Page:The Anglo-Saxon version of the story of Apollonius of Tyre.djvu/57

20-21] not displeasing to thee, and bring them to thy pupil." Then Apollonius took the letters, and went to the royal hall.

When the maiden saw Apollonius, then said she, "Master, why goest thou alone?" Apollonius said: "Lady *** take these letters which thy father sends thee, and read." The maiden took them, and read the names of the three youths, but she found not the name therein that she would. When she had read over the letters, she then looked to Apollonius, and said: "Master, will it not vex thee if I thus choose a husband?" Apollonius said: "No; but I shall much more rejoice that thou, through the instruction which thou hast received from me, canst thyself in writing show which of them thou wilst. My will is that thou choose thee a husband where thou thyself desirest." The maiden said: "Alas, master! if thou didst love me, thou wouldst be sorry at it." [21] After these words, she, with firmness of mind, wrote another letter, and sealed it, and gave it to Apollonius. Apollonius then carried it out into the street, and gave it to the king. The letter was thus written. "Thou good king, and my most beloved father, now that thy tenderness hath given me leave that I myself might choose what husband I would, I will say to thee in sooth that I desire the shipwrecked man: and if thou wonderest that so bashful a damsel so boldly should write these words, then know thou