PAGE 7
The Spanish-English Lady
by
“I have two ships royal,” answered the Queen, “ready to put forth to sea, whereof I have made General the Baron of Lansac; of one of these I make you Captain, for the blood from whence you come, doth assure me that it will supply the defect of your years. And consider well the favour which We do you, since that therein I give you occasion that, corresponding with that which you are, and doing things answerable to the race from whence you come, by serving your Queen you may show the worth of your noble disposition and of your person, and you shall receive thereby the greatest reward which in your opinion you can wish or desire. I myself will be Isabella’s guard, though she give Us manifest tokens that her own honesty will be her safest and surest protection. God bless you in your voyage; and since that you go hence deeply, as I imagine, in love, I promise great matters unto myself of your noble exploits. Happy shall be that king that goes to war who shall have in his army ten thousand soldiers that are in love, for they will live in hope that the reward of their victories shall be the enjoying of their best beloved. Rise up, Ricaredo, and bethink yourself if you will or have anything to say to Isabella, for to-morrow you must be gone.”
Ricaredo kissed the Queen’s hand, humbly thanking her, and highly esteeming the favour which she did him, and presently went from her to Isabella, and would fain have spoken unto her, but could not, for love and grief had knit such a knot in his throat, and so tied his tongue, that had his life lain upon it he could not utter one word. But the water stood in his eyes, and were so brimful that they ran over and silently trickled down his cheeks, which he thought to dissemble and smother them all that he possibly could. Yet notwithstanding could he not hide them from the eyes of the Queen, and therefore she said unto him:
“Think it no shame, Ricaredo, to weep, neither value yourself the less for having given at this your farewell such tender demonstrations of your heart; for it is one thing to fight with your enemies, and another thing to take your leave of her you love. Isabella, embrace Ricaredo, and give him your benediction, for his excessive sorrow and loathness to leave you doth very well deserve it.”
Isabella, who stood amazed and astonished to see Ricaredo’s tenderheartedness and how truly he did grieve, and all for her sake, whom she loved as her husband, did not understand what the Queen had commanded her; but began to shed tears, without thinking what she did, and stood so still, and without any motion, that it seemed not to be a living soul but a statue of alabaster that wept.
The affections of these two true and tender lovers made the standers-by to melt likewise into tears. And so Ricaredo, without speaking a word to Isabella, or Isabella to him, they turned each from other; and Clotaldo and they that came with him, doing reverence to the Queen, went out of the presence full of compassion, discontent, and tears.
Isabella now remained like a poor orphan coming from the burial of her father and mother, and as full now of fear as before of grief, lest that her new lady to whom she was recommended would make her to change those manners and customs wherein she had been formerly bred up.
In conclusion, there she remained; and within two days after, Ricaredo hoisted sail and put forth to sea, beaten amongst many others with this thought, that he must do some notable piece of service that might entitle him to be the deserver of Isabella.