He cut all his teeth without even a whimper.
When he was seven years old his mother taught him to sing, and his father lifted him upon a tall horse, to inspire him with courage.
The child smiled with delight, and soon became familiar with everything pertaining to chargers.

An old and very learned monk taught him the Gospel, the Arabic numerals, the Latin letters, and the art of painting delicate designs on vellum.

They worked in the top of a tower, away from all noise and disturbance.
When the lesson was over, they would go down into the garden and study the flowers.
Sometimes a herd of cattle passed through the valley below, in charge of a man in Oriental dress.

The lord of the manor, recognising him as a merchant, would despatch a servant after him.
The stranger, becoming confident, would stop on his way and after being ushered into the castle-hall, would display pieces of velvet and silk, trinkets and strange objects whose use was unknown in those parts.

Then, in due time, he would take leave, without having been molested and with a handsome profit.
At other times, a band of pilgrims would knock at the door.