The History of Valentine and Orson (1806)/Chapter 5

by Anonymous

CHAP. V.

Pacolet comforts the Ladies, and delivers Valentine and Orson out of Prison.

When they were come to Portugal he put Valentine and Orson into a dungeon, and fed them with bread and water, but allowed his sister Clerimond the liberty of the castle where she met the Empress Bellisant, who had been confined twenty years in the castle of Feragus.

She seeing her so full of grief, comforted her, enquiring the reason, which she told her.

The Empress was mightily grieved but Pacolet comforted them, telling them he would release them all that evening, which he accordingly did in the following manner:

In the dead of the night he goes to the dungeon; where lay Valentine and Orson bound in chains, and touching the doors with his magical wand, they flew open; and coming to the Knights he released them, and conducted them to the apartment where Ballisant and Clerimond were, who were exceedingly transported; but Pacolet hindered them from discoursing long, by telling them they must depart before the guards of Feragus awaked, which would put a stop to his proceedings. So Pacolet led them out of the castle, and having prepared a ship, he conveyed them to Lady Fazon, at the city of Acquitain.—Next morning when Feragus heard of their escape, he was enraged to the highest degree.

The Knights and Ladies being out of danger, soon arrived at Acquitain to the great joy of Lady Fazon, who was soon after married to Orson with great solemnity; upon which tilts and tournaments were performed for may days; but Valentine carried the prize, overthrowing at least an hundred brave Knights.