berries, sometimes luscious fruit: And thus I've journeyed often from my youth, Encountering many dangers in my path. Twice captured by the brigands, nor set free Without heavy ransom. More than once I've 'scaped unaided from the blades of ruffians, But not unscathed, and fighting hand to hand. I've also fallen in with the gipsy tribes, And lived among them, too, in early youth, Till I became familiar with their tongue, Their life and customs, for when yet a child They stole me from my friends, whoe'er they were, But I was rescued, and the dusky tribe Were driven out from that part of the land. Among my early reminiscences I can recall the tall and bronzed form Of one who should have been the queen of them, For so I've heard her styled. I met her oft; And when I first remember her she bore A countenance as beautiful as day. I have not seen her now for many years. 430When last I met her I could plainly see That time and trouble and a roving life Had left their stamp upon her dusky brow. But I had nought to fear from her. The crone Would call me to her and caress me, too; Call me endearing names, and, as a proof Of further love, she gave this ring to me; Made me swear it ne'er should leave my finger, And that some day it would protect my life. For should I fall in with the gipsy band, On seeing this token they would let me pass Without let or hindrance, so she said. For years I have not seen the gipsy band, And therefore have not put it to the proof; But still I've kept my vow, and from that time I ne'er have doffed it. And now tell me, friend, If what I've just told you does not prove Me sprung from gipsy blood? D. Alf. We cannot help Our birth. What matters it our parentage? D. Pas. Thou seest not, then, what it is that galls me. List. If I be of gipsy origin, I must be likewise bastard, for whoe'er Did hear of legal marriage in a case Of love 'twixt Christian and a gipsy maid? Knowest thou not what the term "bastard" means? 431Could I once but meet my spurious father, He should account for sending me adrift And nameless through the world, or I'd know why. For know, whate'er my origin may be, I have been brought up as a gentleman, And hope to marry one of gentle blood. What proud Castilian family would mate A cherished daughter to a lineage soiled? D. Alf. I do acknowledge thy perplexity. But bastard though thou beest, thou'rt still a man. Would'st 'rase the bar sinister from thy shield, Or, what is much the same, cast it i' the shade, So that it appear not for the lustre Of thy many and resplendent virtues? Make thy name famous. Fame, however bought, Hath ne'er failed to win the heart of woman. A woman's heart being once securely won, The vict'ry's thine. Th' obstacles that follow Thou'lt find will not be insurmountable; I mean, to gain the 

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