--- title: How Ralph Entertained the King — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees description: How Ralph Entertained the King, «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: On the feast of St. Thomas, which is four days before Yule, King Charles rode out of the city of Paris --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/14/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/) / How Ralph Entertained the King # How Ralph Entertained the King How Ralph Entertained the King of «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole text, 85 sentences and 1538 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. On the feast of St. Thomas, which is four days before Yule, King Charles rode out of the city of Paris with a great company of princes and nobles.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") As they rode across the moor a great tempest from the east fell upon them.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") So fierce was the wind and so heavy the rain, that they were scattered over the country, nor could they tell, the day being well nigh as dark as night, whither they were going.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Of what befell the rest of the company there is no need to tell; this tale concerns King Charles only.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") As he rode in sore plight, not knowing where he might find shelter, he was aware of a churl, who was leading a mare carrying two great panniers. "[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Now tell me your name," said the King. "[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") They call me Ralph the Charcoal-burner," said the man. "[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") I live in these parts--my house is seven miles hence--and I earn my bread with no little toil, selling coals to such as need them." "[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Friend," said the King, "I mean you no ill, for I judge you to be an honest man." "[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Judge as you will," answered Ralph, "I care not." "[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") I am in sore need of a friend," said the King; "for both my horse and I are ready to perish, the storm is so fierce.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Tell me then where I can find shelter." "[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Shelter!" said Ralph, "I know of none, save in my own cottage, and that is far hence in the forest.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") But to that you are welcome, if you care to come with me."[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") The King was right glad to hear these words. "[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") That is well," said he, "God reward you for your goodness." "[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Nay," answered the churl, "keep your thanks till they have been earned.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") As yet you have had from me nothing, neither fire, nor meat, nor dinner, nor resting-place.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") To-morrow when you go you can thank me, if you be so minded, with better reason.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") To praise first, and, may be, to blame afterwards--that is contrary to sense." "[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") So shall it be," said the King.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") So they went their way, talking as they went.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") When they were come to the house Ralph called with a loud voice to his wife, "Are you within, dame?[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Come out, open the door without delay.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") My guest and I are shivering with cold; such evil weather I have never seen."[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") The good wife, when she heard her master's voice, made all haste to the door, knowing that he was a man of a hasty temper. "[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") You are welcome home," said she to Ralph; and to the stranger, "You are welcome also." "[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Kindle a great fire," said Ralph, "and take two capons of the best, that we may have good cheer," and he took the King by the hand, and would have him go before him into the house.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") But the King stood back by the door, and would have the charcoal-burner pass in before him. "[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") That is but poor courtesy," said the man, and took him by the neck and pushed him in.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") When they had warmed themselves awhile by the fire, which was blazing in right royal fashion, Ralph cried to his wife, "Let us have supper, Gillian, as quickly as may be, and of the best, for we have had a toilsome day, and may well have a merry night.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Never have I suffered worse weather or been so near to losing my way as when I met with this stranger here."[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") In no long time, when they had washed themselves, the supper was ready. "[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Now, friend," said Ralph, "take the dame by the hand, and lead her to the board."[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") And when the King held back, he cried, "Now this is the second time," and smote him suddenly under the ear with his right hand, so strongly that he staggered half across the chamber, and fell to the ground.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") When the King rose, and indeed he could scarcely stand, "Now, Gillian," said Ralph, "take him by the hand and go to the table as I bid you."[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") To his guest he said, "Now this is the second time that you have been lacking in courtesy, first by the door, and then at the table.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Will you not do as you are bid?[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Am not I the master of my own house?"[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") The King said to himself, "These are strange doings.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Never have I been so dealt with in all my life."[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless for peace' sake he did as he was bid, and giving his hand to the dame, led her to the table.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") So they sat, the charcoal-burner on one side of the table, and the King and dame Gillian on the other.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Right good cheer they had, fat capons, and bread, and wine of the best.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") Truly they wanted for nothing.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Said the churl to the King, "Sir, the foresters in this place threaten me much about the deer.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") They say that I am ever bringing down the fattest of the herd.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") They will hale me, they say, to Paris, and bring me before the King, and make complaint against me.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Say what they will, why should I not have enough for myself, aye, and to set before a guest?[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") And now, my friend, spare not; there is enough and more."[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") When they had well eaten, Ralph said to his wife, "Now, Gill, send round the cup.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") I will drink to my friend, and he shall drink to me."[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") So the dame handed the cup, and the two drank to each other.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, supper being ended, they sat by the fire, and the Charcoal-burner told many merry tales.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") When it grew late, he said to the King, "Tell me now where you live." "[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") I live at Court," said he, "where I have an office with the Queen." "[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") And what is your office?" "[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") I am gentleman of the Queen's bed-chamber." "[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") And what is your name?" "[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") My name is Wymond; Wymond of the Wardrobe they call me.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") And now, if you will come to Court, I can doubtless serve you, for I will see that you have a good sale for your fuel."[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Said Ralph, "I know not where the Court of which you speak may be."[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") But Charles urged him, saying that the King and Queen would be in Paris to spend Yuletide together, and that there would be much merrymaking, and that without doubt he would sell his fuel to great advantage. "[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") You seem to talk reason," said Ralph, "I will come.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") And now let us have another cup, and so to bed."[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") So the collier and the dame led him to another chamber, where there was a bed handsomely furnished, and closed in with curtains.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") When they saw that he was well served and had all that he needed, they bade him good-night, and the King thanked them for their courtesy.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") The next day as soon as it was light, the King rose from the bed and dressed himself without help, for, indeed, he had neither valet nor squire.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Then his palfrey was brought to him, which when he had mounted, he called to Ralph, where he lay, for he would take his leave in friendly fashion, as was fitting in one that had had such good cheer.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") When the churl was roused, he said to the King, "Now tarry awhile till this evil weather be ended." "[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Nay," answered the King, "I must needs to my work and office; Yuletide is now at hand, and he that is found wanting will be greatly blamed.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") And now call thy good wife that I may pay her for the shelter and good cheer that I have had." "[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Nay," cried Ralph, "that shall never be; to think that I should take pay for sheltering one that is of the Court of the King Charles!" "[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") So be it," answered the King; "but at least if you will not take pay, come to the Court with a load of fuel as soon as may be; I warrant that if you will do so, you will make good profit of your goods." "[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") That will I," answered Ralph. "[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") I would fain see how coals sell at court.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") And now tell me your name once more, lest I forget it."[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the King rode away, nor had he travelled long when Roland and Oliver, with a thousand men after them, met him.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") They had come forth to search for him, and right glad were they to find him.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") So they turned their horses' heads and journeyed back to Paris.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") When they were near the town, Turpin the Archbishop came forth from the gates to meet them with a great company of bishops and priests and others giving thanks to God that their lord the King was come again to Paris.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") And when they had come to Paris, they went to the Church of St. Denis, where there was service.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") And after service they went to the Palace, and kept their Yule feast with much mirth and plenty of good things.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") For one-and-twenty days did they feast.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") Never had such a Yuletide been kept in the land of France.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Of Reynaud's End](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/13/) - next →: [How Ralph Went to Court](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/15/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)