NOVEL IX.
The King of Cyprus was so much affected by the words of a gentlewoman of Gascogne, that from being a worthless prince he became very virtuous.
THE queen's last command rested on Eliza, who, without waiting for it, began in this manner: - It often happens that a desirable change, which much pains and many reproofs have failed to effect, is happily brought about by a word thrown in by chance, and without any such design. We have had an instance of this in the novel recited by Lauretta; and I purpose, also, in a very short story, to demonstrate the same thing. A good saying may often be of service, and ought to be duly regarded, whoever the person be that utters it.
During the reign of the first King of Cyprus, after the conquest of the Holy Land, by Godfrey of Boulogne, it happened that a gentlewoman of Gascogne went on a pilgrimage to visit the holy sepulchre, and, on her return home, being arrived at Cyprus, she was ill-treated by a parcel of villains. Having made her complaint without receiving any redress, she resolved at length to go to the king, but was told, that she would only lose her labour, for he was so careless in every respect, and so little of a man, that, far from avenging the injuries done to others, he suffered an infinite number of the most shameful affronts to be offered to himself; insomuch that whoever were offended at him might vent their resentment at any time in the most opprobrious language. On hearing this she entirely despaired of redress; nevertheless she proposed, as some comfort to herself in her calamity, to upbraid the King for his meanness of spirit. Coming, therefore, all in tears before him she said, "My lord, I appear in your presence not expecting to be revenged for the injuries I have sustained: but this small satisfaction I entreat, that you would tell me how you can bear those which I hear are committed towards yourself, that I may thence be instructed patiently to bear my own, which, God knows, were it in my power, I would willingly consign to you, since you endure such things so well." The king, who till that hour had been dull and inactive, as if now he had been roused from a long sleep, began, with avenging that lady's wrongs in the strictest manner, and from that time forward he was most zealous in the punishment of every one who dared to do anything contrary to the honour of his crown.
