'Gerineldo, Gerineldo,
my fine chamberlain,
I'd have you do my bidding
for three hours tonight.'

'Because I am your servant,
Princess, you but mock.'
'I mock not, Gerineldo.
I mean what I have said.'

'Name the time, Princess,
when what you say shall be.'
'While the King's asleep,
between one and two.'

Quietly Gerineldo rose
and raised the portcullis.
He wears silken sandals,
his footsteps are muffled.

Thrice he rounds the palace,
thrice the castle rounds.
'Let me in, fair maiden,
sweet love, let me in.'

'Who are you, good sir,
thus calling at my door?'
'It's I, Gerineldo,
your own dearest love.'

She took him by the hand
and brought him to her bed.
They kissed and they embraced,
and Gerineldo slept.

The King wakes up in fright.
Thrice calls his chamberlain.
Thrice there is no answer.
'Gerineldo, Gerineldo,

my fine chamberlain,
are you engaged in treason?
Do you count me your foe?
You're either with the Princess

or my fortress you've betrayed.'
Fired with utter rage,
towards the bedchamber
he goes where Gerineldo lay.

He would have struck him dead
but that he'd had him reared.
Forthwith he draws his sword
and leaves it twixt them both.

When they awake they'll know
that he has seen their fault.
Aroused from sleep, the Princess
saw the sword and gasped.

'Rise up, Gerineldo,
here you have been traced.
My father's sword lies here,
witness to our disgrace.'

The King boards Gerineldo
returning to his place.
'Where to, Gerineldo,
downcast and so pale?'

'Sire, gathering flowers and lilies
in the garden I delayed.
The rose that smells sweetest
gnawed the colour off my face.'

'You lie, you lie, Gerineldo,
with the Princess you have lain.
My sword here stands as witness,
and there's vengeance on its blade.'

Notes on Gerineldo

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