having departed."

"More fool thou, to fling thy heart after thy wits. Come, honest Jack,
we'll have some minstrelsy after the feast,--a merry troll and a short
one."

Sir John was well skilled in handling the lute and rebeck. He had been
early trained to their use; and many a kind glance and tender word he
had won thereby.

The feast was over, and those hushed halls thrilled to the following
ditty:--

I.

"They bade me sing, they bade me smile,
They bade my heart be gay;
They called my spirit forth, to while
The laughing hours away.
I've sung, I've smiled: where'er my path
Mirth's dazzling meteors shine:
All hearts have owned its magic power,
And all are glad but mine.

II.

"I've soothed the darkest surge of woe,
And many a bosom blessed;
Forbade the sufferer's tear to flow,
And brought the weary rest:
I've poured upon the bleeding heart
The balm of Hope,--the shrine
Where holier, happier thoughts shall dwell;--
But who shall gladden mine?

III.

"Forgive; 'tis but one short complaint,
One pang I would reveal:
The wretch upon the torturing rack
Is not forbid to feel!
Then laugh,--let merry hearts to-night
Their brightest wreaths entwine:
The flowers that bloom on every breast
Will, withering, fade on mine!"[35]

Many were the bright eyes glittering on him through their long silken
lashes; but Sir John looked downward,--diligently noting something
extraordinary in the disposition of his shoe-roses, or in the tie of his
garter.

"One raven will set another croaking," said Sir George.

"That we may escape a concert so detestable," cried out Buckingham, "let
Sir John Finett follow me, and we will reel with our fair dames, until
cares whirl off like sling-stones."

"And may he that tires first fiddle the witches' jig," said the sapient
king.

A burst of harsh music followed, and Sir John's feebly tinkling strings
were thrown aside. Never had he wished so anxiously for one short hour
of quietness; and right fain he was when the king retired to his
chamber. His duties for that day were over, and he strolled out from the
hot and oppressive atmosphere into a calm quiet moonlight. The cool
breeze came like a healing balm upon his spirit, the soft dew fell upon
his cheek,--but the fire in his veins burnt fiercely. His mistress's
form, her face, the sweet influence of her smil