The captivity of ____ ____ __ ____, ____ __, King of ____, son and successor of ____ __, made a solemn vow to lead a ____ to the deliverance of ____. Accordingly, in ____, accompanied by ____ ____, King of ____, he set sail for the ____ ____; but in spite of the bravery of both Kings, a year elapsed, and their object was not yet attained. ____ ____ was compelled to return to his kingdom. His ally, ____, strove to continue the enterprise; but the desertion of ____ of ____, with whom he had quarrelled at the siege of __ ____ ____, weakened his army to such an extent that he was forced to abandon the struggle, and return to ___. On the return voyage a terrible storm came up, and after many hours of anxiety, the ship was dashed to pieces against some rocks. All on board perished excepting ____, who, deprived of everything but life, and a few jewels which he wore, was obliged to continue his journey on foot. His route lay through the estates of his enemy ____, and also through those of ____ __, Emperor of ____. Both dignitaries were his sworn enemies, and were very anxious to have him in their power. ____ knew this, and assuming a disguise, proceeded with the utmost caution. He passed safely through a large portion of ____, and would have escaped recognition had he not attempted to sell a valuable ring which he always wore. One of ____'s servants saw the ring, his suspicions were aroused, and he immediately warned his master of his discovery. ____ was seized, delivered into the hands of ____ __, who threw him into prison, and kept him captive for many weary months.

____ ____, Regent of ____ during his brother's absence, instead of freeing him, left him to his sad fate. Indeed, ____ would probably have died in prison had it not been for the devotion of his favorite, ____. This man was a minstrel, and had spent many happy days in close companionship with his beloved master. Hoping to find the King, he journeyed from one castle to another, inquiring everywhere if a distinguished prisoner was detained there, but all in vain. Weary, foot-sore, and disheartened, he arrived near an ancient castle, and seating himself by the road-side, played and sang his master's favorite ballad. Imagine his surprise, his delight, when a well-known voice took up the strain, and sang the remaining verses! In his great joy he hastened back to ____, enlisted the sympathies of the Barons, and gathered together a large ransom, in consideration of which ____ __ released his royal captive, after an imprisonment of almost __ months.