Page:Famous history of Valentine & Orson (1).pdf/19

 mistake, resolved to take a pilgrimage to the holy sepulchre; and calling his lady aside, he declared to her his intention, and broke a ring in twain, and charged her not to marry until she saw that piece of the ring again; and said, if he did not bring it himself, he would send it when he died. After taking leave of her, and giving the government of the empire to his brother, he departed to the great sorrow of all, particularly his mother Bellifant, and the fair Clerimond. Valentine after seven years absence, returned, dressed like a poor palmer, begging victuals at his own palace gates; he at length grew sick, and was like to die, and having called for pen, ink and paper, after having put the half ring into the paper, he closed it up, and calmly laid himself down, and gave up the ghost.

When Orson saw he was dead, he attempted to take the paper which he still held in his hand, but he could not, until Clerimond came, and it then opened of its own accord. When she had looked into the letter, and found the half ring, says she, now for certain we have heard news of Valentine. Upon reading the letter, great lamentations were made, but especially by Clerimond. Alas, says she I have lost all my joy, my dearest lord: and to aggravate my misery, that he should die so near me and I be so insensible of it. Great preparations were made for his interment, which was performed with great magnificence at Constantinople, where Clerimond remained a mournful widow to the end of her life.

Orson after Valentine’s death, governed the empire with great wisdom and justice for seven years; but perceiving the frail and inconstant state of human affairs, he gave the care of his empire, wife and children, to the Green Knight; and then