Page:The venture; an annual of art and literature.djvu/111

 mend them, hearing the sweetness of their well blended instruments, to which the youth sang this song in our language:—

Land of Lusia was my home,

Weary now the world I roam,

Since I set from bondage free

Who hath bondsman made of me.

Woe is me and well away!

Bearing to wild Barbary

Ransom for the royal may

Foe to my felicity!

I the cup of youth have spilled,

I the joy of life have killed,

Freeing from captivity

Who hath captive made of me.

Now in lowlihead I lie,

Fallen as doth well befit

Him who taught his heart to fly

Toward a hope too high for it.

All my worth is clean forgot,

Care is none of knightly lot,

Since from bonds I set her free

Who hath captive made of me.

And this he sang with such sweetness and tenderness that although those knew not what he said who understood not his language, all knew him for most skilful in music, and were content with him, especially the princess who heard him,