Exhorting us, moreover, we should enterprise nothing beyond and against this token of remembrance. Herewith we went to the sea, where our ships lay so richly equipped, that it was not well possible but that such brave things must first have been brought thither. The ships were twelve in number; our flags were the twelve celestial signs, and we sate in Libra. Besides other things, our ship had also a noble and curious clock, which shewed us all the minutes. The ships passed on and before we had sailed two hours the mariner told us that he already saw the whole lake almost covered with ships, by which we could conjecture they were come but to meet us, which also proved true. As soon as they were well in ken of us, the pieces were discharged on both sides, and there was such a din of trumpets, shalms, and kettledrums that all the ships upon the sea capered again. Finally as soon as we came near they brought our ships together and so made a stand. Immediately the old Atlas stepped forth on the King's behalf, making a short but handsome oration, wherein he welcomed us and demanded whether the royal presents were in readiness. The rest of my companions were in an huge amazement, whence this king should arise, for they imagined no other but that they must again awaken him. We suffered them to continue in their wonderment, and carried ourselves as if it seemed strange to us too. After Atlas's oration, out steps our old man making somewhat a larger reply, wherein he wished the King and Queen all happiness and increase, after which he delivered up a curious small casket, but what was in it I know not; only it was committed to Cupid, who hovered between them both, to keep. After the oration was finished, they again let off a joyful volley of shot, and so we sailed on a good time together, till at length we arrived at another shore. This was near the first gate at which I first entered. At this place again there attended a great multitude of the King's family together with some hundreds of horses. Our old lord and I most unworthy were to ride even with the King, each of us bearing a snow white ensign, with a red cross. I had fastened my tokens round my hat of which the young King soon took notice, and demanded if I were he, who could at the gate redeem those tokens? I answered in the most humble manner, Yes. But he laughed on me, saying, there henceforth needed no ceremony; I was his father. Then he asked wherewith I had redeemed them. I replied, with water and salt, whereupon he wondered who had made me so wise, upon which I grew somewhat more confident, and recounted unto him, how it had happened to me with my bread, the dove, and the raven, and he was pleased with it, and said expressly that it must needs be that God had herein vouchsafed me a singular happiness.... Meantime the tables were prepared in a spacious room, in which we had never been before; into this we were conducted with singular pomp and ceremony.