“Simon,” said the Prince, “for this dear youth’s sake and thy father’s, I raise no hand against thee. Bitter wrong has been done to thy house, by what persons, and how provoked, it skills not now to ask. Twice thy fury has fallen on the guiltless. Enough blood has been shed. Let there be peace henceforth.”
Simon stood moody, with folded arms, and Richard groaned, and essayed to speak.
“Peace, boy,” tenderly said Edward; “and thou, Simon, hear me. I loved thy father, and knew the upright noble spirit that arrayed him against us. Heaven is my witness that I would have given my life to have been able to save him on yon wretched battle-field. But he fell in fair fight, in helm and corselet, like a good knight. Peace be with him! Surely in this land of pardon and redemption his son and nephew may cease to seek one another’s blood for his sake! Cheer thy brother by letting him feel his brave deed hath not been fruitless. Free thou shalt go—do what thou wilt; no word of mine shall betray that this deed is thine.”
“Lay aside thy purpose,” entreated Richard. “Bind him by oath, my Lord.”
“Nay,” said the Prince. “Here, on foreign soil, the strife lies between the cousins, the sons of Henry and of Eleanor; and if Simon must needs still slake his revenge in my blood, he may have better success another time. Or, so soon as I can wear my armour again, I offer him a fair combat in the lists, man to man; better so than staining his soul with privy murder—but I had far rather that it should be peace between us—and that thou shouldst see it.” And Edward, still supporting Richard on his breast, held out his right hand to Simon, adding, “Let not thy brother’s blood be shed in vain.”
Richard made a gesture of agonized entreaty.
“My father—my father!” he said. “He forgave—he hated blood; Simon, didst but know—”
“I see,” said Simon impatiently, “that Heaven and earth alike are set against my purpose. Fear not for his days, Richard, they are safe from me, and here is my hand upon it.”
The tone was sullen and grudging, and Richard looked scarcely comforted; but the Prince was in haste that he should be succoured at once, and even while receiving Simon’s unwilling hand, said, “We lose time. Speed near enough to the Spital to be heard, and shout for aid. Then seek thine own safety. I will say no more of thy share in this matter.”
Simon lingered one moment. “Boy,” he said, “I told thee thou wast over like him. Live, live if thou canst! Alas! I had thought to make surer work this time; but thou dost pardon me the mischance?”