coming gown." And the Queen at once replies: "You have done quite
right; it is fitting that she should have one of my gowns, and I will
give her straightway a rich, fair gown, both fresh and new." The Queen
then hastily took her off to her own private room, and gave orders
to bring quickly the fresh tunic and the greenish-purple mantle,
embroidered with little crosses, which had been made for herself. The
one who went at her behest came bringing to her the mantle and the
tunic, which was lined with white ermine even to the sleeves. At the
wrists and on the neck-band there was in truth more than half a mark's
weight of beaten gold, and everywhere set in the gold there were
precious stones of divers colours, indigo and green, blue and dark
brown. This tunic was very rich, but not a writ less precious, I trow,
was the mantle. As yet, there were no ribbons on it; for the mantle like
the tunic was brand new. The mantle was very rich and fine: laid about
the neck were two sable skins, and in the tassels there was more than an
ounce of gold; on one a hyacinth, and on the other a ruby flashed more
bright than burning candle. The fur lining was of white ermine; never
was finer seen or found. The cloth was skilfully embroidered with little
crosses, all different, indigo, vermilion, dark blue, white, green,
blue, and yellow. The Queen called for some ribbons four ells long, made
of silken thread and gold. The ribbons are given to her, handsome and
well matched. Quickly she had them fastened to the mantle by some one
who knew how to do it, and who was master of the art. When the mantle
needed no more touches, the gay and gentle lady clasped the maid with
the white gown and said to her cheerily: "Mademoiselle, you must change
this frock for this tunic which is worth more than a hundred marks of
silver. So much I wish to bestow upon you. And put on this mantle, too.
Another time I will give you more." Not able to refuse the gift, she
takes the robe and thanks her for it. Then two maids took her aside into
a room, where she took off her frock as being of no further value; but
she asked and requested that it be given away (to some poor woman) for
the love of God. Then she dons the tunic, and girds herself, binding on
tightly a golden belt, and afterwards puts on the mantle. Now she looked
by no means ill; for the dress became her so well that it made her look
more beautiful than ever. The two maids wove a gold thread in amongst
her golde