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ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BALLADS. 249
Can for a single instant seem a worthy spouse for thee, And he has taken to his house a fair and noble bride."
" O noble father of my soul, you 've named the very one. If he already has a wife, and even children too, He owes another pledge to me, for my weak heart he won. He gave to me his solemn word, and I believed it true."
The king sent summons to the count to come where he awaits. He had not thought what he should do, or e'en what he
should say. " 'T is but a single moment since I left the palace gates, And now the king demands me back ; what does it mean, I
pray ? "
Count Yanno enters in the hall; the king straight to him goes. " My lord, I humbly kiss your hands ; what is your royal
will?" " You may kiss them for the honor the king on thee bestows, In wedlock take my daughter's hand, and your sworn troth
fulfill."
Count Yanno, when he heard these words, was struck with
mortal dread. " My royal master, I 've a wife with whom I live in bliss." " Go kill your wife without delay, and then my daughter wed." " What ! kill my wife, so innocent! What black command is
this !"
"Be silent, Count, your insolence I will not suffer now. One cannot trick a royal maid like any simple slave." " My lord, before your righteous rage in penitence I bow, That I may pay the debt alone is all I humbly crave." |
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