University of Virginia Library

Once—once upon a time in Nomansland,
Hard by the dim shore of the Mythic Sea,
Went forth in arms a young and valiant knight,
Sir Huon of the Rose, with whom there rode
Bold Ferribrand, his stout and trusty 'squire.
These through an oaken forest all day long
Seeking adventures fearless forced their way
Where limbs and leafy branches overhead,
And mighty trunks with mossy bark begirt
Standing on every hand made dismal shade;
But not a human creature met their eyes,
Nor things of life indeed, save once a deer
That scurried fast before the tramp of steeds,
And one scared lizard, warted, rough and grey,
Which for an instant threw a startled glance
From the dead trunk of an uprooted tree,
Then darted into covert. All day long
Thus rode the twain till darker grew the shadows,
When at the sunset hour they came upon
A treeless space, where in a garden fair,
With rose and lily planted, yews close-clipt,
Blue violets under foot, and many birds
Singing on sprays, a stately palace—
Whiter than snow the carven points whereon
The late light rested, tinged with blue the rest—
Lonely and fair it stood—a song in marble.
Straight to its gate of bronze Sir Huon rode,
And grasping there a silvern horn which hung
Suspended from above, a blast he blew
Which shook alarum over frieze and cornice,
Buttress and turret, moat and barbacan,
Piercing with shrilly tones the casements through,
Then faintly fading into distant echo.
Scarce ceased the notes ere rose the barred portcullis,
The drawbridge dropped and opened wide the gates,
And thence came forth a bent and grey old man
Who, bowing, helped them to dismount and then,
The tired steeds giving to the charge of grooms,
Ushered the wanderers to the mighty hall
With rushes fresh-bestrewn, and bringing seats,
With reverence low and courteous words inquired
How he could serve his visitors the best.

Then said Sir Huon—“To your noble lord
Present my service and bespeak him thus—
‘The errant knight, Sir Huon of the Rose,
Craves entertainment for himself and 'squire.’”

Answered the porter next—“O, noble knight,
Whose deeds in arms outstripped his coming here,
This palace has no lord—a maiden rules.
The noble Lady Kallimais, sole child
Of good Sir Ebberon, now with the saints—
(Sir Ebberon, once marquis of this wood,
And all the border-land wherein it stands)
Is mistress uncontrolled of this domain.
But nevertheless your welcome is assured,
Where hospitality as free as air
Best fitting his degree each guest receives.”

Asked now Sir Huon—“Dwells she ever then
Alone and lonely, this fair damosel?”

Spake then the porter in reply—“Not so;
Never alone, since she has men-at-arms
Prompt to obey (if need be, to defend)
And varlets stout, and maidens at her beck;
But lives she here with none of her degree,
Since to the Saracens from whence she came
Her step-dame went, the Princess Pharmakis.
Gloomy and terrible in mien was she,
And, so they whisper, wise in things forbidden,
Who loved not well the Lady Kallimais,
And at their parting flung back angry words
And threats of evil. I might more recount
But fear I prate too much. Be pleased to sit
While I acquaint my lady of your coming.”

Then came a page with store of amber wine,
In golden flask, and cups of amethyst,
And wheaten bread upon a silvern salver,
Of which the knight partook, the 'squire in turn.

Now presently came forth fair Kallimais,
As breaks the bright moon through a rift of clouds—
As shows the yellow moon from sombre clouds—
Lighting all things and beautifying all.
She came preceded by her seneschal,
Around her gathered her attendant maids,
Her white-haired old confessor close behind—
The Fray Baltasar, bent with years and vigils—
And with a gentle air and courteous speech
Welcomed the knight, and bade her servitors
Attend him to a chamber with his 'squire,
That he might change apparel at his will.
Now Kallimais was young and beautiful,
And had a charming manner and a grace
That well accorded with her youth and beauty;
And stout Sir Huon felt his heart athrill,
And a strange fear which was a joy in mask
Pass through his spirit as he left the hall.
And after then, his armor laid aside,
In velvet double-piled and sable clad,
And silken hose, and shoes of Barbary leather,
And linen fine, and golden baldric on,
He came fine-prankt to banquet in the hall,
And seated at the right hand of the lady
Was waited on with honor and respect,
Fell straight in love who still had laughed at love
In days before, and worn no lady's token,
And troubled was thereat, for he was poor
Though coming of a good and ancient strain,
While she not merely was of highest rank
But riches had to match her pedigree.

And so that night Sir Huon in his sleep
Wandered through dream-land with sweet Kallimais—
Even in dreams with downcast eyes he gazed—
And wakened in the morn to think of her;
Yet had no thought of her when she was by,
For then both brain and heart were in a whirl;
And for the three days he remained as guest,
Grew more enraptured till at length he knew
He rather would be lord of that fair lady,
Than reign as king o'er all broad Nomansland.
Then went the knight away, bidding farewell
To Kallimais, and with his faithful 'squire
Journeyed to Palestine, where great renown
He won by fighting with the Paynim foe;
And all men held him, as a warrior
Valiant afield, and passing wise in council;
And went his name and fame to many lands;
But wheresoe'er he was his mind went back
To one fair palace standing in a garden,
And one fair damosel with golden hair.

Two years had passed, when from the stirring wars
Seeking a rest from action, he came back,
And craved the hospitality again
Of Lady Kallimais, yet fairer grown,
Who welcomed him in honorable ways,
As did indeed the household of the lady
Which honored much the grave and silent knight,
Till something in her eyes emboldened him
To press his suit upon her, which he did.

The lady heard him with a blush and sigh,
And said—“I feel it honor to be wooed
By one whose name is good on all men's tongues,
And frankly say that no man lives on earth
Whom I would rather take to be my lord.
But ere I yield my maiden state and freedom,
One boon I seek. Pledge me the sacred word
Of a good knight and true, that every week
Upon each Friday, save when it may chance
That holy Christmas falls upon that day,
You suffer me to pass alone the hours
From early dawn to nightfall, seeking not
To penetrate the chamber where I go,
Nor ask to know how I am occupied.
Promise me this upon your knightly faith,
And I your loving lady will become,
And you henceforth shall be my gracious lord,
The master of my life and all I have.”

To her Sir Huon in a burst of joy—
“Freely I promise this which is a trifle,
As I would more than this—I would 'twere more!
Not as condition for the hand you grant,
But from affection, and the yielding love
Which may deny you nothing. So I pledge.”

And so in due time wedded were the twain—
The king, of whom the Lady Kallimais
Held land in fee, the match approving well;
And noble lords and ladies gentle born
Made festival through all the honeymoon,
And tenantry and vassals loud rejoiced;
And for a year the pair lived happily,
Naught to arrest the current of their bliss
And mutual fondness growing day by day.