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262 ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BALLADS.
" Fair dame, 't is not a horse will serve, For far is Ceuta and Castille, To take a ship and run away,
Would be your father's slave to steal."
" Oh, take this purse of yellow silk, My mother dying gave to me, The golden pieces it contains Will richly pay your ransom fee.
" And when at home returned again, To Christian maidens you can say How Jewish hearts can sacrifice And show a deeper love than they."
As thus she spoke, the master came.
" Oh, master," said I, " God be praised, Good news has come across the sea,
My friends the ransom price have raised."
" Ah, Christian, what is that you say, Many cruzadoes it will need. Who gives you enough of gold
To pay the heavy ransom's meed ? "
" My sisters twain have sent me part, The other I had kept in store. An angel has brought me the gold, An angel bright from heaven's door."
" Hearken, Christian, change your faith, And you shall wed my daughter dear, My goods and wealth shall all be thine, And joy and peace surround you here." |
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