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"I went thence to Paris; and I know not how it happened, but I was well received there, and I was thought to possess talents, although I had not made any new acquirements. Astonished at this unexpected success, I was forming the most brilliant expectations, when one of my friends said to me,

You must not be too much intoxicated with your success, for in this place moderate abilities only are encouraged;

perhaps your fame may on the morrow vanish away like a dream.'

[VOL. 4 done; thou wilt present her with this badly, and recommended my quitting a letter; she may perhaps have the kind- profession for which I was not born. ness to reply to it, which thou wilt re- His advice, however, was. vain ; I return here with, and I will recompense mained constant to my pipes, and thee more magnificently than if thou resolved to make them celebrated hadst been the first musician in the throughout the universe. world.' Delighted with so lucky an adventure, I took the letter from Sir Raoul, passed through St. Quentin, and was soon at the walls of the castle of Fayel. My music resounded like that of the God Pan, when a young lady appeared at her turret with a face as brilliant, and with eyes as bright, as those of a red breast when seen in win. ter in the midst of bushes. I ceased playing on her appearance, to offer her the letter ;-imprudent as I was-for-make hay while the sun shines, for I had been watched-old Fayel was at hand-he seized the letter, ordered his daughter to retire, and commanded his pages and bachelors to put me into confinement. Shortly after I was brought before this Argus, who was foaming with rage; I attempted to soften, or to put him to sleep with my pipe, as Mercury had done to the original Argus with his flute; but alas! the Lord de Fayel was no lover of music; he had me bound by his valets, and, regardles of my talents, had the barbarity to order me one hundred lashes. I was then thrown into a dark hole, with a bundle of straw and a most frugal supper, and on the morrow dismissed, with the advice to examine well all the avenues of the castle, for if I were again found within its purlieus, the world would forever be deprived of so great a musician, and Raoul of so faithful a servant. They positively assured me, that I should then be delivered over to the high-bailiff of the Vumandor's from whose clutches I might get out as well ás I could.

"What he said was true, for the public was, if possible, more suddenly disgusted with me than it had before been delighted. Ah! the comical town,' said I, on quitting it, when I found there was nothing more to be gotten; but fortunately I had collected some few crowns in my pocket.

"I was told that the court of the Count of Poitiers was the usual resort of the Troubadours. From time immemorial Troubadours and Minstrels have been brethren; for whilst the first were chanting their tensons and lays to the sound of their instruments in the Cisalpine provinces, our ancestors were gayly swelling their pipes to the merry dance of the Courante in the marshes of Belgium.

"In the hope, therefore, of meeting brethren of the pipe, I set out for Poitiers; and whether I really did possess a certain degree of merit, or whether the Poiterians, not much famed for talents, had not the injustice to exact from others what they were wanting in themselves, I soon acquired a tolerable degree of fame,-became acquainted with several inhabitants of the country, who danced to my music-Was my wife not listening, I could tell you, sir, some humorous adventures that happened to me in that fine country.

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have made my fortune in that province, discourteous for a Minstrel." Do you had not my ruling passion for travelling hear this wretched Flemish bagpiper, caused me to leave it. I traversed who dares to insult a woman whose Languedoc and Provence, where the sole misfortune has been caused by her inhabitants have so much wit, and such weakness in marrying him? Accursed eagerness to show it, they never wait to be the fatal moment when I first thought see whether others may not be equally of fixing on such a husband. If you gifted, Afraid of my success in these knew, sir, all the rambles I have been countries, I went into Gascony; but obliged to make with this wild fellow" that was ten times worse. Nothing, Nothing," Softly, madam, if you please," however, could equal the petulance of replied the Minstrel," it belongs to me the people of Biscay, whither I next to relate them to the gentleman. When directed my steps; but I soon fled I had married madam," continued he, from a country where every one seemed "it was necessary that my pipes should bitten by a tarantula. I began to furnish us with subsistence for both. I breathe in Arragon. Here, said I to quitted Catalonia, where I gained but myself, is a wise people, who are never little, and conducted my lady to Toletoo much hurried to act or talk. I al- do, where I formed for her a handsome most thought myself in my native coun- establishment. Had she not been so try; but I did not add to my riches extravagant in that town, and had she there. not unexpectedly made me father of

