Page:The venture; an annual of art and literature.djvu/113

 Emperor in the world, and there not being room for them in London they encamped upon the fields in tents, which were so many and rich and splendid that all rejoiced to see them who could see them with a light heart. But our Portuguese, seeing all this magnificence and himself so poor and in want of everything that belonged to such an occasion, and despairing of being able to enter the jousts, went about so sad and dismal that it seemed as though his last hour was come. And had he had any means of discovering his necessities to the Princess, doubtless he would have done so, but not having any he remained awaiting his perdition and death, which must soon have come to pass if God had not put it into the hearts of the two musicians, perceiving his melancholy, to thus discourse with him: "Comrade," they said "we pray you much to disclose to us the cause of your discontent, which we trust in Christ to be able to remedy if remedy be in the power of man; our wills, powers, and persons being wholly yours. Tell us therefore, whence is your grief?" He, seeing their goodwill and offers, said: "Were I but apparelled for this tourney I would be bold to enter it, and would so bear myself that with the aid of God I should win the prize; and since I see myself deprived of all that is necessary, and so placed that I cannot obtain it I die of passion, for I am losing all that I might have gained." To which they replied that it still wanted five days to the tourney, and that he must hasten to equip himself, for they had and would provide all that was needful, as in truth they did. And he rejoiced and became so gay and knew so well how to fit