"
The noisy voices dropped slowly into silence to hear what the king
said.
"Good people of Paris, I am no tyrant. But a king is the father of
his people, and his ears can never be shut against the cries of his
children. You all love this man? Hear, then, my judgment! This man's
life is forfeit. Which of you will redeem it? If there be one among
you ready to take Master Fran?ois Villon's place on yonder gibbet,
let that one speak now."
There was a brief silence as the mob began to realize the meaning of
the king's words, a silence broken by angry cries.
"What does he mean? Take his place on the gallows! A trick--a
trick!"
Louis grinned complacently.
"No trick, friends, but a simple bargain. Here is a man condemned to
death; here is an idle gibbet. If ye prize him so highly, let one
among you die for him. It has been said by the wise Apostle:
'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life
for his friends.' On my word as a king, when such a splendid
volunteer is swinging at the end of yonder rope that moment Master
Fran?ois Villon shall go free. Come, who will slip neck in noose for
the sake of a hero?"
Villon protested haughtily:
"No man shall die for me.
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