The next day, the young gentleman proceeded to enroll himself in the
corps of Archers of the Prince of Cleves, and with him came his attached
squire, who vowed he never would leave him. As Otto threw aside his own
elegant dress, and donned the livery of the House of Cleves, the noble
Childe sighed not a little. 'Twas a splendid uniform 'tis true, but
still it WAS a livery, and one of his proud spirit ill bears another's
cognizances. "They are the colors of the Princess, however," said he,
consoling himself; "and what suffering would I not undergo for HER?" As
for Wolfgang, the squire, it may well be supposed that the good-natured,
low-born fellow had no such scruples; but he was glad enough to
exchange for the pink hose, the yellow jacket, the pea-green cloak, and
orange-tawny hat, with which the Duke's steward supplied him, the homely
patched doublet of green which he had worn for years past.
"Look at you two archers," said the Prince of Cleves to his guest, the
Rowski of Donnerblitz, as they were strolling on the battlements after
dinner, smoking their cigars as usual. His Highness pointed to our two
young friends, who were mounting guard for the first time. "See yon two
bowmen--mark their bearing! One is the youth who beat thy Squintoff, and
t'other, an I mistake not, won the third prize at the butts.
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