Now will I tell you the Lay of the Ash Tree, according to the story
that I know.
In ancient days there dwelt two knights in Brittany, who were
neighbours and close friends. These two lords were brave and worthy
gentlemen, rich in goods and lands, and near both in heart and home.
Moreover each was wedded to a dame. One of these ladies was with child,
and when her time was come, she was delivered of two boys. Her husband
was right happy and content. For the joy that was his, he sent messages
to his neighbour, telling that his wife had brought forth two sons, and
praying that one of them might be christened with his name. The rich
man was at meat when the messenger came before him. The servitor
kneeled before the dais, and told his message in his ear. The lord
thanked God for the happiness that had befallen his friend, and
bestowed a fair horse on the bringer of good tidings. His wife, sitting
at board with her husband, heard the story of the messenger, and smiled
at his news. Proud she was, and sly, with an envious heart, and a
rancorous tongue. She made no effort to bridle her lips, but spoke
lightly before the servants of the house, and said,
“I marvel greatly that so reputable a man as our neighbour, should
publish his dishonour to my lord. It is a shameful thing for any wife
to have two children at a birth. We all know that no woman brings forth
two at one bearing, except two husbands have aided her therein.”
Her husband looked upon her in silence for awhile, and when he spoke
it was to blame her very sternly.
“Wife,” he said, “be silent. It is better to be dumb, than to utter
such words as these. As you know well, there is not a breath to tarnish
this lady's good name.”
The folk of the house, who listened to these words, stored them in
their hearts, and told abroad the tale, spoken by their lady. Very soon
it was known throughout Brittany. Greatly was the lady blamed for her
evil tongue, and not a woman who heard thereof—whether she were rich
or poor—but who scorned her for her malice. The servant who carried
the message, on his return repeated to his lord of what he had seen and
heard. Passing heavy was the knight, and knew not what to do. He
doubted his own true wife, and suspected her the more sorely, because
she had done naught that was in any way amiss.
The lady, who so foully slandered her fellow, fell with child in the
same year. Her neighbour was avenged upon her, for when her term was
come, she became the mother of two daughters. Sick at heart was she.
She was right sorrowful, and lamented her evil case.
“Alas,” she said, “what shall I do, for I am dishonoured for all my
days. Shamed I am, it is the simple truth. When my lord and his
kinsfolk shall hear of what has chanced, they will never believe me a
stainless wife. They will remember how I judged all women in my plight.
They will recall how I said before my house, that my neighbour could
not have been doubly a mother, unless she had first been doubly a wife.
I have the best reason now to know that I was wrong, and I am caught in
my own snare. She who digs a pit for another, cannot tell that she may
not fall into the hole herself. If you wish to speak loudly concerning
your neighbour, it is best to say nothing of him but in praise. The
only way to keep me from shame, is that one of my children should die.
It is a great sin; but I would rather trust to the mercy of God, than
suffer scorn and reproach for the rest of my life.”
The women about her comforted her as best they might in this
trouble. They told her frankly that they would not suffer such wrong to
be done, since the slaying of a child was not reckoned a jest. The lady
had a maiden near her person, whom she had long held and nourished. The
damsel was a freeman's daughter, and was greatly loved and cherished of
her mistress. When she saw the lady's tears, and heard the bitterness
of her complaint, anguish went to her heart, like a knife. She stooped
over her lady, striving to bring her comfort.
“Lady,” she said, “take it not so to heart. Give over this grief,
for all will yet be well. You shall deliver me one of these children,
and I will put her so far from you, that you shall never see her again,
nor know shame because of her. I will carry her safe and sound to the
door of a church. There I will lay her down. Some honest man shall find
her, and—please God—will be at the cost of her nourishing.”
Great joy had the lady to hear these words. She promised the maiden
that in recompense of her service, she would grant her such guerdon as
she should wish. The maiden took the babe—yet smiling in her
sleep—and wrapped her in a linen cloth. Above this she set a piece of
sanguine silk, brought by the husband of this dame from a bazaar in
Constantinople—fairer was never seen. With a silken lace they bound a
great ring to the child's arm. This ring was of fine gold, weighing
fully an ounce, and was set with garnets most precious.
