deſire as a preſent what you nobly acquired in war: I will recompenſe you according to your eſtimation of the jewel; and moreover always retain a deep ſenſe of the obligation.’
Friedbert was by no means diſconcerted at the requiſition; he rather rejoiced that his plan had ſo well ſucceeded. ‘Your wiſhes,’ he proceeded, ‘virtuous princeſs, are to me an inviolable law. I pledge my blood and property to you, on the honour of a knight; theſe I will freely riſque whenever you require; only do not deſire me to violate my oath, and wrong my conſcience. After gaining the ring in an hard and doubtful combat, I made a ſolemn vow, and engaged the ſalvation of my precious ſoul, never to quit the ring, till I had beſtowed it as the pledge of my hand and heart, before the holy altar, in token of matrimonial fidelity. I can only be abſolved from this oath by fulfilling it. But if you are diſpoſed to aſſiſt me therein, I can have
