Cliges: A Romance | Page 6

could not tell the half of it." Well has the lad succeeded in whatsoever he has requested
and asked; for his father has found for him all that his desire conceived. Exceeding
sorrowful was the empress when she heard of the road which her son must needs follow;
but whoever has grief and anxiety thereof, or whoever deems his conduct but folly, or

blames and dissuades him, the youth as quickly as he could bade his ships be got ready;
for he had no wish to stay longer in his own country. The ships were loaded that night by
his command with wine with meat and with biscuits.
The ships are loaded in the harbour and on the morrow with great joyance came
Alexander to the sandy shore; and with him his comrades who were fain of the journey.
The emperor convoys him and the empress who was sad at heart. In the harbour they find
the mariners in the ships beside the cliff. The sea was peaceful and smooth the wind
gentle and the air serene. Alexander first of all, when he had parted from his father and
on taking leave of the empress whose heart was sad within her, enters from the boat into
the ship and his comrades with him. Four, three, and two , they simultaneously strive to
enter without delay. Full soon was the sail spread and the anchor of the barque weighed.
Those on land, who were sore at heart for the lads whom they see departing, follow them
with their eyes' ken as far as they can; and so that they may watch them the better and the
further, they go off and climb together a high peak by the shore. Thence they watch their
sorrow as far as they can see them. They gaze at their own sorrow in sooth; for great is
their sorrow for the lads: may God lead them to port without disaster and without peril!
They were at sea all April and part of May. Without great peril and without alarm they
made land above Southampton. One day 'twixt Nones and Vespers they cast anchor and
have made the port. The youths, who had never previously learned to suffer discomfort or
pain, had stayed on the sea which was not wholesome for them so long that all are pale
and all the strongest and most healthy are weakened and nerveless. And, nevertheless,
they show great joy; for that they have escaped from the sea and come hither where they
would be. And because they were suffering greatly, they lie that night above
Southampton and show great joy and let ask and inquire whether the king is in England.
They are told that he is at Winchester; and that they can be there full soon if they will
depart with morning provided that they keep to the right way. This news pleases them
well; and on the morrow, when the day is born, the lads wake up with morning and equip
and prepare themselves. And when they were equipped they have turned from above
Southampton and have kept to the right way till they have reached Winchester where the
king was tarrying. Before Prime the Greeks had come to Court. They dismount at the foot
of the steps, the squires and the horses stayed in the court below; and the youths ascend to
the presence of the best king that ever was or ever may be in the world. And when the
king sees them come, they please and delight him much; but ere they had come before
him, they throw off the cloaks from their necks that they might not be taken for clowns.
Thus all having thrown off their cloaks have come before the king. And the barons one
and all keep silence; for the youths please them mightily for that they see them fair and
comely. Never do they dream that they are all sons of counts or of a king; yet truly so
they were, and they were in the flower of their youth, comely and well set up in body;
and the robes that they wore were of one cloth and one cut, of one appearance and one
colour. Twelve were they without their lord of whom I will tell you this much without
more ado; that none was better than he; but without arrogance and yet unabashed he
stood with his mantle off before the king, and was very fair and well shaped. He has
kneeled down before him, and all the others from courtesy, kneel beside their lord.
Alexander, whose tongue was sharpened to speak well and wisely, greets the king.
"King," quoth he, "if renown lie not concerning you since God made the first man, no
king with faith in God was