Page:The venture; an annual of art and literature.djvu/122

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to her by the Archbishop of the City, and festivals, jousts, and tournaments were held in honour of the marriage, which endured much time.

The Prince immediately sent tidings of his good fortune to his father and mother; and his father, yearning to see the Princess, departed without delay, bringing his family, kindred, friends and servants in three galleys, and brought with him a great treasure of jewels, gold, and silver, which he gave to the Prince and Princess, so that he had much to bestow upon those to whom it seemed to him right. Also he sent to the Moor of Fez, who had counselled him so well in his traffic, who came at once with his wife, sons, and household, bringing with him all the substance he had. As soon as he found himself in England he would have kissed the hands of the Prince and Princess, but they would not suffer him, and with many demonstrations of affection made him rise; and the Moor kissed the hands of the King, who gave them a noble apartment, and ere long they became Christians, the King and Princess being their God-parents, and bestowing great favours on the day of the baptism. And while these festivities were being held the two musicians who had accompanied the Prince took him aside and spoke thus; "Our company is no longer needful for you, wherefore we are minded to depart, and before we go we are fain to tell you who we are, that you may know that what you laid out upon us was well employed, and that you have been abundantly repaid for it. Have you memory of those bones which you ransomed in the land of the Moors?

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