d then I shall be ready in
all things to fulfil your will." Then said the emperor, "Sith it is so
that thou hast thus vowed, I will not break thy vow; but when these
seven years be expired, thou shalt have the king of Hungary to thy
husband."

Then the emperor sent forth his letters to the king of Hungary, praying
him if it might please him to stay seven years for the love of his
daughter, and then he should speed without fail. Herewith the king was
pleased and content to stay the prefixed day.

And when the seven years were ended, save a day, the young lady stood in
her chamber window, and wept sore, saying, "Woe and alas, as to-morrow
my love promised to be with me again from the Holy Land; and also the
king of Hungary to-morrow will be here to marry me, according to my
father's promise; and if my love comes not at a certain hour, then am I
utterly deceived of the inward love I bear to him."

When the day came, the king hasted toward the emperor, to marry his
daughter, and was royally arrayed in purple. And while the king was
riding on his way, there came a knight riding on his way, who said, "I
am of the empire of Rome, and now am lately come from the Holy Land, and
I am ready to do you the best service I can." And as they rode talking
by the way, it began to rain so fast that all the king's apparel was
sore wet. Then said the knight, "My lord, ye have done foolishly, for as
much as ye brought not with you your house." Then said the king: "Why
speakest thou so? My house is large and broad, and made of stones and
mortar, how should I bring then with me my house? Thou speakest like a
fool." When this was said, they rode on till they came to a great deep
water, and the king smote his horse with his spurs, and leapt into the
water, so that he was almost drowned. When the knight saw this, and was
over on the other side of the water without peril, he said to the king,
"Ye were in peril, and therefore ye did foolishly, because ye brought
not with you your bridge." Then said the king, "Thou speakest strangely:
my bridge is made of lime and stone, and containeth in quality more
than half a mile; how should I then bear with me my bridge? therefore
thou speakest foolishly." "Well," said the knight, "my foolishness may
turn you to wisdom." When the king had ridden a little further, he asked
the knight what time of day it was. Then said the knight, "If any man
hath list to eat, it is time of the day to eat. Wherefore, my lord,