Thus they entered the caftle, hand in hand : the lady led him firft into the hall, then to his chamber, which was richly furnilhed, as belonging to fo fine a lady. The king kept his eyes fo continually upon her, that the gentle dame was quite abaflied. After he had fufficiently examined his apartment, he retired to a window, and leaning on it, fell into a profound reverie. The countefs went to entertain the other knights end fquires, ordered dinner to be made ready, the tables to be fet, and the hall ornamented and drefled out. When Ihe had given all the orders to her fervants Ihe thought neceflary, ihe returned, with a cheerful countenance, to the king, who continued mufing, and faid to him, β Dear fir, what are you mufing on ? So much meditating is not proper for you, faving your grace : you ought rather to be in high fpirits, for having driven your enemies before you, without their having had the courage to wait for you, and ihould leave the trouble of thinking to others.* The king replied, * Oh, dear lady, you muft know, that fince I have entered this caftle, an idea has ftruck my mind that I was not aware of; fo that it behoves me to reflect upon it. I am uncertain what may be the event, for I cannot wkh* draw my whole attention from it/ * Dear fir,* replied the lady,* you ought to be of good cheer, and feaft'with your friends, to give them more pleafure* and leave off thinking and meditating ; for God has been very bountiful to you in all your undertakings, and ihewed you fo much favour, that you are the moil feared and renowned prince in Chriftendora, U If 3