Letters were graven thereon, so that those who found the maid might
understand that she came of a good house. The damsel took the child,
and went out from the chamber. When night was come, and all was still,
she left the town, and sought the high road leading through the forest.
She held on her way, clasping the baby to her breast, till from afar,
to her right hand, she heard the howling of dogs and the crowing of
cocks. She deemed that she was near a town, and went the lighter for
the hope, directing her steps, there, whence the noises came. Presently
the damsel entered in a fair city, where was an Abbey, both great and
rich. This Abbey was worshipfully ordered, with many nuns in their
office and degree, and an Abbess in charge of all. The maiden gazed
upon the mighty house, and considered its towers and walls, and the
church with its belfry. She went swiftly to the door, and setting the
child upon the ground, kneeled humbly to make her prayer.
“Lord,” said she, “for the sake of Thy Holy Name, if such be Thy
will, preserve this child from death.”
Her petition ended, the maiden looked about her, and saw an ash
tree, planted to give shadow in a sunny place. It was a fair tree,
thick and leafy, and was divided into four strong branches. The maiden
took the child again in her arms, and running to the ash, set her
within the tree. There she left her, commending her to the care of God.
So she returned to her mistress, and told her all that she had done.
Now in this Abbey was a porter, whose duty it was to open the doors
of the church, before folk came to hear the service of God. This night
he rose at his accustomed hour, lighted candles and lamps, rang the
bells, and set wide the doors. His eyes fell upon the silken stuff
within the ash. He thought at first that some bold thief had hidden his
spoil within the tree. He felt with his hand to discover what it might
be, and found that it was a little child. The porter praised God for
His goodness; he took the babe, and going again to his house, called to
his daughter, who was a widow, with an infant yet in the cradle.
“Daughter,” he cried, “get from bed at once; light your candle, and
kindle the fire. I bring you a little child, whom I have found within
our ash. Take her to your breast; cherish her against the cold, and
bathe her in warm water.”
The widow did according to her father's will. She kindled a fire,
and taking the babe, washed and cherished her in her need. Very certain
she was, when she saw that rich stuff of crimson samite, and the golden
ring about the arm, that the girl was come of an honourable race. The
next day, when the office was ended, the porter prayed the Abbess that
he might have speech with her as she left the church. He related his
story, and told of the finding of the child. The Abbess bade him to
fetch the child, dressed in such fashion as she was discovered in the
ash. The porter returned to his house, and showed the babe right gladly
to his dame. The Abbess observed the infant closely, and said that she
would be at the cost of her nourishing, and would cherish her as a
sister's child. She commanded the porter strictly to forget that he
took her from the ash. In this manner it chanced that the maiden was
tended of the Abbess. The lady considered the maid as her niece, and
since she was taken from the ash, gave her the name of Frene. By this
name she was known of all, within the Abbey precincts, where she was
nourished.
When Frene came to that age in which a girl turns to woman, there
was no fairer maiden in Brittany, nor so sweet a damsel. Frank, she
was, and open, but discreet in semblance and in speech. To see her was
to love her, and to prize her smile above the beauty of the world. Now
at Dol there lived a lord of whom much good was spoken. I will tell you
his name. The folk of his country called him Buron. This lord heard
speak of the maiden, and began to love her, for the sweetness men told
of her. As he rode home from some tournament, he passed near the
convent, and prayed the Abbess that he might look upon her niece. The
Abbess gave him his desire. Greatly was the maiden to his mind. Very
fair he found her, sweetly schooled and fashioned, modest and courteous
to all. If he might not win her to his love, he counted himself the
more forlorn. This lord was at his wits end, for he knew not what to
do. If he repaired often to the convent, the Abbess would consider of
the cause of his comings, and he would never again see the maiden with
his eyes. One thing only gave him a little hope. Should he endow the
Abbey of his wealth, he would make it his debtor for ever. In return he
might ask a little room, where he might abide to have their fellowship,
and, at times, withdraw him from the world. This he did. He gave richly
of his goods to the Abbey. Often, in return, he went to the convent,
but for other reasons than for penitence and peace. He besought the
maiden, and with prayers and promises, persuaded her to set upon him
her love. When this lord was assured that she loved him, on a certain
day he reasoned with her in this manner.
