So when the King saw that he never won
in the tournaments nor led in the boar hunts, nor sang to his lute among
the ladies of the court, he drew his royal robes around him, and
henceforth frowned on Ethelried.
To each of his other sons he gave a portion of his kingdom, armor and
plumes, a prancing charger, and a trusty sword; but to Ethelried he gave
nothing. When the poor Prince saw his brothers riding out into the world
to win their fortunes, he fain would have followed. Throwing himself on
his knees before the King, he cried, "Oh, royal Sire, bestow upon me
also a sword and a steed, that I may up and away to follow my brethren."
But the King laughed him to scorn. "Thou a sword!" he quoth. "Thou who
hast never done a deed of valor in all thy life! In sooth thou shalt
have one, but it shall be one befitting thy maiden size and courage, if
so small a weapon can be found in all my kingdom!"
Now just at that moment it happened that the Court Tailor came into the
room to measure the King for a new mantle of ermine. Forthwith the
grinning Jester began shrieking with laughter, so that the bells upon
his motley cap were all set a-jangling.
"What now, Fool?" demanded the King.
"I did but laugh to think the sword of Ethelried had been so quickly
found," responded the Jester, and he pointed to the scissors hanging
from the Tailor's girdle.
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