Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 3, 1892.djvu/37

forest. Thither he carried the damsel's body; when as he came to the hermit's chapel, he found it void and abandoned, the hermit having died eight days before. So he laid the damsel's body before the altar, and, with tears and sighs and kisses, left it there. Thereafter he came every day to the chapel, and behold his lady's face changed not, only it became a little paler. But the wife of Eliduc, finding him bereft of speech and gladness, wondered at his daily absence, and setting watch upon him, learnt his visits to the chapel. On the morrow Eliduc must needs fare to court, and the lady rode forth to the chapel. Entering, she beheld the damsel on the couch, and she was like a fresh-blown rose. Seeing that body, those arms so long and white, those fingers so slim and taper, she knew her husband's woe. "Full well I feel it," said she, "for I too pity, and tenderness fills my heart, and never more shall joy be mine." Thus did she lament as she sat by the damsel's couch. But of a sudden a weasel ran across the body, and the lady's squire slew it with his staff. As it lay dead its mate came running, and would fain have raised its head or made it move, and being unable, seemed sore distressed. Then running forth into the wood, it returned with a flower, scarlet of hue, which laying on its dead mate's mouth, life was restored. The lady saw and marvelled. Seizing the flower, she laid it on Guilliadun's mouth, whereat the damsel sighed and opened her eyes. "Dear God," said she, "long have I slept." Then she told the lady her story, and bewailed her cruel fate. But the lady bid her comfort herself. "Eliduc still loves you. I, his wife, may not tell you how grievous to me is his despair, nor may I say how joyful to me your revival. Return with me, and I will place your hand in that of your friend. I will release him from his vows, and I will take the veil." Thus she sent her squire to tell Eliduc that Guilliadun still lived. Overjoyed, he hastened home, and finding there his sweet friend, tenderly rendered thanks to his wife, and much and often did he embrace the maiden, and she him full sweetly. The