"Nay, indeed, fair lady," replied the knight, "it is an instrument much used at the court of Burgundy, where my days have lately been spent. We were wont to hold it as a shame not to play on some instrument, and I know not a sweeter aid to the voice than the cithern."
"Oh, then you play and sing! I am sure you do," cried the giddy girl. "Sir Osborne Maurice, good knight and true, come into court, pull off your gauntlets, and sing me a song."
"I will truly," answered the knight, "after I have heard your ladyship, though I am but a poor singer.'"
"Well, well!" cried Lady Katrine, "I'll lead the way; and if you are a true knight, you will follow."
So saying, she ran her fingers lightly over the strings, and sang.
LADY KATRINE'S SONG.
Quick, quick, ye lazy hours,
Plume your laggard wings;
Sure the path is strew'd with flowers
That love to true love brings.
From morning bright,
To fading light,
Speed, oh, speed, your drowsy flight!
If Venus' courier be a dove,
As ancient poet sings,
Oh! why not give to absent love
At least the swallow's wings,
To speed his way,
The live-long day,
Till meeting all his pain repay?
Thus sang Lady Katrine; and it may well be supposed that the music, the words, and the execution, all met with their full share of praise, although Bridget declared that she liked better the song about the knight and the damsel.
"Now, your promise, your promise, sir knight!" cried the lady, putting the instrument in Sir Osborne's hands; "keep your promise as a true and loyal knight."
"That I will do, to my best power," said Sir Osborne, "though my voice will be but rough after the sweet sounds we have just heard: however, to please Mistress Bridget here, my song shall be of a knight and a damsel, though it be somewhat a long one."