ssity challenged her due. Sir
John, that with the Phoenix knew the term of his life was now expired,
and could, with the swan, discover his end by her songs, having three
sons by his wife Lynida, the very pride of all his forepassed years,
thought now, seeing death by constraint would compel him to leave
them, to bestow upon them such a legacy as might bewray his love, and
increase their ensuing amity. Calling, therefore, these young
gentlemen before him, in the presence of all his fellow Knights of
Malta, he resolved to leave them a memorial of all his fatherly care
in setting down a method of their brotherly duties. Having, therefore,
death in his looks to move them to pity, and tears in his eyes to
paint out the depth of his passions, taking his eldest son by the
hand, he began thus:

SIR JOHN OF BORDEAUX' LEGACY HE GAVE TO HIS SONS

"O my sons, you see that fate hath set a period of my years, and
destinies have determined the final end of my days: the palm tree
waxeth away-ward, for he stoopeth in his height, and my plumes are
full of sick feathers touched with age. I must to my grave that
dischargeth all cares, and leave you to the world that increaseth many
sorrows: my silver hairs containeth great experience, and in the
number of my years are penned down the subtleties of fortune.
Therefore, as I leave you some fading pelf to countercheck poverty, so
I will bequeath you infallible precepts that shall lead you unto
virtue. First, therefore, unto thee Saladyne, the eldest, and
therefore the chiefest pillar of my house, wherein should be engraven
as well the excellence of thy father's qualities, as the essential
form of his proportion, to thee I give fourteen ploughlands, with all
my manor houses and richest plate. Next, unto Fernandyne I bequeath
twelve ploughlands. But, unto Rosader, the youngest, I give my horse,
my armor, and my lance, with sixteen ploughlands; for if the inward
thoughts be discovered by outward shadows, Rosader will exceed you all
in bounty and honor. Thus, my sons, have I parted in your portions the
substance of my wealth, wherein if you be as prodigal to spend as I
have been careful to get, your friends will grieve to see you more
wasteful than I was bountiful, and your foes smile that my fall did
begin in your excess. Let mine honor be the glass of your actions, and
the fame of my virtues the lodestar to direct the course of your
pilgrimage. Aim your deeds by my honorable endeavors, and sh