"I heard great talk of Barcelona, that girl there, I should have become where every one, even a player on the the richest musician in both Castiles. bagpipes, could make his fortune. I. But in short, every thing may be exwent thither, and began to blow away pected in a married state. Do not, on my pipes at the neat tippling-houses however, suppose, sir, that I was angry in the suburbs of this capital of Catalo- with my wife on this account-Thanks nia. One day, while I was playing to Heaven for having given me a sweet to a brilliant company of both sexes, temper-She might have done much and they amusing themselves in danc- worse before I should have found fault ing, the lady whom you see by my with her. Events will prove what I side, hearing me utter some words in have said for instance, examine the bad French (see how wonderful is the features of these young nut-crackers, love of one's country), felt for me an and tell me, on your honour, if you can instantaneous passion, at least so she discover any likeness between their has assured me since. For my part, sir, faces and mine. That, however, makes I no way shared her flame, for the lady no difference to me-here they are, and was scarce handsomer then than now, I love them just the same as if they when she can count half a century; were my own blood. When I perbut charmed and most grateful to see a woman in love with me, which had never happened to me before, I told her that I should be extremely sorry she should consume herself in vain for my bright eyes, and that since she would absolutely have my hand, I could not have the cruelty to refuse it to her. She assured me that her birth was above the common that her family, originally from Berny, still were held in great consideration at Châteauroux. But, sir, the privilege of a traveller is well known in regard to truth, and I soon discovered that the lady had taken advantage of my youth."

At these words the old woman interrupted her husband, who was too

ceived them coming into life, although I had no hand in it, I swelled my bagpipe the merrier to gain wherewith to support them, and to make a stand against our creditors."

Here the wife interrupted this indiscreet babbler." Have you not sufficiently stunned the gentleman with your impertinences? and do you forget that we have not tasted a morsel all this day, while you hear the bell at the neighbouring monastery ring for evening prayers ?"

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You are in the right," replied the docile Minstrel, "let us go and breakfast with the money this generous gentleman has just given me,-sufficient for the day is the evil thereof,we may

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possibly find, before night, some other ed the Minstrel, "but I forget where I charitable person not invincible to the charms of music."

"You may keep your money in your pocket," replied the Cambresian, "the monastery, whose hell you now hear, is Vaucelles, where I have some friends; let us go thither together, and we shall be well received, for the pious children of St. Bernard, to whom the convent belongs, are famous for their hospitality."

The Minstrel takes up his pilgrim's staff, slings his pipes on his back, and offers his arm to his wife, who accompanies him limping and scolding; the two boys run before them like two young greyhounds; the girl is silent and sighs; and thus the Cambresian conducts the limping caravan to the monastery.

PART II.

HAPPY were the pilgrims of good old times, who, when worn down with fatigue and hunger, on discovering the towers of a monastery, entered instantly its gates, and were received as part of the family. It is said that great changes have since happened, and that convents are not now so charitably inclined; this may, perhaps be caused by pilgrims not being so worthy and good as in old times.

However this may be, our Minstrel met with a favourable reception; for the Lord Abbot having noticed the company from his narrow painted window, descended the stair-case, and met at the bottom of it his nephew. He, the young Cambresian, had the honour so to be. He presented to his uncle his vagabond companions, who were conducted by the steward into the hall for the reception of guests, and instantly served with a dinner, during which the Minstrel never said a word; but by degrees, as his hunger was satisfied, and the wine raised his spirits, he began to talk away as usual at all rates.

"Sir Minstrel," said the Cambresian, "with the permission of madam, have the goodness to continue your history, which is very interesting, and will certainly afford pleasure to the steward, who has taken such good care of you.' "I will cheerfully comply," answer

left off."-" You were," replied the Cambresian," in the act of swelling your pipes at Toledo."

66 "Good," said the Minstrel 1; you have heard nothing as yet. I was forced to quit Toledo, like as I had quitted many other towns, without finding myself the richer. I went thence to Madrid, where novelty gave me a good reception. All the capitals of the world afford great resources to every new comer in the folly of their inhabitants.

