Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/152

 the humble character of a ballad-finger, might easily have traversed all Europe. I took up quarters at an inn of a neighbouring village, where a good number of swains and shepherdesses came to dance to the tune of my instrument.

In the height of their glee I felt something pull my coat from behind, and looking round, perceived it to be a large, ugly and half mangy cur. He jumped at me, and I had much ado to keep off his caresses; at last he whined, and however altered his form was, yet I immediately recognized him by his voice to be Fidello, the faithful companion of my infancy. But what a change was there in the poor animal! He had lost one eye, his ears were mangled, and tied with a cord round his neck, he now was the guide and servant of a ragged beggar. Irritated at the ingratitude of those, who to reward his long and faithful services had turned him off, I could not help shedding tears of indignation. I resolved never to part with him more. On enquiring of his then master, I not only learned poor Fidello's story, but also part of my own. It appeared,