dominion over their lovers and husbands, and in all matters to sway them to their will. This is the nearest and dearest thought of your hearts. Now, therefore, do with me as you list; I am in your power.' Throughout the whole Court there was not a woman, whether maid, wife, or widow, that contradicted him, and farthermore, they pronounced that he had fairly obtained his pardon.
At the moment the sentence was delivered, up started the old woman whom the Knight had seen sitting on the green-sward. 'Mercy! my sovereign Lady Queen,' said she, 'before this court break up, I entreat to have justice rendered to me. I taught the Knight this answer, for which he, at the time, plighted me his truth that he would grant me the first petition I might require at his hands, if it lay in his power to grant it.—Before this Court then, Sir Knight, I pray you to take me for your wife: I have preserved you from certain death;—if I speak falsely, upon your faith of knighthood gainsay my word.'
'Alas!' answered the Knight, 'such indeed was my promise: but for the love of heaven, I
