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THE CELTIC MAGAZINE. 25
not been struck by such marvellous beauty as that which I now behold,"
cried the Prince, and then turning to the young woman said "Fair lady,
pardon and pity me, I am even as a wild deer in whose side the arrow
quivers, for thy glances have deprived me of power and made me thy
slave. Grant that thy slave then may have the honour of pressing his
lips to that fair hand, and then let him learn thy name and who thou
art."
The monk who had first spoken drew the girl towards him, and placing
himself between her and the still kneeling Prince, he exclaimed
angrily "Thou art guilty of presumption and impertinence, churl, in
daring to speak thus. Know that this lady dwelleth in the sanctity of the
Church and that she is the bride of heaven. Stand aside and let us pass."
Prince Haco rose suddenly to his feet, and drawing his tall handsome
figure up to its full height, as a look of anger came into his face, he placed
his hand upon the jewelled handle of his dagger, and exclamed, " An it
were not for the presence of that lady, saucy monk, that word churl should
cost thee thy life."
With a little cry of alarm the lady threw herself between the monk
and the Prince, and putting up her little white hands in a pleading
manner to the latter, she said in a sweetly musical voice
"
My fair sir, I pray that you will not quarrel. The good father
meant no harm. He is my protector, and if he has said aught that has
wounded your feelings, I pray you, for my sake, forgive him." The
Prince caught one of the outstretched hands in his, and pressing his lips
to it he said
"
For thy sake, fair lady, I would give my life. For a smile of those
sweet lips and a look of those bright eyes I would do such deeds as man
never did before. I am no churl, but in my veins runs pure and unsullied
the royal blood of Denmark. I am Haco, the Danish Prince, and
now in the name of the Holy Mother, I pray you, sweet lady, tell me your
name."
The young girl drew back as though abashed, and clung to the arm of
the monk, who answered and said
Prince, I have heard of thee, and I am sorry that my hastiness led
me to wound thy sensitiveness, but know that in this lady's veins runs
blood as noble as thine own, for in her thou beholdst the Princess Thyra,
a Princess of the Eoyal House of Ulster in Ireland. "
"
Haco, the Prince of Denmark greets Thyra, the Princess of Ulster,"
cried Haco as he once more bent his knee and pressed his lips to the fair
Then rising and turning to the monk, he asked
" But
hand of the girl.
tell me father what brings the noble lady here ?"
" She was sent by her father so that in the sanctity and peace of our
island monastery she might, while being far removed from the turmoil and
the strife which are shaking her own poor country, be taught humility and
Christian meekness, and devote herself to the service of God."
" She is too young and too beautiful to withdraw from the world,"
Haco murmured as if to himself, although his words reached the ears of
the monk and Princess. The latter blushed deeply, and she gave a quick
burning glance at the manly face of the Prince, which did not escape hia
notice. But the monk reproved him, and said