Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/152

130 in dear earnest. Here, at your feet, I take my oath. Will you be Lincoln’s Countess, and Edward Lacy’s wife?”

“It seemeth me, Lord Lacy, you are not the trustiest of wooers. Pray tell me, sir, do you speak for yourself, or woo you still for the courtier clad in green. I marvel much that he speaks not for himself.”

“A truce to thy jesting, sweet one. The prince may henceforth do his own wooing. From this time Ned Lacy has flatteries but for one woman, and eyes but for his bride.”

Thus it turned out that while Prince Edward tarried in Oxford, Margaret was won by his untrusty friend. The prince’s delay was not wholly his own fault. When he reached the colleges, he found the court already there, and amid the royal party was “La Belle Elinor,” the Spanish princess, whom the king had chosen for his son’s bride.

Daily the prince had met the lovely Castilian, and it must be confessed her glances had somewhat troubled his thoughts. But he prided himself on his constancy, and resolved Lacy should have no cause to laugh at him. When at length the court left the college for the London palace, Edward sought to meet with Friar Bacon, before