Soon they went all three to the emperor, and his happiness at finding
again his long-lost daughter knew no bounds.

The ways of God are wonderful indeed! Who would have dreamed that
after such sorrows such happiness was possible for all? May Jesus
Christ of His mercy send us like joy after woe, and keep us all in
health and goodness. Amen.

* * * * *

"That was indeed a virtuous tale!" said our Host. "Sir Parish Priest,
I swear 'tis your turn now, by heaven! Tell us your tale. By my
halidom, I am eager to hear your story." "What ails the man that he
swears so?" answered the Parson. "Ho, ho!" laughed Harry Bailey.
"Have we a Lollard here? A man who would teach us our manners and
save our souls? Would you _preach_ us somewhat, Sir Priest?" "That
he shall not!" answered the Ship-man; "no sermons for me. I've known
adventures in my time, sailing the seas from Jutland to Cape
Finisterre. I know all the harbours of Brittany and Spain, and many's
the cask of good Bordeaux wine I have landed while the coastguard
slept. Oh; a good life is that of the sea, with the wind a-blowing a
man's beard and tanning his skin, and storms to brave and pirates to
fight. I've seen men walk the plank, I have. No mercy to the prisoner
on the high seas! Home they go by water as soon as may be! No
landlubber am I! Let me tell my yarn; a jolly one, I promise you."

So as we jogged along the Shipman told his tale of a merchant who
sailed afar in search of wealth, and whose home meantime was robbed,
for his wife was not true to him and let false priests trick him. It
was a coarse vulgar tale, as sailors' stories often are. It amused