Chapter 19 - Page 2

seemingly bent with age. He had a long beard hanging over his
breast, and eyebrows that almost covered his eyes. He bade Rinaldo
good day. Rinaldo thanked him, and said, "A good day I have hardly had
since I was born." Then said the old man, "Signor Rinaldo, you must
not despair, for God will make all things turn to the best." Rinaldo
answered, "My trouble is too heavy for me to hope relief. The king has
taken my brothers, and means to put them to death. I thought to rescue
them by means of my horse Bayard, but while I slept some thief has
stolen him." The old man replied, "I will remember you and your
brothers in my prayers. I am a poor man, have you not something to
give me?" Rinaldo said, "I have nothing to give," but then he
recollected his spurs. He gave them to the beggar, and said, "Here,
take my spurs. They are the first present my mother gave me when my
father, Count Aymon, dubbed me knight. They ought to bring you ten
pounds."
The old man took the spurs, and put them into his sack, and said,
"Noble sir, have you nothing else you can give me?" Rinaldo replied,
"Are you making sport of me? I tell you truly if it were not for shame
to beat one so helpless, I would teach you better manners." The old
man said, "Of a truth, sir, if you did so, you would do a great sin.
If all had beaten me of whom I have begged, I should have been
killed long ago, for I ask alms in churches and convents, and wherever
I can." "You say true," replied Rinaldo, "if you did not ask, none
would relieve you." The old man said, "True, noble sir, therefore I
pray if you have anything more to spare, give it me." Rinaldo gave him
his mantle, and said, "Take it, pilgrim, I give it you for the love of
Christ, that God would save my brothers from a shameful death, and
help me to escape out of King Charles's power."
The pilgrim took the mantle, folded it up, and put it into his
bag. Then a third time he said to Rinaldo, "Sir, have you nothing left
to give me in my prayers?" "Wretch!" exclaimed Rinaldo, "do you make
me your sport?" and he drew his sword, and struck at him: but the
old man warded off the blow with his staff, and said, "Rinaldo,
would you slay your cousin, Malagigi?" When Rinaldo heard that he
stayed his hand, and gazed doubtingly on the old man, who now threw
aside his disguise, and appeared to be indeed Malagigi, "Dear cousin."
said Rinaldo, "pray forgive me. I did not know you. Next to God, my
trust is in you. Help my brothers to escape out of prison, I entreat
you. I have lost my horse, and therefore cannot render them any
assistance." Malagigi answered, "Cousin Rinaldo, I will enable you
to recover your horse. Meanwhile, you must do as I say."
Then Malagigi took from his sack a gown, and gave it to Rinaldo to