“Nay, Melissa—hear me!” he cried, and, forgetful of friar and gaping outlaws, he clasped her fast 'prisoned 'gainst his heart. “Thee do I love, dear maid, 'bove rank, or fame, or riches, or aught this world may offer. So, an thou wouldst have me ragged and destitute and outlaw, all this will I be for thy sweet sake since life were nought without thee, O maid I do so love—how say'st thou?”
“I say to thee, Pertinax, that thy so great love hath loosed thy tongue at last, Love hath touched thy lips with eloquence beyond all artifice since now, methinks, it is thy very soul doth speak me. And who shall resist such wooing? Surely not I that do—love thee beyond telling. So take me, my lord, thy right hand in mine, the talisman in thy left—so! Now, my Pertinax, speak thy heart's wish.”
“Friar,” quoth Sir Pertinax, holding aloft the Crystal Heart, “as her love is mine and mine hers, wed and unite us in our love—by the magic of this jewel I do command thee!”
Here, beholding the talisman, Friar John gasped and stared round-eyed and incredulous.
“By Holy Rood!” he whispered, “'t is indeed the Crystal Heart!”
“And O!” sighed Melissa, “O Friar John, thou dost mind the saying:
“'He that taketh Crystal Heart,
Taketh all and every part!'”
“Aye, truly—truly!” nodded the Friar.
“'And by night, or eke by day,
The Crystal Heart all must obey!'”
So saying he got him down from the ass and, for all his corpulence, louted full low.