“Fair friend,” said he, “since you have given me your love, come
with me, where I can cherish you before all the world. You know, as
well as I, that if your aunt should perceive our friendship, she would
be passing wrath, and grieve beyond measure. If my counsel seems good,
let us flee together, you with me, and I with you. Certes, you shall
never have cause to regret your trust, and of my riches you shall have
the half.”
When she who loved so fondly heard these words, she granted of her
tenderness what it pleased him to have, and followed after where he
would. Frene fled to her lover's castle, carrying with her that silken
cloth and ring, which might do her service on a day. These the Abbess
had given her again, telling her how one morning at prime she was found
upon an ash, this ring and samite her only wealth, since she was not
her niece. Right carefully had Frene guarded her treasure from that
hour. She shut them closely in a little chest, and this coffret she
bore with her in her flight, for she would neither lose them nor
forget.
The lord, with whom the maiden fled, loved and cherished her very
dearly. Of all the men and servants of his house, there was not
one—either great or small—but who loved and honoured her for her
simplicity. They lived long together in love and content, till the fair
days passed, and trouble came upon this lord. The knights of his realm
drew together, and many a time urged that he should put away his
friend, and wed with some rich gentlewoman. They would be joyous if a
son were born, to come after to his fief and heritage. The peril was
too great to suffer that he remained a bachelor, and without an heir.
Never more would they hold him as lord, or serve him with a good heart,
if he would not do according to their will.
There being naught else to do, the lord deferred to this counsel of
his knights, and begged them to name the lady whom he needs must wed.
“Sir,” answered they, “there is a lord of these parts, privy to our
counsel, who has but one child, a maid, his only heir. Broad lands will
he give as her dowry. This damsel's name is Coudre, and in all this
country there is none so fair. Be advised: throw away the ash rod you
carry, and take the hazel as your staff.[1] The ash is a barren stock;
but the hazel is thick with nuts and delight. We shall be content if
you take this maiden as your wife, so it be to the will of God, and she
be given you of her kinsfolk.”
Buron demanded the hand of the lady in marriage, and her father and
kin betrothed her to the lord. Alas! it was hid from all, that these
two were twin sisters. It was Frene's lot to be doubly abandoned, and
to see her lover become her sister's husband. When she learned that her
friend purposed taking to himself a wife, she made no outcry against
his falseness. She continued to serve her lord faithfully, and was
diligent in the business of his house. The sergeant and the varlet were
marvellously wrathful, when they knew that she must go from amongst
them. On the day appointed for the marriage, Buron bade his friends and
acquaintance to the feast. Together with these came the Archbishop, and
those of Dol who held of him their lands. His betrothed was brought to
his home by her mother. Great dread had the mother because of Frene,
for she knew of the love that the lord bore the maiden, and feared lest
her daughter should be a stranger in her own hall. She spoke to her
son-in-law, counselling him to send Frene from his house, and to find
her an honest man for her husband. Thus there would be quittance
between them. Very splendid was the feast. Whilst all was mirth and
jollity, the damsel visited the chambers, to see that each was ordered
to her lord's pleasure. She hid the torment in her heart, and seemed
neither troubled nor downcast. She compassed the bride with every fair
observance, and waited upon her right daintily.
[Footnote 1: This is a play on words; Frene in the French, meaning
ash, and Coudre meaning hazel.]
