of the throne and laid at his
maiden's feet his sword and his lute and the scrip, or little pocket,
which he wore at his side.

"Fair Princess," he said, "I come with scanty gifts and with no
attendants--poor and alone. But all that I have I offer you; my sword
for your protection, my music for your joy, my little learning for your
aid in sickness and in health. To atone for my boldness in forcing your
garden gate I offer the service of all these for as long as you will
have them. And withal I offer my merry heart, as true and faithful as
that of any prince in the world; but more loving than any."

At this saying the Prince Fortemain pushed forward indignantly. "You
shall not listen to these idle words, O Princess!" he cried. "This
fellow has no right to speak thus to you. He is no prince; he is but a
wandering minstrel and vagabond. Let him be flogged from the gates."

"Ay, let him be flogged away!" echoed the Gardener and others, and they
jostled closer as if to seize him. But Joyeuse still knelt at the feet
of his flower-maiden, not at all afraid. The Princess rose, and,
stamping her little foot, angrily commanded her people to be quiet.
Then she spoke to Joyeuse, and the anger was gone from her voice.

"It is true you are no prince," she said. "What have you to say in reply
to this Prince's word?"

"Am I no prince?" he answered, looking her straight in the eyes. "The
fairest Princess in the world has thrice named me Prince,--Prince of
Minstrels, Prince of Doctors, Prince of Teachers. Does not that make me
a prince indeed?"

There was a silence in the hall at this bold answer. Then Fleurette
beckoned to her the Wise Man of the court, a wise man dressed all in
black, with a long white beard and hair like silver thistledown.

"O Wise Man, if a princess gave him these titles, is he indeed a
prince?" she asked, and her voice was eager.

The Wise Man thought for a little time, then nodded gravely thrice. "Ay,
my Princess, so it is written in the Book of True Chivalry. If he has
been so honored, he is in deed and in degree a prince."

"Nay!" cried the Prince Fortemain, "I say nay! She has not also named
him the Prince of Courage. The Book of True Chivalry declares that he is
no very prince who cannot do battle nobly for his lady's sake."

"That will I gladly do," said Joyeuse eagerly. "I can wield sword as
well as any prince alive."

The cheeks of the Princess glowed brightly. "Let him prove it, Prince
Fortema