Page:Tales from Chaucer.djvu/197

 while she stood dumb with sorrow, so closed was her heart in her distress when she remembered all his unkindness. Twice she swooned in his arms, and he weeping, piteously excused himself. 'As Heaven shall have mercy on my soul,' said he, 'I am as guiltless of your harm as is my son here, Maurice—so like your own face.' Long was the sobbing, and the bitter pain, before their hearts could cease; but when it was finally known that Alia was guiltless of her persecution, they kissed a hundred times, and such bliss was between them that (unless it be the joy which will endure hereafter and for ever) no one has seen or ever will see the like.

She then meekly entreated her husband, in relief of her long sorrow, that he would especially beseech the Emperor to dine with him on a certain day, but on no account to make mention of herself. Some have it, that the child Maurice bore the invitation; but it should rather seem that Alla himself would perform that honour to the flower of all Christendom: yet the child went with him; and when the