Cantiga 194 of the Cantigas de Santa Maria of Alfonso X

The Robbed Minstrel (Como o nome da Virgen/ é aos bõos fremoso)
   There was a minstrel who sang well and travelled from court to court, earning his living.
   One day, he came to the house of a greedy knight. The knight envied the minstrel’s donkey and clothes, and ordered one of his men to accost him as he travelled through the mountains.
   The man was happy to oblige his master, because committing evil deeds was his favourite hobby.
   He and a companion lay in wait for the minstrel who soon came along. They robbed him of his possessions and then decided to cut off his head.
   As they were casting lots and arguing about which one of them should kill him, the minstrel cried out to the Virgin to defend him.
   The two men tried to run away but they were paralyzed instantly. When the minstrel saw that his assailants could not speak or move, he recovered his things and went on his way, praising the Virgin.
A larger image of panel 5, Cantiga 194
Source: upenn.edu


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