Their performance was a sort of allegorical mystery, and the scene with which they were then occupied exhibited a gorgeous figure seated on a throne, representing the god of wealth, with the name “Plutus” in gold letters on his breast. Then there came all sorts of characters, priests, courtiers, judges, poets, minstrels, &c., who paid their homage to the god, entreating his protection. Thereupon Plutus, from a great store of bags, supposed to contain gold, gave more or less to each applicant, and the gift was delivered and received with some awkward rhymes, intending to satirize all ranks. At length there stepped forward a knight in complete armour, who paid his court even more humbly than the rest, and in a string of verses, indicated that gold and silver were the best balsam for wounds and bruises, concluding with these rude lines: “Gold for blood, sir,--give enow; Your battles shall be fought I trow!” Plutus was ready to deliver his answer, when, on hearing these last words, Otto started up in great wrath, laid his hand vehemently on his sword, and called out aloud, “That base recreant disgraces the armour which he wears, and I shall revenge on his own head the falsehood which he has uttered, if he has but courage to meet me on the field!” Half laughing and half terrified, the whole company fixed their attention on the young angry champion. Theobaldo, however, who was also incensed, put an end to the performance, threatening the unfortunate representative of knighthood, that he should never again be suffered to enter within his doors. He then turned courteously to Otto, and begged that his guest would not impute the blame to him, if those stupid players, because they were in a merchant’s house, had absurdly tried to gain favour by satirizing all other professions. By this explanation the knight was quite calmed, and on his part offered many excuses for his rash conduct in thus disturbing the company. Soon after, the whole party adjourned to a magnificent banquet, which was prepared for them in another apartment.