tribution of the buildings, as the smithy of an honest blacksmith, or the boothy of a reputable "flesher," might be seen by the castelated mansion of a proud lord or burgher. The Irish merchant soon reached his dwelling. It was a square house of ordinary dimensions; there were but few of the more defensive additions, such as usually existed in the shape of pepper-box-like turrets or loop holes, from whence to discharge arrows on an approaching foe; for with the exception of a low parapet wall, that defended the base of the slanting tile roof, it offered little of the gothic style. Giving their horses to an attendant, a few paces brought them to the foot of an irregular flight of steps, about twelve in number, and as many seconds saw them in the long, low, common dining hall of the house. Its stone floor was covered with rushes newly pulled, a heavy oak table extended down the centre of the apartment, in junction with a number of venerable looking old chairs, whose high and fantastically shaped backs exhibited the usual quaint devices of satyrs and fawns. The walls were hung with worsted tapestry, whilst the casements, deeply indented in the huge thick walls, looked out on a dense and obscure mass of buildings.

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"This silence savours little of a hospitable welcome, signior," exclaimed his host, as he sank heavily into an old deep fashioned chair; but master Walter, since his attachment, is oftner to be found at my worthy burgher" "Gammaline's than here "the fair Agnes you speak of," interrupted the young Spaniard, in a soft, musical voice, as he laid aside his plumed bonnet, and shook down a profusion of dark glossy ringlets. Aye, marry, signior, the fairest maiden in the reputable town of Galway; why, Sir Walter De Burghos, of the principal knight burgesses of the corporation, offered to espouse the maid." "And withal, Walter is the favoured!" interrupted the other. "I should like to see the damsel of whom report speaks so well." "So thou shalt soon," interrupted Fitzstephen," for their marriage takes place soon at her father's house, in the Boagher Keam.” "Does not Sir Walter feel jealous at the preference of your son?" inquired the Spaniard, " for although the majority of the town burghers are unknown to us in Cadiz, the name of De Burghos is familiar, as his family are said to possess that iniquitous prisage on wine." "Somewhat, signior Gomez, but-" exclaimed the old and stately burgher, drawing himself up in his chair, "what should a free burgher and citizen have to fear? and my son, I am proud to say, need not yield in either personal or mental qualities to the best of them." "I but hazarded the question," replied the young Spaniard, with a bent brow, by the light of the lamps that were brought in, and suspended from the ceiling, he remarked the flushed countenance of the merchant; then suddenly reverting to the occurrences of the day, exclaimed "And has not our voyage been prosperous?" "Of a surety, signior; aye, many a generous flask of wine have I brought to promote the festivities of winter and coiffures-ribbons and boddices to humour the vanities of the fair maidens of Galway." "And I but a solitary lute,"—interrupted Gomez. "Which, in this harping town and dale, will be more acceptable," replied Fitzstephen, "why, all the ribbons, pearls, and gew-gaws I have brought over for mistress Agnes,

will be less prized than a canzonet from your guitar, if you but play as I have heard you." "Then you think she likes music?" eagerly interrupted the young and romantic Spaniard, and his eyes momentarily flushed at the idea of winning from her lover the affections of a girl reputed so lovely. "Of a surety man; I myself will tread a measure at her wedding, and love a "morris" or mummers' show as well as in the sprightliest days of my youth; but now let me warn you of one thing; I know your hot Spanish blood, and that the poignard often settles a dispute in your country; beware here, for the Irish are a wild and fiery set, and any exploit with a dagger would ensure your destruction." "Fear me not," replied the youth, as he approached the huge crackling oak fire that blazed and bickered up the ample chimney, beneath the care of two servitors, "to-morrow we will visit the town and the fair object of your son's affections. I've heard much of your Galway beauties, and the festivities of the place.” Aye, marry, shall we; and as my installation into the office of mayor must take place ere long, you will have an opportunity of seeing all the knight burghers and citizens' wives and daughters, and many a goodly show of "masquing, masquing," mumming, and "morris dancing" in the evening; minstrels to sing measures, and baeghals to pass the oft pledged beakers; and now let us to supper-here, you lazy loon," (to an attendant.) "bring in the evening meal, and say ye where tarrieth master Walter?"" So please you, at sunrise he went to a bull baiting in the worshipful society of the superior of Saint Nicholas: " "Marry; by the Saints a goodly guide! but-" turning round, and addressing the young Spaniard, he resumed, "this is nothing new to you. As in your country at such sports the grandee will ruffle it with the burghois."

