his owne Country； reserving to himselfe what else he
intended。 Being mounted on horseback； and humbly taking their leave of
the King； the Count would not ride home to his owne dwelling； but into
Tuscany； where he heard of a warre between the Florentines and the
Senesi； purposing to take part with the Florentines； to whom he was
willingly and honourably welcommed； being created Captaine of a worthy
Company； and continuing there a long while in service。
The poore forsaken new married Countesse； could scarsely be
pleased with such dishonourable unkindnesse； yet governing her
impatience with no meane discretion； and hoping by her vertuous
carriage； to compasse the meanes of his recall： home she rode to
Roussillion； where all the people received her very lovingly。 Now；
by reason of the Counts so long absence； all things were there farre
out of order； mutinies； quarrels； and civill dissentions； having
procured many dissolute irruptions； to the expence of much blood in
many places。 But she； like a jolly stirring Lady； very wise and
provident in such disturbances； reduced all occasions to such civility
againe； that the people admired her rare behaviour； and condemned
the Count for his unkindnesse towards her。
After that the whole Country of Roussillion （by the policy and
wisedome of this worthy Lady） was fully reestablished in their ancient
liberties； she made choise of two discreet knights； whom she sent to
the Count her husband； to let him understand； that if in displeasure
to her； hee was thus become a stranger to his owne Country： upon the
returne of his answer； to give him contentment； she would depart
thence； and by no meanes disturbe him。 Roughly and churlishly he
replied； Let her do as she list； for I have no determination to
dwell with her； or neere where she is。 Tell her from me； when she
shall have this Ring； which you behold heere on my finger； and a Sonne
in her armes begotten by me； then will I come live with her； and be
her love。 The Ring he made most precious and deere account of； and
never tooke it off from his finger； in regard of an especiall vertue
and property； which he well knew to be remaining in it。 And these
two Knights； hearing the impossibility of these two strict conditions；
with no other favour els