replied he: "all I regret is, that there is so little; but the bakers are arrant lazy fellows, and give themselves very little trouble, whether you are hungry or not." "If you require so much every day," added Fortuné, "there is hardly a country you would not put in a state of starvation." "Oh! my Lord," replied Eater (as the people called him), "I should be very sorry to have always so great an appetite; neither my property nor that of my neighbours would be sufficient to satisfy it. It is true that now and then I take a fancy to feast in this fashion." "My friend Eater," said Fortuné, "follow me; I will give you good cheer, and you will not be dissatisfied with having chosen me for a master."
Comrade, who wanted neither for sense nor forethought, warned the Chevalier to forbid all these people from boasting of the extraordinary gifts which they possessed. He lost no time in calling them to him, and said: "Listen to me, Strong-back, Swift, Good-marksman, Fine-ear, Boisterous, Tippler, and Eater. I give you notice, that, if you would please me, you will keep as an inviolable secret the talents you possess; and I assure you I shall endeavour to make you so happy, that you will be perfectly satisfied." Each bound himself by an oath to obey his orders implicitly; and, soon after, the Chevalier, more adorned by his beauty and his graceful demeanour than by his magnificent dress, entered the capital city, mounted upon his excellent horse, and followed by the finest serving-men in the world. He lost no time in procuring liveries for them, laced all over with gold and silver; he gave them horses: and, having taken apartments in the best inn, he awaited the day fixed for the review. Nothing, however, was talked of but him in the city; and the King, prepossessed in his favour by the general rumour, was very anxious to see him.
All the troops assembled in a great plain. The King came there, with the Queen-dowager his sister, and all their court. The Queen abated no jot of her pomp, notwithstanding the misfortunes of the kingdom; and Fortuné was dazzled by so much splendour. But if they attracted his attention, their observation was equally drawn towards his incomparable beauty. Every one was asking, who that handsome and graceful young gentleman could be; and the King, passing close by him, made him a sign to approach.