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“True,” replied the young Spaniard, as he eagerly eyed the evening meal the servitors were rapidly spreading on the board, "the sight of your substantial fare comes not amiss." "Nor to me,” replied Fitzstephen, as he seated himself at the table; and, after a cessation of the meal, resumed. "Where is our filidhe? call Dermid Moran, and, in the interim, I pledge to thy welcome beneath my roof;-baeghal, a flask of Rhenish." In a moment the cups were filled, and, ere well pledged, the household harper made his appearance by the chair of the mayor elect. He was a firm, low sized man, of the middle age, and his dark and flowing locks, as they spread over his ample chest, gave an air of dignity to his otherwise plain and masculine features; his flowing saffron robes fell gracefully around his person, and on his arm was slung his "Clarsech" or portable harp. "What would my worshipful master of me, whom now his filidhe bids welcome," was his exclamation, as he bent his head in a low obeisance, and then drew himself up to his full height.

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A strain, Dermid, to show our Spanish guest we, too, are craftsmen of the string." The dark eye of the minstrel glistened brightly for a moment, and then slowly fell on the light and handsome figure of the Spaniard, whose gay purple doublet and cloak, pink slashed trunk hose, point lace ruffles, and pearl gemmed rapier seemed to outvie the more simple garb of the young town burghers of Galway. There was the dark

olive complexion, oval countenance, the aquiline nose, and proud curl of lip, that marked the Spaniard; but in the specimen before him, the minstrel fancied he read a proud mistrust or contempt of his skill; therefore, drawing himself up to his full height, he exclaimed. "Does the guest of my master wish the song?"

"Yes," interrupted Fitzstephen, and, saving that it is on a guitar that his countrymen play, he can nighwell excell thyself. "Let me hear thy strain, good minstrel, "exclaimed the youth, "the harpers of thy country, if report speaks them true, should fear no competition." The harper, after returning the eulogium, by a slight inclination of the head, struck a few high but masterly chords, and bringing his voice into pitch with his harp, struck out into a wild and original air. The burthen of the measure, true to the spirit of the times, breathed nothing but mortal defiance to the rapid encroachments of the Saxon power; for though Galway was a town within the English pale, few of its inhabitants were, at heart, favourable to its supremacy.

At its conclusion a loud knocking at the outer door of the mansion, facing the street, reverberated through the room, and as the last notes of the harper died away, an attendant hastily entered the apartment, and announced the arrival of Walter Lynch. The young Spaniard, as he gazed from one of the windows down into the street, could plainly see the figure of his host's son; six stout serving men, in buff doublets and short cloaks, held flambeaus around him as he dismounted from his horse, a beautiful snowwhite barb, which, from the orders he seemed giving, appeared to possess no small share of his master's attention.

As the ruddy glare of the torches were cast on his person, Gomez obtained a full view of the tall and commanding figure of Walter Lynch, and he shrank at the idea of the comparison that would exist in the eyes of the fair Agnes. A plain buff doublet and cloth hose formed Walter's dress, with the exception of a broad girdle, in which was placed a skein or dagger, about two feet long, and by his left side a heavy cut and thrust sword, whilst the only piece of defensive armour he wore consisted of a "salet" or close steel cap, in which was placed a single heron feather. After a few minutes delay amongst his retainers, the young Spaniard saw him enter the mansion, and his firm tread was soon heard mounting the footsteps that led to the common hall.

All the enthusiastic praises of a proud father were more than realized in the young man that now entered the room; and when, after the usual salutations, the young Spaniard beheld the noble and commanding figure of Agnes' lover, the full and piercing eye, the Grecian form of feature, and the beauty and intelligence that were stampt on his countenance, the conviction came, that he had seldom seen his equal.

"And how speeds thy wooing, master Walter, since my voyage over the seas?" inquired Fitzstephen- gramercy, I have seen many a lovely face in fair Spain!"—"Why, like most lovers' suits, with the due number of little quarrels," replied Walter," what with a few passes between the knight, Sir Walter De Burghos and myself, and a case before the town council, for the cudgelling of Geoffry Strongback, the head bailiff of the archery green, I have had no little trouble to keep myself in any grace."

had been better, Walter, to have kept the knowledge of these frays from me. You know how little at any time I have countenanced them; and let me add, when the office of mayorship devolves on me, you will find but little, if not less grace from me than from my predecessors." "It was as well to inform you of the matter," interrupted the young man, colouring, as ill fame would have brought an account of the affair ere long to your ears.""Perhaps thou speakest too true," interrupted Fitzstephen, "come Walter, fill up thy cup; our young guest will pledge to the health I shall propose; 'tis the fair Agnes Gammaline." With enthusiasm, on the part of Walter, the health was pledged, when after hastily scanning the figure and appearance of the young Spaniard, turning to his father, he exclaimed," And thy voyage has been prosperous? what say the worthy burghers of Cadiz to our freight of exchange?" Indifferently well," replied Fitzstephen, "though the broad cloths and finery that I have brought over, in lieu of our coarse merchandise, is likely to prove more acceptable here; nor have I in my barters forgotten the fair Agnes; for, on the night of my election to the mayorship, she shall don a new kirtle "wimple" and "Coifure," with bracelets, to show off her snowy arms, and pearls to braid her dark brown tresses." " Then truly thou hast been mindful of her fancies," interrupted Walter, " and the saints forfend you, do not turn her head; but thou seemest weary?" he continued, after a pause, during which he had directed his glance towards the Spaniard. So far from weary," replied the young cavalier," that under favor, fair sir, I would propose a walk; the moon has now risen, and I should like to see something of the town."

