How Lisa Loved the King

 
And, that no joy might lack, the king, who knew
The youth was poor, gave him rich Ceffalù
And Cataletta,—large and fruitful lands,—
Adding much promise when he joined their hands.
At last he said to Lisa, with an air
Gallant yet noble, “Now we claim our share
From your sweet love, a share which is not small;
For in the sacrament one crumb is all.”
Then, taking her small face his hands between,
He kissed her on the brow with kiss serene,—
Fit seal to that pure vision her young soul had seen.
 
 
And many witnessed that King Pedro kept
His royal promise.  Perdicone stept
To many honors honorably won,
Living with Lisa in true union.
Throughout his life, the king still took delight
To call himself fair Lisa’s faithful knight;
And never wore in field or tournament
A scarf or emblem, save by Lisa sent.
Such deeds made subjects loyal in that land;
They joyed that one so worthy to command,
So chivalrous and gentle, had become
The king of Sicily, and filled the room
Of Frenchmen, who abused the Church’s trust,
Till, in a righteous vengeance on their lust,
Messina rose, with God, and with the dagger’s thrust.
 
 
L’ENVOI.
 
 
Reader, this story pleased me long ago
In the bright pages of Boccaccio;
And where the author of a good we know,
Let us not fail to pay the grateful thanks we owe.