ier come off victorious. In the use of
the bow he was unrivalled, ever piercing the centre of the target, and
bringing down the bird upon the wing. Udolpho of Milan was the second in
distinction, and the two were united by a generous friendship. The last
day was a trial of minstrelsy. In this, also, the Knight of the Blooming
Rose bore the palm away from all his rivals, both professional and
amateur. Accompanying himself upon the harp, he sang spirit-stirring
lays which awakened the enthusiasm of all his auditors.

In the evening, the Emperor requested him to give the meaning of his
motto, and of the emblem on his shield. Taking the harp, and striking up
a bold and brilliant prelude which gradually arranged itself into a
simple air of great beauty, he sang as follows:

"Not wealth nor trappings proud,
Nor shouts of envying crowd,
That swell both long and loud,
'I seek.'

"No jewels from the mine,
Nor gold, so pure and fine,
Nor generous, sparkling wine,
'I seek.'

"Soft pleasure's bonds are vain--
I feel for them disdain;
And still, through toil and pain,
'I seek.'

"It is not kingly crown--
That subjects may kneel down,
And tremble at my frown--
'I seek.'

"To keep my knightly oath,
Be faithful to my troth,
To God and Jesu both,
'I seek.'

"To help the poor that cry--
To wipe the widow's eye--
To humble tyrants high,
'I seek.'

"The maiden weak to save,
To free the Christian slave,
And punish impious knave,
'I seek.'

"At noblest deeds I aim.
To win a lofty name
Upon the roll of fame,
'I seek.'

"To pluck the magic Rose
In Hesperus which grows,
And fadeless beauty knows,
'I seek.'

"To wear it on my breast--
There may it ever rest!--
Honor and truth to test,
'I seek.'

"To lay it at the feet
Of noble lady sweet:
For her an off'ring meet!
'I seek.'

"To win fair Edith's praise--
Merit the poet's lays--
Grow nobler all my days--
'I seek.'"