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"Sayest thou so?" interrupted Walter, "Well then, let us forward," and he further resumed, in a whisper," dost thou not play the harp?-or guitar?" the Spaniard smiled as he replied, " trust a countryman of mine for that. I can compass ye any measure of music, and sing love with any provincial trubadour of France or Spain," "" then bring thine instrument," interrupted Walter. "We will sally forth to the house of the fair Agnes Gammaline, and beneath her window serenade her by moonlight; and now a cup before we part. Father, our guest is for a moonlight walk; you we will leave to pour over the different investments of thy cargo, but expect us ere long." Fitzstephen smiled as he said, "I can guess your errand, but beware of brawls; and should you meet any of the De Burghos' swash bucklers, stay not to bandy words with them." So saying, Fitzstephen, arising from his seat, left the apartment by a low door that opened into the interior of the house.

Muffled up in their long cloaks, the two young men sallied out. Consistent with the spirit of the feudal age, most of the houses, although it was still early, were shut up. In some few, where merriment and feasting was going on, lights and the sound of instruments gave earnest of merry doings. Now and then a solitary craftsman or inferior burgher would pass with his peak-crowned hat, heavily slouched over his eyes, or three or four gallants, fresh from some carouse, come singing and reeling along the narrow flagging that composed the pathway. The high middle street, down which their course now lay, exhibited its long perspective of gothic architecture, glistening in the pale moonbeams, displaying their

narrow casements, and fanciful devices of stone work. Here a half opened window exhibited its rich curtains, as they waved in the night air, whilst now and then the solitary strain of some enamoured gallant stole on the silence of the night. At the bottom of the long street which they had traversed, the market cross of the town exhibited its tall, naked, stone pillar in the clear moonlight, when, turning to the right, the gothic Cathedral of Saint Nicholas exposed its dark and frowning mass of buildings. The straggling street, that on three sides surrounded it, went by the apellation of the "Boagher Keam," and was composed of a number of houses of very irregular size, and different forms of architecture. It was to one of the most considerable of the buildings, both as to size and appearance, that Walter now approached; a balcony extended in front of the middle story, whilst beneath, the low and narrow doorway exposed its huge oaken pannels, and the polished steel knobs that served to strengthen them. Various additions appeared to have been added to the building, as the number of strange projections and turrets could never have been a portion of the original plan beneath: there was no wall or railing to separate the dwelling from the street, but the lower windows were strengthened by iron staunchions; whilst in the balcony above, a number of flowers were trained against the wall.

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In silence the young men stationed themselves under the balcony, and, after pulling their plumed bonnets over their brows, and wrapping their cloaks closer around them, commenced a soft Spanish air, Gomez playing an accompaniment on the guitar he had brought. Sweetly the strain rose on the night air, as their full rich voices blended together until the song concluded. Thy mistress is over chary of her presence," whispered Gomez, "the dames of Spain have a kinder ear for the serenade of a gallant." Walter bit his lip, but remained silent; in vain their eyes were bent against the balcony, for no fair form presented itself to their view. It was after a pause that Walter at length exclaimed, in a low tone, "Signior, get under the shade of the doorway; I'll try what my voice alone may effect.

"Have thy fancy, fair Sir, then," rejoined Gomez, as he withdrew into the shade," and better fortune attend thy next essay." It was a soft, original Irish air that the lover of the fair Agnes commenced; one that he well knew she loved; nor was his minstrelsy long unrewarded, for a white hand was seen opening the lattice that folded out on the balcony. It was Agnes; and as she bent over the ballustrade, to address her lover, her long rich tresses fell around her snowy garments.

"That is a sweet air, master Walter," whispered forth the soft silvery tones of Agnes, "but who aided you so daintily, with his voice and guitar just now?" "My father's guest, Signior Gomez," replied Walter, "he's here; but, by the saints, 'twas paying our minstrelsy little favor to deny our united exertions the honor of your fair presence!" "I cry mercy for my fault, fair Sirs; but where so many young gallants follow the honorable craft of trobadours, a damsel might unwittingly give encouragement to their devoirs, mistaking them for some one else." "Cautiously remarked, most sage Agnes! and here, from the envious shade of thy father's portal, our puissant guest, Signior Gomez, approaches."