Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

Rudyard Kipling
and smites his hands together. ‘“Go—go fight it out in the ‘At the King’s outgoing De Aquila bade me follow him,
dark,” says Rahere, “and thy Saxon Saints reward thee for thy with his great bishops and two great barons, to the little pa-
pity to my fool.” He pushed him from the pavilion, and Hugh vilion. We had devised jugglers and dances for the Court’s
lurched away like one drunk.’
sport; but Henry loved to talk gravely to grave men, and De
‘But why?’ said Una. ‘I don’t understand.’
Aquila had told him of my travels to the world’s end. We had
‘Ah, why indeed? Live you long enough, maiden, and you a fire of apple-wood, sweet as incense,—and the curtains at
shall know the meaning of many whys.’ Sir Richard smiled. the door being looped up, we could hear the music and see
‘I wondered too, but it was my duty to wait on the King at the lights shining on mail and dresses.
the High Table in all that glitter and stir.
‘Rahere lay behind the King’s chair. The questions he darted
‘He spoke me his thanks for the sport I had helped show forth at me were as shrewd as the flames. I was telling of our
him, and he had learned from De Aquila enough of my folk fight with the apes, as ye called them, at the world’s end. [See
and my castle in Normandy to graciously feign that he knew ‘The Knights of the Joyous Venture’ in Puck of Pook’s Hill.]
and had loved my brother there. (This, also, is part of a king’s ‘“But where is the Saxon knight that went with you?” said
work.) Many great men sat at the High Table—chosen by the Henry. “He must confirm these miracles.”
King for their wits, not for their birth. I have forgotten their ‘“He is busy,” said Rahere, “confirming a new miracle.”
names, and their faces I only saw that one night. But’—Sir ‘“Enough miracles for today,” said the King. “Rahere, you
Richard turned in his stride— ‘but Rahere, flaming in black have saved your long neck. Fetch the Saxon knight.”
and scarlet among our guests, the hollow of his dark cheek ‘“Pest on it,” said Rahere. “Who would be a King’s jester?
flushed with wine—long, laughing Rahere, and the stricken I’ll bring him, Brother, if you’ll see that none of your home-
sadness of his face when he was not twisting it about—Rahere brewed bishops taste my wine while I am away.” So he jingled
I shall never forget.
forth between the men-at-arms at the door.
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