Victory was indeed assured you by the
justice of our cause. My Lord of Montcorbier, you may promise these
brave fellows that their sovereign will remember them."
Swiftly Villon turned and addressed the motley throng behind him:
"In the king's name, a gold coin to every man who fought and a cup
of wine to every man, woman and child who wishes to drink the king's
health."
The king smiled wryly.
"Ever generous," he said.
"To the end, sire," Villon answered, with an ironic salutation,
which Louis answered by an ironic question.
"What have you now to do?"
Villon saluted the king again.
"My latest duty, sire," he answered, and once again he turned to
address the multitude:
"Soldiers who have served under me, friends who have fought with me,
and you, people, whom I have striven to succour, listen to my
amazing swan song. You know me a little as Count of Montcorbier,
Grand Constable of France. I know myself indifferently well as
Fran?ois Villon, Master of Arts, broker of ballads and somewhile
bibber and brawler. It is now my task as Grand Constable of France
to declare that the life of Master Fran?ois Villon is forfeit and to
pronounce on him this sentence, that he be straightway hanged upon
yonder gibbet.
Pages:
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233