In truth the glory of the upper world was well nigh too much for the child, she hid herself from the light and from the sounds, and languished for the still chamber which had been her home; the crowding faces, the gay dresses, and the obsequious manners of the many attendants about the court bewildered her, and she glided about like a silent shadow after her mother, weary and faint in spirit; but as months passed on, the strangeness of things wore off”, and she grew to endure, and finally to love the open air; but it was ever the paths of shady forests that pleased her most, where the sunlight came tempered through countless leaves, and pale primroses and lurking violets formed a chaplet that pleased her better than roses and lilies. Her sweet nature made her very courteous to those about her, and she learned with aptitude the arts that were taught her, so that men praised her beauty and her princely carriage; but her cheeks remained ever colorless, and the smile that played on her features like moonlight on the waters was never broken up into laughter.
Fame of beauty
And so it was, that when she was grown to be a fair damsel, and the King her father was thinking to which of the foreign princes whom the fame of her beauty had drawn to his court, he should give her in marriage, so as to strengthen his own hands and secure the throne to her, tidings came that the Lady Guendolen and Madoc her son were making ready to march eastward, and boasted that they would slay Locrinus and take Esyllt and her daughter alive. Then the King bestirred himself, and gathering his troops marched to meet them, taking with him the Queen and the Princess, for he service. I will then ride on to the palace and strictly investigate the cause of this extraordinary conduct. Some shall smart for it.” Jovinian proceeded, naked and ashamed, to the castle of the aforesaid knight, and beat loudly at the gate. The porter, without unclosing the wicket, inquired the cause of the knocking. “Open the gate,” said the enraged emperor, “and you will see who I am.” The gate was opened; and the porter, struck with the strange appearance he exhibited, replied, “In the name of all that is marvelous, what are you?” “I am,” said he, “Jovinian, your emperor; go to your lord, and command him from me to supply the wants of his sovereign. I have lost both horse and clothes.”
Read More about Esyllt and Sabrina part 12
