Beatrice of Swabia
[Loria and Ruggiero pass round under Prince
Charles of Salermo's ship, where singing is
going on
Song. My Lady gave me a violet,
Gave me one violet out of three.
Long has it faded; I keep it yet
Shrined in gold, to be buried with me.
I gave her the heart out of my breast—
'Twas all I had—and she keeps it yet;
Keeps it and shows it with many a jest—
Yet it was worth that violet.
Rug. That is the prince's voice.
Voice. (Hailing them.) What boat is there?
Rug. We are poor fishers, toiling hard to catch
A supper for your lordships.
Prince. See you bring
A million of anchovies for our banquet,
When we have beaten Loria.
Loria. Aye, my lord.
We will work miracles to please your Lordship.
[Rows away.
Young troubadour! yourself's the costliest fish
Our nets are gaping for.
Charles of Salermo's ship, where singing is
going on
Song. My Lady gave me a violet,
Gave me one violet out of three.
Long has it faded; I keep it yet
Shrined in gold, to be buried with me.
I gave her the heart out of my breast—
'Twas all I had—and she keeps it yet;
Keeps it and shows it with many a jest—
Yet it was worth that violet.
Rug. That is the prince's voice.
Voice. (Hailing them.) What boat is there?
Rug. We are poor fishers, toiling hard to catch
A supper for your lordships.
Prince. See you bring
A million of anchovies for our banquet,
When we have beaten Loria.
Loria. Aye, my lord.
We will work miracles to please your Lordship.
[Rows away.
Young troubadour! yourself's the costliest fish
Our nets are gaping for.
Then follows the battle of the Bay of Naples, in which Loria, commanding the Sicilian fleet, entirely defeats the French, and takes captive
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