tree; but in vain, she was away with the fairy, and they knew not whither.
King Orfeo in grief called together his barons and knights and squires, and
bade them obey his high steward as regent; he himself went forth barefoot
and in poor attire into the wilderness, with naught but his harp.

So for ten winters he abode in the forest and on the heath, in a hollow
tree, or under leaves and grass, till his frame shrank and his beard grew
long; and ever and anon, when the day was fair, he would play his harp, and
the beasts of the forest and the birds on bush and briar would come about
him to hearken.

Then on a hot day he saw the king of fairy and his retinue riding with
hounds and blowing horns; and again he saw a great host of knights with
drawn swords; and again he saw sixty ladies, gentle and gay, riding on
palfreys and bearing hawks on their wrists. Their falcons had good sport,
and Orfeo drew nigh to watch; and looking on the face of one of the ladies,
he recognised Meroudys. They gazed at each other speechless, and tears ran
from her eyes; but the other ladies bore her away. The king followed them
to a fair country where there was neither hill nor dale, and into a castle,
gaining entrance as a minstrel. Then he saw many men and women sleeping on
every side, seemingly dead; among them he again beheld his wife. And he
came before the king and queen of that realm, and harped so sweetly that
the king promised him whatever he might ask. He asked for the fair dame
Meroudys; and he took her by the hand, and they fared homewards.

In his own city he lodged awhile in poor quarters, and then went forth to
play his harp; and meeting his steward, who knew the harp but not his
master, told him he had found the harp ten winters ago, by the side of a
man eaten by lions. This evil news caused the steward to swoon, whereupon
King Orfeo revealed himself, and sent for dame Meroudys. She came in a