The children, at his asking, only felt their sorrow grow the more.
[118]
First answered him the eldest of those who with him sat:
“I come from a far-off kingdom, (my lord, now hear my fate;)
I was born in the land of India, a land wherein my father
Was king while he was living, but I, alas! the crown must leave to another.”
[119]
Then spake the maid next younger: “I too have come from far;
Erewhile a strong old griffin did me from Portugal bear.
A king in the land was my father; none than he was prouder,