Canto XV

This is the story which our brave John told,
His hearer's hearts it could not have left cold.
The princess' face is all suffused with tears,
From pity and regret at what she hears.

The king then says to him: Dear boy, I see.
Thou can'st not marry her, thou art not free;
I want to pay though, my gratitude's debt.
With a refusal I must not be met.

The king then opes his treasury's big door.
And for a servant calls. With precious ore
The biggest bag — as much as it can hold —
Is filled. John ne'er in his life saw so much gold.

"Well, John. "the king then said, '"thou saved her life,
But inasmuch thou can'st make her thy wife:
This bag of gold shall pay then what I owe,
Good luck to thee and thy bride it bestow!"

"I would detain thee, but I know 'tis hard,
Thy prompt return to thy love to retard.
Thy comrades must remain, thou go, my boy!
I want them first some feasts I'll give enj-oy."
The king had guessed aright our brave John's mind:
To start at once for Helen's home he pined.
He bid tender good-byes to all around,
And in a boat he'll soon be homeward bound.

The king, his friends, all took him to the sea,
He heard all kinds "good-bye!" "Good luck to thee!"
Until the boat in distant fog was lost
Loud cheered for him the hussars and their host.