returned with bruised limbs and gouged eyes, or had a chance of being drowned in attempting to swim across the Tiber. This would be committing to the hazards of a single day the fruit and object of the wishes of many long years.1 Games of chance (commonly called Tripots) offered to Berinus exercises less fatiguing. He 923 made them his field of Mars; and he had such a predilection for dice and the game of outre-merelle, that he more than once lost all 928 his clothes: the rich heir of Fawnus would come home in his shirt. Agea, his mother, was comforted by the reflection that if Berinus allowed himself to be stripped in this way, it was out of pure compassion for his tailor. Good people laughed heartily at the mishap, for it was not natural to blame such a precious young shoot. But 1008 his mother died,2 and when the news was brought to Berinus while playing at cards (and losing, as usual), he was enraged at a maidservant for interrupting him, returned a foolish and heartless answer, and dismissed her with blows.

Now Fawnus, although wealthy, was a courtier, and sought every means of pleasing the emperor, who resolved to put his obedience to the test, and proposed that he should marry the most 1112 beautiful lady in Rome. This was the charming Raine, who had been Philip's mistress, though her fidelity to him was more than suspected. After a little consideration Fawnus consented, and the 1132 nuptials were at once celebrated. He soon became strongly attached to his new wife, who was not slow to take advantage of his doting fondness. (The author here conjectures that there must have been witchcraft in all this; but, in truth, Fawnus was old, and Raine was young, beautiful, and skilled in the art of pleasing.) As for Berinus, he changed nothing in his conduct, and would not have objected to his father's marrying ten times, if only he was not thwarted in any of his amusements. But he was not long in finding that Raine was

1 There is not a word of all this passage about athletic exercises in our version, nor in the original romance.

2 In our Tale (probably also in the French original) the dying mother of Beryn begs her husband-and it is one of the best passages in the poem-not to marry again; for they had both helped to make their son what he is by indulging his evil propensities, and a step-mother would make him still worse by unkindness. The story of Beryn's childhood and youth, as told in our version, is true to life-and "a caution to parents!"

much less indulgent to him than his mother Agea. She made no attempt to reform him; on the contrary, her grand object was to 1145 cause his ruin and disgrace. His best actions she misrepresented to his father, and converted simple faults into grave crimes. Fawnus, who had so long suffered all these things from his son, found them inexcusable when told to him by Raine. He began by not seeing his son except after long intervals, and then only with pain, and finished by expelling him from his house. The unhappy young man did not venture to seek for aid amongst his own kin, whom he had always neglected, and whose reproaches he feared. He found no comfort from those whom he had considered as his friends, who showed themselves merely evil acquaintances. Misfortune instructs such as it cannot correct. Berinus reflected upon all he had done and experienced, and felt that he had not been too severely punished. He had lost Agea, an affectionate mother, and had not till now realized the extent of his loss. He roamed about the city, despised and rejected by everybody. The capital of the world would not afford him a shelter. "I shall go and conceal myself," cried he, at 1333 length, "and die upon my mother's tomb." For two days he remained in that mournful retreat. His relatives, feeling uneasy at his long absence, had recourse to Fawnus, who yearned for his son. 1337 Raine, fearing lest she should be accused of having caused his death, induced her husband to make a strict search for Berinus, and she accompanied him. After many unsuccessful inquiries, Fawnus, in 1404 his distress, thought of visiting the grave of Agea. A young man, with his face pressed upon the tomb, was fondly embracing it, and bathing it with his tears. He appeared emaciated and feeble, and oblivious of all around him. Fawnus and Raine drew nearer, and 1421 recognized Berinus. Would not the soul of any father be melted at such a spectacle? Fawnus raised up his son and embraced him. Both wept, and even Raine herself was much affected. They took Berinus home and treated him kindly. Filial piety has in itself something so touching that it can move the most heartless stepmother, But Berinus had to struggle against something more powerful in the heart of Rame: she loved a young Roman knight. Fawnus suspected nothing of this intrigue, but Berinus was more

1462 difficult to deceive.1 At length of his own accord he resolved to

quit Rome, and besought his father to provide him with five vessels 1479 laden with rich merchandise. Raine eagerly supported this request,

but prevailed upon her husband to demand in return that Berinus 1528 should formally surrender all his rights as successor to his father. The deed was drawn up and signed in presence of the emperor and 1557 his seven sages, and as soon as the five vessels were ready Berinus

sailed away, with the design of trading in foreign countries. 1563 After Berinus had been two days2 at sea, a great storm arose and

forced him to seek refuge with his vessels in the chief port of the 1619 kingdom of Blandie. This was close to the capital, the citizens of which were thievish, cunning, and treacherous, for whom the riches of Berinus were a strong temptation. He was not, in any way, robbed, but, which comes to the same thing, they brought against him a great many lawsuits, and in those remote times there was very little chance of his ever seeing the end of them. It was the custom of the hosts of Blandie to be very kind towards strangers 1648 whom they suspected of being rich. That of Berinus 3 welcomed him with distinction and even obsequiousness. A most sumptuous dinner was served up, at which gaiety was joined to good cheer. 1732 The repast over, a chess-board of ivory, inlaid with silver, was 1747 brought out. Berinus reluctantly consented to play, and won three

