here issued from a pavilion or tent, of which there were four
pitched in the plain, a young Turk, of good-humoured and graceful
appearance, who approached the Christian, saying, "I will lay a wager,
friend Ricardo, that the gloomy thoughts you are continually ruminating
have led you to this place."

"It is true," replied Ricardo, for that was the captive's name; "but
what avails it, since, go where I will, I find no relief from them; on
the contrary, the sight of yonder ruins have given them increased
force."

"You mean the ruins of Nicosia?"

"Of course I do, since there are no others visible here."

"Such a sight as that might well move you to tears," said the Turk;
"for any one who saw this famous and plenteous isle of Cyprus about two
years ago, when its inhabitants enjoyed all the felicity that is granted
to mortals, and who now sees them exiled from it, or captive and
wretched, how would it be possible not to mourn over its calamity? But
let us talk no more of these thing's, for which there is no remedy, and
speak of your own, for which I would fain find one. Now I entreat you,
by what you owe me for the good-will I have shown you, and for the fact
that we are of the same country, and were brought up together in
boyhood, that you tell me what is the cause of your inordinate sadness.
For even, admitting that captivity alone is enough to sadden the most
cheerful heart in the world, yet I imagine that your sorrows have a
deeper source; for generous spirits like yours do not yield to ordinary
misfortunes so much as to betray extraordinary grief on account of them.
Besides, I know that you are not so poor as to be unable to pay the sum
demanded for your ransom; nor are you shut up in the castles of the
Black Sea as a captive of consideration, who late or never obtains the
liberty he sighs for. Since, then, you are not deprived of the hope of
freedom, and yet manifest such deep despondency, I cannot help thinking
that it proceeds from some other cause than the loss of your liberty. I
entreat you to tell me what is that cause, and I offer you my help to
the utmost of my means and power. Who knows but that it was in order
that I might serve you that fortune induced me to wear this dress which
I abhor.

"You know, Ricardo, that my master is the cadi (which is the same thing
as the bishop) of this city. You know, too, how great is his power, and
my influence with him. Moreover, you are not ignorant of the ardent
desir