Page:Aucassin and Nicolette (Bourdillon).pdf/74

70 Calleth me and troubleth me! Grant me God the Heavenly Yet to hold you in embrace, And that you should kiss my face And my mouth and all my cheer, My liege lord dear!"

Here they speak and tell the story.

the king of Carthage heard Nicolette speak thus, he threw his arms round her neck.

"Fair sweet friend," said he, "tell me who you are! Be not afraid of me!"

"Sir," said she, "I am daughter to the king of Carthage, and was carried captive as a little child, full fifteen years ago."

When they heard her speak thus, they knew well that she said truly; and they made very great rejoicing over her, and brought her to the palace with great honour, as a king's daughter. A lord they wished to give her, a king of Paynim; but she had no care to wed. And when she had been there full three days or four,