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ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BALLADS.
THE FAIR PRINCESS.
The princess sat in her garden fair ; With a golden comb she combed her hair. She raised her eyes to the azure bay. A brave fleet bore in with pennons gay.
" Good captain, say, in the Holy Land Have you seen my spouse with his brave band ?
" In Holy Land is many a knight. With what point device was he bedight ? "
" His steed bore saddle of silver gilt The cross of Christ was his gold sword hilt."
" A knight with these I saw bravely fall In fierce assault on a city's wall."
" A wretched widow I have become To mourn and weep in a ruined home, I have three daughters, lovely and sage, But spouseless and weak in orphanage."
" What gift to him who returns your spouse ? " " All the gold and silver in the house." " Of gold and silver I have no need, Some other guerdon must be my meed."
" I have three great mills ; all shall be thine. They grind white wheat and benzoin fine, The delicate flour, so finely wrought, The royal stewards have always sought."
" For your three mills I have no desire, Some other reward must pay my hire." |
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