Folkolookedonallthewhilewithanapprovingsmile，whilstGabrielle，inmuchembarrassment，seemedhardlytoknowhowtotreatthehalf-wild，half-tamedyoungstranger。Aftersomehesitation，however，sheheldoutherfairhandtohim，andsaidasshegentlyraisedhim：\"Surelyonewholistenswithsuchdelighttomusicmusthimselfknowhowtoawakenitsstrains。Takemylute，andletushearagracefulinspiredsong。\"
ButSintramdrewback，andwouldnottaketheinstrument;andhesaid，\"Heavenforbidthatmyroughuntutoredhandshouldtouchthosedelicatestrings！ForevenwereItobeginwithsomesoftstrains，yetbeforelongthewildspiritwhichdwellsinmewouldbreakout，andtherewouldbeanendoftheformandsoundofthebeautifulinstrument。No，no;suffermerathertofetchmyownhugeharp，strungwithbears’sinewssetinbrass，forintruthIdofeelmyselfinspiredtoplayandsing。\"
Gabriellemurmuredahalf-frightenedassent;andSintramhavingquicklybroughthisharp，begantostrikeitloudly，andtosingthesewordswithavoicenolesspowerful：
\"Sirknight，sirknight，oh！whitherawayWiththysnow-whitesailonthefoamingspray？\"
Singheigh，singho，forthatlandofflowers！