Alfaleith.org

"Thou callest all who stand here, Harietto; only one I think thou dost not invite; and therefore be not angry if I consider it unsuitable to bend my neck before the tribunal of Caesar."

Both inclined their heads proudly, and stepped apart. But the King's men had thronged near, murmuring assent as they interchanged speeches --- stronger when Harietto spoke; yet Ingo's words met also with approbation, and he saw that at his last speech the King himself nodded his head.

The ambassador walked with the King to the hall, where his attendant displayed the presents of Caesar. The King beheld with joy the vases and goblet, with their wonderful work of inlaid jewels, and assured the messenger he was a friend of Caesar's, and ready to do him much good service. Then Harietto desired to have secret converse with the King; and when all listeners were sent away, the Frank demanded the delivery of Ingo.

Bisino was startled; he sat long reflecting, and replied at last, that the demand was too hard for him, and he needed time to give an answer; meanwhile, the ambassador would, he hoped, be pleased to stay as guest at his court. But Harietto pressed for a rapid decision; he offered still higher presents, and threatened. This roused the King's pride, and he exclaimed angrily that what he had refused to a friendly request he would certainly not grant to a threat. Thus he left the stranger, who established himself, with his followers, among the King's boys, drank with them, and distributed gifts.

But King Bisino continued much disturbed; at last he went to his treasure-room, seated himself on a stool, inspected once more, with a heavy heart, the new presents; then counted over his strings of golden armlets, his large dishes and tankards, his golden goblets, and drinking-horns. With some trouble he raised a silver dish, and viewed his face in it, and spoke sorrowfully to himself:

"Sad is the picture that I see. The stranger has brought me rich presents, although the largest vase is only silver-gilt, and no praiseworthy gift to the King of a great nation. Yet I should be unwilling to lose the other gifts of which he speaks; and the Roman will not give them to me if I do not deliver yonder man to him, living, or perhaps dead. But if I bring this ill deed upon my life, and hand him over to his enemies, I shall become an object of horror to all nations, as a hireling of the foreigner, because I gave over a guest-friend to a dishonorable death. Besides, I am also sorry for the fellow; for he is a good-hearted and honorable, and a faithful comrade at the cup an on horseback. On the other hand, if I keep him in spite of the Romans, I am threatened with destructive work on my boundary; the war will perhaps deprive me of my treasures, diminish the strength of the people, and shake my throne." His look fell upon a sword, which hung over the shining metal on the wall. "This is the regal weapon of my race, renowned in song, and feared among the people; many a heavy deed has it done: according to tradition, a God once hammered at the steel; I am surprised that now I can not turn my eyes from it." And sighing, he continued: "I have drunk with him, hunted and fought by his side, and I wish that his end may be glorious like that of his father, who hastened to receive the death-wound on his breast. If I can not save him, I will at least show him a King's honor."

The King rose, and seized the weapon. Then he felt his arm gently laid hold of; he shrank back, and drew the sword. Before him stood Queen Gisela, who looked at him mockingly. "Will the King go to the field with his table vessels, as he reviews them like an army?"

"Where does the King's power lie, if not in his treasures?" retorted the King, angrily. "How can I hold fast covetous minds, and win their fealty, if I do not distribute the foreign metal among them? There is little enough of it in my country, and all ask for it: where shall I get it, if I do not obtain it from the foreigner?"

"Does the King wish to bargain with the Romans about this man?" asked the Queen, her eyes flaming with fire.

<< Previous Page | Back | Next Page >>