136 FLOWERS AND GARDENS OF MADEIRA 



the unsurpassed beauty of the island coming to 

 the ears of the enterprising Portuguese navigator 

 Joao Gonsalvez Zargo. The tale relates how one 

 Robert a Machin, in the reign of Edward III., 

 fell in love with a beautiful young lady of noble 

 family named Anna d'Arget. Being endowed 

 with great wealth as well as beauty, her parents 

 destined her for a greater match, which was 

 accordingly arranged. Though the lady returned 

 her young lover's affection, she was compelled, in 

 an age when the daughters of a great house had 

 little voice in the choice of their husbands, to 

 marry the nobleman chosen by her parents. In 

 order to insure that their plans should not be 

 frustrated, the lady's parents went so far as to 

 arrange that her lover Robert should be im- 

 prisoned until after the marriage. When he was 

 liberated he heard from a friend of the fate of his 

 lady-love, and lost no time in following her to 

 her new home and arranging for their elopement. 

 This took place by sea, the adventurous couple 

 embarking at Bristol, hoping to make the coast of 

 France. Contrary winds arose, and we are told 

 that, after enduring great perils and hardships for 

 thirteen days, Robert and Anna, accompanied by 

 a few faithful followers, came to " a pleasant but 



