Thou hast head to think and heart to feel for the shame and woe of
this misguided land."
"I trust so, my lord," said Ebbo. "Truly, I have suffered bitterly
for pursuing my own quarrel rather than the crusade."
"I meant not thee," said Theurdank, kindly. "Thy bridge is a benefit
to me, as much as, or more than, ever it can be to thee. Dost know
Italian? There is something of Italy in thine eye."
"My mother's mother was Italian, my lord; but she died so early that
her language has not descended to my mother or myself."
"Thou shouldst learn it. It will be pastime while thou art bed-fast,
and serve thee well in dealing with the Moslem. Moreover, I may have
work for thee in Welschland. Books? I will send thee books. There
is the whole chronicle of Karl the Great, and all his Palsgrafen, by
Pulci and Boiardo, a brave Count and gentleman himself, governor of
Reggio, and worthy to sing of deeds of arms; so choice, too, as to
the names of his heroes, that they say he caused his church bells to
be rung when he had found one for Rodomonte, his infidel Hector.
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