At this time I was followed at Madrid, as so many others had been, who possessed no greater talents than myself. A slight quarrel arose, however, in my own family: my wife accused me of poisoning her,-I, who never had courage to poison a rat,— was it probable that I should attempt such a thing? I was nevertheless thought guilty, arrested, and thrown into prison, where I languished for six months. A thousand captious questions were put to me, to make me own myself guilty of so horrid a crime ; but when they were perfectly convinced that I had not sense enough to do such an act, I was restored to my liberty.

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I instantly hurried to my lodgings, whence I had been taken to have the honour of being made the inhabitant of a royal mansion, eager to embrace my wife and these three children: but, sir, my wife was not there; for she had found means to interest in her behalf an officer of the holy inquisition, and, if she pleases, she can tell you more on that head than I can. All that I know is, that she was an inmate of his house when I left prison. I hastened thither, and found her with that officer, who turned pale at sight of me; but without noticing his paleness, I embraced my wife with tenderness, and without anger, which the more astonished the alguazil. She burst into a loud fit of laughter; her friend followed her example; and I also joined in the laugh. These good people were very kind, to have me imprisoned for such a trifle.

"This connexion was lucky; for the officer of the holy inquisition took charge of my wife; so that I had one mouth the less to fill, and only these three brats to maintain. My pipes be

gan to bring in a tolerable revenue, as there were at that time at Madrid some very pretty romances, which I played moderately well, and not a night passed without my being called upon to give a serenade. In the evening I went to the Prado, where I was eagerly sought after, sometimes by a duenna, sometimes by a lord of the court, knights of the order of Calatrava, members of the council of Castile; at other times by ladies of easy virtue, who are as common at Madrid as in other countries.

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officer of the sacred troop, her favourite, and my substitute, who had dressed himself up in the clothes of some majordomo. It was these two honest creatures who were playing me this trick; however, they paid me as generously as those would have done whose clothes they wore, and this was some consolation to me."

The Minstrel was thus far advanced in his history, when the bell rang for prayers, to the great disappointment of the steward, who, for the last quarter of an hour, had crammed his napkin into his mouth to prevent himself from laughing out loud. He had reason to be sorry to leave it thus half untold, for the history increased in interest.

·

Sir, I witnessed daily all the tender and most irritable passions in action, during my walks up and down the Prado;-gallants puffing themselves out like frogs, or like my bagpipe, to give themselves the appearance of the "My wife," continued the ingenuous most desperate lovers. I joined in sen- musician, "grew tired of her friend, or timent with all that employed me, or he grew tired of her, I know not which rather I acted my part after the exam- in this respect had the advantage; but ple of others, and my pockets were con- one fine morning, madam paid me a sequently well filled. But I must tell visit when I least expected it, and said' you, sir, an adventure that happened to that she was returned to live with me, I had formed an 6 me on the Prado. Madam,' said I, you do me a great arrangement with a little poet from An- deal of honour. From that time my dalusia, whom I ordered to write ver- house had all the character belonging ses, as I would order a coat from a tai- to a musician; for whilst I was atlor. One evening as we were on the tempting to play some new romances Prado, a man, whom I took at least for with my Andalusian, she was making a grandee of Spain, although the ob- a variety of noises; distributing, with scurity prevented me from observing an ease that I never saw equalled by his features, called out to me, with a any, a box on the ear to her daughter, deep and commanding voice, Minstrel, kicks on the breech to her sons, breakcompose and play me instantly a ro- ing and throwing down furniture, and a mance. Very willingly, my lord,' variety of other elegant deeds that I I replied on what subject do you suppress. Our neighbours thought our 6 ; wish it ?' On a blockhead of a hus- household somewhat too noisy, and band, who is forced to sing the praises made such complaints as forced us to of another, who plays his part in re- dislodge. None would admit us into gard to his wife.' I pressed my little their houses from our bad reputation, Andalusian to make haste with the so that we were forced to sleep under words, and as he repeated them to me, gateways, or on benches before the I adapted a proper tune to them. I doors, and the wicked children of the wish I could now remember them, sir, town called us the Benchers of Madrid. for they were very fine, and I would sing them to you with my own accompaniment. When I executed them to a handsome purse during my widowmy noble patron, and the handsome la- hood; but my wife, on her return, took dy that was with him in an unfrequent- possession of it as the seal of our reconed part of the walks, they were so great- ciliation, and in less than six weeks it ly delighted, they were almost suffoca- was all dissipated. To add to my misted with laughter. Shall you be able fortune, we were the public laughingto guess who this brilliant couple were? stock at Madrid. Convinced that no Ask the lady here, for it was herself, artist ought to remain long in any town well wrapped up in her veil, with the where the public take such licence in

