THE TWO CAPTAINS.
Page: 6


"Upon a meadow green with spring,
A little flower was blossoming,
With petals red and snowy white;
To me, a youth, my soul's delight
Within that blossom lay,
And I have loved my song to indite
And flattering homage pay.

"Since then a wanderer I have been,
And many a bloody strife have seen;
And now returned, I see
The little floweret stands no more
Upon the meadow as before;
Transplanted by a gardener's care,
And hedged by golden trellis there,
It is denied to me.

"I grudge him not his trelllsed guard,
His bolts of iron, strongly barred;
Yet, wandering in the cool night-air,
I touch my zither's string,
And as afore her beauties rare,
Her wondrous graces sing,
And e'en the gardener shall not dare
Refuse the praise I bring."


"That depends, Senor," said a man, stepping close, and as he thought
unobserved, before Fadrique; but the latter had already been informed
of his approach by a sign from his watchful friend, and he was
therefore ready to answer with the greater coolness, "If you wish,
Senor, to commence a suit with my guitar, she has, at all events, a
tongue of steel, which has already on many occasions done her
excellent service. With whom is it your pleasure to speak, with the
guitar or the advocate?"

While the stranger was silent from embarrassment, two mantled figures
had approached Heimbert and remained standing a few steps from him,
as if to cut off Fadrique's flight in case he intended to escape.
"I believe, dear sirs," said Heimbert in a courteous tone, "we are
here on the same errand--namely, to prevent any intrusion upon the
conference of yonder knights. At least, as far as I am concerned,
you may rely upon it that any one who attempts to interfere in their