Chapter III

Out of Mantua's gate at daybreak
Seven comrades wander forth
On a path that leads at their humor,
East, west, or south, or north.

The prince's laugh rings lightly,
"What road shall we take from home?"
And they answer, "We never shall lose it
If we take the road to Rome."

And with many a jest and banter
The comrades keep their way,
Journeying out of the twilight
Forward into the day,

When they are aware beside them
Goes a pretty minstrel lad,
With a shy and downward aspect,
That is neither sad nor glad.

Over his slender shoulder,
His mandolin was slung,
And around its chords the treasure
Of his golden tresses hung.

Spoke one of the seven companions,
"Little minstrel, whither away?"--
"With seven true-hearted comrades
On their journey, if I may."

Spoke one of the seven companions,
"If our way be hard and long?"--
"I will lighten it with my music
And shorten it with my song."

Spoke one of the seven companions,
"But what are the songs thou know'st?"--
"O, I know many a ditty,
But this I sing the most:

"How once was an humble maiden
Beloved of a great lord's son,
That for her sake and his troth's sake
Was banished and undone.

"And forth of his father's city
He went at break of day,
And the maiden softly followed
Behind him on the way

"In the figure of a minstrel,
And prayed him of his love,
'Let me go with thee and serve thee
Wherever thou may'st rove.

"'For if thou goest in exile
I rest banished at home,
And where thou wanderest with thee
My fears in anguish roam,

"'Besetting thy path with perils,
Making thee hungry and cold,
Filling thy heart with trouble
And heaviness untold.

"'But let me go beside thee,
And banishment shall be
Honor, and riches, and country,
And home to thee and me!'"

Down falls the minstrel-maiden
Before the Marquis' son,
And the six true-hearted comrades
Bow round them every one.

Federigo, the son of the Marquis,
From its scabbard draws his sword:
"Now swear by the honor and fealty
Ye bear your friend and lord,

"That whenever, and wherever,
As long as ye have life,
Ye will honor and serve this lady
As ye would your prince's wife!"