"Ah, sir! I was undeserving of this contempt; for I had in truth collected

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"I had for my subaltern-master a groom, called Ismael Sabaoth, who was assuredly the most discourteous and most disagreeable Saracen of all Greṇada. Imagine, sir, a pigmy in shape, a giant in head, mole in the smallness of his eyes, a goat in beard, an Ethiopian in colour, a very hobgoblin, who would have frightened a Cæsar in the night-time. Add to this, a fox in cunning, wicked as a monkey, and brutal as a hound. This animal, however, was the lover of the wife of the Zegris; you may judge, therefore, of the good taste of the lady, and of the comforts that awaited me.

regard to him, I picked up my alls, and most impatient of all the Zegris. What set out for Grenada. I had been told was to be done? It is said that man that the Abencerragoes were as great accustoms himself to any thing; I had, admirers of music as of the fair sex and nevertheless, the utmost difficulty to tournaments. A desire to be the Or- become a jockey. pheus of some of these gallant Moors had determined me to undertake the journey. But, sir, I was in no imposing equipage when I made my entry into Grenada; and my fate was like that of Homer, who was forced to ask alms by holding out the same hands that have transmitted to us his immortal poems. Poverty only excites pity which borders on contempt; and altho' alms be given to a poor person, the giver scarcely ever supposes him to have any merit; for to gain even the appear ance of abilities, a man must be as well dressed at Grenada as any where else, I was almost naked; my wife had no longer those charms that won the affections of the officer of the holy office; our two brats were in a state of nature; and my Andalusian poet, who was in such vogue at Madrid, seemed a blockhead at Grenada, In a word, this great theatre was too brilliant for us.

on

"This wretch would fancy, that, without ever having served an apprenticeship, I was as well acquainted as himself in the business of the stable. He was incessantly scolding; but not content with that, he beat me. It was necessary that I should always have the "Despised by the Abencerragoes, currycomb in my hand, and be mounted guess how low I was sunk in my own on base villainous beasts, which were mind, sir, and what steps I took? You constantly prancing, and seemed to take have heard of the Zegris, the second fac- delight in throwing me sometimes tion at Grenada, and know that these the dunghill, at others in the cess-pool, proud Zegris, despise all knowledge in although I hung on as long as I could literature, the fine arts, or in music. It by their manes, On my return to the was to one of these, however, that I stable, without ever giving me a minute was forced to attach myself; but, just to wipe and clean myself, I was forced Heavens! in what a situation! Alas! to measure out oats, cut down hay, one day, almost sinking through hun- spread straw, which brought on quarger and thirst, I was leaning against a rels with the purveyor. I was then sent wall, when a Zegris passing by, noticed to collect herbs, and to select the most me, and said, Thou sufferest: I have proper to purge my animals, who encompassion on thee; follow me.' I did joyed far better health than I did. so, and he conducted me to his stable, "It was with the utmost difficulty when, pointing to two Arabian horses, that, in the course of a week, I could and six Andalusian mares, he said: steal a single quarter of an hour to myLay aside thy pipes, which will make thee starve, and dress my horses, which will afford thee a sustenance.'

6

self for repose. This I constantly employed in keeping up my knowledge in my original profession, and with incon"Judge, sir, of my surprise and hu- ceivable pleasure swelled my pipes with miliation at these words. Fallen from the most harmonious tones. I cannot, all my flattering hopes, and turned into however, flatter myself that I produced a groom! Another more afflicting the same effect in taming my animals » thought crossed my mind, that I could as my predecessor, Orpheus, experiennot even fulfil this vile employment; ced with tigers and lions. On the confor I had never bridled an ass, and trary, my barbarous beasts accompa moreover, my master seemed to be the nied me with their heels, and made