Northern mythology

NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 223
well-furnished table, at the head of which sat a stately
personage, who seemed to be the master of the mansion.
Some of the young damsels then stood up, approached
the three maidens, and assisted them to dismount from
Malegy's palfrey, which again bent its knees ; after Avhich
they invited them to enter. But the three maidens, who
had not recovered from their surprise, craved pardon for
their unseasonable appearance at the palace, and were
about to begin the recital of what had befallen them. But
their excuses found no hearers, and they were obliged to
yield to the request of the young ladies. They entered
accordingly.
Scarcely had they sufficiently feasted their
eyes on the splendid attire of the ladies, when their attention
was attracted to the lord of the mansion.
His dress
consisted of an ample robe of damask, which covered his
whole person ; on his head he had a kind of turban, in
the front of which projected a small mirror,
and on both
sides of which w^ere attached diamonds and other precious
stones. This personage was not less courteous than the
young ladies, and by his flattering discourse so seduced
them, that from sheer politeness they sat down to table
and partook of the good cheer.
The three maidens had waited till the supper was over
to give an explanation of their adventure ;
but when they
began to inquire for a guide to conduct them back to their
parents, who would be distressed on account of their long
absence, the master of the palace arose from his seat and
said "
: Dear friends ! now that Malegy's palfrey has procured
us the pleasure of receiving in our mansion these
noble damsels from Ypres, we must not neglect anything
that may contribute to their passing the evening cheerfully
and pleasantly.—Let us play at forfeits.''
And as if all the ladies had divined the thought of their
lord, they had already ranged themselves in a circle when
he uttered the last words, leaving places vacant for the