About his neck there hung in a scarf of sky-blue silk a WREST as
it was called--that is, the key with which a harp is tuned, and
which was of solid gold.
This personage would have kneeled reverently to Richard, but the
Monarch raised him in joyful haste, pressed him to his bosom
warmly, and kissed him on either side of the face.
"Blondel de Nesle!" he exclaimed joyfully--"welcome from Cyprus,
my king of minstrels!--welcome to the King of England, who rates
not his own dignity more highly than he does thine. I have been
sick, man, and, by my soul, I believe it was for lack of thee;
for, were I half way to the gate of heaven, methinks thy strains
could call me back. And what news, my gentle master, from the
land of the lyre? Anything fresh from the TROUVEURS of Provence?
Anything from the minstrels of merry Normandy? Above all, hast
thou thyself been busy? But I need not ask thee--thou canst not
be idle if thou wouldst; thy noble qualities are like a fire
burning within, and compel thee to pour thyself out in music and
song.
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