Her courage was marvellous to that company of lords and ladies, who
observed her curiously. The mother of the bride regarded her also, and
praised her privily. She said aloud that had she known the sweetness of
this lady, she would not have taken her lover from her, nor spoiled her
life for the sake of the bride. The night being come the damsel entered
in the bridal chamber to deck the bed against her lord. She put off her
mantle, and calling the chamberlains, showed them how their master
loved to lie. His bed being softly arrayed, a coverlet was spread upon
the linen sheets. Frene looked upon the coverlet: in her eyes it showed
too mean a garnishing for so fair a lord. She turned it over in her
mind, and going to her coffret she took therefrom that rich stuff of
sanguine silk, and set it on the couch. This she did not only in honour
of her friend, but that the Archbishop might not despise the house,
when he blessed the marriage bed, according to the rite. When all was
ready the mother carried the bride to that chamber where she should
lie, to disarray her for the night. Looking upon the bed she marked the
silken coverlet, for she had never seen so rich a cloth, save only that
in which she wrapped her child. When she remembered of this thing, her
heart turned to water. She summoned a chamberlain.
“Tell me,” she said, “tell me in good faith where this garniture was
found.”
“Lady,” he made reply, “that you shall know. Our damsel spread it on
the bed, because this dossal is richer than the coverlet that was there
before.”
The lady called for the damsel. Frene came before her in haste,
being yet without her mantle. All the mother moved within her, as she
plied her with questions.
“Fair friend, hide it not a whit from me. Tell me truly where this
fair samite was found; whence came it; who gave it to you? Answer
swiftly, and tell me who bestowed on you this cloth?”
The damsel made answer to her:
“Lady, my aunt, the Abbess, gave me this silken stuff, and charged
me to keep it carefully. At the same time she gave me a ring, which
those who put me forth, had bound upon me.”
“Fair friend, may I see this ring?”
“Certes, lady, I shall be pleased to show it.”
The lady looked closely on the ring, when it was brought. She knew
again her own, and the crimson samite flung upon the bed. No doubt was
in her mind. She knew and was persuaded that Frene was her very child.
All words were spoken, and there was nothing more to hide.
“Thou art my daughter, fair friend.”
Then for reason of the pity that was hers, she fell to the ground,
and lay in a swoon. When the lady came again to herself, she sent for
her husband, who, all adread, hastened to the chamber. He marvelled the
more sorely when his wife fell at his feet, and embracing him closely,
entreated pardon for the evil that she had done.
Knowing nothing of her trespass, he made reply, “Wife, what is this?
Between you and me there is nothing to call for forgiveness. Pardon you
may have for whatever fault you please. Tell me plainly what is your
wish.”
“Husband, my offence is so black, that you had better give me
absolution before I tell you the sin. A long time ago, by reason of
lightness and malice, I spoke evil of my neighbour, whenas she bore two
sons at a birth. I fell afterwards into the very pit that I had digged.
Though I told you that I was delivered of a daughter, the truth is that
I had borne two maids. One of these I wrapped in our stuff of samite,
together with the ring you gave me the first time we met, and caused
her to be laid beside a church. Such a sin will out. The cloth and the
ring I have found, and I have recognised our maid, whom I had lost by
my own folly. She is this very damsel—so fair and amiable to all—whom
the knight so greatly loved. Now we have married the lord to her
sister.”
The husband made answer, “Wife, if your sin be double, our joy is
manifold. Very tenderly hath God dealt with us, in giving us back our
child. I am altogether joyous and content to have two daughters for
one. Daughter, come to your father's side.”
The damsel rejoiced greatly to hear this story. Her father tarried
no longer, but seeking his son-in-law, brought him to the Archbishop,
and related the adventure. The knight knew such joy as was never yet.
The Archbishop gave counsel that on the morrow he would part him and
her whom he had joined together. This was done, for in the morning he
severed them, bed and board. Afterwards he married Frene to her friend,
and her father accorded the damsel with a right good heart. Her mother
and sister were with her at the wedding, and for dowry her father gave
her the half of his heritage. When they returned to their own realm
they took Coudre, their daughter, with them. There she was granted to a
lord of those parts, and rich was the feast.
When this adventure was bruited abroad, and all the story, the Lay
of the Ash Tree was written, so called of the lady, named Frene.