day they sent certain of their number to plead with him.  The eldest among them was the spokesman.  “O noble lord,” he said, “in your pity and mercy spare us, your servants, and do not punish us because we come to you with our request.  Long have we lived the servants of your house, and always have found happiness in your service.  Nowhere is greater felicity than in this goodly land.  One thing only irks us:  you have no wife, and may die without an heir and the land pass to a stranger.  Then woe to us!  Time creeps on unnoticed, and before you are aware your youth will have given place to age.  For our sakes, great lord, take you a wife.  Let us choose you one; the noblest and fairest should be your bride.  Relent; grant us this request, that everywhere may be perfect happiness beneath your sway.”

Duke Walter was moved by their earnest speaking.  “I will grant you this,” he said, “although I had thought to live unmarried and free all my days.  But you must fulfil my conditions.  I will choose my own bride when and where I please, and you must promise to reverence and obey her whoever she may be; poor or rich, beautiful or ugly, she must be regarded as though she were an emperor’s daughter.  Promise this, and I will wed as you desire.”  They promised gladly, but to make sure that the duke would indeed fulfil his word, they asked him to appoint a day when the marriage should be.  This he did, and forthwith great preparations were made.

Squires and knights from all parts came to Salucia to do honour to this marriage.  The feast was ordered, brooches and necklaces for the bride were made by the best craftsmen in the town, and all the court prepared to wear its most splendid robes.  Yet, strange to say, when the day of the wedding came, no one knew who the bride would be.  Some were afraid lest Duke Walter should again change his mind and not marry after all.  Some still hoped and trusted, for surely their duke would not fail them after so many preparations had been made!

On the day appointed for the marriage, Duke Walter and his court assembled at the palace in all their magnificence, with music and gaiety, shining armour and jewellery.  To everyone’s surprise the duke led them in procession from the palace to a little village adjoining the town, and here dismounted near a poor hovel.  This was the home of Janicula, a poor old man, who would have starved had not his daughter earned a living for them both by gathering herbs and keeping a few sheep on the common.  Griselda was not only beautiful, but renowned throughout the village for her gentleness and patience and for the love she bore her father.