Dragons, Elves, and Heroes by Lin Carter

Author:Lin Carter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ballentine Books
Published: 1969-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Tale CII

How a Wicked 'Necromancer Would Have Done

to Death a Certain Noble Knight, But for the

Cleverness of a Goodly Sage

Also in the reign of Titus there lived a certain noble and devout knight, who had a beautiful wife; but she dishonored herself, and persisted in every vice and folly. The knight, therefore, was very sorrowful, and resolved to undertake a journey to the Holy Land to pray for the assistance of Heaven.

In this determination, he bade farewell to his faithless wife and left his home. No sooner had he embarked than the lady sent for a certain skillful Necromancer whom she loved, so that he might dwell with her openly in licentious riot and luxurious display.

It happened that, as they lay in bed, the lady observed: “If you would do one thing for me, I might become your wife.”

“What is it,” replied the Necromancer, “that will please you, and which I can perform for you?”

“My husband has gone into the Holy Land, and loves me little; now, if by your Art Magic you could destroy him, all that I possess could become yours.”

“I acquiesce,” said the clerk, “but on condition that you marry me.” To this the faithless lady bound herself with vows, and thus the Necromancer set about to devise and fashion an image under the similitude and name of the knight her husband, and fixed it before him upon the wall.

In the meanwhile, as the knight was passing through the main street of Rome, a wise and goodly Sage met him in the way, and, observing him narrowly, said unto the knight: “My friend, I have a secret to communicate.” “Well, master, what would you please to say?”

‘This day you are one of death’s children, unless you follow my advice: your wife is a harlot, and contrives your death.”

The knight, hearing what was said of his spouse, put confidence in the speaker, and said: “Good master, save my life, and I will amply recompense you.”

“Willingly,” answered the other, “if you will do as I shall tell you.”

The knight promised, and the master took him to a bath, undressed him, and desired him to bathe. Then putting into his hand a polished mirror, said: “Look attentively upon this, and you will see wonders.”

He did so, and the meanwhile the master read to him from a book. “What see you?” he asked.

“I see,” said the knight, “a certain clerk in my house, with an image of wax which resembles me most marvelous, and which he hath fastened against the wall.”

“Look again,” continued the Sage; “what do you perceive now?”

“He takes a bow,” replied the knight, “and places in it a sharp arrow; and now he aims it at the effigy of myself!”

“As you love your life,” admonished the goodly Sage, “the moment you discern the arrow flying to its mark, place yourself deep in the bath, and remain there until I tell you to come out.”

As soon, therefore, as the arrow quitted the string, he plunged his body deep into the water.

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