Page:Select Popular Tales from the German of Musaeus.djvu/29

Rh “Let them put on the table,” answered Franz, “what the cook has at hand, that I may see whether your larder is well supplied.”

Orders were accordingly given, and the servants soon afterwards served up an excellent supper, fit for a prince. Franz sat down to it, and waited not till he was pressed, to eat voraciously. After having satisfied his hunger, he said, “Your larder is indifferently well supplied, and if your cellar be the same, I shall have to praise your house-keeping.”

The knight made a sign to the butler, to fill a goblet with common table wine, which he did, and offered it to his master, who emptied it to the health of his guest. Franz did not fail to pledge him, and after he had also emptied the goblet, the knight asked, “What do you think of this wine?”

“It’s but poor stuff,” replied Franz, “if it is your best; but tolerably good, if it is only your table drink.”

“You are a connoisseur,” answered Sir Eberhard, and bid the butler bring some of the best.

When Franz had tasted this, he said, “That is a noble beverage, let us keep to this.”

The goblets were filled accordingly, and the knight and his guest drank together, till both became merry and pleased with each other. Sir Eberhard began to talk of his campaigns, and told his guest how he had fought against the Venetians, broke through their encampments, and had killed them like so many sheep. This subject awakened the enthusiasm of the old soldier; he hewed down bottles and glasses, brandished the carving-knife like a sword, and pressed so close on his companion, that the latter began to fear for his nose and ears.

The knight seemed quite in his element, when talking of his campaigns against the Venetians, and, though it grew late, he seemed to have no disposition to sleep. His description became more lively at every goblet he emptied; and Franz became apprehensive, lest this might be the prologue to the principal action, in which he was to perform the most conspicuous, though the least agreeable part. He wished to learn at once where he was to pass the night; and, therefore, asked for the parting cup, expecting that the knight would now begin to press him to drink, and, if he did not, would make his refusal the ground for a quarrel, and send him away with his usual quantum of blows, according to the custom of the house. Contrary to his expectation, however, his request was immediately complied with. The knight broke off his story, saying, “Every thing in proper time, more to-morrow.”

“Pardon me, sir knight,” replied Franz, “to-morrow I shall be far from here. I have a long journey before me to Brabant, and must depart early. I shall therefore bid you farewell to-night, that my departure may not disturb your rest in the morning.”

“Do as you choose,” said the knight, “but you shall not