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248 ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BALLADS. |
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romance the count actually fulfills the commands of the king by murdering his spouse, but before her death she cites the king and the infanta to appear within thirty days before the judgment seat of God, and it is accomplished by their deaths in that time. There are numerous variants to the ballad in Spanish popular literature, and it has been made the subject of dramas by Lope deVega and others. Its connection with actual history is unknown.
DOM YANNO.
The princess wept and wept again ; the reason for her tears And that her life had little joy within her royal house, Was that her father had forgot for slowly passing years To dower her in marriage with some rich and noble spouse.
Her mourning was so deep one night, the king woke in his bed.
" What, troubles you, my daughter dear, why do you weep and mourn ? "
" Of your three daughters, royal sire, alone I am not wed.
Therefore my days are dark and dull; therefore I am forlorn."
" What remedy is there for that ? I 'm not the one to blame ; Ambassadors from Aquitaine and lords from Normandy, When with noble marriage proffers in suppliance they came, You would not hearken to at all, nor treat with courtesy."
" Of all the nobles of my court not one is there I see, Except Count Yanno, who in wealth and lineage of pride |
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