I from his hand the letter took—my brother’s seal it bore.
“Come, brother dear, the day draws near (’twas thus bespoke the king)
For plenar court and nightly sport, within the listed ring.”
Alas, unhappy master, I easy credence lent:
Alas, for fast and faster I at his bidding went.
When I set out from Coimbra, and passed the bounds of Spain,
I had a goodly company of spearmen in my train;
A gallant force, a score of horse, and sturdy mules thirteen;
With joyful heart I held my course, my years were young and green.
A journey of good fifteen days within the week was done,