It was not long ere the King of England was brought on the carpet
by the jester, who had been accustomed to consider Dickon of the
Broom (which irreverent epithet he substituted for Richard
Plantagenet) as a subject of mirth, acceptable and inexhaustible.
The orator, indeed, was silent, and it was only when applied to
by Conrade that he observed, "The GENISTA, or broom-plant, was an
emblem of humility; and it would be well when those who wore it
would remember the warning."
The allusion to the illustrious badge of Plantagenet was thus
rendered sufficiently manifest, and Jonas Schwanker observed that
they who humbled themselves had been exalted with a vengeance.
"Honour unto whom honour is due," answered the Marquis of
Montserrat. "We have all had some part in these marches and
battles, and methinks other princes might share a little in the
renown which Richard of England engrosses amongst minstrels and
MINNE-SINGERS. Has no one of the joyeuse science here present a
song in praise of the royal Archduke of Austria, our princely
entertainer?"
Three minstrels emulously stepped forward with voice and harp.
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