times in succession. The moderate sum staked at first was doubled, and Berinus found himself a gainer of more than he had expended since his arrival at Blandie. His courteous host appeared to be much chagrined at being defeated, and Berinus wished to cease playing, in order to return to the port and see the condition of his ships; but he was assured that they were all in safety, and told. that 1759 he ought to allow his opponent another chance. New conditions were imposed, the most severe of which was that the loser must do 1768 whatever his opponent should require of him, or drink up the waters of the sea. For some time the room had been filling with spectators,

1 There is no mention of this intrigue in our version, where she artfully plays with the old man's doting fondness and her supposititious child by him— she'd rather have him dead than grow up like Beryn! (1183-1222)

2 Three days in our version.

3 The burgess, Syrophane, in our version.

whose appearance was not the most prepossessing. A new game was begun, and the fortunes of the players were not long in changing. He whom Berinus had so easily defeated now appeared, like Antheus, to have derived fresh strength from falling. The jeers which greeted Berinus from the onlookers distracted him, and his skilful rival was not slow to take advantage of the circumstance, so Berinus was checkmated. The victor then modestly put forward his claim, 1822 which was simply to deprive Berinus of all his possessions. As he would not consent to this, they dragged him before the seneschal,1 1852 who, on hearing the case, showed himself as evilly disposed towards the foreigner as he was favourable to his own countrymen. Berinus 1872 requested three days in order to prepare his defence, and was accorded the favour on his providing good surety for his appearance. The provost of the city, called Sir Hannibal, was present and expressed 1878 his opinion that the five ships of Berinus were sufficient bail. He even thought that it might be advisable to unload the vessels and 1893 deposit the cargoes in his warehouse, already well furnished with every kind of merchandise, in much the same way, assuring Berinus that there was still space for his goods. The seneschal approved of this proposal, and Berinus, having no alternative, proceeded with Hannibal to the harbour. The provost went over all the vessels and 1916 carefully examined the cargoes, which he found to consist of the finest and most valuable goods. "I have something to propose to you," said he to Berinus. "Alas!" replied the disconsolate Roman, "propose and dispose; for here I see it is about the same thing." "I have told you," resumed the provost, "that my warehouse is filled with precious goods, all of the best market value. Let us agree to make an exchange: whatever may be the issue of your case, you will give me all you have here; and if you gain it, you will take for your indemnity all that will suit you in my warehouse, in order 1925 to freight and fill up your five vessels." Then he whispered in his

ear,

"On this condition, I undertake to arrange your case with the seneschal;” adding aloud, "in short, I shall make use of him more for your advantage than my own." Berinus agreed to everything, perforce; and there was a possibility, though a slight one, that this 1 The steward, Evandir, in our version.

arrangement might be to his advantage. As they were beginning to unload the vessels, Berinus returned to the provost's warehouse, to examine the exchange they were compelling him to accept, but there 1948 he found nothing-all had been removed elsewhere; Hannibal, in fact, had cleared his stores to make room for the bales of Berinus. "Behold," said Hannibal, in a sarcastic tone to the Roman, who was very much astounded, "this is the place, according to our agreement: I don't wish to put any impediment in your way." Berinus could only return to the seneschal, who courteously postponed this new suit to the following day.

The Roman then retraced his steps towards the ships, cursing the 2001 swindling Blandiens. He at once became the talk of the whole

town, and everybody was desirous to have a share in his ruin. A 2008 blind man, having heard the foreigner spoken about and learning that he was approaching, laid hold of Berinus as he was passing, and bawled out lustily, "Murder!-help!" Berinus was once more dragged before the seneschal. Sir," said the blind man, "I ask justice of you." "Against whom?" "This man whom I hold." 2045 "What is his offence?" "He has my eyes, and refuses to give them back to me." Berinus was struck dumb from sheer astonishment. "What have you to say for yourself?" demanded the seneschal of him in a severe tone. "I know nothing about it," replied Berinus. 2090 "I need advice, and request that this suit be delayed like the others," to which the seneschal consented.

"Will this be sufficient?" said Berinus to himself, as he returned to the harbour. "Am I quite free, for to-day, from gamblers, provosts, seneschals, and blind men? Is there not one knave more 2096 preparing for me some other insult?" Just then, a woman, carrying

an infant in her arms, accosted him with the air and tones of a Fury, calling him a faithless and treacherous man, after having pledged his troth to her and made her the mother of that child. Here was fresh cause of astonishment for Berinus: another visit to the seneschal and this new suit put off to the following day.

It was, as we have seen, to seek advice that Berinus had, at each successive accusation, requested delay. But from whom was he to 2210 seek advice? A passer-by came up to him and said, "Take my