夜莺与玫瑰-第24部分

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let　our　lord　take　this　crown　and　this　sceptre，　and　be　in　his　justice　and　mercy　our　King　over　us。”
But　he　said　to　them，　“I　am　not　worthy，　for　I　have　denied　the　mother　who　bare　me，　nor　may　I　rest　till　I　have　found　her，　and　known　her　forgiveness。　Therefore，　let　me　go，　for　I　must　wander　again　over　the　world，　and　may　not　tarry　here，　though　ye　bring　me　the　crown　and　the　sceptre。”　And　as　he　spake　he　turned　his　face　from　them　towards　the　street　that　led　to　the　gate　of　the　city，　and　lo！　amongst　the　crowd　that　pressed　round　the　soldiers，　he　saw　the　beggar…woman　who　was　his　mother，　and　at　her　side　stood　the　leper，　who　had　sat　by　the　road。
And　a　cry　of　joy　broke　from　his　lips，　and　he　ran　over，　and　kneeling　down　he　kissed　the　wounds　on　his　mother’s　feet，　and　wet　them　with　his　tears。　He　bowed　his　head　in　the　dust，　and　sobbing，　as　one　whose　heart　might　break，　he　said　to　her：　“Mother，　I　denied　thee　in　the　hour　of　my　pride。　Accept　me　in　the　hour　of　my　humility。　Mother，　I　gave　thee　hatred。　Do　thou　give　me　love。　Mother，　I　rejected　thee。　Receive　thy　child　now。　”But　the　beggar…woman　answered　him　not　a　word。
And　he　reached　out　his　hands，　and　clasped　the　white　feet　of　the　leper，　and　said　to　him：　“Thrice　did　I　give　thee　of　my　mercy。　Bid　my　mother　speak　to　me　once。　”　But　the　leper　answered　him　not　a　word。
And　he　sobbed　again　and　said：　“Mother，　my　suffering　is　greater　than　I　can　bear。　Give　me　thy　forgiveness，　and　let　me　go　back　to　the　forest。　”　And　the　beggar…woman　put　her　hand　on　his　head，　and　said　to　him，　“Rise，　”　and　the　leper　put　his　hand　on　his　head，　and　said　to　him，　“Rise，　”　also。
And　he　rose　up　from　his　feet，　and　looked　at　them，　and　lo！　they　were　a　King　and　a　Queen。
And　the　Queen　said　to　him，　“This　is　thy　father　whom　thou　hast　succoured。”
And　the　King　said，　“This　is　thy　mother　whose　feet　thou　hast　washed　with　thy　tears。　”　And　they　fell　on　his　neck　and　kissed　him，　and　brought　him　into　the　palace　and　clothed　him　in　fair　raiment，　and　set　the　crown　upon　his　head，　and　the　sceptre　in　his　hand，　and　over　the　city　that　stood　by　the　river　he　ruled，　and　was　its　lord。　Much　justice　and　mercy　did　he　show　to　all，　and　the　evil　Magician　he　banished，　and　to　the　Woodcutter　and　his　wife　he　sent　many　rich　gifts，　and　to　their　children　he　gave　high　honour。　Nor　would　he　suffer　any　to　be　cruel　to　bird　or　beast，　but　taught　love　and　loving…kindness　and　charity，　and　to　the　poor　he　gave　bread，　and　to　the　naked　he　gave　raiment，　and　there　was　peace　and　plenty　in　the　land。
Yet　ruled　he　not　long，　so　great　had　been　his　suffering，　and　so　bitter　the　fire　of　his　testing，　for　after　the　space　of　three　years　he　died。　And　he　who　came　after　him　ruled　evilly。

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