I ask you but to extend to one, whose fault was committed under strong temptation, that mercy, which even you yourself, Lord King, must one day supplicate at a higher tribunal, and for faults, perhaps, less venial." "Can this be Edith Plantagenet ?" said the King bitterly--"Edith Plantagenet, the wise and the noble?
Or is it some lovesick woman who cares not for her own fame in comparison of the life of her paramour?
Now, by King Henry's soul! little hinders but I order thy minion's skull to be brought from the gibbet, and fixed as a perpetual ornament by the crucifix in thy cell!" "And if thou dost send it from the gibbet to be placed for ever in my sight," said Edith, "I will say it is a relic of a good knight, cruelly and unworthily done to death by" (she checked herself)--"by one of whom I shall only say, he should have known better how to reward chivalry.
Minion callest thou him ?" she continued, with increasing vehemence.

"He was indeed my lover, and a most true one; but never sought he grace from me by look or word--contented with such humble observance as men pay to the saints.

And the good--the valiant--the faithful must die for this!" "Oh, peace, peace, for pity's sake," whispered the Queen, "you do but offend him more!" "I care not," said Edith; "the spotless virgin fears not the raging lion.

Let him work his will on this worthy knight.

Edith, for whom he dies, will know how to weep his memory.